Background Silicosis is an occupational disease mainly characterized by pulmonary progressive fibrosis induced by the accumulation of free silica (SiO₂) in the lungs due to long-term exposure to SiO₂ dust. It has been shown that neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are increased in the lung tissues of silicotic mice after 28 d SiO₂ exposure, but it is unclear how the levels of NETs change throughout entire progression of silicosis in mice. Objective To observe the levels of NETs and pathological changes in the lungs of silicotic mice after different duration of SiO₂ exposure, and to confirm the possible role and significance of NETsin the development of SiO₂-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Methods A total of 28 SPF male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a control group, and a model group, and the model group was subdivided into, a 2 d model group, a 7 d model group, and a 28 d model group, with 7 mice in each group. The mice in the model groups were given intratracheal instillation with 10 mg SiO₂ suspension (50 μL), and the mice in the control group were received same volume of saline. Mice were sacrificed and samples were collected at designed time points. The pathological changes of lung tissues of mice were observed after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Van Gieson (VG) staining. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the NETs markers citrullination histone H3 (CitH3) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and the percentage of NETs-positive cells was calculated. PicoGreen fluorescent dye kit was used to detect the content of extracelluar DNA (ex-DNA) in mouse BALF, and the expression levels of fibrosis-related proteins α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin (FN) and NETs marker CitH3 in lung tissues of mice were detected by Western blot (WB). Results Compared with the control group, inflammatory cells accumulation, alveolar wall thickening, and collagen deposition were obviously observed in the lungs of the silicosis model groups, and a large number of silicone nodules were recorded in the lung tissues in the 28 d group. Compared with the control group, the expressions of α-SMA and FN in the lung tissue of the 28 d group were significantly increased (P<0.05). The percentages of NETs in BALF increased significantly in the 2 d and the 7 d model group, then decreased in the 28 d model group (P<0.05). Compared with the control group (7.434±0.258) ng·mL⁻¹, the ex-DNA levels in BALF of mice in the 2 d [(35.110±6.331) ng·mL⁻¹], the 7 d [(39.491±6.948) ng·mL⁻¹], and the 28 d [(23.360±4.809) ng·mL⁻¹] model groups were increased (P<0.05), and the increase of ex-DNA in the 2 d and the 7 d model groups were statistically significant (P<0.05). In comparison with the control group, the protein level of CitH3 was significantly increased in the lung tissues of mice in the 7 d model group (P<0.05). Conclusion The content of NETs increases significantly and reaches a peak in the early inflammatory stage of silicosis, and decreases as the disease progresses to the fibrotic stage, suggesting that NETs may play a role in early stage of silicosis.

Objective We aimed to explore the clinical efficacy of precise electro-acupuncture stimulation in the pterygopalatine fossa for the treatment of chronic sinusitis.Methods In total,40 patients with chronic sinusitis who visited the Xiyuan Hospital,China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences between January 2022 and January 2023 were selected.The subjects were randomly divided into two groups:the treatment group(receiving precise electro-acupuncture in the pterygopalatine fossa)and the control group(receiving standard western medical treatment),with 20 cases in each groups.The treatments were administered twice a week for a period of 12 weeks.The effectiveness of the treatments was evaluated through computed tomography(CT)of the sinus changes and the Lund-Mackay scoring system.Results In cases of total opacity and partial opacity,there were significant differences between the two patient groups before and after treatment(P<0.05).Intra-group comparison revealed statistically significant improvements in both groups before and after treatment(P<0.05).The treatment group exhibited significant improvement in various sinus conditions(P<0.05),while in the control group,a significant improvement was only observed in the left maxillary sinus(P<0.05).Inter-group comparison also demonstrated that the treatment group's improvements were superior to those of the control group across multiple indicators(P<0.05).Conclusion The precise electro-acupuncture stimulation technique in the pterygopalatine fossa demonstrated significant therapeutic effects in the treatment of chronic sinusitis,with superior outcomes with respect to radiological changes compared to standard western medicine treatment.

Objective:To explore the MRI characteristics of the hepatic epithelioid hemangioendothelioma (HEHE) classification according to morphology and size.Methods:The clinical, pathological, and MRI imaging data of 40 cases with HEHE confirmed pathologically from December 2009 to September 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. A paired sample t-test was used for comparison between the two groups. Results:There were 40 cases (5 solitary, 24 multifocal, 9 local fusion, and 2 diffuse fusion) and 214 lesions (163 nodules, 31 masses, and 20 fusion foci). The most common features of lesions were subcapsular growth and capsular depression. The signal intensity of lesions ≤1cm was usually uniform with whole or ring enhancement. Nodules and mass-like lesions ≥1cm on a T1-weighted image had slightly reduced signal intensity or manifested as a halo sign. Target signs on a T2-weighted image were characterized by: target or centripetal enhancement; fusion-type lesions; irregular growth and hepatic capsular retraction, with ring or target-like enhancement in the early stage of fusion and patchy irregular enhancement in the late stage; blood vessels traversing or accompanied by malformed blood vessels; focal bleeding; an increasing proportion of extrahepatic metastases and abnormal liver function with the type of classified manifestation; primarily portal vein branches traversing; and reduced overall intralesional bleeding rate (17%). Lollipop signs were presented in 19 cases, with a high expression rate in mass-type lesions (42%). The fusion lesions were expressed, but the morphological manifestation was atypical. The diffusion-weighted imaging mostly showed high signal or target-like high signal. An average apparent diffusion coefficient of lesions was (1.56±0.36) ×10 -3mm 2/s, which was statistically significantly different compared with that of adjacent normal liver parenchyma ( t=8.28, P<0.001). Conclusion:The MRI manifestations for the HEHE classification are closely related to the morphology and size of the lesions and have certain differences and characteristics that are helpful for the diagnosis of the disease when combined with clinical and laboratory examinations.

Hip fracture is considered as the most severe osteoporotic fracture characterized by high disability and mortality in the elderly. Improved surgical techniques and multidisciplinary team play an active role in alleviating prognosis, which places higher demands on perioperative nursing. Dysfunction, complications, and secondary impact of anaesthesia and surgery add more difficulties to clinical nursing. Besides, there still lack clinical practices in perioperative nursing for elderly patients with hip fracture in China. In this context, led by the Orthopedic Nursing Committee of Chinese Nursing Association, the Expert consensus on clinical practice in perioperative nursing for elderly patients with hip fracture ( version 2023) is developed based on the evidence-based medicine. This consensus provides 11 recommendations on elderly patients with hip fracture from aspects of perioperative health education, condition monitoring and inspection, complication risk assessment and prevention, and rehabilitation, in order to provide guiding advices for clinical practice, improve the quality of nursing and ameliorate the prognosis of elderly patients with hip fracture.

Objective:To investigate the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics and pathological imaging findings of primary hepatic angiosarcoma (PHA).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical, pathological and MRI data of 15 cases of PHA confirmed by pathology at the Affiliated Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from October 2011 to August 2022, including 9 males and 6 females, aged (57.4±11.5) years old. The MRI data included the number, location, size, morphology, signal intensity on non-contrast MRI, enhancement features, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of the lesions were collected.Results:Among the 15 cases, 4 presented as dominant masses, 10 as multiple nodules, and 1 as diffuse small nodule type. Among the 15 patients, 11(73.3%) had multiple lesions, all involving the left and right lobes of the liver. The size of the lesion varies from punctate to 13.5 cm. A total of 24 lumpy lesions and 53 nodular lesions were analyzed. Among the 24 lumpy lesions, 14 were irregular. Among the 53 nodular lesions, 28 were quasi circular and 25 were irregular. Compared to nodular lesions, the signal of lumpy lesions is uneven, with varying degrees of necrotic areas visible in 100% (24/24) and bleeding in 91.7% (22/24) of the cases. The arterial phase enhancement of 24 lumpy lesions was mainly characterized by central cord, grid like enhancement with or without peripheral points, lines, and incomplete ring enhancement (66.7%, 16/24). The arterial phase of 53 nodular lesions mainly showed circular and overall enhancement (64.2%, 34/53), while during the portal vein, continuous circular enhancement, centripetal or grid filling and complete enhancement were observed. After removing some small lesions or artifact interference, 55 lesions were measured, and the ADC value of the lesions was (1.57±0.54)×10 -3 mm 2/s, the ADC of adjacent liver parenchyma in the same layer was (1.36±0.30)×10 -3 mm 2/s, the difference between the two was statistically significant ( P=0.012). Conclusions:The MRI manifestations of PHA patients have certain characteristics, especially the discovery of vascular perforation and malformation within the lesion. Combined with clinical and laboratory examinations, it is helpful for the diagnosis of the disease.

The MAPK signaling pathway can mediate a variety of cytokines to participate in the processes of inflammation, cancer, immune disorder, and neurodegenerative diseases, and it also plays an important role in the development and progression of hepatic echinococcosis. This article reviews the structure and regulation of the MAPK signaling pathway and elaborates on the role of the MAPK signaling pathway in hepatic echinococcosis. It is pointed out that the MAPK signaling pathway can activate both the cyst and the host in hepatic echinococcosis, participate in the development and progression of the disease, and exert an impact on its treatment. Drug therapy targeting the MAPK signaling pathway is expected to become a new strategy for the treatment of hepatic echinococcosis.

Objective:To analyze clinical phenotypes and pathogenic mutations of a patient with classic tuberous sclerosis complex.Methods:Clinical data was collected from a patient with classic tuberous sclerosis complex. Next-generation sequencing was performed to screen pathogenic gene variants, and Sanger sequencing to verify the mutations. Minigene plasmids were constructed and transfected into the human renal epithelial cell line 293T, and RNA was extracted for transcriptional analysis.Results:The patient clinically presented with recurrent epileptic seizures, facial angiofibroma, periungual fibroma, pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis, renal angiomyolipoma and multiple osteosclerosis. Next-generation sequencing revealed a suspected pathogenic variant in the TSC2 gene in the patient. Sanger sequencing identified a heterozygous mutation c.336_336+15delGGTAAGGCCCAGGGCG in exon 4 of the TSC2 gene in the patient, but not in his parents or 100 unrelated healthy controls. Moreover, this mutation had not been previously reported. The minigene experiment showed changed mRNA sequence of the TSC2 gene in this patient with loss of the authentic splice site in exon 4 and insertion of a 74-bp intron, which shifted the splice site 90 bp downstream (r.336delins336+16_336+90) .Conclusion:The novel heterozygous mutation c.336_336+15delGGTAAGGCCCAGGGCG in exon 4 of the TSC2 gene can lead to aberrant splicing, and may contribute to tuberous sclerosis complex in this patient.

Objective:To investigate the change of microalbuminuria (MA) in patients with RA and its clinical significance.Methods:From January 2018 to December 2019, data of 75 cases of RA patients were collected from outpatient and inpatient wardsof our hospital, and the data of 75 cases of physical examination wascollected as control. Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP) antibody, blood lipid, Homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-CCP antibodyand MA levels were measured respectively. RA patients were obtained by ultrasound Carotid intima-media thickness (cIMT) and brachial artery flow mediated diastolic function (FMD) were measured. The statistical analysis was carried out with independent t-test, analysis of variance, Pearson correlation analysis and multiple stepwise regression. Results:The MA level of RA patients was significantly higher than that of the healthy control group [(31±5) mg/L vs (25±4) mg/L, t=5.982, P<0.05]. In RA patients, MA level was positively correlated with course of disease ( r=0.327, P=0.015), HOMA-IR ( r=0.576, P<0.01], CRP ( r=0.212, P=0.027), RF ( r=0.585, P<0.01), disease activity score in 28 joints (DAS28) ( r=0.472, P=0.013), cIMT ( r=0.611, P<0.01) and duration of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) use ( r=0.274, P<0.01), and urineMA level( OR=1.763, P<0.01) were independent correlation factors affecting cIMT. Conclusion:The level of MA in RA patients is significantly higher than that in normal controls, and is correlated with disease activity and subclinical atherosclerosis, which could be another important predictor of disease follow-up and early screening of subclinical atherosclerosis in RA patients.

Lifestyle interventions, including dietary adjustments and exercise, are important for obesity management. This study enrolled adults with overweight or obesity to explore whether either low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) or exercise is more effective in metabolism improvement. Forty-five eligible subjects were randomly divided into an LCD group (n = 22) and an exercise group (EX, n = 23). The subjects either adopted LCD (carbohydrate intake < 50 g/day) or performed moderate-to-vigorous exercise (⩾ 30 min/day) for 3 weeks. After the interventions, LCD led to a larger weight loss than EX ( - 3.56 ± 0.37 kg vs. - 1.24 ± 0.39 kg, P < 0.001), as well as a larger reduction in fat mass ( - 2.10 ± 0.18 kg vs. - 1.25 ± 0.24 kg, P = 0.007) and waist circumference ( - 5.25 ± 0.52 cm vs. - 3.45 ± 0.38 cm, P = 0.008). Both interventions reduced visceral and subcutaneous fat and improved liver steatosis and insulin resistance. Triglycerides decreased in both two groups, whereas low-density lipoprotein cholesterol increased in the LCD group but decreased in the EX group. Various glycemic parameters, including serum glycated albumin, mean sensor glucose, coefficient of variability (CV), and largest amplitude of glycemic excursions, substantially declined in the LCD group. Only CV slightly decreased after exercise. This pilot study suggested that the effects of LCD and exercise are similar in alleviating liver steatosis and insulin resistance. Compared with exercise, LCD might be more efficient for weight loss and glucose homeostasis in people with obesity.
Adult ; Blood Glucose ; Diet, Carbohydrate-Restricted ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Pilot Projects ; Weight Loss

Objective To analyze histopathological and clinical features of dermatofibroma,and to explore the relationship between them.Methods Clinical and histopathological data were collected from 150 patients with histopathologically confirmed dermatofibroma in Department of Pathology,Shanghai Skin Disease Hospital from September 2017 to August 2018,and analyzed retrospectively.Results Among the 150 patients,65 were males,and 85 were females.Their age was 42 ± 13.8 years,and the course of disease ranged from 3 months to 30 years.Some of the patients had concomitant symptoms,mainly manifesting as itching,some had spontaneous pain and mild tenderness,and 18 patients had a history of injury,insect bite or infection at lesion sites.Skin lesions mainly occurred on the extremities (107 cases,71.3％),and most were solitary (105 cases,70％).Before pathological examinations,102 cases were clinically diagnosed as dermatofibroma,16 as epidermoid cyst,13 as pigmented nevus,3 as keloid,12 as skin mass,1 as malignant melanoma,1 as xanthogranuloma,1 as prurigo nodularis,and 1 as neurofibroma.Among 169 hematoxylin and eosin (HE)-stained sections,25 (14.8％) appeared to be consistent with aneurysmal dermatofibroma,66 (39.1％)with cellular dermatofibroma,36 (21.3％) with sclerosing dermatofibroma,and 22 (13.0％)with epithelioid dermatofibroma.Coexistence of two or more subtypes could be seen in 12 sections.There were also a few new variants,such as dermatofibroma with hyperplastic sweat duct (1 case),deep dermatofibroma (3 cases),dermatofibroma with epithelioid cells intermingled with hyperplastic collagen (1 case).The duration of aneurysmal dermatofibroma varied from 7 months to 30 years,and most manifested as skin masses on the lower extremities.A relatively short course of disease was observed in patients with cellular dermatofibroma,who often visited a hospital several months after the onset,and cellular dermatofibroma was commonly observed on the extremities and frequently accompanied with itching and pain.The duration of sclerosing or atrophic dermatofibroma was usually long for years or decades,and it commonly occurred on the upper limbs without concomitant symptoms.Epithelioid dermatofibroma of varied durations had various clinical manifestations,frequently occurred on the lower limbs without concomitant symptoms.Conclusions The clinical and pathological manifestations of dermatofibroma are diverse.Different dermatofibroma lesions can share similar typical histopathological manifestations,and atypical pathological features can interfere with the diagnosis of dermatofibroma.