Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA) is a rare multi-system disease that presents significant diagnostic challenges due to its complexity and low incidence (White and Dubey, 2023). It affects males and females equally, though males may exhibit more active disease at diagnosis and often require more aggressive treatment (Liu et al., 2023). The hallmark features of EGPA include delayed-onset asthma, eosinophilia in tissues and blood, and vasculitis affecting small to medium-sized arteries (White and Dubey, 2023). EGPA falls under the category of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)‍-associated vasculitis (AAV), whereas only about half of EGPA patients test positive for ANCA (Khoury et al., 2023).
Humans ; Male ; Hemorrhage/etiology* ; Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis/complications* ; Heart Arrest/etiology* ; Early Diagnosis ; Eosinophilia/diagnosis* ; Kidney Diseases/etiology* ; Churg-Strauss Syndrome/complications* ; Middle Aged

Objective To investigate the correlation between the expression of long non-coding ribonucleic acid growth arrest specific 5(lncRNA GAS5),phospholysine phosphohistidine inorganic pyrophosphate phos-phatase(LHPP)and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)in cancer tissues of patients with non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)and its clinical significance.Methods Cancer tissues and adjacent tissues of 90 patients with NSCLC who underwent surgical resection in the First Hospital Affiliated to Hebei North College from June 2018 to January 2020 were collected.The expressions of lncRNA GAS5,LHPP and EMT-associated pro-teins[E-calmodulin(E-Cad),N-calmodulin(N-Cad),and vimentin(VIM)]were detected by real-time fluores-cence quantitative polymerase chain reaction.The relationship between lncRNA GAS5 and LHPP mRNA and clinicopathological features in cancer tissues of NSCLC patients was analyzed,and the correlation between ln-cRNA GAS5 and LHPP mRNA and EMT-associated proteins expression in cancer tissues of NSCLC patients was analyzed by Pearson correlation.Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot the survival curves of NSCLC pa-tients with different lncRNA GAS5 and LHPP mRNA expressions,and multivariate Cox regression was used to analyze the prognostic factors of NSCLC patients.Results The expressions of lncRNA GAS5,LHPP mR-NA and E-Cad mRNA in cancer tissues of NSCLC patients were lower than those in adjacent tissues,while the expressions of N-Cad mRNA and VIM mRNA were higher than those in adjacent tissues,with statistical sig-nificance(P＜0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that lncRNA GAS5 in cancer tissues of NSCLC pa-tients was positively correlated with E-Cad mRNA expression(r=0.724,P＜0.001),and negatively correla-ted with N-Cad mRNA and VIM mRNA expression(r=-0.699,-0.689).P＜0.001);lncRNA GAS5 was positively correlated with LHPP mRNA expression(r=0.651,P＜0.001).The mRNA expressions of ln-cRNA GAS5 and LHPP in cancer tissues of NSCLC patients with different degrees of differentiation,tumor TNM stage and lymph node metastasis were significantly different(P＜0.05).Kaplan-Meier survival curve a-nalysis showed that the 3-year overall survival rate in the lncRNA GAS5 high expression group[68.18％(30/44)]was higher than that in the lncRNA GAS5 low expression group[36.96％(17/46)].The 3-year overall survival rate in the high LHPP mRNA expression group[67.39％(31/46)]was higher than that in the lowLHPP mRNA expression group[36.36％(16/44)],and the difference was statistically significant(x2=10.274,10.322,P＜0.05).Low differentiation,TNM stage Ⅲ and lymph node metastasis were independent risk factors for death in NSCLC patients,and lncRNA GAS5≥1.32 and LHPP mRNA≥1.12 were independ-ent protective factors(P＜0.05).Conclusion The low expression of lncRNA GAS5 and LHPP mRNA in cancer tissues of patients with NSCLC is related to EMT-associated proteins expression,differentiation de-gree,tumor TNM stage,lymph node metastasis and prognosis,and may become a new target for the diagnosis and treatment of NSCLC.

