Objective : To investigate the role of enhancer of zeste homolog 2(EZH2)-trimethylated lysine 27 of histone H3(H3K27me3) axis in the dedifferentiation of thyroid cancer and its clinical value as a potential target for the treatment of anaplastic thyroid cancer(ATC). Methods : Immunohistochemical SP method was used to detect the expression of EZH2, H3K27me3, paired box gene 8(PAX8), thyroglobulin(TG) and thyroid transcription factor 1(TTF1) in ATC and papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC) and their adjacent tissues. The relationship between EZH2 and thyroid differentiation markers(PAX8, TTF1, TG) was further analyzed by gene expression omnibus(GEO) database. ATC cell lines 8305C and BHT-101 were culturedin vitro. Real-time reverse transcription PCR(RT-qPCR) was used to detect the expression of thyroid differentiation markers(TTF1, PAX8) mRNA in ATC cell lines treated with EZH2 inhibitor(GSK126), and evaluate the potential therapeutic effect of GSK126in vitro. The effects of GSK126 and BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib on the proliferation of ATC cell lines were observed by cell proliferation assay. Results : The expression of EZH2 in ATC tissues was significantly higher than that in papillary thyroid carcinoma and adjacent tissues(P<0.05). The expression of H3K37me3 in ATC tissues was significantly lower than that in PTC tissues(P<0.05). EZH2 was negatively correlated with PAX8 and TG expression levels, but not with TTF1 expression level.In vitroexperiments, GSK126 could reverse the expression of thyroid differentiation markers PAX8 and TTF1 in ATC cell lines. GSK126 combined with BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib could significantly inhibit the growth of ATC cell lines. Conclusion The EZH2-H3K27me3 axis plays an important role in regulating thyroid specific markers, and the inhibition of EZH2 by small molecular compounds is a promising target for ATC treatment in the future.

Objective:To analyze the effect of nucleotide sequence variants in the 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) of Helicobacter pylori (Hp) cagA on mRNA secondary structure, as well as its regulatory role in cytotoxin-associated gene A (CagA) protein expression and bacterial virulence. Methods:The upstream nucleotide sequence of cagA was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) from 37 Hp strains, and the PCR products were sequenced. MEGA 5.0 software and RNAfold prediction software were used to analyze the nucleotide sequence variants of cagA 5′UTR and the changes in mRNA secondary structure of this region, respectively. Western blot was used to detect the expression level of CagA protein in Hp strains, and the regulatory effect of cagA 5′UTR variants on the difference in CagA protein expression was analyzed. An Hp-infected AGS cell model was established to evaluate bacterial adhesion rate; quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to analyze the mRNA transcription levels of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α); enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the secretion levels of IL-8 and TNF-α proteins. Results:Nucleotide sequence alignment of cagA 5′UTR from 37 Hp strains showed that sequence differences were mainly concentrated in the -53motif, -10motif, + 34motif, and + 86motif regions. mRNA secondary structure prediction analysis revealed three types based on the StemB stem-loop structure: type Ⅰ (no StemB stem-loop), type ⅡA (StemB stem-loop with 3-4 base partial pairing), and type ⅡB (StemB stem-loop with 5 base full pairing). Western blot analysis showed that the CagA protein expression level was the highest in type Ⅰ Hp strains (1.72±0.29) and the lowest in type ⅡB strains (0.81±0.26), with a statistically significant difference between the two types ( P=0.030). The adhesion rate of type Ⅰ Hp strains to AGS cells was (52.90±11.17)%, which was higher than that of type Ⅱ strains [(21.27±6.16)%]. qPCR results showed that the mRNA transcription levels of IL-8 and TNF-α in AGS cells induced by type Ⅰ Hp strains were higher than those induced by type Ⅱ strains (140.23±24.47 vs 76.16±8.76, P=0.069; 55.20±9.04 vs 21.26±6.16, P=0.036). ELISA analysis further indicated that the secretion levels of IL-8 and TNF-α proteins in AGS cells induced by type Ⅰ Hp strains were also higher than those induced by type Ⅱ strains [(344.66±62.62)pg/ml vs (302.13±66.27)pg/ml, P=0.665; (131.04±4.94)pg/ml vs (79.17±11.32)pg/ml, P=0.014]. Conclusions:The cagA 5′UTR region of Hp strains exhibits significant nucleotide sequence variants. Hp strains with no StemB stem-loop (type Ⅰ) in the mRNA secondary structure show significantly increased CagA protein expression and higher bacterial pathogenic potential.

Objective To observe the ultrasonic manifestations of aggressive angiomyxoma(AAM).Methods Four patients with newly diagnosed AAM and 3 with recurrent AAM confirmed by pathology were retrospectively enrolled,and the ultrasonic manifestations were analyzed.Results Among 7 cases of AAM,the lesions located in subcutaneous regions of perineum in 3 cases,in both perineum and pelvic cavity in 2 cases,in pelvic cavity and in cervix each 1 case,with a median maximum diameter of 7.6 cm.The lesions mainly manifested as heterogeneous hypoechoic,scattered cord-like moderate/moderate-hyperechoic inside,regular or lobulated shape with finger-like protrusions,with clear boundary or unclear boundary with adjacent vagina/rectum.Layered structure could be observed with gray-scale ultrasound and CDFI.Conclusion AAM mainly affected pelvis and perineal region,often manifested as large lesion tended to infiltrate surrounding areas and form finger-like protrusions,most with clear boundaries and interior heterogeneous hypoechoic regions,also the characteristic stratified structures.

BACKGROUND:In recent years,the application of exosomes of periodontal ligament stem cells in periodontal tissue regeneration engineering has been widely studied,but the effect of exosomes on periodontal ligament stem cells derived from inflammatory environment is still unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of exosomes secreted by periodontal ligament stem cells from healthy and inflammatory environments on the proliferation and differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells from inflammatory environments.METHODS:Human periodontal ligament stem cells from healthy and inflammatory tissues were isolated and cultured by enzyme digestion method.Exosomes were extracted from two kinds of periodontal ligament stem cells using ultracentrifugation.Passage 3 periodontal ligament stem cells derived from inflammatory tissue were selected and cultured in three groups.Cells in the blank group were cultured routinely.The healthy exosome group was added with exosomes secreted by peripheral ligament stem cells derived from healthy tissue.The inflammatory exosome group was added with exosomes secreted by human periodontal ligament stem cells derived from inflammatory tissue.Cell proliferation and cloning were detected.The expression of alkaline phosphatase,the formation of mineralized nodules,and the expression of mRNA and protein of genes related to osteogenesis were detected under osteogenic differentiation.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) CCK-8 assay and clonal formation test showed that compared with the blank group,two kinds of exosomes could promote the proliferation and colony formation of periodontal ligament stem cells from inflammatory tissue (P<0.05),and the effect of the healthy exosome group was stronger than that of the inflammatory exosome group (P<0.05).(2) Alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red staining showed that compared with the blank group,the two kinds of exosomes could promote the expression of alkaline phosphatase and the formation of mineralized nodules in periodontal ligament stem cells from inflammatory tissue,and the promoting effect of the healthy exosome group was stronger than that of the inflammatory exosome group.RT-PCR and western blot assay showed that compared with the blank group,the two kinds of exosomes could promote the expression of alkaline phosphatase,RUNX2,and type Ⅰ collagen mRNA and protein in periodontal ligament stem cells from inflammatory tissue (P<0.05).The promoting effect of the healthy exosome group was stronger than that of the inflammatory exosome group (P<0.05).(3) The results showed that exosomes secreted by human periodontal ligament stem cells could promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells derived from inflammatory environments,and the promoting effect of exosomes secreted by human periodontal ligament stem cells derived from healthy tissues was better than that from human periodontal ligament stem cells derived from inflammatory tissues.

Objective:To explore the cognitive characteristics, influencing factors, and treatment needs regarding biologic agents among patients with psoriasis.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted. Patients with psoriasis attending the Department of Dermatology, Xijing Hospital, Air Force Medical University were selected from October to December 2022, and from June to December 2023. A self-designed electronic questionnaire was used for investigation, covering demographic characteristics, psoriasis history (disease types, disease duration, previous treatments, etc.), biologics knowledge (sources of awareness, core cognitive dimensions), and treatment needs.Results:The valid questionnaire response rate reached 93.2% (439/471). The ages of enrolled patients were 35.95 ± 12.57 years, and the disease duration was 7.90 ± 3.26 years. Psoriasis vulgaris was the predominant type (363 cases, 82.69%). The overall awareness rate of biologics slightly increased from 68.62% (105/153) in 2022 to 72.38% (207/286) in 2023 ( P > 0.05). Primary information sources included new media (WeChat/internet) platforms (168 cases, 53.84%) and peer-to-peer sharing (115 cases, 36.86%), while physician counseling merely accounted for 9.29% (29 cases) ( P < 0.001). Insufficient knowledge of biologics was manifested primarily as poor awareness of comorbidities (47.60%, 209/439) and treatment monitoring protocols (22.32%, 98/439). Core concerns regarding biologic therapy included safety (73.34%, 322/439), economic burden (65.14%, 286/439), and long-term efficacy (63.55%, 279/439) ; 60.13% (264/439) of the patients expected rapid improvement of skin symptoms. As for treatment modalities, 90.20% (396/439) of the patients preferred regimens with extended dosing intervals. Conclusions:The patients with psoriasis demonstrated an imbalance in their cognitive structure regarding biologic agents. Their treatment needs exhibited multidimensional characteristics, emphasizing not only rapid clearance of skin lesions but also greater importance of treatment safety and cost-effectiveness.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab (RTX) in the treatment of idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN), explore the influencing factors of the therapeutic effect and construct a nomogram model for predicting the therapeutic effect.Methods:A single retrospective study was conducted in IMN patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2017 to December 2022. All patients received monotherapy with RTX and were followed up for at least 12 months. RTX regimen adopted a B-cell guided regimen to achieve 0 cells/μl of peripheral blood CD19+ B cells through multiple administrations, followed by monitoring every 2?3 months and adding doses as needed to maintain this state. The complete response rate, partial response rate, and composite response rate at 6 months, 12 months and the end of follow up were analyzed. Logistic stepwise regression and R language were applied to construct a nomogram model for efficacy prediction. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, calibration curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow test were used to internally validate the nomogram model.Results:A total of 147 IMN patients were included in the study, with age of 56 (47, 65) years, 99 (67.4%) males. There were 69 (46.9%) newly treated patients, 78 (53.1%) retreatment patients. The follow-up time was 14.4 (12.0, 15.0) months. The total RTX dose was 1 800 (1 200, 2 400) mg. The composite response rates at 6 months, 12 months and the end of the follow-up were 36.7% (54/147), 59.9% (88/147) and 63.3% (93/147), respectively. The complete remission rates at 6 months, 12 months and the end of the follow-up were 6.1% (9/147), 13.6% (20/147) and 19.7% (29/147), respectively. Logistic stepwise regression analysis showed that age ≥ 65 years ( OR=0.335, 95% CI 0.135?0.833), retreatment ( OR=0.333, 95% CI 0.144?0.771), high cholesterol ( OR=0.716, 95% CI 0.577?0.888), high serum creatinine ( OR=0.978, 95% CI 0.963?0.993) and B-cell reconstruction within 6 months ( OR=0.273, 95% CI 0.115?0.645) were independent correlated factors affecting composite remission. Based on these factors, a nomogram model for predicting the therapeutic effect of RTX in IMN patients was constructed. The ROC curve indicated that the accuracy of this model in predicting composite remission was good ( AUC=0.814, 95% CI 0.744-0.883). The calibration curve showed that the predicted composite response rate had a good fit with the actual response rate (Hosmer-Lemeshow test χ2=11.917, P=0.155). Conclusions:RTX has good efficacy and safety as a monotherapy for IMN patients. The constructed nomogram prediction model has high discrimination and accuracy to predict the efficacy of RTX treatment for IMN.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of the degree of neuromuscular blockade on the intraoperative surgical conditions and postoperative recovery quality in patients undergoing lumbar interbody fusion.Methods:In this randomized controlled trial, 100 patients of either sex, aged 18-79 yr, with a body mass index of 18.5-35.0 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification < Ⅳ, scheduled for elective lumbar interbody fusion at the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from August to October 2024, were allocated into 2 groups ( n=50 each) using stratified randomization based on the number of lumbar segments: deep neuromuscular blockade group (group D) and moderate neuromuscular blockade group (group M). The intraoperative post-tetanic count was maintained at 1 or 2 in group D, and the intraoperative train-of-four was maintained at 1 or 2 in group M. The scores for surgical conditions, duration of operation, blood loss, length of incision, occurrence of severe hypoxemia after extubation, requirement for rescue analgesia in post-anesthesia care unit, 15-item Quality of Recovery scale score and length of stay were recorded. Results:Compared with group M, the scores for surgical conditions were significantly increased, the rate of rescue analgesia in post-anesthesia care unit was decreased, 15-item Quality of Recovery scale scores were increased at 3 days after surgery ( P<0.05), and no significant changes were found in the duration of operation, blood loss, length of incision, incidence of severe hypoxemia after extubation and length of hospital stay in group D ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Compared with moderate neuromuscular blockade, deep neuromuscular blockade can provide better surgical conditions and improve the quality of early postoperative recovery for patients undergoing lumbar interbody fusion.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of botulinum toxin type A（BTX-A）bladder injection in the treatment of neurogenic detrusor overactivity（NDO）with autonomic dysreflexia（AD）.Methods:The patients with spinal cord injury at or above T6，who were treated at Guangdong Provincial Work Injury Rehabilitation Hospital from January 2018 to December 2022，were included in this study prospectively. Inclusion criteria：①chronic spinal cord injury patients over 18 years old（with no progression of neurological symptoms within 3 months）；② presence of NDO and AD；③ inadequate response or intolerance to oral antimuscarinic agent（M-receptor antagonists or β 3-receptor agonists）④ perform clean intermittent catheterization to empty the bladder. Exclusion criteria：① primary disease in the acute or progressive phase；② previous surgeries that would affect lower urinary tract function，such as transurethral sphincterotomy，bladder neck resection，prostatectomy，or bladder surgery；③ allergy to BTX-A or its adjuvants，or those with allergic predisposition ④ patients who were pregnant，breastfeeding，or planning for pregnancy in the near future；⑤ patients did not accept or were unable to perform intermittent catheterization. Before treatment，all patients were required to maintain 3-5 day urine diary，along with urodynamic studies（UDS），incontinence specific quality of life instrument（I-QOL）and AD symptom severity assessment，and blood pressure monitored. Key UDS parameters recorded included maximum bladder capacity，maximum detrusor pressure during filling phase，changes in maximum systolic blood pressure（SBP）relative to baseline（ΔSBP）during UDS examination，and the frequency of 24-hour blood pressure exceeding baseline by 20 mmHg. After general anesthesia or epidural anesthesia，BTX-A（200 U）was injected into the bladder at 30 points（including the triangle）under the cystoscope using a special injection needle，6.7 U per injection，and then the catheter was kept for 3-5 days after treatment. Three months later，relevant indicators were collected and compared with pre-treatment data. Results:A total of 43 patients were included in this study，including 34 males and 9 females. The age was（39.23±13.17）years old and the disease course was（2.69±3.27）years old. There were 33 cervical and 10 thoracic cases. The American Spinal Injury Association Injury Scale score distribution was as follows：26（60%）A，4（9%）B，9（21%）C，and 4（9%）D. The presence of AD was confirmed in all patients during urodynamic examination（UDS），that was the systolic blood pressure（SBP）suddenly increased and exceeded 20 mmHg（1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa）. Before treatment，The AD symptoms severity score（consist of headache，sweating，goose bumps，anxiety and palpitation）were（14.53±2.51），Bladder-related AD frequency was 10.67 episodes/day. Baseline SBP was（103.51±9.64）mmHg，the maximum SBP was（150.40±22.75）mmHg，and the change in SBP（ΔSBP）from maximum to baseline SBP during UDS examination was（43.83±21.01）mmHg. The UDS indicated that the maximum detrusor pressure during storage phase was（54.95±24.68）cmH 2O，and the bladder capacity was（131.70±75.29）ml. Bladder diary showed the volume of catheterization each time from was（181.16±49.86）ml，and The I-QOL score was（44.07±8.60）. Three months after treatment，the AD symptoms severity score（consist of headache，sweating，goose bumps，anxiety and palpitation）were（11.37±2.39）. The frequency of bladder-related AD episodes was（7.51±2.37）episodes/day，showing statistically significant differences compared to pre-treatment（ P<0.05）.The SBP before UDS examination was（102.12±10.28）mmHg，with no statistically significant difference from baseline（ P = 0.518）. The maximum SBP in perfusion phase and the ΔSBP were（132.84±16.30）mmHg and（28.72 ± 14.02）mmHg，respectively，both demonstrating statistically significant differences（ P < 0.05）. The UDS examination revealed that the maximum detrusor pressure during the storage phase was（29.77±13.72）cmH 2O，showed a significant decrease，and the bladder capacity was（272.63±79.75）ml，which were both statistically different before and after surgery. Bladder diary showed the volume of catheterization each time was（326.74±63.71）ml；I-QOL score was（71.86±11.45），both were significant different after treatment（ P < 0.01）. Conclusion:BTX-A intravesical injection in the treatment of NDO can also alleviate the severity and frequency of bladder related AD.

Objective:To apply artificial intelligence（AI）in classifying ovarian tumors on ultrasound images，and compare the diagnostic results of several sonographers with varying seniority levels.Methods:A total of 645 patients diagnosed with adnexal masses via gynecological ultrasound examination at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 2021 to December 2024 were enrolled. Three deep learning architectures，i.e.，Alexnet，Densenet121，and Resnet50 were developed and used to internally test the classification effectiveness of ovarian tumors，while the optimal model was selected for external testing. Two junior sonographers and two senior sonographers were recruited to independently diagnose ovarian tumors in the external test dataset. Subsequently，the benign and malignant results of the model's predictions were disclosed to each sonographer，and their revised diagnoses on the same external test data in combination with the best AI model were recorded.Results:The optimal model achieved an accuracy of 0.941，sensitivity of 0.936，and specificity of 0.944 on the internal test dataset，and maintained robust performance on the external test dataset with accuracy of 0.891，sensitivity of 0.880，and specificity of 0.907. Compared to junior sonographers，the optimal model demonstrated significantly higher sensitivity in discriminating benign from malignant ovarian tumors（0.880 vs. 0.723，0.602；all P<0.05）. No statistically significant difference was observed in diagnostic accuracy between the optimal model and senior sonographer 1（ P=0.05）. With assistance from the optimal model，junior sonographers achieved significant improvements in both sensitivity and specificity（sensitivity：0.723 vs. 0.843，0.602 vs. 0.819；specificity：0.778 vs. 0.833，0.685 vs. 0.741；all P<0.05）. Conclusions:The optimal model achieves comparable performance to that of senior sonographers in ovarian tumor classification. With model assistance，the diagnostic performance of junior sonographers is significantly improved.

This study retrospectively analyzed data from 25 patients with paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria (PNH) admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital and Dongfang Hospital of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine from January 2023 to June 2024. Patients receiving sufficient eculizumab treatment for at least 3 months and who completed hemolytic complex (CH50) level testing pre- and post-treatment for 3 and 6 months were selected. Blood routine, biochemistry, and the 50% CH50-related indicators were monitored pre- and post-treatment. Among these patients, 24 completed 6 months of treatment and CH50 testing. After 3 and 6 months of eculizumab treatment, all patients with PNH showed significant improvement in symptoms, with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels decreasing from a baseline of (1 814.4 ± 924.8) U/L to (248.5 ± 61.0) U/L and (239.3 ± 44.8) U/L. Hemoglobin levels increased from a baseline of (73.9±14.4) g/L to (99.9 ± 21.3) g/L and (99.6 ± 19.8) g/L. The baseline CH50 level was (32.4±14.7) %, which decreased to 2.0% (1.0% –8.0% ) and 1.0% (1.0% –4.0% ) at 3 and 6 months posttreatment, respectively. At baseline, a linear correlation was found between CH50 and LDH levels ( P<0.001), and the trend of CH50 changes was significantly lower than LDH at 3 and 6 months post-treatment with eculizumab, with similar trends. However, no linear correlation was observed between CH50 and LDH levels or other parameters at 3 and 6 months of medication. Our case demonstrates that eculizumab is effective for PNH hemolysis treatment. The serum CH50 level may be a biomarker for complement blockade induced by eculizumab, which can, to some extent, reflect the intravascular hemolysis of PNH and the efficacy of eculizumab.