Objective To compare the efficacy of modified radiofrequency ablation (RFA) combined with sclerosing agent injection and high stripping and ligation (HSL) combined with sclerosing agent injection in the treatment of great saphenous vein varicosity. Methods A total of 220 patients (252 affected limbs) who underwent surgery for great saphenous vein varicosity at Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from May 2022 to March 2024 were selected. They were divided into RFA group (110 patients and 125 affected limbs treated with modified RFA combined with sclerosing agent injection) and HSL group (110 patients and 127 affected limbs treated with HSL combined with sclerosing agent injection) according to the surgical methods. The treatment effect, surgical time, bleeding during the surgery, time to get out of bed after surgery, and various postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. The pain level, disease severity, and the quality of life were measured using the visual analog scale (VAS), venous clinical severity score (VCSS) and chronic venous insufficiency questionnaire-14 item (CIVIQ-14), respectively. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the total effective rate between the two groups of patients, but the distribution of efficacy levels in the RFA group was better than that in the HSL group (P＝0.044). Compared with the HSL group, the RFA group had shorter surgery time, fewer incisions during surgery, less bleeding during the surgical process, shorter time to get out of bed after surgery（P＜0.01）, and a lower overall complication rate (P＝0.006). The RFA group had lower postoperative VAS, VCSS, and CIVIQ-14 scores than the HSL group 1 month after surgery (P＜0.01). During 6 months of postoperative follow-up, the recurrence rates were similar between the two groups. Conclusions Compared with HSL combined with sclerosing agent injection, the modified RFA combined with sclerosing agent injection for the great saphenous vein varicosity has the advantages of less trauma, faster recovery, fewer complications, better postoperative quality of life, and is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

High-performance phototheranostics with combined photothermal therapy and photoacoustic imaging have been considered promising approaches for efficient cancer diagnosis and treatment. However, developing phototheranostic materials with efficient photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE), especially over the second near-infrared window (NIR-II, 1000-1700 nm), remains challenging. Herein, we report an ultraefficient NIR-II-activated nanomedicine with phototheranostic and vaccination capability for highly efficient in vivo tumor elimination and metastasis inhibition. The NIR-II nanomedicine of a semiconducting biradical oligomer with a motor-flexible design was demonstrated with a record-breaking PCE of 87% upon NIR-II excitation. This nanomedicine inherently features extraordinary photothermal stability, good biocompatibility, and excellent photoacoustic performance, contributing to high-contrast photoacoustic imaging in living mice and high-performance photothermal elimination of tumors. Moreover, a whole-cell vaccine based on a NIR-II nanomedicine with NIR-II-activated performance was further designed to remotely activate the antitumor immunologic memory and effectively inhibit tumor occurrence and metastasis in vivo, with good biosafety. Thus, this work paves a new avenue for designing NIR-II active semiconducting biradical materials as a promising theranostics platform and further promotes the development of NIR-II nanomedicine for personalized cancer treatment.

Objective:To explore the differences in bacterial community structure between proximal colon cancer (PC), distal colon cancer (DC), and rectal cancer (RC), and the values of featured microbiota in differentiating PC with tumor markers.Methods:This case-control study enrolled 85 newly diagnosed colorectal cancer patients, including 22 PC, 15 DC and 48 RC patients, and 8 colorectal adenoma patients from May 2019 to July 2022 at the Department of General Surgery, Anyang Oncology Hospital. The blood and fecal samples were collected before surgery and then subjected to biochemical tests for tumor markers and 16S rDNA tests, respectively. SPSS (27.0.1) was applied to perform the t-test, one-way ANOVA, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Chi-Squared Test. Also, the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was plotted on tumor markers and/or f_Bacteroidaceae with SPSS software .Results:All groups had significant differences in the CA125 ( F=3.543, P<0.05), CA72-4 ( F=3.596, P<0.05), and serum tumor-associated materials (TAM) levels ( F=5.787, P<0.01). In PC group, the levels of CA125 [PC vs RC, (36.84±6.30) kU/L vs (12.73±4.21) kU/L, P<0.01] and CA72-4 [PC vs RC, (45.56±10.86) kU/L vs (3.30±7.63) kU/L, P<0.01] were significantly higher than that of the RC group, while the level of TAM was remarkably elevated in PC group than in RC group [PC vs RC, (124.84±5.19) U/ml vs (102.44±3.63) U/ml, P<0.001] and CRA group [PC vs CRA, (124.84±5.19) U/ml vs (95.39±8.42) U/ml, P<0.01]. The LEfSe analysis showed that the featured microbiota in the PC group included f_Bacteroidaceae, f_Neisseriaceae, f_Clostridiaceae_1, f_Spirochaetaceae, and so on. The largest area under the ROC belonged to the combination of TAM and f_Bacteroidaceae, which reached 0.845 (95% CI 0.747-0.944), with sensitivity being 0.857 and specificity being 0.815. Conclusions:There is heterogeneity in gut microbiota composition among PC, DC, RC, and CRA. The combination of gut microbiota and tumor biomarkers demonstrated good differentiating effects in proximal colon cancers.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of 4-channel functional electrical stimulation(FES)in the treatment of cerebral ischemic stroke sequelae using 3.0T magnetic resonance diffusion tensor imaging(DTI).Methods Patients with the sequelae of cerebral ischemic stroke who were admitted to Shandong Provincial Third Hospital from February 2020 to November 2022(n=100)were enrolled and divided into two groups at a ratio of 1:1 according to random numbers generated by Excel.Besides routine rehabilitation training,observation group was given 4-channel FES to stimulate the quadriceps muscle,tibialis anterior muscle,gastrocnemius muscle and hamstring muscle of the affected lower extremity by simulating the time series of muscle contraction of normal subjects when walking;while control group was treated with dual-channel FES,with electrodes placed on the muscle points of the tibialis anterior muscle and peroneus longus and brevis muscles of the affected lower extremity for stimulation.All patients received 3.0T MRI before and after treatment,and the relevant DTI parameters were recorded and compared.Meanwhile,Berg balance scale(BBS)and Fugl-Meyer assessment scale for lower extremity(FMA-LE)were used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacies in two groups of patients with the sequelae of cerebral ischemic stroke.The correlation of BBS/FMA-LE score with DTI parameters in observation group was also discussed.Results After treatment,both FMA-LE and BBS scores of control group and observation group showed increasing trends,and the increases in observation group were more obvious(P<0.05).After 2 weeks of treatment,compared with control group,observation group had higher FMA-LE score,BBS score,fractional anisotropy(FA),average diffusion coefficient(DCavg)and volume ratio anisotropy(VRA),but lower exponential attenuation(Exat)(all P<0.05).In observation group,FMA-LE score was positively correlated with FA,DCavg and VRA,but negatively correlated with Exat;while BBS score was positively correlated with FA and VRA,but negatively correlated with Exat,and had no significant correlation with DCavg.Conclusion DTI can be used to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of 4-channel FES on the sequelae of cerebral ischemic stroke,and its parameters are significantly correlated with BBS score and FMA-LE score,suggesting that MRI can assist doctors in understanding the correlation between neurological impairments and neuropathological changes,and provide reference for accurate assessment of prognosis and formulation of individualized rehabilitation program.

Objective:To investigate the association of serum fibroblast growth factor 23(FGF23) level with insulin resistance(IR) and sex hormone levels in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods:A retrospective study was performed in eighty-seven patients with PCOS, fifty-seven patients with simple IR, and sixty-one healthy women who were admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University during October 2021 and November 2022. According to the homeostasis model assessment-IR index, all subjects were divided into normal control group( n=61), IR group( n=57), PCOS without IR group(PCOS group, n=15), and PCOS+ IR group( n=72). The levels of serum FGF23, adiponectin, and sex hormones in all groups were compared, and their correlations with glucose and lipid metabolism indicators were analyzed. Results:The FGF23 level was significantly elevated in the IR group, while markedly reduced in the PCOS group and PCOS+ IR group, with the PCOS group showing a significantly lower concentration. The adiponectin levels were significantly decreased in the IR group, PCOS group, and PCOS+ IR group(all P<0.05). The correlation analysis showed that FGF23 level was positively correlated with adiponectin and sex hormone binding globulin, and negatively correlated with luteinizing hormone, luteinizing hormone/follicle stimulating hormone, and free testosterone index(all P<0.05). Logistic regression results indicated that both FGF23 and adiponectin could be used as good indicators for the diagnosis of PCOS and PCOS with IR(all P<0.05). Conclusion:FGF23 is closely related to IR and androgen as well, and under certain conditions, it can reflect the severity of IR and hyperandrogenemia in PCOS patients. The cutoff value of FGF23 obtained in this study can provide a good reference for the diagnosis of PCOS diseases.

Objective:To evaluate the value of 18F-prostate specific membrane antigen (PSMA)-3Q PET/CT imaging in prostate cancer patients with serum prostate specific antigen (PSA) less than 1.00 μg/L after radical prostatectomy. Methods:From May 2021 to August 2022, 18F-PSMA-3Q PET/CT images and clinical data of 58 patients with prostate cancer (age 52-82 years) after radical prostatectomy with PSA less than 1.00 μg/L in Chinese PLA General Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. According to the level of PSA, patients were divided into three groups (0-0.19 μg/L group, 0.20-0.49 μg/L group, and 0.50-0.99 μg/L group). 18F-PSMA-3Q PET/CT images were analyzed according to the standardized evaluation criteria of molecular imaging, and lesions with the scores of molecular imaging PSMA (miPSMA)≥1 were defined as recurrent or metastatic lesions. The detection rates of 18F-PSMA-3Q PET/CT for patients in different PSA level groups were compared ( χ2 test). The PSA levels of patients with positive and negative scans were compared by using independent-sample t test. Results:Of the 58 patients, 36(62.1%, 36/58) patients and 85 lesions were found by 18F-PSMA-3Q PET/CT. There was 91.7%(33/36) with oligofocal lesions (1≤number of foci≤3) and 8.3%(3/36) with multiple lesions (number of foci>3). According to the location, 5.2%(3/58) of the recurrent lesions were found in the prostatic bed, 39.7%(23/58) in the bone lesions, 37.9%(22/58) in the pelvic lymph nodes, 12.0%(7/58) in the retroperitoneal lymph nodes and 5.2%(3/58) in the left clavicular lymph node metastases. There were 15 cases in 0-0.19 μg/L group, 22 cases in 0.20-0.49 μg/L group, and 21 cases in 0.50-0.99 μg/L group. The detection rates of 18F-PSMA-3Q PET/CT in the above groups were 5/15, 59.1%(13/22) and 85.7%(18/21), respectively ( χ2=10.33, P=0.006). There was significant difference in PSA level between patients with positive ( n=36) and negative ( n=22) 18F-PSMA-3Q PET/CT scans ((0.48±0.28) vs (0.28±0.25) μg/L; t=2.67, P=0.010). Conclusions:18F-PSMA-3Q PET/CT can be used to detect the recurrence or metastasis in prostate cancer patients with PSA level lower than 1.00 μg/L after radical prostatectomy. In this kind of patients, the common sites of lesions are bone, pelvic lymph nodes, retroperitoneal lymph nodes, left clavicular lymph nodes and prostatic bed, and oligofocal patients are more common.

Objective:To investigate the serum and follicular fluid levels of sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c(SREBP-1c), leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein 1(LRG1) and the correlation with insulin resistance(IR) in non-ovarian etiology infertility patients and polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS) patients with or without IR.Methods:Forty-nine PCOS patients and 66 infertility patients with non-ovarian etiology were collected in this retrospective study, homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR) was used to evaluate IR, and were divided into control group( n=36), IR group( n=30), PCOS alone group( n=28) and PCOS-IR group(PCOS with IR group, n=21). The concentrations of serum, follicular fluid LRG1 and SREBP1c levels in each group were compared, and their correlation with relevant hormones and glycolipid metabolism were analyzed. Results:The levels of serum, follicular fluid LRG1 and SREBP1c in IR group, PCOS alone group and PCOS-IR group were significantly higher than those in control group; The PCOS-IR group showed a more significant increase in the levels of serum, follicular fluid LRG1 and SREBP1c( P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that serum, follicular fluid LRG1 was positively correlated with body mass index, fasting plasma glucose(FPG), fasting insulin(FINS), triglycerides(TG), and HOMA-IR( P<0.05). Serum, follicular fluid SREBP1c was positively correlated with body mass index, FPG, FINS, TG, total cholesterol, LDL-C, LH, total teststerone, DHEAS, FAI, and HOMA-IR( P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that serum SREBP1c was a risk factor for PCOS( P<0.05). Conclusion:The serum and follicular fluid levels of LRG1 and SREBP-1c were elevated in PCOS patients, especially in those with IR. The elevated levels of serum and follicular fluid LRG1 and SREBP-1c may be associated with IR and glucose-lipid metabolism abnormalities in PCOS patients. Serum LRG1 and SREBP-1c levels may serve as new indicators for predicting IR, early diagnosis, and intervention in PCOS patients.

A male patient aged 1 year and 8 months with type 2 spondyloepimetaphyseal dysplasia with joint laxity (SEMDJL2) was reported. The clinical characteristics included short stature, flat middle face, hypotonia, limb joint relaxation, hyperextension of metacarpophalangeal articulation, etc. In addition, the patient had a history of congenital laryngeal stridor. Thus, SEMDJL2 was determined according to the above symptoms and medical history. Sanger sequencing showed that the child carried a c.443C>T missense mutation in the KIF22 gene, which resulted in an amino acid variation namely p.Pro148Leu. This phenotype was preliminarily determined as a pathogenic mutation. Therefore, it is suggested that next-generation sequencing genetic testing could be helpful for genetic diagnosis in children with congenital laryngeal stridor, systemic joint relaxation, and excessive joint extension.

Objective:To explore the application feasibility of modified sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNB) for acral malignant melanoma.Methods:The data of 60 patients with acral malignant melanoma in the Affiliated Tumor Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January 2017 to January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the sentinel lymph node (SLN) detection method, they were divided into observation group (30 cases) and control group (30 cases). The observation group used contrast-enhanced ultrasound combined with subcutaneous injection of methylene blue around the wrist or ankle joint to detect SLN; the control group used peritumoral injection of methylene blue to detect SLN. The patients were regularly followed up to evaluate the postoperative effect. The detection number, detection rate, sensitivity, false negative rate and the size of SLN were compared between the two groups.Results:In the observation group, the detection rate of SLN was 100.0% (30/30), the sensitivity was 87.5% (7/8), and the false negative rate was 3.3% (1/30); in the control group, the detection rate of SLN was 83.3% (25/30), the sensitivity was 62.5% (5/8), and the false negative rate was 12.0% (3/25); the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The number of SLN detected in the observation group (3.5±1.2) was significantly more than that in the control group (2.0±1.1), and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 7.121, P < 0.05). The minimum long-axis diameter of SLN detected in the observation group was (5.4±2.2) mm (range, 1.5-12.3 mm), and that in the control group was (11.8±5.4) mm (range, 10.0-16.8 mm), the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( t = 6.353, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The modified SLNB for acral malignant melanoma has a higher application value in the detection of acral SLN than the peritumoral injection method, and a higher accuracy rate can be obtained.

Objective:To investigate the characteristics of 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT imaging in castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients with different PSA levels. Methods:The imaging and clinical data of 50 patients with CRPC who underwent 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT examination in Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2018 to December 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. The average age was 72 (54-95) years old. Serum total PSA was 92.28(0.36-2000.00) ng/ml. According to the total PSA level, the patients were divided into low PSA group(total PSA ≤ 1 ng/ml, n=9), medium PSA group (1 ng/ml10ng/ml, n=23). According to the standardized evaluation standard of molecular imaging, the suspicious tumor lesions on 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT imaging were scored by molecular imaging PSMA(miPSMA), and the miPSMA score ≥2 was defined as positive lesions. According to the number of lesions displayed by 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT, patients were divided into oligofocal group (the number of lesions ≤3) and multiple lesions group (the number of lesions >3). The imaging characteristics of patients in different groups were summarized. Results:The 18F-DCFPyL PET/CT imaging results of 50 cases in this study were all positive, including oligofocal group (n=27) and multiple lesions group (n=23). Of the 30 patients with unresected prostate, 18 had local recurrence of the prostate, while the other 12 patients with unresected prostate and 20 patients with resected prostate had no signs of local recurrence. The oligofocal group showed local recurrence, regional lymph node metastasis or bone metastasis. Patients with multiple lesions showed multiple lymph nodes and/or bone metastasis with or without local recurrence. There were 9, 18 and 4 patients with oligofoci in low, middle and high PSA groups, respectively.There were 27 patients in the oligonucleogenous group, and 21 of the 22 patients receiving local treatment were effective. All 3 patients treated with systemic treatments were effective. PSA progressed in 2 untreated patients. In the multi-foci group of 23 patients, 6 of 9 patients treated with abiraterone were effective. Two patients treated with enzalumide were ineffective. One of the 4 patients with chemotherapy was effective. One of the two patients treated with 177 Lu-PSMA nuclide was effective. One case did not respond to treatment with 89SrCl 2. Radiotherapy failed in 2 cases. PSA progressed in 3 untreated patients. Conclusions:18F-DCFPyLPET/CT imaging has a high detection rate of lesions in patients with CRPC and has potential guiding significance for follow-up treatment. The number of lesions in CRPC patients with different PSA levels was different, and the patients with low PSA levels were mainly oligofoci.