Endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) offers substantial advantages in the management of degenerative spinal diseases, including accelerated postoperative recovery. However, its technical complexity and steep learning curve pose risks for nerve root injury. Optimizing nerve root protection in full-endoscopic facet-sparing TLIF (FE fs-TLIF) and full-endoscopic facet-resecting TLIF (FE fr-TLIF) is essential for enhancing surgical safety. This study aimed to improve the nerve root protection in FE fs-TLIF and FE fr-TLIF by optimizing cage glider selection and insertion techniques based on the specific cage shape—banana-shaped or bullet-shaped. The goal was to ensure safe cage positioning and mitigate nerve root injury during discectomy, endplate preparation, and cage insertion. These strategies were validated through cadaveric simulations and clinical implementation. In FE fr-TLIF utilizing bullet-shaped (straight) cages, one-tip and two-tip cage gliders effectively protected the traversing nerve root by facilitating medial cage entry, thereby minimizing irritation of the exiting nerve root. Conversely, in FE fr-TLIF with banana-shaped cages, the lateral tilt of the cage holder during implantation required the use of a two-tip cage glider to protect the traversing and exiting nerve roots, thereby mitigating the potential risk of nerve irritation. In FE fs-TLIF, a one-tip cage glider is preferred for safeguarding the exiting nerve root, while the traversing root is inherently protected by the medial wall of the facet joint. The use of a two-tip cage glider in FE fs-TLIF can cause injury to the nerve root during glider insertion. In addition to the selection of cage gliders, improper cage insertion steps can also contribute to postoperative neurapraxia. The appropriate selection of cage gliders with corresponding insertion techniques is critical for nerve root protection in endoscopic TLIF. Tailoring these choices to the specific approach (FE fs-TLIF or FE fr-TLIF) and cage type (banana or bullet) enhances surgical safety and clinical outcomes.

ObjectiveTo systematically review the effect of dual-task training (DTT) on mobility and balance in stroke patients. MethodsCNKI, Wanfang Data, VIP, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase and Cochrane Library were searched for randomized controlled trials (RCT) on DTT in stroke rehabilitation from inception to June, 2025. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the Cochrane Risk of Bias Tool and the PEDro scale. Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.4. ResultsA total of eleven RCT involving 517 stroke patients were included, and the scores of PEDro scale were four to eight. DTT was more effective on the score of Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Lower Extremity (MD = 3.70, 95%CI 1.88 to 5.53, P < 0.001) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) (MD = 3.04, 95%CI 1.58 to 4.49, P < 0.001), fall incidence (OR = 0.32, 95%CI 0.11 to 0.87, P = 0.025), gait speed under a single-task condition (MD = 0.08, 95%CI 0.03 to 0.12, P = 0.002), gait speed under a dual-task condition (MD = 0.13, 95%CI 0.10 to 0.16, P < 0.001), Timed Up and Go Test time (MD = -2.78, 95%CI -3.85 to -1.72, P < 0.001), and score of modified Barthel Index (MD = 4.77, 95%CI 1.88 to 7.66, P = 0.001). Subgroup analysis indicated that motor-motor DTT was more effective than cognitive-motor DTT on BBS scores and single-task gait speed. ConclusionsDTT can improve mobility and balance in stroke patients, especially with motor-motor tasks.

