OBJECTIVES: To investigate the regulatory role of nucleotide-bound oligomerized domain-like receptor containing pyrin-domain protein 6 (NLRP6) in liver lipid metabolism and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). METHODS: Mouse models with high-fat diet (HFD) feeding for 16 weeks (n=6) or with methionine choline-deficient diet (MCD) feeding for 8 weeks (n=6) were examined for the development of NAFLD using HE and oil red O staining, and hepatic expressions of NLRP6 were detected with RT-qPCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemical staining. Cultured human hepatocytes (LO2 cells) with adenovirus-mediated NLRP6 overexpression or knock-down were treated with palmitic acid (PA) in the presence or absence of compound C (an AMPK inhibitor), and the changes in cellular lipid metabolism were examined by measuring triglyceride, ATP and β-hydroxybutyrate levels and using oil red staining, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting. RESULTS: HFD and MCD feeding both resulted in the development of NAFLD in mice, which showed significantly decreased NLRP6 expression in the liver. In PA-treated LO2 cells, NLRP6 overexpression significantly decreased cellular TG content and lipid deposition, while NLRP6 knockdown caused the opposite effects. NLRP6 overexpression in PA-treated LO2 cells also increased mRNA and protein expressions of PGC1A and CPT1A, levels of ATP and β-hydroxybutyrate, and the phosphorylation level of AMPK pathway; the oxidative decomposition of lipids induced by Ad-NLRP6 was inhibited by the use of AMPK inhibitors. CONCLUSIONS NLRP6 overexpression promotes lipid oxidation and decomposition through AMPK/CPT1A/PGC1A to alleviate lipid deposition in hepatocytes.
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/metabolism* ; Animals ; Hepatocytes/metabolism* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Mice ; Humans ; Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor Gamma Coactivator 1-alpha ; AMP-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism* ; Carnitine O-Palmitoyltransferase/metabolism* ; Diet, High-Fat ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction

Objective:This report presents the initial outcomes of endoscopic intermuscular dissection (EID), a novel technique introduced by our team for the diagnostic resection of early rectal cancer, focusing on the postoperative status of the vertical margins.Methods:On January 26, 2024, a patient with early rectal cancer (cT1-2N0M0) underwent Endoscopic Intermuscular Dissection. The EID procedure consists of six steps: (1) mucosal incision; (2) submucosal dissection; (3) superficial muscular layer incision; (4) intermuscular dissection; (5) complete tumor removal; (6) wound management.Results:The patient was a 70-year-old male with rectal cancer (cT1-2N0M0). The tumor was located on the left anterior wall of the rectum, approximately 9 cm from the anal margin, and measured 20mm in size. The dissection rate was 2.68 mm2/minute, and the total duration of the surgery was 109 minutes. The patient was successfully discharged on the fifth day after surgery. Pathological examination of the post-endoscopic surgery specimen revealed pT1b, with negative vertical margins. Follow-up after more than one month showed good recovery with no complications such as bleeding, perforation, infection, or stricture occurring. Colonoscopy indicated the presence of a granulation tissue suggestive of inflammation.Conclusion:Endoscopic Intermuscular Dissection for the diagnostic resection of early rectal cancer is potentially safe and may achieve negative vertical margins.

Objective:This report presents the initial outcomes of endoscopic intermuscular dissection (EID), a novel technique introduced by our team for the diagnostic resection of early rectal cancer, focusing on the postoperative status of the vertical margins.Methods:On January 26, 2024, a patient with early rectal cancer (cT1-2N0M0) underwent Endoscopic Intermuscular Dissection. The EID procedure consists of six steps: (1) mucosal incision; (2) submucosal dissection; (3) superficial muscular layer incision; (4) intermuscular dissection; (5) complete tumor removal; (6) wound management.Results:The patient was a 70-year-old male with rectal cancer (cT1-2N0M0). The tumor was located on the left anterior wall of the rectum, approximately 9 cm from the anal margin, and measured 20mm in size. The dissection rate was 2.68 mm2/minute, and the total duration of the surgery was 109 minutes. The patient was successfully discharged on the fifth day after surgery. Pathological examination of the post-endoscopic surgery specimen revealed pT1b, with negative vertical margins. Follow-up after more than one month showed good recovery with no complications such as bleeding, perforation, infection, or stricture occurring. Colonoscopy indicated the presence of a granulation tissue suggestive of inflammation.Conclusion:Endoscopic Intermuscular Dissection for the diagnostic resection of early rectal cancer is potentially safe and may achieve negative vertical margins.

Depression is an emotional disorder characterized by significant and persistent depression, and it is a serious mental disorder with high incidence rate, high disability rate and high suicide rate. Suicide is the most dangerous clinical symptom of depression, causing great harm to individuals, families and society. At present, the prevention of suicidal behavior in patients with depression mainly depends on the experience of clinicians, but there is a lack of an accurate predictive model. Understanding the neurobiological basis of suicidal behavior in patients with depression will help to effectively prevent suicidal behavior in patients with depression and reduce the social burden. In recent years, structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) technology has been used to explore the neuroimaging charictristics for the depression patient with or without suicidal ideation or suicidal behavior. It mainly involves the abnormal changes of orbitofrontal lobe, temporal parietal lobe, cingulate gyrus, hippocampus, striatum and other brain regions, and brain core cognitive network, especially prefrontal limbic system.It is clear that abnormal changes of brain structure or function were significantly associated with suicidal severity in depression patients. More studies are needed to explore the changes of brain structure and function in depression patients with suicidal ideation or suicidal behavior, and look for thepotentially neuroimaging markers that can be used to identify whether depression is accompanied by suicidal ideation/behavior in the early clinical stage.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for malignant middle cerebral artery infarction (MMI) in different age groups.Methods Patients with middle cerebral artery infarction were analyzed retrospectively.They were divided into a young and middle-aged group (＜ 60 years) and an elderly group (≥60 years).The demography and vascular risk factors,stroke etiologies,baseline blood pressure,drug use before onset and common blood test results in patients with MMI and non-MMI were compared in general cases and each age group.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for MMI.ResultsA total of 912 patients with middle cerebral artery infarction were enrolled,including 299 females (32.79％) and 613 males (67.21％);401 young and middle-aged patients (43.97％) and 511 elderly patients (56.03％);159 patients in the MMI group (17.43％),and 753 (82.57％) in the non-MMI group.Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that hypertension (odds ratio [OR]6.962,95％ confidence interval [CI] 1.349-35.934;P=0.021) and NIHSS score (OR 1.551,95％ CI 1.384-1.737;P ＜0.001) were the independent risk factors for MMI.Subgroup analysis showed that NIHSS score (OR 1.402,95％ CI 1.239-1.588;P＜0.001) was an independent risk factor for MMI in young and middle-aged patients;hypertension (OR 10.752,95％ CI 1.213-95.295;P =0.033),diastolic blood pressure (OR 1.080,95％ CI 1.002-1.164;P=0.044),and NIHSS score (OR 1.504,95％ CI 1.281-1.765;P＜ 0.001) were the independent risk factor for MMI in the elderly patients,while systolic blood pressure (OR 0.938,95％ CI 0.893-0.986;P =0.011) was an independent protective factor.Conclusions The baseline NIHSS score was an independent risk factor for MMI in each age group.Hypertension and diastolic blood pressure were the independent risk factors for MMI in the elderly patients,while systolic pressure was an independent protective factor.Therefore,timely NIHSS assessment and appropriate hypertension management had important significance for the prevention and treatment of MMI.

Objective To analyze the correlation between critical thinking ability and self- efficacy for nursing students in university of traditional Chinese medicine, so as to provide references and evidences for nursing quality teaching. Methods A total of 291 nursing students in university of traditional Chinese medicine were investigated with Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory- Chinese Version (CTDI- CV) and General Self- Efficacy Scale (GSES). Results The total scores of critical thinking ability and self- efficacy were (288.24±32.95) and (25.44±5.74). There were consistence between critical thinking ability and self- efficacy (r=0.348, P<0.01). Regression analysis revealed that self- efficacy and interpersonal relations were predictors of critical thinking ability. Conclusions There were consistence between critical thinking ability and self- efficacy. Self- efficacy and interpersonal relations were predictors of critical thinking ability. It is suggested to promote critical thinking ability by enhancing self- efficacy and interpersonal relations, which contributes to improvement of comprehensive quality.

Objective To establish a reproducible mouse model of hepatic veno-occlusive disease (HVOD) after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (aallo-ABMT) and explore its pathogenesis.Methods Balb/c mice were randomly divided into three groups:(1) normal saline (NS) control group; (2) total body irradiation (TBI) group; (3) allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (allo-BMT) group.Liver weight,total bilirubin (TBil),tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-a),interleukin 6 (IL-6) and monocyte chemotactic protein 1 (MCP-1) were detected on the day 0,5,10,15 and 20 after transplantation.Hepatic vein and sinusoid congestion,infiltration of inflanmatory cells,and damage to hepatic cells and vascular endothelial cells were observed under the light microscopy after HE staining.Fibrosis of hepatic sinusoids and venule was observed under the light microscopy after Masson staining.Results Liver weight and TBil levels were elevated at 5th day and reached the peak at 15th day after all-ABMT.The changes of hepatic congestion and edema were obviously observed and there was infiltration of inflammatory cells at 5th and 10th day after alloABMT.At 15th and 20th day,hepatic congestion,edema and necrosis were reduced and liver damage was mainly presented with liver fibrosis and inflammatory infiltration.All mice died within 10 days after TBI,and hepatic congestion and edema were aggravated.As compared with NS control group,TNF-α,IL-6 and MCP-1 concentrations were significantly increased after all-ABMT.Conclusion A reproducible mouse model of hepatic veno-occlusive disease after all-ABMT was successfully established,and the pathogenesis was closely related to endothelial damage caused by total body irradiation,inflammatory cell infiltration and increased concentrations of cytokines.

Objective To (e)xplore inhibition of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) against hepatic vein thrombosis after allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT).Methods Balb/c mice were randomly divided into three groups: (1) BMT group [Balb/c mice were injected intravenously with 5 × 106 bone marrow cells after total body irradiation (TBI)]; (2) EPCs co-transfusion with bone marrow cells group: 5 × 105 EPCs were infused into recipient mice simultaneously; (3) Normal control group.Liver index was detected on the day 0,5,10,15 and 20 after transplantation.Hepatic vein thrombosis,hepatic cells and vascular endothelial damage were observed under the light microscopy after H&E staining.The injury of liver cells,liver veins,hepatic sinusoidal endothelial cells (SECs)and platelet adhesion conditions were observed under a transmission electron microscope (TEM).The proportion of activated platelets and TNF-α concentration in peripheral blood were detected by using flow cytometry.Results On the day 0,5,10,15 and 20 after transplantation,the proportion of activated platelets,liver index and TNF-α concentrations in BMT group and EPCs co-transfusion group showed an upward trend,peaked on the 15th day,and then decreased.However,they were still significantly higher than those in normal control group (P＜0.05).The above parameters in EPCs co-transfusion group at each time point were significantly lower than those in BMT group (P＜0.05).As compared with BMT group,platelet adhesion decreased,hepatic vein thromboses were reduced,hepatocyte swelling and necrosis were alleviated,and liver damage repaired rapidly in EPCs co-transfusion group.Conclusion EPCs co-transfusion with bone marrow cells could inhibit the hepatic veins thrombosis and ameliorate liver damage significantly.

Objective To explore a proper dose of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs)administration that can achieve optimal hematopoietic improving effectiveness in a murine allogeneic hernatopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) model.Methods Female Balb/c mice were lethally irradiated with 60Co source,and then were injected intravenously with 5 106 bone marrow cells from C57BL/6 mice (bone marrow transplantation group).In co-transfer experiments,5 × 104,1 ×105,5 × 105 or 1 × 106 donor EPCs (EPCs treated groups) were injected simultaneously with bone marrow cells.The recipients were monitored for survival,peripheral white blood cells,hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) and bone marrow histology.Results Compared with bone marrow transplantation group,all EPCs treated groups had accelerated recovery of peripheral white blood cells (P＜0.05),platelets (P＜0.05) and HSCs (P＜0.05).When infused with less than 5 × 105 EPCs,these effective hernatopoietic improving phenomena showed a positive correlation with the administrated doses of EPCs.However,when infused with 1 × 106 EPCs,the mice showed lower survival rate (P＜0.05)and slower recovery of peripheral white blood cells (P＜0.05),platelets (P＜0.05) and HSCs (P＜0.05) than 5 × 105 EPCs treated grpup.Bone marrow histopathology analysis confirmed the above findings.Conclusion Co-transfer with donor EPCs can improve survival rate and hematopoietic reconstitution of recipient mice in allo-HSCT,and 5 × 105 EPCs should be a proper dose to achieve the best effectiveness.

Objective To study the repair function of united endothelial progenitor cells (EPC)transplantation on injured liver endothelium by bone marrow transplantation (BMT) conditioning.Methods C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups randomly: normal control group, without any treatment; irradiation alone group, administered a total body irradiation(TBI) pretreatment, without BMT; (3) BMT alone group: C57BL/6 mice were infused with bone marrow mononuclearcells (MNC) 5 × 106/only through caudal vein not more than 4 h after the same TBI pretreatment as the irradiation alone group; united transplantation group: receiving the same way as the BMT alone group, but C57BL/6 mice were infused with EPC 5 × 105/only at the same time. Two, 4, 7, 14, and 21 days after the TBI, the changes of the liver weight were observed regularly. The histopathological examination of liver was done at the 4th, 7th, 14th, and 21st day after the TBI. Results In irradiation alone group, BMT alone group and united transplantation group the liver weight began to increase significantly on the day 2 and peaked at 14th day after the TBI, and the peaks were respectively (1.65±0. 15) times (P＜0. 05), (1.61 ±0.06) times (P＜0.05), and (1.11 ±0.40)times (P＜0. 05) of those in normal control group. At the day 14, the liver weight in irradiation alone group, BMT alone group and united transplantation group began to decrease, and on the day 21 the liver weight in united transplantation group had been completely restored to normal level, however the liver weight in irradiation alone group and BMT alone group were still significantly heavier than that in normal control group (P＜0. 05). Liver histopathological examination revealed that there were obvious sinusoidal endothelial cells (SEC) injury, hepatocyte edema and severe inflammatory cell infiltration in irradiation alone group, and on the day 7 the hepatocyte edema and necrosis were significantly worse than before, and almost no alive SEC were found. On the day 14 the injury of SEC in BMT alone group was lighter than before, but on the day 21 the injury had not returned to normal. On the day 7 the injury of SEC, hepatocyte edema and necrosis were alleviated in united transplantation group as compared with irradiation alone group and BMT alone group, and on the day 14 the injury had returned to normal basically. Conclusion The transplantation conditioning could damage recipient liver endothelium and the injury would persist, and united EPC infusion could repair the injured SEC following BMT.