Objective:To identify and validate secreted effector proteins of Chlamydia psittaci ( C. psittaci) through bioinformatic prediction and experimental verification, and to characterize their subcellular localization in host cells. Methods:Potential effector proteins were predicted using bioinformatics tools. Candidate effectors were fused to β-lactamase through the constructed expression vectors, and these vectors were transformed into C. psittaci. The secretion of these candidate effectors was evaluated by β-lactamase translocation assays. Eukaryotic expression vectors of confirmed effectors were transfected into host cells to determine their intracellular localization patterns. Results:Bioinformatic analysis identified 29 candidate effector proteins. Experimental validation confirmed the secretion of five effectors, with four exhibiting cytoplasmic localization and one displaying nuclear localization in host cells.Conclusion:This study characterizes five novel C. psittaci secreted effector proteins, providing critical insights for investigating the molecular pathogenesis of psittacosis.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of models based on clinical parameters, deep learning radiomics (DLR) from CT images, and traditional handcrafted radiomics (HCR) in assessing pathological complete response (pCR) after neoadjuvant radiotherapy combined with medical therapy in patients with esophageal cancer.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted on 130 patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer who underwent neoadjuvant radiotherapy combined with medical therapy followed by surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China from August 1, 2018, to August 31, 2024. Patients were randomly divided into a training set ( n=91) and a validation set ( n=39) at a ratio of 7:3. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify clinical independent risk factors associated with pCR. DLR and HCR features were extracted from the tumor and the 5 mm peritumoral region on planning CT images. Features for modeling were selected using t-test, Mann-Whitney U test or Fisher exact probability method, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression to calculate the radiomics score (Rad-score). A nomogram was then constructed by integrating the clinical risk factors. The predictive performance of each model was evaluated using the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC), accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, and decision curve analysis (DCA) to assess clinical benefits. Results:Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified body weight ( OR=1.101, 95% CI: 1.029-1.177, P=0.005) and lymph node positivity ( OR=0.100, 95% CI: 0.014-0.727, P=0.023) as independent predictors of pCR. The peritumoral DLR-HCR model showed superior predictive performance, with AUCs of 0.870 (95% CI: 0.799-0.942) in the training set and 0.866 (95% CI: 0.750-0.982) in the validation set. The combined model incorporating clinical parameters achieved the best performance, with AUCs of 0.903 (95% CI: 0.845-0.962) and 0.888 (95% CI: 0.782-0.994) in the training and validation sets, respectively. Conclusions:The combined model integrating peritumoral DLR-HCR features with clinical parameters provides excellent predictive value for pCR after neoadjuvant radiotherapy combined with medical therapy in esophageal cancer and offers valuable guidance for personalized treatment strategies.

AIM:Fine particulate matter(PM2.5)is closely associated with airway hyper-responsiveness(AHR).However,the underlying mechanism by which PM2.5 leads to AHR is still unclear.This study aimed to investi-gate the respiratory effects of ambient PM2.5 exposure.METHODS:Forty mice were randomly divided into five groups:control group(intranasal saline),lipopolysaccharide(LPS)group(100 mg/L),PM2.5 low-dose group(0.003 5 mg/d),PM2.5 medium-dose group(0.007 mg/d),and PM2.5 high-dose group(0.014 mg/d).They were treated with intranasal in-stillation for 30 d.Lung function and tracheal contractile responses were evaluated using whole-body plethysmography and sensitive wire myograph.Inflammatory mediators in serum and oxidative stress parameters were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Lung tissues were subjected to HE and Masson staining.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to determine the expression of contractile receptors and the phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signal pathway.RESULTS:Intranasal instillation of PM2.5 significantly increased airway resistance in mice and enhanced tracheal contractility in response to carbachol.PM2.5 elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-1β,and IL-6 in serum.PM2.5 instillation also led to a decrease in glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)levels and an increase in malondialdehyde(MDA)levels.Lung tissue exhibited notable pathological changes,including inflammatory cell infiltration,hyperplasia of alveolar epithelial cells,and collagen deposition.Mechanistically,exposure to PM2.5 increased the expression of muscarinic M3 receptor mRNA and protein,as well as the phosphorylation of p-ERK1/2 and p-p38 proteins following PM2.5 instillation.CONCLUSION:Intranasal instillation of PM2.5 induced inflammation and oxidative stress,along with the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)and p38 MAPK pathways,resulting in the upregulation of M3 receptor-induced AHR.

