Objective To investigate the expression of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 6 (CEACAM6) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and analyze its correlation with immune cell infiltration and patient prognosis. Methods Three ESCC datasets (GSE161533, GSE26886, and GSE23400) from the GEO database were analyzed to identify differentially expressed genes. CEACAM6 was identified as a key gene through survival analysis. Its expression, prognostic value, and relationship with immune cell infiltration were further explored using databases, such as TIMER. Tissue samples were collected from 162 patients with ESCC. Immunohistochemistry was performed to detect the expression of CEACAM6, immune cell markers (CD4, CD8, CD20, and CD56), and immune checkpoint molecules (HHLA2 and CD40LG). Correlations between CEACAM6 expression and clinicopathological features, immune cell infiltration, and immune checkpoints were analyzed. Results Bioinformatic analysis and clinical sample validation confirmed that CEACAM6 expression was significantly upregulated in ESCC tissues compared with adjacent nontumor tissues (P<0.05). High CEACAM6 expression was closely associated with advanced clinical stage (AJCC Ⅲ-Ⅳ), high T stage (T3-T4), lymph node metastasis, nonulcerative type, and poor prognosis. Furthermore, CEACAM6 expression levels were positively correlated with the infiltration density of CD8⁺ T cells, CD4⁺ T cells, and CD20⁺ B cells within the tumor microenvironment and with the expression of the immune checkpoint molecules HHLA2 and CD40LG (all P<0.05). Conclusion CEACAM6 serves as an independent poor prognostic factor for ESCC. Its high expression is implicated in the modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment by correlating with specific immune cell infiltration and immune checkpoint molecules, suggesting its potential as a novel prognostic biomarker and immunotherapeutic target for ESCC.

Objective To compare seminal carnitine levels between normal males and asthenozoospermic patients,evaluate its correla-tion with progressive motility(PR)of sperm,and observe the effects of exogenous carnitine supplementation on asthenozoospermic pa-tients.Methods Semen samples were collected from 511 normal fertile males and asthenozoospermic patients.Seminal was measured using a fixed-time assay kit and the levels of carnitine were compared between the two groups.The consistency between seminal carni-tine and PR was assessed.Additionally,77 asthenozoospermic patients received L-carnitine(1 g/time,3 times/day,30 days/course).The levels of seminal carnitine and PR alteration pre-and post-treatment were monitored.Results The seminal L-carnitine level in the patients with asthenospermia([194.34±65.41]μmol/L)was significantly lower than that in normal fertile males([405.43±72.12]μmol/L)(P＜0.01).When the seminal L-carnitine level ≥325 μmol/L was set as the threshold,the statistical results showed that Kappa value was 0.81,with a diagnostic coincidence rate of 93.74％.After one course of administration of L-carnitine,the concentra-tion of seminal L-carnitine([356.03±84.87]μmol/L)and PR([32.69±8.35]％)were significantly higher those that before treat-ment([183.61±79.54]μmol/L and[16.56±7.74]％,P＜0.01).Conclusion The seminal carnitine assay kit could be used for ac-curate and high-throughput quantification of clinical samples,facilitating asthenozoospermia diagnosis and therapeutic efficacy evalua-tion.Exogenous carnitine supplementation may elevate seminal carnitine levels and sperm motility in asthenozoospermic patients and po-tentially improve their fertility.

Renal colic caused by ureteral stone obstruction is the main cause for emergency treatment of patients with urinary tract stones, and drug expulsion therapy plays a vital role in the treatment.This article delves into a variety of drugs, including α1 adrenergic receptor blockers, β adrenergic receptor agonists, calcium channel blockers, prostaglandin synthetase inhibitors, corticosteroids, phosphodiesterase isoenzyme 5 inhibitors, and Chinese herbal medicines, exploring their mechanisms and applications in the treatment of distal ureteral stones.Currently, α1 adrenergic receptor blockers are still preferred for the treatment of distal ureteral stones due to their significant efficacy.It is worth noting that various drugs work through different mechanisms, and combining drugs with different mechanisms is expected to improve the efficiency of stone expulsion.This method may become the mainstream choice for stone expulsion drugs in the future.This article aims to provide new perspectives and ideas for the drug treatment of urinary tract stones.

Objective:To investigate the immunophenotypic and molecular biological characteristics of patients with elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and enteroblastic differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma (GAED).Methods:The clinicopathological data of 13 patients with elevated serum AFP and GAED admitted to Shanxi Cancer Hospital from 2018 to 2020 were collected. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were used to analyze the immune markers and molecular biological characteristics of the pathological tissues of the patients. Kaplan-Meier method and log rank test were used for survival analysis.Results:Among the 13 patients with GAED, 12 were male and 1 was female, aged 41-70 years, with a median age of 64 years. The lesions were mainly located in the gastric antrum (5 cases) and gastric body (4 cases). IHC results showed that the tumor embryonic protein (AFP, SALL4, GPC3), intestinal epithelial differentiation protein (CDX-2, CD10), and some original intestinal epithelial phenotype markers (OCT3/4, Claudin6) were expressed in the tumor tissues. Combined application of multiple markers can reduce the rate of missed diagnosis. Among the 13 patients, 12 had at least one mutation (1 mutation: 1 case, 2-5 mutations: 3 cases, 6-15 mutations: 8 cases), and 1 case was not detected. The gene with the highest mutation frequency was TP53 (10 cases), and other mutant genes included EPHB1 (3 cases), ATRX (2 cases), EPHA5 (2 cases), GATA3 (2 cases), LRP1B (2 cases) and MAP2K4 (2 cases) were also detected. Three of the 13 patients had structural variations, which were C14orf177- GNAS, AIM1- FGFR3, and EPHA6- ROS1 gene rearrangements. All 13 patients had copy number variation, and 11 patients had copy number variation of more than 2 genes. The common amplification genes were IRS2 (5 cases), PTEN (5 cases), GNAS (4 cases), CCNE1 (3 cases), CEBPA (3 cases), PCK1 (3 cases) and ERBB2 (2 cases). The common deletion genes were SOX2 (5 cases) and MYC (5 cases). Among the 13 patients, 4 died, and 2 of the dead patients had liver metastasis. There were 4 patients with disease-free survival and 5 patients with disease progression, including 3 cases of abdominal metastasis and 2 cases of liver metastasis. The 3-year survival rate of patients was 65.9 %, and the 3-year progression-free survival rate was 30.7 %. Gene LRP1B point mutation was associated with poor prognosis ( P＜0.001). There was no significant improvement in the prognosis of patients treated with immunotherapy compared with those treated with chemotherapy alone ( P=0.595), but the prognosis of patients treated with postoperative chemotherapy or postoperative chemotherapy plus immunotherapy was better than that of patients treated with surgery alone ( P＜0.05). Conclusions:Elevated serum AFP with GAED is a highly invasive tumor with unique molecular characteristics, often accompanied by multiple molecular events. TP53 mutation is the most common type of gene mutation. In addition, some cases are accompanied by HER2 amplification and gene rearrangement.

Objective:To investigate the immunophenotypic and molecular biological characteristics of patients with elevated serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and enteroblastic differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma (GAED).Methods:The clinicopathological data of 13 patients with elevated serum AFP and GAED admitted to Shanxi Cancer Hospital from 2018 to 2020 were collected. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were used to analyze the immune markers and molecular biological characteristics of the pathological tissues of the patients. Kaplan-Meier method and log rank test were used for survival analysis.Results:Among the 13 patients with GAED, 12 were male and 1 was female, aged 41-70 years, with a median age of 64 years. The lesions were mainly located in the gastric antrum (5 cases) and gastric body (4 cases). IHC results showed that the tumor embryonic protein (AFP, SALL4, GPC3), intestinal epithelial differentiation protein (CDX-2, CD10), and some original intestinal epithelial phenotype markers (OCT3/4, Claudin6) were expressed in the tumor tissues. Combined application of multiple markers can reduce the rate of missed diagnosis. Among the 13 patients, 12 had at least one mutation (1 mutation: 1 case, 2-5 mutations: 3 cases, 6-15 mutations: 8 cases), and 1 case was not detected. The gene with the highest mutation frequency was TP53 (10 cases), and other mutant genes included EPHB1 (3 cases), ATRX (2 cases), EPHA5 (2 cases), GATA3 (2 cases), LRP1B (2 cases) and MAP2K4 (2 cases) were also detected. Three of the 13 patients had structural variations, which were C14orf177- GNAS, AIM1- FGFR3, and EPHA6- ROS1 gene rearrangements. All 13 patients had copy number variation, and 11 patients had copy number variation of more than 2 genes. The common amplification genes were IRS2 (5 cases), PTEN (5 cases), GNAS (4 cases), CCNE1 (3 cases), CEBPA (3 cases), PCK1 (3 cases) and ERBB2 (2 cases). The common deletion genes were SOX2 (5 cases) and MYC (5 cases). Among the 13 patients, 4 died, and 2 of the dead patients had liver metastasis. There were 4 patients with disease-free survival and 5 patients with disease progression, including 3 cases of abdominal metastasis and 2 cases of liver metastasis. The 3-year survival rate of patients was 65.9 %, and the 3-year progression-free survival rate was 30.7 %. Gene LRP1B point mutation was associated with poor prognosis ( P＜0.001). There was no significant improvement in the prognosis of patients treated with immunotherapy compared with those treated with chemotherapy alone ( P=0.595), but the prognosis of patients treated with postoperative chemotherapy or postoperative chemotherapy plus immunotherapy was better than that of patients treated with surgery alone ( P＜0.05). Conclusions:Elevated serum AFP with GAED is a highly invasive tumor with unique molecular characteristics, often accompanied by multiple molecular events. TP53 mutation is the most common type of gene mutation. In addition, some cases are accompanied by HER2 amplification and gene rearrangement.

Objective:To investigate the effects of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells exosomes (hucMSC-Exo) on depression-like behavior and polarization dynamic transition of hippocampal microglia in chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) mice.Methods:The hucMSC was isolated, cultured, and the 5th generation hucMSC-Exo was extracted by ultracentrifugation and identified.Biological markers of CD9 and CD63 of hucMSC-Exo were detected by Western blot.A total of 12 SPF grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomly selected to establish depression model by CUMS method at the same time, and relevant behavioral experiments, including opening field test (OFT) and forced swimming test (FST) were used to detect changes of depression-like behavior in CUMS mice. After modeling, 12 mice were randomly divided into two groups, with 6 mice in each group. One group of mice was the exosome treatment group (CUMS+ Exo group) after stereotactic brain injection of hucMSC-Exo in the hippocampus, and the other group was the CUMS group. The expression of inflammatory signals in the hippocampus of mice in both groups were detected by micro PET/CT scanning technique. The proportion of M2-type microglia and M1-type microglia in the hippocampus of mice was detected by tissue immunofluorescence. β3-tubulin immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the length changes of neuronal axons in the depressed cell model constructed with corticosterone (CORT). EdU staining was used to detect neuronal proliferation. TUNEL staining was used to observe the apoptosis of neurons in the hippocampus of mice.Statistical analysis was conducted by GraphPad 8.0 software, and t-test was used for inter group comparison. Results:Under the electron microscope, hucMSC-Exo showed typical " double-layer cup-like" small vesicle-like changes and the particle diameter was about 100 nm.Western blot confirmed the expression of lconic proteins of CD9 and CD63. In the micro PET/CT scans, the uptake of [18F]DPA-714 in the CUMS+ Exo group was lower than that of the CUMS group, and the difference was statistically significant ((0.91±0.02)g/mL, (0.81±0.05)g/mL, t=4.54, P=0.001 1). In the opening field test, the percentage of central path length ((3.40±0.44)%, (5.17±0.90)%, t=4.33, P=0.001 5) and the time spent on the central path ((7.04±0.60)s, (10.22±1.41)s, t=6.02, P=0.000 1) in CUMS+ Exo group were higher than those in CUMS group, while the total distances of the two groups were not statistically significant ( t=0.48, P>0.05). In the forced swimming test, the immobility time in the CUMS+ Exo group was less than that in the CUMS group ((152.33±7.28) s, (133.50±4.32) s, t=5.45, P=0.000 3). In tissue immunofluorescence experiments, compared with the CUMS group, the proportion of M2-type microglia of hippocampus in the CUMS+ Exo group((0.33±0.04), (0.59±0.12), t=5.11, P=0.000 5)increased and the proportion of M1-type microglia ((0.56±0.06), (0.41±0.03), t=5.15, P=0.000 4) decreased in the CUMS+ Exo group. β3-tubulin-labeled immunofluorescence results showed an increase of neuronal axon length in the CORT+ Exo group compared with that in the CORT group((3.99±0.99) μm, (6.76±1.11) μm, t=6.10, P=0.000 1). The results of cell proliferation test showed an increase of proliferation rate in the CORT+ Exo group compared with that in the CORT group((0.74±0.07), (0.64±0.03), t=3.32, P=0.001 8). In the TUNEL staining experiment, the apoptosis rate of neurons in the hippocampal region of mice in the CUMS+ Exo group was lower than that of CUMS group ((0.24±0.04), (0.39±0.04), t=6.11, P=0.000 1). Conclusion:hucMSC-Exo can promote the conversion of M1 polarized microglia to M2 type microglia to alleviate depression-like behavior and reduce neuronal apoptosis in CUMS mice.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-term effectiveness of transverse antecubital incision in the treatment of failed closed reduction of Gartland type Ⅲ supracondylar humeral fractures (SHFs) in children. METHODS: Between July 2020 and April 2022, 20 children with Gartland type Ⅲ SHFs who failed in closed reduction were treated with internal and external condylar crossing Kirschner wire fixation through transverse antecubital incision. There were 9 boys and 11 girls with an average age of 3.1 years (range, 1.1-6.0 years). The causes of injuries were fall in 12 cases and fall from height in 8 cases. The time from admission to operation ranged from 7 to 18 hours, with an average of 12.4 hours. The healing of the incision and the occurrence of complications such as nerve injury and cubitus varus were observed after operation; the elbow flexion and extension range of motion after removing the gypsum, after removing the Kirschner wire, and at last follow-up were recorded and compared, as well as the elbow flexion and extension and forearm rotation range of motion at last follow-up between healthy and affected sides; the Baumann angle was measured on the X-ray film, and the fracture healing was observed. At last follow-up, the effectiveness was evaluated according to the Flynn elbow function evaluation criteria. RESULTS: All incisions healed by first intention, and there was no skin necrosis, scar contracture, ulnar nerve injury, and cubitus varus. Postoperative pain occurred in the radial-dorsal thumb in 2 cases. The gypsum was removed and elbow flexion and extension exercises were started at 2-4 weeks (mean, 2.7 weeks) after operation, and the Kirschner wire was removed at 4-5 weeks (mean, 4.3 weeks). All the 20 patients were followed up 6-16 months, with an average of 12.4 months. The fracture healing time was 4-5 weeks, with an average of 4.5 weeks, and there was no complication such as delayed healing and myositis ossificans. The flexion and extension range of motion of the elbow joint gradually improved after operation, and there were significant differences between the time after removing the gypsum, after removing the Kirschner wire, and at last follow-up ( P<0.017). There was no significant difference in the flexion and extension of the elbow joint and the forearm rotation range of motion between the healthy and affected sides at last follow-up ( P>0.05). There was no significant difference in Baumann angle between the time of immediate after operation, after removing the Kirschner wire, and at last follow-up ( P>0.05). According to Flynn elbow function evaluation standard, 16 cases were excellent and 4 cases were good, the excellent and good rate was 100%. CONCLUSION The treatment of Gartland type Ⅲ SHFs in children with failed closed reduction by internal and external condylar crossing Kirschner wire fixation through transverse antecubital incision has the advantages of complete soft tissue hinge behind the fracture for easy reduction and wire fixation, small incision, less complications, fast fracture healing, early functional recovery, reliable reduction and fixation, and can obtain satisfactory results.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Calcium Sulfate ; Humerus ; Humeral Fractures/surgery* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Bone Wires ; Fracture Healing ; Treatment Outcome ; Range of Motion, Articular

Objective:To construct a nomogram model predicting the occurrence of acute kidney injury (AKI) in patients with sepsis in the intensive care unit (ICU), and to verify its validity for early prediction.Methods:Sepsis patients admitted to the ICU of the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from April 2015 to December 2021 were retrospectively included, and those who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into training and validation sets at a ratio of 7:3. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were used to identify independent risk factors for AKI in patients with sepsis, and a nomogram was constructed based on the independent risk factors. Calibration curve, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the nomogram model.Results:741 patients with sepsis were included in the study, 335 patients developed AKI within 7 d of ICU admission, with an AKI incidence of 45.1%. Randomization was performed in the training set ( n=519) and internal validation set ( n=222). Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that acute physiology and chronic health status score Ⅱ, sequential organ failure score, serum lactate, calcitoninogen, norepinephrine dose, urea nitrogen, and neutrophil percentage were independent factors influencing the occurrence of AKI, and a nomogram model was constructed by combining these variables. In the training set, the AUC of the nomogram model ROC was 0.875 (95% CI: 0.767-0.835), the calibration curve showed consistency between the predicted and actual probabilities, and the DCA showed a good net clinical benefit. In the internal validation set, the nomogram model had a similar predictive value for AKI (AUC=0.871, 95% CI: 0.734-0.854). Conclusions:A nomogram model constructed based on the critical care score at admission combined with inflammatory markers can be used for the early prediction of AKI in sepsis patients in the ICU. The model is helpful for clinicians early identify AKI in sepsis patients.

The fall armyworm (FAW), Spodoptera frugiperda, is a destructive pest native to America and has recently become an invasive insect pest in China. Because of its rapid spread and great risks in China, understanding of FAW genetic background and pesticide resistance is urgent and essential to develop effective management strategies. Here, we assembled a chromosome-level genome of a male FAW (SFynMstLFR) and compared re-sequencing results of the populations from America, Africa, and China. Strain identification of 163 individuals collected from America, Africa and China showed that both C and R strains were found in the American populations, while only C strain was found in the Chinese and African populations. Moreover, population genomics analysis showed that populations from Africa and China have close relationship with significantly genetic differentiation from American populations. Taken together, FAWs invaded into China were most likely originated from Africa. Comparative genomics analysis displayed that the cytochrome p450 gene family is extremely expanded to 425 members in FAW, of which 283 genes are specific to FAW. Treatments of Chinese populations with twenty-three pesticides showed the variant patterns of transcriptome profiles, and several detoxification genes such as AOX, UGT and GST specially responded to the pesticides. These findings will be useful in developing effective strategies for management of FAW in China and other invaded areas.
Animals ; China ; Genomics ; Humans ; Male ; Pesticides ; Spodoptera/genetics* ; Transcriptome

Objective: To evaluate the success rate during ultrasound-guided percutaneous nephrolithotomy (PCNL) and analyze the reasons of puncture failure. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed based on the data of 58 patients who underwent ultrasound-guided PCNL by 4 experienced urologists(10 years' experience of PCNL and more than 80 cases per year)in our center from August 2018 to November 2018. Of all the 58 patients, there were 36 males and 22 females (aged from 22 to 73 years) with the mean age of 51 years. The calculi ranged from 9 mm to 93 mm, with the average of 26.5 mm. The separation of renal collecting system ranged from 5 mm to 30 mm, with the average of 15.1 mm. All of the 58 patients underwent one-stage PCNL and the numbers of punctures, the numbers of percutaneous tubes and the reasons for failure were recorded. Results: All percutaneous tubes and surgeries were established and done successfully. Of all the 118 punctures, 74 punctures succeeded by detecting the urine and 68 surgery tracts were established (6 punctures failed because of the dilation). The total puncture success rate was 62.7%(74/118). Of the total 74 successful punctures, 56.8%(42/74)succeeded at the first puncture, 28.4%(21/74)succeeded at the second puncture and 14.9%(11/74)succeeded at least after three punctures. The success puncture rate of the 4 urologists were 59.2%(29/49), 64.1%(25/39), 66.7%(16/24), 66.7%(4/6)respectively, and there were no statistical differences between the puncture success rates of the urologists (P=0.679). Each channel needed 1.7 punctures on average. Fouty-four punctures failed without detecting the urine, including 20 failed punctures because of the puncture tract deviation, 17 punctures without seeing the urine after the core needle being removed, 7 punctures no display on the ultrasound imagine. There were 33 punctures to be tubeless while other 35 indwelling the nephrostomy tubes. Five nephrostomy tubes' position were different with the preoperationally predicted position which means the discrepancy rate was 14.3%(5/35). One patient had complications and classified as Grade II or above on the modified Clavien Grading System of aerothorax. Conclusions The puncture success rate during ultrasound-guided PCNL is not satisfied. The main reasons of puncture failure are the deviation of puncture tract, unclear imaging of puncture tract and other unclear reasons( puncture needle went too deep or superficially or tip of the needle embedded into the stone).