Intestinal fibrosis is a major complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), leading to a high incidence of surgical interventions and significant disability. Despite its clinical relevance, no targeted pharmacological therapies are currently available. This review aims to explore the underlying mechanisms driving intestinal fibrosis and address unresolved scientific questions, offering insights into potential future therapeutic strategies. We conducted a literature review using data from PubMed up to October 2024, focusing on studies related to IBD and fibrosis. Intestinal fibrosis results from a complex network involving stromal cells, immune cells, epithelial cells, and the gut microbiota. Chronic inflammation, driven by factors such as dysbiosis, epithelial injury, and immune activation, leads to the production of cytokines like interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. These mediators activate various stromal cell populations, including fibroblasts, pericytes, and smooth muscle cells. The activated stromal cells secrete excessive extracellular matrix components, thereby promoting fibrosis. Additionally, stromal cells influence the immune microenvironment through cytokine production. Future research would focus on elucidating the temporal and spatial relationships between immune cell-driven inflammation and stromal cell-mediated fibrosis. Additionally, investigations are needed to clarify the differentiation origins of excessive extracellular matrix-producing cells, particularly fibroblast activation protein (FAP) + fibroblasts, in the context of intestinal fibrosis. In conclusion, aberrant stromal cell activation, triggered by upstream immune signals, is a key mechanism underlying intestinal fibrosis. Further investigations into immune-stromal cell interactions and stromal cell activation are essential for the development of therapeutic strategies to prevent, alleviate, and potentially reverse fibrosis.
Humans ; Fibrosis/metabolism* ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/pathology* ; Animals ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism* ; Intestines/pathology*

Objective To investigate the expression of monocyte subsets and their chemokine,i.e.,monocyte chemoattractant protein (MCP-1) and fractalkine (FKN),in patients with acute coronary svndrome (ACS),and to analyze their correlation.Methods Patients with the syndrome of pectoralgia and to be inspected with coronary angiography (CAG) in our hospital from Sep.to Dec.,2016 were included.Patients' venous blood was collected on the operation day before operation,the level and proportion of monocyte (Mon) subsets,which was namely CD14 + CD16-Mon (Mon1),CD14+CD16 + Mon (Mon2) and CD14-CD16 + Mon (Mon3) according to the expression of cluster differentiation-14 (CD14) and CD16,were detected by flow cytometry (FCM).Patients' venous blood was collected on the operation day before operation and one day after operation,the concentrations of MCP-1 and FKN in plasma were measured by ELISA.We compared the expression levels of MCP-1-Mon1 and FKN-Mon3,and analyzed their relationship between each other respectively in different groups.Results Diagnosed according to the clinical symptoms,myocardial markers,electrocardiogram and CAG results,70 individuals were analyzed,including 30 patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI group),25 patients with unstable angina pectoris (UAP group) and 15 patients with the chest pain symptoms and normal CAG results (control group).The percentage of Mon1 in the AMI group was higher than that in the other groups (P＜0.05);no difference was observed for Mon3 among the groups (P＞0.05).The Mon3/Mon1 ratio in the AMI group was lower than that in the control group (P＜0.05).Moreover,the levels of FKN and MCP-1 in the ACS group were greater than those in the control group.The level of red blood cell distribution width (RDW) was significantly increased in the AMI and UAP group than that in the control group (P＜0.05).There was a significant correlation between FKN and Mon3 (P＜0.05,R=0.650 2).Conclusions The monocyte subset of Mon1 and Mon3 increased in the early stage of ACS,with their chemokine (FKN and MCP-1) increasing at the same time.There is a significant correlation between FKN and Mon3,which indicates MCP-1-Mon1 and FKN-Mon3 may participate in the pathophysiological process of early ACS in patients.

