Objective To explore the clinical value of albumin-globulin ratio(AGR)combined with prostate-specific antigen(PSA)and Gleason score in predicting biochemical recurrence(BCR)after radical resection in patients with localized prostate cancer, and to provide reference for early identification of BCR high-risk patients and individualized treatment. Methods The clinical data of 114 patients with localized prostate cancer treated during Sep.2019 and Sep.2023 were retrospectively analyzed.According to postoperative BCR status, patients were divided into the BCR group(n=43)and non-BCR group(n=71).Preoperative clinical and pathological data were compared between the two groups.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses were used to assess the correlation between these indicators and BCR.The predictive performance of the combined model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.The Kaplan-Meier method was used to compare biochemical recurrence-free survival(BFS)among patients with different AGR, PSA levels and Gleason scores.Results Compared with the non-BCR group, the BCR group had significantly higher PSA level and ISUP grading, but significantly lower AGR level(P＜0.001).Multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that AGR was negatively correlated with BCR(HR=0.031, 95%CI:0.008-0.119, P＜0.001), PSA was positively correlated with BCR(HR=1.009, 95%CI:1.002-1.016, P=0.017), and Gleason score was positively correlated with BCR(HR=1.551, 95%CI:1.199-2.005, P＜0.001).The area under the ROC curve(AUC)for the combined prediction model(AGR + PSA + Gleason score)was 0.886, with a sensitivity of 90.7% and a specificity of 78.9%.Kaplan-Meier analyses showed that patients in the low AGR group, high PSA group, and high Gleason score group had significantly lower BFS than those in the high AGR group, low PSA group and low Gleason score group, respectively(all P＜0.0001).Conclusion The combination of AGR, PSA and Gleason score is closely associated with postoperative BCR in patients with localized prostate cancer.The combined prediction model demonstrates high predictive efficacy and can provide an important reference for the early identification of high-risk BCR patients and for guiding individualized postoperative treatment.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of chemoembolization with doxorubicin-infused gelatin sponge microparticles in the amelioration of arterioportal shunting (APS) in patients afflicted with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:A retrospective investigation was conducted on 9 HCC patients admitted between January 2020 and December 2022 with concomitant moderate-to-severe APS who underwent GSM-transarterial chemoembolization (TACE). Hepatic artery digital subtraction angiography (DSA) was employed to ascertain the magnitude of improvement in arteriovenous shunts, utilization of modified response evaluation criteria in solid tumors facilitated the appraisal of short-term clinical outcomes. Follow-up records documented survival duration, along with quantitative parameters such as the longest diameter of tumor lesions and serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels before and after treatment. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was utilized to compare the differences of these quantitative parameters before and after treatment.Results:The APS amelioration rates were 100% and 88.9% at immediate and recent postoperatively, respectively. The oncological response rate was 77.8% (7/9), and the complete necrosis rate was 22.2% (2/9) at three months postoperatively, the 1-year survival rate was 100%. Following treatment, a significant reduction was observed in the tumor′s longitudinal diameter [4.32(3.88,6.63)cm] and serum AFP levels [13.50 (7.55, 29.60) μg/L], compared to the pre-treatment values of the tumor′s longitudinal diameter [5.20(4.58,8.57)cm] and serum AFP levels [524.30 (320.65, 1 046.15) μg/L] ( P<0.05 for all). Conclusion:Doxorubicin-infused GSM-TACE is both feasible and efficacious in the first treatment of HCC concomitant with APS and represents a better clinical alternative.

Objective To establish normal reference values for left ventricular trabecular and papillary muscle mass(TPMM)in Chinese adults using MRI and to explore its impact factors.Methods A total of 168 healthy Chinese adults were retrospectively included,and compacted and total left ventricular myocardial mass(LVM)were measured using traditional and dedicated methods,respectively.TPMM was calculated from the difference between total and compacted LVM.Independent sample t-tests and analysis of variance were used to explore the differences in TPMM among genders and age groups,while multiple linear regression was used to explore the independent correlation between TPMM and age,gender,heart rate,systolic blood pressure(SBP),fasting blood glucose(FBG),and body mass index(BMI).Results TPMM for men was significantly larger than that for female(P<0.001).TPMM in the elderly group was significantly larger in female(P<0.05),but not in men.Multiple linear regression showed that BMI and SBP were both independently positively correlated with TPMM,and female and heart rate were independently negatively correlated with TPMM(P<0.05).Conclusion This study provides age-and gender-specific normal reference values for TPMM in Chinese adults.Gender,heart rate,BMI,and SBP are all independently associated with TPMM.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate the disease burden of prostate cancer (PC) and assess key influencing factors associated with the disease expenditures of PC in the United States. METHODS: The total deaths, incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life-years of PC were obtained from the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019. The Medical Expenditure Panel Survey was used to estimate healthcare expenditures and productivity loss and to investigate patterns of payment and use of healthcare resources in the United States. A multivariable logistic regression model was conducted to identify key factors influencing expenditures. RESULTS: For patients aged 50 and older, the burden for all age groups showed a modest increase over the 6-year period. Annual medical expenditures were estimated to range from US$24.8 billion to US$39.2 billion from 2014 to 2019. The annual loss in productivity for patients was approximately US$1,200. The top 3 major components of medical costs were hospital inpatient stays, prescription medicines, and office-based visits. Medicare was the largest source of payments for survivors. In terms of drug consumption, genitourinary tract agents (57.0%) and antineoplastics (18.6%) were the main therapeutic drugs. High medical expenditures were positively associated with age (p=0.005), having private health insurance (p=0.016), more comorbidities, not currently smoking (p=0.001), and patient self-perception of fair/poor health status (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS From 2014 to 2019, the national real-world data of PC revealed that the disease burden in the United States continued to increase, which was partly related to patient characteristics.

Objective:To explore whether osteopontin (OPN) is involved in the regulation of mouse endometrial stromal cells (mESCs) decidualization in vitro. Methods:Primary mESCs were treated with estrogen (10 nmol/L) and progesterone (1 μmol/L) to induce decidualization in vitro, and to detect the expression of OPN during mESCs decidualization. mESCs were transfected with over-expression vector of Opn, Opn shRNA, or with blank group as a negative control. The transfection efficiency was detected by real time PCR and Western blotting. The cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 kit. Expressions of decidual/trophoblast-layer prolactin related protein (Dtprp), vascular endothelial growth factor A (Vegfa) and its receptor 2 (Vegfr2) were detected by real time PCR and Western blotting. Results:The mRNA levels of Dtprp ( P<0.001), Vegfa ( P=0.004) and Vegfr2 ( P=0.002) in decidualized mESCs were significantly increased, accompanied with the upregulated of Opn mRNA ( P=0.002) and OPN protein ( P<0.001) levels. Opn overexpression promoted mESCs proliferation ( P=0.004), while Opn knockdown can inhibit mESCs proliferation ( P=0.008). In addition, Opn overexpression further increased the mRNA levels of Dtprp ( P<0.001), Vegfa ( P=0.021), and Vegfr2 ( P=0.012) in decidualized mESCs, as well as the protein level of VEGFA ( P=0.001). Opn knockdown, on the other hand, inhibited the mRNA expression levels of Dtprp ( P=0.009), Vegfa ( P=0.007), and Vegfr2 ( P=0.001) in decidualized mESC, and the protein level of VEGFA ( P<0.001). Conclusion:OPN may play an important role in the regulation of mouse endometrial stromal cell decidualization.

Objective:To explore whether osteopontin (OPN) is involved in the regulation of mouse endometrial stromal cells (mESCs) decidualization in vitro. Methods:Primary mESCs were treated with estrogen (10 nmol/L) and progesterone (1 μmol/L) to induce decidualization in vitro, and to detect the expression of OPN during mESCs decidualization. mESCs were transfected with over-expression vector of Opn, Opn shRNA, or with blank group as a negative control. The transfection efficiency was detected by real time PCR and Western blotting. The cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 kit. Expressions of decidual/trophoblast-layer prolactin related protein (Dtprp), vascular endothelial growth factor A (Vegfa) and its receptor 2 (Vegfr2) were detected by real time PCR and Western blotting. Results:The mRNA levels of Dtprp ( P<0.001), Vegfa ( P=0.004) and Vegfr2 ( P=0.002) in decidualized mESCs were significantly increased, accompanied with the upregulated of Opn mRNA ( P=0.002) and OPN protein ( P<0.001) levels. Opn overexpression promoted mESCs proliferation ( P=0.004), while Opn knockdown can inhibit mESCs proliferation ( P=0.008). In addition, Opn overexpression further increased the mRNA levels of Dtprp ( P<0.001), Vegfa ( P=0.021), and Vegfr2 ( P=0.012) in decidualized mESCs, as well as the protein level of VEGFA ( P=0.001). Opn knockdown, on the other hand, inhibited the mRNA expression levels of Dtprp ( P=0.009), Vegfa ( P=0.007), and Vegfr2 ( P=0.001) in decidualized mESC, and the protein level of VEGFA ( P<0.001). Conclusion:OPN may play an important role in the regulation of mouse endometrial stromal cell decidualization.