Objective: To explore the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of granulomatous cheilitis complications after treatment in patients with upper lip venous malformations, as well as to provide a reference for their clinical diagnosis and treatment. Methods: This report provides details on the clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, and treatment of a case of granulomatous cheilitis after the treatment of upper lip venous malformation, and then analyzes granulomatous cheilitis alongside the related literature. The patient, a 30-year old male, was first seen in the dermatology department of another hospital with bright red spots on his lips, diagnosed with allergic dermatitis and received symptomatic treatment, and the erythema did not improve. He was diagnosed with ‘cavernous hemangioma’ and was treated with polydocanol and bleomycin injections. The bright red spots on his lips improved, but the swelling worsened for more than half a year. He then sought treatment at the oral mucosal department of our hospital. At the time of consultation, the swelling of the upper lip and perilabial skin was obvious, and there was a red patch on the right side of the upper lip, that was congested with blood. The upper lip was tough, with hard nodules, unclear borders, and poor mobility. Pathological examination showed epithelial hyperplasia of the upper lip mucosa, surface hyperkeratosis, subepithelial fibrous tissue hyperplasia, and chronic inflammation of the mucosa and minor salivary glands. Focal histiocyte, lymphocyte, and plasma cell infiltration was seen in the submucosal layer, with granulomatous inflammatory manifestations. Based on the patient's medical history, clinical manifestations, and histopathological manifestations, the diagnosis of granulomatous cheilitis was made. Tretinoin 0.3 mL (40 mg/mL, 1 mL/vial) was injected into the deep layer of the mucosa of the right and left upper lips for local block treatment. Prednisone acetate tablets (10 mg/Qd) were taken orally, and after 1 week of follow-up, the symptoms improved, so the original treatment was continued. After 2 weeks of follow-up, the swelling of the lips improved significantly, and the oral prednisone acetate tablets were adjusted to 5 mg/Qd. After 4 weeks of follow-up, the shape of the lips was largely back to normal, and the color and suppleness of the lips had improved significantly. The local block treatment and oral medication were stopped, and the patient was instructed to apply the topical tretinoin ointment Bid on the upper lip. Results: The patient had a follow-up visit 8 weeks later, at which their lip color, shape, and texture remained normal, and the patient was instructed to stop the medication and follow up. A review of the literature suggests that the etiology of granulomatous cheilitis is unknown and that it is associated with genetic predisposition, odontogenic infections, allergic factors, microbial infections, and immunological factors. It needs to be clinically differentiated from diseases such as lip venous malformations, lip angioneurotic oedema, Crohn's disease, and tuberculosis. At present, the clinical treatment of granulomatous cheilitis is still based on local glucocorticoid block therapy or a combination of oral glucocorticoid drugs. In this case, the area of erythema on the lips decreased in size, but swelling occurred and continued to worsen after polydocanol and bleomycin injection treatment. Pre-existing venous malformation should be considered as a complication associated with injectable drugs that can produce granulomatous cheilitis. Conclusion The injection-based treatment of lip venous malformation may be complicated by granulomatous cheilitis, and in the process of clinical diagnosis and treatment, it is necessary to be aware to the existence of drug-related factors in the occurrence and development of granulomatous diseases.

Objective: To investigate the predictive value of EZH2 expression for malignant transformation in oral leukoplakia (OLK) and to provide a reference for clinical practice. Methods: This study was approved by the institutional ethics committee, and informed consent was obtained from all participants. A total of 114 patients diagnosed with OLK by pathological examination and treated at our hospital between November 2020 and July 2022 were initially enrolled. After excluding those with incomplete data or follow-up, 105 participants were included in the final analysis, comprising 14 in the high EZH2 expression group and 91 in the low EZH2 expression group. Histopathological examination of oral mucosa and immunohistochemical detection of EZH2 protein expression were performed. The follow-up period was 30 months; participants were followed until malignant transformation occurred or until the end of follow-up, at which point they were withdrawn from the study. The exposure factor was the level of EZH2 protein expression, and the outcome was the malignant transformation rate of OLK. Differences in EZH2 expression levels and transformation outcomes were analyzed. Results: There were no statistically significant differences between the high and low EZH2 expression groups in terms of age, sex, history of systemic disease, lifestyle habits, psychological status, diet, and sleep conditions (P > 0.05). Lesions in the high EZH2 expression group were mainly located on the ventral tongue, while in the low EZH2 expression group, they were more commonly found on the dorsal tongue and buccal mucosa. The malignant transformation rate was 28.6% (4/14) in the high expression group and 8.8% (8/91) in the low expression group; these differences were not statistically significant (P=0.053). In univariate Cox regression analysis, the risk of malignant transformation in the high EZH2 expression group was 3.647 times that of the low EZH2 expression group (HR = 3.647, 95% CI: 1.097-12.120, P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that over the 30-month follow-up period, the cancer-free survival rate in the high EZH2 expression group was 19.8% lower than in the low expression group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). In multivariate Cox regression analysis, only moderate and severe epithelial dysplasia were identified as independent risk factors for malignant transformation. The risk of malignant transformation in the moderate and severe dysplasia groups was 10.695 and 13.623 times higher, respectively, than in the mild dysplasia group (HR = 10.695, 95% CI: 2.270-50.396, P<0.05; HR=13.623, 95% CI: 1.918-96.774, P<0.05). EZH2 high expression was not an independent risk factor in the multivariate model (HR= 2.528, 95% CI: 0.752-8.500, P = 0.134). Conclusion High EZH2 protein expression is a risk factor for the malignant transformation of OLK but does not have independent predictive value.

Objective:To screen genetic and epigenetic expression differences associated with pulmonary embolism through integrated bioinformatics analysis.Methods:Four patients with pulmonary embolism and healthy physical examination in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University in 2019 were selected as the research objects, using high-throughput sequencing technologies and methylation chip technology to detect, screening and integrated peripheral blood difference genomes and the epigenome data to identify the pathogenesis of pulmonary embolism caused by methylation of drive and differentially expressed genes, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis were performed.Results:Coexpression analysis of DNA methylation and gene expression data between the pulmonary embolism group and the healthy control group showed that differential methylation in the upstream region of genes was negatively correlated with gene expression. Among them, 8 significantly methylated genes in the upstream region of genes were screened out, and independent sample t-test and Pearson correlation analysis were done. In the pulmonary embolism group, there were 6 significant methylated genes of TSS1500, namely TSPO2, C1QA, AQP1, TNFSF9, MIA and STAB1, and the differential expression multiple log2FC of corresponding genes was 1.298, 1.629, 1.024, 2.746, 2.539, 1.060, respectively. The correlation between gene expression and gene methylation were -0.908, -0.900, -0.824, -0.784, -0.783, -0.779, respectively, and the methylation differences between the two groups were -0.049, -0.053, -0.048, -0.057, -0.050, respectively. -0.053 ( P < 0.05). There were three significantly methylated genes in the TSS200 region, namely TSPO2, SLC9A, and SIGLEC1. The gene expression differential multiple log2FC was 1.298, -2.252, and 1.866, respectively. The correlation between gene expression and gene methylation was -0.860, -0.774, and -0.739, respectively. The methylation difference between the two groups was -0.051, 0.027, -0.048 ( P < 0.05). In the pulmonary embolism group, 7 genes, including TSPO2, C1QA, AQP1, TNFSF9, MIA, STAB1 and SIGLEC1, showed hypomethylation and high expression in the TSS region. SLC9A3 gene showed high methylation and low expression. In the analysis of GO function, significant enrichment was obtained in complement activation, immune response and activation protein cascade. In the KEGG signaling pathway, the immune system, bacterial infection, and signaling molecules and interactions are significantly enriched, thereby regulating the occurrence of pulmonary embolism. Conclusions:Based on the combined analysis of DNA methylation and gene expression, a new idea of the occurrence and development of pulmonary embolism has been found, which can be further studied in the future.

Objective To determine the time point when porcine pancreatic elastase(PPE)induced abdominal aortic aneurysm(AAA)reaches the regression phase in mice and observe the histological characteristics of AAA in regression phase.Methods AAAs were induced by transient intraluminal infusion of PPE in C57BL/6J mice.The diameters of the mouse abdominal aortas were measured before PPE infusion and sacrifice time,day 14 for AAA progression phase or day 56 for regression phase after PPE infusion,respectively.The histological characteristics of the aneurysm lesion site on day 14 and day 56 after surgery were compared and analyzed.Results The diameters of the abdominal aortas were significantly increased in both day 14 and day 56 after PPE infusion groups(diameter growth rate 147％and 155％,respectively)as compared to the baseline diameters.In the day 14 group,the infused aortas showed typical AAA characteristics,such as elastin break/degradation,medial smooth muscle cells depletion,and inflammatory cell diffused infiltration.In the day 56 group after PPE infusion,although the artery diameter did not change significantly as compared to the day 14 group,histology showed that elastin was partially repaired,new smooth muscle cells were added to the damaged aorta media,the infiltrated inflammatory cells were significantly subsided,and the adventitia neovascularization was reduced,showing a significant feature of the disease regression phase.Conclusion In the PPE-induced mouse AAA model,day 56 after surgery is an appropriate time point for observing aneurysm regression,and the histological characteristics of the regression are obvious.

Objective: To investigate the expression changes of cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 3(CDKN3) indifferent tumors and its effect on tumor staging, prognosis and immunotherapy. Methods: The expression characteristics of CDKN3 in different cancers using data from TCGA, CCLE, ICGC, and GTEx databases were evaluated. The GEPIA2 platform and Kaplan-Meier analysis were utilized to assess the effect of CDKN3 on tumor pathological staging and survival prognosis. The TIMER platform was employed to explore the influence of CDKN3 on the tumor immune microenvironment and immunotherapy. Its effect on immune checkpoint and key immunotherapeutic predictors using bioinformatics methods was explored. The GeneMANIA tool was used to construct the protein-protein interaction(PPI) network of CDKN3. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) and Gene Onotology(GO) enrichment analyses were conducted to explore the biological processes and signaling pathways associated with CDKN3. The effect of CDKN3 on HepG2 cell proliferation, invasion, migration, and apoptosis was validated through transfection with CDKN3 siRNA. Results: CDKN3 was found to be widely overexpressed in tumors. High expression of CDKN3 was often associated with advanced pathological staging and poor survival prognosis. CDKN3 expression was negatively correlated with most immune checkpoints and positively correlated with tumor mutation burden(TMB), microsatellite instability(MSI), and mismatch repair(MMR) genes. CDKN3 was associated with cell cycle, cellular senescence, and the p53 signaling pathway. Furthermore, EdU staining, JC-1 staining, Transwell, and Wound Healing assays confirmed that CDKN3 promoted HCC cell proliferation, invasion, and migration while inhibiting apoptosis. Conclusion Abnormal expression of CDKN3 is closely related to tumor staging, prognosis, and immune microenvironment characteristics, making it a potential prognostic marker and immunotherapy adjuvant target in cancer.

Population aging in China has led to an increase in the incidence of abdominal aortic aneurysm(AAA).AAA rupture is one of the most severe life-threatening diseases,with high mortality.The main histopathological features of AAA include elastin degradation,smooth muscle cell depletion,extracellular matrix digestion,and mural leukocyte accumulation.Clinically,drug therapy is still lacking,and open/endovascular repair remains the most effective treatment strategy for AAA management.Notably however,the detailed molecular mechanism of AAA remains unclear,representing an important bottleneck affecting the development of potential drug targets.Animal models are the most powerful tools for clarifying the pathogenesis of AAA,and although some medium-to-large laboratory animal models(e.g.,rabbits,guinea pigs,dogs,pigs)have been established for AAA studies,rodent models(mice and rats)are still the main models used in this field.Current method of inducing AAA include intra-infrarenal aortic infusion of elastase,subcutaneous infusion of angiotensin Ⅱ,periaortic calcium chloride painting,and decellularized aortic xenografting;however,AAA tends to stabilize in most models after ceasing pre-induced stimulation(medical or surgical),and there remains a need for ideal animal models that maintain continuous aortic dilation and even rupture.AAA animal models are helpful for elucidating the pathogenesis of AAA,screening new drug targets,and promoting clinical translation.This review aims to discuss the application of current AAA modeling method and their translational relevance.

Objective To investigate the medication and compatibility patterns of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)compound patents in the treatment of epilepsy through data mining research.Methods Data on TCM compound patents for treating epilepsy were retrieved from the China National Intellectual Property Administration's patent publication website.Descriptive analysis,association rule analysis,and cluster analysis were conducted using softwares such as Excel,Origin 2021,R 4.3.1 and Cytoscape 3.9.1,and the relevant topological property values were calculated to construct the core complex network.Results A total of 346 TCM compound patents for treating epilepsy were included,involving 738 different herbs.The top 5 frequently used herbs were Acorus tatarinowii,Gastrodia elata,Buthus martensii,Eupolyphaga seu steleophaga,and Uncaria rhynchophylla.The predominant drug category was liver-soothing and wind-extinguishing drugs.Cluster analysis identified two major categories of drug combinations,and the core combination in the co-occurrence network was Rhizoma acori tatarinowii-Scorpio-Gastrodiae rhizoma-Bombyx batryticatus-Uncariae ramulus cum uncis.A total of 23 association rules were obtained.Conclusion This study reveals the primary characteristics of treating epilepsy,which mainly focus on therapeutic directions such as soothing the liver and suppressing wind,calming wind to arrest convulsions,and calming the mind to tranquilize the spirit.It incorporates individualized dialectical diagnostic and treatment strategies,such as promoting blood circulation and resolving stasis,invigorating the spleen,and transforming phlegm.This discovery aims to provide reference and reference value for the clinical treatment of epilepsy in traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective To explore the mechanism of 3-methyladenine(3-MA)for alleviating early diabetic renal injury.Methods Mouse models of streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetes mellitus were randomized into model group and 3-MA treatment group for daily treatments with normal saline and 10 mg/kg 3-MA by gavage for 6 weeks,respectively.Body weight and fasting blood glucose of the mice were recorded every week.After the treatments,the kidneys of the mice were collected for measurement kidney/body weight ratio,examination of glomerular size with PAS staining,and detection of α-SMA and PCNA expressions using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.SV40 MES 13 cells cultured in normal glucose(5.6 mmol/L)and high glucose(30 mmol/L)were treated with 24.4 mmol/L mannitol and 5 mmol/L 3-MA for 24 h,respectively,and the changes in cell viability and PCNA expression were examined using CCK8 assay and Western blotting.Bioinformatics analysis of the intersecting gene targets of diabetic kidney disease(DKD)and 3-MA was performed,and the results were verified by Western blotting both in vivo and in vitro.Results In the diabetic mice,treatment with 3-MA produced a short-term hypoglycemic effect,reduced the kidney/body weight ratio and glomerular hypertrophy,and decreased the expressions of α-SMA and PCNA in the renal cortex.In the in vitro study,3-MA significantly lowered the viability and reduced PCNA expression in SV40 MES 13 cells exposed to high glucose.The results of bioinformatic analysis identified AKT1 as the key gene in the therapeutic mechanism of 3-MA for DKD.Western blotting confirmed that 3-MA inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT and S6 in both the renal cortex of diabetic mice and high glucose-treated SV40 MES 13 cells.Conclusion 3-MA suppresses mesangial cell proliferation and alleviates early diabetic renal injury in mice possibly by inhibiting AKT signaling.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of venetoclax (VEN) combined with hypomethylating agents (HMA) in the treatment of blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell neoplasms (BPDCN).Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. The clinical data of 5 patients with BPDCN treated with VEN combined with azacitidine (AZA) or decitabine (DAC) in the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University and Suzhou Hongci Blood Disease Hospital from February 2017 to July 2023 were collected, and the therapeutic effect, adverse reaction and prognosis of all 5 patients were summarized.Results:All 5 BPDCN patients were male with the median onset age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] of 66 years (51 years, 73 years), of which 4 cases were presented with skin lesions and 1 case was presented with lymphadenopathy as the primary symptom. As for the treatment, 3 patients were initially treated with VEN in combination with AZA induction regimen, among which 2 patients achieved complete remission with incomplete blood count recovery (CRi) after 2 cycles of treatment, survived for 26.5 months and 14.6 months, respectively and finally died, and 1 patient achieved partial remission after 1 cycle of treatment and he still survived after 3-month follow-up; 1 patient was initially treated with VEN in combination with DAC induction regimen, and achieved clinical complete remission of non-active disease with residual skin abnormalities after 2 cycles of treatment followed by allogeneic hematologic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and he was in the state of disease-free survival for 15-month; and another 1 patient experienced a relapse after treatment with acute lymphocytic leukemia-like regimen in combination with allo-HSCT and again achieved CRi after 2 treatment courses of VEN in combination with AZA regimen, and he was in the state of disease-free survival for 30-month follow-up. Treatment-related haematological adverse effects of VEN combined with HMA were mainly neutropenia with fever, reduction of hemoglobin and thrombocytopenia; and non-haematological adverse effects were mainly gastrointestinal reactions such as nausea and vomiting. These adverse events improved with symptomatic supportive therapy, and no treatment-related deaths occurred. Conclusions:BPDCN patients who are unable to tolerate intensive chemotherapy regimens at initial time of diagnosis may attempt induction therapy with VEN+HMA regimen, which has a manageable adverse reaction and may serve as a bridge to allo-HSCT.

Percutaneous nephrolithotomy(PCNL) has always been the first-line minimally invasive treatment for staghorn kidney stones, with high surgical efficiency and first-stage stone free rate. However, due to the complexity of stones and the difficulty of surgery, serious complications such as postoperative bleeding, infection, and renal function damage often occur. Needle-perc assisted endoscopic surgery(NAES) surgery, also known as needle-perc assisted endoscopic surgery, is an innovative model based on needle-perc proposed by our center. The S+ N mode is standard tract PCNL combined with needle-perc, which not only improves the efficiency and stone free rate, but also reduces the number of tracts, effectively protecting renal function and reducing complications. This article reports a case of complete staghorn kidney stones that were completely removed by NAES surgery in one stage, with no complications after surgery and the patient recovering quickly and being discharged from the hospital.