Objective To investigate the role of DWI in differentiating autoimmune pancreatitis ( AIP) from pancreatic cancer ( PC) , and in the therapeutic effect evaluation of AIP.Methods DWI data of 26 cases with AIP , 29 cases with PC and 30 cases with normal pancreas ( NP ) were analyzed retrospectively.The distribution type and signal feature of lesions in cases with AIP or PC were evaluated by Chi-squared test.ADC values were measured and compared among 3 groups by Kruskal-Wallis test.ADC values of AIP and PC were analyzed by using ROC curve to determine the optimal threshold and diagnostic efficiency.ADC values were compared in AIP ( n=15 ) before and after steroid therapy by paired t test.Results Diffuse lesions were detected in 21 cases with AIP and 3 cases with PC, while focal lesions in 5 cases with AIP and 26 cases with PC (χ2 =27.64, P<0.01).On DWI, most of AIP (n=19) and PC (n=24) showed hyper-intense signal, while a few of AIP (n=7) and PC (n =5) showed iso-intense signal (χ2 =0.75, P>0.05).The median ADC values of AIP, PC and NP were 1.15 ×10 -3,1.35 × 10 -3 ,1.59 ×10-3 mm2/s, respectively; and the difference was statistically significant ( H=45.60, P <0.01).ROC analysis yielded an optimal ADC cutoff value of 1.255 ×10 -3 mm2/s (80.8% sensitivity, 79.3%specificity and 0.871 area under curve for the diagnosis of AIP ).ADC values of AIP ( n=15) were markedly increased from the baseline (1.10 ±0.19) ×10 -3 to (1.57 ±0.12) ×10 -3 mm2/s after steroid therapy (t=-10.14, P<0.01).Conclusions DWI may be useful for diagnosing and evaluating the effect of steroid therapy in AIP.ADC values of AIP were significantly lower than those of pancreatic cancer and normal pancreas.After steroid therapy , ADC values were markedly increased in AIP.

OBJECTIVETo study postoperative anorectal dynamic change in ultra-low rectal cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic intersphincteric resection.

METHODSClinical and follow-up data of 26 ultra-low rectal cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic intersphincteric resection in our department from January 2007 to January 2013 were retrospectively analyzed (observation group). Thirty rectal cancer patients undergoing laparoscopic low anterior resection by the same surgical team in the same period from the Medical Record Room were randomly extracted as control group. The observation indexes included preoperative and postoperative anal resting pressure(ARP), anal maximum squeeze pressure (AMSP), rectal maximum tolerable volume (RMTV), rectal anal inhibition reflex (RAIR) and Wexner anal function scores (0 means normal).

RESULTSThere were no significant differences in clinical baseline data between the two groups(all P>0.05), except the distance from lower edge of tumor to dentate line [(2.9±0.4) cm in observation group vs. (5.0±0.5) cm in control group, P=0.000]. There were no differences in preoperative anorectal manometry and Wexner anal function score between two groups (all P>0.05). The average follow-up time in observation group and control group was 14.5 months and 14.0 months respectively. Three months after operation, significant differences between observation group and control group (all P=0.000) were as follows: defecation frequency [(6.0±1.5) times/day vs. (2.5±1.0) times/day], Wexner anal function score(5.0±0.9 vs. 2.9±1.2), ARP [(32.0±6.7) mmHg vs. (45.0±8.2) mmHg], AMSP [(90.1±6.9) mmHg vs. (110.0±7.5) mmHg], RMTV [(61.0±7.2) ml vs. (91.1±7.5) ml] and positive rate of RAIR [11.5%(3/26) vs. 66.7%(20/30)]. One year after surgery, there were no significant differences in defecation frequency, Wexner anal function scores, ARP, AMSP and RMTV between the two groups (all P>0.05), however the difference in positive rate of RAIR was still significant[38.5%(10/26) vs. 93.3%(28/30), P=0.000].

CONCLUSIONLaparoscopic intersphincteric resection for ultra- low rectal cancer can achieve satisfactory anorectal dynamic effect.

Aged ; Anal Canal ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; Pressure ; Rectal Neoplasms ; surgery ; Rectum ; physiopathology ; Retrospective Studies

Aim To investigate the effect of curcumin against high-fat-diet induced C57BL/6J mice bone changes and the correlation between the expression of cathepsin K and curcumin.Methods Curcumin treated C57BL/6J mice had been on high fat diet for 12 weeks.The HE, Alizarin red S staining and Safranin O/fast green staining of femur were employed to evaluate bone microstructure, bone metabolism and bone development.The expressions of cathepsin K were assessed by Western blot and immunohistochemical staining.Results Histopathological results showed that curcumin could improve the destruction of trabecular bone structure, cartilage development and bone calcification.Biomechanical results proved that curcumin could improve the bone strength of the type 2 diabetic mice induced by high fat.The results of immunohistochemistry and Western blot assay indicated that curcumin could significantly inhibit the expression of cathepsin K in bone tissues of mice.Conclusion Curcumin can increase bone strength, improve bone microstructure, and enhance the degree of bone calcification, which may be achieved by inhibiting the expression of cathepsin K.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) in diagnosing biliary tract variability. Methods The accuracy of MRCP was verified by comparing the biliary tract variability found by preoperative MRCP examination with the biliary variability found during surgery. Results The accuracy of biliary tract variability by preoperative MRCP and intraoperative confirmation was 96. 7％. It turned out that the presence of biliary variability could be detected. Conclusion As a noninvasive imaging examination method, MRCP has high accuracy in the diagnosis of biliary tract variability.

Objective:To investigate the effects of body mass index (BMI) levels at different baseline on the risk of new-onset acute pancreatitis (AP).Methods:The subjects were from the Kailuan Study Cohort and divided into 3 groups according to baseline BMI levels: BMI<24 kg/m 2, normal weight; BMI 24-28 kg/m 2, overweight; BMI≥28 kg/m 2, obesity. The incidence of new-onset AP in these three groups was analyzed. The survival curve was plotted by Kaplan-Meier method, the cumulative incidence was calculated and tested by log-rank method. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to calculate HR of baseline BMI levels for AP. Results:A total of 123 841 subjects were included and followed up for (11.94±2.13) years, during which, 395 cases were found with AP. The incidence of AP was 2.67 per 10 000 person years in total population, and the incidences of AP were 2.20, 2.72 and 3.58 per 10 000 person-years in the normal, overweight and obesity groups, respectively. The cumulative incidences of AP was 0.32%, 0.40% and 0.49% in normal, overweight and obesity groups, respectively, which showed a significant inter-group difference by log-rank test ( χ2=13.17, P<0.01). The results of multivariable adjusted Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis indicated that obesity group ( HR=1.45, 95% CI: 1.10-1.92) had a higher risk for AP compared with the normal BMI group. The subgroup analyses by age and sex showed that compared with the normal weight group,the HRs for AP in the obesity group was 1.58(95% CI:1.14-2.19) and 1.40(95% CI:1.03-1.90) among subjects younger than 60 years old and male subjects, respectively. After excluded onset AP within two years from baseline,with a control group from normal weight,the results of multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model analysis indicated that the AP in the obesity group was 1.60 (95% CI: 1.18-2.15). Conclusion:Obesity may increase the risk of developing AP, particularly among young and middle-aged men.

BACKGROUND:Primary osteoporosis has a high incidence,but the pathogenesis is not fully understood.Currently,there is a lack of effective early screening indicators and treatment programs. OBJECTIVE:To further explore the mechanism of primary osteoporosis through comprehensive bioinformatics analysis. METHODS:The primary osteoporosis data were obtained from the gene expression omnibus(GEO)database,and the differentially expressed genes were screened for Gene Ontology(GO)function and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis.In addition,the differentially expressed genes were subjected to protein-protein interaction network to determine the core genes related to primary osteoporosis,and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator algorithm was used to identify and verify the primary osteoporosis-related biomarkers.Immune cell correlation analysis,gene enrichment analysis and drug target network analysis were performed.Finally,the biomarkers were validated using qPCR assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 126 differentially expressed genes and 5 biomarkers including prostaglandins,epidermal growth factor receptor,mitogen-activated protein kinase 3,transforming growth factor B1,and retinoblastoma gene 1 were obtained in this study.GO analysis showed that differentially expressed genes were mainly concentrated in the cellular response to oxidative stress and the regulation of autophagy.KEGG analysis showed that autophagy and senescence pathways were mainly involved.Immunoassay of biomarkers showed that prostaglandins,retinoblastoma gene 1,and mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 were closely related to immune cells.Gene enrichment analysis showed that biomarkers were associated with immune-related pathways.Drug target network analysis showed that the five biomarkers were associated with primary osteoporosis drugs.The results of qPCR showed that the expression of prostaglandins,epidermal growth factor receptor,mitogen-activated protein kinase 3,and transforming growth factor B1 in the primary osteoporosis sample was significantly increased compared with the control sample(P<0.001),while the expression of retinoblastoma gene 1 in the primary osteoporosis sample was significantly decreased compared with the control sample(P<0.001).Overall,the study screened and validated five potential biomarkers of primary osteoporosis,providing a reference basis for further in-depth investigation of the pathogenesis,early screening and diagnosis,and targeted treatment of primary osteoporosis.

Objective:To investigate the surgical method of LC-II screws for fragility fractures of the pelvis (FFP) in the elderly and evaluate its clinical efficacy.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 45 patients with FFPs operated in our department from January 2011 to January 2022. The clinical information was as follows. The FFP classification of pelvic fracture was IIIA in 26 cases and IIIB in 19 cases. Among them, 22 cases were fixed with closed reduction and modified LC-II screws (experimental group), and 23 cases were fixed with open reduction and reconstruction plates (control group). In the experimental group, there were 6 males and 16 females. The age range was 62-90 years, with an average of 73.2±9.2 years. The FFP classification of pelvic fracture was IIIA in 12 cases and IIIB in 10 cases. In the control group, there were 8 males and 15 females. The age range was 60-87 years, with an average of 72.8±6.6 years. FFP classification of pelvic fracture was IIIA in 14 cases and IIIB in 9 cases. After admission, pelvic X-ray and CT scan were performed, and the surgery was prepared. In the experimental group, after closed reduction of the posterior ring, the modified LC-II screw was inserted below the anterior inferior iliac spine (AIIS) toward the sacroiliac joint and penetrated the sacroiliac joint. For combined anterior ring fractures, the INFIX was used for anterior ring fixation. In the control group, the posterior ring was fixed with a reconstruction plate and/or sacroiliac screw after open reduction through the lateral rectus approach (LRA). The clinical efficacy was evaluated between the experimental group and the control group.Results:All 45 patients were successfully operated and followed up for 6 months to 3 years. All the pelvic fractures healed. In the experimental group of 22 cases, the time from injury to operation was 3-9 days, with an average of 5.8±1.9 days; the operation time was 25-70 min, with an average of 42.0±12.9 min. The intraoperative bleeding was 20-40 ml, with an average of 29.1±6.7 ml. According to the X-ray reduction evaluation criteria of Matta, 7 cases were excellent, 11 cases were good and 4 cases were medium, with an excellent and good rate of 81.8%. According to rehabilitation criteria of Majeed, 10 cases were excellent, 6 cases were good and 6 cases were fair, with a total excellent and good rate of 72.7%. At the last follow-up, sacroiliac joint pain was evaluated by VAS score: 0 in 10 cases, <3 in 7 cases, and 4-6 in 5 cases. No internal fixation loosening occurred. In the control group, the time from injury to operation was 5-20 days, with an average of 9.9±3.8 days; the operation time was 50-150 min, with an average of 89.1±29.5 min; the intraoperative bleeding was 220-1 000 ml, with an average of 509.2±214.3 ml. According to the X-ray reduction evaluation criteria of Matta, 16 cases were excellent, 4 cases were good and 3 cases was medium, with an excellent and good rate of 87.0%. According to rehabilitation criteria of Majeed, 12 cases were excellent, 6 cases were good and 7 cases were fair, with a total excellent and good rate of 78.3%. At the last follow-up, sacroiliac joint pain was evaluated by VAS score: 0 in 14 cases, <3 in 6 cases, and 4-6 in 3 cases. In the control group, posterior ring plate loosening was found in 2 cases and anterior ring pubic ramus plate and screw loosening was found in 4 cases, but there was no reduction loss.Conclusion:The modified LC-II screw is theoretically feasible in the treatment of FFP. Preliminary clinical results show good safety and efficacy, providing a new idea for minimally invasive treatment of FFP.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become an increasingly important health challenge, with a substantial rise linked to changing lifestyles and global obesity. Ursolic acid, a natural pentacyclic triterpenoid, has been explored for its potential therapeutic effects. Given its multifunctional bioactive properties, this research further revealed the pharmacological mechanisms of ursolic acid on MASLD. Methods: Drug target chips and bioinformatics analysis were combined in this study to explore the potential therapeutic effects of ursolic acid on MASLD. Molecular docking simulations, surface plasmon resonance analyses, pull-down experiments, and co-immunoprecipitation assays were used to verify the direct interactions. Gene knockdown mice were generated, and high-fat diets were used to validate drug efficacy. Furthermore, initial CD4+ T cells were isolated and stimulated to demonstrate our findings. Results: In this study, the multifunctional extracellular matrix phosphorylated glycoprotein secreted phosphoprotein 1 (SPP1) was investigated, highlighting its capability to induce Th17 cell differentiation, amplifying inflammatory cascades, and subsequently promoting the evolution of MASLD. In addition, this study revealed that in addition to the canonical TGF-β/IL-6 cytokine pathway, SPP1 can directly interact with ITGB1 and CD44, orchestrating Th17 cell differentiation via their joint downstream ERK signaling pathway. Remarkably, ursolic acid intervention notably suppressed the protein activity of SPP1, suggesting a promising avenue for ameliorating the immunoinflammatory trajectory in MASLD progression. Conclusions Ursolic acid could improve immune inflammation in MASLD by modulating SPP1-mediated Th17 cell differentiation via the ERK signaling pathway, which is orchestrated jointly by ITGB1 and CD44, emerging as a linchpin in this molecular cascade.

Adjuvant chemoradiotherapy,molecular targeted therapy,and immunotherapy are frequently employed to extend the survival of patients with advanced gastric cancer(GC).However,most of these treatments have toxic side effects,drug resistance,and limited improvements in survival and quality of life.Therefore,it is crucial to discover and develop new medications targeting GC that are highly effective and have minimal toxicity.In previous studies,the total terpene extract from the stem of Celastrus orbiculatus demonstrated anti-GC activity;however,the specific mechanism was unclear.Our research utilising co-immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry(Co-IP-MS),polypyrimidine tract binding protein 1(ptbp1)clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat-associated protein 9(Cas9)-knockout(KO)mouse model,tissue microarray,and functional experiments suggests that alpha actinin-4(ACTN4)could be a significant biomarker of GC.PTBP1 influences actin cytoskeleton restructuring in GC cells by interacting with ACTN4.Celastrus orbiculatus stem extract(COE)may directly target ACTN4 and affect the interaction between PTBP1 and ACTN4,thereby exerting anti-GC effects.