This study established the mouse podocyte clone-5 (MPC5) with Smad3 knockout and studied the effect of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) on the dedifferentiation of the MPC5 cells with Smad3 knockout, aiming to provide a cell tool for studying the role of Smad3 in mouse podocytes. The single-guide RNA (sgRNA) sequence targeting Smad3 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. The successfully transfected cells were sorted by a flow cytometer. After single-cell clone expansion, PCR amplification of sequences adjacent to the edition site of Smad3 and sequencing were performed to identify potential cells with gene knockout. Western blotting was employed to verify the knockout efficiency of Smad3. Finally, the effect of Smad3 knockout on TGF-β1-induced dedifferentiation of MPC5 cells was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reacting (RT-PCR), Western blotting, and the immunofluorescence method. The sgRNA was designed to target the fifth exon of Smad3. EGFP expression was observed 24 h after transfection of the pX458-Smad3 plasmid into MPC5 cells, with the transfection efficiency of 0.1% as determined by flow cytometry. From the transfected cells, 21 cell clones were obtained through flow cytometric sorting and single-cell clone expansion. PCR amplification and sequencing of the region around the sgRNA target site in Smad3 identified two cell clones with biallelic frameshift mutations. Western blotting results confirmed the absence of Smad3 expression in these clones, indicating successful establishment of the MPC5 cell line with Smad3 knockout. In normal MPC5 cells, TGF-β1 stimulation promoted the expression of fibrosis-related genes fibronectin and Col1a1 (collagen I) and inhibited the expression of the podocyte marker proteins synaptopodin and podocin, which suggested epithelial-mesenchymal transition and podocyte injury. However, in the two MPC5 cell lines with Smad3 knockout, TGF-β1-induced expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition markers was significantly suppressed. The MPC5 cell lines with Smad3 knockout that were constructed by CRISPR/Cas9 provide a valuable cell model for functional studies of Smad3 protein and highlight the critical role of Smad3 in cell dedifferentiation.
Animals ; Smad3 Protein/genetics* ; CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics* ; Mice ; Podocytes/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/pharmacology* ; Cell Line ; Gene Knockout Techniques ; RNA, Guide, CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics*

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effect and underlying mechanism of Qishishenshu Capsule on renal fibrosis in mice with early diabetic nephropathy(DN).Methods A DN mouse model was established by multiple injections of streptozotocin.The mice were randomly divided into a normal group(NC),model group(DN),and Qishi group(QS)(0.9 g/(kg·d)),with eight mice in each group.Mice were gavaged continuously for 4 weeks,and fasting blood glucose(FBG)was measured weekly.Four weeks later,urinary albumin/creatinine(UACR),serum creatinine,and blood urea nitrogen were measured.Hematoxylin-eosin,periodicacid-Schiff,and Sirius red staining were used to analyze renal pathological changes.Real-time fluorescence quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA levels of fibronectin(FN),collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1(Col1a1),and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA).Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were performed to detect FN,collagen type Ⅰ(Collagen Ⅰ),collagen typeⅢ(Collagen Ⅲ),α-SMA,Podocin,Nephrin,and transforming growth factor-β1/SMAD family member2/3(TGF-β1/Smad2/3)pathway-related proteins.Results Compared with mice in the NC group,those in the DN group showed significantly higher levels of FBG and UACR(P＜0.001),and mesangial hyperplasia,basement membrane thickening,and collagen deposition in the renal tissue.The mRNA levels of FN,Col1a1,and α-SMA were increased(P＜0.05).Protein levels of Podocin and Nephrin were decreased(P＜0.05).The levels of FN,Collagen I,Collagen Ⅲ,α-SMA,and TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway proteins were increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the DN group,the QS group's level of UACR was decreased(P＜0.05),their renal pathological injury was alleviated,and mRNA levels of FN,Collagen Ⅰ,andα-SMA were attenuated(P＜0.05);whereas their protein levels of Podocin and Nephrin were elevated(P＜0.05).The levels of FN,Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ,α-SMA,and TGF-β1/Smad2/3 pathway proteins were also decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusions Qishishenshu Capsule improved renal fibrosis in DN mice,probably