The liver is one of the organs most commonly affected by rheumatic diseases. Hepatic abnormalities in patients with rheumatic diseases can result from a variety of factors， including direct liver involvement by the disease itself， coexistence with primary liver disease， and drug-induced liver injury. When liver indicators are abnormal， a thorough differential diagnosis is required. For unexplained liver dysfunction， routine testing for autoantibodies should be performed to facilitate early identification of underlying autoimmune liver disease. If the etiology remains unclear， a liver biopsy is recommended for a final diagnosis if feasible. Alongside active management of rheumatic diseases， it is necessary to closely monitor liver function， avoid the use of agents that may exacerbate hepatic damage， particularly anti-rheumatic drugs with strong hepatotoxicity， and tailor treatment strategies according to personal specific conditions， so as to minimize liver damage and improve long-term outcome.

OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of frontal recess cells variations in patients with frontal sinus associated headache according to the International Frontal Sinus Anatomy Classification(IFAC).METHODS A retrospective study was conducted on the CT scans of sinuses in patients with frontal sinus associated headache.We reviewed 46 patients with frontal sinus-related headache who had clinical symptoms and were relieved after nasal endoscopic surgery.The development of frontal recess cells in the frontal recess drainage area was analyzed,and the variation of middle meatus and sinus involvement were analyzed in the same time.The Anatomical variations and imaging characteristics of frontal recess cells development in patients with frontal sinus associated headache were analyzed.RESULTS A total of 92 sinus CT profiles were analyzed in 46 patients.The most common cells were agger nasi cell(ANC)(100%,92/92),followed by supra bulla cell(SBC)(78.3%,72/92),supra agger cell(SAC)(67.4%,62/92),supra bulla frontal cell(SBFC)(27.2%,25/92),supra agger frontal cell(SAFC)(20.7%,19/92),frontal septal cell(FSC)(8.7%,8/92)and supraorbital ethmoid cell(SOEC)(0%,0/92).In the conventional frontal sinus drainage area,SAFC(P=0.0108),SAC(P=0.0104)and SAFC(P=0.0088)in the IFAC classification were significantly associated with the occurrence of frontal sinus associated headache.At the same time,the middle concha bullosa also showed a significant correlation with the occurrence of frontal sinus associated headache in the lower segment of the frontal recess drainage channel(P=0.0390).CONCLUSION In the frontal recess drainage channel,the abnormal development of SAC,SAFC,SBFC and the middle concha bullosa are significantly correlated with frontal sinus associated headache.

OBJECTIVE To test whether there are some differences among chronic rhinitis,chronic rhinosinusitis patients with nasal polyps(CRSsNP)and without nasal polyps(CRSsNP)in symptom severity,health-related quality-of-life impairment,and objective inflammatory factors.METHODS A total of 154 consecutive patients who had been treated at the Otolaryngology Department of Beijing Tongren Hospital from January 2017 to December 2018 were recruited in this study.The patients aged 18-70 years,with 106 males and 48 females.All patients performed endoscopic examination,nasal exhaled nitric oxide(nNO),skin prick test(SPT),sinus CT scan,complete blood count,and fulfilled the visual analogue scale(VAS)self-assessment of nasal symptoms and the SNOT-22 questionnaire under the guidance of the physician.According to the inclusion criteria,A total of 43 patients with CR,58 patients with CRSsNP and 53 patients with CRSwNP were enrolled in our study.RESULTS The total SNOT-22 score in CRSsNP group was significantly lower than that in CR and CRSwNP groups(30.0±19.4 vs.41.1±21.9,30.0±19.4 vs.40.9±18.7,P<0.05),and there was no significant difference between CR group and CRSwNP group.The average scores of nasal symptoms and extranasal symptoms in CRSwNP group were the highest;the scores in CRSsNP group were lower.The impact of CR patients on sleep damage was significantly higher than that in CRSsNP patients(9.9±6.2 vs.5.1±5.3,P<0.05),and there was no significant difference between CR group and CRSwNP group(9.9±6.2 vs.7.1±5.7,P>0.05).When patients suffered with positive SPT,there was no statistical difference in symptom scores and SNOT-22 scores between CR,CRSsNP,and CRSwNP;but with negative SPT,there was a significant statistical difference in both symptom scores and SNOT-22 scores among the three groups.CONCLUSION CR,CRSsNP and CRSwNP have a significant impact on quality of life,respectively.In terms of symptom scores and quality of life scores,the CR group and CRSwNP group are similar and the scores are higher than that of the CRSsNP group.However,the objective inflammation factors are not consistent with the subjective symptom scores and quality of life scores.

OBJECTIVE To Analysis of CT and MRI imaging features of arrested pneumatisation of the sphenoid sinus and differentiate from osteogenic and chondrogenic tumours of the region.METHODS Retrospective analysis of CT and MRI findings was performed of 13 patients with sphenoid sinus arrested pneumatisation and 20 patients with osteogenic and chondrogenic tumours and tumor like lesions in the same period.Evaluation indicators included location,size,density,presence of expansive changes,calcification,cortical bone changes,MRI signal characteristics,signal changes after fat suppression,degree of enhancement,and statistical analysis was conducted.RESULTS Finally,the location includes the sphenoid body(4 cases),pterygoid process(3 cases)and multiple involved areas(6 cases).The arrested pneumatisation area is mainly characterized by fat density or mixed density of adipose and soft tissue.The longest diameter of the arrested pneumatisation zone is 0.8-4.1 cm.There is internal calcification(7 cases)and without bone expansive changes(13 cases).Cases with intact bone cortex(13 cases);On MRI T1WI,high signal(11 cases),equal signal(2 cases),on T2WI,high signal(10 cases),equal signal(3 cases).Decreased signal after fat suppression(13 cases),no significant enhancement(10 cases),and slight enhancement(3 cases).CONCLUSION The arrested pneumatisation of sphenoid sinus is a rare anatomical variation characterized by a mixed density of fat or soft tissue,intact bone cortex,without bone expansive changes,decreased signal of MRI fat suppression,and no obvious enhancement,which will help to differentiate from osteogenic and chondrogenic tumours of the region.

Objective:To assess the correlation and consistency between the cancer risk-oriented endoscopic Kimura-Takemoto classification and the operative link for gastritis assessment (OLGA) in risk stratification of gastric cancer in patients with chronic gastritis after Helicobacter pylori ( H. pylori) eradication. Methods:From January 1, 2018 to October 31, 2021, 97 patients with chronic gastritis who successfully underwent H. pylori eradication at Beijing Friendship Hospital affiliated to Capital Medical University were selected. During the follow-up period, all patients underwent standardized magnifying endoscopy to assess gastric mucosal atrophy with the Kimura-Takemoto classification, which was classified as no or mild atrophy, moderate atrophy, and severe atrophy. Additionally, according to the new Sydney staging system, endoscopic biopsies were conducted at 5 sites of the patients to classify into OLGA stages 0, Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, or Ⅳ. Spearman rank correlation analysis and Kappa consistency test were performed to evaluate the correlation and consistency between the 2 evaluation systems, respectively. Area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to calculate the predictive ability of the grading of gastric mucosal atrophy under endoscopy in high-risk histological staging. Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess factors influencing the consistency of the 2 evaluation systems. Chi-square test or Fisher′s exact test were used for statistical analysis. Results:Longitudinal follow-up was completed in 97 cases, with a follow-up time of (37.38±13.18) months after H. pylori eradication. The proportion of OLGA stage Ⅲ to Ⅳ in patients with no or mild atrophy (21.7%, 10/46) was lower than that in patients with moderate and severe atrophy (63.0%, 29/46 and 5/5, respectively), and the differences were statistically significant( χ2=16.07 and 13.30, both P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in distribution of OLGA staging between patients with moderate atrophy and patients with severe atrophy (all P>0.05). The consistency rate of high-risk assessment for gastric cancer between the 2 evaluation systems was 73.2% (71/97). The correlation between the Kimura-Takemoto classification and OLGA staging was moderate ( r=0.47, 95% confidence interval(95% CI) 0.30 to 0.61, P<0.001). The result of consistency test indicated that the consistency of the 2 evaluation systems was moderate, and the Kappa value was 0.46 (95% CI 0.29 to 0.64, P<0.001). For patients with chronic gastritis after H. pylori eradication, the sensitivity of Kimura-Takemoto classification of moderate to severe atrophy under endoscopy in identifying high-risk of OLGA stages was 77.21% (95% CI 62.16% to 88.53%), the specificity was 69.81% (95% CI 55.66% to 81.66%), and the AUC was 0.735 (95% CI 0.636 to 0.820, P<0.01). As the time after H. pylori eradication increased (post- H. pylori eradication less than 18, 18 to 36, and more than 36 months), the consistency of atrophy assessment between the Kimura-Takemoto classification and OLGA staging reduced (7/8, 84.4% (27/32), 64.9% (37/57), respectively), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2=4.36, P=0.037). The result of multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the time after H. pylori eradication more than 36 months ( OR=3.443, 95% CI 1.117 to 10.614, P=0.031) and gastric ulcer ( OR=3.928, 95% CI 1.177 to 13.110, P=0.026) were independent factors influencing the consistency between the Kimura-Takemoto classification and OLGA staging. Conclusions:The endoscopic and histological changes of chronic gastritis after eradication of H. pylori are consistent. Within short period after H. pylori eradication (no more than 36 months), the sensitivity of high-risk classification under endoscopy is high and the specificity is moderate, which can predict high-risk histological staging to a certain degree.

Objective:To investigate whether changes in postoperative symptoms and signs in patients can predict the recurrence of ECRS after nasal endoscopic sinus surgery. Methods:A total of 70 adult patients with ECRS were enrolled for ESS surgery from June 2020 to March 2022 in a single center. There were 50 males and 20 females, with an average age of （46.9±14.5） years. Follow-up after ESS was at least 52 weeks. Patients undergo peripheral blood tests, CT of the sinuses, olfactory T&T test, visual analogue scale of symptoms（VAS）, and endoscopic scoring. Results:VAS scores and endoscopic scores were analyzed at preoperative and 6th week, 12th week, 24th week and 52th week postoperative. After 12th week postoperatively, there was a clear correlation between symptom scores and endoscopic scores. Moreover, olfactory disorder and nasal discharge were the two most obvious symptoms. There were differences in the expression of multiple preoperative clinical inflammatory indicators between the symptom-controled group and the symptom-uncontrolled group（previous surgical history, concomitant asthma, nasal smear eosinophil, serum EOS%, total IgE, CT score, olfactory score, and symptom score, all with P<0.05）, while there was no difference in baseline endoscopic score（P>0.05）. At 12th week postoperative, the two groups of patients showed significant differences in both symptom scores and endoscopic scores. The symptoms and endoscopic score at the 12th week point of follow-up were used as predictive indicators for recurrence, with sensitivity and specificity of 62.5% and 83.3%, respectively. Conclusion:The changes in postoperative symptom score and endoscopic score in ECRSwNP patients indicated that the recurred ECRS. In the symptom-uncontrolled group, symptomatic and endoscopic scores showed consistent increased scores; In the symptom-controlled group, conflicting results between increased endoscopic scores and stable symptoms suggest that the presence of asymptomatic recurrence must be considered. The changes in symptoms and signs at the 12th week point of follow-up can serve as clinical indicators for preventing disease recurrence.
Male ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Nasal Polyps/complications* ; Self Report ; Rhinitis/complications* ; Sinusitis/complications* ; Paranasal Sinuses/surgery* ; Endoscopy ; Chronic Disease

The fungus Xylaria sp. KYJ-15 was isolated from Illigera celebica. Based on the one strain many compounds (OSMAC) strategy, the strain was fermented on potato and rice solid media, respectively. As a result, two novel steroids, xylarsteroids A (1) and B (2), which are the first examples of C₂₈-steroid with an unusual β- and γ-lactone ring, respectively, along with two new dihydroisocoumarin glycosides, xylarglycosides A (3) and B (4), were identified. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods, X-ray diffraction and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) experiments. All isolated compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity, DPPH radical scavenging activity, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory and antimicrobial effect. Compound 1 exhibited potent AChE inhibitory activity with an IC₅₀ value of 2.61 ± 0.05 μmol·L^-1. The β-lactone ring unit of 1 is critical for its AChE inhibitory activity. The finding was further confirmed through exploring the interaction of 1 with AChE by molecular docking. In addition, both compounds 1 and 2 exhibited obvious antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 2 μg·mL^-1. Compounds 3 and 4 exhibited antibacterial activities against Staphylococcus aureus with MICs of 4 and 2 μg·mL^-1, respectively, which also exhibited DPPH radical scavenging activity comparable to the positive control with IC₅₀ values of 9.2 ± 0.03 and 13.3 ± 0.01 μmol·L^-1, respectively.
Humans ; Acetylcholinesterase ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Glycosides ; Lactones ; Pain

Objective:This study is designed to investigate the toxicity of lipoprotein (L16) and non-lipoprotein (U16) of Brucella outer membrane protein (OMP) 16 on osteoblasts. Methods:Recombinant L16 and U16 proteins were prepared by using prokaryotic expression system of Escherichia coli ( E. coli) BL21 (DE3) and purified by Ni column. Using group design, mouse osteoblasts (MC3T3 cells) were co-incubated with L16 and U16, respectively. Brucella lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulus was used as the positive control, and cells without any stimulation were used as the negative control. Incubation time was 24 h. The activity of co-incubated MC3T3 cells were detected by CCK-8; the supernatant of cultured cells was collected and the release rate of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in the supernatant was detected by bioluminescence, and the virulence of L16 and U16 on MC3T3 cells was evaluated. Annexin Ⅴ-PE/7-AAD double staining flow cytometry was further used to analyze the apoptosis rate of MC3T3 cells, and the activation level of apoptosis executive protein Caspase-3 was detected by Western blotting (WB). Results:The activity of MC3T3 cells in L16 group [(56.16±1.63)%] was significantly lower than that in U16 and LPS groups [(97.02±1.44)%, (98.64±0.90)%, P < 0.01], the LDH release rate [(84.64±0.96)%] was significantly higher than that in U16 and LPS groups [(34.82±3.41)%, (26.75±1.95)%, P < 0.01]. Annexin Ⅴ-PE/7-AAD double staining results showed that the apoptosis rate was (46.45±2.19)% in L16 group, while the remaining groups were all less than 1%. WB results showed that activated Caspase-3 (cleaved-Caspase-3) existed in L16 stimulated cells, but not in U16 stimulated cells and LPS control cells. Conclusion:L16 can induce the apoptosis of osteoblasts and inhibit the proliferation of osteoblasts, but U16 has no obvious effect indicating that Brucella L16 with complete lipid structure is necessary for virulence effect.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of the simultaneous innervated "Bi-system bone flap" on preventing postoperative spontaneous resorption of the bone grafts and recovering lip sensation after reconstructing mandibular defects.Methods:Patients with segmental mandibular defects from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital were prospectively selected. Following the screening, they were randomly divided into an innervated group and a control group according to the random number table. When the free vascularized iliac bone flap was used to repair the mandibular defect, the ilioinguinal nerve was chosen to innervate a composite tissue flap containing one pedicle (deep circumflex iliac artery), double islands (an internal oblique muscle flap and an iliac bone flap) and one nerve (ilioinguinal nerve). We anastomosed the ilioinguinal nerve with the inferior alveolar nerve and the mental nerve in the innervated group. In the control group, no nerve was involved in the composite tissue flap which contained one pedicle (deep circumflex iliac artery) and double islands (internal oblique muscle flap and iliac bone flap). CT value(Hu) decrease rate, width and height of iliac bone flap 6 months after the operation were used to evaluate the postoperative resorption. The algesia examination, two-point discrimination test and current perception threshold (CPT) test of sensory nerves were used to evaluate the recovery of the lower lip sensation. P value less than 0.05 in independent-samples t test meant the statistically significant difference. Results:Eight patients between 17-38 years old were included with an averaged age of 29.5 years, and the range of mandibular defects was 5-9 cm. There were 4 cases in the innervated group and 4 cases in the control group. All the iliac bone flaps survived. The appearance was satisfactory, and no severe complications were found in the donor and recipient sites. In six-month follow-up, the CT value decrease rate of the bone grafts was (3.13±1.21)% in the innervated group, less than that (20.32±5.23)% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-6.401, P=0.006). Few changes of width and height of the bone grafts were found 6 months after surgery in both groups, and the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The sensation of the lower lip in the operation area was recovered in the innervated group to some extent, and no obvious pain was showed in the control group. In the two-point discrimination test, it was more than 20 mm in the affected side of the control group, while it was less than 20mm in the innervated group. In the healthy side of the two groups, it was less than 14 mm. The results of the quantitative sensory examination in affected lower lip by CPT test showed that two cases in the innervated group were mild sensory dysfunction, one slight sensory dysfunction and one moderate sensory dysfunction, while all cases in the innervated group were severe sensory dysfunction. The sensory dysfunction of the healthy side was milder than that of the affected side. Conclusions:The innervated "Bi-system" DCIA flap can prevent postoperative osteoporosis of the bone grafts and recover the sensation of the lower lip following mandibular reconstruction, improving the quality of mandibular defect reconstruction.

Objective:To explore the clinical effect of the simultaneous innervated "Bi-system bone flap" on preventing postoperative spontaneous resorption of the bone grafts and recovering lip sensation after reconstructing mandibular defects.Methods:Patients with segmental mandibular defects from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Head and Neck Oncology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital were prospectively selected. Following the screening, they were randomly divided into an innervated group and a control group according to the random number table. When the free vascularized iliac bone flap was used to repair the mandibular defect, the ilioinguinal nerve was chosen to innervate a composite tissue flap containing one pedicle (deep circumflex iliac artery), double islands (an internal oblique muscle flap and an iliac bone flap) and one nerve (ilioinguinal nerve). We anastomosed the ilioinguinal nerve with the inferior alveolar nerve and the mental nerve in the innervated group. In the control group, no nerve was involved in the composite tissue flap which contained one pedicle (deep circumflex iliac artery) and double islands (internal oblique muscle flap and iliac bone flap). CT value(Hu) decrease rate, width and height of iliac bone flap 6 months after the operation were used to evaluate the postoperative resorption. The algesia examination, two-point discrimination test and current perception threshold (CPT) test of sensory nerves were used to evaluate the recovery of the lower lip sensation. P value less than 0.05 in independent-samples t test meant the statistically significant difference. Results:Eight patients between 17-38 years old were included with an averaged age of 29.5 years, and the range of mandibular defects was 5-9 cm. There were 4 cases in the innervated group and 4 cases in the control group. All the iliac bone flaps survived. The appearance was satisfactory, and no severe complications were found in the donor and recipient sites. In six-month follow-up, the CT value decrease rate of the bone grafts was (3.13±1.21)% in the innervated group, less than that (20.32±5.23)% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=-6.401, P=0.006). Few changes of width and height of the bone grafts were found 6 months after surgery in both groups, and the difference was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The sensation of the lower lip in the operation area was recovered in the innervated group to some extent, and no obvious pain was showed in the control group. In the two-point discrimination test, it was more than 20 mm in the affected side of the control group, while it was less than 20mm in the innervated group. In the healthy side of the two groups, it was less than 14 mm. The results of the quantitative sensory examination in affected lower lip by CPT test showed that two cases in the innervated group were mild sensory dysfunction, one slight sensory dysfunction and one moderate sensory dysfunction, while all cases in the innervated group were severe sensory dysfunction. The sensory dysfunction of the healthy side was milder than that of the affected side. Conclusions:The innervated "Bi-system" DCIA flap can prevent postoperative osteoporosis of the bone grafts and recover the sensation of the lower lip following mandibular reconstruction, improving the quality of mandibular defect reconstruction.