1.Reform practices and explorations under the double-track medical integration education reform: a case study of the circulatory system
Heng SHAO ; Hongjun DI ; Zhaoyan QIANG ; Jingrui YAN ; Weimin DENG
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(8):1069-1073
The organ system-integrated curriculum system overcomes the limitations of single teaching methods and the drawbacks of neglecting holism and interconnectedness, effectively transforming knowledge into competency. Tianjin Medical University has pioneered the "double-track integrated teaching reform" to align with the objective of training undergraduate clinical medical talents. This system is centered on the eight major human body systems, breaking traditional disciplinary boundaries and achieving systematic integration of basic medical and clinical courses. First implemented in 2019 in the "5+3" clinical and pediatric programs, the system has undergone three rounds of teaching practice since 2021, forming a distinctive integrated curriculum system. Using the circulatory system as a model, the reform reorganized teaching content, developed specialized textbooks, and assembled interdisciplinary teaching teams, fostering a shared instructional approach through cross-disciplinary training. The teaching model integrates theoretical and practical learning with curriculum-based ideological and political education, employing problem-based learning to encourage self-directed study and leveraging an online-offline mixed approach to enhance teaching effectiveness. An innovative closed-loop assessment system incorporating formative evaluation has been established, integrating multidimensional feedback from exam analysis, student and faculty questionnaire surveys, and teaching supervision to continuously optimize curriculum development. The reform has significantly enhanced medical students' professional competencies and overall capabilities, providing an innovative paradigm for training high-level medical professionals in the new era.
2.Clinical application of basic anesthesia combined with local anesthesia in preoperative localization of multiple pulmonary nodules: A retrospective cohort study
Siyang JIAO ; Yungang SUN ; Qiang ZHANG ; Feng SHAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(02):175-179
Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of basic anesthesia combined with local anesthesia in the preoperative localization of multiple pulmonary nodules. Methods The clinical data of patients who underwent preoperative localization for multiple pulmonary nodules resection under single-port thoracoscopy in Nanjing Brain Hospital from July 2023 to September 2023 were extracted. They were divided into a group A and a group B according to the localization method. The patients in the group A were localized under local anesthesia, and the patients in the group B were localized with basic anesthesia combined with local anesthesia. The basic clinical characteristics, localization success rate, incidence of localization complications, localization time, and pain score of the two groups were compared and analyzed. Results Finally, we included 200 patients with 100 patients in each group. There were 49 males and 51 females at age of 25-77 (50.94±14.29) years in the group A. There are 45 males and 55 females at age of 24-78 (48.25±14.04) years in the group B. The incidence of localization complications (4% vs. 13%, P=0.04), localization time [(19.90±8.66) min vs. (15.23±5.98) min, P<0.01], and pain score[ (2.01±2.09) vs. (3.29±2.54), P<0.01] in the group B were significantly lower than those in the group A, and the differences were statistically significant. The localization success rate of the group B was significantly higher than that of the group A (98% vs. 92%, P=0.04), and the difference was statistically significant.Conclusion Mobile CT combined with basic anesthesia for preoperative localization of multiple pulmonary nodules is highly safe, has a high success rate, and provides high patient comfort, making it a valuable approach for clinical promotion.
3.A bi-directional Mendelian randomization study on the causal association of blood metabolites with hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism
Qingyong CHEN ; Liqiang LIN ; Zhipeng CHEN ; Huaiqing LYU ; Qiang SHAO
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2025;41(4):305-315
Objective:To explore the causal relationship between 1 400 blood metabolites and hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism by using Mendelian randomization(MR) approach.Methods:This study employed a bi-directional Mendelian randomization analysis and sourced data of blood metabolites related to hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism from the genome-wide association study(GWAS) database. R software and TwoSampleMR software package were used for analysis. The inverse variance weighting method(IVW) was used as the main method, and MR-Egger regression, weighted median method, simple mode and weighted mode were used as supplementary methods to analyze the causal relationship between blood metabolites and hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. The false-positive rate was corrected by false discovery rate(FDR, FDR<0.2) to control for false positives; Meta-analysis of different sample pools was performed for overall assessment. Results:The analysis found three blood metabolites significantly linked to hypothyroidism: pregnenediol disulfate(IVW: OR=1.068, 95% CI 1.032-1.106, P<0.001), 1-(1-enyl-palmitoyl)-2-linoleoyl-GPE(IVW: OR=0.891, 95% CI 0.840-0.944, P<0.001), and linoleic-arachidonic glycerin(IVW: OR =0.923, 95% CI 0.885-0.963, P<0.001). Glutamine was also noted(IVW: OR=0.998, 95% CI 0.997-0.999, P<0.001). Reverse MR showed no significant correlation between hyperthyroidism and the four metabolites(IVW: P>0.05). Validation from FinnGen Biospecimen Library and UKB Biospecimen Library confirmed these findings. Conclusions:Among 1 400 blood metabolites, pregnenediol disulfate showed a positive correlation with hypothyroidism. In contrast, 1-(1-enyl-palmitoyl)-2-linoleoyl-GPE and linoleic-arachidonic glycerin exhibited negative correlations with hypothyroidism, while glutamine showed a negative correlation with hyperthyroidism. This study offers insights into the pathogenesis, early screening, and treatment of hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism.
4.Reform practices and explorations under the double-track medical integration education reform: a case study of the circulatory system
Heng SHAO ; Hongjun DI ; Zhaoyan QIANG ; Jingrui YAN ; Weimin DENG
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2025;24(8):1069-1073
The organ system-integrated curriculum system overcomes the limitations of single teaching methods and the drawbacks of neglecting holism and interconnectedness, effectively transforming knowledge into competency. Tianjin Medical University has pioneered the "double-track integrated teaching reform" to align with the objective of training undergraduate clinical medical talents. This system is centered on the eight major human body systems, breaking traditional disciplinary boundaries and achieving systematic integration of basic medical and clinical courses. First implemented in 2019 in the "5+3" clinical and pediatric programs, the system has undergone three rounds of teaching practice since 2021, forming a distinctive integrated curriculum system. Using the circulatory system as a model, the reform reorganized teaching content, developed specialized textbooks, and assembled interdisciplinary teaching teams, fostering a shared instructional approach through cross-disciplinary training. The teaching model integrates theoretical and practical learning with curriculum-based ideological and political education, employing problem-based learning to encourage self-directed study and leveraging an online-offline mixed approach to enhance teaching effectiveness. An innovative closed-loop assessment system incorporating formative evaluation has been established, integrating multidimensional feedback from exam analysis, student and faculty questionnaire surveys, and teaching supervision to continuously optimize curriculum development. The reform has significantly enhanced medical students' professional competencies and overall capabilities, providing an innovative paradigm for training high-level medical professionals in the new era.
5.Assessment of the predictive value of ultrasound imaging characteristics combined with clinical indicators for the prognosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Hua LIANG ; Ke LYU ; Yang GUI ; Xueqi CHEN ; Tianjiao CHEN ; Li TAN ; Menghua DAI ; Weibin WANG ; Junchao GUO ; Qiang XU ; Huanyu WANG ; Xiaoyi YAN ; Wanying JIA ; Yuming SHAO
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(10):1748-1755
Objective:To explore the value of ultrasound imaging characteristics combined with clinical indicators in assessing the prognosis of patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted for patients who underwent pancreatic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) from September 2017 to October 2023 at Peking Union Medical College Hospital and were diagnosed with PDAC based on pathological findings. Various parameters were recorded, including CA19-9 levels, tumor size, location, morphologic features, echogenicity, presence of internal cystic components, dilatation of the main pancreatic duct, peripheral vascular invasion, CEUS characteristics, presence or absence of liver metastasis, and treatment methods. In April 2024, patient survival information was obtained through telephone follow-up or review of medical records. Based on the results of the cox regression model analysis, a nomogram model of the risk of death was developed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were applied to evaluate the predictive efficacy of the model. The calibration curves were plotted to evaluate the accuracy of the model, and clinical decision curves were used to evaluate the clinical benefit of the model.Results:This study included a total of 207 patients with PDAC. As of April 2024, 71 patients were alive and 136 died, with a median survival time of 14 months (95% CI: 12 -17). Multivariate analysis confirmed that the elevated CA19-9 ( HR=1.689, 95% CI: 1.102-2.588), tumor size >4 cm ( HR=1.641, 95% CI: 1.159-2.322), taller-than-wide shapes ( HR=1.450, 95% CI: 1.019-2.065), incomplete hypo-enhancement ( HR=1.618, 95% CI: 1.100-2.380), and liver metastasis ( HR=1.687, 95% CI: 1.175-2.423) were independent risk factors for survival in patients with PDAC. A nomogram model was further constructed for 6-month, 12-month and 3-year survival of patients with PDAC. The areas under the ROC curve were 0.679, 0.705 and 0.815, respectively. The calibration curves suggested that the model was more accurate, and the clinical decision curves showed that the model had a better clinical benefit. Conclusion:The combined use of ultrasound imaging characteristics and clinical indicators could effectively predict the prognosis of PDAC patients. Specifically, tumor size >4 cm, taller-than-wide shapes, incomplete hypo-enhancement, elevated CA19-9, and the presence of liver metastasis are correlated with poorer survival outcomes. The nomogram model constructed on the basis of these factors can be used to assess the survival of patients with PDAC.
6.Lymph node metastasis in the prostatic anterior fat pad and prognosis after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy
Zhou-jie YE ; Yong SONG ; Jin-peng SHAO ; Wen-zheng CHEN ; Guo-qiang YANG ; Qing-shan DU ; Kan LIU ; Jie ZHU ; Bao-jun WANG ; Jiang-ping GAO ; Wei-jun FU
National Journal of Andrology 2025;31(3):216-221
Objective:To investigate lymph node metastasis(LNM)in the prostatic anterior fat pad(PAFP)of PCa patients after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy(RARP),and analyze the clinicopathological features and prognosis of LNM in the PAFP.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data on 1 003 cases of PCa treated by RARP in the Department of Urolo-gy of PLA General Hospital from January 2017 to December 2022.All the patients underwent routine removal of the PAFP during RARP and pathological examination,with the results of all the specimens examined and reported by pathologists.Based on the pres-ence and locations of LNM,we grouped the patients for statistical analysis,compared the clinicopathological features between different groups using the Student's t,Mann-Whitney U and Chi-square tests,and conducted survival analyses using the Kaplan-Meier and Log-rank methods and survival curves generated by Rstudio.Results:Lymph nodes were detected in 77(7.7%)of the 1 003 PAFP samples,and LNM in 11(14.3%)of the 77 cases,with a positive rate of 1.1%(11/1 003).Of the 11 positive cases,9 were found in the upgraded pathological N stage,and the other 2 complicated by pelvic LNM.The patients with postoperative pathological stage≥T3 constituted a significantly higher proportion in the PAFP LNM than in the non-PAFP LNM group(81.8%[9/11]vs 36.2%[359/992],P=0.005),and so did the cases with Gleason score ≥8(87.5%[7/8]vs 35.5%[279/786],P=0.009).No statisti-cally significant differences were observed in the clinicopathological features and biochemical recurrence-free survival between the pa-tients with PAFP LNM only and those with pelvic LNM only.Conclusion:The PAFP is a potential route to LNM,and patients with LNM in the PAFP are characterized by poor pathological features.There is no statistically significant difference in biochemical recur-rence-free survival between the patients with PAFP LNM only and those with pelvic LNM only.Routine removal of the PAFP and inde-pendent pathological examination of the specimen during RARP is of great clinical significance.
7.Risk Factors and Predictive Model Establishment of Postoperative Acute LungInjury in Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection Surgery
Sheng-qiang ZHANG ; Shao-feng YANG ; Chong-wen SHEN ; Chao CAI ; Wen-jie DIAO ; Ge LIU ; Chao SHI
Progress in Modern Biomedicine 2025;25(17):2797-2804
Objective:Analyze the risk factors for acute lung injury of postoperative acute lung injury(ALI)in patients with Stanford type A aortic dissection(STAAD),and construct a nomogram predictive model.Methods:A retrospective cohort study design was adopted.A total of 112 patients with STAAD who underwent surgical treatment in our hopital from January 2021 to August 2024 were included.They were divided into two groups according to the occurrence of ALI after the surgical:non-ALI group(73 cases)and ALI group(39 cases).Clinical data were collected from both groups of patients.The influencing factors of postoperative ALI in patients with STAAD were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression.Established nomogram prediction model based on influencing factors and validated.Results:Among 112 patients with STAAD who underwent surgical treatment,39 case postoperative ALI occurred,with an incidence rate of 34.82%.Age,preoperative creatinine,body mass index(BMI),preoperative white blood cell count,preoperative lactate and other aspects compared,The difference were statistically significant(P<0.05).The length of stay in the intensive care unit(ICU)of the ALI group was longer than that of the non ALI group(P<0.05).The intraoperative red blood cell transfusion volume and extracorporeal circulation time in the ALI group were higher than those in the non ALI group(P<0.05).Long intraoperative cardiopulmonary bypass time,high BMI,high intraoperative red blood cell transfusion volume and high preoperative white blood cell count were risk factors for postoperative ALI(P<0.05).The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis results show that,the Area under the curve(AUC)of the nomogram prediction model was 0.871.When the optimal critical value was 0.472,its sensitivity and specificity wew 0.887 and 0.776,respectively.The internal validation results of Bootstrap show that,the C-index of the column chart prediction model was 0.862,with an absolute error of 0.032.The calibration curve is close to the ideal curve and the original curve,with a slope close to 1.Conclusions:Long intraoperative cardiopulmonary bypass time,high BMI,high intraoperative red blood cell transfusion volume and high preoperative white blood cell count are independent risk factors for postoperative ALI in patients with STAAD.The nomogram model constructed based on the above risk factors can effectively evaluate the risk of postoperative ALI in patients with STAAD.
8.Integrated molecular characterization of sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma
Rong-Qi SUN ; Yu-Hang YE ; Ye XU ; Bo WANG ; Si-Yuan PAN ; Ning LI ; Long CHEN ; Jing-Yue PAN ; Zhi-Qiang HU ; Jia FAN ; Zheng-Jun ZHOU ; Jian ZHOU ; Cheng-Li SONG ; Shao-Lai ZHOU
Clinical and Molecular Hepatology 2025;31(2):426-444
Background:
s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated.
Methods:
In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs.
Results:
Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment.
Conclusions
We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.
9.Para-aortic lymph node dissection with or without nerve-sparing in gynecological malignancies
Qiang WEN ; Yuyang ZHU ; Haifei ZHOU ; Li YANG ; Feng SHAO ; Tao ZHU ; Zhuyan SHAO
Journal of Gynecologic Oncology 2025;36(1):e9-
Objective:
Para-aortic lymph node dissection (PALND) is a widely used treatment that causes many complications. This study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of nerve-sparing para-aortic lymph node dissection (NSPALND) by comparing it with conventional PALND in gynecological malignancies and to prove whether locating the superior hypogastric plexus (SHP) can help reveal the para-aortic nerves.
Methods:
This is a retrospective study of the patients who underwent para-aortic lymphadenectomy from January 2020 to December 2022 at Zhejiang Cancer Hospital. All of them were divided into NSPALND and PALND groups according to whether or not nervesparing was performed. The surgical, functional and oncological outcomes were evaluated.
Results:
There were 43 patients enrolled, of which, 20 patients underwent NSPALND and 23 patients underwent PALND. The para-aortic nerves were successfully revealed by locating the SHP in all 20 cases of NSPALND. The post-operative anal exhaust time in the NSPALND group was significantly shorter than that in the PALND group (2.5 vs. 4 days, p=0.006), and the incidence of acute intestinal obstruction in the NSPALND group was significantly lower than that in the PALND group (10% vs. 39%, p=0.029). There was no difference between the two groups in terms of catheterization duration, urinary retention, dysuria, as well as the number of lymph nodes removed and the para-aortic recurrence rate.
Conclusion
NSPALND can significantly reduce the rate of acute intestinal obstruction and improve post-operative intestinal function. Locating the SHP and using it as an anatomical landmark to reveal the para-aortic nerves is feasible. Its exact clinical value needs to be further studied.
10.Risk factors and nomogram prediction model for complications of CT-guided Hookwire localization of pulmonary nodules
Siyang JIAO ; Yungang SUN ; Qiang ZHANG ; Feng SHAO
Chinese Journal of Clinical Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgery 2025;32(07):1000-1005
Objective To analyze the independent risk factors affecting complications of preoperative CT-guided Hookwire localization of pulmonary nodules, and establish and validate a nomogram risk prediction model. Methods Clinical data of patients who underwent thoracoscopic lung surgery with preoperative CT-guided Hookwire localization at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Affiliated Nanjing Brain Hospital, Nanjing Medical University from January 2023 to October 2023 were collected. Patients were divided into a complication group and a non-complication group according to whether they had complications. The clinical data of the two groups were compared by univariate analysis and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis to determine the independent risk factors causing complications during localization, and a nomogram prediction model was established. The discrimination of the model was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and the consistency between predicted events and actual results was evaluated by calibration curve. Results A total of 300 patients were included, including 143 males and 157 females, aged 24-68 (46.00±22.81) years. Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in age, number and location of nodules, preoperative anxiety score, history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), number of needle adjustments, pain score, and distance between the tip of the localization needle and the visceral pleura between the two groups (P<0.05). Multivariate binary logistic regression analysis suggested that pain score [OR=1.253, 95%CI (1.094, 1.434), P=0.001], age [OR=1.020, 95%CI (1.000, 1.042), P=0.049], history of COPD [OR=3.281, 95%CI (1.751, 6.146), P<0.001], number of nodules [OR=1.667, 95%CI (1.221, 2.274), P=0.001], preoperative anxiety score [OR=1.061, 95%CI (1.031, 1.092), P<0.001], number of needle adjustments [OR=1.832, 95%CI (1.263, 2.658), P=0.001], and distance between the needle tip and the visceral pleura [OR=1.759, 95%CI (1.373, 2.254), P<0.001] were associated with localization complications. The area under the ROC curve for the modeling group was 0.825, and that for the validation group was 0.845. Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that there was no statistically significant difference between the ideal curve of the model fitting curve and that of the modeling group and internal validation group, indicating good goodness of fit (χ2=6.488, P=0.593). Conclusion Advanced age, multiple nodules, preoperative anxiety, history of COPD, multiple needle adjustments, severe pain during localization, and long distance between the tip of the localization needle and the visceral pleura are independent risk factors for complications of lung nodule localization, and the prediction model based on these factors has good predictive performance.

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