OBJECTIVE To investigate the clinical efficacy of mepolizumab as postoperative maintenance therapy after endoscopic sinus surgery （ESS） in patients with eosinophilic chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps （EosCRSwNP）.METHODS A retrospective cohort study was conducted to collect clinical data from patients with EosCRSwNP who underwent ESS at the Dept. of Otolaryngology in Xuzhou First People’s Hospital， from January 1 to May 31， 2025. Patients were divided into a control group （56 cases， treated with intranasal corticosteroids postoperatively） and an observation group （51 cases， treated with mepolizumab postoperatively） based on their postoperative maintenance therapy regimens. The nasal function parameters [nasal cavity volume （NCV）， distance from the minimum cross-sectional area to the anterior nostril （DCAN）， nasal minimum cross-sectional area （NMCA）， saccharin clearance time， nasal mucociliary clearance rate， mucociliary clearance velocity]， and the indicators related to nasal mucosal remodeling [peripheral blood eosinophil （EOS） percentage， serum levels of transforming growth factor-β 1 （TGF-β 1 ） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）] were compared between the two groups at 2 weeks and 3， 6 months after surgery. The assessment indicators of the inflammation status of nasal mucositis [modified Lund-Kennedy Endoscopic Scoring System （MLK） score]， the degree of nasal polyp recurrence[nasal polyp score （NPS）]， and the quality of life [Sino-nasal Outcome Test-20 （SNOT-20） score] were compared at 2 weeks and 6 months after surgery. Adverse events were also recorded and compared between the two groups.RESULTS At 2 weeks after surgery， there were no statistically significant differences in the aforementioned indicators/scores between the two groups （ P ＞0.05）. Compared with the same group at 2 weeks postoperatively， both groups showed significant increases in NCV， NMCA， nasal mucociliary clearance rate， and mucociliary clearance velocity at 3 and 6 months postoperatively； significant decreases or reductions were observed in DCAN， saccharin clearance time， EOS percentage， TGF-β 1 and VEGF levels at 3 and 6 months postoperatively， while in MLK score， NPS， SNOT-20 score were all significantly reduced or shortened （ P ＜0.05）. Furthermore， the improvements in these indicators in the observation group were significantly greater than those in the control group during the same time periods （ P ＜0.05）. The overall incidence of adverse reactions was comparable between the two groups （ P ＞0.05）， but the incidence of injection-site reactions was significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group （ P ＜0.05）.CONCLUSIONS The use of mepolizumab for postoperative maintenance therapy following ESS in patients with EosCRSwNP promotes the recovery of nasal function， improves indicators of nasal mucosal remodeling， reduces inflammation， lowers polyp score， and enhances quality of life. Its efficacy is superior to that of intranasal corticosteroids； however， clinicians should be mindful of the risk of injection-site reactions of mepolizumab.

The connection between tendons and bones is called the tendon bone connection. With the continuous improvement of national sports awareness, excessive exercises and the related intensity are prone to damage the tendon bone connection. Tendon bone healing is a complex repair and healing process involving multiple factors, and good tendon bone healing is a prerequisite for its physiological function. The complexity of tendon bone structure also poses great challenges to the repair of tendon bone injuries. In recent years, researches have found that stem cells, growth factors, macrophages, and other factors are closely related to the healing process of tendon bone injuries, among which macrophages play an important role in the healing process. The authors reviewed relevant research literature in recent years and summarized the role of macrophages in tendon bone healing, in order to provide new ideas and directions for treatment strategies to promote tendon bone healing.
Humans ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Wound Healing ; Animals ; Tendons/physiology* ; Bone and Bones/injuries* ; Tendon Injuries

Objective Based on 25 indicators including immune factors, cell count classification, and smear results of the knee joint fluid, machine learning models were established to distinguish between osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods 100 OA and 40 RA patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty were enrolled respectively. Each patient's knee joint fluid was collected preoperatively. Nucleated cells were counted and classified. The expression levels of immune factors, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), MMP9, MMP13, rheumatoid factor (RF), serum amyloid A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP), and others were measured. Smears and microscopic classification of all the immune factors were performed. Independent influencing factors for OA or RA were identified using univariate binary logistic regression, Lasso regression, and multivariate binary logistic regression. Based on the independent influencing factors, three machine learning models were constructed which are logistic regression, random forest, and support vector machine. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate and compare the models. Results A total of 5 indicators in the knee joint fluid were screened out to distinguish OA and RA, which were IL-1β(odds ratio(OR)=10.512, 95× confidence interval (95×CI) was 1.048-105.42, P=0.045), IL-6 (OR=1.007, 95×CI was 1.001-1.014, P=0.022), MMP9 (OR=3.202, 95×CI was 1.235-8.305, P=0.017), MMP13 (OR=1.002, 95× CI was 1-1.004, P=0.049), and RF (OR=1.091, 95×CI was 1.01-1.179, P=0.026). According to the results of ROC, calibration curve and DCA, the accuracy (0.979), sensitivity (0.98) and area under the curve (AUC, 0.996, 95×CI was 0.991-1) of the random forest model were the highest. It has good validity and feasibility, and its distinguishing ability is better than the other two models. Conclusion The machine learning model based on immune factors in the knee joint fluid holds significant value in distinguishing OA and RA. It provides an important reference for the clinical early differential diagnosis, prevention and treatment of OA and RA.
Humans ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Machine Learning ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Synovial Fluid/immunology* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/metabolism* ; Knee Joint/metabolism* ; ROC Curve ; Diagnosis, Differential

Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is a critical endocrine mediator implicated in male reproductive physiology. To investigate the correlation between IGF2 protein levels and various aspects of male infertility, specifically focusing on sperm quality, inflammation, and DNA damage, a cohort of 320 male participants was recruited from the Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Hangzhou, China) between 1 st January 2024 and 1 st March 2024. The relationship between IGF2 protein concentrations and sperm parameters was assessed, and Spearman correlation and linear regression analysis were employed to evaluate the independent associations between IGF2 protein levels and risk factors for infertility. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure IGF2 protein levels in seminal plasma, alongside markers of inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α] and interleukin-1β [IL-1β]). The relationship between seminal plasma IGF2 protein levels and DNA damage marker phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX) was also explored. Our findings reveal that IGF2 protein expression decreased notably in patients with asthenospermia and teratospermia. Correlation analysis revealed nuanced associations between IGF2 protein levels and specific sperm parameters, and low IGF2 protein concentrations correlated with increased inflammation and DNA damage in sperm. The observed correlations between IGF2 protein levels and specific sperm parameters, along with its connection to inflammation and DNA damage, underscore the importance of IGF2 in the broader context of male reproductive health. These findings lay the groundwork for future research and potential therapeutic interventions targeting IGF2-related pathways to enhance male fertility.
Humans ; Male ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II/metabolism* ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; DNA Damage ; Adult ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; Semen Analysis ; Semen/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Histones/metabolism* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*

Objective This research was performed to identify rodent-borne pathogens in Hekou Port,Yunnan Province.Methods Rodents were captured using cages and dissected to collect their lungs,liver,spleen,and other viscera.Eight pathogens,including Yersinia pestis,Leptospira,Bartonella,and Anaplasmataceae,were identified using polymerase chain reaction amplification.Amplified pathogen sequences from positive samples were sequenced,and BLAST homology searches were conducted using GenBank to confirm pathogen identities.A phylogenetic tree of the identified pathogens was constructed using the neighbor joining method.Results The total of 31 rodents,identified as Rattus tanezumi,R.norvegicus,and Mus musculus,were captured.Among these,R.tanezumi was the dominant species,accounting for 64.52％of the total.Two pathogens,Leptospira interrogans and Neoehrlichia mikurensis,were detected,with positivity rates of 9.68％and 29.03％,respectively.No other pathogens were detected.The overall positivity rate for rodent-borne pathogens was 35.48％.Conclusions The single 16S rRNA gene fragment is insufficient for the molecular identification of all Neoehrlichia species.Accurate species identification should be based on a combined analysis of multiple genes.The prevalence of rodent-borne pathogens in Hekou Port indicates the necessity for enhanced surveillance of rodent-borne diseases and implementation of additional prevention and control measures in border ports.

Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide, is characterized by high mortality and recurrence rates. Common treatments include hepatectomy, liver transplantation, ablation therapy, interventional therapy, radiotherapy, systemic therapy, and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM). While exhibiting specific advantages, these approaches are associated with varying degrees of adverse effects. To alleviate patients' suffering and burdens, it is crucial to explore additional treatments and elucidate the pathogenesis of HCC, laying a foundation for the development of new TCM-based drugs. With emerging research on gut microbiota, it has been revealed that microbiota plays a vital role in the development of HCC by influencing intestinal barrier function, microbial metabolites, and immune regulation. TCM, with its multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway characteristics, has been increasingly recognized as a vital therapeutic treatment for HCC, particularly in patients at intermediate or advanced stages, by prolonging survival and improving quality of life. Recent global studies demonstrate that TCM exerts anti-HCC effects by modulating gut microbiota, restoring intestinal barrier function, regulating microbial composition and its metabolites, suppressing inflammation, and enhancing immune responses, thereby inhibiting the malignant phenotype of HCC. This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms by which gut microbiota contributes to the development and progression of HCC and highlight the regulatory effects of TCM, addressing the current gap in systematic understanding of the "TCM-gut microbiota-HCC" axis. The findings provide theoretical support for integrating TCM with western medicine in HCC treatment and promote the transition from basic research to precision clinical therapy through microbiota-targeted drug development and TCM-based interventions.
Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/microbiology* ; Liver Neoplasms/microbiology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Animals ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans ; Dental Cementum/injuries* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tooth Fractures/therapy*

Objective:To evaluate the epidemiological protective effect of a booster dose of acellular DTP vaccine (DTaP) against pertussis in 6-year-old children.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to compare the incidence of pertussis in 6-year-old children who received DTaP versus DT vaccine boosters in 2023 over a two-year period from May 2023 to May 2025. The protective effect of the fifth dose of DTaP against pertussis in 6-year-old children was evaluated.Results:A total of 960 participants were enrolled in this study, including 480 children in the experimental group who received the fifth dose of DTaP vaccine and 480 children in the control group who received the DT vaccine booster. Baseline characteristics were balanced between the two groups. There were six confirmed cases of pertussis in the experimental group, with a reported incidence rate of 1.25%. In the control group, 14 pertussis cases were reported, with a reported incidence rate of 2.92%. The protective effectiveness(VE) of the DTaP vaccine against pertussis was 57.14% (95% CI:-10.59%-83.39%). For 6-year-old children who completed the booster immunization, the incidence data of pertussis were collected from the 14 th day after vaccination (i.e., the study day 0). Based on the annual cumulative incidence rate, the VE of DTaP against pertussis at 6, 12, 18, and 24 months after vaccination was 100%, 63.80% (95% CI:-14.49%-88.55%), 64.59% (95% CI: 1.17%-87.31%), and 57.60% (95% CI:-10.80%-83.78%), respectively. In the DTaP group, the annual cumulative incidence rate of 12 to 24 months did not show a significant upward or downward trend ( Z=-0.995, P=0.320). Conclusion:Boosting 6-year-old children with the DTaP vaccine provides measurable protection against pertussis. The protective efficacy is significant in the early stage (0 to 6 months) after vaccination, and it still remains effective at 12 to 24 months.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of facilitated percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)with half-dose recombinant staphylokinase(r-SAK)in patients with ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI)who are expected to undergo PCI within 120 minutes.Methods From October 2021 to August 2022,a total of 200 STEMI patients in eight centers were included and randomly assigned in a 1﹕1 ratio to either r-SAK group or control group.Patients received loading doses of aspirin and ticagrelor and intravenous heparin and were randomized to receive an intravenous bolus of either 5 mg r-SAK or normal saline prior to PCI.The outcomes were set as ST-segment resolution(STR)at 60-90 minutes after PCI,the proportion and transition of pathological Q waves on the 5th day after PCI,and the proportion of high-sensitivity cardiac troponin T(hs-cTnT)peaking within 12 hours of onset.The safety outcome was major bleeding events defined as Bleeding Academic Research Consortium(BARC)≥type 3 bleeding during hospitalization.Results Compared with the control group,the r-SAK group had a higher proportion of STR≥70%within 60-90 minutes after PCI(58.3%vs.40.3%,P=0.009);a lower proportion of pathological Q waves(59.1%vs.74.1%,P=0.040);a lower rate of Q wave progression(14.8%vs.43.2%,P＜0.001);a higher rate of Q wave disappearance(12.5%vs.3.7%,P=0.027);and a higher proportion of hs-cTnT peaking within 12 hours of symptom onset[31/40(77.5%)vs.17/33(51.5%),P=0.027].Regarding the safety outcome,no significant difference in BARC≥type 3 bleeding was found between the two groups during hospitalization(P＞0.05).Conclusions For STEMI patients who were expected to undergo primary PCI within 120 minutes of symptom onset,the facilitated PCI with half-dose r-SAK significantly increased the proportion of STR≥70%at 60-90 minutes after PCI,reduced the formation of pathological Q waves,and shortened the time to peak hs-cTnT,without increasing the risk of bleeding,which should be an alternative reperfusion strategy worthy of further study.

AIM:To investigate the mechanism through which aerobic exercise improves inflammatory senes-cence in SAMP8 mice via Janus kinase 3(JAK3)-signal transducer and activator of transcription 5α(STAT5α)signaling pathway and to provide novel insights for anti-inflammatory aging interventions.METHODS:Sixteen 28-week-old SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into model(Mod)group and exercise(Exe)group,with 8 mice in each group.Addi-tionally,8 senile SAMR1 mice served as control(Con)group.The mice in Exe group underwent an 8-week aerobic training regimen on a treadmill.We monitored the changes in hair quality and body weight,immune organ indexes,histomorpho-logical alterations in immune organs,the expression levels of spleen aging marker P16,and the serum and spleen levels of inflammatory factors[tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-1β(IL-1β)]and aging indicator IL-2.Moreover,we examined the alterations in the mRNA and protein expression of IL-2,JAK3 and STAT5α in the spleen.RESULTS:(1)Compared with Con group,the mice in Mod group exhibited decreased hair luster and volume,with some instances of alopecia areata,increased body weight,markedly reduced spleen and thymus indexes,evident atrophy and senescence of immune organs,and markedly decreased concentration of IL-2 in the serum and spleen.The expression of P16 in the spleen,and the serum and spleen levels of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-1β were significantly increased.The mRNA expression of IL-2 and IL-2 receptor subunit gamma(IL-2RG)in the spleen was markedly decreased,whereas that of JAK3 and STAT5α was markedly increased.Furthermore,the protein expression of IL-2 in the spleen was markedly de-creased,whereas that of STAT5α and JAK3 was markedly increased.(2)Compared with Mod group,the mice in Exe group showed relatively vigorous hair growth and better hair luster,lower body weight,markedly increased spleen and thy-mus indexes,and delayed immune organ aging.The concentration of IL-2 in the serum and spleen was markedly in-creased,while the expression of P16 in the spleen was markedly decreased.The levels of TNF-α and IL-1β in the serum and spleen were markedly decreased.The mRNA expression of IL-2 and IL-2RG in the spleen was markedly increased,whereas that of JAK3 and STAT5α was markedly decreased.The protein levels of IL-2 were markedly increased,whereas those of STAT5α and JAK3 were markedly decreased.CONCLUSION:Aerobic exercise can delay inflammatory aging in mice possibly through the JAK3-STAT5α signaling pathway.