Objective To explore the impact of number of positive regional lymph nodes (nPRLN) in N1 stage on the prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Methods Patients with TxN1M0 stage NSCLC who underwent lobectomy and mediastinal lymph node dissection from 2010 to 2015 were screened from SEER database (17 Regs, 2022nov sub). The optimal cutoff value of nPRLN was determined using X-tile software, and patients were divided into 2 groups according to the cutoff value: a nPRLN≤optimal cutoff group and a nPRLN>optimal cutoff group. The influence of confounding factors was minimized by propensity score matching (PSM) at a ratio of 1 : 1. Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox proportional hazards models were used to evaluate overall survival (OS) and lung cancer-specific survival (LCSS) of patients. Results A total of 1316 patients with TxN1M0 stage NSCLC were included, including 662 males and 654 females, with a median age of 67 (60, 73) years. The optimal cutoff value of nPRLN was 3, with 1165 patients in the nPRLN≤3 group and 151 patients in the nPRLN>3 group. After PSM, there were 138 patients in each group. Regardless of before or after PSM, OS and LCSS of patients in the nPRLN≤3 group were superior to those in the nPRLN>3 group (P<0.001). N1 stage nPRLN>3 was an independent prognostic risk factor for OS [HR=1.52, 95%CI (1.22, 1.89), P<0.001] and LCSS [HR=1.72, 95%CI (1.36, 2.18), P<0.001]. Conclusion N1 stage nPRLN>3 is an independent prognostic risk factor for NSCLC patients in TxN1M0 stage, which may provide new evidence for future revision of TNM staging N1 stage subclassification.

Objective To investigate the expression profile, prognostic value, gene co-expression network, and immunomodulatory role of BRF1 in a pan-cancer context, and to explore its biological functions and molecular regulatory mechanisms in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Methods The pan-cancer dataset from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) was utilized to analyze the differential expression of BRF1 in tumor versus normal tissues, its association with patient survival, pathway enrichment for co-expressed genes, and immune features (including immune checkpoints, cytokines, and immune cell infiltration). The expression profile of BRF1 in ESCC was validated using the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. In vitro, BRF1 was knocked down in ESCC cells using siRNA. Cell proliferation and migration were assessed by MTT and Transwell assays, respectively. The expression levels of proliferation- and migration-related proteins were detected by Western blotting. The correlation between BRF1 and ferroptosis was analyzed using TCGA data. Results BRF1 was significantly upregulated in over 20 types of cancer, and its high expression was associated with poor prognosis in patients with adrenocortical carcinoma and prostate adenocarcinoma. BRF1 was found to positively regulate the T-cell-mediated cell death pathway in esophageal adenocarcinoma and was associated with the circadian rhythm regulation pathway in pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The correlation of BRF1 with immune checkpoints, cytokine networks, and immune cell infiltration was found to be cancer type-specific. In vitro experiments demonstrated that knocking down BRF1 significantly inhibited the proliferation of ESCC cells, accompanied by the downregulation of the proliferation marker PCNA. Cell migration was also significantly impaired, with decreased expression of Vimentin and MMPs and increased expression of E-cadherin. Furthermore, the expression of BRF1 was positively correlated with that of ferroptosis-antagonizing genes, such as GPX4, HSPA5, and SLC7A11. Conclusion BRF1 plays complex roles in pan-cancer, participating in the regulation of tumorigenesis, progression, and immune infiltration. BRF1 promotes the proliferation and migration of ESCC cells, a mechanism potentially associated with the regulation of ferroptosis resistance. These findings suggest that BRF1 could be a potential therapeutic target for ESCC.

Objective To investigate the factors affecting the occurrence of new postoperative cardiac complications in patients undergoing esophageal cancer surgery with concomitant coronary heart disease. Methods Clinical data of patients who underwent esophageal cancer surgery with coronary heart disease at the Affiliated Huai&#39;an No.1 People&#39;s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from December 2019 to June 2023 were collected. Patients were divided into two groups based on whether they experienced postoperative cardiac complications. Using the occurrence of cardiac complications as the dependent variable, a multivariate logistic regression model was established to identify related influencing factors. Results A total of 223 patients were included, comprising 148 males and 75 females, with an average age of (71.78±6.31) years (range 53-88 years). Seventy-one (31.84%) patients experienced at least one new cardiac complication postoperatively, including 2 acute coronary syndrome, 13 heart failure, and 59 new-onset postoperative arrhythmias. Univariate analysis showed that age, systemic immune-inflammation index, pulmonary infection, need for invasive mechanical ventilation due to respiratory failure, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), acute delirium, pleural effusion requiring drainage, and acute renal failure were risk factors for postoperative new-onset cardiac complications (all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified age, postoperative length of hospital stay, ARDS, and systemic immune-inflammation index as independent risk factors for new cardiac complications in esophageal cancer patients with coronary heart disease. Conclusion Strengthening perioperative management of esophageal cancer patients, ranging from preoperative evaluation to postoperative complication treatment, is crucial. Particular attention should be paid to age, ARDS, and other indicators to improve postoperative prognoses in patients with coronary heart disease complicated by esophageal cancer.

[摘 要] 目的：探索预后营养指数（PNI）在接受诱导化疗联合免疫（化免）序贯放疗的局部晚期食管鳞状细胞癌（ESCC）中的疗效预测价值及预后影响。方法: 回顾性分析浙江省肿瘤医院2019年5月至2023年8月期间收治的126例行诱导化免序贯放疗的局部晚期ESCC患者的临床资料。绘制受试者工作特征曲线（ROC曲线），确定患者诱导化免前1周内、放疗前1周内、放疗开始后4 ± 1周的PNI最佳临界值并对患者进行分组。采用Kaplan-Meier法绘制生存曲线，并用Log-Rank法比较组间患者的总生存期（OS）及无进展生存期（PFS），采用Cox回归分析探讨诱导化免序贯放疗的局部晚期ESCC患者的预后影响因素。结果: 共纳入126例局部晚期ESCC患者，男性118例，女性8例，中位年龄65岁（44~78岁）。运用ROC曲线确认的患者诱导化免前、放疗前和放疗中PNI最佳临界值为46.2、48.3和37.9。放疗前PNI ≥ 48.3组中位OS、PFS分别为47.3、28.2个月，放疗前PNI < 48.3组中位OS、PFS分别为18.7、15.2个月（P < 0.01，P < 0.05）。放疗中PNI ≥ 37.9组中位OS未达到，中位PFS为25.7个月，放疗中PNI < 37.9组中位OS、PFS分别为17.0、12.5个月（P < 0.01，P < 0.05）。诱导化免后PNI升高组中位OS未达到，中位PFS为28.4个月；PNI降低组中位OS、PFS分别为20.4、16.0个月（P < 0.01，P < 0.05）。多因素分析显示，放疗中PNI[HR = 2.292，95% CI（1.264,4.159），P < 0.05]、诱导化免后PNI变化[HR = 2.120, 95% CI（1.007, 4.463），P < 0.05]为影响OS因素。结论: 放疗中PNI、诱导化免后PNI变化与患者治疗疗效及预后有一定相关性，可作为预测ESCC化免序贯放疗获益的重要指标。

The 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium (ASCO-GI) was held in San Francisco, the USA from January 18th to 20th, 2024 (local time). The multiple studies presented in this symposium will have a significant impact on the clinical practice of esophageal cancer. This article will focus on the surgical methods of esophageal cancer, perioperative immunotherapy, drug therapy for advanced esophageal cancer, rescue treatment after immunotherapy resistance, and other relevant aspects. It aims to summarize and interpret the significant advancements in the field of esophageal cancer presented in this symposium.

[摘 要] 目的：探究雷公藤内酯醇（TP）通过miR-142-3p/HSP70信号通路对人乳腺癌MCF-7细胞恶性生物学行为的影响。方法：常规培养MCF-7细胞，将其分为6组：对照组、TP组、miR-142-3p inhibitor组、TP+inhibitor组、miR-142-3p mimic组和TP+mimic组，用转染试剂将相应的核酸或质粒转染MCF-7细胞。qPCR法、EdU细胞增殖实验、Transwell小室实验、细胞划痕实验、WB法分别检测转染后各组MCF-7细胞中miR-142-3p和HSP70 mRNA的表达，MCF-7细胞的增殖、侵袭、迁移能力和HSP70蛋白表达水平。结果：TP或miR-142-3p过表达能显著促进MCF-7细胞中miR-142-3p和HSP70的表达，敲减miR-142-3p则可明显抑制MCF-7细胞中miR-142-3p和HSP70的表达，TP可逆转由敲减miR-142-3p对MCF-7细胞中miR-142-3p和HSP70表达的影响；TP、过表达miR-142-3p均可明显抑制MCF-7细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力（均P<0.05），敲减miR-142-3p则均可促进MCF-7细胞的增殖、迁移和侵袭能力（均P<0.05），TP可逆转由敲减miR-142-3p对MCF-7细胞恶性生物学行为的影响（均P<0.05）。结论：TP可通过调控miR-142-3p/HSP70信号通路，进而抑制MCF-7细胞的增殖、侵袭和迁移能力。

[摘 要] 目的：探究野生型水疱性口炎病毒印第安纳株（VSV-IN）对小鼠三阴性乳腺癌4T1细胞移植模型小鼠的免疫调节及肿瘤转移的影响。方法：VSV以MOI=1、MOI=10、MOI=100感染4T1细胞12、24、48 h后，CCK-8法检测4T1细胞死亡率，划痕愈合实验检测细胞迁移能力，qPCR检测细胞中E-cadherin、MMP-2、MMP-9 mRNA的表达。于雌性BALB/c小鼠脂肪垫接种1×106个/mL的4T1细胞0.1 mL，构建4T1细胞荷瘤小鼠模型，待小鼠肿瘤体积达200 mm3，分别向移植瘤内注射PBS、紫杉醇（TAX）（15 mg/kg）、VSV-IN（1×106 pfu/只），每周1次。给药4次后，处死小鼠、剥离完整移植瘤组织，测量肿瘤体积及质量，肺组织病理切片经H-E染色后观察肿瘤肺部转移结节，流式细胞术检测脾组织中T细胞亚群比例，ELISA法检测小鼠血清IL-6及TNF-α水平，利用GEPIA在线分析乳腺肿中迁移相关蛋白mRNA的表达，免疫组化法检测肿瘤中MMP-2、MMP-9与E-cadherin的表达，利用蛋白-蛋白对接技术预测VSV-IN的G蛋白、M蛋白与ERK2、E-cadherin的亲和力。结果：经MOI=10、100的VSV-IN处理48 h后，4T1细胞死亡率显著高于对照组（均P<0.01）；与对照组相比，VSV-IN组（MOI=10）细胞迁移率明显降低（P<0.01），MMP-9 mRNA的相对表达量明显降低（P<0.05）；与对照组小鼠相比，VSV-IN组移植瘤生长较对照组减缓且终点体积显著减小（P<0.05），VSV-IN组小鼠肺转移结节数量显著减少[（12.86±1.86） vs （24±3.67）个，P<0.01]，脾内CD4+ T、CD8+ T细胞比例显著升高（均P<0.05），血清TNF-α、IL-6含量显著升高（均P<0.01）；GEPIA分析发现在乳腺癌中E-cadherin、MMP-9表达水平均高于癌旁组织（P<0.05）；VSV-IN组小鼠肿瘤细胞内MMP-9表达明显低于对照组（P<0.05）；VSV-IN的G、M蛋白与ERK2的结合自由能分别为–11.7 kcal/mol、–6.4 kcal/mol。结论：野生型VSV-IN可抑制4T1细胞荷瘤小鼠的移植瘤生长及转移，这可能与其促进抗肿瘤免疫及调控迁移相关蛋白表达有关。

Objective: To explore the pathogenic genes in a Chinese family affected by nonsyndromic tooth agenesis so as to study the pathogenesis of oligodontia. Methods : Hospital ethical approval and informed consent of the patients and family members were obtained. Clinical data of the proband and close family members were collected, peripheral venous blood was collected, and DNA was extracted. Gene sequencing was performed through whole-exome sequencing, and then the screened pathogenic genes were verified by Sanger sequencing. The three-dimensional structure of the mutant proteins was analyzed and compared with the wild-type using bioinformatics tools. Results: The two patients with congenital majority tooth loss in this family were cousins, and there were no other patients with congenital majority tooth loss in the family. Besides congenital multiple tooth loss, the two patients had no obvious hair abnormalities, finger/toe abnormalities, sweating abnormalities or other abnormal manifestations of ectodermal tissue. We found a mutant gene that in this family by carrying out gene sequencing of the patients and their close family members. A novel EDA (ectodysplasin A) missense mutation c.983C>T (p. Pro328Leu) was identified, which changed the encoded amino acid from proline (Pro) to leucine (Leu). Analysis of the mutation site showed that the site was highly conserved, and three-dimensional structure modeling also found that it changed the structure of EDA. Conclusion A novel EDA missense variant (c.983C>T, p.Pro328Leu) was first identified in a Chinese family with nonsyndromic tooth agenesis, extending the mutation spectrum of the EDA gene.

Telephone follow-up is one of the important ways to follow up patients. High-quality follow-up can benefit both doctors and patients. However, clinical research-related follow-up is often faced with problems such as time-consuming, laborious and poor patient compliance. The authors belong to a team that has been committed to the study of patient-reported outcomes for a long time. The team has carried out long-term follow-up of symptoms, daily function and postoperative complications of more than 1 000 patients after lung cancer surgery, and accumulated certain experience. In this paper, the experience of telephone follow-up was summarized and discussed with relevant literatures from the aspects of clarifying the purpose of clinical research follow-up, understanding the needs of patients in follow-up, and using follow-up skills.

Objective To apply a phantom for dose measurement in interventional therapy for pediatric vascular diseases, and calculate the effective dose (E) and conversion coefficient of dose area product (DAP) to E, and to provide a dose reference for studying radiation dose and radiation protection in children. Methods Thermoluminescent dosimeters were placed in the organs of the phantom. Low-, medium-, and high-dose groups were set for three types of vascular anomalies based on the duration of fluoroscopy. Digital subtraction angiography was used to simulate exposure conditions at different dose levels. The organ dose was measured, and the effective dose was calculated. Results For the three groups of vascular anomalies in the head and face, the red bone marrow doses were 8.15, 30.34, and 43.53 mGy, respectively, the effective doses were 12.88, 47.84, and 73.12 mSv, respectively; and the average conversion coefficient of DAP to E was 2.16. For the three groups of vascular anomalies in the trunk, the red bone marrow doses were 2.11, 15.62, and 31.21 mGy, respectively; the effective doses were 12.39, 70.56, and 134.60 mSv, respectively, and the average conversion coefficient of DAP to E was 3.03. For the three groups of vascular anomalies in the lower extremities, the red bone marrow doses were 3.58, 6.50, and 12.28 mGy, respectively, the effective doses were 3.64, 7.04, and 14.85 mSv, respectively, and the average conversion coefficient of DAP to E was 0.73. Conclusion Patient dose and DAP-to-E conversion coefficient are in the following order: vascular anomalies in the trunk > vascular anomalies in the head and face > vascular anomalies in the lower extremities. The dose data obtained can be used to estimate children’s radiation exposure.