The announcement of the 9th edition of TNM staging system for thymic tumors was one of the highlights at the World Conference on Lung Cancer 2023. The revision, based on a larger and more detailed database, provides changes and confirmation from the last system. The 9th edition of TNM staging system aims to balance statistical significance and clinical feasibility. The birth of an improved TNM staging system heralds the changes that will follow in clinical practice and scientific research.

Tendinopathies are chronic diseases of an unknown etiology and associated with inflammation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a viable therapeutic option to combat the pathological progression of tendinopathies, not only because of their potential for multidirectional differentiation and self-renewal, but also their excellent immunomodulatory properties. The immunomodulatory effects of MSCs are increasingly being recognized as playing a crucial role in the treatment of tendinopathies, with MSCs being pivotal in regulating the inflammatory microenvironment by modulating the immune response, ultimately contributing to improved tissue repair. This review will discuss the current knowledge regarding the application of MSCs in tendinopathy treatments through the modulation of the immune response.

Background Per- and polyfuoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are categorized as persistent organic pollutants and commonly detected in humans, and their toxicity has attracted widespread attention. However, few studies have reported comparison of PFAS levels and potential factors between women pregnant using assisted reproduction technology (ART) and women pregnant naturally. Objective To analyze and compare serum concentrations and sociodemographic determinants of PFAS in pregnant women conceiving through ART and conceiving naturally from Shanghai. Methods Based on the China National Birth Cohort (CNBC) in Shanghai from 2017 to 2019, 333 pregnant women conceiving through ART and 689 pregnant women conceiving naturally were recruited during the same period as study subjects. The concentrations of 32 PFAS were measured in early-pregnancy serum of all pregnant women, and four PFAS with the highest co-exposure levels in both groups were included in the subsequent analysis. Multiple linear regression models were performed to evaluate the associations of sociodemographic factors with serum PFAS concentrations in the two groups respectively. Beta coefficients and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were exponentiated to calculate the ratio of the geometric mean (GM) of PFAS concentrations after each unit change in the independent variable. Results Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS), 6∶2 chlorinated polyfluoroethersulfonic acid (6∶2 Cl-PFESA), and perfluorohexanesulfonic acid (PFHxS) were four major PFAS in serum of pregnant women conceiving through ART and conceiving naturally, and the concentrations of PFOA, PFOS, and 6∶2 Cl-PFESA were higher in pregnant women conceiving through ART than in pregnant women conceiving naturally (P <0.05). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that age at pregnancy and household income were associated with serum PFAS levels in both groups. The serum concentrations of PFOS were higher in pregnant women aged ≥35 years old who conceiving through ART (GM ratio=1.26, 95%CI: 1.04, 1.54) and conceiving naturally (GM ratio=1.24, 95%CI: 1.08, 1.42) than pregnant women aged <30 years old respectively. Pregnant women conceiving through ART and conceiving naturally whose household annual income >300000 CNY had lower serum concentrations of PFOA [GM ratio (95%CI): 0.82 (0.72, 0.95) and 0.89 (0.81, 0.97), respectively] and PFHxS [GM ratio (95%CI): 0.66 (0.51, 0.86) and 0.77 (0.66, 0.90), respectively] than those women whose household annual income <200000 CNY. Additionally, pregnant women conceiving naturally with a graduate education or above had lower serum 6∶2 Cl-PFESA concentrations than women with an education below college (GM ratio: 0.81), and multiparous pregnant women conceiving naturally had higher serum concentrations of PFOS, 6∶2 Cl-PFESA, and PFHxS than primiparous pregnant women (GM ratio: 1.14, 1.25, and 1.27 respectively). Conclusion Although differences in serum PFAS levels are found between pregnant women conceiving through ART and women conceiving naturally in this study, maternal age and household income are common determinants of PFAS exposure levels in both populations. We find no special sociodemographic factors to affect PFAS concentrations of pregnant women conceiving through ART compared to pregnant women conceiving naturally. Further research is required to explore other potential factors.

Objective To investigate the incidence rate,clinical characteristics,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen,China.Methods Led by Shenzhen Children's Hospital,the Shenzhen Neonatal Data Collaboration Network organized 21 institutions to collect 36 cases of neonatal stroke from January 2020 to December 2022.The incidence,clinical characteristics,treatment,and prognosis of neonatal stroke in Shenzhen were analyzed.Results The incidence rate of neonatal stroke in 21 hospitals from 2020 to 2022 was 1/15 137,1/6 060,and 1/7 704,respectively.Ischemic stroke accounted for 75％(27/36);boys accounted for 64％(23/36).Among the 36 neonates,31(86％)had disease onset within 3 days after birth,and 19(53％)had convulsion as the initial presentation.Cerebral MRI showed that 22 neonates(61％)had left cerebral infarction and 13(36％)had basal ganglia infarction.Magnetic resonance angiography was performed for 12 neonates,among whom 9(75％)had involvement of the middle cerebral artery.Electroencephalography was performed for 29 neonates,with sharp waves in 21 neonates(72％)and seizures in 10 neonates(34％).Symptomatic/supportive treatment varied across different hospitals.Neonatal Behavioral Neurological Assessment was performed for 12 neonates(33％,12/36),with a mean score of(32±4)points.The prognosis of 27 neonates was followed up to around 12 months of age,with 44％(12/27)of the neonates having a good prognosis.Conclusions Ischemic stroke is the main type of neonatal stroke,often with convulsions as the initial presentation,involvement of the middle cerebral artery,sharp waves on electroencephalography,and a relatively low neurodevelopment score.Symptomatic/supportive treatment is the main treatment method,and some neonates tend to have a poor prognosis.

This study was aimed at investigating the effect of lymphocyte activation gene-3(LAG3)on liver B lymphocyte subsets and their functions in WT and LAG3-KO mice infected with Echinococcus multilocularis(E.multilocularis).In a mouse model of E.multilocularis infection,the expression and localization of CD19 and α-SMA in liver were detected by immu nohistochemistry.CD80,CD86 and MHC-Ⅱ molecules expressed on B cells and their subsets in mice liver were detected by flow cytometry.After 12 weeks of infection,the area and percentage of CD19 in LAG3-KO group was slightly higher than that in WT group,but the difference was not statistically(t=-1.241、-1.237,P＞0.05).The area and percentage of a-SMA in LAG3-KO group was higher than that in WT group(t=-3.224、-3.227,P＜0.05).The proportion of CD80 and MHC-Ⅱ molecules expressed on liver B cells in LAG3-KO group was up-regulated(t=-2.379,-3.321,P＜0.05).The percentage of liver B2 cells in LAG3-KO group was higher than that in WT group(t=-2.695,P＜0.05).The expression of CD80 on Blb cells in LAG3-KO group was significantly up-regulated(t=-5.315,P＜0.001).The proportion of CD80 of B2 cells in LAG3-KO group was lower than that in WT group(t=2.806,P＜0.05).The expression of MHC-Ⅱ molecule in B2 cells in LAG3-KO group was up-regulated(t=-4.227,P＜0.01).It is suggested that LAG3 molecules affected the B cell subsets and func-tion of mouse liver in the middle stage of E.multilocularis infection,especially B2 lymphocytes.LAG3 molecule exerted an in-hibitory effect on the activation of B cells and the expression of MHC-class Ⅱ molecules,suggesting that it may be involved in B cell exhaustion caused by E.multilocularis.

【Objective】 To investigate the penile appearance, sexual function, psychological status and related influencing factors of adult patients who underwent hypospadias repair surgery in their minors, so as to provide reference for the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of hypospadias. 【Methods】 This study included 50 adult hypospadias patients who underwent urethroplasty in our hospital during May 2005 and Aug. 2018. The present appearance, sexual function and psychological status were evaluated. The correlation and consistency between hypospadias objective scoring evaluation (HOSE) and pediatric penile perception score (PPPS) were analyzed. Factors affecting the results were determined with univariate and multivariate regression analysis. 【Results】 The satisfaction rate of HOSE was significantly correlated with the urethral length and complications (P=0.024, P=0.033). The satisfaction rate of PPPS was significantly correlated with the number of urethral operations and postoperative complications (P=0.041, P=0.023). There was a weak correlation between HOSE and PPPS (r=0.291, P=0.040), but almost no consistency (Kappa=0.2, P=0.107). Sixty percent of the patients paid attention to the ventral appearance of penis, whose dissatisfaction rate of PPPS was higher than those who did not pay attention to the ventral appearance of the penis (19/30 vs. 6/20, P=0.021). Patients with multiple operations (>1), postoperative complications or unsatisfactory penile appearance were more likely to have inferiority complex (52.6% vs. 22.6%, P=0.029; 59.1% vs.14.3%, P=0.001;61.5% vs. 24.3%, P=0.015). Multivariate regression analysis showed that dissatisfaction with the appearance of the penis was an independent risk factor for patients’ perception of their own physical defects. Among the patients who believed that they had physical defects, the percentage of patients with grade IV penile erectile hardness was significantly lower than that of those who denied they had physical defects (9/17 vs. 27/33, P=0.047). 【Conclusion】 The undesirable postoperative penis appearance is likely to have a negative impact on patients’ long-term psychological state, which might further damage the sexual function in adulthood. Surgeons should pay attention to the penile appearance during the conduction of hypospadias repair.

Objective:To explore the effect of combined therapy of traditional Chinese medicine on prevention of chemotherapy-related anemia in malignant tumors.Methods:Seventy-nine patients with malignant tumors diagnosed in Zibo Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2019 to January 2021 were selected, and the patients were divided into experimental group (40 cases) and control group (39 cases) according to the random number table method. The control group received chemotherapy and the experimental group received chemotherapy and combined therapy of traditional Chinese medicine (Wuhong Tang combined with moxibustion). The hemoglobin (Hb) level, Karnofsky score and adverse effects were recorded before and on days 7, 14 and 21 after chemotherapy in the two groups.Results:The Hb level in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group [(117±28) g/L vs. (100±31) g/L] on day 21 after chemotherapy, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = -3.08, P = 0.030). The total effective rate of the experimental group was higher than that of the control group [85% (34/40) vs. 66.7% (26/39)], but the difference was not statistically significant ( χ2 = 4.96, P = 0.084). Karnofsky scores were (77±9) points and (77±12) points before and on day 21 after treatment in the experimental group, with no statistical difference ( t = -0.50, P = 0.623); Karnofsky scores were (78±10) points and (67±9) points in the control group, with statistical difference ( t = 8.32, P < 0.001). There was no statistical difference in Karnofsky score before treatment between the two groups ( t = 1.85, P = 0.068), but the experimental group was higher than the control group on day 21 after treatment ( t = 4.88, P < 0.001). The difference in the incidence of nausea and vomiting between the two groups was not statistically significant ( P > 0.05), and no chemotherapy-related hepatic, renal or cardiac adverse reactions were observed in either group. Conclusions:Combined therapy of traditional Chinese medicine could effectively prevent chemotherapy-related anemia and improve the quality of life of patients.

Child ; Humans ; Adult ; Child Health

Objective To explore the safety and efficiency of robot-assisted laparoscopic resection of pediatric adrenal region masses.Methods Six cases with adrenal region mass underwent robot-assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy(RALA)from October 2019 to March 2022 in our hospital by using the da Vinci Robotic Surgery System.The patient was routinely placed in the 60°position on the healthy side.Two robotic arms were used to operate,and additional auxiliary operation holes were added as needed.The tumor was revealed by the combination of sharp and blunt separation,and the tumor trophoblastic vessels were identified.The tumor vessels were isolated by clamping with silk wire or biological clips.The tumor was fully freed and excised completely.Smaller specimens were removed by a slightly enlarged operation hole,and larger specimens were removed by another incision in the lower abdomen.Results All the 6 cases of procedures were successfully performed without conversion to open surgery.The operative duration was 90-240 min(mean,133.3 min),and the blood loss was 15-50 ml(mean,31.7 ml).In 2 cases,the drainage tube was not placed.In the remaining 4 cases,the indwelling time of the drainage tube after surgery was 4-8 d(mean,5.5 d).The postoperative hospital stay was5-15 d(mean,8.7 d).There were no complications except for one patient with postoperative bleeding.All the patients were followed up for 10-24 months(mean,16.7 months).CT examinations showed no recurrence of tumors.Conclusion Robotic-assisted laparoscopic resection of pediatric adrenal region masses is safe with satisfactory results.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy and safety between syndrome-differentiation acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training and simple rehabilitation training for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS: A total of 60 children with ASD were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group, 30 cases in each group. In the control group, routine rehabilitation training was applied; in the observation group, syndrome-differentiation acupuncture (the main points were Baihui [GV 20], Dingshenzhen, Niesanzhen, etc., the supplementary acupoints were selected according to syndrome-differentiation) combined with rehabilitation training were applied, all the treatments were given once a day, 5-day continuous treatment with 2-day interval, 12 weeks were required. Before treatment and after 6, 12 weeks of treatment, the autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC), childhood autism rating scale (CARS) and autism behavior checklist (ABC) scores were observed, the therapeutic effect and safety were evaluated in the two groups. RESULTS: After 6 and 12 weeks of treatment, except for the sensory perception score after 6 weeks of treatment in the control group, the item scores and total scores of ATEC, CARS scores and ABC scores were decreased compared with those before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05). After 6 weeks of treatment, the social score and total score of ATEC, CARS score in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05); after 12 weeks of treatment, the item scores and total score of ATEC, CARS score and ABC score in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The total effective rate in the observation group was 80.0% (24/30), which was higher than 56.7% (17/30) in the control group (P<0.05). There was no serious adverse reactions in the two groups, and there was no significant difference in the incidence rate of adverse reactions between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Syndrome-differentiation acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training could improve the core symptoms in children with ASD, especially sensory perception and social ability, and with good safety, which is superior to simple rehabilitation training.
Child ; Humans ; Autism Spectrum Disorder/therapy* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Acupuncture Points ; Medicine