This case report describes a 68-year-old male patient diagnosed with primary hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). After receiving Yttrium-90 microsphere selective internal radiation therapy (⁹⁰Y-SIRT), the tumor significantly reduced in size, and tumor markers alpha fetoprotein (AFP) and abnormal prothrombin (PIVKA-Ⅱ) decreased. Postoperative pathological results showed minimal residual tumor cells, indicating that ⁹⁰Y-SIRT has good efficacy and safety in downstaging and conversion of HCC, thereby facilitating subsequent surgical resection.

Objective To analyze the distribution of occupational hazard factors (OHFs) in key enterprises in Foshan City. Methods A total of 373 enterprises from 11 key industries in Foshan City in 2022 were selected as the research subjects using the purposive sampling method. Monitoring data of OHFs in workplaces were obtained and analyzed from the "Workplace Occupational Hazards Monitoring Information System" under "China Disease Prevention and Control Information System". Results Among the 373 enterprises, small and micro-sized enterprises, and large and medium-sized enterprises accounted for 85.5% and 14.5% respectively. A total of 24 137 sampling points in the workplaces were monitored for OHFs, with the national standard compliance rate of 92.1%. Among different OHFs, the compliance rates ranked from highest to lowest were chemical agents, dust, and noise (98.0% vs 89.3% vs 52.0%, P<0.01). A total of 63 131 workers were employed in 373 enterprises, among whom 29 753 were exposed to OHFs, yielding an overall exposure rate of 47.1%. Exposure rates of OHFs by enterprise scale, from highest to lowest, were micro-sized, small-sized, medium-sized, and large-sized enterprises (69.2% vs 52.7% vs 47.3% vs 39.0%, P<0.01). The proportion of workers participated in occupational medical examination was 85.1%, with re-examination proportion of 62.5% and the abnormality detection rate of 2.1%. Conclusion In key enterprises in Foshan City, the risk of noise exposure is relatively high, and the exposure rate of OHFs is highest in micro-sized enterprises. The occupational health supervision and management department needs to strengthen the governance of noise hazards in a targeted manner and urge enterprises (especially micro-sized enterprises) to fulfill their primary responsibilities in occupational disease prevention and control.

OBJECTIVE To assess the cost-effectiveness of durvalumab combined with chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer from the perspective of the Chinese healthcare system. METHODS Using data from the TOPAZ-1 clinical trial， a three-state Markov model comprising progression-free survival （PFS）， progressive disease （PD） and death was developed， with a cycle length of 21 days and a 10-year time horizon. Patients in the observation group received durvalumab in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin， whereas those in the control group received placebo plus the same chemotherapy regimen. The evaluation indexes were quality-adjusted life year （QALY） and the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio （ICER）. The willingness-to-pay （WTP） threshold was set at three times the 2024 Chinese per capita gross domestic product （GDP） （287 247 yuan/QALY）. The sensitivity analyses， along with scenario analyses， were performed. RESULTS In the base-case analysis， the ICER of observation group compared to control group was 1 166 344.46 yuan/QALY， far exceeding the WTP threshold， indicating that the regimen was not cost-effective. One-way sensitivity analysis identified the PD state utility， discount rate， cost of durvalumab， and PFS state utility as the main drivers of ICER variation. Probabilistic sensitivity analysis showed that， at the above WTP threshold， the probability of the acceeptance of this regimen was 0， further supporting the robustness of the base-case findings. In the scenario analysis， inclusion of a patient assistance program reduced the ICER to 235 885.16 yuan/ QALY， below the above WTP threshold， suggesting cost-effectiveness under this assistance program. However， when applying a regional WTP threshold set at three times the per capita GDP （158 475 yuan/QALY） of Gansu Province （the province with the lowest GDP in China in 2024）， the ICER remained above the threshold， indicating that the regimen was not cost-effective at the regional level. CONCLUSIONS At current pricing， durvalumab plus chemotherapy as a first-line treatment for advanced biliary tract cancer is not cost-effective in China. Although the introduction of a patient assistance program can substantially reduce the ICER and achieve cost-effectiveness at a WTP threshold set at three times the 2024 per capita GDP of China， due to limited affordability in low-income areas， the program remains not cost-effective.

