Objective: To investigate the effect of NaCl stress on growth and physiological-biochemical characteristics of Stellaria dichotoma amdits mechanism. Methods: In this study, one-year-old S. dichotoma was cultivated in pot at four NaCl levels (0.2%, 0.3%, 0.4%, and 0.5%) and the plant growth parameters and physiological-biochemical characteristics were determined. Results: NaCl stress had no significant effect on S. dichotoma growth at 0.3% NaCl. However, NaCl stress significantly inhibited the growth of S. dichotoma at 0.4% NaCl or above, and this inhibition was greater at higher concentration. The activities of SOD, POD, and CAT increased first and then decreased as NaCl concentration increased; The content of MDA and proline significantly increased as NaCl concentration increased, while membrane permeability and soluble protein content significantly decreased as NaCl concentration increased. Conclusion: S. dichotoma has osmotic stress resistance ability and reactive oxygen scavenging capacity at light NaCl stress, which causes S. dichotoma growth no inhibited at a certain extent NaCl stress.

The application of tooth whitening technology in oral clinical diagnosis and treatment is becoming increasing widespread. Non-invasive tooth whitening based on bleaching technology has become the choice of many patients with tooth discoloration because of its unique advantage of not destroying the hard tissue of the tooth. The whitening effects differ according to the causes and degrees of tooth discoloration The effect of bleaching on tetracycline teeth is not as good as that of fluorosis teeth. The bleaching effect of hydrogen peroxide bleaching agents is similar to that of urea peroxide bleaching agents with the same concentration of hydrogen peroxide. The addition of non-peroxide agents such as bromelain to peroxide bleaching agents can improve the whitening effect on teeth. The whitening effect of a high-concentration bleaching agent can be achieved by using a low-concentration bleaching agent for a prolonged the working time. The effect of pH on tooth whitening is still controversial; the combination of lasers and traditional peroxide bleaching agents can effectively improve the whitening effect of teeth. The combination of enamel micro-grinding and peroxide tooth bleaching agents can improve the whitening effect in cases of dental fluorosis. This review analyzes the causes of tooth staining, the properties of bleaching agents, the application of laser microgrinding and the changes in tooth tissue after bleaching to discuss the influencing factors of the non-invasive tooth whitening effect mainly based on bleaching techniques.

Background Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) is the highest consumed and the most widely used phthalic acid ester, their effects on lipid metabolism have attracted the attention of many scholars. However, the associated mechanism is still unclear. Objective To observe the effect of DEHP on lipid metabolism in rats, probe its possible mechanism, and provide a research basis for the effect of DEHP on human lipid metabolism. Methods Forty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: solvent control (0 mg·kg⁻¹ DEHP), low DEHP (187 mg·kg⁻¹), medium DEHP (375 mg·kg⁻¹), and high DEHP (750 mg·kg⁻¹) groups. DEHP was administered by oral gavage for 6 d per week, consecutively 8 weeks. The rats were weighed once a week during the exposure period. At 24 h after the last exposure, the rats were anesthetized with 20% urethane and sacrificed by apical puncture. Rat livers were harvested and weighed before hematoxylin-eosin (HE) histopathological observation. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to detect the mRNA levels of lipid metabolism-related genes Janus kinase 3 (JAK3), signal transducer and activator of transcription 5b (STAT5b), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) in liver, and Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of lipid metabolism-related proteins JAK3, STAT5b, and PPARγ in liver. Results Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference in the body weight gain of the rats in each group (P>0.05). The liver organ coefficients of the DEHP exposure groups were higher than that of the control group (P<0.001), and increased with higher DEHP dosages. The level of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in serum decreased in all DEHP exposure groups (P<0.05), and the level of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in serum increased in the high DEHP group (P<0.05). The results of liver histopathological morphology showed that the hepatocytes of each DEHP group were enlarged and edematous in varying degrees, with loose stroma and irregular arrangement of cells, which were manifested as inflammatory cell infiltration and fatty degeneration of liver cells. Compared to the control group, the mRNA levels of JAK3, STAT5b, and PPARγ in liver tissues of rats in each DEHP group decreased (P<0.001). Compared to the control group, the relative expression levels of JAK3 in each DEHP group decreased (P<0.05), and the relative expression levels of STAT5b and PPARγ in the medium and high DEHP groups decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion DEHP exposure can induce abnormal lipid metabolism in rats, and the mechanism may be related to DEHP inhibiting the activation of JAK3/STAT5b/PPARγ signaling pathway.

