Objective To rvaluate the therapeutic efficacy of balloon-dilatation covered stents in the treatment of renal artery stenosis(RAS).Methods The clinical data of 30 patients with RAS,who received intravascular ultrasonography(IVUS)-guided LifeStream balloon-dilatation covered stent implantation at the Affiliated Central Hospital of Dalian University of Technology(Dalian Municipal Central Hospital)of China from August 2022 to December 2023,were retrospectively analyzed.The various parameters of the lumen and the stent were measured,and the performance of the stent was evaluated.Results The minimum original blood vessel diameter below the base of the stenotic segment plaque was 5.40(5.17,5.80)mm and the maximum blood vessel diameter was 6.20(5.80,6.93)mm,which became 6.00(5.80,6.00)mm and 7.90(6.00,8.00)mm respectively after stent release,the differences were statistically significant(both P＜0.05).Before stent release the luminal eccentricity index was(14.72±9.37)％,which was(1.54±9.16)％after stent release,the difference was statistically significant P＜0.05).The instant stent symmetry after stent release was(82.69±14.61)％,and the stent expansion factor was(99.81±10.70)％.Ideal narrow coverage rate was obtained.During operation,poor stent adhesion occurred in 2 patients and renal artery rupture with bleeding occurred in one patient,which were solved after immediate re-expansion treatment.Spearman's correlation analysis showed that stent symmetry,stent expansion factor,and stent eccentricity index did not linearly correlate with the lumen cross-sectional area stenosis rate and the plaque eccentricity index(all P＞0.05).Conclusion For the treatment of RAS,the LifeStream balloon-dilatation covered stent is clinically safe,feasible,and effective with satisfactory immediate clinical outcomes.

Immune suppression in the tumor microenvironment (TME) is closely related to abnormal glycolysis. Tumor cells gain metabolic advantages and suppress immune responses through the "Warburg effect". Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been shown to regulate key glycolysis enzymes (such as HK2 and PKM2), metabolic signaling pathways (such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, HIF-1α) and non-coding RNAs at multiple targets, thus synergistically inhibiting lactate accumulation, improving vascular abnormalities, and relieving metabolic inhibition of immune cells. Studies have shown that TCM monomers and formulas can promote immune cell infiltration and functions, improve metabolic microenvironment, and with the assistance by the nano-delivery system, enhance the precision of treatment. However, the dynamic mechanism of the interaction between TCM-regulated glycolysis and TME has not been fully elucidated, for which single-cell sequencing and other technologies provide important technical support to facilitate in-depth analysis and clinical translational research. Future studies should be focused on the synergistic strategy of "metabolic reprogramming-immune activation" to provide new insights into the mechanisms of tumor immunotherapy.
Humans ; Tumor Microenvironment/immunology* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Signal Transduction ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology*

Objective To observe the value of intravascular ultrasound(IVUS)for assisting endovascular therapy for renal artery stenosis(RAS).Methods Thirty patients with RAS who underwent endovascular therapy were retrospectively analyzed.Parameters of renal artery and plaques in RAS segment measured with CT angiography(CTA)and IVUS before treatment were compared.Bland-Altman diagram was performed to evaluate the consistency of lumen cross-sectional stenosis rate and plaque eccentricity index between CTA and IVUS.The stent parameters measured with IVUS were recorded immediately after implantation of balloon-expandable covered stents.Results Before treatment,the minimum lumen diameter,lumen cross-sectional stenosis rate and stenotic segment length of IVUS were all larger,while maximum lumen diameter and lumen eccentricity index of IVUS were both smaller than those of CTA(all P＜0.05).No significant difference of plaque eccentricity index,plaque type nor stenosis distal remodeling was found between CTA and IVUS(all P＞0.05).The average difference between IVUS and CTA for evaluating lumen cross-sectional stenosis rate and plaque eccentricity index was-0.020(-0.096,0.050)and-0.020(-0.130,0.091),respectively.The consistency of IVUS and CTA for evaluating plaque eccentricity index was better than that of lumen cross-sectional stenosis rate.The stent symmetry,stent eccentricity index,stent expansion coefficient and stenosis coverage rate immediately after implantation measured with IVUS was(82.69±14.61)%,(1.54±9.16)%,(99.81±10.70)%and 100%,respectively.Among 30 cases,2 cases(2/30,6.67%)underwent postdilation since poor stent apposition.Conclusion IVUS could assist evaluating lumen and plaque parameters of stenotic renal arteries,guiding stent release and real-timely monitoring the effect of endovascular therapy.

Peroral endoscopic myotomy (POEM) has emerged as a rescue treatment for recurrent or persistent achalasia after failed initial management. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the efficacy and safety of POEM in achalasia patients with failed previous intervention. We searched the MEDLINE, Embase, Cochrane, and PubMed databases using the queries “achalasia,” “peroral endoscopic myotomy,” and related terms in March 2019. Data on technical and clinical success, adverse events, Eckardt score and lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure were collected.The pooled event rates, mean differences (MDs) and risk ratios (RR) were calculated. A total of 15 studies with 2,276 achalasia patients were included. Overall, the pooled technical success, clinical success and adverse events rate of rescue POEM were 98.0% (95% confidence interval [CI], 96.6% to 98.8%), 90.8% (95% CI, 88.8% to 92.4%) and 10.3% (95% CI, 6.6% to 15.8%), respectively. Seven studies compared the clinical outcomes of POEM between previous failed treatment and the treatment naïve patients. The RR for technical success, clinical success, and adverse events were 1.00 (95% CI, 0.98 to 1.01), 0.98 (95% CI, 0.92 to 1.04), and 1.17 (95% CI, 0.78 to 1.76), respectively. Overall, there was significant reduction in the pre- and post-Eckardt score (MD, 5.77; p<0.001) and LES pressure (MD, 18.3 mm Hg; p<0.001) for achalasia patients with failed previous intervention after POEM. POEM appears to be a safe, effective and feasible treatment for individuals who have undergone previous failed intervention. It has similar outcomes in previously treated and treatment-naïve achalasia patients.

Objective:To investigate the value of serum miR-214-5p level in predicting acute kidney injury(AKI)after cardiac surgery in children.Methods:From January 2015 to December 2019, 102 children with congenital heart disease underwent extracorporeal circulation in Haikou Maternal and Child Health Hospital were selected.The children were divided into AKI group( n=28)and non-AKI group( n=74). The levels of serum miR-214-5p, serum creatinine(Scr), cystatin C(Cys-C)and kidney injury molecule-1(KIM-1)were measured three hours after operation in both groups.Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors of AKI after cardiac surgery in children.The values of miR-214-5p, Scr, Cys-C and KIM-1 levels in predicting AKI in children after cardiac surgery were analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve. Results:The levels of serum miR-214-5p[(3.14±1.36)vs.(0.95±0.47)], Scr[(490.35±93.62)μmol/L vs.(108.26±22.40)μmol/L], Cys-C [(3.27±0.85)mg/L vs.(0.86±0.24)mg/L] and KIM-1 [(26.83±8.70)μg/L vs.(6.42±1.18)μg/L] in AKI group were significantly higher than those in non-AKI group(all P<0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that serum miR-214-5p, Scr, Cys-C and KIM-1 levels were independent risk factors for AKI in children after cardiac surgery( OR=2.518, P<0.001; OR=1.630, P=0.035; OR=1.974, P<0.001; OR=2.902, P<0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(0.958, 95% CI: 0.905-0.996)of miR-214-5p, Scr, Cys-C and KIM-1 combined prediction of AKI were the largest, and its sensitivity and specificity were 98.5% and 86.3%, respectively. Conclusion:The level of serum miR-214-5p is significantly higher in children with AKI after cardiac surgery, which is an independent risk factor for AKI after cardiac surgery, and the combination of Scr, Cys-C and KIM-1 levels can better predict the occurrence of AKI.

Objective:To identify effective biomarkers for glioma patients.Methods:The mRNA expression profiles of 464 glioma patients with complete clinical follow-up information were downloaded from the Chinese Glioma Genome Atlas (CGGA). Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to identify gene modules related to World Health Organization (WHO) grading of glioma, and univariate and multivatiate Cox regression analysis were performed to identify gliomas survival-related genes.Results:In weighted gene co-expression analysis, the module Brown was significantly positively correlated with glioma WHO stage ( r=0.55, P<0.05). In univariate analysis, five genes (TAGLN2, IGFBP2, METTL7B, ARAP3, PLAT) that were most significantly associated with clinical prognosis were selected for multivariate survival analysis, and the prognosis model was established to calculate the risk score. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) confirmed that the risk score had high accuracy in predicting the 1-, 3-, 5-year survival rate of glioma patients. The above survival analysis results were verified in the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. Conclusions:We use mRNA expression profiles to establish prognostic markers for gliomas to assess the overall survival of patients with glioma.

Objective:To study the role of neutrophil density and molecular mechanism in neutrophils-mediated inflammatory response induced by monosodium urate (MSU) crystals.Methods:Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) isolated from healthy human peripheral blood were treated with MSU crystals at different density (5×10 6/ml, 20×10 6/ml, 100×10 6/ml) in vitro. The mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of PMNs and production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were detected by flow cytometry. The distribution of MSU crystals was observed by polarized light microscopy. The neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) formation was detected by immune fluorescence. The cytokines in cell supernatant were measured by beads assay including interleukin 1β (IL-1β) , tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα) , interleukin 8 (IL-8) , interferon inducible protein 10 (IP-10) , macrophage inflammatory protein 1 (MIP-1) , monokine induced by interferon-γ (MIG) , macrophage inflammatory protein 1α (MIP-1α) , macrophage inflammatory protein 1β (MIP-1β) . Results:(1) After MSU crystal intervention, the side scatters (SSC) of neutrophils with medium-cell density (20×10 6/ml) and high-cell density (100×10 6/ml) were 128±13 and 93±9 respectively, both significantly lower than 170±19 in low-cell density (5×10 6/ml) group.(2) Similarly, compared with low-cell density group, the MFI (lucifer yellow) of PMNs with high-cell density was 1.8±0.2, also significantly decreased ( P<0.05). When co-treated with oxygenated adenosine triphosphate (oxATP), MFI of PMNs were all enhanced consistently. (3) In MSU crystals stimulated PMNs, after adding 2′,7′-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate, the MFI values were 0.85±0.32, 2.49±0.78, 4.54±1.02 in low cell density groups, medium cell density groups, and high cell density groups respectively, indicating that the generation of ROS was positively correlated with the increase of PMN density ( P<0.05). After the intervention of oxATP, the ROS production was significantly reduced. (4) MSU crystal induced NETs formation, especially at high cell density. NETs formation promotes MSU crystal aggregation, which could be partially overcome by oxATP pretreatment. (5) The expression of cytokines were all significantly decreased in the supernatant of PMNs at high cell density exposed to MSU crystals compared with PMNs at medium cell density ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:The PMN-mediated inflammation induced by MSU crystals is cell density dependent, and ATP may play a role in partially overcoming the process.

AIM:To investigate the effect of microRNA-214 ( miR-214) on cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and the expression of the potential target genes .METHODS:A cell model of hypertrophy was established based on angiotensin-Ⅱ( Ang-Ⅱ)-induced neonatal mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes ( NMVCs) .Dual luciferase reporter assay was performed to verify the interaction between miR-214 and the 3’ UTR of MEF2C.The expression of MEF2C and hypertrophy-related genes at mRNA and protein levels was determined by RT-qPCR and Western blot , respectively .RESULTS:The expression of ANP, ACTA1,β-MHC and miR-214 was markedly increased in Ang-Ⅱ-induced hypertrophic cardiomyocytes .Dual lu-ciferase reporter assay revealed that miR-214 interacted with the 3’ UTR of MEF2C, and miR-214 was verified to inhibit MEF2C expression at the transcriptional level .The protein expression of MEF2C was markedly increased in the hypertro-phic cardiomyocytes .Moreover, miR-214 mimic, in parallel to MEF2C siRNA, inhibited the expression of hypertrophy-re-lated genes in Ang-Ⅱ-induced NMVCs.CONCLUSION:MEF2C is a target gene of miR-214, which mediates the effect of miR-214 on attenuating cardiomyocyte hypertrophy .

AIM:To investigate the effect of caspase-8 small hairpin RNA ( shRNA) on attenuating apoptosis of human mesenchymal stem cells ( hMSCs ) .METHODS: Two recombinant plasmids for over-expression of caspase-8 shRNA, pAd-Cap8 shRNA1 and pAd-Cap8 shRNA2, were constructed.Caspase-8 mRNA was determined in pAd-Cap8 shRNA-transfected human HEK293 cells by Q-PCR.The screened pAd-Cap8 shRNA was used to construct the recombinant adenovirus plasmid , which was linearized and transfected into HEK 293 cells for packaging and amplification of the recombi-nant adenovirus rAd-Cap8 shRNA.The expression of caspase-8 at mRNA and protein levels was determined by Q-PCR and Western blotting .Annexin V/PI staining and determination of caspase-8 activity were performed to assess apoptosis of hM-SCs under the conditions of serum deprivation and hypoxia .The mRNA expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL was analyzed by Q-PCR.RESULTS:The pAd-Cap8 shRNA, which efficiently inhibited caspase-8 expression, was screened by Q-PCR.The recombinant adenovirus plasmid for caspase-8 shRNA was constructed and used to package and amplify the recombinant ad-enovirus ( rAd)-Cap8 shRNA successfully .rAd-Cap8 shRNA-mediated caspase-8 shRNA markedly inhibited caspase-8 ex-pression in hMSCs .Over-expression of caspase-8 shRNA by infection of rAd-Cap8 shRNA also efficiently decreased the ap-optotic rate and caspase-8 activity in hMSCs under the conditions of serum deprivation and hypoxia , with up-regulation of the mRNA expression of HGF, IGF-1 and Bcl-2.CONCLUSION:Caspase-8 shRNA attenuates hMSC apoptosis under the conditions of serum deprivation and hypoxia .

Objective To investigate the effects of dextran sulfate on lung ischemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplantation in rats.Method A total of 32 male Wistar rats were subjected to unilateral left lung orthotopic transplantation.They were randomly divided two groups (n =16 each):DXS group [DXS (10 mg/kg) was given prior to the reperfusion],and the control group (the same volume of normal saline was given).After animals were sacrificed,the lung graft was harvested 2 h after reperfusion.Oxygenation indexes,wet/dry ratio (W/D),myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity,malondialdehyde (MDA) and endothelin 1 (ET-1) in the transplanted lung,and tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-α) and interleukin 8 (IL-8) in serum were measured.The lung injury scores were evaluated and complement deposition was observed.Result After 2-h reperfusion,compared to the control group,oxygenation indexes were improved significantly in DXS group (P＜0.05),but there were no significant differences in W/D between two groups.In DXS group,the activity of MPO was significantly reduced,and the contents of MDA and ET-1 in the lung tissue were significantly reduced as compared with the control group.DXS reduced the level of TNF-α and IL-8 markedly in serum (P ＜0.05).There was no significant difference in lung injury score between two groups (4.53 ± 0.46 vs.5.28 ±0.49,P＞0.05).Compared to the control group,DXS reduced the deposition of C3c (0.8 ±0.2vs1.5±0.3) andC6 (1.2±0.4vs.2.4±0.5) (P＜0.05).Conclusion Administration of DXS attenuated ischemia-reperfusion injury after lung transplantation by inhibiting complement deposition,and improved the oxygenation of the transplanted lung.This protection was associated with inhibition of inflammation and oxidation and endothelial cytoprotection.