[Diagnosis of peripheral cavitary squamous cell lung carcinoma with Aspergillus infection using LungPro navigation system: a case report].

Virtual bronchoscopic navigation (VBN) is increasingly being used to diagnose peripheral lung lesions, allowing precise guidance of the bronchoscope to the target lesions, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy. This paper reported a patient admitted due to hemoptysis, with an initial clinical diagnosis of squamous cell lung carcinoma with brain and bone metastases. Previous attempts had failed to obtain tissue samples from the lung lesions. Upon admission, the LungPro navigation system was used to perform a bronchoscopic transparenchymal nodule access (BTPNA). Pathological examination of the lung tissue and microbiological analysis of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid confirmed the diagnosis of peripheral cavitary squamous cell lung carcinoma with Aspergillus infection. Following antifungal and antineoplastic treatment, the patient's symptoms improved markedly and she was subsequently discharged.

[Pulmonary co-infection with Nocardia otitidiscaviarum and Aspergillus: a case report].

Nocardia is a rarely encountered opportunistic gram-positive bacterium that exhibits marked invasiveness and dissemination. Typically, acquired through trauma or inhalation, this pathogen primarily affects immunocompromised individuals and is a potentially life-threatening risk in severe cases. Nocardia otitidiscaviarum is a particularly rare subtype of Nocardia infection, and the occurrence of concurrent Aspergillus infection is extremely rare. In cases where both infections manifest concomitantly, rapid and accurate diagnosis is essential to facilitate the subsequent selection of appropriate anti-infective interventions. This paper reported the diagnostic and therapeutic experience in managing a case of pulmonary co-infection with Nocardia otitidiscaviarum and Aspergillus. The patient presented with an acute onset, rapid progression, and early manifestation of respiratory failure. The diagnostic process included respiratory pathogen culture and bronchoscopy, which was supplemented with targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS). These comprehensive diagnostic modalities led to the identification of pulmonary co-infection with Nocardia otitidiscaviarum and Aspergillus. After adjustment of the antibiotic regimen, the patient's condition improved rapidly, culminating in a timely discharge.

[Screening and functional analysis of differentially expressed long non-coding RNA in the liver of mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum during the chronic pathogenic stage].

OBJECTIVE: To screen differentially expressed long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the liver of mice infected with Schistosoma japonicum during the chronic pathogenic stage and identify their functions, so as to provide insights into unravelling the role of lncRNAs in S. japonicum infection-induced liver disorders. METHODS: Twenty 6-week-old C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups, of 10 animals each group. Each mouse in the experimental group was infected with (15 ± 2) S. japonicum cercariae via the abdomen for modeling chronic S. japonicum infection in mice, and distilled water served as controls. All mice were sacrificed 70 days post-infection, and mouse liver specimens were sampled for RNA extraction and library construction. All libraries were sequenced on the Illumina NovaSeq 6000 sequencing platform. Data cleaning was performed using the fastp software, and reference genome alignment and gene expression (FPKM) calculation were performed using the HISAT2 software. Potential lncRNA sequences were predicted using the software CNIC, CPC, Pfam, and PLEK, and potential lncRNAs were screened. Differentially expressed lncRNAs were screened with the DESeq2 software and subjected to Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses to identify biological processes and metabolic pathways involved in target genes of differentially expressed lncRNAs. RESULTS: A total of 333 potential lncRNAs were screened, and 67 were identified as differentially expressed lncRNAs, including 49 up-regulated and 18 down-regulated lncRNAs. A total of 53 target genes were predicted for differentially expressed lncRNAs. GO enrichment analysis showed that these target genes were mainly enriched in biological process and molecular function, among which Sema7a, Arrb1, and Ccl21b genes may be hub target genes for positive regulation of extracellular regulated protein kinase 1 (ERK1) and ERK2 cascades and may participate in the regulation of collagen expression. KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the target genes of differentially expressed lncRNAs were mainly enriched in cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction, viral protein interactions with cytokines and cytokine receptors, chemokine signaling pathway, and nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies differentially expressed lncRNAs and functional enrichment of their target genes in the liver of mice during the chronic pathogenic stage of S. japonicum infection. Up-regulated lncRNAs may affect biological processes of ERK1/2 cascades and chemokine signaling pathways via target genes Sema7a, Arrb1, and Ccl21b, thereby affecting collagen expression and inflammatory signal pathways, ultimately affecting the development of liver disorders.

Involvement of PD-1+CD4+ T cells in the development of traumatic tracheal stenosis by regulating the IL-17/STAT3 pathway.

Studies have highlighted an upregulation of PD-1 expression in CD4+ T cells, which accelerates lung fibrosis by activating the IL-17/STAT3 pathway, leading to IL-17A and TGF-ß1 secretion. However, the relation with traumatic tracheal stenosis (TS) remains unexplored. Our analysis found significant increases in PD-1+CD4+ T cells, IL-17A, and TGF-ß1 in the TS patients (n = 10). The cellular model used CD4+ T cells co-cultured with bronchial fibroblasts while the animal model used a nylon brush to scrape the damaged tracheal mucosa. Interventions with PD-1 and STAT3 inhibitors both in vitro (n = 5) and in vivo (n = 6) showed decreased expression of TGF-ß1 and IL-17A in CD4+ T cells, decreased collagen I synthesis in vitro, and reduced tractal fibrosis in vivo. Furthermore, PD-1's modulation of the STAT3 was evident. This research unveils PD-1+CD4+ T cells' role in TS, thus suggesting a novel immunotherapeutic strategy to counteract tracheal fibrosis.

[Distribution characteristics of emerging and reemerging Oncomelania hupensis in China from 2015 to 2021].

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distribution characteristics of emerging and reemerging Oncomelania hupensis snails after the criteria for transmission control of schistosomiasis were achieved in China, so as to provide insights into assessment of schistosomiasis transmission risk and formulation of snail control strategies during the elimination phase. METHODS: O. hupensis survey data in China from 2015 to 2021 were collected from the National Schistosomiasis Pevention and Control Information Management System, and the distribution characteristics of emerging and reemerging O. hupensis snails were descriptively analyzed. RESULTS: Emerging and reemerging O. hupensis snails were identified in China each year from 2015 to 2021, with relatively larger areas with emerging and reemerging O. hupensis snail habitats in 2016 and 2021, and relatively higher numbers of counties (districts) where emerging and reemerging O. hupensis snails were detected in 2016 and 2021. A total of 4 586.30 hm2 of emerging O. hupensis snail habitats were found in 10 schistosomiasis-endemic provinces of China (except Fujian and Yunnan Provinces) from 2015 to 2021, with 96.80% in Anhui, Hunan and Hubei provinces, where marshland and lake endemic foci were predominant. A total of 21 023.90 hm2 of reemerging O. hupensis snail habitats were found in 12 schistosomiasis-endemic provinces of China from 2015 to 2021, with 97.67% in six provinces of Hubei, Sichuan, Jiangxi, Jiangsu, Yunnan and Anhui, where marshland and lake and hilly endemic regions were predominant. Emerging snail habitats were found in 15.08% of all schistosomiasisendemic counties (districts) in China from 2015 to 2021, and 78.75% of all emerging snail habitats were identified in 11 schistosomiasis-endemic counties (districts), with the largest area of emerging snail habitats found in Lixian County, Hunan Province (645.00 hm2). Reemerging snail habitats were found in 47.67% of all schistosomiasis-endemic counties (districts) in China from 2015 to 2021, and 43.29% of all reemerging snail habitats were identified in 11 schistosomiasis-endemic counties (districts), with the largest area of reemerging snail habitats found in Weishan Li and Hui Autonomous County of Hunan Province (1 579.70 hm2). CONCLUSIONS: Emerging and reemerging O. hupensis snails were identified in China each year from 2015 to 2021, with much larger areas of reemerging snail habitats than emerging snail habitats, and larger numbers of schistosomiasis-endemic provinces and counties (districts) with reemerging snails were found that those of provinces and counties (districts) with emerging snails. Specific snail control interventions are required tailored to the causes of emerging and reemerging snail habitats. Both emergence and reemergence of O. hupensis snails should be paid attention to in marshland and lake endemic areas, and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Shanghai Municipality and Zhejiang Province where schistosomiasis had been eliminated, and reemergence of O. hupensis snails should be given a high priority in hilly areas. In addition, monitoring of O. hupensis snails should be reinforced in snail-free areas after flooding.

Induced maturation of hepatic progenitor cells in vitro

Hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) are a potential cell source for liver cell transplantation but do not function like mature liver cells. We sought an effective and reliable method to induce HPC maturation. An immortalized HP14.5 albumin promoter-driven Gaussian luciferase (ALB-GLuc) cell line was established from HPCs isolated from fetal mouse liver of post coitus day 14.5 mice to investigate the effect of induction factors on ALB promoter. HP14.5 parental cells were cultured in DMEM with different combinations of 2% horse serum (HS), 0.1 µM dexamethasone (DEX), 10 ng/mL hepatic growth factor (HGF), and/or 20 ng/mL fibroblast growth factor 4 (FGF4). Trypan blue and crystal violet staining were used to assess cell proliferation with different induction conditions. Expression of hepatic markers was measured by semi-quantitative RT-PCR, Western blot, and immunofluorescence. Glycogen storage and metabolism were detected by periodic acid-Schiff and indocyanine green (ICG) staining. GLuc activity indicated ALB expression. The combination of 2% HS+0.1 µM Dex+10 ng/mL HGF+20 ng/mL FGF4 induced the highest ALB-GLuc activity. Cell proliferation decreased in 2% HS but increased by adding FGF4. Upon induction, and consistent with hepatocyte development, DLK, AFP, and CK19 expression decreased, while ALB, CK18, and UGT1A expression increased. The maturity markers tyrosine aminotransferase and apolipoprotein B were detected at days 3 and 6 post-induction, respectively. ICG uptake and glycogen synthesis were detectable at day 6 and increased over time. Therefore, we demonstrated that HPCs were induced to differentiate into functional mature hepatocytes in vitro, suggesting that factor-treated HPCs may be further explored as a means of liver cell transplantation.