OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effect of Haematococcus pluvialis (HP) on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis in mice and on TGF-β1-induced human fetal lung fibroblasts (HFL1). METHODS: Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group, BLM-induced pulmonary fibrosis model group, low- and high-dose HP treatment groups (3 and 21 mg/kg, respectively), and 300 mg/kg pirfenidone (positive control) group. The effects of drug treatment for 21 days were assessed by examining respiratory function, lung histopathology, and expression of fibrosis markers in the lung tissues of the mouse models. In TGF-β1-induced HFL1 cell cultures, the effects of treatment with 120, 180 and 240 μg/mL HP or 1.85 μg/mL pirfenidone for 48 h on expression levels of fibrosis markers were evaluated. Transcriptome analysis was carried out using the control cells and cells treated with TGF-β1 and 240 μg/mL HP. RESULTS: HP obviously alleviated BLM-induced lung function damage and fibrotic changes in mice, evidenced by improved respiratory function, lung tissue morphology and structure, inflammatory infiltration, and collagen deposition and reduced expressions of fibrotic proteins. HP at the high dose produced similar effect to PFD. In TGF-β1-induced HFL1 cells, treatment with 240 μg/mL HP significantly reduced the mRNA and protein expression levels of α-SMA and FN. Transcriptome analysis revealed that multiple key genes and pathways mediated the protective effect of HP against pulmonary fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS HP alleviates pulmonary fibrosis in both the mouse model and cell model, possibly as the result of the synergistic effects of its multiple active components.
Animals ; Pulmonary Fibrosis/chemically induced* ; Bleomycin/adverse effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Mice ; Fibroblasts/drug effects* ; Lung/pathology* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/pharmacology* ; Myofibroblasts/drug effects* ; Humans ; Pyridones

BACKGROUND: 3D-printing is widely used in regenerative medicine and is expected to achieve vaginal morphological restoration and true functional reconstruction. Mesenchymal stem cells-derived exosomes (MSCs-Exos) were applyed in the regeneration of various tissues. The current study aimed to explore the effctive of MSCs-Exos in vaginal reconstruction. METHODS: In this work, hydrogel was designed using decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) and gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) and silk fibroin (SF). The biological scaffolds were constructed using desktop-stereolithography.The physicochemical properties of the hydrogels were evaluated; Some experiments have been conducted to evaluate exosomes’ effect of promotion vaginal reconstruction and to explore the mechanism in this process. RESULTS: It was observed that the sustained release property of exosomes in the hydrogel both in vitro and in vitro.The results revealed that 3D scaffold encapsulating exosomes expressed significant effects on the vascularization and musule regeneration of the regenerative vagina tissue. Also, MSCs-Exos strongly promoted vascularization in the vaginal reconstruction of rats, which may through the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. CONCLUSION The use of exosome-hydrogel composites improved the epithelial regeneration of vaginal tissue, increased angiogenesis, and promoted smooth muscle tissue regeneration. 3D-printed, lumenal scaffold encapsulating exosomes might be used as a cell-free alternative treatment strategy for vaginal reconstruction.

Gut microbiota regulates the immune response of distal organs through microbiota-metabolites, microbiota related molecular patterns and interactions between microorganisms and immune cells.The gut microbiota can be affected by direct infection of intestine or indirect immunity in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) epidemic caused by SARS-CoV-2.The gut microbiota can also affect the virus through the diversity of microbiota and the interaction of specific microorganisms and viruses or their metabolites.Beneficial bacteria such as Bifidobacterium adolescentis in the gut microbiota can promote the production of antibodies against COVID-19 vaccine, including inactivated vaccine and RNA vaccine.Microbiota disorder has a long-term impacts on some COVID-19 patients, and interventions of gut microbiota, such as fecal microbiota transplantation, having a certain effect on the treatment of COVID-19.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect and indications of the three kinds of pedicled perforator flaps in repairing soft tissue defects around the elbow joint.Methods:The clinical data of patients with soft tissue defects around the elbow joint, admitted to the Department of Center for Orthopaedic Repair and Reconstruction of Chongming Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences (Xinhua Hospital Chongming Branch) from December 2013 to November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The distal based medial antebrachial neurocutaneous flap in the middle and distal part of the upper arm, the perforator pedicled propeller flap of inferior cubital artery or the V-Y advancement flap based on the perforator of proximal forearm posterior interosseous artery in the proximal forearm were respectively designed according to the location, appearance, size of the recipient site and the perforating point of the perforating vessel in the donor site to repair soft tissue defects around the elbow joint. The donor site was directly closed or covered by free skin grafting cut from the hidden area of the affected limb. The donor and recipient sites were followed up and observed to evaluate the curative effect from the following three aspects. (1) The self-evaluation of the curative effect was divided into three grades: satisfactory, general and unsatisfactory. (2) Elbow joint function evaluation: according to Mayo’s elbow joint function scoring standard which was divided into four grades: excellent, good, general and poor. (3) Comprehensive evaluation: the evaluation criteria for wound repair around the ankle joint of the lower extremity were used for scoring: 16 to 21 points as excellent, 11 to 15 points as good, 6 to 10 points as general, 0 to 5 points as poor, and the excellent and good ratio was calculated at the same time, that is, the sum of the number of excellent and good cases/the total number of cases×100%.Results:A total of 51 patients were enrolled, including 31 males and 20 females. The age ranged from 16 to 87 years old, with a mean of 56.1 years old. About the defect location, there were 20 cases in the anterior side of the elbow joint, 18 cases in the posterior side of the elbow joint, 8 cases in the medial side of the elbow joint, and 5 cases in the lateral side of the elbow joint. The defect sizes after debridement were from 3.5 cm×2.5 cm to 16.0 cm× 6.0 cm. Among the 51 patients, 21 cases were repaired by the distal based medial antebrachial neurocutaneous flap, 19 cases were repaired by the perforator pedicled propeller flap of inferior cubital artery, and the other 11 cases were repaired by the V-Y advancement flap based on the perforator of proximal forearm posterior interosseous artery. The sizes of the flaps were from 4.5 cm × 3.5 cm to 18.0 cm × 8.0 cm. Forty-six of the 51 patients got primary healing, and the other five had necrosis of different degrees at the distal edge of the flap (≤1.5 cm×1.0 cm), including 2 cases of the distal based medial antebrachial neurocutaneous flap, 2 cases of the perforator pedicled propeller flap of inferior cubital artery and 1 case of the V-Y advancement flap based on the perforator of proximal forearm posterior interosseous artery who were healed after dressing change. The patients were followed up for 3 to 60 months after the operation, with a mean of 12 months, the flaps in the recipient sites survived well, at the same time, the color and elasticity of the flaps were close to normal, and the two-point discrimination was 4-9 mm without bloated appearance. The elbow joint of the affected limb was stable and with good movement. No obvious deformity was observed, and the functional recovery was excellent. The incision of the donor site healed well and the scar was easily accepted. Self-evaluation: 39 patients were satisfied and 12 were general. Elbow joint function evaluation: excellent in 15 cases and good in 36 cases. Comprehensive evaluation: excellent in 17 cases, good in 30 cases, general in 4 cases, that meant the excellent and good ratio reached to 92%(47/51).Conclusion:The three kinds of pedicled perforator flaps have constant perforating vessels, abundant blood supply and simple operation. They can be used to repair soft tissue defects around the elbow joint while good clinical result can be obtained. The distal based medial antebrachial neurocutaneous flap is focused on the anterior and ulnar sides of the elbow joint, the perforator pedicled propeller flap of inferior cubital artery is focused on the elbow fossa, and the V-Y advancement flap based on the perforator of proximal forearm posterior interosseous artery is focused on the posterior and radial sides of the elbow joint.

Objective:To investigate the clinical effect and indications of the three kinds of pedicled perforator flaps in repairing soft tissue defects around the elbow joint.Methods:The clinical data of patients with soft tissue defects around the elbow joint, admitted to the Department of Center for Orthopaedic Repair and Reconstruction of Chongming Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Medicine & Health Sciences (Xinhua Hospital Chongming Branch) from December 2013 to November 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The distal based medial antebrachial neurocutaneous flap in the middle and distal part of the upper arm, the perforator pedicled propeller flap of inferior cubital artery or the V-Y advancement flap based on the perforator of proximal forearm posterior interosseous artery in the proximal forearm were respectively designed according to the location, appearance, size of the recipient site and the perforating point of the perforating vessel in the donor site to repair soft tissue defects around the elbow joint. The donor site was directly closed or covered by free skin grafting cut from the hidden area of the affected limb. The donor and recipient sites were followed up and observed to evaluate the curative effect from the following three aspects. (1) The self-evaluation of the curative effect was divided into three grades: satisfactory, general and unsatisfactory. (2) Elbow joint function evaluation: according to Mayo’s elbow joint function scoring standard which was divided into four grades: excellent, good, general and poor. (3) Comprehensive evaluation: the evaluation criteria for wound repair around the ankle joint of the lower extremity were used for scoring: 16 to 21 points as excellent, 11 to 15 points as good, 6 to 10 points as general, 0 to 5 points as poor, and the excellent and good ratio was calculated at the same time, that is, the sum of the number of excellent and good cases/the total number of cases×100%.Results:A total of 51 patients were enrolled, including 31 males and 20 females. The age ranged from 16 to 87 years old, with a mean of 56.1 years old. About the defect location, there were 20 cases in the anterior side of the elbow joint, 18 cases in the posterior side of the elbow joint, 8 cases in the medial side of the elbow joint, and 5 cases in the lateral side of the elbow joint. The defect sizes after debridement were from 3.5 cm×2.5 cm to 16.0 cm× 6.0 cm. Among the 51 patients, 21 cases were repaired by the distal based medial antebrachial neurocutaneous flap, 19 cases were repaired by the perforator pedicled propeller flap of inferior cubital artery, and the other 11 cases were repaired by the V-Y advancement flap based on the perforator of proximal forearm posterior interosseous artery. The sizes of the flaps were from 4.5 cm × 3.5 cm to 18.0 cm × 8.0 cm. Forty-six of the 51 patients got primary healing, and the other five had necrosis of different degrees at the distal edge of the flap (≤1.5 cm×1.0 cm), including 2 cases of the distal based medial antebrachial neurocutaneous flap, 2 cases of the perforator pedicled propeller flap of inferior cubital artery and 1 case of the V-Y advancement flap based on the perforator of proximal forearm posterior interosseous artery who were healed after dressing change. The patients were followed up for 3 to 60 months after the operation, with a mean of 12 months, the flaps in the recipient sites survived well, at the same time, the color and elasticity of the flaps were close to normal, and the two-point discrimination was 4-9 mm without bloated appearance. The elbow joint of the affected limb was stable and with good movement. No obvious deformity was observed, and the functional recovery was excellent. The incision of the donor site healed well and the scar was easily accepted. Self-evaluation: 39 patients were satisfied and 12 were general. Elbow joint function evaluation: excellent in 15 cases and good in 36 cases. Comprehensive evaluation: excellent in 17 cases, good in 30 cases, general in 4 cases, that meant the excellent and good ratio reached to 92%(47/51).Conclusion:The three kinds of pedicled perforator flaps have constant perforating vessels, abundant blood supply and simple operation. They can be used to repair soft tissue defects around the elbow joint while good clinical result can be obtained. The distal based medial antebrachial neurocutaneous flap is focused on the anterior and ulnar sides of the elbow joint, the perforator pedicled propeller flap of inferior cubital artery is focused on the elbow fossa, and the V-Y advancement flap based on the perforator of proximal forearm posterior interosseous artery is focused on the posterior and radial sides of the elbow joint.

Objective:To observe the effect of Yunpi-Xiefei-Huatan Decoction on airway mucus hypersecretion of asthmatic rats and its regulation on epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) / mucin 5AC (MUC5AC) signal pathway. Methods:Seventy SD rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, high dose group, medium dose group, low dose group, western medicine group and combined group, with 10 rats in each group. Except the normal group, the other groups were sensitized with 1 ml ovalbumin and aluminum hydroxide mixture to establish the asthma rat model. On the 16th day of the experiment, the high, medium and low dose groups were given Yunpi-Xiefei-Huatan Decoction of 40, 20, 10 g/kg, respectively, the western medicine group was given carboxymethylstein tablets of 150 mg/kg, and the combined group was given Yunpi-Xiefei-Huatan Decoction of 20 g/kg and carboxymethylstein tablets of 150 mg/kg, once a day, for 4 weeks. The levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α) and interleukin-13 (IL-13) in serum of rats were detected by Enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA), the total number and classification of leukocytes in BALF were observed by Wright Giemsa staining, the pathological changes of lung tissue were observed by glycogen staining (PAS). The protein expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and MUC5AC (MUC5AC) were detected by Western blotting, and the mRNA expression of EGFR and MUC5AC was detected by Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Results:Compared with the model group, the level of IL-13 and TNF-α in the high, medium and low dose groups of traditional Chinese medicine, western medicine group and combined group was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The levels of WBC, eosinophils and neutrophils in rat alveolar lavage fluid were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The expression of EGFR (0.466 ± 0.023, 0.354 ± 0.047, 0.667 ± 0.066, 0.553 ± 0.065, 0.290 ± 0.033 vs. 0.782 ± 0.047) and MUC5AC (0.424 ± 0.022, 0.313 ± 0.033, 0.603 ± 0.051, 0.495 ± 0.041, 0.243 ± 0.024 vs. 0.806 ± 0.090) significantly decreased ( P<0.05), the m RNA expression of EGFR (2.302 ± 0.321, 2.549 ± 0.623, 3.084 ± 0.453, 2.585 ± 0.314, 1.810 ± 0.379 vs. 4.101 ± 0.567), MUC5AC (3.243 ± 0.742, 3.283 ± 1.064, 4.419 ± 0.572, 3.817 ± 0.637, 2.469 ± 0.424 vs. 5.840 ± 0.661) in the high, medium and low dose groups, western medicine group and combined group was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Yunpi-Xiefei-Huatan Decoction ccould inhibit asthma, and its mechanism mightbe related to the EGFR/MUC5AC signaling pathway.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of transferred direct popliteal cutaneous artery perforator propeller flap for repairing soft tissue defects of the popliteal fossa.Methods:The clinical data of 9 patients with defects of popliteal fossa from June 2013 to June 2019 were analyzed retrospectively, in which including 6 men and 3 women whose ages ranged from 25 to 73 years old. The sizes of soft tissue defects ranged from 6.5 cm×3.5 cm to 17.0 cm×8.5 cm. Perforator propeller flap was designed and cut to repair the defects according to the location, size and shape of defects, in which the largest was 18.0 cm×10.0 cm and the smallest was 7.5 cm×4.5 cm. To evaluate the effect according to survival, infection control, elasticity and color, appearance of the flaps, the scar at the donor site, cutaneous sense, knee joint function, and patients’satisfaction.Results:All the flaps survived. The incisions in donor and recipient site were primary healing. The survival of flaps was good. The appearance, color, and elasticity were close to normal. On the other hand, the scar at the donor site was small after 6 to 60 months follow-up. 2 cases appeared necrosis on edge of distal flaps and were healed after dressing. The efficacy was satisfactory in 8 cases, general in 1 case and without dissatisfactory. The function of knee joint was excellent in 7 cases, good in 1 case, and general in 1 case. Skin swelling rating in early-stage was 1st degree in 6 patients, 2nd degree in 2 patients, 3rd degree in 1 patient; in the later stage was 1st degree in 8 patients, 2nd degree in 1 patient.Conclusions:It is simple, safe and reliable to repair soft tissue defects of popliteal fossa with transferred direct popliteal cutaneous artery perforator propeller flap, which would be an ideal method for repairing soft tissue defects of the popliteal fossa.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical effect of transferred direct popliteal cutaneous artery perforator propeller flap for repairing soft tissue defects of the popliteal fossa.Methods:The clinical data of 9 patients with defects of popliteal fossa from June 2013 to June 2019 were analyzed retrospectively, in which including 6 men and 3 women whose ages ranged from 25 to 73 years old. The sizes of soft tissue defects ranged from 6.5 cm×3.5 cm to 17.0 cm×8.5 cm. Perforator propeller flap was designed and cut to repair the defects according to the location, size and shape of defects, in which the largest was 18.0 cm×10.0 cm and the smallest was 7.5 cm×4.5 cm. To evaluate the effect according to survival, infection control, elasticity and color, appearance of the flaps, the scar at the donor site, cutaneous sense, knee joint function, and patients’satisfaction.Results:All the flaps survived. The incisions in donor and recipient site were primary healing. The survival of flaps was good. The appearance, color, and elasticity were close to normal. On the other hand, the scar at the donor site was small after 6 to 60 months follow-up. 2 cases appeared necrosis on edge of distal flaps and were healed after dressing. The efficacy was satisfactory in 8 cases, general in 1 case and without dissatisfactory. The function of knee joint was excellent in 7 cases, good in 1 case, and general in 1 case. Skin swelling rating in early-stage was 1st degree in 6 patients, 2nd degree in 2 patients, 3rd degree in 1 patient; in the later stage was 1st degree in 8 patients, 2nd degree in 1 patient.Conclusions:It is simple, safe and reliable to repair soft tissue defects of popliteal fossa with transferred direct popliteal cutaneous artery perforator propeller flap, which would be an ideal method for repairing soft tissue defects of the popliteal fossa.

Objective:To evaluate the effectiveness of HIV/syphilis joint self-testing in promoting syphilis testing among men who have sex with men (MSM).Methods:In July 2019, the research participants were recruited through the Danlan website (https://www.danlan.org). Participants who met the selection criteria, and were randomly assigned into one of the three study groups (1∶1∶1) including HIV/syphilis joint self-testing group and lottery incentive self-testing group and control group. Self-test reagents were mailed to HIV/syphilis joint self-testing group and lottery incentive self-testing group, and the subjects in control group were encouraged to go to offline locations for testing. One month later, follow-up was conducted to evaluate the differences in the testing rates of syphilis among the three groups.Results:A total of 145 subjects were included in this study, including 48 in control group, 49 in HIV/syphilis joint self-testing group and 48 in lottery incentive self-testing group. During the follow-up period, the self-testing rate of syphilis was 74.4% (32/43) in HIV/syphilis joint self-testing group, 70.0% (28/40) in lottery incentive self-testing group and 36.4% (16/44) in control group. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed that the proportions of syphilis testing in HIV/syphilis joint self-testing group and lottery incentive self-testing group were 5.38 (95% CI: 2.06-14.04) times and 4.54 (95% CI: 1.75-11.74) times higher than that in control group during the follow-up period. Conclusions:HIV/syphilis joint self-testing and lottery-incentives-prompted self-testing significantly increased the testing rate of syphilis in MSM, respectively. HIV/syphilis joint self-testing is feasible for promotion.