Objective On the basis of the theory of the tumor metastatic state, this work aims to explore the metastasis trajectories and peripheral immune response patterns in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving vital qi-strengthening and toxin-eliminating therapy (Fuzheng Juandu) and reveal the value of peripheral immunity in assessing vital qi deficiency during metastasis. Methods A retrospective study design was adopted. Patients with NSCLC admitted from January 1, 2018, to October 31, 2025 were enrolled. Data on metastasis status and peripheral immune indices were collected at the follow-up time points of one, two, three, and five years. Group-based trajectory modeling was used to fit metastasis trajectories, and the independent predictors of trajectory grouping were analyzed through multifactor and multiclassification logistic regression. Results A total of 184 patients with NSCLC were included, and three different groups of metastasis trajectories were identified, namely, the low-risk stable (46.74%, n=86), low-risk rising (13.59%, n=25), and high-risk stable (39.67%, n=73) groups. Univariate analysis revealed substantial differences in peripheral immune indices among the three trajectory groups. Multivariate analysis showed that TNM stage, absolute neutrophil count, lymphocyte count, absolute monocyte count, platelet volume, SAA:CRP ratio, and NLR were independent predictors of the low-risk rising group, whereas TNM stage, absolute monocyte count, basophil count, SII, and NLR were independent predictors of the high-risk stable group. Conclusion Under Fuzheng Juandu therapy, patients with NSCLC exhibit three distinct metastasis trajectories, each corresponding to a specific peripheral immune response pattern. Elucidating these peripheral immune response patterns may facilitate the objective quantification of the degree of vital qi deficiency, prediction of future metastasis risk, and providing an important reference for the individualized clinical implementation of Fuzheng Juandu therapy.

Objective:This study aims to further enhance the quality of training for large-scale scientific instruments in higher education institutions and promote the long-term high-quality development of equipment platforms.Methods:We deeply analyzed the existing problems in the training of large-scale scientific instruments in higher education institutions, and combined the training goal of ″five understandings and five abilities″ for compound talents.Results:The training methods, processes, long-term quality guarantee measures and post-training assessment were refined. A ″four-dimensional integration″ closed-loop training system for large-scale scientific instruments in higher education institutions was constructed and formed.Conclusions:The implementation of the " four-dimensional integration" training system has showed a positive role in scientific research, talent cultivation, efficient utilization of equipment and facilities, and the long-term high-quality development of platforms in universities, providing references and inspiration for the implementation of large-scale instrument training for other university laboratories.

Objective:This study aims to further enhance the quality of training for large-scale scientific instruments in higher education institutions and promote the long-term high-quality development of equipment platforms.Methods:We deeply analyzed the existing problems in the training of large-scale scientific instruments in higher education institutions, and combined the training goal of ″five understandings and five abilities″ for compound talents.Results:The training methods, processes, long-term quality guarantee measures and post-training assessment were refined. A ″four-dimensional integration″ closed-loop training system for large-scale scientific instruments in higher education institutions was constructed and formed.Conclusions:The implementation of the " four-dimensional integration" training system has showed a positive role in scientific research, talent cultivation, efficient utilization of equipment and facilities, and the long-term high-quality development of platforms in universities, providing references and inspiration for the implementation of large-scale instrument training for other university laboratories.

