Objective: To explore the role and mechanism of epiregulin (EREG) in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC)，and to find biomarkers and therapeutic targets for ccRCC. Methods: Based on the data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Genotype-Tissue Expression (GTEx) databases，the correlation between the expression level of EREG in ccRCC tissues and the clinical staging and survival of ccRCC patients was analyzed. The samples of 6 ccRCC cases treated in the Second Affiliated Hospital of the Air Force Medical University were collected. The expression of EREG was confirmed with immunohistochemistry and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR). The effects of EREG overexpression on the proliferation，cell cycle and apoptosis of ACHN cells were verified with CCK-8 and flow cytometry. Finally，the expressions of EREG，epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the downstream pathway proteins were detected with Western blotting. Results: Based on the databases，it was found that the expression of EREG in ccRCC samples was higher than that in adjacent tissues，and there was a positive correlation with the clinical stage. Survival analysis showed that high expression of EREG was a risk factor affecting the prognosis. The results of immunohistochemical staining and qPCR revealed that EREG was highly expressed in ccRCC. Flow cytometry showed that EREG overexpression promoted the proliferation of ACHN cells，enhanced cell cycle，and inhibited apoptosis. In addition，Western blotting suggested that EREG promoted the expressions of EREG，EGFR and the downstream proteins. Conclusion: The expression of EREG is associated with the prognosis of ccRCC patients. In vitro cell experiments have shown that it can promote the proliferation of ccRCC cells and inhibit their apoptosis，thereby leading to the progression of ccRCC. It can serve as a potential biomarker for prognosis prediction and a drug development target for ccRCC patients.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a major global health challenge, often foreshadowing poor patient outcomes. The C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) serves as a pivotal biomarker, demonstrating a strong correlation with adverse outcomes in cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study sought to examine the correlation between CAR and the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with CKD stages 3-5. METHODS: This study utilized data of CKD patients from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2010, with follow-up to December 31, 2019. The optimal CAR cutoff value was identified utilizing the method of maximally selected rank statistics. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model, restricted cubic splines (RCS) model, and subgroup analysis were employed to assess the association between CAR and mortality among CKD patients. RESULTS: During a median (with interquartile range) follow-up period of 115 (112,117) months among 2,841 CKD individuals, 1,893 deaths were observed, including 692 deaths due to CVD events. Based on the RCS analysis, a non-linear correlation was observed between CAR and mortality. Using 0.3 as the optimal CAR cutoff value, the cohort was divided into high and low groups. In the fully adjusted model, CKD patients with high CAR values exhibited an elevated risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-1.83, P < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.08-2.02, P = 0.014). Compared to the population aged >65 years (HR 1.32, 95% CI 0.99-1.76, P = 0.064), the risk of cardiovascular mortality was significantly higher in those aged ≤65 years (HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.18-4.09, P = 0.014) with elevated CAR levels. CONCLUSIONS A notable correlation exists between the elevation of CAR and increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, suggesting its potential as an independent indicator for evaluating the prognosis of patients with CKD stages 3-5.
Humans ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology* ; Cardiovascular Diseases/blood* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism* ; Aged ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Nutrition Surveys ; Adult ; United States/epidemiology* ; Serum Albumin/analysis*

Peripheral exudative hemorrhagic chorioretinopathy (PEHCR) is a peripheral retinal disease characterized by subretinal hemorrhage and/or subretinal pigment epithelial hemorrhage or exudation. It is often misdiagnosed as age-related macular degeneration, polypoidal chorioretinopathy or choroidal melanoma. With the development of multimodal imaging, PEHCR has different features under different examinations, such as B-scan ultrasound, fluorescein fundus angiography, optical coherence tomography and so on, which contributes to differention from other diseases. Clinical treatments for the disease include intravitreal injection of retinal photocoagulation therapy, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor, pars plana vitrectomyand so on, but there is still no universal consensus. In order to gain a deeper understanding of the clinical features, treatment options and prognosis of PEHCR, minimize missed diagnoses and misdiagnoses, and improve treatment efficiency, further research is required.

