BACKGROUND: China has made significant progress in medical accessibility and quality over the past decades, and quality improvements in gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy have been consistent. The study aimed to describe the status quo of gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy in the Chinese mainland based on the data from the National Clinical Improvement System (NCIS) and the Hospital Quality Monitoring System (HQMS). METHODS: Data were extracted from the NCIS and the HQMS. Data analysis included general information from the Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy centers, management of inpatients and outpatients, and annual volume and quality indicators of digestive endoscopy. Acute pancreatitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, and cirrhosis were identified as priority diseases and were subjected to detailed analysis. RESULTS: Data from 4620 and 7074 hospitals were extracted from the NCIS and HQMS, respectively. In 2023, 9.6 gastroenterologists, 6.7 endoscopists, and 37.3 gastroenterology beds per hospital nationwide were observed, achieving 19,252.4 outpatient visits, 1615.2 hospitalizations (97.0 for acute pancreatitis, 146.1 for gastrointestinal bleeding, 40.2 for inflammatory bowel disease, and 111.4 for cirrhosis), and 9432.7 digestive endoscopic procedures per hospital. Overall, the quality of practice improved significantly. The proportion of early cancer among gastrointestinal cancers increased from 11.1% in 2015 to 23.4% in 2023, and the adenoma detection rate during colonoscopy increased from 19.3% in 2019 to 26.9% in 2023. Regarding priority diseases, hospitalizations increased, and 31-day unplanned readmission rates decreased between 2019 and 2023. The median hospitalization costs and median proportion of medication costs decreased for acute pancreatitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, and cirrhosis. However, it increased for inflammatory bowel disease. CONCLUSION This report evaluates the status quo and development of gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy in the Chinese mainland, providing guidance for future quality improvements.
Humans ; China ; Gastroenterology/statistics & numerical data* ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal/statistics & numerical data* ; Endoscopy, Digestive System/statistics & numerical data*

Periodontal bone defects, primarily caused by periodontitis, are highly prevalent in clinical settings and manifest as bone fenestration, dehiscence, or attachment loss, presenting a significant challenge to oral health. In regenerative medicine, harnessing developmental principles for tissue repair offers promising therapeutic potential. Of particular interest is the condensation of progenitor cells, an essential event in organogenesis that has inspired clinically effective cell aggregation approaches in dental regeneration. However, the precise cellular coordination mechanisms during condensation and regeneration remain elusive. Here, taking the tooth as a model organ, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing to dissect the cellular composition and heterogeneity of human dental follicle and dental papilla, revealing a distinct Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) population with remarkable odontogenic potential. Interestingly, a reciprocal paracrine interaction between PDGFRA⁺ dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) and CD31⁺ Endomucin⁺ endothelial cells (ECs) was mediated by Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and Platelet-derived growth factor subunit BB (PDGFBB). This crosstalk not only maintains the functionality of PDGFRA⁺ DFSCs but also drives specialized angiogenesis. In vivo periodontal bone regeneration experiments further reveal that communication between PDGFRA⁺ DFSC aggregates and recipient ECs is essential for effective angiogenic-osteogenic coupling and rapid tissue repair. Collectively, our results unravel the importance of MSC-EC crosstalk mediated by the VEGFA and PDGFBB-PDGFRA reciprocal signaling in orchestrating angiogenesis and osteogenesis. These findings not only establish a framework for deciphering and promoting periodontal bone regeneration in potential clinical applications but also offer insights for future therapeutic strategies in dental or broader regenerative medicine.
Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha/metabolism* ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology* ; Dental Sac/cytology* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Transcriptome ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Bone Regeneration ; Animals ; Dental Papilla/cytology* ; Periodontium/physiology* ; Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Regeneration ; Angiogenesis

