Oral submucous fibrosis (OSF), characterized by excessive deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) that causes oral mucosal tissue sclerosis, and even cancer transformation, is a chronic, progressive fibrosis disease. However, despite some advancements in recent years, no targeted antifibrotic strategies for OSF have been approved; likely because the complicated mechanisms that initiate and drive fibrosis remain to be determined. In this review, we briefly introduce the epidemiology and etiology of OSF. Then, we highlight how cell-intrinsic changes in significant structural cells can drive fibrotic response by regulating biological behaviors, secretion function, and activation of ECM-producing myofibroblasts. In addition, we also discuss the role of innate and adaptive immune cells and how they contribute to the pathogenesis of OSF. Finally, we summarize strategies to interrupt key mechanisms that cause OSF, including modulation of the ECM, inhibition of inflammation, improvement of vascular disturbance. This review will provide potential routes for developing novel anti-OSF therapeutics.
Humans ; Oral Submucous Fibrosis/immunology* ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Myofibroblasts

3D printing, an emerging technology, can assist improving surgical efficiency of liver surgery. 3D-printed organ models facilitate surgeons in surgical planning, enabling the simulation of surgical procedures and guiding interventions through surgical navigation. Furthermore, 3D printing harnesses the potential of utilizing tissue or cells from specific individuals to generate grafts for liver surgeries, thereby addressing the issue of graft shortage and advancing the development of personalized medicine.

Gastric cancer is one of the common tumors in the world and a major cause of cancer death.Although the 5-year survival rate of gastric cancer patients has increased greatly with the improvement levels of diagnosis and treatment,the high malnutri-tion rate of gastric cancer patients still has a significant impact on their overall survival and quality of life.Malnutrition is considered an independent prognostic factor for cancer patients,early detection of malnutrition in gastric cancer patients and more reasonable peri-operative nutritional support play an important role in the survival and prognosis of gastric cancer patients.This article combines exist-ing research at domestic and abroad to review the nutritional risk screening and assessment of gastric cancer patients during periopera-tive period,as well as the research progress of perioperative nutritional support and immunonutrition,in order to provide more compre-hensive nutritional management strategies for patients with gastric cancer during the perioperative period.

Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture at Yangming meridian combined with modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction on hemiplegia,hemorheology and neurotrophic factors in pa-tients with cerebral infarction differentiated as type of Qi deficiency and blood stasis.Methods A to-tal of 84 hospitalized patients with cerebral infarction differentiated as type of Qi deficiency and blood stasis from March 2018 to June 2023 were selected as research objects,and they were randomly divid-ed into observation group and control group,with 42 cases in each group.The control group was con-ducted with acupuncture and routine treatment,while the observation group was conducted with modi-fied Buyang Huanwu Decoction on the basis of the control group.Clinical efficacy after 2 weeks of treatment as well as the scores of main symptoms,neurological function,limb function,hemorheologi-cal indicators and levels of neurotrophic factors before and after treatment were compared between two groups.Results After 2 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was sig-nificantly higher than that of the control group(P＜0.05);after treatment,the scores of symptoms such as hemiplegia,deviated mouth and awkward speech in both groups decreased significantly when compared to those before treatment,and these scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the score of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)in both groups decreased significantly when compared to that before treat-ment,and the score in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05);the score of the Motor Function Assessment Scale(Fugl-Meyer)after treatment in both groups was significantly higher than that before treatment,and the observation group was significant-ly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the plasma viscosity,red blood cell aggregation index,whole blood high shear viscosity and whole blood low shear viscosity in both groups decreased significantly when compared to those before treatment,and these indexes in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the levels of serum brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),nerve growth factor(NGF)and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF)in both groups increased significant-ly when compared to those before treatment,and the levels of these indexes in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture at Yangming meridian combined with modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction can enhance the therapeutic effect for patients with cerebral infarction differentiated as type of Qi deficiency and blood stasis,im-prove clinical symptoms,repair nerve damage,and promote the recovery of limb function.

