The seat of human intelligence is the human cerebral cortex, which is responsible for our exceptional cognitive abilities. Identifying principles that lead to the development of the large-sized human cerebral cortex will shed light on what makes the human brain and species so special. The remarkable increase in the number of human cortical pyramidal neurons and the size of the human cerebral cortex is mainly because human cortical radial glial cells, primary neural stem cells in the cortex, generate cortical pyramidal neurons for more than 130 days, whereas the same process takes only about 7 days in mice. The molecular mechanisms underlying this difference are largely unknown. Here, we found that bone morphogenic protein 7 (BMP7) is expressed by increasing the number of cortical radial glial cells during mammalian evolution (mouse, ferret, monkey, and human). BMP7 expression in cortical radial glial cells promotes neurogenesis, inhibits gliogenesis, and thereby increases the length of the neurogenic period, whereas Sonic Hedgehog (SHH) signaling promotes cortical gliogenesis. We demonstrate that BMP7 signaling and SHH signaling mutually inhibit each other through regulation of GLI3 repressor formation. We propose that BMP7 drives the evolutionary expansion of the mammalian cortex by increasing the length of the neurogenic period.
Animals ; Mice ; Humans ; Ependymoglial Cells/metabolism* ; Hedgehog Proteins/metabolism* ; Ferrets/metabolism* ; Cerebral Cortex ; Neurogenesis ; Mammals/metabolism* ; Neuroglia/metabolism* ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7/metabolism*

BACKGROUND:With the variation of disease treatment modes and the in-depth research on senile osteoporosis in recent years,increasing studies have confirmed that traditional Chinese medicine has a significant effect on the prevention and treatment of senile osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of Yishen Gushu Formula on bone metabolic markers in patients with osteoporosis of kidney deficiency and blood stasis type. METHODS:102 patients with senile osteoporosis of kidney deficiency and blood stasis type who were treated at Ruikang Hospital Affiliated to Guangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July 2020 to March 2022 were enrolled,including 32 males and 70 females,aged 71-93 years.All patients were randomly divided into two groups,with 51 patients in each group.The control group was treated with calcium carbonate D3 granules and sodium alendronate tablets,while the treatment group was treated with Yishen Gushu Formula beyond the control group.Treatments in each group lasted 3 months.Bone mineral density of the L1-4 lumbar vertebrae and left femoral neck,visual analog scale score,and serum levels of osteocalcin,osteopontin,type Ⅰ collagen cross-linked C-terminal peptide and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase were measured before and 3 months after treatment.Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome score and therapeutic efficiency were also assessed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After 3 months of treatment,the bone mineral density of the lumbar vertebrae(L1-4)and left femoral neck was significantly increased in both two groups(P<0.05),and the bone mineral density of the lumbar vertebrae(L1-4)and left femoral neck was significantly higher in the treatment group than the control group(P<0.05).The visual analog scale scores of both groups after 3 months of treatment were lower than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the visual analog scores of the treatment group after 3 months of treatment were lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).After 3 months of treatment,the serum levels of osteocalcin,osteopontin,type Ⅰ collagen cross-linked C-terminal peptide and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase were significantly improved in both two groups,while compared with the control group,the serum levels of osteocalcin and osteopontin were significantly higher(P<0.05)and the serum levels of type Ⅰ collagen cross-linked C-terminal peptide and tartrate resistant acid phosphatase were significantly lower in the treatment group(P<0.05).After 3 months of treatment,the Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores were decreased in both two groups,while the Traditional Chinese medicine syndrome scores in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group.After 3 months of treatment,no significant adverse reactions occurred in both groups.The total effective rate was 88.2%and 70.6%in the treatment and control groups respectively,and there was a significant difference between the two groups(P<0.05).To conclude,Yishen Gushu Formula combined with anti-osteoporosis drugs can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of patients with senile osteoporosis of kidney deficiency and blood stasis type and prevent disease progression by regulating bone metabolism,increasing bone mineral density,and relieving pain.

