Background: and Purpose Vertebrobasilar fusiform aneurysms (VBFAs) carry substantial morbidity and mortality, but optimal management for unruptured VBFAs remains unclear. We compared the safety and efficacy of conservative management (CM), stent-assisted coiling (SAC), and flow diverters (FDs) in patients with unruptured VBFAs, focusing on long-term prognosis. Methods: This study included data from a nationwide Chinese cohort of patients with vertebrobasilar dissecting aneurysms. Inverse probability of treatment weighting (IPTW) balanced confounders across groups. The primary outcome was poor prognosis (modified Rankin Scale score >2). Secondary outcomes included aneurysm rupture, ischemic stroke, compression symptoms, and VBFA-related deaths. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were performed. Results: Among 1,115 patients with unruptured VBFAs, 838 (median age, 54 years; 655 men) were included. After IPTW, baseline characteristics were balanced. Median follow-up was 54 months. FD was associated with a lower risk of poor prognosis than CM (OR, 0.48 [95% CI, 0.30 to 0.77]; p=0.002), with no difference between CM and SAC. FD also reduced aneurysm rupture (OR, 0.20 [95% CI, 0.07 to 0.60]; p=0.004) and compression symptoms (OR, 0.30 [95% CI, 0.13 to 0.68]; p=0.004) versus CM. Time-to-event analyses further revealed significant differences in vertebral artery lesions and Type I–II VBFAs, whereas no significant differences were observed in basilar or vertebrobasilar junction lesions or in Type III–IV VBFAs. Conclusions Compared with CM, FD was associated with improved long-term outcomes in unruptured VBFAs, particularly in vertebral artery lesions and Type I–II VBFAs, although residual confounding cannot be excluded.

ObjectiveHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) represents 90% of all primary liver cancers. The main risk factors associated with HCC include viral hepatitis (B and/or C), alcohol abuse, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), which progressively advance to liver fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately evolve into HCC. Surgical resection represents the most effective treatment for HCC, while recent advances in immunotherapy, including immune checkpoint inhibitors and adoptive cell therapies, have provided improved treatment prospects for patients with unresectable HCC. However, the complex metabolic heterogeneity of HCC limits the therapeutic efficacy. Metabolic intermediates acyl-CoA not only provide energy and substrates for numerous biochemical reactions but also serve as donors for protein lysine acylation, a major class of post-translational modification (PTM). Therefore, a deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying protein lysine acylation and hepatocarcinogenesis is urgently needed. MethodsThe levels of protein lysine acylation and silence information regulator 5 (SIRT5) expression levels in clinical HCC samples were analyzed by Western blot. Quantitative malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples were analyzed by antibody-based affinity enrichment coupled with tandem mass spectrometry. The proliferation of HCC cells was analyzed with Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assays, the apoptosis was quantified by Annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide (PI) staining coupled with flow cytometry, and the ability of cells to migrate was assayed by Transwell assays. The enzymatic activity of glutathione S-transferase Mu 1 (GSTM1) was quantified. Transgenic mice with hepatic overexpression of SIRT5 were constructed using CRISPR-Cas9, and primary hepatocarcinogenesis was induced by administration of diethylnitrosamine. ResultsWestern blot analysis indicated that the expression level of SIRT5 was elevated in clinical samples from HCC patients, and the levels of lysine malonylation, glutarylation, and succinylation were significantly reduced in HCC tissues. Knockout of SIRT5 in MHCC-97H and MHCC-97L hepatoma cells suppressed cell proliferation, and increased the percentage of apoptotic cells significantly. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of the differentially malonylome and succinylome of HCC samples revealed significant enrichment in two major classes of biological processes: core energy metabolism (e.g., glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, tricarboxylic acid metabolic process, fatty acid beta oxidation) and detoxification and oxidative stress response (e.g., response to toxic substance, chemical carcinogenesis, reactive oxygen species (ROS)). SIRT5 removes malonylation from lysine residues in GSTM1 and restores its detoxification activity, which is crucial for the survival of hepatocytes under stressed conditions. More importantly, in vivo experiment indicated that hepatic-specific overexpression of SIRT5 in mice accelerated diethylnitrosamine-induced liver fibrosis and hepatocarcinogenesis, indicating the critical role of SIRT5 in HCC progression. ConclusionThis study highlights the previously unrecognized SIRT5-GSTM1 axis as a key regulator in hepatocarcinogenesis, and suggests a potential target for the treatment of patients with HCC.

A method for simultaneous determination of 21 kinds of Aconitum alkaloids(ATS)in biological specimens and infused liquor using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-MS/MS)was developed.The biological samples were pretreated with methanol-acetonitrile(1∶2,V/V)for protein precipitation,while infused liquors were diluted 100-fold with acetonitrile,followed by centrifugation,and filtration by a 0.22-μm membrane.Chromatographic separation was carried out on an EC-C18 column using gradient elution with the mixture of 10 mmol/L ammonium acetate and 0.2%formic acid as mobile phase A and acetonitrile as mobile phase B.With this method,all the analytes were separated within 9.5 min.The samples were detected in positive ESI mode with dynamic multiple reaction monitoring(MRM)and quantified via external standard calibration.The results showed that the concentrations of the analytes in the range of 2-1000 ng/mL had excellent linearity(R2>0.9992)with the peak area.The developed method was successfully used for detection of 21 kinds of aconitum alkaloids,with limits of detection of 0.5-2 ng/mL,quantification limits of 2-6 ng/mL,intra/inter-day precision≤6.0%,spiked recoveries of 89.4%-100.9%,extraction recoveries of 74.2%-104.4%,and matrix effects ranging from-11.1%to 9.2%in blood/urine.The method was applied to detection of 12 samples from 4 fatal aconite poisoning cases,and all 21 kinds of ATS with total alkaloid concentrations of 0.04-4.18 μg/mL in blood and 154.96-422.83 μg/mL in medicinal liquors were detected.Tissue distribution revealed that the order of concentrations from highest to lowest is as follows:urine(157.22 μg/mL)>gastric contents(51.37 μg/mL)>kidney(21.6 μg/g)>whole blood(4.18 μg/mL)>liver(0.03 μg/g).This method showed many advantages such as simple pretreatment,low detection limits,accurate quantification,broad analyte coverage,and superior anti-interference capability in complex matrices,proving ideal for forensic and toxicological analysis of aconitum alkaloids.

ObjectiveBased on functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), we investigated the brain activity characteristics of gross motor tasks in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and motor dysfunctions (MDs) to provide a theoretical basis for further understanding the mechanism of MDs in children with ASD and designing targeted intervention programs from a central perspective. MethodsAccording to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 48 children with ASD accompanied by MDs were recruited into the ASD group and 40 children with typically developing (TD) into the TD group. The fNIRS device was used to collect the information of blood oxygen changes in the cortical motor-related brain regions during single-handed bag throwing and tiptoe walking, and the differences in brain activation and functional connectivity between the two groups of children were analyzed from the perspective of brain activation and functional connectivity. ResultsCompared to the TD group, in the object manipulative motor task (one-handed bag throwing), the ASD group showed significantly reduced activation in both left sensorimotor cortex (SMC) and right secondary visual cortex (V2) (P<0.05), whereas the right pre-motor and supplementary motor cortex (PMC&SMA) had significantly higher activation (P<0.01) and showed bilateral brain region activity; in terms of brain functional integration, there was a significant decrease in the strength of brain functional connectivity (P<0.05) and was mainly associated with dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and V2. In the body stability motor task (tiptoe walking), the ASD group had significantly higher activation in motor-related brain regions such as the DLPFC, SMC, and PMC&SMA (P<0.05) and showed bilateral brain region activity; in terms of brain functional integration, the ASD group had lower strength of brain functional connectivity (P<0.05) and was mainly associated with PMC&SMA and V2. ConclusionChildren with ASD exhibit abnormal brain functional activity characteristics specific to different gross motor tasks in object manipulative and body stability, reflecting insufficient or excessive compensatory activation of local brain regions and impaired cross-regions integration, which may be a potential reason for the poorer gross motor performance of children with ASD, and meanwhile provides data support for further unraveling the mechanisms underlying the occurrence of MDs in the context of ASD and designing targeted intervention programs from a central perspective.

Objective To comparatively analyze the clinical characteristics of primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia(PBMAH)and adrenal cortisol-producing Adenoma(CPA),and enhance the understanding of two diseases.Methods The clinical data of 85 PBMAH patients(PBMAH group)and 195 CPA patients(CPA group)diagnosed at Department of Endocrinology,the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital,from September 2014 to August 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.The demographic characteristics,comorbidities,biochemical indicators,adrenocorticotropic hormone-cortisol(ACTH-F)levels,and adrenal imaging features and treatment conditions were compared between the two groups.Results(1)General characteristics:Compared with CPA group,PBMAH group had older age at diagnosis and a higher proportion of male patients.(2)Clinical characteristics:Compared with CPA group,PBMAH group had a longer disease duration,a higher proportion of subclinical Cushing's syndrome(CS),and a higher proportion of hypertension,impaired glucose tolerance/diabetes,bone mass reduction or osteoporosis,with higher serum potassium levels,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.01).(3)Hormone levels:Both PBMAH and CPA groups showed ACTH-F rhythm disorder,significantly increased cortisol levels and suppressed ACTH.Compared with PBMAH group,CPA group had stronger autonomous cortisol secretion ability,manifested by increased midnight serum cortisol(F0:00),16:00 serum cortisol(F16:00),24-hour urinary free cortisol(24 h UFC)levels and lower 8:00 serum ACTH(ACTH8:00)and 16:00 serum ACTH(ACTH16:00)(P<0.01).After low-dose dexamethasone suppression test(LDDST),CPA group showed lower suppression rates of ACTH and cortisol,and higher proportions of paradoxical elevation in serum cortisol and 24 h UFC compared with PBMAH(P<0.01).Conclusions PBMAH has a longer disease course and higher proportions of comorbid metabolic disorders than CPA,mostly manifested as subclinical Cushing's syndrome.CPA has stronger autonomous cortisol secretion ability,with cortisol less likely to be suppressed after LDDST and more obvious paradoxical elevation of cortisol and 24 h UFC.

Objective To investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of adrenal cortical carcinoma(ACC),compare differences between hypercortisolism and non-functional ACC,and assess the diagnostic value of indicators such as Ki-67 index.Methods The clinical data of 57 ACC patients admitted to the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to March 2025 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the results of endocrine function assessment,47 of these patients were divided into hypercortisolism group(n=19)and non-functional group(n=28).The differences in clinical and pathological characteristics between the two groups were compared,and non-parametric tests and Spearman correlation analysis were used to explore the relationship between Ki-67 index and tumor stage as well as imaging features.Results Among the 57 patients,there were 20 males and 37 females,with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.85.The age ranged from 16 to 76 years,and the age at diagnosis was(48.7±13.3)years.The tumor diameter was(10.53±4.14)cm.The tumors were located on the right side in 12 cases(21.1%),on the left side in 34 cases(59.6%),and bilaterally in 11 cases(19.3%).Among them,16 cases(28.1%)were complicated with glucose metabolism disorders,31 cases(54.3%)had hypertension,and 20 cases(35.1%)had hypokalemia.According to ENSAT staging,there were 0 cases in stage Ⅰ,15 cases(26.3%)in stage Ⅱ,24 cases(42.1%)in stage Ⅲ,and 18 cases(31.6%)in stage Ⅳ.Endocrine function assessment was completed in 47 of the 57 patients,including 28 cases(59.6%)of non-functional ACC and 19 cases(40.4%)of hypercortisolism(including 1 case of hypercortisolism combined with increased sex hormone secretion).Compared with non-functional group,hypercortisolism group had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension(P=0.014),later ENSAT stage(P=0.010),and a higher proportion of hypervascularization(P=0.048).The median Ki-67 index was 20%(10%-40%),showing no significant correlation with either the maximum tumor diameter or SUVmax value,but it was related to ENSAT staging,with Ki-67 index in stageⅣ patients being significantly higher than that in stage Ⅱ(P=0.032).Immunohistochemistry results showed that the positive rate of Inhibin-α was 84.8%,and the positive rate of Melan-A was 40.9%.Conclusions ACC is a rare malignant endocrine tumor.ACC patients with hypercortisolism are more likely to be complicated with hypertension,have later staging,and more common hypervascular manifestations.Clinically,their endocrine function should be prioritized for assessment,and more active treatment strategies should be adopted.Diagnosis should be combined with imaging characteristics(such as hypervascularization)and immunohistochemical indicators(Ki-67,Inhibin-α,Melan-A).The significant increase in Ki-67 is in the advanced stage can serve as an important prognostic indicator to guide individualized treatment.

Objective To characterize multimodal metabolic disorders in subclinical Cushing's syndrome(SCS)patients with different cortisol levels,providing a reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 165 SCS patients diagnosed at the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital due to adrenal masses from January 2014 to October 2024.Using the serum cortisol levels after the midnight 1 mg dexamethasone suppression test(1 mg DST)as the cut-off point,SCS patients were divided into high-level group(1 mg DST-F>138 nmol/L,n=96)and low-level group(50 nmol/L<1 mg DST-F≤138 nmol/L,n=69).The differences in age,gender,body mass index(BMI),blood pressure,glucolipid metabolism indices,electrolytes,hormone levels,and imaging features of adrenal adenoma(such as CT values)were compared between the two groups.Multivariate linear regression was used to analyze the correlation between CT values and metabolic indices.Results Compared with low-level group,patients in high-level group were younger(54.0±11.3 vs.57.7±10.3,P=0.034),while there were no statistically significant differences in gender ratio or BMI between the two groups(P>0.05).Both groups exhibited decreased adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)levels and disrupted circadian rhythm.Compared with low-level group,high-level group showed significantly higher F0:00 levels[250.00(170.07,422.53)nmol/L vs.110.00(82.74,133.90)nmol/L]and 24-hour urinary free cortisol(24 h UFC)[568.40(377.80,875.45)nmol/24 h vs.369.40(265.40,494.69)nmol/24 h](P<0.001),with no significant differences in serum F8:00,or 1 mg DST ACTH0:00 levels(P>0.05).Except for the fasting C-peptide level in the high-level group being higher than that in low-level group[(2.88±1.01)ng/ml vs.(2.46±0.78)ng/ml,P=0.024],there were no significant differences in blood pressure,blood lipids,glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),fasting blood glucose,fasting insulin,serum electrolytes,uric acid,and other indices between the two groups(P>0.05).The CT value of adrenal adenoma during contrast-enhanced scanning was higher in high-level group[80.00(17.80,93.00)Hu vs.52.00(35.50,75.00)Hu,P=0.006]compared with low-level group.Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that diastolic blood pressure was positively correlated with CT values of adrenal adenomas in both plain scanning(β=0.49,95%CI 0.09-0.90)and contrast-enhanced scanning(β=2.08,95%CI 0.76-3.39),while triglyceride levels were negatively correlated with plain scanning CT values(β=-5.77,95%CI-10.88--0.66).Conclusion Patients with SCS at different cortisol levels differ in age,fasting C-peptide levels,and CT values.CT values may serve as potential imaging markers to assess metabolic risk in SCS patients.

Objective To summarize the clinical characteristics of primary pigmented nodular adrenocortical disease(PPNAD)and provide a reference for its clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical characteristics,laboratory tests,imaging examinations,treatment plans,and follow-up data of 10 PPNAD patients diagnosed and treated at the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2008 to October 2024.Databases including CNKI,Wanfang Data Knowledge Service Platform,and PubMed were searched,and the clinical characteristics of 120 PPNAD patients reported in the literature were summarized in combination with literature reviews.Results The age at diagnosis of the 10 PPNAD patients ranged from 15 to 55 years,with a median age of onset of 21.5 years.Seven patients had the protein kinase A regulatory subunit 1 alpha(PRKAR1A)gene mutations,meeting the diagnosis criteria for Carney syndrome.One patient presented with hypertension only,while the remaining 9 patients showed typical Cushing's syndrome manifestations such as thin skin and moon face,among whom 5 experienced stagnation of height growth.In 7 patients,the adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)levels were<2.2 pmol/L,with the disrupted circadian rhythm of cortisol,and the cortisol levels at midnight ranged from 243.24 to 679.83 pmol/L.None of the patients showed suppression in the low-dose dexamethasone suppression test,and 8 patients had an increase in urinary free cortisol(UFC)after dexamethasone suppression.Adrenal CT showed that 9 patients presented with unilateral adrenal nodules accompanied by contralateral thickening or bilateral adrenal nodular thickening.All 10 patients underwent initial unilateral adrenalectomy,and during follow-up,4 patients experienced symptom recurrence and underwent contralateral adrenalectomy.Most of the 120 patients reported domestically and internationally showed typical Cushing's syndrome manifestations.Surgical resection of the adrenal gland was the main treatment modality.Gene mutations were predominantly in PRKAR1A,with a few in PDE11A and PRKACA.Conclusions PPNAD is more likely to occur in adolescents.Patients with typical Cushing's syndrome manifestations should undergo screening.Imaging manifestations are atypical,and a definitive diagnosis depends on pathological and genetic diagnoses.Bilateral adrenalectomy combined with long-term postoperative hormone replacement therapy is the standard treatment protocol.Patients who undergo early unilateral adrenalectomy require long-term follow-up,with contralateral adrenalectomy performed when necessary.

Objective To explore the relationship between dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging(DCE-MRI)and clinical pathological features of invasive breast cancer and lymphovascular invasion(LVI).Methods Imaging and clinical pathological data were retrospectively collected from 508 patients with invasive breast cancer who underwent breast DCE-MRI at the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2019 to August 2021.Patients were divided into the LVI-positive(LVI+)group(n=79)and LVI-negative(LVI-)group(n=429)based on postoperative pathological results.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify risk factors for LVI.Results Compared with LVI-group,LVI+group had a higher proportion of patients aged<45 years(44.3%vs.27.0%,P=0.002),non-mass-like enhancement(NME)(31.7%vs.17.7%,P=0.004),Ki-67 expression rate(40.0%vs.30.0%,P<0.001),high Ki-67 expression(94.9%vs.78.1%,P=0.001),Luminal B subtype(76.0%vs.60.1%,P=0.008),and positive axillary lymph nodes rate(72.2%vs.31.5%,P<0.001),while the proportion of Luminal A subtype was lower(2.5%vs.21.5%,P<0.001).Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that age≥45 years(OR=0.468,95%CI 0.280-0.783,P=0.004)was an independent protective factor for LVI,while NME(OR=1.987,95%CI 1.126-3.444,P=0.016)was an independent risk factor.Compared with Luminal A subtype,patients with Luminal B subtype(OR=10.482,95%CI 3.164-64.923,P=0.001),HER-2 overexpression subtype(OR=11.571,95%CI 2.755-79.341,P=0.003)and triple-negative subtypes(OR=8.433,95%CI 1.985-57.908,P=0.009)had a higher risk of LVI.Conclusions Age≥45 years is an independent protective factor for LVI,while NME is an independent risk factor.Among molecular subtypes,patients with Luminal B,HER-2 overexpression and triple-negative subtypes have a higher risk of LVI compared with the Luminal A subtype.

Objective To report a case of tibial synovial sarcoma and review relevant literature to enhance understanding of this disease.Methods The clinical data of a patient with tibial synovial sarcoma treated at Kaifeng Central Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.A literature search was conducted in domestic and international databases,including China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),Wanfang Data,PubMed,Web of Science,and Embase,up to July 2024.Relevant literature was comprehensively reviewed to summarize the imaging and pathological characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of synovial sarcoma.Results A 29-year-old female patient was admitted with left lower extremity pain.X-ray examination revealed a proximal tibia space-occupying lesion suggestive of malignancy,and a mid-tibial space-occupying lesion considered benign.Contrast-enhanced computed tomography(CT)and plain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)of the proximal tibial lesion also suggested malignancy.Ultrasound-guided biopsy of the proximal tibial tumor revealed a poorly differentiated malignant tumor.Immunohistochemistry results indicated monophasic synovial sarcoma,requiring genetic testing for definitive diagnosis.The patient underwent wide resection of the proximal left tibial malignancy with tumor-type artificial joint replacement,combined with curettage and bone cement filling for the left mid-tibial lesion under anesthesia.Postoperative pathology of space-occupying lesions in the proximal tibia confirmed monophasic synovial sarcoma,and fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH)demonstrated a rupture of the synovial sarcoma translocation gene(SYT)(i.e.,SS18 positive).There was no recurrence or metastasis found in the patient during the reexamination 6 months after postoperative chemotherapy.As of July 2024,15 cases of genetically confirmed primary intraosseous synovial sarcoma have been reported internationally.Symptoms included pain and swelling,with a medical history of 1-2 years.The X-ray and CT findings showed osteolytic destruction with bone cortical discontinuity.In 13 cases,the intraosseous masses extended to the extraosseous area;in 2 cases,punctate calcifications were detected within the masses.Plain MRI scan showed iso-signal or hypo-signal on T1WI and hyper-signal,iso-signal,and hypo-signal on fat-suppressed T2WI,and enhanced MRI scan demonstrated heterogeneous enhancement.Pathological examination showed spindle-shaped cells under microscopy.Immunohistochemistry results showed positive epithelial membrane antigen(EMA),broad-spectrum cytokeratin(AE1/AE3),Ewing's sarcoma marker(CD99),and transducin-like enhancer of Split 1(TLE1).Twelve patients underwent surgical treatment;6 patients received adjuvant chemotherapy after surgery,of whom 4 developed local recurrence or distant metastasis at initial diagnosis,and 3 died during follow-up.Among the 6 patients who did not receive adjuvant chemotherapy,3 suffered from recurrence or distant metastasis.Conclusions Primary intraosseous synovial sarcoma is a rare malignant tumor with non-specific clinical manifestations.Imaging features typically include osteolytic destruction and intraosseous masses extending extraosseously,suggesting an intraosseous origin.Pathology and immunohistochemistry aid diagnosis,but definitive confirmation relies on further genetic testing.At present,the main treatment regimens for synovial sarcoma involve comprehensive therapies such as surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy,and the prognosis of patients is poor.