Meconium is changed from defoliated intestinal villi with apoptosis. A meconium corpuscle is a limited architecture in the meconium at the light microscopic level. In histological and immunohistochemical sections of the abdomen from 40 fetuses at 20–31 weeks of gestation, we found 12 fetuses with meconium and examined the architecture.A solid or loose meconium was seen depending on sites. The solid meconium in the colon and rectum contained numerous spherical or rugby ball-like corpuscles comprising of a core with tightly-packed atrophied cells and a laminar fibrous sheath.The solid meconium surrounded and incorporated villi that maintained the original architecture. The loose meconium was seen not only in the stomach and duodenum but also, depending on specimens, in the colon and rectum. It was composed of a large mucosal fold, a single small villus and/or fragmented epithelia. Notably, these mucosal tissues still contained chromogranin-positive gastrointestinal cells and cytokeratin-positive epithelia. A large ring-like meconium was composed of the entirely circular mucosa or epithelia that seemed to be detached along the muscularis mucosae or the basal lamina.A sheath-like fibrous structure in meconium seemed to originate from the lamina propria and basal lamina of villi. A defoliation of villi with apoptosis seemed difficult to explain a detachment of the entirely circular mucosa or epithelia in large fetuses examined. The latter event might require a specific mechanism such as an in utero intussusception in which a proximal side of the colon was invaginated into the distal lumen.

Purpose: Patient-derived cells (PDCs) and patient-derived organoids (PDOs) are complementary preclinical models widely used in translational cancer research. However, their molecular and functional differences have not been systematically characterized. This study established and analyzed paired PDC and PDO models derived from the same gastric cancer ascites to delineate platform-dependent molecular and functional profiles. Materials and Methods: Malignant ascites or pleural fluid obtained from 6 patients with advanced gastric cancer were used to establish paired PDC and PDO models. All pairs underwent comprehensive multi-omics profiling, integrating genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic data. Phenotypic characterization included morphological, histological, proliferative, and cell cycle analyses. Drug sensitivity assays were performed using 4 chemotherapeutic agents commonly used to treat gastric cancer. Results: The 6 paired PDC and PDO models exhibited distinct morphological characteristics.Whole-genome analyses demonstrated high concordance among primary tumors, PDCs, and PDOs, confirming tumor representation across platforms. Multi-omics profiling identified platform-dependent molecular signatures; PDOs were enriched for extracellular matrix remodeling and stemness, whereas PDCs displayed proliferation- and immune-related signatures. Clinically relevant biomarkers, including HER2 and MET alterations, were concordant with primary tumors. Notably, drug responses differed between platforms and patients, indicating platform-dependent and patient-specific chemosensitivity. Conclusions Paired PDC and PDO models derived from the same patients preserved core patient-specific tumor characteristics while exhibiting distinct molecular and functional profiles. These findings underscore the culture platform as a critical determinant of experimental outcomes and therapeutic responses. Therefore, careful selection of an appropriate preclinical model is essential to accurately address biological questions and optimize precision oncology strategies.

Purpose: We aimed to compare broad-spectrum antibiotic use between hospice and nonhospice patients with cancer at the end of life using nationwide data from Korea. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, we analyzed the Korean National Health Insurance Service data of adult patients with cancer who died between 2018 and 2021. Hospice users were defined as patients who received inpatient, home-based, or consultation-based hospice care before death. We applied propensity score matching (1:2) to balance the baseline characteristics of the hospice and non-hospice groups. Broad-spectrum antibiotic use, including anti-pseudomonal penicillins, anti-pseudomonal cephalosporins, carbapenems, and glycopeptides, was assessed during the last 3 months of life using prescription proportions and days of therapy per 1,000 patient-days. Results: After matching, 38,102 hospice and 75,736 non-hospice users were analyzed. During the last 3 months of life, 74.6% of hospiceand 79.0% of non-hospice users received at least one broad-spectrum antibiotic (P＜0.001).The proportion of patients receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics was generally lower amonghospice users across all time intervals (P＜0.001), and the number of days of therapy wasalso lower, with the largest differences observed during the final week and last 3 days of life.Subgroup analyses showed the highest antibiotic exposure among patients with hematologic and pancreatobiliary cancers, particularly in the non-hospice group. Conclusion Hospice involvement was associated with lower use and reduced exposure to broad-spectrum antibiotics among patients with cancer near the end of life. These findings support the alignment of end-of-life treatment decisions with the comfort-oriented goals of hospice care.

