Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) is a complex disease that is often accompanied by mental health disorders. However, the potential mechanisms underlying the heterogeneous clinical presentation of CP/CPPS remain uncertain. This study analyzed widely targeted metabolomic data of expressed prostatic secretions (EPS) and plasma to reveal the underlying pathological mechanisms of CP/CPPS. A total of 24 CP/CPPS patients from The Second Nanning People's Hospital (Nanning, China), and 35 asymptomatic control individuals from First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University (Nanning, China) were enrolled. The indicators related to CP/CPPS and psychiatric symptoms were recorded. Differential analysis, coexpression network analysis, and correlation analysis were performed to identify metabolites that were specifically altered in patients and associated with various phenotypes of CP/CPPS. The crucial links between EPS and plasma were further investigated. The metabolomic data of EPS from CP/CPPS patients were significantly different from those from control individuals. Pathway analysis revealed dysregulation of amino acid metabolism, lipid metabolism, and the citrate cycle in EPS. The tryptophan metabolic pathway was found to be the most significantly altered pathway associated with distinct CP/CPPS phenotypes. Moreover, the dysregulation of tryptophan and tyrosine metabolism and elevation of oxidative stress-related metabolites in plasma were found to effectively elucidate the development of depression in CP/CPPS. Overall, metabolomic alterations in the EPS and plasma of patients were primarily associated with oxidative damage, energy metabolism abnormalities, neurological impairment, and immune dysregulation. These alterations may be associated with chronic pain, voiding symptoms, reduced fertility, and depression in CP/CPPS. This study provides a local-global perspective for understanding the pathological mechanisms of CP/CPPS and offers potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatitis/blood* ; Adult ; Pelvic Pain/blood* ; Metabolomics ; Prostate/metabolism* ; Middle Aged ; Chronic Pain/blood* ; Metabolome ; Case-Control Studies ; Tryptophan/blood* ; Depression/blood* ; Oxidative Stress/physiology* ; Chronic Disease ; Lipid Metabolism/physiology*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect and safety of Chinese medicine (CM) Fuzheng Huazhuo Decoction (FHD) in treating patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who persistently tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Shanghai New International Expo Center shelter hospital in China between April 1 and May 30, 2022. Patients diagnosed as COVID-19 with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results for ⩾8 days after diagnosis were enrolled. Patients in the control group received conventional Western medicine (WM) treatment, while those in the FHD group received conventional WM plus FHD for at least 3 days. The primary outcome was viral clearance time. Secondary outcomes included negative conversion rate within 14 days, length of hospital stay, cycle threshold (Ct) values of the open reading frame 1ab (ORF1ab) and nucleocapsid protein (N) genes, and incidence of new-onset symptoms during hospitalization. Adverse events (AEs) that occurred during the study period were recorded. RESULTS: A total of 1,765 eligible patients were enrolled in this study (546 in the FHD group and 1,219 in the control group). Compared with the control group, patients receiving FHD treatment showed shorter viral clearance time for nucleic acids [hazard ratio (HR): 1.500, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.353-1.664, P<0.001] and hospital stays (HR: 1.371, 95% CI: 1.238-1.519, P<0.001), and a higher negative conversion rate within 14 days (96.2% vs. 82.6%, P<0.001). The incidence of new-onset symptoms was 59.5% in the FHD group, similar to 57.8% in the control group (P>0.05). The Ct values of ORF1ab and N genes increased more rapidly over time in the FHD group than those in the control group post-randomization (ORF1ab gene: β =0.436±0.053, P<0.001; N gene: β =0.415 ±0.053, P<0.001). The incidence of AEs in the FHD group was lower than that in the control group (24.2% vs. 35.4%, P<0.001). No serious AEs were observed. CONCLUSION FHD was effective and safe for patients with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests. (Registration No. ChiCTR2200063956).
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; COVID-19 Drug Treatment ; SARS-CoV-2/drug effects* ; COVID-19/virology* ; Adult ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome

Periodontal bone defects, primarily caused by periodontitis, are highly prevalent in clinical settings and manifest as bone fenestration, dehiscence, or attachment loss, presenting a significant challenge to oral health. In regenerative medicine, harnessing developmental principles for tissue repair offers promising therapeutic potential. Of particular interest is the condensation of progenitor cells, an essential event in organogenesis that has inspired clinically effective cell aggregation approaches in dental regeneration. However, the precise cellular coordination mechanisms during condensation and regeneration remain elusive. Here, taking the tooth as a model organ, we employed single-cell RNA sequencing to dissect the cellular composition and heterogeneity of human dental follicle and dental papilla, revealing a distinct Platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRA) mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) population with remarkable odontogenic potential. Interestingly, a reciprocal paracrine interaction between PDGFRA⁺ dental follicle stem cells (DFSCs) and CD31⁺ Endomucin⁺ endothelial cells (ECs) was mediated by Vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) and Platelet-derived growth factor subunit BB (PDGFBB). This crosstalk not only maintains the functionality of PDGFRA⁺ DFSCs but also drives specialized angiogenesis. In vivo periodontal bone regeneration experiments further reveal that communication between PDGFRA⁺ DFSC aggregates and recipient ECs is essential for effective angiogenic-osteogenic coupling and rapid tissue repair. Collectively, our results unravel the importance of MSC-EC crosstalk mediated by the VEGFA and PDGFBB-PDGFRA reciprocal signaling in orchestrating angiogenesis and osteogenesis. These findings not only establish a framework for deciphering and promoting periodontal bone regeneration in potential clinical applications but also offer insights for future therapeutic strategies in dental or broader regenerative medicine.
Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor alpha/metabolism* ; Humans ; Neovascularization, Physiologic/physiology* ; Dental Sac/cytology* ; Single-Cell Analysis ; Transcriptome ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Bone Regeneration ; Animals ; Dental Papilla/cytology* ; Periodontium/physiology* ; Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Regeneration ; Angiogenesis

Objective To investigate the effect of peptidyl arginine deiminase 4(PAD4)on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from oral bones(OMSC)and craniomaxillofacial development.Methods Immunofluorescence was used to detect the ex-pression of PAD4 in the mandibular of mice E13.5 embryo.A peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 knockout(PAD4-KO)mouse model was constructed.Craniomaxillofacial development was investigated by micro-CT.CCK-8 assay and Transwell assay were used to detect the OMSC proliferation ability and migration ability of PAD4-KO and wild type(WT)mouse.ALP staining was used to detect the changes in OMSC osteogenic differentiation ability.The expression of osteogenesis-related genes was detected by immunofluorescence and PCR assay.Results PAD4 was highly expressed in the mandibular tissue of mouse embryos at E13.5.On the cellular level,PAD4 was ex-pressed in the nucleus and mitochondria of OMSC.Compared to the WT mice,micro-CT showed that PAD4-KO mice had retrusive jaw and decreased mineralization.The proliferation and migration ability of OMSC in PAD4-KO mice were decreased.OMSCs lacking PAD4 had significantly decreased ALP staining level,and the expression levels of osteogenesis-related genes were decreased.In addition,it was found that PAD4 might affect OMSC mineralization by regulating Runx2 transcription.Conclusion PAD4 is expressed in the jaw during embryonic development.It might affect the embryonic development by regulating the proliferation and differentiation of OMSC,leading to craniomaxillofacial abnormalities

Objective:To explore the distribution characteristics of glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1) positive cells during orthodontic tooth movement process and conduct a proteomic analysis of these cells.Methods:Forty Gli1-LacZ transgenic mice were used to establish an in vivo orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) model for labeling Gli1 positive cells in Gli1-LacZ transgenic mice (OTM group) and an unforced control group, with tooth movement distance measured using micro-CT. The spatial relationship and distribution characteristics of Gli1 positive cells and H-type vessels of CD31 and endomucin (EMCN) in periodontal tissues were detected by immunofluorescence staining. Twenty Gli1-membrane-targeted tandem dimer Tomato (mT)/membrane-targeted green fluorescent protein (mG) double-genotype mice were bred and Gli1 positive cells were sorted for proteomic sequencing after tamoxifen induction. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases were used for enrichment analysis. Results:The micro-CT three-dimensional reconstruction results showed that the mesial movement of the maxillary first molar in mice after 7 days of force application was (69±15) μm, indicating the successful establishment of the Gli1-LacZ transgenic mouse OTM model. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the blood vessels in periodontal tissue were mostly H-type vessels of CD31 and EMCN. The blood vessels in the periodontal tissues are predominantly H-type vessels positive for both CD31 and EMCN. The percentage of Gli1 positive cells in the OTM group, expressed as (54.5±13.2)%, and the relative fluorescence intensity, expressed as 2.6±0.9, were both significantly greater than those in the control group, which had a Gli1 positive cell percentage of (36.3±9.1)% ( t=3.60 , P=0.002) and a relative fluorescence intensity of 1.0±0.3 ( t=5.20, P<0.001). In contrast to the control group where only a small number of Gli1 positive cells were consistent with the distribution of H-type vessels, in the OTM group the number of Gli1 positive cells increased on the tension side were closely associated with the spatial distribution of H-type vessels. GO enrichment analysis of biological processes found that a large number of proteins in Gli1 positive cells were enriched in pathways such as angiogenesis and tissue remodeling. KEGG enrichment analysis found that related proteins were mainly enriched in pathways related to angiogenesis and Gli1, such as hypoxia-inducing factor 1 signaling pathway, vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway and hedgehog signaling pathway. Conclusions:The number of Gli1 positive cells increased on tension side and were closely related to H-type blood vessels in response to mechanical force during orthodontic tooth movement. This may be related to profile of inducing blood vessel formation and tissue remodeling.

Objective:To explore the distribution characteristics of glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 (Gli1) positive cells during orthodontic tooth movement process and conduct a proteomic analysis of these cells.Methods:Forty Gli1-LacZ transgenic mice were used to establish an in vivo orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) model for labeling Gli1 positive cells in Gli1-LacZ transgenic mice (OTM group) and an unforced control group, with tooth movement distance measured using micro-CT. The spatial relationship and distribution characteristics of Gli1 positive cells and H-type vessels of CD31 and endomucin (EMCN) in periodontal tissues were detected by immunofluorescence staining. Twenty Gli1-membrane-targeted tandem dimer Tomato (mT)/membrane-targeted green fluorescent protein (mG) double-genotype mice were bred and Gli1 positive cells were sorted for proteomic sequencing after tamoxifen induction. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) databases were used for enrichment analysis. Results:The micro-CT three-dimensional reconstruction results showed that the mesial movement of the maxillary first molar in mice after 7 days of force application was (69±15) μm, indicating the successful establishment of the Gli1-LacZ transgenic mouse OTM model. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the blood vessels in periodontal tissue were mostly H-type vessels of CD31 and EMCN. The blood vessels in the periodontal tissues are predominantly H-type vessels positive for both CD31 and EMCN. The percentage of Gli1 positive cells in the OTM group, expressed as (54.5±13.2)%, and the relative fluorescence intensity, expressed as 2.6±0.9, were both significantly greater than those in the control group, which had a Gli1 positive cell percentage of (36.3±9.1)% ( t=3.60 , P=0.002) and a relative fluorescence intensity of 1.0±0.3 ( t=5.20, P<0.001). In contrast to the control group where only a small number of Gli1 positive cells were consistent with the distribution of H-type vessels, in the OTM group the number of Gli1 positive cells increased on the tension side were closely associated with the spatial distribution of H-type vessels. GO enrichment analysis of biological processes found that a large number of proteins in Gli1 positive cells were enriched in pathways such as angiogenesis and tissue remodeling. KEGG enrichment analysis found that related proteins were mainly enriched in pathways related to angiogenesis and Gli1, such as hypoxia-inducing factor 1 signaling pathway, vascular endothelial growth factor signaling pathway and hedgehog signaling pathway. Conclusions:The number of Gli1 positive cells increased on tension side and were closely related to H-type blood vessels in response to mechanical force during orthodontic tooth movement. This may be related to profile of inducing blood vessel formation and tissue remodeling.

Objective To investigate the effect of peptidyl arginine deiminase 4(PAD4)on the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells isolated from oral bones(OMSC)and craniomaxillofacial development.Methods Immunofluorescence was used to detect the ex-pression of PAD4 in the mandibular of mice E13.5 embryo.A peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 knockout(PAD4-KO)mouse model was constructed.Craniomaxillofacial development was investigated by micro-CT.CCK-8 assay and Transwell assay were used to detect the OMSC proliferation ability and migration ability of PAD4-KO and wild type(WT)mouse.ALP staining was used to detect the changes in OMSC osteogenic differentiation ability.The expression of osteogenesis-related genes was detected by immunofluorescence and PCR assay.Results PAD4 was highly expressed in the mandibular tissue of mouse embryos at E13.5.On the cellular level,PAD4 was ex-pressed in the nucleus and mitochondria of OMSC.Compared to the WT mice,micro-CT showed that PAD4-KO mice had retrusive jaw and decreased mineralization.The proliferation and migration ability of OMSC in PAD4-KO mice were decreased.OMSCs lacking PAD4 had significantly decreased ALP staining level,and the expression levels of osteogenesis-related genes were decreased.In addition,it was found that PAD4 might affect OMSC mineralization by regulating Runx2 transcription.Conclusion PAD4 is expressed in the jaw during embryonic development.It might affect the embryonic development by regulating the proliferation and differentiation of OMSC,leading to craniomaxillofacial abnormalities

The traditional Chinese medicine Atractlodis Rhizoma is the dried rhizome of the Asteraceae herbal plant Atractylodes lancea, and it has the functions of drying dampness and strengthening the spleen, removing wind and dissipating cold, and brightening the eyes. The sesquiterpenoids in A. lancea are the main ingredients of its pharmacological activities in clinical practice, including atractylone, β-eudesmol, and hinesol, which possess anti-inflammation, antibacterial, antiviral, and hepatoprotective effects. This study focused on the biosynthesis of sesquiterpenoids in A. lancea, summarized the proportion of the main active ingredients in A. lancea from the genuine region and the non-genuine region, elaborated on the research progress of genes related to biosynthesis pathways, and systematically sorted out the biotic and abiotic factors affecting their biosynthesis, so as to provide a theoretical basis for further research on the biosynthetic mechanism of sesquiterpenoids in A. lancea and development of high-quality medicinal materials of A. lancea.
Atractylodes/metabolism* ; Sesquiterpenes/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Biosynthetic Pathways

AIM:To investigate and analyze the current situation and needs of clinical research nurses in China,in order to provide scientific basis for constructing a training system for research nurs-es,promoting standardized training,and achieving standardized management for them.METHODS:A self-made questionnaire was used to investigate 102 research nurses from nearly 70 well-known clinical trial institutions in China.The contents of the questionnaire mainly included the general infor-mation,professional experience and work content of the research nurses,the sense of accomplish-ment and training needs of clinical trial work.RE-SULTS:Among the 102 research nurses surveyed,92.15％have a bachelor's degree or above;53.92％of those have intermediate or higher professional titles;74.51％of them are part-time research nurse.Among professional experiences,19.61％have more than 10 years of clinical trial experience;47.06％,40.20％,and 21.17％of surveyed research nurses were authorized to participate in clinical tri-al drug management,sample management,and quality control;70.59％of research nurses have a high sense of achievement in their daily work.In terms of education and training needs,clinical trial related laws and regulations,standardized training for clinical trial protocol implementation,and good clinical practice(GCP)are the three most important aspects.CONCLUSION:Clinical research nurses in China have a relatively high level of education and nursing experience,but there is still a large gap in the amount of professional full-time clinical re-search nurses in China.Due to the rapid develop-ment of innovative drugs and devices,as well as the urgent need to improve the clinical research system,it is necessary to establish a training,as-sessment,and evaluation system for research nurs-es that is in line with China's national conditions in order to improve the professional level of research nurses,and improve the quantity and quality of clinical trial research on innovative drugs and devic-es in China.

AIM:To investigate and analyze the current situation and needs of clinical research nurses in China,in order to provide scientific basis for constructing a training system for research nurs-es,promoting standardized training,and achieving standardized management for them.METHODS:A self-made questionnaire was used to investigate 102 research nurses from nearly 70 well-known clinical trial institutions in China.The contents of the questionnaire mainly included the general infor-mation,professional experience and work content of the research nurses,the sense of accomplish-ment and training needs of clinical trial work.RE-SULTS:Among the 102 research nurses surveyed,92.15％have a bachelor's degree or above;53.92％of those have intermediate or higher professional titles;74.51％of them are part-time research nurse.Among professional experiences,19.61％have more than 10 years of clinical trial experience;47.06％,40.20％,and 21.17％of surveyed research nurses were authorized to participate in clinical tri-al drug management,sample management,and quality control;70.59％of research nurses have a high sense of achievement in their daily work.In terms of education and training needs,clinical trial related laws and regulations,standardized training for clinical trial protocol implementation,and good clinical practice(GCP)are the three most important aspects.CONCLUSION:Clinical research nurses in China have a relatively high level of education and nursing experience,but there is still a large gap in the amount of professional full-time clinical re-search nurses in China.Due to the rapid develop-ment of innovative drugs and devices,as well as the urgent need to improve the clinical research system,it is necessary to establish a training,as-sessment,and evaluation system for research nurs-es that is in line with China's national conditions in order to improve the professional level of research nurses,and improve the quantity and quality of clinical trial research on innovative drugs and devic-es in China.