BACKGROUND: The incidence of leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) in patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is increasing gradually. However, it poses therapeutic challenges due to limited effective interventions. Intrathecal Pemetrexed (IP) holds broad application prospects in the therapeutic domain of LM. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy, safety, and optimal combination strategies of IP in NSCLC-LM patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive status, with the aim of providing real-world data support for exploring more precise personalized treatment strategies for these patients. METHODS: 104 EGFR-mutated NSCLC-LM patients who received IP treatment at Affiliated Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School from January 2018 to June 2024 were analyzed retrospectively. Clinical parameters, treatment regimens, and survival outcomes were collected. The overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), clinical response rate and adverse events (AEs) were evaluated. RESULTS: The cohort demonstrated a median PFS of 9.6 months and OS of 13.0 months with 6-month and 1-year OS rates of 80.8% and 56.5%, respectively. Clinical response was observed in 77.9% of patients. The common AEs were myelosuppression (58.7%) and elevation of hepatic aminotransferases (25.0%). Nine (8.7%) patients experienced grade 4 myelosuppression and recovered to normal after receiving symptomatic treatment. Subgroup analyses revealed prolonged OS in patients with Karnofsky performance status (KPS) ≥60 versus <60 (14.4 vs 9.0 months, P=0.0022) and those receiving Bevacizumab therapy versus not (19.2 vs 10.5 months, P=0.0011). CONCLUSIONS IP exhibits promising efficacy and manageable toxicity in EGFR-mutated NSCLC-LM patients. When combined with Bevacizumab, it exerts synergistic antitumor effects with the potential to further improve clinical outcomes.
Humans ; Pemetrexed/therapeutic use* ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; ErbB Receptors/genetics* ; Aged ; Mutation ; Adult ; Retrospective Studies ; Injections, Spinal ; Meningeal Neoplasms/genetics* ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged, 80 and over

Dysregulated RNA splicing is a well-recognized characteristic of colorectal cancer (CRC); however, its intricacies remain obscure, partly due to challenges in profiling full-length transcript variants at the single-cell level. Here, we employ high-depth long-read scRNA-seq to define the full-length transcriptome of colorectal epithelial cells in 12 CRC patients, revealing extensive isoform diversities and splicing alterations. Cancer cells exhibited increased transcript complexity, with widespread 3'-UTR shortening and reduced intron retention. Distinct splicing regulation patterns were observed between intrinsic-consensus molecular subtypes (iCMS), with iCMS3 displaying even higher splicing factor activities and more pronounced 3'-UTR shortening. Furthermore, we revealed substantial shifts in isoform usage that result in alterations of protein sequences from the same gene with distinct carcinogenic effects during tumorigenesis of CRC. Allele-specific expression analysis revealed dominant mutant allele expression in key oncogenes and tumor suppressors. Moreover, mutated PPIG was linked to widespread splicing dysregulation, and functional validation experiments confirmed its critical role in modulating RNA splicing and tumor-associated processes. Our findings highlight the transcriptomic plasticity in CRC and suggest novel candidate targets for splicing-based therapeutic strategies.
Humans ; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; RNA Isoforms/metabolism* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; RNA Splicing ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; RNA, Neoplasm/metabolism* ; Transcriptome

Lung cancer is the malignant tumor with the highest incidence and mortality rates globally. Current treatment methods for lung cancer primarily include surgery， chemotherapy， targeted therapy， and immunotherapy. However， the main limitations of these treatments are their side effects， the drug resistance， and the economic burden they impose. As a critical cancer pathway， the Janus kinase （JAK）/signal transducer and activator of transcription （STAT） signaling pathway regulates tumor occurrence and development through multiple mechanisms by influencing various downstream targets. Consequently， the JAK/STAT signaling pathway offers a promising avenue for lung cancer treatment research. Numerous studies have demonstrated that the JAK/STAT signaling pathway plays a key role in the proliferation and growth of lung cancer cells， angiogenesis， epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT）， metabolic alterations， remodeling of the immune microenvironment， and the development of treatment resistance. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has garnered increasing attention due to its minimal side effects， low economic burden， and its potential to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity when used in conjunction with Western medicine. In addition to traditional Chinese medicine compounds， a growing number of Chinese medicine monomers have come into the spotlight because of their more targeted effects. Numerous studies investigating the regulation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway by TCM in the treatment of lung cancer have demonstrated that TCM can inhibit the proliferation and invasion of lung cancer cells， tumor angiogenesis， and EMT， improve the inflammatory and immunosuppressive microenvironments， and enhance treatment sensitivity by intervening in the JAK/STAT signaling pathway， thereby impeding the progression of lung cancer. In recent years， the research on the regulation of this pathway by TCM in the treatment of lung cancer has been updated rapidly. However， the summary of these studies has not been updated in time. This review summarizes and reflects on the recent research findings regarding the regulation of the JAK/STAT signaling pathway by TCM to intervene in lung cancer from three aspects， introducing the JAK/STAT pathway， elaborating the mechanism of this pathway in lung cancer， and exploring the intervention of TCM in the treatment of lung cancer through this pathway， to provide more reference for the treatment of lung cancer in the future.

Objective: Neuronal apoptosis is considered to be a critical process in spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite growing evidence of the antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and modulation of ischemic injury tolerance effects of extracellular ubiquitin (eUb), existing studies have paid less attention to the impact of eUb in neurological injury disorders, particularly in SCI. This study aimed to investigate whether eUb can play a protective role in neurons, both in vitro and in vivo, and explores the underlying mechanisms. Methods: By utilizing an oxygen glucose deprivation cellular model and a SCI rat model, we firstly investigated the therapeutic effects of eUb on SCI and further explored its effects on neuronal autophagy and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis-related indicators, as well as the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mechanical target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Results: In the SCI models both in vivo and in vitro, early intervention with eUb enhanced neuronal autophagy and inhibited mitochondrial apoptotic pathways, significantly mitigating SCI. Further studies had shown that this protective effect of eUb was mediated through its receptor, CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4). Additionally, eUb-enhanced autophagy and antiapoptotic effects were possibly associated with inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Conclusion In summary, the study demonstrates that early eUb intervention can enhance autophagy and inhibit mitochondrial apoptotic pathways via CXCR4, protecting neurons and promoting SCI repair.

Objective: Neuronal apoptosis is considered to be a critical process in spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite growing evidence of the antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and modulation of ischemic injury tolerance effects of extracellular ubiquitin (eUb), existing studies have paid less attention to the impact of eUb in neurological injury disorders, particularly in SCI. This study aimed to investigate whether eUb can play a protective role in neurons, both in vitro and in vivo, and explores the underlying mechanisms. Methods: By utilizing an oxygen glucose deprivation cellular model and a SCI rat model, we firstly investigated the therapeutic effects of eUb on SCI and further explored its effects on neuronal autophagy and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis-related indicators, as well as the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mechanical target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Results: In the SCI models both in vivo and in vitro, early intervention with eUb enhanced neuronal autophagy and inhibited mitochondrial apoptotic pathways, significantly mitigating SCI. Further studies had shown that this protective effect of eUb was mediated through its receptor, CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4). Additionally, eUb-enhanced autophagy and antiapoptotic effects were possibly associated with inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Conclusion In summary, the study demonstrates that early eUb intervention can enhance autophagy and inhibit mitochondrial apoptotic pathways via CXCR4, protecting neurons and promoting SCI repair.

Objective: Neuronal apoptosis is considered to be a critical process in spinal cord injury (SCI). Despite growing evidence of the antiapoptotic, anti-inflammatory, and modulation of ischemic injury tolerance effects of extracellular ubiquitin (eUb), existing studies have paid less attention to the impact of eUb in neurological injury disorders, particularly in SCI. This study aimed to investigate whether eUb can play a protective role in neurons, both in vitro and in vivo, and explores the underlying mechanisms. Methods: By utilizing an oxygen glucose deprivation cellular model and a SCI rat model, we firstly investigated the therapeutic effects of eUb on SCI and further explored its effects on neuronal autophagy and mitochondria-dependent apoptosis-related indicators, as well as the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt)/mechanical target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Results: In the SCI models both in vivo and in vitro, early intervention with eUb enhanced neuronal autophagy and inhibited mitochondrial apoptotic pathways, significantly mitigating SCI. Further studies had shown that this protective effect of eUb was mediated through its receptor, CXC chemokine receptor type 4 (CXCR4). Additionally, eUb-enhanced autophagy and antiapoptotic effects were possibly associated with inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway. Conclusion In summary, the study demonstrates that early eUb intervention can enhance autophagy and inhibit mitochondrial apoptotic pathways via CXCR4, protecting neurons and promoting SCI repair.

Objective:To develop a treatment-related quality of life scale for Chinese patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and to test its reliability and validity.Methods:The initial scale was constructed through a literature search, Delphi expert correspondence, and cognitive testing. This study conducted a preliminary survey of 379 patients with MM and a formal survey of 865 patients from the hematology departments of 155 hospitals nationwide from February 2024 to March 2024. The final scale was obtained after conducting item analysis and reliability and validity tests on the initial scale.Results:The constructed scale contains 36 items covering six domains: physiological, psychological, social, treatment side effects, general health, and others. In the preliminary survey, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of each item ranged from 0.597 to 0.939, and the test-retest reliability was 0.747 ( P<0.001). Exploratory factor analysis extracted eight common factors with a cumulative variance contribution of 60.058%. In the formal survey, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of each item ranged from 0.484 to 0.930, and the test-retest reliability was 0.835 ( P<0.001). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a comparative fit index of 0.750, a root-mean-square error of approximation of 0.090, and a root-mean-square residual of 0.067. Conclusion:The treatment-related quality of life scale for Chinese patients with MM designed in this study exhibited good reliability and validity, reflecting the impact of treatment on the quality of life of patients. This scale can provide a reference to clinicians for assessing the disease status of patients.

Objective:To integrate implicit templates with deep learning techniques, a novel neural network, the tooth-deformable deep implicit network (T-DDIN), was constructed to achieve high-precision shape completion of tooth defects in a personalized manner.Methods:A total of 550 intraoral scan models were collected from patients treated at the Department of Orthodontics and Department of Prosthodontics, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University (500 for training and 50 for testing), between March 2022 and March 2024. T-DDIN reconstructed defective tooth morphology using an implicit template and a latent encoding prediction network. During model evaluation, Class Ⅱ cavity defects and occlusal wear defects were simulated in the test set. Morphological restoration was performed using both traditional computer aided design (CAD) methods and the T-DDIN deep learning approach. The two methods were compared based on three-dimensional deviation, occlusal adjustment volumes, cusp angle deviation, and restoration time.Results:The T-DDIN group demonstrated significantly lower three-dimensional deviation for Class Ⅱ cavity defects and occlusal wear restoration [(0.14±0.05) and (0.16±0.09) mm], occlusal adjustment volumes [(0.44±0.03) and (0.49±0.03) mm 3], and difference value of the tooth cusp angles (5.69°±1.90° and 6.04°±0.53°) compared to the traditional CAD group (both P<0.001). No significant differences were observed within the T-DDIN group between the two defect types in terms of three-dimensional deviation ( P=0.098) or occlusal adjustment volume ( P=0.154) or difference value of the tooth cusp angles ( P=0.196). However, in the traditional CAD group, three-dimensional deviation, occlusal adjustment volume and difference value of the tooth cusp angles was significantly higher in occlusal wear restorations than in Class Ⅱ cavity defects restorations ( P<0.001). The T-DDIN group, which involved Class Ⅱ cavity defects and occlusal wear, demonstrated significantly less recovery time of morphology (37.2±7.7) and (39.4±6.2) s compared to the traditional CAD group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:T-DDIN demonstrated superior stability and accuracy in morphological reconstruction for various types of dental defects while significantly reducing restoration time.

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, treatment, and outcomes of Barth syndrome (BTHS).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 21 pediatric patients diagnosed with BTHS between January 2010 and December 2023 at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, and Beijing JingDu Children′s Hospital. Clinical data including gender, age at onset, initial symptoms, clinical manifestations, personal history, family genetic history, and laboratory tests (neutrophil count, echocardiography, electrocardiogram and genetic testing) were reviewed.Results:All the 21 patients were male, with the age of onset at 4.1 (1.1, 9.3) months. Main clinical manifestations included heart failure (18 cases), neutropenia (16 cases), respiratory symptoms (15 cases), 3-methylpentenediuria (7 cases),develop retardation (8 cases), gastrointestinal symptoms (7 cases), fatigue and anorexia (6 cases), and recurrent infection (2 cases). Electrocardiogram abnormalities included ST changes (18 cases), flattened T wave and low voltage of limb leads (2 cases), and abnormal Q waves in lead Ⅰ and avL (1 case). Echocardiographic features showed increased trabeculation, interventricular septum and left ventricular wall thickening, and left ventricular enlargement with reduced ejection fraction. Genetic testing identified TAZ gene variations in all 21 patients: 11 missense mutations, 2 nonsense mutations, 2 frameshift mutations, 2 whole code mutations, 2 exon deletions, 1 splicing mutation, and 1 synonymous mutation. Fifteen mutations were maternally inherited, 2 were de novo, and 4 lacked verified variant origin.In terms of treatment, all 18 patients with heart failure received routine heart failure treatment, of whom 11 patients also received intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids. After the follow-up of 91.0 (75.5, 109.5) months, 15 of the 18 patients showed restoration of cardiac function after 4.5 (3.0, 9.8) months of treatment, with one case of significant improvement, while 2 cases suddenly died.Conclusions:BTHS predominantly affects males with early onset, mainly characterized by abnormal cardiac structure and function, along with clinical features including fatigue, delayed growth and development, and neutropenia. Early diagnosis and intervention, including heart failure treatment, intravenous immunoglobulin, and corticosteroids, can lead to significant improvement in cardiac function, though sudden death remains a risk.

Objective:To report the clinical, imaging, and pathological features of a case of MYH7 gene-related scapuloperoneal myosin storage myopathy. Methods:Clinical data were collected from a patient with MYH7 gene-related scapuloperoneal myosin storage myopathy who presented to Peking University First Hospital in February 2025. The patient was evaluated with muscle magnetic resonance imaging, muscle biopsy, and whole-exome sequencing. Results:The patient was a 52-year-old female, with a 12-year history of progressive difficulty in foot dorsiflexion, exercise-induced fatigue, and lower limb pain. Over the past 3 years, she developed proximal upper limb weakness and post-exertional myalgia. Physical examination revealed scapuloperoneal weakness distribution accompanied by sensorineural hearing loss. Electromyography demonstrated myogenic changes in the deltoid and tibialis anterior muscles. Serum creatine kinase levels were within normal limits. Lower limb magnetic resonance imaging showed mild atrophy of the thigh muscles and significant fatty infiltration in the tibialis anterior, extensor hallucis longus, and extensor digitorum longus. Tibialis anterior muscle biopsy revealed dystrophic-like changes with sub-sarcolemmal hyaline bodies containing abundant granulofilamentous material. Whole exome sequencing identified a heterozygous pathogenic variant of c.5352_5354del(p.K1784del) in the MYH7 gene. Conclusions:This patient is the first reported one in China with MYH7 gene-related scapuloperoneal myosin storage myopathy, exhibiting characteristic scapuloperoneal weakness, selective fatty infiltration of the anterior lower leg muscles on imaging and sub-sarcolemmal hyaline body pathological changes. The diagnosis of this disease relies on characteristic pathological findings and genetic test results.