Objective:To evaluate the value of ultrasound radiomics combined with machine learning for early diagnosis of seronegative Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (SN-HT) .Methods:This retrospective study included 164 patients from Liaoning Provincial People’s Hospital , Lixin County People’s Hospital, Linghai Dalinghe Hospital, Fengcheng Phoenix Hospital, who underwent thyroidectomy for solitary nodules with normal thyroid function between Nov. 2016 and Jan. 2024. Postoperative pathology confirmed Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) in some cases, who were further categorized into antibody-positive and antibody-negative groups based on serum antibody status. Patients without Hashimoto’s thyroiditis served as the control group. A total of 298 ultrasound images were analyzed. Radiomics features were extracted from hypoechoic non-nodular areas within 0.5 cm surrounding the tumor. Two senior pathologists and two senior ultrasound physicians independently assessed lymphocytic infiltration, eosinophilic changes of follicular epithelium, and the proportion of hypoechoic areas in pathology and ultrasound images, respectively. A machine learning model, CCH-NET, was developed using linear regression and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) techniques. The dataset was divided into a training set (80%) and a validation set (20%) to compare the diagnostic accuracy of CCH-NET with that of senior ultrasound physicians. Results:In internal validation, CCH-NET achieved a diagnostic accuracy of 88.89% for both antibody-positive and antibody-negative groups, significantly higher than the 66.67% accuracy of senior ultrasound physicians ( P<0.01). In external validation, CCH-NET achieved 75.00% and 66.67% accuracy for the two groups, compared to 50.00% by senior ultrasound physicians. For the control group, both methods achieved 93.33% accuracy. The AUC of CCH-NET was 0.848, outperforming senior ultrasound physicians (0.681) ,demonstrating superior diagnostic performance. Conclusion:The radiomics-based CCH-NET model, using non-nodular hypoechoic areas as a specific indicator, can accurately identify early SN-HT in euthyroid patients. It significantly outperforms senior ultrasound physicians, improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing missed diagnoses.

Objective:To evaluate the value of ultrasound radiomics combined with machine learning for early diagnosis of seronegative Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (SN-HT) .Methods:This retrospective study included 164 patients from Liaoning Provincial People’s Hospital , Lixin County People’s Hospital, Linghai Dalinghe Hospital, Fengcheng Phoenix Hospital, who underwent thyroidectomy for solitary nodules with normal thyroid function between Nov. 2016 and Jan. 2024. Postoperative pathology confirmed Hashimoto’s thyroiditis (HT) in some cases, who were further categorized into antibody-positive and antibody-negative groups based on serum antibody status. Patients without Hashimoto’s thyroiditis served as the control group. A total of 298 ultrasound images were analyzed. Radiomics features were extracted from hypoechoic non-nodular areas within 0.5 cm surrounding the tumor. Two senior pathologists and two senior ultrasound physicians independently assessed lymphocytic infiltration, eosinophilic changes of follicular epithelium, and the proportion of hypoechoic areas in pathology and ultrasound images, respectively. A machine learning model, CCH-NET, was developed using linear regression and t-distributed stochastic neighbor embedding (t-SNE) techniques. The dataset was divided into a training set (80%) and a validation set (20%) to compare the diagnostic accuracy of CCH-NET with that of senior ultrasound physicians. Results:In internal validation, CCH-NET achieved a diagnostic accuracy of 88.89% for both antibody-positive and antibody-negative groups, significantly higher than the 66.67% accuracy of senior ultrasound physicians ( P<0.01). In external validation, CCH-NET achieved 75.00% and 66.67% accuracy for the two groups, compared to 50.00% by senior ultrasound physicians. For the control group, both methods achieved 93.33% accuracy. The AUC of CCH-NET was 0.848, outperforming senior ultrasound physicians (0.681) ,demonstrating superior diagnostic performance. Conclusion:The radiomics-based CCH-NET model, using non-nodular hypoechoic areas as a specific indicator, can accurately identify early SN-HT in euthyroid patients. It significantly outperforms senior ultrasound physicians, improving diagnostic accuracy and reducing missed diagnoses.

Objective:To evaluate the long-term efficacy of laparoscopic-assisted natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) colectomy using Cai tube for treating left-sided colorectal cancer.Methods:This was a randomized controlled trial. Inclusion criteria were as follows: preoperative pathological diagnosis of left-sided colorectal adenocarcinoma (rectal, sigmoid colon, descending colon, or left transverse colon cancer with the caudad margin ≥8 cm from the anal margin); preoperative abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (or magnetic resonance imaging) showing maximum tumor diameter <4.5 cm; and BMI <30 kg/m 2. Patients with synchronous multiple primary cancers or recurrent cancers, a history of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, preoperative evidence of significant local infiltration, distant metastasis, or complications such as intestinal obstruction and intestinal perforation, or who were not otherwise considered suitable for laparoscopic surgery were excluded. A random number table was used to randomize sequential patients to NOSES surgery using Cai tube (non-assisted incision anal sleeve: patent number ZL201410168748.2) (NOSES group) or traditional laparoscopic-assisted surgery (CLS group). Relevant clinical data of the two groups of patients were analyzed, the main outcomes being disease-free survival, overall survival, overall recurrence rate, and local recurrence rate 5 years after surgery. Results:Patients in both study groups completed the surgery successfully with no requirement for additional surgery. After mean 70 (7–83) months postoperative follow-up, the 5-year overall postoperative survival in the NOSES and CLS groups was 90.0% and 83.3%, respectively ( P=0.455); disease free survival was 90.0% and 83.3%, respectively ( P=0.455); overall recurrence rate 6.6% and 10.0%, respectively ( P=0.625); and local recurrence rate both were 3.3% ( P=0.990), respectively. None of these differences was statistically significant. Conclusions:NOSES and CLS have similar long-term efficacy, and NOSES deserves to be used in clinical practice.

Objective:To evaluate the long-term efficacy of laparoscopic-assisted natural orifice specimen extraction surgery (NOSES) colectomy using Cai tube for treating left-sided colorectal cancer.Methods:This was a randomized controlled trial. Inclusion criteria were as follows: preoperative pathological diagnosis of left-sided colorectal adenocarcinoma (rectal, sigmoid colon, descending colon, or left transverse colon cancer with the caudad margin ≥8 cm from the anal margin); preoperative abdominal and pelvic computed tomography (or magnetic resonance imaging) showing maximum tumor diameter <4.5 cm; and BMI <30 kg/m 2. Patients with synchronous multiple primary cancers or recurrent cancers, a history of neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, preoperative evidence of significant local infiltration, distant metastasis, or complications such as intestinal obstruction and intestinal perforation, or who were not otherwise considered suitable for laparoscopic surgery were excluded. A random number table was used to randomize sequential patients to NOSES surgery using Cai tube (non-assisted incision anal sleeve: patent number ZL201410168748.2) (NOSES group) or traditional laparoscopic-assisted surgery (CLS group). Relevant clinical data of the two groups of patients were analyzed, the main outcomes being disease-free survival, overall survival, overall recurrence rate, and local recurrence rate 5 years after surgery. Results:Patients in both study groups completed the surgery successfully with no requirement for additional surgery. After mean 70 (7–83) months postoperative follow-up, the 5-year overall postoperative survival in the NOSES and CLS groups was 90.0% and 83.3%, respectively ( P=0.455); disease free survival was 90.0% and 83.3%, respectively ( P=0.455); overall recurrence rate 6.6% and 10.0%, respectively ( P=0.625); and local recurrence rate both were 3.3% ( P=0.990), respectively. None of these differences was statistically significant. Conclusions:NOSES and CLS have similar long-term efficacy, and NOSES deserves to be used in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility and safety of membrane-based right-sided approach of laparoscopic suprapancreatic lymph node dissection for advanced distal gastric cancer.

METHODSThe clinical data of 41 patients with advanced distal gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic gastrectomy using membrane-based right-sided approach for laparoscopic suprapancreatic lymph node dissection at the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital of Xiamen University from January 2016 to January 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 24 males and 17 females with a mean age of 56.8 years and a mean body mass index of 22.6 kg/m². Membrane-based right-sided approach of laparoscopic suprapancreatic lymph node dissection contained 4 steps briefly: (1) dissection of mesenteria above the head of pancreas: the tri-junction of pancreas-duodenum was cut to expose and identify the logo of Benz;clearance of the membrane of No.5a was performed towards the left, and then expanded to the posterior layer of No.12a. (2) dissection of the V shape dorsal mesogastrium: membrane bridge at splenic artery trunk root was cut; in suprapancreatic space, clearance was performed towards to the left to the middle of the splenic artery trunk and expanded to the posterior Tolds plane upwards to the posterior phrenic angle and retroperitoneal esophagus, then the surrounding tissue of anterior abdominal aorta. (3) dissection of the U shape mesenteria:membrane bridge at common hepatic artery root was cut; mesentery was separated; the left gastric vein was freed and ligated at its root; in posterior pancreatic space, the mesentery of No.7, No.9 and No.8 was dissected in turns; the left gastric artery was high ligated and cut; the portal vein and posterior dorsal mesogastrium Toldt plane was routinely exposed; clearance was performed to right for No.8a and upward to the hepatic portal meeting at posterior mesentery No.12 plane. (4) dissection of the upper triangular area of pylorus: the trigone mesentery was cut along the upper edge of the pylorus; No.12a was swept upward along the gastric ventral mesentery; the upper boundary(No.8a) on the right side of the U-shaped membrane was joined. Intraoperative and postoperative presentations were analyzed.

