Objective To explore the impact of number of positive regional lymph nodes (nPRLN) in N1 stage on the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods Patients with TxN1M0 stage NSCLC who underwent lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection from 2010 to 2015 were screened from SEER database (17 Regs, 2022nov sub). The optimal cutoff value of nPRLN was determined using X-tile software, and patients were divided into 2 groups according to the cutoff value: a nPRLN≤optimal cutoff group and a nPRLN>optimal cutoff group. The influence of confounding factors was minimized by propensity score matching (PSM) at a ratio of 1 : 1. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate overall survival (OS) and lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS) of patients. Results A total of 1316 patients with TxN1M0 stage NSCLC were included, including 662 males and 654 females, with a median age of 67 (60, 73) years. The optimal cutoff value of nPRLN was 3, with 1165 patients in the nPRLN≤3 group and 151 patients in the nPRLN>3 group. After PSM, there were 138 patients in each group. Regardless of before or after PSM, OS and LCSS of patients in the nPRLN≤3 group were superior to those in the nPRLN>3 group (P<0.001). N1 stage nPRLN>3 was an independent prognostic risk factor for OS [HR=1.52, 95%CI (1.22, 1.89), P<0.001] and LCSS [HR=1.72, 95%CI (1.36, 2.18), P<0.001]. Conclusion N1 stage nPRLN>3 is an independent prognostic risk factor for NSCLC patients in TxN1M0 stage, which may provide new evidence for future revision of TNM staging N1 stage subclassification.

Objective To analyze the effect of releasing the lower pulmonary ligament on right residual lung expansion after right upper lobe resection under different body mass index (BMI) levels. Methods The clinical data of patients who underwent thoracoscopic right upper lobe resection in the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University from 2021 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into a group A (17 kg/m2＜BMI≤23 kg/m2), a group B (23 kg/m2＜BMI≤29 kg/m2) and a group C (BMI＞29 kg/m2) according to BMI. The presence of residual cavity was judged by chest X-ray at 7-10 days after operation, the degree of compensation change of the right main bronchus angle was measured, and the changes in lung volume were determined by CT three-dimensional reconstruction. Results A total of 157 patients who underwent thoracoscopic right upper lobe resection were included, including 71 males and 86 females, with an average age of (59.7±11.2) years. There were 50 patients in the group A, 75 patients in the group B, and 32 patients in the group C. In the group A, compared with those without releasing the lower pulmonary ligament, patients with releasing had a lower incidence of postoperative residual cavity (P=0.016), greater changes in bronchus angle (P<0.001), and smaller changes in lung volume (P<0.001). In the group B and C, there was no significant effect of releasing the lower pulmonary ligament on postoperative residual cavity, bronchus angle, and lung volume changes (P>0.05). Conclusion For patients with thin and long body shape and low BMI, releasing the lower pulmonary ligament is helpful to promote the expansion of the residual lung after right upper lobe resection and reduce the occurrence of postoperative residual cavity in patients.

The deficiency of fingers due to various reasons leads to a certain degree of loss of full or part hand functions. Physical and mental health of patients are seriously affected, and patients have varying degrees of reduced quality of life. Prosthesis fingers play an important role in completing the body shape and enhancing patients’ self-confidence and self-esteem. However, how to make prosthesis fingers perform coordinated movements and restore complete functions is a crucial problem that urgently needs to be solved. This paper reviews the methods of brain-computer interface controlled fine finger movements and elaborates on the origin, current situation, and advancements of the development of this technology, laying a foundation for subsequent research, with the expectation of helping patients solve the problems arising from the insufficiency or absence of finger functions.

BACKGROUND:Exercise has a regulatory effect on intestinal flora and glucose metabolism,but the effects of high-intensity intermittent exercise on intestinal flora and glucose metabolism in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus are unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of high-intensity intermittent exercise on glucose metabolism and intestinal flora in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. METHODS:Eleven patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited,among which,two were lost to the follow-up and nine were finally enrolled.High-intensity intermittent exercise intervention was conducted 3 times per week for 6 continuous weeks.Fasting blood and fecal samples were collected before and after the intervention.Glucose metabolism indexes were detected in the blood samples,and intestinal flora was detected in the fecal samples.Changes in glucose metabolism indexes and intestinal flora indexes of the patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus before and after the intervention were compared. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After 6 weeks of high-intensity intermittent exercise intervention,fasting blood glucose and glycosylated serum protein levels in patients were significantly reduced(P<0.05),and fasting insulin,although not significantly changed,was decreased compared with before intervention.Alpha diversity analysis showed that the diversity(Shannon index),richness(Chao index)and coverage(Coverage index)did not change significantly.Venn diagrams showed that the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes,Actinobacteria,Proteobacteria,and Fusobacteria in the intestinal flora of the patients increased,and the relative abundance of Firmicutes decreased,and a significant decrease was seen in Ruminococcus_torques and Ruminococcus_gnavus in the Firmicutes,which were both positively correlated with the abnormalities of the glycemic metabolism-related indicators,as well as with other disease development.All these findings indicate that high-intensity intermittent exercise intervention has an improvement effect on the glycemic metabolism-related indexes of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus,and the abundance of beneficial flora in the intestinal tract increases,and the abundance of harmful flora decreased,enhancing the stability of the intestinal flora in patients.

Objective: To investigate the role of butyric acid-producing bacteria in long bone homeostasis in mice with periodontitis under a high-fat/high-sugar diet and to provide new insights for the prevention and treatment of periodontitis and related bone metabolic diseases. Methods: This study has been approved by the Animal Welfare and Ethics Committee of the Experimental Animal Center. Initially, 14 mice were randomly divided into the CON group (the control group) and the LIG group (the periodontitis group). Mice in the LIG group had experimental periodontitis induced by ligating the second maxillary molars bilaterally and were fed a high-fat and high-sugar diet. After 8 weeks, samples were collected. Micro-computed tomography (Micro-CT) was used to analyze alveolar bone resorption and various parameters of the proximal tibia trabecular bone, including bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume per tissue volume (BV/TV), trabecular number (Tb.N), trabecular thickness (Tb.Th), and trabecular separation (Tb.Sp). After decalcification, hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was performed on maxillary bone sections to assess periodontal tissue inflammation and connective tissue destruction. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect related genes in the distal femur and proximal tibia bone tissues, including osteocalcin (OCN), osteogenic transcription factor (Osterix), osteoprotegerin (OPG), tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP), osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR), receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B (RANK), and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand (RANK-L). Subsequently, the other 28 mice were randomly divided into the CON group (the control group), LIG group (the periodontitis group), CON + butyric acid-producing bacteria (BP) group, and LIG + BP group. The breeding, sampling, and sample detection methods remained the same. Finally, the other 28 mice were randomly divided into the CON group (the control group), LIG group (the periodontitis group), CON + sodium butyrate (SB) group, and LIG + SB group. The breeding, sampling, and sample detection methods remained the same. Results: ①Periodontitis modeling was successful. Compared with the CON group, the LIG group exhibited significant alveolar bone resorption of the maxillary second molar, aggravated periodontal tissue inflammation, and connective tissue destruction. ②Periodontitis exacerbated long bone resorption in mice fed a high-fat high-sugar diet. Compared with the CON group, the LIG group had significantly lower BMD, BV/TV, Tb.N, and Tb.Th (P<0.05), and significantly higher Tb.Sp (P<0.05). HE staining of the proximal tibia showed that the trabeculae in the LIG group were sparse and disordered, with some areas showing fractures or dissolution. The expression of osteoblast markers (OCN, Osterix, OPG) was significantly lower in the LIG group (P<0.05), while the expression of the osteoclast marker TRAP showed an increasing trend (P>0.05). The ratio of RANK-L/OPG was significantly higher in the LIG group compared with the CON group (P<0.05). ③ Supplementation with butyric acid-producing bacteria alleviates periodontitis-induced disruption of long bone homeostasis in mice fed a high-fat/high-sugar diet. Compared with the LIG group, BMD and Tb.Th were significantly higher in the LIG + BP group. HE staining of the proximal tibia showed that bone resorption was mitigated in the LIG + BP group compared with the LIG group. The expression of OCN and Osterix was significantly higher in the LIG + BP group, while the expression of osteoclast-specific genes (OSCAR, RANK, RANK-L) was significantly lower (P<0.05). ④ Supplementation with butyrate alleviates periodontitis-induced disruption of long bone homeostasis in mice fed a high-fat/high-sugar diet. Compared with the LIG group, BV/TV and Tb.N were significantly higher in the LIG + SB group, and Tb.Sp was significantly lower (P<0.05). HE staining of the proximal tibia showed that bone resorption was mitigated in the LIG + SB group compared with the LIG group. The expression of Osterix, OPG, OSCAR, TRAP, and RANK was significantly lower in the LIG + SB group compared with the LIG group (P<0.05). Conclusion Periodontitis disrupts the long bone homeostasis of mice fed a high-fat high-sugar diet, aggravating long bone resorption. Supplementation with butyric acid-producing bacteria or butyrate can effectively alleviate the disruption of long bone homeostasis caused by periodontitis.

Objective: To analyze the mediating effect of activities of daily living (ADL) among patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) on caregiver ability and caregiver burden, so as to provide a basis for improving the quality of care. Methods: From February 2024 to March 2025, COPD patients and their caregivers from the Department of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine of a tertiary hospital in Haikou were selected using convenience sampling method. Data on the basic characteristics of both caregivers and patients were collected through questionnaire surveys. The Chinese version of the Family Caregiver Capacity Scale, the Chinese version of the Caregiver Burden Inventory, and the Barthel Index were used to assess caregiver ability, caregiver burden, and patients' ADL, respectively. The mediating effect of ADL among COPD patients on caregiver ability and caregiver burden was analyzed using the Process macro 4.0, with the significance tested via the Bootstrap method. Results: A total of 348 caregivers were surveyed, among whom 274 (78.74%) were females and 74 (21.26%) were males. The majority of caregivers were aged 40 years and above, with 291 individuals (83.62%). The relationship between caregivers and patients was primarily that of being their children, with 185 individuals (53.16%). Correspondingly, 348 COPD patients were surveyed, and the predominant type of medical insurance was the New Rural Cooperative Medical Scheme, with 172 cases (49.43%). The median scores of caregiver ability, caregiver burden, and patients' ADL were 19.00 (interquartile range, 5.00), 47.00 (interquartile range, 8.00) and 45.00 (interquartile range, 15.00) points, respectively. Mediating analysis showed that caregiver ability directly affected caregiver burden, with an effect value of 0.693 (95%CI: 0.553-0.832). It also indirectly affected caregiver burden through the patients' ADL, with an effect value of 0.104 (95%CI: 0.029-0.179). This mediating effect accounted for 13.05% of the total effect. Conclusion The ADL of COPD patients played a mediating role between caregiver ability and caregiver burden, with caregiver ability exerting a significant positive indirect effect on caregiver burden through patients' ADL.

Objective:To investigate the expression of protein kinase D2(PRKD2)in bladder cancer(BLCA)tissue using bioinformatics analysis method and its effect on the prognosis of BLCA patients,and to clarify the role of PRKD2 in the occurrence and development of BLCA.Methods:The data from 9 normal bladder samples,19 BLCA paracancerous samples,and 407 BLCA tumor samples were downloaded from the UCSC Cancer Genome Database.The Mann-Whitney U test was applied to analyze the difference in expression of PRKD2 mRNA in BLCA tumor and normal bladder tissues,and the Human Protein Atlas(HPA)database was used for proteomic validation.DESeq2 package in R software was applied to screen the differentially expressed genes(DEGs)in BLCA tissue in PRKD2 low-and high-expression groups.The co-expression heatmaps of PRKD2 were plotted using the ggplot2 package,Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)were used for functional annotation analysis and pathway enrichment analysis of DEGs,and Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA)was used to obtain the gene sets that were significantly enriched for DEGs.The BLCA samples were divided into low-and high-expression groups according to the expression level of PRKD2,and the correlations between PRKD2 expression and immune cell infiltration in the BLCA patients were analyzed with GSVA package.The relationship between PRKD2 and prognosis of BLCA patients was further analyzed using the survival package and the survminer package.The PRKD2 gene mutations in BLCA tissue were analyzed using the cBioPortal database.The cystitis,bladder polyp and BLCA tissues were collected,and the expression levels of interleukin-17F(IL-17F)protein in BLCA and control tissues were detected using immunohistochemical staining technique.Results:PRKD2 was highly expressed in a variety of malignant tumors,and the expression levels of PRKD2 mRNA and protein in BLCA tissue were significantly increased compared with those in normal bladder tissue(P＜0.05).Single gene differential analysis of PRKD2 yielded a total of 1 058 DEGs,of which a total of 29 genes were up-regulated and 1 029 were down-regulated.The results of GO functional enrichment analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in the biological process(BP),such as chemical stimuli involved in sensory perception,Cajal body,and endopeptidase inhibitor activity.The results of KEGG pathway analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in the pathway of Staphylococcus aureus infection and the pathway of maturity onset diabetes of the young.GSEA analysis showed that DEGs were mainly enriched in the Notch signaling pathway,the retinoic acid-inducible gene-Ⅰ(RIG-Ⅰ)-like receptor signaling pathway,the cytoplasmic DNA screening pathway,the base excision repair signaling pathway,natural killer(NK)cell-mediated cytotoxicity signaling pathway and T cell receptor signaling pathway.The results of immune infiltration analysis indicated that the expression of PRKD2 was positively correlated with five types of cells,such as activated dendritic cells(aDC),NK CD56dim cells and central memory T cells(Tcm)(P＜0.05),and negatively correlated with three types of immune cells,including macrophages,effector memory T cells(Tem)and plasmacytoid dendritic cells(pDC)(P＜0.05).The clinical characteristic subgroup analysis results showed that the expression levels of PRKD2 mRNA in BLCA patients who were over 70 years old and developed lymphovascular invasion were decreased(P＜0.05);the overall survival(OS),disease-specific survival(DSS)and progression-free interval(PFI)in the BLCA patients with PRKD2 high expression were significantly longer than those with PRKD2 low expression(P＜0.05).The univariate and multivariate Cox analyses indicated that distant metastasis,primary therapy outcome and clinicopathologic stage were the important factors affecting BLCA prognosis.About 9％patients had PRKD2 gene mutations,including missense mutation,gene amplification,mRNA low or high expression,and multi-motif mutation.The immunohistochemistry results showed that the expression level of IL-17F protein in BLCA tissue was significantly higher than that in cystitis tissue(P＜0.05).Conclusion:The expression level of PRKD2 in BLCA tissue is obviously increased,which could up-regulate the expression of IL-17F protein,and the decrease of PRKD2 protein expression may be a potential factor for the poor prognosis of BLCA patients.

OBJECTIVE To estimate the cost-effectiveness of penpulimab combined with chemotherapy versus chemotherapy alone in first-line treatment of advanced squamous non-small-cell lung cancer （sq-NSCLC）. METHODS From the perspective of Chinese health system， cost-utility analysis was used to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of penpulimab combined with chemotherapy （paclitaxel + carboplatin） versus chemotherapy （paclitaxel + carboplatin） in first-line treatment of sq-NSCLC. A three-health states Markov model was constructed with R packages， and clinical data used in the model were derived from the AK105-302 clinical trial. Costs and utilities were collected from the open-access database and published literature. The quality-adjusted life-years （QALY） was used as the utility index， and the willingness-to-pay （WTP） threshold was set at three times China’s per capita GDP in 2024， equivalent to 287 247 yuan/QALY. The cost-effectiveness of the schemes was evaluated by comparing the incremental cost- utility ratios （ICER） of the two schemes with the WTP threshold. One-way sensitivity analysis and probabilistic sensitivity analysis （PSA） were used to verify the stability of the basic analysis results. RESULTS Compared with chemotherapy， penpulimab combined with chemotherapy increased 0.73 QALY with an incremental cost of 150 681.93 yuan， and the ICER was 206 413.60 yuan/QALY. One-way sensitivity analysis showed that the utility of progression-free survival was the most sensitive factor on ICERs. At the WTP threshold of 3 times China’s per capita GDP， the economic probability of this scheme was 98.80%. At the WTP threshold of 1 times China’s per capita GDP， the probability of ICER being cost-effective was less than 0.01%. CONCLUSIONS For patients with advanced sq-NSCLC， penpulimab combined with chemotherapy is a cost-effective first-line treatment option when WTP threshold is 3 times China’s per capita GDP.

