Objective To investigate the value of split-bolus dual-phase contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) in preoperative staging of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC), and to analyze its effect on radiation dose. Methods From June 2021 to July 2024, 118 patients with suspected renal space occupying lesions admitted to Changsha Fourth Hospital were initially selected. Using a random number table, these patients were assigned to a single-bolus group (single-bolus three-phase enhancement program) and a split-bolus group (split-bolus dual-phase enhancement program), with 59 patients in each group. According to the postoperative pathological results, 100 patients with ccRCC were selected as the study subjects, including 48 patients in the single-bolus group and 52 patients in the split-bolus group. The CT values of ccRCC tissues in various phases were compared between the two groups. The accuracy of preoperative ccRCC staging was analyzed using postoperative pathological staging as the gold standard, and the effective dose (ED) was compared between the two groups. Results There was no significant difference in ccRCC staging between the two groups (P > 0.05). The CT value in the parenchyma-excretion phase of the split-bolus group was (88.24 ± 18.34) HU, which was lower than that of the single-bolus group in the parenchyma phase [(102.43 ± 20.66) HU, P < 0.05]. The accuracy of preoperative staging of ccRCC was 86.54% in the split-bolus group, which was not significantly different from 87.50% in the single-bolus group (P > 0.05). The mean ED was (14.54 ± 1.42) mSv in the split-bolus group, which was lower than (20.43 ± 1.18) mSv in the single-bolus group (P < 0.05). Compared with the single-bolus group, the ED of the split-bolus group decreased by 28.83%. Conclusion Split-bolus dual-phase contrast-enhanced CT provides similar accuracy compared to single-bolus CT in evaluating the preoperative staging of ccRCC, and can reduce the radiation dose.

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, histological features, immunophenotype, molecular characteristics, and treatments of uterine inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (UIMT).Methods:Clinical and pathological data of 4 UIMT cases diagnosed at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China from 2020 to 2024 were collected. Their clinicopathological and genetic characteristics were analyzed.Results:The patients′ ages were 63, 42, 53 and 37 years, respectively. The tumors were located in the submucosa and intermuscular walls of the uterus, with a diameter ranging from 1.5 to 6.0 cm. All tumors were suspected by the clinician as leiomyosarcoma. Histologically, 3 of the 4 tumors showed spindle cells that appeared like leiomyoma. Prominent myxoid stroma and inflammatory cells infiltration were observed, with mitotic figures of 1-2 per 10 high-power fields. One case was primarily composed of spindle cells arranged in fascicles, with inflammatory cell infiltration, inconspicuous myxoid stroma and mitotic figures of 3 per 10 high-power fields. Two cases exhibited a pushing pattern of invasion and slightly unclear boundaries, while the other two showed infiltrative growth with unclear boundaries. The immunohistochemistry revealed diffuse and strong, cytoplasmic granular staining of ALK in all 4 cases. RNA sequencing was performed in 3 cases, of which 2 cases showed ALK gene rearrangements, and 1 case did not. One case underwent FISH testing and showed ALK gene translocation. Follow-up showed that no recurrence or metastasis was observed after surgery in all patients.Conclusions:UIMT is a rare mesenchymal tumor of the uterus and lacks specific clinical manifestations. When tumor cells exhibit mild atypia, indistinct borders, myxoid stroma, inflammatory cell infiltration, and decreased expression of ER and PR on immunohistochemistry, immunohistochemical staining of ALK is recommended to confirm the diagnosis of UIMT. This tumor shares many features with myogenic tumors and endometrial stromal sarcomas. Molecular testing may also be needed to assist in diagnosis when necessary. For patients who are not suitable for surgery or have recurrence and metastasis, targeted therapy with ALK inhibitors can be used.

Objective:To explore the development process of family resilience in children with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) and to understand the long-term challenges and coping strategies that CPT imposes on the families of affected children.Methods:This study combined purposive sampling and theoretical sampling. It selected 15 caregivers of CPT children from Hunan Children's Hospital for semi-structured interviews. Grounded theory was used to analyze the interview results.Results:The development of family resilience in CPT children's families occurred in three stages: pre-formation stage, formation stage, and maintenance stage. In facing negative emotions and family challenges, caregivers first needed to rebuild their inner beliefs. They then adjusted the family organizational model, adopted open and inclusive communication, and actively sought external support to foster the development of family resilience. Ultimately, caregivers were able to self-regulate their emotions, accumulate caregiving experience, and begin to shift their life perspective.Conclusions:The development of family resilience in CPT children's families is a dynamic, multi-stage process with interactions of multiple factors. Healthcare providers should offer professional health guidance according to the different stages of family development. Moreover, the government and schools should increase their attention and support, working together with families and healthcare providers to enhance family resilience for children with CPT.

