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Background: CD24+CK19+/CD24+SOX9+ resident liver cells are activated and expanded after chronic liver injury in a ductular reaction. However, the sources and functions of these cells in liver damage remain disputed. Results: The current study combined genetic lineage tracing with in vitro small-molecule-based reprogramming to define liver progenitor cells (LPCs) derived from hepatic parenchymal and non-parenchymal tissues. tdTom+ hepatocytes were isolated from ROSA26tdTomato mice following AAV8-Tbg-Cre-mediated recombination, EpCAM+ biliary epithelial cells (BECs) from wild-type intrahepatic bile ducts and ALB/GFP−EpCAM− cells were isolated from AlbCreERT/R26GFP mice. A cocktail of small molecules was used to convert the isolated cells into LPCs. These in vitro cultured LPCs with CD24 and SOX9 expression regained the ability to proliferate. Transcriptional profiling showed that the in-vitro cultured LPCs derived from the resident LPCs in non-parenchymal tissues expressed Lipocalin-2 (Lcn2) at high levels. Accordingly, endogenous Cd24a+Lcn2+ LPCs were identified by integration of sc-RNA-sequencing and pathological datasets of liver dysfunction which indicates that LPCs produced by ductular reactions might also originate from the resident LPCs. Transplantation of in-vitro cultured Cd24a+Lcn2+ LPCs into CCl4-induced fibrotic livers exacerbated liver damage and dysfunction, possibly due to LCN2-dependent macrophage inflammatory response. Conclusions: CD24+LCN2+ LPCs constituted the expanding ductular reaction and contributed to macrophage-mediated inflammation in chronic liver damage. The current findings highlight the roles of LPCs from distinct origins and expose the possibility of targeting LPCs in the treatment of chronic hepatic diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background We investigated risk factors for decreased lung function among Chinese island residents (≥30 years) to determine the relationship between metabolic syndrome (MS) and decreased lung function. Methods From October 17, 2011 to November 1, 2011, 2607 residents aged ≥30 years who lived on the Huangqi Peninsula of Fujian were enlisted by random cluster sampling. They completed a questionnaire designed according to the Burden of Obstructive Lung Disease (BOLD) questionnaire, and underwent physical examination, blood test, and lung function evaluation. We constructed spirometric prediction equations for forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), determined the lower limits of normal for FVC, FEV1 and FEV1/FVC, and examined the relationship between lung function and MS. Results Prediction equations for normal island residents were as follows: FVC (L) = −0.023 × age (years) + 0.042 × height (cm) + 0.641 × weight (kg) - 3.607 (males);, FVC (L) = −0.017 × age (years) + 0.030 × height (cm) + 0.009 × weight (kg) - 1.741 (females);, FEV1 (L) = −0.023 × age (years) + 0.040 × height (cm) + 0.010 × weight (kg) - 2.999 (males);, FEV1 (L) = −0.017 × age (years) + 0.026 × height (cm) + 0.007 × weight (kg) −1.135 (females)., The odds ratio for MS for increased risk of decreased FVC was 4.623 (95%CI =3.626-5.894, P<0.001), and for increased risk of decreased FEV1 was 3.043 (95%CI =2.447-3.785, P<0.001). Conclusions MS is a risk factor for decreased lung function in island residents ≥30 years old. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the application value of ultrasound technology in transurethral enucleation and resection of the prostate (TUERP)., Methods: This study included 78 BPH patients admitted in our hospital from June 2021 to June 2023, aged 70.68±8.63 years and with the indication of surgery. We randomly divided them into two groups to receive TUERP (the control group, n = 39) and ultrasound-assisted TUERP (the US-TUERP group, n = 39). We statistically analyzed and compared the relevant parameters obtained before and after operation between the two groups., Results: No statistically significant differences were observed in the operation time and bladder irrigation time between the two groups (P > 0.05). More glandular tissues were removed but less intraoperative bleeding and fewer perioperative complications occurred in the US-TUERP group than in the control. Compared with the baseline, IPSS, postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), quality of life score (QOL) and maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) were significantly improved in both groups at 1 and 3 months after surgery, even more significantly in the US-TUERP than in the control group (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: US-TUERP helps achieve complete resection of the hyperplastic prostatic tissue along the surgical capsule at the anatomical level, with a higher safety, fewer perioperative complications, and better therapeutic effects.

Myelin is a highly specialized membrane structure, wrapping around the axons. It is essential for the protection of axons, insulation and maintenance of the saltatory conduction of the action potential. Myelin membrane is rich in lipids, however, the lipid composition varies significantly from other biological membranes. Since myelination requires extraordinarily high level of lipid synthesis, the integrity of myelin is susceptible to numerous lipid metabolism disorders. Studies on transgenic mice targeting key molecules of various lipid biosynthesis pathways have elucidated the lipid metabolism and functions of myelin. Besides, myelinating glial cells have a remarkable capacity to take up extracellular lipids, which also contributes to myelination. Therefore, understanding the metabolism and functions of myelin lipids will help us to understand the role of lipids in myelin damage-related diseases and provide novel strategies for the treatment of demyelinating diseases. In this paper, some progresses in metabolism and functions of myelin lipids are reviewed.