Galectin-3-upregulated FAK promotes angiogenesis through oral lichen planus-activated fibroblasts.

BACKGROUND: The specific mechanism underlying the role of oral lichen planus-activated fibroblasts in angiogenesis remains undefined. Herein, the expression of Galectin-3 in oral lichen planus and verifying whether Galectin-3 can promote angiogenesis through oral lichen planus-activated fibroblasts has been investigated. METHODS: The expression of Galectin-3 and CD34 in the oral lichen planus tissues (n = 30) and normal oral mucosa tissues (n = 15) was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of Galectin-3 in the oral lichen planus-activated fibroblasts was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Galectin-3 overexpression lentiviral vector was constructed and transfected with oral lichen planus-activated fibroblasts. In addition, oral lichen planus-activated fibroblasts were treated with GB1107 (5 and 10 µM) to inhibit Galectin-3 expression and co-cultured with human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells, and analyzed by Transwell and tube formation assays. The expression of VEGF and FGF2 in oral lichen planus-activated fibroblasts was detected, and the expression and phosphorylation levels of VEGFR2 and FAP in human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells were determined. RESULTS: Oral lichen planus subcutaneous tissues highly expressed Galectin-3, positively correlated with angiogenesis. Oral lichen planus-activated fibroblasts expressed significantly higher Galectin-3 than NFs. Oral lichen planus-activated fibroblasts overexpressing Galectin-3 enhanced the migration and tube-forming capacity of co-cultured human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells. In oral lichen planus-activated fibroblasts, 10 µM GB1107 reduced the proliferation and migration capacity, decreased the expression of α-SMA, FAP, VEGF, and FGF2, and inhibited the tube-forming capacity and the expression of VEGFR2 phosphorylation and FAK in co-cultured human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells. CONCLUSIONS: The upregulation of Galectin-3 expression in oral lichen planus is associated with angiogenesis, and the oral lichen planus-activated fibroblasts promote human umbilical vein vascular endothelial cells migration and tube-forming differentiation through VEGFR2/FAP activation by Galectin-3.

Disparities in hepatitis B virus healthcare service access among marginalised poor populations: a mixed-method systematic review.

BACKGROUND: Marginalised poor populations, characterised by poverty and social exclusion, suffer disproportionately from hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections and encounter substantial disparities in access to healthcare. This has further exacerbated the global HBV burden and precluded progress towards HBV elimination. This mixed-method systematic review aimed to synthesise their utilisation and influencing factors in HBV healthcare services, including screening, vaccination, treatment, and linkage-to-care. METHODS: Eleven databases were searched from their inception to May 4, 2023. Quantitative and qualitative studies examining the factors influencing HBV healthcare access among marginalised poor populations were included. A meta-analysis was conducted to synthesise the pooled rates of HBV healthcare utilisation. The factors influencing utilisation were integrated and visualised using a health disparity research framework. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies were included involving 13,171 marginalised poor individuals: sex workers, rural migrant workers, irregular immigrants, homeless adults, and underprivileged individuals. Their utilisation of HBV healthcare ranged from 1.5% to 27.5%. Meta-analysis showed that the pooled rate of at least one dose of the HBV vaccine barely reached 37% (95% confidence interval: 0.26‒0.49). Fifty-one influencing factors were identified, with sociocultural factors (n = 19) being the most frequently reported, followed by behavioural (n = 14) and healthcare system factors (n = 11). Socio-cultural barriers included immigration status, prison history, illegal work, and HBV discrimination. Behavioural domain factors, including previous testing for sexually transmitted diseases, residential drug treatment, and problem-solving coping, facilitated HBV healthcare access, whereas hostility coping exerted negative influences. Healthcare system facilitators comprised HBV health literacy, beliefs, and physician recommendations, whereas barriers included service inaccessibility and insurance inadequacies. The biological and physical/built environments were the least studied domains, highlighting that geographical mobility, shelter capacity, and access to humanitarian health centres affect HBV healthcare for marginalised poor populations. CONCLUSIONS: Marginalised poor populations encounter substantial disparities in accessing HBV healthcare, highlighting the need for a synergistic management approach, including deploying health education initiatives to debunk HBV misperceptions, developing integrated HBV management systems for continuous tracking, conducting tailored community outreach programmes, and establishing a human rights-based policy framework to guarantee the unfettered access of marginalised poor populations to essential HBV services.

Marginal zone lymphoma with severe rashes: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Marginal zone lymphoma (MZL) is an indolent subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL), which is rare clinically with severe rashes as the initial symptom. CASE SUMMARY: This study reports a case of MZL with generalized skin rashes accompanied by pruritus and purulent discharge. First-line treatment with rituximab combined with zanubrutinib had poor effects. However, after switching to obinutuzumab combined with zanubrutinib, the case was alleviated, and the rashes disappeared. CONCLUSION: For patients with advanced stage MZL not benefiting from type I anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody (mAb) combination therapy, switching to a type II anti-CD20 mAb combination regimen may be considered. This approach may provide a new perspective in the treatment of MZL.