Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an irreversible inflammatory lung disease. Studies have shown that macrophages and estrogen receptors play a pivotal regulatory role in the development of COPD. Ejiao (Colla Corii Asini, CCA, or donkey-hide gelatin), a traditional Chinese medicine, has anti-inflammatory and lung function-protective effects, but its specific mechanism in COPD remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the immunomodulatory effects of Ejiao on COPD, focusing on its impact on inflammatory pathways and macrophages.

This study is the first to apply a network pharmacology approach to explore the potential mechanisms underlying Ejiao’s therapeutic effects on COPD. We collected the peptides and chemical components of Ejiao and used the STRING database to screen for COPD-related targets of Ejiao components, constructing a drug-molecular network. Additionally, we established cigarette smoke extract (CSE) and lipopolysaccharide-induced cell injury models and treated them with Ejiao-containing serum. Western blot (WB) analysis was used to detect the expression of related proteins, enabling a preliminary exploration of Ejiao’s effects and regulatory mechanisms. In further experiments, a mouse COPD model was established, and eight weeks of Ejiao intervention were conducted. We assessed lung function, pathological changes in lung tissue, monitored cytokine levels in serum and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, performed flow cytometry to evaluate abdominal macrophage levels, and conducted WB to analyze protein expression, providing an in-depth study of Ejiao’s regulatory effects on the mouse COPD model.

The findings from the network pharmacology analysis suggest a potential regulatory role of the estrogen receptor pathway in COPD. CSE stimulation of RAW264.7 cells resulted in elevated tumor necrosis factor-α levels, decreased interleukin-10 levels, reduced expression of estrogen receptors (ERs) α and β, decreased inhibitor of NF-κB levels, and increased p-AKT levels. Following Ejiao intervention, interleukin-10, ERα+β, and inhibitor of NF-κB levels increased, while p-AKT levels decreased. Ejiao significantly improved lung function in CSE/lipopolysaccharide-induced COPD mice, reduced the number of macrophages, lowered the levels of inflammatory factors in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid, and increased estradiol levels in serum. WB results indicated that Ejiao may ameliorate lung injury in COPD by modulating the ER/AKT/NF-κB pathway.

The results suggest that Ejiao may improve lung injury and inflammation in CSE/ lipopolysaccharide-induced COPD by regulating the ER/AKT/NF-κB pathway.

Wilson’s disease (WD) is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disorder that can be treated with medications. The lack of a single, specific diagnostic indicator leads to diagnostic difficulties, which may result in disease progression to cirrhosis and even liver cancer. Thus, this study aimed to analyze the clinical data, imaging, histopathological manifestations, genetic testing results, and treatment effects of patients with WD hepatic type, and to explore the factors related to WD cirrhosis.

A single-center retrospective study was performed. 48 WD patients with a Leipzig score ≥ 4 were divided into a cirrhosis group and a non-cirrhosis group based on the presence of cirrhosis. Logistic regression analysis and odds ratios were used to describe the strength of association between risk factors and cirrhosis. The predictive value of the model for cirrhosis occurrence was evaluated by calculating the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and the cutoff value.

All 48 patients diagnosed with WD had liver damage, with males accounting for 54.17%. The median age at diagnosis was 28 years (range: 10.25–40.5 years), and 39.58% of patients had cirrhosis. The most prevalent mutation was c.2333G>T (p.Arg778Leu), found in 41.30% (19/46) of cases. Imaging revealed fatty liver in 31.25% (15/48) of patients and “honeycomb-like” cirrhosis nodules in 73.68% (14/19). Compared with the non-cirrhosis group, the cirrhosis group had a higher positive rate for the Kayser-Fleischer (K-F) ring, older age at diagnosis, and higher levels of immunoglobulin G, but lower levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, white blood cells, and platelets (p < 0.05). Age at diagnosis (odds ratio = 1.072, 95% confidence interval = 1.007–1.142, p = 0.03) and the K-F ring (odds ratio = 18.657, 95% confidence interval = 1.451–239.924, p = 0.025) were independent risk factors for WD-related cirrhosis. The best values of area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for age at diagnosis combined with the K-F ring in predicting WD cirrhosis were 0.909. The average follow-up time for 33 patients was 48.6 months (range: 12–72 months). The biochemical recovery rate was over 60% after 12–72 months of treatment with zinc gluconate and/or penicillamine.

Age at diagnosis, combined with the K-F ring, is a simple and effective risk factor for WD-related cirrhosis. Zinc gluconate and penicillamine are safe and effective treatments.

Diagnosing and treating cytopenic myelofibrosis in children is challenging due to the wide spectrum of clinical and pathological features, underlying etiologies, and variable therapeutic responses. In this review, we summarize the related literature and present our diagnostic algorithm to differentiate pediatric myelofibrosis and guide therapy. In brief, primary myelofibrosis is extremely rare in children, while myelofibrosis secondary to non-neoplastic or neoplastic disorders should be thoroughly ruled out in ambiguous cases. Moreover, it is reasonable to closely follow up patients and repeat bone marrow biopsy before reaching a definitive diagnosis.

Balamuthia mandrillaris is a free-living amoeba that can cause granulomatous amoebic encephalitis, a lethal neurological condition in humans. This pathogen infects not only immunocompromised hosts but, more commonly, immunocompetent individuals. Balamuthia mandrillaris mainly infects the skin and nervous system. When it affects the nervous system, it can manifest as Balamuthia mandrillaris encephalitis (BAE). This article presents a case of BAE in central China, diagnosed through next-generation sequencing and histopathology. The patient is a 64-year-old male who was admitted to the Department of Neurosurgery with a one-week history of headache. Magnetic resonance imaging scans revealed a mass in the right temporal-occipital region, and postoperative pathological examination confirmed that the lesion was BAE. We will detail the clinical course of this disease in this patient, aiming to enhance clinicians’ understanding of Balamuthia mandrillaris infections.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a type of cancer that originates in the colon or rectum from precancerous polyps, which can evolve into cancerous growths over time. This review aimed to provide a comprehensive analysis of CRC, its subtypes, clinical manifestations, point-of-care diagnostic approaches, and management strategies. The clinical presentation of CRC often includes symptoms such as blood in stool, changes in bowel habits, abdominal discomfort, weight loss, fatigue, a feeling of incomplete bowel emptying, and anemia. The identification of these signs prompts healthcare professionals to initiate diagnostic measures without delay. Point-of-care diagnosis plays a pivotal role in the early detection of CRC, employing screening tests such as stool tests and colonoscopies. These diagnostic modalities enable healthcare professionals to identify precancerous polyps or early-stage tumors, facilitating timely intervention and significantly improving treatment outcomes. Adherence to screening guidelines is crucial for the prevention and early detection of CRC. Despite advancements in screening and treatment options, there remains a crucial need for more specific, minimally invasive screening methods with minimal side effects. By improving current detection methods, a better screening approach for CRC can be developed. Recent advancements, including single-cell sequencing, spatial transcriptomics, and artificial intelligence integration, hold great promise for enhancing early diagnosis and advancing personalized treatment strategies. Moreover, a healthy lifestyle, including a balanced diet, regular exercise, no tobacco use, and limited alcohol consumption, can significantly lower the risk of CRC. By emphasizing the importance of lifestyle modifications, early screening, and timely intervention, healthcare professionals can significantly reduce the burden of CRC and improve patient outcomes.

High-grade serous carcinoma is a rare diagnosis in cervical biopsies. Cervical serous carcinoma is no longer recognized as a primary cervical tumor in the 2020 World Health Organization classification. This study aimed to characterize the clinicopathologic, immunohistochemical, and molecular features of high-grade serous carcinoma identified in cervical or endocervical biopsies, to assess tumor origin and ensure accurate classification.

Fifty-nine cases originally diagnosed as “serous carcinoma” or “high-grade serous carcinoma” in cervical or endocervical biopsies from 2013 to 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Clinical data, radiologic findings, and follow-up information were analyzed. Histologic features and immunohistochemical profiles were re-evaluated. Targeted next-generation sequencing was performed on a subset of cases.

The majority of tumors (96%) were determined to originate from the endometrium (n = 47) or the tubo-ovarian region (n = 4), with only one case confirmed as a primary cervical carcinoma. Morphologic patterns varied and could mimic human papillomavirus-associated adenocarcinoma. All tumors showed aberrant p53 expression and diffuse p16 positivity. WT-1 was expressed in all tubo-ovarian tumors but in only 12% of endometrial cases. Estrogen receptor and progesterone receptor were frequently positive in endometrial tumors; human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 was positive in 31% of cases. Molecular analysis confirmed tumor protein p53 mutations and other alterations typical of uterine serous carcinoma.

High-grade serous carcinoma identified in cervical biopsies is overwhelmingly secondary to upper genital tract tumors, most commonly of endometrial origin. A small subset of endocervical adenocarcinomas may mimic serous carcinoma. These findings support the exclusion of primary cervical serous carcinoma from the current World Health Organization classification and emphasize the importance of accurate diagnosis for appropriate management.

Lung Squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) represents the second most common non-small cell lung cancer. Although studies identified adenocarcinoma-like driver mutations in LSCC using next-generation sequencing (NGS), the disease is challenging to treat due to the limited number of detectable mutations for targeted drug therapy. This study aimed to evaluate the mutation profiles of LSCC detected by NGS to assess the relationships between different driver mutations and clinicopathological parameters.

NGS with a panel of 72 cancer-related genes was used to evaluate the driver mutation profiles of 41 lung resection specimens from patients with LSCC at the Molecular Pathology Laboratory of Aydın Adnan Menderes University in Türkiye. Clinical and histopathological features were recorded for analysis.

Detection of 94 mutations in 23 genes in DNA extracted from the tissue samples of 36 patients revealed that the most prevalent mutations were TP53 (30.85%), NF1 (20.20%), PTEN (11.70%), PIK3CA (5.31%), FBXW7 (4.25%), KRAS (3.20%), respectively. We identified statistically significant relationships between PIK3CA and lower mean age (p = 0.007) and between PTEN and mild inflammatory reaction (p = 0.004). PTEN was associated with central localization (p = 0.13), NF1 with visceral pleural involvement (p = 0.09), and PIK3CA with severe inflammatory reaction (p = 0.053), as well as with advanced pathological T stage (p = 0.09) and pathological N stage (p = 0.057) according to the TNM staging system.

Our study highlights the importance of assessing mutation profiles in LSCC patients to identify driver mutations as potential therapeutic targets. Certain histopathological features are associated with these mutations, serving as indicators for treatment and follow-up decisions.

Immunization against human papillomavirus (HPV), particularly with a single-dose vaccine, offers a cost-effective strategy for cervical cancer prevention. This study aimed to evaluate the seroprevalence following a single-dose bivalent HPV vaccine among adolescent girls in Bangladesh and to examine its association with sociodemographic characteristics.

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 648 adolescent girls (aged nine to fifteen years) in Dhaka, Bangladesh, who received a single dose of the bivalent HPV vaccine in November 2019. Participants were recruited from ten local schools. At 36 months post-vaccination, blood samples were analyzed for HPV16/18 L1-specific immunoglobulin G using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Sociodemographic data were collected and analyzed using logistic regression.

Most participants were aged nine to thirteen years (82.4%), with a mean age of 11.89 ± 1.59 years. The overall seroprevalence was 72.8% for HPV16 and 82.4% for HPV18. Seropositivity for HPV16 was significantly lower among participants aged 14–15 years [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 0.61; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.39–0.95; p = 0.020] and those in grades nine to ten (aOR = 0.50; 95% CI: 0.28–0.89; p = 0.004). For HPV18, significantly reduced odds of seropositivity were observed among participants from households with monthly incomes up to Taka 10,000 (aOR for Taka 10,001–20,000 = 0.41; 95% CI: 0.26–0.67; p < 0.001; aOR for Taka 20,001–50,000 = 0.21; 95% CI: 0.11–0.40; p < 0.001).

A single-dose bivalent HPV vaccine induces sustained immunity in Bangladeshi adolescent girls, with lower HPV16 seropositivity among older girls and those in higher grades, and higher HPV18 seropositivity is linked to lower household income.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), is the most common form of chronic liver disease worldwide. This study aimed to explore the role of TM6SF2 in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced MASLD through the gut-liver axis.

The TM6SF2 gut-specific knockout (TM6SF2 GKO) mouse was constructed using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. TM6SF2 GKO and wild-type (CON) mice were fed either a HFD or a control diet for 16 weeks to induce MASLD. Blood, liver, and intestinal lipid content, as well as gut microbiota and serum metabolites, were then analyzed.

TM6SF2 GKO mice fed an HFD showed elevated liver and intestinal lipid deposition compared to CON mice. The gut microbiota of HFD-fed TM6SF2 GKO mice exhibited a decreased Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes ratio compared to HFD-fed CON mice. The HFD also reduced the diversity and abundance of the microbiota and altered its composition.Aspartate aminotransferase, alanineaminotransferase, and total cholesterol levels were higher in HFD-fed TM6SF2 GKO mice compared to CON mice, while triglyceride levels were lower. Serum metabolite analysis revealed that HFD-fed TM6SF2 GKO mice had an increase in the expression of 17 metabolites (e.g., LPC [18:0/0-0]) and a decrease in 22 metabolites (e.g., benzene sulfate). The differential metabolites of LPC (18:0/0-0) may serve as HFD-fed TM6SF2 serum biomarkers, leading to MASLD exacerbation in GKO mice.

TM6SF2 GKO aggravates liver lipid accumulation and liver injury in MASLD mice. TM6SF2 may play an important role in regulating intestinal flora and the progression of MASLD through the gut-liver axis.