BACKGROUND:As tissue engineering brings new hope to the worldwide problem of articular cartilage repair,the construction of light-curing 3D printed hydrogel scaffolds with biomimetic composition is of great significance for cartilage tissue engineering. OBJECTIVE:To construct a biomimetic methacryloylated hyaluronic acid/acellular Wharton's jelly composite hydrogel scaffold by digital light processing 3D printing technology,and to evaluate its biocompatibility. METHODS:Wharton's jelly was isolated and extracted from human umbilical cord,then decellulated,freeze-dried,ground into powder,and dissolved in PBS to prepare 50 g/L acellular Wharton's jelly solution.Methylallylated hyaluronic acid was prepared,lyophilized and dissolved in PBS to prepare 50 g/L methylallylated hyaluronic acid solution.Acellular Wharton's jelly solution was mixed with methacrylyacylated hyaluronic acid solution at a volume ratio of 1:1,and was used as bio-ink after adding photoinitiator.Methylacrylylated hyaluronic acid hydrogel scaffolds(labeled as HAMA hydrogel scaffolds)and methylacrylylated hyaluronic acid/acellular Wharton's jelly gel scaffolds(labeled as HAMA/WJ hydrogel scaffolds)were prepared by digital light processing 3D printing technology,and the microstructure,swelling performance,biocompatibility,and cartilage differentiation performance of the scaffolds were characterized. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Under scanning electron microscope,the two groups of scaffolds showed a three-dimensional network structure,and the fiber connection of HAMA/WJ hydrogel scaffold was more uniform.Both groups achieved swelling equilibrium within 10 hours,and the equilibrium swelling ratio of HAMA/WJ hydrogel scaffold was lower than that of HAMA hydrogel scaffold(P＜0.05).(2)CCK-8 assay showed that HAMA/WJ hydrogel scaffold could promote the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells compared with HAMA hydrogel scaffold.Dead/live staining showed that bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells grew well on the two groups of scaffolds,and the cells on the HAMA/WJ hydrogel scaffolds were evenly distributed and more cells were found.Phalloidine staining showed better adhesion and spread of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in HAMA/WJ hydrogel scaffold than in HAMA.(3)Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were inoculated into the two groups for chondrogenic induction culture.The results of qRT-PCR showed that the mRNA expressions of agglutinoglycan,SOX9 and type Ⅱ collagen in the HAMA/WJ hydrogel scaffold group were higher than those in the HAMA hydrogel scaffold group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).(4)These findings indicate that the digital light processing 3D bioprinting HAMA/WJ hydrogel scaffold can promote the proliferation,adhesion,and chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Humans ; Aortic Valve/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement ; Sex Factors ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Treatment Outcome ; China ; Aortic Valve Stenosis/surgery* ; Risk Factors ; Risk Assessment

【Objective】 To detect the anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in blood donors in Guangzhou, so as to provide laboratory data support for the collection and clinical use of convalescent plasma. 【Methods】 Anti-SARS-CoV-2 antibodies were measured by ELISA in qualified donors. Among them, 326 donors who gave blood in February 2023 were tested for IgG antibodies, 444 donors were tested for neutralizing antibodies. In July 2023, 398 donors were tested for IgG and IgM. 【Results】 399 of 724 blood samples diluted with normal saline (1∶160) were IgG reactive, with a reactive rate of 55.11%. Chi-square test showed that there was a significant difference in the reactive rate of IgG among samples collected at different times (25.46% in February vs 79.40% in July, χ²=210.74, P<0.01, 95%CI: 7.97, 15.98), but there was no significant difference in the reactive rate between different genders and different age groups. IgM was detected in 5 of 398 blood samples, with a reactive rate of 1.26%. The IgG test results of these five blood donors were all reactive, whereas the nucleic acid test results were negative. Neutralizing antibody was detected in 440 of 444 blood samples, with a reactive rate of 99.10%, and 71.59% of the reactive donors had a neutralizing antibody level of 10 μg/mL or more. 【Conclusion】 Blood donors in Guangzhou have a high level of SARS-CoV-2 antibody, which is sufficient to provide convalescent plasma for clinical treatment.

【Objective】 To explore the composition of culturable bacteria in platelets through bacterial culturomics and verify the results of culturomics and metagenomics to improve the detection rate of bacteria in platelets. 【Methods】 Platelet samples from 6 healthy people were collected. Eight kinds of culture media were placed in aerobic conditions and 12 kinds of culture media were placed in anaerobic conditions for large-scale culture and isolation of bacteria in platelets. The isolated single colony was identified by 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The bacterial abundance of healthy human platelet microbiome was analyzed by metagenomic sequencing, and the cultivable bacterial species in platelets was confirmed based on metagenomic and culturomics results. 【Results】 A total of 90 strains of bacteria belonging to 3 phylums, 5 classes, 5 orders, 7 families, 9 genus and 23 species were isolated from 6 platelet samples by culturomics. Among them, the strains with more monoclonal clones at the species level were Brevundimonas aurantiaca (16.7%), Bacillus sp. Y1 (15.6%), Cutibacterium acnes (14.4%) and Brevibacillus brevis (13.3%). The platelet samples sequenced by mNGS showed that the abundance values of Proteobacteria, Firmicutes and Actinobacteria were high. The bacteria detected by both culturomics and metagenomic sequencing methods were as follows: Firmicutes: Bacillus sp. Y1, B. thuringiensis, B. cereus, B. mobilis, B. velezensis, Staphylococcus epidermidis, and Brevibacillus brevis; Actinobacteria: Cutibacterium acnes; Proteobacteria: Escherichia coli and Delftia tsuruhatensis. 【Conclusion】 The mutual validation of culturomics and metagenomics has identified some bacteria, proving that bacteria exist in platelets.

Human cortical radial glial cells are primary neural stem cells that give rise to cortical glutaminergic projection pyramidal neurons, glial cells (oligodendrocytes and astrocytes) and olfactory bulb GABAergic interneurons. One of prominent features of the human cortex is enriched with glial cells, but there are major gaps in understanding how these glial cells are generated. Herein, by integrating analysis of published human cortical single-cell RNA-Seq datasets with our immunohistochemistical analyses, we show that around gestational week 18, EGFR-expressing human cortical truncated radial glial cells (tRGs) give rise to basal multipotent intermediate progenitors (bMIPCs) that express EGFR, ASCL1, OLIG2 and OLIG1. These bMIPCs undergo several rounds of mitosis and generate cortical oligodendrocytes, astrocytes and olfactory bulb interneurons. We also characterized molecular features of the cortical tRG. Integration of our findings suggests a general picture of the lineage progression of cortical radial glial cells, a fundamental process of the developing human cerebral cortex.
Astrocytes ; Cell Differentiation ; Cerebral Cortex ; Humans ; Neuroglia ; Oligodendroglia

Imaging is an essential tool in the management of spinal disorders. Most spine surgeons focus on bony structures and the spinal cord when reading imaging examinations, while the interpretation of the morphology and characteristics of soft tissues such as paraspinal muscles and fat has been a "relative blind spot". As the imaging features of the non-bony structures of the spine have been studied and reinterpreted, it has become clear that these non-bony structural changes are also associated with spinal diseases. Soft tissue parameters such as "paraspinal muscle cross-sectional area," "subcutaneous fat thickness," and "paraspinal muscle fat infiltration rate" on CT, MRI, and other imaging studies have been shown to play a role in spine diseases, and have been shown to be reproducible in the diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of spinal disorders and have potential for clinical application. In addition, the association of sarcopenia and spinal epidural lipomatosis with spinal disorders is gaining attention. In recent years, with a better understanding of the pathogenesis of spinal disorders, techniques such as 3D gait analysis and photographic postural measurement have also shown promise in the diagnosis and assessment of the outcome of degenerative spinal disorders and adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. In view of this, this article summarizes the latest research progress in the basic and clinical aspects of non-bony structures of the spine and analyzes the significance of the imaging features of these non-bony structures in the basic research and diagnosis of spinal diseases.

ObjectiveTo preliminarily explore the mechanism of Shufeng Tongluo prescription （SFTLP） in inhibiting airway inflammation in asthma mice by affecting the expression levels of eotaxin in the serum， CC type chemokine receptor 3 （CCR3）， and extracellular signal-regulated kinase （ERK） phosphorylation in lung tissues. MethodSeventy C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， low-， medium-， and high-dose SFTLP groups （7.75， 15.5， 30 g·kg^-1）， a pertussis toxin （PTX） group， a CCR3 inhibitor （SB328437） group， a phosphoinositide 3-kinase （PI3K） inhibitor （LY294002） group， a p38 protein kinase antagonist inhibitor （SB203580） group， and an ERK inhibitor （PD98059） group. The asthma model was induced in mice by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin （OVA） and aluminum hydroxide ［Al（OH）₃］ combined with OVA atomization （0.2 mL for all）. After modeling， hematoxylin-eosin staining （HE staining） was used to observe the inflammatory infiltration of lung tissues in mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the serum levels of eotaxin ［CC chemokine ligand （CCL） 11 and CCL24） in each group. Western blot was used to detect the levels of ERK phosphorylation and CCR3 in lung tissues. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed obvious bronchial constriction， lumen stenosis， damaged alveolar structure， massive inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissues， mucous plug in the bronchus， edema in the submucosal tissues of the trachea， increased folds， increased serum levels of CCL11 and CCL24 （P<0.01）， and increased expression of CCR3 protein in lung tissues （P<0.05）. The ERK levels in lung tissues of the model group and the PTX group increased （P<0.05）. The level of p-ERK in lung tissues of the model group and the low-dose SFTLP group increased （P<0.05）. As revealed by pathological results， compared with the model group， the high-dose SFTLP group showed relieved lung lesions. The high-dose SFTLP group and the SB328437 group showed reduced CCL11 content （P<0.05）. The low- and high-dose SFTLP group， the PTX group， the SB203580 group， the PD98059 group， and the SB328437 group showed decreased CCR3 protein expression in lung tissues （P<0.05）. The high-dose SFTLP group and the PD98059 group showed reduced p-ERK level （P<0.05）. The PD98059 group showed reduced ERK level （P<0.05）. ConclusionSFTLP can inhibit airway inflammation in asthma， and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of eosinophil activation by down-regulating CCR3 and CCL11 expression and ERK phosphorylation.

Objective : To study the guidance effects of fibroblast growth factor 3 ( FGF3) on the prethalamic γ⁃aminobutyric acid (GABA) inhibitory axons, and to explore the effect of FGF3 on the formation of thalamic axonal network. Methods : Expression and localization of FGF3 and prethalamic GABA marker gene in chicken embryonic diencephalon were detected by immunofluorescence. Early orientation of GABA axons was tracked by DiI. Three⁃dimensional gel co⁃culture experiment was carried out to investigate guidance effects of FGF3 on early prethalamic GABA inhibitory axons. Results : Prethalamic GABA cells were adjacent to the FGF3 + hypothalamas, located above the hypothalamus. DiI tracing experiments revealed that prethalamic GABA inhibitory axons had already extended into the thalamus at E6. Compared with the blank control group, FGF3 not only significantly promoted the growth of prethalamic GABA inhibitory nerve fibers in the prethalamus, but also repelled the newborn prethalamic axons to the dorsal thalamus. The number of prethalamic axons was significantly less in proximal section (towards FGF3 beads) than that in distal section (away from FGF3 beads) (P < 0. 01) . Moreover, the guidance effects of FGF3 on prethalamic axons could be blocked by the FGF pathway inhibitor SU5402. Conclusion FGF3, an axon guidance molecule expressed in hypothalamus, exerts guidance effects on the pathway selection of adjacent prethalamic GABA inhibitory nerve fibers.