BACKGROUND: China has made significant progress in medical accessibility and quality over the past decades, and quality improvements in gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy have been consistent. The study aimed to describe the status quo of gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy in the Chinese mainland based on the data from the National Clinical Improvement System (NCIS) and the Hospital Quality Monitoring System (HQMS). METHODS: Data were extracted from the NCIS and the HQMS. Data analysis included general information from the Department of Gastroenterology and Endoscopy centers, management of inpatients and outpatients, and annual volume and quality indicators of digestive endoscopy. Acute pancreatitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, inflammatory bowel disease, and cirrhosis were identified as priority diseases and were subjected to detailed analysis. RESULTS: Data from 4620 and 7074 hospitals were extracted from the NCIS and HQMS, respectively. In 2023, 9.6 gastroenterologists, 6.7 endoscopists, and 37.3 gastroenterology beds per hospital nationwide were observed, achieving 19,252.4 outpatient visits, 1615.2 hospitalizations (97.0 for acute pancreatitis, 146.1 for gastrointestinal bleeding, 40.2 for inflammatory bowel disease, and 111.4 for cirrhosis), and 9432.7 digestive endoscopic procedures per hospital. Overall, the quality of practice improved significantly. The proportion of early cancer among gastrointestinal cancers increased from 11.1% in 2015 to 23.4% in 2023, and the adenoma detection rate during colonoscopy increased from 19.3% in 2019 to 26.9% in 2023. Regarding priority diseases, hospitalizations increased, and 31-day unplanned readmission rates decreased between 2019 and 2023. The median hospitalization costs and median proportion of medication costs decreased for acute pancreatitis, gastrointestinal bleeding, and cirrhosis. However, it increased for inflammatory bowel disease. CONCLUSION This report evaluates the status quo and development of gastroenterology and digestive endoscopy in the Chinese mainland, providing guidance for future quality improvements.
Humans ; China ; Gastroenterology/statistics & numerical data* ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal/statistics & numerical data* ; Endoscopy, Digestive System/statistics & numerical data*

Periodontal bone defects, primarily caused by periodontitis, are highly prevalent in clinical settings and manifest as bone fenestration, dehiscence, or attachment loss, presenting a significant challenge to oral health. In regenerative medicine, harnessing developmental principles for tissue repair offers promising therapeutic potential. Of particular interest is the condensation of progenitor cells, an essential event in organogenesis that has inspired clinically effective cell aggregation approaches in dental regeneration. However, the precise cellular coordination mechanisms during condensation and regeneration remain elusive. Here, taking the tooth as a model organ, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing to dissect the cellular composition and heterogeneity of human dental follicle and dental papilla, revealing a distinct Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) population with remarkable odontogenic potential. Interestingly, a reciprocal paracrine interaction between PDGFRA⁺ dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) and CD31⁺ Endomucin⁺ endothelial cells (ECs) was mediated by Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and Platelet-derived growth factor subunit BB (PDGFBB). This crosstalk not only maintains the functionality of PDGFRA⁺ DFSCs but also drives specialized angiogenesis. In vivo periodontal bone regeneration experiments further reveal that communication between PDGFRA⁺ DFSC aggregates and recipient ECs is essential for effective angiogenic-osteogenic coupling and rapid tissue repair. Collectively, our results unravel the importance of MSC-EC crosstalk mediated by the VEGFA and PDGFBB-PDGFRA reciprocal signaling in orchestrating angiogenesis and osteogenesis. These findings not only establish a framework for deciphering and promoting periodontal bone regeneration in potential clinical applications but also offer insights for future therapeutic strategies in dental or broader regenerative medicine.
Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha/metabolism* ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology* ; Dental Sac/cytology* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Transcriptome ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Bone Regeneration ; Animals ; Dental Papilla/cytology* ; Periodontium/physiology* ; Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Regeneration ; Angiogenesis

Mesangial cell proliferation is an early pathological indicator of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Growing evidence highlights the pivotal role of paired-related homeobox 1 (Prrx1), a key regulator of cellular proliferation and tissue differentiation, in various disease pathogenesis. Notably, Prrx1 is highly expressed in mesangial cells under DN conditions. Both in vitro and in vivo studies have demonstrated that Prrx1 overexpression promotes mesangial cell proliferation and contributes to renal fibrosis in db/m mice. Conversely, Prrx1 knockdown markedly suppresses hyperglycemia-induced mesangial cell proliferation and mitigates renal fibrosis in db/db mice. Mechanistically, Prrx1 directly interacts with the Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP) promoter, leading to the upregulation of YAP expression. This upregulation promotes mesangial cell proliferation and exacerbates renal fibrosis. These findings emphasize the crucial role of Prrx1 upregulation in high glucose-induced mesangial cell proliferation, ultimately leading to renal fibrosis in DN. Therefore, targeting Prrx1 to downregulate its expression presents a promising therapeutic strategy for treating renal fibrosis associated with DN.

Objective To investigate the effects of Mawangdui exercise combined with neuro-muscular electrical stimulation(NMES)on pulmonary function,exercise capacity and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods A total of 96 COPD pa-tients were selected as the study subjects,and divided into control group(n=48)and intervention group(n=48).The control group received conventional pharmacological treatment,while the inter-vention group received Mawangdui exercise combined with NMES in addition to conventional pharma-cological treatment.The ratio of forced expiratory volume in the first second(FEV1)to forced vital capacity(FVC)(FEV1/FVC),the percentage of predicted FEV,(FEV1％),respiratory rate,re-sults of the 6-minute walk test(6MWT),scores of COPD Assessment Test(CAT),St.George's Respira-tory Questionnaire-I(SGRQ-I),Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale(HADS)and Borg CR-10 Scale were analyzed in both groups before and after treatment.Results After 1 and 3 months of treatment,significant differences were observed in respiratory rate and 6MWT results between the two groups(P＜0.05).After 1 and 3 months of treatment,the FEV1％and FEV1/FVC in the intervention group were significantly higher than those at admission,and the FEV1％and FEV1/FVC after 3 months of treatment were significantly higher than those after 1 month of treatment(P＜0.05).Af-ter 3 months oftreatment,a significant difference in FEV1/FVC was observed between the two groups(P＜0.05).After 3 months of treatment,the CAT and SGRQ-I scores in the intervention group were significantly lower than those at admission(P＜0.05).After 3 months of treatment,the Borg CR-10 Scale score in the intervention group was significantly lowerthan that at admission and after 1 month of treatment(P＜0.05).After 3 months of treatment,a significant difference in SGRQ-I scores was observed between the two groups(P＜0.05).After 1 and 3 months of treatment,the HADS scores in the intervention group were significantly lower than those at admission,and the HADS score after 3 months of treatment was significantly lower than that after 1 month of treatment(P＜0.05).After 1 and 3 months of treatment,significant differences in HADS scores were ob-served between the two groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion Mawangdui exercise combined with NMES can improve exercise tolerance and pulmonary function,alleviate anxiety and depression,and thereby enhance the quality of life in COPD patients.

Objective To investigate the direct stimulatory effects of calprotectin S100A8/A9 on hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)and underlying regulatory mechanisms.Methods Primary HSCs of mice were stimulated with S100A8/A9 heterodimer recombinant protein at 200 and 1000 ng/mL.Data on quantitative proteomics was obtained using the tandem mass tag(TMT)-labeled method before changes in the protein level of HSCs were analyzed.Differentially expressed proteins(DEPs)were screened using Significance B method and P＜0.05,followed by Reactome pathway enrichment analysis.Furthermore,protein-protein interactions between the DEPs enriched in the pathways were analyzed using the STRING database.Results The protein expression profile of HSCs was significantly altered after treatment with S100A8/A9 at 1000 ng/mL.Reactome pathway enrichment analysis revealed significant enrichment in such pathways as transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-β)signaling,nuclear factor kappa-B(NF-κB)signaling activation,cytokine-mediated immune regulation,and collagen biosynthesis.The analysis of protein-protein interactions identified NF-kappa-B transcription factor subunit(RELB),chemokine(C-X-C motif)ligand 10(CXCL10)and Notch receptor 1(NOTCH1)as key hub proteins in the regulatory network.Conclusion S100A8/A9 can directly stimulate the activation of HSCs,through NF-κB signaling,TGF-β signaling,and Notch signaling pathways potentially.This study sheds light on the mechanisms underlying the activation of HSCs stimulated by S100A8/A9.

Objective To optimize the immune scheme of SARS-CoV-2 RBD recombinant protein vaccine based on P.pastoris,and investigate the effect of different adjuvants on neutralizating antibody(NAb)titer,in order to provide reference for the continuous optimization research of SARS-CoV-2 vaccine.Methods The RBD protein was selected and the corresponding gene fragment was synthesized,which was constructed into the pPICZαA plasmid,and the plasmid was integrated into the genome of P.pastoris after linear transforma-tion for recombinant expression.The obtained recombinant protein vaccine was combined with different adju-vants to immunize mice to evaluate its immunogenicity.Results Both the target proteins wtRBD and Delta RBD were able to achieve satisfactory overexpression through the P.pastoris system.Compared with the 42 d interval,the IgG antibody titer at the 28 d interval increased by 1.8 times(44 923 vs.80 507).After 3 doses of immunization at an interval of 28 d,the geometric mean titer of NAb for Delta variant was 2.5 times higher than that at an interval of 42 days(2 191 vs.891).After immunization with Delta RBD recombinant protein vaccine combined with aluminum adjuvant,the NAb geometric mean titer for Delta variants reached 32 255(2 167-88 084).When using 5 μg or 30 μg Delta RBD immunization,the NAb titers of the aluminum adju-vant+CpG adjuvant group were about 10 times higher than those of the aluminum adjuvant group alone.Af-ter the third immunization,there was no significant difference in Delta RBD specific IgG titers between the 5 μg antigen group and the 30 μg antigen group(P＞0.05).Conclusion Both wtRBD and Delta RBD prepared based on P.pastoris could be used as effective antigens,with three doses of vaccine administered at a 28 day in-terval being the most effective.The combined immunization of Delta RBD recombinant protein with aluminum adjuvant+CpG adjuvant could obtain higher titers of NAb to exert immune effects on SARS-CoV-2 and its va-riants,providing some reference for the continuous optimization research of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines.

Objective To develop a nomogram for predicting the risks of early anastomotic recurrence(EAR)after primary bowel resection in patients with Crohn's disease(CD).Methods The patients with CD under-going preoperative magnetic resonance enterography(MRE)and primary bowel resection were enrolled in this retrospective study and divided into an EAR group(18 patients)and EAR-free group(12 patients).The EAR group included the patients having an endoscopic Rutgeerts score of≥I2 month or the need for anastomotic resection within 12 months after surgery.All the 38 indexes including preoperative demographic characteristics,laboratory examina-tions,multi-parameter MRE features of the resected intestine and its adjacent mesentery,histological findings,and postoperative pharmacotherapy were analyzed.Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)regression and multivariate binary logistic regression analysis were performed to identify independent risk factors to be incorpo-rated into the nomogram for predicting the risks of early anastomotic recurrence and the prediction performance was evaluated.Results Mesenteric creeping fat index on MRE and comb sign were independent risks of EAR,with a concordance index of 0.882(95%CI:0.764～1).The calibration plot revealed a strong relationship between actual observation and predicted probability of EAR.Conclusions The preoperative MRE-based nomogram may be a potential tool for predicting EAR following surgery in patients with CD,which is beneficial to individual management in those patients.It provides reference for the formulation of early postoperative individualized drug adjuvant therapy in patients at high risk of EAR.

The occurrence of benign prostate hyperplasia(BPH)was related to disrupted sex steroid hormones,and metformin(Met)had a clinical response to sex steroid hormone-related gynaecological disease.How-ever,whether Met exerts an antiproliferative effect on BPH via sex steroid hormones remains unclear.Here,our clinical study showed that along with prostatic epithelial cell(PEC)proliferation,sex steroid hormones were dysregulated in the serum and prostate of BPH patients.As the major contributor to dysregulated sex steroid hormones,elevated dihydrotestosterone(DHT)had a significant positive rela-tionship with the clinical characteristics of BPH patients.Activation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate(AMP)-activated protein kinase(AMPK)by Met restored dysregulated sex steroid hormone homeostasis and exerted antiproliferative effects against DHT-induced proliferation by inhibiting the formation of androgen receptor(AR)-mediated Yes-associated protein(YAP1)-TEA domain transcription factor(TEAD4)heterodimers.Met's anti-proliferative effects were blocked by AMPK inhibitor or YAP1 over-expression in DHT-cultured BPH-1 cells.Our findings indicated that Met would be a promising clinical therapeutic approach for BPH by inhibiting dysregulated steroid hormone-induced PEC proliferation.

Traumatic supraorbital fissure syndrome (TSOFS) is a symptom complex caused by nerve entrapment in the supraorbital fissure after skull base trauma. If the compressed cranial nerve in the supraorbital fissure is not decompressed surgically, ptosis, diplopia and eye movement disorder may exist for a long time and seriously affect the patients′ quality of life. Since its overall incidence is not high, it is not familiarized with the majority of neurosurgeons and some TSOFS may be complicated with skull base vascular injury. If the supraorbital fissure surgery is performed without treatment of vascular injury, it may cause massive hemorrhage, and disability and even life-threatening in severe cases. At present, there is no consensus or guideline on the diagnosis and treatment of TSOFS that can be referred to both domestically and internationally. To improve the understanding of TSOFS among clinical physicians and establish standardized diagnosis and treatment plans, the Skull Base Trauma Group of the Neurorepair Professional Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Neurotrauma Group of the Neurosurgery Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Neurotrauma Group of the Traumatology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and Editorial Committee of Chinese Journal of Trauma organized relevant experts to formulate Chinese expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of traumatic supraorbital fissure syndrome ( version 2024) based on evidence of evidence-based medicine and clinical experience of diagnosis and treatment. This consensus puts forward 12 recommendations on the diagnosis, classification, treatment, efficacy evaluation and follow-up of TSOFS, aiming to provide references for neurosurgeons from hospitals of all levels to standardize the diagnosis and treatment of TSOFS.

A retrospective analysis was made on clinical data of a case of familial dysalbuminemic hyperthyroxinemia (FDH) treated at Hebei Children′s Hospital in August 2021.The patient, female, 4 years and 2 months old, was diagnosed with growth retardation.Genetic sequencing of the child and her immediate family revealed a heterozygous mutation, c.725G>A(p.R242H) in exon 7 of the albumin gene, which confirmed the diagnosis of FDH.The growth and development of the girl were monitored regularly.Early identification and diagnosis of FDH can prevent misdiagnosis or improper antithyroid medication from affecting children′s growth and development, and growth hormone therapy is effective for children with FDH who are slow growing.