Purpose: Our previous study showed that circulating tumor cell (CTC) count combined with gene mutation detection might help differentiate benign and malignant pulmonary nodules (PNs). Herein, we aimed to expand the study cohort and conduct further sequencing analysis. Materials and Methods: Patients with PNs were included, and CTCs were identified before operation. Low-coverage whole-genome sequencing (LC-WGS) and lung cancer-related targeted gene sequencing were performed on CTCs. The diagnostic efficacy was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The differences in CTC counts among subgroups classified by demographic–clinical characteristics were analyzed. LC-WGS–based copy number variation (CNV) analysis and targeted gene mutation analysis were conducted. Results: A total of 172 patients were included. CTC count of 2.5 was identified by the ROC curves as the optimal diagnostic cutoff. The sensitivity and specificity of CTC count for differentiating benign and malignant PNs were 54.2% and 78.6%, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of combined CTC count, radiological nodule type, and any malignant imaging features were 84.7% and 71.4%, respectively. The CTC counts were significantly greater in patients with aggressive tumors, later stage, and spread through air spaces. CTCs from malignant cases had more CNVs than those from benign cases. Conclusion CTC count can be used in identifying malignant PNs. The diagnostic efficacy can be improved if combined with computed tomography imaging characteristics. Further CNV analysis might help differential diagnosis. Greater CTC count might suggest more aggressive tumors. CTC detection can provide important information and guidance for subsequent management of PNs.

BACKGROUND:Oligodendrocyte precursor cells are seed cells for the treatment of white matter damage diseases.Establishing an efficient and stable in vitro differentiation method is an important prerequisite for clinical translational research.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of fibronectin on biological characteristics such as proliferation,migration,and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells derived from human neural stem cells.METHODS:Human neural stem cells cultured in suspension were digested into single cells using Accutase.The expression of specific markers Nestin,Sox2,Vimentin,CD133,and Musashi was detected by flow cytometry.The single cells of human neural stem cells were resuspended in oligodendrocyte precursor cell medium and seeded in six-well plates coated with different concentrations of fibronectin(0,1,2.5,5,and 10 μg/mL).Accutase digestion was performed after 7 days of culture.Cells were counted by trypan staining.Fibronectin-coated group with the strongest amplification ability and the oligodendrocyte precursor cells without fibronectin-coated group were selected for further tests.The migration ability of the two groups of cells was detected by Transwell.Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of Olig2,Sox10,and PDGFR-α.Oligodendrocyte precursor cells were induced to differentiate into oligodendrocytes for 3 weeks,and the expression of Galc in differentiated cells was detected by immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)H uman neural stem cells grew in suspension spheres.Flow cytometry showed that human neural stem cells highly expressed Nestin,Sox2,Vimentin,CD133,and Musashi.(2)The cell bodies of oligodendrocyte precursor cells induced by human neural stem cells were round or oval,with strong refractive nature and bipolar or tertiary protrusions.Compared with the 0 μg/mL fibronectin coating group,there was a significant difference in the amplification ability of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in the 2.5,5,and 10 μg/mL fibronectin coating groups(P＜0.05).The amplification ability of oligodendrocyte precursor cells was the strongest when the fibronectin concentration was 10 μg/mL.(3)Flow cytometry results showed that the oligodendrocyte precursor cell markers 0Iig2,Sox10,and PDGFR-α were highly expressed in the 0 and 10 μg/mL fibronectin coating groups,and there was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).(4)Transwell chamber assay results showed that compared with the 0 μg/mL fibronectin-coated group,the migration ability of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in the 10 μg/mL fibronectin-coated group was increased(P＜0.01).(5)After 3 weeks of differentiation into oligodendrocytes,oligodendrocyte precursor cells showed complex morphology with multiple branches,grids or membrane sheets.Immunofluorescence staining results showed that there was no statistical difference in the Galc positive rate of oligodendrocytes between the two groups(P＞0.05).These findings indicate that when the concentration of fibronectin coated well plate is 10 μg/mL,the proliferation and migration of oligodendrocyte precursor cells are the strongest,but it does not affect the expression of oligodendrocyte precursor cells-specific markers Olig2,Sox10,and PDGFR-α and their differentiation into oligodendrocytes.