Objective To detect the change of CD47 on T-lymphocyte subsets marked by CD3 + CD4+ and CD3+ CD8+ in the acute graft versus host disease (aGVHD) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) and to explore its clinical significance.Methods The peripheral blood of 30 patients was collected before and every two weeks from hematopoietic reconstitution after allo-HSCT.The expression of CD47 on T-lymphocyte subsets marked by CD3+ CD4+ and CD3+ CD8+ was detected by flow cytometry,and the relationship between their expression and the occurrence of aGVHD was analyzed.Results The percentage of CD3+ CD4+-and CD3+ CD8+-marked T-lymphocyte subsets showed no statistically significant difference between aGVHD group and non-aGVHDgroup [(38.95 ± 6.18)％ vs.(37.38 ± 4.6)％,and (22.35 ± 3.32)％ vs.(20.34 ±4.56) ％,respectively] (P＞0.05).The expression levels of CD47 on T-lymphocyte subsets marked by CD3+ CD4+ and CD3+ CD8+ was obviously increased in aGVHD group when compared to before transplantation and non-aGVHD group after transplantation,and that had no changes in non-aGVHD group when compared to before conditioning regimen after transplantation.Mean fluorescence intensity of CD47 on T-lymphocyte subsets marked by CD3+ CD4+ and CD3+ CD8+ [(93.70 ± 14.88) and (70.09 ± 12.51)] in aGVHD group significantly increased as compared with non-aGVHD group [(71.27-± 11.32) and (53.93 ± 8.35)] (P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the expression of CD47 on T-lymphocyte subsets marked by CD3+ CD4+ and CD3+ CD8+ before and after transplantation in non-aGVHD group (P＞0.05).Moreover the expression of CD47 on T-lymphocyte subsets marked by CD3 + CD4 + and CD3 + CD8 + changed correspondingly with the outcome of aGVHD in aGVHD group.Conclusion The change of CD47 on T-lymphocyte subsets marked by CD3+ CD4+ andCD3+ CD8+ is valuable to monitor the aGVHD after allo-HSCT,which may provide a new means for the early detection of aGVHD.

Objective:To investigate the effect of intervention on oral health of pre-pregnancy women before and after oral health education. Methods:A total of 40 pre-pregnancy women were selected from the Reproductive Medicine Center of General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University according to the inclusion criteria， general conditions， clinical evaluation of plaque and oral health education. Their oral health conditions were evaluated before and after oral health intervention. Results:Based on the oral health status survey， there were significant differences between before and after intervention （all P<0.001） in the following five items： “bleeding from brushing teeth”， “difficulty biting or chewing food”， “sensitivity of teeth or gums to cold， hot， or sweet stimuli”， "restriction of the type and amount of food eaten for dental reasons” and “medication for oral pain or discomfort”. There were significant differences between before and after intervention （all P<0.001） in four items of oral health care behavior including “How often do you brush your teeth？”， “How do you brush your teeth？”， “gargle after meals”， and “floss use or not” but showed no significant difference in toothbrush replacement （P=0.467）. There were significant differences （all P<0.001） in five items of oral health knowledge including “periodontal disease can lead to premature delivery of newborns”， “periodontal disease can lead to low birth weight of newborns”， “need oral examination before pregnancy”， “pregnancy prone to oral diseases”， “mid-pregnancy is the best period for the treatment of oral diseases”. The oral plaque index before intervention was 5.47±1.08 and reduced to 4.37±0.94 after intervention （t=7.93， P=0.001）. Conclusion:Through education intervention， the oral health status of pre-pregnancy women can be improved. The knowledge of oral health can be improved and the level of oral health care can be enhanced. Oral health intervention can effectively reduce the level of plaque in pre-pregnancy women and improve the efficiency of plaque clearance.

Background The contribution of long-term ambient PM_2.5 exposure to hypertension should not be ignored. However, the conclusions of whether dietary factors play a role in regulating PM_2.5-related hypertension are still inconsistent. Objective To explore the correlation between long-term exposure to ambient PM_2.5 and blood pressure indicators (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and pulse pressure) in adults in Ningxia and a potential moderating effect of dietary factors. Methods A set of cross-sectional survey data from March, 2013 to May, 2018 was retrieved from the China Northwest Cohort-Ningxia, and the average ambient PM_2.5 concentration in the previous three years was also collected to estimate the long-term exposure of the participants. Binary logistic regression model was used to validate the correlation between long-term exposure to ambient PM_2.5 and hypertension in Ningxia, and linear model was used to study the correlation between long-term exposure to ambient PM_2.5 and blood pressure indicators (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure), and to explore the influence of dietary factors on ambient PM_2.5-related hypertension. Results A total of 11470 participants were included in the study, 42.2% male and 57.8% female. The three-year average ambient PM_2.5 concentration before the baseline survey was 37.0 μg·m⁻³. Each 1 μg·m⁻³ increase in ambient PM_2.5 was associated with an increased risk of hypertension (OR=1.111, 95%CI: 1.097, 1.125), and increased systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure, and pulse pressure by 0.886 (95%CI: 0.783, 0.990), 0.570 (95%CI: 0.500, 0.641), 0.676 (95%CI: 0.600, 0.751), and 0.316 (95%CI: 0.243, 0.389) mmHg, respectively. The stratified analysis showed that the OR and 95%CI of hypertension were 1.171 (1.097, 1.254), 1.117 (1.064, 1.174), and 1.160 (1.116, 1.207) respectively for each 1 μg·m⁻³ increased in PM_2.5 with low frequency of vegetable and fruit consumption and salty taste respectively. The OR and 95%CI of hypertension were decreased when the moderate and high frequency of vegetable and fruit intake and moderate and light taste applied, the values were 1.091 (1.062, 1.121) and 1.114 (1.097, 1.131), 1.105 (1.082, 1.129) and 1.111 (1.092, 1.13), 1.115 (1.090, 1.140) and 1.102 (1.083, 1.121) respectively. Compared with low frequency of vegetable and fruit intake and salty taste, the increase degree of ambient PM_2.5 related systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, mean arterial pressure and pulse pressure also decreased in middle and high frequency of vegetable and fruit intake and moderate and light taste. Conclusion Long-term exposure to ambient PM_2.5 is significantly associated with increased risks of hypertension and blood pressure in Ningxia area. Increasing the frequency of vegetable and fruit intake and decreasing salty taste may reduce the effect of ambient PM_2.5 on hypertension and blood pressure.

AIM:To evaluate the changes in corneal biomechanics of patients with moderate refractive error after receiving small-incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)and femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK)using the corneal visualization Scheimpflug technology(Corvis ST).METHODS:Prospective cohort study. A total of 65 moderate myopia patients(65 eyes)who were scheduled to undergo refractive surgery at the Ophthalmic Refractive Surgery Center of the Ningxia Eye Hospital from November 2020 to November 2021 were included in the study, and there were 30 eyes in the SMILE group and 35 eyes in the FS-LASIK group. The changes in corneal biomechanical parameters, including integrated radius(IR), inverse concave radius(ICR), deformation amplitude ratio 2mm(DAR2), stiffness parameter at first applanation(SP-A1), ambrosio relational thickness(ARTh)and the central curvature radius at highest concavity(HC-Radius)were observed by Corvis ST between both groups preoperatively and 1 and 3mo postoperatively.RESULTS: There were no statistical significance in biomechanical parameters between two groups of patients 1 and 3mo postoperatively(P>0.05). IR, ICR and DAR2 of each groups of patients 1 and 3mo postoperatively were significantly increased than those preoperatively, and SP-A1, ARTh and HC-Radius were significantly decreased than those preoperatively(all P<0.05). The biomechanical parameters at 1mo and 3mo postoperatively showed no statistical significance(P>0.05). In addition, a positive correlation was found between central corneal thickness(CCT)and ARTh and SP-A1 of the two groups of patients at 3mo postoperatively(FS-LASIK group: r=0.727, 0.819, SMLIE group: r=0.683, 0.434, all P<0.05), while a negative correlation was found between CCT and IR and ICR at 3mo postoperatively.(FS-LASIK group: r=-0.697, -0.622, SMLIE group: r=-0.447, -0.491, all P<0.05).CONCLUSION:For patients with moderate myopia, both SMILE and FS-LASIK can reduce corneal biomechanical stability. Both surgeries showed no significant differences in the effect on biomechanical, and the biomechanical has been stabilized at 1mo postoperatively. A correlation was found between postoperative CCT and ARTh, SP-A1, IR and ICR.

Background 2,4-Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) is widely used as a broad-leaved herbicide and plant growth regulator. Related studies have shown that 2,4-D has neurotoxicity, ability to disrupt endocrine function, genotoxicity, carcinogenicity, and reproductive toxicity. Objective This experiment is conducted to investigate the effect of 2,4-D exposure on reproductive system of female rats, and to preliminarily explore the potential ameliorative effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) and its possible mechanism. Methods Twenty-four SPF female SD rats with six rats in each group were randomly divided into a blank control group (deionized water 1 mL·d⁻¹), an exposure group (75 mg·kg⁻¹ 2,4-D), an LBP control group (50 mg·kg⁻¹ LBP), and an LBP intervention group (75 mg·kg⁻¹ 2,4-D + 50 mg·kg⁻¹ LBP). The rats were given intragastric administration once a day for 28 consecutive days. Body weight was measured every two days. After exposure, ovary and uterus were weighed and organ coefficients were calculated; the pathological changes of ovary and uterus were detected by hematoxylin-eosin staining (HE); the level of estradiol (E2) in serum was detected by ELISA; the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), and malondialdehyde (MDA) in serum were measured by corresponding kits; the apoptosis of ovarian and uterine cells was detected by TUNEL fluorescence staining; and the protein expression levels of Fas, FasL, FADD, Pro-Caspase-8, Cleaved-Caspase-8, Pro-Caspase-3, and Cleaved-Caspase-3 in ovarian tissues were detected by Western blotting. Results Compared with the blank control group, the ovarian structure of the exposure group was abnormal, the number of follicles at different developmental stages decreased, morphological changes were observed, and the number of atretic follicles increased; the endometrium was incomplete, with different degrees of nuclear pseudostratification and decreased number of glands in lamina propria. Compared with the exposure group, the ovarian structure of the LBP intervention group was complete, and the follicles at different developmental stages increased in amount, remained intact, and were arranged closely; the uterine structure was relatively intact, showing decreased endometrial loss and nuclear pseudostratification. There were significant differences in the levels of SOD, GSH-Px, E2, and MDA among the four groups (F=86.1, 26.2, 43.3, and 22.3, all P<0.01). Compared with the blank control group, the levels of serum SOD, GSH-Px, and E2 decreased in the exposure group (P<0.01), while the concentration of MDA increased (P<0.01). Compared with the exposure group, the levels of serum SOD, GSH-Px, and E2 in the LBP intervention group increased (P<0.01), and the concentration of MDA decreased (P<0.01). There were significant differences in the apoptosis rates of ovarian and uterine cells among the four groups (F=64.8, 55.5, both P<0.01). Compared with the blank control group, the apoptosis rates of ovarian and uterine cells increased in the exposure group (P<0.01). Compared with the exposure group, the apoptosis rates of ovarian and uterine cells decreased in the LBP intervention group (P<0.01). There were significant differences in the expression levels of death receptor pathway-related proteins in ovarian tissues among the four groups (all P<0.05). Compared with the blank control group, the expression levels of Fas, FasL, FADD, Pro-Caspase-8, Cleaved-Caspase-8, Pro-caspase-3, and Cleaved-Caspase-3 were increased in the exposure group (P<0.05 or 0.01). Compared with the exposure group, the expression levels of above proteins were decreased in the LBP intervention group (P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusion The study findings reveal that 2,4-D can induce oxidative stress and further mediate Fas-FasL pathway to induce apoptosis, resulting in reproductive system damage in female rats. LBP can reduce the oxidative stress level, down-regulate the expression of Fas-FasL pathway-related proteins, and reduce the apoptosis of germ cells, therefore protecting reproductive system of female rats.

AIM: To observe the efficacy of two conbercept regimens in the treatment of polypoid choroidal angiopathy.

METHODS: Twenty-one patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy who met the inclusion criteria and were treated in our hospital were randomly divided into two groups. The group A(9 patients and 9 eyes)was treated with 3+Q12W scheme, namely, 0.5mg conbercept ophthalmic injection was intravitreally injected every 4wk for 3 consecutive times, and then 1 time every 12wk. In the group B(12 patients and 12 eyes), 3+TAE scheme was carried out, that is 0.5mg conbercept ophthalmic injection was intravitreally injected every 4wks for 3 consecutive times. The time of next injection was determined according to the evaluation results of each visit. The interval to the next visit/treatment was ≥ 4wk and ≤ 12wk. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central retinal thickness(CRT)and the frequency of injection were compared between the two groups at 12 and 48wk after treatment, respectively.

RESULTS: BCVA of the group A was 74.78±11.23 letters and 74.67±13.94 letters at 12 and 48wk after treatment, which increased by 7.00±4.21 letters and 6.89±4.48 letters at the baseline before treatment, respectively. BCVA in the group B was 77.83±5.46 letters and 77.58±8.59 letters respectively at 12 and 48wk after treatment, which were 8.75±7.54 letters and 8.50±5.60 letters higher than the baseline before treatment. At the 12 and 48wk after injection, the average CRT in the group A was 276.33±44.34μm and 240.56±40.11μm, respectively, which were 43.22±42.21μm and 79.00±53.64μm lower than the baseline before treatment. At the 12 and 48wk after injection, the average CRT in the group B was 271.58±63.08μm and 241.00±43.91 μm, which were 57.42±45.33μm and 88.00±61.16μm lower than the baseline before treatment, respectively. The average times of intravitreal injection of conbercept were 6.00±0.00 and 7.75±1.14 times in the 3+Q12W group and the 3+TAE group, respectively.

CONCLUSION: Two different regimens of conbercept could reduce the CRT and improve the visual acuity of the patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy. And the times of intravitreal injection in the 3+Q12W administration group were less than those in the3+TAE administration group.

The normal hematopoiesis of the body are depends on the proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic stem/progenitor cell (HSPC), as well as the mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) that support the growth and development of hematopoietic microenvironment of bone marrow (BM). At present, the commonly used MSC for promoting hematopoiesis are mainly derived from BM, however, the acquisition of MSC from BM is limited by the number, sampling, isolation and purification. Compared with BM, adipose tissue has many advantages, including widely distributed, abundant in source, simple and easy to obtain, and contains more pluripotent stem cell, such as adipose tissue-derived stem cell (ADSC), in which Perivascular cell/pericyte (PC) are considered as the precursor cell of MSC, also is the main components of vascular microenvironment, and plays an important role in the proliferation and differentiation of HSPC. PC is especially abundant in adipose tissue, and with the advantages of easy acquisition, small damage, fast cell proliferation and low immunogenicity. Therefore, the sustaining hematopoiess of human adipose derived-perivascular stem cell (AD-PC) to HSPC requires further research and exploration. In this review, the possible supporting effects and PC subgroup of ADSC as stromal cell on HSPC are summarized briefly.
Adipose Tissue ; Bone Marrow Cells ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells