BACKGROUND:The self-renewal and multi-directional differentiation of pluripotent stem cells possess the potential to revolutionize people's understanding of biology,medicine,development,and disease.Stem cells play an important role in the early stage of embryonic development,and the study of them could be beneficial to understanding of the basic principles of biological development and tissue or organ formation,exploring the potential mechanisms of various diseases,studying the repair and regeneration of damaged tissues or organs,and promoting drug discovery and personalized treatment. OBJECTIVE:To review the research progress of pluripotent stem cells,summarize and categorize the fundamental types of pluripotent stem cells,and elucidate the lineage situations of various types of pluripotent stem cells in common mammals. METHODS:PubMed,Web of Science,CNKI,and WanFang databases were searched systematically,with the keywords"pluripotent stem cells;embryonic stem cells;induced pluripotent stem cells;expanded potential stem cells;livestock pluripotent stem cells"in English and Chinese.The 99 articles related to mammalian pluripotent stem cells were systematically screened according to inclusion and exclusion criteria,and then reviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)According to classical theory in mouse embryonic stem cell research,the pluripotent state of stem cells is divided into two forms:na?ve and primed.Na?ve state corresponds to the inner cell mass of pre-implantation embryos before attachment to the uterine wall,while primed state corresponds to the epiblast after implantation.These two states exhibit significant differences in epigenetic features,transcriptional activity,external signal dependency,and metabolic phenotype.It is later discovered that there is an intermediate state between na?ve and primed called formative pluripotency.Therefore,the pluripotency of pluripotent stem cells is a continuous developmental process rather than a unique cell state.(2)In addition to obtaining pluripotent stem cells from the inner cell mass,there are various methods and lineages for acquiring pluripotent stem cells,including embryonic germ cells established using primitive germ cells from mouse embryos,induced pluripotent stem cells created by the dedifferentiation of adult mouse and human fibroblasts with four factors—Oct3/4,Sox2,c-Myc,and Klf4;embryonic stem cell-like cell lines cultured from somatic cell nuclear transfer,parthenogenesis,neonatal or adult testicular or ovarian tissue,very small embryonic-like stem cells derived from various adult tissues and expanded pluripotent stem cells derived from pre-implantation stages.These pluripotent stem cells all share the common characteristics of continuous self-renewal,expressing core pluripotency factors and possessing the ability to differentiate into the three primary germ layers.(3)Currently,pluripotent stem cells are being used for disease modeling to study the mechanisms of various diseases and develop new drugs.Simultaneously,scientists are attempting to use pluripotent stem cells to cultivate various tissues and organs,offering new possibilities for regenerative medicine and transplantation.However,the clinical application of pluripotent stem cells faces safety challenges,including issues of cell mutations and immune rejection.Continual improvement in the methods of generating pluripotent stem cells will make them safer and more efficient for clinical applications.(4)Based on the methods of obtaining and lineage establishment of pluripotent stem cells in mice and humans,various types of pluripotent stem cells have been established in livestock,including embryonic stem cells,induced pluripotent stem cells,germ lineages of pluripotent stem cells,and expanded potential stem cells.Research on livestock pluripotent stem cells opens up new avenues for animal reproduction,breeding,genetic engineering,disease modeling,drug screening,and the conservation of endangered wildlife.

Donors with a serum sodium concentration of >155 mmol/L are extended criteria donors for liver transplantation (LT). Elevated serum sodium of donors leads to an increased incidence of hepatic dysfunction in the early postoperative period of LT; however, the exact mechanism has not been reported. We constructed a Lewis rat model of 70% hepatic parenchymal area subjected to ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) with hypernatremia and a BRL-3A cell model of hypoxia-reoxygenation (H/R) with high-sodium (HS) culture medium precondition. To determine the degree of injury, biochemical analysis, histological analysis, and oxidative stress and apoptosis detection were performed. We applied specific inhibitors of the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) and Na⁺/Ca²⁺ exchanger (NCX) in vivo and in vitro to verify their roles in injury. Serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and the area of hepatic necrosis were significantly elevated in the HS+I/R group. Increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, myeloperoxidase (MPO)‍-positive cells, and aggravated cellular apoptosis were detected in the HS+I/R group. The HS+H/R group of BRL-3A cells showed significantly increased cellular apoptosis and ROS production compared to the H/R group. The application of amiloride (Amil), a specific inhibitor of ENaC, reduced ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) aggravated by HS both in vivo and in vitro, as evidenced by decreased serum transaminases, inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis, and oxidative stress. SN-6, a specific inhibitor of NCX, had a similar effect to Amil. In summary, hypernatremia aggravates hepatic IRI, which can be attenuated by pharmacological inhibition of ENaC or NCX.
Animals ; Reperfusion Injury/drug therapy* ; Hypernatremia/complications* ; Rats ; Liver/metabolism* ; Rats, Inbred Lew ; Male ; Apoptosis ; Sodium-Calcium Exchanger/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress ; Epithelial Sodium Channel Blockers/pharmacology* ; Epithelial Sodium Channels ; Cell Line ; Liver Transplantation

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of intubation with electromyographic (EMG) endotracheal tubes versus conventional wire-reinforced (CWR) tubes on the incidence of postoperative sore throat (POST) in patients undergoing thyroidectomy under general anesthesia and identify the risk factors for POST. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the clinical data from a cohort of 245 patients undergoing elective thyroid surgery under general anesthesia at the Sixth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between October, 2024 and March, 2025. Patients received intubation with either EMG endotracheal tubes (n=100) or CWR tubes (n=145) during the operation, and the incidences of POST and other postoperative complications were compared between the two groups. Propensity score matching (PSM) was applied to adjust for the baseline differences, and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent risk factors for POST. RESULTS: Comparisons of the baseline data revealed significant differences between the two groups (P<0.05). After PSM, 90 patients in EMG group and 75 in CWR group were included in the final analysis with matching baseline characteristics (P>0.05). Post-matching analysis showed that the EMG group had a shorter operative time (P=0.002) but a higher incidence of POST (P=0.001). Multivariate logistic regression identified the use of EMG tubes (OR=17.50, 95% CI: 2.25-136.03, P<0.01) as an independent risk factor for POST. CONCLUSIONS Intubation with EMG endotracheal tubes can shorten the operative time and allow recurrent laryngeal nerve monitoring during thyroidectomy under general anesthesia, but their structural design may increase the risk of POST. Clinical decisions should be made to balance nerve protection and postoperative patient comfort by selecting appropriate tube types and optimizing intubation strategies to enhance perioperative outcomes.
Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Intubation, Intratracheal/instrumentation* ; Thyroidectomy/adverse effects* ; Anesthesia, General ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology* ; Pharyngitis/epidemiology* ; Electromyography ; Risk Factors ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Incidence

Objective To establish a novel clinical application process of the optical surface monitoring system(OSMS)guided volumetric modulated arc therapy(VMAT)for total body irradiation(TBI),and to assess the accuracy and effectiveness of OSMS in inter-fractional auxiliary positioning before radiotherapy and real-time monitoring of intra-fractional motion during radiotherapy.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 15 leukemia patients who underwent OSMS-guided VMAT-TBI before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.CT simulation positioning was performed,and the whole-body image data which were collected in head-first supine position(HFS)and feet-first supine position(FFS)were transmitted to the treatment planning system for image registration,multicenter VMAT planning and dose verification.The prescription dose was 800 cGy in 4 fractions twice daily.OSMS was used to assist positioning before delivery,and CBCT was used for position verification.During treatment,OSMS was used for monitoring.The intra-fractional error monitored by OSMS in real time was obtained by analyzing the offline log files.Results The mean dose and coverage of the target area in HFS plan were(905.4±19.0)cGy and 93.0%±2.8%.The mean doses to lung and kidney were(603.7±55.7)cGy and(600.4±49.6)cGy,respectively,and the maximum dose to the lens was(393.9±58.9)cGy.The mean dose and coverage of the target area in FFS plan were(888.5±58.9)cGy and 94.0%±3.2%;and the maximum dose at the junction was(1148.9±72.9)cGy.Fractional treatment delivery time was(75.1±15.1)min.OSMS-assisted positioning was carried out before delivery,and the total deviations of CBCT three-dimensional vector in translational and rotation directions were(2.71±1.96)mm and 0.91°±0.90°,respectively.The three-dimensional vector deviation of the intra-fractional motion amplitude in translational direction monitored by OSMS during the treatment was(1.95±1.88)mm,of which the deviation within 1 mm accounted for 57.5%,79.7%and 62.1%in longitudinal,lateral and vertical directions,respectively.The three-dimensional vector deviation in rotation direction was 0.76°±0.72°,of which the deviation within 1°accounted for 93.1%,85.7%and 94.3%in rotation,pitch and roll directions,respectively.Conclusion VMAT simplifies TBI process,while improving target coverage and organs-at-risk sparing.The use of OSMS can reduce positioning errors,especially rotation errors.In order to ensure the accurate implementation of TBI and the safety of patients,it is necessary to use OSMS for auxiliary positioning and intra-fractional position monitoring.

