Objective:To investigate the expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1), clinicopathologic features, immunohistochemical expression and molecular characteristics in fumarate hydratase (FH)-deficient renal cell carcinoma and to explore the potential application of immunotherapy in the patients.Methods:There were six patients with FH-deficient renal cell carcinoma treated at the First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University between January 2020 and October 2022. The clinical data, histological morphology, immunophenotype, PD-L1 expression and next-generation sequencing results were tabulated and analyzed.Results:There were 6 patients, all male, age ranged from 37 to 72 years (mean 45.7 years). Four cases were high-grade (WHO/ISUP grade3-4) with 2 or more histologic patterns, including papillary (most common), glandular, tubular, vesicular, ethmoid, nest-like, cystic and solid structures. Two cases were low-grade which showed nest-like, glandular, or tubular arrangement with eosinophilic flocculent cytoplasm and small intracellular vacuoles. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed strong expression of 2SC in all 6 cases, negative expression of FH in 5 cases, and positive expression of GATA3 in 5 cases. In high-grade cases, the mean values of CD4 and CD8 positive T-lymphocytes in advanced tumor invasion were 180.3/mm 2 and 130.5/mm 2, respectively. PD-L1 combined positive scores (CPS) were 20, 50, 5 and 30, respectively. The Ki-67 proliferative index were 20%, 20%, 10% and 30%, respectively. In low-grade cases, the mean values of CD4 and CD8 positive T-lymphocytes were 123.0/mm 2 and 100.5/mm 2, respectively. The PD-L1 CPS score was 1, and the Ki-67 proliferation index was 3%. High-throughput sequencing showed FH gene somatic mutation in 3 cases, FH gene germline mutation in 2 cases, and FH gene mutation was not detected in one case. Conclusion:FH-deficient renal cell carcinoma is more commonly high-grade than low grade. FH and 2SC are immunohistochemical markers used in the diagnosis of FH-deficient renal cell carcinoma, and GATA3 positivity is supportive of the diagnosis. The tumor infiltration of high-grade FH-deficient renal cell carcinoma shows an increase in CD4 and CD8 positive T-lymphocytes, and high expression of PD-L1; thus, anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy can be used as a treatment option.

Vernal keratoconjunctivitis is an allergic ocular surface disease mostly present with recurrent chronic inflammation, which usually affects children and adolescents and possibly results in corneal complications such as keratoconus. Keratoconus is a corneal disease characterized by a local cone-like corneal deformation. Previous studies have respectively put forward pathological mechanisms of vernal keratoconjunctivitis and keratoconus and the progressive risk factors, among which we find there's mutual mechanisms as well as cytokines' expression, including type I and IV hypersensitivity, inflammatory reaction, enzymatic changes, oxidative stress and mechanical injury. This review aims at summarizing the possible intrinsic mechanisms and cytokines exacerbating vernal keratoconjunctivitis patients corneas to keratoconus, so as to provide reference for the prevention and management in keratoconus caused by vernal keratoconjunctivitis.

Objective:To explore the composition of oral microbiome in patients of long-term survival after liver transplantation, and compare the diversity and distribution of oral microbiome in liver transplant patients with or without liver cancer.Methods:This is a cross-sectional study. Clinical data of 20 patients of long-term survival after liver transplantation from Beijing Chaoyang Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University from July 2023 to October 2023 were continuously collected, including 13 males and 7 females, aged 55 (48, 60) years. There were eight patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) undergoing liver transplantation and 12 non-HCC liver transplant patients. Oral microbiome was analyzed by 16S rDNA gene sequencing, and the diversity analysis and LEfSe analysis were performed.Results:The top ten groups of bacteria in the HCC and non-HCC liver transplant patients were both Bacteroidota, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Fusobacteriota, Patescibacteria, Campylobacterota, Cyanobacteria, spirochaetota, and Aenigmarchaeota. The top ten genus levels of bacteria in the HCC and non-HCC liver transplant patients were both Haemophilus, Porphyromonas, Gemella, Fusobacterium, Actinomyces, Prevotella, Rothia, Streptococcus, Neisseria. By LEfSe analysis, we found the enrichment of Flavobacteriales, Flavobacteriaceae, Capnocytophaga, Mogibacterium_timidum, Capnocytophaga_leadbetteri, Campylobacter_showae in the HCC group, while the enrichment of Veillonella_atypica, Prevotella_histicola in the non-HCC group.Conclusion:The main microbiome was similar between HCC and non-HCC liver transplant patients, but there were also some differences in microbiome communities.

[Objective]To analyze the value of grey-scale reversed T1-weighted(rT1)MRI in the detection of structur-al lesions of the sacroiliac joint(SIJ)in patients with axial spondyloarthritis(ax-SpA).[Methods]Fifty-two ax-SpA pa-tients who underwent both MRI and CT in our hospital within a week from February 2020 to December 2022 were retrospec-tively included.Both sacral and iliac side of each SIJ on oblique coronal images were divided into anterior,middle and pos-terior portion.Two radiologists reviewed independently three groups of MRI including T1-weighted imaging(T1WI),rT1 and T1WI+rT1 images to evaluate the structural lesions like erosions,sclerosis and joint space changes in each of the 6 re-gions of the SIJ.One of the radiologist did the evaluation again one month later.CT images were scored for lesions by a third radiologist and served as the reference standard.Intra-class correlation coefficients(ICC)were calculated to test the inter-and intra-reader agreement for the assessment of SIJ lesions.A Friedman test was performed to compare the lesion results of MRI and CT image findings.We examined the diagnostic performance[accuracy,sensitivity(SE)and specifici-ty]of different groups of MRI in the detection of lesions by using diagnostic test.A McNemar test was used to compare the differences of three groups of MRI findings.[Results]CT showed erosions in 71 joints,sclerosis in 65 and joint space changes in 53.Good inter-and intra-reader agreements were found in three groups of MRI images for the assessment of le-sions,with the best agreement in T1WI+rT1.There were no difference between T1WI+rT1 and CT for the assessment of all lesions,nor between rT1 and CT for the assessment of erosions and joint space changes(P>0.05).T1WI+rT1 yielded better accuracy and SE than T1WI in detection of all lesions(Accuracy erosions:90.3%vs 76.9%;SE erosions:91.6%vs 76.1%;Accu-racy sclerosis:89.4%vs 80.8%;SE sclerosis:84.6%vs 73.9%;Accuracy joint space changes:86.5%vs 73.1%;SE joint space changes:84.9%vs 60.4%;P<0.05).rT1 yielded better accuracy and SE than T1WI in detection of erosions and joint space changes(Accuracy erosions:87.5%vs 76.9%;SE erosions:88.7%vs 76.1%;Accuracy joint space changes:85.6%vs 73.1%;SE joint space changes:83.0%vs 60.4%;P<0.05).[Conclusions]In the detection of SIJ structural lesions in ax-SpA,rT1 improves the diagnostic perfor-mance and T1WI+rT1 is more superior to others.

Prostate cancer remains the second most common malignancy in men worldwide, is a global health issue, and poses a huge health burden. Precision medicine provides more treatment options for prostate cancer patients, but its popularity, drug resistance, and adverse reactions still need to be focused on. Chinese herbal medicines (CHMs) have been widely accepted as an alternative therapy for cancer, with the advantages of multiple targets, multiple pathways, and low toxicity. We searched the experimental research and clinical practice of CHMs for prostate cancer treatment published in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science in the last five years. We found five CHM formulas and six single CHM extracts as well as 12 CHM-derived compounds, which showed induction of apoptosis, autophagy, and cell cycle arrest, suppression of angiogenesis, proliferation, and migration of prostate cancer cells, reversal of drug resistance, and enhancement of anti-tumor immunity. The mechanisms of action include the PI3K/Akt/mTOR, AR, EGFR and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways, which are commonly implicated in the development of prostate cancer. We also summarized the advantages of CHMs in patients with hormone-sensitive and castration-resistant prostate cancer and provided ideas for their further experimental design and application.

Objective:To analyze the plasma levels of soluble immune checkpoint molecules in patients with primary liver cancer and their prognostic significance.Methods:The levels of sCD28, sCD80, sCD137, sCD27, sGITR, sTIM3, sCTLA4, sHVEM, IDO, sLAG3, sBTLA, sPD1, sPDL1 and sPDL2 in plasma samples of 58 patients with primary liver cancer and 30 healthy controls were detected by liquid chip technology and compared between different groups. The relationship between the plasma levels of soluble immune checkpoint molecules and tumor recurrence was analyzed.Results:The levels of sCD28 and sCD80 were higher in patients in Barcelona Clinic Liver Cancer (BCLC) stage 0/A and B than in healthy controls and patients in BCLC-C stage ( P<0.05). However, the levels of sCD27 and sHVEM in BCLC-C patients were significantly lower than those in BCLC-0/A and BCLC-B patients, and even lower than healthy control group. The levels of sCD137, IDO and sPD1 in BCLC-0/A and BCLC-B patients were higher than those in healthy controls. The levels of sPDL1 and sPDL2 in different BCLC stages were all higher than those in healthy controls, and maintained at high level in the three stages, but there was no significant difference between different stages. After 24 months of interventional treatment, the preoperative sCD28 level was lower in patients with recurrent tumor recurrence than in patients without recurrence ( t=2.843, P=0.007). The optimal cut-off value of sCD28 based on the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for predicting tumor recurrence was 101.42 pg/ml and the area under the ROC curve was 0.771 (95%CI: 0.611-0.931) with a sensitivity of 0.889 and a specificity of 0.666. The cumulative recurrence rate in patients with high sCD28 level (≥101.41 pg/ml) was 57.9% at 24 months after surgery, which was lower than the rate (95.5%) in patients with low sCD28 level (<101.41 pg/ml). The difference in the cumulative recurrence rate between the two groups was statistically significant (χ 2=15.777, P=0.000). Conclusions:The expression patterns of soluble immune checkpoint molecules varied in patients at different stages of primary liver cancer, suggesting that there were differences in their immune status and sCD28 could be used as a prognostic marker for postoperative recurrence of liver cancer.

Objective:To observe the therapeutic efficacy and prognosis of daratumumab combined with chemotherapy bridging to allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) followed by daratumumab and lenalidomide maintenance treatment for primary plasma cell leukemia (PCL).Methods:The clinical data of a patient with primary PCL admitted to the First People's Hospital of Yunnan Province in January 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, and relevant literatures were reviewed.Results:The patient was diagnosed with primary PCL and treated with daratumumab combined with BD (bortezomib + dexamethasone) for 1 course and BCDD (bortezomib + cyclophosphamide + liposomaldoxorubicin + dexamethasone) for two courses. The patient was treated with daratumumab combined with allo-HSCT after complete remission. The donor cells were successfully implanted and the chimerism rate of donor cells was 94.36% without acute graft-versus-host disease reaction. And then the patient received intermittent maintenance therapy of daratumumab combined with low dose lenalidomide after transplantation, and the current remission period after transplantation reached 4 months.Conclusions:Daratumumab combined with chemotherapy bridging to allo-HSCT followed by daratumumab and lenalidomide may improve the prognosis of primary PCL and prolong survival time.

Objective:To document any improvement in the breathing control of stroke survivors with dysarthria after practicing Liuzijue qigong.Methods:A total of 157 stroke survivors with dysarthria and abnormal respiration control were randomly divided into an observation group and a control group. Both groups were given traditional breathing training and basic articulation training (including articulatory organ training and speech training). The observation group also received training in Liuzijue qigong. It requires inhaling through the nose and exhaling through the mouth while producing the speech sounds xu, he, hu, si, chui and xi. The training lasted two weeks. Both groups were then evaluated using the modified Frenchay dysarthria assessment. Maximum phonation time, maximum counting ability and volume were also recorded as secondary indexes.Results:After the 2-week intervention, significant improvement was observed in the average scores on all of the indexes, with all of the observation group′s average scores except for volume significantly better than those of the control group. The average volume scores were significantly improved, but not significantly different.Conclusion:Supplementing basic articulation training with Liuzijue qigong can improve respiratory function and the speaking ability of stroke survivors with dysarthria. It is worthy of wider clinical application.

Objective To investigate the current status of posttraumatic growth among digestive system cancer patient' families, and explore correlation of posttraumatic growth with social support, coping style in digestive system cancer patient' s families. Methods The Posttraumatic Growth Inventory, Perceived Social Support Scale and Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire were used to survey the 280 digestive system cancer patient' s families. Results The mean posttraumatic growth total score in families of the patients with digestive system cancer was (46.03 ± 15.83) points. The highest score was found for appreciation of life, the lowest was spiritual change. Meanwhile, posttraumatic growth was significantly correlated with perceived social support. The correlation coefficient was 0.730 (P<0.01). In the coping style, there was a positive correlation between positive coping style and post-traumatic growth. The correlation coefficient was 0.644, (P<0.01). While except personal relationship and mental change dimensions, there was a negative correlation between the post-traumatic growth with the negative coping style. The correlation coefficient was-0.155 (P<0.05). Conclusions Family of patients with digestive system cancer also experience posttraumatic growth when their loved ones are diagnosed with cancer, but the posttraumatic growth was at the lower level. Social support and positive coping are the positive factors of post traumatic growth, and negative coping is the negative influencing factor.

Objective:To establish an LC–MS/MS method for the determination of the active metabolite(SN-38) and secondary metabolite(SN-38G) of irinotecan in rat liver microsomes incubation system, and optimize the incubation conditions. Methods:Meth-anol was selected to precipitate protein in the samples, and then the concentrations were analyzed by LC–MS/MS. All the separation was carried out on a ZORBAX Eclipse XDB-C18 column(2. 1 mm × 50 mm, 3. 5 μm) with the mobile phase of acetonitrile – water (containing 0. 1% formic acid) (23 :77) at a flow rate of 0. 3 ml·min-1. The mass spectrometer was operated with multiple reac-tions monitoring ( MRM) using electrospray ionization ( ESI) . The incubation conditions were optimized by single factor design. Re-sults:SN-38 and SN-38G showed a good linearity ( r≥0. 9972) respectively within the range of 2. 3-920 ng·ml-1 and 2. 5-1000 ng ·ml-1. The intra-and inter-day RSD was below 14. 6%(n=6). The average recovery was within the range of 74. 1%-123. 4% with RSD below 13. 5% (n=6). The optimal incubation conditions were as follows:the concentration of liver microsomal protein was 0. 3 mg·ml-1 and the incubation time was 30 min. Conclusion:The method is rapid, sensitive and accurate in the quantification of SN-38 and SN-38G in the incubation system,which provides methodological basis for the activity determination of UGT1A1 enzyme in vitro.