BACKGROUND:Macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF)is a pleiotropic cytokine,which is secreted in different types of stem cells and can regulate the proliferation,differentiation and migration of various types of stem cells.Our previous research has confirmed that human embryonic stem cells secrete MIF and that its concentration in the culture medium is relatively stable.However,whether MIF is involved in the survival,proliferation and differentiation of human embryonic stem cells remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of MIF on survival,proliferation,and differentiation of human embryonic stem cells. METHODS:(1)Human embryonic stem cells H9 were cultured.The growth curve of cells was detected and plotted by CCK-8 assay.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to determine the level of MIF in the medium.(2)To determine the effects of exogenous MIF on the survival and proliferation of human embryonic stem cells,different groups were established:the control group,which was cultured in stem cell medium without any modifications;the exogenous MIF group,which was treated with different concentrations(30,100,300 ng/mL)of MIF in the stem cell medium;the MIF inhibitor ISO-1 group,which was treated with different concentrations(2,7,21 μmol/L)of ISO-1 in the stem cell medium;and the MIF+ISO-1 group,which was treated with different concentrations of ISO-1 along with 100 ng/mL of MIF.Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 assay.(3)To further elucidate the effect of MIF gene on survival and proliferation of human embryonic stem cell,the MIF knockout H9 cell line was constructed by CRISPR-Cas 9 technology to observe the lineage establishment.(4)To determine the effect of high concentrations of MIF on human embryonic stem cell differentiation,100 ng/mL MIF and 100 ng/mL of CXCR4 neutralizing antibody were separately added to the normal stem cell culture medium.The expression levels of self-renewal factors(KLF4,c-MYC,NANOG,OCT4,and SOX2)and differentiation transcription factors(FOXA2,OTX2)were measured using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,immunofluorescence staining,and western blot analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The logarithmic growth phase of H9 cells was between 3-6 days.Under normal growth conditions,human embryonic stem cells secreted MIF at a concentration of approximately 20 ng/mL,independent of cell quantity.(2)Compared to the control group,the addition of different concentrations of MIF had no effect on the proliferation of human embryonic stem cells(P>0.05).ISO-1 significantly inhibited the proliferation of human embryonic stem cells,with a stronger inhibition observed at higher concentrations of ISO-1(P<0.05).The addition of MIF in the presence of ISO-1 reduced the inhibitory effect of ISO-1(P<0.05).(3)Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction showed that knocking out 50%of the MIF gene resulted in a significant decrease in the growth vitality of human embryonic stem cells and failure to establish cell lines.(4)Adding 100 ng/mL exogenous MIF to the culture medium resulted in a decrease in the mRNA,protein,and fluorescence expression levels of the self-renewal transcription factor KLF4,while the mRNA,protein,and fluorescence expression levels of the differentiation factor FOXA2 increased.(5)When 100 ng/mL CXCR4 neutralizing antibody was added to the culture medium,the mRNA and protein expression levels of KLF4 increased,while the mRNA and protein expression levels of FOXA2 decreased,contrary to the expression trend observed in the MIF group.In conclusion,the endogenous secretion of MIF by human embryonic stem cells is essential for their survival.The addition of MIF to the culture medium does not promote the proliferation of human embryonic stem cells.However,it can lead to a decrease in the expression of the self-renewal factor KLF4 and an increase in the expression of the transcription factor FOXA2.This provides a clue for further investigation into the effects and mechanisms of MIF on the differentiation of human embryonic stem cells.The MIF-CXCR4 axis plays a regulatory role in this process.

Objective To investigate the prognostic value of peripheral blood neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)and thioredoxin reductase(TrxR)in patients with ovarian cancer receiving immunotherapy.Methods A total of 109 patients with advanced ovarian cancer treated in the Tumor Hospital Affiliated to Nantong University from January 2021 to December 2021 were selected as the research objects.The levels of NLR and TrxR in peripheral blood before immunotherapy were detected,and the evaluation value of NLR and TrxR on short-term efficacy,progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)in ovarian cancer pa-tients receiving immunotherapy was explored.Results The optimal cut-off values of TrxR and NLR were 4.97 U/mL and 2.49%,respectively.According to the optimal cut-off value of TrxR and NLR,the patients were divided into the high level of TrxR group(69 cases,≥4.97 U/mL)and the low level of TrxR group(40 cases,<4.97 U/mL),the high level of NLR group(72 cases,≥2.49%)and the low level of NLR group(37 cases,<2.49%).The objective response rate(ORR)of the high level of NLR group was lower than that of the low level NLR group(P<0.05),and the disease progression rate(DPR)was higher than that of the low NLR group(P<0.05).The high level of TrxR group had a significantly lower ORR and a significantly higher DPR than the low level of TrxR group(P<0.05).The median PFS and OS of the high level of NLR group were 15.0 months and 16.0 months,respectively.The median PFS and OS of the low level of NLR group were 19.0 months and 21.0 months,respectively.The median PFS and OS of the high level of TrxR group were 15.0 months and 17.0 months,respectively.The median PFS was 18.0 months and the median OS was 21.0 months in the low level of TrxR group.NLR and TrxR were the influencing factors of PFS and OS in pa-tients with ovarian cancer immunotherapy(P<0.05).Conclusion The levels of NLR and TrxR in peripheral blood can be used as important prognostic indicators for advanced ovarian cancer patients receiving immuno-therapy.The lower the levels of NLR and TrxR,the better the prognosis of ovarian cancer patients.

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of circular RNA nuclear receptor interacting protein 1(circNRIP1)expression on exhaustion of CD8+T cells in cervical cancer cells.Methods Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of circNRIP1 in cervical epithelial cells HCerEpic and cer-vical cancer cells C-33A,Hela,SiHa,and CS121.C-33A cells were divided into Vector group,circNRIP1 group,and circNRIP1+miR-138-5p group,while CS121 cells were divided into sh-NC group,sh-circNRIP1 group,and sh-circNRIP1+miR-138-5p inhibitor.Human peripheral blood CD8+T cells were extracted,and C-33A cells in Vector group and circNRIP1 group were co-incubated with CD8+T cells for 24 hours(CD8+T/Vector group and CD8+T/Vector group).CS121 cells in sh-NC group and sh-circNRIP1 group were co-incu-bated with CD8+T cells for 24 hours(CD8+T/sh NC group and CD8+T/sh-circNRIP1 group).Cytotoxicity experiments were conducted to detect the killing ability of CD8+T cells,ELISA was used to detect the levels of interleukin(IL)-2,interferon(IFN)-γ,and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α in the cell supernatant.Flow cy-tometry was used to detect the expression of programmed death receptor-1(PD-1),T cell Immunoglobulin domain and Mucin domain protein-3(TIM3),and lymphocyte activation gene 3(LAG3)in CD8+T cells.Dual luciferase reporter gene experiments were conducted to verify the targeting relationship between circNRIP1 and miR-138-5p,as well as the targeting relationship between miR-138-5p and PD-L1.Results The expres-sions of circNRIP1 in C-33A,Hela,SiHa,and CS121 cells were significantly higher than those in HCerEpic(P＜0.05).The killing ability of CD8+T cells against C-33A cells in the circNRIP1 group was lower than their killing ability against Vector group cells.The levels of IL-2,IFN-γ,and TNF-α secreted by CD8+T cells in the CD8+T/circNRIP1 group were significantly lower than those in the CD8+T/Vector group(P＜0.05),and the levels of PD-1,LAG-3,and TIM-3 expressed by CD8+T cells in the CD8+T/circNRIP1 group were al-so significantly higher than those in the CD8+T/Vector group(P＜0.05).The killing ability of CD8+T cells against sh-circNRIP1 group CS121 cells was higher than their killing ability against sh-NC group cells(P＜0.05).The levels of IL-2,IFN-γ,and TNF-α secreted by CD8+T cells in the CD8+T/sh-circNRIP1 group were significantly higher than those in the CD8+T/sh-NC group(P＜0.05).The PD-1,LAG-3,and TIM-3 levels of CD8+T cells in the CD8+T/sh-circNRIP1 group were also significantly lower than those in the CD8+T/sh-NC group(P＜0.05).The results of the dual-luciferase reporter gene experiment showed that miR-138-5p was the target gene of circNRIP1,and PD-L1 was the target gene of miR-138-5p.Conclusion circNRIP1 can in-duce the exhaustion of CD8+T cells by upregulating the expression of PD-L1.

Objective To investigate the expression of circular RNA ubiquitin-associated protein 2(circ-UBAP2)and RAS-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1(Rac1)in cervical cancer tissues and their relation-ship with radiotherapy efficacy and prognosis.Methods A total of 96 patients with cervical cancer admitted to the hospital from January 2019 to May 2021 were selected as the research subjects.Detect the expression of circ-UBAP2 and Rac1 in the cancer tissues and adjacent tissues of the patients.The clinical data of the patients were recorded.According to the radiotherapy efficacy,they were divided into patients with effective radiother-apy(n=62)and patients with ineffective radiotherapy(n=34),and the relationship between the expressions of circ-UBAP2 and Rac1 and the radiotherapy efficacy was analyzed.The survival conditions of the patients were followed up for 3 years and they were divided into the survival group(n=81)and the death group(n=15),and the clinical data of the two groups were compared.The relationship between the expressions of circ-UBAP2 and Rac1 and the survival prognosis of patients was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier.The risk factors influ-encing the prognosis of patients were analyzed by Cox regression.Results The circ-UBAP2 expression and the positive rates of Rac1 expression in cancer tissues were both higher than those in adjacent tissues,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The effective rate of radiotherapy in patients with high ex-pression of circ-UBAP2 and Rac1 in cancer tissues was lower than that in patients with low expression of circ-UBAP2 and Rac1,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The 3-year overall survival rate and average survival duration of patients with high expression of circ-UBAP2 and Rac1 in cancer tissues were lower than those of patients with low expression of circ-UBAP2 and Rac1,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).There were statistically significant differences in clinical stage,tumor differentiation degree,expressions of circ-UBAP2 and Rac1,and the proportion of lymph node metastasis between the two groups(P＜0.05).The results of Cox regression analysis showed that clinical stage Ⅱ B-Ⅲ,poorly differen-tiated tumor degree,high expression of circ-UBAP2 and Rac1,and lymph node metastasis were risk factors af-fecting the prognosis of patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion circ-UBAP2 and Rac1 are abnormally highly ex-pressed in cervical cancer tissues and are related to the radiotherapy efficacy and prognosis.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of mind-regulating and meridians-dredging acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training in treating limb dysfunction in recovery period of cerebral infarction(CI).Methods A total of 110 cases of patients with limb dysfunction in recovery period of CI were randomly divided into observation group and control group,55 cases in each group,the control group was given routine rehabilitation training,and the observation group was treated with mind-regulating and meridians-dredging acupuncture on the basis of intervention of the control group,the course of treatment covered two consecutive weeks.After two weeks of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated,and the changes of scores of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome,Fugl-Meyer Assessment(FMA),Berg Balance Scale(BBS)and Modified Barthel Index(MBI)before and after treatment of patients in the two groups were observed.The changes of electromyographic signal before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.And the safety and the occurrence of adverse reactions in the two groups were evaluated.Results(1)The total effective rate was 98.18%(54/55)in the observation group and 87.27%(48/55)in the control group.The efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(2)After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P<0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,with a statistically significant difference(P<0.05).(3)After treatment,the FMA scores of patients in the two groups improved significantly(P<0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(4)After treatment,the BBS scores and MBI scores of the patients in the two groups improved significantly(P<0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(5)After treatment,the root mean square value(RMS)of biceps brachii muscle elbow flexion and triceps brachii muscle elbow extention of the two groups of patients improved significantly(P<0.05),and the improvement in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group,the difference being statistically significant(P<0.05).(6)During the treatment,there were no obvious adverse reactions occurred in both groups.Conclusion Mind-regulating and meridians-dredging acupuncture combined with rehabilitation training in treating limb dysfunction in recovery period of CI can significantly improve the motor ability of patients,and adjust the electromyographic signals of the affected limbs,with high safety.

HDAC7, a member of class IIa HDACs, plays a pivotal regulatory role in tumor, immune, fibrosis, and angiogenesis, rendering it a potential therapeutic target. Nevertheless, due to the high similarity in the enzyme active sites of class IIa HDACs, inhibitors encounter challenges in discerning differences among them. Furthermore, the substitution of key residue in the active pocket of class IIa HDACs renders them pseudo-enzymes, leading to a limited impact of enzymatic inhibitors on their function. In this study, proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC) technology was employed to develop HDAC7 drugs. We developed an exceedingly selective HDAC7 PROTAC degrader B14 which showcased superior inhibitory effects on cell proliferation compared to TMP269 in various diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Subsequent investigations unveiled that B14 disrupts BCL6 forming a transcriptional inhibition complex by degrading HDAC7, thereby exerting proliferative inhibition in DLBCL. Our study broadened the understanding of the non-enzymatic functions of HDAC7 and underscored the importance of HDAC7 in the treatment of hematologic malignancies, particularly in DLBCL and AML.

Objective To explore the efficacy of ranibizumab combined with retinal laser photocoagulation in patients with macular edema secondary to branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO)and its impact on best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and central macular thickness(CMT).Methods A prospective analysis was conducted on 70 patients with secondary macular edema caused by BRVO who were admitted to the 901th Hospital of Joint Logistics Support Force from March 2019 to March 2023.According to the random number table method,the patients were assigned into study group or control group,with 35 cases in each group.The control group was treated with ranibizumab,while the study group was treated with ranibizumab and retinal laser photocoagulation.The efficacy,BCVA,CMT,intraocular pressure,adverse reactions,and 36-item short form health survey(SF-36)score were compared between the two groups.Results There was a significant difference in the efficacy between the two groups(Z=2.272,P<0.05),and the total effective rate of the study group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).The results of repeated measure ANOVA showed that CMT and intraocular pressure decreased significantly,while BCVA increased significantly in both groups after 3 months,6 months,and 12 months of treatment(P<0.05);moreover,these parameters in the study group were superior to those in the control group(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in the incidence of cataracts,transient intraocular pressure elevation,subconjunctival hemorrhage,retinal detachment,or the total incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).After 12 months of treatment,the total score of SF-36 increased in both groups(P<0.05),and the difference value of total score of SF-36 in the study group was superior to that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion The combination of ranibizumab and retinal laser photocoagulation can achieve a good therapeutic effect on macular edema caused by BRVO.It can effectively improve BCVA,CMT and intraocular pressure,reduce the risk of adverse reactions,and enhance the quality of life.

Objective To investigate the association between the Chinese visceral adiposity index (CVAI) and diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and diabetes with hypertension among elderly people in Hebei Province. Methods In 2020, a stratified multi-stage random sampling was used to conduct questionnaire survey, physical examination and laboratory detection among permanent residents of 10 monitoring sites in Hebei Province. Logistic regression was used to analyze the association between CVAI and diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and diabetes with hypertension. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was used to evaluate the predictive value of CVAI for diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and diabetes with hypertension. Results The detection rates of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and diabetes with hypertension were 19.8%, 74.6%, 78.2%, and 16.2%, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the lowest quartile of CVAI group Q1, the OR (95% CI) of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and diabetes with hypertension in the highest quartile Q4 group were 3.55 (2.58~4.89), 2.52 (1.92~3.31), 3.09 (2.31~4.12), and 4.92 (3.40~7.12), respectively. The ROC curve results showed that CVAI had the best predictive value in the diagnosis of diabetes with hypertension, and the optimized critical values in males and females were 128.54 and 141.88, respectively. Conclusion The detection rates of diabetes mellitus and hypertension are high in the elderly population in Hebei Province. CVAI is positively associated with the risk of diabetes mellitus, hypertension, diabetes mellitus or hypertension, and diabetes with hypertension among the elderly in Hebei. CVAI has the strongest prediction ability for diabetes with hypertension.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of acupuncture at Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) on pain, anxiety, intrapartum blood loss, labor stage, and neonatal outcomes in primiparas. METHODS: One hundred primiparas were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (50 cases, 1 case was eliminated) and a control group (50 cases). The conventional obstetrical nursing was given in the control group. On the basis of the intervention in the control group, acupuncture was applied at bilateral Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) in the acupuncture group. The delivery mode and labor stage, the scores of visual analogue scale (VAS) for uterine contraction pain and Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) before and after acupuncture, the intrapartum/postpartum blood loss and massive hemorrhage, as well as the neonatal Apgar score after 1, 5, and 10 min of birth, were compared in the two groups. RESULTS: The cesarean section rate was 4.1% (2/49) in the acupuncture group, which was superior to 10.0% (5/50) in the control group (P<0.05). In the acupuncture group, the time of latent phase of 2-cm cervical dilation, active phase, first and second stages of labor, and total labor stage was shorter than that in the control group (P<0.001), the intrapartum blood loss and massive hemorrhage rate were lower than those in the control group (P<0.001, P<0.05). After acupuncture, the VAS and HAMA scores were decreased compared with those before acupuncture in the acupuncture group (P<0.001), the VAS and HAMA scores were increased compared with those before acupuncture in the control group (P<0.001). In the acupuncture group, the VAS and HAMA scores after acupuncture were lower than those in the control group (P<0.001), the changes of the VAS and HAMA scores before and after acupuncture were larger than those in the control group (P<0.001). There were no statistical differences in neonatal Apgar scores between the two groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Acupuncture at Hegu (LI4), Taichong (LR3) and Sanyinjiao (SP6) can effectively alleviate the pain and anxiety, shorten the labor stage, reduce the intrapartum blood loss and incidence rate of massive hemorrhage, and promote spontaneous delivery, thereby enhancing maternal comfort and safety in primiparas.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Young Adult ; Labor, Obstetric ; Parity

Objective: To analyze the frequency and investigate the causes of unexpected antibodies in D-negative blood donors. Methods: From January 2022 to December 2024, 3 768 D-negative blood donors sent to our laboratory were selected as research subjects. D-negative confirmation test and RhCE phenotype detection were applied by saline tube method and microcolumn gel indirect antiglobulin test (IAT), respectively. Antibody screening and identification were performed using the polybrene method and IAT column agglutination methods. Anti-D, anti-C and anti-G specificities were identified by a two-step adsorption-elution method, and the genotypes of D-negative samples were determined by RHD gene amplification, Sanger sequencing, and PacBio Single Molecule Real-Time (SMRT) sequencing. Results: Among D-negative donors, ccee and Ccee phenotypes accounted for the highest proportion, 55.68% (2 098/3 768) and 29.56% (1 114/3 768), respectively, while CcEE and CCEe phenotypes were the least, with one case detected in each, accounting for 0.03% (1/3 768). A total of 165 cases with D variant phenotype were detected, and the proportion of D variant was 4.38% (165/3 768) in the donors detected by D-negative confirmation test. Antibody screening positive blood donors were identified in 93 cases with a proportion of 2.47% (93/3 768). Antibody specificity was determined in 84 blood donors, and 9 samples showed no clear specificity. Anti-D was detected most frequently (n=68), in which 6 of them were detected having multiple antibodies, anti-D + anti-C (n=2), anti-D + anti-G(n=1), and anti-D + anti-E(n=3). The other antibodies detected were anti-E (n=1), anti-M(n=9), anti-P1 (n=3), anti-Le (n=1), and anti-HI(n=2). Fourteen cases were detected with anti-D in serological D-negative donors with C+ or E+ phenotype, in which three of them were DVI type 3 individuals and 11 cases were D negative individuals. Conclusion: The incidence of unexpected antibodies was higher in D-negative blood donors than in the total donors, with anti-D being the most common. The data provide insights for prevention and monitoring hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN) caused by anti-D. To ensure the safety of blood transfusion, routine unexpected antibody screening for RhD-negative blood donors is recommended to prevent the use of unexpected antibodies positive plasma in the clinic.