Emodin is a hydroxyanthraquinone compound that is widely distributed and has multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective effects. Research indicates that emodin may be one of the main components responsible for inducing hepatotoxicity. However, studies on the mechanisms of liver injury are relatively limited, particularly those related to bile acids(BAs) metabolism. This study aims to systematically investigate the effects of different dosages of emodin on BAs metabolism, providing a basis for the safe clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)containing emodin. First, this study evaluated the safety of repeated administration of different dosages of emodin over a 5-week period, with a particular focus on its impact on the liver. Next, the composition and content of BAs in serum and liver were analyzed. Subsequently, qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of nuclear receptors and transporters related to BAs metabolism. The results showed that 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin induced hepatic damage, with bile duct hyperplasia as the primary pathological manifestation. It significantly increased the levels of various BAs in the serum and primary BAs(including taurine-conjugated and free BAs) in the liver. Additionally, it downregulated the mRNA expression of farnesoid X receptor(FXR), retinoid X receptor(RXR), and sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide(NTCP), and upregulated the mRNA expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase(CYP7A1) in the liver. Although 0.01 g·kg~(-1) and 0.03 g·kg~(-1) emodin did not induce obvious liver injury, they significantly increased the level of taurine-conjugated BAs in the liver, suggesting a potential interference with BAs homeostasis. In conclusion, 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin may promote the production of primary BAs in the liver by affecting the FXR-RXR-CYP7A1 pathway, inhibit NTCP expression, and reduce BA reabsorption in the liver, resulting in BA accumulation in the peripheral blood. This disruption of BA homeostasis leads to liver injury. Even doses of emodin close to the clinical dose can also have a certain effect on the homeostasis of BAs. Therefore, when using traditional Chinese medicine or formulas containing emodin in clinical practice, it is necessary to regularly monitor liver function indicators and closely monitor the risk of drug-induced liver injury.
Emodin/administration & dosage* ; Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism* ; Animals ; Male ; Liver/injuries* ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Mice ; Rats

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to evaluate the association between susceptibility genes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in children with obesity. METHODS: We conducted a two-step case-control study. Ninety-three participants were subjected to whole-exome sequencing (exploratory set). Differential genes identified in the small sample were validated in 1,022 participants using multiplex polymerase chain reaction and high-throughput sequencing (validation set). RESULTS: In the exploratory set, 14 genes from the NAFLD-associated pathways were identified. In the validation set, after adjusting for sex, age, and body mass index, ECI2 rs2326408 (dominant model: OR = 1.33, 95% CI: 1.02-1.72; additive model: OR = 1.22, 95% CI: 1.01-1.47), C6orf201 rs659305 (dominant model: OR = 1.30, 95% CI: 1.01-1.69; additive model: OR = 1.21, 95% CI: 1.00-1.45), CALML5 rs10904516 (pre-ad dominant model: OR = 1.36, 95% CI: 1.01-1.83; adjusted dominant model: OR = 1.40, 95% CI: 1.03-1.91; and pre-ad additive model: OR = 1.26, 95% CI: 1.04-1.66) polymorphisms were significantly associated with NAFLD in children with obesity ( P < 0.05). Interaction analysis revealed that the gene-gene interaction model of CALML5 rs10904516, COX11 rs17209882, and SCD5 rs3733228 was optional ( P < 0.05), demonstrating a negative interaction between the three genes. CONCLUSION In the Chinese population, the CALML5 rs10904516, C6orf201 rs659305, and ECI2 rs2326408 variants could be genetic markers for NAFLD susceptibility.
Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/genetics* ; Child ; Male ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Case-Control Studies ; Exome Sequencing ; Adolescent ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Obesity/complications* ; Pediatric Obesity/complications* ; China

Objective To analyze the status of occupational hazards in key positions of the small and micro book and newspaper printing enterprises in Beijing City. Methods A total of 16 small and micro printing enterprises in Beijing City were selected as the research subjects using the judgment sampling method. The status of occupational hazard was assessed using on-site occupational health investigations. The volatile chemical components in organic solvents such as inks and cleaning agents used in the workplace, the level of chemical hazardous agents in the air, and noise intensity were detected and analyzed. Results A total of 1 105 workers from 16 small and micro printing enterprises were included. The occupational hazard exposure rate was 22.2% (245/1 105), with chemical hazardous agents and noise exposure rates of 13.5% and 22.2%, respectively. The rate of compliance with occupational health training among the head of the enterprise and the occupational health management personnel, the regular detection rate of occupational hazards in last year, and the rate for the occupational health examination in last year were both 100.0%. The rate for annual update of occupational hazard project reporting was 93.8% (15/16). The usage rates of gas mask and noise-proof earplug were 68.8% (11/16) and 50.0% (8/16), respectively. The effectiveness rates of anti-toxic and noise-reduction facilities were 87.5% (14/16) and 62.5% (10/16). The sign setting rates of chemical hazardous agents and noise warning were 93.8% (15/16). Acetone and isopropanol were found in ink and cleaning agents in 15 printing enterprises, while toluene, xylene, and ethylbenzene were found in three, two, and one enterprise, respectively. Benzene, 1,2-dichloroethane, n-hexane, and trichloroethylene were not found in all 16 enterprises. Both the exposure concentration of short term and exposure concentration of time weighted average of the above chemical hazards were lower than the lower limit of quantitation of the detection method in the workplace and work site air among the 16 printing enterprises, and none of concentration was exceeded the national standard. A total of 240 noise work sites were detected, and the national noise-exceeding rate was 11.2%(27/240). Conclusion Noise hazards are prominent in the small and micro printing enterprises in Beijing City, and attention should be paid to the prevention and protection of noise-exposure. The usage rate of personal protective equipment is not high, and the training and on-site supervision management of protective equipment wearing in workers should be strengthened.

Inhibiting the death receptor 3(DR3)signaling pathway in group 3 innate lymphoid cells(ILC3s)pre-sents a promising approach for promoting mucosal repair in individuals with ulcerative colitis(UC).Paeoniflorin,a prominent component of Paeonia lactiflora Pall.,has demonstrated the ability to restore barrier function in UC mice,but the precise mechanism remains unclear.In this study,we aimed to delve into whether paeoniflorin may promote intestinal mucosal repair in chronic colitis by inhibiting DR3 signaling in ILC3s.C57BL/6 mice were subjected to random allocation into 7 distinct groups,namely the control group,the 2％dextran sodium sulfate(DSS)group,the paeoniflorin groups(25,50,and 100 mg/kg),the anti-tumor necrosis factor-like ligand 1A(anti-TL1A)antibody group,and the IgG group.We detected the expression of DR3 signaling pathway proteins and the proportion of ILC3s in the mouse colon using Western blot and flow cytometry,respectively.Meanwhile,DR3-overexpressing MNK-3 cells and 2％ DSS-induced Rag1-/-mice were used for verification.The results showed that paeoniflorin alleviated DSS-induced chronic colitis and repaired the intestinal mucosal barrier.Simultaneously,paeoniflorin inhibited the DR3 signaling pathway in ILC3s and regulated the content of cytokines(interleukin-17A,granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor,and interleukin-22).Alternatively,paeoniflorin directly inhibited the DR3 signaling pathway in ILC3s to repair mucosal damage indepen-dently of the adaptive immune system.We additionally confirmed that paeoniflorin-conditioned me-dium(CM)restored the expression of tight junctions in Caco-2 cells via coculture.In conclusion,paeoniflorin ameliorates chronic colitis by enhancing the intestinal barrier in an ILC3-dependent manner,and its mechanism is associated with the inhibition of the DR3 signaling pathway.

Magnetic separation(MS)is frequently used to enrich specific targets from biological sam-ples,which is commonly performed using antibodies coupled immunomagnetic beads(IMBs).However,due to the high cost of antibodies and difficulties in the process of releasing captured targets,IMBs have limitations for large-scale enrichment of targeted bioproducts.The specificities and affinities of aptamers towards their targets are in line with antibodies,but with characteristic of significantly lower costs of prep-aration,simpler structures,and higher chemical stability.In this study,taking advantages of the distinct adsorption features of graphene for single-stranded and double-stranded nucleic acids,we designed a novo system as bioseparation method that could display aptamers on graphene surfaces to enrich targets and then manipulate their release.This system mainly includes two units.Take CD63 aptamer as an exam-ple:double-stranded oligonucleotides scaffold attached to the graphene surface for CD63 aptamer exhibi-tion;and a single-stranded oligonucleotide complementary to the scaffold bipod sequence to desorb the captured targets from graphene.In this study,firstly,using graphene oxide(GO)paper as a graphene surface,we fluorescently labeled scaffolds or CD63 proteins and compared the fluorescence intensity difference on the GO paper before and after scaffold or CD63 protein release.Subsequently,a novo mate-rial,amino-modified graphene-shelled iron-nitrogen magnetic beads were introduced to carry the scaffold,and used to capture CD63 proteins from cell lysates.The results indicate that this scaffold can display the aptamer on the graphene surface for CD63 protein capture and controlled release.Using selected modified graphene magnetic beads carried with the scaffold,we achieved the capture of CD63 proteins from cell ly-sates.This system is expected to enrich various proteins such as CD63,or capture exosomes by hooking membrane proteins.

Objective:To investigate the value of serum free light chain(sFLC)and serum calcium ion in the diagnosis and prognosis of multiple myeloma(MM).Methods:Forty patients with MM treated in Henan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2018 to January 2022 were selected as the observation group,and 40 healthy volunteers were selected as the control group.The differences of sFLC-κ,sFLC-λ,sFLC-κ/λ,serum calcium ions,etc between the two groups were compared.Meanwhile,the differences of sFLC-κ,sFLC-λ,sFLC-κ/λ,serum calcium ions,etc in different international staging systems(ISS),chemotherapy efficacy and prognosis patients were analyzed.Results:The levels of sFLC-κ[(98.39±21.19)vs(12.01±4.45)mg/L],sFLC-λ[(210.20±45.54)vs(14.10±5.11)mg/L]and proportions of hypocalcemia(65％vs 0)in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05),while sFLC-κ/λ ratio[(0.44±0.10)vs(0.87±0.12)]and serum calcium ions[(1.98±0.46)vs(2.42±0.40)mmol/L]were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The sFLC-κ,sFLC-λ,the proportion of hypocalcemia and the course of hypocalcemia in ISS stage Ⅲ patients in the observation group were significantly higher than those in stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ patients(P＜0.05),while sFLC-κ/λ ratio,and serum calcium ions were significantly lower than those in stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ patients(P＜0.05).The levels of sFLC-κ[(107.76±21.22)vs(94.67 ±20.11)mg/L],sFLC-λ[(245.54±41.12)vs(205.54±50.22)mg/L]of patients with hypocalcemia in the observation group was significantly higher than those without hypocalcemia(P＜0.05),while the sFLC-κ/λ ratio was significantly lower than those without hypocalcemia[(0.42±0.04)vs(0.47±0.06);P＜0.05].The levels of sFLC-κ[(107.29±20.14)vs(91.11±18.92)mg/L],sFLC-λ[(247.98±42.26)vs(179.29±39.32)mg/L]in patients with ineffective chemotherapy were significantly higher than those in patients with effective chemotherapy(P＜0.05),while the sFLC-κ/λ ratio was significantly lower than those in patients with effective chemotherapy[(0.43± 0.10)vs(0.50±0.09);P＜0.05)].The area under the ROC curve for sFLC-κ,sFLC-λ,sFLC-κ/λ predicting ineffective chemotherapy was 0.803,0.793 and 0.699 respectively,P＜0.05.There was no significant difference in sFLC-κ,sFLC-λ,sFLC-κ/λ ratio,serum calcium ion,hypocalcemia ratio and hypocalcemia course between survival and death patients(P＞0.05).Conclusion:sFLC and serum calcium are related to 1SS stage of MM patients.sFLC level has a certain value to predict the curative effect of chemotherapy in MM patients.However,the prognostic values of sFLC and serum calcium are not yet confirmed for MM patients.

Objective:To explore influencing factors of the self-reported brief life quality satisfaction score(Brief-QoL) in patients with acromegaly and understand the persistent low Brief-QoL scores in cases achieving biochemical remission.Methods:This study included 836 acromegaly patients who were hospitalized at Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 2012 and December 2020. We retrospectively examined how clinical characteristics, biochemical parameters, comorbidities, and symptoms influenced Brief-QoL. Among patients who achieved biochemical remission, differences in clinical symptoms and comorbidities were analyzed between the high and low quality of life groups.Results:Patients with well-controlled biochemical indicators at the last follow-up had generally high Brief-QoL. However, patients with symptoms such as headaches (47.8% in the low-score group vs 14.9% in the high-score group, P<0.001) and joint pain (69.6% in the low-score group vs 19.0% in the high-score group, P<0.001) had low Brief-QoL despite biochemical remission. Receiving combined treatment(52.4% in the low-score group vs 27.5% in the high-score group, P=0.030) and having comorbid diabetes or hyperlipidemia were significant factors leading to decreased quality of life. Conclusion:Brief-QoL is suitable for follow-up of outpatient patients. Early identification of factors affecting quality of life and timely intervention can facilitate the realization of standardized management.

Objective:To explore the pathogenesis of flunarizine-induced parkinsonism from gut-brain axis perspective.Methods:Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group and flunarizine group ( n=15). Mice in the control group were given 0.1 mL 50% polyethylene glycol 400+50% saline by gavage once/d for 2 weeks, while mice in the flunarizine group were given 6 mg/mL flunarizine+50% polyethylene glycol 400+50% saline by gavage at a daily dose of 30 mg/kg for 2 weeks. Body mass was recorded 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 d after drug administration, and motor function was assessed by rotarod test 14 d after drug administration; 16s RNA sequencing was performed in the feces to observe the intestinal flora; intestinal transit function was detected by Evans blue by gavage; and then, the mice were sacrificed and homogenate or frozen sections (brain and intestinal tissues) were prepared; dopamine-ergic neuron expression was detected by Western blotting; RT-qPCR was applied to detect the expressions of inflammatory factors in the substantia nigra, and immunofluorescent staining was used to detect the expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-5 in the intestinal epithelial tissues. Results:Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had lower body mass ratio 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 d after drug administration (ratio to body mass before drug administration). Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had significantly shortened residence time in rod rotating and lower rotational speed when falling ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had decreased tyrosine hydroxylase protein in the substantia nigra without significant difference ( P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had significantly increased interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the substantia nigra (1.00±0.00 vs. 2.79±0.83; 1.00±0.00 vs. 3.39±1.37), significantly lower intestinal Evans blue propulsion rate (80.67%±4.51% vs. 50.67%±6.03%), and statistically decreased ZO-1 and Claudin-5 expressions in the colonic epithelial tissues (27.01±1.41 vs. 16.32±2.83; 37.00±2.80 vs. 24.52±2.12, P<0.05). Totally, 576 microorganisms were noted in both control group and flunarizine group, 744 in the control group alone, and 634 in the flunarizine group alone. The intestinal flora β diversity indices in the 2 groups were significantly different based on weighted Unifrac-principle coordinates analysis (PCoA, PCoA1: 39.88%; PCoA2: 30.69%). Compared with the control group, the microbial colony structure of mice in flunarizine group was dominated by phylum thick-walled bacteria and phylum warty microbacteria, and by families Muribaculaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Akkermansiaceae. Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had significantly decreased relative abundance of Ackermannia spp. and Lactobacillus spp. in the intestinal flora ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Flunarizine may contribute to the pathogenesis of DIP by causing structural disturbances in the intestinal flora and inducing neuroinflammation based on the gut-brain axis.

Objective To study the distolingual space of mandibular molars in adult patients with different sagittal skeletal patterns,and to analyze the main bony anatomical sites that restrict molar distalization,in order to provide guidance for the treatment plan of mo-lar distalization.Methods A total of 97 adult patients according to the inclusion criteria were selected from the Department of Ortho-dontics,the Affiliated Stomatological Hospital of Nanjing Medical University.The patients were divided into skeletal Class Ⅰ group(n=28),skeletal Class Ⅱ group(n=49)and skeletal Class Ⅲ group(n=20)according to the ANB angle.CBCT of the patients were im-ported into Dolphin software for 3D reconstruction.The width of the distal root of the second molar,the width of alveolar bone,the dis-tance between the most convex point of the distal and lingual side of the distal root and the inneredge of the lingual cortex of the mandi-ble were measured at the 2,4,and 6 mm plane from the root furcation to the root apex.Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 26.0 software,and univariate analysis of variance and LSD-t test were used to compare the difference.Results Root width was significantly narrower than alveolar bone width at all measurement planes(P＜0.01).Molar distolingual space in patients with different sagittal skeletal patterns was smaller than molar distal space,and the size of the space gradually decreased with the deepening of the measurement level,reaching the minimum value at the R4 and R6 measurement planes.Measurement results of this study showed that at the R6 level,the molar distolingual space in skeletal Class Ⅱ group was the minimum(2.30±2.45)mm;on the contrary,skeletal Class Ⅲ group was the maximum(4.17±2.38)mm.Conclusion When designing the plan of molar distalization in clinical practice,CBCT should be used,and more attention should be paid to the lingual alveolar bone mass of the mandibular molar.It is a safe and effective treatment method for skeletal Class Ⅰ and Ⅲ patients with mild to moderate dental crowding.

Objective To investigate the role of programmed necrosis pathway in testicular tissue damage in rats with erectile dysfunction(ED)and the mechanism of sildenafil intervention.Methods An ED rat model was established by high-fat chow feeding,and the rats were randomly divided into model group,experimental group,interleukin 18 group,and experimental+interleukin 18 group;10 rats were randomly selected as the normal control group.The experimental group was gavaged with 20 mg·kg-1sildenafil;the interleukin 18 group was injected intraperitoneally with 0.2 μg·kg-1interleukin 18 recombinant protein;the experimental+interleukin 18 group was gavaged with an equal amount of sildenafil,and the experimental+interleukin 18 group was injected intraperitoneally with an equal amount of interleukin 18 recombinant protein;the normal control and model groups were given with an equal amount of 0.9％NaCl by gavage and intraperitoneally injected with an equal amount of saline;and the experimental group was injected with an equal amount of 0.9％NaCl.Interleukin 18 group was gavaged with an equal amount of 0.9％NaCl,and the five groups of rats were administered once a day at regular intervals for 14 consecutive days.Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR)and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of receptor-interacting protein kinase 1(RIP1),receptor-interacting protein kinase 3(RIP3),mixed-spectrum kinase structural domain-like protein(MLKL),and calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase Ⅱ(CaMKⅡ)in rat testis tissues.Results The relative expression levels of RIP1 protein in the normal control group,model group,experimental group,interleukin 18 group and experimental+interleukin 18 group were 0.58±0.05,0.99±0.09,0.71±0.05,1.23±0.07 and 0.81±0.07;the relative expression levels of RIP3 protein were 0.61±0.05,1.05±0.10,0.77±0.04,1.19±0.07 and 0.84±0.08,respectively;the relative expression levels of MLKL protein were 0.63±0.05,1.13±0.08,0.79±0.05,1.30±0.02 and 1.00±0.04,respectively;the relative expression levels of CaMK Ⅱ protein were 0.54±0.04,1.12±0.07,0.77±0.05,1.36±0.04 and 1.00±0.07;the differences of the above indexes were statistically significant when the model group was compared with the normal control group,the experimental group was compared with the model group,the interleukin 18 group was compared with the model group,and the experimental+interleukin 18 group was compared with the interleukin 18 group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion The RIP1/RIP3-mediated necroptosis pathway plays multiple regulatory roles in testicular injury in ED rats,and sildenafil may improve testicular function in rats by inhibiting the above necroptosis signaling pathway.