Anxiety disorder is a highly prevalent psychological illness, and research has shown that obesity is a significant risk factor for its development. This study explored the ameliorative effects and mechanisms of saponins from Panax japonicus(SPJ) on anxiety disorder in mice fed a high-fat diet(HFD). Fifty C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal control diet(NCD) group, HFD group, and low-and high-dose SPJ groups. At week 12, six mice from the HFD group were further divided into a control group(treated with DMSO) and an exogenous fibroblast growth factor 21(FGF21) group(administered rFGF21). The anxiety-like behavior of the mice was assessed using the open field test and elevated plus maze test. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and oil red O staining were performed to observe pathological changes in the liver and adipose tissue. Glucose metabolism was evaluated through the glucose tolerance test(GTT) and insulin tolerance test(ITT). Western blot analysis was performed to detect the expression of FGF21 and its downstream-related proteins in the liver and cortex, along with the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF), disks large homolog 4(DLG4), and synaptophysin(SYP) in the cortex. Real-time quantitative fluorescent PCR(qPCR) was used to detect the expression of FGF21 and its receptor genes in the liver and cortex. Immunofluorescence staining was employed to examine the expression of neuronal activator c-Fos, FGF21, and the FGF21 co-receptor β-klotho in the cerebral cortex. The results showed that SPJ significantly improved the frequency of activity in the open arms of the elevated plus maze and the central area of the open field in HFD mice, up-regulated the expression of BDNF, DLG4, and SYP, and effectively alleviated anxiety-like behaviors in HFD mice. Compared with the NCD group, HFD mice exhibited up-regulated expression of FGF21 in the liver and cerebral cortex, while the expression of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1(FGFR1) and β-klotho was significantly down-regulated, suggesting that HFD mice exhibited FGF21 resistance. SPJ markedly up-regulated the β-klotho levels in HFD mice, reversing FGF21 resistance. Further comparison with exogenously administered FGF21 revealed that SPJ activates brain cortical regions in a consistent manner, and additionally, SPJ promotes the number and colocalization of c-Fos and β-klotho positive cells in the brain cortex. In summary, SPJ effectively alleviates anxiety-like behaviors in HFD mice. Its mechanism is associated with up-regulation of β-klotho expression in the brain, reversal of FGF21 resistance, and subsequent activation of neurons in the cerebral cortex and amygdala.
Animals ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Fibroblast Growth Factors/genetics* ; Mice ; Male ; Panax/chemistry* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Anxiety/etiology* ; Saponins/administration & dosage* ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/genetics* ; Humans ; Liver/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*

Objective Based on 25 indicators including immune factors, cell count classification, and smear results of the knee joint fluid, machine learning models were established to distinguish between osteoarthritis (OA) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Methods 100 OA and 40 RA patients scheduled for total knee arthroplasty were enrolled respectively. Each patient's knee joint fluid was collected preoperatively. Nucleated cells were counted and classified. The expression levels of immune factors, including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, IL-15, matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3), MMP9, MMP13, rheumatoid factor (RF), serum amyloid A (SAA), C-reactive protein (CRP), and others were measured. Smears and microscopic classification of all the immune factors were performed. Independent influencing factors for OA or RA were identified using univariate binary logistic regression, Lasso regression, and multivariate binary logistic regression. Based on the independent influencing factors, three machine learning models were constructed which are logistic regression, random forest, and support vector machine. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC), calibration curve and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate and compare the models. Results A total of 5 indicators in the knee joint fluid were screened out to distinguish OA and RA, which were IL-1β(odds ratio(OR)=10.512, 95× confidence interval (95×CI) was 1.048-105.42, P=0.045), IL-6 (OR=1.007, 95×CI was 1.001-1.014, P=0.022), MMP9 (OR=3.202, 95×CI was 1.235-8.305, P=0.017), MMP13 (OR=1.002, 95× CI was 1-1.004, P=0.049), and RF (OR=1.091, 95×CI was 1.01-1.179, P=0.026). According to the results of ROC, calibration curve and DCA, the accuracy (0.979), sensitivity (0.98) and area under the curve (AUC, 0.996, 95×CI was 0.991-1) of the random forest model were the highest. It has good validity and feasibility, and its distinguishing ability is better than the other two models. Conclusion The machine learning model based on immune factors in the knee joint fluid holds significant value in distinguishing OA and RA. It provides an important reference for the clinical early differential diagnosis, prevention and treatment of OA and RA.
Humans ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/metabolism* ; Machine Learning ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Synovial Fluid/immunology* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/metabolism* ; Knee Joint/metabolism* ; ROC Curve ; Diagnosis, Differential

Objective To investigate the effects of ROCK-siRNA transfection on endothelial cell senescence and endothelial microparticles (EMPs) induced by angiotensin II (Ang II). Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were treated with Ang II (1.0 μmo/L) to induce cellular senescence models, followed by transfection with ROCK-siRNA. The cells were divided into four groups: control group, model group, negative transfection control group (Ang II combined with NC-siRNA), and ROCK-siRNA transfection group (Ang II combined with ROCK-siRNA). Cellular senescence was assessed by SA-β-Gal staining. EMP levels in cell supernatants and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were assessed using flow cytometry. The expression levels of silenced information regulator 1(SIRT1) and p53 protein in each group were analyzed by Western blotting. Results Following ROCK-siRNA transfection, the number of senescent cells induced by Ang II was significantly reduced, accompanied by decreased CD31⁺ EMP levels and suppressed intracellular ROS levels. Meanwhile, the expression levels of SIRT1 were up-regulated, while the expression levels of p53 were down-regulated. Conclusion Silencing ROCK expression suppresses EMP release, reduces ROS generation, regulates the expression of SIRT1 and p53, and ultimately attenuates Ang II-induced endothelial cell senescence.
Humans ; Angiotensin II/pharmacology* ; Cellular Senescence/genetics* ; Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells/cytology* ; RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Sirtuin 1/genetics* ; Transfection ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics* ; Cell-Derived Microparticles/drug effects* ; rho-Associated Kinases/metabolism* ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVE: To explore the carrier rate, genotype and phenotype of α-thalassemia fusion gene in Huadu district of Guangzhou, Guangdong province of China, and provide data reference for the prevention and control of thalassemia. METHODS: A total of 10 769 samples who were screened for thalassemia in Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Huadu District from July 2019 to November 2020 were analyzed retrospectively. Blood cell analysis and hemoglobin (Hb) electrophoresis were performed. Thalassemia genes were analyzed by gap-PCR and PCR-reverse dot blot hybridization (PCR-RDB). RESULTS: A total of 9 cases with α-thalassemia fusion gene were detected in 10 769 samples (0.08%). There were 7 cases with fusion gene heterozygote, 1 case with compound of α-thalassemia fusion gene and Hb G-Honolulu, 1 case with compound of α-thalassemia fusion gene and Hb QS. The MCV results of 4 samples of blood cell analysis were within the reference range, the Hb A2 value of 1 case was decreased, and there were no other abnormalities found. CONCLUSION The α-thalassemia fusion gene is common in Huadu district of Guangzhou, and heterozygotes are more common, and current screening methods easily lead to misdiagnosis.
Humans ; alpha-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Retrospective Studies ; beta-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Genotype ; Phenotype ; Heterozygote ; China ; Mutation

OBJECTIVE: To detect the relative expression of IGLL1 (immunoglobulin lambda-like polypeptide 1) mRNA in bone marrow of children with T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), and analyze its correlation with the clinical characteristics and prognosis of the patients, so as to clarify the clinical significance of IGLL1 in pediatric T-ALL patients. METHODS: A total of 56 pediatric T-ALL patients hospitalized in Children's Hospital of Soochow University from June 2012 to December 2017 and treated with CCLG-ALL 2008 regimen were selected. Transcriptome sequencing technology was used to detect the transcription level of IGLL1 gene in children with T-ALL. According to 25% of the IGLL1 transcription level (cutoff value:448), the enrolled children were divided into IGLL1 low expression group (17 cases) and IGLL1 high expression group (39 cases). Combined with clinical data, the correlation between the expression level of IGLL1 and prognosis of the patients was analyzed. RESULTS: The comparative analysis showed that the transcription level of IGLL1 was not correlated with the clinical characteristics of the patients, such as sex, age, bone marrow blast, white blood cell (WBC) count at initial diagnosis. The 5-year OS rate of patients with high IGLL1 expression was significantly higher than that of patients with low IGLL1 expression (76.9%±6.7% vs 47.1%±12.1%, P =0.018). Further comparison of relapse-free survival (RFS) rate between the two groups showed that the 5-year RFS rate of patients with high IGLL1 expression was higher than that of patients with low IGLL1 expression, but the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant (P =0.095). Multivariate COX analysis was conducted on common clinical prognostic factors (age, sex, WBC count at diagnosis, prednisone response on the 7th day, bone marrow response on the 15th day after treatment) and IGLL1 expression level, and the results showed that IGLL1 expression (P =0.012) and prednisone response (P =0.017) were independent risk factors for overall survival in pediatric T-ALL patients. CONCLUSION In pediatric T-ALL, the OS rate of children with high expression of IGLL1 gene was significantly higher than that of children with low expression of IGLL1 gene, and the expression level of IGLL1 gene was an independent factor affecting the survival of children with T-ALL, which suggests that IGLL1 is a marker of good clinical prognosis of children with T-ALL.
Child ; Humans ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Clinical Relevance ; Disease-Free Survival ; Precursor T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/genetics* ; Prednisone/therapeutic use* ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Immunoglobulin Light Chains, Surrogate/genetics*

Circular RNAs are novel non-coding RNAs with multiple biological functions, which can participate in biological processes such as the occurrence, development, invasion, and metastasis of liver cancer, as well as drug resistance of liver cancer. This article reviews the roles and mechanisms of circR-NAs in chemotherapy resistance, targeted therapy resistance and immunotherapy resistance in liver cancer, in order to provide new ideas for solving liver cancer resistance.

Objective To investigate the effects of miR-877-3p on migration and apoptotic T lymphocytes of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs). Methods The model of osteoporosis induced by bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) and sham operation was established. At 8 weeks after operation, the bone parameters of the two groups were detected by micro-CT. The levels of monocyte chemotactic protein 1(MCP-1) in BMSCs were detected by ELISA. BMSC in OVX group and sham group were co-cultured with T lymphocytes, respectively. The migration ability of T lymphocytes in the two groups was observed by Transwell^TM assay with PKH26 staining and apoptosis of T lymphocytes were detected by flow cytometry. Reverse transcription PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-877-3p in BMSCs. miR-877-3p was overexpressed or down-regulated by cell transfection. The level of MCP-1 secreted by BMSCs in each group was detected by ELISA. The migration and apoptosis of T lymphocytes were detected by the above methods. Results The number of trabecular bone and bone mineral density in OVX group were lower than those in sham group. The levels of MCP-1 secretion, chemotactic and apoptotic T lymphocyte ability of BMSCs in OVX group were also lower than those in sham group. The expression level of miR-877-3p in BMSC in OVX group was higher than that in sham group. After overexpression of BMSC miR-877-3p, the levels of MCP-1 secreted from BMSCs, and apoptotic T lymphocytes decreased, while the results were opposite after down-regulation of miR-877-3p. Conclusion miR-877-3p may be one of the causes of osteoporosis by inhibiting MCP-1 secretion of BMSCs and the migration and apoptosis of T lymphocytes.
Animals ; Female ; Mice ; Apoptosis/genetics* ; Bone Marrow Cells/metabolism* ; Cell Differentiation ; Chemokine CCL2/metabolism* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis/genetics* ; T-Lymphocytes/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the efficacy of children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) without prognostic fusion genes treated by CCLG-ALL 2008, and investigate the related factors affecting the recurrence of the patients. METHODS: B-ALL patients without prognostic fusion genes treated by the protocol of CCLG-ALL 2008 in our hospital from March 2008 to December 2012 were retrospectively analyzed. Follow-up time was ended in August 31, 2019. The median follow-up time was 92 months (range 0-136 months). Kaplan-Meier was used to detect the RFS, and COX multivariate regression analysis was employed to identify the independent factors affecting the recurrence of the patients. RESULTS: There were 140 males and 99 females enrolled in this study. The ratio of male to female was 1.41∶1. The median age was 4.4 years old and the median number of WBC at initial stage was 4.98×10⁹/L. There were 77 cases relapsed during the observation while 162 without relapsed, 16 cases lost to follow-up and 72 cases died. The recurrence and mortality rate was 32.22% and 30.1%, respectively, in which 45 cases died of recurrence (62.5% of the total deaths). Univariate analysis showed that the age≥6 years old, WBC >100×10⁹/L, the bone marrow blasts on day 15≥25%, the bone marrow minimal residual disease (MRD) at week 12 >10^-4, and the higher risk were the main factors affecting the recurrence of the patients (P<0.05). Multivariate COX regression analysis showed that age≥6 years old, WBC >100×10⁹/L, bone marrow MRD >10^-4 at the 12th week were the independent risk factors affecting recurrence of the patients. CONCLUSION Age, initial WBC, and bone marrow MRD at the 12th week were correlated with recurrence in children with B-ALL without prognostic fusion genes, which can be used as prognostic indices of recurrence risk in clinical.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neoplasm, Residual ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/genetics* ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of course delay of CCLG-ALL-2008 regimen on the relapse of paediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) patients. METHODS: Paediatric B-ALL patients newly diagnosed and treated with CCLG-ALL-2008 regimen in the Children's Hospital of Soochow University from January 2011 to December 2014 were retrospectively analyzed to clarify the relationship between chemotherapy course delay and relapse, and explore the causes of course delay which led to relapse. Patients were followed up until July 2019. RESULTS: The correlation between treatment delay (number of weeks) and relapse rate was statistically significant (P=0.034), and hazard ratio indicated that longer than 4 weeks had a significant effect. The effect of positive minimal residual disease (MRD) (1×10^-4≤MRD≤1×10^-2) at the 12th week on the relapse rate was also statistically significant (P=0.041). Among the causes of treatment delay, the effect of myelosuppression on the relapse rate was statistically significant (P=0.01). CONCLUSION Treatment delay exceeding 4 weeks, positive MRD at the 12th week, and myelosuppression are independent prognostic factors for relapse.