Objective:To investigate the influence of diabetes mellitus (DM) and high-sen-sitivity C-reactive protein (Hs-CRP) on the risk of digestive system malignancy.Methods:The pro-spective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of 93 928 participants who participated health examination in 9 hospitals at Tangshan, including Kailuan General Hospital Affiliated to North China University of Science and Technology et al, in 2006 were selected. According to the presence or absence of DM and the level of Hs-CRP, all participants were divided into 4 groups, including the DM(-)CRP(-) group defined as absence of DM and Hs-CRP ≤3 mg/L, the DM(-)CRP(+) group defined as absence of DM and Hs-CRP>3 mg/L, the DM(+)CRP(-) group defined as presence of DM and Hs-CRP ≤3 mg/L, and the DM(+)CRP(+) group defined as presence of DM and Hs-CRP >3 mg/L. The data of participants were collected by a fixed team of physicians. The first physical examination in 2006 was taken as the starting point for follow-up. The end event of follow-up was defined as the occurrence of digestive system malignancy or death, and the follow-up was up to December 31, 2021. Observation indicators: (1) comparison of clinical data among the 4 groups of participants; (2) the incidence and cumulative incidence rate of digestive system malignancy in participants; (3) influence of DM and Hs-CRP level on the risk of digestive system malignancy; (4) the combined influence of DM and Hs-CRP level on the risk of digestive system malignancy; (5) sensitivity analysis. Comparison of measurement data with normal distribution among multiple groups was conducted using the one-way analysis of variance. For pairwise comparison, least significant difference test was used for homogeneity of variance, and Dunnett′s T3 test was used for heterogeneity of variance. Comparison of measurement data with skewed distribution among multiple groups was conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test, and Dunn-Bonferroni test was used for pairwise comparison. Comparison of count data among multiple groups was conducted using the chi-square test, and Bonferroni test was used among multiple comparisons. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot cumulative incidence curve, and Log-rank test was used for cumulative incidence rate analysis. The Cox proportional risk model was used for multivariate analysis. All models were adjusted for relevant confounders. Results:(1) Comparison of clinical data among the 4 groups of participants. Of the 93 928 participants, there were 70 743 cases in the DM(-)CRP(-) group, 14 644 cases in the DM(-)CRP(+) group, 6 425 cases in the DM(+)CRP(-) group, and 2 116 cases in the DM(+)CRP(+) group. There were significant differences in gender, age, fasting blood glucose, Hs-CRP, triglyceride, alanine aminotransferase, body mass index, marrital status, smoking, drinking, high school degree or above, physical exercise, high salt diet, high fat diet, positive hepatitis B virus surface antigen, fatty liver, liver cirrhosis, gallstone, taking hypoglycemic drugs, taking lipid-lowering drugs among the 4 groups of participants ( P<0.05). (2) The incidence and cumulative incidence rate of digestive system malignancy in participants. At the end-up of follow-up, 2 008 cases developed digestive system malignancy in the 93 928 participants, including 717 cases of colorectal cancer, 456 cases of liver cancer, 396 cases of gastric cancer, 195 cases of esophageal cancer, 144 cases of pancreatic cancer, 65 cases of gallbladder cancer or extrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, 35 cases of small bowel cancer. The cumulative incidence rates of digestive system malignancy were 2.19%, 2.42%, 2.86%, 3.59% in participants of the DM(-)CRP(-) group, DM(-)CRP(+) group, DM(+)CRP(-) group, DM(+)CRP(+) group, respectively, showing a significant difference among the 4 groups ( χ2=31.72, P<0.05). (3) Influence of DM and Hs-CRP level on the risk of digestive system malignancy. After adjusting for the confounding factors of the participants, results of multivariate analysis showed that DM and Hs-CRP >3 mg/L were independent influencing factors for the incidence of digestive system malignancy ( hazard ratio=1.32, 1.19, 95% confidence interval as 1.13-1.56, 1.06-1.33, P<0.05). Futher analysis showed that there was a significant difference in interaction between DM and Hs-CRP >3 mg/L ( P<0.05). (4) The combined influence of DM and Hs-CRP level on the risk of digestive system malign-ancy. After adjusting for confounding factors, results of multivariate analysis showed that using the DM(-)CRP(-) group as the control group, the risk of incidence of digestive system malignancy increased in the DM(-)CRP(+) group, DM(+)CRP(-) group, and DM(+)CRP(+) group, respectively ( hazard ratio=1.14, 1.23, 1.79, 95% confidence interval as 1.01-1.29, 1.02-1.48, 1.38-2.31, P<0.05). In the site-specific analysis of digestive system malignancy, using the DM(-)CRP(-) group as the control group, the risk of incidence of liver cancer increased in the DM(-)CRP(+) group ( hazard ratio=1.37, 95% confidence interval as 1.07-1.75, P<0.05), the risk of incidence of liver cancer and pancrea-tic cancer increased in the DM(+)CRP(-) group ( hazard ratio=1.60, 1.74, 95% confidence interval as 1.16-2.21, 1.00-3.02, P<0.05), the risk of incidence of small bowel cancer, pancreatic cancer and colorectal cancer increased in the DM(+)CRP(+) group ( hazard ratio=5.05, 2.31, 2.23, 95% confidence interval as 1.57-16.21, 1.00-5.31, 1.54-3.24, P<0.05). (5) Sensitivity analysis. After adjusting for confounding factors of excluding 3 types of participants (103 cases of digestive system malignancy within 1 year of follow-up, 2 370 cases of taking glucose-lowering drugs, and 915 cases of taking lipid-lowering drugs), results of multivariate analysis showed that using the DM(-)CRP(-) group as the control group, the risk of incidence of digestive system malignancy increased in the DM(+)CRP(-) group, and DM(+)CRP(+) group, respectively ( hazard ratioexcluding cases of digestive system malignancy within 1 year of follow-up=1.26, 1.66, 95% confidence interval as 1.04-1.52, 1.26-2.18, P<0.05; hazard ratioexcluding cases taking glucose-lowering drugs=1.23, 1.75, 95% confidence interval as 1.02-1.49, 1.31-2.33, P<0.05; hazard ratioexcluding cases taking lipid-lowering drugs=1.24, 1.80, 95% confidence interval as 1.03-1.49, 1.39-2.34, P<0.05). Conclusions:DM and Hs-CRP >3 mg/L are independent influencing factors for the incidence of digestive system malignancy. There is an interation and synergistic effect between DM and Hs-CRP to promote the incidence of digestive system malignancy.

Objective To explore the predictive value of intratumor and peritumoral edema radiomics combined with the autoencoder algorithm for human epidermal growth factor receptor(HER-2)status in breast cancer to provide a new idea for preoperative noninvasive prediction of HER-2 status.Methods Totally 145 breast cancer patients from Yancheng Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical College(Center 1)and 52 ones from Jianhu Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University(Center 2)had their clinical and imaging data collected retrospectively,who were divided into a HER-2 positive group including 87 ones from Center 1 and 30 ones from Center 2 and a HER-2 negative group including 58 ones from Center 1 and 22 ones from Center 2.From December 2018 to October 2024 there were 78 patients with peritumoral edema from Center 1 randomly enrolled into a training set(55 patients)and a validation set(23 patients)in a ratio of 7∶3,and from November 2024 to March 2025 another 26 ones placed into a time validation set.The 52 patients with peritumoral edema from Center 2 were included into an external test set.Firstly,the Mazda software was used to delineate the regions of interest for the largest tumor layer and the peritumoral edema area.Secondly,multivariate analysis of variance(ANOVA),Kruskal-Wallis test,recursive feature elimination(RFE)and Relief algorithm were respectively employed to screen the radiomics features;finally,combined with ten-fold cross validation,the receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn,and the diagnostic efficacy of the models respectively constructed with radiomics parameters and ten types of machine learning algorithms,including auto encoder,support vector machine,linear discriminant analysis,random forest,Logistic regression,Logistic regression via Lasso,adaptive boosting,Gaussian process,native Bayes and decision tree,was evaluated for the HER-2 status in breast cancer.Results The model established by the auto encoder algorithm combined with three feature parameters including intratumor MaxNorm and Variance and peritumoral edema SumAverg behaved the best.The average AUC values of the training and validation sets were 0.808 and 0.735 resepctively,and the AUC values of the time validation and external test sets were 0.746 and 0.732 respectively.Conclusion The model developed with intratumor and peritumoral edema radiomics combined with the auto encoder algorithm can be used for preoperative noninvasive prediction of HER-2 status of breast cancer,which provides references for the preparation of individualized treatment scheme of breast cancer patients.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(9):9-15]

Objective To explore the predictive value of intratumor and peritumoral edema radiomics combined with the autoencoder algorithm for human epidermal growth factor receptor(HER-2)status in breast cancer to provide a new idea for preoperative noninvasive prediction of HER-2 status.Methods Totally 145 breast cancer patients from Yancheng Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing University Medical College(Center 1)and 52 ones from Jianhu Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University(Center 2)had their clinical and imaging data collected retrospectively,who were divided into a HER-2 positive group including 87 ones from Center 1 and 30 ones from Center 2 and a HER-2 negative group including 58 ones from Center 1 and 22 ones from Center 2.From December 2018 to October 2024 there were 78 patients with peritumoral edema from Center 1 randomly enrolled into a training set(55 patients)and a validation set(23 patients)in a ratio of 7∶3,and from November 2024 to March 2025 another 26 ones placed into a time validation set.The 52 patients with peritumoral edema from Center 2 were included into an external test set.Firstly,the Mazda software was used to delineate the regions of interest for the largest tumor layer and the peritumoral edema area.Secondly,multivariate analysis of variance(ANOVA),Kruskal-Wallis test,recursive feature elimination(RFE)and Relief algorithm were respectively employed to screen the radiomics features;finally,combined with ten-fold cross validation,the receiver operating characteristic curve was drawn,and the diagnostic efficacy of the models respectively constructed with radiomics parameters and ten types of machine learning algorithms,including auto encoder,support vector machine,linear discriminant analysis,random forest,Logistic regression,Logistic regression via Lasso,adaptive boosting,Gaussian process,native Bayes and decision tree,was evaluated for the HER-2 status in breast cancer.Results The model established by the auto encoder algorithm combined with three feature parameters including intratumor MaxNorm and Variance and peritumoral edema SumAverg behaved the best.The average AUC values of the training and validation sets were 0.808 and 0.735 resepctively,and the AUC values of the time validation and external test sets were 0.746 and 0.732 respectively.Conclusion The model developed with intratumor and peritumoral edema radiomics combined with the auto encoder algorithm can be used for preoperative noninvasive prediction of HER-2 status of breast cancer,which provides references for the preparation of individualized treatment scheme of breast cancer patients.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(9):9-15]

