Objective To investigate the correlation between spread through air space (STAS) of sub-centimeter non-small cell lung cancer and clinical characteristics and radiological features, constructing a nomogram risk prediction model for STAS to provide a reference for the preoperative planning of sub-centimeter non-small cell lung cancer patients. Methods The data of patients with sub-centimeter non-small cell lung cancer who underwent surgical treatment in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively collected. According to the pathological diagnosis of whether the tumor was accompanied with STAS, they were divided into a STAS positive group and a STAS negative group. The clinical and radiological data of the two groups were collected for univariate logistic regression analysis, and the variables with statistical differences were included in the multivariate analysis. Finally, independent risk factors for STAS were screened out and a nomogram model was constructed. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated based on the Youden index, and area under the curve (AUC), calibration plots and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the performance of the model. Results A total of 112 patients were collected, which included 17 patients in the STAS positive group, consisting of 11 males and 6 females, with a mean age of (59.0±10.3) years. The STAS negative group included 95 patients, with 30 males and 65 females, and a mean age of (56.8±10.3) years. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that male, anti-GAGE7 antibody positive, mean CT value and spiculation were associated with the occurrence of STAS (P＜0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that associations between STAS and male (OR=5.974, 95%CI 1.495 to 23.872), anti-GAGE7 antibody positive (OR=11.760, 95%CI 1.619 to 85.408) and mean CT value (OR=1.008, 95%CI 1.004 to 1.013) were still significant (P＜0.05), while the association between STAS and spiculation was not significant anymore (P=0.438). Based on the above three independent predictors, a nomogram model of STAS in sub-centimeter non-small cell lung cancer was constructed. The AUC value of the model was 0.890, the sensitivity was 76.5%, and the specificity was 91.6%. The calibration curve was well fitted, suggesting that the model had a good prediction efficiency for STAS. The DCA plot showed that the model had a good clinically utility. Conclusion Male, anti-GAGE7 antibody positive and mean CT value are independent predictors of STAS positivity of sub-centimeter non-small cell lung cancer, and the nomogram model established in this study has a good predictive value and provides reference for preoperative planning of patients.

Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T _NANC), time to symptom improvement (T _SI), and time of hospital stay (T _HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T _NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary fibrogenic cells in the liver, and their activation plays a crucial role in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis. Here, we report that retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXRα), a unique member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a key modulator of HSC activation and liver fibrosis. RXRα exerts its effects by modulating calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ)-mediated activation of AMP-activated protein kinase-alpha (AMPKα). In addition, we demonstrate that K-80003, which binds RXRα by a unique mechanism, effectively suppresses HSC activation, proliferation, and migration, thereby inhibiting liver fibrosis in the CCl₄ and amylin liver NASH (AMLN) diet animal models. The effect is mediated by AMPKα activation, promoting mitophagy in HSCs. Mechanistically, K-80003 activates AMPKα by inducing RXRα to form condensates with CaMKKβ and AMPKα via a two-phase process. The formation of RXRα condensates is driven by its N-terminal intrinsic disorder region and requires phosphorylation by CaMKKβ. Our results reveal a crucial role of RXRα in liver fibrosis regulation through modulating mitochondrial activities in HSCs. Furthermore, they suggest that K-80003 and related RXRα modulators hold promise as therapeutic agents for fibrosis-related diseases.

Lactic acid (LA) accumulation in tumor microenvironments (TME) has been implicated in immune suppression and tumor progress. Diverse roles of LA have been elucidated, including microenvironmental pH regulation, signal transduction, post-translational modification, and metabolic remodeling. This review summarizes LA functions within TME, focusing on the effects on tumor cells, immune cells, and stromal cells. Reducing LA levels is a potential strategy to attack cancer, which inevitably affects the physiological functions of normal tissues. Alternatively, transporting LA into the mitochondria as an energy source for immune cells is intriguing. We underscore the significance of LA in both tumor biology and immunology, proposing the burning of LA as a potential therapeutic approach to enhance antitumor immune responses.
Humans ; Tumor Microenvironment/immunology* ; Neoplasms/therapy* ; Lactic Acid/immunology* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Animals ; Signal Transduction

BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that there is a close association between spinal cord injury and ferroptosis,and that tetramethylpyrazine has the function of regulating redox reactions. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the regulatory effect of tetramethylpyrazine on ferroptosis in rats with spinal cord injury and its mechanism. METHODS:Thirty-six female specific pathogen-free Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham-operated group,model group and tetramethylpyrazine group,with 12 rats in each group.Animal models of spinal cord injury were established using the modified Allen's method in the latter two groups.No treatment was given in the sham-operated group,while rats in the model and tetramethylpyrazine groups were given intraperitoneal injection of normal saline and tetramethylpyrazine solution,once a day,for 28 days. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The Basso,Beattie&Bresnahan Locomotor Rating Scale score in the tetramethylpyrazine group was lower than that in the sham-operated group but higher than that in the model group after 14,21,and 28 days of treatment(P＜0.05).After 28 days of treatment,hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that in the model group,the spinal cord tissue of rats showed cavity formation,necrotic tissue and inflammatory infiltration with fibrous tissue formation;in the tetramethylpyrazine group,the area of spinal cord tissue defects was smaller,and inflammatory infiltration and fibrous tissue formation were less than those in the model group.After 28 days of treatment,Prussian blue staining showed that a large amount of iron deposition was seen in the spinal cord tissue of rats in the model group,and less iron deposition was seen in the spinal cord tissue of rats in the tetramethylpyrazine group than in the model group.After 28 days of treatment,the levels of glutathione and superoxide dismutase in the rat spinal cord tissue were decreased(P＜0.05)and the level of malondialdehyde was increased in the model group compared with the sham-operated group(P＜0.05);the levels of glutathione and superoxide dismutase in the rat spinal cord tissue were increased(P＜0.05)and the level of malondialdehyde was decreased in the tetramethylpyrazine group compared with the model group(P＜0.05).After 28 days of treatment,qRT-PCR and western blot assay showed that the mRNA and protein levels of glutathione peroxidase 4,ferritin heavy chain,and ferroportin in the rat spinal cord tissue in the model group were decreased compared with those in the sham-operated group(P＜0.05),while the mRNA and protein levels of glutathione peroxidase 4,ferritin heavy chain,and ferroportin in the rat spinal cord tissue in the tetramethylpyrazine group were increased compared with those in the model group(P＜0.05).Immunofluorescence staining showed that after 28 days of treatment,the neuronal nuclei positive staining in the spinal cord of rats was the most in the sham-operated group and the least in the model group.To conclude,tetramethylpyrazine can improve motor function and play a neuroprotective role in rats with spinal cord injury by regulating ferroptosis.

Objective To explore the predictive value of combined thromboelastography(TEG),coagulation index and platelet parameters in evaluating the risk of thrombosis in patients with chronic venous insufficiency(CVI).Methods A total of 359 patients with CVI were enrolled in our hospital from November 2020 to March 2022,and divided into VTE group and non-VTE group according to the occurrence of venous thromboembolism(VTE).The baseline characteristics of the two groups and the value of combined TEG,coagulation index and platelet parameters in predicting the risk of VTE in patients with CVI were analyzed.The risk factors were screened by univariate logistic regression analysis,and the prediction model was constructed by multivariate logistic regression.The performance of the model was evaluated by area under the curve(AUC)and sensitivity specificity.Results Compared with the non-VTE group,the R value(3.27±0.71 vs 3.87±1.16,P<0.05),the prothrombin time(PT)(11.08±3.02 vs 12.86±3.48,P<0.001)and the platelet distribution width(PDW)(12.01±3.87 vs 13.98±3.20,P<0.001)of the VTE group decreased,while fibrinogen(Fib)(3.46 vs 3.10,P<0.05)and D-dimer(DD)(3.00 vs 1.12,P<0.001)increased.It was found that the area under the ROC curve of the thrombosis pre-diction model based on PT,DD,R value,Fib and PDW was 0.842 8,with the sensitivity and specificity of 36.78%and 95.59%,respectively.The decision curve analysis(DCA)indicated that patients would benefit when the model's predicted probability ranged from 0.1 to 0.7.Conclusion The combination of TEG,coagulation index and platelet parameters is ef-fective in predicting the risk of VTE in patients with CVI.

Objective·To investigate the predictive value of the Clinical Frailty Scale(CFS)in the long term outcomes in acute myocardial infarction(AMI)patients who completed in-hospital cardiac rehabilitation(CR).Methods·A total of 501 AMI patients treated in the Cardiology Center of Shanghai Sixth People's Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University of Medicine from May 2020 to May 2022 were prospectively enrolled,with their baseline clinical data collected.The patients completed graded in-hospital CR and were assessed by CFS based on their completion of CR before discharge.Patients were then categorized into three groups(norm group,vulnerable group and frail group)according to their CFS level.The difference in 1-year major cardiovascular event(all-cause death and re-hospitalization for heart failure)rates among the three groups was investigated.Logistic regression analysis was performed to explore the effective risk factors relevant to the outcomes,and receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curves were generated to analyze the prognostic value.Finally,an optimal prediction model was developed.Results·The CFS level in AMI patients who completed CR was positively correlated with age and peak pro-B-type natriuretic peptide(peak proBNP),and inversely correlated with gender difference(P<0.05).Accompanied with the elevated CFS level,the incidence of both outcomes increased,and there were significant differences in all-cause death(2.6%,5.6%and 15.2%,P=0.002),and while no significant differences in re-hospitalization for heart failure among the three groups(19.6%,22.2%and 24.2%).All-cause death of the frail group was significantly higher than that of the norm group(P=0.004),while there was no significant difference between the vulnerable group and the norm group.CFS could sensitively predict the 1-year all-cause death in AMI patients(β=1.89,OR=6.61,P=0.001),and the risk model combined with CFS had the best predictive effect(AUC=0.845,P=0.000).Conclusion·Assessment by CFS in AMI patients who completed in-hospital CR contributes to identifying AMI patients with high risk of all-cause death in 1 year.

Objective:To study the effects of tetramethylpyrazine on the expressions of ferroptosis related molecules after spinal cord injury; To explore the mechanism of tetramethylpyrazine promoting the repair of spinal cord injury (SCI).Methods:Totally 36 SD rats were divided into sham-operation group, model group and tetramethylpyrazine group according to random number table method, with 12 rats in each group. The rats in the sham-operation group underwent laminectomy without injury to the spinal cord. The SCI model was prepared in the other two groups. The rats in the tetramethylpyrazine group were intraperitoneally injected with tetramethylpyrazine of 80 mg/kg, and the rats in the sham-operation group and model group were intraperitoneally injected with the same volume of normal saline, once a day, continuous intervention for 28 days. One day before operation and 1, 3, 5, 7, 14, 21, 28 days after operation, BBB limb motor function score was used to evaluate the limb motor function of rats. Nissl staining was used to observe the morphology of neurons. Prussian staining was used to observe iron deposition. Assay kit was used to detect the contents of MDA and ROS in spinal cord tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of xCT, GPX4 and ACSL4, and qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of mRNA of xCT, GPX4 and ACSL4.Results:On the 14th, 21st and 28th days after operation, compared with the model group, the BBB score of tetramethylpyrazine group increased ( P<0.01); tetramethylpyrazine could significantly improve the morphology and structure of neurons and reduce the iron content in spinal cord tissue; compared with the model group, the contents of MDA and ROS in the spinal cord tissue of tetramethylpyrazine group decreased ( P<0.01); the levels of xCT and GPX4 mRNA and protein increased ( P<0.01), while the expression of ACSL4 mRNA and protein decreased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Tetramethylpyrazine can regulate lipid peroxidation by regulating the expressions of ferroptosis related molecules, which is conducive to the recovery of limb motor function in rats with spinal cord injury.

Objective:To explore the application value of heuristic teaching combined with anchored instruction in nursing teaching in emergency department.Methods:A total of 80 nursing students assigned to the Emergency Department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University from July 2019 to October 2020 were divided into control group and research group, with 40 cases in each group. The control group used traditional teaching, and the research group used heuristic teaching combined with anchored instruction. At the end of the practice, the teaching effect was evaluated through the examination results (theoretical examination and scenario simulation practice skills examination) and questionnaire survey of teaching quality and teaching satisfaction. SPSS 22.0 was used for t test and chi-square test. Results:The theoretical examination scores [(93.20±2.88) vs. (90.53±3.06)] and the practical skill examination scores (basic operation examination, specialized operation examination and comprehensive quality) of the study group were higher than those of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The overall situation of teaching quality and teaching satisfaction of nursing students in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Heuristic teaching combined with anchored instruction is helpful to improve the theoretical knowledge, practical skills, operation level and comprehensive quality of nursing students, and has good popularization value in clinical nursing teaching.