BACKGROUND:Human periodontal ligament stem cells are potential functional cells for periodontal tissue engineering.However,long-term in vitro culture may lead to reduced stemness and replicative senescence of periodontal ligament stem cells,which may impair the therapeutic effect of human periodontal ligament stem cells. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of oxymatrine on the stemness maintenance and osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells in vitro,and to explore the potential mechanism. METHODS:Periodontal ligament stem cells were isolated from human periodontal ligament tissues by tissue explant enzyme digestion and cultured.The surface markers of mesenchymal cells were identified by flow cytometry.Periodontal ligament stem cells were incubated with 0,2.5,5,and 10 μg/mL oxymatrine.The effect of oxymatrine on the proliferation activity of periodontal ligament stem cells was detected by CCK8 assay.The appropriate drug concentration for subsequent experiments was screened.Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of stem cell non-specific proteins SOX2 and OCT4 in periodontal ligament stem cells.qRT-PCR and western blot assay were used to detect the expression levels of related osteogenic genes and proteins in periodontal ligament stem cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of CCK8 assay showed that 2.5 μg/mL oxymatrine significantly enhanced the proliferative activity of periodontal stem cells,and the subsequent experiment selected 2.5 μg/mL oxymatrine to intervene.(2)Compared with the blank control group,the protein expression level of SOX2,a stem marker of periodontal ligament stem cells in the oxymatrine group did not change significantly(P>0.05),and the expression of OCT4 was significantly up-regulated(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the osteogenic induction group,the osteogenic genes ALP,RUNX2 mRNA expression and their osteogenic associated protein ALP protein expression of periodontal ligament stem cells were significantly down-regulated in the oxymatrine+osteogenic induction group(P<0.05).(4)The oxymatrine up-regulated the expression of stemness markers of periodontal ligament stem cells and inhibited the bone differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells,and the results of high-throughput sequencing showed that it may be associated with WNT2,WNT16,COMP,and BMP6.

Objective To investigate the correlation between traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome types and serum level of neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR),procalcitonin(PCT),C-reactive protein(CRP),and interleukin 6(IL-6)in the patients with acute pelvic inflammatory disease(APID),and to assess the diagnostic value of NLR,PCT,CRP,and IL-6 for APID patients.Methods A total of 110 patients with APID who met the inclusion criteria and were admitted to the Gynecology Outpatient and Inpatient Departments of Linhai Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from January 2020 to March 2024 were selected,and were classified into 60 cases of excessive heat-toxin syndrome and 50 cases of dampness-heat-stasis obstruction syndrome according to the criteria of TCM syndrome differentiation.The levels of serum indicators of NLR,PCT,CRP and IL-6,diameter of inflammatory masses,and depth of pelvic effusion were compared between the two TCM syndrome types,and the correlation of serum indicator levels with inflammatory mass diameter and depth of pelvic effusion was analyzed.Moreover,the correlation of serum indicator levels,diameter of inflammatory masses,and depth of pelvic effusion with the prognosis of APID and their correlation with TCM syndrome types were investigated.Results Levels of serum indicators of NLR,PCT,CRP,and IL-6,inflammatory mass diameter and depth of pelvic effusion in the patients of excessive heat-toxin syndrome were significantly higher than those in the patients of dampness-heat-stasis obstruction syndrome(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Results of Spearman correlation analysis showed that the levels of serum indicators of NLR,PCT,CRP,and IL-6 were positively correlated with the diameter of inflammatory masses and depth of pelvic effusion(P＜0.01).Results of Logistic regression analysis showed that the serum indicator levels,diameter of inflammatory masses,and depth of pelvic effusion were negatively correlated with APID prognosis(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Results of multivariate logistic regression showed that the serum indicator levels,diameter of inflammatory masses and depth of pelvic effusion were positively correlated with the excessive heat-toxin syndrome and dampness-heat-stasis obstruction syndrome(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion The levels of serum NLR,PCT,CRP and IL-6 are higher in the patients of excessive heat-toxin syndrome than those of dampness-heat-stasis obstruction syndrome.Serum NLR,PCT,CRP and IL-6 may serve as the potential biological indicators the TCM syndrome differentiation of APID in clinic.

Tic disorders in children refer to the neurodevelopmental disorders usually occurring in childhood and adolescence.Guided by the theory of five-zang-organ correlation,Professor Li Yirui approaches the treatment of tic disorders in children and comorbidities primarily from the perspective of liver-spleen disharmony,and points out that the pathogenesis is due to liver-spleen disharmony,wind-phlegm disturbance,and mutual involvement of the five zang organs.In clinical practice,Professor Li established the therapeutic principle of regulating the liver and spleen,extinguishing wind,and resolving phlegm,and adopted the four liver-regulating methods(calming liver,soothing liver,clearing liver,and softening liver)to extinguish wind and stop tics,as well as the four spleen-regulating methods(replenishing spleen,activating spleen,awakening spleen,and dredging spleen)to strengthen body resistance and support healthy qi.The self-formulated Fupi Xifeng Decoction(composed of Pseudostellariae Radix,Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma,Poria,Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma,Bupleuri Radix,Paeoniae Radix Alba,Uncariae Ramulus cum Uncis,Gastrodiae Rhizoma,Pinelliae Rhizoma Praeparatum,Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium,Os Draconis,etc.)serves as the basic formula,herbs directing to the affected regions were flexibly used,and insect drugs were occasionally adopted for refractory cases.The treatment for tic disorders in children focus on simultaneous regulation of the five zang-organs by modified use of herbs for dispersing wind and benefiting lung,tranquilizing heart and calming spirit,and supplementing liver and kidney to address comorbidities and secondary symptoms.Additionally,integrated internal-external treatment,relieving the discomforts physically and mentally,and family-centered comprehensive care are also taken into account to achieve optimal outcomes.

