Alcohol exposure, as a widespread environmental factor, is highly toxic and teratogenic. Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are pluripotent and key to development, and their gene expression is tightly regulated, allowing the cells to differentiate without self-renewal. Numerous studies showed that alcohol is an important factor affecting the differentiation of ESCs. In this paper, we systematically summarized four major molecular mechanisms underlying alcohol associated differentiation of ESCs: (1) inhibition of the Wnt signaling pathway; (2) restriction of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) pathway; (3) alteration of the expression of pluripotent transcription factors; and (4) activation of the nuclear transcriptional program. Through the above mechanisms, alcohol induces aberrant expression of differentiation-related genes and alters the direction of cellular differentiation towards specific lineages, thereby affecting normal embryonic development. Based on the studies on ESCs modeling and other in vitro and in vivo differentiation experiments, the molecular basis of how alcohol affects differentiation by interfering with signaling networks and transcriptional regulation was elucidated, and the results of current research in this field were also summarized, which is crucial for understanding alcohol-mediated toxic effects.

Infertility is a common reproductive disorder affecting millions of couples worldwide. It is estimated that male factors account for about 30%-50% of infertility cases, and some studies have found that the concentration of male sperm gradually decreases over time, a trend that suggests the importance of male fertility. Many factors contribute to the decline of male fertility, among which environmental factors have received widespread attention. After reaching adulthood, spermatogonial stem cells will continue to produce sperm, but these cells exist outside the blood testicular barrier, which makes them highly sensitive to environmental conditions such as air pollution, tobacco smoke, radiation, and heavy metals. It is reported that exposure to these adverse environmental factors not only causes oxidative stress and DNA damage to germ cells, but also leads to abnormal epigenetic modification of sperm DNA, thereby causing a series of diseases. This article reviewed the abnormal methylation changes in DNA associated with exposure to environmental pollutants during spermatogenesis and how these changes affect the quantity, quality, and function of spermatozoa.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy of video-assisted thoracoscopic intrathoracic fixation in the treatment of multiple rib fractures.Methods Clinical data of 93 cases of multiple rib fractures in our department from August 2019 to April 2022 were retrospectively compared.They were divided into thoracoscopic group(n=50)and traditional group(n=43)according to surgical methods.In the thoracoscopic group,the memory alloy rib plate was used for thoracoscopic intrathoracic fixation,and in the traditional group,the memory alloy rib plate was used for traditional thoracotomy to treat multiple rib fractures.The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,postoperative hospital stay,postoperative catheter duration,postoperative pain time,postoperative drainage volume,and postoperative complications were compared between the two groups.Results As compared with the traditional group,the thoracoscopic group had significantly shorter operation time[(96.1±24.7)min vs.(110.2±29.1)min,t=-2.526,P=0.013],less intraoperative blood loss[(76.0±38.4)ml vs.(140.2±80.8)ml,t=-4.767,P=0.000],shorter postoperative catheter duration[(3.9±1.6)d vs.(6.2±1.8)d,t=-2.739,P=0.008],less postoperative drainage volume[(132.4±53.9)ml vs.(157.9±50.5)ml,t=-2.345,P=0.021],shorter postoperative hospital stay[(5.8±2.5)d vs.(9.7±2.5)d,t=-4.397,P=0.000],and shorter pain time[(4.9±1.2)d vs.(5.8±1.4)d,t=-2.199,P=0.030].The incidence of postoperative pneumonia,atelectasis,and pleural effusion in the thoracoscopic group was significantly lower than that in the traditional group(P<0.05).Follow-ups at 1,3,and 12 months after surgery showed that the rib plate was firmly fixed without any displacement,deformation,or detachment.Conclusion Video-assisted thoracoscopic intrathoracic fixation in the treatment of multiple rib fractures has advantages of less trauma,less pain,faster recovery,and definite clinical results,which is worthy of clinical application and promotion.

Cellular metabolism in tumor is an important biological process to promote the occurrence and development of tumor, and the genes related to cellular metabolism are gradually becoming the targets of tumor treatment. However, more researches are still needed to explore the abnormal metabolism in tumor progression and its prognostic value. BDH2 gene is a multifunctional gene, participates in a variety of metabolic pathways, plays an important catalytic role in iron metabolism, participates in ketone metabolism and is related to lipid metabolism. In recent years, researchers have found that BDH2 plays distinct roles in various types of tumors. The occurrence and development of a variety of tumors are closely related to BDH2. This paper analyzes, summarizes and prospects the role and mechanism of BDH2 in metabolism and tumorigenesis.

Objective:To review the treatment experience of extremely premature infants (EPIs) with gestational age (GA) <23 weeks.Methods:From January to November 2021, EPIs with GA<23 weeks treated in our hospital was retrospectively analyzed.Results:A total of 3 patients with GA of 22 weeks were reviewed, including 2 boys and 1 girl. Their birth weight (BW) was 450~498 g. The duration of hospitalization was 112~126 d. The treatment included early "gentle" management strategies, respiratory management, anti-infection, patent ductus arteriosus treatment and parenteral + enteral nutrition. All 3 infants were discharged from the hospital without further oxygen therapy. All had satisfying oral feeding with no neurological sequelae on follow-up.Conclusions:Early "gentle" management is the key to successful treatment and good prognosis for EPIs with GA<23w

For decades, researchers have focused on building genetically and phenotypically stable neural stem cell lines designed to restore the irreversible loss of function of nerve tissue to meet clinical needs. Among them, stem cells that maintain their pluripotent state in adults have also become one of the research focuses. With the development of technologies such as induced pluripotent stem cells and direct differentiation of somatic cells into desired cell types, research methods based on the use of allogeneic neural stem cells derived from embryonic or fetal neural tissue have gradually become a thing of the past. This article will review the basic molecular mechanisms surrounding the maintenance of pluripotent states of stem cells and reprogrammed somatic cells, as well as experimental protocols for inducing neural stem cells.

Objective:To demonstrate the post-discharge catch-up growth of extremely premature infants (EPI) within 24 months of corrected age.Methods:This study retrospectively collected the anthropomorphic measurements of 311 EPI who visited Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital from August 2013 to April 2020. These infants were stratified according to gestational age at birth (GA): 23-24 +6weeks, 25-26 +6weeks, 27-27 +6weeks; and birth weight:<750 g, 750-999 g, ≥1 000 g. The anthropomorphic measurements, including weight, length, and head circumference for age, were recorded timely from discharge to 24 months of corrected age. And the growth curve stratified by GA and birth weight were fitted in both chronological age and corrected age, which were then compared with the World Health Organization Child Growth Standards for term infant (2006 version), to investigate the catch-up growth pattern of EPI. And appropriate catch-up was defined as the measurements reached the 25 th percentile of WHO growth curve. Results:In these 311 EPI, 184 were males and 127 females, with gestational age of 23-27 +6 weeks and birth weight of 480-1 430 g. Regardless of the GA and birth weight, the growth curves fitted in corrected age failed to overlap with that in chronological age by 24 months of corrected age. The growth velocity of weight, length and head circumference in both corrected and chronological age were all positively correlated with GA and birth weight: the 27-27 +6weeks group showed a preferable growth pattern than the 25-26 +6weeks group, and the curve of the 23-24 +6weeks group was most unfavorable; and the same pattern was observed between the subgroups of different birth weight. Furthermore, the GA had more significant impact on the catch-up growth pattern than birth weight did. When assessed with corrected age curve, the weight and length of both male and female EPIs achieved appropriate catch-up by 24 months, as well as the head circumference of girls; whereas, boys′ head circumference reached appropriate catch-up at the corrected age of 9 months, but fell behind the 25 th percentile after that. However, when assessed with chronological age curve, both boys and girls failed to achieve appropriate catch-up in weight, length and head circumference by age 24 months. And no matter in corrected or chronological age, all physical measurements of girls were lower than those of boys. Conclusions:The rapid catch-up growth of EPI happens within 6 months of corrected age. The lower the birth weight and gestational age, the lower the physical measurements at each corresponding month of age, and the longer it takes to achieve appropriate catch-up. Gestational age has a greater impact on the longitudinal catch-up growth than birth weight does. And girls generally grow slower than boys in either correct or actual age. Before 24 months of corrected age, the growth should be assessed with corrected age rather than chronological age.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of immune cells induced and differentiated by umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (UCMCs) on the immune function of patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Methods: Ninety patients with SCLC, who were admitted to the Affiliated Hospitalof InnerMongolia Medical University from January 2012 to December 2015, were randomly divided into control group (45 patients, EP regimen), study group (45 patients, EP regimen+UCMC-induced and differentiated immune cells). The study group of patients received immune cell treatment 3-5 d after chemotherapy ([1-3]×1010cells/treatment), 30 d for a cycle. The changes in T cell subsets, IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-10 and TGF-β1 in peripheral blood of patients were observed by flow cytometry at pre-treatment and 12 weeks post-treatment. Life quality and adverse events of patients were evaluated. Results: The study group, 15 cases achieved CR, 25 cases of PR and 5 cases of SD. The percent of T cell subsets in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P<0.01), and the time of return to normal level was obviously shorter (P<0.05). The serum level of inflammatory cytokine IFN-γ increased or exceeded the normal range in 80.9% patients, and IL-10 and TGF-β1 levels were significantly decreased as compared with pretreatment (P<0.05). The quality of life was obviously better than that of the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Immune cells induced and differentiated by UCMCs can promote the recovery of immune function of patients with SCLC.

Objective To study the changes in morphology , phenotypes and gene expression pro-files of dendritic cells (DCs) following treatment with Seabuckthorn flavones (SF).Methods DCs were treated with 200μg/ml of SF and then cultured for 7 days.Changes in the morphology of DCs were observed under light microscope .Flow cytometry was used to detect DC surface molecules .Total RNA was extracted to construct the library for digital gene expression profiling ( DGE ) .Differentially expressed genes were screened out and further analyzed by gene ontology ( GO) enrichment analysis and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes ( KEGG ) pathway enrichment analysis .Results Compared with control group , SF treatment significantly enhanced the expression of HLA-DR, CD80, CD83 and CD86 on DCs.A total of 355 differentially expressed genes were screened out by DGE , including 176 up-regulated genes and 179 down-regulated genes .GO enrichment was mainly involved in the regulation and development of the immune sys -tem and other biological processes .KEGG pathway analysis showed that the significantly enriched pathways were closely related to inflammation , the immune system, cancer and other diseases .Conclusion SF can promote the expression of DC co-stimulatory molecules and pro-mature molecules, and regulate the expres-sion of immunity-related genes such as CD11a, SLAMF6, LMCD1, TSC22D3 and IKZF3.

Objective To analyze the incidence of retinopathy of prematurity(ROP)among extreme-ly preterm infants,and to evaluate the treatment methods and effects among those with severe ROP.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed to analyze incidence of ROP in 96 cases of extremely preterm infants who were born at a gestational age of 〈28 weeks and survived beyond a postmenstrual age of at least 1 year from Apr 2006 to Oct 2013,and to analyze the treatment outcomes of photocoagulation and ranibizum-ab intravitreal injection among the infants with severe ROP.Results Fifty-six of 96 cases(58.33%)grew into ROP finally and 21 cases(21.88%)grew into severe ROP,2 cases(2.08%)grew into aggressive poste-rior ROP.Fifteen cases with severe ROP were treated with laser photocoagulation.Four cases with severe ROP were received ranibizumab intravitreal injection prior to photocoagulation.Two cases with severe ROP were only treated with ranibizumab intravitreal injection.The eyesight of 96 patients (100%)in this study were all preserved.Conclusion ROP screening should focus on extremely preterm infants because of higher incidence of ROP and severe ROP among them.The infants with severe ROP should be treated with laser photocoagulation in time.The infants in critical condition or with aggressive posterior ROP can be treated with ranibizumab injection.