Objective:To establish a reference interval for serum iodine of pregnant women with normal thyroid function and to analyze the relationship between serum iodine and thyroid disease risk.Methods:From July 2022 to October 2023, using cross-sectional survey method, pregnant women aged 18 to 48 years old who had lived in iodine-deficient areas in the six provinces of China (Shanxi Province, Fujian Province, Yunnan Province, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Zhejiang Province, and Anhui Province) for more than six months were selected as the survey subjects. Blood samples were collected, serum iodine was tested, and the percentile method was used to establish a reference interval for serum iodine of pregnant women with normal thyroid function. Meanwhile, serum levels of free thyroxine, thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) were tested, and logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between serum iodine and thyroid disease risk.Results:A total of 1 409 pregnant women from 6 provinces were investigated, including 1 087 with normal thyroid function and 322 with abnormal thyroid function. The median serum iodine level of pregnant women with normal thyroid function was 79.74 μg/L, and the preliminary reference interval for serum iodine was 47.57 - 128.96 μg/L. When serum iodine levels were lower (< 47.57 μg/L), pregnant women had a significantly increased risk of developing TgAb positivity, TPOAb positivity, hypothyroxinemia, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune thyroiditis ( OR = 4.44, 2.91, 3.41, 41.67, 23.43, P < 0.05). When serum iodine levels were high (> 128.96 μg/L), pregnant women had a significantly increased risk of developing hyperthyroidism ( OR = 9.91, P = 0.001). Conclusions:The reference interval for serum iodine of pregnant women with normal thyroid function is successfully established. Low serum iodine levels are associated with an increased risk of TgAb positivity, TPOAb positivity, hypothyroxinemia, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune thyroiditis, while high serum iodine levels are associated with an increased risk of hyperthyroidism.

Objective:To explore the safety of laparoscopic modified transcystic biliary drainage(modified C-tube technique)in the treatment of biliary stones and application of diagnosing biliary disease.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 68 cases of biliary stones successfully treated with laparoscopic modified C-tube technique from August 2021 to December 2023.The safety,effectiveness,and area of applications were analyzed.The reliability of the principle of the modified fixation method was verified by using an ex vivo gallbladder.Results:Three cases of ex vivo gallbladder demonstrated that the strength of the modified fixation method was reliable,and the sinus tract formed by suture after immediate extraction of the C tube could be dislocated and closed,resisting the bile outflow caused by the weight of the gallbladder.Among the 68 patients,42 were difficult biliary stones,6 were suspected common bile duct stones,and 5 were extrahepatic bile duct stones combined with intrahepatic bile duct stones.Among them,48 cases underwent choledochoscopy assisted trans-choledochal approach for stone removal,and 10 cases underwent transcystic approach stone removal,Six patients underwent simply basket exploration and removal of stones through the cystic duct(5 patients had no residual stones on postoperative C-tube angiography,1 patient had suspected residual stones,and the patient refused further examination and treatment for no symptom),and 4 patients only underwent biliary drainage through the cystic duct;two patients with retained stone passed after the use of topical nitrate drip infusion via C-tube,seven cases underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP),stone removal with the assistance of a C-tube after laparoscopic surgery,and the results were uneventful.The mean surgical time was(131±44)min(76-279 min),the maximum daily drainage volume of the C-tube was(401±235)mL/d(10-1 150 mL/d),the hospital stay was(8.6±3.6)d(2-19 d),and the mean time of C-tube removal was(11±6.9)d(5-46 d).There were 14 overall complications,including 2 residual stones,and 12 C-tube related complications,comprising of 1 gradeⅢ a,2 grade Ⅱ,and 9 grade Ⅰ.There were 9 cases of C-tube related adverse events that did not cause complications,including 3 of early detachment,2 of displacement,and 4 of deep insertion.The median follow-up time after surgery was 21(2-30)months,and 5 patients had recurrent stones.Among them,4 patients had slow contrast outflow during cholangiogram,and 1 patient had obvious pancreaticobiliary reflux.55 patients underwent C-tube amylase measurement,and 9 cases showed a significant increase in bile amylase(349-44 936 U/L),suggesting the presence of pancreaticobiliary reflux.Conclusion:Laparoscopic modified C-tube technique can be effectively used in the treatment of biliary stones,which is relatively safe and can be attempted in the diagnosis of biliary diseases.

