Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

Colorectal tumorigenesis generally progresses from adenoma to adenocarcinoma, accompanied by dynamic changes in the tumor microenvironment (TME). A randomized controlled trial has confirmed the efficacy and safety of Shen-Bai-Jie-Du decoction (SBJDD) in preventing colorectal tumorigenesis. However, the mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to investigate the dynamic evolution of the TME and validated cell infiltration with multiplex immunohistochemistry and flow cytometry. Bulk RNA sequencing was utilized to assess the underlying mechanisms. Our results constructed the mutually verifiable single-cell transcriptomic atlases in Apc ^Min/+ mice and clinical patients. There was a marked accumulation of CCL22⁺ dendritic cells (DCs) and an enhanced immunosuppressive action, which SBJDD and berberine reversed. Combined treatment with cholesterol and lipopolysaccharide induced characteristic gene expression of CCL22⁺ DCs, which may represent "exhausted DCs". Intraperitoneal injection of these DCs after SBJDD treatment eliminated its therapeutic effects. TMEM131 derived CCL22⁺ DCs generation by TNF signaling pathway and may be a potential target of berberine in retarding colorectal tumorigenesis. These findings emphasize the role of exhausted DCs and the regulatory mechanisms of SBJDD and berberine in colorectal cancer (CRC), suggesting that the multi-component properties of SBJDD may help restore TME homeostasis and offer novel cancer therapy.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the expression of human leukocyte antigen class I(HLA-I)and programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1)with clinicopathological features and cellular immune infiltration.Methods A total of 150 patients with bladder cancer diagnosed and treated in Anhui Provincial Hospital from May 2020 to April 2023 were retrospectively selected as the study objects.The positive expression rates and positive scores of HLA-I and PD-L1 were compared between cancerous tissues and adjacent tissues.The positive scores of HLA-I and PD-L1 in cancer tissues of patients with different clinical characteristics were compared,and the correlation between HLA-I,PD-L1 and clinical characteristics of patients with bladder cancer was analyzed by Kendall's tau-b method.Logistic regression model was used to establish the combined model parameters of HLA-I and PD-L1 positive scores,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to analyze the HLA-I and PD-L1 positive scores and the area under the curve(AUC),sensitivity and specificity of the combined diagnosis of bladder cancer.Results The positive expression rate of HLA-I in cancer tissues was lower than that in paracancer tissues[38.67%(58/150)vs 81.33%(122/150)],while the positive expression rate of PD-L1 was higher than that in paracancer tissues[57.33%(86/150)vs 14.00%(21/150)],and the differences were statistically siginficant(χ2=56.889,61.377,all P<0.05).The HLA-I positive score of cancer tissues was lower than that of paracancer tissues[2.00(1.00,3.00)vs 3.00(3.00,5.00)],while the PD-L1 positive score was higher than that of paracancer tissues[3.00(2.00,5.00)vs 2.00(1.00,2.00)],and the fifferences were statistically significant(Z=-8.409,-6.346,all P<0.05).There was no significant difference in HLA-I and PD-L1 positive scores among different sex,age and tumor diameter(ZHLA-1=-1.834,-0.622,-0.543;ZPD-L1=0.811,0.812,0.919,all P＞0.05).The difference of HLA-I and PD-L1 positive scores among different pathological stages,lymph node metastasis,differentiation degree,CD4+,CD8+and CD68+were statistically significant(ZHLA-1=-7.034～3.814;ZPD-L1=-4.479～3.257,all P＜0.05).Kendall's tau-b correlation analysis showed that HLA-I was negatively correlated with pathological stage,lymph node metastasis,degree of differentiation,and positively correlated with negative infiltration of CD4+,CD8+and CD68+(r=-0.528～-0.286,all P<0.05).PD-L1 was positively correlated with pathological stage,lymph node metastasis,degree of differentiation and negatively correlated with negative infiltration of CD4+,CD8+and CD68+(r=-0.243～0.334,all P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the positive scores of HLA-I and PD-L1 and the AUC values of the combined diagnosis