Objective To clone and express the heat shock cognate protein 20 (SjHsc20) of Schistosoma japonicum, and to preliminarily investigate its biological characteristics. Methods The target fragment of the SjHsc20 gene was amplified using PCR assay and cloned into the pET-28a(+) expression plasmid to generate the recombinant expression vector pET-28a(+)-SjH-sc20, which was then transformed into Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) competent cells. The recombinant SjHsc20 (rSjHsc20) protein was induced with isopropyl β-D-thiogalactopyranoside (IPTG) and purified, and the expression of the rSjHsc20 protein was checked with sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE). The immunogenicity of the rSjHsc20 protein was detected using Western blotting, and the transcriptional levels of SjHsc20 were quantified in S. japonicum worms at different developmental stages and in male and female adult worms using real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) assay. Thirty female BALB/c mice at ages 6 to 8 weeks were divided into three groups, including the rSjHsc20 immunization group, the PBS control group, and the ISA 206 adjuvant group, of 10 mice in each group. Mice in the rSjHsc20 immunization group were subcutaneously immunized with 20 μg rSjHsc20 on days 1, 15 and 31, and animals in the PBS control group were subcutaneously injected with the same volume of PBS on days 1, 15 and 31, while mice in the ISA 206 adjuvant group were subcutaneously immunized with the same volume of ISA 206 adjuvant on days 1, 15 and 31, respectively. All mice in each group were infected with (40 ± 2) S. japonicum cercariae via the abdomen 14 day following the last immunization. Levels of serum specific IgG and its subtypes IgG1 and IgG2 antibodies against rSjHsc20, and the serum titers of anti-rSjHsc20 antibody were detected in mice using indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All mice were sacrifice 42 days post-infection, and S. japonicum worms were collected from the hepatic portal vein and counted. The eggs per gram (EPG), worm burden reductions and egg burden reductions were estimated to evaluate the protective efficacy of the rSjHsc20 protein. Results The SjHsc20 gene had an open reading frame (ORF) with 756 bp in length and encoded 252 amino acids, and the rSjHsc20 protein had a relative molecular mass of approximately 29 kDa. The rSjHsc20 protein was recognized by the serum of mice infected with S. japonicum and the serum of mice immunized with the rSjHsc20 protein, indicating that rSjHsc20 had a good immunogenicity. There was a significant difference in the transcriptional levels of the SjHsc20 gene among the 7-day (1.001 4 ± 0.065 7), 12-day (2.268 3 ± 0.129 2), 21-day (1.378 5 ± 0.160 4), 28-day (1.196 4 ± 0.244 0), 35-day (1.646 3 ± 0.226 1), 42-day worms of S. japonicum (1.758 0 ± 0.611 1) (F = 38.45, P < 0.000 1), and the transcriptional level of the SjHsc20 gene was higher in the 12-day worms than in worms at other developmental stages (all P values < 0.000 1). The serum levels of anti-rSjHsc20 IgG antibody were 0.106 6 ± 0.010 7, 0.108 3 ± 0.010 4, and 0.553 2 ± 0.069 1 in the PBS control group, ISA 206 adjuvant group, and rSjHsc20 immunization group following the last immunization, respectively, and the serum levels of IgG1 antibody were 0.137 3 ± 0.054 0, 0.181 1 ± 0.096 8, and 1.765 8 ± 0.221 1, while the levels of IgG2a antibody were 0.280 3 ± 0.197 6, 0.274 0 ± 0.146 3, and 1.560 4 ± 0.106 0, respectively. There were significant differences in the serum levels of anti-rSjHsc20 IgG (F = 397.70, P < 0.000 1), IgG1 (F = 401.00, P < 0.000 1) and IgG2a antibodies (F = 229.70, P < 0.000 1) among the three groups, and the serum levels of anti-rSjHsc20 IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies were higher in the rSjHsc20 immunization group than in the PBS control group and the ISA 206 adjuvant group (all P values < 0.000 1). There was a significant difference in the IgG1/IgG2a ratio among the rSjHsc20 immunization group (1.177 2 ± 0.143 6), the PBS control group (0.428 4 ± 0.199 8) and the ISA 206 adjuvant group (0.559 9 ± 0.181 1) (F = 43.97, P < 0.000 1), and the IgG1/IgG2a ratio was > 1 in the rSjHsc20 immunization group, which was higher than in the PBS control group and the ISA 206 adjuvant group (both P values < 0.000 1). The titers of serum anti-rSjHsc20 antibody were all above 1∶16 384 in the rSjHsc20 immunization group following immunizations on days 1, 15 and 31, indicating that the rSjHsc20 protein had a strong immunogenicity. The mean worm burdens were (16.60±5.75), (15.80±5.58) worms per mouse and (14.40±5.75) worms per mouse in the PBS control group, the ISA 206 adjuvant group and the rSjHsc20 immunization group 42 days post-infection with S. japonicum cercariae (F = 0.50, P > 0.05), and the EPG were 68 370 ± 22 690, 67 972 ± 19 502, and 41 075 ± 13 251 in the PBS control group, the ISA 206 adjuvant group and the rSjHsc20 immunization group (F = 4.55, P < 0.05), with lower EPG in the PBS control group and the ISA 206 adjuvant group than in the rSjHsc20 immunization group (both P values < 0.05). Immunization with the rSjHsc20 protein resulted in a worm burden reduction of 13.25% and an egg burden reduction of 39.92% relative to the PBS control group. Conclusions SjHsc20 is successfully cloned and expressed, and the rSjHsc20 protein induces partial immunoprotective effects in mice, which provides a basis for deciphering the biological functions of SjHsc20 and assessing the potential of SjH-sc20 as a vaccine candidate.

