Innovative strategies to enhance MSCs efficacy in acute kidney injury (Review).

Acute kidney injury (AKI) remains a significant clinical challenge, characterized by rapid kidney dysfunction with potential progression to chronic kidney disease. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) offer promising therapeutic potential due to their regenerative, immunomodulatory and anti‑inflammatory capabilities. Despite these advantages, clinical translation is hampered by low MSCs retention, limited cell survival and suboptimal secretion of therapeutic factors in injured renal tissues.

[Construction of mouse podocyte clone-5 cell lines with knockout by CRISPR/Cas9].

This study established the mouse podocyte clone-5 (MPC5) with knockout and studied the effect of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) on the dedifferentiation of the MPC5 cells with knockout, aiming to provide a cell tool for studying the role of in mouse podocytes. The single-guide RNA (sgRNA) sequence targeting was designed according to the principles of CRISPR/Cas9 design. The pX458-Smad3 vector was constructed and introduced into competent cells, and then the vector was extracted and used to transfect MPC5 cells.

Preference for palliative care among low-income advanced cancer patients in Mainland China: a qualitative study.

Background: Previous studies have highlighted the significant impact of income on access to palliative care. However, few studies have explored the treatment preferences of low-income patients with advanced cancer. These individuals require additional support in terms of palliative care, including financial psychological, spiritual, and social assistance.

Root of Prunus persica (taoshugen) ameliorated renal fibrosis by inhibiting TGF-β signaling via upregulating Pmepa1 in mice with unilateral ureter obstruction.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Various parts of Prunus persica (L.) Batsch (peach) exhibit medicinal properties and are utilized in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for therapeutic purposes. Notably, the root of P.

Breast cancer risk associated with and pathogenic variants in the Eastern Chinese population.

Background: Population-based penetrance studies of breast cancer gene 1/2 ( pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) variants in the Eastern Chinese population are currently lacking; thus, we aimed to investigate the penetrance of breast cancer and other malignant tumors among BRCA1/2 P/LP variant carriers using a population-based breast cancer cohort from communities in Eastern China.

Methods: Between July 2019 and March 2021, we tested 2216 breast cancer probands from Chinese communities for mutations and collected detailed information on the age, survival status, and malignancy history of first-degree relatives. The kin-cohort method was used to calculate the penetrance of breast cancer and other malignant tumors.

Iron-Quercetin complex enhances mesenchymal stem cell-mediated HGF secretion and c-Met activation to ameliorate acute kidney injury through the prevention of tubular cell apoptosis.

Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a life-threatening clinical syndrome with no effective treatment currently available. This study aims to investigate whether Iron-Quercetin complex (IronQ) pretreatment can enhance the therapeutic efficacy of Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in AKI and explore the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: A cisplatin-induced AKI model was established in male C57BL/6 mice, followed by the intravenous administration of 1x10ˆ6 MSCs or IronQ-pretreated MSCs (MSC).

Kangfuxin solution alleviates esophageal stenosis after endoscopic submucosal dissection: A natural ingredient strategy.

Background: Esophageal stricture ranks among the most significant complications following endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD). Excessive fibrotic repair is a typical pathological feature leading to stenosis after ESD.

Aim: To examine the effectiveness and underlying mechanism of Kangfuxin solution (KFX) in mitigating excessive fibrotic repair of the esophagus post-ESD.

The efficacy and active compounds of Chaihuang Qingyi Huoxue granule to Ameliorate intestinal mucosal barrier injury in rats with severe acute pancreatitis by suppressing the HMGB1/TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway.

Intestinal mucosal barrier injury represents a critical complication of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) without effective treatment. This study investigated the efficacy, underlying mechanism, and responsible active compounds of the traditional Chinese medicinal prescription Chaihuang Qingyi Huoxue granule (CHQY) in treating SAP-induced intestinal mucosal barrier injury. SAP was established in Sprague-Dawley rats via intra-pancreaticobiliary duct infusion of sodium taurocholate, followed by oral CHQY administration (3.

Mechanism of Chaihuang-Yishen formula to attenuate renal fibrosis in the treatment of chronic kidney disease: Insights from network pharmacology and experimental validation.

Renal fibrosis represents a pivotal characteristic of chronic kidney disease (CKD), for which effective interventions are currently lacking. The Src kinase activates the phosphatidylinositol-3 kinases (PI3K)/Akt1 pathway to promote renal fibrosis, casting a promising target for anti-fibrosis treatment. Chaihuang-Yishen formula (CHYS), a traditional Chinese medicinal prescription, has a validated efficacy in the treatment of CKD, however, with the underlying mechanism unresolved.

Knowledge and attitude toward proton radiotherapy among oncology patients: a multi-center, cross-sectional study.

To explore the knowledge and attitude among oncology patients toward proton radiotherapy. This cross-sectional study was performed using self-designed questionnaire. Based on 546 valid questionnaires, mean knowledge and attitude scores of 3.

Calycosin inhibited MIF-mediated inflammatory chemotaxis of macrophages to ameliorate ischemia reperfusion-induced acute kidney injury.

Background: Inflammatory macrophage infiltration plays a critical role in acute kidney disease induced by ischemia-reperfusion (IRI-AKI). Calycosin is a natural flavone with multiple bioactivities. This study aimed to investigate the therapeutic role of calycosin in IRI-AKI and its underlying mechanism.

Hederagenin improves renal fibrosis in diabetic nephropathy by regulating Smad3/NOX4/SLC7A11 signaling-mediated tubular cell ferroptosis.

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a common complication of diabetes, characterized by renal fibrosis and poor patient prognosis. Hederagenin (HDG) has shown promising improvement in chronic kidney disease (CKD) kidney fibrosis, but its mechanism in DN-induced kidney fibrosis remains unclear. In this study, a model of diabetic nephropathy (DN) in mice was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozocin (50 mg/kg), while in vitro, high glucose (25 mM) was used to induce HK2 cell damage, simulating tubular injury in DN kidneys.

Pretreated MSCs with IronQ Transplantation Attenuate Microglia Neuroinflammation via the cGAS-STING Signaling Pathway.

Background: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), a devastating form of stroke, is characterized by elevated morbidity and mortality rates. Neuroinflammation is a common occurrence following ICH. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have exhibited potential in treating brain diseases due to their anti-inflammatory properties.

Treatment for type 2 diabetes and diabetic nephropathy by targeting Smad3 signaling.

TGF-β/Smad3 signaling plays a critical role in type 2 diabetes (T2D) and type 2 diabetic nephropathy (T2DN), but treatment by specifically targeting Smad3 remains unexplored. To develop a new Smad3-targeted therapy for T2D and T2DN, we treated db/db mice at the pre-diabetic or established diabetic stage with a pharmacological Smad3 inhibitor SIS3. The therapeutic effect and mechanisms of anti-Smad3 treatment on T2D and T2DN were investigated.

Btg2 Promotes Focal Segmental Glomerulosclerosis via Smad3-Dependent Podocyte-Mesenchymal Transition.

Podocyte injury plays a critical role in the progression of focal segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Here, it is reported that B-cell translocation gene 2 (Btg2) promotes Adriamycin (ADR)-induced FSGS via Smad3-dependent podocyte-mesenchymal transition. It is found that in FSGS patients and animal models, Btg2 is markedly upregulated by podocytes and correlated with progressive renal injury.

Smad3 Mediates Diabetic Dyslipidemia and Fatty Liver in db/db Mice by Targeting PPARδ.

Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/Smad3 signaling has been shown to play important roles in fibrotic and inflammatory diseases. However, the role of Smad3 in dyslipidemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in type 2 diabetes remains unclear, and whether targeting Smad3 has a therapeutic effect on these metabolic abnormalities remains unexplored. These topics were investigated in this study in Smad3 knockout (KO)- mice and by treating mice with a Smad3-specific inhibitor SIS3.

Estrogen receptor β attenuates renal fibrosis by suppressing the transcriptional activity of Smad3.

Renal fibrosis (RF) is a common pathway leading to chronic kidney disease (CKD), which lacks effective treatment. While estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) is known to be present in the kidney, its role in RF remains unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the role and underlying mechanism of ERβ during RF progression in patients and animal models with CKD.

Mesenchymal stem cells transplantation combined with IronQ attenuates ICH-induced inflammation response via Mincle/syk signaling pathway.

Background: Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is a severe brain-injured disease accompanied by cerebral edema, inflammation, and subsequent neurological deficits. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) transplantation has been used as a neuroprotective therapy in nervous system diseases because of its anti-inflammatory effect. Nevertheless, the biological characteristics of transplanted MSCs, including the survival rate, viability, and effectiveness, are restricted because of the severe inflammatory response after ICH.

Mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles/exosome: A promising therapeutic strategy for intracerebral hemorrhage.

Intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) is the second largest type of stroke with high mortality and morbidity. The vast majority of survivors suffer from serious neurological defects. Despite the well-established etiology and diagnose, there is still some controversy over the ideal treatment strategy.

Changes in Nutritional Status of Cancer Patients Undergoing Proton Radiation Therapy Based on Real-World Data.

Methods: Observational study on 47 adult hospitalized cancer patients including 27 males and 20 females who received proton beam radiotherapy during December 2021 and August 2022. Nutritional assessments, 24 h dietary survey, handgrip strength (HGS) test, anthropometrical measurements, and hematological parameters were conducted or collected at the beginning and the completion of treatment.

Results: The rate of nutritional risk and malnutrition among the total of 47 enrolled patients was 4.

Calycosin pretreatment enhanced the therapeutic efficacy of mesenchymal stem cells to alleviate unilateral ureteral obstruction-induced renal fibrosis by inhibiting necroptosis.

Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) show antifibrotic activity in various chronic kidney diseases. Here, we aimed to investigate whether Calycosin (CA), a phytoestrogen, could enhance the antifibrotic activity of MSCs in primary tubular epithelial cells (PTECs) induced by TGF-β1 and in a mouse model of unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). We found that MSCs treatment significantly inhibited fibrosis, and CA pretreatment enhanced the effects of MSCs on fibrosis in vitro.

Risk factors for stroke in a population of central China: A cross-sectional study.

The incidence and mortality rates of stroke in China are higher than the world average, seriously endangering the public's health and quality of life. It is important to predict the incidence of stroke, identify the high-risk factors in the region, and raise the risk awareness of high-risk groups. This study sought to investigate and analyze the distribution of stroke population and the main risk factors for stroke occurrence in a Chinese population, and to predict the probability of stroke occurrence in high-risk groups with risk factors, so as to provide a scientific basis for the comprehensive prevention and treatment of stroke.