Objective:To investigate the effect of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) on the biological activity of infantile hemangioma (IH) -derived endothelial cells (HemECs) .Methods:Three proliferating IH tissues and three involuting IH tissues were collected from IH patients receiving surgical resection at the Department of Pediatric Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from February to August 2021. Primary HemECs were isolated from proliferating IH tissues, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) served as the control. The TGF-β1 expression levels in tissues and cells were detected by immunohistochemical study and Western blot analysis. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay was performed to assess the effect of 0 (control group) - 100 ng/ml TGF-β1 on HemEC proliferation. HemECs were treated with 5 ng/ml TGF-β1 or without (control group), and after several hours of treatment, Transwell assay was performed to evaluate cell migration ability, and immunofluorescence assay to assess the changes in the expression of endothelial markers (platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 [CD31], vascular endothelial cadherin [VE-cadherin]) and mesenchymal markers (α-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA], collagen type Ⅰ α 1 [COL1A1]). Comparisons between groups were conducted by t test or one-way analysis of variance. Results:Immunohistochemical study showed that proliferating IH tissues were stained positively for TGF-β1, which was expressed relatively abundantly; the percentages of TGF-β1-positive signal area were higher in the proliferating IH tissues (24.68% ± 3.74%) than in the involuting IH tissues (almost no expression). Western blot analysis revealed that the relative expression level of TGF-β1 was significantly higher in HemECs (1.08 ± 0.13) than in HUVECs (0.30 ± 0.04, t = 9.93, P < 0.001). CCK8 assay showed increased proliferative activity of HemECs in the 3.125-, 6.25-, 12.5-, 25-, 50- and 75-ng/ml TGF-β1 groups compared with the control group (all P < 0.05), and no significant difference was found between the 100-ng/ml TGF-β1 group and the control group ( P > 0.05). Transwell assay revealed an increased number of migratory HemECs in the 5-ng/ml TGF-β1 group (127 ± 6) compared with the control group (103 ± 9; t = 5.32, P < 0.01). Immunofluorescence assay showed significantly decreased fluorescence intensity of endothelial markers CD31 and VE-cadherin in the 5-ng/ml TGF-β1 group (5.441 ± 1.254, 5.073 ± 0.412, respectively) compared with the control group (9.518 ± 1.728,7.671 ± 0.921, t = 3.31, 4.46, P = 0.030, 0.011, respectively), and significantly increased fluorescence intensity of mesenchymal markers α-SMA and COL1A1 in the 5-ng/ml TGF-β1 group (8.074 ± 0.846, 5.885 ± 0.216, respectively) compared with the control group (0.393 ± 0.342, 0.295 ± 0.125, t = 14.58, 38.76, P < 0.001, < 0.000 1, respectively) . Conclusion:TGF-β1 was relatively highly expressed in the proliferating IH tissues and HemECs, and could promote the proliferation, migration and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition of HemECs.

Objective:To establish a complete system for the isolation, purification, identification, and culture of Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma-derived endothelial cells (KHE-ECs), to analyze the phenotype of KHE-ECs, and to explore the possibility of establishing a KHE-EC bank.Methods:A novel digestion solution for KHE tumors (patent number: CN202410500224.2) was formulated using collection fluid, Liberase TM and dispase stock solutions, and was used to process tumor tissues to obtain cells. High-purity KHE-ECs were purified using CD31 + immunomagnetic beads. The EGM-2 complete medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and 2% penicillin-streptomycin solution was employed for cell culture. To verify the characteristics of KHE-ECs, immunofluorescence assay was conducted to determine the expression of endothelial cell-specific markers CD31 and CD34, KHE disease markers podoplanin (D2-40), prospero-related homeobox 1 (Prox-1), and lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE1), as well as an infantile hemangioma-specific diagnostic marker glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) served as controls for the phenotype analysis of KHE-ECs, including cell viability, cytoskeleton, proliferation, migration, invasion, tube formation, and sprouting ability. Results:Primary cells were successfully isolated from KHE tumor tissues, and high-purity KHE-ECs were obtained by using CD31 + immunomagnetic beads. The cells exhibited typical spindle-shaped morphology and an adherent growth pattern. Immunofluorescence assay showed that KHE-ECs expressed CD31, CD34, D2-40, Prox-1, and LYVE1, but did not express GLUT-1. There were significant differences in cell morphology, cell viability, and cytoskeletal structures between KHE-ECs and HUVECs. Additionally, the KHE-EC group showed significantly increased percentages of proliferative cells (29.1% ± 2.5%), numbers of migratory cells (114.3 ± 9.4) and invasive cells (110.0 ± 6.1), tube length (32 121.0 ± 892.0 μm), and number of sprouting cells (25.0 ± 3.6) compared with the HUVEC group (13.0% ± 2.2%, 38.0 ± 3.6, 35.3 ± 2.3, 25 345.0 ± 448.1 μm, 5.0 ± 1.0, respectively, all P ≤ 0.001) . Conclusion:An innovative digestion solution specifically for KHE tumors was formulated for the first time, and high-purity and well-growing KHE-EC strains were successfully isolated and purified by using the novel digestion solution in combination with CD31 + immunomagnetic beads, providing a stable and reliable cell source for subsequent experimental studies on KHE and laying the foundation for establishing a KHE-EC bank.

Objective:To investigate the optimal timing of oral propranolol treatment for proliferative infantile hemangiomas (IH) .Methods:A bidirectional cohort study was conducted. Infants with proliferative IH receiving oral propranolol treatment were collected from the Department of Pediatric Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University between June 2015 and May 2019, and their general information and IH-related clinical data were analyzed. The primary outcome was the satisfactory regression rate of IH during 6-12 months of continuous oral propranolol treatment; secondary outcomes included the time to achieve satisfactory regression, incidence of adverse reactions, incidence of IH ulceration, and IH recurrence rate. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors influencing the satisfactory regression of IH after propranolol treatment, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was employed to determine the optimal age for initiating propranolol therapy.Results:A total of 122 IH infants were enrolled in the study, including 32 males (26.2%) and 90 females (73.8%), with ages ( M[ Q1, Q3]) of 8.6 [6.3, 12.3] weeks. IH was located on the head and face in 56 cases (45.9%). There were 57 cases (46.7%) of localized IH, 53 (43.4%) of segmental IH, and 86 (70.5%) of mixed-type IH. Ulceration occurred in 17 cases (13.9%). After 6 months of propranolol treatment, 8 patients (6.6%) experienced treatment failure, and 12 (9.8%) experienced relapse within 6 months after discontinuation of propranolol. During 6 months of oral propranolol treatment, 56 infants (45.9%) experienced mild to moderate adverse reactions, with no drug-related deaths observed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the age at initiation of propranolol treatment was an independent factor influencing satisfactory regression of IH ( OR = 0.879, 95% CI: 0.808 - 0.957). ROC curve analysis revealed that the optimal age for starting propranolol therapy was 9.9 weeks, with a sensitivity of 75.7% and a specificity of 61.5%. Infants aged ≤ 9.9 weeks (73 cases) had a significantly higher satisfactory regression rate (72.6% [53/73]) compared with those aged > 9.9 weeks (49 cases, 34.7% [17/49]; χ2 = 17.23, P < 0.001) ; the time to achieve satisfactory regression of IH was significantly shorter in the infants aged ≤ 9.9 weeks ( M[ Q1, Q3]: 46.0 [38.5, 48.0] weeks) than in those aged > 9.9 weeks (57.0 [40.0, 73.5] weeks; Z = -2.01, P = 0.045) . Conclusion:For IH infants requiring systemic therapy, initiation of oral propranolol before the age of 10 weeks appeared to improve the satisfactory regression rate of IH.

Objective:To investigate the effect of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) on the biological activity of infantile hemangioma (IH) -derived endothelial cells (HemECs) .Methods:Three proliferating IH tissues and three involuting IH tissues were collected from IH patients receiving surgical resection at the Department of Pediatric Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University from February to August 2021. Primary HemECs were isolated from proliferating IH tissues, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) served as the control. The TGF-β1 expression levels in tissues and cells were detected by immunohistochemical study and Western blot analysis. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay was performed to assess the effect of 0 (control group) - 100 ng/ml TGF-β1 on HemEC proliferation. HemECs were treated with 5 ng/ml TGF-β1 or without (control group), and after several hours of treatment, Transwell assay was performed to evaluate cell migration ability, and immunofluorescence assay to assess the changes in the expression of endothelial markers (platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule-1 [CD31], vascular endothelial cadherin [VE-cadherin]) and mesenchymal markers (α-smooth muscle actin [α-SMA], collagen type Ⅰ α 1 [COL1A1]). Comparisons between groups were conducted by t test or one-way analysis of variance. Results:Immunohistochemical study showed that proliferating IH tissues were stained positively for TGF-β1, which was expressed relatively abundantly; the percentages of TGF-β1-positive signal area were higher in the proliferating IH tissues (24.68% ± 3.74%) than in the involuting IH tissues (almost no expression). Western blot analysis revealed that the relative expression level of TGF-β1 was significantly higher in HemECs (1.08 ± 0.13) than in HUVECs (0.30 ± 0.04, t = 9.93, P < 0.001). CCK8 assay showed increased proliferative activity of HemECs in the 3.125-, 6.25-, 12.5-, 25-, 50- and 75-ng/ml TGF-β1 groups compared with the control group (all P < 0.05), and no significant difference was found between the 100-ng/ml TGF-β1 group and the control group ( P > 0.05). Transwell assay revealed an increased number of migratory HemECs in the 5-ng/ml TGF-β1 group (127 ± 6) compared with the control group (103 ± 9; t = 5.32, P < 0.01). Immunofluorescence assay showed significantly decreased fluorescence intensity of endothelial markers CD31 and VE-cadherin in the 5-ng/ml TGF-β1 group (5.441 ± 1.254, 5.073 ± 0.412, respectively) compared with the control group (9.518 ± 1.728,7.671 ± 0.921, t = 3.31, 4.46, P = 0.030, 0.011, respectively), and significantly increased fluorescence intensity of mesenchymal markers α-SMA and COL1A1 in the 5-ng/ml TGF-β1 group (8.074 ± 0.846, 5.885 ± 0.216, respectively) compared with the control group (0.393 ± 0.342, 0.295 ± 0.125, t = 14.58, 38.76, P < 0.001, < 0.000 1, respectively) . Conclusion:TGF-β1 was relatively highly expressed in the proliferating IH tissues and HemECs, and could promote the proliferation, migration and endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition of HemECs.

