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.

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.

Fundus neovascularization is a significant cause of ocular diseases, mainly including retinal neovascularization and choroidal neovascularization. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, though effective, has limitations such as a short half-life, non-responsiveness, and drug resistance. 6-Phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3), a key regulator of glycolysis, affects the generation of pathological blood vessels by modulating the metabolism of vascular endothelial cells. Small molecule inhibitors targeting PFKFB3 protein have been confirmed in animal and cell models to significantly inhibit pathological angiogenesis, showing good therapeutic potential. However, most of them are still in the preclinical research stage. In the future, it is necessary to further investigate the mechanism of PFKFB3 gene, optimize the specificity and safety of the inhibitors, and explore the effects of combining them with existing therapies, so as to provide new strategies for the treatment of fundus neovascular diseases.

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.

Fundus neovascularization is a significant cause of ocular diseases, mainly including retinal neovascularization and choroidal neovascularization. Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy, though effective, has limitations such as a short half-life, non-responsiveness, and drug resistance. 6-Phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-bisphosphatase 3 (PFKFB3), a key regulator of glycolysis, affects the generation of pathological blood vessels by modulating the metabolism of vascular endothelial cells. Small molecule inhibitors targeting PFKFB3 protein have been confirmed in animal and cell models to significantly inhibit pathological angiogenesis, showing good therapeutic potential. However, most of them are still in the preclinical research stage. In the future, it is necessary to further investigate the mechanism of PFKFB3 gene, optimize the specificity and safety of the inhibitors, and explore the effects of combining them with existing therapies, so as to provide new strategies for the treatment of fundus neovascular diseases.

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 evaluate the maturity and metabolic status of heterotopic ossification(HO)by single-photon emission computed tomography(SPECT)/CT fusion bone imaging.Methods The clinical and SPECT/CT fusion bone imaging data of 57 patients with HO confirmed by pathology or follow-up were analyzed retrospectively.HO was graded by CT,and the characteristics of radioactive concentration of HO were analyzed.Results Of 57 cases,single lesion in 52 cases,and multiple lesions in 5 cases,with a total of 63 lesions,mostly located in the hip joint(55.6%,35/63)and thigh(19.0%,12/63).There were 41 lesions in the middle stage and 22 lesions in the late stage.In the visual evaluation of SPECT/CT fusion bone imaging,the middle stage lesions were mostly clumps or flakes,with moderate or high radioactive concentration(75.6%,31/41),furthermore,the concentration range was larger than or equal to the total or limited range of CT ossification(21/41,50.1%),with high concentration mainly located in the mixed areas of ossification density.The concentration of the late stage lesions was mostly non-radioactive(72.7%,16/22).Conclusion SPECT/CT fusion bone imaging can show the range,degree and maturity of HO radioactive concentration,and can accurately locate the area with osteoblastic activity,which provides scientific basis for the selection of surgical timing.

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*

Objective:To analyze risk factors for duration of small or medium-sized coronary artery aneurysms (CAA) in children with Kawasaki disease (KD) so as to provide clinical guidance for early and full course treatment.Methods:The clinical data of 68 children diagnosed with KD in the Department of Pediatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from January 2018 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.According to duration of CAA, all cases were divided into 2 groups, duration of CAA ≥ 8 weeks group and duration of CAA <8 weeks group.Risk factors associated with CAA duration were screened using univariate analysis, and then independent risk factors for CAA duration in children with KD were analysed using multiple Logistic regression analysis. Results:A total of 68 cases were enrolled in this study.Among these cases, 45 cases (66.18%) were male and 23 cases (33.82%) were female.The onset age was from 3 months to 10 years old, and the median onset age was 1.59 (1.02-3.19). There were 31 cases in the group with CAA duration ≥8 weeks and 37 cases in the group with CAA duration <8 weeks.Univariate analysis showed that patients with the total fever course >10 days[45.16%(14/31 cases) vs.21.62%(8/37 cases)], time of treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG)>10 days[54.84%(17/31 cases) vs.16.22%(6/37 cases)], platelet (PLT)>600×10 9/L[32.26%(10/31 cases) vs.10.81%(4/37 cases)], hypersensitive C-reactive protein (HsCRP) >100 mg/L[38.71%(12/31 cases) vs.13.51%(5/37 cases)] (all P<0.05 ) in the group with CAA duration ≥8 weeks were significantly more than those in the group with CAA duration <8 weeks.However, there were no significant differences in gender, age, type of KD, etiology evidence, hormone application, duration of fever before IVIG application, IVIG sensitivity, IVIG application way, urine leukocytes, white blood cells, hemoglobin, percent of neutrophilic granulocyte, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, glutamic-pyruvic transaminase between the 2 groups (all P>0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that the course of IVIG before application >10 days ( OR=6.589, 95% CI: 1.678-25.867, P=0.007)and HsCRP >100 mg/L ( OR=7.949, 95% CI: 1.947-32.461, P=0.004)were independent risk factors for predicting the duration of KD complicated with small and medium-sized CAA ≥8 weeks. Conclusions:The course of IVIG before application >10 days and HsCRP>100 mg/L are independent risk factors for KD complicated with small and medium-sized CAA lasting ≥8 weeks.

Objectives:To analyze the clinical features of juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia (JMML) and investigate the characteristics of diagnosis and treatment of this disease.Methods:The clinical data of seven children patients with JMML who received treatment in The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University between April 2015 and February 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical efficacy of different treatments was analyzed.Results:The median age at diagnosis of JMML was 8 months and 4 days for seven children patients. Fever was the principal cause of treatment, and it was mostly accompanied by hepatosplenomegaly. The median value of peripheral blood leukocyte count was 36.1 × 10 9/L, and it was 4.5 × 10 9/L for mononuclear cell count, 88 g/L for hemoglobin level, and 47 × 10 9/L for platelet count. Myeloid immature cells were found in peripheral blood smears of six patients. Chromosome examination results revealed 7-monomer in one patient, and normal karyotype in six patients. Hemoglobin level was increased in six patients. Gene detection results revealed PTPN11+NF1 mutation in one patient, N-RAS mutation in two patients, and K-RAS mutation in one patient. Three patients gave up treatment, three patients received low-intensity chemotherapy , and these six patients died of complicated infection. One patient received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation and the patient survived without any event after 14 months of follow-up. Conclusion:The age of JMML onset is low. JMML has poor clinical specificity. Gene detection is helpful for early diagnosis of JMML. Low-intensity chemotherapy can prolong survival period, but it can not improve prognosis. Infection is the principal cause of death in patients with JMML. Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is the only possible method to cure the disease.