Liver fibrosis is a chronic liver injury resulting from factors like viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, fatty liver disease, and cholestatic liver disease. Liver transplantation is currently the gold standard for treating severe liver diseases. However, it is limited by a shortage of donor organs and the necessity for lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into various liver cells and enhance liver function when transplanted into patients due to their differentiation and proliferation capabilities. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative therapy for treating liver diseases, especially for liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver transplant complications. However, due to the potential tumorigenic effects of MSCs, researchers are exploring a new approach to treating liver fibrosis using extracellular vesicles (exosomes) secreted by stem cells. Many studies show that exosomes released by stem cells can promote liver injury repair through various pathways, contributing to the treatment of liver fibrosis. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms by which stem cell exosomes affect liver fibrosis through different pathways and their potential therapeutic targets. Additionally, we discuss the advantages of exosome therapy over stem cell therapy and the possible future directions of exosome research, including the prospects for clinical applications and the challenges to be overcome.

Liver fibrosis is a chronic liver injury resulting from factors like viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, fatty liver disease, and cholestatic liver disease. Liver transplantation is currently the gold standard for treating severe liver diseases. However, it is limited by a shortage of donor organs and the necessity for lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into various liver cells and enhance liver function when transplanted into patients due to their differentiation and proliferation capabilities. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative therapy for treating liver diseases, especially for liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver transplant complications. However, due to the potential tumorigenic effects of MSCs, researchers are exploring a new approach to treating liver fibrosis using extracellular vesicles (exosomes) secreted by stem cells. Many studies show that exosomes released by stem cells can promote liver injury repair through various pathways, contributing to the treatment of liver fibrosis. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms by which stem cell exosomes affect liver fibrosis through different pathways and their potential therapeutic targets. Additionally, we discuss the advantages of exosome therapy over stem cell therapy and the possible future directions of exosome research, including the prospects for clinical applications and the challenges to be overcome.

Liver fibrosis is a chronic liver injury resulting from factors like viral hepatitis, autoimmune hepatitis, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, fatty liver disease, and cholestatic liver disease. Liver transplantation is currently the gold standard for treating severe liver diseases. However, it is limited by a shortage of donor organs and the necessity for lifelong immunosuppressive therapy. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can differentiate into various liver cells and enhance liver function when transplanted into patients due to their differentiation and proliferation capabilities. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative therapy for treating liver diseases, especially for liver cirrhosis, liver failure, and liver transplant complications. However, due to the potential tumorigenic effects of MSCs, researchers are exploring a new approach to treating liver fibrosis using extracellular vesicles (exosomes) secreted by stem cells. Many studies show that exosomes released by stem cells can promote liver injury repair through various pathways, contributing to the treatment of liver fibrosis. In this review, we focus on the molecular mechanisms by which stem cell exosomes affect liver fibrosis through different pathways and their potential therapeutic targets. Additionally, we discuss the advantages of exosome therapy over stem cell therapy and the possible future directions of exosome research, including the prospects for clinical applications and the challenges to be overcome.

Renal interstitial fibrosis （RIF） is a common pathological change process from the development of various chronic nephropathies to the end stage， and it is an important histological manifestation of renal function decline. At present， no effective anti-fibrosis drugs have been found in clinical practice. In recent years， with the continuous development of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） pharmacology， molecular biology， system biology， and network pharmacology， the research on regulating RIF with TCM monomer， single TCM， TCM compound， Chinese patent medicine， and TCM injection is deepening. Among them， Jianpi Yishen recipe， Shendi Bushen capsules， Jianzhong Bushen Xiaozheng decoction， Liuwei Dihuangtang， and Lycium barbarum polysaccharides can regulate transforming growth factor-β/small mother against decapentaplegic （TGF-β₁/Smads）， Wnt/β-catenin， and neurogenic locus notch homolog protein （Notch） signaling pathways. Wulingsan， Zhenwutang， pachymic acid ZA， pachymic acid ZC， and pachymic acid ZD， which mainly induce diuresis， can regulate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Hirudin， curcumin， and Fuzheng Huayu recipe， which mainly promote blood circulation， can inhibit inflammation-related pathways such as p-nuclear transcription factor-κB （NF-κB）， Toll-like receptor 4/p-nuclear transcription factor-κB （TLR4/NF-κB）， and Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （JAK/STAT）， so as to achieve anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidation effects and alleviate the progression of RIF. Shenshuai Xiezhuo decoction， Shenkang injection， and Shenshuai recipe， which are mainly used for invigorating Qi， removing blood stasis， and removing turbidity， can inhibit transdifferentiation of pericytes-myofibroblasts through vascular endothelial growth factor receptor （VEGFR） signaling pathway. At present， there are many studies on the regulation of the RIF signaling pathway by TCM， but there is a lack of a systematic summary. In this study， by combing the signaling pathway of TCM in the treatment of RIF， the effective target of TCM treatment is screened， and its possible mechanism is found， which provides new ideas for clinical treatment and new drug research and development.

The Janus kinase/signal transducers and activators of transcription (JAK-STAT) control natural killer (NK) cells development and cytotoxic functions, however, whether long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are involved in this pathway remains unknown. We found that miR155HG was elevated in activated NK cells and promoted their proliferation and effector functions in both NK92 and induced-pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived NK (iPSC-NK) cells, without reliance on its derived miR-155 and micropeptide P155. Mechanistically, miR155HG bound to miR-6756 and relieved its repression of JAK3 expression, thereby promoting the JAK-STAT pathway and enhancing NK cell proliferation and function. Further investigations disclosed that upon cytokine stimulation, STAT3 directly interacts with miR155HG promoter and induces miR155HG transcription. Collectively, we identify a miR155HG-mediated positive feedback loop of the JAK-STAT signaling. Our study will also provide a power target regarding miR155HG for improving NK cell generation and effector function in the field of NK cell adoptive transfer therapy against cancer, especially iPSC-derived NK cells.

Objective:To investigate the clinical outcomes and efficacy of trabecular metal (TM) cones for the reconstruction of metaphyseal bone defects in revision total knee arthroplasty.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 46 patients (47 knees), who underwent revision total knee arthroplasty with TM cones for metaphyseal defect reconstruction from July 2015 to August 2023. The cohort comprised 12 males and 34 females, ranging from 41 to 83 years of age, with a mean of 68.65 ± 9.09 years. Body mass index (BMI) ranged from 19.5 to 36.0 kg/m 2, averaging 27.20±4.50 kg/m 2. Bone defects were stratified according to the Anderson Orthopedic Research Institute (AORI) classification, including 64 sides (AORI T2B type 20 sides, T3 type 16 sides, F2B type 11 sides, F3 type 17 sides) which were addressed with 67 cones. Evaluations during follow-up included range of motion (ROM), visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and the American Knee Society Score (KSS). Long leg radiographs and knee X-rays were reassessed for femorotibial angle (FTA) and joint alignment, osseointegration of the TM cones, and any complications were documented. Results:The average follow-up duration was 46.22±26.55 months (range 16-103 months). The KSS knee score significantly improved from 29.22±19.79 preoperatively to 88.22±6.01 at the final follow-up ( F=258.118, P<0.001). Similarly, the KSS function score saw a marked increase from a preoperative average of 7.65±8.21 to 56.30±6.10 at the final follow-up ( F=354.711, P<0.001). VAS scores significantly decreased from 5.35±1.50 preoperatively to 0.28±0.50 at the final follow-up ( F=300.934, P<0.001). ROM improved from 67.72°±34.62° preoperatively to 85.33°±9.15° at the final follow-up ( F=7.798, P<0.001), and the FTA improved from 179.24°±10.30° preoperatively to 174.39°±1.69° at the final follow-up, a statistically significant enhancement ( F=9.123, P<0.001). Osseointegration was observed in 95.5% of the cases (64/67 cones). There were no instances of osteolysis or aseptic loosening observed, indicating stable prosthetic fixation. Complications were minimal, with one reported case of a femoral shaft fracture, which was successfully treated with internal fixation, resulting in satisfactory healing at 6 months. At the last follow-up (3 years after operation), the patient could walk at home with a walker and the other patients had no complications such as periprosthetic joint infection, dislocation and periprosthetic fracture. Conclusion:The application of trabecular metal cones in revision total knee arthroplasty provides an effective solution for the reconstruction of severe metaphyseal bone defects, enhancing prosthetic stability and restoring the knee joint's mechanical alignment. The trend towards successful osseointegration in the TM cones is promising, and a significant improvement in knee joint function has been observed.

Objective:To investigate the association between high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and the risk of diabetes mellitus (DM) in Chinese adults.Methods:This study was a secondary analysis of a multicenter, retrospective cohort study using data from the Chinese health screening program in the DATADRYAD database. Between 2010 and 2016, 211833 Chinese adults aged 20 years or older were screened for diabetes at baseline in 32 sites and 11 cities across the country. Baseline HDL-C level was the target independent variable and the risk of DM at follow-up was the dependent variable. Cox proportional hazards regression analysis assessed the independent association between HDL-C levels and the risk of developing DM. In this paper, the generalized Additive Model (GAM) and the smoothing curve fitting method were used to study the nonlinear relationships. In addition, subgroup analyses were conducted to assess the consistency of the correlations among different subgroup and to further validate the reliability of the results.Results:After adjusting for potential confounding factors such as age, sex and body mass index, HDL-C level was positively correlated with the development of diabetes ( HR=1.43, 95% CI: 1.08-1.90, P=0.012). The level of HDL-C showed a non-linear relationship with the risk of DM, and the inflection point was 1.81 mmol/L. The HR (95% CI) of the left and right sides of the inflection point were 0.94 (0.56-1.55) and 2.54 (1.93-3.30), respectively. When HDL-C>1.81 mmol/L, HDL-C was positively correlated with the occurrence of DM. Each 1.00 mmol/L increase in HDL-C increased the risk of diabetes mellitus by 1.54 times ( P<0.001); when HDL-C<1.81 mmol/L, the risk of diabetes decreased by 6% for every 1.00 mmol/L increase in HDL-C ( P=0.798). Subgroup analysis showed that, in the age, male, BMI 24.5-52.7 kg/m 2 subgroups, all the systolic blood pressure subgroups, diastolic blood pressure 69-77 and 78-164 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) subgroups, total cholesterol 0.02-4.26 and 5.00-17.84 mmol/L subgroups, all the triglyceride subgroups, low-density lipoprotein 0-2.42 and 2.99-12.60 mmol/L subgroups, alanine aminotransferase 23.4-1 508.4 U/L subgroups, aspartate transaminase 0-19.7 and 24.8-1 026.2 U/L subgroups, all the urea nitrogen subgroups, creatinine 61.5-76.9, 77.0-1 116.6 μmol/L subgroups, never smoking subgroup, subgroup with frequent alcohol consumption or family history of diabetes mellitus, the effect values of HDL-C and the risk of diabetes mellitus in Chinese adults showed good stability (all HR>1.00). Conclusions:High levels of HDL-C are associated with an increased risk of DM in Chinese adults. When HDL-C is greater than 1.81 mmol/L, HDL-C is positively correlated with DM.

Objective To investigate the expression levels and the clinical significance of upstream tran-scription factor 2(USF2)and ubiquitin-specific protease 10(USP10)in peripheral blood of patients with sep-sis combined with acute kidney injury(AKI).Methods A total of 259 patients with sepsis were selected from Jilin Provincial People's Hospital from January 2018 to December 2022.Patients were divided into AKI group(107 cases)and non AKI(NAKI)group(152 cases)according to whether they had AKI or not.General clini-cal data were collected and the expression levels of USF2 and USP10 in peripheral blood were detected.Pear-son analysis was used to investigate the correlation between USF2,USP10,and renal function.Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the factors influencing sepsis patients with AKI.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drown to analyze the value of USF2 and USP10 in diagnosing AKI in patients with sepsis.Results The expression level of serum USF2 in AKI group was higher than that in NAKI group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05),while the serum USP10 expression level in AKI group was lower than that in NAKI group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).In AKI group,USF2 expression was positively correlated with urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(Scr)and Cys-tatin C(CysC)(P＜0.05),while USP10 expression was negatively correlated with BUN,Scr and CysC(P＜0.05).High sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA)score,septic shock and high expression of USF2 were risk factors for AKI in sepsis patients(P＜0.05),and high expression of USP10 was protective factor(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of single detection of USF2 and USP10 for diagnosing AKI in patients with sepsis was 0.742(95％CI:0.676-0.808)and 0.781(95％CI:0.724-0.839),respectively.The AUC of the combination of USF2 and USP10 for diagnosing AKI in patients with sepsis was 0.907(95％CI:0.865-0.948),which was higher than that of single detection(P＜0.05).Conclusion Increased expression of USF2 and decreased expression of USP10 in peripheral blood of patients with sepsis are associated with in-creased risk of AKI and decreased renal function.