Objective:Based on a propensity score matchied analysis, the impact of neoadjuvant therapy, namely the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with the targeted and immunotherapy, on the prognosis of patients undergoing liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Clinical data of 226 patients who underwent surgical resection for HCC of China Liver Cancer (CNLC) stage Ib, IIa, IIb, and IIIa at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from February 2020 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed, including 201 males and 25 females, aged 64.6±9.4 years. Patients were divided into the neoadjuvant therapy group ( n=25) and the direct surgery group ( n=201). Propensity score matching was used to analyze the liver fibrosis-4 score, platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and tumor number of the two groups. Postoperative pathological assessment of liver resection was performed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the prognosis, and the log-rank test was used to compare the survival rates of the two groups. Results:After propensity score 1: 3 matching, there were no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05) regarding the baseline characteristics of the two groups. Pathological assessment after hepatectomy: the complete pathological response rate was 8% (2/25), and the major pathological response rate was 36% (9/25). The recurrence-free survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery in the direct surgery group and the neoadjuvant therapy group were 52.0%, 48.0%, and 42.7% versus 76.0%, 72.0%, and 68.0%, respectively ( χ2=4.76, P=0.029). The overall survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery in the direct surgery group and the neoadjuvant therapy group were 80.0%, 78.7%, and 77.3% versus 100.0%, 96.0%, and 96.0%, respectively ( χ2=4.31, P=0.038). Conclusion:Neoadjuvant therapy could reduce the risk of postoperative recurrence and prolong patients survival

Objective:Based on a propensity score matchied analysis, the impact of neoadjuvant therapy, namely the transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) combined with the targeted and immunotherapy, on the prognosis of patients undergoing liver resection for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:Clinical data of 226 patients who underwent surgical resection for HCC of China Liver Cancer (CNLC) stage Ib, IIa, IIb, and IIIa at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from February 2020 to December 2024 were retrospectively analyzed, including 201 males and 25 females, aged 64.6±9.4 years. Patients were divided into the neoadjuvant therapy group ( n=25) and the direct surgery group ( n=201). Propensity score matching was used to analyze the liver fibrosis-4 score, platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, and tumor number of the two groups. Postoperative pathological assessment of liver resection was performed. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the prognosis, and the log-rank test was used to compare the survival rates of the two groups. Results:After propensity score 1: 3 matching, there were no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05) regarding the baseline characteristics of the two groups. Pathological assessment after hepatectomy: the complete pathological response rate was 8% (2/25), and the major pathological response rate was 36% (9/25). The recurrence-free survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery in the direct surgery group and the neoadjuvant therapy group were 52.0%, 48.0%, and 42.7% versus 76.0%, 72.0%, and 68.0%, respectively ( χ2=4.76, P=0.029). The overall survival rates at 1, 2, and 3 years after surgery in the direct surgery group and the neoadjuvant therapy group were 80.0%, 78.7%, and 77.3% versus 100.0%, 96.0%, and 96.0%, respectively ( χ2=4.31, P=0.038). Conclusion:Neoadjuvant therapy could reduce the risk of postoperative recurrence and prolong patients survival

Objective:To investigate the anti-tumor effects and mechanisms of sonodynamic therapy (SDT) combined with anlotinib on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods:A549 and H1299 cells were used as the research models and the following groups were estab-lished:control,anlotinib,SDT,and SDT-anlotinib. Cell viability and migration ability were assessed using the CCK-8 and cell scratch assays. Additionally,flow cytometry was employed to determine reactive oxygen species (ROS)levels,apoptosis,and cell cycle;Western blot was performed to detect Caspase-3 and Cyclin D1 expression;and ROS elimination experiments were conducted to explore the mechanisms of co-mbined SDT and anlotinib treatment. Results:In comparison to the anlotinib group,the SDT-anlotinib group demonstrated a notable inhibi-tion in the proliferation of lung cancer cells[cell viability:A549:(49.96±4.82)％ vs. (86.79±2.64)％,P<0.01;H1299:(31.91±4.87)％ vs. (88.04±2.16)％,P<0.001]and migration[healing rate:A549:(4.23±0.17)％ vs. (14.28±0.05)％,P<0.05;H1299:(13.68±2.16)％ vs. (42.81±8.11)％,P<0.001]. Furthermore,the combination therapy group exhibited a notable induction of apoptosis[apoptosis rate:(12.58±0.815)％ vs. (8.43±0.56)％,P<0.05]. Mechanistic studies have demonstrated that anlotinib resistance is associated with ROS levels. Treatment with the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been shown to decrease intracellular ROS content,increase the IC50 of anlotinib,and reduce sens-itivity. Intracellular ROS levels in tumor cells were significantly higher in SDT-anlotinib group compared to that in the anlotinib group[(934.14±2.01) vs. (166.75±1.45),P<0.001]. Additionally,Caspase-3 activation was observed,accompanied by a reduction in Cyclin D1 ex-pression. Conclusions:The combination of SDT and anlotinib exerted a pronounced anti-tumor effect. Activation of the ROS pathway led to the activation of Caspase-3 and the downregulation of Cyclin D1,resulting in the inhibition of lung cancer cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis.

Objective:To investigate the anti-tumor effects and mechanisms of sonodynamic therapy (SDT) combined with anlotinib on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods:A549 and H1299 cells were used as the research models and the following groups were estab-lished:control,anlotinib,SDT,and SDT-anlotinib. Cell viability and migration ability were assessed using the CCK-8 and cell scratch assays. Additionally,flow cytometry was employed to determine reactive oxygen species (ROS)levels,apoptosis,and cell cycle;Western blot was performed to detect Caspase-3 and Cyclin D1 expression;and ROS elimination experiments were conducted to explore the mechanisms of co-mbined SDT and anlotinib treatment. Results:In comparison to the anlotinib group,the SDT-anlotinib group demonstrated a notable inhibi-tion in the proliferation of lung cancer cells[cell viability:A549:(49.96±4.82)％ vs. (86.79±2.64)％,P<0.01;H1299:(31.91±4.87)％ vs. (88.04±2.16)％,P<0.001]and migration[healing rate:A549:(4.23±0.17)％ vs. (14.28±0.05)％,P<0.05;H1299:(13.68±2.16)％ vs. (42.81±8.11)％,P<0.001]. Furthermore,the combination therapy group exhibited a notable induction of apoptosis[apoptosis rate:(12.58±0.815)％ vs. (8.43±0.56)％,P<0.05]. Mechanistic studies have demonstrated that anlotinib resistance is associated with ROS levels. Treatment with the ROS scavenger N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has been shown to decrease intracellular ROS content,increase the IC50 of anlotinib,and reduce sens-itivity. Intracellular ROS levels in tumor cells were significantly higher in SDT-anlotinib group compared to that in the anlotinib group[(934.14±2.01) vs. (166.75±1.45),P<0.001]. Additionally,Caspase-3 activation was observed,accompanied by a reduction in Cyclin D1 ex-pression. Conclusions:The combination of SDT and anlotinib exerted a pronounced anti-tumor effect. Activation of the ROS pathway led to the activation of Caspase-3 and the downregulation of Cyclin D1,resulting in the inhibition of lung cancer cell proliferation and the induction of apoptosis.

Objective:To evaluate the therapeutic effect of electroacupuncture on acute gastrointestinal injury (AGI) in patients with severe traumatic brain injury (sTBI).Methods:A prospective randomized controlled trial was conducted. 126 consecutively hospitalized patients with AGI after sTBI admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2018 to December 2019 were enrolled. The patients were divided into observation group and control group by random number table. All the patients of two groups were given conventional treatment of western medicine for consecutive 7 days, including the treatments of primary diseases, indwelling nasogastric tube to extract gastric contents every 6 hours to determine gastric residual volume (GRV). When vital signs were basically stable, enteral nutrition (EN) was implemented and EN feeding amount and speed were adjusted according to GRV. On the basis of conventional western medicine treatment, the observation group was treated with electroacupuncture at Zusanli, Tianshu, Shangjuxu, Xiajuxu and Zhongwan, once in the morning and once in the evening, 30 minutes each time. The gastrointestinal function parameters including intra-abdominal pressure (IAP), serum diamine oxidase (DAO) and gastrointestinal failure (GIF) scores were observed before treatment and at day 3 and day 7 of treatment. The incidence of ICU hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP-ICU), duration of mechanical ventilation (MV), length of ICU stay, 28-day mortality and adverse reactions of electroacupuncture were also observed in the two groups. Kaplan-Meier method was used for 28-day survival analysis.Results:During the 7-day treatment and observation, 26 cases of 126 patients withdrew from the study, and 100 cases were actually enrolled, 50 cases in the observation group and 50 cases in the control group. IAP and DAO at day 3 of treatment in both groups were significantly lower than those before treatment [control group: IAP (cmH 2O, 1 cmH 2O = 0.098 kPa) was 13.75±2.76 vs. 18.11±3.97, DAO (U/L) was 129.88±24.81 vs. 158.01±22.64; observation group: IAP (cmH 2O) was 13.56±2.19 vs. 18.50±3.54, DAO (U/L) was 129.11±29.32 vs. 159.36±28.65; all P < 0.01]. The gastrointestinal function parameters of the two groups improved gradually with the extension of treatment time, and the IAP, DAO and GIF scores at day 7 of treatment in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group [IAP (cmH 2O): 11.28±3.61 vs. 12.68±3.23, DAO (U/L): 49.69±17.56 vs. 57.27±20.15, GIF score: 2.02±0.74 vs. 2.40±0.70, all P < 0.05). The duration of MV and the length of ICU stay in the observation group were significantly shorter than those in the control group [duration of MV (days): 15.72±4.60 vs. 18.08±4.54, length of ICU stay (days): 16.76±4.68 vs. 19.26±5.42, both P < 0.05], and the incidence of ICU-HAP and 28-day mortality were significantly lowered (12.0% vs. 30.0%, 22.0% vs. 32.0%, both P < 0.05). Survival analysis showed that the 28-day cumulative survival rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group (86.4% vs. 76.1%; Log-Rank test: χ 2 = 37.954, P < 0.001). The patients in the observation group had no significant adverse reaction of electroacupuncture treatment. Conclusion:Electroacupuncture at corresponding acupoints can effectively improve gastrointestinal function in patients with AGI after sTBI, which is beneficial to shortening the length of ICU stay, promoting the recovery of the patients, and reducing the 28-day mortality.

As a powerful tool to advance drug discovery, molecular imaging may provide new insights into the process of drug effect and therapy at cellular and molecular levels. When compared with other detection methods, fluorescence-based strategies are highly attractive and can be used to illuminate pathways of drugs' transport, with multi-color capacity, high specificity and good sensitivity. The conjugates of fluorescent molecules and therapeutic agents create exciting avenues for real-time monitoring of drug delivery and distribution, both in vitro and in vivo. In this short review, we discuss recent developments of small molecule-based fluorophore-drug conjugates, including non-cleavable and cleavable ones, that are capable of visualizing drug delivery.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the reliability and validity of Adversity Quotient Scale in evaluating the adversity quotient among nurses. METHODS: A total of 409 nurses were selected as study subjects from three first-class hospitals in Fujian Province by cluster sampling method. The adversity quotient was investigated by Adversity Quotient Scale and its reliability and validity were tested. RESULTS: The Cronbach′s alpha coefficient, Spearman-Brown coefficient, Guttman Split-Harf coefficient and retest reliability of Adversity Quotient Scale were 0.931, 0.826, 0.823 and 0.940, respectively. The content validity ratio of Adversity Quotient Scale was 0.980. The scores of control, attribution, extension and tolerance factors were positively correlated with the total score of Adversity Quotient Scale(correlation coefficients were 0.813, 0.844, 0.874 and 0.822, respectively, P<0.05). Before model modification, the initial model fitting index of confirmatory factor analysis was χ~2/df=3.72, root mean square residual approximate(RMSEA)=0.09, the overall fitting of the model was not high. After model modification, the combined reliability of control, attribution, extension and tolerance factors were 0.780, 0.796, 0.831 and 0.871, respectively. The fitting index of the modified model was χ~2/df=3.08, RMSEA=0.07, showing a good fitting of the model. CONCLUSION: Adversity Quotient Scale has a good reliability and validity in the assessment of nurses, which can be a reliable and effective adversity quotient assessment tool.

Objective To evaluate the Thompson procedure in the treatment of chronic mallet finger with tendon defect.Methods From July 2014 to October 2016,9 cases of chronic mallet finger with tendon defect were treated by Thompson procedure at Department of Hand Surgery,Wuhan Puai Hospital.They were 4 males and 5 females,aged from 25 to 56 years (average,36 years).Their disorder was on the left side in 3 cases and on the right side in 6 ones,involving 2 index fingers,3 middle fingers,3 ring fingers and one little finger.The ranges of motion (ROM) for distal and proximal interphalangeal joints were measured after operation.Operative complications were observed and recorded.Dargan functional assessment was used to evaluate the outcomes at the final follow-up.Results All the 9 patients were followed up for 5 to 36 months (average,16.5months).The wounds healed primarily without such complications as infection,skin breakage,abnormal fingertip sensation or nail deformity.All cases of mallet finger malformation were corrected.About 10 weeks after operation,one case presented with mild mallet finger malformation which was completely corrected after active fixation for 8 weeks.The Dargan assessment at the final follow-up showed 8 excellent and one good cases.Conclusion Thompson procedure can lead to satisfactory outcomes and limited complications in the treatment of chronic mallet finger with tendon defect.

OBJECTIVETo identify the predictive factors for differentiating pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) from other neoplastic solid pancreatic lesions and assess the accuracy of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) for diagnosis of PDAC.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients referred for EUS-FNA evaluation of pancreatic lesions in the Digestive Endoscopic Center of Nanfang Hospital between January, 2009 and May, 2016. The cases with unknown diagnosis, missing data, repeated punctures, cystic lesions and benign lesions were excluded from the analysis. The positivity rates of EUS-FNA were compared between patients with PDAC and those with non-PDAC lesions, and the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of EUS-FNA were assessed in the diagnosis of PDAC. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to identify the factors for differentiating PDAC from non-PDAC lesions based on the demographic characteristics, clinical presentations, laboratory data, and endoscopic ultrasonography imaging features of the patients.

RESULTSAmong the 75 patients with solid neoplastic pancreatic lesions, 54 (72.0%) were found to have PDAC and 21 (28.0%) had non-PDAC lesions. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of EUS-FNA for the diagnosis of PDAC were 77.8%, 100.0%, 100.0%, 63.6% and 84.0%, respectively. No significant difference was found in the positivity rate of EUS-FNA between patients with PDAC and those with non-PDAC lesions (77.8% 76.2%, > 0.05). Multivariate regression analysis identified abdominal pain (=5.163, 95%: 1.093-24.389, =0.038), lesion size (=0.926, 95%: 0.877-0.978, =0.006), characteristics of the solid lesions (=7.105, 95%: 1.440-35.043, =0.016), and evidence of metastases (=6.165, 95%: 1.332-28.533, =0.020) as the independent factors for predicting PDAC.

CONCLUSIONSThe pretest characteristics including abdominal pain, evidence of metastases, and lesion size and lesion characteristics defined by endoscopic ultrasonography findings can reliably predict a diagnosis of PDAC. EUS-FNA has a high sensitivity and a high specificity for the diagnosis of PDAC.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration ( EUS-FNA) on malignant lesions in gastrointestinal adjacent tissue, and further to analyze the risk factors influencing positive rate of EUS-FNA. Methods The clinical data of 171 patients undergoing EUS-FNA from January 2009 to May 2016 were collected. The lesion location, size and characteristics, the number of needle passes, puncture suction negative pressure, size of puncture needle, and years of operator experience in EUS were retrospectively analyzed. Results The overall sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of EUS-FNA in the diagnosis of malignant lesions were 78. 3％ ( 83/106) , 100. 0％ ( 65/65) , and 86. 5％( 148/171) , respectively. The univariable logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the risk factors of EUS-FNA were lesion location, lesion characteristics, and lesion size. In multivariate analysis, larger lesion size ( OR=1. 029, 95％CI: 1. 011-1. 047, P=0. 001) and lesion characteristics of solid ( OR=5. 098, 95％CI:1. 324-19. 633, P=0. 018) were independent factors affecting the positive rate of EUS-FNA. Among 171 cases performed by EUS-FNA, the incidence of postoperative complications was 1. 75％ ( 3/171 ) included 2 cases of fever and 1 case of acute pancreatitis, which were improved after conservative treatment. Conclusion EUS-FNA is a safe and effective method of cytological and histological diagnosis with high accuracy and sensitivity, importantly in distinguish malignancy from benign lesion in gastrointestinal adjacenttissue. Positive rate of diagnosis on malignant lesions by EUS-FNA is positively correlated with lesion size, and EUS-FNA positive rate of solid malignant lesions is significantly higher than that of cystic lesions.