End-stage liver disease (ESLD) covers the end-stage of acute and chronic liver diseases, mainly involving decompensated cirrhosis, various types of liver failure, and advanced liver cancer. Hepatocyte transplantation has shown promise in treating ESLD, but its clinical application is hampered by the shortage of donor hepatocytes. Cell therapy, an emerging effective treatment for ESLD, faces the same limitation due to scarce hepatocyte availability. Hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs), which are terminally differentiated cells, can be induced from both stem cells and somatic cells. As HLCs exhibit the morphology and function of primary hepatocytes, they offer a promising supplementary source of hepatocytes for cell therapy. First, we provide a background for the differentiation and maturation of primary hepatocytes. Subsequently, based on the current insights into the molecular pathways that regulate hepatocyte differentiation in vivo, we describe a strategy for establishing HLC derived from either stem cells or somatic cells. The key characteristics of these HLCs are also detailed. Furthermore, HLC offers therapeutic potential for liver failure, and HLC-based liver organoids and bioartificial liver systems have demonstrated the ability to provide liver functions, offering an innovative approach to treating various types of ESLD. Despite their promise, challenges such as efficiency in differentiation and functional maturation need to be addressed to improve the clinical application of HLCs. This review discusses these advancements and outlines the therapeutic potential and current challenges of HLC therapy for ESLD.

Psychological problems are significant factors that contribute to the occurrence of postoperative complications, reduced quality of life, and prolonged hospital stays. Lung cancer patients who require surgery often experience high psychological stress related to both the disease and the treatment, making them more susceptible to depression and anxiety. Therefore, timely intervention to address these psychological issues is crucial for promoting postoperative recovery and improving patients' quality of life. This paper will review the current status, impact, and interventions for depression and anxiety-related psychological problems in lung cancer surgery patients.

Objective: To investigate the urban and rural differences in adverse outcomes of pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis-diabetes mellitus comorbidity (PTB-DM), so as to provide insights into improving the prevention and treatment measures for PTB-DM. Methods: Patients with PTB-DM who were admitted and discharged from 14 designated tuberculosis hospitals in Hangzhou City from 2018 to 2022 were selected. Basic information, and history of diagnosis and treatment were collected through hospital information systems. The adverse outcomes of PTB were defined as endpoints, and the proportions of adverse outcomes of PTB in urban and rural patients with PTB-DM were analyzed. Factors affecting the adverse outcomes of PTB were identified using a multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results: A total of 823 patients with PTB-DM were enrolled, including 354 (43.01%) urban and 469 (56.99%) rural patients. There were 112 (13.61%) patients with adverse outcomes of PTB. The proportions of adverse outcomes of PTB in urban and rural patients were 14.41% and 13.01%, respectively, with no statistically significant difference (P>0.05). Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression analysis identified first diagnosed in county-level hospitals or above (HR=2.107, 95%CI: 1.181-3.758) and drug resistance (HR=3.303, 95%CI: 1.653-6.600) as the risk factors for adverse outcomes of PTB in urban patients with PTB-DM, while the treatment/observed management throughout the process (HR=0.470, 95%CI: 0.274-0.803) and fixed-dose combinations throughout the process (HR=0.331, 95%CI: 0.151-0.729) as the protective factors for adverse outcomes in rural patients with PTB-DM. Conclusions There are differences in influencing factors for adverse outcomes of PTB in urban and rural patients with PTB-DM. The adverse outcomes of PTB are associated with first diagnosed hospitals and drug resistance in urban patients, and are associated with the treatment/observed management and fixed-dose combinations throughout the process in rural patients.

BACKGROUND: Pancreatic cancer is a lethal malignancy prone to gemcitabine resistance. The single-strand selective monofunctional uracil DNA glycosylase (SMUG1), which is responsible for initiating base excision repair, has been reported to predict the outcomes of different cancer types. However, the function of SMUG1 in pancreatic cancer is still unclear. METHODS: Gene and protein expression of SMUG1 as well as survival outcomes were assessed by bioinformatic analysis and verified in a cohort from Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center. Subsequently, the effect of SMUG1 on proliferation, cell cycle, and migration abilities of SMUG1 cells were detected in vitro . DNA damage repair, apoptosis, and gemcitabine resistance were also tested. RNA sequencing was performed to determine the differentially expressed genes and signaling pathways, followed by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting verification. The cancer-promoting effect of forkhead box Q1 (FOXQ1) and SMUG1 on the ubiquitylation of myelocytomatosis oncogene (c-Myc) was also evaluated. Finally, a xenograft model was established to verify the results. RESULTS: SMUG1 was highly expressed in pancreatic tumor tissues and cells, which also predicted a poor prognosis. Downregulation of SMUG1 inhibited the proliferation, G1 to S transition, migration, and DNA damage repair ability against gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer cells. SMUG1 exerted its function by binding with FOXQ1 to activate the Protein Kinase B (AKT)/p21 and p27 pathway. Moreover, SMUG1 also stabilized the c-Myc protein via AKT signaling in pancreatic cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS SMUG1 promotes proliferation, migration, gemcitabine resistance, and c-Myc protein stability in pancreatic cancer via protein kinase B signaling through binding with FOXQ1. Furthermore, SMUG1 may be a new potential prognostic and gemcitabine resistance predictor in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.
Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/pathology* ; Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/genetics* ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation/physiology* ; Mice ; Uracil-DNA Glycosidase/genetics* ; Female ; Male ; Gemcitabine ; Mice, Nude ; Apoptosis/physiology* ; Deoxycytidine/analogs & derivatives* ; Cell Movement/genetics*

Objective To develop a three-compartment kinetic fatigue model for the isometric muscle endurance of the hip,knee,and ankle joints at 50％IPT(isometric peak torque),so as to provide a theoretical basis for simulation-based assessments and load evaluations in biomechanics and sports science.Methods The IPT of the hip,knee,and ankle joints was measured in 40 male university students.Isometric endurance tests were then performed on all three joints at 50％IPT until exhaustion.Electromyography data and endurance time(ET)of major lower limb muscles were collected concurrently.The differences between ETs predicted by models based on previously recommended F and R parameters and actual ETs were analyzed.Subsequently,experimental ETs were used in a grid search to optimize Fand R parameters,allowing for the development of an accurate three-compartment kinetic model.Results The ET of the hip and ankle joints was significantly longer than that of the knee joint(P＜0.001).Models using previously recommended Fand R parameters overestimated ET,with significantly higher predicted values than experimentally measured ET(P＜0.001),as well as elevated root mean squared error(RMSE)and mean relatvie error(MRE)values.The grid search successfully identified Fand R parameters for the three-compartment model in isometric endurance tests of lower limb joints,with no statistical difference between model-predicted ET and experimental ET(P＞0.05).Conclusions The developed model in this study can serve as an indirect measurement tool for evaluating load in similar activities.

Objective:To adapt and validate the Chinese version of the Supervisory Relationship Questionnaire(SRQ)and evaluate its psychometric properties among supervisees.Methods:Item analysis,exploratory factor anal-ysis(EFA)and confirmatory factor analysis(CFA)were conducted on data from 888 supervisees recruited via on-line platform.Test-retest reliability over a four-week interval was examined in a randomly selected subset of 70 su-pervisees.An additional sample of 367 supervisees completed the Supervisory Relationship Scale(SRS)to evaluate criterion validity.Results:The revised SRQ contained 65 items and 6 factors.Both exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis supported six-factor structure(safe base,structure,commitment,reflective education,role model and formative feedback),explaining 66.52％of the variance,with factor loadings of the items ranging from 0.58 to 0.83.The revised SRQ had six factors with good fit indices(x2/df=1.31,GFI=0.81,NFI=0.87,CFI=0.97,TLI=0.90,IFI=0.91,RMSEA=0.03,SRMR=0.05).The scores of the revised SRQ were positively correlated with the scores of SRS(ICC=0.96,P＜0.01).The Cronbach α coefficient of the revised SRQ was 0.97,and the test-retest reliability coefficient(ICC)was 0.74.Conclusion:The SRQ-C demonstrates sound psy-chometric properties,including structural validity,criterion-related validity,internal consistency,and temporal stabil-ity.It is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing supervisory relationships from the supervisee perspective.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of patients with primary ureteral sarcomatoid carcinoma, thereby enhancing the understanding of the clinical context surrounding this disease.Methods:We report a case of primary ureteral sarcomatoid carcinoma in an elderly patient diagnosed through postoperative pathology at the Fourth Medical Center of the General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army.Additionally, a literature review was conducted to analyze articles related to primary ureteral sarcomatoid carcinoma published both domestically and internationally up to July 2024.This review summarizes and analyzes information regarding the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis associated with this condition.Results:A total of 20 articles were reviewed, encompassing 24 cases of primary ureteral sarcomatoid carcinoma.Among the patients, 17 were older than 60 years, and when combined with the cases presented in this review, a total of 18 cases involved patients over the age of 60.Of these, 66.7%(12/18)were male, with a median age at diagnosis of 65 years.The reported cases often exhibited no clinical manifestations in the early stages; however, as the disease progressed, common urinary symptoms emerged, including frequency, urgency, pain, or painless hematuria, occurring throughout the ureteral course.The lesions were predominantly located in the left ureter(17 cases), which frequently exhibited dilation with effusion.Pathologic examination revealed the presence of microscopic spindle cells.Surgical treatment was administered to 20 patients, of whom 9 did not experience recurrence or metastasis during the follow-up period, while 7 cases resulted in mortality.Conclusions:Primary ureteral sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare malignant tumor of the ureter.Its clinical manifestations are generally regarded as non-specific, making pathological examination the gold standard for diagnosis.Immunohistochemical and imaging studies can assist in the diagnostic process.The current preferred treatment modality is surgical resection, while first-line therapies that combine chemotherapy with immunotherapy and targeted therapy have been shown to enhance tumor control.

Objective:To propose a functional method for locating the shoulder joint center of rotation aimed at rapid estimation of the upper limb reachable domain envelope, thereby informing ergonomic design and task optimization.Methods:In March 2024, shoulder kinematics during gait were recorded from ten adults using a three-dimensional motion-capture system. Assuming the existence of a point near the glenohumeral joint that maintains a fixed spatial relationship to the humerus and the acromion, we estimated both static and dynamic centers of rotation. Localization accuracy was quantified by the standard deviation of distance residuals to upper-arm markers. Upper-limb joint angles and anthropometric parameters were modeled via regression; combined with maximal joint ranges of motion, these were used to infer the reachable domain envelope.Results:The static center of rotation was located approximately twenty-two millimeters medial to the acromial landmark in the coronal plane and thirty-seven millimeters inferior to it. The standard deviation of the residuals for the distances from the dynamic shoulder joint center of rotation to upper-arm markers averaged 1.02 mm, which was 47.42% lower than that of the static center of rotation and 66.56% lower than that of the acromion. Moreover, the trajectory of this dynamic center showed a strong correlation with upper-limb joint angles ( R2>0.7) . Conclusion:The proposed method enables rapid and accurate estimation of the upper limb reachable domain envelope to support ergonomic design and may help reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders.

Olfactory diagnosis refers to the method of diagnosing diseases by smelling the odor emitted from the patient's body,secretions and excreta,and the odor of the sick room.It is one of the important diagnostic methods under the guidance of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)theory,and is included in the"inquiry and olfaction"of TCM.In recent years,there has been rapid development in medical-engineering integration,artificial intelligence,big data,and other interdisciplinary fields.This has been promoting the TCM gradually to develop towards accurate,efficient and personalized medical treatment,which has opened a new era of"Smart TCM".In this paper,the ancient literature related to olfactory diagnosis was systematically reviewed,the developmental characteristics of olfactory diagnosis theories in various periods was sorted out,and the different views of TCM specialists on the odors emitted by the human body in physiological and pathological states was summarized.The paper is to explore the origin of TCM olfactory diagnosis and its periodization,clarify the diagnosis of abnormal odors,corresponding to the nature,etiology and prognosis of the disease,and clarify the development of TCM olfactory diagnosis.It provides a theoretical source and literature basis for promoting the research of"smart olfactory diagnosis of TCM"and facilitating the development of objectivity,standardization and intelligence of olfactory diagnosis in TCM.

Objective:To adapt and validate the Chinese version of the Supervisory Relationship Questionnaire(SRQ)and evaluate its psychometric properties among supervisees.Methods:Item analysis,exploratory factor anal-ysis(EFA)and confirmatory factor analysis(CFA)were conducted on data from 888 supervisees recruited via on-line platform.Test-retest reliability over a four-week interval was examined in a randomly selected subset of 70 su-pervisees.An additional sample of 367 supervisees completed the Supervisory Relationship Scale(SRS)to evaluate criterion validity.Results:The revised SRQ contained 65 items and 6 factors.Both exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis supported six-factor structure(safe base,structure,commitment,reflective education,role model and formative feedback),explaining 66.52％of the variance,with factor loadings of the items ranging from 0.58 to 0.83.The revised SRQ had six factors with good fit indices(x2/df=1.31,GFI=0.81,NFI=0.87,CFI=0.97,TLI=0.90,IFI=0.91,RMSEA=0.03,SRMR=0.05).The scores of the revised SRQ were positively correlated with the scores of SRS(ICC=0.96,P＜0.01).The Cronbach α coefficient of the revised SRQ was 0.97,and the test-retest reliability coefficient(ICC)was 0.74.Conclusion:The SRQ-C demonstrates sound psy-chometric properties,including structural validity,criterion-related validity,internal consistency,and temporal stabil-ity.It is a reliable and valid instrument for assessing supervisory relationships from the supervisee perspective.