[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.

Predicting the response to neoadjuvant chemoradiation for rectal cancer using nomograms based on MRI tumour regression grade.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to develop nomograms that combine clinical factors and MRI tumour regression grade to predict the pathological response of mid-low locally advanced rectal cancer to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. METHODS: The retrospective study included 204 patients who underwent neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery between January 2013 and December 2021. Based on pathological tumour regression grade, patients were categorized into four groups: complete pathological response (pCR, n=45), non-complete pathological response (non-pCR; n=159), good pathological response (pGR, n=119), and non-good pathological response (non-pGR, n=85). The patients were divided into a training set and a validation set in a 7:3 ratio. Based on the results of univariate and multivariate analyses in the training set, two nomograms were respectively constructed to predict complete and good pathological responses. Subsequently, these predictive models underwent validation in the independent validation set. The prognostic performances of the models were evaluated using the area under the curve (AUC). RESULTS: The nomogram predicting complete pathological response incorporates tumour length, post-treatment mesorectal fascia involvement, white blood cell count, and MRI tumour regression grade. It yielded an AUC of 0.787 in the training set and 0.716 in the validation set, surpassing the performance of the model relying solely on MRI tumour regression grade (AUCs of 0.649 and 0.530, respectively). Similarly, the nomogram predicting good pathological response includes the distance of the tumour's lower border from the anal verge, post-treatment mesorectal fascia involvement, platelet/lymphocyte ratio, and MRI tumour regression grade. It achieved an AUC of 0.754 in the training set and 0.719 in the validation set, outperforming the model using MRI tumour regression grade alone (AUCs of 0.629 and 0.638, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Nomograms combining MRI tumour regression grade with clinical factors may be useful for predicting pathological response of mid-low locally advanced rectal cancer to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy. The proposed models could be applied in clinical practice after validation in large samples.

[Investigation of prevalence rate of osteoporosis and analysis of its influencing factors in older adults in Jiuting Town, Songjiang District, Shanghai City].

To explore the prevalence and related risk factors of osteoporosis (OP) in the elderly ≥60 years old in Jiuting Town, Songjiang District, Shanghai City. A total of 2 175 local residents aged ≥60 years old who participated in the questionnaire survey at the physical examination center of Jiuting Community Health Service Center, Songjiang District, Shanghai City from July 2021 to December 2022 were selected by a cross-sectional study with multi-stage sampling method. Questionnaire survey, blood test and bone mineral density (BMD) test were conducted.The differences in all the parameters among the elderly with different bone mass level were analyzed using t-test, chi-square test, binary logistic regression was used to screen the potential risk factors of OP.The results showed that the prevalence of OP in the elderly aged≥60 years old in Jiuting Town was 45.89%.The prevalence of OP increased gradually with the advanced age. The prevalence rate of male was significantly lower than that of female(χ2=211.94, P<0.01).Single factor analysis showed that Dairy products(χ2=9.01, P<0.05), taking calcium(χ2=42.88, P<0.05), physical exercise(χ2=24.73, P<0.05), exercise time(χ2=76.40, P<0.05) and sun exposure(χ2=55.71, P<0.05) were the protective factors for osteoporosis. Multifactor analysis showed that female(wald χ2=71.46, P<0.001) were the risk factors for osteoporosis. The age of the osteoporosis group was older than that of the non-osteoporosis group [osteoporosis group (72.47±6.89) years old, non-osteoporosis group (68.73±6.34) years old, and the difference was statistically significant, t=-11.67, P<0.05]. The waist circumference, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), creatinine (CR), blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and uric acid (UA) in the non-osteoporosis group were higher than those in the osteoporosis group, and the difference was statistically significant (all P<0.05). The levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)[osteoporosis group (1.34±0.35) mol/L, non-osteoporosis group (1.41±0.35) mol/L, t=-4.51, P<0.05] and alkaline phosphatase (ALP)[osteoporosis group (88.46±25.65) mol/L, osteoporosis group (94.56±32.32) mol/L, t=-4.79, P<0.05] in the osteoporosis group were lower than those in the non-osteoporosis group.Low awareness of the knowledge of osteoporosis risk factors(smoking, drinking coffee, high salt and drinking alcohol are 47.28%, 24.15%, 47.79% and 44.90%, respectively), diagnosis and treatment(The symptoms, prognosis, screening methods, medication time and follow-up screening time of osteoporosis were 26.87%, 17.88%, 21.77%, 6.65% and 15.99%, respectivel) and prevention(exercise mode, high calcium food, optimal age of calcium supplementation, the effect of vitamin D on OP, and the appropriate amount of milk to prevent osteoporosis were 33.16%, 42.01%, 13.27%, 12.07%, 9.01%, respectively) were in Jiuting Town. In conclusion, the prevalent rate of OP in the elderly ≥60 years old in Jiuting Town is 45.89%.The main risk factors are female and advanced age. Drinking tea, dairy products, combination of meat and vegetable, taking calcium, physical exercise and sun exposure were the protective factors for osteoporosis. The awareness rate of osteoporosis related knowledge is low, and health education should be strengthened in order to control and prevent the occurrence and development of osteoporosis.

