Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality, characterized by poor prognosis due to its high proliferative and invasive potential. Tumor metabolic reprogramming, particularly involving glucose metabolism, is essential for tumor survival. This study investigates the role of the Hippo pathway effector transcriptional co-activator with PDZ-binding motif (TAZ) in regulating gluconeogenesis and promoting tumorigenesis in HCC. Methods: TAZ expression in HCC was analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas data and validated in clinical samples and cell lines. TAZ was overexpressed or silenced in HCC cell lines to evaluate its effects on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and invasion. The expression and prognostic relevance of the gluconeogenesis-related genes phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC) were examined, along with their correlation with TAZ expression. Tumor growth was assessed in nude mice. Interactions between TAZ and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) were investigated using co-immunoprecipitation, immunofluorescence, and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays. Results: TAZ was significantly upregulated in HCC tissues and cell lines. TAZ overexpression enhanced proliferation, reduced apoptosis, and promoted migration and invasion. In contrast, PCK1 and G6PC were downregulated in HCC and showed a negative correlation with TAZ expression. Conclusion TAZ modulates gluconeogenesis and accelerates tumor growth, whereas its knockdown attenuates tumor progression. TAZ interacts with GR, suppressing its transcriptional activity on gluconeogenic gene promoters.

Objective To describe the clinical characteristics and nutritional management status of hospitalized elderly patients with multimorbidity in a tertiary hospital's geriatric center in 2024, and to analyze the correlation between nutritional status and hospitalization outcomes, thereby providing a basis for optimizing nutritional management pathways for this population. Methods A retrospective study was conducted, including 2 937 elderly patients with multimorbidity. Data on general information, clinical indicators, nutritional risk screening and assessment, nutritional therapy, and costs were collected for descriptive analysis. The relationship between nutritional status (based on BMI and serum albumin levels) and hospitalization outcomes was explored. Results The average age of the patients was (77.45±10.70) years, with 57.17% being male. The average number of chronic diseases diagnosed was (11.56±5.08) per patient, and 26.01% were critically ill. The nutritional risk screening rate was 80.40%, with a screening positivity rate of 33.44%. The nutritional assessment rate was 31.63%, and the malnutrition prevalence was 23.08%. The low BMI group had the longest median hospital stay [15 (9.75, 22) days] and the highest hospitalization costs [15 057.2 (8 980.48, 28 160.46) CNY]. Serum albumin levels were negatively correlated with hospital stay duration (rs=-0.276, P< 0.01) and hospitalization costs (rs=-0.276, P<0.01). Conclusion Hospitalized elderly patients with multimorbidity are characterized by multiple comorbidities and high healthcare resource consumption. While the nutritional risk screening rate is relatively high, there remains room for improvement in nutritional assessment and therapy. It is necessary to strengthen standardized management throughout the entire process. Nutritional status is a significant variable affecting hospital stay duration and costs, with poorer nutritional status significantly associated with prolonged hospitalization and higher costs, suggesting that it may be an important factor influencing hospitalization outcomes.

The JAK2 V617F mutation is a key molecular event in myeloproliferative neoplasms and is strongly associated with an increased risk of thrombosis. This review aims to summarize the underlying mechanisms, clinical manifestations, and management strategies for thrombosis driven by the JAK2 V617F mutation. Relevant recent studies are analyzed to evaluate the effect of the mutation on molecular signaling, hematopoietic cell function, inflammatory activation, endothelial injury, and coagulation imbalance. Findings indicate that the JAK2 V617F mutation induces the persistent activation of the JAK-STAT pathway, leading to erythroid clonal expansion, platelet hyperreactivity, and enhanced neutrophil chemotaxis, along with excessive inflammatory cytokine release, NET formation, and platelet-leukocyte aggregation. These processes collectively promote endothelial dysfunction and hypercoagulation, ultimately contributing to arterial and venous thrombosis. Clinically, affected patients may present with coronary artery events deep vein thrombosis, and portal vein thrombosis, often accompanied by high recurrence rates and poor outcomes. In conclusion, the JAK2 V617F mutation drives thrombosis via multiple intertwined mechanisms, suggesting that future therapeutic strategies should integrate anticoagulation, anti-inflammation therapy, NET inhibition, and targeted JAK-STAT pathway blockade to improve patient survival.

Thrombocytopenia is a common complication during the treatment of malignant tumors. It can lead to insufficient doses of chemotherapy drugs or delayed chemotherapy, shorten patients’ survival time, and affect prognosis. Thrombocytopenia has two types: cancer treatment-induced thrombocytopenia and tumor-associated immune thrombocytopenia. The latter is relatively rare, and its pathogenesis may be related to immune dysregulation. Current studies have shown that gene polymorphism and methylation are involved in tumor-associated immune thrombocytopenia. The pathogenesis and treatment of tumor-associated immune thrombocytopenia are discussed in this article.

Objective: To analyze the mediating effects of self-efficacy and self-management behaviors on the relationship between depression symptoms and glycemic control among elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), so as to provide references for optimizing health management of elderly T2DM patients. Methods: T2DM patients aged ≥60 years from 8 community health service centers in Nanjing City were selected using a convenience sampling method. Basic information such as gender and age was collected through questionnaires. Depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, and self-management behaviors were assessed using the Patient Health Questionnaire, the Diabetes Self-Efficacy Scale, and the Diabetes Self-Management Behavior Scale, respectively. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured to evaluate glycemic control. A mediating effect model was constructed to analyze the mediating effects of self-efficacy and self-management behaviors on the relationship between depressive symptoms and glycemic control. Results: A total of 567 elderly T2DM patients were included, with a median age of 70.00 (interquartile range, 7.50) years. There were 248 males (43.74%) and 319 females (56.26%). The median scores of self-efficacy, self-management behaviors, depressive symptoms, and HbA1c were 3.89 (interquartile range, 0.78), 4.45 (interquartile range, 1.55), 4.00 (interquartile range, 6.00), and 6.80% (interquartile range, 1.40%), respectively. The mediating effect analysis showed that depressive symptoms indirectly affected glycemic control among elderly T2DM patients through the independent mediating effects of self-efficacy (β=0.028, 95%CI: 0.016-0.043) and self-management behaviors (β=0.009, 95%CI: 0.003-0.016), as well as the chain mediating effect of both (β=0.025, 95%CI: 0.017-0.035). The mediating effects of self-efficacy and self-management behaviors accounted for 36.66% and 11.35% of the total effect, respectively, while the chain mediating effect accounted for 32.15% of the total effect. Conclusion Self-efficacy and self-management behaviors play mediating roles in the relationship between depressive symptoms and glycemic control among elderly T2DM patients.

Objective To investigate the expansion margins of the planning target volume (PTV) and the planning organ at risk volume (PRV) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients immobilized with Styrofoam and head-neck-shoulder mask. Methods A convenient sample of 33 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients who received radiotherapy at Huanggang Central Hospital from January to October 2024 were selected as the research subjects. All patients underwent cone beam CT scans during the first three treatments and weekly thereafter. After registration and calibration, the setup errors in the X (LAT), Y (LNG), and Z (VRT) directions were recorded. Statistical analysis was performed on the setup errors in each direction to determine differences, and the expansion margins for PTV and PRV were calculated using empirical formulas. Results A total of 229 cone beam CT images were collected. Statistical analysis found that the setup errors (systematic error ± random error) of the patients in the X, Y, and Z directions were 1.05 ± 0.72, 1.30 ± 0.80, and 1.29 ± 0.82 mm, respectively. The expansion margins for PTV in the left-right, superior-inferior, and anterior-posterior directions were 1.40, 1.76, and 1.8 mm, respectively. The expansion margins for PRV in these directions were 0.83, 1.02, and 1.05 mm, respectively. Conclusion For patients immobilized using Styrofoam and head-neck-shoulder mask, it is recommended that the expansion margins for PTV and PRV be set at 2 mm and 1 mm, respectively, in the left-right, superior-inferior, and anterior-posterior directions, and the PRV margin for the spinal cord be set at 3 mm in all directions.

Objective:To improve the understanding of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) with pulmonary cryptococcosis.Methods:The clinical data of 1 DLBCL patient with pulmonary cryptococcosis in the Central Hospital of Fengxian District of Shanghai in May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, and the relevant literatures were reviewed.Results:This 75-year-old female patient was asymptomatic after 2 cycles of R-CHOP chemotherapy. The high-resolution CT of lung showed that lung nodules were progressively enlarged. Antibacterial treatment was ineffective. Pulmonary cryptococcosis was confirmed by bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) targeted high-throughput sequencing (tNGS) and cryptococcus capsular antigen (CrAg) detection. The central nervous system was not involved. And the long-term adequate-dose fluconazole was prescribed for 6 months, and the treatment against lymphoma was given synchronously. The lung nodule lesions reduced after antifungal therapy for 1 month. The lung nodules disappeared after the follow-up of 6 months after completion of final chemotherapy. The evaluation of lymphoma indicated complete remission.Conclusions:Pulmonary cryptococcosis occurs insidiously and shows no specific symptoms; its imaging manifestations are variable and routine anti-infection is ineffective. Immunochemotherapy for lymphoma patients is a high-risk factor for cryptococcal infection. tNGS and CrAg testing for BALF are effective methods of the confirmed diagnosis. The early and long-term adequate-dose antifungal treatment is the key to preventing the recurrence or progression.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of the combination of components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma and Chuanxiong Rhizoma on rheumatoid arthritis fibroblast-like synoviocytes （RA-FLSs） and the underlying mechanism. MethodsRA-FLSs were grouped as follows： blank control， positive control （methotrexate）， Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma components， Chuanxiong Rhizoma components， and components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma+Chuanxiong Rhizoma. The cell-counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay was employed to the cell proliferation， invasion， and apoptosis. The levels of tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， interleukin （IL）-6， reactive oxygen species （ROS）， and malondiadehyde （MDA） in cells were measured. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， nuclear factor-kappa B （NF-κB） p65， phosphorylated inhibitory subunit of NF-κBα （p-IκBα）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific protease-3 （Caspase-3）， and B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2）. Real-time PCR was employed to determine the mRNA levels of Nrf2， HO-1， and NF-κB p65. ResultsThe cells in the groups of positive control， Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma components， Chuanxiong Rhizoma components， and components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma+Chuanxiong Rhizoma were treated with 2.50 mg·L^-1 methotrexate， 0.20 mg·L^-1 triptolide + 0.20 mg·L^-1 celastrol， 5.00 mg·L^-1 ferulic acid + 20.00 mg·L^-1 ligustrazine， 0.20 mg·L^-1 triptolide + 0.20 mg·L^-1 celastrol + 5.00 mg·L^-1 ferulic acid + 20.00 mg·L^-1 ligustrazine， respectively. Compared with the blank control group， drug administration reduced the proliferation and invasion and increased the apoptosis of cells （P<0.01）， lowered the levels of TNF-α， IL-6， ROS， and MDA （P<0.01）， up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Caspase-3， Nrf2， and HO-1 （P<0.01）， and down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of Bcl-2， NF-κB p65， and p-IκBα （P<0.01）. Compared with the Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma components group， the combination of components from Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma+Chuanxiong Rhizoma inhibited the proliferation and invasion （P<0.05） and promoted the apoptosis of RA-FLSs， up-regulated the mRNA levels of Nrf2 and HO-1 and protein levels of Nrf2 and Caspase-3 （P<0.05）， and down-regulated the protein levels of NF-κB p65 and p-IκBα （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe combination of components from Chuanxiong Rhizoma and Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma can inhibit the proliferation and invasion and promote the apoptosis of RA-FLSs and alleviate oxidative stress and inflammation by inhibiting the NF-κB signaling pathway， activating the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway， and regulating the expression of Bcl-2/Caspase-3.

Objective:To compare postoperative inflammatory markers and surgical outcomes between open reduction and internal fixation versus double reverse traction closed reduction and percutaneous internal fixation for tibial plateau fractures.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted of the data of 229 patients with tibial plateau fracture who had been admitted to Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, The Third Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2023 to December 2023. There were 155 males and 74 females with an age of (48.7±10.9) years. According to the surgical methods, the patients were divided into 2 groups. A conventional group of 87 cases were treated by open reduction and internal fixation while a minimally invasive group of 142 cases treated with double reverse traction closed reduction and percutaneous internal fixation. The 2 groups were compared in terms of hematological indexes [white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil count (NEUT), lymphocyte count (LYM), monocyte count (Mono), platelet count (PLT), and albumin (ALB)] and composite inflammatory indexes [neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR), systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI)] before operation and on the first day after operation, intraoperative blood loss, operation time, fracture healing time, Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) knee score and incidence of thrombosis.Results:There were no significant differences in baseline characteristics or treatment variables between the 2 groups, indicating comparability ( P > 0.05). All the 229 patients were followed up for (16.5±2.8) months. In each group, comparisons between preoperation and postoperation showed that LYM and ALB significantly decreased while WBC, NEUT, Mono, PLT, NLR, PLR, SII and SIRI significantly increased on the first day after operation ( P < 0.05). Preoperatively, there were no significant differences between the 2 groups in terms of hematological or composite inflammatory indexes ( P > 0.05). On the first day after operation, there was no significant difference in WBC, NEUT, LYM, ALB or NLR between the 2 groups ( P > 0.05), but Mono, PLT, PLR, SII and SIRI in the minimally invasive group were significantly lower than those in the conventional group ( P < 0.05). The intraoperative blood loss, operation time, fracture healing time, HSS knee score and incidence of thrombosis in the minimally invasive group were significantly better than those in the conventional group ( P < 0.05). Conclusion:In the treatment of tibial plateau fractures, compared with conventional open reduction and internal fixation, double reverse traction closed reduction and percutaneous internal fixation shows obvious advantages in reducing inflammatory indicators and leads to better surgical outcomes.

ObjectiveTo investigate the level of hepatitis B surface antibody (anti-HBs) among preschool children (aged 3‒6 years) and primary and secondary school students in Tonglu County, Zhejiang Province, to evaluate the effectiveness of hepatitis B vaccination, and to provide a basis for hepatitis B prevention and control in the region. MethodsAs part of the 2023 Tonglu County Urban and Rural Residents Health Examination Program, blood samples were collected during health check-ups. Fingertip blood samples were obtained from preschool children, while venous blood samples were collected from primary and secondary school children. The anti-HBs levels in blood (positive + / negative -) were qualitatively tested using hepatitis B surface antibody test kits (latex method). The differences in anti-HBs positivity rates among different age groups were analyzed. ResultsBetween April 1, 2023 and June 30, 2023, a total of 52 919 individuals were surveyed, including 11 973 preschool children and 40 946 primary and secondary school students. The overall anti-HBs positivity rate was 39.74%, with the highest positivity rate observed among preschool children (60.20%). Age was negatively correlated with the anti-HBs positivity rate (P<0.001). No significant gender differences in anti-HBs positivity rates were observed. The anti-HBs positive rate in rural areas was higher than that in urban areas, with statistically significant differences across school grade groups (primary grades 1‒3, grades 4‒6, middle school, and high school) (P<0.001). ConclusionThe anti-HBs positivity rate among preschool and school-age children in Tonglu County decreases with age and remains relatively low. It is recommended to strengthen the monitoring of hepatitis B antibody levels and promote health education among preschool and school-age children. Children who have not completed the full hepatitis B vaccination should receive timely catch-up vaccination.