Objective:To investigate the correlation between leucine-rich α2 glycoprotein (LRG) and endoscopic activity in patients with Crohn′s disease (CD), based on the assessment of inflammation in small intestinal lesion by double-balloon enteroscope (DBE).Methods:From 15 August 2022 to 22 August 2023, the clinical data of 139 patients with small bowel CD diagnosed by DBE at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were prospectively collected, which included fecal calprotectin (FC), C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count, hemoglobin, albumin, Crohn′s disease activity index (CDAI), and simple endoscopic score for Crohn′s disease (SES-CD). According to the SES-CD, endoscopic activity was classified as mucosal healing (0), endoscopic remission (0 to 2), mild activity (3 to 6), moderate activity (7 to 15), and severe activity (≥16). LRG levels were detected in all patients. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlation between LRG, clinical biochemical parameters and endoscopic scores. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was performed to determine the optimal cut-off value of LRG for evaluating endoscopic mucosal healing. Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Bonferroni corrected test were used for statistical analysis. Results:Among 139 patients with small bowel CD, the LRG level was 17.3 (13.0, 25.2) mg/L, and SES-CD was 5 (1, 9); 32 patients achieved mucosal healing, 50 patients achieved endoscopic remission; 39 patients had mild activity, 40 patients had moderate activity, and 10 patients had severe activity. The SES-CD was negatively correlated with both hemoglobin and albumin ( r=-0.177 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI: -0.334 to -0.011), -0.293 (95% CI: -0.438 to -0.133)), with statistical significance ( P=0.037, <0.001). The SES-CD was positively correlated with CRP, CDAI, LRG and FC ( r=0.344 (95% CI: 0.188 to 0.482), 0.429 (95% CI: 0.282 to 0.556), 0.525 (95% CI: 0.393 to 0.636), 0.661 (95% CI: 0.556 to 0.745)), with statistical significant (all P<0.001). For the 64 small bowel CD patients with CRP in the normal reference value, SES-CD was positively correlated with CDAI, LRG and FC ( r=0.296 (95% CI: 0.054 to 0.505), 0.364 (95% CI: 0.129 to 0.559), 0.547 (95% CI: 0.348 to 0.699)), with statistical significance ( P=0.017, =0.003, <0.001). The LRG level of patients with endoscopic mucosal healing was significantly lower than that of patients with endoscopic remission (11.5 (10.1, 17.2) mg/L vs. 17.3 (13.4, 23.5) mg/L), with statistical significance ( Z=-3.25, P<0.001). ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of LRG in predicting endoscopic mucosal healing was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.73 to 0.89), with an optimal cut-off value of 15.27 mg/L. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 0.757, 0.718, 0.900 and 0.469, respectively. The accuracy of the combination of LRG and FC (AUC was 0.88, 95% CI: 0.82 to 0.94) in predicting endoscopic mucosal healing was higher than that of LRG alone (AUC was 0.81, 95% CI: 0.73 to 0.89), and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.011). Conclusion:Based on the results of DBE, LRG may be a reliable biomarker for predicting endoscopic remission and mucosal healing in patients with small bowel CD.

Objective To investigate the association between glycated albumin/hemoglobin A1c(GA/HbA1c)and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)complicated with metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD).Methods A total of 502 hospitalized T2DM patients were enrolled between January 2022 and December 2023 and divided into T2DM group(n=301)and combined with MAFLD(MAFLD,n=201)group.Clinical data were collected,and Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between GA/HbA1c and MAFLD.Mediation analysis was conducted to assess the role of blood lipids.Results The MAFLD group had higher levels of drinking,waist-to-hip ratio,body mass index,fasting insulin,fasting C-peptide,insulin resistance index,alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,triglycerides(TG),small dense low-density lipoprotein(sdLDL),and blood uric acid compared to the T2DM group(P<0.05).The age,DM duration,GA,GA/HbA1c,and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)were lower in the MAFLD group than in the T2DM group(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors,GA/HbA1c was an influencing factor for the occurrence of MAFLD in T2DM patients.Mediation analysis revealed that TG,sdLDL,and HDL-C had significant mediating effects,accounting for 19.3%,12.4%,and 8.5%of the risk association,respectively.Conclusions GA/HbA1c is influencing factor of MAFLD in T2DM patients,with blood lipids showing significant mediating effects,suggesting that GA/HbA1c may serve as a novel indicator for assessing MAFLD risk.

Objective:To explore the clinical features, histopathological morphology, and differential diagnosis of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma with abnormal expression of follicular dendritic cell markers.Methods:From 2020 to 2021, 4 cases of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma with abnormal expression of follicular dendritic cell markers diagnosed in Fujian Cancer Hospital (2 cases) and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University (2 cases) were collected. Different ancillary procedures such as HE, special stains, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization techniques were used to assess the histopathological features and immunophenotypes. The clinical data were collected and literature was reviewed.Results:All 4 cases of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma with abnormal expression of follicular dendritic cell markers were male. They were 32, 45, 67 and 39 years old, respectively. The main clinical manifestations were bloody phlegm, abdominal pain, fatigue and anorexia. The clinical stages at diagnosis were stage Ⅳ (3 cases) and stage Ⅱ (1 case). Cases 2 and 3 had two pathological examinations at different sites, with a total of six pathological examinations. The histomorphology showed singly scattered or nests of tumor cells in a background of abundant small lymphocytes. The tumor cells were enlarged and pleomorphic, some appeared polygonal with inconspicuous cell borders, and they were arranged in a syncytial pattern. There were megakaryocytes, multinucleated tumor cells, and a few spindle-shaped cells seen. Atypical mitosis was commonly noted. By immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells were positive for CKpan(5/6), CK8/18(4/4), CAM5.2(2/5), CK-H(0/4), CK-L(3/4), EMA(4/5), CK5/6(3/6), p63(1/6), p40(1/6), E-cadherin (4/6), SSTR2(6/6), PD-L1(5/5), LCA(0/6), vimentin(5/6), CD2 (6/6), CD23(6/6), CD35(5/6), CXCL-13(4/5) and D2-40(1/5). The Ki-67 proliferative index was 60%-95%. In situ hybridization for EBER were all positive (6/6). Special stain for reticulin showed positive staining surrounding nests of tumor cells.Conclusions:The expression of follicular dendritic cell markers in lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma is very rare, which may be related to EBV infection. Occasionally, it can overlap with follicular dendritic cell sarcoma by morphology and immunophenotype, which can lead to misdiagnosis. Only by combining clinical information, morphological characteristics and immunophenotype can an appropriate diagnosis be made.

Objective To investigate the association between glycated albumin/hemoglobin A1c(GA/HbA1c)and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)complicated with metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD).Methods A total of 502 hospitalized T2DM patients were enrolled between January 2022 and December 2023 and divided into T2DM group(n=301)and combined with MAFLD(MAFLD,n=201)group.Clinical data were collected,and Logistic regression analyses were performed to evaluate the relationship between GA/HbA1c and MAFLD.Mediation analysis was conducted to assess the role of blood lipids.Results The MAFLD group had higher levels of drinking,waist-to-hip ratio,body mass index,fasting insulin,fasting C-peptide,insulin resistance index,alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,triglycerides(TG),small dense low-density lipoprotein(sdLDL),and blood uric acid compared to the T2DM group(P<0.05).The age,DM duration,GA,GA/HbA1c,and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)were lower in the MAFLD group than in the T2DM group(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that after adjusting for confounding factors,GA/HbA1c was an influencing factor for the occurrence of MAFLD in T2DM patients.Mediation analysis revealed that TG,sdLDL,and HDL-C had significant mediating effects,accounting for 19.3%,12.4%,and 8.5%of the risk association,respectively.Conclusions GA/HbA1c is influencing factor of MAFLD in T2DM patients,with blood lipids showing significant mediating effects,suggesting that GA/HbA1c may serve as a novel indicator for assessing MAFLD risk.

Objective:To explore the clinical features, histopathological morphology, and differential diagnosis of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma with abnormal expression of follicular dendritic cell markers.Methods:From 2020 to 2021, 4 cases of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma with abnormal expression of follicular dendritic cell markers diagnosed in Fujian Cancer Hospital (2 cases) and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University (2 cases) were collected. Different ancillary procedures such as HE, special stains, immunohistochemistry, and in situ hybridization techniques were used to assess the histopathological features and immunophenotypes. The clinical data were collected and literature was reviewed.Results:All 4 cases of lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma with abnormal expression of follicular dendritic cell markers were male. They were 32, 45, 67 and 39 years old, respectively. The main clinical manifestations were bloody phlegm, abdominal pain, fatigue and anorexia. The clinical stages at diagnosis were stage Ⅳ (3 cases) and stage Ⅱ (1 case). Cases 2 and 3 had two pathological examinations at different sites, with a total of six pathological examinations. The histomorphology showed singly scattered or nests of tumor cells in a background of abundant small lymphocytes. The tumor cells were enlarged and pleomorphic, some appeared polygonal with inconspicuous cell borders, and they were arranged in a syncytial pattern. There were megakaryocytes, multinucleated tumor cells, and a few spindle-shaped cells seen. Atypical mitosis was commonly noted. By immunohistochemistry, the tumor cells were positive for CKpan(5/6), CK8/18(4/4), CAM5.2(2/5), CK-H(0/4), CK-L(3/4), EMA(4/5), CK5/6(3/6), p63(1/6), p40(1/6), E-cadherin (4/6), SSTR2(6/6), PD-L1(5/5), LCA(0/6), vimentin(5/6), CD2 (6/6), CD23(6/6), CD35(5/6), CXCL-13(4/5) and D2-40(1/5). The Ki-67 proliferative index was 60%-95%. In situ hybridization for EBER were all positive (6/6). Special stain for reticulin showed positive staining surrounding nests of tumor cells.Conclusions:The expression of follicular dendritic cell markers in lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma is very rare, which may be related to EBV infection. Occasionally, it can overlap with follicular dendritic cell sarcoma by morphology and immunophenotype, which can lead to misdiagnosis. Only by combining clinical information, morphological characteristics and immunophenotype can an appropriate diagnosis be made.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between leucine-rich α2 glycoprotein (LRG) and endoscopic activity in patients with Crohn′s disease (CD), based on the assessment of inflammation in small intestinal lesion by double-balloon enteroscope (DBE).Methods:From 15 August 2022 to 22 August 2023, the clinical data of 139 patients with small bowel CD diagnosed by DBE at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were prospectively collected, which included fecal calprotectin (FC), C-reactive protein (CRP), white blood cell count, hemoglobin, albumin, Crohn′s disease activity index (CDAI), and simple endoscopic score for Crohn′s disease (SES-CD). According to the SES-CD, endoscopic activity was classified as mucosal healing (0), endoscopic remission (0 to 2), mild activity (3 to 6), moderate activity (7 to 15), and severe activity (≥16). LRG levels were detected in all patients. Spearman rank correlation was used to analyze the correlation between LRG, clinical biochemical parameters and endoscopic scores. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was performed to determine the optimal cut-off value of LRG for evaluating endoscopic mucosal healing. Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis H test, and Bonferroni corrected test were used for statistical analysis. Results:Among 139 patients with small bowel CD, the LRG level was 17.3 (13.0, 25.2) mg/L, and SES-CD was 5 (1, 9); 32 patients achieved mucosal healing, 50 patients achieved endoscopic remission; 39 patients had mild activity, 40 patients had moderate activity, and 10 patients had severe activity. The SES-CD was negatively correlated with both hemoglobin and albumin ( r=-0.177 (95% confidence interval, 95% CI: -0.334 to -0.011), -0.293 (95% CI: -0.438 to -0.133)), with statistical significance ( P=0.037, <0.001). The SES-CD was positively correlated with CRP, CDAI, LRG and FC ( r=0.344 (95% CI: 0.188 to 0.482), 0.429 (95% CI: 0.282 to 0.556), 0.525 (95% CI: 0.393 to 0.636), 0.661 (95% CI: 0.556 to 0.745)), with statistical significant (all P<0.001). For the 64 small bowel CD patients with CRP in the normal reference value, SES-CD was positively correlated with CDAI, LRG and FC ( r=0.296 (95% CI: 0.054 to 0.505), 0.364 (95% CI: 0.129 to 0.559), 0.547 (95% CI: 0.348 to 0.699)), with statistical significance ( P=0.017, =0.003, <0.001). The LRG level of patients with endoscopic mucosal healing was significantly lower than that of patients with endoscopic remission (11.5 (10.1, 17.2) mg/L vs. 17.3 (13.4, 23.5) mg/L), with statistical significance ( Z=-3.25, P<0.001). ROC analysis showed that the area under the curve (AUC) of LRG in predicting endoscopic mucosal healing was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.73 to 0.89), with an optimal cut-off value of 15.27 mg/L. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were 0.757, 0.718, 0.900 and 0.469, respectively. The accuracy of the combination of LRG and FC (AUC was 0.88, 95% CI: 0.82 to 0.94) in predicting endoscopic mucosal healing was higher than that of LRG alone (AUC was 0.81, 95% CI: 0.73 to 0.89), and the difference was statistically significant ( P=0.011). Conclusion:Based on the results of DBE, LRG may be a reliable biomarker for predicting endoscopic remission and mucosal healing in patients with small bowel CD.

BACKGROUND:Mesenchymal stem cells possess characteristics such as rapid renewal,targeted homing,tissue repair,and immune regulation,which provide potential for the treatment of inflammatory diseases.In most inflammatory diseases,interleukin-1β is highly expressed.Both exogenous and endogenous mesenchymal stem cells unavoidably exist in an environment with high interleukin-1β concentration. OBJECTIVE:To study the interaction of interleukin-1β with mesenchymal stem cells in inflammatory environment and the mechanism of its influence on the migration and adhesion of mesenchymal stem cells to provide a theoretical basis for adjusting stem cell therapy strategies. METHODS:The first author searched for studies involving interleukin-1β enhancing migration and adhesion of mesenchymal stem cells by computer on CNKI,WanFang,VIP,PubMed,and Web of Science using search terms"interleukin-1β,mesenchymal stem cell,nuclear factor-κB,MAPK,ERK,p38,migration,adhesion"in Chinese and English.The literature tracing method was also used to search for some of the literature.Finally,65 articles were included in the review analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In the inflammatory environment,interleukin-1β can regulate the migration and adhesion ability of mesenchymal stem cells.This effect may be achieved by recruiting IRAK1 through interleukin-1RI and then activating TAK1 and IKK in turn.After IKK phosphorylation,nuclear factor-κB and ERK signaling pathways are activated or CXCR expression is upregulated through the p38 pathway to promote mesenchymal stem cell migration and adhesion.However,further standardized research needs to be carried out based on the genetic background of mesenchymal stem cells,the dose and processing time of interleukin-1β.(2)In vitro experiments using pre-stimulated mesenchymal stem cells with interleukin-1β can change the survival environment of mesenchymal stem cells and alter their secretion factors to make them develop towards a more anti-inflammatory direction.On the other hand,under the premise of producing higher levels of anti-inflammatory and pro-nutrient factors,extracted mesenchymal stem cell exosomes can exert anti-inflammatory effects.(3)It has been observed in various animal disease models that pre-stimulating mesenchymal stem cells with interleukin-1β regulates their immune regulation ability,thereby affecting the development and outcome of inflammation.However,this is limited to preclinical basic research only;further verification on efficacy and safety of stem cell therapy with interleukin-1β pre-treated mesenchymal stem cells is required in clinical settings.

Objective:To understand the epidemiological characteristics and spatiotemporal distribution of viral encephalitis in children and adolescents in Henan Province from 2012 to 2023.Methods:The information about viral encephalitis cases from October 1, 2012 to July 26, 2023 were collected from Zhengzhou Children's Hospital (National Children's Regional Medical Center),Henan Provincial Children's Hospital for the analyses on temporal distribution the cases, the severe illness rate, age distribution, pathogen type and imaging findings of the cases.Results:A total of 6 276 cases of viral encephalitis were included in this study after excluding cases with incomplete information. The cases mainly originated from Zhengzhou (38.96%), followed by Zhoukou (9.93%), Xuchang (8.68%), Zhumadian (7.90%) and Pingdingshan (7.39%). The cases in boys accounted for 62.13% and the cases in girls accounted for 37.87%. Most cases (72.45%) occurred in age group 7-13 years. The overall rate of severe illness cases was 4.51% from 2012 to 2023. There were significant differences in severe illness cases among different areas and years ( χ2=5.33, P=0.021; χ2=48.14, P<0.001). Enteroviruses were mainly detected (31.57%), in which Coxsackie virus was predominant (58.37%). Imaging findings showed that cerebral hemisphere damage was most common in children and adolescents with viral encephalitis (54.93%). Conclusions:From 2012 to 2023, more cases of viral encephalitis occurred in boys in Henan. Children and adolescents aged 7-13 years were the main affected group. The prevention of enteroviruses infection, especially Coxsackie virus, needs to be strengthened. Special attention should be paid to the prevention of cerebral hemisphere damage after viral encephalitis diagnosis.

Objective To explore the feasibility of ultrasonic measurement of the skin to hyoid bone distance,skin to epiglottis distance and skin to anterior commissure of vocal cords distance for predicting difficult laryngoscopy exposure in obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS)patients.Methods One hundred and fifty OSAHS patients with ASAⅠ-Ⅲ level,who underwent elective uvulopalatopharyngoplasty(UPPP)surgery under general anesthesia,were analyzed.Rountine airway assessment(Mallampati classification)and ultrasound measurement of the skin to hyoid bone distance,skin to epiglottis distance and skin to anterior commissure of vocal cords distance were performed before anesthesia.Intubation under direct laryngoscopy and the classification of laryngoscopy exposure was recorded.Cormack-Lehane classification Ⅲ-Ⅳ grade was defined as difficult laryngoscopy exposure.According to the classification results,patients were divided into two groups:non-difficult laryngoscopy exposure group and difficult laryngoscopy exposure group.We analyzed and compared the Malampati grading and ultrasound measurements between two groups.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve and the optimal cut-off point of ultrasonic measurements were calculated.The effects of different methods for predicting difficult laryngoscopy exposure were analyzed.Results The proportion of cases whose Mallampati airway classification grade>Ⅱ in difficult laryngoscopy exposure group was significantly more than that in non-difficult laryngoscopy exposure group(P＜0.05).The skin to hyoid bone distance and skin to epiglottis distance in difficult laryngoscopy exposure group were significantly longer than those in non-difficult laryngoscopy exposure group(P＜0.05).The optimal cut-off point of the skin to hyoid bone distance and skin to epiglottis distance were 1.12 cm and 2.23 cm respectively.There was no significant difference in the skin to anterior commissure of vocal cords distance between two groups.Conclusions Ultrasound measurement of the skin to hyoid bone distance and skin to epiglottis distance had a good predictive value in difficult laryngoscopy exposure of the OSAHS patients.

Objective To analyze the composition of the aqueous extract of Polygonatum Cyrtonema Hua(PCHE)and evaluate its antitumor activity in vitro and in vivo.Our aim is to provide a theoretical basis for the further development and utilization of Polygonatum Cyrtonema Hua.Methods(1)PCHE was prepared by aqueous extraction,and the chemical composition of PCHE was analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS and phenol-sulfuric acid method.The inhibitory activity on tumor cells proliferation of PCHE was detected by CCK-8 assay.Cell cycle and apoptosis were detected by flow cytometry,and the expression of apoptosis-related proteins Bcl-2 and Bax was detected by Western Blot.The inhibitory activity of PCHE-containing serum on cell proliferation was detected.(2)A B16 tumor-bearing mice model was constructed and model mice were randomly divided into the model group(saline),the positive drug group(CTX:50 mg·kg-1),and PCHE low-,medium-,and high-dose groups(55.9,111.8,223.6 mg·kg-1),and treated by gavage for 7 days.Changes in body weight and tumor volume of mice were observed during the treatment period.The mice were executed after the treatment,and the histopathological changes of heart,liver,spleen,lung,kidney and tumor were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining.The protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in tumor tissues was detected by immunohistochemistry(IHC).Results The polysaccharide content of PCHE reached(10.07±1.3)%,and the flavonoid content was(0.044±0.004)%,and thirty-nine components were detected by UPLC-Q-TOF/MS,which contained antitumor components such as flavonoids(baicalein,quercetin,luteolin and rutin),organic acids(ferulic acid)and polyphenols(gallic acid),etc.PCHE exhibited the inhibitory effects on Hela,A549,4T1,B16,MFC and HepG2 cells,among which the inhibitory effect on B16 cells was the most significant(P＜0.001),and PCHE induced cell cycle arrest at G0/G1 phase in B16 cells(P＜0.001).The results of double-staining flow cytometry and Western Blot showed that PCHE significantly promoted apoptosis of B16 cells,decreased the expression of Bcl-2,and promoted the expression of Bax(P＜0.01,P＜0.001).and PCHE constituents absorbed into blood also had an inhibitory effect on B16 cells(P＜0.001).In addition,the results of in vivo activity assay showed that different doses of PCHE could inhibit tumor growth,induce tumor cell necrosis,reduce Bcl-2 expression,and increase Bax expression compared with the model group.Conclusion The ingredients in PCHE are abundant.It contains a variety of antitumor active ingredients,which can inhibit tumor growth,induce tumor cell apoptosis,show strong anti-tumor effects and be worthy of in-depth study.