BACKGROUND:Endothelial progenitor cells can be used to repair vascular injuries and predict severity of early vascular injuries. These biological characteristics have been recommended to the research of aneurysm, which provide new ideas for studying the occurrence, expansion and early staging diagnosis of aneurysm.
OBJECTIVE:To elaborate the effects of endothelial progenitor cells on the aneurysm in the clinical trials based on the biological characteristics of endothelial progenitor cells, including proliferation, migration, adherence and senescence.
METHODS:A computer-based search of Wanfang, CNKI, Springer, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Ovid was performed using the keywords of“endothelial progenitor cells, precursor cell, aneurysm, stem cel”. Irrelevant and repetitive articles were excluded, and the result analysis was conducted.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Aneurysms patients display decreased endothelial progenitor cells in the peripheral circulating blood accompanied by functional impairment. After aneurysm-related treatment, the number of endothelial progenitor cells can increase. Application of endothelial progenitor cells can early predict occurrence, development, and rupture of aneurysms, which is also a therapeutic method to prevent aneurysms. How endothelial progenitor cells are used clinical y to prevent occurrence and development of aneurysms is a serious problem to be solved.

Objective The aim of the study was to investigate the diabetic neuro-degeneration and its changes in neuroreaction to myocardial ischemia and reperfusion,by evaluation of the altera-tion of noxious thermal threshold and expression of substance P (SP),calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP)in dorsal root ganglia in upper thoracic segments (T1-5 )in diabetic rats.Methods Thirty two male Sprague-Dawley rats,weighing 180-200g,were randomly divided into control group (group C)and diabetic group (group DM),1 6 rats in each group.rats in DM group were fed with high sug-ar-fat diet for 14 weeks and were given streptozotocin (STZ,35 mg/mg,i.p.)at the end of the 4 th week,to set up diabetes experimental model.The animals in control group were fed with standard la-boratory diet.Tail flick latency to thermal stimulation was measured weekly.At the end of 10 weeks after administration of STZ,diabetic rats (and rats in control group)were further divided into myo-cardial ischemia-reperfusion group (group IR)and sham operation group (group Sham).The left an-terior descending branch of coronary artery was occluded for 30 min followed by reperfusion for 120 min,establishing myocardial ischemia-reperfusion.The histological immunofluorescence assay and Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA)were carried out to evaluate the changes of the expres-sions of CGRP and SP in the dorsal root ganglia.Results The tail flick latency was significantly in-creased in group DM,compared to the group C (P < 0.01).The immunoreactive materials for CGRP and SP in the sensory neurons in dorsal root ganglia of upper thoracic segments (T1-5 )were markedly declined in group DM (P <0.01 or P < 0.05).Furthermore,levels of SP and CGRP were signifi-cantly lower in the DRG of the group IR after myocardial ischemia-reperfusion,compared to that in the group sham (P <0.01).Conclusion Diabetes causes sensory denervation and obvious reduction of expression of SP and CGRP in the sensory neuron innervating heart during myocardial ischemia-reper-fusion,indicating impairment of adaptive reactivity of neuro-endocrine function of cardiac sensory nerves.

Objective: To provide standardized alternative answers with the feature of equal intervals in the quality of life assessment.Methods:We collected 131 questionnaires (123 for psychological test and 8 for quality of life assessment). The SPSS 10.0 was used to analyze the frequency distribution of the alternative answers used in these questionnaires.Results:The most commonly used design for alternative answers is five levels, which comprises 31.68% of the total designs, followed by four levels (21.99%) and three levels (13.35%). The words used in the alternative answer show great diversities.Conclusion:We recommend that the alternative answers be designed as five levels, it is better to apply commonly used words in the alternative answer and have a feature of equal interval.

Objective:To investigate the differential expression of four-jointed box kinase 1 (FJX1) gene in colorectal cancer and its relationship with prognosis and the related mechanisms.Methods:On July 16, 2021, the transcriptome data and clinical data of colorectal cancer were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to analyze the expressions of FJX1 mRNA in colorectal cancer tissues and paracancerous tissues, and the relationship between FJX1 mRNA and clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of patients. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn to evaluate the value of FJX1 mRNA in predicting the survival of patients with colorectal cancer. Cox proportional hazards model was used to evaluate whether FJX1 mRNA was an independent influencing factor for prognosis of colorectal cancer. The overall survival (OS) time and survival status of colorectal cancer patients were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database, and the relationship between FJX1 mRNA and prognosis of patients was analyzed. The methylation data of colorectal cancer was downloaded from the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC xena) database to determine the degree of methylation at each site of FJX1 mRNA and the correlation between the expression of FJX1 mRNA and the degree of methylation at each site. Signaling pathways associated with FJX1 mRNA in colorectal cancer were analyzed by using the Gene Set Enrichment Analysis (GSEA) (4.1.0). The correlation between FJX1 mRNA and tumor-infiltrating immune cells was investigated by using the Tumor Immunity Evaluation Resource (TIMER) database. Spearman analysis and small molecule/drug sensitivity analysis were used to explore the correlation between FJX1 mRNA expression and drug sensitivity.Results:In the transcriptome data of 612 colorectal cancer cases in TCGA database, the expression of FJX1 mRNA in colorectal cancer tissues was higher than that in the paracancerous tissues ( P < 0.001). In 549 colorectal cancer patients with complete data, FJX1 mRNA expression was correlated with M stage ( P = 0.007), pathological stage (stage Ⅳ vs. stage Ⅰ, P = 0.016; stage Ⅳ vs. stage Ⅱ, P = 0.03; stage Ⅳ vs. stage Ⅲ, P = 0.012), but it was not correlated with age, gender, T stage and N stage (all P > 0.05). In TCGA database and GEO database, the patients were divided into high expression group and low expression group according to the median expression of FJX1 mRNA. The OS in FJX1 mRNA high expression group was worse than that in low expression group (all P<0.05). The ROC curve of FJX1 mRNA expression on the 1-, 3-, and 5-year OS rates of colorectal cancer patients was drawn by using the data in TCGA database, and the areas under the curve (AUC) were 0.595, 0.625 and 0.764, respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that age ( HR = 1.050, 95% CI 1.028-1.073, P < 0.001), T stage ( HR = 1.787, 95% CI 1.090-2.927, P = 0.021) and high FJX1 mRNA expression ( HR = 1.160, 95% CI 1.049-1.282, P = 0.004) were independent influencing factors for poor OS in colorectal cancer. The gene set enrichment analysis found that FJX1 mRNA was related to colorectal cancer, TGF-β signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, Wnt signaling pathway, etc. The expression of FJX1 mRNA in colon cancer was negatively correlated with the degree of methylation of FJX1 mRNA ( r = -0.16, P < 0.001), and the expression of FJX1 mRNA in rectal cancer was positively correlated with the degree of methylation of FJX1 mRNA ( r = 0.33, P < 0.001). The expression of FJX1 mRNA was related to the infiltration of resting memory CD4 + T cells, M0 macrophages and resting dendritic cells. FJX1 mRNA was significantly associated with the resistance of various chemotherapeutic drugs and tumor-targeted drugs such as methotrexate, 5-fluorouracil, gefitinib, etc. Conclusions:FJX1 mRNA may be a potential biomarker of colorectal cancer and is associated with the infiltration of immune cells.

Objective To investigate the balance control abilities and cortical activation characteristics of elderly individuals under different sensory strategies. Methods From January to May,2023,19 healthy young adults and 20 elderly individuals were recruited in Changzhou as control group and experimental group,respectively.Both groups wore functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS)caps and performed balance control tasks on a balance platform under three different sensory strategies.Test A was 40 seconds of standing on a stable surface with eyes closed,Test B was 40 seconds of standing on an unstable surface with eyes open,and Test C was 40 seconds of standing on an unstable surface with eyes closed.Before and after the tests,both groups performed 40 seconds of standing on a stable surface with eyes open.The overall stability index(OSI)and cortical activation β values of the regions of interest(ROI)were measured and compared between two groups.The ROIs included the left premotor cortex(LPMC),right premotor cortex(RPMC),left sensorimotor cortex(LSMC),right sensorimotor cortex(RSMC),left prefrontal cortex(LPFC)and right prefrontal cortex(RPFC). Results There was no significant difference in OSI and β values of each ROI in Tests A and B between two groups(P>0.05).In Test C,there was a lower OSI in the experimental group(Z=-2.056,P<0.05),and there were signifi-cant differences in the β values of RSMC(t=2.623,PFDR<0.05),LPMC(Z=-2.360,PFDR<0.05)and LPFC(t=3.202,PFDR<0.05)between two groups. Conclusion Elderly individuals experience a decline in balance control abilities,accompanied by increased activation in related brain regions,when both vision and proprioception are restricted.

Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of CD155 in oral squamous cell carci-noma(OSCC)tissues,as well as its impact on migration,proliferation and invasion.Methods Immunohisto-chemistry(IHC)was used to analyze the expression of CD155 in OSCC tissues and its correlation with clinicopath-ological features and prognosis.The transcription levels of CD155 were assessed by Western blot and RT-qPCR.Cell experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of CD155 on OSCC cells following transfection with CD155 siRNA.Results CD155 was predominantly expressed on the cell membrane in OSCC tissues,with higher expres-sion levels compared to normal tissues(x2=50.750,P＜0.000 1).High CD155 expression was associated withⅢ+Ⅳ disease stages(x2=25.488,P=0.001),poor differentiation(x2=6.299,P=0.012),T3+T4 depth of invasion(x2=23.820,P=0.001)and lymph node metastasis(x2=7.830,P=0.005)in OSCC patients;survival analysis revealed a correlation between high CD155 expression and shorter patient survival(P＜0.05).COX regression analysis identified lymph node metastasis as an independent factor affecting the survival of OSCC patients(P＜0.05).Both CD155 protein expression and mRNA transcription levels were significantly upregulated in OSCC cells(P＜0.05).Transfection with siRNA-CD155 in OSCC cells resulted in significantly reduced prolif-eration,migration and invasion abilities compared to the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion CD 155 is highly expressed in OSCC tissues and is associated with poor patient prognosis.Modulating CD155 expression can influ-ence the biological functions of OSCC cells,leading to and inhibition of proliferation,migration,and invasion.

Objective:To discuss the expressions of procollagen-lysine,2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 1(PLOD1)in oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)tissue and OSCC cells and its effect on the biological behavior of the OSCC cells,and to clarify the potential of PLOD1 as a prognostic biomarker for OSCC.Methods:The expression level of PLOD1 mRNA in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma(HNSC)tissue and its correlation with the survival of the HNSC patients were analyzed by Tumor Immune Estimation Resource(TIMER),Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis(GEPIA),and Kaplan-Meier Plotter databases.Immunohistochemistry method was used to detect the expression level of PLOD1 protein in 110 OSCC tissue and 64 adjacent tissue,and its association with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of the OSCC patients were analyzed;the diagnostic value of PLOD1 in OSCC was detected by area under the curve(AUC)of the receiver operating characteristic(ROC).The expression levels of PLOD1 mRNA and protein in the human normal oral epithelial HOK cells and OSCC SCC15 and CAL27 cells were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blotting methods.The small interfering RNA(siRNA)fragments were transfected into the SCC15 cells by liposome method and the cells were dividing into si-NC group(transfected with negative control si-NC)and si-PLOD1 group(transfected with si-PLOD1);the proliferation activities,scratch healing rates,and numbers of invasion cells in two groups were detected by CCK-8 method,wound healing assay,and Transwell chamber assay,respectively.Results:The public database analysis results showed that the expression level of PLOD1 mRNA in HNSC tissue was higher than that in adjacent tissue(P＜0.05);compared with low expression of PLOD1 group,the survival period of the HNSC patients in high expression of PLOD1 group was shorter(HR=1.41,P=0.018).The PLOD1 protein was mainly expressed in cytoplasm of the OSCC cells,and the expression intensity of PLOD1 in OSCC tissue was higher than that in adjacent tissue(P＜0.01),and it was related to T stage and TNM stage of the OSCC patients(P=0.021,P=0.004).The AUC of PLOD1 for diagnosing OSCC was 0.811,and the specificity was 63.64％and the sensitivity was 90.63％.The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis results showed that compared with low expression of PLOD1 group,the survival rate of the OSCC patients in high expression of PLOD1 group was decreased(P＜0.01).The COX regression analysis results showed that high expression of PLOD1 was an independent risk factor for the prognosis of OSCC(P=0.012).The expression levels of PLOD1 mRNA and protein in the OSCC cells were higher than those in HOK cells(P＜0.05).Compared with si-NC group,the proliferation activity and scratch healing rate of the cells in si-PLOD1 group were decreased(P＜0.05),and the number of invasion cells was decreased(P＜0.01).Conclusion:PLOD1 is highly expressed in the OSCC tissue and cells,and silencing of PLOD1 expression can inhibit the proliferation,migration,and invasion of the OSCC cells.PLOD1 may be a new therapeutic target and prognostic biomarker for OSCC.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the carrier rate of deafness-related genetic variants among 53 873 newborns from Zhengzhou. METHODS: Heel blood samples of the newborns were collected with informed consent from the parents, and 15 loci of 4 genes related to congenital deafness were detected by microarray. RESULTS: In total 2770 newborns were found to carry deafness-related variants, with a carrier rate of 5.142%. 1325 newborns (2.459%) were found to carry heterozygous variants of the GJB2 gene, 1071 (1.988%) were found with SLC26A4 gene variants, 205 were found with GJB3 gene variants (0.381%), and 120 were found with 12S rRNA variants (0.223%). Five newborns have carried homozygous GJB2 variants, two have carried homozygous SLC26A4 variants, five have carried compound heterozygous GJB2 variants, and four have carried compound heterozygous SLC26A4 variants. 33 neonates have carried heterozygous variants of two genes at the same time. CONCLUSION The carrier rate of deafness-related variants in Zhengzhou, in a declining order, is for GJB2, SLC26A4, GJB3 and 12S rRNA. The common variants included GJB2 235delC and SLC26A4 IVS7-2A>G, which are similar to other regions in China. To carry out genetic screening of neonatal deafness can help to identify congenital, delayed and drug-induced deafness, and initiate treatment and follow-up as early as possible.

OBJECTIVE： To establish a fluorescence identification method of the microscopic characteristics for Plantagin Semen and its adulterants， and to provide technical support for the market supervision and inspection of TCM decoction pieces. METHODS： Under visible and ultraviolet light， comparative study and identification of the Plantagin Semen （seeds of Platago asiatica L. and Platago depressa Willd.） and its adulterants as seeds of Platago major L.， fruits of Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq.， seeds of Codonopsis pilosula （Franch.） Nannf， seeds （peeled） of Kochia scoparia （L.） Schrad.， fruits of Bupleurum chinense DC. were carried out by means of stereoscopic fluorescence microscopy from aspects of overall surface characteristics， umbilicus characteristics and section characteristics. RESULTS： Under visible light， the surface texture of Plantagin Semen was wavy stripe or fine wrinkle， while the adulterants were wavy stripe， longitudinal edge or texture was not obvious. The umbilicus of Plantagin Semen was located in the center of the ventral surface， while that of adulterants were located at one end except for P. major. In the section of Plantagin Semen， there were obvious direct embryos， in which the adulterants were small or circular embryos except for P. major. Under ultraviolet light， P. asiatica had obvious wavy stripes in surface， orange and light blue-green fluorescence； P. depressa had grid-shaped wrinkles and gray-blue and gray-brown fluorescence； the umbilical fluorescence of Plantagin Semen was strong， and the fluorescence of the adulterants was weak except for S. tenuifolia. There were obvious differences in fluorescence color， embryo size and distribution between the section of Plantagin Semen and adulterants. CONCLUSIONS： The stereoscopic fluorescence microscopy is effect and accurate for the identification of Plantagin Semen.

8-prenylnaringenin (8-PN) is a potent estrogen with high medicinal values. It also serves as an important precursor for many prenylated flavonoids. Microbial synthesis of 8-PN is mainly hindered by the low catalytic activity of prenyltransferases (PTS) and insufficient supply of precursors. In this work, a SfN8DT-1 from Sophora flavescens was used to improve the efficiency of (2S)-naringenin prenylation. The predicted structure of SfN8DT-1 showed that its main body is comprised of 9 α-helices and 8 loops, along with a long side chain formed by nearly 120 amino acids. SfN8DT-1 mutants with different side-chain truncated were tested in Saccharomyces cerevisiae. A mutant expressing the truncated enzyme at K62 site, designated as SfND8T-1-t62, produced the highest 8-PN titer. Molecular docking of SfN8DT-1-t62 with (2S)-naringenin and dimethylallyl diphosphate (DMAPP) showed that K185 was a potentially crucial residue. Alanine scanning within a range of 0.5 nm around these two substrates showed that the mutant K185A may decrease its affinity to substrates, which also indicated K185 was a potentially critical residue. Besides, the mutant K185W enhanced the affinity to ligands implied by the simulated saturation mutation, while the saturated mutation of K185 showed a great decrease in 8-PN production, indicating K185 is vital for the activity of SfN8DT-1. Subsequently, overexpressing the key genes of Mevalonate (MVA) pathway further improved the titer of 8-PN to 31.31 mg/L, which indicated that DMAPP supply is also a limiting factor for 8-PN synthesis. Finally, 44.92 mg/L of 8-PN was produced in a 5 L bioreactor after 120 h, which is the highest 8-PN titer reported to date.
Dimethylallyltranstransferase/metabolism* ; Flavonoids/metabolism* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Prenylation ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae/metabolism* ; Sophora/metabolism*