Background/Aims: Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues. Results: We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts. Conclusion Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.

OBJECTIVE To optimize the drug placement layout， reduce pharmacists’ dispensing time， and improve the work efficiency of the inpatient pharmacy. METHODS An ABC-CVA classification method was constructed. The ABC classification was first employed to categorize drugs into three groups [A （high frequency)， B （medium frequency）， and C （low frequency）] based on drug usage frequency. Subsequently， the CVA （Critical Value Analysis） method was applied to further classify drugs with low frequency （mainly category C） but requiring urgent use （e.g.， emergency drugs） or occupying large space. RESULTS After optimizing the drug placement layout based on this method， the average daily dispensing time for long-term prescriptions across three major wards （internal medicine， surgery， and intensive care unit） was shortened by （14.7±4.9） min. The optimized average daily dispensing time in each ward was significantly lower than that before optimization， and all differences were statistically significant （ P ＜0.001）. CONCLUSIONS The established ABC-CVA classification method can precisely facilitate the optimization of drug layout in inpatient pharmacies， significantly improve pharmacists’ dispensing efficiency， and enhance the service quality of inpatient pharmacies.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of lung-boosting moxibustion with different moxibustion doses in the treatment of stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD）. MethodsA total of 240 stable COPD patients with lung qi deficiency， lung-spleen qi deficiency， or lung-kidney qi deficiency syndrome were enrolled， all receiving standardized western medical treatment and lung-boosting moxibustion. According to the thickness of the moxa wool， the thickness of the ginger paste， and the treatment duration， patients were randomly divided into eight groups， which were Group A （3.0 cm thickness moxa， 2.5 cm ginger mud， 60 min treatment time）， Group B （3.0 cm thickness moxa， 2.5 cm ginger mud， 90 min treatment time）， Group C （2.0 cm thickness moxa， 2.5 cm ginger mud， 60 min treatment time）， Group D （2.0 cm thickness moxa， 2.5 cm ginger mud， 90 min treatment time）， Group E （3.0 cm thickness moxa， 2.0 cm ginger mud， 60 min treatment time）， Group F （3.0 cm thickness moxa， 2.0 cm ginger mud， 90 min treatment time）， Group G （2.0 cm thickness moxa， 2.0 cm ginger mud， 60 min treatment time）， Group H （2.0cm thickness moxa， 2.0cm ginger mud， 90 min treatment time）. Treatment was performed once every 15 days for 3 months， with a total of six sessions. The primary outcomes were the scores of the clinical symptoms and signs questionnaire for stable COPD before and after treatment， comprising seven symptom domains （cough， sputum production， wheezing， chest tightness， shortness of breath， fatigue， and cyanosis） and the total score. The secondary outcomes included the scores of the modified COPD patient-reported outcome questionnaire （mCOPD-PRO） involving the physical， psychological， and environmental domains and the total score， the scores of the modified Effectiveness Satisfaction Questionnaire for COPD （mESQ-COPD） involving clinical symptoms， work and daily living capacity， environmental adaptability， treatment efficacy， and the total score before and after treatment， the moxibustion sensation scores （heat sensation score and special sensation intensity score） during treatment， and cutaneous temperature （the maximum temperature achieved， the duration of temperature maintained at ≥43 ℃， and the time required to reach 43 ℃）. The safety evaluation was carried out after treatment. ResultsDuring the study， 18 patients withdrew， and 222 patients were included in the per-protocol set for analysis， including 27 in Group A， 28 in Group B， 28 in Group C， 29 in Group D， 27 in Group E， 28 in Group F， 27 in Group G， and 28 in Group H. After treatment， the total score on the clinical symptoms and signs questionnaire， as well as the cough and chest tightness symptom scores in Group F were significantly lower than those in other groups （P＜0.05）. Group F demonstrated statistically lower total mCOPD-PRO score and physical domain score （P＜0.05）， lower total mESQ-COPD score and the scores for clinical symptoms and treatment efficacy （P < 0.05）， as well as higher heat sensation score （P＜0.05） than other groups. The maximum temperature was significantly higher in Group E and Group F than in the other groups， while the duration of temperature maintained at ≥43 ℃ was significantly longer in Group F than other groups， and the time required to reach 43 ℃ was significantly shorter in Group E and Group F than in Groups C， D， G， and H （P＜0.05）. No significant abnormalities were observed in routine blood tests， liver function， renal function， urinalysis， or electrocardiograms before and after treatment in any group. No serious adverse events occurred during the treatment period. ConclusionThere are differences in the efficacy of different moxibustion doses of lung-boosting moxibustion in the treatment of stable COPD. Moxibustion with 3.0 cm thickness moxa， 2.0 cm ginger mud， and 90 min treatment time can obtain relatively superior efficacy while demonstrating a favorable safety profile.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the long-term cost-effectiveness of canagliflozin or semaglutide in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus（T2DM）poorly controlled with metformin. METHODS Based on the perspective of China’s health system， a Markov model was used to calculate the long-term costs and utilities of canagliflozin or semaglutide combined with metformin for T2DM patients in China for 30 years based on the data from SUSTAIN 8 study. The incremental cost-effectiveness ratio（ICER） and incremental net monetary benefit （INMB） were calculated using one time the 2024 per capita gross domestic product（GDP） as the willingness-to-pay（WTP） threshold. One-way sensitivity analysis， probability sensitivity analysis and scenario analysis were conducted to confirm the stability of the conclusions. RESULTS Compared with canagliflozin + metformin， ICER of semaglutide combined with metformin was 260 485.67 yuan/quality-adjusted life year （QALY），which was higher than the WTP threshold set in this study （95 749 yuan/QALY），and the corresponding INMB was －61 576.24 yuan，indicating that the canagliflozin + metformin regimen was more cost-effective. The cost of diabetes without complications treatment in the semaglutide + metformin group had the greatest influence on INMB，but changes in parameters within the selected range did not drive decision reversal. With the increasing of WTP threshold，the economic acceptability of semaglutide + metformin regimen increased. Under the current WTP threshold，the annual cost of semaglutide should be reduced by 42.95% to make the semaglutide + metformin regimen more cost- effective. CONCLUSIONS From the perspective of China’s health system， canagliflozin + metformin is more cost-effective than semaglutide + metformin for T2DM patients yueru. with poor glycemic control with metformin alone.

A 20-year-old male patient presented to the Department of Dermatology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital with complaints of an 8-year history of facial scarring, swelling of the lower limbs, and a 4-year history of scalp thickening. Physical examination showed thickening furrowing wrinkling of the skin on the face and behind the ears, ciliary body hirsutism, blepharoptosis, and cutis verticis gyrate. Both lower limbs were swollen, especially the knees and ankles. The skin of the palms and soles of the feet was keratinized and thickened. Laboratory examination using bone and joint X-ray showed periostosis of the proximal middle phalanges and metacarpals of both hands, distal ulna and radius, tibia and fibula, distal femurs, and metatarsals.Genetic testing revealed two variants in SLCO2A1, c.1658T > A and c.96+4A > C.Through multidisciplinary consultation, we confirmed the diagnosis of pachydermoperiostosis.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the efficacy of Qingda Granule (QDG) in ameliorating hypertension-induced cardiac damage and investigate the underlying mechanisms involved. METHODS: Twenty spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were used to develope a hypertension-induced cardiac damage model. Another 10 Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rats were used as normotension group. Rats were administrated intragastrically QDG [0.9 g/(kg•d)] or an equivalent volume of pure water for 8 weeks. Blood pressure, histopathological changes, cardiac function, levels of oxidative stress and inflammatory response markers were measured. Furthermore, to gain insights into the potential mechanisms underlying the protective effects of QDG against hypertension-induced cardiac injury, a network pharmacology study was conducted. Predicted results were validated by Western blot, radioimmunoassay immunohistochemistry and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: The administration of QDG resulted in a significant decrease in blood pressure levels in SHRs (P<0.01). Histological examinations, including hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson trichrome staining revealed that QDG effectively attenuated hypertension-induced cardiac damage. Furthermore, echocardiography demonstrated that QDG improved hypertension-associated cardiac dysfunction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and colorimetric method indicated that QDG significantly reduced oxidative stress and inflammatory response levels in both myocardial tissue and serum (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Both network pharmacology and experimental investigations confirmed that QDG exerted its beneficial effects in decreasing hypertension-induced cardiac damage by regulating the angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE)/angiotensin II (Ang II)/Ang II receptor type 1 axis and ACE/Ang II/Ang II receptor type 2 axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Hypertension/pathology* ; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Male ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Rats ; Inflammation/pathology*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of acupuncture therapy on dysphagia in patients with Parkinson's disease. METHODS: This randomized controlled study lasted 42 days and included 112 patients with Parkinson's disease and dysphagia. Participants were randomly assigned to the experimental and control groups (56 cases each group) using the completely randomized design, all under routine treatment. The experimental group was given acupuncture therapy. The primary outcome was Penetration-Aspiration Scale (PAS). The secondary outcomes were (1) Standardized Swallowing Assessment (SSA), and (2) nutritional status including body mass index (BMI), serum albumin, prealbumin, and hemoglobin. Adverse events were recorded as safety indicators. RESULTS: One participant quitted the study midway. There were no significant differences in baseline assessment (P>0.05). After treatment, both groups showed significant improvement in PAS, SSA and nutritional status except for BMI of the control group. There were significant differences between the two groups in the PAS for both paste and liquid, SSA (25.18±8.25 vs. 20.84±6.92), BMI (19.97±3.34 kg/m²vs. 21.26 ±2.38 kg/m²), serum albumin (35.16 ±5.29 g/L vs. 37.24 ±3.98 g/L), prealbumin (248.33 ±27.72 mg/L vs. 261.39 ±22.10 mg/L), hemoglobin (119.09±12.53 g/L vs. 126.67±13.97 g/L) (P<0.05). There were no severe adverse events during the study. CONCLUSION: The combination of routine treatment and acupuncture therapy can better improve dysphagia and nutritional status in patients with Parkinson's disease, than routine treatment solely. (registration No. CLINICALTRIAL gov NCT06199323).
Humans ; Parkinson Disease/therapy* ; Deglutition Disorders/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Nutritional Status ; Body Mass Index

OBJECTIVES: Urinary calculi are characterized by a high recurrence rate, and patients' adherence to self-management after discharge directly affects health outcomes. Traditional offline follow-up models often face problems such as poor compliance and uneven allocation of medical resources, making it difficult to meet individualized health management needs. Remote follow-up provides a novel solution to optimize long-term management, improve health literacy, and enhance clinical outcomes. This study aims to evaluate the effect of remote follow-up under an intelligent medical collaborative model on quality of life and health-promoting lifestyle in patients with urinary calculi, and to assess its short-term impact on clinical outcomes. METHODS: A total of 118 patients with urinary calculi admitted to a tertiary hospital in Hunan Province between August and November 2024 were recruited and randomly assigned to a control group (n=59) or an intervention group (n=59). The control group received routine departmental follow-up, while the intervention group underwent remote follow-up based on an intelligent medical collaborative model for one month. Assessments were conducted before discharge (T0), 15 days after discharge (T1), and one month after discharge (T2), using the Wisconsin Stone Quality of Life Questionnaire and the Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile. At T2, the incidence of forgotten ureteral stents (FUS), ureteral stent-related complications, unplanned readmissions, and patient satisfaction were evaluated. RESULTS: No significant differences were observed between groups at T0 in baseline characteristics or outcome measures (all P>0.05). At T1 and T2, the intervention group had significantly higher health-related quality of life scores than the control group (P<0.05). Generalized estimating equation (GEE) analysis showed significant between-group effects (Wald's χ²=22.961, P<0.001), time effects (Wald's χ²=23.065, P<0.001), and interaction effects (Wald's χ²=6.930, P<0.05). Similarly, at T1 and T2, the intervention group scored significantly higher on health-promoting lifestyle than the control group (P<0.05), with significant between-group effects (Wald's χ²=22.936, P<0.001), time effects (Wald's χ²=10.694, P<0.001), and interaction effects (Wald's χ²=18.921, P<0.05). No significant differences were found between groups in the incidence of FUS, ureteral stent-related complications, or unplanned readmissions (all P>0.05). Patient satisfaction was significantly higher in the intervention group (t=4.089, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Remote follow-up under an intelligent medical collaborative model helps improve quality of life, promote health-oriented lifestyles, and enhance patient satisfaction among individuals with urinary calculi.
Humans ; Quality of Life ; Male ; Female ; Urinary Calculi/therapy* ; Health Promotion/methods* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Follow-Up Studies ; Treatment Outcome

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a globally life-threatening disease. Presently, few therapeutic medicines are available for treating IS, and rt-PA is the only drug approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the US. In fact, many agents showing excellent neuroprotection but no blood flow-improving activity in animals have not achieved ideal clinical efficacy, while thrombolytic drugs only improving blood flow without neuroprotection have limited their wider application. To address these challenges and meet the huge unmet clinical need, we have designed and identified a novel compound AAPB with dual effects of neuroprotection and cerebral blood flow improvement. AAPB significantly reduced cerebral infarction and neural function deficit in tMCAO rats, pMCAO rats, and IS rhesus monkeys, as well as displayed exceptional safety profiles and excellent pharmacokinetic properties in rats and dogs. AAPB has now entered phase I of clinical trials fighting IS in China.