Cardioprotective activity of placental growth factor in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction: nanoparticle-based delivery versus direct myocardial injection.

BACKGROUND: To comparatively evaluate the cardioprotective activity of placental growth factor (PGF) delivered through direct injection and a nanoparticle-based system respectively and to study the underlying mechanisms in a rat model of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA)-based PGF-carrying nanoparticles (PGF-PLGANPs) were created. The mean size and morphology of particles were analyzed with particle size analyzer and transmission electronic microscopy (TEM). Encapsulation efficiency and sustained-release dose curve were analyzed by ELISA. Sprague-Dawley rats were randomized into four groups (n = 10). While animals in the first group were left untreated as controls, those in the other 3 groups underwent surgical induction of AMI, followed by treatment with physiological saline, PGF, and PGF-PLGANPs, respectively. Cardiac function was evaluated by transthoracic echocardiography at 4 weeks after treatment. At 6 weeks, rats were sacrificed, infarction size was analyzed with Masson trichrome staining, and protein contents of TIMP-2, MT1-MMP and MMP-2 at the infarction border were determined by immunohistochemistry and western blotting analysis. RESULTS: PGF was released for at least 15 days, showing successful preparation of PGF-PLGANPs. Coronary artery ligation successfully induced AMI. Compared to physiological saline control, PGF, injected to the myocardium either as a nude molecule or in a form of nanoparticles, significantly reduced infarction size, improved cardiac function, and elevated myocardial expression of TIMP-2, MT1-MMP, and MMP-2 (P < 0.05). The effect of PGF-PLGANPs was more pronounced than that of non-encapsulated PGF (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Target PGF delivery to myocardium may improve cardiac function after AMI in rats. PLGA-based nanoparticles appear to be a better approach to delivery PGF. PGF exerts its cardioprotective effect at least partially through regulating metalloproteinase-mediated myocardial tissue remodeling.

Two-port robotic sleeve lobectomy using Stratafix sutures for central lung tumors.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the feasibility of two-port robotic sleeve lobectomy using Stratafix sutures for central lung tumors, and to summarize the surgical techniques and clinical outcomes. METHODS: We retrospectively evaluated 15 consecutive patients who underwent robotic bronchial sleeve lobectomy, performed by a single surgeon between March 2021 and September 2021. A half-continuous suture technique with two Stratafix sutures was used for bronchial anastomosis. The operative techniques and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Complete resection was achieved in all patients undergoing different types of robotic bronchial sleeve lobectomy. There were no conversions to thoracotomy. The mean duration of surgery was 102.35 ± 46.31 min, mean time for bronchial anastomosis was 25.8 ± 15.2 min, mean blood loss was 64.71 ± 38.59 ml, and mean postoperative hospital stay was 4.76 ± 2.54 days. There was no death on follow-up within 90 days after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Two-port robotic bronchial sleeve lobectomy and the novel anastomotic technique are both feasible and safe for selected patients.

[Effects of transcription factor SIX2 gene on the proliferation of bovine skeletal muscle satellite cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect of SIX2 gene on the proliferation of bovine skeletal muscle satellite cells. Methods: Bovine skeletal muscle satellite cells were used as experimental materials, and the expression of SIX2 gene in bovine skeletal muscle satellite cells was detected by real-time quantitative PCR at 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h of proliferation. The SIX2 gene overexpression vector was constructed by homologous recombination. The SIX2 gene overexpression plasmid and the control empty plasmid were transfected into bovine skeletal muscle satellite cells, and each group had three complex Wells. The cell viability was detected by MTT assay at 24 h, 48 h and 72 h after transfection. At 48 h after transfection, the cell cycle was detected by flow cytometry, and the expressions of cell proliferation marker genes were detected by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and Western blot. Results: With the proliferation of bovine skeletal muscle satellite cells, the expression of SIX2 mRNA was increased. Compared with the control group, the expressions of SIX2 mRNA and protein in the SIX2 gene overexpression plasmid group were increased by 18 and 2.6 times, respectively (P＜0.01). The cell viability of the SIX2 gene overexpression plasmid group was increased (P＜0.01), the proportion of G1 cells was decreased by 24.6%, and the proportion of S phase and G2 phase cells was increased by 20.3% and 4.31%, respectively (P＜0.01). The mRNA and protein expressions of Pax7 gene were increased by 15.84 and 1.22 times, respectively, and the mRNA and protein expressions of proliferation marker genes PCNA and CCNB1 were increased by 4.82, 2.23,1.55 and 1.46 times, respectively (P＜0.01). Conclusion: Overexpression of SIX2 gene promotes the proliferation of bovine skeletal muscle satellite cells.

COVID-19 and early-stage lung cancer both featuring ground-glass opacities: a propensity score-matched study.

BACKGROUND: Radiological manifestations of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) featured ground-glass opacities (GGOs), especially in the early stage, which might create confusion in differential diagnosis with early lung cancer. We aimed to specify the radiological characteristics of COVID-19 and early lung cancer and to unveil the discrepancy between them. METHODS: One hundred and fifty-seven COVID-19 patients and 374 early lung cancer patients from four hospitals in China were retrospectively enrolled. Epidemiological, clinical, radiological, and pathological characteristics were compared between the two groups using propensity score-matched (PSM) analysis. RESULTS: COVID-19 patients had more distinct symptoms, tended to be younger (P<0.0001), male (P<0.0001), and had a higher body mass index (P=0.014). After 1:1 PSM, 121 matched pairs were identified. Regarding radiological characteristics, patients with a single lesion accounted for 17% in COVID-19 and 89% in lung cancer (P<0.0001). Most lesions were peripherally found in both groups. Lesions in COVID-19 involved more lobes (median 3.5 vs. 1; P<0.0001) and segments (median 6 vs. 1; P<0.0001) and tended to have multiple types (67%) with patchy form (54%). Early lung cancer was more likely to have a single type (92%) with oval form (66%). Also, COVID-19 and early lung cancer either had some distinctive features on computed tomography (CT) images. CONCLUSIONS: Both COVID-19 and early lung cancers showed GGOs, with similar but independent features. The imaging characteristics should be fully understood and combined with epidemiological history, pathogen detection, laboratory tests, short-term CT reexamination, and pathological results to aid differential diagnosis.