Objective: In the present study, we compare the influence of oxidized lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and unoxidized Lp(a) on plasminogen activation in the process of fibrinolysis and elucidate the potential atherogenic mechanisms of oxidized Lp(a), focusing on its role in thrombosis. Methods: Chromogenic substrate assays were conducted to study the kinetics of plasminogen activation. Fibrin clots were generated by incubating fibrinogen with thrombin, and plasminogen activation was triggered with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Experiments were performed in low and high concentrations of Lp(a) or oxidized Lp(a) to evaluate their respective effects on plasmin generation. Oxidized Lp(a) was prepared by chemical oxidation of isolated Lp(a) samples. Results: Low concentrations of Lp(a) enhanced plasminogen activation and fibrinolysis, reflecting its physiological role. However, at higher concentrations, oxidized Lp(a) exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on plasminogen activation. Compared to unoxidized Lp(a), oxidized Lp(a) led to earlier plateauing of plasmin generation and reduced overall plasmin levels. The inhibitory effects of oxidized Lp(a) are likely due to its structural similarity to plasminogen and higher oxidized phospholipid content, which competes with plasminogen for fibrin binding—the enhanced competition with fibrin fragments and tPA by oxidized Lp(a) further impaired fibrinolysis. Conclusion This study demonstrates that while low levels of Lp(a) may support fibrinolysis, oxidized Lp(a) impairs this process by inhibiting plasminogen activation through structural and functional competition. These findings highlight the atherogenic potential of oxidized Lp(a) and its contribution to thrombotic cardiovascular risk.

Objective: In the present study, we compare the influence of oxidized lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and unoxidized Lp(a) on plasminogen activation in the process of fibrinolysis and elucidate the potential atherogenic mechanisms of oxidized Lp(a), focusing on its role in thrombosis. Methods: Chromogenic substrate assays were conducted to study the kinetics of plasminogen activation. Fibrin clots were generated by incubating fibrinogen with thrombin, and plasminogen activation was triggered with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Experiments were performed in low and high concentrations of Lp(a) or oxidized Lp(a) to evaluate their respective effects on plasmin generation. Oxidized Lp(a) was prepared by chemical oxidation of isolated Lp(a) samples. Results: Low concentrations of Lp(a) enhanced plasminogen activation and fibrinolysis, reflecting its physiological role. However, at higher concentrations, oxidized Lp(a) exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on plasminogen activation. Compared to unoxidized Lp(a), oxidized Lp(a) led to earlier plateauing of plasmin generation and reduced overall plasmin levels. The inhibitory effects of oxidized Lp(a) are likely due to its structural similarity to plasminogen and higher oxidized phospholipid content, which competes with plasminogen for fibrin binding—the enhanced competition with fibrin fragments and tPA by oxidized Lp(a) further impaired fibrinolysis. Conclusion This study demonstrates that while low levels of Lp(a) may support fibrinolysis, oxidized Lp(a) impairs this process by inhibiting plasminogen activation through structural and functional competition. These findings highlight the atherogenic potential of oxidized Lp(a) and its contribution to thrombotic cardiovascular risk.

Objective: In the present study, we compare the influence of oxidized lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and unoxidized Lp(a) on plasminogen activation in the process of fibrinolysis and elucidate the potential atherogenic mechanisms of oxidized Lp(a), focusing on its role in thrombosis. Methods: Chromogenic substrate assays were conducted to study the kinetics of plasminogen activation. Fibrin clots were generated by incubating fibrinogen with thrombin, and plasminogen activation was triggered with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Experiments were performed in low and high concentrations of Lp(a) or oxidized Lp(a) to evaluate their respective effects on plasmin generation. Oxidized Lp(a) was prepared by chemical oxidation of isolated Lp(a) samples. Results: Low concentrations of Lp(a) enhanced plasminogen activation and fibrinolysis, reflecting its physiological role. However, at higher concentrations, oxidized Lp(a) exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on plasminogen activation. Compared to unoxidized Lp(a), oxidized Lp(a) led to earlier plateauing of plasmin generation and reduced overall plasmin levels. The inhibitory effects of oxidized Lp(a) are likely due to its structural similarity to plasminogen and higher oxidized phospholipid content, which competes with plasminogen for fibrin binding—the enhanced competition with fibrin fragments and tPA by oxidized Lp(a) further impaired fibrinolysis. Conclusion This study demonstrates that while low levels of Lp(a) may support fibrinolysis, oxidized Lp(a) impairs this process by inhibiting plasminogen activation through structural and functional competition. These findings highlight the atherogenic potential of oxidized Lp(a) and its contribution to thrombotic cardiovascular risk.

Objective: In the present study, we compare the influence of oxidized lipoprotein(a) [Lp(a)] and unoxidized Lp(a) on plasminogen activation in the process of fibrinolysis and elucidate the potential atherogenic mechanisms of oxidized Lp(a), focusing on its role in thrombosis. Methods: Chromogenic substrate assays were conducted to study the kinetics of plasminogen activation. Fibrin clots were generated by incubating fibrinogen with thrombin, and plasminogen activation was triggered with tissue plasminogen activator (tPA). Experiments were performed in low and high concentrations of Lp(a) or oxidized Lp(a) to evaluate their respective effects on plasmin generation. Oxidized Lp(a) was prepared by chemical oxidation of isolated Lp(a) samples. Results: Low concentrations of Lp(a) enhanced plasminogen activation and fibrinolysis, reflecting its physiological role. However, at higher concentrations, oxidized Lp(a) exhibited a significant inhibitory effect on plasminogen activation. Compared to unoxidized Lp(a), oxidized Lp(a) led to earlier plateauing of plasmin generation and reduced overall plasmin levels. The inhibitory effects of oxidized Lp(a) are likely due to its structural similarity to plasminogen and higher oxidized phospholipid content, which competes with plasminogen for fibrin binding—the enhanced competition with fibrin fragments and tPA by oxidized Lp(a) further impaired fibrinolysis. Conclusion This study demonstrates that while low levels of Lp(a) may support fibrinolysis, oxidized Lp(a) impairs this process by inhibiting plasminogen activation through structural and functional competition. These findings highlight the atherogenic potential of oxidized Lp(a) and its contribution to thrombotic cardiovascular risk.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the short-and med-term clinical efficacy of unicompartmental knee arthroplasty(UKA)for the treatment of medial knee osteoarthritis (OA) in elderly patients with anterior cruciate ligament deficiency(ACLD). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 31 patients aged over 75 years old with primary medial knee OA and ACLD who underwent UKA between January 2018 and December 2022. The cohort included 12 males and 19 females, aged from 75 to 91 years with an average age of (79.56±4.54) years, with 13 left knee, 16 right knee, and 2 bilateral knees. Clinical outcomes were assessed preoperatively and at final follow-up using the visual analogue scale (VAS), Hospital for Special Surgery(HSS) score, range of motion (ROM), hip-knee-ankle angle (HKA), and tibial component posterior slope angle (TCPSA). Complications such as infection, prosthesis wear, prosthesis loosening, and dislocation were also recorded. RESULTS: All 31 patients were followed up from 12 to 63 months with an average of (28.34±10.56) months. The average postoperative TCPSA was (4.83±1.31)° ranged from 2.5° to 6.8°. At the final follow-up, there was significant improvement in VAS (3.24±0.53) vs. (6.59±0.69), HSS score (85.19±4.45) vs. (64.38±5.94), ROM (118.83±5.38)° vs. (98.85±4.08)°, and HKA (176.83±5.16)° vs. (169.57±6.28)° compared to preoperative values (P<0.05). No cases of infection, prosthesis loosening, or dislocation were reported. CONCLUSION UKA provides favorable short-and mid-term outcomes for elderly patients with medial knee OA and ACLD . However, long-term clinical efficacy needs further investigation through extended follow-up.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Knee/methods* ; Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/physiopathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Aged, 80 and over ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries/surgery*

Male reproductive disorders have emerged as a global issue. Infertility affects 8% to 12% of couples of childbearing age. The sperm concentration and total sperm count of men have shown a significant downward trend over the past four decades, with a decrease of more than 50%. Male reproductive disorders are related to multiple factors. Circular RNA (circRNA) is a type of non-coding RNA with covalently closed circular structures. It is involved in a variety of biological processes, including gene expression regulation, protein function regulation and epigenetic regulation. Studies have shown that there are differences in the expression of circRNA in the testicles and semen between infertile patients and healthy people, suggesting that circRNA is involved in the process of spermatogenesis, and its abnormal expression is associated with male infertility. This review takes the biological functions of circRNA as the starting point and summarizes the research progress of circRNA in male reproductive disorders. CircRNA has the potential to serve as a novel biomarker due to its conservative, special structure and tissue specificity, which provides a new strategy for the clinical diagnosis of male reproductive disorders.
Humans ; Male ; RNA, Circular ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; RNA/genetics* ; Spermatogenesis

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.11909/j.issn.1671-5411.2017.08.005.].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of acupuncture on the neurotransmitter levels and gut microbiota in a mouse model of Tourette syndrome (TS). METHODS: Thirty-six male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table method: 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) group, control group, acupuncture group, and tiapride group, with 9 mice in each group. In the IDPN group, acupuncture group, and tiapride group, mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of IDPN (300 mg/kg body weight) for 7 consecutive days to induce stereotyped behaviors. Subsequently, in the acupuncture intervention group, standardized acupuncture treatment was administered for 14 consecutive days to IDPN-induced TS model mice. The selected acupoints included Baihui (DU 20), Yintang (DU 29), Waiguan (SJ 5), and Zulinqi (GB 41). In the tiapride group, mice were administered tiapride (50 mg/kg body weight) via oral gavage daily for 14 consecutive days. The control group, IDPN group, and acupuncture group received the same volume of saline orally for 14 consecutive days. Stereotypic behaviors were quantified through behavioral assessments. Neurotransmitter levels, including dopamine (DA), glutamate (Glu), and aspartate (ASP) in striatal tissue were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Dopamine transporter (DAT) expression levels were additionally quantified through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Gut microbial composition was analyzed through 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, while metabolic profiling was conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). RESULTS: Acupuncture administration significantly attenuated stereotypic behaviors, concurrently reducing striatal levels of DA, Glu and ASP concentrations while upregulating DAT expression compared with untreated TS controls (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Comparative analysis identified significant differences in Muribaculaceae (P=0.001), Oscillospiraceae (P=0.049), Desulfovibrionaceae (P=0.001), and Marinifilaceae (P=0.014) following acupuncture intervention. Metabolomic profiling revealed alterations in 7 metabolites and 18 metabolic pathways when compared to the TS mice, which involved various amino acid metabolisms associated with DA, Glu, and ASP. CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture demonstrates significant modulatory effects on both central neurotransmitter systems and gut microbial ecology, thereby highlighting its dual therapeutic potential for TS management through gut-brain axis regulation.
Animals ; Tourette Syndrome/metabolism* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between physical activity and genetic risk and their combined effects on the risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included 318,085 biobank participants from the UK. Physical activity was assessed using the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire. The participants were stratified into low-, intermediate-, and high-genetic-risk groups based on their polygenic risk scores. Multivariate Cox regression models and multiplicative interaction analyses were used. RESULTS: During a median follow-up period of 13 years, 9,209 participants were diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. For low genetic risk, compared to low physical activity, the hazard ratios ( HRs) for moderate and high physical activity were 0.853 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: 0.748-0.972) and 0.831 (95% CI: 0.727-0.950), respectively. For intermediate genetic risk, the HRs were 0.829 (95% CI: 0.758-0.905) and 0.835 (95% CI: 0.764-0.914), respectively. For participants with high genetic risk, the HRs were 0.809 (95% CI: 0.746-0.877) and 0.818 (95% CI: 0.754-0.888), respectively. A significant interaction was observed between genetic risk and physical activity. CONCLUSION Moderate or high levels of physical activity were associated with a lower risk of developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease across all genetic risk groups, highlighting the need to tailor activity interventions for genetically susceptible individuals.
Humans ; Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive/epidemiology* ; Exercise ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Aged ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Risk Factors ; United Kingdom/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; Adult

Objective To investigate the clinical outcomes of suture anchors and knotless anchors in the repair of anterior talofibular ligament.Methods A total of 187 patients with chronic ankle instability caused by anterior talofibular ligament injury admitted to First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2018 to December 2021 were included and divided into the suture anchor group(97 cases)and the knotless anchor group(90 cases)according to the treatment methods.Patients in the suture anchor group were repaired with suture anchor,and patients in the knotless anchor group were repaired with knotless anchor.The postoperative follow-up was conducted for 24 to 48 months,the American Foot and Ankle Association(AOFAS)scores,visual analogue scale(VAS)scores and Cumberland ankle instability tool(CAIT)scores before and after surgery were compared between the two groups,and the ankle MR was performed 12 months after surgery to evaluate the recovery of patients.The complications of patients after surgery were observed.Results There was no significant difference in the VAS score,AOFAS scores or CAIT scores before surgery and at the end of follow-up between the two groups(P>0.05).At the end of follow-up,the VAS scores of the two groups were significantly lower than those before surgery,and the AOFAS scores and CAITs score were significantly higher than those before surgery,with significant differences(P<0.05).The sutures loosing or knots that irritated the surrounding soft tissues was not found in the patients of the suture anchor group,and the signs of knotless anchor loosening was not found in the patients of the knotless suture group.Postoperative complications such as infection and thrombosis were not found in all patients.The local skin numbness at the back of the foot in the early postoperative period was found in 3 patients of the suture anchor group and 2 patients of the knotless suture group,which disappeared at 6 months of follow-up.One patient in the suture anchor group reported subcutaneous discomfort on the operative side after 12 months of follow-up,which was suspected knot irritation,but no obvious abnormality was found in MR examination.Conclusion The clinical outcomes of suture anchors or knotless anchors in patients with chronic ankle instability are similar in the repair of anterior talofibular ligament,which can significantly improve the postoperative stability of the ankle after surgery.