Objective To develop a predictive model for postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC) following video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) in lung cancer patients by integrating cardiopulmonary exercise testing (CPET) parameters and machine learning techniques. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with early-stage non-small cell lung cancer who underwent CPET and VATS at Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital between October 2021 and July 2023. Patients were divided into a PPC group and a non-PPC group. The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was used to select important features associated with PPC. Six machine learning algorithms were utilized to construct prediction models, including logistic regression, support vector machine, k-nearest neighbors, random forest, gradient boosting machine, and extreme gradient boosting. The optimal model was interpreted using SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP). Results A total of 325 patients were included, with an average age of 60.36 years, and 55.1% were male. Significant differences were observed between the PPC and non-PPC groups in age, diabetes, coronary heart disease, surgical approach, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), FVC% predicted, peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2), anaerobic threshold (AT), and ventilatory equivalent for carbon dioxide slope (VE/VCO2 slope) (P<0.05). In the predictive model constructed by selecting 7 key features using LASSO regression, the random forest model demonstrated the best overall performance across various metrics, with an area under the receiver operating curve of 0.930, an F1 score of 0.836, and a Brier score of 0.133 in the training set. It also exhibited good predictive ability and calibration in the test set. SHAP analysis ranked feature importance as follows: peak VO2, VE/VCO2 slope, age, FEV1, smoking history, diabetes, and surgical approach. Conclusion Integrating CPET parameters, the random forest model can effectively identify high-risk patients for PPC and has the potential for clinical application.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Huanglian Jiedutang （HLJDT） on cognitive function in mice with ischemic stroke （IS） and to elucidate whether its neuroprotective effects are mediated by inhibition of the nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling pathway and subsequent suppression of NF-κB-regulated neuronal apoptosis. MethodsAn IS model was established using middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO）. Sixty C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to five groups （n =12 per group）， i.e.， sham operation， model， HLJDT low-dose （3.9 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， HLJDT high-dose （7.8 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and Ginkgo biloba extract （GBE， 31.2 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）. Post-operatively， neurological deficit scores （Longa score）， cerebral infarct volume assessed by 2，3，5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining， and brain water content were evaluated. Learning and memory were assessed using new object recognition （NOR） and fear conditioning （FC） tests. Hippocampal pathology was examined via hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining. Immunofluorescence detected expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP， astrocyte marker）， cellular oncogene Fos （c-Fos， neuronal activation marker）， and glutamate decarboxylase 65 （GAD65）. Western blot measured nuclear factor-κB inhibitor protein α （IκBα）， phosphorylated IκBα （p-IκBα）， NF-κB p65， phosphorylated NF-κB p65 （p-NF-κB p65）， ionic calcium binding adapter molecule 1 （Iba-1）， tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， interleukin （IL）-1β， and apoptosis-related proteins， such as cleaved cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease 3 （Caspase-3）， B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）. Real-time quantitative PCR （Real-time PCR） was used to assess mRNA levels of Iba-1， TNF-α， IL-1β， NF-κB p65， cleaved Caspase-3， Bax， and Bcl-2. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the model group exhibited significantly increased neurological deficit scores， brain water content， and cerebral infarct volume （P<0.01）. Hippocampal CA1 neurons were disorganized， showing nuclear pyknosis and karyolysis. NOR exploration time and FC freezing time were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. GFAP and c-Fos expression were increased， while GAD65 expression was decreased （P<0.01）. Cleaved Caspase-3 and Bax were upregulated， Bcl-2 was downregulated， and the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was elevated （P<0.01）. Expression levels of p-IκBα， p-NF-κB p65， IL-1β， TNF-α， and Iba-1 were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， HLJDT high-dose， low-dose， and GBE groups showed significant improvements in all parameters （P<0.01）. Among them， the HLJDT high-dose group showed the most pronounced neuronal structural recovery and superior performance in NOR and FC tests （P<0.01）. In this group， GFAP and c-Fos decreased， GAD65 increased （P<0.01）， apoptosis-related protein expression was reversed， and NF-κB signaling and related inflammatory factor expression were suppressed （P<0.01）. ConclusionHLJDT ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in mice after IS， potentially by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway， thereby reducing neuroinflammation and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis.

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of mechanical thrombectomy in acute ischemic stroke patients after vertebral-basilar artery stent implantation.Methods From May 2018 to October 2022,patients with acute vertebral basilar artery occlusion who underwent mechanical thrombectomy were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into two groups:stent occlusion group and acute atherosclerotic stenosis occlusion(ICAS)group.The baseline characteristics of the two groups were balanced by propensity score matching method.The successful recanalization rate,90-day good outcome rate,90-day mortality rate,and symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage rate were compared.Results We enrolled 107 patients,with 14 cases in stent occlusion group and 93 cases in ICAS group.We analyzed 14 pairs by propensity score matching,including 14 cases in stent occlusion group and 27 cases in ICAS group.The successful recanalization rate and 90-day good outcome rate was lower in stent occlusion group than in ICAS group[(78.6％(11/14)vs.100％(27/27),P=0.062,28.6％(4/14)vs.44.4％(12/27),X2=0.976,P=0.323],but there was no statistical difference.The 90-day mortality rate in the stent occlusion group was significantly higher than that in the ICAS group[57.1％(8/14)vs.25.9％(7/27),x2=3.873,P=0.049].The incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage was higher in the stent occlusion group than in the ICAS group,with no statistical difference[35.7％(5/14)vs.14.8％(4/27),x2=1.289,P=0.256].Conclusion The successful recanalization rate,90-day good outcome rate,and incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage in stent occlusion group did not significantly differ from those in ICAS group,but the 90-day mortality rate was significantly higher in the former group.

Objective To evaluate the caregiving capacity of family caregivers of children with hirschsprung's disease(HD)and to establish an evidence base for developing family-empowered home care interventions.Methods An explanatory sequential mixed-method design was employed.A total of 308 family caregivers of HD patients admitted to the Pediatric Surgery Department of a tertiary children's hospital in Shanghai,were enrolled from July 2019 to July 2024.Quantitative data were collected in 2024 using a demographic questionnaire,the Zarit Caregiver Burden Interview and the Family Caregiver Task Inventory.Semi-structured interviews were conducted in August to December 2024 with 15 caregivers of children with HD with poor caregiving skills.Quantitative data were analyzed using nonparametric tests and multiple linear regression,and qualitative information was refined through Colaizzi's 7-step analysis of themes.Results In the end,281 valid questionnaires were recovered.The total caregiving competence was 12.00(6.00,20.00).Multivariate analysis identified significant predictors of caregiving competence,including children in the postoperative dilation period,frequency of enterocolitis episodes,place of residence monthly household income and burden of caregiving were the factors influencing the ability of family caregivers to take care of their children(P＜0.05).Qualitative analysis revealed 4 themes:persistent multidimensional adaptive challenges,disparity in clinical caregiving skills,systemic support limitations,and role multiplicity strain.Conclusion Family caregivers of children with HD face multidimensional stressors,necessitating a dynamic,family-centered support ecosystem.Strategic interventions should focus on enhancing clinical caregiving literacy while improving access to socioeconomic resources and establishing role-specific support networks.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of acupuncture on podocyte autophagy and long non-coding RNA SOX2 overlapping transcript (LncRNA SOX2OT)/mammalian target of rapamycin C1 (mTORC1)/Unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) pathway in rats with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), and to explore the mechanism by which acupuncture reduces urinary protein. METHODS: A total of 40 SPF-grade male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group (n=10) and a modeling group (n=30). The DKD model was established by feeding a high-fat, high-sugar diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (STZ) in the modeling group. Twenty rats with successful DKD model were randomly divided into a model group (n=10) and an acupuncture group (n=10). The acupuncture group received "spleen and stomach-regulating" acupuncture at bilateral "Zusanli" (ST36), "Fenglong" (ST40), "Yinlingquan" (SP9), and "Zhongwan" (CV12), 30 min per session, once daily, five times per week, for four weeks. The general condition, fasting blood glucose (FBG), 2-hour postprandial glucose (2hPG), serum creatinine (SCr), blood urea nitrogen (BUN), 24-hour urinary protein quantification, and urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR) were compared before and after the intervention. After intervention, urinary podocyte injury marker SPON2 was measured by ELISA. Podocyte autophagosomes and glomerular basement membrane ultrastructure in renal tissue were observed via transmission electron microscopy. Podocyte apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining. The protein expression of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3Ⅱ (LC3-Ⅱ), mTORC1, ULK1, Beclin-1, and p62 in renal tissue was detected by Western blot. LncRNA SOX2OT expression in renal tissue was measured by real-time PCR. RESULTS: After the intervention, compared with the control group, the model group exhibited increased food and water intake, increased urine output, weight loss, and loose stools; compared with the model group, the food and water intake, urine volume, and loose stools were improved in the acupuncture group. Compared with the control group, FBG, 2hPG, SCr, BUN, 24-hour urinary protein quantification, UACR, and urinary SPON2 were all higher in the model group (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the FBG, 2hPG, SCr, BUN, 24-hour urinary protein quantification, UACR, and urinary SPON2 were all lower in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the model group showed reduced podocyte autophagosomes and thickened glomerular basement membrane; compared with the model group, the acupuncture group had increased podocyte autophagosomes and less thickened basement membrane. Compared with the control group, the podocyte apoptosis index (AI) was higher in the model group (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the AI was lower in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the expression of ULK1, Beclin-1, and LC3-Ⅱ proteins was lower, and the expression of mTORC1 and p62 proteins was higher in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the expression of ULK1, Beclin-1, and LC3-Ⅱ proteins was higher, and the expression of mTORC1 and p62 proteins was lower in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). Compared with the control group, the LncRNA SOX2OT expression was lower in the model group (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, LncRNA SOX2OT expression was higher in the acupuncture group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION The "spleen and stomach-regulating" acupuncture method could improve renal function in DKD rats, reduce blood glucose and urinary protein excretion, alleviate podocyte injury, and enhance podocyte autophagy. The mechanism may be related to modulation of the renal LncRNA SOX2OT/mTORC1/ULK1 pathway.
Animals ; Podocytes/cytology* ; Diabetic Nephropathies/physiopathology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Male ; Rats ; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1/genetics* ; Autophagy ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Autophagy-Related Protein-1 Homolog/genetics* ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; Humans ; Signal Transduction

For the treatment of vertebral metastases,percutaneous vertebral augmentation can effectively relieve pain,stabilize vertebrae,and prevent and treat pathological fractures.Bone cement leakage is the most common complication of percutaneous vertebral augmentation.Most bone cement leakages are asymptomatic and no special management is required,but close attention should be paid to some rare and serious complications caused by bone cement leakage.This paper aims to make a comprehensive review about the advances in percutaneous vertebral augmentation for vertebral metastases,focusing on the technical features,characteristics of bone cement,types of bone cement leakage,leakage-related factors and their preventive measures,etc.

Objective To investigate the short-term efficacy of CT-guided microwave ablation(MWA)combined with percutaneous vertebroplasty(PVP)for spinal metastases,and to analyze the risk factors for postoperative cement leakage.Methods The clinical data of 50 patients with spinal metastases(74 diseased vertebrae in total),who were treated with CT-guided MW A combined with PVP at the authors'hospital from January 2020 to June 2023,were retrospectively analyzed.Numerical Pain Rating Scale(NRS),daily morphine consumption(DMC)and Activity of Daily Living Scale(ADL)were used to evaluate the short-term efficacy.Regular postoperative CT reexamination was carried out to assess the condition of local tumor control and bone cement leakage.Univariate analysis and multivariate binary logistic analysis of gender,age,maximum diameter of metastatic lesion,type of metastasis,Tomita classification of primary tumor,level of affected vertebrae,injected volume of bone cement,injection side,pathological fracture,and posterior vertebral wall rupture were performed to determine the risk factors for postoperative occurrence of bone cement leakage.Results The preoperative,and the postoperative one-day,one-week,one-month,3-month and 6-month NRS were(7.24±1.41),(4.76±1.45),(3.42±1.34),(2.86±0.90),(2.20±0.57),(1.66±0.72)points respectively.The preoperative,and the postoperative one-day,one-week,one-month,3-month and 6-month DMC were(110.40±94.61),(66.10±51.23),(47.30±37.49),(32.90±22.84),(25.60±18.97),(15.36±13.43)mg respectively.The preoperative,and the postoperative one-week,one-month,3-month and 6-month ADL were(40.80±11.45),(53.20±6.68),(60.40±5.14),(62.90±4.75),(64.80±4.51)points respectively.The differences in NRS,DMC,ADL between their preoperative values and postoperative 6-month values were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Postoperative 6-month imaging follow-up check revealed that tumor was controlled in 46 patients and the tumor recurrence rate was 8％(4/50),and mild bone cement leakage occurred in 17 of 74 vertebrae(22.97％).Multivariate regression analysis indicated that pathological fracture(OR=9.581,95％CI=2.292-40.055,P=0.002)and rupture of posterior wall of vertebra(OR=5.105,95％CI=1.041-25.022,P=0.044)were the independent risk factors for bone cement leakage,the pathological fracture(OR=35.333,95％CI=4.029-309.840,P=0.001)was the independent risk factor for cortical bone cement leakage.No independent risk factor for vascular bone cement leakage was observed.The rupture of posterior wall of vertebra(OR=48.400,95％CI=4.725-495.753,P=0.001)was the independent risk factor for leakage of bone cement in spinal canal.Conclusion MW A combined with PVP can rapidly relieve pain,improve the ability of daily activity and quality of life of patients with spinal metastases,which can be further improved within 6 months after treatment.The combination use of MW A and PVP carries lower incidence of bone cement leakage.The pathological fracture and posterior wall rupture of vertebra are the independent risk factors for bone cement leakage.

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide,metastasizing most commonly to the liver and lung.Local treatment of pulmonary oligometastases from CRC has an important position in the therapeutic course of the disease,sometimes local therapy is the key to achieve a disease-free state.Surgery is the preferred treatment for pulmonary oligometastases from CRC,but some patients are unable to undergo surgery due to physical conditions or lesion's anatomical location limitations.Because of its minimally-invasive manipulation,repeatable adoption,maximum preservation of lung parenchyma and lung function,and the potential to cure new or recurrent lung metastases,percutaneous ablation therapy has emerged as an important surgical alternative,and its clinical application has been increasing in recent years.Percutaneous ablation techniques mainly include radiofrequency ablation(RFA),microwave ablation(MWA),and cryoablation(CA).RFA produces thermal effect through high-frequency electrical current,and it is easy to operate and applicable for a wide range of treatments.MW A uses efficient microwave heating technique and its energy distribution is uniform,suitable for larger lesions.Through repeated freeze-thaw cycles CA destroys tumor tissues,which is particularly suitable for the lesions near important structures.Besides,percutaneous ablation combined with surgery,medication,etc.can be used for the treatment of pulmonary oligometastases from CRC,this kind of combination therapy has synergistic effect to enhance the curative efficacy.This paper aims to make a comprehensive review about the importance of treating pulmonary oligometastases from CRC,the efficacy,prognosis,and influencing factors of various percutaneous ablation techniques,and the application progress of ablation combined with other therapies.

The incidence of thyroid cancer has significantly increased in the past decade or so.The tumor tissues,stromal cells and immune cells that exist in thyroid cancer itself constitute the dynamic and changing tumor microenvironment of thyroid cancer.The tumor microenvironment plays a decisive role in the occurrence,development and treatment of thyroid cancer,among which B lymphocytes have received increasing attention.This review systematically summarizes the latest research progress of B lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment of thyroid cancer,to better explore the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment of thyroid cancer.

The incidence of thyroid cancer has significantly increased in the past decade or so.The tumor tissues,stromal cells and immune cells that exist in thyroid cancer itself constitute the dynamic and changing tumor microenvironment of thyroid cancer.The tumor microenvironment plays a decisive role in the occurrence,development and treatment of thyroid cancer,among which B lymphocytes have received increasing attention.This review systematically summarizes the latest research progress of B lymphocytes in the tumor microenvironment of thyroid cancer,to better explore the characteristics of the tumor microenvironment of thyroid cancer.