Tumor budding is a distinct pathomorphological feature observed in various types of solid tumor. In recent years， tumor budding has been recognized as an important biological feature associated with tumor invasion and metastasis， and it has become a new focus in the research on tumor progression. Although studies have explored the role of tumor budding in different types of tumor， there are studies in the field of hepatocellular carcinoma （HCC）. This article systematically reviews the research advances in tumor budding in HCC， with a focus on the mechanism of tumor budding， the association between tumor budding and tumor progression， and the potential application of tumor budding in prognostic assessment， in order to provide new insights and strategies for the early diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

BACKGROUND: Owing to the high prevalence of antibiotic resistance in Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori ) in China, bismuth-containing quadruple therapies have been recommended for H. pylori eradication. This study compared the efficacy and safety of quadruple regimens containing vonoprazan vs . esomeprazole for H. pylori eradication in a patient population in China. METHODS: This was a phase 3, multicenter, randomized, double-blind study. Patients with confirmed H. pylori infection were randomized 1:1 to receive quadruple therapy for 14 days: amoxicillin 1000 mg and clarithromycin 500 mg after meals, bismuth potassium citrate 600 mg before meals, plus either vonoprazan 20 mg or esomeprazole 20 mg before meals, all twice daily. The primary outcome was the eradication rate of H. pylori , evaluated using a 13 C urea breath test at 4 weeks after treatment. The non-inferiority margin was at 10%. RESULTS: The study included 510 patients, 506 of whom completed the follow-up assessment. The primary analysis revealed eradication rates of 86.8% (210/242) and 86.7% (208/240) for vonoprazan and esomeprazole therapy, respectively (treatment difference: 0.1%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: -5.95, 6.17; non-inferiority P  = 0.0009). Per-protocol analysis showed eradication rates of 87.4% for vonoprazan and 86.3% for esomeprazole (treatment difference: 1.2%; 95% CI: -5.03, 7.36; non-inferiority P  = 0.0004). Vonoprazan and esomeprazole were well tolerated, with similar safety profiles. CONCLUSION: Vonoprazan was found to be well-tolerated and non-inferior to esomeprazole for eradicating H. pylori in patients from China. TRIAL REGISTRATION ClinicalTrials.gov , NCT04198363.
Humans ; Esomeprazole/therapeutic use* ; Double-Blind Method ; Helicobacter Infections/drug therapy* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Helicobacter pylori/pathogenicity* ; Pyrroles/therapeutic use* ; Sulfonamides/therapeutic use* ; Adult ; Clarithromycin/therapeutic use* ; Amoxicillin/therapeutic use* ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/therapeutic use* ; Pyrrolidines/therapeutic use* ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Proton Pump Inhibitors/therapeutic use*

OBJECTIVE To establish a clinical pharmaceutical pathway of anti-infective therapy for high-risk populations of antibiotic-associated encephalopathy （AAE）， and analyze its application effects. METHODS Clinical pharmacists developed the “AAE High-Risk Population Screening Form” and “Antibiotic AAE Risk Comparison Form” based on literature and expert opinions， and established the “Clinical Pharmaceutical Pathway of Anti-infective Treatment for AAE High-Risk Population” in our hospital. A prospective， non-randomized controlled study was conducted from May 2023 to April 2024， including 50 cases in the observation group and 50 cases in the control group among patients with pulmonary infections admitted to the Dept. of Internal Medicine in our hospital. The observation group was involved in the development of an anti-infective treatment following the clinical pharmaceutical pathway by clinical pharmacists， while the control group received routine anti-infective treatment by clinical physicians. The occurrence of AAE， the rational antibiotic drug use， and the effectiveness of initial anti-infective treatment in the two groups were observed， and the intervention measures and outcomes of AAE cases were summarized. RESULTS The anti-infective treatment clinical pharmaceutical pathway for AAE high-risk population was preliminarily established in our hospital. The analysis of the application effects showed that there was 1 case of AAE in the observation group and 8 cases in the control group， with a significantly lower incidence of AAE in the observation group than in the control group； the rational antibiotic drug use and the effectiveness of initial anti-infective treatment in the observation group were both significantly superior to those in the control group （P＜0.05）. Drug withdrawal and dressing change were the preferred effective intervention measures for AAE， and encephalopathy treatment drugs could be used as auxiliary measures for symptom relief. Timely and effective intervention was conducive to rapid symptom relief， with a total improvement rate of AAE of 88.89%. CONCLUSIONS The anti-infective treatment clinical pharmaceutical pathway for AAE high-risk population can effectively prevent the occurrence of AAE as well as contribute to promoting rational drug use and the effectiveness of initial anti-infection plans and strengthening treatment outcomes.

BACKGROUND:Calcium phosphate(CaP)coatings are widely used to improve the integration of titanium implants into bone but these coatings are associated with risks of infection.It is thus desirable to confer antibacterial properties to CaP coatings. OBJECTIVE:To prepare CaP-MgO composite coatings by impregnating magnesium oxide(MgO)sol into CaP coatings and assess the in vitro antibacterial activities and cytocompatibility. METHODS:An electrolyte was determined by titration and used for CaP coating electrodeposition on titanium(referred to as Ti-CaP).MgO was impregnated into the coating by immersing in an MgO sol with different mass fractions(15%,30%,50%)and subsequently calcined to form MgO-CaP composite coatings,which were recorded as Ti-CaP-15Mg,Ti-CaP-30Mg and Ti-CaP-50Mg,respectively.Microstructure,tensile properties,critical load,and Mg2+ release of coatings in vitro were characterized.Antibacterial activity was assayed using spread plate method by culturing S.aureus on the pure titanium sheet surface and Ti-CaP,Ti-Cap-15mg,Ti-Cap-30mg and Ti-Cap-50mg surfaces for 24 and 48 hours.Mouse osteoblast suspension was inoculated on pure titanium sheets and Ti-CaP,Ti-CaP-15Mg,Ti-CaP-30Mg and Ti-CaP-50Mg coated titanium sheets,respectively.Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay,and cell survival rate was calculated.The morphology of composite coating soaked in DMEM was also observed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Homogeneous,microporous CaP coatings consisting of octacaclium phosphate crystal flakes were prepared on titanium by electrodeposition.After sol impregnation-calcination,MgO aggregates were filled into the inter-flake voids.The extent of MgO filling and Mg concentration in the coating increased with the number of sol impregnation procedures.When immersed in phosphate buffered saline,all composite coatings actively released Mg2+ within 1 day;subsequently,the Mg2+ release slowed down on day 3.A small amount of Mg2+ release was still detected on day 7.The yield strength,tensile strength and fracture growth rate of Ti-CaP-30Mg coated titanium were not significantly different from those of pure titanium(P>0.05).There was no significant difference in the critical load of Ti-CaP,Ti-CaP-15Mg,Ti-CaP-30Mg and Ti-CaP-50Mg groups(P>0.05).(2)Except that pure titanium sheet and Ti-CaP had no antibacterial properties,the other samples had good antibacterial properties,and the antibacterial rate increased with the increase of MgO content in the coating.(3)After 1 and 3 days of co-culture,the cell survival rate of Ti-CaP-15Mg,Ti-CaP-30Mg and Ti-CaP-50Mg groups was lower than that of pure titanium group and Ti-CaP group(P<0.05).After 5 and 7 days of culture,there was no significant difference in cell survival rate among five groups(P>0.05).The content of MgO in the coating decreased gradually with the time of immersion in the medium.(4)The MgO sol impregnation added antibacterial properties to the CaP coatings while retained their biocompatibility.

Objective:To determine the optimal irradiation energy and frequency for the establishment of melasma mouse model using simple ultraviolet irradiation, and to provide guidance on animal strains and irradiation protocols for the successful establishment of melasma model.Methods:Animal models of melasma were established using BALB/c female mice and C57BL/6JNifdc female mice. BALB/c female mice were divided into 4 groups using a simple randomization method: A, B, C and G, with 5 mice in each group. C57BL/6JNifdc female mice were divided into 4 groups: D, E, F and H, with 5 mice in each group. All mice were irradiated with 8.428 mW/cm 2 of ultraviolet light. The irradiation time was 15 s (single irradiation energy of 0.13 J/cm 2) in groups A and D, 15 min (single irradiation energy of 7.59 J/cm 2) in groups B and E, and 30 min (single irradiation energy of 15.17 J/cm 2) in groups C and F. Each cycle consisted of 5 consecutive days of irradiation followed by 2 days of cessation, totaling 4 cycles of irradiation. Groups G and H were not irradiated. At the end of irradiation, all mice were kept under normal conditions. One week later, 3 mice from each group were selected for HE, Masson-Fontana, Masson, and immunohistochemical staining. Quantitative analysis was performed to measure the thickness of the acanthocyte layer, melanin granules, collagen percentage, and interleukin-1 (IL-1) levels. The remaining mice were kept for an additional week, depilated and photographed to observe the changes in coloration. Data were analyzed using SPSS 27.0 software, measurement data that did not conform to normal distribution were represented by M( Q1, Q3) and comparisons between groups were made using the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test. Results:During the entire irradiation process, no visible discoloration was observed in the BALB/c female mice in all groups. In contrast, varying sizes of discoloration appeared in the C57BL/6JNifdc female mice in groups D, E, and F after irradiation in the second week. However, by the third week, the discoloration in group D gradually disappeared, while the discoloration in group E was more obvious than before. At the same time, group F exhibited significant discoloration, with some mice exhibited signs of skin peeling, burning and breakage on their backs. After the 4th week of irradiation, no new discoloration was formed in group D. The discoloration was more obvious in group E, and most mice in group F showed skin burn breakage. Two weeks after the completion of irradiation, there was no obvious discoloration on the dorsal skin of BALB/c female mice in all groups. In C57BL/6JNifdc female mice, group D showed no obvious discoloration, group E exhibited lighter discoloration compared to the 4th week post-irradiation, and group F had crusted skin at the burn sites with lighter discoloration than before. However, the discoloration in groups E and F was still obviously visible to the naked eye. HE staining showed that the difference in the thickness of the echinocyte layer was not statistically significant in groups A, B, C, and G ( H=1.08, P=0.782); whereas the difference was statistically significant in groups D, E, F and H ( H=12.85, P=0.005). The thickness of the echinocyte layer decreased gradually with the extension of the irradiation time. Additionally, there was a disruption in the arrangement of epidermal spindles in group F, and this situation was not observed in groups D and E. Masson-Fontana staining revealed no significant pigmentation in any of the BALB/c female mice. The difference in melanin granule counts between groups A, B, C, and G was not statistically significant ( H=7.77, P=0.051). In contrast, C57BL/6JNifdc female mice exhibited more noticeable pigmentation in the epidermis and dermis in groups E and F. The difference in melanin particle counts among groups D, E, F and H was statistically significant ( H=17.61, P<0.001), with melanin deposition increasing gradually with the duration of irradiation. Masson staining showed that the difference in collagen percentage between groups A, B, C, and G was not statistically significant ( H=7.26, P=0.064). However, significant disorganization of fibers and a loose structure were observed in groups E and F. The difference in collagen percentage between groups D, E, F, and H was statistically significant ( H=8.65, P=0.034). Immunohistochemical results showed that the difference in IL-1 expression levels between groups A, B, C, and G was statistically significant ( H=17.86, P<0.001); also between groups D, E, F, and H was statistically significant ( H=14.19, P=0.003), suggesting that ultraviolet irradiation stimulated an inflammatory response in the skin of mice. Conclusion:BALB/c female mice are not suitable for melasma models under the frequency and duration of irradiation in this experiment. C57BL/6JNifdc female mice are irradiated with a single irradiation energy dose of 7.59 J/cm 2 five days a week for 4 weeks, which can establish stable animal models of melasma with a specific level of pigmentation that persisted for at least 2 weeks.

Objective:To investigate the effect of salvia miltiorrhiza-derived Sal-miR-58 on the radiosensitivity of glioma U251 cells and its possible mechanism. Methods:Glioma U251 cells were treated with different concentrations of miR-Ctl or Sal-miR-58 mimic, and subsequently treated with radiation to establish the radiotherapy model in vitro. The effect of Sal-miR-58 upon U251 cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. The effect of Sal-miR-58 on apoptosis of glioma U251 cells was evaluated by Hoechst33342/ propidium iodide (PI) staining. The changes of reactive oxygen species (ROS) content in U251 cells were detected by 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) fluorescent probe. The effect of Sal-miR-58 combined irradiation on the radiosensitivity of U251 cells was detected by clone formation assay. The expression levels of HCLS1-related protein X-1 (HAX1), apoptosis marker proteins B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), cleaved-cysteine-containing aspartate-specific protease (Cleaved-Caspase) 9 and Cleaved-Caspase 3 were detected by Western blot. Multi-group comparison was conducted by one-way ANOVA. Two-group comparison was performed by independent sample t-test. Results:Sal-miR-58 could exacerbate the inhibition of U251 cell proliferation after irradiation ( P<0.05). Sal-miR-58 could promote the apoptosis of U251 cells and increase the production of ROS in U251 cells after radiation ( P<0.05). Clone formation assay showed that Sal-miR-58 increased the radiosensitivity of U251 cells, with a radiosensitization ratio of 1.43. Western blot showed that Sal-miR-58 inhibited the expression of HAX1 in U251 cells. Sal-miR-58 could inhibit the expression of Bcl-2 and increase the activation of Caspase 3 and Caspase 9 by reducing the expression of HAX1. Conclusions:Sal-miR-58 enhances the radiosensitivity of U251 cells. The possible mechanism is that Sal-miR-58 inhibits the expression of HAX1 induced by radiation and accelerates the apoptosis process of tumor cells.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the treatment status of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in China.Methods:Data of chronic phase (CP) and accelerated phase (AP) CML patients diagnosed from January 2006 to December 2022 from 77 centers, ≥18 years old, and receiving initial imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib or flumatinib-therapy within 6 months after diagnosis in China with complete data were retrospectively interrogated. The choice of initial TKI, current TKI medications, treatment switch and reasons, treatment responses and outcomes as well as the variables associated with them were analyzed.Results:6 893 patients in CP ( n=6 453, 93.6%) or AP ( n=440, 6.4%) receiving initial imatinib ( n=4 906, 71.2%), nilotinib ( n=1 157, 16.8%), dasatinib ( n=298, 4.3%) or flumatinib ( n=532, 7.2%) -therapy. With the median follow-up of 43 ( IQR 22-75) months, 1 581 (22.9%) patients switched TKI due to resistance ( n=1 055, 15.3%), intolerance ( n=248, 3.6%), pursuit of better efficacy ( n=168, 2.4%), economic or other reasons ( n=110, 1.6%). The frequency of switching TKI in AP patients was significantly-higher than that in CP patients (44.1% vs 21.5%, P<0.001), and more AP patients switched TKI due to resistance than CP patients (75.3% vs 66.1%, P=0.011). Multi-variable analyses showed that male, lower HGB concentration and ELTS intermediate/high-risk cohort were associated with lower cytogenetic and molecular responses rate and poor outcomes in CP patients; higher WBC count and initial the second-generation TKI treatment, the higher response rates; Ph + ACA at diagnosis, poor PFS. However, Sokal intermediate/high-risk cohort was only significantly-associated with lower CCyR and MMR rates and the poor PFS. Lower HGB concentration and larger spleen size were significantly-associated with the lower cytogenetic and molecular response rates in AP patients; initial the second-generation TKI treatment, the higher treatment response rates; lower PLT count, higher blasts and Ph + ACA, poorer TFS; Ph + ACA, poorer OS. Conclusion:At present, the vast majority of newly-diagnosed CML-CP or AP patients could benefit from TKI treatment in the long term with the good treatment responses and survival outcomes.

Objective:To determine the optimal irradiation energy and frequency for the establishment of melasma mouse model using simple ultraviolet irradiation, and to provide guidance on animal strains and irradiation protocols for the successful establishment of melasma model.Methods:Animal models of melasma were established using BALB/c female mice and C57BL/6JNifdc female mice. BALB/c female mice were divided into 4 groups using a simple randomization method: A, B, C and G, with 5 mice in each group. C57BL/6JNifdc female mice were divided into 4 groups: D, E, F and H, with 5 mice in each group. All mice were irradiated with 8.428 mW/cm 2 of ultraviolet light. The irradiation time was 15 s (single irradiation energy of 0.13 J/cm 2) in groups A and D, 15 min (single irradiation energy of 7.59 J/cm 2) in groups B and E, and 30 min (single irradiation energy of 15.17 J/cm 2) in groups C and F. Each cycle consisted of 5 consecutive days of irradiation followed by 2 days of cessation, totaling 4 cycles of irradiation. Groups G and H were not irradiated. At the end of irradiation, all mice were kept under normal conditions. One week later, 3 mice from each group were selected for HE, Masson-Fontana, Masson, and immunohistochemical staining. Quantitative analysis was performed to measure the thickness of the acanthocyte layer, melanin granules, collagen percentage, and interleukin-1 (IL-1) levels. The remaining mice were kept for an additional week, depilated and photographed to observe the changes in coloration. Data were analyzed using SPSS 27.0 software, measurement data that did not conform to normal distribution were represented by M( Q1, Q3) and comparisons between groups were made using the Kruskal-Wallis rank sum test. Results:During the entire irradiation process, no visible discoloration was observed in the BALB/c female mice in all groups. In contrast, varying sizes of discoloration appeared in the C57BL/6JNifdc female mice in groups D, E, and F after irradiation in the second week. However, by the third week, the discoloration in group D gradually disappeared, while the discoloration in group E was more obvious than before. At the same time, group F exhibited significant discoloration, with some mice exhibited signs of skin peeling, burning and breakage on their backs. After the 4th week of irradiation, no new discoloration was formed in group D. The discoloration was more obvious in group E, and most mice in group F showed skin burn breakage. Two weeks after the completion of irradiation, there was no obvious discoloration on the dorsal skin of BALB/c female mice in all groups. In C57BL/6JNifdc female mice, group D showed no obvious discoloration, group E exhibited lighter discoloration compared to the 4th week post-irradiation, and group F had crusted skin at the burn sites with lighter discoloration than before. However, the discoloration in groups E and F was still obviously visible to the naked eye. HE staining showed that the difference in the thickness of the echinocyte layer was not statistically significant in groups A, B, C, and G ( H=1.08, P=0.782); whereas the difference was statistically significant in groups D, E, F and H ( H=12.85, P=0.005). The thickness of the echinocyte layer decreased gradually with the extension of the irradiation time. Additionally, there was a disruption in the arrangement of epidermal spindles in group F, and this situation was not observed in groups D and E. Masson-Fontana staining revealed no significant pigmentation in any of the BALB/c female mice. The difference in melanin granule counts between groups A, B, C, and G was not statistically significant ( H=7.77, P=0.051). In contrast, C57BL/6JNifdc female mice exhibited more noticeable pigmentation in the epidermis and dermis in groups E and F. The difference in melanin particle counts among groups D, E, F and H was statistically significant ( H=17.61, P<0.001), with melanin deposition increasing gradually with the duration of irradiation. Masson staining showed that the difference in collagen percentage between groups A, B, C, and G was not statistically significant ( H=7.26, P=0.064). However, significant disorganization of fibers and a loose structure were observed in groups E and F. The difference in collagen percentage between groups D, E, F, and H was statistically significant ( H=8.65, P=0.034). Immunohistochemical results showed that the difference in IL-1 expression levels between groups A, B, C, and G was statistically significant ( H=17.86, P<0.001); also between groups D, E, F, and H was statistically significant ( H=14.19, P=0.003), suggesting that ultraviolet irradiation stimulated an inflammatory response in the skin of mice. Conclusion:BALB/c female mice are not suitable for melasma models under the frequency and duration of irradiation in this experiment. C57BL/6JNifdc female mice are irradiated with a single irradiation energy dose of 7.59 J/cm 2 five days a week for 4 weeks, which can establish stable animal models of melasma with a specific level of pigmentation that persisted for at least 2 weeks.

Objective:To investigate the genomic manifestation and pathogenesis of osteosarcoma with different relapse pattens, which were respectively initially presented with bone metastasis or pulmonary metastasis.Methods:From May 1, 2021 to October 1, 2021, 38 fresh tumor specimens and some paraffin-embedded specimens of high-grade osteosarcoma were collected in Peking University People's Hospital, including 29 males and 9 females, aged 19.6±2.2 years (range, 6-61 years). Among the 38 cases, 12 cases had initial bone metastasis (group A) and 26 cases had initial lung metastasis (group B), of which 15 cases (40%, 15/38) had paired specimens of primary and metastatic lesions. Based on Illumina NovaSeq 6000, we analyzed whole-exome sequencing (WES) as well as transcriptome for osteosarcoma with paired samples in different relapse patterns. During all their treatment courses, we also collected their paired samples to reveal these tumors' evolution. We sought to redefine disease subclassifications for osteosarcoma based on genetic alterations and correlate these genetic profiles with clinical treatment courses to elucidate potential evolving cladograms.Results:We found that osteosarcoma in group A mainly carried single-nucleotide variations (83%, 10/12), displaying higher tumor mutation burden [4.9 (2.8, 12.0) & 2.4 (1.4, 4.5), P=0.010] and neoantigen load [743.0 (316.5, 1,034.5) & 128.5 (49.0, 200.5), P=0.003], while those in group B mainly exhibit structural variants (58%, 15/26). The mutation spectrum showed that there was a significant difference in age-related gene imprinting 1 between the bone metastasis group and the lung metastasis group ( P=0.005). Samples were randomly selected from group A (3 patients) to investigate immunologic landscape by multiplex immunohistochemistry, from which we noticed tertiary lymphatic structure from one patient from group A. High conservation of reported genetic sequencing over time was found in their evolving cladograms. Conclusion:Osteosarcoma with mainly single-nucleotide variations other than structural variants might exhibit biological behavior predisposing toward bone metastases with older in age as well as better immunogenicity in tumor microenvironment.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms.Methods:The clinical data of 35 patients with duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms admitted to Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science & Technology from Jan 2012 to Dec 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. The differences of clinical characteristics between periampullary and non-periampullary duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms were analyzed. Kaplan-Meier curve was used for survival analysis, and the clinical factors affecting the prognosis were analyzed.Results:Of the 35 patients, 30 underwent tumor resection, 7 (23%) developed different degree of complications after operation and were improved and discharged after intervention. A total of 5 patients died during the follow-up period. Only 1 of 30 patients who underwent tumor resection died 30 months after operation due to disease progression, and the others had no recurrence or metastasis. Univariate analysis showed that tumor size, tumor grade, and tumor location were associated with the prognosis of patients (all P<0.05), and multivariate analysis showed that patients with tumors located.Away from the ampulla had a significantly better prognosis than those located around the duodenal ampulla ( P<0.01). Conclusions:Patients with duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms have a good prognosis after complete resection; patients with duodenal neuroendocrine neoplasms located around the ampulla of Vater have a relatively poor prognosis compared with those away from the area of ampulla.