Objective:To investigate the protection of Active Breathing Coordinator(ABC)technique for heart and its substructures in radiotherapy for left breast cancer.Methods:A total of 50 patients with left breast cancer who underwent radiotherapy in our department were retrospectively selected,and treatment plans with intensity modulated radiotherapy(IMRT)were designed on the images of ABC combined with deep inspiration breath hold(ABC-DIBH)computed tomography(CT)and free-breathing(FB)CT,respectively.The dose parameters of the organ at risks(OARs)of heart and its substructures,including left ventricle(LV),left atrium(LA),right ventricle(RV),right atrium(RA),left main coronary artery(LMCA),left anterior descending coronary artery(LAD),left circumflex coronary artery(LCX)and right coronary artery(RCA),were compared between the two conditions.Results:Compared with FB,the dose of 2%volume(D2),the mean dose(Dmean),the percent volumes covered by different doses(V30,V20,V10,V5)decreased respectively 32.91%(absolute reduction of 1279.11 cGy),36.12%(195.94cGy),58.95%(2.8%),54.32%(3.58%),50.14%(5.56%)and 46.22%(9.67%)of heart under ABC-DIBH condition,and the differences were significant(t=10.28,12.81,9.16,10.28,12.82,12.24,P＜0.01),respectively.In addition,the Dmean values of LV,LA,RV,RA,LMCA,LAD,LCX and RCA decreased by 37.64%(absolute reduction was 285.92 cGy),15.38%(23.68 cGy),34.12%(118.93cGy),9.72%(12.52 cGy),22.17%(47.99 cGy),31.81%(820.63 cGy),16.51%(34.72 cGy)and 14.86%(34.11cGy)under ABC-DIBH condition,respectively,the differences were significant(t=9.50,3.71,6.20,8.65,3.18,10.92,4.26,6.71,P＜0.05).Conclusion:ABC technique can greatly reduce the received doses of heart and its substructures by extending the distance between the heart and the target region with DIBH,thus can form a very effective protection for the heart and its substructures.In addition,it can eliminate the dynamic variation of target location of breast cancer caused by respiratory,and avoid a series of problems,such as target missing,overexposure on normal tissue,and dose deviation.

Objective:To compare the dosimetric differences between active breathing coordinator (ABC) and Catalyst for respiratory gating after breast conserving surgery for left breast cancer.Methods:Data of 48 female patients with left breast cancer after breast conserving surgery admitted to the Radiotherapy Department of Shenzhen People′s Hospital from November 2020 to August 2021 were retrospectively selected. They were randomized to receive dynamic intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans with ABC or Catalyst. The dosimetric differences in targets and organs at risk between the two groups were analyzed.Results:Comparison of the two respiratory gating IMRT plans revealed no statistically significant differences ( P > 0.05) in D90%, D98%, Dmax, Dmean, conformity index (CI), homogeneity index (HI), and monitor unit parameters in the target volume, (i.e., chest wall), as well as the ipsilateral lung and heart under the deep inhalation breath hold (DIBH) mode. The Dmean, Dmax, and D2% of the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) in the Catalyst group were better than those in the ABC group [(1 047.72 ± 1 401.84) vs. (454.48 ± 206.26), (1 619.28 ± 809.05) vs.(1 068.53 ± 419.63), (1 405.85 ± 798.30) vs. (1 016.54 ± 592.00) cGy], with statistically significant differences ( t= -2.07, -3.18, -2.07, P<0.05). Conclusions:Both ABC and Catalyst respiratory gating systems meet the requirements for clinical treatment, with the latter more effective in reducing the exposure dose of LAD.

Objective:To compare translational and rotational setup errors between immobilization with open masks combined with positioning with the optical surface monitoring system (OSMS) and immobilization with full masks combined with positioning with laser lights and mask markers, find the advantages of open masks combined with OSMS in hypofractionated stereotactic radiotherapy (HSRT) for brain metastases, and calculate planning target volume (PTV) expansions with different immobilization and positioning method for patients with brain metastases.Methods:The setup data of 55 patients with brain metastases who received HSRT were analyzed retrospectively. According to immobilization and positioning method, the patients were divided into group A (OSMS + open masks), group B1 (full head-neck-shoulders masks + polyurethane foam cushions), and group B2 (full head-neck-shoulders masks + standard headrests). Positioning was directed by automatic couch motion in OSMS in group A and by laser lights and mask markers in groups B1 and B2. Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were registered using the bone registration method to obtain setup errors in six directions ( x, y, z, roll, pitch, yaw). PTV expansions were calculated according to the van Herk formula. Results:A total of 288 sets of CBCT registration data were acquired. Among three groups, group A showed the smallest mean setup errors and 3D vector error, which were (0.47±0.33) mm, (0.49±0.31) mm, (0.44±0.31) mm, (0.42±0.32)°, (0.48±0.31)°, (0.42±0.22)°, and (0.90±0.39) mm, respectively. Group A differed significantly from group B1 and group B2 in the errors at all directions ( P < 0.05) except for the yaw direction compared with group B1 ( P > 0.05). Group A had no setup error ≥2 mm in translational directions or ≥2° in rotational directions. Group B1 showed significantly smaller setup errors in the y, z, and yaw directions and 3D vector error than group B2 ( P < 0.05). In group A, PTV expansions in three directions ( x, y, and z) were 1.32, 1.19, and 1.22 mm, respectively, which were smaller than those of the other two groups. Conclusions:In HSRT for patient with brain metastases, compared with full head-neck-shoulders masks combined with laser lights and mask markers, open masks combined with OSMS can significantly improve setup precision in six directions and reduce repeated setup and PTV expansions, which shows promise for clinical application.

Heart failure is a fatal stage of end-stage cardiovascular disease,which brings a huge medical burden to the society because of its high mortality and re-hospitalisation rates.Intestinal microecology is the largest and most com-plex microecosystem of human body.It is inhabited by tens of thousands of microorganisms in human gastrointestinal tract.In recent years,with the deepening of the study of intestinal flora,more and more studies have found that the im-balance of intestinal microecology can cause changes of metabolites in heart failure patients,which is one of the key triggers for the development of heart failure,therefore,using the intestinal microbial homeostasis as a new entry point for the treat-ment of heart failure will be a hotspot in medical research.However,the theory of Chinese medicine,"the spleen is the guardian",covers the physiological functions of the spleen,such as the spleen's main function of transporting,spleen's main function of ascending and clearing,and its main function of hiding camping,etc.,and the functions of intestinal flora and the"spleen is the guardian"are similar to a certain extent.Therefore,this paper starts from a holistic viewpoint and takes the theory of"spleen as the guardian"in Chinese medicine as an entry point to elaborate on the pathogenesis of intes-tinal microecological imbalance and heart failure,so as to provide a reference for Chinese medicine treatment or drug re-search.

Objective: To analyze the correlation between refractive errors and physical development indicators among primary school students aged 6 to 9, so as to provide a scientific basis for the development of effective prevention and control measures. Methods: A stratified cluster random sampling method was used to recruit 2 833 elementary school students aged 6 to 9 from Guangdong Province for vision screening, ocular biometry, and physical examinations in Octorber, 2020. The Chi square test, t-test, and ANOVA were employed to compare myopia rates and indicator values across different groups. Multiple linear regression models were used to analyze the correlations between height, weight, and body mass index (BMI) with refractive development indicators. Results: The screening myopia rate among primary school students aged 6 to 9 was 16.7%, and the myopia rate increased with age ( χ 2= 51.58 , P <0.01). The height and weight of the myopic group [(126.96±7.41)cm, (26.59±6.45)kg] were higher than those of the non myopic group [(124.76±7.77)cm, (25.42±5.87)kg] ( t =5.84, 3.65, P <0.01). The mean values of spherical equivalent (SE), axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), and AL/corneal curvature radius (CR) ratio for students aged 6 to 9 were (-0.17±1.04)D, (22.96±0.78)mm, (3.38±0.24)mm, and (2.95±0.08), respectively, with statistically significant differences across different age and myopia severity groups ( t =37.08, 119.20, 41.54, 133.60; 935.30, 184.10, 73.95, 498.50, P < 0.01). After adjusting for gender, age, and residence, the multiple linear regression model showed that height was positively correlated with AL and CR, weight was positively correlated with ACD, and BMI was positively correlated with AL and ACD ( β = 0.191 , 0.070, 0.035, 0.013, 0.007, P <0.05). When stratified by myopia status, results for the non-myopic group were similar to the overall results, whereas in the myopic group, the correlations between height, BMI, and AL were not statistically significant ( P > 0.05). Conclusions Among primary school students aged 6 to 9, height and BMI are positively correlated with AL in the non myopic group but no similar correlation is observed in the myopic group, indicating that factors other than physical development, such as environmental and behavioral factors, should be considered for their impact on refractive development.

Objective: The study aims to analyze the prevalence and associated factors of myopia among 4 to 9 grade students in Guangdong Province in 2022, so as to provide a scientific basis for targeted intervention measures for myopia in children and adolescents. Methods: From September to October 2022, stratified cluster random sampling was used to select 29 095 of 4 to 9 grade students from Guangzhou, Jiangmen, and Meizhou in Guangdong Province for myopia screening and questionnaire surveys. The Chisquare test was applied to compare the differences between groups, and multivariable Logistic stepwise regression analysis was used to analyze factors associated with myopia. Results: The myopia detection rate of 4 to 9 grade students was 61.7%, with detection rates of 51.5% for 4 to 6 grade primary school students and 71.95% for 7 to 9 grade junior high school students. Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that higher myopia rates were detected among girls (OR=1.39, 95%CI=1.30-1.49), students with one (OR=1.82, 95%CI=1.69-1.96) or both parents having myopia (OR=2.86, 95%CI=2.56-3.18), and indoor sedentary time >6 h(OR=1.28, 95%CI=1.17-1.39) in the 4 to 6 grade. Lower myopia rates were detected in the county (OR=0.92, 95%CI=0.86-0.99) and outdoors at recess activities (OR=0.88, 95%CI=0.81-0.95). Meanwhile, higher myopia rates were detected among girls (OR=1.84, 95%CI=1.69-1.99), students with one (OR=1.87, 95%CI=1.71-2.04) or both parents having myopia (OR=3.03, 95%CI=2.63-3.50), and indoor sedentary time >6 h/d (OR=1.11, 95%CI=1.01-1.23) in the 7 to 9 grade. Lower myopia rates were detected in the county (OR=0.74, 95%CI=0.68-0.80), outdoors at recess activities (OR=0.83, 95%CI=0.76-0.91), and outdoor activity time ≥2 h/d(OR=0.87, 95%CI=0.80-0.95)(P<0.05). Conclusions The detection rate of myopia among 4 to 9 grade students in Guangdong Province is relatively high. Place of recess activities, daily outdoor activity and indoor sedentary duration are associated with myopia. Therefore, targeted intervention measures should be adopted, such as appropriately increasing outdoor activity to reduce the occurrence of myopia among primary and middle school students.