Objective To examine the effect of the demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine(5-Aza-CdR)on pericyte-myofibroblast transition(PMT)in primary rat renal myofibroblasts.Methods Rat primary renal myofibroblasts were treated with 5-Aza-CdR 250 ng/mL for 72 h,and the degree of Epo promoter methylation was detected by pyrosequencing.Protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β(PDGFRβ)and DNA methyltransferase(Dnmt3a)were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot,and erythropoietin(EPO)levels in the supernatant were detected.Results Compared with the control group,5-Aza-CdR treatment significantly decreased the expression of Dnmt3a and hypermethylation of the Epo promoter,and subsequently decreased the expression of α-SMA and the expression ratio of α-SMA to PDGFRβ in myofibroblasts.Meanwhile,5-Aza-CdR treatment increased the level of EPO in the cell supernatant.Conclusions 5-Aza-CdR can reverse PMT by inhibiting Epo promoter hypermethylation in primary renal myofibroblasts.

Objective To examine the effect of the demethylating agent 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine(5-Aza-CdR)on pericyte-myofibroblast transition(PMT)in primary rat renal myofibroblasts.Methods Rat primary renal myofibroblasts were treated with 5-Aza-CdR 250 ng/mL for 72 h,and the degree of Epo promoter methylation was detected by pyrosequencing.Protein expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β(PDGFRβ)and DNA methyltransferase(Dnmt3a)were detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot,and erythropoietin(EPO)levels in the supernatant were detected.Results Compared with the control group,5-Aza-CdR treatment significantly decreased the expression of Dnmt3a and hypermethylation of the Epo promoter,and subsequently decreased the expression of α-SMA and the expression ratio of α-SMA to PDGFRβ in myofibroblasts.Meanwhile,5-Aza-CdR treatment increased the level of EPO in the cell supernatant.Conclusions 5-Aza-CdR can reverse PMT by inhibiting Epo promoter hypermethylation in primary renal myofibroblasts.

Objective:To establish an ultrasound radiomics model by integrating clinical, pathological, and conventional ultrasound features with radiomics characteristics, and to explore its clinical value in predicting endocrine resistance in hormone receptor(HR)-positive breast cancer.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 478 patients with HR-positive breast cancer from January 2017 to December 2021 in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, of which 430 were resistant and 48 were sensitive. The clinical, pathological and immunohistochemical data and ultrasound images were collected.Firstly, the propensity score was used to process and match the data. Secondly, Logistic regression was used to screen clinical, pathological, and conventional ultrasound features associated with endocrine resistance. Then, PyRadiomics was used to extract the radiomic features of grayscale ultrasound images, and a series of methods such as Lasso regression were used to screen the radiomic features related to endocrine resistance. Seven machine learning methods such as random forest were used to build a radiomics model. Finally, clinical, pathological and ultrasound features were added to establish a clinical pathological model, a clinical pathological ultrasound model, a clinical pathological radiomics model and a combined model of the four features, and the model effectiveness was evaluated.Results:①Propensity score matching: 96 patients were matched, including 48 patients in the drug-resistant group and 48 patients in the sensitive group. ②Screening clinical pathological conventional ultrasound features related to endocrine resistance: lymph node metastasis, tumor diameter, posterior echo attenuation, and growth orientation were independent predictors of endocrine resistance (all P<0.05). ③Screening radiomics features related to endocrine resistance: 18 features such as Dependence Entropy. ④Establishing radiomics model: the machine learning model of random forest method (AUC=0.80) performed best. ⑤Radiomics model integrating clinical, pathological and conventional ultrasound features: the AUC of the clinical pathological model was 0.70, the AUC of the clinical pathological ultrasound model was 0.78, the AUC of the clinical pathological radiomics model was 0.82, and the AUC of the combined model was 0.86. Conclusions:The radiomics model established by the random forest method performs best in predicting endocrine resistance in HR-positive breast cancer. The model that integrates multiple features performs best in assessing endocrine resistance.which is expected to provide an objective basis for clinicians to predict endocrine resistance in HR-positive breast cancer.

