Objective To construct and validate an interpretable machine learning model integrating contrast-enhanced venous phase CT radiomics and clinical features for preoperative prediction of central lymph node metastasis(CLNM)of papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC).Methods A case-control study was conducted on 243 histologically confirmed PTC patients.Among them,196 patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University were randomly allocated into a training set(n=137)and an internal validation set(n=59)at a 7:3 ratio,while the left 47 patients from No.958 Hospital of PLA Army were assigned into an external validation set.All participants completed standardized preoperative contrast-enhanced neck CT scanning.Quantitative radiomic features were systematically extracted from venous phase CT images through an open-source big data AI platform.Six machine learning classifiers,eXtreme Gradient Boosting(XGBoost),Support Vector Machine(SVM),Random Forest(RF),Logistic Regression(LR),k-Nearest Neighbors(KNN),and Decision Tree(DT)were implemented to construct clinical-radiomics integration models.The predictive performance was quantitatively assessed through receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis,with area under the curve(AUC)values calculated for training,internal validation,and external validation sets.Model interpretability was achieved using Shapley additive explanations(SHAP)framework,with particular focus on elucidating feature contributions in the best-performing model.Results The XGBoost model had an AUC value of 0.936(95%CI:0.895～0.976),0.832(95%CI:0.724～0.941),and 0.772(95%CI:0.632～0.912)in training,internal and external validation sets,respectively.SHAP analysis revealed age as the most influential clinical predictor,with younger patients showing higher CLNM risk(OR=0.968,P=0.042).Conclusion Our machine learning-based clinic-radiomic prediction model demonstrates satisfactory performance in predicting CLNM of PTC,providing valuable references for clinical decision-making.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of a nomogram for central lymph node metastasis(CLNM)in patients with papillary thyroid microcarcinoma(PTMC)based on CT features combined with clinical factors.Methods A case-control study was conducted on 256 pathologically confirmed PTMC patients from 2 tertiary hospitals from January 2022 to November 2024.All participants underwent contrast-enhanced neck CT scanning within 2 weeks before surgery and received central lymph node dissection.The 201 patients from the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University were randomized into a training set(n=140)and an internal validation set(n=61)in a 7∶3 ratio.The 55 patients from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University were all assigned into an external validation set.Their clinical data and CT features were collected.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were employed to identify independent predictive factors for CLNM,and then a nomogram model was constructed.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis(area under the curve,AUC),calibration curve,and decision curve analysis(DCA)were performed to evaluate the model performance,discrimination and clinical utility.Results Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified 4 independent CLNM predictors(P<0.05),that is,male(OR=5.991,95%CI:2.209～18.350),tumor size≥0.82 cm(OR=18.880,95%CI:1.803～229.500),capsular involvement(OR=9.805,95%CI:4.015～26.340),and CT-diagnosed lymph node positivity(OR=2.872;95%CI:1.176～7.232).The nomogram achieved an AUC value of 0.859(95%CI:0.796～0.922),0.786(95%CI:0.671～0.901),and 0.783(95%CI:0.648～0.917)in the training and internal and external validation sets,respectively.Calibration curves demonstrated high consistency between predicted and observed probabilities(Hosmer-Lemeshow P>0.05).DCA confirmed net clinical benefits for CLNM before surgical treatment with a threshold probability range of 0.18～0.80.Conclusion Based on sex,tumor size,capsular involvement,and CT-diagnosed lymph node metastasis,our nomogram model effectively predicts CLNM risk in PTMC patients.It can be used as a quantitative tool for personalized surgical planning and shows high clinical applicability.

Objective:To reveal the effect of β-sitosterol on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury (CIRI) in rats and whether its mechanism is related to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS).Methods:Fifty-three CIRI rats (CIRI models established by modified Longa method) were randomly divided into model group ( n=14), β-sitosterol low-dose group ( n=13), β-sitosterol medium-dose group ( n=13) and β-sitosterol high-dose group ( n=13); 12 rats underwent the same operation without blocking the middle cerebral artery were selected as sham-operated group. Rats in the sham-operated group and model group were given intragastric administration of 1 mL 5 g/L sodium carboxymethyl cellulose daily. Rats in the β-sitosterol low-dose group, β-sitosterol medium-dose group and β-sitosterol high-dose group were given intragastric administration of 1 mL β-sitosterol at 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg/d (dissolved in 5 g/L sodium carboxymethyl cellulose), respectively, for 14 consecutive d. Neurological function was evaluated according to Zea Longa 5 method. Rats were sacrificed and brain tissues were collected. Volume of cerebral infarction was measured by 2,3,5-triphenyl tetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining. Brain injury and neuronal apoptosis were evaluated by HE staining, Nissl staining and TUNEL. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) contents were detected by water-soluble tetrazolium 1 (WST-1) method, colorimetric method or thiobarbituric acid (TBA) method, respectively. The mRNA and protein expression levels of protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), inositol-requiring enzyme-1 (IRE-1), activated transcription factor-6 (ATF-6), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP) and Caspase-12 in the brain tissues were detected by qRT-PCR or Western blotting. Results:Compared with the sham-operated group, the model group had significantly increased neurological function score, cerebral infarction volume and TUNEL positive rate, decreased SOD and GSH-Px content, increased MDA content, and increased mRNA and protein expressions of PERK, IRE-1, ATF-6, GRP78, CHOP and Caspase-12 ( P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the β-sitosterol low-dose group, β-sitosterol medium-dose group and β-sitosterol high-dose group had significantly decreased neurological function score, cerebral infarction volume, and TUNEL positive rate, increased SOD and GSH-Px content, and decreased MDA content ( P<0.05); the β-sitosterol low-dose group, β-sitosterol medium-dose group and β-sitosterol high-dose group had significantly decreased mRNA and protein PERK expressions (mRNA: 2.17±0.17, 1.79±0.07 and 1.33±0.07; protein: 5.11±0.52, 2.91±0.26 and 1.98±0.17), IRE-1 expressions (mRNA: 1.75±0.18, 1.65±0.08 and 1.32±0.08; protein: 5.00±0.31, 4.05±0.27 and 1.98±0.14), ATF-6 expressions (mRNA: 2.24±0.12, 1.77±0.14 and 1.37±0.13; protein: 4.93±0.45, 4.04±0.30 and 3.10±0.20), GRP78 expressions (mRNA: 2.67±0.16, 2.11±0.16 and 1.69±0.11; protein: 5.02±0.38, 2.97±0.26 and 2.05±0.22), CHOP expressions (mRNA: 2.01±0.16, 1.70±0.19 and 1.40±0.10; protein: 4.92±0.39, 4.02±0.27 and 3.08±0.22) and Caspase-12 expressions (mRNA: 1.85±0.09, 1.61±0.09 and 1.30±0.09; protein: 3.03±0.20, 2.19±0.11 and 1.82±0.11) compared with the model group (mRNA: 2.99±0.28, 2.27±0.12, 2.57±0.21, 3.46±0.20, 2.50±0.23 and 2.35±0.16; protein: 6.98±0.48, 6.03±0.58, 5.98±0.63, 7.10±0.45, 6.00±0.53 and 5.02±0.43, P<0.05). Conclusion:β-sitosterol attenuates CIRI in rats, whose mechanism may be related to inhibition of ERS signal pathway.

Abstract: To investigate the status and influencing factors of tooth loss among the elderly population in China, so as to provide insights into early prevention of tooth loss. Methods: Based on the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey (CLHLS), data of the elderly people aged 65 years and older who participated in the survey in 2018 were collected, including demographic information, lifestyle, dietary habits, medical history, number of teeth remaining and self-assessment indicators. The status of tooth loss among the elderly were described based on the standard of 28 teeth, and factors affecting tooth loss were analyzed using a multivariable ordinal logistic regression model. Results: A total of 5 260 people was recruited, including 3 346 males (63.61%) and 1 914 females (36.39%). The median age was 78.00 (interquartile range, 18.00) years. The median number of teeth remaining was 12.00 (interquartile range, 23.00), and the median number of missing teeth was 16.00 (interquartile range, 23.00). Multivariable ordinal logistic regression analysis showed that the elderly who were female (OR=1.270, 95%CI: 1.098-1.470), had advanced age (OR=1.090, 95%CI: 1.083-1.098), lived in rural areas (OR=1.369, 95%CI: 1.165-1.610) and urban areas (OR=1.208, 95%CI: 1.027-1.422), smoked (past, OR=1.471, 95%CI: 1.240-1.746; always, OR=1.545, 95%CI: 1.300-1.838) and brushed teeth less than once a day (OR=1.791, 95%CI: 1.488-2.160) had more missing teeth; while the elderly who had high levels of education (junior high school, OR=0.819, 95%CI: 0.681-0.972; high school, OR=0.626, 95%CI: 0.507-0.771; college and above, OR=0.468, 95%CI: 0.334-0.657), kept physical exercise (OR=0.840, 95%CI: 0.736-0.958) and were overweight/obese (OR=0.868, 95%CI: 0.769-0.980) had less missing teeth. Conclusion Gender, age, residence, educational level, smoking, physical exercise, teeth brushing frequency and overweight/obese are the influencing factors for tooth loss among the elderly in China.

In China， the incidence of ischemic heart disease （IHD） is increasing year by year， which brings enormous burden to families and society. It is urgent to find preferable treatment methods and medical therapies. The Chinese ethnic minority medicine has gradually developed unique theoretical systems and therapeutic characteristics on the basis of clinical experience and thinking modes including image-number thinking and the holistic perspective. Consequently， it possesses huge application capacity and research value in prevention and treatment of IHD. Belonging to the medical system based on the view of nature and life， the Tibetan medicine， Mongolian medicine， and Dai medicine have respectively formed theories like "three elements" "three life-sustaining energies" "four elements and five skandhas （aggregates）" ， have put forward unique understandings of IHD and have formed corresponding therapeutic principles and methods， generating plentiful classic prescriptions represented by Sanwei Tanxiang powder， Bawei Chenxiang powder， Roukou Wuwei pills and Yajiao Hadun powder. They also contain characteristic ethnic medicine resources such as Choerospondiatis Fructus， Rhodiola Rosea and Draconis Sanguis. Aiming to provide enlightenment and reference for the clinical application and development of the Chinese ethnic minority medicine for the prevention and treatment of IHD， the authors try to summarize the related researches represented by Tibetan and Mongolian medicines， and then discuss the opportunities and challenges faced by such researches.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) is a commonly seen chronic lung disease in preterm infants.Although its etiology and pathophysiology have not been fully elucidated, it was thought to cause bronchoalveolar arrest.Autophagy is a certain programmed cell death process, which can achieve the renewal of organelles and metabolic needs.It is reported that autophagy is involved in all stages of lung development during the fetal period.The imbalance of autophagy plays an important role in the process of BPD.Furthermore, the appropriate regulation of autophagy could effectively improve lung injury.Now, the recent advancements of the role of autophagy in BPD is summarized in this review.

OBJECTIVE：To investi gate the role of clinical pharmacists in the treatment of delayed excretion of acute renal failure （ARF） with epileptic seizure caused by HD-MTX in a patient ，and to provide reference for rational drug use and pharmaceutical care in such type of patients. METHODS ：A patient with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma was given HD-MTX for chemotherapy，and ARF caused by delayed methotrexate excretion occurred on the second day after methotrexate administration. Clinical physicians adjusted the rescue dose and frequency of calcium folinate but the effect was poor. Clinical pharmacists analyzed the causes of delayed methotrexate excretion by reviewing literature and combining with the patient ’s condition. It was suggested to monitor the blood concentration of methotrexate ，strengthen alkalization and hydration ，increase the volume of intravenous sodium bicarbonate from 125 mL to 250 mL，take Sodium bicarbonate tablets orally ，and monitor the pH value of urine （pH value of urine maintained above 7）. In addition ，the pharmacist told the patient to drink water as much as possible to ensure the daily urine output reached 3 000 to 4 000 mL. The blood concentration of methotrexate was 16.14 μmol/L 44 h after administration ，which proved to be excretion delay. The patient had epileptic seizure on the 13th day after methotrexate medication. The physician gave sodium valproate 0.8 g intravenously to control epilepsy. The clinical pharmacist conducted pharmaceutical care for the patient ，and found that the compliance of the patient taking Sodium bicarbonate tablets and Sodium valproate tablets orally was not good ，so medication education and pharmaceutical care were conducted ，then the patient accepted and took the drugs on time. RESULTS ： The physician adopted the suggestions of the pharmacist to monitor the blood concentration of methotrexate and performed symptomatic treatment. The urine volume of the patient increased ，the edema was reduced ，serum creatinine gradually returned to normal，and renal function recovered gradually ；the symptoms of epilepsy was controlled. CONCLUSIONS ：In the treatment process of ARF complicated with epileptic seizure caused by excretion delay of HD-MTX ，the clinical pharmacist assisted physician to improve the treatment plan and conducted pharmaceutical care and medication education for the patient ，therefore ensure the safe and rational use of drugs .

Objective:To investigate the clinical features and prognosis of patients with pancreatic metastasis from clear cell renal cell carcinoma(CCRCC).Methods:From Jan 2000 to May 2020, the clinical data of patients pathologically diagnosed as CCRCC with pancreatic metastasis and admitted in Cancer Institute and Hospital of Tianjin Medical University were analyzed retrospectively. The gender, age, metastasis time, relapse time, metastatic sites, numbers of metastatic lesions and whether metastatic pancreatic lesions should be surgerically removed were recorded and the influencing factors were analyzed.Results:Among the 20 patients, there were 12 males and 8 females. The median age of diagnosis was 50 years. There were 12 patients(60%) of left renal carcinoma and 8 patients(40%)of the other side. 12 cases(60%) had single pancreatic metastatic lesion and the other 8 cases(40%) had multiple metastatic lesions. Seven patients(35%) had other organs metastasis besides pancreatic metastasis. Two patients(10%) had simultaneous pancreatic metastasis and renal cancer, and the other eighteen patients(90%) had pancreatic metachronous metastasis after being diagnosed as renal cancer. The median time from the diagnosis of CCRCC to pancreatic metastasis was 102 months. Thirteen patients(65%)had recurrences within 10 years and the other seven patients(35%)had recurrences after 10 years. Pancreatectomy was performed in nine patients(45%) and targeted therapy was conducted in thirteen patients. The mean follow-up was 122.9 months (1-256 months). Three patients (15%) died and 17 patients (85%) survived. The median overall survival was 75.9 months, and the 5 year-survival rate was 66.7%. Simultaneous metastasis and extra-pancreatic metastasis were prognostic factors in patients with CCRCC with pancreatic metastasis.Conclusions:Pancreatic metastases from renal clear cell carcinoma were rare, but the prognosis was good, especially in patients with only pancreatic metastases several years after renal carcinoma was diagnosed.

Objective:To investigate the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma of renal pelvis.Methods:The clinic data of 28 cases with squamous cell carcinoma of renal pelvis confirmed by pathologic examination treated during June 2007 and September 2019 was retrospectively analyzed. There were 19 male and 9 female patients, with a median age of 56 years. Hematuria was present in 18 cases, flank pain was present in 11 cases, and abdominal mass was present in 1 case. All 28 cases accepted CT or MRI examination. Renal pelvis or renal tumors were found in 26 cases, and severe hydronephrosis was observed in 2 cases. 2 cases underwent PET/CT, and bone metastasis was found in 1 case. Preoperative diagnoses were renal pelvic tumor in 13 cases, renal tumor in 13 cases and renal abscess in 2 cases. Coexisting renal calculi or renal pelvic calculus was detected in 19 cases. All 28 cases underwent surgical excision, including radical nephroureterectomy in 13 cases, radical nephrectomy in 12 cases, palliative resection in 1 case, and pyonephrenectomy in 2 cases. Enlarged lymph nodes were found in 9 cases during the surgery, and local lymph node dissection was performed in these cases.Results:The mean diameter of the tumors was 8.5 cm. Histopathological examination revealed that 9 cases were well differentiated, 11 cases were moderately differentiated, and 8 case was poorly differentiated. 1 case had pT 2 stage, 15 cases had pT 3 stage and 12 cases had pT 4 stage. 9 cases had lymph node metastasis. 5 cases had renal vein thrombosis. Immunohistochemistry staining exhibited consistent characteristics including CK5(+ ), 34βE12(+ ), p63(+ ), CK20(-) and GATA3(-). Postoperatively, 12 cases received adjuvant therapy including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and/or immunotherapy. Within a median follow-up of 6.0 months (ranging 1-80 months), median overall survival was 10.0 months. 15 cases died of tumor progression. Conclusion:Squamous cell carcinoma is a rare and highly aggressive neoplasm, typically associated with long-lasting renal calculi, hydronephrosis and chronic inflammation. The diagnosis should be established on pathologic examination.CK5, 34βE12 and p63 positivity contribute to the diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma. Surgery is the foremost choice of treatment, but the risk of recurrence and metastasis is high. The prognosis is extremely poor as the majority of patients are diagnosed with advanced stages.

Objective:To study the pathological characteristics, diagnosis and treatment of primary adenocarcinoma of renal pelvis and ureter.Methods:The clinical pathological characteristics, treatment and prognosis of 5 patients with adenocarcinoma of upper urinary tract treated between January 2007 and May 2019 was retrospectively reviewed. There were 4 male and 1 female patients, with a median age of 60 years. The major symptoms were hematuria in 5 cases and low back pain in 4 cases. All cases underwent B-ultrasound and CT examination, and 4 cases accepted cystoscopy. Preoperative diagnoses were ureter tumor in 2 cases, renal pelvis tumor in 1 case, renal tumor in 1 case and renal calculus in 1 case.Results:5 cases were treated with surgery. Radical nephroureterectomy was performed in 3 cases, and nephrectomy in one case. 1 case underwent first-stage percutaneous nephrolithotomy and second-stage radical nephroureterectomy due to the discovery of tumor. 1 case was treated with radiotherapy and immune checkpoint inhibitor postoperatively. The mean diameter of the tumors was 4.4 cm. There were 3 renal pelvis adenocarcinomas and 2 ureter adenocarcinomas confirmed by pathologic examination, including 3 cases of pT 3 stage and 1 case of pT 4 stage. Lymph node metastasis was found in 2 cases. Immunohistochemistry revealed that CDX2(+ ), p63(-), GATA3(-), β-catenin(-)were the common features of five cases. The median survival was 12 months with a median follow-up of 6 months. 2 cases died of tumor progression within 1 year. Conclusions:Adenocarcinoma is an extremely rare malignancy, typically associated with long-standing calculi and chronic inflammation. Given the fact that clinical and imaging findings are nonspecific, the diagnosis is based on pathologic examination, supported by glandular structure of histology. Immunohistochemical staining exhibited CDX2 and CK20 positivity and β-catenin negativity, moreover, GATA3, p63 and CK7 was usually negative or partially positive. Surgery is the foremost choice of treatment. The prognosis is correlated with subtypes, whereas the overall prognosis is poor due to high rates of recurrence and metastasis.