Stem cells have self-renewal and differentiation potential.Cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) plays an important role in promoting pluripotency and self-renewal.The crucial activity of S-phase,DNA replication,presents a unique opportunity during the cell cycle for the genetic and epigenetic regulation that may be involved in stabilizing the pluripotent state.It is also clear that Myc acts to coordinate both the cell cycle and the pluripotency transcription network in stem cells.Here we review the regulating mechanisms of stem cell cycles and pluripotency by CDK and Myc to help researchers obtain a better understanding of mutual regulation of the cell cycle and the pluripotent state by CDK and Myc which may be exploited in regenerative medicine.

Objective To explore the immunosuppression effects,outcomes and clinical significance of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation in burn treatment by comparing the levels of WBC,C-reaction protein (CRP),interferon-γ(IFN-γ),interferon-o (TNF-α),interleukin-6 (IL-6),interleukin-10 (IL-10) between control burn models and models conducting MSCs transplantation.Methods After stripping Wharton's Jelly from the neonatal umbilical cord,MSCs was cultured and expanded.Burn models were constructed in male SD rats weighted at (200± 5) g,and randomly grouped for control and MSCs transplantation.The rats in transplantation group were injected subcutaneously with hUCMSCs (1.5× 106) at 24 h after burning.The content of WBC,CRP,IFN-γ,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-10 in blood samples at 0,1,2,3,5 and 7 d after burning were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The ELISA results,the wound healing rate at 7,14,21 and 28 d,as well as wound healing time were compared and analyzed statistically by ANOVA between the two groups.Results WBC in control group increased significantly at 1 and 2 d,and CRP in control group increased substantially at 2 and 3 d.IFN-% IL-6 and IL-10 levels in serum showed increase on 5 d,and TNF-α arrived at its peak value at 7 d.By contrast,WBC,CRP,TNF-α,IL-6 and IL-10 of the MSCs transplantation group showed slightly increase after burning and the differences were convinced by statistical analysis,while IFN-γ showed little difference among the two groups.The MSCs transplantation group also showed significantly higher wound healing rate at 14,21,28 d and shorter wound healing time than that of the control.Conclusions MSCs transplantation can suppress the over-inflammatory response by significantly mediating the inflammatory cytokines as WBC,CRP,TNF-α,IL-6,IL-10 in burn.IFN-γseems not affected by MSCs transplantation.MSCs would be suitable to promote wound healing and repair in burn,which is achieved not only by differentiation and paracrine,but also by subtle immunoregulation.

Objective To investigate the effects of angiotensin Ⅱ (Ang Ⅱ) on the expression of TLR4 and its role in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced NF-κB activation and CD40 expression in rat peritoneal mesothelial cells (RPMCs). Methods RPMCs were harvested from Spragne-Dawley rat peritoneal cavity and maintained under defined in vitro condition. The cells were treated with Ang Ⅱ at different concentrations (10-9, 10-8, 10-7, 10-6 mol/L) and exposed to Ang Ⅱ (10-7 mol/L) for different times (1, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 h for mRNA and 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 h for protein, respectively). Meanwhile, the influence of AT1 receptor antagonist (AT1R, losartan, 10-5 mol/L) and AT2 receptor blocker (AT2R, PD123177, 10-5 mol/L) on the TLR4 induced by Ang Ⅱ was observed. After synchronization for 24 hours, the cells were randomly assigned to four groups: the control group, the Ang Ⅱ (10-7 tool/L) group, the LPS (1 mg/L) group, the Ang Ⅱ (10-7 mol/L) plus LPS (1 mg/L) group, which were used to investigate the effects of Ang Ⅱ on the NF-κB activation and CD40 expression induced by LPS. The mRNA expression of TLR4 and CD40 was measured by RT-PCR and the protein abundance of TLR4, NF-κB p65, phospho-p65, IKBα and phospho-IκBα were analyzed by Western blot. Immunofluorescence was performed to determine the subcellular localization of p65 subunit of NF-κB. Results (1) Treatment of RPMCs with Ang Ⅱ resulted in a concentration-dependent increase in the expression of TLR4. Ang Ⅱ at 10-9, 10-8, 10-7 and 10-6 mol/L increased TLR4 mRNA expression by 70.5%, 89.5%, 102.9%, and 121.9%, respectively and protein expression by 12.1%, 27.7%, 51.2%, and 41.6%, respectively (P<0.01). Treatment of RPMCs with 10-7 mol/L Ang Ⅱ resulted in a time-dependent increase in the expression of TLR4, with the peak of mRNA expression at 8 and 12 h (P<0.01) and the protein expression at 12 and 24 h (P<0.01). (2) Losartan antagonized Ang Ⅱ-stimulated expression of TLR4 by 33.5% (P<0.05), PD123177 had no such effect (P0.05). (3) Treatment of RPMCs with LPS (1 mg/L) for 60 rain significantly increased the ratio of phospho-IκBα to IκBα by 362.6% (P< 0.01) , phospho-p65 to p65 by 67.4% (P<0.05), and LPS (1 mg/L) for 4 h significantly increased the expression of CD40 mRNA by 299.9% (P<0.01) compared to the control group. In comparison to the LPS (1 mg/L) group, preincubation of RPMCs with AngⅡ (10-7 mol/L) for 24 h then treated with LPS (1 mg/L) for 60 rain significantly increased the ratio of phospho-IκBα to IκBα by 49.1% (P<0.01), phospho-p65 to p65 by 29.3%(P<0.05), and LPS (1 mg/L) for 4 h significantly increased the expression of CD40 mRNA by 56.8%(P<0.01). (4) The p65 subunit of NF-κB was dominantly distributed in the cytoplasm in the control and Ang Ⅱ group. Following exposure to LPS for 60 min, p65 subunit labeling was upregulated and translocated into the nuclei. A significantly increased nuclear staining of p65 in ceils treated with Ang Ⅱ plus LPS were observed. Conclusions Ang Ⅱ induces the expression of TLR4 in dose- and time-dependent manner in RPMCs, resulting in enhanced NF-κB signaling and induction of CD40 expression, Locally produced Ang Ⅱ in the peritoneum may play an amplified role in LPS-induced peritoneal inflammation.

Objective To investigate the effects of peptide-binding domain (PBD) of heat shock protein (HSP) 72 on epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) in rat renal tubular epithelial cells.Methods The expressions of wild-type HSP72,mutant of HSP72 lacking peptide binding domain (HSP72-△PBD) and HSP72-PBD were induced by plasmid transfection.NRK-52E ceils were stimulated by TGF-β1 for 48 h.The expressions of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),E-cadherin,HSP72 and Smad3/p-Smad3 were detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence.Results After NRK-52E cells were stimulated by TGF-β 1 (10 μg/L) for 48 h,the expression of α-SMA was increased and the protein level of E-cadherin was decreased.Western blotting and immunofluorescence showed that over-expression of both HSP72 and PBD inhibited TGF-β1-induced up-regulation of protein α-SMA expression,down-regulation of protein E-cadherin.However,overexpression of HSP72-△PBD did not change the protein level of E-cadherin and α-SMA.In addition,over-expression of HSP72 and PBD significantly inhibited the phosphorylation of Smad3.Conclusion Inhibition of Smad3 activation and EMT by HSP72 is associated with the function of PBD.

Objecfive To investigate the change of V-ATPase B subunits on epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT)in rat renal tubular epithelial cells (NRK52E) stimulated by transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1). Methods NRK52E cells were stimulated by TGF-β1 (10 μg/L)for O h(control),12 h,24 h,48 h,72 h after sefrum-free culture for 24 h.The mRNA and protein expression of E-cadherin,α-SMA,B2 and B1 subunits of V-ATPase were detected by real-time PCR,Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Results After stimulated by TGF-β1 (10 μg/L)for 48 h,the expression of α-SMA was markedly increased(P<0.05),but the expression of E-cadherin was dramatically decreased(P<0.05).Meanwhile,the expressions of V-ATPase subunit B2 was significantly increased (P<0.05).However,the B1 subunit distributed rarely in NRK 52E cells,and did not increase after TGF-β1 stimulation.Double-label immunofluoerscence staining also showed that the V-ATPase B2 subunit was increased in the cytosol.tending to accumulate to the cell membrane after TGF-β1 stimulation. Conclusions The main isoform of V-ATPase distributed in NRK52E cells is B2 subunit.B2 subunit is increased alone with TGF-β1-induced EMT.It may suggest that V-ATPase B2 subunit may play a potential role in TGF-β1-induced tubular EMT and renal fibrosis.

Objective To explore the effect of Numb on tubular epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in rat proximal epithelial cells. Methods NRK52E cells were treated with different concentrations of recombinant human transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) (0, 1, 5, 10, 15, 20 μg/L) for 48 h or 10 μg/L TGF-β1 for different times (0, 24, 48, 72 h) in vitro. The expressions of E-cadherin, a-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA) and Numb in NRK 52E cells were detected by RT-PCR, Western blot and immunofluorescence staining. Meanwhile Numb siRNA oligo was transfected into NRK 52E cells with lipofectamine before TGF-β1 treatment, then Western blot was applied to detect the protein expression of E-cadherin, α-SMA and Numb in NRK52E cells. Results TGF-β1 could induce EMT in NRK52E cells in dose- and time-dependent manner. During the progress of TGF-β1-induced EMT, the protein expression of Numb in 5, 10, 15, 20 μg/L group was 1.33 folds (P=0.024), 1.39 folds (P=0.035), 1.45 folds (P=0.025), 1.51 folds (P=0.000) respectively as compared to 0 μg/L group. Likewise, the protein and mRNA expression of Numb in 24 h, 48 h, 72 h group was 1.48 folds (P=0.046) and 1.56 folds (P=0.012), 1.54 folds (P=0.011) and 1.82 folds (P=0.008), 1.79 folds (P=0.028) and 1.82 folds (P=0.002) respectively as compared to 0 h group. Moreover, large amount of Numb was accumulated in the cytoplasm. Down-regulation of Numb expression by siRNA transfection did not influence the basal expression of E-cadherin and α-SMA in NRK 52E cells, but attenuated the progression of EMT in NRK52E cells induced by TGF-β1. The up-regulation of α-SMA protein was reduced to 18.1% (P=0.004) while the down-regulation of E-cadherin protein was reversed to 2.19 folds (P=0.004). Conclusion Numb can promote EMT in rat proximal epithelial cells.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of the combination therapy of lenvatinib and programmed death-1 (PD-1) antibodies in unresectable or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The clinico-pathological data of 59 patients with unresectable or advanced HCC who were admitted to Zhongshan Hospital of Fudan University from September 2018 to January 2020 were collected. There were 54 males and 5 females, aged from 25 to 73 years, with a median age of 52 years. All 59 patients underwent combination therapy with lenvatinib and PD-1 antibodies including 43 cases undergoing first-line therapy and 16 cases who cannot tolerate first-line therapy or with tumor progressed after first-line therapy undergoing second-line therapy. Observation indicators: (1) clinical efficacy; (2) adverse drug reactions and treatment; (3) follow-up and survival. Follow-up was performed using outpatient examination or telephone interview to detect tumor diameter of the target lesion, overall survival and progression free survival of patients up to December 2020. Measurement data with skewed distribution were expressed as M ( P25,P75) or M (range). Count data were represented as absolute numbers and (or) percentages. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the median duration of response (DoR), median overall survival time, median progression free survival time, survival rates and draw survival curves. Results:(1) Clinical efficacy: the objective response rate (ORR), complete response rate (CR), partial response rate (PR), stable disease rate (SD), progression disease rate (PD), time to response (TTR) and median DoR of 59 HCC patients were 37.3%(22/59), 11.9%(7/59), 25.4%(15/59), 37.3%(22/59), 25.4%(15/59), 2.6 months(2.1 months, 4.0 months), 6.3 months[95% confidence interval ( CI) as 2.2 to 10.5 months], respectively. The ORR, CR, PR, SD, PD and TTR of 43 HCC patients undergoing first-line therapy were 41.9%(18/43), 16.3%(7/43), 25.6%(11/43), 37.2%(16/43),20.9%(9/43), 2.2 months(2.0 months, 3.5 months), respectively. The median DoR of 43 patients undergoing first-line therapy was not reached. The ORR, CR, PR, SD, PD, TTR and median DoR of 16 HCC patients undergoing second-line therapy were 4/16, 0, 4/16, 6/16, 6/16, 3.8 months (3.6 months, 4.1 months), 4.2 months(95% CI as 2.0 to 6.3 months), respectively. Six of 59 HCC patients underwent R 0 resection due to tumor converting to resectable HCC with the conversion and resection rate of 10.2%(6/59). Among the 6 patients, 5 cases undergoing first-line treatment had the conversion and resection rates of 11.6% (5/43) and 1 case undergoing second-line treatment had the conversion and resection rates of 1/16, respectively. (2) Adverse drug reactions and treatment: 25 of 59 HCC patients underwent 3 to 4 grade adverse drug reactions with the incidence of 42.4%(25/59). Among the 25 patients, 10 cases including 5 cases undergoing first-line therapy and 5 cases undergoing second-line therapy had the level of gamma glutamyltransferase >5×upper limit of normal (ULN), 9 cases including 4 cases undergoing first-line therapy and 5 cases undergoing second-line therapy had the level of aspartate aminotransferase >5×ULN, 5 cases including 4 cases undergoing first-line therapy and 1 case undergoing second-line therapy occurred gastrointestinal hemorrhage, 4 cases undergoing first-line therapy had the level of white blood cell count <2.0×10 9/L, 4 cases including 1 case undergoing first-line therapy and 3 cases under-going second-line therapy had the level of total bilirubin >3×ULN, 3 cases undergoing first-line therapy had the level of neutrophil count <1.0×10 9/L, 3 cases including 2 cases undergoing first-line therapy and 1 case undergoing second-line therapy occurred ascites, 2 cases including 1 case undergoing first-line therapy and 1 case undergoing second-line therapy had the level of platelet count <50.0×10 9/L, 2 cases undergoing first-line therapy had the level of alanine aminotransferase >5×ULN, 2 cases undergoing first-line therapy occurred hyponatremia, 2 cases including 1 case undergoing first-line therapy and 1 case undergoing second-line therapy occurred pulmonary infection, 2 cases including 1 case undergoing first-line therapy and 1 case undergoing second-line therapy occurred type 1 diabetes, 1 case undergoing first-line therapy occurred hypokalemia, 1 case undergoing first-line therapy occurred myocarditis, 1 case undergoing first-line therapy occurred hypophysistis, 1 case undergoing first-line therapy occurred bullous dermatitis, 1 case undergoing first-line therapy occurred hypertension. Three of 59 HCC patients underwent 5 grade adverse drug reactions ,with the incidence of 5.1%(3/59), including 1 case undergoing first-line therapy with immune hepatitis, 1 case undergoing second-line therapy with immune pneumonia and 1 case undergoing second-line therapy with immune enteritis. Some of patients underwent multiple adverse drug reactions at the same time. Twenty five patients undergoing 3 to 4 grade adverse drug reactions were relieved with the treatment of drug reduction, drug withdrawal, symptomatic treatment or hormone therapy. Three patients undergoing 5 grade adverse drug reactions died after being treated with high-dose hormone shock and hepatoprotective treatment. (3) Follow-up and survival: all 59 patients were followed up for 1.5 to 25.2 months, with a median follow-up time of 13.3 months. Of them, patients undergoing first-line therapy were followed up for 1.9 to 25.2 months, with a median follow-up time of 13.5 months. During follow-up,20 cases undergoing first-line therapy died with the fatality rate of 46.5%(20/43). Patients undergoing second-line therapy were followed up for 1.5 to 24.4 months, with a median follow-up time of 10.8 months. During follow-up, 10 cases undergoing second-line therapy died with the fatality rate of 10/16. Up to the latest follow-up, the tumor diameter of the target lesion in all 59 patients, in patients undergoing first-line therapy and in patients undergoing second-line therapy was 75 mm(38 mm, 125 mm), 74 mm(36 mm, 116 mm), 84 mm(48 mm,150 mm), respectively. The ratio of tumor diameter of the target lesion at latest follow-up to tumor diameter of the target lesion at baseline were -9.05%(-27.3%, 19.7%), -16.1%(-28.8%, 13.6%), 13.2%(-24.7%, 23.5%) for all 59 patients, patients undergoing first-line therapy and patients undergoing second-line therapy, respectively. The median overall survival time and median progression free survival time of patients undergoing first-line therapy and patients undergoing second-line therapy were 17.1 months(95% CI as 11.0 to 23.2 months), 10.8 months(95% CI as 5.0 to 16.6 months) and 10.8 months(95% CI as 9.2 to 12.4 months), 3.0 months(95% CI as 1.6 to 4.4 months), respectively. Conclusion:For unresectable or advanced HCC, combination therapy with lenvatinib and PD-1 antibodies can obtain effective antitumor activity and less incidence of adverse drug reactions.

Objective: To explore the relationship between the time of sedentary behaviors and the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) among rural adults in Henan Province. Methods: A total of 1 227 adults from Houzhai village in Zhengzhou City and Qiaomiao village in Jiaozuo City in Henan Province were randomly selected to participate in the survey; each of them finished a questionnaire and accepted physical examination and test of biochemical indicators. The participants were divided into case and control groups according to whether suffering from T2DM. A Pearson linear correlation and linear regression model analysis were used to investigate the relevance between the time of sedentary behaviors and fasting plasma glucose (FPG); meanwhile, a multi factor logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between the time of sedentary behaviors and T2DM. Results: The average FPG level among the participants was (5.4±2.5) mmol/L, and the average time of sedentary behaviors was (234.5±156.5) min per day. The prevalence rate of T2DM in subgroups whose time of sedentary behaviors were separately 0-<2.5, 2.5-<4.5, 4.5-<6.5 and ≥6.5 h/day were 15.8% (72/457), 19.3% (73/379), 16.7% (35/210) and 20.4% (37/181), respectively. There was a linear regression relationship between the time of sedentary behaviors(x) and FPG(y), the regression equation was: y=5.081+0.001x (t=3.01, P=0.003). Logistic regression model analysis showed that participants whose time of sedentary behaviors ≥6.5 h/day had significantly higher risk of T2DM than those whose time of sedentary behaviors between 0-2.4 h/day (OR=1.77, 95%CI: 1.11-2.81) after age and gender adjusted. However, the associations only exist in males and adults ≥50 years old according to sex and age stratification. It showed that participants with sedentary time ≥6.5 h/day had significantly higher risk of T2DM than those with sedentary time between 0-<2.5 h/d, with the corresponding OR (95%CI) at 2.34 (1.21-4.52) and 2.22 (1.19-4.16), respectively. Conclusion The prolonged sedentary time is a risk factor of type 2 diabetes. After stratification by gender and age, the correlation only found in males and adults aged ≥50 years old.

Clinical data of a child with leukoencephalopathy with brainstem and spinal cord involvement and lactate elevation (LBSL) diagnosed in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University in June 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.A female patient with 1 year and 2 months old presented with 10 months of developmental delay and 1 month of recurrent seizures.Physical examinations showed grade Ⅲ muscle strength of limbs, slightly higher muscle tone, active reflex of bilateral knee tendons, normal reflex of bilateral achilles tendons, and positive Babinski sign.Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed bilateral cerebral hemisphere atrophy and diffuse abnormal signals.The whole exome sequencing test showed two heterozygous mutations of the DARS2 gene in the present case.There are no reports of early-onset LBSL gene mutation in Chinese population.A total of 6 related foreign literatures have been reported.All affected cases present psychomotor development disorders and other encephalopathy manifestations.Brain MRI involvement and DARS2 gene mutations are found in previous reports.Therefore, for children with developmental retardation, epilepsy, and diffuse abnormal signals in both cerebral hemispheres examined by brain MRI, genetic testing is recommended to confirm the diagnosis, guide prenatal diagnosis and genetic counseling.

Objective:To investigate the effect of lncRNA UCA1 on the radiosensitivity of in vitro cultured glioma cell lines SHG-44, U87 and U251 by regulating the miR-873-5p expression. Methods:The survival of glioma cells SHG-44, U87 and U251 treated with different radiation intensities (0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 Gy) was detected by colony formation assay. The expression levels of UCA1 in glioma cells SHG-44, U87 and U251 were measured by qRT-PCR. The radiation-resistant glioma cells U87 and U251 were selected for subsequent study. After silencing UCA1 expression and/or over-expressing miR-873-5p, the cell survival rate was detected by colony formation assay, and the cell apoptosis rate was determined by flow cytometry. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay and qRT-PCR were employed to verify the targeting relationship between UCA1 and miR-873-5p.Results:UCA1 was up-regulated in the radiation-resistant U87 and U251 cells. Silencing UCA1 or over-expressing miR-873-5p inhibited the survival of U87 and U251 cells, and promoted the cell apoptosis induced by radiation exposure. miR-873-5p was a target gene of UCA1, and UCA1 negatively regulated the expression of miR-873-5p. The inhibition of miR-873-5p could reverse the effect of silencing UCA1 on the radiosensitivity of glioma cells. Silencing UCA1 increased the inhibitory effect of radiation on the glioma cell U251 xenografts.Conclusion:Silencing UCA1 inhibits the survival of glioma cells and promotes the cell apoptosis by up-regulating the expression of miR-873-5p, thereby increasing the radiosensitivity of glioma cells.