OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prognostic value of peripheral blood absolute monocyte count(AMC) in non-severe aplastic anaemia(NSAA) patients. METHODS: 178 patients with NSAA who attended the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from April 2008 to September 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, and the optimal cut-off value of peripheral blood AMC was determined by the receiver operating characteristic curve of the subjects, and they were divided into low AMC group (48 patients) and normal AMC group (130 patients), and the differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups were compared. Overall survival(OS) and progression-free survival(PFS) were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to determine the independent prognostic value of AMC. RESULTS: Among 178 NSAA patients, 105(59.0%) were male and 73(41.0%) were female, with a median age of 31(18-87) years old, a median follow-up time of 58 months (range: 6 months-175 months), and a median AMC of 0.15×10⁹/L ［range: (0.01-0.59)×10⁹/L)］. The proportion of granulocytes (27.5% vs 36.0%, P < 0.05), and the proportion of mature monocytes (1% vs 2%, P < 0.05) in the low AMC group were lower than that in the normal AMC group; the proportion of mature lymphocytes in the low AMC group was higher than that in the normal AMC group (54% vs 50%, P < 0.05). However, there was no significantly different in the proportion of erythropoietic cells and stages of the erythropoietic cells between the two groups ( P >0.05). CR (27.7% vs 10.4%) and ORR (75.4% vs 56.3%) in the normal AMC group were higher than that in the low AMC group. Compared with patients in the low AMC group, AA patients in the normal AMC had better 5-year OS (98.5% vs 86.9%, P < 0.01), and the 5-year PFS (86.0% vs 58.9%, P < 0.01). Also, the 10-year survival rate of patients in the normal AMC group was higher than that in the low AMC group (98.5% vs 60.5%,P < 0.01). Univariate analysis showed that age, reticulocyte count, AMC<0.1×10⁹/L and the proportion of bone marrow mature monocytes were related with patients survival. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that monocyte count reduction was not an independent poor prognostic factor in NSAA patients （HR =4.474，95%CI ：0.508-44.390； P =0.172）. CONCLUSION Low AMC level at initial diagnosis is not an independent prognostic factor for NSAA patients, but still suggest potential prognostic value of AMC.
Humans ; Anemia, Aplastic/diagnosis* ; Female ; Male ; Prognosis ; Monocytes ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Adolescent ; Aged ; Young Adult ; Aged, 80 and over ; Leukocyte Count

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the genetic causal relationship of leukocyte telomere length (LTL) with prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis by two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR). METHODS: Using LTL as the exposure factor and prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis as outcome factors, we mined the Database of Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS). Then, we analyzed the causal relationship of LTL with prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis by Mendelian randomization using inverse variance weighting (IVW) as the main method and weighted median and MR-Egger regression as auxiliary methods, determined the horizontal multiplicity by MR-Egger intercept test, and conducted sensitivity analysis using the leaving-one-out method. RESULTS: A total of 121 related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in this study. IVW showed LTL to be a risk factor for prostatitis (OR = 1.383, 95% CI: 1.044－1.832, P = 0.024), and for orchitis and epididymitis as well (OR = 1.770, 95% CI: 1.275－2.456, P = 0.000 6). CONCLUSION Genetic evidence from Mendelian randomized analysis indicates that shortening of LTL reduces the risk of prostatitis, orchitis and epididymitis.
Humans ; Male ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Epididymitis/genetics* ; Prostatitis/genetics* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Leukocytes ; Orchitis/genetics* ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Telomere ; Risk Factors