through the inhibition of the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between complement C3 and urine protein level and proteinuria remission status in patients with primary membranous nephropathy (PMN), and better guide individualized clinical treatment.Methods:It was a single-center retrospective study. The clinical data of PMN patients who underwent renal biopsy in the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2017 to June 2022 were collected. Patients with 24 h urinary protein ≥ 3.5 g were followed up after receiving standard treatment, and the last outpatient or inpatient review was used as the end point of follow-up. 24 h urine protein was collected to evaluate the remission status of proteinuria. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the correlation between serum and renal complements and proteinuria remission. Cox regression analysis method was used to analyze the correlation between serum C3 level and renal tissue C3 deposition and proteinuria remission.Results:This study included 507 PMN patients with 312 (61.54%) males, aged 54 (43, 64) years old. Compared with 24 h urinary protein < 3.5 g group, proportion of males ( χ2=22.479, P<0.001), age ( Z=-2.521, P=0.012), systolic blood pressure ( Z=-4.148, P<0.001), diastolic blood pressure ( Z=-4.084, P<0.001), serum anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibody titer ( Z=-7.019, P<0.001), total cholesterol ( Z=-8.796, P<0.001), triglyceride ( Z=-6.158, P<0.001), low density lipoprotein cholesterol ( Z=-8.716, P<0.001), serum creatinine ( Z=-7.368, P<0.001), serum C3 ( Z=-3.663, P<0.001), serum C4 ( Z=-6.560, P<0.001), proportion of glucocorticoid use ( χ2=116.417, P<0.001) and proportion of immunosuppressant use ( χ2=53.839, P<0.001) were all higher, while serum albumin ( Z=12.518, P<0.001), estimated glomerular filtration rate ( Z=6.345, P<0.001) and serum IgG ( Z=7.321, P<0.001) were all lower in 24 h urinary protein ≥3.5 g group. There were 268 patients included in the follow-up cohort with baseline 24 h urinary protein of 7.15 (5.14, 10.24) g, serum anti-PLA2R antibody titer of 61.44 (14.35, 193.24) RU/ml, serum C3 of 1.005 (0.864, 1.150) g/L, and serum C4 of 0.260 (0.214, 0.317) g/L. Kaplan-Meier survival curve showed that the incomplete remission rate of proteinuria in serum C3 > 1.005 g/L group was lower than that in serum C3 ≤ 1.005 g/L group (log-rank χ2=4.757, P=0.029). There was no significant difference in the incomplete remission rate of proteinuria between serum C4 ≤ 0.260 g/L group and serum C4 > 0.260 g/L group (log-rank χ2=3.543, P=0.060). Renal C1q (log-rank χ2=0.167, P=0.683) and C4 (log-rank χ2=1.927, P=0.165) deposition had no significant effects on proteinuria remission in PMN patients. The incomplete remission rate of proteinuria in patients with renal C3 deposition was higher than that in patients without renal C3 deposition (log-rank χ2=7.018, P=0.008). Univariate Cox regression analysis showed that serum C3 level and C3 deposition in renal tissues were influencing factors of incomplete remission of proteinuria (both P<0.05), while adjusting for gender, age, mean arterial pressure, serum anti-PLA2R antibody, serum albumin and 24 h urinary protein, serum C3 ≤ 1.005 g/L ( HR=1.374, 95% CI 1.021-1.849, P=0.036), C3 deposition in renal tissues ( HR=1.949, 95% CI 1.098-3.460, P=0.023), and serum C3 ≤ 1.005 g/L combined with C3 deposition in renal tissues ( HR=1.472, 95% CI 1.093-1.983, P=0.011) were independent influencing factors of incomplete remission of proteinuria. Conclusions:The serum C3 level and C3 deposition in renal tissues are closely related to urinary protein level and proteinuria remission status in PMN patients. The patients with higher urinary protein have higher serum C3. For patients with massive proteinuria, serum C3 ≤ 1.005 g/L, C3 deposition in renal tissues, serum C3 ≤ 1.005 g/L combined with C3 deposition in renal tissues are independent risk factors of incomplete remission of proteinuria.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of preemptive analgesia with ibuprofen on postoperative pain following single posterior tooth implantation, aiming to provide a clinical reference for its application.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel-group trial was conducted. A total of 82 participants were included in the trial, meeting the eligibility criteria from April 2022 to April 2024 at the Capital Medical University School of Stomatology (40 cases), Beijing TianTan Hospital, Capital Medical University (22 cases), Beijing Chao-Yang Hospital, Capital Medical University (20 cases). Participants were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio to either the ibuprofen group or the control group, with each group comprising 41 individuals. Participants in the ibuprofen group received 300 mg of sustained-release ibuprofen capsules orally 15 min before surgery, while the control group received a placebo. Both groups received the same postoperative analgesic regimen for 3 days. Pain scores were assessed using the numerical rating scale at 30 min, 4 h, 6 h, 8 h, 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h postoperatively, and the additional use of analgesic medication was recorded from days 4 to 6 postoperatively.Results:A total of 82 participants were initially enrolled in the study, with 7 dropouts (4 from the control group and 3 from the ibuprofen group), resulting in 75 participants (37 in the control group and 38 in the ibuprofen group) completing the trial. There were no reports of adverse events such as nausea or vomiting among the participants. The ibuprofen group exhibited significantly lower pain scores at 4 h, 6 h and 8 h [1.0 (0.0, 2.0), 1.0 (0.0, 2.0), 1.5 (0.0, 3.0) ] postoperatively compared to the control group 4 h, 6 h and 8 h [2.0 (1.0, 3.0), 3.0 (1.5, 4.0), 2.0 (1.0, 4.0)] ( Z=-1.99, P=0.047; Z=-3.01, P=0.003; Z=-2.10, P=0.036). The proportions of patients requiring additional analgesic medication between days 4 and 6 post-surgery were 18.4% (7/38) in the ibuprofen group and 27.0% (10/37) in the control group, with no significant difference (χ 2=0.79, P=0.373). The median additional medication usage postoperatively was [0.0 (0.0, 0.0) pills] in the ibuprofen group and [0.0 (0.0, 1.0) pills] in the control group, with no significant difference ( Z=-0.78, P=0.439). Conclusions:Preemptive analgesia with ibuprofen effectively reduces postoperative pain following tooth implantation, representing a safe and effective perioperative pain management strategy.

Objective To investigate the correlation between serum Angiopoietin-like protein 4(ANGPTL4)and soluble bone marrow cell-like transcription factor-1(sTLT-1)levels and cognitive function and prognosis in elderly patients with vascular dementia(VD).Methods A total of 92 elderly patients with vascular dementia admitted to Hebei Yanda Hospital from June 2020 to June 2022 were selected as the study group.They were divided into mild(n=30),moderate(n=36)and severe groups(n=26)according to the minimum mental state examination(MMSE)score,and 92 patients with healthy physical examination during the same period were selected as the control group.According to the prognosis of patients,the cognitive dysfunction was divided into grade Ⅰ～Ⅱ and grade Ⅲ.ELISA method was used to detect the levels of serum ANGPTL4 and sTLT-1.Pearson and Spearman methods were used to analyze the correlation between serum ANGPTL4 and sTLT-1 and MOCA scores.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of the prognostic grade Ⅲ of elderly patients with vascular dementia.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was plotted to analyze the predictive value of serum ANGPTL4 and sTLT-1 levels in the prognostic grade Ⅲ in elderly patients with vascular dementia.Results The serum ANGPTL4 level(987.57±53.25 pg/ml)in the study group was lower than that in the control group(1 108.35±62.13 pg/ml),and the serum sTLT-1(68.01±5.15 pg/ml)level was higher than that in the control group(50.12±4.57 pg/ml),with significant differences(t=14.158,24.922,all P＜0.05).Serum ANGPTL4 levels and MOCA scores were decreased sequentially in the mild,moderate and severe groups(F=33.495,66.617),while serum sTLT-1 level was increased sequentially(F=66.718),and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05),respective.Pearson analysis showed that serum ANGPTL4 was negatively correlated with sTLT-1(r=-0.621,P＜0.05).Spearman analysis showed serum levels of ANGPTL4 and sTLT-1 were positively and negatively correlated with MoCA scores,respectively(r=0.545,-0.557,all P＜0.05).The serum ANGPTL4 level(953.45±51.16 pg/ml)in the prognostic patients of grade Ⅲ was lower than that of grade Ⅰ～Ⅱ(1 005.76±54.27 pg/ml),and the serum level of sTLT-1(73.14±5.40 pg/ml)was higher than that of grade Ⅰ～Ⅱ(65.28±5.02 pg/ml),with significant differences(t=4.490,6.967,all P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed low expression of ANGPTL4[OR(95％CI):5.089(1.833～14.129)]and high expression of sTLT-1[OR(95％CI):4.258(1.739～10.428)]were risk factors affecting the prognosis of elderly patients with vascular dementia(P＜0.05).According to the ROC curve,the combined prediction of two for the grade Ⅲ prognosis of elderly vascular dementia patients was better than the individual prediction of ANGPTL4 and sTLT-1(Z=2.135,3.268,all P＜0.05).Conclusion Serum ANGPTL4 level was decreased but sTLT-1 level was increased in elderly patients with vascular dementia,and ANGPTL4 and sTLT-1 were closely related to cognitive function and prognosis.

