BACKGROUND:The discovery and concept of pulp tissue-derived stem cells is beneficial to the understanding of tooth development and regeneration and repair mechanisms from the cellular level. OBJECTIVE:To understand the induced differentiation capacity and induced conditions in vitro of human dental pulp stem cells into neuron-like cells. METHODS:Pulp tissue was separated from human healthy third molars. Single cellsuspensions were prepared and seeded into 6-wel plates containing alpha-modified minimum essential medium supplemented with 15%fetal bovine serum. Subconfluent cultures (first passage) of colony forming cells were induced with butylhydroxy anisole, forskolin,β-mercaptoethanol, basic fibroblast growth factor. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Immunofluorescence and reverse transcription-PCR assay showed that human dental pulp stem cells positively expressed stro-1, Col-I, dentin sialoprotein after 2 weeks of induction. Nestin and neuron-specific enolase were strongly expressed, but the gingival fibroblasts were negatively expressed. It indicates that adult stem cells in human dental pulp have a high neuron-like celldifferentiation potential under a certain inductive condition.

Objective:To explore the relationship between Th17 immunoregulatory system and depression and reveal the mechanism of depression from the perspective of neuroimmunity, as well to look for biomarkers that can be used to diagnose, evaluate and predict recurrence of depression.Methods:A total of 91 patients with depression including 45 first-episode patients (FED group) and 46 recurrent episodes patients (RMDD group) were collected who were admitted to Psychiatry Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from March 2019 to May 2020. And 40 healthy controls matched with depression patients in age, gender and education level were collected as control group (HC group). The levels of eight inflammatory cytokines in Th17 immunoregulatory system (five pro-inflammatory cytokines: IL-1β, IL-6, IL-17A, IL-21, IL-23; three anti-inflammatory cytokines: TGF-β1, IL-10, and IL-27) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Hamilton depression scale-24 (HAMD-24) was used to evaluate the severity of depressive symptoms. Data analyses were performed with SPSS 23.0.Two independent samples t-test, one-way ANOVA, Mann Whitney U test and Kruskal Wallis H test were used for comparison between groups. Results:(1) Comparison of FED group, RMDD group and HC group showed that the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β (5.321(1.317, 21.287)ng/L, 11.277(4.315, 26.167) ng/L, 8.126(1.179, 9.287) ng/L), IL-6(7.787(2.077, 16.778) ng/L, 5.290(2.364.14.475) ng/L, 4.389(1.453, 4.491) ng/L), IL-21 (6.777(6.293, 9.198) ng/L, 7.261(6.293, 25.058)ng/L, 5.097(3.033, 6.507) ng/L) and anti-inflammatory cytokines TGF-β1 (59.098(13.491, 125.368) ng/L, 46.230(18.852, 122.559) ng/L, 25.292(2.716, 31.874) ng/L), IL-10 (226.930(105.117, 449.444) ng/L, 193.929(109.014, 468.269) ng/L, 131.429(77.587, 157.497) ng/L) and IL-27 (0.968(0.651, 1.879)ng/L, 1.859(0.690, 6.221) ng/L, 0.865(0.679, 1.287)ng/L) in plasma were statistically different( H=7.219, 9.482, 18.989, 16.166, 11.511, 6.262, all P<0.05), while the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-17A (2.175(1.031, 7.975)ng/L, 3.576(1.896, 11.611)ng/L, 3.807(1.301, 4.710)ng/L)and IL-23 (15.708(2.898, 114.175) ng/L, 26.893(9.282, 58.592) ng/L, 17.041(5.027, 23.613)ng/L) were not statistically significant ( H=2.179, 4.305, both P>0.05). Further pairwise comparisons showed that the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-21 and anti-inflammatory cytokines TGF-β1 and IL-10 in plasma of FED group were higher than those of HC group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, IL-21 and anti-inflammatory cytokines TGF-β1, IL-10, IL-27 in RMDD group were higher than those in HC group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the eight inflammatory cytokines between FED group and RMDD group (all P>0.05). (2) Spearman correlation analysis showed that IL-1β was positively correlated with total score of HAMD-24 ( r=0.286, P<0.05). IL-6 was positively correlated with total score of HAMD-24 and factor score of anxiety or somatization ( r=0.390, 0.291, both P<0.05). TGF-β1 was negatively correlated with total score of HAMD-24 and factor scores of anxiety or somatization and cognitive impairment ( r=-4.200, -0.321, - 0.361, all P<0.05). IL-21 was positively correlated with factor score of sleep ( r=0.319, P<0.05); IL-10 was negatively correlated with total score of HAMD-24 and factor score of cognitive impairment ( r=-0.306, - 0.270, both P<0.05). There was no significant correlation between other inflammatory cytokines and total score of HAMD-24 and seven factor scores (all P>0.05). Conclusion:There is an imbalance in pro-and anti-inflammatory cytokines of Th17 immunoregulatory system in patients with depression, which is more obvious in recurrent episodes patients.The level of immune activation of Th17 immunoregulatory system may be associated with the severity of clinical symptoms, in which the inflammatory cytokine IL-6 may be a biomarker of major depressive disorder; TGF-β1 and IL-21 may be associated with depressive cognitive impairment and sleep.

Objective To investigate the profiles of serum nerve grow factor profile (NGF),neurotrophin (NT)-3,as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in patients with dermatomyositis (DM) complicated with interstitial lung damage (ILD).Methods Forty-seven patients were divided into 2 groups:ILD group (30 patients) and non-ILD group (17 patients).Twenty healthy blood donors were used as controls.Serum levels of NGF,NT-3,as well as BDNF were measured serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ANOVA was used to compare serum level of NTs.When a significant difference was found,the exact P-values were calculated using the student's t-test or t-test followed by Bonferroni's correction.Pearson test was used for correlation analysis.Results The serum NGF levels in healthy control group,the non-ILD group and the ILD group were (182±43),(308±72),(480±96) pg/ml respectively.There was statistically significant difference between the three groups (F=90.3,P＜0.01),and the serum NGF levels were elevated significantly in ILD and non-ILD patient groups as compared with healthy controls (t=12.9 and t=6.5 respectively,both P＜0.01).The serum level of NGF was significantly higher in ILD group than that in the non-ILD group (t=6.4,P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in the serum levels of NT-3 among the two patient groups and healthy controls.On the contrary,BDNF levels were significantly decreased in both ILD [(792± 106) pg/ml] and non-ILD patients groups [(963±93) pg/ml] when compared with healthy controls [(1 281±107) pg/ml] (t=15.9 and t=9.6 respectively,both P＜0.01).The decrease was also significant in ILD group when compared with non-ILD group (t=5.6,P＜0.01).Moreover,NGF and BDNF both showed significant correlation with serum C-reactive protein (CRP) level in ILD group by applying Pearson correlation analysis (r=0.56,P＜0.01; r=-0.48,P＜0.05 respectively).Conclusion Neurotrophins may play an import role in the pathogenesis of DM.

Objective: To examine the effect of dietary behaviors on handgrip strength loss among the elderly, so as to provide insights into the prevention of handgrip strength loss. Methods : Based on the health surveillance cohort among the elderly in Zhejiang Province, two villages or communities were randomly sampled from each of Shaoxing and Zhoushan cities using a multi-stage cluster sampling method, and all residents that had lived in local areas for one year and longer and had an age of 60 years and older were enrolled. Participants' demographics, dietary behaviors, smoking, drinking, and exercise were collected through questionnaire surveys, and the height, body weight and handgrip strength were measured. The handgrip strength loss was diagnosed according the 2019 Consensus Update on Sarcopenia Diagnosis and Treatment proposed by Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia, and the effect of dietary behaviors on handgrip strength loss was examined using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 1 265 residents were enrolled, with a mean age of (70.67±7.30) years, and including 565 men (44.66%) and 700 women (55.34%). The overall prevalence of handgrip strength loss was 42.85% among the participants, and the prevalence was 40.35% in men and 44.86% in women, respectively. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that nut intake for 1 to 3 times a week (OR=0.180, 95%CI: 0.088-0.367) and for 4 to 6 times a week (OR=0.241, 95%CI: 0.113-0.514) led to a reduced risk of handgrip strength loss among the elderly, and intake of sugary drinks for 4 to 6 times a week led to an increased risk of handgrip strength loss among the elderly (OR=2.298, 95%CI: 1.120-4.714) after adjustment for age, body mass index, educational level and exercise. Conclusion Intake of nuts and sugary drinks may affect the development of handgrip strength loss among the elderly.

Objective To analyze risk factors and antimicrobial use for hospital-acquired pneumonia (HAP)due to multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs)in an intensive care unit(ICU),so as to perform risk assessment and guide antimicrobial use.Methods From January 2012 to December 2013,HAP patients were conducted retrospective co-hort study,risk factors for MDRO-HAP and rationality of antimicrobial use were analyzed.Results A total of 110 cases of HAP occurred in ICU,63 cases (57.27%)were MDR-HAP.Logistic regression analysis revealed that re-cent hospital stay ≥5 days (OR=19.94),transference from other hospitals (OR =19.33),infection type of late-onset HAP (OR=7.98),and antimicrobial use in recent 90 days (OR =3.42)were independent risk factors for MDR-HAP.Initial empirical anti-infective treatment revealed that there were no significant difference in timing of antimicrobial administration within 24 hours after clinical diagnosis was confirmed,and rationality of antimicrobial selection between MDR-HAP group and non-MDR-HAP group (both P >0.05);The isolation rate of pathogens in MDR-HAP group was lower than non-MDR-HAP group (73.02% vs 91 .49% P <0.05 ).Targeted antimicrobial therapy revealed that there were no significant difference in selection,dosage,and frequency of antimicrobial use be-tween two groups(all P >0.05 );the rationality rate of therapy course in MDR-HAP group was higher than no-MDR-HAP group,but rationality rate of combination use of antimicrobial agents was slightly lower than the latter (both P < 0.05 ).Conclusion Patients in ICU should be conducted risk factor assessment,and according prevention and control measures should be formulated,so as to reduce the occurrence of MDR-HAP,health care workers should standardized the initial empirical anti-infective treatment.

Objective To evaluate the effect of plan-do-check-act (PDCA)cycle method in improving disinfection efficacy of object surface in intensive care unit (ICU).Methods On the basis of management of healthcare-associat-ed infection (HAI)and prevention of multidrug-resistant organisms,disinfection efficacy of object surface in an ICU was intervened,data about surface object specimens taken before,during,and after intervention,HAI in patients, as well as detection of MDROs were collected.Results The total qualified rate of specimens taken before,during, and after intervention was 58.24%,76.74%,and 88.71 %,respectively,there was an increased tendency,the difference was significant (χ2 =17.41 ,P =0.009);the incidence of HAI was 3.72%,2.42%,and 1 .78%,respec-tively,there was a decreased tendency(χ2 =6.03,P =0.039),case infection rate was 4.36%,2.75%,and 2.37%respectively,there was a decreased tendency (χ2 = 7.24,P = 0.046 );detection rate of MDROs was 34.03%, 27.45%,and 14.05%,respectively,there was a decreased tendency (χ2 =33.84,P =0.007),the percentage of pa-tients who were detected MDROs and HAI caused by MDROs showed a decreased tendency(χ2 =6.14,6.02,both P<0.05).Conclusion The implementation of PDCA cycle can effectively improve disinfectant efficacy of ICU object surface,and reduce the incidence of MDRO HAI.

Objective To explore the clinical significance of detecting serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in patients with intracranial hemorrhage.Methods The serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in different period were detected in patients with intracranial hemorrhage, by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), and compared with those of healthy subjects (the control group).ResultsThe serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α in the severe and slight patients of study group on 1st, 3rd, 5th and 7th were signiifcantly higher than those in the control group (all withP<0.05). The serum levels of IL-6, TNF-α in the severe patients of study group were signiifcantly higher than those in slight patients of study group (all withP<0.05) on 5th and 7th. The serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in dead cases on 5th, 7th days admission were significantly higher than those in survival cases (P<0.05). The serum levels of IL-6 was positively correlated with TNF-α (r=0.721,P<0.05).Conclusion The detection of dynamically serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α is of great clinical value for assessing the disease development therapeutic efifcacy and prognosis of brain injury patient with intracranial hemorrhage.

Objective To observe the expression of phosphatase and tensin hom ology deleted on chrom o-som e ten (PTEN) in m yocardial tissue in patients w ith coronary heart disease, and explore the relevance betw een the expression of PTEN and the occurrence and developm ent of coronary heart disease. Methods A total of 16 death cases w ith pathological diagnosis of coronary heart disease w ere collected as experi-m ental group, and 19 cases w ithout m yocardial lesions w ere selected as control group. The expression of PTENprotein and its m RNA w ere detected by im m unohistochem istry and real-tim e fluorescence quanti-tative PC R respectively. The correlation betw een the expression of PTEN and the pathogenesis of coronary heart disease w as analyzed. Results The expression of PTENprotein in myocardium in cases w ith coro-nary heart disease w as significantly low er com pared w ith the control group (P<0.05). There w as no sta-tistical difference of the expression of PTEN m RNA betw een experim ental and control group (P>0.05). Conclusion PTEN m ay be involved in the occurrence and developm ent of coronary heart disease.

Objective: To examine the associations of fibroblast growth factor 19 (FGF19), its co-receptor KLB gene and its receptor FGFR4 with susceptibility to sarcopenia, so as to provide insights into elucidation of sarcopenia pathogenesis and formulation of precision interventions for sarcopenia. Methods: A case-control study was conducted. Patients with sarcopenia at ages of 60 years and older included in the Zhejiang Provincial Elderly Health Surveillance Cohorts were selected as the sarcopenia group, and normal residents at ages of 60 years and older were served as controls. Subjects' demographics were collected using questionnaire surveys, and the height, body weight, appendicular skeletal muscle mass and grip strength were measured. Genomic DNA was extracted from blood samples for multiplex PCR targeted capture. The associations between the KLB gene single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and susceptibility to sarcopenia were evaluated using multivariable logistic regression models. Results: There were 200 cases in the sarcopenia group, including 91 men and 109 women, and 180 cases in the control group, including 70 men and 110 women. All SNPs satisfied the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, and the minor allele frequencies were all > 0.05. There were no significant differences in the distribution of SNPs between the sarcopenia and control groups (all P>0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the SNP rs2687968 locus in the KLB gene was significantly associated with the susceptibility to sarcopenia among the elderly men (superdominant model), and individuals carrying the AC allele had a 2.332-fold higher risk of sarcopenia than those carrying the AA/CC allele (95%CI: 1.882-3.313). Conclusions KLB gene may correlate with the susceptibility to sarcopenia among the elderly men.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Vitex negundo var. heterophylla seeds ethanol extract(VSE) on immunological hepatitis and acute inflammation mice model.

METHODHepatic function in the immunological liver injury model was evaluated by assessing the levels of ALT in plasma, and the content of MDA, ORAC, NO and iNOS mRNA in liver tissues. VSE effect on the acute inflammation caused by croton oil and carrageenan was observed.

RESULTCompared to the model group, 125 and 500 mg x kg(-1) VSE could inhibit the activities of ALT in mice plasma, and enhanced levels of ORAC and decreased levels of MDA and modulated levels of NO in liver tissues. Meanwhile, VSE could ameliorate the ear swelling induced by croton oil and reduced the thickness of mice hind paw induced by carrageenan as well.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicated that VSE exerted potential effects on immunological hepatitis and the mechanisms might be partly related to free radical scavenging activity and inhibit release of iNOS. VSE also showed partial effects on acute inflammation.

Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents ; administration & dosage ; Disease Models, Animal ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Hepatitis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage ; Seeds ; chemistry ; Vitex ; chemistry