Purpose: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low breast cancer has the potential to emerge as a distinct subtype. Several studies have compared the differences between HER2-low and HER2-0 breast cancers, but no consensus has been reached.Additionally, a biomarker to predict pathological complete response (pCR) rates in patients with HER2-low breast cancer remains to be identified. Methods: We collected data from 777 patients across three centers, stratifying them into HER2-low and HER2-0 groups. We compared differences in survival and pCR rates between the two groups and investigated potential biomarkers that could reliably predict pCR. Results: The study found that patients with HER2-0 breast cancer had higher pCR rates compared to patients with HER2-low tumors (289 patients [30.1%] vs. 475 patients [18.1%], p < 0.0001). Survival analysis showed no significant advantage for HER2-low tumors over HER2-0 breast cancers. Binary logistic analysis revealed that androgen receptor (AR) expression predicts poorer pCR rates in both the overall patient group and the HER2-0 breast cancer group (overall patients: odds ratio [OR], 0.479; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–0.917; p = 0.026 and HER2-0 patients: OR, 0.267; 95% CI, 0.080–0.892; p = 0.032). In contrast, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was associated with more favorable pCR rates in the overall patient group (OR, 3.199; 95% CI, 1.020–10.037; p = 0.046). Conclusion There is currently insufficient evidence to classify HER2-low breast cancer as a distinct subtype. Our study revealed that AR expression, along with negative PD-L1 expression, contributes to lower pCR rates.

Purpose: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low breast cancer has the potential to emerge as a distinct subtype. Several studies have compared the differences between HER2-low and HER2-0 breast cancers, but no consensus has been reached.Additionally, a biomarker to predict pathological complete response (pCR) rates in patients with HER2-low breast cancer remains to be identified. Methods: We collected data from 777 patients across three centers, stratifying them into HER2-low and HER2-0 groups. We compared differences in survival and pCR rates between the two groups and investigated potential biomarkers that could reliably predict pCR. Results: The study found that patients with HER2-0 breast cancer had higher pCR rates compared to patients with HER2-low tumors (289 patients [30.1%] vs. 475 patients [18.1%], p < 0.0001). Survival analysis showed no significant advantage for HER2-low tumors over HER2-0 breast cancers. Binary logistic analysis revealed that androgen receptor (AR) expression predicts poorer pCR rates in both the overall patient group and the HER2-0 breast cancer group (overall patients: odds ratio [OR], 0.479; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–0.917; p = 0.026 and HER2-0 patients: OR, 0.267; 95% CI, 0.080–0.892; p = 0.032). In contrast, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was associated with more favorable pCR rates in the overall patient group (OR, 3.199; 95% CI, 1.020–10.037; p = 0.046). Conclusion There is currently insufficient evidence to classify HER2-low breast cancer as a distinct subtype. Our study revealed that AR expression, along with negative PD-L1 expression, contributes to lower pCR rates.

Objective:To establish a quantitative analysis of multi-components by single marker(QAMS)for the determination of 6 alkaloid components,which is benzoylmesaconine,benzoyl-hypaconine,benzoylaconine,mesaconitine,hypaconitine,and aconitine in Zhachong Shisanwei Pills,and prove the scientificity and feasibility of the method in the quality analysis.Methods:The chromatographic separation was performed on an Agilent Eclipse Plus C18(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm)with gradient elution using 0.1 mol·L-1 ammonium acetate(0.5 mL of gla-cial acetic acid per 1 000 mL)(A)-acetonitrile:tetrahydrofuran(25∶15)(B),as the mobile phase(0-50 min,18%B-28%B),the detection wavelength was switched from 235 nm,the column temperature was kept at 40℃and the flow rate was 1.0 mL·min-1.The relative correction factors(fs/i)were established with the other 5 compo-nents to be measured using benzoylaconine as the internal reference,which were used to calculate the mass fraction of each component.At the same time,the mass fractions of the 6 effective constituents in Zhachong Shisanwei Pills were calculated by the external standard method(ESM).By comparing the content results of ESMand QAMS,the accura-cy of QAMS method were evaluated.Results:The relative correction factors(fs/i)of benzoylmesaconine,benzoylhyp-aconine,mesaconitine,hypaconitine,and aconitine in Mongolian medicine Zhachong Shisanwei Pills were reproduci-ble with good reproducibility,which were 0.680 4,0.450 6,0.850 8,0.676 1 and 0.757 0,the result obtained by QAMS approximated those obtained by external standard method(ESM).Conclusion:The method is simple,stable and reproducible,and can be used for the quality control of 6 alkaloid components in Zhachong Shisanwei Pills.

In order to explore the effects of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)on the repair of bovine endo-metrial stromal cells(BESCs)during inflammatory response,BESCs were treated by LPS in this study.Cell apoptosis rate was detected using flow cytometry,cell viability was measured using the CCK-8 assay,cell migration ability was observed using a scratch assay,and the expression of con-nective tissue growth factor(CTGF),transforming growth factor-beta 3(TGF-β3)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)mRNA was measured using qRT-PCR.Additionally,the expression of key proteins in the PI3K/AKT and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways was assessed using Western blot analysis.The results showed that cell viability of BESCs significantly decreased(P＜0.01),cell migration ability decreased(P＜0.05),apoptosis rate of BESCs increased(P＜0.01),CTGF and TGF-β3 mRNA expression levels decreased(P＜0.01),while VEGF mRNA ex-pression increased after treatment with LPS(P＜0.01).The phosphorylation levels of PI3K,AKT and GSK-3β proteins decreased(P＜0.05),as well as the expression levels of c-Myc and Cyclin-D1 proteins also decreased(P＜0.01).These results indicated that LPS can inhibit the proliferation of BESCs and promote cell apoptosis possibly through the inhibition of the PI3K/AKT and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways.

Objective:To explore the feasibility and and clinical efficacy of lingual mucosa replacement ureteral stenosis repair and plasty for the treatment of long segment ureteral polyps.Methods:Clinical data of 3 patients (4 sides) with long-segment ureteral polyps admitted to the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from October 2017 to October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Two cases were male and one case was female. The ages were22, 16, and 45 years old. Preoperative urologic ultrasound, CT urography and ureteroscopy were performed. The lesions were located on the left side in 3 cases and on the right side in 1 case; the stenosis was located in the middle and upper ureter; the length of the ureteral stenosis was 6, 7, 6, and 6 cm, respectively; and the preoperative blood creatinine was 72, 85, and 70 μmol/L, respectively. Three cases underwent ureteral stenosis repair and plasty with tongue mucosal substitution. During the operation, the ureter was fully exposed and longitudinally incised, polyps were removed, and 7.0-10.0 cm long and 1.5-2.0 cm wide lingual mucosa was harvested according to the length of the stenosis, and then the lingual mucosa was transplanted to the muscular layer and the inner surface of the sheath in the stenosed ureter, fixed with 6-0 thread until the muscular layer was rolled into shape and wrapped with a large omentum. All of them left one double-J tube in the ureter on the affected side. Perioperative results and complications were recorded. The patients' blood creatinine and anterior and posterior renal pelvic diameters were compared before and after treatment.Results:In our study, all three 4-sided surgeries were successfully completed without any serious intraoperative or postoperative complications (Clavien-Dindo score ≥ grade Ⅲ). Mean surgical. Time was (240.0±49.0) min, intraoperative bleeding was 50 ml, postoperative drain retention time was (6.3±2.5) d, and median postoperative hospitalization time was 6.5(3, 9)d. The double J-tube was removed at 3 months postoperatively, and renal function and imaging tests were reviewed. Because the postoperative follow-up results of patient 1 were missing, the mean value of blood creatinine in the other 2 patients was 73.0 μmol/L at 3 months postoperatively, which was significantly improved compared with the preoperative value of 58.2 μmol/L, and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). And the average value of anterior and posterior renal pelvic separation diameters of the other 2 patients after surgery was <5 mm, which was significantly improved compared with the preoperative value of 17.9 mm, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05).There was no restenosis in all 2 patients after surgery, and the intravenous urography showed that the ureter was patent after the surgery, and the degree of urinary obstruction did not aggravate. The group was followed up for 3 to 8 months (mean 4.7 months), and no recent complications have occurred so far. Conclusions:Lingual mucosa replacement ureteral stenosis repair and plasty for the treatment of ureteral polyps in the long segment has a high success rate and precise efficacy, and its operation is feasible.

Objective:To investigate the clinical and pathological significance of the DICER1 mutation in follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC).Methods:Sixty-eight cases of primary FTC resected between 2009 and 2023 were retrieved from The Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University, Qingdao, China. Sanger sequencing was performed to identify DICER1 and TERT promoter mutations in all cases. Cases with DICER1 or TERT promoter mutations were subject to additional examination of potential mutations in KRAS, HRAS, and NRAS. The clinical and pathological features of DICER1-mutant FTCs were then analyzed. The relationship between DICER1 mutations and TERT-promoter/RAS mutations was also assessed.Results:DICER1 mutations were detected in 16 of the 68 FTC cases (23.5%), with 11 near E1813 at exon 25, 6 near D1709 at exon 24, and 1 in the splice region of exon 25. Two cases harbored two (distinct) mutations. All patients with DICER1-mutant FTC were female. Compared with patients with DICER1-wild-type FTC, those with DICER1-mutant were much younger, and had a higher proportion of minimally invasive subtype. Nine FTCs with DICER1 mutations were subject to further sequencing on adjacent non-cancerous tissues or lymph node tissues, but no mutations were detected. TERT-promoter or RAS hotspot mutations were not identified in any of the DICER1-mutant cases. However, TERT-promoter mutation was found in 6 DICER1-wild-type cases (8.8%, 6/68), with 3 cases also having RAS hotspot mutations and exhibiting highly aggressive biological behaviors.Conclusion:DICER1 mutations may occur in FTCs and appear mutually exclusive with RAS and TERT-promoter mutations, warranting further study as RAS-like mutations.

Objective:To develop a maternal assessment scale integrating both positive (affirmation, optimism, self-confidence) and negative psychological states (fear, anxiety, depression) throughout the entire pregnancy cycle and evaluate its reliability and validity.Methods:In December 2020, the scale items were preliminarily identified through a literature review, forming a 55-item questionnaire for pilot survey and expert interviews. A pilot survey was conducted among registered pregnant women at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University from April to May 2021. The feasibility and reliability of the questionnaire was validated through reliability and validity analysis, and revisions were made based on the feedback. The finalized version comprised 43 items, categorized into four key event dimensions (pregnancy, childbirth, transition to motherhood, and complications) and six psychological state dimensions (affirmation, fear, anxiety, depression, optimism, and self-confidence). Among these psychological states, affirmation, self-confidence, and optimism represent positive states, while fear, anxiety, and depression reflect negative states. A formal survey was conducted from December 2021 to November 2022. The normality, multicollinearity, reliability, construct validity, convergent validity, and discriminant validity of each item were analyzed.Results:(1) General information: A total of 625 participants were involved in the pilot survey. For the formal survey, 8 045 questionnaires were distributed, with 6 273 valid responses (78.0%). Among the valid questionnaires, 5 694 (90.8%) reported positive psychological states and 579 (9.2%) negative states. All of the psychological state dimensions were correlated (all P<0.01), with no multicollinearity detected [variance inflation factor (VIF)<10]. The four key event dimensions were also correlated (all P<0.01), with no multicollinearity (VIF<10). (2) Reliability: The overall Cronbach's α coefficient of the questionnaire was 0.830, and removing any single item resulted in the value remaining>0.6. Cronbach's α coefficient values for affirmation, fear, anxiety, depression, optimism, and self-confidence were 0.772, 0.724, 0.648, 0.551, 0.257, and 0.740, respectively. The values for the key event dimensions were as follows: 0.722 for pregnancy, 0.554 for childbirth, 0.621 for transition to motherhood, and 0.568 for complications. (3) Model fit: For the psychological states, the Chi-square to degrees of freedom ratio ( χ2/df) was 19.979 (>3), and the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA) was 0.055 (<0.08). The model of key event dimensions had a χ2/df of 48.557, RMSEA of 0.087, comparative fit index of 0.400 (<0.9), and incremental fit index of 0.400 (<0.9). (4) Convergent and discriminant validity: The average variance extraction (AVE) values for affirmation, fear, anxiety, depression, optimism, and self-confidence were 0.407, 0.099, 0.188, 0.223, 0.419, and 0.362, with composite reliability (CR) values of 0.822, 0.730, 0.655, 0.584, 0.627, and 0.786, respectively. In the model of key event dimensions, the AVE values for pregnancy, childbirth, transition to motherhood, and complications were 0.167, 0.287, 0.328, and 0.166, with CR values of 0.555, 0.832, 0.746, and 0.633, respectively. Significant correlations were observed between all psychological dimensions except optimism-depression and self-confidence-anxiety pairs (all P<0.05). All four key event dimensions were significantly correlated (all P<0.05). Conclusions:This study preliminarily develops a maternal psychological status assessment scale with satisfactory reliability and validity. This scale can be used to evaluate the comprehensive psychological states of pregnant women during critical pregnancy-related events.

Purpose: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-low breast cancer has the potential to emerge as a distinct subtype. Several studies have compared the differences between HER2-low and HER2-0 breast cancers, but no consensus has been reached.Additionally, a biomarker to predict pathological complete response (pCR) rates in patients with HER2-low breast cancer remains to be identified. Methods: We collected data from 777 patients across three centers, stratifying them into HER2-low and HER2-0 groups. We compared differences in survival and pCR rates between the two groups and investigated potential biomarkers that could reliably predict pCR. Results: The study found that patients with HER2-0 breast cancer had higher pCR rates compared to patients with HER2-low tumors (289 patients [30.1%] vs. 475 patients [18.1%], p < 0.0001). Survival analysis showed no significant advantage for HER2-low tumors over HER2-0 breast cancers. Binary logistic analysis revealed that androgen receptor (AR) expression predicts poorer pCR rates in both the overall patient group and the HER2-0 breast cancer group (overall patients: odds ratio [OR], 0.479; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.250–0.917; p = 0.026 and HER2-0 patients: OR, 0.267; 95% CI, 0.080–0.892; p = 0.032). In contrast, programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression was associated with more favorable pCR rates in the overall patient group (OR, 3.199; 95% CI, 1.020–10.037; p = 0.046). Conclusion There is currently insufficient evidence to classify HER2-low breast cancer as a distinct subtype. Our study revealed that AR expression, along with negative PD-L1 expression, contributes to lower pCR rates.

Cancer-related fatigue(CRF)is a commonly-seen clinical disease,which seriously affects patients'quality of life and recovery of body functions.Five zang-organs are responsible for the onset and progress of CRF,and the basic pathogenesis is deficiency of visceral functions as well as disharmony of qi-blood and yin-yang.Treatment should be mainly concentrated on regulating qi-blood and harmonizing yin-yang,therapy focusing on regulating visceras such as heart,liver,spleen,kidney.Tongyuan acupuncture identification of conception vessel(CV)and governor vessel(GV)being general principles,unblocking GV and nourishing the mind thus harmonizing the visceras,conducting qi back to its source so as to balance of yin and yang,and ultimately achieve the efficacy of"harmony of visceras,relative equilibrium of yin-yang,and free of fatigue".Clinical acupoint selection addressed importance to the GV,as well as back-shu point.Selection of the CV,keep the abdominal front-mu point,highlighting the main theme of yin-yang harmonization,along with acupuncture on the specific acupoints of extremities to regulate the qi-blood of visceras,to balance the cold-heat and deficiency-excess.Professor Huang Yong has accumulated certain clinical experiences in Tongyuan acupuncture for the treatment of CRF,such experiences being summarized as follows for clinical reference and consideration.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of ultrasonic bone scalpel in nasal osteotomy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from the patients who received ultrasonic bone scalpel-assisted nasal osteotomy in the Nasal Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College between January 2023 and April 2024. All patients underwent open lateral approach osteotomy using an ultrasonic bone scalpel under direct vision, combined with augmentation rhinoplasty using autologous costal cartilage grafting. Intraoperatively, the nasal dorsum was fully exposed, and the lateral nasal cartilage was separated from the nasal septum, followed by precise bone tissue incision using the ultrasonic bone scalpel. Parameters recorded included operative time, and postoperative complications. Based on the standardized photographs taken before the operation and during the 6-month follow-up after the operation, the observer global aesthetic improvement scale (GAIS) was evaluated by a third-party doctor, with a score ranging from 1 to 5. The smaller the score, the more significant the improvement compared to before the operation. The satisfaction of patients with the surgical outcome was evaluated and classified into four levels: very satisfied, satisfied, dissatisfied, and very dissatisfied.Results:A total of 25 female patients were enrolled, aged 20 to 38 years, with an average age of 27.1 years. All procedures were completed successfully, with a mean operative time of (25.4±4.2) minutes. Postoperative localized swelling of varying degrees was observed. Follow-up ranged from 6 to 18 months, with nasal contour and curvature stabilizing by 6 months postoperatively. No complications, such as infection, nasolacrimal duct, lacrimal sac, medial canthal ligament, nerve injuries, or sensory disturbances, were reported. Two cases exhibited mild nasal bone widening at the 6-month follow-up, though no surgical revision was requested. Significant improvement in external nasal morphology was achieved in all patients, with high satisfaction rates. The patients satisfaction survey showed that 18 cases (72%) were very satisfied and 7 cases (28%) were satisfied with the surgical outcome. GAIS scores reflected positive evaluations [(1.24±0.51) points].Conclusion:The ultrasonic bone scalpel for nasal osteotomy offers the advantages of high-precision cutting and efficient hemostasis. It is highly effective in reshaping the nasal contour, with shorter osteotomy time, reduced intraoperative bleeding, and a lower postoperative complication rate. This study provides some insights into plastic surgeons in optimizing nasal bone modification strategies.