ObjectiveTo observe the effect of gene mutation on the effectiveness of arsenic-containing Chinese herbal compound formulas in the treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes （MDS） of different traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） patterns， so as to provide the basis for the clinical application. MethodsClinical data of 442 MDS patients who were treated with arsenic-containing herbal compound formulas were retrospectively collected， including the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients. Based on the TCM four examinations， the patients were divided into the spleen-kidney deficiency group as well as the qi-yin deficiency group， and according to the results of the next-generation sequencing （NGS） test， they were divided into the group with and without gene mutation respectively. The influence of gene mutation on the clinical effectiveness of patients with different TCM patterns was analyzed， the baseline demographic and clinical characteristics of the patients with different outcomes of the two TCM patterns were compared， and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted on the influencing factors of the effective rate of MDS patients with gene mutation. ResultsA total of 190 cases were included in the spleen-kidney deficiency group （119 cases with gene mutation） and 43 cases in the qi-yin deficiency group （23 cases with gene mutation）. No statistically significant differences were noted in effectiveness assessment， total effective rate， and total response rate between the spleen-kidney deficiency group and the qi-yin deficiency group （P＞0.05）. In the spleen-kidney deficiency group， the total effective rate of MDS with gene mutation was 65.55% （78/119）， which was lower than 80.28% （57/71） of MDS without gene mutation， with statistical significance （P = 0.033）， while no statistical differences in effectiveness assessment and total response rate were noted （P＞0.05）. In the qi-yin deficiency group， no statistical differences were observed in effectiveness assessment， total effective rate， and total response rate of the patients in with or without gene mutation （P＞0.05）. In the spleen-kidney deficiency group with gene mutation， the rate of complex karyotype （P = 0.031） and the mutation rate of CBL gene （P = 0.032） in the ineffective population were higher than those in the effective population， while the mutation rate of DDX41 gene in the effective population was higher than that in the ineffective population （P = 0.033）. No statistically significant differences were found in other gene mutations， age， gender distribution， number of gene mutations， bone marrow hyperplasia degree， blast cell range， reticular fiber tissue proliferation or not， and prognosis of chromosomal abnormalities between the effective and ineffective populations （P＞0.05）. In the qi-yin deficiency group with gene mutation， no statistically significant differences were found in various items between populations with different outcomes （P＞0.05）. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that complex karyotype， CBL mutation， and DDX41 mutation were independently associated with the effective rate of MDS with spleen-kidney deficiency and gene mutation （P＜0.05）. DDX41 mutation was an independent protective factor in the spleen-kidney deficiency group （OR＞1）， while complex karyotype and CBL mutation were independent risk factors （OR＜1）. ConclusionThe arsenic-containing TCM compound formulas exhibited better effectiveness in MDS with spleen-kidney deficiency pattern without mutation； and in MDS with spleen-kidney deficiency pattern without complex karyotypes， CBL mutation， and with DDX41 mutations. Furthermore， DDX41 mutation was an independent protective factor in the spleen-kidney deficiency group， while complex karyotype and CBL mutation were independent risk factors. In MDS with qi-yin deficiency pattern， gene mutation-related factors showed no significant impact on the effectiveness of arsenic-containing TCM compound formulas.

Objective : To characterize MMP12 as a pan-cancer marker and assess its screening value as a tumor serum marker. Methods : Bioinformatics tools such as GEPIA2,GSCA,cBioPortal,and GeneMANIA were used to analyze the pan-cancer features of MMP12 in TCGA datasets,including encompassing differential gene expression analysis,prognostic analysis,DNA methylation analysis,gene structural variation analysis and immune microenvironment analysis.Furthermore,serum samples we collected from patients with lung adenocarcinoma,breast invasive carcinoma,esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,stomach adenocarcinoma,liver hepatocellular carcinoma,and healthy individuals.ELISA was used to detect MMP12 expression in serum,and the screening performance was evaluated using the area under the ROC curve.Additionally,we followed up 28 ESCC patients and compared serum MMP12 levels between 19 patients with disease progression and 9 patients with stable disease. Results: The pancancer feature analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between MMP12 mRNA expression and its promoter DNA methylation(P<0.05),as well as a positive correlation with gene copy number variations(P<0.05).MMP12 mRNA expression was up-regulated in 14 cancer tissues compared to normal tissues next to cancer(P<0.05) and was associated with poor prognosis of cancer patients(P<0.05).Immunocorrelation analysis showed that MMP12 was significantly associated with immunity,infiltration of stromal cells,tumor mutational burden(TMB) and microsatellite instability(MSI)(P<0.05).ROC curve analysis indicated that MMP12 could serve as a potential biomarker for screening lung adenocarcinoma,breast invasive carcinoma,esophageal squamous cell carcinoma,stomach adenocarcinoma,and liver hepatocellular carcinoma.In a 30-month follow-up study of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma patients,the expression of MMP12 was higher in the disease progression group than that in the stable group. Conclusion MMP12 serves as a potential prognostic and screening marker of pan-cancer.

Objective To retrospectively analyze multicenter data from domestic sources, aiming to explore the link between intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) tumor size and prognosis, establishing a classification system based on tumor size. Methods Between December 2011 and September 2018, 280 ICC patients from 13 hospitals were included. The tumor size prognosis cutoff was identified by the minimum P-value method, and the classification's overall survival related effectiveness was assessed by Kaplan-Meier analysis. Results All 280 patients were divided into the group of tumor maximum diameter ≤4 cm and >4 cm. Tumor size was confirmed as an independent prognosis factor by multivariate COX regression analysis (HR=2.110, 95% CI: 1.358-3.280). Conclusions The tumor size dichotomy classification system based on the Chinese patient group can expediently predict ICC prognosis and offers an important basis for selecting post-operative individualized adjuvant therapy and follow up plans.

BACKGROUND: Postoperative pulmonary complications (PPCs) are major adverse events in neurosurgical patients. This study aimed to develop and validate machine learning models predicting PPCs after neurosurgery. METHODS: PPCs were defined according to the European Perioperative Clinical Outcome standards as occurring within 7 postoperative days. Data of cases meeting inclusion/exclusion criteria were extracted from the anesthesia information management system to create three datasets: The development (data of Huashan Hospital, Fudan University from 2018 to 2020), temporal validation (data of Huashan Hospital, Fudan University in 2021) and external validation (data of other three hospitals in 2023) datasets. Machine learning models of six algorithms were trained using either 35 retrievable and plausible features or the 11 features selected by Lasso regression. Temporal validation was conducted for all models and the 11-feature models were also externally validated. Independent risk factors were identified and feature importance in top models was analyzed. RESULTS: PPCs occurred in 712 of 7533 (9.5%), 258 of 2824 (9.1%), and 207 of 2300 (9.0%) patients in the development, temporal validation and external validation datasets, respectively. During cross-validation training, all models except Bayes demonstrated good discrimination with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.840. In temporal validation of full-feature models, deep neural network (DNN) performed the best with an AUC of 0.835 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.805-0.858) and a Brier score of 0.069, followed by Logistic regression (LR), random forest and XGBoost. The 11-feature models performed comparable to full-feature models with very close but statistically significantly lower AUCs, with the top models of DNN and LR in temporal and external validations. An 11-feature nomogram was drawn based on the LR algorithm and it outperformed the minimally modified Assess respiratory RIsk in Surgical patients in CATalonia (ARISCAT) and Laparoscopic Surgery Video Educational Guidelines (LAS VEGAS) scores with a higher AUC (LR: 0.824, ARISCAT: 0.672, LAS: 0.663). Independent risk factors based on multivariate LR mostly overlapped with Lasso-selected features, but lacked consistency with the important features using the Shapley additive explanation (SHAP) method of the LR model. CONCLUSIONS: The developed models, especially the DNN model and the nomogram, had good discrimination and calibration, and could be used for predicting PPCs in neurosurgical patients. The establishment of machine learning models and the ascertainment of risk factors might assist clinical decision support for improving surgical outcomes. TRIAL REGISTRATION ChiCTR 2100047474; https://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.html?proj=128279 .
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Algorithms ; Lung Diseases/etiology* ; Machine Learning ; Neurosurgical Procedures/adverse effects* ; Postoperative Complications/diagnosis* ; Risk Factors ; ROC Curve