Objective To develop a machine learning model integrating preoperative chest CT radiomic features with clinical data for predicting 5-year postoperative recurrence risk in stage Ⅰ non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)patients undergoing surgical resection.Methods A total of 217 patients with pathologically confirmed stage Ⅰ NSCLC(selected from 778 initially screened cases based on our inclusion and exclusion criteria)treated in Army Medical Center of PLA between January 2014 and December 2019 were retrospectively enrolled,including 53 recurrence cases and 164 non-recurrence cases within 5-year follow-up.They were randomly divided into a training set(n=173)and a validation set(n=44)in a ratio of 8:2.Radiomic models were established based on extracted features from tumor-dominant regions of interest(ROI)on CT images,while clinical models were developed using demographic characteristics and preoperative laboratory examinations.A combined model was further constructed by integrating both feature sets,and model performance was compared to identify the optimal predictive model.Results This study screened the features from non-contrast CT images and ultimately selected 7 radiomic features for constructing radiomic model.Among 6 machine learning algorithms,the adaptive boosting(Adaboost)model demonstrated the best overall predictive performance,with an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.866(95%CI:0.808～0.923;accuracy:0.832,specificity:0.884)in the training set and of 0.806(95%CI:0.630～0.983;accuracy:0.795,specificity:0.971)in the validation set.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified 4 clinical features for clinical model construction.The clinical model achieved an AUC value of 0.874(95%CI:0.821～0.928;accuracy:0.827,specificity:0.891)in the training set and 0.813(95%CI:0.677～0.948;accuracy:0.636,specificity:0.600)in the validation set.By integrating the 7 radiomic features and 4 clinical features using a feature-level fusion strategy,the combined model exhibited further improved predictive performance,with an AUC value of 0.953(95%CI:0.924～0.983;accuracy:0.884,specificity:0.860)and 0.852(95%CI:0.729～0.976;accuracy:0.682,specificity:0.629),respectively in the training set and the validation set.Conclusion The combined model integrating preoperative CT radiomic features with clinical risk factors may provide an evidence-based framework for evaluating 5-year postoperative recurrence risk in stage Ⅰ NSCLC patients.

Objective·To explore the value of combined diaphragm and intercostal muscle ultrasound assessment compared with conventional diaphragm ultrasound in predicting the weaning outcome in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis.Methods·Mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis,consecutively admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine of Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from October 2022 to December 2023,were selected.During the peri-weaning period,after the patient's sepsis condition improved and the patient passed the spontaneous breathing trial(SBT),ultrasound evaluation of respiratory muscles was performed by ultrasound qualified personnel with ultrasound qualification and experience in bedside ultrasound examination.Diaphragm excursion(DE),thickening fraction of diaphragm(TFD),and thickening fraction of intercostal muscle(TFic)were measured,respectively.The patients were divided into a successful weaning group(n=114)and a failed weaning group(n=24)according to the weaning results.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to analyze the value of diaphragm ultrasound and intercostal muscle ultrasound,alone and in combination,in predicting ventilator weaning outcome.Results·TFic and TFic/TFD were significantly higher in the failed weaning group during SBT than in the successful weaning group(all P<0.05).The areas under the ROC curve(AUROC)of DE,TFD,and TFic to predict weaning failure in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis during the period of SBT were 0.689(0.591?0.776),0.657(0.557?0.747),and 0.769(0.676?0.846),respectively,whereas the combined indexes TFic/TFD and TFic&TFD_mix had AUROCs of 0.867(0.786?0.925)and 0.860(0.778?0.920),respectively.TFic/TFD with a cutoff value of>0.95 had a sensitivity of 86.7%and a specificity of 75.3%in predicting weaning failure,and TFic&TFD_mix with a cutoff value of>0.13 had a sensitivity of 86.6%and a specificity of 80.9%in predicting weaning failure.Moreover,the intercostal muscle ultrasonography method had an intra-observer intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)of 0.890 and an extra-observer ICC of 0.876 for measurement reliability,which were both rated as good(P<0.001).Conclusion·Combined diaphragm and intercostal muscle ultrasonography provides a more comprehensive picture of the patient's overall respiratory muscles,and has a higher guiding value in predicting the weaning outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis than diaphragm ultrasound alone.

