Treatment of cytokine release syndrome-induced vascular endothelial injury using mesenchymal stem cells

Cytokine release syndrome (CRS) is an acute systemic inflammatory reaction in which hyperactivated immune cells suddenly release a large amount of cytokines, leading to exaggerated inflammatory responses, multiple organ dysfunction, and even death. Although palliative treatment strategies have significantly reduced the overall mortality, novel targeted treatment regimens with superior therapy efficacy are urgently needed. Vascular endothelial cells (ECs) are important target cells of systemic inflammation, and their destruction is considered to be the initiating event underlying many serious complications of CRS. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells with self-renewing differentiation capacity and immunomodulatory properties. MSC transplantation can effectively suppress the activation of immune cells, reduce the bulk release of cytokines, and repair damaged tissues and organs. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms underlying CRS-induced vascular endothelial injury and discuss potential treatments using MSCs. Preclinical studies demonstrate that MSC therapy can effectively repair endothelium damage and thus reduce the incidence and severity of ensuing CRS-induced complications. This review highlights the therapeutic role of MSCs in fighting against CRS-induced EC damage, and summarizes the possible therapeutic formulations of MSCs for improved efficacy in future clinical trials.

CAnceR IN PreGnancy (CARING) - a retrospective study of cancer diagnosed during pregnancy in the United Kingdom

BACKGROUND

The incidence of cancer diagnosed during pregnancy is increasing. Data relating to investigation and management, as well as maternal and foetal outcomes is lacking in a United Kingdom (UK) population.

METHODS

In this retrospective study we report data from 119 patients diagnosed with cancer during pregnancy from 14 cancer centres in the UK across a five-year period (2016-2020).

RESULTS

Median age at diagnosis was 33 years, with breast, skin and haematological the most common primary sites. The majority of cases were new diagnoses (109 patients, 91.6%). Most patients were treated with radical intent (96 patients, 80.7%), however, gastrointestinal cancers were associated with a high rate of palliative intent treatment (63.6%). Intervention was commenced during pregnancy in 68 (57.1%) patients; 44 (37%) had surgery and 31 (26.1%) received chemotherapy. Live births occurred in 98 (81.7%) of the cases, with 54 (55.1%) of these delivered by caesarean section. Maternal mortality during the study period was 20.2%.

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first pan-tumour report of diagnosis, management and outcomes of cancer diagnosed during pregnancy in the UK. Our findings demonstrate proof of concept that data collection is feasible and highlight the need for further research in this cohort of patients.

Rechargeable Metal-Sulfur Batteries: Key Materials to Mechanisms

Rechargeable metal-sulfur batteries are considered promising candidates for energy storage due to their high energy density along with high natural abundance and low cost of raw materials. However, they could not yet be practically implemented due to several key challenges: (i) poor conductivity of sulfur and the discharge product metal sulfide, causing sluggish redox kinetics, (ii) polysulfide shuttling, and (iii) parasitic side reactions between the electrolyte and the metal anode. To overcome these obstacles, numerous strategies have been explored, including modifications to the cathode, anode, electrolyte, and binder. In this review, the fundamental principles and challenges of metal-sulfur batteries are first discussed. Second, the latest research on metal-sulfur batteries is presented and discussed, covering their material design, synthesis methods, and electrochemical performances. Third, emerging advanced characterization techniques that reveal the working mechanisms of metal-sulfur batteries are highlighted. Finally, the possible future research directions for the practical applications of metal-sulfur batteries are discussed. This comprehensive review aims to provide experimental strategies and theoretical guidance for designing and understanding the intricacies of metal-sulfur batteries; thus, it can illuminate promising pathways for progressing high-energy-density metal-sulfur battery systems.

[Revelation of the list of occupational diseases and diagnostic criteria for occupational diseases]

The list of occupational diseases reflecting the latest advances in the identification and recognition of occupational diseases, and providing guidance on the protection of workers' health rights and interests and the prevention, recording, notification and compensation of related occupational diseases. Diagnostic criteria for occupational diseases are an important basis for making diagnoses attributable to occupational diseases, and provide a theoretical basis for health monitoring of occupational groups and occupational hygiene supervision. This thesis starts with the definition of the occupational disease elaborates in detail the development history of list of occupational diseases in International Labour Organization (ILO) , compares the list of occupational diseases in China (2013 version) with the list of occupational diseases in international (2010 version) , and then introduces in detail the latest diagnostic standards of the major occupational diseases. And finally, it puts forward relevant suggestions on the list and diagnostic level of China's occupational diseases, so as to provide certain insights for the further improvement of the list and diagnostic standards of occupational diseases.

Ag/microcrystalline-Cu2O composite film as an interfacial regulator for highly reversible lithium metal anode

Lithium (Li) metal is a promising anode material for high-energy-density batteries, yet its low average Coulombic efficiency (CE) results in poor cycling stability. Although significant progress has been made in addressing these issues, the stability of Li metal anode at high rates and large capacities falls short of meeting the practical application requirements. Herein, we develop a microcrystalline (MC)-Cu2O/Ag composite film on Cu current collector to regulate the interfacial properties for achieving even and dense Li deposition. The MC-Cu2O can be lithiated to form a ternary Li-Cu-O phase which possesses strong Li+ trapping capability. Besides, the MC-Cu2O can activate the electrochemical activity of Ag film, inducing a single-phase transition solid solution (alloying) reaction with high reversibility. As a result, the Ag/MC-Cu2O foam enables an even and dense Li plating/stripping behavior with high CE at a high rate and large capacity. When Ag/MC-Cu2O@Li anode is coupled with LiFePO4 cathode, the yielded full cell exhibits superior cycling stability and rate performance. Our results provide a facile approach to constructing lithiophilic current collector for a practical Li anode.

