Umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) have been widely used in regenerative medicine, but there is limited research on the stability of UC-MSCs formulation during production. This study aims to assess the stability of the cell stock solution and intermediate product throughout the production process, as well as the final product following reconstitution, in order to offer guidance for the manufacturing process and serve as a reference for formulation reconstitution methods. Three batches of cell formulation were produced and stored under low temperature (2-8 ℃) and room temperature (20-26 ℃) during cell stock solution and intermediate product stages. The storage time intervals for cell stock solution were 0, 2, 4, and 6 h, while for intermediate products, the intervals were 0, 1, 2, and 3 h. The evaluation items included visual inspection, viable cell concentration, cell viability, cell surface markers, lymphocyte proliferation inhibition rate, and sterility. Additionally, dilution and culture stability studies were performed after reconstitution of the cell product. The reconstitution diluents included 0.9% sodium chloride injection, 0.9% sodium chloride injection + 1% human serum albumin, and 0.9% sodium chloride injection + 2% human serum albumin, with dilution ratios of 10-fold and 40-fold. The storage time intervals after dilution were 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 h. The reconstitution culture media included DMEM medium, DMEM + 2% platelet lysate, 0.9% sodium chloride injection, and 0.9% sodium chloride injection + 1% human serum albumin, and the culture duration was 24 h. The evaluation items were viable cell concentration and cell viability. The results showed that the cell stock solution remained stable for up to 6 h under both low temperature (2-8 ℃) and room temperature (20-26 ℃) conditions, while the intermediate product remained stable for up to 3 h under the same conditions. After formulation reconstitution, using sodium chloride injection diluted with 1% or 2% human serum albumin maintained a viability of over 80% within 4 h. It was observed that different dilution factors had an impact on cell viability. After formulation reconstitution, cultivation in medium with 2% platelet lysate resulted in a cell viability of over 80% after 24 h. In conclusion, the stability of cell stock solution within 6 h and intermediate product within 3 h meets the requirements. The addition of 1% or 2% human serum albumin in the reconstitution diluent can better protect the post-reconstitution cell viability.

ObjectiveTriple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the breast cancer subtype with the worst prognosis, and lacks effective therapeutic targets. Colony stimulating factors (CSFs) are cytokines that can regulate the production of blood cells and stimulate the growth and development of immune cells, playing an important role in the malignant progression of TNBC. This article aims to construct a novel prognostic model based on the expression of colony stimulating factors-related genes (CRGs), and analyze the sensitivity of TNBC patients to immunotherapy and drug therapy. MethodsWe downloaded CRGs from public databases and screened for differentially expressed CRGs between normal and TNBC tissues in the TCGA-BRCA database. Through LASSO Cox regression analysis, we constructed a prognostic model and stratified TNBC patients into high-risk and low-risk groups based on the colony stimulating factors-related genes risk score (CRRS). We further analyzed the correlation between CRRS and patient prognosis, clinical features, tumor microenvironment (TME) in both high-risk and low-risk groups, and evaluated the relationship between CRRS and sensitivity to immunotherapy and drug therapy. ResultsWe identified 842 differentially expressed CRGs in breast cancer tissues of TNBC patients and selected 13 CRGs for constructing the prognostic model. Kaplan-Meier survival curves, time-dependent receiver operating characteristic curves, and other analyses confirmed that TNBC patients with high CRRS had shorter overall survival, and the predictive ability of CRRS prognostic model was further validated using the GEO dataset. Nomogram combining clinical features confirmed that CRRS was an independent factor for the prognosis of TNBC patients. Moreover, patients in the high-risk group had lower levels of immune infiltration in the TME and were sensitive to chemotherapeutic drugs such as 5-fluorouracil, ipatasertib, and paclitaxel. ConclusionWe have developed a CRRS-based prognostic model composed of 13 differentially expressed CRGs, which may serve as a useful tool for predicting the prognosis of TNBC patients and guiding clinical treatment. Moreover, the key genes within this model may represent potential molecular targets for future therapies of TNBC.

3ʹ-Hydroxy-4ʹ-methoxy-2-hydroxy-5-bromochalcone (hereinafter referred to as C13) is a novel chalcone derivative obtained in the process of structural modification of DHMMF, the antitumor active compound of Resina Draconis, in our laboratory. In this study, we investigated the effects of C13 on the proliferation and apoptosis of human gastric cancer HGC-27 and AGS cells and its potential mechanism of action. Firstly, through methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT), colony formation assay, and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) staining, we found that C13 inhibited the proliferation ability of human gastric cancer HGC-27 and AGS cells. Using flow cytometry and Western blot, it was found that C13 induced apoptosis in human gastric cancer HGC-27 and AGS cells, and up-regulated the protein level of cleaved poly ADP-ribose polymerase (cleaved-PARP). The results of RNA sequencing analysis showed that the Erb-b2 receptor tyrosine kinase 4/phosphoinositide 3-kinases/AKT (ErbB4/PI3K/AKT) signaling pathway may be involved in anti-gastric cancer activity of C13. Finally, the results of immunoblotting assay showed that C13 treatment down-regulated the protein levels of ErbB4 and phospho-ErbB4, as well as down-regulated the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and AKT in human gastric cancer HGC-27 and AGS cells, which verified the results from RNA-seq analysis. In conclusion, C13 inhibited the proliferation and induced apoptosis of human gastric cancer cells, which may be related to the down-regulation of ErbB4/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This study may provide a candidate drug for the treatment of gastric cancer.

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF)is a highly heterogeneous systemic condition and represents the predominant form of heart heart failure(HF)worldwide.Current pharmacotherapies for HFpEF are limited and lack specific targeted drugs.Recent studies suggest that non-pharmacological strategies serve as adjuncts to conventional pharmacological treatment,offering improvements in symptoms,quality of life,and reducing the risk of rehospitalization for HF in patients with HFpEF.These strategies include CD34 stem cell transplantation,the greater splanchnic nerve ablation,atrial septal shunting,atrial pacing,myocardial contractility modulation,left ventricular expander,baroreceptor stimulation,and others.This review comprehensively summarizes the latest clinical evidence on non-pharmacological treatments for HFpEF,with the aim of advancing the understanding of treatment strategies for this condition.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety of brexpiprazole in treating acute schizophrenia.Methods Patients with schizophrenia were randomly divided into treatment group and control group.The treatment group was given brexpiprozole 2-4 mg·d-1 orally and the control group was given aripiprazole 10-20 mg·d-1orally,both were treated for 6 weeks.Clinical efficacy of the two groups,the response rate at endpoint,the changes from baseline to endpoint of Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale(PANSS),Clinical Global Impression-Improvement(CGI-S),Personal and Social Performance scale(PSP),PANSS Positive syndrome subscale,PANSS negative syndrome subscale were compared.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events in two groups were compared.Results There were 184 patients in treatment group and 186 patients in control group.After treatment,the response rates of treatment group and control group were 79.50％(140 cases/184 cases)and 82.40％(150 cases/186 cases),the scores of CGI-I of treatment group and control group were(2.00±1.20)and(1.90±1.01),with no significant difference(all P＞0.05).From baseline to Week 6,the mean change of PANSS total score wese(-30.70±16.96)points in treatment group and(-32.20±17.00)points in control group,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).The changes of CGI-S scores in treatment group and control group were(-2.00±1.27)and(-1.90±1.22)points,PSP scores were(18.80±14.77)and(19.20±14.55)points,PANSS positive syndrome scores were(-10.30±5.93)and(-10.80±5.81)points,PANSS negative syndrome scores were(-6.80±5.98)and(-7.30±5.15)points,with no significant difference(P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of treatment-related adverse events between the two group(69.00％vs.64.50％,P＞0.05).Conclusion The non-inferiority of Brexpiprazole to aripiprazole was established,with comparable efficacy and acceptability.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of novel bioactive glasses (BG) including PSC with high phosphorus component and FBG with fluorine-doped element on promoting remineralization of artificial dentin caries. METHODS: (1) BGs were used in this study as follows: PSC (10.8%P₂O₅-54.2%SiO₂-35.0%CaO, mol.%) were synthesized using phytic acid as the phosphorus precursor through sol-gel method. FBG (6.1%P₂O₅-37.0%SiO₂-53.9%CaO-3.0%CaF₂, mol.%) and 45S5(6.0%P₂O₅-45.0%SiO₂-24.5%CaO-24.5%Na₂O, mol.