BACKGROUND:Sarcopenia is an age-related condition characterized by the loss of skeletal muscle mass,strength,and/or physical function.Currently,effective treatments for sarcopenia remain limited.A new therapeutic approach to improve symptoms and prognosis of sarcopenia patients clinically was important.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes on a dexamethasone-induced sarcopenia in mice.METHODS:Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured from canine adipose tissue,and identified and functionally evaluated through flow cytometry and differentiation assays for osteogenesis,adipogenesis,and chondrogenesis.Subsequently,exosomes from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were extracted and characterized using transmission electron microscopy,western blot assay,and nanocoulter tracking analysis.In vitro,the effects of canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes on myotube growth and the expression of muscle atrophy-related genes were investigated using dexamethasone-induced C2C12 myotube atrophy and aging C2C12 models.In vivo,a dexamethasone-induced mouse sarcopenia model was established and received intraperitoneal or intravenous injection of canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.Therapeutic efficacy was assessed through mouse rotarod performance,histopathological analysis,and muscle atrophy-related genes testing.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The isolated canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells highly expressed CD73,CD90,and CD105,and lowly expressed MHC-Ⅱ,CD14,CD19,CD34,and CD45,and successfully differentiated into osteoblasts,adipocytes,and chondrocytes in vitro.(2)The adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes met the identification criteria in terms of particle size,electron microscopy morphology,and positive expression of specific markers.(3)Compared to the dexamethasone-induced C2C12 atrophy group,treatment with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes promoted the recovery and growth of myotubes,inhibited the expression of muscle atrophy-related genes MuRF1 and Atrogin-1.(4)Compared to the aging C2C12 group,adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes significantly enhanced the recovery and growth of aged muscle tubes in aging cells.(5)Compared to the control group,the rotarod time in dexamethasone-induced sarcopenia model mice was significantly decreased(P＜0.01).After 7 days(P＜0.01,P＜0.01)and 10 days(P＜0.01,P＜0.05)of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells treatment via intraperitoneal and intravenous injection,rotarod time was significantly increased,respectively.After 14 days,all treatment groups showed longer rotarod times than the model group,although with no significant differences between them.(6)Compared to the control group,the cross-sectional area of anterior tibial muscle in the model group was significantly reduced(P＜0.01),and it was significantly increased after intraperitoneal and intravenous administration of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).(7)Compared to the model group,intraperitoneal and intravenous administration of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of MuRF1 and Atrogin-1 genes(P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P＜0.01).The results indicated that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes promoted recovery and growth of atrophic myotube cells by inhibiting the expression of muscle atrophy-related genes,and both intraperitoneal and intravenous administration of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells provided good therapeutic effects on sarcopenia in mice.

BACKGROUND:Sarcopenia is an age-related condition characterized by the loss of skeletal muscle mass,strength,and/or physical function.Currently,effective treatments for sarcopenia remain limited.A new therapeutic approach to improve symptoms and prognosis of sarcopenia patients clinically was important.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes on a dexamethasone-induced sarcopenia in mice.METHODS:Mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured from canine adipose tissue,and identified and functionally evaluated through flow cytometry and differentiation assays for osteogenesis,adipogenesis,and chondrogenesis.Subsequently,exosomes from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells were extracted and characterized using transmission electron microscopy,western blot assay,and nanocoulter tracking analysis.In vitro,the effects of canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes on myotube growth and the expression of muscle atrophy-related genes were investigated using dexamethasone-induced C2C12 myotube atrophy and aging C2C12 models.In vivo,a dexamethasone-induced mouse sarcopenia model was established and received intraperitoneal or intravenous injection of canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells.Therapeutic efficacy was assessed through mouse rotarod performance,histopathological analysis,and muscle atrophy-related genes testing.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The isolated canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells highly expressed CD73,CD90,and CD105,and lowly expressed MHC-Ⅱ,CD14,CD19,CD34,and CD45,and successfully differentiated into osteoblasts,adipocytes,and chondrocytes in vitro.(2)The adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes met the identification criteria in terms of particle size,electron microscopy morphology,and positive expression of specific markers.(3)Compared to the dexamethasone-induced C2C12 atrophy group,treatment with adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes promoted the recovery and growth of myotubes,inhibited the expression of muscle atrophy-related genes MuRF1 and Atrogin-1.(4)Compared to the aging C2C12 group,adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes significantly enhanced the recovery and growth of aged muscle tubes in aging cells.(5)Compared to the control group,the rotarod time in dexamethasone-induced sarcopenia model mice was significantly decreased(P＜0.01).After 7 days(P＜0.01,P＜0.01)and 10 days(P＜0.01,P＜0.05)of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells treatment via intraperitoneal and intravenous injection,rotarod time was significantly increased,respectively.After 14 days,all treatment groups showed longer rotarod times than the model group,although with no significant differences between them.(6)Compared to the control group,the cross-sectional area of anterior tibial muscle in the model group was significantly reduced(P＜0.01),and it was significantly increased after intraperitoneal and intravenous administration of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).(7)Compared to the model group,intraperitoneal and intravenous administration of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells significantly inhibited the mRNA expression of MuRF1 and Atrogin-1 genes(P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P＜0.01,P＜0.01).The results indicated that adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells and their exosomes promoted recovery and growth of atrophic myotube cells by inhibiting the expression of muscle atrophy-related genes,and both intraperitoneal and intravenous administration of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells provided good therapeutic effects on sarcopenia in mice.

Objective To analyze the spatial distribution patterns and influencing factors of potential suitable habitats for Saussurea medusa under current climatic conditions.Methods The maximum entropy(MaxEnt)model with 125 selected distribution spots data and 9 environmental factors data of Saussurea medusa as input variables for modeling.Quantitative analysis was conducted on the influencing factors of spatial differentiation in the suitable habitat area of Saussurea medusa using geographic detector factor detection and interaction detection tools.Based on land use type data and national nature reserve distribution data,the distribution range of each land use type in the suitable habitat areas for Saussurea medusa,as well as the distribution pattern of high,medium and low suitable habitat areas in national nature reserves were refined.Results Key environmental determinants included elevation,precipitation in the warmest quarter,and solar radiation in April and May.The total potential suitable habitat area spanned 1.33×106 km2,accounting for 13.89%of China's mainland.Grasslands(67.70%),forests(19.19%),barren land(5.90%),snow-covered areas(2.59%)and croplands(2.08%)dominated the suitable habitats,with 34.98%overlapping national nature reserves.Conclusion The results of this study can provide basis for understanding the ecological needs and resource conservation of Saussurea medusa.

Objective To investigate the geographical distribution patterns and influencing factors of suitable habitats for the desert medicinal plant Cynomorium songaricum Rupr under current climatic conditions;To provide a basis for its resource conservation and sustainable utilization.Methods The MaxEnt model was used to analyze potential suitable habitats for Cynomorium songaricum Rupr.Geographical Detector model was used to identify key environmental factors affecting habitat suitability.Surface cover data were overlaid to assess the distribution of sandy and Gobi regions within suitable habitats,enabling a quantitative evaluation of actual potential suitable areas.Results Model predictions indicated a total suitable habitat area of approximately 2.98×106 km2,representing 30.99%of China's mainland area.Highly suitable habitats are concentrated in desert and Gobi regions of Gansu,Xinjiang,Inner Mongolia,Qinghai and Ningxia.Among climatic factors,precipitation of the coldest quarter(bio19),solar radiation in August(srad8),and mean temperature of the coldest quarter(bio11)significantly influence Cynomorium songaricum Rupr distribution.The interaction between temperature and solar radiation intensity exhibited the highest explanatory power for habitat distribution patterns(q=0.82).Overlay analysis with surface cover data estimated the actual potential suitable area at approximately 9.70×105 km2,with sandy regions comprising 5.73×105 km2 and Gobi regions 3.98×105 km2.Conclusion By integrating multi-source data and modeling approaches,this study delineates the potential suitable habitats for Cynomorium songaricum Rupr across China and evaluates the spatial distribution characteristics and influencing factors of suitable habitats in Cynomorium songaricum Rupr.These findings offer a foundation for conserving wild Cynomorium songaricum Rupr resources,optimizing ecological planting regions,and promoting sustainable industry development.

The paper introduces the experience of Professor LI Rui in treatment of diseases with bloodletting therapy. Regarding acupoint selection, the main acupoints are selected from the meridians containing excessive blood based on the identification of pathogenesis, and the back-shu points of the foot-taiyang bladder meridian are predominant. The acupoints (e.g. Geshu [BL17], Xuehai [SP10] and Weizhong [BL40]) acting on blood regulations are frequently selected, and the acupoints from the governor vessel (e.g. Dazhui [GV14], Zhiyang [GV9] and Yaoyangguan [GV3]) are specially used for regulating yang qi. Besides, the five-shu points and local points are combined in the prescriptions. This paper expounds the connotation of bloodletting therapy, explores the basis of acupoint selection and clinical application characteristics, and analyzes the clinical cases, so as to provide the approaches to acupoint selection for the clinical application of bloodletting therapy.
Humans ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Bloodletting ; Meridians

The NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, a high-molecular-weight protein complex in the cytoplasm, is composed of three core components: the sensor protein NLRP3, the adaptor protein apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase-recruitment domain (ASC) and the effector protein caspase-1. It plays a critical role in regulating host immune and inflammatory responses. Studies have shown that the NLRP3 inflammasome has increasingly become a focal point in tumor molecular biology field. A growing body of evidence indicates that the increased expression and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is closely associated with the pathogenesis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and the tumor microenvironment (TME). It may promote tumor proliferation, invasion, migration, and other biological behaviors through various regulatory mechanisms while influencing tumor immune evasion and therapy resistance, which holds promise as a prognostic biomarker for patients. This review explores the current effect and mechanism of the NLRP3 inflammasome and its signaling pathways in head and neck cancer, providing insights into clinical targeted drug development and molecular immunotherapy.
Humans ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/pathology* ; Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck/metabolism* ; Tumor Microenvironment ; Signal Transduction ; Animals

Objective To investigate the effects of three types of twin-block(TB)appliances on the stress and displacement of anterior teeth,periodontal ligaments,and alveolar bone.Methods A three-dimensional(3D)finite element model was constructed,including maxillofacial bones,articular discs,teeth,and periodontal ligaments.Three types of twin-block appliances were designed:classic twin-block(classic-TB),twin-block with acrylic capping(capping-TB),and clear twin-block aligner(CTBA).All appliances had an inclination angle of 70°,and a masticatory force of 200 N was applied to their inclined planes.The finite element method was used to analyze the stress distribution and displacement differences of anterior teeth.Results All three types of TB appliances induced lingual tilting of maxillary anterior teeth and labial tilting of mandibular anterior teeth.The CTBA group showed the greatest lingual displacement and stress of maxillary anterior teeth,with a maximum stress of 30.6 MPa,while the mandibular anterior teeth in this group exhibited the smallest labial displacement(approximately 0.02 mm)and stress.Additionally,the CTBA group had the lowest compressive stress in mandibular anterior teeth,periodontal ligaments,and alveolar bone,whereas the classic-TB group had the highest.Conclusions In the treatment of Angle Class Ⅱ malocclusion,classic-TB(with or without acrylic capping)causes labial inclination of mandibular anterior teeth.Compared with classic-TB,CTBA effectively reduces the compressive stress and displacement of mandibular anterior teeth,potentially minimizing adverse periodontal risks.However,attention should be paid to the lingual displacement of maxillary anterior teeth.

Objective:To formulate the maintenance and management process of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) equipment for adults and explore its implementation effect, in order to provide reference for clinical nursing.Methods:A historical control study design was used. A total of 60 patients who received ECMO treatment at the Department of Critical Care Medicine of Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, were selected by convenience sampling method as the research subjects. Among them, 30 patients from January to December 2022 were the control group, and 30 patients from 1 to 12 of 2023 were the observation group. The control group received ECMO treatment using routine methods, while the observation group received ECMO treatment according to the maintenance and management process for adult ECMO equipment. The charging time of the ECMO battery, the completeness of the ECMO equipment, the occurrence rate of ECMO equipment failure, the cleanliness rate of the ECMO equipment surface, and the pre-filling time of the ECMO pipeline were compared between the two groups.Results:The control group included 19 males and 11 females, with an age of (51.34 ± 6.85) years. The observation group comprised 21 males and 9 females, with an age of (50.97 ± 5.39) years. In the observation group, the compliance rate of the ECMO battery standby time was observed to be 100.00% (30/30), while the completeness rate of the equipment ready for use was 96.67% (29/30), and the qualification rate of surface cleanliness of ECMO equipment was 93.33% (28/30), all were superior to 76.67% (23/30), 73.33% (22/30), and 63.33% (19/30) in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant ( χ2 = 5.82, 4.71, 7.95, all P<0.05). The incidence rate of ECMO equipment failure in the observation group was 3.33% (1/30), a rate lower than the control group′s 16.67% (5/30), and the difference was statistically significant ( χ2 = 83.18, P<0.001). The pre-filling time of ECMO circuit in the observation group was (9.56 ± 2.20) min, which was less than the control group′s (13.30 ± 2.76) min, and the difference was statistically significant ( t = 5.79, P<0.001). Conclusions:The formulation and implementation of the process help to improve the standardized operation of ECMO in medical care, so that the ECMO equipment and instruments can be well maintained.

