BACKGROUND:Human periodontal ligament stem cells are potential functional cells for periodontal tissue engineering.However,long-term in vitro culture may lead to reduced stemness and replicative senescence of periodontal ligament stem cells,which may impair the therapeutic effect of human periodontal ligament stem cells. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of oxymatrine on the stemness maintenance and osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells in vitro,and to explore the potential mechanism. METHODS:Periodontal ligament stem cells were isolated from human periodontal ligament tissues by tissue explant enzyme digestion and cultured.The surface markers of mesenchymal cells were identified by flow cytometry.Periodontal ligament stem cells were incubated with 0,2.5,5,and 10 μg/mL oxymatrine.The effect of oxymatrine on the proliferation activity of periodontal ligament stem cells was detected by CCK8 assay.The appropriate drug concentration for subsequent experiments was screened.Western blot assay was used to detect the expression of stem cell non-specific proteins SOX2 and OCT4 in periodontal ligament stem cells.qRT-PCR and western blot assay were used to detect the expression levels of related osteogenic genes and proteins in periodontal ligament stem cells. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of CCK8 assay showed that 2.5 μg/mL oxymatrine significantly enhanced the proliferative activity of periodontal stem cells,and the subsequent experiment selected 2.5 μg/mL oxymatrine to intervene.(2)Compared with the blank control group,the protein expression level of SOX2,a stem marker of periodontal ligament stem cells in the oxymatrine group did not change significantly(P>0.05),and the expression of OCT4 was significantly up-regulated(P<0.05).(3)Compared with the osteogenic induction group,the osteogenic genes ALP,RUNX2 mRNA expression and their osteogenic associated protein ALP protein expression of periodontal ligament stem cells were significantly down-regulated in the oxymatrine+osteogenic induction group(P<0.05).(4)The oxymatrine up-regulated the expression of stemness markers of periodontal ligament stem cells and inhibited the bone differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells,and the results of high-throughput sequencing showed that it may be associated with WNT2,WNT16,COMP,and BMP6.

Frailty is related to the aging of the elderly, characterized by the decline of multi-system physiological functions and the increase of susceptibility. Both frailty and brain function decline are associated with age increase, and brain health can affect the postoperative outcomes and long-term quality of life in elderly patients. This paper provided a review on the relationship between frailty and brain health, specifically elaborating on the relationships of frailty with olfactory function decline, sleep disorders, and cognitive function, and aimed to remind medical staffs to pay attention to the frailty and brain function status of elderly patients, strengthen early evaluation and intervention, and improve the quality of life of elderly patients.

AIM:To observe the anti-scarring effects and safety of triamcinolone acetonide(TA)-loaded hydrogel sustained-release sheeting on stab incision glaucoma surgery(SIGS)with “one-step tunnel method” in rabbit eyes.METHODS:A total of 48 healthy New Zealand white rabbits were randomly selected and divided into 4 groups(12 rabbits in each group), trabeculectomy(Trab)group, SIGS group, polyvinyl alcohol hydrogel(PVAH)sheeting was implanted under the conjunctiva flap during SIGS(PVAH group), and hydrogel sustained-release sheeting loaded with TA was implanted under the conjunctiva flap during SIGS(TA/PVAH group). On the 1, 2, 3, and 4 wk after surgery, the intraocular pressure, filtering bubble morphology, anterior chamber reaction, and other complications were observed and recorded in each group. Then animals were euthanized, and the surgery area tissues of right eye were taken for pathological tissue paraffin section. Masson staining, picric acid-Sirius rose red staining, as well as α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)and fibroblast growth factor 2(FGF2)immunohistochemistry staining was performed on every section. The infiltration of inflammatory cells, proliferation of fibroblasts and synthesis of type I and type III collagen fibers in local tissues were observed. The average positive area ratio of α-SMA and FGF2 antibody immunohistochemical staining in each group was calculated and compared.RESULTS: The TA/PVAH group maintained diffuse and elevated functional filtering blebs, while flat filtering blebs appeared in Trab, SIGS and PVAH groups at 2 wk after surgery. Functional filtering blebs were present in 1 eye(33%), 2 eyes(67%)in the PVAH and TA/PVAH group at 4 wk after surgery, respectively, while the other filtering blebs were flattened. Masson staining showed that the hydrogels in PVAH and TA/PVAH groups did not degrade at 4 wk after surgery. Compared with the Trab and SIGS groups, the filtration passages were more obvious, with less collagen fiber proliferation. Sirius red staining showed that the expression of type I collagen and type III collagen in the TA/PVAH group was less than that in the Trab group, SIGS group and PVAH group at 4 wk after surgery. Immunohistochemical staining showed that the α-SMA expression in the TA/PVAH group was significantly lower than that in the Trab and SIGS groups at 1 wk after surgery(P<0.01). The α-SMA expression was the highest in the Trab and SIGS groups at 2 wk after surgery, while the α-SMA expression in the PHAP and TA/PVAH groups was significantly lower than that in the first two groups(P<0.01). Compared with the Trab group, the expression of FGF2 in the PVAH and TA/PVAH group was significantly increased at 1, 2, 3 and 4 wk after surgery(P<0.05). Compared with the SIGS group, FGF2 expression in the TA/PVAH group was significantly increased at 4 wk after surgery(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:In SIGS surgery of rabbit eyes, implanting hydrogel sustained-release sheeting loaded with TA under conjunctival flap can effectively inhibit the scarring of the filtering bleb, which may be the interaction of the anti-scar effect of TA and the stent function of hydrogel.

Background::Somatic copy number variations (SCNVs) in the CDKN2A gene are among the most frequent events in the dysplasia-carcinoma sequence of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. However, whether CDKN2A SCNVs are useful biomarkers for the risk stratification and management of patients with esophageal squamous cell dysplasia (ESCdys) is unknown. This study aimed to investigate the characteristics and prognostic value of CDKN2A SCNVs in patients with mild or moderate (m/M) ESCdys. Methods::This study conducted a prospective multicenter study of 205 patients with a baseline diagnosis of m/M ESCdys in five high-risk regions of China (Ci County, Hebei Province; Yanting, Sichuan Province; Linzhou, Henan Province; Yangzhong, Jiangsu Province; and Feicheng, Shandong Province) from 2005 to 2019. Genomic DNA was extracted from paraffin biopsy samples and paired peripheral white blood cells from patients, and a quantitative polymerase chain reaction assay, P16-Light, was used to detect CDKN2A copy number. The cumulative regression and progression rates of ESCdys were evaluated using competing risk models. Results::A total of 205 patients with baseline m/M ESCdys were enrolled. The proportion of ESCdys regression was significantly lower in the CDKN2A deletion cohort than in the diploid and amplification cohorts (18.8% [13/69] vs. 35.0% [28/80] vs. 51.8% [29/56], P <0.001). In the univariable competing risk analysis, the cumulative regression rate was statistically significantly lower ( P = 0.008), while the cumulative progression rate was higher ( P = 0.017) in ESCdys patients with CDKN2A deletion than in those without CDKN2A deletion. CDKN2A deletion was also an independent predictor of prognosis in ESCdys ( P = 0.004) in the multivariable analysis. Conclusion::The results indicated that CDKN2A SCNVs are associated with the prognosis of ESCdys and may serve as potential biomarkers for risk stratification.

Since April 2022, hepatitis of unknown cause in children has been reported in many countries around the world. As of May 11, more than 20 countries had reported at least 448 cases of acute severe hepatitis of unknown causes in children. In view of the detection of adenovirus in some cases, adenovirus infection is suspected to be the possible cause of the acute severe hepatitis in children. This paper briefly summarizes the previous studies and reports on the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and pathogenesis of hepatitis caused by adenovirus infection (adenovirus hepatitis), so as to provide reference for prevention and control of acute severe hepatitis of unknown cause in China.

Objective:To explore the effect and mechanism of different concentrations of metformin on bleomycin (BLM)-induced systemic sclerosis (SSc) mice model.Methods:C57BL/6 mice were divided into the normal group, the model group, the high, the medium and the low metformin (MET) treatment groups randomly. All mice were sacrificed after BLM and metformin treatment for 4 weeks. Local skin was exminedby histopathological staining method to measure the thickness of dermis and collagen, and immunohistochemistry and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were used to detect the protein and mRNA levels of Interleukin (IL)-17, forkhead box P3 (Foxp3) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Flow cytometry was used to detect the percentage of effector T cell (Teff) and regulatory cells (Treg) in splenic mononuclear cells. The data such as dermal collagen thickness, α-SMA, IL-17, Foxp3, Teff and Treg levels were statistically analyzed by one-way analysis of variance. The data such as dermal collagen thickness, α-SMA, IL-17, Foxp3, Teff and Treg levels were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance, and least significant difference (LSD)- t or Kruskal-Wallis test was used for comparison between groups. Results:Compared with the normal group, remarkable fibrotic lesions appeared in the skin of mice in the model group, and the levels of T-helper cells (Th)1, Th2, Th17, and T follicular helper cells (Tfh) cells were increased, accompanied by a significant decrease in the level of Treg cells. After high-dose metformin treatment, the dermal thickness [(131±25) μm], collagen thickness [(119±18) μm], and α-SMA [(3.0±0.5)/HPH] were significantly reduced( F=14.390, P<0.01; F=40.245, P<0.01; F=44.626, P<0.01). Th1[(27.00±6.68)%], Th17[(0.56±0.20)%], Tfh[(6.4±1.6)%] cells ware significantlyreduced ( F=32.390, P<0.01; F=16.083, P<0.01; F=16.546, P<0.01), and Treg[(11.23±1.52)%] cells were significantly increased ( F=10.171, P<0.01). Conclusion:Metformin can effectively reverse the local skin changesin BLM-induced SSc mouse model, and show immune regulation and anti-fibrosis effects by restoring the Teff/Treg balance.

Objective To identify the expression of long non-coding RNAs(lncRNAs) and their putatively modulated cytokines in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-1 infected monocytes and to explore the role of lncRNAs in immunomodulation of HIV-affected host cells.Methods RNAs arrays were used to screen the lncRNAs differentially expressed in HIV-infected monocytes and subsequently confirmed by quantitative real time PCR (qRT-PCR).A siRNA was designed and transfected to the human monocytes, followed by interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-10 and tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α detection with ELISA.Results The results of the screening assays and qRT-PCR showed that the expression of lncRNA-n266623 was up-regulated in monocytes after HIV-1 infection;the secretions of IL-1β,IL-10 and TNF-α in human monocytes were significantly enhanced following transfection of siRNA targeting lncRNA-n266623 in the monocytes.Conclusion The HIV-1 infection can promote the expression of lncRNA-n266623 which may inhibit the expressions of IL-1β, IL-10 and TNF-α in monocytes and negatively regulate the immune response to HIV-1 infection.

Objective To design and develop new types of health education materials which are suitable for fishermen and boatmen in endemic areas of marshland and lake regions,and to observe their application effects. Methods A total of 292 adult fishmen and boatmen who lived in Houshan Village,Yugan County,the schistosomiasis endemic area of Poyang Lake Re?gion,were selected randomly and investigated by questionnaires to understand the status of their knowledge,attitudes,practic?es on schistosomiasis control as well as the channels for getting information on schistosomiasis control and the materials that they were willing to accept. Then the information and materials suitable for the target population were developed together by the re?searchers and the volunteers of the villagers through focus group discussions,personal interviews and the Delphi method. Re?sults A series of participatory health education materials of schistosomiasis control targeted to the fishmen and boatmen were developed,including 2 live posters,2 picture puzzles,2 short opusculums and one song about schistosomiasis control. The field application showed that 98.97%,84.38%,78.35% and 80.93% of the participants considered those materials had scientificity, intelligibility,interestingness and practicability,respectively. Conclusion The participatory health education materials of schistosomiasis control is suitable for fishmen and boatmen,which can be used for reference by other endemic areas in marsh?land and lake regions.

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is a major agent of hand, foot and mouth disease that can cause a severe burden of disease to children. To identify an effective method for the control and prevention of EV71, we studied the effect of exposure to heat and ultraviolet (UV) light upon EV71 inactivation. We found that exposure to 50 degrees C could not inactivate the infectivity of EV71. However, exposure to 60 degrees C and 70 degrees C could inactivate EV71 effectively. EV71 could be inactivated after exposure to UV light at a distance between the sample and a lamp of 30 cm for 30 min or 60 min because viral genomic RNA was destroyed. However, fetal bovine serum (FBS) could attenuate the inactivation proffered by heat and UV light. Attenuation effects of FBS were correlated positively with FBS concentration. Hence, EV71 can be inactivated by exposure to heat and UV light, and our results could provide guidance on prevention of the spread of EV71.
Disinfection ; instrumentation ; methods ; Enterovirus A, Human ; genetics ; physiology ; radiation effects ; Enterovirus Infections ; virology ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Ultraviolet Rays ; Virus Inactivation ; radiation effects

Objective To investigate the expression of cannabinoid receptor type 2 (CNR2) in skin lesions of psoriasis vulgaris,and to explore its significance.Methods Tissue samples were obtained from lesions and perilesional skin of 20 patients with psoriasis vulgaris,and normal skin of 10 human controls without psoriasis or other autoimmune dermatoses.Real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry were performed to determine the mRNA and protein expression levels of CNR2 in these samples.Statistical analysis was carried out by using two-sample t test and chi-square test.Results CNR2 mRNA and protein were expressed in the normal control skin,lesional skin and perilesional skin tissues.As immunohistochemistry showed,CNR2 was distributed diffusedly in the prickle cell layer in lesional skin,but expressed in the basal cell layer of the epidermis in normal control skin and perilesional skin.The mRNA expression level (2-△△α) of CNR2 was significantly higher in lesional skin than in normal control skin and perilesional skin tissues (3.97 vs.1.00 and 1.49,both P ＜ 0.05),but similar between normal control skin and perilesional skin tissues (P ＞ 0.05).The expression rate of CNR2 protein was significantly higher in lesional skin (90％ (18/20) than in perilesional skin (15％ (3/20),x2 =22.56,P ＜ 0.01) and normal control skin tissues (10％ (2/20),c2 =18.37,P＜ 0.01),while there was no significant difference between normal control skin and perilesional skin tissues (x2 =0.14,P =0.70).Conclusions The mRNA and protein expressions of CNR2 are both increased in skin lesions of psoriasis vulgaris,suggesting that CNR2 may be related to the occurrence and development of psoriasis vulgaris.