Background Chlorinated perfluoroalkyl ether sulfonate Cl-PFAES, trade name F-53B, a novel per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS), has been shown to induce multi-organ toxicity in humans and cross the blood-brain barrier. However, its toxic effects and underlying mechanisms on neural stem cells (NSCs) remain unclear. Objective To investigate the impact of F-53B on NSCs proliferation and differentiation through oxidative stress and explore its potential molecular mechanisms in associations with mitochondrial function damage and the expression of autophagy-related gene (PINK1/Parkin). Methods Primary NSCs isolated from neonatal C57BL/6 mice were used as a model and exposed to F-53B at concentrations of 0, 33, or 100 μmol·L⁻¹ for 24 h. Cell viability was assessed using the cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, while proliferation was evaluated by the 5-ethynyl-2’-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation assay. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to observe differentiation phenotypes. Intracellular and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were quantified using dihydroethidium (DHE) and MitoSOX probes, respectively. Mitochondrial morphology was observed using MitoTracker Green. ATP level was measured with a commercial kit. Additionally, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was conducted to quantify the expression of PINK1 and Parkin genes. Results Exposure to 100 μmol·L⁻¹ F-53B significantly reduced cell viability to 93.6% of the control group (P<0.01), and decreased the proportion of EdU⁺ cells (P<0.01), indicating proliferation inhibition. The differentiation analysis showed a reduction in neuronal generation, axonal shortening, and an increase in astrocytes. The 100 μmol·L⁻¹ F-53B exposure elevated intracellular ROS to 122% (P<0.01) and mitochondrial ROS (MitoROS) to 135% (P<0.001) of the control levels, leading to mitochondrial fragmentation. The ATP levels after the F-53B exposure decreased to 62.4% relative to the control group (P<0.001). Furthermore, the mRNA expression levels of PINK1 and Par after the F-53B exposure were notably reduced (P<0.05). Conclusion F-53B may induce oxidative stress, thereby disrupting mitochondrial morphology and function while inhibiting the PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy pathway, ultimately leading to impaired neural stem cell proliferation and abnormal differentiation. This study provides new insights into the neurotoxicity mechanisms of F-53B.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the impact of bone mass and volume of low-density zones beneath the tibial plateau on the maximum von Mises stresses experienced by the cartilage and meniscus in the knee joint. METHODS: The study included one healthy adult volunteer, from whom CT scans were obtained, and one patient diagnosed with knee osteoarthrisis (KOA), for whom X-ray films were acquired. A static model of the knee joint featuring a low-density zone was established based on a normal knee model. In the finite element analysis, axial loads of 1 000 N and 1 800 N were applied to the weight-bearing region of the upper surface of the femoral head for model validation and subsequent finite element studies, respectively. The maximum von Mises stresses in the femoral cartilage, as well as the medial and lateral tibial cartilage and menisci, were observed, and the stress percentage of the medial and lateral components were concurrently analyzed. Additionally, HE staining, as well as alkaline magenta staining, were performed on the pathological specimens of patients with KOA in various low-density regions. RESULTS: The results of model validation indicated that the model was consistent with normal anatomical structures and correlated with previous calculations documented in the literature. Static analysis revealed that the maximum von Mises stress in the medial component of the normal knee was the lowest and increased with the advancement of the hypointensity zone. In contrast, the lateral component exhibited an opposing trend, with the maximum von Mises stress in the lateral component being the highest and decreasing as the hypointensity zone progressed. Additionally, the medial component experienced an increasing proportion of stress within the overall knee joint. HE staining demonstrated that the chondrocyte layer progressively deteriorated and may even disappear as the hypointensity zone expanded. Furthermore, alkaline magenta staining indicated that the severity of microfractures in the trabecular bone increased concurrently with the expansion of the hypointensity zone. CONCLUSION The presence of subtalar plateau low-density zone may aggravate joint degeneration. In clinical practice, it is necessary to pay attention to the changes in the subtalar plateau low-density zone and actively take effective measures to strengthen the bone status of the subtalar plateau low-density zone and restore the complete biomechanical function of the knee joint, in order to slow down or reverse the progression of osteoarthritis.
Humans ; Finite Element Analysis ; Knee Joint/physiology* ; Tibia/anatomy & histology* ; Cartilage, Articular/physiology* ; Menisci, Tibial/physiopathology* ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/diagnostic imaging* ; Weight-Bearing ; Bone Density ; Adult ; Stress, Mechanical ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Female

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effect of leucine-rich α-2-glycoprotein (LRG1) derived from hepatocytes on activation of hepatic M1 Kupffer cells. METHODS: A metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) model was established in BALB/c mice by high-fat diet (HFD) feeding for 16 weeks. Oleic acid was used to induce steatosis in primary cultures of mouse hepatocytes. The mRNA and protein expressions of LRG1 in mouse liver tissues and hepatocytes were detected by real-time PCR and Western blotting. Primary hepatic macrophages were stimulated with the conditioned medium (CM) from steatotic hepatocyte along with LRG1 or transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), or both for 24 h, and the expression levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) was detected with Western botting, and the mRNA expressions of iNOS, chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL-1) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) were measured by RT-PCR. The MAFLD mice were injected with LRG1 (n=6), TGF-β1 (n=6), or both (n=6) through the caudal vein, and the live tissues were collected for HE staining and immumohistochemical detection of F4/80 expression; the mRNA expressions of iNOS, CXCL-1 and IL-1β in liver tissues were detected using RT-PCR. RESULTS: The mRNA and protein expression levels of LRG1 were significantly downregulated in the liver tissues of MAFLD mice and steatotic hepatocytes (P < 0.05). Treatment of the hepatic macrophages with CM from steatosis hepatocytes significantly enhanced the mRNA expression levels of iNOS, CXCL-1 and IL-1β, and these changes were significantly inhibited by the combined treatment with TGF-β1 and LRG1 (P < 0.05). In MAFLD mice, injections with either LRG1 or TGF-β1 alone reduced hepatic lipid deposition and intrahepatic macrophage infiltration, and these effects were significantly enhanced by their combined treatment, which also more strongly inhibited the mRNA expression levels of iNOS, CXCL-1 and IL-1β (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION LRG1 inhibits hepatic macrophage infiltration by enhancing TGF-β1 signaling to alleviate fatty liver inflammation in MAFLD mice.
Animals ; Mice ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; Macrophage Activation ; Signal Transduction ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease ; Culture Media, Conditioned ; Glycoproteins

Objective:To explore the short-term efficacy and safety for the new adjuvant therapy of programmed cell protein-1(PD-1)inhibitor combined with Oxaliplatin+Tegafur(SOX)in locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. Methods:Retrospective collection of clinical data from 72 locally advanced(stage Ⅲ)gastric adenocarcinoma patients admitted to our gastrointestinal surgery department from January 2020 to July 2020,according to different treatment plans,patients were divided into a control group(n=36)and an observation group(n=36).The control group received SOX chemotherapy regimen,while the observation group received PD-1 inhibitor combined with SOX regimen.Both groups of patients underwent chemotherapy for 3 cycles,and were re-evaluated after resting for 3-4 weeks.Patients with no disease progression and tolerable surgery underwent D2 gastric cancer radical surgery.The overall survival(OS),pathological complete response(pCR)rate,progression free survival period(PFS),RO resection rate,objective response rate(ORR),disease control rate(DCR)and adverse drug reaction were compared between the two groups. Results:The pCR rate,ORR and DCR of the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group[pCR rate:25％(9/36)vs 5.6％(2/36),x2=5.258,P=0.022;ORR:58.33％(21/36)vs 25.00％(9/36),x2=8.229,P=0.004;DCR:88.89％(32/36)vs 69.44％(25/36),x2=4.1 26,P=0.042].The incidence of adverse reactions such as elevated ALT,elevated AST,and hand foot syndrome during neoadjuvant chemotherapy in the observation group was significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The incidence of other adverse reactions was not significantly difference between the two groups of patients(P＞0.05),and there were no neoadjuvant chemotherapy related death events in both groups.The R0 resection rates of the two groups were 97.22％and 91.67％,respectively(x2=1.059,P=0.303).The median OS and median PFS of 72 patients were 36 and 1 3 months,respectively.The 2-year OS rate of the two groups were 82.2％and 71.5％,respectively.Kaplan Meier survival curve analysis showed that the OS rate of the observation group was significantly higher than that of the control group(x2=4.240,P=0.039);the median PFS of the observation group was higher than that of the control group at 14 and 1 1 months,respectively(x2=4.173,P=0.041);COX univariate regression analysis did not identify any factors affecting survival of locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma. Conclusion:The neoadjuvant treatment of locally advanced gastric adenocarcinoma with PD-1 inhibitor combined with SOX regimen is safe and effective,and the adverse reactions are controllable.

