Elderly end-of-life patients often experience distress due to being caught in dilemmas of contemplation and decision-making. Narrative wills， grounded in life values and premised on respecting individual wishes and needs， present an individual’s unique life story through narrative forms， conveying their overall experience， interpretation of meaning， and understanding of life. They are preserved and passed on in a way that meets individual expectations， thereby promoting human exploration， reflection， and growth regarding the meaning of life through interpersonal interactions that transcend space and time. This paper explored the concept of narrative wills among elderly end-of-life patients， the ethical value and ethical principles of narrative wills， and the moral and ethical risks. It also provided specific ethical interpretations， assisting in the application and development of narrative wills in elderly end-of-life patients.

Objective:To investigate the application of pedicled or perforator flaps transfer in the stage Ⅰ tissue defect repair after vulvar cancer surgery.Methods:From January 2005 to December 2023, 20 patients with vulvar cancer who underwent extensive episiectomy or extended episiectomy±inguinal lymph node resection+vulvar defect flap transfer were collected in Huanxing Cancer Hospital of Chaoyang District and Cancer Hospital and Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The survival status, appearance structure, sexual function satisfaction, tumor recurrence, and survival were analyzed.Results:(1) The median age of the 20 patients was 59 years (ranged: 29-73 years). There were 14 patients with recurrence and 6 patients with initial treatment. Pathological types: 14 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 4 cases of Paget′s disease, 1 case of malignant melanoma, 1 case of adenoid cystic carcinoma (salivary gland type carcinoma). (2) Among the 20 patients, 6 cases underwent extensive episiotomy and 14 underwent extended episiotomy (1 of them underwent extensive excision of inguinal masses). Simultaneous inguinal lymphadenectomy (or dissection) were performed in 11 cases, including 7 cases of bilateral inguinal lymph node resection (or dissection) and 4 cases of unilateral inguinal lymph node resection (or dissection). Flap source: pedicled flap in 12 cases, perforator flap in 8 cases. All the 20 patients were removed at 10-14 days after operation, and all of them survived with rosy skin color and good elasticity. Seventeen cases of transferred flaps healed at stage Ⅰ, 2 cases healed at about 6 weeks due to incision leakage, and 1 case healed at 6 weeks after incision infection debridement. Six months after the operation, 2 cases felt that the pubic mound was thick and swollen. The other 18 cases showed vulva fullness and elasticity, no displacement of urethral opening, no deviation of urethra during urination, no stenosis of vaginal opening, no vulvar scar pain. In addition to 1 unmarried 29-year-old patient and 6 patients over 65 years old who had no sexual life before and after surgery, the other 13 patients had normal sexual life after surgery. (3) The follow-up period were 6 to 100 months, and 9 cases (45%, 9/20) relapsed during the follow-up period. There were 5 deaths (25%, 5/20), who were due to recurrence of vulvar cancer. The 5-year survival rate of 20 patients was 75%, including 83% in 6 patients with initial treatment and 71% in 14 patients with recurrence and reoperation.Conclusions:The combination of flap transfer for episioplasty with vulvar cancer surgery does not affect the wound healing. Because the external structure of the vulva is repaired, it could effectively improve the local wound healing ability and improve the organ function, and has good clinical application value.

OBJECTIVE To preliminarily assess the horizontal sound localization and its influencing factors in patients with unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss during the acute phase.METHODS The azimuth discrimination test and azimuth identification test were completed,with the speech sound(65 dB SPL)as the stimulus.The minimum audible angle(MAA)and root-mean-square error(RMSE)were obtained,and the RMSE of the affected side and the healthy side were calculated respectively.According to the WHO(2021)hearing loss classification criteria,the data were analyzed based on the pure-tone average(PTA)of the affected ear.And the best resident hearing at each frequency of the affected ear was recorded.RESULTS The performance of the unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients in the sound localization varied greatly.Some performed close to the normal level,while others completely lost the ability to localize sound.The RMSE of the moderate hearing loss group(≥35 dB HL)was significantly higher than that of the normal hearing group(P<0.01),the MAA of the moderate to severe hearing loss group(≥50 dB HL)showed statistically significant differencescompared with normal hearing group(P<0.001).The RMSE of the affected side of patients in the severe and above hearing loss group was significantly larger than that of the healthy side.Regression analysis showed that the best resident hearing at each frequency of the affected ear was the most significant factor affecting MAA(R2=0.572,P<0.001)and RMSE(R2=0.768,P<0.001).CONCLUSION The horizontal sound localization of unilateral sudden sensorineural hearing loss patients in the acute phase varies greatly.When the PTA of the affected side reaches moderate hearing loss,the localization ability is significantly lower than that of normal-hearing individuals.The best resident hearing at each frequency of the affected ear is the key factor affecting the localization ability.

Objective:To translate the European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire-head and neck 43(EORTC QLQ-H&N43) and to conduct cultural debugging and reliability and validity testing for the Chinese version of the scale.Methods:The Chinese version of EORTC QLQ-H&N43 was formed through literal translation, integration, back translation, group discussion, cultural adjustment, and pre-investigation of the English version of the scale. From March 2023 to December 2023, convenience sampling was used to investigate 254 patients with head and neck tumors at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, including 197 males and 57 females, aged (55.6±13.6) years. SPSS 25.0 statistical software was used to analyze the performance of the scale.Results:The Chinese version of EORTC QLQ-H&N43 retained all 43 items. After evaluation by 5 experts, the content validity index (I-CVI) at the item level of the scale ranged from 0.80 to 1.00, and the average content validity index (S-CVI/Ave) at the scale level was 0.991. Through exploratory factor analysis, a total of 9 common factors were extracted, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 68.158%; Cronbach′s α coefficient of the total scale was 0.943, and the half reliability was 0.896.Conclusion:The Chinese version of EORTC QLQ-H&N43 has good reliability and validity, which can be used as an effective tool to evaluate the quality of life of head and neck cancer patients in China.

Objective:To translate the European organization for research and treatment of cancer quality of life questionnaire-head and neck 43(EORTC QLQ-H&N43) and to conduct cultural debugging and reliability and validity testing for the Chinese version of the scale.Methods:The Chinese version of EORTC QLQ-H&N43 was formed through literal translation, integration, back translation, group discussion, cultural adjustment, and pre-investigation of the English version of the scale. From March 2023 to December 2023, convenience sampling was used to investigate 254 patients with head and neck tumors at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, including 197 males and 57 females, aged (55.6±13.6) years. SPSS 25.0 statistical software was used to analyze the performance of the scale.Results:The Chinese version of EORTC QLQ-H&N43 retained all 43 items. After evaluation by 5 experts, the content validity index (I-CVI) at the item level of the scale ranged from 0.80 to 1.00, and the average content validity index (S-CVI/Ave) at the scale level was 0.991. Through exploratory factor analysis, a total of 9 common factors were extracted, with a cumulative variance contribution rate of 68.158%; Cronbach′s α coefficient of the total scale was 0.943, and the half reliability was 0.896.Conclusion:The Chinese version of EORTC QLQ-H&N43 has good reliability and validity, which can be used as an effective tool to evaluate the quality of life of head and neck cancer patients in China.

AIM:To establish a stable and efficient rat model of alcoholic liver disease(ALD),we investigat-ed the effects of different alcoholic beverage concentrations and alcohol dosing regimens.METHODS:(1)SPF-grade male SD rats were randomized into 5 groups(n=10):blank,ALD1,ALD2,ALD3,and ALD4.Except for the blank group,rats received intragastric administration of 56%alcohol(6 mL/kg twice daily with an 8-hour interval)for 4 weeks,along with free access to 0%,5%,10%,or 15%alcoholic beverage to evaluate concentration-dependent effects.(2)An-other cohort was divided into three groups(n=10):blank,ALD5,and ALD6.Rats(except blank)were gavaged with 56%alcohol twice daily for 9 weeks(8 mL/kg for ALD5;6 mL/kg in week 1,increasing by 0.5 mL/kg weekly for ALD6),with 10%alcoholic beverage available ad libitum to assess dose-dependent effects.Serum biochemical markers[alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),high-density li-poprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)]and inflammatory cytokines[interleu-kin-6(IL-6),IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)]were analyzed after modeling,complemented by imaging(B-ultrasound,CT,and MRI).Success and survival rates were calculated.RESULTS:(1)ALD1～4 groups exhibited sig-nificantly elevated ALT,AST,TC,TG,LDL-C,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α(P<0.05 or P<0.01)and reduced HDL-C and liver-to-spleen CT density ratio vs blank.ALD3(10%alcoholic beverage)showed the highest modeling success rate with low mortality.(2)ALD5 and ALD6 groups also had siginificant differin terms(P<0.01),with ALD6(gradually increas-ing dose)displaying more severe liver injury,higher success rate,and better survival.CONCLUSION:The optimal ALD model was induced by intragastric administration of 56%alcohol(6 mL/kg twice daily in week 1,increasing by 0.5 mL/kg weekly for 9 weeks)combined with 10%alcoholic beverage.This protocol offers a reliable approach for ALD re-search and drug development.

Objective:To investigate the application of pedicled or perforator flaps transfer in the stage Ⅰ tissue defect repair after vulvar cancer surgery.Methods:From January 2005 to December 2023, 20 patients with vulvar cancer who underwent extensive episiectomy or extended episiectomy±inguinal lymph node resection+vulvar defect flap transfer were collected in Huanxing Cancer Hospital of Chaoyang District and Cancer Hospital and Peking Union Medical College, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences. The survival status, appearance structure, sexual function satisfaction, tumor recurrence, and survival were analyzed.Results:(1) The median age of the 20 patients was 59 years (ranged: 29-73 years). There were 14 patients with recurrence and 6 patients with initial treatment. Pathological types: 14 cases of squamous cell carcinoma, 4 cases of Paget′s disease, 1 case of malignant melanoma, 1 case of adenoid cystic carcinoma (salivary gland type carcinoma). (2) Among the 20 patients, 6 cases underwent extensive episiotomy and 14 underwent extended episiotomy (1 of them underwent extensive excision of inguinal masses). Simultaneous inguinal lymphadenectomy (or dissection) were performed in 11 cases, including 7 cases of bilateral inguinal lymph node resection (or dissection) and 4 cases of unilateral inguinal lymph node resection (or dissection). Flap source: pedicled flap in 12 cases, perforator flap in 8 cases. All the 20 patients were removed at 10-14 days after operation, and all of them survived with rosy skin color and good elasticity. Seventeen cases of transferred flaps healed at stage Ⅰ, 2 cases healed at about 6 weeks due to incision leakage, and 1 case healed at 6 weeks after incision infection debridement. Six months after the operation, 2 cases felt that the pubic mound was thick and swollen. The other 18 cases showed vulva fullness and elasticity, no displacement of urethral opening, no deviation of urethra during urination, no stenosis of vaginal opening, no vulvar scar pain. In addition to 1 unmarried 29-year-old patient and 6 patients over 65 years old who had no sexual life before and after surgery, the other 13 patients had normal sexual life after surgery. (3) The follow-up period were 6 to 100 months, and 9 cases (45%, 9/20) relapsed during the follow-up period. There were 5 deaths (25%, 5/20), who were due to recurrence of vulvar cancer. The 5-year survival rate of 20 patients was 75%, including 83% in 6 patients with initial treatment and 71% in 14 patients with recurrence and reoperation.Conclusions:The combination of flap transfer for episioplasty with vulvar cancer surgery does not affect the wound healing. Because the external structure of the vulva is repaired, it could effectively improve the local wound healing ability and improve the organ function, and has good clinical application value.

AIM:To establish a stable and efficient rat model of alcoholic liver disease(ALD),we investigat-ed the effects of different alcoholic beverage concentrations and alcohol dosing regimens.METHODS:(1)SPF-grade male SD rats were randomized into 5 groups(n=10):blank,ALD1,ALD2,ALD3,and ALD4.Except for the blank group,rats received intragastric administration of 56%alcohol(6 mL/kg twice daily with an 8-hour interval)for 4 weeks,along with free access to 0%,5%,10%,or 15%alcoholic beverage to evaluate concentration-dependent effects.(2)An-other cohort was divided into three groups(n=10):blank,ALD5,and ALD6.Rats(except blank)were gavaged with 56%alcohol twice daily for 9 weeks(8 mL/kg for ALD5;6 mL/kg in week 1,increasing by 0.5 mL/kg weekly for ALD6),with 10%alcoholic beverage available ad libitum to assess dose-dependent effects.Serum biochemical markers[alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),high-density li-poprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)]and inflammatory cytokines[interleu-kin-6(IL-6),IL-1β and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)]were analyzed after modeling,complemented by imaging(B-ultrasound,CT,and MRI).Success and survival rates were calculated.RESULTS:(1)ALD1～4 groups exhibited sig-nificantly elevated ALT,AST,TC,TG,LDL-C,IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α(P<0.05 or P<0.01)and reduced HDL-C and liver-to-spleen CT density ratio vs blank.ALD3(10%alcoholic beverage)showed the highest modeling success rate with low mortality.(2)ALD5 and ALD6 groups also had siginificant differin terms(P<0.01),with ALD6(gradually increas-ing dose)displaying more severe liver injury,higher success rate,and better survival.CONCLUSION:The optimal ALD model was induced by intragastric administration of 56%alcohol(6 mL/kg twice daily in week 1,increasing by 0.5 mL/kg weekly for 9 weeks)combined with 10%alcoholic beverage.This protocol offers a reliable approach for ALD re-search and drug development.

OBJECTIVE To compare the long-term cost-effectiveness of gonadotrophin-releasing hormone analogue (GnRHa) combined with recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) (combination therapy regimen) versus GnRHa monotherapy (monotherapy regimen) in the treatment of central precocious puberty (CPP).METHODS From the societal perspective and based on a real-world study conducted at West China Second Hospital of Sichuan University,the cost-effectiveness analysis was performed to compare the long-term cost-effectiveness of two pharmacotherapy regimens for CPP girls,with final height as outcome indexes,using per capita disposable income of rural residents and urban residents (20133-49283 yuan) in 2022 as the social willing-to-pay (WTP) threshold.The robustness of the basic analysis result was verified by using one-way sensitivity analysis and probability sensitivity analysis,and the cost-effectiveness of different combinations of long-acting preparations was compared using scenario analysis.RESULTS The basic analysis result showed that the combination therapy regimen required an additional cost of 25193.49 yuan for every one-centimeter improvement in the final height of girls with CPP compared with the monotherapy regimen,which was not cost-effective for residents in rural areas,but it was cost-effective for residents in urban areas.One-way sensitivity analysis showed that the uncertain factors with potential impacts on the results were,in order,the price of rhGH,the final height of pediatric patients in the combination therapy regimen group,the course of rhGH in the combination therapy regimen group,and the final height of pediatric patients in the monotherapy regimen group.Probabilistic sensitivity analysis indicated that the probability of the combination therapy regimen being cost-effective was higher than that of the monotherapy regimen when WTP was more than 26010 yuan/cm.When GnRHa long-acting preparation was used for intramuscular injection every 3 months,the combination therapy regimen was not cost-effective for rural residents,but was cost-effective for urban residents;when rhGH long-acting preparation was injected subcutaneously once a week,the combination therapy regimen was not cost-effective for residents in both rural areas and urban areas.CONCLUSIONS The combination of GnRHa and rhGH is only recommended for CPP children with better affordability to improve final height.The benefits,risks,and affordability of treatment should be comprehensively considered before the decisions on pharmacotherapy,to avoid abuse of rhGH due to the blind pursuit of height growth.

Purpose To establish a nomogram based on conventional ultrasound combined with contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS)for predicting the probability of cervical central lymph node metastasis(CLNM)in clinical lymph node-negative(CN0)papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC)patients.Materials and Methods A retrospective study was performed on 359 patients with single CN0 PTC,all of whom underwent thyroid surgery and prophylactic central compartment neck dissection in the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University from September 2015 to March 2022.According to the postoperative pathological results,there were 116 cases with CLNM(+)and other 243 cases with CLNM(-).The indicators of gender,age,conventional ultrasound and CEUS were recorded,and multivariate stepwise Logistic regression was performed to screen out risk predictors to construct prediction models for CLNM in CN0 PTC.The receiver operating characteristic curves of prediction models were drawn,and the area under the curve(AUC)was further compared.The preferable prediction model was selected to establish the risk probability nomogram,and the prediction performance and clinical applicability of the nomogram model were assessed.Results Multivariate analysis showed that gender,age,the maximum diameter of nodule,capsule invasion and enhancement pattern on CEUS were risk factors for CLNM in CN0 PTC(all P<0.05).The AUC of prediction model 1 including the above five indicators was 0.753,and the AUC of prediction model 2 excluding CEUS indicator was 0.704.There were statistically significant difference in AUCs between the two models(Z=2.473,P=0.013).Prediction model 1 was selected to construct a risk probability nomogram for predicting CLNM in CN0 PTC.The nomogram had a C-index of 0.753 and showed well consistency on the calibration curve.Clinical decision curve analysis indicated that the nomogram could achieve ideal net benefit when the threshold probability was between 10.7%to 81.5%.Conclusion Gender,age,the maximum diameter of nodule,capsule invasion and enhancement pattern on CEUS may be the risk predictors for CLNM in CN0 PTC.The nomogram model based on the above indicators can predict the probability of CLNM effectively,and the CEUS indicators can substantially improve the prediction performance of the model.