Implementation science (IS) aims to systematically analyze and address the real-world gaps from evidence to practice and the influencing factors of the context. It is necessary to carry out qualitative research to gather relevant implementation outcomes. Nevertheless, traditional qualitative analysis has issues such as consuming a great deal of time and energy, and it is unable to promptly provide the crucial data required for implementation science research. The Rapid Qualitative Analysis (RQA) method, through semi-structured interviews and the adoption of techniques such as immediate data condensation and matrix analysis, can effectively shorten the cycle of qualitative data collection and data processing. RQA can promptly identify social determinants of health such as structural barriers, facilitators, and the behavioral characteristics of target groups. It provides a real-time basis for public health decision-making, the interpretation of complex social phenomena, and the process and effectiveness evaluation of research projects. Although RQA is difficult to conduct in-depth theoretical analysis based on grounded theory, its efficiency and flexibility make it the preferred tool for large-scale and time-sensitive research. Thus, it has been widely applied in implementation science research. This paper sorts out the core concepts and commonly used technical methods of RQA, as well as the differences between RQA and traditional qualitative analysis. It also explores the applications of RQA in intervention optimization, process evaluation, and implementation outcome evaluation. By integrating specific cases, this paper clarifies its application value in the field of implementation science. In the future, it is advisable to explore the integration of RQA with technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data, in order to bridge the gap between the transformation of scientific research achievements into practice. Under circumstances of limited resources or tight time constraints, RQA can be used to efficiently conduct implementation science research, providing convenient and scientific methodological and technical support for accelerating evidence-based practice.

Arginine methylation is a critical post-translational modification that plays multifaceted biological functions. However, the manipulation of protein arginine methylation largely depends on genetic or pharmaceutic inhibition of the regulatory enzymes, protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), or non-methylation substitution of corresponding arginine residue to lysine or alanine of protein of interest (POI), which inevitably affects other substrates, or disrupts the structure of POI. Thus, it urges an approach to specifically modulate the arginine methylation of a POI under physiological conditions. To this end, we report the discovery of a methylation tagging system (MeTAG), that enables targeted modification of protein arginine methylation. Through bridging the methyltransferase PRMT5 proximity to a POI, MeTAG facilitates the arginine methylation of POIs, including known arginine methylated proteins, androgen receptor (AR) and protein kinase B (AKT), as well as a neo-substrate E1A binding protein (p300), in a reversible and PRMT5-dependent manner. Moreover, MeTAG can regulate downstream signaling in a methylation dependent manner, leading to downregulation of PSMA mRNA level and activation of AKT. Therefore, MeTAG represents a feasible approach to modulate protein methylation and thereby perturbs protein function in biological and therapeutic contexts.

Hearing loss has become increasingly prevalent and causes considerable disability, thus gravely burdening the global economy. Irreversible loss of hair cells is a main cause of sensorineural hearing loss, and currently, the only relatively effective clinical treatments are limited to digital hearing equipment like cochlear implants and hearing aids, but these are of limited benefit in patients. It is therefore urgent to understand the mechanisms of damage repair in order to develop new neuroprotective strategies. At present, how to promote the regeneration of functional hair cells is a key scientific question in the field of hearing research. Multiple signaling pathways and transcriptional factors trigger the activation of hair cell progenitors and ensure the maturation of newborn hair cells, and in this article, we first review the principal mechanisms underlying hair cell reproduction. We then further discuss therapeutic strategies involving the co-regulation of multiple signaling pathways in order to induce effective functional hair cell regeneration after degeneration, and we summarize current achievements in hair cell regeneration. Lastly, we discuss potential future approaches, such as small molecule drugs and gene therapy, which might be applied for regenerating functional hair cells in the clinic.
Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Hair Cells, Auditory, Inner/physiology* ; Ear, Inner/physiology* ; Hair Cells, Auditory/physiology* ; Regeneration/genetics* ; Stem Cells

β-elemene has been observed to exert inhibitory effects on a multitude of tumors,primarily through multiple pathways such as the inhibition of cancer cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis.The present study is designed to elucidate the role and underlying mechanisms of β-elemene in the thera-peutic intervention of non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC).Both in vitro and in vivo experimental models corroborate the inhibitory potency of β-elemene on NSCLCs.Our findings indicate that β-elemene fa-cilitates the maturation of miR-127-3p by inhibiting CBX8.Functioning as an upstream regulator of MAPK4,miR-127-3p deactivates the Akt/mTOR/p70S6K pathway by targeting MAPK4,thereby inducing autophagy in NSCLCs.Additionally,β-elemene augments the packaging of miR-127-3p into exosomes via SYNCRIP.Exosomal miR-127-3p further stimulates M1 polarization of macrophages by suppressing ZC3H4.Taken together,the detailed understanding of the mechanisms through which β-elemene in-duces autophagy in NSCLCs and facilitates M1 polarization of macrophages provides compelling scientific evidence supporting its potential utility in NSCLC treatment.

