OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the biological functions and clinical value of mothers against decapentaplegic homolog (SMAD) 7 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) through bioinformatics analysis and basic experiments. METHODS: The expression of SMAD7 in HNSCC in public databases was studied. Western blot was used to detect the expression of SMAD7 in HNSCC cell lines and normal epithelial cells. The SMAD7 highly expressed HNSCC cell line HSC-4 was silenced, and CCK-8, Transwell assays, and cell scratch experiments were conducted to study the effect of SMAD7 on the biological functions of HSC-4 cells. HNSCC expression profile data were obtained from UCSC xena, and genes related to SMAD7 were selected for gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes gene enrichment analysis, construction of a co-expression gene interaction network, and screening of related cell signaling pathways. Western blot was used to detect the expression changes of proteins in the related cell signaling pathways in HNSCC cells with silenced SMAD7. cBioPortal was utilized to analyze the mutation rate of the SMAD7 gene, and the MethSurv database was used to analyze the methylation level of the SMAD7 gene and its correlation with prognosis. The receiver operating characteristic curve was used to assess the diagnostic value of SMAD7 for HNSCC. TIMER2.0 was used to analyze the correlation between SMAD7 expression and immune cell infiltration. RESULTS: SMAD7 was highly expressed in HNSCC tumor tissues and some cell lines. Silencing the expression of SMAD7 can significantly inhibit the proliferation, migration, and invasion of cancer cells. Silencing SMAD7 can induce the downregulation of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1). The bioinformatics analysis showed that the mutation rate of the SMAD7 gene and the methylation level were significantly correlated with the prognosis of patients with HNSCC. The expression of SMAD7 was related to the level of immune cell infiltration in HNSCC. CONCLUSIONS SMAD7 promotes the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HNSCC cells by regulating the expression of VCAM-1. It may be a potential tumor biomarker and therapeutic target for HNSCC.
Humans ; Smad7 Protein/metabolism* ; Prognosis ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Cell Proliferation ; Signal Transduction ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Gene Silencing ; Computational Biology

Objective:To describe the clinical characteristics of a possible rare syndrome, the granulomatous mastitis(GM), erythema nodosum and arthritis syndrome (GMENA syndrome), by retrospective analyzing patients with both GM and erythema nodosum, with or without arthritis, and provide clinical evidence for further researchstudy.Methods:This study analyzed the demographic general information, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests results, medications, operations, and the first visits of cases collected from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between January 2015 and February 2024. All patients were diagnosed with both GM and erythema nodosum, with or without arthritis. The frequency, means and standard deviation were used to perform descriptive analysis.Results:Among the 22 cases, all of the GM were unilateral, and nodular erythema mainly appeared in both lower limbs 17 (77%). Eight (67%) patients had arthritis. Sixteen cases (80%) were reported forwith elevated white blood cells count, and 16 (84%) with elevated C-reactive protein level, 12(86%) patients were with elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Two cases were associated with hyperprolactinemia. In the bacterial tests of the breast abscess, C orynebacterium kroppenstedtii, and one Staphylococcus epidermidis were detected in 1 case respectively. The department of breast surgery was the most frequently first visit (86%) medical service, and 14 cases (64%) visited the department of rheumatology and immunology. Four cases (18%) underwent abscess incision and drainage after ineffective medication and none of them were treated with glucocorticoids. Five cases with glucocorticoids and followed-up by the department of rheumatology and immunology were not operated and four in of them without recurrenc. Conclusion:GMENA syndrome may be a syndrome characterized by high inflammatory activity, cytokine activation, and often involves the breast, skin, and joint. The pathogenesis and treatment of this syndrome need to be investigated further.

