[Objective] To explore the feasibility of using whole blood as a source of NK cells for allogeneic CAR NK cell therapy and activated NK cell reinfusion therapy, and initially construct a technical system for the separation and purification of NK cells from whole blood. [Methods] All peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were enriched from 400 mL of whole blood by manual separation and machine separation, respectively. The erythrocyte loss rate, PBMCs number, NK cell purity of the two methods were compared. NK cells were sorted from PBMCs by three separation and enrichment methods as immunomagnetic bead negative selection method, platelet lysate culture expansion and PERCOLL density gradient separation method, and the purity and yield of NK cells, the activity of NK cells and the tumor-killing ability of the three separation and enrichment methods were compared. [Results] The proportion of NK cells in the lymphocyte population was higher in the manual separation method than in the machine separation method[(13.16±5.16)% vs (8.56±3.92)%, P<0.05]; the number PBMCs was lower in the manual separation method than in the machine separation method[(4.09±1.80)×10⁸vs (6.49±2.16)×10⁸, P<0.05], and there was no difference in the red blood cell loss between the two methods (P>0.05). The purity of NK cells isolated and enriched from PBMCs by manual separation method using immunomagnetic was (96.77±2.31)%; the yield was (56.27±10.47)%; the inhibition of tumor proliferation was (38.67±14.05)%; and the tumor killing rate was (19.90±8.05)%. The purity of NK cells isolated and enriched from PBMCs by manual separation method using platelet lysis culture expansion method was the highest at day 7, which was (54.84±15.80)%; the cell expansion multiple could reach 16.92±6.28 at day 7; the in vitro tumor killing rate of NK cells was (15.83±5.5)%; the tumor inhibition rate was (44.33±13.5)%; and there was no difference in the toxicity and activity of NK cells between the two methods (P>0.05). The purity of NK cells isolated and enriched by PERCOLL density gradient separation method was (15.83±5.82)%, and the yield was (14±6.25)%, which was significantly lower than the other two methods. [Conclusion] PBMCs isolated from whole blood by manual separation and NK cells enriched by negative selection with immunomagnetic beads have the potential to provide NK cell materials for CAR-NK cell therapy, and NK cells enriched by platelet lysate-conditioned medium have the potential to provide NK cells for large-scale NK cell activation reinfusion therapy.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of total saponins of Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma （TSDN） in treating gouty arthritis （GA） by regulating cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2）-mediated M1 macrophage reprogramming by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsIn vivo experiment： 24 male SD rats were randomly allocated into blank， model （GA）， TSDN， and celecoxib groups， with 6 rats in each group. After 7 days of administration， pathological changes in the ankle synovial tissue were observed via hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to quantify the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） inflammasome， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein （ASC）， Caspase-1， COX-2， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the synovial tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the serum levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， IL-1β， CD86， CD80， CD206， and arginase-1 （Arg-1）. In vitro experiment： The GA model was established by lipopolysaccharide （LPS） + MSU induction， and the inhibitor concentration was screened by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay. RAW264.7 cells were allocated into blank， model， TSDN， dexamethasone， COX-2 inhibitor （celecoxib）， and TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor groups. The levels of iNOS， IL-1β， CD86， CD80， CD206， and Arg-1 in the cell supernatant of each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome， COX-2， IL-1β， and TNF-α in each group were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot， respectively. ResultsIn vivo experiment： compared with the model group， TSDN reduced the mRNA levels of NLRP3 inflammasome， COX-2， IL-1β， and TNF-α in the synovial tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ELISA results showed that TSDN lowered the serum levels of iNOS， IL-1β， CD86， and CD80 （P<0.01） while increasing the serum levels of CD206 and Arg-1 （P<0.01）. In vitro experiment： compared with the model group， TSDN and inhibitor down-regulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3 inflammasome， COX-2， IL-1β， and TNF-α and the protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome， COX-2， cleaved IL-1β， and TNF-α （P<0.01）. Compared with TSDN alone， TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor further reduced the mRNA and protein levels of the markers above （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， TSDN and COX-2 inhibitor decreased the levels of IL-1β， iNOS， CD80， and CD86 （P<0.01） and increased the levels of CD206 and Arg-1 （P<0.01） in cells. Compared with TSDN alone， TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor reduced IL-1β， iNOS， CD80， and CD86 levels （P<0.05， P<0.01） and elevated CD206 and Arg-1 levels （P<0.01） in cells. ConclusionTSDN can alleviate GA by downregulating COX-2-mediated M1 macrophage reprogramming and suppressing the inflammatory factors.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of total saponins of Dioscoreae Nipponicae Rhizoma （TSDN） in treating gouty arthritis （GA） by regulating cyclooxygenase-2 （COX-2）-mediated M1 macrophage reprogramming by in vivo and in vitro experiments. MethodsIn vivo experiment： 24 male SD rats were randomly allocated into blank， model （GA）， TSDN， and celecoxib groups， with 6 rats in each group. After 7 days of administration， pathological changes in the ankle synovial tissue were observed via hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to quantify the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3） inflammasome， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein （ASC）， Caspase-1， COX-2， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the synovial tissue. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the serum levels of inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）， IL-1β， CD86， CD80， CD206， and arginase-1 （Arg-1）. In vitro experiment： The GA model was established by lipopolysaccharide （LPS） + MSU induction， and the inhibitor concentration was screened by the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium （MTT） assay. RAW264.7 cells were allocated into blank， model， TSDN， dexamethasone， COX-2 inhibitor （celecoxib）， and TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor groups. The levels of iNOS， IL-1β， CD86， CD80， CD206， and Arg-1 in the cell supernatant of each group were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome， COX-2， IL-1β， and TNF-α in each group were determined by Real-time PCR and Western blot， respectively. ResultsIn vivo experiment： compared with the model group， TSDN reduced the mRNA levels of NLRP3 inflammasome， COX-2， IL-1β， and TNF-α in the synovial tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ELISA results showed that TSDN lowered the serum levels of iNOS， IL-1β， CD86， and CD80 （P<0.01） while increasing the serum levels of CD206 and Arg-1 （P<0.01）. In vitro experiment： compared with the model group， TSDN and inhibitor down-regulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3 inflammasome， COX-2， IL-1β， and TNF-α and the protein levels of NLRP3 inflammasome， COX-2， cleaved IL-1β， and TNF-α （P<0.01）. Compared with TSDN alone， TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor further reduced the mRNA and protein levels of the markers above （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， TSDN and COX-2 inhibitor decreased the levels of IL-1β， iNOS， CD80， and CD86 （P<0.01） and increased the levels of CD206 and Arg-1 （P<0.01） in cells. Compared with TSDN alone， TSDN + COX-2 inhibitor reduced IL-1β， iNOS， CD80， and CD86 levels （P<0.05， P<0.01） and elevated CD206 and Arg-1 levels （P<0.01） in cells. ConclusionTSDN can alleviate GA by downregulating COX-2-mediated M1 macrophage reprogramming and suppressing the inflammatory factors.

