Apical papilla stem cell-derived exosomes regulate lipid metabolism and alleviate inflammation in the MCD-induced mouse NASH model.

Stem cells from the apical papilla(SCAPs) exhibit remarkable tissue repair capabilities, demonstrate anti-inflammatory and pro-angiogenic effects, positioning them as promising assets in the realm of regenerative medicine. Recently, the focus has shifted towards exosomes derived from stem cells, perceived as safer alternatives while retaining comparable physiological functions. This study delves into the therapeutic implications of exosomes derived from SCAPs in the methionine-choline-deficient (MCD) diet-induced mice non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model. We extracted exosomes from SCAPs. During the last two weeks of the MCD diet, mice were intravenously administered SCAPs-derived exosomes at two distinct concentrations (50 µg/mouse and 100 µg/mouse) biweekly. Thorough examinations of physiological and biochemical indicators were performed to meticulously evaluate the impact of exosomes derived from SCAPs on the advancement of NASH in mice induced by MCD diet. This findings revealed significant reductions in body weight loss and liver damage induced by the MCD diet following exosomes treatment. Moreover, hepatic fat accumulation was notably alleviated. Mechanistically, the treatment with exosomes led to an upregulation of phosphorylated adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK) levels in the liver, enhancing hepatic fatty acid oxidation and transporter gene expression while inhibiting genes associated with fatty acid synthesis. Additionally, exosomes treatment increased the transcription levels of key liver mitochondrial marker proteins and the essential mitochondrial biogenesis factor. Furthermore, the levels of serum inflammatory factors and hepatic tissue inflammatory factor mRNA expression were significantly reduced, likely due to the anti-inflammatory phenotype induced by exosomes in macrophages. The above conclusion suggests that SCAPs-exosomes can improve NASH.

Prevalence of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus in animals in Henan Province, China.

Severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is an emerging infectious disease caused by severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome virus (SFTSV). SFTSV has been found in humans, ticks and animals, and SFTS has high mortality and increasing prevalence in East Asia. In the study, the samples (heart, liver, lung, kidney, spleen, brain tissue and serum) were collected from 374 domestic animals and 241 wild animals in Pingqiao District and Xinxian County of Xinyang in Henan Province, China. 275 (44.72%, 275/615) animals were positive for anti-SFTSV antibodies, the anti-SFTSV antibodies positive ratios of domestic and wild animals were 43.58% (163/374) and 46.47% (112/241), respectively. There was no significant difference in domestic and wild animals, but significant differences were detected among different species of animals (χ2 = 112.59, P < 0.0001). Among 615 animals, 105 (17.07%, 105/615) animals were positive for SFTSV RNA, and only one SFTSV strain was isolated from heart tissue of a yellow weasel. The phylogenetic analysis shows that the sequence from animals belonged to the same group with viral sequences obtained from humans. The animals maybe play a reservoir host in maintaining the life cycle of SFTSV in nature.

Distribution of Avian Influenza A Viruses in Poultry-Related Environment and Its Association with Human Infection in Henan, 2016 to 2017.

OBJECTIVE: To survey avian influenza A viruses (AIVs) in the environment and explore the reasons for the surge in human H7N9 cases. METHODS: A total of 1,045 samples were collected from routine surveillance on poultry-related environments and 307 samples from human H7N9 cases-exposed environments in Henan from 2016 to 2017. The nucleic acids of influenza A (Flu A), H5, H7, and H9 subtypes were detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: A total of 27 H7N9 cases were confirmed in Henan from 2016 to 2017, 24 had a history of live poultry exposure, and 15 had H7N9 virus detected in the related live poultry markets (LPMs). About 96% (264/275) Flu A positive-environmental samples were from LPMs. H9 was the main AIV subtype (10.05%) from routine surveillance sites with only 1 H7-positive sample, whereas 21.17% samples were H7-positive in H7N9 cases-exposed environments. Samples from H7N9 cases-exposed LPMs (47.56%) had much higher AIVs positive rates than those from routine surveillance sites (12.34%). The H7+H9 combination of mixed infection was 78.18% (43/55) of H7-positive samples and 41.34% (43/104) of H9-positive samples. CONCLUSION: The contamination status of AIVs in poultry-related environments is closely associated with the incidence of human infection caused by AIVs. Therefore, systematic surveillance of AIVs in LPMs in China is essential for the detection of novel reassortant viruses and their potential for interspecies transmission.

[A case-control family study of gastric cancer in Henan province].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors of gastric cancer in the rural area of Henan province. METHODS: Three hundred and twenty-five families with gastric cancer and 325 control families (1010 persons in each group) were selected among the rural residents in 4 counties of Henan province. Totally 2020 people were surveyed and assessed using population-based case-control family study. RESULTS: Gastric cancer was related to stomach upset, irregular dietary, hobby for salty taste, residual food, and history of mental stimulus. CONCLUSION: Stomach upset, irregular dietary, hobby for salty taste, residual food, and history of mental stimulus are the risk factors of gastric cancer.