The effect of T cell aging on the change of human tissue structure.

The trend of aging of the global population is becoming more and more significant, and the incidence of age-related diseases continues to rise.This phenomenon makes the problem of aging gradually attracted wide attention of the society, and gradually developed into an independent research field.As a vital defense mechanism of the human body, the immune system changes significantly during the aging process.Age-induced changes in the body's immune system are considered harmful and are commonly referred to as immune aging, which may represent the beginning of systemic aging.Immune cells, especially T cells, are the biggest influencers and participants in age-related deterioration of immune function, making older people more susceptible to different age-related diseases.More and more evidence shows that T cells play an important role in the change of human tissue structure after aging, which fundamentally affects the health and survival of the elderly.In this review, we discuss the general characteristics of age-related T cell immune alterations and the possible effects of aging T cells in various tissue structures in the human body.

Methamphetamine induces intestinal injury by altering gut microbiota and promoting inflammation in mice.

Methamphetamine (METH) is a psychostimulant abused worldwide. Its abuse induces intestinal toxicity. Moreover, the gut microbiota is altered by drugs, which induces intestinal injury. Whether gut microbiota mediates METH-induced intestinal toxicity remains to be validated. In the present study, wild-type and TLR4-/- mice were treated with METH. Gut microbiota was determined using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Transcriptomics of the intestinal mucosa was performed by RNA-Sequencing. Blood levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), the intestinal barrier, and inflammation were also assessed. METH treatment weakened the intestinal barrier and increased pro-inflammatory cytokines and LPS levels in the blood. Moreover, METH treatment significantly decreased the diversity of probiotics but increased the abundance of pathogenic gut microbiota, contributing to the over-production of LPS and disruption of intestinal barrier. Inflammatory pathways were enriched in the intestinal mucosa of METH-treated mice by KEGG analysis. Consistently, activation of the TLR4 pathway was determined in METH-treated mice, which confirmed intestinal inflammation. However, pretreatment with antibiotics or Tlr4 silencing significantly alleviated METH-induced gut microbiota dysbiosis, LPS over-production, intestinal inflammation, and disruption of the intestinal barrier. These findings suggested that the gut microbiota and LPS-mediated inflammation took an important role in METH-induced intestinal injury. Taken together, these findings suggest that METH-induced intestinal injury is mediated by gut microbiota dysbiosis and LPS-associated inflammation.

Design, synthesis, in vitro and in vivo evaluation against MRSA and molecular docking studies of novel pleuromutilin derivatives bearing 1, 3, 4-oxadiazole linker.

A class of pleuromutilin derivatives containing 1, 3, 4-oxadiazole were designed and synthesized as potential antibacterial agents against Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The ultrasound-assisted reaction was proposed as a green chemistry method to synthesize 1, 3, 4-oxadiazole derivatives (intermediates 85-110). Among these pleuromutilin derivatives, compound 133 was found to be the strongest antibacterial derivative against MRSA (MIC = 0.125 µg/mL). Furthermore, the result of the time-kill curves displayed that compound 133 could inhibit the growth of MRSA in vitro quickly (- 4.36 log10 CFU/mL reduction). Then, compound 133 (- 1.82 log10 CFU/mL) displayed superior in vivo antibacterial efficacy than tiamulin (- 0.82 log10 CFU/mL) in reducing MRSA load in mice thigh model. Besides, compound 133 exhibited low cytotoxicity to RAW 264.7 cells. Molecular docking studies revealed that compound 133 was successfully localized in the binding pocket of 50S ribosomal subunit (ΔGb = -10.50 kcal/mol). The results indicated that these pleuromutilin derivatives containing 1, 3, 4-oxadiazole might be further developed into novel antibiotics against MRSA.

SGLT2 inhibitors and atrial fibrillation in type 2 diabetes: a systematic review with meta-analysis of 16 randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes is closely related to an increased risk of atrial fibrillation (AF) and atrial flutter (AFL). Whether sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitors can attenuate AF/AFL progression remains unclear. METHODS: We searched electronic databases (PubMed, Embase and ClinicalTrials.gov) from their inception to January 2020 for trials evaluating the AF outcomes of SGLT2 inhibitors in patients with type 2 diabetes. The data search and extraction were conducted with a standardized data form and any conflicts were resolved by consensus. Relative risks (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used for binary variables, and the weighed mean differences (WMDs) with the standard deviation (SDs) were applied for continuous variables. RESULTS: We included data from 16 identified trials consisting of 38,335 patients with type 2 diabetes. Incorporated data demonstrated that compared to placebo, SGLT2 inhibitors significantly reduced AF/AFL (RR: 0.76; 95% CI 0.65-0.90; p = 0.001) and all-cause mortality (RR: 0.91; 95% CI 0.83-0.99; p = 0.03). AF/AFL reductions were not modified by age, body weight, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), or systolic blood pressure (SBP) at baseline (all p-interactions > 0.3). SGLT2 inhibitors also significantly reduced heart failure events (RR: 0.73; 95% CI 0.64-0.84; p < 0.00001), HbA1c (WMD: - 0.62%; 95% CI - 0.89 to - 0.34; p < 0.00001), body weight (WMD: - 2.12 kg; 95% CI - 2.91 to - 1.34; p < 0.00001), SBP (WMD: - 3.34 mmHg; 95% CI - 4.12 to - 2.56; p < 0.00001), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) (WMD: - 1.11 mmHg; 95% CI - 1.62 to - 0.60; p < 0.0001). Of note, cerebrovascular events and myocardial infarction did not increase in patients taking SGLT2 inhibitors. CONCLUSION: SGLT2 inhibitors may confer a specific AF/AFL-reduction benefit in the susceptible type 2 diabetes population, regardless of age, body weight, HbA1c, and systolic blood pressure at baseline. Such an AF/AFL-reduction benefit may be partly attributed to pharmacological effects on reductions in HbA1c, body weight, blood pressure, and the occurrence of heart failure.

Vascular and metabolic effects of metformin added to insulin therapy in patients with type 1 diabetes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is increasing among youth worldwide, translating to an increased risk ofearly-onset cardiovascular disease (CVD). Mounting studies have shown that metformin may reduce maximal carotidintima-media thickness (cIMT), improve insulin resistance and metabolic control in subjects with T1DM, and thus, may extend cardioprotective benefits. This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to assess the efficacy and safety of metformin added to insulin therapy on reducing CVD risks and improving metabolism in T1DM. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Library were systematically searched for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared metformin and insulin combination (duration ≥3 months) to insulin treatment alone in T1DM. Data were expressed as weighted/standardized mean differences (MDs/SMDs) for continuous outcomes and risk ratios (RRs) for dichotomous outcomes, along with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). The Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) was used to evaluate the overall certainty of the evidence. RESULTS: Nineteen RCTs (n = 1540) met the eligibility criteria. Metformin treatment significantly reduced carotid artery intima-media thickness (MD -0.06 mm [95% CI -0.88, -0.28], P < .001). Though no significant difference was found in insulin sensitivity (SMD 2.21 [95% CI -1.88, 6.29], P = .29), the total daily insulin dosage (SMD -0.81 [95% CI -1.25, -0.36], P < .001) along with traditional CVD risk factors showed improvement by better glycaemic control, partial lipid profiles, diastolic blood pressure, and limited weight gain, with neutral effect on diabetic ketoacidosis, lactic acidosis, and hypoglycaemia. However, metformin therapy increased the incidence of gastrointestinal adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Metformin with insulin has the potential to retard the progression of atherosclerosis and provides better metabolic control in patients with T1DM, and thus, providing a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with T1DM on reducing CVD risks.

[Comparative study on serum transitional components of Huatan Jiangqi Capsules in rats under pathological and physiological status].

The differences of transitional components and metabolic processes of Huatan Jiangqi Capsules(HTJQ) in rats under normal physiological and pathological conditions of COPD were analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. The rat COPD model was established by passive smoking and intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide. After the normal and COPD model rats were douched with HTJQ, the blood was collected from hepatic portal vein and the drug-containing serum samples were prepared by methanol precipitation of protein. Then, 10 batches of drug-containing serum samples of HTJQ were prepared and analyzed by UPLC serum fingerprint to evaluate the quality and stability of drug-containing serum samples. UPLC-Q-TOF-MS was used to collect the mass spectrometric information of the transitional components. Twenty-eight transitional components of HTJQ in normal rats and 25 transitional components of HTJQ in COPD model rats were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Under pathological and physiological conditions, there were not only the same transitional components in rat serum, but also corresponding differences. Further studies showed that there were also differences in the metabolic process of transitional components between the two conditions. In normal rats, most of the metabolic types of transitional components were phase I reactions. In COPD model rats, phase Ⅰ reactions decreased and phase Ⅱ reactions increased correspondingly. With UPLC-Q-TOF-MS technology, the differences of transitional components and the metabolism process of HTJQ in rats under normal physiological and pathological conditions were analyzed. The results showed that types of transitional components and the activity of some metabolic enzymes would be changed in COPD pathological state, which would affect the metabolic process of bioactive components in vivo. It laid a foundation for further elucidating the metabolic process and pharmacodynamic substance basis of HTJQ.

Effect of the in vivo application of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor on NK cells in bone marrow and peripheral blood.

Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been widely used in the field of allogeneic haematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) for priming donor stem cells from the bone marrow (BM) to peripheral blood (PB) to collect stem cells more conveniently. Donor-derived natural killer (NK) cells have important antitumour functions and immune regulatory roles post-allo-HSCT. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of G-CSF on donors' NK cells in BM and PB. The percentage of NK cells among nuclear cells and lymphocyte was significantly decreased and led to increased ratio of T and NK cells in BM and PB post-G-CSF in vivo application. Relative expansion of CD56bri NK cells led to a decreased ratio of CD56dim and CD56bri NK subsets in BM and PB post-G-CSF in vivo application. The expression of CD62L, CD54, CD94, NKP30 and CXCR4 on NK cells was significantly increased in PB after G-CSF treatment. G-CSF treatment decreased the IFN-γ-secreting NK population (NK1) dramatically in BM and PB, but increased the IL-13-secreting NK (NK2), TGF-ß-secreting NK (NK3) and IL-10-secreting NK (NKr) populations significantly in BM. Clinical data demonstrated that higher doses of NK1 infused into the allograft correlated with an increased incidence of chronic graft-vs-host disease post-transplantation. Taken together, our results show that the in vivo application of G-CSF can modulate NK subpopulations, leading to an increased ratio of T and NK cells and decreased ratio of CD56dim and CD56bri NK cells as well as decreased NK1 populations in both PB and BM.

Hsa_circ_0020397 regulates colorectal cancer cell viability, apoptosis and invasion by promoting the expression of the miR-138 targets TERT and PD-L1.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a common human gastrointestinal cancer, and recent studies indicate that circular RNA (circRNA) may regulate cancer development. In this study, we assess the role of circRNA specifically in colorectal cancer. Our quantitative PCR assays demonstrate an upregulation of the circRNA has_circ_0020397 and a downregulation of miR-138 in CRC cells, as well as a negative correlation between these two. Using a dual-luciferase reporter assay, we show evidence of miR-138-binding sites on hsa_circ_0020397, and that overexpression of hsa_circ_0020397 could inhibit the downregulation of luciferase activity by miR-138. Although hsa_circ_0020397 did not influence miR-138 expression per se, has_circ_0020397 did inhibit miR-138 activity, as examined via the expression of miR-138 targets telomerase reverse transcriptase (TERT) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1). Control treatments with plasmids overexpressing linear hsa_circ_0020397 did not have these effects. Hsa_circ_0020397 promoted cell viability and invasion of CRC cells and inhibited their apoptosis, whereas miR-138 had the opposite effect. Nevertheless, hsa_circ_0020397 antagonized miR-138 suppression of cell growth. When TERT or PD-L1 expression was suppressed with siRNAs, the above functions of hsa_circ_0020397 were attenuated, suggesting that hsa_circ_0020397 can regulate CRC cell viability, apoptosis and invasion by promoting the expression of miR-138 target genes. These findings support the role of circRNA in CRC pathogenesis.

Donor Th17 cells and IL-21 may contribute to the development of chronic graft-versus-host disease after allogeneic transplantation.

The roles of Th17 cells and IL-21 in the pathogenesis of chronic graft-versus-host disease (cGVHD) in patients who undergo allogeneic transplantation are still unknown. Here, we examined this question by monitoring eight patients with new-onset cGVHD for the presence of Th17 cells, Th1 cells, and IL-21. Allografts from an additional 41 patients were also analyzed for Th17 and Th1 cells. Out of these 41 patients, the last 32 enrolled patients were further analyzed for Th17 cells, Th1 cells, and plasma IL-21 levels at day 30 post-transplantation regarding cGVHD. Th17 cells and IL-21 plasma levels were significantly increased at cGVHD onset and drastically decreased after complete remission. Patients who received a higher number of Th17 cells in their allograft had a higher incidence of cGVHD compared with patients who received a lower number of Th17 cells. Meanwhile, positive plasma IL-21 levels at day 30 post-transplantation predicted cGVHD occurrence. These results suggest that Th17 cells and IL-21 may contribute to the development of cGVHD.

Microarrays formed by microfluidic spinning as multidimensional microreactors.

The exploration of methods allowing chemical reactions to be carried out at ultrasmall scales is of great scientific and technological interest. We report herein a microfluidic spinning technique for the fabrication of softened-polymer microarrays for use as multidimensional microreactors and the application of these microreactors in the synthesis of fluorescent nanocrystals. Highly aligned microarrays and controlled-angle grids were readily constructed from microfluidically spun polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) microfibers. One-zero dimensional (1D-0D), one-one dimensional (1D-1D), and one-two dimensional (1D-2D) microreactors were then produced by the intersections between microfibers and droplets, crossed microfibers, and microfibers and a PVP film, respectively; each component can be doped with different reagents. Specific examples show that these multidimensional microreactors enable the in situ generation of fluorescent nanocrystals without ligands within minutes.

Challenging anticoagulation therapy for multiple primary malignant tumors combined with thrombosis: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Venous thromboembolism significantly contributes to patient deterioration and mortality. Management of its etiology and anticoagulation treatment is intricate, necessitating a comprehensive consideration of various factors, including the bleeding risk, dosage, specific anticoagulant medications, and duration of therapy. Herein, a case of lower extremity thrombosis with multiple primary malignant tumors and high risk of bleeding was reviewed to summarize the shortcomings of treatment and prudent anticoagulation experience. CASE SUMMARY: An 83-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital due to a 2-wk history of left lower extremity edema that had worsened over 2 d. Considering her medical history and relevant post-admission investigations, it was determined that the development of left lower extremity venous thrombosis and pulmonary embolism in this case could be attributed to a combination of factors, including multiple primary malignant tumors, iliac venous compression syndrome, previous novel coronavirus infection, and inadequate treatment for prior thrombotic events. However, the selection of appropriate anticoagulant medications, determination of optimal drug dosages, and establishment of an appropriate duration of anticoagulation therapy were important because of concurrent thrombocytopenia, decreased quantitative fibrinogen levels, and renal insufficiency. CONCLUSION: Anticoagulant prophylaxis should be promptly initiated in cases of high-risk thrombosis. Individualized anticoagulation therapy is required for complex thrombosis.

Exogenous insulin autoimmune syndrome: A case report and review of literature.

BACKGROUND: Insulin autoimmune syndrome (IAS) is a severe manifestation of spontaneous hypoglycemia. It is characterized by elevated levels of immune-reactive insulin and highly potent insulin autoantibodies (IAAs), which are induced by endogenous insulin circulating in the bloodstream. It is distinguished by recurring instances of spontaneous hypoglycemia, the presence of IAA within the body, a substantial elevation in serum insulin levels, and an absence of prior exogenous insulin administration. Nevertheless, recent studies show that both conventional insulin and its analogs can induce IAS episodes, giving rise to the notion of non-classical IAS. Therefore, more attention should be paid to these diseases. CASE SUMMARY: In this case report, we present a rare case of non-classical IAS in an 83-year-old male patient who present with symptoms of a psychiatric disorder. Upon symptom onset, the patient exhibited Whipple's triad (including hypoglycemia, blood glucose level less than 2.8 mmol/L during onset, and rapid relief of hypoglycemic symptoms after glucose administration). Concurrently, his serum insulin level was significantly elevated, which contradicted his C-peptide levels. After a comprehensive examination, the patient was diagnosed with exogenous insulin autoimmune syndrome. Considering that the patient had type 2 diabetes mellitus and a history of exogenous insulin use before disease onset, it was presumed that non classical IAS was induced by this condition. The PubMed database was used to search for previous cases of IAS and non-classical IAS to analyze their characteristics and treatment approaches. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of non-classical IAS is associated with exogenous insulin or its analogs, as well as with sulfhydryl drugs. Symptoms can be effectively alleviated through the discontinuation of relevant medications, administration of hormones or immunosuppressants, plasma exchange, and lifestyle adjustments.

[Effects of salt stress on bacterial community composition and diversity in rhizosphere soil of Bletilla striata]. / ç›èƒè¿«å¯¹ç™½åŠæ ¹é™ ç»†èŒç¾¤è½ç»„æˆåŠå¤šæ ·æ€§çš„å½±å“.

Salinization environment affects the normal growth and development of plants, as well as the microbial community in the rhizosphere. To explore the succession dynamics of bacterial communities in the rhizosphere soil of Bletilla striata under salt stress condition, we performed 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing to determine the bacterial community composition and diversity of B. striata in the rhizosphere under different salt stress concentrations, measured the effects of salt stress on the growth and development of B. striata and soil physicochemical pro-perties, and analyzed the correlation between community composition of rhizosphere bacteria and the soil environmental factors. The results showed that compared with the control, salt stress reduced growth rate and health degree of B. striata, and significantly decreased the content of soil organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus. Under the salt stress treatment, species diversity and evenness of the bacterial communities in the rhizosphere of B. striata showed a trend of first decreasing and then increasing. There were significant differences in the relative abundance and variation trends of the dominant bacterial taxa in the rhizosphere soil of B. striata at the phylum and class levels between the control and the salt stress treatments. Salt stress intensity and duration were important factors affecting bacterial community composition in the rhizosphere soil of B. striata. Soil organic matter, available nitrogen, and total phosphorus content were key environmental factors affecting the structure of rhizosphere bacterial community composition. Functional genes related to cytoskeleton, cell motility, substance metabolism and signal transduction mechanisms may be involved in the adaptation and stress response of bacterial communities to salt stress. This study would provide theoretical basis and reference for the cultivation management of B. striatain saline area.

Triceps skinfold thickness trajectories and the risk of all-cause mortality: A prospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND: The measurement of triceps skinfold (TSF) thickness serves as a noninvasive metric for evaluating subcutaneous fat distribution. Despite its clinical utility, the TSF thickness trajectories and their correlation with overall mortality have not been thoroughly investigated. AIM: To explore TSF thickness trajectories of Chinese adults and to examine their associations with all-cause mortality. METHODS: This study encompassed a cohort of 14747 adults sourced from the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Latent class trajectory modeling was employed to identify distinct trajectories of TSF thickness. Subjects were classified into subgroups reflective of their respective TSF thickness trajectory. We utilized multivariate Cox regression analyses and mediation examinations to explore the link between TSF thickness trajectory and overall mortality, including contributory factors. RESULTS: Upon adjustment for multiple confounding factors, we discerned that males in the 'Class 2: Thin-stable' and 'Class 3: Thin-moderate' TSF thickness trajectories exhibited a markedly reduced risk of mortality from all causes in comparison to the 'Class 1: Extremely thin' subgroup. In the mediation analyses, the Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index was found to be a partial intermediary in the relationship between TSF thickness trajectories and mortality. For females, a lower TSF thickness pattern was significantly predictive of elevated all-cause mortality risk exclusively within the non-elderly cohort. CONCLUSION: In males and non-elderly females, lower TSF thickness trajectories are significantly predictive of heightened mortality risk, independent of single-point TSF thickness, body mass index, and waist circumference.

Dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors and the risk of infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis of cardiovascular outcome trials.

BACKGROUND: Since adverse events during treatment affect adherence and subsequent glycemic control, understanding the safety profile of oral anti-diabetic drugs is imperative for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) therapy. AIM: To evaluate the risk of infection in patients with T2DM treated with dipeptidyl-peptidase 4 (DPP-4) inhibitors. METHODS: Electronic databases were searched. The selection criteria included randomized controlled trials focused on cardiovascular outcomes. In these studies, the effects of DPP-4 inhibitors were directly compared to those of either other active anti-diabetic treatments or placebo. Six trials involving 53616 patients were deemed eligible. We calculated aggregate relative risks employing both random-effects and fixed-effects approaches, contingent upon the context. RESULTS: The application of DPP-4 inhibitors showed no significant link to the overall infection risk [0.98 (0.95, 1.02)] or the risk of serious infections [0.96 (0.85, 1.08)], additionally, no significant associations were found with opportunistic infections [0.69 (0.46, 1.04)], site-specific infections [respiratory infection 0.99 (0.96, 1.03), urinary tract infections 1.02 (0.95, 1.10), abdominal and gastrointestinal infections 1.02 (0.83, 1.25), skin structure and soft tissue infections 0.81 (0.60, 1.09), bone infections 0.96 (0.68, 1.36), and bloodstream infections 0.97 (0.80, 1.18)]. CONCLUSION: This meta-analysis of data from cardiovascular outcome trials revealed no heightened infection risk in patients undergoing DPP-4 inhibitor therapy compared to control cohorts.

Crohn's disease as the intestinal manifestation of pan-lymphatic dysfunction: An exploratory proposal based on basic and clinical data.

Crohn's disease (CD) is caused by immune, environmental, and genetic factors. It can involve the entire gastrointestinal tract, and although its prevalence is rapidly increasing its etiology remains unclear. Emerging biological and small-molecule drugs have advanced the treatment of CD; however, a considerable proportion of patients are non-responsive to all known drugs. To achieve a breakthrough in this field, innovations that could guide the further development of effective therapies are of utmost urgency. In this review, we first propose the innovative concept of pan-lymphatic dysfunction for the general distribution of lymphatic dysfunction in various diseases, and suggest that CD is the intestinal manifestation of pan-lymphatic dysfunction based on basic and clinical preliminary data. The supporting evidence is fully summarized, including the existence of lymphatic system dysfunction, recognition of the inside-out model, disorders of immune cells, changes in cell plasticity, partial overlap of the underlying mechanisms, and common gut-derived fatty and bile acid metabolism. Another benefit of this novel concept is that it proposes adopting the zebrafish model for studying intestinal diseases, especially CD, as this model is good at presenting and mimicking lymphatic dysfunction. More importantly, the ensuing focus on improving lymphatic function may lead to novel and promising therapeutic strategies for CD.

[Preparation and antimicrobial effect of aromatic, natural and bacteriostatic foot wash with skin care].

To prepare the aromatic, natural and bacteriostatic foot wash with skin care and research the inhibition effect on the different bacteria and pathogenic fungus which cause dermatophytosis. It was prepared by using Sophoraflavescens and Dictamnus dasycarpus as materials with the addition of Aloe extract, essential oil, surfactant, etc. The antifungal and antibacterial activity was researched by the levitation liquid quantitative method. The foot wash smelled faintly scent. The use of this product can produce a rich foam. The inhibitory rate were all more than 90%. The preparation process of the foot wash was simple. It has obviously bacteriostatic and fungistatic effect.

Antagonizing adipose tissue-derived exosome miR-103-hepatocyte phosphatase and tensin homolog pathway alleviates autophagy in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis: A trans-cellular crosstalk.

BACKGROUND: Obesity plays a vital role in the occurrence and development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, the underlining mechanism is still unclear, where adipose tissue (AT) derived exosomes may actively participate. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are commonly secreted from exosomes for cell communication. Though the regulation of miR-103 on insulin sensitivity has been reported, the specific role of AT-derived exosomes miR-103 in NASH is still vague and further investigation may provide novel therapeutic choices. AIM: To determine the specific role of AT-derived exosomes miR-103 in developing NASH through various methods. METHODS: The expression levels of miR-103 in the AT-derived exosomes and livers were detected and compared between NASH mice and control. The effect of miR-103 on NASH progression was also explored by antagonizing miR-103, including steatosis and inflammation degree changes. The interaction between miR-103 and the autophagy-related gene phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) was confirmed by dual-luciferase reporter assay. The role of the interaction between miR-103 and PTEN on autophagy was verified in NASH-like cells. Finally, the effects of miR-103 from adipose-derived exosomes on NASH and autophagy were analyzed through animal experiments. RESULTS: The expression of miR-103 was increased in NASH mice, compared to the control, and inhibition of miR-103 could alleviate NASH. The results of the dual-luciferase reporter assay showed miR-103 could interact with PTEN. MiR-103-anta decreased p-AMPKa, p-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and p62 but increased the protein levels of PTEN and LC3-II/I and the number of autophagosomes in NASH mice. Similar results were also observed in NASH-like cells, and further experiments showed PTEN silencing inhibited the effect of miR-103-anta. AT derived-exosome miR-103 aggravated NASH and increased the expressions of p-AMPKa, p-mTOR, and p62 but decreased the protein levels of PTEN and LC3-II/I and the number of autophagosomes in mice. CONCLUSION: AT derived-exosome increased the levels of miR-103 in the liver, and miR-103 aggravated NASH. Mechanically, miR-103 could interact with PTEN and inhibit autophagy.

Research Trends of the Research and Development of Acupuncture and Moxibustion Therapy on Lumbar Disc Herniation: A Bibliometric Analysis.

Background: Acupuncture and moxibustion has been applied worldwide in the treatment of various pain diseases including lumbar disc herniation (LDH) and other pain, However, there has been no bibliometric analysis on this aspect in the past five years. Therefore, this study was carried out for finding research trends and fronts in this field using Citespace and VOSviewer. Methods: Publications about acupuncture therapy for LDH were extracted from the Web of Science database and PubMed with an unlimited time frame. A bibliometric analysis and visualization of results was conducted using CiteSpace 6.1.R3 and VOSviewer 1.6.18 on the information of the annual publication, countries, journals, institutions, authors, references, and keywords. Results: A total of 127 publications were included, and the number of publications had increased noticeably over the past 30 years and reached a peak in the past 3 years. The most productive country with the most publications was China, whose Medical University was the institution with the highest volume of publications. The most productive author was Chen Rixin, while the most-cited author was Kreiner DS. Chinese Acupuncture and Moxibustion was the journal with the most publications, and Spine Journal was the most frequently cited journal. In cited references, an article published in The New England Journal of Medicine by Deyo RA had the most citations and the highest centrality. Of the keywords, the five most frequently used keywords include lumbar disc herniation, acupuncture, low back pain, intervertebral disc displacement, and management. Conclusion: Acupuncture and moxibustion can help to relieve symptoms in patients. However, this field is in the early stages of development and requires more high-quality research studies and international collaborations. In addition, exploring the effectiveness and mechanism of acupuncture for LDH is the hot trend in the future.

IL-17-producing T cells contribute to acute graft-versus-host disease in patients undergoing unmanipulated blood and marrow transplantation.

The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of IL-17-producing T cells, including Th17 and Tc17 cells, on acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) in patients who had undergone granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF)-mobilised peripheral blood progenitor cell (PBPC) and G-CSF-primed bone marrow (G-BM) transplantation. Allografts from forty-one patients were analysed for IL-17-producing T cells with respect to aGVHD. Furthermore, ten patients with aGVHD onset were monitored for the presence of Th17 cells in the peripheral blood by flow cytometry. Patients who received a higher dose of Th17 cells in the G-BM (>8.5 × 10(4) /kg, p=0.005) or a higher dose of Tc17 cells in PBPC (>16.8 × 10(4) /kg, p=0.001) exhibited a higher incidence of aGVHD. An increased Th17 population (up to 4.99% CD4(+) T lymphocytes) was observed in patients with aGVHD onset. In contrast, the percentage of Th17 population decreased drastically in aGVHD patients following treatment to achieve partial and complete remission (p=0.013 and p=0.008, respectively). All percentages of Th17 and Tc17 cells were significantly reduced after in vivo G-CSF application. Our results suggested that IL-17-producing T cells contributed to aGVHD. The application of G-CSF in vivo aided in reducing the occurrence of aGVHD through a decrease in IL-17 secretion by T cells.