Background: and Purpose Accurately predicting long-term functional outcomes of basilar artery occlusion (BAO) remains challenging. We compared the predictive performance of the baseline, 24-hour, and 72-hour National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores for 90-day BAO functional outcomes using the Acute Basilar Artery Occlusion: Endovascular Thrombectomy versus Standard Medical Treatment (ATTENTION) trial data. We identified the optimal assessment time point, determined treatment-specific NIHSS cutoff values, and explored the role of early neurological function in treatment effects. Methods: This retrospective post hoc analysis included 324 patients with acute BAO with baseline NIHSS scores ≥10 and complete NIHSS assessments at each time point. The primary outcome was a favorable 90-day functional outcome (modified Rankin Scale score, 0–3). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to assess the predictive ability of NIHSS scores. The optimal 72-hour NIHSS predictive cutoff values were determined for the endovascular treatment (EVT) and best medical management (BMM) subgroups. Results: The 72-hour NIHSS score showed the highest predictive accuracy for the primary outcome (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC]: 0.954), outperforming the 24-hour (AUC: 0.903) and baseline (AUC: 0.688) scores; its optimal predictive cut-off value was ≤11 in the EVT group (sensitivity: 85.6%, specificity: 92.9%, positive predictive value [PPV]: 91.8%, negative predictive value [NPV]: 87.4%) and ≤9 in the BMM group (sensitivity: 84.6%, specificity: 95.1%, PPV: 84.6%, NPV: 95.1%). Conclusions The 72-hour NIHSS score outperformed the baseline and 24-hour scores in predicting 90-day functional outcomes and mediating the effects of EVT. Treatment-specific 72-hour NIHSS cut-off values may guide early risk stratification and prognostic assessments.

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.

Objective We aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shengxuebao Mixture in the treatment of cancer-related anemia(CRA)presenting with syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood.Methods A randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled,multicenter clinical trial was conducted.Eligible patients with malignant tumors meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled from 26 hospitals,including Dongzhimen Hospital,Beijing University of Chinese Medicine,Xiaogan Central Hospital,and Yangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine,from June 1,2022,to September 30,2024.Patients were allocated 1:1 to either the experimental group receiving Shengxuebao Mixture or the control group receiving its simulator(placebo)using a block randomization method under double-blind conditions.Both groups received 15 mL orally three times daily for 28 consecutive days.The primary efficacy indicators included the hemoglobin(Hb)improvement rate(RHb)and the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome improvement rate(RTCM)at week 4 of treatment.The secondary efficacy indicators encompassed Hb and red blood cell(RBC)count,Karnofsky Performance Status(KPS)score,TCM syndrome score,individual TCM symptom scores,and changes in each of these indicators compared to the baseline period at weeks 2,4,and 6 of treatment.Safety evaluations were conducted at week 4 of treatment.Results A total of 239 patients were enrolled,with 225 cases included in the Full Analysis Set(FAS)(109 in the experimental group vs.116 control group),163 in the Per Protocol Set(PPS)(77 vs.86),and 225 in the Safety Set(SS)(109 vs.116).Baseline characteristics between groups showed no significant differences.Significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in RHb at week 4(FAS:49.51%vs.35.24%,P<0.05;PPS:53.25%vs.36.05%,P<0.05)and RTCM at week 4(FAS:61.54%vs.39.62%,P<0.01;PPS:64.94%vs.40.70%,P<0.01).At weeks 2,4,and 6,the experimental group showed greater improvements in Hb and RBC counts than the control group.Additionally,the TCM syndrome scores were lower in the experimental group than in the control group at these time points.Except for week 2 in PPS,the KPS improvement was better in the experimental group than in the control group(P<0.05).The experimental group also demonstrated a greater reduction in scores for individual TCM symptoms such as spiritlessness and weakness,poor appetite and reduced food intake at weeks 4 and 6 compared to the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Furthermore,the reduction in vertigo score was more pronounced in the experimental group at week 6(P<0.01).For the score of pale and lusterless complexion,only in the PPS was the reduction from baseline more significant in the experimental group than in the control group at weeks 4 and 6(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed between the experimental and control groups in the incidence of all adverse events or drug-related adverse reactions.Conclusion Shengxuebao Mixture demonstrates significant efficacy in patients with CRA presenting syndrome of deficiency of liver and kidney combined with syndrome of deficiency of both qi and blood,effectively increasing Hb levels,ameliorating TCM syndromes,alleviating clinical symptoms,and enhancing functional status,with no significant difference in adverse drug reactions compared to the placebo.

