Abstract: Stem cells, which are a type of primitive cells with multipotent differentiation potential and self-renewal ability, have the potential to regenerate various tissues and organs. Stem cell drug development is a frontier research field in life sciences. Extensive clinical trials involving stem cells have been conducted for different complicated diseases. Some stem cells have been approved as drugs for some indications, indicating their broad industrial prospects. This review introduces the progress of stem cell drugs around the world, especially in China, and discusses the main problems in the industrialization of stem cell drugs, such as their effectiveness, quality control and safety, so as to provide some reference and insight for the development and rapid industrialization of stem cell drugs.

The prevalence of hyperuricemia and gout is continuously increasing on a global scale,leading to increased social burden through complications such as chronic kidney disease,cardiovascular diseases,and joint disorders.Several studies have reported gender differences in the onset of gout,but the relationship between sex hormones as biologic markers and hyperurice-mia or gout has just gained attention in recent years,with ongoing debates on its authenticity and mechanisms.This article com-prehensively elaborates on the research progress in the impact of estrogen,androgen,progesterone,and sex hormone-binding globulin(SHBG)on hyperuricemia and gout,as well as underlying mechanisms.It will provide a basis for further understanding of uric acid metabolism and early prevention and treatment of gout.

Objective:To statistically analyze the application and funding status in the endocrine system/metabolism and nutritional support(H07) since the establishment of the Department of Medical Sciences of the National Natural Science Foundation of China(NSFC). To understand the current states and development trends in the field of endocrine and metabolic disorders in China, providing a reference basis for future research.Methods:Based on the NSFC data platform, a statistical analysis was conducted on applications and funding of projects in the field of H07 in the Department of Medical Sciences of the NSFC from 2010 to 2023. The analysis covered funding rate, application code, and host institutions, summarizing the current status of basic research in the H07 field.Results:From 2010 to 2023, the total number of applications for grants under the H07 code was 22 566, with a total of 3 703 projects funded, resulting in an overall funding rate 16.4%, and the total funding amount of 187 687 million yuan. Applications and funded projects were primarily concentrated in General Projects and the Young Scientist Fund Projects. Over the 14 years, the total number of applications for General Projects, the Young Scientist Fund Projects, and Regional Science Fund Projects showed an overall upward trend, while the number of funded projects remained relatively stable and the funding rate declined year by year. Under H07 code, a total of 23 projects of the National Science Foundation for Outstanding Young Scholars Projects and 11 Distinguished Young Scholars Projects were funded, and the funding rates were 12.1% and 12.5% respectively. The annual funding volume of Key Program fluctuated from 1 to 7, and the average funding rate in the past 14 years was 25.5%. The top four secondary codes in terms of application volume were H0708(30.8%), H0709(11.6%), H0712(11.4%), H0710(9.1%), and the top four secondary codes in terms of funding volume were H0708(27.9%), H0709(13.5%), H0712(10.9%), H0710(10.8%).Conclusions:With the support of the NSFC, basic research in the H07 discipline has made significant strides. The funded research spans diverse directions, talent nurturing, and extensive regional coverage. Diabetes continues to dominate as a primary research focus, alongside obesity, abnormal energy metabolism, and lipid metabolism disorders, which represent critical research areas within the field.

Objective To explore the effectiveness of the Five Elements Music Therapy(FEMT)in relieving stress in participants with different cultural backgrounds,and to compare the differences between the FEMT and the Western Art Music Therapy(WAMT)in stress relief.Methods This was a comparative pilot randomized pre-post repeated measures study,37 subjects were allocated with 2 dropped out,with an inclusion-ended sample of 35 subjects,23 from Canada and 12 from China.After informed consent,all subjects were randomly assigned to listening to either Five Elements Music or Western Art Music at home for 30 minutes,twice a week for four weeks.Participants were asked to use headphones,measure their pulse rate before and after each session,and fill out five questionnaires,including a background and demographic survey(reporting age,gender,education,cultural background,listening experience).Self-assessment of stress(pre-post after each session),General Hospital Anxiety/Depression Scale(HADS,weekly after 2nd session),Perceived Stress Survey(PSS,weekly after 2nd session),the Music Therapy Intervention Survey(MTIS,pre-post each session).Results ①There was a significant decrease in self-assessed stress scores after the second session in the FEMT compared with the WAMT group(t=-2.057,P=0.046).②In both groups,there was a significant decrease in stress scores pre-post treatment in each group(WAMT t=5.026;FEMT T=7.645,P=0.000).③There was no significant difference between the two groups in post-intervention HADS scores(P>0.05);In the Chinese sample,there was a significant difference in HADS scores after the eighth session in both FEMT and WAMT groups(t=-3.862,P=0.003),and a statistically significant difference in HADS pre-post intervention in the FEMT((t=5.117,P=0.004).There was a significant difference in MTIS pre-post treatment in the WAMT(t=-2.572,P=0.023),but in not the FEMT group(t= 1.331,P=0.207).Conclusion This pilot trial explores a safe and feasible self-administered music therapy approach for stress in two distinct cultural groups,and for the first time provides preliminary comparison and evidence of effectiveness of FEMT and WAMT in alleviating stress and anxiety.Further investigation with bigger randomized samples is needed to elucidate the effects of different kinds of music and cultural groups on stress and anxiety levels.

【Objective】 To investigate the feasibility of laparoscopic simple prostatectomy (LSP) in the treatment of large volume benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH). 【Methods】 Clinical and follow-up data of 30 patients with large volume BPH treated with LSP in our hospital during Feb.2019 and Dec.2021 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent extraperitoneal LSP operation. The perioperative and 1-12 month postoperative follow-up data were analyzed. 【Results】 The average prostate volume was (92.4±38.9) mL, operation time (125±45) min, and weight of resected prostate (60.25±16.90) g. The hemoglobin decreased by (12.21±7.25) g/d after operation. No blood transfusion was needed. There was no need for bladder irrigation after operation in 21 cases (70%), and 9 cases (30%) had bladder irrigation time of (0.95±0.49) d. The postoperative catheter indwelling time was (6.92±2.51) d, and hospital stay (5.36±1.63) d. During the follow-up of (9.25±5.4) months, there was 1 case of postoperative intestinal obstruction (Clavien-Dindo grade II), 1 case of transient urinary incontinence (Clavien-Dindo grade I), and 1 case of delayed hematuria (Clavien-Dindo grade I). No urethral stricture occurred. The maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax), post-void residual urine volume (PVR), International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) and quality of life (QoL) 3 months after operation were significantly improved compared with those before operation (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in sexual function before and after operation (P>0.05). 【Conclusion】 LSP is safe and effective in the treatment of large volume BPH. It has advantages of complete resection of glands, minor bleeding and short postoperative bladder irrigation time. However, it still needs to be confirmed by a prospective control study of large samples.

Objective     To investigate the risk factors for postoperative complications Clavien-Dindo classification≥grade Ⅱ after lung cancer surgery. Methods     The patients who underwent lung cancer surgery in a multicenter observational study from November 2017 to January 2020 were included. The Clavien-Dindo classification of postoperative complications was analyzed. Logistic regression was used to identify the risk factors for complications≥ gradeⅡ. Results     A total of 388 patients were enrolled, including 203 males and 185 females with a mean age of 56.14±10.36 years. The incidence of postoperative complications was 25.52% (99/388) after lung cancer surgery and the incidence of complications≥gradeⅡ was 20.10% (78/388). The five most common postoperative complications were pneumonia (6.96%), prolonged pulmonary air leak (>7 days, 5.67%), incision dehiscence (4.64%), arrhythmia (3.87%), and postoperative pleural effusion (3.35%). Multivariate analysis showed that open surgery [reference: uniportal thoracoscopic surgery, OR=2.18, 95%CI (1.01, 4.70), P=0.047], extended resection [reference: sublobar resection, OR=2.86, 95%CI (1.11, 7.19), P=0.030; reference: lobectomy, OR=2.20, 95%CI (1.10, 4.40), P=0.026] and operative time≥3 h [OR=2.07, 95%CI (1.12, 3.85), P=0.021] were independent risk factors for postoperative complications≥gradeⅡ after lung cancer surgery. Conclusion     Surgical approach, extent of resection and operative time are independent influencing factors for postoperative complications≥gradeⅡ after lung cancer surgery.

Objective: To investigate the impact of immediate cessation of antiviral therapy on postpartum liver function and the factors influencing postpartum abnormality in mothers with chronic hepatitis B virus infection. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. One hundred eighty-eight pregnant women with HBV DNA level > 2×106 IU/ml were enrolled from June 2014 to June 2018. Demographic information and clinical data of liver function and HBV DNA load during gravidity, intrapartum and postpartum period were collected. According to the antiviral treatment recommendations during pregnancy, the women were divided into three groups, namely, tenofovir (TDF), telbivudine (LdT) and control group. Liver function abnormalities among the three groups were compared within 6 months after delivery, and the factors influencing abnormal liver function were analyzed by unconditional logistic regression. Results: Of the 188 cases, 72 cases were in the TDF group, 80 cases in the LdT group, and 36 cases in the control group. Pregnant women in the TDF and LdT groups received oral TDF (300 mg/d) and LdT (600 mg/d) from 28 ± 4 weeks of gestation till delivery. Among the 188 patients, 30 (16.0%) had abnormal postpartum liver function abnormality. The incidence of postpartum liver function abnormality [alanine aminotransferase (ALT) > 2 × upper limit of normal (ULN)] in the TDF, LdT, and control groups was 19.4%, 12.5%, and 16.7%, respectively. The postpartum peak levels of ALT (median, range) in the three groups were 34.5 (12.0-946.0) U/L, 37.5 (12.0-733.8) U/L, and 39.0 (7.0-513.0) U/L, respectively. There was no significant difference between the two indexes among the three groups (P > 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the degree of postpartum liver function abnormalities between the three groups (P = 0.944). Most of the liver function abnormalities were mild to moderate (2 × ULN≤ALT < 10 × ULN), and usually resolved spontaneously or by treatment. Univariate and multivariate analysis showed that baseline ALT level during pregnancy was an independent factor associated with postpartum liver function abnormality (OR = 1.031, CI 95%: 1.005-1.058; χ² = 5.340, P = 0.021), whereas age, antiviral therapy, HBeAg-positivity, baseline HBV DNA levels, gravidity, parity, preterm delivery and delivery mode were not significantly associated with postpartum liver function abnormality. Conclusion Cessation of antiviral therapy after delivery did not significantly increase the risk of postpartum liver function abnormality in pregnant women with chronic HBV infection. The ALT level during pregnancy is a factor influencing postpartum liver function abnormality.

Alzheimer Disease(AD) presently remains an irreversible disease.Consequently,with current research findings and clinical practices,we propose a new prevention and treatment perspective,summarized in four aspects:early-stage,comprehensive,systematic,and long term,which are interrelated and yet show varying significance depending on the circumstances.We hope this view will help improve AD-related practices in prevention,clinical management,research and education,better equipping us to face challenges posed by AD.

Objective To evaluate the preventive effects of Haishe capsules on the conversion of amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) to Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods Patients (n=120) with aMCI from our department were recruited and randomly divided into the treatment group and the control group (n=60 in each group).The treatment group was given 0.9 gram of Haishe capsules three times a day while the control group received no drug treatment.Data on the conversion ratio,memory and cognitive function were comparedbetween the groups in a 24-months follow-up.Results By the end of the study,12 patients in the treatment group and 15 in the control group dropped out.Valid data for 93 patients were available for statistical analysis (48 in the treatment group and 45 in the control group).The number of aMCI patients who converted to AD was 6,with a conversion ratio of 12.5％ (6/48);and the number of patients who went through conversion in the control group was 13,with a conversion ratio of 28.8％ (13/45).The difference in conversion between the two groups was statistically significant (x2 =3.83,P＜0.05).After 24 months,MMSE scores for the treatment group (25.52± 1.07) had no significant change compared with baseline levels,while MMSE scores for the control group decreased significantly(24.75--1.49) and were markedly lower than thosefor the treatment group (t=2.85,P＜0.05).MoCA scores for the treatment group (19.39 ±2.01) did not show decline until the end of the study,while those for the control group started to decrease about half way through the study and were lower than scores for the treatment group (t =2.41,P＜0.05).Compared with baseline levels,ADAS-Cogscores for the treatment group (7.62± 1.06) did not increase significantly during the course of the study.ADAS-Cogscores forthe control group were higher at both half way (7.70±0.75) and the end of the study (8.18±0.80)than base line levels,and there was a statistically significant difference in end-of-study ADAS-Cog scores between the two groups(t =-2.6,P＜ 0.05).Conclusions Haishe capsules not only effectively maintain memory and cognitive function,but also delay the conversion from aMCI to AD.

Objective To investigate the influence of portal hypertension (PHT) on the postoperative complications after hepatectomy for patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods Clinical data of 152 HCC patients undergoing hepatectomy in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center from March 2003 to October 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into the PHT and non-PHT groups. There were 76 patients in the PHT group including 62 males and 14 females, with a mean age of (49±11) years. There were 76 patients in the non-PHT group including 66 males and 10 females, with a mean age of (49±12) years. The informed consents of all patients were obtained and the local ethical committee approval had been received. After hospitalization, all patients received routine examination. The incidence of postoperative complications in two groups was observed and the independent risk factors for postoperative complications were evaluated. Normally distributed data were compared using t test. Non-normally distributed data were compared using Z test. The comparison of rate was conducted using Chi-square test. Independent risk factors for the incidence of postoperative complications were analyzed by Logistic multivariate regression test. Results The incidence of postoperative complications was 42%(32/76) and the liver function-related complications was 36% (27/76) in the PHT group, and were 20% (15/76), 16% (12/76) respectively in the non-PHT group, significant difference was observed between two groups (χ2=8.901, 7.760;P<0.05). No signiifcant difference was observed in the percentage of patients with grade I-II complications between PHT group [75%(24/32)] and non-PHT group [73%(11/15)] (χ2=0.015, P>0.05). No significant difference was observed in the 90-day mortality between PHT group [7%(5/76)] and non-PHT group [3%(2/76)] (χ2=0.599, P>0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that PHT complication (OR=3.376, 95%CI:1.564-7.287, P<0.05) and number of tumors>2 (OR=1.984, 95%CI:1.248-3.154, P<0.05) were the independent risk factors for postoperative complications. PHT complication (OR=3.231, 95%CI:1.431-7.298, P<0.05), number of tumors>2 (OR=1.832, 95%CI:1.137-2.952, P<0.05) and intraoperative transfusion > 400 ml (OR=2.776, 95%CI: 1.123-6.864, P<0.05) were the independent risk factors for liver function-related complications. Conclusions PHT can increase the incidences of postoperative complications and liver function-related complications after hepatectomy in HCC patients and is the independent risk factor for both complications. However, PHT will not increase the severity of postoperative complications or postoperative mortality.