[Epidemiological and etiological characteristics of herpes pharyngitis in 3 prefectures in Jiangsu Province].

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological and etiological characteristics of herpes pharyngitis (HA) in three prefectures of Jiangsu Province, and provide evidence for the prevention and control of HA in Jiangsu. Methods: Three surveillance sentinel hospitals in Wuxi, Suzhou and Yancheng were selected from May 2018 to December 2022, and information related to HA visits and hospitalized cases was regularly collected from the hospital inpatient management system by age groups. Enterovirus nucleic acid detection was performed by RT-PCR, and sequencing analysis, identification of genotype subtypes, and phylogenetic analysis were performed on the sequences of the gene encoding the coat protein VP1 of the main prevalent strains. Results: A total of 57 709 HA cases were recorded in the sentinel hospitals in in Wuxi, Suzhou and Yancheng, which was 1.76 times higher than the reported cases of hand, foot and mouth disease during the same period (57 709/32 831).The percentage of HA hospitalizations was 1.35% (781/57 709), and the percentage of hospitalizations showed an increasing trend from year to year (χ2=62.79, P<0.001 ).The incidence peak of HA was during May-July. The cases were mainly children aged 12-59 months (67.07%, 38 708/57 709), with the highest case number in age group 36-59 months (34.40%, 19 852/57 709). The HA positivity rate was 33.82% (644/1 904); enterovirus A was predominant (54.04%, 348/644); of these, Coxsackievirus (CV)A6 accounted for the highest percentage (52.59%, 183/348), while CVA16 and CVA4 accounted for 24.71% (86/348) and 15.23% (53/348), respectively. All 10 CVA4 HA endemic strains belonged to the C2 gene subtype, and all 6 CVA6 HA endemic strains belonged to the D3a gene subtype; and were genetically closer to and related to the strains in some areas of China (Fujian Province, Guangzhou City, Jiangxi Province, Yunnan Province, Tianjin City, etc.). Conclusions: The disease burden of HA was heavy in 3 areas in Jiangsu, children in age group 12-59-month were mainly affected, and the annual incidence peak of HA was during May-July. The pathogens causing HA varied, but predominated by enterovirus A and had low intra-typical differentiation, and no new evolutionary branches were found, suggesting that it is necessary to include HA in foot and mouth disease surveillance or regarded as a notifiable communicable disease.

[Influence of implantable Collamer lens implantation on choroidal thickness and blood flow density].

Objective: To observe the impact of implantable Collamer lens (ICL) implantation surgery on choroidal thickness and blood flow density in myopic patients. Methods: This was a prospective cohort study. Patients undergoing ICL surgery at Qingdao University Affiliated Hospital between June 2021 and May 2023 were consecutively enrolled. Patients were categorized into high myopia (HM) and super high myopia (SHM) groups based on whether their spherical equivalence power exceeded 10.00 D. Comprehensive ophthalmic examinations, including optical coherence tomography, optical coherence tomography angiography, visual acuity assessment, intraocular pressure measurement, and optometry, were performed preoperatively and at 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months postoperatively. Results: A total of 42 patients (84 eyes), with an average age of (25.27±3.18) years, comprising 11 males and 31 females, were enrolled in the study. Among them, 20 patients belonged to the HM group, while 22 patients were in the SHM group. Both choroidal thickness and blood flow density exhibited significant increases at postoperative 1 week and 1 month compared to preoperative levels (P<0.05), but returned to baseline levels by postoperative 3 months. Specifically, the subfoveal choroidal thickness increased from (169.49±61.57) µm preoperatively to (180.16±66.61) µm at 1 week, (186.69±63.32) µm at 1 month, and then reverted to (169.58±60.82) µm at 3 months. The central choroidal blood flow density showed changes from 60.03%±1.60% preoperatively to 61.04%±1.17% at 1 week, 60.42%±1.81% at 1 month, and 60.22%±1.57% at 3 months. Furthermore, the HM group exhibited more pronounced changes in both choroidal thickness and blood flow density across all time points compared to the SHM group. Significant differences were observed in choroidal thickness changes at various areas at 1 month, while changes in blood flow density in specific areas were significant. However, no significant differences were noted at 3 months postoperatively. Correlation analysis revealed a negative correlation of changes in subfoveal choroidal thickness and central choroidal blood flow density postoperatively at 1 week and 3 months with preoperative choroidal blood flow density. Notably, no correlation was found between preoperative choroidal thickness and postoperative changes. Conclusions: In the early period following ICL implantation, the increase in choroidal thickness and blood flow density may be more pronounced in HM compared to SHM, but the two parameters can return to baseline levels by 3 months. ICL implantation transiently affects the fundus microenvironment in myopic patients, with implications of preoperative choroidal blood flow.

[Clinicopathologic characteristics and survival analysis of primary large B-cell lymphoma of the central nervous system].

Objective: To retrospectively analyze the clinical and pathologic characteristics, response to treatment, survival, and prognosis of patients with primary large B-cell lymphoma of the central nervous system (PCNSLBCL) . Methods: Clinical and pathologic data of 70 patients with PCNSLBCL admitted to Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from December 2010 to November 2022 were collected for retrospective analysis. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test, and prognosis analysis was conducted using the Cox proportional hazards model. Results: Among 70 patients with PCNSLBCL, complete remission (CRs) were achieved in 49 (70.0% ) and partial remission in 4 (5.7% ) after the first-line induction therapy; the overall remission rate was 75.7%. The 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) rate was 55.8% and the median progression-free survival (mPFS) time was 35.9 months, whereas the 2-year overall survival (OS) rate was 79.1% with a median OS time not reached. After CR induced by first-line therapy, cumulative incidence of relapse (CIR) was lower in patients who had received auto-HSCT than in those who had not received consolidation therapy (P=0.032), whose 2-year PFS rate was 54.4% and mPFS time was 35.9 months; comparatively, the 2-year PFS rate in patients having received oral maintenance of small molecule drugs reached 84.4% with a mPFS time of 79.5 months (P=0.038). Multivariant analysis demonstrated that Class 3 in the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) prognostic model is an independent adverse prognostic factor of OS in patients with PCNSLBCL (HR=3.127, 95% CI 1.057-9.253, P=0.039) . Conclusions: In patients with PCNSLBCL achieving CR after the first-line induction therapy, auto-HSCT as consolidation therapy would lead to a decreased CIR, and PFS time could be prolonged by oral maintenance of small molecule drugs. Class 3 MSKCC prognostic model is independently associated with poorer OS.

Association between serum neurofilament light chains (sNfL) and neurologic disorders in a representative sample of US adults: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: While increased neurofilament light chain (NfL) in serum concentrations are linked to the progression of several neurological conditions, their distribution and implications within the general adult population remain largely unexplored. The current research aims to clarify the relationship among serum NfL levels and neurological disorders in a broad and representative population sample. METHODS: We utilized information gathered from 1,751 adults involved in the 2013-2014 cycle of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Our analytical approach encompassed logistic regression, smoothed curve fitting, and subgroup analyses to identify potential correlations between serum NfL levels and neurological conditions, including depression, severe hearing and visual impairments, stroke, subjective memory deficits, and sleep problems. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders, we found that higher serum NfL concentrations were significantly associated with increased risks of depression, stroke, subjective memory deficits, and longer sleep duration (p < 0.05). Subgroup analyses supported these findings. Additionally, BMI significantly influenced the relationship between serum NfL levels and subjective memory deficits. CONCLUSION: Our research shows that higher serum NfL levels are strongly related to an elevated risk for several neurological disorders. These findings highlight the role of serum NfL serving as a critical marker for early detection and monitoring of neurological conditions, emphasizing its importance in both clinical and public health settings.

Association between garden work and risk of incident dementia in an older population in China: a national cohort study.

OBJECTIVES: Evidence on the association between garden work and risk of incident dementia in the older Chinese population is limited. This study aimed to explore the association between the frequency of garden work and risk of incident dementia in an older population in China. STUDY DESIGN: This was a national cohort study. METHODS: This study analysed data from 8676 participants (median age: 86 years) from the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey. Cox proportional hazard models were used to assess the association between the frequency of garden work and risk of incident dementia using hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Multiplicative and additive interaction effects were calculated between the frequency of garden work and age, sex or residence on incident dementia; subgroup analyses of the association were also conducted by age, sex and residence. In addition, sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results. RESULTS: During 4.31 years (median) of follow-up, 633 participants developed dementia. Compared with participants who did not engage in garden work, the adjusted risk of incident dementia for those who regularly or almost daily engaged in garden work decreased by 28% (HR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.57-0.93). An additive interaction effect between frequency of garden work and age on incident dementia was observed, with subgroup analyses demonstrating similar statistically significant associations among participants aged ≥85 years, women and city or town residents. Sensitivity analyses were consistent with the primary analysis in the present study. CONCLUSIONS: Frequent engagement in garden work may be associated with a reduced risk of dementia and may be an effective measure to prevent incident dementia in the older population in China.

[Expert consensus on the application of critical care ultrasonography in invasive procedures].

The evolution of critical care medicine is inextricably linked to the development of critical care procedures. These procedures not only facilitate diagnosis and treatment of critically ill patients, but also provide valuable insights into disease pathophysiology. While critical care interventions offer undeniable benefits, the potential for iatrogenic complications necessitates careful consideration. The recent surge in critical care ultrasound (US) utilization is a testament to its unique advantages: non-invasiveness, real-time bedside availability, direct visualization of internal structures, elimination of ionizing radiation exposure, repeatability, and relative ease of learning. Recognizing the need to optimize procedures and minimize complications, critical care utrasound study group of Beijing critical care ultrasound research assocition convened a panel of critical care experts to generate this consensus statement. This document serves as a guide for healthcare providers, aiming to ensure patient safety and best practices in critical care.

[Analysis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease differences from metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease based on clinical features].

Objective: To explore the clinical features of fatty liver disease (FLD) from non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) to metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MASLD), so as to elucidate its clinical application value under three renames. Methods: Patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Hepatology, Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine Affiliated to Xinjiang Medical University, from January 2020 to September 2023 and met the diagnosis of NAFLD, metabolic-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD), or MASLD were selected as the research subjects. The clinical indicators differences among the three groups of patients were compared, mainly including general information (age, gender, body mass index, past history, etc.), serological indicators (liver and kidney function, blood lipids, blood sugar, coagulation function, etc.), non-invasive liver fibrosis indicators, fat attenuation parameters, etc. Measurement data were analyzed using ANOVA and the rank sum test, while count data were analyzed using the χ(2) test. Results: NAFLD, MAFLD, and MASLD prevalence rates among 536 cases were 64.0%, 93.7%, and 100%, respectively. 318 cases (59.3%) met the three fatty liver names at the same time among them. Male population proportions in NAFLD, MAFLD, and MASLD were 30.9%, 55.8%, and 53.9%, respectively. The alcohol consumption history proportion was 0, 36.7%, and 36.0%, respectively. The smoking history proportion was 7.0%, 31.9%, and 30.6%, respectively. The body mass index was (27.66 ± 3.97), (28.33 ± 3.63), and (27.90 ± 3.89) kg/m(2), respectively. The γ-glutamyltransferase levels were 26.6 (18.0, 47.0) U/L, 31.0 (20.0, 53.0) U/L, and 30.8 (19.8, 30.8) U/L, respectively. The high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were 1.07 (0.90, 1.23) mmol/L, 1.02 (0.86, 1.19) mmol/L, and 1.03 (0.87,1.21) mmol/L, respectively. Sequentially measured uric acid was (322.98 ± 84.51) µmol/L, (346.57 ± 89.49) µmol/L, and (344.89 ±89.67) µmol/L, respectively. Sequentially measured creatinine was 69.6 (62.9, 79.0) µmol/L, 73.0 (65.0, 83.5) µmol/L, and 73.0 (65.0, 83.0) µmol/L, respectively. The sequential analysis of obesity proportion was 74.3%, 81.7%, and 76.5%, respectively, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion: Compared with the NAFLD population, the MAFLD and MASLD populations were predominantly male, obese, and had a history of smoking and drinking. The levels of γ-glutamyltransferase, uric acid, and creatinine were slightly higher, while the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol were lower. MASLD appeared in NAFLD and MAFLD on the basis of inheritance and progression, emphasizing once again the important role of metabolic factors in a fatty liver.

[Analysis of language and influencing factors of children with speech disorder in Beijing].

Objective: To investigate the features and influencing factors of language in children with various types of speech disorders. Methods: A case-control study was carried out, 262 children with speech disorder had been diagnosed at the language-speech clinic of the Center of Children's Healthcare, Children's Hospital, Capital Institute of Pediatrics from January 2021 to November 2023, the children with speech sound disorder as the speech sound disorder group, the children with developmental stuttering as the stuttering group. There were 100 typically-developed children who underwent physical checkups at the Center of Healthcare during the same period as the healthy group. All children experienced a standardized evaluation of language with diagnostic receptive and expressive assessment of mandarin-comprehensive(DREAM-C) and questionnaire, One-way ANOVA and LSD test were conducted to compare the differences in overall language, receptive language, expressive language, semantics, and syntax scores among 3 groups of children. According to the results of DREAM-C, the children with speech disorder were divided into language normal group and language delay group. Chi-square test and multivariate Logistic regression were implemented to analyze the association between the linguistic development of children with speech disorder and potential influential factors. Results: There were 145 children in the speech sound disorder group, including 110 males and 35 females respectively, with an age of (5.9±1.0) years; 117 children in the stuttering group, including 91 males and 26 females, with an age of (5.8±1.0) years; 100 children in the healthy group, including 75 males and 25 females, with an age of (5.7±1.2) years. The variations in overall language, expressive language, and syntax scores among 3 groups of children were statistically significant (92±18 vs.96±11 vs. 98±11, 81±18 vs. 84±14 vs. 88±13, 87±16 vs. 89±11 vs. 91±10, F=5.46, 4.69, 3.68, all P<0.05). Pairwise comparison revealed that the speech sound disorder group had lower scores in overall language, expressive language, and syntactic compared to the healthy group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01) and the overall language score was lower than that of children with stuttering (P<0.05). In terms of overall language and expressive language, there was a statistically significant difference in the incidence of language delay among the three groups of children (15.9% (23/145) vs. 20.5% (24/117) vs. 7.0% (7/100), 46.2% (67/145) vs. 39.3% (46/117) vs. 26.0% (26/100); χ2=7.93, 10.28; both P<0.05). In terms of overall language, the stuttering group took up the highest proportion. In terms of expressive language, the speech sound disorder group accounted for the highest amount. The incidence of language delay in children with speech disorder was 44.3% (116/262). Non-parent-child reading, daily screen time ≥1 hour and screen exposure before 1.5 years of age are risk factors for the development of language in children with speech disorder (OR=1.87, 2.18, 2.01; 95%CI 1.07-3.27, 1.23-3.86, 1.17-3.45; all P<0.01). Negative family history are protective factors for the progress of language ability (OR=0.37, 95%CI 0.17-0.81, P<0.05). Conclusions: Children with speech disorder tend to have easy access to language delay, especially in expressive language and syntax. The occurrence of language delay in children with speech disorder is tightly connected with factors such as the family medical history, parent-child reading, screen time, etc. Attention should be paid to the development of language in children who suffer from speech disorder.

[Effect of corneal e-value on myopia control in children and adolescents with orthokeratology].

Objective: To investigate the influence of corneal e-value on the effectiveness of orthokeratology in controlling myopia in children and adolescents. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted, involving the data from 1 563 myopic patients (1 563 eyes) who underwent orthokeratology at the Affiliated Eye Hospital of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from June 2015 to August 2021 and adhered to lens wear for at least 2 years. The cohort consisted of 737 males and 826 females with an average age of (10.84±2.13) years. Based on corneal e-value parameters obtained from corneal topography, patients were categorized into a low e-value group (n=425) and a high e-value group (n=1 138). Data on gender, age, parental myopia history, and baseline measures such as spherical equivalent (SE), axial length, and corneal e-value were collected. Differences in axial length change and corneal fluorescein staining rates were compared between the two groups at 1 and 2 years after the start of lens wear. A generalized linear mixed model was established with axial length change as the dependent variable to analyze the correlation between axial length change and baseline corneal e-value. Results: The initial age of the 1 563 myopic patients was (10.84±2.13) years, with a baseline SE of (-3.05±1.30) D. After 1 year of lens wear, the axial length change was (0.20±0.19) mm in the low e-value group and (0.24±0.20) mm in the high e-value group. After 2 years, the changes were (0.38±0.25) mm and (0.43±0.27) mm, respectively, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The incidence of corneal staining after 1 year of lens wear was 9.2% (39/425) in the low e-value group and 14.1% (160/1 138) in the high e-value group. After 2 years, the rates were 15.8% (67/425) and 21.8% (248/1 138), respectively, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). After adjusting for parental myopia history, age, SE, and baseline axial length, the baseline corneal e-value was positively correlated with axial length change at 1 and 2 years after lens wear (all P<0.05). Conclusions: Corneal e-value is an independent factor influencing the effectiveness of orthokeratology in controlling myopia. A smaller corneal e-value is associated with slower axial length growth after orthokeratology, indicating better control of myopia in treated eyes.

Effects of ferritin heavy chain on oxidative stress, cell proliferation and apoptosis in geese follicular granulosa cells.

1. The ferritin heavy chain (FHC) has a vital impact on follicular development in geese, due to its ability to regulate apoptosis of granulosa cells (GCs) and follicular atresia. However, its specific regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. The present study characterised how FHC regulates oxidative stress, cell proliferation and apoptosis in goose GCs by interfering with and overexpressing the FHC gene.2. After 72 h of interference with FHC expression, the activity of GCs decreased remarkably (p < 0.05), reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels and the expression levels of antioxidant enzyme genes catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) increased significantly (p < 0.05). The overexpression of FHC for 72 h was found to significantly reduce the expression of CAT and SOD genes (p < 0.05).3. Interfering with FHC expression revealed that the expression levels of the cell proliferation gene Aurora kinase A (AURORA-A) were significantly decreased (p < 0.05), while the expression levels of the apoptosis genes B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) and cysteine aspartate-specific protease 8 (CASPASE 8) increased (p < 0.05). Further research has shown that, when interfering with FHC expression for 72 h, apoptosis rate increased by 1.19-fold (p < 0.05), but the current data showed a lower apoptosis rate after FHC overexpression by 59.41%, 63.39%, and 52.31% at three different treatment times (p < 0.05).4. In conclusion, FHC improved the antioxidant capacity of GCs, promotes GCs proliferation, and inhibits GCs apoptosis of ovarian follicles in Sichuan white geese.

Sleeve gastrectomy links the attenuation of diabetic kidney disease to the inhibition of renal tubular ferroptosis through down-regulating TGF-ß1/Smad3 signaling pathway.

PURPOSE: To investigate how sleeve gastrectomy (SG), a typical operation of bariatric surgery, attenuated symptom, and progression of diabetic kidney disease (DKD). METHODS: DKD model was induced by high-fat diet (HFD) combined with streptozocin in Wistar rats. SG was performed, and the group subjected to sham surgery served as control. The animals were euthanized 12 weeks after surgery, followed by sample collection for the subsequent experiment. The HK-2, a renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line derived from human, was utilized to investigate the potential mechanisms. RESULTS: SG improved metabolic parameters and glucose homeostasis, and could alleviate DKD in terms of renal function indices as well as histological and morphological structures in DM rats, accompanied with a significant reduction in renal tubular injury. Compared with sham group, SG reduced the renal tubular ferroptosis. To further clarify the mechanism involved, in vitro experiments were performed. In the presence of high glucose, renal tubular TGF-ß1 secretion was significantly increased in HK-2 cell line, which led to activation of ferroptosis through TGF-ß1/Smad3 signaling pathway. Inhibition of TGF-ß1 receptor and phosphorylation of Smad3 significantly ameliorated TGF-ß1-mediated ferroptosis. In vivo experiments also found that SG improved the hyperglycemic environment, reduced renal TGF-ß1 concentrations, and down-regulated the TGF-ß1/Smad3 signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: With the capacity to lower the glucose, SG could attenuate the ferroptosis by inhibiting TGF-ß1/Smad3 signaling pathway in DKD rats, and eventually attenuated DKD.

Immediate application of frozen-thawed embryo transfer cycle in month following COVID-19 recovery does not impair ongoing pregnancy outcome.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether immediate frozen-thawed embryo transfer (FET) in the next month following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) recovery affects ongoing pregnancy outcome. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study carried out at a university-affiliated reproductive medicine center. The study group (post-COVID-19 group) comprised women who were affected by COVID-19 in December 2022 and immediately underwent FET in January 2023 after recovery, with transferred embryos not exposed to the infection. The control group comprised women treated during the pre-COVID-19 period (January 2019). Multivariable logistic regression analysis and a propensity score matching (PSM) approach were used to control potential confounders and selection bias. RESULTS: A total of 200 women were included in the post-COVID-19 group and 641 women were enrolled in the control group. The rate of ongoing pregnancy was comparable between the study cohorts in both the unadjusted and confounder-adjusted logistic regression models. Other reproductive outcomes, including the odds of a positive pregnancy test, implantation, clinical pregnancy and early pregnancy loss, were similar between the comparison groups. PSM models further confirmed the lack of significant differences in pregnancy outcome between the post-COVID-19 group and the control group. CONCLUSIONS: Among patients affected by COVID-19 for whom the transferred embryos were generated prior to infection, an immediate FET cycle in the next month after recovery does not seem to compromise ongoing pregnancy outcome. Thus, women who have frozen embryos from preinfection cycles should be counseled and encouraged to undergo FET as soon as possible after COVID-19 recovery. © 2024 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

Full sample analysis of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis in ophthalmology inpatients.

PURPOSE: We hope that by analyzing the clinical features of cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), we can help ophthalmologists reduce misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis. DESIGN: We evaluated 47 patients with CVST in terms of clinical manifestations. METHODS: All cases were analyzed in terms of risk factors, clinical symptoms, ophthalmic examination, imaging examination and lumbar puncture. RESULTS: The body mass indices (BMIs) of 41 patients (87.2%; 95% CI, 77.7-96.8%) were≥24, which is overweight by Chinese standards. There were 22 patients (46.8%; 95% CI, 32.5-61.1%) with BMIs≥28, who were considered obese. Thirteen were hypertensive (27.7%; 95% CI, 14.9-40.5%). The initial symptoms included blurred vision (23, 48.9%; 95% CI, 34.6-63.2%), amaurosis fugax (13, 27.7%; 95% CI, 14.9-40.5%), headache (11 patients, 23.4%; 95% CI, 11.3-35.5%), dizziness (3, 6.4%; 95% CI, -0.6-13.4%), and bilateral diplopia (3, 6.4%; 95% CI, -0.6-13.4%). There were 9 patients (9, 19.2%; 95% CI, 7.9-30.4%) with blindness, 23 patients (48.9%; 95% CI, 34.6-63.2%) with pupillary abnormalities, and 40 patients (85.1%; 95% CI, 74.9-95.2%) with papilledema. Forty-three of the 45 patients who successfully underwent a routine lumbar puncture showed high intracranial pressure (91.7%; 95.6% CI, 89.6-101.6%). Finally, two cases are reported in greater detail for illustrative purposes. CONCLUSION: The main reasons interfering with the diagnosis of CVST might be its nonspecific ocular symptoms and the physicians' clinical thought process being limited to the scope of common ophthalmological diseases.

[Analysis of the clinical characteristics of acute myeloid leukemia related to the treatment of hematological and solid tumors].

Objective: To compare and analyze the clinical characteristics of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) related to the treatment of hematological tumors and solid tumors. Methods: The laboratory and clinical data of 41 patients with treatment-related AML (t-AML) in the Department of Hematology, Henan Cancer Hospital from January 2014 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, and they were divided into hematological tumor group and solid tumor group. Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Log rank test. Results: The median interval from the first tumor diagnosis to t-AML in 41 patients was 21.0 (16.5-46.0) months; 24 (58.5%) had abnormal expression of lymphoid antigen, 28 (68.3%) had abnormal karyotype, 18 cases (43.9%) were positive for fusion gene, and 28 cases (68.3%) were positive for gene mutation; the median recurrence-free survival (RFS) was 11.0 months, and the median overall survival (OS) was 11.5 months. The proportion of acute promyelocytic leukemia ([APL], 0.0, 0/13), complete response ([CR],18.2%, 2/11), median OS (4.5 months) and median RFS (2.5 months) of t-AML patients in the hematological tumor group were significantly lower than those in the solid tumor group (35.7%, 10/28; 68.0%, 17/25; not reach; not reach), but the proportion of M4 /M5 (93.2%,12/13) was significantly higher than that in the solid tumor group (53.6%,15/18; all P values<0.05). Through subgroup analysis, the proportion of patients with positive PML-RARa and good prognosis karyotypes in the solid tumor group (35.7%, 10/28; 46.4%, 13/28) was significantly higher than that in the hematological tumor group (0.0, 0/13; 0.0, 0/13; P<0.05), while the proportion of patients with intermediate karyotypes (42.9%, 12/28) was significantly lower than that in the hematological tumor group (84.6%, 11/13; P<0.05), the difference was statistically significant. The CR rate (90.0%, 9/10), median OS (not reach) and median RFS (not reach) in the t-APL group were higher than those in the t-AML (without t-APL) group (38.5%, 10/26; 6 months; 8 months; P<0.05). After excluding the effect of t-APL patients, there was no significant difference in the CR rate, median OS and median RFS between the solid tumor group (8; 9 months; not reach) and the hematological tumor group (2; 4 months; 2 months; P>0.05). Univariate analysis showed that the primary tumor belongs to hematological tumor was a common risk factor for OS and RFS in t-AML patients (P<0.10). Conclusions: Compared with patients with t-AML secondary to solid tumors, patients with t-AML secondary to hematological tumors have poorer treatment effects and poorer prognosis. After excluding the effect of t-APL patients, there are no significant differences in the treatment efficacy and prognosis between the two types of t-AML patients.

Treponema pallidum protein Tp47 induced prostaglandin E2 to inhibit the phagocytosis in human macrophages.

BACKGROUND: During Treponema pallidum (T. pallidum) infection, the host's immune system actively engages in pursuit and elimination of T. pallidum, while T. pallidum skillfully employs various mechanisms to evade immune recognition. Macrophages exhibit incomplete clearance of T. pallidum in vitro and the underlying mechanism of how T. pallidum resists the attack of macrophage remains unclear. OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of T. pallidum membrane protein Tp47 on the phagocytosis of macrophages. METHODS: THP-1-derived macrophages were used to investigate the role of Tp47 in the secretion of Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) in macrophages and the mechanism by which Tp47 induced the production of PGE2, as well as the impact of PGE2 on the macrophage's phagocytosis. RESULTS: Tp47 (1-10 µg/mL) significantly inhibited the phagocytosis of latex beads and T. pallidum in macrophages (p ≤ 0.05). PGE2 production by macrophages could be induced by Tp47, and the phagocytic function of macrophages could be restored using PGE2 antibody. Tp47 produced PGE2 by activating the PERK/NF-κB/COX-2 pathway in macrophages. Inhibitors targeting PERK, NF-κB and COX-2, respectively, reduced the level of PGE2 and restored the phagocytic function of macrophages. CONCLUSION: Tp47-induced PGE2 production via the PERK/NF-κB/COX-2 pathway contributed to macrophage phagocytosis inhibition, which potentially contributes to immune evasion during the T. pallidum infection.

Correlation of serum IL-6, TNF-α levels and disease activity in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the serum interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and the correlation between serum levels and disease activity. PATIENTS AND METHODS: ELISA was used to detect the serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels of AS patients (n=40) and normal controls (n=40) who were hospitalized or outpatient-diagnosed from June 2021 to May 2023. C-reactive protein (CRP) was detected by immune-enhanced turbidimetry. The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was determined by Wei's manual method. The correlation was analyzed by Pearson's correlation analysis. RESULTS: The levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the AS group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in AS patients in the active phase were higher than those in the stable phase (p<0.05). CRP level was positively correlated with TNF-α, and IL-6 (r=0.02886 and 0.0273, p<0.05). Erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) level was also positively correlated with TNF-α, and IL-6 (r=0.07568 and 0.0613, p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Serum TNF-α and IL-6 levels are correlated with AS disease activity, suggesting that they may be involved in the inflammatory response of AS.