1.A Case of Multidisciplinary Treatment for Inflammatory Myofibroblastic Tumor Complicated by ANCA-Associated Vasculitis
Shaoying WANG ; Linyi PENG ; Ke ZHENG ; Zhiwei WANG ; Dachun ZHAO ; Xia ZHANG ; Lin ZHAO ; Wenhui WANG ; Weiqing WANG ; Zhenzhen ZHU ; Jin XU ; Min SHEN
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2026;5(1):43-51
A 51-year-old male presented with nasal obstruction, followed by progressive hearing loss and blurred vision. Imaging identified space-occupying lesions in the paranasal sinuses, orbits, and paraspinal regions, while laboratory tests confirmed positive anti-proteinase 3 anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(PR3- ANCA) immunoglobulin G (IgG)and markedly elevated serum IgG4. Despite treatment with corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and radiotherapy, the patient exhibited steroid dependency with relentless disease progression. Following multidisciplinary consultation, a diagnosis of inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) coexisting with ANCA- associated vasculitis (AAV) was favored, though IgG4-related disease remained a critical differential. Ultimately, profound immunosuppression precipitated a severe herpesvirus infection, leading to disseminated intravascular coagulation and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome. This case underscores the rarity and diagnostic complexity of concurrent IMT and AAV, highlights the therapeutic dilemma of balancing primary disease control against fatal opportunistic infections, and emphasizes the critical role of multidisciplinary collaboration in the diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases.
2.B7-H3 molecule inhibits apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells via the SIRT1/p53 signaling pathway
Lin ZHENG ; Jianxin ZHONG ; Ke NIU ; Qing XU ; Huijuan LING ; Yayu ZHU ; Bing CHEN ; Liwen CHEN
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(2):232-238
ObjectiveTo explore the role of the histone deacetylase Sirtuin-1 (SIRT1)/p53 signaling pathway in promoting apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells (NSCLC) induced by the co-stimulatory molecule B7 homolog 3 (B7-H3). MethodsThe GEPIA 2 platform was used for survival analysis of NSCLC patients based on B7⁃H3 gene expression levels. The Gene Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) method was used to analyze the enrichment characteristics of B7⁃H3 molecules in the gene set of cell apoptosis. In the non-small cell lung cancer A549 cell line, B7⁃H3 was knocked down, and the protein expression levels of SIRT1 and p53 were detected by Western blot. B7⁃H3 was overexpressed in A549 cells and the apoptosis rate was analyzed by flow cytometry after Annexin V/PI double staining. Overexpression of B7⁃H3 and knockdown of SIRT1 were performed in A549 cell line. The expression levels of p53 and apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) and Bcl-2-associated X protein (Bax) were detected respectively by Western blot. Cell apoptosis rate was analyzed by flow cytometry after Annexin V/PI double staining. ResultsThe overall survival of the B7-H3 high-expression group was significantly lower than that of the low-expression group (P<0.01). B7-H3 was significantly enriched in the cell apoptosis signaling pathway and the p53 signaling pathway (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the expression of SIRT1 was significantly downregulated, and p53 was significantly upregulated in the B7⁃H3 knockdown group (both P<0.001). Overexpression of B7-H3 significantly up-regulated SIRT1 protein expression (P<0.05), down-regulated p53 expression (P<0.01), and markedly increased the Bcl-2/Bax ratio of apoptosis-related proteins (P<0.001). The results of Annexin V/PI double staining showed that the apoptosis rate of A549 cells with overexpressed B7⁃H3 decreased (the apoptosis rate of the control group was 26.72%±4.13%, while that of the B7⁃H3 overexpression group was 13.87%±0.82%; P<0.01). In B7-H3-overexpressing cell lines, SIRT1 knockdown significantly reversed apoptosis (P<0.05), up-regulated p53 protein expression (P<0.001), and markedly reduced the Bcl-2/Bax ratio (P<0.001). ConclusionB7-H3 molecule inhibits the apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer cells via the SIRT1/p53 signaling pathway.
3.The multi-center mid-term clinical outcomes of combined complete preservation of chordal structure mitral valve replacement with total anatomic complete arterial myocardial revascularization for coronary patients with moderate-to-severe or severe ischemic mitral regurgitation
Ke GUO ; Xujun CHEN ; Baoshi ZHENG ; Chao SHI ; Keli HUANG ; Yong CAO ; Chengquan LIAO ; Jingwei CHEN ; Yu LIN ; Chengxin LIU ; Quansheng CAO ; Lin SHEN ; Zhendong WANG
Chinese Journal of Surgery 2025;63(1):58-67
Objective:To evaluate the clinical outcomes of combined complete preservation of chordal structure mitral valve replacement (C-MVR) with total anatomical arterial myocardial revascularization (TACR) in coronary patients with moderate-to-severe or severe ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR).Methods:This is a retrospective multi-center case series study. Data were retrospectively collected from 127 patients with coronary artery disease with moderate to severe or severe IMR who received TACR with C-MVR from July 2015 to April 2024 in 13 hospitals in China. There were 90 males and 37 females, aged (56.5±10.7) years (range: 33 to 74 years). Perioperative data and follow-up data including left ventricular ejection fraction, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter, and patency rate of arterial grafts of patients were collected. Comparisons were made using paired sample t-test or χ2 test. Results:In this cohort of 127 patients, 67 underwent concurrent tricuspid valve repair. During surgery, 113 grafts of the left internal mammary artery (LIMA), 127 grafts of the left radial artery, 80 grafts of the right radial artery, and 110 grafts of the right internal mammary artery (RIMA) were harvested. The number of the distal anastomosis was 4.2±0.4 (range: 3 to 5). The aortic cross-clamp time and cardiopulmonary bypass time were (97.5±23.4) minutes (range: 90 to 161 minutes) and (145.4±19.2) minutes (range: 101 to 210 minutes), respectively. There was one operative death. Intraoperative placement of an intra-aortic balloon pump was performed in 21 patients to improve the left ventricular ejection. No sternal ischemic occurred. All patients completed follow-up, with a mean follow-up period of (64.3±7.5) months (range: 4 to 110 months). No major cerebrovascular events occurred during the follow-up period, and all patients survived. Left ventricular ejection fraction improved postoperatively (55.0%±5.3% vs. 41.0%±15.3%, t=17.23, P<0.01). The proportion of patients with New York Heart Association functional class ≤2 increased postoperatively (23.6% (30/127) vs. 87.3% (110/126), χ2=103.77, P<0.01). The proportion of patients with Canadian Cardiovascular Society Angina Classification ≤3 decreased postoperatively (4.8% (6/126) vs. 78.7% (100/127), χ2=142.19, P<0.01). The left ventricular end-diastolic diameter decreased postoperatively ((5.70±4.50) cm vs. (6.10±0.23) cm, t=12.15, P<0.01). Coronary multi-detector computed tomography angiography (MDCTA) follow-up was conducted for (60.5±11.7) months (range: 6 to 109 months) postoperatively. MDCTA confirmed the patency rates of the grafts: 96.4% (108/112) for the LIMA grafts, 88.9% (112/126) for the left radial artery grafts, 93.7% (74/79) for the right radial artery grafts, and 90.9% (100/110) for the free RIMA grafts. No significant differences in graft patency rates were observed between the arterial grafts ( χ2=5.24, P=0.155). Conclusion:The results of this multi-centre study demonstrate satisfactory mid-term results of C-MVR with TACR for the treatment of coronary artery disease with moderate to severe or severe IMR.
4.Recent Advances of Carbon Dots in Chemiluminescence
Yu-Jie XIAO ; Xuan TAN ; Yue ZHAO ; Ke CHENG ; Xue ZHANG ; Xian YANG ; Hong ZHENG
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(1):27-37
Chemiluminescence,as a self-luminous phenomenon that does not require light,heat,acoustic,electric and magnetic excitation,has been widely used in the fields of analytical chemistry,cold light source and bio-imaging because of its advantages including high sensitivity,wide linear range,simple equipment and fast detection speed compared with other analytical techniques.Carbon dots(CDs)are a class of nanomaterials with excellent photoluminescence properties and high biocompatibility.CDs are stable,easy to prepare and abundant in types,and researchers have introduced many types of CDs into different chemiluminescence systems.In this paper,the applications of CDs in common chemiluminescence systems and the possible mechanisms of action were discussed,and the research progresses on the application of CDs in different chemiluminescence detection fields in recent years were summarized.Finally,the development trend of CDs in chemiluminescence was analyzed.
5.Preparation and In Vitro Degradation Characteristics Analysis of Poly(lactic-co-glycolide)Microspheres Based on Microfluidic Process
Bao-Cheng WANG ; Cong-Yu MA ; Ke WANG ; Si-Tong ZHENG ; Xiao-Yan ZHANG ; Yue-Mei ZHAO ; Xun ZHAO ; Jian-Bin PAN ; Zheng-Song GAO ; Hai-Wei SHI ; Yao-Zuo YUAN ; Hong-Yuan CHEN
Chinese Journal of Analytical Chemistry 2025;53(4):621-630
Poly(lactic-co-glycolide)(PLGA)is a key excipient in long-acting sustained-release preparations,and its degradation properties directly affect the drug release behavior.In this study,PLGA microspheres were prepared by microfluidic techniques,and the morphology changes of the microspheres were observed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM).In alkaline environment,due to the accelerated hydrolysis of ester bonds,the surface of the microspheres was rapidly dissolved and eroded,and the degradation rate was significantly higher than that in acidic environment.High temperature accelerated the degradation of PLGA microspheres.Under neutral and alkaline conditions,the microspheres showed aggregation and adhesion.Under acidic conditions,the microspheres gradually decomposed into irregular fragments.The high ionic strength further promoted the surface corrosion of the microspheres,especially under extreme pH conditions.Simultaneously,PLGA microspheres encapsulating coumarin were prepared to simulate the microsphere formulation.The release rate of coumarin after degradation of the microspheres under different conditions was observed by measuring the absorbance with ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry.The results were consistent with those of the blank microspheres.This study revealed that the degradation of PLGA microspheres was significantly pH-dependent,temperature sensitive and ion strength responsive.These findings not only helped to understand and optimize the long-term stability and controlled release performance of drug-carrying microspheres,but also provided a theoretical basis for further improvement of PLGA-based drug carrier design.
6.Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae reduces HFD-induced MAFLD in mice through activated AMPK-mediated inhibition of fatty acid synthesis
Ke ZHENG ; Ruishuo ZHANG ; Yijing XIN ; Yuge ZHOU ; Jiacheng LIN ; Weifan HUANG ; Fang WANG ; Liu YANG ; Xuehua SUN ; Xiaoni KONG
Liver Research 2025;9(2):157-168
Background and aims:Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)is a common chronic condition that can lead to cancer due to its complex pathogenesis.Therapeutic agents targeting AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)activation have been suggested as potential treatments for metabolic disorders such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis(MASH).Rhizoma Atractylodis Mac-rocephalae(RAM)has been clinically used to treat obesity-related health problems,but its therapeutic effects on MAFLD and the underlying mechanism remain unclear.Therefore,this study was conducted to evaluate the function and underlying mechanism of RAM in the treatment of MAFLD.Methods:The effect of RAM decoction on MAFLD was evaluated using a high-fat diet(HFD)-induced MAFLD mouse model.In vitro studies were conducted using a palmitic acid/oleic acid-induced lipid accumulation model in the alpha mouse liver 12 cells and RAM-containing serum.The underlying mechanisms were elucidated through a combination of network pharmacology analysis,immunohis-tochemistry,western blotting,and polymerase chain reaction analysis.Results:Administration of RAM decoction significantly reduced body weight gain in MAFLD mice without changing food intake.The weights of the liver and inguinal adipose tissues were also reduced after RAM treatment.Additionally,RAM administration decreased serum levels of alanine aminotrans-ferase,aspartate transaminase,total cholesterol,triglyceride,low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,and glucose,while reducing lipid droplet accumulation in the liver tissues of MAFLD mice.The underlying mechanisms included the activation of the phosphorylation of AMPK and acetyl-CoA carboxylase(ACC),and inhibition of the expression of sterol regulatory element binding protein 1(SREBP1).However,RAM did not alter the protein expression levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1α.Furthermore,the RAM-induced upregulation of phosphorylated AMPK,phos-phorylated ACC,and SREBP1 expression,as well as the downregulation of fatty acid synthase expression,were reversed by using an AMPK inhibitor.Conclusions:Through a combination of network pharmacology and experimental validation,we demonstrated that RAM may exert therapeutic effects on MAFLD by inhibiting lipid synthesis and activating phosphorylated AMPK pathways.
7.Noninvasive prediction of high-risk esophageal varices by spleen and liver stiffness measurements using sound touch elastography
Jinfen WANG ; Siwei TAN ; Ruiying ZHENG ; Bilun KE ; Bin WU ; Manli WU
Liver Research 2025;9(3):231-238
Background and aims:Noninvasive assessments play a crucial role in ruling out high-risk esophageal varices(HREV)in cirrhotic patients.However,the value of sound touch elastography(STE)in predicting HREV has not been comprehensively investigated.Therefore,this study aimed to establish prediction models based on liver and spleen stiffness measurements obtained by STE and provide assessment strategies and cutoff values tailored for different clinical situations.Methods:This prospective study included cirrhotic patients who underwent esophagogastroduodeno-scopy(EGD).Liver and spleen stiffness measurements by STE were performed within six months of EGD examination.Various prediction models and their corresponding cutoff values were established for different clinical situations,incorporating spleen diameter and laboratory parameters.Results:A total of 154 cirrhotic patients were included in the study and stratified into training(n=119)and validation(n=35)sets.Multivariable analysis revealed platelet,spleen diameter and spleen stiffness measurement as independent predictors of HREV.The model incorporating spleen stiffness measurement,platelet,and spleen diameter demonstrated superior performance in predicting HREV,yielding an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(AUC)of 0.878 and 0.853 in the training set and validation set,respectively.Application of this model for screening cirrhotic patients could avoid EGDs in 39.7%(27/68)and 35.3%(6/17)of patients in the training and validation sets,respectively.Conclusions:Liver and spleen stiffness measurements obtained through STE are valuable for predicting HREV in cirrhotic patients.The developed prediction models and their corresponding cutoff values provide tailored solutions for various clinical situations,thereby effectively reducing the need for un-necessary endoscopies.
8.Clinical significance and diagnostic value of exosome B7-H3 in plasma from NSCLC
Qing Xu ; Lin Zheng ; Huijuan Ling ; Yayu Zhu ; Ke Niu ; Liwen Chen
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2025;60(6):1120-1126
Objective :
To establish an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for exosome B7-H3 in plas- ma , and to explore the clinical significance and diagnostic value of exosome B7-H3 in plasma from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) .
Methods :
The plasma of 70 NSCLC patients (NSCLC group) and 36 healthy controls (HC group) were collected . Exosomes and microvesicles in plasma were separated by ultra-fast centrifuge method , and the expression levels of B7-H3 in plasma exosomes in NSCLC groups and HC groups were compared by Western blot method . In NSCLC group , the expression levels of B7-H3 in plasma exosomes and microvesicles in NSCLC group were compared . A simple and feasible ELISA method was established to detect the expression level of exosome B7 - H3 in plasma by means of polyethylene glycol (PEG) precipitation and its clinical significance was analyzed . Lo- gistic regression model was established to predict plasma-derived exosome B7-H3 as a risk factor , and receiver op- erating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to investigate the diagnostic value of exosome B7-H3 in NSCLC .
Results:
For exosomes and microvesicles in plasma which were extracted by ultracentrifugation , Western blot results showed that the expression level of B7-H3 in plasma exosomes of NSCLC group was higher than that of HC group (P = 0. 032) , and the expression level of B7-H3 in plasma exosomes was higher than that of microvesicles of NSCLC group (P = 0. 012) . The expression level of exosome B7-H3 in plasma extracted by PEG precipitation was also higher in NSCLC group than that in HC group (P = 0. 024) . The expression level of exosome B7-H3 in plasma of NSCLC patients was not related to gender , age , smoking or pathological type , but was related to T stage (P = 0. 002) , N stage (P < 0. 001) , M stage (P = 0. 010) and AJCC stage (P < 0. 001) . Multivariate Logistic regres- sion analysis identified exosome B7-H3 in plasma as a risk factor for NSCLC . ROC analysis showed that the sensi- tivity of exosome B7-H3 in plasma for the diagnosis of NSCLC (0. 843) was higher than that of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) (0. 743) , whereas the specificity (0. 722) was lower than that of CEA (0. 833) . Combined de- tection of exosome B7-H3 and CEA (AUC = 0. 928 , 95% CI:0. 877 - 0. 979) had a higher diagnostic performance for NSCLC .
Conclusion
B7-H3 in plasma exosomes is related to the cancer staging of NSCLC , and the combined detection of exosome B7-H3 and CEA in plasma is conducive to the laboratory diagnosis of NSCLC .
9.Atlantodentoplasty using the anterior retropharyngeal approach for treating irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation with atlantodental bony obstruction: a retrospective study
Jia SHAO ; Yun Peng HAN ; Yan Zheng GAO ; Kun GAO ; Ke Zheng MAO ; Xiu Ru ZHANG
Asian Spine Journal 2025;19(1):54-63
Methods:
The clinical data of 26 patients diagnosed with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation complicated by atlantodental bony obstruction were analyzed retrospectively. All patients underwent anterior retropharyngeal atlantodentoplasty, followed by posterior occipitocervical fusion. Details including surgical duration and blood loss volume were recorded. Radiographic data such as the anterior atlantodental interval, O–C2 angle, space available for the cord, clivus–canal angle, and cervical medullary angle, and clinical data including the Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score were assessed. The fusion time of the grafted bone and the development of complications were examined.
Results:
In patients undergoing anterior retropharyngeal atlantodentoplasty, the surgical duration and blood loss volume were 120.1±16.4 minutes and 100.6±33.5 mL, respectively. The anterior atlantodental interval decreased significantly after the surgery (p <0.001). The O–C2 angle, space available for the cord, clivus–canal angle, and cervical medullary angle increased significantly after the surgery (p <0.001). The JOA score during the latest follow-up significantly increased compared with that before the surgery (p <0.001). The improvement rate of the JOA score was 80.8%±18.1%. The fusion time of the grafted bone was 3–8 months, with an average of 5.7±1.5 months. In total, 11 patients presented with postoperative dysphagia and three with irritating cough. However, none of them exhibited other major complications.
Conclusions
Anterior retropharyngeal atlantodentoplasty can anatomically reduce the atlantoaxial joint with a satisfactory clinical outcome in patients with irreducible atlantoaxial dislocation with atlantodental bony obstruction.
10.Systematic review and case report on intraocular ointment after cataract surgery
Paul* MWALE ; Yan* ZHENG ; Xiaomin CHEN ; Min KE
International Eye Science 2025;25(3):344-350
Intraocular ointment is conventionally placed on the eye to prevent infection after cataract surgery. The purpose of this study is to report a case and conduct a systematic review of a rare occurrence of the entry of intraocular ointment after cataract surgery. PubMed, Scopus, Embase, CNKI, WANFANG data, China Science and Technology Journal Database and Chinese Medical Journal Full-text Database were systematically searched from their commencement to 30th October 2023, and 19 literatures were screened out and 31 cases of intraocular ointment after surgery were collected. Among the 31 patients, the age of presentation ranged from 55 to 87 years with a median of 73, males accounted for 45.2% and females accounted for 32.3%. The length of the incision was generally 3.2 mm. Most of the patients detected ointment within 3 days post-operation and presented without complications(45.2%). The most common ocular manifestations were corneal edema, glaucoma and uveitis. Early postoperative follow-up is very important. Presence of anterior chamber ointment is a rare complication after cataract surgery, but it can lead to severe vision loss if not detected and treated on time. When patients complain of foreign body sensation in the in the eye after cataract surgery, ophthalmologists need to take a kin interest and examine the eye for early detection of ointment for appropriate intervention and prevent further complications.


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