Objective To observe the value of AcoStream thrombus aspiration catheter for treating intermediate-high risk acute pulmonary embolism(APE).Methods Twenty-six patients with intermediate-high risk APE who underwent treatment with AcoStream thrombus aspiration catheter were retrospectively collected.The immediate technical success rate,procedure success rate and thrombus clearance rate of target vessels were recorded,as well as clinical success rate and complications in perioperative period and the recurrence of pulmonary embolism(PE)during follow-up.Results Among 26 patients with intermediate-high risk APE,the immediate technical success rate was 100%(26/26),the procedure success rate was 92.31%(24/26),and the immediate thrombus clearance rate of target vessels was 63.37%as median,including 16 cases(16/26,61.54%)achieved thrombus clearance rate grade Ⅱ or above.The perioperative period clinical success rate of treating intermediate-high risk APE was 96.15%(25/26).Two patients experienced transient arrhythmia and other 2 patients experienced worsening transient chest tightness during the procedure,and 1 case developed hematoma at the puncture site after treatment.During follow-up,no recurrence of symptomatic PE was observed.Conclusion AcoStream thrombus aspiration catheter was safe and effective for treating intermediate-high risk APE,worthy clinical promotion and application.

Objective To observe the value of AcoStream thrombus aspiration catheter for treating intermediate-high risk acute pulmonary embolism(APE).Methods Twenty-six patients with intermediate-high risk APE who underwent treatment with AcoStream thrombus aspiration catheter were retrospectively collected.The immediate technical success rate,procedure success rate and thrombus clearance rate of target vessels were recorded,as well as clinical success rate and complications in perioperative period and the recurrence of pulmonary embolism(PE)during follow-up.Results Among 26 patients with intermediate-high risk APE,the immediate technical success rate was 100%(26/26),the procedure success rate was 92.31%(24/26),and the immediate thrombus clearance rate of target vessels was 63.37%as median,including 16 cases(16/26,61.54%)achieved thrombus clearance rate grade Ⅱ or above.The perioperative period clinical success rate of treating intermediate-high risk APE was 96.15%(25/26).Two patients experienced transient arrhythmia and other 2 patients experienced worsening transient chest tightness during the procedure,and 1 case developed hematoma at the puncture site after treatment.During follow-up,no recurrence of symptomatic PE was observed.Conclusion AcoStream thrombus aspiration catheter was safe and effective for treating intermediate-high risk APE,worthy clinical promotion and application.

Objective:To describe the clinical characteristics of a possible rare syndrome, the granulomatous mastitis(GM), erythema nodosum and arthritis syndrome (GMENA syndrome), by retrospective analyzing patients with both GM and erythema nodosum, with or without arthritis, and provide clinical evidence for further researchstudy.Methods:This study analyzed the demographic general information, clinical manifestations, laboratory tests results, medications, operations, and the first visits of cases collected from the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between January 2015 and February 2024. All patients were diagnosed with both GM and erythema nodosum, with or without arthritis. The frequency, means and standard deviation were used to perform descriptive analysis.Results:Among the 22 cases, all of the GM were unilateral, and nodular erythema mainly appeared in both lower limbs 17 (77%). Eight (67%) patients had arthritis. Sixteen cases (80%) were reported forwith elevated white blood cells count, and 16 (84%) with elevated C-reactive protein level, 12(86%) patients were with elevated erythrocyte sedimentation rate. Two cases were associated with hyperprolactinemia. In the bacterial tests of the breast abscess, C orynebacterium kroppenstedtii, and one Staphylococcus epidermidis were detected in 1 case respectively. The department of breast surgery was the most frequently first visit (86%) medical service, and 14 cases (64%) visited the department of rheumatology and immunology. Four cases (18%) underwent abscess incision and drainage after ineffective medication and none of them were treated with glucocorticoids. Five cases with glucocorticoids and followed-up by the department of rheumatology and immunology were not operated and four in of them without recurrenc. Conclusion:GMENA syndrome may be a syndrome characterized by high inflammatory activity, cytokine activation, and often involves the breast, skin, and joint. The pathogenesis and treatment of this syndrome need to be investigated further.

Objective:To classify and analyze the immunological indicators of patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy failure, and explore whether the immunological indicators of these patients were related to pregnancy failure.Methods:We retrospectively studied 91 patients who visited the Rheumatology and Immunology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2022 to June 2022 due to recurrent pregnancy failures, including recurrent spontaneous abortion and recurrent implantation failures (RIF). We adopted case-control study method. Analysis was conducted from two different perspectives: antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity and natural killer (NK) cell elevation. Among them, there were 34 ANA positive patients and 57 ANA negative patients; 32 patients had normal NK cells and 59 had elevated NK cell. Clinical data, duration of infertility, number of miscarriages, number of biochemical pregnancies, number of recurrent implant failures, and other information from patients were collected. Immunological indicators included ANA, anti-extractable nuclear antigen antibody, antiphospholipid antibodies, peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets, complement, immunoglobulin, rheumatism, etc. Routine laboratory tests included blood routine, urine routine, liver and kidney function, etc. The results were statistically analyzed.Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the ANA-positive and negative groups in terms of the number of spontaneous abortion, the number of post-transplantation abortions, the total number of pregnancy failures, and previous gynecological and chronic diseases (all P>0.05). The number of no-implanting after transplantation in the ANA-positive group was 3.20±2.04, which was significantly higher than that in the ANA-negative group (1.47±0.96, P=0.004). The proportion of CD19 +B cells [(12.96±4.26)%] and CD3 -HLA -DR + activated B/NK cells [(14.58±5.45)%] in the ANA negative group were significantly higher than those in the ANA positive group [(10.23±3.54)%, P=0.007; (11.34±4.11)%, P=0.009]. There were no significant differences in the number of spontaneous abortion, the number of fetal abortion after transplantation and the total number of pregnancy failure between the normal NK cell group and the increased NK cell group (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The number of RIF in ANA positive patients is significantly increased. The relationship between NK cells and pregnancy failure is not clear yet.

Objective:To classify and analyze the immunological indicators of patients with unexplained recurrent pregnancy failure, and explore whether the immunological indicators of these patients were related to pregnancy failure.Methods:We retrospectively studied 91 patients who visited the Rheumatology and Immunology Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from January 2022 to June 2022 due to recurrent pregnancy failures, including recurrent spontaneous abortion and recurrent implantation failures (RIF). We adopted case-control study method. Analysis was conducted from two different perspectives: antinuclear antibody (ANA) positivity and natural killer (NK) cell elevation. Among them, there were 34 ANA positive patients and 57 ANA negative patients; 32 patients had normal NK cells and 59 had elevated NK cell. Clinical data, duration of infertility, number of miscarriages, number of biochemical pregnancies, number of recurrent implant failures, and other information from patients were collected. Immunological indicators included ANA, anti-extractable nuclear antigen antibody, antiphospholipid antibodies, peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets, complement, immunoglobulin, rheumatism, etc. Routine laboratory tests included blood routine, urine routine, liver and kidney function, etc. The results were statistically analyzed.Results:There were no statistically significant differences between the ANA-positive and negative groups in terms of the number of spontaneous abortion, the number of post-transplantation abortions, the total number of pregnancy failures, and previous gynecological and chronic diseases (all P>0.05). The number of no-implanting after transplantation in the ANA-positive group was 3.20±2.04, which was significantly higher than that in the ANA-negative group (1.47±0.96, P=0.004). The proportion of CD19 +B cells [(12.96±4.26)%] and CD3 -HLA -DR + activated B/NK cells [(14.58±5.45)%] in the ANA negative group were significantly higher than those in the ANA positive group [(10.23±3.54)%, P=0.007; (11.34±4.11)%, P=0.009]. There were no significant differences in the number of spontaneous abortion, the number of fetal abortion after transplantation and the total number of pregnancy failure between the normal NK cell group and the increased NK cell group (all P>0.05). Conclusion:The number of RIF in ANA positive patients is significantly increased. The relationship between NK cells and pregnancy failure is not clear yet.

Early weaned piglets suffer from oxidative stress and enteral infection, which usually results in gut microbial dysbiosis, serve diarrhea, and even death. Rice bran oil (RBO), a polyphenol-enriched by-product of rice processing, has been shown to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties both in vivo and in vitro. Here, we ascertained the proper RBO supplementation level, and subsequently determined its effects on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced intestinal dysfunction in weaned piglets. A total of 168 piglets were randomly allocated into four groups of seven replicates (42 piglets each group, (21±1) d of age, body weight (7.60±0.04) kg, and half males and half females) and were given basal diet (Ctrl) or basal diet supplemented with 0.01% (mass fraction) RBO (RBO1), 0.02% RBO (RBO2), or 0.03% RBO (RBO3) for 21 d. Then, seven piglets from the Ctrl and the RBO were treated with LPS (100 μg/kg body weight (BW)) as LPS group and RBO+LPS group, respectively. Meanwhile, seven piglets from the Ctrl were treated with the saline vehicle (Ctrl group). Four hours later, all treated piglets were sacrificed for taking samples of plasma, jejunum tissues, and feces. The results showed that 0.02% was the optimal dose of dietary RBO supplementation based on diarrhea, average daily gain, and average daily feed intake indices in early weaning piglets. Furthermore, RBO protected piglets against LPS-induced jejunal epithelium damage, which was indicated by the increases in villus height, villus height/crypt depth ratio, and Claudin-1 levels, as well as a decreased level of jejunal epithelium apoptosis. RBO also improved the antioxidant ability of LPS-challenged piglets, which was indicated by the elevated concentrations of catalase and superoxide dismutase, and increased total antioxidant capacity, as well as the decreased concentrations of diamine oxidase and malondialdehyde in plasma. Meanwhile, RBO improved the immune function of LPS-challenged weaned piglets, which was indicated by elevated immunoglobulin A (IgA), IgM, β‍‍-defensin-1, and lysozyme levels in the plasma. In addition, RBO supplementation improved the LPS challenge-induced dysbiosis of gut microbiota. Particularly, the indices of antioxidant capacity, intestinal damage, and immunity were significantly associated with the RBO-regulated gut microbiota. These findings suggested that 0.02% RBO is a suitable dose to protect against LPS-induced intestinal damage, oxidative stress, and jejunal microbiota dysbiosis in early weaned piglets.
Male ; Female ; Swine ; Animals ; Lipopolysaccharides/toxicity* ; Antioxidants/pharmacology* ; Rice Bran Oil ; Dysbiosis ; Dietary Supplements ; Diarrhea/veterinary* ; Weaning ; Body Weight

Objectives:To explore the prognostic factors of primary central nervous system lymphoma(PCNSL) and to analyze the efficacy of different treatment methods.Methods:Clinical data of 4 812 patients with PCNSL in SEER database from January 1975 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.Among them, 2 831 were male and 1 981 were female, the ratio of male to female was 1.4∶1.0.There were 2 236 cases(46.47%) under 60 years old, 1 718 cases(35.70%) aged 60 to 74 years old, and 858 cases(17.83%) aged 75 years old or above. Two thousand four hundred and seventeen cases(50.23%) had supratentorial tumors, 299 cases (6.21%) had infratentorial tumors, and 554 cases(11.51%) had multiple brain tumors, 1 542 cases (32.04%) were other or unspecified location.Three thousand five hundred and thirteen cases(73.00%) had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 234 cases(4.86%) had non DLBCL, 1 065 cases (22.13%) had other or unspecified types of tumor.The treatment included 2 011 cases (41.77%) of biopsy, 61 cases (1.27%) of subtotal resection(STR), 54 cases (1.12%) of gross total resection(GTR), 2 384 cases (49.54%) of biopsy and chemotherapy, 159 cases (3.30%) of STR and chemotherapy, 144 cases (3.00%) of GTR and chemotherapy.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to analyze the prognostic factors affecting the overall survival of the patients.Fine-Gray test and competitive risk model were used to analyze the prognostic factors affecting cancer-specific survival.Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test was used for survival analysis.Results:Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that age, race, marital status, tumor site, pathological subtype, surgery, chemotherapy, combined with other malignant tumors, and HIV infection were the independent prognostic factors affecting the overall survival of PCNSL patients.The results of Fine-Gray test and competitive risk model analyses showed that age, race, marital status, tumor location, pathological subtype, surgical method, chemotherapy, combined with other malignant tumors, and HIV infection were independent prognostic factors affecting cancer-specific survival, while gender and radiotherapy had no significant correlation with cancer-specific survival.Compared with biopsy, PCNSL patients may benefit from surgical resection (STR: HR=0.805, 95% CI:0.656?0.989, P=0.04; GTR: HR=0.521, 95% CI:0.414?0.656, P<0.01).Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the median survival time of biopsy+chemotherapy group was 28 months (95% CI:24.497?31.503), 2 months (95% CI:1.756?2.244) in the biopsy group, 2 months (95% CI:1.410-2.590) in the STR group, 19 months ( 95%CI:0?39.311) in the biopsy+chemotherapy group, 67 months (95% CI:46.187-87.813) in the STR+chemotherapy group, 84 months (95% CI:57.448?110.552) in the GTR+chemotherapy group.The median survival time of patients with different treatment methods was statistically significant ( P<0.01). Conclusions:Surgical resection may improve the prognosis of some PCNSL patients.Patients who have access to receive GTR or STR combined with chemotherapy may have prolonged Cancer-specific survival.

Objectives:To explore the prognostic factors of primary central nervous system lymphoma(PCNSL) and to analyze the efficacy of different treatment methods.Methods:Clinical data of 4 812 patients with PCNSL in SEER database from January 1975 to December 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.Among them, 2 831 were male and 1 981 were female, the ratio of male to female was 1.4∶1.0.There were 2 236 cases(46.47%) under 60 years old, 1 718 cases(35.70%) aged 60 to 74 years old, and 858 cases(17.83%) aged 75 years old or above. Two thousand four hundred and seventeen cases(50.23%) had supratentorial tumors, 299 cases (6.21%) had infratentorial tumors, and 554 cases(11.51%) had multiple brain tumors, 1 542 cases (32.04%) were other or unspecified location.Three thousand five hundred and thirteen cases(73.00%) had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), 234 cases(4.86%) had non DLBCL, 1 065 cases (22.13%) had other or unspecified types of tumor.The treatment included 2 011 cases (41.77%) of biopsy, 61 cases (1.27%) of subtotal resection(STR), 54 cases (1.12%) of gross total resection(GTR), 2 384 cases (49.54%) of biopsy and chemotherapy, 159 cases (3.30%) of STR and chemotherapy, 144 cases (3.00%) of GTR and chemotherapy.Univariate and multivariate Cox regression models were used to analyze the prognostic factors affecting the overall survival of the patients.Fine-Gray test and competitive risk model were used to analyze the prognostic factors affecting cancer-specific survival.Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test was used for survival analysis.Results:Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses showed that age, race, marital status, tumor site, pathological subtype, surgery, chemotherapy, combined with other malignant tumors, and HIV infection were the independent prognostic factors affecting the overall survival of PCNSL patients.The results of Fine-Gray test and competitive risk model analyses showed that age, race, marital status, tumor location, pathological subtype, surgical method, chemotherapy, combined with other malignant tumors, and HIV infection were independent prognostic factors affecting cancer-specific survival, while gender and radiotherapy had no significant correlation with cancer-specific survival.Compared with biopsy, PCNSL patients may benefit from surgical resection (STR: HR=0.805, 95% CI:0.656?0.989, P=0.04; GTR: HR=0.521, 95% CI:0.414?0.656, P<0.01).Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the median survival time of biopsy+chemotherapy group was 28 months (95% CI:24.497?31.503), 2 months (95% CI:1.756?2.244) in the biopsy group, 2 months (95% CI:1.410-2.590) in the STR group, 19 months ( 95%CI:0?39.311) in the biopsy+chemotherapy group, 67 months (95% CI:46.187-87.813) in the STR+chemotherapy group, 84 months (95% CI:57.448?110.552) in the GTR+chemotherapy group.The median survival time of patients with different treatment methods was statistically significant ( P<0.01). Conclusions:Surgical resection may improve the prognosis of some PCNSL patients.Patients who have access to receive GTR or STR combined with chemotherapy may have prolonged Cancer-specific survival.