Postoperative infection of internal fixation of closed fractures the lower limbs in adults represents a devastating complication, characterized by diagnostic challenges, prolonged treatment duration and high disability rates. Current management of these infections faces multiple challenges, such as difficulties in early accurate diagnosis, and various controversies about the treatment plan, leading to poor overall diagnosis and treatment results. To address these issues, based on evidence-based medicine and principles with emphasis on scientific rigor, clinical applicability and innovation, the Trauma Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Orthopedics Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and Trauma Orthopedics and Polytrauma Group of the Resuscitation and Emergency Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association have collaboratively organized a panel of relevant experts to develop the Guideline for diagnosis and treatment of infection after internal fixation of closed lower limb fractures in adults ( version 2025). The guideline proposed 10 recommendations, aiming to provide a foundation for standardized diagnosis and treatment of postoperative infection in adults with closed lower limb fractures.

Objective:To explore the effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (VR)-guided core stability-assisted training in improving the balance of ischemic stroke survivors.Methods:Sixty-six hemiplegic ischemic stroke survivors were randomly divided into a conventional rehabilitation training group (CON) of 32 and an immersive VR-guided core stability-assisted training group (VR-TOT) of 34. In addition to basic internal medical treatment, the CON group underwent conventional rehabilitation therapy, while the VR-TOT group received VR-guided core stability-assisted training. Before and after 4 weeks of the treatments, the subjects′ balance was evaluated using the Fugl-Meyer balance scale. A three-dimensional force platform was used to collect the sway amplitude, sway speed, peripheral area and total trajectory length of the center of pressure COP of the bilateral plantar in the left-right and anterior-posterior directions while the subjects stood with the eyes open and closed.Results:After the treatments, the average Fugl-Meyer balance scores of both groups had improved significantly. In the eyes-open condition, after the treatment, there was a significant decrease in the average COP sway amplitude in the anteroposterior direction on the hemiplegic side among the CON group, as well as in both the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions on both sides in the VR-TOT group. The sway velocity in the anteroposterior direction on the hemiplegic side had decreased significantly in both groups, and the sway velocity in both the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions on the non-hemiplegic side had also decreased significantly. In the CON group the peripheral area on the non-hemiplegic side had decreased and the total trajectory length had shortened significantly. In the VR-TOT group there were significant decreases in the peripheral area on both sides and in the total trajectory length on both sides. Comparing the two groups after treatment, the peripheral area on the hemiplegic side in the VR-TOT group was significantly smaller. In the eyes-closed condition, the sway amplitude of the COP on the hemiplegic side in the anteroposterior direction and on the non-hemiplegic side in both the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions had decreased significantly in the VR-TOT group after the treatment. The average sway velocity had decreased significantly in the anteroposterior direction on the non-hemiplegic side in the CON group. In the VR-TOT group this was observed in the anteroposterior direction on the hemiplegic side and in both the mediolateral and anteroposterior directions on the healthy side. In the CON group the average peripheral area of the COP on the hemiplegic side had decreased, and the total trajectory length had shortened, both significantly. In the VR-TOT group, the peripheral area on the non-hemiplegic side had decreased significantly as well.Conclusions:Core stability-assisted training based on immersive virtual reality can effectively improve the balance of ischemic stroke survivors. It shows promise for clinical application.