Lymph node metastasis (LNM) is a crucial risk factor influencing an unfavorable prognosis in specific cancers. Fundamental research illuminates our understanding of tumor behavior and identifies valuable therapeutic targets. Nevertheless, the exploration of fundamental theories and the validation of clinical therapies hinge on preclinical experiments. Preclinical models, in this context, serve as the conduit connecting fundamental theories to clinical outcomes. In vivo models established in animals offer a valuable platform for comprehensively observing interactions between tumor cells and organisms. Using various experimental animals, including mice, diverse methods, such as carcinogen-induced tumorigenesis, tumor cell line or human tumor transplantation, genetic engineering, and humanization, have been used effectively to construct numerous models for tumor LNM. Carcinogen-induced models simulate the entire process of tumorigenesis and metastasis. Transplantation models, using human tumor cell lines or patient-derived tumors, offer a research platform closely mirroring the histology and clinical behavior of human tumors. Genetically engineered models have been used to delve into the mechanisms of primary tumorigenesis within an intact microenvironment. Humanized models are used to overcome barriers between human and murine immune systems. Beyond mouse models, various other animal models have unique advantages and limitations, all contributing to exploring LNM. This review summarizes existing in vitro and animal preclinical models, identifies current bottlenecks in preclinical research, and offers an outlook on forthcoming preclinical models.
Animals ; Humans ; Mice ; Lymphatic Metastasis/pathology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cell Line, Tumor

Nursing beds can be widely used in medical institutions and households to provide medical care for patients or disabled individuals.With the increasing demand for nursing,nursing beds are developing towards intelligence and comfort.In this study,the backrest lifting mechanism of nursing beds is selected as the research object.The standards for backrest angle adjustment and the basis for comfort judgment are reviewed,and the research on various adjustment configurations are sorted in order to provide assistance to relevant research institutions in understanding current technologies and assist users in making choices.

Objective To explore the differences in brain functions between individuals with good acclimatization to high altitudes and those with poor acclimatization based on microstate and functional connectivity analysis of resting-state electroencephalogram(EEG)activities.Methods A total of 44 residents exposed to the high-altitude environment of 3 650 m above sea level were enrolled.They were divided into two groups according to their findings for the high-altitude acclimatization index(AAI),with 22 in the good acclimatization group and 22 in the poor acclimatization group.The good acclimatization group had 10 males and 12 females of the mean age of(20.48±2.09)years.Among them,10 were Tibetans,and 12 were Han Chinese.The poor acclimatization group consisted of 18 males and 4 females,with a mean age of(18.90±1.25)years.Among them,7 were Tibetans,and 15 were Han Chinese.The K-means clustering algorithm was used to classify EEG microstates into four categories of A,B,C,and D.The average duration,coverage,occurrence frequency,and transition probabilities between microstates were compared.Coherence analysis(COH)was performed to assess the strength of brain network connectivity.Results Compared to the good acclimatization group,the poor acclimatization group exhibited a longer duration,higher occurrence frequency,and coverage of microstate C.The coverage of microstate D was also higher,while the occurrence frequency and coverage of microstate B were lower.The poor acclimatization group showed a decrease in transitions from microstate B to A or D,while transitions from C to B or D,and those from D to A or C increased,showing statistically significant differences between the groups(P＜0.05).In the α,β,δ,and θ frequency bands,the poor acclimatization group had higher COH strength in regions such as the frontal and occipital lobes,showing symmetrical functional connectivity between the left and right hemispheres.Conclusion The good and poor high-altitude acclimatization groups exhibit different neural mechanisms in terms of microstates and functional connectivity.There are significant differences between individuals with good acclimatization and those with poor acclimatization regarding visual information processing,interference resistance,brain network stability,and coherence.

Objective To establish the method for extracting exogenous short DNA fragments of Schistosoma japonicum from urine samples, and to evaluate the efficiency of this method for extraction from urine samples treated with various methods. Methods The S. japonicum SjG28 gene fragment was selected as a target sequence, and the 81 bp short DNA fragment was amplified on the target sequence using PCR assay. Following characterization using sequencing, the short DNA fragment was added into the urine samples as an exogenous short DNA fragment. Primers and probes were designed with SjG28 as a target gene, to establish the real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay. The sensitivity of this qPCR assay was evaluated with exogenous short DNA fragments that were diluted at a 1:10 dilution ratio as the DNA template, and the specificity of the qPCR assay was evaluated with the genomic DNA of S. mansoni, S. haematobium, Babesia, Ancyiostoma duodenaie, Cionorchis sinensis, and Paragonimus westermani as DNA templates. Exogenous short DNA fragments were added into artificial and healthy volunteers’ urine samples, followed by pH adjustment, centrifugation and concentration, and the efficiency of extracting exogenous short DNA fragments from urine samples was compared with the QIAmp Viral RNA Mini Kit (Qiagen kit) and BIOG cfDNA easy kit (BIOG kit). Results An 81 bp small DNA fragment of S. japonicum was successfully prepared, and the lowest detection limit of the established qPCR assay was 100 copies/μL of the 81 bp small DNA fragment of S. japonicum. If the genomic DNA of S. japonicum, S. mansoni, S. haematobium, Babesia, A. duodenaie, C. sinensis, and P. westermani served as DNA templates, the qPCR assay only detected fluorescent signals with S. japonicum genomic DNA as the DNA template. If the pH values of artificial urine samples were adjusted to 5, 6, 7 and 8, the recovery rates were (49.12 ± 2.09)%, (84.52 ± 4.96)%, (89.38 ± 3.32)% and (87.82 ± 3.90)% for extracting the exogenous short DNA fragment of S. japonicum with the Qiagen kit, and were (2.30 ± 0.07)%, (8.11% ± 0.26)%, (13.35 ± 0.61)% and (20.82 ± 0.68)% with the BIOG kit, respectively (t = 38.702, 26.955, 39.042 and 29.571; all P values < 0.01). If the Qiagen kit was used for extracting the exogenous short DNA fragment from artificial urine samples, the lowest recovery rate was seen from urine samples with a pH value of 5 (all P values < 0.05), and there were no significant differences in the recovery rate from urine samples with pH values of 6, 7 and 8 (all P values > 0.05). Following centrifugation of artificial [(64.30 ± 1.00)% vs. (58.87 ± 0.26)%; t = 12.033, P < 0.05] and healthy volunteers’ urine samples [(31 165 ± 1 017) copies/μL vs. (28 471 ± 818) copies/μL; t = 23.164, P < 0.05]. In addition, concentration of artificial urine samples with the 10 kDa Centrifugal Filter and concentration of healthy volunteers’ urine samples with the 100 kDa Centrifugal Filter were both effective to increase the recovery of the Qiagen kit for extracting the exogenous short DNA fragment of S. japonicum (both P values < 0.01). Conclusions A method for extracting exogenous short DNA fragments of S. japonicum from urine samples has been successfully established, and the Qiagen kit has a high extraction efficiency. Adjustment of urine pH to 6 to 8 and concentration of healthy volunteers’ urine samples with the 100 kDa Centrifugal Filter are both effective to increase the efficiency of extracting exogenous short DNA fragments of S. japonicum.

Objective:To assess the effects of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation on premature infants' cardiac function using Tei index combined with corrected QT dispersion (QTcd) and B- type natriuretic peptide (BNP).Methods:This prospective study involved premature infants from 28 to 32 weeks of gestational age diagnosed with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and treated with noninvasive positive pressure ventilation in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Xuzhou Central Hospital from December 2017 to December 2020. According to the mean airway pressure (MAP) during noninvasive positive pressure ventilation, the patients were divided into the low-pressure group (≤6 cmH 2O, 1 cmH 2O=0.098 kPa), medium-pressure group (>6-<9 cmH 2O), and high-pressure group (≥9 cmH 2O). The right ventricular Tei index, QTcd, and blood BNP were monitored during the first 2 h of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation and 12 h after continuous ventilation with stable MAP. Chi-square test, one-way analysis of variance, paired t-test, and Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient were adopted for statistical analysis. Results:Totally 178 premature infants were enrolled, including 75 in the low-pressure, 62 in the medium-pressure, and 41 in the high-pressure group. After continuous ventilation with stable MAP for 12 h, the right ventricle Tei index and QTcd in the high-pressure group were higher than those in the medium- and low-pressure group [Tei index: (0.38±0.05) vs (0.33±0.04) and (0.33±0.04), F=29.18; QTcd: (27.6±4.2) vs (22.8±4.4) and (22.2±4.2) ms, F=23.26, all P<0.001], and the comparison between the medium- and the low-pressure group did not differ significantly. No significant difference was observed in blood BNP levels among the three groups ( F=1.33, P=0.267). The right ventricle Tei index and QTcd increased in the high-pressure group after continuous ventilation with stable MAP for 12 h as compared with those within the first 2 h of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation [Tei index: (0.38±0.05) vs (0.34±0.04), t=－6.61; QTcd: (27.6±4.2) vs (23.4±4.4) ms, t=－5.06, all P<0.001]. However, the figures did not change significantly in the medium- or the low-pressure group (all P>0.05). There were no significant changes in blood BNP in the three groups (all P>0.05). The right ventricle Tei index and QTcd were moderately positively correlated with MAP ( r=0.56 and 0.50, both P<0.001). Conclusions:For the premature infants with RDS, noninvasive positive pressure ventilation has no significant effect on the cardiac function when MAP is less than 9 cmH 2O, but would have a certain effect on the right ventricular function when used at higher pressure (MAP≥9 cmH 2O) and for longer time (>12 h).

Objective:Using the method-point-factor to construct a system of evaluation indexes for clinician positions in county-level public hospitals to assess the relative value of clinician positions in county-level public hospitals in Anhui province.Methods:Questionnaire survey was used for a questionnaire survey of 12 county-level public hospitals in northern Anhui, central Anhui and southern Anhui in the province from July to August 2019. The content of the questionnaire survey mainly includes such doctor′s basic information as gender, age, and department, as well as the doctor′s score on the four dimensions of " post qualification, skills, risks and responsibilities, work intensity and environment" . In this study, Excel 2010 and SPSS 16.0 were used to perform descriptive statistical analysis on the collected data.Results:In this study, a job evaluation system for doctors in county-level public hospitals was established, covering 4 level-1 indicators, 10 level-2 indicators, and 37 level-3 indicators. Among the 1 895 clinical doctors participating in the survey in 12 county-level public hospitals, the average score of doctor′s job evaluation was 768.4 points, of which the neurosurgeons had the highest average score of 800.90 points and endocrinologists had the lowest average score of 735.40 points. There were differences in the overall score rate in the four dimensions of job evaluation, in the order of " risk and responsibility, work intensity and environment, skills, job qualification" (80.09%>79.49%>79.24%>66.72%).Conclusions:The results and grades of clinical doctors′ job evaluation were reasonable. The overall trend of the scores was in line with the job characteristics of doctors, and provided a theoretical basis for improving the internal performance salary distribution system of county-level public hospitals.

Objective:To form the workload relative value of 10 general surgery projects in Anhui province based on the theoretical framework of resource-based relative value scale(RBRVS).Methods:Cluster sampling was used to identify the 12 county-level public hospitals surveyed from July to August 2019; Expert consultation method was used to select the benchmark project of general surgery and the measured projects; Magnitude estimation was used by doctors surveyed to find the relative evaluation of the surgeries selected, and RBRVS principle was used to find surgeon workload relative value of the 10 surgeries; Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the charging price of surgeries and the relative value of surgeons′ workload in Anhui province.Results:The study found the time consumption, work intensity relative value and surgeon work load relative value of 10 general surgeries; The relative value of the current surgical item price was positively correlated with the relative value of the doctor′s workload, and the correlation coefficient was r=0.928, P<0.01(bilateral). But in some surgeries, the pricing fails to represent the relative value of the workload. Conclusions:Based on RBRVS theory, 10 localized relative value scales of general surgeons′ workload were developed via empirical studies from such dimensions as time consumption, mental labor, physical labor and risk stress; Pearson′s correlation analysis found part of the pricing in general surgeries as groundless.

ObjectiveTo encourage development of county-level hospitals by building a performance appraisal indicator system for such institutions. Methods Using the PATH model ( a performance appraisal tool for hospital ) quality improvement, an appraisal system was built for such institutions. Centering on patients, this system encompassed such dimensions as public benefits, quality of care and safety, staff and hospital development. Results This system consisted of six level-1 indicators, 21 level-2 indicators and 70 level-3 indicators, each given due weight. Conclusions This indicator system centers on patients, follows guidance of public benefits, and aims at continuous quality improvement, making it an effective in evaluating hospital performance and providing reference for the decision-makers to promote and adjust medical reform policies.

Objective summarize the delicacy management practices through the NSFC application procedures in a university affiliated hospital,to provide further reference for improvement of the NSFC project approvai ratio.Methods To summarize the management experiences by analyzing the approval number,project category and funds of NCFS from 2006 to 2015.Results The delicacy man agement practices include cultivate scientific research atmosphere by strengthen motivation,initiate application as early as possible,enlarging application number by extensive mobilization,improve applica tion quality by massive training,multi-round updates,tutorial,prevent avoidable errors by cross-over review.Conclusions Delicacy management by scientific research management department during the application process is critical to improve the project approval ratio of NCFS in a hospital.

Objective To investigate the changes of cardiac function at pre -and post -treatment in preterm infants with patent ductus arteriosus (PDA)in order to guide drug treatment.Methods Totally 84 preterm infants with PDA admitted to Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Xuzhou Hospital Affiliated to Medical College of Southeast University from July 201 2 to June 201 4 were divided into 4 groups according to treatment drug:Ibuprofen group (27 cases),Indo-methacin group (24 cases),control group (1 1 cases),and Paracetamol group (22 cases).Patients were also divided into symptomatic PDA group (38 cases)and asymptomatic PDA group (46 cases)according to severity;PDA closed group (69 cases)and PDA unclosed group (1 5 cases)according to sequel.The level of plasma brain natriuretic pep-tide (BNP),cardiac troponin I (cTnI),correct QT intervals dispersion (QTcd)were monitored pre -and post -treat-ment.Data were analyzed by using SPSS 1 9.0 software.Results Three cardiac markers at post -treatment were of no significant difference among 4 treatment drugs.The changes of the cTnI and QTcd at pre -and post -treatment were of no significance.The level of BNP in symptomatic PDA group was significantly higher than that in asymptomatic PDA group at pre -treatment [(378 ±94)ng/L vs (1 47 ±75)ng/L,t =2.584,P =0.01 4].In the symptomatic PDA group,the level of BNP at post -treatment [(1 82 ±81 )ng/L]was significantly decreased than that at per -treatment (t =2.741 ,P =0.009).In the asymptomatic PDA group,there was no significant difference between the pre - and post -treatment [(1 21 ±61 )ng/L]in the level of BNP (t =1 .254,P =0.207).There was no significant difference in the level of BNP at per -treatment between PDA closed group and PDA unclosed group [(274 ±91 )ng/L vs (289 ± 87)ng/L,t =-0.874,P =0.391 ].In PDA closed group,the level of BNP at post -treatment [(1 21 ±74)ng/L] was significantly decreased compared with that at per -treatment (t =3.580,P =0.000).In PDA unclosed group, there was no significant difference between the pre - and post -treatment [(245 ±74)ng/L]in the level of BNP (t =0.854,P =0.392).Conclusion Early medication intervention for symptomatic PDA of preterm infants is benefi-cial for the closure of PDA and for attenuating negative effects on cardiac function of PDA.