%) were synthesized by traditional melt method. (2) The above BGs were soaked in simulated body fluid (SBF) for 24 hours. Then X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to analyze the formation of hydroxyapatite (HA) crystals. (3) Prepared 1 mm thick dentin slices were soaked in 17% ethylene diamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) for 1 week to demineralize the dentin. Then the dentin slices treated by BG were soaked in SBF for 1 week. Field emission scanning electron micro-scopy (FE-SEM) was used to observe the surface morphology of the dentin slices. (4) Four cavities were prepared to 1 mm depth in each 2 mm thick dentin slice, then were treated with lactic acid for 2 weeks to form the artificial dentin caries. Wax, mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA), PSC and FBG were used to fill four cavities as blank control group, MTA group, PSC group and FBG group respectively. Then the spe-cimens were soaked in SBF for 4 weeks. The changes of depth and density of demineralized dentin were analyzed using Micro-CT before filling and after 2 and 4 weeks filling. RESULTS: (1) PSC and FBG promoted mineral formation on the surfaces of the demineralized dentin. And the speed was faster and crystallinity was higher in PSC group than the FBG and 45S5 groups. (2) The increased mineral density of artificial dentin caries in PSC group were (185.98 ± 55.66) mg/cm³ and (213.64 ± 36.01) mg/cm³ 2 and 4 weeks after filling respectively, which were significantly higher than the control group [(20.38 ± 7.55) mg/cm³, P=0.006; (36.46 ± 10.79) mg/cm³, P=0.001]. At meanwhile, PSC group was also higher than MTA group [(57.29 ± 10.09) mg/cm³; (111.02 ± 22.06) mg/cm³], and it had statistical difference (P=0.015; P=0.006). The depth of remineralized dentin in PSC group were (40.0 ± 16.9) μm and (54.5 ± 17.8) μm 2 and 4 weeks respectively, which were also statistically different from the control group (P =0.010;P=0.001). There were no statistical differences between the control group and MTA group. The above effects of FBG group were between PSC and MTA. CONCLUSION PSC has advantages in the speed, quality and depth of mineral deposition in the demineralized layer of artificial dentin caries. It would be expected to be an ideal material to promote the remineralization of dentin caries.
Dentin ; Silicon Dioxide/pharmacology* ; Dental Caries Susceptibility ; Minerals/pharmacology* ; Phosphorus/pharmacology* ; Tooth Remineralization/methods*

Vascular dementia(VD) is a condition of cognitive impairment due to acute and chronic cerebral hypoperfusion. The available therapies for VD mainly focus on mitigating cerebral ischemia, improving cognitive function, and controlling mental behavior. Achievements have been made in the basic and clinical research on the treatment of VD with traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) active components, including Ginkgo leaf extract, puerarin, epimedium, tanshinone, and ginsenoside. Most of these components have anti-inflammatory, anti-apoptotic, anti-oxidant, and neuroprotective effects, and puerarin demonstrates excellent performance in mitigating cholinergic nervous system disorders and improving synaptic plasticity. Puerarin, ginkgetin, and epimedium are all flavonoids, while tanshinone is a diterpenoid. Puerariae Lobatae Radix, pungent in nature, can induce clear Yang to reach the cerebral orifices and has the wind medicine functions of ascending, dispersing, moving, and scurrying. Puerariae Lobatae Radix entering collaterals will dredge blood vessels to promote blood flow, and that entering the sweat pore will open the mind, which is in line with the TCM pathogenesis characteristics of VD. This study reviews the progress in the mechanism of puerarin, the main active component of Puerariae Lobatae Radix, in treating VD. Puerarin can ameliorate cholinergic nervous system disorders, reduce excitotoxicity, anti-inflammation, inhibit apoptosis, alleviate oxidative stress injury, enhance synaptic plasticity, up-regulate neuroprotective factor expression, promote cerebral circulation metabolism, and mitigate Aβ injury. The pathways of action include activating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/antioxidant response element(ARE), vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF), extracellular regulated protein kinases(ERK), phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase(PI3K)/protein kinase B(Akt), Janus-activating kinase 2(JAK2)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK), as well as inhibiting the tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α), transient receptor potential melastatin 2(TRPM2)/N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor(NMDAR), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p38 MAPK), Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappaB(NF-κB), early growth response 1(Egr-1), and matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP-9). By reviewing the papers about the treatment of VD by puerarin published by CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, PubMed, and Web of Science in the last 10 years, this study aims to support the treatment and drug development for VD.
Humans ; Dementia, Vascular/drug therapy* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Antioxidants ; Brain Ischemia ; Cholinergic Agents

AIM To analyze saponins from Panacis Quinquefolii Radix of different regions(Jilin,Liaoning,Heilongjiang,Shandong)based on UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap/MS technology.METHODS Panacis Quinquefolii Radix had its saponins qualitatively analyzed by UHPLC-Q-Orbitrap/MS;and its differential saponins revealing different regions screened by the principal component analysis,orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis and differential component analysis.RESULTS A total of 62 saponins were identified;saponin variations due to the growth areas verified by the principal component analysis;and 28 differential saponins including 13 protopanaxadiol,6 protopanaxatriol,4 oleanolane,2 oxytetracycline,and 3 C-17 side chain variants further screened by orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis model.The relative contents of protopanaxadiol-type and protopanaxatriol-type saponins in the four producing areas reduced following the order of Liaoning,Jilin,Heilongjiang,and Shandong.CONCLUSION This simple,accurate and efficient method provides a theoretical basis for the quality evaluation of Panacis Quinquefolii Radix.

Objective: To analyze the clinical characteristics of children with Burkitt lymphoma (BL) and to summarize the mid-term efficacy of China Net Childhood Lymphoma-mature B-cell lymphoma 2017 (CNCL-B-NHL-2017) regimen. Methods: Clinical features of 436 BL patients who were ≤18 years old and treated with the CNCL-B-NHL-2017 regimen from May 2017 to April 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Clinical characteristics of patients at disease onset were analyzed and the therapeutic effects of patients with different clinical stages and risk groups were compared. Survival analysis was performed by Kaplan-Meier method, and Cox regression was used to identify the prognostic factors. Results: Among 436 patients, there were 368 (84.4%) males and 68 (15.6%) females, the age of disease onset was 6.0 (4.0, 9.0) years old. According to the St. Jude staging system, there were 4 patients (0.9%) with stage Ⅰ, 30 patients (6.9%) with stage Ⅱ, 217 patients (49.8%) with stage Ⅲ, and 185 patients (42.4%) with stage Ⅳ. All patients were stratified into following risk groups: group A (n=1, 0.2%), group B1 (n=46, 10.6%), group B2 (n=19, 4.4%), group C1 (n=285, 65.4%), group C2 (n=85, 19.5%). Sixty-three patients (14.4%) were treated with chemotherapy only and 373 patients (85.6%) were treated with chemotherapy combined with rituximab. Twenty-one patients (4.8%) suffered from progressive disease, 3 patients (0.7%) relapsed, and 13 patients (3.0%) died of treatment-related complications. The follow-up time of all patients was 24.0 (13.0, 35.0) months, the 2-year event free survival (EFS) rate of all patients was (90.9±1.4) %. The 2-year EFS rates of group A, B1, B2, C1 and C2 were 100.0%, 100.0%, (94.7±5.1) %, (90.7±1.7) % and (85.9±4.0) %, respectively. The 2-year EFS rates was higher in group A, B1, and B2 than those in group C1 (χ²=4.16, P=0.041) and group C2 (χ²=7.21, P=0.007). The 2-year EFS rates of the patients treated with chemotherapy alone and those treated with chemotherapy combined with rituximab were (79.3±5.1)% and (92.9±1.4)% (χ²=14.23, P<0.001) respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that stage Ⅳ (including leukemia stage), serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)>4-fold normal value, and with residual tumor in the mid-term evaluation were risk factors for poor prognosis (HR=1.38,1.23,8.52,95%CI 1.05-1.82,1.05-1.43,3.96-18.30). Conclusions: The CNCL-B-NHL-2017 regimen show significant effect in the treatment of pediatric BL. The combination of rituximab improve the efficacy further.
Adolescent ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Burkitt Lymphoma/drug therapy* ; Child ; Disease-Free Survival ; Female ; Humans ; Lactate Dehydrogenases ; Lymphoma, B-Cell/drug therapy* ; Male ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Rituximab/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome