Objective To summarize the experience and practical value of living donor kidney harvesting in Bama miniature pigs with six gene modified. Methods The left kidney of Bama miniature pigs with six gene modified was obtained by living donor kidney harvesting technique. First, the ureter was occluded, and then the inferior vena cava and abdominal aorta were freed. During the harvesting process, the ureter, renal vein and renal artery were exposed and freed in sequence. The vascular forceps were used at the abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava, and the renal artery and vein were immediately perfused with 4℃ renal preservation solution, and stored in ice normal saline for subsequent transplantation. Simultaneously, the donor abdominal aorta and inferior vena cava gap were sutured. The operation time, blood loss, warm and cold ischemia time, postoperative complications and the survival of donors and recipients were recorded. Results The left kidney of the genetically modified pig was successfully harvested. Intraoperative bleeding was 5 mL, warm ischemia time was 45 s, and cold ischemia time was 2.5 h. Neither donor nor recipient pig received blood transfusion, and urinary function of the kidney transplanted into the recipient was recovered. The donor survived for more than 8 months after the left kidney was resected. Conclusions Living donor kidney harvesting is safe and reliable in genetically modified pigs. Branch blood vessels could be processed during kidney harvesting, which shortens the process of kidney repair and the time of cold ischemia. Living donor kidney harvesting contributes to subsequent survival of donors and other scientific researches.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a neuroinflammatory demyelinating disease, mediated by pathogenic T helper 17 (Th17) cells. However, the therapeutic effect is accompanied by the fluctuation of the proportion and function of Th17 cells, which prompted us to find the key regulator of Th17 differentiation in MS. Here, we demonstrated that the triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM-2), a modulator of pattern recognition receptors on innate immune cells, was highly expressed on pathogenic CD4-positive T lymphocyte (CD4⁺ T) cells in both patients with MS and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mouse models. Conditional knockout of Trem-2 in CD4⁺ T cells significantly alleviated the disease activity and reduced Th17 cell infiltration, activation, differentiation, and inflammatory cytokine production and secretion in EAE mice. Furthermore, with Trem-2 knockout in vivo experiments and in vitro inhibitor assays, the TREM-2/zeta-chain associated protein kinase 70 (ZAP70)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signal axis was essential for Th17 activation and differentiation in EAE progression. In conclusion, TREM-2 is a key regulator of pathogenic Th17 in EAE mice, and this sheds new light on the potential of this therapeutic target for MS.
Animals ; Humans ; Mice ; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes/pathology* ; Cell Differentiation ; Encephalomyelitis, Autoimmune, Experimental/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Multiple Sclerosis ; Th1 Cells/pathology*

Although blood banks based on human blood can provide blood transfusions for the wounded timely and effec-tively,scientific research has never given up on finding new blood sources due to the restrictions of human blood sources.With the application of transgenic technology and the successful breeding of gene-edited pigs,gene-edited pig blood as a po-tential source of clinical transfusion has attracted wide attention.Now there are preclinical studies showing the feasibility of transfusing gene-edited pig red blood cells into primates.This paper discusses the related research and future development of xenogeneic transfusion of porcine red blood cells by gene editing.

Objective To explore the CT and MRI characteristic manifestations of nodular fasciitis(NF).Methods A retrospec-tive analysis was conducted on the imaging data of 27 cases pathologically confirmed NF,and their special CT and MRI signs were analyzed.Among them,21 cases underwent MRI examination,14 cases underwent CT examination,and another 8 cases underwent both CT and MRI examinations.Results Among the 27 cases of NF,16 cases were subcutaneous type,4 cases were intramuscular type,and 7 cases were intermuscular(fascial)type.Eleven cases were located in the head and neck,8 cases in the trunk,6 cases in the upper limbs,and 2 cases in the lower limbs.Fourteen cases underwent CT plain scan,and all lesions showed slightly low density,while 1 case showed mild enhancement on CT enhanced scan.On T1 WI,19 cases showed iso-or slightly hypointense signals,and 2 cases showed slightly hyperintense signals.On T2WI,16 cases showed inhomogeneous hyperintense signals and 5 cases showed homoge-neous hyperintense signals.Fifteen cases showed mixed hyperintense signals on diffusion weighted imaging(DWI).Among the 7 cases with MRI enhancement,5 cases showed significant inhomogeneous enhancement,and 2 cases showed rim enhancement."Fascial tail sign"was observed in 25 cases of NF;"double low signal sign"was seen in 16 cases of NF;"reverse target sign"was observed in 6 cases of NF lesions;peritumoral edema was seen in 9 cases;and small cystic degeneration and necrotic foci were found in 3 cases.Conclusion The imaging manifestations of NF have certain characteristics.When the tumor course is short and the tumor size is small and manifesta-tions such as"fascial tail sign""double low signal sign"and"reverse target sign"are present,the possibility of NF should be considered.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and economic burden of palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) in China.Methods:A population-based retrospective study was conducted using the data from China′s Urban Basic Medical Insurance data from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2016. International Classification of Diseases code and diagnoses in Chinese for PPP were used to identify cases and estimate the prevalence, incidence, and cost. Subgroup analyses were performed according to age and sex, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the robustness of the results. Age-adjusted prevalence rates were calculated based on the 2010 national census data.Results:The crude prevalence and incidence rate of PPP in 2016 were 2.730/100 000 (95% CI: 2.218/100 000-3.242/100 000) and 1.556/100 000 (95% CI: 1.154/100 000-1.958/100 000), and the prevalence rate of females (2.910/100 000) was higher than that of males (2.490/100 000, χ2=97.48, P=0.001). The incidence rate of females (1.745/100 000) was also higher than that of males (1.418/100 000, χ2=85.02, P=0.001). The age peak of incidence and prevalence of patients with PPP was in the 30-39-year age group and a small peak existed in the 0-3-year age group among people under 20 years old. From 2012 to 2016, the average number of visits was (2.44±0.04) per patient, and the total per-capita cost per year was (982.40±39.19) yuan. Conclusion:In 2016, the prevalence and incidence rate of PPP in China were higher in females than in males, and the highest age peak was in the 30-39-year age group.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and economic burden of palmoplantar pustulosis (PPP) in China.Methods:A population-based retrospective study was conducted using the data from China′s Urban Basic Medical Insurance data from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2016. International Classification of Diseases code and diagnoses in Chinese for PPP were used to identify cases and estimate the prevalence, incidence, and cost. Subgroup analyses were performed according to age and sex, and sensitivity analyses were conducted to evaluate the robustness of the results. Age-adjusted prevalence rates were calculated based on the 2010 national census data.Results:The crude prevalence and incidence rate of PPP in 2016 were 2.730/100 000 (95% CI: 2.218/100 000-3.242/100 000) and 1.556/100 000 (95% CI: 1.154/100 000-1.958/100 000), and the prevalence rate of females (2.910/100 000) was higher than that of males (2.490/100 000, χ2=97.48, P=0.001). The incidence rate of females (1.745/100 000) was also higher than that of males (1.418/100 000, χ2=85.02, P=0.001). The age peak of incidence and prevalence of patients with PPP was in the 30-39-year age group and a small peak existed in the 0-3-year age group among people under 20 years old. From 2012 to 2016, the average number of visits was (2.44±0.04) per patient, and the total per-capita cost per year was (982.40±39.19) yuan. Conclusion:In 2016, the prevalence and incidence rate of PPP in China were higher in females than in males, and the highest age peak was in the 30-39-year age group.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of hypothermic antegrade machine perfusion against canine ischemic brain injury.Methods:Thirteen beagle dogs were divided into the mild hypothermia with perfusion group ( n=6) and normothermia with perfusion group ( n=7) according to the random number table. The model of ischemic brain injury was established by neck transection. After 1 hour of ischemic circulatory arrest, the perfusion fluid based on autologous blood was continuously perfused through bilateral common carotid artery for 6 hours. The temperature of the perfusion fluid was set at 33 ℃ in the mild hypothermia with perfusion group and 37℃ in the normothermia with perfusion group, respectively. Blood oxygen saturation was recorded at 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours after the beginning of perfusion to evaluate the perfusate oxygen level. The perfusate was collected, and the levels of Na +, K +, Ca 2+ and glucose as well as the pH value of the perfusate were detected in the two groups. At the end of perfusion, the parietal brain tissues of 1 dog from each group were collected to evaluate the water contents of brain tissues. Nissl staining was used to evaluate the morphological integrity of the pyramidal neurons in the frontal cortex and hippocampus. Neuronal nuclei antigen (NeuN) was used to evaluate the structural and morphological integrity of pyramidal neurons. Immunofluorescence glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionic calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba1) were used to evaluate the integrity and activity of astrocytes and microglia fragments. Results:At 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours of perfusion, there was no significant difference in the blood oxygen saturation or Na + concentrations between the two groups (all P>0.05); the K + concentrations in the mild hypothermia with perfusion group were (4.57±0.12)mmol/L, (4.67±0.14)mmol/L, (4.27±0.12)mmol/L, (4.45±0.10)mmol/L, (6.60±0.15)mmol/L, (7.37±0.18)mmol/L and (9.03±0.16)mmol/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the normothermia with perfusion group [(4.84±0.10)mmol/L, (5.31±0.13)mmol/L, (5.44±0.24)mmol/L, (5.70±0.18)mmol/L, (7.79±0.18)mmol/L, (10.44±0.40)mmol/L, (10.40±0.41)mmol/L] (all P<0.01). At 0, 1, 2 and 3 hours of perfusion, the Ca 2+ concentrations in the mild hypothermia with perfusion group were (0.72±0.15)mmol/L, (1.55±0.16)mmol/L, (1.62±0.15)mmol/L and (1.88±0.15)mmol/L, respectively, being significantly higher than those in the normothermia with perfusion group [(0.41±0.13)mmol/L, (0.99±0.12)mmol/L, (1.29±0.13)mmol/L, (1.57±0.11)mmol/L] (all P<0.01), and no significant differences were found at other time points (all P>0.05). At 0, 1 and 2 hours of perfusion, the glucose concentrations in the mild hypothermia with perfusion group were (5.75±0.19)mmol/L, (5.17±0.15)mmol/L and (4.72±0.15)mmol/L, respectively, being significantly higher than those in the normothermia with perfusion group [(5.30±0.22)mmol/L, (4.89±0.20)mmol/L, (4.30±0.17)mmol/L] (all P<0.01), with no significant differences found at other time points (all P>0.05). At 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 hours of perfusion, the pH values of the mild hypothermia with perfusion group were 7.32±0.06, 7.25±0.02, 7.23±0.02, 7.24±0.02 and 7.24±0.02, respectively, being significantly higher than those in the normothermia with perfusion group (7.26±0.01, 7.21±0.01, 7.17±0.02, 7.15±0.02, 7.08±0.02) ( P<0.05 or 0.01), with no significant differences at other time points (all P>0.05). The water content of brain tissues in the mild hypothermia with perfusion group was (74.9±0.4)%, which was significantly lower than (79.9±0.9)% in the normothermia with perfusion group ( P<0.01). Nissl staining showed that the pyramidal neurons in prefrontal cortex and dentate gyrus had good integrity in the mild hypothermia with perfusion group. NeuN immunofluorescence staining showed that the morphology and structure of pyramidal neuron cells in the mild hypothermia with perfusion group were better with clearly visible axons than those in the normothermia with perfusion group, whereas the cytosol was full and swollen with scarce axons in the normothermia with perfusion group. GFAP and Iba1 immunofluorescence staining showed that more structurally intact glial cells, more abnormally active cells, thickener axons and better axon integrity in all directions were found in the mild hypothermia with perfusion group than those in the normothermia with perfusion group. Conclusion:Compared with normal temperature antegrade mechanical perfusion, the mild hypothermia antegrade mechanical perfusion can protect canine brain tissue and alleviate ischemic brain injury by maintaining stable energy and oxygen supply, balancing ion homeostasis and perfusion fluid pH value, reducing tissue edema, and maintaining low metabolism of pyramidal neurons, astrocytes and microglia.

Objective: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at Neiguan (PC6) on arrhythmia during acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion and the expression of connexin 43 (Cx43) in rats. Methods: A total of 40 Sprague-Dawley male rats were used. Ten rats were randomly selected as the blank group, and the remaining 30 rats were randomly divided into a model group and an EA group, with 15 rats in each group. Before modeling, rats in the EA group received one session of EA intervention at bilateral Neiguan (PC6) for 30 min; the other groups were treated with the same grasping and anesthesia for 30 min without intervention. PowerLab physiological recorder was used to record electrocardiograph within 30 min of infarction. After the experiment, cardiac tissue and serum were collected from rats. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the morphological changes of myocardial tissue in the ventricular infarction area of rats in each group. The expression of Cx43 protein in the myocardium of each group was detected by Western blotting (WB). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to determine the activity of Na+-K+-ATPase in myocardial tissue and the serum content of endogenous digitalis-like factor (EDLF) in rats. Results: There was no statistical difference in arrhythmia score between the EA group and the model group, but the total duration and average duration of arrhythmia in the EA group were decreased (P<0.01). HE staining showed that compared with the blank group, myocardial cells in the model group were disorganized and seriously damaged. The pathological changes in the EA group were similar to those in the model group, but the damage was relatively minor. The results of WB showed that compared with the blank group, the Cx43 expression in myocardial tissue of the model group was decreased (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the Cx43 expression in the EA group was increased (P<0.01); compared with the blank group, the Na+-K+-ATPase activity in myocardial tissue of the model group was significantly decreased (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the Na+-K+-ATPase activity in the EA group was increased (P<0.01). ELISA results showed that compared with the blank group, the serum EDLF content in the model group was significantly increased (P<0.01); compared with the model group, the EDLF content in the EA group was decreased (P<0.01). Conclusion: EA at Neiguan (PC6) can delay and reduce the onset of arrhythmia during myocardial infarction in the rat model of myocardial ischemia-reperfusion. Its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of the Cx43 expression in myocardial tissue, improvement of the activity of Na+-K+-ATPase in myocardial tissue, and increase in the content of serum EDLF.

The glucose metabolism is crucial for sustained brain activity as it provides energy and is a carbon source for multiple biomacromolecules; glucose metabolism decreases dramatically in Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and may be a fundamental cause for its development. Recent studies reveal that the alternative splicing events of certain genes effectively regulate several processes in glucose metabolism including insulin receptor, insulin-degrading enzyme, pyruvate kinase M, receptor for advanced glycation endproducts, and others, thereby, influencing glucose uptake, glycolysis, and advanced glycation end-products-mediated signaling pathways. Indeed, the discovery of aberrant alternative splicing that changes the proteomic diversity and protein activity in glucose metabolism has been pivotal in our understanding of AD development. In this review, we summarize the alternative splicing events of the glucose metabolism-related genes in AD pathology and highlight the crucial regulatory roles of splicing factors in the alternative splicing process. We also discuss the emerging therapeutic approaches for targeting splicing factors for AD treatment.

Adjusting time-dependent covariates into prediction models may help improve model performance and expand clinical applications. The methodology of handling time-dependent covariates is limited in traditional regression strategies (i.e., landmark model, joint model). For example, the number of predictors and practical situations which can be handled are restricted when using regression models. One new strategy is to use machine learning (i.e., neural networks). This review summarizes the methodology of handling time-dependent covariates in prediction models, such as applicable scenarios, strengths, and limitations, to offer methodological enlightenment for processing time-dependent covariates.