Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

Background: s/Aims: Sarcomatoid hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a rare histological subtype of HCC characterized by extremely poor prognosis; however, its molecular characterization has not been elucidated. Methods: In this study, we conducted an integrated multiomics study of whole-exome sequencing, RNA-seq, spatial transcriptome, and immunohistochemical analyses of 28 paired sarcomatoid tumor components and conventional HCC components from 10 patients with sarcomatoid HCC, in order to identify frequently altered genes, infer the tumor subclonal architectures, track the genomic evolution, and delineate the transcriptional characteristics of sarcomatoid HCCs. Results: Our results showed that the sarcomatoid HCCs had poor prognosis. The sarcomatoid tumor components and the conventional HCC components were derived from common ancestors, mostly accessing similar mutational processes. Clonal phylogenies demonstrated branched tumor evolution during sarcomatoid HCC development and progression. TP53 mutation commonly occurred at tumor initiation, whereas ARID2 mutation often occurred later. Transcriptome analyses revealed the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and hypoxic phenotype in sarcomatoid tumor components, which were confirmed by immunohistochemical staining. Moreover, we identified ARID2 mutations in 70% (7/10) of patients with sarcomatoid HCC but only 1–5% of patients with non-sarcomatoid HCC. Biofunctional investigations revealed that inactivating mutation of ARID2 contributes to HCC growth and metastasis and induces EMT in a hypoxic microenvironment. Conclusions We offer a comprehensive description of the molecular basis for sarcomatoid HCC, and identify genomic alteration (ARID2 mutation) together with the tumor microenvironment (hypoxic microenvironment), that may contribute to the formation of the sarcomatoid tumor component through EMT, leading to sarcomatoid HCC development and progression.

Aim To design the pyrimidoindole deriva-tive N-butyl-9H-pyrimido[4,5-b]indole-2-carboxamide(BFPI)and synthesize it to investigate whether it in-hibits macrophage pyroptosis and foaming effects through the NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway.Methods BFPI was synthesized using 2,4,6-triethoxycarbonyl-l,3,5-triazine and 2-aminoindole as starting materials and structurally characterized by 1H NMR,13C NMR,and ESI-MS.The in vitro cultured mouse monocyte macro-phage cell line RAW264.7 was divided into blank,model(PA)and therapeutic(BFPI)groups,and the cells in each group were treated with the corresponding culture medium for 24 h.The proliferative viability was detected by MTT assay,and the formation of intracel-lular lipid droplets was detected by oil red O staining,and NLRP3 was detected by Western-blot and RT-qPCR,caspase-1 and MCP-1 mRNA and protein ex-pression levels by Western blot and RT-qPCR.Results Compared with the blank group,the proliferation vi-ability of cells in the model group significantly de-creased and the formation of lipid droplets significantly increased;compared with the model group,the prolif-eration viability of cells in the treatment group signifi-cantly increased and the formation of lipid droplets sig-nificantly decreased,and the differences were statisti-cally significant(P＜0.01);compared with the blank group,the cellular NLRP3,caspase-1 and MCP-1 mR-NA and protein expression levels of cells in the model group significantly increased;compared with the model group,the expression levels of the above indexes of the cells in the treatment group significantly decreased,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.01).Conclusions BFPI contributes to delaying macrophage-derived foam cell formation during athero-genesis by inhibiting macrophage NLRP3,caspase-1,and MCP-1 expression and thereby promoting their pro-liferation and inhibiting lipid phagocytosis.

Objective To explore the predictive value of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1(sFlt-1)and leukotriene B4(LTB4)in patients with intracranial aneurysms for cerebral vasospasm(CVS)after interventional embolization.Methods A total of 98 patients with intracranial aneurysms admitted to our hospital from January 2019 to September 2023 were regarded as the observation group,and were divided into the CVS group(32 cases)and the non CVS group(66 cases)according to whether CVS occurred or not within 3 to 5 days after surgery;102 healthy examinees in our hospital were selected as the control group.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect serum levels of sFlt-1 and LTB4;the influencing factors for CVS after interventional embolization of intracranial aneurysms were analyzed by Logistic regression analysis;the predictive value of serum sFlt-1 and LTB4 levels for the occurrence of CVS after interventional embolization of intracranial aneurysms was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results The serum levels of sFlt-1 and LTB4 of patients in the observation group were obviously higher than those in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The serum levels of sFlt-1 and LTB4,and the proportions of patients with postoperative blood pressure fluctuation range≥30 mmHg and Hunt-Hess grade Ⅲ in the CVS group were obviously higher than those in the non CVS group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).SFlt-1(OR:2.985;95%CI:1.684 to 5.291)and LTB4(OR:2.868;95%CI:1.581 to 5.204)were the independent risk factors for CVS after interventional embolization of intracranial aneurysms(P<0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of sFlt-1 and LTB4 alone and in combination for predicting the occurrence of CVS after interventional embolization of intracranial aneurysms were 0.839,0.825,and 0.915,respectively,with sensitivity of 84.44%,87.59%,and 81.36%,and specificity of 74.26%,75.87%,and 90.98%,respectively.The AUC of the combination of the two was higher than those of sFlt-1 and LTB4 alone,and the differences were statistically significant(Z=2.150,2.546,P<0.05).Conclusion The serum levels of sFlt-1 and LTB4 in patients with CVS after interventional embolization of intracranial aneurysms are increased,and the combination of the two can serve as the important indicators for predicting CVS.

Objective To investigate the effect of varying ureteral wall thickness(UWT)at the site of ureteral stones on the clinical efficacy of ureteroscopic lithotripsy(URL).Methods The clinical data of 164 patients with ureteral stones in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.According to different UWT,the patients were divided into the mild thickening group(84 cases,UWT<3.16 mm),the moderate thickening group(31 cases,UWT 3.16 to 3.49 mm),and the severe thickening group(49 cases,UWT>3.49 mm),and the differences of clinical related indicators among the three groups were compared.Results The incidence of postoperative renal colic and leukocyte disorder in the mild thickening group and the moderate thickening group were lower than those in the severe thickening group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The postoperative catheterization time in the mild thickening group and the moderate thickening group were shorter than that in the severe thickening group,and the incidences of secondary lithotripsy,residual stones and stone return to kidney in the mild thickening group and the moderate thickening group were lower than those in the severe thickening group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).The length of hospital stay and hospitalization cost in the mild thickening group and the moderate thickening group were shorter/less than those in the severe thickening group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion With the increase of UWT(especially when UWT>3.49 mm),the incidence of postoperative complications and hospitalization cost of URL increase to varying degrees,and the surgical efficacy decreases.In clinical work,UWT measurement holds potential value in predicting the surgical efficacy and complications of URL.

Objective With the widespread of transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)in patients with severe symptomatic aortic stenosis(AS),the life-cycle management has become a major determinant of prognosis.Methods A total of 408 AS patients who underwent successfully TAVR from June 2021 to August 2023 were consecutively enrolled in Hospital Valve Intervention Center.Patients were assigned to the Usual Care(UC)group between June 2021 and October 2022,while patients were assigned to the Heart Multi-parameter Monitoring(HMM)group between November 2022 and August 2023.The primary endpoint was defined as composite endpoint within 6 months post-TAVR,including all-cause death,cardiovascular death,stroke/transient ischemic attack,conduction block,myocardial infarction,heart failure rehospitalization,and major bleeding events.Secondary endpoints were the time interval(in hours)from event occurrence to medical consultation or advice and patient satisfaction.Statistical analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier and multivariable Cox proportional hazards models.Results The incidence of primary endpoint in HMM group was significantly lower than that in UC group(8.9％vs.17.7％,P=0.016),the driving event was the rate of diagnosis and recognition of conduction block.The average time intervals from event occurrence to receiving medical advice were 3.02 h in HHM group vs.97.09 h in UC group(P＜0.001).Using cardiac monitoring devices and smart healthcare platforms provided significant improving in patients long-term management(HR 0.439,95％CI 0.244-0.790,P=0.006).Conclusions The utilization of cardiac monitoring devices and smart healthcare platforms effectively alerted clinical events and improved postoperative quality of life during long-term management post TAVR.

Epidemiological data and clinical characteristics of patients with tick-borne diseases were analyzed to improve diagnosis and treatment outcomes.The data of 32 patients(epidemiology and clinical characteristics)treated for tick-borne diseases at Beijing Ditan Hospital from January 2013 to June 2023 were retrospectively reviewed.Of the 32 patients,17 were diagnosed with severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome(SFTS),5 with Lyme disease,and 10 with rick-ettsial disease.Disease was concentrated from May to Octo-ber each year.There were 14 local cases in Beijing(43.8％),with Pinggu District accounting for the highest proportion(4 cases,28.6％),16 imported cases from other provinces(50.0％),and 2 cases(6.3％)from people living abroad.The median time from disease onset to hospitalization was 8 days and the median length of hospitalization was 10 days.The mean age of patients with tick-borne diseases was 50.16±14.61(range,21-80)years.By occupation,farmers were at the greatest risk of tick-borne diseases(14 cases,43.8％).Erythema migrans(EM)was a typical skin lesion characteristic of Lyme disease,and fever was seen in all three groups,but mainly in patients with SFTS and rickettsial disease,who mainly presented with moderate fever.Decreased WBC and NEUT counts were most commonly seen in SFTS,whereas no WBC ab-normality was seen in patients with Lyme disease.Decreased EOS counts were seen in both SFTS and rickettsial disease,whereas no abnormality was seen in Lyme disease.Decreased PLT counts were typical of SFTS.Patients with rickettsial disease and SFTS showed significant liver damage with markedly elevated ALT and AST levels.Significant myocardial damage with ele-vated CK and CK-MB levels was seen in SFTS.Elevated CRP was mainly seen in rickettsial disease.Elevated PCT counts were mostly seen in rickettsial infections,followed by SFTS.The incidence of tick-borne diseases in Beijing continues to increase an-nually.Since diagnosis is often delayed,vigilant surveillance is key to improve diagnosis.Therefore,detailed epidemiological in-formation of each tick-borne disease based on clinical characteristics is needed to ensure early diagnosis and treatment.

Objective:To detect the expression of L-type amino acid transporter 1(LAT1)in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma(NHL)tissues,and analyze its effect on clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients.Methods:A total of 92 NHL patients who were treated in our hospital from January 2017 to April 2019 were collected.The expression of LAT1 in NHL tissue was detected by immunohistochemistry and compared between patients with different pathological features(including sex,Ann Arbor stage,extranodal infiltration,Ki-67).The risk factors affecting mortality were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to detect the predictive value of percentage of LAT1-positive cells in NHL tissue for patient mortality,and analyzing the effect of percentage of LAT1-positive cells on survival rate.Results:LAT1 was positively expressed in NHL tissue.The high expression rate of LAT1 in Ann Arbor stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ groups were higher than that in Ann Arbor stage Ⅰ group,that in extranodal infiltration group was higher than non-extranodal infiltration group,and that in Ki-67 positive expression group was higher than Ki-67 negative expression group(all P＜0.05).The remission rate after 3 courses of treatment in high-LAT1 expression group was 70.7％,which was lower than 91.2％in low-LAT1 expression group(P＜0.05).Ann Arbor stage Ⅲ and Ⅳ,extranodal invasion,Ki-67 positive expression and increased expression of LAT1(LAT1-positive cell percentage score ≥ 2)were risk factors for mortality.The cut-off value of percentage of LAT1-positive cells for predicting NHL death was 45.6％,and the area under the ROC curve was 0.905(95％CI:0.897-0.924).The 3-year survival rate of high-LAT1 level group(the percentage of LAT1-positive cells ≥ 45.6％)was 50.00％,which was lower than 78.26％of low-LAT1 level group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:The expression level of LAT1 in NHL tissue increases,which affects Ann Arbor stage and extranodal infiltration of patients.LAT1 is a risk factor for death.

AIM To explore the clinical effects of Shuilu Erxian Pills combined with Modified Didang Decoction on patients with early and middle stage diabetic nephropathy.METHODS Eighty-three patients were randomly assigned into control group(42 cases)for 12-week administration of Irbesartan Tablets,and observation group(41 cases)for 12-week administration of Shuilu Erxian Pills,Modified Didang Decoction and Irbesartan Tablets.The changes in clinical effects,TCM syndrome scores,blood glucose indices(FBG,HbA1c),blood lipid indices(TC,TG),renal function indices(BUN,Scr,24 h UTP,eGFR),inflammatory factors(IL-1β,hs-CRP,IL-6,TNF-α,IL-18,TGF-β1),immune function indices(lymphocyte,neutrophil,CD8+,CD3+,CD4+,CD4+/CD8+)and incidence of adverse reactions were detected.RESULTS The observation group demonstrated higher total effective rate than the control group(P＜0.05).After the treatment,the observation group displayed decreased TCM syndrome scores,blood glucose indices,blood lipid indices,BUN,Scr,24 h UTP,inflammatory factors,CD8+(P＜0.05),reduced lymphocyte,neutrophil(P＜0.05),and increased eGFR,CD3+,CD4+,CD4+/CD8+(P＜0.05),which were more obvious than those in the control group(except for HbA1c,TG,SCr,24 h UTP,lymphocyte,neutrophil)(P＜0.05).No significant difference in incidence of adverse reactions was found between the two groups(P＞0.05).CONCLUSION For the patients with early and middle stage diabetic nephropathy,Shuilu Erxian Pills combined with Modified Didang Decoction can safely and effectively improve clinical symptoms,whose mechanism may contribute to the reduction of inflammatory levels and improvement of immune functions.