Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is the main histological type of esophageal cancer in China, which seriously threatens the health of people. The application of immunotherapy, mainly immune checkpoint inhibitors, has greatly improved the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, but the efficacy of treatment is still limited. Tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) is an ectopic organized lymphoid structure that accumulates in non-lymphoid organs. Previous studies have found that TLS in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma is associated with better patient outcomes and enhanced immunotherapy efficacy. Based on current researches about TLS in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, this paper reviews the relationship between TLS and the prognosis and immunotherapy of patients. We hope to provide reference for the precise immunotherapy of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

With the continuous deepening of the concept of precision diagnosis and treatment for lung cancer, how to achieve higher efficiency and accuracy in the screening, diagnosis, and treatment pathways in clinical practice has become an important issue that urgently needs to be overcome. The current clinical difficulty lies in the fact that despite continuous advancements in imaging and molecular diagnostic technologies, there are still limitations in manual efficiency and subjective experience when it comes to massive data analysis and multi-scale feature extraction. Artificial intelligence (AI), especially algorithm systems based on deep learning, is an innovative technology capable of deeply empowering medical big data. This method utilizes algorithms such as convolutional neural networks, combined with radiomics, pathomics, and multi-modal data fusion analysis, demonstrating immense potential in early precise detection and benign-malignant differentiation of pulmonary nodules, digital pathological subtype recognition and non-invasive prediction of driver genes, precise 3D surgical planning and automatic delineation of radiotherapy target volumes, as well as dynamic risk warning during follow-up. This innovative technology provides a brand-new solution for realizing intelligent and individualized lung cancer diagnosis and treatment models. This consensus, based on the latest evidence from evidence-based medicine and combined with the development trends in the AI field and real-world clinical needs, was ultimately formed by gathering the consensus opinions of multidisciplinary experts in radiology, pathology, thoracic surgery, and other fields. The main content covers the application specifications of AI in the three core scenarios of lung cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment, the technical standards for data collection and algorithm validation, as well as the ethical and regulatory challenges faced at the current stage. It aims to clarify the applicable boundaries of AI as a clinical auxiliary decision support tool, providing scientific guidance and standardized exploration directions for peers currently engaged in or planning to carry out AI-assisted clinical diagnosis, treatment, and translation of lung cancer.

To address the growing challenge of an increasing number of elderly lung cancer patients amidst China's aging population and to fill the gap in quality control standards for surgical treatment in this special population, this study aimed to develop a standardized surgical evaluation system for elderly lung cancer patients tailored to China's national conditions. The system was established through a literature review, integrated the pathophysiological characteristics of elderly patients, and was constructed following review, feedback, and revision by experts from multiple thoracic surgery centers. Employing a 100-point scoring system, it comprises three primary domains: physical infrastructure and geriatric adaptability foundational conditions (10 points); management level and perioperative care models (20 points); and technical proficiency and clinical outcomes (70 points). The system places a strong emphasis on geriatric adaptability, proposing specific, quantifiable indicators for age-friendly facility modifications, control of elderly-specific complications, multidisciplinary collaboration, and standardized perioperative management. It provides a convenient and measurable assessment tool for quality control in the surgical treatment of elderly lung cancer in China, which is expected to promote the standardization and homogenization of diagnosis and treatment.

