Objective To explore the pathogenesis and prognostic factors of liposarcoma in the head and neck region, and simultaneously analyze the efficacy of different treatment regimens. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on all patients with primary untreated head and neck liposarcoma who were diagnosed and underwent surgical treatment at our hospital from January 2008 to January 2024. All patients were monitored during follow-up, and their prognoses were analyzed using SPSS software. Results A total of 30 patients were included in the study. Liposarcoma accounted for up to 60% of the cases in the orbit, while the remaining liposarcomas were primarily located in various interspaces of the neck. Dedifferentiated liposarcoma was the most common type, comprising 33%, while myxoid pleomorphic liposarcoma was the rarest at 4%. The tumor pathological type (P<0.001) and Ki67 (P=0.014) significantly affected the tumor control rate. However, an analysis of disease-specific survival rates revealed no significant differences across various factors (all P>0.05). Conclusion The prognosis of head and neck liposarcoma is better compared to that of liposarcomas in other parts of the body. However, myxoid pleomorphic liposarcoma, pleomorphic fat sarcoma, and high Ki67 levels are indicators of poor prognosis. Additionally, postoperative adjuvant radiotherapy does not significantly enhance disease-specific survival rates.

ObjectiveMicrotube associated protein-2 （MAP-2）， alpha-tubulin （α-tubulin）， and synaptophysin （SYP） are important proteins in neuronal signal communication. This paper observed the effects of modified Zhigancao Tang on the expression of serum α-Synuclein （α-Syn） and its oligomers， MAP-2， α-tubulin， and SYP of patients with liver and kidney deficiency of Parkinson's disease （PD）， analyzed their correlation， and evaluated the therapeutic effect of modified Zhigancao Tang in patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD based on α-Syn transmission pathway mediated by neuronal communication in vivo. MethodsA total of 60 patients with PD who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group （30 cases） and a control group （30 cases）. Both groups were treated on the basis of PD medicine， and the treatment group was treated with modified Zhigancao Tang. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The changes in UPDRS score， TCM syndrome score， and expression of serum α-Syn and its oligomers， MAP-2， α-tubulin， and SYP were observed before and after 12 weeks of treatment in each group. The correlation between the above-mentioned serum biological indexes and the levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers was analyzed. ResultsAfter treatment， the TCM syndrome score， UPDRS score， UPDRS-Ⅱ score， and UPDRS-Ⅲ score of the treatment group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The UPDRS score， UPDRS-Ⅱ score， and UPDRS-Ⅲ scores in the treatment group were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment （P<0.05）. After treatment， the total effective rate of the control group was 63.3% （19/30）， and that of the treatment group was 86.7% （26/30）. The clinical effect of the observation group was better than the control group （Z=-2.03， P<0.05）. The total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the control group， and the difference was statistically significant （χ²=5.136， P<0.05）. After treatment， the oligomer level of serum α-Syn and MAP-2 level in the treatment group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers， as well as α-tubulin in the treatment group， were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum α-Syn was correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-Syn oligomer in patients with PD （P<0.05， P<0.01） but not correlated with serum SYP . Serum α-Syn oligomers of patients with PD were correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-tubulin （P<0.05， P<0.01） but not correlated with serum SYP level. Serum SYP of patients with PD was correlated with serum MAP-2 （P<0.05）. ConclusionModified Zhigancao Tang has a therapeutic effect on patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD by inhibiting the production of α-Syn oligomers and intervening α-Syn microtubule transport pathway in vivo.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

IL-33 and its receptor ST2 play crucial roles in tissue repair and homeostasis. However, their involvement in optic neuropathy due to trauma and glaucoma remains unclear. Here, we report that IL-33 and ST2 were highly expressed in the mouse optic nerve and retina. Deletion of IL-33 or ST2 exacerbated retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss, retinal thinning, and nerve fiber degeneration following optic nerve (ON) injury. This heightened retinal neurodegeneration correlated with increased neurotoxic astrocytes in Il33^-/- mice. In vitro, rIL-33 mitigated the neurotoxic astrocyte phenotype and reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory factors, thereby alleviating the RGC death induced by neurotoxic astrocyte-conditioned medium in retinal explants. Exogenous IL-33 treatment improved RGC survival in Il33^-/- and WT mice after ON injury, but not in ST2^-/- mice. Our findings highlight the role of the IL-33/ST2 axis in modulating reactive astrocyte function and providing neuroprotection for RGCs following ON injury.
Animals ; Interleukin-33/genetics* ; Interleukin-1 Receptor-Like 1 Protein/genetics* ; Optic Nerve Injuries/pathology* ; Retinal Ganglion Cells/pathology* ; Astrocytes/pathology* ; Mice ; Mice, Knockout ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neuroprotection/physiology*

The Department of Thoracic Surgery of Shanghai Chest Hospital has performed esophageal function testing for over 30 years, being the only department of its kind in China with this capability. The pressure testing and 24-hour pH/impedance monitoring of the esophagus is of great help to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of benign and malignant esophageal diseases related to it. Thanks to the esophageal function test, in addition to the routine various endoscopic anti-reflux procedures, our hospital has taken the lead in China in recent years to carry out a series of clinical and research work for benign esophageal diseases, such as the development of magnetic ring, double nedoscopic combination and new anti-reflux endoscopic techniques. In recent years, we have carried out high-resolution esophageal manometry and 24-hour pH/impedance monitoring for patients with interstitial pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis suspected to be caused by gastroesophageal acid reflux. We can better assess the correlation between gastroesophageal reflux and pulmonary fibrosis, and to provide the different clinical treatments and even surgical interventions. The Bravo capsule is used more often in the United States, and it has obvious advantages over traditional approach for acid measurement. We strongly call for the collaboration between industry and academic institutions in this field, and the development of our own related products with independent intellectual property rights.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of deep learning based on computed tomography(CT)radiomics in improving diagnostic accuracy for pulmonary nodules.Methods:A total of 500 patients with pulmonary nodules who admitted to our hospital from January 2023 to January 2024 were selected as study subjects,and they were randomly divided into a training set(350 patients)and a test set(150 patients)as 7:3 ratio.All patients underwent CT examination,and pathological diagnosis was used as gold standard to record pulmonary nodules that were judged by clinical judgment.The radiomics features were screened from the CT images of the patients,and these features were used to construct multiple machine learning models.The predictive value of different models in diagnosing pulmonary nodules was analyzed through confusion matrices and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results:A total of 1,594 radiomics features,including 1,195 texture features(74.97%)that was the largest ratio,334 first-order histograms(20.95%),and 65 second-order histograms(4.08%),were extracted in this study.After least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression analysis and ten-fold cross-validation processing,a total of six radiomics features were screened out.The screened radiomics features were incorporated respectively into four assembled models with machine learning,including ResNet50,DenseNet121,Inception_V3 and VGG19.The constructed models were evaluated respectively using the training set and the test set.The results showed that the assembled model had the highest accuracies in both training set and the test set(96.57%and 95.33%),which area under curve(AUC)values were 0.934 and 0.923,and specificities were 81.64%and 80.52%,and sensitivities were 90.25%and 88.71%,respectively.The results of consistency test indicated that the assembled model had the best classification consistency(Kappa=0.856,P<0.001)in the constructed diagnostic model for pulmonary nodule,which was the best-performing model.Conclusion:The deep learning technique based on CT radiomics has a certain feasibility in improving the diagnostic accuracy for pulmonary nodules,and the machine learning model that is included in this study has favorable predictive value in diagnosing pulmonary nodules.In them,the assembled model that is constructed on the basis of ResNet50,DenseNet121,Inception_V3,and VGG19 has better classification ability.

Objective:Exploring the diagnostic and therapeutic points of pectoralis minor muscle transection for the treatment of pectoralis minor syndrome, as well as the differences between pectoralis minor syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome.Methods:A retrospective summary and analysis were conducted on the clinical data, surgical methods, and prognosis of patients with pectoralis minor syndrome who underwent thoracic and cardiovascular surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Southwest Medical University from January 2012 to December 2022. The literature was reviewed, and the clinical data, surgical methods, and prognosis of thoracic outlet syndrome during the same period were combined to analyze the differences between pectoralis minor syndrome and thoracic outlet syndrome.Results:All patients underwent surgical resection of the pectoralis minor muscle, with significant pain relief, disappearance of clinical symptoms, no surgical complications, and a good prognosis.Conclusion:Pectoral muscle syndrome is a disease independent of thoracic outlet syndrome, with a high rate of missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. Comprehensive preoperative pain localization and closed treatment, clear diagnosis, and cutting of the pectoralis minor muscle are effective methods for treating this disease.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

Objective:To investigate the long-term efficacy and influencing factors of transcatheter adrenal ablation in patients with primary aldosteronism (PA).Methods:This cohort study retrospectively enrolled PA patients who underwent transcatheter adrenal ablation at Daping Hospital, Army Medical University between January 2021 and December 2024. According to PASO criteria, patients were categorized into groups based on clinical outcomes (complete, partial, or no remission), biochemical outcomes (complete, partial, or no remission), and composite outcomes (complete or incomplete remission). All participants underwent 1-year follow-up, with intergroup comparisons of clinical characteristics and surgical approaches. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify factors influencing long-term efficacy post-transcatheter adrenal ablation in PA patients.Results:A total of 122 PA patients were enrolled, aged (47.7±11.1) years, including 55 males (45.1%). Baseline aldosterone-to-renin ratio was 0.43(0.19,0.86)(pmol·L -1)/(μU·L -1). Bilateral adrenal lesions were present in 33 cases (27.1%), while 70 (57.4%) had nodules or adenomas. Adrenal venous sampling confirmed lateralized hypersecretion in 107 patients (87.7%, left or right dominance). According to PASO criteria, 93.4% (114/122) and 95.1% (116/122) of patients achieved complete or partial remission in biochemical and clinical parameters at 1-year post-ablation, respectively. For biochemical outcomes: 40 complete, 74 partial, and 8 no remission. Patients in the partial-remission group were older than those in the no-remission group ((49.4±11.2) vs. (39.6±9.8) years), while complete-remission group had higher bilateral non-lateralized secretion rates than partial remission group (27.5% vs. 4.1%, both P<0.05). For clinical outcomes: 26 complete, 90 partial, 6 no remission. Compared to complete-remission group, partial-remission group had higher male proportion (51.1% vs. 26.9%), longer hypertension duration (4.0 (0.7, 10.0) years vs. 1.5 (0.1, 5.0) years), but lower office diastolic blood pressure ((88±11) mmHg vs. (94±12 mmHg), 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa, all P<0.05). For composite outcomes: 56 complete and 66 incomplete remission. Compared with incomplete remission group, complete remission group had lower prevalence of diabetes (8.9% vs. 22.7%) and higher proportion of bilateral non-lateralized secretion (21.4% vs. 4.6%, both P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression identified diabetes ( OR=3.635, 95% CI 1.029-12.834, P=0.045) and lateralized secretion ( OR=9.056, 95% CI 2.039-40.212, P=0.004) as independent risk factors for poor composite outcomes after transcatheter adrenal ablation in PA patients, whereas higher office diastolic blood pressure acts as a protective factor ( OR=0.957, 95% CI 0.925-0.992, P=0.015). Conclusion:One year after transcatheter adrenal ablation, the majority of patients achieved complete or partial remission in biochemical and clinical parameters.Patients with non-lateralized adrenal hypersecretion demonstrated a higher likelihood of sustained biochemical remission and superior composite outcomes compared to those with lateralized hypersecretion.