Objective To investigate the relationship between serum trimethylamine oxide(TMAO),neurofilament light chain protein(NfL),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α(PGC-1α)expression levels and short-term prognosis in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(aSAH)patients.Method A total of 125 aSAH patients(aSAH group)and 125 healthy volunteers in the same period(control group)who were admitted in heji hospital affiliated to Changzhi Medical College from March 2020 to June 2023 were selected.The serum expression levels of TMAO,NfL and PGC-1α were compared between control group and aSAH group.The aSAH patients were followed up for 6 months after discharge.Their prognosis were evaluated using Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS)and they were further divided into good prognosis and poor prognosis groups according to the GOS results.The serum expression levels of TMAO,NfL and PGC-1α were compared between the two groups.The poor prognosis influencing factors were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression analysis,the serum TMAO,NfL and PGC-1α value in predicting poor prognosis were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Result The expression levels of serum TMAO and PGC-1 α in the aSAH group were(2.63±0.36)μmol/L and(0.51±0.13)ng/mL,respectively,which were lower than those in the control group(3.18±0.57)μmol/L and(0.81±0.16)ng/mL(P<0.05).The expression level of serum NfL was significantly higher in the aSAH group(64.48±14.35 pg/mL)than in the control group(28.36±8.82 pg/mL)(P<0.05).Compared with the good prognosis group whose serum levels of TMAO and PGC-1 α were(2.80±0.80)μmol/L and(0.58±0.16)ng/mL,respectively,the poor prognosis group had significantly lower serum TMAO[(2.29±0.63)μmol/L]and PGC-1 α[(0.36±0.12)ng/mL](P<0.05).In contrast,poor prognosis group had a significantly higher level of NfL(76.70±15.61)pg/mL compared to good prognosis group(58.52±10.52)pg/mL(P<0.05).The proportion of patients with hypertension,patients with diabetes,patients with large or giant aneurysms,patients with Hunt Hess grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ,patients with onset to hospital time>12 h,and the level of C-reactive protein(CRP)were higher in the poor prognosis group than in the good prognosis group(P<0.05).Hunt Hess grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ,elevated serum CRP and NfL were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in aSAH patients(P<0.05),while elevated TMAO and PGC-1 α were protective factors(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of serum TMAO,NfL,PGC-1 α,and their combined prediction of poor prognosis in aSAH patients were 0.726,0.830,0.862,and 0.956,respectively.The AUC of the combined detection was greater than that of each indicator detected separately.Conclusion Serum TMAO and PGC-1α are lowly expressed in aSAH patients,and serum NfL is highly expressed,which are related to the occurrence of short-term poor prognosis,the combined detection of the three indicators has a high predictive value for short-term poor prognosis in aSAH patients.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) combined with computed tomography (CT) for brucellar spondylitis (BS).Methods:From March 2019 to March 2024, patients with suspected BS admitted to Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture Friendship Hospital were selected as study subjects. Their clinical characteristics, laboratory tests, and imaging findings (mp-MRI and CT) were analyzed.Results:A total of 60 suspected BS patients were enrolled, including 43 males and 17 females. Among them, 39 cases (65.00%) were diagnosed with BS, while 21 cases (35.00%) were non-BS. CT examination was performed in 48 patients, mp-MRI in 40 patients, and both examinations in 28 patients. Among CT-examined patients, there were 28 BS cases, 1 case had cervical spine involvement, 3 case had thoracic spine involvement, 3 case had thoracolumbar spine involvement, and 21 case had lumbosacral spine involvement. There were 16 cases involved 2 vertebrae, 3 cases involved 3 vertebrae, and 9 cases involved > 3 vertebrae.There were 15 cases had vertebral osteophyte formation, 28 cases had vertebral bone destruction, 22 cases had intervertebral space stenosis, 25 cases had uneven intervertebral disc density, 28 cases had thickening of soft tissues around the vertebrae, 19 cases had paravertebral abscesses, and 6 cases had spinal canal stenosis. In the mp-MRI examination of patients, there were 30 BS patients, among whom 1 case had cervical spine involvement, 2 case had thoracic spine involvement, 4 case had thoracolumbar spine involvement, and 23 case had lumbosacral spine involvement. There were 16 cases involved 2 vertebrae, 3 cases involved 3 vertebrae, and 11 cases involved > 3 vertebrae, 24 cases had intervertebral space stenosis, 27 cases had intervertebral disc destruction. There were 27 cases had swelling and thickening of soft tissues around the vertebrae, and 21 cases had paravertebral, psoas major muscle, and/or spinal canal abscesses. The BS group showed lower fractional anisotropy value and higher apparent diffusion coefficient value compared to the non-BS group, with statistically significant differences ( t = 5.26, 5.63, P < 0.001). The mp-MRI combined with CT showed higher sensitivity (86.36%, 19/22) and specificity (5/6) for BS diagnosis compared to mp-MRI alone (78.57%, 11/14; 80.77%, 21/26) and CT alone (56.25%, 9/16; 71.88%, 23/32). Conclusions:BS patients present diverse imaging manifestations. The combination of mp-MRI and CT demonstrates better diagnostic efficacy for BS than single examinations alone, showing good diagnostic value.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum trimethylamine oxide(TMAO),neurofilament light chain protein(NfL),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α(PGC-1α)expression levels and short-term prognosis in aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage(aSAH)patients.Method A total of 125 aSAH patients(aSAH group)and 125 healthy volunteers in the same period(control group)who were admitted in heji hospital affiliated to Changzhi Medical College from March 2020 to June 2023 were selected.The serum expression levels of TMAO,NfL and PGC-1α were compared between control group and aSAH group.The aSAH patients were followed up for 6 months after discharge.Their prognosis were evaluated using Glasgow Outcome Scale(GOS)and they were further divided into good prognosis and poor prognosis groups according to the GOS results.The serum expression levels of TMAO,NfL and PGC-1α were compared between the two groups.The poor prognosis influencing factors were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression analysis,the serum TMAO,NfL and PGC-1α value in predicting poor prognosis were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Result The expression levels of serum TMAO and PGC-1 α in the aSAH group were(2.63±0.36)μmol/L and(0.51±0.13)ng/mL,respectively,which were lower than those in the control group(3.18±0.57)μmol/L and(0.81±0.16)ng/mL(P<0.05).The expression level of serum NfL was significantly higher in the aSAH group(64.48±14.35 pg/mL)than in the control group(28.36±8.82 pg/mL)(P<0.05).Compared with the good prognosis group whose serum levels of TMAO and PGC-1 α were(2.80±0.80)μmol/L and(0.58±0.16)ng/mL,respectively,the poor prognosis group had significantly lower serum TMAO[(2.29±0.63)μmol/L]and PGC-1 α[(0.36±0.12)ng/mL](P<0.05).In contrast,poor prognosis group had a significantly higher level of NfL(76.70±15.61)pg/mL compared to good prognosis group(58.52±10.52)pg/mL(P<0.05).The proportion of patients with hypertension,patients with diabetes,patients with large or giant aneurysms,patients with Hunt Hess grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ,patients with onset to hospital time>12 h,and the level of C-reactive protein(CRP)were higher in the poor prognosis group than in the good prognosis group(P<0.05).Hunt Hess grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ,elevated serum CRP and NfL were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in aSAH patients(P<0.05),while elevated TMAO and PGC-1 α were protective factors(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of serum TMAO,NfL,PGC-1 α,and their combined prediction of poor prognosis in aSAH patients were 0.726,0.830,0.862,and 0.956,respectively.The AUC of the combined detection was greater than that of each indicator detected separately.Conclusion Serum TMAO and PGC-1α are lowly expressed in aSAH patients,and serum NfL is highly expressed,which are related to the occurrence of short-term poor prognosis,the combined detection of the three indicators has a high predictive value for short-term poor prognosis in aSAH patients.

