Purpose: Metastatic rectal cancer (mRC) is a highly lethal and complex disease that demands a multidisciplinary treatment approach. However, the clinical effectiveness of radiotherapy (RT) for de novo mRC remains controversial and uncertain. Methods: This retrospective cohort study examined medical records from Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital for patients with histologically confirmed de novo mRC diagnosed between January 2015 and December 2020. All patients received standard systemic therapy and radical surgery when feasible. The primary outcome, overall survival (OS), was assessed using the Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariable analysis was performed using a Cox regression model. Results: Among 271 patients included in the analysis, 117 received RT and 154 did not. The median OS was significantly longer in the RT group compared with the non-RT group (27.8 months vs. 21.9 months; P=0.046). Multivariate analysis identified several independent predictors of OS: age ≥65 years (hazard ratio [HR], 1.69; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–2.27; P=0.001), primary tumor resection (HR, 2.62; 95% CI, 1.90–3.61; P<0.001), M1b or M1c disease (HR, 1.97; 95% CI, 1.44–2.69; P<0.001), and receipt of RT (HR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.02–1.94; P=0.036). Conclusion RT significantly improves OS in patients with mRC, underscoring its role in treatment strategies. These findings support its inclusion in therapeutic protocols and highlight the need for larger, multicenter trials to confirm and extend these results.

Endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) offers substantial advantages in the management of degenerative spinal diseases, including accelerated postoperative recovery. However, its technical complexity and steep learning curve pose risks for nerve root injury. Optimizing nerve root protection in full-endoscopic facet-sparing TLIF (FE fs-TLIF) and full-endoscopic facet-resecting TLIF (FE fr-TLIF) is essential for enhancing surgical safety. This study aimed to improve the nerve root protection in FE fs-TLIF and FE fr-TLIF by optimizing cage glider selection and insertion techniques based on the specific cage shape—banana-shaped or bullet-shaped. The goal was to ensure safe cage positioning and mitigate nerve root injury during discectomy, endplate preparation, and cage insertion. These strategies were validated through cadaveric simulations and clinical implementation. In FE fr-TLIF utilizing bullet-shaped (straight) cages, one-tip and two-tip cage gliders effectively protected the traversing nerve root by facilitating medial cage entry, thereby minimizing irritation of the exiting nerve root. Conversely, in FE fr-TLIF with banana-shaped cages, the lateral tilt of the cage holder during implantation required the use of a two-tip cage glider to protect the traversing and exiting nerve roots, thereby mitigating the potential risk of nerve irritation. In FE fs-TLIF, a one-tip cage glider is preferred for safeguarding the exiting nerve root, while the traversing root is inherently protected by the medial wall of the facet joint. The use of a two-tip cage glider in FE fs-TLIF can cause injury to the nerve root during glider insertion. In addition to the selection of cage gliders, improper cage insertion steps can also contribute to postoperative neurapraxia. The appropriate selection of cage gliders with corresponding insertion techniques is critical for nerve root protection in endoscopic TLIF. Tailoring these choices to the specific approach (FE fs-TLIF or FE fr-TLIF) and cage type (banana or bullet) enhances surgical safety and clinical outcomes.

Objective This study reports on the obligatory parasitism of water mites Arrenurus sp. on Anopheles messeae at the Manzhouli Port, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods Duing July 2024, a survey on the mosquito diversity was conducted at the Manzhouli Port. Captured mosquitoes and their ectoparasites were identified to species level. Results A total of 1840 adult mosquitoes were collected, representing species from three genera: Culex(Cx. modestus, Cx. pipiens pallens), Aedes(Ae. dorsalis, Ae. flavidorsalis, Ae. flavescens), and Anopheles (An. messeae). Among all the mosqutioes specimens,3 out of 150 captured An. messeae were found to carry ectoparasitic mites, with number of 2,4,27 mites separately. Morphological and molecular identification reached the same result as water mites(Hydrachnidiae, Hydracrina). COI gene sequence showed 94% similarity with the closest species Arrenurus truncatellus. Conlusions Literature review suggests water mites are host-specific parasitism of mosquito species and herein with the first record of Arrenurus sp. parasiting on An. Messeae in the most high-latitude region globally.