Background and Aims:Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(ICC)is a highly malignant liver tumor,with an increasing incidence worldwide,particularly in Asia.Although radical surgical resection is currently the only potentially curative treatment,the high recurrence rate and low postoperative overall survival(OS)rate of ICC remain major clinical challenges.Adjuvant therapy(AT)and neoadjuvant therapy(NAT)are important strategies to reduce postoperative recurrence and prolong OS.Several studies have shown certain efficacy of these treatments.However,the specific efficacy and safety of combined NAT and AT in ICC treatment require further validation.This study was conducted to evaluate the value of combining NAT and AT in improving the therapeutic outcomes of ICC patients through a multicenter retrospective analysis,so as to provide scientific evidence for optimizing treatment strategies.Methods:The clinicopathologic data of 576 patients with ICC who underwent radical resection and were pathologically confirmed from 13 hospitals in China between December 2011 and December 2017 were retrospectively collected.Patients were grouped based on their treatment modality:NAT+AT group,AT group,and non-NAT/AT group.The three patient groups were matched pairwise in a 1∶1 ratio using propensity score matching(PSM)to balance baseline data.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze OS and disease-free survival(DFS),and subgroup analyses were conducted according to the 8th edition of the AJCC TNM staging system.Results:A total of 395 ICC patients were included in the final analysis,with 42 patients(10.6%)in the NAT+AT group,62 patients(15.7%)in the AT group,and 291 patients(73.7%)in the non-NAT/AT group.Before PSM,significant differences were observed between groups in terms of CA19-9,liver function Child-Pugh classification,intraoperative blood loss,surgical margin,differentiation grade,vascular invasion,ECOG score,and lymph node dissection ratio(all P<0.05).After PSM,there were no significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups(all P>0.05).After matching,the median OS and DFS in the NAT+AT group were significantly better than in the AT and non-NAT/AT groups(both P<0.05),while there were no significant differences in OS and DFS between the AT and non-NAT/AT groups(both P>0.05).Subgroup analysis showed that in TNM stage I patients,DFS in the NAT+AT group was significantly better than in the non-NAT/AT group(P<0.05),but OS was not significantly different(P>0.05).In TNM stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ patients,both OS and DFS in the NAT+AT and AT groups were significantly better than in the non-NAT/AT group(both P<0.05),and DFS in the NAT+AT group was significantly better than in the AT group in TNM stage Ⅲ patients(P<0.05).Conclusion:NAT combined with AT provides better survival benefits for patients with locally advanced ICC,but its benefit for early-stage ICC patients is limited.However,the retrospective design and sample size limitations of this study may affect the stability of the results,and future large-sample,multicenter,prospective studies are needed for further validation.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics, RAN-binding protein 2 ( RANBP2) gene variations, and prognosis in Chinese acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) patients. Methods:A retrospective analysis of ANE cases registered in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital Encephalitis Registry System from 2022 to 2024, involving patients from Peking Union Medical College Hospital and other hospitals, was conducted. A descriptive study was performed on the clinical characteristics, treatments and prognosis, cerebrospinal fluid examination results, and imaging findings of these patients based on adjusted ANE diagnostic criteria. Whole-exome sequencing technology was used to detect gene mutations in these patients.Results:A total of 18 ANE cases were included, ranged in age from 2 to 72 [20(5, 43)] years. The male-to-female ratio was 4∶5. All patients were found with precipitating infections including COVID-19, influenza A virus and Mycoplasma pneumoniae infections. All patients presented with fever, with varying degrees of consciousness disturbance observed in 16 cases, and seizures in 10 cases. All patients underwent lumbar puncture, with normal or mildly elevated white cell counts [3(2, 13)×10 6/L] and mildly to moderately elevated protein levels [1.90(0.92, 4.65) g/L]. A total of 6 patients were found with extremely elevated interleukin-6 level [950(164, 2 000) pg/ml] in cerebrospinal fluid. Bilateral symmetric thalamic lesions were typical imaging features of ANE, while involvement of other areas such as cortical and subcortical white matter, brainstem, and cerebellum was also observed. A total of 14 patients performed genetic tests while 4 patients were identified with RANBP2 gene mutations (c.1754C>T in 3 cases, c.1966A>G in 1 case). All patients received immunotherapy, and 7 patients died at discharge while other patients presented with neurological sequelae of varying degrees. Conclusions:ANE is a rare and severe parainfectious encephalopathy that can occur in both children and adults. Clinically, it is characterized by rapidly progressing encephalopathy following systematic infection, with bilateral symmetric thalamic lesions. The detection of RANBP2 gene mutations could help make the diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the differential expression genes(DEGs)related to angiogenesis in rosacea(RA)by utilizing bioinformatics analysis in order to screen the key genes and verify their mRNA expression levels.Methods The gene microarray dataset GSE65914 was retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)repository.Analyzed by R programming,the dataset was refined to identify DEGs related to RA,and then cross-referenced with angiogenesis-related genes from the GeneCards database to get a subset specific to RA angiogenesis.The process of identifying key genes was augmented by employing protein-protein interaction(PPI)network analysis and Cytoscape-based computational algorithms.The mRNA expression levels of the aforementioned pivotal genes were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative reverse transcription PCR(RT-qPCR).Results A total of 947 RA-associated DEGs were identified from GEO dataset,and then 202 genes related to RA angiogenesis were further delineated.PPI network analysis and Cytoscape algorithm finally identified 3 key genes,that is,CXCL8,IL-1B,and STAT1.The results of RT-qPCR showed that the mRNA expression levels of MIP-2,GCP-2,IL-1B and STAT1 in RA lesions were significantly higher than those in normal controls(P<0.05).Conclusion With aid of bioinformatics analysis,our study has screened and validated key genes associated with angiogenesis in RA,namely CXCL8,IL-1B,and STAT1,which providing a theoretical basis for elucidating the potential mechanisms underlying RA-induced angiogenesis and developing targeted therapeutic strategies.

Silicone implant leakage and capsular calcification are potential complications following breast augmentation with silicone implants. This article presents a case of silicone implant leakage accompanied by capsular calcification following breast augmentation surgery. A 51-year-old female presented with self-reported breast hardening over 21 years after undergoing bilateral silicone implant augmentation mammoplasty and sought medical attention at the Department of Plastic Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University in 2019. Physical examination revealed eggshell-like hardening of the implants with Baker grade Ⅱ capsular contracture. CT scans demonstrated capsular calcification, leading to bilateral explantation and capsulectomy. Intraoperative findings showed calcified capsules with gelatinous material adherent to the surface. Postoperative compositional analysis confirmed calcium phosphate deposits in the calcified lesions. During the 6-year follow-up, the patient remained asymptomatic without breast pain, new masses, or impaired upper limb mobility. The incisions healed well with no sensory abnormalities. Literature review suggested that implant leakage may result from either long-term mechanical irritation secondary to capsular calcification or occult silicone leakage.

Objective:To evaluate preoperative high-resolution thin-layer cervical enhanced CT used to predict the venous route of the submental flap reflux vein and its relationship with adjacent structures in order to guide the anatomical understanding and protection of submental flap in pharyngeal cancer surgery.Methods:Sixty consecutive patients with pharyngeal cancer who underwent submental flap repair surgery in our department from March 2022 to December 2024, as well as 60 patients who were accepted neck dissection suffering other cancers, were selected. Before surgery, high-resolution cervical enhanced CT scans were performed, and the position of the transverse section of the facial vein in the venous phase horizontal image gradually variation tendency was focused layer by layer. The direction and adjacent relationship of the submental flap reflux veins were determined and recorded. Combined with 60 patients with other head and neck tumors who underwent neck dissection in our department during the same period (a total of 120 cases, 240 sides), the classification and management of the draining veins of Fang′s mental flap were conducted. Type Ⅰ mainly drains into the internal jugular vein; Type Ⅱ mainly drains into the external jugular vein and Type Ⅲ mainly drains into the anterior jugular vein (often accompanied by an external jugular draining branch). The status and proportion of venous drainage were analyzed.Results:Vascular predictive coincidence rate was 98.3% (59/60) among the 60 patients with pharyngeal cancer. Only one patient was predicted to have a simple return to the external jugular vein. However, during the operation, in addition to the main return to the external jugular vein, a small portion also returned to the internal jugular vein. Submental flap reflux vessels were classified into three types based on intraoperative submental flap venous return in 60 cases of laryngopharyngeal cancer, in conjunction with the analysis of venous return patterns from 240 cervical CT scans. Type Ⅰ mainly refluxed to the internal jugular vein, accounting for 42.1%. Type Ⅱ mainly refluxed to the external jugular vein (47.9%). Type Ⅲ mainly refluxed to the anterior jugular vein (10.0%). The total detection rate of CT reading of 240 venous reflux was 98.7% (237/240). Vascular predictive coincidence rate was 97.9%(235/240).Conclusion:The detailed analysis of submental venous return vessels can accurately predict the direction of reflux veins and its surrounding areas by preoperative high-resolution enhanced CT scan. This provides reliable guidance for the anatomy and protection of the submental flap reflux veins during surgery.

Objective:To compare the survival outcomes of different subsequent treatment regimens in patients with locally advanced hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) who achieved partial response (PR) after neoadjuvant chemotherapy based on the gross tumor volume regression rate (GTVRR).Methods:This retrospective study included patients with locally advanced HPSCC treated at the Department of Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Tongren Hospital, from January 2011 to December 2023. The cohort included 135 males and 3 females, aged from 35 to 77 years. All patients received 2-3 cycles of TPF regimen (paclitaxel+cisplatin+5-fluorouracil) neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Subsequent treatments included concurrent chemoradiotherapy or surgery combined with postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy. The impacts of different subsequent treatment modalities on the survivals and prognoses of patients were compared based on GTVRR thresholds of 50% and 70%. The χ 2 test was used to analyze influencing factors; survival analysis and intergroup comparisons were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test; prognostic factors were assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. Results:The 5-year OS and PFS rates were 56.5% and 47.9%, respectively, while, the 10-year OS and PFS rates were 25.8% and 21.2%, respectively. The median OS was 75 months, and the median PFS was 48 months. The laryngeal function preservation rate for the entire cohort was 83.3%. The patients who underwent surgery combined with postoperative radiotherapy had significantly better OS and PFS outcomes than those treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy ( P<0.05). Stratification based on GTVRR revealed that the surgery plus postoperative radiotherapy regimen was particularly effective for PR patients with a GTVRR of 30%-70%, showing significantly better OS and PFS compared to the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The optimal subsequent treatment for PR-HPSCC may be surgery-based comprehensive treatment, particularly for patients with a GTVRR of 30%-70%. This study offers valuable insights for the stratified treatment of HPSCC, which could contribute to improving overall patient prognosis.