AIM: To investigate the correlation of degree of myopia in adolescents with axial length, corneal curvature and axial ratio.METHODS: Cross-sectional study. A total of 246 adolescents(492 eyes)aged 8-18 years consecutively enrolled for orthokeratology lens fitting at the Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University between 2021 and 2023 were included based on random sampling method, with 447 eyes finally included due to the elimination of 45 eyes that did not meet the inclusion criteria. Biometric measurements under scotopic conditions assessed axial length(AL), corneal radius of curvature(CR), and AL/CR ratio. Cycloplegic refraction determined spherical equivalent(SE), classifying eyes into mild(216 eyes)or moderate(231 eyes)myopia groups. Furthermore, the correlation of degree of myopia with AL, CR and AL/CR was analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis.RESULTS: A statistically significant difference in myopia severity was observed between the 8-12-year-old and 13-18-year-old age groups(all P<0.001). There were statistically significant differences between mild and moderate groups in SE, AL and AL/CR(all P<0.001). Linear regression analysis revealed significant negative correlations of SE with AL and AL/CR(r=-0.531, -0.598, all P<0.001). The areas under the ROC curve(AUC)for predicting moderate myopia were 0.812(95% CI: 0.773-0.852)for AL/CR combined with gender and age, 0.800(95% CI: 0.759-0.841)for AL/CR alone, 0.726(95% CI: 0.680-0.773)for AL alone, and 0.548(95% CI: 0.494-0.601)for CR alone. The optimal AL/CR cut-off value for predicting moderate myopia was 3.189(sensitivity: 0.632, specificity: 0.852), suggesting its potential as a clinical threshold.CONCLUSION: In adolescents with mild-to-moderate myopia, AL/CR, AL, and SE showed significant negative correlations. The combination of AL/CR with gender and age demonstrated the highest diagnostic accuracy for SE. AL/CR shows independent predictive value for myopia degree in adolescents, irrespective of refractive status.

OBJECTIVES: Exposure to rare earth elements (REEs) has been linked to various systemic diseases, but their impact on the offspring blood-brain barrier (BBB) via the gut-brain axis remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of maternal exposure to neodymium oxide (Nd₂O₃) on the BBB integrity of offspring rats, and to evaluate the potential protective role of bifidobacterium tetrad viable tablets (BTVT) against Nd₂O₃-induced intestinal and BBB damage. METHODS: Healthy adult SD rats were mated at a 1:1 male-to-female ratio, with the day of vaginal plug detection marked as gestational day 0. A total of 60 pregnant rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: Control, 50 mg/(kg·d) Nd₂O₃, 100 mg/(kg·d) Nd₂O₃, 200 mg/(kg·d) Nd₂O₃, and 200 mg/(kg·d) Nd₂O₃ + BTVT group. Treatments were administered by daily oral gavage throughout pregnancy and lactation. On postnatal day 21 (weaning), offspring feces, brain, and colon tissues were collected. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to assess structural changes in brain and intestinal tissues. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Evans Blue (EB) dye extravasation assessed BBB permeability. Gene and protein expression levels of tight junction proteins occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) were measured by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blotting (WB), respectively. Neodymium levels in brain tissue were determined via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). RESULTS: HE staining revealed that maternal Nd₂O₃ exposure caused mucosal edema, increased submucosal spacing, and lymphocyte infiltration in offspring colon, as well as neuronal degeneration and vacuolization in brain tissue. BTVT intervention alleviated these changes. GC-MS analysis showed that levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and isobutyric acid significantly decreased, while valeric acid and isovaleric acid increased in offspring of Nd₂O₃-exposed mothers (P<0.05). BTVT significantly restored levels of acetic, propionic, and isobutyric acids and reduced valeric acid content (P<0.05). EB permeability was significantly elevated in Nd₂O₃-exposed offspring brains (P<0.05), but reduced with BTVT treatment (P<0.05). RT-PCR and WB showed downregulation of occludin and ZO-1 expression following Nd₂O₃ exposure (P<0.05), which was reversed by BTVT (P<0.05). ICP-MS results indicated significantly increased brain neodymium levels in offspring from all Nd₂O₃-exposed groups (P<0.05), while BTVT significantly reduced neodymium accumulation compared to the 200 mg/(kg·d) Nd₂O₃ group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Maternal exposure to Nd₂O₃ during pregnancy and lactation disrupts intestinal health and BBB integrity in offspring, elevates brain neodymium accumulation, and induces neuronal degeneration. BTVT effectively mitigates Nd₂O₃-induced intestinal and BBB damage in offspring, potentially through modulation of the gut-brain axis.
Animals ; Female ; Blood-Brain Barrier/pathology* ; Pregnancy ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Male ; Neodymium/toxicity* ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/prevention & control* ; Lactation ; Maternal Exposure/adverse effects* ; Brain

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a critical clinical condition characterized by rapid renal function decline, with high morbidity, mortality, and healthcare costs. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown potential effects on mitigating oxidative stress and programmed cell death in AKI models. Scutellaria barbata D. Don (SB) and Scleromitrion diffusum (Willd.) R. J. Wang (SD), a classic TCM herbal pair exhibited anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities. Using advanced chromatographic separation technology, we enriched the effective fractions of water extracts from SB-SD, obtaining self-assembled herbal nanoparticles (SB and SD nanoparticles, SSNPs) rich in flavonoids and terpenoids. These SSNPs demonstrated robust antioxidant properties in vitro and mitigated AKI progression in vivo by activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway. Oral administration of SSNPs in mice resulted in absorption into the bloodstream, formation of a protein corona, reduced macrophage phagocytosis, and enhanced bioavailability and renal targeting. Furthermore, we investigated the self-assembly principle of SSNPs using representative flavonoids and terpenoids. Kinetic studies and in situ transmission electron microscopy (in situ TEM) revealed that these compounds self-assemble via supramolecular forces like hydrogen bonding and π-π interactions, forming stable nanostructures. This study elucidates the renoprotective effects and mechanisms of SB and SD, and provides a novel approach for the development of TCM-based nanomedicines, highlighting the potential of nano-TCM in AKI treatment.

Objective To summarize the clinicopathological features,immunohistochemical characteristics,HOX transcript antisense RNA(HOTAIR)in situ hybridization status,treatment,and prognosis of myxopapillary ependymoma(MPE). Methods A total of 17 patients diagnosed with MPE based on pathological evidence in the Department of Pathology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from November 2006 to July 2023 were selected,and the clinicopathological data of these patients were collected.Immunohistochemical staining for trimethylation at lysine 27 of histone H3 (H3K27me3),glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP),and epithelial membrane antigen(EMA)and alcian blue-periodic acid Schiff(AB-PAS)staining were performed in all the patients.Sixteen patients with spinal ependymomas were selected as the control group.Tissue microarrays were prepared from 17 MPE patients and the control group.HOTAIR ISH was performed and semi-quantitatively scored,and the scores of the two groups were compared by the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Results The 17 MPE patients aged 14-64 years,with the mean age of(37.48±16.10)years and the male-to-female ratio of 0.7∶1.Their clinical manifestations mainly included lumbosacral and lower limb pains.Microscopically,tumor cells were arranged in a papillary pattern around fibrovascular axis,with abundant myxoid materials,and tumor cells were arranged in a loose meshwork in some patients.The immunohistochemical staining results showed that 17(100%),10(58.82%),and 8(47.06%)patients expressed GFAP,EMA,and D2-40,respectively,and 2(11.76%)patients lacked expression of H3K27me3.AB-PAS staining showed blue myxoid materials in all the 17(100%)patients.HOTAIR was expressed in both MPE and control groups,with higher semi-quantitative score in the MPE group than in the control group(P=0.004).Twelve patients were followed up,with a median follow-up period of 65.50 months,during which three patients showed recurrence.Conclusions MPE exhibits typical pathological features,and the combination with immunohistochemical staining for GFAP and EMA as well as AB-PAS staining facilitates diagnosis of this disease.A small number of patients loss the expression of H3K27me3.HOTAIR is highly expressed in MPE but lacks specificity,which limits its auxiliary diagnostic value.The overall prognosis of MPE is favorable,with a few patients experiencing recurrence.
Humans ; Ependymoma/metabolism* ; Male ; Adult ; Female ; Adolescent ; Middle Aged ; In Situ Hybridization ; Young Adult ; RNA, Antisense/genetics* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Prognosis

Objective:To explore the impact of pembrolizumab combined with chemotherapy on angiogenesis and circulating endothelial cells in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) .Methods:The retrospective analysis of clinical data from 121 patients diagnosed with advanced NSCLC who were admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xingtai Medical College from August 2021 to January 2023 was conducted. These patients were divided into a control group ( n=57) and an observation group ( n=64) based on the designated treatment protocol. Specifically, individuals in the control group received standard chemotherapy (cisplatin+paclitaxel), while those in the observation group underwent penpilimab therapy in conjunction with conventional chemotherapy. The comparative assessment encompassed short-term clinical efficacy, quality of life, immune function parameters, angiogenic factors [including endostatin, insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) ], circulating endothelial cells, and adverse reactions within the two groups. Results:After 6 courses of treatment, the objective response rate [67.19% (43/64) vs. 49.12% (28/57) ] and disease control rate [87.50% (56/64) vs. 70.18% (40/57) ] in observation group were higher than those in control group, with statistically significant differences ( χ2=4.06, P=0.044; χ2=5.52, P=0.019). The quality of life score of observation group [ (56.77±6.81) points] was significantly higher than that of control group [ (47.73±8.23) points], with a statistically significant difference ( t=6.61, P<0.001) ; The T cell subgroup CD3 + levels [ (63.59±9.00) % vs. (53.06±8.80%), t=6.49, P<0.001], CD4 + levels [ (46.54±8.20) % vs. (30.74±7.32) %, t=11.13, P<0.001] and CD4 +/CD8 + ratio (1.90±0.36 vs. 1.21±0.28, t=11.66, P<0.001) in observation group were significantly higher than those in control group, with statistically significant differences; Endostatin in observation group [ (48.99±3.43) μmol/L] was significantly higher than that in control group [ (31.35±3.87) μmol/L], with a statistically significant difference ( t=26.58, P<0.001), IGF-1 [ (102.31±20.35) μg/L vs. (134.98±19.02) μg/L] and VEGF [ (31.70±4.32) pg/ml vs. (58.71±5.99) pg/ml] were significantly lower in observation group than those in control group, with statistically significant differences ( t=18.73, P<0.001; t=28.14, P<0.001). The number of circulating endothelial cells in observation group [ (58.77±10.03) /ml] was significantly lower than that in control group [ (87.01±8.01) /ml], with a statistically significant difference ( t=17.20, P<0.001). During treatment, there were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of gastrointestinal reaction ( χ2=0.01, P=0.908), leukopenia ( χ2=0.64, P=0.424), thrombocytopenia ( χ2=0.28, P=0.597), anemia ( χ2=1.66, P=0.197), nephrotoxicity ( χ2=0.64, P=0.424), skin rash ( χ2=1.33, P=0.249) between the two groups. Conclusion:The combination therapy of pembrolizumab and chemotherapy for the treatment of advanced NSCLC has demonstrated noteworthy effectiveness. This regimen has the potential to enhance patients' immune functionality, ameliorate their overall quality of life, suppress angiogenesis, and exhibits a commendable profile of safety and reliability.

Objective To investigate the association of 13 single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)sites in 6 phalange-bone development related genes[fibroblast growth factor receptor 2(FGFR2),indian hedgehog signaling molecule(IHH),Msh homeobox 1(MSX1),Runx family transcription factor 2(RUNX2),SRY-box transcription factor 9(SOX9),Wnt family member 5A(WNT5A)]with human index-ring finger length ratio(2D∶4D).Methods Digital cameras were used to take frontal photographs of the hands of 731 college students(358 males and 373 females)in Ningxia,and image analysis software was used to mark anatomical points and measure finger lengths of index(2th)and ring(4th);genotyping of 13 SNP sites(rs1047057,rs755793,rs41258305,rs3731881,rs3100776,rs12532,rs3821949,rs45585135,rs3749863,rs1042667,rs12601701,rs1829556,rs3732750)for 6 genes by multiplex PCR;One-Way ANOVA or independent sample t-test indirectly assessed the association between 2D∶4D and 13 SNP sites.Results Both left and right hand 2D∶4D were significantly higher in females than males in Ningxia college students(all P<0.01);no statistically significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies of the 13 SNP sites among different sexes(all P>0.05);among different sexes,male left hand 2D∶4D was significantly associated with the genotype of SOX9 gene rs12601701 site(P<0.05)and right hand 2D∶4D was significantly associated with the genotype of WNT5A gene rs1829556 site(P<0.05);the female right hand 2D∶4D was significantly associated with the MSX1 gene rs12532(P<0.01)and rs3821949(P<0.05)sites genotypes.Conclusion SOX9(rs12601701),WNT5A(rs1829556)and MSX1(rs12532 and rs3821949)gene polymorphisms may be associated with the formation of 2D∶4D in Ningxia population.

Fibromyalgia syndrome （FMS） is a refractory， chronic non-articular rheumatic disease characterized by widespread pain throughout the body， for which there are no satisfactory therapeutic drugs or options. There are rich Chinese medical therapies， and some non-drug therapies， such as acupuncture， Tai Chi， and Ba-Duan-Jin， have shown satisfactory efficacy and safety and definite advantages of simultaneously adjusting mind and body. FMS is taken as a disease responding specifically to traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine in 2018. In order to clarify the research progress in FMS and the clinical advantages of TCM/integrated Chinese and Western medicine， the China Academy of Chinese Medicine organized a seminar for nearly 20 experts in Chinese and Western medicine， including rheumatology， psychology， acupuncture and moxibustion， and encephalopathy， with the topic of difficulties in clinical diagnosis and treatment of FMS and advantages of TCM and Western medicine. The recommendations were reached on the difficulties in early diagnosis and solutions of FMS， mitigation of common non-specific symptoms， preferential analgesic therapy， TCM pathogenesis and treatment advantages， and direction of treatment with integrated Chinese and Western medicine. FMS is currently facing the triple dilemma of low early correct diagnosis， poor patient participation， and unsatisfactory benefit from pure Western medicine treatment. To solve the above problems， this paper suggests that rheumatologists should serve as the main diagnostic force of this disease， and they should improve patient participation in treatment decision-making， implement exercise therapy， and fully utilize the holistic and multidimensional features of TCM， which is effective in alleviating pain， improving mood， and decreasing adverse events. In addition， it is suggested that FMS treatment should rely on both TCM and Western medicine and adopt multidisciplinary joint treatment， which is expected to improve the standard of diagnosis and treatment of FMS in China.