Objective To observe the effects of a stepped early activity program combined with lower limb joint rehabilitation devices in mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit(ICU).Methods Sixty mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the ICU of Tianjin First Central Hospital from October 2022 to June 2023 were selected as study subjects and randomly divided into an intervention group(n=30)and a control group(n=30)using a random number table.The control group received routine rehabilitation nursing combined with lower limb joint rehabilitation devices,while the intervention group was additionally treated with the stepped early activity program.The duration of mechanical ventilation,length of ICU stay,incidence of delirium,Medical Research Council(MRC)muscle strength scores,phase angle(PA),and skeletal muscle mass index(SMI)were compared between the two groups.Results The intervention group showed significantly shorter durations of mechanical ventilation and the length of ICU stay compared to the control group[mechanical ventilation time(days):9.20±4.51 vs.11.73±4.59,the length of ICU stay(days):10.73±5.37 vs.14.00±6.03,both P<0.05].Post-intervention MRC muscle strength scores,PA,and SMI significantly increased in both groups,with greater improvements observed in the intervention group[MRC muscle strength score:54.17±2.10 vs.50.17±3.51;PA(°):5.80±0.60 vs.5.49±0.54;SMI(kg/m2):6.87±0.46 vs.6.62±0.45,all P<0.05].No statistically significant difference was found in delirium incidence between the two groups[26.7%(8/30)vs.33.3%(10/30),P>0.05].Conclusion The combination of a stepped early activity program and lower limb joint rehabilitation devices effectively shortens mechanical ventilation time and the length of ICU stay,restores muscle strength,and promotes recovery in mechanically ventilated ICU patients,demonstrating significant clinical value.

Objective To establish a high-performance liquid chromatography method to detect the purity of human epidermal growth factor(hEGF),to compare the stability of the products of different enterprises by purity results,and to provide technical support for improving quality control and unified monitoring of hEGF based on national drug sampling and testing.Methods Agilent 300SB C8 column(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm)was used.Mobile phase A was 7.5 mmol·L-1 sodium phosphate buffer(pH 6.8),and mobile phase B was acetonitrile,the column temperature was 30℃,the flow rate was 0.6 mL·min-1 with gradient elution,and the detector wavelength was set at 280 nm.Results The resolution between the main peak of hEGF and the adjacent impurity peak was more than 1.5,with a detection limit of 6 ng.This method has been successfully applied to determine the purity of the bulk and final products.The results showed that the purity of the final products decreased compared with the bulk.The maximum impurity that increased significantly was the deamidation impurity identified by the mass spectrometry.Conclusion Based on the typical sample of the full chain and multi-dosage form,the established method had good specificity and resolution for the preliminary identification and purity determination of hEGF bulk and final products.

Objective To observe the effects of a stepped early activity program combined with lower limb joint rehabilitation devices in mechanically ventilated patients in the intensive care unit(ICU).Methods Sixty mechanically ventilated patients admitted to the ICU of Tianjin First Central Hospital from October 2022 to June 2023 were selected as study subjects and randomly divided into an intervention group(n=30)and a control group(n=30)using a random number table.The control group received routine rehabilitation nursing combined with lower limb joint rehabilitation devices,while the intervention group was additionally treated with the stepped early activity program.The duration of mechanical ventilation,length of ICU stay,incidence of delirium,Medical Research Council(MRC)muscle strength scores,phase angle(PA),and skeletal muscle mass index(SMI)were compared between the two groups.Results The intervention group showed significantly shorter durations of mechanical ventilation and the length of ICU stay compared to the control group[mechanical ventilation time(days):9.20±4.51 vs.11.73±4.59,the length of ICU stay(days):10.73±5.37 vs.14.00±6.03,both P<0.05].Post-intervention MRC muscle strength scores,PA,and SMI significantly increased in both groups,with greater improvements observed in the intervention group[MRC muscle strength score:54.17±2.10 vs.50.17±3.51;PA(°):5.80±0.60 vs.5.49±0.54;SMI(kg/m2):6.87±0.46 vs.6.62±0.45,all P<0.05].No statistically significant difference was found in delirium incidence between the two groups[26.7%(8/30)vs.33.3%(10/30),P>0.05].Conclusion The combination of a stepped early activity program and lower limb joint rehabilitation devices effectively shortens mechanical ventilation time and the length of ICU stay,restores muscle strength,and promotes recovery in mechanically ventilated ICU patients,demonstrating significant clinical value.

Objective To establish a high-performance liquid chromatography method to detect the purity of human epidermal growth factor(hEGF),to compare the stability of the products of different enterprises by purity results,and to provide technical support for improving quality control and unified monitoring of hEGF based on national drug sampling and testing.Methods Agilent 300SB C8 column(250 mm×4.6 mm,5 μm)was used.Mobile phase A was 7.5 mmol·L-1 sodium phosphate buffer(pH 6.8),and mobile phase B was acetonitrile,the column temperature was 30℃,the flow rate was 0.6 mL·min-1 with gradient elution,and the detector wavelength was set at 280 nm.Results The resolution between the main peak of hEGF and the adjacent impurity peak was more than 1.5,with a detection limit of 6 ng.This method has been successfully applied to determine the purity of the bulk and final products.The results showed that the purity of the final products decreased compared with the bulk.The maximum impurity that increased significantly was the deamidation impurity identified by the mass spectrometry.Conclusion Based on the typical sample of the full chain and multi-dosage form,the established method had good specificity and resolution for the preliminary identification and purity determination of hEGF bulk and final products.

Objective:To explore the development process of family resilience in children with congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) and to understand the long-term challenges and coping strategies that CPT imposes on the families of affected children.Methods:This study combined purposive sampling and theoretical sampling. It selected 15 caregivers of CPT children from Hunan Children's Hospital for semi-structured interviews. Grounded theory was used to analyze the interview results.Results:The development of family resilience in CPT children's families occurred in three stages: pre-formation stage, formation stage, and maintenance stage. In facing negative emotions and family challenges, caregivers first needed to rebuild their inner beliefs. They then adjusted the family organizational model, adopted open and inclusive communication, and actively sought external support to foster the development of family resilience. Ultimately, caregivers were able to self-regulate their emotions, accumulate caregiving experience, and begin to shift their life perspective.Conclusions:The development of family resilience in CPT children's families is a dynamic, multi-stage process with interactions of multiple factors. Healthcare providers should offer professional health guidance according to the different stages of family development. Moreover, the government and schools should increase their attention and support, working together with families and healthcare providers to enhance family resilience for children with CPT.

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, histological features, immunophenotype, molecular characteristics, and treatments of uterine inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (UIMT).Methods:Clinical and pathological data of 4 UIMT cases diagnosed at the Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, China from 2020 to 2024 were collected. Their clinicopathological and genetic characteristics were analyzed.Results:The patients′ ages were 63, 42, 53 and 37 years, respectively. The tumors were located in the submucosa and intermuscular walls of the uterus, with a diameter ranging from 1.5 to 6.0 cm. All tumors were suspected by the clinician as leiomyosarcoma. Histologically, 3 of the 4 tumors showed spindle cells that appeared like leiomyoma. Prominent myxoid stroma and inflammatory cells infiltration were observed, with mitotic figures of 1-2 per 10 high-power fields. One case was primarily composed of spindle cells arranged in fascicles, with inflammatory cell infiltration, inconspicuous myxoid stroma and mitotic figures of 3 per 10 high-power fields. Two cases exhibited a pushing pattern of invasion and slightly unclear boundaries, while the other two showed infiltrative growth with unclear boundaries. The immunohistochemistry revealed diffuse and strong, cytoplasmic granular staining of ALK in all 4 cases. RNA sequencing was performed in 3 cases, of which 2 cases showed ALK gene rearrangements, and 1 case did not. One case underwent FISH testing and showed ALK gene translocation. Follow-up showed that no recurrence or metastasis was observed after surgery in all patients.Conclusions:UIMT is a rare mesenchymal tumor of the uterus and lacks specific clinical manifestations. When tumor cells exhibit mild atypia, indistinct borders, myxoid stroma, inflammatory cell infiltration, and decreased expression of ER and PR on immunohistochemistry, immunohistochemical staining of ALK is recommended to confirm the diagnosis of UIMT. This tumor shares many features with myogenic tumors and endometrial stromal sarcomas. Molecular testing may also be needed to assist in diagnosis when necessary. For patients who are not suitable for surgery or have recurrence and metastasis, targeted therapy with ALK inhibitors can be used.

Objective:To determine the expression of adenylate cyclase genes ADCY2/4/5/8 in cutaneous melanoma, to explore their roles and mechanisms of action, and to verify their effect on the proliferation and migration of the melanoma cell line A375.Methods:Data on the mRNA and protein expression of ADCY2/4/5/8, as well as the correlation between gene expression and prognosis, were analyzed through the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis (GEPIA) and Human Protein Atlas (HPA) databases; ADCY2/4/5/8 gene methylation and mutation status were analyzed through the UALCAN, DeMth, and cBioPortal databases; Gene Ontology analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis were performed on the ADCY2/4/5/8 genes using the DAVID and STRING databases. qPCR was conducted to determine the relative mRNA expression of ADCY2/4/5/8 in the A375 melanoma cells and FF pigmented nevus cells. Cultured A375 cells were divided into experimental groups and control groups to be transfected with ADCY2/4/5/8 overexpression plasmids and empty vectors, respectively. Cell counting kit (CCK8) and Transwell assays were performed to evaluate the effect of ADCY2/4/5/8 overexpression on the proliferation and migration of A375 cells, qPCR was conducted to determine the relative mRNA expression of genes related to the proliferation and migration of A375 cells, and Western blot analysis to determine the expression of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway-related proteins in A375 cells after the overexpression of ADCY2/4/5/8. One-way analysis of variance and repeated measures analysis of variance were used for the comparison among multiple groups, and least significant difference- t test was used for multiple comparisons. Results:Bioinformatics analysis based on the GEPIA database showed that the mRNA expression of ADCY2, ADCY4, ADCY5, and ADCY8 was down-regulated in melanoma tissues ( n = 461) compared with normal tissues ( n = 558, P < 0.01) ; stratified analysis showed that the mRNA expression of ADCY2 ( P = 0.015) and ADCY8 ( P = 0.038) was correlated with tumor staging, and the lower the mRNA expression, the later the tumor stage. In the HPA database, the ADCY2/4/5/8 protein expression was reduced in 30 melanoma tissues compared with 30 normal tissues ( P < 0.001). Analysis of the UALCAN and DeMth database data showed elevated methylation levels of ADCY2/4/5/8 in melanoma tissues and metastatic melanoma tissues compared with normal tissues ( P < 0.001). Analysis of the DAVID and STRING database data demonstrated that the ADCY2/4/5/8 gene may inhibit cell proliferation and migration by activating the cAMP signaling pathway. qPCR showed that the relative mRNA expression of ADCY2/4/5/8 was lower in A375 cells than in FF cells. CCK8 assay showed that the survival rates of A375 cells were significantly lower in the ADCY2/4/5/8 overexpression groups than in the corresponding control groups at 48 and 72 hours (all P < 0.05). Transwell assay showed that the number of migratory A375 cells was significantly lower in the ADCY2/4/5/8 overexpression groups than in the corresponding control groups (all P < 0.01). As qPCR revealed, the ADCY2/4/5/8 overexpression groups showed significantly upregulated relative mRNA expression of epithelial cadherin, but significantly downregulated relative mRNA expression of Ki67, vimentin, neural cadherin, and matrix metalloproteinase 2 compared with the corresponding control groups (all P < 0.001). Western blot analysis showed that the protein expression of cAMP and phosphorylated protein kinase A (p-PKA) in A375 cells was significantly higher in the ADCY2/4/5/8 overexpression groups than in the corresponding control groups (all P < 0.001), but there were no significant differences in the PKA protein expression levels between the ADCY2/4/5/8 overexpression groups and the corresponding control groups (all P > 0.05) . Conclusion:The expression of ADCY2/4/5/8 was downregulated in melanoma tissues, and overexpressed ADCY2/4/5/8 could inhibit the proliferation and migration of melanoma cells, suggesting that ADCY2/4/5/8 may serve as potential tumor suppressor genes in the progression of melanoma.