Objective:To compare the diagnostic efficacy of 18F-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI)-42 PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT for bone metastasis in patients with malignant tumors. Methods:From January 2022 to October 2023, the data of 238 patients (160 males, 78 females; age: 58(50, 66) years) with various malignant tumors who underwent both 18F-FAPI-42 and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging at Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University were retrospectively reviewed. An abnormal focal radioactive uptake in bones on the PET images was considered as positive lesion for bone metastasis. The efficacy of 2imaging methods and the supplementary role of CT in the diagnosis of bone metastasis were evaluated by McNemar test. Results:Of 238 patients, 95 were with bone metastases and 143 were without bone metastases, including 436 lesions with bone metastases and 358 lesions without bone metastases. Based on the visual analysis, 18F-FAPI-42 PET showed a higher diagnostic sensitivity than 18F-FDG PET (98.4%(429/436) vs 86.5%(377/436); χ2=41.95, P<0.001), while 18F-FDG PET had a higher diagnostic specificity than 18F-FAPI-42 PET (83.2%(298/358) vs 70.4%(252/358); χ2=22.50, P<0.001), and the accuracies of both methods were similar (85.8%(681/794) vs 85.0%(675/794); χ2=0.16, P=0.685). However, when the positive lesions seen in PET were analyzed combined with the image features on CT by the same scanner, the diagnostic specificity of 18F-FAPI-42 PET/CT was significantly improved compared to that of 18F-FAPI-42 PET alone (91.3%(327/358) vs 70.4%(252/358); χ2=73.01, P<0.001), and was similar to 18F-FDG PET/CT (93.0%(333/358); χ2=0.78, P=0.377). Meanwhile, this combined analysis brought a higher sensitivity and accuracy of 18F-FAPI-42 PET/CT than 18F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosing bone metastases (sensitivity: 98.4%(429/436) vs 86.5%(377/436); χ2=41.95, P<0.001; accuracy: 95.2%(756/794) vs 89.4%(710/794); χ2=21.54, P<0.001). Conclusions:The diagnostic sensitivity of 18F-FAPI-42 PET for bone metastasis is superior to 18F-FDG PET, but the specificity is lower. However, when CT features is combined for analysis, the diagnostic specificity of 18F-FAPI-42 PET/CT is significantly improved, which thus can be used to diagnose bone metastasis accurately and is superior to 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Objective:To investigate the specific mechanisms underlying the protective effect of interleukin (IL) -27 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.Methods:Five skin tissue samples from healthy individuals and 6 lesional skin samples from psoriasis patients were collected, and IL-27 expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining. Il27ra gene knockout (KO) mice were constructed. Psoriasis-like mouse models were established with topical imiquimod in 5 wild-type (WT) mice and 6 KO mice. Mouse skin lesions were evaluated using the modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (mPASI), and lesional skin tissues were collected for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining to observe changes in epidermal thickness. Single-cell suspensions were prepared with skin lesions and skin-draining lymph nodes of 4 WT mice and 3 KO mice, and changes in immune cells (including T cells, γδ T cells, and neutrophils) were analyzed using flow cytometry. Additionally, skin-draining lymph node cells were isolated from 9 normal WT mice, and IL-17A expression was stimulated using a T-cell receptor agonist (CD3/28 activating antibodies, αCD3/28) or cytokines (IL-23 + IL-1β), followed by the addition of IL-27; peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 6 psoriasis patients, and IL-17A expression was stimulated using the T-cell receptor agonist, followed by the addition of IL-27; the effect of IL-27 on IL-17A expression in T cells was analyzed using flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Measurement data were compared between two groups using the t test. Results:Immunohistochemical staining revealed a significant reduction in IL-27 expression in psoriatic lesions (mean fluorescence intensity: 9.85 ± 3.07) compared with the normal skin (19.45 ± 2.51, t = 5.60, P < 0.001). Animal experiments demonstrated that the KO mice exhibited significantly aggravated psoriasis-like skin inflammation (mPASI: 4.00 ± 0.89) and significantly increased epidermal thickness (115.50 ± 7.69 μm) compared with the WT mice (mPASI: 2.80 ± 0.84, t = 2.28, P = 0.049; epidermal thickness: 92.26 ± 8.76 μm, t = 4.70, P = 0.001) ; compared with the WT mice, the KO mice showed significantly increased proportions of T cells (11.22% ± 2.76% vs. 7.08% ± 0.85%) and dermal γδ T cells (4.78% ± 0.39% vs. 2.78% ± 0.49%) among live cells in the lesions ( t = 2.91, 2.75, respectively, both P < 0.05), as well as significantly increased proportions of Th17, IL-17 + γδ T, Th22, and IL-22 + γδ T cells in the skin-draining lymph nodes (all P < 0.05), but no significant difference in the proportion of neutrophils in the lesions (WT: 13.57% ± 8.36%, KO: 14.43% ± 9.13%; t = 0.13, P = 0.902). Experiments with different stimuli showed that IL-27 significantly suppressed T-cell receptor agonist-induced IL-17A expression in murine γδ T cells (αCD3/28 group: 1.00 ± 0.11, αCD3/28 + IL-27 group: 0.76 ± 0.13; t = 3.54, P = 0.004), while there was no significant difference in IL-17A expression between cells induced by IL-23 + IL-1β with the IL-27 co-culture and those without ( t = 1.34, P > 0.05). ELISA showed that IL-27 significantly reduced the IL-17A concentration in the culture supernatant of draining lymph node cells stimulated by the T-cell receptor agonist (αCD3/28 group: 1 535.00 ± 97.76 pg/ml, αCD3/28 + IL-27 group: 1 030.00 ± 287.90 pg/ml, t = 3.29, P = 0.031), but did not reduce the IL-17A concentration induced by IL-23 + IL-1β ( t = 0.09, P > 0.05). Flow cytometry indicated that IL-27 significantly inhibited the T-cell receptor agonist-induced IL-17A expression in T cells from psoriasis patients (αCD3/28 group: 4.28 ± 3.25, αCD3/28 + IL-27 group: 3.04 ± 2.65, t = 4.46, P = 0.007) . Conclusion:IL-27 appeared to play a protective role in psoriasis by suppressing IL-17A secretion from T cells.

Objective:To investigate the specific mechanisms underlying the protective effect of interleukin (IL) -27 in the pathogenesis of psoriasis.Methods:Five skin tissue samples from healthy individuals and 6 lesional skin samples from psoriasis patients were collected, and IL-27 expression was determined by immunohistochemical staining. Il27ra gene knockout (KO) mice were constructed. Psoriasis-like mouse models were established with topical imiquimod in 5 wild-type (WT) mice and 6 KO mice. Mouse skin lesions were evaluated using the modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (mPASI), and lesional skin tissues were collected for hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining to observe changes in epidermal thickness. Single-cell suspensions were prepared with skin lesions and skin-draining lymph nodes of 4 WT mice and 3 KO mice, and changes in immune cells (including T cells, γδ T cells, and neutrophils) were analyzed using flow cytometry. Additionally, skin-draining lymph node cells were isolated from 9 normal WT mice, and IL-17A expression was stimulated using a T-cell receptor agonist (CD3/28 activating antibodies, αCD3/28) or cytokines (IL-23 + IL-1β), followed by the addition of IL-27; peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from 6 psoriasis patients, and IL-17A expression was stimulated using the T-cell receptor agonist, followed by the addition of IL-27; the effect of IL-27 on IL-17A expression in T cells was analyzed using flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Measurement data were compared between two groups using the t test. Results:Immunohistochemical staining revealed a significant reduction in IL-27 expression in psoriatic lesions (mean fluorescence intensity: 9.85 ± 3.07) compared with the normal skin (19.45 ± 2.51, t = 5.60, P < 0.001). Animal experiments demonstrated that the KO mice exhibited significantly aggravated psoriasis-like skin inflammation (mPASI: 4.00 ± 0.89) and significantly increased epidermal thickness (115.50 ± 7.69 μm) compared with the WT mice (mPASI: 2.80 ± 0.84, t = 2.28, P = 0.049; epidermal thickness: 92.26 ± 8.76 μm, t = 4.70, P = 0.001) ; compared with the WT mice, the KO mice showed significantly increased proportions of T cells (11.22% ± 2.76% vs. 7.08% ± 0.85%) and dermal γδ T cells (4.78% ± 0.39% vs. 2.78% ± 0.49%) among live cells in the lesions ( t = 2.91, 2.75, respectively, both P < 0.05), as well as significantly increased proportions of Th17, IL-17 + γδ T, Th22, and IL-22 + γδ T cells in the skin-draining lymph nodes (all P < 0.05), but no significant difference in the proportion of neutrophils in the lesions (WT: 13.57% ± 8.36%, KO: 14.43% ± 9.13%; t = 0.13, P = 0.902). Experiments with different stimuli showed that IL-27 significantly suppressed T-cell receptor agonist-induced IL-17A expression in murine γδ T cells (αCD3/28 group: 1.00 ± 0.11, αCD3/28 + IL-27 group: 0.76 ± 0.13; t = 3.54, P = 0.004), while there was no significant difference in IL-17A expression between cells induced by IL-23 + IL-1β with the IL-27 co-culture and those without ( t = 1.34, P > 0.05). ELISA showed that IL-27 significantly reduced the IL-17A concentration in the culture supernatant of draining lymph node cells stimulated by the T-cell receptor agonist (αCD3/28 group: 1 535.00 ± 97.76 pg/ml, αCD3/28 + IL-27 group: 1 030.00 ± 287.90 pg/ml, t = 3.29, P = 0.031), but did not reduce the IL-17A concentration induced by IL-23 + IL-1β ( t = 0.09, P > 0.05). Flow cytometry indicated that IL-27 significantly inhibited the T-cell receptor agonist-induced IL-17A expression in T cells from psoriasis patients (αCD3/28 group: 4.28 ± 3.25, αCD3/28 + IL-27 group: 3.04 ± 2.65, t = 4.46, P = 0.007) . Conclusion:IL-27 appeared to play a protective role in psoriasis by suppressing IL-17A secretion from T cells.

Objective:To compare the diagnostic efficacy of 18F-fibroblast activation protein inhibitor (FAPI)-42 PET/CT and 18F-FDG PET/CT for bone metastasis in patients with malignant tumors. Methods:From January 2022 to October 2023, the data of 238 patients (160 males, 78 females; age: 58(50, 66) years) with various malignant tumors who underwent both 18F-FAPI-42 and 18F-FDG PET/CT imaging at Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University were retrospectively reviewed. An abnormal focal radioactive uptake in bones on the PET images was considered as positive lesion for bone metastasis. The efficacy of 2imaging methods and the supplementary role of CT in the diagnosis of bone metastasis were evaluated by McNemar test. Results:Of 238 patients, 95 were with bone metastases and 143 were without bone metastases, including 436 lesions with bone metastases and 358 lesions without bone metastases. Based on the visual analysis, 18F-FAPI-42 PET showed a higher diagnostic sensitivity than 18F-FDG PET (98.4%(429/436) vs 86.5%(377/436); χ2=41.95, P<0.001), while 18F-FDG PET had a higher diagnostic specificity than 18F-FAPI-42 PET (83.2%(298/358) vs 70.4%(252/358); χ2=22.50, P<0.001), and the accuracies of both methods were similar (85.8%(681/794) vs 85.0%(675/794); χ2=0.16, P=0.685). However, when the positive lesions seen in PET were analyzed combined with the image features on CT by the same scanner, the diagnostic specificity of 18F-FAPI-42 PET/CT was significantly improved compared to that of 18F-FAPI-42 PET alone (91.3%(327/358) vs 70.4%(252/358); χ2=73.01, P<0.001), and was similar to 18F-FDG PET/CT (93.0%(333/358); χ2=0.78, P=0.377). Meanwhile, this combined analysis brought a higher sensitivity and accuracy of 18F-FAPI-42 PET/CT than 18F-FDG PET/CT in diagnosing bone metastases (sensitivity: 98.4%(429/436) vs 86.5%(377/436); χ2=41.95, P<0.001; accuracy: 95.2%(756/794) vs 89.4%(710/794); χ2=21.54, P<0.001). Conclusions:The diagnostic sensitivity of 18F-FAPI-42 PET for bone metastasis is superior to 18F-FDG PET, but the specificity is lower. However, when CT features is combined for analysis, the diagnostic specificity of 18F-FAPI-42 PET/CT is significantly improved, which thus can be used to diagnose bone metastasis accurately and is superior to 18F-FDG PET/CT.

Objective:To explore the clinical feasibility and application method of speckle-tracking echocardiography (STE) in assessing left ventricular longitudinal strain in infants.Methods:One hundred and ten infants within one week of birth were randomly selected in the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from June 2019 to February 2020, and the basic data were collected. STE was performed by two physicians with more than 5 years′ experience.Images of the same infant were analyzed by physicians with 5 years′ experience and 2 years′ experience, respectively, and the difference and correlation of the results between the two doctors were analyzed. The images of the same infant were analyzed twice by the doctor with 5 years′ experience, and the differences and correlations between the results were analyzed. The infants were divided into different groups according to weight to compare the correlations between inter-physicians and intra-physician. STE analysis indicators included global left ventricular longitudinal peak strain (Glps-avg), four-chamber left ventricular longitudinal strain (Glps-A4C), three-chamber left ventricular longitudinal strain (Glps-A3C), two-chamber left ventricular longitudinal strain(Glps-A2C), left ventricular anterior wall longitudinal strain (Glps-a), anterior interventricular septum longitudinal strain(Glps-ais), posterior interventricular septum longitudinal strain (Glps-pis), inferior wall of left ventricle longitudinal strain (Glps-i), posterior wall of left ventricle longitudinal strain (Glps-p), lateral wall of left ventricle longitudinal strain (Glps-l), left ventricular basal section longitudinal strain (Glps-bs), left ventricular middle section longitudinal strain (Glps-ms) and left ventricular apex section longitudinal strain (Glps-as), a total of 13 indicators. The differences were analyzed by paired t test, and the correlations were determined by intra-group correlation coefficient (ICC). Results:According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 95 patients were included. For the 13 STE indicators, inter-physicians comparison: the differences between the two physicians were statistically significant (all P<0.05) except for Glps-pis, and the ICC were 0.38-0.72 (all P<0.01). Intra-physician comparison: the differences of these indicators between two measurements were not statistically significant (all P>0.05) except for Glps-ais and Glps-I, ICC were 0.31-0.76 (all P<0.05). Among them, inter-physicians and Intra-physician ICC of Glps-avg, Glps-bs, Glps-ms were 0.68/0.75, 0.72/0.66 and 0.65/0.76 respectively. The group comparison by infants′ weight showed that: In very low weight infants group, the ICC of inter-physicians and intra-physician ranged 0.82-0.93(all P<0.05) and 0.80-0.95(all P<0.05). In low weight infants group, the ICC of inter-physicians and intra-physician ranged 0.65-0.94 (all P<0.05) and 0.69-0.93 (all P<0.01). In the normal weight infants group, ICC of inter-physicians ranged 0.06-0.68, with statistical significance except for Glps-A3C (all P<0.05); ICC of intra-physician ranged 0.36-0.59 (all P<0.05). In overweight infants group, there was no statistical significance in ICC of inter-physicians (all P>0.05), the ICC of intra-physician, Glps-bs and Glps-ms groups were 0.63 and 0.77 (all P<0.05), with no statistical significance in other indicators (all P>0.05). Conclusions:Left ventricular longitudinal strain by STE in infants has better repeatability, and the consistency of intra-physician is higher than inter-physicians, among which the Glps-avg consistency is the best, followed by Glps-bs and Glps-ms. STE is more reproducible in low and very low weight infants than in normal and overweight infants.

Objective To investigate the effect of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) on critical patients with non-pulmonary primary disease in the emergency department. Methods The literature of English and Chinese clinical studies on the ECMO treating critical patients with non-pulmonary primary disease published before August 2017 were electronically searched on PubMed, Embase and other databases. The obtained articles were selected, their qualities were strictly evaluated, and the in-hospital survival rate, 3-month, 6-month and 1-year survival rate, as well as the average intensive care unit (ICU) and length of hospital stay were extracted. This meta-analysis were performed using RevMan software (Version 5.0, Cochrane collaboration). Results A total of 11 articles (n=3043) were enrolled including 616 cases of ECMO treatment group and 2427 cases of control group. Fitting results showed that compared with the traditional treatment, application of ECMO can improve the in-hospital survival rate[52.1％(321/616) vs. 32.1％ (780/2427); OR=2.02; 95％CI:1.11-3.67, P=0.02] and the survival rate more than 90 days[42.1％ (61/145) vs. 17.1％ (38/222); OR=3.98; 95％CI:2.30-6.89, P<0.01];and prolong the average length of hospital stay (MD=-5.35, 95％CI:-8.10--2.60, P<0.01) and ICU time(MD=-8.99, 95％CI:-8.20--1.80, P<0.01). Conclusions Meta-analysis of existing studies showed that application of ECMO can improve the short-term and long-term prognosis of critical patients with non-pulmonary primary disease. However, due to the small number of studies and the large heterogeneity of the study population, it is necessary to carry out more, large samples and high quality randomized controlled clinical trials.

Purpose To investigate the clinical value of three-dimensional hysterosalpingo-contrast-sonography (3D-HyCoSy) in the assessment of fallopian tubal patency.Materials and Methods Fallopian tubal patency of 33 infertile women was assessed using transvaginal 3D-HyCoSy, and the results were compared with laparoscopically salpingoraphy, the sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio of 3D-HyCoSy were evaluated.Results 3D-HyCoSy showed 20 passable fallopian tubes, 10 partially passable fallopian tubes and 36 obstructed tubes, while lapascopically salpingoraphy showed 23 passable fallopian tubes, 7 partially passable fallopian tubes and 36 obstructed tubes. The total coincidence rate of 3D-HyCoSy to assess the fallopian tubal patency was 86.4% (57/66), with the sensitivity of 93.0% (40/43), specificityof 73.9% (17/23), positive likelihood ratio of 7.15, and negative likelihood ratio of 0.20.Conclusion Tubal patency can be efficiently and accurately assessed using 3D-HyCoSy, but patients with obstructed or partially passable fallopian tubes should undergo laparoscopy to clarify.