Objective The aim of this study is to understand the quality of the medical records front page,analyze the reasons,and propose targeted measures to continuously improve the quality of medical records front page,providing accurate and reliable data assurance for the DIP model.Methods A stratified sampling method was used to select 15 020 discharged medical records from a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou from 2022 to 2023.Senior coders performed quality control on the selected medical records front page using a double-person double-quality control mode.Data collection was conducted using Microsoft Excel 2007,and statistical description was performed using SPSS 26.0.Results The defect rate of the medical records front page in the stud-ied tertiary hospital in Guangzhou was 19.91％.The defect rates for non-surgical departments and surgical departments were 17.26％and 23.40％,respectively.There were 4,121 cases(49.28％)with information system transmission errors.The main defects affecting DIP inclusion in the medical records front page were the primary surgical or operative procedure name(903 ca-ses,10.80％)and the primary diagnosis(828 cases,9.90％).Conclusion The defect rate of the medical records front page in the studied tertiary hospital in Guangzhou is at a medium-to-high level,with prominent issues of information system transmis-sion errors and defects affecting DIP inclusion.Measures such as strengthening information construction,enhancing training and communication,and organizing medical records front page knowledge competitions should be implemented to improve the quality of medical records front page.

Objective·To explore the value of combined diaphragm and intercostal muscle ultrasound assessment compared with conventional diaphragm ultrasound in predicting the weaning outcome in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis.Methods·Mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis,consecutively admitted to the Department of Critical Care Medicine of Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from October 2022 to December 2023,were selected.During the peri-weaning period,after the patient's sepsis condition improved and the patient passed the spontaneous breathing trial(SBT),ultrasound evaluation of respiratory muscles was performed by ultrasound qualified personnel with ultrasound qualification and experience in bedside ultrasound examination.Diaphragm excursion(DE),thickening fraction of diaphragm(TFD),and thickening fraction of intercostal muscle(TFic)were measured,respectively.The patients were divided into a successful weaning group(n=114)and a failed weaning group(n=24)according to the weaning results.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used to analyze the value of diaphragm ultrasound and intercostal muscle ultrasound,alone and in combination,in predicting ventilator weaning outcome.Results·TFic and TFic/TFD were significantly higher in the failed weaning group during SBT than in the successful weaning group(all P<0.05).The areas under the ROC curve(AUROC)of DE,TFD,and TFic to predict weaning failure in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis during the period of SBT were 0.689(0.591?0.776),0.657(0.557?0.747),and 0.769(0.676?0.846),respectively,whereas the combined indexes TFic/TFD and TFic&TFD_mix had AUROCs of 0.867(0.786?0.925)and 0.860(0.778?0.920),respectively.TFic/TFD with a cutoff value of>0.95 had a sensitivity of 86.7%and a specificity of 75.3%in predicting weaning failure,and TFic&TFD_mix with a cutoff value of>0.13 had a sensitivity of 86.6%and a specificity of 80.9%in predicting weaning failure.Moreover,the intercostal muscle ultrasonography method had an intra-observer intraclass correlation coefficient(ICC)of 0.890 and an extra-observer ICC of 0.876 for measurement reliability,which were both rated as good(P<0.001).Conclusion·Combined diaphragm and intercostal muscle ultrasonography provides a more comprehensive picture of the patient's overall respiratory muscles,and has a higher guiding value in predicting the weaning outcomes in mechanically ventilated patients with sepsis than diaphragm ultrasound alone.

