BACKGROUND: Recent studies have provided compelling evidence that exposure to brominated flame retardants (BFRs) can adversely affect human health. We aim to explore the potential impact of BFRs on adiposity and central obesity. METHODS: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) cycles conducted between 2009 and 2014 was used to study the connections between variables. After filtering, we analyzed a sample of 4,110 adults aged 20 years and above. Our goal was to examine the potential association between BFRs and consequences and investigate the part played by oxidative stress and inflammatory markers as intermediaries. To achieve this, we used advanced statistical methods such as weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression, quantile-based g-computation (QGC), and the Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR). RESULTS: The findings showed that among the examined chemicals, exposure to PBDE85 (weight: 41%), PBDE100 (24%), and PBB153 (23%) may be the dominant contributors to general obesity risk. Upon controlling for all variables that could impact the results, it was found that the QGC outcomes indicated a positive correlation between exposure to mixtures of brominated flame retardants and the occurrence of abdominal obesity (OR = 1.187, 95% CI: 1.056-1.334, p = 0.004). Significant contributions were made by PBDE85 (52%), PBB153 (27%), and PBDE100 (21%). Mediation analysis shows that lymphatic cells (LC) and albumin (ALB) partially mediate the link between brominated flame retardants and obesity. The results of BKMR are generally consistent with those of WQS and QGC. CONCLUSION At a population level, our research has revealed a noteworthy correlation between BFRs and obesity. However, further investigation is required through prospective cohort studies and in-depth mechanistic exploratory studies.
Humans ; Flame Retardants/adverse effects* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Adult ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Inflammation/epidemiology* ; Obesity/chemically induced* ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Nutrition Surveys ; Mediation Analysis ; Young Adult ; United States/epidemiology* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Aged ; Environmental Pollutants/adverse effects* ; Halogenated Diphenyl Ethers/adverse effects*

Cancer is the result of evolving crosstalk between neoplastic cell and its immune microenvironment. In recent years, immune therapeutics targeting T lymphocytes, such as immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and CAR-T, have made significant progress in cancer treatment and validated targeting immune cells as a promising approach to fight human cancers. However, responsiveness to the current immune therapeutic agents is limited to only a small proportion of solid cancer patients. As major components of most solid tumors, myeloid cells played critical roles in regulating the initiation and sustentation of adaptive immunity, thus determining tumor progression as well as therapeutic responses. In this review, we discuss emerging data on the diverse functions of myeloid cells in tumor progression through their direct effects or interactions with other immune cells. We explain how different metabolic reprogramming impacts the characteristics and functions of tumor myeloid cells, and discuss recent progress in revealing different mechanisms-chemotaxis, proliferation, survival, and alternative sources-involved in the infiltration and accumulation of myeloid cells within tumors. Further understanding of the function and regulation of myeloid cells is important for the development of novel strategies for therapeutic exploitation in cancer.
Humans ; Tumor Microenvironment/immunology* ; Myeloid Cells/immunology* ; Neoplasms/therapy* ; Animals

Objective:To explore potential predictors of refractory Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (RMPP) in early stage. Methods:The prospective multicenter study was conducted in Zhejiang, China from May 1 st, 2019 to January 31 st, 2020. A total of 1 428 patients with fever >48 hours to <120 hours were studied. Their clinical data and oral pharyngeal swab samples were collected; Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA in pharyngeal swab specimens was detected. Patients with positive Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA results underwent a series of tests, including chest X-ray, complete blood count, C-reactive protein, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and procalcitonin. According to the occurrence of RMPP, the patients were divided into two groups, RMPP group and general Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia (GMPP) group. Measurement data between the 2 groups were compared using Mann-Whitney U test. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the associations between clinical data and RMPP. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to analyse the power of the markers for predicting RMPP. Results:A total of 1 428 patients finished the study, with 801 boys and 627 girls, aged 4.3 (2.7, 6.3) years. Mycoplasma pneumoniae DNA was positive in 534 cases (37.4%), of whom 446 cases (83.5%) were diagnosed with Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia, including 251 boys and 195 girls, aged 5.2 (3.3, 6.9) years. Macrolides-resistant variation was positive in 410 cases (91.9%). Fifty-five cases were with RMPP, 391 cases with GMPP. The peak body temperature before the first visit and LDH levels in RMPP patients were higher than that in GMPP patients (39.6 (39.1, 40.0) vs. 39.2 (38.9, 39.7) ℃, 333 (279, 392) vs. 311 (259, 359) U/L, both P<0.05). Logistic regression showed the prediction probability π=exp (-29.7+0.667×Peak body temperature (℃)+0.004×LDH (U/L))/(1+exp (-29.7+0.667×Peak body temperature (℃)+0.004 × LDH (U/L))), the cut-off value to predict RMPP was 0.12, with a consensus of probability forecast of 0.89, sensitivity of 0.89, and specificity of 0.67; and the area under ROC curve was 0.682 (95% CI 0.593-0.771, P<0.01). Conclusion:In MPP patients with fever over 48 to <120 hours, a prediction probability π of RMPP can be calculated based on the peak body temperature and LDH level before the first visit, which can facilitate early identification of RMPP.

Objective To investigate the effects of Osteoking on hyperglycemia and regulating gut microbiota in db/db mice.Methods Wildtype mice were used as the control group,and db/db mice were randomly divided into model and Osteoking groups.After intragastric administration for 12 weeks,fasting blood glucose and serum glycosylated hemoglobin and insulin levels were measured,changes in intestinal microflora were determined,and functional pathways related to intestinal microflora in mice were predicted by 16S rDNA sequencing.Results Compared with the model group,Osteoking decreased fasting blood glucose(P<0.01),serum glycosylated hemoglobin(P<0.01),and the insulin resistance index(P<0.01),and increased insulin content(P<0.01)in db/db mice.Osteoking increased the abundance of beneficial intestinal microflora and decreased the abundance of harmful bacteria.Moreover,the abundance of Marvinbryantia was increased.Osteoking alleviated the decrease in metabolism of D-arginine and D-ornithine,sphingolipid,and galactose metabolism(P<0.05)and inhibited lysine degradation,the sulfur relay system,and propanoate metabolism(P<0.05).Conclusions Osteoking has hypoglycemic properties and improves the intestinal microflora imbalance in db/db mice.

Fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) have emerged as promising targets for anticancer therapy. In this study, we synthesized and evaluated the biological activity of 66 pyrazolo[3,4-

Secondary cicatricial alopecia (hereinafter referred to as cicatricial alopecia) after burn and trauma affects the aesthetic appearance and even the physical and mental health of patients, and reduces their quality of life and happiness. Autologous hair transplantation provides an idea for the treatment of cicatricial alopecia, which makes the transplanted hair show a natural growth state. This paper introduces the cicatricial alopecia and autologous hair transplantation and reviews the application and limitations of autologous hair transplantation in treating cicatricial alopecia.

Objective:To investigate the application values of bone marrow morphology, bone marrow immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and cytogenetic testing in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.Methods:A total of 280 patients with multiple myeloma who were newly diagnosed in Tianjin KingMed Diagnosis Center from September 2018 to August 2019 were collected. The bone marrow biopsy was carried out according to the routine method, and bone marrow morphology, bone marrow immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry immunophenotyping, FISH and cytogenetic testing were performed. The detection results of each method were compared.Results:In 280 patients, the bone marrow immunohistochemistry results showed that the median ratio of plasma cells was higher than those of bone marrow morphology (20 cases, 0.675 vs. 0.300) and flow cytometry (47 cases, 0.650 vs. 0.147), and the differences were statistically significant ( Z = -3.883, P < 0.01; Z = -5.947, P < 0.01). Flow cytometry results showed that the positive rates of CD38, CD138, κ, λ, CD56 and CD19 were 100.0% (280/280), 100.0% (280/280), 57.5% (161/280), 42.5% (119/280), 62.1% (174/280) and 19.3% (54/280); bone marrow immunohistochemistry results showed that the positive rates of CD38, CD138, κ, λ and CD56 were 98.9% (277/280), 98.2% (275/280), 57.5% (161/280), 42.5% (119/280) and 62.1% (174/280); there was no statistical difference between the two detection methods in the detection coincidence rate of the same detection index (all P > 0.05). Among patients who underwent FISH detection, the detection rate of gene abnormalities was 69.9% (93/133); the detection rate of abnormalities by direct fluorescence in situ hybridization (D-FISH) was 42.9% (57/133); the detection rate of abnormalities by CD138 immunomagnetic sorting myeloma cells (MACS)-FISH was 82.7% (110/133). Among patients who underwent G-band karyotyping, the detection rate of abnormal karyotype was 38.5% (85/221). FSIH, especially MACS-FISH, had a higher detection rate of cytogenetic abnormalities than G-band karyotyping, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 65.697, P < 0.05). Conclusion:The comprehensive application of bone marrow morphology, bone marrow immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, FISH (especially MACS-FISH), cytogenetic testing and other detection methods is more helpful for the diagnosis of multiple myeloma, and may be useful for prognostic judgment.

Objective:To investigate the application value of molecular detection in the differential diagnosis of ovarian adult granulosa cell tumors (AGCT) by analyzing FOXL2, AKT1 and DICER1 mutations in these tumors.Methods:A total of 48 cases of ovarian sex cord-stromal tumor (SCST) were selected from July 2012 to June 2019 in Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, including 21 adult granulosa cell tumors (AGCT), 15 fibromas/fibrothecomas, 8 Sertoli-Leydig cell tumors (SLCT) and 4 other types of ovarian SCST. Genomic DNA was extracted from the formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue sections. Polymerase chain reaction amplification for FOXL2, AKT1 and DICER1 genes was performed, followed by sequencing using capillary electrophoresis. Fisher exact test was used to compare the prevalence difference of FOXL2, AKT1 and DICER1 mutations among the groups. P<0.05 was considered significant. Results:Eighteen of the 21 (85.7%) AGCT harbored FOXL2 mutation. Compared with other SCST (13.0%, 3 of 23; including fibromas/fibrothecomas and SLCT), FOXL2 mutation was significantly higher in AGCT ( P<0.001). In addition, FOXL2 mutation was also detected in one fibrothecoma, two SLCT and two gynandroblastomas. DICER1 mutation was identified in four of eight SLCT, and these cases were moderately to poorly differentiated. FOXL2 mutation was found in one SLCT with DICER1 mutation. There was no DICER1 mutation in other ovarian SCST. No AKT1 mutation was detected in all the patients. Conclusions:FOXL2 mutation is a highly specific biomarker for adult AGCT and may be helpful to resolve problematic cases. Diagnosis should also be taken into consideration of the clinical and histological features as FOXL2 mutation is also found in other SCST. The detection of DICER1 mutation is helpful for the differential diagnosis of ovarian SLCT. Synchronous DICER1 and FOXL2 mutation in the SLCT has been observed, and its significance needs to be further studied.

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and diagnosis of ovarian Brenner tumors. Methods: Forty-seven cases of ovarian Brenner tumors were enrolled from January 2012 to May 2018 at Beijing Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital, Capital Medical University. Clinical data, imaging examination, histopathological characteristics and immunohistochemical phenotype were analyzed. Results: The age of the patients ranged from 30-73 years and the mean age was 55 years. Thirty-nine patients (83.0%) were postmenopausal. Forty cases (85.1%) of the Brenner tumors were benign, five (10.6%) borderline and two (4.3%) malignant. Usual tumor markers of ovarian carcinoma, including CA199 and CA125 were normal or mild elevated in the 47 cases. Imaging before surgery was not specific to Brenner tumors. Microscopically, benign Brenner tumors were composed of nests of bland, transitional-type cells within a fibromatous stroma. In our 5 cases of borderline Brenner tumors, mildly atypical transitional-type cells were projected into the cyst lumens and lack of stromal invasion. In 2 cases of malignant Brenner tumors, different degrees of nuclear atypial transitional-type cells exhibited stromal invasion. Immunohistochemical stains for CK7, GATA3, p63 and CK5/6 were positive in all cases. Ki-67 was less than 5% in Brenner tumors, and up to 20%-30% in malignant Brenner tumors. Conclusion Brenner tumors are mostly seen in postmenopausal patients and are usually benign. Imaging examination and usual ovarian tumor markers do not provide diagnostic value. Diagnosis and classification of Brenner tumors depend on histopathological evaluation.