Purpose To explore the clinicopathological and molecular genetic features of phytosterolemia(PTSL)with necrobiotic xanthogranuloma.Methods 4 cases of PTSL with necrobiotic xanthogranuloma as the primary mani-festation were reviewed.Gene mutations were detected by whole-exome sequencing and screened and verified by Sanger sequencing.The clinical manifestations,laboratory tests,genetic testing results,treatment and prognoses of the pa-tients were analyzed.Results All 4 patients developed subcutaneous masses on the face over a period of 3-13 years.Case 4 showed weakness of both lower limbs and an intracranial mass on MRI.Blood smear analysis revealed that the patients had platelets of varying sizes and were generally large,with increased stomatocytes.Total cholesterol(6.9-11.36 mmol/L)and low-density lipoprotein(4.45-7.08 mmol/L)were elevated in 4 patients.Genetic analysis re-vealed that cases 2 and 4 carried heterozygous mutations in the ABCG5 gene,and case 3 had a homozygous mutation in the ABCG8 gene.Conclusion Thrombocytopenia,stomatocytosis and splenomegaly are the special clinical manifesta-tions of patients with PTSL,and necrobiotic xanthogranuloma may be one of the late manifestations of the disease.Early genetic testing plays a critical role in the timely diagnosis and management of PTSL.

Objective To explore the influencing factors for ischemic stroke in patients with unilateral moderate-to-severe extracranial internal carotid artery(ICA)stenosis and to construct a nomogram prediction model.Methods This study retrospectively and consecutively enrolled patients diagnosed with unilateral moderate-to-severe extracranial ICA stenosis and exhibited indications for carotid endarterectomy(CEA)hospitalized in the Department of Neurosurgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University,between August 2019 and September 2024.The patients were divided into a stroke group and a non-stroke group,based on their clinical presentation and head MRI results.Baseline characteristics and clinical data including age,sex,body mass index,blood pressure(systolic and diastolic pressure[＜140 mmHg,140-＜160 mmHg,≥160 mmHg]),hypertension,diabetes,smoking and alcohol consumption history,use of statin and antiplatelet medication,fasting blood glucose,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC)were collected and ratios between LDL-C/HDL-C,TG/HDL-C,non-HDL-C(calculated according to equation:non-HDL-C=TC-HDL-C),and non-HDL-C/HDL-C(nHHR)were calculated based on aforementioned data.The clinical and baseline data were then compared between two groups.Imaging data included side of carotid artery stenosis(identified through neck vascular ultrasound,CT angiography and/or DSA),degree of carotid stenosis(with 50％-69％categorized as moderate stenosis,and,70％-99％as severe stenosis),plaque echogenicity(predominantly low,medium or high),plaque calcification(surface and basal calcification),plaque ulceration(exists or not),bilateral middle cerebral artery(MCA)hemodynamic parameters measured by transcranial Doppler ultrasound(including,mean flow velocity[Vm],peak systolic velocity[Vs],end-diastolic velocity[Vd]),and the pulsatility index(PI,calculated via formula:PI=[Vs-Vd]/Vm).The hemodynamic parameter differences(△Vm,△Vs,△Vd,△PI)between the healthy and affected MCA were calculated.The baseline,clinical and imaging data with P＜0.05 in univariate analysis were included in multivariate Logistic regression analysis using forward stepwise selection to identify influencing factors for ischemic stroke in patients with unilateral moderate-to-severe extracranial ICA stenosis,and a nomogram prediction model was then constructed base on the analyzed results.Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the predictive performance of the nomogram.Delong's test was used to compare AUC differences between single indicators and the combined model.Results A total of 166 patients with unilateral moderate-to-severe extracranial ICA stenosis and CEA indication were included.In which,99 patients were in the stroke group and 67 patients were in the non-stroke group.The stroke group had a significantly higher proportion of hypertension patients(78.8％[78/99]vs.59.7％[40/67],P=0.008),higher systolic blood pressure([152±15]mmHg vs.[137±18]mmHg,P＜0.01),higher diastolic blood pressure([84±10]mmHg vs.[80±10]mmHg,P=0.042),higher TG(1.33[0.95,1.77]mmol/L vs.1.10[0.87,1.48]mmol/L,P=0.019),higher TG/HDL-C(1.35[0.97,2.08]vs.1.07[0.81,1.52],P=0.003),and higher nHHR(2.89[2.25,3.61]vs.2.48[1.93,3.27],P=0.027)than the non-stroke group.The HDL-C was significantly lower in the stroke group(0.96[0.80,1.15]mmol/L vs.1.03[0.91,1.16]mmol/L,P=0.014).Statistically significant differences were also observed in the distribution of systolic blood pressure between the groups(P＜0.01).No significant differences were found in other clinical data(all P＞0.05).The proportion of patients with carotid plaque ulceration was higher in the stroke group(35.4％[35/99]vs.16.4％[11/67],P=0.007),while stenosis side,stenosis degree,plaque echogenicity,and plaque calcification type showed no significant differences between the groups(all P＞0.05).△Vm(19[4,32]cm/s vs.10[-3,21]cm/s,P=0.001),△Vs(32[9,55]cm/s vs.24[3,40]cm/s,P=0.005),and △Vd(10[-1,19]cm/s vs.6[-3,12]cm/s,P=0.006)were significantly higher in the stroke group.No significant difference was found in △PI(P=0.076).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis identified high systolic blood pressure(OR,1.063,95％CI 1.036-1.090,P＜0.01),high TG/HDL-C(OR,2.802,95％CI 1.551-5.061,P=0.001),high △Vm(OR,1.032,95％CI 1.010-1.055,P=0.004),and plaque ulceration(OR,2.777,95％CI 1.123-6.871,P=0.027)as independent risk factors for ischemic stroke in patients with unilateral moderate-to-severe extracranial ICA stenosis.Systolic blood pressure,TG/HDL-C,△Vm and plaque ulceration were involved in the construction of a combined predictive model for ischemic stroke in the targeted patient group(with unilateral moderate-to-severe extracranial ICA stenosis).The AUC of the combined prediction model was 0.828(95％CI 0.765-0.892,P＜0.01),which was significantly higher than the predictive efficacy of any single factor(all P＜0.01).Conclusions High systolic blood pressure,high TG/HDL-C ratio,high △Vm,and plaque ulceration are independent risk factors for ischemic stroke in patients with unilateral moderate-to-severe extracranial ICA stenosis.The nomogram prediction model based on these factors demonstrates good predictive value for assessing ischemic stroke risk in this patient population.

Objective To explore the influencing factors for ischemic stroke in patients with unilateral moderate-to-severe extracranial internal carotid artery(ICA)stenosis and to construct a nomogram prediction model.Methods This study retrospectively and consecutively enrolled patients diagnosed with unilateral moderate-to-severe extracranial ICA stenosis and exhibited indications for carotid endarterectomy(CEA)hospitalized in the Department of Neurosurgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University,between August 2019 and September 2024.The patients were divided into a stroke group and a non-stroke group,based on their clinical presentation and head MRI results.Baseline characteristics and clinical data including age,sex,body mass index,blood pressure(systolic and diastolic pressure[＜140 mmHg,140-＜160 mmHg,≥160 mmHg]),hypertension,diabetes,smoking and alcohol consumption history,use of statin and antiplatelet medication,fasting blood glucose,high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol(TC)were collected and ratios between LDL-C/HDL-C,TG/HDL-C,non-HDL-C(calculated according to equation:non-HDL-C=TC-HDL-C),and non-HDL-C/HDL-C(nHHR)were calculated based on aforementioned data.The clinical and baseline data were then compared between two groups.Imaging data included side of carotid artery stenosis(identified through