Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a vision-threatening disorder that leads to pathological growth of the retinal vasculature due to hypoxia. Here, we investigated the potential effects of alamandine, a novel heptapeptide in the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), on hypoxia-induced retinal neovascularization and its underlying mechanisms. In vivo, the C57BL/6J mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) were injected intravitreally with alamandine (1.0 μmol/kg per eye). In vitro, human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (HRMECs) were utilized to investigate the effects of alamandine (10 μg/mL) on proliferation, apoptosis, migration, and tubular formation under vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) stimulation. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) matrix data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and RAS-related genes from the Molecular Signatures Database (MSigDB) were sourced for subsequent analyses. By integrating scRNA-seq data across multiple species, we identified that RAS-associated endothelial cell populations were highly related to retinal neovascularization. The liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis revealed a significant decrease in alamandine levels in both the serum and retina of OIR mice compared to those in the control group. Next, alamandine ameliorated hypoxia-induced retinal pathological neovascularization and physiologic revascularization in OIR mice. In vitro, alamandine effectively mitigated VEGF-induced proliferation, scratch wound healing, and tube formation of HRMECs primarily by inhibiting the hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/VEGF pathway. Further, coincubation with D-Pro⁷ (Mas-related G protein-coupled receptor D (MrgD) antagonist) hindered the beneficial impacts of alamandine on hypoxia-induced pathological angiogenesis both in vivo and in vitro. Our findings suggested that alamandine could mitigate retinal neovascularization by targeting the MrgD-mediated HIF-1α/VEGF pathway, providing a potential therapeutic agent for OIR prevention and treatment.
Animals ; Retinal Neovascularization/prevention & control* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Humans ; Mice ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism* ; Oligopeptides/therapeutic use* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Endothelial Cells/drug effects* ; Retinopathy of Prematurity/drug therapy* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Movement/drug effects* ; Renin-Angiotensin System/drug effects* ; Cells, Cultured

Objective To systematically evaluate the effects of liraglutide combined with metformin on glucose and lipid metabolism,sex hormones,reproductive function,and gastrointestinal reactions in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods We searched databases such as PubMed,WanFang Medical Network,WanFang Database,China National Knowledge Infrastructure(CNKI),and VIP Journals to collect randomized controlled trials published from January 2011 to August 2022 on the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome with liraglutide combined with metformin,using Revman 5.4 for the meta-analysis.Results A total of 16 case-control studies were included,involving 1436 patients.Compared to metformin alone,the combination of liraglutide and metformin significantly lowered fasting blood sugar,postprandial blood glucoseafter 2 hours,HbA1c,HOMA-IR,FINS,BMI,as well as LH,FSH,and total testosterone in patients with PCOS.It improved lipid levels,helped establish menstrual cycles,and increased the normal ovulation rate and natural conception rate in these patients.However,there was a significantly higher incidence of gastrointestinal reactions in the liraglutide plus metformin group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion The combination of liraglutide and metformin can improve glucose and lipid metabolism in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome(PC OS),reduce levels of LH,FSH,and total testosterone,help establish regular menstrual cycles,and increase ovulation and pregnancy rates,but it significantly increases gastrointestinal side effects.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the impact of vanishing twin syndrome (VTS) on the accuracy of non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT). METHODS: Three pregnant women who underwent NIPT testing at Guangdong Women and Children's from November 2019 to February 2020 were selected as the study subjects. The three women had either vanish twin syndrome or had undergone fetal reduction for other reasons in one of their twins, and were subsequently subject to NIPT, chromosome karyotyping, chromosome microarray analysis (CMA), and short tandem repeat (STR) analysis. This study has been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Guangdong Maternal and Child Health Hospital (Ethics No.: 20230132). RESULTS: Case 1 underwent selective fetal reduction at 8⁺ weeks of gestation. At 17⁺ weeks, NIPT showed a fetal DNA fraction of 2.806%, with results indicating the presence of Y chromosome and abnormal sex chromosome ratios. However, the women had subsequent uncomplicated vaginal delivery of a female infant, and no abnormality noted. Case 2 experienced spontaneous demise of one twin at 13 weeks' gestation. At 19 weeks, NIPT indicated a high risk for chromosome 21 (Z-score 4.671) in the surviving fetus, but subsequent evaluation showed no abnormality. Case 3, a dichorionic diamniotic (DCDA) twin pregnancy, underwent selective reduction at 13⁺ weeks due to fetal abnormalities in one twin. At 22⁺ weeks, NIPT for the surviving fetus indicated a high risk for chromosome 21 (Z-score 17.549), but subsequent evaluation was unremarkable. CONCLUSION In twin pregnancies, the relatively low cell-free fetal DNA (cffDNA) concentration can compromise the success rate and accuracy of NIPT compared to singleton pregnancies. Residual DNA from the demised fetus may persist for weeks following VTS or selective reduction, potentially causing false-positive NIPT results and interfering with sex chromosome prediction for the surviving fetus. Additionally, determining chorionicity is critical for reliable interpretation of NIPT results in twin pregnancies.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Diseases in Twins/diagnosis* ; Karyotyping ; Noninvasive Prenatal Testing/methods* ; Pregnancy, Twin ; Prenatal Diagnosis/methods*

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Agrimoniae Herba and Coptidis Rhizoma（XHC-HL） on the proliferation， migration， invasion， apoptosis， and autophagy of colorectal tumor cells and explore the mechanism of Agrimoniae Herba and Coptidis Rhizoma in inhibiting colorectal cancer by regulating chaperone-mediated autophagy（CMA）. MethodXHC-HL-containing serum was prepared， and human colorectal cancer cell lines HT29 and LOVO were cultivated and divided into blank group （20% blank serum）， low XHC-HL groups （5%， 10%， 20% drug-containing serum）， and a positive control group using 5-fluorouracil （5-FU）. Cell viability was measured using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） method. Cell proliferation ability was assessed through 5-ethynyl-2′-deoxyuridine （EdU） staining. Scratch assays and Transwell migration tests were conducted to evaluate cell migration ability， and Transwell invasion assays were used to assess cell invasion ability. Apoptosis rates were determined by flow cytometry， and the impact of XHC-HL on yeast Atg6 homologous 1 （Beclin-1）， microtubule-associated protein1 light chain3 Ⅱ （LC3 Ⅱ）， and p62 was analyzed via Western blot. The influence of XHC-HL on CMA-related proteins and mRNA was examined using Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultCompared to that in the blank group， the vitality of colorectal cancer cells HT-29 and LOVO was significantly inhibited in XHC-HL groups and the 5-FU group （P<0.01）. Compared to that in the blank group， the proliferation of colorectal cancer cells HT-29 and LOVO was significantly inhibited in XHC-HL groups and the 5-FU group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared to the blank group， there was a significant reduction in cell migration rates （P<0.01）， the number of cells migrating to the lower chamber （P<0.01）， and the number of invasive cells （P<0.01）， as well as and an increase in cell apoptosis （P<0.01） in XHC-HL groups and the 5-FU group （P<0.01）. Western blot results indicated that compared to that in the blank group， the expression levels of Beclin-1 and LC3 Ⅱ were increased（P<0.05，P<0.01）in XHC-HL groups and the 5-FU group， while the p62 levels were decreased（P<0.05，P<0.01）. Furthermore， the protein expression levels of lysosomal associated protein 2A （LAMP2A）， heat shock cognate protein 70 （HSC70）， and heat-shock protein 90 （HSP90） in XHC-HL groups and the 5-FU group were decreased to varying extents， whereas the expression levels of glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase （GAPDH） were elevated （P<0.01）. The Real-time PCR results showed that compared to those in the blank group， the mRNA levels of LAMP2A， HSC70， and HSP90 were downregulated in XHC-HL groups and the 5-FU group， and the mRNA expression level of GAPDH was upregulated （P<0.01）. ConclusionXHC-HL can inhibit the proliferation， migration， and invasion of colorectal cancer cells by suppressing CMA activity， thus inducing autophagy and promoting apoptosis.

BACKGROUND:Interleukin-8 is an important cytokine that has been found to play an important role in bone regeneration through multiple pathways. OBJECTIVE:To comprehensively review the action mechanism of interleukin-8 effects on bone regeneration to provide ideas for the following studies on interleukin-8. METHODS:By searching the China National Knowledge Infrastructure database for articles published from January 1999 to February 2023 and PubMed database for articles published from January 1985 to February 2023 reporting the role of interleukin-8 in bone-associated cells and vascularisation.Chinese and English search terms were"interleukin-8,bone repair,bone metabolism,mesenchymal stem cells,osteoblasts,osteoclasts,vascularization".The initial review yielded 508 articles in English and Chinese,and a total of 51 articles were included for review and analysis according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:According to the existing research,interleukin-8 can promote bone cell regeneration and assist bone healing through multiple pathways,which is mainly divided into three aspects:(1)Promote the proliferation and differentiation of bone cells such as mesenchymal stem cells and osteoblasts,and promote the development of cells in the direction of promoting bone healing;(2)interleukin-8 can promote angiogenesis and provide sufficient nutrition and oxygen for bone tissue,thus further improving the quality and stability of bone healing.(3)The appearance of interleukin-8 facilitates the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α,vascular endothelial growth factor,and matrix metalloproteinase,which can create a microenvironment conducive to bone regeneration,thus promoting the regeneration and repair of bone tissue.In summary,interleukin-8 plays an important role in bone healing by promoting osteoblast proliferation and differentiation,facilitating angiogenesis and improving the mechanical properties of bone regeneration,as well as influencing bone metabolism through osteoclasts,mesenchymal stem cells,and other action sites.

Objective To predict the constitutive parameters of a superelastic model of plantar soft tissues based on random forest(RF)and backpropagation(BP)neural network algorithms to improve the efficiency and accuracy of the method for obtaining constitutive parameters.Methods First,a finite element model for a spherical indentation experiment of plantar soft tissues was established,and the spherical indentation experiment process was simulated to obtain a dataset of nonlinear displacement and indentation force,divided into training and testing sets.The established RF and BP neural network(BPNN)models were trained separately.The constitutive parameters of plantar soft tissues were predicted using experimental data.Finally,the mean square error(MSE)and coefficient of determination(R2)were introduced to evaluate the accuracy of the model prediction,and the effectiveness of the model was verified by comparison with the experimental curves.Results Combining the RF and BPNN models with finite element simulation was an effective and accurate method for determining the superelastic constitutive parameters of plantar soft tissues.After training,the MSE of the RF model reached 1.370 2×10-3,and R2 was 0.982 9,whereas the MSE of the BPNN model reached 4.858 1×10-5,and R2 was 0.999 3.The inverse-determined constitutive parameters of the plantar soft tissues suitable for simulation were obtained.The calculated response curves for the two predicted sets of constitutive parameters were in good agreement with the experimental curves.Conclusions The prediction accuracy for the superelastic constitutive parameters of plantar soft tissues based on an artificial intelligence algorithm model is high,and the relevant research results can be applied to study other mechanical properties of plantar soft tissues.This study provides a new method for obtaining the constitutive parameters of plantar soft tissues and helps to quickly diagnose clinical problems,such as plantar soft tissue lesions.

We investigated the prevalence and genetic variation of porcine pseudorabies virus(PRV)in Hunan Province.A total of 18 861 serum samples and 1 725 suspected PRV-infected tissue sam-ples were collected from Hunan Province from 2021 to 2022.ELISA and qPCR assays were used to detect PRV-gE antibodies in serum samples and the PRV-gE nucleic acids in tissue samples.The positive rates of samples in different years and seasons were analyzed correspondingly.Moreover,the gC gene sequences of 15 PRV-positive samples were amplified,sequenced,and analyzed.The results showed that 2 004 serum and 56 tissue samples tested positive,with an average positive rate of 10.74％and 3.25％,respectively.The sequence analysis showed that the nucleotide and ami-no acid sequence identities of the gC gene among 15 PRV-positive samples were 98.4％-100.0％and 98.8％-100.0％,respectively.Further genetic evolution analysis showed that 13 PRV strains belonged to the same branch with the PRV variants,while two strains were clustered into the same branch with the classical PRV strains.The above results indicate that PRV remains widely prevalent in different regions of Hunan Province,and the variant strain is the dominant epi-demic subtype,which provided a scientific basis for exploring the epidemiological characteristics of PRV and the development of vaccines against PR in Hunan Province.

Objective:To explore the value of amide proton transfer-weighted (APTw) imaging and intravoxel incoherent motion (IVIM) imaging for diagnosing and evaluating the pathological differentiation of cervix squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC).Methods:This study was a diagnostic trial. Totally 56 patients pathologically diagnosed with CSCC at the First Hospital of Lanzhou University from October 2021 to October 2022 were retrospectively collected, as the CSCC group. And 36 female healthy volunteers who underwent physical examinations at the First Hospital of Lanzhou University from October 2021 to October 2023 were recruited as the control group. CSCC patients were divided into well-moderately differentiated ( n=34) and poorly differentiated groups ( n=22). The region of interest was placed in the lesions of CSCC group and normal cervical stroma of control group, and the quantitative parameters for asymmetric magnetization transfer ratio (MTR asym) of APTw imaging and pure diffusion coefficient (D), false diffusion coefficient (D *) and perfusion fraction (f) for IVIM were obtained. The independent sample t test was used to compare the differences in quantitative parameters between the two groups, the logistic regression model was used to establish combined parameters for the quantitative parameters with statistical significance between the two groups. The receiver operator characteristic curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of single quantitative parameters and combined parameters to distinguish the CSCC group from the control group, and the well-moderately differentiated group from the poorly differentiated group in CSCC patients. The area under the curve (AUC) was compared using the DeLong test. Results:There were significant differences in MTR asym, D and f between CSCC group and control group ( t=-9.79, 10.09, 11.35, P<0.001). Also, significant differences were found for MTR asym and D between the well-moderately differentiated and poorly differentiated group ( t=4.11, -3.76, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in other quantitative parameters ( P>0.05). When comparing the CSCC group and control group, the AUC (95% CI) of MTR asym, D, f and combined parameter (MTR asym+D+f) were 0.887 (0.804-0.944), 0.940 (0.871-0.979), 0.968 (0.909-0.993), 0.995 (0.950-1.000). The AUC of the combined parameter was higher than those of MTR asym and D, with statistical significance ( Z=3.07, 2.06, P=0.002, 0.040). When comparing the well-moderately differentiated and poorly differentiated group, the AUC (95% CI) of MTR asym, D, and combined parameter (MTR asym+D) were 0.789 (0.660-0.887), 0.775 (0.644-0.876), 0.852 (0.731-0.932). There was no significant difference between each two AUCs ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The quantitative parameters of APTw and IVIM imaging can be used to diagnose and preliminarily evaluate the pathological differentiation of CSCC. Joint parameters can improve the diagnostic efficiency of CSCC.

Objective To develop a Behavioral Decision-making Scale for Glycemic Management in pregnant women with gestational diabetes and to test its reliability and validity.Methods Based on the trans-theoretical model and behavioral decision theory,the test version of the scale was formed through literature review,semi-structured interview,brainstorming,2 rounds of expert consultation and cognitive interview.A total of 560 pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus were recruited from 10 hospitals in Quanzhou,Fujian Province by convenience sampling method from 21 July to November 2023.The data were divided into 2 parts by random number method for exploratory factor analysis and confirmatory factor analysis.Results The scale included 4 dimensions of"behavioral decision-making motivation""behavioral decision-making influencing factors""behavioral decision-making intention"and"behavioral decision-making effectiveness"with 34 items.The Cronbach's αcoefficient of the total scale was 0.971;the split-half reliability was 0.919;the test-retest reliability was 0.863;the content validity index of the scale was 0.853.The exploratory factor analysis extracted 4 common factors,and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 78.28％.The confirmatory factor analysis showed that the factor structure of the scale was stable.Conclusion The scale has ideal reliability and validity,which can be used to measure the level of glycemic management behavior decision-making of pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

Objective To study and estimate the public dose constraint and the atmospheric radiation capacity of an isotope industrial park, and to provide a basis for management of radioactive effluent discharge in isotope industrial parks. Methods We collected the natural environment data, meteorological data, and population distribution and dietary data as well as the source terms of radioactive airborne effluents of an isotope industrial park. The public dose constraint value of the isotope industrial park was determined based on the natural environmental radiation hazard level. The atmospheric environmental radiation capacity of the industrial park was estimated by the all-pathways method. Results The public dose constraint value of the industrial park was 0.2 mSv/a. At the end of industrial park planning, the maximum individual effective dose to the public caused by airborne effluent discharge was 1.07×10⁻⁶ Sv/a, which accounted for 0.54% of the public dose constraint value. The proportions of discharges of airborne radionuclides to respective environmental radiation capacities ranged from 0.04% to 4.34%. Conclusion The determined public dose constraint value of the isotope industrial park can be used as the total radiation capacity of the regional atmospheric environment to constrain the discharge of radioactive effluents. The environmental radiation capacity of each radionuclide can be estimated by the all-pathways method considering the comprehensive impact of radionuclide discharges, which is suitable for the control and management of isotope production enterprises in industrial parks.