Objective To evaluate the prognostic value of monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR(mHLA-DR),neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),and CD4+T lymphocytes in sepsis.Methods A total of 29 patients with sepsis who were admitted to the department of critical care medicine of Qingdao Municipal Hospital from December 2023 to September 2024 were collected as the study subjects,and the patients were divided into survival group(20 cases)and death group(9 cases)according to the 28-day prognosis.Baseline data were collected from patients at the time of admission[including gender,age,acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ)score,sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA),white blood cell count(WBC),NLR,hemoglobin(Hb),platelet count(PLT),C-reactive protein(CRP),total protein(TP),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),creatinine(Cr),CD4+T lymphocyte count]and the mHLA-DR expression rate on the 1st,3rd,and 7th days of admission,and the difference between the mHLA-DR expression rate on the 3rd,7th and 1st days of admission and the 1st day of admission was calculated,which was recorded as ΔH3 and ΔH7.The receiver operator characteristic curve(ROC curve)was used to evaluate the predictive value of mHLA-DR expression,NLR,CD4+T lymphocyte count,SOFA score and APACHEⅡscore on the 28-day mortality risk of sepsis.Results Compared with the survival group,the APACHEⅡscore,SOFA score and NLR in the death group were significantly increased,and the ΔH7 and CD4+T lymphocyte counts were significantly decreased(all P<0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that ΔH7,NLR,CD4+T lymphocyte count,SOFA score and APACHEⅡscore were predictive of the 28-day prognosis of sepsis patients,and area under the curve(AUC)and 95%confidence interval(95%CI)were 0.817(0.635-0.999),0.789(0.611-0.966),0.786(0.588-0.985),and 0.853(0.685-1.000),0.844(0.659-1.000),all P<0.05.The combined detection of ΔH7 combined with NLR,ΔH7 combined with CD4+T lymphocytes,NLR combined with CD4+T lymphocytes,and ΔH7,NLR,and CD4+T lymphocytes also had predictive value for the 28-day prognosis of sepsis patients,with AUC and 95%CI of 0.867(0.735-0.998),0.878(0.752-1.000),0.883(0.760-1.000),and 0.928(0.837-1.000),respectively,all P<0.05.Conclusion The NLR and CD4+T lymphocyte count on the first day of admission to the hospital could predict the prognosis of sepsis patients,and the dynamic monitoring of mHLA-DR expression level in sepsis patients could also predict the prognosis of sepsis patients,but a single measurement of mHLA-DR expression level within 7 days was meaningless.In terms of single indicators,ΔH7 had the best predictor of the prognosis of sepsis patients among the 3 indicators of ΔH7,NLR and CD4+T lymphocyte count,and the combined detection of the 3 indicators was more advantageous in the prognosis of sepsis patients.

This study was aimed at investigating the effectiveness of various host nucleic acid removal and non-specific amplifica-tion techniques in animal tissue samples,to increase the accuracy of pathogen identification in tissue samples.Simulated samples were prepared with a mixture of mouse lung tissue homogenates and Klebsiella pneumoniae fluids,and processed with six host nucleic acid removal kits and three non-specific amplification techniques.The effectiveness of each method in removing host DNA and enriching nucleic acids of pathogenic microorganisms was evaluated through real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and high-throughput se-quencing.For host nucleic acid removal techniques,the method of selective cleavage and quantitative degradation of host DNA(Com-plete5 kit)effectively decreased the host nucleic acid content in tissue samples and increased the relative abundance of pathogen nucleic acids.In contrast,the magnetic bead method for host DNA removal(Next microbiome DNA enrichment Kit kit)was less effec-tive.At lower pathogen concentrations(77 CFU/mL),the Vazyme kit was more effective than the other kits in removing host nucleic acids.Non-specific amplification techniques(MALBAC whole genome amplification,MDA isothermal amplification,and random primer amplification)were not applicable to tissue samples and were not effective in increasing the relative abundance of pathogen nucleic acids.Selective lysis and quantitative degradation of host DNA were suitable for processing tissue samples with high host back-ground and low pathogenic microorganism levels,whereas non-specific amplification methods were not applicable to tissue samples for pre-processing of macro-genome high-throughput sequencing.

Objective This study sought to establish a diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome(IBS-D)mouse model by gavage different mass concentrations sennae folium combined with chronic restraint stress,and to determine the appropriate mass concentration of sennae folium to establish IBS-D mouse model.Methods The mass concentration of sennae folium used for the IBS-D mouse model followed suggested amounts in the literature and on that basis,the mass concentration gradient was established prior to conducting the experiment.Female C57BL/6 mice were divided into a normal group(Group N),a low-dose group(Group L;0.25 g/mL sennae solution),a medium-dose group(Group M;0.50 g/mL sennae solution),and a high-dose group(Group H;1.0 g/mL sennae solution),with 10 mice per group.After 14 days,the defecation,diarrhea index,visceral sensitivity,and morphological changes in the colonic tissue in each group were observed and recorded to compare the differences among models established with varying mass concentrations of sennae folium.Results Compared with Group N(42.90±11.90)%,Group L(80.30±5.77)%,Group M(80.50±3.44)%,and Group H(81.90±2.68)%had significantly higher 6 h fecal water content(P＜0.01).Compared with Group N(0.00±0.00),the diarrhea index of mice in Group L(0.57±0.16),Group M(0.62±0.23),and Group H(0.60,0.23)also increased significantly(P＜0.01).Compared with Group N(0.65(0.60,0.65)),Group M(0.32(0.24,0.39))and Group H(0.34(0.27,0.47))had significantly lower visceral pain threshold and higher visceral sensitivity(P＜0.01).Additionally,the first blue stool time in Group M(98.15(93.41,100.44)min)was significantly shorter than that in Group N(186.81(109.28,192.05)min)(P＜0.01),and the total number of stools in Group M(22.4±3.73)was significantly higher than that in Group N(17.90±4.48)(P＜0.05).Conclusions Compared with 0.25 and 1.0 g/mL,0.50 g/mL sennae folium gavage,combined with chronic restraint stress,can better simulate the clinical symptoms of IBS-D.

Objective To detect the expression of lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA),FoxP3,and CD4 in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and to analyze the effect of bufalin on LDHA as well as on the differentiation and function of regulatory T(Treg)cells in the tumor microenvironment of HCC mice.Methods Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the difference in the expression of LDHA,FoxP3(Treg cell marker),and CD4 between the tumor and adjacent tissues from 91 HCC patients.Hepl-6 subcutaneous tumor-bearing mouse model was established.The mice were randomly divided into control,bufalin+pyruvic acid,oxalate,and bufalin groups(n=5 each group).The mass and volume of subcutaneous tumors were compared.Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of LDHA,FoxP3,and CD4 in tumors of mice in each group.ELISA was used to detect the levels of transforming growth factor β(TGF-β)and interleukin-10(IL-10)in the serum of mice in each group to evaluate the immune function of Treg cells.Results Compared with adjacent tissues,HCC tissues exhibited significantly higher LDHA and FoxP3 expression and lower CD4 expression(P＜0.001).The results of the correlation analysis showed that LDHA was positively correlated with FoxP3 expression and negatively correlated with CD4 expression(P＜0.05).The experimental results of Hep1-6 subcutaneous tumor-bearing mice showed that the tumor volume was significantly smaller in the bufalin and oxalate groups than in the control group and was significantly larger in the bufalin+pyruvic acid group than in the bufalin group(P＜0.001).The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression levels of LDHA and the percentage of FoxP3+cells in the bufalin and oxalate groups were significantly lower than those in the control group,and the percentage of CD4+cells in the bufalin group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.001).The expres-sion level of LDHA and the percentage of FoxP3+cells in the bufalin+pyruvic acid group were significantly higher than those in the bufalin group,while the percentage of CD4+cells was significantly lower than that in the bufalin group(P＜0.001).The results of ELISA showed that the levels of TGF-β and IL-10 in the bufalin and oxalate groups were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.001).Conclusion Bufalin inhibits cell growth,downregulates LDHA expression,and suppresses the differentiation and proliferation of Treg cells in HCC mice.

Objective To detect the expression of lactate dehydrogenase A(LDHA),FoxP3,and CD4 in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and to analyze the effect of bufalin on LDHA as well as on the differentiation and function of regulatory T(Treg)cells in the tumor microenvironment of HCC mice.Methods Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the difference in the expression of LDHA,FoxP3(Treg cell marker),and CD4 between the tumor and adjacent tissues from 91 HCC patients.Hepl-6 subcutaneous tumor-bearing mouse model was established.The mice were randomly divided into control,bufalin+pyruvic acid,oxalate,and bufalin groups(n=5 each group).The mass and volume of subcutaneous tumors were compared.Immunohistochemical staining was performed to detect the expression of LDHA,FoxP3,and CD4 in tumors of mice in each group.ELISA was used to detect the levels of transforming growth factor β(TGF-β)and interleukin-10(IL-10)in the serum of mice in each group to evaluate the immune function of Treg cells.Results Compared with adjacent tissues,HCC tissues exhibited significantly higher LDHA and FoxP3 expression and lower CD4 expression(P＜0.001).The results of the correlation analysis showed that LDHA was positively correlated with FoxP3 expression and negatively correlated with CD4 expression(P＜0.05).The experimental results of Hep1-6 subcutaneous tumor-bearing mice showed that the tumor volume was significantly smaller in the bufalin and oxalate groups than in the control group and was significantly larger in the bufalin+pyruvic acid group than in the bufalin group(P＜0.001).The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that the expression levels of LDHA and the percentage of FoxP3+cells in the bufalin and oxalate groups were significantly lower than those in the control group,and the percentage of CD4+cells in the bufalin group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.001).The expres-sion level of LDHA and the percentage of FoxP3+cells in the bufalin+pyruvic acid group were significantly higher than those in the bufalin group,while the percentage of CD4+cells was significantly lower than that in the bufalin group(P＜0.001).The results of ELISA showed that the levels of TGF-β and IL-10 in the bufalin and oxalate groups were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.001).Conclusion Bufalin inhibits cell growth,downregulates LDHA expression,and suppresses the differentiation and proliferation of Treg cells in HCC mice.

Objective:To identify the change trajectory of intrinsic capacity in people aged ≥50 years in Shanghai and explore the impact of intrinsic capacity trajectory change on overall function and dalily life activities in this population.Methods:The longitudinal data from round 1 to 3 Study of Global Ageing and Adult Health in Shanghai were used. The total intrinsic ability scores from five dimensions of cognition, psychology, sensory, vitality and locomotion were calculated. The censored normal model of group-based trajectory was used to identify the trajectory of intrinsic capacity change over time. Linear regression model and multivariate logistic regression model were used to analyse the effects of different levels intrinsic capacity trajectory on the scores of the WHO Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS), the activity of daily living (ADL) and the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL).Results:A total of 2 302 study participants aged ≥50 years with 3 round complete data were included in this study, and 3 levels of intrinsic capacity trajectory were identified, low-level trajectory (9.3%), medium-level trajectory (41.7%), and high-level trajectory (49.0%). Compared with the high-level group, the medium-level and low-level groups had higher WHODAS scores, which increased by 3.578 (95% CI: 2.028-5.129) and 12.620 (95% CI: 9.951-15.289), respectively, and those with more severe disability and those in the low-level group were at higher risk for severe difficulty in ADLs ( OR=12.450, 95% CI: 4.310-35.966) and IADLs ( OR=5.479, 95% CI: 1.311-22.904). Conclusions:Heterogeneity in trajectory of intrinsic capacity exists in people aged ≥50 years in Shanghai. Middle-aged and elderly people with low initial level and rapid decline trajectory of intrinsic capacity are at greater risk for the decline of daily life ability and the increase of disability. It is necessary to strengthen the long-term dynamic monitoring and evaluation of the change trajectory of intrinsic capacity in this population.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, diagnosis, and prognosis of renal solitary fibrous tumor (SFT).Methods:Five cases of renal SFT with unequivocal diagnoses at the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University between January 2011 and July 2025 were subject to analyses of their clinical, morphological, immunophenotypic, and molecular characteristics, accompanied by a literature review.Results:Two males and three females aged between 45 and 62 years were included, all of whom presented with the discovery of a renal mass during routine physical examinations. Gross examination showed that the five tumors were all confined in the kidney. The tumors were nodular with maximum diameters ranging from 2.5 cm to 11.0 cm (mean, 5.8 cm). Upon cross-sectioning, they exhibited gray-white or gray-yellow cut surface. Histologically, the tumor cells exhibited oval or short spindle shapes in four cases, presenting with varying densities and arranged in short bundles, woven patterns, and irregular formation. Various amounts of coarse collagen and scattered staghorn blood-vessels were found in the stroma. In one case (case 5), the tumor cells were long spindle-shaped, densely organized in bundles, and interwoven, exhibiting inconspicuous boundaries, moderate nuclear atypia, and at least 4 mitotic figures per 10 high-power fields. Irregular patchy collagen deposition was particularly prominent at the edges of the tumor tissue. In two cases (cases 3 and 5), scattered and various amounts of renal tubules were observed in the tumor. Two cases (cases 4 and 5) demonstrated focal invasion of the renal parenchyma, although no necrosis was noted. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the tumor cells were diffusely and strongly positive for vimentin and STAT6 in all 5 cases, and positive for CD34. Bcl-2 positivity was present in 4 of the 5 cases. All cases were negative for CKpan, EMA, PAX8, HMB45, Melan A, SMA, and S-100 protein. The p53 status was wild type, and the Ki-67 index ranged from 1% to 8%. Next-generation sequencing was conducted on one case (case 4), revealing the NAB2 (exon 3)::STAT6 (exon 18) gene fusion. The 5 patients were followed up for 1 to 158 months (mean, 56 months), and all were alive with no recurrence or metastasis.Conclusions:SFT of the kidney are rare and morphologically similar to extrarenal SFT. Key morphological features include short spindle-shaped tumor cells arranged in bundles, interwoven patterns or irregularly, accompanied by staghorn blood-vessels and scattered coarse hyaline collagen fibers. SFT with epithelial inclusions may represent a relatively common histological subtype in the kidney. Immunohistochemical staining that demonstrates diffuse and strong positivity for STAT6 and CD34 is instrumental in diagnosing this tumor. The pathogenesis is linked to the centromeric inversion of chromosome 12q, resulting in the fusion of the NAB2 and STAT6 genes. Most of these tumors exhibit favorable prognosis.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and diagnosis of high-grade succinate dehydrogenase-deficient renal cell carcinoma (SDH-RCC).Methods:Three cases of high-grade SDH-RCC diagnosed by immunohistochemical staining and/or molecular testing were collected from Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University and 971 Hospital of Navy of Chinese People′s Liberation Army from January 2015 to December 2023. The clinicopathological characteristics and immunohistochemical features were summarized using light microscopy. Two cases were tested for gene mutations by next-generation sequencing.Results:Of the 3 cases, 2 were male and 1 was female. The ages were 49, 61, and 53 years, respectively. Gross examination revealed that all tumors were single nodules with diameters of 7.0, 4.5, and 5.2 cm, respectively, grayish white in color with irregular borders. Cases 1 and 2 exhibited solid cut sections, whereas case 3 had cystic and solid cut sections. Microscopically, all cases had high WHO/ISUP nuclear grade (3 or 4) and overt invasion. Case 1 exhibited a solid, sheet-like growth pattern with numerous scattered glandular ducts or acinar structures. Case 2 displayed a diffusely growth pattern reminiscent of sarcoma. Case 3 demonstrated intracystic papillary and nodular infiltrative growth patterns. Large clear cytoplasmic vacuoles could be observed in the focal areas of case 1 and case 3. Prominent peritumoral lymphocytes in stroma were noted in case 1. Case 1 was diagnosed with regional lymph node metastasis, and case 2 was diagnosed with renal vein thrombosis. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that SDHB and SDHA were deficiently expressed in 3 cases, while PAX8, FH, and INI-1 exhibited diffuse expression. CD10 (1/3), CA9 (1/3), and CK20 (1/3) were occasionally expressed. The Ki-67 proliferation index ranged from 10% to 50%. Two cases underwent next-generation sequencing and were both found to harbor pathogenic mutations in SDHA (case 2 had a frameshift mutation, and case 3 had a splice site mutation). All 3 cases were followed up for 11 to 112 months. Case 2 died 11 months post-operation, while case 1 and case 3 survived for 19 and 112 months, respectively, without any recurrence or metastasis.Conclusions:High-grade SDH-RCC is a rare subtype of SDH-RCC. The tumor exhibits various architectural patterns and is often misdiagnosed as other types of renal cell carcinoma. The presence of cytoplasmic vacuoles may be indicative for diagnosis. Compared to typical SDH-RCC, the high-grade subtype generally shows a larger tumor size, higher TNM stage, greater invasive potential, and poorer prognosis. For high-grade SDH-RCC, routine SDHB immunohistochemical staining may be necessary. The occurrence of high-grade SDH-RCC may be associated with mutations in SDHA.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and diagnosis of high-grade succinate dehydrogenase-deficient renal cell carcinoma (SDH-RCC).Methods:Three cases of high-grade SDH-RCC diagnosed by immunohistochemical staining and/or molecular testing were collected from Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University and 971 Hospital of Navy of Chinese People′s Liberation Army from January 2015 to December 2023. The clinicopathological characteristics and immunohistochemical features were summarized using light microscopy. Two cases were tested for gene mutations by next-generation sequencing.Results:Of the 3 cases, 2 were male and 1 was female. The ages were 49, 61, and 53 years, respectively. Gross examination revealed that all tumors were single nodules with diameters of 7.0, 4.5, and 5.2 cm, respectively, grayish white in color with irregular borders. Cases 1 and 2 exhibited solid cut sections, whereas case 3 had cystic and solid cut sections. Microscopically, all cases had high WHO/ISUP nuclear grade (3 or 4) and overt invasion. Case 1 exhibited a solid, sheet-like growth pattern with numerous scattered glandular ducts or acinar structures. Case 2 displayed a diffusely growth pattern reminiscent of sarcoma. Case 3 demonstrated intracystic papillary and nodular infiltrative growth patterns. Large clear cytoplasmic vacuoles could be observed in the focal areas of case 1 and case 3. Prominent peritumoral lymphocytes in stroma were noted in case 1. Case 1 was diagnosed with regional lymph node metastasis, and case 2 was diagnosed with renal vein thrombosis. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that SDHB and SDHA were deficiently expressed in 3 cases, while PAX8, FH, and INI-1 exhibited diffuse expression. CD10 (1/3), CA9 (1/3), and CK20 (1/3) were occasionally expressed. The Ki-67 proliferation index ranged from 10% to 50%. Two cases underwent next-generation sequencing and were both found to harbor pathogenic mutations in SDHA (case 2 had a frameshift mutation, and case 3 had a splice site mutation). All 3 cases were followed up for 11 to 112 months. Case 2 died 11 months post-operation, while case 1 and case 3 survived for 19 and 112 months, respectively, without any recurrence or metastasis.Conclusions:High-grade SDH-RCC is a rare subtype of SDH-RCC. The tumor exhibits various architectural patterns and is often misdiagnosed as other types of renal cell carcinoma. The presence of cytoplasmic vacuoles may be indicative for diagnosis. Compared to typical SDH-RCC, the high-grade subtype generally shows a larger tumor size, higher TNM stage, greater invasive potential, and poorer prognosis. For high-grade SDH-RCC, routine SDHB immunohistochemical staining may be necessary. The occurrence of high-grade SDH-RCC may be associated with mutations in SDHA.

N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A) modification plays a critical role in cell cycle regulation, while the mechanism of m⁶A in regulating mitosis remains underexplored. Here, we found that the total m⁶A modification level in cells increased during mitosis by the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry and m⁶A dot blot assays. Silencing methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3) or METTL14 results in delayed mitosis, abnormal spindle assembly, and chromosome segregation defects by the immunofluorescence. By analyzing transcriptome-wide m⁶A targets in HeLa cells, we identified polo-like kinase 1 (PLK1) as a key gene modified by m⁶A in regulating mitosis. Specifically, through immunoblotting and RNA pulldown, m⁶A modification inhibits PLK1 translation via YTH N⁶-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 1, thus mediating cell cycle homeostasis. Demethylation of PLK1 mRNA leads to significant mitotic abnormalities. These findings highlight the critical role of m⁶A in regulating mitosis and the potential of m⁶A as a therapeutic target in proliferative diseases such as cancer.
Humans ; Polo-Like Kinase 1 ; Cell Cycle Proteins/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins/metabolism* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Mitosis/physiology* ; HeLa Cells ; Adenosine/genetics* ; Methyltransferases/metabolism* ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism*