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Objective To investigate the effect of Huolong moxibustion in the treatment of children with phlegm-heat obstructing lung type of pneumonia. Methods Totally100 pediatric patients with phlegm-heat obstructing lung type of pneumonia were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group, with 50 cases in each group. The control group received routine basic treatment and nursing, while the observation group received Huolong moxibustion on the basis of routine treatment. The Traditional Chinese Medicine(TCM) symptom integral and length of hospital stay were compared between two groups. Results The TCM symptom integral scores were decreased in both groups after intervention, and TCM symptom integral scores in the observation group were lower than those in the control group(P＜0. 01). The length of hospital stay in the observation group was shorter than that in the control group(P＜0. 01). Conclusion Huolong moxibustion is potentially effective to relieve the clinical symptoms of phlegm-heat obstructing lung type of pneumonia in children and reduce the length of hospital stay. (目的 探讨火龙罐治疗小儿痰热闭肺型肺炎喘嗽的效果。方法 选取2023年1月—5月收治的痰热闭肺型肺炎喘嗽患儿100例, 随机分为对照组及观察组, 各50例。对照组给予常规基础治疗和护理, 观察组在对照组基础上增加火龙罐治疗。对比两组患儿中医症候积分及住院天数。结果 干预后, 两组中医症候积分较干预前下降, 且观察组中医症候积分改善优于对照组, 差异有统计学意义(P＜0. 01)。观察组平均住院天数较对照组缩短, 差异有统计学意义(P＜0. 01)。结论 火龙罐能有效改善痰热闭肺型肺炎喘嗽患儿临床症状, 缩短患儿住院天数。)

Background Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is gaining significance for people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), with sexual difficulties being a crucial yet frequently neglected component of HRQoL, especially in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM). Aim The study sought to assess the levels of sexual difficulties and explore the associations between sexual difficulties, mental health, and HRQoL in HIV-positive MSM. Methods A cohort of 475 HIV-positive MSM was studied from January 2017 to December 2021. Sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle data were collected. Participants were divided based on Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX) scores into 2 groups: those with sexual difficulties and a control group without difficulties. Outcomes Psychological symptoms were evaluated by the Symptom Checklist-90 (SCL-90), HRQoL was accessed via 36-item Short Form Health Survey, and sexual function was assessed using the ASEX. We also employed path analysis to unveil latent mechanisms, alongside multivariate analysis to identify independent factors, and aimed to elucidate the interplay among sexual function, HRQoL, and mental health in HIV-positive MSM. Results A total of 391 HIV-positive MSM were enrolled in the control group and 84 in the sexual difficulties group. The control group had significantly higher physical HRQoL (P =.004) and mental HRQoL (P =.045). In addition, SCL-90 scores were higher in the sexual difficulties group (P =.001). Multivariate analyses that indicated regular exercise (odds ratio, 0.553; P =.024) and alcohol consumption (odds ratio, 1.780; P =.033) were independent factors associated with sexual difficulties. The proportion of alcohol consumption in the sexual difficulties group was significantly higher (P =.003). ASEX scores increased gradually with increasing frequency of alcohol consumption (P =.031). Results from structural equation model showed a negative association between HRQoL and ASEX scores (β = −0.13, P  < .001) and SCL-90 scores (β = −0.40, P  < .001). Clinical Implications HIV-positive MSM experiencing sexual difficulties exhibited lower HRQoL and worse mental health, with independent associations identified for regular exercise and alcohol consumption in relation to sexual difficulties. Strengths and Limitations Our research has pioneered in demonstrating that HRQoL mediates the relationship between sexual difficulties and psychological symptoms among HIV-positive MSM undergoing highly active antiretroviral therapy. We found the protective factor associated with sexual difficulties was regular exercise while the risk factor was alcohol consumption. However, the data were collected only from China, and it is still unclear how HRQoL changes after intervention. Conclusion Routine follow-up for people living with HIV should encompass an investigation into sexual function, emphasizing the need for timely assessment and intervention, particularly in HIV-positive MSM with identified risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Circular RNAs (circRNAs), with their multilevel and versatile regulation, have emerged as promising targets for treating complex and heterogeneous malignancies such as oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). It is crucial to explore the function of key circRNAs and elucidate the underlying mechanisms to establish an effective in vivo delivery system to better utilize circRNAs as cancer treatment strategies. Materials and Methods: circRNA (circ‐OCAC) was identified as significantly downregulated in tumor samples compared to paracancerous tissues by RNA‐seq analysis of eight pairs of OSCC tissues. Functional experiments of circ‐OCAC were performed both in vitro and in vivo. The interactions between circ‐OCAC and miR‐411‐5p were clarified by RNA pull down and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. Results: We observed that circ‐OCAC inhibits OSCC growth and metastasis by blocking the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. To translate this observation in vivo, a pH‐responsive nanoparticle (pNP) was developed to target circ‐OCAC. Our results confirmed the advantages of the pNP‐circ‐OCAC system: high tumor enrichment capacity and good biosafety, which resulted in a significantly enhanced antitumor effect. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that targeting circ‐OCAC serves as a promising potential therapeutic strategy for OSCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Accumulating studies have proved that the circular RNAs (circRNAs) play vital roles in human cancers. However, few circRNAs have been elucidated with lymph node metastasis. This study demonstrated that circ‐oral cancer metastasis‐associated circRNA (circ‐OMAC) is required to regulate the oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) metastasis. Materials and Methods: The circ‐OMAC were detected by circRNA‐sequencing and further verified by in situ hybridization (ISH). The role of circ‐OMAC was assessed by transwell assay and wound healing assay. Mechanistically, circ‐OMAC regulated OSCC metastasis by initiating the epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) signaling pathway. Results: Our findings suggested that circ‐OMAC was aberrantly elevated in the metastatic lymph nodes as compared to primary OSCC tissues. OSCC patients with high levels of circ‐OMAC were prone to a poor prognosis. By developing functional assays, we confirmed that circ‐OMAC promotes metastasis of OSCC cells via initiation of EMT pathways. Conclusions: We provide new insights whereby Circ‐OMAC as an oncogene is a potential therapeutic target and prognostic marker in oral cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Due to the chronic nature of HIV, mental health has become a critical concern in people living with HIV (PLWHIV). However, little knowledge exists about the association between fear of progression (FoP) and medical coping modes (MCMs) in PLWHIV in China. Methods: A cohort of 303 PLWHIV were consecutively enrolled and their demographic, clinical and psychological information was collected. The Fear of Progression Questionnaire-Short Form (FoP-Q-SF), Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS), Internalized HIV Stigma Scale (IHSS) and MCMs Questionnaire were utilized. Results: Of the participants, 215 PLWHIV were classified into the low-level FoP group, and 88 were grouped into the high-level FoP group based on their FoP-Q-SF scores, according to the criteria for the classification of dysfunctional FoP in cancer patients. The high-level group had a higher proportion of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) stage (P = 0.005), lower education levels (P = 0.027) and lower income levels (P = 0.031). Additionally, the high-level group had lower scores in social support (P < 0.001) and its three dimensions, with total SSRS scores showing a negative correlation with two dimensions of FoP-Q-SF, namely physical health (r2 = 0.0409, P < 0.001) and social family (r2 = 0.0422, P < 0.001). Further, the high-level group had higher scores in four dimensions of internalized HIV stigma, and a positive relationship was found to exist between IHSS scores and FoP-Q-SF scores for physical health (r2 = 0.0960, P < 0.001) and social family (r2 = 0.0719, P < 0.001). Social support (OR = 0.929, P = 0.001), being at the AIDS stage (OR = 3.795, P = 0.001), and internalized HIV stigma (OR = 1.028, P < 0.001) were independent factors for FoP. Furthermore, intended MCMs were evaluated. FoP were positively correlated with avoidance scores (r2 = 0.0886, P < 0.001) and was validated as the only factor for the mode of confrontation (OR = 0.944, P = 0.001) and avoidance (OR = 1.059, P = 0.001) in multivariate analysis. Conclusion: The incidence of dysfunctional FoP in our study population was relatively high. High-level FoP was associated with poor social support, high-level internalized HIV stigma and a negative MCM among PLWHIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Buccal mucosa cancer (BMC) is one of the most common oral cancers and has poor prognosis. The study aimed to develop and validate nomograms for predicting the 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year overall survival (OS) and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) of BMC patients. Methods: We collected and reviewed information on BMC patients diagnosed between 2004 and 2019 from the Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results database. Two nomograms were developed and validated to predict the OS and CSS based on predictors identified by univariate and multivariate Cox regression. An extra external validation was further performed using data from Sun Yat‐sen Memorial Hospital (SYSMH). Results: A total of 3154 BMC patients included in this study were randomly assigned to training and validation groups in a 2:1 ratio. Independent prognostic predictors were identified, confirmed, and fitted into nomograms for OS and CSS, respectively. The C‐indices are 0.767 (Training group OS), 0.801 (Training group CSS), 0.763 (Validation group OS), and 0.781 (Validation group OS), respectively. Moreover, the nomograms exhibited remarkable precision in forecasting and significant clinical significance, as evidenced by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analyses (DCA). The final validation using our data from SYSMH also showed high accuracy and substantial clinical benefits within the nomograms. The C‐indices are 0.849 (SYSMH group OS) and 0.916 (SYSMH group CSS). These indexes are better than tumor, node, and metastasis stage based on prediction results. Conclusions: The nomograms developed with great performance predicted 1‐, 3‐, and 5‐year OS and CSS of BMC patients. Use of the nomograms in clinical practices shall bring significant benefits to BMC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cancer‐therapy‐induced mucosal injury (CMI) is a common and deleterious complication that affects patients undergoing cancer therapies. This study was aimed at elucidating knowledge bases and predicting research trends of this field, by analyzing the bibliographic data of CMI. Methods: The bibliographic data of CMI from 2001 to 2021 were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection database in March 2022. After screening, a total of 8181 articles and reviews were included in the study. CiteSpace and VOSviewer were applied to analyze and visualize cooperation, cooccurrence, cocitation, and coupling networks. Results: A steady increase in publications and a burst of citation since 2019 were seen in the subject. Supportive Care in Cancer, International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, Annals of Oncology, Cancer, and Radiotherapy and Oncology were the most influential journals of this field. The University of Adelaide, University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center were the top three most productive institutions. ST Sonis, RV Lalla, JB Epstein, and DMK Keefe were the authors with impressive publications and citations. The intellectual base was the publication network of improved treatments based on updating knowledge of CMI. The future trends would be the pathogenesis of CMI, mechanism‐based interventions, microbiota of oral and gastrointestinal mucosa, and photobiomodulation. Conclusion: This study introduced the evolving publication network and predicted the research trends of CMI, which helped researchers to obtain detailed and reliable knowledge of the discipline, and focus on the most urgent unsolved problems in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Substantial studies reveal that tertiary lymphoid structure (TLS) correlate with prognosis and immunotherapy response in various types of cancers. However, the predictive value of TLS, the specific immune cell subtype within TLS and their anti-tumor mechanisms remain unclear., Methods: Based on 23 TLS-related genes (TLSRGs), we utilized bioinformatics methods to construct a scoring system, named TLSscore. By integrating RNA and single-cell sequencing data, we assessed the utility of TLSscore in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Flow cytometric sorting was used to isolate specific T cells subtypes, in vivo and in vitro experiments were conducted to demonstrate its anti-tumor effects., Results: The TLSscore model was constructed and specific TLSscore-genes were found to consistently align with the spatial location of TLS. TLSscore has proven to be a robust predictive model for predicting survival prognosis, immune cell infiltration, somatic mutation and immunotherapy response. Notably, a specific PD1 + CXCL13 + CD8 + T cell subtype was identified within TLS. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that PD1 + CXCL13 + CD8 + T cell might represent a functional cell subtype exerting anti-tumor effects during the process of immune surveillance., Conclusions: Our study presents a predictive model for TLS, which can evaluate its presence and predicts survival prognosis and immunotherapy response in HNSSC patients. Additionally, we identify a specific subtype of T cells that might elucidate the mechanism of TLS function in anti-tumor activities. This T cell subtype holds the potential to be a prognostic marker and a target for adoptive cell therapy (ACT) in the future., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wu, Cao, Ren, Wu, Liu, Li, Xu, Chen, Wang, Chen, Kuang, Xia, Li, Wang, Li, Li, Li and Lan.)

Background: Surgery and postoperative adjuvant therapy is the standard treatment for locally advanced resectable oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), while neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy (NACI) is believed to lead better outcomes. This study aims to investigate the effectiveness of NACI regimens in treating locally advanced resectable OSCC., Materials and Methods: Patients diagnosed with locally advanced resectable OSCC who received NACI and non-NACI were reviewed between December 2020 and June 2022 in our single center. The pathologic response was evaluated to the efficacy of NACI treatment. Adverse events apparently related to NACI treatment were graded by Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events, version 5.0. Disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) rate were assessed., Results: Our analysis involved 104 patients who received NACI. Notably, the pathological complete response (PCR) rate was 47.1%, and the major pathological response (MPR) rate was 65.4%. The top three grade 1-2 treatment-related adverse events (TRAEs) were alopecia (104; 100%), anemia (81; 77.9%) and pruritus (62; 59.6%). Importantly, patients achieving MPR exhibited higher programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) combined positive score (CPS). The diagnostic value of CPS as a biomarker for NACI efficacy was enhanced when combined total cholesterol level. The 3-year estimated DFS rates were 89.0% in the NACI cohort compared to 60.8% in the non-NACI cohort, while the 3-year estimated OS rates were 91.3% versus 64.0%, respectively., Conclusions: The NACI treatment showed safe and encouragingly efficacious for locally advanced resectable OSCC patients. The high response rates and favorable prognosis suggest this approach as a potential treatment option. Prospective randomized controlled trials are needed to further validate these findings., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: Immune cell heterogenicity is known to determine the therapeutic response to cancer progression. Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy (NACI) has shown clinical benefits in some patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but the underlying mechanism behind this clinical response is unknown. The efficacy of NACI needs to be potentiated by identifying accurate biomarkers to predict clinical responses. Here, we attempted to identify molecules predicting NACI response in advanced HNSCC., Methods: We performed combined single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and multiplex immunofluorescence (mIHC) staining with tumor samples derived from NACI-treated HNSCC patients to identify a new tumor-infiltrating cell (TIL) subtype, CD103 + CD8 + TILs, associated with clinical response, while both in vitro and in vivo assays were carried out to determine its antitumor efficiency. The regulatory mechanism of the CD103 + CD8 + TILs population was examined by performing cell-cell interaction analysis of the scRNA-seq data and spatial analysis of the mIHC images., Results: We established intratumoral CD103 + CD8 + TILs density as a determinant of NACI efficacy in cancers. Our scRNA-seq results indicated that the population of CD103 + CD8 + TILs was dramatically increased in the responders of NACI-treated HNSCC patients, while mIHC analysis confirmed the correlation between intratumoral CD103 + CD8 + TILs density and NACI efficacy in HNSCC patients. Further receiver operating characteristic curve analysis defined this TIL subset as a potent marker to predict patient response to NACI. Functional assays showed that CD103 + CD8 + TILs were tumor-reactive T cells, while programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) blockade enhanced CD103 + CD8 + TILs cytotoxicity against tumor growth in vivo. Mechanistically, targeting the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2-positive (TREM2 + ) macrophages might enhance the population of CD103 + CD8 + TILs and facilitate antitumor immunity during NACI treatment., Conclusions: Our study highlights the impact of intratumoral CD103 + CD8 + TILs density on NACI efficacy in different cancers, while the efforts to elevate its population warrant further clinical investigation., (© 2023 The Authors. Cancer Communications published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd. on behalf of Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center.)