Objective To investigate the effect of acupuncture at Yangming meridian combined with modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction on hemiplegia,hemorheology and neurotrophic factors in pa-tients with cerebral infarction differentiated as type of Qi deficiency and blood stasis.Methods A to-tal of 84 hospitalized patients with cerebral infarction differentiated as type of Qi deficiency and blood stasis from March 2018 to June 2023 were selected as research objects,and they were randomly divid-ed into observation group and control group,with 42 cases in each group.The control group was con-ducted with acupuncture and routine treatment,while the observation group was conducted with modi-fied Buyang Huanwu Decoction on the basis of the control group.Clinical efficacy after 2 weeks of treatment as well as the scores of main symptoms,neurological function,limb function,hemorheologi-cal indicators and levels of neurotrophic factors before and after treatment were compared between two groups.Results After 2 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the observation group was sig-nificantly higher than that of the control group(P＜0.05);after treatment,the scores of symptoms such as hemiplegia,deviated mouth and awkward speech in both groups decreased significantly when compared to those before treatment,and these scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the score of the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)in both groups decreased significantly when compared to that before treat-ment,and the score in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05);the score of the Motor Function Assessment Scale(Fugl-Meyer)after treatment in both groups was significantly higher than that before treatment,and the observation group was significant-ly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the plasma viscosity,red blood cell aggregation index,whole blood high shear viscosity and whole blood low shear viscosity in both groups decreased significantly when compared to those before treatment,and these indexes in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the levels of serum brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),nerve growth factor(NGF)and glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor(GDNF)in both groups increased significant-ly when compared to those before treatment,and the levels of these indexes in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Acupuncture at Yangming meridian combined with modified Buyang Huanwu Decoction can enhance the therapeutic effect for patients with cerebral infarction differentiated as type of Qi deficiency and blood stasis,im-prove clinical symptoms,repair nerve damage,and promote the recovery of limb function.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are endogenous non-coding RNAs with covalently closed structures, which have important functions in plants. However, their biogenesis, degradation, and function upon treatment with gibberellins (GAs) and auxins (1-naphthaleneacetic acid, NAA) remain unknown. Here, we systematically identified and characterized the expression patterns, evolutionary conservation, genomic features, and internal structures of circRNAs using RNase R-treated libraries from moso bamboo (Phyllostachys edulis) seedlings. Moreover, we investigated the biogenesis of circRNAs dependent on both cis- and trans-regulation. We explored the function of circRNAs, including their roles in regulating microRNA (miRNA)-related genes and modulating the alternative splicing of their linear counterparts. Importantly, we developed a customized degradome sequencing approach to detect miRNA-mediated cleavage of circRNAs. Finally, we presented a comprehensive view of the participation of circRNAs in the regulation of hormone metabolism upon treatment of bamboo seedlings with GA and NAA. Collectively, our study provides insights into the biogenesis, function, and miRNA-mediated degradation of circRNAs in moso bamboo.
RNA, Circular/metabolism* ; Multiomics ; Poaceae/metabolism* ; Seedlings/genetics* ; Hormones/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant

Objective:To observe the effect of early temperature control on the prognosis of brain injury patients after severe carbon monoxide poisoning (COP).Methods:A total of 277 patients hospitalized with severe COP were randomly divided into a fever group ( n=78), a normal temperature group ( n=113) and a mild hypothermia group ( n=86). All were given hyperbaric oxygen therapy and any necessary supportive treatment. The mild hypothermia group were kept in a room at 34 to 35℃. Evaluation was with the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), version II of the Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation (APACHE), the Hasegawa dementia scale (HDS) and the mini mental state examination (MMSE). The incidence of delayed encephalopathy (DEACMP) and mortality were compared among the three groups. The bispectral index (BIS) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) levels were correlated with DEACMP. Results:After the treatments, improvement was observed in multiple indexes of all three groups compared with before the treatment. Compared with the fever group, the average GCS of the mild hypothermia group was significantly higher on the 2nd, 4th, 8th and 31st day after the intervention. It was significantly higher than the normal temperature group′s averages on the 4th, 8th and 31st day. The average APACHE scores of the normal temperature and the mild hypothermia groups were significantly lower than the fever group′s average, with that of the mild hypothermia group significantly lower than that of the normal group. The average HDS scores of the normal temperature and mild hypothermia groups were significantly higher than the fever group′s average, with that of the mild hypothermia group significantly higher than that of the normal group. The average MMSE score of the mild hypothermia group was significantly improved after 7 days, one month and three months of treatment. That of the normal group showed significant improvement after one and three months, but the mild hypothermia group′s averages were superior. Compared with the fever group, the average BIS score of the mild hypothermia group was significantly better after one, three and seven days, and one month. This was true for the normal group beyond three days after the intervention. The average NSE concentration of the normal group after 7 days and one month was significantly lower than that of the fever group. For the mild hypothermia group this was true after only 3 days. Compared with the other two groups, the average coma time, incidence of DEACMP and nervous system injury were significantly lower in the hypothermia group. The average GCS, BIS and NSE values were closely related to the occurrence of DEACMP.Conclusions:Early temperature control can significantly reduce the severity of brain injury after COP and reduce the incidence of neurological sequelae. Early dynamic detection of GCS, NSE concentration and BIS is of great significance for predicting the incidence of DEACMP.

Objective: To identify the initial chest computed tomography (CT) findings and clinical characteristics associated with the course of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pneumonia. Materials and Methods: Baseline CT scans and clinical and laboratory data of 72 patients admitted with COVID-19 pneumonia (39 men, 46.2 ± 15.9 years) were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline CT findings including lobar distribution, presence of ground glass opacities, consolidation, linear opacities, and lung severity score were evaluated. The outcome event was recovery with hospital discharge. The time from symptom onset to discharge or the end of follow-up (for those remained hospitalized) was recorded. Data were censored in events such as death or discharge without recovery. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression was used to explore the association between initial CT, clinical or laboratory findings, and discharge with recovery, whereby hazard ratio (HR) values < 1 indicated a lower rate of discharge at four weeks and longer time until discharge. Results: Thirty-two patients recovered and were discharged during the study period with a median length of admission of 16 days (range, 9 to 25 days), while the rest remained hospitalized at the end of this study (median, 17.5 days; range, 4 to 27 days). None died during the study period. After controlling for age, onset time, lesion characteristics, number of lung lobes affected, and bilateral involvement, the lung severity score on baseline CT (> 4 vs. ≤ 4 [reference]: adjusted HR = 0.41 [95% confidence interval, CI = 0.18–0.92], p = 0.031) and initial lymphocyte count (reduced vs. normal or elevated [reference]: adjusted HR = 0.14 [95% CI = 0.03–0.60], p = 0.008) were two significant independent factors that influenced recovery and discharge. Conclusion Lung severity score > 4 and reduced lymphocyte count at initial evaluation were independently associated with a significantly lower rate of recovery and discharge and extended hospitalization in patients admitted for COVID-19 pneumonia.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effects of long term exposure to power frequency electromagnetic fields( PFEMF) on apoptotic rates of peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes in workers of transformer substation. METHODS: A random number table method was used to select 73 workers with long-term exposure to PFEMF as exposure group and 70 non-exposure workers( administrative and logistics staffs) were selected as control group from 10 transformer substations in a province.The peripheral venous blood of workers in these two groups was collected,and the apoptosis of T and B lymphocytes were detected and analyzed by flow cytometry. RESULTS: The apoptosis rates of T and B lymphocyte between the exposure and non-exposure groups showed no statistical difference( median: 1. 555% vs 0. 790%,0. 020% vs 0. 030%,P > 0. 05).The multivariate linear regression analysis showed that both the PFEMF exposure and length of service had no significant effects on the apoptosis rates of T lymphocyte and B lymphocyte after adjusting confounding factors such as gender,age,alcohol drinking,smoking,medication history,medical radiation exposure and stressful events( P > 0. 05). CONCLUSION: Long-term exposure to PFEMF has no effects on apoptosis of peripheral blood T and B lymphocytes in workers of transformer substation.

OBJECTIVE:To establish a method for the concentration determination of gabapentin (GBP) in human plasma.METHODS:After precipitated by methanol,using sulfamethoxazole as intemal standard,LC-MS/MS method was adopted.The determination was performed on Diamonsil C18 column with mobile phase consisted of water (containing 0.05％ formic acid)-methanol using a gradient elution program at the flow rate of 1 mL/min.The column temperature was 30 ℃,and sample size was 20 μL.The ESI was equipped and quantitative analysis was operated in positive ion and MRM mode.The mass transition ion-pairs were followed as m/z 172.0→154.1(GBP) and m/z 279.0→124.0 (internal standard).RESULTS:The linear range of GBP was 13.4-10 720.4 ng/mL (r=0.992 3,n=5).The limit of quantitation was 13.4 ng/mL,and the minimum detection limit was 4.0 ng/mL.RSDs of inter-day and intra-day were all lower than 10％.Relative errors ranged-4.93％-5.10％.The recoveries ranged 86.2％-90.3％ (RSD＜5％,n=6),and matrix effects ranged 87.6％-92.1％.The plasma concentration of GBP in 10 epileptic patients ranged 2 075.19-4 078.87 ng/mL (n=20).CONCLUSIONS:The method is proved to be sensitive,specific,practical and suitable for plasma concentration monitoring and pharmacokinetic study of GBP in epileptic patients.