The size of nanodrugs plays a crucial role in shaping their chemical and physical characteristics, consequently influencing their therapeutic and diagnostic interactions within biological systems. The optimal size of nanomedicines, whether small or large, offers distinct advantages in disease treatment, creating a dilemma in the selection process. Addressing this challenge, size-transformable nanodrugs have surfaced as a promising solution, as they can be tailored to entail the benefits associated with both small and large nanoparticles. In this review, various strategies are summarized for constructing size-transformable nanosystems with a focus on nanotherapeutic applications in the field of biomedicine. Particularly we highlight recent research developments in cancer therapy. This review aims to inspire researchers to further develop various toolboxes for fabricating size-transformable nanomedicines for improved intervention against diverse human diseases.

Objective To investigate the status of oral frailty(OF)in patients who underwent chemotherapy for lung cancer,identify key factors influencing OF,and develop a risk prediction model.Methods Using convenience sampling,431 lung cancer inpatient were recruited from three Tier-IIIA hospitals in Jiangsu Province between September and November 2024 as the training cohort.The patients were divided into OF and non-OF groups.Relevant data were compared between the two groups.Multifactorial logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors that associated with OF,and a risk prediction model was created accordingly.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to predict model performance.In December 2024,additional 185 patients from one other Tier-IIIA hospitals were recruited to validate the developed model.Results The prevalence of OF among lung-cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy was 58.93%.Following listed items were identified as the risk factors of OF(all P<0.05):older in age(OR=3.420),poor education(OR=0.030),brain metastasis(OR=7.880),high nutritional risk screening 2002 score(OR=1.550),elevated C-reactive protein(OR=1.100),and elevated lactate dehydrogenase(OR=1.010).ROC area under the curve(AUC)of the model was 0.860(95%CI:0.830-0.900)in modelling cohort and 0.840(95%CI:0.780-0.900)in validation cohort.Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test yielded χ 2=4.870,P=0.770 for the training set and χ 2=2.770,P=0.950 for the validation set.Conclusion The risk prediction model for OF developed in this study demonstrates a good predictive performance and can facilitate early identification of high-risk patients,thereby providing a scientific basis for clinical interventions.

Objective To investigate the status of oral frailty(OF)in patients who underwent chemotherapy for lung cancer,identify key factors influencing OF,and develop a risk prediction model.Methods Using convenience sampling,431 lung cancer inpatient were recruited from three Tier-IIIA hospitals in Jiangsu Province between September and November 2024 as the training cohort.The patients were divided into OF and non-OF groups.Relevant data were compared between the two groups.Multifactorial logistic regression analysis was performed to determine factors that associated with OF,and a risk prediction model was created accordingly.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was used to predict model performance.In December 2024,additional 185 patients from one other Tier-IIIA hospitals were recruited to validate the developed model.Results The prevalence of OF among lung-cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy was 58.93%.Following listed items were identified as the risk factors of OF(all P<0.05):older in age(OR=3.420),poor education(OR=0.030),brain metastasis(OR=7.880),high nutritional risk screening 2002 score(OR=1.550),elevated C-reactive protein(OR=1.100),and elevated lactate dehydrogenase(OR=1.010).ROC area under the curve(AUC)of the model was 0.860(95%CI:0.830-0.900)in modelling cohort and 0.840(95%CI:0.780-0.900)in validation cohort.Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test yielded χ 2=4.870,P=0.770 for the training set and χ 2=2.770,P=0.950 for the validation set.Conclusion The risk prediction model for OF developed in this study demonstrates a good predictive performance and can facilitate early identification of high-risk patients,thereby providing a scientific basis for clinical interventions.

To investigate the efficacy and safety of modified endoscopic retrograde appendicitis therapy (ERAT) in children with acute uncomplicated appendicitis complicated with intussusception. Data of 6 patients with acute uncomplicated appendicitis complicated with intussusception who received modified ERAT were collected from October 2018 to February 2020 in Pediatrics Department of Tangdu Hospital. The reduction rate of intussusception, the success rate of ERAT appendiceal intubation and endoscopic treatment, the remission time of clinical symptoms, the time of white blood cells return to normal, the length of hospital stay, complications and recurrence were summarized. All the 6 patients were confirmed to be acute uncomplicated appendicitis combined with ileocecal intussusceptions under colonoscopy. Endoscopic intussusception reduction and ERAT were performed successfully. The mean time of disappearance of abdominal tenderness was 1.3 days after the therapy, and the time of white blood cells return to normal was 1 day after surgery. The endoscopic treatment were all successful and the length of hospital stay was 3-6 days. No complications or recurrence of intussusception and appendicitis occurred during the follow-up period of 6-12 months. Modified ERAT can effectively, safely and minimally invitingly treat acute uncomplicated appendicitis with intussusception in children on the basis of definite diagnosis.

Objective: To investigate the effects of micronutrient supplementation for the elderly on plasma homocysteine level and cognitive function in institutional older adults. Methods: A total of 98 older adults with the score≤11 by mini nutritional assessment short-form aged 65-100 years were enrolled and assigned to either intervention group or control group (n=49 each), with either a package of micronutrient pack or placebo daily, for three months. Fasting blood samples were collected both at baseline and the end of study to detect serum vitamin B₁₂, folate and plasma homocysteine (Hcy) concentrations. Global cognitive function was assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE). The paired t test was used to compare the continuous variables between the two groups after intervention. The relationship between changes in MMSE score and changes in plasma Hcy concentrations was examined by least-squares linear regression. Results: Eighty-two patients completed the study, and 17 patients withdrew from the study due to diarrhea and hospital discharge with the drop rate of 17.3%. Compared to the control group, concentrations of serum vitamin B₁₂ (128.8±34.8 vs 13.3±16.0 pmol/L, P=0.003) and folate (21.1±1.6 vs 0.6±0.5 nmol/L, P<0.01) significantly increased in the intervention group over 3-month supplementation, while plasma Hcy levels were remarkably reduced (-5.3±0.7 vs 1.7±0.3 μmol/L, P<0.01). The incidences of deficiency of folate, deficiency of serum vitamin B₁₂and high Hcy all decreased in intervention group. Although individual item scores in MMSE were not changed markedly, change of total MMSE score in intervention group were higher than that in the control group (1.2±3.0 vs -0.2±2.5, P<0.05). Conclusions The supplementation of the micronutrient pack in long-term care facilities can reduce the incidence of hyperhomocysteinemia, and improve the total MMSE score.

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the differential diagnosis and treatment strategy of neonatal intestinal perforation caused by neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) and Hirschsprung′s disease (HD). Methods: The clinical data of 42 cases with NEC and 22 cases with HD combined with intestinal perforation from Ja-nuary 2012 to January 2017 admitted at Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children′s Hospital were collected, the proportion of premature infants, and the proportion of low birth weight infants, age of onset, preoperative clinical symptoms and surgical treatment was compared between the two groups. Results: The proportion of premature infants[95.23%(40/42 cases) vs.27.27%(6/22 cases)], the proportion of low birth weight infant[90.48%(38/42 cases) vs.45.45%(10/22 cases)]and the age of onset [(14.48± 10.51) d vs.(3.18±3.43) d]were statistically different between the NEC group and the HD group, and the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05). There were significant differences in the presence of normal defecation before the operation[71.4% (30/42 cases)vs.27.3%(6/22 cases)], and in the the defecation characteristics at the onset[95.2% (40/42 cases)vs.9.1%(2/22 cases)]between the NEC group and HD group(all P<0.05). Among 42 cases of NEC patients, 8 cases underwent intestinal anastomosis, and 34 cases underwent enterostomy because of the high risk of anastomosis.All of 22 patients with HD underwent double-lumen enterostomy. Conclusions The general conditions, preoperative manifestations and intraoperative fin-dings of the children should be comprehensively analyzed for identification.Enterostomy is recommended for NEC intestinal perforation, but if the risk of anastomosis is high, then fistula should be performed.Double-lumen fistula should be recommended for HD intestinal perforation, and enterostomy should be recommended if the two cannot be clearly distinguished.

Objective: To investigate the difference in the clinical efficacy by thoracoscopy or thoracotomy for treating esophageal atresia. Methods: Thirty-one cases of type-Ⅲ esophageal atresia undergoing surgical treatment from February 2015 to May 2018 at the Department of Pediatric Surgery of Fujian Provincial Maternity and Children′s Hospital were included, and according to the different surgical methods they were divided into thoracoscopic group (15 cases) and thoracotomy group (16 cases). The operation duration, blood loss, postoperative chest drainage time, posto-perative hospital stay and postoperative complications were analyzed between 2 groups. Results: The mean time of operation was (181.33±13.86) min in the thoracoscopic surgery group and (139.06±10.98) min in the thoracotomy group, the thoracoscopic group had longer operation duration than thoracotomy group, and there was a significant difference in operation duration between two groups (t=9.44, P=0.000); mean blood loss was (3.07±0.96) mL in the thoracoscopic surgery group and (5.06±1.12) mL in the thoracotomy group, the thoracoscopic group had less amount of blood loss than thoracotomy group, and there was a significant difference in blood loss between two groups(t=-5.29, P=0.000); mean postoperative chest drainage time was(11.67±1.34) d in the thoracoscopic group and (12.25±1.06) d in the thoracotomy group, and there was no significant difference in postoperative chest drainage time between two groups(t=-1.34, P=0.19); mean time of postoperative hospitalization time was(15.20±0.94) d in the thoracoscopic group and (16.00±0.96) d in the thoracotomy group, and there was a significant difference in the postoperative hospitalization time between two groups (t=-2.33, P=0.027); the anastomotic leak rates were 33.33% (5 cases) versus 25.00% (4 cases) with closed or open approaches, respectively; anastomotic stricture rates were 40.00%(6 cases) versus 31.25% (5 cases) with closed or open approaches, respectively.There was no significant difference in postoperative incidence of anastomotic fistula and anastomotic stenosis between two groups. Conclusions Compared with thoracotomy in the treatment of esophageal atresia, thoracoscopic approach has smaller incision and less bleeding, less chest deformity, short hospital stay postoperatively, so it is safe and effective.However, the surgeon must have experience in doing thoracoscopic operation.

Objective To systematically evaluate the therapeutic effect of pulse high volume hemofiltration (PHVHF) for treatment of patients with sepsis. Methods Databases such as PubMed in American National Medical Library, Holland medical abstract Embase, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Internet (CNKI), China Biological Medical Literature Database (CBM), VIP, WanFang databases, etc. were searched by computer to retrieve randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on PHVHF for treatment of patients with sepsis, and the retrieval time ranged from the creation of database to March 25, 2017. Both groups of patients received conventional treatments, including antibiotics, fluid resuscitation, vasoactive agents as well as other organ function support treatments to maintain the basic vital signs stable. Patients in PHVHF group received PHVHF besides conventional treatment, while the patients in control group received conventional treatment or any other continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) mode with PHVHF excluded. The literatures accepted should at least include one of the following changes of outcome indicators, such as overall mortality, the levels of inflammatory mediators eliminated, acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ) score, service life of filter, amount of replacement fluids used. Two researchers independently screened literatures, extracted data, and assessed the methodological quality of included studies. Meta-analysis was conducted by using RevMan 5.3 software and the publication bias was evaluated by visually inspecting funnel plots. Results A total of 11 RCTs involving 410 patients met eligibility criteria, of which 204 patients in the PHVHF group and 206 patients in the control group. In the control group 5 RCTs used other CRRT modes, and 6 RCTs applied the conventional therapy. Meta-analyses showed that interleukin-6 [IL-6, standard mean difference (SMD) = -0.80, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = -1.56 to -0.06, P = 0.04], tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α, SMD = -0.78, 95%CI = -1.33 to -0.23, P = 0.006), APACHE Ⅱ scores [mean difference (MD) = -3.80, 95%CI = -5.08 to -2.52, P < 0.000 01] were obviously lower than those in control group, but no significant statistical significance in mortality was seen between the two groups [relative risk (RR) = 0.72, 95%CI = 0.49 - 1.07, P = 0.10]. Further subgroup analyses suggested that compared with conventional treatment group, in PHVHF group mortality (RR = 0.40, 95%CI = 0.16 - 0.95, P = 0.04), IL-6 (SMD =-1.87, 95%CI = -3.58 to -0.16, P = 0.03), TNF-α (SMD = -1.32, 95%CI = -2.24 to -0.40, P = 0.005), and APACHE Ⅱscore (MD = -4.29, 95%CI = -6.02 to -2.56, P < 0.000 01) were significantly decreased; however, only a significantly decreased APACHE Ⅱ score (MD = -2.95, 95%CI = -4.56 to -1.35, P = 0.000 3) was observed in PHVHF group compared to that in subgroup of other CRRT modes. Conclusions Compared with using conventional therapy alone, using PHVHF combined with conventional therapy for treatment of patients with sepsis can more effectively improve their prognosis, and PHVHF can be the efficacious alternatives of other CRRT modes especially the HVHF. However, due to the limited quantity and quality of the included studies, further high-quality, multicenter, large-scale RCTs are needed to verify the above conclusion.

Objective To explore the classification of gliomas according to the theory and method of radiomics. Methods In this study, 161 pathologically confirmed glioma patients were retrospectively selected from 2012 to 2016 including 52 low-grade gliomas and 109 high-grade gliomas.Three hundred and forty-six quantization features were extracted from the MRI images, including shape, density, texture and wavelet imaging features. Mutual information and logistic regression model were used to select feature reduction and prediction model. The predictive ability of the model was validated using 10-fold cross-validation. Results Nineteen radiomics features were chosen from 346 quantization features. The sensitivity of the model was 96.3% (105/109), the specificity was 78.8% (41/52), the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.952 7, and the accuracy was 90.7%(146/161). Conclusion The solution proposed in this paper showed that radiomics can non-invasively and quickly provide an adjunct to the clinical grade of glioma with high accuracy.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) in the pathogenesis of neuropathic pain (NPP) in rats following sciatic nerve chronic constriction injury (CCI).
 METHODS: A total of 27 adult male Sprague-Dawley rats with successful implantation of lumbar intrathecal catheter were randomly divided into 3 groups: a sham + normal saline group (sham+NS group), a CCI+NS group, and a CCI+5-azacytidine group (CCI+5-AZA group) (n=9 in each group). The rats in the Sham+NS group and the CCI+NS group received NS, while the rats in the CCI+5-AZA group received 10 μmol/L of 5-AZA (a DNMTs inhibition) once a day through spinal injection from the 3th day to 14th day after CCI surgery. Mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdrawal latency (TWL) of ipsilateral hinds in the 3 groups were measured before or at the 3th, 5th, 7th, 10th or 14th day after CCI surgery. At the end of experiments, all rats were killed under deep anesthesia and their lumbar spinal cords were dissected to examine the DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b expression by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunohistochemistry, respectively.
 RESULTS: Compared with the sham+NS group, the MWT and TWL in the CCI+NS group were obviously reduced from the 3th day to the 14th day after surgery (both P<0.05). Compared with the CCI+NS group, the MWT and TWL in the CCI+5-AZA group were obviously increased from the 5th day to the 14th day after surgery (both P<0.05), but they were still reduced compared with the sham+NS group (both P<0.05). The DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b were highly expressed in the lumbar spinal dorsal horn in all rats, and the positive signals were mainly located in the nucleus. The DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b levels in the CCI+NS group were increased significantly compared with that in the sham+NS group on the 14th day after surgery (all P<0.05). The DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b expressions in the CCI+ 5-AZA group were decreased significantly compared with that in the CCI+NS group (all P<0.05), but they still increased compared with that in the sham+NS group (all P<0.05). 
 CONCLUSION Up-regulation of DNMTs in the lumbar spinal may play an important role in the pathogenesis of NPP in CCI rats. DNMTs inhibitors (5-AZA) could reduce expression of DNMTs and attenuate CCI-induced NPP, which might be a potential therapeutic drug for NPP.
Animals ; Azacitidine ; Constriction ; DNA ; DNA (Cytosine-5-)-Methyltransferases ; DNA Methylation ; Injections, Spinal ; Male ; Neuralgia ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spinal Cord Dorsal Horn ; Up-Regulation