Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

Objective:To explore the structural relationship between WMSDs in the upper limbs and various risk factors in the occupational population in China, based on a large sample epidemiological survey and structural equation analysis, and to establish a structural equation model, so as to lay a foundation for the prevention and control of such diseases.Methods:The Chinese version of the Musculoskeletal Disorders Electronic Questionnaire was used to conduct a nationwide survey on the prevalence of WMSDs in the upper extremity. Six factors related to WMSDs in the upper extremity were extracted by the classification standard of adverse ergonomic factors and their source and confirmatory factor analysis, including work organization, work type, upper extremity work posture, individual factors, upper extremity fatigue and upper extremity WMSDs. The structural equation analysis was carried out and the structural equation model was established.Results:The incidence of WMSDs and fatigue in the upper limbs was 24.44% and 43.76%, respectively. The adjusted structural equation model fitting indicators were generally up to the standard (GFI=1.000, AGFI=1.000, RMSEA=0.043, NFI=0.808, TLI=0.784) . The four exogenous latent variables of work organization, work type, upper limb work posture and individual factors were correlated. There was a strong positive correlation between job type and upper limb work posture ( r=0.865) , a moderate positive correlation between work organization and job type and upper limb work posture ( r=0.570, 0.490) , and a weak negative correlation between individual factors and the other three exogenous latent variables. Upper limb work posture and individual factors had direct effects on upper limb WMSDs, and the effect coefficients were 0.10 and 0.06, respectively. Upper limb fatigue played a mediating role between work organization, work type, upper limb work posture and upper limb WMSDs. The effect coefficient was 0.46, and the composition ratios of indirect effects were 100.0%, 100.0%, and 38.3%, respectively. The direct path effect of upper limb work posture, individual factors and upper limb WMSDs was weaker than the mediating path through upper limb fatigue. Conclusion:When carrying out the prevention and control of upper limbWMSDs, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the pathogenesis path of upper limb muscle fatigue and upper limb WMSDs caused by work organization, work type, and upper limb work posture, so as to provide theoretical reference for improving the prevention and control level of such diseases.

Objective:By analyzing the differential miRNA in seminal plasma between individuals with normal and abnormal sperm DNA fragmentation index(DFI),we aim to identify miRNA that may impact sperm DNA integrity and target genes,and attempt to analyze their potential mechanisms of action.Methods:A total of 161 study subjects were collected and divided into normal con-trol group,DFI-medium group and DFI-abnormal group based on the DFI detection values.Differential miRNA were identified through miRNA chip analysis.Through bioinformatics analysis and target gene prediction,miRNA related to DFI and specific target genes were identified.The relative expression levels of differential miRNA and target genes in each group were compared to explore the impact of their differential expression on DFI.Results:Through miRNA chip analysis,a total of 11 differential miRNA were detected.Bioin-formatics analysis suggested that miR-26a-5p may be associated with reduced sperm DNA integrity.And gene prediction indicated that PTEN was a specific target gene of miR-26a-5p.Compared to the normal control group,the relative expression levels of miR-26a-5p in both the DFI-medium group and the DFI-abnormal group showed a decrease,while the relative expression levels of PTEN showed an in-crease.The relative expression levels of miR-26a-5p in all groups were negatively correlated with DFI values,while the relative expres-sion levels of PTEN showed a positive correlation with DFI values in the DFI-medium group and the DFI-abnormal group.The AUC of miR-26a-5p in the DFI-medium group was 0.740(P＜0.05),with a sensitivity of 73.6％and a specificity of 71.5％;the AUC of PTEN was 0.797(P＜0.05),with a sensitivity of 76.5％and a specificity of 78.4％.In the DFI-abnormal group,the AUC of miR-26a-5p was 0.848(P＜0.05),with a sensitivity of 81.3％and a specificity of 78.1％.While the AUC of PTEN was 0.763(P＜0.05),with a sensitivity of 77.2％and a specificity of 80.2％.Conclusion:miR-26a-5p affects the integrity of sperm DNA by regulating the expression of PTEN negatively.The relative expression levels of seminal plasma miR-26a-5p and PTEN have good diag-nostic value for sperm DNA integrity damage,which can help in the etiological diagnosis and prognosis analysis of abnormal DFI.This provides a diagnostic and treatment approach for the study and diagnosis of DFI abnormalities without clear etiology.

Objective:To explore the structural relationship between WMSDs in the upper limbs and various risk factors in the occupational population in China, based on a large sample epidemiological survey and structural equation analysis, and to establish a structural equation model, so as to lay a foundation for the prevention and control of such diseases.Methods:The Chinese version of the Musculoskeletal Disorders Electronic Questionnaire was used to conduct a nationwide survey on the prevalence of WMSDs in the upper extremity. Six factors related to WMSDs in the upper extremity were extracted by the classification standard of adverse ergonomic factors and their source and confirmatory factor analysis, including work organization, work type, upper extremity work posture, individual factors, upper extremity fatigue and upper extremity WMSDs. The structural equation analysis was carried out and the structural equation model was established.Results:The incidence of WMSDs and fatigue in the upper limbs was 24.44% and 43.76%, respectively. The adjusted structural equation model fitting indicators were generally up to the standard (GFI=1.000, AGFI=1.000, RMSEA=0.043, NFI=0.808, TLI=0.784) . The four exogenous latent variables of work organization, work type, upper limb work posture and individual factors were correlated. There was a strong positive correlation between job type and upper limb work posture ( r=0.865) , a moderate positive correlation between work organization and job type and upper limb work posture ( r=0.570, 0.490) , and a weak negative correlation between individual factors and the other three exogenous latent variables. Upper limb work posture and individual factors had direct effects on upper limb WMSDs, and the effect coefficients were 0.10 and 0.06, respectively. Upper limb fatigue played a mediating role between work organization, work type, upper limb work posture and upper limb WMSDs. The effect coefficient was 0.46, and the composition ratios of indirect effects were 100.0%, 100.0%, and 38.3%, respectively. The direct path effect of upper limb work posture, individual factors and upper limb WMSDs was weaker than the mediating path through upper limb fatigue. Conclusion:When carrying out the prevention and control of upper limbWMSDs, it is necessary to comprehensively consider the pathogenesis path of upper limb muscle fatigue and upper limb WMSDs caused by work organization, work type, and upper limb work posture, so as to provide theoretical reference for improving the prevention and control level of such diseases.

Objective Recombinase-aided polymerase chain reaction(RAP)is a sensitive,single-tube,two-stage nucleic acid amplification method.This study aimed to develop an assay that can be used for the early diagnosis of three types of bacteremia caused by Staphylococcus aureus(SA),Pseudomonas aeruginosa(PA),and Acinetobacter baumannii(AB)in the bloodstream based on recombinant human mannan-binding lectin protein(M1 protein)-conjugated magnetic bead(M1 bead)enrichment of pathogens combined with RAP. Methods Recombinant plasmids were used to evaluate the assay sensitivity.Common blood influenza bacteria were used for the specific detection.Simulated and clinical plasma samples were enriched with M1 beads and then subjected to multiple recombinase-aided PCR(M-RAP)and quantitative PCR(qPCR)assays.Kappa analysis was used to evaluate the consistency between the two assays. Results The M-RAP method had sensitivity rates of 1,10,and 1 copies/μL for the detection of SA,PA,and AB plasmids,respectively,without cross-reaction to other bacterial species.The M-RAP assay obtained results for<10 CFU/mL pathogens in the blood within 4 h,with higher sensitivity than qPCR.M-RAP and qPCR for SA,PA,and AB yielded Kappa values of 0.839,0.815,and 0.856,respectively(P<0.05). Conclusion An M-RAP assay for SA,PA,and AB in blood samples utilizing M1 bead enrichment has been developed and can be potentially used for the early detection of bacteremia.

Background: Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) is a highly desmoplastic tumor with poor prognosis even after curative resection. We investigated the associations between the composition of the ICC stroma and immune cell infiltration and aimed to develop a stromal-immune signature to predict prognosis in surgically treated ICC. Patients and methods: We recruited 359 ICC patients and performed immunohistochemistry to detect α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), CD3, CD4, CD8, Foxp3, CD68, and CD66b. Aniline was used to stain collagen deposition. Survival analyses were performed to detect prognostic values of these markers. Recursive partitioning for a discrete-time survival tree was applied to define a stromal-immune signature with distinct prognostic value. We delineated an integrated stromal-immune signature based on immune cell subpopulations and stromal composition to distinguish subgroups with different recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) time. Results: We defined four major patterns of ICC stroma composition according to the distributions of α-SMA and collagen: dormant (α-SMAlow/collagenhigh), fibrogenic (α-SMAhigh/collagenhigh), inert (α-SMAlow/collagenlow), and fibrolytic (α-SMAhigh/collagenlow). The stroma types were characterized by distinct patterns of infiltration by immune cells. We divided patients into six classes. Class I, characterized by high CD8 expression and dormant stroma, displayed the longest RFS and OS, whereas Class VI, characterized by low CD8 expression and high CD66b expression, displayed the shortest RFS and OS. The integrated stromal-immune signature was consolidated in a validation cohort. Conclusion We developed and validated a stromal-immune signature to predict prognosis in surgically treated ICC. These findings provide new insights into the stromal-immune response to ICC.

Objective:To analyze the distribution characteristics of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among the occupational population in China's key industries during the period from 2018 to 2023, and to provide data support for the formulation of targeted prevention strategies.Methods:Between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2023, a cross-sectional epidemiological survey and a retrospective investigation were conducted in seven geographical regions of North China, East China, Central China, South China, Southwest China, Northwest China, and Northeast China, using a combination of epidemiological cross-sectional and retrospective surveys. The industries were stratified according to the degree of closeness to WMSDs, the size of the occupational population, and the importance of the national economy, and then cluster sampling was conducted according to the size of the enterprises (large, medium, and small) within each stratum. Representative enterprises were selected, and workers who had been employed for more than one year and met the inclusion criteria were selected as the study subjects. The survey subjects completed the Chinese version of the Musculoskeletal Disorders Survey Questionnaire online by scanning a QR code. A total of 88, 609 valid questionnaires were collected. Continuous data were described by means and standard deviations, and the standardized incidence rates of WMSDs were evaluated using chi-square tests to compare the standardized incidence rates of different body parts.Results:The standardized prevalence rate of WMSDs among the frontline working population in China was 36.7%, with the top three being the neck (21.37%), shoulders (18.23%), and lower back (14.92%). There was a statistically significant difference in the standardized prevalence rate of WMSDs between different body parts (χ 2=47577.82, P<0.05). The lowest standardized prevalence rate of WMSDs was found in the southeast coastal region of China (32.54%), while the highest was in the northwest (49.70%) and northeast regions (46.16%). The standardized prevalence rate of WMSDs decreased from 42.88% in 2018 to 29.94% in 2023. The micro-enterprise observation group had a higher concentration of WMSDs in the neck (20.66%), lower back (17.95%), and shoulders (17.79%), while the large enterprise observation group had a higher concentration in the neck (20.54%), shoulders (17.52%), and lower back (14.65%). Among the industries surveyed, the highest standardized prevalence rate of WMSDs was found in the healthcare industry (53.18%), followed by the toy manufacturing industry (50.54%), the automotive manufacturing industry (43.39%), general aviation services (42.71%), and the ship and related equipment manufacturing industry (40.56%). The standardized prevalence rate of WMSDs among women was significantly higher than that of men ( OR value=1.44, P<0.05). In addition, the standardized prevalence rate of WMSDs with multiple affected body parts (four or more body parts affected simultaneously) was higher, and the risk of WMSDs increased with subjective fatigue, showing a significant "S-shaped" trend (the OR value was 2.19, 3.16, 4.71, 5.49, and 3.97 when the RPE was 13, 15, 17, 19, and 20, respectively. χ 2trend=17.23, P<0.001) . Conclusion:The distribution characteristics of WMSDs in key industries in China show obvious differences in different parts, regions, time, enterprise scale, industry and population attributes. Agriculture, pharmaceutical manufacturing, packaging and decoration and other printing industries have a high proportion of WMSDs in multiple parts at the same time and in a single site. It is necessary to study and implement precise preventive measures according to specific regions, industries and enterprise scales, as well as the characteristics of multi-site WMSDs, so as to effectively protect the health and well-being of the working population.

Objective:To explore the occupational contact characteristics of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) among key occupational groups in China, assess the impact of occupational factors on the occurrence of WMSDs, and propose corresponding preventive strategies.Methods:Between January 1, 2018, and December 31, 2023, a cross-sectional epidemiological survey method was employed to retrospectively investigate the occurrence of WMSDs and related occupational factors. Valid questionnaire data from 88609 on-the-job workers in 441 enterprises across 29 industries or job types in seven regions of China were collected, and the relationship between WMSDs and various occupational factors was discussed using multifactorial logistic regression analysis. Odds ratios ( OR) and their 95% confidence intervals ( CI) were calculated to assess the impact of different factors on the risk of WMSDs occurrence, with all statistical tests performed as two-tailed tests, using P<0.05 as the criterion for statistical significance. Results:Among the surveyed subjects, 59989 were male, accounting for 67.7% (59989/88609) ; 28620 women, accounting for 32.3% (28620/88609). The standardized incidence rate of work related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) in 9 parts of the body was statistically significant ( P<0.05) among different working age groups without considering specific parts. The average length of service for onset of WMSDs (regardless of location) is (4.52±2.67) years, and there is a statistically significant difference in the length of service for onset of WMSDs in different locations ( P<0.05). As the frequency of heavy object handling increases, the standardization rate and OR value of WMSDs in various parts show a significant increase trend. The incidence of WMSDs is significantly correlated with maintaining poor work posture for a long time, frequent repetitive operations, and heavy object handling ( OR=1.52, 1.45, 1.63, P<0.01) . Conclusion:This study reveals that the risk of WMSDs in China's occupational population shows a non-linear change with increasing length of service, especially with a significant increase in 10 to 25 years of service. Poor work posture, frequent repetitive operations, and heavy object handling are significantly correlated with WMSDs, providing a scientific basis for developing more accurate and effective prevention strategies for WMSDs.