Objective To explore the latent profile analysis of oral frailty in elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions and to analyze the influencing factors of different potential profiles in order to provide a theoretical basis for constructing clinical intervention programs.Methods Convenience sampling method was used to select elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions in a tertiary hospital in Hefei City from July to December 2024 as the survey subjects.General information questionnaire,the Chinese version of the Oral Frailty Index-8,Mini-Nutritional Assessment Short-Form,Consumer Health Activation Index and Family APGAR Index Questionnaire were used to conduct the survey,and multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors.Results A total of 418 elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions were included,with a total oral frailty score of(7.21±2.83).Oral frailty in elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions can be classified into 3 potential profiles,namely severe oral frailty-low oral functioning group(60.53％),moderate oral frailty-high social behaviors group(8.85％),mild oral frailty-high oral health behavior group(30.62％).Age,family care,type of chronic disease,type of oral medication,and consumer health activation index were influential factors for different potential profiles(P＜0.05).Conclusion The oral frailty in elderly patients with multiple chronic conditions was heterogeneous.Caregivers should focus on the severe oral frailty-low oral functioning group and the moderate oral frailty-high social behavior group,and develop targeted interventions according to the patients'different profile characteristics and influencing factors to prevent and delay the occurrence of oral frailty.

Objective:To explore the impact of individual demand-oriented team holistic service nursing on the compliance of nebulization inhalation, pulmonary ventilation status, respiratory function and exercise capacity of elderly patients with acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (AECOPD), and to provide a reference for clinical nursing decisions.Methods:A single-blind randomized controlled study was conducted. Elderly patients with AECOPD who were hospitalized in Fuyang Cancer Hospital, Anhui Province from January 2022 to December 2023 were selected as the research subjects by convenience sampling. They were divided into the control group and the observation group by random number table method. The control group received routine care. The observation group adopted the individual demand-oriented team holistic service nursing on the basis of the control group. The compliance of nebulization treatment, pulmonary ventilation status [forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1), FEV 1/FVC], and exercise capacity [six minutes walk test (6MWT)] of the two groups of patients after intervention were compared, and the respiratory function [modified Medical Research Council Scale (mMRC)] after 3 days of intervention and at discharge were compared. Results:A total of 60 patients were finally included, including 30 in the control group, 21 males and 9 females, with an age of (73.90 ± 3.95) years. There were 30 cases in the observation group, including 25 males and 5 females, with an age of (72.93 ± 4.24) years. After the intervention, the compliance of nebulization treatment in the observation group was complete compliance in 20 cases, partial compliance in 10 cases, and non-compliance in 0 cases. In the control group, it was complete compliance in 12 cases, partial compliance in 13 cases, and non-compliance in 5 cases, there was a statistically significant difference between the two groups ( Z=2.40, P<0.05). The FVC, FEV 1 and FEV 1/FVC in the observation group were (2.43 ± 0.47) L, (2.74 ± 0.85) L and (68.46 ± 6.71) % respectively, which were all higher than (2.21 ± 0.16) L, (2.26 ± 0.76) L and (62.49 ± 7.38) % in the control group, and the differences were all statistically significant ( t=2.43, 2.31, 3.28, all P<0.05). The 6MWT of the observation group was (233.42 ± 24.28) m, which was higher than (214.28 ± 21.63) m in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=3.22, P<0.05). The mMRC scores of the observation group 3 days after intervention and at discharge were (2.05 ± 0.12) and (1.64 ± 0.13) points respectively, which were both lower than (2.14 ± 0.21) and (1.88 ± 0.14) points in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=2.04, 6.88, both P<0.05). Conclusions:The individual demand-oriented team holistic service nursing in elderly patients with AECOPD can improve their compliance with nebulization treatment, thereby enhancing their respiratory function and exercise capacity.

Purpose To investigate the correlation between intervertebral disc degeneration and paraspinal muscle fatty infiltration in chronic low back pain(CLBP)using quantitative MRI techniques.Materials and Methods A total of 63 CLBP patients and 42 volunteers in Zigong Fourth People's Hospital from September 2023 to March 2024 were retrospectively collected.Magnetic resonance scans were performed using multi-echo water-fat separation technique and T2 mapping technique.Intervertebral disc degeneration was assessed using the Pfirrmann grading,while paraspinal muscle fatty infiltration was evaluated using the Goutallier grading.Proton density fat fraction(PDFF)of the multifidus and erector spinae muscles,and T2 values of the nucleus pulposus were quantitatively measured.The relationships between these parameters and their associations with age and gender were analyzed.Results Compared with healthy volunteers,CLBP patients showed significantly reduced T2 values of the nucleus pulposusand significantly increased PDFF of the paraspinal muscles(Z=-5.54-4.65,all P<0.001).The Pfirrmann grading of intervertebral discs and the Goutallier grading of paraspinal muscles were significantly correlated with the T2 value of the nucleus pulposus and the PDFF of the paraspinal muscles(|r|>0.4,P<0.05).Age and Pfirrmann grading were independent predictors of paraspinal muscle fat infiltration(β=0.228-5.682,all P<0.001),and gender was also an independent predictor at the L4/5 intervertebral disc level(β=-2.834,-3.352,both P<0.05).Conclusion Intervertebral disc degeneration and paraspinal muscle fat infiltration are closely related in CLBP,age and gender also have an impact.

Pyroptosis is a novel,inflammatory programmed cell death mediated by gasdermins(GSDMs),which characterized by the formation of membrane pores and the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines.Rheumatoid arthritis(RA)is a chronic,inflamma-tory autoimmune disease characterized by persistent synovitis in multiple joints,progressive destruction of bone and cartilage,and eventually leading to joint deformity and disability.Recently,it has been shown that pyroptosis plays an important role in development of RA.This review summarizes the molecular mechanism of pyroptosis,its pathogenic role and therapeutic strategies in RA,aiming of providing new insights for the mechanism research and new drug development of RA.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of magnetic tracer technique for locating pulmonary nodules.Methods A tracer magnet and a matching puncture instrument were designed by ourselves for locating pulmonary nodules.After preliminarily verifying the feasibility of the operation in the isolated lung,four beagle dogs were used as animal models to perform puncture localization of the assumed lesions in the upper lobe of the right lung under the guidance of X-ray by using self-designed tracer magnets and puncture instruments,and the positioning effect was observed and evaluated after thorax opening.The operation time required for the tracer magnet implantation,whether there is bleeding at the puncture site,whether the tracer magnet is displaced,and the positioning time of pulmonary nodules after thorax opening were recorded.Results Two tracer magnets were successfully inserted into the upper lobe of the right lung under X-ray guidance in four beagle dogs,and the magnets were successfully attracted and fixed.The median insertion time of the tracer magnet was 5 minutes(4 to 7 minutes),and the insertion process was smooth without bleeding at the puncture site.After thorax opening,oval forceps were used to conveniently locate the location of the tracer magnet,achieving accurate positioning of pulmonary nodules with a median positioning time of 13 seconds(10 to 17 seconds),and the tracer magnet did not shift during the whole process.Conclusion The magnetic tracer technique is simple to operate and pricise for localization of pulmonary nodules.With further optimization of the operation process,this technique is expected to be applied in clinic.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of magnetic tracer technique for locating pulmonary nodules.Methods A tracer magnet and a matching puncture instrument were designed by ourselves for locating pulmonary nodules.After preliminarily verifying the feasibility of the operation in the isolated lung,four beagle dogs were used as animal models to perform puncture localization of the assumed lesions in the upper lobe of the right lung under the guidance of X-ray by using self-designed tracer magnets and puncture instruments,and the positioning effect was observed and evaluated after thorax opening.The operation time required for the tracer magnet implantation,whether there is bleeding at the puncture site,whether the tracer magnet is displaced,and the positioning time of pulmonary nodules after thorax opening were recorded.Results Two tracer magnets were successfully inserted into the upper lobe of the right lung under X-ray guidance in four beagle dogs,and the magnets were successfully attracted and fixed.The median insertion time of the tracer magnet was 5 minutes(4 to 7 minutes),and the insertion process was smooth without bleeding at the puncture site.After thorax opening,oval forceps were used to conveniently locate the location of the tracer magnet,achieving accurate positioning of pulmonary nodules with a median positioning time of 13 seconds(10 to 17 seconds),and the tracer magnet did not shift during the whole process.Conclusion The magnetic tracer technique is simple to operate and pricise for localization of pulmonary nodules.With further optimization of the operation process,this technique is expected to be applied in clinic.

Aim To investigate the effect of ACSL4 on the malignant biological behavior of esophageal cancer cells and gefitinib resistance by regulating FASN,and to explore the related mechanism.Methods Thirty-five fresh esophageal cancer tissues and adjacent nor-mal tissues,and 30 esophageal cancer tissues with ge-fitinib resistance were collected.The expressions of ACSL4 and FASN were detected by qRT-PCR and im-munohistochemistry.The expression levels of ACSL4 and FASN in human normal esophageal cells HET-1 A,esophageal cancer cell lines ECA109,EC9706,TE-1 and TE-1/GR were detected by qRT-PCR.Cells in each group were constructed by liposome transfection technique,and the drug resistance and proliferation a-bility of cells were detected by cloning and CCK-8 as-say,cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,cell invasion ability was detected by Transwell,and EMT pathway protein expression was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with adjacent normal tis-sues,the expression of ACSL4 and FASN genes in cancer tissues increased,and there was a positive corre-lation.The expression of ACSL4 significantly increased in ECA109,EC9706 and TE-1 cells compared with HET-1 A cells.With the increase of gefitinib concen-tration,the expression of ACSL4 in TE-1 cells gradually increased,and the expression of ACSL4 in TE-1/GR cells was higher than that of TE-1.Compared with the control group and the si-NC group,the cell proliferation and invasion ability of si-ACSL4 group decreased,the number of apoptosis increased,the expression of E-Cadherin increased,and the expression of N-Cadherin,Vimentin and β-catenin decreased.The response ex-periment showed that compared with the si-ACSL4 group and the si-ACSL4+oe-NC group,the cells in the si-ACSL4+oe-FASN group increased drug resistance,increased proliferation and invasion ability,decreased apoptosis number and decreased expression of E-Cad-herin.The expressions of N-Cadherin,Vimentin and β-catenin increased.Conclusions By down-regulating the expression of FASN,ACSL4 reverses the resistance of esophageal cancer TE-1/GR cells to gefitinib and in-hibits the proliferation,invasion and accelerates apopto-sis of TE-1/GR cells,which may be related to the regu-lation of EMT signaling pathway.