Objective:To investigate the survival outcomes and prognostic factors in patients undergoing radical resection for pancreatic body and tail cancer.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted on 992 patients who underwent radical resection for pancreatic body and tail cancer at the Pancreatic Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2016 to June 2024. In this study, 577 (58.2%) were male and 415 (41.8%) were female,with an age of (65±9) years (range: 26 to 86 years). Follow-up continued until June 2024. Survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method,and prognostic factors were identified using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.Results:Among 992 patients,open surgery was the predominant approach (89.1%, 884/992), and radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS) was performed in 317 patients (32.0%). Combined organ resection,venous resection,and arterial resection were performed in 23.5%, 9.3%,and 11.2% of patients,respectively. The rates of R0, R1-1 mm, and R1-direct resections were 49.8% (494/992),41.5% (412/992), and 8.7% (86/992),respectively. Stage ⅡB was the most common TNM stage (32.2%,319/992). A total of 801 patients (80.8%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. The median follow-up period was 32.0(8.8) months(range:3.2 to 105.3 months),during which 508 patients (51.2%) died. The overall median survival (OS) was 26.4 months,with 1-,3-, and 5-year survival rates of 79.0%,40.0%, and 29.0%, respectively. In the recent five years (from 2020 to 2024), the median OS improved significantly to 34.1 months compared to 20.0 months from 2016 to 2019 ( P<0.01). Histological subtype analysis showed that the median OS time was 26.7 months for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC, n=855),58.9 months for invasive intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma (IPMC, n=32),and 15.7 months for adenosquamous carcinoma of pancreas (ASCP, n=73) ( P=0.001). Among PDAC patients, adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved survival (29.1 months vs. 14.4 months, P<0.01);in IPMC patients, adjuvant chemotherapy also extended survival (65.7 months vs. 58.9 months, P=0.047). Although ASCP patients receiving chemotherapy had a longer median OS time than those without (18.8 months vs. 8.9 months),the difference was not statistically significant ( P=0.151). Multivariate Cox regression analysis in PDAC patients indicated that adjuvant chemotherapy, R0 resection, T stage,N stage,and tumor differentiation were independent prognostic factors ( P<0.01). The median OS time by TNM stage was:not reached for stage ⅠA, 51.6 months for ⅠB, 25.5 months for ⅡA, 23.7 months for ⅡB, 23.0 months for Ⅲ, and 14.4 months for Ⅳ. The median OS time for R0,R1-1 mm,and R1-direct resections was 34.1,24.7,and 15.7 months,respectively ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Adjuvant chemotherapy,R0 resection,tumor stage,and differentiation are independent prognostic factors for pancreatic body and tail cancer.

Objective:To investigate the survival outcomes and prognostic factors in patients undergoing radical resection for pancreatic body and tail cancer.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted on 992 patients who underwent radical resection for pancreatic body and tail cancer at the Pancreatic Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2016 to June 2024. In this study, 577 (58.2%) were male and 415 (41.8%) were female,with an age of (65±9) years (range: 26 to 86 years). Follow-up continued until June 2024. Survival rates were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method,and prognostic factors were identified using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models.Results:Among 992 patients,open surgery was the predominant approach (89.1%, 884/992), and radical antegrade modular pancreatosplenectomy (RAMPS) was performed in 317 patients (32.0%). Combined organ resection,venous resection,and arterial resection were performed in 23.5%, 9.3%,and 11.2% of patients,respectively. The rates of R0, R1-1 mm, and R1-direct resections were 49.8% (494/992),41.5% (412/992), and 8.7% (86/992),respectively. Stage ⅡB was the most common TNM stage (32.2%,319/992). A total of 801 patients (80.8%) received adjuvant chemotherapy. The median follow-up period was 32.0(8.8) months(range:3.2 to 105.3 months),during which 508 patients (51.2%) died. The overall median survival (OS) was 26.4 months,with 1-,3-, and 5-year survival rates of 79.0%,40.0%, and 29.0%, respectively. In the recent five years (from 2020 to 2024), the median OS improved significantly to 34.1 months compared to 20.0 months from 2016 to 2019 ( P<0.01). Histological subtype analysis showed that the median OS time was 26.7 months for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC, n=855),58.9 months for invasive intraductal papillary mucinous carcinoma (IPMC, n=32),and 15.7 months for adenosquamous carcinoma of pancreas (ASCP, n=73) ( P=0.001). Among PDAC patients, adjuvant chemotherapy significantly improved survival (29.1 months vs. 14.4 months, P<0.01);in IPMC patients, adjuvant chemotherapy also extended survival (65.7 months vs. 58.9 months, P=0.047). Although ASCP patients receiving chemotherapy had a longer median OS time than those without (18.8 months vs. 8.9 months),the difference was not statistically significant ( P=0.151). Multivariate Cox regression analysis in PDAC patients indicated that adjuvant chemotherapy, R0 resection, T stage,N stage,and tumor differentiation were independent prognostic factors ( P<0.01). The median OS time by TNM stage was:not reached for stage ⅠA, 51.6 months for ⅠB, 25.5 months for ⅡA, 23.7 months for ⅡB, 23.0 months for Ⅲ, and 14.4 months for Ⅳ. The median OS time for R0,R1-1 mm,and R1-direct resections was 34.1,24.7,and 15.7 months,respectively ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Adjuvant chemotherapy,R0 resection,tumor stage,and differentiation are independent prognostic factors for pancreatic body and tail cancer.

Background/Aims: Acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is one of the most essential metabolites in cell metabolism but its function and concentration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain elusive and controversial. Methods: A comprehensive analysis of acetyl-CoA levels and acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) expression across a range of samples, including patient specimens from both hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive and HBV negative HCC individuals, HBV-transgenic mouse HCC models, and multiple cell lines. Furthermore, to evaluate the functional significance of ACSS2 in HBV-related HCC, we implemented both genetic and pharmacological inhibition strategies targeting ACSS2. Molecular mechanism and mitophagy assessment were revealed by cleavage under target and tagmentation sequencing, RNA sequencing, bioinformatic analyses, transmission electron microscopy and JC-1 staining. Results: Our study revealed a distinct metabolic signature of HBV-related HCC, marked by elevated acetyl-CoA, which was driven by ACSS2. ACSS2 was upregulated by the carbohydrate response element-binding protein in HBV-related HCC. Furthermore, ACSS2 improved tumor cell proliferation, an effect that was dependent on its enzymatic activity. Mechanistically, ACSS2-induced acetyl-CoA accumulation activated voltage-dependent anion channels 1 transcription through increased H3K27ac occupancy, which subsequently promoted mitophagy and HBV-related HCC tumorigenesis. Notably, targeting ACSS2 by depletion or inhibition with a catalytic inhibitor significantly suppressed tumor growth. Conclusions These findings not only illustrate the interplay between metabolic reprogramming, epigenetic modification, and tumorigenesis in the context of HBV infection, but also highlight ACSS2 as a novel metabolic vulnerability in HBV-related HCC. Therefore, targeting ACSS2 could be a novel strategy against HBV-related HCC.

Objective To explore the effect of job satisfaction on job burnout among administrative staff in public hospitals and to examine the mediating effect of career growth in this relationship. Methods A total of 384 administrative staff from 20 public hospitals in Tianjin City were recruited as participants using the convenience sampling method. Their job burnout, job satisfaction, and career growth were measured with the Maslach Burnout Inventory, Job Satisfaction Scale, and Career Growth Scale, respectively. A structural equation model was constructed using AMOS 23.0, and the mediating effect was examined with the Bootstrap method. Results The mean scores of job burnout, job satisfaction, and career growth among participants were (43.1±15.4), (14.4±5.7), and (8.3±4.2), respectively. The results of the mediating effect analysis showed that career growth played a significant mediating role between job satisfaction and job burnout among the public hospital administrative staff, with the mediating effect accounting for approximately 22.2% to 52.2% of the total effect. Conclusion Job satisfaction of public hospital administrative staff can directly affect their job burnout, and it can also influence job burnout through the mediating effect of career growth. Effective measures to improve job satisfaction and promote career growth may help alleviate job burnout among administrative staff in public hospitals.

OBJECTIVE To compare the efficacy and prognosis between dapagliflozin and empagliflozin in elderly patients with heart failure （HF） complicated by cardiac pacemaker implantation.METHODS The clinical data of 237 elderly patients with HF complicated by cardiac pacemaker implantation， who were admitted to the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanyang Medical College from July 1， 2023， to January 1， 2025， were retrospectively collected. According to medication use， the patients were divided into the control group （conventional therapy， n ＝90）， dapagliflozin group （conventional therapy plus dapagliflozin， n ＝77）， and empagliflozin group （conventional therapy plus empagliflozin， n ＝70）. Cardiac function and HF-related indicators were evaluated before treatment and after 6 months of treatment among the 3 groups. The incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events （MACE）， HF rehospitalization rate， and the occurance of adverse reaction were compared among the 3 groups.RESULTS After 6 months of treatment， compared with the same group before treatment， left ventricular ejection fraction was significantly increased， 6-minute walk distance was significantly prolonged， left ventricular end-diastolic diameter and left ventricular end-systolic diameter were significantly shortened， and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels were significantly decreased in all 3 groups （ P ＜0.05）. The improvements in most of the above indicators were greater in the dapagliflozin and empagliflozin groups than in the control group （ P ＜0.05）， and were all greater in the empagliflozin group than in the dapagliflozin group （ P ＜0.05）. The HF rehospitalization rate was significantly lower in both dapagliflozin and empagliflozin groups than in the control group （ P ＜0.05）， and was significantly lower in the empagliflozin group than in the dapagliflozin group （ P ＜0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of MACE among the 3 groups （ P ＞0.05）， although the incidence was numerically lower in the dapagliflozin and empagliflozin groups than in the control group. There was also no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions among the 3 groups （ P ＞0.05）.CONCLUSIONS Both dapagliflozin and empagliflozin can improve cardiac function and HF-related indicators and reduce the risk of HF rehospitalization in elderly patients with HF complicated by cardiac pacemaker implantation on the basis of conventional therapy， without increasing the risk of adverse reactions. Compared with dapagliflozin， empagliflozin shows more pronounced effects.

ObjectiveMethylthioadenosine phosphorylase (MTAP) is found to be frequently deleted in malignant cancers, but the role of MTAP underlying metastasis and stemness of liver cancer remains far from clear. 5-fluorouracil (5-Fu) is clinically used in treating advanced liver cancer, however, chemoresistance is one of the major barriers impeding its efficacy. Liver cancer stem cells are considered to be the reservoir for tumor progression and chemoresistance. This study aims to explore the role of MTAP in regulating stemness and chemoresistance of 5-Fu in liver cancer. It is designed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying MTAP-manipulated stemness. How MTAP influences metastasis and chemoresistance against 5-Fu in liver cancer is also elaborated. MethodsThe correlation of MTAP expression with stemness marker CD133 was evaluated by flow cytometry. Colony formation assays were conducted to analyze the tumorigenic ability. Western blot assays were applied to delineate the molecular mechanisms underlying MTAP-regulated stemness. Trans-well assays were conducted to analyze the metastatic potential of liver cancer cells.In vivo experiments were performed using subcutaneous xenograft and lung metastasis model on nude mice. Tumor size and weight were analyzed upon 5-Fu treatment. Metastatic nodules on lungs were evaluated. Immunohistochemical and TUNNEL assays were performed on slides obtained from tumor tissues. ResultsMTAP overexpression inhibited expression of CD133 and colony formation, which is further ablated by MTAP inhibitor. MTAP deprivation augmented stemness and colony formation, which is reversed by protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) overexpression but not its catalytically inactive counterparts. Critically, SRY-box transcription factor 2 (SOX2) was found to be a downstream regulator of MTAP/PRMT5, leading to stemness of liver cancer cells. MTAP overexpression suppressed SOX2 expression, while MTAP inhibition augmented expression of SOX2. Critically, MTAP overexpression inhibited migration and invasion of liver cancer cells. In vivo experiments in animal model found that MTAP deprivation promotes tumor growth and metastatic nodules of liver cancer. Additionally, MTAP overexpression inhibits tumor growth. Moreover, MTAP deprivation contributes to chemoresistance shown by increased tumor size and weight treated by 5-Fu. In contrast, MTAP overexpression led to further decline in tumor size and weight elicited by 5-Fu treatment. Accordingly, SOX2 was inhibited in tumor tissues after MTAP overexpression. Marker of proliferation Ki67 (Ki67) expression was dampened while apoptosis was found in MTAP-overexpressed tumor tissues. ConclusionIn this study, plethora of experimental studies collectively demonstrated that MTAP deprivation enhances stemness of liver cancer by regulating SOX2, exerting anti-cancer and chemoresistant role against 5-Fu in liver cancer. It is also worth noting that MTAP inhibition promoted metastasis of liver cancer. MTAP overexpression augmented tumor shrinking elicited by 5-Fu and SOX2 was involved in this process. These results concluded that MTAP/PRMT5/SOX2 signaling axis was involved in regulating stemness and chemoresistance of liver cancer. These findings help to exploit novel therapies by targeting stemness in MTAP-depleted liver cancer. It shed novel light on unveiling MTAP-regulated stemness in antagonizing 5-Fu treatment in liver cancer. It also adds mounting evidence to the theoretical basis for accomplishing personalized chemotherapy of liver cancer patients by targeting MTAP or its downstream PRMT5/SOX2.

