Despite publishing and securing research grants being obligatory in research universities, the literature on the factors influencing academic productivity is relatively scarce. Thus, in this study, we aimed to determine the personal and behavioural-related factors that influence the culture of publishing and securing research grants among academicians with lower research-related performance. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 49 academic staff members of Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM). A self-administered questionnaire consisting of personal, attitude and behavioural (barriers, perceived stress scale, work extrinsic and intrinsic motivation scale, psychological well-being scale, and basic needs satisfaction scale) questions were distributed during a workshop and online. Simple linear regression (SLR) analyses were performed for each variable, followed by multiple linear regression (MLR) to identify the associated factors of research output. After adjusting for covariates, having a doctoral degree (β=0.396, 95% CI=0.221-2.146, p<0.05) and integrated regulation (β=0.574, 95% CI=0.036-3.612, p<0.05) were found to be associated with research grant acquisition (R2=0.273). Moreover, increasing age (β=0.426, 95% CI=0.088-0.397, p<0.05), living alone (β=0.331, 95% CI=0.944-6.626, p<0.05), having a doctoral degree (β=0.248, 95% CI=0.174-6.747, p<0.05), environmental mastery (β=0.318, 95% CI=0.013-0.347, p<0.05), self-acceptance (β=0.284, 95% CI=0.010-0.242, p<0.05), satisfaction incompetence (β=0.273, 95% CI=0.001-0.200, p<0.05) and relatedness (β=0.280, 95% CI=0.001-0.116, p<0.05) were found to be the factors that influence the publications produced among participants (R2 =0.423). The findings of this study could be used by management to formulate effective strategies to increase the productivity of academics in their research-related performance.

Patients with lung cancer experience a heavy symptom burden during the perioperative period, which seriously affects their recovery and quality of life. Traditional symptom management models rely mainly on scheduled ward rounds during hospitalization and outpatient follow-up after discharge. However, they have limitations such as delayed symptom recognition, lack of post-discharge monitoring, and non-quantitative symptom assessment, which often lead to delayed interventions and low patient satisfaction. In recent years, the symptom management model based on electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePRO) has been increasingly valued in clinical practice. Existing high-level evidence from both domestic and international studies indicates that, through proactive monitoring, real-time alerts, and remote interventions, this model enables dynamic and continuous symptom management and helps improve patient recovery and healthcare experience. As a supplement to routine medical care, the ePRO-based symptom management model aims to enhance the quality of care rather than replace existing medical processes. To promote the standardized application of this model in perioperative lung cancer care, this consensus integrates domestic and international evidence. After multiple rounds of voting by more than 50 experts, it formulates 12 consensus statements covering the three core components, symptom monitoring, alerting, and intervention, to provide scientific and practical recommendations for clinical practice.

Surgical methods for varicocele remain controversial. This study intends to evaluate the efficacy and safety of different surgical approaches for treating varicocele through a network meta-analysis (NMA). PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were thoroughly searched. In total, 13 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and 24 cohort studies were included, covering 9 different surgical methods. Pairwise meta-analysis and NMA were performed by means of random-effects models, and interventions were ranked based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). According to the SUCRA, microsurgical subinguinal varicocelectomy (MSV; 91.6%), microsurgical retroperitoneal varicocelectomy (MRV; 78.2%), and microsurgical inguinal varicocelectomy (MIV; 76.7%) demonstrated the highest effectiveness in reducing postoperative recurrence rates. In this study, sclerotherapy embolization (SE; 87.2%), MSV (77.9%), and MIV (67.7%) showed the best results in lowering the risk of hydrocele occurrence. MIV (82.9%), MSV (75.9%), and coil embolization (CE; 58.7%) were notably effective in increasing sperm motility. Moreover, CE (76.7%), subinguinal approach varicocelectomy (SV; 69.2%), and SE (55.7%) were the most effective in increasing sperm count. SE (82.5%), transabdominal laparoscopic varicocelectomy (TLV; 76.5%), and MRV (52.7%) were superior in shortening the length of hospital stay. The incidence rates of adverse events for MRV (0), SE (3.3%), and MIV (4.1%) were notably low. Cluster analyses indicated that MSV was the most effective in the treatment of varicocele. Based on the existing evidence, MSV may represent the optimal choice for varicocele surgery. However, selecting clinical surgical strategies requires consideration of various factors, including patient needs, surgeon experience, and the learning curve.
Humans ; Male ; Embolization, Therapeutic/methods* ; Microsurgery/methods* ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Sclerotherapy/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male/methods* ; Varicocele/surgery*

Objective To detect the content of rheumatoid factor(RF)after RF-CIC dissociation using serum circulating immune complexes(CIC)dissociation technology and evaluate its diagnostic and clinical value in rheumatic arthritis(RA).Methods 55 RA patients diagnosed and treated in the 903rd Hospital of the People's Liberation Army from January 2024 to December 2024 were selected as the RA disease group,and 20 healthy individuals were selected as the control group.In addition,57 non RA pa-tients with symptoms resembling RA[patients with systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE),gout,ankylosing spondylitis(AS),osteo-arthritis,etc)]as the non RA disease group.Using CIC dissociation technology,RF content after RF-CIC dissociation was detect-ed in the serum of all three groups of study subjects,and C-reactive protein(CRP)and RF levels in all subjects were detected using a biochemical analyzer.Analyzed and compared the differences in the positive rate and levels of RF-CIC among three groups object of study.In addition,analyze and compare the correlation between RF-CIC and inflammatory index CRP.Results The positive rates of RF-CIC in the serum of RA disease group,non RA disease group,and control group were 87.27%(48/55),10.53%(6/57)and 0.0%(0/20),respectively,and the differences between the three groups was statistically significant(χ2=84.520,P<0.05).Further subgroup analysis showed that the RF-CIC positivity rate in the RF negative subgroup of RA disease patients[61.11%(11/18)]higher than that in the non RA disease group[1.92%(1/52)]and the control group[0%(0/20)],and the differ-ences were statistically significant(χ2=44.493,21.671,all P<0.05).The RF-CIC positivity rate was higher in RF positive pa-tients than in RF negative patients in the RA disease group(100%vs 61.11%),and the difference was statistically significant(χ2=16.487,P<0.05).The RF-CIC content in the serum of RF positive patients in the RA disease group was higher than that of RF negative patients[16.35(10.53,26.49)vs 3.57(2.53,3.89)],and the difference was statistically significant(Z=-4.243,P<0.05).Correlation analysis showed that the levels of CRP and RF in the serum of RA patients were positively correlated with the levels of RF-CIC(r=0.490,0.970,all P<0.05).Conclusion RF-CIC demonstrates high positivity even in RF-negative RA patients,and their levels correlate with CRP.RF-CIC shows potential as a serological indicator for early diagnosis and disease activity assess-ment in RA.

Objective:To express,purify,prepare antibodies,and analyze the subcellular localization of Toxoplasma gondii thioredoxin 20(Trx20),and to provide the reference for the development of Toxoplasma gondii vaccine.Methods:Bioinformatics-related websites and software were used to perform bioinformatics analysis of the Trx20 protein;specific primers were designed to amplify the target fragment and construct the prokaryotic expression vector;the protein was expressed in vitro and purified;experimental animals were immunized to prepare antibodies;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)method was used to detect the titer of the polyclonal antibodies;Western blotting method was used to verify the specificity and sensitivity of the antibodies and to determine the natural expression of the protein;immunofluorescence assay(IFA)was used to analyze the subcellular localization of the protein.Results:The bioinformatics analysis results showed that Trx20 protein was a relatively stable hydrophilic protein with a molecular formula of C2172H3412N548O616S20,containing 424 amino acids,a predicted relative molecular mass of 47 700,and a theoretical isoelectric point of 8.55;it was predicted that the protein had one signal peptide,no transmembrane region,contained one domain named"Thioredoxin like Superfamily",and had 35 phosphorylation sites,one N-glycosylation site,and 17 antigenic determinants;in the secondary structure,alpha-helices accounted for 41.51％of the total amino acids,and random coils accounted for 39.86％;the recombinant plasmids pET-28a-Trx20 and pGEX-4T-1-Trx20 were successfully constructed,and the soluble recombinant protein was expressed and purified;polyclonal antibodies were successfully prepared with a titer as high as 1:64 000,and they specifically recognized the endogenous Trx20 protein in Toxoplasma gondii;the subcellular localization results showed that Trx20 protein was widely distributed in the cytoplasm of the parasite.Conclusion:Toxoplasma gondii Trx20 protein is a secretory protein containing phosphorylation/glycosylation modification sites and a thioredoxin domain,and it is localized in the cytoplasm of the parasite.

HDAC7, a member of class IIa HDACs, plays a pivotal regulatory role in tumor, immune, fibrosis, and angiogenesis, rendering it a potential therapeutic target. Nevertheless, due to the high similarity in the enzyme active sites of class IIa HDACs, inhibitors encounter challenges in discerning differences among them. Furthermore, the substitution of key residue in the active pocket of class IIa HDACs renders them pseudo-enzymes, leading to a limited impact of enzymatic inhibitors on their function. In this study, proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology was employed to develop HDAC7 drugs. We developed an exceedingly selective HDAC7 PROTAC degrader B14 which showcased superior inhibitory effects on cell proliferation compared to TMP269 in various diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Subsequent investigations unveiled that B14 disrupts BCL6 forming a transcriptional inhibition complex by degrading HDAC7, thereby exerting proliferative inhibition in DLBCL. Our study broadened the understanding of the non-enzymatic functions of HDAC7 and underscored the importance of HDAC7 in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, particularly in DLBCL and AML.

Objective:This study aimed to explore the utility of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation (TEAS) combined with skin sympathetic response (SSR) in assessing the effectiveness of perigastric autonomic nerve preservation during radical gastrectomy.Methods:A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted involving 221 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrectomy at the Department of Gastric Surgery, Taizhou People's Hospital, affiliated with Nanjing Medical University, between June 2022 and September 2024. The cohort comprised 109 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical total gastrectomy without autonomic nerve preservation (total gastrectomy without nerve preservation group). Additionally, 112 patients underwent laparoscopic radical distal gastrectomy, including 34 patients who received autonomic nerve preservation (nerve preservation group) and 78 patients who did not (without nerve preservation group). TEAS was administered at the Zusanli and Tianshu acupoints one day before and one day after surgery, during which SSR latency and voltage amplitudes in the upper and lower extremities were recorded and compared across groups. Differences in SSR latency and voltage amplitude between the nerve preservation and non-nerve preservation groups of the distal gastrectomy cohort were also analyzed. Further, TEAS was applied at the same acupoints for 15 minutes on the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd postoperative days, and changes in intestinal sounds and intestinal functional recovery time were monitored. Surgical parameters, including operative duration, intraoperative blood loss, and harvested lymph node, were documented. Postoperative inflammatory indicators, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin (PCT), and the incidence of anastomotic leakage, were evaluated. At three months postoperatively, gastroscopy was performed to assess residual gastric food and bile reflux. Additionally, the prognostic nutritional index (PNI) was evaluated across all patient groups.Results:Following total gastrectomy, TEAS of Zusanli combined with arms' SSR revealed a latency of (23 59.71±410.55) ms and a voltage amplitude of (0.43±1.67) mV; for the legs, latency was (2 596.88±369.01) ms and voltage amplitude was (0.25±0.08) mV. TEAS of Tianshu combined with arms' SSR demonstrated a latency of (2 746.47±224.37) ms and a voltage amplitude of (0.31±0.14) mV; for the legs, latency was (2 891.90±193.61) ms and voltage amplitude was (0.19±0.72) mV. Postoperative latency was significantly prolonged, and voltage amplitude was markedly reduced (all P < 0.01). In the distal gastrectomy with nerve preservation group, TEAS of Zusanli combined with arms' SSR showed a latency of (1 668.04±261.91) ms and a voltage amplitude of (0.78±0.26) mV; for the legs, latency was (1 568.86±220.09) ms and voltage amplitude was (0.61±0.24) mV. TEAS of Tianshu combined with arms' SSR demonstrated a latency of (1 519.36±206.99) ms and a voltage amplitude of (0.66±0.34) mV; for the legs, latency was (2 004.80±508.53) ms and voltage amplitude was (0.55±0.28) mV. In the distal gastrectomy without nerve preservation group, TEAS of Zusanli combined with arms' SSR revealed a latency of (2 385.95±710.27) ms and a voltage amplitude of (0.23±0.11) mV; for the legs, latency was (2 506.81±779.37) ms and voltage amplitude was (0.26±1.29) mV. TEAS of Tianshu combined with arms' SSR indicated a latency of (2 697.78±385.55) ms and a voltage amplitude of (0.21±0.14) mV; for the legs, latency was (2 949.14±506.61) ms and voltage amplitude was (0.17±0.11) mV. The group without nerve preservation exhibited significantly prolonged latencies and reduced voltage amplitudes (all P<0.01). No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups in operative time, intraoperative bleeding, the number of dissected lymph nodes, inflammatory indicators (IL-6, CRP, PCT) at 3 days postoperatively, or anastomotic leakage rates (all P>0.05). In the group without nerve preservation, bowel sounds on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3 were (0.36±0.58), (1.04±0.97), and (1.74±1.10) times/min, respectively, with bowel function recovery time of (62.24±9.91) hours. The PNI at 3 months postoperatively was (37.42±3.01). Incidences of food residue in the residual stomach and bile reflux were 21.79% (17/78) and 29.49% (23/78), respectively. In the group with nerve preservation, bowel sounds on postoperative days 1, 2, and 3 were (0.76±0.82), (2.03±1.34), and (3.71±1.27) times/min, respectively, with bowel function recovery time of (44.94±8.05) hours. The PNI at 3 months postoperatively was (41.34±3.40). Incidences of food residue and bile reflux were 5.88% (2/34) and 11.76% (4/34), respectively. Statistically significant differences were observed between the groups (all P < 0.05). Conclusion:TEAS of Zusanli and Tianshu combined with SSR provides an objective measure for assessing the preservation of perigastric autonomic nerves during radical gastrectomy.