ObjectiveToll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， a receptor for pathogen-associated molecular patterns of innate immunity， is associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Interleukin （IL）-6， IL-1β， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） as common pro-inflammatory cytokines and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP） are related to inflammatory responses. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy and possible mechanisms of therapeutic effects of Fengyintang on early and mid-stage PD with excessive heat generating wind by observing the effects of Fengyintang on the serum levels of TLR4， IL-6， IL-1β， TNF-α， and hs-CRP in the patients with PD. MethodsSixty-eight PD patients who met the inclusion criteria were randomly assigned into the control group and the observation group （n=34）. Both groups were treated with anti-PD Western medicine and the observation group was additionally treated with Fengyintang. Both groups were treated for 8 weeks. Before and after 8 weeks of treatment， the patients in the two groups were measured for their TCM symptom scores， International Movement Disorder Society Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale （MDS-UPDRS） score， Parkinson's Disease Non-Motor Symptom Scale （NMSS） score， Patient Assessment of Constipation Symptom （PAC-SYM） score， Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index （PSQI）， Hamilton Anxiety Scale （HAMA） score， Hamilton Depression Scale （HAMD） score， and changes in serum TLR4， IL-6， IL-1β， TNF-α， and hs-CRP levels. ResultsOne case in the control group was removed due to loss of visit， and a total of 67 PD patients （33 in the control group and 34 in the observation group） who met the criteria were included for analysis. After treatment， patients in the observation group showed decreases in scores of TCM symptoms， MDS-UPDRS， NMSS， PAC-SYM， PSQI， HAMA， and HAMD （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， the observation group had lower scores of TCM symptoms， MDS-UPDRS， NMSS， PAC-SYM， PSQI， HAMA， and HAMD than the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The observation group showed higher efficacy in terms of TCM symptoms and MDS-UPDRS score than the control group （Z=-0.57， P<0.05）. The overall response rate was higher in the observation group than in the control group （Z=-0.62， P<0.05， P<0.01）. The serum TLR4， TNF-α， IL-1β， IL-6， and hs-CRP levels of the observation group were lower than those of the control group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionFengyintang combined with Western medicine can safely and effectively alleviate the clinical symptoms， reduce the levels of inflammatory factors， improve the quality of life， and delay the disease progression of PD patients by inhibiting peripheral TLR4 expression and thus suppressing the downstream inflammatory response.

Objective:To compare and analyze the application efficacy of active surveillance versus passive surveillance in post-marketing safety monitoring of the group A and C meningococcal polysaccharide vaccine(MPSV-AC).Methods:Safety data for MPSV-AC from its market launch in November 2011 to June 2024 were collected from Beijing Zhifei Lyuzhu Biopharmaceutical Co., Ltd., and categorized into active and passive surveillance data based on acquisition methods. Active surveillance data were derived from adverse events cases observed in the company′s phase Ⅳ clinical trial. Passive surveillance data were carried out by the Pharmacovigilance Department through the drug adverse reaction direct reporting system, which downloaded all adverse events following immunization(AEFI) case reports. Cases of adverse events under active surveillance that were "definitely related", "probably related", "possibly related", or "possibly unrelated" were classified as adverse reaction cases, and cases of passive surveillance that were classified as "general reaction" or "abnormal reaction" were classified as adverse reaction cases, and were counted according to the number of cases. For cases where different clinical manifestations of adverse reactions or preferred terminology were present in the same one patient, the number was counted separately. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to describe the incidence of adverse reaction reports, the distribution of clinical manifestations, adverse reactions recorded and not recorded in the instructions and adverse reactions outcomes of two monitoring methods. The differences in the incidence of reported adverse reactions between active and passive surveillance were compared and analysed.Results:A total of 922 patients with MPSV-AC adverse reaction reports were obtained through two monitoring modes, and 1 308 adverse reactions were occurred. In the active surveillance, the number of vaccination doses was 9 999, and 579 patients with adverse reactions were reported with 911 adverse reactions. In the passive surveillance, the number of vaccination doses was 4 185 800, and 343 patients with adverse reactions were reported with 397 adverse reactions. The incidence of reported adverse reactions in the passive surveillance was lower than in the active surveillance, and the difference was statistically significant [0.008% (343/4 185 800) vs. 5.791% (579/9 999), P<0.001]. The age range for active surveillance was ≥2 to<7 years old; the age range of passive surveillance was 0-15 years old, with the highest proportion of those aged ≥2 to<7 years old [79.30% (273/343)]. The clinical manifestation that topped the composition ratio of major adverse reactions for both surveillanceme thods was fever, but systemic symptoms such as malaise and anorexia were more frequently reported in active surveillance, whereas signs visible on the surface such as allergic rash, erythema and hard nodules were reported in passive surveillance. The proportion of serious adverse reactions from active surveillance was 0.22%(2/922), which were upper respiratory tract infection and febrile convulsions. Of the adverse reactions not included in the specification, those from active surveillance mainly involved infections and invasive diseases [77.32% (75/97)], and those from passive surveillance mainly involved diseases of the skin and subcutaneous tissues(6/12). All 579 patients in the active surveillance adverse reaction reports were monitored until cured; in the passive surveillance, 199 cases (50.13%, 199/397) were cured, 168 cases (42.32%, 168/397) were improved, and 30 cases (7.56%, 30/397) were unknown. Conclusions:Active surveillance is irreplaceable for postmarketing safety evaluation of vaccines, as it comprehensively captures safety signals, indicating good safety of MPSV-AC. A multi-source data integration platform could be established in the future.

Objective To explore the predictive value of dose surface histogram(DSH)in image guided radiotherapy(IGRT)for radiotherapy-induced acute radiation proctitis(ARP)in cervical cancer(CCA).Methods Totally 380 patients with CCA IGRT admitted to some hospital from May 2019 to May 2023 were selected prospectively and randomly divided into a control group(n=1 80)and an experimental group(n=200).The patients in the 2 groups were followed up and the incidence rates of ARP were counted,and rectal dose distribution was evaluated using dose volume histogram(DVH)in the control group and DSH in the experimental group.The predictive values of DVH and DSH for ARP were evaluated and compared using ROC curves.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 21.0 software.Results The two groups did not have statistically significant difference in the incidence rate of ARP(P＞0.05),while there were significant differences in the evaluation indicators of the rectal dose distribution(P＜0.05).V40,V50,S40 and S50 proved to have low predictive values for grade Ⅰ-Ⅳ ARP with AUC 0.700(P＜0.05);V60 and S60 had moderate predictive values for grade Ⅰ-Ⅳ ARP with AUC greater than 0.700 and less than or equal to 0.900(P＜0.05);V70,V78,S70 and S7s showed high predictive values for grade Ⅰ-Ⅳ ARP with AUC higher than 0.900(P＜0.05).Delong's test results indicated that DVH and DSH had no significant differences in AUC when used to predict gradeⅠ-Ⅳ ARP(allP＞0.05).Conclusion DSH is essentially the same as DVH when used for the prediction of grade Ⅰ-Ⅳ ARP due to CCA IGRT,and thus can be used for the supplementation and optimization of radiotherapy planning systems.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(3):48-53]