Mesangial cell proliferation is an early pathological indicator of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Growing evidence highlights the pivotal role of paired-related homeobox 1 (Prrx1), a key regulator of cellular proliferation and tissue differentiation, in various disease pathogenesis. Notably, Prrx1 is highly expressed in mesangial cells under DN conditions. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that Prrx1 overexpression promotes mesangial cell proliferation and contributes to renal fibrosis in db/m mice. Conversely, Prrx1 knockdown markedly suppresses hyperglycemia-induced mesangial cell proliferation and mitigates renal fibrosis in db/db mice. Mechanistically, Prrx1 directly interacts with the Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) promoter, leading to the upregulation of YAP expression. This upregulation promotes mesangial cell proliferation and exacerbates renal fibrosis. These findings emphasize the crucial role of Prrx1 upregulation in high glucose-induced mesangial cell proliferation, ultimately leading to renal fibrosis in DN. Therefore, targeting Prrx1 to downregulate its expression presents a promising therapeutic strategy for treating renal fibrosis associated with DN.

Objective To investigate the effects of Mawangdui exercise combined with neuro-muscular electrical stimulation(NMES)on pulmonary function,exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods A total of 96 COPD pa-tients were selected as the study subjects,and divided into control group(n=48)and intervention group(n=48).The control group received conventional pharmacological treatment,while the inter-vention group received Mawangdui exercise combined with NMES in addition to conventional pharma-cological treatment.The ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1)to forced vital capacity(FVC)(FEV1/FVC),the percentage of predicted FEV,(FEV1％),respiratory rate,re-sults of the 6-minute walk test(6MWT),scores of COPD Assessment Test(CAT),St.George's Respira-tory Questionnaire-I(SGRQ-I),Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS)and Borg CR-10 Scale were analyzed in both groups before and after treatment.Results After 1 and 3 months of treatment,significant differences were observed in respiratory rate and 6MWT results between the two groups(P＜0.05).After 1 and 3 months of treatment,the FEV1％and FEV1/FVC in the intervention group were significantly higher than those at admission,and the FEV1％and FEV1/FVC after 3 months of treatment were significantly higher than those after 1 month of treatment(P＜0.05).Af-ter 3 months oftreatment,a significant difference in FEV1/FVC was observed between the two groups(P＜0.05).After 3 months of treatment,the CAT and SGRQ-I scores in the intervention group were significantly lower than those at admission(P＜0.05).After 3 months of treatment,the Borg CR-10 Scale score in the intervention group was significantly lowerthan that at admission and after 1 month of treatment(P＜0.05).After 3 months of treatment,a significant difference in SGRQ-I scores was observed between the two groups(P＜0.05).After 1 and 3 months of treatment,the HADS scores in the intervention group were significantly lower than those at admission,and the HADS score after 3 months of treatment was significantly lower than that after 1 month of treatment(P＜0.05).After 1 and 3 months of treatment,significant differences in HADS scores were ob-served between the two groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion Mawangdui exercise combined with NMES can improve exercise tolerance and pulmonary function,alleviate anxiety and depression,and thereby enhance the quality of life in COPD patients.

Objective To investigate the direct stimulatory effects of calprotectin S100A8/A9 on hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)and underlying regulatory mechanisms.Methods Primary HSCs of mice were stimulated with S100A8/A9 heterodimer recombinant protein at 200 and 1000 ng/mL.Data on quantitative proteomics was obtained using the tandem mass tag(TMT)-labeled method before changes in the protein level of HSCs were analyzed.Differentially expressed proteins(DEPs)were screened using Significance B method and P＜0.05,followed by Reactome pathway enrichment analysis.Furthermore,protein-protein interactions between the DEPs enriched in the pathways were analyzed using the STRING database.Results The protein expression profile of HSCs was significantly altered after treatment with S100A8/A9 at 1000 ng/mL.Reactome pathway enrichment analysis revealed significant enrichment in such pathways as transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-β)signaling,nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)signaling activation,cytokine-mediated immune regulation,and collagen biosynthesis.The analysis of protein-protein interactions identified NF-kappa-B transcription factor subunit(RELB),chemokine(C-X-C motif)ligand 10(CXCL10)and Notch receptor 1(NOTCH1)as key hub proteins in the regulatory network.Conclusion S100A8/A9 can directly stimulate the activation of HSCs,through NF-κB signaling,TGF-β signaling,and Notch signaling pathways potentially.This study sheds light on the mechanisms underlying the activation of HSCs stimulated by S100A8/A9.