Objective The aim of this study is to understand the quality of the medical records front page,analyze the reasons,and propose targeted measures to continuously improve the quality of medical records front page,providing accurate and reliable data assurance for the DIP model.Methods A stratified sampling method was used to select 15 020 discharged medical records from a tertiary hospital in Guangzhou from 2022 to 2023.Senior coders performed quality control on the selected medical records front page using a double-person double-quality control mode.Data collection was conducted using Microsoft Excel 2007,and statistical description was performed using SPSS 26.0.Results The defect rate of the medical records front page in the stud-ied tertiary hospital in Guangzhou was 19.91％.The defect rates for non-surgical departments and surgical departments were 17.26％and 23.40％,respectively.There were 4,121 cases(49.28％)with information system transmission errors.The main defects affecting DIP inclusion in the medical records front page were the primary surgical or operative procedure name(903 ca-ses,10.80％)and the primary diagnosis(828 cases,9.90％).Conclusion The defect rate of the medical records front page in the studied tertiary hospital in Guangzhou is at a medium-to-high level,with prominent issues of information system transmis-sion errors and defects affecting DIP inclusion.Measures such as strengthening information construction,enhancing training and communication,and organizing medical records front page knowledge competitions should be implemented to improve the quality of medical records front page.

AIM:Fine particulate matter(PM2.5)is closely associated with airway hyper-responsiveness(AHR).However,the underlying mechanism by which PM2.5 leads to AHR is still unclear.This study aimed to investi-gate the respiratory effects of ambient PM2.5 exposure.METHODS:Forty mice were randomly divided into five groups:control group(intranasal saline),lipopolysaccharide(LPS)group(100 mg/L),PM2.5 low-dose group(0.003 5 mg/d),PM2.5 medium-dose group(0.007 mg/d),and PM2.5 high-dose group(0.014 mg/d).They were treated with intranasal in-stillation for 30 d.Lung function and tracheal contractile responses were evaluated using whole-body plethysmography and sensitive wire myograph.Inflammatory mediators in serum and oxidative stress parameters were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Lung tissues were subjected to HE and Masson staining.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to determine the expression of contractile receptors and the phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK)signal pathway.RESULTS:Intranasal instillation of PM2.5 significantly increased airway resistance in mice and enhanced tracheal contractility in response to carbachol.PM2.5 elevated levels of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-1β,and IL-6 in serum.PM2.5 instillation also led to a decrease in glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)levels and an increase in malondialdehyde(MDA)levels.Lung tissue exhibited notable pathological changes,including inflammatory cell infiltration,hyperplasia of alveolar epithelial cells,and collagen deposition.Mechanistically,exposure to PM2.5 increased the expression of muscarinic M3 receptor mRNA and protein,as well as the phosphorylation of p-ERK1/2 and p-p38 proteins following PM2.5 instillation.CONCLUSION:Intranasal instillation of PM2.5 induced inflammation and oxidative stress,along with the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2)and p38 MAPK pathways,resulting in the upregulation of M3 receptor-induced AHR.

Objective:To identify and validate secreted effector proteins of Chlamydia psittaci ( C. psittaci) through bioinformatic prediction and experimental verification, and to characterize their subcellular localization in host cells. Methods:Potential effector proteins were predicted using bioinformatics tools. Candidate effectors were fused to β-lactamase through the constructed expression vectors, and these vectors were transformed into C. psittaci. The secretion of these candidate effectors was evaluated by β-lactamase translocation assays. Eukaryotic expression vectors of confirmed effectors were transfected into host cells to determine their intracellular localization patterns. Results:Bioinformatic analysis identified 29 candidate effector proteins. Experimental validation confirmed the secretion of five effectors, with four exhibiting cytoplasmic localization and one displaying nuclear localization in host cells.Conclusion:This study characterizes five novel C. psittaci secreted effector proteins, providing critical insights for investigating the molecular pathogenesis of psittacosis.