Cervical cancer (CC) is the fourth leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women worldwide in 2022, and conventional treatment modalities offer limited efficacy for patients with advanced or recurrent disease. Natural killer (NK) cells are a subset of lymphocytes capable of non-specifically eliminating tumor cells and virus-infected cells without prior sensitization, and have emerged as a research focus in the field of cancer immunotherapy. However, the systematic elucidation and in-depth analysis are required in the dual regulatory mechanisms of NK cells within the cervical cancer microenvironment and the bottlenecks hindering their clinical translation. This article reviews the application of NK cell-based immunotherapy in CC, summarizes the mechanisms of action and therapeutic advances of NK cells in CC, identifies the major obstacles to current clinical translation, and proposes corresponding solutions.

ObjectiveTo compare the Children's Hepatic tumors International Collaboration （CHIC） and the new Chinese Children's Cancer Group （CCCG） hepatoblastoma （HB） risk stratification systems in terms of their prognostic prediction efficacy and chemotherapy guidance value for Chinese children with HB， aiming to identify the risk stratification system more suitable for Chinese HB patients. MethodsThis retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of 403 pediatric patients with HB aged ＜ 18 years who were initially diagnosed at The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between February 2010 and September 2023. The prognostic predictive efficacy and chemotherapy-guided value of the CHIC and CCCG risk stratification systems was compared. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 27.0. Results①Using the new CCCG risk stratification， the 5-year event-free survival （EFS） rates for children who received versus did not receive risk-stratified chemotherapy according to the CCCG-HB-2016 protocol were 82.5% and 67.7% （P=0.002）， respectively， and the 5-year overall survival （OS） rates were 91.5% and 85.1% （P=0.038）. Using CHIC risk stratification， the corresponding 5-year EFS rates for children who received versus did not receive risk-stratified chemotherapy according to the CCCG-HB-2016 protocol were 80.3% and 68.5% （P=0.030）， and the 5-year OS rates were 90.9% and 85.8% （P=0.151）. ②Among children treated with the CCCG-HB-2016 protocol stratified by the new CCCG system， the 5-year EFS rates for the very low-risk （6 cases）， low-risk （20 cases）， intermediate-risk （61 cases）， and high-risk （69 cases） groups were 100%， 94.1%， 94.7%， and 66.2% （P＜0.001）， respectively， and the 5-year OS rates were 100%， 100%， 96.5%， and 82.0% （P=0.017）. Among children treated with the CCCG-HB-2016 protocol stratified by the CHIC system， the 5-year EFS rates for the very low-risk （32 cases）， low-risk （22 cases）， intermediate-risk （37 cases）， and high-risk （54 cases） groups were 93.8%， 95.2%， 76.1%， and 66.8% （P=0.003）， respectively， and the 5-year OS rates were 93.1%， 100%， 89.5%， and 85.6% （P=0.190）. ③For patients receiving CCCG-HB-2016 risk-stratified chemotherapy， the P-values for EFS comparisons between the CHIC and new CCCG systems within the very low-risk， low-risk， intermediate-risk， and high-risk groups were 0.537， 0.879， 0.023， and 0.934， respectively. Among patients who received stratified chemotherapy according to the CCCG-HB-2016 regimen， the intermediate-risk group in the new CCCG risk stratification system exhibited a significant advantage in 5-year event-free survival （EFS） compared with the intermediate-risk group in the CHIC risk stratification system （94.7% vs. 76.1%）. ConclusionCompared to the CHIC risk stratification， the new CCCG stratification may offer better prognostic prediction and guidance value for chemotherapy in Chinese HB patients， with the intermediate-risk group showing superior outcomes.