Objective:To establish a complete system for the isolation, purification, identification, and culture of Kaposiform hemangioendothelioma-derived endothelial cells (KHE-ECs), to analyze the phenotype of KHE-ECs, and to explore the possibility of establishing a KHE-EC bank.Methods:A novel digestion solution for KHE tumors (patent number: CN202410500224.2) was formulated using collection fluid, Liberase TM and dispase stock solutions, and was used to process tumor tissues to obtain cells. High-purity KHE-ECs were purified using CD31 + immunomagnetic beads. The EGM-2 complete medium containing 10% fetal bovine serum and 2% penicillin-streptomycin solution was employed for cell culture. To verify the characteristics of KHE-ECs, immunofluorescence assay was conducted to determine the expression of endothelial cell-specific markers CD31 and CD34, KHE disease markers podoplanin (D2-40), prospero-related homeobox 1 (Prox-1), and lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor 1 (LYVE1), as well as an infantile hemangioma-specific diagnostic marker glucose transporter 1 (GLUT-1). Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) served as controls for the phenotype analysis of KHE-ECs, including cell viability, cytoskeleton, proliferation, migration, invasion, tube formation, and sprouting ability. Results:Primary cells were successfully isolated from KHE tumor tissues, and high-purity KHE-ECs were obtained by using CD31 + immunomagnetic beads. The cells exhibited typical spindle-shaped morphology and an adherent growth pattern. Immunofluorescence assay showed that KHE-ECs expressed CD31, CD34, D2-40, Prox-1, and LYVE1, but did not express GLUT-1. There were significant differences in cell morphology, cell viability, and cytoskeletal structures between KHE-ECs and HUVECs. Additionally, the KHE-EC group showed significantly increased percentages of proliferative cells (29.1% ± 2.5%), numbers of migratory cells (114.3 ± 9.4) and invasive cells (110.0 ± 6.1), tube length (32 121.0 ± 892.0 μm), and number of sprouting cells (25.0 ± 3.6) compared with the HUVEC group (13.0% ± 2.2%, 38.0 ± 3.6, 35.3 ± 2.3, 25 345.0 ± 448.1 μm, 5.0 ± 1.0, respectively, all P ≤ 0.001) . Conclusion:An innovative digestion solution specifically for KHE tumors was formulated for the first time, and high-purity and well-growing KHE-EC strains were successfully isolated and purified by using the novel digestion solution in combination with CD31 + immunomagnetic beads, providing a stable and reliable cell source for subsequent experimental studies on KHE and laying the foundation for establishing a KHE-EC bank.

Objective:To investigate the optimal timing of oral propranolol treatment for proliferative infantile hemangiomas (IH) .Methods:A bidirectional cohort study was conducted. Infants with proliferative IH receiving oral propranolol treatment were collected from the Department of Pediatric Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University between June 2015 and May 2019, and their general information and IH-related clinical data were analyzed. The primary outcome was the satisfactory regression rate of IH during 6-12 months of continuous oral propranolol treatment; secondary outcomes included the time to achieve satisfactory regression, incidence of adverse reactions, incidence of IH ulceration, and IH recurrence rate. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to identify factors influencing the satisfactory regression of IH after propranolol treatment, and a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was employed to determine the optimal age for initiating propranolol therapy.Results:A total of 122 IH infants were enrolled in the study, including 32 males (26.2%) and 90 females (73.8%), with ages ( M[ Q1, Q3]) of 8.6 [6.3, 12.3] weeks. IH was located on the head and face in 56 cases (45.9%). There were 57 cases (46.7%) of localized IH, 53 (43.4%) of segmental IH, and 86 (70.5%) of mixed-type IH. Ulceration occurred in 17 cases (13.9%). After 6 months of propranolol treatment, 8 patients (6.6%) experienced treatment failure, and 12 (9.8%) experienced relapse within 6 months after discontinuation of propranolol. During 6 months of oral propranolol treatment, 56 infants (45.9%) experienced mild to moderate adverse reactions, with no drug-related deaths observed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the age at initiation of propranolol treatment was an independent factor influencing satisfactory regression of IH ( OR = 0.879, 95% CI: 0.808 - 0.957). ROC curve analysis revealed that the optimal age for starting propranolol therapy was 9.9 weeks, with a sensitivity of 75.7% and a specificity of 61.5%. Infants aged ≤ 9.9 weeks (73 cases) had a significantly higher satisfactory regression rate (72.6% [53/73]) compared with those aged > 9.9 weeks (49 cases, 34.7% [17/49]; χ2 = 17.23, P < 0.001) ; the time to achieve satisfactory regression of IH was significantly shorter in the infants aged ≤ 9.9 weeks ( M[ Q1, Q3]: 46.0 [38.5, 48.0] weeks) than in those aged > 9.9 weeks (57.0 [40.0, 73.5] weeks; Z = -2.01, P = 0.045) . Conclusion:For IH infants requiring systemic therapy, initiation of oral propranolol before the age of 10 weeks appeared to improve the satisfactory regression rate of IH.

Objective:To analyze the impact of cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-induced sepsis on the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells.Methods:① Animal experiment: sixteen male C57BL/6 mice were divided into sham operation group (Sham group) and CLP-induced sepsis model group (CLP group) by random number table method, with 8 mice in each group. After 5 days of operation, the jejunal tissues were taken for determination of leucine-rich-repeat-containing G-protein-coupled receptor 5 (LGR5) and intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP) by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The translation of LGR5 was detected by Western blotting. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (Ki67) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. IAP level was detected by modified calcium cobalt staining and colorimetry. Immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expression of Paneth cell marker molecule lysozyme 1 (LYZ1) and goblet cell marker molecule mucin 2 (MUC2). ② Cell experiment: IEC6 cells in logarithmic growth stage were divided into blank control group and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group (LPS 5 μg/mL). Twenty-four hours after treatment, PCR and Western blotting were used to analyze the transcription and translation of LGR5. The proliferation of IEC6 cells were detected by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining. The transcription and translation of IAP were detected by PCR and colorimetric method respectively.Results:① Animal experiment: the immunohistochemical results showed that the positive rate of Ki67 staining in the jejunal tissue of CLP group was lower than that of Sham group [(41.7±2.5)% vs. (48.7±1.4)%, P = 0.01]. PCR and Western blotting results showed that there were no statistical differences in the mRNA and protein expressions of LGR5 in the jejunal tissue between the CLP group and Sham group (Lgr5 mRNA: 0.7±0.1 vs. 1.0±0.2, P = 0.11; LGR5/β-actin: 0.83±0.17 vs. 0.68±0.19, P = 0.24). The mRNA (0.4±0.1 vs. 1.0±0.1, P < 0.01) and protein (U/g: 47.3±6.0 vs. 73.1±15.3, P < 0.01) levels of IAP in the jejunal tissue were lower in CLP group. Immunofluorescence saining analysis showed that the expressions of LYZ1 and MUC2 in the CLP group were lower than those in the Sham group. ②Cell experiment: PCR and Western blotting results showed that there was no significant difference in the expression of LGR5 between the LPS group and the blank control group (Lgr5 mRNA: 0.9±0.1 vs. 1.0±0.2, P = 0.33; LGR5/β-actin: 0.71±0.18 vs. 0.69±0.04, P = 0.81). The proliferation rate of IEC6 cells in the LPS group was lower than that in the blank control group, but there was no significant difference [positivity rate of EdU: (40.5±3.8)% vs. (46.5±3.6)%, P = 0.11]. The mRNA (0.5±0.1 vs. 1.0±0.2, P < 0.01) and protein (U/g: 15.0±4.0 vs. 41.2±10.4, P < 0.01) of IAP in the LPS group were lower than those in the blank control group. Conclusion:CLP-induced sepsis inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of intestinal epithelial cells, impairing the self-renewal ability of intestinal epithelium.

Artificial intelligence technology encompasses a broad intersection of disciplines including informatics,biolo-gy,and logic,and its application in the healthcare field has garnered significant attention in recent years.Electronic medical re-cords(EMRs)contain vast amounts of medical data with potentially immeasurable medical value.Utilizing artificial intelligence technology to mine this potential value can assist clinicians in decision-making,improve diagnostic and treatment efficiency,and enhance service quality,which is of great significance for the development of the healthcare sector.This paper introduces the ap-plication of artificial intelligence technology in data mining of electronic medical records and quality control of medical record con-tent.It also discusses the existing limitations and challenges,while providing insights into future developments.

Objective:To investigate the effect of the key glycolysis enzyme 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3) on the biological activity of hemangioma-derived endothelial cells (HemECs) .Methods:Totally, 4 proliferating infantile hemangioma (IH) tissues and 4 involuting IH tissues were collected. Primary HemECs were isolated from the proliferating IH tissues, and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) served as controls. Immunohistochemical study and Western blot analysis were performed to determine the expression of PFKFB3 in the IH tissues and HemECs, respectively. Cell counting kit-8 (CCK8) assay was conducted to evaluate the effect of PFK15 (a specific inhibitor of PFKFB3) at concentrations of 0 - 10 μmol/L on the proliferation of HemECs, and HemECs treated without PFKFB3 served as the control group. Some in vitro cultured HemECs were treated with 5 μmol/L PFK15, and served as a PFK15 intervention group, while HemECs treated without PFK15 served as a control group; then, the migratory ability of HemECs was assessed by Transwell assay, and the apoptosis level of HemECs was detected by flow cytometry. Comparisons between groups were performed by using t test or analysis of variance. Results:Immunohistochemical study showed that the positive rate of PFKFB3 was significantly higher in the proliferating IH tissues (74.34% ± 5.26%) than in the involuting IH tissues (41.46% ± 2.99%, t = 9.40, P < 0.001). Western blot analysis showed that the relative expression level of PFKFB3 was also significantly higher in HemECs (0.73 ± 0.05) than in HUVECs (0.45 ± 0.04, t = 8.50, P < 0.001). CCK8 assay revealed significantly decreased proliferative activity of HemECs in the 0.625-, 1.25-, 2.5-, 5-, and 10-μmol/L PFK15 groups compared with the control group (all P < 0.01). Compared with the control group, the PFK15 intervention group showed significantly decreased number of migratory HemECs (297 ± 15 vs. 422 ± 8, t = 12.59, P < 0.001), but significantly increased apoptosis rates of HemECs (6.69% ± 0.64% vs. 0.34% ± 0.07%, t = 17.07, P < 0.001) . Conclusion:The key glycolytic enzyme PFKFB3 was highly expressed in the proliferating IH tissues and HemECs, and the PFKFB3 inhibitor PFK15 could suppress the proliferation, migration, and increase the apoptosis of HemECs.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features, differential diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of complex lymphatic malformations.Methods:The clinical data of patients with complex lymphatic malformation were retrospectively analyzed from April 2010 to April 2022 in the Multidisciplinary Outpatient Department of the Vascular Disease Team of West China Hospital, Sichuan University. All patients were diagnosed with complex lymphatic malformation after consultation with multidisciplinary experts in pediatric surgery, radiology, plastic surgery, pathology, rehabilitation and other departments. The clinical manifestations, blood routine, coagulation function, magnetic resonance imaging and treatment methods of the patients were analyzed. According to the follow-up and disease results, the patients were divided into improvement, stability, progress and death.Results:A total of 18 patients with complex lymphatic malformations were included in the study, including 6 males and 12 females. The age of first diagnosis ranged from 1 month to 29 years old, and the median age was 2.5 years old. Patients were followed up and treated for 0.4 to 12.0 years, with an average follow-up of 3.5 years. Ten patients had pleural and pericardial effusion; 15 patients had visceral involvement which showed multifocal changes in imaging examinations; 9 cases were accompanied by bone destruction, which in Gorham-Stout disease patients broke through the cortex while in generalized lymphatic anomalies it did not; 14 patients had various degrees of coagulation abnormalities, of which 8 patients with severe coagulation dysfunction were all diagnosed as kaposiform lymphangiomatosis. Of the 18 patients, one kaposiform lymphangiomatosis patient died; six patients progressed; eight patients were stable; and three patients improved.Conclusion:The clinical characteristics of patients with complex lymphatic malformations are systemic, diverse and complex. The clinical symptoms of patients with diffuse lymphatic malformation accompanied by involvement of bone and multiple internal organs, chest and abdominal effusion, and coagulation dysfunction should be considered as complex lymphatic malformation. However, due to overlapping clinical characteristics of each subtypes, it is difficult to distinguish patients with complex lymphatic malformation, and the curative effect and prognosis are poor. Precision targeted drugs are the future research direction for the treatment of such diseases.