neck vascular ultrasound,CT angiography and/or DSA),degree of carotid stenosis(with 50％-69％categorized as moderate stenosis,and,70％-99％as severe stenosis),plaque echogenicity(predominantly low,medium or high),plaque calcification(surface and basal calcification),plaque ulceration(exists or not),bilateral middle cerebral artery(MCA)hemodynamic parameters measured by transcranial Doppler ultrasound(including,mean flow velocity[Vm],peak systolic velocity[Vs],end-diastolic velocity[Vd]),and the pulsatility index(PI,calculated via formula:PI=[Vs-Vd]/Vm).The hemodynamic parameter differences(△Vm,△Vs,△Vd,△PI)between the healthy and affected MCA were calculated.The baseline,clinical and imaging data with P＜0.05 in univariate analysis were included in multivariate Logistic regression analysis using forward stepwise selection to identify influencing factors for ischemic stroke in patients with unilateral moderate-to-severe extracranial ICA stenosis,and a nomogram prediction model was then constructed base on the analyzed results.Receiver operating characteristic curves were plotted,and the area under the curve(AUC)was calculated to evaluate the predictive performance of the nomogram.Delong's test was used to compare AUC differences between single indicators and the combined model.Results A total of 166 patients with unilateral moderate-to-severe extracranial ICA stenosis and CEA indication were included.In which,99 patients were in the stroke group and 67 patients were in the non-stroke group.The stroke group had a significantly higher proportion of hypertension patients(78.8％[78/99]vs.59.7％[40/67],P=0.008),higher systolic blood pressure([152±15]mmHg vs.[137±18]mmHg,P＜0.01),higher diastolic blood pressure([84±10]mmHg vs.[80±10]mmHg,P=0.042),higher TG(1.33[0.95,1.77]mmol/L vs.1.10[0.87,1.48]mmol/L,P=0.019),higher TG/HDL-C(1.35[0.97,2.08]vs.1.07[0.81,1.52],P=0.003),and higher nHHR(2.89[2.25,3.61]vs.2.48[1.93,3.27],P=0.027)than the non-stroke group.The HDL-C was significantly lower in the stroke group(0.96[0.80,1.15]mmol/L vs.1.03[0.91,1.16]mmol/L,P=0.014).Statistically significant differences were also observed in the distribution of systolic blood pressure between the groups(P＜0.01).No significant differences were found in other clinical data(all P＞0.05).The proportion of patients with carotid plaque ulceration was higher in the stroke group(35.4％[35/99]vs.16.4％[11/67],P=0.007),while stenosis side,stenosis degree,plaque echogenicity,and plaque calcification type showed no significant differences between the groups(all P＞0.05).△Vm(19[4,32]cm/s vs.10[-3,21]cm/s,P=0.001),△Vs(32[9,55]cm/s vs.24[3,40]cm/s,P=0.005),and △Vd(10[-1,19]cm/s vs.6[-3,12]cm/s,P=0.006)were significantly higher in the stroke group.No significant difference was found in △PI(P=0.076).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis identified high systolic blood pressure(OR,1.063,95％CI 1.036-1.090,P＜0.01),high TG/HDL-C(OR,2.802,95％CI 1.551-5.061,P=0.001),high △Vm(OR,1.032,95％CI 1.010-1.055,P=0.004),and plaque ulceration(OR,2.777,95％CI 1.123-6.871,P=0.027)as independent risk factors for ischemic stroke in patients with unilateral moderate-to-severe extracranial ICA stenosis.Systolic blood pressure,TG/HDL-C,△Vm and plaque ulceration were involved in the construction of a combined predictive model for ischemic stroke in the targeted patient group(with unilateral moderate-to-severe extracranial ICA stenosis).The AUC of the combined prediction model was 0.828(95％CI 0.765-0.892,P＜0.01),which was significantly higher than the predictive efficacy of any single factor(all P＜0.01).Conclusions High systolic blood pressure,high TG/HDL-C ratio,high △Vm,and plaque ulceration are independent risk factors for ischemic stroke in patients with unilateral moderate-to-severe extracranial ICA stenosis.The nomogram prediction model based on these factors demonstrates good predictive value for assessing ischemic stroke risk in this patient population.

Purpose To explore the clinicopathological and molecular genetic features of phytosterolemia(PTSL)with necrobiotic xanthogranuloma.Methods 4 cases of PTSL with necrobiotic xanthogranuloma as the primary mani-festation were reviewed.Gene mutations were detected by whole-exome sequencing and screened and verified by Sanger sequencing.The clinical manifestations,laboratory tests,genetic testing results,treatment and prognoses of the pa-tients were analyzed.Results All 4 patients developed subcutaneous masses on the face over a period of 3-13 years.Case 4 showed weakness of both lower limbs and an intracranial mass on MRI.Blood smear analysis revealed that the patients had platelets of varying sizes and were generally large,with increased stomatocytes.Total cholesterol(6.9-11.36 mmol/L)and low-density lipoprotein(4.45-7.08 mmol/L)were elevated in 4 patients.Genetic analysis re-vealed that cases 2 and 4 carried heterozygous mutations in the ABCG5 gene,and case 3 had a homozygous mutation in the ABCG8 gene.Conclusion Thrombocytopenia,stomatocytosis and splenomegaly are the special clinical manifesta-tions of patients with PTSL,and necrobiotic xanthogranuloma may be one of the late manifestations of the disease.Early genetic testing plays a critical role in the timely diagnosis and management of PTSL.

Objective To evaluate the predictive value of a dose-surface histogram (DSH) for radiation cystitis (RC) in patients with cervical cancer. Methods We retrospectively included 190 patients with cervical cancer who underwent image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) from the HIS system of The First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from May 2013 to May 2023. The patients were divided into test group (n = 100) and control group (n = 90). The dose distribution in the bladder was evaluated by using a DSH for the test group and using a dose-volume histogram (DVH) for the control group. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the predictive value of DSH for RC in comparison with DVH. Results There were no significant differences in baseline data and RC incidence between the two groups (all P＞0.05). All evaluation indicators were significantly different between DSH and DVH (all P＜0.05). The predictive value of S₄₅ and V₄₅ for the incidence of grade-I, -II, and -III RC was low (all P＜0.05). The predictive value of S₅₀ and V₅₀ for the incidence of grade-I, -II, and -III RC was moderate (all P＜0.05). S₅₅−S₅₇ and V₅₅−V₅₇ showed high value for predicting the incidence of grade-I, -II, and -III RC (all P＜0.05). Conclusion DSH shows basically the same predictive value for the incidence of RC caused by IGRT in cervical cancer as DVH, which is expected to become a new tool for evaluating radiotherapy plans.

The main protease (M^pro) of SARS-CoV-2 is an attractive target in anti-COVID-19 therapy for its high conservation and major role in the virus life cycle. The covalent M^pro inhibitor nirmatrelvir (in combination with ritonavir, a pharmacokinetic enhancer) and the non-covalent inhibitor ensitrelvir have shown efficacy in clinical trials and have been approved for therapeutic use. Effective antiviral drugs are needed to fight the pandemic, while non-covalent M^pro inhibitors could be promising alternatives due to their high selectivity and favorable druggability. Numerous non-covalent M^pro inhibitors with desirable properties have been developed based on available crystal structures of M^pro. In this article, we describe medicinal chemistry strategies applied for the discovery and optimization of non-covalent M^pro inhibitors, followed by a general overview and critical analysis of the available information. Prospective viewpoints and insights into current strategies for the development of non-covalent M^pro inhibitors are also discussed.

Objective:To explore the anti-inflammatory effect and safety of two non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation.Methods:A randomized, double-blind, clinical trial was conducted.A total of 90 age-related cataract patients (90 eyes) who were diagnosed in Qingdao Eye Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University were enrolled from October 2020 to February 2021.The patients were randomized to diclofenac sodium group and bromofenac sodium group by random number table method, with 45 cases (45 eyes) in each group.All patients underwent phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation, and 0.1% diclofenac sodium eye drops (preservative-free), 4 times a day, and 0.1% pramiphene eye drops, 2 times a day were applied in the perioperative period.The duration of continuous medication treatment and follow-up time were 6 weeks.The subjective symptoms of the patients were scored before and after surgery.The amount of tear fluid secretion was detected by Schirmer I test, and the tear film breakup time was recorded with the Oculus dry eye analyzer.Corneal fluorescein staining was observed under a slit lamp microscope with cobalt blue light.Anterior chamber flash was measured by slit-lamp biomicroscopy.The thickness of central macular area and the presence of macular cystoid edema was measured by optical coherence tomography.Visual acuity, noncontact intraocular pressure (IOP) and the drug safety were examined and evaluated.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Qingdao Eye Hospital (No.[2020]60).All patients were informed about the surgery and postoperative medication and signed the informed consent form.Results:All subjects had no intraoperative complications, and completed treatment and follow-up as required.The preoperative, 1-day postoperative, 1-week postoperative, 6-week postoperative subjective symptom scores were (0.47±0.73), (0.56±0.62), (0.33±0.48), and (0.51±0.66) points in the diclofenac group, and (0.47±0.51), (0.75±0.61), (0.64±0.65), and (0.78±0.77) points in the bromfenac group.There were statistically significant differences in the subjective symptom scores at different time points between the two groups ( Fgroup=5.001, P=0.028; Ftime=2.920, P=0.035), and the subjective symptom scores of diclofenac sodium group were significantly lower than those of bromofenac sodium group (all at P<0.05).The preoperative, 1-week postoperative, 6-week postoperative tear secretion volume were (5.87±2.37), (6.07±2.53), and (6.29±0.25) mm in diclofenac sodium group, and (7.36±2.74), (6.29±3.46), and (5.80±2.76) mm in bromofenac sodium group.There was statistically significant difference in the tear secretion volume between the two groups before surgery ( F=6.910, P=0.012), but there was no significant difference on postoperative weeks 1 and 6 ( F=1.121, 0.772; P=0.729, 0.384).The preoperative, 1-week postoperative, 6-week postoperative non-invasive tear break-up time (NIBUT) were (8.00±6.28), (6.68±5.24), and (6.17±5.00) seconds in diclofenac sodium group, and (6.40±5.28), (4.50±2.46), and (5.39±5.39) seconds in bromofenac sodium group.There was no significant difference in NIBUT between the two groups ( Fgroup=3.415, P=0.068).There was significant difference in NIBUT within groups among different time points ( Ftime=4.358, P=0.020).The 1-day postoperative, 1-week postoperative, 6-week postoperative corneal epithelial staining score were (1.40±0.81), (0.13±0.34), (0.00±0.00) points in diclofenac sodium group, and (1.38±0.89), (0.22±0.47), and (0.00±0.00) points in bromofenac sodium group.There was no statistically significant difference in the corneal epithelial staining score between the two groups after surgery ( Fgroup=0.110, P=0.741).There were statistically significant differences in corneal epithelial staining scores within groups among different time points ( Ftime=175.054, P<0.01).The 1-day postoperative, 1-week postoperative, 6-week postoperative anterior chamber flare classification were 1.13±0.51, 0.13±0.34, and 0.00±0.00 in diclofenac sodium group, and 1.02±0.34, 0.16±0.37, and 0.00±0.00 in bromofenac sodium group.There was no significant difference in the overall anterior chamber flash between the two groups ( Fgroup=0.045, P=0.507).There were statistically significant differences in anterior chamber flash within groups among different time points ( Ftime=322.331, P<0.001).There was no significant difference in the preoperative and 6-week postoperative macular fovea thickness between both groups ( t=-0.221, -0.374; both at P>0.05).The incidence of macular cystoid edema 6 weeks after operation was 0% in both groups.Subjects tolerated the two tested drugs well.Eight adverse events occurred in this study, all of which were mild postoperative IOP elevation, including 3 in diclofenac sodium group with an incidence of 6.67% and 5 in bromofenac group with an incidence of 11.1%.IOP returned to normal in all the patients 1 week after stopping the use of drug. Conclusions:Two nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are safe and effective for anti-inflammatory treatment after cataract phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation.The new diclofenac sodium eye drops are more comfortable than bromfenac sodium eye drops.

Indolylarylsulfones (IASs) are classical HIV-1 non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) with a unique scaffold and possess potent antiviral activity. To address the high cytotoxicity and improve safety profiles of IASs, we introduced various sulfonamide groups linked by alkyl diamine chain to explore the entrance channel of non-nucleoside inhibitors binding pocket. 48 compounds were designed and synthesized to evaluate their anti-HIV-1 activities and reverse transcriptase inhibition activities. Especially, compound R₁₀L₄ was endowed with significant inhibitory activity towards wild-type HIV-1 (EC_50(WT) = 0.007 μmol/L, SI = 30,930) as well as a panel of single-mutant strains exemplified by L100I (EC₅₀ = 0.017 μmol/L, SI = 13,055), E138K (EC₅₀ = 0.017 μmol/L, SI = 13,123) and Y181C (EC₅₀ = 0.045 μmol/L, SI = 4753) which were superior to Nevirapine and Etravirine. Notably, R₁₀L₄ was characterized with significantly reduced cytotoxicity (CC₅₀ = 216.51 μmol/L) and showed no remarkable in vivo toxic effects (acute and subacute toxicity). Moreover, the computer-based docking study was also employed to characterize the binding mode between R₁₀L₄ and HIV-1 RT. Additionally, R₁₀L₄ presented an acceptable pharmacokinetic profile. Collectively, these results deliver precious insights for next optimization and indicate that the sulfonamide IAS derivatives are promising NNRTIs for further development.

Objective To explore the early clinical efficacy of 3D printing technology-assisted customized prosthesis with preservation of femoral condyles for the reconstruction of bone defects after resection of distal femoral malignancies.Methods From June 2019 to September 2021,our department determined the lesion range of 12 cases of malignant tumors in the distal femur through CT and MRI before surgery.We used computer-aided production of osteotomy guide plates and customized prostheses that preserved the femoral condyle.After the prostheses were customized,the tumor segment was removed and a reconstruction was performed by using the customized prosthesis with preservation of femoral condyles.The knee function was evaluated by the American Musculoskeletal Tumor Society(MSTS)functional evaluation criteria.Results The operative time was 180-270 min,with a mean of 200 min.The intraoperative bleeding was 300-800 ml,with a mean of 450 ml.A total of 12 cases were followed up for 12-50 months(average,21.9 months).Two patients died of lung metastasis at 12 and 16 months after surgery,one patient survived with lung metastasis at 3 months after surgery,and one patient(8.3%)developed periprosthetic infection at 1 year after surgery.In 10 patients,imaging showed that the prosthesis and plate were in a good position without signs of loosening or bone resorption,the proximal femur was fixed in place with the 3D printed collar,and continuous bone scab formation was found in 4 cases.At the final follow-up,the functional status of the affected limb was good,with the knee flexion of 105°-135°(mean,115°)and no limitation of extension.The MSTS score was 22-28 points[mean,(24.3±1.8)points].Conclusion Application of 3D printing-assisted customized prosthetic replacement technology with preservation of the femoral condyles allows for precise resection of malignant distal femoral tumors and effective anatomical reconstruction without increasing surgical trauma and risk,significantly improving postoperative limb function and potentially reducing long-term complications.

Objective:To explore the feasibility and safety of endovascular interventional embolization in pregnancy-related acute large vessel occlusive stroke.Methods:Three patients with pregnancy-related acute large-vessel occlusive stroke accepted endovascular interventional embolization in Department of Neurology, Jining First People's Hospital from November 2017 to June 2021 were chosen; their clinical data and treatment efficacy were retrospectively analyzed.Results:Two patients were in early pregnancy and one was in puerperium; they were with acute anterior circulation large vessel occlusion, including one with occlusion of the M1 segment of the right middle cerebral artery, one with occlusion of the ophthalmic segment of the left internal carotid artery, and one with occlusion of the traffic segment of the left internal carotid artery; cardiogenic embolism was considered, and the risk factors for embolism included unclosed foramen ovale ( n=1), rheumatic heart disease ( n=1), and atrial fibrillation ( n=1); embolization was performed by catheter aspiration in one patient and stenting in two patients; all vessels were well re-canalized with modified thrombolysis in cerebral infarction (mTICI) 3; two patients had a good prognosis 90 d after embolization (mRS scores of 0 and 2) and one had a poor prognosis (mRS scores of 4); no surgical complications occurred. Conclusion:Endovascular interventional embolization after individualized evaluation may be a safe and effective approach for patients with pregnancy-related acute large vessel occlusive stroke.