An ideal dermal filler should integrate filling, repair, and anti-aging effects, with immediate tissue augmentation, slow degradation, and progressive stimulation of collagen regeneration. However, commonly used hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogels, while effective for rapid filling, suffer from limited duration of support, weak cell adhesion, and an inability to promote collagen regeneration. Silk fibroin (SF), a natural protein from silkworm cocoons, is known for its excellent cell adhesion and collagen-stimulating abilities. However, its limited gelation capability restricts its potential application as a standalone injectable hydrogel. Based on a complementary strategy, this study combines the rapid gelling properties of HA with the collagen regenerative properties of SF to create a co-crosslinked HA-SF hydrogel. The composite hydrogel merges HA's rapid filling effect with SF's strong tissue adhesion and collagen-stimulating abilities. The formulation, physicochemical properties, degradation, biocompatibility, and filling effects of the HA-SF hydrogel were systematically investigated. HA-SF hydrogel exhibits excellent mechanical properties and ensures long-term support while maintaining injectability. Interestingly, after intradermal injection in the UVB-induced photoaging model, HA-SF hydrogel not only enhances hydrogel-cell interaction but also continues to stimulate collagen regeneration, especially type III collagen. This dual action achieves the biological effects of repair and anti-aging while maintaining the filling effect. Proteomic analysis confirms that repair and anti-aging effects are enhanced by the regulation of skin fibroblasts and modulation of amino acid and lipid metabolism. This composite hydrogel holds strong promise for clinical applications, offering a safer, long-lasting, and more natural injectable filler that combines filling, repair, and anti-aging into one system.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), whose etiology is influenced by genetic and clinical risk factors, considerably impacts women's quality of life. However, the genetic underpinnings in non-European populations and comprehensive risk models integrating genetic and clinical factors remain underexplored. This study constructed the first polygenic risk score (PRS) for POP in the Chinese population by utilizing 20 disease-associated variants from the largest existing genome-wide association study. We analyzed a discovery cohort of 576 cases and 623 controls and a validation cohort of 264 cases and 200 controls. Results showed that the case group exhibited a significantly higher PRS than the control group. Moreover, the odds ratio of the top 10% risk group was 2.6 times higher than that of the bottom 10%. A high PRS was significantly correlated with POP occurrence in women older than 50 years old and in those with one or no childbirths. As far as we know, the integrated prediction model, which combined PRS and clinical risk factors, demonstrated better predictive accuracy than other existing PRS models. This combined risk assessment model serves as a robust tool for POP risk prediction and stratification, thereby offering insights into individualized preventive measures and treatment strategies in future clinical practice.
Humans ; Female ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse/epidemiology* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Assessment/methods* ; China/epidemiology* ; Multifactorial Inheritance ; Aged ; Risk Factors ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Case-Control Studies ; Adult ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Genetic Risk Score ; East Asian People

Objective:To observe the efficacy and safety of combined lienal polypeptide injection therapy in the treatment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia（MPP）in children aged 3 to 14 years old in multiple clinical centers.Methods:A randomized，controlled，multi-center clinical study design was adopted.A total of 240 hospitalized children aged 3 to 14 years old with MPP from 7 hospitals from September 1，2023 to January 31，2024 were included.According to the severity of pneumonia，they were divided into the mild MPP group with 80 cases and the severe MPP/refractory MPP（SMPP/RMPP）group with 160 cases，and then randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group at a ratio of 1 ∶1，using the random number table method.After screening，subjects entered a treatment period of 5 to 7 days.The control group was treated with azithromycin，while the experimental group was treated with azithromycin plus lienal polypeptide injection .The recovery of lung CT，length of hospital stay，duration of fever，cough score，whether mild cases developed into severe or refractory cases，duration of hormone use，use of intravenous immunoglobulin（IVIG），bronchoscopy treatment，and immune function were observed between the two groups to evaluate the efficacy of lienal polypeptide injection.Adverse events after medication，vital signs，blood routine，urine routine，liver function，myocardial enzymes，renal function，and electrocardiogram were observed to evaluate the safety. Results:A total of 231 subjects have completed the trial in the 7 hospitals，including 118 cases in the experimental group and 113 cases in the control group.Main observation index：the rate of lung CT aggravation in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group（2.6% vs 15.3%， P<0.01），and the difference was statistically significant.Secondary indexes：there were no statistically significant differences in the length of hospital stay，duration of fever，cough score，duration of hormone use，whether IVIG treatment was used，the number of bronchoscopy treatment cases，and immunoglobulin between the two groups（all P>0.05）.However，the rate of cases of plastic bronchitis（PB）found under bronchoscopy in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group（0 vs 18.8%， P=0.03），and the difference was statistically significant.Among the mild MPP（72 cases），there were no statistically significant differences in the length of hospital stay，duration of fever，cough score，duration of hormone use，whether IVIG treatment was used，the number of bronchoscopy treatment cases，and the improvement rate of lung CT between the two groups（all P>0.05）.However，compared with the control group，the rate of cases developing into SMPP/RMPP in the experimental group was less（24.3% vs 48.6%， P=0.03），and the difference in IgG before and after treatment was small［0.53（-0.04，1.18）g/L vs 1.33（0.48，2.25）g/L， P=0.01］.Among the SMPP/RMPP cases（159 cases），the rate of cases of PB found under bronchoscopy in the experimental group was less than that in the control group（0 vs 20%， P=0.04），and the rate of cases with aggravated lung CT in the experimental group was less than that in the control group（1.3% vs 19.5%， P<0.01），and the improvement rate of lung CT in the experimental group was higher than that in the control group（88.8% vs 75.3%， P=0.03），with statistically significant differences.There were no statistically significant differences in the length of hospital stay，duration of fever，cough score，duration of hormone use，whether IVIG treatment was used，the number of bronchoscopy treatment cases，and immunoglobulin between the two groups（all P>0.05）.Two cases in the experimental group developed rashes，which improved after the drug was discontinued.There were no serious adverse reactions such as abnormal vital signs like dyspnea and cyanosis due to the use of lienal polypeptide injection.There were no obvious changes in blood routine，liver function，myocardial enzymes，renal function，electrocardiogram，and urine routine values before and after medication compared with the baseline. Conclusion:The combined use of lienal polypeptide injection in the treatment of MPP in children can reduce the probability of the transformation from mild cases to SMPP/RMPP，reduce the rate of aggravation of the image findings，promote the absorption of lung inflammation，reduce the rate of PB found under bronchoscopy，and has good safety.

Objective:To investigate the application value of a multi-dimensional digital moni-toring platform for perioperative period in gastric cancer patients.Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinical data of 50 patients who underwent laparoscopic radical gastrec-tomy in The Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from July 2022 to January 2024 were collected. There were 35 males and 15 females, aged (64±12)years. All patients followed the concept of enhanced recovery after surgery, and the multi-dimensional digital monitoring platform based on wearable monitoring equipment was used to implement perioperative management measures. Observation indicators: (1) results of heart rate variability (HRV) monitoring; (2) results of blood glucose and blood oxygen monitoring; (3) results of exercise and sleep monitoring; (4) results of body composition monitoring. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(IQR). Repeated measurement data were analyzed using the repeated ANOVA. Measurement data with skewed distri-bution were transformed to normal distribution by SPSS transformation function before testing. For comparison between pre- and postoperation, paired sample t test was used for measurement data with normal distribution, and nonparametric Wilcoxon signed rank sum test was used for measure-ment data with skewed distribution. Results:(1) Results of HRV monitoring. From preoperation to the third day after surgery, the standard deviation normal to normal heart beat of 50 patients was changed from(103±26)ms to(101±36)ms, the mean of the standard deviations of normal to normal heart beat calculated per 5 min segment was changed from (45±16)ms to(33±12)ms, the number of pairs of adjacent NN intervals differing by more than 50 ms in the entire recording was changed from 6.02%(4.96%) to 5.79%(4.20%), the low frequency power was changed from 376.78(468.96)ms 2 to 742.79(525.20)ms 2, the high frequency power was changed from 273.61(273.58)ms 2 to 397.48(164.87)ms 2, the ratio of low frequency power to high frequency power was changed from 1.6±0.5 to 1.6±0.6, showing significant differences in above indicators before and after operation ( F=34.43, 26.15, 24.58, 5.51, 6.11, 6.02, P<0.05). (2) Results of blood glucose and blood oxygen monitoring. From preoperation to the third day after surgery, the blood glucose of 50 patients was changed from 6.75(2.05)mmol/L to 6.90(2.63)mmol/L, showng a significant difference before and after operation ( F=45.84, P<0.05). The blood oxygen was changed from 97.00%(5.00%) to 97.50%(3.00%), showing no significant difference before and after operation ( F=2.25, P>0.05). (3) Results of exercise and sleep monitoring. From preoperation to the third day after surgery, the number of steps fo 50 pati-ents was changed from 3 043(1 224) to 1 473(767), sleep duration was changed from(8.2±1.1)hours to(7.3±0.8)hours, sleep score was changed from 80±10 to 78±5,showing significant differences in above indicators before and after operation ( F=716.46, 29.02, 47.32, P<0.05).(4) Results of body composition monitoring. The body weight of 50 patients was changed from (63±8)kg to(61±8)kg before and after operation, body fat rate was changed from 24%±8% to 22%±9%, muscle mass was changed from 43 (12)kg to 41(17)kg, body mass index was changed from (23.0±2.6)kg/m 2 to(22.1±2.5)kg/m 2, showing significant differences in above indicators before and after operation ( t=8.19, 3.00, Z=-2.78, t=7.34, P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in basal metabolic indicators from (1 390±134)kcal to (1 379±139)kcal before and after operation ( t=1.02, P>0.05). Conclusion:The multi-dimensional digital monitoring platform for preoperative period can accurately monitor the perioperative stress level and evaluate the postoperative recovery of gastric cancer patients, which can present the visual results.

Objective This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Naoxinqing on non-alcohol fatty liver disease (NAFLD) induced by a high-fat diet through network pharmacology,molecular docking and in vitro and in vivo experiments. Methods ApoE-/-mice were given a high-fat diet for 12 weeks to establish the NAFLD model,followed by a 12-week Naoxinqing administration. To evaluate the therapeutic effect of Naoxinqing on NAFLD induced by a high-fat diet,biochemical and histopathological experiments were performed,including assessment of blood lipids,liver function,serum inflammatory factors,as well as Hematoxylin and eosin (HE),Oil red O,and Sirius red staining of liver. Subsequently,network pharmacology and molecular docking techniques were employed to predict the key targets of Naoxinqing. Finally,the mechanism of Naoxinqing was validated by Western Blot in HepG2 cells and liver tissue. Results The results of serum biochemistry and liver tissue pathology showed that Naoxinqing can significantly improve high-fat diet-induced hepatic lipid accumulation,hepatocellular injury,and inflammation. Network pharmacology and molecular docking analysis results suggested that Naoxinqing may affect lipid metabolism through the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) pathway. Finally,in vitro cell experiment confirmed that the main mechanism of Naoxinqing is to activative the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway,upregulate the expression of downstream carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1 (CPT1A),promote fatty acid oxidation,and ultimately improve NAFLD. Conclusion This study demonstrated that Naoxinqing improved NAFLD by promoting fatty acid oxidation through the activation of the AMPK/SIRT1 pathway.

Objective:To analyze the positioning error of vacuum pad and breast bracket in base note radiotherapy for breast cancer with breast conserving surgery based on cone beam CT (CBCT).Methods:A total of 120 patients who received IMRT after breast conserving surgery for breast cancer in the radiotherapy department of Nantong Cancer Hospital from April 2020 to April 2022 were retrospectively selected. According to the fixation method, the patients were divided into two groups: group A ( n=60) was fixed with a vacuum pad, and group B ( n=60) was fixed with a breast bracket. CBCT was used to evaluate the placement, and the placement errors and the occurrence of radiation dermatitis in each group were analyzed. Results:The translation errors of group A and group B in the left and right directions were (0.33±0.12)cm and (0.34±0.15)cm, respectively, and there was no statistically significant difference between the groups ( P>0.05). The errors in the direction of the abdomen and back were 0.32(0.11, 0.42)cm and 0.15(0.09, 0.21)cm, respectively, while the errors in the direction of the head and foot were 0.34(0.16, 0.34) cm and 0.23(0.15, 0.37)cm, respectively. The translation errors of the head, foot, and abdomen and back in group B were smaller than those in group A (all P<0.05). Patients in group B had significantly smaller translation errors in the left and right directions [group A: (0.31±0.13)cm, group B: (0.18±0.05)cm, P<0.05], and after rotation in the ventral and dorsal directions [group A: (0.31±0.11)cm, group B: (0.23±0.08)cm, P<0.05]. There was no statistically significant difference in translation errors after rotation in the head and foot directions ( P>0.05). The rotation error in the left and right directions of group B was smaller than that of group A [A: (0.98 0.12)°, group B: (0.67±0.31)°, P<0.05]. There was no statistically significant difference in the comparison of head foot and abdominal back rotation errors (all P>0.05). The planned center point (MIDM) of group B patients was located 10 cm to the left and right horizontally (MIDL, MIDR), with MIDM moving 8 cm to the head side (SM), MIDL moving 8 cm to the head side (SL), MIDR moving 8 cm to the head side (SR), MIDM moving 8 cm to the foot side (IM), MIDL moving 8 cm to the foot side (IL), and MIDR moving 8 cm to the foot side (IR). The thickness of the phantom was lower than that of group A (all P<0.05). At the completion of treatment, the total incidence of high-grade radiation dermatitis in group A was 61.67%(37/60), while the total incidence of high-grade radiation dermatitis in group B was 41.67%(25/60). The incidence of high-grade radiation dermatitis in group B was lower than that in group A ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Using breast bracket for breast fixation after breast conserving surgery for breast cancer can reduce the positioning error, the phantom thickness and the incidence of high-grade radiation dermatitis during intensity modulated radiotherapy, which is of high clinical value.

Background and Objectives: Stroke is the most common cause of human death and functional disability, resulting in more than 5 million deaths worldwide each year. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are a kind of stem cell that are able to self-renew and differentiate into many types of tissues. Therefore, BMSCs have the potential to replace damaged neurons and promote the reconstruction of nerve conduction pathways and connective tissue. However, it remains unknown whether transplanted BMSCs promote angiogenesis or improve the tissue microenvironment directly or indirectly through paracrine interactions. This study aimed to determine the therapeutic effect of BMSCs on ischemic stroke with hypertension in a rodent model and to explore the possible mechanisms underlying any benefits. Methods: and Results: Middle cerebral artery occlusion was used to establish the experimental stroke model. The area of cerebral infarction, expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and increment of astrocyte were measured by TTC staining, western blot, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) and immunocytochemistry. The results showed a smaller area of cerebral infarction and improved neurological function scores in animals treated with BMSCs compared to controls. The results of RT-qPCR and western blot assays showed higher expression of VEGF and GDNF in BMSC-treated animals compared with controls. Our study also showed that one round of BMSCs transplantation significantly promoted the proliferation of subventricular zone and cortical cells, especially astrocytes, on the ischemic side following cerebral ischemia. Conclusions Above findings support that BMSCs have therapeutic effects for ischemic stroke complicated with hypertension, which may occur via up-regulated expression of VEGF and GDNF and reduction of neuronal apoptosis, thereby promoting the recovery of nerve function.

Pigs are considered as ideal donors for xenotransplantation because they have many physiological and anatomical characteristics similar to human beings. However, antibody-mediated immunity, which includes both natural and induced antibody responses, is a major challenge for the success of pig-to-primate xenotransplantation. Various genetic modification methods help to tailor pigs to be appropriate donors for xenotransplantation. In this study, we applied transcription activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN) to knock out the porcine α-1, 3-galactosyltransferase gene GGTA1, which encodes Gal epitopes that induce hyperacute immune rejection in pig-to-human xenotransplantation. Meanwhile, human leukocyte antigen-G5 gene HLA-G5, which acts as an immunosuppressive factor, was co-transfected with TALEN into porcine fetal fibroblasts. The cell colonies of GGTA1 biallelic knockout with positive transgene for HLA-G5 were chosen as nuclear donors to generate genetic modified piglets through a single round of somatic cell nuclear transfer. As a result, we successfully obtained 20 modified piglets that were positive for GGTA1 knockout (GTKO) and half of them expressed the HLA-G5 protein. Gal epitopes on the cell membrane of GTKO/HLA-G5 piglets were completely absent. Western blotting and immunofluorescence showed that HLA-G5 was expressed in the modified piglets. Functionally, the fibroblasts from the GTKO/HLA-G5 piglets showed enhanced resistance to complement-mediated lysis ability compared with those from GTKO-only or wild-type pigs. These results indicate that the GTKO/HLA-G5 pigs could be a valuable donor model to facilitate laboratory studies and clinics for xenotransplantation.
Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; HLA Antigens ; Humans ; Nuclear Transfer Techniques ; Swine ; Transplantation, Heterologous

Objective:The aim of this study was to explore the associations of muscle size and density with handgrip strength(HGS)and the Timed Up and Go(TUG)test.Methods:Totally 301 participants living in the Xinjiekou community near Beijing Jishuitan Hospital were recruited for CT imaging of the hip and a 1-cm slice of the mid-thigh.The cross-sectional area and density of the gluteus maximus and the mid-thigh muscles were estimated by the Osirix viewer based on CT images.HGS and TUG were also performed in these subjects.Logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the correlations of muscle density and size with TUG and grip strength.Results:In women, after adjustment for age and BMI, the density of the gluteus maximus was negatively correlated with TUG( P trend=0.0366), while the size of the gluteus maximus and the mid-thigh muscles was not correlated with TUG.In men, the density or size of these muscles was not correlated with TUG.After adjustment for age and BMI, the density of the gluteus maximus was positively correlated with grip strength( P trend=0.0334)and the size of the mid-thigh muscles was also positively correlated with grip strength( P trend=0.0155)in men, but they were not correlated with grip strength in women. Conclusions:There were sex differences in the relationship between muscle size or density and grip strength or timed up and go.The density of the gluteus maximus is associated with muscle strength and physical performance while the size of the mid-thigh muscles is correlated with muscle strength.

Objective:To develop a self-made plasma quality control material for non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) and evaluate its performance.Methods:139 NIPT-negative maternal plasmas stored in the genetic department of Shaoxing maternal and child health hospital from January 1, 2019 to June 30, 2021 were divided into male groups (19 cases) and female groups (120 cases) according to the neonatal gender. 9360 cases from September 2020 to September 2021 were enrolled as clinical validation cases.First step, 200 μl plasma from a 47 years-old non-pregnant healthy women was used as a matrix. Different amounts (0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 2.5, and 5 μl) of positive DNA from fetal chromosome aneuploidy (T21, T18, T13) detection kit were added. The appropriate volume of positive DNA was 0.5 μl according to the test results. Second step,Plasma in male and female group was treated as matrix. 0.5 μl positive DNA was added per 205 μl. Plasma matrix from female group showed good repeatability and the sensitivity was 100%.Third step, evaluate the self-made plasma quality control material, including storage stability, matrix uniformity and repeatability, and the effect of different batch numbers of positive DNA, by calculating Z score and the CV of fetal DNA concentration (FF).Results:Plasma matrix from female group showed good repeatability and the sensitivity was 100%, while the sensitivity of male group was only 84%. The CV of FF in female matrix was 3.9% in the repetitive experiments. After adding 0.5 μl positive DNA, the mean FF of self-made positive plasma quality control was 5.63%±0.42%, Z values>6, and the CV was 7% after storage of three months. Considering the concentration variation of positive DNA in different lots, 1 μl of positive DNA should be added when the FF of positive DNA is lower than 10%.Used in 9360 clinical cases from September 2020 to September 2021, all positive plasma quality control materials showed positive results, and the positive predictive value of trisomy 21 was 100%.Conclusions:The NIPT self-made positive plasma quality control material has been successfully developed in this study. The preliminary experimental results show that it has good repeatability and stability, which is suitable for clinical application.