Objective The aim of this study is to detect the expression of purinergic 2X7 receptor(P2X7R)and the NLRP3 inflammasome in benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)tissues and to analyze the clinical correlations.Methods Twelve patients undergoing surgery for BPH were enrolled.Based on the presence or absence of inflammatory cell infiltration in HE-stained tissue sections,the patients were divided into inflammation group and non-inflammation group.Preoperative routine ex-aminations excluded surgical contraindications,and International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS)questionnaires,urinary flow rate measurements,expressed prostatic secretions(EPS)analysis,and prostate-specific antigen(PSA)tests were conducted.Prostate tissues obtained during surgery were subjected to HE staining,immunofluorescence/Western blot to detect the expression of NLRP3,P2X7R,Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,IL-1 β,and TNF-α,and immunofluorescence to assess lymphocyte infiltra-tion.SPSS 26.0 software was used to analyze correlations between the expression levels of NLRP3 and P2X7R in prostate tissues and indicators including Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,IL-1 β,TNF-α,lymphocyte count,IPSS score,urinary flow rate,EPS,and PSA.Results In BPH tissues,the expression levels of NLRP3 and P2X7R were positively correlated(P＜0.05).The ex-pression levels of NLRP3 and P2X7R were positively correlated with Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,IL-1 β,TNF-α,and lym-phocyte count(P＜0.05).NLRP3 and P2X7R expression levels were positively correlated with white blood cell count in EPS,but showed no correlation with IPSS score,lecithin body count in EPS,maximum urinary flow rate and PSA(P＜0.05).Conclusion P2X7R and NLRP3 in prostate tissues exacerbate local inflammatory responses,which may be an important mecha-nism in BPH development.However,they are not correlated with IPSS score,lecithin body count in EPS,maximum urinary flow rate and PSA.

Objective To evaluate the correlation between serum CTRP12 and carotid atherosclerosis(CAS)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 200 T2DM patients from Bengbu Medical University Third Affilated Hospital were enrolled in this study and divided into T2DM group(n=94),CAS group(n=106).Healthy subjects were selected as normal control(NC,n=50)group.Serum CTRP12 level was determined by ELISA.CTRP12 and baseline indicators were compared among the groups.Relationship between CTRP12 and each biochemical index were evaluated by Pearson or Spearman analysis as appropriate.Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors for CTRP12.Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors for CAS.Results DBP,HbA1c,TC,LDL-C and IL-6 in the three groups were increased successively(P<0.05),while CTRP12 were decreased successively(P<0.05).BMI,FPG,TG and HOMA-IR in T2DM and CAS groups were higher than those in NC group(P<0.05),HDL-C was lower than that in NC group(P<0.05),SBP in CAS group was higher than that in NC and T2DM groups(P<0.05).Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis showed that serum CTRP12 was negatively correlated with BMI,SBP,DBP,FPG,HbA1c,TC,TG,LDL-C,IL-6 and HOMA-IR(P<0.05),and positively correlated with HDL-C(P<0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that FPG,LDL-C and IL-6 were the influential factors for CTRP12.Logistic regression analysis showed that TC,HbA1c and CTRP12 were risk factors for the occurrence of CAS in patients with T2DM.Conclusions CTRP12 is closely related to CAS,and reduced serum CTRP12 level is an independent risk factor for T2DM with CAS.

Objective To investigate the application value of glucose time in range(TIR)combined with systemic immune-inflam-mation index(SII)in diagnosing the occurrence of carotid atherosclerosis(CAS)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods Using a retrospective study method,a total of 247 patients with T2DM were admitted to the Wan Bei General Hospital of Wan-bei Coal Power Group of Bengbu Medical University from August 2022 to April 2024,which were selected and divided into non-CAS group(n=106)and CAS group(n=141)according to the results of carotid ultrasound;the general data of all patients,biochemical and blood routine indexes,and continuous glucose monitoring(CGM)parameters were retrospectively collected and statistically analyzed;the differences in the indexes between the two groups were compared,and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the inde-pendent risk factors for CAS in T2DM patients,and the value of TIR,SII and their combination in diagnosing CAS in T2DM patients were evaluated by drawing the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results Compared with the patients in the non-CAS group,the TIR level was significantly lower and the SII level was significantly higher in the CAS group,and the differences were statistically sig-nificant(P＜0.001);The multivariate Logistic regression analysis results showed that age,systolic blood pressure,TIR and SII were the independent risk factors for the occurrence of CAS in T2DM patients(OR were 1.120,1.029,-0.962,1.003,P＜0.01).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of TIR was 0.697,with an optimal cut-off value of 82.6％;The AUC of SII was 0.672,with an optimal cut-off value of 384.147;The AUC of the combined detection was 0.740,which was superior to that of single detection(P＜0.01).Conclusion TIR and SII were significantly correlated with the thickening of the carotid artery intima-media thickness in patients with T2DM,the decreased TIR and elevated SII are independent risk factors for the complication of CAS in patients with T2DM,and the combined diagnosis of the two can improve the predictive value of the occurrence of CAS in patients with T2DM.

