ObjectiveTo explore the value of a multimodal MRI-based radiomics nomogram for differentiating human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 （HER-2） negative breast cancer molecular subtypes.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted on 190 patients with HER-2 negative breast cancer who underwent multimodal MRI examination， and the patients were divided into two molecular subtype groups： a HER-2 low expression group （n=108） and a HER-2 zero expression group （n=82）. The cases were randomly stratified and sampled at a ratio of 7∶3 and divided into a training set of 133 cases and a testing set of 57 cases. The clinical and radiological features of the patients were collected， the radiomics features based on T2-weighted imaging （T2WI）， diffusion-weighted imaging （DWI）， and dynamic contrast-enhanced （DCE）-MRI were extracted， and the clinical-radiological model， unimodal radiomics model， multimodal radiomics model， and combined model were constructed respectively. Then the nomogram combined multimodal radiomics signature （radsocre） with clinical-radiological features was used to construct a visualized predictive model， and the area under the curve （AUC） was used to compare the effectiveness of different models in distinguishing HER-2 low expression and zero expression subtypes.ResultsA significant difference in radscore was demonstrated between the HER-2 low and HER-2 zero expression groups in both the training （P<0.000 1） and testing sets （P<0.01）. The AUC of the multimodal radiomics model in the training set and the testing set were 0.914 and 0.836， respectively， which was superior to any unimodal radiomics model. The nomogram demonstrated great diagnostic efficacy （AUC=0.930 in training set； AUC=0.865 in testing set）.ConclusionA multimodal MRI-based nomogram incorporating radsocre and clinical-radiological features can accurately distinguish the subtypes of HER-2 negative breast cancer.

Methods: Cervical radiographs were analyzed. EOP hyperplasia was classified into three subtypes with standardized length measurements. Variables encompassed demographics, ONL-related indices, and sagittal parameters. Subtype comparisons and multivariate regression analyses (with EOP length as dependent variable) were conducted. Results: Analysis of 187 CSM patients (64.2% male) identified gender-specific patterns: males exhibited greater EOP length (9.4±6.8 mm vs. 4.6±3.4 mm, p<0.001). Type III EOP demonstrated male predominance (82.4% vs. type I 31.8%, type II 51.4%; p<0.001), with associated longer hyperplasia length (11.6±6.6 mm vs. type II 5.1±1.9 mm, p<0.001). Type III EOP was associated with higher ONL prevalence (type III 64.8% vs. type I 45.5%, type II 41.9%; p=0.010) and longer ONL osteophyte length (type III 18.8±9.8 mm vs. type I 14.2±8.1 mm, type II 14.2±9.4 mm; p=0.046). Multivariate regression confirmed male sex (β=–3.82, p=0.009), ONL osteophyte length (β=0.16, p=0.017), T1 slope (β=0.27, p=0.041), and spino-cranial angle (β=–0.19, p=0.009) as factors independently associated with EOP length (adjusted R²=0.382). Conclusions Severe EOP hyperplasia exhibits a male-predominant distribution pattern and demonstrates significant radiological associations with ONL and cervical sagittal imbalance in CSM patients. These findings advocate for EOP evaluation in clinical evaluations to identify high-risk biomechanical profiles.

Background: Disorders of the blood-brain barrier (BBB) arising from diabetes mellitus are closely related to diabetic encephalopathy. Previous research has suggested that neuron-glia antigen 2 (NG2)-glia plays a key role in maintaining the integrity of the BBB. However, the mechanism by which NG2-glia regulates the diabetic BBB remains unclear. Methods: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) db/db mice and db/m mice were used. Evans-Blue BBB permeability tests and transmission electron microscopy techniques were applied. Tight junction proteins were assessed by immunofluorescence and transmission electron microscopy. NG2-glia number and signaling pathways were evaluated by immunofluorescence. Detection of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in serum was performed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: In T2DM db/db mice, BBB permeability in the hippocampus significantly increased from 16 weeks of age, and the structure of tight junction proteins changed. The number of NG2-glia in the hippocampus of db/db mice increased around microvessels from 12 weeks of age. Concurrently, the expression of MMP-9 increased in the hippocampus with no change in serum. Sixteen- week-old db/db mice showed activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in hippocampal NG2-glia. Treatment with XAV-939 improved structural and functional changes in the hippocampal BBB and reduced MMP-9 secretion by hippocampal NG2-glia in db/db mice. It was also found that the upregulation of β-catenin protein in NG2-glia in the hippocampus of 16-week-old db/db mice was significantly alleviated by treatment with XAV-939. Conclusion The results indicate that NG2-glia can lead to structural and functional disruption of the diabetic BBB by activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling, upregulating MMP-9, and degrading tight junction proteins.

BACKGROUND: Electroacupuncture (EA) treatment is efficacious in patients with respiratory disorders, although the mechanisms of its action in lung-function protection are poorly understood. This study aimed to explore the neuroanatomical mechanisms of EA stimulation at the BL13 acupoint (Feishu, EA-BL13) improvement in asthma. METHODS: Allergic asthma was induced by intranasal 2.0% ovalbumin (OVA) instillation combined with intraperitoneal injection of the 10.0% OVA. The levels of interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-5 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin and eosin and periodic acid-schiff stain were used to evaluate inflammatory cell infiltration and mucus secretion. Cellular oncogene fos induction in neurons after EA stimulation was detected by immunofluorescent staining. The messenger RNA expression levels of adrenergic receptors were quantified with real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: EA improved airway inflammation and mucus secretion mainly by activating somatosensory-sympathetic pathways ( P <0.001). Briefly, the intermediolateral (IML) nuclei of the spinal cord received signals from somatic EA stimulation and then delivered the information via the sympathetic trunk to the lung. Excited sympathetic nerve endings in lung tissue released large amounts of catecholamines that specifically activated the β2 adrenergic receptor (β2AR) on T cells ( P <0.01) and further decreased the levels of IL-4 and IL-5 ( P <0.001) through the cyclic adenosine monophosphate/protein kinase A signaling pathway. CONCLUSION This study provided a new explanation and clinical basis for the use of EA-BL13 as a treatment for allergic asthma in both the attack and remission stages and other respiratory disorders related to airway inflammation.
Electroacupuncture/methods* ; Animals ; Asthma/immunology* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Inflammation/therapy* ; Interleukin-4/metabolism* ; Interleukin-5/metabolism*

BACKGROUND: Currently, lung cancer is one of the malignant tumors with a high morbidity and mortality all over the world. However, the exact mechanisms underlying lung cancer progression remain unclear. The tumor necrosis factor receptor associated factor (TRAF) family members are cytoplasmic adaptor proteins, which function as both adaptor proteins and ubiquitin ligases to regulate diverse receptor signalings, leading to the activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and interferon regulatory factor (IRF) signaling. The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of TRAFs in different tissues and cancer types, as well as its mRNA expression, protein expression, prognostic significance and functional enrichment analysis in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), in order to provide new strategies for the diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC. METHODS: RNA sequencing data from the The Genotype-Tissue Expression database was used to analyze the expression patterns of TRAF family members in different human tissues. RNA sequencing data from the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia database was used to analyze the expression patterns of TRAF family members in different types of cancer cell lines. RNA sequencing data from the The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database was used to analyze the mRNA levels of TRAF family members across different types of human cancers. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analyses from HPA database were used to analyze the TRAF protein levels in NSCLC [lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and lung squamous carcinoma (LUSC)]. Overall survival analysis was performed by Log-rank test using original data from Kaplan-Meier Plotter database to evaluate the correlation between TRAF expressions and prognosis. Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the TRAF family-related genes using RNA sequencing data from the TCGA database for NSCLC. The correlation between the expression levels of TRAF family members and the tumor immune microenvironment was analyzed using the ESTIMATE algorithm based on RNA sequencing data from the TCGA database. RESULTS: The TRAF family members exhibited significant tissue-specific expression heterogeneity. TRAF2, TRAF3, TRAF6 and TRAF7 were widely expressed in most tissues, while the expressions of TRAF1, TRAF4 and TRAF5 were restricted to specific tissues. The expressions of TRAF family members were highly specific among different types of cancer cell lines. In mRNA database of LUAD and LUSC, the expressions of TRAF2, TRAF4, TRAF5 and TRAF7 were significantly upregulated; while TRAF6 did the opposite; moveover, TRAF1 and TRAF3 only displayed a significant upregulation in LUAD and LUSC, respectively. Except for TRAF3, TRAF4 and TRAF7, other TRAF proteins displayed an obviously deeper IHC staining in LUAD and LUSC tissues compared with normal tissues. Additionally, patients with higher expression levels of TRAF2, TRAF4 and TRAF7 had shorter overall survival; while patients with higher expression levels of TRAF3, TRAF5 and TRAF6 had significantly longer overall survival; however, no significant difference had been observed between TRAF1 expression and the overall survival. TRAF family members differentially regulated multiple pathways, including NF-κB, immune response, cell adhesion and RNA splicing. The expression levels of TRAF family members were closely associated with immune cell infiltration and stromal cell content in the tumor immune microenvironment, with varying positive and negative correlations among different members. CONCLUSIONS TRAF family members exhibit highly specific expression differences across different tissues and cancer types. Most TRAF proteins exhibit upregulation at both mRNA and protein levels in NSCLC, whereas, only upregulated expressions of TRAF2, TRAF4 and TRAF7 predict worse prognosis. The TRAF family members regulate processes such as inflammation, immunity, adhesion and splicing, and influence the tumor immune microenvironment.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology* ; Lung Neoplasms/mortality* ; Prognosis ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Tumor Necrosis Factor Receptor-Associated Peptides and Proteins/metabolism*

AIM: To compare the visual quality in patients with low-to-moderate myopia after 0.05 D interval spherical lens optometry-guided small-incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)and conventional 0.25 D interval spherical lens optometry-guided SMILE.METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 400 cases(400 eyes)with low-to-moderate myopia that underwent SMILE in the ophthalmology department of 989th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force from August 2021 to August 2023 were enrolled and the data from the right eyes were collected for analysis. According to the method of optometry test modality, they were divided into 0.05 D group and 0.25 D group, with 200 eyes in each group. The differences were compared between the two groups of patients in intraoperative corneal ablation thickness, uncorrected distance visual acuity(UDVA), high-order corneal aberrations(HOA), spherical aberrations, vertical coma, horizontal coma and trefoil aberrations before and at 1, 3 and 6 mo after surgery. Additionally, the percentage of eyes with residual spherical equivalent(SE)≤±0.25 D, postoperative visual symptoms and scores on the quality of visual(Qov)were compared between the two groups at 6 mo after surgery.RESULTS: The corneal ablation thickness in the 0.05 D group was 92.78±16.56 μm, which was slightly higher than that in the 0.25 D group(83.24±17.33 μm; P<0.001). The UDVA at each postoperative time point in the 0.05 D group was superior to that in the 0.25 D group(all P<0.001). The HOA, spherical aberration, horizontal coma and vertical coma in the two groups at 1, 3 and 6 mo after operation were higher than those before operation(all P<0.05). The spherical aberration in the 0.05 D group at each time point after surgery were higher than those in the 0.25 D group, and vertical coma were lower than those in the 0.25 D group(all P<0.05). At 6 mo postoperatively, the percentage of eyes with residual SE ≤±0.25 D in the 0.05 D group was 97.5%(195 eyes), which was higher than 87.5%(175 eyes)in the 0.25 D group(P<0.05). The most common adverse visual symptoms after SMILE in both groups were hazy vision and glare. The total Qov score in the 0.05 D group was 0.35(0.24, 0.55), which was lower than [0.62(0.32, 0.89)] in the 0.25 D group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Compared with conventional 0.25 D interval spherical lens optometry-guided SMILE, the 0.05 D interval spherical lens optometry-guided SMILE for the correction of low-to-moderate myopia has better predictability and can achieve better vision and visual quality.

Objective: To investigate the hematological characteristics of the rare McLeod phenotype associated with X-linked chronic granulomatous disease, KEL and XK gene analysis, identification of unexpected antibodies, serological characteristics of high-frequency antigen antibodies, and transfusion strategies. Methods: Serological methods were employed to determine the ABO, Rh, and other blood group system antigen phenotypes of the child, along with screening and identification of unexpected antibodies. The titers of high-frequency antigen antibodies were measured using tube antihuman globulin and microcolumn gel card techniques. Kell blood group typing was performed using serological and genotyping methods, while XK gene sequencing was conducted via next-generation sequencing. Peripheral blood smears from the child's mother were examined for erythrocyte morphology. Results: The child's serological results were as follows: blood group O, ccDEE, MM, Le(a-b+), JK(a+b+), Fy(a+b-), and Kell phenotype K-k+, Kp(a-b+). Plasma analysis revealed alloantibodies anti-C、e, as well as a high-frequency antigen antibody anti-KL, with titers of 512 (tube method) and 2 048 (microcolumn gel method). Genotyping results showed KEL genotype K-k+, Kp(a-b+), Js(a-b+), while XK gene NGS identified a hemizygous deletion of exons 1-3 (XK N. 01), consistent with XK: -1 or Kx-(McLeod). The mother's peripheral blood smear exhibited prominent acanthocytes. Conclusion: The hematological features of this rare McLeod phenotype with X-CGD include weakened Kell antigen expression and a complete exon deletion in the XK gene. Early clinical attention should be given to the symptoms and laboratory diagnosis of X-linked chronic granulomatous disease in pediatric patients. XK genotyping for McLeod phenotype should be prioritized to guide cautious transfusion strategies, preventing life-threatening complications due to incompatible blood products.

Objective:To construct a predictive model for mortality in patients with multiple trauma combined with thoracic injuries and evaluate its predictive value.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of 184 patients with multiple trauma combined with thoracic injuries admitted to the International Zhuang Medicine Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine from April 2019 to December 2023, including 129 males and 55 females, aged 19-85 years [(46.1±13.7)years]. According to the prognostic outcomes at 3-month follow-up after discharge, the patients were divided into survival group ( n=145) and death group ( n=39). Data were recorded in both groups at admission, including gender, age, and cause of injury, laboratory tests such as systolic blood pressure, oxygen saturation (SaO 2), hemoglobin (Hb), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and lactate, combined injuries such as the number of combined injuries, number of rib fracture, bilateral rib fracture, first-rib fracture, sternum fracture, thoracic vertebral fracture, bilateral pulmonary contusion, bilateral pneumothorax, subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, epidural hematoma, skull fracture, skull base fracture, cervical vertebral fracture, brain herniation, cerebral contusion, lumbar vertebral fracture, pelvic and abdominal cavity hematoma, liver injury, kidney injury, spleen injury, clavicle fracture, scapular fracture, femoral fracture, and pelvic fracture, and injury scores such as shock index (SI), modified shock index (MSI), injury severity score (ISS), revised trauma score (RTS), Glasgow coma score (GCS), and thoracic trauma severity (TTS) score. Univariate binary logistic regression analysis was used to screen for risk factors of death in patients with multiple trauma combined with thoracic injuries. LASSO regression and multivariate logistic regression analysis were employed to identify predictive variables and independent risk factors for mortality in those patients and to construct a regression equation. A nomogram prediction model based on the regression equation was developed using R language. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted to evaluate the discrimination of the model. The ROC curves were internally validated using the Bootstrap method with 1 000 resamples. The calibration of the model was assessed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow (H-L) goodness-of-fit test. The clinical application value of the model was evaluated using decision curve analysis (DCA) and clinical impact curve (CIC) analysis. Results:There were statistically significant differences between the survival group and the death group in systolic blood pressure, SaO 2, NLR, lactate, number of combined injuries, subarachnoid hemorrhage, subdural hematoma, skull fracture, skull base fracture, brain herniation, liver injury, SI, MSI, ISS, RTS, GCS, and TTS ( P<0.05 or 0.01). The results of the univariate binary logistic regression analysis showed that the above-mentioned related variables except for systolic blood pressure were all significantly associated with death in patients with multiple trauma combined with thoracic injuries ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Five predictive variables, TTS, GCS, brain herniation, ISS, and lactate were obtained in LASSO regression analysis. The results of the multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that GCS ( OR=0.70, 95% CI 0.58, 0.83), brain herniation ( OR=46.18, 95% CI 4.27, 499.26), TTS ( OR=1.71, 95% CI 1.30, 2.24), and lactate ( OR=1.35, 95% CI 1.01, 1.80) were independent risk factors for death in patients with multiple trauma combined with thoracic injuries ( P<0.05 or 0.01). Based on the aforementioned independent risk factors, a regression formula was constructed as follows: P=e x/(1+e x), with the x=-0.36×"GCS"+3.83×"brain herniation"+0.53×"TTS"+0.30×"lactate levels"-11.03. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of the predictive model for mortality in patients with multiple trauma combined with thoracic injuries based on the equation was 0.97 (95% CI 0.93, 1.00). The AUC was internally validated using the Bootstrap method with 1 000 samples, resulting in an AUC of 0.97 (95% CI 0.91, 1.00). The results of the H-L goodness-of-fit test showed that the bias-corrected calibration curve of the model was in good consistence with the actual curve and both of them were close to the ideal curve. In the evaluation of the clinical application value of the predictive model, the DCA results showed that the predictive model could achieve good clinical net benefit. The CIC results showed that when the threshold probability was greater than 0.7, the model-identified high-risk patients for death highly matched the patients who actually died. Conclusion:The predictive model for mortality in patients with multiple trauma combined with thoracic injuries based on GCS, brain herniation, TTS, and lactate has good predictive performance and clinical application value.

Nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures (OVF), predominantly affecting the elderly, can lead to intractable pain, vertebral collapse, progressive kyphotic deformity, and neurological impairment, significantly compromising patients′ quality of life. There exists considerable debate on diagnosis and management of OVF, encompassing key issues such as clinical diagnosis and staging criteria for nonunion, surgical indications and procedure selection, and postoperative rehabilitation planning. Currently, there lacks standardized clinical guideline and expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of OVF nonunion in China. To address this gap, Minimally Invasive Surgery Group of Chinese Orthopedic Association, Osteoporosis Committee of Chinese Association of Orthopedic Surgeons, Prevention and Rehabilitation Committee for Osteoporosis of Chinese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine and Minimally Invasive Orthopedic Surgery Branch of China Association for Geriatric Care jointly organized domestic experts in spinal surgery, endocrinology, and rehabilitation to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment for nonunion of osteoporotic vertebral fractures ( version 2025), based on existing literature and clinical experience and adhering to principles of scientific rigor and practicality. The guideline provided 13 evidence-based recommendations encompassing diagnosis and treatment of OVF nonunion, aiming to standardize its clinical management.

For middle-aged and elderly patients with conditions such as spinal fractures and degenerative spinal diseases, spinal internal fixation is a core surgical procedure for reconstructing spinal stability, heavily relying on the biomechanical stability provided by pedicle screw systems. Whereas, these patients are often complicated by osteoporosis that can significantly compromise the stability of the bone-pedicle screw interface, leading to a marked increase in pedicle screw loosening and surgical failure rates. The bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique, which involves injecting bone cement into the vertebral body or screw trajectory to optimize the mechanical properties of the bone-pedicle screw composite, has been proven to significantly enhance fixation strength and effectively prevent screw-related failures, thereby reducing the incidence of internal fixation failure in high-risk populations undergoing spinal fusion. However, the widespread clinical application of this technique has faced challenges such as inaccurate clinical decision-making (indication and contraindication selection), non-standardized operative practices, and insufficient awareness of complication prevention, resulting in considerable variability in clinical outcomes and even severe complications. To address this, Prof. Luo Fei from First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University initiated the project and the Chinese Association Orthopaedic Surgeons organized relevant experts to develop the Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique ( version 2025), based on current evidence. The guidelines put forward 8 recommendations regarding the clinical value, scope of application, and operational standards of the technique, aiming to provide evidence-based medical support and technical standardization for clinical decision-making.