Zelai He

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with poor prognosis, where radiotherapy is a key treatment modality. However, radioresistance significantly limits its efficacy, leading to treatment failure. Septin9 (SEPT9), a cytoskeletal regulatory protein, has been implicated in various cancers, with its methylation status serving as a biomarker for diagnosis and prognosis. While extensively studied in colorectal cancer, the role of SEPT9 and its methylation in ESCC remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the role of SEPT9 in ESCC and its potential as a predictive biomarker. SEPT9 expression and methylation levels were analyzed in 80 ESCC patients undergoing radiotherapy using qMS-PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC). Functional experiments using SEPT9-knockout (KO) and overexpressing (Sep) ESCC cell lines were conducted in in vitro and in vivo models. The results demonstrated that SEPT9 overexpression enhances radiosensitivity, while SEPT9-knockout promotes radioresistance. Additionally, higher SEPT9 methylation correlated with radioresistance and poor survival. These findings indicate a potential association between SEPT9 methylation and radiotherapy response in ESCC. While promising, further validation is needed before SEPT9 methylation can be established as a reliable clinical biomarker or therapeutic target.

The aim of this study was to investigate the joint association of systemic inflammatory response index (SIRI) and sarcopenia with cancer-specific and all-cause mortality in individuals with self-reported cancer. The study cohort comprised individuals with a self-reported cancer diagnosis from the NHANES database, with data collected between 1999 and 2006 and 2011–2018. The researchers tracked deaths up to 31 December 2019 by linking the relevant records to those held by the (NDI). A weighted sampling design was employed, with participants stratified according to the median value of the SIRI. Cox regression models were employed to assess the association between SIRI, sarcopenia, all-cause mortality, and cancer-specific mortality. The study cohort comprised 1316 individuals with self-reported cancer. Over a median follow-up period of 9.21 years, 523 all-cause deaths were recorded, including 163 cancer-specific and 360 non-cancer deaths. Adjusting for multiple confounders, elevated SIRI levels were significantly associated with increased risks of all-cause (HR = 1.90 [1.58–2.28]), cancer (HR = 1.88 [1.26–2.78]), and non-cancer mortality (HR = 1.93 [1.54–2.41]). Sarcopenia also emerged as a significant predictor of mortality. Individuals with sarcopenia faced a 50% higher risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.50 [1.18–1.91]) and a 54% higher risk of non-cancer mortality (HR = 1.54 [1.11–2.12]). However, the association with cancer mortality was not significant in the fully adjusted model. When both sarcopenia and elevated SIRI were present, the risk was the highest for all-cause (HR = 2.54 [1.92–3.37]), cancer (HR = 2.29 [1.19–4.40]), and non-cancer mortality (HR = 2.63 [1.78–3.89]). Elevated SIRI alone was linked to significant risks for all-cause (HR = 1.91 [1.51–2.42]), cancer (HR = 1.95 [1.28–2.97]), and non-cancer mortality (HR = 1.92 [1.46–2.53]). Sarcopenia alone significantly increased the risk of all-cause mortality (HR = 1.63 [1.01–2.56]) but not cancer mortality. Our study is the first to demonstrate the joint association between the SIRI and sarcopenia with mortality among individuals with self-reported cancer. These findings underscore the importance of assessing and managing these two factors in individuals with self-reported cancer to reduce the risk of death and improve survival outcomes.

Introduction: Lung cancer has a high incidence rate and a poor prognosis with traditional treatments like surgery and radiotherapy, necessitating the active exploration of new treatment methods. Realgar (AS4S4), a traditional Chinese medicine, has chemotherapeutic efficacy. However, its low solubility, complex dosage form, and single therapeutic efficacy limit its further application in modern medicine. To monitor tumors and combine magnetic induction thermotherapy, magnetic iron oxide (Fe3O4) particles were introduced, and a local injection therapy system was developed by combining the two with a temperature-sensitive hydrogel. Methods: AS4S4 was chemically synthesized using hydrochloric acid to disrupt the bonding between AS and NH2 to obtain andrography nanoclusters, which improved the solubility and reduced the toxic side reactions. Furthermore, Fe3O4 nanoparticles were introduced, and the two performance nanomaterials were combined using a smart temperature-sensitive hydrogel to construct a locally injected nanodiagnostic therapy with fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging dual-modal imaging-guided chemotherapy and magneto-induced thermotherapy combined unit (AS4S4/Fe3O4@Gel). Results: Characterization results showed that the hydrogel exhibited satisfactory temperature sensitivity, 85% controlled drug release at 42 ^oC, and good biocompatibility. The results of cellular experiments showed that AS4S4/Fe3O4@Gel induced apoptosis and iron death in lung cancer cells, while the combination with magnetic induction hyperthermia (ACMF) significantly inhibited tumor cell proliferation. In a mouse model of transplanted tumors in Holland Lewis cells, AS4S4/Fe3O4@Gel showed good fluorescence properties and magneto-thermal effects. The combined ACMF group exerted better antitumor effects than the negative control group. Conclusion: The AS4S4/Fe3O4@Gel prepared in this study can exert synergistic antitumor activity in combination with ACMF under bimodal imaging guidance, and it is a potential means of clinical treatment for lung cancer.

Aim: To produce pH-responsive bionic high photothermal conversion nanoparticles actively targeting tumors for sensitizing photothermal therapy (PTT). Materials and Methods: The bionic nanoparticles (ICG-PEI@HM NPs) were prepared by electrostatic adsorption of indocyanine green (ICG) coupled to polyethyleneimine (PEI) and modified with tumor cell membranes. In vitro and in vivo experiments were conducted to investigate the efficacy of ICG-PEI@HM-mediated PTT. Results: The intelligent responsiveness of ICG-PEI@HM to pH promoted the accumulation of ICG and enhanced the PTT performance of ICG-PEI@HM NPs. Compared with free ICG, NPs exhibited great photothermal stability, cellular uptake, and active tumor targeting for PTT. Conclusion: ICG-PEI@HM NPs can enhance the efficacy of PTT and can be used as a new strategy for the construction of photothermal agents.

Background: Preoperative localization is challenging due to the small diameter of pulmonary nodules or their deep location in the lung parenchyma during VATS surgery. The purpose of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of both hook-wire and medical glue for pre-operative localization of pulmonary nodules.Methods: In the current study, 158 patients were retrospectively analyzed (January 2019 and January 2020). The patients underwent hook-wire or medical glue for pre-operative localization of pulmonary nodules. Among them, 74 patients in the hook-wire group and 84 patients in the medical glue group underwent VATS anatomic segmentectomy or wedge resection after localization of pulmonary nodules. Pre-operative localization data from all patients were compiled. Moreover, the efficacy and safety of the two methods were evaluated according to localization success rates and localization-related complications.Results: The success rate of localization in the medical glue group was 100% while 97.3% in the hook-wire group. After localization of the pulmonary nodules, the incidence of minor pneumothorax in the medical glue group (11.9%) was lower than that in the hook-wire group (37.8%) (p=0.01). The incidence of mild pulmonary parenchymal hemorrhage in the medical glue group (13.1%) was also lower than that in the hook-wire group (24.3%) (p=0.000). The mean time from the completion of localization to the start of surgery was also longer in the medical glue group than in the hook-wire group (p=0.000). The mean visual analog scale (VAS) scores after localization were higher in the hook-wire group than in the medical glue group (p=0.02). In both groups, parenchymal hemorrhage was significantly associated with the needle length in hook-wire localization and the depth of the medical glue in the lung parenchyma (p = 0.009 and 0.001, respectively).Conclusion: These two localization methods are safe and effective in pre-operative pulmonary nodule localization. The medical glue localization method had a lower risk of complications, a higher localization success rate, less pain after localization and more flexibility in the arrangement of operation time.

Objectives: Video assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) can currently be used to diagnose and treat pulmonary nodules. However, intraoperative location of pulmonary nodules in VATS is challenging due to their small diameter and deep location in the pulmonary parenchyma. The purpose of this study was to report the clinical safety and effectiveness of CT-guided hook-wire for preoperative localization of malignant pulmonary nodules smaller than 1 cm in diameter. Methods: From February 2017 to January 2018, we collected the data of 80 patients with malignant pulmonary nodules less than 1 cm in diameter who underwent CT-guided hook-wire preoperative localization and VATS surgery. The effectiveness of preoperative localization was evaluated based on surgical duration, success rate of VATS surgery, and localization-related complications. Results: The diameter of pulmonary nodules were 0.85 ± 0.17 mm with a distance to the pleural surface of 19.66 ± 14.10 mm. The length of the hook-wire in the lung parenchyma was 29.17 ± 13.14 mm and hook-wire dislodgement occurred in 2 patients. Complications included 27 cases of minor pneumothorax and 18 cases of mild parenchymal hemorrhage. A significant correlation was observed between the length of the hook-wire in the lung parenchyma and mild parenchymal hemorrhage (P = 0.044). The average time of hook-wire localization was 9.0 ± 2.6 min and the average operation time for VATS was 89.02 ± 23.35 min without conversion thoracotomy. Conclusions: CT-guided hook-wire localization of the lesion during VATS resection is safe for malignant pulmonary nodules with diameter less than 1 cm.

Liposarcoma is a type of common tumor in soft tissue, but liposarcoma originating in the mediastinum is rare. Here, we report a case of the anterior mediastinal liposarcoma resected by a median sternal incision and complicated with reexpansion pulmonary edema after surgery. A 68-year-old female patient with chest tightness and shortness of breath for more than 2 years, recently presents with increased chest tightness and shortness of breath, as well as right upper extremity and lower back pain. Enhanced chest CT scan showed an uneven and low-density mass in the anterior mediastinum with clear border. Most of the mass showed fat density, the anterior part of the mass was solid, and the liquid density was seen in the pericardial cavity. Surgery was performed with a median sternal incision, and part of the pericardium and the innominate vein wall were removed during the removal of the entire liposarcoma. The size of the tumor was about 20 cm × 10 cm × 8 cm. The patient developed a reexpansion pulmonary edema after the giant mediastinal liposarcoma resection, but she was discharged successfully on the 10th postoperative day with the treatment by anti-glucocorticoids and diuretics. Postoperative pathology showed well-differentiated liposarcoma. Now within the half-year follow-up, the patient remained well and there is no sign of recurrence. Median sternotomy is considered to be a good surgical procedure for giant mediastinal liposarcomas. Attention should be given to prevent reexpansion pulmonary edema after surgery.

Lung cancer is the most frequent cancer type and is the leading cause of tumour‐associated deaths worldwide. Nuclear cap‐binding protein 1 (NCBP1) is necessary for capped RNA processing and intracellular localization. It has been reported that silencing of NCBP1 resulted in cell growth reduction in HeLa cells. Nevertheless, its clinical significance and underlying molecular mechanisms in non–small‐cell lung cancer remain unclear. In this study, we found that NCBP1 was significantly overexpressed in lung cancer tissues and several lung cancer cell lines. Through knockdown and overexpression experiments, we showed that NCBP1 promoted lung cancer cell growth, wound healing ability, migration and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition. Mechanistically, we found that cullin 4B (CUL4B) was a downstream target gene of NCBP1 in NSCLC. NCBP1 up‐regulated CUL4B expression via interaction with nuclear cap‐binding protein 3 (NCBP3). CUL4B silencing significantly reversed NCBP1‐induced tumorigenesis in vitro. Based on these findings, we propose a model involving the NCBP1‐NCBP3‐CUL4B oncoprotein axis, providing novel insight into how CUL4B is activated and contributes to LUAD progression.

Central giant cell granuloma (CGCG) is a rare, non-neoplastic, benign lesion that exhibits expansive and osteolytic biological behavior. CGCG treatment and management is challenging for clinicians. This report presents the treatment and management of recurrent, aggressive CGCG after surgical resection. After informed consent was obtained, the patient underwent radiotherapy. The lesion size was reduced significantly, with no evidence of recurrence or malignant transformation. This treatment experience indicates that radiotherapy can be used as a rescue treatment for complicated CGCG involving vital neurovascular structures of the cranial base.