Objective To elucidate the changes in the gut microbiota and molecular mechanism of huaier in enhancing the efficacy of oxaliplatin (OXA) chemotherapy in gastric cancer (GC). Methods The effects of huaier on the gut microbiota structure and intestinal barrier function in MKN45-bearing mice were analyzed by using 16S rRNA sequencing, RT-qPCR, and IHC. UPLC-MS and network pharmacology, as well as in vivo experimental approaches, were employed to investigate the key bioactive constituents of huaier systematically and elucidate the underlying mechanisms by which huaier exerts therapeutic effects against GC. The expression of the PI3K/AKT/SREBP pathway was detected in cancer cells and tissues via Western blot analysis. The safety profile of huaier combined with OXA was verified through serum biochemistry and HE-stained tissue section analyses. Results Huaier inhibited the PI3K/AKT/SREBP pathway by increasing the abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila, reduced lipid droplet deposition, and ultimately enhanced the sensitivity to OXA in the treatment of GC. Conclusion This study demonstrates the value of huaier in gastric cancer treatment by enhancing chemosensitivity and provides novel insights into its systemic therapeutic effects through molecular mechanisms and gut microbiota modulation.

Objective:To study the results of detection of pulmonary nodules among military flying personnel and analyze the contributors to pulmonary nodules so as to provide data for early prevention and interventions.Methods:The physical examination data of 1 465 military flying personnel was retrospectively analyzed who had received the annual health checkup and undergone chest CT examinations at Lintong Rehabilitation and Recuperation Center. They were grouped by age (<40 years and ≥40 years), flying hour (<1 000 h and ≥1 000 h) and type of personnel [pilots and air support (technical) personnel]. The detection rates of pulmonary nodules among flying personnel were compared across groups, and a multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the contributing factors to pulmonary nodules.Results:Among the 1 465 military flying personnel, 212 cases (14.47%) with pulmonary nodules were detected. A total of 230 pulmonary nodules were detected, including 35 pulmonary nodules (15.22%) in the left upper lung, 42 pulmonary nodules (18.26%) in the left lower lung, 52 pulmonary nodules (22.61%) in the right upper lung, 47 pulmonary nodules (20.43%) in the right middle lung, and 54 pulmonary nodules (23.48%) in the right lower lung. The detection rate of pulmonary nodules among military flying personnel in the ≥1 000 h group was higher than in the <1 000 h group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.14, P=0.042). More pulmonary nodules were detected among military flying personnel who smoked than among those who did not, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=9.34, P=0.002). Age, types of personnel, body mass index, and complications with other lung diseases made no significant difference in the detection rate of pulmonary nodules (all P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking was a risk factor for pulmonary nodules ( OR=1.692, 95% CI: 1.217-2.351). Conclusions:Among military flying personnel, pulmonary nodules are more likely to occur in the right lung. Smoking is an independent risk factor for pulmonary nodules, suggesting that routine chest CT screening should be carried out during the annual physical examinations of military flying personnel in order to exercise early interventions.

Objective:To study the results of detection of pulmonary nodules among military flying personnel and analyze the contributors to pulmonary nodules so as to provide data for early prevention and interventions.Methods:The physical examination data of 1 465 military flying personnel was retrospectively analyzed who had received the annual health checkup and undergone chest CT examinations at Lintong Rehabilitation and Recuperation Center. They were grouped by age (<40 years and ≥40 years), flying hour (<1 000 h and ≥1 000 h) and type of personnel [pilots and air support (technical) personnel]. The detection rates of pulmonary nodules among flying personnel were compared across groups, and a multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the contributing factors to pulmonary nodules.Results:Among the 1 465 military flying personnel, 212 cases (14.47%) with pulmonary nodules were detected. A total of 230 pulmonary nodules were detected, including 35 pulmonary nodules (15.22%) in the left upper lung, 42 pulmonary nodules (18.26%) in the left lower lung, 52 pulmonary nodules (22.61%) in the right upper lung, 47 pulmonary nodules (20.43%) in the right middle lung, and 54 pulmonary nodules (23.48%) in the right lower lung. The detection rate of pulmonary nodules among military flying personnel in the ≥1 000 h group was higher than in the <1 000 h group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.14, P=0.042). More pulmonary nodules were detected among military flying personnel who smoked than among those who did not, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=9.34, P=0.002). Age, types of personnel, body mass index, and complications with other lung diseases made no significant difference in the detection rate of pulmonary nodules (all P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking was a risk factor for pulmonary nodules ( OR=1.692, 95% CI: 1.217-2.351). Conclusions:Among military flying personnel, pulmonary nodules are more likely to occur in the right lung. Smoking is an independent risk factor for pulmonary nodules, suggesting that routine chest CT screening should be carried out during the annual physical examinations of military flying personnel in order to exercise early interventions.

