ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Shengui Jiangtang Formula on insulin resistance and glucose-lipid metabolism in spontaneous type 2 diabetic db/db mice based on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）/forkhead box protein O1 （FoxO1） signaling pathway， and to provide theoretical foundation for its clinical application through fundamental experiments. MethodsA randomized controlled design was employed in this study. Thirty spontaneous type 2 diabetic db/db mice meeting the inclusion criteria （fasting blood glucose >7.0 mmol·L^-1 and random blood glucose on a different day≥11.1 mmol·L^-1） were selected as the subjects. After stratified block randomization by body weight and blood glucose levels， they were randomly assigned to a model group， a metformin group， and a Shengui Jiangtang formula group， with n=10 per group. Ten db/m mice were used as the normal group. During the 5-week intervention， general indicators （including general condition， fasting blood glucose （FBG）， body weight， and food intake） were recorded weekly. An oral glucose tolerance test （OGTT） was performed at week 5. After 5 weeks， serum was collected to measure glucose-lipid metabolism parameters. Liver tissues were analyzed as follows： Histopathology was observed through hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining， and Oil red O staining. The expression of proteins and genes related to the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway was quantitatively analyzed using Western blotting （Western blot） and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsGeneral observations： The mice in the normal group were generally healthy， exhibited agile responses and had smooth and glossy fur. Compared with the normal group， the mice in the model group displayed typical symptoms of polydipsia， polyphagia， and polyuria， along with listlessness and rough fur. Their food intake， initial body weight， liver weight， and liver index were all significantly higher than those in the normal group （P<0.01）. After 5 weeks of drug intervention， neither the Shengui Jiangtang Formula group nor the metformin group significantly affected the food intake of the model mice. Compared with the model group， no statistically significant difference was observed in liver weight or liver index in the Shengui Jiangtang formula group. Serum biochemical indicators： Compared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly elevated levels of FBG， fasting insulin， homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance （HOMA-IR）， glycosylated serum protein， and blood lipids. After drug intervention， compared with the model group， the Shengui Jiangtang formula group significantly reduced FBG in the model mice （P<0.01）. The blood glucose levels at all time points during the OGTT in the Shengui Jiangtang Formula group were lower than those in the model group， with statistically significant differences in the 0 min blood glucose and the area under the curve for glucose compared to the model group （P<0.05）. Furthermore， the formula significantly reduced fasting insulin levels， HOMA-IR， and glycosylated serum protein levels （P<0.05）. It also showed a tendency to decrease blood lipids， liver enzymes （aspartate aminotransferase， alanine aminotransferase）， and blood urea nitrogen levels， and a tendency to increase creatinine levels， although these differences were not statistically significant. Liver histomorphology： HE staining indicated that Shengui Jiangtang formula improved the morphological structure of hepatocytes and attenuated steatosis in diabetic mice. Liver PAS staining showed that it increased hepatic glycogen content and promoted hepatic glycogen synthesis in diabetic mice. Oil red O staining demonstrated that it reduced lipid deposition within hepatocytes. Western blot： Compared with the normal group， the model group showed decreased protein expression of PI3K， Akt， p-Akt， and p-FoxO1， and increased FoxO1 protein expression. Compared with the model group， both the metformin and Shengui Jiangtang Formula groups showed increased protein expression of PI3K， Akt， p-Akt， and p-FoxO1， and decreased FoxO1 protein expression. Real-time PCR： Compared with the normal group， the mRNA expression of PI3K and Akt was downregulated （P<0.05）， and the mRNA expression of FoxO1 was downregulated （P<0.05） in the model group. ConclusionShengui Jiangtang Formula can improve insulin resistance and glucose-lipid metabolic disorders in db/db mice. It alleviates hepatic steatosis， promotes hepatic glycogen synthesis， and reduces lipid deposition in these mice. The mechanism by which Shengui Jiangtang Formula improves insulin resistance may be associated with the PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway.

AIM:To clarify the expression characteristics and regulatory role of the long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1(MALAT1)in oxidative stress and apoptosis of H2O2-induced human lens epithelial cell line HLE-B3.METHODS: HLE-B3 cells were divided into Control group and H2O2 group(cultured with 200 μmol/L H2O2 for 24 h). Levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS)and cell apoptosis rates were detected by flow cytometry. Activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and catalase(CAT)were measured using kits, MALAT1 expression was quantified by real-time quantitative PCR, and its cellular localization was determined by fluorescence in situ hybridization. After selecting the Si-MALAT1 sequence with the highest silencing efficiency, the groups were established as Control, H2O2, H2O2+Si-NC, and H2O2+Si-MALAT1. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to detect the apoptosis marker TUNEL and Nrf2 nuclear translocation. RESULTS:Compared with the Control group, the H2O2group exhibited significantly elevated ROS levels, markedly decreased SOD and CAT activities(both P<0.001), and a significantly increased apoptosis rate(P<0.01). MALAT1 expression was upregulated(P<0.01)and localized in the nucleus. After silencing MALAT1, H2O2-induced cell apoptosis was significantly inhibited(P<0.01).CONCLUSION: H2O2-induced oxidative stress can increase the expression of MALAT1, and silencing MALAT1 reduces oxidative stress damage and apoptosis, providing a potential target for preventing and treating cataracts.

OBJECTIVE To study the mechanism of action of Rehmannia glutinosa-medicated serum （RG） in regulating lipopolysaccharide （LPS）-induced polarization of BV2 microglia to interfere with neuroinflammation. METHODS An in vitro neuroinflammation model of BV2 cells induced by LPS was established. Cells were divided into control group， LPS group， 10%RG group， 20%RG group， BAY 11-7082 [nuclear factor kappa B （NF-κB） inhibitor] group， and 20%RG+BAY 11-7082 group. Except for the control group， cells in all other groups were pretreated with corresponding drugs for 12 h and then stimulated with LPS for 24 h. The morphology of cells in each group was observed， and the fluorescence intensity of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 （Iba-1）， inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， CD206， the mRNA expression of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， IL-1β， iNOS， IL-4， IL-10， transforming growth factor-β （TGF-β）， arginase-1 （Arg-1）， and the Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）/NF-κB/NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 （NLRP3） signaling pathway-related protein expression were detected. RESULTS Compared with the control group， the LPS group showed significant changes in cell morphology， exhibiting a typical M1 activated morphology. The fluorescence intensity of Iba-1 and iNOS， the relative expression levels of TNF-α， IL-6， IL-1β， iNOS mRNA， the relative expression levels of TLR4， NLRP3， caspase-1 p20， IL-1β p17 protein， and the phosphorylation levels of NF-κB p65 and inhibitor of nuclear factor kappa B α were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. The fluorescence intensity of CD206 and the relative expression levels of IL-4， IL-10， TGF-β， and Arg-1 mRNA were significantly reduced （P＜0.05）. Compared with the LPS group， the changes in the above indicators in the cells of the 10%RG group， 20%RG group， BAY 11-7082 group， and 20%RG+BAY 11-7082 group were significantly reversed （P＜0.05）， and there was no statistically significant difference in the comparison of the last three groups （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS RG can effectively inhibit the overall activation of microglia and correct their M1/M2 polarization imbalance， and its mechanism may be closely related to the inhibition of excessive activation of the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether the inhibitory effect of Panax quinquefolium saponins （PQS） on non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） is enhanced under graphene-mediated far-infrared therapy （GFIR）， and to analyze its relationships with mitochondrial dysfunction， mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA） leakage， and the activation of cyclic GMP-AMP synthase （cGAS）/stimulator