Acute lung injury(ALI) is a critical clinical condition primarily characterized by refractory hypoxemia and infiltration of inflammatory cells in lung tissue, which can progress into a more severe form known as acute respiratory distress syndrome(ARDS). Immune cells and inflammatory cytokines play important roles in the progression of the disease. Due to its unclear pathogenesis and the lack of effective clinical treatments, ALI is associated with a high mortality rate and severely affects patients' quality of life, making the search for effective therapeutic agents particularly urgent. Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, the dried root of the perennial herb Panax ginseng from the Araliaceae family, contains active ingredients such as saponins and polysaccharides, which possess various pharmacological effects including anti-tumor activity, immune regulation, and metabolic modulation. In recent years, studies have shown that ginsenosides exhibit notable effects in reducing inflammation, ameliorating epithelial and endothelial cell injury, and providing anticoagulant action, indicating their comprehensive role in alleviating lung injury. This review summarizes the pathogenesis of ALI and the molecular mechanisms through which ginsenosides act at different stages of ALI development. The aim is to provide a scientific reference for the development of ginsenoside-based drugs targeting ALI, as well as a theoretical basis for the clinical application of Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma in the treatment of ALI.
Ginsenosides/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Acute Lung Injury/immunology* ; Animals ; Panax/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of zedoarondiol on neovascularization of atherosclerotic (AS) plaque by exosomes experiment. METHODS: ApoE^-/- mice were fed with high-fat diet to establish AS model and treated with high- and low-dose (10, 5 mg/kg daily) of zedoarondiol, respectively. After 14 weeks, the expressions of anti-angiogenic protein thrombospondin 1 (THBS-1) and its receptor CD36 in plaques, as well as platelet activation rate and exosome-derived miR-let-7a were detected. Then, zedoarondiol was used to intervene in platelets in vitro, and miR-let-7a was detected in platelet-derived exosomes (Pexo). Finally, human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were transfected with miR-let-7a mimics and treated with Pexo to observe the effect of miR-let-7a in Pexo on tube formation. RESULTS: Animal experiments showed that after treating with zedoarondiol, the neovascularization density in plaques of AS mice was significantly reduced, THBS-1 and CD36 increased, the platelet activation rate was markedly reduced, and the miR-let-7a level in Pexo was reduced (P<0.01). In vitro experiments, the platelet activation rate and miR-let-7a levels in Pexo were significantly reduced after zedoarondiol's intervention. Cell experiments showed that after Pexo's intervention, the tube length increased, and the transfection of miR-let-7a minics further increased the tube length of cells, while reducing the expressions of THBS-1 and CD36. CONCLUSION Zedoarondiol has the effect of inhibiting neovascularization within plaque in AS mice, and its mechanism may be potentially related to inhibiting platelet activation and reducing the Pexo-derived miRNA-let-7a level.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/genetics* ; Exosomes/drug effects* ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic/genetics* ; Neovascularization, Pathologic/genetics* ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Humans ; Blood Platelets/drug effects* ; Apolipoproteins E/deficiency* ; Thrombospondin 1/metabolism* ; CD36 Antigens/metabolism* ; Platelet Activation/drug effects* ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is an inherited disease caused by a deficiency of the enzyme arylsulfatase A (ARSA). Lentivirus-modified autologous hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy (HSCGT) has recently been approved for clinical use in pre and early symptomatic children with MLD to increase ARSA activity. Unfortunately, this advanced therapy is not available for most patients with MLD who have progressed to more advanced symptomatic stages at diagnosis. Patients with late-onset juvenile MLD typically present with a slower neurological progression of symptoms and represent a significant burden to the economy and healthcare system, whereas those with early onset infantile MLD die within a few years of symptom onset. We conducted a pilot study to determine the safety and benefit of HSCGT in patients with postsymptomatic juvenile MLD and report preliminary results. The safety profile of HSCGT was favorable in this long-term follow-up over 9 years. The most common adverse events (AEs) within 2 months of HSCGT were related to busulfan conditioning, and all AEs resolved. No HSCGT-related AEs and no evidence of distorted hematopoietic differentiation during long-term follow-up for up to 9.6 years. Importantly, to date, patients have maintained remarkably improved ARSA activity with a stable disease state, including increased Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score and decreased magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion score. This long-term follow-up pilot study suggests that HSCGT is safe and provides clinical benefit to patients with postsymptomatic juvenile MLD.
Humans ; Leukodystrophy, Metachromatic/genetics* ; Pilot Projects ; Genetic Therapy/methods* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Male ; Follow-Up Studies ; Female ; Lentivirus/genetics* ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Hematopoietic Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Cerebroside-Sulfatase/metabolism* ; Adolescent

A young maxillary lateral incisor of Oehlers type Ⅲ Dens invaginatus with peri-invagination periodontitis was reconstructed by CBCT,with the help of guided endodontics,the pathway to invagination was successfully established.The invaginated pseudo-root canal was treated with Vitapex mediation while preserving the pulp.After 6-month follow-up,the tooth was clinically asymptomatic.Radiological ex-amination indicated complete healing of the peri-invagination lesion with narrowed open apex,and the thickened root canal wall.

Objective: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of testicular biopsies from Klinefelter syndrome (KS) patients. Methods: The testicular biopsy specimens of 87 patients with KS (a total of 107 biopsy specimens) were collected from the Department of Pathology, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, China from January 2017 to July 2022. All patients were diagnosed as KS by peripheral blood karyotyping analysis. The testicular histopathologic features, testicular volume and hormone levels were evaluated retrospectively. The histopathologic analysis was used to assess the quantity and morphology of Leydig cells, the spermatogenic state of seminiferous tubules, the thickening of the basement membrane of seminiferous tubules and the changes of stroma. Results: Leydig cell proliferative nodules were seen in 95.3% (102/107) of KS testicular biopsy tissues. The eosinophilic inclusion bodies and lipofuscin in Leydig cells were found in 52.3% (56/107) and 57.9% (62/107) of specimens, respectively. The Sertoli cell only seminiferous tubules and the hyalinized tubules were found in 66.4% (71/107) and 76.6% (82/107) of the examined tissues, respectively. The tubules with complete spermatogenic arrest were found in 15.9% (17/107) of specimens, and 5.6% (6/107) of the specimens showed low spermatogenesis or incomplete spermatogenic arrest. In 85.0% (91/107) of the specimens, increased thick-walled small vessels with hyaline degeneration were identified. Conclusions: The most common features of KS testicular specimens are Leydig cell proliferative nodules, hyaline degeneration of seminiferous tubules and proliferation of thick-walled blood vessels. Testicular biopsy specimens of KS are rare. The pathologists can make a tentative diagnosis of KS based on the histological findings, combined with the ultrasound and laboratory results, which is helpful for further diagnosis and treatment of KS.
Male ; Humans ; Testis/pathology* ; Klinefelter Syndrome/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Seminiferous Tubules/pathology* ; Biopsy

Objective: To analyze the occurrence of recompensation conditions in patients with chronic hepatitis B virus-related decompensated cirrhosis after entecavir antiviral therapy. Methods: Patients with hepatitis B virus-related decompensated cirrhosis with ascites as the initial manifestation were prospectively enrolled. Patients who received entecavir treatment for 120 weeks and were followed up every 24 weeks (including clinical endpoint events, hematological and imaging indicators, and others) were calculated for recompensation rates according to the Baveno VII criteria. Measurement data were compared using the Student t-test or Mann-Whitney U test between groups. Categorical data were compared by the χ (2) test or Fisher's exact probability method between groups. Results: 283 of the 320 enrolled cases completed the 120-week follow-up, and 92.2% (261/283) achieved a virological response (HBV DNA 20 IU/ml). Child-Pugh and MELD scores were significantly improved after treatment (8.33 ± 1.90 vs. 5.77 ± 1.37, t = 12.70, P < 0.001; 13.37 ± 4.44 vs. 10.45 ± 4.58, t = 5.963, P < 0.001). During the 120-week follow-up period, 14 cases died, two received liver transplants, 19 developed hepatocellular cancer, 11 developed gastroesophageal variceal bleeding, and four developed hepatic encephalopathy. 60.4% (171/283) (no decompensation events occurred for 12 months) and 56.2% (159/283) (no decompensation events occurred for 12 months and improved liver function) of the patients had achieved clinical recompensation within 120 weeks. Patients with baseline MELD scores > 15 after active antiviral therapy achieved higher recompensation than patients with baseline MELD scores ≤15 [50/74 (67.6%) vs. 109/209 (52.2%), χ (2) = 5.275, P = 0.029]. Conclusion: Antiviral therapy can significantly improve the prognosis of patients with hepatitis B virus-related decompensated cirrhosis. The majority of patients (56.2%) had achieved recompensation. Patients with severe disease did not have a lower probability of recompensation at baseline than other patients.
Humans ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics* ; Hepatitis B, Chronic/drug therapy* ; Antiviral Agents/adverse effects* ; Esophageal and Gastric Varices/complications* ; Liver Cirrhosis/complications* ; Treatment Outcome ; Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage/complications* ; Hepatitis B/drug therapy*

To investigate the factors affecting the sperm retrieval rate of microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE) in patients with nonmosaic Klinefelter syndrome (KS), 64 patients with nonmosaic KS who underwent micro-TESE in the Center for Reproductive Medicine of Peking University Third Hospital (Beijing, China) between January 2016 and December 2017 were included in the study. Data on medical history, physical examination and laboratory examination results, and micro-TESE outcomes were collected. Patients were divided into two groups according to micro-TESE outcomes. The following factors were compared between the two groups by the Mann‒Whitney U test or Student's t-test based on the distribution (nonnormal or normal) of the factors: age, testicular size, follicle-stimulating hormone level, luteinizing hormone level, testosterone level, and anti-Müllerian hormone level. The overall success rate of sperm retrieval was 50.0%. Correlation analysis showed that testicular volume was positively correlated with testosterone level. Using a logistic regression model, age and anti-Müllerian hormone levels were found to be better predictors for the sperm retrieval rate than the other parameters.
Humans ; Male ; Sperm Retrieval ; Klinefelter Syndrome ; Microdissection ; Anti-Mullerian Hormone ; Semen ; Testis ; Spermatozoa ; Testosterone ; Azoospermia ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To compare the efficacy of plerixafor (PXF) combined with granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (PXF+G-CSF) and cyclophosphamide (Cy) combined with G-CSF (Cy+G-CSF) in the mobilization of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: The clinical data of 41 MM patients who underwent PBSC mobilization using PXF+G-CSF (18 cases) or Cy+G-CSF (23 cases) in Shanxi Bethune Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, including the count of collected CD34⁺ cells, acquisition success rate, failure rate, and optimal rate. The correlation of sex, age, disease type, DS staging, ISS staging, number of chemotherapy cycle, disease status before mobilization, and mobilization regimen with the collection results was analyzed, and the adverse reactions, length of hospital stay, and hospitalization costs were compared between the two mobilization regimens. RESULTS: The 41 patients underwent 97 mobilization collections, and the median number of CD34⁺ cells collected was 6.09 (0-34.07)×10⁶/kg. The acquisition success rate, optimal rate, and failure rate was 90.2%, 56.1%, and 9.8%, respectively. Univariate analysis showed that sex, age, disease type, and disease stage had no significant correlation with the number of CD34⁺ cells collected and acquisition success rate (P >0.05), but the patients with better disease remission than partial remission before mobilization were more likely to obtain higher CD34⁺ cell count (P <0.05). The PXF+G-CSF group had a larger number of CD34⁺ cells and higher acquisition success rate in the first collection than Cy+G-CSF group (both P <0.05), and had lower infection risk and shorter length of hospital stay during mobilization (both P <0.05), but the economic burden increased (P <0.05). CONCLUSION PXF+G-CSF used for PBSC mobilization in MM patients has high first acquisition success rate, large number of CD34⁺ cells, less number of collection times, and short length of hospital stay, but the economic cost is heavy.
Humans ; Antigens, CD34/metabolism* ; Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use* ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor/therapeutic use* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization/methods* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Heterocyclic Compounds/therapeutic use* ; Multiple Myeloma/drug therapy* ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Retrospective Studies

Excessive and persistent inflammatory responses are a potential pathological condition that can lead to diseases of various systems, including nervous, respiratory, digestive, circulatory, and endocrine systems. Cannabinoid type 2 receptor(CB2R) belongs to the G protein-coupled receptor family and is widely distributed in immune cells, peripheral tissues, and the central nervous system. It plays a role in inflammatory responses under various pathological conditions. The down-regulation of CB2R activity is an important marker of inflammation and and CB2R modulators have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects. This study explored the relationship between CB2R and inflammatory responses, delved into its regulatory mechanisms in inflammatory diseases, and summarized the research progress on CB2R modulators from plants other than cannabis, including plant extracts and monomeric compounds, in exerting anti-inflammatory effects. The aim is to provide new insights into the prevention and treatment of inflammatory diseases.
Cannabinoid Receptor Modulators/pharmacology* ; Cannabinoid Receptor Agonists/pharmacology* ; Receptors, Cannabinoid ; Cannabinoids/pharmacology* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology*