Lung adenocarcinoma cell-derived exosomes promote M2 macrophage polarization through transmission of miR-3153 to activate the JNK signaling pathway.

There is increasing evidence that exosome-mediated transmission of microRNAs helps to connect tumor-associated macrophages and cancer cells, including lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) cells. The objective of this study is to identify the role of miR-3153 in LUAD progression and M2 macrophage polarization and explore its regulatory mechanism. The relevant molecular mechanisms were analyzed and validated through mechanistic assays. In vitro functional assays followed by in vivo experiments were implemented to evaluate the role of exosomes in mediating M2 macrophage polarization and LUAD progression. LUAD cells transmitted miR-3153 through exosomes. Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2B1 promoted miR-3153 biosynthesis and exosomal sorting. Exosomal miR-3153 targeted zinc finger protein 91 to suppress the ubiquitination and degradation of misshapen-like kinase 1, thereby activating the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) signaling pathway and inducing M2 macrophage polarization. M2 macrophage polarization induced by LUAD cell-derived exosomes promoted the malignant process of LUAD cells. Transmission of exosomal miR-3153 by LUAD cells activates the JNK signaling pathway and induces M2 macrophage polarization, thus promoting the progression of LUAD.

Return on investment of fracture liaison services: a systematic review and analysis.

Fracture liaison services (FLS) have been proven clinically effective and cost-effective in preventing subsequent fractures among patients with an existing fragility fracture. Little is known about their monetary benefits such as their return on investment (ROI). This systematic review aimed to investigate the ROI of FLS and identify the FLS characteristics with better ROI. Studies on the cost-effectiveness of FLS published between January 2000 and December 2022 were searched from MEDLINE, EMBASE, PubMed, and Cochrane Central. Two independent reviewers conducted study selection and data extraction. ROI was calculated based on the difference between monetary benefits and FLS costs divided by the FLS costs. Subgroup analysis of ROI was performed across FLS types and FLS design details. A total of 23 FLS were included in this review. The majority of them were targeting patients aged over 50 years having fractures without identified sites. The mean ROI of these FLS was 10.49 (with a median ROI of 7.57), and 86.96% of FLS had positive ROI. FLS making treatment recommendations yielded the highest ROI (with a mean ROI of 18.39 and a median of 13.60). Incorporating primary care providers (with a mean ROI of 16.04 and a median of 13.20) or having them as program leaders (with a mean ROI of 12.07 and a median of 12.07) has demonstrated a high ROI. FLS for specific fracture sites had great monetary return. Intensive FLS such as type A and B FLS programs had higher ROI than non-intensive type C and D FLS. This review revealed a 10.49-fold monetary return of FLS. Identified characteristics contributing to greater economic return informed value-for-money FLS designs. Findings highlight the importance of FLS and the feasibility of expanding their contribution in mitigating the economic burden of osteoporotic fracture and are conducive to the promotion of FLS internationally.

Head-to-head comparison of prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography and multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging in the detection of biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

AIM: Our main goal of this meta-analytical analysis was to evaluate the diagnostic effectiveness of prostate-specific membrane antigen (PSMA) positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) against multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (mpMRI) in the context of identifying biochemical recurrence in patients with prostate cancer (PCa). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A thorough search covering articles published until March 2023 was carried out across major databases such as PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science. Studies examining the direct comparison of PSMA PET/CT and mpMRI in patients with PCa suffering biochemical recurrence were included in the inclusion criteria. Using the renowned Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Performance Studies-2 technique, each study's methodological rigor was assessed. RESULTS: We analyzed data from six eligible studies involving 290 patients in total. The combined data showed that for PSMA PET/CT and mpMRI, respectively, the pooled overall detection rates for recurrent PCa after definitive treatment were 0.69 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.45-0.89) and 0.70 (95% CI: 0.44-0.91). The detection rates for local recurrence were specifically 0.52 (95% CI: 0.39-0.65) and 0.62 (95% CI: 0.31-0.89), while they were 0.50 (95% CI: 0.26-0.74) and 0.32 (95% CI: 0.18-0.48) for lymph node metastasis. Notably, there was no discernible difference between the two imaging modalities in terms of the overall detection rate (P = 0.95). The detection rates for local recurrence and lymph node metastasis did not differ statistically significantly (P = 0.55, 0.23). CONCLUSION: The performance of PSMA PET/CT and mpMRI in identifying biochemical recurrence in PCa appears to be comparable. However, the meta-analysis' findings came from research with modest sample sizes. In this context, more extensive research should be conducted in the future.

Clinical and cardiac MRI characteristics: prognosis in patients with alcoholic cardiomyopathy.