Objective To understand the situation of dental cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) quality control testing phantoms in radiation health technical service institutions in Guangdong province, analyze the differences among different phantoms, and provide a reference for dental CBCT quality control testing. Methods The testing phantoms of 49 radiation health technical service institutions were used as the research objects. The designated CBCT equipment was used for scanning and imaging. The Z-score method was used to evaluate the high-contrast resolution, low-contrast resolution, and distance measurement deviation of each phantom. Results The satisfaction rates of various items for the phantoms in 49 institutions ranged from 85.7% to 100%. The distance measurement deviations of four institutions were “suspicious”, and the high-contrast resolution of four institutions and the distance measurement deviation of one institution were “unsatisfactory”. Conclusion The overall performance of dental CBCT quality control testing phantoms in radiological health technical service institutions in Guangdong province is satisfactory. However, there are still some phantoms with poor results in items such as distance measurement deviation and high-contrast resolution. The structural design, material selection, and manufacturing process of the phantom may all affect the results of quality control testing. Therefore, appropriate phantoms, optimized exposure conditions, and suitable reconstruction algorithms should be used in CBCT quality control testing to ensure accurate and reliable measurements.

Background: The association of changes in metabolic syndrome (MetS) with cognitive function remains unclear. We explored this association using prospective and Mendelian randomization (MR) studies. Methods: MetS components including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), systolic blood pressure (SBP), waist circumference (WC), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and triglycerides were measured at baseline and two follow-ups, constructing a MetS index. Immediate, delayed memory recall, and cognitive function along with its dimensions were assessed by immediate 10- word recall test (IWRT) and delayed 10-word recall test (DWRT), and mini-mental state examination (MMSE), respectively, at baseline and follow-ups. Linear mixed-effect model was used. Additionally, the genome-wide association study (GWAS) of MetS was conducted and one-sample MR was performed to assess the causality between MetS and cognitive function. Results: Elevated MetS index was associated with decreasing annual change rates (decrease) in DWRT and MMSE scores, and with decreases in attention, calculation and recall dimensions. HDL-C was positively associated with an increase in DWRT scores, while SBP and FPG were negatively associated. HDL-C showed a positive association, whereas WC was negatively associated with increases in MMSE scores, including attention, calculation and recall dimensions. Interaction analysis indicated that the association of MetS index on cognitive decline was predominantly observed in low family income group. The GWAS of MetS identified some genetic variants. MR results showed a non-significant causality between MetS and decrease in DWRT, IWRT, nor MMSE scores. Conclusion Our study indicated a significant association of MetS and its components with declines in memory and cognitive function, especially in delayed memory recall.

Background: The association of changes in metabolic syndrome (MetS) with cognitive function remains unclear. We explored this association using prospective and Mendelian randomization (MR) studies. Methods: MetS components including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), systolic blood pressure (SBP), waist circumference (WC), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and triglycerides were measured at baseline and two follow-ups, constructing a MetS index. Immediate, delayed memory recall, and cognitive function along with its dimensions were assessed by immediate 10- word recall test (IWRT) and delayed 10-word recall test (DWRT), and mini-mental state examination (MMSE), respectively, at baseline and follow-ups. Linear mixed-effect model was used. Additionally, the genome-wide association study (GWAS) of MetS was conducted and one-sample MR was performed to assess the causality between MetS and cognitive function. Results: Elevated MetS index was associated with decreasing annual change rates (decrease) in DWRT and MMSE scores, and with decreases in attention, calculation and recall dimensions. HDL-C was positively associated with an increase in DWRT scores, while SBP and FPG were negatively associated. HDL-C showed a positive association, whereas WC was negatively associated with increases in MMSE scores, including attention, calculation and recall dimensions. Interaction analysis indicated that the association of MetS index on cognitive decline was predominantly observed in low family income group. The GWAS of MetS identified some genetic variants. MR results showed a non-significant causality between MetS and decrease in DWRT, IWRT, nor MMSE scores. Conclusion Our study indicated a significant association of MetS and its components with declines in memory and cognitive function, especially in delayed memory recall.

Background: The association of changes in metabolic syndrome (MetS) with cognitive function remains unclear. We explored this association using prospective and Mendelian randomization (MR) studies. Methods: MetS components including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), systolic blood pressure (SBP), waist circumference (WC), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and triglycerides were measured at baseline and two follow-ups, constructing a MetS index. Immediate, delayed memory recall, and cognitive function along with its dimensions were assessed by immediate 10- word recall test (IWRT) and delayed 10-word recall test (DWRT), and mini-mental state examination (MMSE), respectively, at baseline and follow-ups. Linear mixed-effect model was used. Additionally, the genome-wide association study (GWAS) of MetS was conducted and one-sample MR was performed to assess the causality between MetS and cognitive function. Results: Elevated MetS index was associated with decreasing annual change rates (decrease) in DWRT and MMSE scores, and with decreases in attention, calculation and recall dimensions. HDL-C was positively associated with an increase in DWRT scores, while SBP and FPG were negatively associated. HDL-C showed a positive association, whereas WC was negatively associated with increases in MMSE scores, including attention, calculation and recall dimensions. Interaction analysis indicated that the association of MetS index on cognitive decline was predominantly observed in low family income group. The GWAS of MetS identified some genetic variants. MR results showed a non-significant causality between MetS and decrease in DWRT, IWRT, nor MMSE scores. Conclusion Our study indicated a significant association of MetS and its components with declines in memory and cognitive function, especially in delayed memory recall.

Background: The association of changes in metabolic syndrome (MetS) with cognitive function remains unclear. We explored this association using prospective and Mendelian randomization (MR) studies. Methods: MetS components including high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), systolic blood pressure (SBP), waist circumference (WC), fasting plasma glucose (FPG), and triglycerides were measured at baseline and two follow-ups, constructing a MetS index. Immediate, delayed memory recall, and cognitive function along with its dimensions were assessed by immediate 10- word recall test (IWRT) and delayed 10-word recall test (DWRT), and mini-mental state examination (MMSE), respectively, at baseline and follow-ups. Linear mixed-effect model was used. Additionally, the genome-wide association study (GWAS) of MetS was conducted and one-sample MR was performed to assess the causality between MetS and cognitive function. Results: Elevated MetS index was associated with decreasing annual change rates (decrease) in DWRT and MMSE scores, and with decreases in attention, calculation and recall dimensions. HDL-C was positively associated with an increase in DWRT scores, while SBP and FPG were negatively associated. HDL-C showed a positive association, whereas WC was negatively associated with increases in MMSE scores, including attention, calculation and recall dimensions. Interaction analysis indicated that the association of MetS index on cognitive decline was predominantly observed in low family income group. The GWAS of MetS identified some genetic variants. MR results showed a non-significant causality between MetS and decrease in DWRT, IWRT, nor MMSE scores. Conclusion Our study indicated a significant association of MetS and its components with declines in memory and cognitive function, especially in delayed memory recall.

Xenotransplantation is an important approach to addressing the shortage of donor organs. However, it still faces numerous challenges, such as acute rejection and zoonotic diseases. Organoid-on-a-chip technology refers to a microcell culture device that simulates the physiological functions of human organs in vitro. In recent years, it has achieved a series of important results in the field of allotransplantation and has great application prospects in the field of xenotransplantation, bringing new opportunities for xenotransplantation research. Therefore, this article discusses the current research status and progress of organoid-on-a-chip technology, combined with the various problems faced by xenotransplantation, to explore the application of organoid-on-a-chip technology in solving the selection of immunosuppressive regimens, matching and viral reactivation in xenotransplantation. This aims to open up new avenues for solving the current problems in the field of xenotransplantation and promote its further development.

Pyroptosis is the programmed death of cells accompanied by an inflammatory response and is widely involved in the development of a variety of diseases, such as infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and neurodegeneration. It has been shown that cellular scorching is involved in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension ( PAH) in cardiovascular diseases. Patients with PAH have perivascular inflammatory infiltrates in lungs, pulmonary vasculopathy exists in an extremely inflam-matory microenvironment, and pro-inflammatory factors in cellular scorching drive pulmonary vascular remodelling in PAH patients. This article reviews the role of cellular scorch in the pathogenesis of PAH and the related research on drugs for the treatment of PAH, with the aim of providing new ideas for clinical treatment of PAH.