Objective To analyze the MRI artifact of the inner ear structure in patients with peripheral vertigo acquired by using 3D fast imaging employing steady state acquisition(3D FIESTA-C)and 3D fast spin echo(3D-Cube T2).Methods Data of 63 patients with peripheral vertigo treated in the Department of Otolaryngology,The First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University,from October 2023 to June 2024 were filtered for analysis.The patients consisted of 16 males and 47 females,aged 18 to 60 years old.Two senior radiologists independently evaluated the quality of the acquired images through the two MRI sequences.Kappa test was used to evaluate the consistency of the two radiologists' subjective judgments,and Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the image quality between each sequence.The accuracy of 3D FIESTA-C,3D-Cube T2 and combination of the two sequences was calculated in the presentation of inner ear structure.Results The overall image quality of 3D-Cube T2 was better than that of 3D FIESTA-C(Z=-11.670,P＜0.001),and the accuracy of 3D FIESTA-C combined with 3D-Cube T2 was superior to that of each sequence in demonstrating the semicircular canals.The demonstration accuracy of horizontal semicircular canal among three scan protocols was statistically different(P＜0.001).Conclusion 3D FIESTA-C has the advantage in detecting horizontal semicircular canal,and 3D-Cube T2 always provides high quality images of upper semicircular canal.Compared with each scanning sequence,3D FIESTA-C combined with 3D-Cube T2 can effectively avoid misdiagnosis or missed diagnosis of semicircular canal structures in the patients with peripheral vertigo.

Objective:To evaluate the safety, and feasibility of transoral robot-assisted retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) dissection.Methods:Clinical data of head and neck cancer patients who underwent transoral robot-assisted RPLN dissection at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Centre from December 2017 to March 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 35 patients(22 males, 13 females, aged 47.4±13.4 years old) with RPLN metastases from head and neck cancer, including 20 cases of nasopharyngeal cancer, 9 cases of thyroid cancer, 2 cases of salivary adenocarcinoma, 2 cases of tonsil cancer, and 2 cases of hypopharyngeal cancer. Operation time, intraoperative bleeding and complications, postoperative nasogastric tube retention time, hospital stay and complications were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 software.Results:All patients successfully received transoral robot-assisted RPLN dissection without intermediate open surgery, with removals of 2 (1, 3) RPLNs. The total operation time was 130 (102, 210) minutes. The intraoperative bleeding was 50 (20, 100) ml, and there was no major bleeding or organ damage during the operation. Prophylactic tracheotomy was performed in 8 cases, and postoperatively nasogastric tubes were left in 22 patients, with retention time of 10.5 (7.5, 14.0) days. Postoperative hospital stay was 5 (4, 9) days. Postoperative complications included incision dehiscence in 4 cases and dysphagia in 4 cases. The median postoperative follow-up was 23.4 months, with progression or recurrence in 5 patients, including regional recurrence in 3 patients, lung metastasis in 1 patient, and bone metastasis in 1 patient. The 2-year regional failure-free survival and disease-free survival rates were 91.43% and 85.71%, respectively.Conclusion:Transoral robot-assisted RPLN dissection is a safe and feasible surgical method with less trauma, fewer complications, and higher safety. Patients need to be carefully selected at the initial stage of application.

Objective:To explore the clinical application value of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the treatment of tonsil squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted. The clinical data of 157 TSCC patients were collected who received TORS at five medical centers, namely, the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan University, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, and Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, from January 1 2017 to July 31 2022. There were 130 males and 27 females, aged 24-85 years. All patients were followed-up at least for 2 years (2-year group), among them, 99 patients had a follow-up of 3 years (3-year group). The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), clinical stage, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection status were analyzed. SPSS 25.0 and SAS 9.4 were used for statistical analysis.Results:The OS and PFS of the 2-year group were 91.7% and 87.9%, respectively. The OS and PFS of the 3-year group were 85.9% and 82.8%, respectively. The prognosis of patients with locally early-stage was better than that of locally advanced patients, with the OS of 94.4% for T1-2 vs. 78.0% for T3 ( P=0.005) and the PFS of 91.2% for T1-2 vs. 75.0% for T3 ( P=0.011) in the 2-year group; the OS of 91.1% for T1-2 vs. 65.0% for T3 ( P=0.004) and the PFS of 88.6% for T1-2 vs. 60.0% for T3 ( P=0.002) in the 3-year group; and also, the OS of 90.0% for stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ vs. 79.5% for stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ ( P=0.204) and the PFS of 86.7% for stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ vs. 76.9% for stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ ( P=0.188) in the 3-year group. The prognosis of HPV-positive TSCC patients was better than that of HPV-negative patients in the 3-year group, with the OS of 90.9% for HPV-positive vs. 80.5% for HPV-negative ( P=0.045) and the PFS of 90.9% for HPV-positive vs. 75.6% for HPV-negative ( P=0.047). The average time of postoperative tracheal cannula indwelling was 25.1 days. The indwelling rate and average indwelling time of the postoperative nasogastric tube were 94.3% (148/157) and 8.5 days, respectively. Conclusion:TORS has outstanding survival benefits for TSCC patients. HPV-positive TSCC patients have a better prognosis than HPV-negative patients. TORS treatment of TSCC patients has advantages in postoperative recovery and quality of life.

Homeobox(HOX)genes encode a group of proteins that are highly conserved and closely related to the axial differentiation of embryos.The disorder of segmental development caused by HOX genes deficiency or abnormal expression has been observed in drosophila and mice.However,subsequent studies have found that proteins encoded by the HOX gene family are also involved in the regulation of tumor genesis and development.The roles of the whole HOX family had been reviewed by the author in the past,and through the in-depth researches,the author paid attention to the pivotal role of HOXB9 and made new progress in the study of post-translational modifications of this protein.Taking HOXB9 as a clue,this review summarizes the tumor-related signaling pathways and the modulating effects of post-translational modification of HOXB9 on tumor progression,as well as the possible research directions in the future.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To analyze the application value of 3D Slicer software in endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery for pituitary adenoma resection.Methods A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 36 patients with pituitary adenomas treated with 3D Slicer-assisted endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery(3D Slicer group)in the Department of Neurosurgery,The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University,from January 2024 to December 2024.Preoperatively,multimodal images were fused and reconstructed using 3D Slicer software to systematically evaluate bony anatomical structures such as sphenoid sinus ostia,intrasphenoidal septa,and sellar floor structures,design the size of pedicled nasoseptal flaps,and clarify the positional relationships between pituitary adenomas and surrounding vital structures including the internal carotid artery,pituitary gland,and optic chiasm,so as to provide real-time guidance for intraoperative procedures.Meanwhile,45 patients with pituitary adenomas treated with neuronavigation-assisted endoscopic transsphenoidal surgery from January 2023 to December 2023 were included as the control group(neuronavigation group).The surgical outcomes and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results Compared with the neuronavigation group,the 3D Slicer group demonstrated higher identification rates of the optic nerve groove and carotid artery impression(94.4％vs.77.8％),shorter operative time[(2.9±0.6)h vs.(3.5±0.9)h],less intraoperative bleeding[(159.7±70.5)mL vs.(237.8±96.0)mL],and a lower incidence of postoperative olfactory dysfunction(8.3％vs.26.7％),with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).However,there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in the identification rate of the sphenoid sinus ostium(100.0％vs.97.8％),gross total resection rate(75.0％vs.64.4％),and the incidence of other postoperative complications,including cerebrospinal fluid leakage(0.0％vs.6.7％),intracranial infection(2.8％vs.11.1％),transient diabetes insipidus(30.6％vs.22.2％),and hypopituitarism(38.9％vs.37.8％,P＞0.05).Conclusion 3D Slicer software helps improve the mastery of anatomical basics in endoscopic transsphenoidal approach among junior and primary physicians,enhancing the clinical efficacy and safety of pituitary adenoma resection,and thus is worthy of clinical promotion.

Objective:To evaluate the safety, and feasibility of transoral robot-assisted retropharyngeal lymph node (RPLN) dissection.Methods:Clinical data of head and neck cancer patients who underwent transoral robot-assisted RPLN dissection at the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, and Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Centre from December 2017 to March 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 35 patients(22 males, 13 females, aged 47.4±13.4 years old) with RPLN metastases from head and neck cancer, including 20 cases of nasopharyngeal cancer, 9 cases of thyroid cancer, 2 cases of salivary adenocarcinoma, 2 cases of tonsil cancer, and 2 cases of hypopharyngeal cancer. Operation time, intraoperative bleeding and complications, postoperative nasogastric tube retention time, hospital stay and complications were evaluated. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 22.0 software.Results:All patients successfully received transoral robot-assisted RPLN dissection without intermediate open surgery, with removals of 2 (1, 3) RPLNs. The total operation time was 130 (102, 210) minutes. The intraoperative bleeding was 50 (20, 100) ml, and there was no major bleeding or organ damage during the operation. Prophylactic tracheotomy was performed in 8 cases, and postoperatively nasogastric tubes were left in 22 patients, with retention time of 10.5 (7.5, 14.0) days. Postoperative hospital stay was 5 (4, 9) days. Postoperative complications included incision dehiscence in 4 cases and dysphagia in 4 cases. The median postoperative follow-up was 23.4 months, with progression or recurrence in 5 patients, including regional recurrence in 3 patients, lung metastasis in 1 patient, and bone metastasis in 1 patient. The 2-year regional failure-free survival and disease-free survival rates were 91.43% and 85.71%, respectively.Conclusion:Transoral robot-assisted RPLN dissection is a safe and feasible surgical method with less trauma, fewer complications, and higher safety. Patients need to be carefully selected at the initial stage of application.

Objective:To explore the clinical application value of transoral robotic surgery (TORS) in the treatment of tonsil squamous cell carcinoma (TSCC).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted. The clinical data of 157 TSCC patients were collected who received TORS at five medical centers, namely, the Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Eye Ear Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan University, the First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, and Tongji Hospital of Tongji Medical College, from January 1 2017 to July 31 2022. There were 130 males and 27 females, aged 24-85 years. All patients were followed-up at least for 2 years (2-year group), among them, 99 patients had a follow-up of 3 years (3-year group). The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), clinical stage, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection status were analyzed. SPSS 25.0 and SAS 9.4 were used for statistical analysis.Results:The OS and PFS of the 2-year group were 91.7% and 87.9%, respectively. The OS and PFS of the 3-year group were 85.9% and 82.8%, respectively. The prognosis of patients with locally early-stage was better than that of locally advanced patients, with the OS of 94.4% for T1-2 vs. 78.0% for T3 ( P=0.005) and the PFS of 91.2% for T1-2 vs. 75.0% for T3 ( P=0.011) in the 2-year group; the OS of 91.1% for T1-2 vs. 65.0% for T3 ( P=0.004) and the PFS of 88.6% for T1-2 vs. 60.0% for T3 ( P=0.002) in the 3-year group; and also, the OS of 90.0% for stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ vs. 79.5% for stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ ( P=0.204) and the PFS of 86.7% for stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ vs. 76.9% for stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ ( P=0.188) in the 3-year group. The prognosis of HPV-positive TSCC patients was better than that of HPV-negative patients in the 3-year group, with the OS of 90.9% for HPV-positive vs. 80.5% for HPV-negative ( P=0.045) and the PFS of 90.9% for HPV-positive vs. 75.6% for HPV-negative ( P=0.047). The average time of postoperative tracheal cannula indwelling was 25.1 days. The indwelling rate and average indwelling time of the postoperative nasogastric tube were 94.3% (148/157) and 8.5 days, respectively. Conclusion:TORS has outstanding survival benefits for TSCC patients. HPV-positive TSCC patients have a better prognosis than HPV-negative patients. TORS treatment of TSCC patients has advantages in postoperative recovery and quality of life.

Objective:To investigate the completion rate of tumor evaluation at initial assessment and after neoadjuvant therapy for mid and low rectal cancer patients in the national multicenter real-world database.Methods:The prospective real-world study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 1 074 patients who underwent surgical treatment for mid and low rectal cancer in 47 national medical institutions, including Peking Union Medical College Hospital et al, from May 12,2023 to May 11,2024 were collected. Observation indicators: (1) clinical characteristics of patients with mid and low rectal cancer; (2) initial colonoscopy and pathologic evaluation of tumors in patients with mid and low rectal cancer; (3) initial imaging evaluation of patients with mid and low rectal cancer; (4) imaging evaluation after neoadjuvant therapy for patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M( Q1, Q3). Count data were described as absoluter numbers and/or percentages. Results:(1) Clinical characteristics of patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 1 074 patients, there were 713 males and 361 females, aged 63(56,70)years. The body mass index of 1 074 patients was 24(21,26)kg/m 2.For American Society of Anesthesiologists classification, there were 147 cases of stage Ⅰ, 641 cases of stage Ⅱ, 157 cases of stage Ⅲ, 2 cases of stage Ⅳ, and there were 127 cases missing data. (2) Initial colonoscopy and pathologic evaluation of tumors in patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 1 074 patients, there were 787 cases (73.28%) undergoing complete colonoscopy, and there were only 197 cases (18.34%) undergoing immunohistochemical evaluation of all four mismatch repair proteins. (3) Initial imaging evaluation of patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 1 074 patients, there were 842(78.40%) patients completing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or ultrasound evaluation, and there were 914(85.10%) patients completing chest, abdomen, and pelvis enhanced computed tomography (CT) evaluation. In the 149 patients completing rectal ultrasound evaluation, there were 122 cases (81.88%) comple-ting T staging evaluation, and there were 81 cases (54.36%) completing N staging evaluation. In the 808 patients completing rectal MRI evaluation, there were 708 cases (87.62%) completing T staging evaluation, and there were 590 cases (73.02%) completing N staging evaluation. (4) Imaging evalua-tion after neoadjuvant therapy for patients with mid and low rectal cancer. Of the 388 patients with neoadjuvant therapy, there were 332 patients (85.57%) completing MRI or ultrasound evaluation, and there were 327 patients (84.28%) completing chest, abdomen, and pelvis enhanced CT evalua-tion. In the 70 patients completing rectal ultrasound evaluation, there were 65 cases (92.86%) com-pleting T staging evaluation, and there were 49 cases (70.00%) completing N staging evaluation. In the 327 patients completing rectal MRI evaluation, there were 246 cases (75.23%) completing T staging, and there were 228 cases (69.72%) completing N staging evaluation. Conclusion:The com-pletion rate of tumor imaging evaluation at initial assessment and after neoadjuvant therapy for mid and low rectal cancer patients on a national scale is relatively good.

AIM To investigate the mechanism of Jiedu Yizhi Formula on cognitive function and neuroinflammation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease(AD).METHODS 50 APP/PS1 double transgenic mice were randomly divided into the model group,the donepezil group,and the low-dose,moderate-dose,and high-dose Jiedu Yizhi Formula group(1.78,3.56 and 7.12 g/kg),with 10 mice in each group,in contrast to the 10 WT mice of the blank group.Following anesthesia administration and 8-week oral gavage regimen with respective drugs,all mice underwent final tissue sample collection.The mice had their learning and memory ability assessed by Morris water maze and nesting behavior scores;their pathology of brain tissue and Aβ expression observed using HE,Nissl and IHC staining;their polarization of microglia and the expression of inflammatory factors in hippocampal tissue detected by IF and ELISA;their hippocampal expression of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot.RESULTS Compared with the blank group,the model group had lower scores in total swimming distance,frequency in crossing the platform,residence time in the target quadrant,and nesting behavior scores(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);prolonged evasion latency(P＜0.01);more disorganized arrangement of pyramidal cells,solidification and deep staining,unclear demarcation,irregular cell shapes,reduction of Nyctinidia,and increased Aβ deposition in the brain tissue(P＜0.01);elevated expression of hippocampal microglia M1-type markers CD16/32 and lba-1(P＜0.01);decreased levels of M2-type marker CD206(P＜0.05);elevated levels of TNF-α and IL-1β(P＜0.01);decreased expressions of IL-13 and IL-4(P＜0.01);and decreased levels of PI3K,Akt and mTOR mRNA,and reduced p-PI3K,p-Akt and p-mTOR protein expressions(P＜0.01).Compared to the model group,the donepezil group and the Jiedu Yizhi Formula groups showed statistically significant improvements in the aforementioned indexes(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),with the magnitude of improvement being higher in the high-dose Jiedu Yizhi Formula group.CONCLUSION Jiedu Yizhi Formula suppresses microglia Ml-type polarization while enhancing M2-type polarization via activation the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway,which subsequently reduces inflammatory cytokine secretion.This mechanism attenuates Aβ deposition in brain tissues and ameliorates cognitive dysfunction in AD mouse models.