RESULTSLaparoscopic gastrectomy for advanced distal gastric cancer with membrane-based right-sided approach of laparoscopic suprapancreatic lymph node dissection was successfully carried out in all the 41 patients. Distal gastric mesenteria en bloc resection was successfully performed. The operation time was (145.2±25.4) minutes and intraoperative blood loss was (53.3±18.3) ml without massive bleeding and severe complication. Number of lymph nodes dissected was 41.1±6.4, and number of suprapancreatic lymph node dissected was 23.3±3.7 without residual cancer at cut margin by pathology. Postoperative drainage volume was (65.8±21.7) ml; time to withdraw of catheter was (7.0±1.7) days; time to fluid intake was (3.5±1.8) days; postoperative hospital stay was (10.4±2.8) days; time to postoperative anal exhaust was (3.3±1.1) days. No complications, such as chyle leakage, postoperative massive bleeding, anastomotic leakage, abdominal cavity infection or gastroplegia occurred within 30 days after surgery.

CONCLUSIONMembrane-based right-sided approach of laparoscopic suprapancreatic lymph node dissection for advanced distal gastric cancer can achieve en bloc resection and conform to the radical principle of oncology, and is safe and feasible.

Objective To evaluate the cost-effectiveness of entecavir and lamivudine in treatment of early stage acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF),and analyze the predictive factors.Methods Forty nine patients with early ACLF were enrolled.Of which,28 patients were treated with entecavir,and 21 patients were treated with lamivudine.Mortality,length of hospital stay,cost,liver function,coagulation function,and model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score were compared between two groups.Pharmacoeconomic evaluation was taken using cost-effectiveness analysis and cost minimization analysis.Results Mortality,length of hospital stay and cost had no significant difference between two groups.Ratio of costeffectiveness in lamivudine group was higher than that in entecavir group.Cox analysis showed that primary peritonitis and MELD score at the end of the second week were the main predictive factors.Conclusions Entecavir cannot improve the survival rate of early stage ACLF compared to lamivudine,but may provide economic benefit to patients with early stage ALCF.

Gap junctions mediate direct communication between cells; however, toxicological cascade triggered by nonessential metals can abrogate cellular signaling mediated by gap junctions. Although cadmium (Cd) is known to induce apoptosis in organs and tissues, the mechanisms that underlie gap junction activity in Cd-induced apoptosis in BRL 3A rat liver cells has yet to be established. In this study, we showed that Cd treatment decreased the cell index (a measure of cellular electrical impedance) in BRL 3A cells. Mechanistically, we found that Cd exposure decreased expression of connexin 43 (Cx43), increased expression of p-Cx43 and elevated intracellular free Ca2+ concentration, corresponding to a decrease in gap junctional intercellular communication. Gap junction blockage pretreatment with 18β-glycyrrhizic acid (GA) promoted Cd-induced apoptosis, involving changes in expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3 and the mitochondrial transmembrane electrical potential (Δψm). Additionally, GA was found to enhance ERK and p38 activation during Cd-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases, but had no significant effect on JNK activation. Our results indicated the apoptosis-related proteins and the ERK and p38 signaling pathways may participate in gap junction blockage promoting Cd-induced apoptosis in BRL 3A cells.
Animals ; Apoptosis/*drug effects ; Cadmium/*toxicity ; Calcium/metabolism ; Cell Communication/drug effects ; Connexin 43/genetics ; Enzyme Activation/drug effects ; Gap Junctions/*drug effects ; Gene Expression Regulation/drug effects ; Hepatocytes/cytology/*drug effects ; Rats ; Signal Transduction/drug effects