Objective To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of artesunate(AS)on polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)in mice and explore the potential mechanism primarily.Methods Twenty-five female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into Control group,model group(PCOS group),low-and high-dose AS groups(AS15 and AS30 groups)and metformin group(Met group).In addition to the Control group,the mouse model of PCOS was established by subcutaneous injection of dehydroepiandrosterone(DHEA,60 mg/kg)following by a high-fat diet for 21 d.After modeling,AS of 15 and 30 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected into the mice of the AS 15 and AS30 groups,respectively,and 200 mg/kg Met was given to those of the Met group by gavage,once per day,for 6 weeks.ELISA was used to detect serum testosterone(T),fasting insulin(FINS),luteinizing hormone(LH)and follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),and the LH/FSH ratio was calculated.The levels of fasting blood glucose(FBG),triglyceride(TG)and total cholesterol(TC)were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer,and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)was calculated.The estrous cycle was observed,and HE staining was performed for pathological changes in the ovary and uterus.Immunofluorescence assay was employed to measure the expression of p-eIF2α,ATF4 and CHOP in the ovarian tissue.After steroidogenic human granulosa-like tumor cell line KGN were exposed to 100 μmol/L DHEA to simulate the hyperandrogen environment of PCOS,and then treated with 5 and 10 μg/mL AS for 24 h,the protein levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathway was detected by Western blotting.Results Compared with the Control group,the PCOS mice had disturbed estrous cycle,polycystic changes in the ovaries,and significantly increased serum T level and LH/FSH ratio(P＜0.05),and obviously elevated HOMA-IR,TC and TG levels in terms of metabolism(P＜0.01).The expression levels of p-eIF2α,ATF4 and CHOP were notably up-regulated in the ovarian granulosa cells of PCOS mice and KGN cells after DHEA exposure(P＜0.05).Additionally,AS treatment attenuated the pathological changes of ovary and uterine expression,decreased the serum T level and the LH/FSH ratio(P＜0.05),and reduced HOMA-IR,TC and TG levels(P＜0.05)when compared with the PCOS mice.Moreover,the expression levels of p-eIF2α,ATF4 and CHOP were significantly down-regulated after AS treatment in both ovarian granulosa cells of PCOS mice and KGN cells(P＜0.05).Conclusion AS significantly improves glycolipid metabolic disorder and reproductive dysfunction in PCOS mice,which may be associated with its suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress by inhibiting the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP pathway.

Objective To analyze the characteristics and drug resistance of pathogenic bacteria isolated from patients undergoing solid organ transplantation(SOT)at West China Hospital,Sichuan University in re-cent years,in order to provide a basis for empirical anti infective treatment after SOT surgery.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the isolation of major pathogens and their resistance to common anti-biotics from various specimens collected from patients undergoing kidney transplantation(KT),liver trans-plantation(LTx),and lung transplantation(LT)at West China Hospital,Sichuan University from 2017 to 2022.Results A total of 1 077 non-duplicate strains of pathogens were isolated from the samples of patients with infections after SOT surgery during the 6-year period,of which approximately 74.8％(806/1 077)were Gram negative bacteria and 25.2％(271/1 077)were Gram positive bacteria.There were differences in the distribution of pathogenic bacteria among different types of SOT groups and different specimens.Compared to E.coli isolated from urine specimens,the strains of E.coli isolated from non-urinary specimens exhibited a higher resistance rate to common antimicrobial drugs(P＜0.05).The resistance rate of E.coli to β-lactam/β-lactamase inhibitor combinations(cefoperazone/sulbactam and piperacillin/tazobactam)in the LTx group was significantly higher than that in the KT group(P＜0.05).The overall proportion of multidrug-resistant bac-teria after SOT surgery was 11.3％(122/1 077).The proportion of carbapenem resistant Acinetobacter bau-mannii and carbapenem resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa among the same group and type of pathogens in the LTx group(93.8％,37.5％)was significantly higher than that in the KT group(55.8％,9.2％).Conclusion The specimen types and strain distribution of pathogenic bacteria after different types of SOT surgery are different.The same pathogenic bacteria have different antibiotic resistance among different types of SOT groups and specimens.Therefore,it is necessary to strengthen the pathogen examination after different types of SOT and optimize the anti infection treatment plan related to transplantation based on drug sensitivity re-sults.

BACKGROUND:Cannabidiol has anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,and other pharmacological effects,and has no mental activity,so the research in liver disease is increasing day by day,but its effect on transforming growth factor-β1/Smad signal transduction pathway in hepatic stellate cells is not clear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of cannabidiol on transforming growth factor-β1/Smad signal transduction pathway in hepatic stellate cells and its possible mechanism of anti-hepatic fibrosis.METHODS:(1)In vitro experiment:Rat hepatic stellate cell line(HSC-T6)was selected and cultured in six groups.The control group was routinely cultured for 24 hours.The simple drug group was cultured with cannabidiol for 24 hours.The modeling group was cultured with transforming growth factor β1 for 24 hours.The modeling+low-dose drug group,the modeling+high-dose drug group,and the modeling+positive control group were cultured with transforming growth factor β1 for 24 hours,1,5 μmol/L cannabidiol and silymarin were cultured for 24 hours.After culture,the mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin and type Ⅰ collagen,the levels of interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor α,and the protein expression of type Ⅰ collagen and transforming growth factor β1/Smad signal transduction pathway were detected in each group.(2)In vivo experiments:C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups with eight mice in each group.Models were not established in the sham operation group.The liver fibrosis models were established by biliary ligation in the modeling group,the modeling+low-dose drug group,the modeling+high-dose drug group,and the modeling+positive control group.At 3 weeks after the modeling,4,8 mg/kg cannabidiol or silymarin were injected intraperitoneally,once a day,for 7 consecutive days.After administration,the liver function,liver pathological morphology,expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin,type Ⅰ collagen,and transforming growth factor β1/Smad signal transduction pathway related protein were detected in each group.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In vitro experiment:Compared with the control group,mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin and type Ⅰ collagen,interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor α,and protein expression of type Ⅰ collagen,transforming growth factor β1 and p-Smad2/3 in HSC-T6 cells were increased(P<0.05),while Smad7 protein expression was decreased(P<0.05)in the modeling group.Two doses of cannabidiol could improve the above changes in HSC-T6 cells induced by transforming growth factor β1,and the improvement was more obvious in the modeling+high-dose drug group.(2)In vivo experiment:Compared with sham operation group,the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were increased(P<0.05),inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen content in liver tissue were increased(P<0.05),and the transforming growth factor β1/Smad signal transduction pathway was activated;α-smooth muscle actin and type Ⅰ collagen expression levels were increased(P<0.05)in the modeling group.Two doses of cannabidiol could reduce the changes of the above indexes in the modeling mice,and the effect was more obvious in the modeling+high-dose drug group.(3)It is indicated that cannabidiol inhibits hepatic fibrosis by suppressing the activation of transforming growth factor-β1/Smad signal transduction pathway in hepatic stellate cells.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of virtual case teaching integrating standardized patients (SP) and objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) in enhancing students' clinical thinking and practical skills in experimental exercise therapy course.Methods:In April 2023, 52 students from the 2021 cohort and 54 students from the 2022 cohort of the Rehabilitation Therapy undergraduate program at Xinjiang Medical University were selected and divided into the experimental group and control group according to their classes. In the shoulder joint mobilization experimental class of the exercise therapy course, virtual SP teaching was performed in the experimental group of both cohorts. For the control group, student-led SP teaching was performed in the 2021 cohort, while the traditional "lecture + demonstration" method was used in the 2022 cohort. Upon completion of teaching, theoretical exams, case analysis, practical exams, and a teaching satisfaction survey were conducted on the students. Data were analyzed using the t-test and chi-square test in SPSS 25.0. Results:In both cohorts, the experimental group had similar theoretical exam scores ( P=0.207 and P=0.097, respectively) to the control group, but had higher practical exam scores ( P=0.013 and P=0.002, respectively) than the control group. In the case analysis exam, the experimental group scored higher than the control group in the 2022 cohort ( t=2.84, P=0.006) but similarly to the control group in the 2021 cohort ( t=1.53, P=0.132). All students believed that virtual SP teaching was most engaging. In terms of understanding complex concepts, increasing active participation, and fostering clinical thinking, the 2022 cohort was more satisfied with virtual SP teaching, whereas the 2021 cohort experienced no significant difference between virtual SP teaching and student-led SP teaching. In addition, the 2021 cohort found that student-led SP teaching was more helpful for improving doctor-patient communication skills. Conclusions:The application of virtual SP teaching in the experimental exercise therapy course effectively enhances students' practical skills and case analysis capabilities, contributing greatly to their overall clinical management thinking.

BACKGROUND:Cannabidiol has anti-inflammatory,antioxidant,and other pharmacological effects,and has no mental activity,so the research in liver disease is increasing day by day,but its effect on transforming growth factor-β1/Smad signal transduction pathway in hepatic stellate cells is not clear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of cannabidiol on transforming growth factor-β1/Smad signal transduction pathway in hepatic stellate cells and its possible mechanism of anti-hepatic fibrosis.METHODS:(1)In vitro experiment:Rat hepatic stellate cell line(HSC-T6)was selected and cultured in six groups.The control group was routinely cultured for 24 hours.The simple drug group was cultured with cannabidiol for 24 hours.The modeling group was cultured with transforming growth factor β1 for 24 hours.The modeling+low-dose drug group,the modeling+high-dose drug group,and the modeling+positive control group were cultured with transforming growth factor β1 for 24 hours,1,5 μmol/L cannabidiol and silymarin were cultured for 24 hours.After culture,the mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin and type Ⅰ collagen,the levels of interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor α,and the protein expression of type Ⅰ collagen and transforming growth factor β1/Smad signal transduction pathway were detected in each group.(2)In vivo experiments:C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups with eight mice in each group.Models were not established in the sham operation group.The liver fibrosis models were established by biliary ligation in the modeling group,the modeling+low-dose drug group,the modeling+high-dose drug group,and the modeling+positive control group.At 3 weeks after the modeling,4,8 mg/kg cannabidiol or silymarin were injected intraperitoneally,once a day,for 7 consecutive days.After administration,the liver function,liver pathological morphology,expression levels of α-smooth muscle actin,type Ⅰ collagen,and transforming growth factor β1/Smad signal transduction pathway related protein were detected in each group.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In vitro experiment:Compared with the control group,mRNA expression of α-smooth muscle actin and type Ⅰ collagen,interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor α,and protein expression of type Ⅰ collagen,transforming growth factor β1 and p-Smad2/3 in HSC-T6 cells were increased(P<0.05),while Smad7 protein expression was decreased(P<0.05)in the modeling group.Two doses of cannabidiol could improve the above changes in HSC-T6 cells induced by transforming growth factor β1,and the improvement was more obvious in the modeling+high-dose drug group.(2)In vivo experiment:Compared with sham operation group,the activities of serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase were increased(P<0.05),inflammatory cell infiltration and collagen content in liver tissue were increased(P<0.05),and the transforming growth factor β1/Smad signal transduction pathway was activated;α-smooth muscle actin and type Ⅰ collagen expression levels were increased(P<0.05)in the modeling group.Two doses of cannabidiol could reduce the changes of the above indexes in the modeling mice,and the effect was more obvious in the modeling+high-dose drug group.(3)It is indicated that cannabidiol inhibits hepatic fibrosis by suppressing the activation of transforming growth factor-β1/Smad signal transduction pathway in hepatic stellate cells.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of virtual case teaching integrating standardized patients (SP) and objective structured clinical examination (OSCE) in enhancing students' clinical thinking and practical skills in experimental exercise therapy course.Methods:In April 2023, 52 students from the 2021 cohort and 54 students from the 2022 cohort of the Rehabilitation Therapy undergraduate program at Xinjiang Medical University were selected and divided into the experimental group and control group according to their classes. In the shoulder joint mobilization experimental class of the exercise therapy course, virtual SP teaching was performed in the experimental group of both cohorts. For the control group, student-led SP teaching was performed in the 2021 cohort, while the traditional "lecture + demonstration" method was used in the 2022 cohort. Upon completion of teaching, theoretical exams, case analysis, practical exams, and a teaching satisfaction survey were conducted on the students. Data were analyzed using the t-test and chi-square test in SPSS 25.0. Results:In both cohorts, the experimental group had similar theoretical exam scores ( P=0.207 and P=0.097, respectively) to the control group, but had higher practical exam scores ( P=0.013 and P=0.002, respectively) than the control group. In the case analysis exam, the experimental group scored higher than the control group in the 2022 cohort ( t=2.84, P=0.006) but similarly to the control group in the 2021 cohort ( t=1.53, P=0.132). All students believed that virtual SP teaching was most engaging. In terms of understanding complex concepts, increasing active participation, and fostering clinical thinking, the 2022 cohort was more satisfied with virtual SP teaching, whereas the 2021 cohort experienced no significant difference between virtual SP teaching and student-led SP teaching. In addition, the 2021 cohort found that student-led SP teaching was more helpful for improving doctor-patient communication skills. Conclusions:The application of virtual SP teaching in the experimental exercise therapy course effectively enhances students' practical skills and case analysis capabilities, contributing greatly to their overall clinical management thinking.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of bee acupuncture therapy on clinical symptoms and signs， as well as the level of inflammatory cytokine interleukin-6 （IL-6） in synovial fluid of patients with knee osteoarthritis. MethodsThe 94 patients with knee osteoarthritis were divided into the control group and the trial group by the random number table method， with 47 cases in each group. Both groups were given one tablet （60 mg） of etoricoxib orally every morning for 2 weeks. The control group also received microneedle shallow acupuncture therapy， once a day for 5 consecutive times followed 2-day pause， and continued 5 consecutive times， as a course of treatment； the trial group was treated with bee acupuncture therapy once every 2 days， 2 times a week， and 4 times as a course of treatment. Both groups have a course of treatment for 2 weeks. The changes in clinical symptoms and signs of patients in the two groups were observed and evaluated before treatment， after 1- and 2-week treatment， and 12-week follow-up and the differences in Lequesne index scores， HSS scores， Visual Analogue Scale （VAS） scores and IL-6 levels in knee synovial fluid between the two groups of patients were also compared. ResultsNo patients lost to follow up in either group. The Lequesne index scores and VAS scores were lower， and the HSS scores were higher in both groups at all time points after treatment compared with those before treatment （P＜0.05）. Compared at the same time after treatment， the Lequesne index scores and VAS scores of the trial group were lower than those of the control group， and the HSS scores were higher than those of the control group （P＜0.05）. IL-6 in synovial fluid was lower in the trial group at the 12-week follow-up than before treatment （P＜0.05）， but there was no significant difference between two groups at each time point（P＞0.05）. ConclusionBee acupuncture therapy for knee osteoarthritis can significantly improve clinical signs and symptoms， but has no significant effect on the level of IL-6 in knee synovial fluid.

Objective:To investigate alterations in the glymphatic system of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) patients based on quantitative MRI, and its association with genetic information and motor dysfunction.Methods:The study was a cross-sectional study. This prospective study recruited 39 confirmed SCA3 patients (SCA3 group) and 40 matched healthy controls (HC group) who were seen at the Southwest Hospital of Army Medical University from May 2017 to June 2023. All subjects underwent cranial MRI scanning. Clinical assessments were conducted on all participants using the scale for the assessment and rating of ataxia (SARA) and the international cooperative ataxia rating scale (ICARS). The automatic segmentation and volume measurement of the choroid plexus based on Freesurfer 6.0; the perivascular interstitial space (PVS) was automatically segmented based on the deep-learning model VB-Net, and the volume of the PVS in each brain region was quantified after manual correction. Independent samples t-test and Mann-Whitney U-test were used to analyze the changes in the class lymphatic system in the SCA3 group and the HC group. Pearson partial correlation analysis was used to explore the relationship between CAG repeats, the glymphatic system, and motor dysfunction. Results:The standardized choroid plexus volume in the SCA3 group was (1.24±0.36)×10 3 mm 3, and that in the HC group was (0.96±0.34)×10 3 mm 3, with a statistically significant difference ( t=4.01, P<0.001). PVS volumes in the frontal lobe, temporal lobe, parietal lobe, basal ganglia, cerebellum, thalamus, and brainstem regions in the SCA3 group were significantly higher than those of HC group ( P<0.05). Partial correlation analysis revealed that CAG repeats in SCA3 group were positively correlated with SARA, ICARS, and basal ganglia PVS volumes ( r=0.65, 0.58, 0.29; P=0.001, 0.001, 0.042). Cerebellar and temporal lobe PVS volumes were positively correlated with SARA ( r=0.59, 0.47; P=0.001, 0.003), and positively correlated with ICARS scores ( r=0.61, 0.40; P=0.001, 0.011). Choroid plexus volume was positively correlated with cerebellar and basal ganglia PVS volumes ( r=0.41, 0.31; P=0.009, 0.043). Conclusions:The glymphatic system of SCA3 patients have significant alteration and have association with CAG repeats and motor dysfunction.

Although somatic cells can be reprogrammed to pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) with pure chemicals, authentic pluripotency of chemically induced pluripotent stem cells (CiPSCs) has never been achieved through tetraploid complementation assay. Spontaneous reprogramming of spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) was another non-transgenic way to obtain PSCs, but this process lacks mechanistic explanation. Here, we reconstructed the trajectory of mouse SSC reprogramming and developed a five-chemical combination, boosting the reprogramming efficiency by nearly 80- to 100-folds. More importantly, chemical induced germline-derived PSCs (5C-gPSCs), but not gPSCs and chemical induced pluripotent stem cells, had authentic pluripotency, as determined by tetraploid complementation. Mechanistically, SSCs traversed through an inverted pathway of in vivo germ cell development, exhibiting the expression signatures and DNA methylation dynamics from spermatogonia to primordial germ cells and further to epiblasts. Besides, SSC-specific imprinting control regions switched from biallelic methylated states to monoallelic methylated states by imprinting demethylation and then re-methylation on one of the two alleles in 5C-gPSCs, which was apparently distinct with the imprinting reprogramming in vivo as DNA methylation simultaneously occurred on both alleles. Our work sheds light on the unique regulatory network underpinning SSC reprogramming, providing insights to understand generic mechanisms for cell-fate decision and epigenetic-related disorders in regenerative medicine.
Male ; Mice ; Animals ; Cellular Reprogramming/genetics* ; Tetraploidy ; Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism* ; Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism* ; DNA Methylation ; Spermatogonia/metabolism* ; Germ Cells/metabolism*