BACKGROUND: In recent years, myocardial tissue engineering has developed rapidly. By using exogenous biomaterials to simulate extracellular matrix, damaged myocardial cells can be effectively repaired or reconstructed, which has great potential value in the treatment of ischemic heart diseases such as myocardial infarction. OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of myocardial scaffolds in the treatment of myocardial infarction. METHODS: NCBI and WanFang databases were retrieved for relevant articles published from 2008 to 2018, with the key words of "myocardial scaffold materials, myocardial infarction" in English and Chinese, respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At present, the commonly used myocardial scaffolds are mainly natural biomaterials (including collagen/Matrigel, fibrin, chitosan, hyaluronic acid, and algae hydrochloric acid) , synthetic materials (polyester synthetic materials and nanomaterials) and composite scaffolds. Due to the complexity of cardiac environment and heart function, the selection of scaffold materials should fully take account of biocompatibility, immunogenicity, conductivity, degradation rate and susceptibility to ischemia and hypoxia. Although many scaffold designs have begun to meet many requirements, there are still many kinds of stent materials for clinical application. It is believed that with the further development of researchers and application tools, people can expect to create myocardial scaffolds close to the physiological function of the original tissue, so that the heart function can be better restored.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) can protect against obesity and obesity-related metabolic conditions.Cryptotanshinone (CT) regulates lipid metabolism and significantly ameliorates insulin resistance. Adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a receptor for cellular energy metabolism, is believed to regulate brown fat activity in humans.MATERIALS/METHODS: The in vivo study included high-fat-fed obese mice administered orally 200/400 mg/kg/d CT. They were evaluated through weight measurement, the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test (IPITT), cold stimulation test, serum lipid (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein) measurement, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry.Furthermore, the in vitro study investigated primary adipose mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with incubation of CT and AMPK agonists (acadesine)/inhibitor (Compound C).Cells were evaluated using Oil Red O staining, Alizarin red staining, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining to identify and observe the osteogenic versus adipogenic differentiation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and the Western blot were used to observe related gene expression. RESULTS: In the diet-induced obesity mouse model mice CT suppressed body weight, food intake, glucose levels in the IPGTT and IPTT, serum lipids, the volume of adipose tissue, and increased thermogenesis, uncoupling protein 1, and the AMPK pathway expression. In the in vitro study, CT prevented the formation of lipid droplets from MSCs while activating brown genes and the AMPK pathway. AMPK activator enhanced CT’s effects, while the AMPK inhibitor reversed the effects of CT. CONCLUSION CT promotes adipose tissue browning to increase body thermogenesis and reduce obesity by activating the AMPK pathway. This study provides an experimental foundation for the use of CT in obesity treatment.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) can protect against obesity and obesity-related metabolic conditions.Cryptotanshinone (CT) regulates lipid metabolism and significantly ameliorates insulin resistance. Adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a receptor for cellular energy metabolism, is believed to regulate brown fat activity in humans.MATERIALS/METHODS: The in vivo study included high-fat-fed obese mice administered orally 200/400 mg/kg/d CT. They were evaluated through weight measurement, the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test (IPITT), cold stimulation test, serum lipid (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein) measurement, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry.Furthermore, the in vitro study investigated primary adipose mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with incubation of CT and AMPK agonists (acadesine)/inhibitor (Compound C).Cells were evaluated using Oil Red O staining, Alizarin red staining, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining to identify and observe the osteogenic versus adipogenic differentiation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and the Western blot were used to observe related gene expression. RESULTS: In the diet-induced obesity mouse model mice CT suppressed body weight, food intake, glucose levels in the IPGTT and IPTT, serum lipids, the volume of adipose tissue, and increased thermogenesis, uncoupling protein 1, and the AMPK pathway expression. In the in vitro study, CT prevented the formation of lipid droplets from MSCs while activating brown genes and the AMPK pathway. AMPK activator enhanced CT’s effects, while the AMPK inhibitor reversed the effects of CT. CONCLUSION CT promotes adipose tissue browning to increase body thermogenesis and reduce obesity by activating the AMPK pathway. This study provides an experimental foundation for the use of CT in obesity treatment.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) can protect against obesity and obesity-related metabolic conditions.Cryptotanshinone (CT) regulates lipid metabolism and significantly ameliorates insulin resistance. Adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a receptor for cellular energy metabolism, is believed to regulate brown fat activity in humans.MATERIALS/METHODS: The in vivo study included high-fat-fed obese mice administered orally 200/400 mg/kg/d CT. They were evaluated through weight measurement, the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test (IPITT), cold stimulation test, serum lipid (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein) measurement, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry.Furthermore, the in vitro study investigated primary adipose mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with incubation of CT and AMPK agonists (acadesine)/inhibitor (Compound C).Cells were evaluated using Oil Red O staining, Alizarin red staining, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining to identify and observe the osteogenic versus adipogenic differentiation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and the Western blot were used to observe related gene expression. RESULTS: In the diet-induced obesity mouse model mice CT suppressed body weight, food intake, glucose levels in the IPGTT and IPTT, serum lipids, the volume of adipose tissue, and increased thermogenesis, uncoupling protein 1, and the AMPK pathway expression. In the in vitro study, CT prevented the formation of lipid droplets from MSCs while activating brown genes and the AMPK pathway. AMPK activator enhanced CT’s effects, while the AMPK inhibitor reversed the effects of CT. CONCLUSION CT promotes adipose tissue browning to increase body thermogenesis and reduce obesity by activating the AMPK pathway. This study provides an experimental foundation for the use of CT in obesity treatment.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) and browning of white adipose tissue (WAT) can protect against obesity and obesity-related metabolic conditions.Cryptotanshinone (CT) regulates lipid metabolism and significantly ameliorates insulin resistance. Adenosine-5'-monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK), a receptor for cellular energy metabolism, is believed to regulate brown fat activity in humans.MATERIALS/METHODS: The in vivo study included high-fat-fed obese mice administered orally 200/400 mg/kg/d CT. They were evaluated through weight measurement, the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test (IPGTT), intraperitoneal insulin tolerance test (IPITT), cold stimulation test, serum lipid (total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoprotein) measurement, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and immunohistochemistry.Furthermore, the in vitro study investigated primary adipose mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) with incubation of CT and AMPK agonists (acadesine)/inhibitor (Compound C).Cells were evaluated using Oil Red O staining, Alizarin red staining, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining to identify and observe the osteogenic versus adipogenic differentiation. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and the Western blot were used to observe related gene expression. RESULTS: In the diet-induced obesity mouse model mice CT suppressed body weight, food intake, glucose levels in the IPGTT and IPTT, serum lipids, the volume of adipose tissue, and increased thermogenesis, uncoupling protein 1, and the AMPK pathway expression. In the in vitro study, CT prevented the formation of lipid droplets from MSCs while activating brown genes and the AMPK pathway. AMPK activator enhanced CT’s effects, while the AMPK inhibitor reversed the effects of CT. CONCLUSION CT promotes adipose tissue browning to increase body thermogenesis and reduce obesity by activating the AMPK pathway. This study provides an experimental foundation for the use of CT in obesity treatment.

BACKGROUND:Acellular vascular scaffolds can mimic the microstructure and function of native blood vessels,but some extracellular matrix loss occurs during their preparation,which affects their hemocompatibility.Therefore,it is necessary to modify them to improve their hemocompatibility. OBJECTIVE:To assess the hemocompatibility of acellular vascular scaffold prepared by Triton-x100/heparin sodium treatment. METHODS:The abdominal aorta was taken from SD rats and randomly divided into control and experimental groups.The control group was treated with Triton-x100 for 48 hours.The experimental group was treated with Triton-x100 for 48 hours and then treated with heparin sodium.The morphology and hydrophilicity of the two groups of acellular vascular scaffolds were detected.The hemocompatibility of the two groups of acellular vascular scaffold was evaluated by recalcification coagulation time test,platelet adhesion test,dynamic coagulation time test,hemolysis test,and complement activation test. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Scanning electron microscopy showed that the surface of the two groups of vascular scaffolds was relatively intact,and a large number of fiber filaments appeared on the surface of the scaffolds after decellularity treatment,and the surface microstructure changed significantly.The water contact angle of the two groups of vascular scaffolds was smaller than that of natural vessels(P<0.000 1).There was no significant difference in water contact angle between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)The coagulation time of vascular scaffold was longer in the experimental group than in the control group(P<0.05).The number of platelets attached to the scaffold membrane was less in the experimental group than that in the control group(P<0.000 1).The coagulation index was greater in the experimental group than that in the control group(P<0.01),and the complement level was lower in the experimental group than that in the control group(P<0.001).The hemolysis rate of the two groups was lower than 5%of the national standard.(3)To conclude,acellular scaffold treated with Triton-x100/heparin sodium has excellent hemocompatibility.

Objective To study the effects of umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UCMSCs) on the apoptosis of human breast cancer cell line MCF-7.Methods MCF-7 cells were co-cultured with different concentrations of UCMSCs.The apoptosis of MCF-7 cells was detected by in situ apoptosis and flow cytometry.Nude mouse subcutaneous tumor model was established by inoculating MCF-7 and MSCs cells subcutaneously on the right side of the back of a mouse.The MCF-7 cells were inoculated on the left side of the mouse as control.The tumor volume was measured every week to compare the difference between the two groups.On the 17th day after inoculation,the tumor tissue was harvested and the apoptosis of tumor cells was observed by a transmission electron microscopy.Results In situ apoptosis and flow cytometry showed that the early and late apoptosis rates of MCF-7 cells increased first and then decreased with the increase of UCMSCs concentration.The differences between the control and the MCF-7+UCMSCs group were statistically significant for early (F=39.80,P＜0.001) and late apoptosis rates (F=5.68,P＜0.01).The tumor volume of MCF-7+UCMSCs group was significantly lower than that of control group in 17 days after inoculation (F=9.81,P＜0.01).The representative apoptotic cells were observed by the transmission electron microscopyin the MCF-7 +UCMSCs group.Conclusion The UCMSCs with a certain concentration can effectively promote the apoptosis of MCF-7 cells.This study provides a certain experimental basis for the clinical treatment of breast cancer.

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) caused by E. granulosus is a serious helminthic zoonosis in humans, livestock and wildlife. Xinjiang is one of high endemic province for CE in China. A total of 55 sheep and cattle livers containing echinococcal cysts were collected from slaughterhouses in Changji and Yining City, northern region of Xinjiang. PCR was employed for cloning 2 gene fragments, 12S rRNA and CO1 for analysis of phylogenetic diversity of E. granulosus. The results showed that all the samples collected were identified as G1 genotype of E. granulosus. Interestingly, YL5 and CJ75 strains were the older branches compared to those strains from France, Argentina, Australia. CO1 gene fragment showed 20 new genotype haploids and 5 new genotype haplogroups (H1-H5) by the analysis of Network 5.0 software, and the YLY17 strain was identified as the most ancestral haplotype. The major haplotypes, such as CJ75 and YL5 strains, showed identical to the isolates from Middle East. The international and domestic trade of livestock might contribute to the dispersal of different haplotypes for E. granulosus evolution.
Abattoirs ; Animals ; Argentina ; Australia ; Cattle ; China ; Clone Cells ; Cloning, Organism ; Echinococcosis ; Echinococcus granulosus ; Echinococcus ; France ; Genetic Variation ; Genotype ; Haploidy ; Haplotypes ; Helminths ; Humans ; Liver ; Livestock ; Middle East ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sheep

Objective:To explore the diagnostic accuracy of muscle ultrasound and plasma monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) for ICU-acquired weakness (ICU-AW) in patients with sepsis.Methods:A prospective observational study was conducted. Patients with sepsis admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Henan Provincial People's Hospital from April 2021 to October 2021 were enrolled. The demographic data were collected. The enrolled patients were evaluated with Medical Research Council (MRC) score every day until discharged from ICU. During this period, patients with total MRC score < 48 (for two consecutive times and a time interval of 24 hours) were divided into ICU-AW group, those with total MRC score ≥ 48 were served as non-ICU-AW group. On the 1st, 4th and 7th day following admission into ICU, ultrasound was used to measure the muscle linear thickness of the rectus femoris (RF-MLT), the cross sectional area of the rectus femoris (RF-CSA) and the muscle linear thickness of the vastus intermedius muscle (VI-MLT). And meanwhile, the plasmas samples of patients were collected to measure MCP-1 concentration by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The difference of each index was compared between the ICU-AW group and the non-ICU-AW group. The risk factors of ICU-AW in patients with sepsis were analyzed by binary Logistic regression. Besides, receiver operator characteristic curve (ROC curve) was plotted, the diagnostic value of ultrasound parameters and plasma MCP-1 level for ICU-AW in patients with sepsis was analyzed.Results:A total of 99 septic patients were enrolled, with 68 patients in the ICU-AW group and 31 patients in the non-ICU-AW group. Compared with the patients in the ICU-AW group, the patients in the non-ICU-AW group tended to be older, and had higher sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, higher acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ (APACHEⅡ) score, higher rates of septic shock, higher blood lactic acid and lower Glasgow coma score (GCS). Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that APACHEⅡ score and septic shock were the risk factors of ICU-AW for septic patients [odds ratio ( OR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) were 1.310 (1.138-1.509) and 0.232 (0.072-0.746), respectively, both P < 0.05]. The RF-MLT, RF-CSA and VI-MLT on the 1st, 4th and 7th ICU day was falling over time. Compared with the patients in the ICU-AW group, the patients in the non-ICU-AW group had smaller RF-MLT on the 7th day [cm: 0.32 (0.22, 0.47) vs. 0.45 (0.34, 0.63), P < 0.05] and higher 7-day RF-CSA atrophy rate [25.85% (10.37%, 34.28%) vs. 11.65% (2.28%, 22.41%), P < 0.05]. According to ROC curve analysis, 7-day RF-MLT had diagnostic value for ICU-AW of septic patients. Area under ROC curve (AUC) was 0.688 (95% CI was 0.526-0.849); when the cut-off value was 0.41 cm, the sensitivity and the specificity were 66.7% and 68.4%. The levels of plasma MCP-1 in the ICU-AW group were significantly higher than those in the non-ICU-AW group on the 1st, 4th and 7th day. ROC curve analysis showed that the plasma MCP-1 levels on the 1st, 4th and 7th day played a significant role to diagnose ICU-AW for septic patients, the AUC and 95% CI were 0.732 (0.629-0.836), 0.865 (0.777-0.953), 0.891 (0.795-0.986), respectively. When the cut-off values were 206.3, 410.9, 239.5 ng/L, the sensitivity was 87.1%, 64.0%, 82.4%, and the specificity was 54.4%, 96.1%, 86.2%, respectively. Conclusion:The muscle mass parameters on the 7th day of bedside ultrasound and plasma MCP-1 levels had certain diagnostic values for ICU-AW in patients with sepsis.

2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Delta variant of concern (VOC) is one of the variants of 2019-nCoV, which has the characteristics of strong transmission, high pathogenicity, and rapid progression. 2019-nCoV Delta VOC has caused a global pandemic. Understanding the characteristics of 2019-nCoV Delta VOC and implementing targeted control measures are important aspects of controlling the pandemic. In this paper, the characteristics and control measures of 2019-nCoV Delta VOC were reviewed.