Objective:To explore the risk factors of oral-mucosal pressure injury (OMPI) in patients with tracheal intubation in ICU and to establish a nomogram model.Methods:Using the convenient sampling method, a total of 640 patients with oral tracheal intubation admitted to ICU of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January to May 2023 were selected as the research objects. They were divided into the occurrence group ( n=286) and the non-occurrence group ( n=354) according to whether OMPI occurred or not. Binomial Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the risk factors for OMPI in patients with tracheal intubation in ICU. A risk nomogram model was created based on independent risk factors, and internal verification was conducted by Bootstrap repeated sampling method. Results:OMPI occurred in 286 of 640 ICU patients with tracheal intubation. Binomial Logistic regression analysis showed that high APACHEⅡ score, modified Beck oral score greater than or equal to 11 points, use of sedative drugs, prone ventilation, long retention time of tracheal catheter, low oxygenation index less than 200 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and tracheal catheter fixation frequency of 1 time /24 h were the risk factors for OMPI in patients with tracheal intubation in ICU ( P<0.05). A risk nomogram model for OMPI in patients with tracheal intubation in ICU was established based on independent risk factors. The results showed that the predictive performance (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of subjects was 0.918, 95% confidence interval was 0.897 to 0.938) and calibration (χ 2 value of 4.647, P=0.795) of the risk nomogram model for OMPI in patients with tracheal intubation in ICU were good. When the threshold probability was 0 to 1, the decision curve showed that the model had good clinical effectiveness. Conclusions:The OMPI risk nomogram model of tracheal intubation patients in ICU established in this study has good calibration and differentiation, which can be used as an effective tool for screening high-risk patients.

A retrospective analysis was made on clinical data of a case of familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxinemia (FDH) treated at Hebei Children′s Hospital in August 2021.The patient, female, 4 years and 2 months old, was diagnosed with growth retardation.Genetic sequencing of the child and her immediate family revealed a heterozygous mutation, c.725G>A(p.R242H) in exon 7 of the albumin gene, which confirmed the diagnosis of FDH.The growth and development of the girl were monitored regularly.Early identification and diagnosis of FDH can prevent misdiagnosis or improper antithyroid medication from affecting children′s growth and development, and growth hormone therapy is effective for children with FDH who are slow growing.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)is one of the major chronic complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),and sex steroid hormones are common risk factors for the occurrence of T2DM and BPH.The profiles of sex steroid hormones are simultaneously quantified by LC-MS/MS in the clinical serum of patients,including simple BPH patients,newly diagnosed T2DM patients,T2DM complicated with BPH patients and matched healthy individuals.The G protein-coupled estrogen receptor(GPER)inhibitor G15,GPER knockdown lentivirus,the YAP1 inhibitor verteporfin,YAP1 knockdown/overexpression lentivirus,targeted metabolomics analysis,and Co-IP assays are used to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the disrupted sex steroid hormones homeostasis in the pathological process of T2DM complicated with BPH.The homeostasis of sex steroid hormone is disrupted in the serum of patients,accompanying with the proliferated prostatic epithelial cells(PECs).The sex steroid hormone metabolic profiles of T2DM patients complicated with BPH have the greatest degrees of separation from those of healthy individuals.Elevated 17β-estradiol(E2)is the key contributor to the disrupted sex steroid hormone homeostasis,and is significantly positively related to the clinical characteristics of T2DM patients complicated with BPH.Activating GPER by E2 via Hippo-YAP1 signaling exacerbates high glucose(HG)-induced PECs prolifer-ation through the formation of the YAP1-TEAD4 heterodimer.Knockdown or inhibition of GPER-mediated Hippo-YAP1 signaling suppresses PECs proliferation in HG and E2 co-treated BPH-1 cells.The anti-proliferative effects of verteporfin,an inhibitor of YAP1,are blocked by YAP1 overexpression in HG and E2 co-treated BPH-1 cells.Inactivating E2/GPER/Hippo/YAP1 signaling may be effective at delaying the progression of T2DM complicated with BPH by inhibiting PECs proliferation.

Objective To investigate the content stability of polymyxin B sulfate in high concentration solution and its finished infusion,and to provide a scientific basis for clinical administration.Methods Polymyxin B sulfate was dissolved in 0.9%sodium chloride injection and 5%glucose solution to the concentrations of 0.5 mg·mL-1,1 mg·mL-1 and 5 mg·mL-1,respectively.The content of polymyxin B was determined at 0,2,4,6,8,12,16,20 and 24 h by high-performance liquid chromatography under storage conditions of 4℃and 25℃.Results Polymyxin B sulfate was stable in the concentrations of 0.5 mg·mL-1,1 mg·mL-1 and 5 mg·mL-1,respectively,in 0.9%sodium chloride injection or 5%glucose injection.Under the storage conditions of 4℃and 25℃,the content of polymyxin B1 and polymyxin B2 ranged from 97.23%to 101.26%and 97.30%to 102.63%,respectively.Conclusion Polymyxin B sulfate was stable within 24 h dissolved either in 0.9%sodium chloride injection or in 5%glucose injection with the concentrations of 0.5 mg·mL-1,1 mg·mL-1 and 5 mg·mL-1 under the storage condition of 4℃and 25℃.

Objective:To evaluate the level of first morning voided(FMV)urinary luteinizing hor-mone(LH)in girls with breast development,and to determine the value of FMV urine LH in the evalua-tion of central precocious puberty(CPP).Methods:From September 2018 to April 2021,among the patients who were admitted to the Department of Pediatrics of Peking University Third Hospital for"pre-cocious puberty"and underwent gonadotropin-releasing hormone(GnRH)stimulation test,a total of 108 girls were enrolled.According to CPP diagnostic criteria,they were divided into CPP group(n=45)and non-CPP group(n=63).The clinical characteristics and hormone levels of the two groups were com-pared.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the cut-off value of FMV uri-nary LH in the diagnosis of CPP in girls.Further analyses were done to evaluate the value of FMV urinary LH in the diagnosis of CPP using correlation analysis between urinary LH level and common clinical cha-racteristics.Results:ROC curve analysis showed that FMV urine LH level was significant for the diagno-sis of CPP.The cut-off value of FMV urine LH was 0.69 IU/L(specificity 56.9％,sensitivity 85.0％,area under curve 0.804,P＜0.001).The basic clinical characteristics without GnRH stimulation test were analyzed by binary Logistic regression analysis,indicating that the level of FMV urine LH,uterine volume,ovarian volume and advanced T-bone age had predictive significance for CPP diagnosis in girls(OR values were 2.125,1.961,1.564 and 2.672,respectively).The prediction model was established and the area under the ROC curve was 0.904,P＜0.001.The level of FMV urine LH was positively cor-related with the levels of serum LH,FSH and estrogen before GnRH stimulation test,the peak value of blood LH after GnRH stimulation test,T bone age and uterine volume,with r values of 0.462,0.373,0.242,0.360,0.373 and 0.263,respectively,and P values were＜0.001,＜0.001,0.013,＜0.001,＜0.001 and 0.007,respectively.Conclusion:FMV urine LH can provide a good indication for the diagnosis of CPP.Combining with bone age advanced level and pelvic ultrasound measurement,the pre-dictive value of FMV urine LH can be further improved for the diagnosis of CPP in girls.