BACKGROUND:The mechanism of programmed death receptor-1(PD-1)effect on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in high glucose environment remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of PD-1 on osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in high glucose environment and its regulatory mechanism. METHODS:Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were randomly divided into normal glucose group(5.6 mmol/L),high glucose group(30 mmol/L),PD-1 overexpression group,PD-1 overexpression no-load group,PD-1 knockdown group,PD-1 knockdown no-load group,and PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor group(PD-1 knockdown+5 μmol/L LY294002).Rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were cultured in high glucose to simulate the diabetic environment in vitro.The mRNA expression of PD-1 and ligand PD-L1 and the mRNA expression of osteogenic markers Runx2 and OSX in rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were detected by qRT-PCR.The osteogenic differentiation ability was observed by alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining.Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 assay.The protein expressions of PD-1,PD-L1,p-PI3K,and p-AKT were detected by western blot assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The levels of PD-1 and PD-L1 were significantly increased in the high glucose environment in vitro,and the osteogenic differentiation ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was inhibited in the high glucose environment.(2)Knockdown of PD-1 expression could promote osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,increase cell proliferation activity,and activate the PI3K/AKT pathway.(3)After addition of PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitor LY294002,the ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into osteoblasts decreased.The results show that PD-1 is dependent on the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway to inhibit osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells under high glucose environment.

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of long COVID and to investigate its main influencing factors by examining individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2 between March and June 2022 in two communities in Shanghai, to lay the foundation for further research on the mechanism and clinical treatment of long COVID, and to provide the basis for the development of inexpensive, convenient, and feasible prevention and intervention strategies. MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted, enrolling 6 410 individuals infected with SARS-CoV-2. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey. The incidence and common symptoms of long COVID were analyzed, along with their associations with demographic characteristics, medical history, and behavioral factors. A logistic regression model was used to identify the major factors associated with the development of long COVID symptoms. ResultsThe overall incidence rate of long COVID among the study population was 13.9%. The most commonly reported symptoms included fatigue (65.1%), attention disorders (23.1%), and cough (16.9%). The analysis showed that having underlying chronic diseases (OR=2.580, 95%CI: 2.165‒3.074), a history of allergies (OR=1.418, 95%CI: 1.003‒1.971), current smoking (OR=1.461, 95%CI: 1.013‒2.079), ever smoking (OR=2.462, 95%CI: 1.687‒3.551), a greater number of symptoms during the acute phase [1 symptom (OR=1.778, 95%CI: 1.459‒2.162), 2 symptoms (OR=2.749, 95%CI: 2.209‒3.409), ≥3 symptoms (OR=7.792, 95%CI: 6.333‒9.593)] and aggravated symptoms during the acute phase (OR=1.082, 95%CI: 1.070‒1.094) were factors associated with a higher risk of developing long COVID symptoms. Additionally, individuals who had consumed alcohol in the past year (OR=1.914, 95%CI: 1.344‒2.684) were more prone to objective long COVID symptoms. Among individuals under 50 years of age, females (OR=1.427, 95%CI: 1.052‒1.943) were more likely to develop objective long COVID symptoms. ConclusionThis study has identified the diversity of long COVID symptoms, which involve multiple organs and systems, including fatigue, attention disorders, cough, and joint pain. It has also revealed associations between long COVID and various demographic factors (e.g., age, gender), personal medical history (e.g., underlying chronic diseases, history of allergies), acute-phase characteristics (e.g., number and severity of symptoms), and behavioral factors (e.g., smoking, alcohol consumption). These findings highlight the need for further research and ongoing surveillance of long COVID and may inform the development of more targeted health management strategies for specific populations.

Flavonoids, the key active compounds in Epimedii Folium, have both protective and toxic effects on the liver. Their hepatoprotective effects are associated with reducing lipid accumulation and oxidative stress, which contribute to the management of various liver conditions. In contrast, the mechanisms driving Epimedii Folium-induced hepatotoxicity are less understood but likely involve oxidative stress and pyroptosis. Pharmacokinetic studies, especially on icaritin, indicate that it undergoes isopentenyl dehydrogenation, glycosylation, and glucuronidation in vivo, contributing to its pharmacological effects. However, intermediate metabolites of icaritin may interact with biomolecules, potentially leading to liver toxicity. This review offers a detailed examination of the dual effects of Epimedii Folium flavonoids on liver function, emphasizing recent discoveries in their hepatoprotective and hepatotoxic pathways. We also summarize and discuss the pharmacokinetics of these flavonoids, highlighting how their metabolism affects therapeutic efficacy and toxicity. Lastly, we propose strategies to mitigate liver injury, providing new perspectives on the safe use of Epimedii Folium.

Objective:To explore the correlations of sleep quality and architecture with heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with stenoses of vertebrobasilar artery system and internal carotid artery system.Methods:A retrospective study was performed; 72 patients with stenosis or occlusion of the head and neck arteries (not resulting in cerebral infarction) admitted to Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2023 to June 2024 were chosen, including 33 patients with moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion of the vertebrobasilar system (VB group) and 39 patients with moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid artery system (ICA group). Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and polysomnography (PSG) were used to evaluate the sleep quality and architecture, respectively; and 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram was used to assess the HRV. Differences in PSQI score, PSG and HRV parameters between the two groups were compared; partial correlation analysis was used to explore the correlations of HRV parameters with PSQI scores and PSG parameters; multivariate linear regression was used to analyze the independent influencing factors for HRV.Results:(1) Compared with the ICA group, the VB group exhibited significantly higher PSQI scores, spontaneous arousal index (SAI), ratio of time of stage 1 non-rapid eye movement sleep/total sleep time (T N1/T t), and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), while significantly lower ratio of time of rapid eye movement sleep/total sleep time (T R/T t), spindle wave density in stage 2 non-rapid eye movement sleep (N2), lowest blood oxygen saturation, standard deviation of normal to normal intervals (SDNN) of all sinus beats, low-frequency power (LF), and high-frequency power (HF, P<0.05). (2) In both VB group and ICA group, SDNN was negatively correlated with PSQI score ( r=-0.461, P=0.020; r=-0.378, P=0.036). In the VB group, SDNN was negatively correlated with T N1/T t ( r=-0.467, P=0.019) and SAI ( r=-0.551, P=0.004), and positively correlated with ratio of time of stage 3 non-rapid eye movement sleep/total sleep time (T N3/T t, r=0.686, P<0.001) and spindle wave density in N2 ( r=0.518, P=0.008); LF and HF were negatively correlated with SAI ( r=-0.481, P=0.015; r=-0.564, P=0.003). In the ICA group, HF was negatively correlated with spindle wave density in N2 ( r=-0.369; P=0.041). (3) Multivariate linear regression results indicated that T N3/T t (β=0.348, P=0.018), SAI (β=-0.330, P=0.018), and spindle wave density in N2 (β=0.286, P=0.013) were independent influencing factors for Ln_SDNN in patients with moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion of the vertebrobasilar system. Conclusion:Patients with stenosis or occlusion of the vertebrobasilar system exhibit poorer subjective sleep quality, increased light sleep, heightened arousal, and reduced sleep stability compared with those with stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid artery system, which may be caused by the imbalance of autonomic nerve function.

BACKGROUND:Programmed cell death protein 1 belongs to the immunoglobulin gene superfamily and can regulate the differentiation of osteoblasts and affect bone homeostasis.However,there are few studies on the regulatory role and mechanism of programmed cell death protein 1 in diabetic osteoporosis.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the regulatory role and mechanism of programmed cell death protein 1 on osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells under high-glucose environment.METHODS:(1)Animal experiment:A total of 12 Sprageu-Dawley rats were randomized into a control group(n=6)and a model group(n=6).The control group was fed routinely,whereas the model group was injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin to establish a model of type 1 diabetes mellitus,and the high-fat feed was fed for 8 weeks to establish a model of type 1 diabetic osteoporosis.After 8 weeks of feeding,the femurs of rats in the two groups were taken and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin staining and micro-CT assay.The mRNA expression of programmed cell death protein 1 and programmed death ligand 1 was detected.(2)Cell experiment:Passage 3 rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were randomly divided into four groups:normal control group,high-glucose model group cultured in low glucose medium,programmed cell death protein 1-silenced group transfected with programmed cell death protein 1 siRNA,and programmed cell death protein 1-silenced null group transfected with siRNA-NC.After 48 hours of transfection,the normal control group was cultured in a new low-glucose medium,and the other three groups were cultured in a high-glucose medium for another 48 hours of culture followed by osteogenic induction.After 21 days of osteogenic induction,alizarin red staining,and qRT-PCR(programmed cell death protein 1 and RUNX2 mRNA expression)and western blot(β-catenin,GSK-3β,p-GSK-3β and Axin2 protein expression)were performed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the animal experiment,hematoxylin-eosin staining and micro-CT assay showed successful modeling of type 1 diabetic osteoporosis in the model group.qRT-PCR assay showed that the mRNA expression of programmed cell death protein 1 and programmed cell death ligand 1 was higher in the model group than the control group(P<0.05).In the cell experiment,the results of alizarin red staining showed that the ability of mineralized nodule formation was lower in the high-glucose model group and the programmed cell death protein 1-silenced null group than in the control group and the programmed cell death protein 1-silenced group.Compared with the normal control group,the programmed cell death protein 1 mRNA expression and GSK3β and Axin2 protein expression were elevated in the high-glucose model group and the programmed cell death protein 1-silenced null group(P<0.05),and the RUNX2 mRNA expression and p-GSK3β and β-catenin protein expression were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the high-glucose model group and the programmed cell death protein 1-silenced null group,programmed cell death protein 1 mRNA expression and GSK3β and Axin2 protein expression were decreased in the programmed cell death protein 1-silenced group(P<0.05),and RUNX2 mRNA expression and p-GSK3β and β-catenin protein expression were elevated(P<0.05).To conclude,programmed cell death protein 1 silencing can activate the Wnt/β-catenin and improve the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells under high-glucose conditions.

Objective To identify the potential pathological mechanisms of tuberculous spondylitis(TS).Methods Spinal specimens were collected from 13 TS patients and 13 controls who received treatment at a hospital from March 2021 to March 2023.Specimens were randomly selected from 3 TS patients and 3 controls to perform high-throughput lncRNAs and mRNAs sequencing with Illumina NovaSeq 6000.Differentially expressed lncRNAs(DELncRs)and mRNAs(DEmRs)in TS specimens were identified and analyzed through differential expression,and enrichment analysis was performed.The top 20 DEmRs with high connectivity were identified through protein-protein interaction(PPI)network.Regulatory network of DElncRs and DEmRs was built.Finally,gene expression of the remaining specimens was analyzed using qRT-PCR detection.Results A total of 1 243 DEmRs and 262 DElncRs were identified.Enrichment analysis revealed that muscle contraction,muscle system processes,muscle structural development,PI3K Akt signaling pathway,calcium signaling pathway,and cAMP signaling pathway were activated in TS,while responses to cytokines,cytokine-mediated signaling pathways,regulation of immune system processes,cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions,human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 infection,and phago-somes were inhibited in TS.Three sub-networks were identified in PPI,among which MYL1,TTN,LOC102723407,HLA-A,interleukin(IL)-6,and IL-1β had the highest connectivity and were identified as key DEmRs.MYL1,TTN,and IL-6 were regulated by DElncRs.qRT-PCR validated the differential expression of key DEmRs in TS.Conclusion DEmRs are regulated by lncRNAs and participate in the pathological process of TS,and the immune responses are inhibited in diseases condition.This study reveals key molecules and signaling pathways in TS,providing new insights into the pathological mechanisms of TS,and suggest scientific basis for developing new therapeutic targets.

Objective To identify the potential pathological mechanisms of tuberculous spondylitis(TS).Methods Spinal specimens were collected from 13 TS patients and 13 controls who received treatment at a hospital from March 2021 to March 2023.Specimens were randomly selected from 3 TS patients and 3 controls to perform high-throughput lncRNAs and mRNAs sequencing with Illumina NovaSeq 6000.Differentially expressed lncRNAs(DELncRs)and mRNAs(DEmRs)in TS specimens were identified and analyzed through differential expression,and enrichment analysis was performed.The top 20 DEmRs with high connectivity were identified through protein-protein interaction(PPI)network.Regulatory network of DElncRs and DEmRs was built.Finally,gene expression of the remaining specimens was analyzed using qRT-PCR detection.Results A total of 1 243 DEmRs and 262 DElncRs were identified.Enrichment analysis revealed that muscle contraction,muscle system processes,muscle structural development,PI3K Akt signaling pathway,calcium signaling pathway,and cAMP signaling pathway were activated in TS,while responses to cytokines,cytokine-mediated signaling pathways,regulation of immune system processes,cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions,human T-cell leukemia virus type 1 infection,and phago-somes were inhibited in TS.Three sub-networks were identified in PPI,among which MYL1,TTN,LOC102723407,HLA-A,interleukin(IL)-6,and IL-1β had the highest connectivity and were identified as key DEmRs.MYL1,TTN,and IL-6 were regulated by DElncRs.qRT-PCR validated the differential expression of key DEmRs in TS.Conclusion DEmRs are regulated by lncRNAs and participate in the pathological process of TS,and the immune responses are inhibited in diseases condition.This study reveals key molecules and signaling pathways in TS,providing new insights into the pathological mechanisms of TS,and suggest scientific basis for developing new therapeutic targets.

BACKGROUND:Programmed cell death protein 1 belongs to the immunoglobulin gene superfamily and can regulate the differentiation of osteoblasts and affect bone homeostasis.However,there are few studies on the regulatory role and mechanism of programmed cell death protein 1 in diabetic osteoporosis.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the regulatory role and mechanism of programmed cell death protein 1 on osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells under high-glucose environment.METHODS:(1)Animal experiment:A total of 12 Sprageu-Dawley rats were randomized into a control group(n=6)and a model group(n=6).The control group was fed routinely,whereas the model group was injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin to establish a model of type 1 diabetes mellitus,and the high-fat feed was fed for 8 weeks to establish a model of type 1 diabetic osteoporosis.After 8 weeks of feeding,the femurs of rats in the two groups were taken and subjected to hematoxylin-eosin staining and micro-CT assay.The mRNA expression of programmed cell death protein 1 and programmed death ligand 1 was detected.(2)Cell experiment:Passage 3 rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were randomly divided into four groups:normal control group,high-glucose model group cultured in low glucose medium,programmed cell death protein 1-silenced group transfected with programmed cell death protein 1 siRNA,and programmed cell death protein 1-silenced null group transfected with siRNA-NC.After 48 hours of transfection,the normal control group was cultured in a new low-glucose medium,and the other three groups were cultured in a high-glucose medium for another 48 hours of culture followed by osteogenic induction.After 21 days of osteogenic induction,alizarin red staining,and qRT-PCR(programmed cell death protein 1 and RUNX2 mRNA expression)and western blot(β-catenin,GSK-3β,p-GSK-3β and Axin2 protein expression)were performed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:In the animal experiment,hematoxylin-eosin staining and micro-CT assay showed successful modeling of type 1 diabetic osteoporosis in the model group.qRT-PCR assay showed that the mRNA expression of programmed cell death protein 1 and programmed cell death ligand 1 was higher in the model group than the control group(P<0.05).In the cell experiment,the results of alizarin red staining showed that the ability of mineralized nodule formation was lower in the high-glucose model group and the programmed cell death protein 1-silenced null group than in the control group and the programmed cell death protein 1-silenced group.Compared with the normal control group,the programmed cell death protein 1 mRNA expression and GSK3β and Axin2 protein expression were elevated in the high-glucose model group and the programmed cell death protein 1-silenced null group(P<0.05),and the RUNX2 mRNA expression and p-GSK3β and β-catenin protein expression were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the high-glucose model group and the programmed cell death protein 1-silenced null group,programmed cell death protein 1 mRNA expression and GSK3β and Axin2 protein expression were decreased in the programmed cell death protein 1-silenced group(P<0.05),and RUNX2 mRNA expression and p-GSK3β and β-catenin protein expression were elevated(P<0.05).To conclude,programmed cell death protein 1 silencing can activate the Wnt/β-catenin and improve the osteogenic differentiation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells under high-glucose conditions.

Objective:To explore the correlations of sleep quality and architecture with heart rate variability (HRV) in patients with stenoses of vertebrobasilar artery system and internal carotid artery system.Methods:A retrospective study was performed; 72 patients with stenosis or occlusion of the head and neck arteries (not resulting in cerebral infarction) admitted to Department of Neurology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2023 to June 2024 were chosen, including 33 patients with moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion of the vertebrobasilar system (VB group) and 39 patients with moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid artery system (ICA group). Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and polysomnography (PSG) were used to evaluate the sleep quality and architecture, respectively; and 24-hour ambulatory electrocardiogram was used to assess the HRV. Differences in PSQI score, PSG and HRV parameters between the two groups were compared; partial correlation analysis was used to explore the correlations of HRV parameters with PSQI scores and PSG parameters; multivariate linear regression was used to analyze the independent influencing factors for HRV.Results:(1) Compared with the ICA group, the VB group exhibited significantly higher PSQI scores, spontaneous arousal index (SAI), ratio of time of stage 1 non-rapid eye movement sleep/total sleep time (T N1/T t), and apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), while significantly lower ratio of time of rapid eye movement sleep/total sleep time (T R/T t), spindle wave density in stage 2 non-rapid eye movement sleep (N2), lowest blood oxygen saturation, standard deviation of normal to normal intervals (SDNN) of all sinus beats, low-frequency power (LF), and high-frequency power (HF, P<0.05). (2) In both VB group and ICA group, SDNN was negatively correlated with PSQI score ( r=-0.461, P=0.020; r=-0.378, P=0.036). In the VB group, SDNN was negatively correlated with T N1/T t ( r=-0.467, P=0.019) and SAI ( r=-0.551, P=0.004), and positively correlated with ratio of time of stage 3 non-rapid eye movement sleep/total sleep time (T N3/T t, r=0.686, P<0.001) and spindle wave density in N2 ( r=0.518, P=0.008); LF and HF were negatively correlated with SAI ( r=-0.481, P=0.015; r=-0.564, P=0.003). In the ICA group, HF was negatively correlated with spindle wave density in N2 ( r=-0.369; P=0.041). (3) Multivariate linear regression results indicated that T N3/T t (β=0.348, P=0.018), SAI (β=-0.330, P=0.018), and spindle wave density in N2 (β=0.286, P=0.013) were independent influencing factors for Ln_SDNN in patients with moderate-to-severe stenosis or occlusion of the vertebrobasilar system. Conclusion:Patients with stenosis or occlusion of the vertebrobasilar system exhibit poorer subjective sleep quality, increased light sleep, heightened arousal, and reduced sleep stability compared with those with stenosis or occlusion of the internal carotid artery system, which may be caused by the imbalance of autonomic nerve function.

Humans ; Artificial Intelligence ; Lung Neoplasms/pathology* ; Mediastinum/pathology* ; Lymph Nodes/pathology* ; Neoplasm Staging ; Lymph Node Excision