BACKGROUND:Transplantation of stem cell-derived islet β cells has been considered effective for the treatment of type 1 diabetes.Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell is an ideal cellular source,but with a low differentiation efficiency to islet β cells. OBJECTIVE:To explore the possibility of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells modified by MAFA and PDX1 to differentiate into insulin-producing cells. METHODS:MAFA-PDX1 lentivirus expression vectors were constructed.The efficiency and potentiality of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells differentiated into insulin-producing cells with three methods were compared by cell morphology,RT-qPCR,and dithizone staining[protocol A:Simple lentivirus group;protocol B:Drug(nicotinamide β-mercaptoethanol)induction followed by lentivirus group;protocol C:lentivirus and drug induction group]. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Morphological change of cells:Cell morphology was all altered after the induction of three protocols.At day 11,human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells induced by protocol B showed the most cell clusters among the three protocols,appearing aggregated islet-like cell clusters.(2)Islet-related gene expression detected by RT-qPCR:Horizontal comparison of the three protocols at the same induction time point showed that the expression levels of MAFA and PDX1 genes were the highest in protocol C on day 5 of induction,and those in protocol B were the highest on day 11 of induction.Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells induced by protocol B had the greatest expression of GCG gene at day 5,INS and GLUT2 genes at day 11.(3)Dithizone staining to identify zinc ions:parts of the post-induced cells were stained brownish red by dithizone on day 11.The partial small island cells were stained brownish red with a darker color(positive expression)in protocol B.(4)It is concluded that the overexpression of MAFA and PDX1 can promote the differentiation of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells into insulin-producing cells.The combination of MAFA-PDX1 gene modification and drug induction is superior to the single gene modification.

Objective To investigate the inhibitory effects of Wumeiwan on oxidative stress injury of ulcerative colitis mice induced by dextran sulfate sodium(DSS)by regulating Kelch-like ECH related protein 1(Keap-1)-nuclear factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)signaling pathwayand.Methods Forty C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into five groups:normal group,model group,positive control group,experimental-L,-H groups.UC mice model were induced by free access to 2％DSS water.Mice in normal and model group were orally administered with 0.9％NaCl,mice in positive control group were orally treated with Mesalazine solution(0.005 g·10 g-1·d-1),while mice in experimental groups were orally administered with Wumeiwan decoction at the dose of 0.13 and 0.26 g·10 g-1·d-1,respectively.All the drugs were administered for consecutive 7 days,1 times a day.The levels of disease activity index(DAI)and the colon length were scored.The levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2)and inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)in colon tissue of mice were determined by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)method.The level of Keap-1,Nrf2,HO-1 proteins in colon tissue were determined by Western blot method.Results The levels of DAI of seventh day in normal group,positive control group,experimental-L,-H groups were 0、(2.62±0.33),(1.87±0.35),(1.87±0.35)and(1.58±0.35);the colon lengths were(8.16±0.47)、(5.98±0.24),(7.58±0.38),(7.33±0.24)and(7.48±0.51)cm;the SOD mRNA were 1.01±0.16、0.40±0.01,1.43±0.45,0.65±0.01 and 0.83±0.02;the CAT mRNA were 1.01±0.20、0.45±0.01,0.84±0.02,0.68±0.07 and 0.87±0.05;the COX-2 mRNA were 1.03±0.33、16.65±0.60,4.78±0.25,14.07±0.60 and 7.39±0.15;the iNOS mRNA were 1.04±0.40、20.71±0.66,8.09±0.93,15.44±0.68 and 11.66±0.06;the levels of Keap-1 were 1.22±0.16、1.10±0.05,1.18±0.05,1.94±0.08 and 1.17±0.08;the levels of Nrf2 were 1.12±0.16、0.76±0.15,0.65±0.13,0.70±0.16 and 0.82±0.18;the levels of HO-1 were 1.34±0.15、1.00±0.12,0.89±0.10,1.50±0.18 and 1.40±0.13,respectively.Significant difference was found between normal group and model group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05);significant difference was also found between the experimental-L,-H groups and model group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Conclusion Wumeiwan can inhibit oxidative stress in mice with UC,the mechanisms may be related to adjusted the expression of Keap-1-Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway protein in colon.

Objective:To analyze the clinical features of adrenal metastases and summarize the experience of diagnosis and treatment.Methods:The clinicopathological data of 210 patients with adrenal metastases admitted to Peking Union Medical College Hospital from Jan. 1990 to Jun. 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, and the relevant literature was reviewed. The clinical characteristics, primary tumor types, imaging examination methods and diagnosis and treatment methods of adrenal metastases were summarized.Results:Among 210 patients, 153 were males and 57 were females, with an average age of (60±12) years. The average maximum diameter of the tumor was (4.7±2.6) cm, the maximum was 14.5 cm, and the minimum was 0.5 cm. Tumor occurred in 84 cases on the left, 81 cases on the right, and 44 cases bilateral. The primary tumors of 210 patients were 72 cases of lung cancer, 48 cases of renal cancer, 29 cases of hepatobiliary cancer, 18 cases of colorectal cancer, 11 cases of gastric esophageal cancer, 6 cases of pancreatic cancer, 5 cases of breast cancer, 3 cases of melanoma, and 18 cases of other tumors. 108 patients had no obvious clinical symptoms of discomfort, only found in the review of primary tumor or routine physical examination. 102 were primary disease-related symptoms, and 210 patients had no abnormal endocrine signs such as moon face and buffalo back. The median time from diagnosis of primary tumor to adrenal metastasis was 3 months. 95 cases were diagnosed with primary tumor at the same time. The longest time was 228 months. Of the 210 patients, 203 underwent CT, 99 PET-CT, 74 B-ultrasound and 25 MRI. A total of 122 patients were clinically diagnosed as adrenal metastasis by history and imaging examination. One patient was treated with adrenal photon knife, one patient was treated with adrenal artery embolization chemotherapy, and 21 patients were treated with adrenal radiotherapy or CT-guided adrenal radiofrequency ablation. A total of 88 patients were diagnosed as adrenal metastasis by histopathology. Among them, 12 patients were diagnosed by adrenal puncture under CT guidance, 74 patients were diagnosed by adrenal surgery, and 2 patients were further treated with metastatic tumor resection after adrenal metastasis was diagnosed by puncture. Finally, all patients were diagnosed as adrenal metastasis of malignant tumor by pathology, and they continued to be treated with primary tumor.Conclusions:Lung cancer is the most common type of primary adrenal metastases in our hospital. Most of the elderly men have no obvious endocrine-related symptoms and signs. CT is an effective means of examination, supplemented by B ultrasound or MRI diagnostic accuracy will be further improved, but the diagnosis still depends on histopathological examination. For patients with isolated adrenal metastasis, surgical treatment can significantly improve the prognosis. However, comprehensive treatment should be carried out according to the general situation of patients, the type and biological behavior of primary tumors, and the characteristics of metastatic tumors, so as to achieve the best curative effect.

Objective: Retrospective analysis of the efficacy and influencing factors of bladder preservation integrated therapy for unresectable invasive bladder cancer confined to the pelvis was done, also including the bladder function preservation and adverse effects analysis. Methods: Sixty-nine patients with unresectable locally invasive bladder cancer who received radiotherapy-based combination therapy from March 1999 to December 2021 at our hospital were selected. Among them, 42 patients received concurrent chemoradiotherapy, 32 underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapyand 43 with transurethral resection of bladder tumors (TURBT) prior to radiotherapy. The late adverse effect of radiotherapy, preservation of bladder function, replase and metastasis and survival were followed-up. Cox proportional hazards models were applied for the multifactorial analysis. Results: The median age was 69 years. There were 63 cases (91.3%) of uroepithelial carcinoma, 64 of stage Ⅲ and 4 of stage Ⅳ. The median duration of follow-up was 76 months. There were 7 grade 2 late genito urinary toxicities, 2 grade 2 gastrointestinal toxicities, no grade 3 or higher adverse events occurred. All patients maintained normal bladder function, except for 8 cases who lost bladder function due to uncontrolled tumor in the bladder. Seventeen cases recurred locally. There were 11 cases in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group with a local recurrence rate of 26.2% (11/42) and 6 cases in the non-concurrent chemoradiotherapy group with a local recurrence rate of 22.2% (6/27), and the difference in local recurrence rate between the two groups was not statistically significant (P=0.709). There were 23 cases of distant metastasis (including 2 cases of local recurrence with distant metastasis), including 10 cases in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group with a distant metastasis rate of 23.8% (10/42) and 13 cases in the non-concurrent chemoradiotherapy group with a distant metastasis rate of 48.1% (13/27), and the distant metastasis rate in the non-concurrent chemoradiotherapy group was higher than that in the concurrent chemoradiotherapy group (P=0.036). The median 5-year overall survival (OS) time was 59 months and the OS rate was 47.8%. The 5-year progression-free survival (PFS) time was 20 months and the PFS rate was 34.4%. The 5-year OS rates of concurrent and non-concurrent chemoradiotherapy group were 62.9% and 27.6% (P<0.001), and 5-year PFS rates were 45.4% and 20.0%, respectively (P=0.022). The 5-year OS rates of with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy were 78.4% and 30.1% (P=0.002), and the 5-year PFS rates were 49.1% and 25.1% (P=0.087), respectively. The 5-year OS rates with or without TURBT before radiotherapy were 45.5% and 51.9% (P=0.233) and the 5-year PFS rates were 30.8% and 39.9% (P=0.198), respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis results showed that the clinical stage (HR=0.422, 95% CI: 0.205-0.869) was independent prognostic factor for PFS of invasive bladder cancer. The multivariate analysis showed that clinical stages (HR=0.278, 95% CI: 0.114-0.678), concurrent chemoradiotherapy (HR=0.391, 95% CI: 0.165-0.930), neoadjuvant chemotherapy (HR=0.188, 95% CI: 0.058-0.611), and recurrences (HR=10.855, 95% CI: 3.655-32.638) were independent prognostic factors for OS of invasive bladder cancer. Conclusion: Unresectable localized invasive bladder cancer can achieve satisfactory long-term outcomes with bladder-preserving combination therapy based on radiotherapy, most patients can retain normal bladder function with acceptable late adverse effects and improved survival particularly evident in patients with early, concurrent chemoradiotherapy and neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Humans ; Aged ; Treatment Outcome ; Retrospective Studies ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Chemoradiotherapy/methods* ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms/radiotherapy* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Neoplasm Staging

This study was designed to evaluate the protective effect of CPD1, a novel phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor, on renal interstitial fibrosis after unilateral renal ischemia-reperfusion injury (UIRI). Male BALB/c mice were subjected to UIRI, and treated with CPD1 once daily (i.g, 5 mg/kg). Contralateral nephrectomy was performed on day 10 after UIRI, and the UIRI kidneys were harvested on day 11. Hematoxylin-eosin (HE), Masson trichrome and Sirius Red staining methods were used to observe the renal tissue structural lesions and fibrosis. Immunohistochemical staining and Western blot were used to detect the expression of proteins related to fibrosis. HE, Sirius Red and Masson trichrome staining showed that CPD1-treated UIRI mice had lower extent of tubular epithelial cell injury and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) in renal interstitium compared with those in the fibrotic mouse kidneys. The results from immunohistochemistry and Western blot assay indicated significantly decreased protein expressions of type I collagen, fibronectin, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) after CPD1 treatment. In addition, CPD1 dose-dependently inhibited the expression of ECM-related proteins induced by transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) in normal rat kidney interstitial fibroblasts (NRK-49F) and human renal tubular epithelial cell line (HK-2). In summary, the novel PDE inhibitor, CPD1, displays strong protective effects against UIRI and fibrosis by suppressing TGF-β signaling pathway and regulating the balance between ECM synthesis and degradation through PAI-1.
Animals ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Rats ; Extracellular Matrix Proteins ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; Kidney Diseases ; Phosphodiesterase 5 Inhibitors ; Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor 1

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture at "Siguan" points on behavior, colonic 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) and fecal short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in rats with post-stroke depression (PSD), and explore the effect mechanism of electroacupuncture at Siguan points on PSD. METHODS: Fifty SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group, a stroke group, a PSD group, a drug group and an electroacupuncture group, with 10 rats in each one. The stroke model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) method in the stroke group; except for the sham-operation group, the rats in the other groups were intervened with MCAO combined with solitary and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) to establish PSD model. In the electroacupuncture group, electroacupuncture was delivered at "Hegu" (LI 4) and "Taichong" (LR 3), with disperse-dense wave, 2 Hz/10 Hz in frequency, for 30 min in each intervention, once daily, for consecutive 21 days. Simultaneously, distilled water (0.01 L•kg^-1•d^-1) was administrated intragastrically. Fluoxetine solution (2.33 mg•kg^-1•d^-1) was given by gavage , once a day and for 21 days in the drug group. The same procedure of fixation and gavage with distilled water were adopted in the sham-operation group, the stroke group and the PSD group. Separately, before stroke modeling, after PSD modeling and after 21-day intervention, the consumption of sugar water and the scores of horizontal movement and vertical movement in open-field test were observed. After 21-day intervention, the content of colonic 5-HT was detected by immunohistochemical method, and that of fecal SCFAs was determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. RESULTS: After PSD modeling, compared with the stroke group, the sugar water consumption, the horizontal movement scores and vertical movement scores of the open-field test were all reduced in the PSD group, the drug group and the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05). After 21-day intervention, the sugar water consumption and the scores of horizontal movement and vertical movement of the open-field test were increased in the drug group and the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05) when compared with the PSD group; and the horizontal movement score in the electroacupuncture group was lower than that of the drug group (P<0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, the contents of total fecal SCFAs and acetic acid were lower in the stroke group (P<0.05), and the contents of colonic 5-HT and total fecal SCFAs, acetic acid, propionic acid and butyric acid were reduced in the PSD group (P<0.05). In comparison with the PSD group, the contents of colonic 5-HT and total fecal SCFAs, acetic acid and propionic acid were increased in the drug group and the electroacupuncture group (P<0.05); and the content of colonic 5-HT in the electroacupuncture group was lower than that of the drug group (P<0.05). The level of colonic 5-HT was positively correlated with the contents of total fecal SCFAs and propionic acid (r=0.424, P=0.005; r=0.427, P=0.004). CONCLUSION Electroacupuncture at "Siguan" points can relieve the depression-like behavior of PSD rats, and its underlying mechanism may be related to the regulation of fecal SCFAs, which affects the release of colonic 5-HT.
Animals ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Propionates ; Serotonin ; Depression/therapy* ; Electroacupuncture ; Fatty Acids, Volatile ; Stroke/complications* ; Acetic Acid ; Butyric Acid ; Water

Objective:To investigate the effect of early postoperative enteral nutrition(EN)on postoperative rehabilitation and inflammation after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer,in order to provide reference for postoperative rehabilitation of such patients.Methods:Patients who received laparoscopic assisted radical gastrectomy in Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery of The First Affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical College from January 2020 to December 2022 were included in the analysis.According to the different ways of postoperative nutritional treatment,patients were divided into the observation group(early postoperative EN group)and the control group(parenteral nutrition group),and indexes such as postoperative rehabilitation,abdominal drainage flow and the level of inflammatory mediators in drainage fluid were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 81 patients were included,including 41 in the observation group and 40 in the control group.Interval of the first postoperative exhaust(t=3.806;P＜0.001)and resuming diet day(t=5.510;P＜0.001),and length of postoperative hospital stay(t=2.401;P=0.019)in the observation group were shorter than those in the control group.Levels of peripheral blood albumin(t=14.040;P＜0.001)and prealbumin(t=9.832;P＜0.001)of the observation group at postoperative day(POD)5 were significantly higher than those of the control group,but there was no significant difference in hemoglobin level(t=1.477;P=0.144).The level of CRP in peripheral blood of the observation group at POD 5(t=7.758;P＜0.001)and the incidence of postoperative SIRS[(12.2％,5/41)vs(32.5％,13/40),x2=4.830;P=0.028)]were significantly lower than those in the control group.The average drainage volume(t=6.858;P＜0.001),drainage removal time(t=5.016;P＜0.001),and TNF-α level(t=4.993;P＜0.001)and IL-6 level(t=20.640;P＜0.001)in postoperative drainage at POD 5 were significantly lower in the observation group than those in the control group.Conclusion:Early postoperative EN could accelerate the rehabilitation process after laparoscopic radical gastrectomy,improve postoperative nutritional status,and reduce abdominal inflammation.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the difference in intestinal microbiota between preterm infants with neurodevelopmental impairment (NDI) and those without NDI. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, the preterm infants who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from September 1, 2019 to September 30, 2021 were enrolled as subjects. According to the assessment results of Gesell Developmental Scale at the corrected gestational age of 1.5-2 years, they were divided into two groups: normal (n=115) and NDI (n=100). Fecal samples were collected one day before discharge, one day before introducing solid food, and at the corrected gestational age of 1 year. High-throughput sequencing was used to compare the composition of intestinal microbiota between groups. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the NDI group had a significantly higher Shannon diversity index at the corrected gestational age of 1 year (P<0.05). The principal coordinate analysis showed a significant difference in the composition of intestinal microbiota between the two groups one day before introducing solid food and at the corrected gestational age of 1 year (P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the NDI group had a significantly higher abundance of Bifidobacterium in the intestine at all three time points, a significantly higher abundance of Enterococcus one day before introducing solid food and at the corrected gestational age of 1 year, and a significantly lower abundance of Akkermansia one day before introducing solid food (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS There are significant differences in the composition of intestinal microbiota between preterm infants with NDI and those without NDI. This study enriches the data on the characteristics of intestinal microbiota in preterm infants with NDI and provides reference for the microbiota therapy and intervention for NDI in preterm infants.
Infant ; Child ; Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Child, Preschool ; Infant, Premature ; Prospective Studies ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; China ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; Gestational Age

Tacrolimus (TAC), also called FK506, is one of the classical immunosuppressants to prevent allograft rejection after liver transplantation. However, it has been proved to be associated with post-transplant hyperlipemia. The mechanism behind this is unknown, and it is urgent to explore preventive strategies for hyperlipemia after transplantation. Therefore, we established a hyperlipemia mouse model to investigate the mechanism, by injecting TAC intraperitoneally for eight weeks. After TAC treatment, the mice developed hyperlipemia (manifested as elevated triglyceride (TG) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), as well as decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c)). Accumulation of lipid droplets was observed in the liver. In addition to lipid accumulation, TAC induced inhibition of the autophagy-lysosome pathway (microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3β (LC3B) II/I and LC3B II/actin ratios, transcription factor EB (TFEB), protein 62 (P62), and lysosomal-associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1)) and downregulation of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) in vivo. Overexpression of FGF21 may reverse TAC-induced TG accumulation. In this mouse model, the recombinant FGF21 protein ameliorated hepatic lipid accumulation and hyperlipemia through repair of the autophagy-lysosome pathway. We conclude that TAC downregulates FGF21 and thus exacerbates lipid accumulation by impairing the autophagy-lysosome pathway. Recombinant FGF21 protein treatment could therefore reverse TAC-caused lipid accumulation and hypertriglyceridemia by enhancing autophagy.
Animals ; Mice ; Tacrolimus ; Liver ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Autophagy ; Disease Models, Animal

Humans ; Blast Crisis/genetics* ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute/genetics* ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion/genetics* ; Tretinoin