Objective To explore the value of oral contrast-enhanced ultrasonography (OCEUS) combined with contrast-enhanced CT in predicting preoperative T staging in patients with gastric cancer. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 80 patients with gastric cancer confirmed via endoscopic biopsy or postoperative pathology at the First People’s Hospital of Jining from January 2021 to November 2024. The cohort included 56 males and 24 females, aged 38-79 years, with a median age of 55.9 years. All patients underwent both OCEUS and contrast-enhanced CT within one week prior to surgery. T staging of gastric cancer was determined using OCEUS, contrast-enhanced CT, or their combination. The results were compared with pathological T staging, and statistical differences in accuracy were analyzed. Results Pathological T staging identified T1 in 9 cases, T2 in 16 cases, T3 in 42 cases, and T4 in 13 cases. OCEUS indicated T1 in 6 cases, T2 in 14 cases, T3 in 50 cases, and T4 in 10 cases, with an accuracy rate of 80.0%. Contrast-enhanced CT indicated T1 in 4 cases, T2 in 12 cases, T3 in 52 cases, and T4 in 12 cases, with an accuracy rate of 75.0%. The combination of OCEUS and contrast-enhanced CT indicated T1 in 6 cases, T2 in 15 cases, T3 in 47 cases, and T4 in 12 cases, with an accuracy rate of 87.5%. The combined approach demonstrated significantly higher accuracy in preoperative T staging compared to either method alone (P < 0.05). Conclusion The combination of OCEUS and contrast-enhanced CT improves the accuracy of preoperative T staging in gastric cancer patients, providing valuable support for their diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To evaluate cardiac involvement in patients with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) using echocardiography combined with electrocardiography. Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on the detailed medical records of AAV patients treated in Jining First People’s Hospital between January 2020 and December 2024. Eighty patients were enrolled in the AAV group, and the risk of heart disease was compared between the AAV group and a control group with 80 subjects matched for age, sex, and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Results Electrocardiographic abnormalities were observed in 78.75% of patients in the AAV group, while significant electrocardiographic abnormalities only occurred in symptomatic patients in the control group. There were no differences in left atrial enlargement or interventricular septal thickening between the AAV group and the control group. The overall left ventricular systolic function in the AAV group was lower than that in the control group (8.75% vs. 0). The incidence of reduced diastolic function in the AAV group was significantly higher than that in the control group (37.5% vs. 15%). The incidence rates of tricuspid regurgitation, mitral regurgitation, aortic regurgitation, and pericardial effusion in the AAV group were significantly higher than those in the control group. Pericardial thickening, aortic stenosis, pulmonary hypertension, and rare periaortic granulomas were found in the AAV group, but not in the control group. Conclusion Echocardiography and electrocardiography are important examination methods for evaluating cardiac involvement in AAV. These methods have key roles in disease screening, diagnosis and treatment, follow-up, and prognosis judgment.

Ubiquitin-specific protease (USP) is a major member of the deubiquitinating enzymes (DUB) family. Dysregulation of DUB could lead to dysfunction of the ubiquitin system, which in turn regulates the tumor progression. USP regulates the development and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) by selectively degrading or stabilizing substrate proteins related to oncogenes, tumor suppressors, DNA damage repair, and cell cycle. This article summarizes the research progress of USP in HCC and the application of USP-specific small molecule inhibitors, providing a reference for targeting USP as a diagnostic and therapeutic tool for HCC.

Pleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common benign tumour in the salivary gland and has high morphological complexity. However, the origin and intratumoral heterogeneity of PA are largely unknown. Here, we constructed a comprehensive atlas of PA at single-cell resolution and showed that PA exhibited five tumour subpopulations, three recapitulating the epithelial states of the normal parotid gland, and two PA-specific epithelial cell (PASE) populations unique to tumours. Then, six subgroups of PASE cells were identified, which varied in epithelium, bone, immune, metabolism, stemness and cell cycle signatures. Moreover, we revealed that CD36⁺ myoepithelial cells were the tumour-initiating cells (TICs) in PA, and were dominated by the PI3K-AKT pathway. Targeting the PI3K-AKT pathway significantly inhibited CD36⁺ myoepithelial cell-derived tumour spheres and the growth of PA organoids. Our results provide new insights into the diversity and origin of PA, offering an important clinical implication for targeting the PI3K-AKT signalling pathway in PA treatment.
Humans ; Adenoma, Pleomorphic/genetics* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; Transcriptome ; Myoepithelioma

Methyltransferase like 13 (METTL13), a kind of methyltransferase, is implicated in protein binding and synthesis. The upregulation of METTL13 has been reported in a variety of tumors. However, little was known about its potential function in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) so far. In this study, we found that METTL13 was significantly upregulated in HNSCC at both mRNA and protein level. Increased METTL13 was negatively associated with clinical prognosis. And METTL13 markedly affected HNSCC cellular phenotypes in vivo and vitro. Further mechanism study revealed that METTL13 could regulate EMT signaling pathway by mediating enhancing translation efficiency of Snail, the key transcription factor in EMT, hence regulating the progression of EMT. Furthermore, Snail was verified to mediate METTL13-induced HNSCC cell malignant phenotypes. Altogether, our study had revealed the oncogenic role of METTL13 in HNSCC, and provided a potential therapeutic strategy.
Head and Neck Neoplasms ; Humans ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/genetics*

Objective To investigate the application value of Multi-Latex polygranular technique joint detection of kidney injury-related urinary microproteins in noninvasive diagnosis after renal transplantation. Methods Clinical data of 72 recipients undergoing renal transplantation were retrospectively analyzed. According to the level of serum creatinine (Scr), the recipients were divided into normal renal function group (group A, n=14), mild kidney injury (group B, n=37), and severe kidney injury group (group C, n=21). 20 healthy volunteers were selected as the healthy control group (HC group). The contents of urinary retinol binding protein (RBP), microalbumin (mAlb), IgG, transferrin (TRF), α₁-microglobulin (MG), and β₂-MG of subjects in each group were detected using the Multi-Latex polygranular technique. The correlation between urinary microproteins and Scr, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) was analyzed. The differences of urinary microproteins in each group were compared. And the diagnostic value of single and joint detection of urinary microproteins was evaluated. Results Six kinds of urinary microproteins in HC group and group A were significantly lower than those in group B and group C, and six kinds of urinary microproteins in group B were significantly lower than those in group C (all P < 0.01). Six kinds of urinary microproteins in renal transplant recipients were positively correlated with BUN. RBP, mAlb, α₁-MG, and β₂-MG were positively correlated with Scr. The correlations were statistically significant (P < 0.001-0.05). The diagnostic value of joint detection of urinary microproteins is better than the detection of single index, among which TRF+mAlb+RBP+α₁-MG quadruple detection had the highest diagnostic value. Conclusions Six kinds of urinary microproteins can be used as specific indicators to reflect graft renal function. The polygranular technique can simultaneously detect its contents and achieve noninvasive diagnosis. The diagnosis based on TRF+mAlb+RBP+α₁-MG quadruple detection is expected to further improve the noninvasive diagnosis system after renal transplantation.

Objective To explore efficacy and safety of simulated artificial pancreas in modulating stress hyperglycemia in critically ill patients. Methods A prospective randomized controlled study was performed. Seventy-two critically ill patients with stress hyperglycemia, aged 18-85 years, acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ) score over 15, two consecutive random blood glucose 11.1 mmol/L or higher, glycated hemoglobin (HbA1C) below 0.065, unable to eat food for 3 days after inclusion, or only accepting parenteral nutrition, admitted to intensive care unit (ICU) in Shanghai Punan Hospital of Pudong New District from January 1st, 2015 to June 30th, 2017 were enrolled. The patients were divided into three groups according to the random number table method, high-intensity group and low-intensity group were injected Novolin R (high-intensity group 2/3 dosage, low-intensity group 1/3 dosage) to modulate stress hyperglycemia by simulated artificial pancreas. Simulated artificial pancreas consisted of Guardian real time glucose monitoring system (GRT system), close-circle control algorithm and micro-pump;subcutaneous injection of Humulin 70/30 was applied to modulate stress hyperglycemia in humulin group. Real-time glucose levels of interstitial fluid in abdominal wall, equivalent to blood glucose levels, 10 minutes each time, were monitored by using of GRT system for all patients in three groups. Fasting serum levels of stress hormones including epinephrine and cortisol and insulin resistance index (IRI) were recorded within 24 hours after inclusion. Mean blood glucose, blood glucose variation coefficient, blood glucose target-reaching rate, blood glucose target-reaching time, hypoglycemia rate and 6-month mortality were measured. Twenty healthy adults from health administration department of the hospital were recruited as healthy control group. Results A total of 60 eligible critically ill patients were included in this study, each group with 20 patients. There was no significant difference in gender, age, APACHE Ⅱ scores among three groups. The levels of serum epinephrine, cortisol and IRI within 24 hours after inclusion in the three groups were significantly higher than those in healthy control group. The mean blood glucose levels of humulin group, low-intensity group, high-intensity group were decreased (mmol/L: 10.2±3.2, 8.4±2.6, 8.1±2.2), the blood glucose target-reaching rate were increased [40.2% (3 295/8 196), 71.1% (5 393/7 585), 80.4% (6 286/7 818)], the blood glucose target-reaching time were shortened (hours: 49.1±5.8, 24.6±4.6, 17.5±4.2), the hypoglycemia rates were increased respectively [1.3% (108/8 196), 2.8% (211/7 585), 4.0% (313/7 818)], with statistically significant differences (all 1 = 0.000). There was no significant difference in blood glucose variation coefficient and 6-month mortality among three groups [blood glucose variation coefficient: (29.4±3.7)%, (28.5±5.3)%, (26.1±4.6)%, 6-month mortality: 55.0%, 45.0%, 40.0%, all 1 > 0.05]. Conclusions Simulated artificial pancreas could effectively and safely modulate stress hyperglycemia in critically ill patients, high-intensity modulation could bring about better efficacy in the regulation of hyperglycemia. High-frequency blood glucose monitoring by using GRT system could promptly identify hypoglycemia and help it to be corrected.

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of Saccharomyces boulardii sachets and bismuth in the treatment of chronic gastritis and duodenal ulcer patients with Helicobacter pylori (Hp)infection.Methods A total of 176 patients with chronic gastritis or duodenal ulcer with Hp infection were enrolled.Patients with chronic gastritis (n=116) were randomly divided into the treatment group (58 cases) and the control group (58 cases): treatment group received triple therapy(rabeprazole+amoxicillin +levofloxacin) and Saccharomyces boulardii sachets for 14 days;control group received triple therapy and colloidal bismuth pectin for 14 days.Patients with duodenal ulcer (n=60) were ulcer group,given with bismuth-containing quadruple therapy for 14 days,then rabeprazole for 14 days.All patients were tested for 13 C urea breath test four weeks after stopping treatment.Results One hundred and seventy cases completed the trial.Hp eradication rate was 84.5%in treatment group,87.9% in control group,and 90.0% in ulcer group (analysis by intent of treatment,ITT analysis).The difference between the three groups was not statistically significant(P>0.05).The incidence of adverse events was significantly lower in treatment group (10.3%)than in control group (20.7%)and ulcer group (21.7%)(P<0.05).Conclusion Quadruple therapy with Saccharomyces boulardii sachets can effectively eradicate Hp.It can reduce the occurrence of adverse reactions.

Objective To evaluate the effect of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and its receptors upon the proliferation of CD8+T cells.Methods The splenic CD8+T cells of Balb/c mice were obtained by CD8+f cell magnetic bead sorting kit.Under the effect of CD3/CD28-activated magnetic bead,CD8+T cells were stimulated by different concentrations of GABA.5-bromo-2-deoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling and flow cytometry were performed to detect the proliferation of CD8+T cells.The expression levels of GABA-A and GABA-B receptor before and after CD8+T cell activation were compared by fluorescent quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR).Result Flow cytometry result revealed that GABA could inhibit the proliferation of activated CD8+T cells,manifested as significant decrease in the quantity of CD152+CD8+T cells.Fluorescent quantitative real-time PCR demonstrated that GABA-A receptor subtypes α2,α6 and GABA-B receptor subtype 1a were expressed only when the CD8+T cells were activated.After CD8+T cell activation,the quantity of GABA-A receptor subtypes α3,αs,β2,β3,γ1,γ2 and θ were significantly increased,whereas the quantity of GABA-B2R and GABA-B1b did not significantly differ before and after CD8+T cell activation.Conclusions GABA can suppress the proliferation of activated CD8+T cells.The activation of CD8+T cells is regulated by GABA receptors.However,the underlying mechanism remains to be elucidated.

Objective To investigate the relationship of pancreatic β-cell function and insulin resistance with microalbuminuria in a cross -sectional study of patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods A total of 524 partici-pants with type 2 diabetes were recruited in this cross -sectional study.All subjects'height,weight,waist circumfer-ence and blood pressure were measured.Venous blood samples were drawn to measure fasting plasma glucose (FPG), fasting lipids,glycated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c),fasting C -peptide (FPC).24h -urine was collected to measure urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER).Homeostasis model assessment of pancreatic β-cell function (HOMA -B) and insulin resistance (HOMA -IR)were estimated using fasting plasma C -peptide.According to HOMA -B quar-tile,the subjects were divided into four groups,including q1 -q4.According to HOMA -IR,the subjects were also divided into four groups,including Q1 -Q4.We assessed the crude associations across quartiles of these data with demographic and clinical parameters using a nonparametric test for trend across ordered groups (trend using Stata software).Multivariable logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the relationships of pancreatic β-cell function and insulin resistance with microalbuminuria in patients with type 2 diabetes.Results Trend test showed that UAER gradually reduced with increase of HOMA -B.The UAER values in subjects with q1,q2,q3 and q4 were 8.92(5.53 -28.65),8.55(5.52 -20.95),7.57(4.79 -19.83)and 7.84(5.23 -14.38)μg/min,respectively, and the trend was statistically significant(z =-2.1,P <0.05 ).With HOMA -IR increasing,UAER gradually increased.The UAER values in subjects with Q1,Q2,Q3 and Q4 were 6.73(4.85 -16.52),8.61 (5.2 -20.37), 8.31(4.88 -27.04),8.75(6.03 -25.21)μg/min,respectively,and the trend was also statistically significant(z =2.41,P <0.05).Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that subjects with the highest quartile of HOMA -B had lower possibility of microalbuminuria than patients with the lowest quartile of HOMA -B (adjusted OR q4 vs. q1 =0.39,95% CI:0.20 -0.76,Wald =7.59,P =0.006).Subjects with the highest quartile of HOMA -IR had higher risk of microalbuminuria than those with the lowest quartile of HOMA -IR (adjusted OR Q4 vs.Q1 =2.00, 95% CI:1.08 -3.72,Wald =4.84,P =0.028).Conclusion Insulin resistance is associated with an increased prevalence of microalbuminuria in type 2 diabetes,while improved pancreatic β-cell function is linked to decreased rates of microalbuminuria for those patients.