BACKGROUND:Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells(UMSCs)have been proven to have therapeutic effects on cartilage injury,and exosomes are the main carriers for UMSCs to exert therapeutic effects in vivo.Our research group previously found that lncRNA H19 is an important active molecule that mediates the activity of UMSCs-derived exosomes regulating chondrocytes.LncRNA H19 could adsorb miR-29b-3p to promote the proliferation and regeneration of chondrocytes,but its downstream mechanism is still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To reveal the specific mechanism of UMSCs in the treatment of cartilage injury from the perspective of exosomes and lncRNAs,so as to provide a new target for the treatment of cartilage injury. METHODS:UMSCs stably overexpressing lncRNA H19 were constructed.H19-Exos were extracted by ultra-centrifugation.The exosomes were identified by transmission electron microscopy,Nanosight,western blot assay and exosome uptake assay.The effect of miR-29b-3p overexpression and silencing on the TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway was detected by western blot assay,qPCR and dual luciferase reporter gene system.The biological effect of H19-Exos on cartilage regeneration was verified by the specific TGF-β1/Smad3 inhibitor in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)H19-Exos showed a typical cup shape under an electron microscope,and the particle size was approximately 130 nm.H19-Exos expressed CD63,CD81 and TSG1010.(2)Overexpression of miR-29b-3p could down-regulate the mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1 and Smad3,while silencing miR-29b-3p could up-regulate the mRNA and protein levels of TGF-β1/Smad3.(3)Dual-luciferase reporter gene system showed that miR-29b-3p had significant differences in the activities of downstream target genes TGF-β1 and Smad3.(4)The osteoarthritis models of rats were successfully established by injection of type II collagenase into the knee joint.H19-Exos significantly promoted cartilage regeneration.The specific TGF-β1/Smad3 inhibitor SB-431542 could block the biological effect of H19-Exos on cartilage regeneration in vitro and in vivo.(5)This study systematically demonstrated the promotion effect of UMSCs-derived exosomes highly expressing lncRNA H19 on cartilage regeneration,and the specific mechanism is that lncRNA H19 promotes cartilage regeneration by targeting miR-29b-3p/TGF-β1/Smad3 pathway.

By applying "homeostasis" to the study of the meridian and collateral system， the concept of meridian and collateral homeostasis has been proposed which refers to a balanced and stable state of meridian and collateral system， and plays an important role in maintaining body health and can provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Phenomics realizes the cross-scale correlation from micro-phenotypic data， such as genome， proteome， and metabolome， to macro-phenotypic data， such as physiological state， behavioral activities， and external manifestations. From the perspective of phenomics， this paper proposes a meridian and collateral homeostasis dynamic mapping model of "macroscopic signs and microscopic expression". This model combines macro signs such as the four examinations of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， biophysical indicators of acupoints， and micro expression information such as genes， proteins， and metabolism， and systematically investigates the relationship between meridian and collateral homeostasis and health and disease， thereby providing ideas and references for the identification of pre-disease states as well as precise diagnosis and treatment in TCM.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene polymorphism and the change of grey matter volume (GMV) and fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (fALFF) in cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) patients with subcortical ischemic depression (SID).Methods:Eighty-seven CSVD patients in the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University were enrolled from July 2017 to November 2020 and divided into CSVD-SID group [Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) score>10] and CSVD-non - depression group (CSVD-ND group, GDS score≤10) according to GDS. Both GMV and fALFF were calculated based on structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging data, and the interactions between SID diagnosis and BDNF gene on brain function and structure alteration were explored.Results:GMV was significantly increased in the posterior default network (pDMN; such as posterior cingulate gyrus/precuneus and middle temporal gyrus) in the CSVD-SID group compared with the CSVD-ND group. On GMV property, significant interactions between BDNF gene and SID were found in the cuneus ( F=25.50, P<0.001), precuneus lobe ( F=13.61, P<0.001) and cerebellum ( F=17.23, P<0.001). In the aspect of fALFF, the brain functional activity in the superior frontal gyrus was significantly increased in the CSVD-SID group compared with that in the CSVD-ND group (0.363±0.648 vs -0.427±0.514,cluster size=48 voxels, t=5.63, P<0.001). But there was no significant interaction between diagnosis and BDNF genotype on brain function. Conclusions:Both the GMV and fALFF were increased in CSVD-SID, mainly located in the pDMN and frontal lobe. Significant interaction was found between CSVD-SID and BDNF genotype on GMV.

Objective:To investigate the effects of a perioperative whole course composite thermal insulation strategy on complications of cesarean section, maternal coagulation function and serum inflammatory indexes.Methods:A total of 250 pregnant women who were subjected to cesarean section in Zhoushan Hospital between June 2020 and August 2021 were included in this study. The 125 pregnant women who gave birth using a routine simple thermal insulation strategy from June to November 2020 were assigned to the routine simple thermal insulation group, and those who gave birth using a perioperative whole course composite thermal insulation strategy were assigned to whole course composite thermal insulation group. Two groups of pregnant women underwent cesarean section under subarachnoid block. Volume of intraoperative blood loss was recorded. The incidence of complications such as shivering and postoperative infection was calculated. Platelet count, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time measured before surgery and 48 hours after surgery were compared between the two groups. Peripheral blood white blood cell count, neutrophil count (N%), C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, interleukin-6 measured 48 hours after surgery were compared between the two groups.Results:Volume of intraoperative blood loss in the whole course composite thermal insulation group was significantly lower than that in the routine simple thermal insulation group [(393.84 ± 79.78) mL vs. (434.80 ± 123.49) mL, t = 3.11, P < 0.05). The incidence of shivering and postoperative infection in the whole course composite thermal insulation group was 10.4% (13/125) and 7.2% (9/125), respectively, which was significantly lower than that in the routine simple thermal insulation group [25.6% (32/125), 18.4% (23/125), χ 2 = 9.78, 7.02, both P < 0.05]. At 48 hours after surgery, prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, thrombin time in the whole course composite thermal insulation group were (10.28 ± 0.48) seconds, (26.97 ± 2.27) seconds, and (14.09 ± 1.36) seconds, respectively, which were significantly shorter than those in the routine simple thermal insulation group [(11.71 ± 0.27) seconds, (27.96 ± 2.25) seconds, (15.91 ± 1.09) seconds, t = 7.34, 3.43, 11.66, all P < 0.05]. At 48 hours after surgery, white blood cell count, neutrophil count, C-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and interleukin-6 in the whole course composite thermal insulation group were (10.38 ± 2.38) ×10 9/L,(0.79 ± 0.06), (52.79 ± 20.73) mg/L, (0.13±0.42) μg/L, and (55.73 ± 24.38) ng/L, respectively, which were significantly lower than those in the routine simple thermal insulation group [(12.24 ± 7.05) × 10 9/L, 0.81 ± 0.05, (65.38 ± 25.92) mg/L, (0.20 ± 0.97) μg/L, (76.22 ± 39.08) ng/L, t = 2.79, 2.92, 4.24, 8.12, 4.97, all P < 0.05]. Conclusion:Perioperative whole course composite thermal insulation strategy can improve the coagulation function of pregnant women who are subjected to cesarean section under subarachnoid block, reduce volume of intraoperative blood loss, and decrease incidence of shivering, inflammatory reaction, and postoperative infection.

Objective　To investigate the mechanism of CirCDC14A silencing to protect astrocytes from oxygen-glucose deprivation/glyco-reoxygenation (OGD/R)-induced injury by regulating the miR-153-3p/JAK1 axis.Methods　Cerebral cortical astrocytes of neonatal rats were cultured in vitro,and the cell viability was detected by CCK-8 method;annexin V-FITC/PI staining was used to detect cell apoptosis.Western blot method was used to detect the protein expression levels of p53,Bax and Bcl-2 in each group,and the relationship between CirCDC14A and miR-153- 3p,miR-153-3p and JAK1 was analyzed by dual-luciferase reporter gene assay.Results　The cell viability increased with time; the cell viability of pcDNA3.0 CirCDC14A+si JAK1 group at 48 h and 72 h was lower than that of si-NC group,OGD/R group and OGD/R+Si+Con mimcs group (P<0.05);compared with si-NC group,the apoptosis of OGD/R group,OGD/R+Si+Con mimcs group,pcDNA3.0-CirCDC14A+si JAK1+miR-153-3p mimcs group increased significantly,and pcDNA3.0-CirCDC14A+si JAK1+miR-153-3p mimcs group had higher apoptosis than OGD/R+Si+Con mimcs group (P<0.05);Western blot results showed that:pcDNA3.0-CirCDC14A+si JAK1+miR,the protein expression levels of p53,Bax and Bcl-2 in the miR-153-3p mimcs group were lower than those in the OGD/R group,OGD/R+Si+Con mimcs group and si-NC group (P<0.05).Reduced the luciferase activity of CirCDC14A WT and JAK1-WT (P<0.05); the level of miR-153-3p in the pcDNA3.0-CirCDC14A+si JAK1+miR-153-3p mimcs group was lower than that in the other three groups (P<0.05). The JAK1 protein level was higher than the other three groups (P<0.05).Conclusion　CirCDC14A gene silencing may inhibit OGD/R-induced apoptosis of rat astrocytes by regulating the miR-153-3p/JAK1 axis,resulting in decreased cell viability and protein expression levels of p53,Bax and Bcl-2.

Objective:To investigate the hemodynamic changes of the main arteries and veins of the extremities and the heart in patients with hypertrophic scar secondary to extensive burns after pressure treatment, and to analyze the relevant mechanisms.Methods:A retrospective before-after self-control study was conducted. From January 2017 to February 2022, 37 patients with hypertrophic scar secondary to extensive burns who met the inclusion criteria were hospitalized in the Burn Rehabilitation Department of Guangdong Industrial Injury Rehabilitation Hospital, including 25 males and 12 females, aged 23-52 years. The patients were admitted to the hospital within 12 weeks after wound healing, and within one week after admission, rehabilitation therapists, occupational therapists, and tailors custom-made pressure products such as full-body pressure garment, pressure pants, vests, split finger gloves, split finger socks, hoods, and plastic collars, with the pressure at each part maintained at 2.67-4.00 kPa when wearing. Before the first treatment with pressure products (hereinafter referred to as before pressure treatment) and at 1 h of the first treatment with pressure products (hereinafter referred to as 1 h of pressure treatment), color Doppler ultrasonography was performed to check the pulse rate of the axillary artery, the lumen diameter, peak systolic velocity (PSV), and resistance index of the axillary artery and femoral artery on the left side, the lumen diameter, cross-sectional area, and average blood flow velocity of the axillary vein and femoral vein, and the mitral valve E peak, mitral valve A peak, tricuspid valve E peak, aortic valve PSV, and pulmonary valve PSV of the heart; an optical chromatographic skin detector was used to detect the red color, red pigment, and surface brightness of the scar on the back of the hand to reflect the filling and distribution of the scar microvessels. Data were statistically analyzed with paired sample t test. Results:Compared with those before pressure treatment, the PSV of the axillary artery of patients was significantly slowed down at 1 h of pressure treatment ( t=55.42, P<0.01); the average blood flow velocity of the axillary vein was significantly accelerated ( t=-60.50, P<0.01); the pulse rate, lumen diameter, and resistance index of the axillary artery, as well as the lumen diameter and cross-sectional area of the axillary vein did not change obviously ( P>0.05); the average blood flow velocity of the femoral vein was significantly accelerated ( t=-80.52, P<0.01); the lumen diameter, PSV, and resistance index of the femoral artery, as well as the lumen diameter and cross-sectional area of the femoral vein had no significant change ( P>0.05); the mitral valve E peak and mitral valve A peak of the heart decreased significantly (with t values of 10.71 and 21.96, respectively, P<0.01); the tricuspid valve E peak of the heart increased significantly ( t=7.57, P<0.01); the PSV of the aortic valve and pulmonary valve of the heart did not change obviously ( P>0.05). At 1 h of pressure treatment, the red color and red pigment values of the scar on the back of the hand of patients were 15.3±1.1 and 16.8±1.2, respectively, which were significantly lower than 24.5±1.3 and 23.8±1.2 before pressure treatment (with t values of 8.32 and 8.04, respectively, P<0.01). The brightness value of the scar surface on the back of the hand of patients at 1 h of pressure treatment was similar to that before pressure treatment ( P>0.05). Conclusions:After pressure treatment for the hypertrophic scar in patients secondary to extensive burn, the average blood flow velocity of the axillary vein and femoral vein in patients are obviously accelerated, the PSV of the axillary artery is significantly slowed down, the peak values of mitral valve E and mitral valve A of the heart are significantly decreased, and the tricuspid valve E peak is significantly increased. These hemodynamic changes may be related to the reduction of microvascular blood flow in the local area of scar after systemic pressure treatment.

Objective:To investigate the impact of altering brain gray matter volume (GMV) on cognition and gait disorder in patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI).Methods:Thirty-six patients with aMCI, who admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from July 2018 to August 2020, were collected, and 33 normal controls (NC) matched with age, sex and education level were included in the same period. The neuropsychological assessment was done in all the subjects using Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment scale (MoCA), Cambridge Cognitive Examination-Chinese version (CAMCOG-C), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and Activities of Daily Living scale (ADL). The timed up and go test (TUG), dual task of timed up and go test (D-TUG) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS) were used in the subjects for assessment. The parameters such as stride length, gait speed, gait frequency were collected by intelligent device for energy expenditure and activity. All the subjects received 3.0 T magnetic resonance imaging scan to obtain high-resolution T 1 structural images. Voxel-based morphometry (VBM) was used to compare the difference of GMV between aMCI patients and NC. Partial correlation analysis was performed among altering GMV in the regions of interest (ROI), cognitive score and gait parameters, respectively. Linear regression analysis was used between whole brain GMV and gait parameters. Results:The scores of MMSE, MoCA, CAMCOG-C and the subitems of CAMCOG-C in aMCI group were significantly lower than those in NC group ( P<0.05). In aMCI patients, both the test time of TUG and D-TUG increased, gait speed slowed down, stride length shortened, and stride frequency and BBS score decreased ( P<0.05).VBM analysis showed that the whole brain GMV in aMCI patients was obviously lower than that of NC. In the aMCI group, GMV in ROI1 (right hippocampus, right parahippocampal gyrus, right amygdala and right fusiform gyrus), ROI2 (right middle temporal gyrus), ROI3 (right angular gyrus), ROI4 (right occipital lobe), ROI5 (bilateral orbital frontal lobe), ROI6 (left middle frontal gyrus and rectus gyrus), ROI7 (left fusiform gyrus and left parahippocampal gyrus) was significantly decreased compared with the NC group [Gaussian random field (GRF) correction, two-tailed test, voxel level P<0.001, cluster level P<0.05). In the aMCI group, GMV in ROI1 was positively correlated with orientation ( r=0.437, P=0.012), memory ( r=0.360, P=0.043), execution ( r=0.414, P=0.019), and negatively correlated with ADL score ( r=-0.529, P=0.002). GMV in ROI2 was negatively correlated with ADL score ( r=-0.400, P=0.023). GMV in ROI4 and in ROI5 was positively correlated with the calculation ( r=0.370, P=0.037) and execution ( r=0.360, P=0.043), respectively. GMV in ROI6 was positively correlated with MMSE score ( r=0.357, P=0.045), CAMCOG-C total score ( r=0.503, P=0.003) and calculation ( r=0.395, P=0.025), and negatively correlated with ADL score ( r=-0.387, P=0.028). GMV in ROI5 was positively correlated with gait speed ( r=0.391, P=0.027). In the aMCI group, CAMCOG-C total score was negatively correlated with D-TUG results ( r=-0.387, P=0.035), executive function was negatively correlated with TUG results ( r=-0.450, P=0.013) and D-TUG results ( r=-0.553, P=0.002), and positively correlated with gait speed ( r=0.379, P=0.039). Attention was positively correlated with gait speed ( r=0.590, P=0.001), and computing was positively correlated with gait speed ( r=0.371, P=0.044). The linear regression of whole brain GMV and gait parameters showed negative correlation between the GMV of left occipital lobe and TUG results in the aMCI group. The GMV of bilateral prefrontal cortex, right occipital lobe and surrounding cortex was positively correlated with gait speed (GRF correction, two-tailed test, voxel level P<0.001, cluster level P<0.05). Conclusions:Patients with aMCI presented with gray matter atrophy, cognition impairment, and gait disorders. The cognition impairment was closely related to the atrophy of medial temporal lobe. Gait disorders were not only associated with cognition impairment but also with gray matter volume in the prefrontal lobe, occipital lobe and its surrounding cortex, and anterior central gyrus.

Objective:To explore the effect of radiofrequency heating on the morphology of articular cartilage in the knee and the expression of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the synovium using a rabbit model of knee osteoarthritis (OA).Methods:Fifty-four male rabbits had OA induced in their right hind limbs using the modified Hulth method. They were then randomly divided into a model group, a cervus and cucumis polypeptide (CCP) group and a radiofrequency thermotherapy (RT) group, each of 18. The CCP group was injected with deer melon peptide intramuscularly every day, while the RT group was given daily radiofrequency hyperthermia treatment at 36.5-38.5 ℃. The model group was not provided with any special treatment. On the 6th, 12th and 18th day of the treatment, 6 rabbits in each group were sacrificed to resect the right femur′s medial condyle cartilage. The morphological characteristics of the cartilage were evaluated using modified Mankins scoring, while the contents of lL-1B and TNF-a in the synovial membrane were detected using enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assays.Results:The average Mankins scores and the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α decreased significantly at each time point, and significant differences were observed among the three groups. In the RT group the average Mankins score as well as the IL-1β and TNF-α levels decreased significantly with time throughout the experiment.Conclusions:Radiofrequency hyperthermia is superior to the injection of deer melon polypeptide in knee osteoarthritis, at least in rabbits. The therapeutic mechanism may be related to the control of IL-1β and TNF- α levels in the synovial membrane.

Adaptation, Physiological ; Adenosine Monophosphate ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Administration, Intranasal ; Alanine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Betacoronavirus ; genetics ; physiology ; Chlorocebus aethiops ; Coronavirus Infections ; drug therapy ; virology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Host Specificity ; genetics ; Lung ; pathology ; virology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mutation, Missense ; Nasal Mucosa ; virology ; Pandemics ; Pneumonia, Viral ; drug therapy ; virology ; RNA, Viral ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; Turbinates ; virology ; Vero Cells ; Viral Load ; Virus Replication

Objective: To study the expression and clinical significance of Vimentin and E-cadherin in human breast cancer tissues. Methods: : The clinical data of 56 cases of breast cancer patients, who underwent radical mastectomy in Chaohu Hospital Affiliated to Anhui Medical University from January 2014 to January 2016, were retrospectively analyzed. The protein and mRNAexpressions of Vimentin and E-cadherin in breast cancer tissues were detected by immunohistochemistry and qPCR, respectively; and the relationship between the expression of Vimentin and E-cadherin in breast cancer tissues and the clinicopathological characteristics was analyzed. Logistic multivariate regression was used to analyze the independent factors affecting the protein expressions of Vimentin and E-cadherin. Spearman was used to analyze the correlation between Vimentin and E-cadherin. Kaplan-Meier was used to analyze the relationship between protein expressions of Vimentin, E-cadherin and prognosis. ROC curve was used to analyze the diagnostic value of Vimentin and E-cadherin on prognosis. Results: The rates of breast cancer tissues with high positive expression of Vimentin and E-cadherin were 76.79% and 19.64%, respectively.Among them, 47 cases (47/56, 83.93%) of breast cancer tissues showed significantly higher Vimentin mRNA expression than adjacent tissues (P<0.05), and 46 cases (46/56, 82.14%) of breast cancer tissues showed significantly lower Ecadherin mRNA expression than adjacent tissues (P<0.05). Vimentin protein expression was associated with tumor size, lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion, histological grade, clinical stage, molecular typing, Ki67+, ER-, PR- and HER2- expression (P<0.05). And E-cadherin protein expression was associated with lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion, histological grade, clinical stage, molecular typing, Ki67+, ER-, PR- and HER2- expression (P<0.05). Tumor size, lymph node metastasis, vascular invasion, histological grading, clinical staging, molecular typing, Ki67+, ER-, PR- and HER2- expression were all independent factors affecting the expression of Vimentin and E-cadherin (P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between Vimentin and E-cadherin expression (P<0.05). The 3-year survival rate of patients with high expression of Vimentin protein was 67.44%, while that of patients with low expression of E-cadherin protein was 68.89%. Conclusion: The high expression of Vimentin and low expression of E-cadherin in breast cancer tissues may be related to the occurrence, development, invasion and metastasis of breast cancer. It can be used as a reliable indicator of clinical diagnosis and prognosis.