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Background: Clonorchis sinensis is a zoonotic liver fluke that inhabits the bile ducts of the human liver for prolonged periods, leading to cholangiocarcinoma. Recent research indicates associations between altered biliary microbiota and bile duct disorders. However, the impacts of C. sinensis infection on bile duct epithelium and subsequent effects on biliary microbiota remain unknown. Methods: Feline bile duct samples were collected from both uninfected and C. sinensis-infected cats. Histopathological examination was performed to assess epithelial changes, fibrosis, mucin and cell proliferation using hematoxylin-eosin staining and immunohistochemistry. Additionally, biliary microbiota composition was analyzed through 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare the microbial diversity and relative abundance between infected and uninfected samples. Results: Histopathological analysis of infected feline bile ducts revealed prominent epithelial hyperplasia characterized by increased cell proliferation. Moreover, periductal fibrosis and collagen fibrosis were observed in infected samples compared to uninfected controls. Biliary microbial richness decreased with disease progression compared to uninfected controls. Streptococcus abundance positively correlated with disease severity, dominating communities in cancer samples. Predictive functional analysis suggested that C. sinensis may promote bile duct lesions by increasing microbial genes for carbohydrate metabolism, replication, and repair. Conclusions: This study provides comprehensive insights into the pathological effects of C. sinensis infection on feline bile duct epithelium and its influence on biliary microbiota composition. These novel findings provide insight into C. sinensis pathogenesis and could inform therapeutic development against human clonorchiasis. Further research is warranted to elucidate the underlying mechanisms driving these changes and their implications for host-parasite interactions.

We studied 1110 patients with β-thalassemia major aged ≤25 years who received transplants with grafts from HLA-matched related (n = 677; 61%), HLA-mismatched related (n = 78; 7%), HLA-matched unrelated (n = 252; 23%), and HLA-mismatched unrelated (n = 103; 9%) donors between 2000 and 2016. Ninety percent of transplants were performed in the last decade. Eight-five percent of patients received ≥20 transfusions and 88% were inadequately chelated. All patients received myeloablative-conditioning regimen. Overall and event-free survival were highest for patients aged ≤6 years and after HLA-matched related and HLA-matched unrelated donor transplantation. The 5-year probabilities of overall survival for patients aged ≤6 years, 7 to 15 years, and 16 to 25 years, adjusted for donor type and conditioning regimen were 90%, 84%, and 63%, respectively (P < .001). The corresponding probabilities for event-free survival were 86%, 80%, and 63% (P < .001). Overall and event-free survival did not differ between HLA-matched related and HLA-matched unrelated donor transplantation (89% vs 87% and 86% vs 82%, respectively). Corresponding probabilities after mismatched related and mismatched unrelated donor transplantation were 73% vs 83% and 70% vs 78%. In conclusion, if transplantation is considered as a treatment option it should be offered early (age ≤6 years). An HLA-matched unrelated donor is a suitable alternative if an HLA-matched relative is not available.

Ticks are a hematophagous parasite and a vector of pathogens for numerous human and animal diseases of significant importance. The expansion of tick distribution and the increased risk of tick-borne diseases due to global climate change necessitates further study of the spatial distribution trend of ticks and their potential influencing factors. This study constructed a dataset of tick species distribution in Xinjiang for 60 years based on literature database retrieval and historical data collection (January 1963-January 2023). The distribution data were extracted, corrected, and deduplicated. The dominant tick species were selected for analysis using the MaxEnt model to assess their potential distribution in different periods under the current and BCC-CSM2.MR mode scenarios. The results indicated that there are eight genera and 48 species of ticks in 108 cities and counties of Xinjiang, with Hyalomma asiaticum, Rhipicephalus turanicus, Dermacentor marginatus, and Haemaphysalis punctatus being the top four dominant species. The MaxEnt model analysis revealed that the suitability areas of the four dominant ticks were mainly distributed in the north of Xinjiang, in areas such as Altay and Tacheng Prefecture. Over the next four periods, the medium and high suitable areas within the potential distribution range of the four tick species will expand towards the northwest. Additionally, new suitability areas will emerge in Altay, Changji Hui Autonomous Region, and other local areas. The 60-year tick dataset in this study provides a map of preliminary tick distribution in Xinjiang, with a diverse array of tick species and distribution patterns throughout the area. In addition, the MaxEnt model revealed the spatial change characteristics and future distribution trend of ticks in Xinjiang, which can provide an instrumental data reference for tick monitoring and tick-borne disease risk prediction not only in the region but also in other countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative. Author summary: Tick-borne diseases pose a significant threat to public health worldwide, and their spread is being intensified by global climate change. The need for further research into the spatial distribution and influencing factors of ticks is becoming increasingly urgent. Our study compiled a comprehensive 60-year dataset on tick species distribution in Xinjiang to analyze trends and predict future distributions. The study identified eight genera and 48 tick species across 108 cities and counties in Xinjiang, with Hyalomma asiaticum, Rhipicephalus turanicus, Dermacentor marginatus, and Haemaphysalis punctatus being the four dominant species. In addition, our study forecasts a northward expansion of suitable habitats for these species towards Altay and Tacheng Prefecture, with new suitability areas expected in Altay and the Changji Hui Autonomous Region. The findings of this study provide a crucial map of tick distribution and offer valuable insights into future trends, serving as a valuable resource for tick monitoring and disease risk prediction in Xinjiang, particularly in light of the devastating effects of tick-borne diseases on human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: ASXL1 mutation is an independent prognostic factor in adult acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but its effect on the prognosis of pediatric AML is poorly understood. Aims: This study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics and prognostic factors of ASXL1‐mutant pediatric AML from a large Chinese multicenter cohort. Methods: A total of 584 pediatric patients with newly diagnosed AML from 10 centers in South China were enrolled. The exon 13 of ASXL1 was amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and then analyzed the mutation status of the locus. (n = 59 for ASXL1‐mut group, n = 487 for ASXL1‐wt group). Results: ASXL1 mutations were found in 10.81% of all patients with AML. A complex karyotype was significantly less common in the ASXL1‐mut AML group than in the ASXL1‐wt group (1.7% vs. 11.9%, p = 0.013). Furthermore, TET2 or TP53 mutations were predominantly found in the ASXL1+ group (p = 0.003 and 0.023, respectively). The 5‐year overall survival (OS) and event‐free survival (EFS) of the total cohort were 76.9% and 69.9%. In ASXL1‐mut AML patients, a white blood cell (WBC) count ≥50 × 109/L had significantly poorer 5‐year OS and EFS than a WBC count <50 × 109/L (78.0% vs. 44.6%, p = 0.001; 74.8% vs. 44.6%, p = 0.003, respectively), while receiving hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) had a higher 5‐year OS and EFS (84.5% vs. 48.5%, p = 0.024; 79.5% vs. 49.3%, p = 0.047, respectively). In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, patients with high‐risk AML undergoing HSCT tended to have a better 5‐year OS and EFS than those receiving chemotherapy as a consolidation (HR = 0.168 and 0.260, both p < 0.001), and WBC count ≥50 × 109/L or failure to achieve complete response after the first course were independent adverse predictors of OS and EFS (HR = 1.784 and 1.870, p = 0.042 and 0.018; HR = 3.242 and 3.235, both p < 0.001). Conclusion: The C‐HUANA‐AML‐15 protocol is a well‐tolerated and effective in the treatment of pediatric AML. ASXL1 mutation is not an independent adverse prognosis predictor for survival in AML, whereas ASXL1‐mut patients tend to have a poor prognosis if WBC count ≥50 × 109/L, but they can benefit from HSCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]