Objective:To analyze the level and clinical significance of IL-18 and IL-18-binding protein (BP) in the bone marrow of patients with myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) .Methods:A total of 43 newly diagnosed patients with MDS who were admitted to the Department of Hematology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, from July 2020 to February 2021 were randomly selected. The control group consisted of 14 patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and 25 patients with iron-deficiency anemia (IDA). The levels of IL-18 and IL-18 BP in the bone marrow supernatant were measured, and their correlations with MDS severity, as well as the functionality of CD8 + T cells and natural killer cells, was analyzed. Results:The levels of IL-18, IL-18 BP, and free IL-18 (fIL-18) in the bone marrow supernatant of patients with MDS were higher than in the IDA group. The level of fIL-18 was linearly and negatively correlated with the MDS-International Prognostic Scoring System (IPSS) score. IL-18 receptor (IL-18Rα) expression on CD8 + T cells in the MDS group was lower than in the IDA group, and the levels of fIL-18 and IL-18Rα were positively correlated with CD8 + T-cell function in the MDS group. Conclusion:IL-18 BP antagonizes IL-18, leading to a decrease in fIL-18 in the bone marrow microenvironment of patients with MDS, affecting CD8 + T-cell function, which is closely related to MDS severity; therefore, it may become a new target for MDS treatment.

OBJECTIVES: During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, a growing prevalence of racial and ethnic discrimination occurred when many Americans struggled to maintain healthy lifestyles. This study investigated the associations of racial and ethnic discrimination with changes in exercise and screen time during the pandemic in the United States. METHODS: We included 2,613 adults who self-identified as non-Hispanic White, non-Hispanic Black, non-Hispanic Asian, or Hispanic from the Health, Ethnicity, and Pandemic study, a cross-sectional survey conducted among a nationally representative sample of United States adults between October and November 2020. We assessed self-reported racial and ethnic discrimination by measuring COVID-19-related racial and ethnic bias and examined its associations with changes in exercise and screen time using multivariable logistic regression models. We analyzed data between September 2021 and March 2022. RESULTS: COVID-19-related racial and ethnic bias was associated with decreased exercise time among non-Hispanic Asian (odds ratio [OR], 1.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.13 to 1.89) and Hispanic people (OR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.32 to 2.77), and with increased screen time among non-Hispanic Black people (OR, 1.94; 95% CI, 1.33 to 2.85), adjusting for age, sex, education, marital status, annual household income, insurance, and employment status. CONCLUSIONS Racial and ethnic discrimination may have adversely influenced exercise and screen time changes among racial and ethnic minorities during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Further studies are needed to investigate the mechanisms through which racial and ethnic discrimination can impact lifestyles and to develop potential strategies to address racial and ethnic discrimination as a barrier to healthy lifestyles.

【Objective】 To understand the current status and shortcomings of the informed consent of blood donors, and to ensure that the informed consent of blood donors complies with ethical norms and management requirements. 【Methods】 From January 1 to 31, 2022, the " Informed Consent Form for Blood Donor" and " Health Status Consultation Form", issued by 6 blood services in Beijing, Shanghai, Tianjin, Chongqing, Guangzhou and Zhejiang, were collected. The contents regarding individual informed consent were set as an analysis unit; 7 first-level codes such as the form of information disclosure, 19 second-level codes such as the title of the content to be informed, and 56 items such as the content to be informed before blood donation were established to make frequency statistics. 【Results】 The informed consent, issued by six blood centers, included such elements as the form of information disclosure, blood donation process and risks, authenticity of information, donor shielding requirements, screening for transfusion-transmitted infections, other uses of blood, and consent decisions. The second-level coding with frequency≥ 4 included 12 items(63.16%), such as the title of informed consent, truthful provision of health consultation information, and blood donation under real-name, of which precautions after blood donation, privacy statement, and withdrawal were " unexplained" frequency codes. The proportion of 56 items with frequency 1~6 was 55.36%, 12.50%, 10.71%, 17.86%, 1.79% and 1.79%, respectively. 【Conclusion】 The informed consent forms and health status consultation forms play a certain role in explaining and conducting informed consent in different places, but some contents are scattered and lack of specifications, information notification weights in shielding requirements while lacks post-donation care and privacy protection, and the decision-making process is inadequate. A standardized content framework for informed consent of blood donors should be established, the caring for blood donors should be promoted, and the full process of consent decision-making should be valued seriously.

Objective:To provide theoretical reference for the construction of effective prevention and control strategies. The study deeply investigates the impact of traumatic birth events on compassion fatigue and inner feelings of midwives.Methods:Fifteen midwives from five tertiary hospitals in Guangzhou were interviewed in depth by semi-structured interview method from April to June 2021. Colaizzi analysis and Nvivo12 plus software were used to analyze and integrate the data and extract themes.Results:Three main themes were extracted, including the characteristics of traumatic birth events (high incidence, sudden and dangerous, preventable and controllable); exacerbating compassion fatigue (reducing compassion satisfaction levels; exacerbating burnout; and aggravating traumatic stress responses); and exploring effective coping strategies (time required for adjustment, seeking stress release).Conclusions:As a strong stressor, traumatic birth events aggravate the symptoms of compassion fatigue in midwives. Managers should pay attention to the occupational exposure of traumatic childbirth events, actively guide midwives to make psychological adjustments. In addition, managers can increase social support and strengthen the ideological and political education of midwives, so that they have good stress tolerance and excellent professional psychological quality.

Objective:To study the expression of phosphates signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) and programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) in extranodal NK/T cell lymphomas (ENKTCL) and the relationships of pSTAT3 and PD-L1 expression with the clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis of ENKTCL.Methods:Fifty-one cases of ENKTCL diagnosed at Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital from June 2015 to February 2019 were included in the study. The expression of pSTAT3 and PD-L1 was examined using immunohistochemistry.Results:There were 35 males and 16 females, ranging from 18 to 85 years old with a median age of 47 years. The positive rates of pSTAT3 and PD-L1 expression were 68.6% (35/51) and 76.5% (39/51), respectively. pSTAT3 expression was correlated with PD-L1 expression ( P=0.033, R=0.322), while there were no associations of pSTAT3 and PD-L1 expression with the clinicopathological characteristics of ENKTCL, including age, sex, clinical site, B symptom, Ann Arbor stage, LDH value, EBV DNA load of peripheral blood and international proliferation index score. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed the prognoses of the pSTAT3 and PD-L1 positive groups were slightly better than the respective negative groups, but the differences were not significantly ( P>0.05). Conclusions:pSTAT3 is highly expressed in extranodal NK/T cell lymphoma and related to the expression of PD-L1, which provides a potential target and rationale for combinations of targeted therapies and immune checkpoint blockade inhibitors in the treatment of ENKTCL.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, treatment and prognosis of fibrin-associated diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) arising within concurrent atrial myxoma.Methods:Six cases of fibrin-associated DLBCL arising within concurrent atrial myxoma diagnosed at the Department of Pathology, Guangdong General Hospital, from 2006 to 2019 were included. The histology, immunophenotype, treatment and prognoses were analyzed.Results:The patients′ age ranged from 46 to 78 years (mean 59 years). There were 3 males and 3 females. The tumors were all discovered incidentally on histological examination of surgical pathology specimens excised for atrial myxoma. All patients appeared to have morphological features of DLBCL, B lineage immunophenotype, high proliferative index and latency type III of Epstein-Barr viral infection. They had complete tumor resections without adjuvant chemotherapy and were healthy at 5- to 120-month follow-ups.Conclusions:Fibrin-associated DLBCL arising within concurrent atrial myxoma is an unusual form of DLBCL associated with chronic inflammation, and its clinical outcome is indolent. The findings suggest that this type of lymphoma does not warrant excessive or unnecessary treatments after complete resection.

Objectives: To investigate the clinicopathological features, therapy and prognosis of primary cardiac CD5-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with C-MYC and bcl-2 double expression. Methods: Two cases diagnosed at Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital were included, the clinical data were collected; the tumor morphology, immunophenotypic profiles, therapy and prognosis were analyzed. Results: Case 1 was a 55-year-old man and case 2 was a 61-year-old women. Intraoperatively, both cases showed large masses in the right atrium or ventricle, involving adjacent tissue. Pathologically, the tumors were composed of diffusely infiltrating large lymphoid cells with high mitotic activity and apoptosis. The tumor cells were positive for CD20, CD5, bcl-6, MUM1, C-MYC and bcl-2, and the Ki-67 index was equal or greater than 90%. Case 1 had bcl-6, but not bcl-2 or MYC gene rearrangements. No MYC, bcl-2 or bcl-6 gene rearrangements were detected in case 2. Case 1 defaulted chemotherapy after operation and died 1 month after diagnosis. Case 2 was treated with 4 cycles of rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) therapy after surgery and attained partial remission, and was then treated with apatinib and ibrutinib, and remained stable 18 months after initial diagnosis. Conclusion Primary cardiac CD5-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with C-MYC and bcl-2 double expression usually shows large infiltrative mass in the right atrium or ventricle, non-germinal center like immunophenotype and high proliferation index, and this may contribute to the aggressiveness of primary cardiac lymphoma.