Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics, diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, and prognosis of posttransplant lymphoproliferative disease (PTLD) following kidney transplantation.Methods:A retrospective case series analysis was conducted on 7 PTLD patients after kidney transplantation treated in the Department of Transplant Oncology, Tianjin First Central Hospital between January 2018 and December 2023. Clinical features, laboratory findings, imaging and pathological characteristics, treatment modalities, and outcomes were analyzed.Results:Among 7 PTLD patients, there were 5 male and 2 females with a median age of 41 (17-65) years. The median time of onset after operation was 4 (0.5-11) years. Among them, 2 patients had early onset (<1 year post-transplantation) and 5 patients had late onset (>1 year). The clinical manifestations included abdominal mass in 4 cases, anemia in 4 cases, fever in 3 cases, lymphadenopathy in 4 cases, gastrointestinal bleeding in 1 case, abdominal pain in 2 cases, and intestinal obstruction in 2 cases. Pathological types included diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in 4 cases, Burkitt lymphoma in 1 case, marginal zone lymphoma in 1 case, and polymorphic PTLD in 1 case. Reducing the immunosuppressant level was the basal treatment plan, and rituximab, chemotherapy, surgery, radiotherapy and CD19-targeted chimeric antigen receptor therapy were given according to the pathological classification. Until the date of submission, 2 patients had died, 4 had a complete response, and 1 had a partial response. None of the patients had acute rejection, and 1 patient had chronic renal insufficiency.Conclusions:PTLD after kidney transplantation presents with nonspecific manifestations, necessitating prompt imaging and histopathological evaluation for definitive diagnosis. At the same time, a series of measures should be given to improve the prognosis, including discontinuous use of anti-metabolic drugs, dosage decline of calcitric phosphatase inhibitor by 50% or convert it to sirolimus treatment, and corresponding treatment according to the specific conditions of the recipient.

ObjectiveTo analyze the evolutionary characteristics and genetic variations of the HA (hemagglutinin) and NA (neuraminidase) genes of influenza A(H1N1) viruses in Shanghai during 2024, to investigate their transmission patterns, and to evaluate their potential impact on vaccine effectiveness. MethodsFrom January to October 2024, throat swab specimens were collected from influenza like illness (ILI) patients at 4 hospitals in Shanghai. Real-time fluorescence ploymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used for virus detection and isolation of H1N1 influenza viruses. Forty influenza A(H1N1) virus strains were sequenced using Illumina NovaSeq 6000 platform, followed by phylogenetic analyses, genetic distance analysis, and amino acid variation analyses of HA and NA genes. ResultsPhylogenetic tree of the HA and NA genes revealed that the 40 influenza A(H1N1) virus strains circulating in Shanghai in 2024 exhibited no significant geographic clustering, with a broad origin of strains and complex transmission chains. Genetic distance analyses demonstrated that the average intra-group genetic distances of HA and NA genes among the Shanghai strains were 0.005 1±0.000 6 and 0.004 6±0.000 6, respectively, which were comparable to or higher than those observed in global surveillance strains. Both HA and NA genes displayed frequent mutations. Compared to the 2023‒2024 and 2024‒2025 Northern Hemisphere A(H1N1) vaccine strains (WHO-recommended), the HA proteins of 40 Shanghai strains exhibited amino acid substitutions at positions 120, 137, 142, 169, 216, 223, 260, 277, 356 and 451, with critical mutations at positions 137 and 142 located within the Ca2 antigenic determinant. Furthermore, mutations in the NA protein were observed at positions 13, 50, 200, 257, 264, 339 and 382. ConclusionThe genetic background of the 2024 Shanghai influenza A(H1N1) virus strains is complex and diverse, and antigenic variation may affect vaccine effectiveness. Therefore, it is recommended to enhance genomic surveillance of influenza viruses, evaluate vaccine suitability, and implement more targeted prevention and control strategies against imported influenza viruses.

Objective:To investigate the preoperative risk features of skip metastasis in medullary thyroid carcinoma（MTC），and analyze the rule and the causes of missed diagnosis of skip metastasis.Methods:A retrospective study of 208 MTC patients in Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital between January 2013 and January 2023 were enrolled. Based on postoperative pathology，patients were classified into without lateral cervical metastasis group（ n=102），skip metastasis group（ n=21），and non-skip metastasis group（ n=85）. Prognostic outcomes were compared via Kaplan-Meier analysis in the 3 groups. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression identified risk factors for lateral cervical metastasis and skip metastasis.The distribution patterns，clinical and sonographic features of metastatic lymph nodes were analysed. Results:Prognostic differences：The group without lateral cervical metastasis showed the highest biochemical cure rate，followed by the skip subgroupand non-skip subgroup（ P<0.001）. The results of the regression analysis showed male（ OR=2.930，95% CI=1.295-6.628），preoperative calcitonin >317 ng/L（ OR=9.820，95% CI=3.541-27.234），tumor contact with the length/perimeter ≥1/4（ OR=3.275，95% CI=1.353-7.927），a taller-than-wide shape <1（ OR=24.239，95% CI=6.319-92.983），irregular margins（ OR=3.658，95% CI=1.213-11.036），solid composition（ OR=25.639，95% CI=2.295-286.408）and calcifications（ OR=15.429，95% CI=4.090-58.202）were independent risk factors for lateral cervicalasis. Tumor size ≤ 1 cm（ OR=4.735，95% CI=0.067-0.868）and upper pole involvement（ OR=6.879，95% CI=0.069-0.679）were independent risk factors for skip metastasis. The rules of skip metastasis：Skip metastasis group could distribute to levels Ⅱ（ n=9），Ⅲ（ n=13），Ⅳ（ n=14），and Ⅴ（ n=2），the number of metastatic lymph nodes was significantly less than non-skipping group［4（8.0） vs.11（17.5）， P<0.001］. There were no statistically significant differences in size，shape，hilum，calcifications，peripheral vascularity and the number of high suspicious ultrasound features of metastatic lymph node between the two groups（all P>0.05）. Conclusions:The prognosis is best in the without lateral cervical metastasis，followed by skip metastasis，and is worst for non-skip metastasis. A small number of metastatic lymph nodes may be the reason for the missed diagnosis of skip metastasis by ultrasound. Male，calcitonin > 317 ng/L，tumor contact with the length/perimeter ≥ 1/4，a taller-than-wide shape，irregular margins，solid composition and calcifications are independent risk factors for lateral cervicalasis . Tumor size ≤ 1 cm and upper pole involvement should alert to skip metastasis.

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*

Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), one of the most severe types of male infertility, etiology often remains unclear in most cases. Therefore, this study aimed to detect four biallelic detrimental variants (0.5%) in the minichromosome maintenance domain containing 2 ( MCMDC2 ) genes in 768 NOA patients by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) demonstrated that MCMDC2 deleterious variants caused meiotic arrest in three patients (c.1360G>T, c.1956G>T, and c.685C>T) and hypospermatogenesis in one patient (c.94G>T), as further confirmed through immunofluorescence (IF) staining. The single-cell RNA sequencing data indicated that MCMDC2 was substantially expressed during spermatogenesis. The variants were confirmed as deleterious and responsible for patient infertility through bioinformatics and in vitro experimental analyses. The results revealed four MCMDC2 variants related to NOA, which contributes to the current perception of the function of MCMDC2 in male fertility and presents new perspectives on the genetic etiology of NOA.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/genetics* ; Meiosis/genetics* ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Adult ; Exome Sequencing ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics* ; Alleles ; Infertility, Male/genetics*

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nebulized inhalation of recombinant human interferon (IFN) α1b injection in the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) associated lower respiratory tract infections (pneumonia and bronchiolitis) in children.Methods:A randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled add-on design was used.Children with pneumonia or bronchiolitis aged 2 months to 5 years who tested positive for RSV antigen within 72 hours of onset from 30 clinical trial sites including Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University between February 2021 and December 2022 were included in this study and randomly divided into 2 groups at a ratio of 1∶1 based on a stratified-block method.Both groups received basic treatments such as cough control, asthma relieving, expectorant treatment, fever reduction, oxygen therapy, etc.The experimental group received additional nebulized inhalation of IFN α1b injection at a dose of 2.0 μg/(kg·time), twice a day.The control group received nebulized inhalation of placebo twice a day.Clinical efficacy was evaluated based on indicators such as the duration of clinical symptoms and signs, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the median and 95% CI of the duration of clinical symptoms and signs.The Log-rank test was used to compared data between groups.Safety was assessed through the incidence of adverse reactions and laboratory tests, and the Chi-square test was used to analyze the difference between groups. Results:There were 123 children in the experimental group and 122 children in the control group.The median durations of all the 5 clinical symptoms and signs [including shortness of breath, wheezing, dyspnea (visible retractions), decreased transcutaneous oxygen saturation, and abnormal mental state] in the experimental group after treatment were slightly shortened than those in the control group [2.7 d(95% CI: 1.9-3.0 d)] vs.[2.9 d(95% CI: 2.6-3.6 d), P=0.027].The improvement in dyspnea (retractions) was especially pronounced in the experimental group, with a relief rate of 50.0% (0, 100%) on the first day of administration[compared with 0 (0, 50.0%) in the control group ( Z=2.002, P=0.025)].The median duration of dyspnea in the experimental group was nearly 1 day shorter than that in the control group [1.0 d(95% CI: 0.7-1.7 d) vs.1.8 d(95% CI: 1.0-2.5 d), P=0.046].There were no significant difference in hospital stay [6.0(5.0, 8.0) d vs.6.5(5.0, 8.0) d, Z=0.675, P=0.500], oxygen therapy duration [32.0(14.0, 96.3) h vs.39.0 (24.0, 83.2) h, Z=0.094, P=0.925], the recovery rate from clinical symptoms during treatment [(105/106, 99.1%) vs.(96/101, 95.0%)], and recurrence rate [(0/106, 0) vs.(2/101, 2.0%)] between the 2 groups (all P>0.05).However, the above-mentioned four indicators in the experimental group showed a trend of clinical benefits.The quantitative virus detection results showed that the RSV viral load in both groups decreased after treatment compared to before treatment.After 2 days of treatment, the decline rate of RSV viral load from the baseline was 0.90 lg copies/(mL·d) in the experimental group and 0.25 lg copies/(mL·d)in the control group, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05).Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the 2 groups ( P>0.05).Importantly, no drug-related serious adverse reactions occurred in both groups. Conclusions:The nebulized inhalation therapy of IFN α1b demonstrates efficacy and safety in treating pediatric RSV associated lower respiratory tract infections.It particularly offers outstanding clinical therapeutic value for severe children.

Aim To investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of CREB regulated transcription coactivator 2(CRTC2)in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.Methods A pathological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model was established in C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal injection of isoproterenol(ISO),the expression of CRTC2 in cardiac tissue was detec-ted by Western blot.The CRTC2 knockout mice model was constructed,the cardiac function of mice was detected by small animal echocardiography,the collagen fiber content in mice cardiac tissue was detected by Masson staining,the car-diomyocyte hypertrophy related proteins:skeletal muscle α1-actin(ACTA1)and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),as well as ferroptosis related proteins:acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4(ACSL4),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)in mice cardiac tissue were detected by Western blot,the iron ion content in mice cardiac tissue was detected by iron ion kit,to evaluate the correlation between CRTC2 and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and ferroptosis.H9c2 cells were induced by ISO to construct an in vitro model of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy,the protein expressions of CRTC2,ACTA1,BNP,ACSL4,SLC7A11 and GPX4 were detected after intervention with fer-roptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1(Fer-1).H9c2 cells with CRTC2 overexpression induced by ISO were used to construct an in vitro model of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy,the related indicators of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and ferroptosis were detec-ted to explore the mechanism of CRTC2 in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.Results Compared with the control group,the expression of CRTC2 protein in the cardiac tissue of ISO induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy mice was increased(P＜0.05).Compared with wild-type mice,CRTC2-/-mice showed worsened cardiac function,manifested as increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD),left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWT),heart weight/tibia length(HW/TL)and heart weight/body weight(HW/BW),decreased short axis shortening(FS)and ejection fraction(EF),increased collagen fiber content in cardiac tissue,upregulated ex-pression of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy-related proteins ACTA1 and BNP,increased mRNA and protein expression of ferrop-tosis-related protein ACSL4,decreased mRNA and protein expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4,and elevated iron ion content in cardiac tissue(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).In vitro experiments showed that compared with ISO group,the ISO+Fer-1 group had no significant change in CRTC2 protein expression(P＞0.05),the expression of ACTA1 and BNP protein decreased,the surface area of cardiomyocyte reduced,the expression of ACSL4 protein decreased,and the expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with the ISO group,the LV-CRTC2+ISO group showed a decrease in surface area of cardiomyocytes(P＜0.01),a decrease in ACTA1,BNP and ACSL4 protein ex-pression,an increase in SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression,and a decrease in ROS and iron ion content(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion CRTC2 alleviates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and protect cardiac function by suppressing fer-roptosis in cardiomyocytes.

Objective:To explore the expression of filaggrin(FLG)in melanoma tissues and its correlation with clinicopathological features and prognosis in patients.Methods:A total of 70 melanoma patients treated at the People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from June 2019 to August 2020 were selected as research subjects.Tumor tissues and adjacent tissues obtained during surgery were examined for FLG expression using immunohistochemistry.Based on FLG expression,patients were divided into a positive group and a negative group.The positive expression rates of FLG in tumor tissues,adjacent tissues and melanoma tissues with different pathological features were compared.The patients were followed up for 3 years,and based on prognosis,they were divided into a survival group(n=43)and a death group(n=27).The FLG positive expression rates were compared between the two groups.Kaplan-Meier survival curves were plotted,and survival times were compared.Results:The positive FLG expression rate in melanoma tissues was significantly lower than that in adjacent tissues(P<0.05).The proportions of patients with tumor diameter>1 cm,Breslow thickness>2 mm,local ulcer,TNM stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ,lymph node metastasis,and tumor invasion in positive FLG expression group were significantly lower than those in negative group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).Among the 70 patients,27 cases died and 43 survived,with a survival rate of 61.42%.The positive FLG expression rate was significantly lower in death group than that in survival group(P<0.05).The survival time of FLG-positive patients was significantly longer than that of FLG-negative patients(P=0.010).Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that Breslow thickness>2 mm,TNM grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ,lymph node metastasis,and tumor invasion were risk factors for the prognosis of melanoma patients(P<0.01 or P<0.001),while positive FLG expression was a protective factor(P<0.01 or P<0.001).Conclusion:FLG expression is significantly decreased in melanoma tissues and is associated with pathological features such as Breslow thickness,tumor stage,invasion,lymph node metastasis,and prognosis.

Aim To investigate the role and regulatory mechanism of CREB regulated transcription coactivator 2(CRTC2)in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.Methods A pathological cardiomyocyte hypertrophy model was established in C57BL/6 mice by intraperitoneal injection of isoproterenol(ISO),the expression of CRTC2 in cardiac tissue was detec-ted by Western blot.The CRTC2 knockout mice model was constructed,the cardiac function of mice was detected by small animal echocardiography,the collagen fiber content in mice cardiac tissue was detected by Masson staining,the car-diomyocyte hypertrophy related proteins:skeletal muscle α1-actin(ACTA1)and brain natriuretic peptide(BNP),as well as ferroptosis related proteins:acyl-CoA synthetase long chain family member 4(ACSL4),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)and glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4)in mice cardiac tissue were detected by Western blot,the iron ion content in mice cardiac tissue was detected by iron ion kit,to evaluate the correlation between CRTC2 and cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and ferroptosis.H9c2 cells were induced by ISO to construct an in vitro model of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy,the protein expressions of CRTC2,ACTA1,BNP,ACSL4,SLC7A11 and GPX4 were detected after intervention with fer-roptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1(Fer-1).H9c2 cells with CRTC2 overexpression induced by ISO were used to construct an in vitro model of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy,the related indicators of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and ferroptosis were detec-ted to explore the mechanism of CRTC2 in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy.Results Compared with the control group,the expression of CRTC2 protein in the cardiac tissue of ISO induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy mice was increased(P＜0.05).Compared with wild-type mice,CRTC2-/-mice showed worsened cardiac function,manifested as increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD),left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD),left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWT),heart weight/tibia length(HW/TL)and heart weight/body weight(HW/BW),decreased short axis shortening(FS)and ejection fraction(EF),increased collagen fiber content in cardiac tissue,upregulated ex-pression of cardiomyocyte hypertrophy-related proteins ACTA1 and BNP,increased mRNA and protein expression of ferrop-tosis-related protein ACSL4,decreased mRNA and protein expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4,and elevated iron ion content in cardiac tissue(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).In vitro experiments showed that compared with ISO group,the ISO+Fer-1 group had no significant change in CRTC2 protein expression(P＞0.05),the expression of ACTA1 and BNP protein decreased,the surface area of cardiomyocyte reduced,the expression of ACSL4 protein decreased,and the expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 proteins increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with the ISO group,the LV-CRTC2+ISO group showed a decrease in surface area of cardiomyocytes(P＜0.01),a decrease in ACTA1,BNP and ACSL4 protein ex-pression,an increase in SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein expression,and a decrease in ROS and iron ion content(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion CRTC2 alleviates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and protect cardiac function by suppressing fer-roptosis in cardiomyocytes.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of nebulized inhalation of recombinant human interferon (IFN) α1b injection in the treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) associated lower respiratory tract infections (pneumonia and bronchiolitis) in children.Methods:A randomized, double-blind, parallel, placebo-controlled add-on design was used.Children with pneumonia or bronchiolitis aged 2 months to 5 years who tested positive for RSV antigen within 72 hours of onset from 30 clinical trial sites including Beijing Children′s Hospital, Capital Medical University between February 2021 and December 2022 were included in this study and randomly divided into 2 groups at a ratio of 1∶1 based on a stratified-block method.Both groups received basic treatments such as cough control, asthma relieving, expectorant treatment, fever reduction, oxygen therapy, etc.The experimental group received additional nebulized inhalation of IFN α1b injection at a dose of 2.0 μg/(kg·time), twice a day.The control group received nebulized inhalation of placebo twice a day.Clinical efficacy was evaluated based on indicators such as the duration of clinical symptoms and signs, and the Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the median and 95% CI of the duration of clinical symptoms and signs.The Log-rank test was used to compared data between groups.Safety was assessed through the incidence of adverse reactions and laboratory tests, and the Chi-square test was used to analyze the difference between groups. Results:There were 123 children in the experimental group and 122 children in the control group.The median durations of all the 5 clinical symptoms and signs [including shortness of breath, wheezing, dyspnea (visible retractions), decreased transcutaneous oxygen saturation, and abnormal mental state] in the experimental group after treatment were slightly shortened than those in the control group [2.7 d(95% CI: 1.9-3.0 d)] vs.[2.9 d(95% CI: 2.6-3.6 d), P=0.027].The improvement in dyspnea (retractions) was especially pronounced in the experimental group, with a relief rate of 50.0% (0, 100%) on the first day of administration[compared with 0 (0, 50.0%) in the control group ( Z=2.002, P=0.025)].The median duration of dyspnea in the experimental group was nearly 1 day shorter than that in the control group [1.0 d(95% CI: 0.7-1.7 d) vs.1.8 d(95% CI: 1.0-2.5 d), P=0.046].There were no significant difference in hospital stay [6.0(5.0, 8.0) d vs.6.5(5.0, 8.0) d, Z=0.675, P=0.500], oxygen therapy duration [32.0(14.0, 96.3) h vs.39.0 (24.0, 83.2) h, Z=0.094, P=0.925], the recovery rate from clinical symptoms during treatment [(105/106, 99.1%) vs.(96/101, 95.0%)], and recurrence rate [(0/106, 0) vs.(2/101, 2.0%)] between the 2 groups (all P>0.05).However, the above-mentioned four indicators in the experimental group showed a trend of clinical benefits.The quantitative virus detection results showed that the RSV viral load in both groups decreased after treatment compared to before treatment.After 2 days of treatment, the decline rate of RSV viral load from the baseline was 0.90 lg copies/(mL·d) in the experimental group and 0.25 lg copies/(mL·d)in the control group, with a statistically significant difference ( P<0.05).Furthermore, there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the 2 groups ( P>0.05).Importantly, no drug-related serious adverse reactions occurred in both groups. Conclusions:The nebulized inhalation therapy of IFN α1b demonstrates efficacy and safety in treating pediatric RSV associated lower respiratory tract infections.It particularly offers outstanding clinical therapeutic value for severe children.