of interferon genes （STING） signaling pathways. MethodsIn the cell experiments， the cell-counting kit 8 （CCK-8） was employed to assess the inhibitory effects of PQS alone or in combination with GFIR （PQS+GFIR） on A549 cell viability. The scratch assay and the colony formation assay were adopted to evaluate cell migration and colony formation capabilities， respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to assess apoptosis， mitochondrial membrane potential， and reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels. Immunofluorescence （IF） assay was performed to assess mitochondrial localization. Real-time polymerase China reaction（PCR） was used to detect mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA） leakage. A STING knockdown cell model was established by transfecting cells with small interfering RNA （siRNA）， and the knockdown efficiency was assessed by Real-time PCR and Western blot. The cell viability and apoptosis following gene knockdown were assessed through the CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. In the animal experiments， an allogeneic xenograft mouse model was established with Lewis lung cancer cells. Mice were randomized into a control group， a model group， a cisplatin group， a low-dose PQS （PQS-Low， 90 mg·kg^-1） group， a high-dose PQS （PQS-High， 180 mg·kg^-1） group， a low-dose PQS combined with GFIR （PQS-Low+GFIR， 90 mg·kg^-1） group， and a high-dose PQS combined with GFIR （PQS-High+GFIR， 180 mg·kg^-1） group. Treatment lasted for 14 days， and the fluorescence intensity was monitored at the tumor site by small-animal in vivo imaging during the treatment period. Flow cytometry was utilized to determine the proportions of T-lymphocyte subsets， B-lymphocyte levels， and peripheral blood NK cell levels in the spleens of mice. Immunohistochemical （IHC） staining was performed to assess the infiltration of CD3⁺， CD4⁺， and CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes in the tumor tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was conducted to measure the levels of interferon-α （IFN-α）， interferon-β （IFN-β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in mouse tumors. The mRNA levels of cGAS， STING， TANK-binding kinase 1 （TBK1）， interferon regulatory factor 3 （IRF3）， interferon beta 1 （IFNB1）， and nuclear factor κB p65 （NF-κB p65） were determined by Real-time PCR. The protein levels of cGAS， STING， p-STING， TBK1， p-TBK1， IRF3， p-IRF3， NF-κB p65， and p-NF-κB p65 were quantified via Western blot. ResultsThe cell experiment results showed that compared with the control group， PQS inhibited the viability and migration of A549 cells， promoted apoptosis， affected mitochondrial localization， reduced mitochondrial membrane potential， increased the ROS level， and promoted mtDNA leakage. Following STING knockdown， the reductions in cell viability and the apoptosis-inducing effects caused by PQS were partially reversed （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the PQS group， the PQS+GFIR group showed inhibited A549 cell migration and colony formation， exacerbated apoptosis， downregulated mitochondrial membrane potential， elevated ROS levels， and promoted mtDNA leakage. After STING knockdown， the reduced A549 cell viability and abnormal apoptosis phenotype were further reversed （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The animal experiment results showed that compared with the control group， the model group mice exhibited reduced proportions of T-lymphocyte subsets， CD19⁺ B-lymphocyte levels， and peripheral blood NK1.1⁺ cell levels in the spleen （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the PQS group showed increased immune cell parameters in mice （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the PQS group， the PQS+GFIR group exhibited enhanced levels of the aforementioned indicators （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the PQS group showed significantly reduced fluorescence intensity in transplanted tumors， significantly upregulated expression of CD3 and CD4 in the tumor tissue， elevated levels of IFN-α and IL-6 in tumors， and upregulated mRNA levels of cGAS， STING， TBK1， IRF3， IFNB1， and NF-κB p65 as well as upregulated protein level of cGAS and phosphorylation level of STING in tumors （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the PQS group， the PQS+GFIR group demonstrated further reduced tumor fluorescence intensity， elevated levels of CD3， CD4， and CD8 as well as cytokine levels in tumor tissue， and upregulated mRNA levels of genes related to the cGAS/STING pathway as well as upregulated protein level of cGAS and phosphorylation levels of STING， TBK1， IRF3， and NF-κB p65 （P<0.05， P<0.01） ConclusionGFIR enhances the inhibitory effect of PQS on NSCLC， potentially through mitochondrial dysfunction， mtDNA leakage， and activation of the cGAS/STING signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate whether the inhibitory effect of Panax quinquefolium saponins （PQS） on non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） is enhanced under graphene-mediated far-infrared therapy （GFIR）， and to analyze its relationships with mitochondrial dysfunction， mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA） leakage， and the activation of cyclic GMP-AMP synthase （cGAS）/stimulator of interferon genes （STING） signaling pathways. MethodsIn the cell experiments， the cell-counting kit 8 （CCK-8） was employed to assess the inhibitory effects of PQS alone or in combination with GFIR （PQS+GFIR） on A549 cell viability. The scratch assay and the colony formation assay were adopted to evaluate cell migration and colony formation capabilities， respectively. Flow cytometry was employed to assess apoptosis， mitochondrial membrane potential， and reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels. Immunofluorescence （IF） assay was performed to assess mitochondrial localization. Real-time polymerase China reaction（PCR） was used to detect mitochondrial DNA （mtDNA） leakage. A STING knockdown cell model was established by transfecting cells with small interfering RNA （siRNA）， and the knockdown efficiency was assessed by Real-time PCR and Western blot. The cell viability and apoptosis following gene knockdown were assessed through the CCK-8 assay and flow cytometry. In the animal experiments， an allogeneic xenograft mouse model was established with Lewis lung cancer cells. Mice were randomized into a control group， a model group， a cisplatin group， a low-dose PQS （PQS-Low， 90 mg·kg^-1） group， a high-dose PQS （PQS-High， 180 mg·kg^-1） group， a low-dose PQS combined with GFIR （PQS-Low+GFIR， 90 mg·kg^-1） group， and a high-dose PQS combined with GFIR （PQS-High+GFIR， 180 mg·kg^-1） group. Treatment lasted for 14 days， and the fluorescence intensity was monitored at the tumor site by small-animal in vivo imaging during the treatment period. Flow cytometry was utilized to determine the proportions of T-lymphocyte subsets， B-lymphocyte levels， and peripheral blood NK cell levels in the spleens of mice. Immunohistochemical （IHC） staining was performed to assess the infiltration of CD3⁺， CD4⁺， and CD8⁺ T-lymphocytes in the tumor tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was conducted to measure the levels of interferon-α （IFN-α）， interferon-β （IFN-β）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in mouse tumors. The mRNA levels of cGAS， STING， TANK-binding kinase 1 （TBK1）， interferon regulatory factor 3 （IRF3）， interferon beta 1 （IFNB1）， and nuclear factor κB p65 （NF-κB p65） were determined by Real-time PCR. The protein levels of cGAS， STING， p-STING， TBK1， p-TBK1， IRF3， p-IRF3， NF-κB p65， and p-NF-κB p65 were quantified via Western blot. ResultsThe cell experiment results showed that compared with the control group， PQS inhibited the viability and migration of A549 cells， promoted apoptosis， affected mitochondrial localization， reduced mitochondrial membrane potential， increased the ROS level， and promoted mtDNA leakage. Following STING knockdown， the reductions in cell viability and the apoptosis-inducing effects caused by PQS were partially reversed （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the PQS group， the PQS+GFIR group showed inhibited A549 cell migration and colony formation， exacerbated apoptosis， downregulated mitochondrial membrane potential， elevated ROS levels， and promoted mtDNA leakage. After STING knockdown， the reduced A549 cell viability and abnormal apoptosis phenotype were further reversed （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The animal experiment results showed that compared with the control group， the model group mice exhibited reduced proportions of T-lymphocyte subsets， CD19⁺ B-lymphocyte levels， and peripheral blood NK1.1⁺ cell levels in the spleen （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the PQS group showed increased immune cell parameters in mice （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the PQS group， the PQS+GFIR group exhibited enhanced levels of the aforementioned indicators （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the PQS group showed significantly reduced fluorescence intensity in transplanted tumors， significantly upregulated expression of CD3 and CD4 in the tumor tissue， elevated levels of IFN-α and IL-6 in tumors， and upregulated mRNA levels of cGAS， STING， TBK1， IRF3， IFNB1， and NF-κB p65 as well as upregulated protein level of cGAS and phosphorylation level of STING in tumors （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the PQS group， the PQS+GFIR group demonstrated further reduced tumor fluorescence intensity， elevated levels of CD3， CD4， and CD8 as well as cytokine levels in tumor tissue， and upregulated mRNA levels of genes related to the cGAS/STING pathway as well as upregulated protein level of cGAS and phosphorylation levels of STING， TBK1， IRF3， and NF-κB p65 （P<0.05， P<0.01） ConclusionGFIR enhances the inhibitory effect of PQS on NSCLC， potentially through mitochondrial dysfunction， mtDNA leakage， and activation of the cGAS/STING signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the accuracy of machine learning algorithms based on SHOX2 and RASSF1A methylation levels in predicting early-stage lung adenocarcinoma pathological types. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens from patients who underwent lung tumor resection surgery at Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from January 2021 to January 2023. Based on the pathological classification of the tumors, patients were divided into three groups: a benign tumor/adenocarcinoma in situ (BT/AIS) group, a minimally invasive adenocarcinoma (MIA) group, and an invasive adenocarcinoma (IA) group. The methylation levels of SHOX2 and RASSF1A in FFPE specimens were measured using the LungMe kit through methylation-specific PCR (MS-PCR). Using the methylation levels of SHOX2 and RASSF1A as predictive variables, various machine learning algorithms (including logistic regression, XGBoost, random forest, and naive Bayes) were employed to predict different lung adenocarcinoma pathological types. Results A total of 272 patients were included. The average ages of patients in the BT/AIS, MIA, and IA groups were 57.97, 61.31, and 63.84 years, respectively. The proportions of female patients were 55.38%, 61.11%, and 61.36%, respectively. In the early-stage lung adenocarcinoma prediction model established based on SHOX2 and RASSF1A methylation levels, the random forest and XGBoost models performed well in predicting each pathological type. The C-statistics of the random forest model for the BT/AIS, MIA, and IA groups were 0.71, 0.72, and 0.78, respectively. The C-statistics of the XGBoost model for the BT/AIS, MIA, and IA groups were 0.70, 0.75, and 0.77, respectively. The naive Bayes model only showed robust performance in the IA group, with a C-statistic of 0.73, indicating some predictive ability. The logistic regression model performed the worst among all groups, showing no predictive ability for any group. Through decision curve analysis, the random forest model demonstrated higher net benefit in predicting BT/AIS and MIA pathological types, indicating its potential value in clinical application. Conclusion Machine learning algorithms based on SHOX2 and RASSF1A methylation levels have high accuracy in predicting early-stage lung adenocarcinoma pathological types.