Objective To investigate the effects of Echinococcus multilocularis infection on levels of memory T (Tm) cells and their subsets in lymph nodes of mice at different stages of infection, so as to provide new insights into immunotherapy for alveolarechinococcosis. MethodsTwenty-four C57BL/6J mice aged 6 to 9 weeks were randomly divided into the infection group and the control group, of 12 mice in each group. Mice in the infection group were administered with 3 000 E. multilocularis protoscoleces via portal venous injection, while animals in the control group were administered with an equal volume of physiological saline. Three mice from each group were sacrificed 4, 12 weeks and 24 weeks post-infection, and lymph nodes were sampled and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE) to investigate the histopathological changes of mouse lymph nodes in the infection group. The expression and localization of T lymphocyte surface markers CD3, CD4, and CD8 were observed in mouse lymph nodes using immunohistochemical staining. In addition, lymphocyte suspensions were prepared from mouse lymph nodes in both groups at different time points post-infection, and the levels of Tm cell subsets and their secreted cytokines were detected using flow cytometry. Results HE staining showed diffuse structural alterations in the subcapsular cortical and paracortical regions of mouse lymph nodes in the infection group 4 weeks post-infection with E. multilocularis. Immunohistochemical staining detected CD3, CD4 and CD8 expression in mouse lymph nodes in both groups. Flow cytometry revealed higher proportions of CD4⁺ Tm cells [(55.3 ± 4.8)% vs. (38.8 ± 6.1)%; t = -4.259, P < 0.05] and CD4⁺ tissue-resident Tm (Trm) cells [(57.7 ± 3.7)% vs. (34.1 ± 11.2)%; t = -3.990, P < 0.05] in mouse lymph nodes in the infection group than in the control group 4 weeks post-infection, and higher proportions of CD4⁺ Tm cells [(34.6 ± 3.2)% vs. (23.3 ± 7.5)%; t = -2.764, P < 0.05] and CD4⁺ Trm cells [(44.0 ± 1.9)% vs. (31.2 ± 1.5)%; t = -4.039, P < 0.05] in mouse lymph nodes in the infection group than in the control group 24 weeks post-infection. The proportions of CD8⁺ Tm cells were higher in the infection group than in the control group 4 weeks [(56.8 ± 2.7)% vs. (43.9 ± 5.2)%; t = -4.416, P < 0.01] and 12 weeks post-infection [(25.4 ± 2.7)% vs. (12.0 ± 2.6)%; t = -2.552, P < 0.05], while the proportions of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α⁺ CD4⁺ T cells [(15.7 ± 5.0)% vs. (49.4 ± 6.4)%; t = 7.150, P < 0.01], TNF-α⁺CD8⁺ T cells [(20.7 ± 5.5)% vs. (57.5 ± 8.4)%; t = -6.694, P < 0.01], and TNF-α⁺ CD8⁺ Tm cells [7.0% (1.0%) vs. 31.0% (11.0%); Z = -2.236, P < 0.05] were lower in the infection group than in the control group 24 weeks post-infection. Conclusions Tm cells levels are consistently increased in lymph nodes of mice at different stages of E. multilocularis infection, with Trm cells as the predominantly elevated subset. The impaired capacity of CD8⁺ Tm cells to secrete the effector molecule TNF-α in mouse lymph nodes at the late-stage infection may facilitate chronic parasitism of E. multilocularis.

Despite therapy with potent antiviral agents, chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients remain at high risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). While metabolites have been rediscovered as active drivers of biological processes including carcinogenesis, the specific metabolites modulating HCC risk in CHB patients are largely unknown. Here, we demonstrate that baseline plasma from CHB patients who later developed HCC during follow-up exhibits growth-promoting properties in a case-control design nested within a large-scale, prospective cohort. Metabolomics analysis reveals a reduction in long-chain acylcarnitines (LCACs) in the baseline plasma of patients with HCC development. LCACs preferentially inhibit the proliferation of HCC cells in vitro at a physiological concentration and prevent the occurrence of HCC in vivo without hepatorenal toxicity. Uptake and metabolism of circulating LCACs increase the intracellular level of acetyl coenzyme A, which upregulates histone H3 Lys14 acetylation at the promoter region of KLF6 gene and thereby activates KLF6/p21 pathway. Indeed, blocking LCAC metabolism attenuates the difference in KLF6/p21 expression induced by baseline plasma of HCC/non-HCC patients. The deficiency of circulating LCACs represents a driver of HCC in CHB patients with viral control. These insights provide a promising direction for developing therapeutic strategies to reduce HCC risk further in the antiviral era.

OBJECTIVE: To explore prevalence, incidence and possible factors of immediate herniated discs after posterior cervical expansive open-door laminoplasty (EODL). METHODS: Totally 29 patients with cervical spinal stenosis and intervertebral disc herniation who underwent EODL from October 2020 to December 2021 were collected, including 24 males and 5 females, aged from 43 to 81 years old with an average of (61.3±9.0) years old;the courses of disease ranged from 1 to 120 months with an average of (36.4±37.0) months. Three or more intervertebral discs on C₃-C₇ were observed. The clinical efficacy was evaluated according to Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score before operation, 3 days and 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after operation, respectively. The changes of herniated disc before and after operation were measured by multipoint area method and two-dimensional distance method, and incidence and percentage of herniated disc regression were further calculated. Cervical imaging parameters such as Cobb angle (C₃-C₇), intervertebral angle, T₁ slope (T₁S), spinal canal sagittal diameter, K-line angle, dural sac sagittal diameter were measured and compared before and after operation. Pearson correlation was used to analyze correlation between cervical sagittal imaging parameters and disc herniation changes before and after operation. RESULTS: All patients obtained grade A wound healing, and 14 of them were followed up for 3(1.00, 5.25) months. There were no immediate or long-term postoperative complications. Totally 101 herniated intervertebral discs were measured, of which 79 regression numbers were obtained by area measurement. The number of intervertebral disc regressions by distance measurement was 77. There was no statistically significant difference in Cobb angle, intervertebral angle, T₁S and K-line angle of C₃-C₇ (P>0.05), however, there were statistically significant differences in sagittal diameter of spinal canal, sagittal diameter of dural sac, and JOA score before and after operation(P<0.05). The regression ratio of disc herniation ranged from 5% to 50%, and regression ratio of disc herniation was greater than 25% in 45.57%(36/79). Disc herniation in C_4,5 was positively correlated with sagittal plane diameter in C₅(r=0.423, P=0.028). There was a negative correlation between changes of C_3,4 and C_3,4 intervertebral angle (r=-0.450, P=0.041). The improvement rate of cervical JOA score immediately after operation was (59.54±15.07) %, and postoperative follow-up improved to (76.57±14.66) %. CONCLUSION Herniated disc regression immediately after EODL is a common occurrence, and EODL should be selected as far as possible under the premise of satisfying surgical indications. The regression of disc herniation is positively correlated with spinal canal sagittal diameter, and spinal canal should be enlarged as far as possible in the appropriate scope during EODL, so as to create more opportunities and conditions for disc regression and achieve better clinical results.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/diagnostic imaging* ; Spinal Stenosis/diagnostic imaging* ; Laminoplasty/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; Adult ; Aged, 80 and over ; Intervertebral Disc/surgery*

Transient perivascular inflammation of the carotid artery(TIPIC)syndrome is a relatively rare disease,and ultrasound is the first screening method for initial diagnosis of the disease.Contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)has unique advantages in the follow-up of patients with TIPIC syndrome.This paper reports a patient with TIPIC syndrome who was treated with acute left neck pain.The inflammation was significantly re-lieved and subsided after treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.The ultrasound changes of carotid artery lesions in this patient during follow-up were analyzed,and the application value of CEUS in the follow-up diagnosis of this disease was summarized,in the hope of providing clinical reference.

OBJECTIVE To improve the efficiency and quality of dispensed oral drug management in the inpatient pharmacy,and ensure the safety of drug use in patients.METHODS SWOT(strength,weakness,opportunity,threat)analysis method was used to analyze the internal strengths and weaknesses,as well as the external opportunities and threats in the construction of a closed-loop management system for dispensed oral drugs in the inpatient pharmacy of our hospital,and propose improvement strategies.RESULTS&CONCLUSIONS A refined,full-process,closed-loop traceability management system for dispensed oral drugs in the inpatient pharmacies was successfully established,which is traceable in origin,trackable in destination,and accountable in responsibility.After the application of this system,the registration rate of dispensed drug information and the correctness rate of registration content both reached 100%.The proportion of overdue drug varieties in the same period of 2024 decreased by 77.78%compared to March 2020,the inventory volume decreased by 29.50%compared to the first quarter of 2020,the per-bed medication volume decreased by 32.14%compared to the first quarter of 2020;the average workload per post in the same period of 2023 increased by 49.09%compared to 2019,the dispensing accuracy rate reached 100%,and the improvement rate of quality control problem increased by 25.25%compared to 2021.This system effectively improves the safety and accuracy of dispensed oral drug management in the inpatient pharmacy.

To research and design a new type of distal radial artery puncture compression hemostatic device,to solve the problem of distal radial artery puncture and compression hemostat that has not been clinically applied in China.The hemostatic device was mainly composed of hemostatic part,pressure regulating part,fixing part and visual window.The hemostatic device can accurately compress the puncture point,and it was convenient for medical staff to observe the wound through the visual window,find out abnormal conditions such as bleeding or hematoma in time,and take measures to deal with them,which greatly improved the hemostatic effect and comfort of the postoperative puncture point.The new hemostatic device has the advantages of reasonable design and simple clinical operation,which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Transient perivascular inflammation of the carotid artery (TIPIC) syndrome is a relatively rare disease, and ultrasound is the first screening method for initial diagnosis of the disease. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has unique advantages in the follow-up of patients with TIPIC syndrome. This paper reports a patient with TIPIC syndrome who was treated with acute left neck pain. The inflammation was significantly relieved and subsided after treatment with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. The ultrasound changes of carotid artery lesions in this patient during follow-up were analyzed, and the application value of CEUS in the follow-up diagnosis of this disease was summarized, in the hope of providing clinical reference.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and safety of domestic upper gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasound (EUS).Methods:A total of 160 patients undergoing EUS at Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University (Center1) and Shenzhen People's Hospital (Center 2) from March to July 2021 were randomly selected by stratified blocked randomization, and were treated with SonoScape EG-UG5T (the test group) or Fujifilm EG-580UT (the control group). The primary outcome was the ultrasound image quality excellence rate, and the comparison was verified by non-inferiority. The secondary outcomes were the endoscopic image quality excellence rate, the operational performance excellence rate, and the system stability evaluation. The safety evaluation was based on the occurrence of intraoperative and postoperative adverse events in the subjects.Results:In the intention-to-treat analysis set (ITT), the excellence rate of ultrasound image quality in the test group and the control group was 100.0% (78/78) and 100.0% (77/77), respectively. The rate difference between the two groups was 0.0% (95% CI: -4.7%-4.8%). In the per protocol analysis set (PPS), the excellence rate of ultrasound image quality in the test group and the control group was 100.0% (78/78) and 100.0% (75/75), respectively. The rate difference between the two groups was 0.0% (95% CI: -4.7%-4.9%). The lower limit of the confidence interval of ultrasound image quality excellence rate of both data sets was greater than the non-inferiority threshold value of -8%, which inferred that the non-inferiority hypothesis of the test machine non-inferior to the control machine was valid. The endoscopic image quality excellence rate and the operational performance excellence rate of the test group and the control group was 100.0% in both the ITT and PPS analyses, and there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups ( P=1.000). The system instability event rate was 0.0% (0/78) in the test group and 3.9% (3/77) in the control group ( P=0.120). No adverse event occurred in either group. Conclusion:The domestic upper gastrointestinal endoscopic ultrasound is standard-compliant for clinical application under normal conditions in terms of effectiveness, safety, and stability.

ObjectiveTo observe the apoptosis induced by paeoniflorin （PF） in non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） cells and explore its mechanism. MethodCell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） was used to detect the inhibition rates of H1299， H292 and A549 cells with different concentrations of PF （2.5， 5， 10， 20， 25 µmol·L^-1）， and to screen suitable concentrations of PF and experimental cells. The inhibitory effect of PF on lung cancer cells was detected by clone formation assay. The effect of PF on cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry with annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide （PI） double staining. With the right concentration of drugs， levels of apoptosis-associated protein B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）， cleaved Caspase-3 and Caspase-3 were detected by Western blot. At the same time， the molecular expressions of hypoxia inducible factor -1α （HIF-1α） and Hippo signaling pathway were determined. ResultCompared with the blank group， PF significantly inhibited the growth of H1299， H292 and A549 cells of human lung cancer （P<0.01）. PF significantly induced apoptosis in A549 cells （P<0.01）， decreased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio （P<0.01）， and significantly increased the cleaved Caspase-3 expression （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the blank group， the expression levels of HIF-1α， transcriptional coactivator with PDZ-binding motif （TAZ）， large tumor suppressor 1 （LATS1）， Mps one binding 1 （MOB1） and Yes-associated protein （YAP） in A549 cells of the PF treatment group were significantly decreased （P<0.01）， while the expressions of p-LATS1， p-MOB1 and p-YAP were significantly increased （P<0.01）. At the same time， there was no significant effect on the expression levels of phosphorylated mammalian Ste20-like kinase 1 （p-MST1） and MST1， which did not reach a statistical difference. ConclusionAll data demonstrated that PF showed an anti-tumor effect by improving hypoxic conditions and inhibiting the abnormally activated Hippo signaling pathway， thereby inducing and promoting apoptosis in non-small cell lung cancer.

The incidence of cancer is closely correlated with age,as 75％of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)patients are aged at least 65 years.The availability of immune checkpoint inhibitors(ICIs)has altered the available NSCLC therapeutic pattern.Limited studies on elderly patients have demonstrated that ICIs as monotherapy provide substantial ben-efits for patients aged 65-75 years,showing no significant difference compared to younger patients.This benefit is also observed in combination with immune-combined chemotherapy or radiotherapy.For individuals older than 75 years,the survival effect was not evident,though.Immune-related adverse events(irAEs)with ICIs alone were similar in incidence across age catego-ries.Immune-combination chemotherapy resulted in a higher incidence of irAEs than chemotherapy alone,and patients &ge;75 years of age were more likely to experience higher-grade irAEs.Besides the fact that immunosenescence in older patients influ-ences the immune milieu in a multifaceted manner,which in turn impacts the effectiveness of immunotherapy,the prognosis is also influenced by the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status(ECOG PS)score,among other factors.For certain individuals aged &ge;75 years or in poor physical health,immunotherapy combined with low-intensity chemotherapy has emerged as a viable treatment option.However,there are fewer related studies,so there should be a conscious effort to increase the number of elderly patients enrolled in the trial and a comprehensive assessment to explore individualized treatment op-tions.To provide additional references and guidance for immunotherapy in elderly NSCLC patients and to propose new thera-peutic perspectives in combination with their characteristics,this review aims to summarize and analyze the pertinent studies on the application of programmed cell death protein 1(PD-1)/programmed cell death ligand 1(PD-L1)inhibitors in these patients.