Intestinal fibrosis is a major complication of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), leading to a high incidence of surgical interventions and significant disability. Despite its clinical relevance, no targeted pharmacological therapies are currently available. This review aims to explore the underlying mechanisms driving intestinal fibrosis and address unresolved scientific questions, offering insights into potential future therapeutic strategies. We conducted a literature review using data from PubMed up to October 2024, focusing on studies related to IBD and fibrosis. Intestinal fibrosis results from a complex network involving stromal cells, immune cells, epithelial cells, and the gut microbiota. Chronic inflammation, driven by factors such as dysbiosis, epithelial injury, and immune activation, leads to the production of cytokines like interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-17, and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β. These mediators activate various stromal cell populations, including fibroblasts, pericytes, and smooth muscle cells. The activated stromal cells secrete excessive extracellular matrix components, thereby promoting fibrosis. Additionally, stromal cells influence the immune microenvironment through cytokine production. Future research would focus on elucidating the temporal and spatial relationships between immune cell-driven inflammation and stromal cell-mediated fibrosis. Additionally, investigations are needed to clarify the differentiation origins of excessive extracellular matrix-producing cells, particularly fibroblast activation protein (FAP) + fibroblasts, in the context of intestinal fibrosis. In conclusion, aberrant stromal cell activation, triggered by upstream immune signals, is a key mechanism underlying intestinal fibrosis. Further investigations into immune-stromal cell interactions and stromal cell activation are essential for the development of therapeutic strategies to prevent, alleviate, and potentially reverse fibrosis.
Humans ; Fibrosis/metabolism* ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/pathology* ; Animals ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism* ; Intestines/pathology*

OBJECTIVE To investigate the variations in taste， aroma and volatile organic compounds of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma decoction pieces derived from different sources， and to identify their origins. METHODS The flavor， odor and volatile organic compounds of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma decoction pieces from different sources were compared and analyzed by using electronic tongue， electronic nose， and gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry （GC-IMS）. Principal component analysis （PCA）， partial least squares-discriminant analysis （PLS-DA）， orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis （OPLS-DA） and Fisher discriminant analysis were employed to identify the origins of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma decoction pieces and establish the basis discrimination criteria. RESULTS The differences in taste of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma decoction pieces from 3 origins were primarily characterized by bitterness， astringency， and bitter-astringent aftertaste. In terms of smell， variations were mainly observed in inorganic sulfides， organic sulfides containing aromatic components， methane and other short-chain alkanes， alcohols， ethers， aldehydes and ketones， as well as nitrogen oxides. Differentially volatile organic compounds mainly consisted of alcohols， aldehydes and ketones. Furthermore， the samples from 8 batches could be effectively classified into 3 categories.Three types of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma decoction pieces can be effectivily identified based on the peak intensity ratio between volatile substances. For example， when the peak intensity of 2-acetylfuran was 3-19 times that of isobutyric acid [dimer]， it was considered as Rheum officinale Baill. CONCLUSIONS The discriminant models established in this study， along with the criteria for determining the origins based on the peak intensity ofcharacteristic volatile compounds， can be utilized for the identification of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma decoction pieces.

Objective:To analyze the bubble dynamic characteristics of shock wave enhanced emission photoacoustic streaming(SWEEPS)technique in free water region under different temporay delays.Methods:The Er∶YAG laser tip was activated in free water model with SWEEPS mode at 150-600 μs pulse delay.The bubble dynamic process during irrigation was recorded by a high-speed camera(200 000 Hz).Matlab was used to analyze the interaction between bubble made by the dual pulses frame by frame.The distance between bubble remnants and laser tip was measured before the bubble disappeared.The experimental data were statisti-cally analyzed by SPSS 19.0.Results:In free water region,different temporal delays caused different interaction between the bub-bles activated by the SWEEPS technique with a dual pulse modality.The interactions include bubble fusion,bubble collision and bubble separation.When the temporal delay between 360-440 μs,bubble collision was the most violent,and the farthest distance between bubble remnants and laser tip was reached.Conclusion:In free water region,the dual pulse of SWEEPS technique can lead to bubble interaction which may enhance the cavitation effect of Er∶YAG laser irrigation,and improve the debridement in clinic ap-plication.

To explore the application value of endoscopic ultrasound fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA) and endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) in the diagnosis and treatment ofpatients with pancreatic cancer combined with obstructive jaundice.

Clinical data of patients hospitalized in the Department of Gastroenterology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital who underwent ERCP biliary stent drainage for pancreatic cancer combined with obstructive jaundice from January 1, 2023 to February 26, 2024 were retrospectively collected. They were categorized into the fusion technology group and the simple ERCP group according to whether EUS-FNA was performed in the same endoscopic unit. The differences in pathologic diagnosis rate, ERCP drainage success rate, postoperative complication rate and patients' single hospitalization time were compared between the two groups.

A total of 161 patients with pancreatic cancer combined with obstructive jaundice who underwent ERCP biliary stent drainage meeting the inclusion and exclusion criteria were enrolled, of which 80 were in the fusion technique group and 81 were in the simple ERCP group. The pathological diagnosis rate in the fusion technique group was higher than that in the simple ERCP group[92.50%(74/80) vs. 46.15%(12/26), P < 0.001], and the ERCP drainage success rate[82.50%(66/80) vs. 86.42%(70/81), P=0.360], the overall postoperative complication rate[5.00%(4/80) vs. 2.47%(2/81), P=0.443], and single hospitalization time[4 (4, 7)d vs. 5 (3, 9)d, P=0.397] were not statistically different from simple ERCP groups.

The fusion of EUS-FNA and ERCP enhances the efficiency of diagnosis and treatment for pancreatic carcinoma, warranting widespread adoption and further research.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the most common form of kidney cancer, is characteristic by difficult in diagnosis at an early stage, insensitivity to chemoradiotherapy, poor prognosis, etc.. Localized RCC is treated by surgery while advanced RCC is mainly treated by immunotherapy and targeted therapy. With the ongoing in-depth researches on targeted therapy in recent years, plenty of targeted drugs come into the market in succession. Cabozantinib has been approved for the treatment of advanced RCC in the first/second line setting. It′s safety profile and efficiency have been demonstrated in Ⅱ-Ⅲ clinical trials.

Objective: To compare the effects of different hemolytic diseases on the level of glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA_1c) to further explore the relationship between HbA_1c and laboratory indexes to disclose implications of HbA_1c in hemolytic diseases. Methods: The distribution of 192 decreased HbA_1c cases in 4 categories of hemolytic diseases was analyzed. Laboratory indexes related to hemolysis were tested and analyzed in each kind of disease, and relationship between laboratory indexes and HbA₁c was statistically explored. Results: Diagnoses of decreased HbA_1c cases mainly included erythrocyte membranopathies (88 cases), immunohemolytic anemia (72 cases), hemoglobinopathy (4 cases) and erythrocyte enzymopathy (5 cases). The distribution of HbA₂ and normal HbF subjects in immunohemolytic anemia and hemoglobinopathy was significantly different from those of HbA₂ and / or abnormal HbF subjects (41.7% vs 22.0%, χ²=5.574, P=0.018; 0.7% vs 7.3%, P=0.031). Compared with non-hemolytic disease patients, those who suffered from 4 categories of hemolytic diseases showed lower HbA_1c level and higher reticulocyte percentage (Ret), indirect bilirubin (IBIL) and free hemoglobin (F-Hb). Different levels of Ret, reticulocyte hemoglobin content (Ret-He), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), IBIL and F-Hb among the 4 kinds of diseases were observed, but the causes of the differences were not the same. HbA_1c was negatively correlated with other laboratory indexes in erythrocyte membranopathies and immunohemolytic anemia. Conclusions Hemolytic disease resulted in false lower HbA_1c, but impact of difference on HbA1c between different diseases was not significant. HbA_1c was closely connected to laboratory indexes related to hemolysis, which might have potential implications for hemolytic diseases such as erythrocyte membranopathies and immunohemolytic anemia.

Xingnaojing injection has been widely used in the treatment of cerebral vascular diseases, through the following mechanisms: improving the blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability, anti-oxidant free radical damage, inhibition of excitatory amino acids (EAA) toxicity and calcium overload, inhibition of apoptosis, reducing cerebral edema and inhibition of autophagy. Thus, the paper summarized its progress.

Objective To observe the effects of Fuzheng Huayu Capsule on the expressions of the main roles, Rock1 and Rock2, in RhoA/Rock signal transduction pathway in rats with myocardial infarction (MI);To explore the possible mechanism of Fuzheng Huayu Capsule to improve ventricular remodeling in myocardial fibrosis. Methods The MI model was induced by ligation of the left coronary artery. Rats with MI were randomly divided into the model group, Fuzheng Huayu group and Fasudil hydrochloride group. A sham-operation group threading without ligation was setting as a control group, with eight rats in each group. The rats were treated with corresponding medicine for 4 weeks from the second day after modeling. The expression of Rock1, Rock2 and its mRNA were detected by immunohistochemical and real-time PCR method. Results The protein expression of Rock1 and Rock2 in model group were significantly higher than those in the sham-operation group (P<0.05). The protein expression of Rock1 and Rock2 in the Fuzheng Huayu group and Fasudil hydrochloride group were lower than those in the model group. The mRNA expression of Rock2 was significantly higher in the model group than that in the sham-operation group (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of Rock1 in the Fasudil hydrochloride group was lower than that in the model group (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of Rock2 in the Fuzheng Huayu group and Fasudil hydrochloride group was lower than that in the model group (P<0.05). Conclusion Fuzheng Huayu Capsule can decrease the expression of Rock1, Rock2 and Rock2 in the marginal zone of myocardial infarction in rats with MI. The anti ventricular remodeling mechanism of Fuzheng Huayu Capsule maybe related with this.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the sensitivity and specificity of eosin-5'-maleimide (EMA)assay for the diagnosis of hereditary spherocytosis (HS), and to verify the stability of reagent and samples.

METHODSEMA flow cytometry test, NaCl-osmotic fragility test and acidified glycerol lysis test were performed using peripheral blood samples from 80 patients with HS and 44 patients with other blood diseases, the sensitivity and specificity of the three methods were compared, and the feasibility of EMA binding test was estimated. The stability of EMA reagent and HS samples stored at different temperatures were tested.

RESULTSAmong the 124 tested samples, the sensitivity and specificity of EMA binding test was 0.925 and 0.954, that of NaCl-osmotic fragility test was 0.950 and 0.455, and that of acidified glycerol lysis test was 1.000 and 0.318, respectively. Although the sensitivity of NaCl-osmotic fragility test and acidified glycerol lysis test was a little higher than that of EMA binding test, the specificity of the former two methods was poor, they couldn't clearly distinguish whether spherocytosis is hereditary spherocytosis. The experiment results showed that EMA was sensitive to the temperature and should not be stored in a small aliquots at -80 ℃ over a period of 6 months. The stability of the HS sample was better, 6 days storage at 4 ℃ and 3 days storage at room temperature had no influence on the results.

CONCLUSIONEMA binding test by flow cytometry showed good sensitivity and specificity for HS diagnosis. EMA reagent should be stored at-80 ℃ and the HS samples should be tested within 6 days storage at 4 ℃ and 3 days at room temperature.

Ankyrins ; blood ; deficiency ; Eosine Yellowish-(YS) ; analogs & derivatives ; Flow Cytometry ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spherocytosis, Hereditary ; blood ; diagnosis

Objective To study the effects of Panax Notoginseng Saponins (PNS) on the damaged expression of ZO-1 of brain microvascular endothelial cells caused by Aβ42.MethodsBrain microvascular endothelial cells were divided into normal control group, model group, PNS low-, medium- and high concentration groups. They were incubated for 24h in 5% CO2 incubator at 37℃ . Then cell vitality was detected by MTT colorimetric method and ZO-1 protein expression was tested by Western blot.Results Stimulation of Aβ42 reduced the activity of microvascular endothelial cells (P<0.01) and suppressed the expression of ZO-1 protein (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the activity of microvascular endothelial cells of PNS groups, especially the high and medium dose groups (P<0.05), and increased the ZO-1 protein expression. Conclusion PNS can partly recover the barrier function of blood brain barrier through inhibiting the decrease of the activity of microvascular endothelial cells caused by Aβ42.