Objective:To explore the prognostic value of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) co-mutation status in patients with advanced lung adenocarcinoma.Methods:Clinical data of patients with stage ⅢB-Ⅳ lung adenocarcinoma who were first diagnosed in the Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from January 2019 to December 2022 were collected prospectively. Patients were divided into EGFR mutation group ( n=82) and EGFR co-mutation group ( n=74) according to whether EGFR was combined with other gene mutations. The level of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) in peripheral blood was measured by real time fluorescence quantitative PCR. Objective response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), the levels of ctDNA in peripheral blood, and progression-free survival (PFS) were compared between two groups of patients before and after 1 month of treatment. The univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted by Cox proportional hazards regression model. Results:In the EGFR mutation group, there were 45 cases of EGFR19 deletion mutation and 37 cases of EGFR21 mutation. In the EGFR co-mutation group, there were 41 cases of EGFR19 deletion mutation, 33 cases of EGFR21 mutation, 46 cases of TP53 mutation, 16 cases of RB1 mutation, 6 cases of PTEN mutation, 2 cases of MET amplification, 1 case of ERBB2 mutation, 1 case of KRAS mutation, 1 case of RET rearrangement, and 1 case of ALK rearrangement. There were statistically significant differences between the EGFR mutation group and the EGFR co-mutation group in the maximum tumor diameter ( χ2=5.04, P=0.025) and stage ( χ2=3.92, P=0.048). The ORRs of the two groups were 64.63% (53/82) and 37.84% (28/74), respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=11.19, P<0.001). The DCRs were 96.34% (79/82) and 86.49% (64/74), respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=4.95, P=0.026). The ctDNA levels in the EGFR mutation group and EGFR co-mutation group after one month of treatment decreased compared to before treatment[2.63 (1.83, 3.30) ng/μl vs. 4.73 (3.92, 5.49) ng/μl, Z=-7.06, P<0.001; 4.26 (2.26, 6.07) ng/μl vs. 5.28 (4.37, 6.09) ng/μl, Z=-5.15, P<0.001], the ctDNA levels in the EGFR co-mutation group were higher than those in the EGFR mutation group before treatment and after 1 month of treatment ( Z=-2.47, P=0.013; Z=-4.29, P<0.001). In the EGFR co-mutation group, the ctDNA levels in peripheral blood of patients who were effectively treated with targeted therapy decreased after 1 month of treatment compared to before treatment [(2.03±0.63) ng/μl vs. (3.92±0.82) ng/μl, t=42.94, P<0.001], the levels of ctDNA in peripheral blood of ineffectively treated patients before and after 1 month of treatment were higher than those of effectively treated patients [(5.84±0.57) ng/μl vs. (3.92±0.82) ng/μl, t=-11.91, P<0.001; (5.87±1.64) ng/μl vs. (2.03±0.63) ng/μl, t=-14.43, P<0.001]. The median PFS of the EGFR mutation group and the EGFR co-mutation group of patients were 10.4 and 8.3 months, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( χ2=22.28, P<0.001). Univariate analysis suggested that the maximum tumor diameter ( HR=0.10, 95% CI: 0.06-0.16, P<0.001), performance status (PS) score ( HR=0.09, 95% CI: 0.06-0.15, P<0.001), stage ( HR=0.09, 95% CI: 0.05-0.14, P<0.001), pre-treatment ctDNA level ( HR=12.04, 95% CI: 8.21-17.65, P<0.001), ctDNA level after 1 month of treatment ( HR=3.75, 95% CI: 3.10-4.54, P<0.001) and EGFR co-mutations ( HR=2.21, 95% CI: 1.57-3.12, P<0.001) were found to be significant factors affecting the PFS of stage ⅢB-Ⅳ lung adenocarcinoma patients receiving targeted therapy; Multivariate analysis demonstrated that PS score ( HR=0.25, 95% CI: 0.14-0.47, P<0.001), stage ( HR=0.49, 95% CI: 0.24-0.98, P=0.044), pre-treatment ctDNA level ( HR=4.73, 95% CI: 3.08-7.28, P<0.001), ctDNA level after 1 month of treatment ( HR=2.15, 95% CI: 1.65-2.80, P<0.001), and EGFR gene co-mutation ( HR=2.26, 95% CI: 1.40-3.64, P<0.001) were independent risk factors for PFS in stage ⅢB-Ⅳ lung adenocarcinoma patients receiving targeted therapy. Conclusion:Both the EGFR mutation group and EGFR co-mutation group show a decrease in ctDNA levels after targeted therapy for one month compared to before treatment. The median PFS of EGFR co-mutation patients is shorter than that of patients with a single EGFR mutation. PS score, stage, ctDNA levels before and after treatment, and EGFR gene co-mutation are all independent factors affecting PFS in stage ⅢB-Ⅳ lung adenocarcinoma patients after targeted therapy.

Objective:To investigate the effect and mechanism of miR-217 targeted regulation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 2(ERK2)expression on activity and immune escape of non-small cell lung cancer cells(NSCLC).Methods:qRT-PCR was used to detect expression levels of miR-217 and ERK2 mRNA in NSCLC tissues,adjacent tissues,and HLF-1,A549 and HCC827 cell lines.Analyzed prognosis and survival status of NSCLC patients with different miR-217 expression level.Bioinformatics and dual luciferase gene reporting experiments were used to analyze the targeting relationship between miR-217 and ERK2.Cultivated NSCLC A549 cells and divided them into NC group,miR-217 inhibitor group,miR-217 mimic group,miR-217 mimic+ERK2 NC group and miR-217 mimic+ERK2 group.Except for the NC group without any treatment,all other groups were transfected with corresponding plasmids to analyze the proliferation activity and immune escape status of A549 cells in each group,and clarified the mechanism of action.Results:Compared with adjacent tissues,expression of miR-217 in NSCLC tissue was decreased,while expression of ERK2 mRNA was increased(P<0.05).Compared with human normal lung fibroblast HLF-1 cell lines,expression of miR-217 in NSCLC cell lines A549 and HCC827 were decreased,while expression of ERK2 mRNA was increased(P<0.05).Analysis of the relationship be-tween miR-217 and prognosis of NSCLC patients based on Kaplan-Meier Plotter database showed that low expression of miR-217 was associated with poor prognosis of patients(HR=0.90,P=0.033).Dual fluorescein reporter genes showed matching sequences between the 3'UTR regions of miR-217 and ERK2.miR-217 mimic fragment could inhibit ERK2-WT signal,but had no effect on ERK2-MUT.Compared with NC group,cell proliferation activity,PD-L1 and PD-L2 mRNA expression levels of miR-217 inhibitor group were in-creased,while CD8+T cell activity was decreased,and cell proliferation activity,PD-L1 and PD-L2 mRNA expression levels of miR-217 mimic group were decreased,while CD8+T cell activity was increased(P<0.05).Compared with miR-217 mimic group,cell pro-liferation activity,CD8+T cell activity,PD-L1 and PD-L2 mRNA expression levels of miR-217 mimic+ERK2 NC group had no signifi-cant changes(P>0.05),cell proliferation activity,PD-L1 and PD-L2 mRNA expression levels of miR-217 mimic+ERK2 group were increased,while CD8+T cell activity was decreased(P<0.05).Conclusion:Overexpression of miR-217 can reduce the activity of NSCLC cell A549,inhibit the expression of PD-L1,activate CD8+T cells in tumor microenvironment,and then inhibit immune es-cape,which may play a role by targeting ERK2.

Background: SM-like (LSM) genes a family of RNA-binding proteins, are involved in mRNA regulation and can function as oncogenes by altering mRNA stability. However, their roles in B-cell progression and tumorigenesis remain poorly understood. Methods: We analyzed gene expression profiles and overall survival data of 123 patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The LSM index was developed to assess its potential as a prognostic marker of MCL survival. Results: Five of the eight LSM genes were identified as potential prognostic markers for survival in MCL, with particular emphasis on the LSM.index. The expression levels of these LSM genes demonstrated their potential utility as classifiers of MCL. The LSM.index-high group exhibited both poorer survival rates and lower RNA levels than did the overall transcript profile. Notably, LSM1 and LSM8 were overexpressed in the LSM.index-high group, with LSM1 showing 2.5-fold increase (p < 0.001) and LSM8 depicting 1.8-fold increase (p < 0.01) than those in the LSM.index-low group.Furthermore, elevated LSM gene expression was associated with increased cell division and RNA splicing pathway activity. Conclusions The LSM.index demonstrates potential as a prognostic marker for survival in patients with MCL. Elevated expression of LSM genes, particularly LSM1 and LSM8, may be linked to poor survival outcomes through their involvement in cell division and RNA splicing pathways. These findings suggest that LSM genes may contribute to the aggressive behavior of MCL and represent potential targets for therapeutic interventions.

Background: SM-like (LSM) genes a family of RNA-binding proteins, are involved in mRNA regulation and can function as oncogenes by altering mRNA stability. However, their roles in B-cell progression and tumorigenesis remain poorly understood. Methods: We analyzed gene expression profiles and overall survival data of 123 patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The LSM index was developed to assess its potential as a prognostic marker of MCL survival. Results: Five of the eight LSM genes were identified as potential prognostic markers for survival in MCL, with particular emphasis on the LSM.index. The expression levels of these LSM genes demonstrated their potential utility as classifiers of MCL. The LSM.index-high group exhibited both poorer survival rates and lower RNA levels than did the overall transcript profile. Notably, LSM1 and LSM8 were overexpressed in the LSM.index-high group, with LSM1 showing 2.5-fold increase (p < 0.001) and LSM8 depicting 1.8-fold increase (p < 0.01) than those in the LSM.index-low group.Furthermore, elevated LSM gene expression was associated with increased cell division and RNA splicing pathway activity. Conclusions The LSM.index demonstrates potential as a prognostic marker for survival in patients with MCL. Elevated expression of LSM genes, particularly LSM1 and LSM8, may be linked to poor survival outcomes through their involvement in cell division and RNA splicing pathways. These findings suggest that LSM genes may contribute to the aggressive behavior of MCL and represent potential targets for therapeutic interventions.

Background: SM-like (LSM) genes a family of RNA-binding proteins, are involved in mRNA regulation and can function as oncogenes by altering mRNA stability. However, their roles in B-cell progression and tumorigenesis remain poorly understood. Methods: We analyzed gene expression profiles and overall survival data of 123 patients with mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). The LSM index was developed to assess its potential as a prognostic marker of MCL survival. Results: Five of the eight LSM genes were identified as potential prognostic markers for survival in MCL, with particular emphasis on the LSM.index. The expression levels of these LSM genes demonstrated their potential utility as classifiers of MCL. The LSM.index-high group exhibited both poorer survival rates and lower RNA levels than did the overall transcript profile. Notably, LSM1 and LSM8 were overexpressed in the LSM.index-high group, with LSM1 showing 2.5-fold increase (p < 0.001) and LSM8 depicting 1.8-fold increase (p < 0.01) than those in the LSM.index-low group.Furthermore, elevated LSM gene expression was associated with increased cell division and RNA splicing pathway activity. Conclusions The LSM.index demonstrates potential as a prognostic marker for survival in patients with MCL. Elevated expression of LSM genes, particularly LSM1 and LSM8, may be linked to poor survival outcomes through their involvement in cell division and RNA splicing pathways. These findings suggest that LSM genes may contribute to the aggressive behavior of MCL and represent potential targets for therapeutic interventions.

Objective: To understand the status and associated factors of knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) about myopia prevention and control among young children s parents in Guangzhou, so as to provide reference for family health education on myopia prevention and control. Methods: During January to February 2023, 4 584 parents of children from kindergarten and primary school (grade 1-3) were recruited. Two to three kindergartens and 2 primary schools were selected from each of the 3 urban districts and 2 suburb districts of Guangzhou by stratified cluster random sampling method. Parents of children were administered with online questionnaire survey on KAP about myopia prevention and control. Descriptive analyses and multivariate Logistic regression models were used. Results: The proportion of parents reaching standard of KAP about myopia prevention and control was 61.54%, the knowledge awareness rate was 57.30%, the positive attitude holding rate was 76.98% and the health practice formation rate was 63.31 %. Internet (70.35%) and lectures on school health education/health education materials (66.14%) were the most common ways for obtaining knowledge for parents. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that urban area, higher education ( college /undergraduate or above), annual household income 50 000-90 000, 100 000-290 000, 300 000-490 000, 500 000- 590 000 , and ≥600 000 Yuan, being aware of vision status (normal/poor) of their children, one or both parents with myopia, both parents with non myopia, acquiring knowledge by multi ways(2, 3, ≥4) were associated with higher KAP about myopia prev ention and control ( OR =1.23, 1.34, 1.36, 1.25，1.49, 1.93, 2.34, 1.64, 1.66, 1.89, 3.48, 3.09, 2.42, 1.65, 2.29, 3.22, P ＜ 0.05). Conclusion Knowledge and practice about myopia prevention and control among young children s parents in Guangzhou are insufficient, yet the attitude was satisfactory. It is necessary to carry out targeted education for parents, especially those living in suburb area, with low education and income level.

Objective:To explore the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of fibro-adipose vascular anomaly(FAVA).Methods:The data of the patients with FAVA admitted to Xi’an International Medical Center Hospital between October 2019 and February 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were routinely performed. X-ray and CT were performed for patients with unequal length of lower limbs, lesions involving joints, and obvious joint deformities. The treatment plan was made according to the stage: stage Ⅰ (pain stage), open or laparoscopi radical resection of the lesion was performed; stage Ⅱ (contracture stage), radical surgery was performed to remove the lesion, sometimes combined with Achilles tendon lengthening or tenolysis, and rehabilitation training was performed 2 weeks after surgery; stage Ⅲ(deformity stage), comprehensive treatment based on surgical resection was adopted, combined with joint capsule release, Achilles tendon lengthening or dissection, tendon transfer and oral sirolimus (each time 0.08 mg/m 2, twice daily ) before and after the operation. For patients with lesions involving multiple anatomical regions, staged surgery was performed, and in principle, only one anatomical region was operated per time. Patients were followed up for pain, joint activity and recurrence. Results:A total of 42 patients were admitted, including 18 males and 24 females. The onset age was (7.3±5.0) years, but the average age of diagnosis was (12.5±6.0) years. The lower limbs were involved in 38 cases, the upper limbs in 4 cases. There were 17 cases of stage Ⅰ, 17 cases of stage Ⅱ and 8 cases of stage Ⅲ. Only 4 cases had no misdiagnosis experience, and the misdiagnosis rate was 90.5%(38/42). Persistent pain, muscle contractures and joint deformities were the main clinical symptoms of the disease. MRI showed heterogeneous high and low signal intensity on T1-weighted images, and the high signal intensity was the same as that of subcutaneous adipose tissue. T2 fat-suppressed sequences showed stronger heterogeneous hyperintensity. The follow-up time was (14.6±10.8) months. Patients who took sirolimus orally before or after surgery experienced significant relief of pain symptoms. Of the 42 patients, the symptoms of 31 patients were completely relieved after the operation, and 11 patients still had residual pain or joint movement disorder or even deformity after the operation. Sixteen of 17 stage Ⅰ patients were cured, the lesion was further expanded and the pain recurred in 1 case after the operation. Of the 17 stage Ⅱ patients, 15 were cured, and 2 had mild limitation of ankle movement after the operation. Eight stage Ⅲ patients had varying degrees of pain or joint movement disorder after surgery, postoperative oral sirolimus significantly relieved symptoms. All 10 patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ who underwent endoscopic resection were cured.Conclusion:FAVA usually occurred in school-age and adolescent children. Pain, muscle contracture and joint deformity were the characteristic clinical features. Combined with MRI features, the diagnosis can be confirmed. FAVA staging system could guide treatment and predict prognosis. For stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ patients, surgery should be performed as soon as possible and the prognosis was good. For stage Ⅲ patients, surgery-based comprehensive treatment could improve symptoms, but it was difficult to cure them radically. Oral sirolimus was also required after surgery.

Objective:To explore the diagnosis, staging, and treatment of fibro-adipose vascular anomaly(FAVA).Methods:The data of the patients with FAVA admitted to Xi’an International Medical Center Hospital between October 2019 and February 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were routinely performed. X-ray and CT were performed for patients with unequal length of lower limbs, lesions involving joints, and obvious joint deformities. The treatment plan was made according to the stage: stage Ⅰ (pain stage), open or laparoscopi radical resection of the lesion was performed; stage Ⅱ (contracture stage), radical surgery was performed to remove the lesion, sometimes combined with Achilles tendon lengthening or tenolysis, and rehabilitation training was performed 2 weeks after surgery; stage Ⅲ(deformity stage), comprehensive treatment based on surgical resection was adopted, combined with joint capsule release, Achilles tendon lengthening or dissection, tendon transfer and oral sirolimus (each time 0.08 mg/m 2, twice daily ) before and after the operation. For patients with lesions involving multiple anatomical regions, staged surgery was performed, and in principle, only one anatomical region was operated per time. Patients were followed up for pain, joint activity and recurrence. Results:A total of 42 patients were admitted, including 18 males and 24 females. The onset age was (7.3±5.0) years, but the average age of diagnosis was (12.5±6.0) years. The lower limbs were involved in 38 cases, the upper limbs in 4 cases. There were 17 cases of stage Ⅰ, 17 cases of stage Ⅱ and 8 cases of stage Ⅲ. Only 4 cases had no misdiagnosis experience, and the misdiagnosis rate was 90.5%(38/42). Persistent pain, muscle contractures and joint deformities were the main clinical symptoms of the disease. MRI showed heterogeneous high and low signal intensity on T1-weighted images, and the high signal intensity was the same as that of subcutaneous adipose tissue. T2 fat-suppressed sequences showed stronger heterogeneous hyperintensity. The follow-up time was (14.6±10.8) months. Patients who took sirolimus orally before or after surgery experienced significant relief of pain symptoms. Of the 42 patients, the symptoms of 31 patients were completely relieved after the operation, and 11 patients still had residual pain or joint movement disorder or even deformity after the operation. Sixteen of 17 stage Ⅰ patients were cured, the lesion was further expanded and the pain recurred in 1 case after the operation. Of the 17 stage Ⅱ patients, 15 were cured, and 2 had mild limitation of ankle movement after the operation. Eight stage Ⅲ patients had varying degrees of pain or joint movement disorder after surgery, postoperative oral sirolimus significantly relieved symptoms. All 10 patients with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ who underwent endoscopic resection were cured.Conclusion:FAVA usually occurred in school-age and adolescent children. Pain, muscle contracture and joint deformity were the characteristic clinical features. Combined with MRI features, the diagnosis can be confirmed. FAVA staging system could guide treatment and predict prognosis. For stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ patients, surgery should be performed as soon as possible and the prognosis was good. For stage Ⅲ patients, surgery-based comprehensive treatment could improve symptoms, but it was difficult to cure them radically. Oral sirolimus was also required after surgery.