Objective:To explore the clinical value of computed tomography(CT)with three-dimensional(3D)reconstruction technique in diagnosis and selecting surgical methods for patients with pituitary tumor.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 82 elderly patients with suspected pituitary tumor at Huanggang Central Hospital between January 2021 and December 2023.All of patients underwent CT examination with 3D reconstruction technique and MRI examination.The postoperatively pathological results were used as the golden standard to compare the diagnostic results and efficiency of CT with 3D reconstruction technique and MRI for pituitary tumor.The differences of the two examination methods were compared in images quality.The clinical value of CT with 3D reconstruction technique for the selection of surgical method was further analyzed.Results:In 82 elderly patients with suspected pituitary tumor,56 cases were confirmed by postoperatively pathological examination,and 49 cases were confirmed by CT with 3D reconstruction technique,and 60 cases were confirmed by MRI.The characteristics of CT imaging were:quasi-circular or circular tumors were the majority,which had clear boundaries,and tumors grew to the side of sella turcica and around of the sella turcica,which accompanied by enlarged pituitary fossa.MRI imaging characteristics of pituitary tumors were as follows:the most of them accompanied with equal T1 and slightly high T2 signals,and there was enhancement of obvious ring,and the snowman sign.There was no significant difference in diagnostic accuracy between CT with 3D reconstruction technique and MRI(P>0.05).The diagnostic specificity of CT with 3D reconstruction technique was 96.15%,which was higher than 76.92%of MRI,while its sensitivity was 85.71%,which was lower than 96.43%of MRI,and the differences were statistically significant(x2=4.413,3.953,P<0.05).There were no significant differences in the maximum transverse diameter and maximum vertical diameter of tumors between CT with 3D reconstruction technique and MRI(P>0.05).Compared with the results of CT with 3D reconstruction technique,all of 56 patients with pituitary tumor adopted resection for pituitary tumor through nasal sphenoid approach.After surgery,2 cases occurred diabetes insipidus,and 1 case occurred intracranial infection and 1 case occurred decline in olfactory function.Conclusion:Both CT with 3D reconstruction technique and MRI have higher diagnostic value for pituitary tumors in the elderly,which can display characteristics of pituitary tumors,and have direct guidance roles for the selection of surgical methods.The diagnostic specificity of CT with 3D reconstruction technique is better.

This study was aimed at preliminarily investigating the molecular biological functions of the PPE65 protein from Myco-bacterium tuberculosis,and providing foundational data for tuberculosis prevention and control.The basic biological properties of the PPE65 gene-encoded protein were predicted with bioinformatics tools.Sequence information for the Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv3621c gene and PPE65 protein was retrieved from the NCBI database.The Rv3621c gene was amplified through PCR with the H37Rv genome as a template,then cloned into the pET22b(+)expression vector.The recombinant pET22b(+)-PPE65 plasmid was transformed into Escherichia coli BL21(DE3)competent cells for IPTG-induced expression.Solubility analysis,purification,and identification of the recombinant PPE65 protein were performed.BEAS-2B cells were treated with various concentrations of PPE65 protein for 24 h,and cell proliferation was assessed with CCK-8 assays.PPE65 was found to be composed of 413 amino acids and to have a molecular formula of C????H????N???O???S??,a relative molecular mass of 40 679.88,a theoretical isoelectric point of 4.60,an ali-phatic index of 81.94,and an average hydrophilicity value of 0.319,thus indicating a stable hydrophobic protein lacking signal pep-tides or transmembrane domains.Secondary structure analysis revealed 53.03%α-helix(Hh),2.66%β-sheet(Ee),and 44.31%ran-dom coil(Cc).Bioinformatics predictions identified 38 B-cell epitopes and 22 CTL/Th-cell epitopes.The full-length PPE65 gene(1 308 bp)was confirmed through double restriction enzyme digestion and sequencing,thereby validating the correct construction of the pET22b(+)-PPE65 recombinant plasmid.SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated that the recombinant protein was found in inclusion bodies,and a single band at 43.7 kDa was observed after purification.Western blotting revealed specific binding to mouse-derived His monoclonal antibodies,thereby confirming successful expression of the PPE65 protein.BEAS-2B cells treated with a PPE65 protein concentration gradient(2.5-20 μg/mL)exhibited a dose-dependent increase in cell number.Compared with those in the PBS control group,TGF-β relative expression levels were significantly higher in all treatment groups(t2.5=4.893,P<0.001,t5.0=4.640,P<0.05,t10=7.535,P<0.05,t20=16.44,P<0.000 1).This study elucidated the structural characteristics of the PPE65 protein,successfully obtained the recombinant protein through prokaryotic expression and purification,and demonstrated its ability to promote BEAS-2B cell proliferation.The underlying mechanism might involve suppression of TGF-β/S mad signaling pathway activation.These findings provide a theoretical basis for understanding the role and regulatory mechanisms of PPE65 during M.tuberculosis infection.

Objective:To survey the status of radiological diagnostic equipment, protective equipment and articles, personnel allocation, and exposure frequencies in Linyi city, Shandong province, and to provide data support for rational allocation of radiological resources and radiological health management.Methods:In 2023, a questionnaire survey was conducted of radiological diagnostic resources in 353 medical health institutions with radiological diagnostic equipment (excluding simple dental clinics, hereinafter referred to as radiological diagnostic institutions) in Linyi. The survey included the radiological diagnostic equipment (including 16 types of equipment in 7 categories), protective equipment and articles, the number of staff, and the exposure frequencies of X-ray diagnosis. The comparisons were conducted using rank sum test of number of peices of equipment and article and staff number in institutions at different levels in different regions.Results:In 2023, the 353 radiological diagnostic institutions in Linyi were all equipped with radiological diagnostic equipment, summing 1 180 pieces. The median value M ( P25, P75) of the number of peices of radiological diagnostic equipment possessed by each diagnostic institution was 2 (2, 3). The highest proportion of a single piece of equipment was 35.4% for digital radiography (RD) machine and 32.5% for computed tomography (CT) scanner, respectively, followed by image intensifier fluoroscopes 7.9% and flat-panel detector fluoroscopes 7.6%, while computed radiography(CR), 3 kinds of breast X-ray machines, 4 kinds of dental CT machines, and bone densitometers accounted for less than 4.0% each. A total of 223 items of protection equipment (radiation monitoring devices) were equipped, about of 47.0%. The radiological diagnostic institution was each equipped with protective articles. A total of 5 709 protective articles were provided, mainly including lead rubber neck covers, lead rubber hats, and lead rubber aprons (accounting for over 20% each). In 2023, there were a total of 2 677 staff engaged in radiological diagnosis in Linyi, with the majority being male (62.9%). The M ( P25, P75) of staff was 3 (2, 5), including 2 (1, 4) males and 1 (0, 2) females. There were level differences in radiological diagnostic equipment ( χ2=109.04, P<0.05), protective articles ( χ2=83.05, P<0.05), and the number of staff ( χ2=96.90, P<0.05), with tertiary institutions significantly higher than other levels. In 2023, there were 107.8 pieces of radiological diagnostic equipment per million population (38.2 DR units and 35.0 CT scanners per million population) and 244 radiological diagnostic staff per million population (154 males and 90 females per million population) in Linyi. The exposure frequencies of radiological diagnosis in Linyi were 543.7 examinations per thousand population, with CT diagnosis having the highest frequency (342.7 examinations per thousand population), followed by X-ray photography (157.8 examinations per thousand population) during the survey period. Conclusions:In 2023, all the radiological diagnostic institutions in Linyi are equipped with diagnostic equipment and protective articles. The number of CT, DR, breast DR units possessed by every millions of population are higher than the national and Shandong provincial average levels. The overall radiological diagnostic resources are generally good. However, the allocation of radiological diagnostic resources is unbalanced to a certain degree, which currently mainly focuses on the tertiary institutions. At the same time, the bone density meters and breast X-ray machines are insufficient, and further adjustments and optimizations are needed in the future.

Background and purpose:Members of the serine protease inhibitor(SERPIN)family can influence tumorigenesis,progression,and prognosis by modulating processes such as apoptosis,invasion,metastasis,and angiogenesis in tumor cells.However,their role in pancreatic cancer remains unclear.This study aimed to investigate the impact of high expression of serine protease inhibitor A3(SERPINA3)on the proliferation,apoptosis,migration,and chemoresistance of pancreatic cancer cells and its mechanism.Methods:This study analyzed the SERPINA3 expression levels in the normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cell line hTERT-HPNE and pancreatic cancer cell lines SW1990,Capan-1,PANC-1,and ASPC-1 by real-time reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR).We established gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cell lines PANC-1/R and ASPC-1/R,and used qRT-PCR assay and cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)to determine the SERPINA3 expression levels in the constructed resistant cell lines and their parental sensitive cell lines,as well as the differences in their chemosensitivity to gemcitabine.We constructed the SERPINA3-knockdown cell line si-SERPINA with siRNA,and the negative control group si-SERPINA#NC with siRNA negative control.We used MDA assay,CCK-8 assay,EdU cell proliferation assay,transwell migration assay,matrigel invasion assay,scratch assay,and apoptotic assay to respectively detect the lipid oxidation levels,proliferation,migration,invasion,wound-healing ability,and the influence on apoptosis of the gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells in the si-SERPINA group and the si-SERPINA#NC group.Results:Compared with normal pancreatic ductal epithelial cells hTERT-HPNE,the expression level of SERPINA3 in various pancreatic cancer cell lines was significantly increased(P＜0.05).mRNA and protein expression levels of SERPINA3 in PANC-1/R and ASPC-1/R were significantly increased compared with those in parent cells(P＜0.001).When SERPINA3 was knocked down in PANC-1/R and ASPC-1/R cells,the survival rate of the cells under different concentrations of gemcitabine chemotherapy decreased,and MDA detected that the lipid oxidation level was increased(P＜0.001).In addition,the proliferation rate of PANC-1/R and ASPC-1/R cell lines with SERPINA3 knockout,the number of migrating/invading cells and the healing rate of scratch test were significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and flow cytometry demonstrated that the number of apoptotic cells was increased(P＜0.05).These results suggest that SERPINA3 knockdown can inhibit the proliferation,migration,invasion and wound healing ability of gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells,and promote the apoptosis of these resistant cells.Conclusion:SERPINA3 overexpression was found in various pancreatic cancer cells.SERPINA3 overexpression promoted malignant progression and chemotherapy resistance of pancreatic cancer,and interference with SERPINA3 expression promoted ferroptosis and enhanced chemotherapy sensitivity of gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer cells.

Background and Aims:In recent years,with the continuous progress of systemic therapy,hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy(HAIC)combined with immune checkpoint inhibitors and anti-angiogenic agents has demonstrated significant efficacy in the treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).However,direct comparisons between different immunotherapeutic targets,such as PD-1 and PD-L1 inhibitors,in terms of clinical benefit and safety remain limited.This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of HAIC plus bevacizumab and sintilimab(HAIC-BP1)versus HAIC plus bevacizumab and atezolizumab(HAIC-BPL)in advanced HCC.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 88 patients with advanced HCC who received first-line HAIC-BP1or HAIC-BPL at Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center between January 2020 and December 2022.Progression-free survival(PFS),overall survival(OS),objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR),and adverse events(AEs)were compared between the two groups.Cox regression analysis was performed to identify prognostic factors affecting PFS.Results:A total of 47 patients were included in the HAIC-BP1 group and 41 patients in the HAIC-BPL group,with no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the two groups(all P>0.05).The ORR(59.6%vs.65.9%)and DCR(72.3%vs.80.5%)did not significantly differ between the HAIC-BP1 group and the HAIC-BPL group(both P>0.05).After a median follow-up of 16.3 months,there were no significant differences in median OS(21.3 months vs.22.4 months)or median PFS(6.7 months vs.6.2 months)between the HAIC-BP1 group and the HAIC-BPL group(both P>0.05).The incidence of AEs was similar,and no treatment-related deaths occurred.Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified tumor diameter>10 cm as an independent adverse prognostic factor for PFS(HR=0.48,95%CI=0.27-0.83,P=0.009).Conclusion:Both HAIC-BP1 and HAIC-BPL demonstrated comparable efficacy and favorable safety profiles as first-line treatment options for advanced HCC.Tumor diameter>10 cm was an independent unfavorable prognostic factor for PFS,underscoring the importance of patient stratification in clinical decision-making.

