Objective To construct recombinant human butyrylcholinesterase(rhBChE)knock-in goat fetal fibroblast cell lines(GFFs)by using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats(CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9(Cas9)-mediated homology-directed repair mechanism for subsequent production of goat expressing rhBChE.Methods The efficient sgRNA sites targeting goat[3-casein(CSN2)gene were designed and screened,and the targeting efficiency of the sgRNA in goat mammary epithelial cells(GMECs)was confirmed by electro-transfection,flow sorting,and sequencing of PCR products.The red fluorescent reporter gene homology repair vector(P2A-mCherry)targeting the sgRNA was constructed,and then the integration and expression efficiency was detected by flow cytometry.The rhBChE homology repair vector(P2A-rhBChE)targeting the sgRNA of CSN2 gene was constructed in GFFs,the rhBChE positive cell clones were obtained via electro-transfection and flow sorting,and the rhBChE knock-in cell lines was identified by sequencing of PCR products.Results The sgRNA4 was identified as an efficient target of goat CSN2 gene,which could be also used for targeted integration of other genes.Three rhBChE knock-in cell lines were successfully constructed.Conclusion The rhBChE knock-in GFFs targeting goat CSN2 gene lays the foundation for the production of mammary bioreactors expressing rhBChE.

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Tongfengke Granules combined with external treatment of TCM in acute gouty arthritis(AGA)with damp-heat accumulation type.Methods A total of 96 patients with AGA were divided into the experimental group and the control group according to random number table method,with 48 patients in each group.The control group received meloxicam treatment.On this basis,the experimental group was treated with Tongfengke Granules(1 bag at a time,three times a day,orally)combined with external therapy of TCM(once a day),and mobile continuing care.The treatment for both groups lasted for 2 weeks.The clinical efficacy of both groups was observed.Before and after the treatment,pain visual analogue scale(VAS),TCM syndrome scores,major symptom scores,and levels of serum uric acid(UA),interleukin-6(IL-6),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),C-reactive protein(CRP),platelet/lymphocyte ratio(PLR),as well as engagement in self-care ability scale(ESCA),general self-efficacy scale(GSES),negative psychological condition[self-rating depression scale(SDS),self-rating anxiety scale(SAS)]were measured.The adverse reactions in both groups were monitored.Results Totally 45 and 47 patients in the experimental group and control group were finally included respectively in the analysis.The total effective rate of the experimental group was 75.6%(34/45),while that of the control group was 63.8%(30/47),with statistical significance(P<0.05).Compared with before treatment,the VAS score and TCM syndrome score in the experimental group decreased significantly(P<0.05);after treatment,the VAS score and TCM syndrome score of the experimental group were lower than those of the control group(P<0.05).Compared with before treatment,the joint pain,joint tenderness,joint swelling,and joint mobility limitation scores in both groups were significantly decreased after treatment(P<0.05,P<0.01);after treatment,the scores of joint pain,joint tenderness,and joint swelling in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.01).Compared with before treatment,the levels of UA,ESR,CRP and PLR in both groups decreased significantly after treatment(P<0.01);after treatment,the levels of UA,ESR,CRP and PLR in the experimental group were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).Compared with before treatment,the experimental group showed significant improvement in ESCA,GSES and SAS after treatment(P<0.05,P<0.01),while the control group showed significant improvement in ESCA(P<0.01);after treatment,the ESCA and GSES of the experimental group were better than those of the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).There was no statistical significance in safety indicators and incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion Tongfengke Granules combined with external treatment of TCM can significantly improve the clinical efficacy of AGA,reduces UA levels,significantly improves inflammatory response,and has anti-inflammatory,anti-inflammatory,and analgesic effects.

AIM:To investigate whether the expression of perilipin 2(PLIN2)in renal tubular cells could predict a decline in renal function in diabetic kidney disease(DKD)patients,and to explore the potential mechanisms in-volved in renal tubular cell injury induced by PLIN2 during the progression of DKD.METHODS:Control individuals(n=12)and DKD patients(n=51)were enrolled in this retrospective cohort study.Demographic and laboratory data were col-lected.A simplified linear mixed-effects model was applied to assess the estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)slope.The relationship between PLIN2 and renal function decline in DKD patients was predicted by Spearman correlation analysis and a generalized linear model.BKS-db/db diabetic mice and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice were used.Primary renal tubular cells were treated with glucose and transfected with small interfering RNA or plasmid.Western blot-ting and immunofluorescence staining were used to detect PLIN2 expression.Lipid droplets were stained with oil red O.The oxygen consumption rate(OCR)of mitochondria was measured using an extracellular flux analyser.RESULTS:The expression of PLIN2 was markedly higher in the tubules of DKD patients than in those of control subjects.After 24(12,39)months of follow-up,the eGFR slope of DKD patients was-7.42(-19.77,-2.09)mL/(min·1.73 m2·year).An in-crease in the baseline percentage of PLIN2-positive tubules was significantly associated with the eGFR slope during the fol-low-up period[hazard ratio(HR)=1.90,95%confidence interval(CI):1.00～3.58],indicating that tubular PLIN2 could predict a decrease in renal function in DKD patients.Both the accumulation of lipid droplets and the expression of PLIN2 were markedly greater in the tubules of diabetic mice than in those of control mice.Glucose treatment induced lipid droplet accumulation and PLIN2 expression in renal tubular cells.Knockdown of PLIN2 significantly alleviated glucose-in-duced lipid droplet accumulation,whereas PLIN2 overexpression aggravated glucose-induced lipid droplet accumulation.The decrease in mitochondrial OCR in renal tubular cells induced by glucose treatment was alleviated after PLIN2 knock-down.However,overexpression of PLIN2 directly decreased the mitochondrial OCR.CONCLUSION:The PLIN2 ex-pression in tubules predicts a decline in renal function in patients with DKD.The PLIN2 suppresses mitochondrial aerobic respiration and contributes to the accumulation of lipid droplets in renal tubular cells to promote the progression of DKD.

AIM To explore the effects and mechanism of Polygoni multiflori Radix Preparata(PMRP)ona rat model of post-stroke depression(PSD).METHODS The models of middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)established by thread embolism method were then randomly divided into the model group,the positive drug(fluoxetine)group,and the low-dose and high-dose PMRP groups,with 10 rats in each group,in contrast to the 10 rats of the sham operation group.After 7 days of MCAO modeling,the rats underwent their 21-day PSD modeling except those of the sham operation group,during which the rats had their the neurological functions and behaviors assessed on the 1st,7th,14th and 21st day;and their cerebral infarction area and brain water content detected on the 21st day.HE staining,Nissl staining and immunohistochemical staining were used to observe the pathological morphology of cerebral ischemic penumbra.ELISA and Western blot were applied in the detections of the cerebral protein expressions of aquaporins(AQP3,AQP4,AQP5)and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF).RESULTS Compared with the model group,the high-dose PMRP group displayed improved neurological functions and behavioral scores(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and reduced cerebral infarction area and brain water content(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,each treatment group demonstrated clearer brain structure in ischemic penumbra,smaller intercellular space,increased neuron counts,decreased cerebral protein expressions of AQP3,AQP4 and AQP5(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and increased BDNF protein expression(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION PMRP can reduce the depression of PSD rats by improving the microenvironment of neurons to promote their growth and survival,and eliminating the brain edema to enhance neurological functions via reduced protein expressions of AQP3,AQP4 and AQP5,and increased BDNF protein expression.

A UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS based metabolomic approach combined with biochemical assay and histopathological inspection were employed to study the intervention effects of Suanzaoren Decoction (SZRD) on chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) depression rats, and to clarify the metabolic regulation pathway of SZRD. The rats were randomly divided into normal control group, CUMS model group, positive drug venlafaxine group, SZRD high (24 g·kg^-1) and low (12 g·kg^-1) dose groups, respectively. The CUMS model was replicated by subjecting to a variety of stimulus, such as thermal stimulation, ice water swimming, ultrasonic stimulation, tail clamping, day and night reversal, plantar electric shock and so on for rats. After oral administration of drugs for 28 days, the behavioral indexes of rats in each group were observed and the hippocampus and serum samples of rats were collected for biochemical assay and histopathological inspection. Compared with the CUMS model group, low dose and high dose SZRD groups can significantly reduce the immobility time of forced swimming (P < 0.001, P < 0.001), increase the sucrose preference rate (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), the number of crossings (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) and the number of uprights (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in the open field test, suggesting that SZRD can significantly improve the depression-like behavior of CUMS model rats. In addition, SZRD could significantly reduce the levels of serum IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α of CUMS model rats. A total of 21 differential metabolites in serum were identified by comparison with the data from the literature and databases. In addition, low-dose SZRD and high-dose SZRD improved the 8 and 11 perturbed potential serum biomarkers that were induced by CUMS, respectively, which related to alanine, aspartic acid and glutamic acid, tryptophan and arachidonic acid metabolism. This study provides a scientific basis for expanding the clinical indications of SZRD. This experiment was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Shanxi University (Approval No. SXULL2020028).

The present study aimed to investigate the inhibitory effect and mechanism of Isodon terricolous-medicated serum on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced hepatic stellate cell(HSC) activation. LPS-induced HSCs were divided into a blank control group, an LPS model group, a colchicine-medicated serum group, an LPS + blank serum group, an I. terricolous-medicated serum group, a Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) blocker group, and a TLR4 blocker + I. terricolous-medicated serum group. HSC proliferation was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) assay. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure type Ⅰ collagen(COL Ⅰ), COL Ⅲ, transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1), intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1), α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1), cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1(caspase-1), and monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1). Real-time PCR(RT-PCR) was used to detect mRNA expression of TLR4, IκBα, and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3), nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB) p65, gasdermin D(GSDMD), and apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD(ASC) in HSCs. Western blot(WB) was used to detect the protein levels of TLR4, p-IκBα, NF-κB p65, NLRP3, ASC, and GSDMD in HSCs. The results showed that I. terricolous-medicated serum could inhibit the proliferation activity of HSCs and inhibit the secretion of COL Ⅰ, COL Ⅲ, α-SMA, TGF-β1, caspase-1, MCP-1, VCAM-1, and ICAM-1 in HSCs. Compared with the LPS model group, the I. terricolous-medicated serum group, the colchicine-medicated serum group, and the TLR4 blocker group showed down-regulated expression of p-IκBα, NLRP3, NF-κB p65, GSDMD, and ASC, and up-regulated expression of IκBα. Compared with the TLR4 blocker group, the TLR4 blocker + I. terricolous-medicated serum group showed decreased expression of TLR4, p-IκBα, NLRP3, NF-κB p65, GSDMD, and ASC, and increased expression of IκBα. In conclusion, I. terricolous-medicated serum down-regulates HSC activation by inhibiting the TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha/metabolism* ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism* ; Isodon ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Signal Transduction ; Colchicine/pharmacology* ; Caspases

Humans ; Gemcitabine ; Neoplasms

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Humans ; Rituximab/therapeutic use* ; Bendamustine Hydrochloride/therapeutic use* ; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell/drug therapy* ; Lymphoma, B-Cell ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Treatment Outcome

Moyamoya disease(MMD)is a bilateral stenosis occlusional disease that selectively affects the superior segment of clinoid of the internal carotid artery with secondary abnormal vascular network formation at the base of the skull.Intracranial and extracranial vascular reconstruction is the main treatment of moyamoya disease.However,moyamoya disease revasectomy still faces many challenges,with high requirements of surgical techniques and high risk of complications.In this paper,the perioperative management of cerebrovascular reconstruction in moyamoya disease was discussed in terms of surgical indications,surgical timing,patient management,surgical methods of cerebrovascular reconstruction and postoperative complications,so as to provide reference for improving the prognosis of patients.