Purpose: This Phase II trial was objected to evaluate the efficacy and safety of adding fulvestrant to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with estrogen receptor (ER)+/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)– locally advanced breast cancer (LABC). Additionally, the study aimed to investigate the association of 16α-18F-fluoro-17β-fluoroestradiol (18F-FES) positron emission tomography (PET)–computed tomography (CT) and metabolites with efficacy. Materials and Methods: Fulvestrant and EC-T regimen were given to ER+/HER2– LABC patients before surgery. At baseline, patients received 18F-FES PET-CT scan, and plasma samples were taken for liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included total pathologic complete response (tpCR) and safety. Results: Among the 36 patients enrolled, the ORR was 86.1%, the tpCR rate was 8.3%. The incidence of grade ≥ 3 treatment-emergent adverse events was 22%. The decrease in ER value in sensitive patients was larger than that in non-sensitive patients, as was Ki-67 (p < 0.05). The maximum standardized uptake value, mean standardized uptake values, total lesion ER expression of 18F-FES PET-CT in sensitive patients were significantly higher than those in non-sensitive patients (p < 0.05). Moreover, these parameters were significantly correlated with Miller and Payne grade and the change in ER expression before and after treatment (p < 0.05). Thirteen differential expressed metabolites were identified, which were markedly enriched in 19 metabolic pathways. Conclusion This regimen demonstrated acceptable toxicity and encouraging antitumor efficacy. 18F-FES PET-CT might serve as a tool to predict the effectiveness of this therapy. Altered metabolites or metabolic pathways might be associated with treatment response.

Radon, the only naturally occurring radioactive noble gas, is among the most common radioactive nuclides to which humans are exposed. Radon can induce various biological effects in the human body and is a risk factor for lung cancer. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable, tissue-specific, and abundantly expressed in body fluids. circRNAs can regulate gene expression and play an important role in the development of cancer. In this paper, we summarized the changes in the expression and function of circRNAs, highlighting the potential mechanisms of circRNAs in radon exposure-induced cancers. Our results provided theoretical support for the use of circRNAs as a biomarker of radon exposure-induced radiation damage, and offer a theoretical basis for the early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of radon exposure-induced diseases.

Objective:To analyze the efficacy and safety of a modified cystic wall peeling method combined with Zhang′s tension-reduced suture in the treatment of sebaceous cysts.Methods:Twenty-eight patients with sebaceous cysts, 22 males and 6 females, aged 18-44 (27.3±5.7) years, who were treated with modified cystic wall peeling combined with Zhang′s tension-reduced suture at the 940 Hospital of the Joint Logistic Support Force from July 2022 to October 2023 were prospectively included. A simple cyst peeler was self-made using a sterile tear duct probe with a diameter of 0.5 mm and a length of 7.3 cm. The skin was incised directly when the cyst protruded <5 mm from the skin surface; a shuttle incision was used to remove excess skin when the cyst protruded ≥5 mm from the skin surface. After incision of the skin, the cavity between the cyst wall and the surrounding normal tissue at the incision site was peeled off with ophthalmic scissors, and the cyst peeler was inserted into the cavity up to the bottom of the cyst and rotated along the cystic wall for 1 week to achieve complete blunt peeling within the cyst from the surrounding normal tissue. After the peeling was completed, the sebaceous cyst was squeezed by hand to discharge the cystic wall and its contents; if it could not be discharged, the cyst contents were released first and then squeezed. Absorbable sutures were used to close the residual cavity with Zhang′s tension-reduced suture, and then the incision was closed intermittently with non-absorbable sutures, and the surgical site was bandaged with pressure. Postoperative follow-up was performed for 1 year by telephone or WeChat to assess the overall postoperative effective rate, overall satisfactory rate, modified sebaceous cyst score and incidence of incisional scarring hyperplasia, and to record the occurrence of adverse reactions.Results:The preoperative modified sebaceous cyst score of 28 patients was (5.39±1.34) scores, which decreased to (0.25±0.59) scores one year after surgery, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001). The overall postoperative effective rate was 100% (28/28), and the overall satisfactory rate was 96.4% (27/28), and all patients had no scarring hyperplasia. One patient had localized epidermal necrosis at the skin edge of the chest incision, one patient had erythema and scattered ecchymosis in the surgical area of the buttocks, and one patient had pain at the surgical site of the left upper extremity, which were cured after symptomatic treatment. Conclusion:Modified cystic wall peeling combined with Zhang′s tension-reduced suture is effective in the treatment of sebaceous cysts, and the incidence of adverse effects is low.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of 3D digital holographic imaging combined with intraoperative navigation technology in the context of partial nephrectomy.Methods A total of 46 patients who underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in the Department of Urology at the Second People's Hospital of Hefei City between June 2023 and January 2025 were randomly assigned to either the experimental group or the control group.The experimental group(n=23)utilized preoperative planning and intraoperative real-time navigation based on 3D digital holographic imaging,whereas the control group(n=23)relied on preoperative planning using optimized two-dimensional images obtained via contrast-enhanced CT and MRI scans.Preoperative data—including gender,age,body mass index(BMI),tumor diameter,and RENAL score—were collected.Intra-operative parameters such as total operative time,warm ischemia time,intraoperative blood loss,hemoglobin levels,postoperative hospitalization duration,and time to drain removal were recorded.Renal function changes were assessed by comparing serum creatinine levels and estimated glomerular filtration rates(eGFR)before surgery and one month post-surgery.Additionally,the incidence of intraoperative complications—particularly injury to the renal collecting system—and postoperative complications—including positive surgical margins,bleeding,subcutaneous emphysema,and urinary fistula—was analyzed.Results In this study,holographic images were successfully reconstructed for 23 patients with renal tumors in the experimental group.Each anatomical structure—including the kidney and tumor lesions,collecting system,renal arteries and veins,adrenal glands,and inferior vena cava—was color-coded to enable intuitive visualization.These images were used for preoperative planning and provided real-time spatial orientation to accurately locate and guide resection of the tumor during surgery.In the control group,23 patients underwent preoperative planning based on contrast-enhanced CT and MRI scans acquired using optimized parameters.All 46 patients underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy performed by the same qualified surgeon,and postoperative pathological analysis confirmed renal tumors,including 27 cases of clear cell carcinoma,7 cases of chromophobe cell carcinoma,5 cases of papillary cell carcinoma,2 cases of sarcomatoid carcinoma,and 5 cases of angiomyolipoma.No significant differences were observed in baseline clinical characteristics(including age,body mass index,tumor diameter,and RENAL score)between the two groups(P＞0.05).The experimental group showed significantly lower values in total operative time,warm ischemia time,intraoperative blood loss,pre-to postoperative hemoglobin changes,and pre-surgical to one-month post-surgical creatinine changes compared to the control group(P＜0.01).Additionally,the experimental group exhibited smaller changes in hospitalization duration,time to drain removal,and glomerular filtration rate from preoperative to one month post-surgery;however,these differences were not statistically significant(P=0.175,P=0.331,and P=0.273).There were no intraop-erative complications or damage to the collecting system in either the experimental or control groups.Postopera-tively,the control group experienced one case of positive surgical margin,one case of hemorrhage,and one case of subcutaneous emphysema.No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups(P＞0.05).Conclusions 3D digital holographic imaging combined with intraoperative navigation technology,based on the fusion of MRI and CT data,facilitates preoperative planning and precise intraoperative guidance.This approach helps reduce operative time,preserve renal function,and lower perioperative risks while ensuring therapeutic efficacy.

Objective:To compare the clinical efficacy of endoscopic posterior transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-PTLIF) and minimally invasive transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (MIS-TLIF) in the treatment of single-segment lumbar degenerative diseases.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 56 patients with single-segment lumbar degenerative diseases treated at Xiuzhou District People's Hospital between September 2020 and March 2023. Patients were divided into two groups based on the surgical approach: the Endo-PTLIF group (24 cases, 11 males and 13 females; mean age: 56.5±8.4 years, range: 43-72 years) and the MIS-TLIF group (32 cases, 10 males and 22 females; mean age: 54.5±10.4 years, range: 37-73 years). Perioperative parameters, visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI), lumbar lordosis (LL), disc height (DH), and dural sac cross-sectional area (DSCA) were compared between the two groups.Results:No significant differences were observed between the two groups in baseline characteristics, preoperative VAS, ODI, LL, DH, or DSCA ( P>0.05). However, the operative time in the Endo-PTLIF group (173.9±12.3 minutes) was significantly longer than in the MIS-TLIF group (136.5±19.5 minutes, P<0.05). Similarly, the Endo-PTLIF group required more fluoroscopy exposures (15.9±1.8) than the MIS-TLIF group (13.0±1.6, P<0.05). In contrast, intraoperative blood loss in the Endo-PTLIF group (68.9± 12.9 ml) was significantly lower than in the MIS-TLIF group (126.7±35.4 ml, P<0.05). Additionally, the Endo-PTLIF group had a shorter hospital stay [7.00 (6.25, 7.75) days] compared to the MIS-TLIF group [10.00 (9.25, 11.00) days, P<0.05]. At one week and one month postoperatively, the Endo-PTLIF group had significantly lower back pain VAS scores [2.00 (2.00, 3.00) and 2.00 (2.00, 2.00), respectively] and a lower ODI (25.83%±3.83%) compared to the MIS-TLIF group [3.00 (2.25, 4.00), 2.50 (2.00, 3.00), and 30.09%±4.02%, respectively; P<0.05]. Beyond one month postoperatively, there were no significant differences in leg pain VAS scores between the groups, and back pain VAS and ODI showed no significant differences after six months ( P>0.05). At the final follow-up, the excellent and good rates, according to MacNab criteria, were 95.8% in the Endo-PTLIF group and 93.8% in the MIS-TLIF group, with no significant difference ( P>0.05). At 12 months postoperatively, both groups showed significant improvements in LL, DH, and DSCA compared to preoperative values ( P<0.05), but there were no significant differences between the two groups ( P>0.05). The fusion rates were 96% in the Endo-PTLIF group and 94% in the MIS-TLIF group, with no significant difference ( P>0.05). Complications included one case of dural tear in the Endo-PTLIF group, and one case of dural tear and one case of incision infection in the MIS-TLIF group. Conclusion:Endo-PTLIF achieves comparable clinical efficacy to MIS-TLIF in the treatment of single-segment lumbar degenerative diseases, with the added advantages of reduced intraoperative blood loss and faster postoperative recovery.

Calciphylaxis, also known as calcific uremic arteriopathy (CUA), is a rare arteriosclerosis disease characterized by skin ischemia and necrosis with severe pain, which occurs in end-stage renal disease patients. The efficacy of sodium thiosulfate (STS) in CUA has been widely verified and affirmed. However, there is no unified standard for the use of STS at home and abroad.This article introduced a case of severe CUA patient who had achieved good results under different STS usage treatments, and summarized the different STS usage treatments for CUA combined with literature.

This paper reported a case of severe lupus nephritis in an adolescent with progressive hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, and multiple organs involvement, in which renal damage was characterized by sustained elevation of serum creatinine and oliguria. Accurate diagnosis of lupus nephritis complicated with thrombotic microangiopathy was achieved through genetic testing and molecular technology. The use of double filtration plasmapheresis, blocking B-cell targets and complement activation targets, and supplementing frozen plasma provided more accurate, safe and effective treatment options for patients, which significantly improved prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the effect of circular RNAs (circRNAs) expressions in peripheral blood of residents around radon hot springs.Methods:Totally 51 residents around radon hot springs were selected as the radon hot sping group, and another 51 residents around non-radon hot springs were selected as the control group. Questionnaires were used to collect demographic information and the radon exposure levels in the two groups. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the relative expressions of selected circRNA candidates in peripheral blood of the two groups. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the differences in the relative expressions of the circRNAs between the two groups. Results:The cumulative doses of radon exposure per capita for residents around radon hot springs was (111.47±99.03) mSv, with dose range 3.32-458.68 mSv. The difference in the relative expressions of hsa_circ_0040573 between the two groups was statistically significant ( Z=-2.88, P<0.05). The expression of hsa_circ_0040573 was suppressed by radon exposure ( t=-2.52, P<0.05) with a dose-dependent manner ( H=12.21, P<0.05). Conclusion:Hsa_circ_0040573 has a potential to serve as a radiological response biomarker for radon exposure, contributing to early diagnosis and monitoring of health risks associated with radon exposure.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features, treatment strategies and prognosis of adult thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP) patients and improve the clinicians' understanding of TTP.Methods:It was a case series analysis study. The clinical data of TTP patients admitted to ZhongDa Hospital affiliated to Southeast University from August 2013 to November 2024 were retrospectively collected. The clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, treatment methods and prognosis of TTP patients were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier method and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model were utilized to assess the association between rituximab treatment and survival outcomes.Results:The study included 24 TTP patients, with age of (58.38±15.03) years (21 to 87 years), 14 females (58.33%) and 10 males (41.67%). The first symptoms were often neurological abnormalities (lethargy, coma, sudden glossolalia or unconsciousness (10 patients, 41.67%). Five patients (20.83%) had the quinary syndrome, including fever, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia, renal insufficiency and neurological symptoms, and 13 patients (54.17%) had the triad syndrome, including neurological syndromes, microangiopathic hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. Twenty-three patients (95.83%) had anemia. Twenty patients (83.33%) presented with neurological abnormalities, among which 10 patients died of neurological events. Renal insufficiency occurred in 14 patients (58.33%). Nine patients (37.50%) presented with large areas of skin ecchymosis. Except for 1 patient complicating with lung adenocarcinoma and 1 patients complicating with bone metastasis tumor, the other patients had no active tumors. All 24 patients had PLASMIC scores ≥ 4 points, of which 11 patients (45.83%) had PLASMIC scores ≥ 6 points. Fourteen patients (58.33%) received the treatment for plasma exchange, and 7 patients (29.17%) did not undergo plasma exchange and received component transfusion and glucocorticoids therapy with poor prognosis due to rapid disease progression, old age or severe disease. Furthermore, 3 patients (12.50%) were only treated with component transfusion and glucocorticoids therapy for economic reasons, and died shortly after hospital discharge. Eight patients received plasma exchange, glucocorticoids combined with rituximab, of which one died, four survived, and three were lost to follow-up. Finally, fifteen patients (62.50%) died, 4 patients survived, and 5 patients were lost to follow-up (still alive before hospital discharge). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis demonstrated that mortality in the rituximab group was significantly lower than that in the non-rituximab group (Log-rank test, χ2=13.185, P<0.001). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analysis further confirmed that no receiving rituximab was an independent correlated factor of death ( HR=10.453, 95% CI 1.309-83.436, P=0.027). Conclusions:TTP usually starts with neurological symptoms, and can affect multiple systems. The patients with neurological abnormalities have a poor prognosis. The patients with TTP have a rapid disease progression and a high mortality rate. Rapid identification and timely treatment are crucial for improving the prognosis of TTP. Combining rituximab based on plasma exchange and glucocorticoids may reduce mortality of TTP patients.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility and value of nomogram based on base line clinical and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) characteristics for pretreatment predicting the depth of myometrial invasion and tumor grade of endometrioid endometrial carcinoma (EEC).Methods:Preoperative baseline clinical characteristics and DCE-MRI characteristics of 194 EEC patients were prospectively collected at Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Fudan University from October 2020 to January 2022 and used as a training set. Univariate analysis was conducted to compare baseline clinical characteristics and DCE-MRI quantitative parameters [including tumor volume, and mean, median, and standard deviation of volume transfer constant (K trans), rate constant (K ep), extravascular extracellular volume fraction (V e), and initial area under the enhancement curve (iAUC)] between patients with deep myometrial invasion (DMI) and those with superficial myometrial invasion (SMI), as well as between high-grade and low-grade EEC. Multivariate logistics regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors for the construction of nomogram. An independent external testing set comprising 127 EEC patients was retrospectively collected from Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University and Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University (Xiamen Branch). The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used for evaluating the model′s predictive performance and clinical net benefit, respectively. Results:(1) The depth of myometrial invasion: univariate analysis showed that in the training set, the EEC patients with DMI differed significantly from those with SMI in clinical characteristics including higher proportion of postmenopausal state and overweight [body mass index (BMI)≥25 kg/m2], and abnormal levels of serum cancer antigen (CA) 125, CA 199, and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4), and in DCE-MRI quantitative parameters including tumor volume, and median, mean, and standard deviation of K trans, median of V e, as well as median, mean, and standard deviation of iAUC (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the patient′s menstrual status, BMI, CA 199, tumor volume, and mean of iAUC were independent predictors of the depth of myometrial invasion, and constructed the nomogram (recorded as Nomogram_1), achieving an AUC of 0.861 (95% CI: 0.803-0.919) in the training set. In the independent external testing set, the AUC was 0.876 (95% CI: 0.815-0.938), with corresponding sensitivity of 82.0%, specificity of 80.7%, accuracy of 81.1%, positive predictive value (PPV) of 65.3%, and negative predictive value (NPV) of 91.0% for predicting DMI. (2) The EEC grade: univariate analysis showed that in the training set, high-grade EEC patients differed significantly from low-grade EEC in clinical characteristics including patient′s age, the proportion of postmenopausal state and overweight, and abnormal levels of serum CA 125, and in DCE-MRI quantitative parameters including tumor volume, median, mean, and standard deviation of K trans, median and mean of V e, as well as median, mean, and standard deviation of iAUC (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis showed that the patient′s menstrual status, BMI, tumor volume, and median of V e emerged as independent predictors of EEC grade, and constructed the nomogram (recorded as Nomogram_2), achieving an AUC of 0.845 (95% CI: 0.786-0.893) in the training set. While in the external testing set, the AUC was 0.819 (95% CI: 0.744-0.894), with corresponding sensitivity of 72.4%, specificity of 72.4%, accuracy of 72.4%, PPV of 43.8%, and NPV of 89.9% for predicting high-grade EEC. (3) The DCA curves demonstrated that both Nomogram_1 and Nomogram_2 yielded obvious positive clinical net benefits across a wide range of threshold probabilities. Conclusion:The nomogram based on pretreatment clinical and DCE-MRI characteristics has the potential to noninvasive predict the depth of myometrial invasion and grade of EEC, providing valuable reference information for clinical management decision-making.