AIMS: Alcoholic cardiomyopathy (ACM) is recognized as a type of non-ischemic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). To date, the clinical prognosis of ACM remains a topic of debate in previous studies and there are limited studies on its cardiac MRI characteristics. The aim of this study was to summarize the clinical and MRI features of ACM patients and to identify the predictors of adverse prognosis based on clinical characteristics and MRI imaging findings. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Adult patients who were clinically diagnosed with ACM and underwent enhanced CMR between September 2015 and August 2022 were retrospectively enrolled. The primary endpoints were major adverse cardiovascular events, including cardiac-related death, heart transplantation, hospitalization for heart failure and life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias (sustained ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, or ICD shock). The risk factors associated with these primary end points were identified using multivariable Cox analysis. RESULTS: A total of 62 ACM patients (50 ± 9 years, 62 men) were included. The majority of patients presented with symptoms of heart failure. Over a median follow-up period of 30.3 months (IQR 12.2-57.7 months), 24 patients reached the primary endpoints. For clinical variables, multivariable analysis showed that drinking duration (HR=1.05; 95%CI:1.01, 1.11; p=0.03) and persistent drinking (HR=3.71; 95%CI:1.46, 9.44; p=0.01) were associated with MACE. For CMR variables, late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) percent (HR = 1.09; 95% CI: 1.03, 1.14; p<0.001) stood out as an independent predictor for MACE. CONCLUSIONS: In ACM patients, persistent drinking and cardiac MRI-defined myocardial scar were associated with adverse outcomes such as cardiac death, heart transplantation, hospitalization for heart failure or life-threatening ventricular arrhythmias.

[Effect of sirolimus combined with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody desensitization on the prognosis of patients underwent haploidentical stem cell transplantation].

Objective: To investigate the effects of sirolimus combined with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody desensitization on the prognosis of patients with haploidentical stem cell transplantation (haplo-SCT). Methods: Fifteen consecutive patients who received haplo-SCT and pre-transplant donor specific anti-human leukocyte antigen (HLA) antibody (DSA) positive [mean fluorescence intensity (MFI)≥2 000] in the Institute of Hematological Diseases from November 2021 to March 2023 were retrospectively recruited into the desensitized group. There were 4 males and 11 females, with a median age [M(Q1, Q3)] of 48 (37, 59) years. All patients were desensitized with sirolimus combined with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody. The non-desensitized group included 29 patients with haplo-SCT who had not received desensitization treatment from August 2012 to June 2016. There were 12 males and 17 females with a median age of 42 (26, 50) years. Up to October 1, 2023, the median follow-up time was 13 (9, 18) months in the study group and 23 (14, 29) months in the control group. The changes of MFI before and after desensitization treatment and the prognosis of patients in the desensitized group were compared, including the incidence of primary implantation failure (pGF), neutrophil implantation time, platelet implantation time, grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and chronic GVHD incidence, non-recurrence related mortality, event-free survival rate, disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate. The survival curve was drawn by Kaplan-Meier method, and the survival rate between groups was compared with Log-rank test. Results: After desensitization treatment, the level of DSA MFI in the desensitized group decreased from 8 879 (7 544, 11 495) to 3 781 (1 638, 4 165) after desensitization treatment (P<0.01). All of the patients achieved hematopoietic recovery, and the median time for neutrophil and platelet engraftment were 14 (11, 15) and 20 (18, 25) days, respectively. The incidence of pGF in the desensitized group was 0, which was lower than that in the non-desensitized group (34.5%, 10/29) (P=0.011). The expected 1-year disease-free survival rate and overall survival rate in the desensitized group were 100% (15/15) and 100% (15/15) respectively, while those in the non-desensitized group were 75.9% (22/29) and 75.9% (22/29) respectively, the difference was not statistically significant (both P>0.05). The one-year event-free survival rate in the desensitized group was expected to be 100% (15/15), which was higher than that in the non-desensitized group (51.3%, 15/29) (P=0.002). Conclusion: Sirolimus combined with anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody desensitization therapy can reduce the DSA level of haplo-SCT recipients, promote hematopoietic engraftment after transplantation, and avoid the occurrence of pGF after transplantation.

[Evaluation of anticoagulant effect and predicted dose of low molecular weight heparin in hemodialysis by anti-â ©a factor activity].

The purpose of this study was to explore the reasonable dose of low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) in hemodialysis (HD) and the strategy of preventing extracorporeal circuit coagulation (ECC). A retrospective case-control study included patients who used LMWH for anticoagulation during maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) in the Hemodialysis Center of Beijing Hospital from December 2020 to January 2021. Basic data such as weight, height, basic kidney disease, dialysis age and anti-Ⅹa factor activity before, during and after dialysis were collected. A total of 46 patients were enrolled in this study, including 5 patients in coagulation group (10.9%) and 41 patients in non-coagulation group (89.1%). The anti-Ⅹa factor activity reached its peak at 0.5 h after the start of HD. The level of anti-Ⅹa factor was incorporated into the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve). The results showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.802 (95% confidence interval: 0.651-0.54, P=0.029), and the cutoff was 0.31 IU/ml (sensitivity 1, specificity 0.683). It is suggested that the body surface area should be used as the basis to estimate the anticoagulant dose of LMWH in HD, and the activity of HD 4 h anti-Ⅹa factor ≤0.31 IU/ml, which is of diagnostic value for ECC. In addition, the results of binary logistic regression analysis showed that dialysis age was an independent risk factor for ECC (OR value 1.319, 95%CI 1.052-1.654, P=0.017). In summary, this study reveals that dialysis age may be a risk factor for ECC and that the activity of HD 4 h anti-Ⅹa factor ≤0.31 IU/ml can be used as a potential diagnostic cut-off point for ECC in HD patients, which provides a scientific basis for monitoring strategies to prevent blood coagulation in HD filters.

[Epidemioloical characteristics and economic burden analysis of palmoplantar pustulosis in urban areas of China].

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and economic burden of palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) in China. Methods: A population-based retrospective study was conducted using the data from China's Urban Basic Medical Insurance data from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2016. International Classification of Diseases code and diagnoses in Chinese for PPP were used to identify cases and estimate the prevalence, incidence, and cost. Subgroup analyses were performed according to age and sex, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the robustness of the results. Age-adjusted prevalence rates were calculated based on the 2010 national census data. Results: The crude prevalence and incidence rate of PPP in 2016 were 2.730/100 000 (95%CI: 2.218/100 000-3.242/100 000) and 1.556/100 000 (95%CI: 1.154/100 000-1.958/100 000), and the prevalence rate of females (2.910/100 000) was higher than that of males (2.490/100 000, χ2=97.48, P=0.001). The incidence rate of females (1.745/100 000) was also higher than that of males (1.418/100 000, χ2=85.02, P=0.001). The age peak of incidence and prevalence of patients with PPP was in the 30-39-year age group and a small peak existed in the 0-3-year age group among people under 20 years old. From 2012 to 2016, the average number of visits was (2.44±0.04) per patient, and the total per-capita cost per year was (982.40±39.19) yuan. Conclusion: In 2016, the prevalence and incidence rate of PPP in China were higher in females than in males, and the highest age peak was in the 30-39-year age group.

[Association of urinary cadmium level with body mass index and body circumferences among older adults over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China].

Objective: To investigate the association of urinary cadmium level with body mass index (BMI) and body circumferences among the older adults over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China. Methods: Subjects were older adults over 65 years old from the Healthy Aging and Biomarkers Cohort Study (HABCS) between 2017 and 2018 conducted in 9 longevity areas in China. A total of 1 968 older adults were included in this study. Information including socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyles, diet intake, and health status was collected by using questionnaires and physical examinations. Urine samples were collected to detect urinary cadmium and creatinine levels. Body circumferences included waist circumference, hip circumference and calf circumference. Subjects were divided into three groups (low:<0.77 µg/g·creatinine, middle:0.77-1.69 µg/g·creatinine, high:≥1.69 µg/g·creatinine) by tertiles of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium concentration. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the association of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium level with BMI and body circumferences. The dose-response relationship of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium concentration with BMI and body circumferences was analyzed by using restrictive cubic splines fitting multiple linear regression model. Results: The mean age of subjects was (83.34±11.14) years old. The median (Q1, Q3) concentration of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium was 1.13 (0.63, 2.09) µg/g·creatinine, and the BMI was (22.70±3.82) kg/m2. The mean values of waist circumference, hip circumference, and calf circumference were (85.42±10.68) cm, (92.67±8.90) cm, and (31.08±4.76) cm, respectively. After controlling confounding factors, the results of the multiple linear regression model showed that for each increment of 1 µg/g·creatinine in creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium, the change of BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and calf circumference in the high-level group was -0.28 (-0.37, -0.19) kg/m2, -0.74 (-0.96, -0.52) cm, -0.78 (-0.96, -0.61) cm, and -0.20 (-0.30, -0.11) cm, respectively. The restrictive cubic splines curve showed a negative nonlinear association of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium with BMI (Pnonlinear<0.001) and negative linear associations of creatinine-adjusted urinary cadmium with waist circumference (Plinear<0.001), hip circumference (Plinear<0.001), and calf circumference (Plinear<0.001). Conclusion: Urinary cadmium level is significantly associated with decreased BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference and calf circumference among older adults over 65 years old in 9 longevity areas of China.

[Research progress of direct-acting antiviral drugs in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C-related cirrhosis].

Chronic hepatitis C is a kind of viral hepatitis caused by hepatitis C virus infection, which can further progress to cirrhosis, liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, and even death. Presently, there is no preventive vaccine yet. Therefore, preventing infection and safe and effective drug treatment are currently the most effective strategies for dealing with hepatitis C virus infection. Since 2014, the clinical application of direct-acting antiviral drugs has brought revolutionary changes to the treatment of chronic hepatitis C. Direct-acting antiviral drugs have an excellent hepatitis C virus clearance effect, are well tolerated, have a good safety profile, and can significantly improve liver function, metabolic disorders, immune dysfunction, etc. However, some studies have pointed out that even if the hepatitis C virus is cleared during the treatment of chronic hepatitis C-related cirrhosis with direct-acting antiviral drugs, a considerable proportion of patients still have severe liver failure, hepatocellular carcinoma, and even liver disease-related death, so there are still some problems in the treatment of chronic hepatitis C- related cirrhosis with direct-acting antiviral drugs that need to be further explored. This article reviews the research progress of direct-acting antiviral drugs so as to provide meaningful references for the treatment of patients with chronic hepatitis C-related cirrhosis.

[Multiple pulmonary nodules with cavity formation].

A 64-year-old female patient was admitted to Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital on February 21, 2023 because of right-sided chest pain for more than 4 years and left-sided chest pain for more than 9 months. She had a past medical history of previous tuberculosis and rheumatoid arthritis. A chest CT in October 2018 revealed multiple pulmonary nodules. A CT-guided biopsy showed no tumors, and adenosine deaminase levels in the pleural effusion were elevated, suggesting a high likelihood of tuberculosis. As a result, anti-tuberculosis treatment was initiated in March 2019. In December 2019, she underwent a right lower lobe resection due to localized hydropneumothorax on the right side. Postoperative pathology unveiled granulomatous inflammation with necrosis. A chest CT in May 2020 showed a significant increase in nodules and cavities. In January 2023, a diagnosis of cryptococcal pneumonia was considered, and she was prescribed oral fluconazole. Finally, the diagnosis of pulmonary rheumatoid nodules was confirmed after a pathological consultation of the postoperative specimen. After one month of treatment with oral prednisone and mycophenolate mofetil, a follow-up chest CT showed improvement. It was recommended that she continue with her current treatment and undergo regular chest CT scans.

[Clinical observation of botulinum toxin A injection in the treatment of acute comitant esotropia: a retrospective cohort study].

Objective: To observe the efficacy and safety of botulinum toxin A (BTA) injection in the treatment of acute comitant esotropia (ACE) with different doses. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included data from patients with ACE who received BTA injection treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2019 to June 2022. All patients underwent routine ophthalmic examinations, including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), spherical equivalent (SE), as well as specialized examinations for strabismus, including the degree of esotropia, eye movement status, and binocular visual function. Patients were categorized into small esotropia [≤60 prism diopters (PD)] and large esotropia (>60 PD) groups based on the pre-treatment degree of esotropia. Each group was further divided into 2.5 U and 5.0 U dose subgroups. Monocular injections were administered to the non-dominant eye. The esotropia degree was recorded and compared at 1, 2, 3, and 6 months of follow-up. The proportion of effectively treated patients in each group was documented. The number of cases with various levels of visual functions (including simultaneous vision, near stereopsis, and distance stereopsis) at 6 months post-treatment was compared, and complications during the follow-up period were observed. Statistical analyses were conducted using t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and χ2 tests. Results: A total of 70 patients were included in the study, comprising 46 males and 24 females, with a median age of 5.0 (4.0, 8.3) years. Among them, 37 patients had small esotropia, with 25 in the 2.5 U group and 12 in the 5.0 U group. Thirty-three patients had large esotropia, with 18 in the 2.5 U group and 15 in the 5.0 U group. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline data, including age, duration of the condition, pre-treatment esotropia degree, BCVA and SE, between the two dose groups in both small and large esotropia patients (all P>0.05). In small esotropia patients, at 1 and 2 months post-treatment, the esotropia degree in the 5.0 U group was -20.00 (-37.50, -7.00) and 0.00 (0.00, 0.00) PD, respectively, which was significantly lower than the 0.00 (-10.00, 4.50) and 5.00 (0.00, 6.50) PD in the 2.5 U group (all P<0.05). At 3 and 6 months post-treatment, the esotropia degree in the 2.5 U group was 5.00 (0.00, 15.00) and 2.00 (0.00, 6.00) PD, respectively, while in the 5.0 U group, it was 0.00 (0.00, 4.50) and 0.00 (0.00, 3.75) PD, with no statistically significant differences between the two groups (all P>0.05). In the 2.5 U group, 20 cases were effectively treated, accounting for 80.0%, while in the 5.0 U group, 10 cases were effective, accounting for 10/12, with no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). In the 2.5 U group and the 5.0 U group, the proportions of cases with various levels of visual functions were as follows: simultaneous vision, 76.0% (19/25) and 10/12; near stereopsis, 48.0% (12/25) and 7/12; distance stereopsis, 44.0% (11/25) and 7/12, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed in these proportions (all P>0.05). In patients with large esotropia, the esotropia degrees in the 5.0 U group at various follow-up times were -5.00 (-25.00, 5.00), 0.00 (0.00, 7.00), 2.00 (0.00, 10.00), and 5.00 (0.00, 7.00) PD, respectively. For the 2.5 U group, the corresponding values were 5.00 (2.75, 27.75), 10.00 (3.75, 24.75), 12.00 (3.75, 38.75), and 14.00 (3.50, 54.00) PD, respectively. The esotropia degrees in the 5.0 U group were consistently lower than those in the 2.5 U group (all P<0.05). The proportion of effective treatment in the 5.0 U group (13/15) was higher than that in the 2.5 U group (9/18), and the proportion of cases with distance stereopsis in the 5.0 U group (9/15) was higher than that in the 2.5 U group (4/18), both showing statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). The number of cases with simultaneous vision and near stereopsis showed no significant differences between the two groups (all P>0.05). The proportion of complications in the 2.5 U and 5.0 U groups in both large and small esotropia patients was 9/18, 13/15, 80.0% (20/25), and 10/12, respectively, with no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). All complications spontaneously resolved within 3 months post-treatment. Conclusions: BTA injection is effective in the treatment of ACE, and for ACE patients with esotropia degrees greater than 60 PD, increasing the injection dose to 5.0 U can achieve better therapeutic outcomes.

[The relationship between the comprehensive blood inflammation indexes and stage I pneumoconiosis and its combined lung infections].

Objective: To analyze the comprehensive blood inflammation index of the patients with stage I pneumoconiosis complicated with pulmonary infection, and to explore its value in predicting the patients' disease. Methods: In September 2023, 83 patients with stage I pneumoconiosis who were treated in Tianjin Occupational Diseases Precaution and Therapeutic Hospital from November 2021 to August 2023 were selected and divided into non-infected group (56 cases) and infected group (27 cases) according to whether they were combined with lung infection. Workers with a history of dust exposure but diagnosed without pneumoconiosis during the same period were selected as the control group (65 cases) . By referring to medical records and collecting clinical data such as gender, age, occupational history, past medical history, hematology testing, the differences in the comprehensive blood inflammation indexes among the three groups were compared, ROC curve was drawn, and the relationship between comprehensive blood inflammation indexes and stage I pneumoconiosis and its combined lung infection was analyzed. Results: There were significtant differences in the number of neutrophils (N) , the number of lymphocytes (L) , the number of monocytes (M) , C-reactive protein (CRP) , the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) , the monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR) , the platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) , the systemic immune-inflammatory index (SII) , the systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) , the aggregate index of systemic inflammation (AISI) , the derived neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (dNLR) , the neutrophil to lymphocyte and platelet ratio (NLPR) , and the C-reactive protein to lymphocyte ratio (CLR) (P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, MLR, SIRI and AISI in the non-infected group were significantly increased (P<0.05) . NLR, MLR, PLR, SII, SIRI, AISI, dNLR, NLPR, CLR were significantly increased (P<0.05) . Compared with the non-infected group, NLR, PLR, SII, SIRI, AISI, dNLR, NLPR and CLR were significantly increased in the infected group (P<0.05) . ROC analysis showed that NLR, MLR, PLR, SII, SIRI and AISI had a certain predictive capability for stage I pneumoconiosis (P<0.05) , among which MLR had the highest efficacy, with an AUC of 0.791 (95% CI: 0.710-0.873) , the cut-off value was 0.18, the sensitivity was 71.4%, and the specificity was 78.5%. NLR, MLR, PLR, SII, SIRI, AISI, dNLR, NLPR and CLR all had a certain predictive capability forstage I pneumoconiosis combined lung infection (P<0.05) , among which CLR had the highest efficacy, with an AUC of 0.904 (95%CI: 0.824~0.985) , the cut-off value was 5.33, sensitivity was 77.8%, specificity was 98.2%. Conclusion: The comprehensive blood inflammation index may be an auxiliary predictor of stage I pneumoconiosis and its combined lung infections.

Differentiating between normal and fetal growth restriction-complicated placentas: is T2∗ imaging imaging more accurate than conventional diffusion-weighted imaging?

AIM: To compare the performance of T2∗ imaging and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in differentiating normal placentas from those complicated by fetal growth restriction (FGR). MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study included 28 control and 30 FGR placentas. Gradient-echo magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 16 different echo times and diffusion-weighted imaging (b-value of 0 and 800 s/mm2) were performed on all pregnant women using a 3 T MRI system. RESULTS: Both T2∗ imaging Z-score and ADC were significantly lower in the FGR placentas (ADC, (1.69 ± 0.19) × 10-3 versus (1.42 ± 0.28) × 10-3 mm2/s, p<0.001; T2∗ imaging Z-score, -0.004 ± 0.95 versus -2.441 ± 1.48, p<0.001). The area under the curve for T2∗ imaging Z-score and ADC was 0.917 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.842-0.991) and 0.788 (95% CI = 0.655-0.887), respectively. The performance of T2∗ imaging in differentiating FGR placentas was significantly better than that of ADC (Z = 2.043, p=0.041). CONCLUSION: Placental T2∗ imaging was found to be more reliable than ADC in differentiating between normal and FGR placentas.

"Triple-low" radiation dose bronchial artery CT angiography before bronchial artery embolisation: a feasibility study.

AIM: To explore the feasibility of a "triple-low" dose (low tube voltage, low tube current, and low contrast agent volume) bronchial artery computed tomography (CT) angiography (CTA) to replace routine dose bronchial artery CTA before bronchial artery embolisation (BAE). MATERIALS AND METHODS: CTA was obtained from 60 patients with body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2 using a 256 multi-section iCT system, and they were divided into two groups: (1) group A: 100 kVp, 100 mAs, 50 ml contrast medium (CM); (2) group B: 120 kVp, automatic tube current modulation (ACTM), 80 ml CM. CT attenuation of the thoracic aorta, image noise, signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) were calculated, and subjective image quality scores and traceability scores assessed. The effective radiation dose was calculated. RESULTS: The radiation dose was reduced by 79.7% in group A compared to group B (p<0.05). The CT attenuation of the thoracic aorta was increased by approximately 13% in group A compared to group B (p<0.05). Higher image noise, lower SNR, and CNR were obtained in group A compared to group B (all p<0.05). Both subjective image quality scores and traceability scores did not differ between groups A and B (both p>0.05). CONCLUSION: It is feasible to use the "triple-low" dose CTA protocol for patients with a body mass index (BMI) < 30 kg/m2. The radiation dose was reduced by 79.7%, and the dose of contrast medium was reduced by 37.5% to ensure the diagnostic value.

Efficacy and safety of methylene blue injection for intractable idiopathic pruritus ani: a single-arm metaanalysis and systematic review.

PURPOSE: To evaluate how effective methylene blue injection was at treating intractable idiopathic pruritus ani. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of the PubMed, Embase, Cochrane library, and Web of Science databases was conducted. All clinical studies (prospective and retrospective) that evaluated the efficacy of methylene blue in treating intractable idiopathic pruritus ani were included. Studies that reported the resolution rate, after a single injection and after a second injection, the recurrence rate, symptom scores, and transient complications of methylene blue injections in treating intractable idiopathic pruritus ani were included. RESULTS: The seven selected studies included 225 patients with idiopathic pruritus ani. The resolution rates after a single injection and after a second injection was 0.761 (0.649-0.873, P < 0.01, I2 = 69.06%) and 0.854 (0.752-0.955, P < 0.01, I2 = 77.391%), respectively, the remission rates at 1, 3, and 5 years were 0.753 (0.612-0.893, P < 0.001), 0.773 (0.675-0.871, P < 0.001) and 0.240 (0.033-0.447, P < 0.001), respectively, the effect value of the merger was 0.569 (0.367-0.772, P < 0.001, I2 = 79.199%), and the recurrence rates at 1, 2, 3, and < 1 year were 0.202 (0.083-0.322, P < 0.001), 0.533 (0.285-0.781, P < 0.001), 0.437 (-0.044, 0.917, P < 0.001) and 0.067 (0.023-0.111, P < 0.001), respectively. The effect value of the merger was 0.223 (0.126-0.319, P < 0.001, I2 = 75.840). CONCLUSION: Using methylene blue injections to treat intractable idiopathic pruritus ani is relatively efficacious, resulting in a relatively low recurrence rate and no severe complications. However, the available literature was of poor quality. Therefore, higher quality studies are necessary to confirm that methylene blue injection is efficacious for pruritus ani, such as a randomized prospective multicenter studies.

The residue of tetracycline antibiotics in soil and Brassica juncea var. gemmifera, and the diversity of soil bacterial community under different livestock manure treatments.

Tetracycline antibiotics (TCs) are a broad-spectrum antibiotic, widely used in livestock and poultry breeding. Residue of tetracycline antibiotics in animal manure may cause changes in vegetable TCs content and soil microbial community. On the basis of the investigation and analysis of TCs pollution in the soil of main vegetable bases and the livestock manure of major large-scale farms in Chongqing, China, field experiment was conducted to study the residues of tetracycline antibiotics in Brassica juncea var. gemmifera and soil under different kinds and different dosages of livestock manures. Effects of tetracycline antibiotics on the structure and diversity of soil microbial community were also investigated by high-throughput sequencing. TCs content in soil was increased by applying livestock manure. The contents of tetracycline, oxytetracycline (OTC) and chlortetracycline (CTC) in the soil under pig manure treatment were 171.07-660.20 µg kg-1, 25.38-345.78 µg kg-1 and 170.77-707.47 µg kg-1, respectively. The contents of TC, OTC and CTC in the soil under the treatment of chicken manure were 166.62-353.61 µg kg-1, 122.25-251.23 µg kg-1 and 15.12-80.91 µg kg-1, respectively. TCs in edible parts of Brassica juncea var. gemmifera was increased after livestock manure treatment Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria, Actinobacteria, Chioroflexi and Bacteroidetes under livestock manure treatment were the dominant phyla, accounting for 85.2-92.4% of the total abundance of soil bacteria. The soil OTUs under the treatment of pig manure was higher than that under the treatment of chicken manure. Biogas residue (Livestock manure after fermentation treatment) can effectively reduce the environmental and ecological risks caused by antibiotic residues.

[Erythrocytosis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: report of 3 cases and literature review].

This is a report of three cases of three male patients. One of the patients had myelodysplastic syndrome, and two had aplastic anemia; their ages were 28, 32, and 21 years old, respectively. Two patients underwent sibling allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and one underwent haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. All the patients showed elevated hemoglobin and hematocrit at 6, 16, and 9 months after transplantation, with normal white blood cells and platelets and no splenomegaly. All causes of secondary polycythemia were ruled out. Bone marrow morphology showed no erythroid hyperplasia. The PCR result for BCR-ABL (P210, P230, P190, and variants) was negative, and there were no mutations at the amino acid site 617 of JAK2, exon 12 of JAK2, exon 9 of CALR, and amino acid site 515 of MPL. All three patients had hypertension. One patient was treated with amlodipine, and the other two patients were treated with angiotensin receptor blockers. The durations of erythrocytosis for these three patients were 6 years and 3 months, 4 years and 7 months, and 5 years and 3 months, respectively through December 2022. There was no tendency for spontaneous remission. Erythrocytosis after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is a rare complication. Previous reports in the literature suggest that the mechanism of post-transplant erythrocytosis in recipients of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may be different from that of recipients of other transplants.

[Clinical analysis of the efficacies of ganciclovir plus foscarnet and a single antiviral drug for the treatment of cytomegalovirus infection after haploidentical stem cell transplantation].

Objective: To evaluate and compare the efficacies of ganciclovir plus foscarnet and a single agent for the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection after haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Methods: This study was a non-randomized clinical controlled trial. The data of patients who underwent haploidentical transplantation and developed CMV infection between January 1, 2021, and June 30, 2021, were retrospectively analyzed. Follow-up was conducted through telephone, inpatient consultations, and the review of outpatient medical records. The observed indicators included the incidence of CMV infection (including CMV disease), rate of recurrence of CMV infection, overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS). Results: A total of 242 patients were diagnosed with post-transplantation CMV infection; 116 patients tested positive for CMV DNA for more than 14 days (P=0.011). Of the 242 patients with CMV infection, 65 were treated with ganciclovir plus foscarnet, and 156 patients were treated with a single antiviral drug; the median durations of CMV seroconversion were 21 (3-60) and 14 (3-32) days for the combination and single-drug groups, respectively. There were no significant differences between their incidence of CMV infections and 1-year OS and DFS. Of the patients with refractory CMV infections, 53 (45.7%) were treated with ganciclovir plus foscarnet, and 63 (54.3%) were treated with a single antiviral agent. The median durations of CMV seroconversion for the combination and single-drug groups were 21 (15-60) days and 20 (15-45) days, respectively (P=0.472). Two patients in each group progressed to CMV disease (P=0.860). During follow-up, 12 patients (22.6%) in the combination group and 8 patients (12.7%) in the single-drug group experienced recurrent episode(s) of CMV infection (P=0.158). The 1-year OS of the combination and single-drug groups were 92.0% and 87.1%, respectively (P=0.543); the 1-year DFS were 90.3% and 85.7%, respectively (P=0.665). Univariate analysis revealed no associations between the antiviral agents used and OS and DFS (OS: HR=0.644, P=0.547; DFS: HR=0.757, P=0.666). Conclusions: There were no significant differences in the duration of CMV infection, incidence of CMV disease, rate of recurrence of CMV infection, and survival of the patients treated with the combination of antiviral drugs and a single antiviral drug.

[Clinical characteristics of patients with human adenovirus infection undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of human adenovirus (HAdV) infection in patients with allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). Methods: This is a retrospective case series study. Patients who received allo-HSCT and had symptoms of HAdV infection were tested in the Hematology Department at Perking University People's Hospital from August 2015 to October 2019. Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect HAdV DNA from 2 728 patients with potential infection. HAdV DNA-positive patients were defined as having HAdV infection. The clinical features of these patients were analyzed, and a case-pair method was used to select patients without HAdV infection as the control group in a 1∶3 ratio. The clinical results of the two groups were compared using Kaplan-Meier and Log-rank testing. Results: A total of 7 119 samples were tested for HAdV, of which 99 samples from 36 patients were positive. Of these patients, 22 developed HAdV viremia, and 24 patients had concurrent infection with another virus. Nineteen patients had fever (53%), 25 had gastrointestinal symptoms (69%), 11 had respiratory symptoms (31%), nine had reduced liver function (25%), and six had nervous system symptoms (17%). Twenty-three patients developed acute graft-versus-host disease of grade 2 or higher. Of all the patients with HAdV infection, nine were treated with cidofovir, seven of whom became HAdV negative and two had invalid treatment. The median follow-up time was 496 (216, 940) d post-HSCT. The overall survival at 5 years post HSCT was 48.4%±9.2% vs. 91.3%±3.5% (χ2=65.03, P<0.001) in patients with and without HADV, respectively. The non-relapse mortality at 5 years post-HSCT was 40.8%±8.8% vs. 4.0%±2.0% (χ2=34.17, P<0.001) in patients with and without HADV, respectively. Conclusions: After allo-HSCT, HAdV-infected patients are dominated by gastrointestinal and respiratory symptoms and have an increased risk of combined acute graft-versus-host disease of >2 degrees. Patients with HAdV infection have poor overall survival and high non-relapse mortality.

[Prognostic analysis of patients with acute leukemia and central nervous system involvement undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation].

Objective: To investigate the potential of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) in mitigating the adverse prognosis associated with central nervous system leukemia (CNSL) and to assess the significance of prophylactic intrathecal injection. Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was conducted involving 30 patients with acute leukemia who had a history of CNSL who underwent allo-HSCT at Peking University People's Hospital between September 2012 and March 2018 (referred to as the CNSL-positive group). In addition, 90 patients with acute leukemia were selected from the same period who underwent allo-HSCT without a history of CNSL (referred to as the CNSL-negative group) and a rigorous 1∶3 matching was performed based on disease type, disease status, and transplantation type to form the control group. The prognosis between the two groups was compared using Kaplan-Meier analysis and the high-risk factors for CNSL relapse post-transplant were identified through Cox proportional-hazards model. Results: The median age of patients in the CNSL-negative group was significantly higher than that of patients in the CNSL-positive group (32 years vs. 24 years, P=0.014). No significant differences were observed in baseline data, including sex, disease type, disease status at transplantation, donor-recipient relationship, and human leukocyte antigen consistency between the two groups. The median follow-up time was 568 days (range: 21-1 852 days). The 4-year cumulative incidence of relapse (71.4%±20.9% vs. 29.3%±11.5%, P=0.005) and the cumulative incidence of CNSL post-transplant (33.6%±9.2% vs. 1.2%±1.2%, P<0.001) were significantly higher in the CNSL-positive group than in the CNSL-negative group. Furthermore, the 4-year leukemia-free survival rate in the CNSL-positive group was significantly lower than that in the CNSL-negative group (23.1%±17.0% vs. 71.5%±11.6%, P<0.001). However, no significant differences were observed in the 4-year cumulative transplant-related mortality and overall survival rates between the two groups (both P>0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that a history of CNSL before transplantation (HR=25.050, 95%CI 3.072-204.300, P=0.003) was identified as high-risk factors for CNSL relapse post-transplant. Conversely, haploidentical transplantation was associated with a reduced risk of CNSL relapse post-transplant (HR=0.260, 95%CI 0.073-0.900, P=0.034). Within the CNSL-positive group, seven patients received prophylactic intrathecal therapy after transplantation, and their CNSL relapse rate was significantly lower than that of the 23 patients who did not receive intrathecal therapy after transplantation (0/7 vs. 9/23, P=0.048). Conclusions: Patients with a history of CNSL have a higher risk of relapse and experience poorer leukemia-free survival following transplantation. The use of prophylactic intrathecal injection shows promise in mitigating CNSL relapse rates, although further validation through prospective studies is necessary to substantiate these observations.