Objective To investigate levels of soluble T cell immunoglobulin mucin domain 3(sTim-3)and soluble growth stimulating gene expression protein 2(sST2)in peripheral blood of patients with alcoholic liver disease(ALD),and their correlation with disease severity.Methods A total of 112 ALD patients in our hospital from June 2021 to June 2023 were selected as the ALD group,including 47 patients with alcoholic fatty liver(AFL group),37 patients with alcoholic steatohepatitis(ASH group)and 28 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis(ALC group).Another 112 healthy subjects were used as the control group.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was applied to detect serum levels of sTim-3 and sST2.ROC curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of sTim-3 and sST2 in different clinical types of ALD.The correlation between serum sTim-3,sST2 levels and clinical indicators in ALD patients was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.The factors influencing disease severity in ALD patients was analyzed by Logistic regression model.Results The serum levels of sTim-3 and sST2 were higher in the ALD group than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The serum levels of sTim-3 and sST2 were increased successively in the AFL group,the ASH group and the ALC group(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of the combined diagnosis of ALC and ASH by sTim-3 and sST2 was significantly larger than that of AUC of the single diagnosis of sTim-3 and sST2(P＜0.05).Levels of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(ALT),glutamic oxalacetic transaminase(AST),total bilirubin(TBIL),alkaline phosphatase(ALP)and glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT)were increased successively in the AFL group,the ASH group and the ALC group(P＜0.05).The serum levels of sTim-3 and sST2 were positively correlated with levels of ALT,AST,TBIL,ALP and GGT,respectively(P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that high levels of sTim-3 and sST2 were independent risk factors for severe disease in ALD patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion The serum levels of sTim-3 and sST2 increase in ALD patients,which are related to disease severity in ALD patients.

Objective To investigate levels of soluble T cell immunoglobulin mucin domain 3(sTim-3)and soluble growth stimulating gene expression protein 2(sST2)in peripheral blood of patients with alcoholic liver disease(ALD),and their correlation with disease severity.Methods A total of 112 ALD patients in our hospital from June 2021 to June 2023 were selected as the ALD group,including 47 patients with alcoholic fatty liver(AFL group),37 patients with alcoholic steatohepatitis(ASH group)and 28 patients with alcoholic liver cirrhosis(ALC group).Another 112 healthy subjects were used as the control group.Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay was applied to detect serum levels of sTim-3 and sST2.ROC curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of sTim-3 and sST2 in different clinical types of ALD.The correlation between serum sTim-3,sST2 levels and clinical indicators in ALD patients was analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis.The factors influencing disease severity in ALD patients was analyzed by Logistic regression model.Results The serum levels of sTim-3 and sST2 were higher in the ALD group than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The serum levels of sTim-3 and sST2 were increased successively in the AFL group,the ASH group and the ALC group(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of the combined diagnosis of ALC and ASH by sTim-3 and sST2 was significantly larger than that of AUC of the single diagnosis of sTim-3 and sST2(P＜0.05).Levels of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(ALT),glutamic oxalacetic transaminase(AST),total bilirubin(TBIL),alkaline phosphatase(ALP)and glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT)were increased successively in the AFL group,the ASH group and the ALC group(P＜0.05).The serum levels of sTim-3 and sST2 were positively correlated with levels of ALT,AST,TBIL,ALP and GGT,respectively(P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that high levels of sTim-3 and sST2 were independent risk factors for severe disease in ALD patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion The serum levels of sTim-3 and sST2 increase in ALD patients,which are related to disease severity in ALD patients.