Objective:To investigate the association of peripheral blood inflammatory markers and lymphocyte subsets with different severities of acute ischemic stroke(AIS).Methods:A total of 128 AIS patients who were admitted to Department of Neurology,The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University,from January to December 2022 were enrolled as subjects,and according to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score,the patients were divided into mild AIS group(67 patients with an NIHSS score of<4)and moderate-to-severe AIS group(61 patients with an NIHSS score of≥4).The two groups were compared in terms of baseline clinical data,blood biochemical parameters,and peripheral[MLR],neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio[NLR],and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio[PLR]).Flow cytometry was used to measure the number and percentage of lymphocyte subsets.Results:Compared with the mild AIS group,the moderate-to-severe AIS group had a significantly higher proportion of patients with hyperlipidemia blood inflammatory markers(C-reactive protein[CRP],systemic immune-inflammation index[SII],monocyte-to-lymphocyte ratio(47.761%vs.67.213%,P=0.032),with relatively high values of low-density lipoprotein(LDL)/high-density lipoprotein(HDL)ratio(P=0.025)and total cholesterol(TCHO)/HDL ratio(P=0.020),as well as significantly higher levels of the peripheral blood inflamma-tory markers CRP(P<0.001),platelet count(P=0.001),MLR(P<0.001),and NLR(P<0.001),significantly higher numbers of periph-eral blood CD3 T cells(P=0.006),CD4 T cells(P=0.009),CD8 T cells(P=0.032),and CD3-/CD16+/CD56+NK cells(P=0.002),and a significantly higher proportion of T helper cells(P=0.041).The binary logistic regression analysis showed that platelet count(odds ratio[OR]=1.035,P=0.004),CRP(OR=2.016,P<0.001),NLR(OR=2.585,P=0.030),the proportion of total lymphocytes(OR=1.169,P<0.001),and the number of lymphocytes(OR=1.008,P<0.001)were significantly associated with moderate-to-severe AIS.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that NLR,CRP,and the proportion of total lymphocytes had an area under the ROC curve of 0.760,0.812,and 0.777,respectively.Conclusion:Patients with moderate-to-severe AIS tend to have high levels of the peripheral blood inflammatory markers NLR and CRP,a high lymphocyte count,and a high proportion of lymphocytes.NLR,CRP,and the proportion of lymphocytes are independent risk factors for the development of moderate-to-severe AIS.

Objective:To explore the regulatory mechanism of voltage-dependent anion channel 1(VDAC1) on the proliferation, migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD) cells.Methods:This study employed a combination of bioinformatics and experimental validation methods, conducting bioinformatics analysis and cytological experimental validation in the central laboratory of the School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology from February 2023 to August 2024.Clinical histological specimen validation was performed using immunohistochemistry, and a retrospective analysis was conducted on 5 cases of lung adenocarcinoma and adjacent samples from Huai′an First People′s Hospital affiliated with Nanjing Medical University. The TCGA network database was analyzed for the expression pattern, prognostic value, and functional enrichment of VDAC1 in LUAD. A549 cells with VDAC1 knockdown and H1650 cells with VDAC1 overexpression were established through lentiviral transfection. The expression difference of VDAC1 protein in LUAD and adjacent tissue specimens was detected by immunohistochemistry.The effects of VDAC1 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities were explored through CCK8 assay, scratch healing assay, and Transwell assay.The activation levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker proteins, cell cycle-dependent kinases, and molecules in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway were detected by Western blot.Results:Bioinformatics analysis revealed that VDAC1 was highly expressed in LUAD cells ( P<0.000 1) and was an independent risk factor for LUAD ( P<0.000 1). Functional enrichment analysis showed significant enrichment of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR, G2M checkpoint, and P53 signaling pathways ( P<0.001). Compared to adjacent control tissues, the expression level of VDAC1 protein is higher in lung adenocarcinoma tissues.Overexpression of VDAC1 promoted the proliferation ( P<0.000 1), migration, and invasion( P<0.01) of H1650 cells, while knockdown of VDAC1 inhibited the proliferation ( P<0.000 1), migration, and invasion ( P<0.05) of A549 cells.Western Blot experiments showed that compared to the control group, the expression levels of vimentin (1.10±0.11 vs 2.39±0.15, P<0.001), N-cadherin (0.94±0.12 vs 2.72±0.06, P<0.001), CDK1 (0.93±0.04 vs 1.53±0.03, P<0.000 1), CDK2 (1.04±0.13 vs 2.29±0.06, P<0.001), CDK4 (0.90±0.03 vs 2.00±0.11, P<0.01), p-PI3K (1.08±0.13 vs 1.85±0.12, P<0.01), and p-AKT (1.03±0.11 vs 1.69±0.06, P<0.001) were increased in H1650 cells overexpressing VDAC1, while E-cadherin expression decreased (2.18±0.14 vs 0.997±0.11, P<0.001).In contrast, in A549 cells with VDAC1 knockdown, the expression levels of vimentin (1.70±0.26 vs 0.97±0.09, P<0.05), N-cadherin (1.98±0.25 vs 1.03±0.06, P<0.05), CDK1 (1.13±0.03 vs 0.95±0.02, P<0.01), CDK2 (2.29±0.12 vs 0.92±0.10, P<0.001), CDK4 (1.71±0.096 vs 1.12±0.11, P<0.01), p-PI3K (1.67±0.09 vs 0.97±0.03, P<0.001), and p-AKT (1.53±0.04 vs 1.02±0.03, P<0.000 1) decreased, while E-cadherin expression increased (1.04±0.04 vs 1.85±0.26, P<0.05). Conclusions:VDAC1 may promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion of LUAD cells by activating EMT and cyclin-dependent kinases through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Objective:To explore the short-term clinical effects of deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods:A prospective exploratory study was conducted on the treatment of AD patients using the cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in Scar and Wound Treatment Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from September to October 2024. The patients underwent high-frequency ultrasound to locate deep cervical lymph nodes and the external jugular vein. Under general anesthesia, bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses were performed. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography was conducted via subcutaneous injection behind the ear to visualize lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. After making a skin incision along the posterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the external jugular vein, internal jugular veins, and associated lymph nodes were exposed. Adjacent veins were selected for anastomosis of lymph node. Using microsurgical techniques, end-to-side or end-to-end anastomosis was completed for lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Preoperative assessments included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE, a higher score indicates better cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog, a higher score indicates greater impairment of cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease cooperative study scale for activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL, a higher score indicates better ability to perform daily activity), and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI, a higher score indicates more severe behavioral and emotional symptom). Postoperative follow-up included the same scales to observe changes in cognitive function, activities of daily living, and emotional communication.Results:Four patients (1 male, 3 females, aged 58-79 years) with AD were included. All were diagnosed based on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. All patients successfully underwent bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses. On average, 4.3 (2-7 per person) anastomoses were performed per patient. Surgical procedures lasted an average of 6.5 h (5.5-8.5 h) with minimal blood loss (less than 50 ml). Patients resumed normal activity within 6 hours postoperatively and were discharged after an average of 4.1 d (3.5-5.0 d). Postoperative complications included one case each of aspiration pneumonia, lower limb venous thrombosis, and transient delirium, all of whom resolved without long-term effects. Clinical symptoms, including memory decline, mood swings, and anxiety, showed varying degrees of improvement. Patients reported enhanced quality of life, emotional stability, and social engagement, confirming the procedure’s safety and potential cognitive benefits. At one month postoperatively, the MMSE scores of the four patients increased by an average of 0.8 points compared to preoperative levels. Additionally, the two patients who completed the ADAS-Cog assessments showed a decrease in their scores (reduced by 1.0 points and 11.3 points, respectively, compared to preoperative scores), indicating a certain degree of improvement in cognitive function during this period. The ADCS-ADL and NPI scores of four patients varied significantly, without showing any clear pattern.Conclusion:Lymphovenous anastomosis of the deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis may provide a new surgical intervention approach for AD, but further large-scale studies and long-term follow-up are needed to validate its safety and effectiveness.

Objective To assess the clinical value of a novel surgical technique—Tubeless subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with percutaneous suspension technique via balance-shaped sternal elevation device in the resection of anterior mediastinal masses. Methods Patients who underwent tubeless subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery via balance-shaped sternal elevation device in anterior mediastinal masses process at the Department of Thoracic Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from March to April 2025 were included, and their clinical data were analyzed. Results A total of 4 patients were included, with 2 males and 2 females, aged 58-75 years. The diameter of the tumor was 2.5-3.0 cm. The operation time was 60.0-150.0 min, intraoperative blood loss was 5-10 mL, pain score on the 3rd day after surgery was 0 points, and postoperative hospital stay was 2-3 days. All patients achieved complete resection of the masses and thymus without perioperative complications. Conclusion The tubeless subxiphoid uniportal video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery with percutaneous suspension technique via balance-shaped sternal elevation device technique optimizes surgical visualization and instrument maneuverability while avoiding complications related to conventional anesthesia and tubing, thereby markedly enhancing the minimally invasive profile of anterior mediastinal masses resections. In addition to maintaining procedural safety, this approach effectively reduces postoperative pain and accelerates patient recovery, highlighting its potential for widespread clinical adoption.

Identifying drug-drug interactions(DDIs)is essential to prevent adverse effects from polypharmacy.Although deep learning has advanced DDI identification,the gap between powerful models and their lack of clinical application and evaluation has hindered clinical benefits.Here,we developed a Multi-Dimensional Feature Fusion model named MDFF,which integrates one-dimensional simplified molec-ular input line entry system sequence features,two-dimensional molecular graph features,and three-dimensional geometric features to enhance drug representations for predicting DDIs.MDFF was trained and validated on two DDI datasets,evaluated across three distinct scenarios,and compared with advanced DDI prediction models using accuracy,precision,recall,area under the curve,and F1 score metrics.MDFF achieved state-of-the-art performance across all metrics.Ablation experiments showed that integrating multi-dimensional drug features yielded the best results.More importantly,we obtained adverse drug reaction reports uploaded by Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from 2021 to 2023 and used MDFF to identify potential adverse DDIs.Among 12 real-world adverse drug reaction reports,the predictions of 9 reports were supported by relevant evidence.Additionally,MDFF demon-strated the ability to explain adverse DDI mechanisms,providing insights into the mechanisms behind one specific report and highlighting its potential to assist practitioners in improving medical practice.

Periodontitis is a common oral disease characterized by progressive alveolar bone resorption and inflammation of the periodontal tissues. Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) has been used in the treatment of various immune-inflammatory diseases due to its excellent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant functions. Here, we investigated for the first time the therapeutic effect of DMF on periodontitis. In vivo studies showed that DMF significantly inhibited periodontal destruction, enhanced mitophagy, and decreased the M1/M2 macrophage ratio. In vitro studies showed that DMF inhibited macrophage polarization toward M1 macrophages and promoted polarization toward M2 macrophages, with improved mitochondrial function, inhibited oxidative stress, and increased mitophagy in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, DMF increased intracellular mitochondrial Tu translation elongation factor (TUFM) levels to maintain mitochondrial homeostasis, promoted mitophagy, and modulated macrophage polarization, whereas TUFM knockdown decreased the protective effect of DMF. Finally, mechanistic studies showed that DMF increased intracellular TUFM levels by protecting TUFM from degradation via the ubiquitin-proteasomal degradation pathway. Our results demonstrate for the first time that DMF protects mitochondrial function and inhibits oxidative stress through TUFM-mediated mitophagy in macrophages, resulting in a shift in the balance of macrophage polarization, thereby attenuating periodontitis. Importantly, this study provides new insights into the prevention of periodontitis.
Dimethyl Fumarate/pharmacology* ; Mitophagy/drug effects* ; Animals ; Mice ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Periodontitis/prevention & control* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Peptide Elongation Factor Tu/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Mitochondria/drug effects*

Identifying drug-drug interactions (DDIs) is essential to prevent adverse effects from polypharmacy. Although deep learning has advanced DDI identification, the gap between powerful models and their lack of clinical application and evaluation has hindered clinical benefits. Here, we developed a Multi-Dimensional Feature Fusion model named MDFF, which integrates one-dimensional simplified molecular input line entry system sequence features, two-dimensional molecular graph features, and three-dimensional geometric features to enhance drug representations for predicting DDIs. MDFF was trained and validated on two DDI datasets, evaluated across three distinct scenarios, and compared with advanced DDI prediction models using accuracy, precision, recall, area under the curve, and F1 score metrics. MDFF achieved state-of-the-art performance across all metrics. Ablation experiments showed that integrating multi-dimensional drug features yielded the best results. More importantly, we obtained adverse drug reaction reports uploaded by Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from 2021 to 2023 and used MDFF to identify potential adverse DDIs. Among 12 real-world adverse drug reaction reports, the predictions of 9 reports were supported by relevant evidence. Additionally, MDFF demonstrated the ability to explain adverse DDI mechanisms, providing insights into the mechanisms behind one specific report and highlighting its potential to assist practitioners in improving medical practice.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and trends of preterm births in China using medical institution survey data, thereby providing epidemiological data support for perinatal care.Methods:Based on a nationwide sampling survey on healthcare quality data from 2017 to 2022, this study included 3 547, 4 436, 4 513, 4 535, 5 068, and 5 790 medical institutions, with 7 039 107, 8 926 441, 9 006 420, 7 051 984, 7 311 862, and 7 354 062 parturient women, respectively. The overall rates of preterm birth (live births at 28 to 36 +6 weeks of gestation/overall live births) and early preterm birth (live births at 28 to <34 weeks of gestation/overall live births) were calculated at the national level, across diverse provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, and for various levels of medical institutions. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the influence of maternal characteristics and medical institution characteristics on the rates of preterm birth and early preterm birth. Results:From 2017 to 2022, both the preterm birth rate and the early preterm birth rate in China showed a continuous increase. The preterm birth rate rose from 5.13% (363 036/7 079 454) in 2017 to 6.56% (487 150/7 424 734) in 2022, and the early preterm birth rate increased from 1.32% (118 021/8 971 870) in 2018 to 1.43% (106 157/7 424 734) in 2022. These rates showed an overall increasing trend in private, secondary public specialty, and general hospitals. In tertiary public specialty hospitals, these rates fluctuated around 8.0% and 2.0% from the year 2018, respectively, while in tertiary public general hospitals, these rates peaked in 2020 at 8.63% (205 570/2 381 523) and 2.19% (52 197/2 381 523), respectively. Compared with 2017, by 2022, the preterm birth rate had increased to varying degrees in all provinces, autonomous regions, municipalities and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps, except for Henan Province [preterm birth rate in 2017 was 6.22% (27 173/437 187); preterm birth rate in 2022 was 5.83% (37 604/645 104)]. As for the early preterm birth rate, it showed a decline in Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hainan, Henan, Jiangsu, Shanghai, Xinjiang, Yunnan, and Zhejiang, but had increased to varying degrees in all other provinces , autonomous regions, municipalities and Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps across the country. The grade and location of medical institutions both had a significant impact on the preterm birth rate and early preterm birth rate (both P<0.05). For every 1% increase in the proportions of multiparous women, women of advanced maternal age, or twin pregnancies, the preterm birth rate increased by 0.014%, 0.042%, and 0.763%, and the early preterm birth rate increased by 0.004%, 0.013%, and 0.239%, respectively (all P<0.05). Conclusion:From 2017 to 2022, the preterm birth rate and early preterm birth rate in China have continued to rise, reflecting the dual challenges of changing characteristics in the childbearing population and the uneven distribution of medical and health resources faced by maternal and child healthcare in China.

Objective:To explore the short-term clinical effects of deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis in the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease (AD).Methods:A prospective exploratory study was conducted on the treatment of AD patients using the cervical deep lymph node-venous anastomosis technique in Scar and Wound Treatment Department, Plastic Surgery Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, from September to October 2024. The patients underwent high-frequency ultrasound to locate deep cervical lymph nodes and the external jugular vein. Under general anesthesia, bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses were performed. Indocyanine green (ICG) lymphography was conducted via subcutaneous injection behind the ear to visualize lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. After making a skin incision along the posterior margin of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, the external jugular vein, internal jugular veins, and associated lymph nodes were exposed. Adjacent veins were selected for anastomosis of lymph node. Using microsurgical techniques, end-to-side or end-to-end anastomosis was completed for lymph nodes in levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ. Preoperative assessments included the mini-mental state examination (MMSE, a higher score indicates better cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease assessment scale-cognitive subscale (ADAS-Cog, a higher score indicates greater impairment of cognitive function), Alzheimer’s disease cooperative study scale for activities of daily living (ADCS-ADL, a higher score indicates better ability to perform daily activity), and neuropsychiatric inventory (NPI, a higher score indicates more severe behavioral and emotional symptom). Postoperative follow-up included the same scales to observe changes in cognitive function, activities of daily living, and emotional communication.Results:Four patients (1 male, 3 females, aged 58-79 years) with AD were included. All were diagnosed based on cerebrospinal fluid biomarkers. All patients successfully underwent bilateral deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomoses. On average, 4.3 (2-7 per person) anastomoses were performed per patient. Surgical procedures lasted an average of 6.5 h (5.5-8.5 h) with minimal blood loss (less than 50 ml). Patients resumed normal activity within 6 hours postoperatively and were discharged after an average of 4.1 d (3.5-5.0 d). Postoperative complications included one case each of aspiration pneumonia, lower limb venous thrombosis, and transient delirium, all of whom resolved without long-term effects. Clinical symptoms, including memory decline, mood swings, and anxiety, showed varying degrees of improvement. Patients reported enhanced quality of life, emotional stability, and social engagement, confirming the procedure’s safety and potential cognitive benefits. At one month postoperatively, the MMSE scores of the four patients increased by an average of 0.8 points compared to preoperative levels. Additionally, the two patients who completed the ADAS-Cog assessments showed a decrease in their scores (reduced by 1.0 points and 11.3 points, respectively, compared to preoperative scores), indicating a certain degree of improvement in cognitive function during this period. The ADCS-ADL and NPI scores of four patients varied significantly, without showing any clear pattern.Conclusion:Lymphovenous anastomosis of the deep cervical lymph node-venous anastomosis may provide a new surgical intervention approach for AD, but further large-scale studies and long-term follow-up are needed to validate its safety and effectiveness.

Objective:To explore the regulatory mechanism of voltage-dependent anion channel 1(VDAC1) on the proliferation, migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma(LUAD) cells.Methods:This study employed a combination of bioinformatics and experimental validation methods, conducting bioinformatics analysis and cytological experimental validation in the central laboratory of the School of Medicine, Anhui University of Science and Technology from February 2023 to August 2024.Clinical histological specimen validation was performed using immunohistochemistry, and a retrospective analysis was conducted on 5 cases of lung adenocarcinoma and adjacent samples from Huai′an First People′s Hospital affiliated with Nanjing Medical University. The TCGA network database was analyzed for the expression pattern, prognostic value, and functional enrichment of VDAC1 in LUAD. A549 cells with VDAC1 knockdown and H1650 cells with VDAC1 overexpression were established through lentiviral transfection. The expression difference of VDAC1 protein in LUAD and adjacent tissue specimens was detected by immunohistochemistry.The effects of VDAC1 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion capabilities were explored through CCK8 assay, scratch healing assay, and Transwell assay.The activation levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) marker proteins, cell cycle-dependent kinases, and molecules in the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway were detected by Western blot.Results:Bioinformatics analysis revealed that VDAC1 was highly expressed in LUAD cells ( P<0.000 1) and was an independent risk factor for LUAD ( P<0.000 1). Functional enrichment analysis showed significant enrichment of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR, G2M checkpoint, and P53 signaling pathways ( P<0.001). Compared to adjacent control tissues, the expression level of VDAC1 protein is higher in lung adenocarcinoma tissues.Overexpression of VDAC1 promoted the proliferation ( P<0.000 1), migration, and invasion( P<0.01) of H1650 cells, while knockdown of VDAC1 inhibited the proliferation ( P<0.000 1), migration, and invasion ( P<0.05) of A549 cells.Western Blot experiments showed that compared to the control group, the expression levels of vimentin (1.10±0.11 vs 2.39±0.15, P<0.001), N-cadherin (0.94±0.12 vs 2.72±0.06, P<0.001), CDK1 (0.93±0.04 vs 1.53±0.03, P<0.000 1), CDK2 (1.04±0.13 vs 2.29±0.06, P<0.001), CDK4 (0.90±0.03 vs 2.00±0.11, P<0.01), p-PI3K (1.08±0.13 vs 1.85±0.12, P<0.01), and p-AKT (1.03±0.11 vs 1.69±0.06, P<0.001) were increased in H1650 cells overexpressing VDAC1, while E-cadherin expression decreased (2.18±0.14 vs 0.997±0.11, P<0.001).In contrast, in A549 cells with VDAC1 knockdown, the expression levels of vimentin (1.70±0.26 vs 0.97±0.09, P<0.05), N-cadherin (1.98±0.25 vs 1.03±0.06, P<0.05), CDK1 (1.13±0.03 vs 0.95±0.02, P<0.01), CDK2 (2.29±0.12 vs 0.92±0.10, P<0.001), CDK4 (1.71±0.096 vs 1.12±0.11, P<0.01), p-PI3K (1.67±0.09 vs 0.97±0.03, P<0.001), and p-AKT (1.53±0.04 vs 1.02±0.03, P<0.000 1) decreased, while E-cadherin expression increased (1.04±0.04 vs 1.85±0.26, P<0.05). Conclusions:VDAC1 may promote the proliferation, migration, and invasion of LUAD cells by activating EMT and cyclin-dependent kinases through the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.