Lung cancer is the most common malignant tumor worldwide, ranking first in both incidence and mortality rates. According to the latest statistics from the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), approximately 2.5 million new cases and around 1.8 million deaths from lung cancer occurred in 2022, placing a tremendous burden on global healthcare systems. The high mortality rate of lung cancer is closely linked to its subtle early symptoms, which often lead to diagnosis at advanced stages. This not only complicates treatment but also results in substantial economic losses. Current treatment options for lung cancer include surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, and immunotherapy. Among these, immunotherapy has emerged as the most groundbreaking advancement in recent years, owing to its unique antitumor mechanisms and impressive clinical benefits. Unlike traditional therapies such as radiotherapy and chemotherapy, immunotherapy activates or enhances the patient’s immune system to recognize and eliminate tumor cells. It offers advantages such as more durable therapeutic effects and relatively fewer toxic side effects. The main approaches to lung cancer immunotherapy include immune checkpoint inhibitors, tumor-specific antigen-targeted therapies, adoptive cell therapies, cancer vaccines, and oncolytic virus therapies. Among these, immune checkpoint inhibitors and tumor-specific antigen-targeted therapies have received approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for clinical use in lung cancer, significantly improving outcomes for patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer. Although other immunotherapy strategies are still in clinical trials, they show great potential in improving treatment precision and efficacy. This article systematically reviews the latest research progress in lung cancer immunotherapy, including the development of novel immune checkpoint molecules, optimization of treatment strategies, identification of predictive biomarkers, and findings from recent clinical trials. It also discusses the current challenges in the field and outlines future directions, such as the development of next-generation immunotherapeutic agents, exploration of more effective combination regimens, and the establishment of precise efficacy prediction systems. The aim is to provide a valuable reference for the continued advancement of lung cancer immunotherapy.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a life-threatening gastrointestinal disorder for which no effective pharmacological treatments are currently available. One of the pharmacological targets that merits further research is the neurokinin 1 receptor (NK1R), which is found on pancreatic acinar cells and responds to the neuropeptide substance P (SP) that participates in AP. Although a few studies have stated the involvement of SP/NK1R in neurogenic inflammation in AP development, the regulatory mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we found that following activation of NK1R by SP, β-arrestin1, a scaffold protein of NK1R, down-regulated transcription of Adss, Adsl, and Ampd in the purine nucleotide cycle, thereby inhibiting mitochondrial function through fumarate depletion. Interestingly, we identified magnolol as a new and natural NK1R inhibitor with a non-nitrogenous biphenyl core structure. It exhibited a beneficial effect on AP by restoring purine nucleotide cycle metabolic enzymes and fumarate levels. Our study not only provides new therapeutic strategies, leading compounds, and drug translation possibilities for AP, but also provides important clues for the study of downstream mechanisms driven by SP in other diseases.

Objective To develop and validate a predictive model for autologous arteriovenous fistula(AVF)maturation in hemodialysis patients using conventional ultrasonography and three-dimensional speckle tracking imaging.Methods This case-control study enrolled 200 AVF patients from Chongqing Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July 2021 to June 2024.Clinical data,vascular ultrasound,and cardiac ultrasound parameters were systematically collected.After applying predefined inclusion criteria,186 patients were stratified into 2 cohorts based on arteriovenous fistula(AVF)maturation status:the spontaneous maturation group(n=111)and the assisted maturation requirement group(n=75).Comparative analysis between the 2 cohorts was conducted using univariate and multivariate logistic regression for variable selection,leading to the construction of a predictive model(model1)for spontaneous AVF maturation.A nomogram was subsequently developed based on model1.Internal validation was performed through 1 000 bootstrap resamples with calibration curve analysis.Model discrimination was quantified by the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC),while clinical utility was assessed via decision curve analysis(DCA).After excluding 104 patients lacking three-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography data,the remaining 82 subjects were included in novel predictive model development.Three strain parameters,two-dimensional global longitudinal strain(2DGLS),three-dimensional global longitudinal strain(3DGLS),and three-dimensional left ventricular ejection fraction(3DEF),were independently incorporated into multivariable logistic regression analyses to establish three distinct models(designated as model2,model3 and model4 respectively).Model comparisons employed AUC,net reclassification improvement(NRI),and integrated discrimination improvement(IDI).Results Independent predictors for model1 included:2DEF(OR=1.133,95%CI:1.058～1.213),mid-cephalic vein depth(OR=1.453,95%CI:1.068～1.978),distal cephalic vein diameter(OR=2.141,95%CI:1.120～4.091),post-occlusive brachial artery resistance index(OR=0.004,95%CI:0.000～0.140),and postoperative brachial flow(OR=1.004,95%CI:1.002～1.007).model1 demonstrated excellent discrimination(AUC=0.869,95%CI:0.817～0.921)and calibration(mean absolute error=0.017).DCA showed superior net benefit at 0.1～1.0 threshold probabilities.Compared with model1,non-significant improvements in AUC and IDI,while model4 achieved significant NRI improvements(P<0.05).Conclusion The prediction performance of AVF natural maturity prediction models constructed with 2DGLS,3DGLS,3DEF,or 2DEF is relatively high;The NRI of the model involving 3DEF is better than that of the model involving 2DEF,indicating that it may have better clinical application value within a specific threshold probability range.

Humans ; Vascular Stiffness ; Coal Mining ; Occupational Diseases/epidemiology* ; Risk Factors ; Coal ; Miners

Aim To investigate the effects of 2-dode-cyl-6-methoxycyclohexa-2 , 5-diene-l, 4-dione ( DM-DD) on resisting hepatic fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride ( CC14 ) in rats and the underlying mechanisms , with a specific focus on the TGF-pi/Smads signaling pathway. Methods The hepatic fibrosis model was replicated using 50% CC14. Various parameters, including levels of aspartate transferase ( AST) , ala-nine transferase ( ALT ) , albumin/globulin ( A/G ) , total protein (TP) , total bilirubin (T-BIL) , hyaluron-ic acid ( HA ) , laminin ( LN ) , collagen type Ж ( Col Ж) , and collagen type IV(ColIV) in the blood, were measured. Liver tissue lesions and fiber formation were observed using HE and Masson staining. The expression levels of a smooth muscle actin (a-SMA) , collagen type I ( Col I ) , transformed growth factor (TGF-pi), Smad2, and Smad7 proteins were assessed using immunohistochemistry. a-SMA, Coll, TGF-pi, and Smad7 mRNA levels in liver tissue were measured by RT-PCR. Additionally, the expression levels of TGF-pi, Smad4, and Smad7 proteins in liver tissue were determined by Western blot. Results In comparison to the normal control group, the model group exhibited significantly elevated levels of AST, ALT, TP, T-BIL, HA, LN, Col Ш and Col IV in serum. But A/G level notably decreased. Successful modeling was confirmed by the presence of extensive fiber formations observed through HE and Massonstaining in liver tissue. The DMDD administration group demonstrated a notable decrease levels of AST, ALT, TP, T-BIL, HA, LN, Col III, and CollV, but A/G was significantly elevated when compared to the model group. Furthermore, a-SMA, Coll, TGF-f31, Smad2 and Smad4 mRNA and protein levels in the DMDD administration group were significantly reduced, while Smad7 significantly declined. HE and Masson staining results reflected a marked reduction in fibrous hyper-plasia. Conclusion DMDD exhibits a protective effect against CCl4-induced hepatic fibrosis, and its mechanism appears to be associated with the TGF-fJl/ Smads signaling pathway.

Background: Genetic defects in the human thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor (TSHR) gene can cause congenital hypothyroidism (CH). However, the biological functions and comprehensive genotype–phenotype relationships for most TSHR variants associated with CH remain unexplored. We aimed to identify TSHR variants in Chinese patients with CH, analyze the functions of the variants, and explore the relationships between TSHR genotypes and clinical phenotypes. Methods: In total, 367 patients with CH were recruited for TSHR variant screening using whole-exome sequencing. The effects of the variants were evaluated by in-silico programs such as SIFT and polyphen2. Furthermore, these variants were transfected into 293T cells to detect their Gs/cyclic AMP and Gq/11 signaling activity. Results: Among the 367 patients with CH, 17 TSHR variants, including three novel variants, were identified in 45 patients, and 18 patients carried biallelic TSHR variants. In vitro experiments showed that 10 variants were associated with Gs/cyclic AMP and Gq/11 signaling pathway impairment to varying degrees. Patients with TSHR biallelic variants had lower serum TSH levels and higher free triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels at diagnosis than those with DUOX2 biallelic variants. Conclusions We found a high frequency of TSHR variants in Chinese patients with CH (12.3%), and 4.9% of cases were caused by TSHR biallelic variants. Ten variants were identified as loss-of-function variants. The data suggest that the clinical phenotype of CH patients caused by TSHR biallelic variants is relatively mild. Our study expands the TSHR variant spectrum and provides further evidence for the elucidation of the genetic etiology of CH.

Following the principles of evidence-based medicine,in accordance with the structure and drafting rules of standardized documents,based on literature research,according to the characteristics of chronic cough in children and issues that need to form a consensus,the TCM Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Cough in Children was formulated based on the Delphi method,expert discussion meetings,and public solicitation of opinions.The guideline includes scope of application,terms and definitions,eti-ology and diagnosis,auxiliary examination,treatment,prevention and care.The aim is to clarify the optimal treatment plan of Chinese medicine in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease,and to provide guidance for improving the clinical diagnosis and treatment of chronic cough in children with Chinese medicine.

Objective:To summarize and analyze the composition characteristics and problems of basic medical insurance policies for traditional Chinese medicine in various provinces of China,providing reference for optimizing and improving subsequent basic medical insurance policies for traditional Chinese medicine.Methods:Based on the perspective of policy instrument,combined with two dimensions of policy instrument types and policy development process,the content analysis method is used to quantitatively analyze the content of the basic medical insurance policies for traditional Chinese medicine released at the provincial level from 2011 to 2023.Results:The 93 included policy documents were coded and sorted,with a cumulative total of 487 codes.From the perspective of policy instrument dimensions,subcategories of policy instruments involve diverse themes,but there are differences in the level of attention paid to each policy tool.From the perspective of policy development process,each link also presents a discrete trend,indicating a dominant feature of policy planning and implementation.Conclusion:To improve the basic medical insurance policy system of traditional Chinese medicine in China,it is necessary to optimize the combination of policy instrument and construct a coordinated and balanced policy instrument framework;Overall planning of the development process of traditional Chinese medicine medical insurance policies,highlighting the unique advantages of traditional Chinese medicine;Emphasize policy synergy between dimensions and strengthen the implementation of traditional Chinese medicine medical insurance policies.

Objective To establish a high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC)aging characteristic chromatogram of Guangdong Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium.Methods HPLC-diode array detector(DAD)was used to analyze the composition differences between different years of Guangdong Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium,and the relative peak area of each differential chromatographic peak was determined.The aging grade was classified by cluster analysis,and evaluated by the similarity evaluation system for chromatographic fingerprint of TCM(2012A edition).Results The different years of Guangdong Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium was clustered into two different aging grades of classⅠ and class Ⅱ.The similarity of class Ⅰ(low aging grade)Guangdong Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium was 0.708-0.957,and the similarity of class Ⅱ(high aging grade)Guangdong Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium was 0.734-0.976,and the similarity between the two was lower than 0.6.There were 9 different chromatographic peaks in the established characteristic chromatogram.The control characteristic spectrum T2 of typeⅡ Guangdong Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium can be regarded as its aging characteristic spectrum,among which peaks 1-4 and 9 are aging characteristic peaks.Conclusion The established aging characteristic chromatogram of Guangdong Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium is simple in operation,with good repeatability and reliability,and can be used for quality evaluation of different years of Guangdong Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium.