Objective To assess the feasibility of establishing a nude mouse model of endometriosis fibrosis of human origin and to determine whether endometrial mesenchymal stem cells are involved in inducing endometriosis fibrosis.Methods Four endometrial tissue specimens were collected and transplanted 1∶3 into 12 BABL/c nude mice by subcutaneous injection.The morphology and volume of the lesions were recorded.The nude mice were sacrificed on the 15th day after transplantation to observe the morphology of the lesions and their adhesion to the periphery of the abdominal wall.HE staining was used to judge the result of modelling,Masson staining was used to assess the extent of fibrosis,and immunofluorescence was used to track the role of endometrial mesenchymal stem cells in the fibrotic process of endometriosis.Results The volume of ectopic lesions in nude mice increased over time and showed restricted,vesicular-like changes.The tight adhesion of the lesions to the abdominal wall,endometrioid glands,and collagen fiber deposition were seen microscopically.The success rate of the modelling was 83.4%,and the collagen fiber volume fraction of the lesions was significantly higher after modelling(P＜0.01).Confocal imaging suggested that endometrial mesenchymal stem cells(SUSD2+)differentiated into myofibroblasts(α-SMA+)in vivo.Conclusions The nude mouse model established by human allogeneic transplantation via subcutaneous injection was consistent with the lesion characteristics of endometriosis fibrosis.The modelling method is simple and feasible and provides a better reference model for further investigating the pathogenesis of endometriosis fibrosis.In addition,in vivo observations using the model indicated that endometrial mesenchymal stem cells are involved in inducing the formation of endometriosis fibrosis.

Objective:To construct a novel dual-specific antibody targeting human CD123 (CD123 DuAb) and study its effects in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) .Methods:Based on the variable region of the CD123 monoclonal antibody independently developed at our institution, the CD123 DuAb expression plasmid was constructed by molecular cloning and transfected into ExpiCHO-S cells to prepare the antibody protein. Through a series of in vitro experiments, its activation and proliferation effect on T cells, as well as the effect of promoting T-cell killing of AML cells, were verified.Results:① A novel CD123 DuAb plasmid targeting CD123 was successfully constructed and expressed in the Expi-CHO eukaryotic system. ②The CD123 DuAb could bind both CD3 on T cells and CD123 on CD123 + tumor cells. ③When T cells were co-cultured with MV4-11 cells with addition of the CD123 DuAb at a concentration of 1 nmol/L, the positive expression rates of CD69 and CD25 on T cells were 68.0% and 44.3%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of the control group ( P<0.05). ④Co-culture with CD123 DuAb at 1 nmol/L promoted T-cell proliferation, and the absolute T-cell count increased from 5×10 5/ml to 3.2×10 6/ml on day 9, and CFSE fluorescence intensity decreased significantly. ⑤ With the increase in CD123 DuAb concentration in the culture system, T-cell exhaustion and apoptosis increased. When the CD123 DuAb was added at a concentration of 1 nmol/L to the culture system, the proportion of CD8 + PD-1 + LAG-3 + T cells was 10.90%, and the proportion of propidium iodide (PI) - Annexin Ⅴ + T cells and PI + Annexin Ⅴ + T cells was 18.27% and 11.43%, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05). ⑥ The CD123 DuAb significantly activated T cells, and the activation intensity was positively correlated with its concentration. The expression rate of CD107a on T cells reached 16.05% with 1 nmol/L CD123 DuAb, which was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05). ⑦The CD123 DuAb promoted cytokine secretion by T cells at a concentration of 1 nmol/L, and the concentration of IFN-γ and TNF-α in the supernatant of the co-culture system reached 193.8 pg/ml and 169.8 pg/ml, respectively, which was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P<0.05). ⑧When CD123 DuAb was added at a concentration of 1 nmol/L to the co-culture system of T cells and CD123 + tumor cells, the killing intensity of T cells significantly increased, and the residual rates of CD123 + MV4-11 cells, CD123 + Molm13 cells, and CD123 + THP-1 cells were 7.4%, 6.7%, and 14.6% on day 3, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the control group ( P<0.05) . Conclusion:In this study, a novel CD123 DuAb was constructed and expressed. In vitro experiments verified that the DuAb binds to CD123 + tumor cells and T cells simultaneously, promotes T-cell activation and proliferation, and facilitates their anti-leukemia effect, which provides a basis for further clinical research.

Objective To compare the value of stack-of-stars-volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination(Star-VIBE)and T1-volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination(T1-VIBE)MRI for displaying peripheral lung cancer.Methods Fifty-two patients with 56 peripheral lung cancer were prospectively enrolled,and chest Star-VIBE and T1-VIBE MRI were acquired.The morphological features were observed,and the subjective scores were recorded.The maximum diameter,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of lesions were measured based on Star-VIBE and T1-VIBE MRI,respectively.Taken CT as the references,the value of Star-VIBE and T1-VIBE MRI for displaying peripheral lung cancer were compared.Results Star-VIBE MRI had higher scores for displaying spiculation sign,lobulation sign,pleural depression sign and halo sign than T1-VIBE(both P＜0.05).CNR and SNR of Star-VIBE MRI were significantly higher than those of T1-VIBE(both P＜0.001).No significant difference of the maximum diameter of lesions measured based on Star-VIBE and T1-VIBE MRI compared with CT was found,nor between Star-VIBE and T1-VIBE MRI(all P＞0.05).Conclusion Star-VIBE MRI had better value for displaying peripheral lung cancer than T1-VIBE.

Purpose To study the association between ultrasonography signs of midurethral sling(MUS)and postoperative bladder neck mobility,and urethral segmental mobility,to explore ultrasound parameters that measure the biomechanical effects of MUS and to analyze the relationship between them and the clinical outcomes.Materials and Methods This was a retrospective analysis of the clinical material and ultrasound imaging data of the patients who underwent MUS surgery and had postoperative clinic follow-up in the Second Xiangya Hospital,Central South University,from September 2017 to July 2022.According to the surgical outcome,all patients were divided into three groups:stress urinary incontinence(SUI)cure group,SUI recurrence group and postoperative voiding dysfunction(VD)group.Bladder neck mobility,urethral segmental mobility,MUS position,and sling-pubic gap(SPG)during maximal Valsalva manoeuvre were measured by pelvic floor ultrasound.Ultrasound results among the three groups were compared,respectively.The relationships between ultrasound signs of the sling(MUS position and SPG),bladder neck and urethral mobility,and the surgical outcomes were analyzed,respectively.Results A total of 117 women had valid data.The median follow-up interval was 10(6,18)months.On clinical examination and diagnosis,44 women(37.6％)had cured SUI,46(39.3％)had recurrence SUI,and 27(23.1％)had postoperative VD.The mean SPG of the 117 slings was(12.0±3.5)mm(range 4.7 to 23.0 mm),and the mean position of the MUS was the 53％(range 33％-75％).There was no significant difference in MUS position and SPG between the SUI cured group and the postoperative VD group(P＞0.05).The SUI recurrence group had farther MUS position[(56±11)％vs.(49±10)％,P=0.003]relative to the bladder neck and wider SPG[(13.9±3.7)mm vs.(11.2±2.7)mm,P＜0.001]than SUI cure group.No significant correlation was found between the ultrasound signs of MUS(MUS position and SPG)and bladder neck mobility(r=-0.138-0.205,all P≥0.05).MUS position and SPG were correlated with midurethral mobility(MUS position vs.point 2 and 3,r=0.322,0.322,both P＜0.01;SPG vss.point 3 to 6,r=0.288-0.434,all P＜0.01):the closer the MUS position was relative to the distal urethra,the higher the midurethral mobility.The wider the SPG,the higher the midurethral mobility.Logistic regression showed a positive correlation between SPG and SUI recurrence with an odds ratio(OR)of 1.401(95％CI 1.189-1.652,P＜0.001),and a negative correlation with postoperative VD with an OR of 0.755(95％CI 0.627-0.909,P=0.003).Conclusion SPG during the Valsalva manoeuvre can be used to measure the tightness of MUS.The larger the measured value of SPG,with the looser the MUS,the greater the likelihood of postoperative SUI recurrence,and the lower the risk of postoperative VD.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association of the polymorphisms of the acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase 1 （ACAT1） gene and the melatonin receptor 1B （MTNR1B） gene with the susceptibility to nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD）. MethodsA total of 164 healthy controls and 228 NAFLD patients were enrolled in this study. PCR and sequencing methods were used to determine the genotypes of the polymorphisms of the ACAT1 gene at the rs1044925 and rs1157651 loci and the MTNR1B gene at the rs10830963 locus， and fasting venous blood samples were collected for biochemical analysis. The t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between groups， and the non-parametric Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between groups； the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups. ResultsThere were no significant differences between the NAFLD group and the healthy control group in the genotype distribution of the ACAT1 gene at the rs1044925 and rs1157651 loci and the MTNR1B gene at the rs10830963 locus （all P>0.05）. The carriers of AA genotype at the rs1044925 locus of the ACAT1 gene had a significantly higher level of low-density lipoprotein than the carriers of C allele （Z=-2.08， P=0.04）， and the carriers of G allele at the rs10830963 locus of the MTNR1B gene had a significantly higher level of fasting blood glucose than the carriers of CC genotype （Z=-3.01， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe polymorphisms of the ACAT1 gene at the rs1044925 and rs1157651 loci and the MTNR1B gene at the rs10830963 locus were not associated with the susceptibility to NAFLD. The rs1044925 locus of the ACAT1 gene and the rs10830963 locus of the MTNR1B gene are associated with the levels of low-density lipoprotein and fasting blood glucose， respectively.

BACKGROUND:Modification of food consistency and volume is a commonly used method of swallowing compensation in clinical practice.Dry swallowing is a commonly used method of evaluation.The hyoid muscles are very important in swallowing.The effects of dry swallowing and swallowing tasks of different consistencies and volumes on hyoid muscle activation levels are still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of simple dry swallowing and swallowing tasks of different consistencies and volumes on the hyoid muscles in healthy adults. METHODS:A total of 44 healthy adults were included from April to August 2019,including 19 males and 25 females,with an average age of(21.7±2.8)years.They randomly performed dry swallowing and swallowing tasks of different consistencies(the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative(IDDSI)frame levels 0-4)and volumes(5,10,20 mL),and the surface electromyogram signals of the hyoid muscles during each swallowing task were recorded.After processing the raw surface electromyogram signals,the activation levels of the hyoid muscles were compared between dry swallowing and swallowing tasks of different consistency and volume. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The mean amplitude values of the suprahyoid muscles corresponding to swallowing tasks of 20 mL for levels 0-4,10 mL for level 3,and 5 mL for level 4 were higher than those of dry swallowing(P＜0.05).The mean amplitude values of the suprahyoid muscles corresponding to the 20-mL swallowing tasks of different consistencies were higher than those of the 5-mL swallowing tasks of the corresponding consistencies,except for level 3(P＜0.05).The mean amplitude values of the suprahyoid muscles corresponding to the 20-mL swallowing tasks of different consistencies were higher than those of the 10-mL swallowing tasks of the corresponding consistencies,except for levels 2 and 3(P＜0.05).The mean amplitude values of the infrahyoid muscles corresponding to all swallowing tasks were higher than that of dry swallowing(P＜0.05).The mean amplitude values of the infrahyoid muscles corresponding to the 20-mL swallowing tasks of different consistencies were higher than that of the 5-and 10-mL swallowing tasks of the corresponding consistencies(P＜0.05).The mean amplitude values of the infrahyoid muscles corresponding to the 10-mL swallowing tasks of different consistencies were higher than those of the 5-mL swallowing tasks of the corresponding consistencies,except for level 3(P＜0.05).To conclude,in healthy adults performing swallowing tasks of different volumes and consistencies,the level of activation of the hyoid muscles is less susceptible to IDDSI frame levels 0-4 consistency and more susceptible to volume.The higher volume indicates the higher activation level of the hyoid muscles.

Objective To observe the value of B1 corrected T1 mapping for distinguishing pathological types and differentiation degrees of lung cancers.Methods A total of 74 lesions in 65 patients with lung cancers were prospectively enrolled,including 49 poorly differentiated lesions and 25 moderately or well differentiated ones,i.e.42 adenocarcinomas,14 squamous cell carcinomas and 18 small cell lung cancers(all poorly differentiated).B1 corrected T1 mapping was performed,ROI(ROI1 and ROI2)were delineated using 2 methods,and T1 values of different pathological types and differentiation degrees lung cancers were compared.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were drawn,and the areas under the curve(AUC)were calculated.Results Significant differences of T1 values were found among different pathological types of lung cancer(all P＜0.05),as well as between small cell lung cancer and the rest 2 types of lung cancer(both P＜0.05).There were significant differences of T1 values between poorly differentiated and moderately well differentiated lung cancer(squamous cell carcinoma+adenocarcinoma)(both P＜0.05).Taken ROI1 T1 value=1 524.21 ms as the cut-off value,the AUC of T1 value for distinguishing poorly differentiated and moderately well differentiated lung cancer(squamous cell carcinoma+adenocarcinoma)was 0.698,with sensitivity of 64.50％and specificity of 76.00％.Taken ROI2 T1 value=1 630.68 ms as the cut-off value,the AUC of T1 value was 0.676,with sensitivity of 54.80％and specificity of 80.00％.Conclusion B1 corrected T1 mapping was helpful for distinguishing pathological types and differentiation degrees of lung cancers.

Objective To analyze the registered clinical trials of headache treated by TCM;To discuss the current research status;To provide reference for the optimization of subsequent clinical trial research plans.Methods All clinical trials of headache treated by TCM were retrieved from the ChiCTR and the ClinicalTrials.The retrieval time was from the database establishment to May 22,2023.The general characteristics,study types,intervention measures and outcome indicators of the trials were analyzed respectively.Results A total of 104 registered studies were included,with the number of registered studies increasing since 2004 and reaching a peak in 2020,involving 25 provincial administrative regions or countries and 69 clinical trial institutions;the funding sources were mainly scientific research funds of universities,national finance and local finance.The research type was mainly intervention research;the designing scheme was mainly randomized parallel control study;the high frequency random method was simple random method;45 registered studies used blind methods.Exploratory studies/pre-trials were the most commonly used in the phases of clinical researches.Most of the registered studies were single-center clinical trials with a total sample size of 9 648 patients.The main interventions were acupuncture and oral Chinese medicines.The high frequency outcome indicators included life quality of score,headache attack frequency,headache attack days and headache severity,etc.There were some problems in outcome indicators,such as non-standard,lack of TCM characteristic advantages,and insufficient patient participation.Conclusion The number of registered studies of headache treated by TCM has increased by year,but there are some problems in design elements,such as random method,blind method,number of research centers,sample size and the setting of outcome indicator.

Objective : To examine the role of LMO4 in the regulation of endothelial cell differentiation and angio- genesis in murine embryonic stem cells (mESC) ． Methods : Mouse Lmo4 cDNA was obtained from MEL cells by using the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and subcloned into the expression vector pFG to generate the pFLG ，in which contained Flk-1 promoter to drive Lmo4 expresses in only FLK-1 + cells．The mESC were transfected with pFG or pFLG plasmids and subsequently screened with geneticin ( G418) to produce cell clones． These cell clones were named mESC /pFG and mESC /pFLG ，respectively． The mESC /pFG and mESC /pFLG were cultured in the differentiation medium for either 4 days or 10 days to generate embryoid bodies (EB) ．The 10-day embryoid bodies ( 10 d-EBs) carrying the pFG and pFLG vectors were subsequently stimulated to generate the blast-colony forming cells (BL-CFC) ，which indicated the presence of hemangioblasts．The endo- thelial cell sprouting analysis was performed by using 10 d-EBs．The expression of the interest genes was detected by using qualitative RT-PCR or Western blot analysis. Results : The pFLG expression vector was successfully con- structed through PCR identification．The mESC /pFG and mESC /pFLG cells were obtained after transfected with the pFG or pFLG vectors and selected by G418．The cells spontaneously differentiate to generate EBs，in which some green fluoresce cells were present．Western blot analysis showed that a significant increase in LMO4 expression in both 4 d-EB and 10 d-EB when compared to mESC．BL-CFC analysis showed that the 4 d-EB/ pFLG had a higher cloning efficiency ( 7. 70% ± 1. 27% ) ，comparing with that of the 4 d-EB/ pFG ( 1. 15% ± 0. 48% ) ( P = 0. 021) ．Quantitative RT-PCR results showed that the expression of Flk-1，C-kit，Tie-2 and Ve-cad genes in 10 d- EBs /pFLG increased more than 2-fold compared to 10 d-EBs /pFG．The endothelial cell sprouting analysis result showed a significant increase in the number and length of new blood vessels in 10 d-EB/ pFLG compared to 10 d- EB/ pFG (P＜0. 05) ． Conclusion Overexpression of LMO4 promotes hemangioblast differentiation from mESC， and benefits for endothelial cell differentiation and angiogenesis.

ObjectiveTo explore the possible mechanisms of Shoutai Wan （寿胎丸） in treating recurrent miscarriage （RSA） from the perspective of immune tolerance under the acidic microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface. MethodsFemale CBA/J mice were randomly divided into normal group， model group， progesterone group， and Shoutai Wan group， with 15 mice in each group. The mice in the normal group and model group were given 0.2 ml distilled water by gavage each day， the Shoutai Wan group given Shoutai Wan decoction 0.15 g/（10 g·d） by gavage， the progesterone group given progesterone tablets 0.44 mg/（10 g·d） by gavage. After gavage for 14 days， the mice were cohabited. Female CBA/J mice in the normal group were mated with male BALB/c mice at a ratio of 2∶1， and female CBA/J mice in the other groups were mated with male DBA/2 mice at a ratio of 2∶1 to establish the RSA mouse model. Vaginal smears were taken from the female mice the next morning， and the appearance of a large number of spermatozoa and the presence of a vaginal plug were considered as the first day of pregnancy. After the appearance of the plug， the mice were continued to be administered according to the previous method until the 10th day of pregnancy. On the 10th day of pregnancy， maternal-fetal interface tissues were collected from each group of mice， and lactate dehydrogenase colorimetric method was used to detect lactate （LA） content； qPCR method and Western blot method were used to detect the expression of immune-related factors interleukin-4 （IL-4）， interferon-gamma （IFN-γ）， transforming growth factor beta 1 （TGF-β1）， and forkhead box protein 3 （Foxp3） mRNA and protein； flow cytometry was used to detect the numbers of helper T lymphocyte 1 （Th1）， helper T lymphocyte 2 （Th2）， regulatory T cell （Treg）， classical macrophage （M1）， and alternative macrophage （M2）. The bivariate Pearson test was used to analyze the correlation between LA content and the numbers of Th1， Th2， Treg， M1， and M2 cells， as well as the correlation between LA content and the expression of IL-4， IFN-γ， TGF-β1， Foxp3 protein， and mRNA. ResultsOn the 10th day of pregnancy， compared with the normal group， the LA content decreased in the model group， and the expression of IL-4， TGF-β1， Foxp3 protein and mRNA in the maternal-fetal interface tissues decreased， while the expression of IFN-γ protein and mRNA increased. The numbers of Th1 and M1 cells increased， while the numbers of Th2， Treg， and M2 cells decreased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， the LA content increased in the Shoutai Wan group and progesterone group. The expression of IL-4， TGF-β1， Foxp3 protein and mRNA in the maternal-fetal interface tissues increased， while the expression of IFN-γ protein and mRNA decreased. The numbers of Th1 and M1 cells decreased， while the numbers of Th2， Treg， and M2 cells increased （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. The LA content was positively correlated with the numbers of Th2， Treg， and M2 cells， and the expression of IL-4， TGF-β1， Foxp3 protein， and mRNA （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）； the LA content was negatively correlated with the numbers of Th1， M1 cells， and the expression of IFN-γ protein and mRNA （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionShoutai Wan may improve immune tolerance by regulating the expression of immune-related factors in the acidic microenvironment at the maternal-fetal interface of RSA model mice， thereby exerting its role in preventing miscarriage.