BACKGROUND:Internal tension-reduction technique is to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament through high-strength suture system combined with tendon.It can effectively reduce graft relaxation and frets by sharing the internal load of the knee joint,and has achieved good biomechanical results and clinical efficacy.However,whether it can reduce cartilage degeneration after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction through stress sharing reduction has not been studied. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of internal tension-reduction technique on articular cartilage degeneration in southern Yunnan small-ear pigs undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. METHODS:Ten adult female Yunnan small-ear pigs were selected,and the ipsilateral knee Achilles tendon was taken from the left knee joint for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction(normal group,n=10),and the ipsilateral knee Achilles tendon from the right knee joint combined with internal tension-reduction and augmentation system for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction(tension-reduction group,n=10).One year after surgery,the experimental pigs were sacrificed,and the left and right knee cartilage was taken for hematoxylin-eosin staining,Safranin O-fast green staining,Osteoarthritis Research Society International scoring,and immunohistochemistry staining of type Ⅱ collagen,interleukin-1β,and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the cartilage. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that in the tension-reduction group,there were mild pathologic changes of osteoarthritis,with a low number of empty bone lacunae and no obvious pathological changes such as fibrosis or cell layer breakage;in the normal group,more severe cartilage damage,with an increased number of empty bone lacunae,loss of chondrocytes near the bone and even the formation of fissures.Safranin O-fast green staining indicated that the tension-reduction group had normal cartilage tissue thickness,flat cartilage surface,a neat cell arrangement in a polar pattern,and no swelling or apoptosis,while in the normal group,the thickness of cartilage tissue was obviously thinner,the cell arrangement was disordered with no polarity,the number of cells was reduced,obvious cartilage fractures and cartilage vacuoles formed,and the absence of cells near the central bone was obvious.The Osteoarthritis Research Society International score was significantly lower in the tension-reduction group than in the normal group(P＜0.05).Immunohistochemical findings showed that the protein expression of type Ⅱ collagen in cartilage tissue of the tension-reducing group was higher than that of the normal group(P＜0.05),and the protein expression of interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor ɑ in cartilage tissue was lower than that of normal group(P＜0.05).To conclude,internal tension-reduction technique can delay the degeneration of articular cartilage in Yunnan small-eared pigs following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

BACKGROUND:As a dominant breed pig in southwest China,the southern Yunnan small-ear pig has been widely used as an experimental animal in the basic research of other disciplines,but there are still no reports on its application in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. OBJECTIVE:To establish a large animal model of the southern Yunnan small-ear pig with anterior cruciate ligament with autologous Achilles tendon was established. METHODS:Twenty adult female Yunnan small-ear pigs were equally randomized into two groups.In the autologous Achilles tendon group,the right knee anterior cruciate ligament was reconstructed with autologous Achilles tendon as a graft,while in the sham-operated group,a similar operation was performed on the right knee without any treatment of the anterior cruciate ligament.General conditions of each pig were observed and recorded before and 12 months after surgery.Ligaments and grafts were taken for gross observation and MAS scoring.Hematoxylin-eosin staining was performed to observe morphological characteristics of ligaments.The staining and arrangement of type I and type Ⅲ collagen were evaluated by immunohistochemistry.Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the type,size,diameter,ratio,and distribution of collagen fibers in ligaments. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:All animals had normal diet and activity,good wound healing,no obvious inflammatory reaction,no local purulent infection,and no significant changes in mental and urinary conditions compared with those before surgery.The reconstructed cruciate ligament of the knee was intact,with no stiffness and normal range of motion.Both the anterior drawer and Lachman tests were negative.Gross observation of the graft:12 months after surgery,the grafts was in good position,with good integrity,obvious tension,ligament color close to the original anterior cruciate ligament,and complete surface synovial coverage.Most of the intraarticular ligaments in the autologous Achilles tendon group were defined as MAS I type and a few were defined as MAS Ⅱ type.In the sham-operated group,the intraarticular ligament was defined as MAS I type.Hematoxylin-eosin staining indicated that,12 months after surgery,collagen fibers in the autologous Achilles tendon group began to appear bundled,isotropic,and uniformly arranged,with more obvious isotropic corrugations,and the nuclei were mainly linear or spindle-shaped,which were similar to those in normal anterior cruciate ligament tissue of the sham-operated group.Immunohistochemistry results indicated that,12 months after surgery,there was a higher expression of type I collagen and significantly less expression of type Ⅲ collagen in the reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament in the autologous Achilles tendon group.The degree of type I and type Ⅲ staining was similar in the two groups.Under the transmission electron microscope,the diameter,arrangement and density of collagen fibers in the reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament of the autologous Achilles tendon group were similar to those of the original anterior cruciate ligament at 12 months after surgery,indicating that the ligament remodeling process had been basically completed in the autologous Achilles tendon group at 12 months after surgery.Through a comprehensive evaluation of animal general conditions,ligament general view,MAS score,hematoxylin-eosin staining,immunohistochemistry,and transmission electron microscopy observation,we successfully established a large animal model of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using autogenous Achilles tendon in southern Yunnan small-ear pigs,with good morphological,histological and ultrastructural results.

Objective:To summarize the clinical characteristics of neonatal Ureaplasma parvum (Up) infection.Methods:From June 2021 to July 2023, a total of 2 890 neonates were admitted to the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of the Children's Hospital Capital Institute of Pediatrics. Metagenomic next generation sequencing (mNGS) was performed on 373 specimens from 157 infants, detecting Up sequences in 12 specimens from ten infants, with no detection of Ureaplasma urealyticum sequences. All ten infants with detected Up were included in a retrospective analysis. Descriptive statistical analysis was used to summarize the clinical characteristics of Up-infected neonates.Results:All ten Up-infected neonates were preterm infants with a gestational age of (28.3±2.6) weeks (25 +3-33 +1 weeks). Seven were delivered vaginally; eight had mothers with premature rupture of membranes; seven had mothers with elevated white blood cell counts and/or C-reactive protein levels prenatally; one had a mother with Ureaplasma Urealyticum vaginitis. All ten infants experienced clinical deterioration after initial stabilization of their underlying conditions, primarily presenting with respiratory symptoms, including decreased blood oxygen saturation, diffuse reticular changes on chest X-rays by the second day of life, pneumonia, and atelectasis. Some also had fever, decreased heart rate, poor skin perfusion, and scattered bruises, with two cases of heart failure. Despite empirical antibiotic treatment, nine infants continued to have significantly elevated white blood cell counts, with only mildly elevated or normal C-reactive protein levels. Seven developed bronchopulmonary dysplasia, including four moderate to severe cases. After mNGS confirmed Up infection, all infants received macrolide antibiotics and symptomatic treatment, with individualized treatment courses. All were discharged after recovery with a median hospital stay of 58.5 d (range 26-100 d), though three had respiratory sequelae on follow-up. Conclusions:In preterm infants, clinical deterioration after initial stabilization, primarily with respiratory symptoms and persistent leukocytosis despite routine antibiotic treatment, should raise suspicion for Up infection. And mNGS aids in definitive diagnosis, and early initiation of macrolide antibiotics can improve clinical outcomes and long-term prognosis.

Objective: Cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) is a diagnostic tool that provides precise and reproducible information about cardiac structure, function, and tissue characterization, aiding in the monitoring of chemotherapy response in patients with lightchain cardiac amyloidosis (AL-CA). This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of CMR in monitoring responses to chemotherapy in patients with AL-CA. Materials and Methods: In this prospective study, we enrolled 111 patients with AL-CA (50.5% male; median age, 54 [interquartile range, 49–63] years). Patients underwent longitudinal monitoring using biomarkers and CMR imaging. At followup after chemotherapy, patients were categorized into superior and inferior response groups based on their hematological and cardiac laboratory responses to chemotherapy. Changes in CMR findings across therapies and differences between response groups were analyzed. Results: Following chemotherapy (before vs. after), there were significant increases in myocardial T2 (43.6 ± 3.5 ms vs. 44.6 ± 4.1 ms; P = 0.008), recovery in right ventricular (RV) longitudinal strain (median of -9.6% vs. -11.7%; P = 0.031), and decrease in RV extracellular volume fraction (ECV) (median of 53.9% vs. 51.6%; P = 0.048). These changes were more pronounced in the superior-response group. Patients with superior cardiac laboratory response showed significantly greater reductions in RV ECV (-2.9% [interquartile range, -8.7%–1.1%] vs. 1.7% [-5.5%–7.1%]; P = 0.017) and left ventricular ECV (-2.0% [-6.0%–1.3%] vs. 2.0% [-3.0%–5.0%]; P = 0.01) compared with those with inferior response. Conclusion Cardiac amyloid deposition can regress following chemotherapy in patients with AL-CA, particularly showing more prominent regression, possibly earlier, in the RV. CMR emerges as an effective tool for monitoring associated tissue characteristics and ventricular functional recovery in patients with AL-CA undergoing chemotherapy, thereby supporting its utility in treatment response assessment.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.04.013.].

Objective:To explore the mechanism of dendritic cells(DCs),novel regulatory B cells(B10 cells)and Th17/Treg imbalance in the pathogenesis of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD)and their correlation with lung function.Methods:According to the"Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease"a total of 93 COPD patients were prospectively selected from the Ninth People's Hospital of Suzhou from May 2019 to December 2021,and 50 healthy subjects were selected as the control group.The patients were followed up for 1 year to observe the occurrence of acute exacer-bation COPD(AECOPD),and divided them into stable COPD group and AECOPD group.The course of disease,modified British Medical Research Society dyspnea index(mMRC)classification,COPD assessment test(CAT)score,BODE index score,6 min walking distance(6MWD),arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2),arterial carbon dioxide Partial pressure(PaCO2)were com-pared between the two groups;compared the levels of FEV1,FVC,FEV1/FVC,and the percentage of FEV1 to predicted value(FEV1/Pred)in the three groups with peripheral blood DCs,B10 cells,Th17 cells,Treg cells and Th17/Treg,IL-12,IL-10,IL-17A and TGF-β1 levels.To analyze the correlation between peripheral blood DCs cells,B10 cells and Th17/Treg imbalance and pulmonary function indexes in AECOPD group.Logistic regression analysis of independent risk factors for AECOPD.Results:A total of COPD pa-tients had AECOPD events(40.86%).The course of disease,mMRC grade,CAT score,BODE index score,and PaCO2 in AECOPD group were significantly higher than those in COPD stable group(P<0.05),6MWD and PaO2 were significantly lower than those in COPD group.The levels of FEV1,FVC,FEV1/FVC and FEV1/Pred in the AECOPD group were significantly lower than those in the stable COPD group and control group(P<0.05);the levels of FEV1,FVC,FEV1/FVC and FEV1/Pred in the stable COPD group were significantly lower than those in control group(P<0.05).DCs,B10 cells and Treg cells in AECOPD group were significantly lower than those in stable COPD group and control group,while Th17 expression level and Th17/Treg were significantly higher than that in stable COPD group and control group(P<0.05).DCs,B10 cells and Treg cells in stable COPD phase were significantly lower than those in control group,while Th17 expression level and Th17/Treg were significantly higher than control group(P<0.05).The ex-pression levels of IL-12,IL-10 and TGF-β1 in the AECOPD group were significantly lower than those in the stable COPD group and control group(P<0.05),while IL-17A was significantly higher than that in the stable COPD group and control group.The expression levels of IL-12,IL-10 and TGF-β1 in patients with stable COPD were significantly lower than control group,while IL-17A was signifi-cantly higher than control group(P<0.05).Pearson analysis showed that peripheral blood DCs,B10 cells were positively correlated with FEV1,FVC,FEV1/FVC and FEV1/Pred levels(P<0.05),while Th17/Treg was positively correlated with FEV1,FVC,FEV1/FVC and FEV1/Pred levels all were negatively correlated(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis found that mMRC grade and Th17/Treg were independent risk factors of AECOPD(P<0.05).Conclusion:With the progression of COPD,DCs,B10 cells,Th17 cells,Treg cells and Th17/Treg gradually become unbalanced,resulting in disordered expression levels of pro-inflammatory and anti-inflamma-tory factors.Peripheral blood DCs and B10 cells were positively correlated with lung function levels,while Th17/Treg were negatively correlated with lung function levels.mMRC grade and Th17/Treg are independent risk factors of AECOPD.Therefore,actively inter-vening in the imbalanced state of immune function in patients has specific and important clinical significance in reducing the immune damage of lung tissue and promoting the improvement of lung function.

OX40 is a costimulatory receptor that is expressed primarily on activated CD4⁺, CD8⁺, and regulatory T cells. The ligation of OX40 to its sole ligand OX40L potentiates T cell expansion, differentiation, and activation and also promotes dendritic cells to mature to enhance their cytokine production. Therefore, the use of agonistic anti-OX40 antibodies for cancer immunotherapy has gained great interest. However, most of the agonistic anti-OX40 antibodies in the clinic are OX40L-competitive and show limited efficacy. Here, we discovered that BGB-A445, a non-ligand-competitive agonistic anti-OX40 antibody currently under clinical investigation, induced optimal T cell activation without impairing dendritic cell function. In addition, BGB-A445 dose-dependently and significantly depleted regulatory T cells in vitro and in vivo via antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity. In the MC38 syngeneic model established in humanized OX40 knock-in mice, BGB-A445 demonstrated robust and dose-dependent antitumor efficacy, whereas the ligand-competitive anti-OX40 antibody showed antitumor efficacy characterized by a hook effect. Furthermore, BGB-A445 demonstrated a strong combination antitumor effect with an anti-PD-1 antibody. Taken together, our findings show that BGB-A445, which does not block OX40-OX40L interaction in contrast to clinical-stage anti-OX40 antibodies, shows superior immune-stimulating effects and antitumor efficacy and thus warrants further clinical investigation.
Mice ; Animals ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor/physiology* ; Receptors, OX40 ; Membrane Glycoproteins ; Ligands ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/pharmacology* ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology*

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2021.04.013.].

BACKGROUND: Studies have shown that the incidence and severity of corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in patients with lung cancer are higher than those in healthy people. At present, the main anti-tumor treatments for lung cancer include surgery, immunotherapy, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapy and anti-angiogenesis therapy. While the effects of different anti-tumor treatments on the occurrence and severity of COVID-19 pneumonia are not uniform. Therefore, we aimed to describe clinical characteristics and antitumor therapy of patients with lung cancer and COVID-19 pneumonia, and examined risk factors for severity in this population. METHODS: From December 1, 2022 to February 15, 2023, a retrospective study was conducted in 217 patients diagnosed with COVID-19 and pathologically confirmed lung cancer in the Jinling Hospital. We collected data about patients' clinical features, antitumor treatment regimen within 6 months, and the diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19. Risk factors for occurrence and severity of COVID-19 pneumonia were identified by univariable and multivariable Logistic regression models. RESULTS: (1) Among the 217 patients included, 51 (23.5%) developed COVID-19 pneumonia, of which 42 (82.4%) were classified as medium and 9 (17.6%) were classified as severe; (2) Univariate and multivariate analysis revealed overweight (OR=2.405, 95%CI: 1.095-5.286) and intrapulmonary focal radiotherapy (OR=2.977, 95%CI: 1.071-8.274) are risk factors for increasing occurrence of COVID-19 pneumonia, while other therapies are not; (3) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) history (OR=7.600, 95%CI: 1.430-40.387) was more likely to develop severe pneumonia and anti-tumor therapies such as intrapulmonary focal radiotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy did not increase severity. CONCLUSIONS Intrapulmonary focal radiation therapy within 6 months increased the incidence of COVID-19 pneumonia, but did not increase the severity. However, there was no safety concern for chemotherapy, targeted therapy, surgery and immunotherapy.
Humans ; COVID-19 ; Retrospective Studies ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Incidence ; Pneumonia/etiology*

Acidosis, regardless of hypoxia involvement, is recognized as a chronic and harsh tumor microenvironment (TME) that educates malignant cells to thrive and metastasize. Although overwhelming evidence supports an acidic environment as a driver or ubiquitous hallmark of cancer progression, the unrevealed core mechanisms underlying the direct effect of acidification on tumorigenesis have hindered the discovery of novel therapeutic targets and clinical therapy. Here, chemical-induced and transgenic mouse models for colon, liver and lung cancer were established, respectively. miR-7 and TGF-β2 expressions were examined in clinical tissues (n = 184). RNA-seq, miRNA-seq, proteomics, biosynthesis analyses and functional studies were performed to validate the mechanisms involved in the acidic TME-induced lung cancer metastasis. Our data show that lung cancer is sensitive to the increased acidification of TME, and acidic TME-induced lung cancer metastasis via inhibition of miR-7-5p. TGF-β2 is a direct target of miR-7-5p. The reduced expression of miR-7-5p subsequently increases the expression of TGF-β2 which enhances the metastatic potential of the lung cancer. Indeed, overexpression of miR-7-5p reduces the acidic pH-enhanced lung cancer metastasis. Furthermore, the human lung tumor samples also show a reduced miR-7-5p expression but an elevated level of activated TGF-β2; the expressions of both miR-7-5p and TGF-β2 are correlated with patients' survival. We are the first to identify the role of the miR-7/TGF-β2 axis in acidic pH-enhanced lung cancer metastasis. Our study not only delineates how acidification directly affects tumorigenesis, but also suggests miR-7 is a novel reliable biomarker for acidic TME and a novel therapeutic target for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treatment. Our study opens an avenue to explore the pH-sensitive subcellular components as novel therapeutic targets for cancer treatment.