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Bone Marrow Diseases/drug therapy* ; Burkitt Lymphoma/drug therapy* ; Child ; Disease-Free Survival ; Humans ; Neoplasm, Residual/drug therapy* ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/drug therapy* ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To improve the collection efficiency of leukapheresis, explore relatively scientific and objective evaluation indicators for collection effect, and observe the effect of high-volume leukapheresis on blood cells and coagulation function. METHODS: A total of 158 times of high-volume leukapheresis were performed on 93 patients with hyperleukocytic leukemia by using continuous flow centrifugal blood component separator. 1/5-1/4 of total blood volume of the patients was taken as the target value of leukocyte suspension for single treatment. In addition, the total number of white blood cells (WBCs) subtracted, value of WBCs reduction, rate of WBCs reduction, decrease value of WBCs count, decrease rate of WBCs count, amount of hemoglobin (Hb) lost, value of Hb lost, decreased value of Hb, total number of platelet (PLT) lost, the value of PLT loss, and decrease value of PLT count were used to comprehensively evaluate the collection effect of leukapheresis and influence on Hb level and PLT count of the patients. The prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT), thrombin time (TT), and fibrinogen (Fib) concentration were detected before and after treatment, and the effect of leukapheresis on coagulation function of the patients was observed. RESULTS: The volume of leukocyte suspension collected in a single treatment was 793.01±214.23 ml, the total number of WBCs subtracted was 353.25 (241.99-547.28)×10⁹, the value of WBCs reduction was 86.98 (63.05-143.43)×10⁹/L, the rate of WBCs reduction was 44.24 (28.37-70.48)%, decrease value of WBCs count was 65.73 (37.17-103.97)×10⁹/L, decrease rate of WBCs count was (35.67±23.08)%, the amount of Hb lost was 17.36 (12.12-24.94) g, the value of Hb lost was 4.31 (3.01-6.12) g/L, decreased value of Hb was 4.80 (-1.25-9.33) g/L, total number of PLT lost was 222.79 (67.03-578.31)×10⁹, the value of PLT loss was 54.45 (17.29-139.08)×10⁹/L, and decrease value of PLT count was 26.00 (8.38-62.50)×10⁹/L. Before and after a single treatment, the PT was 14.80 (13.20-16.98) s and 15.20 (13.08-16.90) s (z=-1.520, P>0.05), the aPTT was 35.20 (28.68-39.75) s and 35.40 (28.00-39.75) s (z=-2.058, P<0.05), the TT was 17.50 (16.30-18.80) s and 17.70 (16.70-19.10) s (z=-3.928, P<0.001), and the Fib concentration was 2.87±1.13 g/L and 2.64±1.03 g/L (t=7.151, P<0.001), respectively. CONCLUSION High-volume leukapheresis can improve the efficiency of leukapheresis while maintaining the relative stability of the patients' circulating blood volume. The degree of influence on the patients' Hb level, PLT count, Fib concentration, and comprehensive coagulation indicators reflecting the patients' intrinsic and cxtrinsic coagulation activity is within the body's compensation range.
Blood Coagulation Tests ; Fibrinogen ; Hemoglobins ; Humans ; Leukapheresis ; Leukemia