There are various etiologies for extrahepatic bile duct stenosis， and pharmacotherapy and endoscopic intervention can achieve a good clinical effect in benign stenosis. Early diagnosis and timely surgical treatment of malignant stenosis may prolong the survival time of patients. However， there are still difficulties in the differential diagnosis of malignant bile duct stenosis. This article reviews the application of serology， radiology， endoscopic techniques， and artificial intelligence in the differential diagnosis of malignant bile duct stenosis， so as to provide strategies and references for formulating clinical diagnosis and treatment regimens.

Objective To analyze the survival status of inpatients with cervical cancer registered in Nantong admitted in Nantong Cancer Hospital from 2002 to 2017. Methods Inpatients with cervical cancer in Nantong Cancer Hospital were followed up from 2017 until December 31, 2020 using active and passive methods to determine their survival outcome. The rate of follow-up loss was statistically analyzed by Chi-square test, the observed survival rate for each year was calculated using the life table, the survival curve was drawn with R language, and the survival rates of patients in different age groups and from different regions were compared with log-rank test (Mantel-Cox). Results A total of 5645 cervical cancer cases were registered. Among them, the survival outcome was recorded for 5512 cases. The success rate of follow-up was 97.64%, and the loss of follow-up rate was 2.36%. The average age of onset was 56.67±12.78 years. The median survival time was 6.54 years, and the 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year observed survival rates were 91.50%, 76.95%, 60.99%, and 28.51%, respectively. Among the age groups, significant differences in survival rate were observed between the 15- and 60-year-old groups (χ²=7.469, P=0.006) and between the 15- and 80-year-old groups (χ²=36.317, P < 0.001). No significant difference in survival rate was found between patients from Haimen and Qidong (χ²=2.779, P=0.095) and between patients from Qidong and Tongzhou (χ²=0.515, P=0.473). Significant difference in survival rate was observed among other regions (P < 0.05). Conclusion In this study group, the survival rates of hospital-based patients with cervical cancer significantly differ among the age groups and regions of origin and significantly decreased with age. The high follow-up rate fully reflects the comprehensive effect of the treatment in Nantong Cancer Hospital for registered patients with cervical cancer in Nantong.

[Purpose]To analyze the incidence and mortality trends,and survival of gallbladder cancer in Nantong City of Jiangsu Province from 2013 to 2017.[Methods]The gallbladder cancer incidence and mortality data from 2013 to 2017 were collected from Nantong cancer registries.The crude incidence/mortality rates,age-standardized incidence/mortality rates by Chinese and world standard population(ASIRC/ASMRC,ASIRW/ASMRW)were calculated by sex,age and regions(urban and rural).Joinpoint software was used to analyze the incidence and mortality trends of gallbladder cancer.The observed survival rate and relative survival rate were calculated by using life table method and Ederer Ⅱ method.[Results]From 2013 to 2017,the gallbladder cancer crude incidence and mortality rates were 6.36/105 and 4.91/105,ASIRC and ASMRC were 2.62/105 and 1.94/105,respectively.The crude incidence and mortality,and ASMRC showed an upwards trend(all P＜0.05).The ASIRC for men and women was 2.43/105 and 2.83/105,the ASMRC for men and women was 1.74/105 and 2.16/105,respectively.ASIRC and ASMRC in women were higher than those in men.The ASIRC in urban and rural areas was 2.40/105 and 2.69/105,and the ASMRC was 1.61/105 and 2.05/105,respectively.ASIRC and ASMRC in rural areas were higher than those in urban areas.The average age of onset was 70.33 years old and the average age of death was 71.86 years old.The 5-year observed survival rate was 12.90％,and the 5-year relative survival rate was 14.47％.Both the 5-year observed survival rate and relative survival rate showed an upwards trend(both P＜0.05).[Conclusion]The incidence and mortality rates of gall-bladder cancer in Nantong City are relatively high and the survival rate is generally low.It is sug-gested that targeted prevention and control measures of gallbladder cancer in Nantong City should be strengthened,particularly in rural areas and for middle-aged and elderly women.

Objective To investigate the correlation of human epididymis protein 4(HE4)with proteinuria in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 147 T2DM patients from January 2020 to July 2023 in Jiujiang NO.l People's Hospital were enrolled in observation group.According to the severity of proteinuria,observation group was divided into three groups:Normal albuminuria group(101 cases),microalbuminuria group(25 cases),and massive albuminuria group(21 cases).50 healthy examinees with gender and age matching during the same period were selected as control group.HE4 levels and clinical indicators in each group were compared and analyzed.Correlation between HE4 and proteinuria was analyzed by using univariate and multivariate linear regression.Results The correlation network diagram reveals that HE4 functions was a pivotal node linking serum albumin,urinary microalbumin,urinary microalbumin-to-creatinine ratio(UACR),and renal function biomarkers.Compared to control group,HE4 levels significantly elevated in observation group(P＜0.01).Both univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis demonstrate a positive correlation between HE4 and UACR.Logistic regression analysis shew that after adjusting for confounding factors including age,gender,estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),albumin(ALB),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(SCr),uric acid(UA),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)etc.elevated HE4 levels was a risk factor for proteinuria(OR=1.110,95％CI:1.005-1.226).Conclusion Elevated HE4 levels in patients with T2DM is positivly correlated with UACR.Increase its level increases the risk of proteinuria in T2DM patients.

Objective To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture pretreatment(EP)for relieving post-stroke spasticity in rats.Methods Eighteen rats were randomized equally into sham-operated group,middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)group,and MCAO+EP group.In MCAO+EP group,the rats received electroacupuncture at the acupoints Qubin and Baihui for 3 consecutive days prior to MCAO.Neurological deficits and cognitive function of the rats were evaluated,and pathologies in the hippocampus were examined using HE,Nissl,and TUNEL staining.The expressions of IL-4,IL-6,TNF-α,and TMAO in the brain tissues were detected with ELISA,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of NF-κB p65,NLRP3,caspase-3,and caspase-9 were determined with qRT-PCR,Western blotting,and immunohistochemistry.Results The rats receiving MCAO had significantly increased neurological deficit scores and showed increased muscle tension,number of apoptotic neurons,and expressions of IL-6,TNF-α,NF-κB p65,NLRP3,caspase-3 and caspase-9 in the hippocampus and significantly reduced length of time for new object recognition.Microscopically,the cells in the hippocampus of the MCAO rats showed uneven and loosened arrangement and unclear cell boundaries.In contrast,the rats in I/R+EP group showed significantly lowered neurological deficit scores and dystonia rating scores,reduced cell apoptosis,lowered hippocampal expressions of IL-6,TNF-α,caspase-3,caspase-9,and NF-κB p65,increased time for new object recognition,tightly arranged and uniformly stained hippocampal cells with clear boundaries,with also an increased number of active neurons and enhanced expression of IL-4 in the hippocampus.Conclusion EP alleviates post-stroke spasticity in rats by inhibiting inflammatory responses and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis mediated by the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture pretreatment(EP)for relieving post-stroke spasticity in rats.Methods Eighteen rats were randomized equally into sham-operated group,middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)group,and MCAO+EP group.In MCAO+EP group,the rats received electroacupuncture at the acupoints Qubin and Baihui for 3 consecutive days prior to MCAO.Neurological deficits and cognitive function of the rats were evaluated,and pathologies in the hippocampus were examined using HE,Nissl,and TUNEL staining.The expressions of IL-4,IL-6,TNF-α,and TMAO in the brain tissues were detected with ELISA,and the mRNA and protein expression levels of NF-κB p65,NLRP3,caspase-3,and caspase-9 were determined with qRT-PCR,Western blotting,and immunohistochemistry.Results The rats receiving MCAO had significantly increased neurological deficit scores and showed increased muscle tension,number of apoptotic neurons,and expressions of IL-6,TNF-α,NF-κB p65,NLRP3,caspase-3 and caspase-9 in the hippocampus and significantly reduced length of time for new object recognition.Microscopically,the cells in the hippocampus of the MCAO rats showed uneven and loosened arrangement and unclear cell boundaries.In contrast,the rats in I/R+EP group showed significantly lowered neurological deficit scores and dystonia rating scores,reduced cell apoptosis,lowered hippocampal expressions of IL-6,TNF-α,caspase-3,caspase-9,and NF-κB p65,increased time for new object recognition,tightly arranged and uniformly stained hippocampal cells with clear boundaries,with also an increased number of active neurons and enhanced expression of IL-4 in the hippocampus.Conclusion EP alleviates post-stroke spasticity in rats by inhibiting inflammatory responses and hippocampal neuronal apoptosis mediated by the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Poly(dimethyl siloxane)(PDMS)is suitable for the fabrication of space cell culture chips.It is necessary to perform highly stable hydrophilic modification to promote cell adhesion on PDMS surface.We modified PDMS surface by oxygen plasma treatment combining with physical adsorption in this article.PDMS,which was treated with oxygen plasma and sequentially coated with Poly-L-lysine or collagen(PLL-ox-PDMS,COL-ox-PDMS)with various solution concentration and kept in different environmental conditions,were characterized by contact angle and surface energy measurements,and atomic force microscopy(AFM).Cell growth conditions on bare PDMS and modified PDMS were compared,and the numbers of live cells cultured for 1-3 days were evaluated.Experimental results indicate that higher solution concentration and low storage temperature benefit the hydrophilicity stability.The contact angles of PLL-ox-PDMS stored in 4℃and COL-ox-PDMS were close to 60°and 65°on day 25 and 14,respectively.Both modified PDMS surfaces are suitable for cell adhesion and proliferation,and no cell layer falls offin 10 days.The modification method is especially suitable for applications such as medium and long term space cell culture.

Chronic inflammation is critical in the onset and progression of atherosclerosis (AS). The lipopolysaccharide (LPS) level in the circulation system is elevated in AS patients and animal models, which is correlated with the severity of AS. Inspired by the underlying mechanism that LPS could drive the polarization of macrophages toward the M1 phenotype, aggravate inflammation, and ultimately contribute to the exacerbation of AS, LPS in the circulation system was supposed to be the therapeutic target for AS treatment. In the present study, polymyxin (PMB) covalently conjugated to PEGylated liposomes (PLPs) were formulated to adsorb LPS through specific interactions between PMB and LPS. In vitro, the experiments demonstrated that PLPs could adsorb LPS, reduce the polarization of macrophages to M1 phenotype and inhibit the formation of foam cells. In vivo, the study revealed that PLPs treatment reduced the serum levels of LPS and pro-inflammatory cytokines, decreased the proportion of M1-type macrophages in AS plaque, stabilized AS plaque, and downsized the plaque burdens in arteries, which eventually attenuated the progression of AS. Our study highlighted LPS in the circulation system as the therapeutic target for AS and provided an alternative strategy for AS treatment.

Objective To explore the effect of OASL expression on the proliferation and migration of pancreatic cancer cells. Methods The GEPIA database was used to analyze the differences in OASL expression in pancreatic cancer tissues and normal pancreatic tissues. The TIMER database was used to analyze the relationship between OASL expression and patient survival. The TCGA database was used to analyze the correlation of OASL expression with the clinicopathological parameters of pancreatic cancer. shRNA was used to knock down the expression of OASL gene in pancreatic cancer panc-1 cells. Lentiviruses were used to overexpress the OASL gene in pancreatic cancer cells. MTT assay was used to evaluate their proliferation ability, and scratch and Transwell experiments were used to evaluate their migration ability. Western blot experiments were used to detect changes in proteins related to tumor proliferation, migration, and invasion. Results OASL expression in the pancreatic cancer group was significantly higher than that in normal pancreatic tissue (P < 0.05), and patients with high OASL expression in pancreatic cancer patients had worse OS than patients with low expression (P < 0.05). After OASL gene knockdown, the proliferation and migration abilities of panc-1 cells were inhibited, whereas the overexpression of OASL gene promoted the proliferation and migration ability of panc-1 cells. Western blot experiments showed that after OASL knockdown, p-STAT3 protein expression increased, whereas STAT3 and BAK protein expressions decreased. After OASL overexpression, p-STAT3 protein expression decreased, and STAT3 and BAK protein expression increased. Conclusion OASL may affect the proliferation and migration of pancreatic cancer cells through the STAT3 signaling pathway while affecting BAK expression to induce cell death.