Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterized by high programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression and abundant infiltration of non-malignant lymphocytes, which renders patients potentially suitable candidates for immune checkpoint blockade therapies. Palate, lung, and nasal epithelium clone (PLUNC) inhibit the growth of NPC cells and enhance cellular apoptosis and differentiation. Currently, the relationship between PLUNC (as a tumor-suppressor) and PD-L1 in NPC is unclear. Methods: We collected clinical samples of NPC to verify the relationship between PLUNC and PD-L1. PLUNC plasmid was transfected into NPC cells, and the variation of PD-L1 was verified by western blot and immunofluorescence. In NPC cells, we verified the relationship of PD-L1, activating transcription factor 3 (ATF3), and β-catenin by western blot and immunofluorescence. Later, we further verified that PLUNC regulates PD-L1 through β-catenin. Finally, the effect of PLUNC on β-catenin was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP). Results: We found that PLUNC expression was lower in NPC tissues than in paracancer tissues. PD-L1 expression was opposite to that of PLUNC. Western blot and immunofluorescence showed that β-catenin could upregulate ATF3 and PD-L1, while PLUNC could downregulate ATF3/PD-L1 by inhibiting the expression of β-catenin. PLUNC inhibits the entry of β-catenin into the nucleus. Co-IP experiments demonstrated that PLUNC inhibited the interaction of DEAD-box helicase 17 (DDX17) and β-catenin. Conclusions PLUNC downregulates the expression of PD-L1 by inhibiting the interaction of DDX17/β-catenin in NPC.

BACKGROUND: The effects of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell (UC-MSC) treatment on coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients have been preliminarily characterized. However, real-world data on the safety and efficacy of intravenous transfusions of MSCs in hospitalized COVID-19 patients at the convalescent stage remain to be reported. METHODS: This was a single-arm, multicenter, real-word study in which a contemporaneous external control was included as the control group. Besides, severe and critical COVID-19 patients were considered together as the severe group, given the small number of critical patients. For a total of 110 patients, 21 moderate patients and 31 severe patients were enrolled in the MSC treatment group, while 26 moderate patients and 32 severe patients were enrolled in the control group. All patients received standard treatment. The MSC treatment patients additionally received intravenous infusions of MSCs at a dose of 4 × 10 7 cells on days 0, 3, and 6, respectively. The clinical outcomes, including adverse events (AEs), lung lesion proportion on chest computed tomography, pulmonary function, 6-min walking distance (6-MWD), clinical symptoms, and laboratory parameters, were measured on days 28, 90, 180, 270, and 360 during the follow-up visits. RESULTS: In patients with moderate COVID-19, MSC treatment improved pulmonary function parameters, including forced expiratory volume in the first second (FEV1) and maximum forced vital capacity (VCmax) on days 28 (FEV1, 2.75 [2.35, 3.23] vs . 2.11 [1.96, 2.35], P  = 0.008; VCmax, 2.92 [2.55, 3.60] vs . 2.47 [2.18, 2.68], P  = 0.041), 90 (FEV1, 2.93 [2.63, 3.27] vs . 2.38 [2.24, 2.63], P  = 0.017; VCmax, 3.52 [3.02, 3.80] vs . 2.59 [2.45, 3.15], P  = 0.017), and 360 (FEV1, 2.91 [2.75, 3.18] vs . 2.30 [2.16, 2.70], P  = 0.019; VCmax,3.61 [3.35, 3.97] vs . 2.69 [2.56, 3.23], P  = 0.036) compared with the controls. In addition, in severe patients, MSC treatment notably reduced the proportion of ground-glass lesions in the whole lung volume on day 90 ( P  = 0.045) compared with the controls. No difference in the incidence of AEs was observed between the two groups. Similarly, no significant differences were found in the 6-MWD, D-dimer levels, or interleukin-6 concentrations between the MSC and control groups. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate the safety and potential of MSC treatment for improved lung lesions and pulmonary function in convalescent COVID-19 patients. However, comprehensive and long-term studies are required to confirm the efficacy of MSC treatment. TRIAL REGISTRATION Chinese Clinical Trial Registry, ChiCTR2000031430.
Humans ; COVID-19/therapy* ; Female ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation/adverse effects* ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Umbilical Cord/cytology* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Objective: To propose updates and amendments for the nitroglycerin tablets quality in the Chinese pharmacopoeia 2020 due to the failure of effective separation of 4 known impurities and nonseparation of free nitrate ion and excipients.
Methods: Related substances were analyzed using gradient elution by HPLC, and free nitrate ion was determined on SAX column by different HPLC method.
Results: Using the improved method to test the related substances and free nitrate ion of nitroglycerin tablets,the content of the maximum individual impurity were not more than 0.5%, the total content was not more than 2.4% and the content of free nitrate ion was not more than 6.3%.
Conclusion: The improved method is accurate and feasible. It provided a reference for the updates and amendments of the quality standard of nitroglycerin tablets in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020.

ObjectiveTo observe the mechanism of Jiawei Guizhi Fuling decoction （JGFD） in alleviating sciatic nerve injury in painful diabetic peripheral neuropathy （PDPN） rats by regulating mitophagy through the PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 （PINK1）/Parkin signaling pathway. MethodThe PDPN model was established by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin （STZ）. After modeling， the rats were randomly divided into JGFD high， medium， and low dose groups （JGFD-H， JGFD-M， JGFD-L； 39.6， 19.8， 9.9 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively）， a positive drug group （lipoic acid capsules， LA； 50 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and a model group （PDPN）. A blank control group （CON） was established. Drug intervention was administered continuously for 8 weeks after modeling. Measurements included body weight and fasting blood glucose of PDPN rats at weeks 0， 2， 4， and 8， mechanical pain threshold and thermal pain threshold at weeks 0 and 8， and motor nerve conduction velocity at week 8. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the morphology of sciatic nerve tissue. The ultrastructure of mitochondria and autophagosomes was observed by transmission electron microscopy. Western blot was performed to detect the protein expression levels of PINK1， Parkin， p62， Beclin-1， and LC3 in sciatic nerve tissue. Additionally， real-time quantitative PCR （Real-time PCR） was performed to detect the mRNA expression levels of PINK1， Parkin， p62， Beclin-1， and LC3 in sciatic nerve tissue. ResultCompared with the CON group， the PDPN group showed a significant decrease in body weight at all time points， a significant increase in fasting blood glucose， significantly shortened mechanical pain and thermal pain thresholds， and significantly reduced motor nerve conduction velocity. The protein and mRNA expression of PINK1， Parkin， Beclin-1， and microtubule-associated protein light chain 3（LC3） in sciatic nerve tissue was significantly reduced， while p62 protein and mRNA expression was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Pathological changes included edema of sciatic nerve fibers， segmental demyelination， loose and disordered arrangement of the myelin sheath layers， significant swelling of mitochondria， reduced electron density， disappearance of cristae， and absence of typical autophagosome and autolysosome structures. Compared with the PDPN group， each JGFD dose group showed a significant increase in body weight and a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The mechanical pain threshold and thermal pain threshold were significantly prolonged， and motor nerve conduction velocity was significantly increased across all JGFD and LA groups. The expression levels of PINK1， Parkin， Beclin-1， and LC3 proteins and mRNA in sciatic nerve tissue were significantly increased， while p62 protein and mRNA expression levels were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Pathological damage to the sciatic nerve was alleviated to varying degrees， with a relatively intact myelin sheath morphology and intact or slightly edematous outer mitochondrial membrane. Autophagolysosome structures were observed in the JGFD-M and JGFD-H groups. Compared with the LA group， the JGFD-H group showed a significant increase in body weight， a significant reduction in fasting blood glucose， a significant increase in motor nerve conduction velocity， a significant increase in PINK1 protein expression and PINK1， Parkin， and Beclin-1 mRNA expression in sciatic nerve tissue， and a significant decrease in p62 mRNA expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionJGFD may alleviate sciatic nerve injury in PDPN rats by activating mitophagy through the regulation of the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway.

Healthy lifestyles and good living habits are effective strategies and important approaches to prevent chronic non-communicable diseases. With the development of evidence-based medicine, the evidence translation system has made some achievements in clinical practice. There is, however, no comprehensive, professional and efficient system for translating lifestyle evidence globally. Therefore, the Health Lifestyle Evidence (HLSE) Group of Lanzhou University constructed the HLSE Evidence Translation System (https://hlse.cn/), with the aim of synthesizing, evaluating, translating, and applying lifestyle-related evidence resources. This paper aims to introduce the functional module design of the evidence translation system, the system development process and testing, introduce the interface design and function demonstration, and explain the significance of constructing the HLSE.

  Objective   To systematically assess the applicability of the clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) integrating Chinese and western medicine, thereby providing reference for enhancing their future usability.   Methods   PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, SinoMed, WanFang Data, and CNKI databases were searched for guidelines for the integration of Chinese and western medicine. Supplementary searches of Chinese Medical Association, Chinese Medicine Administration, MedSci websites, Website of China Association of Chinese Medicine, Medlive, Website of Dangdang, Chinese Association of Integrative Medicine and World Federation of Traditional Chinese Medicine Societies were conducted. The search time frame was from inception of the databases to December 31, 2022. Four reviewers independently evaluated the implementability of clinical practice guidelines by using "Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) implementation evaluation tool".   Results   A total of 61 integrative Chinese and western medicine guidelines were included. Of the guidelines assessed, 9 guidelines(14.75%) exhibited strong implementability, 40(65.57%) demonstrated average implementability, and 12 (19.67%) demonstrated poor implementability. Among the 5 domains, the dimensions of "accessibility" and "implementability" were found to be of high quality, while those of "communication", "ease of identification" and "applicability" were relatively poor. Notably, compared to guidelines published between 2006—2016, those published between 2017—2022 showed improvements in the areas of "identification" and "application".   Conclusions   The implementabilityof the existing clinical practice guidelines of the integrative Chinese and western medicine is average and needs to be improved. In the future, emphasis should be placed on the integration of medical education and research, publicity of the guidelines, continuous medical education and training, a more concise form of recommendations, application of the guidelines by clinicians, and the implementability of the integrative Chinese and western medicine guideline.

Healthy lifestyles and good living habits are effective strategies and important approaches to prevent chronic non-communicable diseases. With the development of evidence-based medicine, the evidence translation system has made some achievements in clinical practice. There is, however, no comprehensive, professional and efficient system for translating lifestyle evidence globally. Therefore, the Health Lifestyle Evidence (HLSE) Group of Lanzhou University constructed the HLSE Evidence Translation System (https://hlse.cn/), with the aim of synthesizing, evaluating, translating, and applying lifestyle-related evidence resources. This paper aims to introduce the functional module design of the evidence translation system, the system development process and testing, introduce the interface design and function demonstration, and explain the significance of constructing the HLSE.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), anterolateral complex (ALC) and lateral meniscus (LM) maintain the anterolateral rotatory stability of the knee and control the internal rotation of the tibia. Anterolateral rotatory instability (ALRI) of the knee is not uncommon in clinic, and its main injury mechanism is non-contact injury. A pivot shift test or a tibial internal rotation test can indicate ALRI while X-ray, CT, MRI and ultrasound can assist in its diagnosis and differential diagnosis. For acute ALRI, good technique of ACL reconstruction is the basis to avoid postoperative residual ALRI, and anterolateral ligament reconstruction and extra-articular tenodesis are optional as appropriate. For chronic cases, however, both anterolateral ligament reconstruction and extra-articular tenodesis are effective. This article reviews the progress in research on the diagnosis and treatment of ALRI of the knee, hoping to provide references for its clinical diagnosis and treatment.