Objective To study the levels of serum Periostin and interleukin(I1-)-18 in preterm infants with bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD),and to analyze their correlation with the severity of the disease and their predictive value for BPD.Methods A total of 62 preterm infants with BPD diagnosed and treated in the hospital from January 2019 to January 2022 were retrospectively selected as the BPD group,and 80 preterm in-fants without BPD during the same period were selected as the non-BPD group.According to the severity of BPD,the infants with BPD were divided into mild subgroup(22 cases),moderate subgroup(24 cases)and se-vere subgroup(16 cases).The serum levels of Periostin and IL-18 were detected by enzyme-linked immu-nosorbent assay.Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between the clinical parameters.Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of BPD,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive value of each indicator for BPD.Results Compared with the non-BPD group,the BPD group had a significantly higher proportion of infants with pulmonary surfactant(PS)use,neonatal respiratory distress syndrome,apnea,patent ductus arteriosus,and serum levels of Periostin and IL-18,as well as a significantly longer duration of mechanical ventilation,noninvasive respiratory support,and length of hospital stay.The lung function parameters[tidal volume per kilogram(VT/kg),ratio of time to peak tidal expiratory flow to time(TPTEF/TE),ratio of volume to peak tidal expiratory flow to volume(VPEF/VE),expiratory flow at 50％tidal volume(50％TEF),expiratory flow at 75％tidal volume(75％TEF)]and 1,5 min Apgar score of BPD group were lower than that of non-BPD group,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The serum levels of Periostin and IL-18 in mild subgroup,moderate subgroup and severe subgroup were increased in turn.The levels of serum Periostin and IL-18 were negatively correlated with pulmonary function indexes(VT/kg,50％TEF,75％TEF,TPTEF/TE,VPEF/VE,P＜0.05).Serum Periostin,IL-18 and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome were independent risk factors for BPD(P＜0.05),and PS was a protective factor(P＜0.05).Serum Periostin,IL-18 and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome were independent risk factors for the severity of BPD(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(95％CI)of serum Periostin and IL-18 alone and in combination for predicting BPD were 0.841(0.814-0.899),0.863(0.820-0.897),0.922(0.878-0.949),respectively.The sensitivity and specificity of combined prediction were 0.902 and 0.825,respectively.The area under the curve of the combination of the two indica-tors for predicting BPD was greater than that of each index alone,and the difference was statistically signifi-cant(Z=5.357,4.894,P＜0.001).Conclusion The levels of serum Periostin and IL-18 are increased in in-fants with BPD,which are related to the severity of BPD and lung function.The combination of serum Perios-tin and IL-18 has a high predictive value for BPD.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, immunophenotype, molecular characteristics, and differential diagnosis of primary intracranial DICER1-mutant sarcoma in order to better understand this tumor type.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 7 cases of primary intracranial DICER1-mutant sarcoma diagnosed in the Department of Pathology, Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center, Guangzhou, China between 2021 and 2023 using next-generation sequencing. At the same time, 10 gliosarcomas, 4 intracranial FET::CREB fusion-positive mesenchymal tumors, 4 malignant meningiomas, 3 malignant solitary fibrous tumors, 3 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors, 3 synovial sarcomas and 3 rhabdomyosarcomas (total 30 cases) were selected as control.Results:Among the 7 patients with primary intracranial DICER1-mutant sarcoma, 6 were male and 1 was female, aged 10-32 years (median, 23 years). The tissue morphology was predominantly spindle or pleomorphic sarcoma-like, with 6 cases exhibiting eosinophilic globules, and 3 cases showing rhabdomyoblastic or rhabdomyosarcoma-like cell differentiation. Immunohistochemistry revealed focal desmin expression in 3 cases (3/7), ATRX loss in 3 cases (3/7), and p53 mutant pattern in 4 cases (4/7). Additionally, 4 cases (4/7) showed focal or diffuse SALL4 expression, whereas the control cases (30 cases) did not exhibit SALL4 protein expression, suggesting that SALL4 may possess certain auxiliary diagnostic value. Next-generation sequencing confirmed that all 7 cases of primary intracranial DICER1-mutant sarcoma harbored mutations in the DICER1 gene, with 5 cases having the mutation site at p.E1813D. Until May 2024, all 7 patients were alive.Conclusions:Primary intracranial DICER1-mutant sarcoma is a rare tumor. Understanding its morphological characteristics, immunohistochemical and molecular markers and differential diagnosis is crucial to avoid misdiagnosis and to improve diagnostic accuracy of this tumor.

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

BACKGROUND: Clinical outcomes are poor if patients with acute heart failure (AHF) are discharged with residual congestion in the presence of renal dysfunction. However, there is no single indication to reflect the combined effects of the two related pathophysiological processes. We, therefore, proposed an indicator, congestion and renal index (CRI), and examined the associations between the CRI and one-year outcomes and the incremental prognostic value of CRI compared with the established scoring systems in a multicenter prospective cohort of AHF. METHODS: We enrolled AHF patients and calculated the ratio of thoracic fluid content index divided by estimated glomerular filtration rate before discharge, as CRI. Then we examined the associations between CRI and one-year outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 944 patients were included in the analysis (mean age 63.3 ± 13.8 years, 39.3% women). Compared with patients with CRI ≤ 0.59 mL/min per kΩ, those with CRI > 0.59 mL/min per kΩ had higher risks of cardiovascular death or HF hospitalization (HR = 1.56 [1.13-2.15]) and all-cause death or all-cause hospitalization (HR = 1.33 [1.01-1.74]). CRI had an incremental prognostic value compared with the established scoring system. CONCLUSIONS In patients with AHF, CRI is independently associated with the risk of death or hospitalization within one year, and improves the risk stratification of the established risk models.

Network pharmacological approaches were used to predict the components, targets and pathways of Erhuang decoction (EhD) in the treatment of acute lung injury (ALI). The SwissTargetPrediction platform, DisGeNET, Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), GeneCards and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM) databases were used to predict potential targets of EhD and were integrated with the predicted targets for the treatment of ALI. A protein-protein interaction network model was constructed by using String database and Cytoscape software; the DAVID platform was used for Gene Ontology (GO) analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis. A network of drug components-targets-pathways was constructed by Cytoscape software and the SwissDock platform was used to dock the molecules of EhD found in blood with the key disease targets. An ALI model was established in mice and inflammatory factor detection and Western blot protein expression experiments with lung tissue sections were carried out to verify the effect of EhD in the treatment of ALI. Animal experiment ethical requirements were approved by the Ethical Committee Experimental Animal Center of Shandong University (Grant Number: 2016020). We identified 148 potential targets including signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), vascular endothelial cell growth factor A (VEGFA), RAC-alpha serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT1), and nuclear factor-kappa B/p65 (RELA). The potential targets are largely associated with the biological processes of inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. Additional pathways relate to cancer, VEGF signaling, mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling, and Toll-like receptors (TLRs) signaling, along with other signaling pathways. Pharmacodynamic experiments showed that EhD could significantly reduce the content of inflammatory factors and the degree of lung injury of ALI mice. Western blot revealed that EhD could significantly decrease the expression of NF-κB/p65 and upregulate the expression of NF-kappa-B inhibitor alpha (IκBα). From the perspective of network pharmacology, the mechanisms of EhD in the treatment of ALI is consistent with the characteristics of multiple ingredients, multiple targets and multiple pathways. This research provides a reference for further study of the mechanism of this traditional Chinese medicine.

Application of a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, macroporous adsorbent resin, and reversed-phase HPLC, led to the isolation of 173 compounds including irdidoids, monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, triterpenes, lignans, flavonoids, and simple aromatic derivatives from the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the whole plants of Valeriana jatamansi(Valerianaceae), and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1D, 2D NMR UV, IR, and MS techniques. Among them, 77 compounds were new. In previous reports, we have described the isolation, structure elucidation, and bioactivities of 68 new and 25 known compounds. As a consequence, we herein reported the isolation and structure elucidation of the remaining 9 new and 71 known compounds, the structure revision of valeriotriate A(8a), as well as cytotoxicity of some compounds.
Acetates ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; Iridoids ; analysis ; Lignans ; analysis ; Molecular Structure ; Monoterpenes ; analysis ; Phytochemicals ; analysis ; Plant Extracts ; chemistry ; Sesquiterpenes ; analysis ; Triterpenes ; analysis ; Valerian ; chemistry

AIM:To investigate the mechanism of the radiosensitizing effect of maximum non-cytotoxic doses of tetrandrine (Tet) on nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines CNE1 and CNE2.METHODS:The cells were treated with maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet (for CNE1 cells at 1.5 μmol/L and for CNE2 cells at 1.8 μmol/L),irradiation at 4 Gy,or combination of irradiation and maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet.The cell cycle distribution was analyzed by flow cytometry.The protein levels of γ-H2AX,cleaved caspase-3,p-CDC25C,CDK1,p-CDK1,cyclin B1,ERK and p-ERK were determined by Western blot.RESULTS:The expression of γ-H2AX was increased in CNE1 cells and CNE2 cells after combined treatment with irradiation and maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet.The percentages of CNE1 cells and CNE2 cells at G2/M phase in irradiation group were (18.09 ±0.42)％ and (18.48 ± 1.32)％,respectively,which were decreased to (15.88 ± 1.04) ％ and (13.80 ± 0.82) ％ in combined treatment group,respectively (P ＜ 0.05).Combined treatment enhanced the increase in the protein level of cleaved caspase-3 caused by irradiation.The protein levels of pCDC25C and p-CDK1 were increased in a dose-dependent manner by Tet treatment (P ＜ 0.05),while the expression of CDK1 showed no difference among different doses of Tet treatments.The protein levels of p-CDC25C,p-CDK1 and CDK1 showed no difference after the treatment with maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet.The combined treatment with irradiation and the maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet decreased the protein levels of p-CDC25C and p-CDK1 (P ＜0.05),increased the expression of cyclin B1,and had no influence on the expression of CDK1 （ P ＜0.05).The combined treatment resulted in an increase in the protein level of p-ERK1 (P ＜ 0.05).CONCLUSION:The maximum non-cytotoxic doses of Tet enhance the DNA damage and apoptosis in CNE1 cells and CNE2 cells caused by irradiation,and the mechanism might be associated with ending of G2/M arrest via activation of ERK/CDC25C/CDK1/cyclin B1 pathways.

Objective· To investigate the value of technique of improved ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) in the clinical diagnosis of moderate and severe symblepharon after thermal and chemical ocular surface burns. Methods · The clinical data of 33 patients (33 eyes) who had suffered moderate and severe symblepharon after thermal and chemical ocular surface burns were retrospectively analyzed. Improved UBM was applied in the examination of the anterior segment injury, through which the cornea, anterior chamber, iris, anterior chamber angle, ciliary body and lens were analyzed carefully. Also the connection between severity of symblepharon and anterior segment injury was discussed. Results · All the 33 eyes were examined by the UBM. Corneal opacity of more than 1/2 depth of the corneal was detected in 29 eyes, and detachment of the corneal elastic layer in 1 eye, corneal interstitial fluid in 4 eyes, corneal thinning in 2 eyes, anterior synechia of iris in 6 eyes, posterior synechia of iris in 2 eyes, shallower anterior chamber in 2 eyes, exudate in the anterior chamber in 1 eye, narrow anterior chamber angle in 6 eyes, high echo of lens in 6 eyes. The anterior segment injury in severe symblepharon eyes was worse than that in moderate symblepharon eyes. Conclusion · UBM is a noninvasive diagnostic technique, which can be used in the meticulous detection of the anterior segment of moderate and severe symblepharon patients after a slight improvement of inspection methods. It can show the pathological changes that cannot be revealed by routine ophthalmologic examination, and provide guidance for estimating the severity of the disease, the choice of surgical plan and prognosis of patients.

OBJECTIVEThe aim of this study was to analyze the efficacy and toxicity of RNCE regimen in the treatment of relapsed or refractory B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL).

METHODSFrom January 2000 to December 2005, 46 patients with relapsed or refractory B cell NHL were treated by RNCE regimen with or without radiotherapy for the involved field. The clinical characteristics, response, toxicity and long-term survival results were analyzed retrospectively.

RESULTSA total of 46 patients were eligible. The complete response rate of second-line therapy was 52.17% (24/46), and the overall response rate was 82.61% (38/46). The median follow-up duration in this series was 69 months (range:6 to 102 months). The overall 1, 3, 5-year survival rate was 74.8%, 48.3%, 40.1%, respectively, with a median survival time of 30.2 months (5 to 65 months), and median progression free survival time of 10.9 months (2 to 31 months). The major toxicities were myelosuppression, GI toxicity, fatigue, fever and alopecia.

CONCLUSIONOur data show that RNCE regimen treatment is effective and well tolerated in patients with relapsed or refractory B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Alopecia ; chemically induced ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Disease-Free Survival ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Etoposide ; administration & dosage ; Fatigue ; chemically induced ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; chemically induced ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Staging ; Remission Induction ; Retrospective Studies ; Rituximab ; Survival Rate ; Thrombocytopenia ; chemically induced ; Vinblastine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Young Adult

Objective To identify the epidemic characteristics and risk factors of an emerging infectious disease-severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) in Hubei province.Methods Active surveillance program on SFTS was set up in monitoring sites-hospitals,at the township level or above,in Suizhou,Huanggang and Wuhan from January to December,2010.Specific surveillance program on SFTS was launched across the province in hospitals above the county level.Cases that matched the definition of surveillance case were identified and reported to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCs).Cases were interviewed and their blood samples collected and detected using PCR and virus isolation.We also conducted serum antibody surveys among healthy population and livestock and surveillance on vector ticks in those high-epidemic areas.Results 188 cases that matched the definition of surveillance case and 21 deaths were reported in 11 cities,32 countries and 100 towns in 2010,with an incidence rate of 0.33/106.The fatality rate was 11.2％.Data showed that the patients were from hilly areas at the altitude elevated between 28-940 meters.The epidemic period was between April and December with the peak from May to September.The youngest case was an 11-year old,while the eldest was 81 with median age as 56-year old.95.3 ％ of the patients were farmers.All Patients did not have the history of traveling,two weeks before the onset of SFTS.93.6％ of the patients engaged in different kind of work which was associated with agriculture.52.8％ of the patients had been exposed to ticks.22.0％ of the patients had been bitten by ticks.Skin injury was found in 64.2％ of the patients.Samples from 129 cases (68.6％) were collected and detected,with 67.4％ of them (87 cases) showed positive by Real time-PCR for SFTS virus.An elevation in antibody titer by a factor of four or evidence of sero-conversion was observed in 11 patients; SFTS virus was isolated from 2 patients.The total antibody positive rates were 3.8％,55.0％ (6/11 ),36.7％ (2/3) and 80.0％ (4/5) respectively in healthy population,dogs,sheep and cows.Ticks from grass,cattle and sheep were detected positive by Real time-PCR.Conclusion Most cases of SFTS in Hubei were infected by SFTS virus,and cases of livestock were infected by SFTS virus.Ticks might serve as an important vector.Skin injury,exposure to tick bites seemed to be the risk factors.