Background/Aims: Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) is a treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN), with a relatively low risk of stenosis; however, the long-term outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with widespread superficial ESCN who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or ERFA. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with superficial ESCN who underwent ESD or ERFA between January 2015 and December 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence-free survival. Results: Ninety-two and 33 patients with superficial ESCN underwent ESD and ERFA, respectively. The en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates for ESD were 100.0%, 90.2%, and 76.1%, respectively. At 12 months, the complete response rate was comparable between the two groups (94.6% vs 90.9%, p=0.748). During a median follow-up of 66 months, recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the ESD group than in the ERFA group (p=0.004), while no significant differences in overall survival (p=0.845) and disease-specific survival (p=0.494) were observed.Preoperative diagnosis of intramucosal cancer (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.55; vs high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) was an independent predictor of recurrence. Significantly fewer patients in the ERFA group experienced stenosis compare to ESD group (15.2% vs 38.0%, p=0.016). Conclusions The risk of recurrence was higher for ERFA than ESD for ESCN but overall survival was not affected. The risk of esophageal stenosis was significantly lower for patients who underwent ERFA.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) is a treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN), with a relatively low risk of stenosis; however, the long-term outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with widespread superficial ESCN who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or ERFA. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with superficial ESCN who underwent ESD or ERFA between January 2015 and December 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence-free survival. Results: Ninety-two and 33 patients with superficial ESCN underwent ESD and ERFA, respectively. The en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates for ESD were 100.0%, 90.2%, and 76.1%, respectively. At 12 months, the complete response rate was comparable between the two groups (94.6% vs 90.9%, p=0.748). During a median follow-up of 66 months, recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the ESD group than in the ERFA group (p=0.004), while no significant differences in overall survival (p=0.845) and disease-specific survival (p=0.494) were observed.Preoperative diagnosis of intramucosal cancer (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.55; vs high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) was an independent predictor of recurrence. Significantly fewer patients in the ERFA group experienced stenosis compare to ESD group (15.2% vs 38.0%, p=0.016). Conclusions The risk of recurrence was higher for ERFA than ESD for ESCN but overall survival was not affected. The risk of esophageal stenosis was significantly lower for patients who underwent ERFA.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) is a treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN), with a relatively low risk of stenosis; however, the long-term outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with widespread superficial ESCN who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or ERFA. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with superficial ESCN who underwent ESD or ERFA between January 2015 and December 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence-free survival. Results: Ninety-two and 33 patients with superficial ESCN underwent ESD and ERFA, respectively. The en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates for ESD were 100.0%, 90.2%, and 76.1%, respectively. At 12 months, the complete response rate was comparable between the two groups (94.6% vs 90.9%, p=0.748). During a median follow-up of 66 months, recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the ESD group than in the ERFA group (p=0.004), while no significant differences in overall survival (p=0.845) and disease-specific survival (p=0.494) were observed.Preoperative diagnosis of intramucosal cancer (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.55; vs high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) was an independent predictor of recurrence. Significantly fewer patients in the ERFA group experienced stenosis compare to ESD group (15.2% vs 38.0%, p=0.016). Conclusions The risk of recurrence was higher for ERFA than ESD for ESCN but overall survival was not affected. The risk of esophageal stenosis was significantly lower for patients who underwent ERFA.

Background/Aims: Endoscopic radiofrequency ablation (ERFA) is a treatment option for superficial esophageal squamous cell neoplasia (ESCN), with a relatively low risk of stenosis; however, the long-term outcomes remain unclear. We aimed to compare the long-term outcomes of patients with widespread superficial ESCN who underwent endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) or ERFA. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of patients with superficial ESCN who underwent ESD or ERFA between January 2015 and December 2021. The primary outcome measure was recurrence-free survival. Results: Ninety-two and 33 patients with superficial ESCN underwent ESD and ERFA, respectively. The en bloc, R0, and curative resection rates for ESD were 100.0%, 90.2%, and 76.1%, respectively. At 12 months, the complete response rate was comparable between the two groups (94.6% vs 90.9%, p=0.748). During a median follow-up of 66 months, recurrence-free survival was significantly longer in the ESD group than in the ERFA group (p=0.004), while no significant differences in overall survival (p=0.845) and disease-specific survival (p=0.494) were observed.Preoperative diagnosis of intramucosal cancer (adjusted hazard ratio, 5.55; vs high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia) was an independent predictor of recurrence. Significantly fewer patients in the ERFA group experienced stenosis compare to ESD group (15.2% vs 38.0%, p=0.016). Conclusions The risk of recurrence was higher for ERFA than ESD for ESCN but overall survival was not affected. The risk of esophageal stenosis was significantly lower for patients who underwent ERFA.

Objective:To discuss the expression of programmed cell death-ligand 1(PD-L1)in the oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)cells and its effect on biological behavior of the OSCC CAL27 cells,and to clarify the possible mechanism.Methods:Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of PD-L1 protein in the oral epithelial HOK cells and OSCC CAL27,TCA8113,and SCC15 cells;immunofluorescence staining method was used to detect the expression and localization of PD-L1 protein in the CAL27 cells.The CAL27 cells were divided into control group(transfected with si-NC)and si-PD-L1 group(transfected with si-PD-L1).Western blotting method was used to detect the interference efficiency of the cells in two groups;CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferative activities of the cells in two groups at different time points;plate clone formation assay was used to detect the numbers of clone formation of the cells in two groups;cell scratch healing assay was used to detect the scratch healing rates of the cells in two groups;Transwell chamber assay was used to detect the numbers of migration and invasion cells in two groups.Results:The expression level of PD-L1 protein in the OSCC cells was higher than that in the HOK cells(P<0.05 or P<0.01);PD-L1 expressed in the cytoplasm and nucleus of the CAL27 cells.The CCK-8 assay and plate clone formation assay results showed that compared with control group,the proliferative activities of the CAL27 cells in si-PD-L1 group at different time points were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the numbers of clone formation were significantly decreased(P<0.01).The cell scratch healing assay results showed that compared with control group,the scratch healing rates of the cells in si-PD-L1 group were significantly decreased(P<0.05 or P<0.01).The Transwell chamber assay results showed that compared with control group,the numbers of migration and invasion cells in si-PD-L1 group were significantly decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion:The expression of PD-L1 in the OSCC cells is higher than that in normal oral epithelial cells,and knocking down PD-L1 expression can inhibit the proliferation,clone formation,migration and invasion capabilities of the OSCC cells.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the potential relationship between urinary metals copper (Cu), arsenic (As), strontium (Sr), barium (Ba), iron (Fe), lead (Pb) and manganese (Mn) and grip strength. Methods We used linear regression models, quantile g-computation and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) to assess the relationship between metals and grip strength.Results In the multimetal linear regression, Cu (β=-2.119), As (β=-1.318), Sr (β=-2.480), Ba (β=0.781), Fe (β= 1.130) and Mn (β=-0.404) were significantly correlated with grip strength (P < 0.05). The results of the quantile g-computation showed that the risk of occurrence of grip strength reduction was -1.007 (95％ confidence interval:-1.362, -0.652; P < 0.001) when each quartile of the mixture of the seven metals was increased. Bayesian kernel function regression model analysis showed that mixtures of the seven metals had a negative overall effect on grip strength, with Cu, As and Sr being negatively associated with grip strength levels. In the total population, potential interactions were observed between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn (Pinteractions of 0.003 and 0.018, respectively).Conclusion In summary, this study suggests that combined exposure to metal mixtures is negatively associated with grip strength. Cu, Sr and As were negatively correlated with grip strength levels, and there were potential interactions between As and Mn and between Cu and Mn.

Objective To compare the differences in virulence-related factor aspartate protease,biofilm formation,and gene expression among clinical isolates of Candida parapsilosis(C.parapsilosis).Methods Gene sequencing and microsatellite typing(MT)method were adopted to identify C.parapsilosis isolated from patients with clinical fungal infection.The production of secreted aspartate protease and biofilm formation ability of each strain were de-tected,and the expression of biofilm formation related-genes BCR1,EFG1,and HWP1,as well as aspartate prote-ase virulence genes SAPP1,SAPP2,SAPP3 were compared among the strains.Results A total of 8 clinically iso-lated C.parapsilosis strains were collected,all of which were identified as genotype Ⅰ.Based on microsatellite ty-ping results,8 clinical strains were divided into 4 microsatellite types.G1,G2,and G3 strains isolated from the urine,peripherally inserted central catheters(PICC),and blood of patient A were of different subtypes.J1,J2,J3,J4,and J5 strains were of the same type,and isolated from blood specimens of patient B at different periods.All 8 clinical strains could form biofilm,and their biofilm formation ability was higher than that of the standard strain of C.parapsilosis(ATCC 22019).G1,G3 and J5 strains had strong biofilm formation ability,J1,J2,J3,and J4 strains had moderate biofilm formation ability,and G2 strain had weak biofilm formation ability.All of the eight clinical isolates secreted aspartate protease,and their in vitro expression levels of the enzyme were higher than that of the standard strain(ATCC 22019).G3,G1,and G2 strains showed low,moderate,and high in vitro enzyme expression respectively,with statistical differences(all P＜0.05).Enzyme expressed moderately in J1 and J5 strains,and highly in J2,J3,and J4 strains.Difference between moderate and high expressions was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The expression levels of biofilm formation genes BCR1,EFG1,and HWP1 in various strains isolated from patients A and B increased.In strains isolated from patient A,the expression level of EFG1 gene in G1 strain was higher than that in G2 strain(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in BCR1,EFG1,and HWP1 gene expression levels among strains isolated from patient B.The expression levels of as-partate protein genes(SAPP1,SAPP2,and SAPP3)in various strains isolated from patients A and B increased.The expression levels of SAPP1 and SAPP2 in strain G1 were higher than those in G2 and G3(both P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the expression levels of SAPP1,SAPP2,and SAPP3 genes in strains from patient B.Conclusion Clinical isolates of C.parapsilosis have higher biofilm formation and aspartate protease production abilities than standard strain.The expression of virulence factors varies among strains isolated from different specimens,while there is no significant difference in the expression of virulence factors among strains isolated at different periods.Patients may have been infected with different MT types of C.parapsilosis in multiple sites during the same period.

Objective:To explore the survival prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma patients over 60 years old with comorbidities treated with microwave ablation.Methods:A retrospective analysis of 267 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma aged 60 years or older admitted to the PLA General Hospital from April 2012 to September 2022 were analyzed, including 179 patients with preoperative comorbidities and 88 patients without comorbidities. The overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of the two groups were compared by the Log-rank test, and the Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to evaluate ablation-related risk factors.Results:A total of 267 patients were included (comorbidity group, n=179; no comorbidity group, n=88). There were no statistical differences in OS and PFS between the two groups (all P>0.05). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that comorbidities were not risk factors that affected the survival prognosis (OS and PFS) of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma after microwave ablation ( P>0.05). Total bilirubin (hazard ratio 0.356, 95% CI=0.174-0.731, P=0.005) was a risk factor affecting OS; tumor number (hazard ratio 0.538, 95% CI=0.365-0.793, P=0.002) and international coagulation normalized ratio (hazard ratio 1.022, 95% CI=1.001-1.043, P=0.040) were risk factors affecting PFS. Subgroup analysis showed that patients with a maximum diameter of >3 cm and female patients, the OS of the comorbidity group was significantly lower than that of the non-comorbidity group( P<0.05). Conclusions:Microwave ablation therapy remains an effective treatment modality in hepatocellular carcinoma patients over 60 years of age with comorbidities, and its survival prognosis is not inferior to patients with hepatocellular carcinoma without comorbidities.

Objective To compare the application effect of intermittent androgen deprivation(IAD)and continued androgen deprivation(CAD)on advanced prostate cancer and influence on prognosis.Methods The patients with advanced prostate cancer were divided into treatment group(86 cases)and control group(62 cases)according to the cohort method.The treatment group was given IAD regimen(subcutaneous injection of 3.6 mg goserelin once every 28 days)combined with oral administration of flutamide(250 mg every 3 times a day)or combined with oral administration of bicalutamide(50 mg once a day),and the control group was treated with CAD regimen(bilateral orchiectomy combined with continuous flutamide or bicalutamide orally,with the same dosage as the treatment group).The observation follow-up time of both groups was ≥9 months.Efficacy,serum total testosterone(TT),prostate specific antigen(PSA)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)were compared between the two groups after treatment,and the side effects of treatment,quality of life[Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Prostate(FACT-P)]and disease progression were evaluated.Results At 9 months after treatment,the objective response rates(ORR)in treatment group and control group were 30.99％(22 cases/71 cases)and 29.09％(16 cases/55 cases),and the disease control rates(DCR)were 71.83％(51 cases/71 cases)and 69.09％(38 cases/55 cases)respectively(P＞0.05).Serum TT levels in treatment group and control group were(25.53±9.44)and(22.51±8.28)ng·dL-1,PSA levels were(4.48±1.02)and(4.32±0.95)ng·mL-1,and VEGF levels were(121.03±35.26)and(118.65±33.42)pg·mL-1 respectively(all P＞0.05).The incidence rates of hot flash in treatment group and control group were 21.13％and 56.36％,the incidence rates of breast swelling pain were 16.90％and 34.55％,and the incidence rates of osteoporosis were 8.45％and 25.45％respectively(all P＜0.05).The scores of physical condition of FACT-P in treatment group and control group were(24.15±4.22)and(20.28±3.71)points,the scores of life condition were(20.28±2.94)and(17.81±2.84)points,scores of prostate cancer specific(PCS)module were(33.21±6.32)and(28.42±5.43)points,respectively,the difference were all statistically significant(all P＜0.05).The cumulative progression-free survival rates in treatment group and control group were 61.97％and 58.18％(P＞0.05).Conclusion IAD is as effective as CAD in the treatment of advanced prostate cancer and has a similar effect on the prognosis of patients,but the former one has fewer side effects of treatment and helps to improve the quality of life of patients.

The breakage pattern of unit particles during the production of oral solid dosage forms (OSD) is closely related to the quality of intermediate or final products. To accurately characterize the particles and study the evolution law of particle breakage, the Bonding model of the discrete element method (DEM) was used to investigate the breakage patterns of model parameters, particle shape and process conditions (loading mode and loading rate) on the dynamic breakage, force-time curve, breakage rate, maximum breakage size ratio and fracture strength of particles. The results showed that the particle breakage force was positively correlated with normal strength and bonded disk scale, negatively correlated with normal stiffness per unit area and tangential stiffness per unit area, and weakly correlated with tangential strength. The particle breakage rate was negatively correlated with the aspect ratio of the particles, and the maximum breakage size ratio was positively correlated with the aspect ratio of the particles; among the three loading modes, the breakage rate of compression breakage model was the largest, the breakage rate of shear breakage model was the second largest, and the breakage rate of wear breakage model was the smallest; the maximum breakage size ratio was positively correlated with the loading rate, the loading mode and the loading rate had no mutual influence on particle breakage rate, but had mutual influence on the maximum breakage size ratio. The research results will provide a theoretical basis for the shift of OSD from batch manufacturing to advanced manufacturing.