Objective To explore the application value of Laennec's membrane space in dealing with complex anatomical variations and dense adhesions during repeated liver transplantation (Re-LT). Methods The clinical data of 8 cases of Re-LT recipients treated in the Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery of the First Hospital Affiliated to Harbin Medical University were retrospectively analyzed. During the operation, based on the Laennec's membrane anatomical concept, the remaining Laennec space and the free technique within the hepatic portal plate were flexibly applied for dissection. Specifically, the first hepatic portal main ducts (biliary and portal veins) were dissected by lowering the hepatic portal plate inside the Laennec's membrane space, and the second hepatic portal was exposed to perform the modified piggyback liver transplantation to avoid the injury to the right adrenal gland and right kidney caused by the free inferior vena cava below the liver. Moreover, the dense adhesions between the liver and hollow organs were separated by a combination of blunt and sharp dissection within the subcapsular space of the liver capsule (Glisson capsule). Results All 8 cases of recipients successfully completed the surgery. Among them, 7 cases underwent end-to-end biliary anastomosis with a T-tube left in place, and 1 underwent choledochoenteric anastomosis, 2 cases underwent modified piggyback reconstruction, 2 cases used the subcapsular dissection technique to handle organ adhesions. One recipient died of generalized drug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae infection combined with septic shock after the operation, while the remaining 7 cases were discharged after the main complications (such as delayed graft function recovery, pulmonary infection, bile leakage, etc.) were cured or significantly improved. Two cases of recipients who used the subcapsular dissection technique effectively avoided the secondary injury of hollow organs, and no digestive tract leakage complications occurred after the operation. Conclusions By flexibly applying Laennec's membrane space and the intrahepatic portal plate free technique in Re-LT, it may effectively cope with the loss of anatomical layers and vascular dense adhesions, reducing the surgical difficulty and the risk of secondary injury, providing important technical support for improving the prognosis of recipients.

Objective:To examine the clinical features and genetic profiles of patients with thyroid peroxidase(TPO) gene mutations and provide diagnostic guidance for clinicians.Methods:A retrospective review of four patients with TPO mutations treated at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, from January 2014 to December 2023. Data on demographics, clinical manifestation, genotypes, treatment, and prognosis of these patients were analyzed.Results:Two males and two females, aged 13 to 27 years at diagnosis, presented with goiter as the initial symptom, with three cases menifesting during puberty. Laboratory findings showed mildly elevated or upper-limit-normal serum thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH) levels, significantly increased free triiodothyronine/free thyroxine(FT 3/FT 4) ratios, and elevated thyroglobulin(TG) levels. Genetic testing revealed compound heterozygous pathogenic or likely pathogenic TPO mutations. Despite regular levothyroxine(L-T 4) therapy, goiter persisted. Three patients required thyroidectomy due to cosmetic or compressive symptoms, with pathology showing follicular hyperplasia. Conclusion:TPO mutations are characterized by adolescent-onset goiter, elevated FT 3/FT 4 ratios, and normal to high TSH. Genetic testing confirms the diagnosis. L-T 4 offers limited improvement, and surgery is often needed.

Aim To explore the roles and mechanisms of long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)AC087388.1 and poly(A)binding protein cytoplasmic 1(PABPC1)in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Meth-ods The expression level of AC087388.1 in ESCC tissues and cells was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)and fluorescence in situ hybridization experiments and its clinical relevance was analyzed.Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8),clone formation,scratch and Transwell inva-sion assays were used to detect the effects of knock-down of AC087388.1 on the cell viability,prolifera-tion,migratory,and invasion of ESCC cells respectively ability,and sub-localization in cells.RNA pull down and Western blot experiments were employed to verify the interaction between AC087388.1 and PABPC1 in ESCC cells.Salvage experiments were performed to detect the effect of AC087388.1 targeting PABPC1 on ESCC cells.Results AC087388.1 was highly ex-pressed in ESCC tissues and cells and positively corre-lated with clinical stage of ESCC patients,mainly local-ized in cytoplasm.Knockdown AC087388.1 inhibited ESCC cell viability,proliferation,migration and inva-sionability.PABPC1 was selected from the results of RNA Pull Down-MS experiments for subsequent experi-ments,and AC087388.1 was verified to bind to PAB-PC1 by RNA Pull Down and Western blot experiments.Overexpression of AC087388.1 was verified by rescue experiment to reverse the effects of knockdown of PAB-PC1 on ESCC cell viability,proliferation,migration and invasion.Conclusions High expression of AC087388.1 correlates with clinical stage and may be a risk factor for ESCC progression.AC087388.1 pro-motes the cell viability,proliferation,migration and in-vasive ability of ESCC cells by targeting PABPC1,which may be a novel biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of ESCC.

Aim To explore the roles and mechanisms of long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)AC087388.1 and poly(A)binding protein cytoplasmic 1(PABPC1)in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).Meth-ods The expression level of AC087388.1 in ESCC tissues and cells was detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)and fluorescence in situ hybridization experiments and its clinical relevance was analyzed.Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8),clone formation,scratch and Transwell inva-sion assays were used to detect the effects of knock-down of AC087388.1 on the cell viability,prolifera-tion,migratory,and invasion of ESCC cells respectively ability,and sub-localization in cells.RNA pull down and Western blot experiments were employed to verify the interaction between AC087388.1 and PABPC1 in ESCC cells.Salvage experiments were performed to detect the effect of AC087388.1 targeting PABPC1 on ESCC cells.Results AC087388.1 was highly ex-pressed in ESCC tissues and cells and positively corre-lated with clinical stage of ESCC patients,mainly local-ized in cytoplasm.Knockdown AC087388.1 inhibited ESCC cell viability,proliferation,migration and inva-sionability.PABPC1 was selected from the results of RNA Pull Down-MS experiments for subsequent experi-ments,and AC087388.1 was verified to bind to PAB-PC1 by RNA Pull Down and Western blot experiments.Overexpression of AC087388.1 was verified by rescue experiment to reverse the effects of knockdown of PAB-PC1 on ESCC cell viability,proliferation,migration and invasion.Conclusions High expression of AC087388.1 correlates with clinical stage and may be a risk factor for ESCC progression.AC087388.1 pro-motes the cell viability,proliferation,migration and in-vasive ability of ESCC cells by targeting PABPC1,which may be a novel biomarker for the diagnosis and treatment of ESCC.

Objective:To analyze the incidence of surgical site infection (SSI) in patients undergoing colorectal cancer (CRC) surgery and to identify risk factors associated with SSI in an attempt to provide a reference for clinical prevention strategies.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Clinical data were retrospectively collected from a total of 2,248 patients who underwent surgery for pathologically confirmed CRC between 2017 and 2022 at two centers: Huangshan Shoukang Hospital ( n=649) and Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital ( n=1 599). Inclusion criteria consisted of the following: (1) age >18 years; (2) pathologically confirmed CRC treated with curative resection, including extended resections (e.g. pelvic exenteration); (3) no surgical incisions other than abdominal or perineal; and (4) no use of prosthetic implants. The incidence of SSI was analyzed, and multivariate logistic regression was used to identify independent its risk factors. Results:A total of 121 patients (5.4%) developed SSI. Among them, 68 cases (56.2%) were organ/space infections, 35 cases (28.9%) were deep incisional infections, and 18 cases (14.9%) were superficial incisional infections. The median postoperative hospital stay was significantly longer in patients with SSI compared to those without (21.0 days vs. 13.0 days, U=65,754, P<0.001). The median hospitalization cost was also significantly higher in the SSI group (56,550 yuan vs. 43,645 yuan, U=72,008, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis identified body mass index (BMI) ≤ 20 kg/m 2 (OR=4.25, 95%CI: 3.38-5.34, P<0.001), diabetes mellitus (OR=3.44, 95%CI: 1.89-6.24, P<0.001), open surgery (OR=4.23, 95%CI: 2.37-7.56, P<0.001), and colostomy or ileostomy (OR=1.67, 95% CI: 1.04-2.69, P=0.034) as independent risk factors for SSI. Conclusion:To prevent SSI following CRC surgery, attention should be given to optimizing body weight and glycemic control, promoting minimally invasive surgical approaches when feasible, and cautiously considering the necessity of colostomy or ileostomy.

Objective:To examine the clinical features and genetic profiles of patients with thyroid peroxidase(TPO) gene mutations and provide diagnostic guidance for clinicians.Methods:A retrospective review of four patients with TPO mutations treated at Ruijin Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, from January 2014 to December 2023. Data on demographics, clinical manifestation, genotypes, treatment, and prognosis of these patients were analyzed.Results:Two males and two females, aged 13 to 27 years at diagnosis, presented with goiter as the initial symptom, with three cases menifesting during puberty. Laboratory findings showed mildly elevated or upper-limit-normal serum thyroid-stimulating hormone(TSH) levels, significantly increased free triiodothyronine/free thyroxine(FT 3/FT 4) ratios, and elevated thyroglobulin(TG) levels. Genetic testing revealed compound heterozygous pathogenic or likely pathogenic TPO mutations. Despite regular levothyroxine(L-T 4) therapy, goiter persisted. Three patients required thyroidectomy due to cosmetic or compressive symptoms, with pathology showing follicular hyperplasia. Conclusion:TPO mutations are characterized by adolescent-onset goiter, elevated FT 3/FT 4 ratios, and normal to high TSH. Genetic testing confirms the diagnosis. L-T 4 offers limited improvement, and surgery is often needed.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) is a treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN), with a relatively low risk of stenosis; however, the long-term outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with widespread superficial ESCN who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or ERFA. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with superficial ESCN who underwent ESD or ERFA between January 2015 and December 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence-free survival. Results: Ninety-two and 33 patients with superficial ESCN underwent ESD and ERFA, respectively. The en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates for ESD were 100.0%, 90.2%, and 76.1%, respectively. At 12 months, the complete response rate was comparable between the two groups (94.6% vs 90.9%, p=0.748). During a median follow-up of 66 months, recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the ESD group than in the ERFA group (p=0.004), while no significant differences in overall survival (p=0.845) and disease-specific survival (p=0.494) were observed.Preoperative diagnosis of intramucosal cancer (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.55; vs high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) was an independent predictor of recurrence. Significantly fewer patients in the ERFA group experienced stenosis compare to ESD group (15.2% vs 38.0%, p=0.016). Conclusions The risk of recurrence was higher for ERFA than ESD for ESCN but overall survival was not affected. The risk of esophageal stenosis was significantly lower for patients who underwent ERFA.