[Objective] To investigate the factors influencing the detection of HLA-C expression by flow cytometry. [Methods] A total of 12 hematopoietic stem cell suspension samples from peripheral hematopoietic stem cell volunteer donors were randomly collected after CD34⁺ cell counting detection. The influence of detecting different number of nucleated cell (500 000, 50 000 and 5 000), sequential order of red blood cell lysis and antibody incubation, and the HLA-C antibody with varied remaining time from the expiration date on the detection results of HLA-C expression by flow cytometry were investigated, respectively. The significance of differences between different groups was analyzed through Student t test. [Results] There was no significant difference in the proportion of HLA-C positive cells and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) among the three groups with different nucleated cell numbers detected (500 000, 50 000 and 5 000) (P>0.05). The sequential order of red blood cell lysis and antibody incubation had no influence on the proportion of HLA-C positive cells (P>0.05), but HLA-C MFI value was significantly lower when antibody incubation was performed after red blood cell lysis than that when antibody incubation was performed before red blood cell lysis (P<0.05). The proportion of HLA-C positive cells and MFI value detected by HLA-C antibody remaining 24 months from the expiration date were significantly higher than those detected by HLA-C antibody remaining only 5 months from the expiration date (P<0.05). [Conclusion] The present study has investigated the factors of influencing HLA-C expression level by flow cytometry, the results have important reference and application value for standardizing the experimental operation of HLA-C expression and improving the accuracy and comparability of detection results.

Root caries is a prevalent chronic oral disease with an average global prevalence of 41.5%, characterized by high incidence, low rate of treatment, and high rate of retreatment. Root caries is primarily caused by core microbiome-induced dysbiosis and has multiple risk factors, including gingival recession, root surface exposure, and salivary dysfunction. The traditional preventive measures and treatments such as fluoride, mineralizing agents, and restorative materials, are unable to restore or maintain oral microecological homeostasis. Recent studies have demonstrated that probiotics, prebiotics, synbiotics, and antimicrobial peptides may prevent and treat root caries by reversing dysbiosis. In addition, these biotherapeutics can reduce acid production by acidiferous bacteria, promote alkali production (hydrogen peroxide and ammonia) by alkali-producing bacteria, inhibit biofilm formation, decrease extracellular polysaccharide production, and suppress microbial adhesion and aggregation. It is expected to play an important role in the prevention and control of root caries. This article aims to review oral probiotics (Streptococcus oligofermentans, Streptococcus oralis subsp. dentisani, and Streptococcus salivarius), prebiotics (arginine, nitrates, and synthetic compounds), synbiotics, and antimicrobial peptides (gallic acid-polyphemusin I and LH12) to provide evidence and guidance for root caries management through microecological modulation.

ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of ovarian tissue cryopreservation and autologous transplantation in preserving fertility and ovarian endocrine function in patients with cervical cancer. MethodsA 26-year-old patient with stage ⅡA1 cervical cancer underwent ovarian tissue harvesting and cryopreservation during cancer surgery. Following complete remission of the cancer， autologous ovarian tissue transplantation was performed. Follow-up monitoring included assessment of menopausal symptoms， hormone levels， and follicular development. ResultsSix months after transplantation， follicle-stimulating hormone levels decreased to 6.60 U/L， and estradiol levels increased from ＜10.00 ng/L to 89.00 ng/L. At 10 months after transplantation， ultrasound monitoring confirmed follicular development and physiological ovulation in the transplanted ovarian tissue. By 15 months after transplantation， follicle-stimulating hormone levels remained stable at 7.24 U/L， and estradiol levels further increased to 368.00 ng/L. Over 2 years after transplantation， the patient successfully gave birth to a healthy baby through assisted reproductive technology. ConclusionThe restoration of endocrine and ovulation functions in the transplanted cryopreserved ovarian tissue， followed by successful pregnancy， demonstrates the clinical success of ovarian tissue transplantation.

Background The affinity between placental transporters and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) could affect the placental transport and toxicity of PFAS, while the study on the interaction between PFAS and placental transporters is limited. Objective To explore interactions between PFAS and placental transporters using molecular docking, and to provide a theoretical basis for PFAS toxicity prediction and fetal health risk assessment. Methods Fifteen PFAS compounds, each conformationally sampled and energy-minimized, and 16 placental transporters, represented by their 3D structures, were imported into a molecular docking software (MOE 20140901). For each PFAS, 30 distinct conformations were generated and docked into the active pockets of the transporters using a semi-flexible docking mode. Docking poses were primarily scored and ranked based on their calculated binding free energy (ΔG, kcal·mol⁻¹), with additional consideration given to hydrogen bonding interactions and the ligand's root mean square deviation (RMSD) at the binding site; the top 20 poses for each complex were subsequently output. Optimal binding configurations were identified as those exhibiting a relatively low binding free energy (ΔG ranging from −3 to −10 kcal·mol⁻¹), well-defined hydrogen bonds, and an RMSD ≤ 2.0 Å. The binding capabilities of the PFAS to the placental transporters were then evaluated based on these optimal docking results. Results The PFAS could bind to the placental transporters, with structural specificity. For example, the binding capabilities increased as the carbon chain length of PFAS increased, and it was also higher for PFOS alternatives than for PFOS. Besides, the binding capabilities of sulfonic PFAS with the same carbon chain length was also stronger than that of carboxylic PFAS. For example, the binding capabilities of PFOS (C8) to 15 placental transporters was higher than that of PFOA (C8), except for glucose transporter 1 (PFOS vs. PFOA: −4.14 vs. −4.14). Further, PFAS might be bound to the placental transporter through hydrogen, ionic, and hydrophobic interactions. Conclusion PFAS are able to bind the placental transporters, and its toxicity and exposure risk can’t be ignored.

As the search for effective treatments for COVID-19 continues, the high mortality rate among critically ill patients in Intensive Care Units (ICU) presents a profound challenge. This study explores the potential benefits of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) as a supplementary treatment for severe COVID-19. A total of 110 critically ill COVID-19 patients at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Vulcan Hill Hospital between Feb., 2020, and April, 2020 (Wuhan, China) participated in this observational study. All patients received standard supportive care protocols, with a subset of 81 also receiving TCM as an adjunct treatment. Clinical characteristics during the treatment period and the clinical outcome of each patient were closely monitored and analysed. Our findings indicated that the TCM group exhibited a significantly lower mortality rate compared with the non-TCM group (16 of 81 vs 24 of 29; 0.3 vs 2.3 person/month). In the adjusted Cox proportional hazards models, TCM treatment was associated with improved survival odds (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the analysis also revealed that TCM treatment could partially mitigate inflammatory responses, as evidenced by the reduced levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and contribute to the recovery of multiple organic functions, thereby potentially increasing the survival rate of critically ill COVID-19 patients.
Humans ; COVID-19 ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Critical Illness ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of polymorphisms of solute carrier organic anion transporter family, member 1B3(SLCO1B3) gene on the pharmacodynamics of mycophenolate mofetil(MMF) in patients with lupus nephritis. METHODS Patients with lupus nephritis who were treated in Jieyang People’s Hospital from September 2019 to April 2021 were selected. All subjects were treated with MMF for at least 12 months, or discontinued due to poor efficacy. The efficacy of MMF was evaluated. The SLCO1B3 334T>G/699G>A(rs4149117/rs7311358) genotype was detected using Agena MassARRAY®, and the correlation between gene polymorphisms and MMF pharmacodynamics was analyzed using SPSS 25.0 software. RESULTS The genotype frequencies of SLCO1B3 334T>G/699G>A were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The probability of poor MMF treatment effect of 334GG/699AA carriers was significantly higher than that of 334TT/699AA and 334TG/699GA carriers(P<0.001); Logistic regression showed that both 334GG/699AA and urine protein>2.5 g·(24 h)−1 were the risk factors for poor MMF treatment[OR=4.038(1.731, 9.420), P<0.001; OR=4.157(1.705, 10.137), P=0.002]. Combined analysis showed that patients with both 334GG/699AA genotype and urine protein>2.5 g·(24 h)−1 were at higher risk for poor efficacy[OR=8.563(3.301, 22.216), P<0.001]. CONCLUSION SLCO1B3 334T>G/699G>A is related to the efficacy of MMF treating lupus nephritis, and 334GG/699AA carriers are more likely to result in poor efficacy.

Tumor immune microenvironment is an important microecology for tumor development, where tumor-associated macrophages are the most abundant immune cells in the tumor immune microenvironment, with high plasticity and heterogeneity. Under the regulation of various environmental factors, tumor-associated macrophages can differentiate into different subgroups. Though complex and variable, all these environmental factors ultimately regulate tumor-associated macrophages by influencing the temporal and spatial heterogeneity of these cells’ internal components, structure, and functions. Mitochondrion are important organelles, responsible for energy production, metabolism, and centers of multiple signal transduction. More and more studies have found that mitochondria can regulate cell functions through various mechanisms such as morphological change, metabolic reprogramming, intermediate metabolites or mitochondrial genetic material. Mitochondrial disorders are involved in many diseases and pathological processes. Here, we review the mechanisms by which mitochondria regulate the polarization of macrophages and thus reshape the tumor immune microenvironment. Further, we discuss and prospect the current status of macrophage mitochondria-related tumor immunotherapy.

The overuse of antibiotics has led to the severe contamination of water bodies,posing a considerable hazard to human health.Therefore,the development of an accurate and rapid point-of-care testing(POCT)platform for the quantitative detection of antibiotics is necessary.In this study,Cerium oxide(CeO2)and Ferrosoferric oxide(Fe3O4)nanoparticles were simultaneously encapsulated into N-doped nanofibrous carbon microspheres to form of a novel nanozyme(CeFe-NCMzyme)with a porous struc-ture,high surface area,and N-doped carbon material properties,leading to a considerable enhancement of the peroxidase(POD)-like activity compared with that of the CeO2 or Fe3O4 nanoparticles alone.The POD-like activity of CeFe-NCMzyme can be quenched using L-Cysteine(Cys)and subsequently restored by the addition of a quinolone antibiotic(norfloxacin,NOR).Therefore,CeFe-NCMzyme was used as a colorimetric sensor to detect NOR via an"On-Off"model of POD-like activity.The sensor possessed a wide linear range of 0.05-20.0 μM(R2=0.9910)with a detection limit of 35.70 nM.Furthermore,a smartphone-assisted POCT platform with CeFe-NCMzyme was fabricated for quantitative detection of NOR based on RGB analysis.With the use of the POCT platform,a linear range of 0.1-20.0 μM and a detection limit of 54.10 nM were obtained.The spiked recoveries in the water samples were ranged from 97.73％to 102.01％,and the sensor exhibited good accuracy and acceptable reliability.This study provides a portable POCT platform for the on-site and quantitative monitoring of quinolone antibiotics in real samples,particularly in resource-constrained settings.

Aim To investigate the effect of discoidin domain receptor 1(DDR1)on high glucose induced endothelial cell dysfunction and the underlying mecha-nism.Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were cultured in vitro and divided in-to the control group and high glucose induction group(HG).HUVECs were treated with 33 mmol·L-1 D-glucose for 48 hours to construct endothelial dysfunc-tion.Pyroptosis was detected using propidium iodide staining(PI);lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and IL-1β,IL-18 levels were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA);the expression of DDR1 and NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway proteins and pyroptosis related proteinses were detected using Western blot.Subsequently,the experiment was divid-ed into the control group,HG group,HG+DDR1 NC group,and HG+DDR1 siRNA group.The effect of high glucose on the proliferation and migration of HU-VECs was observed after transfection with DDR1 siR-NA for 24 hours;ELISA was used to detect the endo-thelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS),vascular cell ad-hesion molecule-1(VCAM-1),intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1),as well as LDH,IL-1β,IL-18 levels;PI was employed to detect pyroptosis;Western blot was applied to detect DDR1 and NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway proteins and pyroptosis related pro-teins.Results Compared with the control group,HG group decreased eNOS content,increased VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 contents,decreased cell viability and migration ability,and significantly increased the expressions of DDR1,p-NF-κB,NLRP3 and pyroptosis related pro-teins.The levels of LDH,IL-1β,IL-18 and the rate of pyroptosis significantly increased(P＜0.05).Com-pared with HG group,DDR1 siRNA could promote the secretion of eNOS,decrease the levels of VCAM-1,ICAM-1,LDH,IL-1β and IL-1 8,increase cell viability and migration ability,reduce the expression of p-NF-κB,NLRP3 and pyroptosis related proteins,and inhibit high glucose-induced pyroptosis of HUVECs(P＜0.05).Conclusions Gene silencing DDR1 can im-prove vascular endothelial cell dysfunction induced by high glucose,and the mechanism is related to the inhi-bition of NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway mediated pyroptosis.

Objective To study the protective effect of Irisin in doxorubicin(Dox)induced-Cardiomyopathy and its possible mechanism.Methods AC 16 cells were used to construct Dox injury model and divided into control group(AC 16 cells were cultured with complete medium),Irisin group(AC16 cells were treated with 10 ng·L-1 Irisin for 24 h),Dox group(AC 16 cells were treated with 4 μmol·L-1 Dox for 24 h),Dox+Irisin group(AC 16 cells were pretreated with 10 ng·L-1 Irisin for 2 h,and then treated with 4 pmol·L-1 Dox for 24 h).Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8),terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling(TUNEL)and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)were used to detect the proliferation,apoptosis and mortality of AC 16 cells.Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathway and apoptotic factors B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)and caspase-9 protein.Mito-Tracker Red CMXRos probe was used to detect mitochondrial membrane potential.Results In the contrl group,Irisin group,Dox group,Dox+Irisin group,the rate of apoptosis were(0.97±0.09)％,0,(42.80±6.70)％,(11.74±1.79)％;the expression of Bax protein were 0.85±0.01,0.36±0.02,1.15±0.07,0.37±0.11;the expression of caspase-9 protein were 0.52±0.02,0.59±0.03,1.11±0.02,0.67±0.08;the expression of Bcl-2 protein were 1.01±0.04,1.05±0.25,0.43±0.02 and 0.99±0.30;the probability of mitochondrial damage were(0.02±0.01)％,(0.5±0.15)％,(38.6±2.39)％,(1.58±0.54)％.The difference of the above indexes between the contrl group and the Dox group were statistically significant(all P＜0.05);the difference between Dox group and Dox+Irisin group were statisically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Irisin could reduce the expression level of Bax,caspase-9,p-NF-κB,and p-mTOR caused by Dox,increase the expression level of Bcl-2,ameliorate the myocardial damage caused by Dox,and reduce cardiotoxicity.