OBJECTIVE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is sensitive to ferroptosis, a new form of programmed cell death that occurs in most tumor types. However, the mechanism through which ferroptosis modulates HCC remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the oncogenic role and prognostic value of FANCD2 and provide novel insights into the prognostic assessment and prediction of immunotherapy. METHODS: Using clinicopathological parameters and bioinformatic techniques, we comprehensively examined the expression of FANCD2 macroscopically and microcosmically. We conducted univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify the prognostic value of FANCD2 in HCC and elucidated the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of FANCD2 in oncogenesis by promoting iron-related death. RESULTS: FANCD2 was significantly upregulated in digestive system cancers with abundant immune infiltration. As an independent risk factor for HCC, a high FANCD2 expression level was associated with poor clinical outcomes and response to immune checkpoint blockade. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that FANCD2 was mainly involved in the cell cycle and CYP450 metabolism. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively elucidate the oncogenic role of FANCD2. FANCD2 has a tumor-promoting aspect in the digestive system and acts as an independent risk factor in HCC; hence, it has recognized value for predicting tumor aggressiveness and prognosis and may be a potential biomarker for poor responsiveness to immunotherapy.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis* ; Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Immunotherapy ; Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group D2 Protein/metabolism* ; Prognosis ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection's effect on gestational liver function, pregnancy and delivery complications, and neonatal development. METHODS: A total of 157 HCV antibody-positive (anti-HCV[+]) and HCV RNA(+) patients (Group C) and 121 anti-HCV(+) and HCV RNA(-) patients (Group B) were included as study participants, while 142 anti-HCV(-) and HCV RNA(-) patients (Group A) were the control group. Data on biochemical indices during pregnancy, pregnancy complications, delivery-related information, and neonatal complications were also collected. RESULTS: Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) rates in Group C during early, middle, and late pregnancy were 59.87%, 43.95%, and 42.04%, respectively-significantly higher than Groups B (26.45%, 15.70%, 10.74%) and A (23.94%, 19.01%, 6.34%) ( P < 0.05). Median ALT levels in Group C were significantly higher than in Groups A and B at all pregnancy stages ( P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in neonatal malformation rates across groups ( P > 0.05). However, neonatal jaundice incidence was significantly greater in Group C (75.16%) compared to Groups A (42.25%) and B (57.02%) ( χ ² = 33.552, P < 0.001). HCV RNA positivity during pregnancy was an independent risk factor for neonatal jaundice ( OR = 2.111, 95% CI 1.242-3.588, P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Chronic HCV infection can affect the liver function of pregnant women, but does not increase the pregnancy or delivery complication risks. HCV RNA(+) is an independent risk factor for neonatal jaundice.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Adult ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Infant, Newborn ; Viremia/virology* ; Hepatitis C ; Hepacivirus/physiology* ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology* ; Young Adult ; Alanine Transaminase/blood*

OBJECTIVE: Lipid oxidation is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and may be contribute to the development of Ischemic stroke (IS). However, the lipid profiles associated with IS have been poorly studied. We conducted a pilot study to identify potential IS-related lipid molecules and pathways using lipidomic profiling. METHODS: Serum lipidomic profiling was performed using LC-MS in 20 patients with IS and 20 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Univariate and multivariate analyses were simultaneously performed to identify the differential lipids. Multiple testing was controlled for using a false discovery rate (FDR) approach. Enrichment analysis was performed using MetaboAnalyst software. RESULTS: Based on the 294 lipids assayed, principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) models were used to distinguish patients with IS from healthy controls. Fifty-six differential lipids were identified with an FDR-adjusted P less than 0.05 and variable influences in projection (VIP) greater than 1.0. These lipids were significantly enriched in glycerophospholipid metabolism (FDR-adjusted P = 0.009, impact score = 0.216). CONCLUSIONS Serum lipid profiles differed significantly between patients with IS and healthy controls. Thus, glycerophospholipid metabolism may be involved in the development of IS. These results provide initial evidence that lipid molecules and their related metabolites may serve as new biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for IS.
Humans ; Pilot Projects ; Lipidomics ; Male ; Female ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Middle Aged ; Ischemic Stroke/blood* ; Aged ; China ; Lipids/blood* ; Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; East Asian People

Objective To compare the diagnostic value of transabdominal intestinal ultrasound (IUS) and magnetic resonance enterography (MRE) for intestinal stenosis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the imaging features of 51 IBD patients who underwent both IUS and MRE at Beijing Friendship Hospital,Capital Medical University,between January 2021 and February 2025.With endoscopy as the gold standard,the diagnostic performance of the two methods was compared. Results The sensitivity (84.2% vs. 52.6%,P=0.008) and accuracy (66.7% vs. 45.1%,P=0.035) of IUS for stenosis were higher than those of MRE.In the localization of stenosis,IUS demonstrated higher sensitivity than MRE for detecting stenosis in the terminal ileum (78.6% vs. 35.7%,P=0.070) and colorectum (86.7% vs. 53.3%,P=0.060).Furthermore,IUS showed higher diagnostic accuracy than MRE for terminal ileum stenosis (70.6% vs. 29.4%,P=0.039).The intestinal wall thickness[(8.2±2.7) mm vs. (10.3±3.8) mm;t=3.20,P=0.002)] and stenosis inner diameter[(3.0±1.6) mm vs. (4.3±1.8) mm;t=2.15,P=0.035] measured by IUS were lower than those measured by MRE,with a moderate level of consistency (ICC:0.19-0.53).In addition,IUS demonstrated a higher detection rate for mesenteric fat hypertrophy (70.6% vs. 27.5%,Kappa=0.27,P=0.005),whereas MRE was more sensitive in detecting lymphadenopathy (90.2% vs. 56.9%,Kappa=0.16,P=0.080). Conclusions IUS is superior to MRE in the diagnosis and localization sensitivity for intestinal stenosis in IBD.However,the two methods showcase poor consistency in detecting and quantitating some inflammatory signs.IUS can be used as a first-line screening method for diagnosing intestinal stenosis in IBD patients,while its clinical application should be combined with specific needs to optimize diagnosis.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Constriction, Pathologic/diagnostic imaging* ; Ultrasonography/methods* ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Intestines/diagnostic imaging* ; Sensitivity and Specificity

ObjectiveThe study explores the influence of voluntary wheel running on the behavioral abnormalities and the activation state of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rats through gut microbiota. MethodsSD female rats were selected and administered either400 mg/kg of valproic acid (VPA) solution or an equivalent volume of saline via intraperitoneal injection on day 12.5 of pregnancy. The resulting offspring were divided into 2 groups: the ASD model group (PASD, n=35) and the normal control group (PCON, n=16). Behavioral assessments, including the three-chamber social test, open field test, and Morris water maze, were conducted on postnatal day 23. After behavioral testing, 8 rats from each group (PCON, PASD) were randomly selected for serum analysis using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to measure corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone (CORT) concentration, to evaluate the functional state of the HPA axis in rats. On postnatal day 28, the remaining 8 rats in the PCON group were designated as the control group (CON, n=8), and the remaining 27 rats in the PASD group were randomly divided into 4 groups: ASD non-intervention group (ASD, n=6), ASD exercise group (ASDE, n=8), ASD fecal microbiota transplantation group (FMT, n=8), and ASD sham fecal microbiota transplantation group (sFMT, n=5). The rats in the ASD group and the CON group were kept under standard conditions, while the rats in the ASDE group performed 6 weeks of voluntary wheel running intervention starting on postnatal day 28. The rats in the FMT group were gavaged daily from postnatal day 42 with 1 ml/100 g fresh fecal suspension from ASDE rats which had undergone exercise for 2 weeks, 5 d per week, continuing for 4 weeks. The sFMT group received an equivalent volume of saline. After the interventions were completed, behavioral assessments and HPA axis markers were measured for all groups. ResultsBefore the intervention, the ASD model group exhibited significantly reduced social ability, social novelty preference, spontaneous activity, and exploratory interest, as well as impaired spatial learning, memory, and navigation abilities compared to the normal control group (P<0.05). Serum concentration of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), and corticosterone (CORT) in the PASD group were significantly higher than those in the PCON group (P<0.05). Following 6 weeks of voluntary wheel running, the ASDE group showed significant improvements in social ability, social novelty preference, spontaneous activity, exploratory interest, spatial learning, memory, and navigation skills compared to the ASD group (P<0.05), with a significant decrease in serum CORT concentration (P<0.05), and a downward trend in CRH and ACTH concentration. After 4 weeks of fecal microbiota transplantation in the exercise group, the FMT group showed marked improvements in social ability, social novelty preference, spontaneous activity, exploratory interest, as well as spatial learning, memory, and navigation abilities compared to both the ASD and sFMT groups (P<0.05). In addition, serum ACTH and CORT concentration were significantly reduced (P<0.05), and CRH concentration also showed a decreasing trend. ConclusionExercise may improve ASD-related behaviors by suppressing the activation of the HPA axis, with the gut microbiota likely playing a crucial role in this process.

To investigate the application value of disposable subscope-assisted intestinal metal stent placement in the treatment for acute malignant colorectal obstruction, a retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients who underwent intestinal metal stent placement assisted by disposable subscope for acute malignant colorectal obstruction at the Digestive Endoscopy Center, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University from June 2023 to July 2024. The technical success rate, clinical success rate, operation time, postoperative complications and first-stage surgical resection anastomosis rate of intestinal metal stent placement assisted by subscope were analyzed. Among the 16 included patients, there were 10 males and 6 females, with the age of 72.19±9.40 years. Obstruction occurred at the descending colon in 8 cases (50.00%), at the sigmoid colon in 6 cases (37.50%), at the rectosigmoid junction in 1 case (6.25%), and at the splenic flexure of the transverse colon in 1 case (6.25%). All 16 patients successfully underwent stent placement, with a technical success rate of 100.00% (16/16). Obstruction symptoms did not relieve in one patient (6.25%) after stent placement, resulting in a clinical success rate of 93.75% (15/16). The endoscopic operation time for the 16 patients was 37.8±13.9 minutes. No bleeding, perforation, stent displacement, or detachment occurred after the operation. Fourteen patients underwent subsequent surgical treatment, the first-stage surgical resection anastomosis rate was 71.43% (10/14). This preliminary study suggests that the disposable subscope-assisted intestinal metal stent placement for the treatment of acute malignant colorectal obstruction is safe and effective, with no radiation exposure.

A rare case of Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) combined with Erdheim-Chester disease (ECD) in the tibia is presented. A 55-year-old female patient experienced a six-month history of left lower leg pain of unknown origin, which progressively worsened over the past month and was accompanied by restricted mobility. Radiographic imaging revealed patchy, mixed-density shadows within the medullary cavities of the middle and lower segments of both tibiae and fibulae. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed extensive abnormal signal areas in the lower segments of the left tibia and fibula, as well as in the left talus and calcaneus. Positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) demonstrated significantly increased diffuse radioactive uptake in the middle and lower segments of both femora, the upper and lower segments of the tibiae, the bilateral talus, the distal radius, and symmetrical uptake in the bilateral elbow joints. Additionally, mild radionuclide uptake was observed in the bilateral clavicles and the upper segment of the right femur. The initial diagnosis suggested a space-occupying lesion in the tibia with a suspicion of ECD. Histopathological examination of a biopsy from the left tibial lesion indicated a histiocytic proliferative disorder. After a multidisciplinary consultation, a definitive diagnosis of LCH with fibrous hyperplasia and extensive infiltration of foam cells, along with scattered multinucleated giant cells, was established. The presence of the BRAFV600E mutation further supported the concurrent diagnosis of ECD. Subcutaneous interferon-α therapy was initiated. Two years later, pulmonary lesions were identified. Computed tomography (CT) revealed multiple round nodules in both lungs, chronic inflammatory changes, and fibrous cord-like lesions. Consequently, interferon treatment was discontinued, and oral vemurafenib was administered. After three years of follow-up, chest CT demonstrated a significant reduction in chronic inflammatory lesions and fibrous cords, along with a decrease in nodule size. Currently, after four years of continuous follow-up, the patient remains in stable condition, experiences no significant discomfort, and continues to receive vemurafenib maintenance therapy. A review of the literature suggests that the co-occurrence of LCH and ECD is rare, often leading to misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. While no standardized treatment protocol exists, patients harboring the BRAFV600E mutation may benefit from BRAF inhibitors such as vemurafenib.

Postoperative infection of internal fixation of closed fractures the lower limbs in adults represents a devastating complication, characterized by diagnostic challenges, prolonged treatment duration and high disability rates. Current management of these infections faces multiple challenges, such as difficulties in early accurate diagnosis, and various controversies about the treatment plan, leading to poor overall diagnosis and treatment results. To address these issues, based on evidence-based medicine and principles with emphasis on scientific rigor, clinical applicability and innovation, the Trauma Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association, Orthopedics Branch of the Chinese Medical Association, and Trauma Orthopedics and Polytrauma Group of the Resuscitation and Emergency Committee of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association have collaboratively organized a panel of relevant experts to develop the Guideline for diagnosis and treatment of infection after internal fixation of closed lower limb fractures in adults ( version 2025). The guideline proposed 10 recommendations, aiming to provide a foundation for standardized diagnosis and treatment of postoperative infection in adults with closed lower limb fractures.

Objective:To explore the correlation between thyroid hormone levels and the 90-day prognosis in patients with severe pulmonary tuberculosis, with a particular focus on the impact of age.Methods:This retrospective cohort study included 156 patients(43 females, 113 males; ages ranging from 21 to 93 years)diagnosed with severe pulmonary tuberculosis between January 2022 and December 2023.Patients were categorized into deceased( n=46)and survived( n=110)groups based on their 90-day survival status.Further subcategorization into elderly and non-elderly subgroups was conducted.Thyroid hormone levels and other relevant laboratory markers were measured and analyzed. Results:Total triiodothyronine(TT3) [(0.92±0.36)nmol/L] and free triiodothyronine(FT3) [(2.19±0.87)pmol/L] in deceased group were lower than in survival group [TT3(1.09±0.38)nmol/L], FT3 [(2.79±0.99)pmol/L], both P<0.05.T3 levels positively correlated with 90-day survival (TT3: r=-0.202, P=0.011; FT3: r=-0.276, P<0.001).In elderly patients, this correlation was weakened (TT3: r=-0.071, P=0.526; FT3: r=-0.206, P=0.059), but remained significant in non-elderly patients (TT3: r=-0.360, P=0.002; FT3: r=-0.345, P=0.003).FT3 was a better prognostic indicator than TT3. Conclusions:Low serum T3 levels are indicative of a poor prognosis in severe pulmonary tuberculosis; however, their predictive value diminishes in elderly patients.