Objective:To conduct a systematic evaluation of prognostic factors for retreatment of esophageal cancer patients with locoregional recurrence after radical chemoradiotherapy, and provide a clinical reference for selecting individualized retreatment schemes and improving their survival.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 85 patients with esophageal cancer who experienced locoregional recurrence at least 1 year after radical radiotherapy or chemotherapy at the Department of Radiation Oncology in the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2008 to December 2017. The effects of different nutritional and immune status and retreatment schemes on survival were compared, and the prognostic factors for retreatment were subjected to comprehensive subgroup analysis.Results:As of December 2021, the follow-up rate for all patients was 93%. The 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates of all patients after retreatment were 31.5%, 18.6%, 10.6%, and 6.6%, respectively. For patients who received radiotherapy or chemoradiotherapy, the 1-, 2-, 3-, and 5-year overall survival rates were 36.8%, 22.3%, 13.0% and 9.3%, respectively. Multivariable analysis showed that the time interval between the first treatment and recurrence, the retreatment schemes after recurrence, the level of serum albumin before retreatment, and the prognostic nutritional index before retreatment were independent prognostic factors for survival after retreatment ( P<0.05). Subgroup analysis was performed on the combinations of peripheral blood hemoglobin level, albumin level, and prognostic nutritional index before retreatment, as well as systemic immune inflammation index and short-term curative effect after retreatment. The results showed that the comprehensive analysis of blood routine and serum albumin indicators could accurately predict the survival after retreatment. Conclusions:The nutritional and immune status of patients with locoregional recurrence of esophageal cancer after chemoradiotherapy can be used to predict the prognosis of retreatment. The time interval between the first treatment and recurrence and the retreatment scheme significantly affect the survival after retreatment. The retreatment scheme should be rigorously evaluated and appropriately selected to improve the benefit-risk ratio.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of chronic Q fever.Methods:The epidemiological characteristics, clinical manifestations, laboratory results, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of 12 patients with chronic Q fever admitted in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2008 to December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively.Results:Of the12 cases, there were 11 males and 1 female with a median age at diagnosis of 58 years (47-68). The median time interval between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis was 9.5 months (4.0-28.5). Ten patients had fever, and the common symptoms included weakness ( n=6), weight loss ( n=5) and shortness of breath ( n=3). Seven patients presented with hepatomegaly and splenomegaly. Among the 12 patients, 1 patient suffered from cardiac valve and artery involvement at the same time, 8 patients suffered from infective endocarditis, and 1 patient suffered from aneurysm. No definite infection site was found in 2 patients. Seven of the 12 patients (58.3%) had elevated serum creatinine. Rheumatoid factors were detected in 8 patients, all of which were elevated. Nine patients were treated with doxycycline/minocycline plus hydroxylchloroquine and 3 patients were treated with doxycycline/minocycline. Patients were followed up for 3 months to 14 years, 7 patients stopped antibiotics after 12 to 30 months and were in stable condition. One patient died of heart failure 6 months after diagnosis and 1 patient lost follow-up. Three patients diagnosed in 2022 were still under treatment and in stable condition. Conclusions:The clinical manifestations of chronic Q fever lack of specificity and may involve multiple systems. Endocarditis and mycotic aneurysm are common complications. For long-term fever with new heart valve function damage or mycotic aneurysm patients, chronic Q fever should therefore be considered.

Purpose To explore the value of insulinoma associated protein 1(INSM1)in the pathological diagnosis and differential diagnosis of medullary thyroid carcinoma(MTC).Methods Twenty-eight cases of MTC were collected as the ex-perimental group and 25 cases of thyroid tumors(6 cases of transparent trabecular tumors,16 cases of poorly differentiated cancer,2 cases of spindle cell papillary carcinoma,and 1 case of thyroid paraganglioma)that needed to be differentiated from MTC in the same period were collected as the control group.The expression of INSM1 was detected using immunohistochemical EnVision method,and the sensitivity and specificity of INSM1 in MTC were analyzed,and compared with traditional MTC markers(Syn,CgA,CT,and CEA).Results The positive rate of IN-SM1 in the MTC group was96.4%(27/28),significantly high-er than the control group of 4.0%(1/25)(P<0.05).INSM1 had a sensitivity of 96.4%in MTC,significantly higher than CgA(71.4%)(P<0.05),and was positively expressed in CT negative MTC cases.The specificity of INSM1 in MTC was 96.0%,significantly higher than that of CEA(72.0%)(P<0.05).Conclusion INSM1 has high sensitivity and specificity in MTC,with a nuclear positive staining pattern,clear back-ground,and easy identification.It is superior to the traditional biomarkers and has high diagnostic value in MTC.