Objective:To investigate whether Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) induces ferroptosis in vascular endothelial cells and predict the Hub genes. Methods:Firstly, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were stimulated with Pg (W83) for 4 h, and transmission electron microscopy was used to observe ferroptosis-related morphological characteristics. Subsequently, RNA was extracted from HUVEC before and after Pg stimulation for transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq). Enrichment analysis was performed to determine if differentially expressed genes (DEG) associated with ferroptosis. Ferroptosis-related DEG (Fer-DEG) were identified and then underwent gene ontology (GO) functional annotation, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis, protein-protein interaction (PPI) network construction, and Hub gene prediction. Next, based on RNA-seq results, HUVEC were stimulated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 h. Established ferroptosis markers were detected. The indices and detection methods were as follows: cell viability via cell counting kit-8; reactive oxygen species (ROS) by the DCFH-DA probe; Fe2?, lipid peroxides (LPO), malondialdehyde (MDA), and reduced/oxidized glutathione ratio (GSH/GSSG) with commercial kits; mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) using the JC-1 probe; solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11), solute carrier family 3 member 2 (SLC3A2), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) expressions by Western blotting (WB) and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Finally, RT-qPCR was used to validate the expression of predicted Hub genes in HUVEC after 24 h LPS stimulation, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) or TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-6, and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2).Results:The mitochondria exhibited size reduction and cristae loss in Pg-stimulated HUVEC. DEG of HUVEC between the Pg-infected and control groups were enriched in the pathway of ferroptosis, and from which 56 Fer-DEG were identified. GO analysis showed enrichment in in responses to TNF, LPS, biotic stimulus, etc. and KEGG analysis revealed enrichment in TNF, C-type lectin receptor, and IL-17 signaling pathways, etc. In the 56-gene PPI network, TNF, IL-6, and PTGS2 were predicted as Hub genes, which were significantly associated with ferroptosis-related pathways, including unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis and ROS metabolic process regulation. Compared to the control group [(100.00±1.44)%], LPS significantly reduced HUVEC viability [(66.77±1.80)%], which could be ameliorated by Fer-1 [(84.50±1.47)%] ( P<0.05). The ROS fluorescence intensity in the LPS group (1 523.00±250.70) was significantly higher than in the control (328.20±38.68) or LPS+Fer-1 (753.30±67.11) group (all P<0.05). The Fe2?, LPO, and MDA levels in the LPS group [(29.83±4.25) μmol/10 6 cells, (3.58±0.24) μmol/gprot, (5.54±0.33) μmol/gprot, respectively] were significantly higher than both the control group [(7.29±0.79) μmol/10 6 cells, (1.08±0.05) μmol/gprot, (2.06±0.17) μmol/gprot] and the LPS+Fer-1 group [(16.33±1.63) μmol/10 6 cells, (2.01±0.09) μmol/gprot, (3.24±0.26) μmol/gprot]. Furthermore, the GSH/GSSG ratio in the LPS group (2.17±0.08) was considerably lower than both the control group (6.96±0.20) and the LPS+Fer-1 group (4.31±0.81) (all P<0.05). The JC-1 aggregate/monomer fluorescence intensity ratio of the LPS group (0.46±0.07) was markedly lower than the control group (285.60±160.40), while Fer-1 pretreatment (1.53±0.17) obviously mitigated this decrease (all P<0.05). SLC7A11, SLC3A2, and GPX4 protein and mRNA expression levels in the LPS group were dramatically lower than both the control group and the Fer-1+LPS group ( P<0.05). The mRNA expression levels of TNF, IL-6, and PTGS2 in the LPS group were strongly upregulated compared to the control group, and the expressions of these three factors in the LPS+Fer-1 group were significantly lower than those in the LPS group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Pg drives ferroptosis in vascular endothelial cells, with TNF, IL-6, and PTGS2 identified as the potential novel Hub genes in this process.

Objective:To investigate the neural regulatory mechanism of parvalbumin-positive interneurons(PV-INs)in the dentate gyrus(DG)involved in the impairment of spatial recognition memory by exercise-induced chronic fatigue.Methods:Male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were divided into control group and fatigue group by random num-ber method.A three-level incremental load treadmill training program was selected to establish a chronic exhaustion exercise fatigue model.The spatial recognition memory ability of rats was tested by novel object recognition test.The ac-tivation levels and quantitative changes of astrocytes(AS)and PV-INs in the DG region was observed and quantified through immunofluorescence staining and immunohistochemical staining.The phosphorylation level of calcium/calmodu-lin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ(CaMK Ⅱ)in the hippocampus was detected by Western blot.Results:In the test of novel object recognition,the exploration time of novel object was reduced in the fatigue group,and the discrimination index was significantly lower than that in the control group(P＜0.01).Immunohistochemical staining showed that PV-INs in the DG region of fatigue rats were lighter and fewer than those in the control group,the fibers were short and sparse,and the positive cell density and average optical density of cells were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.01).Immunofluorescence staining showed that AS was significantly activated,glial fibrillary acidic pro-tein(GFAP)was stained deeply,and the cell processes were dense and elongated in the DG region of fatigue rats.The positive cell density and mean fluorescence intensity were significantly higher than those of the control group(P＜0.01).The results of Western blot showed that the phosphorylation level of CaMK Ⅱ protein in the hippocampus of the fatigue group was significantly reduced than that of the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion:Exercise-induced chro-nic fatigue inhibited PV-INs in the rat hippocampal DG region.The excessive activation of AS following exercise fatigue may be a major contributor to this PV-INs suppression.Concurrently,reduced phosphorylation levels of CaMK Ⅱ protein were observed in hippocampal tissue.These alterations ultimately impaired spatial recognition memory in the rats.

To verify whether the two B-cell epitopes Pep1 and Pep4 in the FAdV-4 WZ fiber can be used as candidate epitopes for multivalent epitope vaccines,epitopes Pep1 and Pep4 were tandemly linked with the chicken infectious bronchitis virus strain M41 S1 protein gene in different patterns,and a recombinant fusion plasmid was constructed and expressed in E.coli BL21(DE3).It was confirmed by Western blot and ELISA tests that all four expressed fusion proteins reacted specific-ally with anti-M41 whole virus serum and WZ strain anti-Fiber 2-knob protein serum.After purifi-cation and immunization of BALB/c mice,specific antibodies against the peptide epitopes were de-tected in mouse sera.The results showed that the Pep4 epitope induced a stronger immune re-sponse than the Pep1 epitope.When Pep1 was connected with the amino and carboxyl termini of the fusion protein,respectively,both resulted in the production of the same level of anti-Pep1 anti-bodies in the immunized animals,whereas when Pep4 was connected with the carboxyl terminus of the fusion protein,the immunized animals produced a higher level of anti-Pep4-specific antibodies.This research indicates that the B cell epitopes Pep1 and Pep4 of the reactive WZ strain Fiber 2,when conjugated with proteins to form fusion proteins,can enhance the immunogenicity of Pep1 and Pep4 without affecting the antigenicity of the carrier protein.This study provides technical support and serves as a reference for the design and development of a multivalent epitope vaccine for FAdV-4.

Objective:To retrieve, evaluate, and summarize the best evidence on ultrasound-guided placement and tip confirmation of peripherally inserted central catheter (PICC) in neonates.Methods:Based on the "6S" evidence pyramid model, literature on ultrasound-guided placement and tip confirmation of PICC in neonates was sequentially searched on guideline websites, professional society websites, and journal databases. The search period was from database establishment to September 30, 2024. Two researchers used uniform criteria for independent quality assessment and evidence extraction from the literature, and the extracted evidence was integrated and summarized.Results:A total of ten articles were included, including five guidelines, one clinical decision, two expert consensus, one Meta-analysis, and one evidence summary. Thirty pieces of evidence were developed in six aspects: personnel qualification and training, catheter selection, assessment of placement veins, ultrasound-guided PICC puncture in neonates, PICC tip confirmation in neonates, and prevention and management of malposition.Conclusions:This study summarizes the best evidence for ultrasound-guided placement and tip confirmation of PICC in neonates. It is recommended that evidence be selected and applied to develop a standardized process for neonatal PICC placement in conjunction with the resource environment of the department and the skill level of the healthcare professionals to improve the quality of nursing and to ensure the safe and effective use of the PICC in clinical practice.