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of elderly patients with stage Ⅰ diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and analyze the factors associated with prognosis.Methods:A case series study was conducted by retrospectively collecting clinical data from patients aged over 60 years with newly diagnosed stage Ⅰ DLBCL across 20 medical centers in Jiangsu Province, China, between June 2010 and April 2023. The involved site, classification and treatment plan were summarized. The primary endpoints were progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). Statistical analyses were performed using the Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression model.Results:The study included 255 patients with a median age of 69 years, of whom 130 (51.0%) were male, 66 (25.9%) were aged ≥75 years and 26 (10.1%) had a high Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) score of ≥2. Extranodal involvement was observed in 163 (63.9%) patients, with the stomach (37.4%, 61/163), intestine (19.0%, 31/163), testes (11.0%, 18/163), and breast (7.4%, 12/163) being the most frequently affected sites. The non-germinal center B-cell (non-GCB) subtype was prevalent in 63.7% of patients (142/223), with no significant difference between the nodal and extranodal groups ( P=0.681). Furthermore, 73.9% (184/249) and 11.7% (29/249) of patients received the R-CHOP (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, prednisone) and R-miniCHOP regimen, respectively. The overall 3-year PFS rate was 81.5%, and the 3-year OS rate was 85.6%. Patients aged ≥75 years ( HR=2.910, 95% CI 1.565-5.408, P=0.001) and/or with a CCI score ≥2 ( HR=2.324, 95% CI 1.141-4.732, P=0.020) had a significantly poorer PFS. Incorporating age ≥75 years and CCI score ≥2 into the stage-modified international prognostic index (sm-IPI) can better stratify the prognosis of elderly patients with stage Ⅰ DLBCL. The 3-year PFS rate was 48.7% in the high-risk group versus 85.7% in the low-risk group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Our findings show that the elderly patients with stage Ⅰ DLBCL were predominantly characterized by extranodal involvement (particularly in the stomach and intestinal tract) and non-GCB subtype. Age ≥75 years and CCI ≥2 were identified as independent prognostic factors. The newly established sm-IPI-75-CCI incorporating these factors demonstrated superior prognostic discrimination compared to conventional risk assessment systems.

Objective·To explore the function and potential mechanism of suppressor of zeste 12(SUZ12)in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).Methods·The expression of SUZ12 in HCC patients was analyzed using R language in liver cancer datasets,and relevant survival curves were drawn.Stable knockdown of SUZ12 was established in the liver cancer cell lines LM3 and Huh7.The knockdown efficiency of SUZ12 was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR)and Western blotting.Cell proliferation ability was assessed using CCK-8 assay and colony formation assay.Using the hydrodynamic tail vein injection(HTVI)method,Suz12 was knocked out in the livers of fully immunocompetent mice to explore its tumorigenic function in vivo.The molecular mechanism of SUZ12 regulating HCC was explored using The Cancer Genome Atlas(TCGA)database.R language was used to analyze the relationship between SUZ12 and the expression of cancer stem cell(CSC)markers as well as key glycolysis-related genes.Findings were validated in liver cancer cell lines and mouse tumor tissues.Results·The expression of SUZ12 in liver cancer tissues was higher than in adjacent non-tumor tissues,and its expression increased with higher tumor stage.HCC patients with high SUZ12 expression had poorer prognoses.In LM3 and Huh7 liver cancer cell lines,stable knockdown of SUZ12 reduced cell proliferation ability.In the de novo MYC/Trp53-/-mouse liver cancer model,tumor nodule number and size,and tumor burden in liver tissue were reduced after endogenous knockout of Suz12.TCGA analysis showed that high SUZ12 expression in HCC was enriched in multiple tumor proliferation-and metabolism-related pathways.The expression of SUZ12 was positively correlated with CSC markers and key genes in glycolysis pathway.The mRNA levels of CSC markers and key genes in glycolysis pathway were decreased in liver cancer cell lines with stable SUZ12 knockdown and Suz12 knockout mouse HCC tissues.Conclusion·The expression of SUZ12 is significantly increased in HCC patients and is associated with poor prognosis.Stable knockdown of SUZ12 weakens the proliferative ability of liver cancer cells.Knockout of Suz12 in mice in vivo can suppress the occurrence and development of HCC.The high expression of SUZ12 maintains the CSC pool,induces metabolic reprogramming,and promotes the occurrence and progression of HCC.SUZ12 can serve as a potential biomarker for poor prognosis and a novel target for potential therapeutic intervention in HCC.

Objective To develop a multivariate predictive nomogram to identify high-risk cohorts for sentinel lymph node(SLN)metastasis among cT 1-2N0 breast cancer patients with preoperatively normal axillary ultrasound(AUS),thereby providing a reference for personalized axillary management.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinicopathological and ultrasonographic data of 427 patients diagnosed with invasive breast cancer who received treatment at Ward 4(Breast Unit),Department of General Surgery,Liuzhou Workers' Hospital,between January 2018 and December 2023.Univariate correlation analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were employed to identify independent risk factors associated with SLN metastasis.The accuracy and predictive performance of the nomogram were assessed using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis.Results Our study enrolled 427 women diagnosed with clinical T1-2N0 breast cancer who underwent preoperative AUS with normal findings.Among these patients,47 cases(11.0％)exhibited sonographically normal axillary lymph nodes,whereas 380 cases(89.0％)showed non-visualized lymph nodes.SLN metastasis,confirmed by postoperative pathological examination,was identified in 78 patients(18.3％).Univariate analysis revealed that estrogen receptor(ER)status,maximal tumor diameter,tumor location,lymphovascular invasion(LVI),and perineural invasion(PNI)were significantly associated with the presence of SLN metastasis(P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis further identified the following independent high-risk factors for SLN metastasis:tumor location in the upper outer quadrant(OR=4.118,95％CI=1.349～12.571),tumor size greater than 2 cm(OR=2.246,95％CI=1.252～4.029),presence of LVI(OR=4.477,95％CI=2.207～9.081),and presence of PNI(OR=3.013,95％CI=1.573～5.771)(all P＜0.05).Ultrasonographic features of axillary lymph nodes—including their positivity status,short-axis diameter,and numerical count—did not show a statistically significant association with the SLN metastatic burden(P ≥ 0.05).However,these features demonstrated a statistically sig-nificant correlation with the pathological nodal stage(pN-stage)classification(P＜0.05).In patients with 1～2 positive sentinel lymph nodes,sonographic characteristics of axillary lymph nodes(including status,maximum diameter,minimum diameter,and numerical count)did not exhibit a significant association with either axillary lymph node metastatic burden or pN-stage classification(all P ≥ 0.05).The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)for the predictive nomogram was 0.702(95％CI:0.651～0.749,P＜0.0001),with a sensitivity of 78.21％and specificity of 59.12％.Conclusions Tumor location in the upper outer quadrant,tumor size greater than 2 cm,LVI,and PNI were identified as significant independent risk factors for SLN metastasis among patients with clinical T1-2N0 breast cancer who underwent preoperative AUS with normal findings.Further-more,from the perspective of pN-stage stratification,omission of axillary lymph node dissection(ALND)appears to be clinically feasible for the majority of cT1-2N0 patients with 1～2 metastatic SLNs.However,preoperative ultrasonographic characteristics of lymph nodes demonstrate limited predictive value for axillary lymph node(ALN)metastatic burden or pN-stage progression.

Objective To provide a scientific basis for the quality control of Chrysanthemi Indici Flos medicinal materials and the sustainable development of this resource,the germplasm differences,tissue distribution,and developmental stage changes of flavonoid content in Chrysanthemum indicum was explored.Methods High-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)was used to quantitatively analyze the five main flavonoid compounds,including linarin,tilianin,cynaroside,apigenin,and acacetin.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qPCR)technology was used to evaluate the relative expression levels of the rhamnosyltransferase(RhaT)gene at different developmental stages.Results The study found significant differences in flavonoid accumulation among different Chrysanthemum indicum germplasms,with the highest content of linarin observed in the Hubei diploid.Flavonoid content was significantly higher in leaves,flower buds,and flowers compared to stems and roots.Linarin and tilianin peaked at the flower bud stage and then gradually decreased,while the contents of apigenin and acacetin increased with flower development.The qPCR analysis further showed that the expression level of the RhaT gene was highly consistent with the accumulation pattern of linarin.Conclusion The results reveal that flavonoid content in Chrysanthemum indicum is significantly affected by germplasm,tissue type,and developmental stage,providing important data support for the quality evaluation of Chrysanthemum indicum medicinal materials and the rational development of this resource.