Objective:To investigate the association between hepatic echinococcus granulosus infection and necrosis with gene polymorphism of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and to identify the related factors at the gene level.Methods:A total of 106 patients with hepatic echinococcosis who underwent surgical treatment in the department of hepatobiliary surgery, People′s Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from January 2018 to December 2020 were selected. Patients with necrosis caused by hepatic echinococcus granulosus infection were selected as the observation group, and patients without necrosis caused by hepatic echinococcus granulosus infection were selected as the control group, with 53 cases in each group. The serum levels of IL-10 and TNF-α were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The polymorphisms of IL-10 (-592, -1082) and TNF-α (rsl800630) were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The levels of IL-10 and TNF-α and their gene polymorphisms were analyzed.Results:The levels of serum IL-10 and TNF-α in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05); There was significant difference in genotype and allele frequency of IL-10 (-592, -1082) and TNF-α (rsl800630) (all P<0.05). The serum IL-10 level of CC genotype patients with IL-10 gene -592C/A locus in the observation group was higher than that of CA+ AA genotype patients, with statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). The serum IL-10 level in patients with TT genotype at -1082T>A of IL-10 gene in the observation group was higher than that in patients with TA+ AA genotype, with statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). The serum TNF-α level in patients with CC genotype at rsl800630C/A locus of TNF-α gene in the observation group was higher than that in patients with CA+ AA genotype, with statistically significant difference ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The changes of IL-10 (-592, -1082) and TNF-α (rsl800630) gene polymorphisms may be associated with hepatic echinococcus granulosus infection and necrosis.

Objective　 To investigate the effect of pre-pregnancy age, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), blood glucose (GLU) level on premature birth. Methods Based on the free pre-marital health check-ups and pre-pregnancy eugenic health check-ups in Dongguan, the examination results of the subjects were obtained and the pregnancy outcomes were followed up. Logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between women^’s pre-pregnancy age, ALT, and GLU levels and the incidence of premature birth. Results A total of 18 150 subjects were included in this study, and the overall incidence of premature birth was 6.06% (1,099/18,150). The women^’s pre-pregnancy age 30 to 34 (RR=1.26, 95% CI:1.07～1.48), age>34 (RR=1.82, 95% CI:1.52～2.18), ALT≥40 U/L (RR=1.40, 95% CI: 1.09～1.80) and GLU>6.1 mmol/L(RR=1.74, 95% CI: 1.01～2.97) were the influencing factors of premature birth. Conclusion Older women, abnormal serum alanine aminotransferase level and hyperglycemia had an impact on the occurrence of premature birth, which has important guiding significance for health education of eugenics before pregnancy.

OBJECTIVETo explore the genetic basis for a Chinese pedigree affected with congenital hypofibrinogenamia.

METHODSPeripheral blood samples were collected from 9 members from the pedigree. Routine coagulation tests including activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), thrombin time (TT), the prothrombin time (PT) were carried out. The activity of fibrinogen (Fg: C) was measured using Clauss method, and fibrinogen antigen (Fg: Ag) was measured with immunoturbidimetry. All exons and exon-intron boundaries of the fibrinogen Aα, Bβ and γ chain genes were amplified using PCR, which was followed by direct sequencing. Suspected mutation was confirmed by reverse sequencing. The mutant fibrinogen was analyzed with Swiss-PdbViewer.

RESULTSThe proband showed prolonged APTT, PT and TT. Her functional fibrinogen (Fg: C) and antigen fibrinogen (Fg: Ag) levels were reduced to 0.69 g/L and 0.72 g/L, respectively. Her mother and grandmother also had a low levels of fibrinogen, which were 0.99 g/L and 0.83 g/L for Fg: C, 1.02 g/L and 0.87 g/L for Fg: Ag, respectively. The results of other members from the pedigree were all within the normal range. Genetic analysis reveled a heterozygous G>T mutation at nucleotide 7590 in exon 8 of γ gene in the proband, which was predicted to be a novel Ser313Ile mutation. The mutation was also found in her mother and grandmother. Model analysis showed that the Ser313Ile mutation disturbed the hydrogen bonds between Ser313, Asn319 and Asp320. Moreover, the mutation also altered the mutual electrostatic force and affected the folding and instability of the mutant fibrinogen.

CONCLUSIONThe heterozygous Ser313Ile mutation probably underlies the hypofibrinogenemia in this pedigree.

Adult ; Afibrinogenemia ; genetics ; Female ; Fibrinogen ; chemistry ; genetics ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Pedigree

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathologic features, differential diagnosis and biological behavior of pleomorphic leiomyosarcoma (PLMS) and dedifferentiated leiomyosarcoma (DLMS). Methods: Forty-nine cases were collected from November 2007 to December 2016, including eight that diagnosed at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center, and 41 consultation cases. The clinical findings and pathologic features were reviewed. Immunophenotype was obtained in 33 cases and follow-up information was available in 38 cases. Results: There were 22 males and 27 females with ages ranging from 24 to 83 years (mean 52.5 years). Fifteen cases occurred in extremities, 14 in deep body cavity, 11 in the trunk, 4 in the head and neck, 2 in the bladder, and 1 each in the inguinal region, perineum and femoral vein, respectively. Tumor sizes ranged from 3 to 30 cm (mean 9.1 cm). The tumors were composed of at least small foci of typical leiomyosarcoma (LMS) and areas of high-grade pleomorphic/undifferentiated sarcoma. The typical LMS component showed the characteristic morphology of smooth muscle differentiation and was low to intermediate grade in most cases. Pleomorphic areas were mainly composed of atypical spindle and polygonal cells admixed with variable large, bizarre atypical cells and multinuclear giant cells, mostly mimicking undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma. The pleomorphic and leiomyosarcomatous areas were usually intermixed, but the demarcation may be distinct or gradual in some cases. The classical LMS component was positive for at least one myogenic marker: α-SMA in 97.0%(32/33), desmin in 72.7%(24/33), H-caldesmon in 90.9% (20/22), MSA in 14/16, and calponin in 15/15 of cases. The pleomorphic sarcoma component was reactive for at least one myogenic marker in 87.9% (29/33) of cases, usually showing focal and less intense immunoreactivity than classical LMS component: α-SMA was positive in 81.8%(27/33), desmin in 48.5%(16/33), H-caldesmon in 72.7% (16/22), MSA in 12/16, and calponin in 11/15 of cases. Based on staining for muscle markers in the pleomorphic component, 29 cases were designated as PLMS, 4 as DLMS. Ki-67 index ranged from 15% to 70% (mean 40%). Follow-up data was available in 38 cases (77.6%), of which 11 patients (28.9%) died of disease, 12 patients were alive with unresectable or recurrent disease, 14 patients were alive with no evidence of disease and another one died of unrelated cause. The median disease-free and overall survival was 6 and 10 months respectively. Twelve patients exhibited local recurrence and 11 developed metastases. The median interval to progression was 8 months. Conclusions The identification of areas of typical LMS is crucial for accurate diagnosis of PLMS and DLMS. Both PLMS and DLMS show more aggressive behavior and poorer prognosis than ordinary LMS.

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathologic and genetic features, pathologic diagnosis and differential diagnosis of angiofibroma of soft tissue(AFST). Methods: The clinicopathologic characteristics of 24 cases diagnosed at Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from 2011 to 2017 were analyzed; immunohistochemical staining and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) were performed, and the literatures were also reviewed. Results: There were 15 male and 9 female (male∶female=1.7∶1.0) patients with age of onset ranging from 8 to 68 years (mean, 45 years). Fourteen cases occurred in extremities, including upper limbs (n=3) and lower limbs (n=11); seven cases were in the trunk, and 1 case each was in the temporal region, retroperitoneum and liver, respectively. Clinically, the tumors usually presented as a slowly growing painless mass. Tumor sizes ranged from 0.8 to 14 cm (mean 4.6 cm). Microscopically, most lesions were well-circumscribed, with fibrous capsules. Few cases infiltrated the surrounding fibrofatty tissue focally. The tumors were mainly composed of sparse short spindle cells and numerous small, branching, thin-walled blood vessels distributed in amyxoid, fibromyxoid or collagenous matrix, often accompanied by medium-sized, round or irregular and ecstatic vessels at the tumor periphery.By immunohistochemistry, all tested cases expressed vimentin (5/5), and showed variable positivity for EMA (2/4), ER (1/2), PR (2/3), α-SMA (1/18)and desmin (1/10). Ki-67 proliferation index were all less than 5%. CD34, CD31 and ERG staining clearly outlined the contours of blood vessels in the stroma. Four cases were tested for NCOA2 gene rearrangement by FISH, of which three were positive. Follow-up data was available in 17 patients (range, 3 to 69 months; mean, 30 months) were all free of disease. Conclusions Soft tissue angiofibroma is a benign fibroblastic neoplasm characterized by a prominent and complex vasculature set in a myxoid-to-collagenous stroma, and cytogenetically a distinctive NCOA2 gene rearrangement. Caution should be exercised for the possibility of potentially misinterpretation of AFST as vascular tumors and other myxoid soft tissue tumors.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for simultaneous determination of fatty acids in Isaria cicadae,Cordyceps militaris and C.sinensis,and to compare the difference of the contents of fatty acids among above medicinal herbs.METHODS:GC-MS method was adopted.Chromatographic condition:the determination was performed on TG-5MS gas phase capillary column with carrier gas of nitrogen at the flow rate of 1.2 mL/min.The inlet temperature was 290 ℃ by splitlesssampling;valve opening time was 1 min,and volume of sample was 1 μL.Mass spectrometry condition:the ion source is an electrospray ionization source.The temperatures of ion source and transmission line were 280 ℃,the initial temperature of the chromatographic column was 80 ℃ (gradient elution),ionization voltage was 70 eV.Solvent delay time was 5 min,and scan mass range was m/z 30-400.RESULTS:The linear ranges of tetradecanoic acid,pentadecanoic acid,palmitic acid,palmitoleic acid,heptadecanoic acid,heptadecenoic acid,docosahexaenoic acid,methyl oleate,linoleic acid,arachidonic acid,eicosenoic acid,diolefinic acid,eicosatrienoic acid,heneicosanoic acid,behenic acid,tricosanoic acid,lignoceric acid were 1.400-44.520 μg/mL(r=0.999 8),2.091-93.721 μg/mL(r=0.999 7),3.146-85.856 μg/mL(r=0.998 2),1.664-61.444 g/rnL(r=0.998 7),1.773-64.983 g/mL(r=0.999 5),1.781-68.421 μg/ mL (r=0.999 7),1.706-55.606 μg/mL (r=0.999 8),1.439-47.989 μg/mL (r=0.999 6),1.738-66.908 μg/mL (r=0.999 6),2.086-94.206 μg/mL(r=0.999 5),1.356-44.966 μg/mL(r=0.999 4),1.444-56.814 μg/mL(r=0.999 7),1.375-52.335 μg/mL(r =0.999 8),1.512-60.312 μg/mL(r=0.999 5),1.450-59.760 μg/mL(r=0.999 7),1.427-58.757 μg/mL(r=0.999 1),1.269-58.109 μg/ mL(r=0.999 3),respectively.The limit of quantitation was no more than 1 764.71 μg/mL,and the limit of detection was no more than 529.42 μg/mL.RSDs of precision,stability and reproducibility tests were all lower than 2.0％.The recoveries were 84.87％-108.93％ (RSD ranged 0.19％-2.23％,n=6).There were 17 fatty acids in C.militaris,16 fatty acids in Ⅰ.cicadae and 16 fatty acids in C.sinensis.The contents of unsaturated fatty acids in above medicinal herbs were higher than that of saturated fatty acids.The content of fatty acids in artificial cultivated Ⅰ.cicadae was mostly higher than other medicinal herbs.COCLUSIONS:The method is simple,accurate,stable and reproducible.It can be used for simultaneous determination of fatty acids in I.cicadae,C.militaris and C.sinensis.Above 3 kinds of medicinal materials.From the perspective of fatty acid content,the quality of artificial cultivated I.cicadae is best.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and safety of modified percutaneous left atrial appendage occlusion (PLAAO) under transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) guidance without general anesthesia instead of transesophageal echocardiographic guidance.Methods A total of 14 patients who met the inclusion criteria underwent modified PLAAO guided by TTE instead of TEE without general anesthesia.Regular clinical follow-up observations of PLAAO-related major adverse events were done in the perioperative period.Results All patients were successfully implanted with left atrial appendage occluder device (Watchman) without device-related serious complications.Immediately occlusion success rate was 100％.No major adverse events occurred during hospitalization and follow-up.The mean operation time was 108 ± 22 min(range 75-150 min)and the mean radiation exposure time was 15.8 ± 7.6 min(range 8-32 min).Conclusion Modified PLAAO guided by TTE instead of TEE without general anesthesia may be safe and effective.This method simplifies the operation process and is favorable for PLAAO application.But this modified PLAAO is still needed to be validated in more patients.