Objective:To explore the diagnostic value of multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mp-MRI) combined with computed tomography (CT) for brucellar spondylitis (BS).Methods:From March 2019 to March 2024, patients with suspected BS admitted to Yili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture Friendship Hospital were selected as study subjects. Their clinical characteristics, laboratory tests, and imaging findings (mp-MRI and CT) were analyzed.Results:A total of 60 suspected BS patients were enrolled, including 43 males and 17 females. Among them, 39 cases (65.00%) were diagnosed with BS, while 21 cases (35.00%) were non-BS. CT examination was performed in 48 patients, mp-MRI in 40 patients, and both examinations in 28 patients. Among CT-examined patients, there were 28 BS cases, 1 case had cervical spine involvement, 3 case had thoracic spine involvement, 3 case had thoracolumbar spine involvement, and 21 case had lumbosacral spine involvement. There were 16 cases involved 2 vertebrae, 3 cases involved 3 vertebrae, and 9 cases involved > 3 vertebrae.There were 15 cases had vertebral osteophyte formation, 28 cases had vertebral bone destruction, 22 cases had intervertebral space stenosis, 25 cases had uneven intervertebral disc density, 28 cases had thickening of soft tissues around the vertebrae, 19 cases had paravertebral abscesses, and 6 cases had spinal canal stenosis. In the mp-MRI examination of patients, there were 30 BS patients, among whom 1 case had cervical spine involvement, 2 case had thoracic spine involvement, 4 case had thoracolumbar spine involvement, and 23 case had lumbosacral spine involvement. There were 16 cases involved 2 vertebrae, 3 cases involved 3 vertebrae, and 11 cases involved > 3 vertebrae, 24 cases had intervertebral space stenosis, 27 cases had intervertebral disc destruction. There were 27 cases had swelling and thickening of soft tissues around the vertebrae, and 21 cases had paravertebral, psoas major muscle, and/or spinal canal abscesses. The BS group showed lower fractional anisotropy value and higher apparent diffusion coefficient value compared to the non-BS group, with statistically significant differences ( t = 5.26, 5.63, P < 0.001). The mp-MRI combined with CT showed higher sensitivity (86.36%, 19/22) and specificity (5/6) for BS diagnosis compared to mp-MRI alone (78.57%, 11/14; 80.77%, 21/26) and CT alone (56.25%, 9/16; 71.88%, 23/32). Conclusions:BS patients present diverse imaging manifestations. The combination of mp-MRI and CT demonstrates better diagnostic efficacy for BS than single examinations alone, showing good diagnostic value.

Objective:Based on gene expression omnibus(GEO),differential expressed genes,gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)and immune cell infiltration analysis were performed on microarray data of chronic spontaneous urticaria(CSU)expression profile,to gain more insight into the pathogenesis of CSU.Methods:The GSE72541 raw data were obtained from the GEO.Differential expressed genes were screened using R software.String database were used to construct the the protein-protein interaction(PPI)net-work.Gene ontology(GO)and Kyoto encyclopedia of gene and genomes(KEGG)enrichment analysis were performed using GSEA software.The ssGSEA method was used to analyze the infiltration of immune cells in the expression profile.Results:Genes closely related to platelet activation and its function were up-regulated in CSU serum,while genes related to Th1 cell chemotaxis were down-regulated in CSU serum.Biological processes and signal pathways related to coagulation cascade reaction,regulation of vascular per-meability,immune and inflammatory reactions,and mood-modulating were up-regulated in CSU group.Immunized cell infiltration analysis showed that activated B cells,immature B cells,follicular helper T cells,and Th2 cells were down-regulated in the CSU serum.Conclusion:Platelet activation,coagulation cascade reaction and the imbalance of Th1/Th2 immunity play important roles in the pathogenesis of CSU.

Objective:To explore the genetic etiology of a child with primary hypertrophic osteoarthropathy(PHO).Methods:A child who was admitted to Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University on July 27, 2021 was selected as the study subject. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood samples of the child and his parents and subjected to whole exome sequencing. Suspected splicing variant was verified by Sanger sequencing of family members. In vitro function was validated through a minigene assay, whilst the suspected exonic deletion was validated by long-fragment PCR. This study was approved by the Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University (Ethics No. 2023-K-011). Results:Whole exome sequencing revealed that the child has harbored compound heterozygous variants of HPGD gene, including a heterozygous deletion (Exon 3 del) derived from his father and a splicing variant (c.421+ 1G>T) derived from his mother. Long-fragment PCR verified that the child and his father had both harbored a 7 565 bp heterozygous deletion (c.218-1304_324+ 6156del), whilst the minigene assay proved that the splicing variant has resulted in skipping of exon 4. Conclusion:The heterozygous c. 218-1304_324+ 6156del deletion and the c. 421+ 1G>T splicing variant of the HPGD gene probably underlay the pathogenesis in this child. Above finding has enriched the mutational spectrum of the HPGD gene and provided a basis for genetic counseling and prenatal diagnosis for this family.

Objective: Bariatric surgery effectively treats non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The glutamate-serine-glycine (GSG) index has emerged as a non-invasive diagnostic marker for NAFLD, but its ability to monitor treatment response remains unclear. This study investigates the GSG index's ability to monitor NAFLD's response to bariatric surgery. Methodology: Ten NAFLD participants were studied at baseline and 6 months post-bariatric surgery. Blood samples were collected for serum biomarkers and metabolomic profiling. Hepatic steatosis [proton density fat fraction (PDFF)] and fibroinflammation (cT1) were quantified with multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI), and hepatic stiffness with magnetic resonance elastography (MRE). Amino acids and acylcarnitines were measured with mass spectrometry. Statistical analyses included paired Student’s t-test, Wilcoxon-signed rank test, and Pearson’s correlation. Results: Eight participants provided complete data. At baseline, all had hepatic steatosis (BMI 39.3 ± 5.6 kg/m2, PDFF ≥ 5%). Post-surgery reductions in PDFF (from 12.4 ± 6.7% to 6.2 ± 2.8%, p = 0.013) and cT1 (from 823.3 ± 85.4ms to 757.5 ± 41.6ms, p = 0.039) were significant, along with the GSG index (from 0.272 ± 0.03 to 0.157 ± 0.05, p = 0.001). Conclusion The GSG index can potentially be developed as a marker for monitoring the response of patients with NAFLD to bariatric surgery.
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Amino Acids ; Metabolomics

Background::Given that seizures may be triggered by vaccination, this study aimed to evaluate the risk and correlative factors of seizures in patients with epilepsy (PWE) after being vaccinated against coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).Methods::This study retrospectively enrolled PWE who were vaccinated against COVID-19 in the epilepsy centers of 11 hospitals in China. We divided the PWE into two groups as follows: (1) patients who developed seizures within 14 days of vaccination were assigned to the SAV (with seizures after vaccination) group; (2) patients who were seizure-free within 14 days of vaccination were assigned to the SFAV (seizure-free after vaccination) group. To identify potential risk factors for seizure reccurence, the binary logistic regression analysis was performed. Besides, 67 PWE who had not been vaccinated were also included for elucidating the effects of vaccination on seizures recurrence, and binary logistic regression analysis was performed to determine whether vaccination would affect the recurrence rate of PWE who had drug reduction or withdrawal.Results::The study included a total of 407 patients; of which, 48 (11.8%) developed seizures within 14 days after vaccination (SAV group), whereas 359 (88.2%) remained seizure-free (SFAV group). The binary logistic regression analysis revealed that duration of seizure freedom ( P < 0.001) and withdrawal from anti-seizure medications (ASMs) or reduction in their dosage during the peri-vaccination period were significantly associated with the recurrence of seizures (odds ratio= 7.384, 95% confidence interval = 1.732–31.488, P = 0.007). In addition, 32 of 33 patients (97.0%) who were seizure-free for more than three months before vaccination and had a normal electroencephalogram before vaccination did not have any seizures within 14 days of vaccination. A total of 92 (22.6%) patients experienced non-epileptic adverse reactions after vaccination. Binary logistic regression analysis results showed that vaccine did not significantly affect the recurrence rate of PWE who had the behavior of ASMs dose reduction or withdrawal ( P = 0.143). Conclusions::PWE need protection from the COVID-19 vaccine. PWE who are seizure-free for >3 months before vaccination should be vaccinated. Whether the remaining PWE should be vaccinated depends on the local prevalence of COVID-19. Finally, PWE should avoid discontinuing ASMs or reducing their dosage during the peri-vaccination period.

