Objectives:To assess the prognostic impact of the neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), as well as its value in guiding decisions for adjuvant chemotherapy.Methods:Between August 2015 and August 2018, patients were eligible from the STELLAR phase III trial (NCT02533271) who received short-course radiotherapy plus consolidation chemotherapy and for whom the NAR score could be calculated. Based on the NAR score, patients were categorized into low (＜8), intermediate (8-16), and high (＞16) groups. The Kaplan-Meier method, log rank tests, and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the impact of the NAR score on disease-free survival (DFS).Results:Out of the 232 patients, 24.1%, 48.7%, and 27.2% had low (56 cases), intermediate (113 cases), and high NAR scores (63 cases), respectively. The median follow-up period was 37 months, with 3-year DFS rates of 87.3%, 68.3%, and 53.4% ( P＜0.001) for the low, intermediate, and high NAR score groups. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the NAR score (intermediate NAR score: HR, 3.10, 95% CI, 1.30-7.37, P=0.011; high NAR scores: HR=5.44, 95% CI, 2.26-13.09, P＜0.001), resection status ( HR, 3.00, 95% CI, 1.64-5.52, P＜0.001), and adjuvant chemotherapy ( HR, 3.25, 95% CI, 2.01-5.27, P＜0.001) were independent prognostic factors for DFS. In patients with R0 resection, the 3-year DFS rates were 97.8% and 78.0% for those with low and intermediate NAR scores who received adjuvant chemotherapy, significantly higher than the 43.2% and 50.6% for those who did not ( P＜0.001, P=0.002). There was no significant difference in the 3-year DFS rate (54.2% vs 53.3%, P=0.214) among high NAR score patients, regardless of adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions:The NAR score is a robust prognostic indicator in LARC following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy, with potential implications for subsequent decisions regarding adjuvant chemotherapy. These findings warrant further validation in studies with larger sample sizes.

Objective: To explore the effects of protein powder on the bioavailability of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in blood and kidneys of rats and renal function change. Methods: Twenty-four rats of the SD strain were randomly divided into the negative control group, PFASs group and protein powder group, with 8 rats (half males and half females) in each group. PFASs included 13 perfluorocarboxylic acids (PFCAs) and 8 perfluorosulfonic acids (PFSAs), and the mixture was used as a test subject for intervention. The rats in the negative control group were given deionized water at doses of 20 mL/kg·bw, in the PFASs group were given 5 mL/kg·bw of PFASs mixtures and 15 mL/kg·bw of deionized water, and in the protein powder group were given 5 mL/kg·bw of PFASs mixtures and 15 mL/kg·bw of protein powder (0.258 g/mL). After intervention for 28 successive days, body weight and kidney mass were weighed, and the kidney volume index was calculated. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The PFCAs, PFSAs and PFASs contents were quantified in blood and kidney using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry, and the bioavailability was estimated. Results: There was no significant differences in kidney mass, kidney volume index, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen among the negative control group, PFASs group and protein powder group (all P>0.05). The bioavailability of blood PFCAs, PFSAs and PFASs in the protein powder group was not significantly different from the PFASs group (all P>0.05). Compared with the PFASs group, the bioavailability of PFCAs, PFSAs and PFASs were significantly increased in kidneys of male rats in the protein powder group (all P<0.05), while were not significant different in those of female rats (all P>0.05). Conclusion Protein powder at the dose of this study can significantly improve the bioavailability of PFASs in kidneys of male rats, while there no obvious effects on the bioavailability of blood PFASs and renal function.

Objective:To explore the effect of humanistic care combined with Morita therapy on anxiety state of hemodialysis patients.Methods:A self-controlled study was conducted on 54 patients with end-stage renal disease and anxiety who received maintenance hemodialysis in China-Japan Friendship Hospital from August 2020 to August 2022. All patients were treated with humanistic care nursing and Morita therapy for one month. The Self Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) scores of the patients before and after the intervention were compaired. The comparison of quantitative data was conducted by paired t-test, and the comparison of qualitative data was conducted by χ2 test. The correlation between different factors and anxiety was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis. Results:Among the 54 patients, there were 26 males and 28 females, aged (61.8±16.3) years (ranging from 29 to 88 years). The SAS score after the intervention (44.0±11.1) was lower than that before the intervention (51.9±8.5) ( t=5.395, P<0.001). The anxiety of patients was related to their age ( r=0.305), employment status ( r=0.270) and marital status ( r=0.397) (all P<0.05). The satisfaction of patients with care measures and nursing before and after the intervention was 45.6% and 87.7%, respectively ( χ2=5.720, P<0.05). Conclusion:After receiving combined humanistic care nursing and Morita therapy, patients in a state of anxiety could experience significant psychological improvement, which is conducive to the successful completion of hemodialysis treatment and enhances the quality of life for patients.

Objective:To investigate the application value of 0.9% sodium chloride injection for a balloon catheter in bedside Doppler ultrasound-guided percutaneous dilatational tracheostomy in critically ill patients.Methods:A randomized controlled study was conducted involving 54 critically ill patients who were scheduled for tracheostomy at the Intensive Care Medicine, Jilin Province People's Hospital, from September 2022 to April 2024. These patients were randomly divided into a conventional group ( n = 27) and an ultrasound group ( n = 27) using the random number table method. The conventional group underwent empirical extubation, while the ultrasound group received extubation guided by a balloon catheter filled with 0.9% sodium chloride injection under ultrasound guidance. The following parameters were observed in both groups: duration of operation, incidence of blood oxygen saturation < 90%, incidence of puncturing the endotracheal tube or balloon catheter, distance from extubation site to the incisors, dosage of propofol, length of incision, and amount of bleeding. Results:Both groups of patients successfully completed the procedure on the first attempt, with no significant complications such as extensive bleeding, vascular injury, thyroid damage, or pneumothorax. In the ultrasound group, the incidence of puncturing the endotracheal tube or balloon catheter, duration of operation, and dosage of propofol were 3.7% (1/27), (6.2 ± 1.4) minutes, and 40 (40, 40) mg, respectively, all of which were superior to those in the conventional group [48.1% (13/27), (9.8 ± 2.7) minutes, 80 (70, 80) mg, χ2 = 23.19, t = 6.11, Z = -6.29, all P < 0.05]. The incidence of hypoxemia in the ultrasound group was 0, which was significantly lower than that in the conventional group [29.6% (8/27), P < 0.05]. The distance from extubation site to the incisors in the ultrasound group was 18 (17, 18) cm, which was significantly different from 18 cm of the conventional group ( Z = -2.62, P < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in length of incision and amount of bleeding between the two groups ( P = 0.652, 0.878). Conclusion:Performing PDT under bedside Doppler ultrasound guidance with a 0.9% sodium chloride injection-filled balloon catheter in patients requiring mechanical ventilation can reduce procedure duration, lower the incidence of hypoxemia and puncturing of the endotracheal tube or balloon catheter, decrease the use of sedative medications, and enhance the accuracy and safety of the procedure.

Objectives:To assess the prognostic impact of the neoadjuvant rectal (NAR) score following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC), as well as its value in guiding decisions for adjuvant chemotherapy.Methods:Between August 2015 and August 2018, patients were eligible from the STELLAR phase III trial (NCT02533271) who received short-course radiotherapy plus consolidation chemotherapy and for whom the NAR score could be calculated. Based on the NAR score, patients were categorized into low (＜8), intermediate (8-16), and high (＞16) groups. The Kaplan-Meier method, log rank tests, and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to evaluate the impact of the NAR score on disease-free survival (DFS).Results:Out of the 232 patients, 24.1%, 48.7%, and 27.2% had low (56 cases), intermediate (113 cases), and high NAR scores (63 cases), respectively. The median follow-up period was 37 months, with 3-year DFS rates of 87.3%, 68.3%, and 53.4% ( P＜0.001) for the low, intermediate, and high NAR score groups. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the NAR score (intermediate NAR score: HR, 3.10, 95% CI, 1.30-7.37, P=0.011; high NAR scores: HR=5.44, 95% CI, 2.26-13.09, P＜0.001), resection status ( HR, 3.00, 95% CI, 1.64-5.52, P＜0.001), and adjuvant chemotherapy ( HR, 3.25, 95% CI, 2.01-5.27, P＜0.001) were independent prognostic factors for DFS. In patients with R0 resection, the 3-year DFS rates were 97.8% and 78.0% for those with low and intermediate NAR scores who received adjuvant chemotherapy, significantly higher than the 43.2% and 50.6% for those who did not ( P＜0.001, P=0.002). There was no significant difference in the 3-year DFS rate (54.2% vs 53.3%, P=0.214) among high NAR score patients, regardless of adjuvant chemotherapy. Conclusions:The NAR score is a robust prognostic indicator in LARC following neoadjuvant short-course radiotherapy and consolidation chemotherapy, with potential implications for subsequent decisions regarding adjuvant chemotherapy. These findings warrant further validation in studies with larger sample sizes.

Objective To investigate the expression levels and the clinical significance of upstream tran-scription factor 2(USF2)and ubiquitin-specific protease 10(USP10)in peripheral blood of patients with sep-sis combined with acute kidney injury(AKI).Methods A total of 259 patients with sepsis were selected from Jilin Provincial People's Hospital from January 2018 to December 2022.Patients were divided into AKI group(107 cases)and non AKI(NAKI)group(152 cases)according to whether they had AKI or not.General clini-cal data were collected and the expression levels of USF2 and USP10 in peripheral blood were detected.Pear-son analysis was used to investigate the correlation between USF2,USP10,and renal function.Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the factors influencing sepsis patients with AKI.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drown to analyze the value of USF2 and USP10 in diagnosing AKI in patients with sepsis.Results The expression level of serum USF2 in AKI group was higher than that in NAKI group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05),while the serum USP10 expression level in AKI group was lower than that in NAKI group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).In AKI group,USF2 expression was positively correlated with urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(Scr)and Cys-tatin C(CysC)(P＜0.05),while USP10 expression was negatively correlated with BUN,Scr and CysC(P＜0.05).High sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)score,septic shock and high expression of USF2 were risk factors for AKI in sepsis patients(P＜0.05),and high expression of USP10 was protective factor(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of single detection of USF2 and USP10 for diagnosing AKI in patients with sepsis was 0.742(95％CI:0.676-0.808)and 0.781(95％CI:0.724-0.839),respectively.The AUC of the combination of USF2 and USP10 for diagnosing AKI in patients with sepsis was 0.907(95％CI:0.865-0.948),which was higher than that of single detection(P＜0.05).Conclusion Increased expression of USF2 and decreased expression of USP10 in peripheral blood of patients with sepsis are associated with in-creased risk of AKI and decreased renal function.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of intravenous thrombolysis (IVT) in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) who are currently using direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs).Methods:Patients with AIS admitted to the Stroke Center of Zhengzhou People's Hospital from January 2021 to December 2024 and had taken DOACs within 48 hours prior to onset were included retrospectively. The demographic characteristics, vascular risk factors, laboratory test results, baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores, and other clinical data were collected. The main outcome measure was the functional outcome evaluated using the modified Rankin Scale at 90 days after onset, with a score of 0-2 defined as good outcome. The secondary outcome measures were symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage (sICH) and any bleeding in any location occurring within 36 hours after onset. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent influencing factors of the outcome. Results:A total of 153 patients were included, with 87 males (56.9%), aged (71.261±6.983) years. Seventy-four patients (48.4%) underwent IVT, and 59 (38.6%) had poor outcome. The good outcome rate in the IVT group was significantly higher than that in the non-IVT group (71.6% vs. 51.9%; χ2=6.274, P=0.012), but there was no significant difference in the incidence of sICH and any bleeding in any location. The baseline NIHSS score of the good outcome group was significantly lower than that of the poor outcome group (8.817±3.677 vs. 11.203±5.060; t=3.361, P<0.001), and the proportion of IVT was significantly higher than that of the poor outcome group (56.4% vs. 35.6%; χ2=6.274, P=0.012). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that previous history of stroke or transient ischemic attack (odds ratio [ OR] 3.964, 95% confidence interval [ CI] 1.611-9.753; P=0.003) and high baseline NIHSS score ( OR 1.129, 95% CI 1.034-1.233; P=0.007) were independently associated with the poor outcome, while IVT was independently associated with the good outcome ( OR 0.166, 95% CI 0.068-0.410; P<0.001). Conclusion:For patients with AIS who had taken DOACs within 48 hours before onset, IVT can significantly improve the outcome without increasing the risk of sICH.

Objective: To compare the clinical effects of endoscopic thyroidectomy using a modified gasless transsubclavian approach and the traditional neck approach for unilateral papillary thyroid carcinoma (cN0). Methods: The clinical data of 135 patients with cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma who underwent unilateral thyroidectomy in the Department of Thyroid Surgery, the First Hospital of Jilin University from October 2020 to November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 37 males and 98 females, aging (43.2±8.8) years (range: 21 to 59 years). There were 51 cases using the modified gasless transsubclavian approach (TS group) and 84 cases using the traditional neck approach (TN group). Comparative analyses were performed between the operative results of the 2 groups by t-test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and χ² test. Results: All endoscopic operations were successfully completed without conversion to the traditional neck approach. Compared to the TN group, the TS group had a longer operation time (M(IQR)) (73.5 (22.5) minutes vs. 90.0 (30.0) minutes, Z=-5.831, P<0.01), more postoperative drainage (60 (25) ml vs. 95 (45) ml, Z=-6.275, P<0.01), higher hospitalization costs (22 687 (3 488) yuan vs. 26 652 (2 431) yuan, Z=-6.944, P<0.01), and a higher rate of parathyroid autotransplantation (15.5% (13/84) vs. 60.8% (31/51), χ²=29.651, P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the total exposure rate of the central compartment, postoperative hospitalization time, the number of dissected lymph nodes, the number of metastatic lymph nodes, C-reactive protein ratio before and after operation, and preoperative and postoperative parathyroid hormone (all P>0.05). Conclusions: Endoscopic thyroidectomy using the modified gasless transsubclavian approach is safe for cN0 papillary thyroid carcinoma, with longer operating time, more postoperative drainage, higher hospitalization costs, and moredifficulty in preserving the inferior parathyroid gland in situ compared to traditional open surgery.

The p21 activated kinase 4 (PAK4) is serine/threonine protein kinase that is critical for cancer progression. Guided by X-ray crystallography and structure-based optimization, we report a novel subseries of C-3-substituted 6-ethynyl-1H-indole derivatives that display high potential and specificity towards group II PAKs. Among these inhibitors, compound 55 exhibited excellent inhibitory activity and kinase selectivity, displayed superior anti-migratory and anti-invasive properties against the lung cancer cell line A549 and the melanoma cell line B16. Compound 55 exhibited potent in vivo antitumor metastatic efficacy, with over 80% and 90% inhibition of lung metastasis in A549 or B16-BL6 lung metastasis models, respectively. Further mechanistic studies demonstrated that compound 55 mitigated TGF-β1-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT).

Objective: To detect the bioavailability of 21 types of perfluorochemicals (PFCs) in rat liver and to examine the effect of protein powder. Methods: Twenty-four rats of the SD strain were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, and the protein powder group. Twenty-one types of PFCs were mixed at an equal concentration of 10 ng/mL, and rats in the model group and the protein powder group were given by oral administration of PFCs mixtures at a daily dose of 5 mL/kg. Rats in the protein powder group were given protein powder by gavage at a dose of 15 mL/kg, while animals in the model and control groups were given deionized water at doses of 15 and 20 mL/kg for 28 successive days. The PFCs contents were quantified in rat liver using ultra-high performance liquid chromatography-electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS), and the bioavailability was estimated. Results: There were no significant differences in rat body weight or liver/body weight ratio in the control, model and protein powder groups (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the bioavailability of perfluoroalkylated carboxylic acid (PFCA) or sulfonate (PFSA) in the liver of female and male rats between the protein powder group and the model group (P>0.05), and the gross bioavailability of PFCA (t=-22.266, P<0.001) and PFSA (t=-34.312, P<0.001) was significantly higher in the liver of male rats than in that of female rats in the model group, and the bioavailability of PFCA and PFSA increased followed by a reduction in rat livers with the increase of carbon chain length in the model group. In the model group, the highest bioavailability was measured in perfluorododecanoic acid (PFDoA) and sodium perfluorooctylsulfonate (L-PFOS) in the female rat liver [(36.06±2.93)% and (37.11±1.73)%], and the highest bioavailability was measured in perfluorononanoic acid (PFNA) and L-PFOS in the female rat liver [(61.02±2.16)% and (87.16±3.29)%]. Conclusions The bioavailability of PFCs correlates with the carbon chain length and animal gender in rat livers, and protein powder poses no clear-cut effects on the bioavailability of 21 types of PFCs in rat livers.