Objective To evaluate the correlation between serum CTRP12 and carotid atherosclerosis(CAS)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 200 T2DM patients from Bengbu Medical University Third Affilated Hospital were enrolled in this study and divided into T2DM group(n=94),CAS group(n=106).Healthy subjects were selected as normal control(NC,n=50)group.Serum CTRP12 level was determined by ELISA.CTRP12 and baseline indicators were compared among the groups.Relationship between CTRP12 and each biochemical index were evaluated by Pearson or Spearman analysis as appropriate.Multiple linear regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors for CTRP12.Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors for CAS.Results DBP,HbA1c,TC,LDL-C and IL-6 in the three groups were increased successively(P<0.05),while CTRP12 were decreased successively(P<0.05).BMI,FPG,TG and HOMA-IR in T2DM and CAS groups were higher than those in NC group(P<0.05),HDL-C was lower than that in NC group(P<0.05),SBP in CAS group was higher than that in NC and T2DM groups(P<0.05).Pearson or Spearman correlation analysis showed that serum CTRP12 was negatively correlated with BMI,SBP,DBP,FPG,HbA1c,TC,TG,LDL-C,IL-6 and HOMA-IR(P<0.05),and positively correlated with HDL-C(P<0.05).Multiple linear regression analysis showed that FPG,LDL-C and IL-6 were the influential factors for CTRP12.Logistic regression analysis showed that TC,HbA1c and CTRP12 were risk factors for the occurrence of CAS in patients with T2DM.Conclusions CTRP12 is closely related to CAS,and reduced serum CTRP12 level is an independent risk factor for T2DM with CAS.

Objective The aim of this study is to detect the expression of purinergic 2X7 receptor(P2X7R)and the NLRP3 inflammasome in benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)tissues and to analyze the clinical correlations.Methods Twelve patients undergoing surgery for BPH were enrolled.Based on the presence or absence of inflammatory cell infiltration in HE-stained tissue sections,the patients were divided into inflammation group and non-inflammation group.Preoperative routine ex-aminations excluded surgical contraindications,and International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS)questionnaires,urinary flow rate measurements,expressed prostatic secretions(EPS)analysis,and prostate-specific antigen(PSA)tests were conducted.Prostate tissues obtained during surgery were subjected to HE staining,immunofluorescence/Western blot to detect the expression of NLRP3,P2X7R,Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,IL-1 β,and TNF-α,and immunofluorescence to assess lymphocyte infiltra-tion.SPSS 26.0 software was used to analyze correlations between the expression levels of NLRP3 and P2X7R in prostate tissues and indicators including Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,IL-1 β,TNF-α,lymphocyte count,IPSS score,urinary flow rate,EPS,and PSA.Results In BPH tissues,the expression levels of NLRP3 and P2X7R were positively correlated(P＜0.05).The ex-pression levels of NLRP3 and P2X7R were positively correlated with Caspase-1,Cleaved-Caspase-1,IL-1 β,TNF-α,and lym-phocyte count(P＜0.05).NLRP3 and P2X7R expression levels were positively correlated with white blood cell count in EPS,but showed no correlation with IPSS score,lecithin body count in EPS,maximum urinary flow rate and PSA(P＜0.05).Conclusion P2X7R and NLRP3 in prostate tissues exacerbate local inflammatory responses,which may be an important mecha-nism in BPH development.However,they are not correlated with IPSS score,lecithin body count in EPS,maximum urinary flow rate and PSA.

Objective To investigate the application value of glucose time in range(TIR)combined with systemic immune-inflam-mation index(SII)in diagnosing the occurrence of carotid atherosclerosis(CAS)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods Using a retrospective study method,a total of 247 patients with T2DM were admitted to the Wan Bei General Hospital of Wan-bei Coal Power Group of Bengbu Medical University from August 2022 to April 2024,which were selected and divided into non-CAS group(n=106)and CAS group(n=141)according to the results of carotid ultrasound;the general data of all patients,biochemical and blood routine indexes,and continuous glucose monitoring(CGM)parameters were retrospectively collected and statistically analyzed;the differences in the indexes between the two groups were compared,and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the inde-pendent risk factors for CAS in T2DM patients,and the value of TIR,SII and their combination in diagnosing CAS in T2DM patients were evaluated by drawing the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results Compared with the patients in the non-CAS group,the TIR level was significantly lower and the SII level was significantly higher in the CAS group,and the differences were statistically sig-nificant(P＜0.001);The multivariate Logistic regression analysis results showed that age,systolic blood pressure,TIR and SII were the independent risk factors for the occurrence of CAS in T2DM patients(OR were 1.120,1.029,-0.962,1.003,P＜0.01).ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of TIR was 0.697,with an optimal cut-off value of 82.6％;The AUC of SII was 0.672,with an optimal cut-off value of 384.147;The AUC of the combined detection was 0.740,which was superior to that of single detection(P＜0.01).Conclusion TIR and SII were significantly correlated with the thickening of the carotid artery intima-media thickness in patients with T2DM,the decreased TIR and elevated SII are independent risk factors for the complication of CAS in patients with T2DM,and the combined diagnosis of the two can improve the predictive value of the occurrence of CAS in patients with T2DM.

An essential step for cancer vaccination is to break the immunosuppression and elicit a tumor-specific immunity. A major hurdle against cancer therapeutic vaccination is the insufficient immune stimulation of the cancer vaccines and lack of a safe and efficient adjuvant for human use. We discovered a novel cancer immunostimulant, trichosanthin (TCS), that is a clinically used protein drug in China, and developed a well-adaptable protein-engineering method for making recombinant protein vaccines by fusion of an antigenic peptide, TCS, and a cell-penetrating peptide (CPP), termed an "all-in-one" vaccine, for transcutaneous cancer immunization. The TCS adjuvant effect on antigen presentation was investigated and the antitumor immunity of the vaccines was investigated using the different tumor models. The vaccines were prepared

Familial acne inversa (AI) is an autoinflammatory disorder that affects hair follicles and is caused by loss-of-function mutations in γ-secretase component genes. We and other researchers showed that nicastrin (NCSTN) is the most frequently mutated gene in familial AI. In this study, we generated a keratin 5-Cre-driven epidermis-specific Ncstn conditional knockout mutant in mice. We determined that this mutant recapitulated the major phenotypes of AI, including hyperkeratosis of hair follicles and inflammation. In Ncstn;K5-Cre mice, the IL-36a expression level markedly increased starting from postnatal day 0 (P0), and this increase occurred much earlier than those of TNF-α, IL-23A, IL-1β, and TLR4. RNA-Seq analysis indicated that Sprr2d, a member of the small proline-rich protein 2 family, in the skin tissues of the Ncstn;K5-Cre mice was also upregulated on P0. Quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction showed that other Sprr2 genes had a similar expression pattern. Our findings suggested that IL-36a might be a key inflammatory cytokine in the pathophysiology of AI and involved in the malfunction of the skin barrier in the pathogenesis of AI.

Objective:To evaluate the optimized effect of infiltration between the popliteal artery and the capsule of the knee (IPACK)-adductor canal block (ACB) combined with general anesthesia when used for the total knee arthroplasty.Methods:Sixty patients of both sexes, aged 18-64 yr, with body mass index of 18-24 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status Ⅰ or Ⅱ, scheduled for elective unilateral total knee arthroplasty, were divided into 2 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: IPACK-ACB combined with general anesthesia group (group IA) and conventional anesthesia femoral nerve block-popliteal superior sciatic nerve block combined with general anesthesia group (group C). Before induction of general anaesthesia, 0.375% ropivacaine 15 ml was injected for IPACK and 0.375% ropivacaine 25 ml for ACB under the ultrasound guidance in group IA, femoral nerve block and popliteal superior sciatic nerve block was performed under the guidance of ultrasound combined with a nerve stimulator and 0.375% ropivacaine 20 ml was injected in group C. After confirming the efficacy of nerve block, total intravenous anesthesia was carried out to maintain bispectral index values at 40-60.Patient-controlled intravenous analgesia was performed with sufentanil after operation, and the visual analog scale score was maintained ≤ 3.The quadriceps muscle strength score was recorded when discharge from postanesthesia care unit and at 24, 48 and 72 h after surgery.The first postoperative off-bed time and development of foot drop in awake patients after surgery, requirement for rescue analgesia and adverse reactions were recorded.The postoperative length of hospital stay and score for patients′ satisfaction with postoperative recovery were also recorded. Results:Compared with group C, the postoperative quadriceps muscle strength scores and score for patients′ satisfaction with postoperative recovery were significantly increased, the incidence of postoperative foot drop was decreased, and the length of hospital stay and first postoperative off-bed time were shortened in group IA ( P<0.05). Conclusion:IPACK-ACB combined with general anesthesia may be an optimized strategy which is helpful for outcomes after total knee arthroplasty.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the genetic cause of a family with autosomal recessive neuronal ceroid lipofuscinoses (NCL). METHODS: The proband was screened for mutations within the coding region of the candidate genes through high-throughput targeted sequencing. Potential causative mutations were verified by PCR and Sanger sequencing in the proband and his parents. RT-PCR and TA clone sequencing were performed to investigate whether the mRNAs were abnormally spliced. RESULTS: The sequencing results revealed compound heterozygous mutations of :c.486+2T>C and c.486+4A>T, which were respectively inherited from his parents. RT-PCR and TA cloning sequencing suggested that the mRNAs were abnormally spliced in two forms due to both mutations. CONCLUSIONS The compound heterozygous mutations of :c.486+2T>C and c.486+4A>T are possibly the genetic causes of the NCL family. Detection of the novel mutation has extended mutation spectrum of .
Alternative Splicing ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Neuronal Ceroid-Lipofuscinoses ; genetics