OBJECTIVE To study the anti-inflammatory immune response effects of lactoferrin in the treatment of periodontitis and its mechanism. METHODS One hundred SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group, model group, lactoferrin administration group low, medium, high dose group(1, 2, 3 g·kg-1), metronidazole positive control group (0.02 g·kg-1), PDTC group(200 mg·kg-1), lactoferrin+PDTC group(2 g·kg-1, 200 mg·kg-1), MCC950 group(1 mg·kg-1) and lactoferrin+MCC950 group(2 g·kg-1, 1 mg·kg-1), 10 rats in each group. Silk thread ligation combined with 10% sucrose drinking water was used to establish the model, and then the drug was administered orally once a day. The blank control group and the model group were administered orally with 0.9% NaCl. The rats in each group were sacrificed after one month of continuous administration. The contents of IL-1b, IL-8 and IL-10 were detected by ELISA kit, and the expressions of TLR2-NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome related proteins were detected by Western blotting. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of the periodontal tissues of the rats in each group. RESULTS Compared with the model group, the symptoms of periodontitis in each dose group of lactoferrin were significantly improved. HE staining showed that the infiltration of inflammatory cells was reduced, and the proliferation of fibroblasts was active. The protein expressions of TLR2, NF-κB, NLRP3, Caspase-1 p20 and GSDMD-N decreased, the content of pro-inflammatory factor IL-8 and IL-1b decreased, and the content of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 increased. CONCLUSION Lactoferrin may play a role in the regulation of inflammatory immune response in the treatment of periodontitis by down-regulating the protein expression of TLR2-NF-κB-NLRP3 pathway, reducing the initiation of inflammatory response and the release of inflammatory factors, so as to achieve the purpose of anti-inflammatory.

Objective: To explore the perioperative clinical treatment of thyroid cancer patients with heart disease. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 39 thyroid cancer patients with heart disease admitted to the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Beijing Anzhen Hospital,Capital Medical University from April 2014 to February 2018,including 25 males and 14 females, the age ranged from 59 to 75 years,with an average age of 67.3±6.2 years. Perioperative clinical monitoring indicators included cardiac ultrasound left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), degree of vascular stenosis revealed by coronary CT, hypersensitive troponin I (TNI), b-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), fibrinogen degradation products,and coagulation indexes. This panel of patients comprised 26 cases with 50% ≤ LVEF<60%,10 cases with 40% ≤ LVEF<50%, 3 cases with 36% ≤ LVEF<40%, 27 cases with 0≤BNP<100 ng/L, 7 cases with 100≤BNP<400 ng/L, and 5 cases with 400≤BNP<700 ng/L. Coronary CT showed no coronary artery stenosis>75%. The vascular graft was patent and the coronary artery after stenting was unobstructed. For 3 patients with LVEF<40% and 5 patients with BNP>400 ng/L,cardiotonic,diuretic,and nutritional myocardial therapy were used for 1 week. SPSS 17.0 software was used to analyze the data. Results: All 39 patients successfully completed the operation under general anesthesia,including 32 cases of total thyroidectomy,7 cases of glandular lobe and isthmic resection,and 40 cases of lateral neck dissection. One patient developed heart failure three days after surgery and was discharged after two weeks of treatment. No other cardiac related events,cerebrovascular and pulmonary thrombosis occurred during the perioperative period. The anesthesia preparation time was significant different between the group with 0≤BNP<100 ng/L and 50%≤LVEF<60% and the group with 0≤BNP<100 ng/L and 36%≤LVEF<50%. Conclusions Multi-indicators were utilized to adequately assess cardiac function before surgery. According to the results of cardiac ultrasound and coronary CT examination, the corresponding treatment should be conducted to improve the cardiac function. After the perioperative risk assessment and management of thyroid cancer patients with heart disease,standardized thyroid cancer surgery can be performed safely.