OBJECTIVE: To prepare decellularized nerve grafts from alpha-1, 3-galactosyltransferase (GGTA1) gene-edited pigs and explore their biocompatibility for xenotransplantation. METHODS: The sciatic nerves from wild-type pigs and GGTA1 gene-edited pigs were obtained and underwent decellularization. The alpha-galactosidase (α-gal) content in the sciatic nerves of GGTA1 gene-edited pigs was detected by using IB4 fluorescence staining and ELISA method to verify the knockout status of the GGTA1 gene, and using human sciatic nerve as a control. HE staining and scanning electron microscopy observation were used to observe the structure of the nerve samples. Immunofluorescence staining and DNA content determination were used to evaluate the degree of decellularization of the nerve samples. Fourteen nude mice were taken, and subcutaneous capsules were prepared on both sides of the spine. Decellularized nerve samples of wild-type pigs ( n=7) and GGTA1 gene-edited pigs ( n=7) were randomly implanted in the subcutaneous capsules. Blood was drawn at 1, 3, 5, and 7 days after implantation to detect neutrophil counting. RESULTS: IB4 fluorescence staining and ELISA detection showed that GGTA1 gene was successfully knocked out in the nerves of GGTA1 gene-edited pigs. HE staining showed that the structure of the decellularized nerve from GGTA1 gene-edited pigs was well preserved; the nerve basement membrane tube structure was visible under scanning electron microscopy; no cell nuclei was observed, and the extracellular matrix components was retained in the nerve grafts by immunofluorescence staining; and the DNA content was significantly reduced when compared with the normal nerves ( P<0.05). In vivo experiments showed that the number of neutrophils in the two groups were similar at 1, 3, and 7 days after implantation, with no significant difference ( P>0.05); only at 5 days, the number of neutrophils was significantly lower in the GGTA1 gene-edited pigs than in the wild-type pigs ( P<0.05). CONCLUSION The decellularized nerve grafts from GGTA1 gene-edited pigs have well-preserved nerve structure, complete decellularization, retain the natural nerve basement membrane tube structure and components, and low immune response after xenotransplantation through in vitro experiments.
Animals ; Transplantation, Heterologous ; Galactosyltransferases/genetics* ; Sciatic Nerve/immunology* ; Swine ; Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Humans ; Graft Rejection/prevention & control* ; Gene Editing ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Heterografts/immunology* ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Decellularized Extracellular Matrix

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of phytoestrogen biochanin A （BCA） on liver fibrosis induced by CCl₄ in female mice with bilateral oophorectomy （ovariectomized） and its mechanism. MethodsA total of 50 ovariectomized Kunming mice were selected and given intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄ to establish a model of liver fibrosis， and then according to body weight， they were randomly divided into model group， positive control group， and low-， middle-， and high-dose BCA groups， with 10 mice in each group. In addition， 10 female mice in the same litter were given resection of a small amount of adipose tissue near both ovaries to establish the sham-operation group. The mice in the positive control group were given estradiol 2 mg/kg by gavage， and those in the low-， middle-， and high-dose BCA groups were given BCA by gavage at a dose of 25， 50， and 100 mg/kg， respectively， once a day for 7 consecutive weeks； the mice in the sham-operation group and the model group were given an equal volume of 0.5% sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution by gavage. The mice were anesthetized and sacrificed after administration to collect samples. Liver index and uterus index were measured； HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe liver histopathological changes； the biochemical analysis was used to measure the activity of aspartate aminotransferase （AST） and alanine aminotransferase （ALT）； ELISA was used to measure the levels of interleukin-6 （IL-6） and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in liver tissue， and Western blot was used to measure the relative protein expression levels of collagen Ⅰ， transforming growth factor-beta 1 （TGF-β₁）， alpha-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA）， estrogen receptor beta （ERβ）， and p-NF-κBp65/NF-κBp65 in liver tissue. The t-test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups； a one-way analysis of various was used for comparison between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. The Kruskal-Wallis H test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between multiple groups and further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the sham-operated group， the model group had a significant increase in liver index and a significant reduction in uterus index， as well as significant increases in the activities of serum AST and ALT， the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in liver tissue， and the protein expression levels of collagen Ⅰ， TGF-β₁， α-SMA， and p-NF-κBp65/NF-κBp65 in liver tissue （all P<0.05）， with no significant change in the expression of ERβ in liver tissue （P>0.05）， and the model group showed significant fibrosis lesions in the liver， such as hepatocyte edema， steatosis， and necrosis with inflammatory cell infiltration and hyperplasia， deposition， and staggered distribution of collagen fibers. Compared with the model group， the low-， middle-， and high-dose BCA groups had significant reductions in liver index， the activities of serum AST and ALT， the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α， and the protein expression levels of collagen Ⅰ， TGF-β₁， α-SMA， and p-NF-κBp65/NF-κBp65 in liver tissue （all P<0.05）， with no significant change in uterine index （P>0.05）， as well as a significant increase in the protein expression level of ERβ in liver tissue （P<0.05） and varying degrees of improvement in liver fibrosis lesions. ConclusionBCA can effectively improve CCL₄-induced liver fibrosis in ovariectomized female mice， possibly by upregulating ERβ to inhibit the NF-κB signaling pathway and then alleviating inflammatory response.

BACKGROUND:At present,many drugs used in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome are super-designated drugs,and the treatment of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome still faces great challenges.Studies have shown that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can repair ovarian function,but few studies have reported their therapeutic effect on polycystic ovary syndrome. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the therapeutic effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on polycystic ovary syndrome,and to preliminarily explore the correlation between mitochondrial autophagy and the improvement of polycystic ovary syndrome by human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS:Polycystic ovary syndrome mouse model was established by subcutaneous injection of dehydroepiandrosterone for 20 days into C57BL/6J mice.Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(2×106)were injected through the caudal vein.After treatment,vaginal secretions were collected for 10 consecutive days to detect the estrus cycle of mice.At 2 weeks after treatment,the levels of sex hormones in the peripheral blood of mice,including luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone,were detected by ELISA.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to evaluate ovarian histopathology.Finally,mitochondrial autophagy in ovaries was observed by transmission electron microscopy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell therapy,follicles at different stages(primitive follicles,primary follicles,and secondary follicles)appeared in the ovary of polycystic ovary syndrome mice,and luteal tissue could be seen,indicating that ovulation function of mice was effectively improved.(2)Polycystic ovary syndrome mice treated with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells had sex hormone levels.(3)Untreated polycystic ovary syndrome mice were found to be in the estrous stage for a long time,lacking estrous interphase and estrous phase,but after human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell therapy,the estrous cycle returned to a normal level.(4)After treatment with human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells,the mitochondrial autophagy of polycystic ovary syndrome mice was significantly reduced.(5)The results show that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells can effectively improve the symptoms of endocrine disorders and promote ovulation in polycystic ovary syndrome mice,which may be related to the inhibition of mitochondrial autophagy.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a common chronic liver disease in clinical practice. In recent years, with increasing social attention to the health of women and the elderly, the prevention and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease after menopause has increasingly become a research hotspot in metabolic diseases. This study explores the pathogenesis and treatment method of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in postmenopausal women based on the theory of "deficient qi and stagnation" and combined with the physiological and pathological characteristics of postmenopausal women and the Western medicine understanding of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. We believe that the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in postmenopausal women is rooted in the "deficient qi" caused by depletion of liver and kidney essence and blood. The imbalance between the physical and functional aspects of the liver due to this "deficient qi" is the primary factor, while the "stagnation" of phlegm and blood stasis is the manifestation. Furthermore, the "deficient qi" and "stagnation" reinforce each other, with the deficiency leading to stagnation and stagnation exacerbating the deficiency, thus accelerating the progression of the disease. The treatment approach should be one that combines nourishing deficiency and resolving stagnation, addressing both root cause and maifestations. Given the female characteristic of "the liver as the innate organ" and the post-menopausal physiological state of "gradual decline of kidney essence", it is important to focus on nourishing the liver and kidneys, nurturing the liver′s physical body while maintaining its function, and also promoting the circulation of qi, resolving phlegm, and invigorating blood circulation to remove blood stasis. This approach aims to reduce the accumulation of lipids in the liver, offering a new perspective and approach for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in post-menopausal women with traditional Chinese medicine.

The clinical data, laboratory test, and gene mutations were collected from a family with pseudohypoaldosteronism type II(PHA2). The proband, aged 1 year and 7 months, presented with hyperkalemia(6.69 mmol/L; reference range 3.5-5.3 mmol/L), blood pressure of 110/68 mmHg(normal<106/61 mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), blood chloride of 111.5 mmol/L(reference 99-110 mmol/L), blood HCO 3- of 17.1 mmol/L(reference 22-29 mmol/L), estimated glomerular filtration rate of 128.5 mL·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1[>90 mL·min -1·(1.73 m 2) -1], and blood renin concentration of 0.30 μIU/mL(reference 4.2-45.6 μIU/mL). The mother and maternal grandfather also exhibited normal renal function with hyperkalemia, hypertension, hyperchloremia, metabolic acidosis, and low renin. Genetic testing revealed a heterozygous missense mutation(c.1685A>G, p. E562G) in exon 7 of the no-lysine kinase 4(WNK4) gene. Treatment with hydrochlorothiazide was effective. Literature review comparing this E562G pedigree with other WNK4 variants suggested clinical heterogeneity of WNK4 mutations. For unexplained hyperkalemia, especially with concurrent hypertension, PHA2 should be considered early for genetic screening to prevent misdiagnosis or delayed diagnosis.

Objective:To explore the status of medical students' sense of school belonging and its relationship with depression and anxiety symptoms in the context of COVID-19 prevention and control.Methods:An online questionnaire survey was conducted among 1 629 full-time students from 8 medical universities. The 18-item psychological sense of school membership scale (PSSM-18), 9-item patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), and 7-item generalized anxiety disorder scale (GAD-7) were used as measurements. Spearman correlation coefficients were used to analyze the correlations between PSSM-18, PHQ-9, and GAD-7 scores. Logistic regressions were used to analyze the impact of lack of school belonging on depression and anxiety symptoms.Results:The mean score of school belonging was (77.31±14.12), and the detection rates of depression and anxiety symptoms were 25.97% (423/1 629) and 21.92% (357/1 629), respectively. PSSM-18 score was negatively correlated with PHQ-9 scores ( r=-0.52, P<0.001) and GAD-7 scores ( r= -0.49, P < 0.001). After adjusting for covariates, students with low school belongingness had 4.33 times the risk of depression symptoms ( OR=4.33, 95%CI=2.48-7.43) and 5.85 times the risk of anxiety symptoms ( OR= 5.85, 95%CI=3.76-8.15) compared to students with high school belongingness. Conclusion:Lack of school belonging increases the risk of depression and anxiety symptoms. Under the normalization of COVID-19 prevention and control, the school should strengthen health education and support services to improve the students' sense of belonging and alleviate their mental health problems.

Objective:To explore any effect of following an individualized exercise program on the cardio-pulmonary health of elderly persons with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods:A total of 120 elderly COPD patients were randomly divided into an experimental group and a control group, each of 60. Both groups were given medication and routine rehabilitation treatment for 3 months, but the experimental group also followed an individualized exercise program based on the cardiopulmonary exercise test. Before and after the treatment, Borg scoring was used to assess the subjects′ degree of dyspnea. Forced expiratory volume (FEV 1), forced vital capacity (FVC), maximum oxygen uptake (VO 2max), anaerobic threshold (AT), heart rate (HR) and a heart index (CI) were also recorded. The 6-minute walk test (6 MWD) was administered to evaluate the rehabilitation effect. Results:There were no significant differences in the average Borg scores, cardiopulmonary function indexes or 6MWD distances between the two groups before treatment. After the treatment significant improvement was observed in all of the measurements in both groups, but at that point all of the experimental group′s averages were better than those of the control group.Conclusion:Individualized exercise based on the cardiopulmonary exercise test can alleviate the symptoms of dyspnea in elderly COPD patients, improve their cardiopulmonary functioning and exercise endurance and improve the rehabilitation effect.

OBJECTIVE To study the protective effects of ligustrazine-scutellarein twin drug ST-11 on rat adrenal medullary pheochromocytoma PC12 cell injury induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion （OGD/R） and its mechanism. METHODS PC12 cells were divided into blank group， model group， nimodipine group （positive control， 5 μmol/L） and different concentration groups of ST-11 （5， 10， 20 μmol/L）. After 24 hours of pre-administration intervention， all the other groups except the blank group were cultured in glucose-free DMEM culture medium containing 10 mmol/L Na2S2O4 for 4 hours with glucose deficiency and hypoxia. After 4 hours of glucose and oxygen re-introduction， the survival rate of cells in each group， the contents of lactate dehydrogenase （LDH）， catalase （CAT）， glutathione （GSH）， malondialdehyde （MDA） and superoxide dismutase （SOD） in cell supernatant， apoptosis rate， the levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS） and mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP）， the protein expressions of B-cell lymphoma 2 related X protein （Bax）， B-cell lymphoma 2 （Bcl-2） and caspase-3 were all detected in each group. RESULTS Compared with blank group， the cell survival rate， the contents of CAT， GSH and SOD in cell supernatant， MMP level， relative expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2/Bax ratio in model group decreased significantly （P＜0.05）， while the contents of LDH and MDA， ROS level， apoptosis rate， relative expressions of Bax and caspase-3 were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group， above indexes of ST-11 groups （except for the protein expression of caspase-3 in 5 μmol/L ST-11 group） were reversed signifi-cantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ST-11 has a certain protec-tive effect on OGD/R-injured PC12 cells， and its effects may be related to reduction of oxidative stress and inhibition of cell apoptosis.

OBJECTIVE To investigat e the effects of water extract （WCS）and ethanol extract （ECS）from the root of Caragana sinica on hyperuricemia （HUA）in mice. METHODS Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal control group ， model group ，allopurinol group （positive control ，5 mg/kg），benzbromarone group （positive control ，7.8 mg/kg），WCS low-dose ， medium-dose and high-dose groups （38，75，150 mg/kg），ECS low-dose ，medium-dose and high-dose groups （50，100，200 mg/kg）， with 10 mice in each group. Except for the normal control group ，the other mice were given potassium oxazinate intraperitoneally and hypoxanthine intragastrically for consecutive 7 d to establish HUA model. On the third day of modeling ，mice in each administration group were given corresponding drugs intragastrically ，and normal control group and model group were given equal volume of normal saline once a day for 5 consecutive days.The body weight of mice were weighted during administration ；one hour after the last administration ，the organ indexes of liver ，kidney and spleen were calculated ；the contents of serum uric acid （SUA）， blood urea nitrogen （BUN）and serum creatinine （SCR）；the activity of xanthine oxidase （XOD）in serum and liver tissue were determined. Relative mRNA and protein expressions of XOD in liver tissue ，relative expre ssions of GLUT9，URAT1 and OAT 1 in renal tissue were all detected ；and the pathological changes of renal tissue were observed. RESULTS There were no significant differences in liver index and spleen index in each group （P＞0.05）. Compared with normal control group ， except for allopurinol group ， there were no significant differences in the body weight and the contents of BUN and SCR in mice of other administration groups （P＞0.05）；the renal index and SUA content of mice in the m odel group and allopurinol group were significantly increased （P＜0.05）；in the model group ，the XOD activity in serum and liver tissue ，the relative mRNA and protein expression of XOD in liver tissue ，the relative expressions of GLUT 9 and URAT 1 protein in renal tissue were significantly increased （P＜0.05），and the relative expression of OAT 1 protein in renal tissue was significantly decreased （P＜ 0.05）. Compared with model group ，renal indexes of mice were decreased significantly in WCS and ECS groups （P＜0.05），and the pathological damage of renal tissue was significantly improved ；SUA content ，XOD activity in serum and liver tissue ，the relative mRNA and protein expression of XOD in liver tissue ，and the relative expression of URAT 1 protein in renal tissue were decreased significantly in administration groups （P＜0.05）. The relative expression of GLUT 9 protein in renal tissue of mice in benzbromarone group and ECS high-dose group decreased significantly （P＜0.05）；relative expression of OAT 1 protein in renal tissue of mice in benzbromarone group ，WCS low-dose and high-dose groups ，ECS low-dose group were increased significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS WCS and ECS can significantly decrease the contents of SUA in HUA model mice ，and improve pathological state of renal tissue ，the mechanism of which may be associated with inhibiting XOD activity and uric acid reabsorption，and down-regulating protein and mRNA expression of XOD.

OBJECTIV E To investigate the effect s and mechanism of the ethanol extract of Tiarella polyphylla （“TPE”）on learning and memory impairment in mice. METHODS Male Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal group ，model group，positive group （donepezil hydrochloride 4 mg/kg）and TPE low-dose ，medium-dose and high-dose groups （150，300，600 mg/kg），with 10 mice in each group. Drug administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically once a day ，and normal group and model group were given water intragastrically once a day ，for consecutive 22 d. On the 17th day ，administration groups and model group were intraperitoneally injected with scopolamine hydrobromide （3 mg/kg）to establish a model of learning and memory impairment. The learning and memory ability of the mice were evaluated by the Morris water maze. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used for morphological observation of hippocampus cells of the mice. The levels of acetylcholinesterase （AChE），choline acetyltransferase （ChAT），superoxide dismutase （SOD），malondialdehyde（MDA），interleukin-6（IL-6）and tumor necrosis factor-α（TNF-α）in cerebral tissue as well as the relative expression of phosphorylated Tau protein （p-Tau），β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1（BACE1）and amyloid precursor protein （APP）in hippocampus tissue were all detected. RESULTS The escape latency of mice in positive group ，TPE medium-dose and high-dose groups were all significantly shortened than the model group on the 4th to 5th day of training ，while the times of crossing platform and the percentage of movement distance in target quadrant were significantly increased （P＜0.05）. Compared with model group ，the neurons in the hippocampal CA 1 region of mice were increased to var ying degrees in administration groups ，the ne urons in solidified and atrophic state decreased ，and the arrangement of neurons tended to be close；the levels of ChAT and SOD in cerebral tissue were significantly increased in positive group and TPE medium-dose and high-dose groups ；the levels of AChE ，MDA，IL-6，the levels of TNF-α and relative expression of p-Tau ，BACE1 and APP in hippocampus tissue were decreased significantly （P＜ 0.05）. CONCLUSIONS TPE can improve the learning and memory impairment induced by scopolamine in mice ，and the mechanism may be related to balancing the brain cholinergic system ，alleviating oxidative stress injury ，improving inflammatory response，and inhibiting the overexpression of p-Tau ，BACE1 and APP .