Objective:To compare the efficacy of different doses of tranexamic acid (TXA) for traumatic hemorrhagic shock (THS) in the early phase of trauma following acute exposure to high altitude in rabbits.Methods:Twenty-five healthy male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into plain control group ( n=5) and acute high-altitude THS group ( n=20) according to the random number table method. The plain control group did not undergo THS modeling throughout the experiment while the acute high-altitude THS group was raised in a hypoxia simulation chamber with a volume fraction of 10% for 3 days to establish the THS model. Based on the different doses of TXA administered intravenously at 30 minutes after THS modeling, the acute high-altitude THS group was further divided into four subgroups: acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA subgroup, acute high-altitude THS+45 mg/kg TXA subgroup, acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA subgroup and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroup, with 5 rabbits in each. The vital signs [mean arterial pressure (MAP), heart rate, rectal temperature] and blood cell counts [red blood cell count (RBC), platelet count (PLT)], 4 coagulation parameters [fibrinogen (FIB), D-dimer, activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), prothrombin time (PT)], thromboelastography [clotting reaction time (R value), clot formation time (K value), maximum amplitude (MA value)], syndecan-1, inflammatory factors [interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α)], and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) were recorded before blood loss, at 30 minutes and 120 minutes after blood loss. At 6 hours after THS, the lungs, terminal ileum, and kidneys of the rabbits were collected to observe tissue damage, and the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) and total water content (TLW) of the lung tissue were measured. Results:(1) Vital signs: Before blood loss, there were no significant differences in MAP, heart rate, or rectal temperature between the acute high-altitude THS subgroups and the plain control group ( P>0.05). At 30 minutes and 120 minutes after blood loss, the acute high-altitude THS subgroups exhibited significantly lower MAP, heart rate, and rectal temperature compared to those in the plain control group ( P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in MAP, heart rate or rectal temperature among the acute high-altitude THS subgroups at any time point ( P>0.05). In the acute high-altitude THS subgroups, MAP, heart rate and rectal temperature were significantly decreased at 30 minutes and 120 minutes after blood loss compared to those before blood loss ( P<0.05); At 120 minutes after blood loss, these parameters were further significantly decreased compared to those at 30 minutes after blood loss ( P<0.05). (2) Blood cell counts: Before blood loss, the RBC count was significantly higher in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to that in the plain control group ( P<0.05), while the PLT was significantly lower ( P<0.05). At 30 minutes after blood loss, there was no significant difference in RBC count between the acute high-altitude THS subgroups and the plain control group ( P>0.05), but the PLT remained significantly lower in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups ( P<0.05). At 120 minutes after blood loss, the RBC count was significantly lower in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to that in the plain control group ( P<0.05), with no significant differences among the acute high-altitude THS subgroups ( P>0.05). The PLT count was significantly lower in the acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA subgroup compared to the other subgroups ( P<0.05). The PLT count in the acute high-altitude THS+45 mg/kg TXA subgroup was significantly lower than those in the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroups ( P<0.05), with no significant differences between the latter two subgroups ( P>0.05). (3) Four Coagulation parameters: Before blood loss, D-dimer level was significantly higher in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to that in the plain control group ( P<0.05), while no significant difference was observed in FIB ( P>0.05). APTT and PT were significantly shortened in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups ( P<0.05). At 30 minutes after blood loss, D-dimer level remained significantly higher in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to that in the plain control group ( P<0.05), while FIB was significantly lower ( P<0.05), with significant increase of APTT and PT compared to those before blood loss ( P<0.05). At 120 minutes after blood loss, the acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA subgroup exhibited significantly higher D-dimer level compared to the other subgroups ( P<0.05), with significantly lower FIB and higher APTT and PT ( P<0.05). The acute high-altitude THS+45 mg/kg TXA subgroup also showed significantly higher D-dimer level compared to those in the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroups ( P<0.05), with significantly lower FIB and increased APTT and PT ( P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in D-dimer, FIB, APTT or PT between the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroups ( P>0.05). (4) Thromboelastography parameters: Before blood loss, the R value was significantly shorter in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to that in the plain control group ( P<0.05), while no significant differences were observed in K value or MA value ( P>0.05). At 30 minutes after blood loss, both R value and K value were significantly shorter in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to those in the plain control group ( P<0.05), with no significant differences in MA value ( P>0.05). At 120 minutes after blood loss, the acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA subgroup exhibited significantly increased R value and K value compared to those in the other subgroups ( P<0.05), while MA value was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The remaining acute high-altitude THS subgroups showed significant decrease of R value and K value compared to those in the plain control group ( P<0.05), while MA value was significantly lower ( P<0.05). The acute high-altitude THS+45 mg/kg TXA subgroup exhibited significantly lower R value and K value compared to those in the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroups ( P<0.05), with no significant differences in R value, K value and MA value between the later two groups ( P<0.05). (5) Changes in Syndecan-1, inflammatory factors and PAI-1: Before blood loss, syndecan-1 was significantly higher in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to that in the plain control group ( P<0.05), while no significant differences were observed in IL-6, TNF-α, or PAI-1 ( P>0.05). At 30 minutes after blood loss, syndecan-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and PAI-1 were significantly higher in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to those in the plain control group ( P<0.05). At 120 minutes after blood loss, syndecan-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and PAI-1 were significantly higher in the acute high-altitude THS subgroups compared to those in the plain control group ( P<0.05). Among them, the acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA group exhibited significantly higher levels of syndecan-1, IL-6, TNF-α, and PAI-1 compared to the other acute high-altitude THS subgroups ( P<0.05). The acute high-altitude THS+45 mg/kg TXA subgroup had significantly higher syndecan-1, IL-6, and TNF-α compared to those in the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroups ( P<0.05), with no significant difference in PAI-1 ( P>0.05). No significant differences were observed in syndecan-1, IL-6, TNF-α or PAI-1 between the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA subgroups ( P>0.05). (6) Tissue injury: At 6 hours after THS, acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA group exhibited significant interstitial thickening of the lung with extensive inflammatory cell infiltration, localized loss of intestinal brush border accompanied by cellular disruption, and marked structural disruption of renal corpuscles with focal cellular injury and necrosis. At 6 hours after THS, the acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA subgroup exhibited significantly higher lung injury scores, Chiu′s intestinal injury scores, and kidney injury scores compared to those of the other subgroups ( P<0.05). No significant differences were observed in the tissue injury scores of the lungs, intestines and kidneys among the other subgroups ( P>0.05). The acute high-altitude THS+0 mg/kg TXA subgroup also had significantly higher lung W/D and TLW compared to those in the other subgroups ( P<0.05). At 6 hours after THS, the acute high-altitude THS+45 mg/kg TXA group exhibited significantly higher W/D and TLW of the lung tissues compared to those in the acute high-altitude THS+90 mg/kg TXA and acute high-altitude THS+135 mg/kg TXA groups ( P<0.05), with no significant differences between the latter two subgroups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:At 3 days after acute exposure to high altitude, rabbits show a hypercoagulable state of the blood, accompanied by endothelial barrier dysfunction. At 30 minutes after the induction of acute high-altitude THS, a single slow intravenous bolus injection of TXA at doses of 90 mg/kg and 135 mg/kg is more effective in improving coagulation and fibrinolysis function, inflammatory response, endothelial injury, and reduced the risk of pulmonary edema than that at a dose of 45 mg/kg.

Objective To evaluate the safety and feasibility of percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty with the assistance of arterio-venous circuit.Methods From January 2015 to October 2022,a total 25 patients[19 females,6 males;age(61.60±9.00)years]were included,who were diagnosed with rheumatic heart disease and severe mitral stenosis.A transseptal puncture was performed to establish a femoral arterio-venous circuit,followed by graded dilation with Inoue balloon(diameters:22.00 mm to 28.00 mm).The target was a mitral valve area≥1.50 cm2 with mild or less regurgitation.Results The arterio-venous circuit was established,and mitral balloon valvuloplasty was successfully completed in all 25 patients.Among them,20 patients experienced difficulty with transvalvular crossing using the balloon catheter with conventional methods,16 patients had valvular severe calcification,and 3 patients presented with a left atrial appendage thrombus despite of more than 6-month anticoagulation therapy with warfarin.The mean balloon diameter was(25.00±1.40)mm.The mitral valve area increased from(0.91±0.15)cm2 preoperatively to(1.70±0.14)cm2 postoperatively(P＜0.001).Mean left atrial pressure decreased from(27.00±7.50)mmHg to(16.36±4.07)mmHg(P＜0.001),and mean pulmonary artery pressure decreased from(40.84±13.81)mmHg to(25.00±7.12)mmHg(P＜0.001).All patients showed significant symptom improvement with no complications.Conclusions Arterio-venous circuit for percutaneous mitral balloon valvuloplasty is safe and feasible.This technique can serve as an alternative to standard technique for patients with complex mitral stenosis.

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is difficult to detect in its early stages and current treatment methods are associated with significant side effects and a high risk of developing drug resistance.This study aims to investigate the effect of phycocyanin(PC)on the apoptosis of human HCC HepG2 cells and its potential mechanism.HepG2 cells were treated with PC at concentrations of 0.1,0.25,0.5,1,2.5,5,and 10 μg/mL for 12 h,and with 10 μg/mL PC and 2.5 μmol/L Wip1 inhibitor(Wip1i)alone or in combination for 12 and 24 h,respectively.Cell proliferation levels were assessed using the CCK-8 cell proliferation-toxicity assay kit.Apoptosis levels were measured by Annexin V-FITC/Propidium Iodide double staining combined with flow cytometry.TMT(Tandem Mass Tag)proteomics quantitative technol-ogy was applied to analyze differential protein expression.Western blotting was used to detect the expres-sion levels of Wip1,p53,and phosphorylated-p53(Ser15)proteins.The CCK-8 assay revealed that PC effectively inhibited HepG2 cell proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner,with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50)of 19.37 μg/mL.Flow cytometry results showed that PC significantly in-duced apoptosis,with an apoptosis rate of 30.40％.Quantitative proteomics analysis indicated that PC induced activation of the p53 pathway.The CCK-8 assay showed that Wip1i enhanced the cytotoxic effect of PC on HepG2 cells.Western blotting confirmed that PC inhibited Wip1 expression,induced p53 pro-tein phosphorylation,and promoted the expression of total p53 protein.Additionally,Wip1i further en-hanced PC-mediated activation of the p53 pathway,increasing the expression of p53 and pP53(S15).In conclusion,PC may induce apoptosis by inhibiting the activity of the p53 negative regulator Wip1,thereby promoting apoptosis through the Wip1/p53 pathway.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of different obesity indicators for colorectal cancer (CRC) risk in different gender populations.Methods:This observational study was conducted within the Kailuan Study (Registration Number: ChiCTR-TNC-11001489). From July 2006 to October 2007, a total of 101,510 employed and retired individuals underwent health examinations, including gastrointestinal disease screening, hematological tests, and questionnaires, at Kailuan General Hospital and its 10 affiliated hospitals. After excluding those with incomplete data, 93,606 participants were included in this study and divided into male (74 852) and female (18 754) groups. CRC incidence was collected through physical examinations and questionnaires every two years. Each participant's follow-up period began at the time of the questionnaire and ended upon CRC diagnosis, death, or December 31, 2021. Body Mass Index (BMI), waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) were quartiled (Q1, Q2, Q3, Q4), with Q1 serving as the control group. After adjusting for traditional risk factors such as age, total cholesterol, triglycerides, diabetes, hypertension, smoking status, alcohol consumption, and physical exercise, Cox regression models were used to calculate the correlations between BMI, waist circumference, WHR, WHtR, and CRC incidence in both male and female populations.Results:The age of all patients was (51±12) years, BMI was (25.06±3.49) kg/m 2, waist circumference was (86.94±9.97) cm, hip circumference was (97.30±8.81) cm, WHR was 0.89±0.07, and WHtR was 0.52±0.06.Female participants had significantly lower BMI, waist circumference, WHR, and WHtR compared to males, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The mean follow-up duration for all participants was 15.01 (14.10±2.66) years, during which 718 CRC cases were identified, including 626 males (0.83%) and 92 females (0.49%). Cox proportional hazards models for males showed that CRC risk increased with waist circumference from Q3 (HR=1.43, 95%CI: 1.13-1.79, P=0.003) to Q4 (HR=1.45,95%CI: 1.14-1.82, P=0.002). Similarly, CRC risk increased with WHR from Q3 (HR=1.22, 95%CI: 1.01-1.53, P=0.007) to Q4 (HR=1.43, 95%CI: 1.14-1.79, P=0.002) and with WHtR from Q3 (HR=1.37, 95%CI: 1.08-1.74, P=0.009) to Q4 (HR=1.68, 95%CI: 1.33-2.12, P<0.001). For females, CRC risk increased with waist circumference from Q2 (HR=2.37, 95%CI: 1.20-4.67, P=0.012) to Q3 (HR=2.42, 95%CI: 1.21-4.84, P=0.013) but decreased in Q4 ( HR=2.08, 95%CI: 1.02-4.25, P=0.043). CRC risk increased significantly with WHR from Q2 (HR=2.20, 95%CI: 1.11-4.39, P=0.024) to Q3 (HR=2.89, 95%CI: 1.48-5.67, P=0.002) in females but was not statistically significant in Q4 ( P=0.074). Among females, CRC risk also increased significantly with WHtR in Q2 (HR=2.30, 95% CI: 1.16-4.56, P=0.017) and Q4 (HR=2.64, 95%CI: 1.32-5.29, P=0.006). There were no statistically significant differences in CRC risk associated with BMI in either male or female populations (both P>0.05). Conclusion:Waist circumference, WHR, and WHtR were better predictors of CRC risk than BMI in both male and female populations.

BACKGROUND:Relatively or absolutely active bone resorption function of osteoclasts is one of the causative factors of osteoporosis. Therefore,how to inhibit the formation of osteoclasts and reduce the bone resorption activity is a key element in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Liquiritin,which is derived from licorice,plays a role in the clinical treatment of bone diseases,but there are fewer studies addressing the application of liquiritin in osteoporosis and the mechanism is unknown.OBJECTIVE:To confirm,through both in vivo and in vitro experiments,that liquiritin inhibits osteoclast differentiation and alleviates bone loss.METHODS:Cell counting kit-8 was used to detect whether Liquiritin exerts toxic or proliferative effects on mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages,and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining was performed to observe the effect of liquiritin in inhibiting osteoclast differentiation. The affinity of liquiritin binding to proteins related to osteoclast differentiation was verified by network pharmacology. RT-PCR and western blot assays were performed to detect the inhibitory effects of liquiritin on osteoclast-specific protein and gene expression as well as relevant signaling pathways. Finally,the mitigating effect of liquiritin on bone loss was verified in the C57BL/6J mouse osteoporosis model.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Liquiritin,at concentrations of 20 μmol/L and below,could inhibit the formation and differentiation of osteoclasts. Concurrently,it exhibited a high affinity with osteoclast-specific proteins such as nuclear factor of activated T-cells 1,Cathepsin K,c-Fos,and matrix metalloproteinase 9,and reduced the relative expression levels of these genes and proteins. Liquiritin could also effectively lower the phosphorylation expression level of JNK in the MAPK signaling pathway at the 15th,30th,45th,and 60th minutes,and it could salvage the degradation of nuclear factor-κB inhibitor α in the nuclear factor-κB signaling pathway at the 60th minute. In vivo experiments demonstrated that liquiritin could mitigate bone loss caused by osteoclasts and improve parameters related to trabecular bone. To conclude,liquiritin possesses the capacity to inhibit osteoclast differentiation and alleviate bone loss,thereby exerting a protective role against osteoporosis.