BACKGROUND:Nerve growth factor is a protein that induces nerve growth and regulates biological behaviors such as proliferation and differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the promoting effect of nerve growth factor on chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. METHODS:Rabbit bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and cultured,and nerve growth factor was transfected into bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by lentiviral transfection.The effects of nerve growth factor on the proliferation,migration,hypertrophic differentiation,and chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were detected by CCK-8 assay,cell scratch assay,alizarin red staining,and western blot assay,using the transfected null-loaded virus as control.To further investigate the promoting effect of nerve growth factor on the chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,interleukin 1β was added in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells transfected with empty virus and nerve growth factor for 14 days.The expression of proteins related to chondrogenic differentiation and hypertrophic differentiation was detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)CCK-8 assay results showed that nerve growth factor had no significant effect on the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.(2)Compared with the control group,overexpression of nerve growth factor enhanced the migration ability of the cells,and the expression of cartilage-associated proteins type II collagen and SOX9 was up-regulated(P<0.05),while the expression of hypertrophic-associated proteins type X collagen and Runx2 was down-regulated(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the empty virus+interleukin 1β group,the expression of cartilage-associated proteins type II collagen and Sox9 was up-regulated(P<0.05),and the expression of hypertrophy-associated proteins type X collagen and Runx2 was down-regulated after overexpression of nerve growth factor(P<0.05).(4)The results indicated that nerve growth factor could promote the chondrogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.

Objective To investigate the effect of spleen on hepatic macrophages mediated activation of hepatic stellate cells(HSCs)in mice with liver fibrosis.Methods Eighteen male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups.Mice in Group A and Group B were injected intraperitoneally with CCl4 to establish liver fibrosis mouse model,while those in Group C were injected with corn oil as normal control.Four weeks later,mice with liver fibrosis received splenectomy(Spx)or sham operation(Sham),respectively.After continuous injection for 2 weeks,liver homogenates(L-Homo)were prepared and liver cells were isolated from the three groups.Expressions of IL-1β,IL-13,TGF-β,TNF-α,PDGF-β and VEGF in the liver homogenates of the three groups were detected by Luminex multifactor analysis.The expressions of these cytokines in liver macrophages(L-Mψ)and other non-parenchymal cells of Sham and Spx mice were analyzed by Real-time quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and flow cytometry.Macrophage cell line RAW264.7 or bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDMs)were treated with liver homogenates from the Sham and Spx groups.Then the differently treated RAW264.7 cells were analyzed for mRNA expressions of cytokines and glutamine metabolism-related molecules by RT-qPCR,or transwell co-cultured with hepatic stellate cell line JS1.After co-culture,the survival and extracellular matrix expression of JS1 cells were analyzed.For comparison,Student's t test(between two groups)or one-way analysis of variance(among multiple groups)were used.Results Compared with normal control group,the concentrations of IL-1β,IL-13,TGF-β and TNF-α in the L-Homo of model group were significantly increased and showed higher levels in Sham group than in Spx group.Moreover,the hepatic macrophages were indicated as the major source of these cytokines.Consistently,macrophages treated with liver homogenate of Sham mice had increased expressions of IL-1β,TGF-β and TNF-α and glutaminase(GLS).After co-culture with macrophages treated with liver homogenate of Sham group rather than Spx group,JS1 expressed higher expressions of α-SMA and collagens.Conclusion The spleen is involved in regulating the secretion of cytokines by hepatic macrophages and enhancing their ability to activate hepatic stellate cells.

Objective To investigate the clinicopathological features,immunophenotype,diagnosis and treatment of SMARCA4(BRG1)-deficient carcinoma.Methods Clinical data of 11 patients with SMAR-CA4(BRG1)-deficient cancer were collected.The morphologic and immunohistochemical features of this tumour were summarized,and the relevant literature was reviewed.Results Among the 11 cases of SMARCA4(BRG1)-deficient carcinoma,eight were male and three were female,with median age of 60.Seven patients underwent radical resection,and four underwent traditional joint targeted chemotherapy and immunotherapy.Microscopically,the tumor cells were epithelioid,rhabdoid or spindle-shaped,with prominent eosinophilic nucleoli and frequent mitoses(>5/10 HPF).Multiple foci of necrosis were found in the tumor tissue,a large number of tumor emboli in the blood vessels and myxoid stromal degeneration.Among these cases,11 cases showed loss of SMARCA4(BRG1)expression,whereas the CK and Vim markers were expressed,SMARCB1(INI1)expression was retained,and p53 mutation was detected.The tumor cells showed high proliferation activity(Ki-67>60%),and synaptophsin was moderately positive.Three cases were mismatch repair deficient and respectively showed the loss of MLH1/PMS2,PMS2 and MSH6 expression.Conclusion The incidence of SMARCA4(BRG1)-dificient carcinoma is low.It can be easily confused with other tumors and is difficult to be diagnosed before operation,which requires confirmation by immunohistochemistry.

AIM To prepare the soluble microneedles of Aconitum brachypodum Diels alkaloids.METHODS Centrifugal molding method was adopted in the preparation of soluble microneedles.With chondroitin sulfate consumption,PVP K120 consumption and 40%ethanol consumption as influencing factors,piercing rate as an evaluation index,the formulation was optimized by Box-Behnken response surface method,after which the morphology,piercing performance,drug content and in vitro transdermal performance were investigated.RESULTS The optimal formulation was determined to be 123 mg for chondroitin sulfate consumption,298 mg for PVP K120 consumption,and 2.4 mL for 40%ethanol consumption,the piercing rate was 98.3%.The soluble microneedles were yellow and square patch with conoid needle,which could pierce aluminum foil and rat skin,along with the drug content of(0.94±0.025)mg.The soluble microneedle group demonstrated the accumulative permeability rate of 91.4%within 24 h,which was higher than that in the gel ointment group,and the permeability accorded with Higuchi equation.CONCLUSION The soluble microneedles of A.brachypodum alkaloids exhibit good mechanical strength,which can achieve effective transdermal delivery of drugs.

Objective: To explore the mechanism by which icariin alleviates viral myocarditis. Methods: CVB3-induced cardiomyocytes were used as an in vitro model of viral myocarditis to assess the effects of icariin treatment on cell viability, inflammation, and apoptosis. Moreover, the effects of icariin on ferroptosis and TLR4 signaling were assessed. After AC16 cells were transfected with TLR4 overexpression plasmids, the role of TLR4 in mediating the regulatory effect of icariin in viral myocarditis was investigated. Results: Icariin significantly elevated cell viability and reduced inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-18. Flow cytometry revealed that icariin decreased apoptosis rate, and the protein expression of Bax and cleaved caspase 3 and 9 in CVB3-induced cardiomyocytes. Additionally, it suppressed ferroptosis including lipid peroxidation and ferrous ion, as well as the TLR4 signaling. However, TLR4 overexpression abrogated the modulatory effects of icariin. Conclusions: Icariin mitigates CVB3-induced myocardial injury by inhibiting TLR4-mediated ferroptosis. Further animal study is needed to verify its efficacy.

Using China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang, and PubMed database, literature search was conducted with the keywords ^“pregnancy^” and ^“monkeypox^”, and 27 related research articles were selected for analysis. Through a comprehensive review of the related literature, we aim to improve our knowledge of this viral disease, better our prevention, treatment and responses to future monkeypox outbreaks in China, so as to better protect the safety of mothers and infants. Maternal monkeypox can be prevented and controlled, if active and effective measures are taken in time. Drawing on the experience and lessons from monkeypox outbreaks at home and abroad, it is suggested that hospitals and public health agencies at all levels should raise awareness, and establish an effective emergency preparedness system for the prevention and control of potential future outbreaks.

[Objective] To analyze the influence of the cycle length of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) double reagent positive samples collected from voluntary blood donors in Guangzhou on the detection results. [Methods] A total of 127 044 blood samples from voluntary blood donors at Guangzhou Blood Center from August 10 to December 9, 2023 were selected. Two ELISA reagents were used for HBsAg detection, and samples with HBsAg double reagent positive and S/CO values<10 were tested continuously for 7 days to observe the changes in their S/CO values. [Results] A total of 505 HBsAg double reagent positive samples were detected, of which 52 had S/CO values less than 10. After 7 consecutive days of uninterrupted testing, the S/CO values of Wantai (median 5 decreased to 3) and Xinchuang (median 5 decreased to 3) showed an overall downward trend, and the HBsAg missed detection rate showed an upward trend (from 0 on the first day to 1/10 000 on the seventh day). A total of 13 cases had negative double reagent test results within the 7-day testing cycle. [Conclusion] With the extension of the detection cycle, the S/CO value of HBsAg detection shows a downward trend, and the missed detection rate of HBsAg shows an upward trend. Samples used for HBsAg detection should be tested promptly after sampling to improve the quality of blood testing.

Objective To explore whether hepatocyte Perilipin-2(Plin2)is involved in the development of fatty liver related to comparative gene identification-58(CGI-58)deficiency mice and compare the effects of Plin2 and Plin3 on lipid droplet formation and lipid accumulation.Methods Based on CGI-58Flox/Flox mice as animal model,the adeno-associated viruses targeting mouse liver,CGI-58 knockout and Plini2 knockdown were achieved by co-expression Cre protein and micro-RNA targeting Plin2(Mi-KD).Then CGI-58 deficiency mice were used as control(NC)to detect the differences in metabolic phenotype and liver pathology.AML-12 mouse hepatocytes were used as cellular model and interfered with siRNA to achieve Plin2/Plin3 knockdown in AML-12 cells.Lipid droplet formation and lipid accumulation were compared with Bodipy staining and enzyme colorimetry in basal condition or lipid-overloaded condition(OA inducement)after Plin2/Plin3 knockdown.Results Plin2 knockdown(Mi-KD)reduced PLIN2 protein level by＞99％in mouse livers.Mi-KD decreased hepatomegaly(P=0.019 5)and liver injury(P=0.000 4),while reduced the histological NAS score(P=0.000 2)and hepatic triglyceride content(P=0.016 6)in the CGI-58 deficiency female mice.Mi-KD prevented microvesicular hepatic steatosis in the CGI-58 deficient female mice.Plin3 knockdown significantly reduced the triglyceride content in basal condition of hepatocytes(P=0.001 4),and Plin2 knockdown just showed a decreased trend.Plin2 or Plin3 knockdown significantly reduced the triglyceride content separately in lipid-overloaded hepatocytes(P＜0.05).Conclusion Hepatocyte Plin2 is essential in the development of microvesicular hepatic steatosis caused by CGI-58 deficiency.Both Plin2 and Plin3 are involved in lipid droplet formation and lipid accumulation in hepatocytes,and Plin3 shows a stronger effect.

Objective To explore the clinical significance of serum cytokine expression in the hepatitis B surface antigen(HBsAg)sero-clearance in patients with severe hepatitis B.Methods A nested case-control trial was conducted on 14 inpatients with severe hepatitis B admitted in our hospital from 2006 to 2020.Of them,7 patients(aged 36.57±3.15 years)achieved HBsAg sero-clearance within 1 year after the onset of hepatitis B flares(with abrupt rise of ALT level to＞5 times the upper limit of normal during HBV infection)and were assigned into HBsAg clearance group,while the other 7 patients(aged 34.14±2.97 years)only obtained HBsAg decreased less than 1 g within 1 year after the onset(HBsAg non-clearance group).Then,multiplex liquid-chip assay based on Luminex xMAP was used to detect the expression levels of 48 cytokines such as IFN-γ and IL-2 in serum samples of these 14 patients.Results The serum levels IFN-γ,IL-2Ra and SDF-1α were significantly lower in the HBsAg clearance group than the HBsAg non-clearance group(P＜0.05),but no statistical differences were observed in other 39 cytokines between the 2 groups.And there were 5 cytokines having no mutual expression in both groups.The copy number of HBV DNA was positively correlated with serum HGF(r=0.675,P=0.008)and SDF-1α levels(r=0.587,P=0.027),while negatively with IP-10(r=-0.600,P=0.023)and MIG level(r=-0.640,P=0.014).Meanwhile,a positive correlation was found between HBsAg titer and IL12-p70 level(r=0.593,P=0.025),and a negative correlation between HBsAg titer and TNF-α level(r=-0.609,P=0.021).In addition,the serum total bilirubin level was positively correlated with the expression of SCGF-β(r=0.543,P=0.045).Conclusion Three differentially expressed cytokines and some cytokines related to HBV DNA level and HBsAg titer are found,which may provide new insights into the underlying immunological mechanism of HBV virus clearance caused by hepatitis flares.Meanwhile,it also provides potential biomarkers for HBsAg serological clearance in patients with severe hepatitis B.

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of novel bioabsorbable vascular scaffold(BVS)in the treatment of patients with complex coronary artery disease.Methods This was a retrospective,matched,single-center observational study.45 patients with coronary atherosclerotic cardiopathy received BVS treatment in the cardiovascular medicine department Department of the Affiliated Hospital of Guangdong Medical University from June 2020 to June 2021(BVS),and 45 patients treated with drug-eluting stents(DES)group were selected according to matching study requirements during the same period.Baseline,surgical,and follow-up data were compared between the two groups to evaluate safety and efficacy.The main measures of safety were:surgical time,intraoperative adverse events,etc.,and the end point of efficacy was target lesion failure(TLF),including cardiac death,target vessel myocardial infarction,and ischa-driven target lesion revascularization.Results A total of 90 patients were enrolled in this study,all of whom were followed up for at least 3 years.There were 20 cases of bifurcation lesions and 25 cases of diffuse long lesions in the two groups,and 50 cases of imaging were reviewed among the 90 patients.The proportion of stable coronary heart disease,history of diabetes,history of hypertension,history of smoking,pre-dilated balloon pressure and postoperative diastolic blood pressure in BVS group was higher than that in DES group,and the proportion of family history was lower than that in DES group(all P＜0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the rates of cardiac death,target vessel myocardial infarction,and ischemia-driven revascularization of target lesions between the two groups(all P＞0.05).Binary Logistic regression model analysis showed that the diameter stenosis ratio of target lesions was an independent risk factor for intrastent restenosis(OR 2.786,95％CI 1.096-7.081,P=0.031).Conclusions Compared with traditional DES,BVS implantation has consistent safety and efficacy in the treatment of complex coronary artery disease within 3 years.The diameter stenosis ratio of target lesions was an independent risk factor for intrastent restenosis.