Objective·To analyze the clinicopathologic characteristics,gene mutation profile,and prognostic factors of thyroid diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL).Methods·From November 2003 to December 2021,a total of 66 patients with thyroid DLBCL[23 cases(34.8%)with primary thyroid DLBCL,and 43 cases(65.2%)with secondary thyroid DLBCL]admitted to Ruijin Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine were retrospectively analyzed for their clinicopathological data,survival and prognostic factors.Gene mutation profiles were evaluated by targeted sequencing(55 lymphoma-related genes)in 40 patients.Results·Compared to primary thyroid DLBCL,secondary thyroid DLBCL had advanced ratio of Ann Arbor stage Ⅲ?Ⅳ(P=0.000),elevated serum lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)(P=0.043),number of affected extranodal involvement≥2(P=0.000),non-germinal center B cell(non-GCB)(P=0.030),BCL-2/MYC double expression(DE)(P=0.026),and international prognostic index(IPI)3?5-scores(P=0.000).The proportion of patients who underwent thyroid surgery(P=0.012)was lower than that of patients with primary thyroid DLBCL.The complete remission(CR)rate in primary thyroid DLBCL patients was higher than that in secondary thyroid DLBCL patients(P=0.039).Fifty-five patients(83%)received rituximab combined with cyclophosphamide,doxorubicin,vincristine,and prednisone(R-CHOP)-based first-line regimen.The estimated 5-year progression free survival(PFS)rate of primary thyroid DLBCL patients was 95.0%,higher than the 49.7%of the secondary patients(P=0.010).Univariate analysis showed that Ann Arbor Ⅲ?Ⅳ(HR=4.411,95%CI 1.373?14.170),elevated LDH(HR=5.500,95%CI 1.519?19.911),non-GCB(HR= 5.291,95%CI 1.667?16.788),and DE(HR=6.178,95%CI 1.813?21.058)were adverse prognostic factors of PFS in patients with thyroid DLBCL.Ann Arbor Ⅲ?Ⅳ(HR=7.088,95%CI 0.827?60.717),elevated LDH(HR=6.982,95%CI 0.809?60.266),and DE(HR=18.079,95%CI 1.837?177.923)were adverse prognostic factors of overall survival(OS).Multivariate analysis showed that Ann Arbor Ⅲ?Ⅳ(HR=4.693,95%CI 1.218?18.081)and elevated LDH(HR=5.058,95%CI 1.166?21.941)were independent adverse prognostic factors of PFS in patients with thyroid DLBCL.Targeted sequencing data showed mutation frequency>20%in TET2(n=14,35%),KMT2D(n=13,32%),TP53(n=11,28%),GNA13(n=10,25%),KMT2C(n=9,22%),and TP53 were adverse prognostic factors of PFS in patients with thyroid DLBCL(P=0.000).Conclusion·Patients with primary thyroid DLBCL have better PFS and OS than those with secondary thyroid DLBCL.Ann Arbor Ⅲ?Ⅳ,elevated LDH,non-GCB,and DE(MYC and BCL2)are adverse prognostic factors in thyroid DLBCL.TET2,KMT2D,TP53,GNA13,and KMT2C are commonly highly mutated genes in thyroid DLBCL,and the prognosis of patients with TP53 mutations is poor.

Objective To develop a time-resolved fluorescent immunoassay kit for the rapid,accurate and quantitative detection of S100B protein in serum and to evaluate its performance.Methods The test strip was prepared using time-resolved fluorescent microsphere-labeled anti-S100B polyclonal antibody and rabbit IgG antibody,labeling pads,sample pads,S100B nitrocellulose films and absorbent paper,and an S100B time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay kit was obtained by assembling the cartridge.The performance of the kit developed was evaluated by standard curve,accuracy,minimum detection limit,linear interval,specificity,reproducibility and stability.The reference intervals of 199 pieces of healthy human serum and plasma samples from a certain region were detected with the kit,and the clinical performance of the kit and Roche Elecsys S100 kit was tested by synchronous blind method to assess the consistency of the results of the two kits for 142 samples.Results The S100B time-resolved fluorescence immunoassay kit had the standard curve beingy=(1.133 02+1.752 24)/[1+(x/1.082 20)×(-0.603 52)]-1.752 24,R2=0.999 08 and the linear range being[0.05,30]ng/mL,which met the requirements of the relative deviation of the accuracy within±15％,the minimum detection limit not hgier than 0.05 ng/mL,the relative deviation of specificity within±15％and the coefficient of variation of intra-and inter-batch difference less than 15％.The stability test results indicated that the kit was valid for 12 months at 2-30 ℃ conditions.The reference intervals of serum and plasma samples measured by the kit were both lower than 0.3 ng/mL.Clinical trials showed that the results by the kit and Roche Elecsys S100 Assay Kit were in high agreement(Kappa=0.906 1＞0.80)and met the requirements.Conclusion The kit developed detects the concentration of S100B protein in serum quickly,accurately and quantitatively,and provides references for the diagnosis and treatment of neurological diseases,autoimmune diseases,cerebrovascular diseases and etc.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(1):47-55]

AIM To investigate the variation rules of main secondary metabolites in Hedysari Radix before and after rubbing strip.METHODS UPLC-MS/MS was adopted in the content determination of formononetin,ononin,calycosin,calycosin-7-glucoside,medicarpin,genistein,luteolin,liquiritigenin,isoliquiritigenin,vanillic acid,ferulic acid,γ-aminobutyric acid,adenosine and betaine,after which cluster analysis,principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis were used for chemical pattern recognition to explore differential components.RESULTS After rubbing strip,formononetin,calycosin,liquiritigenin and γ-aminobutynic acid demonstrated increased contents,along with decreased contents of ononin,calycosin-7-glucoside and vanillic acid.The samples with and without rubbing strip were clustered into two types,calycosin-7-glucoside,formononetin,γ-aminobutynic acid,vanillic acid,calycosin-7-glucoside and formononetin were differential components.CONCLUSION This experiment clarifies the differences of chemical constituents in Hedysari Radix before and after rubbing strip,which can provide a reference for the research on rubbing strip mechanism of other medicinal materials.

Objective To explore the cut-off value of three dimensional(3D)vena contracta area(VCA)in diagnosing severe tricuspid regrugitation(TR)under different etiologies and its accuracy and practicality in clinical application.Methods From Mar 2019 to May 2021,ninety-two patients with confirmed TR underwent two dimensional(2D)and 3D transthoracic echocardiography.The correlation and consistency between 3D VCA 3D calculated based on the proximal isokinetic surface area(PISA)effective regurgitant orifice area(EROA)was calculated.Comprehensive 2D multi-parameter method was used as a reference method to calculate the cut-off value of the diagnosis of severe TR.Results A total of 85 patients were ultimately included.3D VCA and 3D PISA EROA had similar and acceptable correlations in both primary TR and secondary TR(primary TR:r=0.831,P<0.01;secondary TR:r=0.806,P<0.01).Bland-Altman analysis showed that 3D VCA overestimated TR compared with 3D PISA EROA(62%overestimated in the total patient population,51%overestimated in primary TR,and 74%overestimated in secondary TR).In secondary TR,the cut-off value of 3D VCA for diagnosing severe TR was 0.45 cm2(sensitivity 89%,specificity 82%);combining clinical symptoms,positive 2D PISA EROA results and 3D VCA results for severe TR,the chi-square value was higher than those only included clinical symptoms or incorporated clinical symptoms and positive 2D PISA EROA results(42.168 vs.26.059 and 16.759,P<0.01).Conclusion 3D VCA would overestimate TR,and had high and incremental diagnostic value for evaluating severe TR in secondary TR.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is characterized by chronic relapsing intestinal inflammation and encompasses ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD). IBD has emerged as a global healthcare problem. Clinically efficacious therapeutic agents are deficient. This study concentrates on models of ulcerative colitis with the objective of discovering novel therapeutic strategies. Previous investigations have established that schisandrin A demonstrates anti-inflammatory effects in vitro, concurrently enhancing the transcriptional activity of farnesoid X receptor (FXR). FXR inversely modulates the transcriptional activity of NF-κB, which has an important role in regulating inflammatory responses. Consequently, the current study was to explore the safeguarding influence of schisandrin A on ulcerative colitis and delineate the mechanism by which it regulates this effect through the FXR signaling pathway. The effect of schisandrin A on the mRNA levels of inflammatory factors was evaluated in RAW264.7 cells. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the relationship between schisandrin A and FXR targeting. The animal experiments were performed in accordance with the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (approval No. PZSHUTCM2304250005). Acute ulcerative colitis was induced in wild-type or FXR knockout C57BL/6 mice by drinking 3% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) for 7 days, and schisandrin A was administered via gavage for a continuous treatment period of 7 days. The body weight and faecal were monitored daily. The mRNA levels of inflammatory factors in colon tissue and FXR target genes were measured by RT-qPCR. The findings revealed that schisandrin A, in vitro, impeded the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced elevation in mRNA levels of inflammatory factors and schisandrin A could augment transcriptional activity of FXR. In wild-type mice, schisandrin A significantly improved weight loss, colon shortening, loose stools and blood in stools in mice with acute ulcerative colitis, and schisandrin A significantly reduced the expression of pro-inflammatory factors genes and significantly increased the expression of FXR target genes in colon tissues. In FXR knockout mice, the administration of schisandrin A failed to yield ameliorative effect on acute ulcerative colitis in mice. In conclusion, schisandrin A can reduce intestinal inflammation through the FXR signaling pathway to alleviate acute ulcerative colitis in mice. Implications arise that Schisandra lignans could serve as lead compounds for drug development aimed at inflammatory bowel disease.

Objective:To explore the feasibility and safety of integrating the geriatric intensive care unit (GICU) into the friendly management model of the elderly critically ill patients.Methods:A prospective controlled study was conducted. Patients with elderly critically ill admitted to the GICU and the general intensive care unit (ICU) of Jintan First People's Hospital of Changzhou from December 2021 to May 2023 were enrolled. Patients in the ICU group received the traditional intensive care and nursing mode. In addition to the ICU group basic medical care measures, the patients in the GICU group were treated with friendly management models such as flexible visitation, diagnosis and treatment environment optimization, caring diagnosis and treatment, and family participation in hospice care according to their condition assessment. The gender, age, main diagnosis, and acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) at admission were recorded and compared between the two groups. During the treatment period, the incidence of nosocomial infection, unplanned extubation, falling out of bed/fall, unexpected readmission to ICU/GICU, and ICU/GICU mortality, the incidence of post-intensive care syndrome (PICS), the satisfaction rate of patients/families with medical care, and the satisfaction rate of patients/families with diagnosis and treatment environment were recorded and compared between the two groups.Results:According to the admission criteria for ICU and GICU, as well as the willingness of the patients and/or their families, a total of 59 patients were finally included in the ICU group, and 48 patients were enrolled in the GICU group. There were no significantly differences in gender, age, main diagnosis and APACHEⅡ score between the two groups, and there were comparability. There were no significantly differences in the incidence of adverse events such as nosocomial infection [13.6% (8/59) vs. 12.5% (6/48)], unplanned extubation [5.1% (3/59) vs. 6.2% (3/48)], falling out of bed/fall [3.4% (2/59) vs. 0% (0/48)], unexpected readmission to ICU/GICU [8.5% (5/59) vs. 10.4% (5/48)], and ICU/GICU mortality [6.8% (4/59) vs. 6.2 (3/48)] between the ICU group and GICU group (all P > 0.05). Compared with the ICU group, the incidence of PICS in GICU group was significantly lower [8.3% (4/48) vs. 25.4% (15/59), P < 0.05], the satisfaction rate of patients/families with medical care [89.6% (43/48) vs. 74.6% (44/59)] and satisfaction rate of patients/families with diagnosis and treatment environment [87.5% (42/48) vs. 67.8% (40/59)] were significantly increased (both P < 0.05). Conclusion:The use GICU as a friendly management model for elderly critically ill patients is feasible and safe, and it is worthy of further exploration and research.

Aim To explore the improvement effect of Bazi Bushen capsule on thymic degeneration in SAMP6 mice and the possible mechanism.Methods Twenty 12 week old male SAMP6 mice were randomly divided into the model group(SAMP6)and the Bazi Busheng capsule treatment group(SAMP6+BZBS).Ten SAMR1 mice were assigned to a homologous control group(SAMR1).The SAMP6+BZBS group was oral-ly administered Bazi Bushen capsule suspension(2.8 g·kg-1)daily,while the other two groups were orally administered an equal amount of distilled water.After nine weeks of administration,the morphology of the thymus in each group was observed and the thymus in-dex was calculated;HE staining was used to observe the structural changes of thymus tissue;SA-β-gal stai-ning was used to detect thymic aging;flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of thymic CD3+T cells in each group;Western blot was used to detect the levels of p16,Bax,Bcl-2,and cleaved caspase-3 proteins in thymus;immunofluorescence was applied to detect the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells in each group;ELISA was employed to detect IL-7 lev-els in thymus.Results Compared with the SAMP6 group,the thymic index of the SAMP6+BZBS group significantly increased(P＜0.05);the disordered thy-mic structure was significantly improved;the positive proportion of SA-β-gal staining significantly decreased(P＜0.01);the proportion of CD3+T cells apparently increased(P＜0.05);the level of p16 protein signifi-cantly decreased(P＜0.05);the level of Bcl-2 pro-tein significantly increased(P＜0.05),while the lev-el of cleaved caspase-3 protein markedly decreased(P＜0.05);the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells evidently increased;the level of IL-7 significantly increased(P＜0.01).Conclusions Bazi Bushen capsule can delay thymic degeneration,inhibit cell ap-optosis in thymus and promote thymic cell development in SAMP6 mice,which may be related to increasing the proportion of cortical thymic epithelial cells and promoting IL-7 secretion.