AIM:We investigated the survival,migration and differentiation abilities of human oligodendro-cyte precursor cells(hOPC)in the brains of mice with vascular dementia(VaD),the effects of hOPC on cerebral white matter,and the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:Mouse VaD model was constructed using the bilateral common ca-rotid artery stenosis method,and the mice were randomly divided into sham,VaD and hOPC groups.Eight weeks after model establishment,the mice in VaD and hOPC groups received equal volume of vehicle(PBS)and hOPC solution,re-spectively,through the corpus callosum.Survival,migration and differentiation of hOPC in the brain were observed by im-munofluorescence staining at 4 and 12 weeks after transplantation.Twelve weeks after transplantation,the effects of hOPC on mouse brain white matter were detected by immunofluorescence staining of myelin basic protein(MBP),myelin-associ-ated glycoprotein(MAG),neurofilament protein 200(NF200)and non-phosphorylated neurofilament H(using monoclo-nal antibody SMI32),and by water maze experiments.Paracrine signaling by hOPC was explored using immunofluores-cence staining for vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).RESULTS:The hOPC survived in the brains of VaD mice for 12 weeks,migrated to damaged white matter areas,and partially differentiated into mature oligodendrocytes(approxi-mately 64%).Twelve weeks after transplantation,hOPC significantly increased the fluorescence intensity of MBP,MAG,and NF200(P<0.05 or P<0.01)and decreased the fluorescence intensity of SMI32(P<0.01).The VEGF expression in hOPC-treated mice was significantly higher than that in sham and VaD groups(P<0.01).The difference in water maze test performance between hOPC and sham groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The mice in hOPC group had a shorter latency than those in VaD group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and performed more platform crossings than those in VaD group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The hOPC can survive,migrate and differentiate in the brains of VaD mice,attenuate cerebral white matter lesions,and improve cognitive function.These improvements may be attributed to cell replacement and paracrine effects.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of 5th generation mobile communication technology(5G) remote robot-assisted cholecystectomy on postoperative recovery and quality of life in patients with gallstones.Methods:Clinical data of patients who underwent 5G remote robotic cholecystectomy(20 cases) vs traditional robotic cholecystectomy(20 cases) at Gansu Provincial People's Hospital from May to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Intraoperative and postoperative related indexes were compared between the two groups, and changes in pain analog scores before, 12 hours, and 24 hours after surgery, and global quality of life (GIQLI) scores before and 3 months after surgery were evaluated.Results:There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of intraoperative and postoperative conditions (intraoperative blood loss, operative time, time to exhaustion, and length of hospital stay). Patients' pain analog scores at 12 and 24 hours postoperatively were lower than preoperatively, but the differences were not statistically significant( P>0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in recovery indicators between the two groups compared to the control group ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The postoperative recovery metrics of 5G tele-robotic-assisted cholecystectomy were consistent with the results of conventional robotic surgery.

AIM:We investigated the survival,migration and differentiation abilities of human oligodendro-cyte precursor cells(hOPC)in the brains of mice with vascular dementia(VaD),the effects of hOPC on cerebral white matter,and the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:Mouse VaD model was constructed using the bilateral common ca-rotid artery stenosis method,and the mice were randomly divided into sham,VaD and hOPC groups.Eight weeks after model establishment,the mice in VaD and hOPC groups received equal volume of vehicle(PBS)and hOPC solution,re-spectively,through the corpus callosum.Survival,migration and differentiation of hOPC in the brain were observed by im-munofluorescence staining at 4 and 12 weeks after transplantation.Twelve weeks after transplantation,the effects of hOPC on mouse brain white matter were detected by immunofluorescence staining of myelin basic protein(MBP),myelin-associ-ated glycoprotein(MAG),neurofilament protein 200(NF200)and non-phosphorylated neurofilament H(using monoclo-nal antibody SMI32),and by water maze experiments.Paracrine signaling by hOPC was explored using immunofluores-cence staining for vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF).RESULTS:The hOPC survived in the brains of VaD mice for 12 weeks,migrated to damaged white matter areas,and partially differentiated into mature oligodendrocytes(approxi-mately 64%).Twelve weeks after transplantation,hOPC significantly increased the fluorescence intensity of MBP,MAG,and NF200(P<0.05 or P<0.01)and decreased the fluorescence intensity of SMI32(P<0.01).The VEGF expression in hOPC-treated mice was significantly higher than that in sham and VaD groups(P<0.01).The difference in water maze test performance between hOPC and sham groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The mice in hOPC group had a shorter latency than those in VaD group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and performed more platform crossings than those in VaD group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:The hOPC can survive,migrate and differentiate in the brains of VaD mice,attenuate cerebral white matter lesions,and improve cognitive function.These improvements may be attributed to cell replacement and paracrine effects.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Huangqin Tang （HQT） in regulating metabolic reprogramming during the inflammation-cancer transformation in colitis-associated colorectal cancer （CAC）. MethodsCAC mouse model was established using the carcinogen azoxymethane （AOM） combined with the inflammatory agent dextran sulfate sodium （DSS）. HQT treatment was adopted. Serum metabolomics analysis was performed at three stages （inflammation， proliferation， and tumor formation） using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry （LC-MS/MS） untargeted metabolomics coupled with multivariate statistical analysis to explore the mechanism of HQT intervention in metabolism in CAC. ResultsThe results revealed that HQT significantly reversed the disturbance of key metabolites in CAC mice. A total of 52， 67， and 45 differential metabolites were identified in the model group， compared to the normal group， during inflammation， proliferation， and tumor stages， respectively. Lactate， linoleic acid， oleic acid， elaidic acid， and betaine were characteristic metabolites persistently enriched throughout colitis-cancer transformation. Pathway enrichment analysis of differential metabolites showed that linoleic acid metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism were the most significantly disturbed in CAC pathogenesis. The proliferation stage featured expanded amino acid metabolic networks， while the tumor stage uniquely exhibited two new pathways of nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism and phosphoinositide metabolism. HQT exerted stage-specific regulatory effects： targeting arachidonic acid metabolism in the inflammation stage， correcting the dysregulation of choline-carnitine metabolism in the proliferation stage， and rescuing nicotinamide and tryptophan metabolic collapse in the tumor stage. ConclusionHQT exerts regulatory effects on metabolic disorders at various stages of the colitis-cancer transformation process， thereby effectively slowing the progression from colitis to cancer. The study also reveals the dynamic metabolic characteristics of colorectal "inflammation-cancer transformation，"providing new insights for research on the targeted mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine in anti-tumor therapy based on metabolic reprogramming.

Xiao Chaihutang， originating from the Treatise on Typhoid and Miscellaneous Diseases， is a classic formula for harmonizing the Shaoyang. It excels in regulating the pivotal mechanism and unblocking the triple energizer， corresponding to the pathogenesis of digestive system tumors characterized by the interlocking of deficiency， stasis， phlegm， and toxicity， as well as disharmony between Yin and Yang. This paper systematically reviews research findings from China and abroad over the past decade， exploring the anti-tumor effects of Xiao Chaihutang on digestive system tumors from three dimensions： theoretical rationale， clinical efficacy， and molecular mechanisms. At the level of principle and method， Xiao Chaihutang takes "harmonization" as its core therapeutic guideline. By reconciling the exterior and interior to restore the Shaoyang pivot， harmonizing Yin and Yang to improve the tumor microenvironment， and regulating the liver and spleen to consolidate and protect the foundation of postnatal essence， it promotes the restoration of the body's dynamic balance of Yin and Yang. Clinical studies have demonstrated that Xiao Chaihutang， used alone or in combination with modern medical therapies， shows definite efficacy against digestive system tumors such as hepatocellular carcinoma， pancreatic carcinoma， and gastrointestinal carcinoma. It can significantly improve patients' quality of life， inhibit tumor progression， effectively relieve concomitant symptoms such a s cancer-related fever， anxiety， depression， and insomnia， and alleviate postoperative embolic syndromes as well as adverse reactions to radiotherapy and chemotherapy. Experimental studies have revealed that Xiao Chaihutang can inhibit tumor cell proliferation， induce apoptosis， arrest the cell cycle， suppress tumor cell invasion and metastasis， and improve the tumor microenvironment. Through the above analysis， this study elucidates the current clinical and experimental research status of Xiao Chaihutang in the treatment of digestive system tumors， aiming to provide theoretical support for its precise clinical application. On this basis， it further explores key issues in the identification of pharmacodynamic substances and the accumulation of evidence in evidence-based medicine， thereby offering a new perspective for the innovative development of integrative Chinese and Western medicine in synergistic cancer therapy.

Objective To analyze the incidence,colonization pathways,and predictive factors of bacterial colonization of epidural analgesia catheters in patients with chronic pain.Methods A total of 150 patients with chronic pain who underwent continuous epidural catheterization(catheter in-dwelling time of 7 to 10 days)were selected as study subjects.Samples from three sites were collect-ed for bacterial culture.Clinical data of the patients were collected,and the positive rate of bacterial culture,characteristics of bacterial species distribution,and bacterial colonization pathways were ana-lyzed.The efficacy of predictive factors was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The positive rates of bacterial culture in samples from the skin swabbing fluid around the puncture site,the subcutaneous segment of the catheter,and the catheter tip were 22.0％,7.3％,and 8.7％,respectively.Staphylococcus epidermidis was the predominant colonizing bacterial species.Spearman correlation coefficient analysis showed a significant correlation between the results of bacterial culture from the skin around the puncture site and catheter tip colonization(r=0.47,P＜0.01).ROC curve analysis revealed that the area under the curve of bacterial culture results from the skin around the puncture site in predicting catheter tip bacterial colonization was 0.843,with a sensitivity of 84.9％and a specificity of 84.6％.Conclusion Bacterial migra-tion along the catheter is the main pathway for catheter tip bacterial colonization,and the results of bacterial culture from the skin around the puncture site are an effective predictive factor for the risk of bacterial colonization.

BACKGROUND:Oligodendrocyte precursor cells are seed cells for the treatment of white matter damage diseases.Establishing an efficient and stable in vitro differentiation method is an important prerequisite for clinical translational research.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of fibronectin on biological characteristics such as proliferation,migration,and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells derived from human neural stem cells.METHODS:Human neural stem cells cultured in suspension were digested into single cells using Accutase.The expression of specific markers Nestin,Sox2,Vimentin,CD133,and Musashi was detected by flow cytometry.The single cells of human neural stem cells were resuspended in oligodendrocyte precursor cell medium and seeded in six-well plates coated with different concentrations of fibronectin(0,1,2.5,5,and 10 μg/mL).Accutase digestion was performed after 7 days of culture.Cells were counted by trypan staining.Fibronectin-coated group with the strongest amplification ability and the oligodendrocyte precursor cells without fibronectin-coated group were selected for further tests.The migration ability of the two groups of cells was detected by Transwell.Flow cytometry was used to detect the expression of Olig2,Sox10,and PDGFR-α.Oligodendrocyte precursor cells were induced to differentiate into oligodendrocytes for 3 weeks,and the expression of Galc in differentiated cells was detected by immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)H uman neural stem cells grew in suspension spheres.Flow cytometry showed that human neural stem cells highly expressed Nestin,Sox2,Vimentin,CD133,and Musashi.(2)The cell bodies of oligodendrocyte precursor cells induced by human neural stem cells were round or oval,with strong refractive nature and bipolar or tertiary protrusions.Compared with the 0 μg/mL fibronectin coating group,there was a significant difference in the amplification ability of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in the 2.5,5,and 10 μg/mL fibronectin coating groups(P＜0.05).The amplification ability of oligodendrocyte precursor cells was the strongest when the fibronectin concentration was 10 μg/mL.(3)Flow cytometry results showed that the oligodendrocyte precursor cell markers 0Iig2,Sox10,and PDGFR-α were highly expressed in the 0 and 10 μg/mL fibronectin coating groups,and there was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).(4)Transwell chamber assay results showed that compared with the 0 μg/mL fibronectin-coated group,the migration ability of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in the 10 μg/mL fibronectin-coated group was increased(P＜0.01).(5)After 3 weeks of differentiation into oligodendrocytes,oligodendrocyte precursor cells showed complex morphology with multiple branches,grids or membrane sheets.Immunofluorescence staining results showed that there was no statistical difference in the Galc positive rate of oligodendrocytes between the two groups(P＞0.05).These findings indicate that when the concentration of fibronectin coated well plate is 10 μg/mL,the proliferation and migration of oligodendrocyte precursor cells are the strongest,but it does not affect the expression of oligodendrocyte precursor cells-specific markers Olig2,Sox10,and PDGFR-α and their differentiation into oligodendrocytes.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of 5th generation mobile communication technology(5G) remote robot-assisted cholecystectomy on postoperative recovery and quality of life in patients with gallstones.Methods:Clinical data of patients who underwent 5G remote robotic cholecystectomy(20 cases) vs traditional robotic cholecystectomy(20 cases) at Gansu Provincial People's Hospital from May to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Intraoperative and postoperative related indexes were compared between the two groups, and changes in pain analog scores before, 12 hours, and 24 hours after surgery, and global quality of life (GIQLI) scores before and 3 months after surgery were evaluated.Results:There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of intraoperative and postoperative conditions (intraoperative blood loss, operative time, time to exhaustion, and length of hospital stay). Patients' pain analog scores at 12 and 24 hours postoperatively were lower than preoperatively, but the differences were not statistically significant( P>0.05). In addition, there was no significant difference in recovery indicators between the two groups compared to the control group ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The postoperative recovery metrics of 5G tele-robotic-assisted cholecystectomy were consistent with the results of conventional robotic surgery.