Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of early gastric cancer with mixed histological staging, and to analyze the prognostic effect of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for early gastric cancer.Methods:Clinical data of early gastric cancer patients treated with ESD in Gansu Wuwei Cancer Hospital from January 2011 to March 2020 were collected, and clinicopathological characteristics of patients with mixed-type early gastric cancer were analyzed by descriptive statistical methods. The clinical effects and influencing factors of ESD on early gastric cancer were analyzed by logistic regression. Kaplan-Meier was used to estimate the survival rate, and log-rank test was used to compare the survival rate.Results:A total of 269 patients (280 lesions) were included in this study, including 216 males (80.30%) and 53 females (19.70%), with age of 60.43±8.01 years. There were 25 lesions (8.93%) of mixed early gastric cancer, 248 lesions (88.57%) of differentiated early gastric cancer, and 7 lesions (2.50%) of undifferentiated early gastric cancer. Compared with differentiated and undifferentiated early gastric cancer, the lesion site of mixed early gastric cancer was mainly located in the upper 1/3 of the stomach [64.00% (16/25), 40.73% (101/248) VS 0.00% (0/7), χ2=10.211, P=0.006], the proportion of the lesion size ≤2 cm was relatively small [52.00% (13/25), 80.65% (200/248) VS 85.71% (6/7), χ2=11.173, P=0.004], and the proportion of infiltration depth in the mucosa was lower [52.00% (13/25), 85.48% (212/248) VS 57.14% (4/7), χ2=20.019, P<0.001], the proportion of positive vertical resection margin was relatively high [20.00% (5/25), 2.82% (7/248) VS 0.00% (0/7), χ2=16.657, P<0.001], the proportion of vascular invasion was higher than that of differentiated carcinoma but lower than that of undifferentiated carcinoma [36.00% (9/25), 2.42% (6/248) VS 42.86% (3/7), χ2=58.413, P<0.001], the complete resection rate was lower [76.00% (19/25), 93.15% (231/248) VS 100.00% (7/7), χ2=9.497, P=0.009], the curative resection rate was lower than that of differentiated early gastric cancer, but higher than that of undifferentiated early gastric cancer [48.00% (12/25), 89.52% (222/248) VS 42.86% (3/7), χ2=39.757, P<0.001], and the proportion of eCura grade C2 was higher than that of differentiated cancer, but lower than that of undifferentiated cancer [48.00% (12/25), 5.65% (14/248) VS 57.14% (4/7), χ2=58.766, P<0.001]. The results of multivariate analysis showed that the larger lesions ( P=0.004, OR=0.539, 95% CI: 0.354-0.822) was the risk factor for curative resection. In terms of infiltration depth, mucosal ( P=0.001, OR=51.799, 95% CI: 5.535-84.768) and submucosal 1 ( P<0.001, OR=29.301, 95% CI: 24.694-73.972) were protective factors for curative resection compared with submucosal 2. In terms of differentiation degree, compared with mixed type, differentiated type ( P=0.024, OR=3.947, 95% CI: 1.195-13.032) was the protective factor for curative resection, while undifferentiated type ( P=0.443, OR=0.424, 95% CI: 0.048-3.788) showed no difference between curative resection and mixed type. During the follow-up, 7 patients died. The overall survival time was 114.42±0.97 months, and the 5-year survival rate was 97.10%. There was no significant difference in the survival rate of early gastric cancer patients with different degrees of differentiation ( χ2=0.434, P=0.805). The survival rate of early gastric cancer patients with or without curative resection was significantly different ( χ2=4.081, P=0.043). Conclusion:Mixed early gastric cancer patients show high margin positive rate, vascular infiltration, and less curative resection than differentiated early gastric cancer. Therefore, the process of treating mixed early gastric cancer should be more rigorous. The long-term survival prognosis of early gastric cancer after ESD treatment is promising.

Objective To present and discuss beam characteristics of the first Mevion S250i gantry-mounted accelerator pencil beam scanning proton therapy system in China.Methods The output dose was measured using a parallel-plate ionization chamber.The integrated depth dose was measured with a large-radius Bragg peak ionization chamber,covering 19 energy levels ranging from 227 MeV to 28 MeV,to analyze the proton beam characteristics.The spots in the air were measured with Phoenix flat panel detector on the beam central axis,and the precision of the delivery position was verified by measuring the multi-spot beam map.The interleaf leakage and penumbra reduction of adaptive aperture were measured to characterize its performance.Results The proton system was calibrated for a maximum energy of 227 MeV,with a(10×10)cm2uniform field delivering 1 Gy dose at a depth of 5 cm underwater.The system effectively modulated the proton beam range to the patient's surface,maintaining a constant 80%-80%Bragg peak width of 8.6 mm at all energy levels.The spot size of the highest energy beam at the isocenter was about 4 mm in the air,and the spot delivery position error was less than 1 mm.The interleaf leakage rate of the adaptive aperture for the highest energy beam was below 1.5%,and the penumbra was significantly reduced.Conclusion Mevion S250i proton therapy system demonstrates unique design and beam characteristics,which is reflected in the Bragg peak shape,spot size variation with energy,and penumbra sharpening of adaptive aperture;and these differences should be considered in treatment planning system modeling and planning for precision treatment.

The incidence of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fracture (OTLVF) in the elderly is gradually increasing. The kyphotic deformity caused by various factors has become an important characteristic of OTLVF and has received increasing attention. Its clinical manifestations include pain, delayed nerve damage, sagittal imbalance, etc. Currently, the definition and diagnosis of OTLVF with kyphotic deformity in the elderly are still unclear. Although there are many treatment options, they are controversial. Existing guidelines or consensuses pay little attention to this type of fracture with kyphotic deformity. To this end, the Lumbar Education Working Group of the Spine Branch of the Chinese Medicine Education Association and Editorial Committee of Chinese Journal of Trauma organized the experts in the relevant fields to jointly develop Clinical guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of osteoporotic thoracolumbar vertebral fractures with kyphotic deformity in the elderly ( version 2024), based on evidence-based medical advancements and the principles of scientificity, practicality, and advanced nature, which provided 18 recommendations to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To measure and assess relevant radiation doses at the radiotherapy site of the first domestic single-vault proton therapy system.Methods:The radiation levels of the therapy system during and after beam irradiation were measured, and annual effective doses were assessed for personnel at the site.Results:During beam irradiation, the highest radiation dose was detected at the shielded door of the equipment floor, with a gamma radiation level of 2.140 μSv/h and a neutron radiation level of 0.850 μSv/h. Neutron radiation disappeared immediately once the beams stopped. In contrast, the radiation activated originated mostly from gamma rays. A longer time after beams stopped was associated with lower induced radiation intensity at the same location. Furthermore, a farther distance from the irradiated object corresponded to lower induced radiation intensity at the same time. The assessment result reveal that the annual effective doses to the personnel were at the safe level, with physicists exposed to the highest dose of 2.138 mSv.Conclusions:The radiation level at the studied proton therapy site meets the safety requirement, and the treatment can be performed safely at this site.

The tiered medical treatment system stands as a cornerstone in the deepening reforms of China′s medical and health sectors, playing a crucial role in building a healthy China. Exploring the harmonious coexistence mechanism of multiple entities on the supply and demand sides of the tiered diagnosis and treatment system, and promoting the formation of a scientific and reasonable tiered diagnosis and treatment order, has become an urgent public proposition that needs to be answered and has significant social impact. Addressing the challenges in China′s tiered medical treatment system, particularly its need for a more systematic, comprehensive, and collaborative approach, this study is informed by a thorough literature review. Based on the harmonious management and symbiosis theories, the authors proposed a theoretical concept and future research path for the formation of a harmonious symbiotic mechanism in the tiered diagnosis and treatment system, in order to pave the way for exploring the harmonious symbiotic mechanism in the tiered diagnosis and treatment system.

Objective:To explore the driving mechanisms of doctors′ collaborative willingness and behavior in the tiered diagnosis and treatment system, in order to provide reference for promoting the construction of the tiered diagnosis and treatment system.Methods:Based on the harmonious management theory, a theoretical framework for the driving mechanisms of doctors′ collaborative behavior in the tiered diagnosis and treatment system was developed. Through random sampling, a questionnaire survey was conducted among doctors from 40 medical institutions in five prefecture-level cities in Zhejiang province between April and May 2022. The t-test, variance analysis, and non-parametric tests were employed to analyze the differences in collaborative willingness and behavior among doctors based on various demographic characteristics. The structural equation model and stratified linear regression were used to assess the impact of collaborative factors (professional environment and work expectations) and harmonious factors (perception of policy support and perception of management mechanism) on doctors′ collaboration willingness and behavior. Results:A total of 1 959 doctors participated in the survey. Doctors′ collaborative behavior scored 2.13±1.12, indicating a slightly below-average level, whereas their willingness to collaborate scored 3.88±0.79, falling between neutral and somewhat willing. Significant differences in collaborative behavior scores were observed based on the medical institution′s ranking, age, years of experience, monthly average income, and professional titles ( P<0.05). Both collaborative and harmonious factors directly influenced the doctors′ willingness to collaborate, with standardized path coefficients of 0.428 and 0.139, respectively. Similarly, these factors directly impacted their collaborative behavior, with standardized path coefficients of 0.104 and 0.366. The perceptions of policy support and management mechanisms demonstrated a significant positive moderating effect on the relationship between doctors′ collaborative willingness and behavior, with effect values of 0.047 and 0.043 respectively ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The collaborative and harmonious elements serve as positive drivers for collaboration among doctors in the tiered diagnosis and treatment system at both the cognitive and behavioral levels. Enhancing and optimizing policy support and management mechanisms can facilitate the transition from intention to actual collaborative actions among doctors from different levels of medical institutions.

BACKGROUND: The switch/sucrose nonfermentable chromatin-remodeling (SWI/SNF) complex is a pivotal chromatin remodeling complex, and the genomic alterations (GAs) of the SWI/SNF complex are observed in several cancer types, correlating with multiple biological features of tumor cells. However, their role in liver metastasis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. Our study aims to investigate the role and potential mechanisms underlying NSCLC liver metastasis induced by the GAs of SWI/SNF complex. METHODS: The GAs of SWI/SNF complex in NSCLC cell lines (H1299, H23 and H460) were identified by whole-exome sequencing (WES). ARID1A knockout H1299 cell was constructed with the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. The mouse model of liver metastasis from NSCLC was established to simulate lung cancer liver metastasis and observe the metastasis rate under different gene mutation conditions. RNA sequencing and Western blot were conducted for differential gene expression analysis. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) analysis was used to assess protein expression levels of SWI/SNF-regulated target molecules in mouse liver metastases. RESULTS: WES analysis revealed intracellular gene mutations. The animal experiments demonstrated a correlation between the GAs of SWI/SNF complex and a higher liver metastasis rate in immunodeficient mice. Transcriptome sequencing and Western blot analysis showed upregulated expression of ALDH1A1 and APOBEC3B in SWI/SNF-mut cells, particularly in ARID1A-deficient H460 and H1299 sgARID1A cells. IHC staining of mouse liver metastases further demonstrated elevated expression of ALDH1A1 in the H460 and H1299 sgARID1A group. CONCLUSIONS This study underscores the critical role of the GAs of SWI/SNF complex, such as ARID1A and SMARCA4, in promoting liver metastasis of lung cancer cells. The GAs of SWI/SNF complex may promote liver-specific metastasis by upregulating ALDH1A1 and APOBEC3B expression, providing novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying lung cancer liver metastasis.
Animals ; Mice ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung/genetics* ; Lung Neoplasms/genetics* ; Mutation ; Liver Neoplasms/genetics*

Objective To investigate the comorbidity of hepatic cystic echinococcosis with HBV/HCV infection, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma, and to lay a foundation for further research on the influence of hepatic cystic echinococcosis on HBV/HCV infection, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the data of 401 patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis who were admitted to The First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University from 2003 to 2019, and the state of comorbidity of hepatic cystic echinococcosis with HBV/HCV infection, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma was clarified. The patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis and chronic HBV/HCV infection were selected as comorbidity group, and the patients with HBV/HCV infection alone were matched as control group. The chi-square test and the Fisher's exact test were used to analyze the state of viral infection and the disease composition of liver cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Results Of all 401 patients, 38(9.5%) were included in the comorbidity group and 2(0.5%) had liver cirrhosis after HBV/HCV infection, while no patient had hepatocellular carcinoma after HBV/HCV infection. Among the patients with chronic hepatitis B virus infection in the comorbidity group, non-active HBsAg carriers accounted for 81%, HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients accounted for 9.5%, and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients accounted for 9.5%; among the patients with hepatitis B virus infection in the control group, non-active HBsAg carriers accounted for 43%, HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients accounted for 33%, and HBeAg-negative chronic hepatitis B patients accounted for 19%, with a significant difference between the two groups ( P =0.033). There was a significant difference in the HBV RNA clearance rate of the patients with HCV infection between the comorbidity group and the control group ( χ 2 =4.447, P =0.035). In the comorbidity group, the patients with liver cirrhosis accounted for 5.2% and there were no patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, while in the control group, the patients with liver cirrhosis accounted for 18.4% and those with hepatocellular carcinoma accounted for 5.2%; the comorbidity group had significantly lower proportions than the control group ( P =0.048). Conclusion The proportion of liver cirrhosis patients with hepatic cystic echinococcosis and HBV/HCV infection is lower than that of liver cirrhosis patients with viral hepatitis alone, and there are no cases of hepatocellular carcinoma after HBV/HCV infection. Further multicenter studies are needed to investigate the influence of hepatic cystic echinococcosis on chronic HBV/HCV infection, liver cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the value of bacterial artificial chromosome-on-beads(BoBs) technology in the genetic analysis of early missed abortion chorionic villi. Methods Early missed abortion chorionic villi were detected with both conventional karyotyping method and BoBs technology in Peking Union Medical Hospital from July 2014 to March 2015. Compared the results of BoBs with conventional karyotyping analysis to evaluate the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of this new method. Results (1) A total of 161 samples were tested successfully in the technology of BoBs, 131 samples were tested successfully in the method of conventional karyotyping.(2)All of the cases obtained from BoBs results in(2.7 ± 0.6) days and obtained from conventional karyotyping results in (22.5 ± 1.9) days. There was significant statistical difference between the two groups(t=123.315, P<0.01).(3)Out of 161 cases tested in BoBs, 85(52.8%, 85/161)cases had the abnormal chromosomes, including 79 cases chromosome number abnormality, 4 cases were chromosome segment deletion, 2 cases mosaic. Out of 131 cases tested successfully in conventional karyotyping, 79(60.3%, 79/131)cases had the abnormal chromosomes including 62 cases chromosome number abnormality, 17 cases other chromosome number abnormality, and the rate of chromosome abnormality between two methods was no significant differences(P=0.198).(4)Conventional karyotyping results were served as the gold standard, the accuracy of BoBs for abnormal chromosomes was 82.4%(108/131), analysed the normal chromosomes (52 cases) and chromosome number abnormality (62 cases)tested in conventional karyotyping, the accuracy of BoBs for chromosome number abnormality was 94.7%(108/114). Conclusion BoBs is a rapid reliable and easily operated method to test early missed abortion chorionic villi chromosomal abnormalities.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of plasma exchange (PE) combined with double plasma absorption and simple PE in the treatment of acute-on-chronic liver failure. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 251 cases of acute-on-chronic liver failure treated with artificial liver treatment since January 2015. Changes in clinical manifestations, laboratory tests, and complications of the patients before and after different modes of treatment were compared and short-term efficacy was tracked. In accordance with different data, t-test, Pearson's chi-squared test and Fisher's exact test were used for statistical analysis. Results: The effectiveness of low-volume PE combined with double plasma molecular adsorption system (DPMAS) and equal amount of PE combined with DPMAS was significantly better than simple PE (83.7%, 84.05% and 82.15 vs 55.6%, P < 0.05) in early stage of liver failure. In late-stage of liver failure, there was no significant difference in the treatment efficiency of each group (P > 0.05). Bilirubin and bile acid levels were significantly decreased in combined treatment groups than that to simple PE group (P < 0.05). PTA and albumin improvement rate of DPMAS PE groups were significantly lower than that of simple PE group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in adverse reactions between each group. Conclusion PE combined with DPMAS improves the treatment efficiency of early hepatic failure and decrease dosage of plasma when compared with simple PE. A beforehand DPMAS treatment after PE treatment can improve the adverse effects of DPMAS on blood coagulation function and albumin levels.