BACKGROUND: Primary pulmonary mucoepidermoid carcinoma (PMEC) is an exceedingly rare malignancy originating from bronchial submucosal glands, accounting for <0.2% of lung cancers. Histologically characterized by a triphasic composition of mucinous, epidermoid, and intermediate cells, PMEC is classified into low-grade (favorable prognosis) and high-grade (aggressive behavior) subtypes. This study aimed to investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic indicators of PMEC. METHODS: Clinicopathological, radiological, molecular, and survival data from 26 PMEC patients were retrospectively analyzed, including immunohistochemical profiles and MAML2 rearrangement status, supplemented by literature review. RESULTS: The cohort comprised 14 males and 12 females (mean age: 55.6 years). Eight patients (30.8%) were smokers, and 19 (73.1%) presented with symptoms. Central tumors predominated (n=19, 73.1%) versus peripheral lesions (n=7, 26.9%). Computed tomography (CT) imaging consistently revealed hypo-to-isodense masses/nodules. Pathologically, 19 cases were low-grade and 7 high-grade. Immunohistochemically, the tumor cells were positive for CK7, P40, P63 and CK5/6, and the Ki-67 index ranged from 2% to 70%. MAML2 rearrangement was detected in 52.4% (11/21) of tested cases. Clinical staging distribution: stage I (n=14), stage II (n=8), stage III (n=3), stage IV (n=1). Treatment modalities: radical surgery alone (n=13), surgery with adjuvant chemotherapy (n=11), chemoradiotherapy (n=1), and conservative management (n=1). With a median follow-up of 57 months, 6 patients (23.1%) died. Prognostic analysis demonstrated: (1) Significantly inferior survival in high-grade versus low-grade groups (P<0.05); (2) Lymph node metastasis, advanced stage, Ki-67>20%, and high-grade histology significantly correlated with reduced overall survival (P<0.05); (3) Lymph node metastasis constituted an independent poor prognostic factor (HR=12.73, 95%CI: 1.22-132.96). CONCLUSIONS PMEC exhibits distinct clinicopathological features, with MAML2 rearrangement present in approximately half of cases. Lymph node metastasis, advanced stage, high Ki-67 proliferation index, and high-grade histology are key determinants of poor prognosis, with lymph node metastasis serving as an independent risk factor.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Carcinoma, Mucoepidermoid/mortality* ; Lung Neoplasms/mortality* ; Trans-Activators/genetics* ; Prognosis ; Adult ; Gene Rearrangement ; Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Transcription Factors/genetics* ; DNA-Binding Proteins/genetics*

Microalgae possess high photosynthetic efficiency, robust adaptability, and substantial biomass, serving as excellent biological resources for large-scale cultivation. Malic enzyme (ME), a ubiquitous metabolic enzyme in living organisms, catalyzes the decarboxylation of malate to produce pyruvate, CO₂, and NAD(P)H, playing a role in multiple metabolic pathways including energy metabolism, photosynthesis, respiration, and biosynthesis. In this study, we identified the Scenedesmus quadricauda malic enzyme gene (SqME) and its biological functions, aiming to provide excellent target genes for the genetic improvement of higher plants. Based on the RNA-seq data from S. quadricauda under the biofilm cultivation mode with high CO₂ and light energy transfer efficiency and small water use, a highly expressed gene (SqME) functionally annotated as ME was cloned. The physicochemical properties of the SqME-encoded protein were systematically analyzed by bioinformatics tools. The subcellular localization of SqME was determined via transient transformation in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The biological functions of SqME were identified via genetic transformation in Nicotiana tabacum, and the potential of SqME in the genetic improvement of higher plants was evaluated. The ORF of SqME was 1 770 bp, encoding 590 amino acid residues, and the encoded protein was located in chloroplasts. SqME was a NADP-ME, with the typical structural characteristics of ME. The ME activity in the transgenic N. tabacum plant was 1.8 folds of that in the wild-type control. Heterologous expression of SqME increased the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll by 20.9%, 26.9%, and 25.2%, respectively, compared with the control. The transgenic tobacco leaves showed an increase of 54.0% in the fluorescence parameter NPQ and a decrease of 30.1% in Fo compared with the control. Moreover, the biomass, total lipids, and soluble sugars in the transgenic tobacco leaves enhanced by 20.5%, 25.7%, and 9.5%, respectively. On the contrary, the starch and protein content in the transgenic tobacco leaves decreased by 22.4% and 12.2%, respectively. Collectively, the SqME-encoded protein exhibited a strong enzymatic activity. Heterologous expressing of SqME could significantly enhance photosynthetic protection, photosynthesis, and biomass accumulation in the host. Additionally, SqME can facilitate carbon metabolism remodeling in the host, driving more carbon flux towards lipid synthesis. Therefore, SqME can be applied in the genetic improvement of higher plants for enhancing photosynthetic carbon fixation and lipid accumulation. These findings provide scientific references for mining of functional genes from S. quadricauda and application of these genes in the genetic engineering of higher plants.
Nicotiana/genetics* ; Photosynthesis/physiology* ; Malate Dehydrogenase/biosynthesis* ; Plant Leaves/genetics* ; Scenedesmus/enzymology* ; Carbon Cycle/genetics* ; Lipid Metabolism/genetics* ; Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism*

Objective To systematically review the risk prediction models for postoperative pancreatic fistula(POPF)after pancreaticoduodenectomy(PD),and to provide a reference for the clinical screening and application of POPF-related risk models.Methods This study was conducted according to the PRISMA guidelines,with a PROSPERO registration number of CRD42023437672.PubMed,Scopus,Embase,Web of Science,the Cochrane Library,CNKI,VIP,Wanfang Data,China Medical Journal Full-text Database,and CBM were searched for studies on establishing risk prediction models for POPF after PD published up to April 26,2024.The PROBAST tool was used to assess the quality of articles,and RevMan 5.4 and MedCalc were used to perform the Meta-analysis.Results A total of 36 studies were included,involving 20 119 in total,and the incidence rate of POPF after PD was 7.4%—47.8%.A total of 55 risk prediction models were established in the 36 articles,with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)of 0.690-0.952,among which 52 models had an AUC of>0.7.The quality assessment of the articles showed high risk of bias and good applicability.MedCalc was used to perform a statistical analysis of AUC values,and the results showed a pooled AUC of 0.833(95%confidence interval:0.808-0.857).The Meta-analysis showed that body mass index,amylase in drainage fluid on the first day after surgery,preoperative serum albumin,pancreatic duct diameter,pancreatic texture,fat score,tumor location,blood loss,sex,time of operation,main pancreatic duct index,and pancreatic CT value were predictive factors for POPF(all P<0.05).Conclusion The risk prediction models for POPF after PD is still in the exploratory stage.There is a lack of calibration methods and internal validation for most prediction models,and only the univariate analysis is used to for the screening of variables,which leads to the high risk of bias.In the future,it is necessary to improve the methods for model establishment,so as to develop risk prediction models with a higher prediction accuracy.

【Objective】 To explore the methods and safety of autologous peripheral hematopoietic stem cells collection in patients with sequential double transplantation of solid tumors and conduct efficacy analysis. 【Methods】 Peripheral blood stem cells were collected from 27 patients with solid tumors after routine mobilization of rhG-CSF and rhGM-CSF.A specific program was made for the patients.The condition and cooperation degree of children were comprehensively evaluated before cell collection, and a femoral venous catheterization was inserted to ensure the cells collected smoothly.A mononuclear cell collection(MNC) program was selected, and machine parameters were set based on the patient's low body weight.The number of mononuclear cell (MNC) and the CD34⁺ cell was detected by flow cytometry for retrospective analysis. 【Results】 A total of 73 cell collections were performed in 27 patients, and the number of mononuclear cells and CD34⁺ cells was 12.586(10.22~19.586)×10⁸/kg and 13.575(7.275~23.825)×10⁶/kg, respectively, which can meet the requirement of sequential double transplantation. No intoxication of citrate and other serious adverse reactions occurred, and the follow-up was generally in good condition. 【Conclusion】 The method is effective and safe for pediatric patients, even for pediatric patients with low weight. Sufficient stem cells can be collected for patients with solid tumors by this method to meet the requirement of sequential double transplantation.

Objective:To explore the clinicopathological characteristics, immunophenotype, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of renal mucinous tubular and spindle cell carcinoma (MTSCC), and to explore the all-exon mutations, microsatellite stability and tumor mutational burden (TMB) in MTSCC cases.Methods:The data of 5 patients with MTSCC that were submitted to the Department of Pathology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, China from January 2008 to May 2020, were reviewed and analyzed. The whole exome sequencing (WES) was conducted in all patients, while 3 of them were subject to the analyses of microsatellite stability and TMB.Results:Among the 5 patients, 3 were males and 2 were females. They were 37-76 years old. The maximum diameter of the tumor was 3.5-6.0 cm. The borders of the tumors were well defined. Microscopically, MTSCC was characterized by tubular structure, spindle cell and mucinous stroma, and the nuclear grade of tumor cells was overall low. The average follow-up was 15 months, and no recurrence or metastasis was found. Immunohistochemistry showed that all 5 cases were positive for broad-spectrum cytokeratin (CKpan), cytokeratin (CK)7, CK19, vimentin, PAX8, and P504s (varying expression levels), and the Ki-67 positive index was low. The WES of 5 cases showed that NF2 and PTPN14 exhibited higher mutation rates, which were 3/5 and 2/5, respectively. The microsatellite stability analysis indicated that the 3 cases were all microsatellite stable, and the TMB analysis showed that the TMB of the 3 cases were all <9 mut/Mb.Conclusions:MTSCC is a unique, low-grade pleomorphic kidney tumor. The WES analyses suggest that NF2 and PTPN14 have a higher mutation rate, indicating that the occurrence and development of MTSCC may be closely related to the Hippo pathway. The analysis of microsatellite stability indicates that there is no significant relationship between microsatellite stability and MTSCC, and the TMB analysis suggests that MTSCC patients may not benefit from immunotherapy.

Objective: To understand the consistency of ALK Ventana-D5F3 immunohistochemistry (IHC) interpretation in Chinese lung adenocarcinoma among histopathologists from different hospitals, and to recommend solution for the problems found during the interpretation of ALK IHC in real world, with the aim of the precise selection of patients who can benefit from ALK targeted therapy. Methods: This was a multicenter and retrospective study. A total of 109 lung adenocarcinoma cases with ALK Ventana-D5F3 IHC staining were collected from 31 lung cancer centers in RATICAL research group from January to June in 2018. All cases were scanned into digital imaging with Ventana iSCANcoreo Digital Slide Scanning System and scored by 31 histopathologists from different centers according to ALK binary (positive or negative) interpretation based on its manufacturer′s protocol. The cases with high inconsistency rate were further analyzed using FISH/RT-PCR/NGS. Results: There were 49 ALK positive cases and 60 ALK negative cases, confirmed by re-evaluation by the specialist panel. Two cases (No. 2302 and No.2701) scored as positive by local hospitals were rescored as negative, and were confirmed to be negative by RT-PCR/FISH/NGS. The false interpretation rate of these two cases was 58.1% (18/31) and 48.4% (15/31), respectively. Six out of 31 (19.4%) pathologists got 100% accuracy. The minimum consistency between every two pathologists was 75.8%.At least one pathologist gave negative judgement (false negative) or positive judgement (false positive) in the 49 positive or 60 negative cases, accounted for 26.5% (13/49), 41.7% (25/60), respectively, with at least one uncertainty interpretation accounted for 31.2% (34/109). Conclusion There are certain heterogeneities and misclassifications in the real world interpretation of ALK-D5F3 IHC test, which need to be guided by the oncoming expert consensus based on the real world data.

Objective: To investigate whether topical mucopolysaccharide polysulfate (MPS) cream can reduce the incidence of eczema and skin atrophy in patients with moderate- or low-risk infantile hemangioma after the treatment with topical beta-blockers or 595-nm pulsed dye laser (PDL) , and to analyze factors influencing the occurrence of eczema and skin atrophy. Methods: A total of 722 patients aged 0- 1 years with moderate- or low-risk infantile hemangioma were enrolled from 5 Children′s Hospitals in China. According to the disease condition and therapy acceptability, these patients were divided into 6 groups to be treated with topical beta-blockers and MPS cream (blocker+ MPS group) , topical beta-blockers (blocker group) , 595-nm PDL and topical MPS cream (PDL+ MPS group) , 595-nm PDL (PDL group) , 595-nm PDL combined with topical beta-blockers and MPS cream (PDL+ blocker+ MPS group) , and 595-nm PDL and topical beta-blockers (PDL+ blocker group) , respectively. All the externally applied agents were applied twice a day, and PDL was performed once every 4 weeks. Efficacy and adverse reactions were evaluated after 3-month treatment. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were carried out to analyze factors influencing the incidence of eczema and skin atrophy in patients with infantile hemangioma after treatment, and chi-square test was carried out to compare efficacy among the groups. Results: After 3-month treatment, multivariate Logistic regression analysis for comparing the blocker+ MPS group with blocker group showed that the risk factor for eczema on the surface of hemangiomas was no topical treatment with MPS cream (P= 0.007, OR= 3.887, 95% CI: 1.439-10.493) , while no correlations were observed between the occurrence of skin atrophy on the surface of hemangiomas and analyzed factors. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis for comparing the PDL+MPS group with PDL group showed that no topical treatment with MPS cream (P < 0.001, OR= 7.402, 95% CI: 2.604-21.042) and northern areas (P < 0.001, OR= 67.048, 95% CI: 7.977-563.518) were risk factors for eczema on the surface of hemangiomas, and risk factors for skin atrophy on the surface of hemangiomas included no topical treatment with MPS cream (P = 0.001, OR = 9.371, 95 CI: 2.590 - 33.900) and abundant blood supply of hemangiomas (P = 0.036, OR = 2.971, 95% CI: 1.075-8.208) . Multivariate Logistic regression analysis for comparing the PDL + blocker+ MPS group with PDL+ blocker group showed that risk factors for eczema on the surface of hemangiomas were no topical treatment with MPS cream (P= 0.005, OR= 3.426, 95% CI: 1.446-8.119) and northern areas (P < 0.001, OR= 31.704, 95% CI: 6.924-145.158) , and risk factors for skin atrophy on the surface of hemangiomas included no topical treatment with MPS cream (P < 0.001, OR= 6.011, 95% CI: 2.558-14.126) and southern areas (P= 0.022, OR= 3.021, 95% CI: 1.177-7.753) . After 3-month treatment, the response rate was significantly higher in the PDL group than in the PDL+ MPS group (χ²= 4.531, P= 0.033) , and significantly higher in the blocker group than in the blocker+ MPS group (χ²= 4.344, P= 0.037) . There were no significant differences in the response rate or cure rate among the other groups (all P > 0.05) . Conclusion During the treatment of moderate- or low-risk infantile hemangioma with topical beta-blockers or 595-nm PDL, the combination with topical MPS cream can reduce the occurrence of eczema and skin atrophy without affecting the therapeutic effect.

Objective To Investigate the immune status and influencing factors of provincial polio network laboratory (PNL) workers in China so as to provide evidence for the development of related strategies to protect personnel working at the PNLs.Methods All the practitioners from the PNLs at the provincial centers for disease control,were selected as objects for this study,from October to December,2016,under a questionnaire survey.Information on status of immunity and influencing factors was collected,with SAS software,trend chi-square used for statistics analysis.Results A total of 77 workers were involved in this survey,with 60 (78％) of them completed the polio-based immune program but the rest 17 (22％) remained records unclear.66 people (about 86％) remembered clearly that they had received vaccination when engaging in the polio-lab work,but the rest 11 (14％) with only partial vaccination records.We also noticed that the Influencing factors realted to vaccination status were:age (x2 =2.48,P＜0.05),title (x2 =2.51,P＜0.05),years of employment (P＜0.000 1),education (x2 =0.74,P=0.46) and gender (x2 =0.46,P=0.50).Conclusion Immune status of the Chinese provincial PNL practitioners appeared fairly good as 86％ of all the workers had received polio-related vaccination,with 41％ of them completed a 3-time inoculation program,when started working in this field.

A new method for the determination of organic acids from mainstream cigarette smoke using ultra low temperature solvent extraction-comprehensive two-dimensional gas chromatography/time-of-flight mass spectrometry(GC×GC-TOF/MS)was established. The mainstream smoke was directly trapped by ethyl ether with ultra low temperature solvent extraction device, and cleaned up with liquid-liquid extraction. The concentrated extracts were further derived by N,O-bis(trimethylsily)trifluoroacetamide (BSTFA). The good separation of silanized product was achieved by the column set of DB-1 (30 m × 0. 25 mm, 1. 0 μm) as the 1st column and DB-wax (1. 5 m × 0. 1 mm, 0. 1 μm) as the 2nd column with modulation period of 6 s and scan range of m/z 45-450 . The results showed that linearity correlation coefficients were larger than 0 . 99 , and the average recoveries were between 80. 17% and 107. 81% with the relative standard deviations (RSD) in the range of 0 . 4%-12 . 1% ( n=5 ) . The detection limit and the quantitation limit were 1 . 3-24 . 5 μg/kg and 4. 1-77. 1 μg/kg, respectively.

ObjectiveTo assess the value of spinal ultrasound in children with congenital anomalies of spine. MethodsUltrasound findings of 36 children with congenital anomalies of spine were analyzed and compared with the finding of corresponding MRI or operation. ResultsUltrasound finding was the same as MRI in the anatomy in 31/36 children, in addition, it also could show the pulsatile motion and blood flow signals of conus medullaris. ConclusionSpinal ultrasound can present more other informations for diagnosis for congenital anomalies of spine, especially the blood supply of conus medullaris.