OBJECTIVES: To investigate the inhibitory effect of multimerin-2 (MMRN2) overexpression on growth and metastasis of cutaneous melanoma cells. METHODS: Clinical data of patients with cutaneous melanoma were obtained from the GEO database to compare MMRN2 expressions between normal and tumor tissues. A protein-protein interaction network was constructed using the STRING database, and the intersecting genes from GEPIA2.0 were subjected to GO and KEGG enrichment analysis. The prognostic relevance of MMRN2 expression level was assessed using Cox regression and "timeROC". The correlations of MMRN2 expression level with immune infiltration and angiogenesis-related genes were analyzed using GSCA database and the ssGSEA algorithm. Colony-forming assay, Transwell assay, and wound healing assay were used to examine the changes in proliferation and migration of cultured cutaneous melanoma cells following MMRN2 knockdown. In a mouse model bearing cutaneous melanoma xenograft, the effect of MMRN2 knockdown on vital organ pathologies, survival of the mice and GM-CSF, CXCL9, and TGF‑β1 protein expressions were analyzed. RESULTS: MMRN2 was significantly upregulated in metastatic cutaneous melanoma (P<0.001). Protein interaction network analysis identified 15 intersecting genes, which were enriched in endothelium development and cell-cell junctions. In patients with cutaneous melanoma, a high MMRN2 expression was correlated with a poor prognosis, an advanced T stage, a greater Breslow depth, and ulceration (P<0.05). MMRN2 expression level was strongly correlated with 24 immune cell types (P<0.001), fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and expressions of the pro-angiogenic genes (KCNJ8, SLCO2A1, NRP1, and COL3A1; P<0.001). In cultured B16F10 cells, MMRN2 knockdown significantly suppressed cell proliferation, migration and invasion and caused remo-deling of the immunosuppressive microenvironment. CONCLUSIONS MMRN2 overexpression drives progression of cutaneous melanoma by enhancing tumor metastasis, angiogenesis and immune evasion, highlighting its potential as a therapeutic target for melanomas.
Humans ; Melanoma/metabolism* ; Animals ; Cell Movement ; Prognosis ; Skin Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Mice ; Cell Proliferation ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Protein Interaction Maps

Pulpotomy, which belongs to vital pulp therapy, has become a strategy for managing pulpitis in recent decades. This minimally invasive treatment reflects the recognition of preserving healthy dental pulp and optimizing long-term patient-centered outcomes. Pulpotomy is categorized into partial pulpotomy (PP), the removal of a partial segment of the coronal pulp tissue, and full pulpotomy (FP), the removal of whole coronal pulp, which is followed by applying the biomaterials onto the remaining pulp tissue and ultimately restoring the tooth. Procedural decisions for the amount of pulp tissue removal or retention depend on the diagnostic of pulp vitality, the overall treatment plan, the patient's general health status, and pulp inflammation reassessment during operation. This statement represents the consensus of an expert committee convened by the Society of Cariology and Endodontics, Chinese Stomatological Association. It addresses the current evidence to support the application of pulpotomy as a potential alternative to root canal treatment (RCT) on mature permanent teeth with pulpitis from a biological basis, the development of capping biomaterial, and the diagnostic considerations to evidence-based medicine. This expert statement intends to provide a clinical protocol of pulpotomy, which facilitates practitioners in choosing the optimal procedure and increasing their confidence in this rapidly evolving field.
Humans ; Calcium Compounds/therapeutic use* ; Consensus ; Dental Pulp ; Dentition, Permanent ; Oxides/therapeutic use* ; Pulpitis/therapy* ; Pulpotomy/standards*

Background::Atopic dermatitis (AD) affects approximately 10% of adults worldwide. CM310 is a humanized monoclonal antibody targeting interleukin-4 receptor alpha that blocks interleukin-4 and interleukin-13 signaling. This trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CM310 in Chinese adults with moderate-to-severe AD.Methods::This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2b trial was conducted in 21 medical institutions in China from February to November 2021. Totally 120 eligible patients were enrolled and randomized (1:1:1) to receive subcutaneous injections of 300 mg CM310, 150 mg CM310, or placebo every 2 weeks for 16 weeks, followed by an 8-week follow-up period. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients achieving ≥75% improvement in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI-75) score from baseline at week 16. Safety and pharmacodynamics were also studied.Results::At week 16, the proportion of EASI-75 responders from baseline was significantly higher in the CM310 groups (70% [28/40] for high-dose and 65% [26/40] for low-dose) than that in the placebo group (20%[8/40]). The differences in EASI-75 response rate were 50% (high vs. placebo, 95% CI 31%–69%) and 45% (low vs. placebo, 95% CI 26%–64%), with both P values <0.0001. CM310 at both doses also significantly improved the EASI score, Investigator’s Global Assessment score, daily peak pruritus Numerical Rating Scale, AD-affected body surface area, and Dermatology Life Quality Index compared with placebo. CM310 treatment reduced levels of thymus and activation-regulated chemokine, total immunoglobulin E, lactate dehydrogenase, and blood eosinophils. The incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) was similar among all three groups, with the most common TEAEs reported being upper respiratory tract infection, atopic dermatitis, hyperlipidemia, and hyperuricemia. No severe adverse events were deemed to be attributed to CM310. Conclusion::CM310 at 150 mg and 300 mg every 2 weeks demonstrated significant efficacy and was well-tolerated in adults with moderate-to-severe AD.Trial Registration::ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04805411.

Objective:To construct a diabetes foot prediction model for adult patients with type 2 diabetes based on retrospective cohort study using data from a regional health data platform.Methods:Using Yinzhou Health Information Platform of Ningbo, adult patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes from January 1, 2015 to December 31, 2022 were included in this study and divided randomly the train and test sets according to the ratio of 7∶3. LASSO regression model and bidirectional stepwise regression model were used to identify risk factors, and model comparisons were conducted with net reclassification index, integrated discrimination improvement and concordance index. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were constructed, and a nomogram plot was drawn. Area under the curve (AUC) was calculated as a discriminant evaluation indicator for model validation test its calibration ability, and calibration curves were drawn to test its calibration ability.Results:No significant difference existed between LASSO regression model and bidirectional stepwise regression model, but the better bidirectional stepwise regression model was selected as the final model. The risk factors included age of onset, gender, hemoglobin A1c, estimated glomerular filtration rate, taking angiotensin receptor blocker and smoking history. AUC values (95% CI) of risk outcome prediction at year 5 and 7 were 0.700 (0.650-0.749) and 0.715(0.668-0.762) for the train set and 0.738 (0.667-0.801) and 0.723 (0.663-0.783) for the test set, respectively. The calibration curves were close to the ideal curve, and the model discrimination and calibration powers were both good. Conclusions:This study established a convenient prediction model for diabetic foot and classified the risk levels. The model has strong interpretability, good discrimination power, and satisfactory calibration and can be used to predict the incidence of diabetes foot in adult patients with type 2 diabetes to provide a basis for self-assessment and clinical prediction of diabetic foot disease risk.

Objective:To develop a prediction model for the risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods:Patients with new diagnosis of T2DM recorded in Yinzhou Regional Health Information Platform between January 1, 2015 and December 31, 2022 were included in the study. The predictor variables were selected by using Lasso-Cox proportional hazards regression model. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to establish the prediction model for the risk of DR. Bootstrap method (500 resamples) was used for internal validation, and the performance of the model was assessed by C-index, the receiver operating characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC), and calibration curve.Results:The predictor variables included in the final model were age of T2DM onset, education level, fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin A1c, urinary albumin, estimated glomerular filtration rate, and history of lipid-lowering agent and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor uses. The C-index of the final model was 0.622, and the mean corrected C-index was 0.623 (95% CI: 0.607-0.634). The AUC values for predicting the risk of DR after 3, 5, and 7 years were 0.631, 0.620, and 0.624, respectively, with a high degree of overlap of the calibration curves with the ideal curves. Conclusion:In this study, a simple and practical risk prediction model for DR risk prediction was developed, which could be used as a reference for individualized DR screening and intervention in newly diagnosed T2DM patients.

Objective:To construct a risk prediction model for diabetes kidney disease (DKD).Methods:Patients newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2022, were selected as study subjects from the Yinzhou Regional Health Information Platform in Ningbo City. The Lasso method was used to screen the risk factors, and the DKD risk prediction model was established using Cox proportional hazard regression models. Bootstrap 500 resampling was applied for internal validation.Results:The study included 49 706 subjects, with an median ( Q1, Q3) age of 60.00 (50.00, 68.00) years old, and 55% were male. A total of 4 405 subjects eventually developed DKD. Age at first diagnosis of T2DM, BMI, education level, fasting plasma glucose, glycated hemoglobin A1c, urinary albumin, past medical history (hyperuricemia, rheumatic diseases), triglycerides, and estimated glomerular filtration rate were included in the final model. The final model's C-index was 0.653, with an average of 0.654 after Bootstrap correction. The final model's area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for predicting 4-year, 5-year, and 6-year was 0.657, 0.659, and 0.664, respectively. The calibration curve was closely aligned with the ideal curve. Conclusions:This study constructed a DKD risk prediction model for newly diagnosed T2DM patients based on real-world data that is simple, easy to use, and highly practical. It provides a reliable basis for screening high-risk groups for DKD.

Aim To explore the correlation between carotid atherosclerosis(CAS)and neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio(NLR)in patients with early morning hypertension,and to construct a line chart model to predict the risk of CAS in patients with hypertension in the morning.Methods 255 patients with early morning hypertension hospitalized in the Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College from October 2019 to November 2022 were collected,and their basic data,blood routine and blood biochemical indexes were collected.All selected patients need to improve 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure monitoring and carotid artery color ultrasound detection.According to the presence or absence of CAS,all selected patients were divided into morning hypertension with CAS group(n=197)and morning hypertension without CAS group(n=58).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the risk factors of early morning hypertension with CAS,and to construct and verify an individual line chart model to predict the risk of early morning hypertension pa-tients with CAS.Results The age,NLR,neutrophils(NE),monocytes(MO),white blood cell(WBC),total cho-lesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG)and low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDLC)increased in the early morning hyperten-sion with CAS group compared with those in the morning hypertension group without CAS,while the HDLC decreased(P＜0.05).The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the age,NLR and TC were higher in the early morning hypertension with CAS group than those in the early morning hypertension without CAS group,while HDLC was lower;Age,NLR and TC were independent risk factors of early morning hypertension with CAS,while HDLC was inde-pendent protective factors of morning hypertension with CAS.Based on the results of multivariate Logistic regression anal-ysis,an individualized line chart model for predicting early morning hypertension with CAS was constructed.The area un-der the ROC curve of the line chart model was 0.853(95％CI:0.802-0.904,P＜0.01).The result of Hosmer Leme-show fit test was x2=1.665(P＞0.05).Conclusions There was a positive correlation between NLR and morning hy-pertension with CAS,and NLR was an independent risk factor for morning hypertension with CAS.The individualized line chart model based on age,NLR,TC and HDLC can effectively predict the risk of hypertension with CAS in the early morn-ing,which provides a theoretical basis for early detection and prevention of atherosclerosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)on the expression of human leukocyte antigen-DR(HLA-DR)on the peripheral blood monocytes in patients with sepsis.Methods From March 2021 to February 2022,65 cases of sepsis with T2DM(sepsis with T2DM group),67 cases of sepsis without T2DM(sepsis group),and 60 cases of T2DM patients(T2DM group)admitted to Beijing Chaoyang Hospital of Capital Medical University were selected as the research objects.A total of 45 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examination during the same period were enrolled as the healthy control group.Gender,age,past medical history,glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c),blood glucose at admission,white blood cell count(WBC),lymphocyte count(LYM),hypersensitivity C-reactive protein(hs-CRP)and major infection sites were collected,sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)score was performed within 24 hours after admission.The levels of HLA-DR+CD14+ in peripheral blood were detected by flow cytometry,expressed as a percentage and mean fluorescence intensity(MFI).The patients were followed up for 28 days.The effect of T2DM on the prognosis of sepsis patients at 28 days was observed,and the difference of HLA-DR+CD14+ levels between the survivor group and the non-survivor group was compared.Results The percentage and MFI of HLA-DR+CD14+ expressions in T2DM group were significantly lower than those in the healthy control group[the percentage of HLA-DR+CD14+ expression:87.72%(76.18%,93.64%)vs.94.86%(92.91%,95.70%),HLA-DR+CD14+ MFI:10.80(8.45,14.45)vs.12.40(1.45,15.28)],the sepsis with T2DM group and sepsis group were further reduced than those in healthy control group and T2DM group[the percentage of HLA-DR+CD14+ expression:70.78%(42.22%,84.73%),68.95%(44.95%,87.00%)vs.94.86%(92.91%,95.70%),87.72%(76.18%,93.64%),MFI of HLA-DR+CD14+:5.50(3.81,9.20),5.29(3.35,9.59)vs.12.40(1.45,15.28),10.80(8.45,14.45),all P<0.05].There was no significant difference in the percentage and MFI of HLA-DR+CD14+ expressions,SOFA score,and 28-day mortality between sepsis group and sepsis with T2DM group(P>0.05).The age of the non-survivor group of sepsis patients with and without T2DM was significantly higher than that of the survivor group[years:sepsis group was 68(60,74)vs.61(52,69),sepsis with T2DM group was 66(64,73)vs.60(53,68),both P<0.05],and SOFA score was significantly higher than that of the survivor group[sepsis group:14(11,16)vs.8(5,11),sepsis with T2DM group:12(9,16)vs.8(6,11),both P<0.05],the percentage of HLA-DR+CD14+ and HLA-DR+CD14+ MFI in the non-survivor group were significantly lower than those in the survivor group[the percentage of HLA-DR+CD14+was 44.94%(28.01%,64.45%)vs.77.14%(47.41%,88.35%)in sepsis group and 40.68%(34.83%,66.64%)vs.73.46%(58.44%,85.31%)in sepsis with T2DM group,the MFI of HLA-DR+CD14+ was 3.92(2.30,5.44)vs.7.07(3.39,10.55)in sepsis group and 3.90(3.34,6.04)vs.6.81(4.41,9.32)in sepsis with T2DM group,all P<0.05].Correlation analysis showed that the percentage of HLA-DR+CD14+ in T2DM group,sepsis group,and sepsis with T2DM group was negatively correlated with hs-CRP(r values were-0.448,-0.628 and-0.457,all P<0.001),MFI was also negatively associated with hs-CRP(rvalues were-0.289,-0.540,-0.323,all P<0.05).The percentage of HLA-DR+CD14+ in sepsis group and sepsis with T2DM group was negatively correlated with SOFA score(r values were-0.520 and-0.558,all P<0.001),and MFI was also negatively correlated with SOFA score(r values were-0.327 and-0.482,all P<0.01).Conclusion The levels of HLA-DR+CD14+ decreased in both T2DM and sepsis patients,however,there was no further decrease in those patients with sepsis who also had T2DM.

Objective To develop a Behavioral Decision-making Scale for Glycemic Management in pregnant women with gestational diabetes and to test its reliability and validity.Methods Based on the trans-theoretical model and behavioral decision theory,the test version of the scale was formed through literature review,semi-structured interview,brainstorming,2 rounds of expert consultation and cognitive interview.A total of 560 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus were recruited from 10 hospitals in Quanzhou,Fujian Province by convenience sampling method from 21 July to November 2023.The data were divided into 2 parts by random number method for exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.Results The scale included 4 dimensions of"behavioral decision-making motivation""behavioral decision-making influencing factors""behavioral decision-making intention"and"behavioral decision-making effectiveness"with 34 items.The Cronbach's αcoefficient of the total scale was 0.971;the split-half reliability was 0.919;the test-retest reliability was 0.863;the content validity index of the scale was 0.853.The exploratory factor analysis extracted 4 common factors,and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 78.28％.The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the factor structure of the scale was stable.Conclusion The scale has ideal reliability and validity,which can be used to measure the level of glycemic management behavior decision-making of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus.