Objective To investigate the role and related mechanisms of exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in radiation-induced lung injury (RILI). Methods Human umbilical cord-derived MSCs were isolated and cultured for the extraction and identification of exosomes. Eighteen male SD rats were randomly divided into Control group, RILI group and RILI + exosomes group (EXO group), with 6 rats in each group. Except for Control group, the other groups received a single X-ray dose of 30 Gy to the right lung. Immediately after irradiation, the EXO group was administered 2 × 10⁹ exosomes/kg via tail vein injection. Control group and RILI group were given the same volume of normal saline. Eight weeks post-irradiation, the rats were sacrificed, lung tissue and peripheral venous blood were collected. HE and Masson staining were employed to observe the pathological and fibrotic changes of lung tissue. The levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-6, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-10 were detected by ELISA. RT-qPCR was used to assess the mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, Cdh1, and Col1a1 in lung tissue. The expression levels of Vimentin and TGF-β1 in lung tissue were measured by immunohistochemical staining. The expression levels of AMPK, p-AMPK, and TGF-β1 in lung tissue were detected by Western blot. Results MSC-derived exosomes were successfully extracted and identified. Compared with RILI group, EXO group showed significantly reduced pathological changes of lung inflammation and collagen deposition. The levels of serum inflammatory factors IL-6, INF-γ, and TNF-α were significantly decreased (P < 0.05), and the level of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10 was significantly increased (P < 0.05). The mRNA levels of IL-1β, IL-6, and Col1a1 in lung tissue were significantly decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), and the mRNA level of Cdh1 was significantly increased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The levels of Vimentin and TGF-β1 in lung tissue were significantly reduced, while p-AMPK level was significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05). Conclusion Exosomes derived from MSCs may alleviate RILI by inhibiting inflammatory responses and regulating epithelial-mesenchymal transition mediated by AMPK/TGF-β1 signaling pathway.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary fibrogenic cells in the liver, and their activation plays a crucial role in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis. Here, we report that retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXRα), a unique member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a key modulator of HSC activation and liver fibrosis. RXRα exerts its effects by modulating calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ)-mediated activation of AMP-activated protein kinase-alpha (AMPKα). In addition, we demonstrate that K-80003, which binds RXRα by a unique mechanism, effectively suppresses HSC activation, proliferation, and migration, thereby inhibiting liver fibrosis in the CCl₄ and amylin liver NASH (AMLN) diet animal models. The effect is mediated by AMPKα activation, promoting mitophagy in HSCs. Mechanistically, K-80003 activates AMPKα by inducing RXRα to form condensates with CaMKKβ and AMPKα via a two-phase process. The formation of RXRα condensates is driven by its N-terminal intrinsic disorder region and requires phosphorylation by CaMKKβ. Our results reveal a crucial role of RXRα in liver fibrosis regulation through modulating mitochondrial activities in HSCs. Furthermore, they suggest that K-80003 and related RXRα modulators hold promise as therapeutic agents for fibrosis-related diseases.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical characteristics, microbiological analysis, and drug resistance patterns of intensive care unit (ICU) bloodstream infection. METHODS: A prospective cohort study method was employed to collect clinical data from patients suspected of bloodstream infection (BSI) during their stay in ICUs across 67 hospitals in 16 provinces and cities nationwide, from July 1, 2021, to December 31, 2022. Electronic data collection technology was used to gather general information on ICU patients, including gender, age, length of hospital stay, as well as diagnostic results, laboratory tests, imaging studies, microbiological results (including smear, culture results, and pathogen high-throughput testing), and prognosis. Patients were divided into a BSI group and a non-BSI group based on the presence or absence of BSI; further, patients with BSI were categorized into a drug-resistant group and a non-drug-resistant group based on the presence or absence of drug resistance. Differences in the aforementioned indicators between groups were analyzed and compared; variables with P < 0.10 in the univariate analysis were included in a multivariate Logistic regression analysis to identify risk factors for mortality and drug resistance in ICU patients with BSI. RESULTS: A total of 2 962 ICU patients suspected of BSI participated in the study, including 790 in the BSI group and 2 172 in the non-BSI group. Patients in the BSI group were mainly from East China and Southwest China, with significantly higher age and mortality rates than those in the non-BSI group. Among ICU patients with BSI, Staphylococcus had the highest detection rate (8.10%), followed by Klebsiella pneumoniae (7.47%); there were 169 cases in the drug-resistant group and 621 cases in the non-drug-resistant group; 666 cases survived, and 124 cases died (mortality was 15.70%). There were statistically significant differences between the death group and the survival group in terms of age, regional distribution, and bloodstream infections caused by Gram negative (G^-) bacilli, Enterococcus faecium, Aspergillus, and Klebsiella pneumoniae; multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age [odds ratio (OR) = 1.01, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) was 1.00-1.03], regional distribution (OR = 4.07, 95%CI was 1.02-1.34), Enterococcus faecium infection (OR = 3.64, 95%CI was 1.16-11.45), and Klebsiella pneumoniae infection (OR = 2.64,95%CI was 1.45-4.80) were independent risk factors for death in ICU patients with BSI (all P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences between the drug-resistant group and the non-drug-resistant group in terms of age and bloodstream infections caused by Gram positive (G⁺) cocci and G^- bacilli; multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR = 1.01,95%CI was 1.00-1.03), G^- bacilli infection (OR = 2.18, 95%CI was 1.33-3.59), Escherichia coli infection (OR = 0.28,95%CI was 0.09-0.84), and Enterococcus faecium infection (OR = 3.35, 95%CI was 1.06-10.58) were independent risk factors for drug resistance in ICU patients with BSI (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS Bloodstream infections may increase the mortality of ICU patients. Older age, regional distribution, Enterococcus faecium infection and Klebsiella pneumoniae infection can increase the mortality rate of ICU patients with BSI; bloodstream infections caused by G^- bacilli are prone to drug resistance, but have no significant impact on the mortality of ICU patients with BSI.
Adult ; Humans ; Bacteremia/microbiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Cohort Studies ; Cross Infection/microbiology* ; Drug Resistance, Bacterial ; Intensive Care Units/statistics & numerical data* ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Sepsis/microbiology*

Objective:To investigate the role of p-AKT-mTOR-P70S6K signaling pathway in radiation therapy for polyploid cervical cancer cells.Methods:Human cervical cancer HeLa cell lines were selected and HeLa cells were radiated under 7 Gy of 6 MV X-ray. The morphological changes of the cells were observed with an inverted microscope on day 5 after radiation induction. All cells were divided into the 7 Gy group (7 Gy X-ray radiation but not transfected polyploidy HeLa cells) and the control group (the non-radiation-induced and not transfected HeLa cells). In addition, the plasmid carrying pcDNA3 negative control sequence and the plasmid carrying pcDNA3-TT-AKT sequence were transfected into HeLa cells, respectively, which were induced by 7 Gy X-ray radiation after 48 h of transfection, and then they were recorded as the pcDNA3 + 7 Gy group and the pcDNA3-TT-AKT + 7 Gy group. Cell proliferation ability was detected by using CCK-8 assay, cell cycle was detected by using flow cytometry, cell apoptosis was detected by using mitochondrial membrane potential assay, the relative expression levels of cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis and autophagy related proteins were tested by using Western blot.Results:Most of the normal HeLa cells in the 7 Gy group died on day 5 after radiation induction, and only a few surviving cells increased in size with multiple nuclei. The results of Western blot showed that the relative expression levels of p-AKT, p-mTOR and p-P70S6K in HeLa cells of the 7 Gy group were lower than those of the control group (all P < 0.05). CCK-8 assay showed that the absorbance ( A) values were 0.45±0.06, 0.65±0.06 after 48 h of culture and 0.75±0.05, 1.05±0.02 after 72 h of culture, respectively in the pcDNA3 + 7 Gy group and the pcDNA3-TT-AKT + 7 Gy group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05), and the A values in the pcDNA3-TT-AKT + 7 Gy group were all higher than those in the pcDNA3 +7 Gy group. Flow cytometry results showed that the proportion of cells was (29.2±3.6)%, (26.7±1.7)% in G 0/G 1 phase and (29.6±1.6)%, (30.3±0.6)% in G 2/M phase, respectively in the pcDNA3 + 7 Gy group and the pcDNA3-TT-AKT + 7 Gy group, and the differences were not statistically significant (all P > 0.05); the proportion of cells in S phase was (10.2±0.9)% and (14.6±1.5)%, respectively in the pcDNA3 + 7 Gy group and the pcDNA3-TT-AKT + 7 Gy group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t = 2.86, P = 0.043). Mitochondrial membrane potential assay showed that the green fluorescence proportion was (23.1±2.5)% and (14.3±1.9)%, respectively in the pcDNA3 + 7 Gy group and the pcDNA3-TT-AKT + 7 Gy group, and the different was statistically significant ( t = 4.82, P = 0.009). Western blot results showed that the relative expression level of p-cdc25c (Ser216) in the pcDNA3-TT-AKT+7 Gy group was higher than that in the pcDNA3+7 Gy group ( P < 0.001); and the relative expression levels of Bak and LC3-Ⅱ/Ⅰ in the pcDNA3-TT-AKT+7Gy group were lower than those in the pcDNA3 +7 Gy group, respectively (all P < 0.05). Conclusions:The p-AKT-mTOR-P70S6K signaling pathway may be involved in the regulation of radiation-induced polyploidy HeLa cell proliferation, cell cycle and cell apoptosis.

Objective:To retrospectively analyze the treatment status of tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) in newly diagnosed patients with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) in China.Methods:Data of chronic phase (CP) and accelerated phase (AP) CML patients diagnosed from January 2006 to December 2022 from 77 centers, ≥18 years old, and receiving initial imatinib, nilotinib, dasatinib or flumatinib-therapy within 6 months after diagnosis in China with complete data were retrospectively interrogated. The choice of initial TKI, current TKI medications, treatment switch and reasons, treatment responses and outcomes as well as the variables associated with them were analyzed.Results:6 893 patients in CP ( n=6 453, 93.6%) or AP ( n=440, 6.4%) receiving initial imatinib ( n=4 906, 71.2%), nilotinib ( n=1 157, 16.8%), dasatinib ( n=298, 4.3%) or flumatinib ( n=532, 7.2%) -therapy. With the median follow-up of 43 ( IQR 22-75) months, 1 581 (22.9%) patients switched TKI due to resistance ( n=1 055, 15.3%), intolerance ( n=248, 3.6%), pursuit of better efficacy ( n=168, 2.4%), economic or other reasons ( n=110, 1.6%). The frequency of switching TKI in AP patients was significantly-higher than that in CP patients (44.1% vs 21.5%, P<0.001), and more AP patients switched TKI due to resistance than CP patients (75.3% vs 66.1%, P=0.011). Multi-variable analyses showed that male, lower HGB concentration and ELTS intermediate/high-risk cohort were associated with lower cytogenetic and molecular responses rate and poor outcomes in CP patients; higher WBC count and initial the second-generation TKI treatment, the higher response rates; Ph + ACA at diagnosis, poor PFS. However, Sokal intermediate/high-risk cohort was only significantly-associated with lower CCyR and MMR rates and the poor PFS. Lower HGB concentration and larger spleen size were significantly-associated with the lower cytogenetic and molecular response rates in AP patients; initial the second-generation TKI treatment, the higher treatment response rates; lower PLT count, higher blasts and Ph + ACA, poorer TFS; Ph + ACA, poorer OS. Conclusion:At present, the vast majority of newly-diagnosed CML-CP or AP patients could benefit from TKI treatment in the long term with the good treatment responses and survival outcomes.

Objective To develop a Behavioral Decision-making Scale for Glycemic Management in pregnant women with gestational diabetes and to test its reliability and validity.Methods Based on the trans-theoretical model and behavioral decision theory,the test version of the scale was formed through literature review,semi-structured interview,brainstorming,2 rounds of expert consultation and cognitive interview.A total of 560 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus were recruited from 10 hospitals in Quanzhou,Fujian Province by convenience sampling method from 21 July to November 2023.The data were divided into 2 parts by random number method for exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.Results The scale included 4 dimensions of"behavioral decision-making motivation""behavioral decision-making influencing factors""behavioral decision-making intention"and"behavioral decision-making effectiveness"with 34 items.The Cronbach's αcoefficient of the total scale was 0.971;the split-half reliability was 0.919;the test-retest reliability was 0.863;the content validity index of the scale was 0.853.The exploratory factor analysis extracted 4 common factors,and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 78.28％.The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the factor structure of the scale was stable.Conclusion The scale has ideal reliability and validity,which can be used to measure the level of glycemic management behavior decision-making of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Objective:To investigate the clinical features and prognosis of prolonged cytopenia (PC) in patients with large B-cell lymphoma (LBCL) undergoing anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy.Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted on LBCL patients who received CAR-T cell therapy with a survival time of over one month at the Hematology Department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital from March 2019 to December 2023. Statistical analyses were performed on hematologic changes at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-CAR-T infusion, as well as on the progression-free survival (PFS) and post-treatment adverse events, including infections. Patients were categorized into the PC and non-PC groups based on the occurrence of cytopenia at 90 days post-infusion. Differences between groups were compared, and univariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify risk factors.Results:The median age of 27 LBCL patients receiving CAR-T cell therapy was 58 years (range 27-69 years), with 18 males. Among the 27 LBCL patients who received CAR-T cell therapy, PC was observed in 19 patients (70.4%), with instances of neutropenia (48.1%, 13 cases), anemia (37.0%, 10 cases), and thrombocytopenia (22.2%, 6 cases). Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that prior chemotherapy sensitivity ( OR=18.00, 95% CI 1.56-207.45, P=0.020) and bone marrow suppression ( OR=18.00, 95% CI 1.38-235.69, P=0.028) were associated with PC. The median follow-up time was 13.5 months. The PC group exhibited a higher risk of infection within 3 months (9/19 vs. 1/8) and a shorter mean PFS (19.3 months vs. 24.4 months), although the difference was not statistically significant (both P>0.05). Conclusions:PC is common following CAR-T cell therapy and is associated with an increased risk of infection and poorer prognosis. Prior treatment sensitivity and bone marrow suppression may serve as indicators of PC.

Objective To investigate the effect of erythroid differentiation associated gene(EDAG)on hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells(HSPCs)under chronic inflammation.Methods In this study,EDAG-/-and wild type(WT)mice were divided into the experiment group and control group.An infectious chronic inflammation model was established via multiple intraperitoneal injections of Listeria monocytogenes(LM),while a sterile chronic inflammation model was generated via multiple intraperitoneal injections of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid[Poly(I∶C)].The effect of EDAG on HSPCs was explored under chronic inflammation conditions.Results In the LM repeated infection model,EDAG deletion led to a decrease in HSPCs and long-term hematopoietic stem cells(LT-HSCs)in mice as well as a significant bias towards myeloid differentiation in peripheral blood.Similarly,EDAG knockout also resulted in reduced numbers of HSPCs and decreased colony-forming ability in aseptic chronic inflammation models.Conclusion EDAG deficiency accelerates HSPC depletion in young mice under chronic inflammation,indicating strong protection of EDAG against HSPC damage induced by chronic inflammation.

Grading and staging are the most important prognostic factors for both non-invasive and invasive urothelial carcinomas, and are also one of the most common difficulties encountered by pathologists in the daily diagnostic practice of urothelial carcinoma. Recently, the International Society of Urological Pathology organized a survey and questionnaire conference on various issues related to the diagnosis, grading, and staging of urothelial carcinoma, and ultimately formed a series of consensus opinions. This article briefly summarizes the consensus opinions of this series, and combines them with the current pathological diagnosis status of urothelial carcinoma in China. It briefly comments on how to apply this series of consensus opinions in the daily diagnostic practice of pathologists, deeply understand relevant diagnostic problems, and carry out relevant clinical pathological research to further solve problems.