Objective To construct intrauterine adhesion (IUA) mouse models induced by two different concentrations of ethanol injury, compare the phenotypes, and optimize a more stable IUA modeling method. Methods Twenty 8-week-old female C57BL/6N mice were randomly divided into two groups: the 95% ethanol injury group and the 50% ethanol injury group. Using a self-control method, the left uterine horn was infused with ethanol to establish the IUA model, while the right uterine horn was infused with saline as the sham operation. Five mice from each group were euthanized on day 7 and 15 after modeling, and uterine tissues were collected. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the endometrial pathology, and Masson staining was used to assess the degree of endometrial fibrosis. Quantitative real-time PCR was employed to detect the expression levels of fibrosis markers and pro-inflammatory factors in the uterine tissues. Results Compared to the sham operation, these two ethanol injury led to a significant reduction in elasticity of the uterus, an increase in inflammatory infiltration, and a marked increase in the degree of fibrosis on day 7 after modeling (P<0.05). The 95% ethanol injury group showed a significant decrease in endometrial thickness (P<0.05), whereas no significant change was observed in the 50% ethanol injury group when compared to the sham operation (P>0.05). The expression levels of fibrotic marker molecules collagen type Ⅳ alpha 1 chain (Col4A1), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), and pro-inflammatory factors tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were significantly elevated in the 50% ethanol injury group when compared to the sham operation (P<0.05), although there was an increasing trend of the same markers in the 95% ethanol injury group, the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). On day 15 after modeling, the histopathological changes in both ethanol injury groups were not significant when compared to the sham operation, the expression levels of Col4A1, TGF-β, TNF-α and IL-1β remained significantly higher in the 50% ethanol injury group (P<0.05), while only IL-1β was significantly elevated in the 95% ethanol injury group (P<0.05). Conclusion Uterine infusion with 95% ethanol results in more marked histopathological changes in the IUA mouse model compared to the 50% ethanol injury group. The 95% ethanol injury model is suitable for histopathological studies. However, the 50% ethanol injury group shows higher expression levels of fibrosis markers and pro-inflammatory factors compared to the 95% ethanol injury group, suggesting that the 50% ethanol injury model is more suitable for molecular pathological study.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical effect of acupuncture-moxibustion therapy of Daoqi Tongluo (conducting qi and unblocking collateral) on chronic primary tinnitus. METHODS: A total of 32 patients with chronic primary tinnitus were included and treated with the acupuncture-moxibustion therapy of Daoqi Tongluo. This regimen was composed of abdominal acupuncture, body acupuncture, warm needling and posterior-auricular local flashing cupping, Zhongwan (CV12), Guanyuan (CV6) and Yindu (KI9), Tinggong (SI19), Cong'er point, Waiguan (TE5) of the affected side, etc. are selected. The treatment was given once every two days, 3 treatments a week; and one course of intervention was required, with 10 treatments included. Before and after treatment, the scores of tinnitus handicap inventory (THI), tinnitus evaluation questionnaire (TEQ), self-rating scale of sleep (SRSS), self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), and self-rating depression scale (SDS) were observed, and the clinical effect was evaluated. RESULTS: After interventions, the scores of THI, TEQ, SRSS, SAS and SDS were reduced in comparison with those before interventions in the patients (P<0.001, P<0.01, P<0.05), and the total effective rate was 71.9% (23/32). CONCLUSION Acupuncture-moxibustion therapy of Daoqi Tongluo is effective on chronic primary tinnitus and this therapy can alleviate tinnitus degree, improve sleep quality and attenuate the anxious and depressive emotion of the patients.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Chronic Disease/therapy* ; Moxibustion ; Tinnitus/psychology* ; Treatment Outcome

Adenosine, a critical molecule regulating cellular function both inside and outside cells, is controlled by two human adenosine deaminases: ADA1 and ADA2. While ADA1 primarily resides in the cytoplasm, ADA2 can be transported to lysosomes within cells or secreted outside the cell. Patients with ADA2 deficiency (DADA2) often suffer from systemic vasculitis due to elevated levels of TNF-α in their blood. Monocytes from DADA2 patients exhibit excessive TNF-α secretion and differentiate into pro-inflammatory M1-type macrophages. Our findings demonstrate that ADA2 localizes to endolysosomes within macrophages, and its intracellular concentration decreases in cells secreting TNF-α. This suggests that ADA2 may function as a lysosomal adenosine deaminase, regulating TNF-α expression by the cells. Interestingly, pneumonia patients exhibit higher ADA2 concentrations in their bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL), correlating with elevated pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. Conversely, cord blood has low ADA2 levels, creating a more immunosuppressive environment. Additionally, secreted ADA2 can bind to apoptotic cells, activating immune cells by reducing extracellular adenosine levels. These findings imply that ADA2 release from monocytes during inflammation, triggered by growth factors, may be crucial for cell activation. Targeting intracellular and extracellular ADA2 activities could pave the way for novel therapies in inflammatory and autoimmune disorders.
Humans ; Adenosine Deaminase/deficiency* ; Monocytes/cytology* ; Cell Differentiation ; Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Biomarkers/metabolism* ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Pneumonia/metabolism*

Objective:To evaluate the consistency of the Chinese three-dimensional anterior visual field analysis system (Scansys), the anterior segment analyzer (Pentacam), the frequency-domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography system (CASIA SS-1000), and a new ultra-high frequency digital ultrasound scanning system (Arcscan Insight100) to measure central vault after implantable collamer lens (ICL) implantation in myopic eyes with crystalline lenses.Methods:A diagnostic test study was conducted.Fifty-six myopic patients (56 eyes) who underwent ICL V4c implantation from June to December 2019 were included.Scansys, Pentacam, CASIA and Arcscan were used to measure the central vault after surgery.The vault measurements were compared.Correlations between the measurements of the four instruments were analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis, and consistency comparisons were analyzed using the Bland-Altman method.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Henan Eye Hospital (No.HNEECKY-2021[13]). Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results:The central vault measurements by Scansys, Pentacam, CASIA and Arcscan were (481.8±191.6), (476.4±190.6), (619.3±207.5) and (534.0±221.2)μm, respectively, with a statistically significant overall difference ( F=143.301, P<0.001). The vault measurements by Scansys and Pentacam were significantly lower than CASIA and Arcscan, and Arcscan was lower than CASIA, with statistically significant differences (all at P<0.001). There were strong positive correlations in vault measurements between Arcscan and CASIA, Arcscan and Pentacam, Arcscan and Scansys, CASIA and Pentacam, CASIA and Scansys, Pentacam and Scansys ( r=0.982, 0.933, 0.931, 0.942, 0.941, 0.989; all at P<0.001). Intraclass correlation coefficients of vault measurements by Scansys, Pentacam, CASIA and Arcscan were 0.985, 0.975, 0.998, 0.992, respectively.The 95% limits of agreement of vault measurements differences were -170 to 0, 0 to 280, 0 to 280, -110 to 210, -100 to 220 μm, between CASIA and Arcscan, CASIA and Scansys, CASIA and Pentacam, Arcscan and Scansys, Arcscan and Pentacam, respectively, and the maximum absolute value of the difference was beyond the clinically acceptable range, showing poor agreement.The 95% limits of agreement of vault measurement difference was -60 to 50 μm between Scansys and Pentacam, showing a good agreement. Conclusions:The repeatability of the vault after ICL V4c implantation in myopic eyes measured by the four instruments is good.Among them, the vault measurements of Scansys and Pentacam are smaller, showing good consistency, and their results could be substituted for each other.The measurement of CASIA is the largest, followed by Arcscan, which have a large difference from each other, and their results can not be substituted for each other, which should be comprehensively analyzed with the actual situation in clinical work.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of serum uric acid/albumin ratio (sUAR) for acute kidney injury (AKI) after cardiac valve surgery.Methods:The clinical data of adult patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass from January 2021 to December 2021 from the Heart Center of Henan Provincial People's Hospital were collected retrospectively, and the sUAR was calculated. All patients were divided into AKI group and non-AKI group according to whether AKI occurred within 7 days after cardiac valve surgery, and the differences of clinical data between the two groups were compared. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the independent correlation factors of AKI after cardiac valve surgery. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to evaluate the performance of relevant indicators.Results:A total of 422 patients were enrolled, including 194 females (46.0%), 141 hypertension patients (33.4%) and 172 atrial fibrillation patients (40.8%). They were 57 (50, 65) years old. Their sUAR was 8.13 (6.57, 9.54) μmol/g, and hemoglobin was 135 (125, 145) g/L. There were 142 cases in AKI group and 280 cases in non-AKI group, and the incidence of AKI after cardiac valve surgery was 33.6%. Age, atrial fibrillation rate, baseline serum creatinine, N terminal pro B type natriuretic peptide, serum urea,serum uric acid, blood glucose and sUAR were higher in the AKI group than those in the non-AKI group (all P<0.05), and estimated glomerular filtration rate, lymphocyte count,hemoglobin and serum albumin were lower in the AKI group than those in the non-AKI group (all P<0.05). The median cardiopulmonary bypass time of patients in the AKI group was slightly longer than that in the non-AKI group, but the difference was not statistically significant [159 (125, 192) min vs. 151 (122, 193) min, Z=-0.797, P=0.426], and there were no statistically significant differences in other indicators between the two groups. The results of multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that sUAR ( OR=1.467, 95% CI 1.308-1.645, P<0.001), age ( OR=1.045, 95% CI 1.020-1.072, P<0.001), atrial fibrillation ( OR=2.520, 95% CI 1.580-4.020, P<0.001), hemoglobin ( OR=0.984, 95% CI 0.971-0.997, P=0.015) were the independent correlation factors. ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve ( AUC) of sUAR predicting AKI after cardiac valve surgery was 0.710 (95% CI 0.659-0.760, P<0.001) with a sensitivity of 85.2% and specificity of 45.0% for the sUAR cut-off point of 7.28 μmol/g. The AUC for the diagnosis of AKI after cardiac valve surgery was 0.780 (95% CI 0.734-0.825, P<0.001) with a sensitivity of 72.5% and specificity of 71.8% for the combination of sUAR with age, hemoglobin and atrial fibrillation. Conclusions:For patients undergoing cardiac valve surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass, preoperative high sUAR is an independent risk factor for postoperative AKI, and sUAR has a certain predictive value for postoperative AKI.

Objective To investigate the effect of glycine N-methyl transferase (GNMT)on intrauterine adhesion (IUA)fibrosis and its related mechanism.Methods In vivo experiment:A total of 36 healthy female SD rats (SPF grade,6～8 weeks old and weighing from 180～220 g)were subjected in this study.IUA model of SD rats and IUA model of GNMT overexpressed rats were established.RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence assay were applied to detect GNMT expression level in normal uterus and model group.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of fibrosis-related molecules and the activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway in each group.The number of endometrial glands in each group was observed by HE staining.Masson staining was used to analyze the severity of endometrial fibrosis in each group.In vitro experiment:transformed human endometrial stromal cells (THESCs)fibrotic phenotype model was constructed using TGF-β1,and THESCs stably transfected with GNMT overexpression lentvirus were treated with TGF-β1.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of fibrosis-related molecules.The expression of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway was detected by Western blotting.TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway was activated by TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway activator (SRI-011381),and the expression of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway and key molecular proteins of fibrosis phenotype was measured with Western blotting.Results In vivo experiment,the mRNA and protein expression levels of GNMT were significantly decreased in the IUA rats than the control rats (P<0.05).Overexpression of GNMT decreased the mRNA and protein levels of fibrosis related molecules,Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ and FN in the IUA rats (P<0.05),and decreased the phosphorylation levels of TGF-β1 and its downstream Smad3 protein (P<0.05).HE and Masson staining showed that overexpression of GNMT could increase the number of endometrial glands and reduce the severity of fibrosis in the IUA rats (P<0.05).In vitro experiments:overexpression of GNMT decreased the mRNA and protein levels of Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ and FN associated with fibrotic phenotype of THESCs (P<0.05),and reduced the phosphorylation level of Smad3 protein,downstream of TGF-β1 (P<0.05).After activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway,the protein levels of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway and downstream fibrosis phenotype molecules,Collagen Ⅲ and FN,were significantly decreased in the LV-GNMT+SRI-011381 group.Conclusion Overexpression of GNMT can inhibit endometrial fibrosis by regulating TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway,thus achieving therapeutic effect on IUA.

Objective: To investigate the incidence of adverse events following immunization (AEFI) of human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccines in Hangzhou City from 2017 to 2021, so as to provide insights into safety monitoring and evaluation for HPV vaccines. Methods: The AEFI caused by immunization of bivalent (HPV2), quadrivalent (HPV4) and nonavalent HPV vaccines (HPV9) reported in Hangzhou City from 2017 to 2021 were captured from the AEFI Surveillance Module of Chinese Disease Control and Prevention Information System, and HPV vaccination data were captured from the Zhejiang Municipal Immunization Information Management System. The incidence, temporal distributions and clinical symptoms of AEFI were analyzed. Results: Totally 922 310 doses of HPV vaccines were immunized in Hangzhou City from 2017 to 2021, and 232 cases with AEFI were reported, with an overall incidence rate of 25.15/105 doses. The reported incidence rates of AEFI caused by HPV2, HPV4 and HPV9 vaccination were 31.13/105 doses, 25.93/105 doses and 22.01/105 doses, respectively. General reactions and abnormal reactions were predominant AEFI, and the reported incidence rates of general reactions and abnormal reactions were 21.58/105 doses and 2.60/105 dose, respectively. AEFI predominantly occurred 0 to 1 day post-immunization (165 cases, 71.12%), and the main clinical symptoms included local swelling of injection sites, hard tubercle and fever, with reported incidence rates of 10.30/105 doses, 5.96/105 doses and 6.18/105 doses, respectively. Conclusions Low incidence of AEFI was reported following HPV vaccination in Hangzhou City from 2017 to 2021, and all AEFI were mild. The safety of HPV2, HPV4 and HPV9 remains high.

Objective:To evaluate the role of improved management procedures in placenta accreta spectrum disorders (PAS) and its impact on maternal and infant outcomes.Methods:This retrospective study involved 164 pregnant women who were diagnosed with PAS complicated with placenta previa and delivered at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School from January 2019 to December 2022. All subjects were allocated to pre-improvement group (January 2019 to December 2020, n=96) and post-improvement group (January 2021 to December 2022, n=68). The management was improved in the following five aspects: (1) The time for scheduled delivery was postponed to 37 weeks from 34-36 weeks;(2) Intraoperative cell salvage was encouraged despite autologous blood donation during pregnancy;(3) Original surgical incision was utilized instead of mid-longitudinal incision in the lower abdomen to reduce operative trauma; (4) A lower segment incision of the uterus was not prohibited based on pre-operative PAS classification and intra-operative situation to enter the uterine cavity, even through the placenta instead of pass-by;(5) The interface between lower uterine segment and bladder was dissected before instead of after the baby was born and uterine blood supply was stopped by tourniquet or Scharr forceps. Statistical methods such as t-test, Chi-square test or Fisher exact probability method were used to compare the difference in maternal and infant outcomes between the two groups. Results:After the improvement, the delivery rate beyond 37 weeks decreased significantly [83.3% (80/96) vs 69.1% (47/68), χ 2=4.60, P=0.038]. There was no significant difference in the distribution of elective, subemergency and emergency surgeries before and after the improvement ( χ 2=0.36, P=0.834). Compared to the pre-improvement group, the proportion of women who underwent cesarean section through previous abdominal incisions increased significantly [74.0% (71/96) vs 91.1% (64/68), χ 2=11.11, P=0.001] in the post-improvement group, while the proportion of application of abdominal longitudinal incision and classical cesarean section decreased significantly [84.3% (81/96) vs 57.3% (39/68), χ 2=14.81, P<0.001; 83.3% (80/96) vs 61.8% (42/68), χ 2=9.72, P=0.003]. No significant difference was found between the two groups in terms of the transfusion rate of allogeneic red blood cell, platelet and other blood components, pre-discharge hemoglobin level, subtotal hysterectomy rate, bladder injury, thrombus event, the admission rate of intensive care unit and unplanned reoperation rate (all P>0.05). The incidence of admission in neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and necrotizing enterocolitis decreased significantly after improvement [24.7% (24/97) vs 11.8% (8/68), χ 2=4.31, P=0.038; 4.1% (4/97) vs 0.0% (0/68), χ 2=58.06, P<0.001]. The incidence of respiratory distress syndrome, mechanical ventilation, and neonatal septicemia also decreased, but without statistical difference. Conclusions:After adopting a series of improvement measures, such as delaying planned delivery to 37 weeks of gestation, individualized cesarean section plan, and changing the method of obtaining autoblood, the number of premature infants and the NICU admission rate decreased significantly without increasing the risk of maternal complications and emergency operation. Furthermore, the incidence of adverse events such as maternal organ injury, unplanned reoperation, and re-admission remains at a low level. Therefore, this improved management is feasible.

Objective:To explore the values of ultrasound, pathology combined with inflammatory indicators in predicting high nodal burden (HNB) in patients with early breast cancer and to construct a nomogram to provide reference for individualized diagnosis and treatment.Methods:The ultrasonographic, pathological features and preoperative inflammatory indicators of 378 female patients diagnosed with early breast cancer confirmed by pathology in the South Hospital of the Sixth People′s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiaotong University from January 2014 to July 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. They were randomly divided into training set ( n=302) and test set ( n=76) in a ratio of 8∶2, and the baseline data of the two groups were compared. The optimal cutoff values of neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and lymphocyte to monocyte ratio (LMR) were obtained by ROC curve. In the training set, with axillary high lymph node load (≥3 metastatic lymph nodes) as the dependent variable, independent influencing factors of HNB were identified by univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses, and the nomogram was established. The test set data were used to verify the model. The discrimination, calibration and clinical applicability of the model were assessed by the area under the ROC curve (AUC), C-index, the calibration curve, Brier score and the decision curve analysis, respectively. Results:There were no significant differences in all variables between the training set and the test set (all P>0.05). ROC curve analysis results showed that AUCs of NLR, PLR and LMR were 0.578, 0.547 and 0.516, respectively, and the optimal cut-off values were 2.184, 150 and 3.042, respectively. Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age, pathological type, histological grade, Ki-67, lymphovascular invasion, NLR, PLR, ultrasonic characteristics (maximum diameter of primary tumor, shape, long/short diameter of lymph node, cortical thickness, cortical and medullary boundary, lymph node hilum, lymph node blood flow pattern) were correlated with HNB of early breast cancer (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that ultrasonic characteristics (maximum diameter of primary tumor >2 cm, effacement of lymph node hilum, non-lymphatic portal blood flow), lymphovascular invasion, Ki-67>14% and NLR>2.184 were independent risk factors for HNB in early breast cancer ( OR=7.258, 8.784, 6.120, 8.031, 3.394 and 3.767, respectively; all P<0.05) and were used to construct the nomogram model. The AUC of the training set was 0.914 (95% CI=0.878-0.949), C-index was 0.914; The AUC of the test set was 0.871 (95% CI=0.769-0.973), C-index was 0.871, indicating good discrimination. Calibration curve and Brier score were 0.090, indicating high calibration degree of the model. The clinical decision curve indicated good clinical benefit. Conclusions:The nomogram based on ultrasonic characteristics (maximum diameter of primary tumor, lymph node hilum, lymph node blood flow pattern), lymphovascular invasion, Ki-67 and NLR can effectively predict the risk of HNB in patients with early breast cancer, and provide a reference for precision diagnosis and treatment to avoid excessive or insufficient treatment.

Objective:To analyze the current situation of researches on the fear of disease progression at home and abroad, and sort out the research hotspots and development context.Methods:The relevant literature about fear of disease progression published by China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Web of Science core collection database were systematiclly searched, and the search period was from January 1, 2002 to June 24, 2022. CiteSpace 5.8.R3 software was used for visual analysis of relevant literature.Results:A total of 340 articles were retrieved from CNKI and 1 199 articles were retrieved from Web of Science core collection database. The countries and institutions with the highest number of international publications were Germany, Technical University of Munich and The University of Sydney, with close cooperation among authors and poor inter-institutional cooperation. Domestic research focused on the influencing factors of fear of disease progression and its relationship with depression, anxiety, social support and quality of life, while foreign research focused on breast cancer and its survivors, depression, anxiety, quality of life, reliability and validity of the questionnaire and the feasibility of intervention.Conclusions:The number of articles published at home and abroad is generally on the rise. Compared with foreign countries, there is still a certain gap in the research on fear of progression in China. In the future, China should timely pay attention to the development trends and hot frontiers in this field internationally, so as to promote the research and development of fear of disease progression in China.