BACKGROUND:Nerve growth factor is a protein that induces nerve growth and regulates biological behaviors such as proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the promoting effect of nerve growth factor on chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS:Rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured,and nerve growth factor was transfected into bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by lentiviral transfection.The effects of nerve growth factor on the proliferation,migration,hypertrophic differentiation,and chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were detected by CCK-8 assay,cell scratch assay,alizarin red staining,and western blot assay,using the transfected null-loaded virus as control.To further investigate the promoting effect of nerve growth factor on the chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,interleukin 1β was added in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transfected with empty virus and nerve growth factor for 14 days.The expression of proteins related to chondrogenic differentiation and hypertrophic differentiation was detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)CCK-8 assay results showed that nerve growth factor had no significant effect on the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.(2)Compared with the control group,overexpression of nerve growth factor enhanced the migration ability of the cells,and the expression of cartilage-associated proteins type II collagen and SOX9 was up-regulated(P<0.05),while the expression of hypertrophic-associated proteins type X collagen and Runx2 was down-regulated(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the empty virus+interleukin 1β group,the expression of cartilage-associated proteins type II collagen and Sox9 was up-regulated(P<0.05),and the expression of hypertrophy-associated proteins type X collagen and Runx2 was down-regulated after overexpression of nerve growth factor(P<0.05).(4)The results indicated that nerve growth factor could promote the chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Objective: To analyze the association of mother-child interaction and screen exposure of preschool children with psychological and behavioural problems, so as to provide guidance for promoting the psychological development of preschool children. Methods: From November to December 2024, a convenience cluster sampling method was used to survey 2 977 mothers of preschool children in Daguan and Yingjiang districts of Anqing City. The Chinese Parent-Child Interaction Scale (CPCIS) was applied to evaluate the quality of mother-child interaction, and the Conners Parent Symptom Questionnaire (PSQ) was used to assess the psychological and behavioral problems of preschool children. Binary Logistic regression was applied to analyze the association of mother-child interaction, screen exposure and their combined effect on psychological and behavioral problems among preschool children. Results: The detection rate of psychological and behavioral problems among preschool children was 13.9%. Binary Logistic regression results showed that low scores of mother-child interaction ( OR=2.31, 95%CI =1.72-3.11) and high screen exposure ( OR= 1.52 , 95%CI =1.23-1.88) were higher risks for psychological and behavioral problems in preschool children; the results of the combined effect showed that preschool children in low scores of mother-child interaction and low screen exposure group ( OR=2.18, 95%CI =1.46-3.28), low scores of mother-child interaction and high screen exposure group ( OR=3.13, 95%CI =2.10- 4.65 ) had significantly higher risks of abnormal detection in psychological and behavioral problems, compared to those in the high scores of mother-child interaction and low screen exposure group respectively (all P <0.05). Conclusions Both screen exposure and mother- child interaction are associated with psychological and behavioral problems in preschool children. High quality mother-child interaction can relieve the adverse effects of screen exposure on preschool children s psychological and behavioral development.

Testicular histology based on testicular biopsy is an important factor for determining appropriate testicular sperm extraction surgery and predicting sperm retrieval outcomes in patients with azoospermia. Therefore, we developed a deep learning (DL) model to establish the associations between testicular grayscale ultrasound images and testicular histology. We retrospectively included two-dimensional testicular grayscale ultrasound from patients with azoospermia (353 men with 4357 images between July 2017 and December 2021 in The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China) to develop a DL model. We obtained testicular histology during conventional testicular sperm extraction. Our DL model was trained based on ultrasound images or fusion data (ultrasound images fused with the corresponding testicular volume) to distinguish spermatozoa presence in pathology (SPP) and spermatozoa absence in pathology (SAP) and to classify maturation arrest (MA) and Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) in patients with SAP. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were used to analyze model performance. DL based on images achieved an AUC of 0.922 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.908-0.935), a sensitivity of 80.9%, a specificity of 84.6%, and an accuracy of 83.5% in predicting SPP (including normal spermatogenesis and hypospermatogenesis) and SAP (including MA and SCOS). In the identification of SCOS and MA, DL on fusion data yielded better diagnostic performance with an AUC of 0.979 (95% CI: 0.969-0.989), a sensitivity of 89.7%, a specificity of 97.1%, and an accuracy of 92.1%. Our study provides a noninvasive method to predict testicular histology for patients with azoospermia, which would avoid unnecessary testicular biopsy.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/diagnostic imaging* ; Deep Learning ; Testis/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Ultrasonography/methods* ; Sperm Retrieval ; Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome/diagnostic imaging*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the role of the natural compound hesperidin in glycolysis, the key ratelimiting enzyme, in colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines. METHODS: In vitro, HCT116 and SW620 were treated with different doses of hesperidin (0-500 µmol/L), cell counting kit-8 and colone formation assays were utilized to detected inhibition effect of hesperidin on CRC cell lines. Transwell and wound healing assays were performed to detect the ability of hesperidin (0, 25, 50 and 75 µmol/L) to migrate CRC cells. To confirm the apoptotic-inducing effect of hesperidin, apoptosis and cycle assays were employed. Western blot, glucose uptake, and lactate production determination measurements were applied to determine inhibitory effects of hesperidin (0, 25 and 50 µmol/L) on glycolysis. In vivo, according to the random number table method, nude mice with successful tumor loading were randomly divided into vehicle, low-dose hesperidin (20 mg/kg) and high-dose hesperidin (60 mg/kg) groups, with 6 mice in each group. The body weights and tumor volumes of mice were recorded during 4-week treatment. The expression of key glycolysis rate-limiting enzymes was determined using Western blot, and glucose uptake and lactate production were assessed. Finally, protein interactions were probed with DirectDIA Quantitative Proteomics, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses. RESULTS: Hesperidin could inhibit CRC cell line growth (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, hesperidin presented an inhibitory effect on the migrating abilities of CRC cells. Hesperidin also promoted apoptosis and cell cycle alterations (P<0.05). The immunoblotting results manifested that hesperidin decreased the levels of hexokinase 2, glucose transporter protein 1 (GLUT1), GLUT3, L-lactate dehydrogenase A, 6-phosphofructo-2-kinase/fructose-2,6-biphosphatase 2 (PFKFB2), PFKFB3, and pyruvate kinase isozymes M2 (P<0.01). It remarkably suppressed tumor xenograft growth in nude mice. GO and KEGG analyses showed that hesperidin treatment altered metabolic function. CONCLUSION Hesperidin inhibits glycolysis and is a potential therapeutic choice for CRC treatment.
Hesperidin/therapeutic use* ; Colorectal Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Animals ; Humans ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mice, Nude ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Cell Cycle/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice ; HCT116 Cells ; Lactic Acid

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2020.12.008.].

This study aimed to comprehensively examine the association of gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to estimate the observational associations of gallstones and cholecystectomy with cancer risk, using data from a nationwide cohort involving 239 799 participants. General and gender-specific two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was further conducted to assess the causalities of the observed associations. Observationally, a history of gallstones without cholecystectomy was associated with a high risk of stomach cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50-4.28), liver and bile duct cancer (aOR=2.46, 95% CI 1.17-5.16), kidney cancer (aOR=2.04, 95% CI 1.05-3.94), and bladder cancer (aOR=2.23, 95% CI 1.01-5.13) in the general population, as well as cervical cancer (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.12-2.56) in women. Moreover, cholecystectomy was associated with high odds of stomach cancer (aOR=2.41, 95% CI 1.29-4.49), colorectal cancer (aOR=1.83, 95% CI 1.18-2.85), and cancer of liver and bile duct (aOR=2.58, 95% CI 1.11-6.02). MR analysis only supported the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer. This study added evidence to the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer, highlighting the importance of cancer screening in individuals with gallstones.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Gallstones/complications* ; Female ; Male ; Cholecystectomy/statistics & numerical data* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Aged ; Adult ; Neoplasms/etiology* ; Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology*

AIM To prepare the soluble microneedles of Aconitum brachypodum Diels alkaloids.METHODS Centrifugal molding method was adopted in the preparation of soluble microneedles.With chondroitin sulfate consumption,PVP K120 consumption and 40%ethanol consumption as influencing factors,piercing rate as an evaluation index,the formulation was optimized by Box-Behnken response surface method,after which the morphology,piercing performance,drug content and in vitro transdermal performance were investigated.RESULTS The optimal formulation was determined to be 123 mg for chondroitin sulfate consumption,298 mg for PVP K120 consumption,and 2.4 mL for 40%ethanol consumption,the piercing rate was 98.3%.The soluble microneedles were yellow and square patch with conoid needle,which could pierce aluminum foil and rat skin,along with the drug content of(0.94±0.025)mg.The soluble microneedle group demonstrated the accumulative permeability rate of 91.4%within 24 h,which was higher than that in the gel ointment group,and the permeability accorded with Higuchi equation.CONCLUSION The soluble microneedles of A.brachypodum alkaloids exhibit good mechanical strength,which can achieve effective transdermal delivery of drugs.

Using China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and PubMed database, literature search was conducted with the keywords ^“pregnancy^” and ^“monkeypox^”, and 27 related research articles were selected for analysis. Through a comprehensive review of the related literature, we aim to improve our knowledge of this viral disease, better our prevention, treatment and responses to future monkeypox outbreaks in China, so as to better protect the safety of mothers and infants. Maternal monkeypox can be prevented and controlled, if active and effective measures are taken in time. Drawing on the experience and lessons from monkeypox outbreaks at home and abroad, it is suggested that hospitals and public health agencies at all levels should raise awareness, and establish an effective emergency preparedness system for the prevention and control of potential future outbreaks.

[Objective] To analyze the influence of the cycle length of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) double reagent positive samples collected from voluntary blood donors in Guangzhou on the detection results. [Methods] A total of 127 044 blood samples from voluntary blood donors at Guangzhou Blood Center from August 10 to December 9, 2023 were selected. Two ELISA reagents were used for HBsAg detection, and samples with HBsAg double reagent positive and S/CO values<10 were tested continuously for 7 days to observe the changes in their S/CO values. [Results] A total of 505 HBsAg double reagent positive samples were detected, of which 52 had S/CO values less than 10. After 7 consecutive days of uninterrupted testing, the S/CO values of Wantai (median 5 decreased to 3) and Xinchuang (median 5 decreased to 3) showed an overall downward trend, and the HBsAg missed detection rate showed an upward trend (from 0 on the first day to 1/10 000 on the seventh day). A total of 13 cases had negative double reagent test results within the 7-day testing cycle. [Conclusion] With the extension of the detection cycle, the S/CO value of HBsAg detection shows a downward trend, and the missed detection rate of HBsAg shows an upward trend. Samples used for HBsAg detection should be tested promptly after sampling to improve the quality of blood testing.

Objective: To explore the mechanism by which icariin alleviates viral myocarditis. Methods: CVB3-induced cardiomyocytes were used as an in vitro model of viral myocarditis to assess the effects of icariin treatment on cell viability, inflammation, and apoptosis. Moreover, the effects of icariin on ferroptosis and TLR4 signaling were assessed. After AC16 cells were transfected with TLR4 overexpression plasmids, the role of TLR4 in mediating the regulatory effect of icariin in viral myocarditis was investigated. Results: Icariin significantly elevated cell viability and reduced inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-18. Flow cytometry revealed that icariin decreased apoptosis rate, and the protein expression of Bax and cleaved caspase 3 and 9 in CVB3-induced cardiomyocytes. Additionally, it suppressed ferroptosis including lipid peroxidation and ferrous ion, as well as the TLR4 signaling. However, TLR4 overexpression abrogated the modulatory effects of icariin. Conclusions: Icariin mitigates CVB3-induced myocardial injury by inhibiting TLR4-mediated ferroptosis. Further animal study is needed to verify its efficacy.