Assessing micrometer-scale contamination from organic materials in serpentinite analysis

Serpentinization of peridotite provides a significant source of energy for the subseafloor biosphere and abiotic organic synthesis. The presence of diverse micrometer-scale organic matter in serpentinites offers insights into deep carbon cycling and the origin of life on Earth. It is critical to maintain stringent lab protocols in analyzing serpentinite samples, limiting the contact with organic materials that could contaminate serpentinites and cause misinterpretations. However, the extent to which these organic materials (e.g. latex gloves or nylon polishing disc) can introduce contamination remains unclear. Here we subject serpentinite samples from the Yap Trench in the western Pacific Ocean to multi-stage cutting and polishing procedures prior to analysis. Our findings from electron microscopy reveal that micrometer-scale organic matter in serpentinites is randomly distributed either on the sample surface or within Cr-spinel fractures. Further analysis using Raman spectroscopy indicates that the organic matter contains several hydrogen bonding moieties, similar to those found in the latex gloves or nylon polishing disc used during the treatment of serpentinite samples. Our results suggest that the detected organic matter is likely due to contamination from the organic materials involved during sample processing. Thus, future studies need to carefully assess micrometer-scale organic contamination and limit the use of organic materials when analyzing organic compounds hosted in serpentinites, not only on Earth but also on other rocky planets.

Development and validation of a nomogram for 30-day readmission after hip fracture surgery in geriatric patients

OBJECTIVE

30-day readmission after hip fracture surgery in the elderly is common and costly. A predictive tool to identify high-risk patients could significantly improve outcomes. This study aims to develop and validate a risk nomogram for 30-day readmission after hip fracture surgery in geriatric patients.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed 1,249 geriatric hip fracture patients (≥60 years) undergoing surgery at Dandong Central Hospital from October 2011 to October 2023. Using a 7:3 ratio, patients were randomly divided into training (n=877) and validation (n=372) sets. Independent risk factors for 30-day readmission were identified using LASSO regression and logistic regression in the training set. A nomogram was constructed using the identified predictors. Finally, the C-index, ROC curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis were used to validate the model in the training and validation sets respectively.

RESULTS

The nomogram was developed based on the 8 predictors of age, prior stroke, chronic liver disease, treatment, uric acid (UA), total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), and pneumonia that were found to be independently associated with 30-day readmission. The nomogram showed good discrimination with a C-index of 0.88 in the training set and 0.84 in the validation set. Calibration curves exhibited good agreement between predicted and observed outcomes. Decision curve analysis demonstrated clinical utility.

CONCLUSIONS

We developed and validated a nomogram incorporating eight clinical variables to accurately predict the individualized risk of 30-day readmission after hip fracture surgery in elderly patients. The model demonstrated favorable discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility. It can help to identify high-risk patients needing additional interventions to prevent avoidable hospital readmissions.

Dissecting the contributions of organic nitrogen aerosols to global atmospheric nitrogen deposition and implications for ecosystems

Atmospheric deposition of particulate organic nitrogen (ONp) is a significant process in the global nitrogen cycle and may be pivotally important for N-limited ecosystems. However, past models largely overlooked the spatial and chemical inhomogeneity of atmospheric ONp and were thus deficient in assessing global ONp impacts. We constructed a comprehensive global model of atmospheric gaseous and particulate organic nitrogen (ON), including the latest knowledge on emissions and secondary formations. Using this model, we simulated global atmospheric ONp abundances consistent with observations. Our estimated global atmospheric ON deposition was 26 Tg N yr-1, predominantly in the form of ONp (23 Tg N yr-1) and mostly from wildfires (37%), oceans (22%) and aqueous productions (17%). Globally, ONp contributed as much as 40% to 80% of the total N deposition downwind of biomass-burning regions. Atmospheric ONp deposition thus constituted the dominant external N supply to the N-limited boreal forests, tundras and the Arctic Ocean, and its importance may be amplified in a future warming climate.

Development and validation of a nomogram for urinary tract infection in geriatric patients with hip fracture: a retrospective study

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to develop and validate a risk nomogram for urinary tract infections (UTIs) in geriatric patients with hip fractures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 900 geriatric patients who underwent hip fracture surgery at Dandong Central Hospital between June 2017 and June 2023 were systematically collected. The cohort was randomly divided into a training set (70%, n=632) and a validation set (30%, n=268) for model development and validation, respectively. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were conducted to identify the independent risk factors associated with UTIs. Based on the results of the multivariate analysis, a UTI nomogram prediction model was developed and evaluated in the training and validation sets using the C-index, ROC curve, calibration curve, and decision curve analysis to assess discrimination, calibration, and clinical utility, respectively.

RESULTS

Out of the 900 participants, 24.6% were diagnosed with UTIs. The nomogram was developed based on 9 predictors that were found to be independently associated with UTI. The area under the curve (AUC) for predicting UTI in geriatric patients with hip fractures was 0.829 in the training set and 0.803 in the validation set. Following internal verification, the modified C-index remained at 0.829. Furthermore, the nomogram's calibration plot and decision curve analysis demonstrated good performance in both the training and validation sets.

CONCLUSIONS

The established and validated nomogram provides a reliable and convenient tool for predicting UTI risk in geriatric patients with hip fractures. This model facilitates the early identification of high-risk patients and offers guidance for implementing targeted preventive interventions.

Development and validation of preoperative proximal and distal lower limb deep vein thrombosis nomograms in geriatric hip fracture patients

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to develop and validate a risk nomogram for preoperative proximal and distal deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in geriatric patients with hip fractures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The 970 collected geriatric hip fracture patients were randomly divided into a training set (70%, n=682) and a validation set (30%, n=288). Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to optimize the predictive risk variables for proximal and distal preoperative lower extremity DVT in the training set, respectively, and the selected variables were finally incorporated to establish preoperative DVT nomogram prediction models. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC), calibration plots, and decision curve analysis (DCA) were performed to validate the nomograms in the training and validation sets, respectively.

RESULTS

Among the 970 patients, 125 (12.88%) were diagnosed with preoperative DVT. The area under the curve (AUC) for predicting preoperative proximal DVT was 0.888 in the training and 0.792 in the validation sets. The AUC for predicting preoperative distal DVT was 0.907 in the training and 0.790 in the validation sets. The calibration plots and decision curve analysis for preoperative proximal DVT performed well in the training set and slightly worse in the validation set. The calibration plots and decision curve analysis for preoperative distal DVT performed well in both the training and validation sets.

CONCLUSIONS

To construct nomograms for predicting the risk of proximal and distal preoperative lower extremity DVT in geriatric hip fracture patients. For patients at high risk, as assessed by this model, clinicians should intervene and treat them promptly before surgery.