Objective To analyze the expression levels of serum microRNA(miR)-211 and miR-202 in patients with Alzheimer's disease and their correlation with cognitive function,anxiety and depression.Methods A total of 90 patients with Alzheimer's disease admitted to Hebei Yanda Hospital from March 2019 to March 2022 were selected as the research group.According to the Clinical Dementia Rating(CDR)score,the patients were grouped into mild group(n=24),moderate group(n=48)and severe group(n=18).Another 90 healthy individuals who underwent physical examination were collected as the control group.The expression levels of miR-211 and miR-202 in serum were compared.Pearson method and Spearman method were used to analyze serum miR-211 and miR-202 and their correlation with cognitive function,anxiety and depression.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the influencing factors of Alzheimer's disease.Results The expression levels of serum miR-211(0.59±0.16,1.01±0.31)and miR-202(0.35±0.10,1.00±0.32)were significantly reduced in the research group and control group,with significant differences(t=11.422,18.393,all P<0.05).Serum miR-211(0.73±0.21,0.62±0.17,0.32±0.08)expression levels,miR-202(0.51±0.15,0.33±0.10,0.19±0.04)expression levels,mini-mental state examination(MMSE)score(22.54±1.41 score,19.35±1.01 score,16.23±1.00 score)and Montreal cognitive assessment(MoCA)score(25.35±2.60 score,18.59±1.32 score,16.59±1.24 score)in the mild,moderate and severe groups gradually decreased,and the differences were statistically significant(F=32.006,46.917,163.048,163.703,all P<0.05).Compared with mild group,the serum miR-211,miR-202,MMSE and MoCA scores of severe group and moderate group were reduced,and the differences were statistically significant(t=3.685～25.375,all P<0.05).The mild,moderate and severe groups had a gradual increase in Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA)score(12.34±1.27 score,20.59±2.09 score and 31.29±2.19 score)and Hamilton depression scale(HAMD)score(14.35±2.13 score,23.89±2.20 score and 35.35±1.21 score),and the differences were statistically significant(F=496.059,553.939,all P<0.05).According to Pearson correlation analysis,miR-211 was positively correlated with miR-202(r=0.651,P<0.05).According to Spearman correlation analysis,miR-211 and miR-202 were positively correlated with MMSE and MoCA(r=0.539～0.585,all P<0.05)and negatively correlated with HAMA and HAMD(r=-0.651～-0.539,all P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that the low expression of miR-211[OR(95%CI):5.321(1.648～17.180)]and miR-202[OR(95%CI):3.158(1.989～5.012)]were risk factors for Alzheimer's disease(P<0.05).Conclusion The serum expression levels of miR-211 and miR-202 in patients with Alzheimer's disease were reduced,indicating miR-211 and miR-202 were closely related to cognitive function,anxiety and depression.

Objective Establish a standardized evaluation system for medical faults,and provide theoretical basis for medical institutions and related industries to evaluate the illegality of medical behaviors.Methods Based on a litera-ture review,the medical fault assessment system was initially constructed,and then a research group was estab-lished to use Delphi method to invite 31 experts to evaluate the importance and feasibility of each article of the medi-cal fault assessment system and put forward suggestions for modification.Results The effective recovery rates of the two rounds of expert consultation were 83.9％and 96.8％,the expert authority coefficient was 0.902 and 0.887,and the Kendall's W test of all levels differences were statistically significant(P＜0.001).The medical fault assess-ment system finally constructed includes 5 first-level items including practicing medicine according to law,informed notification,diagnosis and treatment technology,medical record documents and hospital management,as well as 10 second-level items,20 third-level items and 47 fourth-level items.The mean values of importance and feasibili-ty scores of all articles were greater than 4,standard deviations were less than 1,and coefficients of variation were less than 0.2.Conclusion The medical fault standardized evaluation system is scientific,reliable,innovative and appli-cable.

Objective Establish a standardized evaluation system for medical faults,and provide theoretical basis for medical institutions and related industries to evaluate the illegality of medical behaviors.Methods Based on a litera-ture review,the medical fault assessment system was initially constructed,and then a research group was estab-lished to use Delphi method to invite 31 experts to evaluate the importance and feasibility of each article of the medi-cal fault assessment system and put forward suggestions for modification.Results The effective recovery rates of the two rounds of expert consultation were 83.9％and 96.8％,the expert authority coefficient was 0.902 and 0.887,and the Kendall's W test of all levels differences were statistically significant(P＜0.001).The medical fault assess-ment system finally constructed includes 5 first-level items including practicing medicine according to law,informed notification,diagnosis and treatment technology,medical record documents and hospital management,as well as 10 second-level items,20 third-level items and 47 fourth-level items.The mean values of importance and feasibili-ty scores of all articles were greater than 4,standard deviations were less than 1,and coefficients of variation were less than 0.2.Conclusion The medical fault standardized evaluation system is scientific,reliable,innovative and appli-cable.

Objective Establish a standardized evaluation system for medical faults,and provide theoretical basis for medical institutions and related industries to evaluate the illegality of medical behaviors.Methods Based on a litera-ture review,the medical fault assessment system was initially constructed,and then a research group was estab-lished to use Delphi method to invite 31 experts to evaluate the importance and feasibility of each article of the medi-cal fault assessment system and put forward suggestions for modification.Results The effective recovery rates of the two rounds of expert consultation were 83.9％and 96.8％,the expert authority coefficient was 0.902 and 0.887,and the Kendall's W test of all levels differences were statistically significant(P＜0.001).The medical fault assess-ment system finally constructed includes 5 first-level items including practicing medicine according to law,informed notification,diagnosis and treatment technology,medical record documents and hospital management,as well as 10 second-level items,20 third-level items and 47 fourth-level items.The mean values of importance and feasibili-ty scores of all articles were greater than 4,standard deviations were less than 1,and coefficients of variation were less than 0.2.Conclusion The medical fault standardized evaluation system is scientific,reliable,innovative and appli-cable.

Objective Establish a standardized evaluation system for medical faults,and provide theoretical basis for medical institutions and related industries to evaluate the illegality of medical behaviors.Methods Based on a litera-ture review,the medical fault assessment system was initially constructed,and then a research group was estab-lished to use Delphi method to invite 31 experts to evaluate the importance and feasibility of each article of the medi-cal fault assessment system and put forward suggestions for modification.Results The effective recovery rates of the two rounds of expert consultation were 83.9％and 96.8％,the expert authority coefficient was 0.902 and 0.887,and the Kendall's W test of all levels differences were statistically significant(P＜0.001).The medical fault assess-ment system finally constructed includes 5 first-level items including practicing medicine according to law,informed notification,diagnosis and treatment technology,medical record documents and hospital management,as well as 10 second-level items,20 third-level items and 47 fourth-level items.The mean values of importance and feasibili-ty scores of all articles were greater than 4,standard deviations were less than 1,and coefficients of variation were less than 0.2.Conclusion The medical fault standardized evaluation system is scientific,reliable,innovative and appli-cable.