Objective:To explore the safety of laparoscopic modified transcystic biliary drainage(modified C-tube technique)in the treatment of biliary stones and application of diagnosing biliary disease.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 68 cases of biliary stones successfully treated with laparoscopic modified C-tube technique from August 2021 to December 2023.The safety,effectiveness,and area of applications were analyzed.The reliability of the principle of the modified fixation method was verified by using an ex vivo gallbladder.Results:Three cases of ex vivo gallbladder demonstrated that the strength of the modified fixation method was reliable,and the sinus tract formed by suture after immediate extraction of the C tube could be dislocated and closed,resisting the bile outflow caused by the weight of the gallbladder.Among the 68 patients,42 were difficult biliary stones,6 were suspected common bile duct stones,and 5 were extrahepatic bile duct stones combined with intrahepatic bile duct stones.Among them,48 cases underwent choledochoscopy assisted trans-choledochal approach for stone removal,and 10 cases underwent transcystic approach stone removal,Six patients underwent simply basket exploration and removal of stones through the cystic duct(5 patients had no residual stones on postoperative C-tube angiography,1 patient had suspected residual stones,and the patient refused further examination and treatment for no symptom),and 4 patients only underwent biliary drainage through the cystic duct;two patients with retained stone passed after the use of topical nitrate drip infusion via C-tube,seven cases underwent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP),stone removal with the assistance of a C-tube after laparoscopic surgery,and the results were uneventful.The mean surgical time was(131±44)min(76-279 min),the maximum daily drainage volume of the C-tube was(401±235)mL/d(10-1 150 mL/d),the hospital stay was(8.6±3.6)d(2-19 d),and the mean time of C-tube removal was(11±6.9)d(5-46 d).There were 14 overall complications,including 2 residual stones,and 12 C-tube related complications,comprising of 1 gradeⅢ a,2 grade Ⅱ,and 9 grade Ⅰ.There were 9 cases of C-tube related adverse events that did not cause complications,including 3 of early detachment,2 of displacement,and 4 of deep insertion.The median follow-up time after surgery was 21(2-30)months,and 5 patients had recurrent stones.Among them,4 patients had slow contrast outflow during cholangiogram,and 1 patient had obvious pancreaticobiliary reflux.55 patients underwent C-tube amylase measurement,and 9 cases showed a significant increase in bile amylase(349-44 936 U/L),suggesting the presence of pancreaticobiliary reflux.Conclusion:Laparoscopic modified C-tube technique can be effectively used in the treatment of biliary stones,which is relatively safe and can be attempted in the diagnosis of biliary diseases.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and prognosis of acute B lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) children carrying a TCF3: : PBX1 fusion gene and to evaluate the prognostic value of this gene.Methods:Retrospective cohort study.A total of 2 164 B-ALL children aged 0-18 years diagnosed and treated at 19 pediatric centers from October 2016 to June 2022 were enrolled.They were divided into the positive group and the negative group according to whether they carried a TCF3: : PBX1 fusion gene.The clinical characteristics, treatment response, adverse reactions, and prognosis of the 2 groups of patients were analyzed.The rank sum and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare two and more than two groups of numerical variables, respectively.Fisher′s exact test was used to compare categorical variables.Results:Among the 2 164 patients, 116 (5.4%) were TCF3: : PBX1 positive, of which 70 patients were female, accounting for 60.3%.There were 840 female patients in the TCF3: : PBX1-negative group, accounting for 41.0%.There was a significant difference in the ratio of females between the TCF3: : PBX1-positive and TCF3: : PBX1-negative groups ( P<0.001).No significant difference was observed in age of onset between the two groups( P>0.05).The proportion of bone marrow naive cells [54.00 (14.00, 76.50)% vs.29.00 (3.00, 68.00)%], white blood cell counts [25.30 (10.46, 60.94)×10 9/L vs.9.03 (4.38, 30.73)×10 9/L] and hemoglobin counts [82.00(63.00, 101.00) g/L vs.74.00(60.00, 90.00) g/L] in the TCF3: : PBX1-positive group were significantly higher than those in the negative group at the onset (all P<0.05).In terms of treatment response, the proportion of peripheral blood naive cells on Day 8 in the TCF3: : PBX1-positive group was significantly higher than that in the negative group [2.00 (0, 9.00)% vs.0 (0, 2.00)%, P<0.001].The proportion of minimal residual disease <0.1% on Day 15 in the TCF3: : PBX1-positive group was significantly higher than that in the negative group ( P=0.038).There were no significant differences in cumulative recurrence rate, treatment-related mortality (TRM), and overall survival (OS) between the TCF3: : PBX1-positive group and TCF3: : PBX1-negative group (all P>0.05).The cumulative recurrence risk of TCF3: : PBX1-positive patients was 9.646 times higher than that of ETV6: : RUNX1-positive patients with better prognosis( HR=9.646, 95% CI: 1.026-90.700, P=0.047).There were no significant differences in TRM and OS between TCF3: : PBX1-positive and ETV6: : RUNX1-positive patients (all P>0.05).A significant enrichment of PAX5 mutations was detected in TCF3: : PBX1-positive patients.Among the 7 high-risk TCF3: : PBX1-positive patients in a single center, 4 patients had PAX5 mutations, and this proportion was significantly higher than that in other patients ( P<0.001). Conclusions:B-ALL children carrying a TCF3: : PBX1 fusion gene have a high remission rate and good long-term prognosis after intensive chemotherapy.It is suggesting that TCF3: : PBX1-positive B-ALL patients should be rated at intermediate risk to receive intensive chemotherapy.

Objective:To study the results of detection of pulmonary nodules among military flying personnel and analyze the contributors to pulmonary nodules so as to provide data for early prevention and interventions.Methods:The physical examination data of 1 465 military flying personnel was retrospectively analyzed who had received the annual health checkup and undergone chest CT examinations at Lintong Rehabilitation and Recuperation Center. They were grouped by age (<40 years and ≥40 years), flying hour (<1 000 h and ≥1 000 h) and type of personnel [pilots and air support (technical) personnel]. The detection rates of pulmonary nodules among flying personnel were compared across groups, and a multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the contributing factors to pulmonary nodules.Results:Among the 1 465 military flying personnel, 212 cases (14.47%) with pulmonary nodules were detected. A total of 230 pulmonary nodules were detected, including 35 pulmonary nodules (15.22%) in the left upper lung, 42 pulmonary nodules (18.26%) in the left lower lung, 52 pulmonary nodules (22.61%) in the right upper lung, 47 pulmonary nodules (20.43%) in the right middle lung, and 54 pulmonary nodules (23.48%) in the right lower lung. The detection rate of pulmonary nodules among military flying personnel in the ≥1 000 h group was higher than in the <1 000 h group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.14, P=0.042). More pulmonary nodules were detected among military flying personnel who smoked than among those who did not, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=9.34, P=0.002). Age, types of personnel, body mass index, and complications with other lung diseases made no significant difference in the detection rate of pulmonary nodules (all P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking was a risk factor for pulmonary nodules ( OR=1.692, 95% CI: 1.217-2.351). Conclusions:Among military flying personnel, pulmonary nodules are more likely to occur in the right lung. Smoking is an independent risk factor for pulmonary nodules, suggesting that routine chest CT screening should be carried out during the annual physical examinations of military flying personnel in order to exercise early interventions.

Objective:To establish a reference interval for serum iodine of pregnant women with normal thyroid function and to analyze the relationship between serum iodine and thyroid disease risk.Methods:From July 2022 to October 2023, using cross-sectional survey method, pregnant women aged 18 to 48 years old who had lived in iodine-deficient areas in the six provinces of China (Shanxi Province, Fujian Province, Yunnan Province, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Zhejiang Province, and Anhui Province) for more than six months were selected as the survey subjects. Blood samples were collected, serum iodine was tested, and the percentile method was used to establish a reference interval for serum iodine of pregnant women with normal thyroid function. Meanwhile, serum levels of free thyroxine, thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) were tested, and logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between serum iodine and thyroid disease risk.Results:A total of 1 409 pregnant women from 6 provinces were investigated, including 1 087 with normal thyroid function and 322 with abnormal thyroid function. The median serum iodine level of pregnant women with normal thyroid function was 79.74 μg/L, and the preliminary reference interval for serum iodine was 47.57 - 128.96 μg/L. When serum iodine levels were lower (< 47.57 μg/L), pregnant women had a significantly increased risk of developing TgAb positivity, TPOAb positivity, hypothyroxinemia, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune thyroiditis ( OR = 4.44, 2.91, 3.41, 41.67, 23.43, P < 0.05). When serum iodine levels were high (> 128.96 μg/L), pregnant women had a significantly increased risk of developing hyperthyroidism ( OR = 9.91, P = 0.001). Conclusions:The reference interval for serum iodine of pregnant women with normal thyroid function is successfully established. Low serum iodine levels are associated with an increased risk of TgAb positivity, TPOAb positivity, hypothyroxinemia, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune thyroiditis, while high serum iodine levels are associated with an increased risk of hyperthyroidism.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features and prognosis of acute B lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) children carrying a TCF3: : PBX1 fusion gene and to evaluate the prognostic value of this gene.Methods:Retrospective cohort study.A total of 2 164 B-ALL children aged 0-18 years diagnosed and treated at 19 pediatric centers from October 2016 to June 2022 were enrolled.They were divided into the positive group and the negative group according to whether they carried a TCF3: : PBX1 fusion gene.The clinical characteristics, treatment response, adverse reactions, and prognosis of the 2 groups of patients were analyzed.The rank sum and Kruskal-Wallis tests were used to compare two and more than two groups of numerical variables, respectively.Fisher′s exact test was used to compare categorical variables.Results:Among the 2 164 patients, 116 (5.4%) were TCF3: : PBX1 positive, of which 70 patients were female, accounting for 60.3%.There were 840 female patients in the TCF3: : PBX1-negative group, accounting for 41.0%.There was a significant difference in the ratio of females between the TCF3: : PBX1-positive and TCF3: : PBX1-negative groups ( P<0.001).No significant difference was observed in age of onset between the two groups( P>0.05).The proportion of bone marrow naive cells [54.00 (14.00, 76.50)% vs.29.00 (3.00, 68.00)%], white blood cell counts [25.30 (10.46, 60.94)×10 9/L vs.9.03 (4.38, 30.73)×10 9/L] and hemoglobin counts [82.00(63.00, 101.00) g/L vs.74.00(60.00, 90.00) g/L] in the TCF3: : PBX1-positive group were significantly higher than those in the negative group at the onset (all P<0.05).In terms of treatment response, the proportion of peripheral blood naive cells on Day 8 in the TCF3: : PBX1-positive group was significantly higher than that in the negative group [2.00 (0, 9.00)% vs.0 (0, 2.00)%, P<0.001].The proportion of minimal residual disease <0.1% on Day 15 in the TCF3: : PBX1-positive group was significantly higher than that in the negative group ( P=0.038).There were no significant differences in cumulative recurrence rate, treatment-related mortality (TRM), and overall survival (OS) between the TCF3: : PBX1-positive group and TCF3: : PBX1-negative group (all P>0.05).The cumulative recurrence risk of TCF3: : PBX1-positive patients was 9.646 times higher than that of ETV6: : RUNX1-positive patients with better prognosis( HR=9.646, 95% CI: 1.026-90.700, P=0.047).There were no significant differences in TRM and OS between TCF3: : PBX1-positive and ETV6: : RUNX1-positive patients (all P>0.05).A significant enrichment of PAX5 mutations was detected in TCF3: : PBX1-positive patients.Among the 7 high-risk TCF3: : PBX1-positive patients in a single center, 4 patients had PAX5 mutations, and this proportion was significantly higher than that in other patients ( P<0.001). Conclusions:B-ALL children carrying a TCF3: : PBX1 fusion gene have a high remission rate and good long-term prognosis after intensive chemotherapy.It is suggesting that TCF3: : PBX1-positive B-ALL patients should be rated at intermediate risk to receive intensive chemotherapy.

Objective:To study the results of detection of pulmonary nodules among military flying personnel and analyze the contributors to pulmonary nodules so as to provide data for early prevention and interventions.Methods:The physical examination data of 1 465 military flying personnel was retrospectively analyzed who had received the annual health checkup and undergone chest CT examinations at Lintong Rehabilitation and Recuperation Center. They were grouped by age (<40 years and ≥40 years), flying hour (<1 000 h and ≥1 000 h) and type of personnel [pilots and air support (technical) personnel]. The detection rates of pulmonary nodules among flying personnel were compared across groups, and a multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to analyze the contributing factors to pulmonary nodules.Results:Among the 1 465 military flying personnel, 212 cases (14.47%) with pulmonary nodules were detected. A total of 230 pulmonary nodules were detected, including 35 pulmonary nodules (15.22%) in the left upper lung, 42 pulmonary nodules (18.26%) in the left lower lung, 52 pulmonary nodules (22.61%) in the right upper lung, 47 pulmonary nodules (20.43%) in the right middle lung, and 54 pulmonary nodules (23.48%) in the right lower lung. The detection rate of pulmonary nodules among military flying personnel in the ≥1 000 h group was higher than in the <1 000 h group, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.14, P=0.042). More pulmonary nodules were detected among military flying personnel who smoked than among those who did not, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=9.34, P=0.002). Age, types of personnel, body mass index, and complications with other lung diseases made no significant difference in the detection rate of pulmonary nodules (all P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that smoking was a risk factor for pulmonary nodules ( OR=1.692, 95% CI: 1.217-2.351). Conclusions:Among military flying personnel, pulmonary nodules are more likely to occur in the right lung. Smoking is an independent risk factor for pulmonary nodules, suggesting that routine chest CT screening should be carried out during the annual physical examinations of military flying personnel in order to exercise early interventions.

Objective:To investigate the effects of insulin-like growth factor-binding protein 3(IGFBP3),which is carried in exosomes released by cisplatin(DDP)-tolerant human lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD)A549/DDP cells,on differentiation of macrophages and its effect on DDP resistance of A549 cells.Methods:The parental A549 and A549/DDP cells were cultured in vitro,and the IC50 values were calculated after treatment with different concentrations of DDP for 48 h.The supernatants of A549 or A549/DDP cells culture were collected,and the exosomes were isolated using ultracentrifugation and named A-exo or A/D-exo,respectively.THP-1 cells were induced to differentiate into M0-type macrophages with PMA(15 μg/mL),mixed with A549 cells at a ratio of 1∶1,and then inoculated in the axillae of nude mice;on the day of tumor cell inoculation,the tumor cells were injected with PBS,A-exo,and A/D-exo at the inoculation site of the tumor cells,respectively,and at the same time,the treatment was carried out by intraperitoneal injection of DDP 1 time every 4 d.On the 35th day of the tumor loading in mice,the recruitment of human CD11b+CD206+or CD11b+CD86+macrophages in transplanted tumor tissues was detected by flow cytometry(FCM).Antibody microarrays were used to screen for proteins carried by A-exo or A/D-exo and validated by detecting the amount of IGFBP3 protein in A-exo and A/D-exo by ELISA method.A549 or A549/DDP cells were treated with different concentrations of rhIGFBP3,and the effects of rhIGFBP3 on the proliferation or migration ability of the cells were detected by MTS assay and Transwell assay,respectively.M0-type macrophages were treated with rhIGFBP3 for 4 d,and the culture supernatant was collected;the effects of different concentrations of rhIGFBP3 on the production of TGF-β and TNF-α content by M0-type macrophages were detected by ELISA;in addition,A549 cells were treated with rhIGFBP3 or culture supernatant of M0-type macrophages pretreated with rhIGFBP3,and again detected the IC50 value of DDP on A549 cells.Results:The IC50 value of DDP on A549/DDP cells was significantly higher than that of A549 cells(P<0.01);A/D-exo significantly promoted the growth of A549 cells xenograft tumors(P<0.05)and facilitated the recruitment of CD11b+CD206+macrophages into tumor tissues(P<0.05),compared with PBS and A-exo groups.Exosomes A-exo and A/D-exo were successfully obtained;high levels of IGFBP3 were carried in A/D-exo compared with A-exo.The analysis showed that the expression level of IGFBP3 was significantly up-regulated in patients with LUAD,and the overall survival rate of patients with high expression of IGFBP3 was reduced compared with those with low expression of IGFBP3.High concentration of rhIGFBP3(100 ng/mL)had a significant pro-proliferative effect on either A549 or A549/DDP cells(both P<0.05),but there was no statistically significant effect on the migratory ability of A549 or A549/DDP cells.High concentrations of rhIGFBP3(100 ng/mL)induced TGF-β1 production by M0-type macrophages(P<0.05),but not TNF-α production.The IC50 value of DDP on A549 cells was significantly increased(P<0.05)after treatment with culture supernatant of M0-type macrophages pretreated with IGFBP3(but not rhIGFBP3).Conclusion:A549/DDP cells mediate M2-type macrophage differentiation and promote secondary drug resistance in A549 cells by secreting IGFBP3-rich exosomes.