OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between the expression level of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase 1B3 (PAFAH1B3 ) gene in bone marrow CD138⁺ cells of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) treated with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) and the prognosis within 2 years. METHODS: 147 MM patients treated with AHSCT in The First and The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University from May 2014 to May 2019 were included in the study. Expression level of PAFAH1B3 mRNA in bone marrow CD138⁺ cells of the patients was detected. Patients with disease progression or death during 2 years of follow-up were included in progression group, and the rest were included in good prognosis group. After comparing the clinical data and PAFAH1B3 mRNA expression levels of the two groups, the patients were divided into high PAFAH1B3 expression group and low PAFAH1B3 expression group based on the median PAFAH1B3 mRNA expression level of the enrolled patients. Progression-free survival rate (PFSR) between the two groups was compared by the Kaplan-Meier method. The related factors of prognosis within 2 years were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate COX regression analysis. RESULTS: At the end of follow-up, there were 13 patients lost to follow-up. Finally, 44 patients were included in the progression group and 90 patients were included in the good prognosis group. Age in the progression group was higher than that in the good prognosis group, the proportion of patients with CR+VGPR after transplantation in the progression group was lower than that in the good prognosis group, and there was a statistical difference between two groups in the cases distribution of ISS stage (all P<0.05). PAFAH1B3 mRNA expression level and the proportion of patients with LDH>250U/L in the progression group were higher than those in the good prognosis group, and platelet count in the progression group was lower than that in the good prognosis group (all P<0.05). Compared with the low PAFAH1B3 expression group, the 2-year PFSR of the high PAFAH1B3 expression group was significantly lower (log-rank χ²=8.167, P=0.004). LDH>250U/L (HR=3.389, P=0.010), PAFAH1B3 mRNA expression (HR=50.561, P=0.001) and ISS stage Ⅲ(HR=1.000, P=0.003) were independent risk factors for prognosis in MM patients, and ISS stage Ⅰ (HR=0.133, P=0.001) was independent protective factor. CONCLUSION The expression level of PAFAH1B3 mRNA in bone marrow CD138⁺ cells is related to the prognosis of MM patients treated with AHSCT, and detecting PAFAH1B3 mRNA expression can bring some information for predicting PFSR and prognostic stratification of patients.
Humans ; Disease Progression ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy* ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Transplantation, Autologous ; 1-Alkyl-2-acetylglycerophosphocholine Esterase/genetics*

Objective: To explore the mechanism of intestinal tissue damage induced by macrophages activated by WNT2B high-expressed fibroblasts. Methods: This study involved biological information analysis, pathological tissue research and cell experimental research. The biological information of the colon tissue from the children with inflammatory bowel disease in previous study was analyzed again with single-cell sequencing. The pathological tissues were collected by colonoscopy from 10 children with Crohn's disease treated in the Department of Gastroenterology of Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from July 2022 to September 2022. According to the findings of colonoscopy, tissues with obvious inflammation or ulceration were classified as the inflammatory group, while tissues with slight inflammation and no ulceration were classified as the non-inflammatory group. HE staining was performed to observe the pathological changes of the colon tissues. Macrophage infiltration and CXCL12 expression were detected by immunofluorescence. In terms of cell experiments, fibroblasts transfected with WNT2B plasmid or empty plasmid were co-cultured with salinomycin treated or non-treated macrophages, respectively; the expression of proteins through Wnt classical pathway were detected by western blotting. Macrophages treated with SKL2001 were used as the experimental group, and those with phosphate buffer as the control group. The expression and secretion of CXCL12 in macrophages were detected by quantitative Real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). T-test or rank sum test were used for the comparison between groups. Results: Single-cell sequencing analysis suggested that macrophages were the main cells in inflammatory bowel disease colon tissue, and there was interaction between WNT2B high-expressed fibroblasts and macrophages. HE staining of the 10 patients ((9.3±3.8) years old, 7 males and 3 females) showed that the pathological score of colon tissue in the inflammatory group was higher than that in the non-inflammatory group (4 (3, 4) vs. 2 (1, 2) points, Z=3.05, P=0.002). Tissue immunofluorescence indicated that the number of infiltrating macrophages in the inflammatory group was significantly higher than that in the non-inflammatory group under high power field of view (72.8±10.4 vs.8.4±3.5, t=25.10, P<0.001), as well as the number of cells expressing CXCL12 (14.0±3.5 vs. 4.7±1.9, t=14.68, P<0.001). In cell experiments, western blotting suggested an elevated level of glycogen synthase kinase-3β phosphorylation in macrophages co-cultured with fibroblast transfected with WNT2B plasmid, and salinmycin could reverse this change. Real-time PCR suggested that the transcription level of CXCL12 in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group (6.42±0.04 vs. 1.00±0.03, t=183.00, P<0.001), as well as the expression and secretion of CXCL12 by ELISA ((465±34) vs. (77±9) ng/L, t=13.21, P=0.006). Conclusion: WNT2B high-expressed fibroblasts can secrete WNT2B protein and activate the Wnt classical signaling pathway thus enhancing the expression and secretion of CXCL12 in macrophages, inducing the development of intestinal inflammation of Crohn's disease.
Child ; Male ; Humans ; Female ; Child, Preschool ; Adolescent ; Crohn Disease ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Colon ; Inflammation ; Colonoscopy ; Glycoproteins ; Wnt Proteins

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the mechanism by which fibroblasts with high WNT2b expression causes intestinal mucosa barrier disruption and promote the progression of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). METHODS: Caco-2 cells were treated with 20% fibroblast conditioned medium or co-cultured with fibroblasts highly expressing WNT2b, with the cells without treatment with the conditioned medium and cells co-cultured with wild-type fibroblasts as the control groups. The changes in barrier permeability of Caco-2 cells were assessed by measuring transmembrane resistance and Lucifer Yellow permeability. In Caco-2 cells co-cultured with WNT2b-overexpressing or control intestinal fibroblasts, nuclear entry of β-catenin was detected with immunofluorescence assay, and the expressions of tight junction proteins ZO-1 and E-cadherin were detected with Western blotting. In a C57 mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced IBD-like enteritis, the therapeutic effect of intraperitoneal injection of salinomycin (5 mg/kg, an inhibitor of WNT/β-catenin signaling pathway) was evaluated by observing the changes in intestinal inflammation and detecting the expressions of tight junction proteins. RESULTS: In the coculture system, WNT2b overexpression in the fibroblasts significantly promoted nuclear entry of β-catenin (P < 0.01) and decreased the expressions of tight junction proteins in Caco-2 cells; knockdown of FZD4 expression in Caco-2 cells obviously reversed this effect. In DSS-treated mice, salinomycin treatment significantly reduced intestinal inflammation and increased the expressions of tight junction proteins in the intestinal mucosa. CONCLUSION Intestinal fibroblasts overexpressing WNT2b causes impairment of intestinal mucosal barrier function and can be a potential target for treatment of IBD.
Humans ; Mice ; Animals ; Caco-2 Cells ; beta Catenin/metabolism* ; Culture Media, Conditioned/pharmacology* ; Tight Junctions/metabolism* ; Intestinal Mucosa ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases ; Tight Junction Proteins/metabolism* ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Fibroblasts/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Glycoproteins/metabolism* ; Wnt Proteins/pharmacology* ; Frizzled Receptors/metabolism*

Objective:To explore the practical application and clinical significance of modified grading system for Gastrointestinal Symptom Rating Scale (GSRS) scores in evaluating long-term postoperative gastrointestinal dysfunction (PGID) in patients after colon cancer surgery.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the case data of 122 patients who underwent right hemicolectomy for colorectal cancer at Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from September 2021 to September 2022. Among these patients, 69 were males (56.6%), and 53 were females (43.4%). The median age was 66.5 years, and the body mass index was (24.4±3.3) kg/m 2. The main observe indiator was GSRS scores of patients. The measurement data of normal distribution were represented as mean±standard deviation( ± s), and intergroup comparisons were conducted using ANOVA. The measurement data of non-normal distribution were expressed as the median (interquartile distance) [ M( Q1, Q3)], the Kruskal-Wallis H test was employed. Unordered count data comparisons were performed using the χ2 test, while comparisons for ordered count data between groups were conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis H test. GSRS scores were represented using density plots, and the scores were categorized into five symptom groups, presented using radar charts to illustrate the distribution of each symptom group. Results:Among the 122 patients, the most common long-term PGID syndromes was dyspepsia, followed by abdominal pain, diarrhea, and constipation. GSRS score data in the study population exhibited a nearly trimodal trend. Based on the overall data trend, the GSRS scale was refined, with cut-off values of 20 and 30, categorizing patients with right-sided colon cancer into low-risk, moderate-risk, and high-risk groups for quantifying the severity of long-term PGID. In terms of gender distribution, the differences among the three groups was statistically significant ( P=0.031), suggesting that males may be more susceptible to long-term PGID. However, there were no significant differences among the three groups concerning age, tumor location, surgical approach, anastomotic technique, lymph node dissection, pathological staging, adjuvant chemotherapy, and other factors. Conclusions:The modified grading system for GSRS scores aligns with the distribution characteristics of postoperative gastrointestinal function in colorectal cancer patients. It can quantify the risk of long-term PGID, allowing for a graded management approach to improve the postoperative quality of life for patients.

Objective:To investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) infection among hospitalized children with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in China, and provide basic data for diagnosis, treatment and prevention of HPIVs infection.Methods:From November 2014 to February 2020, 5 448 hospitalized children with CAP were enrolled in 14 hospitals in 11 provinces and municipalities directly under the Central Government in southern China and northern China. Nasopharyngeal aspirates or throat swabs were collected, and the nucleic acids of 18 types respiratory viruses including HPIV1-4 were screened by suspension array technology. Demographic data and clinical information were collected for statistical analysis.Results:The total detection rate of HPIVs in 5 448 children with CAP was 8.83% (481/5 448), and the detection rate in males was higher than that in females (62.79% vs. 37.21%; χ2=0.000, P=0.992). The detection rate of HPIVs in 1~< 3 years age group was higher than that in other age groups, and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=61.893, P<0.001). The detection rate of HPIVs in the northern region was higher than that in the southern region (9.02% vs 8.65%), but the difference was not statistically significant ( χ2=0.239, P=0.625). The prevalence of HPIV1-4 in northern and southern China was not completely same. HPIV1 was mainly prevalent in autumn in both northern and southern regions. HPIV2 was prevalent in summer in northern China, and the detection rate was low in southern China. HPIV3 reached its peak in both spring and summer in both northern and southern China, but its duration was longer in southern China than in northern China. HPIV4 is mainly popular in autumn in both southern China and northern China. Among 481 children infected with HPIVs, 58.42% (281/481) were infected with HPIV alone, and the main clinical manifestations were cough (90.75%) and fever (68.68%). Out of the HPIV-positive cases, 42.62% (205/481) were co-infected with another type of HPIV or a different virus, while 11.43% (55/481) had co-infections with two or more different viruses. HPIV3 was the most common type of co-infection with other viruses. HPIV3 infection accounted for the largest proportion (76.80%) in 47 HPIVs-positive children with severe pneumonia. Conclusions:HPIVs is one of the most important pathogens causing CAP in children in China, and children under 3 years of age are the main populations of HPIVs infection. The prevalence characteristics of all types of HPIVs in children in the north and south are not completely same. HPIV3 is the dominant type of HPIV infections and causes more severe diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy and safety of bendamustine combined with gemcitabine, vinorelbine，glucocorticoids (BeGEV)±X regimen in treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma. METHODS: A total of 18 relapsed/ refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients at the age of 18 years or older hospitalized in the First People's Hospital of Changzhou from March 2020 to March 2021 were selected. They received two or more cycles of BeGEV±X regimen. X could be anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody, PD-1-blocking antibodies, lenalidomide, BTK inhibitor, Bcl-2 inhibitor and so on according to patients' disease feature. The clinical efficacy and adverse effects were observed. RESULTS: In total, 18 patients completed two or more cycles of BeGEV±X regimen, including 14 with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, one with low-grade follicular lymphoma, one with follicular lymphoma grade 3b, one with angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma and one with peripheral T-cell lymphoma, not otherwise specified. 11 patients were male. The median age of the patients was 64 years old. 17 patients had modified Ann Arbor stage Ⅲ/Ⅳ disease. 13 patients had high- intermediate risk or high risk IPI score, while 15 patients had high-intermediate high risk or high risk NCCN-IPI score. 14 cases had extranodal sites of disease. And 6 cases had bulky disease. 12 patients experienced refractory disease, while 8 patients had received 3 line or more prior treatment. After two or three cycles of chemotherapy, the complete response rate was 6/18, the partial response rate was 3/18, and the objective response rate was 9/18. From the beginning of salvage chemotherapy to the end of follow-up, the median progression-free survival time was 130 days, and the median overall survival was 152 days. The most common grade 3 to 4 adverse events were hematologic toxicities, infection and febrile neutropenia. CONCLUSION BeGEV±X is an effective salvage regimen in treatment of patients with relapsed/refractory non-Hodgkin lymphoma, while adverse events such as hematologic toxicities and infection should be closely monitored.
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adolescent ; Female ; Lymphoma, Follicular/drug therapy*

Objective: To summarize the management and short-term outcomes of neonates delivered by mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant. Methods: A retrospective study was performed on 158 neonates born to mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant admitted to the isolation ward of Children's Hospital of Fudan University from March 15^th, 2022 to May 30^th, 2022. The postnatal infection control measures for these neonates, and their clinical characteristics and short-term outcomes were analyzed. They were divided into maternal symptomatic group and maternal asymptomatic group according to whether their mothers had SARS-CoV-2 symptoms. The clinical outcomes were compared between the 2 groups using Rank sum test and Chi-square test. Results: All neonates were under strict infection control measures at birth and after birth. Of the 158 neonates, 75 (47.5%) were male. The gestational age was (38⁺³±1⁺³) weeks and the birth weight was (3 201±463)g. Of the neonates included, ten were preterm (6.3%) and the minimum gestational age was 30⁺¹ weeks. Six neonates (3.8%) had respiratory difficulty and 4 of them were premature and required mechanical ventilation. All 158 neonates were tested negative for SARS-COV-2 nucleic acid by daily nasal swabs for the first 7 days. A total of 156 mothers (2 cases of twin pregnancy) infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, the time from confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection to delivery was 7 (3, 12) days. Among them, 88 cases (56.4%) showed clinical symptoms, but none needed intensive care treatment. The peripheral white blood cell count of the neonates in maternal symptomatic group was significantly higher than that in maternal symptomatic group (23.0 (18.7, 28.0) × 10⁹ vs. 19.6 (15.4, 36.6) × 10⁹/L, Z=2.44, P<0.05). Conclusions: Neonates of mothers infected with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant during third trimester have benign short-term outcomes, without intrauterine infection through vertical transmission. Strict infection control measures at birth and after birth can effectively protect these neonates from SARS-CoV-2 infection.
Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Pregnancy ; COVID-19 ; Mothers ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/prevention & control* ; Retrospective Studies ; SARS-CoV-2

OBJECTIVE: To explain the clinicobiological heterogeneity of NPM1 mutated (NPM1^mut) acute myeloid leukemia (AML) by analyzing the association between next-generation sequencing (NGS) profiles and MICM characteristics in patients with this AML subtype. METHODS: Data of 238 NPM1^mut patients with available NGS information on 112 genes related to blood disease was collected, and χ² test and nonparametric test were used to analyze the distribution association between NGS-detecting mutations and conventional MICM parameters. RESULTS: In entire NPM1^mut cohort, totaling 240 NPM1 mutation events were identified, of whom 10 (10/240, 4.2%) were missense mutations, which did not involve any W288 or W290 locus and were found exclusively in NPM1^mut/FLT3-ITD^- group. All but one of these missense mutations (9/10, 90%) were accompanied by AML subtype-defining recurrent cytogenetic or molecular abnormalities, of which 7 cases were in the low risk and 2 in the high risk. NPM1^mut occurred solely as an insertion/deletion (indel) type in the NPM1^mut/FLT3-ITD⁺ group. The incidence of favorable plus unfavorable karyotypes in NPM1^mut/FLT3-ITD^- group was higher than in NPM1^mut/FLT3-ITD⁺ group (6.4% vs. 0, P=0.031). The positive rates of CD34 and CD7 in NPM1^mut/FLT3-ITD⁺ group were significantly higher than in NPM1^mut/FLT3-ITD^- group (CD34: 47.9% vs. 20.6%, P<0.001; CD7: 61.5% vs. 29.9%, P<0.001). Logistic analysis showed that FLT3-ITD independently predicted for CD34⁺ and CD7⁺ [odds ratio (OR)=5.29, 95%CI: 2.64-10.60, P<0.001; OR=3.47, 95%CI: 1.79-6.73, P<0.001; respectively]. Ras-pathway mutations independently predicted for HLA-DR⁺ (OR=4.05, 95%CI: 1.70-9.63, P=0.002), and KRAS mutation for MPO^- (OR=0.18, 95%CI: 0.05-0.62, P=0.007). TET2/IDH1 mutations independently predicted for CD34^- and CD7^- (OR=0.26, 95%CI: 0.11-0.62, P=0.002; OR=0.30, 95%CI: 0.14-0.62, P=0.001; respectively), and MPO⁺ (OR=3.52, 95%CI: 1.48-8.38, P=0.004). DNMT3A-R882 independently predicted for CD7⁺ and HLA-DR⁺ (OR=3.59, 95%CI: 1.80-7.16, P<0.001; OR=13.41, 95%CI: 4.56-39.45, P<0.001; respectively), and DNMT3A mutation for MPO^-(OR=0.35, 95%CI: 1.48-8.38, P=0.004). CONCLUSION Co-existing FLT3-ITD in NPM1^mut AML independently predicts for CD34⁺ and CD7⁺, co-existing Ras-pathway mutation for HLA-DR⁺ and MPO^-, co-existing TET2/IDH1 mutation for CD34^-, CD7^-, and MPO⁺, and co-existing DNMT3A mutation for HLA-DR⁺, CD7⁺, and MPO^-, thereby providing a new mechanism explanation for the immunophenotypic heterogeneity of these AML patients.
High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/genetics* ; Mutation ; Nuclear Proteins/genetics* ; Nucleophosmin ; Prognosis ; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3/genetics*

Objective: To investigate the pathological characteristics of singleton placenta with abnormal shape and its influence on the outcome of maternal-fetal pregnancy. Methods: The clinicopathological data of singleton placentas with abnormal shape from January 2014 to December 2020 in the Department of Pathology, Haidian Maternal and Children Health Hospital were analyzed retrospectively. Results: There were 130 singleton placentas with abnormal shape in this cohort, including 48 succenturiate placentas, 12 bilobed placentas, 50 marginate placentas, 13 circumvallate placentas, 3 annular placentas, 2 membranous placentas and 2 fenestrated placentas. Gestational age ranged from 29⁺⁵ to 40⁺⁴ weeks. There were 51 cases of premature rupture of membranes, 11 cases of placenta previa, 5 cases of placental abruption, 15 cases of placental adhesion/implantation and 27 cases of postpartum hemorrhage. There were 46 preterm fetuses,28 fetuses with fetal growth restriction, 22 fetuses with intrauterine distress, and 1 fetus with intrauterine death. Grossly, the placental lobules of succenturiate placentas had apparent size difference, while two lobules of bilobate placenta were more consistent. The chorionic plate size was smaller than the bottom plate of circumvallate placenta, the folded fetal membrane in the rim of placenta was thickened (termed marginate placenta if there was no thickening). The membranous placenta was characterized by a thin, large membrane-like shape. Annular placenta showed characteristic hollow cylinder, ring or horseshoe-shape. Fenestrated placenta was characterized by tissue defects near central area. Microscopically, functional/morphologic changes were the main manifestations of inadequate maternal-fetal perfusion, including villous infarction, distal villous dysplasia and excessive villous maturation. Conclusions: The abnormal shaped singleton placentas showed variable extent of inadequate maternal-fetal perfusion, which may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as premature delivery, fetal growth restriction, intrauterine distress or fetal death.
Child ; Female ; Fetal Growth Retardation ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Placenta ; Placenta Diseases ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies

Objective: To summarize the clinicopathological factors related to perinatal fetal death and to evaluate importance of fetal autopsy and placental pathology. Methods: The clinicopathological data of 105 perinatal fetal deaths in Beijing Haidian Maternal and Child Health Hospital from November 2012 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Relevant literature was also reviewed. Results: The maternal age of the deceased fetuses ranged from 22 to 43 years with the average (31.35±4.04 years), and the gestational weeks were 28-40⁺⁶ weeks. Among them, 101 were singleton cases and 4 twin cases. 103 fetuses died in uterus and 2 died during delivery. Relevant factors analysis of the 105 perinatal fetal deaths showed that 86 cases (81.9%, 86/105) were related to umbilical cord/placental abnormality, 10 cases (9.5%, 10/105) uterine infection, 6 cases (5.7%, 6/105) fetal factors, 1 case was fetal maternal blood transfusion syndrome, 1 case twin blood transfusion syndrome, and 1 case died of complete uterine rupture. Among the 86 cases related to umbilical cord/placental abnormality, the diagnosis was most often based on the gross examination of placenta. The most common cause of death was umbilical cord torsion with thin root, followed by placental abruption, tight umbilical cord winding, vascular rupture and umbilical cord true knot. The morphology of placenta revealed mainly functional changes. Among the 10 cases related to intrauterine infections, the placenta generally showed lobular placental edema. The morphological characteristics of ascending infection were mainly acute chorioamnionitis, and the morphological characteristics of blood-borne infection were mainly acute or chronic villitis, as well as villous interstitial inflammation. Identification of viral inclusions suggested viral etiology, while the final diagnosis was relied on laboratory testing. Among the 6 cases related to fetal abnormality, the diagnostic value of placenta was limited and the diagnosis could be made with fetal autopsy. Conclusion: The causes of perinatal fetal death are complex, diverse, and often the synergistic result of multiple factors. Fetal autopsy and placental pathology are the key technical means to identify the cause of death and deserve more attention and utilization.
Adult ; Autopsy ; Child ; Female ; Fetal Death/etiology* ; Fetus/pathology* ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Placenta/pathology* ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult