Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by synovial inflammation, joint destruction, and functional impairment. Angiogenesis plays a key role in the pathological progression of RA with dysfunction of endothelial cells to promote synovial inflammation, sustain pannus formation, subsequently leading to joint damage. Colquhounia Root Tablets (CRT), a Chinese patent drug, has shown a satisfying clinical efficacy in treating RA, while the underlying mechanism by which CRT inhibits RA-associated angiogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we applied a research approach combining transcriptomic data analysis, bio-network mapping, and in vivo and in vitro experiments to explore the molecular mechanisms of CRT in suppressing angiogenesis in RA. Animal welfare and experimental procedures follow the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of Institute of Basic Theory for Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (ratification number: IBTCMCACMS21-2307-06). Network analysis identified that key genes such as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2), SMAD family member 3 (SMAD3), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) significantly enriched in pathways related to NOD-like receptor signaling and VEGF signaling, indicating that CRT may inhibit angiogenesis by regulating vascular endothelial cell function with modulating angiogenesis-related pathways. In vivo data showed that CRT significantly reduced the positive expression of CD31 and VEGF in the ankle joint of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats. In vitro data further confirmed that CRT effectively inhibited VEGF-induced migration, invasion, and tube formation in HUVECs, while significantly reduced the expression of angiogenesis-related factors VEGF/CD31/Ang-1, as well as the positive expression of VEGF and CD31 in HUVECs. Furthermore, CRT markedly decreased the protein expression of NOD2, VEGFA, and SMAD3. In conclusion, these findings indicate that CRT may inhibit the RA-related angiogenesis by targeting the NOD2/SMAD3/VEGF signaling axis to improve endothelial cell function, enriching the scientific connotation of CRT in inhibiting pathological angiogenesis in RA and also offer new insights for clinical prevention and treatment of RA.

In view of the few studies on the influence of Armillaria spp. infection on the content of the chemical components in different parts of Polyporus umbellatus sclerotia, this study determined the biomass of P. umbellatus sclerotia and the contents of ergosterol, polyporusterone A, polyporusterone B and polysaccharide in the separated cavity wall of the sclerotia and the uninfected part of the sclerotia in different harvesting years under the conditions of A. gallica and A. mellea infection respectively. According to the difference of content and dynamic changes of the polysaccharide and the steroid substances, the superior Armillaria sp. was screened to obtain the best harvest years of P. umbellatus. Using HPLC and UV-VIS spectrophotometry methods, the contents of ergosterol, polyporusterone A, polyporusterone B and polysaccharide in P. umbellatus sclerotia infected by the two Armillaria spp. in different years were determined. In addition, the differentially expressed genes related to P. umbellatus polysaccharide synthesis were screened according to the transcriptomic data of different parts of P. umbellatus after A. mellea infection. With the increase of years, the biomass of sclerotia infected by different Armillaria spp. had significant differences, and there were significant differences in the four components of sclerotia. The four components of the separated cavity wall of the sclerotia were significantly higher than those of the uninfected part. The best harvest time was the third year after cultivation. Transcriptomic analysis showed that the infection of Armillaria spp. could significantly promote polysaccharide synthesis, which provided a basis for polysaccharide content determination at the molecular level. The study clarified the influence of different Armillaria spp. infection on the accumulation of chemical components of P. umbellatus sclerotia, laying a foundation for exploring the symbiosis mechanism and provided a scientific clue for screening superior Armillaria sp. and guiding the artificial cultivation of P. umbellatus sclerotia.

This paper aimed to explore the intestinal toxicity of Euphoriae Ebracteolata Radix(EER) before and after being processed with Mongolian medicine Hezi Decoction(HZD) and the toxicity-reducing mechanism of this processing method. The intestinal toxicity in rats treated with unprocessed EER and HZD-processed EER extracts via 95% ethanol was compared. The comparison was based on several indicators, including fecal volume, serum diamine oxidase(DAO) and D-lactate(D-LA) levels, the water content of various intestinal segments and their contents, and inflammatory factor levels in intestinal segments. Tandem mass tag(TMT) quantitative proteomics technology was employed to analyze the key proteins associated with changes in intestinal toxicity between unprocessed EER and HZD-processed EER. The results indicated that compared with the blank group, unprocessed EER significantly increased the fecal volume, serum DAO and D-LA levels, water content of the ileal segment and its contents, as well as the release levels of inflammatory factors, including tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α) and interleukin-1 beta(IL-1β) in the ileal segment of rats(P<0.05), indicating that EER can cause diarrhea, increase intestinal permeability, and induce intestinal inflammation. Compared with those in the unprocessed EER group, all indicators in the HZD-processed EER group were significantly reduced(P<0.05). The TMT quantitative proteomics analysis revealed that a total of 6 487 proteins were identified in the rat ileum tissue. Compared to the blank group, 182 proteins exhibited significant changes in the unprocessed EER group, while 907 proteins in the HZD-processed EER group showed significant changes. The intersection of the differential proteins between the two groups identified 38 common proteins. Among them, the protein levels of intestinal barrier tight junction protein claudin3, squalene monooxidase(Sqle), clusterin, Na~+/H~+ exchange regulatory cofactor NHE-RF3(Pdzk1), and Y+L amino acid transporter 1(Slc7a7) exhibited significant changes before and after processing, and these changes were closely related to intestinal barrier function. Compared with the blank group, the expression of claudin3, Pdzk1, and Slc7a7 in the raw product group was significantly down-regulated(P<0.05),while the expression of Sqle and clusterin was significantly up-regulated(P<0.05).Compared with the raw product group, the expression of claudin3, Pdzk1, and Slc7a7 in the processed product group of HZD was significantly up-regulated(P<0.05), while the expression of Sqle and clusterin was significantly down-regulated(P<0.05). Western blot was used to detect the expression level of claudin 3 in the ileum of rats in each group. The results show that compared to that in the blank group, the expression level of claudin 3 in the unprocessed EER group was significantly reduced(P<0.01); compared to that in the unprocessed EER group, the expression level of claudin 3 in the HZD-processed EER group was significantly increased(P<0.01). This finding aligned with the proteomic outcomes, indicating that claudin 3 protein levels could serve as a crucial indicator for intestinal damage caused by EER. In summary, HZD-processed EER can reduce EER's intestinal toxicity, and the primary mechanism for its alleviation of intestinal barrier damage is the regulation of the intestinal barrier tight junction protein claudin 3 and other intestinal-related proteins.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Proteomics ; Rats ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Intestines/drug effects* ; Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*

By employing the analytic hierarchy process(AHP), the CRITIC method(a weight determination method based on indicator correlations), and the AHP-CRITIC hybrid weighting method, the weight coefficients of evaluation indicators were determined, followed by a comprehensive score comparison. The grey correlation analysis was then performed to analyze the results calculated using the hybrid weighting method. Subsequently, a backpropagation-artificial neural network(BP-ANN) model was constructed to predict the extraction process parameters and optimize the extraction process for Shenxiong Huanglian Jiedu Granules(SHJG). In the extraction process, an L_9(3~4) orthogonal experiment was designed to optimize three factors at three levels, including extraction frequency, water addition amount, and extraction time. The evaluation indicators included geniposide, berberine, ginsenoside Rg_1 + Re, ginsenoside Rb_1, ferulic acid, and extract yield. Finally, the optimal extraction results obtained by the orthogonal experiment, grey correlation analysis, and BP-ANN method were compared, and validation experiments were conducted. The results showed that the optimal extraction process involved two rounds of aqueous extraction, each lasting one hour; the first extraction used ten times the amount of added water, while the second extraction used eight times the amount. In the validation experiments, the average content of each indicator component was higher than the average content obtained in the orthogonal experiment, with a higher comprehensive score. The optimized extraction process parameters were reliable and stable, making them suitable for subsequent preparation process research.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis* ; Neural Networks, Computer

OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress of pathological changes of glenohumeral capsule in patients with recurrent shoulder anterior dislocation (RSAD). METHODS: The literature on shoulder capsules, both domestic and international, was reviewed. The anatomy, histology, and molecular biology characteristics of the glenohumeral capsule in RSAD patients were summarized. RESULTS: Anatomically, the glenohumeral capsule is composed of four distinct parts: the upper, lower, anterior, and posterior sections. The thickness of these sections is uneven, and the stability of the capsule is further enhanced by the presence of the glenohumeral and coracohumeral ligaments. Histologically, the capsule tissue undergoes adaptive changes following RSAD, which improve its ability to withstand stretching and deformation. In the realm of molecular biology, genes associated with the regulation of structure formation, function, and extracellular matrix homeostasis of the shoulder capsule's collagen fibers exhibit varying degrees of expression changes. Specifically, the up-regulation of transforming growth factor β ₁ (TGF-β ₁), TGF-β receptor 1, lysyl oxidase, and procollagen-lysine, 2-oxoglutarate 5-dioxygenase 1 facilitates the repair of the joint capsule, thereby contributing to the maintenance of shoulder joint stability. Conversely, the up-regulation of collagen type Ⅰ alpha 1 (COL1A1), COL3A1, and COL5A1 is linked to the recurrence of shoulder anterior dislocation, as these changes reflect the joint capsule's response to dislocation. Additionally, the expressions of tenascin C and fibronectin 1 may play a role in the pathological processes occurring during the early stages of RSAD. CONCLUSION Glenohumeral capsular laxity is both a consequence of RSAD and a significant factor contributing to its recurrence. While numerous studies have documented alterations in the shoulder capsule following RSAD, further research is necessary to confirm the specific pathological anatomy, histological, and molecular biological changes involved.
Humans ; Joint Capsule/metabolism* ; Shoulder Dislocation/metabolism* ; Recurrence ; Shoulder Joint/metabolism* ; Tenascin/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/genetics* ; Collagen Type I/genetics* ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term clinical efficacy and safety of closed reduction with Kirschner wire fixation versus open reduction with plate fixation for treating osteoporotic Colles' fractures in middle-aged and elderly patients. METHODS: Between January 2018 and January 2023, 119 patients with Colles fractures were retrospectively analyzed, including 39 males and 80 females, aged from 48 to 74 years old with an average of(60.58±6.71) years old. The time from injury to operation ranged 1 to 13 days with an average of (5.29±2.52) days. According to the surgical method, they were divided into Kirschner wire fixation group (Kirschner wire group) and plate internal fixation group (plate group). In Kirschner wire group, there were a total of 68 patients, comprising 21 males and 47 females. The average age was (61.15±6.24) years old, ranged from 49 to 74 years old. Among them, 41 cases involved the left side while 27 cases involved the right side. In the plate group, there were a total of 51 patients, including 18 males and 33 females. The average age was (59.78±5.71) years old ranged from 48 to 72 years old. Among them, there were 31 cases on the left side and 20 cases on the right side. The following parameters were recorded before and after the operation:operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization days, hospitalization expenses, postoperative complications, and radiographic parameters of distal radius (distal radius height, ulnar deviation angle, palmar tilt angle). The clinical efficacy was evaluated at 3 and 12 months after the operation using Gartland-Werley and disabilites of the arm shoulder and hand (DASH) scores. RESULTS: The patients in both groups were followed up for a duration from 12 to 19 months with an average of(13.32±2.02) months. The Kirschner wire group exhibited significantly shorter operation time compared to the plate group 27.91(13.00, 42.00) min vs 67.52(29.72, 105.32) min, Z=-8.74, P=0.00. Intraoperative blood loss was also significantly lower in the Kirschner wire group than in the plate group 3.24(1.08, 5.40) ml vs 21.91(17.38, 26.44) ml, Z=-9.31, P=0.00. Furthermore, patients in the Kirschner wire group had a shorter length of hospital stay compared to those in the plate group (8.38±2.63) days vs (11.40±2.78) days, t=-3.12, P=0.00. Additionally, hospitalization cost was significantly lower in the Kirschner wire group than in the plate group 10 111.29(6 738.98, 13 483.60) yuan vs 15 871.11(11 690.40, 20 051.82) yuan, Z=-5.62, P=0.00. The incidence of complications was 2 cases in the Kirschner wire group and 1 case in the plate group, with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05). At 3 months postoprative, the radial height of the Kirschner wire group was found to be significantly smaller than that of the plate group, with measurements of (11.45±1.69) mm and (12.11±1.78) mm respectively (t=-2.06, P=0.04). However, there were no statistically significant differences observed in ulnar deviation angle and palmar tilt angle between the two groups (P>0.05). The DASH score and Gartland-Werley score in the Kirschner group were significantly higher than those in the plate group at 3 months post-operation (19.10±9.89) vs (13.47±3.51), t=4.34, P=0.00;(11.15±3.61) vs (6.41±2.75), t=8.13, P=0.00). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups at 12 months post-operation (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Compared to plate internal fixation, closed reduction with Kirschner wire support fixation yields a slightly inferior recovery of radial height;however, there is no significant disparity in the functional score of the affected limb at 12 months post-operation. Nonetheless, this technique offers advantages such as shorter operation time, reduced intraoperative blood loss, decreased hospitalization duration, and lower cost.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Bone Wires ; Bone Plates ; Retrospective Studies ; Colles' Fracture/surgery* ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Open Fracture Reduction/methods* ; Osteoporotic Fractures/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effect of bone cement-strengthened pedicle screw technique in the correction of stage Ⅲ asymptomatic Kümmell disease with kyphosis. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data of 40 asymptomatic stage Ⅲ Kümmell disease patients admitted between March 2019 and December 2021, including 15 males and 25 females, aged from 61 to 81 years old with an average of (67.4±5.2) years old;according to different surgical methods, they were divided into percutaneous kyphoplasty group (PKP) and reinforced screw group. There were 18 patients in PKP group, including 7 males and 11 females, aged from 61 to 78 years old with an average of (66.2±5.5) years old;the courses of disease ranged from 5 to 12 months with an average of (7.33±1.78) months;bone mineral density(BMD) T values ranged from -2.45 to -4.00 with an average of (-3.08±0.46);2 patients with T₈-T₉, 10 patients with T₁₀-T₁₂, and 6 patients with L₁-L₂;treated with PKP. There were 22 patients in reinforced screw group, including 8 males and 14 females, aged from 65 to 81 years old with an average of (68.5±3.8) years old;the courses of disease ranged from 4 to 15 months with an average of (7.86±2.73)months;bone mineral density(BMD) T values ranged from -2.40 to -4.50 with an average of (-3.18±0.54);3 patients with T₈-T₉, 12 patients with T₁₀-T₁₂, and 7 patients with L₁-L₂;treated with bone cement reinforced pedicle screw internal fixation combined with kyphoplasty. Cobb angle and anterior margin height of the injured vertebra were compared before operation, 3 d and 12 months after operation. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and Oswestry disability index (ODI) were compared between two groups before operation and 12 months after operation. The incidence of postoperative complications was compared between two groups. RESULTS: All patients were followed up, PKP group followed up for 11 to 14 months with an average of (11.97±0.96) months and 10 to 14 months with an average of (12.05±1.09) months in reinforced screw group;there was no significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). Postoperative Cobb angle at 3 days and 12 months in reinforced screw group were (7.34±2.26) ° and (18.86±1.96) °, while in PKP group were (18.88±1.89) ° and (23.28±1.90) °;there were statistical difference between two groups (P<0.05). The anterior margin height of the injured vertebra in reinforced screw group were (25.28±1.33) mm and (19.62±2.22) mm at 3 days and 12 months after operation, while in PKP group were (18.61±2.16) mm and(15.93±1.34) mm;there were statistical difference between two groups (P<0.05). Cobb angle and the anterior margin height of the injured vertebra were significantly improved at 3 days and 12 months after operation between two groups (P<0.05). Postoperative VAS and ODI at 12 months in PKP group were (2.00±0.69) score and (13.44±4.02)%, while in reinforced screw group were(1.91±0.61) score and (10.18±4.26)%;which were significantly lower than (6.89±0.76) score and (36.33±3.40)% in PKP group, (7.23±0.75) score and (37.09±3.73) % in reinforced screw group before operation. There were no difference in postoperative VAS between two groups at 12 months (P>0.05);postoperative ODI in reinforced screw group at 12 months was lower than that in PKP group(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in complications between two groups (χ²=0.071, P>0.05). CONCLUSION PKP and bone cement reinforced nail combined with PKP could improve kyphotic deformity and postoperative function, and relieve pain. The application of bone cement-reinforced nail fixation technology could provide a more stable support, more obvious functional recovery, lower the risk of re-collapse of the injured vertebra, and maintain the long-term stability of spine.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aged, 80 and over ; Kyphosis/surgery* ; Aged ; Bone Cements ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Pedicle Screws ; Spinal Fractures/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Bone Screws ; Kyphoplasty

OBJECTIVE: To screen out the key metabolites related to diabetic foot (DF) by integrating genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and metabolome genome-wide association studies (mGWAS). METHODS: The literature databases such as PubMed and China national knowledge infrastructure(CNKI), as well as genomics databases such as PAN UKBB, FinnGen, and IEU Open GWAS were systematically retrieved from database estobilishment to November 2024 on DF-related single nucleotide polymorphisms and genome-wide association studies. DF-single nucleotide polymorphism-metabolite network was constructed by mGWAS package and mGWAS-Explorer platform. The causal relationship between key factors was evaluated by two-sample Mendelian randomization. The genetic correlation between DF and 575 metabolites (source:IEU Open GWAS) was evaluated by linkage disequilibrium score regression. In vitro experiments were conducted to induce injury of human umbilical vein endothelial cells with 30 mM glucose and intervene with 20 μM γ-tocopherol. Changes in cell migration, scratch healing and tube formation function were detected. RESULTS: Twenty-senen literatures on single nucleotide polymorphism literatures and 3 studies on GWAS were included. Genetic analysis results showed DF-related single nucleotide polymorphisms were enriched in vascular endothelial dysfunction-related pathways (such as fluid shear stress and atherosclerosis). The results of metabolic network analysis screened out 19 associated metabolites, among which 12 such as γ -tocopherol and pyruvate had significant genetic correlations with DF. Mendelian randomization suggested matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9) might be a potential driver of DF (β=0.658, P=0.063 8), and the occurrence of DF could reduce the level of high-density lipoprotein (β=-0.002, P=0.015 2). The results of in vitro experiments confirmed that γ -tocopherol could improve endothelial dysfunction induced by high glucose, specifically manifested as an increase in the number of cell migrations, improvement in the scratch healing rate, and recovery of tubule formation ability (P<0.05). CONCLUSION DF has a genetic basis centered on vascular endothelial dysfunction, and its occurrence can lead to further metabolic disorders. The key single nucleotide polymorphism loci integrated provided molecular markers for the risk stratification of foot ulcers in diabetic patients. In addition, γ -tocopherol has demonstrated clinical application potential as a therapeutic drug for DF by significantly improving the function of vascular endothelial cells in a high-glucose environment.
Humans ; Diabetic Foot/drug therapy* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Genomics ; Metabolomics ; Metabolome

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a clinically rare, genetically and phenotypically heterogeneous condition characterized by chronic respiratory tract infections, male infertility, tympanitis, and laterality abnormalities. PCD is typically resulted from variants in genes encoding assembly or structural proteins that are indispensable for the movement of motile cilia. Here, we identified a novel nonsense mutation, c.466G>T, in cilia- and flagella-associated protein 300 ( CFAP300 ) resulting in a stop codon (p.Glu156*) through whole-exome sequencing (WES). The proband had a PCD phenotype with laterality defects and immotile sperm flagella displaying a combined loss of the inner dynein arm (IDA) and outer dynein arm (ODA). Bioinformatic programs predicted that the mutation is deleterious. Successful pregnancy was achieved through intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI). Our results expand the spectrum of CFAP300 variants in PCD and provide reproductive guidance for infertile couples suffering from PCD caused by them.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; China ; Ciliary Motility Disorders/genetics* ; Codon, Nonsense ; East Asian People/genetics* ; Exome Sequencing ; Homozygote ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Kartagener Syndrome/genetics* ; Pedigree ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Cytoskeletal Proteins/genetics*

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is a genetically heterogeneous disorder characterized by impaired motility of cilia and flagella. Mutations in cilia- and flagella-associated protein 300 ( CFAP300 ) are associated with human PCD and male infertility; however, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms remain poorly understood. In a consanguineous Chinese family, we identified a homozygous CFAP300 loss-of-function variant (c.304delC) in a proband presenting with classical PCD symptoms and severe sperm abnormalities, including dynein arm deficiency and acrosomal malformation, as confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM). Histological analysis revealed multiple morphological abnormalities of the sperm flagella in CFAP300 -mutant individual, whereas immunofluorescence demonstrated markedly reduced CFAP300 expression in the spermatozoa of the proband. Furthermore, tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics showed that the CFAP300 mutation reduced key spermatogenesis proteins (e.g., sperm flagellar 2 [SPEF2], solute carrier family 25 member 31 [SLC25A31], and A-kinase anchoring protein 3 [AKAP3]) and mitochondrial ATP synthesis factors (e.g., SLC25A31, cation channel sperm-associated 3 [CATSPER3]). It also triggered abnormal increases in autophagy-related proteins and signaling mediator phosphorylation. These molecular alterations are likely to contribute to progressive deterioration of sperm ultrastructure and function. Notably, successful pregnancy was achieved via intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) using the proband's sperm. Overall, this study expands the known CFAP300 mutational spectrum and offers novel mechanistic insights into its role in spermatogenesis.
Humans ; Male ; Infertility, Male/pathology* ; Acrosome/pathology* ; Sperm Tail/pathology* ; Pedigree ; Spermatozoa ; Adult ; Loss of Function Mutation ; Ciliary Motility Disorders/genetics* ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Female