Hereditary angioedema (HAE) is a rare autosomal dominant genetic disorder characterized by recurrent and unpredictable episodes of edema. Currently, there is no effective cure available, which seriously affects patients′ quality of life. Gene therapy intervenes in the disease at the genetic level, offering new perspectives for the treatment of HAE. This article summarizes the current research progress in gene therapy for HAE, including gene editing, transgenic therapy, and RNA therapy. It aims to draw the attention of researchers in this field, and provide references and insights for clinicians.

Objective:To describe the clinical characteristics and diagnosis and treatment process of one patient with primary thyroid mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue(MALT)lymphoma,in order to broaden the diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for this disease. Methods:The clinical features,diagnosis and treatment of one patient with primary thyroid MALT lymphoma were reported,and the relevant literatures were reviewed. Results:The patient complained of"bilateral thyroid enlargement for over 3 months",and the preoperative thyroid B-ultrasound and neck CT examination showed significant enlargement of thyroid.The patient underwent thyroidectomy on the right lobe behind the sternum,and postoperative pathological diagnosis confirmed primary thyroid MALT lymphoma.After a definitive diagnosis,the radiotherapy was performed on the thyroid lesion and cervical lymph node drainage area at a dose of 30 Gy/15 sessions.There was no disease progression 7 months after radiotherapy. Conclusion:Primary thyroid MALT lymphoma is a subtype of primary thyroid lymphoma(PTL)that commonly occurs in elderly female patients(＞60 years)accompanied by Hashimotos's thyroiditis(HT),and presents progressive enlargement of neck masses or lymph nodes in a short period.The clinical diagnosis of PTL relies on pathological biopsy,and there are significant differences in the clinical manifestations,treatment approaches,and prognosis among different subtypes of PTL.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic accuracy of serological indicators and evaluate the diagnostic value of a new established combined serological model on identifying the minimal hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) in patients with compensated cirrhosis.Methods:This prospective multicenter study enrolled 263 compensated cirrhotic patients from 23 hospitals in 15 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China between October 2021 and August 2022. Clinical data and laboratory test results were collected, and the model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score was calculated. Ammonia level was corrected to the upper limit of normal (AMM-ULN) by the baseline blood ammonia measurements/upper limit of the normal reference value. MHE was diagnosed by combined abnormal number connection test-A and abnormal digit symbol test as suggested by Guidelines on the management of hepatic encephalopathy in cirrhosis. The patients were randomly divided (7∶3) into training set ( n=185) and validation set ( n=78) based on caret package of R language. Logistic regression was used to establish a combined model of MHE diagnosis. The diagnostic performance was evaluated by the area under the curve (AUC) of receiver operating characteristic curve, Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve. The internal verification was carried out by the Bootstrap method ( n=200). AUC comparisons were achieved using the Delong test. Results:In the training set, prevalence of MHE was 37.8% (70/185). There were statistically significant differences in AMM-ULN, albumin, platelet, alkaline phosphatase, international normalized ratio, MELD score and education between non-MHE group and MHE group (all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that AMM-ULN [odds ratio ( OR)=1.78, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 1.05-3.14, P=0.038] and MELD score ( OR=1.11, 95% CI 1.04-1.20, P=0.002) were independent risk factors for MHE, and the AUC for predicting MHE were 0.663, 0.625, respectively. Compared with the use of blood AMM-ULN and MELD score alone, the AUC of the combined model of AMM-ULN, MELD score and education exhibited better predictive performance in determining the presence of MHE was 0.755, the specificity and sensitivity was 85.2% and 55.7%, respectively. Hosmer-Lemeshow test and calibration curve showed that the model had good calibration ( P=0.733). The AUC for internal validation of the combined model for diagnosing MHE was 0.752. In the validation set, the AUC of the combined model for diagnosing MHE was 0.794, and Hosmer-Lemeshow test showed good calibration ( P=0.841). Conclusion:Use of the combined model including AMM-ULN, MELD score and education could improve the predictive efficiency of MHE among patients with compensated cirrhosis.

Objective:To compare the differences in the prevalence of mild micro-hepatic encephalopathy (MHE) among patients with cirrhosis by using the psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score (PHES) and the Stroop smartphone application (Encephal App) test.Methods:This prospective, multi-center, real-world study was initiated by the National Clinical Medical Research Center for Infectious Diseases and the Portal Hypertension Alliance and registered with International ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05140837). 354 cases of cirrhosis were enrolled in 19 hospitals across the country. PHES (including digital connection tests A and B, digital symbol tests, trajectory drawing tests, and serial management tests) and the Stroop test were conducted in all of them. PHES was differentiated using standard diagnostic criteria established by the two studies in China and South Korea. The Stroop test was evaluated based on the criteria of the research and development team. The impact of different diagnostic standards or methods on the incidence of MHE in patients with cirrhosis was analyzed. Data between groups were differentiated using the t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, and χ2 test. A kappa test was used to compare the consistency between groups. Results:After PHES, the prevalence of MHE among 354 cases of cirrhosis was 78.53% and 15.25%, respectively, based on Chinese research standards and Korean research normal value standards. However, the prevalence of MHE was 56.78% based on the Stroop test, and the differences in pairwise comparisons among the three groups were statistically significant (kappa = -0.064, P < 0.001). Stratified analysis revealed that the MHE prevalence in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C was 74.14%, 83.33%, and 88.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Chinese researchers, while the MHE prevalence rates in three groups of patients with Child-Pugh classes A, B, and C were 8.29%, 23.53%, and 38.24%, respectively, according to the normal value standards of Korean researchers. Furthermore, the prevalence rates of MHE in the three groups of patients with Child-Pugh grades A, B, and C were 52.68%, 58.82%, and 73.53%, respectively, according to the Stroop test standard. However, among the results of each diagnostic standard, the prevalence of MHE showed an increasing trend with an increasing Child-Pugh grade. Further comparison demonstrated that the scores obtained by the number connection test A and the number symbol test were consistent according to the normal value standards of the two studies in China and South Korea ( Z = -0.982, -1.702; P = 0.326, 0.089), while the other three sub-tests had significant differences ( P < 0.001). Conclusion:The prevalence rate of MHE in the cirrhotic population is high, but the prevalence of MHE obtained by using different diagnostic criteria or methods varies greatly. Therefore, in line with the current changes in demographics and disease spectrum, it is necessary to enroll a larger sample size of a healthy population as a control. Moreover, the establishment of more reliable diagnostic scoring criteria will serve as a basis for obtaining accurate MHE incidence and formulating diagnosis and treatment strategies in cirrhotic populations.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of cell sheets containing allogeneic keratinocytes and fibroblasts in the treatment of partial-thickness burn wounds.Methods:The cell sheets containing allogeneic keratinocytes and fibroblasts were constructed using polyurethane biofilm as carrier. Then gross observation and histological observation were conducted. From April 2016 to December 2017, Changhai Hospital of Naval Medical University recruited patients with acute partial-thickness burn wounds that met the inclusion criteria for this prospective and positively self-controlled clinical trial. Recruitment of 40 acute partial-thickness burn wounds were planned with each selected single wound being not smaller than 10 cm×10 cm and not more than 5% total body surface area (TBSA). Each wound was equally divided into two areas, which were recruited into cell sheet group and conventional treatment group according to the random number table. The wounds in cell sheet group were covered by cell sheet and then sterile gauze as secondary dressings. Depending on the wound healing and exudation, the sterile gauze was replaced every 1 to 3 day (s) after the treatment was started, and the cell sheet was replaced every 7 days (namely dressing changing). The wounds in conventional treatment group were covered by sulfadiazine silver cream gauze and then dressed with sterile gauze, with the dressings changed every 2 to 3 days depending on wound exudation. On treatment day 5, 7, 10, and 14, the wound healing rates in the two groups were calculated. The complete wound healing time, the total number of dressing changes, and the status of wound infection during treatment were recorded. The Visual Analogue Scale was used to score the pain at the first dressing change. Scar formation of patients was followed up for 6 to 12 months after injury. Safety indicators including vital signs, laboratory examination indexes, and adverse reactions during treatment were observed. Data were statistically analysed with Wilcoxon rank sum test and Bonferroni correction.Results:(1) Each prepared cell sheet had a diameter of about 8 cm and was about 49 cm 2 in size, containing 2 or 3 layers of keratinocytes and fibroblasts. (2) A total of 43 patients were enrolled, of whom 3 patients dropped out of the study. Of the 40 patients who completed the treatment, there were 22 males and 18 females who were aged 1 to 57 year (s), with total burn area of 2% to 26% TBSA. (3) On treatment day 5, 7, 10, and 14, the wound healing rates in cell sheet group were significantly higher than those in conventional treatment group ( Z=4.205, 4.258, 3.495, 