Objective:To analyze the changes of fasting plasma glucose(FPG)level before and after menopause.Methods:Kailuan health checkup cohort was used to extract data of women aged≥18 years who participated in the first physical examination of Kailuan physical examination cohort and had menopausal age at the end of the seventh physical examination. A total of 3 749 women with 22 057 physical examination records were included in the analysis. Natural logarithmic transformation was applied to FPG, and a segmented linear mixed-effects model was used to analyze the changes in ln-transformed FPG before and after menopause. Additionally, an interaction analysis was performed to assess the multiplicative effect of baseline age and baseline body mass index(BMI)on ln-transformed FPG concerning pre- and post-menopausal periods.Results:The average age of the first physical examination for women in this study was (45.63±4.52)years, the median menopausal age was 51(50~53)years, and the median number of physical examinations was 6(5~7)times. The results of the piecewise linear mixed effect model showed that lnFPG increased from 1 year before menopause, with an average annual increase of 0.021 mmol/L, and continued to increase from menopause to 5 years after menopause, with an average annual increase of 0.007 mmol/L. LnFPG tended to be stable after 5 years of menopause. Baseline age could affect the changes of lnFPG before and after menopause, and there was a negative multiplicative interaction between baseline age ≥45 years and the time period from 6 years to 1 year before menopause( P=0.032). Women with baseline age ≥45 years had a higher average annual increase in lnFPG from 1 year before menopause to 5 years after menopause than women with baseline age <45 years( P<0.05). On lnFPG, there was a positive multiplicative interaction between baseline BMI and time segments around menopause. Compared to women with BMI <24.0 kg/m 2, obese women displayed more annual increase in lnFPG from 6 years to 1 year before menopause as well as from menopause to 5 years after menopause( P<0.05). Conclusions:Menopause has an adverse impact on FPG, with the most significant changes occurring within the period of one year before menopause and up to five years after menopause. Age and BMI significantly influence the changes in FPG before and after menopause.

Objective:To analyze the level of interleukin-36(IL-36) family cytokines in peripheral blood, and explore the regulatory role of recombinant human IL-36α in monocyte function in patients with diabetic kidney disease(DKD).Methods:A total of 41 type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM) patients, 36 DKD patients, and 20 controls were consecutively enrolled. Plasma and peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs) were isolated. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure plasma levels of IL-36α, IL-36β, IL-36γ, and IL-36 receptor antagonist(IL-36Ra). PBMCs were sorted, and real-time quantitative PCR was performed to detect the mRNA expression of IL-36 receptor subunits in monocytes. Monocytes were stimulated with recombinant IL-36α, and levels of cytotoxic molecules and cytokines in the culture supernatant were measured. Flow cytometry was used to assess the expressions of programmed death receptor-1(PD-1) and cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4(CTLA-4). Co-culture of monocytes with Vero cells was performed to evaluate monocyte cytotoxicity.Results:Plasma levels of IL-36α and IL-36β in the T2DM and DKD groups were significantly higher than those in the control group. The DKD group also showed higher plasma levels of IL-36α compared to the T2DM group( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in IL-36γ and IL-36Ra levels among the three groups( P>0.05). The mRNA expression of IL-36 receptor subunits in monocytes was comparable among the three groups( P>0.05). The DKD group had higher level of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) compared to the control and T2DM groups( P<0.05). The levels of PD-1 and CTLA-4 were lower in the DKD group than those in the control and T2DM groups( P<0.05). The proportion of monocyte-induced Vero cell death was significantly higher in the DKD group compared to the control and T2DM groups( P<0.05). After stimulation with recombinant human IL-36α, monocytes from DKD patients showed a significant increase in the secretion of granzyme B and TNF-α( P<0.05), as well as an increased proportion of monocyte-induced Vero cell death( P=0.024). Conclusion:In DKD patients, elevated IL-36α and granzyme B levels in monocytes enhance monocyte function.

Objective:To investigate the alteration in iodine nutritional status and influence on thyroid function in the elderly aged≥65 years following water source modification in high iodine areas.Methods:Data from Yaoji Town, Xuzhou, Jiangsu(an area with high iodine due to water sources) of the national epidemiological survey on thyroid diseases, iodine nutrition, and diabetes(TIDE study) in 31 provinces and cities in China from 2015 to 2017 were utilized. Additionally, data from the screening, monitoring, and intervention on thyroid diseases(TOPS study) in the elderly(≥65 years) in Shunhe Town, Suqian, Jiangsu(an area with iodine levels exceeding the recommended amount), and Yaoji Town, Xuzhou from May to August 2021, are included. Each subject completed a questionnaire, physical examination, laboratory tests and thyroid ultrasound examinations. A total of 2 717 subjects aged≥65 years were included, including group 1, 258 subjects in TIDE study; Group 2, 1 313 subjects in TOPS Xuzhou area; Group 3, 1 146 subjects in TOPS Suqian area.Results:The urinary iodine concentration(UIC) in group 2 was significantly lower than that in group 1 [(235.16±67.09)μg/L vs (491.58±384.93)μg/L, P<0.001], but no significant difference compared with group 3 [(235.16±67.09) μg/L vs(231.62±66.11) μg/L, P>0.05]. The serum TSH level in group 2 was significantly lower than that in group 1 [(2.92±5.14)μIU/mL vs (4.15±9.19)μIU/mL, P<0.001]. Compared with group 2 and 3, the prevalence of subclinical hypothyroidism in the elderly in group 1 was the highest(22.48% vs 10.13% and 8.12%, P<0.001). TSH levels were linearly correlated with age in both excessive iodine and more than adequate iodine nutrition areas. TSH level was gradually increased with age. Conclusion:The alteration in TSH levels among the elderly is notably linked to both aging and iodine status. The prevalence of hypothyroidism in the elderly can be significantly reduced when the iodine nutrition status of the elderly returns to normal.

Objective:To investigate whether long non-coding RNA(lncRNA) AW112010 can improve insulin resistance in aging adipocytes through the miR-204/POU2F2 signaling pathway.Methods:In vivo experiment: C57BL/6 mice were divided into young control group(4 months old) and aging model group(18 months old) based on body weight. The expression levels of AW112010, miR-204-5p, POU2F2, aging related indicators(p16, p21), and insulin signaling pathway genes [insulin receptor(INSR), insulin receptor substrate 1(IRS1), phosphatidylinositol kinase(PI3K), protein kinase B(AKT)] in epididymal adipose tissue were detected using real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR) and Western blotting. In vitro experiment: Using adriamycin(ADR) to induce 3T3-L1 aging adipocyte model, β-gal staining was used to observe cellular senescence, and miR-204 inhibitor and miR-204 mimic small interfering RNA were successfully constructed and transfected into 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Results:RT-qPCR and Western blot results showed that compared with the young group, the expression of AW112010 in the adipose tissue of aging mice was increased, while the expression of miR-204-5p was decreased. The expressions of POU2F2, p16, and p21 in the adipose tissue of aging mice were increased, while the expressions of INSR, IRS1, PI3K, GLUT4 mRNA and protein were decreased. The β-gal stainging results showed that the number of 3T3-L1 senescent adipocytes induced by ADR was significantly increased, and the expression levels of AW112010, POU2F2, p16, and p21 in ADR-induced senescent adipocytes were increased compared with the control group, while the expression levels of miR-204-5p, INSR, IRS1, PI3K, GLUT4 were decreased, and remaining glucose in the culture medium was increased. Compared with control, overexpression of miR-204 resulted in decreased expressions of aging indicators p16, p21, and target gene POU2F2 while the expressions of INSR and GLUT4 were increased.Conclusion:Upregulation of lncRNA AW112010 in adipocytes of aging mice may induce insulin resistance by targeting miR-204-5p/POU2F2/IRS1.

Objective:To investigate the effect of total saponins of Panax japonicus(TSPJ) on ferroptosis of myocardial cells in diabetic cardiomyopathy(DCM) rats and underlying mechanism.Methods:Experiment 1: SD rats were divided into control group, DCM group, low-dose TSPJ group, high-dose TSPJ group, and metformin(Met) group, with 10 rats in each group. Experiment 2: SD rats were divided into control group, DCM group, TSPJ group, adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase(AMPK) inhibitor Compound C group, and TSPJ+ AMPK agonist AICAR group, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the control group, all rats were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin to construct a DCM model. After 8 weeks of corresponding drug intervention, the body weight as well as glucose and lipid metabolism of rats in each experimental group were assessed, and the cardiac function indicators were detected with echocardiography. The levels of serum lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), cardiac troponin I(cTnI) and creatine kinase isoenzyme MB(CK-MB) were detected by ELISA technique. The pathological changes of myocardial tissue were observed using hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining. The levels of dismutase(SOD), glutathione(GSH), malondialdehyde(MDA), reactive oxygen species(ROS) and Fe 2+ in myocardial tissue were detected. Western blot was used to detect ferroptosis, ferritinophagy, and the AMPK/mammalian target of rapamycin/UNC-51-like kinase 1(mTOR/ULK1) signaling pathway related proteins expression in myocardial tissue. Results:Compared with control group, left ventricular ejection fraction(EF), left ventricular short axis shortening rate(FS), peak blood velocity ratio(E/A) between early and late diastolic periods were significantly decreased in DCM group, left ventricular inner diameter(LVEDd) was increased, and the serum LDH, cTnI, CK-MB were increased, the levels of SOD, GSH were decreased, MDA, ROS, Fe 2+ were increased in myocardial tissue, the expressions of TFR1, NCOA4 LC3-II/LC3-I, Beclin-1, phosphorylated AMPK and phosphorylated ULK1 were increased, the expressions of GPX4, SLC7A11 and phosphorylated mTOR were decreased. Compared with DCM group, the above indicators of rats were significantly improved in each treatment group. Compared with the TSPJ group, the AMPK agonist AICAR reversed the effects of TSPJ on ferroptosis and ferritinophagy mediated by the AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 pathway in DCM rat cardiomyocytes. Conclusion:TSPJ can inhibit ferroptosis in DCM rat cardiomyocytes and improve myocardial injury by regulating AMPK/mTOR/ULK1 mediated ferritinophagy.

This article reports a patient with typical Cushing syndrome′s manifestations and extremely low plasma cortisol level, indicating glucocorticoid hypersensitivity syndrome. After treatment with the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist mifepristone, the patient′s Cushing symptoms were significantly relieved, and cortisol levels returned to normal. The aim of this report is to enhance clinical awareness among physicians regarding glucocorticoid hypersensitivity syndrome.

This article reports the diagnosis and treatment of a case of acromegaly in a pregnant patient who took bromocriptine during pregnancy and delivered successfully. A retrospective summary of the clinical data and treatment outcomes before and after two pregnancies of the patient is provided. The patient took bromocriptine during the second pregnancy, and her condition remained stable. A baby girl was delivered by caesarean section at full term. The article suggests that pregnancy in acromegaly patients, after the stabilization of the condition, can lead to favorable outcomes. The use of dopamine receptor agonists during pregnancy does not increase adverse events during the perinatal period.

As cell aggregates in three-dimensional culture derived from primary tissues or stem cells, organoids possess the ability to self-organize into organotypic structures, mimic the cellular microenvironment, and represent tissue physiology. The thyroid′s follicular tissue plays a crucial role in thyroid hormone biosynthesis. Despite prolonged in vitro expansion of thyroid follicles from adult tissues and pluripotent stem cells have been expanded for a long time, the development of thyroid organoid technology still encounters numerous challenges. Establishing a comprehensive thyroid organoid that closely mimics the human body′s actual conditions remains a research challenge. This article reviews the development process of thyroid, the related applications of existing thyroid organoid models and the methods employed in the construction.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between fat distribution and the composite indices of femoral neck strength in obese postmenopausal women.Methods:A total of 293 postmenopausal women with non-low body weight were selected, laboratory tests, body composition analyzer test and double-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan were performed. Based on the body mass index(BMI), they were divided into three groups, the normal BMI group(18.5 kg/m 2≤BMI<24.0 kg/m 2, n=91), the overweight group(24.0 kg/m 2≤BMI<28.0 kg/m 2, n=115), and the obese group(BMI≥28.0 kg/m 2, n=87). The measurement results were analyzed. Results:In the obese group, bone mineral density(BMD) of all sites was higher than that in the normal BMI group and overweight group( P<0.005), compression strength index(CSI), bending strength index(BSI), and impact strength index(ISI) were significantly lower than those in the normal BMI group( P<0.001, P=0.008, P=0.001). In the obese group, waist circumference, waist-hip ratio, total fat mass, appendicular fat mass, and trunk fat mass were risk factors for CSI, BSI and ISI independent of age, fasting blood glucose, and BMI( P<0.05). Visceral fat grade and Chinese visceral adiposity fat index were the risk factors for CSI, BSI, and ISI( P<0.05). Conclusion:The composite indices of femoral neck strength decreased in obese postmenopausal women, and both subcutaneous fat and visceral fat were negatively associated with the composite indices of femoral neck strength.

Objective:To explore the association of hemoglobin(HGB) levels with bone mineral density(BMD) and osteoporosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted in 364 patients with T2DM who were hospitalized in the Department of Endocrinology and Geriatrics of the Affiliated Huaian No. 1 People′s Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from September 2019 to September 2020. Participants were stratified into tertiles(lower, middle, and upper) according to femoral BMD determined by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Demographic characteristics, medical history, chronic diabetes complications, and comorbid conditions were compared among the 3 groups. The association between hemoglobin levels and BMD/osteoporosis was examined using multivariable logistic regression analyses. Interaction and stratified analyses were conducted according to age, body mass index(BMI), duration of diabetes, estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR), glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA 1C), total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C) and uric acid(UA). Results:After adjusting for age, BMI, and duration of diabetes, there were no significant differences observed in the association between hemoglobin levels and BMD or osteoporosis among postmenopausal women with T2DM(all P>0.05). After adjusting for age, BMI, duration of diabetes, and eGFR, men aged≥50 years with hemoglobin≥130 g/L showed a positive association between hemoglobin level and femoral neck BMD compared to those with hemoglobin<130 g/L( β=0.057, 95% CI 0.014-0.100, P=0.011). However, no significant associations were observed between hemoglobin level and BMDs at the total hip or lumbar spine(L1-L4), nor the risk of osteoporosis(all P>0.05). Stratified analyses revealed no significant differences in the subgroups classified based on age, BMI, diabetes duration, eGFR, HbA 1C, TC, TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, and UA(all interaction P>0.05). Conclusion:In males aged 50 and above with T2DM, elevated hemoglobin levels may be a protective factor for femoral neck bone density.