ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells （hUCMSCs） in the treatment of mice with liver fibrosis and its mechanism. MethodsA total of 18 specific pathogen-free C57BL/6 mice， aged 6 weeks， were selected and divided into control group （n=6）， carbon tetrachloride （CCl₄） model group （CCl₄ group， n=6）， and hUCMSCs treatment group （MSC group， n=6） using a random number table. The mice in the CCl₄ group and the MSC group were given intraperitoneal injection of CCl₄ solution to establish a mouse model of liver fibrosis， while those in the control group were injected with the same dose of corn oil， and the mice in the MSC group were injected with hUCMSCs via the caudal vein during the injection of CCl₄. At the end of week 8， mouse serum was collected， and the mice were sacrificed to collect and fix the liver. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the levels of inflammatory factors； an automatic biochemical detector was used to measure liver function parameters； HE staining， Masson staining， Sirius Red staining， and α-SMA immunofluorescence assay were used to evaluate liver fibrosis. Hepatic stellate cells （HSCs） stimulated by TGF-β were co-cultured with hUCMSCs in the medium with or without chitinase-3 like-protein-1 （CHI3L1）， and Western blot was used to measure the expression levels of proteins. A one-way analysis of variance was used for comparison of continuous data between multiple groups， and the Dunnett’s t-test was used for further comparison between two groups. ResultsMasson staining and Sirius Red staining showed that the CCl₄ group had a significantly higher degree of fibrosis than the control group （both P<0.05）， and the MSC group had significant alleviation of fibrosis compared with the CCl₄ group （both P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， the CCl₄ group had significant increases in the levels of interleukin-1β， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， and alkaline phosphatase （ALP） （all P<0.05）， and compared with the CCl₄ group， the MSC group had significant reductions in the levels of IL-6， AST， ALT， and ALP （all P<0.05）. The CCl₄ group had significantly higher expression levels of CHI3L1 and α-SMA than the control group and the MSC group （all P<0.05）. The cell culture experiment showed that the MSC+HSC group had a significantly higher expression level of Bax than the HSC group and the MSC+CHI3L1 group （both P<0.05）， suggesting that CHI3L1 reversed the pro-apoptotic effect of MSC on activated HSCs. ConclusionThis study shows that hUCMSCs can improve liver fibrosis in mice， possibly by inhibiting CHI3L1 to promote the apoptosis of HSCs.

Background::Hypertension and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) share several pathophysiologic risk factors, and the exact relationship between the two remains unclear. Our study aims to provide evidence concerning the relationship between hypertension and NAFLD by analyzing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2017-2018 and Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses.Methods::Weighted multivariable-adjusted logistic regression was applied to assess the relationship between hypertension and NAFLD risk by using data from the NHANES 2017-2018. Subsequently, a two-sample MR study was performed using the genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics to identify the causal association between hypertension, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and NAFLD. The primary inverse variance weighted (IVW) and other supplementary MR approaches were conducted to verify the causal association between hypertension and NAFLD. Sensitivity analyses were adopted to confirm the robustness of the results.Results::A total of 3144 participants were enrolled for our observational study in NHANES. Weighted multivariable-adjusted logistic regression analysis suggested that hypertension was positively related to NAFLD risk (odds ratio [OR] = 1.677; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.159-2.423). SBP ≥130 mmHg and DBP ≥80 mmHg were also significantly positively correlated with NAFLD. Moreover, hypertension was independently connected with liver steatosis ( β = 7.836 [95% CI, 2.334-13.338]). The results of MR analysis also supported a causal association between hypertension (OR = 7.203 [95% CI, 2.297-22.587]) and NAFLD. Similar results were observed for the causal exploration between SBP (OR = 1.024 [95% CI, 1.003-1.046]), DBP (OR = 1.047 [95% CI, 1.005-1.090]), and NAFLD. The sensitive analysis further confirmed the robustness and reliability of these findings (all P >0.05). Conclusion::Hypertension was associated with an increased risk of NAFLD.

Objective To study the relationship between the expression level of regulators of G-protein signalling 2(RGS2)in brain tissue around hematoma and inflammatory response,short-term prognosis of patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage.Methods A total of 124 patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage who underwent hematoma clearance in our hospital from May 2019 to May 2022 were selected as the cerebral hemorrhage group,22 patients with non cerebral hemorrhage who underwent autopsy were selected as the control group.The protein expression of RGS2,TNF-α,IL-1β were detected.The mRS scores of patients with intracerebral hemorrhage at 3 months after discharge were evaluated,patients were divided into patients with good prognosis and patients with poor prognosis.Pearson test was used to analyze correlation between RGS2 and TNF-α,IL-1β.Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of the short-term prognosis of patients with cerebral hemorrhage,ROC curve was used to analyze the predictive value of RGS2,TNF-α,IL-1β for the short-term prognosis of patients with cerebral hemorrhage.Results The relative expression level of RGS2 protein in brain tissue around hematoma of cerebral hemorrhage group was lower than that in control group,the relative expression level of TNF-α,IL-1β were higher than those of the control group(all P<0.05).There was a negative correlation between the relative expression level of RGS2 and TNF-α,IL-1β.The NIHSS score,random blood glucose level,cerebral hemorrhage volume and the relative expression level of TNF-α,IL-1β of patients with poor prognosis in the cerebral hemorrhage group were higher than those of patients with good prognosis,and the relative expression level of RGS2 was lower than that of patients with good prognosis(all P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that NIHSS score,hematoma volume and the relative expression level of RGS2,TNF-α,IL-1β were influencing factors of the short-term prognosis of patients with cerebral hemorrhage.ROC curve analysis showed that the relative expression level of RGS2,TNF-α,IL-1β had predictive value for the short-term prognosis of patients with cerebral hemorrhage.Conclusion The decreased expression of RGS2 in the brain tissue around the hematoma of hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage is related to the activation of inflammatory reaction and poor short-term prognosis.

Exosome is a kind of biological nano-vesicle with a diameter of about 30-100 nm and is synthesized, secreted, and released in almost all types of body cells. Recent studies have found that exosomes contain a variety of functional proteins, including mRNA and microRNAs (miRNAs) and so on, which play an important role in the process of material transfer and information exchange in cells. In addition, the related-exosomal microRNAs secreted by tumor cells play an important role in regulating theoccurrence, development, invasion and metastasis of tumors and other biological processes.. Therefore, the study of tumor-related exosomal microRNAs will help us to explore the mechanism of tumor progression from the perspective of tumor gene regulation and new tumor markers, which will contribute to the early diagnosis, treatment, disease monitoring and prognosis evaluation.

Objective To investigate the potential therapeutic effect of luteolin on sepsis-induced ALI and the underlying mechanisms.Methods Total of 50 mice were randomly(random number) divided into five groups:a sham control group,a sepsis-induced ALI group,and three sepsis groups pre-treated with 20,40,and 80 mg/kg body weight luteolin.Mice in the treatment groups were pre-treated with luteolin at the respective oral dose two days before ALI induction.The lungs were isolated for histopathological examinations,and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for biochemical analyses.Results Luteolin significantly attenuated sepsis-induced ALI.Additionally,luteolin treatment decreased protein and inflammatory cytokine concentration and the number of infiltrated inflammatory cells in BALF compared with that in the non-treated sepsis mice.Pulmonary myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was lower in the luteolin-pre-treated sepsis groups than in the sepsis group.The mechanism underlying the protective effect of luteolin on sepsis is related to the up-regulation of certain antioxidation genes,including inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS),cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2),superoxide dismutases (SODs),and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1),and the reduction of inflammatory responses through blockage of the activation of the nuclear factor (NF)-κB pathway.Conclusions Luteolin pre-treatment inhibits sepsis-induced ALI through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidative activity,suggesting that luteolin may be a potential therapeutic agent for sepsis-induced ALI.

Objective: To investigate serum level changes of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein(H-FABP)and S100 calcium-binding protein B(S-100B)protein in elderly patients with chronic heart failure and their clinical significance. Methods: A total of 160 patients with chronic heart failure treated at our hospital were recruited, and 80 healthy individuals receiving regular check-ups were enrolled as normal controls.Serum levels of H-FABP and S-100B and cardiac function index scores were compared between patients with different cardiac function grades.Correlations of serum H-FABP and S-100B levels with N-terminal pro-B-type natrlure tiepeptide(NT-proBNP)and with cardiac function index scores in heart failure patients were analyzed.The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of serum H-FABP, S-100B and NT-proBNP for heart failure detection were compared. Results: Serum levels of H-FABP, S-100B and NT-proBNP in elderly patients with chronic heart failure were elevated with increased cardiac function grading(F=9.823, 11.573 and 13.056, P=0.013, 0.000 and 0.000), and serum levels of H-FABP, S-100B and NT-proBNP were higher in elderly patients with heart failure than in the control group(P<0.05). Serum levels of H-FABP and S-100B were positively correlated with serum NT-proBNP levels, cardiac function grading and left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDd)(r=0.527, 0.510 and 0.487, P=0.008, 0.003 and 0.002; r=0.604, 0.496 and 0.533, P=0.006, 0.005 and 0.003), and were negatively correlated with left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)(r=-0.536 and-0.528, P=0.005 and 0.008). The sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of serum H-FABP combined with S-100B for heart failure detection were 93.2%, 91.6% and 95.7%, respectively. Conclusions Serum levels of H-FABP and S-100B are high in elderly patients with heart failure, and they are correlated with serum NT-proBNP levels, cardiac function grading and LVEDd.H-FABP combined with S-100B has a high positive rate for heart failure detection.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the correlation between CT image presentations and biochemical indexes in adrenal adenomas and pheochromocytomas.

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the CT features, cortisol rhythm, supine and orthostatic hypertension and 24-h urine methoxy in 209 patients with benign adrenal tumors. The relationship between CT findings and the biochemical indexes were analyzed in patients with different benign adrenal tumors.

RESULTSThe 209 cases analyzed included 53 cases of cortisol adenoma, 65 cases of aldosterone adenoma, 45 cases of non-functional adenoma and 46 cases of pheochromocytomas. The plain CT scan values of the 4 groups were 17.25 ± 1.81, 14.52 ± 1.57, 12.20 ± 2.05, 42.42 ± 0.97 HU, enhanced CT values (arterial phase) were 47.82 ± 3.07, 39.23 ± 2.37, 45.35 ± 6.46, and 104.93 ± 5.84 HU, respectively, and the differences between CT scan and enhanced CT values were 30.58 ± 2.29, 24.71 ± 1.55, 33.15 ± 5.18, and 62.51 ± 5.73 HU, respectively. In cortisol adenoma group, cortisol levels measured at 16:00 and 24:00 were positively correlated with plain CT scan value (r=0.506, P=0.0001; r=0.504, P=0.0001) and enhanced CT value (r=0.514, P=0.0001; r=0.554, P=0.0001). In pheochromocytoma group, plain scan CT value and the difference between plain and enhanced CT scan value were correlated with 24-h urine methoxy adrenaline (Rho;=0.342, 0.350; P=0.020, 0.017, respectively) and norepinephrine (Rho;=0.419, 0.412; P=0.004, 0.004, respectively).

CONCLUSIONPlain and enhanced CT scan values and their combination have important value in differential diagnosis of adenoma and pheochromocytoma tumor, CT values combine with biochemical indexes can reduce misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.

Adenoma ; chemistry ; diagnosis ; Adrenal Gland Neoplasms ; chemistry ; diagnosis ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Diagnostic Errors ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; Hypertension ; Pheochromocytoma ; chemistry ; diagnosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Objective To investigate the correlation between CT image presentations and biochemical indexes in adrenal adenomas and pheochromocytomas. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the CT features, cortisol rhythm, supine and orthostatic hypertension and 24-h urine methoxy in 209 patients with benign adrenal tumors. The relationship between CT findings and the biochemical indexes were analyzed in patients with different benign adrenal tumors. Results The 209 cases analyzed included 53 cases of cortisol adenoma, 65 cases of aldosterone adenoma, 45 cases of non-functional adenoma and 46 cases of pheochromocytomas. The plain CT scan values of the 4 groups were 17.25±1.81, 14.52±1.57, 12.20±2.05, 42.42±0.97 HU, enhanced CT values (arterial phase) were 47.82 ± 3.07, 39.23 ± 2.37, 45.35 ± 6.46, and 104.93 ± 5.84 HU, respectively, and the differences between CT scan and enhanced CT values were 30.58±2.29, 24.71±1.55, 33.15±5.18, and 62.51±5.73 HU, respectively. In cortisol adenoma group, cortisol levels measured at 16:00 and 24:00 were positively correlated with plain CT scan value (r=0.506, P=0.0001;r=0.504, P=0.0001) and enhanced CT value (r=0.514, P=0.0001;r=0.554, P=0.0001). In pheochromocytoma group, plain scan CT value and the difference between plain and enhanced CT scan value were correlated with 24-h urine methoxy adrenaline (ρ=0.342, 0.350; P=0.020, 0.017, respectively) and norepinephrine (ρ=0.419, 0.412; P=0.004, 0.004, respectively). Conclusion Plain and enhanced CT scan values and their combination have important value in differential diagnosis of adenoma and pheochromocytoma tumor, CT values combine with biochemical indexes can reduce misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.

Objective To investigate the correlation between CT image presentations and biochemical indexes in adrenal adenomas and pheochromocytomas. Methods We retrospectively analyzed the CT features, cortisol rhythm, supine and orthostatic hypertension and 24-h urine methoxy in 209 patients with benign adrenal tumors. The relationship between CT findings and the biochemical indexes were analyzed in patients with different benign adrenal tumors. Results The 209 cases analyzed included 53 cases of cortisol adenoma, 65 cases of aldosterone adenoma, 45 cases of non-functional adenoma and 46 cases of pheochromocytomas. The plain CT scan values of the 4 groups were 17.25±1.81, 14.52±1.57, 12.20±2.05, 42.42±0.97 HU, enhanced CT values (arterial phase) were 47.82 ± 3.07, 39.23 ± 2.37, 45.35 ± 6.46, and 104.93 ± 5.84 HU, respectively, and the differences between CT scan and enhanced CT values were 30.58±2.29, 24.71±1.55, 33.15±5.18, and 62.51±5.73 HU, respectively. In cortisol adenoma group, cortisol levels measured at 16:00 and 24:00 were positively correlated with plain CT scan value (r=0.506, P=0.0001;r=0.504, P=0.0001) and enhanced CT value (r=0.514, P=0.0001;r=0.554, P=0.0001). In pheochromocytoma group, plain scan CT value and the difference between plain and enhanced CT scan value were correlated with 24-h urine methoxy adrenaline (ρ=0.342, 0.350; P=0.020, 0.017, respectively) and norepinephrine (ρ=0.419, 0.412; P=0.004, 0.004, respectively). Conclusion Plain and enhanced CT scan values and their combination have important value in differential diagnosis of adenoma and pheochromocytoma tumor, CT values combine with biochemical indexes can reduce misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis of pheochromocytoma.

Objective:To explore the influence of patient-controlled intravenous analgesia(PCIA)with morphine on early post-operative cognitive function in the elderly patients undergoing abdominal surgery with target control infusion(TCI)/total intra-venous anesthesia(TIVA).Methods:A total of 120 patients matched with the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into PCIA group with morphine(n=60)and control group(n=60).All the patients underwent abdominal operation with TCI/TI-VA.Pain intensity at 24 h and 48 h after the operation were evaluated by visual analogue scale(VAS).Mini-mental state examination(MMSE)scores were recorded at 24 h before the operation and 24 h,48 h,72 h after the operation,in order to as-sess cognitive function and incidence of POCD.Results:Scores of VAS in PCIA group were significantly lower than those in control group at 24 h and 48 h after the operation(P <0.01).The incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction(POCD)at 72 h after the operation in PCIA group was lower than that in the control group (P <0.05),and recovery of postoperative cog-nitive function in PCIA group was better than that in the control group(P <0.05).Conclusions:PCIA with morphine could re-duce the incidence of POCD in the elderly patients undergoing abdominal surgery and improve postoperative cognitive function.