BACKGROUND:Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic autoimmune disease.Early diagnosis is crucial for preventing disease progression and for effective treatment.Therefore,it is of significance to investigate the diagnostic characteristics and immune cell infiltration of rheumatoid arthritis. OBJECTIVE:Based on the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database,to screen potential diagnostic markers of rheumatoid arthritis using machine learning algorithms and to investigate the relationship between the diagnostic characteristics of rheumatoid arthritis and immune cell infiltration in this pathology. METHODS:The gene expression datasets of synovial tissues related to rheumatoid arthritis were obtained from the GEO database.The data sets were merged using a batch effect removal method.Differential expression analysis and functional correlation analysis of genes were performed using R software.Bioinformatics analysis and three machine learning algorithms were used for the extraction of disease signature genes,and key genes related to rheumatoid arthritis were screened.Furthermore,we analyzed immune cell infiltration on all differentially expressed genes to examine the inflammatory state of rheumatoid arthritis and investigate the correlation between their diagnostic characteristics and infiltrating immune cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In both rheumatoid arthritis and normal synovial tissues,we identified 179 differentially expressed genes,with 124 genes up-regulated and 55 genes down-regulated.Enrichment analysis revealed a significant correlation between rheumatoid arthritis and immune response.Three machine learning algorithms identified LRRC15 and MICB as potential biomarkers of rheumatoid arthritis.LRRC15(area under the curve=0.964,95%confidence interval:0.924-0.992)and MICB(area under the curve=0.961,95%confidence interval:0.923-0.990)demonstrated strong diagnostic performance on the validation dataset.The infiltration of 13 types of immune cells was altered,with macrophages being the most affected.In rheumatoid arthritis,the majority of proinflammatory pathways in immune cell function were activated.Immunocorrelation analysis revealed that LRRC15 and MICB had the strongest correlation with M1 macrophages.To conclude,this study identified LRRC15 and MICB as potential diagnostic markers for rheumatoid arthritis,with strong diagnostic performance and significant correlation with immune cell infiltration.Machine learning and bioinformatics analysis deepened the understanding of immune infiltration in rheumatoid arthritis and provided new ideas for the diagnosis and treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective: To investigate the association between screen time (ST) during leisure time and anxiety-depression symptoms among middle school students, so as to provide a basis for formulating relevant intervention measures. Methods: From November to December 2023, a stratified cluster random sampling method was used to select 2 542 students from junior and senior high school in Taiyuan City. A self designed questionnaire, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale (GAD-7), and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) were used to investigate ST and anxiety/depression symptoms among middle school students. The Logistic regression model was used to explore the association of ST with symptoms of anxiety and depression, as well as with anxiety and depression comorbiditles (CAD). Results: The detection rates of anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, and CAD were 13.69%, 15.77%, and 10.11%, respectively. The median ST was 2.00 h/d [interquartile range ( IQR =2.38) for weekly averages], with 0.33 h/d ( IQR =1.67) on work days and 5.00 h/d ( IQR=5.50) on rest days. Logistic regression analysis indicated that the total ST of mobile phones during rest days ( OR =1.07, 1.10, 1.11) and the averages ST of mobile phones over a week ( OR = 1.20 , 1.22, 1.29), as well as the total ST of all screen types during rest days ( OR =1.04, 1.04, 1.05) and the averages ST of all screen types over a week ( OR =1.08, 1.09, 1.21) were positively correlated with anxiety symptoms, depression symptoms, and CAD (all P <0.01). Conclusions Among middle school students in Taiyuan City, screen time is positively correlated with symptoms of anxiety or depression and the comorbidity of anxiety and depression, especially smartphone screen time and weekend screen use. Therefore, measures should be implemented to reduce unnecessary screen time among middle school students, especially the use of mobile phones, in order to mitigate the occurrence of anxiety and depression.

Objective·To investigate the effect of neferine(Nef)on renal tissues of diabetic nephropathy(DN)rats and its related mechanism.Methods·DN model rats were constructed by feeding high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin,and the successfully constructed rats were randomly divided into DN group,Nef(low,medium and high)dose groups and Nef high-dose+pathway antagonist(AMD3100)group,with 10 rats in each group.At the same time,10 common rats were selected as the normal group.The levels of fasting blood glucose(FBG),24 h urinary protein,serum glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c),serum creatinine(Scr),blood urea nitrogen(BUN)and renal index of rats in the six groups were measured.Hematoxylin-eosin(H-E)and Masson staining were used to observe the pathological changes of renal tissues.The content of malondialdehyde(MDA)in renal tissues was determined by thiobarbituric acid(TBA)method,and the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and catalase(CAT)in renal tissues were determined by water soluble tetrazolium(WST-1)method and ammonium molybdate method,respectively.The mRNA and protein expressions of stromal cell-derived factor-1(SDF-1)and CXC chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)in renal tissues were detected by quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR)and Western blotting,respectively.Rat renal tubular epithelium cells NRK-52E were induced by high glucose(30 mmol/L glucose)to establish DN cell model.The cells were divided into control group,high glucose(HG)group,HG+Nef(low,medium and high)dose(i.e.HG+Nef-L,M and H)group,and HG+Nef-H +AMD3100 group.SOD and CAT activities were detected by WST-1 method and ammonium molybdate method,respectively.MDA content was detected by TBA method.The mRNA and protein expressions of SDF-1 and CXCR4 were detected by qPCR and Western blotting,respectively.CCK-8 method and flow cytometry were used to detect cell viability and apoptosis rate,respecti-vely.Results·Compared with the DN group,the levels of FBG,24 h urinary protein,HbA1c,Scr,BUN,renal index and MDA content in Nef(low,medium and high)dose groups and Nef high-dose+AMD3100 group were decreased,the mRNA and protein expressions of SDF-1 and CXCR4 were increased,and the activities of SOD and CAT were increased(all P<0.05).The degree of pathological damage and fibrosis of renal tissues was reduced;all of the above changes were dose-dependent.AMD3100 could weaken the renal protective effect of high-dose Nef on DN rats.Compared with the HG group,NRK-52E cell viability,SOD and CAT activities,and the mRNA and protein expressions of SDF-1 and CXCR4 were increased in HG+Nef-L,M and H groups,while apoptosis rate and MDA content were decreased(all P<0.05).AMD3100 could reverse the protective effect of Nef-H on NRK-52E cell damage.Conclusion·Nef may control blood glucose levels on DN rats and improve antioxidant capacity by activating the SDF-1/CXCR4 signal pathway,playing a renal protective role.

Objective:To observe the effect of Nodal on the biological behavior of retinal vascular endothelial cells (RF/6A cells) in monkeys with high glucose.Methods:RF/6A cells were divided into normal group, mannitol group, high glucose group, high glucose combined with non-specific small interfering RNA treatment group (HG+NC group), high glucose combined with small interfering Nodal treatment group (HG+siNodal group). The transfection efficiency of siNodal was observed by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and western blot protein immunoblotting. The effect of Nodal on the proliferation of RF/6A cells was detected by thiazole blue colorimetry. The effect of Nodal on migration ability of RF/6A cells was detected by cell scratch assay. The effect of Nodal on the formation of RF/6A cell lumen was measured by Matrigel three-dimensional in vitro. The expression of extracellular signal phosphorylated regulated kinase 1/2 (pERK1/2) in RF/6A cells was detected by western blot protein immunoblotting. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare groups.Results:Compared with HG+NC group, Nodal protein ( F=33.469) and mRNA relative expression levels ( F=38.191) in HG+siNodal group were significantly decreased, cell proliferation was significantly decreased ( F=28.548), and cell migration ability was significantly decreased ( F=24.182). The number of cell lumen formation was significantly decreased ( F=52.643), and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). Compared with HG+NC group, the relative expression of pERK1/2 protein in HG+siNodal group was significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically significant ( F=44.462, P<0.01). Conclusions:Silencing Nodal expression can inhibit proliferation, migration and tube formation of RF/6A cells induced by high glucose. It may act by inhibiting pERK1/2 expression.

Objective To develop liver cancer-targeted nanoparticles(LA-CMGL)co-loaded with miR-145/camp-tothecin(CPT)and assess their targeting specificity,combined anti-tumor effects,and magnetic resonance imaging efficacy.Methods Laser scanning confocal microscopy and flow cytometry were utilized to evaluate the targeted uptake of lactobionic acid-modified and unmodified nanoparticles by HepG2 cells and HepaRG cells;quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qPCR)was employed to assess miR-145 content in tumor cells and tissues.The cytotox-icity of CPT,LA-CPT-LNPs and LA-CMGL on HepG2 cells were assessed using the CCK-8 assay.qPCR was also used to evaluate the effect of CPT,LA-CPT-LNPs and LA-CMGL on apoptosis of HepG2 cells.MRI was performed to measure the relaxation rate of LA-CMGL and evaluate its targeting imaging effect on liver cancer cells.Results The uptake rate of LA-CMGL by HepG2 cells surpassed that of CMGL significantly.The relative miR-145 content in liver cancer cells and mouse liver cancer tissues in the LA-CMGL group was markedly higher compared to free miR-145 and CMGL groups(P＜0.001).The apoptosis rate of HepG2 cells in the LA-CMGL group exceeded that in the CMGL group and CPT group(P＜0.01).At the same Gd3+concentration,the relaxation rate of LA-CMGL significantly surpassed that of Gd-DOTA,and the MRI signal of LA-CMGL in HepG2 cells markedly increased com-pared to CMGL and Gd-DOTA.Conclusion LA-CMGL exhibits promising liver cancer-targeted delivery,com-bined anti-tumor effects,and MRI liver cancer cell-targeted imaging,offering a novel avenue for combined drug/gene therapy for liver cancer.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for portopulmonary hypertension(POPH)in liver cirrhosis,and to construct a noninvasive predictive model.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 310 cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension who were hospitalized in The Third Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2013 to August 2022,and according to whether pulmonary artery systolic pressure was≥40 mmHg on ultrasound,the patients were divided into POPH group with 31 patients and non-POPH group with 279 patients.The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups,and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups;the chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups.A binary Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for POPH,and a nomogram prediction model was constructed.The Bootstrap resampling method was used for internal validation,and C-index and calibration curve were used to assess the discriminatory ability and consistency of the model.The rms package was used to plot the nomogram.Results Compared with the non-POPH group,the POPH group had a significantly younger age,a significantly higher proportion of women or patients with hepatic encephalopathy or Child-Pugh class C disease,and significantly higher levels of direct bilirubin,Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score,albumin-bilirubin(ALBI)score,international normalized ratio,prothrombin time,FIB-4 index,LOK score,and Forns index,as well as significantly lower levels of serum albumin,alanine aminotransferase,gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase,hemoglobin,total cholesterol,and triglycerides(all P<0.05).The multivariate analysis showed that sex(odds ratio[OR]=0.172,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.064-0.462,P<0.001),age(OR=0.944,95%CI:0.901-0.989,P=0.016),ALBI score(OR=3.091,95%CI:1.100-8.687,P=0.032),and hepatic encephalopathy(OR=3.466,95%CI:1.331-9.031,P=0.011)were independent risk factors for POPH.A predictive model for POPH in liver cirrhosis was established based on the above independent risk factors,with a C-index of 0.796(95%CI:0.701-0.890),suggesting that the model had good discriminatory ability,and the calibration curve showed that the model had good calibration ability,suggesting that the model had certain predictive efficacy.Conclusion Young female individuals,elevated ALBI score,and comorbidity with hepatic encephalopathy are independent risk factors for POPH in patients with liver cirrhosis,and the predictive model established based on these factors has a certain clinical application value.

Endoscopic ultrasonography(EUS)can not only directly observe the morphology of the lumens of the digestive tract through the endoscope,but also perform real-time dynamic ultrasound scanning to obtain the layers of the lumen and the structure of surrounding organs.With the wide application and technical improvement of EUS,we gradually realize that it plays an important role in the diagnosis and treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.This article reviews the application of EUS in the diagnosis and treatment of cholangiocarcinoma.

Objective To quantitatively analyze and evaluate the content of rehabilitation policy for people with disabilities in China. Methods This study focused on ten national policies of disability rehabilitation issued from 2021 to 2023.It employed text mining techniques to process policy texts and constructed a policy modeling consistency index model for dis-ability rehabilitation policies in China.The relevant policies were evaluated and analyzed quantitatively. Results The disability rehabilitation policies in China were relatively comprehensive in terms of policy transparency,op-erational mechanisms and policy nature.However,there was still a need for optimization in terms of policy per-spectives,target groups,incentive mechanisms,and other aspects. Conclusion The overall quality of disability rehabilitation policy texts at the national level in China is relatively good.There is a need to further enhance the predictability of policy objectives,clarify the responsibilities and division of labor among various departments,and improve policy incentive mechanisms in future policy formulation,which will further refine China's disability rehabilitation policy system and contribute to high-quality develop-ment of the disability cause.

Intravascular large B-cell lymphoma(IVLBCL)is an aggressive extranodal large B-cell lymphoma,cocurrence in the same organ with other malignancies is very rare,especially in the lung.Here,we report a rare case of lung adenocarcinoma with IVLBCL.The patient was admitted to the hospital due to diarrhea associated with fever and cough.A computed tomography(CT)scan of the chest showed an irregular patchy high-density shadow in the upper lobe of the right lung with ground-glass opacity at the margin.After admission,the patient was given anti-infection treatment,but still had inter-mittent low fever(up to 37.5 oC).The pathological diagnosis of percutaneous lung biopsy(PLB)was lepidic-predominant ad-enocarcinoma with local infiltration,which was proved to be invasive nonmucinous adenocarcinoma of the lung with IVLBCL after surgery.This paper analyzed the clinicopathological characteristics and reviewed the relevant literature to improve the knowledge of clinicians and pathologists and avoid missed diagnosis or misdiagnosis.

Objective To investigate the mechanisms that mediate the neuroprotective effect of the intestinal microbial metabolite sodium butyrate(NaB)in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease(PD)via the gut-brain axis.Methods Thirty-nine 7-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomized equally into control group,PD model group,and NaB treatment group.In the latter two groups,PD models were established by intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg/kg 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine(MPTP)once daily for 5 consecutive days,and normal saline was injected in the control group.After modeling,the mice received daily gavage of NaB(300 mg/kg)or an equal volume of saline for 14 days.Behavioral tests were carried out to assess the changes in motor function of the mice,and Western blotting was performed to detect the expressions of tyrosine hydroxylase(TH)and α-synuclein(α-syn)in the striatum and nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB),tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α),interleukin 6(IL-6),and the tight junction proteins ZO-1,Occludin,and Claudinin the colon.HE staining was used to observe inflammatory cell infiltration in the colon of the mice.RNA sequencing analysis was performed to identify the differentially expressed genes in mouse colon tissues,and their expressions were verified using qRT-PCR and Western blotting.Results The mouse models of PD with NaB treatment showed significantly increased movement speed and pulling strength of the limbs with obviously upregulated expressions of TH,Occludin,and Claudin and downregulated expressions of α-syn,NF-κB,TNF-α,and IL-6(all P<0.05).HE staining showed that NaB treatment significantly ameliorated inflammatory cell infiltration in the colon of the PD mice.RNA sequencing suggested that Bmal1 gene probably mediated the neuroprotective effect of NaB in PD mice(P<0.05).Conclusion NaB can improve motor dysfunction,reduce dopaminergic neuron loss in the striatum,and ameliorate colonic inflammation in PD mice possibly through a mechanism involving Bmal1.