BACKGROUND:When exercising in a cold environment,the body's inflammatory response is affected by both low temperature and exercise intervention,and its impact and mechanism remain to be explored.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects and mechanisms of cold water swimming on inflammatory response of rats based on transcriptome sequencing technology.METHODS:40 male SD rats were randomly divided into room temperature control group,room temperature swimming group,cold water control group,and cold water swimming group,with 10 rats in each group.The room temperature control group had no intervention and was free to eat.The room temperature swimming group received swimming at 30 min/time,6 times/week,for 5 weeks;the water temperature was(28±2)℃,and the water depth was 35 cm.In the cold water control group,the rats were placed in a water tank with a depth of 3 cm;the water temperature was(18±2)℃,and they were free to move.The cold water swimming group received swimming at 30 min/time,6 times/week,for 5 weeks;the water temperature was(18±2)℃,and the water depth was 35 cm.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the levels of serum interleukin-6,tumor necrosis factor-α,and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.Based on the transcriptome sequencing results,differentially expressed genes were screened to draw Venn diagrams and heat maps,and Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis were performed.The protein-protein interaction network was used to screen core genes.RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of IRF7,OAS2,and OASL in rat spleen tissue.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The ELISA results showed that compared with the room temperature control group,the levels of various inflammatory indicators in the room temperature swimming group and the cold water swimming group were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and there was no significant difference in the cold water control group.Compared with the room temperature swimming group,there was no significant difference in the expression of inflammatory indicators in the cold water swimming group.Compared with the cold water control group,the expressions of interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the cold water swimming group showed an upward trend,and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein increased significantly(P＜0.05).(2)Transcriptome analysis:Venn diagram showed that there were 39 differentially expressed genes affected by the dual factors of temperature and exercise intervention.Cluster heat map analysis results showed that the overall gene expression trends of the room temperature swimming group and the cold water swimming group were similar,and the cold water control group showed an opposite trend.Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analysis results showed that differentially expressed genes were enriched in the immune system,locomotion,nucleic acid-binding transcription factor activity,NOD-like receptor signaling pathways and other pathways.The number of genes enriched in the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway was relatively large,and the q value was small,which may be a key pathway.The protein-protein interaction network screened out IRF7,OAS2,OASL,IFIT2,IFIT3 and other core genes.(3)RT-qPCR verification results showed that compared with the room temperature control group,the expressions of IRF7,OAS2 and OASL were significantly increased in the room temperature swimming group and the cold water swimming group(P＜0.01),and there was no significant difference in the cold water control group.Compared with the cold water control group,the expression of each gene was significantly increased in the cold water swimming group(P＜0.01).(4)It is concluded that cold water swimming can promote inflammatory response,and its mechanism may be regulated through the NOD-like receptor signaling pathway.

Objective:To survey the status of radiological diagnostic equipment, protective equipment and articles, personnel allocation, and exposure frequencies in Linyi city, Shandong province, and to provide data support for rational allocation of radiological resources and radiological health management.Methods:In 2023, a questionnaire survey was conducted of radiological diagnostic resources in 353 medical health institutions with radiological diagnostic equipment (excluding simple dental clinics, hereinafter referred to as radiological diagnostic institutions) in Linyi. The survey included the radiological diagnostic equipment (including 16 types of equipment in 7 categories), protective equipment and articles, the number of staff, and the exposure frequencies of X-ray diagnosis. The comparisons were conducted using rank sum test of number of peices of equipment and article and staff number in institutions at different levels in different regions.Results:In 2023, the 353 radiological diagnostic institutions in Linyi were all equipped with radiological diagnostic equipment, summing 1 180 pieces. The median value M ( P25, P75) of the number of peices of radiological diagnostic equipment possessed by each diagnostic institution was 2 (2, 3). The highest proportion of a single piece of equipment was 35.4% for digital radiography (RD) machine and 32.5% for computed tomography (CT) scanner, respectively, followed by image intensifier fluoroscopes 7.9% and flat-panel detector fluoroscopes 7.6%, while computed radiography(CR), 3 kinds of breast X-ray machines, 4 kinds of dental CT machines, and bone densitometers accounted for less than 4.0% each. A total of 223 items of protection equipment (radiation monitoring devices) were equipped, about of 47.0%. The radiological diagnostic institution was each equipped with protective articles. A total of 5 709 protective articles were provided, mainly including lead rubber neck covers, lead rubber hats, and lead rubber aprons (accounting for over 20% each). In 2023, there were a total of 2 677 staff engaged in radiological diagnosis in Linyi, with the majority being male (62.9%). The M ( P25, P75) of staff was 3 (2, 5), including 2 (1, 4) males and 1 (0, 2) females. There were level differences in radiological diagnostic equipment ( χ2=109.04, P<0.05), protective articles ( χ2=83.05, P<0.05), and the number of staff ( χ2=96.90, P<0.05), with tertiary institutions significantly higher than other levels. In 2023, there were 107.8 pieces of radiological diagnostic equipment per million population (38.2 DR units and 35.0 CT scanners per million population) and 244 radiological diagnostic staff per million population (154 males and 90 females per million population) in Linyi. The exposure frequencies of radiological diagnosis in Linyi were 543.7 examinations per thousand population, with CT diagnosis having the highest frequency (342.7 examinations per thousand population), followed by X-ray photography (157.8 examinations per thousand population) during the survey period. Conclusions:In 2023, all the radiological diagnostic institutions in Linyi are equipped with diagnostic equipment and protective articles. The number of CT, DR, breast DR units possessed by every millions of population are higher than the national and Shandong provincial average levels. The overall radiological diagnostic resources are generally good. However, the allocation of radiological diagnostic resources is unbalanced to a certain degree, which currently mainly focuses on the tertiary institutions. At the same time, the bone density meters and breast X-ray machines are insufficient, and further adjustments and optimizations are needed in the future.

Objective:The association between air pollutants and the risk of sudden cardiac death (SCD) remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between five air pollutants—PM 2.5, PM 2.5–10, PM 10, NO 2, and NO?—and the risk of SCD. Methods:We analyzed data from 460 862 participants in the UK Biobank cohort, all enrolled between 2006 and 2010, with no baseline SCD. Follow-up continued until the study endpoint. Annual average concentrations of the five pollutants were assessed. Associations between pollutants and SCD were evaluated using Cox proportional hazards models, followed by Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess causality.Results:Over a mean follow-up of 12.4 years, 2 662 SCD cases were recorded. After adjusting for confounders, no significant associations were found between air pollutants and SCD risk: PM 2.5 ( HR 1.03, 95% CI 0.99–1.07, P = 0.14), PM 2.5–10 ( HR 1.04, 95% CI 1.00–1.08, P = 0.08), PM 10 ( HR 1.01, 95% CI 0.99–1.03, P = 0.26), NO? ( HR 1.00, 95% CI 0.99–1.00, P = 0.26), and NO x ( HR 1.00, 95% CI 1.00–1.01, P = 0.19). MR analysis further supported the absence of causal relationships: PM 2.5 ( β = -0.149, P = 0.90), PM 2.5–10 ( β = 0.387, P = 0.62), PM 10 ( β = -0.994, P = 0.62), NO? ( β = –0.005, P = 0.99), and NO 2 ( β = –0.827, P = 0.25). Conclusions:This study found no evidence linking PM 2.5, PM 2.5–10, PM 10, NO?, or NO 2 to an increased risk of SCD. Mendelian randomization confirmed the lack of causal associations between these pollutants and SCD.