Objective To explore the clinical value of albumin-globulin ratio(AGR)combined with prostate-specific antigen(PSA)and Gleason score in predicting biochemical recurrence(BCR)after radical resection in patients with localized prostate cancer, and to provide reference for early identification of BCR high-risk patients and individualized treatment. Methods The clinical data of 114 patients with localized prostate cancer treated during Sep.2019 and Sep.2023 were retrospectively analyzed.According to postoperative BCR status, patients were divided into the BCR group(n=43)and non-BCR group(n=71).Preoperative clinical and pathological data were compared between the two groups.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to assess the correlation between these indicators and BCR.The predictive performance of the combined model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare biochemical recurrence-free survival(BFS)among patients with different AGR, PSA levels and Gleason scores.Results Compared with the non-BCR group, the BCR group had significantly higher PSA level and ISUP grading, but significantly lower AGR level(P＜0.001).Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that AGR was negatively correlated with BCR(HR=0.031, 95%CI:0.008-0.119, P＜0.001), PSA was positively correlated with BCR(HR=1.009, 95%CI:1.002-1.016, P=0.017), and Gleason score was positively correlated with BCR(HR=1.551, 95%CI:1.199-2.005, P＜0.001).The area under the ROC curve(AUC)for the combined prediction model(AGR + PSA + Gleason score)was 0.886, with a sensitivity of 90.7% and a specificity of 78.9%.Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that patients in the low AGR group, high PSA group, and high Gleason score group had significantly lower BFS than those in the high AGR group, low PSA group and low Gleason score group, respectively(all P＜0.0001).Conclusion The combination of AGR, PSA and Gleason score is closely associated with postoperative BCR in patients with localized prostate cancer.The combined prediction model demonstrates high predictive efficacy and can provide an important reference for the early identification of high-risk BCR patients and for guiding individualized postoperative treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the practical effectiveness of a one-to-one mentorship-based short-term training model for senior medical professionals in clinical, teaching, research, and management dimensions based on the reaction and learning levels of the Kirkpatrick model, and to explore its application value.Methods:A total of 109 physicians and their 109 mentors who participated in the senior medical professional training program at The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from June 2023 to May 2024 were included. The one-to-one mentorship teaching method was implemented. Data were collected through self-assessment questionnaires and mentor evaluation forms to analyze satisfaction, proficiency, competency improvement, and training effectiveness and their correlations.Results:Valid feedback forms were collected from 100 physicians and 100 mentors. At the reaction level, the satisfaction of trainees was high for mentors (99.00%, 99/100) and training content [clinical: 98.96%(95/96), teaching: 93.75%(15/16), research 85.71%(12/14), management: 100.00%(24/24)]. At the learning level, trainee self-assessed and mentor-evaluated proficiency exceeded 75.00% across all dimensions except research. Significant improvements in clinical, teaching, research, and management competencies were reported by both trainees and mentors ( P<0.001). Notably, evaluations of clinical competency improvement showed strong consistency ( r s=0.37, P<0.001). Conclusions:The one-to-one mentorship-based short-term training model demonstrated positive effects in enhancing mentorship outcomes and excellent educational effectiveness in senior medical professionals. This model is recommended for implementation in similar hospitals for training senior medical professionals.

Objective To explore the mechanism of baicalin mediating inflammatory response in rats with inflammatory bowel disease through microRNA(miR-21)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)signaling pathway.Methods A total of 60 SD rats were selected to construct inflammatory bowel disease rat model by trinitro-benzene-sulfonic acid(TNBS)colon perfusion method,and randomly divided into 6 groups,with 10 rats in each group.They were divided into model group,low-dose group(gavage of 20 mg/kg baicalin),high-dose group(gavage of 80 mg/kg baicalin),high-dose+agomiR-NC group(gavage of 80 mg/kg baicalin+tail vein injection of 80 mg/kg miRNA negative control vector agomiR-NC),high-dose+agomiR-21 group(gavage of 80 mg/kg baicalin+tail vein injection of 80 mg/kg miR-21 agonist agomiR-21)and high-dose+agomiR-21+colivelin group(gavage of 80 mg/kg baicalin+tail vein injection of 80 mg/kg agomiR-21,along with intraperitoneal injection of 1 mg/kg STAT3 activator colivelin).Another 10 SD rats were selected as control group without any treatment.The body mass of rats in each group was measured every two days during administration,and the status of rats in each group was observed after administration.Hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining was used to evaluate the pathological damage.The myeloperoxidase(MPO)activity,inflammatory factors and oxidative stress indexes were detected by the test kit.The mRNA levels of miR-21,STAT3 were detected by qRT-PCR.The expression of STAT3 and p-STAT3 protein was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with model group,the status of inflammatory bowel disease and pathological damage degree of colon tissue in low-dose group and high-dose group were significantly improved,the levels of interleukin-13(IL-13),superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH)were increased(P<0.05),while the levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin-6(IL-6),malondialdehyde(MDA),reactive oxygen species(ROS),and miR-21 mRNA,STAT3 mRNA,p-STAT3/STAT3 protein expression were decreased(P<0.05)in a dose-dependent manner.Compared with high-dose+agomiR-NC group,the status of inflammatory bowel disease and pathological damage degree of colon tissue were aggravated in high-dose+agomiR-21 group,the levels of IL-13,SOD and GSH were decreased(P<0.05),while the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,MDA,ROS,and miR-21 mRNA,STAT3 mRNA,P-STAT3/STAT3 protein expression were increased(P<0.05).Compared with high-dose+agomiR-NC group,the status of inflammatory bowel disease and pathological damage degree of colon tissue were aggravated in high-dose+agomiR-21+colivelin group,the levels of IL-13,SOD and GSH were decreased(P<0.05),while the levels of TNF-α,IL-6,MDA,ROS,and miR-21 mRNA,STAT3 mRNA and P-STAT3/STAT3 protein expression were increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Baicalin reduces inflammatory factors and oxidative stress levels through miR-21/STAT3 signaling pathway,and thereby ameliorates colonic injury in rats with inflammatory bowel disease.

Human non-histone lysine crotonylation plays crucial roles in biological activities.However,traditional wet-lab experiments are time-consuming and labor-intensive,making computational prediction methods increasingly popular in recent years.Despite the biological importance of lysine crotonylation,there are relatively few studies on human non-histone proteins.In this study,we developed an ensemble deep learning predictor named iHNHC-RsFPN by constructing a Residual Pyramid Network(RsFPN).First,three feature extraction methods were employed to encode sequence samples.Next,weak classifi-ers based on RsFPN were individually trained for different feature types.Finally,these weak classifiers were integrated to build a robust final predictor.Independent test results demonstrated that iHNHC-RsF-PN achieved outstanding performance across four key metrics:sensitivity(Sn=0.8580),specificity(Sp=0.7463),accuracy(Acc=0.7798),and Matthews correlation coefficient(MCC=0.5586).Comparative experiments revealed that iHNHC-RsFPN significantly improved prediction accuracy for hu-man non-histone crotonylation sites over existing methods.Additionally,we established a user-friendly web server(http://www.lzzzlab.top/ihnc/)that provides straightforward prediction services without complex calculations,facilitating further research for experts in related fields.

Human non-histone lysine crotonylation plays crucial roles in biological activities.However,traditional wet-lab experiments are time-consuming and labor-intensive,making computational prediction methods increasingly popular in recent years.Despite the biological importance of lysine crotonylation,there are relatively few studies on human non-histone proteins.In this study,we developed an ensemble deep learning predictor named iHNHC-RsFPN by constructing a Residual Pyramid Network(RsFPN).First,three feature extraction methods were employed to encode sequence samples.Next,weak classifi-ers based on RsFPN were individually trained for different feature types.Finally,these weak classifiers were integrated to build a robust final predictor.Independent test results demonstrated that iHNHC-RsF-PN achieved outstanding performance across four key metrics:sensitivity(Sn=0.8580),specificity(Sp=0.7463),accuracy(Acc=0.7798),and Matthews correlation coefficient(MCC=0.5586).Comparative experiments revealed that iHNHC-RsFPN significantly improved prediction accuracy for hu-man non-histone crotonylation sites over existing methods.Additionally,we established a user-friendly web server(http://www.lzzzlab.top/ihnc/)that provides straightforward prediction services without complex calculations,facilitating further research for experts in related fields.

Objective:To evaluate the practical effectiveness of a one-to-one mentorship-based short-term training model for senior medical professionals in clinical, teaching, research, and management dimensions based on the reaction and learning levels of the Kirkpatrick model, and to explore its application value.Methods:A total of 109 physicians and their 109 mentors who participated in the senior medical professional training program at The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from June 2023 to May 2024 were included. The one-to-one mentorship teaching method was implemented. Data were collected through self-assessment questionnaires and mentor evaluation forms to analyze satisfaction, proficiency, competency improvement, and training effectiveness and their correlations.Results:Valid feedback forms were collected from 100 physicians and 100 mentors. At the reaction level, the satisfaction of trainees was high for mentors (99.00%, 99/100) and training content [clinical: 98.96%(95/96), teaching: 93.75%(15/16), research 85.71%(12/14), management: 100.00%(24/24)]. At the learning level, trainee self-assessed and mentor-evaluated proficiency exceeded 75.00% across all dimensions except research. Significant improvements in clinical, teaching, research, and management competencies were reported by both trainees and mentors ( P<0.001). Notably, evaluations of clinical competency improvement showed strong consistency ( r s=0.37, P<0.001). Conclusions:The one-to-one mentorship-based short-term training model demonstrated positive effects in enhancing mentorship outcomes and excellent educational effectiveness in senior medical professionals. This model is recommended for implementation in similar hospitals for training senior medical professionals.

Objective To develop the Children's Screen Interaction Quality Questionnaire(CSIQ)suit-able for measuring Chinese children aged 0 to 4 years,and to test its reliability and validity.Methods The purposive sampling method was used,and the guardians of 30 normal children aged 0 to 4 years undergoing physical examinations in the Department of Child Health Care of Guiyang Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from February to April 2023 were selected as the interview objects.25 initial items were constructed through literature review,semi-structured interviews,and the Delphi expert consultation method.With the convenience sampling method,2 242 guardians of children aged 0 to 4 years old in the small and middle classes of 9 kindergartens in Guiyang City,Zunyi City,and Renhuai City were surveyed for item analysis,exploratory factor analysis,confirmatory factor analysis,and reliability and validity analysis.Results Exploratory factor a-nalysis extracted three factors,namely screen content interaction,reality interaction,and media interaction,with a total of 12 items.The cumulative variance explained rate of the 3-factor model was 69.829％.Confirma-tory factor analysis supported the three-factor model of CSIQ:x2/df=4.424,root mean square error of ap-proximation(RMSEA)=0.066,normed fit index(NFI)=0.955,comparative fit index(CFI)=0.965,incre-mental fit index(IFI)=0.965,Tucker-Lewis index(TLI)=0.955,goodness-of-fit index(GFI)=0.955,and the CSIQ had good convergent validity and discriminant validity.Conclusion The CSIQ has good reliability and validity.

OBJECTIVE: Varied acupoint selections represent a potential cause of the uncertainty surrounding the efficacy of acupuncture for knee osteoarthritis (OA). Skin temperature, a guiding factor for acupoint selection, may help to address this issue. This study explored thermal sensitization of acupoints used for the treatment of knee OA. METHODS: This cross-sectional case-control study enrolled cases aged 45-75 years with symptomatic knee OA and age- and gender-matched non-knee OA controls in a 1:1 ratio. All participants underwent infrared thermographic imaging. The primary outcome was the relative skin temperature of acupoint (STA), and the secondary outcome was the absolute STA of 11 acupoints. The Z test was used to compare the relative and absolute STAs between the groups. Principal component analysis was used to extract the common factors (CFs, acupoint cluster) in the STAs. A general linear model was used to identify factors affecting the STA in the knee OA cases. For the group comparisons of relative STA, P < 0.0045 (adjusted for 11 acupoints through Bonferroni correction) was considered to indicate statistical significance. For other analyses, P < 0.05 was used as the threshold for statistical significance. RESULTS: The analysis included 308 participants, consisting of 151 cases (mean age: [64.58 ± 6.67] years; male: 25.83%; mean body mass index: [25.70 ± 3.16] kg/m²) and 157 controls (mean age: [63.37 ± 5.96] years; male: 26.11%; mean body mass index: [24.47 ± 2.84] kg/m²). The relative STAs of ST34 (P = 0.0001), EX-LE2 (P < 0.0001), EX-LE5 (P = 0.0006), SP10 (P < 0.0001), BL40 (P = 0.0012) and GB39 (P = 0.0037) were higher in the knee OA group. No difference was found in the STAs of ST35, ST36, SP9, GB33 and GB34. Four CFs were identified for relative STA in both groups. The acupoints within each CF were consistent between the groups. The mean values of the relative STAs across each CF were higher in the knee OA group. In the knee OA cases, no factors were observed to affect the relative STA, while age and gender were found to affect the absolute STA. CONCLUSION Among patients with knee OA, thermal sensitization occurs in the acupoints of the lower extremity, exhibiting localized and regional thermal consistencies. The thermally sensitized acupoints that we identified in this study, ST34, SP10, EX-LE2, EX-LE5, GB39 and BL40, may be good choices for the acupuncture treatment of knee OA. Please cite this article as: Tu JF, Wang XZ, Yan SY, Wang YR, Yang JW, Shi GX, Zhang WZ, Jing LN, Yang LS, Liu DH, Wang LQ, Mi BH. Thermal sensitization of acupoints in patients with knee osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional case-control study. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(3): 289-296.
Humans ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/physiopathology* ; Male ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Acupuncture Points ; Case-Control Studies ; Aged ; Skin Temperature ; Acupuncture Therapy

Objective To introduce a modified technique of right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT) reconstruction using a handmade bicuspid pulmonary valve crafted from expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (ePTFE) and to summarize the early single-center experience. Methods Patients with complex congenital heart diseases (CHD) who underwent RVOT reconstruction with a handmade ePTFE bicuspid pulmonary valve due to pulmonary regurgitation at Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital from April 2021 to February 2022 were selected. Postoperative artificial valve function and right heart function indicators were evaluated. Results A total of 17 patients were included, comprising 10 males and 7 females, with a mean age of (18.18±12.14) years and a mean body weight of (40.94±19.45) kg. Sixteen patients underwent reconstruction with a handmade valved conduit, with conduit sizes ranging from 18 to 24 mm. No patients required mechanical circulatory support, and no in-hospital deaths occurred. During a mean follow-up period of 12.89 months, only one patient developed valve dysfunction, and no related complications or adverse events were observed. The degree of pulmonary regurgitation was significantly improved post-RVOT reconstruction and during follow-up compared to preoperative levels (P<0.001). Postoperative right atrial diameter, right ventricular diameter, and tricuspid regurgitation area were all significantly reduced compared to preoperative values (P<0.05). Conclusion The use of a 0.1 mm ePTFE handmade bicuspid pulmonary valve for RVOT reconstruction in complex CHD is a feasible, effective, and safe technique.

BACKGROUND: Treatment with chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cells has shown promising effectiveness in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL), although the process of preparing for this therapy usually takes a long time. We have recently created CD19 Fast-CAR-T (F-CAR-T) cells, which can be produced within a single day. The objective of this study was to evaluate and contrast the effectiveness and safety of CD19 F-CAR-T cells with those of CD19 conventional CAR-T cells in the management of R/R B-ALL. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 44 patients with R/R B-ALL was conducted. Overall, 23 patients were administered with innovative CD19 F-CAR-T cells (F-CAR-T group), whereas 21 patients were given CD19 conventional CAR-T cells (C-CAR-T group). We compared the rates of complete remission (CR), minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative CR, leukemia-free survival (LFS), overall survival (OS), and the incidence of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the C-CAR-T group, the F-CAR-T group had significantly higher CR and MRD-negative rates (95.7% and 91.3%, respectively; 71.4% and 66.7%, respectively; P = 0.036 and P = 0.044). No significant differences were observed in the 1-year or 2-year LFS or OS rates between the two groups: the 1-year and 2-year LFS for the F-CAR-T group vs.C-CAR-T group were 47.8% and 43.5% vs. 38.1% and 23.8% (P = 0.384 and P = 0.216), while the 1-year and 2-year OS rates were 65.2% and 56.5% vs. 52.4% and 47.6% (P = 0.395 and P = 0.540). Additionally, among CR patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) following CAR-T-cell therapy, there were no significant differences in the 1-year or 2-year LFS or OS rates: 57.1% and 50.0% vs. 47.8% and 34.8% (P = 0.506 and P = 0.356), 64.3% and 57.1% vs. 65.2% and 56.5% (P = 0.985 and P = 0.883), respectively. The incidence of CRS was greater in the F-CAR-T group (91.3%) than in the C-CAR-T group (66.7%) (P = 0.044). The incidence of ICANS was also greater in the F-CAR-T group (30.4%) than in the C-CAR-T group (9.5%) (P = 0.085), but no treatment-related deaths occurred in the two groups. CONCLUSION Compared with C-CAR-T-cell therapy, F-CAR-T-cell therapy has a superior remission rate but also leads to a tolerably increased incidence of CRS/ICANS. Further research is needed to explore the function of allo-HSCT as an intermediary therapy after CAR-T-cell therapy.