Xingtai People's Hospital

The Polo-like kinase (PLK) family contains five members, among which the former (PLK1-4) has prognostic value in colorectal cancer (CRC); however, since PLK5 was recently discovered, its related information is scarce. This study aimed to investigate the expression of PLK5 in CRC tissues versus adjacent nontumor tissues and its correlation with the characteristics and prognosis of CRC patients. PLK5 expression was detected in 107 CRC tissues and 20 adjacent nontumor tissues via immunohistochemistry. CRC patient characteristics, relapse-free survival (RFS), and overall survival (OS) information were acquired. The Human Protein Atlas database was used for verification of the correlation of PLK5 with OS. PLK5 expression was lower in CRC tissues than in adjacent nontumor tissues (P < 0.001); specifically, 15.0% of patients had positive PLK5 expression in tumors, and 4.7% of patients had high PLK5 expression in tumors. PLK5 expression was negatively correlated with poorly differentiated or undifferentiated tumors (r=-0.312, P = 0.001) but not with other patient characteristics. RFS tended to be greater in the PLK5-positive group than in the PLK5-negative expression group (P = 0.077) and in the PLK5-high-expression group than in the PLK5-low-expression group (P = 0.167), but the difference did not reach statistical significance. OS revealed similar trends (P = 0.220 and P = 0.264). The Human Protein Atlas database revealed that high PLK5 expression was correlated with longer OS in the rectum adenocarcinoma (TCGA) cohort (P = 0.037) and tended to be associated with better OS in the colon adenocarcinoma (validation) cohort (P = 0.120) and the rectum adenocarcinoma (validation) cohort (P = 0.150). PLK5 is a potential tumor-suppressor biomarker for CRC management.

To investigate the effects of two different gas blending methods on the microenvironment of in vitro embryo culture. Using real-time monitoring systems, we tracked temperature, CO₂, and pressure in both incubator types. Blood gas analyzers measured media parameters (pCO₂, pO₂, pH). Retrospective analysis included 3658 frozen transfer cycles from women ≤ 35 without genetic/uterine anomalies. The participants were divided into two groups: the lumen blending group (n = 2746) and the preblending group (n = 912). The outcomes of frozen embryo transfer at cleavage stage and blastocyst stage were compared between the two groups. The concentration of CO2 in the preblending incubator was significantly lower (4.40%vs. 5.82%, p < 0.001). The results showed that the pH value (7.418 vs. 7.351, p < 0.05) and O2 pressure (90 vs. 81 mmHg, p < 0.05) of the preblending incubator were significantly higher than that of the lumen blending incubator, while the CO2 pressure was lower (31 vs. 38 mmHg, p < 0.01). The clinical pregnancy rate (56.77% vs. 45.90%, p < 0.05), implantation rate (40.64% vs. 32.52%, p < 0.05) and live birth rate (45.81% vs. 37.70%, p < 0.05) of cleavage embryos in the lumen blending group were significantly higher than those in the preblending group, though blastocyst results showed no intergroup differences. Binary logistic regression analysis revealed that the lumen blending group had a significantly higher clinical pregnancy rate compared to the preblending group (aOR = 1.431, 95% CI 1.024 ~ 2.001, p = 0.036). There was also a trend towards a higher live birth rate in the preblending group (aOR = 1.332, 95% CI 0.947 ~ 1.874, p = 0.100). The lumen blending incubators may ensures superior gas concentration stability and faster CO₂ recovery. This method proves more beneficial for cleavage-stage embryos, whereas blastocyst development remains unaffected by gas blending methods.

The objective of this study was to explore the protective effect of astragaloside IV on a model of isoproterenol-induced (ISO) hyper-trophic injury in rat cardiomyocytes H9c2 (cell line derived from embryonic BD1X rat heart tissue). A cell hypertrophy injury model was established (H9c2 cells treated with 100 μmol L-1 ISO). The cells were divided into normal control, a model group, and an astragalo-side IV group at several concentrations. Astragaloside IV was pre-administered for 2 hours, followed by ISO treatment for 24 hours. Cell viability, cell surface area, apoptosis rate, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity, reactive oxygen species (ROS), superoxide dismutase (SOD), the mRNA levels of Bcl-2, Bax, p62, and LC3, the protein expressions of Sirt1, p62, caspase-3, beclin, and p53 and the LC3II/LC3I ratio were detected. Astragaloside IV significantly alleviated ISO-induced hypertrophy injury in H9c2 cells, reduced cell surface area and LDH release, decreased apoptosis rate and intracellular ROS levels, increased SOD levels, upregulated the expressions of autophagy-related mRNA and proteins, and downregulated the expressions of apoptosis-related mRNA and proteins. Astragaloside IV can effectively inhibit ISO-induced hypertrophy and apoptosis in H9c2 cells, and its mechanism may be related to promoting auto-phagy and reducing oxidative stress.

Abstract Background: Sepsis is a leading cause of maternal mortality. Diagnosis in pregnancy is often delayed by non-specific presentation and legitimate caution regarding diagnostic imaging.This case illustrates a compounded diagnostic challenge: septic shock in a migrant patient, where unfamiliar, endemic comorbidities obscured the typical clinical picture. Case presentation: An 18-year-old primigravida at 27 weeks’ gestation presented with fever and mild respiratory symptoms, rapidly progressing to septic shock. Initial labs revealed severe microcytic anemia (Hb 59 g/L), marked hyperbilirubinemia, and leukocytosis. A low-dose abdominopelvic CT, crucial for source identification, revealed right-sided obstructive uropathy. This led to a diagnosis of obstructive pyelonephritis as the septic focus, managed with urgent ureteral stenting and antibiotics. Further investigation unmasked two underlying conditions contributing to her severe anemia: homozygous β-thalassemia intermedia and chronic Trichuris trichiura infection. The jaundice was attributed to sepsis-induced hepatocellular dysfunction. Following source control, transfusions, and supportive care, both maternal and fetal conditions stabilized. Conclusion: This case underscores that in pregnant patients with sepsis and atypical laboratory findings, timely imaging for source control is paramount. It also highlights the critical need to consider region-specific hereditary and parasitic diseases in the differential diagnosis for migrant populations, as these can significantly complicate the clinical presentation and management.

Abstract Background: Dalpiciclib, a cyclin-dependent kinase 4/6 (CDK4/6) inhibitor, has shown significant efficacy and a favorable safety profile when combined with endocrine therapy for advanced hormone receptor-positive (HR+)/human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative (HER2-) breast cancer. Building on this evidence, the present study evaluated the efficacy and safety of neoadjuvant dalpiciclib plus letrozole compared with standard chemotherapy in patients with high-risk HR+/HER2- early breast cancer. Methods: DARLING-02 was a multicenter, randomized, phase II non-inferiority trial (NCT06107673). Key eligibility criteria included women aged ≥18 years; Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status 0-1; clinical stage T1c-2N1-2 or T3-4N0-2; estrogen receptor (ER) expression ≥50%; HER2- status; and Ki-67 level ≤30%. Patients were randomized 1:1 to receive 24-week treatment. The experimental arm received dalpiciclib 150 mg orally once daily (3 weeks on, 1 week off) plus letrozole 2.5 mg orally once daily. The control arm received epirubicin 100 mg/m2 plus cyclophosphamide 500 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1 every 3 weeks for 4 cycles, followed by docetaxel 100 mg/m2 intravenously on day 1 every 3 weeks for 4 cycles. The primary endpoint was objective response rate (ORR), assessed per Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors, version 1.1. Results: Between August 2023 and April 2025, 170 patients were screened; 158 met the eligibility criteria and were randomized to the dalpiciclib-letrozole (n = 80) or chemotherapy (n = 78) group. At the data cut-off date (September 17, 2025), 9 patients in the experimental arm and 10 in the control arm were still on neoadjuvant therapy. Among patients with completed short-term efficacy assessment, the ORR was 69.0% (49/71) with dalpiciclib-letrozole and 70.5% (48/68) with chemotherapy; total pathological complete response (tpCR) rate was 5.6% (4/71) and 1.5% (1/68), respectively. The proportion of patients with Preoperative Endocrine Prognostic Index (PEPI) score ≥4 was higher in the chemotherapy group (74.6% [44/59]) than in the dalpiciclib-letrozole group (53.3% [32/60]). Grade ≥3 adverse events were predominantly hematological toxicities and occurred less frequently with dalpiciclib-letrozole than with chemotherapy (decreased white blood cell count: 36.4% [28/77] vs 64.0% [39/61]; decreased neutrophil count: 74.0% [57/77] vs 86.9% [53/61]). Conclusions: These findings support dalpiciclib plus letrozole as a promising neoadjuvant option for patients with high-risk HR+/HER2- early breast cancer and warrant confirmation in phase III trials. Citation Format: C. Geng, L. Zhang, C. Yang, T. Zhou, L. Ma, R. Luo, Z. Song, Y. Qi, J. Yang, X. Wang, J. Han, J. Ma, Z. Zhang, Y. Li, C. Gao, L. Yang, J. Yu. Neoadjuvant Dalpiciclib Plus Letrozole Versus Standard Chemotherapy in High-Risk HR+/HER2- Negative Breast Cancer (DARLING-02): A Randomized Phase II Trial [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium 2025; 2025 Dec 9-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2026;32(4 Suppl):Abstract nr PS2-13-08.

BackgroundDetermining the location of paraclinoid aneurysms (PAs) is crucial. We aimed to evaluate the utility of paraclinoid high-resolution MRI (HRMRI) in determining PA locations.MethodsWe enrolled patients with suspected PAs who underwent our HRMRI sequence in 6 months. PAs were categorized into five types based on their origin from the internal carotid artery (ICA): Superior ophthalmic segment (Type S), Ventral ophthalmic segment (Type V), Medial clinoidal segment (Type M), Lateral clinoidal segment Type L, and Posterior clinoidal segment) (Type P). The paraclinoid HRMRI protocol included five main sequences: TOF-MRA, coronal and saggital high-resolution T2-weighted images, coronal and saggital enhanced high-resolution T1-weighted images. We utilized cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) notch and cavernous sinus enhanced signals to determine the location of PAs.ResultsSixty-nine patients with 75 PAs were included. Based on our classification, there were 10 Type S, 2 Type V, 45 Type M, 11 Type L, and 7 Type P PAs. Among the Type S PAs, 9 were fully located within the subarachnoid space, and 1 was in the juncture area. Both Type V PAs were situated within the cavernous sinus. Among the Type M PAs, 34 were located in the cavernous sinus, and 1 was in the juncture. Of the Type L PAs, 5 were within the cavernous sinus, and 1 was in the juncture area. All 7 Type P PAs were located within the cavernous sinus.ConclusionsHRMRI sequences may assist in determining the location of PAs and could provide useful information for clinical decision-making, especially when radiation-free or iodine-free evaluation is preferred.Trial registrationThe clinical trial of China Internal Aneurysm Project (NCT03115905).

The post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pulmonary sequelae have garnered public concern. We conducted a multicenter cross-sectional study in outpatient and health exam populations from 23 clinical centers (including university-affiliated/provincial general hospitals, municipal general hospitals, county hospitals, and specialized hospitals) in China (2019-2023), to assess temporal trends and potential influencing factors in the detection of CT-diagnosed pulmonary nodules, pleural effusion, pneumonia, and suspected lung tumors, cancer and viral pneumonia, clarifying pandemic impacts on lung health. Dynamic comparisons across key phases including initial outbreak, vaccine rollout, population-wide vaccination, and major adjustment of pandemic control policies, were performed. This study analyzed 1,616,750 clinical samples (1,102,605 outpatient, 514,145 health examination; 885,945 males, 730,805 females). Pulmonary nodule detection rose progressively, with surges in 2020-2021 and 2023, plateauing in 2021-2022. Outpatients and males showed steeper increases. University-affiliated/provincial hospitals had sharpest increases vs. municipal and county tiers. Specialized hospitals matched general hospital rates. AI boosted detection rates. CT-suspected lung tumors/cancer remained low and stable, unrelated to nodule trends. These results underscore 2019-2023 pulmonary nodule detection surges linked to SARS-CoV-2 infections and AI adoption. COVID-19 vaccination did not accelerate detection but may have slowed it short-term. Long-term studies on infection, vaccine impacts and pandemic-detected nodules' outcomes are urgently needed.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) refers to a diabetic condition observed in pregnant women, significantly affecting both the health of the mother and the growth of the offspring. G protein-coupled receptor 4 (GPR4) is a receptor widely distributed across various tissues, but its role in GDM remains unclear. Our research aims to investigate the role of GPR4 in GDM and explore the potential therapeutic effects of its antagonist, NE 52-QQ57, in treating this condition. First, we found that GPR4 was expressed in placental tissues. Mice were divided into three groups: wild-type, db/+ pair-fed, and db/+ pair-fed + NE 52-QQ57. GPR4 expression was significantly higher in the db/+ pair-fed mice compared with wild-type mice. Markedly increased blood glucose and serum insulin levels were observed in GDM mice on gestational days (GD), accompanied by disrupted lipid profiles, all of which were significantly alleviated by NE 52-QQ57. Moreover, undesirable fetal outcomes, including increased fetal mortality, decreased fetal weight, reduced crown-rump length, and decreased placental weight, were observed in GDM mice, however, all were notably improved by NE 52-QQ57. Increased oxidative stress (OS) and the release of inflammatory cytokines were observed in GDM mice, but these were significantly reversed by NE 52-QQ57. Additionally, activated nuclear factor κ-B (NF-κB) signaling in placental tissues of GDM mice was significantly suppressed by NE 52-QQ57. Collectively, antagonism of GPR4 protected against GDM-induced placental damage in mice, confirming the critical role of GPR4 in the development of GDM.