AIM: To evaluate clinical efficacy of recombinant human epidermal growth factor(rhEGF)combined with adjuvant amniotic membrane transplantation in corneal alkaline burns. METHODS:In the prospective, randomized controlled study, patients with corneal alkaline burns treated in the hospital were enrolled between November 2022 and November 2024. After emergency treatment, patients were divided into combined treatment group and routine treatment group by random number table method. The routine treatment group was given basic treatment(rhEGF), while combined treatment group additionally underwent adjuvant amniotic membrane transplantation. The clinical efficacy, healing time of corneal epithelium, best corrected visual acuity, VAS scores, corneal neovascularization area, break-up time, score of corneal opacity, and levels of inflammatory factors(IL-6, hs-CRP, TNF-α)in the two groups were observed and compared. RESULTS:There were 110 patients(110 eyes)in this study, including 55 cases(55 eyes)in each group. The combination group had a mean age of 46.82±10.38 y, including 26 males and 29 females. The routine treatment group had a mean age of 45.13±11.57 y, with 31 males and 24 females. The total response rate of combined treatment group [94.5%(52/55)] was significantly higher than that of routine treatment group [81.8%(45/55), P<0.05]. The healing time of corneal epithelium in combined treatment group was significantly shorter than that in routine treatment group(P<0.001), and VAS score for pain severity after treatment was significantly lower than that in routine treatment group(P<0.001). The corneal neovascularization area in combined treatment group was significantly smaller than that in routine treatment group(P<0.001), break-up time was significantly longer than that in routine treatment group(P<0.001),and score of corneal opacity was significantly lower than that in routine treatment group(P<0.001). After treatment, levels of inflammatory factors in combined treatment group were significantly lower than those in routine treatment group(all P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Adjuvant amniotic membrane transplantation combined with rhEGF presents prominent clinical advantages in the treatment of alkaline corneal burns. It can enhance therapeutic efficacy, accelerate wound healing, relieve pain, reduce corneal neovascularization, prolong tear film break-up time, alleviate corneal opacification, and reduce the levels of inflammatory factors.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of immunoadsorption with protein A column(PA-IA) in refractory anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis in children.Methods:The clinical data of 8 children with anti-NMDAR encephalitis who failed to receive first-line treatment from January 2022 to June 2023 in PICU of Xi'an Children's Hospital were retrospectively collected.Clinical features,modified Rankin score (mRS),anti-NMDAR antibody titers in serum and cerebrospinal fluid(CSF),cells count in CSF,protein level in CSF,serum IgG,complement C3,C4 level were analyzed before and after immunoadsorption therapy. All adverse events that occurred during treatment were recorded in detail.Result:Among the 8 children,there were 5 males and 3 females,aged 5 to 12 years old,and each patient was immunized 6 to 10 times,and 75 times of PA-IA treatment were performed. The mRS score decreased in 8 children after PA-IA treatment. Blood IgG level,CSF cell number,protein level in CSF,blood complement C3 and C4 levels,and antibody titers related in blood and CSF were all lower than those before PA-IA treatment. The differences were all statistically significant ( P<0.001).During 75 times of treatment,only 1 case of membrane rupture occurred during treatment,the treatment was stopped and continued after the plasma separator was replaced,with no other adverse reactions. Conclusion:PA-IA could effectively improve the clinical symptoms and neurological function of children with refractory anti-NMDAR encephalitis with good safety,but its exact efficacy in children with anti-NMDAR encephalitis needs to be verified by prospective studies with larger samples.

Objective:To analyse the clinical characteristics of 214 cases of paediatric high altitude pulmonary edema（HAPE）and the efficacy of dexamethasone in adjunctive therapy.Methods:This retrospective study analyzed 214 pediatric cases of HAPE admitted to the Department of Paediatrics of the General Hospital of Tibetan Military between June 2015 to June 2017 and June 2019 to June 2021.Patients were divided into dexamethasone-treated group and dexamethasone-untreated group.Baseline data，clinical characteristics were collected to evaluate the treatment efficacy and drug side effects.Results:There were 107 children in each of the two groups with a median age of 8（5，11）years. The median age of the dexamethasone-treated group was 9（6，12）years and the mean age of the dexamethasone-untreated group was 7（3，10）years. The proportion of male children was 69.60%（149/214）；the onset of illness was mostly concentrated within 72 hours，accounting for 97.20%（208/214）of the cases；83.18%（178/214）of the cases had symptoms of combined upper respiratory tract infection before entering the plateau. The most important clinical symptoms of the children were cough（86.92%，186/214），cyanosis（70.09%，150/214），and shortness of breath（66.36%，142/214）. The proportion of auscultatory rhonchi was 83.18%（178/214），and all cases showed positive findings on chest radiography. After the dexamethasone regimen，the overall cure rate of the children was 94.39%，the average disappearance time of the symptoms and signs was（40.52±7.85）h，and the average hospital stay was（3.60±1.90）d. After treatment with the dexamethasone-free regimen，the overall cure rate was 92.52%，the mean time to disappearance of symptoms and signs was（42.10±7.62）h，and the mean length of stay in the hospital was(3.84±2.08)d. There was no significant difference in the cure rate，the disappearance time of symptoms and signs，and the average hospitalisation days between the two groups（ P>0.05），but a total of 11 children in the dexamethasone-treated group experienced adverse drug reactions，and no children in the dexamethasone-untreated group experienced adverse drug reactions. Conclusion:Han Chinese male children，particularly those with upper respiratory infections，should be closely monitored for HAPE risk within three days of ascending to high altitudes. This study does not recommend the use of dexamethasone for pediatric HAPE due to the lack of therapeutic benefits and potential adverse effects.

With the increasing incidence of male reproductive system diseases and reproductive dysfunctions, diagnosis and treatment of male infertility and fertility preservation have become clinical challenges to be overcome. Organoids, a kind of cell product cultured in vitro under different microenvironments by using adult stem cells or embryonic stem cell, can possess histological anatomy and physiological function that are similar to natural tissues. In recent years, technological breakthroughs have been made in testicular organoids in terms of sperm proliferation and differentiation induced in vitro, providing a new idea for solving the above problems. This article briefly introduces common testicular organoid techniques (micropore culture, microfluidics culture method, three-layer gradient system, air-liquid interface culture, extracellular matrix hydrogel scaffold, hanging drop cultures, and 3D printing technology, etc.), including technical features, research conditions, technical bottlenecks and summarizes the application characteristics and situations of some ordinary organoid culture solutions in the field of testicular organoids as well.

Objective To investigate the biomechanical characteristics of Salto Talaris tibial components with different heights at the bone-prosthesis interface during different gait support phases after total ankle replacement.Methods An ankle joint model was reconstructed using a weight-bearing CT from a 61-year-old female patient with ankle arthritis,and Salto Talaris tibial components with different heights(5,7,9,11 mm)were modelled to simulate the loading of the tibial-prosthesis during four gait support phases,and to analyse the micromotion and stresses at the bone-prosthesis interface.Results The 11 mm and 9 mm models had a poorer prosthesis stability,with the peak micromotion exceeding 50 μm and the peak internal tibial stresses of 30.75 MPa and 29.86 MPa,respectively,which exceeded the yield stress of the cancellous bone.The tibial stresses of the 7 mm and 5 mm models were within reasonable ranges and the average peak micromotions were only 42.66 μm and 40.32 μm.In contrast,the initial stability of the 5 mm model prosthesis was the best.Conclusions For total ankle replacement with Salto prosthesis,the height of the tibial component should be chosen appropriately,and the optimal height was about 5 mm.Excessive flexion and extension activities of the ankle joint should be avoided to maintain the stability of the prosthesis after surgery.This study provides a theoretical basis for the improvement of the structural parameters of the Salto prosthesis,which is valuable for the selection of clinical surgical prostheses and helps to improve the results of total ankle replacement.

Objective:To analyze the current status and trends of lung cancer incidence and mortality in China and selected global regions, providing evidence for lung cancer prevention strategies in China.Methods:We extracted data from the GLOBOCAN 2022 database. Age-standardized Incidence rate (ASIR) and Age-standardized Mortality rate (ASMR) were calculated using Segi's world standard population. Epidemiological patterns were analyzed by region, age, sex, and human development index (HDI). Simple linear regression and Spearman's rank correlation coefficient were used to examine associations between HDI and ASIR/ASMR.Results:In 2022, global lung cancer incidence and mortality reached 2.48 million and 1.82 million cases respectively, with age-standardized rates of 23.6 per 100 000 (ASIR) and 16.8 per 100 000 (ASMR). Gender disparities were prominent, with male ASIR and ASMR being 2.0-fold and 2.5-fold higher than females. Elderly populations showed 11.6-fold higher ASIR and 14.4-fold higher ASMR compared to working-age adults. HDI demonstrated strong positive correlations with both ASIR ( r=0.79, P＜0.001) and ASMR ( r=0.74, P＜0.001). China accounted for 1.06 million new cases and 0.73 million deaths, with ASIR (40.8 per 100 000) and ASMR (26.7 per 100 000) exceeding global averages by 1.7-fold and 1.6-fold respectively. Chinese males showed 1.7-fold higher ASIR and 2.7-fold higher ASMR than females. Trend analysis revealed persistently high male incidence in China whereas rapidly increasing female rates, narrowing gender disparities. Projections estimate 1.80 million incident cases and 1.41 million deaths by 2050, representing 69.3% and 92.0% increases from 2022 levels. Conclusions:Significant heterogeneity exists in lung cancer burden across demographics and development levels, with strong HDI correlations. China bears disproportionate disease burden, necessitating intensified prevention efforts. These findings underscore the urgency of targeted interventions in high-risk populations.

Objective:To comprehensively evaluate the cost and cost-effectiveness of the colorectal cancer screening program for key populations in Zhejiang Province from 2020 to 2022, and provide reference for optimizing colorectal cancer screening strategies.Methods:Based on the colorectal cancer screening program for key populations in Zhejiang Province from 2020 to 2022, parameters such as initial screening positivity rates, colonoscopy compliance rates, and detection rates for colorectal-related lesions among residents aged 50-74 were obtained. Questionnaire surveys assessed program costs and direct medical costs associated with colorectal cancer-related lesions. From a health system perspective, the cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated using the Early Detection Cost Index (EDCI) and the cost per detected case, followed by sensitivity analysis.Results:A total of 5 881 364 screenings were completed from 2020 to 2022. The initial screening positive rate (positive for either questionnaire or fecal immunochemical testing ) was 16.83%, with a colonoscopy compliance rates of 33.96% ( n=336 150). Detection rates for non-advanced adenomas, advanced adenomas, and colorectal cancer were 24.83% ( n=83 453), 11.91% ( n=40 033), and 1.01% ( n=3 397), respectively. Initial screening positivity rates and detection rates increased with age, while colonoscopy compliance rates decreased with age. Cost analysis showed a total project investment of 378 730 457 yuan, with initial screening costing 146 633 103 yuan (38.72%) and diagnostic colonoscopy 232 097 354 yuan (61.28%). The average cost per initial screening and diagnostic colonoscopy was 24.93 and 690.46 yuan, respectively. Direct medical costs for non-advanced adenomas, advanced adenomas, and colorectal cancer at stages Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ were 4 921, 8 380, 42 547, 62 156, 66 720, and 72 334 yuan, respectively. Cost-effectiveness analysis indicated that screening needed to detect one case of colorectal cancer required 1 731 people and cost 111 490 yuan; the cost per detected advanced adenoma was 9 460 yuan, and the EDCI was 0.09. Costs decreased with increasing age per detected colorectal lesion. Sensitivity analysis showed that increasing colonoscopy compliance could reduce the cost-effectiveness ratio. Conclusions:The colorectal cancer screening program for key populations in Zhejiang Province demonstrates cost-effectiveness. Improving colonoscopy compliance can enhance overall screening effectiveness and economic benefits.

Objective:To analyze risk factors associated with false-positive results of quantitative fecal immunochemical testing (FIT), evaluate its performance for detecting advanced colorectal neoplasia across different subgroups, and explore the optimal positivity thresholds for each subgroup.Methods:Individuals who participated in the Zhejiang Colorectal Cancer Screening Program in 2020-2021, completed questionnaire-based risk assessment and quantitative FIT for initial screening, and undertook colonoscopy for confirmed diagnosis were included in this study. The information of individuals, including demographic characteristics, lifestyles, history of diseases, and family history of colorectal cancer (CRC), was collected by using questionnaires. The diagnostic outcomes of the individuals were obtained through colonoscopy and pathological examination. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify factors associated with false-positive FIT results. The optimal threshold of FIT was determined based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and 10-fold cross-validation. The effectiveness of FIT screening in different subgroups was compared using the unified threshold of 100 ng/ml or optimal positivity thresholds.Results:There were 25 874 individuals included in the analysis, with 14 694 (56.79%) having fecal hemoglobin concentrations ≥100 ng/ml. A total of 3 830 advanced adenoma cases (14.80%) and 362 CRC cases (1.40%) were identified. Age below 60 years old, females, underweight, smoking, drinking, use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, no family history of CRC, no history of intestinal disease, no history of hypertension, and physical inactivity were associated with an elevated risk of false-positive results in FIT ( P<0.05). Compared to the predetermined threshold of 100 ng/ml, the false positive rate (FPR) of quantitative FIT decreased from 52.3% to 37.3% in all individuals, and decreased by more than 20% in females, individuals with normal weight, smokers, and those without a history of intestinal disease when adopting the optimal threshold (all P<0.001). Conclusion:The risk of false-positive results in quantitative FIT varies across different subgroups. Adopting the optimal thresholds could improve the specificity and reduce the FPR of quantitative FIT for CRC screening.

[Purpose]To analyze the incidence and mortality of lung cancer in Zhejiang cancer regi-stration areas in 2021 and trends from 2000 to 2021.[Methods]Using data from Zhejiang cancer registration areas from 2000 to 2021,the crude rate,age-standardized rate by Chinese standard population(ASRC)and the world standard population(ASRW),and composition ratio were calcu-lated to describe the incidence and mortality in 2021.Joinpoint regression was employed to ana-lyze temporal trends over the 22 years,calculating the annual percentage change(APC),average annual percentage change(AAPC),and their 95％confidence intervals(CI).[Results]The crude incidence rate of lung cancer in 2021 was 128.58/105,with an ASRC of 68.74/105,ac-counting for 24.22％of all cancers;the crude mortality rate was 51.55/105,with an ASRC of 21.58/105,constituting 27.98％of all cancer deaths.Both crude incidence rate(AAPC=5.73％,P＜0.001)and ASIRC(AAPC=4.14％,P＜0.001)of lung cancer showed significant increasing trends from 2000 to 2021.The crude mortality rate increased slowly(AAPC=1.76％,P＜0.001),while the ASMRC(AAPC=-0.40％,P=0.035)exhibited a modest decline.The increase in incidence was more pronounced in females than males,though no statistically significant difference was observed in mortality trends.The incidence rates in urban and rural areas showed similar growth trends;the crude mortality rate in rural areas was growing significantly faster than that in urban areas,and the decline in the ASRC was only statistically significant in urban areas.The incidence rate was in-creasing in all age groups.The mortality rate was declining among younger people(＜65 years old).The age group of 15～44 years old demonstrated a greater increase in incidence and a sharper decline in mortality than those aged 45 years old and above.[Conclusion]From 2000 to 2021,Zhejiang Province experienced a marked rise in lung cancer incidence with escalating disease burden.Despite severe population aging,ASRC of mortality declined steadily,reflecting effective prevention and control measures.

[Purpose]To analyze the incidence and mortality of prostate cancer in Zhejiang cancer registration areas in 2021 and the trends from 2000 to 2021.[Methods]Data of prostate cancer incidence and mortality in Zhejiang cancer registration areas from 2000 to 2021 were collected.The crude incidence/mortality rates,age-standardized incidence/mortality rates by Chinese stan-dard population(ASIRC/ASMRC)and world standard population(ASIRW/ASMRW),cumulative rates(0～74 years old)were calculated.Joinpoint regression model was used to estimate the annual percentage change(APC)and average annual percentage change(AAPC)to assess trends.[Results]In 2021,6 683 new prostate cancer cases were reported in Zhejiang cancer registration areas,the crude incidence rate and ASIRC of prostate cancer were 61.21/105 and 26.78/105,respec-tively.The number of prostate cancer deaths was 1 036,the crude mortality rate and ASMRC were 9.49/105 and 3.28/105,respectively.From 2000 to 2021,a total of 30 876 new prostate cancer cases and 7 458 deaths were reported.The average crude incidence rate was 25.50/105,and the ASIRC was 13.35/105;the crude mortality rate and ASMRC rates were 6.16/105 and 2.82/105,respectively.The ASIRC was higher in urban areas(13.58/105)than that in rural areas(12.84/105),while the ASMRC was lower in urban areas(2.60/105)than that in rural areas(3.33/105).From 2000 to 2021,both the ASIRC and ASMRC showed significant upward trends in Zhejiang cancer registration areas with AAPC of 13.88％(95％CI:11.43％～16.08％,P＜0.001)and 4.35％(95％CI:2.21％～6.18％,P＜0.001),respectively.[Conclusion]Prostate cancer incidence in Zhejiang Province had risen rapidly in last two decades,with rural areas facing a heavier mortality burden.Special attention should be paid to the elderly male population in rural areas,and the three-level prevention strategy should be strengthened to reduce the disease burden.