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether the microRNA-222(miRNA-222) carried by plasma exosomes can serve as an early warning marker for cognitive impairment induced by shRNA-PCSK9. METHODS The high-fat diet(HFD) was used to prepare a hypercholesterolemic mouse model group. The model group mice were divided into HFD-shRNA control group and HFD-shRNA-PCSK9 group. The shRNA-PCSK9 was constructed, injected intravenously into the body, and the expression of PCSK9 mRNA was detected by real-time PCR(RT-PCR). Tau protein and phosphorylation in brain tissue were observed by immunohistochemistry (IHC). Western blotting was used to detect Tau protein and P-Tau protein. Serum amyloid Aβ1-42Ab levels were determined by ELISA. The kits extracted plasma exosomes step by step, identify the exosome morphology by negative staining electron microscopy, and determined the size of exosomes by NTA technology. RT-PCR technique was used to detect the expression level of miRNA-222 carried in plasma exosomes. RESULTS The model mouse were prepared by feeding HFD for 13 weeks, whose total cholesterol(TC) and low-density lipoprotein(LDL-C) contents in serum were significantly increased. At the same time, the expression of PCSK9 mRNA in the brain tissue of model group was significantly increased. After shRNA-PCSK9 lentivirus interference, PCSK9 mRNA expression was inhibited, and IHC observed that shRNA-PCSK9 induced abnormal expression and hyperphosphorylation of Tau protein in brain tissue, indicating that the pathological changes of neurofibrillary tangles had occurred. However, at this time, serum Aβ1-42Ab had not been significantly increased, and it had not yet been of significance for the diagnosis of cognitive impairment. The miRNA in plasma exosomes was extracted, and RT-PCR results showed that the expression of miRNA-222 carried in the exosomes of the HFD-shRNA-PCSK9 group was significantly lower than that of the HFD-shRNA control group. CONCLUSION Plasma exosomes carried miRNA-222 provides an early warning marker for shRNA-PCSK9- induced cognitive impairment.

OBJECTIVE Based on the G protein-coupled bile acid receptor(TGR5)/nucleotide binding oligomerization domain-like receptor 3(NLRP3) signaling pathway, to explore the mechanism of Huoxue Qingjieling in improving the inflammatory response of rats with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH). METHODS A total of 70 male SD rats were randomly divided into 5 groups, 20 rats in the control group, 20 rats in the model group, 10 rats in each of the atorvastatin positive drug group, the high-dose and low-dose groups of Huoxue Qingjieling. The control group was given normal feed, and the rest of the groups were given high-fat diet. Through model evaluation, it was determined that the NASH rat model was successfully established at the end of the 20th week. After successful modeling, the control group and the model group were given with normal saline by intragastric administration, the atorvastatin positive drug group, and the high and low dose groups of Huoxue Qingjieling were given corresponding drugs once a day for 4 weeks. At the end of the 24th week, the rats were killed, and the changes of body weight, wet liver weight and liver index was calculated. The serum was taken to test the triglyceride(TG), total cholesterol(TC), alanine aminotransferase(ALT), and aspartic acid aminotransferase(AST) levels by automatic biochemical analyzer. Pathological changes of liver tissues were observed by HE staining and oil red O staining. The expression levels of TGR5 and NLRP3 proteins were detected by Western blotting and immunofluorescence staining. ELISA detected the content of interleukin-18(IL-18) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β) in liver tissue. RESULTS Huoxue Qingjieling could significantly improve the general state of NASH rats. Every dose group could significantly reduce the body weight, liver wet weight and liver index of rats(P<0.01), and TG, TC content and ALT, AST activity levels of serum significantly decreased(P<0.01). The pathological results showed that Huoxue Qingjieling could significantly improve liver steatosis, inflammation and balloon-like. The expression of TGR5 protein was significantly increased(P<0.01), the expression of NLRP3 protein and the content of IL-18, IL-1β were significantly decreased(P<0.01, P<0.05). CONCLUSION Huoxue Qingjieling can significantly improve the state of NASH rats, inhibit liver steatosis and inflammation, and its mechanism may be closely related to the inhibition of TGR5/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of Xiaoyaosan in improving the abnormal glucose metabolism in chronic sleep deprivation(CSD) mice based on tyrosine hydroxylase/alpha-2a adrenergic receptor(TH/ADRA2A) signal pathway. METHODS Fifty six-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into two groups: 10 in the control group and 40 in the model group. The rats in the model group were deprived of sleep for 4 weeks by the method of multi-platform water environment. Fasting plasma glucose(FPG) and body mass were measured once a week for three consecutive weeks. Then, according to FPG, they were randomly divided into four groups, namely model group, guanethidine group(30 mg·kg-1·d-1) and Xiaoyaosan low and high dose groups(33.88, 101.64 g·kg-1·d-1). After grouping, continue modeling for a week. Then the drug was administered for 4 weeks. The control group and model group were treated with pure water of the same volume. Modeling continued during the administration period. On the 53rd day, blood was collected from the tail vein for the glucose tolerance test. On the 56th day, the expression of insulin(INS), noradrenaline(NE) and corticosterone(CORT) in serum was detected by ELISA. HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of pancreatic islets. Detection of co expression of TH and INS in pancreatic tissues by immunofluorescence staining. Real-time PCR and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of ADRA2A mRNA and protein in the pancreas. RESULTS In the process of CSD modeling, compared with the initial body mass, the body mass of the model group mice decreased significantly at the end of the first week of modeling(P<0.05), and FPG increased significantly(P<0.01). After administration, compared with the control group, the glucose tolerance of the model group was significantly abnormal. The levels of NE, CORT and INS increased significantly(P<0.01), the expression level of ADRA2A mRNA and protein in the pancreas was significantly increased(P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Xiaoyaosan groups had better glucose tolerance, the levels of NE, CORT and INS decreased significantly(P<0.05), and the expression of ADRA2A mRNA and protein in the pancreas decreased significantly(P<0.05 or P<0.01). HE staining results showed that the number of cells in the islets of the model group was significantly reduced compared with the control group, and the situation was improved in all drug groups. The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that the protein content of TH in the model group increased, and the expression of TH in each group decreased after administration. CONCLUSION Xiaoyaosan can improve the abnormal glucose metabolism induced by CSD, and its mechanism may be related to the reduction of TH/ADRA2A expression.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of peroneal osteotomy combined with arthroscopic knee debridement on perioperative indexes, X-ray indexes, Japanese Orthopaedic Association Assessment score (JOA score), American Hospital for Special Surgery knee score (HSS score) and complication rate of patients with knee osteoarthritis.Methods:A prospective research method was adopted. A total of 110 patients with knee osteoarthritis who were admitted to Chengde Central Hospital from April 2016 to April 2021 were selected as the research objects and divided into the control group (55 cases), the combined group (55 cases) by random number table method. The control group underwent arthroscopic debridement of the knee joint. On the basis of the control group, the combined group was combined with fibula osteotomy. The control group and the combined group were followed up for 6 months after operation. The perioperative indicators, score of JOA before and after 1 month of treatment, X-ray indicators, score of HSS before and after 6 months of treatment, and the incidence of complications during the follow-up period were compared between the control group and the combined group.Results:The operation time of the combined group was longer than that of the control group: (84.36 ± 14.64) min vs. (75.88 ± 12.86) min; compared with before operation, 1 month after operation, the scores of swelling, pain while up and down stairs, walking pain, joint range of motion were increased in the control group and the combined group, and the combined group was higher than the control group: (8.35 ± 0.73) points vs. (6.74 ± 0.67) points, (15.05 ± 1.74) points vs. (13.96±1.66) points, (21.75 ± 2.07) points vs. (18.58 ± 1.73) points, (27.59 ± 3.25) points vs. (25.74 ± 2.83) points; the femoral tibial angle and the range of motion of the knee joint in the control group and the combined group were increased, and the combined group was greater than the control group: (1.94 ± 0.60)° vs. (3.02 ± 0.67)°; the scores of stability, flexion deformity, muscle strength, range of motion, function, and pain in the control group and the combined group increased, and the combined group was higher than the control group: (8.62 ± 0.86) points vs. (6.89 ± 0.78) points, (7.86 ± 0.96) points vs. (6.27 ± 0.68) points, (7.79 ± 0.62) points vs. (6.95 ± 0.57) points, (14.95 ± 2.60) points vs. (12.48 ± 2.33) points, (17.46 ± 2.21) points vs. (14.59 ± 1.76) points, (24.83 ± 3.25) points vs. (18.59 ± 2.57) points, the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). During the following up period, there were no significant differences in the incidences of osteofascial compartment syndrome, neurovascular injury, intraarticular adhesion and incision infection between the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The operation time of fibular osteotomy combined with arthroscopic debridement of knee joint in patients with knee osteoarthritis was longer, but fibular osteotomy combined with arthroscopic debridement of the knee joint can reduce the valgus of the patient and improve the range of motion of the joint. It could effectively reduce the degree of pain and improve the function of knee joint, and the safety was good, with good therapeutic effect.

Objective:To explore the application value of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) technology in twin pregnancy.Methods:A total of 339 twin pregnant women who underwent NIPT at Dalian Municipal Women and Children′s Medical Center(Group), Dalian Jinpu New District Maternity and Child Health Hospital, and Dalian Lvshunkou District People′s Hospital from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021 were continuously retrospectively included. The clinical characteristics and test results of pregnant women with high-risk and low-risk were analyzed.Results:Among 339 pregnant women, 336 were successfully tested, with a success rate of 99.12%(336/339); 6 pregnant women were at high risk of NIPT, with a positive screening rate of 1.77%(6/339), including 1 case of high risk of trisomy 13, 2 cases of high risk of trisomy 18, and 3 cases of high risk of Trisomy 21; the results of amniocentesis for 2 high-risk pregnant women were not abnormal.Conclusions:NIPT technology is non-invasive, safe and efficient, and is suitable for large-scale prenatal screening. However, the detection accuracy of pregnant women with twin pregnancy needs to be improved.

OBJECTIVE：To study the effects of couplet medicine of Rheum p almatum-Salvia miltiorrhiza on the contents of enterogenous urotoxin and intestinal barrier function in chronic renal failure （CRF）model rats. METHODS ：Totally 55 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into sham operation group （10 rats）and modeling group （45 rats）. In sham operation group ，the kidneys were isolated but not removed ；CRF model was reproduced by 5/6 nephrectomy in modeling group. After modeling （excluding 5 dead and non-modeling rats ），modeling rats were divided into model group （water），Niaoduqing granules group （2.5 g/kg），couplet medicine of R. palmatum -S. miltiorrhiza groups（6，3 g/kg，by crude drug ），with 10 rats in each group. Sham operation group and model group were given constant volume of water intragastrically. Administration groups were given relevant medicine intragastrically ，once a day ，for consecutive 12 weeks. After last administration ，the contents of creatinine （Scr）and urea nitrogen（BUN）in serum ，the content of urinary creatinine （Ucr） in urine were determined by automatic biochemical analyzer；creatinine clearance rate （Ccr）was calculated. The contents of enterogenous urotoxin [trimethylamine-N-oxide （TMAO），indoxyl sulfate （IS）and p-cresyl sulphate （PCS）] were determined by UPLC-ESI-MS/MS. Real-time RT-PCR and immunofluorescence assay were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of Occludin and ZO-1 in the ileum tissue. HE staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathologi cal changes of renal tissue. The ultrastructural changes of rat colon were observed by transmission electron microscope. RESULTS ：Compared with sham operation group ，serum contents of Scr，BUN，TMAO，PCS and IS were increased significantly in model group （P＜0.01），while urine content of Ucr ，Ccr，mRNA and protein expression of Occludin and ZO- 1 in ileum tissue were decreased significantly （P＜0.01）；renal glomerulosclerosis ， renal tubules dilation and inflammatory invasion and fibrosisin the interstitium were all found ；the intestinal epithelial barrier structure of colon tissue was severely damaged. Compared with model group ，serum contents of Scr ，BUN，TMAO，PCS and IS were decreased significantly in administration groups （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）；the mRNA and protein expression of Occludin and ZO-1 in the ileum tissue were increased significantly （except for mRNA expression of ZO- 1 in R. palmatum -S. miltiorrhiza low-dose group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）；the infiltration of inflammatory cells in renal interstitium ，the degree of fibrosis and the damage of intestinal epithelial barrier structure in colon tissue were reduced. CONCLUSIONS ：Couplet medicine of R. palmatum -S. miltiorrhiza can effectively protect the residual renal function of CRF model rats ，the mechanism of which may be associated with reducing the serum contents of enterogenous urotoxin ，up-regulating mRNA and protein expresssion of Occludin and ZO- 1 in the ileum tissue so as to improve intestinal barrier function.

Objective To observe the host response and the expression of interleukin-4 (IL-4) in different cross-linked hyaluronic acid composite gels at different time points after the implantation in vivo, and to explore the significance of biocompatibility and macrophage polarization in post-implantation inflammatory response and tissue remodeling. Methods New Zealand white rabbits were respectively injected with crosslinked hyaluronic acid-crosslinked hydroxypropyl methylcellulose gel (sample 1), crosslinked hyaluronic acid-hydroxypropyl methylcellulose gel (sample 2) and commercially available modified sodium hyaluronate gel (control) in subcutaneous tissue at both sides of the spine. Then the rabbits were dissected at 1, 4 and 12 weeks after the implantation. The tissues were fixed with 10％formaldehyde solution, embedded in paraffin and sliced. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was performed to observe the degree of inflammation and fibrosis. Masson staining was performed to observe the formation of collagen fibers. Immunohistochemical staining was performed to observe the expression of IL-4. Results The results of HE staining showed that the inflammatory reaction in the sample 1 and sample 2 groups was significantly higher than that in the control group 1 and 4 weeks after the implantation. The inflammatory cells aggregated, and the wall of capsule and microcapsule was thick. The sample 1 group was more obvious, and the result was mild stimulation. For all the groups, the results were all non-irritating at 12 weeks after the implantation. The results of Masson staining showed that the collagen fibers in the sample 1 and sample 2 groups were increased compared with the control group, mainly distributed around the implantation site, and a small amount among the gels after 1 and 4 weeks. After 12 weeks, the collagen fibers were further increased, especially among the gels, which were consistent with the control group. The results of immunohistochemical staining showed that, at the same time point, the expression of IL-4 in sample 1 and sample 2 groups was higher than that in the control group, and the expression of IL-4 increased gradually with time. The expression of IL-4 in the control and sample 1 group at 12 weeks after the implantation was higher than that at 1 and 4 weeks respectively, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). In the sample 1 group, the expression of IL-4 at 12 weeks after the implantation was higher than that at 1 week, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). The expression of IL-4 in the sample 1 group was significantly higher than that in the control group at 4 weeks after the implantation, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Conclusions The two different cross-linked sodium hyaluronate composite gels have good biocompatibility. The formation of collagen fiber and the expression of IL-4 can gradually increased within 12 weeks after the subcutaneous implantation, which is beneficial to the tissue remodeling.