Objective To develop a symptom and function assessment scale for patients after Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum and to test its reliability and validity. Methods Following the principles and procedures of patient-reported outcome (PRO) scale development stipulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, an initial draft was formed through literature analysis, qualitative interviews, and Delphi expert consultation. The preliminary draft was used to conduct a pre-survey on patients who underwent Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum at Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, and the reliability and validity of the scale were tested. Results A preliminary PRO-based symptom and function scale was constructed, covering two domains: symptoms and impact on daily functions. The symptom dimension included six items: chest tightness, palpitations, pain, shortness of breath, foreign body sensation of the steel plate, and distress; while the impact on daily functions included four items: difficulty in getting out of bed or lying down, raising arms, bending over, and standing or sitting for a long time. A total of 73 patients who underwent Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum were included in the questionnaire survey, with 70 valid questionnaires collected, including 64 males and 6 females, with 56 patients aged 12-17 years and 14 patients ≥18 years. Through exploratory factor analysis, two common factors were extracted, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 70%. The Cronbach’s α coefficient of the scale was 0.917. Conclusion The scale developed in this study has good reliability and validity, high reliability and stability, and can be used as an evaluation tool for the recovery status of patients after Nuss procedure for pectus excavatum.

Objective:To elucidate the molecular mechanisms through which high-dose dexamethasone exerts long-term effects on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), specifically its role in suppressing osteogenic differentiation, accelerating cellular senescence, triggering the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and inducing apoptosis.Methods:Primary rat BMSCs were isolated and treated with high-dose dexamethasone (1×10 -4 mol/L) to establish the experimental group, while untreated cells served as the control. The gene and protein expression levels of osteogenic markers, bone alkaline phosphatase (bALP) and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), were analyzed in both groups. Cellular senescence was evaluated using senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining. The expression of senescence-related markers (P16 and P21), components of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and interferon (IFN)-γ, as well as apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, and Cleaved-Caspase-3), and key factors of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway were assessed at both transcriptional and protein levels using qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and Western-blot analyses. These comprehensive evaluations aimed to determine the senescent state, apoptotic features, and alterations in osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Results:Following treatment with dexamethasone and subsequent withdrawal, both qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses indicated a significant reduction in the expression of the osteogenic markers bALP and Runx2 at both mRNA and protein levels. The proportion of SA-β-gal positive cells was markedly higher in the dexamethasone group (74.33%±6.89%) than in the control group (20.30%±1.57%, t=17.300, P<0.001). qRT-PCR analysis revealed upregulated mRNA expression of the senescence-related genes P16 and P21 after dexamethasone treatment, which was further supported at the protein level by immunofluorescence showing increased P21 expression. Western-blot results confirmed that protein expression levels of P16 and P21 were significantly elevated in the dexamethasone group (7.025±0.255 and 6.362±0.456, respectively) compared with the control group (1.016±0.115 and 0.816±0.172; both P<0.05). Furthermore, gene expression levels of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly increased (TNF-α: 3.539±0.599 vs. 0.742±0.095; IL-1β: 4.469±0.331 vs. 0.799±0.175; both P<0.05), and their protein expression was consistently upregulated as validated by Western-blot. Additionally, protein expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ were significantly higher in the dexamethasone-treated group (3.476±0.932 vs. 0.945±0.095; 4.111±0.220 vs. 0.762±0.105; 2.155±0.240 vs. 0.656±0.104; all P<0.05).Western-blot analysis also demonstrated that protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was significantly suppressed in the dexamethasone group (0.21±0.07 and 0.19±0.06, respectively) compared with the control group (1.13±0.15 and 0.92±0.21; P<0.05). Moreover, Western-blot analysis revealed that the expression levels of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Cleaved-Caspase-3 were significantly up, regulated in the dexamethasone, treated BMSCs (Bax: 3.673±0.397 vs. 0.453±0.111; Cleaved-Caspase-3: 3.863±0.399 vs. 0.465±0.057), while the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was markedly down, regulated (0.959±0.073 vs. 2.126±0.195), with all differences being statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:High-dose dexamethasone treatment of BMSCs, followed by withdrawal of dexamethasone, induces cellular senescence and enhances the expression of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) through suppression of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Concurrently, it promotes apoptosis by activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, collectively leading to impaired osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.

Objective:To elucidate the molecular mechanisms through which high-dose dexamethasone exerts long-term effects on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs), specifically its role in suppressing osteogenic differentiation, accelerating cellular senescence, triggering the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), and inducing apoptosis.Methods:Primary rat BMSCs were isolated and treated with high-dose dexamethasone (1×10 -4 mol/L) to establish the experimental group, while untreated cells served as the control. The gene and protein expression levels of osteogenic markers, bone alkaline phosphatase (bALP) and Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), were analyzed in both groups. Cellular senescence was evaluated using senescence-associated β-galactosidase (SA-β-gal) staining. The expression of senescence-related markers (P16 and P21), components of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), including tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, and interferon (IFN)-γ, as well as apoptosis-related proteins (Bcl-2, Bax, and Cleaved-Caspase-3), and key factors of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway were assessed at both transcriptional and protein levels using qRT-PCR, immunofluorescence, and Western-blot analyses. These comprehensive evaluations aimed to determine the senescent state, apoptotic features, and alterations in osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs. Results:Following treatment with dexamethasone and subsequent withdrawal, both qRT-PCR and Western blot analyses indicated a significant reduction in the expression of the osteogenic markers bALP and Runx2 at both mRNA and protein levels. The proportion of SA-β-gal positive cells was markedly higher in the dexamethasone group (74.33%±6.89%) than in the control group (20.30%±1.57%, t=17.300, P<0.001). qRT-PCR analysis revealed upregulated mRNA expression of the senescence-related genes P16 and P21 after dexamethasone treatment, which was further supported at the protein level by immunofluorescence showing increased P21 expression. Western-blot results confirmed that protein expression levels of P16 and P21 were significantly elevated in the dexamethasone group (7.025±0.255 and 6.362±0.456, respectively) compared with the control group (1.016±0.115 and 0.816±0.172; both P<0.05). Furthermore, gene expression levels of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly increased (TNF-α: 3.539±0.599 vs. 0.742±0.095; IL-1β: 4.469±0.331 vs. 0.799±0.175; both P<0.05), and their protein expression was consistently upregulated as validated by Western-blot. Additionally, protein expression levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IFN-γ were significantly higher in the dexamethasone-treated group (3.476±0.932 vs. 0.945±0.095; 4.111±0.220 vs. 0.762±0.105; 2.155±0.240 vs. 0.656±0.104; all P<0.05).Western-blot analysis also demonstrated that protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 was significantly suppressed in the dexamethasone group (0.21±0.07 and 0.19±0.06, respectively) compared with the control group (1.13±0.15 and 0.92±0.21; P<0.05). Moreover, Western-blot analysis revealed that the expression levels of the pro-apoptotic proteins Bax and Cleaved-Caspase-3 were significantly up, regulated in the dexamethasone, treated BMSCs (Bax: 3.673±0.397 vs. 0.453±0.111; Cleaved-Caspase-3: 3.863±0.399 vs. 0.465±0.057), while the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was markedly down, regulated (0.959±0.073 vs. 2.126±0.195), with all differences being statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusions:High-dose dexamethasone treatment of BMSCs, followed by withdrawal of dexamethasone, induces cellular senescence and enhances the expression of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) through suppression of the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway. Concurrently, it promotes apoptosis by activating the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, collectively leading to impaired osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs.

Objective To optimized the extraction process of the"Honghuangbai"gel and to establish the content determination method of the gel.Methods The contents of salidroside,berberine hydrochloride and 1,4-bis[4-(glucose-oxy)benzyl]-2-isobutyl malate in"honghuangbai"extract were determined by HPLC with gradient elution;the content of total polysaccharide was determined by anthrone-sulfuric acid method.AHP-CRITIC composite weighting method was used to calculate the weight coefficient of 4 indicators,and the comprehensive score was taken as the evaluation index.Combined with L9(34)orthogonal experiment design,the effects of solid-liquid ratio,extraction time and times on the extraction process of"honghuangbai"gel were investigated,and the optimal extraction process was selected and verified.The method for the determination of 4 index components in the gel was established and the methodology was investigated.Results The optimal solid-liquid ratio was 1∶45,the optimal extraction time was 2 h and the optimal extraction times was twice.The linear relationships of the four indexes were good in their respective linear ranges,with R2＞0.999 0.The average recoveries were 98.67％～102.09％,and RSD was 0.77％～3.17％.Good precision,repeatability and stability,RSD≤2.28％.Conclusion The optimal extraction process of"honghuangbai"gel optimized by AHP-CRITIC combined with orthogonal test is stable and economical.The method of the gel content determination is feasible and the result is reliable,which provides experimental basis for the establishment of the quality standard of the gel.

The cost economics of early-stage lung cancer treatments is a key focus in the field of lung cancer. The primary treatment modalities for early-stage lung cancer include radiotherapy and thoracic surgery, each offering distinct advantages in therapeutic outcomes and costs. To better understand the cost-effectiveness of radiotherapy versus thoracic surgery for early-stage lung cancer, this paper reviews the progress of recent research on economic evaluations of these two treatment approaches.

This article elucidates therapeutic approaches for KRAS G12C-mutant advanced non-small cell lung cancer, with focus on global advancements in inhibitor research. It also summarizes clinical evidence on the efficacy of targeted agents in monotherapy and combination therapies, analyzes their clinical advantages and challenges, and explores future directions for novel treatment modalities.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of 4-methylcatechol (4MC) on the migration and inflammatory response in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS), as well as its underlying mechanisms of action. METHODS: RA-FLS was isolated from synovial tissue donated by RA patients, and the optimal concentration of 4MC was determined by cell counting kit 8 method for subsequent experiments, and the effect of 4MC on the migratory ability of RA-FLS was evaluated via a cell scratch assay. An inflammation model of RA-FLS was induced by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and ELISA were employed to detect the gene and protein expression levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-6 in RA-FLS and their culture supernatants, respectively, thereby investigating the anti-inflammatory effects of 4MC. Western blot was used to examine the expressions of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling pathway-related proteins, including inhibitor of NF-κB-α (IKBα), phosphorylated (P)-IκBα, NF-κB-inducing kinase α (IKKα), P-IKKαβ, P-p65, and p65. Cellular immunofluorescence was utilized to detect the expression and localization of p65 in RA-FLS, exploring whether 4MC exerts its anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the NF-κB signaling pathway. Finally, a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model was established. The anti-RA effect of 4MC in vivo was evaluated by gross observation and histological examination. RESULTS: 4MC inhibited RA-FLS migration in a concentration-dependent manner. In the TNF-α-induced RA-FLS inflammation model, 4MC significantly decreased the gene and protein expression levels of IL-1β and IL-6. Furthermore, 4MC markedly reduced the ratios of P-IΚBα/IΚBα, P-IKKαβ/IKKα, and P-p65/p65, thereby blocking the transcriptional activity of p65 by inhibiting its nuclear translocation. This mechanism effectively suppressed the activation of the TNF-α-mediated NF-κB signaling pathway. Animal studies demonstrated that 4MC [10 mg/(kg·day)] significantly lowered serum levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and alleviated arthritis severity and bone destruction in CIA mice. CONCLUSION 4MC not only inhibits the migration of RA-FLS but also mitigates their inflammatory response by suppressing the NF-κB signaling pathway, thereby effectively exerting its anti-RA effects.
Synoviocytes/metabolism* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Animals ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Humans ; Catechols/therapeutic use* ; Fibroblasts/drug effects* ; Mice ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism* ; Synovial Membrane/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Male ; Arthritis, Experimental ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; Inflammation

Objective To optimized the extraction process of the"Honghuangbai"gel and to establish the content determination method of the gel.Methods The contents of salidroside,berberine hydrochloride and 1,4-bis[4-(glucose-oxy)benzyl]-2-isobutyl malate in"honghuangbai"extract were determined by HPLC with gradient elution;the content of total polysaccharide was determined by anthrone-sulfuric acid method.AHP-CRITIC composite weighting method was used to calculate the weight coefficient of 4 indicators,and the comprehensive score was taken as the evaluation index.Combined with L9(34)orthogonal experiment design,the effects of solid-liquid ratio,extraction time and times on the extraction process of"honghuangbai"gel were investigated,and the optimal extraction process was selected and verified.The method for the determination of 4 index components in the gel was established and the methodology was investigated.Results The optimal solid-liquid ratio was 1∶45,the optimal extraction time was 2 h and the optimal extraction times was twice.The linear relationships of the four indexes were good in their respective linear ranges,with R2＞0.999 0.The average recoveries were 98.67％～102.09％,and RSD was 0.77％～3.17％.Good precision,repeatability and stability,RSD≤2.28％.Conclusion The optimal extraction process of"honghuangbai"gel optimized by AHP-CRITIC combined with orthogonal test is stable and economical.The method of the gel content determination is feasible and the result is reliable,which provides experimental basis for the establishment of the quality standard of the gel.

Objective:To investigate the dosimetric differences between non-coplanar volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and non-coplanar fixed-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) of Monaco treatment planning system (TPS) in hippocampus-avoidance whole-brain radiation therapy with simultaneous integrated boost(HA-WBRT+SIB) for brain metastases,so as to provide a practical and feasible treatment plan for clinical work. Methods:A total of 22 patients with brain metastases were retrospectively selected. Two radiotherapy plans,which included non-coplanar VMAT and non-coplanar fixed field IMRT of HA-WBRT+SIB,were designed for each patient. The dose distribution,the machine units (MU) of plan,and verification of pre-treatment plan in target area and organs at risk (OARs) between two plans were compared under meeting the prescribed dose requirements of target volume. Results:There were no significant differences in covered volumes (V50 and V55) of 50 and 55 Gy dose,maximum dose (Dmax),heterogeneity index(HI) and conformity index(CI) of planning gross tumor volume(PGTV) between the two plans (P>0.05). For whole-brain planning target volume (PTV-brain-SIB),there was no significant difference in the dose that was covered by 98％ volume (D98％) between IMRT and VMAT (P<0.05). VMAT plan could significantly improve the covered volume of 30 Gy dose (V30) of PTV-brain-SIB,and decrease HI value and increase CI value,and the differences of them between VMAT and IMRT were significant (t=-6.366,3.289,-8.343,P<0.05),respectively. The Dmax values of left and right eyes of VMAT plan were significantly lower than those of IMRT plan,and the differences were significant (t=5.784,5.351,P<0.05),respectively. The Dmax value of right inner ear of VMAT plan was higher than that of IMRT plan,and the difference was significant (t=-2.848,P<0.05). VMAT could significantly increase D100％ value of left and right hippocampus,which was higher than that of IMRT plan,and the differences of them between two plans were significant (t=-2.564,-6.578,P<0.05),respectively. The MU of IMRT plan was significantly lower than that of VMAT plan,and the difference was significant (t=-6.249,P<0.05). The treatment time of VMAT plan was (294.1±16.4) s,which was significantly less than that of IMRT plan,and the difference of that between two plans was significant (t=-7.400,P<0.001). Under the standards of 3％/2 mm and 2％/2 mm of γ analysis,the γ pass rates of IMRT plan were respectively (99.1±0.6)％ and (97.6％±1.0)％,which were significantly higher than those of VMAT plan,and the differences of them were significant (t=-2.733,t=-5.780,P<0.001),respectively. Conclusion:The non-coplanar VMAT and non-coplanar fixed field IMRT based on the Monaco TPS can produce clinically acceptable results for HA-WBRT+SIB in patients with brain metastases. Compared with IMRT,VMAT has better advantage in dose distribution of target volume,and higher treatment efficiency,but IMRT can better protect the hippocampus and reduce the number of MU.

Objective:To investigate the dosimetric differences between non-coplanar volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and non-coplanar fixed-field intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) of Monaco treatment planning system (TPS) in hippocampus-avoidance whole-brain radiation therapy with simultaneous integrated boost(HA-WBRT+SIB) for brain metastases,so as to provide a practical and feasible treatment plan for clinical work. Methods:A total of 22 patients with brain metastases were retrospectively selected. Two radiotherapy plans,which included non-coplanar VMAT and non-coplanar fixed field IMRT of HA-WBRT+SIB,were designed for each patient. The dose distribution,the machine units (MU) of plan,and verification of pre-treatment plan in target area and organs at risk (OARs) between two plans were compared under meeting the prescribed dose requirements of target volume. Results:There were no significant differences in covered volumes (V50 and V55) of 50 and 55 Gy dose,maximum dose (Dmax),heterogeneity index(HI) and conformity index(CI) of planning gross tumor volume(PGTV) between the two plans (P>0.05). For whole-brain planning target volume (PTV-brain-SIB),there was no significant difference in the dose that was covered by 98％ volume (D98％) between IMRT and VMAT (P<0.05). VMAT plan could significantly improve the covered volume of 30 Gy dose (V30) of PTV-brain-SIB,and decrease HI value and increase CI value,and the differences of them between VMAT and IMRT were significant (t=-6.366,3.289,-8.343,P<0.05),respectively. The Dmax values of left and right eyes of VMAT plan were significantly lower than those of IMRT plan,and the differences were significant (t=5.784,5.351,P<0.05),respectively. The Dmax value of right inner ear of VMAT plan was higher than that of IMRT plan,and the difference was significant (t=-2.848,P<0.05). VMAT could significantly increase D100％ value of left and right hippocampus,which was higher than that of IMRT plan,and the differences of them between two plans were significant (t=-2.564,-6.578,P<0.05),respectively. The MU of IMRT plan was significantly lower than that of VMAT plan,and the difference was significant (t=-6.249,P<0.05). The treatment time of VMAT plan was (294.1±16.4) s,which was significantly less than that of IMRT plan,and the difference of that between two plans was significant (t=-7.400,P<0.001). Under the standards of 3％/2 mm and 2％/2 mm of γ analysis,the γ pass rates of IMRT plan were respectively (99.1±0.6)％ and (97.6％±1.0)％,which were significantly higher than those of VMAT plan,and the differences of them were significant (t=-2.733,t=-5.780,P<0.001),respectively. Conclusion:The non-coplanar VMAT and non-coplanar fixed field IMRT based on the Monaco TPS can produce clinically acceptable results for HA-WBRT+SIB in patients with brain metastases. Compared with IMRT,VMAT has better advantage in dose distribution of target volume,and higher treatment efficiency,but IMRT can better protect the hippocampus and reduce the number of MU.