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.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and severity of symptom burden among long-term survivors of oropharyngeal cancer after radiotherapy, to identify core symptom clusters, and to explore their correlation with quality of life.Methods:A previous retrospective study was conducted by the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences on patients with oropharyngeal cancer who underwent radiotherapy between January 2010 and December 2020. Patients who were still alive as of December 2023 were further followed and analyzed. From December 2023 to August 2024, symptom burden and quality of life were assessed using the Chinese version of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory–Head and Neck Module (MDASI-HN) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ). Exploratory factor analysis (principal component analysis with Promax rotation) were used to identify symptom clusters. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore the relationship between total symptom cluster scores and standardized domain scores of quality of life. Multivariate linear regression analysis was further employed to determine the relationship between identified symptom clusters and overall quality of life.Results:A total of 273 patients were included, with a median follow-up duration of 6.2 years (range: 3.5-14.5 years) and a median age of 61 years (range: 27-88 years) at follow-up. The top 5 incidence rates of symptom reported by patients were mucus problems in the mouth or throat (147 cases, 53.8%), dental or gum issues (143 cases, 52.4%), xerostomia (140 cases, 51.3%), difficulty swallowing or chewing (95 cases, 34.8%), and taste disturbance (79 cases, 28.9%). Among them, xerostomia was the most serious symptom. The most frequently reported interference was impact on work (including household chores) (55 cases, 20.1%). Exploratory factor analysis identified 3 symptom clusters: fatigue-nausea cluster, eating-voice cluster, and xerostomia-sleep cluster, all of which were significantly correlated with lower overall quality of life of patients (all P<0.001). Conclusion:Long-term survivors of oropharyngeal cancer after radiotherapy experience substantial symptom burden. The fatigue-nausea, eating-voice, and xerostomia-sleep clusters are the core symptom clusters impacting quality of life.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and severity of symptom burden among long-term survivors of oropharyngeal cancer after radiotherapy, to identify core symptom clusters, and to explore their correlation with quality of life.Methods:A previous retrospective study was conducted by the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences on patients with oropharyngeal cancer who underwent radiotherapy between January 2010 and December 2020. Patients who were still alive as of December 2023 were further followed and analyzed. From December 2023 to August 2024, symptom burden and quality of life were assessed using the Chinese version of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory–Head and Neck Module (MDASI-HN) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ). Exploratory factor analysis (principal component analysis with Promax rotation) were used to identify symptom clusters. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore the relationship between total symptom cluster scores and standardized domain scores of quality of life. Multivariate linear regression analysis was further employed to determine the relationship between identified symptom clusters and overall quality of life.Results:A total of 273 patients were included, with a median follow-up duration of 6.2 years (range: 3.5-14.5 years) and a median age of 61 years (range: 27-88 years) at follow-up. The top 5 incidence rates of symptom reported by patients were mucus problems in the mouth or throat (147 cases, 53.8%), dental or gum issues (143 cases, 52.4%), xerostomia (140 cases, 51.3%), difficulty swallowing or chewing (95 cases, 34.8%), and taste disturbance (79 cases, 28.9%). Among them, xerostomia was the most serious symptom. The most frequently reported interference was impact on work (including household chores) (55 cases, 20.1%). Exploratory factor analysis identified 3 symptom clusters: fatigue-nausea cluster, eating-voice cluster, and xerostomia-sleep cluster, all of which were significantly correlated with lower overall quality of life of patients (all P<0.001). Conclusion:Long-term survivors of oropharyngeal cancer after radiotherapy experience substantial symptom burden. The fatigue-nausea, eating-voice, and xerostomia-sleep clusters are the core symptom clusters impacting quality of life.

Objective:To prospectively observe the changes of tumor-related symptoms in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma following the administration of nimotuzumab one week before radiotherapy.Methods:Non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with positive epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and symptoms caused by the primary lesion or metastatic cervical lymph nodes admitted to Cancer Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were prospectively recruited. Investigators recorded tumor-related symptoms in recruited patients one day before the first administration of nimotuzumab (D0) and conducted follow-up visits from day 2 to day 7 after the first administration (D2-D7) to document symptom changes. All recruited patients were asked to assess tumor-related symptoms on D0 and D7 by visual analogue scale (VAS) scores. VAS scores were analyzed by paired t-test. Results:From June 2020 to April 2023, a total of 21 patients met the inclusion criteria. The median age was 49 years (range: 27-69 years), with a male-to-female ratio of 1.3:1. Among the patients, 17 patients (81%) received concurrent nimotuzumab for 8 cycles, 7 cycles for 3 cases (14%), and 6 cycles for 1 case (5%), respectively. All patients completed symptom assessments as required. The overall response rate of symptoms after the first administration of nimotuzumab was 62%, with response rates of 4/6、5/8、4/10、4/10、4/11、3/11 for tinnitus, headache, aural fullness, secondary pain caused by neck mass, nasal bleeding, and nasal obstruction, respectively. The VAS scores for overall symptoms were significantly decreased after the administration of nimotuzumab one week before radiotherapy ( P<0.001), with the most significant decrease in VAS scores for tinnitus, aural fullness, and headache. Conclusion:The administration of nimotuzumab one week before radiotherapy significantly alleviates tumor-related symptoms in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma, particularly in alleviating tinnitus, aural fullness, and headache.

Objective:To investigate the laboratory detection methods for immune hemolytic transfusion reactions caused by anti-tigecycline antibody and the clinical diagnosis and treatment of one patient.Methods:The correlation between hemolysis-related laboratory indexes of the patient and the duration of medication was analyzed. Blood samples of the patient were tested using direct anti-human globulin test, free antibody test, and release test. Erythrocyte sensitization method and immune complexome analysis were used to detect the antibody against tigecycline in the serum of the patient. The properties and the titers of anti-tigecycline antibody were analyzed.Results:Anti-tigecycline antibody was found in the patient through the erythrocyte sensitization method and the immune complexome analysis, and the result of the direct anti-human globulin test was positive. The clinical symptoms and physical signs of the patient improved rapidly after withdrawal of tigecycline and blood transfusion. The patient was discharged after 14-day treatment with immunoglobulin and hormone.Conclusions:Tigecycline can cause hemolytic transfusion reactions. Serological tests are essential for the diagnosis of drug-induced hemolytic anemia. Withdrawal of medications and symptomatic treatment should be conduceted immediately when patients develop drug-related hemolytic anemia.

Topical semi-solid preparations include creams,ointments,gels and other dosage forms,which contain various excipients such as emulsifiers,preservatives,thickeners or emollient agents,etc.They can be single-phase system,or multiple system consisting of continuous phase and disperse phase thanks to its complex design of formulation and manufacturing process.Rheology properties are critical quality attributes of topical semi-solid preparations,which can comprehensively reflect the difference in microstructure such as the substance distribution and aggregation state of the product,and is related to other attributes such as in vitro release,in vitro penetration,stability and cutaneous sense.It is one of the most effective means to evaluate the quality equivalence between generic drugs and innovator drugs.After reviewing domestic,foreign literature and relative policies,this paper described the research status and test methods of rheology,analyzed the possible factors affecting rheological properties,discussed the quality differences reflected in rheological data,in order to guide pharmaceutical manufacturers to improve their formulations and processes and provide help for the development and quality equivalence research of such preparations.

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 investigate the clinical effects of modified automatic hemorrhoidal ligation using elastic string (RPH-4) combined with Xiaozhilling injection for grade Ⅲ hemorrhoids.Methods:The prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. The clinical data of patients with grade Ⅲ hemorrhoids who underwent modified RPH-4 combined with Xiaozhiling injection in Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Chongqing Shapingba District from July 2021 to December 2022 were selected. Patients with grade Ⅲ hemorrhoids who meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group using a random number table method. Patients in the experiment group underwent submucosal injection of the Xiaozhilling injec-tion followed by modified RPH-4, and patients in the control group underwent submucosal injection of the 0.9% sodium chloride solution followed by modified RPH-4. Observation indicators: (1) grouping of enrolled patients; (2) postoperative situations; (3) short-term efficacy; (4) long-term efficacy. Com-parison of measurement data with normal distribution between groups was conducted using the inde-pendent sample t test. Comparison of measurement data with skewed distribution between groups was conducted using the nonparameter test. Comparison of count data between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Results:(1) Grouping of enrolled patients. A total of 120 patients were selected. There were 72 males and 48 females, aged 48(range, 18-69)years, including 60 cases in the experiment group and 60 cases in the control group, respectively. There was no significant difference in gender, age, type of hemorrhoids, time to hemorrhoid prolapsis, stool blood, symptom score and Wexner score between the two groups ( P>0.05), confounding bias ensured comparability. At the end of the study, there were 59 cases in the experimental group and 58 cases in the control group. (2) Postoperative situations. There were 5 cases of secondary bleeding after modified RPH-4 in the experiment group and 15 cases of secondary bleeding after modified RPH-4 in the control group, showing a significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=6.239, P<0.05). The post-operative hemorrhoidal shedding time was (6.9±1.4)days in the experiment group, versus (8.1±2.2)days in the control group, showing a significant difference between the two groups ( t=-3.566, P<0.05). (3) Short-term efficacy. There were 59 cases in the experiment group and 58 cases in the control group completing short-term follow-up. The cure rate was 88.14%(52/59) in the experiment group, versus 84.48%(49/58) in the control group, showing no significant difference in short-term efficacy between the two groups ( χ2=0.331, P>0.05). The wound healing time was (24±5)days in the experi-ment group, versus (25±5)days in the control group, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( t=-1.082, P>0.05). (4) Long-term efficacy. There were 59 cases in the experiment group and 58 cases in the control group completing long-term follow-up. None of patient in the two groups had anal incontinence. Cases of hemorrhoid recurrence (blood stool or prolapse) and cases of rectal hard segment in the experiment group were 2 and 1, respectively, and there was no anorectal stenosis. Cases of hemorrhoid recurrence (blood stool or prolapse) and cases of anorectal stenosis were 8 and 1, respectively, and there was no rectal hard segment. There was no significant difference of above situations between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The modified RPH-4 combined with Xiaozhiling injection for grade Ⅲ hemorrhoids can achieve double solid and hemorrhoidal removal efficacy, which can further reduce the risk of complications after severe hemorrhoids modified RPH-4 alone treatment.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effects of modified automatic hemorrhoidal ligation using elastic string (RPH-4) combined with Xiaozhilling injection for grade Ⅲ hemorrhoids.Methods:The prospective randomized controlled study was conducted. The clinical data of patients with grade Ⅲ hemorrhoids who underwent modified RPH-4 combined with Xiaozhiling injection in Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital of Chongqing Shapingba District from July 2021 to December 2022 were selected. Patients with grade Ⅲ hemorrhoids who meeting the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into the experimental group and the control group using a random number table method. Patients in the experiment group underwent submucosal injection of the Xiaozhilling injec-tion followed by modified RPH-4, and patients in the control group underwent submucosal injection of the 0.9% sodium chloride solution followed by modified RPH-4. Observation indicators: (1) grouping of enrolled patients; (2) postoperative situations; (3) short-term efficacy; (4) long-term efficacy. Com-parison of measurement data with normal distribution between groups was conducted using the inde-pendent sample t test. Comparison of measurement data with skewed distribution between groups was conducted using the nonparameter test. Comparison of count data between groups was conducted using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Results:(1) Grouping of enrolled patients. A total of 120 patients were selected. There were 72 males and 48 females, aged 48(range, 18-69)years, including 60 cases in the experiment group and 60 cases in the control group, respectively. There was no significant difference in gender, age, type of hemorrhoids, time to hemorrhoid prolapsis, stool blood, symptom score and Wexner score between the two groups ( P>0.05), confounding bias ensured comparability. At the end of the study, there were 59 cases in the experimental group and 58 cases in the control group. (2) Postoperative situations. There were 5 cases of secondary bleeding after modified RPH-4 in the experiment group and 15 cases of secondary bleeding after modified RPH-4 in the control group, showing a significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=6.239, P<0.05). The post-operative hemorrhoidal shedding time was (6.9±1.4)days in the experiment group, versus (8.1±2.2)days in the control group, showing a significant difference between the two groups ( t=-3.566, P<0.05). (3) Short-term efficacy. There were 59 cases in the experiment group and 58 cases in the control group completing short-term follow-up. The cure rate was 88.14%(52/59) in the experiment group, versus 84.48%(49/58) in the control group, showing no significant difference in short-term efficacy between the two groups ( χ2=0.331, P>0.05). The wound healing time was (24±5)days in the experi-ment group, versus (25±5)days in the control group, showing no significant difference between the two groups ( t=-1.082, P>0.05). (4) Long-term efficacy. There were 59 cases in the experiment group and 58 cases in the control group completing long-term follow-up. None of patient in the two groups had anal incontinence. Cases of hemorrhoid recurrence (blood stool or prolapse) and cases of rectal hard segment in the experiment group were 2 and 1, respectively, and there was no anorectal stenosis. Cases of hemorrhoid recurrence (blood stool or prolapse) and cases of anorectal stenosis were 8 and 1, respectively, and there was no rectal hard segment. There was no significant difference of above situations between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The modified RPH-4 combined with Xiaozhiling injection for grade Ⅲ hemorrhoids can achieve double solid and hemorrhoidal removal efficacy, which can further reduce the risk of complications after severe hemorrhoids modified RPH-4 alone treatment.