Objective:To evaluate the survival benefit of surgical treatment for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.Methods:This study is conducted based on the hepatobiliary tumor registry database. From May 2009 to December 2022,a total of 704 patients who were initially diagnosed with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma and underwent liver resection were consecutively enrolled at the Hepatobiliary Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. Among them,there were 380 males and 324 females,aged ( M(IQR)) 61(15) years(range:27 to 88 years). Twenty-six (3.7%) patients received neoadjuvant therapy before surgery. The overall survival(OS) and disease-free survival(DFS) rates were estimated by life table method, and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted. Log-rank test was used to compare the survival difference among tumor-node-metastasis(TNM) staging or three periods. The OS and DFS differences among lymph node groups or adjuvant treatment groups were quantified as HR with 95% CI estimated using Cox proportional-hazards model with adjustment for prognostic factors. Results:Among the 704 patients,349 cases(49.6%) underwent major hepatectomy (≥3 segments),331(47.0%) had lymph node resection during surgery,and 524 cases(74.4%) achieved R0 resection. The morbidity of Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅲ or higher complications was 16.5%(116/704),with a mortality rate of 3.0%(21/704) within 30 days post-surgery. The median OS time was 27.1 months, and the OS rates at 1-,3-,5- and 10-year were 69.1%, 42.4%,34.1% and 24.5%,respectively. The median DFS time was 10.5 months,and the corresponding DFS rates were 46.0%,25.4%,21.9% and 16.9%,respectively. According to the 8 th edition of AJCC staging system, the 5-year survival rates for ⅠA,ⅠB,Ⅱ,ⅢA,ⅢB and Ⅳ were 68.4%, 43.2%, 30.3%,32.2%,14.0% and 0,respectively. The corresponding DFS rates were 55.8%, 28.1%,13.8%,21.2%,3.3% and 0,respectively. There were no statistically significant differences of OS or DFS between stage ⅠB and Ⅱ, stage ⅠB and ⅢA, or between stage Ⅱ and ⅢA(Log-rank test:all P>0.05),while there were significant differences of OS and DFS among other stages(Log-rank test:all P<0.05). Using Cox model with adjustment for prognostic factors, there were no statistically significant differences of OS and DFS between non-lymphadenectomy group or the biopsy-N0 group and dissection-N0 group(both P>0.05). However,the overall and disease-free survival of the biopsy-N1 group or dissection-N1 group were worse than those of dissection-N0 group(both P<0.05),with overall survival being better in dissection-N1 group than biopsy-N1 group( P=0.017). Overall survival in the period from 2019 to 2022 were significantly superior to that during the periods from 2009 to 2013 and 2014 to 2018(both P<0.01). Adjusting for prognostic factors, the disease-free and overall survival of the postoperative adjuvant therapy group were significantly better than those of the observation group in the period 2019 to 2022(both P<0.01). Conclusions:Surgery remains a milestone for achieving long-term survival for patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Regional lymph node dissection is required for patients with lymph node metastasis. Adjuvant therapy can significantly reduce tumor recurrence and prolong overall survival.

Objective To investigate the effect of triglyceride-glucose index(TyG)on the short-term prognosis of patients with initial acute ischemic stroke.Methods A total of 391 patients with initial acute ischemic stroke who were hospitalized in Kunshan Second People's Hospital and The Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from Jun.2020 to Jun.2023 were retrospectively included.According to the modified Rankin scale(mRS)scores at 90 d follow-up,they were assigned to good prognosis group(286 cases)or poor prognosis group(105 cases).Logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve were used to evaluate the effect of TyG on the short-term prognosis of patients with initial acute ischemic stroke.Results Compared with the good prognosis group,the patients of poor prognosis group had older age,higher proportion of atrial fibrillation,higher levels of homocysteine,triglyceride,total cholesterol,low-density lipoprotein,and TyG,and higher National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NIHSS)score(all P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that age,homocysteine,TyG and NIHSS score were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with initial acute ischemic stroke(all P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that TyG combined with NIHSS score had good predictive value for poor prognosis of patients with initial acute ischemic stroke,and the area under curve value was 0.795.Conclusion The combination of TyG and NIHSS score is an independent influencing factor for poor short-term prognosis in patients with initial acute ischemic stroke.

Objective To summarize the operation experience of 1 case of ultra-long-distance single-port robotic-assisted laparoscopic renal cyst decortication using a domestic robotic system,and provide references for the development of long-distance telesurgery.Methods The procedure was performed using a domestically produced single-port robotic system.The distance between the main control end and the patient end was 2 400 km.The operation was conducted remotely via a 5G network and a 100 Mbps dedicated line provided by China Telecom.The surgeon controlled the robotic arm remotely.Results The surgery was completed smoothly within a duration of 32 min.The real-time latency was(90±20)ms.Blood loss during the operation was 10 mL,and no drainage tube was placed.The patient recovered smoothly and returned to the ward without any complications.Conclusion It is safe and feasible for the domestically produced single-port robotic system to implement ultra-long-distance telesurgery.This approach facilitates the decentralization of advanced medical resources and helps mitigate disparities in healthcare access.

Objective:To evaluate the feasibility and safety of performing multi-procedure remote urological surgeries by integrating 5G communication technology with domestically manufactured robotic surgical systems.Methods:Patients requiring urological laparoscopic surgery for benign lesions or tumors were prospectively enrolled at Gansu Provincial Hospital from May 2023 to June 2024. Inclusion criteria included age ≥18 years, body mass index (BMI) between 18 and 30 kg/m 2, and American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification Ⅰ-Ⅲ. Tumor-related surgical indicators were as follows: renal tumors staged ≤T 2, solitary tumors, or maximum diameter ≤10 cm; intermediate- to low-risk prostate cancer (clinical stage ≤T 2b), with preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) ≤20 ng/ml or Gleason score ≤7; adrenal tumors with a diameter ≤7 cm or ≥3 cm for non-functional adenomas; and bladder tumors staged ≤T 2. Exclusion criteria included participation in other investigational drug or device clinical trials within the past 1 month, pregnancy or breastfeeding, and patients requiring emergency surgery. Patients with severe cardiovascular or circulatory diseases contraindicating surgery, and individuals with epilepsy, psychiatric disorders, or cognitive impairments were also excluded. Additionally, patients with active bleeding, coagulation disorders, or platelet counts <80×10 9/L were excluded. A 5G communication link was established between the main campus and the new branch of Gansu Provincial Hospital, approximately 70 km apart. Remote surgeries were performed using the domestically manufactured robotic surgical system (Toumai MT-1000). Perioperative key indicators, intraoperative network conditions, and robotic system performance were systematically recorded. Results:This study involved 14 patients, comprising 3 cases of renal cysts, 3 cases of renal tumors, 3 cases of nonfunctional kidneys, 2 cases of adrenal tumors, 1 case of bladder tumor, 1 case of prostate cancer, and 1 case of ureteral-bladder wall thickening with pelvic ureteral stones. The cohort included 7 male and 7 female patients, with an average age of (57.4±12.3) years, a BMI of (24.6±3.0) kg/m 2, and ASA classifications of grade Ⅱ in 9 cases and grade Ⅲ in 5 cases. All remote surgeries were successfully completed without the need for conversion to alternative surgical methods. Three renal cyst unroofing decompression procedures were performed, with an average console operation time of (32.0±6.6) minutes and intraoperative blood loss of (13.3±2.9) ml. Two partial nephrectomies were conducted, with console operation times of 140 and 160 minutes, intraoperative blood loss of 20 ml each, and warm ischemia times of 19 and 25 minutes, respectively. The preoperative estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) for these cases were 115.2 and 107.3 ml/(min·1.73m 2), and postoperative eGFR were 102.0 and 95.5 ml/(min·1.73m 2), respectively. Four radical nephrectomies were completed, with an average console operation time of (50.2±13.7) minutes and intraoperative blood loss of (20.5±13.2) ml. Two adrenal tumor resections were performed, each with console operation times of 45 and 50 minutes and intraoperative blood loss of 10 ml. Additionally, one partial bladder resection was conducted, requiring a console operation time of 60 minutes and resulting in intraoperative blood loss of 10 ml. A single radical prostatectomy was carried out, with a console operation time of 180 minutes, intraoperative blood loss of 120 ml, and pre- and postoperative PSA levels of 11.7 ng/ml and 0.06 ng/ml, respectively. One ureteral-bladder reimplantation was also performed, with a console operation time of 240 minutes and intraoperative blood loss of 10 ml. The average total delay for the 14 remote surgeries ranged from 194 to 250 ms, while the average network transmission delay ranged from 13 to 55 ms. During the procedures, six instances of sudden large fluctuations in network transmission delay were observed, ranging from 333 to 654 ms. These fluctuations resolved automatically within approximately 10 seconds but resulted in temporary disruptions: 2 cases of master-slave console lock (reset process lasted around 5 seconds) and 1 case of switching to the local console for emergency hemostasis (lasting approximately 7 minutes). These interruptions did not significantly affect the surgical process. Postoperative complications in all patients were classified as Clavien-Dindo grade Ⅰ and were unrelated to the surgical procedures or equipment. No cancer was detected in the resection margins of malignant tumors. Follow-up evaluations at three months, including blood tests, liver and kidney function tests, and CT scans of the surgical sites, revealed no significant abnormalities or adverse events. Conclusions:5G communication technology, with an average total latency of less than 250 ms, enables domestic surgical robots to perform multi-procedural remote urological surgeries effectively. However, during procedures requiring extensive suturing for urological reconstruction or managing unplanned intraoperative bleeding, network latency fluctuations exceeding 333 ms can extend the operation time and may necessitate switching to local control for emergency hemostasis.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) for pyogenic spinal infections.Methods:A total of 255 patients diagnosed with pyogenic spinal infections were enrolled between September 2022 and September 2024 at Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital, Fuzhou Second General Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Shandong University Affiliated Public Health Clinical Center, and the Sixth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Among them, 155 were male and 100 were female, with an average age of 62.5±14.2 years (ranging from 13 to 90 years). All patients had samples of infected tissue and/or pus collected for microbial culture and mNGS testing. The number, types, and positive rates of pathogens detected by microbial culture and mNGS were compared. Using culture results as the gold standard, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was performed for mNGS testing and the combined method of mNGS and microbial culture, calculating the area under the curve (AUC) and 95% CI. Results:All 255 cases were clinically diagnosed as pyogenic spinal infections, with 194 cases providing microbiological evidence. The most common Gram-positive bacterium was Staphylococcus aureus, while the most common Gram-negative bacterium was Escherichia coli. A total of 33 pathogenic microorganisms were detected by mNGS, while microbial culture detected 18 pathogenic microorganisms. The positive rate of mNGS was 72.2% (184 out of 255), which was significantly higher than that of 30.2% (77 out of 255) for microbial culture, showing a significant difference (χ 2=90.150, P<0.001); the positive rate of mNGS combined with microbial culture was 76.1% (194 out of 255) with significant difference compared to mNGS alone (χ 2=8.100, P<0.001). Among 178 culture-negative samples, the detection rate of mNGS was 65.7% (117 out of 178); among 77 culture-positive samples, the detection rate of mNGS was 87.0% (67 out of 77), and 97.0% (65 out of 67) of the detected pathogens matched the culture results at the species level. The AUCs of the ROC curves for mNGS testing and the combination of mNGS with microbial culture were 0.606 [95% CI (0.534, 0.678)] and 0.671 [95% CI (0.606, 0.736)], respectively, with significant differences compared to microbial culture ( P=0.007; P=0.007). Conclusions:mNGS demonstrates superior performance over conventional culture in identifying pathogens in pyogenic spinal infections. Moreover, combining mNGS with culture further improves diagnostic yield, supporting its integration into clinical practice.

Objective:To construct a risk prediction model for hemorrhagic transformation (HT) in elderly patients with acute cerebral infarction (ACI) complicated by cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) based on thromboelastography (TEG) and coagulation function indicators.Methods:Clinical data of 120 elderly ACI patients with CSVD admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from June 2021 to June 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into HT group (42 cases) and non-HT group (78 cases) according to the occurrence of HT within 7 days of admission. TEG parameters, coagulation function indicators, and general data were compared between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to screen the influencing factors of HT, and a nomogram model was constructed accordingly. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate its predictive efficacy.Results:Compared with the non-HT group, the HT group had significantly longer coagulation reaction time (R), higher 30-minute clot lysis rate (LY30), longer activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), older age, higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus, higher National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score, and larger infarct size, while the fibrinogen (FIB) level was lower (all P<0.05). Multivariate stepwise logistic regression showed that R ( OR=3.295, 95% CI: 1.226-8.848), LY30 ( OR=6.118, 95% CI: 3.111-12.030), FIB ( OR=0.213, 95% CI: 0.085-0.527), NIHSS score ( OR=4.061, 95% CI: 1.431-11.520), and infarct size ( OR=5.314, 95% CI: 2.588-10.909) were independent influencing factors for HT in elderly ACI patients with CSVD (all P<0.05). The C-index of the nomogram model constructed based on the above factors was 0.836, and the calibration curve for predicting HT was close to the ideal curve ( P>0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the model had a sensitivity of 85.70%, specificity of 83.30%, and area under the curve (AUC) of 0.879 (95% CI: 0.810-0.949, P<0.05) for predicting HT. Conclusions:R, LY30, and FIB levels are influencing factors for HT in elderly ACI patients with CSVD. The nomogram model constructed based on these factors can effectively predict the risk of HT.

