ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and mechanism of transplantation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell （hUC-MSC） with overexpression of the Numb gene in the treatment of cholestatic liver fibrosis （CLF）. MethodsThe technique of lentiviral transfection was used to induce the overexpression of the Numb gene in hUC-MSC （hUC-MSC^Numb-OE）， and hUC-MSC transfected with empty vector （hUC-MSC^OE-EV） was used as negative control. Bile duct ligation （BDL） was performed to establish a rat model of CLF， and then the rats were randomly divided into BDL group， hUC-MSC group， hUC-MSC^OE-EV group， and hUC-MSC^Numb-OE group， while a sham-operation group was also established. The rats in the intervention groups were given a single splenic injection of the corresponding cells after BDL， and samples were collected at the end of week 4. Related indicators were measured， including serum biochemistry， liver histopathology， the content of hydroxyproline （Hyp） in the liver， hepatic stellate cell activation， ductular reaction， liver regeneration， and the expression levels of key molecules in the Numb-p53 signaling axis. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the BDL group， the hUC-MSC group and the hUC-MSC^OE-EV group had significant reductions in the levels of serum biochemical parameters （aspartate aminotransferase， gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase， total bile acid， total bilirubin， and direct bilirubin）， liver fibrosis markers （the content of Hyp and the expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin， tumor necrosis factor-α， and transforming growth factor-beta 1）， and ductular reaction markers （the expression levels of CK7 and CK19） （all P <0.05）， and compared with the hUC-MSC^OE-EV group， the hUC-MSC^Numb-OE group had significantly greater improvements in the above indicators （all P <0.05）. In addition， compared with the hUC-MSC^OE-EV group， the hUC-MSC^Numb-OE group had significant improvements in the expression levels of liver regeneration-related markers （albumin and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α） and the molecules associated with the Numb-p53 signaling axis （Numb， pNumb， Mdm2， and p53） （all P <0.05）. ConclusionOverexpression of the Numb gene can enhance the therapeutic effect of hUC-MSC on CLF， possibly by activating the Numb-PTB^L-p53-HNF4α axis， promoting the hepatic differentiation of hUC-MSCs and subsequently enhancing liver regeneration.

The paper introduces Professor JI Laixi's academic thought and clinical experience in treatment of primary open angle glaucoma with "nape-eight-needle" acupotomy. Professor JI Laixi believes that the key pathogenesis lies in "occlusion of xuanfu (subtle orifices) within the eyes and obstruction of meridian pathways". Using the unblocking principle of treatment, taking meridian theory of traditional acupuncture as the core and based on the anatomical principles of structural acupuncture, Professor JI has proposed his academic thought, "treating eye diseases from the nape". In treatment, "nape-eight-needle" acupotomy is adopted, combined with filiform needle acupuncture. It is the advantageous compound therapeutic method, aiming to open xuanfu, restore brain-eye meridian connectivity, harmonize body, qi and mind through systemic regulation, address both the causative factors and symptoms and prevent from blindness. This therapeutic approach provides a new idea for clinical treatment of primary open angle glaucoma.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy/history* ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle/therapy* ; Male ; Meridians ; Female ; Acupuncture Points ; Middle Aged ; Aged

OBJECTIVES: To reprogram human placental fibroblasts (HPFs) into chemically induced epithelioid-like cells (ciEP-Ls) using a combination of small-molecule compounds. METHODS: HPFs cultured under normoxic conditions were identified using immunofluorescence assay, PCR and chromosomal karyotyping. Under hypoxic conditions (37 ℃, 5% O₂), HPFs were cultured in a medium containing small-molecule compounds C6TSEDRVAJZ (CHIR99021, 616452, TTNPB, SAG, EPZ5676, DZNep, Ruxolitinib, VTP50469, Afuresertib, JNK-IN-8, and EZM0414), and the cell morphology was observed daily. The expression levels of epithelial cell markers in the induced cells were detected by immunofluorescence, Western blotting and PCR. Chromosomal karyotyping of the induced cells was performed and the induction efficiency was calculated. RESULTS: Before induction, HPFs showed positive expressions of fibroblast surface markers CD34 and vimentin and were negative for epithelial surface markers. PCR results showed high expressions of fibroblast-specific genes S100A4 and COL1A1 in HPFs with a normal human diploid karyotype. After one day of induction, the HPFs underwent morphological changes from a multinodular spindle shape to a round or polygonal shape, which was morphologically characteristic of ciEP-Ls. On day 4 of induction, the cells exhibited high expressions of the epithelial cell markers E-cadherin and Lin28A. RT-qPCR results also showed that the cells expressed the epithelial markers Smad3, GLi3, PAX8, WT1, KRT19, and KRT18 with significantly down-regulated expressions of all the fibroblast surface markers and a normal human diploid karyotype. The reprogramming efficiency of HPFs into ciEP-Ls ranged from (64.53±2.8)% to (68.10±3.6)%. CONCLUSIONS The small-molecule compound combination C6TSEDRVAJZ is capable of inducing HPFs into ciEP-Ls under hypoxic conditions with a high induction efficiency.
