Objective: To characterize perioperative dynamic changes in immune-cell phenotypes and inflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing CPB (cardiopulmonary bypass) cardiac surgery, and to explore their associations with postoperative outcomes. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, 120 adult patients who underwent elective cardiac surgery under CPB at West China Hospital from May 2022 to March 2023 were enrolled. Perioperative immune-cell phenotypes and concentrations of 40 inflammation-related cytokines were measured. The primary outcomes were the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score at 24 h after surgery and ΔSOFA (the peak SOFA score within 48 h after surgery minus the preoperative SOFA score). Secondary outcomes included major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), acute kidney injury (AKI), respiratory failure, severe liver injury, and infection. Results: The mean age of enrolled patients was 57±10 years. Of these, 52% (62/120) were male and 90% (108/120) underwent valve surgery. During the rewarming to the end of CPB, neutrophil counts rapidly increased (7.39×10 /L vs preoperative 3.07×10 /L, P<0.001), with significant upregulation of CD11b (7.30×10 /L vs preoperative 3.05×10 /L, P<0.001) and CD54 (7.15×10 /L vs preoperative 2.99×10 /L, P<0.001). Lymphocyte counts increased at the end of CPB (1.75×10 /L vs preoperative 1.12×10 /L, P<0.001) but decreased significantly at 24 h after surgery (0.59×10 /L vs preoperative 1.12×10 /L, P<0.001). Plasma analysis showed that multiple pro-inflammatory cytokines increased during CPB and remained elevated up to 24 h after surgery; five chemokines and the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 peaked at the end of CPB. The SOFA score increased from 1 (1, 2) preoperatively to 7 (5, 10) at 24 h after surgery, with a ΔSOFA of 6 (4, 8). Within 30 days after surgery, 48 patients (40.0%) developed AKI, 17 (14.2%) developed infection, 4 (3.3%) developed severe liver injury, 3 (2.5%) developed respiratory failure, and 3 (2.5%) experienced MACE. During the 2-year follow-up, 8 patients (6.7%) experienced MACE and 5 (4.2%) died. Conclusion: Multi-organ dysfunction is common after cardiac surgery under CPB (median ΔSOFA, 6), accompanied by perioperative activation of multiple immune-cell subsets and upregulation of pro-inflammatory, anti-inflammatory, and chemotactic mediators. This study provides data-driven evidence and research clues for further investigation of the associations between CPB-related immune perturbations and postoperative organ dysfunction and clinical outcomes.

Objective To investigate the relationship of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and homocysteine (Hcy) with risk of coronary artery lesion progression in patients with hypertension. Methods The data of 306 patients with hypertension who received coronary angiography from January 2020 to January 2025 were included for retrospective investigation. The patients were divided into a non-progression group (175 cases) and a progression group (131 cases) based on the 6-month Gensini progression rate. The relationship between NLR and Hcy and coronary artery lesion progression was analyzed. Results Binary logistic regression analysis was applied to control confounding factors. After adjusting for confounding factors using Model1, Model2, and Model3, it was found that NLR and Hcy at admission were independently associated with the progression of coronary artery lesion in hypertensive patients [adjusted OR (95% CI) = 1.77 (1.48-2.11), 4.26 (2.71-6.69), P<0.001]. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve revealed that the area under the curve of the combination of Hcy and NLR was 0.814 in predicting the progression of coronary artery lesion in hypertensive patients, which was higher than that of Hcy or NLR (Z/P=5.328, 2.077/<0.05). Conclusion Cardiovascular disease risk factors NLR and Hcy are independently associated with coronary artery lesion progression in patients with hypertension. Early detection of NLR and Hcy is helpful to predict the progression of coronary artery lesion.

ObjectiveTo explore the role of the histone deacetylase Sirtuin-1 （SIRT1）/p53 signaling pathway in promoting apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells （NSCLC） induced by the co-stimulatory molecule B7 homolog 3 （B7-H3）. MethodsThe GEPIA 2 platform was used for survival analysis of NSCLC patients based on B7⁃H3 gene expression levels. The Gene Enrichment Analysis （GSEA） method was used to analyze the enrichment characteristics of B7⁃H3 molecules in the gene set of cell apoptosis. In the non-small cell lung cancer A549 cell line， B7⁃H3 was knocked down， and the protein expression levels of SIRT1 and p53 were detected by Western blot. B7⁃H3 was overexpressed in A549 cells and the apoptosis rate was analyzed by flow cytometry after Annexin V/PI double staining. Overexpression of B7⁃H3 and knockdown of SIRT1 were performed in A549 cell line. The expression levels of p53 and apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 （Bcl-2） and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） were detected respectively by Western blot. Cell apoptosis rate was analyzed by flow cytometry after Annexin V/PI double staining. ResultsThe overall survival of the B7-H3 high-expression group was significantly lower than that of the low-expression group （P<0.01）. B7-H3 was significantly enriched in the cell apoptosis signaling pathway and the p53 signaling pathway （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， the expression of SIRT1 was significantly downregulated， and p53 was significantly upregulated in the B7⁃H3 knockdown group （both P<0.001）. Overexpression of B7-H3 significantly up-regulated SIRT1 protein expression （P<0.05）， down-regulated p53 expression （P<0.01）， and markedly increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio of apoptosis-related proteins （P<0.001）. The results of Annexin V/PI double staining showed that the apoptosis rate of A549 cells with overexpressed B7⁃H3 decreased （the apoptosis rate of the control group was 26.72%±4.13%， while that of the B7⁃H3 overexpression group was 13.87%±0.82%； P<0.01）. In B7-H3-overexpressing cell lines， SIRT1 knockdown significantly reversed apoptosis （P<0.05）， up-regulated p53 protein expression （P<0.001）， and markedly reduced the Bcl-2/Bax ratio （P<0.001）. ConclusionB7-H3 molecule inhibits the apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells via the SIRT1/p53 signaling pathway.

Objective: To investigate the trends in incidence and mortality of thyroid cancer in Nantong City, Jiangsu Province from 2013 to 2022, so as to provide a basis for optimizing comprehensive regional prevention and control strategies. Methods: Data on incidence and mortality of thyroid cancer in Nantong City from 2013 to 2022 were collected via the Nantong Cancer Registration Reporting System. Crude incidence and mortality were calculated. The Chinese population-standardized incidence and Chinese population-standardized mortality were calculated using the standard age structure from the Fifth National Population Census in 2000. The average annual percent change (AAPC) was used to analyze the trends in incidence and mortality of thyroid cancer across different genders, age groups, and urban-rural areas from 2013 to 2022. Results: The crude incidence and Chinese population-standardized incidence in Nantong City rose from 5.79/100 000 and 4.36/100 000 in 2013 to 34.87/100 000 and 30.40/100 000 in 2022, respectively (AAPC=22.226%, 24.139%, both P<0.05). The crude mortality increased from 0.39/100 000 to 1.07/100 000 (AAPC=10.469%, P<0.05), while the trend for Chinese population-standardized mortality was not statistically significant (P>0.05). The Chinese population-standardized incidence and Chinese population-standardized mortality for females were 20.41/100 000 and 0.30/100 000, respectively, which were 3.28 times and 1.50 times those of males. The Chinese population-standardized incidence showed upward trends for both males and females (AAPC=22.840%, 24.592%, both P<0.05), while the trends for Chinese population-standardized mortality were not statistically significant (both P>0.05). From 2013 to 2022, the crude incidence in the age groups of 15-<45, 45-<65, and 65-<85 years, and the crude mortality in the age group of 65-<85 years showed upward trends (AAPC=27.808%, 21.756%, 13.365%, and 8.030%, all P<0.05), while trends in other age groups were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). The Chinese population-standardized incidence in urban areas was 16.96/105, which was 1.40 times that of rural areas. The Chinese population-standardized mortality in rural areas was 0.27/105, which was 1.29 times that of urban areas. From 2013 to 2022, the Chinese population-standardized incidence in both urban and rural areas and Chinese population-standardized mortality in rural areas showed upward trends (AAPC=17.264%, 27.758%, 6.387%, all P<0.05), while trend in Chinese population-standardized mortality in urban areas was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusions From 2013 to 2022, the crude incidence, Chinese population-standardized incidence, and crude mortality of thyroid cancer in Nantong City all showed upward trends in the total population, males, and females, while the trend in Chinese population-standardized mortality was stable. There were differences in mortality trends between urban and rural areas: the trend in urban areas was stable, whereas the trend in rural areas was upward.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is a common head and neck malignancy. Approximately 50% to 60% of patients with OSCC are diagnosed at a locally advanced stage (clinical staging III-IVa). Even with comprehensive and sequential treatment primarily based on surgery, the 5-year overall survival rate remains below 50%, and patients often suffer from postoperative functional impairments such as difficulties with speaking and swallowing. Programmed death receptor-1 (PD-1) inhibitors are increasingly used in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC and have shown encouraging efficacy. However, clinical practice still faces key challenges, including the definition of indications, optimization of combination regimens, and standards for efficacy evaluation. Based on the latest research advances worldwide and the clinical experience of the expert group, this expert consensus systematically evaluates the application of PD-1 inhibitors in the neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced OSCC, covering combination strategies, treatment cycles and surgical timing, efficacy assessment, use of biomarkers, management of special populations and immune related adverse events, principles for immunotherapy rechallenge, and function preservation strategies. After multiple rounds of panel discussion and through anonymous voting using the Delphi method, the following consensus statements have been formulated: 1) Neoadjuvant therapy with PD-1 inhibitors can be used preoperatively in patients with locally advanced OSCC. The preferred regimen is a PD-1 inhibitor combined with platinum based chemotherapy, administered for 2-3 cycles. 2) During the efficacy evaluation of neoadjuvant therapy, radiographic assessment should follow the dual criteria of Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) version 1.1 and immune RECIST (iRECIST). After surgery, systematic pathological evaluation of both the primary lesion and regional lymph nodes is required. For combination chemotherapy regimens, PD-L1 expression and combined positive score need not be used as mandatory inclusion or exclusion criteria. 3) For special populations such as the elderly (≥ 70 years), individuals with stable HIV viral load, and carriers of chronic HBV/HCV, PD-1 inhibitors may be used cautiously under the guidance of a multidisciplinary team (MDT), with close monitoring for adverse events. 4) For patients with a poor response to neoadjuvant therapy, continuation of the original treatment regimen is not recommended; the subsequent treatment plan should be adjusted promptly after MDT assessment. Organ transplant recipients and patients with active autoimmune diseases are not recommended to receive neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor therapy due to the high risk of immune related activation. Rechallenge is generally not advised for patients who have experienced high risk immune related adverse events such as immune mediated myocarditis, neurotoxicity, or pneumonitis. 5) For patients with a good pathological response, individualized de escalation surgery and function preservation strategies can be explored. This consensus aims to promote the standardized, safe, and precise application of neoadjuvant PD-1 inhibitor strategies in the management of locally advanced OSCC patients.

Objective To explore the adverse event signals of children using macrolide drugs （azithromycin, clarithromycin, and erythromycin）, and provide reference for rational medicine use in clinical practice. Methods Data from children under 12 years old were extracted from the US FAERS database spanning from the first quarter of 2004 to the second quarter of 2023. The adverse drug reaction （ADR） signal mining for three macrolide antibiotics was conducted using the Reporting Odds Ratio （ROR） and Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network （BCPNN） methods. Special emphasis was placed on analyzing and contrasting the differences in adverse events among the three drugs. Results A total of 1 615 reports for children under 12 years old were retrieved from the FAERS database, including 1 024 reports of azithromycin, 460 reports of clarithromycin, and 131 reports of erythromycin. Among azithromycin and erythromycin, there were more reports from boys than girls, while for clarithromycin, there were more reports from girls than boys. Oral administration was the most common route of administration for all three drugs. Regarding the outcome of adverse events reported, azithromycin and clarithromycin were primarily associated with other serious adverse events, whereas erythromycin was mainly associated with hospitalization and other serious adverse events. The number of adverse events reported decreased with increasing age, with a higher number of reports in the 0-3 age group. Using the ROR and BCPNN methods for signal detection, 86 signals were identified for azithromycin, 91 for clarithromycin, and 34 for erythromycin. These signals involved 22 System Organ Classes （SOCs）, with azithromycin mainly concentrated in skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders （n=21）, clarithromycin in gastrointestinal disorders （n=15）, and erythromycin in gastrointestinal disorders （n=8）. Twenty-four signals of moderate to high risk were detected, with 13 for azithromycin, 9 for clarithromycin, and 2 for erythromycin. Conclusion The adverse events induced by the three drugs with different risks in different systems. When clinically treating Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children, the risk profiles of drugs in different systems should be considered, and personalized dosing should be implemented.

Background Lead is a typical persistent environmental pollutant that can accumulate in bones for decades. During pregnancy, alterations in calcium metabolism promote the mobilization of bone lead, resulting in secondary exposure; however, the mechanisms by which pregnancy-associated bone lead mobilization affects maternal renal function remain unclear. Objective To investigate the role of mitochondrial dysfunction in pregnancy-related bone lead mobilization-induced renal injury. Methods Newly weaned female Wistar rats were randomly assigned to a control or a lead-exposed group administered either 0.05% sodium acetate or 0.05% lead acetate in drinking water. Following a 4-week lead exposure and a 4-week washout period, the females were co-housed with healthy age-matched males for mating. Rats were sacrificed at early (gestational day 3) and late (gestational day 17) pregnancystages, respectively. Renal histopathology was assessed using hematoxylin and eosin staining staining. Mitochondria-related indicators, including oxidative stress, inflammatory responses, and energy metabolism, were measured. Differential metabolites were identified using serum metabolomics. Results Renal injury in the lead-exposed pregnant rats progressed in a time-dependent manner, characterized by degeneration of proximal tubular epithelial cells, glomerular hyaline changes, and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration. Repeated measures ANOVA indicated a significant interaction between the treatment factor (lead exposure) and the temporal factor (gestational stage) on renal injury (P<0.001). Further analysis of mitochondrial function-related indicators in late-pregnancy renal tissue revealed that the lead exposure group exhibited significantly increased levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) (P<0.05), accompanied by a reduction in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH) activities (P<0.05); regarding inflammatory markers, levels of interleukin-18 (IL-18) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were elevated (P<0.01), whereas interleukin-33 (IL-33) was decreased in the lead-exposed group (P<0.05); energy metabolism-related indicators, including adenosine triphosphate (ATP) level, Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase activities, and mitochondrial respiratory chain complexes I, III, and V activities, were significantly reduced (P<0.05) in the lead-exposed gorup. The typical differential metabolite N-methylisoleucine, identified through serum metabolomics analysis, was negatively correlated with blood lead levels, kidney injury scores, and IL-1β, while positively correlated with catalase (CAT) activity and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase. Conclusions Mitochondrial dysfunction may play a critical role in renal injury induced by bone lead mobilization during late gestation.

ObjectiveTo decipher the mechanism by which Zuoguiwan （ZGW） treat hyperthyroidism in rats with kidney-Yin deficiency based on the dopamine receptor D4 （DRD4）/nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate （NADPH） oxidase 4 （NOX4） signaling pathway. MethodsThe rat model of kidney-Yin deficiency was induced by unilateral intramuscular injection of dexamethasone （0.35 mg·kg^-1）. After successful modeling， the rats were randomized into model， methimazole （positive control， 5 mg·kg^-1）， low-， medium-， and high-dose （1.85， 3.70， 7.40 g·kg^-1， respectively） ZGW， and normal control groups. After 21 days of continuous gavage， the behavioral indexes and body weight changes of rats were evaluated. The pathological changes of the renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The serum levels of thyroid hormones ［triiodothyronine （T₃）， thyroxine （T₄）， thyroid-stimulating hormone （TSH）］， renal function indexes ［serum creatine （Scr） and blood urea nitrogen （BUN）］， energy metabolism markers ［cyclic adenosine monophosphate （cAMP） and cyclic guanosine monophosphate （cGMP）］， and oxidative stress-related factors ［superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and NADPH）］ were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Western blot was employed to analyze the expression of DRD4， NOX4， mitochondrial respiratory chain complex proteins ［NADH：ubiquinone oxidoreductase subunit S4 （NDUFS4） and cytochrome C oxidase subunit 4 （COX4）］， and inflammation-related protein ［tumor necrosis factor-alpha （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）］ pathway in the renal tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed mental malaise， body weight decreases （P<0.01）， inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal tissue， a few residual parotid glands in the thyroid， elevations in serum levels of T₃， T₄， Scr， BUN， cAMP， cAMP/cGMP， MDA， and NADPH （P<0.01）， down-regulation in protein levels of TSH， SOD， and DRD4 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and up-regulation in expression of NOX4， p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK， and inflammatory factors （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， ZGW increased the body weight （P<0.05， P<0.01）， reduced the infiltration of renal interstitial inflammatory cells， restored the thyroid structure and follicle size， lowered the serum levels of T₃， T₄， Scr， BUN， cAMP， cAMP/cGMP， MDA and NADPH （P<0.05， P<0.01）， up-regulated the expression of TSH， SOD and DRD4 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and down-regulated the expression of NOX4， p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK， and inflammatory factors （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， high-dose ZGW outperformed methimazole （P<0.05）. ConclusionBy activating DRD4， ZGW can inhibit the expression of NOX4 mediated by the p38 MAPK pathway， reduce oxidative stress and inflammatory response， thereby ameliorating the pathological state of hyperthyroidism due to kidney-Yin deficiency. This study provides new molecular mechanism support for the clinical application of ZGW.

Background/Aims: Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues. Results: We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts. Conclusion Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.

Objective To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) compound in treating pulmonary nodules, providing evidence-based medical evidence for TCM intervention in pulmonary nodules. Methods Computer search of PubMed, CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, and SinoMed was conducted to select randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of TCM compound intervention in pulmonary nodules, with the retrieval time from the inception to November 29, 2023. The Cochrane bias risk assessment tool was used to evaluate the quality of the included studies, and Review Manager 5.4 was used for Meta-analysis. Results A total of 18 RCTs were included, covering 8 provinces across the country, with a total sample size of 1301 patients. The TCM compounds used in the included studies all incorporated the method of dissolving phlegm and dissipating nodules. There was a high risk of bias uncertainty in the included studies. Meta-analysis results suggested that TCM compound could significantly reduce the diameter of pulmonary nodules [MD=−1.41, 95%CI (−1.70, −1.13), P<0.001], decrease the number of nodules [MD=−0.37, 95%CI (−0.73, −0.01), P=0.05], alleviate clinical symptoms [MD=−4.84, 95%CI (−6.04, −3.64), P<0.001], and improve lung function [forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), MD=0.55, 95%CI (0.09, 1.01), P=0.02; FEV1/forced vital capacity, MD=6.12, 95%CI (4.47, 7.78), P<0.001]. However, there was no statistically significant difference in the probability of malignancy between the experimental group and the control group [MD=−0.01, 95%CI (−0.01, 0.00), P=0.09]. Conclusion TCM compound can significantly reduce the diameter of pulmonary nodules, decrease the number of nodules, alleviate clinical symptoms, and improve lung function, but future multicenter, large-sample, high-quality RCTs are still needed to further explore and verify this conclusion.