B and T lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA) is an inhibitory immune checkpoint, which typically interacts with herpesvirus entry mediator (HVEM) and plays a crucial role in regulating immune balance. BTLA interacts with its ligand HVEM in a cis manner on the surface of the same immune cell to maintain immune tolerance, while trans interactions on the surface of different immune cells mediate immunosuppressive effects. Dysregulation of the BTLA/HVEM axis can impair the functions of immune cells, particularly T lymphocytes, promoting immune escape of tumor cells and ultimately leading to tumor progression. Researchers have found that BTLA and HVEM are abnormally expressed in various tumors and are associated with prognosis, suggesting that they may be potential targets for tumor immunotherapy. This review summarizes the molecular structures of BTLA and HVEM, immunomodulatory mechanisms, recent advances in hematologic malignancies, potential inhibitors of BTLA/HVEM interaction, and their applications in immunotherapy for hematologic malignancies.
Humans ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor, Member 14/chemistry* ; Receptors, Immunologic/immunology* ; Hematologic Neoplasms/genetics* ; Immunotherapy/methods* ; Animals

Objective To explore the effects of Emotional Freedom Techniques combined with PERMA model intervention on fear of disease progression and quality of life in postoperative liver cancer patients.Methods A total of 58 liver cancer patients admitted from September 2023 to February 2024 were randomly divided into the experimental group(n=29)and the control group(n=29)using a random number table method.The experimental group received Emotional Freedom Techniques combined with PERMA-based positive psychological intervention,while the control group received the holistic nursing and routine psychological guidance.Both groups underwent the continuous intervention for 8 weeks.Outcomes were assessed using the Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form(FoP-Q-SF),Distress Thermometer(DT),Self-Rating Anxiety Scale(SAS),Self-Rating Depression Scale(SDS),Cancer Fatigue Scale(CFS),Athens Insomnia Scale(AIS)and Index of Well-Being(IWB).Results After the intervention,the experimental group showed the significantly lower scores than those in the control group in FoP-Q-SF(24.97±2.34/34.10±8.46),DT(2.24±0.95/2.93±1.33),SAS(49.55±1.35/58.55±4.60),SDS(51.86±1.58/61.79±4.00),CFS(4.03±0.94/5.10±1.18),and AIS(2.45±1.12/4.07±0.96)(all P<0.05),while the IWB score(10.56±1.74/7.39±2.05)was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion The combination of Emotional Freedom Techniques and PERMA model intervention can effectively alleviate the disease-related fears,improve the negative emotions,reduce the physical symptoms and enhance the subjective well-being in postoperative liver cancer patients,and it has a significant clinical application value.

Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.

Objective To isolate pathogenic bacteria from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs, and perform bacterial identification, traceability analysis, and pathogenicity studies to provide a new approach for the diagnosis of pathogens in nude mice with squamous skin scurfs. MethodsSkin swab samples were collected from a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs for nucleic acid testing, bacterial isolation and culture, biochemical identification, 16S rDNA gene amplification and sequencing, and whole genome sequencing to construct a phylogenetic tree. Fifteen BALB/c nude mice were randomized into a saline-treated control group, a high-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁸ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension, and a low-concentration group treated with 1.8×10⁷ CFU/mL of the isolated bacterial suspension. Pathogenicity was assessed by animal infection experiments and observation of histopathological changes in skin tissue using HE staining. Results The nucleic acid test for Corynebacterium bovis was negative, excluding infection by this organism. The pathogen isolated on mannitol salt agar and blood agar, combined with Gram staining, suggested a Gram-positive Staphylococcus species. The isolated strain was identified by 16S rDNA sequencing and a fully automated microbial identification system as Staphylococcus xylosus. Phylogenetic tree analysis based on whole genome sequencing showed that the strain was most closely related to an isolate from leafy vegetables in South Korea (GenBank GCA_00207825.1). In the high-concentration group, squamous skin scurfs appeared on the head, neck, and back of nude mice on the 17th day post-infection, while in the low concentration group, similar symptoms appeared on the 20th day post-infection and gradually spread to other areas. The scaling symptoms were transient, lasting for 7 days in the high-concentration group and 3 days in the low-concentration group, after which the skin returned to normal. The infection rate was 33.33% in both the high- and low-concentration groups. No significant pathological changes were observed in the skin tissues of infected mice compared to the control group, indicating marked individual differences in the pathogenicity of the strain in nude mice. Conclusion A strain of Staphylococcus xylosus was isolated from the skin of a nude mouse exhibiting squamous skin scurfs. The strain is an opportunistic pathogen that causes transient squamous skin scurfs without significant histopathological changes, and there are individual differences in the sensitivity of nude mice to this strain. These findings can provide valuable data for pathogen identification in immunodeficient or gene knockout mice.