of bladder cancer were 0.773,0.702 and 0.856,respectively.Sensitivity was 61.30%,57.30%and 82.00%.The specificity was 81.30%,86.00%and 73.30%.Conclusion The expression of HLA-I and PD-L1 is abnormal in patients with bladder cancer,and their expression is affected by the positive infiltration of immune cells.Observing the positive expression of HLA-I and PD-L1 is beneficial to provide guidance for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (AB-BNCT) in the treatment of recurrent and refractory malignant tumors.Methods:The data of 14 patients admitted to Xiamen Humanity Hospital from September 2022 to April 2023 were prospectively collected, including 7 patients with primary brain malignancies and 7 patients with locally recurrent inoperable head and neck malignancies. All patients received intravenous infusion of boron drug (NBB-001, p-dihydroxyborylphe nylalanine, a patented freeze-dried formulation) at a total nominal dosage of 500 mg/kg (11 patients) or 750 mg/kg (3 patients), and were irradiated with neutrons (operating with NeuPex system). Adverse events after treatment were recorded and assessed. The primary efficacy endpoint was the 90 d objective response rate (ORR), while the secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and complete response rate (CRR). Data were compiled and analyzed by SAS 9.4 software. The rate and 95% CI were calculated using Clopper-Pearson method. Results:The median dose delivered to 80% of the target volume (D 80%) was 16.80 GyE (range: 8.93-23.79 GyE). The most common adverse reactions were hyperamylasemia, alopecia, and hyperprolactinemia. Five patients experienced 8 cases of grade 3 or above adverse events, including 1 case of grade 4 acute kidney injury and 7 cases of grade 3 adverse events. All adverse events were recovered after observation or treatment. At 90 d after treatment, the ORR of all patients was 9/14 (64%, 95% CI: 35%-87%), disease control rate (DCR) was 10/14 (71%, 95% CI: 42%-92%), CRR was 2/14 (14%, 95% CI: 2%-42%); and the best overall response during the entire course included an ORR of 10/14 (71% ,95% CI: 42%-92%), DCR of 13/14 (93%, 95% CI: 66%-100%), and CRR of 3/14 (21% ,95% CI: 5%-51%). The 1-year survival rate for head and neck malignancies was 71.4%, and the 2-year survival rate was 42.8%. The 1-year survival rate for recurrent brain malignancies was 42.8%. Conclusion:AB-BNCT demonstrates favorable safety and promising efficacy in treating primary brain malignancies and recurrent/refractory head and neck malignancies, representing a potential therapeutic option.

Objective:To explore the in vitro radiation levels and in vivo neutron activation after patients receiving boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Methods:Totally 29 BNCT treatments were performed for 21 patients with head and neck and brain cancer using the NeuPex accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (AB-BNCT) system in Xiamen Humanity Hospital from October, 2022 to April, 2024. The ambient dose equivalent rate around the patients was measured with an X/gamma dose rate survey meter. The gamma radiation dose rates were measured at 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 m from the irradiation position, at 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 m from the opposite side of the irradiation position, and at the navel and the affected knee, respectively. Meanwhile, a portable high-purity germanium gamma spectrometer was used to measure the spectrum of activated nuclides in the bodies of patients who had underwent the treatment, and the types of radionuclides generated by neutron activation during each BNCT treatment were analyzed.Results:The radionuclides 24Na, 38Cl, and 49Ca were mainly produced in the bodies of patients treated with BNCT. 20 minutes after BNCT treatment, the ambient dose equivalent rate at a distance of 1.0 m from the irradiation position was lower than 2.5 μSv/h. Conclusions:The dose delivered to the staff and family members by the patients undergoing BNCT is relatively low, and the resulting radiation risk is low. According to the ALARA principle, it is recommended that certain control actions be taken for patients having received BNCT treatment to minimize the exposure doses of both patients and staff as much as possible.

Objective To investigate the practical effects of pediatric rapid sequence intubation(RSI)nursing coordination training based on the LSPPDM(learn,see,practice,prove,do,maintain)framework in order to provide evidence for optimizing pediatric RSI nursing training programs.Methods Nurses from the intensive care unit(ICU)of Children's Hospital,Fudan University during Feb 2023 and Jan 2024 were divided into the experimental group(n=35)and the control group(n=35)by block randomization.The experimental group received LSPPDM framework-based training,while the control group underwent conventional training with theoretical lectures and procedural demonstrations.Outcomes included training satisfaction,theoretical knowledge and procedural skill assessment scores,team collaboration compliance and RSI procedure time were compared between the two groups.Results The experimental group demonstrated significantly higher training satisfaction(123.80±2.04 vs.117.26±9.82,P<0.05),superior post-training theoretical knowledge and procedural skills(P<0.05),enhanced team collaboration compliance(P<0.05),and shorter RSI completion time(P<0.05)compared with the control group.Conclusion Pediatric RSI nursing coordination training based on the LSPPDM framework can effectively increase training satisfaction,promote theoretical and procedural skills and reduce completion time in nurses.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the expression of human leukocyte antigen class I(HLA-I)and programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1)with clinicopathological features and cellular immune infiltration.Methods A total of 150 patients with bladder cancer diagnosed and treated in Anhui Provincial Hospital from May 2020 to April 2023 were retrospectively selected as the study objects.The positive expression rates and positive scores of HLA-I and PD-L1 were compared between cancerous tissues and adjacent tissues.The positive scores of HLA-I and PD-L1 in cancer tissues of patients with different clinical characteristics were compared,and the correlation between HLA-I,PD-L1 and clinical characteristics of patients with bladder cancer was analyzed by Kendall's tau-b method.Logistic regression model was used to establish the combined model parameters of HLA-I and PD-L1 positive scores,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to analyze the HLA-I and PD-L1 positive scores and the area under the curve(AUC),sensitivity and specificity of the combined diagnosis of bladder cancer.Results The positive expression rate of HLA-I in cancer tissues was lower than that in paracancer tissues[38.67%(58/150)vs 81.33%(122/150)],while the positive expression rate of PD-L1 was higher than that in paracancer tissues[57.33%(86/150)vs 14.00%(21/150)],and the differences were statistically siginficant(χ2=56.889,61.377,all P<0.05).The HLA-I positive score of cancer tissues was lower than that of paracancer tissues[2.00(1.00,3.00)vs 3.00(3.00,5.00)],while the PD-L1 positive score was higher than that of paracancer tissues[3.00(2.00,5.00)vs 2.00(1.00,2.00)],and the fifferences were statistically significant(Z=-8.409,-6.346,all P<0.05).There was no significant difference in HLA-I and PD-L1 positive scores among different sex,age and tumor diameter(ZHLA-1=-1.834,-0.622,-0.543;ZPD-L1=0.811,0.812,0.919,all P＞0.05).The difference of HLA-I and PD-L1 positive scores among different pathological stages,lymph node metastasis,differentiation degree,CD4+,CD8+and CD68+were statistically significant(ZHLA-1=-7.034～3.814;ZPD-L1=-4.479～3.257,all P＜0.05).Kendall's tau-b correlation analysis showed that HLA-I was negatively correlated with pathological stage,lymph node metastasis,degree of differentiation,and positively correlated with negative infiltration of CD4+,CD8+and CD68+(r=-0.528～-0.286,all P<0.05).PD-L1 was positively correlated with pathological stage,lymph node metastasis,degree of differentiation and negatively correlated with negative infiltration of CD4+,CD8+and CD68+(r=-0.243～0.334,all P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the positive scores of HLA-I and PD-L1 and the AUC values of the combined diagnosis of bladder cancer were 0.773,0.702 and 0.856,respectively.Sensitivity was 61.30%,57.30%and 82.00%.The specificity was 81.30%,86.00%and 73.30%.Conclusion The expression of HLA-I and PD-L1 is abnormal in patients with bladder cancer,and their expression is affected by the positive infiltration of immune cells.Observing the positive expression of HLA-I and PD-L1 is beneficial to provide guidance for clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To explore the in vitro radiation levels and in vivo neutron activation after patients receiving boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT). Methods:Totally 29 BNCT treatments were performed for 21 patients with head and neck and brain cancer using the NeuPex accelerator-based boron neutron capture therapy (AB-BNCT) system in Xiamen Humanity Hospital from October, 2022 to April, 2024. The ambient dose equivalent rate around the patients was measured with an X/gamma dose rate survey meter. The gamma radiation dose rates were measured at 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 m from the irradiation position, at 0, 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 m from the opposite side of the irradiation position, and at the navel and the affected knee, respectively. Meanwhile, a portable high-purity germanium gamma spectrometer was used to measure the spectrum of activated nuclides in the bodies of patients who had underwent the treatment, and the types of radionuclides generated by neutron activation during each BNCT treatment were analyzed.Results:The radionuclides 24Na, 38Cl, and 49Ca were mainly produced in the bodies of patients treated with BNCT. 20 minutes after BNCT treatment, the ambient dose equivalent rate at a distance of 1.0 m from the irradiation position was lower than 2.5 μSv/h. Conclusions:The dose delivered to the staff and family members by the patients undergoing BNCT is relatively low, and the resulting radiation risk is low. According to the ALARA principle, it is recommended that certain control actions be taken for patients having received BNCT treatment to minimize the exposure doses of both patients and staff as much as possible.