Objective To explore the roles of iron overload in pro-atherogenic activation of foam cells.Methods RAW264.7 and MOVAS cells were stimulated by oxLDL,ferrimine citrate and deferoxamine respectively.Prussian Blue and Oil Red O staining were used to detect iron deposition and foam cell.CCK-8 test,DHE probe,ELISA,RT-qPCR were performed to detect the cell death rate,reactive oxygen species(ROS)generation,lipid peroxidation molecules[glutathione peroxidase(GSH),glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),malondialdehyde(MDA)content]and the mRNA level of ATP binding cassette transporter A1(ABCA1),ATP binding cassette transporter G1(ABCG1),inductible nitris oxide synthase(iNOS),arginase-1(Arg-1),α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),smooth muscle 22 alpha(SM22a),osteopontin(OPN),Interleukin-1β(IL-1β),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α).Results Iron overload could reduced reverse cholesterol transporters(ABCA1 and ABCG1),promote foam cells generation,increased cell death rate,induced the expression of lipid peroxidation molecules(GSH,GPX4,MDA),and promoted pro-inflammatory M1 marker of macrophage and synthetic marker expression of vascular smooth muscle cell(VSMC)and inflammatory cytokines(IL-1β,TNF-α).Conclusion Iron overload promotes the generation of foam cells derived from macrophages and smooth muscle cells and transform them into pro-atherosclerotic phenotype,aggravates cell lipid peroxidation and inflammatory reaction,which contributes to the progress of atherosclerosis.

Schimke immuno-osseous dysplasia (SIOD)caused by SMARCAL1 gene mutations is a rare genetic disorder characterized by multi-system involvement, including T-cell dysfunction, skeletal dysplasia, disproportionate short stature, nephrotic syndrome, and kidney failure. This multidisciplinary consultation involved a 9-year-old boy with intrauterine growth retardation, presenting with short stature, T-cell lymphopenia, proteinuria, and degenerative bone and joint disease. Treatment primarily focused on symptomatic and supportive care. Through the multidisciplinary rare disease consultation, holistic support was provided to the patient, offering comprehensive care from various specialtiesx.We also aim to use this case report to enhance clinicians′ under-standing of SIOD and improve the management and treatment of rare diseases.

Doxorubicin(DOX)is a commonly administered chemotherapy drug for treating hematological malignancies and solid tumors;however,its clinical application is limited by significant cardiotoxicity.Cynaroside(Cyn)is a flavonoid glycoside distributed in honeysuckle,with confirmed potential biological functions in regulating inflammation,pyroptosis,and oxidative stress.Herein,the effects of Cyn were evaluated in a DOX-induced cardiotoxicity(DIC)mouse model,which was established by intraperitoneal injections of DOX(5 mg/kg)once a week for three weeks.The mice in the treatment group received dexrazoxane,MCC950,and Cyn every two days.Blood biochemistry,histopathology,immunohistochemistry,reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR),and western blotting were conducted to investigate the cardioprotective effects and potential mechanisms of Cyn treatment.The results demonstrated the significant benefits of Cyn treatment in mitigating DIC;it could effectively alleviate oxidative stress to a certain extent,maintain the equilibrium of cell apoptosis,and enhance the cardiac function of mice.These effects were realized via regulating the transcription levels of pyroptosis-related genes,such as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3),caspase-1,and gasdermin D(GSDMD).Mechanistically,for DOX-induced myocardial injury,Cyn could significantly modulate the expression of pivotal genes,including adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α(PGC-1α),sirtuin 3(SIRT3),and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2).We attribute it to the mediation of AMPK/SIRT3/Nrf2 pathway,which plays a central role in preventing DOX-induced cardiomyocyte injury.In conclusion,the present study confirms the therapeutic potential of Cyn in DIC by regulating the AMPK/SIRT3/Nrf2 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Hair follicles are easily accessible and contain stem cells with different developmental origins, including mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), that consequently reveal the potential of human hair follicle (hHF)-derived MSCs in repair and regeneration. However, the role of hHF-MSCs in Achilles tendinopathy (AT) remains unclear. The present study investigated the effects of hHF-MSCs on Achilles tendon repair in rabbits. METHODS: First, we extracted and characterized hHF-MSCs. Then, a rabbit tendinopathy model was constructed to analyze the ability of hHF-MSCs to promote repair in vivo . Anatomical observation and pathological and biomechanical analyses were performed to determine the effect of hHF-MSCs on AT, and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunohistochemical staining were performed to explore the molecular mechanisms through which hHF-MSCs affects AT. Furthermore, statistical analyses were performed using independent sample t test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and one-way repeated measures multivariate ANOVA as appropriate. RESULTS: Flow cytometry, a trilineage-induced differentiation test, confirmed that hHF-derived stem cells were derived from MSCs. The effect of hHF-MSCs on AT revealed that the Achilles tendon was anatomically healthy, as well as the maximum load carried by the Achilles tendon and hydroxyproline proteomic levels were increased. Moreover, collagen I and III were upregulated in rabbit AT treated with hHF-MSCs (compared with AT group; P  < 0.05). Analysis of the molecular mechanisms revealed that hHF-MSCs promoted collagen fiber regeneration, possibly through Tenascin-C (TNC) upregulation and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 downregulation. CONCLUSIONS hHF-MSCs can be a treatment modality to promote AT repair in rabbits by upregulating collagen I and III. Further analysis revealed that treatment of AT using hHF-MSCs promoted the regeneration of collagen fiber, possibly because of upregulation of TNC and downregulation of MMP-9, thus suggesting that hHF-MSCs are more promising for AT.
Animals ; Humans ; Rabbits ; Hair Follicle ; Achilles Tendon/pathology* ; Tendinopathy/pathology* ; Proteomics ; Collagen Type I ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells

β2 microglobulin (β2-MG) is a key component I molecule of the major histocompatibility complex class that assists in the cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) immune response. Serum β2-MG content is dynamically correlated with many diseases. Most studies on β2-MG mainly focus on the pathogenesis of kidney disease, tumor and amyloid fibrils. In recent years, some studies have found that β2-MG is also involved in the adverse prognosis of cardiovascular system, cognitive impairment of aging and antibacterial effects. This paper summarized the domestic and foreign studies on β2-MG in recent years, and proposed the possible role of β2-MG in multi-system human body and its potential application prospect of drug molecular targeting.

Angiotensin receptor/neprilysin inhibitor (ARNI) is a novel combination drug that is a dual inhibitor of angiotensin receptor and neprilysin. In June 2021, the National Medical Products Administration approved ARNI for hypertension indications. This review provides an update of current literature on ARNI in elderly hypertension.

Objective To evaluate the scientific research performance of a third-grade maternal and child health hospital in Guangxi from 2007 to 2016,and to understand the situation of scientific research in past 10 years,and provide decision-making basis for strengthening the scientific research management of hospitals.Methods According to the statistical reports of the hospital's scientific research data,7 indexes were used to evaluate the quality of the scientific research performance of the hospital,and the close value method was used to evaluate the quality of the scientific research during 2007-2016.Results According to the Close-value method analysis,the overall quality of the scientific research performance showed a upward trend in recent ten years;according to the ranked order of the Close-value,the research performance of the institute in 2016 was the smallest while the quality of scientific research was the best.In 2009,the Institute's scientific research performance was the closest,however,the scientific research performance was the worst.Conclusions The result of comprehensive evaluation of Close-value method is consistent with the actual situation of scientific research in this hospital.It has reference significance for the evaluation of hospital scientific research quality.

OBJECTIVE:To investigate the prognosis of coronary heart disease complicated with heart failure patients abandon-ing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and receiving drug comprehensive therapy. METHODS:From Dec. 2010 to Jul. 2012,217 patients with coronary heart disease complicated with heart failure in our hospital were divided into operation group (105 cases) and non-operation group (112 cases). Based on routine treatment,operation group was given aspirin combined with clopidogrel before and after PCI,and non-operation group was given aspirin combined with clopidogrel all the time. The patients were followed up regularly during discharging from hospital to May 2015 by outpatient,telephone and coronary angiography re-checking,lasting for 24-38 months. Death cases,readmission and revascularization again caused by main adverse cardio-cerebrovas-cular events were recorded during follow-up period. RESULTS:7 cases and 8 cases in operation group and non-operation group did not accept follow-up;median follow-up time was 33 months and 32 months,respectively. Case number of myocardial infarction, heart failure and death in non-operation group was more than operation group,with statistical significance (P<0.05). 94 patients survived in operation group in 3 years,with survival rate of 95.9%;66 in non-operation group,with survival rate of 63.5%;with statistical significance(P<0.05). The survival time of non-operation group was shorter than that of operation group,with statistical significance(P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS:Although we still cannot get the conclusion that PCI is a better treatment or drug therapy is better. But the survival rate of patients are not optimistic 3 years after abandoning PCI coronary heart disease patients with severe myocardial ischemia should choose PCI firstly.

Objective To investigate and compare the clinical effects of 2-micron laser vaporization resection of prostate (2-micron laser) and versus transurethral resection of prostate (TURP) for treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH) in this prospective random control study.Methods Sixty patients of BPH were randomly divided into two groups including the 2-micron laser group (n =30) and the TURP group (n =30).The perioperative markers and therapeutic results including duration of surgery,blood lose during surgery,improvement of symptoms after treatment,postoperative bladder washing time,the mean bladder irrigating time,hospital stay time,and recent complications were recorded and analyzed.Results The international prostate symptom score((6.6 ± 1.8) vs.(33.2 ±2.2),(5.7 ± 1.3) vs.(33.4 ±2.3) respectively),maximal urinary flow((20.6 ± 1.5) ml/s vs.(7.8 ± 4.3) m/s,(19.5 ± 1.7) ml/s vs.(8.3 ± 4.5) ml/s respectively),residual urine volume((22.3 ±4.7) ml vs.(57.2 ± 10.5) ml,(26.3 ±7.2) ml vs.(60.2 ± 14.5) ml respectively) were significantly improved in both groups after operation (P =0.005,0.008,0.036,0.001,0.005,0.013 respectively),but the differences between these two groups were not significant (P =0.16,0.49,0.97 respectively).The volume of hemorrhage ((20.9 ± 12.1) ml vs.(55.3 ± 27.8) ml),the mean bladder irrigating time ((1.0 ±0.5) d vs.(3.5 ±0.7) d),cathererization time ((3.2 ± 1.3) d vs.(6.0 ± 1.5) d),hospital stay time ((6.8 ±0.7) d vs.(10.6 ±0.6) d) were significantly less or shorter in the 2-micron laser group than in the TURP group (P =0.009,0.005,0.035,0.03 respectively).There was no significant difference in rates of complications between the two groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion The therapy of 2-micron laser is safer and more efficacious than TURP for BPH patients,with advantages of short surgery duration,little blood loss,and quick recovery.

Objective To investigate balanced steady-state free precession with flow-sensitive dephasing magnetization preparation (FSD-bSSFP) in the assessment of arteries of foot in diabetic patients.Methods The lower-extremity peripheral arteries of 43 diabetic patients were evaluated by FSD-bSSFP no contrast MRA and contrast-enhanced MRA (CE-MRA)in. Two experienced observers assessed the image quality, degree of venous contaminated and visibility of pedal artery branches by FSD-bSSFP and CE-MRA respectively in consensus. The signal intensity( SI), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of the source images of both groups were measured and Wilcoxon and t tests were performed. Results The image score of FSD-bSSFP group was 2.7 ± 1.1 and CE-MRA was 2.6 ± 0.8, there was no statistical difference ( Z = 0. 134, P ＞ 0. 05 ). The image score of demonstration of the pedal artery branches and degree of venous contamination on FSD-bSSFP were 3.2 ± 0. 9 and 1.8 ± 0. 4 respectively which were superior to that of CE-MRA (2.5 ± 0.9 and 2.1 ± 0.8 respectively). Significant statistical difference existed between the two groups in demonstration of pedal artery branches ( Z = 5.246, P ＜ 0.05 ) and degree of venous contamination (Z =2.541 ,P ＜0.05). SNR of FSD-bSSFP was 148.6 ±26.7, CNR was 88.3 ± 19.0. SNR of CE-MRA was 148.5 ± 45.6, CNR was 121.0 ± 41.0. No statistical difference existed between SNR between two methods (t = 0.013, P ＞ 0.05 ). But CNR of CE-MRA was superior to that of FSD-bSSFP and significant statistical difference existed between these two methods ( t = 5.113, P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusion FSD-bSSFP without contrast could be used in the evaluation of foot arteries in patients of renal dysfunction and diabetes.