The early angiopathy of systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a key hub connecting inflammation and fibrosis. The animal models that simulate the pathological characteristics of SSc are of great significance to study the etiology, pathogenesis and treatment of SSc with vascular involvement. This review of the characteristics of different animal models of SSc with vascular involvement provides a reference for relevant researchers to select appropriate models in the process of exploring the pathogenesis of SSc with vascular involvement.

Objective:To investigate the prognostic value of deep learning-based automated quantification of tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) in patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for breast cancer.Methods:Specimens were collected from 209 breast cancer patients who received NAT at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from October 2019 to June 2023. TSR levels in pre-NAT biopsy specimens were automatically computed using a deep learning algorithm and categorized into low stroma (TSR≤30%), intermediate stroma (TSR 30% to ≤60%), and high stroma (TSR>60%) groups. Residual cancer burden (RCB) grading of post-NAT surgical specimens was determined to compare the relationship between TSR expression levels and RCB grades. The correlation of TSR with NAT efficacy was analyzed, and the association between TSR expression and patient prognosis was further investigated.Results:There were 85 cases with low stroma (TSR≤30%), 93 cases with intermediate stroma (TSR 30% to ≤60%), and 31 cases with high stroma (TSR>60%). Different TSR expression levels showed significant differences between various RCB grades ( P<0.05). Logistic univariate and multivariate analyses showed that TSR was a risk factor for obtaining a complete pathological remission from neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer when it was used as a continuous variable ( P<0.05); COX regression and survival analyses showed that the lower the percentage of tumorigenic mesenchyme was, the better the prognosis of the patient was ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The deep learning-based model enables automatic and accurate quantification of TSR. A lower pre-treatment tumoral stroma is associated with a lower RCB score and a higher rate of pathologic complete response, indicating that TSR can predict the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer and thus holds prognostic significance. Therefore, TSR may serve as a biomarker for predicting therapeutic outcomes in breast cancer neoadjuvant therapy.

This study conducted in-depth interviews to analyze the use of textbooks and learning patterns among medical students from various countries and regions and then proposed loose-leaf digital textbooks as a novel pattern of textbooks. Loose-leaf digital textbooks can meet the requirements of both systematic theoretical education in domestic curricula and the self-directed learning approach in foreign education systems. Compared with traditional textbooks, such digital textbooks have the advantages of flexibility, timeliness, and strong interactivity, thereby enhancing learning efficiency and teaching effectiveness among students. The study further explored the modular design and application strategies for loose-leaf digital textbooks and suggested to achieve personalized education through the integration of digital technologies and improve the adaptability and international competitiveness of textbooks. This study provides innovative ideas for teaching reform in Sino-foreign cooperative education programs of clinical medicine.

Objective:To investigate the prognostic value of deep learning-based automated quantification of tumor-stroma ratio (TSR) in patients undergoing neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) for breast cancer.Methods:Specimens were collected from 209 breast cancer patients who received NAT at Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from October 2019 to June 2023. TSR levels in pre-NAT biopsy specimens were automatically computed using a deep learning algorithm and categorized into low stroma (TSR≤30%), intermediate stroma (TSR 30% to ≤60%), and high stroma (TSR>60%) groups. Residual cancer burden (RCB) grading of post-NAT surgical specimens was determined to compare the relationship between TSR expression levels and RCB grades. The correlation of TSR with NAT efficacy was analyzed, and the association between TSR expression and patient prognosis was further investigated.Results:There were 85 cases with low stroma (TSR≤30%), 93 cases with intermediate stroma (TSR 30% to ≤60%), and 31 cases with high stroma (TSR>60%). Different TSR expression levels showed significant differences between various RCB grades ( P<0.05). Logistic univariate and multivariate analyses showed that TSR was a risk factor for obtaining a complete pathological remission from neoadjuvant therapy for breast cancer when it was used as a continuous variable ( P<0.05); COX regression and survival analyses showed that the lower the percentage of tumorigenic mesenchyme was, the better the prognosis of the patient was ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The deep learning-based model enables automatic and accurate quantification of TSR. A lower pre-treatment tumoral stroma is associated with a lower RCB score and a higher rate of pathologic complete response, indicating that TSR can predict the efficacy of neoadjuvant therapy in breast cancer and thus holds prognostic significance. Therefore, TSR may serve as a biomarker for predicting therapeutic outcomes in breast cancer neoadjuvant therapy.

