Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for postoperative pathological escalation of endometrial cancer in patients with a pathologic diagnosis of endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) before surgery. Some of the clues from the preoperative assessment were used to build a nomogram to predict the likely pathological escalation after surgery, and to explore the feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy in these patients with possible pathological escalation. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent surgical treatment for EIN diagnosed before surgery between 2018 and 2023 in The Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University. parameters including clinical, radiological and histopathological factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression to determine the correlation with pathology upstaging. A nomogram based on the multivariate results was developed to predict the probability of pathology upstaging. A total of 729 patients were included, divided into training set and validation set. 484 patients were used to build the model. This nomogram was subsequently validated using 245 patients. Results: Upstaging to endometrial carcinoma occurred in 115 (23.8 percent) of 484 women treated between 2018 and 2023 in training set. A lager endometrial thickness (at least 15 mm), menopause, hypertension, HE4, and endometrial blood were significantly associated with upstaging. A nomogram developed using these factors demonstrated good predictive performance (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC)=0.6808; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.6246–0.7369). The nomogram showed similar predictive performance in the validation data set, based on another 245 women (AUC=0.7821; 95% CI=0.7076–0.8567). Conclusion This study developed a novel nomogram based on the 5 most important factors, which can accurately predict invasive cancer. It is common for women with preoperative diagnosis of EIN to experience pathological progression to endometrial cancer. For some patients with postoperative pathological escalation, we found lymph node metastasis. This nomogram may be useful to help doctor decide whether to perform sentinel lymph node biopsy for surgical staging in these EIN patients. According to the nomogram, simultaneous sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with high probability of postoperative pathological upgrading can provide better guidance for postoperative adjuvant treatment of endometrial cancer and avoid the occurrence of secondary surgery.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for postoperative pathological escalation of endometrial cancer in patients with a pathologic diagnosis of endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) before surgery. Some of the clues from the preoperative assessment were used to build a nomogram to predict the likely pathological escalation after surgery, and to explore the feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy in these patients with possible pathological escalation. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent surgical treatment for EIN diagnosed before surgery between 2018 and 2023 in The Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University. parameters including clinical, radiological and histopathological factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression to determine the correlation with pathology upstaging. A nomogram based on the multivariate results was developed to predict the probability of pathology upstaging. A total of 729 patients were included, divided into training set and validation set. 484 patients were used to build the model. This nomogram was subsequently validated using 245 patients. Results: Upstaging to endometrial carcinoma occurred in 115 (23.8 percent) of 484 women treated between 2018 and 2023 in training set. A lager endometrial thickness (at least 15 mm), menopause, hypertension, HE4, and endometrial blood were significantly associated with upstaging. A nomogram developed using these factors demonstrated good predictive performance (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC)=0.6808; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.6246–0.7369). The nomogram showed similar predictive performance in the validation data set, based on another 245 women (AUC=0.7821; 95% CI=0.7076–0.8567). Conclusion This study developed a novel nomogram based on the 5 most important factors, which can accurately predict invasive cancer. It is common for women with preoperative diagnosis of EIN to experience pathological progression to endometrial cancer. For some patients with postoperative pathological escalation, we found lymph node metastasis. This nomogram may be useful to help doctor decide whether to perform sentinel lymph node biopsy for surgical staging in these EIN patients. According to the nomogram, simultaneous sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with high probability of postoperative pathological upgrading can provide better guidance for postoperative adjuvant treatment of endometrial cancer and avoid the occurrence of secondary surgery.

Objective: The objective of this study was to identify the risk factors for postoperative pathological escalation of endometrial cancer in patients with a pathologic diagnosis of endometrial intraepithelial neoplasia (EIN) before surgery. Some of the clues from the preoperative assessment were used to build a nomogram to predict the likely pathological escalation after surgery, and to explore the feasibility of sentinel lymph node biopsy in these patients with possible pathological escalation. Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent surgical treatment for EIN diagnosed before surgery between 2018 and 2023 in The Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital of Fudan University. parameters including clinical, radiological and histopathological factors were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression to determine the correlation with pathology upstaging. A nomogram based on the multivariate results was developed to predict the probability of pathology upstaging. A total of 729 patients were included, divided into training set and validation set. 484 patients were used to build the model. This nomogram was subsequently validated using 245 patients. Results: Upstaging to endometrial carcinoma occurred in 115 (23.8 percent) of 484 women treated between 2018 and 2023 in training set. A lager endometrial thickness (at least 15 mm), menopause, hypertension, HE4, and endometrial blood were significantly associated with upstaging. A nomogram developed using these factors demonstrated good predictive performance (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC)=0.6808; 95% confidence interval [CI]=0.6246–0.7369). The nomogram showed similar predictive performance in the validation data set, based on another 245 women (AUC=0.7821; 95% CI=0.7076–0.8567). Conclusion This study developed a novel nomogram based on the 5 most important factors, which can accurately predict invasive cancer. It is common for women with preoperative diagnosis of EIN to experience pathological progression to endometrial cancer. For some patients with postoperative pathological escalation, we found lymph node metastasis. This nomogram may be useful to help doctor decide whether to perform sentinel lymph node biopsy for surgical staging in these EIN patients. According to the nomogram, simultaneous sentinel lymph node biopsy in patients with high probability of postoperative pathological upgrading can provide better guidance for postoperative adjuvant treatment of endometrial cancer and avoid the occurrence of secondary surgery.

Objective:To identify the multidimensional health management needs of young and middle-aged women with breast cancer based on a patient journey map, with the aim of improving prognosis and quality of life in this population.Methods:A descriptive qualitative research approach was employed. From November 2024 to February 2025, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 young and middle-aged female patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis, and a patient journey map was developed.Results:Along the treatment timeline, patients' health management needs were categorized and refined from three dimensions—tasks, pain points, and emotions—into key themes: limited disease awareness, need for early detection and treatment, decision on the treatment plane, lack of nutritional support, impairment of intimate relationships and impact on fertility, body image and self-identity, and coping with changes in social relationships. These findings were integrated into a visualized patient journey map.Conclusions:The health management journey of young and middle-aged women with breast cancer is long and deeply personal, characterized by complex and diverse needs. The patient journey map systematically illustrates patients' dynamic experiences, perceptions, and behaviors as they interact with multiple events, changing environments, and varied healthcare services. It also reveals the internal drivers behind decision-making processes, uncovering unmet needs that may not be readily apparent. This process enables healthcare professionals to adopt a patient-centered approach to innovatively optimize interventions, thereby improving the precision and appropriateness of healthcare services.

AIM:To investigate the mechanism by which exosomes(EXOs)derived from neural stem cells(NSCs)pretreated with astragaloside IV(ASIV)alleviate brain damage in rats after ischemic stroke.METHODS:Rat NSCs were isolated from fetal rats within 24 h of birth,cultured for 3 d,and subsequently treated with ASIV for additional 5 d.The EXOs from untreated NSCs and ASIV-pretreated NSCs(ASIV-EXOs)were isolated via ultracentrifugation of the cell supernatant.These EXOs were characterized using Western blot to detect specific markers such as CD63,tumor sus-ceptibility gene 101(TSG101)and calnexin.Nanoparticle analysis was employed to determine the size,and the morpholo-gy of the EXOs was observed under electron microscope.Six to eight-week-old SD male rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups:sham group,middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R)model group,edaravone(EDA)treatment(MCAO/R+EDA)group,EXOs treatement(MCAO/R+EXOs)group and ASIV-EXOs treatment(MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs)group.Tail vein injections were administered within 2 h following the successful establishment of the MCAO/R model.The Zea Longa method was utilized to evaluate neurological deficits,while the TTC method was employed to assess brain infarc-tion.Pathological changes were examined through HE staining,and TUNEL and caspase-1 immunofluorescence double staining were conducted to detect cellular pyroptosis.Serum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 were measured us-ing ELISA,and Western blot was performed to evaluate the expression of caspase-1,nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),gasdermin D(GSDMD),and IL-18 proteins in the ischemic area of the rat cerebral cortex across all groups.RE-SULTS:The MCAO/R group exhibited significantly higher neurological deficit scores compared to the sham group(P＜0.01)and lower scores in the administered groups relative to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.05).Cerebral infarction was mark-edly increased in the MCAO/R group compared to the sham group(P＜0.01),whereas the infarction area was reduced in the administered groups compared to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.05).Serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly el-evated in the MCAO/R group versus the sham group(P＜0.01)and were lower in the administered groups compared to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.01).Moreover,IL-1β and IL-18 levels in the MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs group were lower than those in the MCAO/R+EXOs group(P＜0.05).HE staining revealed pronounced sieve-like infarction foci in the ischemic area of the rat cerebral cortex in MCAO/R group,characterized by disorganized neuronal arrangements,reduced or absent Nys-trom's vesicles,shrunken or fragmented nuclei,and numerous red neurons.In contrast,drug-treated groups exhibited milder pathological changes with clearer neuronal structures and a significant reduction in red neuron counts.Immunofluo-rescence double staining indicated a significant increase in double-positive cells in the MCAO/R group compared to the sham group(P＜0.01),with a decrease in double-positive cells in the administered groups relative to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.05)and a further reduction in the MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs group compared to the MCAO/R+EXOs group(P＜0.05).The expression levels of caspase-1,NLRP3,ASC,IL-18 and GSDMD proteins in the ischemic region of the rat cerebral cortex were significantly reduced in the administered groups compared to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.01),with further re-duction observed in the MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs group compared to the MCAO/R+EXOs group(P＜0.05).CONCLU-SION:Exosomes derived from ASIV-pretreated NSCs attenuate brain damage in ischemic stroke rats,potentially through a mechanism involving the inhibition of pyroptosis mediated by the NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway.

Objective:To identify the multidimensional health management needs of young and middle-aged women with breast cancer based on a patient journey map, with the aim of improving prognosis and quality of life in this population.Methods:A descriptive qualitative research approach was employed. From November 2024 to February 2025, in-depth interviews were conducted with 20 young and middle-aged female patients undergoing treatment for breast cancer at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Data were analyzed using conventional content analysis, and a patient journey map was developed.Results:Along the treatment timeline, patients' health management needs were categorized and refined from three dimensions—tasks, pain points, and emotions—into key themes: limited disease awareness, need for early detection and treatment, decision on the treatment plane, lack of nutritional support, impairment of intimate relationships and impact on fertility, body image and self-identity, and coping with changes in social relationships. These findings were integrated into a visualized patient journey map.Conclusions:The health management journey of young and middle-aged women with breast cancer is long and deeply personal, characterized by complex and diverse needs. The patient journey map systematically illustrates patients' dynamic experiences, perceptions, and behaviors as they interact with multiple events, changing environments, and varied healthcare services. It also reveals the internal drivers behind decision-making processes, uncovering unmet needs that may not be readily apparent. This process enables healthcare professionals to adopt a patient-centered approach to innovatively optimize interventions, thereby improving the precision and appropriateness of healthcare services.

AIM:To investigate the mechanism by which exosomes(EXOs)derived from neural stem cells(NSCs)pretreated with astragaloside IV(ASIV)alleviate brain damage in rats after ischemic stroke.METHODS:Rat NSCs were isolated from fetal rats within 24 h of birth,cultured for 3 d,and subsequently treated with ASIV for additional 5 d.The EXOs from untreated NSCs and ASIV-pretreated NSCs(ASIV-EXOs)were isolated via ultracentrifugation of the cell supernatant.These EXOs were characterized using Western blot to detect specific markers such as CD63,tumor sus-ceptibility gene 101(TSG101)and calnexin.Nanoparticle analysis was employed to determine the size,and the morpholo-gy of the EXOs was observed under electron microscope.Six to eight-week-old SD male rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups:sham group,middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R)model group,edaravone(EDA)treatment(MCAO/R+EDA)group,EXOs treatement(MCAO/R+EXOs)group and ASIV-EXOs treatment(MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs)group.Tail vein injections were administered within 2 h following the successful establishment of the MCAO/R model.The Zea Longa method was utilized to evaluate neurological deficits,while the TTC method was employed to assess brain infarc-tion.Pathological changes were examined through HE staining,and TUNEL and caspase-1 immunofluorescence double staining were conducted to detect cellular pyroptosis.Serum levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and IL-18 were measured us-ing ELISA,and Western blot was performed to evaluate the expression of caspase-1,nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain(ASC),gasdermin D(GSDMD),and IL-18 proteins in the ischemic area of the rat cerebral cortex across all groups.RE-SULTS:The MCAO/R group exhibited significantly higher neurological deficit scores compared to the sham group(P＜0.01)and lower scores in the administered groups relative to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.05).Cerebral infarction was mark-edly increased in the MCAO/R group compared to the sham group(P＜0.01),whereas the infarction area was reduced in the administered groups compared to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.05).Serum levels of IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly el-evated in the MCAO/R group versus the sham group(P＜0.01)and were lower in the administered groups compared to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.01).Moreover,IL-1β and IL-18 levels in the MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs group were lower than those in the MCAO/R+EXOs group(P＜0.05).HE staining revealed pronounced sieve-like infarction foci in the ischemic area of the rat cerebral cortex in MCAO/R group,characterized by disorganized neuronal arrangements,reduced or absent Nys-trom's vesicles,shrunken or fragmented nuclei,and numerous red neurons.In contrast,drug-treated groups exhibited milder pathological changes with clearer neuronal structures and a significant reduction in red neuron counts.Immunofluo-rescence double staining indicated a significant increase in double-positive cells in the MCAO/R group compared to the sham group(P＜0.01),with a decrease in double-positive cells in the administered groups relative to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.05)and a further reduction in the MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs group compared to the MCAO/R+EXOs group(P＜0.05).The expression levels of caspase-1,NLRP3,ASC,IL-18 and GSDMD proteins in the ischemic region of the rat cerebral cortex were significantly reduced in the administered groups compared to the MCAO/R group(P＜0.01),with further re-duction observed in the MCAO/R+ASIV-EXOs group compared to the MCAO/R+EXOs group(P＜0.05).CONCLU-SION:Exosomes derived from ASIV-pretreated NSCs attenuate brain damage in ischemic stroke rats,potentially through a mechanism involving the inhibition of pyroptosis mediated by the NLRP3/caspase-1 pathway.

Objective:To investigate the expulsion rate of GyneFix postpartum intrauterine device (PPIUD) placed immediately after cesarean section within one year and its influencing factors.Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted. Women who volunteered to use a GyneFix PPIUD placed immediately after cesarean section (within 10 min after placenta delivery) for postpartum contraception were recruited from September 2017 to November 2020. The relevant information was collected through questionnaires before, during and 24 h after cesarean section. Outpatient follow-up was conducted at 42 d, 3 months, 6 months and 12 months after delivery to obtain information on expulsion of GyneFix PPIUD and unwanted pregnancy. Life table and Cox regression model were used to analyze the cumulative expulsion rate and related influencing factors.Results:A total of 470 subjects were recruited and 461 (98%) subjects were eligible for this study. The cumulative expulsion rate of GyneFix PPIUD within one year after cesarean section was 8.4% (95% CI: 7.0%-9.8%). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that women aged >35 years had significantly lower risk of PPIUD expulsion than those aged <25 years ( HR=0.16, 95% CI: 0.04-0.64). The risk of GyneFix PPIUD was not statistically significantly associated with cesarean section history and breastfeeding mode (all P>0.05). Nevertheless, this risk was statistically significant between hospitals. The Pearl index of contraceptive failure of the device was 2.37 (95% CI: 1.09-4.50) per 100 person-years. The rate of contraceptive failure was not associated with maternal age, breastfeeding mode, and history of cesarean delivery (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The one-year cumulative expulsion rate of GyneFix PPIUD placed immediately after cesarean section is 8.4%. Young mothers were at a higher risk of expulsion than their older counterparts. The device users should be counseled regarding the signs of expulsion. In case of expulsion, women should be offered reinsertion or other contraceptive methods. The training of service skills of GyneFix PPIUD should be strengthened in order to mitigate the risk of the device expulsion.

Clinical research is usually aimed at and guided by therapeutic efficacy. Clarifying the placebo effect and the nocebo effect from treatment outcomes is an important issue in clinical research. This paper reviews the meaning of the placebo effect， suggesting that factors that may produce the placebo effect in clinical practice include past experience associations， patient expectations， suggestion， and doctor-patient relationships. It also summarizes the characteristics of the nocebo effect， its influencing factors， and its impact on clinical prognosis. Combining the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine， this paper explores the design of acupuncture clinical trials that can reflect the measurement of the placebo effect， attempting to provide a clearer interpretation of the placebo effect in the evaluation of acupuncture efficacy in traditional Chinese medicine. Taking primary insomnia as an example， a prospective randomized placebo-controlled trial is designed to observe and evaluate the relationship between the treatment effects of acupuncture and the placebo effect in different patients under the treatment of the same doctor. Group comparisons will help better distinguish clinical effects in different situations. The authors also attempt to explore the responsive population to the placebo effect and the effects of placebos in different populations.

There has been a growing amount of evidence that a balanced blood component transfusion with roughly equal ratio of units of packed red blood cells,fresh frozen plasma,and platelets leads to better outcomes in massive transfusion re-suscitation of trauma victims.Therefore,the great interest of massive transfusion protocol(MTP)with whole blood was a-roused.Low titer group O whole blood(LTOWB)is implemented in routine use for civilian prehospital ambulance services in large trauma centers of most European and American countries nowadays.There is a growing body of evidence to date to support that early use of LTOWB in patients with life-threatening bleeding improve their survival.In view of the current situ-ation of whole blood supply in our country,most trauma resuscitation guidelines still recommend balanced component trans-fusion for MTPs in the early stage of resuscitation.The research and application of LTOWB abroad will be introduced in this article.