1.Effects of acupuncture on the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis and FSH/cAMP signaling pathway in aged rats.
Yaoyao ZHU ; Yaqian YIN ; Huanfang XU ; Li YANG ; Weixin LI ; Chenchen SU ; Rong ZHANG ; Yigong FANG
Chinese Acupuncture & Moxibustion 2025;45(2):200-208
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the mechanism of acupuncture on improving ovarian hypofunction in aged rats from two perspectives: the overall regulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian (HPO) axis and the local ovarian follicle stimulating hormone (FSH)/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway.
METHODS:
Six 3-month-old female SPF-grade Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were selected as the blank group. Another twelve 9-month-old female SD rats were randomly divided into a model group and an acupuncture group, with six rats in each. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at "Baihui" (GV20), "Guanyuan" (CV4), and bilateral "Ciliao" (BL32) for 20 min per session, once every other day, for a total of 10 sessions. Vaginal smear tests were performed daily to observe the estrous cycle of the rats. Ovarian morphology was observed using HE staining, and follicles at various stages were counted. ELISA was used to detect levels of serum FSH, luteinizing hormone (LH), estradiol (E2), anti-müllerian hormone (AMH), hypothalamic gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), pituitary FSH and LH, and ovarian cAMP. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression of ovarian cAMP protein kinase catalytic subunit, FSH receptor (FSHR), and P450. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to measure mRNA expression levels of FSHR and P450 in ovarian tissue.
RESULTS:
Compared with the blank group, the model group showed an increased rate of estrous cycle disorder (P<0.01), reduced granulosa cell layers with blurred boundaries and disordered arrangement, decreased numbers of developing follicles at all stages, and increased numbers of atretic follicles (P<0.01); the serum levels of FSH and LH were increased (P<0.01), while E2 and AMH levels were decreased (P<0.01); the hypothalamic GnRH and pituitary FSH and LH levels were elevated (P<0.01), and ovarian cAMP level was decreased (P<0.01); the positive expression and protein expression of ovarian P450, cAMP protein kinase catalytic subunit, and FSHR were reduced (P<0.01), and ovarian FSHR and P450 mRNA expression was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, the acupuncture group showed a reduced rate of estrous cycle disorder (P<0.01), clear granulosa cell margins, increased numbers of primordial and secondary follicles, and decreased numbers of atretic follicles (P<0.01); the serum FSH and LH levels were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), while E2 and AMH levels were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01); the hypothalamic GnRH and pituitary FSH and LH levels were decreased (P<0.01, P<0.05), and ovarian cAMP level was increased (P<0.01); the positive expression and protein expression of ovarian P450, cAMP protein kinase catalytic subunit, and FSHR were elevated (P<0.01), and ovarian FSHR and P450 mRNA expression was increased (P<0.01).
CONCLUSION
Acupuncture could delay ovarian hypofunction in aged rats, possibly through regulating the HPO axis and the FSH/cAMP signaling pathway.
Animals
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Female
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Rats
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Follicle Stimulating Hormone/genetics*
;
Acupuncture Therapy
;
Ovary/metabolism*
;
Signal Transduction
;
Humans
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Cyclic AMP/metabolism*
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Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/metabolism*
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Aging/metabolism*
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Hypothalamus/metabolism*
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Pituitary Gland/metabolism*
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Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone/metabolism*
2.Three new chalcone C-glycosides from Carthami Flos.
Jia-Xu BAO ; Yong-Xiang WANG ; Xian ZHANG ; Ya-Zhu YANG ; Yue LIN ; Jiao-Jiao YIN ; Yun-Fang ZHAO ; Hui-Xia HUO ; Peng-Fei TU ; Jun LI
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(13):3715-3745
The chemical components of Carthami Flos were investigated by using macroporous resin, silica gel column chromatography, reversed-phase octadecylsilane(ODS) column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The planar structures of the compounds were established based on their physicochemical properties and ultraviolet-visible(UV-Vis), infrared(IR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry(HR-ESI-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) spectroscopic technology. The absolute configurations were determined by comparing the calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroism(ECD). Six flavonoid C-glycosides were isolated from the 30% ethanol elution fraction of macroporous resin obtained from the 95% ethanol extract of Carthami Flos, and identified as saffloquinoside F(1), 5-hydroxysaffloneoside(2), iso-5-hydroxysaffloneoside(3), isosafflomin C(4), safflomin C(5), and vicenin 2(6). Among these, the compounds 1 to 3 were new chalcone C-glycosides. The compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 could significantly increase the viability of H9c2 cardiomyocytes damaged by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R) at a concentration of 50 μmol·L~(-1), showing their good cardioprotective activity.
Glycosides/pharmacology*
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Flowers/chemistry*
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*
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Carthamus tinctorius/chemistry*
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Chalcones/pharmacology*
;
Animals
3.Divergent activation patterns of BRS3 revealed by two Chinese herb-derived agonists.
Jie LI ; Changyao LI ; Qingtong ZHOU ; Wei HAN ; Mingzhu FANG ; Youwei XU ; Yiting MAI ; Yao ZHANG ; Jiahua CUI ; H Eric XU ; Yan ZHANG ; Wanchao YIN ; Ming-Wei WANG
Acta Pharmaceutica Sinica B 2025;15(10):5231-5243
Bombesin receptor subtype-3 (BRS3) is an orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) that plays critical roles in energy homeostasis, glucose metabolism, and insulin secretion. Recent structural studies have elucidated BRS3 signaling mechanisms using synthetic ligands, including BA1 and MK-5046. However, the molecular basis of BRS3 activation by bioactive natural compounds and their derivatives, particularly those derived from traditional Chinese medicine, remains unclear. Here, we present high-resolution cryogenic electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the human BRS3-Gq complex in both unliganded and active states bound by two herb-derived compounds (DSO-5a and oridonin), at resolutions of 2.9, 2.8, and 2.9 Å, respectively. These structures display distinct ligand recognition patterns between DSO-5a and oridonin. Although both compounds bind to the orthosteric pocket, they differentially engage the interaction network of BRS3, as demonstrated by mutagenesis studies assessing calcium mobilization and inositol phosphate 1 (IP1) accumulation. These findings enhance our understanding of BRS3 activation and provide valuable insights into the development of small-molecule BRS3 modulators with therapeutic potential.
4.Expert consensus on orthodontic treatment of patients with periodontal disease.
Wenjie ZHONG ; Chenchen ZHOU ; Yuanyuan YIN ; Ge FENG ; Zhihe ZHAO ; Yaping PAN ; Yuxing BAI ; Zuolin JIN ; Yan XU ; Bing FANG ; Yi LIU ; Hong HE ; Faming CHEN ; Weiran LI ; Shaohua GE ; Ang LI ; Yi DING ; Lili CHEN ; Fuhua YAN ; Jinlin SONG
International Journal of Oral Science 2025;17(1):27-27
Patients with periodontal disease often require combined periodontal-orthodontic interventions to restore periodontal health, function, and aesthetics, ensuring both patient satisfaction and long-term stability. Managing these patients involving orthodontic tooth movement can be particularly challenging due to compromised periodontal soft and hard tissues, especially in severe cases. Therefore, close collaboration between orthodontists and periodontists for comprehensive diagnosis and sequential treatment, along with diligent patient compliance throughout the entire process, is crucial for achieving favorable treatment outcomes. Moreover, long-term orthodontic retention and periodontal follow-up are essential to sustain treatment success. This expert consensus, informed by the latest clinical research and practical experience, addresses clinical considerations for orthodontic treatment of periodontal patients, delineating indications, objectives, procedures, and principles with the aim of providing clear and practical guidance for clinical practitioners.
Humans
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Consensus
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Orthodontics, Corrective/standards*
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Periodontal Diseases/complications*
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Tooth Movement Techniques/methods*
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Practice Guidelines as Topic
5.Research status of anti-inflammatory effect of traditional Chinese medicine based on NLRP3 inflammatory body
Fu-Mei XU ; Jun-Yuan ZENG ; Lei ZHAO ; Qi-Li ZHANG ; Peng-Fei XIA ; Yin-Qiang JIA ; Jie WANG ; Peng-Xia FANG ; Yan-Li XU
The Chinese Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 2024;40(6):923-927
Inflammasome is a kind of intracellular polyprotein complex,which is an important component of the complex system of local inflammatory microenvironment after human tissue damage.When the inflammasome is activated,it induces the activation of cysteine aspartate proteinase 1(caspase-1),mediates the maturation and secretion of proinflammatory cytokines,such as interleukin(IL)-1 β and IL-18,and induces cell death,which plays an important role in regulating the host immune response to pathogen infection and tissue repair of cell damage.Nod-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammatory body,which is composed of NLRP3,pro-cysteine aspartic acid specific protease-1(pro-caspase-1)and apoptosis-related spot-like protein(ASC),is the most deeply and widely studied type of inflammatory body,which plays an important role in the regulation of inflammation.When NLRP3 inflammatory bodies are activated,inflammatory mediators are produced and released,which participate in the occurrence and development of a variety of inflammatory diseases.Some studies have shown that traditional Chinese medicine can improve the pathological state of a variety of diseases by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammatory bodies,and play a role in the prevention and treatment of a variety of inflammatory diseases,including cardiovascular diseases,joint inflammation,diabetes and so on.This paper systematically combs the mechanism of NLRP3 inflammatory bodies,and summarizes the latest research reports on the effects of traditional Chinese medicine compound prescription,traditional Chinese medicine monomers and traditional Chinese medicine extracts on NLRP3 inflammatory bodies in the treatment of inflammatory diseases,in order to provide new ideas for the further study of the pathogenesis and drug treatment of many inflammatory diseases.
6.Advances in Clinical Genetics of the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes
Kexin XU ; Guozhuang LI ; Qing LI ; Xiangjie YIN ; Kun FANG ; Zhihong WU ; Jianguo ZHANG ; DISCO(Deciphering Disorders Involving Scoliosis & COmorbidities)Study Group ; Nan WU
JOURNAL OF RARE DISEASES 2024;3(3):295-303
The Ehlers-Danlos syndromes(EDS)are a group of rare hereditary connective tissue disorders characterized by joint hypermobility,skin hyperextensibility,and tissue fragility.The clinical and genetic hetero-geneity of EDS frequently leads to underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis.Genetic testing is an essential approach to clarify the underlying diagnosis.Recent research has preliminarily established genotype-phenotype correlations and introduced the novel concept of"disease spectrum"in some subtypes.These studies deepen our under-standing of EDS etiology and provide important insights into clinical management.Published in 2023,the Chinese Guidelines for Diagnosis and Treatment of the Ehlers-Danlos Syndromes(the Guidelines)recommend performing genetic testing with deep phenotyping for patients who meet the clinical diagnostic criteria or are sus-pected of having EDS.However,it should be noted that the clinical diagnosis might differ from the molecular diagnosis.Furthermore,cutting-edge approaches such as periodic data reanalysis,integration of RNA sequen-cing into family-based whole-genome sequencing,and third-generation sequencing may facilitate the reclassifi-cation of variants of uncertain significance or resolve undiagnosed cases.This article summarizes recent progress in the genetics research of EDS,with the hope of offering a valuable resource for clinical diagnosis,treatment and scientific research to optimize the quality of life of patients with EDS.
7.Mechanism of Qianyang Yuyin Granules Regulating NR3C2/ROS/ERK Pathway to Alleviate Aldosterone-induced Podocyte Injury
Yin LI ; Fang YUAN ; Junyao XU ; Cheng NING ; Yixuan WANG ; Lichao QIAN ; Haitao LI ; Jie LI
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2024;30(13):95-105
ObjectiveTo investigate the protective mechanism of Qianyang Yuyin granules (QYYY) on aldosterone-induced podocyte injury. MethodA total of 30 C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups: control group, model group, QYYY low dose (QYYY-L) group, QYYY high dose (QYYY-H) group, and spironolactone (SPL) group, with six mice in each group. Except for the control group, mice were implanted with osmotic minipumps and injected continuously with aldosterone (300 μg·kg-1·d-1) to induce renal injury. The drug administration group was given low and high doses (2.6, 5.2 g·kg-1·d-1) of QYYY and SPL (18 mg·kg-1·d-1) for 28 days. The renal pathological changes of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and Masson staining. The expression levels of Nephrin, Desmin, B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X (Bax), cleaved Caspase-3, nuclear receptor subfamily 3 group C member 2 (NR3C2), extracellular regulated protein kinases (ERK), and phospho-ERK (p-ERK) in kidney tissue were detected by Western blot. The apoptosis levels of kidney tissue were detected by TdT-mediated dUTP nick and labeling (TUNEL) staining, and the superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels were detected. In vitro, the mice were divided into five groups: Control group, model group (aldosterone concentration of 200 nmol·L-1), QYYY-L group, QYYY medium dose (QYYY-M) group, and QYYY-H group (25, 50, and 100 mg·L-1). The effect of different concentrations of QYYY on the relative viability of aldosterone-induced podocytes was detected by cell proliferation and viability assay (CCK-8). The expressions of Nephrin, Desmin, Bax, Bcl-2, cleaved Caspase-3, NR3C2, and p-ERK/ERK were detected by Western blot. AnnexinV-FITC/PI flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis levels of podocytes. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) in podocytes were observed by DCFH-DA. ResultCompared with the control group, the model group showed structural pathological changes and fibrotic conditions in the kidney, increased apoptosis levels (P<0.01), and decreased SOD levels (P<0.01). Aldosterone concentration at 200 nmol·L-1 showed a significant decrease in podocyte activity (P<0.05). Podocytes in the model group showed structural pathological changes, disordered arrangement of intercellular microfilaments, increased apoptosis levels (P<0.01), and increased intracellular ROS levels (P<0.01). The protein expressions of Nephrin, Bcl-2, and p-ERK/ERK in kidney tissue and podocytes were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). The protein expressions of Desmin, Bax, cleaved Caspase-3, and NR3C2 were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the model group, QYYY alleviated the structural damage and fibrosis of the kidney, decreased the apoptosis levels (P<0.05, P<0.01), and enhanced the SOD content of the kidney (P<0.05, P<0.01). QYYY improved the activity of podocytes (P<0.05, P<0.01), restored the foot process structure of podocytes, and decreased apoptosis levels (P<0.01) and ROS levels of podocytes (P<0.01). The protein expressions of Nephrin, Bcl-2, and p-ERK/ERK in kidney tissue and podocytes were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), and the protein expressions of Desmin, Bax, cleaved Caspase-3, and NR3C2 were down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionQYYY improves aldosterone-induced podocyte injury by regulating the NR3C2/ROS/ERK pathway.
8.Evaluation of Burosumab in the treatment of X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets in children
Shaohan FANG ; Fang DENG ; Yue YUAN ; Xu LI ; Zhen ZHAO ; Ying ZHU ; Yin PENG ; Luodan ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Endocrinology and Metabolism 2024;40(1):11-16
Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Burosumab in patients with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets.Methods:Clinical data of 9 children diagnosed with X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets and treated with Burosumab in the Department of Pediatric Nephrology, Anhui Children′s Hospital from November 2021 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including the general information, clinical manifestations, auxiliary examination, Burosumab treatment and follow-up.Results:Among the 9 cases, there were 5 males and 4 females, with a median age at diagonosis of 2 years. After traditional treatment, the fluctuation of serum phosphorus ranged from 0.7 to 0.9 mmol/L. The median age at the initiation of Burosumab treatment was 2.8 years, and the initial dosage was 0.8 mg/kg, administrated subcutaneously every 2 weeks. The laboratory and imaging indexes were improved after 6 months of Burosumab treatment, and the mean serum phosphorus level increased from(0.81±0.14) mmol/L to(1.02±0.10) mmol/L at 1 month( t=3.85, P=0.001) and(1.14±0.25) mmol/L at 6 months( t=3.58, P=0.002). The average alkaline phosphatase(ALP) level decreased from(509.89±110.10) U/L before treatment to(447.89±106.76) U/L after 1 month( t=1.21, P=0.243). After 6 months, the ALP level significantly decreased to(385.89±60.33) U/L ( t=2.96, P=0.009). The average height percentile increased from 18.42±10.09 before treatment to 26.56±16.59 after 6 months( t=1.26, P=0.227). Rachitis severity scores of both lower limbs ranged from 4.61±1.36 before treatment to 3.06±1.51 after 6 months( t=2.29, P=0.036). No serious adverse events occurred during treatment. Conclusion:Burosumab is safe and effective in treating X-linked hypophosphatemic rickets, exhibiting minimal side effects and significant clinical applicability value.
9.Analysis of causes of bleeding after endoscopic duodenal papillary adenoma resection and establishment of prediction model
Chun-Yan JIN ; Hua YANG ; Lei WANG ; Qin YIN ; Meng-Yun HU ; Xu FANG ; Mu-Han NI
Modern Interventional Diagnosis and Treatment in Gastroenterology 2024;29(4):398-402,406
Objective The causes of bleeding after endoscopic duodenal papilloma resection were analyzed and discussed,and the prediction model of nomogram was established.Methods A total of 233 patients who underwent endoscopic duodenal papilloma resection in our hospital from January 2018 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed,and they were divided into bleeding group(n=31 cases)and non-bleeding group(n=202 cases)according to whether postoperative bleeding occurred.The clinical data of the two groups were compared,the independent risk factors for postoperative bleeding were analyzed by multi-factor logistic regression,the risk nomogram prediction model was constructed,and the Bootstrap method was used for 1000 repeated samples to carry out internal verification.Results Anticoagulant drugs(OR=9.063,95%CI:2.132-38.525),lesion diameter ≥2 cm(OR=2.802,95%CI:1.073-7.321),intraoperative fragment resection(OR=27.653,95%CI:3.055~619.174)and pancreatic complications(OR=6.859,95%CI:1.930~24.377)were independent risk factors for postoperative bleeding after endoscopic duodenal papilloma resection(P<0.05).A risk prediction nomogram model was constructed according to the Logistic regression analysis results.The samples were repeatedly sampled 1000 times through Bootstrap method for internal verification.The area under the ROC curve was 0.850,and the 95%CI was 0.780-0.913,indicating good differentiation ability of the model.Calibration curve analysis indicated that the prediction probability of postoperative bleeding predicted by the nomogram prediction model was in good agreement with the actual probability of postoperative bleeding,and Hosmer-Lemeshow showed good goodness of fit(x2=3.304 9,P=0.913 8).Conclusion Taking anticoagulant drugs,lesion diameter ≥2 cm,intraoperative segmentary resection,and postoperative combination of pancreas were independent risk factors for bleeding after endoscopic duodenal papilloma resection.A nomogram prediction model was established to help clinical assessment of postoperative bleeding risk in patients and improve decision-making basis for early prevention.
10.Expression and diagnostic value of lymphocyte subsets and activation status in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis
Guangli YIN ; Jujuan WANG ; Tian TIAN ; Limin DUAN ; Xin GAO ; Ziwei FANG ; Ji XU ; Hongxia QIU ; Lei FAN
Chinese Journal of Hematology 2024;45(8):748-754
Objective:To determine the expression and diagnostic value of peripheral blood lymphocytes and functional activation status in non-Hodgkin lymphoma with hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (NHL-HLH) .Methods:We retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 30 newly diagnosed NHL-HLH patients admitted to Jiangsu Province Hospital from September 2022 to September 2023. We assessed peripheral blood lymphocytes and activation status by flow cytometry. Forty newly diagnosed patients with NHL who received treatment at our hospital during the same period and had lymphocyte and functional activation indexes were selected as the control group. The differences in relative and absolute lymphocyte counts and functional activation indexes between the two groups were compared. The optimal cutoff values for continuous variables were calculated from the receiver operating characteristic curve and logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the risk factors in NHL patients with HLH.Results:A total of 30 NHL-HLH patients were evaluated, including 12 T-cell lymphoma and 18 B-cell lymphoma patients. Forty individuals were in the control group, which included 19 T-cell lymphoma and 21 B-cell lymphoma patients. The absolute counts of CD3 + T, CD4 + T, CD8 + T, and NK cells, along with the relative count of NK cells, were significantly lower in the HLH group compared with that in the control group (all P values<0.01) . The expression of CD38 and HLA-DR on CD8 + T-cell activated subgroups was significantly higher in the NHL-HLH group compared with that in the control group (CD8 +CD38 +/CD8 + T expression median: 57.4% vs 21.5%, P<0.001; CD8 +CD38 +/CD8 + T expression median: 49.7% vs 33.5%, P=0.028, respectively) . In addition, CD28 expression on CD4 + and CD8 + T cells was significantly higher in NHL-HLH patients ( P<0.01) . ROC curve and multivariate logistic regression analyses revealed that absolute NK cell count ≤72.0 cells/μl, CD4 +CD28 +/CD4 + T >94.2%, and CD8 +CD28 +/CD8 + T >38.4% were risk factors for predicting the occurrence of NHL-HLH patients. The sensitivity and specificity of the regression model were 86.7% and 86.1%, respectively, with an area under the curve of 0.94 ( P<0.001) . Conclusions:In NHL patients with HLH, there was a significant reduction in the absolute number of peripheral blood lymphocyte subpopulations, whereas T-cell function was notably activated. Specifically, absolute counts of NK cells ≤72.0 cells/μl, CD4 +CD28 +/CD4 + T >94.2%, and CD8 +CD28 +/CD8 + T >38.4% were identified as risk factors for predicting the development of NHL-HLH patients. This will assist in early clinical diagnosis and treatment.

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