Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic and non-specific inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Huanglian Ganjiang decoction (HGD), derived from ancient book Beiji Qianjin Yao Fang, has demonstrated efficacy in treating UC patients traditionally. Previous research established that the compatibility of cold herb Coptidis Rhizoma + Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex (CP) and hot herb Angelicae Sinensis Radix + Zingiberis Rhizoma (AZ) in HGD synergistically improved colitis mice. This study investigated the compatibility mechanisms through which CP and AZ regulated inflammatory balance in colitis mice. The experimental colitis model was established by administering 3% dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) to mice for 7 days, followed by CP, AZ and CPAZ treatment for an additional 7 days. M1/M2 macrophage polarization levels, glucose metabolites levels and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) expression were analyzed using flow cytometry, Western blot, immunofluorescence and targeted glucose metabolomics. The findings indicated that CP inhibited M1 macrophage polarization, decreased inflammatory metabolites associated with tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and suppressed PDK4 expression and pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) (Ser-293) phosphorylation level. AZ enhanced M2 macrophage polarization, increased lactate axis metabolite lactate levels, and upregulated PDK4 expression and PDH (Ser-293) phosphorylation level. TCA cycle blocker AG-221 and adeno-associated virus (AAV)-PDK4 partially negated CP's inhibition of M1 macrophage polarization. Lactate axis antagonist oxamate and PDK4 inhibitor dichloroacetate (DCA) partially reduced AZ's activation of M2 macrophage polarization. In conclusion, the compatibility of CP and AZ synergistically alleviated colitis in mice through M1/M2 macrophage polarization balance via PDK4-mediated glucose metabolism reprogramming. Specifically, CP reduced M1 macrophage polarization by restoration of TCA cycle via PDK4 inhibition, while AZ increased M2 macrophage polarization through activation of PDK4/lactate axis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Mice ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Acetyl-Transferring Kinase/genetics* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Colitis/drug therapy* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Colitis, Ulcerative/drug therapy* ; Metabolic Reprogramming

Objective:This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients newly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who were admitted to the hematology intensive care unit (HCU) with critical illness. It also examined factors associated with critical illness and early mortality in these patients.Methods:Clinical data were collected from 91 newly diagnosed AML patients admitted to the HCU of the Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, from October 2020 to 2024. Reasons for HCU admission, major therapeutic interventions, and risk factors for critical illness and early mortality were analyzed.Results:The median time from diagnosis to HCU admission was 3 days ( IQR: 3–9 days), and the median HCU stay was 10 days ( IQR: 3–23 days). Of the 91 patients, 71 were admitted to the HCU before induction chemotherapy, while 20 were transferred to the HCU after its initiation. The leading causes of HCU admission were pulmonary infection (78.0% ), respiratory failure (44.0% ), hepatic insufficiency (28.6% ), renal insufficiency (27.5% ), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC; 25.3% ), and sepsis (23.1% ). Median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) and SOFA scores at HCU admission were 14 ( IQR: 11–18) and the median Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was 7 ( IQR: 4, 10). Major HCU interventions included vasoactive drugs, noninvasive and invasive mechanical ventilation, continuous renal replacement therapy, therapeutic leukocyte clearance, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Among patients receiving induction chemotherapy, the composite complete remission rate was 65.4%, and the overall remission rate was 88.5%. Thirty-five (38.5% ) patients died within 28 days of HCU admission. Independent risk factors for 28-day mortality were DIC ( OR=9.350, 95% CI 1.999–43.745, P=0.005), sepsis ( OR=6.817, 95% CI 1.571–29.582, P=0.010), and cardiac insufficiency ( OR=12.281, 95% CI 2.385–63.254, P=0.003) . Conclusion:The main reason for HCU admission in newly diagnosed critically ill AML patients was pulmonary infection. Nearly 40% of patients experisenced early death, and DIC, sepsis, and heart failure were factors influencing early mortatlity.

This report presents the management of a critically ill 36-year-old woman diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph +ALL) at 28 weeks of gestation. The patient rapidly deteriorated, developing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) , diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) , septic shock, and multi-organ dysfunction, necessitating admission to the hematological intensive care unit. Given her critical condition and advanced pregnancy, a chemotherapy-free induction regimen comprising imatinib and dexamethasone was initiated, alongside comprehensive supportive measures, including mechanical ventilation, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) , broad-spectrum antibiotics, and high-dose corticosteroids. During treatment, intrauterine fetal demise occurred, and a stillborn was delivered following obstetric intervention. With aggressive treatment, the patient's respiratory failure, DIC, and DAH gradually resolved, and she achieved complete remission. She subsequently received consolidation chemotherapy, CAR-T cell therapy, and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, achieving sustained complete molecular remission on long-term follow-up. This case demonstrates that for critically ill pregnant patients with Ph + ALL, a chemotherapy-free regimen of targeted therapy and corticosteroids, when combined with intensive supportive care, is a safe and effective approach that may offer a therapeutic option for similar cases.

Objective To explore the value of amide proton transfer(APT)imaging combined with diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)in the assessment of neurovascular invasion(NVI)of stage T3/T4 rectal cancer.Methods The clinical and MR imaging data of 46 patients with rectal cancer were analyzed retrospectively and divided into NVI positive group and NVI negative group according to the pathological results of NVI.The differences of APT values[maximum APT(APTmax)value,minimum APT(APTmin)value,mean APT(APTmean)value]and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value between the two groups were compared,and the diagnostic efficiency was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The APTmax and APTmean values in the NVI positive group were significantly higher than those in the NVI negative group,while the ADC value in the NVI positive group was significantly lower than that in the NVI negative group(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of APTmax,APTmean and ADC values for NVI identification were 0.717,0.722 and 0.751,respectively.The AUC of the three indexes combined to identify NVI was 0.858.The combined AUC of the three indexes was larger than that of APTmax,APTmean and ADC alone(P＜0.05).Conclusion APT imaging combined with DWI has a high value in the evaluation of NVI of stage T3/T4 rectal cancer,which can provide guidance for clinical treatment.

Objective:This study retrospectively analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients newly diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who were admitted to the hematology intensive care unit (HCU) with critical illness. It also examined factors associated with critical illness and early mortality in these patients.Methods:Clinical data were collected from 91 newly diagnosed AML patients admitted to the HCU of the Department of Hematology, First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, from October 2020 to 2024. Reasons for HCU admission, major therapeutic interventions, and risk factors for critical illness and early mortality were analyzed.Results:The median time from diagnosis to HCU admission was 3 days ( IQR: 3–9 days), and the median HCU stay was 10 days ( IQR: 3–23 days). Of the 91 patients, 71 were admitted to the HCU before induction chemotherapy, while 20 were transferred to the HCU after its initiation. The leading causes of HCU admission were pulmonary infection (78.0% ), respiratory failure (44.0% ), hepatic insufficiency (28.6% ), renal insufficiency (27.5% ), disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC; 25.3% ), and sepsis (23.1% ). Median Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ (APACHE Ⅱ) and SOFA scores at HCU admission were 14 ( IQR: 11–18) and the median Sepsis Related Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) score was 7 ( IQR: 4, 10). Major HCU interventions included vasoactive drugs, noninvasive and invasive mechanical ventilation, continuous renal replacement therapy, therapeutic leukocyte clearance, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Among patients receiving induction chemotherapy, the composite complete remission rate was 65.4%, and the overall remission rate was 88.5%. Thirty-five (38.5% ) patients died within 28 days of HCU admission. Independent risk factors for 28-day mortality were DIC ( OR=9.350, 95% CI 1.999–43.745, P=0.005), sepsis ( OR=6.817, 95% CI 1.571–29.582, P=0.010), and cardiac insufficiency ( OR=12.281, 95% CI 2.385–63.254, P=0.003) . Conclusion:The main reason for HCU admission in newly diagnosed critically ill AML patients was pulmonary infection. Nearly 40% of patients experisenced early death, and DIC, sepsis, and heart failure were factors influencing early mortatlity.

Objective To explore the value of amide proton transfer(APT)imaging combined with diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)in the assessment of neurovascular invasion(NVI)of stage T3/T4 rectal cancer.Methods The clinical and MR imaging data of 46 patients with rectal cancer were analyzed retrospectively and divided into NVI positive group and NVI negative group according to the pathological results of NVI.The differences of APT values[maximum APT(APTmax)value,minimum APT(APTmin)value,mean APT(APTmean)value]and apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)value between the two groups were compared,and the diagnostic efficiency was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The APTmax and APTmean values in the NVI positive group were significantly higher than those in the NVI negative group,while the ADC value in the NVI positive group was significantly lower than that in the NVI negative group(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of APTmax,APTmean and ADC values for NVI identification were 0.717,0.722 and 0.751,respectively.The AUC of the three indexes combined to identify NVI was 0.858.The combined AUC of the three indexes was larger than that of APTmax,APTmean and ADC alone(P＜0.05).Conclusion APT imaging combined with DWI has a high value in the evaluation of NVI of stage T3/T4 rectal cancer,which can provide guidance for clinical treatment.

This report presents the management of a critically ill 36-year-old woman diagnosed with Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph +ALL) at 28 weeks of gestation. The patient rapidly deteriorated, developing disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) , diffuse alveolar hemorrhage (DAH) , septic shock, and multi-organ dysfunction, necessitating admission to the hematological intensive care unit. Given her critical condition and advanced pregnancy, a chemotherapy-free induction regimen comprising imatinib and dexamethasone was initiated, alongside comprehensive supportive measures, including mechanical ventilation, continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT) , broad-spectrum antibiotics, and high-dose corticosteroids. During treatment, intrauterine fetal demise occurred, and a stillborn was delivered following obstetric intervention. With aggressive treatment, the patient's respiratory failure, DIC, and DAH gradually resolved, and she achieved complete remission. She subsequently received consolidation chemotherapy, CAR-T cell therapy, and allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, achieving sustained complete molecular remission on long-term follow-up. This case demonstrates that for critically ill pregnant patients with Ph + ALL, a chemotherapy-free regimen of targeted therapy and corticosteroids, when combined with intensive supportive care, is a safe and effective approach that may offer a therapeutic option for similar cases.

Objective:To explore the role of tripartite motif-containing protein 21(TRIM21)in chronic apical periodontitis(CAP)and its potential mechanism.Methods:Human CAP tissue and normal periodontal tissue were collected.The expression of inflamma-tory factors(IL-1 β,IL-6,TNF-a,TGF-β1),osteoclast related genes(TRAP,RANKL,CTSK),macrophage polarization related genes(CD86,iNOS,CD206,Arg1)and TRIM21 were detected by RT-qPCR.TRIM21 protein was detected by immunohistochemical staining,and the osteoclasts was detected by tartrate resistant acid phosphatase(TRAP)staining.The inflammation cell model was es-tablished by stimulating Raw264.7 cells with lipoteichoic acid(LTA)or lipopolysaccharide(LPS),and the expression of the above factors was detected.The bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDMs)extracted from wild-type and TRIM21-/-mice stimulated by LPS were used to verify the expression of the above factors by RT-qPCR,the osteoclasts were detected by TRAP staining,and the po-larization of macrophages was detected by immunofluorescence staining.Results:In CAP tissue the expression of inflammatory factors,osteoclast related genes,CD86,iNOS and TRIM21 increased,while CD206 and Arg1 decreased,and osteoclasts were more than that in normal tissue.The stimulation of LTA/LPS promoted the proliferation of Raw264.7 cells,and the expression of these factors in cells was consistent with that in tissues.After LPS stimulation,BMDMs of TRIM21-/-mice had lighter inflammation,lower expression of os-teoclast specific genes,fewer osteoclasts and lower M1 polarization than those of wild type mice.Conclusion:TRIM21 might promote the progress of CAP by promoting M1 polarization of macrophages.

Objective To explore the relationship between radiomics signatures based on DWI and dynamic contrast-enhanced MRI (DCE-MRI) and molecular subtypes of breast cancer.Methods A retrospective analysis of 79 female breast cancer patients, with single mass, clear molecular subtypes and preoperative breast MRI scanning (obtaining DCE-MRI and ADC images), of Guangdong General Hospital from June 2015 to June 2016,were performed.Traditional quantitative parameters,including ADC value and initial enhancement rate(IER),were recorded.Texture analysis were performed on ADC map and DCE map, with manual segmentation and extraction of radiomic features,and Manual segmentation was performed on ADC map and DCE map, radiomics features were extracted and 10 radiomics signatures were finally selected after dimension reduction. Four molecular subtypes of breast cancer were classified by immunohistochemical detection of pathological specimens, including Luminal A, Luminal B, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) overexpression and triple negative (TN). Univariate logistic regression analysis was used for assessing the performance of ADC values, IER values and radiomics signatures to independently predict molecular subtypes groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to establish predicting models, then receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were drawn and areas under ROC curve were calculated to compare the diagnostic performance of each model. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test was performed to test the goodness of model fitness. Results There were 29 cases of Luminal A, 39 cases of Luminal B, 5 cases of HER2 overexpression and 6 cases of TN breast cancer patients.Univariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the ability of traditonal MRI parameters of ADC and IER values and ten of the radiomics siganitures in classifying molecular subtypes,results showed that the AUC values of ADC and IER values, were both less than 0.70 (range 0.516 to 0.605), which indicated valueless;at least one radiomic signature had AUC greater than 0.70 when identifying each molecular subtype, and AUC of DCE_L_G_2.5_autocorrelation achieved the highest value of 0.941 in identifying TN and non-TN subtypes.Multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to obtain the best model, results showed that the AUCs for classifying Luminal A and non-Luminal A, Luminal B and non-Luminal B, TN and non-TN subtypes were 0.786 and 0.733 And 0.941, respectively. The Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed that the P values of all models were larger than 0.10 (0.156, 0.204 and 0.820,respectively),indicating that there was no significant difference between the predicted and observed values of each model established, these models were all fitted good. Conclusion The radiomics features based on ADC map and DCE map can help to identify the molecular subtypes of breast cancer,especially for the identification of TN type breast cancer.

Objective To explore the distribution and characteristics of hepatitis B virus (HBV) genotype in the region in Guangxi with high incidence of primary liver cancer (PLC). Methods 103 pairs of samples from the sex- and age-matched members with HBsAg-positive from PLC-clustering families (the experimental group) and carcinoma-free families (control group) were collected. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and sequencing methods were applied for the analysis of HBV genotype. Results Four HBV genotypes: B, C, B/C and D, were detected, the percentages of them in the two groups were 31.1%, 63.1%, 1.9%, 1.9% and 30.1%, 55.3%, 6.8%, 2.9%, respectively, showed no significant differences (P > 0.05). HBeAg positive rates were significantly different between genotype C and B (P < 0.05), but no significant differences were showed in such factors as gender, age, ethnic group and HBV DNA level in them (P > 0.05). Conclusions The main genotypes were types B and C besides a small number of combined genotypes B/C and D in the regions of Guangxi with a high incidence of PLC. There may be few relationships between HBV genotypes and the high incidence of PLC for familial clustering in Guangxi.