Chronic liver diseases are a group of diseases in which the liver is subjected to a variety of injuries over a long period of time， resulting in irreversible pathological changes that last longer than 6 months. Emodin （EMO） is a natural anthraquinone derivative derived from Rheum officinale， and its pharmacological effect has been extensively studied， exhibiting a variety of biological properties and involving multiple signaling molecules and pathways. Western medicine or surgical treatment is currently the main treatment regimen for chronic liver diseases， and the advance in treatment is limited by various reasons such as side effects and high costs. Due to its natural origin and efficacy， EMO has unique advantages in the treatment of chronic liver diseases and has now become a research hotspot. This article summarizes the therapeutic effect of EMO on chronic liver diseases and its mechanism， in order to provide a certain scientific basis for the traditional Chinese medicine treatment of chronic liver diseases and the development of drugs in clinical practice.

This study aims to explore the effects and action mechanisms of the active ingredients in Buyang Huanwu Decoction(BYHWD), namely tetramethylpyrazine(TMP) and hydroxy-safflor yellow A(HSYA), on oxygen-glucose deprivation/reglucose-reoxygenation(OGD/R)-induced inflammation and oxidative stress of microglia(MG). Network pharmacology was used to screen the effective monomer ingredients of BYHWD and determine the safe concentration range for each component. Inflammation and oxidative stress models were established to further screen the best ingredient combination and optimal concentration ratio with the most effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. OGD/R BV2 cell models were constructed, and BV2 cells in the logarithmic growth phase were divided into a normal group, a model group, an HSYA group, a TMP group, and an HSYA + TMP group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and interleukin-6(IL-6). Oxidative stress markers, including superoxide dismutase(SOD), nitric oxide(NO), and malondialdehyde(MDA), were also measured. Western blot was used to analyze the protein expression of both inflammation-related pathway [Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)] and oxidative stress-related pathway [nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)]. Immunofluorescence was used to assess the expression of proteins such as inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and arginase-1(Arg-1). The most effective ingredients for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in BYHWD were TMP and HSYA. Compared to the normal group, the model group showed significantly increased levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, NO, and MDA, along with significantly higher protein expression of NF-κB, TLR4, Nrf2, and HO-1 and significantly lower SOD levels. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant. Compared to the model group, both the HSYA group and the TMP group showed significantly reduced levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, NO, and MDA, lower expression of NF-κB and TLR4 proteins, higher levels of SOD, and significantly increased protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1. Additionally, the expression of the M1-type MG marker iNOS was significantly reduced, while the expression of the M2-type MG marker Arg-1 was significantly increased. The results of the HSYA group and the TMP group had statistically significant differences from those of the model group. Compared to the HSYA group and the TMP group, the HSYA + TMP group showed further significant reductions in IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, NO, and MDA levels, along with significant reductions in NF-κB and TLR4 protein expression, an increase in SOD levels, and elevated Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression. Additionally, the expression of the M1-type MG marker iNOS was reduced, while the M2-type MG marker Arg-1 expression increased significantly in the HSYA + TMP group compared to the TMP or HSYA group. The differences in the results were statistically significant between the HSYA + TMP group and the TMP or HSYA group. The findings indicated that the combined use of HSYA and TMP, the active ingredients of BYHWD, can effectively inhibit OGD/R-induced inflammation and oxidative stress of MG, showing superior effects compared to the individual use of either component.
Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Mice ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Inflammation/genetics* ; Oxygen/metabolism* ; Pyrazines/pharmacology* ; Microglia/metabolism* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/immunology* ; NF-kappa B/immunology* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/immunology* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; Humans

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application of targeted mRNA sequencing in fusion gene diagnosis of hematologic diseases. METHODS: Bone marrow or peripheral blood samples of 105 patients with abnormally elevated eosinophil proportions and 291 acute leukemia patients from January 2015 to June 2023 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were analyzed and gene structural variants were detected by targeted mRNA sequencing. RESULTS: Among 105 patients with abnormally elevated eosinophil proportions, 6 cases were detected with gene structural variants, among which fusion gene testing results in 5 cases could serve as diagnostic indicators for myeloid neoplasms with eosinophilia. In addition, a IL3∷ETV6 fusion gene was detected in one patient with chronic eosinophilic leukemia, not otherwise specified. Among 119 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), 38 cases were detected structural variants by targeted mRNA sequencing, accounting for 31.9%, which was significantly higher than 20.2% (24/119) detected by multiple quantitative PCR (P < 0.05). We also found one patient with AML had both NUP98∷PRRX2 and KCTD5∷JAK2 fusion genes. A total of 104 patients were detected structural variants by targeted mRNA sequencing in 172 cases with acute B-lymphoblastic leukemia who were tested negative by multiple quantitative PCR, with a detection rate of 60.5% (102/172). CONCLUSION Targeted mRNA sequencing can effectively detect fusion gene and has potential clinical application value in diagnosis and classificatation in hematologic diseases.
Humans ; Hematologic Diseases/diagnosis* ; RNA, Messenger/genetics* ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics* ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/diagnosis*

This study aimed to comprehensively examine the association of gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to estimate the observational associations of gallstones and cholecystectomy with cancer risk, using data from a nationwide cohort involving 239 799 participants. General and gender-specific two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was further conducted to assess the causalities of the observed associations. Observationally, a history of gallstones without cholecystectomy was associated with a high risk of stomach cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50-4.28), liver and bile duct cancer (aOR=2.46, 95% CI 1.17-5.16), kidney cancer (aOR=2.04, 95% CI 1.05-3.94), and bladder cancer (aOR=2.23, 95% CI 1.01-5.13) in the general population, as well as cervical cancer (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.12-2.56) in women. Moreover, cholecystectomy was associated with high odds of stomach cancer (aOR=2.41, 95% CI 1.29-4.49), colorectal cancer (aOR=1.83, 95% CI 1.18-2.85), and cancer of liver and bile duct (aOR=2.58, 95% CI 1.11-6.02). MR analysis only supported the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer. This study added evidence to the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer, highlighting the importance of cancer screening in individuals with gallstones.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Gallstones/complications* ; Female ; Male ; Cholecystectomy/statistics & numerical data* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Aged ; Adult ; Neoplasms/etiology* ; Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology*

To establish a medical imaging teacher competency model and evaluate its application value in group teaching for undergraduates.

Objective:To introduce the experience of reconstructing the pelvic floor with a pedicled large omental flap combined with a basement membrane biological mesh in combined pelvic organ resection for locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer combined with sacrococcygeal resection, and to discuss the feasibility, safety, and near-term therapeutic efficacy of this technique.Methods:For patients with sacrococcygeal resection of combined pelvic organs, a basement membrane mesh was used to rebuild the pelvic floor with a pedicled greater omentum flap to isolate the abdominopelvic cavity. The main operation was to pull the greater omentum, which preserved the double vascular arches, to the pelvic floor to cover the pelvic floor, and then the mesh was used to cover the posterior peritoneal defect and pelvic inlet with absorbable sutures of 2-0 or thicker.Results:In this study, a retrospective cohort study was used to collect clinical data through the China Rectal Cancer Combined Pelvic Organs Resections Case Database. Twenty patients with locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer without extra-pelvic metastasis or only oligometastases underwent combined pelvic organ and sacrococcygeal resection in the Department of Anal and Intestinal Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of the Naval Military Medical University during the period of July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, and 10 patients underwent simple basement membrane resection with a simple basement membrane. Among them, the pelvic floor were reconstructed by basement membrane mesh alone in 10 cases (mesh only group), and 10 cases were reconstructed the pelvic floor by pedicled large omental flap combined with basement membrane mesh (omental flap-combined mesh group). The recent outcomes of the two groups of patients were studied comparatively. Comparison of baseline data and intraoperative conditions between the two groups showed no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05); the drain removal time in the omental flap-combined mesh group was 26.7 (19-42) days, which was shorter than that in the mesh only group, which was 40.4 (24-56) days ( U=4.125, P=0.001); The empty pelvis healing time in the omental flap-combined mesh group was 29.4 (23~43) days, which was shorter than that of 42.2 (27~58) days in the mesh-only group ( U=4.043, P=0.001); the differences were all statistically significant. The postoperative complication rate of grade ≥III in the omental flap-combined mesh group was 1/10, which was lower than that of 6/10 in the mesh-only group; the difference was not statistically significant when comparing the two groups ( P = 0.057). Follow-up ended on 09/30/2023, with a median follow-up of 9.5 (3-15) months in 20 patients, and all 20 cases survived during the follow-up period, with no tumor recurrence at the surgical site. Conclusion:In locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer undergoing combined pelvic organ resection with sacrococcygeal, compared with reconstruction of the pelvic floor by basement membrane mesh alone, reconstruction of the pelvic floor and isolation of the abdominopelvic cavity by a pedicled greater omentum flap combined with a basement membrane mesh is safe and feasible.

Objective:To introduce the experience of reconstructing the pelvic floor with a pedicled large omental flap combined with a basement membrane biological mesh in combined pelvic organ resection for locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer combined with sacrococcygeal resection, and to discuss the feasibility, safety, and near-term therapeutic efficacy of this technique.Methods:For patients with sacrococcygeal resection of combined pelvic organs, a basement membrane mesh was used to rebuild the pelvic floor with a pedicled greater omentum flap to isolate the abdominopelvic cavity. The main operation was to pull the greater omentum, which preserved the double vascular arches, to the pelvic floor to cover the pelvic floor, and then the mesh was used to cover the posterior peritoneal defect and pelvic inlet with absorbable sutures of 2-0 or thicker.Results:In this study, a retrospective cohort study was used to collect clinical data through the China Rectal Cancer Combined Pelvic Organs Resections Case Database. Twenty patients with locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer without extra-pelvic metastasis or only oligometastases underwent combined pelvic organ and sacrococcygeal resection in the Department of Anal and Intestinal Surgery of the Second Affiliated Hospital of the Naval Military Medical University during the period of July 1, 2022, to June 30, 2023, and 10 patients underwent simple basement membrane resection with a simple basement membrane. Among them, the pelvic floor were reconstructed by basement membrane mesh alone in 10 cases (mesh only group), and 10 cases were reconstructed the pelvic floor by pedicled large omental flap combined with basement membrane mesh (omental flap-combined mesh group). The recent outcomes of the two groups of patients were studied comparatively. Comparison of baseline data and intraoperative conditions between the two groups showed no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05); the drain removal time in the omental flap-combined mesh group was 26.7 (19-42) days, which was shorter than that in the mesh only group, which was 40.4 (24-56) days ( U=4.125, P=0.001); The empty pelvis healing time in the omental flap-combined mesh group was 29.4 (23~43) days, which was shorter than that of 42.2 (27~58) days in the mesh-only group ( U=4.043, P=0.001); the differences were all statistically significant. The postoperative complication rate of grade ≥III in the omental flap-combined mesh group was 1/10, which was lower than that of 6/10 in the mesh-only group; the difference was not statistically significant when comparing the two groups ( P = 0.057). Follow-up ended on 09/30/2023, with a median follow-up of 9.5 (3-15) months in 20 patients, and all 20 cases survived during the follow-up period, with no tumor recurrence at the surgical site. Conclusion:In locally advanced or locally recurrent rectal cancer undergoing combined pelvic organ resection with sacrococcygeal, compared with reconstruction of the pelvic floor by basement membrane mesh alone, reconstruction of the pelvic floor and isolation of the abdominopelvic cavity by a pedicled greater omentum flap combined with a basement membrane mesh is safe and feasible.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of unilateral adrenalectomy for treating primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia (PBMAH) of different clinical types.Methods:The clinical and biochemical data of 54 patients with PBMAH who underwent unilateral adrenalectomy from May 2008 to March 2023 were retrospectively collected. Preoperative CT images of all patients showed enlarged bilateral adrenal glands with multiple nodules of " fused masses". Mean preoperative blood cortisol concentration at 8am was (21.5±7.7)μg/dl, urinary free cortisol concentration was (442.6±300.4)μg/24h, and mean 8am ACTH concentration was (6.4±2.3)pg/ml. Postoperative symptoms, BMI, blood pressure, mass diameter, cortisol and ACTH concentration were recorded and analyzed.Results:Compared with ordinary laparoscopic surgery, robot-assisted surgery showed shorter operation time [(115.4±22.1)min vs.(95.0±19.8)min, P=0.045]; less blood loss [(118.2±57.0)ml vs. (125.6±45.3)ml, P=0.441] and shorter hospitalization time [(5.2±0.9)day vs. (6.4±1.2)day, P=0.279]. Compared with laparoscopic surgery, open surgery showed longer operation time [(134 34.5) min vs. (104.3±20.1) min, P=0.035]; more blood loss [(305.5±85.2) ml vs. (122.5±44.3) ml, P=0.012] and longer hospitalization time[(10.4±3.2)day vs. (5.7±1.0) day, P=0.020]. The average follow-up time was (23.7±11.7) months. Sixteen cases biochemically relapsed, and the average relapse-free time was (25.4±13.4) month. Mean postoperative systolic blood pressure was (131.1±16.8)mmHg ( P=0.001) while diastolic blood pressure decreased to (82.2±11.1)mmHg ( P=0.002). Postsurgical average blood cortisol concentration decreased to (10.2±4.0)μg/dl ( P<0.01), while urine cortisol concentration decreased to (106.6±43.4)μg/24h( P<0.01). Average ACTH concentration increased to (12.6±4.1)pg/ml( P=0.005). Recurrent patients had higher preoperative blood and urine cortisol concentration(24.7±8.2)μg/dl( P=0.046), (522.8±234.2)μg/24h( P=0.028), and all of them underwent contralateral adrenalectomy. Conclusions:Unilateral adrenalectomy is safe and effective for treatment of PBMAH while part of patients biochemically relapsed. Subclinical patients were observed no recurrent cases after surgery. Recurrent patients have higher preoperative blood and urine cortisol levels and should undertake contralateral adrenalectomy and supplement corticosteroids for whole life.

Objective:To investigate the clinical significance of TP53 allelic state in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes(MDS).Methods:The clinical data of 858 MDS patients who underwent second-generation sequencing(NGS)testing in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Results:The median age of the patients was 52 years old,and median follow-up time was 23.8(0.4-109.6)months.Four hundred and one patients(46.7％)had at least one chromosomal abnormality,including 106 complex karyotypes and 78 monosomal karyotypes.A total of 103 cases of TP53 mutations were identified,with a mutation rate of 12％.Compared with TP53 wild-type,various types of chromosomal abnormalities were significantly more common in patients with TP53 mutations(all P＜0.001).Patients with TP53 mutations had lower hemoglobin levels,lower platelet counts and higher percentage of bone marrow primitive cell compared with TP53 wild type(all P＜0.05),and significantly shorter overall survival(OS).Among 97 evaluable patients,33 cases(34％)were mono-allelic TP53 mutation,while 64 cases were bi-allelic TP53 mutation.Patients in bi-allelic TP53 mutation subgroup had a higher proportion of chromosomal abnormalities and a lower number of co-mutations compared with mono-allelic TP53 mutation.The median OS was 33.6 months in patients with mono-allelic state and only 11.4 months in patients with bi-allelic state(HR=2.138,95％CI:1.053-4.343,P＞0.05).Median OS was not reached in TP53 wild-type patients,and there was a significant difference in OS among TP53 wild-type,mono-allelic and bi-allelic TP53 mutation patients(P＜0.001).Multivariable Cox regression analysis showed that bi-allelic TP53 was an independent predictor of poor outcomes(HR=2.808,95％CI:1.487-5.003,P=0.001),while mono-allelic TP53 mutation and wild-type TP53 were not.Conclusion:Patients with TP53 mutations have a poor prognosis,and bi-allelic TP53 mutations have a worse prognosis compared with mono-allelic TP53 mutations and independently affect the prognosis of MDS patients.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of patients with combined pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PJP ) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT ). Methods:The clinical manifestations,laboratory tests,imaging findings,and treatment outcomes of 21 allo-HSCT patients with PJP diagnosed at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and Soochow Hopes Hematology Hospital from July 2018 to July 2023 were retrospective analyzed.Results:Among the 21 patients,the male-to-female ratio was 2.5:1,and the median age was 36 years old with a range of 15-62 years.The median time to diagnosis of PJP after transplantation was 225 days.The clinical manifestations lack specificity,and the main clinical symptoms include respiratory symptoms (dyspnea,cough,sputum,etc.) and fever.Laboratory examination revealed peripheral blood lymphocyte counts decreased in 15 cases,CD4+T lymphocyte absolute values less than 200 cells/μl in 19 patients,C-reactive protein levels significantly increased in 20 patients,lactate dehydrogenase levels increased in 14 patients,and 1,3-β-D-glucan detection levels increased in 14 patients.Chest CT manifestations can be divided into three types:ground glass type,nodular type,and mixed type.Among them,the incidence of ground glass type was the highest (18/21),with 2 cases of nodular type and 1 case of mixed type.The sequence number of Pneumocystis jiroveci was detected through mNGS (15-57570),and 11 patients had mixed infections.In terms of treatment,TMP-SMX,Caspofungin,and methylprednisolone were administered,and 17 patients achieved improvement in their condition.Four patients died,all of whom died from respiratory failure.Conclusion:PJP is a critically ill condition after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation,and diagnosis is difficult.Early diagnosis can achieve better prognosis.The sensitivity of mNGS in diagnosing PJP is high,providing the possibility of early and accurate diagnosis for clinical practice,which is worthy of application and promotion.