BACKGROUND:Psoralen has a strong anti-osteoporotic activity and may have a restorative effect on chemotherapy-induced osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE:To explore the restorative effect of psoralen on the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in mice inhibited by cyclophosphamide and its mechanism. METHODS:C57BL/6 mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured.Effect of psoralen on viability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was detected by MTT assay.Osteogenic induction combined with alkaline phosphatase staining was used to determine the optimal dose of psoralen to restore the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells inhibited by cyclophosphamide.The mRNA expression levels of Runx2,alkaline phosphatase,Osteocalcin,osteoprotegerin,and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-related genes Wnt1,Wnt4,Wnt10b,β-catenin,and c-MYC were measured by RT-qPCR at different time points under the intervention with psoralen.The protein expression of osteogenic specific transcription factor Runx2 and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway related genes Active β-catenin,DKK1,c-MYC,and Cyclin D1 was determined by western blot assay at different time points under the intervention with psoralen. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was no significant effect of different concentrations of psoralen on the viability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.The best recovery of the inhibition of osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells caused by cyclophosphamide was under the intervention of psoralen at a concentration of 200 μmol/L.(2)Psoralen reversed the reduction in osteogenic differentiation marker genes Runx2,alkaline phosphatase,Osteocalcin and osteoprotegerin mRNA expression and Runx2 protein expression in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells caused by cyclophosphamide conditioned medium.(3)Psoralen reversed the decrease in Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related genes Wnt4,β-catenin,c-MYC mRNA and Active β-catenin,c-MYC,and Cyclin D1 protein expression and the increase in DKK1 protein expression in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells caused by cyclophosphamide conditioned medium.(4)The results showed that cyclophosphamide inhibited osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in mice,and psoralen had a restorative effect on it.The best intervention effect was achieved at a concentration of 200 μmol/L psoralen,and this protective effect might be related to the activation of Wnt4/β-catenin signaling pathway by psoralen.

With advancements in radiology,endoscopic techniques,surgical treatments,cell biology and molecular biology,the un-derstanding of temporomandibular disorders(TMD)has increased.The temporomandibular joint(TMJ)is a complex structure comprising both soft and hard tissues.Within the TMJ,the temporomandibular disc is a soft tissue structure that connects the mandible to the skull,providing cushioning and stability during joint movement.Different imaging techniques have their own advantages and limi-tations in the diagnosis and treatment of TMD.Therefore,using image registration technology to assess the condition and position of the articular disc provides new research perspectives for evaluating TMD,which may contribute to the diagnosis and treatment.This article reviews the latest advancements in TMJ imaging,explores the applications of various image registration techniques,particularly in the context of TMD diagnosis and treatment,and discusses future prospects.Combining the research results of some scholars at home and a-broad with the author’s clinical experience,the article aims to provide valuable insights for clinicians.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of general anesthesia combined with epidural block on postoperative sleep in the frail elderly patients undergoing gastrointestinal tumor surgery.Methods:Ninety frail patients of either sex, aged 65-80 yr, with body mass index of 18-30 kg/m 2, of American Society of Anesthesiology physical status Ⅱ-Ⅲ, scheduled for elective open gastrointestinal tumor surgery (FRAIL score >2), were divided into 2 groups ( n=45 each) using a random number table method: general anesthesia group (GA group) and general anesthesia combined with epidural block group (GE group). Combined intravenous-inhalational anesthesia was carried out in group GA.Epidural block was performed before induction of anesthesia, and the method of general anesthesia was the same as that described in group GA, and the consumption of propofol and remifentanil was adjusted according to the BIS value, sweat and tears, heart rate and blood pressure during operation in group GE.Postoperative intravenous analgesia was performed to maintain VAS score ≤3.Wearable devices were used to monitor sleep parameters at 1 day before surgery and 1, 3 and 7 days after surgery.Sleep quality was assessed using Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Quality of Recovery-15 questionnaire at 1 day before surgery and 1, 3, 7 and 30 days after surgery.The intraoperative consumption of propofol, sufentanil and remifentanil were recorded.The requirement for postoperative rescue analgesia and total pressing times of patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) within 48 h after surgery were recorded.Serum C-reactive protein concentrations were determined by immunoturbidimetry at 1 day before surgery and 1 day after surgery, and the adverse reactions at 7 days after surgery were recorded. Results:Compared with group GA, the consumption of remifentanil was significantly reduced, the total sleep score, deep sleep ratio, rapid eye movement ratio and Quality of Recovery-15 score were increased, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index was decreased, and the incidence of postoperative nausea and vomiting was decreased on 1st and 3rd days after operation ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the serum C-reactive protein concentration and postoperative requirement for rescue analgesia, and total pressing times of PCA in group GE ( P>0.05). Conclusions:General anesthesia combined with epidural block can improve short-term sleep quality and recovery quality after gastrointestinal tumor surgery in elderly frail patients.

Objective:To establish an Epstein-Barr virus-transformed peripheral blood B cell line (BCL), and explore its phenotypic characteristics, the ability to secrete antibodies and cytokines, and the ability to present hepatitis B virus (HBV) antigen peptide.Methods:Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were isolated from patients with HBV infection. Epstein-Barr virus supernatant was incubated to construct BCL. The expression of CD19, CD138, CD38, CD27 and the production levels of IFN - γ, IL-10, IL-6 were detected by flow cytometry. BCL loaded with HBV antigen peptide was incubated with in vitro-expanded autologous T cells. Intracellular staining was used to detect the level of interferon-gamma produced by T cells.Results:Compared with untransformed peripheral blood B cells, BCL had high expression levels of CD138, CD38 and CD27, and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05), while the level of IL-6 production was decreased, and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.01). BCL loaded with HBV antigen peptide had significantly enhanced the production of interferon-gamma by in vitro-expanded autologous T cells, and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.01). Conclusion:BCL highly expresses CD138, CD38 and CD27, but its ability to produce IL-6 decreases. BCL can improve the immune response efficiency of HBV-specific T cells to HBV antigen peptide, and serve as a new tool for hepatitis B immune research.

Objective:To construct a recombinant HBV replication-type plasmid with liver-enriched transcription factor binding site mutation at proximal of HBV C promoter in order to elucidate the role of HBx-enhanced HBV replication.Methods:Site-directed mutagenesis technology was used to construct a recombinant plasmid with liver-enriched transcription factor binding site mutation at proximal of HBV C promoter on the basis of wild-type HBV replicating plasmid and HBV replicating plasmid lacking HBx expression. Subsequently, plasmid transfection was carried out in HBV liver cancer cell replication model and mouse replication model, and HBV replication intermediates of cells and mouse liver tissue were extracted for detection.Results:Based on the HBV replicating plasmid, the HBV replicating plasmid with liver-enriched transcription factor binding site mutation at proximal of HBV C promoter was successfully constructed. HBx-enhanced HBV replication were detected in both the HBV liver cancer replication model and the mouse replication model. After mutating liver-enriched transcription factor binding site mutation at proximal of HBV C promoter, the effect of HBx on the enhancement of HBV replication was not significantly affected.Conclusion:HBx may not enhance HBV replication through liver-enriched transcription factor binding site mutation at proximal of HBV C promoter. The role of other liver-enriched transcription factor binding sites in HBx-enhanced HBV replication needs further study.

Chronic hepatitis B and its related complications seriously endanger the lives and health of our country people. Although the first-line nucleos(t)ide analogs such as entecavir, tenofovir disoproxil fumarate and tenofovir alafenamide fumarate can inhibit virus replication to a certain extent, delay or prevent disease progression, and reduce the incidence of hepatitis B-related liver cancer, but in clinical practice, HBV DNA positivity is still detected continuously or intermittently in the serum of some patients. Therefore, low-level viremia has received widespread attention and triggered discussion, and has become the difficulties and hotspot of antiviral treatment of chronic hepatitis B. This article summarizes and discusses the definition and incidence in line with the main guidelines and studies, impact of disease control and clinical prognosis, and the current treatment options in order to provide definite reference for the management of low-level viremia during antiviral therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

Since the emergence of novel coronavirus pneumonia in late 2019, it has quickly spread to many countries and regions around the world, causing a significant impact on human beings and society, posing a great threat to the global public health system. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was highly infectious, and some complications emerged rapidly in some patients, including acute respiratory distress syndrome, and multiple organ failure. The virus could trigger a series of immune responses, which might lead to excessive immune activation, thereby bringing about the immune system imbalance of the body. Up to now, there was no specific antiviral drug, and we conjectured that immunomodulatory therapy might play an essential part in the treatment of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) as adjuvant therapy. Therefore, we analyzed the possible mechanism of immune imbalance caused by the new coronavirus, and summarized the immunotherapeutic means of COVID-19 based on the mechanisms, to provide some reference for follow-up research and clinical prevention and treatment of COVID-19.
Betacoronavirus ; Coronavirus Infections ; Humans ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)/hepatitis C virus (HCV) co-infection shares the same transmission routes, and thereby it is not rare in regions where the prevalence of HBV and HCV is high. However, the co-infection rates of HBV/HCV reported in different regions of the world are relatively dissimilar, and the co-infection rates of HBV/HCV in the population are unidentified due to the presence of silent HBV infection. Thus, the phenomenon of underestimation exists. HCV may have an inhibitory effect on HBV replication when HBV/HCV is co-infected, and the effect of HBV on HCV replication remains to be certain by more studies. Furthermore, the mechanism of interaction may include the direct effect of viral proteins and the indirect effect of immune mediated host response. HBV/HCV co-infection can cause more serious chronic liver diseases and cirrhosis, and can increase the risk of liver cancer. The efficacy of peginterferon plus ribavirin in patients with HBV/HCV co-infection is same as HCV monotherapy. There are few studies on the efficacy of direct-acting antiviral drugs. Patients with HBV/HCV co-infection have the risk of HBV reactivation regardless of anti-HCV treatment with peginterferon plus ribavirin or direct-acting antiviral drugs, but the probability of HBV reactivation and how to assess and prevent it needs more studies to interpret.

Objective: To study the correlation of lifestyle characteristics with thyroid nodules in a population-based sample of centenarians in Hainan. Methods: The study was based on China Hainan Centenarian Cohort Study (CHCCS) conducted in 18 cities and counties in Hainan province from 2014 to 2016. A group of multidisciplinary team interviewed and examined local centenarians with structured questionnaires and ultrasonography procedures. A total of 918 centenarians were analyzed after excluding those who refused ultrasonographic examinations or had relevant missing data. Thyroids of centenarians were examined by 3-year experienced sonographer, details on lifestyle characteristics and dietary habits were collected by standard procedure. Results: Of the 918 centenarians, 683 (74.4%) had thyroid nodules under the ultrasonography procedures. The prevalence of thyroid nodules in different group of areca nut consumption varied significantly (P<0.05). In multivariate logistic regression model, the results showed female and areca nut intake were independently associated with thyroid nodules in centenarians (P<0.05). Conclusions The modifiable variables including areca nut intake as well as non-modifiable such as gender are independent determinants of thyroid nodules in centenarians. Further studies are warranted to explore and verify these associations in populations with different ranges of age.