BACKGROUND:Psoralen has a strong anti-osteoporotic activity and may have a restorative effect on chemotherapy-induced osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE:To explore the restorative effect of psoralen on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in mice inhibited by cyclophosphamide and its mechanism. METHODS:C57BL/6 mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured.Effect of psoralen on viability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was detected by MTT assay.Osteogenic induction combined with alkaline phosphatase staining was used to determine the optimal dose of psoralen to restore the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells inhibited by cyclophosphamide.The mRNA expression levels of Runx2,alkaline phosphatase,Osteocalcin,osteoprotegerin,and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related genes Wnt1,Wnt4,Wnt10b,β-catenin,and c-MYC were measured by RT-qPCR at different time points under the intervention with psoralen.The protein expression of osteogenic specific transcription factor Runx2 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway related genes Active β-catenin,DKK1,c-MYC,and Cyclin D1 was determined by western blot assay at different time points under the intervention with psoralen. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no significant effect of different concentrations of psoralen on the viability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.The best recovery of the inhibition of osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells caused by cyclophosphamide was under the intervention of psoralen at a concentration of 200 μmol/L.(2)Psoralen reversed the reduction in osteogenic differentiation marker genes Runx2,alkaline phosphatase,Osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin mRNA expression and Runx2 protein expression in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells caused by cyclophosphamide conditioned medium.(3)Psoralen reversed the decrease in Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related genes Wnt4,β-catenin,c-MYC mRNA and Active β-catenin,c-MYC,and Cyclin D1 protein expression and the increase in DKK1 protein expression in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells caused by cyclophosphamide conditioned medium.(4)The results showed that cyclophosphamide inhibited osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in mice,and psoralen had a restorative effect on it.The best intervention effect was achieved at a concentration of 200 μmol/L psoralen,and this protective effect might be related to the activation of Wnt4/β-catenin signaling pathway by psoralen.

OBJECTIVE To establish a content determination method for multiple components in Sophora flavescens from different origins and to evaluate its quality by combining with chemometrics. METHODS Thirteen batches （No. K1-K13） of S. flavescens from different origins were selected as test samples. A high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem triple quadrupole mass spectrometry （HPLC-MS/MS） method was established to determine the contents of 12 components， including matrine， oxymatrine， betaine， cytisine， N-methylcytisine， sophoridine， genistein， sophoricoside， sophorone， formononetin， sophorolone Ⅰ and norkurarinone in S. flavescens. Chromatographic separation was performed on a Shim-pack GIST-HP C18 column with a mobile phase consisting of methanol （A） and water containing 0.1% formic acid （B）， using gradient elution at a flow rate of 0.25 mL/min， column temperature of 35 ℃， and an injection volume of 3 μL. Mass spectrometry was conducted using an electrospray ionization source with positive and negative ion scanning. Data were collected in segments using the multiple reaction monitoring mode. Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution （TOPSIS） and grey relational analysis （GRA）methods were employed to compare and comprehensively evaluate the 13 batches of S. flavescens from different origins. RESULTS The methodological validation for the content determination met the relevant regulatory requirements. The contents of the 12 components were 490.66-1 231.00， 11 088.10- 18 021.50， 7.91-25.38， 903.97-1 713.64， 336.08-1 485.54，1 065.33-2 075.50， 27.52-71.80， 109.36-517.83， 6 034.55-10 632.73， 21.26-145.35， 814.84-1 911.32， 1 040.87-3 446.37 μg/g）， respectively. TOPSIS results showed that the top 7 samples in Euclidean distance ranking were K6， K12， K11， K3， K5， K10， K13. The GRA results showed that the top 7 samples in the relative correlation ranking were K12， K11， K10， K6， K13， K5， K3. CONCLUSIONS The established HPLC-MS/MS method is rapid， accurate， highly sensitive， stable and reliable. Combined with chemometrics methods， it can be used for the quality control and evaluation of S. flavescens. The comprehensive quality of samples K3， K5， K6（ from Hebei）， K10（ from Sichuan）， K11-K13（ from Shanxi）， etc. is relatively superior.

BACKGROUND:There are many kinds of cell media with different components,which have a great influence on cell growth.Several studies in and outside China have used serum-free media containing fetal bovine serum for in vitro amplification culture,but the use of media containing human peripheral blood serum to directionally induce human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells to neural stem cells and human peripheral blood serum to promote neural stem cells to differentiate into other nerve cells,so far there are few relevant studies. OBJECTIVE:To observe the feasibility of inducing human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells cultured with human peripheral blood serum into neural stem cells. METHODS:(1)Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were cultured in DMEM/F-12 culture medium containing 10%human peripheral blood serum by volume fraction.Flow cytometry analysis was performed at the third passage to identify surface markers and alizarin red staining was used to detect osteogenic differentiation function.(2)The third-generation human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were induced into neural stem cells using DMEM/F-12 medium containing 0.5%N2,1.5%B27,20 ng/mL basic fibroblast growth factor,and 20 ng/mL epidermal growth factor,and their surface markers were identified.(3)Well-growing human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived neural stem cells were taken to prepare a single cell suspension.They were evenly inoculated into 96-well plates and incubated with DMEM/F-12 culture medium containing 10%human peripheral blood serum for 8 days.Then,hematoxylin-eosin staining,microtubule-associated protein 2,and glial fibrillary acidic protein immunofluorescence staining were performed to detect the differentiation of neural stem cells into other neural cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells cultured with human peripheral blood serum grew in a spiral-like pattern and were distributed in multiple layers,with directional arrangement.The surface of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells highly expressed CD44,CD105,CD29,and CD73.Cells stained with alizarin red showed a color reaction.(2)Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells cultured with human peripheral blood serum could be induced to differentiate into neural stem cells,and the surface of neural stem cells was highly expressed with CD44,CD105,CD29,CD73,Nestin,NF-L,and GALC.(3)On day 8 of induced differentiation of neural stem cells,after staining with hematoxylin and eosin,it was found that the protruding protrusions were longer,with more branches and adjacent cells connected,presenting typical neural cell morphology.Immunofluorescence staining for microtubule-associated protein 2 and glial fibrillary acidic protein was positive.It is concluded that human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells cultured by human peripheral blood serum can be directly induced to differentiate into neural stem cells.Under the action of human peripheral blood serum,neural stem cells can differentiate into other neural cells as the culture time prolongs.

Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the underlying causes of catheter rupture in implantable venous assess ports among 4 paediatric patients and to summarise nursing experiences.Methods A total of 319 implantations of venous assess port were admitted in the Department of Paediatric Surgery of our hospital from March 2011 to January 2023,with an incidence rate of catheter fracture at 1.3%(4 cases).The ruptured catheters in all 4 paediatric patients were successfully retrieved via surgery.The reasons for catheter rupture as well as the methods for identification were analysed and summarised.Results In Case 1,a catheter rupture was located at 6 cm from the port and the ruptured catheter was not displaced.In Case 2,a linear crack was observed at 7 cm from the base of port without visible sign of catheter rupture,however,a leakage was observed from the crack when fluid was injected.In Case 3,the location of catheter rupture was identified at 11 cm from the port and again there was no evidence of displacement.However for Case 4,a catheter rupture occurred at just 1 cm away from the base of port,with a displacement along right atrium-right pulmonary artery-right inferior pulmonary artery.The causes of catheter rupture were attributed to frequent and prolonged neck and upper extremity activities in Cases 1,3 and 4,as well as an inappropriate handling of catheter in Case 2.After removal of the catheter,Cases 1,2 and 4 were kept in hospital for treatment of original illnesses,while Case 3 was discharged the day after the removal of catheter.Conclusion Catheter rupture is an extremely serious complication.It is imperative for healthcare personnel to adhere to standardised procedures and maintenance protocols,together with comprehensive health education to both parents and children.Early detection of an abnormality followed by prompt handling is crucial in ensuring the safety usage of an implantable venous assess port in paediatric patients.

Objective:This study investigated the efficacy and safety of denosumab (DENOS) versus zoledronic acid (ZOL) in the bone disease treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.Methods:The clinical data of 80 patients with myeloma bone disease (MBD) at the Fifth Medical Center of PLA General Hospital between March 1, 2021 and June 30, 2023 were retrospectively reviewed. Eighteen patients with severe renal impairment (SRI, endogenous creatinine clearance rate<30 ml/min) were treated with DENOS, and 62 non-SRI patients were divided into DENOS (30 patients) and ZOL group (32 patients) .Results:Hypocalcemia was observed in 26 (33%) patients, and 22 patients developed hypocalcemia during the first treatment course. The incidence of hypocalcemia in the non-SRI patients of DENOS group was higher than that in the ZOL group [20% (6/30) vs 13% (4/32), P=0.028]. The incidence of hypocalcemia in SRI was 89% (16/18). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that endogenous creatinine clearance rate<30 ml/min was significantly associated with hypocalcemia after DENOS administration ( P<0.001). After 1 month of antiresorptive (AR) drug application, the decrease in the serum β-C-terminal cross-linked carboxy-telopeptide of collagen type I concentrations of SRI and non-SRI patients in the DENOS group were significantly higher than that in the ZOL group (68% vs 59% vs 27%, P<0.001). The increase in serum procollagen type Ⅰ N-terminal propeptide concentrations of patients with or without SRI in the DENOS group were significantly higher than that in the ZOL group (34% vs 20% vs 11%, P<0.05). The level of intact parathyroid hormone in each group increased after AR drug treatment. None of the patients developed osteonecrosis of the jaw and renal adverse events, and no statistically significant differences in the overall response rate, complete remission and stringent complete remission rates were found among the groups ( P>0.05), and the median PFS and OS time were not reached ( P>0.05) . Conclusions:In the treatment of MBD, DENOS minimizes nephrotoxicity and has strong AR effect. Hypocalcemia is a common adverse event but is usually mild or moderate and manageable.

Objective To investigate the effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes(BMSCs-Exo)on the regulation of epithelia-mesenchymal transition(EMT)in human peritoneal mesothelial cells(HPMCs)treated with glucose-based peritoneal dialysis fluid(PDF).Methods BMSCs-Exo were verified by transmission electron microscopy(TEM),nanoparticle tracking analyzer(NTA)and Western blot.Cultured HPMCs(HMrSV5)were divided into 5 groups;control group,high glucose-based PDF(1.5％,2.5％,and 4.25％)group,siNLRP3 group,siNC group and BMSCs-Exo treated group.Expression of E-cadherin,vimentin,α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and NLRP3 inflammasome-related proteins were detected by Western blot.Real time RT-PCR was used to detected the expression of α-SMA,E-cadherin and TGF-β1 mRNAs in HMrSV5 cells.The concentration of TGF-β1,IL-1 β and IL-18 in the culture supernatant was determined by ELISA.Results The exosomes isolated were spherical and double-membrane vesicles with 40-150 nm in diameter,which expressed CD9,CD81,TSG101 and Alix protein.Our results showed that the level of α-SMA and vimentin were significantly up-regulated and E-cadherin(epithelial marker)was significantly decreased in HMrSV5 cells treated with high glucose PDF com-pared with the normal HMrSV5 cells.The expression of NLRP3,pro-caspase-1 and pro-IL-1β were also significantly up-regulated in HMrSV5 cells treated with high glucose PDF compared with the normal HMrSV5 cells.The level of TGF-β1,IL-1 β and IL-18 in high glucose PDF treated HMrSV5 cells culture supernatant was up-regulated in a dose dependent manner.The protein level of α-SMA was decreased and E-cadherin level was increased by an NLRP3 siRNA to inhibit the activation of NLRP3.Compared with 4.25％PDF treated cells,E-cadherin expression was up-regulated,while the expression of α-SMA and vimentin were down-regulated in BMSCs-Exo treatment cells(P＜0.05).Furthermore,the protein expression of NLRP3,pro-caspase-1 and pro-IL-1β in 4.25％PDF-treated HMrSV5 cells were significantly reduced by BMSCs-Exo.BMSCs-Exo also reduced the level of TGF-β1,IL-1 β and IL-8 in the 4.25％PDF-treated HMrSV5 cells culture supernatants(P＜0.05).Conclusions High glucose PDF-induced EMT in HPMCs might be mediated by NLRP3 inflammatory signaling pathway,which can be inhibited by BMSCs-Exo.

Aim To explore the role and mechanism of the effective ingredients of Scutellariae Radix in improving the fibrosis of diabetes cardiomyopathy(DCM).Methods The technology platform of Chinese medicine system pharmacology(TCMSP)and the small molecule drug target prediction(Swiss Target Prediction)platform were used to excavate the active components of Scutellariae Radix and the target of its response.DCM related disease gene targets were screened using GeneCards,Disgene,UniPort and OMIM databases,and intersecting genes were imported into the String 11.5 database to construct a drug-disease-protein interaction network diagram.Cytoscape 3.9.1 software was a-dopted to visualize the key target network.Metascape platform was used to explore the molecular targets of Scutellariae Radix effective ingredients against DCM,and draw pathway maps through the KEGG database.H9c2 and AC16 cardio-myocytes were stimulated with 5.5 mmol/L D-glucose as the normal glucose control group,35 mmol/L D-glucose as the high glucose group,and 10 μmol/L Baicalin was used for intervention.The levels of TGF-β1,collagen Ⅰ(COL Ⅰ)and collagen Ⅲ(CO LⅢ)mRNA were detected by RT-qPCR,and the expression of Smad2/3,p-Smad2/3,COL Ⅰ and COL Ⅲprotein were detected by Western blot,TGF-β1 level in supernatant was assessed by ELISA.Results Through the a-bove platform,a total of 33 effective ingredients including Baicalin,441 core targets,and 1 884 DCM disease genes were retrieved,150 core genes for treating DCM with Scutellariae Radix were obtained.The drug-disease interacted genes such as TGF-β1,TP53,MMP-9 and IL-6 were obtained through String PPI,KEGG signaling pathways such as MAPK and PI3K/Akt were enriched.In vitro experiments showed high glucose stimulation of H9c2 and AC16 cardiomyocytes led to upregulation of TGF-β1,COL Ⅰ and COL Ⅲ mRNA levels,p-Smad2/3,COL Ⅰ and COL Ⅲ protein levels,and signifi-cantly increased the content of TGF-β1 in the supernatant,while Baicalin weakened its expression.Conclusion The active ingredients of Scutellariae Radix exert anti DCM effects through multiple targets,among which Baicalin inhibits TGF-β1/Smad signaling to improve high glucose induced cardiomyocyte fibrosis and plays a protective role in DCM.

Objective:To assess the performance of machine learning(ML),and integrate the clinical parameters with coronary artery calcium(CAC)score of computed tomography(CT)and quantification of automated epicardial adipose tissue(EAT),so as to predict the long-term risk of myocardial infarction(MI)and cardiogenic death in asymptomatic patients.Methods:A total of 1 058 subjects with cardiovascular risk factors and without symptoms of coronary heart disease who underwent physical examination at the Fifth Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2013 to October 2015 were selected as this study subjects.A long-term follow-up was conducted on them after CAC score.EAT volume and density were quantified using a fully automated deep learning method.ML extreme gradient boosting was trained by using clinical data,risk score of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease,CAC score and automated EAT measure,and the repeated 10-fold cross validation was used to verify the model.Results:During the 8-year follow-up period,61 cases of 1 058 subjects occurred events of MI and(or)cardiac death.The area under curve(AUC)value of ML was significantly higher than that of the atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD)risk and the predicting events of CAC score(ML:0.82,ASCVD:0.77,CAC:0.77).Compared with ML with only clinical variable,machine learning based on ASCVD,CAC and EAT had more predictive ability for MI and cardiac death[AUC 0.82(95%CI:77-87)vs.0.78(95%CI:0.72-0.84),P=0.02].The survival rate of subjects with high ML scores had a greater decline degree with the increasing of time,therefore,the subjects with higher ML scores were more likely to experience events.Conclusion:ML,which integrated clinical and quantitative imaging variables,can provide long-term risk prediction for patients with cardiovascular risk factors.

Objective:To evaluate the therapeutic effects of Yufu ointment for acute radiation-induced skin injury. Methods:We enrolled a total of 104 patients with malignant tumors who developed acute skin injury of grade 2-3 during or after the first course of radiotherapy from June 2019 to February 2023. The observation group ( n=53) and control group ( n=51) received external application of Yufu ointment and Shirun Shaoshang ointment, respectively. We recorded the changes in the grade of skin injury and associated symptoms (such as pain, itching, and burning sensation) and healing speed and time for the two groups. Results:A total of 102 patients completed the study, with 53 cases in the observation group and 49 cases in the control group. The incidence rate of moisture skin lesions in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group (62.26% vs. 83.67%, P<0.05). The healing speed of moisture skin ulcerations was significantly faster in the observation group than in the control group (1.67 cm 2/d vs. 0.55 cm 2/d, P<0.05). The observation group had a significantly shorter time to skin injury healing than the control group (10.40 d vs. 14.41 d, P<0.05), significantly different for skin injury of grade 2 (10.21 d vs. 17.57 d, P<0.05) but not for skin injury of grades 2.5 and 3 ( P>0.05). Regarding clinical symptoms, both groups experienced significant reductions in pain and burning sensation scores after treatment ( P<0.05); the grade of itching was significantly decreased for the observation group ( P<0.05), but had no significant change for the control group after treatment ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Yufu ointment can significantly alleviate secondary damage for patients with acute radiation-induced skin injury, by accelerating the healing process and relieving symptoms such as pain, itching, and burning sensation with good tolerability, which deserves further promotion.

The correlation between hearing loss (HL) and physical performance in patients receiving maintenance hemodialysis (MHD) remains poorly investigated. This study explored the association between HL and physical performance in patients on MHD. Methods: This multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted between July 2020 and April 2021 in seven hemodialysis centers in Shanghai and Suzhou, China. The hearing assessment was performed using pure-tone average (PTA). Physical performance was assessed using the Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), handgrip strength, and gait speed. Results: Finally, 838 adult patients (male, 516 [61.6%]; 61.2 ± 2.6 years) were enrolled. Among them, 423 (50.5%) had mild to profound HL (male, 48.6% and female, 53.4%). Patients with HL had poorer physical performance than patients without HL (p < 0.001). TUGT was positively correlated with PTA (r = 0.265, p < 0.001), while handgrip strength and gait speed were negatively correlated with PTA (r = –0.356, p < 0.001 and r = –0.342, p < 0.001, respectively). Physical performance in patients aged <60 years showed significant dose-response relationships with HL. After adjusting for confounders, the odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for HL across the TUGT quartiles (lowest to highest) were 1.00 (reference), 1.15 (0.73–1.81), 1.69 (1.07–2.70), and 2.87 (1.69–4.88) (p for trend = 0.005). Conclusion: Lower prevalence of HL was associated with a faster TUGT and a stronger handgrip strength in patients on MHD.