AIM:To observe the changes of Th17 related cytokines in tears of conjunctivochalasis(CCH)patients with liver-kidney yin deficiency treated with traditional Chinese medicine Qi Jing Mingmu decoction combined with artificial tears.METHODS:A total of 56 CCH patients(56 eyes)with liver-kidney yin deficiency of grade Ⅱ to Ⅲ were collected and randomly divided into treatment group(treated with Qi Jing Mingmu decoction combined with artificial tears)of 26 cases(26 eyes)and control group(treated with pure artificial tears)of 30 cases(30 eyes). The treatment course was 1 mo, and international ocular surface disease index(OSDI), tear film break-up time(BUT), tear meniscus height(TMH)and conjunctival congestion index of the patients were observed before and after treatment. The patients' tears were collected before and after treatment, and Th17 related cytokines in tears were detected using flow cytometry immunofluorescence luminescence method.RESULTS:After treatment, the OSDI, BUT and conjunctival congestion index of CCH patients in the treatment group and control group were significantly improved(all P<0.01). After treatment, the TMH of CCH patients in the treatment group was significantly reduced(P<0.01), while there was no statistically significant difference in TMH of the control group before and after treatment(P=0.41). After treatment, the levels of Th17 related cytokines IL-17A, IL-22, IFN-γ, IL-17F, and IL-1β in tears of CCH patients in the treatment group were significantly reduced after treatment(all P<0.01), and the changes in the treatment group were more significant(all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the control group before and after treatment(all P>0.05). After treatment, the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the tears of both groups of CCH patients decreased compared to those before treatment(both P<0.05), but the changes in the treatment group were more significant(both P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Qi Jing Mingmu decoction combined with artificial tears can effectively improve the ocular surface microenvironment, enhance tear film stability, and inhibit ocular surface inflammation in CCH patients with liver-kidney yin deficiency. This may be related to its reduction in the secretion of Th17 related cytokines in tears.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, gene mutations, and distribution of bronchial adenoma (BA).Methods:Eighty-eight cases of BA diagnosed via routine section diagnosis between May 2015 and February 2024 were collected at the Pathology Departments of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University (71 cases), Shanghai, China and Jining No.1 People′s Hospital (17 cases), Jining, China. Clinical data, image features, histopathological sections, immunohistochemical stains, and genetic testing results were reviewed.Results:Among the 88 patients with BA, there were 36 males and 52 females. The incidence of proximal-type BA was the same in both genders (50%, 28/56), while distal-type BA was more commonly found in females (75%, 24/32, P=0.022). BA predominantly affected middle-aged and elderly adults, with an age range of 30-78 years (median, 61 years). Clinically, BA generally presented without obvious symptoms. Radiologically it mainly manifested as peripheral lung ground-glass nodules, mixed ground-glass nodules, or solid nodules, primarily located in the lower lobes of the lungs (72.7%, 64/88). Proximal-type BA was characterized by solid nodules (53.6%, 30/56), while distal-type BA by ground-glass nodules (56.3%, 18/32), with a statistically significant difference between the two types ( P<0.01). The tumor was non-encapsulated, with a gray-white cut surface, and some areas were gray-brown. In 18.2% (16/88) of cases, the cut surface was slippery, with soft to medium-firm consistency and poorly defined margins. The smooth texture was predominantly found in proximal-type BA (14/16), whose tumor diameters ranged from 0.2 to 4.6 cm. Microscopically, the lesions exhibited glandular, papillary, or relatively flat patterns, with the main cellular components consisting of basal cells, ciliated columnar cells, mucinous cells, and alveolar epithelial cells in various proportions. Proximal-type BA resembled the morphology of proximal bronchioles and commonly contained mucinous and ciliated cells, while distal-type BA typically lacked mucinous and ciliated cells. The frequency of ciliated cell micropapillae in proximal-type BA (64.3%, 36/56) was significantly higher than that in distal-type BA (31.3%, 10/32, P=0.003). The morphological manifestation of glandular duct dilation was more commonly noted in proximal-type BA (98.2%, 55/56) than that in distal-type BA (81.25%, 26/32, P=0.009). Overall, the disagreement rate between frozen-section and routine diagnoses was 19.5% (17/87). Immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6) and p40 showed that basal cell continuity in proximal-type BA (82.1%, 46/56) was significantly higher than that in distal-type BA (56.2%, 18/32, P=0.009). Molecular testing showed an accumulative gene mutation rate of 60.5% (23/38) in BA, including mutations in BRAF V600E (34.2%, 13/38), KRAS (18.4%, 7/38), ALK (5.3%, 2/38), and EGFR (2.6%, 1/38). Proximal-type BA was associated with BRAF V600E mutations, while distal-type BA with KRAS mutations ( P=0.025). Conclusions:BA is a rare benign bronchial tumor and has a high diagnostic error-rate on intraoperative frozen section. Proximal-type BA often presents with ciliated cell micropapillae, which supports the diagnosis, while distal-type BA frequently shows a partial reduction or absence of basal cells, increasing the diagnostic difficulty. The different subtypes of BA exhibit distinct genetic (mutation) profiles that may assist in its diagnosis and histological classification

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, gene mutations, and distribution of bronchial adenoma (BA).Methods:Eighty-eight cases of BA diagnosed via routine section diagnosis between May 2015 and February 2024 were collected at the Pathology Departments of Zhongshan Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University (71 cases), Shanghai, China and Jining No.1 People′s Hospital (17 cases), Jining, China. Clinical data, image features, histopathological sections, immunohistochemical stains, and genetic testing results were reviewed.Results:Among the 88 patients with BA, there were 36 males and 52 females. The incidence of proximal-type BA was the same in both genders (50%, 28/56), while distal-type BA was more commonly found in females (75%, 24/32, P=0.022). BA predominantly affected middle-aged and elderly adults, with an age range of 30-78 years (median, 61 years). Clinically, BA generally presented without obvious symptoms. Radiologically it mainly manifested as peripheral lung ground-glass nodules, mixed ground-glass nodules, or solid nodules, primarily located in the lower lobes of the lungs (72.7%, 64/88). Proximal-type BA was characterized by solid nodules (53.6%, 30/56), while distal-type BA by ground-glass nodules (56.3%, 18/32), with a statistically significant difference between the two types ( P<0.01). The tumor was non-encapsulated, with a gray-white cut surface, and some areas were gray-brown. In 18.2% (16/88) of cases, the cut surface was slippery, with soft to medium-firm consistency and poorly defined margins. The smooth texture was predominantly found in proximal-type BA (14/16), whose tumor diameters ranged from 0.2 to 4.6 cm. Microscopically, the lesions exhibited glandular, papillary, or relatively flat patterns, with the main cellular components consisting of basal cells, ciliated columnar cells, mucinous cells, and alveolar epithelial cells in various proportions. Proximal-type BA resembled the morphology of proximal bronchioles and commonly contained mucinous and ciliated cells, while distal-type BA typically lacked mucinous and ciliated cells. The frequency of ciliated cell micropapillae in proximal-type BA (64.3%, 36/56) was significantly higher than that in distal-type BA (31.3%, 10/32, P=0.003). The morphological manifestation of glandular duct dilation was more commonly noted in proximal-type BA (98.2%, 55/56) than that in distal-type BA (81.25%, 26/32, P=0.009). Overall, the disagreement rate between frozen-section and routine diagnoses was 19.5% (17/87). Immunohistochemistry for cytokeratin 5/6 (CK5/6) and p40 showed that basal cell continuity in proximal-type BA (82.1%, 46/56) was significantly higher than that in distal-type BA (56.2%, 18/32, P=0.009). Molecular testing showed an accumulative gene mutation rate of 60.5% (23/38) in BA, including mutations in BRAF V600E (34.2%, 13/38), KRAS (18.4%, 7/38), ALK (5.3%, 2/38), and EGFR (2.6%, 1/38). Proximal-type BA was associated with BRAF V600E mutations, while distal-type BA with KRAS mutations ( P=0.025). Conclusions:BA is a rare benign bronchial tumor and has a high diagnostic error-rate on intraoperative frozen section. Proximal-type BA often presents with ciliated cell micropapillae, which supports the diagnosis, while distal-type BA frequently shows a partial reduction or absence of basal cells, increasing the diagnostic difficulty. The different subtypes of BA exhibit distinct genetic (mutation) profiles that may assist in its diagnosis and histological classification

Background and Aims:Chronic skin ulcers are a significant disease affecting patients'daily lives and psychological well-being.Abnormalities in the cells and extracellular matrix within the tissue may disrupt the balance of the microenvironment,hindering the normal skin repair process and leading to delayed healing of the ulcer.There is currently a lack of research on the mechanisms underlying the development of chronic ulcers and their diagnostic biomarkers.Single-cell sequencing,a newly developed high-throughput sequencing method in recent years,uses gene sequencing at the single-cell resolution to precisely reveal disease mechanisms and has been applied in various diseases.This study used single-cell transcriptome sequencing(scRNA-Seq)to investigate the cellular heterogeneity in chronic skin ulcer tissue to elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms behind delayed healing and provide new insights for clinical treatment.Methods:The scRNA-Seq technology was used to compare the differences in cell subpopulations and gene expression between chronic ulcer tissue and normal skin tissue.Single cells were sorted using a microfluidic platform,and cDNA libraries were constructed for subsequent differential gene analysis and functional enrichment analysis.Results:scRNA-Seq analysis revealed significant immune-metabolic remodeling features in chronic ulcer tissue:the number of B cells,monocytes,and macrophages in ulcer tissue increased by 2.1 to 3.5 times compared to the normal tissue control.This was accompanied by widespread activation of collagen synthesis genes(COL1A1/COL3A1)and synergistic suppression of immune regulators(e.g.,granzyme family GZMA/GZMB/H).Cross-cell subpopulation functional network analysis showed that hypoxia response mediated by the HIF-1 signaling pathway and PI3K/Akt pathway abnormalities formed a positive feedback loop,exacerbating the imbalance in the secretion of inflammatory factors(CXCL3/8,TGFBI)and compensatory upregulation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.Conclusion:Chronic skin ulcers exhibit significant differences in cellular heterogeneity and gene expression,suggesting that chronic ulcers are not simply tissue defects but a complex pathological process dominated by chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation.The coordinated dysregulation of multiple cell subpopulations in the ulcer microenvironment,along with persistent inflammatory responses and metabolic abnormalities,is interconnected through the HIF-1/TNF/MAPK pathway network.Downregulation of granzyme gene family members and abnormal histone modifications may contribute to immune clearance defects,providing a theoretical basis for developing novel therapies targeting epigenetic regulation or mitochondrial function.

Background and Aims:Chronic skin ulcers are a significant disease affecting patients'daily lives and psychological well-being.Abnormalities in the cells and extracellular matrix within the tissue may disrupt the balance of the microenvironment,hindering the normal skin repair process and leading to delayed healing of the ulcer.There is currently a lack of research on the mechanisms underlying the development of chronic ulcers and their diagnostic biomarkers.Single-cell sequencing,a newly developed high-throughput sequencing method in recent years,uses gene sequencing at the single-cell resolution to precisely reveal disease mechanisms and has been applied in various diseases.This study used single-cell transcriptome sequencing(scRNA-Seq)to investigate the cellular heterogeneity in chronic skin ulcer tissue to elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms behind delayed healing and provide new insights for clinical treatment.Methods:The scRNA-Seq technology was used to compare the differences in cell subpopulations and gene expression between chronic ulcer tissue and normal skin tissue.Single cells were sorted using a microfluidic platform,and cDNA libraries were constructed for subsequent differential gene analysis and functional enrichment analysis.Results:scRNA-Seq analysis revealed significant immune-metabolic remodeling features in chronic ulcer tissue:the number of B cells,monocytes,and macrophages in ulcer tissue increased by 2.1 to 3.5 times compared to the normal tissue control.This was accompanied by widespread activation of collagen synthesis genes(COL1A1/COL3A1)and synergistic suppression of immune regulators(e.g.,granzyme family GZMA/GZMB/H).Cross-cell subpopulation functional network analysis showed that hypoxia response mediated by the HIF-1 signaling pathway and PI3K/Akt pathway abnormalities formed a positive feedback loop,exacerbating the imbalance in the secretion of inflammatory factors(CXCL3/8,TGFBI)and compensatory upregulation of mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation.Conclusion:Chronic skin ulcers exhibit significant differences in cellular heterogeneity and gene expression,suggesting that chronic ulcers are not simply tissue defects but a complex pathological process dominated by chronic inflammation and immune dysregulation.The coordinated dysregulation of multiple cell subpopulations in the ulcer microenvironment,along with persistent inflammatory responses and metabolic abnormalities,is interconnected through the HIF-1/TNF/MAPK pathway network.Downregulation of granzyme gene family members and abnormal histone modifications may contribute to immune clearance defects,providing a theoretical basis for developing novel therapies targeting epigenetic regulation or mitochondrial function.

Objective:To discuss the effect of exosomes(Exos)loaded with microRNA-520a-5p(miR-520a-5p)on the pregnancy outcomes in fetal mice with intrauterine growth restriction(FGR),and to clarify its mechanism.Methods:The mouse placental mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)were cultured in vitro and transfected with miR-520a-5p adenovirus vector(Ad-miR-520a-5p)to obtain the Exos with high miR-520a-5p load(miR-520a-5p-MSCs-Exos),which were then identified.The C57BL/6 mice were mated in cages at a female∶male ratio of 2∶1 to achieve successful pregnancy.Forty pregnant mice were divided into control group,FGR group,NC-MSCs-Exos group,and miR-520a-5p-MSCs-Exos group,with 10 mice in each group.Except for control group,the mice in other groups were exposed to excessive dexamethasone(DEX)during pregnancy to induce FGR models in the pregnant mice.The body weights of the fetal mice at birth and at 1,2,3,and 4 weeks after birth were detected;real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of miR-520a-5p,DNA methyltransferase 3b(DNMT3b),and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)mRNA in placenta tissue of the mice in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of DNMT3b and VEGF proteins in placenta tissue of the mice in various groups;methylation-specific PCR(MSP)was used to analyze the methylation rates of VEGF promoter in placenta tissue of the mice in various groups;dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the targeting relationship between miR-520a-5p and DNMT3b.Results:The results of transmission electron microscope(TEM)and nanoparticle tracking analysis(NTA)showed that the Exos were spherical with particle size concentrated near 100 nm;the Western blotting method results showed that the surface biomarkers CD63 and CD81 of Exos were positively expressed.The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with NC-MSCs-Exos and Ad-NC-MSCs-Exos,the expression level of miR-520a-5p in Ad-miR-520a-5p-MSCs-Exos was increased(P＜0.001).The differences in birth body weight and the body weights at 1,2,and 3 weeks after birth of the fetal mice among four groups were statistically significant(F=36.084,F=19.851,F=77.755,F=103.223;P＜0.001).Compared with control group,the birth body weight and the body weights at 1,2,and 3 weeks after birth of the fetal mice in FGR group were decreased(P＜0.05);compared with FGR group and NC-MSCs-Exos group,the birth body weight and the body weights at 1,2,and 3 weeks after birth of the fetal mice in miR-520a-5p-MSCs-Exos group were increased(P＜0.05).The One-way ANOVA results showed that the differences in the expression levels of miR-520a-5p,DNMT3b,and VEGF mRNA in placenta tissue of the mice among four groups were statistically significant(F=103.224,F=856.460,F=214.563;P＜0.001).The pairwise comparison between groups showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of miR-520a-5p and VEGF mRNA in placenta tissue of the mice in FGR group were decreased(P＜0.05),and the expression level of DNMT3b mRNA was increased(P＜0.05);compared with FGR group and NC-MSCs-Exos group,the expression levels of miR-520a-5p and VEGF mRNA in placenta tissue of the mice in miR-520a-5p-MSCs-Exos group were increased(P＜0.05),and the expression level of DNMT3b mRNA was decreased(P＜0.05).The One-way ANOVA results showed that the differences in the expression levels of DNMT3b and VEGF proteins in placenta tissue of the mice among four groups were statistically significant(F=245.601,F=149.360;P＜0.001).The pairwise comparison between groups showed that compared with control group,the expression level of DNMT3b protein in placenta tissue of the mice in FGR group was increased(P＜0.05),and the expression level of VEGF protein was decreased(P＜0.05);compared with FGR group and NC-MSCs-Exos group,the expression level of DNMT3b protein in placenta tissue of the mice in miR-520a-5p-MSCs-Exos group was decreased(P＜0.05),and the expression level of VEGF protein was increased(P＜0.05).The One-way ANOVA results showed that the difference in the methylation rate of VEGF promoter in placenta tissue of the mice among four groups was statistically significant(F=687.096,P＜0.001).The pairwise comparison between groups showed that compared with control group,the methylation rate of VEGF promoter in placenta tissue of the mice in FGR group was increased(P＜0.05);compared with FGR group and NC-MSCs-Exos group,the methylation rate of VEGF promoter in placenta tissue of the mice in miR-520a-5p-MSCs-Exos group was decreased(P＜0.05).Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay results showed that compared with miR-NC group,the luciferase activity in the cells containing DNMT3b-WT reporter vector in miR-520a-5p group was decreased(P＜0.05);compared with miR-NC group,the luciferase activity in the cells containing DNMT3b-MUT reporter vector in miR-520a-5p group had no change,no significant difference was observed(P＞0.05).Conclusion:The MSCs-derived Exos highly loaded with miR-520a-5p may improve the pregnancy outcomes of FGR fetal mice by targeting and down-regulating the expression of DNMT3b,inhibiting VEGF methylation,and promoting VEGF expression.

Objective To examined gene mutations in thymic carcinoma (TC) patients and to explore prognostic correlates and potential targets for therapy. Methods We retrospectively included TC patients in Sichuan Cancer Hospital between January 2015 and Febuary 2021.Whole-exome sequencing was performed on tumor tissues from TC patients and their control peripheral blood samples, and the raw data were subjected to bioinformatics analysis and statistical analysis. Results We finally included 24 TC patients with 16 males and 8 females at a median age of 55 (42-74) years. The highest frequency of single nucleotide mutations in this cohort were in the TTN gene (42%), HSPG2 (29%), and OBSCN (29%). Higher frequency of copy number variations occurred in ZNF276 gene (54%, loss), BEND3 (50%, loss), DHODH (50%, loss), and VAC14 (50%, loss). Microsatellite instability (MSI) phenotype was found in 25% of the patients, and the mean tumor mutation burden (TMB) was 9.86. Conclusion This study is the first comprehensive analysis of the mutation profile of thymic carcinoma in China to date. The mutation frequencies of TTN, OBSCN, and ZNF276 genes were high. The biomarker analysis suggests that patients may benefit from immunotherapy and have a long effective survival.

Objective To summarize and analyze the clinical diagnosis, surgical treatment and prognosis of multiple pulmonary nodules (MPNs). Methods The clinical data of lung cancer patients who received surgical treatment in our hospital from 2018 to 2020 were collected. The short-term efficacy of surgical treatment for MPNs was analyzed. Results A total of 97 patients were enrolled, including 30 males and 67 females with an average age of 56.1±10.0 years at onset ill. There were 62 patients with double lesions, 22 patients with three lesions, 4 patients with four lesions, and 9 patients with more than four lesions. A total of 213 lesions were surgically treated, including 88 pure ground-glass nodules, 81 partially solid nodules, and 7 solid nodules. There were 87 simultaneous surgeries and 10 staged surgeries, with an average operation interval of 5.2 months. The pathological combination type included adenocarcinoma-adenocarcinoma in 96 (99.0%) patients, squamous cell carcinoma-squamous cell carcinoma in 1 (1.0%) patient, and no lymph node metastasis was found. The 2-year disease-free survival (DFS) rate was 92.1%, and the overall survival (OS) rate was 100.0%. Univariate analysis showed that high-risk lesion size>2 cm (P=0.316), residual lesions (P=0.782) and pathological combination type (P=0.913) had statistical effect on the 2-year DFS rate. Conclusion MPNs are mainly diagnosed with multiple primary lung cancers, and the pathological combination is mostly adenocarcinoma-adenocarcinoma combination. Imaging examination is of great help to the surgical approach selection, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of MPNs. During the operation, maximal preservation of lung function and complete resection of high-risk nodules should be taken as the principle, and the prognosis is satisfactory.

The number of investigator initiated research (IIR) is increasing. But the recognition and management of IIR in China is still in its infancy, and there is a lack of specific and operable guidance for the implementation process. Based on our practical experiences, previous literature reports, and current policy regulations, the authors took prospective IIR as an example to summarize the implementation process of IIR into 14 steps, which are as the following: study initiation, ethical review, study registration, study filing, case report form design, database establishment, standard operating procedure making, investigator training, informed consent, data collection, data entry, data verification, data locking and data archiving.

Objective     To analyze the clinicopathological characteristics of thymoma patients and the influencing factors for prognosis. Methods     Thymoma patients who received treatment in Sichuan Cancer Hospital from March 2015 to March 2021 were collected. Clinical data of the patients were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses. Results     A total of 177 patients were included. There were 89 males and 88 females aged 17-88 (52.3±13.0) years, including 160 surgical patients and 17 non-surgical patients. There were 160 patients survived, 17 died of thymoma, and 5 had recurrence and metastasis. Overall, the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year progression-free survival rates were 94.4%, 88.7%, 88.1%, respectively; the 1-year, 3-year and 5-year overall survival rates were 94.9%, 91.5%, 91.0%, respectively. The Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that World Health Organization classification, clinical symptoms, Masaoka-Koga staging, treatment methods and surgery were statistically associated with progression-free survival; clinical symptoms, age, treatment methods and surgery were statistically associated with overall survival (P<0.05). Patients with younger age (P=0.018), without clinical symptoms (P=0.039), and with surgical treatment (P=0.004) had higher overall survival rates; those patients undergoing surgery had a higher progression-free survival rate (P=0.002). Conclusion     Age, clinical symptoms and surgical treatment are independent factors influencing the prognosis of patients with thymoma.