OBJECTIVE To investigate the mechanism by which Shenfukang capsule （SFK） ameliorates renal interstitial fibrosis （RIF） by regulating macrophage-fibroblast crosstalk via the signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3）/Yes-associated protein （YAP） pathway. METHODS RAW264.7 macrophages were induced to polarize with transforming growth factor-β 1 （TGF-β 1 ）. Subsequently， a non-contact co-culture system of macrophages with renal fibroblasts NRK-49F， as well as a non-contact co-culture system of macrophages with YAP-knockdown renal fibroblasts， were established. Cells were treated with low， medium， and high concentrations （4， 8， 16 μg/mL） of SFK， as well as a STAT3 inhibitor （STAT3-I，1.64 μg/mL） and losartan potassium tablets （positive control， 0.28 μg/mL）， for 48 h. After intervention， the protein and mRNA expression levels of CD86， CD163， and STAT3 in macrophages， as well as CD86， F4/80， and STAT3 mRNA， were detected. In co-cultured renal fibroblasts， the protein and mRNA expression levels of α -smooth muscle actin （ α -SMA）， Vimentin， collagen type Ⅰ （Col-Ⅰ）， matrix metalloproteinase-1 （MMP-1）， and YAP were detected. In co-cultured YAP-knockdown renal fibroblasts， the protein and mRNA expression levels of α -SMA， Vimentin， and MMP-1 were also detected. RESULTS Following TGF-β 1 induction， the protein expression levels of CD86， CD163， and STAT3， as well as the mRNA expression levels of CD86， F4/80， and STAT3 in macrophages were significantly increased （ P ＜0.05）. The conditioned medium from polarized macrophages activated renal fibroblasts， as evidenced by significantly increased protein and mRNA expression levels of α -SMA， Vimentin， Col-Ⅰ， and YAP， and significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of MMP-1 in renal fibroblasts （ P ＜0.05）. Treatment with SFK and STAT3-I reversed the changes in the above indicators， with the medium concentration SFK group showing stronge r effects on some indicators than the low and high concentration groups. In the non-contact co-culture experiment of macrophages and YAP-knockdown renal fibroblasts， there were no statistically significant differences in the protein and mRNA expression of α-SMA， Vimentin， and MMP-1 among the groups. CONCLUSIONS SFK can inhibit macrophage-renal fibroblast crosstalk by blocking the STAT3/YAP pathway， thereby delaying the progression of RIF.

OBJECTIVE To explore the influencing factors of Shenfukang capsule in the treatment of chronic kidney disease （CKD） and construct a nomogram prediction model for evaluating its therapeutic efficacy. METHODS CKD patients who were hospitalized from July 2019 to August 2022 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University and treated with Shenfukang capsule were selected as study subjects. Clinical data of the patients were collected from the hospital’s electronic medical record system， and they were divided into an effective group and an ineffective group based on treatment outcomes. Lasso-Logistic multivariate regression analysis was used to screen the influencing factors of the efficacy of Shenfukang capsule. Using the effectiveness of Shenfukang capsule treatment as the prediction outcome and the screened influencing factors as predictor variables， a nomogram prediction model was constructed using R software. All patients were randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort. The discriminative ability， calibration， and clinical net benefit of the model were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve， calibration curve， and decision curve analysis， respectively. RESULTS Lasso-Logistic regression analysis revealed that concurrent diabetes mellitus， decreased levels of blood urea nitrogen， triglycerides， and serum phosphorus， as well as prolonged prothrombin time and elevated apolipoprotein AⅠ levels， were influencing factors for reduced efficacy of Shenfukang capsule in CKD treatment. The evaluation results of the nomogram prediction model showed that the area under curve values were 0.745 and 0.797 in the training and validation cohorts， respectively， which were close and both exceeded 0.70， indicating stable predictive performance. The calibration curves demonstrated good agreement in both datasets， suggesting satisfactory calibration performance. The clinical decision curves were positioned above the two extreme reference lines， indicating high clinical benefit of the model. CONCLUSIONS Diabetes mellitus， blood urea nitrogen， triglycerides， apolipoprotein AⅠ， serum phosphorus， and prothrombin time were factors associated with the efficacy of Shenfukang capsule in CKD patients. The nomogram prediction model established in this study may provide a basis for rational clinical application of Shenfukang capsule and for improving its therapeutic efficacy in CKD.

OBJECTIVE To explore the influencing factors of Shenfukang capsule in the treatment of chronic kidney disease （CKD） and construct a nomogram prediction model for evaluating its therapeutic efficacy. METHODS CKD patients who were hospitalized from July 2019 to August 2022 in the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University and treated with Shenfukang capsule were selected as study subjects. Clinical data of the patients were collected from the hospital’s electronic medical record system， and they were divided into an effective group and an ineffective group based on treatment outcomes. Lasso-Logistic multivariate regression analysis was used to screen the influencing factors of the efficacy of Shenfukang capsule. Using the effectiveness of Shenfukang capsule treatment as the prediction outcome and the screened influencing factors as predictor variables， a nomogram prediction model was constructed using R software. All patients were randomly divided into a training cohort and a validation cohort. The discriminative ability， calibration， and clinical net benefit of the model were evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve， calibration curve， and decision curve analysis， respectively. RESULTS Lasso-Logistic regression analysis revealed that concurrent diabetes mellitus， decreased levels of blood urea nitrogen， triglycerides， and serum phosphorus， as well as prolonged prothrombin time and elevated apolipoprotein AⅠ levels， were influencing factors for reduced efficacy of Shenfukang capsule in CKD treatment. The evaluation results of the nomogram prediction model showed that the area under curve values were 0.745 and 0.797 in the training and validation cohorts， respectively， which were close and both exceeded 0.70， indicating stable predictive performance. The calibration curves demonstrated good agreement in both datasets， suggesting satisfactory calibration performance. The clinical decision curves were positioned above the two extreme reference lines， indicating high clinical benefit of the model. CONCLUSIONS Diabetes mellitus， blood urea nitrogen， triglycerides， apolipoprotein AⅠ， serum phosphorus， and prothrombin time were factors associated with the efficacy of Shenfukang capsule in CKD patients. The nomogram prediction model established in this study may provide a basis for rational clinical application of Shenfukang capsule and for improving its therapeutic efficacy in CKD.

Objective To investigate the application value of conventional MRI combined with diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)in evaluating the correlation between the texture composition of benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)and the International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS).Methods Seventy patients with BPH confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed and all patients underwent conventional MRI,DTI and IPSS before surgery.Evaluation metrics included:the mean signal intensity of T2WI(mean-SI-T2WI),apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)and fractional anisotropy(FA)values.Independent samples t-test,partial correlation analysis,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve were used to assess the correlation between the texture parameters of the prostate transition zone and IPSS.Results The mean-SI-T2WI was significantly negatively correlated with IPSS(r=-0.683,P<0.001);the average ADC value was slightly negatively correlated with IPSS(r=-0.467,P<0.001);and the average FA value was slightly positively correlated with IPSS(r=0.419,P<0.001).The predictive value of MRI texture parameters for IPSS in BPH patients,ranked from high to low,mean-SI-T2WI[area under the curve(AUC)=0.734],average ADC value(AUC=0.673),and average FA value(AUC=0.635);However,the combination of mean-SI-T2WI+ADC+FA(AUC=0.791)did not significantly improve the diagnostic efficacy by DeLong's test(P>0.05).Conclusion Mean-SI-T2WI,DWI and DTI can be used to evaluate the composition of the prostate,among which mean-SI-T2WI is the best,and the com-bination of them can not improve the diagnostic efficacy.

Objective To investigate the application value of conventional MRI combined with diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)in evaluating the correlation between the texture composition of benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)and the International Prostate Symptom Score(IPSS).Methods Seventy patients with BPH confirmed by pathology were retrospectively analyzed and all patients underwent conventional MRI,DTI and IPSS before surgery.Evaluation metrics included:the mean signal intensity of T2WI(mean-SI-T2WI),apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)and fractional anisotropy(FA)values.Independent samples t-test,partial correlation analysis,and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve were used to assess the correlation between the texture parameters of the prostate transition zone and IPSS.Results The mean-SI-T2WI was significantly negatively correlated with IPSS(r=-0.683,P<0.001);the average ADC value was slightly negatively correlated with IPSS(r=-0.467,P<0.001);and the average FA value was slightly positively correlated with IPSS(r=0.419,P<0.001).The predictive value of MRI texture parameters for IPSS in BPH patients,ranked from high to low,mean-SI-T2WI[area under the curve(AUC)=0.734],average ADC value(AUC=0.673),and average FA value(AUC=0.635);However,the combination of mean-SI-T2WI+ADC+FA(AUC=0.791)did not significantly improve the diagnostic efficacy by DeLong's test(P>0.05).Conclusion Mean-SI-T2WI,DWI and DTI can be used to evaluate the composition of the prostate,among which mean-SI-T2WI is the best,and the com-bination of them can not improve the diagnostic efficacy.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)for the treatment of locally recurrent breast cancer.Methods The clinical data of 57 patients with locally recurrent breast cancer from January 2018 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed.Twenty-four patients(group A)received TACE using adriamycin 12 mg/m2 and paclitaxel 45 mg/m2,which was accomplished by local perfusion into the tumor target blood vessels with microcatheter catheterization,the embolization material was Embosphere microspheres,and the embolization endpoint was occlusion of the main stem of the target vessel.Other 33 patients who received systemic chemotherapy using adriamycin 40 mg/m2 and paclitaxel 135 mg/m2 in the same period were collected as group B.The 6-month disease control rate(DCR),progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS)were compared between the two groups.Results Successful TACE was accomplished in all the 24 patients of group A,with a technical success rate of 100％.In group A,the 6-month DCR was 87.50％,the median PFS was 12 months,and the median OS was 22 months.In group B,the 6-month DCR was 63.63％,the median PFS was 9 months,and the median OS was 20 months.The differences in the 6-month DCR and the median PFS between the two groups were statistically significant(P=0.04 and P=0.03 respectively),while no statistically significant difference in the median OS existed between the two groups(P=0.21).The incidence of post-embolization syndrome in group A was 75％(18/24),the clinical symptoms included chest wall pain and mild fever,which disappeared 3 days after symptomatic treatment such as pain-relief and antipyretic medication,and no TACE-related serious complications such as target vessel injury,ectopic embolization of embolization materials or chest wall necrosis occurred in all patients.All patients were followed up for a mean period of(19.47±4.96)months(range of 8-24 months)Conclusion For the treatment of locally recurrent breast cancer,TACE is superior to systemic chemotherapy in short-term efficacy.TACE carries no intervention-related serious complications.However,more studies need to be conducted before its long-term efficacy and safety can be clarified.(J Intervent Radiol,2024,33:280-284)

BACKGROUND: Excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are the main causes of restenosis (RS) in diabetic lower extremity arterial disease (LEAD). However, the relevant pathogenic mechanisms are poorly understood. METHODS: In this study, we introduced a "two-step injury protocol" rat RS model, which started with the induction of atherosclerosis (AS) and was followed by percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA). Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry staining were used to verify the form of RS. Two-step transfection was performed, with the first transfection of Lin28a followed by a second transfection of let-7c and let-7g, to explore the possible mechanism by which Lin28a exerted effects. 5-ethynyl-2΄-deoxyuridine (EdU) and Transwell assay were performed to evaluate the ability of proliferation and migration of VSMCs. Western blotting and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) were performed to detect the expression of Lin28a protein and let-7 family members. RESULTS: Using a combination of in vitro and in vivo experiments, we discovered that let-7c, let-7g, and microRNA98 (miR98) were downstream targets of Lin28a. More importantly, decreased expression of let-7c/let-7g increased Lin28a, leading to further inhibition of let-7c/let-7g. We also found an increased level of let-7d in the RS pathological condition, suggesting that it may function as a protective regulator of the Lin28a/let-7 loop by inhibiting the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. CONCLUSION These findings indicated the presence of a double-negative feedback loop consisting of Lin28a and let-7c/let-7g, which may be responsible for the vicious behavior of VSMCs in RS.
Rats ; Animals ; Down-Regulation ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Feedback ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Atherosclerosis

OBJECTIVE To analyze technical and legal information of patents in the field of antigen immunoassay technology, and to provide advice to related enterprises on R&D direction and patent layout. METHODS Using patent analysis means combined with data visualization presentation, the R&D trends and research hotspots in the field of immunoassays of Abbott, Wondfo Bio, BGI Genomics and other related companies were systematically analyzed. RESULTS Abbott's patent layout in the field of immunoassay was more comprehensive and occupied a dominant position in international competition. Although the immunoassay technologies of Chinese enterprises had their own expertise, the industrial layout and the comprehensiveness of patent layout were weak. CONCLUSION Chinese enterprises should strengthen interdisciplinary research and strive for breakthroughs in the direction of cutting-edge technologies such as multiplex multi-pathogen high-throughput detection, magnetic particle chemiluminescence detection and microfluidic chip detection, as well as choosing appropriate patent protection strategies considering their own characteristics.

BACKGROUND: Hair follicles are easily accessible and contain stem cells with different developmental origins, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), that consequently reveal the potential of human hair follicle (hHF)-derived MSCs in repair and regeneration. However, the role of hHF-MSCs in Achilles tendinopathy (AT) remains unclear. The present study investigated the effects of hHF-MSCs on Achilles tendon repair in rabbits. METHODS: First, we extracted and characterized hHF-MSCs. Then, a rabbit tendinopathy model was constructed to analyze the ability of hHF-MSCs to promote repair in vivo . Anatomical observation and pathological and biomechanical analyses were performed to determine the effect of hHF-MSCs on AT, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemical staining were performed to explore the molecular mechanisms through which hHF-MSCs affects AT. Furthermore, statistical analyses were performed using independent sample t test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and one-way repeated measures multivariate ANOVA as appropriate. RESULTS: Flow cytometry, a trilineage-induced differentiation test, confirmed that hHF-derived stem cells were derived from MSCs. The effect of hHF-MSCs on AT revealed that the Achilles tendon was anatomically healthy, as well as the maximum load carried by the Achilles tendon and hydroxyproline proteomic levels were increased. Moreover, collagen I and III were upregulated in rabbit AT treated with hHF-MSCs (compared with AT group; P  < 0.05). Analysis of the molecular mechanisms revealed that hHF-MSCs promoted collagen fiber regeneration, possibly through Tenascin-C (TNC) upregulation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 downregulation. CONCLUSIONS hHF-MSCs can be a treatment modality to promote AT repair in rabbits by upregulating collagen I and III. Further analysis revealed that treatment of AT using hHF-MSCs promoted the regeneration of collagen fiber, possibly because of upregulation of TNC and downregulation of MMP-9, thus suggesting that hHF-MSCs are more promising for AT.
Animals ; Humans ; Rabbits ; Hair Follicle ; Achilles Tendon/pathology* ; Tendinopathy/pathology* ; Proteomics ; Collagen Type I ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells

OBJECTIVE To know about the development trend of small nucleic acid drugs in the world ，to provide reference for the research and development of small nucleic acid drug in China. METHODS By searching the academic literature and patents related to small nucleic acid drugs through the Web of Science literature database and PatSnap patent database from Jan. 1980 to Dec. 2021，research and development situation of small nucleic acid drugs were revealed comprehensively by analyzing research enthusiasm，R&D countries ，R&D institutions and technical topics of small nucleic acid drugs. RESULTS & CONCLUSIONS A total of 59 819 documents and 37 645 patent groups were included. The global trend of small nucleic acid drug literature publication and patent application could be divided into three stages. From 2003 to 2021，the research enthusiasm for small nucleic acid drugs continued to increase. The United States ，China，Japan and Germany were the main research and development countries for small nucleic acid drugs. The number of document publications （25 703，15 927 papers）and patent applications （14 240、8 937 groups） in the United States and China were ahead of other countries ，and the research and development activities were relatively strong. Moreover，the number of document publications and patent applications in China in this field had grown rapidly in recent years. The R&D institution with the largest number of publications was the University of California （2 499 papers），the R&D institution with the largest number of patent applications was the American Ionis Corporation （1 378 groups），and the Chinese Academy of Sciences （1 580 papers）had been shortlisted among the top 10 document producing institutions in the world. However ，our country ’s research and development in this field are mostly based on basic research ，and the research on industrial application is slightly insufficient. The research focus in the field of small nucleic acid drugs mainly focuses on nucleic acid sequences and their modification and improvement and drug loading technology. RNA interference technology has gradually become a hot technology for small nucleic acid drugs.