Priority list of potential endocrine-disrupting chemicals in food chemical contaminants: a docking study and in vitro/epidemiological evidence integration

Diet is an important exposure route of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), but many unfiltered potential EDCs remain in food. The in silico prediction of EDCs is a popular method for preliminary screening. Potential EDCs in food were screened using Endocrine Disruptome, an open-source platform for inverse docking, to predict the binding probabilities of 587 food chemical contaminants with 18 human nuclear hormone receptor (NHR) conformations. In total, 25 contaminants were bound to multiple NHRs such as oestrogen receptor α/β and androgen receptor. These 25 compounds mainly include pesticides and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). The prediction results were validated with the in vitro data. The structural features and the crucial amino acid residues of the four NHRs were also validated based on previous literature. The findings indicate that the screening has good prediction efficiency. In addition, the epidemic evidence about endocrine interference of PFASs in food on children was further validated through this screening. This study provides preliminary screening results for EDCs in food and a priority list for in vitro and in vivo research.

Meta-analysis on last ten years of clinical injection of bone marrow-derived and umbilical cord MSC to reverse cirrhosis or rescue patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) therapy has potential therapeutic effects for patients with end-stage liver diseases. However, a consensus on the efficacy and safety of MSCs has not been reached.

METHODS

A systemic literature review was conducted by searching the Cochrane Library and PubMed databases for articles that evaluated the impact of MSC therapy on the outcomes among patients with end-stage liver disease. Various parameters, including pre- and post-treatment model of end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, serum albumin (ALB), total bilirubin (TB), coagulation function, aminotransferase, and survival rate, were evaluated.

RESULTS

This meta-analysis included a final total of 13 studies and 854 patients. The results indicated improved liver parameters following MSC therapy at different time points, including in terms of MELD score, TB level, and ALB level, compared with conventional treatment. Furthermore, the MSC treatment increased the overall survival rate among patients with liver cirrhosis and acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). The changes in transaminase level and coagulation function differed between the different therapies at various post-treatment time points, indicating that MSC therapy provided no significant benefits in this regard. The further subgroup analysis stratified by liver background revealed that patients with ACLF benefit more from MSC therapy at most time points with improved liver function, including in terms of MELD score, TB level, and ALB level. In addition, no serious side effects or adverse events were reported following MSC therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The meta-analysis results suggest that MSC therapy is safe and results in improved liver function and survival rates among patients with end-stage liver disease. The subgroup analysis stratified by liver background indicated that patients with ACLF benefit more from MSC therapy than patients with liver cirrhosis at most time points.

Immune and cytokine alterations and RNA-sequencing analysis in gestational tissues from pregnant women after recovery from COVID-19

BACKGROUND

COVID-19 is a global pandemic. Understanding the immune responses in pregnant women recovering from COVID-19 may suggest new therapeutic approaches.

METHODS

We performed a cross-sectional study between March 1, 2020, and September 1, 2020. Participants were assigned into the convalescent COVID-19 group if they had a previous COVID-19 infection during pregnancy or the healthy control group. RNA-Seq was performed on human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUMSCs) and human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs). Immunohistochemical staining, cytokine testing, lymphocyte subset analysis, RNA-Seq, and functional analyses were performed on the placental and umbilical cord blood (UCB) and compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

A total of 40 pregnant women were enrolled, with 13 in the convalescent group and 27 in the control group. There were 1024, 46, and 32 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified in the placental tissue, hUMSCs, and hAMSCs between the convalescent and control groups, respectively. Enrichment analysis showed those DEGs were associated with immune homeostasis, antiviral activity, cell proliferation, and tissue repair. Levels of IL-6, TNF-α, total lymphocyte counts, B lymphocytes, Tregs percentages, and IFN-γ expressing CD4+ and CD8+ T cells were statistically different between two groups (p ≤ 0.05). ACE2 and TMPRSS2 expressed on the placenta were not different between the two groups (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Multiple changes in immune responses occurred in the placental tissue, hUMSCs, and hAMSCs after maternal recovery from COVID-19, which might imply their protective roles against COVID-19 infection.

Racial differences in healthcare utilization among patients with suspected or diagnosed preeclampsia: A retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

To analyze healthcare resource utilization and severe maternal morbidity (SMM) in Black and White patients with preeclampsia diagnosis versus signs/symptoms.

STUDY DESIGN

This was a retrospective cohort study analyzing data from the IBM® Explorys Database between 7/31/2012-12/31/2020. Demographic, clinical, and laboratory data were extracted. Healthcare utilization and SMM were analyzed during the antepartum period (20 weeks of gestation until delivery) among Black and White patients with signs/symptoms of preeclampsia, with a diagnosis of preeclampsia, or neither (control).

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Healthcare utilization and SMM in those with a preeclampsia diagnosis or signs/symptoms of preeclampsia only were compared with a control group (White patients with no preeclampsia diagnosis or signs/symptoms).

RESULTS

Data from 38,190 Black and 248,568 White patients were analyzed. Patients with preeclampsia diagnosis or signs/symptoms were more likely to visit the emergency room compared to those without diagnosis or signs/symptoms. Black patients with signs/symptoms of preeclampsia had the highest elevated risk (odds ratio [OR] = 3.4), followed by Black patients with a preeclampsia diagnosis (OR = 3.2), White patients with signs/symptoms (OR = 2.2), and White patients with a preeclampsia diagnosis (OR = 1.8). More Black patients experienced SMM (SMM rate 6.1% [Black with preeclampsia diagnosis] and 2.6% [Black with signs/symptoms]) than White patients (5.0% [White with preeclampsia diagnosis] and 2.0% [White with signs/symptoms]). SMM rates were higher for Black preeclampsia patients with severe features than for White preeclampsia patients with severe features (8.9% vs 7.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with White patients, Black patients had higher rates of antepartum emergency care and antepartum SMM.

Recent Progress for Concurrent Realization of Shuttle-Inhibition and Dendrite-Free Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have become one of the most promising new-generation energy storage systems owing to their ultrahigh energy density (2600 Wh kg-1 ), cost-effectiveness, and environmental friendliness. Nevertheless, their practical applications are seriously impeded by the shuttle effect of soluble lithium polysulfides (LiPSs), and the uncontrolled dendrite growth of metallic Li, which result in rapid capacity fading and battery safety problems. A systematic and comprehensive review of the cooperative combination effect and tackling the fundamental problems in terms of cathode and anode synchronously is still lacking. Herein, for the first time, the strategies for inhibiting shuttle behavior and dendrite-free Li-S batteries simultaneously are summarized and classified into three parts, including "two-in-one" S-cathode and Li-anode host materials toward Li-S full cell, "two birds with one stone" modified functional separators, and tailoring electrolyte for stabilizing sulfur and lithium electrodes. This review also emphasizes the fundamental Li-S chemistry mechanism and catalyst principles for improving electrochemical performance; advanced characterization technologies to monitor real-time LiPS evolution are also discussed in detail. The problems, perspectives, and challenges with respect to inhibiting the shuttle effect and dendrite growth issues as well as the practical application of Li-S batteries are also proposed.

Dynamics of Nanosecond Laser Pulse Propagation and of Associated Instabilities in a Magnetized Underdense Plasma

The propagation and energy coupling of intense laser beams in plasmas are critical issues in inertial confinement fusion. Applying magnetic fields to such a setup has been shown to enhance fuel confinement and heating. Here we report on experimental measurements demonstrating improved transmission and increased smoothing of a high-power laser beam propagating in a magnetized underdense plasma. We also measure enhanced backscattering, which our kinetic simulations show is due to magnetic confinement of hot electrons, thus leading to reduced target preheating.

Mapping the 3D position of battery cathode particles in Bragg coherent diffractive imaging

In Bragg coherent diffractive imaging, the precise location of the measured crystals in the interior of the sample is usually missing. Obtaining this information would help the study of the spatially dependent behavior of particles in the bulk of inhomogeneous samples, such as extra-thick battery cathodes. This work presents an approach to determine the 3D position of particles by precisely aligning them at the instrument axis of rotation. In the test experiment reported here, with a 60 µm-thick LiNi_0.5Mn_1.5O₄ battery cathode, the particles were located with a precision of 20 µm in the out-of-plane direction, and the in-plane coordinates were determined with a precision of 1 µm.

[Efficacy and safety of various doses of hybutimibe monotherapy or in combination with atorvastatin for primary hypercholesterolemia: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-controlled phase Ⅲ clinical trial]

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hybutimibe monotherapy or in combination with atorvastatin in the treatment of primary hypercholesterolemia. Methods: This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-controlled phase Ⅲ clinical trial of patients with untreated primary hypercholesterolemia from 41 centers in China between August 2015 and April 2019. Patients were randomly assigned, at a ratio of 1∶1∶1∶1∶1∶1, to the atorvastatin 10 mg group (group A), hybutimibe 20 mg group (group B), hybutimibe 20 mg plus atorvastatin 10 mg group (group C), hybutimibe 10 mg group (group D), hybutimibe 10 mg plus atorvastatin 10 mg group (group E), and placebo group (group F). After a dietary run-in period for at least 4 weeks, all patients were administered orally once a day according to their groups. The treatment period was 12 weeks after the first dose of the study drug, and efficacy and safety were evaluated at weeks 2, 4, 8, and 12. After the treatment period, patients voluntarily entered the long-term safety evaluation period and continued the assigned treatment (those in group F were randomly assigned to group B or D), with 40 weeks' observation. The primary endpoint was the percent change in low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) from baseline at week 12. Secondary endpoints included the percent changes in high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglyceride (TG), apolipoprotein B (Apo B) at week 12 and changes of the four above-mentioned lipid indicators at weeks 18, 24, 38, and 52. Safety was evaluated during the whole treatment period. Results: Totally, 727 patients were included in the treatment period with a mean age of (55.0±9.3) years old, including 253 males. No statistical differences were observed among the groups in demographics, comorbidities, and baseline blood lipid levels. At week 12, the percent changes in LDL-C were significantly different among groups A to F (all P<0.01). Compared to atorvastatin alone, hybutimibe combined with atorvastatin could further improve LDL-C, TG, and Apo B (all P<0.05). Furthermore, there was no significant difference in percent changes in LDL-C at week 12 between group C and group E (P=0.991 7). During the long-term evaluation period, there were intergroup statistical differences in changes of LDL-C, TG and Apo B at 18, 24, 38, and 52 weeks from baseline among the statins group (group A), hybutimibe group (groups B, D, and F), and combination group (groups C and E) (all P<0.01), with the best effect observed in the combination group. The incidence of adverse events was 64.2% in the statins group, 61.7% in the hybutimibe group, and 71.0% in the combination group during the long-term evaluation period. No treatment-related serious adverse events or adverse events leading to death occurred during the 52-week study period. Conclusions: Hybutimibe combined with atorvastatin showed confirmatory efficacy in patients with untreated primary hypercholesterolemia, which could further enhance the efficacy on the basis of atorvastatin monotherapy, with a good overall safety profile.

[Pancreatic pseudocyst after pegaspargase treatment in six children]

Objective: To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment of pancreatic pseudocyst after pegaspargase treatment in children. Methods: The clinical data of 6 children with pancreatic pseudocyst after pegaspargase treatment in the Department of Pediatrics in Peking University Third Hospital from July 2018 to February 2021 were analyzed retrospectively. Results: There were 4 males and 2 females, and their age of onset was 9.5 (5.8, 13.0) years. The total number of pegaspargase applications was 2.5 (2.0, 3.5) times. The course from the last dose of pegaspargase to the onset of pancreatitis was 11.0 (9.0, 17.2) days, and 42.5 (35.0, 129.5) days from the onset of pancreatitis to the diagnosis of pancreatic pseudocyst. Abdominal pain was the most prominent manifestation of pancreatitis (6/6). All of the 6 children were asymptomatic when pancreatic pseudocyst was noted, and were treated conservatively at first, but one case later developed intermittent abdominal distension or nausea after eating. All the cases had pancreatic pseudocyst enlargement during the conservative treatment. Three children were treated with endoscopic ultrasound-guided transgastric drainage, and the cyst disappeared from 10 days to 4 months after the operation. The other 3 children received endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP)-guided transpapillary drainage, but one of them turned to surgery due to pancreatic duct stricture, and in the rest 2 children the cyst disappeared at 1 and 3 months after operation respectively. Regarding safety issues, 1 child who received ERCP-guided transpapillary drainage had acute postoperative pancreatitis, which were improved after treatment, and the other 5 had no complications. Conclusions: Pancreatic pseudocyst after pegaspargase chemotherapy can be asymptomatic in the early stage, and should be diagnosed with a history of pegaspargase treatment and timely imaging examination. Conservative treatment is the first choice for asymptomatic pseudocyst. When the pseudocyst enlarges, different endoscopic drainage treatments are required according to whether the pseudocyst is connected with the main pancreatic duct.

Safety and efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells in severe/critical patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The present study aims to better understand the efficacy and safety of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in treating severe/critical patients with COVID-19.

METHODS

PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and the Chinese electronic database CNKI were searched from inception up to Dec 19, 2021. Original comparative studies for MSC treatment + standard treatment for severe/critical patients with COVID-19, with placebo or standard treatment as the control group, were included. The primary outcomes were in-hospital mortality and adverse events (AEs). A meta-analysis was performed to compare the mortality rates between the two groups. Then, a subgroup analysis was performed according to the category of the disease (severe or critical) and MSC dose. Afterwards, a descriptive analysis was performed for AEs and secondary outcomes. The funnel plot and Egger's test were used for the publication bias assessment.

FINDINGS

Compared to placebo or standard care, MSCs provide significant benefit in the treatment of patients with severe/critical COVID-19, in terms of in-hospital mortality rate (odds ratio: 0.52, 95% CI 0.32-0.84), with very low heterogeneity (P=0.998 [Q test], I ²=0.0%) and less AEs. No significant difference was found in mortality rate due to the different disease categories or MSC doses. Furthermore, no publication bias was found.

INTERPRETATION

The present study demonstrates that MSCs are highly likely to reduce mortality and are safe to use for patients with severe or critical COVID-19, regardless of whether 1-3 doses are applied. However, due to the small sample size of the included studies, further high-quality, large-scale trials are needed to confirm this statement in the future.

FUNDING

The National Key Research and Development Program of China (No. 2020YFC0860900), the Science and Technology Project of Wuhan (No. 2020020602012112), the Tianjin Science and Technology Research Program (18PTSYJC00070 and 16PTWYHZ00030), Haihe Laboratory of Cell Ecosystem Innovation Fund (HH22KYZX0046), and the Tianjin Free Trade Zone Innovation Development Project (ZMCY-03-2021002-01) funded the study. We are also grateful for the support from the 3551 Talent Plan of China Optics Valley.

Dynamic Intercalation-Conversion Site Supported Ultrathin 2D Mesoporous SnO2/SnSe2 Hybrid as Bifunctional Polysulfide Immobilizer and Lithium Regulator for Lithium-Sulfur Chemistry

The practical application of lithium-sulfur batteries is impeded by the polysulfide shuttling and interfacial instability of the metallic lithium anode. In this work, a twinborn ultrathin two-dimensional graphene-based mesoporous SnO₂/SnSe₂ hybrid (denoted as G-mSnO₂/SnSe₂) is constructed as a polysulfide immobilizer and lithium regulator for Li-S chemistry. The as-designed G-mSnO₂/SnSe₂ hybrid possesses high conductivity, strong chemical affinity (SnO₂), and a dynamic intercalation-conversion site (Li_xSnSe₂), inhibits shuttle behavior, provides rapid Li-intercalative transport kinetics, accelerates LiPS conversion, and decreases the decomposition energy barrier for Li₂S, which is evidenced by the ex situ XAS spectra, in situ Raman, in situ XRD, and DFT calculations. Moreover, the mesoporous G-mSnO₂/SnSe₂ with lithiophilic characteristics enables homogeneous Li-ion deposition and inhibits Li dendrite growth. Therefore, Li-S batteries with a G-mSnO₂/SnSe₂ separator achieve a favorable electrochemical performance, including high sulfur utilization (1544 mAh g^-1 at 0.2 C), high-rate capability (794 mAh g^-1 at 8 C), and long cycle life (extremely low attenuation rate of 0.0144% each cycle at 5 C over 2000 cycles). Encouragingly, a 1.6 g S/Ah-level pouch cell realizes a high energy density of up to 359 Wh kg^-1 under a lean E/S usage of 3.0 μL mg^-1. This work sheds light on the design roadmap for tackling S-cathode and Li-anode challenges simultaneously toward long-durability Li-S chemistry.

Development of A Multi-Modality Navigational Based Training System for Fetoscopic Surgical Therapy

Fetal surgery is regarded as a technically difficult and new field of research, requiring the use of fetoscopic and ultrasound (US) navigation to perform minimally invasive procedures within the amniotic cavity. The Surgical Apprenticeship Training model (SAT) centres around the subjective assessment of a surgical resident's cognitive competency and technical skills under proctorship using opportunity-based environments. The restrictiveness and rarity of fetal procedures limit the effectiveness of the SAT model, resulting in a slow learning curve (LC) and higher procedural complication rates. This paper aimed to investigate the use of optical tracking technology to construct a novel simulated training system and accompanying scoring assessment under the Proficiency-Based Training model (PBT), providing real-time positional feedback of surgical tools and a quantitative feedback assessment of a surgical resident's technical skills. Clinical Relevance- Clinical feedback deemed the system as valid and confirmed that this novel approach to surgical training will significantly benefit smaller clinics that lack opportunity-based environments. Clinical feedback also suggested that the training system could be adapted to provide access to complex surgical training across the world.

[Effect of underdilated stent on the occurrence of hepatic encephalopathy after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt creation]

Objective: To evaluate whether underdilated stent could reduce the occurrence of hepatic encephalopathy (HE) after transjugular intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (TIPS) creation. Methods: A total of 197 patients with decompensated liver cirrhosis, who had underwent TIPS creation at Union Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, were analyzed retrospectively, including 110 males and 87 females with age 25-79 (54±11) years old. Uncovered and covered stents with 8 mm diameter were implanted in all subjects, and then dilated by balloon catheters with 6 mm or 8 mm diameter. The patients were divided into two groups, including underdilated group (6 mm, n=105) and control group (8 mm, n=92).Kaplan-Meier curves were used to illustrate cumulative rate of HE, and the differences were assessed with the log-rank test. Multivariate analyses with a Cox regression model were conducted to explore the risk factors for HE. Results: During a median follow-up period of 29 (12-54) months, 16 (15.2%) patients developed HE in the underdilated group and 27 (29.3%) patients in the control group. There was a significant difference in the cumulative rate of HE (P=0.014), but no statistical differences were found in terms of variceal rebleeding, shunt dysfunction and survival between the two groups (P=0.608, P=0.659, P=0.968). In multivariated analysis, group assignment (underdilated vs. control, HR=0.291, 95%CI 0.125-0.674, P=0.004) was identified as an independent risk factor for HE after TIPS creation. Conclusion: Underdilated TIPS could reduced the risk of HE compared with completely dilated TIPS, with comparable risk of variceal rebleeding, shunt dysfunction and mortality. And it is worthy of applying this technique to a large sample of patients in clinical practice.

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cell therapy for COVID-19 pneumonia: potential mechanisms, current clinical evidence, and future perspectives

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has spread into more than 200 countries and infected approximately 203 million people globally. COVID-19 is associated with high mortality and morbidity in some patients, and this disease still does not have effective treatments with reproducibly appreciable outcomes. One of the leading complications associated with COVID-19 is acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS); this is an anti-viral host inflammatory response, and it is usually caused by a cytokine storm syndrome which may lead to multi-organ failure and death. Currently, COVID-19 patients are treated with approaches that mostly fall into two major categories: immunomodulators, which promote the body's fight against viruses efficiently, and antivirals, which slow or stop viruses from multiplying. These treatments include a variety of novel therapies that are currently being tested in clinical trials, including serum, IL-6 antibody, and remdesivir; however, the outcomes of these therapies are not consistently appreciable and remain a subject of debate. Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs), the multipotent stem cells that have previously been used to treat viral infections and various respiratory diseases such as ARDS exhibit immunomodulatory properties and can ameliorate tissue damage. Given that SARS-CoV-2 targets the immune system and causes tissue damage, it is presumable that MSCs are being explored to treat COVID-19 patients. This review summarizes the potential mechanisms of action of MSC therapy, progress of MSC, and its related products in clinical trials for COVID-19 therapy based on the outcomes of these clinical studies.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cell promotes angiogenesis via integrin β1/ERK1/2/HIF-1α/VEGF-A signaling pathway for off-the-shelf breast tissue engineering

Background

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSC)-based tissue engineered breast represent the visible future for breast reconstruction after mastectomy. However, autologous MSCs might not be appropriate for the large graft construction due to cell senescence during excessive cell expansion, thus hindering its further off-the-shelf application. The human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) have been found to induce low immune response and can be easily stored, making them ideal for off-the-shelf tissue engineering application. Here, we explored the feasibility of using umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells as tissue-engineered breast seed cells.

Methods

The allogenic hUCMSCs were injected into transplanted fat tissue with or without breast scaffolds as an alternative for breast tissue engineering in vivo, and its potential mechanism of angiogenesis in vitro was explored.

Results

Transplantation of hUCMSCs promoted proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) through paracrine mechanism by activating the integrin β1/ERK1/2/HIF-1α/VEGF-A signaling pathway. Histological examination of grafted fat revealed that the group which received hUCMSCs transplantation had more fat tissue [(93.60 ± 2.40) %] and fewer MAC2⁺CD206⁻ M1 macrophages [(0.50 ± 0.47) cells/field] compared to the control group [fat tissue (45.42 ± 5.96) and macrophage cells/field (5.00 ± 2.23)]. Moreover, the hUCMSCs- labeled with a tracing dye differentiated into adipocytes and vascular endothelial cells in the adipose tissue. When applied to the tissue-engineered breast with a scaffold, the group treated with hUCMSCs had more adipose tissues and CD31⁺ cells than the control group.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that allogeneic hUCMSCs promote the regeneration of adipose tissue and can be used to construct a tissue engineered breast.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13287-022-02770-x.

P-Doped NiTe2 with Te-Vacancies in Lithium-Sulfur Batteries Prevents Shuttling and Promotes Polysulfide Conversion

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries have been hindered by the shuttle effect and sluggish polysulfide conversion kinetics. Here, a P-doped nickel tellurium electrocatalyst with Te-vacancies (P⊂NiTe_{2- x} ) anchored on maize-straw carbon (MSC) nanosheets, served as a functional layer (MSC/P⊂NiTe_{2- x} ) on the separator of high-performance Li-S batteries. The P⊂NiTe_{2- x} electrocatalyst enhanced the intrinsic conductivity, strengthened the chemical affinity for polysulfides, and accelerated sulfur redox conversion. The MSC nanosheets enabled NiTe₂ nanoparticle dispersion and Li⁺ diffusion. In situ Raman and ex situ X-ray absorption spectra confirmed that the MSC/P⊂NiTe_{2- x} restrained the shuttle effect and accelerated the redox conversion. The MSC/P⊂NiTe_{2- x} -based cell has a cyclability of 637 mAh g^-1 at 4 C over 1800 cycles with a degradation rate of 0.0139% per cycle, high rate performance of 726 mAh g^-1 at 6 C, and a high areal capacity of 8.47 mAh cm^-2 under a sulfur configuration of 10.2 mg cm^-2 , and a low electrolyte/sulfur usage ratio of 3.9. This work demonstrates that vacancy-induced doping of heterogeneous atoms enables durable sulfur electrochemistry and can impact future electrocatalytic designs related to various energy-storage applications.

Rs12976445 polymorphism is associated with the risk of post-SAH re-bleeding by modulating the expression of microRNA-125 and ET-1

This study aimed to study the association between rs12976445 polymorphism and the incidence of IA re-bleeding. Genotype and allele frequency analysis was performed to study the association between rs12976445 polymorphism and the risk of IA re-bleeding. Western blot, ELISA and real-time RT-PCR were conducted to measure the relative expression of miR-125a, ET1 mRNA and ET1 protein. Computational analysis and luciferase assays were utilized to investigate the association between the expression of miR-125a and ET1 mRNA. No significant differences were observed between IA patients with or without symptoms of re-bleeding. Subsequent analyses indicated that the T allele was significantly associated with the reduced risk of IA re-bleeding. In patients carrying the CC genotype, miR-125a level was up-regulated while ET1 mRNA/protein levels were reduced compared with those in patients carrying the CT or TT genotype. And ET1 mRNA was identified as a virtual target gene of miR-125a with a potential miR-125a binding site located on its 3’UTR. Accordingly, the ET mRNA/protein levels could be suppressed by the transfection of miR-125a precursors, but the transfection of ET1 siRNA exhibited no effect on the expression of miR-125a. Therefore, an increased level of miR-125a can lead to the increased risk of IA re-bleeding. Since miR-125a level is higher in CC-genotyped patients, it can be concluded that the presence of T allele in the rs12976445 polymorphism is associated with a lower risk of IA re-bleeding, and miR-125a may be used as a novel diagnostic and therapeutic target for IA rupture.

Human mesenchymal stem cells treatment for severe COVID-19: 1-year follow-up results of a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial

Background

The long-term consequences of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cell (UC-MSC) treatment for COVID-19 patients are yet to be reported. This study assessed the 1-year outcomes in patients with severe COVID-19, who were recruited in our previous UC-MSC clinical trial.

Methods

In this prospective, longitudinal, cohort study, 100 patients enrolled in our phase 2 trial were prospectively followed up at 3-month intervals for 1 year to evaluate the long-term safety and effectiveness of UC-MSC treatment. The primary endpoint was an altered proportion of whole-lung lesion volumes measured by high-resolution CT. Other imaging outcomes, 6 min walking distance (6-MWD), lung function, plasma biomarkers, and adverse events were also recorded and analyzed. This trial was registered with ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04288102).

Findings

MSC administration improved in whole-lung lesion volume compared with the placebo with a difference of −10.8% (95% CI: −20.7%, −1.5%, p = 0.030) on day 10. MSC also reduced the proportion of solid component lesion volume compared with the placebo at each follow-up point. More interestingly, 17.9% (10/56) of patients in the MSC group had normal CT images at month 12, but none in the placebo group (p = 0.013). The incidence of symptoms was lower in the MSC group than in the placebo group at each follow-up time. Neutralizing antibodies were all positive, with a similar median inhibition rate (61.6% vs. 67.6%) in both groups at month 12. No difference in adverse events at the 1-year follow-up and tumor markers at month 12 were observed between the two groups.

Interpretation

UC-MSC administration achieves a long-term benefit in the recovery of lung lesions and symptoms in COVID-19 patients.

Funding

The National Key R&D Program of China, the Innovation Groups of the National Natural Science Foundation of China, and the National Science and Technology Major Project.

Antimicrobial and anti-dust mite efficacy of Cinnamomum camphora chvar. Borneol essential oil using pilot-plant neutral cellulase-assisted steam distillation

Cinnamomum camphora chvar. Borneol essential oil (BEO) was efficiently extracted by using pilot-plant neutral cellulase-assisted steam distillation (NCSD). Borneol, β-cadinene and α-caryophyllene were identified as major components. Bacillus subtilis was the most sensitive bacteria to BEO with the lowest minimal inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericial concentration (MBC) at 1·75 and 3·50 mg ml^-1 , respectively. Antimicrobial activity of the BEO was also reasonably high against Salmonella typhimurium, Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, but not sensitive against two fungi, i.e. Aspergillus niger and Penicillium aurantiogriseum. Changes in permeability and integrity of cell membrane, damage of cell wall and further leakage out of metabolites and ions were determined as bactericidal mechanisms of BEO against the two gram-positive bacteria. The BEO showed a reasonably high repelling activity of dust mite, which achieved higher than 95% repelling dust mite activity after the treatment of BEO solution at 0·50 mg ml^-1 . When the concentration of BEO was higher than 0·50 mg ml^-1 , it was B-grade miticide with miticidal activity higher than 95%. Miticidal procedures were characterized as excitation, contraction, relaxation and lastly leading to the death of dust mite. It is speculated that the BEO would cause dehydration and death of dust mite as neuromuscular toxicity.

ZnS-SnS@NC Heterostructure as Robust Lithiophilicity and Sulfiphilicity Mediator toward High-Rate and Long-Life Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries are severely hindered by the low sulfur utilization and short cycling life, especially at high rates. One of the effective solutions to address these problems is to improve the sulfiphilicity of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) and the lithiophilicity of the lithium anode. However, it is a great challenge to simultaneously optimize both aspects. Herein, by incorporating the merits of strong absorbability and high conductivity of SnS with good catalytic capability of ZnS, a ZnS-SnS heterojunction coated with a polydopamine-derived N-doped carbon shell (denoted as ZnS-SnS@NC) with uniform cubic morphology was obtained and compared with the ZnS-SnS₂@NC heterostructure and its single-component counterparts (SnS@NC and SnS₂@NC). Theoretical calculations, ex situ XANES, and in situ Raman spectrum were utilized to elucidate rapid anchoring-diffusion-transformation of LiPSs, inhibition of the shuttling effect, and improvement of the sulfur electrochemistry of bimetal ZnS-SnS heterostructure at the molecular level. When applied as a modification layer coated on the separator, the ZnS-SnS@NC-based cell with optimized lithiophilicity and sulfiphilicity enables desirable sulfur electrochemistry, including high reversibility of 1149 mAh g^-1 for 300 cycles at 0.2 C, high rate performance of 661 mAh g^-1 at 10 C, and long cycle life with a low fading rate of 0.0126% each cycle after 2000 cycles at 4 C. Furthermore, a favorable areal capacity of 8.27 mAh cm^-2 is maintained under high sulfur mass loading of 10.3 mg cm^-2. This work furnishes a feasible scheme to the rational design of bimetal sulfides heterostructures and boosts the development of other electrochemical applications.

Impact of the combined timing of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and chemotherapy on the outcomes in patients with refractory lung cancer

Background

PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in combination with chemotherapy are widely used in clinical practice. However, the ideal combined timing of them has not been fully explored.

Methods

In this study, simulation experiments to explore the impacts of the combination of anti-PD-1 antibody (anti-PD-1 Ab) on the cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic drugs in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were performed. In addition, the effects of the combined timing of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors and chemotherapy on efficacy and safety were retrospectively analysed in patients with refractory lung cancer.

Results

Experiments in vitro showed that administering the anti-PD-1 Ab 3 days after chemotherapy (represented by dicycloplatin) resulted in significantly weaker cytotoxic effects on lymphocytes, compared with administering the anti-PD-1 Ab before or concurrent with chemotherapy. Moreover, data from 64 lung cancer patients treated with PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors plus chemotherapy as a second- or higher-line therapy were retrospectively analysed. The results showed that administering PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors 1-10 days (especially 3-5 days) after chemotherapy was associated with longer overall survival [17.3 months versus 12.7 months; hazard ratio (HR) = 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.28-1.19, P = 0.137 in univariate analysis; HR = 0.36, 95% CI 0.16-0.80, P = 0.012 in multivariate analysis] and a trend of improved progression-free survival (5.1 months versus 4.2 months; HR = 0.81, 95% CI 0.42-1.54, P = 0.512) compared with administering PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors before or concurrent with chemotherapy.

Conclusion

Our findings suggest that administering PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors 1-10 days (especially 3-5 days) after chemotherapy is superior to administering PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors before or concurrent with chemotherapy in patients with refractory lung cancer, but this result needs to be further explored by prospective studies.

•

The cytotoxic effects of chemotherapeutic drugs were positively correlated with the activation states of PBMCs.

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Administering the anti-PD-1 Ab 3 days after chemotherapy resulted in weaker cytotoxic effects on lymphocytes in vitro.

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Administering PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors a few days after chemotherapy resulted in better survival in lung cancer patients.

Repair of facial scars using free and pedicle-expanded deltopectoral flaps

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and long-term outcomes of free and pedicled, expanded deltopectoral flaps with perforation of the internal thoracic artery to repair facial scars. This retrospective review was of 37 patients who presented between June 2013 and June 2019 with various types of facial scar. Ten patients received a free expanded deltopectoral flap and 27 a pedicled, expanded deltopectoral flap. During the stage-one operation, the expander was implanted into the deltopectoral area and fully expanded by normal saline injection. In stage two, the facial lesions were incised, and the free or pedicled flap transferred to reconstruct the defect. Flap necrosis did not occur in the 10 patients treated with free flaps. Two patients need to have the pedicle trimmed three months after surgery because it had become bloated. Distal necrosis occurred in five of 27 patients who received a pedicled, expanded deltopectoral flap. Healing by conservative treatment was noted in two cases and healing after skin grafting was documented in the other three. All 37 patients achieved satisfactory results. A pedicled, expanded deltopectoral flap appears to be a reliable and safe option for the treatment of facial scars.

[Effect of bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation on miRNA-21 and miRNA-155 expression in mice with ulcerative colitis]

Objective: To investigate the effect of bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation on the expression of miRNA-21 and miRNA-155 in mice with ulcerative colitis(UC). Methods: Healthy and clean KM mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly divided into transplantation group, model group and normal control group with 15 mice in each group. In the transplantation group and model group, dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) was used to establish the model for 24 h. The mice in the transplantation group were injected with 0.4 ml of 4 ', 6-diaminol-2-phenylindole (DAPI) -labeled P3-BM-MNCs cell suspension (3.2×10(6) cells/ml), and the mice in the model group and the normal control group were injected with 0.4 ml phosphate buffer (PBS).UC disease activity index (DAI) was used to test the general condition of mice; HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of colon tissue; Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of miRNA-21 and miRNA-155 mRNA. Results: DAI scores of normal control group, model group and transplantation group were 0 (0,1), 3.1 (2.8,3.3) and 2.7 (2.4,3.1),respectively. Compared with normal control group, the DAI score of model group and transplantation group was higher (P<0.05), and the DAI score of transplantation group was lower than that of model group (P<0.05). The gross scores of tissue injury in normal control group, model group and transplantation group were 0 (0, 1), 3 (3, 4) and 1 (1, 2), respectively,and the pathological scores of tissue injury were 0 (0, 1), 16 (12, 16) and 6 (6, 8), respectively,compared with the normal control group. The tissue injury score of the model group and the transplantation group was higher (P<0.05), and the tissue injury score of the transplantation group was lower than that of the model group (P<0.05). The expression levels of miRNA-21 mRNA in normal control group, model group and transplantation group were 0.87±0.15, 2.38±0.29 and 1.59±0.32, respectively, and the expression levels of miRNA-155 mRNA were 1.87±0.46, 7.38±1.97 and 3.92±0.84, respectively, compared with the normal control group, the expression of miRNA-21 and miRNA-155 mRNA in the model group and transplantation group was higher (P<0.01), the expression of miRNA-21 and miRNA-155 mRNA in the transplantation group was lower than that of the model group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Bone marrow mononuclear cell transplantation can improve the histopathological and DAI scores of mice with UC, which may be related to the down-regulation of miRNA-21 and miRNA-155 mRNA expression.

22-oxacalcitriol protects myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury by suppressing NF-κB/TNF-α pathway

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore whether 22-oxacalcitriol could protect inflammatory response induced by ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) in rats, and to investigate its underlying mechanism.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

24 male Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned into the sham group, the IRI group and the 22-oxacalcitriol group, with 8 rats in each group. Serum and heart samples of each rat were collected 10 days after the animal procedure. The serum levels of creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in each rat were detected by relative commercial kits. Pathological lesions in rat myocardium were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Cardiomyocyte apoptosis in rat heart was accessed by TUNEL staining. Meanwhile, the serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and KC-GRO were detected by Real Time-quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR). Also, the protein expression levels of NF-κB, TNF-α, VCAM-1, ICAM-1, and MCP-1 in rat myocardium were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

The serum levels of CK-MB and LDH in rats of the IRI group were significantly higher than those of the sham group. 22-oxacalcitriol treatment remarkably decreased the serum levels of CK-MB and LDH when compared with the IRI group. However, cardiomyocyte apoptosis of the 22-oxacalcitriol group was markedly less than the IRI group. The activities of SOD, GSH, CAT and T-AOC in the cardiac homogenate of the 22-oxacalcitriol group were significantly elevated than those of the IRI group. Meanwhile, malondialdehyde (MDA) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were remarkably decreased by 22-oxacalcitriol treatment. Furthermore, the serum levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 and KC-GRO were significantly downregulated in the 22-oxacalcitriol group. Western blot results showed that the protein expression levels of NF-κB, TNF-α, VCAM-1, ICAM-1 and MCP-1 in the 22-oxacalcitriol group were significantly lower than those of the IRI group.

CONCLUSIONS

22-oxacalcitriol inhibits the inflammatory response in the myocardium by suppressing NF-kB/TNF-α pathway, thereby protecting myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.