Objective To predict the lymph node metastasis status of patients with invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma by constructing machine learning models based on primary tumor radiomics, peritumoral radiomics, and habitat radiomics, and to evaluate the predictive performance and generalization ability of different imaging features. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 1 263 patients with invasive pulmonary adenocarcinoma who underwent surgery at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, Jiangsu Province Hospital, from 2016 to 2019. Habitat regions were delineated by applying K-means clustering (average cluster number of 2) to the grayscale values of CT images. The peritumoral region was defined as a uniformly expanded area of 3 mm around the primary tumor. The primary tumor region was automatically segmented using V-net combined with manual correction and annotation. Subsequently, radiomics features were extracted based on these regions, and stacked machine learning models were constructed. Model performance was evaluated on the training, testing, and internal validation sets using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), F1 score, recall, and precision. Results After excluding patients who did not meet the screening criteria, a total of 651 patients were included. The training set consisted of 468 patients (181 males, 287 females) with an average age of (58.39±11.23) years, ranging from 29 to 78 years, the testing set included 140 patients (56 males, 84 females) with an average age of (58.81±10.70) years, ranging from 34 to 82 years, and the internal validation set comprised 43 patients (14 males, 29 females) with an average age of (60.16±10.68) years, ranging from 29 to 78 years. Although the habitat radiomics model did not show the optimal performance in the training set, it exhibited superior performance in the internal validation set, with an AUC of 0.952 [95%CI (0.87, 1.00)], an F1 score of 84.62%, and a precision-recall AUC of 0.892, outperforming the models based on the primary tumor and peritumoral regions. Conclusion The model constructed based on habitat radiomics demonstrated superior performance in the internal validation set, suggesting its potential for better generalization ability and clinical application in predicting lymph node metastasis status in pulmonary adenocarcinoma.

To formulate an expert consensus on the principles of preoperative hair removal and provide scientific guidance for standardized removal of hair before surgical procedures so as to reduce the incidence of surgical site infections.METHODS Led by the Hospital Management Institute of National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China,this consensus was reached with the joint efforts from the expects of relevant fields such as surgeries,interventional therapies,nursing,and infection prevention and control.The consensus facilitates the classification and evaluation of literatures by following the evidence grade formulated by Oxford Evidence-based Medicine Center and focuses on the association of preoperative hair removal with surgical site infection,it reaches the evidence grade of expert consensus and recommendation intensity by integrating with discussions on meetings and clinical experience of the expects from relevant fields.RESULTS A total of 6 items of consensus were reached by summarizing the latest evidence on the aspects including the indications for preoperative hair removal,tools,range,timing and places.CONCLUSION The consensus,to some extent,make supplements to and complete the exiting regulations and standards.It provides guidance for the medical institutions to carry out the preoperative hair removal.

Objective:It has been reported that the mRNA expression of serine protease 23(PRSS23)was increased in skin fibroblasts from systemic sclerosis patients(SSc).The purpose of this study is to explore the pathogenetic effect and mechanism of PRSS23 in skin fibrosis of SSc.Methods:The expres-sion of PRSS23 in skin tissues from the SSc patients and healthy controls was detected by immunohisto-chemistry.Fibroblasts isolated from fresh skin tissue were used to detect the expression of PRSS23 by real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blot.Overexprssion of PRSS23 in BJ,the fibro-blasts cell line of skin,was constructed by lentivirus.After stimulation with 400 μmol/L hydrogen peroxide for 12 h,Annexin V/7-A AD staining was used to detect apoptosis of fibroblasts;flow cytometry and Western blot were used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related protein cleaved Caspase-3.The expression of interleukin 6(IL-6)and tumor necrosis factor alpha(TNF-α)in fibroblasts was detected by RT-qPCR and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results:Compared with the healthy controls,the expression of PRSS23 in skin tissues of the SSc patients was significantly increased[4.952(3.806-5.439)vs.0.806(0.395-1.173),P＜0.001],and fibroblast was the main cell that ex-pressed PRSS23.The mRNA[27.59(25.02-30.00)vs.1.00,P＜0.001]and protein[0.675(0.587-0.837)vs.0.451(0.342-0.502),P=0.029]of PRSS23 in skin fibroblasts isolated from the SSc patients were significantly up-regulated.Compared with the control group,the anti-apoptotic ability of skin fibroblasts overexpressing PRSS23 was enhanced,and the proportion of apoptotic cells was significantly reduced after hydrogen peroxide induction[(5.043±1.097)％vs.(17.480±3.212)％,P=0.022],the expression of apoptosis-related protein cleaved Caspase-3 was also markedly reduced[(0.718±0.022)vs.(1.422±0.105),P=0.003].In addition,the mRNA[(99.780±1.796)vs.(1.000±0.004),P＜0.001]and protein[(211.600±2.431)ng/L vs.(65.930±1.768)ng/L,P＜0.001]of IL-6 in the fibroblasts overexpressing PRSS23 were significantly up-regulated;the mRNA[(3.555±0.555)vs.(1.000±0.004),P＜0.001]and protein levels[(41.190±0.949)ng/L vs.(31.150±0.360)ng/L,P＜0.001]of TNF-α in the fibroblasts overexpressing PRSS23 were also significantly up-regulated.Conclusion:The expression of PRSS23 is increased in skin fibroblasts of SSc patients.PRSS23 can inhibit cell apoptosis,promote the secretion of inflammatory factors such as IL-6 and TNF-α,and regulate the process that skin fibroblasts transform into pro-inflammatory type.So,PRSS23 is associated with the development of skin fibrosis.

Objective:To compare the characteristics and temperature changes of single and double fiber Nd∶YAG laser in fresh isolated pig liver,and to provide reference for clinical ablation treatment.Methods:Single-needle single-point and double-needle double-point ablations were perf ormed on fresh isolated pig livers using a 5 W power laser,and the morphology,range,and surrounding temperature changes of the ablation lesions caused by the two in vitro liver tissues were observed.Results:The ablation lesions were divided into carbonized area,necrotic area and deformed area from inside to outside.The carbonized area in the center of the ablation lesion in the double-fiber group was larger and the cell necrosis was more thorough.The aspect ratio(LD/TD)of the laser ablation lesion in the single-fiber group was larger than that in the double fiber group(P＜0.001).The transverse diameter(TD)and volume(V)of the ablation lesion in the double-fiber group were larger than those in the single-fiber group(P＜0.001).There was no significant difference in the longitudinal diameter(LD)of the ablation lesion between the double-fiber group and the single-fiber group(P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the temperature of 20 s,40 s and 60 s at 5 mm and 10 mm beside the ablation center between the two groups(all P＞0.05).Conclusion:Under the condition of 5 W,the temperature changes around the single and double fiber ablation are similar.The single fiber is suitable for small tumor ablation,and the double fiber ablation range is larger,which can be used for one-time full coverage ablation of larger cancer nodules.

The feasibility for the development of road-rail medical vehicles was discussed.The gap between China's ground medical evacuation system and medical evacuation requirements was analyzed,and the limitations of the existing mobile medical units in China were introduced.The key points for developing road-rail medical vehicles were discussed.The road-rail medical vehicle would be an ideal tool for casualty treatment and rapid evacuation at war time and peace time,which could be a future development direction of the road-rail vehicle and medical train.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(10):84-90]

Objective:To explore the predictive potential of dual-energy CT (DECT) quantitative parameters in identifying breast cancer molecular subtypes and the expression of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) .Methods:A cohort of 97 breast cancer patients, treated between Jun. 2022 and Jun. 2024 were selected. The study compared DECT parameters-such as iodine concentration (IC) , normalized iodine concentration (NIC) , spectral curve slope (λ HU) , and effective atomic number (Z eff) in both arterial and venous phases across different molecular subtypes. A multiclass logistic regression model was employed to assess the parameters' value in predicting molecular subtypes, while a binary logistic regression model was used to evaluate their predictive value for EGFR expression. Results:Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounder age and family history, IC ( OR=1.72, 2.78, 3.05) , NIC ( OR=2.52, 1.94, 2.93) , λ HU ( OR=2.08, 2.54, 3.17) and Z eff ( OR=2.03, 2.30, 2.37) at arterial stage were independently correlated with the molecular subtypes of breast cancer ( P<0.05) . Binary logistic regression analysis, adjusted for tumor size and lymph node metastasis, identified arterial phase IC ( OR=3.45) , NIC ( OR=2.73) , λ HU ( OR=2.59) , and Z eff ( OR=1.76) as independent risk factors for EGFR-positive breast cancer ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:DECT quantitative parameters, particularly arterial phase IC, NIC, λ HU, and Zeff, offer valuable insights into the molecular subtyping of breast cancer and EGFR expression, thereby assisting in the development of personalized treatment strategies.

The feasibility for the development of road-rail medical vehicles was discussed.The gap between China's ground medical evacuation system and medical evacuation requirements was analyzed,and the limitations of the existing mobile medical units in China were introduced.The key points for developing road-rail medical vehicles were discussed.The road-rail medical vehicle would be an ideal tool for casualty treatment and rapid evacuation at war time and peace time,which could be a future development direction of the road-rail vehicle and medical train.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(10):84-90]

To formulate an expert consensus on the principles of preoperative hair removal and provide scientific guidance for standardized removal of hair before surgical procedures so as to reduce the incidence of surgical site infections.METHODS Led by the Hospital Management Institute of National Health Commission of the People's Republic of China,this consensus was reached with the joint efforts from the expects of relevant fields such as surgeries,interventional therapies,nursing,and infection prevention and control.The consensus facilitates the classification and evaluation of literatures by following the evidence grade formulated by Oxford Evidence-based Medicine Center and focuses on the association of preoperative hair removal with surgical site infection,it reaches the evidence grade of expert consensus and recommendation intensity by integrating with discussions on meetings and clinical experience of the expects from relevant fields.RESULTS A total of 6 items of consensus were reached by summarizing the latest evidence on the aspects including the indications for preoperative hair removal,tools,range,timing and places.CONCLUSION The consensus,to some extent,make supplements to and complete the exiting regulations and standards.It provides guidance for the medical institutions to carry out the preoperative hair removal.

Fuxiong has a long history of cultivation. Since its first record in the Beneficial Formulas from the Taiping Imperial Pharmacy of the Song Dynasty, Fuxiong had always been used by ancient physicians and became a preponderant variety for some reasons during the periods of the Ming Dynasty, Qing Dynasty, and Republic of China. However, as for modern use, only Chuanxiong Rhizoma is valued, and the medicinal value of Fuxiong is gradually being overlooked. This article systematically researches the nomenclature, producing area, origin, and efficacy of Fuxiong, proving that the planting technology of Fuxiong matured in the Song Dynasty at the latest, slightly later than the emergence of Chuanxiong Rhizoma in the Sui and Tang Dynasties. Over the years, the producing area of Fuxiong has not undergone significant changes, and it is mainly cultivated within Jiangxi province. According to the analysis of the origin of Xiongqiong, combined with modern genetic research, it can be basically clarified that the early source of Xiongqiong may not be single. With the popularization of cultivation, Chuanxiong Rhizoma became a Dao-di herb earliest, gradually replacing Xiongqiong and being recognized clinically. After cultivation, the polyploidy of Chuanxiong Rhizoma varieties formed stable inheritance, forming the later Fuxiong. Medical experts have gradually deepened their understanding of the efficacy of Fuxiong. Initially, they believed that it was a substitute for Chuanxiong Rhizoma and had weaker efficacy than Chuanxiong Rhizoma. Medical experts in Jin and Yuan Dynasties such as Zhu Danxi and Dai Sigong believed that Fuxiong was good at relieving stagnation. Books and records of materia medica in the Ming and Qing Dynasties explicitly proposed the great ability of Fuxiong to relieve stagnation. Fuxiong should be distinguished from Chuanxiong Rhizoma when applied, and the application differences should be clearly reflected in medical records. Based on the comprehensive research in this article, it can be concluded that although most of ancient physicians have attached great importance to genuineness of Chuanxiong Rhizoma, Fuxiong, as a dominant variety of traditional application, has a clear historical context and significant efficacy characteristics, worthy of further in-depth study.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/history* ; China ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history* ; History, Ancient ; Humans ; History, Medieval ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Rhizome/growth & development*