Objective:To investigate the prognostic effect of femoral resection on patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the thigh with cortical bone involvement.Methods:This retrospective study included patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the thigh diagnosed and treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2014 to December 2021. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether femoral resection and reconstruction were performed with 20 in the resection group and 86 in the non-resection group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to control confounding variables. Overall Survival, recurrence free survival, metastasis free survival, and postoperative functional outcomes were compared between groups before and after PSM. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify risk factors for death, recurrence, and metastasis.Results:Before PSM, the 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 46.7% and 36.7% in the resection group, compared to 69.7% and 60.3% in the non-resection group without significant differences ( P>0.05). However, the 5-year metastasis-free survival (MFS) rate was significantly lower in the resection group (40.0%) compared to the non-resection group (73.1%) ( P=0.021). After PSM, the 5-year OS, RFS, and MFS in the resection group were 46.7%, 36.7%, and 35.9%, respectively, compared to 45.0%, 39.4%, and 67.7% in the non-resection group, with no significant differences ( P>0.05). The median postoperative MSTS functional score after PSM was significantly lower in the resection group 23(18, 25) points than in the non-resection group 26.5(24.3, 27.8) points ( U=43.000, P=0.007). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified grade III histology ( HR=3.794, P=0.002) and tumor involvement angle around the femur greater than 180° ( HR=2.729, P=0.030) as independent risk factors for death. Age over 55 years ( HR=4.185, P=0.015), tumor diameter greater than 8 cm ( HR=4.290, P=0.014), and involvement of the intermuscular compartment ( HR=3.794, P=0.017) were associated with increased risk of local recurrence. Grade III histology ( HR=3.848, P=0.006) and involvement of the intermuscular compartment ( HR=2.500, P=0.045) were associated with distant metastasis. Conclusion:For patients with thigh soft tissue sarcoma involving femoral cortex involvement but no medullary cavity invasion, bone resection did not improve survival, recurrence or metastasis compared with patients in non-resection group. A relatively more conservative surgical approach may be advisable to preserve limb function without compromising oncological prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the prognostic effect of femoral resection on patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the thigh with cortical bone involvement.Methods:This retrospective study included patients with soft tissue sarcoma of the thigh diagnosed and treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2014 to December 2021. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether femoral resection and reconstruction were performed with 20 in the resection group and 86 in the non-resection group. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to control confounding variables. Overall Survival, recurrence free survival, metastasis free survival, and postoperative functional outcomes were compared between groups before and after PSM. Cox proportional hazards regression was used to identify risk factors for death, recurrence, and metastasis.Results:Before PSM, the 5-year overall survival (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were 46.7% and 36.7% in the resection group, compared to 69.7% and 60.3% in the non-resection group without significant differences ( P>0.05). However, the 5-year metastasis-free survival (MFS) rate was significantly lower in the resection group (40.0%) compared to the non-resection group (73.1%) ( P=0.021). After PSM, the 5-year OS, RFS, and MFS in the resection group were 46.7%, 36.7%, and 35.9%, respectively, compared to 45.0%, 39.4%, and 67.7% in the non-resection group, with no significant differences ( P>0.05). The median postoperative MSTS functional score after PSM was significantly lower in the resection group 23(18, 25) points than in the non-resection group 26.5(24.3, 27.8) points ( U=43.000, P=0.007). Multivariate Cox regression analysis identified grade III histology ( HR=3.794, P=0.002) and tumor involvement angle around the femur greater than 180° ( HR=2.729, P=0.030) as independent risk factors for death. Age over 55 years ( HR=4.185, P=0.015), tumor diameter greater than 8 cm ( HR=4.290, P=0.014), and involvement of the intermuscular compartment ( HR=3.794, P=0.017) were associated with increased risk of local recurrence. Grade III histology ( HR=3.848, P=0.006) and involvement of the intermuscular compartment ( HR=2.500, P=0.045) were associated with distant metastasis. Conclusion:For patients with thigh soft tissue sarcoma involving femoral cortex involvement but no medullary cavity invasion, bone resection did not improve survival, recurrence or metastasis compared with patients in non-resection group. A relatively more conservative surgical approach may be advisable to preserve limb function without compromising oncological prognosis.

This study conducted in-depth interviews to analyze the use of textbooks and learning patterns among medical students from various countries and regions and then proposed loose-leaf digital textbooks as a novel pattern of textbooks. Loose-leaf digital textbooks can meet the requirements of both systematic theoretical education in domestic curricula and the self-directed learning approach in foreign education systems. Compared with traditional textbooks, such digital textbooks have the advantages of flexibility, timeliness, and strong interactivity, thereby enhancing learning efficiency and teaching effectiveness among students. The study further explored the modular design and application strategies for loose-leaf digital textbooks and suggested to achieve personalized education through the integration of digital technologies and improve the adaptability and international competitiveness of textbooks. This study provides innovative ideas for teaching reform in Sino-foreign cooperative education programs of clinical medicine.

Objective:To explore the risk factors of recurrence after resection of thigh soft tissue malignant tumors and the evaluation of the postoperative lower limb function.Methods:A total of 211 patients who underwent thigh soft tissue malignant tumor resection in the Department of Orthopaedics of the second affiliated Hospital of Medical College of Zhejiang University from May 2011 to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including 117 males and 94 females, aged 53 (43, 65) years. There were 59 cases of atypical/well-differentiated liposarcoma, 30 cases of other types of liposarcoma, 33 cases of malignant fibrous histiocytoma, 19 cases of fibrosarcoma, 12 cases of rhabdomyosarcoma, 12 cases of leiomyosarcoma, 9 cases of synovial sarcoma, and 37 cases of others. The tumor involvement of muscle, bone, blood vessel, nerve tissue and intermuscular compartment, postoperative Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) functional score and recurrence were recorded. The relationship between anatomical structure and postoperative recurrence was analyzed by Cox logistic regression to determine risk factors; the cumulative recurrence rate of different compartment groups (medial compartment, anterior compartment, and posterior compartment) were compared; The Box plot was used to compare the postoperative function of patients with resection of different anatomical structures (e.g., vastus lateralis, biceps femoris, femur, etc.).Results:A total of 34 out of 211 patients relapsed, with a recurrence rate of 16.1%. The recurrence time ranged from 2.6 months to 91.6 months after operation, with a median recurrence time of 37.0 (18.2, 52.8) months. Three independent risk factors were found to be associated with recurrence, namely: pathological grade [ HR=3.86, 95% CI(1.75, 8.51)], involvement of vastus intermedius [ HR=3.05, 95% CI(1.53, 6.06)], and involvement of vastus medialis [ HR=3.17, 95% CI(1.56, 6.41)]. The recurrence rate of patients with anterior chamber tumor resection was 35.3%, which was higher than that of patients without tumor resection (16.2%), and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.020). There was no significant difference in recurrence rate between patients with medial chamber tumor resection and patients without tumor resection ( P>0.05). The recurrence rate of patients with posterior compartment tumor resection was 12.3%, which was lower than that of unresectable patients (37.6%), and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.002).The postoperative MSTS score of 167 patients averaged 26±3.2 points (9-30 points). After intraoperative resection of part of the femur, vastus intermedius, vastus medialis, and rectus femoris, the patient's function was relatively poor [corresponding median MSTS score: 25 (23, 28), 26 (24 28), 26 (24,28), 26(24, 27)]. Conclusion:The risk factors for local recurrence after resection of thigh soft tissue malignant tumors include: pathological grade of the tumor, and whether the vastus intermedius or vastus medialis is involved. Anterior compartment tumors have a higher recurrence rate after surgery. If the tumor involves the above-mentioned anatomical structures, more attention should be paid to the risk of local recurrence after surgery.

Objective:To explore the clinical characteristics of dislocation after resection and reconstruction of tumors involving pelvic area II, and to try to propose intraoperative and postoperative techniques to prevent its occurrence.Methods:From March 2011 to March 2021, 122 patients with resection and reconstruction involving pelvic area II were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 17 had postoperative dislocation, 32 had pelvic area II, and 31 had pelvic area I+II. There were 40 cases in the pelvic area II+III, and 19 cases in the pelvic area I+II+III. There were 49 female patients and 73 male patients; the mean age was 47 years (9-73 years). The Musculoskeletal Tumor Society (MSTS) score of lower extremity patients after reduction was evaluated, and the clinical characteristics of dislocation, such as dislocation direction, dislocation time and reduction method, were counted and analyzed, and feasible prevention measures were analyzed based on the imaging characteristics after resection and reconstruction. dislocation method.Results:Among the 122 patients, there were 17 cases of dislocation, and the dislocation rate was 13.7%. Among them, 12 cases were anterior dislocation, accounting for 70.6% of anterior dislocation; 5 cases were posterior dislocation, and the proportion of posterior dislocation was 29.4%, difference (χ 2=4.52, P=0.033). There were 12 cases of dislocation within 3 months after operation, accounting for 70.6%; 1 case of dislocation occurred in 5 months after operation, and the other 4 cases of dislocation occurred for more than one year. The MSTS score of the dislocation patients after reduction was 56.1±15.6% (20%-80%). Combined with postoperative imaging examinations, the feasible methods for preventing dislocation include: The anteversion angle of the acetabular cup can be appropriately reduced (0°-10°); The acetabular cup can be appropriately shifted to the rear of the rotation center; Appropriately reducing the anteversion angle of the femoral neck prosthesis, the combination of the three can reduce the occurrence of femoral-acetabular prosthesis impingement; at the same time, the affected limb is controlled in a neutral position with strict nail shoes after surgery to avoid the occurrence of external rotation. Conclusion:The dislocation after tumor resection and reconstruction in pelvic area II is mostly anterior dislocation. Postoperative CT scan of the pelvis shows that the space between the neck of the femoral stem prosthesis and the lower edge of the acetabulum is small, which is prone to impingement. If the anteversion angle of the acetabular cup is appropriately reduced, the acetabular prosthesis is appropriately displaced posteriorly, and the anteversion angle of the femoral neck is reduced by 5°, the possibility of femoral-acetabular impingement can be reduced, thereby reducing the risk of postoperative dislocation.

Primary bile acids were reported to augment secretion of chemokine (C‒X‒C motif) ligand 16 (CXCL16) from liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) and trigger natural killer T (NKT) cell-based immunotherapy for liver cancer. However, abundant expression of receptors for primary bile acids across the gastrointestinal tract overwhelms the possibility of using agonists against these receptors for liver cancer control. Taking advantage of the intrinsic property of LSECs in capturing circulating nanoparticles in the circulation, we proposed a strategy using nanoemulsion-loaded obeticholic acid (OCA), a clinically approved selective farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist, for precisely manipulating LSECs for triggering NKT cell-mediated liver cancer immunotherapy. The OCA-nanoemulsion (OCA-NE) was prepared