Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of a domestic hair follicle extraction system versus traditional follicular unit excision (FUE) in extracting hair follicles for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) .Methods:A multicenter, randomized, self-controlled clinical trial was conducted on AGA patients aged 18 - 59 years who were recruited from the Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, the Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, and the China-Japan Friendship Hospital between June 2023 and September 2024. Each patient's scalp was randomly divided into two sides (experimental side vs. control side) using an envelope method. The experimental side underwent robotic hair transplantation with a domestic hair follicle extraction system, and the control side underwent traditional FUE. Hair follicles were extracted from the safe donor area in the occipital region, and implanted into the ipsilateral hair loss area. The primary outcome was the hair transection rate which was calculated immediately after follicular extraction. The secondary outcomes included the hair follicle unit loss rate and the change in hair density at the recipient site on postoperative day 14. Safety was evaluated by assessing the incidence of folliculitis at the donor site on postoperative day 14 and the overall incidence of adverse events. Surgical outcomes were evaluated at 9 months after surgery. Comparisons of evaluation indicators among groups were performed by using a paired t test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results:A total of 55 patients with AGA (51 males and 4 females, aged 32.71 ± 5.75 years) completed the hair follicle transplantation and postoperative follow-up. The hair transection rate ( M[ Q1, Q3]) was 6.65% (4.56%, 10.16%) in the experimental group and 5.28% (3.04%, 8.89%) in the control group (difference = 1.24%, 95% CI: -0.24%, 2.65%) . The hair follicle unit loss rate was 2.00% (1.00%, 3.50%) in the experimental group and 0.50% (0, 2.00%) in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups ( P = 0.008) . On postoperative day 14, there was no significant difference in the hair density between the experimental group and control group (72.20 ± 25.95 per cm 2vs. 76.49 ± 30.84 per cm 2, P = 0.173) . At 9-month follow-up, both groups showed improvement in the investigator's overall score in the recipient areas. Seven adverse events occurred in 7 subjects (12.72%) in each group, and all were mild folliculitis. Conclusion:The domestic hair follicle extraction system demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety to the traditional FUE in hair transplantation.

Changes in hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) can affect scalp aging and hair growth. With increasing age, HFSCs exhibit a decrease in quiescence maintenance and self-renewal capacity, as well as differentiation potential, leading to shortened hair growth cycles and even hair loss. This review summarizes recent research advances in the multifactorial interactions underlying hair loss, including the regulatory mechanisms of HFSC quiescence, the impact of aging on HFSC function, and aging of the stem cell microenvironment. Additionally, this review discusses the relationship between stem cells and hair shafts, and the mechanisms of action of stem cells in scalp aging, including alterations in signaling pathways, chromatin remodeling, and epigenetic regulation, etc. Furthermore, stem cell-based therapeutic strategies are summarized, such as the use of stem cells or their secreting exosomes, modulation of the stem cell microenvironment, and pharmacological interventions.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the impact of high expression of transmembrane and coiled helix structural domain 1 (TMCO1) on prognosis of gastric cancer and the possible mechanisms. METHODS: TMCO1 expression in gastric cancer and its effect on gastric cancer progression and prognosis were analyzed using publicly available databases and clinical data of patients undergoing radical surgery in our hospital, and its possible biological functions were explored using KEGG and GO analyses. In gastric cancer HGC-27 cells, the effects of lentivirus-mediated TMCO1 overexpression and TMCO1 silencing on cell apoptosis, proliferation, invasion and migration were examined. RESULTS: TMCO1 expression was significantly elevated in gastric cancer tissues (P<0.05), and its high expression was positively correlated with cancer progression (P<0.001) and a lowered postoperative 5-year survival rate of the patients (P<0.05). Bioinformatic analyses suggested that TMCO1 may affect gastric cancer cell apoptosis via Wnt signaling. In HGC-27 cells, TMCO1 overexpression significantly promoted tumor cell proliferation, inhibited cell apoptosis, and enhanced cell migration and invasion, whereas TMCO1 silencing produced the opposite effects. Western blotting showed that β-catenin levels were significantly upregulated in TMCO1-overexpressing cells and downregulated in cells with TMCO1 silencing. CONCLUSIONS TMCO1 is overexpressed in gastric cancer tissues, and its high expression promotes gastric cancer progression and affects long-term prognosis of the patients possibly by activating the Wnt/ β-catenin signaling pathway to inhibit apoptosis of gastric cancer cells.
Humans ; Stomach Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Prognosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Movement ; Wnt Signaling Pathway ; beta Catenin/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic

Objective:To observe the effects of 12.5% carbohydrate (CHO) solution and medium chain triglycerides (MCT) solutions at various concentrations on gastric emptying, in order to determine the optimal MCT-CHO combination for enhanced recovery after surgery.Methods:This study was a prospective study. Ten healthy volunteers were selected to ingest 400 ml of the following 5 solutions every day: water, 12.5% CHO, 1% MCT, 2% MCT and 4% MCT. According to the above results, the optimal concentration of MCT solution was 2% MCT, showing comparable gastric emptying rate compared with 12.5% CHO solution. On this basis, combinations of MCT and CHO solutions were determined to be 30 energy % (EN%) MCT+70 EN% CHO and 20 EN% MCT+80 EN% CHO according to the energy distribution ratio. Then the volunteers were given 400 ml of the following 4 solutions every day: 12.5% CHO, 2% MCT, 30 EN% MCT+70 EN% CHO (equivalent to 2% MCT+8% CHO), and 20 EN% MCT+80 EN% CHO (equivalent to 4.4% MCT+10% CHO). Gastric emptying during fasting (T m) and immediately (T 1), 30 min (T 2), 60 min (T 3), 90 min (T 4) and 120 min after ingestion (T 5) were observed by antral ultrasonography. The degree of thirst, hunger, and anxiety was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale, and the taste was rated. Results:The gastric emptying rate in descending order was 20%EN MCT+80%EN CHO group>30%EN MCT+70%EN CHO group≈2％MCT group≈12.5%CHO group. There was no significant difference in gastric emptying rate between 30 EN% MCT+70 EN% CHO group and 12.5% CHO group ( P>0.05). The scores of thirst, hunger and anxiety in 30 EN% MCT+70 EN% CHO group at T 1 to T 5 were significantly lower than those at T m ( P<0.05). 30 EN% MCT+70 EN% CHO group showed the highest taste score. Conclusion:30 EN% MCT+70 EN% CHO solution has similar gastric emptying rate compared with 12.5% CHO solution. It can relieve thirst, hunger, anxiety and other subjective feelings caused by fasting, with tastes better than 12.5% CHO solution.

Objective:To observe the effects of 12.5% carbohydrate (CHO) solution and medium chain triglycerides (MCT) solutions at various concentrations on gastric emptying, in order to determine the optimal MCT-CHO combination for enhanced recovery after surgery.Methods:This study was a prospective study. Ten healthy volunteers were selected to ingest 400 ml of the following 5 solutions every day: water, 12.5% CHO, 1% MCT, 2% MCT and 4% MCT. According to the above results, the optimal concentration of MCT solution was 2% MCT, showing comparable gastric emptying rate compared with 12.5% CHO solution. On this basis, combinations of MCT and CHO solutions were determined to be 30 energy % (EN%) MCT+70 EN% CHO and 20 EN% MCT+80 EN% CHO according to the energy distribution ratio. Then the volunteers were given 400 ml of the following 4 solutions every day: 12.5% CHO, 2% MCT, 30 EN% MCT+70 EN% CHO (equivalent to 2% MCT+8% CHO), and 20 EN% MCT+80 EN% CHO (equivalent to 4.4% MCT+10% CHO). Gastric emptying during fasting (T m) and immediately (T 1), 30 min (T 2), 60 min (T 3), 90 min (T 4) and 120 min after ingestion (T 5) were observed by antral ultrasonography. The degree of thirst, hunger, and anxiety was assessed by Visual Analogue Scale, and the taste was rated. Results:The gastric emptying rate in descending order was 20%EN MCT+80%EN CHO group>30%EN MCT+70%EN CHO group≈2％MCT group≈12.5%CHO group. There was no significant difference in gastric emptying rate between 30 EN% MCT+70 EN% CHO group and 12.5% CHO group ( P>0.05). The scores of thirst, hunger and anxiety in 30 EN% MCT+70 EN% CHO group at T 1 to T 5 were significantly lower than those at T m ( P<0.05). 30 EN% MCT+70 EN% CHO group showed the highest taste score. Conclusion:30 EN% MCT+70 EN% CHO solution has similar gastric emptying rate compared with 12.5% CHO solution. It can relieve thirst, hunger, anxiety and other subjective feelings caused by fasting, with tastes better than 12.5% CHO solution.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of a domestic hair follicle extraction system versus traditional follicular unit excision (FUE) in extracting hair follicles for the treatment of androgenetic alopecia (AGA) .Methods:A multicenter, randomized, self-controlled clinical trial was conducted on AGA patients aged 18 - 59 years who were recruited from the Huashan Hospital, Fudan University, the Affiliated Hangzhou First People's Hospital, and the China-Japan Friendship Hospital between June 2023 and September 2024. Each patient's scalp was randomly divided into two sides (experimental side vs. control side) using an envelope method. The experimental side underwent robotic hair transplantation with a domestic hair follicle extraction system, and the control side underwent traditional FUE. Hair follicles were extracted from the safe donor area in the occipital region, and implanted into the ipsilateral hair loss area. The primary outcome was the hair transection rate which was calculated immediately after follicular extraction. The secondary outcomes included the hair follicle unit loss rate and the change in hair density at the recipient site on postoperative day 14. Safety was evaluated by assessing the incidence of folliculitis at the donor site on postoperative day 14 and the overall incidence of adverse events. Surgical outcomes were evaluated at 9 months after surgery. Comparisons of evaluation indicators among groups were performed by using a paired t test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results:A total of 55 patients with AGA (51 males and 4 females, aged 32.71 ± 5.75 years) completed the hair follicle transplantation and postoperative follow-up. The hair transection rate ( M[ Q1, Q3]) was 6.65% (4.56%, 10.16%) in the experimental group and 5.28% (3.04%, 8.89%) in the control group (difference = 1.24%, 95% CI: -0.24%, 2.65%) . The hair follicle unit loss rate was 2.00% (1.00%, 3.50%) in the experimental group and 0.50% (0, 2.00%) in the control group, with a significant difference between the two groups ( P = 0.008) . On postoperative day 14, there was no significant difference in the hair density between the experimental group and control group (72.20 ± 25.95 per cm 2vs. 76.49 ± 30.84 per cm 2, P = 0.173) . At 9-month follow-up, both groups showed improvement in the investigator's overall score in the recipient areas. Seven adverse events occurred in 7 subjects (12.72%) in each group, and all were mild folliculitis. Conclusion:The domestic hair follicle extraction system demonstrated comparable efficacy and safety to the traditional FUE in hair transplantation.

Changes in hair follicle stem cells (HFSCs) can affect scalp aging and hair growth. With increasing age, HFSCs exhibit a decrease in quiescence maintenance and self-renewal capacity, as well as differentiation potential, leading to shortened hair growth cycles and even hair loss. This review summarizes recent research advances in the multifactorial interactions underlying hair loss, including the regulatory mechanisms of HFSC quiescence, the impact of aging on HFSC function, and aging of the stem cell microenvironment. Additionally, this review discusses the relationship between stem cells and hair shafts, and the mechanisms of action of stem cells in scalp aging, including alterations in signaling pathways, chromatin remodeling, and epigenetic regulation, etc. Furthermore, stem cell-based therapeutic strategies are summarized, such as the use of stem cells or their secreting exosomes, modulation of the stem cell microenvironment, and pharmacological interventions.

Objective To explore the correlation of CPNE3 expression with long-term prognosis of patients with gastric cancer(GC)and the possible mechanism.Methods We retrospectively collected the data of 104 GC patients undergoing radical surgery in our hospital from February,2013 to October,2017.TCGA database and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze CPNE3 expression level in GC tissues and its effects on tumor progression and long-term prognosis of the patients.GO analysis was performed to predict the biological role of CPNE3 in GC.We also conducted cell experiments with MGC803 cells and observed the effects of CPNE3 knockdown,CPNE3 overexpression and LY294002(a PI3K/AKT inhibitor)treatment on cell apoptosis and cellular expressions of apoptotic proteins using flow cytometry and Western blotting.Results TCGA analysis and immunohistochemistry both showed high expressions of CPNE3 in GC(P<0.05).The patients with high CPNE3 expressions had a reduced 5-year survival(P<0.01),and a high CPNE3 expression,CEA level≥5 μg/L,CA19-9 level≥37 kU/L,T3-T4 stage,and N2-N3 stage were all independent risk factors for a lowered 5-year survival rate after surgery.The sensitivity and specificity of CPNE3 for predicting 5-year mortality was 79.59%and 74.55%,respectively(P<0.05).GO analysis predicted that CPNE3 negatively regulated GC cell apoptosis.In MGC803 cells,CPNE3 knockdown significantly increased cell apoptosis,enhanced Bax and Cleaved Caspase-3 expressions and decreased Bcl-2 expression,while CPNE3 overexpression produced the opposite results(P<0.05).The cellular expressions of p-PI3K and p-AKT were significantly decreased following CPNE3 knockdown and increased following CPNE3 overexpression(P<0.05).Treatment with LY294002 obviously attenuated the inhibitory effect of CPNE3 overexpression on apoptosis of MGC803 cells(P<0.05).Conclusion CPNE3 is highly expressed in GC tissues and affects the long-term prognosis of the patients possibly by inhibiting GC cell apoptosis through activation of PI3K/AKT signaling.

Objective To investigate the effects of kuwanon G(KG)on proliferation,apoptosis,migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells and the molecular mechanisms.Methods The effects of KG on proliferation and growth of gastric cancer cells were assessed with CCK-8 assay and cell clone formation assay,by observing tumor formation on the back of nude mice and using immunohistochemical analysis of Ki-67.The effect of KG on cell apoptosis was analyzed using Annexin V-FITC/PI apoptosis detection kit,Western blotting and TUNEL staining.The effects of KG on cell migration and invasion were detected using Transwell migration and invasion assay and Western blotting for matrix metalloproteinase(MMP).The role of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)pathway in KG-mediated regulation of gastric cancer cell proliferation,migration,and invasion was verified by Western blotting and rescue assay.Results KG significantly inhibited proliferation and reduced clone formation ability of gastric cancer cells in a concentration-dependent manner(P<0.05).KG treatment also increased apoptosis,enhanced the expressions of cleaved caspase-3 and Bax,down-regulated Bcl-2,lowered migration and invasion capacities and inhibited the expression of MMP2 and MMP9 in gastric cancer cells(P<0.05).Mechanistic validation showed that KG inhibited the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway,and IGF-1,an activator of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway,reversed the effects of KG on proliferation,migration and invasion of gastric cancer cells(P<0.05).Conclusion KG inhibits proliferation,migration and invasion and promotes apoptosis of gastric cancer cells at least in part by inhibiting the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

Objective:To investigate the metabolism-related proteins and their presence in the plasma of female androgenetic alopecia (FAGA) patients.Methods:From March 2021 to March 2023, FAGA patients aged 18-50 (FAGA group) and healthy women (HC group) were recruited from the Dermatology Outpatient Department of Huashan Hospital. 3 ml of peripheral venous blood was collected from each participant and centrifuged to obtain plasma. Olink proteomics analysis was performed on the collected plasma, differentially expressed proteins were screened with R language, the diagnostic accuracy of the differentially expressed proteins was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Gene ontology (GO) analysis was performed on differentially expressed proteins. Immunofluorescence analysis on hair follicles in the parietal region of the FAGA group and the occipital region of the HC group was performed to validate the differentially expressed proteins identified. SPSS 25.0 software was used to analyze the data, with normal distribution metric data represented by Mean±SD. Student’s t-test was used to compare the basic information of two groups of subjects and the relative fluorescence intensity of differentially expressed proteins in hair follicles. Pearson correlation analysis was performed on plasma metabolism-related proteins and the basic information of subjects. P<0.05 indicates a statistically significant difference. Results:Sixty-one cases were included in the FAGA group, with an average age of (33.8±7.4) years and an onset age of (29.5±7.8) years. Among them, 38 cases were mild FAGA, 14 cases were moderate, and 9 cases were severe. Twenty-seven cases were included in the HC group, with an average age of (32.0±7.7) years. There was no statistically significant difference in the basic information (age, body mass index, testosterone, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, uric acid, and ferritin levels) between the two groups of subjects ( P>0.05). Compared to the HC group, the plasma of the FAGA group showed 26 significantly upregulated differentially expressed proteins ( P<0.05), with AHCY and NECTIN2 exhibiting the most significant differences (all P=0.003). The ROC curve evaluation revealed that the area under the curve for AHCY and NECTIN2 was greater than 0.7, indicating good diagnostic accuracy. The GO analysis revealed that the differentially expressed proteins were primarily enriched in the BAT3 complex (cellular component), ubiquitin-dependent ERAD pathway, natural killer cell activation (biological process), as well as ubiquitin protein ligase binding and ubiquitin-specific protease binding (molecular function). Pearson correlation analysis revealed that AHCY ( r=-0.23, P=0.010) and NECTIN2 ( r=-0.31, P=0.033) were negatively correlated with the severity of hair loss in FAGA patients. The results of hair follicle immunofluorescence analysis showed that the relative fluorescence intensity of AHCY and NECTIN2 in the FAGA group was higher than that in the HC group ( P<0.05). In other words, both AHCY and NECTIN2 were upregulated in the FAGA group. Conclusion:Metabolism-related proteins play an important role in FAGA. AHCY and NECTIN2 may serve as early diagnostic biomarkers for FAGA.