Megestrol acetate is widely used in clinical practice and offers benefits to patients. However, it carries potential adverse effects, such as hypoadrenocorticism, which is often overlooked due to its atypical clinical manifestations. This report describes two cases of megestrol acetate-induced hypoadrenocorticism. Through a review of relevant literature, the mechanisms, clinical characteristics, and treatment strategies are summarized to enhance clinicians′ awareness of this potential complication.

Obesity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are linked to numerous chronic conditions, including cardiovascular disease, atherosclerosis, chronic kidney disease, and type II diabetes. Previous research identified the natural flavonoid diosmin, derived from Chrysanthemum morifolium, as a regulator of glucose metabolism. However, its effects on lipid metabolism and underlying mechanisms remained unexplored. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) pathway serves a critical function in glucose and lipid metabolism. The relationship between diosmin and the AMPK pathway has not been previously documented. This investigation examined diosmin's capacity to reduce lipid content through AMPK pathway activation in hepatoblastoma cell line G2 (HepG2) and 3T3-L1 cells. The study revealed that diosmin inhibits lipogenesis, indicating its potential as an anti-obesity agent in obese mice. Moreover, diosmin demonstrated effective MASLD alleviation in vivo. These findings suggest that diosmin may represent a promising therapeutic candidate for treating obesity and MASLD.
Diosmin/administration & dosage* ; Animals ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/enzymology* ; Mice ; Obesity/enzymology* ; Hep G2 Cells ; Male ; 3T3-L1 Cells ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Lipid Metabolism/drug effects* ; Chrysanthemum/chemistry* ; Lipogenesis/drug effects*

Objective:To compare the efficacy of Wnt3a factor and small molecule compound CHIR99021 in culturing colorectal cancer organoid, and to explore the feasibility of replacing Wnt3a with CHIR99021.Methods:The organoids were cultured using 2 culture systems containing Wnt3a or CHIR99021, based on the colorectal cancer cell line HCT116 and rectal cancer tissue from one patient (surgical specimen from the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University), including Wnt3a cell organoid, CHIR99021 cell organoid, Wnt3a tissue organoid, and CHIR99021 tissue organoid. The growth of organoids was observed under the optical microscope. The pathological characteristics of organoids and the rectal cancer tissue were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, which included cytokeratin(CK) 7, CK20, Ki-67, and stemness marker CD133. The expression of β-catenin (a key Wnt pathway protein) was analyzed by Western blotting (WB) method. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of Wnt3a and CHIR99021 cell organoids were analyzed by drug susceptible test and GraphPad Prism 9.0 software. Independent sample- t test was used for statistical analysis. Results:Under the optical microscope, the size of CHIR99021 cell organoid was relatively uniform, while the size of the Wnt3a cell organoid was uneven, compact and dense spherical structure was formed in both organoids. HE staining showed tumor features including increased nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio and obvious nuclear atypia in the Wnt3a and CHIR99021 cell organoids. The results of IHC staining showed that CK7 was negative, and CK20 and Ki-67 were positive in the Wnt3a and CHIR99021 cell organoids. The results of WB method showed that the relative expression level of β-catenin of the CHIR99021 cell organoid was higher than that of the Wnt3a cell organoid (0.89±0.09 vs. 0.26±0.04), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=13.80, P<0.001). The results of drug susceptible test demonstrated that the IC50 value of the Wnt3a and CHIR99021 cell organoid was 10.91 and 14.55 μmol/L, respectively. Further IHC staining showed that CD133 was positive in the Wnt3a and CHIR99021 cell organoids, with stronger intensity in the CHIR99021 cell organoid. The pathological characteristics of Wnt3a and CHIR99021 tissue organoid were consistent with those of the rectal cancer tissue of the patient, with all CK7 being negative and CK20 and Ki-67 being positive. Conclusions:Both Wnt3a and CHIR99021 can successfully establish colorectal cancer organoids with consistent pathological characteristics. The IC50 value of the CHIR99021 cell organoid is high, which is related to the increased stemness of organoids. The pathological characteristics of Wnt3a and CHIR99021 tissue organoid are consistent with those of the rectal cancer tissue from the patient.

Modern Chinese dental societies have been a crucial part of the progress of stomatology in China, serving as both witnesses and key drivers of its development. By reviewing historical materials related to these societies, this paper focuses on analyzing their establishment background, developmental stages, overall scale, and major activities. The findings reveal that dental societies exhibited regional, phased, professional, and academic characteristics. Furthermore, the study highlights their contributions to strengthening dental education, promoting standardization within the industry, facilitating academic exchanges, and advocating for the integration of oral and systemic health. This research enriches the study of modern Chinese stomatology history.

Modern Chinese dental societies have been a crucial part of the progress of stomatology in China, serving as both witnesses and key drivers of its development. By reviewing historical materials related to these societies, this paper focuses on analyzing their establishment background, developmental stages, overall scale, and major activities. The findings reveal that dental societies exhibited regional, phased, professional, and academic characteristics. Furthermore, the study highlights their contributions to strengthening dental education, promoting standardization within the industry, facilitating academic exchanges, and advocating for the integration of oral and systemic health. This research enriches the study of modern Chinese stomatology history.

Megestrol acetate is widely used in clinical practice and offers benefits to patients. However, it carries potential adverse effects, such as hypoadrenocorticism, which is often overlooked due to its atypical clinical manifestations. This report describes two cases of megestrol acetate-induced hypoadrenocorticism. Through a review of relevant literature, the mechanisms, clinical characteristics, and treatment strategies are summarized to enhance clinicians′ awareness of this potential complication.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of Wnt3a factor and small molecule compound CHIR99021 in culturing colorectal cancer organoid, and to explore the feasibility of replacing Wnt3a with CHIR99021.Methods:The organoids were cultured using 2 culture systems containing Wnt3a or CHIR99021, based on the colorectal cancer cell line HCT116 and rectal cancer tissue from one patient (surgical specimen from the Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery, Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Dalian University), including Wnt3a cell organoid, CHIR99021 cell organoid, Wnt3a tissue organoid, and CHIR99021 tissue organoid. The growth of organoids was observed under the optical microscope. The pathological characteristics of organoids and the rectal cancer tissue were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemical (IHC) staining, which included cytokeratin(CK) 7, CK20, Ki-67, and stemness marker CD133. The expression of β-catenin (a key Wnt pathway protein) was analyzed by Western blotting (WB) method. The half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of Wnt3a and CHIR99021 cell organoids were analyzed by drug susceptible test and GraphPad Prism 9.0 software. Independent sample- t test was used for statistical analysis. Results:Under the optical microscope, the size of CHIR99021 cell organoid was relatively uniform, while the size of the Wnt3a cell organoid was uneven, compact and dense spherical structure was formed in both organoids. HE staining showed tumor features including increased nuclear-cytoplasmic ratio and obvious nuclear atypia in the Wnt3a and CHIR99021 cell organoids. The results of IHC staining showed that CK7 was negative, and CK20 and Ki-67 were positive in the Wnt3a and CHIR99021 cell organoids. The results of WB method showed that the relative expression level of β-catenin of the CHIR99021 cell organoid was higher than that of the Wnt3a cell organoid (0.89±0.09 vs. 0.26±0.04), and the difference was statistically significant ( t=13.80, P<0.001). The results of drug susceptible test demonstrated that the IC50 value of the Wnt3a and CHIR99021 cell organoid was 10.91 and 14.55 μmol/L, respectively. Further IHC staining showed that CD133 was positive in the Wnt3a and CHIR99021 cell organoids, with stronger intensity in the CHIR99021 cell organoid. The pathological characteristics of Wnt3a and CHIR99021 tissue organoid were consistent with those of the rectal cancer tissue of the patient, with all CK7 being negative and CK20 and Ki-67 being positive. Conclusions:Both Wnt3a and CHIR99021 can successfully establish colorectal cancer organoids with consistent pathological characteristics. The IC50 value of the CHIR99021 cell organoid is high, which is related to the increased stemness of organoids. The pathological characteristics of Wnt3a and CHIR99021 tissue organoid are consistent with those of the rectal cancer tissue from the patient.

Objective:To observe the clinical effect of initiating continuous blood purification (CBP) treatment at different times for patients with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP), and to explore the optimal timing for starting CBP treatment for SAP, so as to provide evidence for clinicians to start CBP treatment.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was used to select patients with SAP who received CBP treatment in People's Hospital of Hunan Province from January 2020 to December 2023. According to the timing of CBP initiation, the patients were divided into early initiation group (diagnosis of SAP to the first CBP treatment time < 24 hours) and late initiation group (diagnosis of SAP to the first CBP treatment time of 24-48 hours). The general data, acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ), bedside index for severity in acute pancreatitis (BISAP) score and laboratory indicators, local complications and systemic complications, intensive care unit (ICU) treatment time, hospital stay, treatment cost, and clinical outcome of the two groups were collected and compared.Results:A total of 130 patients with SAP who received CBP treatment were enrolled, including 90 patients in the early initiation group and 40 patients in the late initiation group. Before treatment, there were no significant differences in gender, age, APACHEⅡscore, BISAP score, etiology and laboratory examination indexes between the early initiation group and late initiation group. At 48, 72, 96 hours after treatment, the blood calcium level of the two groups was significantly higher than that before treatment, and the levels of white blood cell count (WBC), C-reactive protein (CRP), lactic acid, interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), APACHEⅡscore and BISAP score were significantly lower than those before treatment. The WBC level, APACHEⅡscore and BISAP score of the late initiation group were significantly lower than those of the early initiation group at 72 hours and 96 hours after treatment [WBC (×10 9/L): 10.96 (8.68, 13.04) vs. 12.45 (8.93, 16.30) at 72 hours after treatment, and 10.18 (8.68, 12.42) vs. 11.96 (8.81, 16.87) at 96 hours after treatment; APACHEⅡscore: 9.50 (5.75, 12.00) vs. 11.00 (6.25, 14.00) at 72 hours after treatment, and 10.00 (4.00, 12.00) vs. 12.00 (7.00, 14.75) at 96 hours after treatment; BISAP score: 2.35±1.03 vs. 2.76±1.10 at 72 hours after treatment, and 2.08±1.21 vs. 2.70±1.11 at 96 hours after treatment], the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). In terms of complications, the incidence of pancreatic abscess in the late initiation group was significantly lower than that in the early initiation group [5.00% (2/40) vs. 20.00% (18/90)], but the incidence of abdominal compartment syndrome was significantly higher than that in the early initiation group [42.50% (17/40) vs. 13.33% (12/90)], the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). In addition, the ICU treatment time in the early initiation group was significantly shorter than that in the late initiation group [days: 11.00 (6.00, 20.00) vs. 15.00 (9.75, 25.00), P < 0.05], and there were no statistically significant differences in hospitalization costs, length of stay and mortality between the two groups. Conclusions:CBP can effectively increase the level of blood calcium and decrease the level of lactic acid and inflammatory factors. Starting CBP within 24-48 hours after diagnosis of SAP can reduce WBC level and disease severity score faster, and reduce the occurrence of pancreatic abscess. Initiation of CBP within 24 hours after diagnosis of SAP can reduce the incidence of abdominal compartment syndrome and shorten the duration of ICU treatment.

Objective:To establish a real-time fluorescence-based PCR method for the rapid identification of mycobacteria in skin biopsies.Methods:Primers and probes targeting the genus Mycobacterium and 14 common Mycobacterium species were self-designed, and a real-time fluorescence-based PCR detection system/method was established. Twelve standard strains of Mycobacterium were used for in vitro validation. Tissue samples were collected from 119 patients clinically diagnosed with cutaneous mycobacterial infections at the Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Peking University First Hospital from 2019 to 2021, and were tested with the established real-time fluorescence-based PCR method. Results:In vitro testing demonstrated that the method had good sensitivity and specificity for all the 12 standard strains of Mycobacterium. Among the 119 skin biopsy samples from patients clinically diagnosed with cutaneous mycobacterial infections, the culture positivity rate was only 21.0% (25/119) ; the real-time fluorescence-based PCR yielded a positivity rate of 76.5% (91/119) for the detection of mycobacteria, and 44.5% (53/119) were identified to the species level with Mycobacterium marinum as the predominant species; 31.9% (38/119) were identified only to the genus level. Conclusion:A real-time fluorescence-based PCR method has been established for the efficient detection of mycobacteria in skin tissue samples; however, there remains a possibility of missed diagnoses, other molecular diagnostic techniques are required to be combined to improve the sensitivity and specificity.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is an interstitial lung disease that is difficult to diagnose clinically, and finding appropriate biomarkers to assist in the diagnosis and prognosis monitoring of IPF can improve the proportion of early diagnosis and timely treatment of these patients and improve the quality of life of patients