OBJECTIVES: The traditional processing method for paraffin-embedded tissues is time-consuming, while the ultrasonic rapid processing method has a short processing time. However, its effects on tissue proteins, DNA, and RNA remain unclear. This study aims to evaluate the effects of the ultrasonic rapid processing method on proteins, DNA, and RNA in paraffin-embedded tissues through hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, immunohistochemical staining, and molecular pathological detection. METHODS: Surgical specimens from patients with breast cancer, colorectal cancer, lung cancer, signet-ring cell gastric cancer, liver cancer, and other tumors were selected. Two tissue blocks (1 to 3 mm in diameter) were obtained from each specimen (previously processed and diagnosed by routine pathology). One block was assigned to the control group (traditional processing method), and the other was the experimental group (ultrasonic rapid processing method). Via HE staining, immunohistochemical staining, DNA quality fragment analysis, fluorescent in situ hybrid for HER2 gene expression test, second-generation sequencing for EGFR and ALK gene mutation test, real-time reverse transcription PCR (real-time RT-PCR) for prognosis detection of breast cancer etc, the difference between 2 groups was compared, and further impact of the ultrasonic rapid processing method was analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the ultrasound-assisted rapid method efficiently completed fixation, dehydration, clearing, and paraffin embedding, significantly reducing sample preparation time before pathological diagnosis. Results of HE staining, immunohistochemistry, DNA fragment analysis, fluorescence in situ hybridization for HER2 gene, next-generation sequencing for EGFR and ALK gene, and real-time RT-PCR for breast cancer prognosis were entirely consistent with those of the control group. CONCLUSIONS The ultrasonic rapid processing method can quickly and effectively shorten the time for specimen processing before pathological diagnosis, and will not affect the DNA, RNA and proteins of the specimens. It can meet the subsequent HE staining, immunohistochemistry and molecular pathological detection.
Humans ; Paraffin Embedding/methods* ; Female ; RNA/analysis* ; DNA/analysis* ; Breast Neoplasms/pathology* ; Neoplasms/genetics* ; Ultrasonics/methods* ; Proteins/analysis*

Objective:To evaluate the predictive value of whole blood cell derived inflammatory marker (including systemic immunoinflammatory index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), neutrophil count/lymphocyte count (NLR), platelet count/lymphocyte count (PLR), and monocyte count/lymphocyte count (MLR)) and in combination with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) on the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. Patients with chronic heart failure hospitalized in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University from January 2019 to August 2022 were enrolled. Patients were followed up and were divided into survival group and death group according to the follow-up results. Clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of each whole blood cell derived inflammatory marker for predicting all-cause death in patients with chronic heart failure. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn, and log-rank test was used to compare the difference in survival of chronic heart failure patients with different levels of whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the effects of whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers and NT-proBNP on the all-cause death of patients with chronic heart failure. ROC curve was used to analyze the predictive value of whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers combined with NT-proBNP on the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.Results:A total of 324 patients with heart failure aged (64.76±13.78) years were enrolled, with 212 males (65.43%). 297 patients (91.67%) completed follow-up, 27 patients (8.33%) were lost to follow-up. The follow-up time was 24.0 (18.0, 41.8) months. There were 258 patients in the survival group and 66 patients in the death group. The optimal cut-off values of SII, SIRI, NLR, PLR and MLR determined by ROC curve were 739.83, 1.65, 3.14, 151.95 and 0.37, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that patients with chronic heart failure with high levels of SII (≥739.83), SIRI (≥1.65), NLR (≥3.14), PLR (≥151.95) and MLR (≥0.37) had higher incidence of all-cause death than patients with low levels of inflammatory markers (all P<0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that age ( HR=1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.06, P=0.002), NT-proBNP ( HR=2.93, 95% CI 1.64-5.23, P<0.001), SII≥739.83 ( HR=3.27, 95% CI 1.18-9.02, P=0.022) and PLR≥151.95 ( HR=2.67, 95% CI 1.02-6.96, P=0.045) were independent predictors of all-cause death in patients with chronic heart failure. ROC curve analysis showed that the predictive value of SII and PLR combined with NT-proBNP ( AUC=0.850) for the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure was better than that of SII ( AUC=0.779)、PLR ( AUC=0.782)、NT-proBNP ( AUC=0.727) and CRP ( AUC=0.668) alone (all P<0.001). Conclusions:Whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers——SII, PLR, and NT-pro BNP were independently associated with all-cause death in patients with chronic heart failure. SII and PLR can independently predict the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure, combination of SII and PLR with NT-pro BNP has better predictive value for the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.

Objective:To establish a framework of entrustable professional activity indicators for non-anesthesiology residents during rotation in the Department of Anesthesiology, standardize the training process, and provide an effective evaluation method.Methods:Based on literature review and discussions, a preliminary expert consultation questionnaire was developed. From July to November 2024, a modified Delphi method was adopted and relevant experts were invited to assess the importance, validity, and feasibility of each indicator using a 5-point Likert scale. The results were used to screen and refine the entrustable professional activity indicators for non-anesthesiology residents during rotation in the Department of Anesthesiology.Results:In the two rounds of expert consultation, the valid questionnaire return rate reached 100.00%, with an expert judgment basis coefficient of 0.73 and a familiarity coefficient of 0.90. Based on expert feedback, the final framework retained 3 first-level indicators and 12 second-level indicators. Modifications included renaming "Anesthesia Management" to "Anesthetic Drug Management", swapping the order of "Intraoperative Emergency Management" and "Airway Management", and removing the indicator "Resuscitation Assessment".Conclusions:This study preliminarily developed a framework of entrustable professional activity indicators for non-anesthesiology residents during rotation in the Department of Anesthesiology. The framework provides a simple and practical competency evaluation method for standardized training, which can enhance training quality and effectiveness.

Objective:To establish a framework of entrustable professional activity indicators for non-anesthesiology residents during rotation in the Department of Anesthesiology, standardize the training process, and provide an effective evaluation method.Methods:Based on literature review and discussions, a preliminary expert consultation questionnaire was developed. From July to November 2024, a modified Delphi method was adopted and relevant experts were invited to assess the importance, validity, and feasibility of each indicator using a 5-point Likert scale. The results were used to screen and refine the entrustable professional activity indicators for non-anesthesiology residents during rotation in the Department of Anesthesiology.Results:In the two rounds of expert consultation, the valid questionnaire return rate reached 100.00%, with an expert judgment basis coefficient of 0.73 and a familiarity coefficient of 0.90. Based on expert feedback, the final framework retained 3 first-level indicators and 12 second-level indicators. Modifications included renaming "Anesthesia Management" to "Anesthetic Drug Management", swapping the order of "Intraoperative Emergency Management" and "Airway Management", and removing the indicator "Resuscitation Assessment".Conclusions:This study preliminarily developed a framework of entrustable professional activity indicators for non-anesthesiology residents during rotation in the Department of Anesthesiology. The framework provides a simple and practical competency evaluation method for standardized training, which can enhance training quality and effectiveness.

Objective:To evaluate the predictive value of whole blood cell derived inflammatory marker (including systemic immunoinflammatory index (SII), systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI), neutrophil count/lymphocyte count (NLR), platelet count/lymphocyte count (PLR), and monocyte count/lymphocyte count (MLR)) and in combination with N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) on the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.Methods:This study was a retrospective cohort study. Patients with chronic heart failure hospitalized in the Department of Cardiovascular Medicine, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University from January 2019 to August 2022 were enrolled. Patients were followed up and were divided into survival group and death group according to the follow-up results. Clinical characteristics of the two groups were compared. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of each whole blood cell derived inflammatory marker for predicting all-cause death in patients with chronic heart failure. Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn, and log-rank test was used to compare the difference in survival of chronic heart failure patients with different levels of whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were used to analyze the effects of whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers and NT-proBNP on the all-cause death of patients with chronic heart failure. ROC curve was used to analyze the predictive value of whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers combined with NT-proBNP on the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.Results:A total of 324 patients with heart failure aged (64.76±13.78) years were enrolled, with 212 males (65.43%). 297 patients (91.67%) completed follow-up, 27 patients (8.33%) were lost to follow-up. The follow-up time was 24.0 (18.0, 41.8) months. There were 258 patients in the survival group and 66 patients in the death group. The optimal cut-off values of SII, SIRI, NLR, PLR and MLR determined by ROC curve were 739.83, 1.65, 3.14, 151.95 and 0.37, respectively. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that patients with chronic heart failure with high levels of SII (≥739.83), SIRI (≥1.65), NLR (≥3.14), PLR (≥151.95) and MLR (≥0.37) had higher incidence of all-cause death than patients with low levels of inflammatory markers (all P<0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression analysis showed that age ( HR=1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.06, P=0.002), NT-proBNP ( HR=2.93, 95% CI 1.64-5.23, P<0.001), SII≥739.83 ( HR=3.27, 95% CI 1.18-9.02, P=0.022) and PLR≥151.95 ( HR=2.67, 95% CI 1.02-6.96, P=0.045) were independent predictors of all-cause death in patients with chronic heart failure. ROC curve analysis showed that the predictive value of SII and PLR combined with NT-proBNP ( AUC=0.850) for the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure was better than that of SII ( AUC=0.779)、PLR ( AUC=0.782)、NT-proBNP ( AUC=0.727) and CRP ( AUC=0.668) alone (all P<0.001). Conclusions:Whole blood cell derived inflammatory markers——SII, PLR, and NT-pro BNP were independently associated with all-cause death in patients with chronic heart failure. SII and PLR can independently predict the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure, combination of SII and PLR with NT-pro BNP has better predictive value for the prognosis of patients with chronic heart failure.

Objective To explore the characteristics of respiratory parameters in patients with different body mass index during general anesthesia with tracheal intubation. Methods 102 patients scheduled for otitis me-dia surgery were divided into low weight group(B1,n=32),normal weight group(B2,n=36)and overweight or obese group(B3,n = 34 ). After general anesthesia with tracheal intubation,the tidal volume of anesthetic ma-chine wasadjusted to maintain the end tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure between 35 - 45 mmHg. At 10 min (T1),30min(T2)and 60 min(T3)after adjustment,arterial PH,arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2),arte-rial carbon dioxide pressure(PaCO2),inspiratory tidal volume(VTi),expiratory tidal volume(VTe),end tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure(PETCO2),peak airway pressure(Ppeak),plateau airway pressure(Pplat)and dy-namic lung compliance(Cdyn)were recorded. Results PH and PaO2 were not significantly different at T1-3 among the three groups(P>0.05). As compared with group B1 and B2,PaCO2 was lower in group B3. In comparison with group B2,VTi,VTe and Cdyn were higher in group B1 and lower in group B3(P < 0.05). Ppeak and Pplat were lower in group B1 but higher in group B3(P<0.05). PETCO2 was higher in group B1(P>0.05)while lower in group B3 (P < 0.05). Conclusions With the increase in BMI during general anesthesia with tracheal intubation ,the VTi,VTe,Cdyn,PETCO2 and PaCO2 decrease significantly,but Ppeak and Pplat elevate markedly. BMI is a refer-ence index for setting respiratory parameters.

OBJECTIVETo determine whether quercetin inhibits oxidized low-density lipoprotein (Ox-LDL)-induced osteogenic differentiation and calcification of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and understand the underlying mechanism.

METHODSThe calcification of human VSMCs following Ox-LDL treatment was assessed using alizarin red staining and by detecting ALP activity. The mRNA expressions of the bone-related genes including Msx2, BMP2 and Osterix, and the contractile proteins including SMA and SM22a were analyzed using qPCR. The effects of quercetin were investigated on OxLDL-induced VSMC calcification and changes in ALP activity, expressions of Msx2, BMP2, Osterix, SMA and SM22a, ROS levels and SOD activity. The effect of Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) silencing mediated by siRNA transfection on cell calcification, ALP activity, gene expressions and ROS levels were investigated.

RESULTSOx-LDL treatment promoted VSMC calcification and up-regulated TLR4 expression. Quercetin treatment significantly attenuated Ox-LDL-induced VSMC calcification, reduced ALP activity, down-regulated the expression levels of Msx2, BMP2 and Osterix, and up-regulated the expressions of vascular smooth muscle contractile proteins SMA and SM22a. In addition, Quercetin treatment markedly increased SOD activity, reduced ROS levels and TLR4 expression in VSMCs. Silencing TLR4 expression using TLR4 siRNA also significantly decreased calcification of the VSMCs.

CONCLUSIONSQuercetin inhibits Ox-LDL-induced VSMC calcification in VSMCs possibly by targeting the ROS/TLR4 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the relationship between different topographic locations and neurological deteriorations (ND) in patients with acute new isolated pontine infarction.Methods One hundred sixty-eight patients with acute new isolated pontine infarction during arch 2012 to March 2016 were identified by diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) for retrospective review.Patients were divided into two groups according to their clinical symptoms:patients with ND and patients without ND.According to neuroimaging of DWI,the topographic location of pontine infarction was divided into three types:The upper,middle,and lower ones,and the correlations of ND with risk factors,laboratory examination results,clinical manifestations and different topographic locations were explored by statistical tests.Results Of 168 patients,26.8％ (45/168) were diagnosed with ND,and 73.2％ (123/168) were diagnosed without ND.Univariate analysis showed that there were differences in female ratio [62.2％ (28/45) vs 41.5％ (51/ 123)],smoking ratio [13.3％ (6/45) vs 26.0％ (32/123)],mean length of hospital stay [(22.83 ± 7.12)d vs (19.31 ± 7.65)d],ratio of worse short-term clinical outcomes [77.8％ (35/45) vs 33.3％ (41/123)],and ratio of lower pontine infarction [55.6％ (25/45) vs 26.0％ (32/123)] between two groups (P ＜ 0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that lower pontine infarction was the independent risk factor of ND (OR =1.953,95％ CI:1.092-3.535,P =0.029).Conclusions Topographic location of lower pons lesions may be reliable predictor of ND in acute new isolated pontine infarction.

Objective To investigate the diffevential diagnostic value of preinvasive and invasive lung adenocarcinoma (including minimally invasive adenocarcinoma and invasive adenocarcinoma) presented as pure ground-glass nodules(pGGN) by CT.Methods One hundred and fifty-six cases of pGGN verified by operative pathology were retrospectively analyzed,including 58 ca ses of preinvasive adenocarcinoma and 98 cases of invasive adenocarcinoma(TNM staging were T1N0M0).The CT features and sex were statistically processed.The difference between the CT features and sex were performed by thex2 test.The ROC curve of lesion focus size was drawn.Results Statistically significant differences were found in the lesion shape,vacuole sign,air bronchogram,blood vessel through,tumor-lung interface and vascular cluster sign between the two groups(all P＜0.05).The ROC curve showed that the accuracy rate of invasive adenocarcinoma was 75.0％ when the size of the pGGN lesions was larger than 15.35 mm.Conclusion The lesion size,shape,vacuole sign,air bronchogram,blood vessels through and vascular cluster sign have some predictive value.