Objective:To explore the clinical effects of various special forms of the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery (DLCFA) perforator flaps in repairing high-voltage electrical burn wounds on the wrist.Methods:This study was a retrospective observational study. From September 2014 to June 2024, 79 male patients with high-voltage electrical burns on the wrist, aged 20 to 62 years and met the inclusion criteria, were admitted to Beijing Jishuitan Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University, with wrist high-voltage electrical burn wound (hereinafter referred to as wrist wound) types being classified as type Ⅱ or type Ⅲ. In the early stage after injury, debridement was performed on the patients' wrists. Based on the wound condition and flap indications, the flow-through, lobed, chimeric, flow-through-lobed, lobed-chimeric, flow-through-chimeric, or flow-through-lobed-chimeric DLCFA perforator flap was employed individually, and the flow-through-chimeric DLCFA perforator flap and tensor fascia lata myocutaneous flap were employed in combination to repair the wounds. The donor site wounds were repaired using direct sutures or skin grafting. The number of various DLCFA perforator flaps resected during surgery and the number of various types of wrist wounds repaired were recorded, as well as the closure status of the donor site wound. The postoperative flap survival, occurrence of vascular crisis, wound or suture site healing, and patency of the reconstructed artery in flow-through flaps were recorded. During follow-up, the appearance of the flap, scar formation, and the presence of thigh muscle herniation were observed.Results:Intraoperatively, 11 flow-through DLCFA perforator flaps were resected to repair 11 type Ⅱ wrist wounds, 13 lobed DLCFA perforator flaps were resected to repair 9 type Ⅱ and 4 type Ⅲ wrist wounds, 16 chimeric DLCFA perforator flaps were resected to repair 16 type Ⅱ wrist wounds, 11 flow-through-lobed DLCFA perforator flaps were resected to repair 5 type Ⅱ and 6 type Ⅲ wrist wounds, 10 lobed-chimeric DLCFA perforator flaps were resected to repair 5 type Ⅱ and 5 type Ⅲ wrist wounds, 6 flow-through-chimeric DLCFA perforator flaps were resected to repair 6 type Ⅱ wrist wounds, 7 flow-through-lobed-chimeric DLCFA perforator flaps were resected to repair 7 type Ⅲ wrist wounds, and 5 flow-through-chimeric DLCFA perforator flaps combined with tensor fascia lata myocutaneous flaps were resected to repair 5 type Ⅲ wrist wounds. Seventy-four patients had their donor site wounds closed by direct suturing, while 5 patients had their donor site wounds closed by skin grafting. Postoperatively, the flaps in 3 patients developed vascular crisis, including 1 case of arterial crisis and 2 cases of venous crises but survived after emergency vascular exploration and other treatments; the remaining flaps survived completely. Postoperatively, 3 patients had seepage beneath their flaps, which were closed after dressing changes; the remaining patients' wounds or suture sites all healed. Anteriography showed that all reconstructed arteries in 35 patients who underwent flow-through flap transplantation were patent postoperatively. During the follow-up period of 3 months to 1 year, 20 patients had bloated flap, while the rest had good flap appearance; linear scars were left in the donor sites that underwent direct wound closure, and the skin-grafted areas of the donor site wounds showed no significant patchy hypertrophic scarring; no thigh muscle herniation occurred.Conclusions:Taking the full advantage of perforator flaps, various special forms of the DLCFA perforator flaps are used to repair the three-dimensionally injury wounds caused by high-voltage electrical burns on the wrist, which not only minimizes the damage to the donor site but also allow the recipient site to be well repaired, showing good appearance in the recent follow-up.

Objective: To retrospectively compare the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with parotidectomy for superficial pleomorphic adenoma (PA). Materials and Methods: From March 2022 to October 2023, 88 patients diagnosed with superficial parotid PA underwent either RFA (n = 12; mean age, 47.1 years) or parotidectomy (n = 76; mean age, 47.8 years). Patients in the RFA group were matched to those in the surgery group in a 1:1 ratio using propensity scores based on age, sex, tumor volume, diameter, location, and comorbidities. Ultrasound characteristics, cosmetic scores (0–4), numerical rating scale scores (0–10), and complications were assessed before the procedures and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. Outcomes were compared between baseline and follow-up in the RFA group and between the RFA and surgery groups. Results: In the RFA group, significant reductions in tumor volume were observed between baseline (median, 2.02 cm 3 ) and the 1-month follow-up (median, 1.21 cm 3 ; P = 0.015), between the 1-month and 3-month follow-ups (median, 0.53 cm 3 ; P= 0.002), and between the 3- and 6-month follow-ups (median, 0.23 cm 3 ; P = 0.003). The volume reduction ratios at 1, 3, and 6 months were 39.7%, 79.9%, and 88.0%, respectively. The cosmetic score was significantly lower at 3- and 6-month followup compared to baseline (median 1 and 1 vs. 4, P = 0.04). The numerical rating scale scores did not differ significantly from baseline throughout follow-up. In the propensity score-matched analysis (12 patients per group), RFA was associated with a shorter median procedure time (61.5 vs. 253.3 minutes; P < 0.001), shorter hospital stay (0 vs. 4 days; P < 0.001), and lower cost (1859.9 vs. 3512.4 USD; P < 0.001) than parotidectomy, with no significant difference in overall complication rates (33.3% [4/12] vs. 41.7% [5/12]; P = 1.000). Conclusion RFA may be a safe and effective alternative to surgery for superficial parotid PA, offering a shorter median procedure time, shorter hospital stay, and lower costs.

Objective: To retrospectively compare the safety and efficacy of ultrasound-guided radiofrequency ablation (RFA) with parotidectomy for superficial pleomorphic adenoma (PA). Materials and Methods: From March 2022 to October 2023, 88 patients diagnosed with superficial parotid PA underwent either RFA (n = 12; mean age, 47.1 years) or parotidectomy (n = 76; mean age, 47.8 years). Patients in the RFA group were matched to those in the surgery group in a 1:1 ratio using propensity scores based on age, sex, tumor volume, diameter, location, and comorbidities. Ultrasound characteristics, cosmetic scores (0–4), numerical rating scale scores (0–10), and complications were assessed before the procedures and at 1-, 3-, and 6-month follow-ups. Outcomes were compared between baseline and follow-up in the RFA group and between the RFA and surgery groups. Results: In the RFA group, significant reductions in tumor volume were observed between baseline (median, 2.02 cm 3 ) and the 1-month follow-up (median, 1.21 cm 3 ; P = 0.015), between the 1-month and 3-month follow-ups (median, 0.53 cm 3 ; P= 0.002), and between the 3- and 6-month follow-ups (median, 0.23 cm 3 ; P = 0.003). The volume reduction ratios at 1, 3, and 6 months were 39.7%, 79.9%, and 88.0%, respectively. The cosmetic score was significantly lower at 3- and 6-month followup compared to baseline (median 1 and 1 vs. 4, P = 0.04). The numerical rating scale scores did not differ significantly from baseline throughout follow-up. In the propensity score-matched analysis (12 patients per group), RFA was associated with a shorter median procedure time (61.5 vs. 253.3 minutes; P < 0.001), shorter hospital stay (0 vs. 4 days; P < 0.001), and lower cost (1859.9 vs. 3512.4 USD; P < 0.001) than parotidectomy, with no significant difference in overall complication rates (33.3% [4/12] vs. 41.7% [5/12]; P = 1.000). Conclusion RFA may be a safe and effective alternative to surgery for superficial parotid PA, offering a shorter median procedure time, shorter hospital stay, and lower costs.