Objective:To evaluate the diagnostic performance of radiomics model based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) in predicting pathological complete response(pCR) after neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy(nCRT) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer(LARC).Methods:One hundred and six patients with LARC who underwent total mesorectal excision after nCRT between April 2018 and April 2023 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University were retrospectively included, the patients were randomly divided into a training set of 63(14 pCR patients) and a validation set of 43(12 pCR patients) in a 6∶4 ratios. Radiomics features were extracted from the tumors′ region of interest of CEUS images based on PyRadiomics. Intra-class correlation coefficient(ICC), Mann-Whitney U test, and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO) algorithms were used to reduce features dimension. Finally, 7 radiomics features relevanted to pCR were selected to construct an ultrasomics model using elastic network regression, based on the R language. A combined model was constructed by jointing clinical feature. The performance of the models was assessed with the area under the ROC curve(AUC). Results:The AUC of the ultrasomics model and the combined model was 0.695(95% CI=0.532-0.859) and 0.726(95% CI=0.584-0.868) respectively in the training set. The AUC of the ultrasomics model and the combined model was 0.763(95% CI=0.625-0.902) and 0.790(95% CI=0.653-0.928) respectively in the validation set. Both univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses showed that CA199( P<0.05) and ultrasomics score( P<0.001) could be an independent predictor of pCR after nCRT in patients with LARC. Conclusions:The CEUS-based radiomics scores has certain predictive value for whether LARC patients achieve pCR after nCRT, and may provide a non-invasive imaging biomarker for predicting LARC patients achieve pCR after nCRT.

Objective:To evaluate the safety of mass vaccination of inactivated 2019-nCoV vaccine in population aged ≥3 years in Guizhou Province.Methods:The open-label study was conducted in eligible volunteers in Yanhe County of Guizhou from June 2021 to July in 2022. In the study, two doses of the inactivated 2019-nCoV vaccine were given at (0, 28) days according to the immunization schedule. The information about adverse reaction (AR) within 30 minutes and during 0-28 days after vaccination were collected, and the incidence of AR was analyzed by age, doses, and health status.Results:The overall incidence of AR was 1.51% (294/19 458), all ARs, mainly pain at injection site, occurred within 7 days after the vaccination, the AR grade was 1-2. The incidence of AR was 1.01% in age group 3- years (58/5 721), 2.44% in age group 18- years (220/9 017), and 0.34% in age group ≥60 years (16/4 720). The differences were significant ( P<0.001). The incidence of AR after the first dose vaccination (1.20%, 233/19 458) was significantly higher than that after the second dose (0.37%, 61/16 368), the difference was significant ( P<0.001). In the elderly aged ≥60 years, the incidence of AR was 0.36% (9/2 520) in healthy group and 0.32% (7/2 200) in group with underlying medical conditions, the differences were not significant ( P=0.818). Conclusion:The domestic inactivated 2019-nCoV vaccine showed good safety in mass vaccination in population aged ≥3 years, including the elderly in both healthy group and group with underlying medical conditions.

Objective:To observe any effect of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) on the cognition of stroke survivors and the integrity of their white matter fibers.Methods:Thirty persons with post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) were randomly divided into an experimental group ( n=15) and a control group ( n=15). In addition to basic drug therapy and routine cognition training, the experimental group received 20 minutes of tDCS daily, 5 days per week for 3 weeks, while the control group received sham tDCS stimulation. Before and after the treatment, both groups′ cognitive functioning was evaluated using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and the Montreal cognitive assessment scale (MoCA). Their ability in the activities of daily living (ADL) was quantified using the modified Barthel index (MBI). Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was employed to observe any changes in the integrity of their white matter fibers. Results:The average MMSE, MOCA and MBI scores of both groups had improved significantly after the treatment, but the improvement in the experimental group was significantly greater than among the controls. The average fractional anisotroposy value of the affected inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus in both groups was positively correlated with the group′s average MMSE score and MoCA score.Conclusion:tDCS can effectively improve the cognition and functioning in the activities of daily living of stroke survivors. Its mechanism may be related to improving the integrity of the white matter fibers involved.

Objective:To observe any relationship between corticospinal tract integrity and the upper limb motor function of stroke survivors treated with repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS).Methods:Bilateral corticospinal tracts (CSTs) were reconstructed in ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke survivors with upper limb motor dysfunction using diffusion tensor imaging (DTI). Thirty patients with good CST integrity (rFA>0.5) and 30 with rFA≤0.5 were further divided into a high frequency rTMS group (HF, n=10), a low frequency group (LF, n=10), and a control group ( n=10). All groups were given routine rehabilitation, while the high and low frequency groups were additionally provided with 5Hz and 1Hz rTMS respectively applied over the M1 area of the contralesional hemisphere. Before and after 3 weeks of treatment, all of the subjects were evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer upper extremity scale (F-M UE), the Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT) and the Modified Barthel Index (MBI). Results:For the high CST integrity group, significant improvement was observed in the average scores of all measurements, with the average FMA-UE, WMFT and MBI scores of the LF group [(38.10±5.71), (43.20±5.32) and (78.00±11.35)] significantly better than those of the other 2 groups. Among the low CST integrity group, the HF subgroup showed greater improvement than the other 2 on average.Conclusions:For patients with good CST integrity, LF-rTMS over the contralesional cortex is superior to HF-rTMS in promoting upper limb motor function, while for patients with low CST integrity HF-rTMS over the contralesional cortex has a better effect than LF-rTMS or sham stimulation in terms of improving upper limb motor function after a stroke.

Objective:To evaluate the biosafety of medical injectable carboxymethyl glycosaminoglycan gel.Methods:Ames test, chromosome aberration test in vitro and gene mutation test in vitro were used to detect the genotoxicity of the medical carboxymethyl glycosaminoglycan gel. The gel saline extract (50 ml/kg) was injected slowly through the marginal vein of the ear into Japanese big-eared rabbits. The body temperature was measured and the temperature rise was calculated. The gel saline extract (50 ml/kg) and normal saline (control) were injected intraperitoneally and intravenously into the Kunming mice, respectively. The toxicity response in mice was observed after injection, and bodyweight change was valued. The gel saline extract, normal saline and distilled water were added into the rabbit anti-clotting, to detect the rate of hemolysis.Results:Under active and inactive conditions, the number of spontaneous revertants of the 4 strains of gel saline extract group and gel DMSO extract group did not reach 2 times of that of the corresponding negative control group. The rate of chromosome aberration of the three dose groups were 0. There was no significant increase in the large colony mutation frequency, small colony mutation frequency and total mutation frequency in three dose groups (all P>0.05). After injection of gel saline extract for 24, 48 and 72 h, no toxic reaction was found in each group of mice. With the extension of time after injection, the body weight of mice in the sample group and the control group increased, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). After injection of gel saline extract, the temperature rise of 3 Japanese big-eared rabbits were 0.0, 0.3 and 0.2 ℃ respectively. The results of hemolysis test showed that the hemolysis rate of the polycarboxymethyl glucosamine gel was 0.1%. Conclusions:No genetic toxicity changes were found in carboxymethyl glycosaminoglycan to induce gene mutation or chromosome damage in bacteria and cells, and no pyrogenicity, acute systemic toxicity and hemolysis were observed. These results indicate that thecarboxymethyl glycosaminoglycan gel has good biosafety.

BACKGROUND: The injectable carboxymethyl glycosaminoglycan anti-adhesion gel prepared in the previous study combines the advantages of anti-adhesion membrane and anti-adhesion liquid. It can form soft gel in situ in a relatively short time, which is not affected by body position, bear the pressure of surrounding tissues and can be used without compression. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the biocompatibility of medical injectable carboxymethyl glycosaminoglycan anti-adhesion gel. METHODS: Logarithmic growing L929 cells were used as test cells, and the cytotoxicity of injectable carboxymethyl glycosaminoglycan anti-adhesion gel extract was detected by MTT method. The intradermal stimulation test of injectable carboxymethyl glycosaminoglycan anti-adhesion gel extract was carried out in Japanese big ear rabbits. Guinea pigs were used as experimental animals to carry out intradermal induction and local induced delayed hypersensitivity test of injectable carboxymethyl glycosaminoglycan anti-adhesion gel extract. Wistar rats were used as experimental animals to carry out the subchronic toxicity test of injectable carboxymethyl glycosaminoglycan anti-adhesion gel extract. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The cytotoxicity of injectable carboxymethyl glycosaminoglycan anti-adhesion gel extract was grade 1, meeting the standard requirements. Injectable carboxymethyl glycosaminoglycan anti-adhesion gel extract had no potential intradermal stimulation and no potential skin sensitization. In the subchronic toxicity test, the rats were subjected to the tail vein injection of injectable carboxymethyl glycosaminoglycan anti-adhesion gel extract for 28 continuous days, and there was no obvious subchronic systemic toxicity in body mass, hematology, coagulation function, blood biochemistry and visceral pathology. These results indicate that the injectable carboxymethyl glycosaminoglycan anti-adhesion gel has good biosafety.

Objective:To explore the etiology of male urethral stricture,analyze the therapeutic strategies of urethral stricture,and summarize the complicated cases.Methods:The data of 183 patients with urethral stricture were retrospectively analyzed,including etiology,obstruction site,stricture length,therapeutic strategy,and related complications.Results:The mean age was 49.7 years,the average course was 64.7 months,and the constituent ratio of51 to 65 years old patients was 38.8％ (71/183).The traumatic injury of patients accounted for 52.4％ (96/183),in which the pelvic fracture accounted for 35.5％ (65/183) and the straddle injury accounted for 16.9％ (31/183).There were 54 cases of iatrogenic injury (29.5％).The posterior urethral stricture accounted for 45.9％ (84/183),followed by the anterior urethral stricture (44.8％,82/183) and the stenosis (6.6％,12/183).A total of 99 patients (54.1％) received the end to end anastomosis,and 40 (21.9％) were treated with intracavitary surgery,such as endoscopic holmium laser,cold knife incision,endoscopic electroknife scar removal,balloon dilation,and urethral dilation.In the patients over 65-years old,the urethral stricture rate was 14.8％ and the complication rate (70.4％) for transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) was significantly higher than that of all samples (P＜ 0.01).Conclusion:Both the etiology of male urethral stricture and the treatment strategy have changed and the incidence of traumatic and iatrogenic urethral stricture has increased in recent 3 years.The main treatment of urethral stricture has been transformed from endoscopic surgery into urethroplasty.