Objective To investigate the role of bufalin(BU)in inhibiting M2-type macrophage-mediated colorec-tal cancer metastasis.Methods Human acute leukemia mononuclear cells(THP-1)were differentiated into M0 macrophages using phorbol ester induction(PMA)for 48 hours.The M0 macrophages were then treated with IL-4 and IL-13 medium.Surface markers and morphological changes were observed through ELISA,morphology,and RT-qPCR experiments.RT-PCR and ELISA experiments were conducted to detect the surface markers TGF-β and IL-10 of M2 macrophages.The secretion level of IL-6 in the supernatant of M2 macrophages and colorectal cancer cells HCT116 was compared using ELISA.Additionally,the effect of conditioned medium on colorectal cancer cell HCT116 was assessed through Transwell,Wound healing,RT-qPCR,and Western blot experiments.Subsequent-ly,bufalin was added to the conditioned medium and the changes in AKT/PI3K protein,migration,and epithelial-mesenchymal transition ability in HCT116 were observed using Western blot,Transwell,Wound healing and RT-qPCR experiments.Results THP-1 were successfully differentiated into M2 macrophages.The activation of AKT/PI3K protein in HCT116 cells was induced by the secretion of IL-6 from M2 macrophages,which in turn promoted the migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition ability of the HCT116 cells.The migration and epithelial-mes-enchymal transition mediated by M2 macrophages in HCT116 cells were effectively inhibited by Bufalin.Conclu-sion The release of IL-6 from M2 macrophages activates the AKT/PI3K signaling pathway in colorectal cancer cells,thereby promoting their migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition capacity.Moreover,bufalin exhibits inhibitory effects on this effect.

Objective:To investigate the value of intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics models based on 18F-FDG PET-CT in predicting epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation status in lung adenocarcinoma and interpret peritumoral radiomics features. Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. Patients with lung adenocarcinoma who underwent 18F-FDG PET-CT at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between January 2018 and April 2022 were retrospectively collected and samplied into a training set (309 cases) and a test set (206 cases) in a 6∶4 ratio randomly. Radiomics features were extracted from the intratumoral and peritumoral regions of interest based on PET and CT images, respectively, and the optimal feature sets were selected. Radiomics models were established using the XGBoost algorithm, and radiomics scores (intratumoral CT label, peritumoral CT label, intratumoral PET label, peritumoral PET label) were calculated. Logistic regression analysis was used to construct a clinical model and a combined model (incorporating PET-CT intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics, clinical features, and CT semantic features). The predictive performance of the models was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curves and the area under the curve (AUC). Unsupervised clustering, Spearman correlation analysis, and visualization methods were used for the interpretability of peritumoral radiomics features. Results:In both the training and test sets, the AUC value of CT peritumoral labels was greater than that of CT intratumoral labels for predicting EGFR mutation status in lung adenocarcinoma (training set: Z=3.84, P<0.001; test set: Z=1.99, P=0.046). In the test set, the AUC value of PET intratumoral labels (0.684) was slightly higher than that of PET peritumoral labels (0.672) for predicting EGFR mutation status, but the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The combined model had the highest AUC value for predicting EGFR mutation status of lung adenocarcinoma in both the training and test sets and was significantly better than the clinical model (training set: Z=6.52, P<0.001; test set: Z=2.31, P=0.021). Interpretability analysis revealed that CT peritumoral radiomics features were correlated with CT shape features, and there were significant differences in CT peritumoral features between different EGFR mutation statuses. Conclusions:The value of CT peritumoral labels is superior to that of CT intratumoral labels in predicting EGFR mutation status in lung adenocarcinoma. The predictive performance of the model can be improved by combining PET-CT intratumoral and peritumoral radiomics, clinical features, and CT semantic features.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of NDUFA13 protein against acute liver injury and liver fibrosis in mice and explore the possible mechanisms.Methods BALB/C mice(7 to 8 weeks old)were divided into normal group,CCl4 group,CCl4+AAV-NC group and CCl4+AAV-NDU13 group(n=18).Mouse models of liver fibrosis were established by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 twice a week for 3,5 or 7 weeks,and the recombinant virus AAV8-TBG-NC or AAV8-TBG-NDUFA13 was injected via the tail vein 7-10 days prior to CCl4 injection.After the treatments,pathological changes in the liver of the mice were observed using HE and Masson staining.Hepatic expression levels of NDUFA13 and α-SMA were detected with Western blotting,and the coexpression of NDUFA13 and NLRP3,TNF-α and IL-1β,and α-SMA and collagen Ⅲ was analyzed with immunofluorescence assay.Results HE and Masson staining showed deranged liver architecture,necrotic hepatocytes and obvious inflammatory infiltration and collagen fiber deposition in mice with CCl4 injection(P<0.001).NDUFA13 expression markedly decreased in CCl4-treated mice(P<0.001),while a significant reduction in inflammatory aggregation and fibrosis was observed in mice with AAV-mediated NDUFA13 overexpression(P<0.001).In CCl4+AAV-NDU13 group,immunofluorescence assay revealed markedly weakened activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes(P<0.001),significantly decreased TNF-α and IL-1β secretion(P<0.001),and inhibited hepatic stellate cell activation(P<0.05)and collagen formation in the liver(P<0.001).Conclusion Mitochondrial NDUFA13 overexpression in hepatocytes protects against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice by inhibiting activation of NLRP3 signaling.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of NDUFA13 protein against acute liver injury and liver fibrosis in mice and explore the possible mechanisms.Methods BALB/C mice(7 to 8 weeks old)were divided into normal group,CCl4 group,CCl4+AAV-NC group and CCl4+AAV-NDU13 group(n=18).Mouse models of liver fibrosis were established by intraperitoneal injection of CCl4 twice a week for 3,5 or 7 weeks,and the recombinant virus AAV8-TBG-NC or AAV8-TBG-NDUFA13 was injected via the tail vein 7-10 days prior to CCl4 injection.After the treatments,pathological changes in the liver of the mice were observed using HE and Masson staining.Hepatic expression levels of NDUFA13 and α-SMA were detected with Western blotting,and the coexpression of NDUFA13 and NLRP3,TNF-α and IL-1β,and α-SMA and collagen Ⅲ was analyzed with immunofluorescence assay.Results HE and Masson staining showed deranged liver architecture,necrotic hepatocytes and obvious inflammatory infiltration and collagen fiber deposition in mice with CCl4 injection(P<0.001).NDUFA13 expression markedly decreased in CCl4-treated mice(P<0.001),while a significant reduction in inflammatory aggregation and fibrosis was observed in mice with AAV-mediated NDUFA13 overexpression(P<0.001).In CCl4+AAV-NDU13 group,immunofluorescence assay revealed markedly weakened activation of NLRP3 inflammasomes(P<0.001),significantly decreased TNF-α and IL-1β secretion(P<0.001),and inhibited hepatic stellate cell activation(P<0.05)and collagen formation in the liver(P<0.001).Conclusion Mitochondrial NDUFA13 overexpression in hepatocytes protects against CCl4-induced liver fibrosis in mice by inhibiting activation of NLRP3 signaling.

Objective: To investigate the characteristics of HIV/AIDS cases among 15-24 year old population reported in Hefei from 2004 to 2022, so as to provide insights into AIDS control among adolescents. Methods: The epidemiological data regarding HIV/AIDS cases between 15 and 24 years old reported in Hefei from 2004 to 2022 were captured from the AIDS comprehensive prevention and control information system of Chinese disease prevention and control information system, and data regarding temporal distribution, population distribution, and routes of infections and detection were descriptively analyzed by descriptive epidemiological methods. Results: From 2004 to 2022, 865 cases of HIV/AIDS were reported in Hefei among 15-24 years old youth, accounting for 21.80% of the total reported cases. Among the HIV/AIDS patients, males accounted for 92.60%(801 cases), the unmarried ones accounted for 93.41% (808 cases)，those with college degree or above accounted for 60.12% (520 cases)，and 25.78%(223 cases) of them were students. The proportion of student cases increased annually( χ 2 trends =47.67, P <0.01). Homosexual transmission accounted for 81.39%, both showed an increasing trend( χ 2 trends =51.23, P <0.01)．Totally 55.49% of cases were found through testing and consultation, and the proportion of cases increased by year( χ 2 trends =112.18, P <0.01). In 2004-2022，the number of newly reported cases among people aged 15-24 showed a rising trend at an average rate of 24.46% by year( Z=4.92, P <0.01), which was higher than the average rate of 21.54% for the entire population( Z=12.75, P <0.01). Conclusion The epidemic of HIV/AIDS among population aged 15-24 years is serious in Hefei. Comprehensive measures for HIV education and prevention intervention are desperately needed to be reinforced among targeted students.

Objective: To explore the efficacy of valvuloplasty on mitral valve regurgitation (MR) in infants and small children, in order to provide evidence for clinical treatment. Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted in patients aged less than 3 years old who have undergone mitral repair surgeries at Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, General Hospital of Western Theater Command from January 2015 to December 2017.Cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) surgery was performed under general anesthesia.The corresponding repair operations were selected for various MR types.All the children were examined by cardiac ultrasound before discharge.Patients were followed up after surgery and mitral regurgitation was recorded. Results: A total of 69 patients were enrolled, including 30 boys and 39 girls, with an average age of (19.3±11.6) months and an average weight of (9.6±2.1) kg.There were 32 cases of Carpentier type Ⅰ, 30 cases of type Ⅱ and 7 cases of type Ⅲ.Twenty-nine patients were diagnosed as simple MR, while the other 40 patients were combined with other cardiac malformations.One patient died at postoperative day 7.One patient still had severe MR after surgery, and then second operation was performed on the 10^th day after first surgery.Sixty-five patients were followed up from 1 month to 3 years[(15.9±10.9) months]. During the follow-up period, no patient died or had reoperation.Aggravated MR was observed in 4 patients. Conclusions Mitral valvuloplasty is a safe and effective surgical method for treating infants and younger children with MR.The key to the success of surgery is to choose the appropriate individualized repair operation.At the same time, the growth potential of mitral valve should be fully considered to avoid restrained development.

Objective To summarize clinicopathologic features of papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) coexistent with chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis (CLT) and investigate risk factors for lymph node metastasis.Methods The medical records of 4 264 consecutive papillary thyroid carcinoma patients who received surgical treatment from Oct 2013 to Oct 2015 in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were reviewed.The diagnoses was confirmed by histopathological tests.Univariate analysis was performed to identify specific clinicopathologic features of PTC with CLT.Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to determine whether each clinicopathologic feature was an independent risk factor for lymph node metastasis.Results In all 4 265 cases,there were 3 059 papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) (71.7％),1 010 PTC patients (23.7％) with CLT.909 female patients (90％),624 cases with multifocal lesions (61.8％),422 cases with extra-thyroid extension (41.8％),429 cases with lymph node metastasis (42.5％),and 133 cases with metastatic lymph nodes(LNs) ≥6 (13.2％).The median age was 43 years old and median tumor size was 0.8 cm.Patients with CLT were more females (90.0％ vs.70.2％;P ＜ 0.001),younger median age (43 vs.44 years;P =0.001),and lower incidence of lymph node metastasis (42.5％ vs.50.9％;P ＜0.001).CLT was not associated with tumor size,multifocal lesions,extra-thyroid extension and metastatic LNs≥6 (0.8 cm vs.0.7 cm,61.8％ vs.62.9％,41.8％ vs.42.1％ and 13.2％ vs.14.8％,respectively,all P ＞ 0.05).In multivariate analysis,CLT was an independent protective factor for lymph node metastasis (OR =0.713,95％ CI 0.609-0.835,P ＜0.001).In PTC patients with lymph node metastasis,CLT was not associated with lymph node metastasis number (3 vs.3,P =0.300).Conclusions Chronic lymphocytic thyroiditis was an independent protective factor for papillary thyroid carcinoma patients with lymph node metastasis.But in patients with lymph node metastasis,the metastatic number didn't decrease.

Objective Analysis of the teaching effect of the micro-classroom in the experimental teaching of diagnostics.Methods In the 50 classes of undergraduate clinical specialty of 2014 level of guangdong medical mniversity,2 classes were selected as the control group (n=67) by random number table method,2 classes were selected as the experience group (n=65).Theoretical knowledge and clinical skills were calculated.Recognition of two groups of students on two kinds of teaching methods.The data of two groups were compared using t-test and chi-square test.Results The results of the theoretical knowledge and clinical skills of the experimental group were significantly higher than the control group (P< 0.05).There was a significant difference between the two groups (P< 0.05),which was found to be able to deepen the understanding of theoretical knowledge,to improve the ability of clinical skills operation,to cultivate clinical thinking and to mobilize the enthusiasm of independent learning.Conclusions Micro classroom teaching can significantly improve the quality of experimental training of diagnoses.

Objective To evaluate the clinical and pathological feature,as well as risk factors of lymph node metastasis (LNM) and high-volume LNM (hvLNM) in papillary thyroid microcarcinoma (PTMC) with di ameter ≤0.5 cm.Methods PTMC patients who received surgical treatments in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from Nov.2013 to Nov.2014 were reviewed.Patients were allocated into the ≤0.5 cm group and (0.5-1)cm group according to tumor diameter.Clinical and pathological features were assessed and compared.Risk factors of LNM and hvLNM were also assessed through univariate and multivariate analysis.Results 1414 patients were enrolled,of which 315 patients (22.3％) were in the ≤0.5 cm group.76 LNM (24.1％) and 9 hvLNM (2.9％) were detected in the ≤0.5 cm group.There was significantly less capsule invasion (14.3％ vs 25.0％,P＜0.05),LNM (24.1％ vs 39.8％,P＜0.05) and hvLNM (2.9％ vs 7.9％,P＜0.05) in ≤0.5 cm group than in (0.5-1)cm group.In univariate analysis,patients aging ＜40 years old were more likely to have LNM than those older than 40(38.0％ vs 20.1％,P＜0.05),while male patients tended to have more LNM than female (32.4％ vs 21.9％,P=0.073).No risk factors were identified for hvLNM.In multivariate analysis,multifocality and younger than 40 years old were the independent risk factors of LNM (OR=2.082 and 2.899,P＜0.05),while male tended to be the independent risk factors of LNM (OR=l.807,P=0.058).No independent risk factors was identified for hvLNM.Conclusions A certain proportion of PTMC patients are with tumor diameter ≤0.5 cm,who have lower risk of LNM and hvLNM.Dynamic observation may be an option,especially in older ≥40 years old),unifocal and female patients.

Objective: To investigate the related factors for lymph node metastasis (LNM), especially for high volume LNM (>5 metastatic lymph nodes) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). Methods: The medical records of 2 073 consecutive PTC patients who underwent lobectomy, near-total thyroidectomy or total thyroidectomy with ipsilateral or bilateral central lymph node dissection in Department of General Surgery, Peking Union Medical College Hospital from November 2013 to October 2014 were reviewed. Clinical and pathological features were collected. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to identify the related factors for LNM/high volume LNM. Results: In all 2 073 patients, LNM and high volume LNM were confirmed in 936 (45.15%) cases and 254 (12.25%) cases respectively. In univariate analysis, large tumor size, young patients (<40 years), male were associated with both LNM and high volume LNM. In multivariate analysis, tumor size >2.0 cm, young patients (<40 years), male were independent related factors of LNM (OR=5.262, 95% CI: 3.468 to 7.986; OR=2.447, 95% CI: 2.000 to 2.995; OR=1.988, 95% CI: 1.593 to 2.480, respectively, all P=0.000) and high volume LNM (OR=6.687, 95% CI: 4.477 to 9.986; OR=2.975, 95% CI: 2.224 to 3.980; OR=2.354, 95% CI: 1.737 to 3.191, respectively, all P=0.000). In 1 414 PTMC patients, a similar result was also demonstrated.Compared with young patients (<40 years), old patients (≥60 years) had lower incidence of LNM (25.47% vs. 52.24%, χ²=62.903, P=0.000) and high volume LNM (1.89% vs. 13.18%, χ²=37.341, P=0.000). Additionally, old patients also had lower risk of both LNM (OR=0.316, 95% CI: 0.194 to 0.517, P=0.000) and high volume LNM (OR=0.142, 95% CI: 0.034 to 0.599, P=0.000). Conclusions The tumor size was the main related factor for both LNM and high volume LNM in PTC. The treatment should be more active in patients with tumor size >2 cm with consideration of higher incidence and risk for LNM and high volume LNM. Young patient was another important related factor for LNM and high volume LNM. In PTMC, old patients had lower incidence and risk for both LNM and high volume LNM. Dynamic observation or less surgical extent could be an option for these patients.