2.521, P<0.05 or P<0.01). The complete wound healing time in cell sheet group was 7 (6, 8) days, which was significantly shorter than 11 (7, 14) days in conventional treatment group ( Z=4.219, P<0.01). The total number of wound dressing changes in cell sheet group was 1 (1, 2) times, which was significantly less than 6 (4, 7) times in conventional treatment group ( Z=5.464, P<0.01). (4) The wounds in cell sheet group in 31 patients healed before the first dressing change. The pain score of wounds in the first dressing change in cell sheet group of 9 patients was 1 (0, 1) point, while the pain score of wounds in the first dressing change in conventional treatment group of 40 patients was 2 (1, 3) points. There was no obvious infection in the wounds in both groups of 40 patients before the wound healing. Nine patients completed the follow-up after the trial. In 6 patients, no scar formation was observed in cell sheet group or conventional treatment group. The color of wounds in cell sheet group was consistent with normal skin, and there was only a small amount of pigment deposition in the wounds of conventional treatment group. Three patients developed pigment deposition only in the wounds of cell sheet group but obvious scars in conventional treatment group. (5) The abnormal fluctuations of vital signs including body temperature, blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, and laboratory examination indexes of all patients during treatment were alleviated through the process of burn wound healing. No obvious adverse reactions or abnormalities related to the treatment were observed. Conclusions:The cell sheet containing allogeneic keratinocytes and fibroblasts can reduce the number of dressing changes, accelerate wound epithelialization, shorten wound healing time, reduce pain during dressing change in the treatment of partial-thickness burn wounds, and it may reduce scar hyperplasia after wound healing because of accelerating wound epithelization. Its clinical application is simple, safe, and effective.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of DCD donor-derived CRKP infection and bleeding in kidney transplantation,and to summarize the experience of diagnosis,treatment and prevention.Methods A retrospective analysis was carried out from July 2016 to December 2017 in hospital,containing clinical data of 4 cases of CRKP-infected DCD donors and 7 cases of kidney transplantation recipients.Results In the CRKP culture of 4 cases of DCD donors,1 case was positive for blood culture,1 case was positive for urine culture,1 case was positive for sputum culture,and 1 case was negative for blood,urine and sputum culture.The corresponding 7 recipients were all positive for blood culture after renal transplantation,4 cases were positive for urine culture,3 cases were positive for sputum culture,and 5 cases were positive for perirenal drainage.Of the 7 patients,4 cases had renal artery hemorrhage,1 of them was died.The average bleeding time was 17.75 days after operation (14-19 days).In 7 patients with renal transplantation,CRP increasd.And in 3 cases of deaths,CRP was stably higher than normal.Meanwhile,CRP in 4 surviving patients gradually decreased to the normal range after effective anti-infection treatment.All 7 patients were treated with carbapenems;2 patients were dead without avibactam therapy;and 5 cases were treated with avibactam and carbapenems and survived,1 case died and 1 case had good renal function recovery.Conclusion Positive CRKP in blood,urine and sputum of DCD donors can lead to CRKP infection in kidney transplant recipients.Even if the body fluids of donors are all negative,the false negative results could not be excluded.Persistent or increased high-level CRP after operation is an early warning on CRKP infection.And CRP can be used as an indicator for evaluating the effectiveness of anti CRKP therapy.The combination of avibactam and carbapenem antibiotics is an effective regimen in the treatment of DCD donor-derived CRKP.

Objective To evaluate the effect of extracorporeal photopheresis upon the expression levels of interleukin (IL)-12p70 and T helper cell (Th) 1/Th2-like cytokines in splenic lymphocytes of mouse models undergoing skin transplantation. Methods The C57BL/6 mice were used as the donors and BALB/c mice as the recipients to establish mouse models with skin allograft. The splenic lymphocytes in the C57BL/6 and BALB/c mice (CSP and BSP) were isolated and treated with 8-methoxypsoralen combined long-wave ultraviolet (PUVA-SP). According to the components of intravenous infusion into the recipients, all experimental animals were randomly divided into the PUVA-BSP, PUVA-CSP, BSP, CSP and phosphate buffer solution (PBS) control groups (n=12 for each group). The mice were injected with PUVA-BSP, PUVA-CSP, BSP, CSP or PBS via the caudal vein at preoperative 7 d, upon the day of surgery and at postoperative 7 d, respectively. The apoptosis of the splenic lymphocytes was observed after PUVA treatment. The expression levels of IL-12p70 and Th1/Th2-like cytokines in the peripheral blood of the recipients were quantitatively measured. Results After the skin transplantation, the expression levels of IL-12p70 in the peripheral blood of mice in the PUVA-BSP and PUVA-CSP groups were significantly down-regulated compared with those in the BSP, CSP and PBS control groups (all P<0.01). In the PUVA-BSP and PUVA-CSP groups, the expression levels of Th1-like cytokine IL-2, interferon (IFN)-γwere dramatically lower than those in the BSP, CSP and PBS control groups (all P<0.01). The expression levels of Th2-like cytokine IL-10 in the PUVA-BSP and PUVA-CSP groups were significantly up-regulated compared with those in the BSP, CSP and PBS control groups (all P<0.01). Conclusions Infusion of PUVA-SP at a sufficient dose can induce the low expression level of IL-12p70 and drive the incidence of Th2 immune deviation in the recipient BALB/c mice.

Objective To investigate the effects of the interaction between human hepatoma cells and hepatic stellate cells on their growth state,and study its role of interaction on the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.Methods Human hepatoma cell line HepG2 and hepatic stellate cell line hepatic stallate cells (HSC)-T6 were used and the methods including methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay,flow cytometry (FCM) analysis,immunohistochemistry,and electron microscopy were employed in this experiment.The effects of conditioned medium (CM) of HepG2 on the activation and proliferation of HSC were explored.The effects of activated HSC CM on HepG2 proliferation were investigated.The uhrastructural changes of the two co-cultured cells were observed.Results MTT assay result showed that HepG2/HSC CM could promote HSC/HepG2 proliferation.FCM result demonstrated that HepG2/HSC CM could influence the cell cycle distribution in HSC/HepG2.Immunohistochemistry exhibited that after the treatment of HepG2/HSC CM,the expression ofα-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) in HSC and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in HepG2 were increased.When HepG2 and HSC were co-cultured,the ultrastructure of HSC displayed an activated feature.Conclusions HepG2 cells can induce the activation and proliferation of HSC,and the activated HSC can also stimulate the proliferation of HepG2.Interaction between hepatoma cells and hepatic stellate cells may play an important role in the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma.

BACKGROUND:Recent reports only concern vertebroplasty for mild to moderate vertebral compression fractures, but seldom address vertebroplasty for severe vertebral compression fractures such as vertebral colapse. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the efficacy and imaging features of percutaneous vertebroplasty for severe vertebral compression fractures. METHODS:A total of 25 patients underwent single-level vertebroplasty for vertebral compression fractures. Imaging features were then analyzed including location, pattern of compression, extent of colapse, pre- and post kyphotic angle and adjacent disc height before and after vertebroplasty. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:60% (16/25) patients involved the thoracolumbar junction. The height of colapsed vertebral body was 14%-30% of original vertebral body. The average height of colapse was 5.17 mm or 22% of original vertebral body. Kyphotic angle before vertebroplasty ranged from 0-33° (averagely 16°) with an average correction of 12° after vertebroplasty. Average disc height before vertebroplasty was 7.3 mm above and 7.7 mm below. Visual analogue scale score was significantly higher preoperatively than that postoperatively, showing significant difference in pain improvement (P< 0.015). These data suggest that percutaneous vertebroplasty is safe and effective in the treatment of single level severe vertebral compression fractures.

Objective To investigate the feasibility of immature dendritic cells (imDC)phagocytized psoralen ultraviolet A (PUVA)-treated splenic lymphocytes (PUVA-SP DC)in mice inducing B lymphocytes to be regulatory B cells (Breg)with high secretion of interleukin (IL)-10 (IL-10 +Breg). Methods Bone marrow-derived DC of mice was cultured. Spleen lymphocytes of mice were isolated and treated by PUVA,and turned to be PUVA-SP. The bone marrow-derived imDC was co-cultured with PUVA-SP in vitro to obtain PUVA-SP DC. Splenic B lymphocytes of mice were separated by anti-CD19 magnetic beads and co-cultured with different kinds of DC for 48 hours. The levels of interferon (IFN )-γ,transforming growth factor (TGF)-β,IL-12p70,and IL-10 in the culture supernatant of B lymphocytes,imDC,imDC+B lymphocytes, PUVA-SP DC and PUVA-SP DC +B lymphocytes were measured by enzyme-linked immune absorbent assay (ELISA). The accounts of IL-10 +Breg in B lymphocytes,imDC+B lymphocytes,mDC+B lymphocytes and PUVA-SP DC+B lymphocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Results Compared with the other 4 groups, the level of IL-10 in cell culture supernatant of PUVA-SP DC+B lymphocytes was significantly higher (all in P<0.05). Compared with the other groups,the account of IL-10 +Breg in PUVA-SP DC+B lymphocytes was significantly higher. Conclusions PUVA-SP DC can induce splenic B lymphocytes to differentiate into IL-10 +Breg.