A 72-year-old male patient presented with dry mouth and dry eyes, accompanied by decreased vision for more than 3 months, and the symptoms worsened over 5 weeks with parotid gland enlargement. PET/CT revealed increased metabolic activity in multiple nodules involving the lymph nodes, lacrimal glands, parotid glands, lungs, spleen, and muscles. Serum angiotensin-converting enzyme was significantly elevated. Biopsies of the parotid gland and lymph nodes revealed a large number of granulomatous lesions. The patient was given prednisone tablets combined with mycophenolate mofetil immunotherapy. Subsequently, the bilateral parotid gland swelling subsided, and the pulmonary patchy shadows, splenic nodules, and muscular nodules all either regressed or disappeared. A diagnosis of sarcoidosis involving multiple organs was established. However, during treatment, the pulmonary patchy shadows reappeared. After increasing the hormone dose, the pulmonary imaging manifestations again diminished or vanished, indicative of recurrent sarcoidosis. Therefore, atypical pulmonary manifestations of sarcoidosis may easily result in missed or incorrect diagnoses, emphasizing the importance of multisite histopathological biopsy. Besides, a favorable treatment response serves as additional supportive evidence for the diagnosis. Maintaining vigilance for disease recurrence is essential during hormone and immunosuppressive therapy.

The patient is a 63-year-old man with a history of chronic illness, presenting with intermittent low-grade fever, recurrent dry cough, and shortness of breath upon exertion. Lung CT showed a nodule in the left lung and a large mass in the right lung with liquefactive necrosis and an air-fluid level accompanied by pleural effusion. Laboratory findings showed significantly increasedf immunoglobulin G (IgG), IgG4, and total immunoglobulin E, along with a mild increase in eosinophils, and moderate elevations in erythrocyte sedimentation rate and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. Malignant tumors, immunological, and hematological diseases were ruled out. Various antibiotic treatments were ineffective and the condition was recurrent. Conventional methods failed to identify the pathogen. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) technology was used to detect Mycobacterium monacense from lung tissue. Targeted antibiotic treatment was effective with no further episodes of low-grade fever and alleviation of dry cough symptoms. This case underscores the clinical significance of mNGS technology for the diagnosis and treatment of unexplained pulmonary infections, providing a useful reference for clinical diagnostic and treatment.

Objective:To retrospectively analyse the clinical data of patients after NUSS procedure for pectus excavatum, and summary of surgical techniques for NUSS bar removal.Methods:Retrospectively collected the clinical data of 276 patients undergoing NUSS bar removal from January 2024 to September 2024 in Beijing Children's Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University. The age of the patients ranged from 6 to 20 years old, 211 males and 65 females. The average time the bar was in place in the body was 36 months.Results:All 276 patients successfully completed the NUSS bar removal. The average operative time was 22.6 min, with an average blood loss of 3.3 ml. 90 patients with bone scabs, 104 patients with wire breakage were successfully removed. 2 cases of postoperative wound infection, no other intraoperative and postoperative complications. The average hospitalization time after surgery was 1.2 days. Follow up for 3 months after surgery, and no abnormalities were found on the chest X-ray.Conclusion:Mastering the surgical techniques for pectus excavatum bar removal enhances the safety and efficiency of the procedure. It effectively reduces the incidence of intraoperative and postoperative complications, shortens operative time, and alleviates postoperative pain in patients.

Objective To investigate the predictive performance of serum soluble CD40 ligand(sCD40L),interleukin-17(IL-17)and neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs)in combination for intracranial aneurysm rupture.Methods A total of 120 patients with intracranial aneurysms admitted from January 2022 to January 2025 were selected and divided into low-risk group and medium-high-risk group according to different rupture risks.After propensity score matching with 1:1 ratio and caliper matching(caliper=0.02),there were 60 patients in each group.The general data and serum levels of sCD40 L,IL-17 and NETs were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of intracranial aneurysm rupture.The linear relationship between serum sCD40 L,IL-17,NETs and the risk of intracranial aneurysm rupture was analyzed by smoothing curve fitting.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,clinical impact curve(CIC)and clinical decision curve analysis(DCA)were used to evaluate the predictive performance of serum sCD40L,IL-17 and NETs for intracranial aneurysm rupture.Results The irregular shape of aneurysms,the proportion of the longest diameter of aneurysms≥7 mm and the levels of serum sCD40L,IL-17 and NETs in the low-risk group were lower than those in the medium-high-risk group(P<0.01).The shape of aneurysm,the longest diameter of aneurysm,sCD40L,IL-17 and NETs were the independent risk factors for intracranial aneurysm rupture(P<0.05).After adjusting for other covariates,serum sCD40L,IL-17 and NETs were positively correlated with the risk of intracranial aneurysm rupture(P<0.05).The ROC curve showed that the area under the curve of serum sCD40L,IL-17 and NETs in combination for predicting the risk of intracranial aneurysm rupture was the largest.The DCA and CIC showed that both the net benefit of the combined prediction model of serum sCD40L,IL-17 and NETs in predicting the risk of intracranial aneurysm rupture and the coincidence rate with the actual situation were relatively high.Conclusion The elevated levels of serum sCD40L,IL-17,and NETs in patients with intracranial aneurysms are associated with their rupture risk.The combination of the three indicators has a high predictive performance for the risk of intracranial aneurysm rupture.