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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Objective: To explore the risk factors of allogeneic blood transfusion during lung transplant surgery and prognostic effects of transfusion by analyzing the basic data, surgical details, laboratory tests results, and intraoperative blood transfusion details during the perioperative period of lung transplant, so as to guide clinical blood use. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 319 patients who underwent lung transplantation surgery in our hospital from January 2022 to December 2023. The patients were divided into a non-transfusion group (n=70) and a transfusion group (n=249) based on their intraoperative blood transfusion status. The clinical data, surgical details, perioperative laboratory results and other relevant preoperative and postoperative parameters were compared between the two groups, and the postoperative prognosis (improvement, non-recovery, and death) was analyzed. Results: After comparison between the two groups of patients, it was found that the non-transfusion group had higher levels of preoperative Hb (g/L)(144.41±17.66 vs 129.78±20.44), preoperative Hct [43.25(40.23, 47.5) vs 40.7(37, 43.55)], preoperative TBIL (μmol/L)[11.45(9.15, 15.3)vs 9.9(6.88, 13.33)], and postoperative PLT (×10 /L)(167.74±64.43 vs 132.37±54.84) than the transfusion group (all P<0.05). The non-transfusion group had lower levels of preoperative pCO (mmHg)[41.4(37.4, 45.8)vs 45.3(40, 52.48)], postoperative TBIL (μmol/L)[25.45(17.68, 33.95)vs 30.8(21.55, 43.05)], postoperative pH (7.41±0.09 vs 7.45±0.10), bilateral lung transplantation [27(38.6%) vs 157(63.1%)], surgical duration (h) [5(4, 7)vs 6.5(5, 8)], use of ECMO [52(74.3%) vs 232(93.2%)], and intraoperative blood loss (mL)[600(500, 800)vs 1 000(800, 1 500)] compared to the transfusion group (all P<0.05). The items with P<0.1 in the compared indicators were included in the binary logistic regression analysis, and the results showed that bilateral lung transplantation, intraoperative blood loss, preoperative TBIL, postoperative PLT, postoperative TBIL, preoperative pCO2, and postoperative pH were significantly correlated with whether blood transfusion was performed (P<0.05). The P values of the Chi-square test for postoperative improvement and mortality in the non transfusion group and transfusion group were both greater than 0.05, indicating no statistically significant difference in the prognosis rate between the two groups of patients. Conclusion: Bilateral lung transplantation, intraoperative blood loss, preoperative TBIL, and preoperative pCO are risk factors for blood transfusion during lung transplantation. Intraoperative blood transfusion has a significant impact on postoperative PLT, postoperative TBIL, and postoperative pH indicators, but has no significant effect on prognosis. A comprehensive evaluation of laboratory indicators and surgical details can help developing blood transfusion strategies more effectively.

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.

Objective lo investigate the predictive value of serum growth differentiation factor 11(GDF-11)and calprotectin A4(S100A4)for contrast-induced nephropathy(CIN)after coronary angiography(CAG).Methods A total of 528 patients who underwent CAG in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiao-tong University from December 2020 to November 2023 were selected as the research objects.According to whether the patients had CIN,they were divided into non-nephropathy group(472 cases)and nephropathy group(56 cases).Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum levels of GDF-11 and S100A4.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of CIN after CAG.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the predictive value of serum GDF-11 and S100A4 for CIN after CAG.Results The serum levels of GDF-11 and S100A4 in nephropathy group were higher than those in non-nephropathy group(P＜0.05).The contrast agent dose and postoperative ser-um creatinine level in the nephropathy group were higher than those in the non-nephropathy group(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that contrast agent dose ≥131.84 mL(OR=2.158,95％CI 1.284-3.627),postoperative serum creatinine ≥ 87.57 μmol/L(OR=2.445,95％CI 1.533-3.898),GDF-1 1 ≥4 50.84 ng/mL(OR=2.445,95％CI 1.533-3.898)were the influencing factors of CIN af-ter CAG(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(95％CI)of serum GDF-11 and S100A4 for predicting CIN af-ter CAG was 0.861(95％CI 0.810-0.912)and 0.798(95％CI 0.747-0.849),respectively.The optimal cut-off values were 450.84 ng/mL and 86.98 μg/mL,the specificity were 65.89％and 57.62％,and the sensi-tivity were 94.74％and 94.74％,respectively.The area under the curve of the combination of the two was 0.906(95％CI 0.856-0.957),the specificity was 87.09％,and the sensitivity was 84.26％.Conclusion The elevated levels of serum GDF-11 and S100A4 are closely related to the occurrence of CIN in patients after CAG surgery,which can be used as biological indicators to evaluate the occurrence of CIN in patients after CAG surgery,and the combined prediction efficiency of GDF-11 and S100A4 is higher.