Humans ; Fibroblasts/drug effects* ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Pyrimidines/pharmacology* ; Placenta/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Pyridines/pharmacology* ; Pyrazoles/pharmacology* ; Epithelial Cells/cytology*

OBJECTIVES: To explore the efficacy of DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy for management of cancer pain and provide reference for its standardized clinical application. Methods and. RESULTS: Recommendations were formulated based on literature review and expert group discussion, and consensus was reached following expert consultation. The consensus recommendations are comprehensive, covering the entire treatment procedures from preoperative assessment and preparation, surgical operation process, postoperative management and traditional Chinese medicine treatment to individualized treatment planning. The study results showed that the treatment plans combining traditional Chinese with Western medicine effectively alleviated cancer pain, reduced the use of opioid drugs, and significantly improved the quality of life and enhanced immune function of the patients. Postoperative follow-up suggested good treatment tolerance among the patients without serious complications. CONCLUSIONS The formulated consensus is comprehensive and can provide reference for clinicians to use DSA-guided intrathecal drug delivery system combined with Zi Wu Liu Zhu Acupoint Therapy. The combined treatment has a high clinical value with a good safety profile for management of cancer pain.
Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Cancer Pain/therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Pain Management/methods* ; China

Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis,pri-marily transmitted through respiratory droplets,and poses a significant global public health challenge.Despite the availability of vaccines and chemotherapy regimens,the emergence of drug resistance and high incidence rates continue to render the prevention and control situation severe.The intestinal mi-crobiota modulates host immunity through metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids,influencing macrophage function,T-cell differentiation,and inflammatory responses,thereby regulating tubercu-losis susceptibility,disease progression,and treatment responses.This review systematically summa-rized the role of intestinal microecology in immune regulation of tuberculosis and its potential applica-tion strategies,delved into the possible immune regulatory mechanisms,proposed that the interaction between intestinal microbiota and immune checkpoint inhibitors may serve as a warning for the clinical risk of tuberculosis reactivation,and analyzed the potential of intestinal microecology as a therapeutic target for tuberculosis.

Objective To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture preconditioning on microglia polarization in rats after cerebral ischemia reperfusion(IR)injury and explore the role of tyrosine kinase 2(J AK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)pathway in the process.Methods Forty-five clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly and equally divided into sham operation group,IR group and electroacupuncture preconditioning group.Rat model of IR injury was induced with thread occlusion of the internal carotid artery.Before modeling,electroacupuncture preconditioning was applied to Baihui acupoint for 5 consec-utive days in the preconditioning group,and exposure of the cervical blood vessels were inflicted in the sham-operation group.At 24 h after reperfusion,the severity of neurological deficit was observed by modified neurological deficit score(mNSS),and the cerebral infarct volume was observed by TTC staining.Western blotting was used to detect the protein levels of classical acti-vated type(M1)marker inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS),alternative activated type(M2)marker arginase 1(Arg-1),JAK2 and p-JAK2,and STAT3 and p-STAT3,and q-PCR was applied to detect the mRNA expression of iNOS and Arg-1.The expression of TNF-α and IL-10 was measured by ELISA.Results Compared with the sham operation group,the mNSS,infarct vol-ume,protein levels of p-JAK2/JAK2,p-STAT3/STAT3,protein and mRNA levels of iNOS and Arg-1,and expression of TNF-α and IL-10 were significantly increased in the IR and electroacu-puncture preconditioning groups(P＜0.01).The preconditioning group had obviously lower mNSS,smaller infarct volume,decreased protein levels of p-JAK2/JAK2,p-STAT3/STAT3,re-duced protein and mRNA levels of iNOS,and declined TNF-α expression,but elevated expression of Arg-1 at protein(2.0±0.2 vs 1.5±0.1)and mRNA(4.2±0.8 vs 3.1±0.3)levels and increased IL-10 expression(49.1±7.1 pg/mg vs 27.9±5.9 pg/mg)when compared with the IR group(P＜0.01).Conclusion Electroacupuncture preconditioning can promote the polarization of microglia to M2 and inhibit the polarization of microglia to M1 after cerebral IR injury,which may be relat-ed to the inhibition of JAK2/STAT3 pathway.

Objective:To evaluate the role of cancerous inhibitor of protein phosphatase 2A (CIP2A) in preoperative sleep deprivation (PSD)-induced aggravation of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) in aged mice.Methods:One hundred and ten healthy C57BL/6J mice of either sex, aged 18-20 months, weighing 29-35 g, were divided into 5 groups ( n=22 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (S group), abdominal surgery group (O group), PSD + abdominal surgery group (D+ O group), CIP2A shRNA + abdominal surgery group (CS+ O group), and CIP2A shRNA+ PSD+ abdominal surgery group (CS+ D+ O group). At 14 days before surgery, control shRNA lentivirus was injected into the hippocampus in S, O and CS+ O groups, and CIP2A shRNA was injected into the hippocampus in D+ O and CS+ D+ O groups. PSD was carried out for 3 consecutive days prior to surgery. Cognitive function was assessed using the Morris water maze test at days 7-11 after surgery. The mice were sacrificed under deep anesthesia at day 3 after surgery, and hippocampal tissues were obtained to determine the expression of CIP2A, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1), alpha subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2Aa), catalytic subunit of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2Ac), phosphorylated tau protein (p-tau) (S396), and p-tau (S404) (by Western blot), levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and count of Iba-1 positive cells in the hippocampal CA1 region (using immunofluorescence staining). Results:Compared with S group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the frequency of crossing the platform was reduced, duration of stay in the target quadrant was shortened, the expression of CIP2A, Iba-1 and HMGB1 was up-regulated, PP2Ac expression was down-regulated, levels of ROS and MDA and count of Iba-1 positive cells were increased, and the activity of SOD was decreased in O group ( P<0.05). Compared with O group, the escape latency was significantly prolonged, the frequency of crossing the platform was reduced, duration of stay in the target quadrant was shortened, the expression of CIP2A, Iba-1 and HMGB1 was up-regulated, PP2Ac expression was down-regulated, levels of ROS and MDA and count of Iba-1 positive cells were increased, and the activity of SOD was decreased in D+ O group, and the escape latency was significantly shortened, the frequency of crossing the platform was increased, duration of stay in the target quadrant was prolonged, the expression of CIP2A, Iba-1 and HMGB1 was down-regulated, PP2Ac expression was up-regulated, levels of ROS and MDA and count of Iba-1 positive cells were decreased, and the activity of SOD was increased in CS+ O group ( P<0.05). Compared with D+ O group, the escape latency was significantly shortened, the frequency of crossing the platform was increased, duration of stay in the target quadrant was prolonged, the expression of CIP2A, Iba-1 and HMGB1 was down-regulated, PP2Ac expression was up-regulated, levels of ROS and MDA and count of Iba-1 positive cells were decreased, and the activity of SOD was increased in CS+ D+ O group ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in PP2Aa expression among the five groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:The mechanism by which PSD aggravates POCD is related to up-regulating the expression of CIP2A and promoting oxidative stress responses, neuroinflammatory responses and phosphorylation of tau protein in aged mice.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells （BMSCs） co-cultured with bone marrow-derived M2 macrophages （M2-BMDMs）， named as BMSC^M2， on a rat model of liver cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride （CCl₄）/2-acetaminofluorene （2-AAF）. MethodsRat BMDMs were isolated and polarized into M2 phenotype， and rat BMSCs were isolated and co-cultured with M2-BMDMs at the third generation to obtain BMSC^M2. The rats were given subcutaneous injection of CCl₄ for 6 weeks to establish a model of liver cirrhosis， and then they were randomly divided into model group （M group）， BMSC group， and BMSC^M2 group， with 6 rats in each group. A normal group （N group） with 6 rats was also established. Since week 7， the model rats were given 2-AAF by gavage in addition to the subcutaneous injection of CCl₄. Samples were collected at the end of week 10 to observe liver function， liver histopathology， and hydroxyproline （Hyp） content in liver tissue， as well as changes in the markers for hepatic stellate cells， hepatic progenitor cells， cholangiocytes， and hepatocytes. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the least significant difference t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsCompared with the N group， the M group had significant increases in the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） （P<0.01）； compared with the M group， the BMSC and BMSC^M2 groups had significant reductions in ALT and AST （P<0.01）， and the BMSC^M2 group had significantly better activities than the BMSC group （P<0.05）. Compared with the N group， the M group had significant increases in Hyp content and the mRNA and protein expression levels of alpha-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） in the liver （P<0.01）； compared with the M group， the BMSC and BMSC^M2 groups had significant reductions in Hyp content and the expression of α-SMA （P<0.05）， and the BMSC^M2 group had a significantly lower level of α-SMA than the BMSC group （P<0.01）. Compared with the N group， the M group had significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of the hepatic progenitor cell markers EpCam and Sox9 and the cholangiocyte markers CK7 and CK19 （P<0.01） and significant reductions in the expression levels of the hepatocyte markers HNF-4α and Alb （P<0.01）； compared with the M group， the BMSC and BMSC^M2 groups had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of EpCam， Sox9， CK7， and CK19 （P<0.05） and significant increases in the mRNA expression levels of HNF-4α and Alb （P<0.05）， and compared with the BMSC group， the BMSC^M2 group had significant reductions in the mRNA expression levels of EpCam and CK19 （P<0.05） and significant increase in the expression level of HNF-4α （P<0.05）. ConclusionM2-BMDMs can enhance the therapeutic effect of BMSCs on CCl₄/2-AAF-induced liver cirrhosis in rats， which provides new ideas for further improving the therapeutic effect of BMSCs on liver cirrhosis.

Objective:To measure the overall and lobulated volume of the liver with different degrees of liver fibrosis and to further observe pathological changes such as liver microvasculature, hepatocyte apoptosis, and regeneration in order to understand the macroscopic volume changes of the liver during liver fibrosis and its relationship with liver tissue microscopic pathology in patients with chronic liver disease.Methods:53 patients with chronic hepatitis B, alcoholic fatty liver disease, autoimmune liver disease, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and drug-induced chronic liver disease who underwent both liver biopsy tissue and abdominal magnetic resonance imaging were collected. Patients were divided into early (F1-2), middle (F3-4), and late (F5-6) in accordance with the Ishak fibrosis stage and Masson stain. The liver and spleen volumes were measured using ITK-SNAP software. CD31 immunohistochemical staining was used to reflect intrahepatic angiogenesis. Ki67 and HNF-4α multiplex immunohistochemical staining were used to reflect hepatocyte regeneration. GS staining was used to determine parenchymal extinction lesions. TUNEL staining was used to observe hepatocyte apoptosis. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the relationship between liver volume changes and liver histopathological changes.Results:As liver fibrosis progressed, the total liver volume and right lobe liver volume gradually decreased ( P<0.05), while the spleen volume gradually increased ( P<0.05). The expression of CD31 and GS gradually increased ( P<0.05), and the expression of Ki67 first increased and then decreased ( P<0.05). The positivity rate of CD31 was negatively correlated with the right lobe liver volume ( r=-0.609, P<0.001) and the total liver volume ( r=-0.363, P=0.017). The positivity rate of Ki67 was positively correlated with the right lobe liver volume ( r=0.423, P=0.018), while the positivity rate of apoptotic cells was significantly negatively correlated with the total liver volume ( r=-0.860, P<0.001). The positivity rate of GS was negatively correlated with the right lobe liver volume ( r=-0.440, P=0.002), and the number of PELs was negatively correlated with RV ( r=-0.476, P=0.013). The CD31 positive staining area was negatively correlated with the Ki67 positive staining area( r=-0.511, P=0.009). Conclusion:As liver fibrosis progresses, patients with chronic liver disease have a depletion in total liver volume and right lobe liver volume, and this is mainly in correlation with fewer liver cells and liver tissue microvasculature disorders.

Objective:To investigate the interventional effect of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BMMSC) transplantation with different doses of X-ray irradiation induced hepatic injury in mice.Methods:Eighteen female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 0, 2, and 3 Gy irradiation groups and 0, 2, and 3 Gy transplantation groups. The irradiation group was used as the control and injected with an equal volume of culture medium. The mice in the transplantation group were irradiated with different doses of X-ray irradiation, and BMMSCs were intravenously infused into the bone marrow. The mice were sacrificed for sampling at the end of the 21st day. Mice body weight changes were recorded daily. The changes in the content of peripheral blood lymphocytes, red blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin were detected by an automatic blood tester. The morphological changes in mice liver tissues were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The serum activities of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) were detected by a biochemical analyzer. The reduced glutathione contents in liver tissue were detected by the microplate method. The malondialdehyde content in liver tissue was detected by thiobarbituric acid. The content of total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) in liver tissue was detected by the hydroxylamine method. The expression of the F4/80 protein in liver tissue was detected by the immunohistochemistry method. The protein expression of nuclear transcription factor erythroid 2 related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in liver tissue was determined by the western blotting method. The mRNA expression of NLRP3, IL-6, and Nrf2 in liver tissue was detected by a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The multiple-group comparisons were analyzed by factorial analysis of variance. The inter-group comparisons were analyzed by the LSD method for statistical analysis.Results:The contents of peripheral blood lymphocytes, erythrocytes, platelets, and hemoglobin were significantly decreased in the 3 Gy irradiation group than the 0 Gy irradiation group ( P<0.05), while the activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly increased ( P<0.05). The malondialdehyde content, F4/80 protein expression level, nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeats, nucleotide oligomerization domain-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), and interleukin 6 mRNA expression levels were significantly increased in liver tissue, while the contents of T-SOD and glutathione, Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression levels, and Nrf2 mRNA expression level in liver tissue were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The contents of peripheral blood lymphocytes, red blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin were significantly increased in the 3 Gy transplantation group than the 3 Gy irradiation group ( P<0.05), while the activities of serum ALT and AST were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The malondialdehyde content, F4/80 protein expression level, NLRP3 and interleukin-6 mRNA expression levels in liver tissue were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), while the content of T-SOD and glutathione, Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression levels, and Nrf2 mRNA expression level in liver tissue were significantly increased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:X-ray irradiation at a dose of 3 Gy can induce liver oxidative damage in mice. BMMSC transplantation can improve X-ray irradiation-induced liver oxidative damage in mice, and its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway.