The liver is one of the organs most commonly affected by rheumatic diseases. Hepatic abnormalities in patients with rheumatic diseases can result from a variety of factors， including direct liver involvement by the disease itself， coexistence with primary liver disease， and drug-induced liver injury. When liver indicators are abnormal， a thorough differential diagnosis is required. For unexplained liver dysfunction， routine testing for autoantibodies should be performed to facilitate early identification of underlying autoimmune liver disease. If the etiology remains unclear， a liver biopsy is recommended for a final diagnosis if feasible. Alongside active management of rheumatic diseases， it is necessary to closely monitor liver function， avoid the use of agents that may exacerbate hepatic damage， particularly anti-rheumatic drugs with strong hepatotoxicity， and tailor treatment strategies according to personal specific conditions， so as to minimize liver damage and improve long-term outcome.

Rheumatic diseases are chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases that can affect multiple organs and systems. In clinical practice， most patients with rheumatic diseases present with asymptomatic liver function abnormalities during the course of the disease， and the etiology of such diseases may be associated with the rheumatic disease itself， medications， metabolism， viruses， or the presence of other chronic liver diseases. Immune-mediated inflammatory responses play a significant role in liver involvement （including hepatocyte injury， intrahepatic vascular lesions， and hepatic fibrosis） in rheumatic diseases. This article discusses the clinical features and management of liver involvement secondary to rheumatic diseases， in order to enhance the understanding of this condition among specialists in related fields.

Objective:To analyze the correlation of bone mineral density (BMD) , serum transforming growth factor β1 (TGF- β1) , and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) with osteoporosis in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) . Methods:A total of 180 GDM patients admitted to Department of Gynecology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from Jan. 2022 to Jan. 2024 were included as the observation group, and 30 healthy pregnant women undergoing examination at the same time were included into the control group. BMD [stiffness index (SI) , broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) , speed of sound (SOS) ], serum TGF-β1, and RBP4 levels were compared between the two groups; GDM women with complicated with osteoporosis were included in the osteoporosis subgroup, and pregnant women without osteoporosis were included in the non-osteoporosis subgroup. BMD, serum TGF- β1 and RBP4 levels were compared between the two groups, and the relationship among bone mineral density and serum TGF- β1, RBP4 was analyzed by Pearson correlation. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum TGF- β1 and RBP4 levels in GDM complicated with osteoporosis. Results:The observation group had significantly higher levels of serum TGF- β1 and RBP4 than the control group, while lower BUA, SOS and SI ( t=99.04, 28.48, 4.10, 3.54, 6.29, P < 0.05) ; Among 180 pregnant women with GDM, 38 cases had osteoporosis and 142 cases did not have osteoporosis. The osteoporosis subgroup had significantly higher serum TGF- β1 and RBP4 levels than the other subgroup, while BMD indexes such as BUA, SOS and SI were significantly lower ( t=3.35, 3.48, 3.77, 2.85, 3.41, P < 0.05) ; Pearson correlation analysis showed that BMD indexes, such as BUA, SOS and SI, were significantly correlated with serum TGF- β1 and RBP4 in pregnant women with GDM ( r=-0.61, 0.58, -0.60, -0.58, -0.60, -0.63, P<0.05) ; The area under the curve (AUC) of TGF- β1, RBP4 and combined detection of GDM women with osteoporosis was 0.572, 0.653 and 0.659, respectively. Conclusions:In GDM women complicated with osteoporosis, the levels of serum TGF- β1 and RBP4 increase significantly, and BMD decreases significantly. Serum TGF- β1 and RBP4 in GDM women are closely related to BMD index, which can provide early diagnosis basis for GDM complicated with osteoporosis.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics of drug resistance genes of carbapenemase-producing Escherichia coli (CPECO) in Henan Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from 2021 to 2023, providing data support and theoretical basis for controlling nosocomial infections of CPECO.Methods:Using a cross-sectional study, 30 carbapenem-resistant Escherichia coli (CRECO) strains confirmed by VITEK-2 Compact identification and drug sensitivity test in the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory of Henan Province Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from 2021 to 2023 were tested, using carbapenemase inhibitor enhancement test to conduct preliminary screening of carbapenemases, and colloidal gold immunochromatography and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were used to determine the phenotypes and genotypes of common carbapenemases ( blaKPC, blaNDM, blaVIM, blaIMP, blaOXA) respectively, and the genotypes ( blaSHV, blaTEM, blaCTX) of common extended Spectrum beta-lactamases (ESBL) were confirmed using PCR. The PCR amplification products of carbapenemase and ESBL positive strains were Sanger-sequenced, and the sequencing products were compared on the Blast website to determine the exact carbapenemase and ESBL genotypes. Sequence typing (ST) was performed on CPECO using the Achtman multi-locus sequence typing scheme to determine the cloning relationship between different strains. Results:A total of 21 CPECO strains were screened. Drug sensitivity test results showed that CPECO strains showed widespread drug resistance, with the resistance rate to monocyclic (aztreonam) and trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole being over 60%(16/21, 14/21), and the resistance rate to other antibacterial drugs being 100%. Only the sensitivity to aminoglycosides and fosfomycin remained relatively high, and no strains resistant to tigecycline and colistin were found. Colloidal gold immunochromatography detected 18 blaNDM types, 2 blaKPC types, and 1 blaIMP type. Sequencing of drug resistance gene PCR products classified 17 blaNDM-5 strains, 1 blaNDM-4 strain, 2 blaKPC-2 strain, and 1 blaIMP-4 strain, which were completely consistent with the results of screening test and colloidal gold immunochromatography. ESBL resistance gene testing showed that the detection rate of blaTEM was 42.9%(9/21), blaCTX-M was 33.3%(7/21), and blaSHV was 4.8%(1/21). The rate of blaNDM producing CPECO carrying both ESBL resistance genes was 27.8%(5/18). The MLST typing results revealed 11 sequence types (STs), including one ST155 clonal complex and nine singleton STs. Among these, there were seven strains of ST167, five strains of ST410, and one strain each of ST58, ST68, ST69, ST93, ST131, ST155, ST648, ST1114, and ST3268. Conclusion:The main resistance mechanism identified in this study for CPECO was the production of blaNDM-5 carbapenemase, with a high proportion of strains also carrying blaTEM-1D and/or blaCTX-M-15 ESBLs. MLST typing found that the epidemic strain of CPECO showed certain polymorphism, but there were clonal transmission of multiple clonal complexes between ST167 and ST410.

Objective:To analyze the short-term hospital-based transmission characteristics and gene variation of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) by genome-wide technique to provide evidence for transmission control. Methods:The experimental strain was derived from all the CRKP isolated in Affiliated Hospital of North China University of Science and Technology from October 2022 to December 2023. Strain identification and drug susceptibility were tested with VITEK 2-Compact automatic bacterial identification drug susceptibility analyzer or disk method, and the results were interpreted through whole genome sequencing. The ST type, carbapenem resistance gene, virulence factor, and O serotype of the collected strains were analyzed.Results:Among the 115 strains of CRKP, 94 strains were isolated from the intensive care unit (ICU), accounting for 81.7%, and 21 strains were isolated from the non-intensive care unit (NICU), accounting for 18.3%. The 115 strains of CRKP can be divided into 11 ST types, of which ST11 type was the most (54.8%, 63/115), followed by ST15 type (22.6%, 26/115) and ST5492 type (15.7%, 18/115). Type ST5492 was a new clonal group in the region. The 115 strains of CRKP could be divided into 7 O serotypes, most of which were O2a type(32.2%,37/115), followed by O5 type(30.4%,35/115) and O1 type(27.8%,32/115). The resistance genes of carbapenem antibiotics showed that there were 107 strains carrying the blaKPC-2 gene, one strain with the blaNDM-1 gene, and one strain with both the blaKPC-2 and blaNDM-13 genes. Virulence genes were detected in 55 CRKP strains (47.8%, 55/115), among which six strains detected peg-344, iucA, iroB, rmpA, and rmpA2 virulence genes (5.2%, 6/115). Four virulence genes ( peg-344, iucA, rmpA, and rmpA2) were detected in 34 strains (29.6%, 34/115). Three virulence genes ( iucA, iroB and rmpA) were detected in two strains (1.7%, 2/115). Three virulence genes ( peg-344, iucA and rmpA) were detected in one strain (0.8%, 1/115). IucA and rmpA virulence genes were detected in 12 strains (10.4%, 12/115). KPC-2_ST11_O2a, KPC-2_ST15_O1 and KPC-2_ST5492_O5 were dominant clones, and their distribution was mainly in the intensive care unit. The whole genome sequence analysis showed that there were three dominant clones, among which ST11 clones were subdivided into three dominant O serotypes, all of which were mainly in the intensive care unit. Conclusion:The popular strain in the hospital of CRKP is a KPC-2_ST11 clone group carrying iucA, rmpA/rmpA2, with cross-department transmission and mutation. ST5492 is a newly-launched clone type. The intensive care unit of hvKP carrying five virulence genes, including peg-344, should be alert to the epidemic risk of CR-hvKP outbreak.

Objective:To analyze the correlation of bone mineral density (BMD) , serum transforming growth factor β1 (TGF- β1) , and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4) with osteoporosis in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) . Methods:A total of 180 GDM patients admitted to Department of Gynecology, Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from Jan. 2022 to Jan. 2024 were included as the observation group, and 30 healthy pregnant women undergoing examination at the same time were included into the control group. BMD [stiffness index (SI) , broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) , speed of sound (SOS) ], serum TGF-β1, and RBP4 levels were compared between the two groups; GDM women with complicated with osteoporosis were included in the osteoporosis subgroup, and pregnant women without osteoporosis were included in the non-osteoporosis subgroup. BMD, serum TGF- β1 and RBP4 levels were compared between the two groups, and the relationship among bone mineral density and serum TGF- β1, RBP4 was analyzed by Pearson correlation. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum TGF- β1 and RBP4 levels in GDM complicated with osteoporosis. Results:The observation group had significantly higher levels of serum TGF- β1 and RBP4 than the control group, while lower BUA, SOS and SI ( t=99.04, 28.48, 4.10, 3.54, 6.29, P < 0.05) ; Among 180 pregnant women with GDM, 38 cases had osteoporosis and 142 cases did not have osteoporosis. The osteoporosis subgroup had significantly higher serum TGF- β1 and RBP4 levels than the other subgroup, while BMD indexes such as BUA, SOS and SI were significantly lower ( t=3.35, 3.48, 3.77, 2.85, 3.41, P < 0.05) ; Pearson correlation analysis showed that BMD indexes, such as BUA, SOS and SI, were significantly correlated with serum TGF- β1 and RBP4 in pregnant women with GDM ( r=-0.61, 0.58, -0.60, -0.58, -0.60, -0.63, P<0.05) ; The area under the curve (AUC) of TGF- β1, RBP4 and combined detection of GDM women with osteoporosis was 0.572, 0.653 and 0.659, respectively. Conclusions:In GDM women complicated with osteoporosis, the levels of serum TGF- β1 and RBP4 increase significantly, and BMD decreases significantly. Serum TGF- β1 and RBP4 in GDM women are closely related to BMD index, which can provide early diagnosis basis for GDM complicated with osteoporosis.

Objective·To investigate the clinical,pathological,and molecular genetic features and prognosis of epithelioid hemangioendothelioma(EHE)patients.Methods·Clinical and follow-up data of 12 EHE patients diagnosed at Renji Hospital,Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from September 2016 to December 2023 were collected.Tissue samples were analyzed using hematoxylin-eosin(H-E)staining,immunohistochemistry(IHC),and fluorescence in situ hybridization(FISH).Results·Among the 12 patients,there were 3 males and 9 females,with a mean age of(47.17±11.15)years.Tumors were located in the liver(6 cases),lung(4 cases),mediastinum(1 case),and supraclavicular region(1 case).Nine patients were asymptomatic,while 3 presented with mild symptoms such as chest tightness and fatigue.CT imaging revealed that EHE patients with involvement of livers and lungs exhibited multiple nodules,and 2 cases had tumors in both organs.Patients with tumors in the supraclavicular region and mediastinum presented with solitary nodules.H-E staining demonstrated that tumor tissues were composed of epithelioid,dendritic,and intermediate cells,arranged in acinar,cord-like,or clustered patterns.Epithelioid cells had round vesicular nuclei and eosinophilic cytoplasm,with some showing a signet-ring appearance and cytoplasmic vacuoles.The stroma contained a mucoid matrix.IHC staining revealed that mesenchymal endothelial markers,including vimentin,CD31,ETS transcription factor ERG,and factor Ⅷ-related antigen,were positive in the tumor tissues,while epithelial markers showed low positivity with weak staining.The Ki-67 indexes were also low.FISH analysis showed that 10 patients had a calmodulin-binding transcription activator 1(CAMTA1)gene break,while 2 patients had a transcription factor E3(TFE3)gene break.Of the 12 patients,11 were followed up for 2 to 38 months,with a mean follow-up time of 21.7 months.Three patients achieved tumor-free survival,6 were alive with tumors,1 died 4 months after surgery,and 1 died of heart disease 24 months after surgery.Conclusion·EHE has atypical clinical features,a tendency to recur,a and variable prognosis.Accurate diagnosis requires a combination of histopathology,IHC,and a molecular testing.

The liver is one of the organs most commonly affected by rheumatic diseases.Hepatic abnormalities in patients with rheumatic diseases can result from a variety of factors,including direct liver involvement by the disease itself,coexistence with primary liver disease,and drug-induced liver injury.When liver indicators are abnormal,a thorough differential diagnosis is required.For unexplained liver dysfunction,routine testing for autoantibodies should be performed to facilitate early identification of underlying autoimmune liver disease.If the etiology remains unclear,a liver biopsy is recommended for a final diagnosis if feasible.Alongside active management of rheumatic diseases,it is necessary to closely monitor liver function,avoid the use of agents that may exacerbate hepatic damage,particularly anti-rheumatic drugs with strong hepatotoxicity,and tailor treatment strategies according to personal specific conditions,so as to minimize liver damage and improve long-term outcome.

Rheumatic diseases are chronic inflammatory autoimmune diseases that can affect multiple organs and systems.In clinical practice,most patients with rheumatic diseases present with asymptomatic liver function abnormalities during the course of the disease,and the etiology of such diseases may be associated with the rheumatic disease itself,medications,metabolism,viruses,or the presence of other chronic liver diseases.Immune-mediated inflammatory responses play a significant role in liver involvement(including hepatocyte injury,intrahepatic vascular lesions,and hepatic fibrosis)in rheumatic diseases.This article discusses the clinical features and management of liver involvement secondary to rheumatic diseases,in order to enhance the understanding of this condition among specialists in related fields.

Myocardial fibrosis is a serious cause of heart failure and even sudden cardiac death. However, the mechanisms underlying myocardial ischemia-induced cardiac fibrosis remain unclear. Here, we identified that the expression of sterile alpha and TIR motif containing 1 (SARM1), was increased significantly in the ischemic cardiomyopathy patients, dilated cardiomyopathy patients (GSE116250) and fibrotic heart tissues of mice. Additionally, inhibition or knockdown of SARM1 can improve myocardial fibrosis and cardiac function of myocardial infarction (MI) mice. Moreover, SARM1 fibroblasts-specific knock-in mice had increased deposition of extracellular matrix and impaired cardiac function. Mechanically, elevated expression of SARM1 promotes the deposition of extracellular matrix by directly modulating P4HA1. Notably, by using the Click-iT reaction, we identified that the increased expression of ZDHHC17 promotes the palmitoylation levels of SARM1, thereby accelerating the fibrosis process. Based on the fibrosis-promoting effect of SARM1, we screened several drugs with anti-myocardial fibrosis activity. In conclusion, we have unveiled that palmitoylated SARM1 targeting P4HA1 promotes collagen deposition and myocardial fibrosis. Inhibition of SARM1 is a potential strategy for the treatment of myocardial fibrosis. The sites where SARM1 interacts with P4HA1 and the palmitoylation modification sites of SARM1 may be the active targets for anti-fibrosis drugs.