Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) in differentiating tumor deposits (TDs) from metastatic lymph nodes (MLNs) in rectal cancer. Materials and Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with rectal cancer, including 168 lesions (70 TDs and 98 MLNs confirmed by histopathology), who underwent pretreatment MRI and subsequent surgery between March 2019 and December 2022. The morphological characteristics of TDs and MLNs, along with quantitative parameters derived from DCE-MRI (K trans , kep, and v e) and DWI (ADCmin, ADCmax, and ADCmean), were analyzed and compared between the two groups.Multivariable binary logistic regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analyses were performed to assess the diagnostic performance of significant individual quantitative parameters and combined parameters in distinguishing TDs from MLNs. Results: All morphological features, including size, shape, border, and signal intensity, as well as all DCE-MRI parameters showed significant differences between TDs and MLNs (all P < 0.05). However, ADC values did not demonstrate significant differences (all P > 0.05). Among the single quantitative parameters, v e had the highest diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.772 for distinguishing TDs from MLNs. A multivariable logistic regression model incorporating short axis, border, v e, and ADC mean improved diagnostic performance, achieving an AUC of 0.833 (P = 0.027). Conclusion The combination of morphological features, DCE-MRI parameters, and ADC values can effectively aid in the preoperative differentiation of TDs from MLNs in rectal cancer.

Objective To analyze trend changes of disease burden of hypertensive nephropathy (HTN) between 2012 and 2023 in Chongqing, and to provide the suggestion for HTN prevention and treatment. Methods Death cases of HTN from Chongqing death registration data between 2012 and 2023 were analyzed to calculate indicators such as mortality, age standardization mortality rate (ASMR), rate of years of life lost (YLL) and Average years of life lost. The mortality of HTN between male and female, urban and rural were compared by Chi-square test. The trend change was explained by average annual percent of change (AAPC). Results The mortality and standardized mortality of HTN in Chongqing decreased from 5.44/100 000 and 3.13/100 000 in 2012 to 2.76/100 000 and 1.07/100,000 in 2023 respectively. The average annual percent change (AAPC) was -5.41% and -8.35% respectively, and the differences in the change trends were statistically significant (P<0.01). The mortality and standardized mortality of HTN in males and females decreased with AAPC of 5.50%, 8.07%, 5.27% and 8.69% respectively, and the differences in the change trends were all statistically significant (all P< 0.05). From 2012 to 2014, 2019 and 2021, the mortality rate of HTN in rural areas was higher than that in urban areas (all P < 0.05). The mortality and standardized mortality of HTN in rural areas decreased with AAPC of 6.58% and 9.46% respectively, and the differences in the change trends were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). The rate of YLL and standardized YLL of HTN in Chongqing decreased from 96.02/100 000 and 60.42/100 000 in 2012 to 44.98/100 000 and 21.49/100 000 in 2023 respectively. The AAPC was -5.83% and -7.80% respectively, and the differences in the change trends were statistically significant (both P < 0.05). AYLL of HTN were 17.88 years in 2012, and it was 17.08 years in 2023. There were no statistically significant differences in the changes (both P > 0.05). The standardized AYLL of HTN in rural areas increased at an average annual rate of 1.14%, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion The mortality and YLL rate of HNT in Chongqing was lower than it in China. Moreover, its trend was decreased. It should be strengthened early screening and healthy management of HNT.

Objective To explore the protective mechanism of honey-processed Hedysari Radix in regulating intestinal mucosal injury in rats with spleen qi deficiency.Methods The three-factor composite modeling method of bitter cold diarrhea,overwork and hunger and satiety disorder was used to construct a spleen qi deficiency model rats.After the model was successfully made,they were randomly divided into model group,honey-processed Hedysari Radix group and probiotic group,with 15 animals in each group.Another 15 normal rats were taken as the blank group.The honey-processed Hedysari Radix group was given 12.6 g·kg-1 water decoction of honey-processed Hedysari Radix by gavage,the probiotics group was given Bifidobacterium Lactobacillus triple viable tablets suspension at a dose of 0.625 g·kg-1,and the blank group and the model group were given the same dose of distilled water.The rats in the four groups were administered once a day for 15 days.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect diamine oxidase(DAO)in serum,D-lactic acid(D-LA),secretory immunoglobulin A factor,and Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK),zonula occludens-1(ZO-1)and occludin in colon tissues.Results The serum levels of DAO in the blank group,model group,honey-processed Hedysari Radix group and probiotic group were(138.93±9.78),(187.95±12.90),(147.21±6.92)and(166.47±3.37)pg·mL-1;the contents of D-LA were(892.23±49.17),(1 099.84±137.64),(956.56±86.04)and(989.61±51.75)μg·L-1;the contents of SIgA in colon tissues were(14.04±1.42),(11.47±2.39),(11.84±1.49)and(12.93±1.65)μg·mL-1;the relative expression levels of ZO-1 protein in colon tissues were 1.18±0.11,0.42±0.04,0.77±0.05 and 0.95±0.07;the relative expression levels of occludin protein were 1.35±0.31,0.61±0.17,1.19±0.19 and 0.88±0.13;the relative expression levels of AMPK protein were 0.91±0.02,0.35±0.09,0.74±0.08 and 0.59±0.11.Compared with the model group,there were significant differences in the serum content of DAO and D-LA,SIgA content in colon,and the content of ZO-1,occludin and AMPK protein in the honey-processed Hedysari Radix group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Conclusion Honey-processed Hedysari Radix can enhance the protective effect on the intestinal mucosa of rats with spleen qi deficiency by regulating the expression of related inflammatory cytokines,intestinal mucosal upper cell enzymes and tight junction proteins in rats with spleen qi deficiency.

Pyroptosis is a form of lytic programmed cell death executed by a family of pore-forming proteins named gasdermin (GSDM). Pyroptosis plays crucial roles in host defense against pathogen infection and eliminating abnormal and harmful cells, while excessive pyroptosis causes inflammatory diseases including cytokine storm and septic shock. Mammalian GSDMs, except for pejvakin (PJVK), adopt an autoinhibited two-domain architecture, in which the N-terminal cytotoxic domain (GSDM-N) is restrained in an inactive state by the intramolecular interaction with the C-terminal inhibitory domain (GSDM-C). These two-domain proteins are activated by upstream protease cleavage within the interdomain linkers. The unleashed GSDM-N binds to acidic phospholipids in the cytoplasmic leaf of plasma membranes and undergoes dramatic conformational changes and oligomerization, then assembling into transmembrane pores for pyroptosis induction. GSDM pores lead to membrane rupture, cell swelling, and cytosol release, thereby mobilizing proinflammatory responses. GSDMs are evolutionarily conserved and have been discovered across all kingdoms of life, including bacteria, fungi, invertebrates such as cnidarians and mollusks, and all vertebrates. Proteolytic cleavage to liberate the pore-forming activity of GSDM-N appears to be a universal mechanism for most GSDMs activation, despite low sequence homology among the GSDMs from diverse species. However, recent studies discover that there exist noncanonical GSDMs lack of functional C-terminal inhibitory domains in some lower eukaryotic species. These noncanonical GSDMs are activated by unprecedent mechanisms independent of proteolytic cleavage. TrichoGSDM, present in the basal metazoan Trichoplax adhaerens, is a pore-forming domain-only protein and exists as a disulfides-linked autoinhibited dimer. Reduction of the disulfides by the conserved cytoplasmic antioxidant system, including glutathione (GSH) and thioredoxin (Trx), generates pore-forming active monomers capable of inducing lytic cell death. In filamentous fungus Neurospora crassa, polymorphic regulator of cell death-1 (rcd-1) encodes two GSDM-like proteins RCD-1-1 and RCD-1-2 in incompatible haplostrains, which trigger pyroptosis-like cell death in nonself discrimination (allorecognition) upon encountering during somatic cell fusion. RCD-1-1 and RCD-1-2 are both monomers and structurally similar to mammalian GSDM-N domains, lacking autoinhibitory fragments. They alone could bind acidic phospholipids, and associate with cell membrane in a resting state. Coexistence of RCD-1-1 and RCD-1-2 leads to formation of RCD-1-1/RCD-1-2 heterodimers through molecular mating, which further oligomerize into membrane-inserted pores, causing rapid lytic cell death. These findings reveal mechanistic diversities in GSDM activation and indicate versatile functions of GSDMs. Due to the highly proinflammatory nature of pyroptosis, the pore-forming activities of GSDMs have been illustrated to be precisely regulated at multiple levels. GSDMD transcription and expression is characterized to be induced by interferon regulatory factors 2 (IRF2). mRNA alternative splicing of GSDMB generates various isoforms, some of which exhibit potent pore-forming activity whereas the others bear none. Additionally, different types of post-translational modifications have been identified on GSDMs, playing distinct regulatory roles. For examples, itaconation of GSDMD, succinylation of GSDMD and GSDME, and phosphorylation of GSDMA, GSDMD and GSDME, negatively regulate GSDM pore formation, thereby inhibiting pyroptosis. Conversely, palmitoylation of GSDMD and GSDME, and ubiquitination of GSDMD promote the pore-forming activities and pyroptosis. Moreover, some proteases can cleave within the GSDM-N domains to block their pore-forming activities. On the other hand, bacterial pathogens evolve specific effectors to hijack host pyroptotic defense pathway through targeting upstream caspases, GSDMs or plasma membrane phospholipids. Given the crucial roles of GSDMD in immune defense and pathological inflammation, a few small-molecule inhibitors have been found to directly inhibit GSDMD activity. Since the identification of GSDMs as the executioners of pyroptosis, the GSDM family has attracted broad attention in immunology researches. Significant progress has been made to greatly advance our knowledge about how GSDMs action, and what are the immunological functions of pyroptosis. Investigations of GSDM-targeting therapies are emerging as a promising translational direction. In this paper, we review recent progress in the field of pyroptosis researches, with focus on various molecular mechanisms underlying GSDMs activation and regulation. The biological implication and future direction of pyroptosis research are also discussed.

Objective To analyze the evaluation results of health enterprises in Beijing City and their influencing factors. Methods A total of 40 enterprises that passed the health enterprise evaluation in Beijing from 2021 to 2022 were selected as the study subjects using the judgment sampling method. The total evaluation scores and influencing factors were analyzed based on the size, nature, industry classification, and establishment time of the enterprises. Results The total evaluation score of the 40 health enterprises was (553.1±18.4) points. Scores for the primary evaluation indicators, including management organization and system, occupational disease prevention measures, health environment, health promotion measures, prevention measures for occupational stress caused damage, and musculoskeletal injury prevention measures, were (94.0±4.8), (94.0±4.3), (94.5±3.8), (89.7±4.8), (89.6±4.6), and (91.4±5.9) points, respectively. The result of multiple linear regression analysis showed that, large enterprises had higher total evaluation scores than medium enterprises and micro and small enterprises after controlling for confounding factors such as industry classification and establishment time (all P<0.10). The total evaluation scores of private enterprises and foreign-funded enterprises were lower than that of state-owned or state-participated enterprises (all P<0.10). Conclusion Enterprise size and nature are influencing factors for the total evaluation score of health enterprises. It is necessary to enhance resource and policy support for medium-sized, micro and small enterprises and private enterprises to improve the development of the health enterprises.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia(CLL)is one of small B-cell lymphomas and leukemias,characterized as a clonal disease of mature B cells.The disease is remarkably heterogeneous,with the majority of patients having an indolent course,yet they are currently incurable.Abnormal signaling pathways are indispensable in the pathogenesis of CLL.In CLL,the common abnormalities of signaling pathways include B-cell receptor(BCR)signaling,apoptosis,nuclear factor kappa B(NF-κB)signaling and Notch signaling.According to the target in signaling pathways,a series of targeted drugs,such as Bruton's tyrosine kinase(BTK)inhibitors(ibrutinib,zanubrutinib),phosphorylate phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K)inhibitor(duvelisib)and B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2(BCL2)inhibitor(venetoclax),which have significantly changed the prognosis of patients in clinic.Other targeted drugs,such as fenebrutinib,nemtabrutinib and umbralisib,as well as chimeric antigen receptor T-cell(CAR-T)therapy developed in the field of immuno-oncology and T cell engineering,are currently under trial,with more personalized treatment modalities being explored,which may become potential drug targets in the future.In this paper,relevant literature of CLL was reviewed,and recent research progress in molecular pathogenesis and targeted therapies of chronic lymphocytic leukemia was reviewed.