Objective To investigate the role of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicle (hUC-MSC-EV) in the regeneration of fibrotic liver. Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the 70% normal liver resection group (Oil+PHx group), 70% liver fibrosis resection group (CCl₄+PHx group) and 70% liver fibrosis resection+mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicle (MSC-EV) treatment group (CCl₄+PHx+MSC-EV group), with 8 mice in each group. LX-2 cell lines were assigned into the phosphate buffer solution (PBS) group, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β group and TGF-β+MSC-EV group. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in mice after partial liver resection were detected in each group. The expression levels of liver fibrosis and proliferation-related parameters were analyzed in each group. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in LX-2 cells were detected in each group, and their effects on HGF expression in mouse liver were observed. Results Compared with the Oil+PHx group, the serum levels of AST, ALT and LDH were up-regulated, and the degree of fibrosis was more severe, the positive area of Sirius red and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) staining was larger, and the expression level of α-SMA protein was up-regulated in the CCl₄+PHx group. Compared with the CCl₄+PHx group, the serum levels of AST, ALT and LDH were decreased, the degree of fibrosis was slighter, the positive area of Sirius red and α-SMA staining was decreased, and the expression level of α-SMA protein was down-regulated in the CCl₄+PHx+MSC-EV group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Compared with the Oil+PHx group, the protein expression levels of Ki67 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) were lower in the CCl₄+PHx group. Compared with the CCl₄+PHx group, the protein expression levels of Ki67 and PCNA were increased in the CCl₄+PHx+MSC-EV group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Compared with the PBS group, the expression level of CollagenⅠ mRNA in LX-2 cells was increased, the expression level of α-SMA protein was up-regulated and the expression level of HGF protein was decreased in the TGF-β group. Compared with the TGF-β group, the expression level of CollagenⅠ mRNA in LX-2 cells was decreased, the expression levels of HGF mRNA and protein were increased, and the expression level of α-SMA protein was decreased in the TGF-β+MSC-EV group, the differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). The expression level of HGF protein in the CCl₄+PHx group was lower than that in the Oil+PHx group, whereas the difference was not statistically significant (P > 0.05). The expression level of HGF protein in the CCl₄+PHx+MSC-EV group was higher than that in the CCl₄+PHx group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions The regenerative capacity of fibrotic liver is weaker than that of normal liver. hUC-MSC-EV may alleviate liver fibrosis and improve liver regeneration by promoting HGF secretion from actived hepatic stellate cells and effectively enhancing the regenerative capacity of fibrotic liver.

As a neurological disorder in the brain, epilepsy is not only associated with abnormal synchronized discharging of neurons, but also inseparable from non-neuronal elements in the altered microenvironment. Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) merely focusing on neuronal circuits frequently turn out deficient, which is necessitating comprehensive strategies of medications to cover over-exciting neurons, activated glial cells, oxidative stress and chronic inflammation synchronously. Therefore, we would report the design of a polymeric micelle drug delivery system that was functioned with brain targeting and cerebral microenvironment modulation. In brief, reactive oxygen species (ROS)-sensitive phenylboronic ester was conjugated with poly-ethylene glycol (PEG) to form amphiphilic copolymers. Additionally, dehydroascorbic acid (DHAA), an analogue of glucose, was applied to target glucose transporter 1 (GLUT1) and facilitate micelle penetration across the blood‒brain barrier (BBB). A classic hydrophobic AED, lamotrigine (LTG), was encapsulated in the micelles via self-assembly. When administrated and transferred across the BBB, ROS-scavenging polymers were expected to integrate anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation and neuro-electric modulation into one strategy. Moreover, micelles would alter LTG distribution in vivo with improved efficacy. Overall, the combined anti-epileptic therapy might provide effective opinions on how to maximize neuroprotection during early epileptogenesis.

Objective To analyze the clinical features of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Shanghai and to investigate the risk factors for disease progression to severe cases. Methods The clinical data of 292 adult patients with COVID-19 hospitalized in Shanghai Public Health Clinical Center from January 20, 2020 to February 10, 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, including 21 severe patients and 271 mild patients. The demographic characteristics, epidemiological history, history of underlying diseases and laboratory examinations were compared between the two groups. Measurement data were compared using t test or Mann-Whitney U test. The count data were compared using hi-square test. The binary logistic regression equation was used to analyze the risk factors for the progression of patients to severe cases. Results Among the 292 patients, 21 were severe cases with the rate of 7.2% (21/292). One patient died, and the mortality rate was 4.8% in severe patients. The severe patients aged (65.0±15.7) years old, 19 (90.5%) were male, 11 (52.4%) had underlying diseases, 7 (33.3%) had close relatives diagnosed with COVID-19. The mild patients aged (48.7±15.7) years old, 135 (49.8%) were male, 74 (27.3%) had underlying diseases, 36 (13.3%) had close relatives diagnosed with COVID-19. The differences between two groups were all significant statistically ( t =-4.730, χ 2 =12.930, 5.938 and 4.744, respectively, all P <0.05). Compared with the mild patients, the levels of absolute numbers of neutrophils, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, serum cystatin C, C reactive protein (CRP), procalcitonin , D -dimer, pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (proBNP), serum myoglobin, creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme (CK-MB), serum troponin I (cTnI) in severe patients were all significantly higher ( U =2 091.5, 1 928.0, 1 215.5, 729.0, 1 580.5, 1 375.5, 917.5, 789.5, 1 209.0, 1 434.0, 638.0, 964.5, 1 258.0 and 1 747.5, respectively, all P <0.05), while the levels of lymphocyte count, albumin, transferrin, CD3 + T lymphocyte count, CD8 + T lymphocyte count and CD4 + T lymphocyte count in severe patients were all significantly lower ( U =1 263.5, t =4.716, U =1 214.0, 962.0, 1 167.5 and 988.0, respectively, all P <0.05). Further logistic regression analysis showed that the albumin (odds ratio ( OR )=0.806, 95% CI 0.675-0.961), CRP ( OR =1.016, 95% CI 1.000-1.032), serum myoglobin ( OR =1.010, 95% CI 1.004-1.016), CD3 + T lymphocyte count ( OR =0.996, 95% CI 0.991-1.000) and CD8 + T lymphocyte count ( OR =1.006, 95% CI 1.001-1.010) at admission were independent risk factors for the progression of COVID-19 patients to severe illness (all P <0.05). Conclusions Severe cases of patients with COVID-19 in Shanghai are predominantly elderly men with underlying diseases. Albumin, CRP, serum myoglobin, CD3 + T lymphocyte count and CD8 + T lymphocyte count could be used as early warning indicators for severe cases, which deserve more clinical attention.

Objective:To investigate the role of ineffective esophageal motility (IEM) in the diagnosis of non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and its relationship with acid exposure.Methods:From March 2013 to May 2019, in First Hospital Affiliated to Jilin University, patients who underwent gastroendoscopy exam, esophageal high-resolution manometry (HRM), 24-h pH monitoring and had gastroesophageal reflux symptoms, and without mucosal or structural abnormal changes under gastroendoscopy were retrospectively selected. Based on Rome Ⅳ criteria, the patients were reevaluated and the diagnostic types were NERD, reflux hypersensitivity (RH) and functional heartburn (FH). The changes of esophageal HRM metrics and acid reflux-related parameters of patients with IEM were analyzed and compared. Independent sample t-test, nonparametric test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:The data of 228 patients were collected. Thirty-seven cases with esophageal gastric junction (EGJ) outflow obstruction and severe esophageal motility disorder (8 cases of achalasia, 9 cases of EGJ outflow obstruction, 4 cases of distal esophageal spasm, 14 cases of absent contractility and 2 cases of hypercontractile esophagus) and fifty-three cases with endoscopic reflux esophagitis under endoscopy (20 cases of Los Angeles grade A, 15 cases of grade B, 13 cases of grade C, and 5 cases of grade D) were excluded. In the end 138 patients were enrolled, including 60 males and 78 females, with a mean age of (50.1±14.1) years, including 36 cases of NERD, 44 cases of RH and 58 cases of FH. According to esophageal HRM Chicago classification standard, 138 patients with gastroesophageal reflux symptoms were divided into IEM group (46 cases, including 15 cases of NERD, 12 cases of RH, and 19 cases of FH) and normal manometry group (92 cases, including 21 cases of NERD, 32 cases of RH, and 39 cases of FH). There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of patients diagnosed as NERD, RH and FH between the two groups ( P> 0.05). The length of lower esophageal sphincter (LES) (2.70 cm, 2.40 to 3.00 cm vs. 3.00 cm, 2.70 to 3.20 cm), the average value of LES resting breathing pressure (16.55 mmHg, 7.98 to 22.95 mmHg vs. 19.10 mmHg, 14.15 to 25.68 mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), the distal contractile integral (DCI)(417.90 mmHg·s·cm, 279.08 to 584.45 mmHg·s·cm vs. 1 429.40 mmHg·s·cm , 994.38 to 1 852.80 mmHg·s·cm) and EGJ contractile integral (37.86 mmHg·cm, 26.97 to 46.78 mmHg·cm vs. 45.19 mmHg·cm, 35.39 to 58.20 mmHg·cm) of IEM group were all lower than those of normal manometry group, ( Z=3.33, 2.09, 8.09, and 2.90, all P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in LES resting pressure at the end of the breath, 4 s-intergrated reloxation pressure, distal latency, upper esophageal sphincter (UES) resting pressure (UESP), UES residual pressure, UES baseline relaxation time, UES recovery time, EGJ type, acid reflux related parameters (total acid exposure time (AET), AET in upright position, AET in supine position, and Demeester score) between the two groups (all P>0.05). The 36 NERD patients were divided into IEM group (15 cases) and normal manometry group (21 cases). The distal contractile integral was lower in IEM group than that in normal manometry group (401.10 mmHg·s·cm, 276.60 to 555.60 mmHg·s·cm vs. 1 135.00 mmHg·s·cm, 903.20 to 1 537.65 mmHg·s·cm), the difference was statistically significant ( Z=3.93, P<0.01). There was no statistically significant difference in EGJ type, other HRM parameters or acid reflux-related parameters between IEM group and normal manometry group (all P>0.05). Conclusions:IEM is not related with the diagnosis of NERD. In patients with gastroscopy-negative gastroesophageal reflux symptoms or NERD with IEM, except for weakened peristaltic function, the EGJ morphological evaluation of the anti-reflux barrier function has nothing to do with IEM. In NERD patients, the relationship between IEM and acid exposure needs further study.

Purpose: Microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B (LC3B) serves as a key component of autophagy,which is associated with the progression of carcinoma. Yet, it is still unclear whetherLC3B is also an independent risk factor for intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). We aimto explore the predictive value of LC3B on prognosis of ICC, and to establish a novel andavailable nomogram to predict relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) for thesepatients after curative-intent hepatectomy. Materials and Methods: From August 2004 to March 2017, 105 ICC patients were eligibly enrolled in the ThirdAffiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University. Preoperative clinical information of enrolledpatients was collected. Expression LC3B in the ICC specimen was detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: The 5-year RFS and OS in this cohort were 15.7% and 29.6%, respectively. On multivariateCox regression analysis, independent risk factors for 5-year OS were cancer antigen 125,microvascular invasion, LC3B expression and lymph node metastasis. Except for the above4 factors, neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and tumor differentiation were independent factorsfor 5-year RFS. The area under the curve of nomograms for OS and RFS were 0.820 and0.747, respectively. Conclusion The nomograms based on LC3B can be considered as effective models to predict postoperativesurvival for ICC patients.

Objective To explore the efficacy of renal transplantation plus hematopoietic stem cell transplantation on inducing immune tolerance and summarize its long-term follow-up outcomes . Methods From 2009 to 2018 ,a total of 11 cases of living related donor kidney transplantation plus hematopoietic stem cell transplantation were performed .Two of them were HLA-matched and the remainder were mismatched for one HLA haplotype . The donor hematopoietic stem cells were mobilized using granulocyte colony-stimulating factor at 5 days pre-transplantation and collected at 1 day pre-operation .The recipients received total lymphoid irradiation for 3 days pre-transplantation and received anti-thymocyte globulin induction during transplantation .The donor hematopoietic stem cells were infused at 2 ,4 and 6 postoperative day .Postoperative regulatory T cells ,chimerism ,B cell activating factor and mixed lymphocyte culture and other parameters were detected and long-term follow-up outcomes tracked .Results The immune tolerance-inducible recipients had a significant increase in activated Treg .One HLA-matched recipient achieved 30％-50％ of chimerism and lost after 6 months .However ,other recipients did not achieve mixed chimerism .The BAFF of recipient spiked sharply after transplantation .Mixed lymphocyte culture indicated that a donor-specific low response was induced .The recipients were followed up for 717 to 3612 days .The first recipient lost renal function and another ten recipients had stable renal function . None of the recipients had myelosuppression or graft-versus-host disease .Allograft biopsy confirmed only one case of mild acute rejection . The dose of immunosuppressive agents was lowered in 5 patients .Conclusions Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation for inducing tolerance is safe during renal transplantation . And chimerism is essential for inducing immune tolerance .

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of single bolus high dose (SD group) ATG-Fresenius induction therapy in kidney transplantation vs.multiple low dose (MD group) administration.Methods A multiple center,prospective,randomized and controlled clinical study was performed on 280 de novo renal transplant recipients from 19 centers.Patients were randomized into 2 groups as follows:SD group,a single high dose (7-9 mg/kg) of ATG-F infused as an induction agent before the vessel anastomoses;MD group,2 mg/kg of ATG-F daily administrated in postoperative 4 days.All the patients accepted maintenance immunosuppressive protocol including tacrolimus,mycophenolate and prednisone.Patients were assessed and data were collected at regular schedule clinic visits on the day 1,3,7,14,30,90,180,270 and 365.The primary end point of efficacy was therapeutic failure rate [the number of death,grafts loss and acute rejection (AR)].The event first occurred should be used in the classification of patients.The non-inferiority evaluation of the two treatment regimens was done based on treatment failure rate.The secondary end points of efficacy were the incidence of AR,delayed graft function (DGF),1-year survival rate of patients and grafts,and serum creatinine at each visiting point.The indicators for safety evaluation included hemotologic variation and incidence of adverse events.Results The therapeutic failure rate in SD group was non-inferior to the MD group (17.24％ vs.23.08％).AR was the major cause of therapeutic failure and there was similar incidence of AR between SD gronp and MD group (12.07％ vs.21.37％).There was no significant difference in the incidence of DGF between SD group and MD group (12.07％ vs.6.84％,P =0.1721).The 1-year patient's survival rate and 1-year graft survival rate in SD group and MD group showed no significant difference (96.55％ vs.98.29％,P =0.6714;94.83％ vs 98.29％,P =0.2750).The serum creatinine level showed no significant differences between two groups at each visit point.There was also no significant difference in total incidence of adverse events between the two groups.In addition,there was also no statistically significant difference in the incidence of concerned and drug-related adverse events between the two groups,including infection,hemotologic abnormality,liver or renal dysfunction,gastrointestinal disorder,etc.After ATG--F administration,peripheral blood lymphocytes in the SD and the MD group immediately decreased but nearly restored to the normal level on the postoperative day 30 and 90 respectively.No severe granulocytopenia,erythropenia or thrombocytopenia occurred in both two groups.Conclusion The efficacy and safety of single high dose of ATG-F induction are non-inferior to multiple low dose ATG-F induction,moreover,single high dose of ATG-F induction is administered more conveniently and economically.

Background:In patients with diffuse large B?cell lymphoma (DLBCL), central nervous system (CNS) relapse is uncom?mon but is nearly always fatal. This study aimed to determine the risk factors for CNS relapse in DLBCL patients and to evaluate the effcacy of rituximab and intrathecal chemotherapy prophylaxis for CNS relapse reduction. Methods:A total of 511 patients with newly diagnosed DLBCL treated at the Sun Yat?sen University Cancer Center between January 2003 and December 2012 were included in the study. Among these patients, 376 received R?CHOP regimen (rituximab, cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) as primary treatment, and 135 received CHOP regimen (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone) as primary treatment. Intrathe?cal chemotherapy prophylaxis (methotrexate plus cytarabine) was administered to those who were deemed at high risk for CNS relapse. In the entire cohort and in the R?CHOP set in particular, the Kaplan–Meier method coupled with the log?rank test was used for univariate analysis, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis. Differences were evaluated using a two?tailed test, andP<0.05 was considered signiifcant. Results:At a median follow?up of 46months, 25 (4.9%) patients experienced CNS relapse. There was a trend of reduced occurrence of CNS relapse in patients treated with rituximab; the 3?year cumulative CNS relapse rates were 7.1% in CHOP group and 2.7% in R?CHOP group (P=0.045). Intrathecal chemotherapy prophylaxis did not confer much beneift in terms of preventing CNS relapse. Bone involvement [hazard ratio (HR)=4.21, 95% conifdence interval (CI) 1.38–12.77], renal involvement (HR=3.85, 95% CI 1.05–14.19), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) >110U/L (HR=3.59, 95% CI 1.25–10.34), serum albumin (ALB) <35g/L (HR=3.63, 95% CI 1.25–10.51), treatment with rituxi?mab (HR=0.34, 95% CI 0.12–0.96), and a time to complete remission≤ 108days (HR=0.22, 95% CI 0.06–0.78) were independent predictive factors for CNS relapse in the entire cohort. Bone involvement (HR=4.44, 95% CI 1.08–18.35), bone marrow involvement (HR=11.70, 95% CI 2.24–60.99), and renal involvement (HR=10.83, 95% CI 2.27–51.65) were independent risk factors for CNS relapse in the R?CHOP set. Conclusions:In the present study, rituximab decreased the CNS relapse rate of DLBCL, whereas intrathecal chemo?therapy prophylaxis alone was not suffcient for preventing CNS relapse. Serum levels of ALB and ALP, and the time to complete remission were new independent predictive factors for CNS relapse in the patients with DLBCL. In the patients received R?CHOP regimen, a trend of increased CNS relapse was found to be associated with extranodal lesions.

Objective To explore the correlation of traditional Chinese medical syndrome elements with plasma connective tissue growth factor ( CTGF) and platelet-derived growth factor ( PDGF) in early liver cirrhosis induced by type B hepatitis. Methods The distribution of traditional Chinese medical syndrome elements in early liver cirrhosis induced by type B hepatitis was analyzed, plasma contents of CTGF and PDGF were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) , and the correlation of syndrome elements with CTGF and PDGF was discriminated. Results ( 1) The distribution of traditional Chinese medical syndrome elements in early liver cirrhosis induced by type B hepatitis showed as follows: the syndrome elements involved the viscera of liver and spleen, and the pathogenesis was characterized as dampness, heat, qi stagnation, and yin deficiency. ( 2) CTGF was closely related with spleen, gallbladder and dampness, with OR value being 1.598, 1.567, 2.797, respectively. PDGF was closely related with heat, with OR value being 1.134. Conclusion Early liver cirrhosis induced by type B hepatitis mainly affects the viscera of liver and spleen, the pathogenesis is characterized by dampness, heat, qi stagnation, and yin deficiency. The patients with higher CTGF are apt to show the pathological changes of spleen, gallbladder, dampness, and have the syndrome el-ements of spleen, gallbladder, dampness. The patients with higher PDGF are apt to show the pathological changes of heat, and have the syndrome element of heat.