ObjectiveTo study the relationship between osteoporosis and carotid artery disease in the elderly. Methods102 elderly patients were registered for this study and the extraeranial carotid was detected by ultrasound scan. The carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and the plaque index (PI) were measured and calculated respectively. Meanwhile the patients were divided into two groups according to the results of bone mineral density (BMI) measurement: the osteoporosis group and the non-osteoporosis group. The IMT, PI, carotid stenotic rate and some biochemical parameters were recorded and compared between the two groups. Relationship between these parameters and osteoporosis were evaluated by logistic regression model and partial correlation analysis. ResultsThe differences in serum calcium and the levels of TC,TG,HDL and LDL between osteoporosis group and non-osteoporosis group were statistically significant (all P＜0.05), while the level differences in serum phosphorus, fasting blood glucose and uric acid had no statistical significance between the two groups (P＞0.05). Moreover, the IMT and PI in osteoporosis group were significantly higher than those in non-osteoporosis group (P＜0.05). Among the 102 patients, 48 cases showed the carotid stenotic rate ＞ 50%, including 41 patients in osteoporosis group as well as 7 patients in non-osteoporosis group(P＜0.05). Logistic regression showed that age, HDL-C, IMT, PI and carotid stenotic rate＞50 % were the correlated factors of osteoporosis and among them, IMT, PI and carotid stenotic rate＞50% had higher risks (OR = 17.13,99.33,289.13). There was positive correlation between the carotid artery disease and osteoporosis. ConclusionsThere is a relationship between osteoporosis and carotid artery disease in the elderly. Emphasis should be paid on comprehensive prevention for osteoporosis and carotid artery disease in the elderly.

Aim To investigate the effects of ghrelin on alcohol-induced liver injury. Methods The alcoholic liver injury mouse model was induced by chronic etha-nol feeding ( 4-week ad libitum oral feeding with the ethanol liquid diet) plus a single binge ethanol (5 g· kg-1 ) feeding. The level of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum, malondiadehyde ( MDA ) content, superoxide dis-mutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities in liver homogenate were assayed by spectro-photometer. Hepatic pathological examination was ob-served by HE staining. The mRNA expression of proin-flammatory cytokines including TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-6 and MCP-1 in the liver was measured by real-time PCR method. Results This chronic-plus-single-binge high dose ethanol feeding synergistically induced liver injury, inflammation and fatty liver change. Treatment with Ghrelin ( 5 , 10 , 20 μg · kg-1 ) significantly de-creased the enhanced level of transaminase ( ALT, AST) in serum, improved the pathologic change in liv-er, and reduced the infiltration of inflammatory cells induced by alcohol administration. Ghrelin also de-creased MDA content and increased the reduced SOD and GSH-Px level in liver homogenate. Furthermore, ghrelin decreased inflammatory cytokines mRNA ex-pression including TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-6 and MCP-1 in the liver. Conclusion Ghrelin has protec-tive effects against alcoholic liver injury in mice via in-hibiting inflammation and suppressing oxidative stress.

Objective To establish mild cognitive dysfunction (MCI) models in elderly rats,and to investigate the pathophysiological features.Methods Totally 40 SD rats (14 to 18-month-old) were randomly divided into 2 groups:the model group (n=20) and the sham operation group (n=20).Bilateral carotid artery stenosis was prepared in the model group while bilateral carotid artery was seperated with no bilateral narrowing in the sham operation group.30 days after the operation,Morris water maze test was performed,pathomorphological and electron microscopic observations of the cerebral tissue were examined and the expression of G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2(GRK2) in hippocampus tissue w detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blottin.Results The mortality in model group was only 10％.Pathological morphology and ultrastructure showed that hippocampal tissue structure was almost normal in sham operated group,but in model group group,hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells were in ischemic demyelination,arranged loose,and part of the cells showed nucleus pyknosis,deeply stained; there was no obvious infarct in white matter,part of the white matter fiher hecame thinner and disorder,nucleolus became smaller and steped aside,cytoplasmic electron density increased,lipofuscin appeared occasionally.Rough endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi were expanded,cytosolic free ribosomes increased,part of mitochondria became swelled,vacuolated.Morris water maze test results showed that the average escape latency in model group was longer than in sham group (P＜0.05).In spatial probe test,the average time of crossing the first original platform in model rats was significantly longer than the sham operated group [(36.80±7.68) s vs.(20.87±6.16)s,P＜0.05].The average number of crossing the original platform in 60 seconds in model group was significantly less than in sham group(1.43±0.51 vs.3.10±1.45,P＜0.05).The expressiones of GRK2 mRNA and protein in the hippocampus were significantly increased in model group rats than in sham group (P＜0.05).Conclusions The model of severe CCA stenosis in elderly rats can be applied for MCI animal models with good stability and repeatability.Compared with sham group,the cells morphology and ultrastructure in model group appeare more obvious pathological changes and mild impairments in cognitive function.GRK2 may play an important role in the development of MCI.

Objective:To investigate the in vitro inhibitory effect of methylene blue mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) combined with berberine on Porphyromonas gingivalis (P.g). Methods:P.g was cultured until the middle to late log phase, and methylene blue was added to P.g suspension at different mass concentrations for 5 min, and a laser (wavelength 660 nm, power 140 mW/cm 2) was irradiated for 2 min to find the optimal concentration of methylene blue combined with the laser for in vitro inhibition of P.g. The effect of methylene blue mediated PDT on the in vitro inhibition of P.g and the effect of berberine on the growth curve of P.g were observed. The inhibitory effect of methylene blue mediated PDT and berberine on P.g was investigated by successive combined applications. The effect of methylene blue mediated PDT on P.g morphology was observed by scanning electron microscopy. The absorption peaks of each component were measured by ultraviolet spectrophotometer. Results:The best inhibition was achieved at a methylene blue mass concentration of 24.414 1 μg/ml under 660 nm laser excitation. The differences were statistically significant in both the methylene blue and PDT groups compared with the control group (all P<0.001). 0.05 mg/ml berberine had an inhibitory effect on the planktonic bacteria of P.g. After P.g was treated with methylene blue mediated PDT, the bacterial cell walls were crumpled into clusters. Compared with the control group, the number of colonies was reduced in the 0.05 mg/ml berberine group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01). The difference between the 0.05 mg/ml berberine + light group and the control group was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). When PDT was combined with berberine, there was a synergistic inhibitory effect on P.g. PDT followed by berberine shows a better inhibitory effect on bacteria, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.01). After the berberine treatment, the bacterial surface became smooth, and the length of the bacterial body increased compared with the control group. Conclusions:Methylene blue mediated PDT has an inhibitory effect on P.g. When combined with berberine, it has a synergistic inhibitory effect on P.g., and the inhibition effect is better when PDT is applied first and then berberine is applied in combination.

Objective To investigate the expression of essential meiotic endonuclease 1(EME1)in liver cancer tissue and its effect on the biological behavior of hepatoma cells.Methods The TCGA database was used to identify the differentially expressed genes between liver cancer tissue and paracancerous tissue.Immunohistochemistry and Western Blot were used to measure the expression abundance of EME1 in liver cancer tissue.A lentivirus was constructed by short hairpin RNA,and BEL-7404 cells were transfected with the lentivirus to interfere with the expression of the EME1 gene;the cells were divided into silencing group(shEME1 group)and control group(shCtrl group).Quantitative real-time PCR and Western Blot were used to measure the mRNA and protein expression levels of EME1;Celigo Image Cytometer and MTT assay were used to measure cell proliferation rate;flow cytometry was used to observe cell cycle;Caspase 3/7 activity was used to measure cell apoptosis.The independent-samples t-test was used for comparison between two groups.Results TCGA results showed that the mRNA expression level of EME1 in liver cancer tissue was 18.9 times that in paracancerous tissue(t=5.00,P<0.001),and the protein expression level of EME1 in liver cancer tissue was 7.0 times(based on immunohistochemistry:8.4±2.6 vs 1.2±0.4,t=7.55,P<0.001)or 2.5 times(based on Western Blot:249.0%±35.5%vs 100.0%±77.8%,t=3.02,P<0.05)that in paracancerous tissue.After lentivirus infection,compared with the shCtrl group,the shEME1 group had an mRNA expression level of EME1 reduced by 29.9%(29.9%±0.9%vs 100.0%±3.6%,t=32.82,P<0.001),a protein expression level of EME1 reduced by 35.7%(35.7%±14.9%vs 100.0%±28.9%,t=3.42,P<0.05),and a level of cell counting reduced by 45.1%(4 053±167 vs 8 988±477,t=16.91,P<0.001),as well as a level of cell activity reduced to 66.9%(0.518±0.046 vs 0.774±0.022,t=8.74,P<0.001)and a level of colony forming ability reduced to 29.0%(75±6 vs 260±9,t=28.92,P<0.001).Compared with the shCtrl group,the shEME1 group had a significant increase in the proportion of cells in G1 phase(49.9%vs 44.0%,t=8.96,P<0.001)and significant reductions in the proportion of cells in G2/M phase(15.9%vs 17.9%,t=9.13,P<0.001)and S phase(34.2%vs 38.1%,t=6.91,P<0.001),while Caspase 3/7 activity was enhanced by 1.5 times(145.8%±5.9%vs 100.0%±2.3%,t=12.50,P<0.001).Conclusion EME1 is highly expressed in liver cancer tissue,and silencing the EME1 gene can inhibit the proliferation of hepatoma cells and promote cell apoptosis.

Objective:To investigate risk factors for cognitive decline in elderly hospitalised hypertensive patients, develop a risk prediction model and validate it.Methods:By the convenient sampling method, a total of 379 elderly hypertensive patients admitted to Department of Cardiology, Department of Geriatrics (General) and Department of Endocrinology in Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University from April to October 2022 were selected as the study objects. Binomial Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the risk factors of cognitive frailty in elderly hospitalized hypertensive patients and establish a prediction model. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) and Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness of fit test were used to evaluate the prediction effect and calibration degree of the model, and Bootstrap method was used for internal verification.Results:Among 379 elderly hospitalized hypertensive patients, 145 (38.3%) had cognitive frailty. Binomial Logistic regression analysis showed that age, education level, drinking history, daily exercise, use of angiotensin receptor antagonists, Barthel index and nutritional status were the influential factors for cognitive frailty in elderly hospitalized hypertensive patients ( P< 0.05). The area under ROC curve of the prediction model was 0.770 (95% CI: 0.721-0.819, P< 0.001), the sensitivity was 0.607, the specificity was 0.838, and the maximum approximate entry index was 0.445. Hosmer Lemeshow goodness of fit test χ 2=3.581, P=0.893. Internal validation was conducted using the Bootstrap method to resample 1 000 times, and the results showed that the average area under the ROC curve of the prediction model was 0.737 (0.687-0.788) . Conclusions:The risk prediction model for cognitive decline in elderly hospitalized hypertensive patients can predict the risk of cognitive frailty in elderly hospitalized hypertensive patients, which can provide references for medical staff to develop corresponding intervention measures.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of serum D-dimer combined with myocardial injury markers on admission for early identification of high-risk patients with acute myocarditis.Methods:Patients hospitalized for acute myocarditis in China-Japan Friendship Hospital were retrospectively enrolled from 2010 to 2021. Patients were divided into the high D-dimer level group and low D-dimer level group according to the median value of D-dimer measured by immunoturbidimetry within 24 h of admission. In-hospital adverse events were defined as death, cardiogenic shock, malignant ventricular arrhythmia and new-onset heart failure. Multivariate logistic analysis was used to explore the independent predictors of in-hospital adverse events, and receiver operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the predictive value.Results:A total of 106 patients were analyzed, including 52 high level D-dimer patients and 54 low level D-dimer patients, with an average age of (36±16) years, and 62.3% were male. Compared with the low D-dimer level group, patients in the high D-dimer level group had lower mean systolic blood pressure [(114±21) mmHg vs. (121±14) mmHg] and diastolic blood pressure [(71±13) mmHg vs. (76±10) mmHg], higher heart rate [(97±26) beats/min vs. (79±15) beats/min], higher C-reactive protein levels [6.82 (1.61, 20.05) mg/dL vs. 1.30 (0.13, 8.93) mg/dL] and creatinine levels [86.95 (67.63, 117.83) μmol/L vs. 68.80 (60.18, 81.93) μmol/L] on admission. The proportion of patients having QRS interval >120 ms on electrocardiogram was higher in high D-dimer level group (25.0% vs. 7.4%). There was no significant difference in patients with positive myocardial injury biomarkers between the two groups. The incidence of in-hospital adverse events was higher in the high D-dimer level group (67.3% vs. 22.2%, P<0.001). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that serum D-dimer levels and elevated myocardial injury markers on admission were independently associated with in-hospital adverse events. The area under the curve (AUC) of elevated serum D-dimer level on admission for predicting in-hospital adverse events was 0.781 (95% CI: 0.690-0.873), the sensitivity was 74.5%, and the specificity was 71.2%. When combined with positive cardiac biomarkers, the AUC was 0.831 (95% CI: 0.752-0.910) with a sensitivity of 80.9% and a specificity of 78.0%. Conclusions:Elevated D-dimer level on admission can predict the risk of in-hospital adverse events in patients with acute myocarditis. The combination of cardiac injury biomarkers can improve the predictive value.

AIM: To explore the effect of Huatanjiangqi capsule medicated serum (HTJQ) on the resistance of human bronchial epithelial cells (16HBE) to glucocorticoid (GC) stimulated by cigarette smoke extract (CSE). METHODS: After 16HBE cells were treated with HTJQ, the effects of different concentrations of HTJQ on the viability of 16HBE cells were determined by CCK-8 method. 16HBE cells were pretreated with HTJQ, and then cultured with dexamethasone (DEX) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 24 hours, the effect of HTJQ on glucocorticoid (GC) resistance of 16HBE cells was determined by Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The effects of HTJQ, sulforaphane (SFN) and glutathione (GSH) on the expression of NF-E2-related factors 2 (Nrf2), Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and histone deacetylase 2 (HDAC2) in 16HBE cells stimulated by CSE were measured by Western blot, and the effects of HTJQ, SFN and GSH on interleukin-8 (IL-8) in 16HBE cells were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: HTJQ promoted the proliferation of 16HBE cells at 1 h, 2 h and 4 h, the results of ELISA and Western blot showed that CSE induced GC resistance and decreased the expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and HDAC2 in 16HBE cells, HTJQ significantly decreased IL-8 and improved GC sensitivity of 16HBE cells (P<0.01), and up-regulated the expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and HDAC2 (P<0.01). In addition, HTJQ significantly up-regulated the level of GSH in 16HBE cells (P<0.01). Nrf2 agonists SFN and GSH significantly improved the glucocorticoid sensitivity of 16HBE cells (P<0.01), and up-regulated the expression of Nrf2, HO-1 and HDAC2 (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: HTJQ improves the GC resistance of 16HBE cells by up-regulating the expression of Nrf2/HDAC2 protein and the level of intracellular GSH.