Homo- or heterodimeric compounds that affect dimeric protein function through interaction between monomeric moieties and protein subunits can serve as valuable sources of potent and selective drug candidates. Here, we screened an in-house dimeric natural product collection, and panepocyclinol A (PecA) emerged as a selective and potent STAT3 inhibitor with profound anti-tumor efficacy. Through cross-linking C712/C718 residues in separate STAT3 monomers with two distinct Michael receptors, PecA inhibits STAT3 DNA binding affinity and transcription activity. Molecular dynamics simulation reveals the key conformation changes of STAT3 dimers upon the di-covalent binding with PecA that abolishes its DNA interactions. Furthermore, PecA exhibits high efficacy against anaplastic large T cell lymphoma in vitro and in vivo, especially those with constitutively activated STAT3 or STAT3^Y640F. In summary, our study describes a distinct and effective di-covalent modification for the dimeric compound PecA to disrupt STAT3 function.

Early correction of childhood malocclusion is timely managing morphological, structural, and functional abnormalities at different dentomaxillofacial developmental stages. The selection of appropriate imaging examination and comprehensive radiological diagnosis and analysis play an important role in early correction of childhood malocclusion. This expert consensus is a collaborative effort by multidisciplinary experts in dentistry across the nation based on the current clinical evidence, aiming to provide general guidance on appropriate imaging examination selection, comprehensive and accurate imaging assessment for early orthodontic treatment patients.
Humans ; Malocclusion/diagnostic imaging* ; Child ; Consensus

Radiochemotherapy-induced oral mucositis (OM) is a common oral complication in patients with tumors following head and neck radiotherapy or chemotherapy. Erosion and ulcers are the main features of OM that seriously affect the quality of life of patients and even the progress of tumor treatment. To date, differences in clinical prevention and treatment plans for OM have been noted among doctors of various specialties, which has increased the uncertainty of treatment effects. On the basis of current research evidence, this expert consensus outlines risk factors, clinical manifestations, clinical grading, ancillary examinations, diagnostic basis, prevention and treatment strategies and efficacy indicators for OM. In addition to strategies such as basic oral care, anti-inflammatory and analgesic agents, anti-infective agents, pro-healing agents, and photobiotherapy recommended in previous guidelines, we also emphasize the role of traditional Chinese medicine in OM prevention and treatment. This expert consensus aims to provide references and guidance for dental physicians and oncologists in formulating strategies for OM prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, standardizing clinical practice, reducing OM occurrence, promoting healing, and improving the quality of life of patients.
Humans ; Chemoradiotherapy/adverse effects* ; Consensus ; Risk Factors ; Stomatitis/etiology*

Objective:To establish a model for the combined detection of serum copeptin and inflammatory markers in acute stroke (AS), and to explore the value of copeptin and inflammatory marker detection in the clinical diagnosis and prognosis assessment of AS.Methods:A total of 75 patients were diagnosed with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) [46 males, age (64.1±11.7) years] and 45 patients with acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) [28 males, age (61.0±13.9) years] who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine through the emergency department from January 1 to July 31, 2024, were included as the observation group. Meanwhile, 60 healthy individuals [39 males, age (64.4±8.2) years] were selected as the control group (HC). The differences in serum copeptin levels and inflammatory markers among different groups were compared. ROC curves were drawn to analyze the value of copeptin and inflammatory markers in the clinical diagnosis and prognosis assessment of AIS. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to draw survival curves to analyze the in-hospital survival rates of patients in different groups. Cox regression analysis was conducted to identify the risk factors affecting the prognosis of AIS patients.Results:The level of copeptin was significantly elevated in AS, with the results showing ICH>AIS>HC ( H=100.11, P<0.001). Copeptin demonstrated the highest efficacy in the early diagnosis of AIS and ICH (AUC=0.893, sensitivity 89.3%, specificity 75.0%; AUC=0.986, sensitivity 95.6%, specificity 93.3%) and the assessment of prognosis (AUC=0.997, sensitivity 100%, specificity 96.8%; AUC=0.907, sensitivity 86.7%, specificity 86.7%), outperforming other single indicators. The combined detection of copeptin with the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and the systemic immune-inflammation index (SIIRI) was the best combination for the early diagnosis of AIS and ICH (AUC=0.937, sensitivity 77.3%, specificity 98.3%; AUC=0.989, sensitivity 95.6%, specificity 95.0%) and for the assessment of prognosis (AUC=0.996, sensitivity 100%, specificity 96.8%; AUC=0.944, sensitivity 86.7%, specificity 90.0%). Kaplan-Meier survival curves showed that AIS patients in the low-value group of copeptin and NLR had a higher survival rate during hospitalization than those in the high-value group ( HR 54.46, 7.608, P<0.01, respectively), and ICH patients in the low-value group of copeptin, SIIRI, SIRI, and SII had a higher survival rate during hospitalization than those in the high-value group ( HR 12.67, 7.923, 3.567, 5.925, P<0.05); Cox regression showed that copeptin, NLR, NIHSS, and mRS were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with AIS ( HR 1.421, 1.368, 1.158, and 1.188, respectively, P<0.05), copeptin and SIIRI were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of ICH ( HR 1.308, 1.113, P<0.05), and GCS was a protective factor affecting ICH prognosis ( HR=0.741, P<0.05). Conclusion:Copeptin and inflammatory indicators can reflect the severity of different subtypes of stroke. The single or combined detection shows good value in the clinical application of AS. The combination of copeptin-NLR and copeptin-SIIRI is respectively the best comprehensive biomarker combination for the early diagnosis and prognosis assessment of AIS and ICH.

Objective To investigate the association between serum C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 14(CXCL14)level and carotid atherosclerotic plaques(CAP)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 262 patients with T2DM(T2DM group)and 131 healthy individuals(control group)who underwent physical examinations in Ganzhou Municipal Hospital from January 2022 to February 2025 were selected at a ratio of 2∶1.T2DM patients were further divided into CAP group(112 cases)and non-CAP group(150 cases)based on the presence or absence of CAP.Serum CXCL14 level was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The correlation between serum CXCL14 level and clinical characteristics in CAP patients was analyzed.The association between serum CXCL14 level and CAP in T2DM patients was assessed using multivariate Logistic regression and restricted cubic spline(RCS)regression.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis was performed to evaluate the predictive value of serum CXCL14 level for CAP in T2DM patients.Results The serum CXCL14 level of patients in T2DM group was significantly higher than that in control group(P＜0.05).The age of patients in CAP group was significantly older than that in non-CAP group,and the course of diabetes mellitus was significantly longer than that in non-CAP group.The proportions of hypertension,fasting plasma glucose,fasting insulin,2-hour plasma glucose,glycosylated hemoglobin,homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance index,low density lipoprotein cholesterol,hypersensitive C-reaction protein,interleukin-6,and CXCL14 level were all significantly higher than those in non-CAP group(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for general information,glycolipid metabolism indicators,and inflammatory indicators,higher CXCL14 level was an independent risk factor for CAP in patients with T2DM(P＜0.05).RCS regression analysis showed that after adjusting for general information,glycolipid metabolism indicators,and inflammatory indicators,the CXCL14 level was associated with the risk of CAP in T2DM patients,and presented a positive dose-response relationship(P＜0.05).The ROC curve showed that area under the curve of serum CXCL14 for evaluating CAP in T2DM patients was 0.772,and the sensitivity and specificity were 58.9％and 82.0％,respectively.Conclusion Elevated serum CXCL14 level is positively associated with an increased risk of CAP in patients with T2DM and has a high assessment efficiency for CAP in T2DM patients.

For middle-aged and elderly patients with conditions such as spinal fractures and degenerative spinal diseases, spinal internal fixation is a core surgical procedure for reconstructing spinal stability, heavily relying on the biomechanical stability provided by pedicle screw systems. Whereas, these patients are often complicated by osteoporosis that can significantly compromise the stability of the bone-pedicle screw interface, leading to a marked increase in pedicle screw loosening and surgical failure rates. The bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique, which involves injecting bone cement into the vertebral body or screw trajectory to optimize the mechanical properties of the bone-pedicle screw composite, has been proven to significantly enhance fixation strength and effectively prevent screw-related failures, thereby reducing the incidence of internal fixation failure in high-risk populations undergoing spinal fusion. However, the widespread clinical application of this technique has faced challenges such as inaccurate clinical decision-making (indication and contraindication selection), non-standardized operative practices, and insufficient awareness of complication prevention, resulting in considerable variability in clinical outcomes and even severe complications. To address this, Prof. Luo Fei from First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University initiated the project and the Chinese Association Orthopaedic Surgeons organized relevant experts to develop the Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique ( version 2025), based on current evidence. The guidelines put forward 8 recommendations regarding the clinical value, scope of application, and operational standards of the technique, aiming to provide evidence-based medical support and technical standardization for clinical decision-making.

Fatty liver is common disease of nutritional metabolism in the perinatal period,character-ized by elevated levels of NEFA in the blood and disorders of lipid metabolism.High concentra-tions of NEFA damage mitochondria and promote the release of reactive oxygen species(ROS).At the same time,lipid peroxidation occurs in lipid accumulation in hepatocytes,producing free radi-cals such as ROS,which leads to oxidative stress in the liver.When the level of intracellular ROS increases,thioredoxin-interacting protein(TXNIP)activates nucleotide-binding oligomerization structure-like protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasomes,and oxidative stress can regulate pyroptosis,but it is unclear whether reactive oxygen species(ROS)produced by oxidative stress in hepatocytes can mediate pyroptosis and induce liver injury in dairy cows through the TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway.In this study,liver tissue samples from healthy dairy cows and fatty liver cows were collected,and NEFA was used to construct a fatty liver cell model,and triglyceride(TG)content and oxidative stress related indicators were detected by kit.Western blot was used to detect the activation of NL-RP3 inflammasomes,the inflammatory pathway of NF-κB and the expression levels of pyroptosis-related proteins.Fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the relative expression level of inflammatory factor mRNA.The results showed that compared with the healthy(control)group,the TG content of fatty liver tissue and fatty liver cells was significantly increased(P＜0.05),the activities of SOD and GSH-Px were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),and the protein expression levels of TXNIP,NLRP3,GSDMD-N and Caspase-1 were significantly up-regulated(P＜0.05).The results of the antioxidant model of fatty hepatocytes using NEFA and antioxidants(NAC)showed that compared with the fatty hepatocyte model,the content of ROS in hepatocytes was sig-nificantly reduced,and oxidative stress,NLRP3 inflammasome activation and pyroptosis were alle-viated.In summary,this study found that when fatty liver disease occurs in dairy cows,ROS pro-duced by oxidative stress in the liver can mediate pyroptosis through the TXNIP/NLRP3 path-way,which can lead to liver injury in fatty liver cows.

Objective:To identify the factors influencing the diagnostic accuracy of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) for colorectal submucosal tumors (SMT).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 330 colorectal SMT lesions (from 323 patients) diagnosed by EUS at Shenzhen Hospital of Southern Medical University from December 2015 to October 2023. Pathological diagnosis were confirmed through endoscopic resection, EUS-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) or surgical resection. Diagnostic accuracy was calculated for each type of colorectal SMT. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to identify factors affecting EUS diagnostic accuracy.Results:The overall diagnostic accuracy of EUS for colorectal SMT was 73.6% (243/330). Among 19 SMT subtypes enrolled, neuroendocrine neoplasms (51.2%, 169/330) and lipomas (15.5%, 51/330) were most prevalent, while 17 rare subtypes each accounted for <6%. Seven rare SMT (mucosal chronic inflammation, colorectal schwannoma, xanthogranulomatous inflammation, capillary hemangioma, colonic xanthoma, lymphadenoid complex, and angiomyolipoma) showed 0% diagnostic accuracy. Seven other subtypes (granular cell tumor, leiomyoma, rectal tonsil, intestinal schistosomiasis, fibrous tissue hyperplasia, gastrointestinal stromal tumor, and lymphangioma) showed accuracy <30%, whereas five subtypes (cyst, bowel endometriosis, neuroendocrine neoplasm, lipoma, and pneumatosis cystoides intestinalis) achieved >60% accuracy. Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed that the lesion location (left colon VS rectum: OR=0.06, 95% CI: 0.02-0.17, P<0.001; right colon VS rectum: OR=0.04, 95% CI: 0.01-0.13, P<0.001; ileocecal valve VS rectum: OR=0.09, 95% CI: 0.02-0.42, P=0.002); echogenicity (anechoic VS hypoechoic: OR=6.26, 95% CI: 1.31-29.97, P=0.022; hyperechoic VS hypoechoic: OR=13.39, 95% CI: 4.16-43.09, P<0.001) and ultrasonic layer (layer 4 VS layer 3: OR=0.22, 95% CI: 0.06-0.81, P=0.023) were independent influencing factors of EUS diagnostic accuracy for colorectal SMT. Conclusion:Neuroendocrine neoplasms and lipomas represent the most common colorectal SMT, whereas rare and uncommon SMT exhibit low EUS diagnostic accuracy. Lesion location, echogenicity, and ultrasonic layer significantly influence EUS diagnostic accuracy for colorectal SMT.

The nervous system not only affects the core processes of tumors such as proliferation, metastasis and angiogenesis, but is also closely related to symptoms such as tumor-related pain and cachexia. Meanwhile, tumor cells can invade adjacent tissues through nerve pathways to induce perineural invasion, which promotes tumor development. This article reviews the research progress in role of the nervous system in tumor occurrence and development from perspectives of tumor perineural invasion, neurotrophic factors, autonomic and sensory nerves, and influence of the neuroimmune system in tumors, in order to provide new perspective and method for tumor treatment.

For middle-aged and elderly patients with conditions such as spinal fractures and degenerative spinal diseases, spinal internal fixation is a core surgical procedure for reconstructing spinal stability, heavily relying on the biomechanical stability provided by pedicle screw systems. Whereas, these patients are often complicated by osteoporosis that can significantly compromise the stability of the bone-pedicle screw interface, leading to a marked increase in pedicle screw loosening and surgical failure rates. The bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique, which involves injecting bone cement into the vertebral body or screw trajectory to optimize the mechanical properties of the bone-pedicle screw composite, has been proven to significantly enhance fixation strength and effectively prevent screw-related failures, thereby reducing the incidence of internal fixation failure in high-risk populations undergoing spinal fusion. However, the widespread clinical application of this technique has faced challenges such as inaccurate clinical decision-making (indication and contraindication selection), non-standardized operative practices, and insufficient awareness of complication prevention, resulting in considerable variability in clinical outcomes and even severe complications. To address this, Prof. Luo Fei from First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University initiated the project and the Chinese Association Orthopaedic Surgeons organized relevant experts to develop the Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for bone cement-augmented pedicle screw technique ( version 2025), based on current evidence. The guidelines put forward 8 recommendations regarding the clinical value, scope of application, and operational standards of the technique, aiming to provide evidence-based medical support and technical standardization for clinical decision-making.