Objective:To investigate the prognostic value of Onodera's prognostic nutrition index (PNI) before treatment in patients with cervical and upper thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (CUTESCC) undergoing definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) and its predictive value in the occurrence of ≥ grade 2 radiation esophagitis (RE).Methods:The data of 163 CUTESCC patients eligible for inclusion criteria admitted to the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2012 to December 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to calculate the best cut-off value of PNI for predicting the prognosis of patients. The prognosis of patients was analyzed by univariate and Cox multivariate analyses. Logistics binary regression model was adopted to analyze the risk factors of ≥ grade 2 RE in univariate and multivariate analyses. The significant factors in logistic multivariate analysis were used to construct nomogram for predicting ≥ grade 2 RE.Results:The optimal cut-off value of PNI was 48.57 [area under the curve (AUC): 0.653, P<0.001]. The median overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were 26.1 and 19.4 months, respectively. The OS ( χ2=6.900, P=0.009) and PFS ( χ2=9.902, P=0.003) of patients in the PNI ≥ 48.57 group ( n=47) were significantly better than those in the PNI < 48.57 group ( n=116). Cox multivariate analysis showed that cTNM stage and PNI were the independent predictors of OS ( HR=1.513, 95% CI: 1.193-1.920, P=0.001; HR=1.807, 95% CI: 1.164-2.807, P=0.008) and PFS ( HR=1.595, 95% CI: 1.247-2.039, P<0.001; HR=2.260, 95% CI: 1.439-3.550, P<0.001). Short-term efficacy was another independent index affecting PFS ( HR=2.072, 95% CI: 1.072-4.003, P=0.030). Logistic multivariate analysis showed that the maximum transverse diameter of the lesion ( OR=3.026, 95% CI: 1.266-7.229, P=0.013), gross tumor volume (GTV) ( OR=3.456, 95% CI: 1.373-8.699, P=0.008), prescription dose ( OR=3.124, 95% CI: 1.346-7.246, P=0.009) and PNI ( OR=2.072, 95% CI: 1.072-4.003, P=0.030) were the independent factors affecting the occurrence of ≥ grade 2 RE. These four indicators were included in the nomogram model, and ROC curve analysis showed that the model could properly predict the occurrence of ≥ grade 2 RE (AUC=0.686, 95% CI: 0.585-0.787). The calibration curve indicated that the actually observed values were in good agreement with the predicted RE. Decision curve analysis (DCA) demonstrated satisfactory nomogram positive net returns in most threshold probabilities. Conclusions:PNI before treatment is an independent prognostic factor for patients with CUTESCC who received definitive chemoradiotherapy. The maximum transverse diameter of the lesion, GTV, prescription dose and PNI are the risk factors for ≥ grade 2 RE in this cohort. Establishing a prediction model including these factors has greater predictive value.

Pulmonary inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (PIMT) is a rare lung tumor that is poorly understood by clinicians. Based on the data of patients with PIMT in our center, a comprehensive search and a brief summary analysis of previous reports of the disease were carried out in this article. PIMTs were more likely to be present in male patients and in the right lung, and their clinical and radiographic findings were heterogeneous. Surgery is the most important treatment method, and complete resection is of great significance to the prognosis of patients. Targeted therapy represented by crizotinib may be helpful for patients with positive ALK mutations.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, immunophenotype and differential diagnosis of clear cell hidradenoma, and to analyze the origin of clear cell hidradenoma and the underlying mechanism.Methods:The clinical data of 23 cases of clear cell hidradenoma who underwent surgical resection in Suzhou Municipal Hospital between December 2017 and July 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. Clinical manifestation, imaging features, pathological features and prognosis of the 23 cases of clear cell hidradenoma were analyzed. Expression levels of epithelial membrane antigen, cytokeratin 20, cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 14, carcinoembryonic antigen, and gross cystic disease fluid protein 15 were detected by immunohistochemical staining technique using the EnVision system. Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining was performed to visualize glycogen.Results:Among the 23 cases, 8 were male and 14 were female, aged 14-94 years, with a median age of 55 years. The first symptom of clear cell hidradenoma was epidermal bulgels in 18 cases.Contrast ultrasonography showed a subcutaneous cystic solid echo mass with abundant blood flow in the solid part. The tumor histologically consisted of two types of cells: secretory epithelial cells or glandular epithelial cells and clear cells. Twenty cases had tumors with the features of benign clear cell hidradenoma. Two cases had atypical clear cell hidradenoma with atypia and mitosis. One case had malignant clear cell hidradenoma. Tumor cells were positive for epithelial membrane antigen, cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 14, carcinoembryonic antigen, and gross cystic disease fluid protein 15 and they were Periodic acid-Schiff-positive. Twenty-three patients were followed up for 2-36 months, of which 4 were lost to follow-up and the rest had no recurrence of clear cell hidradenoma.Conclusion:Clear cell hidradenoma is rare and has a good prognosis. Malignant clear cell hidradenoma is rarer and has a poor prognosis. Diagnosis of clear cell hidradenoma is mainly based on comprehensive analysis of pathological features and immunophenotypes. Clear cell hidradenoma should be differentiated from metastatic clear cell carcinoma, spiral adenoma, cortical adenoma, and malignant melanoma.