Objective To investigate the correlation of incident pneumonia and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25(OH)D] levels in elderly patients with fragility hip fractures.Methods 132 patients with fragility hip fractures were divided into the pneumonia group [n=43,14 males and 29 females,aged 63-97 years,a mean age of (83.8±7.1) years] and the non-pneumonia group [n=89,28 males and 61 females,aged 60-93 years,a mean age of (77.1±8.1) years].Fasting venous blood samples were taken on the second day after admission.Serum 25 (OH)D levels were measured by radioimmunoassay.Results Vitamin D deficiency was found in 90.7％ of the patients in the pneumonia group,52.8％ in the non-pneumonia group (x2=24.953,P＜0.05).The age and smoking rate were higher in the pneumonia group than in the non-pneumonia group (t=4.661,P＜ 0.05;x2 =4.459,P=0.035).Logistic regression analysis showed that serum 25(OH)D levels,age and smoking were independent impact factors for pneumonia.When serum 25(OH)D levels were less than or equal to 20 g/L,the incidence of pneumonia was increased and the risk of pneumonia was 8.66 times higher than that for patients with normal 25 (OH)D levels.Conclusions The risk of pneumonia in patients with brittle hip fractures is correlated with age,smoking and the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level,with the latter as a major risk factor.Patients with brittle hip fractures should be supplemented with vitamin D as early as possible in order to reduce the risk of incident of pneumonia.

BACKGROUND:StageIorIIKummel’s diseaseisusualy suggested to be treated with percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) orpercutaneous kyphoplasty (PKP). Stage IIIKummel’s diseasewith neurologic deficit is treated with open decompression, cement-augmented combined with internalfixation. However, surgical options for stage IIIKummel’s diseasewithdural saccompression butwithnonervous symptoms arein disputeand rarely reported. OBJECTIVE:To investigatethesurgical options of Kummel’s disease with vertebral posterior walcolapse. METHODS:Fourteen patients with Kummel’s disease with vertebral posterior wal colapse wereenroled as experimental groupandtreated with PVP or PKP based on the degree of postural reduction.Another28 patients with osteoporotic vertebral fracture as control group were treated with PKP. Thenalpatients were folowed up to observe vertebralheight, Cobb angle, visual analog scale and the Oswestry disability index. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After folowed up for 10 to 42 months, therestoredvertebralheight, Cobb angle, visual analog scale and Oswestry disability index were significantly improved inthetwo groups (P<0.05). Thepostoperativevertebralheight intheexperimental group was significantly higher than thatinthe control group(P< 0.05).Butno significant differencesin Cobb angle, visual analog scalescoresand Oswestry disability indexwere found between thetwo groups after operation (P> 0.05). These data suggest that based on the degree of postural reduction, individualizedPVP or PKP for Kummel’s disease with vertebral posterior wal colapsecanattain satisfactoryoutcomes.

Objective To observe the mortality of fragile hip fractures and evaluate the death-associated risk factors.Methods 100 men and 186 women aged 50 to 97 (mean,77.09± 10.65) years old who had fragile hip fracture over 50 years old from 2010 to 2012 were followed up,and the clinical data were retrospectively analyzed.Three months,one year and the total mortality of following time were calculated.Mortality-related risk factors were evaluated including age,gender,and surgery,duration from injury to operation,pulmonary infection,number and kind of complications.Results The 286 patients were followed up between 6 months and 42 months,with 21.42±9.88 months in average.The three month mortality was 7.69％,the patients who were followed up over one year were 231 cases,the one year mortality was 16.02％,and the total mortality of following time was 17.48％.The mortality was associated with age,gender,surgery,duration from injury to operation,number of complications,pre-injury cardiovascular disease and respiratory system diseases,and pulmonary infection.A Binary Logistic Regression analysis revealed that the independent risk factors affecting the mortality included age (OR=5.385,P=0.003),surgery (OR=21.217,P=0.000),number of complications (OR=9.038,P=0.000),pre-injury cardiovascular disease (OR=3.201,P=0.041).Conclusion The early mortality of fragile hip fractures was high and was associated with many risk factors.Age,surgery,number of complications and pre-injury cardiovascular disease were the independent risk factors affecting the mortality of fragile hip fractures.The positive treatment with complications,early surgery in condition allowed,can lower the early mortality.

Objective To study the changes of bone mineral density (BMD) and structural parameters of femoral neck in fragile femoral neckfracture,and to investigate the relationship between the changes and occurrence of fragile fracture of femoral neck.Methods 102 patients were divided into fracture group (n=59) and non-fracture group (n=43).There were 18 males and 41 females [[mean age (74.0±9.3) yrs,ranged 53-88 yrs] in fracture group and 16 males and 27 females [mean age (64.3±9.9)] yrs,ranged 50-82 yrs in non-fracture group.CT scan and BMD in the femoral neck were collected in all patients.The structural parameters of the femoral neck in CT scan were measured with medical image analysis software.Results BMD was lower,cortical thickness of femoral neck (FNCT) was thinner and the ratio (FNCT/FNW) of cortical thickness (FNCT) over femoral neck width (FNW) was lower in fracture group than in non-fracture group (all P＜0.001),but there were no statistically significant differences in femoral neck width (FNW) and femoral medullary cavity width (FMCW) between the two groups (both P＞0.05).The BMD of femoral neck was markedly decreased in the fracture group as compared with the non-fracture group in patients aged 50-64 yrs (P ＜0.05),and there were no statistically significant differences in the changes of the femoral neck BMD between the two groups in patients aged over 65 yrs (P＜0.05).In both of patients aged 50-64 yrs and more than 65 yrs,FNCT was thinner and ratio of FNCT/FNW was lower in the fracture group than in the non-fracture group (both P＜0.05).The patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis had thinner FNCT and lower ratio of FNCT/FNW in the fracture group than in the non-fracture group of the patients with osteopenia and osteoporosis (both P＜ 0.01).Conclusions Lower BMD and thinner cortical thickness of femoral neck are closely related to the fragile fracture of femoral neck.The phase of femoral neck BMD rapid decline is mainly in the age of 50-65 yrs,which is consistent with the risk assessment for fragile fracture in femoral neck.The decrease of cortical thickness of femoral neck on FNCT is the main factor for the decreased femoral neck strength in patients aged over 65 yrs,which is also an important factor for the fragile fracture of femoral neck in the elderly aged over 65 yrs.

BACKGROUND:The prevalence of osteoporosis is high in the patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty. Osteoporosis is associated with the survival of prostheses. Both canal flare index and bone mineral density are aged-related.
OBJECTIVE:To study the cxorrelation between canal flare index of the proximal femur and bone mineral density of femoral neck, and to pay more attention to osteoporosis.
METHODS:A retrospective study of the correlation between canal flare index of the proximal femur on pelvic radiograph and bone mineral density of femoral neck was made in 57 patients undergoing total hip arthroplasty.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The canal flare index were ranged 1.8-4.8 (3.1±0.7) in 57 patients. There were 23 patients in canal flare index<3 (chimney-type medul ary cavity), 33 in canal flare index between 3 and 4.7 (normal-type medul ary cavity), and one in canal flare index>4.7 (funnel-type medul ary cavity). The age had an impact on the type of medul ary cavity. The prevalence of chimney-type medul ary cavity were significantly higher in>60 years old group than≤60 years old group, and bone mineral density of femoral neck in the group of canal flare index≥3 was significantly higher than the group of canal flare index<3. The bone mineral density of femoral neck was gradual y reduced with age, and were significantly higher in≤60 years old group than in>60 years old group [(0.751±0.235) g/cm2, (0.590±0.092) g/cm2, P=0.000]. As bone mineral density reduced, canal flare index was also decreased. Experimental findings indicate that, the bone mineral density of femoral neck is significantly correlated with canal flare index.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the tumor regression and local immune function in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with p53 gene therapy. METHOD: The two-step immunohistochemical was done to detect the expression of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) T-cell receptor-CD3, CD4, CD8 and B cell receptor-CD20 in the primary tumor tissue of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Nasal endoscopy with MRI or CT was used for evaluation of tumor size. RESULT: The expression of CD3, CD4, CD8 was significantly increased after p53 gene treatment (P < 0.05). There was no significant change in expression of CD20 after p53 gene treatment (P > 0.05). In conventional treatment group, CD3, CD4, CD8 and CD20 (P > 0.05) did not show any significant difference. In gene therapy group at 3 months after treatment, 20 patients had achieved CR, 10 PR, 1 SD, 1 PD. In conventional treatment group, 11 patients had achieved CR, 12 PR,5 SD,3 PD. The response rate between treatment group and control group (CR+PR) was different (P < 0.05). CD3 and CD4 expression was correlated with tumor regression rate (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), and CD8 expression was correlated with the CR rate (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION T cells are the most proliferative cell of TII. in NPC patients after p53 gene therapy The local cellular immune status is positively correlated with tumor regression rate.
Adult ; Aged ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Carcinoma ; Female ; Genes, p53 ; Genetic Therapy ; Humans ; Lymphocyte Count ; Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; immunology ; pathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the histopathologic changes of ethmoid bone and its correlation with clinical types of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS). METHOD: All ethmoid bones and mucosa from 180 patients with CRS after endoscopic sinus surgery were collected for histopathologic detection with HE staining. The number and the rate of cases were counted according to different histopathologic types. To analyze the correlation between ethmoid bones and clinical types of CRS, mucosal pathologic change, the CT-scanning types of sinusitis, the course of disease as well as operational history. RESULT: The ethmoid bone of all patients had varying degrees of histopathologic changes. There were 5 cases (2.78%) in stage I, 38 cases (21.11%) in stage II, 71 cases (39.44%) in stage III, and 66 cases (36.67%) in stage NIV. The histopathologic changes of ethmoid bone varied in different clinical types. In type I, there were 5 cases (8.33%) in stage I, 33 cases (55.00%) in stage II, 15 cases (25.00%) in stage III, and 7 cases (11.67%) in stage NV. In type I, there were 5 cases (8.33%) in stage II, 37 cases (61.67%) in stage mI, and 18 cases (30.00%) in stage NV. In type III, there were 19 cases (31.67%) in stage III, and 41 cases (68.33%) in stage NV. All histopathologic changes of ethmoid bone were statistically correlated (P < 0.01) with clinical types of CRS, pathologic mucosal change, the CT-scanning types of sinusitis, the course of disease as well as operational history. CONCLUSION Almost all patients with CRS manifest different-degrees of histopathologic changes, which are correlated with the clinical types of CRS, pathologic mucosal change, the CT-scanning types, the course of disease as well as operational history.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Chronic Disease ; Ethmoid Bone ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Mucosa ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Radiography ; Sinusitis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To study the expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor(IGF-1R) in nasal polyps and its relationship with allergic rhinitis. METHOD: The mRNA and protein expression of IGF-1R in 40 cases (20 cases with allergic rhinitis and 20 cases without) nasal polyps tissue (the CRSWNP group) and 20 middle turbinate tissue samples (the control group) were examined by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. RESULT: The positive staining rate of IGF-1R protein of nasal polyps tissue is 70.8% and that of control is 12.3%, the expression of IGF-1R mRNA of nasal polyp is 0.748 +/- 0.111,which is significant higher than that of the control group is 0.107 +/- 0.208 (P < 0.01). No significant difference of the expression of IGF-1R mRNA between with and without allergic rhinitis cases and between with and without endoscopy sinus surgery history cases in the CRSWNP group. CONCLUSION The overexpression of IGF-1R maybe play important roles in the formation of nasal polyp. Hypersensitivity reaction type I mediated by IgE has no contribution to the overexpression of the IGF-1R.
Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Polyps ; immunology ; metabolism ; pathology ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptor, IGF Type 1 ; metabolism ; Young Adult