Cuproptosis, recently defined as a unique form of cell death distinct from programmed cell death, is triggered by copper overload within mitochondria. Genes associated with cuproptosis have been found to correlate with tumorigenesis and tumor progression, making the targeting of cuproptosis pathways a promising direction for anti-tumor therapies. Copper ion carriers can transport copper ions into cells, inducing cuproptosis and laying the foundation for its application in cancer treatment. This article elaborates on the homeostasis of copper and the mechanisms related to cuproptosis, further clarifying the relationship between cuproptosis and lung cancer treatment targets. This review aims to summarize current progress in research related to cuproptosis and lung cancer, providing new theories and bases for the clinical treatment of lung cancer.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of various statistical methods based on the complementary sensitivity analysis framework recommended by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in Alzheimer’s disease clinical trials, providing a reference for statistical practice that meets international regulatory standards for similar studies. MethodsBased on longitudinal data from a phase Ⅲ clinical trial for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease, the change from baseline in Alzheimer’s Disease Assessment Scale-Cognitive Subscale (ADAS-Cog) score from baseline at week 26 (with a decrease indicating cognitive improvement) was used as the primary outcome measure. This study employed a mixed-effects model with repeated measures (MMRM) under the assumption of missing at random (MAR) as the primary analysis, while using critical point analysis, rank-based analysis, and slope-based analysis for sensitivity verification. A systematic comparison of the efficacy estimation results from the four analytical methods was conducted to compare the consistency and robustness differences in research conclusions across different analytical strategies. ResultsThe primary analysis results from the MMRM showed that the improvement in ADAS-Cog score from baseline at week 26 in the treatment group was superior to that in the placebo group (LSMD=-3.22, 95%CI: -4.55 to -1.88, P<0.001). Both rank-based analyses and slope-based analyses indicated significant differences between groups (both P<0.001). Critical point analyses revealed that the treatment effect was negative under most reasonable missing hypothesis scenarios, with the effect value only potentially turning positive in extreme non-random missing scenarios. There was no overall reversal of the efficacy conclusion. ConclusionThe combination of MMRM, critical point analysis, rank-based analysis, and slope-based analysis can effectively address the challenge of missing data in clinical trials for progressive diseases. This strategy fully complies with international regulatory standards, verifies efficacy conclusions from multiple perspectives, and enhances the credibility and scientific validity of clinical trial results. It can provide a practical reference for statistical analysis of missing data in similar clinical trials for progressive diseases.

The recombinant human thyroid-stimulating hormone (rhTSH) can be used for differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) preparation before ¹³¹I therapy, and follow-up. Since its approval by the American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1998, rhTSH has been clinically used in European countries, the United States, and other countries for nearly 30 years. In April 2024, China’s first independently developed rhTSH agent was approved. Based on clinical experience and evidence from domestic and international studies, an expert consensus on the application of rhTSH has been developed following thorough consultations among experts. The consensus offers evidence-based recommendations to guide the appropriate use of rhTSH in clinical practice.

The writing of pharmacist-managed clinics documents （hereinafter referred to as “outpatient medication record”） is a necessary part of pharmacist-managed clinics service. Outpatient medication record is an important carrier to reflect the quality of pharmacist-managed clinics service. The Chinese Hospital Association Pharmaceutical Specialized Committee was entrusted by the Pharmaceutical Administration Department of the National Health Commission to lead the formulation of the Guidelines for the Pharmacist-managed Clinics Service and Document Writing and Usage （Reference） （hereinafter referred to as Guidelines） according to the compilation method of group standards and the technical route of “documentation combing→framework establishment→draft writing→opinion collection→Guidelines formation”. The Guidelines standardizes the basic requirements of pharmacist-managed clinics record management and the basic content of record， and provides a general template and two specialized templates including pregnant and lactating pharmacist-managed clinics record template and cough and asthma pharmacist-managed clinics record template， which provides a reference for medical institutions to write pharmacist-managed clinics record. This paper introduces the formulation process of Guidelines and analyzes the key contents of Guidelines， which is helpful for the application practice of Guidelines and further improves the quality of pharmacist-managed clinics work.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the application of the colloidal gold method and chemiluminescence method in detecting gonadotropin (Gn) in morning urine for assessing pubertal development status in children. METHODS: A total of 132 children diagnosed with central precocious puberty (CPP), early and fast puberty (EFP), and premature thelarche (PT) at Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from November 2021 to December 2022 were included, along with 685 healthy children who underwent routine health examinations at the hospital's pediatric health care department during the same period. All 132 patients underwent a gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) stimulation test. Both patients and healthy children had their urinary Gn levels measured using the colloidal gold method and chemiluminescence method, including levels of luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). The correlation between serum Gn and urinary Gn detected by the two methods, as well as the correlation between Tanner stages of healthy children and urinary Gn, was analyzed. RESULTS: Urine Gn levels detected by both the colloidal gold method and chemiluminescence method showed a positive correlation with serum LH baseline values, LH peak values, baseline LH/FSH ratios, and peak LH/FSH ratios (P<0.05). In healthy children, urinary LH levels detected by the chemiluminescence method gradually increased from Tanner stage Ⅰ to Ⅳ (P<0.05), while urinary FSH levels were lower in Tanner stage I than in stages Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and IV (P<0.05). Urinary LH levels detected by the colloidal gold method were lower in Tanner stage I compared to stages Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and IV, with the highest levels observed in Tanner stage Ⅳ (P<0.05). Additionally, urinary FSH levels in Tanner stage Ⅲ were higher than in stages Ⅰ and Ⅱ (P<0.05). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for evaluating Tanner stages I and II in healthy children using urinary LH and FSH levels by the chemiluminescence method and urinary LH levels by the colloidal gold method were 0.730, 0.699, and 0.783, respectively. CONCLUSIONS The colloidal gold method and chemiluminescence method for detecting Gn in morning urine show good correlation with serum Gn levels. As a non-invasive and convenient detection method, the colloidal gold method can serve as a useful tool for screening the onset of pubertal development in children.
Humans ; Child ; Male ; Female ; Gold Colloid ; Luminescent Measurements/methods* ; Gonadotropins/urine* ; Puberty ; Luteinizing Hormone/urine* ; Child, Preschool ; Adolescent ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/urine*

T cell exhaustion plays an immunosuppressive role in malignant tumors. Continuous tumor antigen stimulation, the presence of suppressive immune cells and cytokines in the tumor microenvironment, the up regulation of inhibitory receptor expression on the surface of T cells, changes in T cell related transcription factors, and metabolites in the tumor microenvironment may lead to T cell exhaustion. Reversing the exhaustion of T cells in tumor patients is a promising strategy for tumor immunotherapy. This article will review the latest research progress on T cell exhaustion status, pathogenesis, reversal methods, and clinical applications in hematological tumors.
Humans ; Hematologic Neoplasms/immunology* ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology* ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Immunotherapy ; T-Cell Exhaustion

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a common cardiac arrhythmia in the elderly. This study aimed to evaluate urban-rural disparities in its prevalence and management in elderly Chinese. METHODS: Consecutive participants aged ≥ 65 years attending outpatient clinics were enrolled for AF screening using handheld single-lead electrocardiogram (ECG) from April 2017 to December 2022. Each ECG rhythm strip was reviewed from the research team. AF or uninterpretable single-lead ECGs were referred for 12-lead ECG. Primary study outcome comparison was between rural and urban areas for the prevalence of AF. The Student's t-test was used to compare mean values of clinical characteristics between rural and urban participants, while the Pearson's chi-square test was used to compare between-group proportions. Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis was performed to estimate the association between AF and various patient characteristics. RESULTS: The 29,166 study participants included 13,253 men (45.4%) and had a mean age of 72.2 years. The 7073 rural participants differed significantly (P ≤ 0.02) from the 22,093 urban participants in several major characteristics, such as older age, greater body mass index, and so on. The overall prevalence of AF was 4.6% (n = 1347). AF was more prevalent in 7073 rural participants than 22,093 urban participants (5.6% vs. 4.3%, P < 0.01), before and after adjustment for age, body mass index, blood pressure, pulse rate, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and prior medical history. Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified overweight/obesity (OR = 1.35, 95% CI: 1.17-1.54) in urban areas and cigarette smoking (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.20-2.17) and alcohol consumption (OR = 1.42, 95% CI: 1.04-1.93) in rural areas as specific risk factors for prevalent AF. In patients with known AF in urban areas (n = 781) and rural areas (n = 338), 60.6% and 45.9%, respectively, received AF treatment (P < 0.01), and only 22.4% and 17.2%, respectively, received anticoagulation therapy (P = 0.05). CONCLUSIONS In China, there are urban-rural disparities in AF in the elderly, with a higher prevalence and worse management in rural areas than urban areas. Our study findings provide insight for health policymakers to consider urban-rural disparity in the prevention and treatment of AF.