Objective:To investigate the expression and distribution of human dermal papillary fibroblasts (Fp) , reticular fibroblasts (Fr) , and myofibroblasts (MFB) in keloid tissues.Methods:Keloid tissues were collected from 15 outpatients (including 8 males and 7 females) aged 20-50 years, who were diagnosed in the Department of Dermatology, Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from May to December 2019. Normal skin tissues were taken from 15 age-matched women who underwent mammoplasty, and served as controls. The distribution of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) , CD90 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was observed in the keloid tissues and normal skin tissues by dual immunofluorescence staining. Furthermore, fibroblasts were isolated from 3 normal skin and 3 keloid tissue samples, and subjected to primary culture. Subsequently, the fibroblasts were treated with 10 ng/ml transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) for 48 hours in vitro, during which, changes in fibroblast phenotypes were observed in the 2 groups. Fluorescence-based quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis were performed to determine the mRNA and protein expression of FAP, CD90 and α-SMA. Measurement data were compared between 2 groups by using t test. Results:Immunofluorescence staining of the normal skin tissues revealed that FAP +/CD90 - fibroblasts were predominantly distributed in the superficial dermis, FAP -/CD90 + fibroblasts in the deep dermis, and CD90 + cells hardly expressed α-SMA; however, a large number of FAP + fibroblasts and CD90 + fibroblasts were observed in the deep keloid tissues, and many CD90 + fibroblasts also expressed α-SMA. Dual immunofluorescence staining showed that normal tissue-derived fibroblasts hardly expressed α-SMA, and keloid-derived fibroblasts expressed α-SMA. The fluorescence intensity of α-SMA + cells significantly increased in the normal tissue-and keloid-derived fibroblasts after 24-hour treatment with TGF-β1 (21.058 ± 0.709, 27.112 ± 0.097, respectively) compared with that in the corresponding untreated fibroblasts (11.312 ± 0.636, 21.306 ± 0.464, t=22.430, 13.370, respectively, both P < 0.05) . RT-PCR and Western blot analysis showed that the mRNA and protein expression of FAP, CD90 and α-SMA significantly increased in the keloid-derived fibroblasts after 48-hour treatment with TGF-β1 (mRNA: 92.610 ± 3.667, 1.366 ± 0.105, 3.240 ± 0.141; protein: 0.652 ± 0.073, 1.046 ± 0.119, 0.946 ± 0.117, respectively) compared with the untreated keloid-derived fibroblasts (all P < 0.05) . Conclusion:CD90 + Fr aberrantly proliferated in the deep dermis of keloid tissues, suggesting that directional intervention in aberrantly proliferating FAP -/CD90 + Fr in the deep dermis may promote the efficacy for keloids.

Recent studies heve demonstrated that Akkermansia muciniphila (A.muciniphila) plays an important role in human health and disease , including regulating the development of the immune system and the metabolic phenotype of the host.This article reviews the research progress on A.muciniphila in recent years, focusing on the basic characteristics , the influencing factors of colonization , and the underlying mechanism of maintaining intestinal homeostasis of A.muciniphila.Additionally, the article summarizes the potential association between A.muciniphila and the chronic metabolic diseases such as obesity , atherosclerosis,diabetes mellitus and infectious diseases.The perspect of A.muciniphila as a new generation of probiotics in clinical medicine and the challenge for its industrialization are also discussed in the article .

OBJECTIVETo detect potential mutations in two neonates suspected for Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS).

METHODSPeripheral blood samples from the neonates and their parents were collected and analyzed for CdLS-related genes using targeted sequence capture and next-generation sequencing. Suspected mutations were confirmed by direct Sanger sequencing.

RESULTSThe neonates were found to respectively carry mutations c.7219C to T and p.D2339Lfs*4 of the NIPBL gene, among which the p.D2339Lfs*4 mutation has not been reported previously. No pathogenic mutation was found in other CdLS-related genes including NIPBL, SMC1A, SMC3, RAD21 and HDAC8.

CONCLUSIONThe c.7219C to T and p.D2339Lfs*4 mutations of the NIPBL gene probably account for the disease in both patients.

Objective To investigate the syndrome type distribution of hypertensive patients; To analyze the correlation of characteristics of HRV time domain parameters and its influence factors. Methods Totally 515 cases of hypertensive patients were included and were put under syndrome type distribution. Demographic information, laboratory test parameters, risk factors and clinical symptoms were collected for correlation analysis. HRV time domain parameters were recorded by using 24 h ambulatory electrocardiogram. The differences in SDNN, SDNN Index, HRV Index, PNN50, and RMSSD of different TCM syndrome types were compared. Results Among 515 patients: 160 cases with hyperactivity of yang due to yin deficiency syndrome, 136 cases with turbid phlegm and blood stasis syndrome, 83 cases with overabundant liver-fire syndrome, 69 cases with deficiency of kidney qi, and 67 cases with abundant phlegm-dampness syndrome. By comparing different TCM syndromes, the level of SDNN was significantly reduced in the hyperactivity of yang due to yin deficiency syndrome, overabundant liver-fire syndrome,deficiency of kidney qi syndrome compared with turbid phlegm and blood stasis syndrome, abundant phlegm-dampness syndrome (P<0.05); SDNN Index and HRV Index decreased significantly in the hyperactivity of yang due to yin deficiency and overabundant liver-fire syndrome compared with abundant phlegm-dampness syndrome (P<0.05). SDNN Index decreased significantly in the deficiency of kidney qi compared with abundant phlegm-dampness syndrome (P<0.05). The level of PNN50 was significantly reduced in the deficiency of kidney qi compared with hyperactivity of yang due to yin deficiency syndrome (P<0.05). RMSSD decreased significantly in the hyperactivity of yang due to yin deficiency syndrome, deficiency of kindney qi syndrome, overabundant liver-fire syndrome compared with turbid phlegm and blood stasis syndrome (P<0.05). Discriminant analysis showed that SBP, DBP, MBPS, SDNN, SDNN Index, HRV Index, PNN50, RMSSD were correlated with the diagnosis of five syndrome types. Logistic regression analysis showed that the factors including gender (female), insomnia, elevated systolic blood pressure, MBPS, decreased SDNN Index and PNN50 were positively correlated to hyperactivity of yang due to yin deficiency; other factors including gender (female), advanced age, elevated blood pressure, decreased SDNN, HRV Index and RMSSD were positively correlated with turbid phlegm and blood stasis syndrome. And the study also showed that advanced age, family history of hypertension, elevated blood pressure, decreased SDNN Index, HRV Index and PNN50 were positively correlated to abundant phlegm-dampness syndrome. Conclusion HRV time domain parameters can be significantly reduced in the hyperactivity of yang due to yin deficiency, overabundant liver-fire syndrome, and deficiency of kidney qi syndrome. The autonomic nerve function is damaged seriously. Hyperactivity of yang due to yin deficiency syndrome, abundant phlegm-dampness syndrome turbid phlegm and blood stasis syndrome are closely related to the influencing factors that lead to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events.

OBJECTIVE To analyze a neonate with multiple malformations and to correlate its genotype with phenotype. METHODS The karotypes of the child and her parents were subjected to G-banding chromosome analysis, and array comparative genomic hybridization (array-CGH) was used for fine mapping of the aberrant region. RESULTS The karyotype of the child was ascertained as 46,XX,del(18)(p11.2). Array CGH has identified a 9.8 Mb deletion at 18p11.32-p11.22. The patient has presented features such as holoprosencephaly, choanal atresia, heart defect, and craniofacial dysmorphisms. CONCLUSION The de novo 18p deletion probably underlies the main clinical manifestations of the child.
Abnormalities, Multiple ; genetics ; Chromosome Banding ; Chromosome Deletion ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Phenotype

Objective To study the best processing technology of Xanthii Fructus by determining the contents of chlorogenic acid and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid in which processed by different temperature and time. Methods Sixteen batchs samples of Xanthii Fructus were propressed by stir-frying with sand, and the propressed temperature and time were set at 150-220 ℃ and 0.5-7 minutes. Two phenolic acid components in Xanthii Fructus were simultaneously determined. The column was UPLC Acquity BEH C18 (2.1 mm×100 mm, 1.7 μm). The mobile phase was acetonitrile-0.1% phosphoric acid, gradient elution. The flow rate was 0.25 mL/min, and the detection wavelength was 327 nm. Results The sample with highest contents of chlorogenic acid and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid was the batch processed by stir-frying with sand at 160 ℃ for 7 minute, which was 2.498, 2.004 mg/g, respectively. Conclusion According to the appearance of processed sample and the content of chlorogenic acid and 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid, the optimal processing technology of Xanthii Fructus was stir-frying with sand at 160 ℃ for 7 min.