PURPOSE: To investigate the regulatory role of nerve injury-induced protein 1 (NINJ1) in the anti-inflammatory function of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) co-stimulated by interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α). METHODS: hUC-MSCs were expanded in vitro using standard protocols, with stem cell characteristics confirmed by flow cytometry and multilineage differentiation assays. The immunomodulatory properties and cellular activity of cytokine-co-pretreated hUC-MSCs were systematically evaluated via quantitative reverse transcription RT-qPCR, lymphocyte proliferation suppression assays, and Cell Counting Kit-8 viability tests. Transcriptome sequencing, Western blotting and small interfering RNA interference were integrated to analyze the regulatory mechanisms of NINJ1 expression. Functional roles of NINJ1 in pretreated hUC-MSCs were elucidated through gene silencing combined with lactate dehydrogenase release assays, Annexin V/Propidium Iodide apoptosis analysis, macrophage co-culture models, and cytokine Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Therapeutic efficacy was validated in a cecal ligation and puncture-induced septic mouse model: 80 mice were randomly allocated into 4 experimental groups (n=20/group): sham group (laparotomy without cecal ligation); phosphate-buffered saline-treated group (cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) + 0.1 mL phosphate-buffered saline); hUC-MSCs (small interfering RNA (siRNA)-interferon-gamma and tumor necrosis factor-alpha co-stimulation (IT))-treated group (CLP + hUC-MSCs transfected with scrambled siRNA); and hUC-MSCs (siNINJ1-IT)-treated group (CLP + hUC-MSCs with NINJ1-targeting siRNA). RESULTS: hUC-MSCs demonstrated compliance with International Society for Cellular Therapy criteria, confirming their stem cell identity. IFN-γ/TNF-α co-pretreatment enhanced the immunosuppressive capacity of hUC-MSCs, accompanied by the reduction of cellular viability, while concurrently upregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-6 and interleukin-1β. This co-stimulation significantly elevated NINJ1 expression in hUC-MSCs, whereas genetic silencing of NINJ1 effectively suppressed pro-inflammatory cytokine production and attenuated damage-associated molecular patterns release through inhibition of programmed plasma membrane rupture. Furthermore, the NINJ1 interference potentiated the ability of cytokine-pretreated hUC-MSCs to suppress LPS-induced pro-inflammatory responses in RAW264.7 macrophages. In cecal ligation and puncture-induced sepsis model, NINJ1-silenced hUC-MSCs exhibited enhanced therapeutic efficacy, manifested by reduced systemic inflammation and multi-organ damage. CONCLUSION Our findings shed new light on the immunomodulatory functions of cytokine-primed MSCs, offering groundbreaking insights for developing MSC-based therapies against inflammatory diseases via interfering the expression of NINJ1.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells/drug effects* ; Animals ; Interferon-gamma/pharmacology* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Mice ; Umbilical Cord/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Apoptosis ; Male

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the primary electron beam parameters (PEB), including energy, radial intensity distribution and average angular divergence, of the individual linear accelerator using the Monte Carlo method. METHODS: A model of the treatment head and a standard field were built by BEAMnrc, and the dose distribution was simulated in water phantoms by DOSXYZnrc to obtain the percentage depth dose curve and off-axis ratio. By debugging the parameters mentioned above until the simulation and measurement results could match. RESULTS: The simulation and measurement results could achieve the best match when the parameters mentioned above were 6.25 MeV, 0.95 mm and 0.1° respectively. CONCLUSION The PEB of a linear accelerator could have a significant impact on the output beam characteristics. Monte Carlo estimation is one of the most crucial steps in establishing an individual linear accelerator model.
Monte Carlo Method ; Particle Accelerators ; Electrons ; Radiotherapy Dosage ; Phantoms, Imaging

Objective To investigate the value of CT imaging texture analysis in predicting simplified pathological types of thymic epithelial tumors(TETs).Methods The CT data from 114 patients with TETs confirmed by surgical or pathology were analyzed retrospectivel,and the types of TETs were divided into three groups,including low-risk thymoma(LRT)group,high-risk thymoma(HRT)group,and thymic carcinoma(TC)group.First,the texture parameters of CT images were extracted,and then the weighted Rad-score values were obtained,and the predictive performance of the texture features was evaluated by using the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.Results There were 114 TETs patients,including 45 patients with LRT,44 patients with HRT,and 25 patients with TC.Based on CT imaging texture analysis,the area under the curve(AUC)in differentiating LRT and HRT or TC via CT plain scan,arterial phase,and venous phase were 0.776,0.885,and 0.761,respectively.In differentiating HRT from TC,the AUC of CT plain scan,arterial phase,and venous phase were 0.828,0.808,and 0.804,respectively.In differentiating thymoma from TC,the AUC of CT plain scan,arterial phase,and venous phase were 0.808,0.769,and 0.774,respectively.Conclusion CT imaging texture analysis can serve as an effective auxiliary tool for predicting the simplified pathological types of TETs,helping to develop personal-ized treatment plans for TETs patients.CT enhanced scanning of arterial phase texture parameters has the highest differential diag-nostic efficiency.

Objective To investigate the CT and MRI findings of thymic carcinoid.Methods The clinical data of 12 thymic car-cinoid patients were analyzed retrospectively.All patients underwent immunohistochemistry and histopathological typing.All CT and MRI imaging features,including morphology,density,signal,presence/absence of capsule,calcification,degree of enhancements,were further analyzed.Results Irregular contour was identified in 8 cases;heterogeneous internal density or signal in 10 cases;absence of capsule in 9 cases;intratumoral calcification in 8 cases;cystic or necrotic component in 7 cases;intratumoral hemorrhage in 2 cases;pericar-dial or pleural effusion in 6 cases;preoperative metastasis in 2 cases;invasion of surrounding structures(vessels)in 10 cases.On con-trast-enhanced images,there were 2 cases with mild enhancement,6 cases with moderate enhancement,and 4 cases with obvious enhance-ment.And tumor enclosing the mediastinal great vessels was observed in 7 cases,among which 4 cases showed tumor thrombi in the superior vena cava,and intratumoral neovascularization was found in 4 cases.Conclusion Thymic carcinoid patients tend to present certain CT and MRI imaging features,mostly manifesting mild to moderate enhancement,infiltrative growth pattern along the medi-astinal vascular space,and concurrent intratumoral vascular sign,which are of vital significance to clinical diagnosis.

Objective:To explore the effect of family empowerment scheme combined with cardiac rehabilitation guidance on patients with myocardial infarction after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) .Methods:Using the convenient sampling method, a total of 100 patients with myocardial infarction who underwent PCI in Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from July 2018 to January 2020 were selected as the research objects. According to the random number table method, they were divided into the control group and the observation group, with 50 cases in each group. The control group was given cardiac rehabilitation guidance, while the observation group was given the family empowerment scheme combined with cardiac rehabilitation guidance. The scores of Chinese version of Family Caregiver Task Inventory (FCTI) and The World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL) -BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) were compared between the two groups before the intervention and after 3 months of the intervention.Results:After 3 months of intervention, scores of each dimension of the FCTI scale of family members of patients in two groups were lower than those before the intervention and the scores of family members of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . The scores of each dimension of the WHOQOL-BREF in the observation group were higher than those before intervention and the score in the observation group were higher than that in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The family empowerment scheme combined with cardiac rehabilitation guidance is beneficial to improve the caring ability of family members of patients with myocardial infarction after PCI and improve quality of life of patients.

Objective: To explore the prevalence of body weight control behaviors (BWCB) among middle school students in Jiangsu province. Methods: The database was established part from the surveillance of adolescent common disease and health related factors in Jiangsu province in 2017 and analysis were carried out to describe the prevalence rates of four basic BWCB and their comorbidity. Results: Among 18 855 investigators, 75.8% middle school students reported having taken at least one kind of BWCB within 30 days before investigation, the report rates of BWCB of middle school students among male and female were 77.3% and 74.3%(P<0.01), showed decreasing tendency from grade 1 of junior middle school to grade 3 of senior middle school (Kendall’s tau-c=-0.10, P<0.01), those of malnutrition, normal body weight, overweight and obesity were 57.2%, 72.8%, 83.8%, 86.7% respectively and showed increasing tendency(Kendall’s tau-c=0.13, P<0.01). Reported rate of Changing diet structure, physical exercise, reducing diet and taking slimming drug prevalence were 58.7%, 61.0%, 17.9%, 2.6%, orderly. There are 15 combinations of BWCB based on those 4 kinds of behavior. In the highest five types list ,changing diet structure & physical exercise (35.2%) was the most common type, and followed by physical exercise(13.0%), Changing diet structure(9.2%), Changing diet structure & physical exercise & reducing diet(8.6%), Changing diet structure & physical exercise & reducing diet(3.4%), others 6.5%. The proportions of top five kinds of BWCB among middle school students taken BWCB were 46.4%, 17.1%, 12.2%, 11.3%, 4.5%, respectively, accounting for 91.5%. The probabilities of different types of BWCB were similar between urban and town(χ2=9.13, P=0.10), different among sex(χ2=351.17, P<0.01), districts(χ2=140.20, P<0.01), school type and nutrition status(χ2=343.95, 309.62, P<0.01). Conclusion Some overweight or obesity students report on control body weight, while some report taking medicine and reducing diet behavior. Health education on healthy body weight should be implemented for middle school students to cultivate healthy body image so as to keep healthy body weight.

Paclitaxel (PTX)-loaded self-assembling nano-micelles (PTX/NMs) were prepared based on amphiphilic cholesterol-bearing γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA-graft-CH). The properties of PTX/NMs and were investigated. The results indicated that PTX could be entrapped in -PGA-graft-CH NMs. PTX/NMs was characterized with a size of (343.5 ± 7.3) nm, drug loading content of 26.9% ± 0.8% and entrapment efficiency of 88.6% ± 1.7% at the optimized drug/carrier ratio of 1/10, and showed a pH-sensitive sustainable drug-release and less cytotoxicity . release and the pharmacokinetics study in mice showed that the elimination half-life ( ) and area under curve (AUC) of PTX/NMs were significantly higher than those of PTX/polyoxyethylene castor oil (PTX/PCO), and less clearance (CL) of PTX/NMs was also observed. PTX/NMs were distributed higher in liver and tumor than PTX/PCO, and showed a good tumor-inhibiting activity in tumor-bearing mice. This study would lay a foundation on the potential application of -PGA-graft-CH NMs were the antitumor drug-delivery.

Objective To investigate the CT characteristics of retroperitoneal extra-adrenal paraganglioma(PGL).Methods CT findings of 11 patients with pathologically confirmed retroperitoneal extra-adrenal PGL were analyzed retrospectively,and the relevant literature was reviewed.All patients received plain CT as well as contrast-enhancement CT scan.Results All of the 11 tumors were located in the retroperitoneal space around large blood vessels,including 2 functional and 9 unfunctional extra-adrenal paragangliomas.Eight of 11 cases were benign tumors which presented as round or oval masses with sharp margins,separated from surrounding structures clearly;while the rest 3 cases,which with indistinct edge,even more with the invasion of surrounding structures (renal artery,renal venous and pancreas),were confirmed to be malignant.Most of the tumors were heterogeneous on plain CT.It was common to see intratumoral necrosis or cystic degeneration in the tumors (9 cases),while hemorrhage or calcification was uncommon,which was found in 3 and 2 cases,respectively.Homogeneous intensity was only observed in 2 masses with diameter less than 4 cm.On contrast-enhanced CT image, the solid part of the tumors presented continuously significant enhancement.Dilated feeding artery was found in or around the masses (8 cases) in artery phase.Conclusion There are certain characteristics of retroperitoneal extra-adrenal paraganglioma on CT scanning, which are helpful for preoperative diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Objective To investigate the initial CT characteristics and dynamic changing features of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA).Methods CT findings of 40 patients with IPA confirmed by histopathology or clinics were analyzed retrospectively,including the initial and follow-up CT features.Results Multiple lesions in the bilateral lung were found in the initial CT of all 40 patients.The coexistence of no less than two different CT features were showed in 27 patients(67.5 ％),and the same CT morphologic feature were showed in 13 patients (32.5 ％).The common features of the initial CT:nodules/masses (34,85.0 ％),halo sign (24,60.0％),patchy opacities (13,32.5 ％),cavities (9,22.5 ％) and wedge opacities adjacent to pleura (3,7.5 ％).The follow-up CT showed that cavities or air meniscus sign emerged in the nodules/masses after an effective treatment in 29 patients (72.5％) of all 40 cases.The lesion volume decreased subsequent to the collapse of the cavities or air meniscus,and then vanished.Conclusion Thoracic CT scanning play an important role in the diagnosis of IPA.Coexistence of the multiple lesions in number and morphology is the most common CT feature.The findings of follow-up CT is characteristic,and can be helpful in guiding the clinical treatment and evaluating therapeutic effect.

Objective To explore the blood pressure variability (BPV) in pediatric patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) and to assess the factors associated with pre-dialysis BPV (pre-HD BPV).Methods The pediatric patients who undergone regular dialysis for more than twelve months from Oct 2005 to Oct 2011 in hemo dialysis center of Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital were divided into high pre-HD BPV group and low pre-HD BPV group.Baseline characteristics,biochemical indexes and cardiac function parameters measured by echocardiography were collected in both groups and multiple linear regression analysis was performed.Results Pediatric patients in high pre-HD BPV group demonstrated significantly higher inter-dialytic weight growth rate (IDWG),pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure and average amount of dehydration than those in low pre-HD BPV group (P ＜ 0.05),while significantly lower hemoglobin and albumin levels than those in low pre-HD BPV group (P ＜ 0.05).Comparison among laboratory indicators,serum phosphorus and parathyroid hormone demonstrated significant difference between groups (P ＜ 0.05).For all pediatric patients,pre-HD BPV was positively correlated with IDWG (β=0.165),pre-dialysis systolicblood pressure (β=0.259),and iPTH (β=0.187),while negatively correlated with hemoglobin level (β=-0.199).Conclusions Increasing IDWG,higher pre-dialysis systolic blood pressure,anemia and secondary hyperparathyroidism influence BPV in pediatric patients on MHD.