AIM:To evaluate the effects of periocular injection of triamcinolone acetonide combined with dexamethasone on ocular surface function and tear dynamics in patients with thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO).METHODS: In this single-center retrospective study, 26 TAO patients(52 eyes)treated between September 2020 and September 2023 received periocular injections of triamcinolone acetonide(20 mg)and dexamethasone(2.5 mg). Clinical parameters, including clinical activity score(CAS), ocular surface disease index(OSDI), Schirmer I test(SⅠt), tear film breakup time(BUT), tear meniscus height(TMH), corneal fluorescein staining(FL), meibomian gland loss, and lipid secretion score, were assessed at baseline, 1 wk, and 1 mo post-injection.RESULTS: There were statistically significant differences in CAS, OSDI, SⅠt, BUT, TMH, FL score, and meibomian gland secretion score before and after injection in the included patients(all P<0.05). At 1 wk after injection, there were differences in CAS, OSDI, SⅠt, BUT, TMH, FL score, and meibomian gland secretion score compared with those before injection(all P<0.0167). At 1 mo after injection, there were differences in CAS, OSDI, SⅠt, BUT, TMH, FL score, and meibomian gland secretion score compared with those at 1 wk after injection(all P<0.0167). At 1 mo after injection, there were no differences in CAS, OSDI, SⅠt, BUT, TMH, FL score, and meibomian gland secretion score compared with those before injection(all P>0.05). There was a difference in meibomian gland dropout score before and after injection in the included patients(P<0.05), but pairwise comparisons showed no differences(P=0.900, 0.306). During the treatment period, 1 patient experienced transient elevation of intraocular pressure(25 mmHg), which was alleviated after control with intraocular pressure-lowering medication, and no cases of secondary glaucoma occurred.CONCLUSION: Periocular injection of triamcinolone acetonide combined with dexamethasone provides short-term improvement in ocular surface symptoms, tear film stability and secretion in TAO patients. However, efficacy diminishes over time and does not reverse structural damage. Long-term maintenance therapy is recommended.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the mechanism by which transforming growth factor‑β (TGF‑β) regulates major histocompatibility complex class I (MHC-I) expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells and its role in immune evasion of HCC. METHODS: HCC cells treated with TGF‑β alone or in combination with SB-431542 (a TGF-β type I receptor inhibitor) were examined for changes in MHC-I expression using RT-qPCR and Western blotting. A RNA interference experiment was used to explore the role of miR-23a-3p/IRF1 signaling in TGF‑β‑mediated regulation of MHC-I. HCC cells with different treatments were co-cultured with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and the changes in HCC cell proliferation was assessed using CCK-8 and colony formation assays. T-cell cytotoxicity in the co-culture systems was assessed with lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release and JC-1 mitochondrial membrane potential assays, and T-cell activation was evaluated by flow cytometric analysis of CD69 cells and ELISA for TNF-α secretion. RESULTS: TGF‑β treatment significantly suppressed MHC-I expression in HCC cells and reduced T-cell activation, leading to increased tumor cell proliferation and decreased HCC cell death in the co-culture systems. Mechanistically, TGF-β upregulated miR-23a-3p, which directly targeted IRF1 to inhibit MHC-I transcription. Overexpression of miR-23a-3p phenocopied TGF‑β‑induced suppression of IRF1 and MHC-I. CONCLUSIONS We reveal a novel immune escape mechanism of HCC, in which TGF‑β attenuates T cell-mediated antitumor immunity by suppressing MHC-I expression through the miR-23a-3p/IRF1 signaling axis.
Humans ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/metabolism* ; Liver Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Interferon Regulatory Factor-1/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Histocompatibility Antigens Class I/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Tumor Escape ; Coculture Techniques

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of peroral super minimally invasive incision for esophageal diverticulum.Methods:The clinical data of patients with esophageal diverticulum who underwent super minimally invasive surgery (SMIS) at the First Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from April 2022 to September 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. These data include clinical baseline data, endoscopic surgical parameters, preoperative and postoperative Eckardt scores, surgical costs, and the duration of hospitalization.Results:Thirteen patients successfully completed submucosal tunneling endoscopic septum division (STESD) surgery without any postoperative adverse events. The duration of operation was (37.00 ± 5.82) min, the application time of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) was 4 (4, 4) d, the application time of antibiotics was 3 (2, 4) d, the surgical cost was 22 580 (27 044, 34 255) yuan, and the hospital stay was 12 (10, 22) d. The Eckardt scores before and after the operation were 3 (2, 4) scores and 1 (0, 1) score respectively, the Eckardt score after the operation decreased significantly compared with that before the operation.Conclusions:STESD is a safety and efficient operation for the treatment of esophageal diverticulitis. It has the advantages of short term curative effect and obvious improvement of the patient′s symptoms.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of the gastrointestinal endoscopic super minimally invasive surgery (eSMIS) and the laparoscopic minimally invasive procedure (LS) for the treatment of gastric glomus tumors(GGT).Methods:This study retrospectively included 15 patients with GGT who underwent eSMIS at the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from May 2014 to May 2024. Data on demographic characteristics, surgical indexes, efficacy evaluation indexes, postoperative medical disposition, health economics indexes and postoperative laboratory indexes were collected and analyzed, the patients were followed up for survival outcomes and the postoperative quality of life, efficacy and safety of the two groups were compared.Results:The amount of bleeding in the eSMIS group was lower than that in the LS group: 1.25 (0, 3.75) ml vs. 41.56 (10.00, 50.00) ml, and the surgical cost in the eSMIS group was lower than that in the LS group: 10 792.87 (8 424.90, 12 730.30) yuan vs. 21 773.06 (19 940.60, 24 843.10) yuan, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The surgical efficacy, postoperative laboratory indicators and medical treatment convenience between the two groups had no statistical differences ( P>0.05). Conclusions:In the choice of surgical procedures for the treatment of GGT, eSMIS is superior to LS in terms of bleeding and surgical cost, and not inferior to LS in other indicators. This suggested that the treatment of GGT with eSMIS is feasible, safe and effective.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pertussis cases identified through active surveillance.Methods:Active surveillance for pertussis was conducted in three sentinel hospitals in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, and Yongcheng, Henan Province. The study population included cases that met the surveillance case definition and sought medical care at outpatient/emergency departments or were hospitalized between June 1, 2021, and May 31, 2022. Samples were collected for bacterial culture and PCR detection. Case information and clinical data were collected. Differences in rates were assessed using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact probability test, and the differences in cough time were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results:Among 1 423 cases of pertussis surveillance, the positive rate of pertussis was 28.11% (400/1 423), with a median age of 5 years (interquartile range: 2, 8). The positive rate in Yongcheng, Henan Province, and Yiwu, Zhejiang Province were 39.27% (216/550) and 21.08% (184/873), respectively; the positive rate of pertussis was highest in July 2021, and the highest positive rate of pertussis was among those aged 10-14. The positive rate of pertussis in hospitalized cases was higher than in outpatient/emergency cases (26.68%) ( χ2=4.16, P=0.041). Among the 400 laboratory test-positive cases, the highest proportion of atypical symptom cases was in adults aged 20-59 (43.33%, 13/30). The specificity rates of apnea and worsening nocturnal cough in monitored cases under 3 months of age were 100.00% and 73.81%, respectively. Among monitored cases aged 3 months to 9 years, the proportions of symptoms including worsening nighttime cough (63.00%) and night sweats (4.59%) in test-positive cases were significantly higher than those in the test-negative group (47.77% and 0.56%, respectively), with statistically significant differences (both P<0.05). The specificity rates of worsened nighttime coughing and night sweats were 52.23% and 99.44%, respectively. Conclusions:The active surveillance results for pertussis showed that the 10-14 age group exhibited the highest positivity rate. Active surveillance enhanced the detection rate of pertussis. Among laboratory-confirmed cases, the proportion of atypical symptoms was the highest in adults, suggesting that laboratory testing should be combined to diagnose programs of pertussis. For infants under 3 months, worsening nighttime cough and apnea increase the diagnostic specificity, while for individuals aged 3 to 9 years old, worsening nighttime cough and night sweats increase the diagnostic specificity.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of pertussis cases identified through active surveillance.Methods:Active surveillance for pertussis was conducted in three sentinel hospitals in Yiwu, Zhejiang Province, and Yongcheng, Henan Province. The study population included cases that met the surveillance case definition and sought medical care at outpatient/emergency departments or were hospitalized between June 1, 2021, and May 31, 2022. Samples were collected for bacterial culture and PCR detection. Case information and clinical data were collected. Differences in rates were assessed using the chi-square test or Fisher's exact probability test, and the differences in cough time were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results:Among 1 423 cases of pertussis surveillance, the positive rate of pertussis was 28.11% (400/1 423), with a median age of 5 years (interquartile range: 2, 8). The positive rate in Yongcheng, Henan Province, and Yiwu, Zhejiang Province were 39.27% (216/550) and 21.08% (184/873), respectively; the positive rate of pertussis was highest in July 2021, and the highest positive rate of pertussis was among those aged 10-14. The positive rate of pertussis in hospitalized cases was higher than in outpatient/emergency cases (26.68%) ( χ2=4.16, P=0.041). Among the 400 laboratory test-positive cases, the highest proportion of atypical symptom cases was in adults aged 20-59 (43.33%, 13/30). The specificity rates of apnea and worsening nocturnal cough in monitored cases under 3 months of age were 100.00% and 73.81%, respectively. Among monitored cases aged 3 months to 9 years, the proportions of symptoms including worsening nighttime cough (63.00%) and night sweats (4.59%) in test-positive cases were significantly higher than those in the test-negative group (47.77% and 0.56%, respectively), with statistically significant differences (both P<0.05). The specificity rates of worsened nighttime coughing and night sweats were 52.23% and 99.44%, respectively. Conclusions:The active surveillance results for pertussis showed that the 10-14 age group exhibited the highest positivity rate. Active surveillance enhanced the detection rate of pertussis. Among laboratory-confirmed cases, the proportion of atypical symptoms was the highest in adults, suggesting that laboratory testing should be combined to diagnose programs of pertussis. For infants under 3 months, worsening nighttime cough and apnea increase the diagnostic specificity, while for individuals aged 3 to 9 years old, worsening nighttime cough and night sweats increase the diagnostic specificity.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of peroral super minimally invasive incision for esophageal diverticulum.Methods:The clinical data of patients with esophageal diverticulum who underwent super minimally invasive surgery (SMIS) at the First Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from April 2022 to September 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. These data include clinical baseline data, endoscopic surgical parameters, preoperative and postoperative Eckardt scores, surgical costs, and the duration of hospitalization.Results:Thirteen patients successfully completed submucosal tunneling endoscopic septum division (STESD) surgery without any postoperative adverse events. The duration of operation was (37.00 ± 5.82) min, the application time of proton pump inhibitors (PPI) was 4 (4, 4) d, the application time of antibiotics was 3 (2, 4) d, the surgical cost was 22 580 (27 044, 34 255) yuan, and the hospital stay was 12 (10, 22) d. The Eckardt scores before and after the operation were 3 (2, 4) scores and 1 (0, 1) score respectively, the Eckardt score after the operation decreased significantly compared with that before the operation.Conclusions:STESD is a safety and efficient operation for the treatment of esophageal diverticulitis. It has the advantages of short term curative effect and obvious improvement of the patient′s symptoms.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of the gastrointestinal endoscopic super minimally invasive surgery (eSMIS) and the laparoscopic minimally invasive procedure (LS) for the treatment of gastric glomus tumors(GGT).Methods:This study retrospectively included 15 patients with GGT who underwent eSMIS at the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from May 2014 to May 2024. Data on demographic characteristics, surgical indexes, efficacy evaluation indexes, postoperative medical disposition, health economics indexes and postoperative laboratory indexes were collected and analyzed, the patients were followed up for survival outcomes and the postoperative quality of life, efficacy and safety of the two groups were compared.Results:The amount of bleeding in the eSMIS group was lower than that in the LS group: 1.25 (0, 3.75) ml vs. 41.56 (10.00, 50.00) ml, and the surgical cost in the eSMIS group was lower than that in the LS group: 10 792.87 (8 424.90, 12 730.30) yuan vs. 21 773.06 (19 940.60, 24 843.10) yuan, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). The surgical efficacy, postoperative laboratory indicators and medical treatment convenience between the two groups had no statistical differences ( P>0.05). Conclusions:In the choice of surgical procedures for the treatment of GGT, eSMIS is superior to LS in terms of bleeding and surgical cost, and not inferior to LS in other indicators. This suggested that the treatment of GGT with eSMIS is feasible, safe and effective.

Objective To investigate the relationship between plasma atherosclerosis index (AIP) and the risk of cardiovascular disease in community elderly hypertensive patients in Kunshan area. Methods A total of 21, 226 elderly hypertensive patients who underwent annual health examinations in community were enrolled in this study. Demographic information such as baseline age, gender, smoking history, hypertension, diabetes, and history of cardiovascular disease were collected. Patients' height, body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and blood lipids were measured. Lipid indicators including AIP, lipid composite index (LCI), Castelli risk index-Ⅰ (CRI-Ⅰ), and Castelli risk index-Ⅱ(CRI-Ⅱ) were recorded. The primary endpoint was the first occurrence of cardiovascular disease. The multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was used to explore the relationship between baseline AIP level and cardiovascular disease risk in hypertensive patients. Results After a median follow-up period of 5.62 (3.53, 7.16) years, 3, 179 patients occurred cardiovascular disease events. Cox regression analysis showed that a higher baseline AIP level was positively correlated with cardiovascular disease risk without adjusting for confounding factors (HR=1.16; 95%CI, 1.02 to 1.32). After further adjustment for age, gender, BMI, waist circumference, blood pressure, blood glucose, smoking history, and diabetes history, the AIP level remained closely related to cardiovascular disease risk. Restricted cubic spline analysis suggested an overall linear relationship between AIP and cardiovascular disease risk. Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis showed that compared with the lowest quartile, the cumulative risk of cardiovascular disease was higher in the highest quartile (P < 0.001). Conclusion In community elderly hypertensive patients in Kunshan area, baseline AIP level is associated with cardiovascular disease risk. Monitoring AIP levels may aid in predicting and assessing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Objective:Assisted traction technology is effective in increasing the rate of super minimally invasive surgery (SMIS) in patients with early gastric cancer (EGC), and shortening the operator′s learning curve. We adopt the variable angle traction technique of tissue clamp dental floss as a traction technique in this research.Methods:Patients with early gastric cancer who were treated with SMIS - non full layer resection of EGC were enrolled in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2022 to June 2023. This research was carried out by experts at the same level. It was divided into two groups: traction and non-traction. Submucosal detachment time (SDT), submucosal detachment rate (SDS), lamina propria exposure, muscularis propria defect (MPD), bleeding during operation, block resection, surgical resection, hand operation expenses, and surgical instruments were recorded.Results:Nine patients adopted variable angle traction, and 9 patients did not. The overall resection rate and curative resection rate of both groups were 100%. The mean SDT time was 28.00 (21.00, 34.00) min in traction group and 56.00 (40.00, 85.00) min in non traction group. And it had statistical significance ( P = 0.005). The SDS was (0.58 ± 0.21) cm 2/min in traction group and (0.23 ± 0.10) cm 2/min in non-traction group. And it had statistical significance ( P<0.05). Exposure of intrinsic muscle layer (IML): 8 cases in the traction group and 6 cases in the non-traction group. Intraoperative IML injury: in the traction group, 8 cases were MPD-0 and 1 case was MPD-Ft; in the non-traction group, 4 cases were MPD-0, 1 case was MPD-Pt, and 4 cases were MPD-Ft. There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of intraoperative bleeding, hospitalization expenses, surgical expenses, and the total hospitalization time. There were no serious adverse reactions or outcomes. Conclusions:The variable angle traction method accelerates SDT and SDS for SMIS-non full layer resection of EGC. It has the advantages of the sufficient separation of IML and mucosal layer, the deeper dissection depth, the low injury of IML, low intraoperative bleeding, and no additional medical costs. Therefore, this method can become an auxiliary treatment technology for SMIS.