[An in vitro model study of the accuracy and operation time of oral surgery robot-assisted endodontic microsurgery].

Objective: To explore the operational accuracy and operative time of oral surgery robot-assisted endodontic microsurgery on a head-simulator for clinical reference. Methods: Three pairs of surgical simulation models were set up on head-simulator. Each model included 10 positions anteriorly and posteriorly, 20 teeth for each technique, for a total of 60 teeth. An attending physician with more than 3 years clinical experience in endodontic microsurgery completed fixed-point osteotomy and apicoectomy in three groups of endodontic microsurgery under freehand (FH), static navigation (SN), and surgery robot (SR). The duration of each operation was recorded. Cone-beam CT was taken before the operation and the surgical path was planned in the software; after surgery, a plug gauge (precision gauge for measuring hole dimensions) was inserted into the surgical path for intraoral scanning. Surgical accuracy (starting point, end point, and angular deviation) was assessed in all 3 groups, and surgery time was compared. Results: The deviation at the starting point and the end point, and angular deviation was (0.37±0.11), (0.37±0.10) mm, and 0.71°±0.17°in the SR group. The deviations in the SR group were significantly lower than those in the SN group [(0.59±0.14), (0.65±0.18) mm, and 2.64°±0.75°] (P<0.05), and both groups were significantly lower than the FH group [(1.37±0.31), (1.10±0.21) mm, and 9.84°±3.15°] (P<0.05). The operative time in the SN group [(1.20±0.03) min] was significantly less than that in the SR group [(2.18±0.03) min] (P<0.05), and both groups were significantly less than that in the FH group [(8.70±3.15) min] (P<0.05). Starting point deviation, end point deviation, and angular deviation [(1.09±0.10), (0.90±0.07) mm, 7.22°±1.13°] in anterior teeth using the FH was significantly lower than the starting deviation, endpoint deviation, and angular deviation [(1.65±0.14), (1.30±0.06) mm, 12.46°±2.10°] in the posterior teeth using FH (P<0.05), and the operative time in the anterior teeth using the FH [(5.75±0.57) min] was significantly less than that in the posterior teeth using [(11.65±1.14) min] (P<0.05). The difference in accuracy and operative time between using SN and SR on anterior and posterior teeth was not statistically significant (P>0.05). Conclusions: Oral surgery robot-assisted endodontic microsurgery helps improving the accuracy of clinicians' operations and shorten the operation time.

[Advances in thoracic consolidation radiotherapy after first-line immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy for extensive stage small cell lung cancer].

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) accounts for about 13%~17% of primary bronchial lung cancer. Due to its rapid growth rate, aggressive behavior, early metastasis and poor prognosis, about 70% of patients were diagnosed with extensive-stage (ES) disease. Although most ES-SCLC patients are sensitive to initial chemotherapy, local recurrence and distant metastasis develop in the short term. Immunotherapy has brought the dawn to overcome it. At present, immune checkpoint inhibitor combined with chemotherapy has become an important strategy as first-line therapy for ES-SCLC. Nevertheless, patients are still at a high risk of chest lesion recurrence after initial systemic therapy. Whether the addition of thoracic consolidation radiotherapy (TRT) can reduce chest lesion recurrence rate remains to be determined. In this review, we summarized the latest research progress in the mode of first-line chemotherapy combined with immunotherapy followed by TRT in ES-SCLC, aiming to provide reference for clinical practice.

Maximal diameters and mean computed tomography (CT) value of synchronous multiple pure ground-glass opacities in lung adenocarcinoma are smaller.

AIMS: Synchronous multiple pure ground-glass opacities (SMpGGOs) are observed more commonly. Nevertheless whether characteristics of SMpGGOs are similar to those of solitary pure ground-glass opacities (SpGGOs), remains unknown. This retrospective study aimed to compare radiographic characteristics between SMpGGOs and SpGGOs. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We retrospectively included patients along with SpGGOs or SMpGGOs at XXX between August 2018 and June 2020. They were enrolled in two groups (SpGGOs and SMpGGOs). The clinical records, pathologic features, and radiographic manifestations of two groups were collected and compared with SPSS 21.0. RESULTS: 138 patients (58 patients with 58 SpGGOs, 80 patients with 187 SMpGGOs) were evaluated. The threshold values of maximal diameters and mean computed tomography value for adenocarcinoma were 5.5 mm (sensitivity 86.4%, specificity 55.6%, AUC 0.777) and -615.0 Hu in SMpGGOs (sensitivity 61.4%, specificity 66.7%, AUC 0.651) for SMpGGOs, whereas 12.5 mm (sensitivity 54.5%, specificity 100%, AUC 0.851) and -531.9 Hu (sensitivity 43.2%, specificity 100%, AUC 0.724) in SpGGOs. CONCLUSION: The threshold values of maximal diameters and mean computed tomography value for adenocarcinoma in SMpGGOs may be smaller than those in SpGGOs (5.5 mm vs. 12.5mm, -615.0 Hu vs. -531.9 Hu).

Quercetin ameliorates lipid deposition in primary hepatocytes of the chicken embryo.

1. The accumulation of excessive fat plays a role in the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and phytogenic feed additives have the potential to ameliorate this. This study involved the isolation and culture of primary hepatocytes from chicken embryos to establish a model of hepatic steatosis induced by oleic acid/dexamethasone (OA/DEX). Lipid accumulation and cell viability were assessed using Nile Red staining, Oil Red O staining and cell count Kit -8 (CCK8) following treatment with varying concentrations of quercetin (Que). The potential mechanism by which Que exerts its effects was preliminarily investigated.2. The results indicated that OA effectively treated lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. There was no notable variance in cell proliferation between the normal and OA/DEX groups when subjected to Que treatment at concentrations of 1000 ng/ml and 10 000 ng/ml. Triglycerides and cholesterol (low and high density) decreased with Que treatment, with the most substantial reduction observed at 10 000 ng/ml.3. Gene expression levels decreased to levels similar to those in the control groups. Western blot data demonstrated that sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (SREBP-1) protein expression correlated with its mRNA expression level. Que mitigated lipid accumulation through the alpha serine/threonine protein kinase (AKT) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) pathways. Expression levels of lipid-related genes (APOB, PPARα, CYP3A5 and SREBP-1) decreased to levels similar to the control groups. Western blot data demonstrated that the SREBP-1 protein expression correlated with its mRNA expression level.4. Supplementation with Que ameliorated lipid accumulation through AKT and ERK signalling pathway in OA/DEX-induced high-fat hepatocytes.

Factors influencing the therapeutic failure of high-flow nasal cannula oxygen humidification in patients with interstitial pneumonia complicated by respiratory failure.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the factors influencing the treatment failure of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) therapy in patients with interstitial pneumonia (IP) complicated by respiratory failure. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 158 patients with IP and respiratory failure treated with HFNC in our hospital from January 2020 to August 2023 were selected as the study population. Based on treatment efficacy, they were categorized into the HFNC treatment failure group and the HFNC treatment success group. Clinical data were compared between the two groups. Multiple logistic regression analysis was employed to identify independent factors influencing treatment failure, and the predictive value of these factors for HFNC treatment failure was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. RESULTS: After 7 days of HFNC treatment, among the 158 patients with IP and respiratory failure, 25 (15.8%) declared treatment failure, while the remaining 133 (84.2%) showed treatment success. Patients in the HFNC treatment failure group had significantly higher age, duration of IP, pre-treatment respiratory rate, C-reactive protein (CRP), and controlling nutritional status (CONUT) scores compared to the HFNC treatment success group. The PaO2/FiO2 ratio, left ventricular ejection fraction, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) were significantly lower in the HFNC treatment failure group (p<0.05). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that pre-treatment PaO2/FiO2 ratio, CRP, CONUT, and GCS scores were independent factors influencing HFNC treatment failure in patients with IP and respiratory failure (p<0.05). Lower PaO2/FiO2 ratio and GCS scores, and higher CRP and CONUT scores were associated with an increased risk of HFNC treatment failure. ROC curve analysis indicated that pre-treatment PaO2/FiO2 ratio, CRP, CONUT, and GCS scores in patients with IP and respiratory failure had a high predictive value for HFNC treatment failure (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The HFNC failure rate in patients with IP and respiratory failure is 15.8%. Pre-treatment PaO2/FiO2 ratio, CRP, CONUT, and GCS scores are independent factors associated with HFNC treatment failure and warrant clinical attention.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in cervical cancer: correlation between quantitative parameters and molecular markers hypoxia-inducible factors-1-alpha, vascular endothelial growth factor, and Ki-67.

AIM: To investigate whether dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (DCE-MRI) has the potential to non-invasively detect microenvironmental condition by quantitatively measuring blood perfusion, vessel wall permeability, and vascularity, and to elucidate the possible correlations between DCE-MRI quantitative parameters and the expression level of hypoxia, vascularity, and cell proliferation related molecular biomarkers. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this prospective single center clinical study, 58 patients diagnosed with cervical cancer underwent DCE-MRI before anticancer treatment were enrolled. Ktrans, Kep, Ve, and Vp were generated from Extended Toft's model. Then patients conducted colposcopy biopsy within 1 week after DCE-MRI. Pretreatment expression levels of HIF-1α, VEGF and Ki-67 were assessed and scored by immunohistochemistry on colposcopy obtained tumor specimens. RESULTS: In HIF-1α low-expression group, Ktrans (p=0.031) and Kep (p=0.012) values were significantly higher than the high-expression group. In VEGF high-expression group, Ktrans (p=0.044) and Ve values (p=0.021) were significantly higher than the low-expression group. In Ki-67 high-expression group, Ktrans (p=0.026) and Kep (p=0.033) were significantly higher than the low-expression group. Multiple linear regression analyses and Pearson correlation revealed that Ktrans independently negatively correlated with HIF-1α expression, Ve independently positively correlated with VEGF, and Kep independently positively correlated with Ki-67. The area under the ROC curves of Ktrans for HIF-1α, Ve for VEGF, and Kep for Ki-67 were 0.728, 0.743, 0.730, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that DCE-MRI quantitative parameters could be potentially used as imaging markers for non-invasively detecting microenvironmental hypoxia, vascularity and proliferation in cervical cancer patients.

Enterococcus faecalis Extracellular Vesicles Promote Apical Periodontitis.

Enterococcus faecalis is an important contributor to the persistence of chronic apical periodontitis. However, the mechanism by which E. faecalis infection in the root canals and dentinal tubules affects periapical tissue remains unclear. Bacterial extracellular vesicles (EVs) act as natural carriers of microbe-associated molecular patterns (MAMPs) and have recently attracted considerable attention. In this study, we investigated the role of EVs derived from E. faecalis in the pathogenesis of apical periodontitis. We observed that E. faecalis EVs can induce inflammatory bone destruction in the periapical areas of mice. Double-labeling immunofluorescence indicated that M1 macrophage infiltration was increased by E. faecalis EVs in apical lesions. Moreover, in vitro experiments demonstrated the internalization of E. faecalis EVs into macrophages. Macrophages tended to polarize toward the M1 profile after treatment with E. faecalis EVs. Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) can recognize MAMPs of bacterial EVs and, in turn, trigger inflammatory responses. Thus, we performed further mechanistic exploration, which showed that E. faecalis EVs considerably increased the expression of NOD2, a cytoplasmic PRR, and that inhibition of NOD2 markedly reduced macrophage M1 polarization induced by E. faecalis EVs. RIPK2 ubiquitination is a major downstream of NOD2. We also observed increased RIPK2 ubiquitination in macrophages treated with E. faecalis EVs, and E. faecalis EV-induced macrophage M1 polarization was notably alleviated by the RIPK2 ubiquitination inhibitor. Our study revealed the potential for EVs to be considered a virulence factor of E. faecalis and found that E. faecalis EVs can promote macrophage M1 polarization via NOD2/RIPK2 signaling. To our knowledge, this is the first report to investigate apical periodontitis development from the perspective of bacterial vesicles and demonstrate the role and mechanism of E. faecalis EVs in macrophage polarization. This study expands our understanding of the pathogenic mechanism of E. faecalis and provides novel insights into the pathogenesis of apical periodontitis.

[Pathogenic characteristics of viral diarrhea in children under five years of age in sentinel surveillance in Lulong County of Hebei Province, 2010-2020].

Objective: To analyze pathogenic characteristics of viral diarrhea in children aged <5 years in Hebei Province and provide reference for the prevention and control of viral diarrhea in children. Methods: Stool samples were collected from in-patients with diarrhea under five years old from sentinel hospitals in Lulong County of Hebei between 2010 and 2020. ELISA detected rotavirus antigen, and then positive samples were genotyped by semi nested reverse transcription PCR of two rounds. Calicivirus, genotyping astrovirus, and adenovirus were detected by real-time fluorescence quantification PCR. The data were analyzed by using software SPSS 20.0. Results: In 2 925 detected stool samples, 1 919 (65.61%) were positive. The positive rates of rotavirus, calicivirus, adenovirus, and astrovirus were 42.80% (1 252/2 925), 22.12% (647/2 925), 6.19% (181/2 925), 3.56% (104/2 925). Viral diarrhea was mainly caused by rotavirus infection, accounting for 59.30% (1 017/1 715) between 2010 and 2017, and by calicivirus infection accounting for 53.43% (109/204) between 2018 and 2020. The peak positive rate of rotavirus occurred in winter, with the highest rate in infants aged 12 to 17 months (52.96%,483/912). In the rotavirus positive samples, G9P[8] was mainly detected strains (58.31%,730/1 252), followed by G3P[8] (8.15%,102/1 252). The calicivirus-positive samples were mainly infected with norovirus GⅡ. Sequence analysis indicated that the main type was GⅡ.4 [P31] between 2011 and 2016 and GⅡ.3 [P12] in 2018. Conclusions: Rotavirus and calicivirus were the main pathogens causing infant diarrhea in children under five years old in Hebei from 2010 to 2020. Winter was the main epidemic season.

[Statistical analysis of disability-adjusted life years for stomach and colorectal cancers in Changning District of Shanghai].

Objectives: To analyze the status and temporal changes of disability-adjusted life year (DALY) for stomach and colorectal cancers among registered permanent residents in Changning District of Shanghai Municipality, and provide scientific basis for the prevention and treatment of stomach and colorectal cancers in this district. Methods: Using the cancer registration data of stomach and colorectal cancers from 2002 to 2019, we estimated the indices such as the DALYs, the DALY crude rates, the age-standardized DALY rates, etc. Then we used the Joinpoint regression model to calculate the average annual percent change (AAPC) and annual percent change (APC) to explore the temporal variations in different periods. Results: The DALYs of stomach and colorectal cancers in Changning District from 2002 to 2019 were 55 931 person years and 65 252 person years, respectively. The crude rates of DALY were 512.16/105 and 597.51/105, respectively. We observed a higher disease burden in men than in women, and the peak rate of DALY in stomach cancer was in the 75-79 years age group, while in colorectal cancer the rate was in the 85-years-or-older age group. Joinpoint regression analysis showed that from 2002 to 2019, the age-standardized DALY rate of stomach cancer showed a downward trend (AAPC=-3.86%, P＜0.05), while the trend of colorectal cancer was not statistically significant(AAPC=-0.08%, P＞0.05). However, the trends in the age-standardized DALY rates of colorectal cancer were different between males and females, with males showing an upward trend (AAPC=1.24%, P＜0.05) and females showing a downward trend (AAPC=-1.67%, P＜0.05). Conclusions: The DALY of stomach and colorectal cancers in Changning District of Shanghai showed a decreasing trend. Males and the middle-aged and elderly populations are still the key targets for disease prevention and control in this district.

[Effects of type 2 inflammation on bronchodilator responsiveness of large and small airways in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of type 2 inflammation markers blood eosinophils (EOS) and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) on bronchodilator responsiveness (BDR) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). METHODS: This study was conducted among 389 patients with an established diagnosis of COPD in our hospital from October, 2019 to October, 2023, who all underwent bronchial dilation test (BDT) of the large and small airways. Based on smoking history, blood EOS, and FeNO, these patients were divided group A (blood EOS < 300/µL + FeNO < 35 ppb + smoking history < 20 pack-years), group B (blood EOS < 300/µL+FeNO < 35 ppb+smoking history ≥20 pack-years), group C (blood EOS ≥300/µL or FeNO≥35 ppb+smoking history ≥20 pack-years), and group D (blood EOS ≥300/µL or FeNO ≥35 ppb+smoking history < 20 pack-years) for analyzing the relationship between clinical indexes and BDR. RESULTS: BDR evaluation based on forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC), and maximum mid-expiratory flow (MMEF) yielded consistent results, all showing a younger mean age, higher FeNO levels, and higher blood EOS counts and percentages in patients positive for BDT (P < 0.05). The improvement value and improvement rate of FEV1 were significantly lower in group A than in group D. The improvement value and improvement rate of FEV1 as well as the improvement rate of MMEF were significantly lower in group B than in group D. In the overall patients, age and FeNO were significantly correlated with the improvement value and improvement rate of FEV1 and the improvement rate of MMEF (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Type 2 inflammation markers have different effects on BDR in the large and small airways of COPD patients, and their clinical significance needs further investigation.

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.

Orychophragmus violaceus and/or chicory forage affects performance, egg quality, sensory evaluation and antioxidative properties in native laying hens.

Orychophragmus violaceus (OV) and chicory (Cichorium intybus L., CC) can be used as fresh or dry forage for animals. To determine whether OV and/or CC have beneficial effects on performance and egg quality, a total of 1212 28-wk-old Beijing You Chicken (BYC) laying hens with similar performance were randomly allocated to 4 groups with 3 replicate pens per group, and 101 birds per pen. The birds were fed a basal diet (control), the basal diet + OV (3.507 kg/d/pen), the basal diet + CC (2.525 kg/d/pen), and the basal diet + OV + CC (OVC, 1.7535 kg/d/pen OV + 1.2625 kg/d/pen CC) for 3 wks after one wk of adaptation. The results showed that egg-laying rate was not affected by OV, CC and OVC (p > 0.05), but weekly average egg mass was significantly increased by OV and CC (p < 0.05). The feed egg ratio in the CC group (2.82) was significantly lower than that in the other three groups (p < 0.05). The eggshell thickness (EST), albumen height (AH) and Haugh unit (HU) were decreased by OV and CC (p < 0.05); while yolk color (YC) was increased in the CC and OVC groups (p < 0.05). Egg grade was decreased by OV (p < 0.05). Sensory evaluation showed that there was a trend for increased YC in OV, CC and OVC (p = 0.089). Serum total protein was significantly lower in OV group than those in the control and CC group (p < 0.05); serum albumin content was significantly decreased in OV, CC and OVC groups (p = 0.006). Serum glutathione peroxidase activity in CC and OVC groups was significantly higher than that in the control group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the present study suggests that CC had a better effect on the performance of the native laying hens than OV. The OV and CC affected egg quality, while YC was increased in CC and OVC groups. The OVC improved YC and serum antioxidative properties of native laying hens without affecting the performance.