AIM:To investigating the predictive value of serum delta-like ligand 4(DLL4), complement C1q/tumor necrosis factor-related protein 5(CTRP5)levels for the severity of diabetic retinopathy(DR)and visual disability.METHODS:Patients with DR admitted to Tangshan Central Hospital between January 2022 and January 2024 were enrolled. Based on disease severity, patients were divided into a proliferative DR group and a non-proliferative DR group. After one year of follow-up, patients were further categorized into a vision disability group and a non-visual disability group based on visual impairment status. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to detect serum levels of DLL4 and CTRP5. The data and serum levels of DLL4 and CTRP5 were compared among patients with different medical conditions and visual disabilities. Pearson method was used to explore the correlation between serum levels of DLL4, CTRP5 and glucose and lipid metabolism indicators. Multivariate Logistic regression was performed to explore the influencing factors of visual disability in DR Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was performed to explore the value of serum levels of DLL4 and CTRP5 in predicting visual disability in DR.RESULTS: This study included 245 DR patients.Ninety-five patients were in the proliferative DR group(mean age 51.61±3.44 y, 51 men and 44 women), and 150 patients were in the non-proliferative DR group(mean age 51.22±3.11 y, 86 men and 64 women). The visually disability group consisted of 39 participants(mean age 51.64±3.87 y; 21 men and 18 women), while the non-visually disability group consisted of 206 participants(mean age 51.32±3.12 y; 116 men and 90 women). Patients in the proliferative DR group exhibited longer DR duration, higher levels of FPG, TG, TC, LDL-C, and serum DLL4 and CTRP5, and lower HDL-C levels compared to the non-proliferative DR group(all P<0.05). The serum levels of DLL4 were positively correlated with FPG(P<0.001), while the serum levels of CTRP5 were prominently positively correlated with FPG, TG, TC, LDL-C, and prominently negatively correlated with HDL-C(all P<0.001). The visual disability group had longer duration of DR and higher serum levels of DLL4 and CTRP5 than the non-visual disability group(all P<0.001). The duration of DR and serum levels of DLL4 and CTRP5 were influencing factors for visual disability in DR patients(all P<0.001). The joint detection of serum levels of DLL4 and CTRP5 had a higher value in predicting visual disability in DR patients than the single indicator prediction(ZDLL4-joint=3.018, PDLL4-joint=0.003; ZCTRP5-joint=2.784, PCTRP5-joint=0.005). CONCLUSION: Serum levels of DLL4 and CTRP5 are elevated in DR patients, and are closely related to the disease condition. The joint detection of serum levels of DLL4 and CTRP5 has high value in predicting visual disability in DR patients.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness and safety of Sufei Pingchuan Formula （肃肺平喘方） in the treatment of bronchiectasis with airflow limitation， phlegm-heat obstructing the lung， and lung-spleen qi deficiency syndrome. MethodsA randomized， double-blind， placebo-controlled trial was conducted. A total of 72 patients with stable bronchiectasis with airflow limitation of phlegm-heat obstructing the lung and lung-spleen qi deficiency syndrome were randomly divided into treatment group and control group， with 36 cases in each group. On the basis of regular inhalation of tiotropium bromide inhalation spray， the treatment group was given Sufei Pingchuan Formula granules， and the control group was given Sufei Pingchuan Formula granule simulant. The course of treatment in both groups was 12 weeks. The pulmonary function of both groups before and after treatment was observed， specifically focusing on forced expiratory volume in one second （FEV1）； the modified British Medical Research Council （mMRC） dyspnea scale， 24-hour sputum volume， COPD assessment test （CAT）， and traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores were assessed before treatment and after 4， 8， and 12 weeks of treatment； acute exacerbations were recorded at weeks 4， 8， and 12； additionally， changes in routine blood tests， urinalysis， liver and kidney function， and adverse events were monitored before and after treatment. ResultsAfter treatment， 4 patients in the treatment group and 6 in the control group dropped out. After 12 weeks of treatment， FEV1 increased in both groups compared to pre-treatment levels （P＜0.05）， but the difference between groups was not statistically significant （P＞0.05）. Compared to before treatment， the treatment group showed a reduction in mMRC scores after 12 weeks （P＜0.05） and a decrease in 24-hour sputum volume， CAT scores， and TCM syndrome scores at weeks 4， 8， and 12 （P＜0.05）. In the control group， 24-hour sputum volume decreased after 12 weeks （P＜0.05）， and TCM syndrome scores decreased at weeks 8 and 12 （P＜0.05）. Compared to the control group， the treatment group showed a greater reduction in mMRC scores at week 12 （P＜0.05）， a decrease in 24-hour sputum volume and TCM syndrome scores at weeks 4， 8， and 12 （P＜0.05）， and lower CAT scores at weeks 8 and 12 （P＜0.05）. The frequency and number of acute exacerbations in the treatment group were significantly lower than those in the control group at week 12 （P＜0.05）. No severe adverse events occurred in either group. ConclusionSufei Pingchuan Formula can improve the pulmonary function FEV1， the severity of dyspnea， reduce 24-hour sputum volume and frequent acute exacerbations， and improve the quality of life in patients with bronchiectasis and airflow limitation， with good safety.

Objective:To investigate the long-term outcomes of using 3D-printed preformed titanium meshes in repair and reconstruction of orbital region.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients with tumors invading the naso-orbito-maxillary region who underwent surgical resection and repair/reconstruction with 3D-printed preformed titanium meshes. The patients were collected at three medical centers (the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Xijing Hospital of Air Force Military Medical University, and Shenzhen Longgang District Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital) from 2016 to 2023. Tumor extent was evaluated radiologically, and the surgical approaches, reconstruction outcomes, surgical complications, and long-term follow-up results were analyzed.Results:A total of 46 patients from the three centers were included in this study, comprising 27 males and 19 females, with an average age of 51 years (range: from 13 to 86 years). Among them, 4 patients had benign tumors, while the remaining 42 had malignant tumors. The median follow-up duration was 60.7 months (range: from 19.0 to 75.0 months). Postoperatively, symmetrical globe position was achieved in 38 cases without significant diplopia; 4 cases exhibited enophthalmos without diplopia, and 4 cases had enophthalmos with diplopia. Twelve patients received preoperative radiotherapy, and 30 patients received postoperative radiotherapy. Six patients developed enophthalmos, and 6 experienced titanium mesh exposure after radiotherapy. Following treatment completion, 3 patients underwent repair using frontal flaps, 1 using a superficial temporal artery island flap, and 2 using free flaps. All remaining patients showed no postoperative infections, and their wounds healed normally.Conclusion:The application of 3D-printed preformed titanium mesh enables precise repair of postoperative defects in patients with naso-orbital tumors, facilitating reliable reconstruction of the orbital and facial contours with straightforward operation and dependable outcomes.

OBJECTIVE To formulate an expert consensus on the prevention and control of respiratory infectious diseases in railway stations and trains in China,and to standardize the prevention and control of respiratory infec-tious diseases in railway stations and trains scientifically.METHODS The government authorities organized multi-ple prevention and control experts from transportation,medical care and prevention fields to conduct in-depth re-search through methods such as meetings and on-site investigations,and combined with their practical experi-ence in this field to formulate this expert consensus.RESULTS In-depth studies were conducted on the prevention and control strategies,measures and emergency response system construction of respiratory infectious diseases in railway stations and trains,and this expert consensus was formed.CONCLUSION This expert consensus supple-ments improves the existing prevention and control system for respiratory infectious diseases in railway stations and trains,and provides an important reference basis for the prevention and control of respiratory infectious disea-ses in railway stations and trains.

Objective:This multicenter retrospective study aimed to analyze the clinicopathological features of duodenal adenocarcinoma (DA) and identify prognostic factors for postoperative survival.Methods:Demographic characteristics, clinicopathological features, treatment outcomes and survival of DA patients undergoing surgical treatment at 18 Chinese medical centers from January 2012 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Among the 2 056 DA patients included, 46.8% (963) had extra-ampullary DA (EA-DA), and 53.2% (1 093) had peri-ampullary DA (PA-DA). The 1-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival (OS) rates for patients who underwent radical surgery were 93.2%, 71.0%, and 57.2%, respectively. The median overall survival was 76 months, and the median progression-free survival (PFS) was 65 months. No differences in survival were observed between the laparotomy group and minimally invasive surgery (MIS) group either before or after propensity score matching (OS: 76 vs. 75 months before PSM, P=0.986; OS: 75 vs. 75 months after PSM, P=0.602). Furthermore, there were no significant differences between-group in operation time and postoperative complications ( P＞0.05). The MIS group experienced less intraoperative blood loss and shorter hospital stays. The multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that advanced age ( HR=1.43,95% CI:1.18-1.73), elevated carbohydrate antigen 19-9 levels ( HR=1.24,95% CI:1.02-1.51), perineural invasion ( HR=1.44,95% CI:1.14-1.81), vascular invasion ( HR=1.35,95% CI:1.07-1.71), advanced T stage (T3-4 vs. T1-2: HR=1.86,95% CI:1.49-2.31), regional lymph node metastasis ( HR=1.93,95% CI:1.58-2.36), preoperative biliary drainage ( HR=1.26,95% CI:1.04-1.53), intraoperative blood loss ( HR=1.34,95% CI:1.11-1.62), clinically significant postoperative pancreatic fistulas ( HR=1.53,95% CI:1.12-2.09), and postoperative hemorrhage ( HR=1.62,95% CI:1.14-2.29) were independent risk factors for poor prognosis after surgery (all P＜0.05). Conclusions:Radical surgery is associated with favorable overall survival among DA patients, and no difference in survival is observed between EA-DA and PA-DA patients. MIS is a reliable alternative for DA treatment.

Protein arginine methyltransferase 5 (PRMT5) acts as an oncogene in liver cancer, yet its roles and in-depth molecular mechanisms within the liver cancer immune microenvironment remain mostly undefined. Here, we demonstrated that disruption of tumor-intrinsic PRMT5 enhances CD8⁺ T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity both in vivo and in vitro. Further experiments verified that this effect is achieved through downregulation of the inhibitory immune checkpoint molecule, fibrinogen-like protein 1 (FGL1). Mechanistically, PRMT5 catalyzed symmetric dimethylation of transcription factor 12 (TCF12) at arginine 554 (R554), prompting the binding of TCF12 to FGL1 promoter region, which transcriptionally activated FGL1 in tumor cells. Methylation deficiency at TCF12-R554 residue downregulated FGL1 expression, which promoted CD8⁺ T-cell-mediated antitumor immunity. Notably, combining the PRMT5 methyltransferase inhibitor GSK591 with PD-L1 blockade efficiently inhibited liver cancer growth and improved overall survival in mice. Collectively, our findings reveal the immunosuppressive role and mechanism of PRMT5 in liver cancer and highlight that targeting PRMT5 could boost checkpoint immunotherapy efficacy.

Metabolic reprogramming plays a central role in tumors. However, the key drivers modulating reprogramming of gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis are poorly understood. Here, we try to identify the mechanism by which histone acetyltransferase 1 (HAT1) confers reprogramming of gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis in liver cancer. Diethylnitrosamine (DEN)/carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-induced hepatocarcinogenesis was hardly observed in HAT1-knockout mice. Multi-omics identified that HAT1 modulated gluconeogenesis and lipogenesis in liver. Protein phosphatase 2 scaffold subunit alpha (PPP2R1A) promoted gluconeogenesis and inhibited lipogenesis by phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) serine 90 dephosphorylation to suppress the tumor growth. HAT1 succinylated PPP2R1A at lysine 541 (K541) to block the assembly of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A) holoenzyme and interaction with PCK1, resulting in the depression of dephosphorylation of PCK1. HAT1-succinylated PPP2R1A contributed to the remodeling of gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis by PCK1 serine 90 phosphorylation, leading to the inhibition of gluconeogenic enzyme activity and activating sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP1) nuclear accumulation-induced lipogenesis gene expression, which enhanced the tumor growth. In conclusion, succinylation of PPP2R1A lysine 541 by HAT1 converses the role in modulation of gluconeogenesis/lipogenesis remodeling through PCK1 S90 phosphorylation to support liver cancer. Our finding provides new insights into the mechanism by which post-translational modifications (PTMs) confer the conversion of tumor suppressor function to oncogene.

Through analyzing the every textual research literature on the origin of the location method of ashi points, it is pointed out that the location method of ashi points has been generalized. It is known through systematic research and theoretical identification that this method refers to the simple way to locate the points, originated from the folk, and it is widely used to find the sites for pain relief when compared to the official education of meridians and acupoints, as well as treatment. At the time with the shortage of medical services and supplies, the poor people had no alternative, which results in a certain limitation. Modern acupuncture practitioners must associate ashi points with the acupoints of fourteen meridians and the extraordinary points in clinical practice, and deepen the exploration with modern medical knowledge and technology adopted.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Meridians ; History, Ancient ; Medicine in Literature ; China

ObjectiveTo understand the seropositivity of neutralizing antibodies (NAb) and low-level NAb against SARS-CoV-2 infection in the community residents, and to explore the impact of COVID-19 vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection on the levels of NAb in human serum. MethodsOn the ground of surveillance cohort for acute infectious diseases in community populations in Shanghai, a proportional stratified sampling method was used to enroll the subjects at a 20% proportion for each age group (0‒14, 15‒24, 25‒59, and ≥60 years old). Blood samples collection and serum SARS-CoV-2 NAb concentration testing were conducted from March to April 2023. Low-level NAb were defined as below the 25^th percentile of NAb. ResultsA total of 2 230 participants were included, the positive rate of NAb was 97.58%, and the proportion of low-level NAb was 25.02% (558/2 230). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age, infection history and vaccination status were correlated with low-level NAb (all P<0.05). Individuals aged 60 years and above had the highest risk of low-level NAb. There was a statistically significant interaction between booster vaccination and one single infection (aOR=0.38, 95%CI: 0.19‒0.77). Compared to individuals without vaccination, among individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 once, both primary immunization (aOR=0.23, 95%CI: 0.16‒0.35) and booster immunization (aOR=0.12, 95%CI: 0.08‒0.17) significantly reduced the risk of low-level NAb; among individuals without infections, only booster immunization (aOR=0.28, 95%CI: 0.14‒0.52) showed a negative correlation with the risk of low-level NAb. ConclusionsThe population aged 60 and above had the highest risk of low-level NAb. Regardless of infection history, a booster immunization could reduce the risk of low-level NAb. It is recommended that eligible individuals , especially the elderly, should get vaccinated in a timely manner to exert the protective role of NAb.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence and severity of symptom burden among long-term survivors of oropharyngeal cancer after radiotherapy, to identify core symptom clusters, and to explore their correlation with quality of life.Methods:A previous retrospective study was conducted by the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences on patients with oropharyngeal cancer who underwent radiotherapy between January 2010 and December 2020. Patients who were still alive as of December 2023 were further followed and analyzed. From December 2023 to August 2024, symptom burden and quality of life were assessed using the Chinese version of the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory–Head and Neck Module (MDASI-HN) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ). Exploratory factor analysis (principal component analysis with Promax rotation) were used to identify symptom clusters. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to explore the relationship between total symptom cluster scores and standardized domain scores of quality of life. Multivariate linear regression analysis was further employed to determine the relationship between identified symptom clusters and overall quality of life.Results:A total of 273 patients were included, with a median follow-up duration of 6.2 years (range: 3.5-14.5 years) and a median age of 61 years (range: 27-88 years) at follow-up. The top 5 incidence rates of symptom reported by patients were mucus problems in the mouth or throat (147 cases, 53.8%), dental or gum issues (143 cases, 52.4%), xerostomia (140 cases, 51.3%), difficulty swallowing or chewing (95 cases, 34.8%), and taste disturbance (79 cases, 28.9%). Among them, xerostomia was the most serious symptom. The most frequently reported interference was impact on work (including household chores) (55 cases, 20.1%). Exploratory factor analysis identified 3 symptom clusters: fatigue-nausea cluster, eating-voice cluster, and xerostomia-sleep cluster, all of which were significantly correlated with lower overall quality of life of patients (all P<0.001). Conclusion:Long-term survivors of oropharyngeal cancer after radiotherapy experience substantial symptom burden. The fatigue-nausea, eating-voice, and xerostomia-sleep clusters are the core symptom clusters impacting quality of life.