AIM: To set up a method of inducing mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) to differentiate into cardiomyocyte after treatment with 5-azacytidine. METHODS: Cytotoxicity of 5-azacytidine was measured by MTT assay. Treatment of mESC with conditioned culture mediums, which were composed of 5-azacytidine alone or combined with retinoic acid, induced the cell differentiation to cardiomyocytes. The cells induced were identified by detecting the expression of cardiac proteins (myosin, desmin, ?-actin and ?-actinin). Gene MLC-2v, a specific gene of ventricular-like cardiomyocyte, was also detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS: The non-cytotoxic dose of 5-azacytidine was 8 ?mol/L, which was able to induce mESC to differentiate into cardiac syncytiums. Cells induced expressed many cardiac proteins and MLC-2v mRNA. However, combined with retinoic acid inhibited mESC differentiation into cardiomyocyte. CONCLUSION: 5-azacytidine is able to promote mESC differentiation into cardiomyocytes. A method of inducing mESC to differentiate into cardiomyocytes in vitro has been established.

Objective:To explore the effect of auricular point pressing pill combined with rhubarb acupoint application on intestinal preparation and prevention of adverse events in colonoscopy.Methods:A total of 220 patients who met the inclusion criteria from May 2019 to February 2020 were randomly divided into 4 groups, 55 in each group. The control group was only given compound polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder. The auricular plaster group was combined with auricular point pressing pill on the basis of the control group. The acupoint sticking group was combined with rhubarb acupoint application on the basis of the control group. The combination group was combined with auricular point pressing pill and rhubarb acupoint application on the basis of the control group. The quality of bowel preparation was evaluated by Boston Bowel Preparation Scale(BBPS), and the adverse events such as perianal discomfort, defecation discomfort, abdominal pain and abdominal distension were observed.Results:After treatment, there was significant difference in BBPS score among the four groups ( F=3.038, P=0.030). The BBPS score in the acupoint sticking group (7.45 ± 1.20 vs. 6.78 ± 1.32) and combination group (7.26 ± 1.11 vs. 6.78 ± 1.32) were significantly higher than those in the control group( P<0.05). After treatment, there were significant differences in abdominal pain and abdominal distension scores among the four groups ( F=2.947, 5.879, P=0.034, 0.001). The scores of perianal discomfort (0.07 ± 0.38 vs. 0.44 ± 1.07), defecation discomfort (0.40 ± 0.81 vs. 0.87 ± 1.32) and abdominal pain (0.93 ± 1.32 vs. 1.69 ± 1.61) in the combination group were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05), and the abdominal distension score (1.05 ± 1.00 vs. 1.64 ± 0.95) in the acupoint sticking was significantly lower than that of the control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Auricular combined with rhubarb powder acupoint application can improve the quality of bowel preparation and reduce intestinal adverse reactions. It can be used with polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder for the intestinal preparation process.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the potential immunomodulatory properties of fetal bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (FBM- MSCs).

METHODSMononuclear cells from the bone marrow of second trimester (14-22 wks) fetus were isolated and cultured for the derivation of MSCs. The derived FBM-MSC cells were characterized via morphology, immunophenotyping and the adipogenic and osteogenic differentiation assays. The immunomodulatory properties of FBM-MSC on lymphocytes were evaluated through the co- culture assay with PHA activated adult peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs).

RESULTSDerived FBM-MSCs were CD29⁺, CD44⁺, CD49e⁺, CD73⁺, CD90⁺, CD105⁺ and CD31⁻ , CD34⁻ , CD45⁻ , HLA-DR⁻ and can be differentiated into adipocytes and osteocytes. When co-cultured with PHA-activated PBMCs, FBM-MSCs inhibited the proliferation of lymphocytes up to 96% and down-regulated the secretion of inflammatory cytokines such as IFN-γ and TNF-α up to 90.9% and 58.4% respectively. When compared with FBM-MSCs cultured alone, the expression of MSCs derived immunomodulatory cytokines, such as IDO, TSG-6 and TGF-β, was up-regulated significantly in the co-culture system.

CONCLUSIONMSC derived from fetal bone marrow demonstrated immunosuppressive effects on adult PBMCs in vitro. MSC-derived cytokines like IDO, TSG-6 and TGF-β may be critical for FBM-MSCs mediated immunosuppressive function.

Adult ; Bone Marrow ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Coculture Techniques ; Cytokines ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells ; Humans ; Immune Tolerance ; Immunophenotyping ; In Vitro Techniques ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; Lymphocytes ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; Osteogenesis

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility and safety percutaneous pulmonary vein intervention in patients with severe pulmonary vein stenosis (PVS) caused by fibrosing mediastinitis(FM). Methods: This retrospective analysis included 5 FM patients (2 male, 3 female, 54-77 years old) confirmed by clinical presentation and chest computed tomography (CT) scan from January to June 2018 who were from Gansu Provincial Hospital and Shanghai Chest Hospital. CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA) further revealed severe PVS caused by fibrotic tissue compression in mediastinum. After selective pulmonary vein angiography, gradually balloon angioplasty was used to expand the pulmonary vein and then stents were implanted in the pre-dilated stenotic pulmonary veins. Evaluation of therapeutic effect was made at 6 months after the procedure. Results: All of 11 serious compression PVS were treated with stent implantation (diameter: 7-10 mm, length: 17-27 mm). After stenting, degree of pulmonary vein stenosis decreased from (83±16)% to (12±4)% (P<0.01). The minimal diameter of the stenotic pulmonary vein was significantly increased from (0.8±0.5)mm to (7.5±0.8)mm (P<0.01). Trans-stenotic gradient decreased from (27.0±15.1)mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) to (2.50±0.58)mmHg (P<0.05). Mean pulmonary pressure measured by cardiac catheter decreased from (45.0±9.0)mmHg to (38.7±8.4)mmHg (P<0.05). One patient experienced cardiac arrest due to vagal nerve reflex during big sizing balloon stent dilation and recovered after cardiopulmonary resuscitation. There were no other serious procedure related complications. During the follow-up, severe stenosis at end of proximal stent was evidenced in 1 patient due to fibrotic compression, and another patient developed in-stent thrombosis due to discontinuation of prescribed anticoagulant. Conclusion Percutaneous intervention for severe pulmonary vein stenosis caused by FM is feasible and safe, and can improve hemodynamic caused by the compression of mediastinal vascular structures in these carefully selected patients.