Chronic kidney disease (CKD) affects 8%-15% of the population globally and can cause renal failure, partly due to lack of effective treatments and drug targets. Three novel cembrane diterpenoids papyifurans A‒C (1-3), in particular of 1 with an unprecedented trioxatetracyclo[10.2.1.1^2,5.1^6,9]heptadecane polyether scaffold, derived from Boswellia papyrifera resin, were found to effectively protect against renal fibrosis in vitro and in vivo. Their structures were fully characterized using a combination of spectroscopic, computational, modified Mosher's, and X-ray crystallographic analysis. In particular, we performed chemical proteomic analyses and found that Elongation factor 2 (EEF2) is the key target of compound 1 for anti-renal fibrosis in vitro. Moreover, previous studies have linked EEF2 with lung fibrosis, while compound 1 was found to inhibit the hallmarks of organ fibrosis in vitro. Such effects were observed to decrease with the knock down of EEF2 in vitro, suggesting that EEF2 might be a universal drug target of organ fibrosis. Collectively, the present study demonstrated an example of identifying drug targets by using structurally novel natural products, which will be beneficial for developing therapeutic agents against organ fibrosis.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), whose etiology is influenced by genetic and clinical risk factors, considerably impacts women's quality of life. However, the genetic underpinnings in non-European populations and comprehensive risk models integrating genetic and clinical factors remain underexplored. This study constructed the first polygenic risk score (PRS) for POP in the Chinese population by utilizing 20 disease-associated variants from the largest existing genome-wide association study. We analyzed a discovery cohort of 576 cases and 623 controls and a validation cohort of 264 cases and 200 controls. Results showed that the case group exhibited a significantly higher PRS than the control group. Moreover, the odds ratio of the top 10% risk group was 2.6 times higher than that of the bottom 10%. A high PRS was significantly correlated with POP occurrence in women older than 50 years old and in those with one or no childbirths. As far as we know, the integrated prediction model, which combined PRS and clinical risk factors, demonstrated better predictive accuracy than other existing PRS models. This combined risk assessment model serves as a robust tool for POP risk prediction and stratification, thereby offering insights into individualized preventive measures and treatment strategies in future clinical practice.
Humans ; Female ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse/epidemiology* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Assessment/methods* ; China/epidemiology* ; Multifactorial Inheritance ; Aged ; Risk Factors ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Case-Control Studies ; Adult ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Genetic Risk Score ; East Asian People

Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal condition characterized by reduced bone mass and strength, leading to increased fragility. Buqi-Tongluo (BQTL) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has yet to be fully evaluated for its potential in treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis. To investigate the mechanism by which BQTL decoction inhibits osteoclast differentiation in vitro and validate these findings through in vivo experiments. We employed MTS assays to assess the potential proliferative or toxic effects of BQTL on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) at various concentrations. TRAcP experiments were conducted to examine BQTL's impact on osteoclast differentiation. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were utilized to evaluate the relative expression levels of osteoclast-specific genes and proteins under BQTL stimulation. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed using an osteoporosis model to further validate the in vitro findings. This study revealed that BQTL suppressed receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast resorption activity in vitro in a dose-dependent manner without observable cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effects of BQTL on osteoclast formation and function were attributed to the downregulation of NFATc1 and c-fos activity, primarily through attenuation of the MAPK, NF-κB, and Calcineurin signaling pathways. BQTL's inhibitory capacity was further examined in vivo using an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model, demonstrating a strong protective effect against bone loss. BQTL may serve as an effective therapeutic TCM for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and the alleviation of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency and related conditions.
Animals ; NFATC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ovariectomy ; Osteoclasts/metabolism* ; Female ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Osteoporosis/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Bone Resorption/genetics* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Humans ; RANK Ligand/metabolism* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Transcription Factors

BACKGROUND: Treatment with chimeric antigen receptor-T (CAR-T) cells has shown promising effectiveness in patients with relapsed/refractory B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (R/R B-ALL), although the process of preparing for this therapy usually takes a long time. We have recently created CD19 Fast-CAR-T (F-CAR-T) cells, which can be produced within a single day. The objective of this study was to evaluate and contrast the effectiveness and safety of CD19 F-CAR-T cells with those of CD19 conventional CAR-T cells in the management of R/R B-ALL. METHODS: A multicenter, retrospective analysis of the clinical data of 44 patients with R/R B-ALL was conducted. Overall, 23 patients were administered with innovative CD19 F-CAR-T cells (F-CAR-T group), whereas 21 patients were given CD19 conventional CAR-T cells (C-CAR-T group). We compared the rates of complete remission (CR), minimal residual disease (MRD)-negative CR, leukemia-free survival (LFS), overall survival (OS), and the incidence of cytokine release syndrome (CRS) and immune effector cell-associated neurotoxicity syndrome (ICANS) between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the C-CAR-T group, the F-CAR-T group had significantly higher CR and MRD-negative rates (95.7% and 91.3%, respectively; 71.4% and 66.7%, respectively; P = 0.036 and P = 0.044). No significant differences were observed in the 1-year or 2-year LFS or OS rates between the two groups: the 1-year and 2-year LFS for the F-CAR-T group vs.C-CAR-T group were 47.8% and 43.5% vs. 38.1% and 23.8% (P = 0.384 and P = 0.216), while the 1-year and 2-year OS rates were 65.2% and 56.5% vs. 52.4% and 47.6% (P = 0.395 and P = 0.540). Additionally, among CR patients who underwent allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) following CAR-T-cell therapy, there were no significant differences in the 1-year or 2-year LFS or OS rates: 57.1% and 50.0% vs. 47.8% and 34.8% (P = 0.506 and P = 0.356), 64.3% and 57.1% vs. 65.2% and 56.5% (P = 0.985 and P = 0.883), respectively. The incidence of CRS was greater in the F-CAR-T group (91.3%) than in the C-CAR-T group (66.7%) (P = 0.044). The incidence of ICANS was also greater in the F-CAR-T group (30.4%) than in the C-CAR-T group (9.5%) (P = 0.085), but no treatment-related deaths occurred in the two groups. CONCLUSION Compared with C-CAR-T-cell therapy, F-CAR-T-cell therapy has a superior remission rate but also leads to a tolerably increased incidence of CRS/ICANS. Further research is needed to explore the function of allo-HSCT as an intermediary therapy after CAR-T-cell therapy.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of azithromycin for the treatment of Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia(MPP)with gene mutations at site A2063G of 23S rRNA in children.Methods:Data were retrospectively collected for 242 children diagnosed with MPP at Sichuan Provincial Maternity and Child Health Care Hospital from January to December 2023,in whom MPP was detected using targeted next-generation sequencing(tNGS).According to the presence or absence of mutations,the children were classified into mutation group(88 cases)and non-mutation group(154 cases).Results:Gene mutations at site A2063G of 23S rRNA were detected in 88 patients.The chest X-rays of both groups showed more lesions in the right lung than in the left lung.Both groups were treated with azithromycin and compared for differences in age,sex,duration of fever,C-reactive protein level,time to improvement of chest X-rays,days of medication,and response rate,with no significant differences found in the above indicators(P>0.05).However,the duration of respiratory symptoms was significantly longer in the mutation group than in the non-mutation group[(11.51±3.31)d vs.(10.06±3.63)d,P<0.05].Conclusion:Azithromycin is effective in treating MPP with gene mutations at site A2063G of 23S rRNA.

BACKGROUND:Carnosic acid,a bioactive compound found in rosemary,has been shown to reduce inflammation and reactive oxygen species(ROS).However,its mechanism of action in osteoclast differentiation remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of carnosic acid on osteoclast activation,ROS production,and mitochondrial function. METHODS:Primary bone marrow-derived macrophages from mice were extracted and cultured in vitro.Different concentrations of carnosic acid(0,10,15,20,25 and 30 μmol/L)were tested for their effects on bone marrow-derived macrophage proliferation and toxicity using the cell counting kit-8 cell viability assay to determine a safe concentration.Bone marrow-derived macrophages were cultured in graded concentrations and induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand for osteoclast differentiation for 5-7 days.The effects of carnosic acid on osteoclast differentiation and function were then observed through tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining,F-actin staining,H2DCFDA probe and mitochondrial ROS,and Mito-Tracker fluorescence detection.Western blot and RT-PCR assays were subsequently conducted to examine the effects of carnosic acid on the upstream and downstream proteins of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand-induced MAPK signaling pathway. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and F-actin staining showed that carnosic acid dose-dependently inhibited in vitro osteoclast differentiation and actin ring formation in the cell cytoskeleton,with the highest inhibitory effect observed in the high concentration group(30 μmol/L).Carnosic acid exhibited the most significant inhibitory effect during the early stages(days 1-3)of osteoclast differentiation compared to other intervention periods.Fluorescence imaging using the H2DCFDA probe,mitochondrial ROS,and Mito-Tracker demonstrated that carnosic acid inhibited cellular and mitochondrial ROS production while reducing mitochondrial membrane potential,thereby influencing mitochondrial function.The results of western blot and RT-PCR revealed that carnosic acid could suppress the expression of NFATc1,CTSK,MMP9,and C-fos proteins associated with osteoclast differentiation,and downregulate the expression of NFATc1,Atp6vod2,ACP5,CTSK,and C-fos genes related to osteoclast differentiation.Furthermore,carnosic acid enhanced the expression of antioxidant enzyme proteins and reduced the generation of ROS during the process of osteoclast differentiation.Overall,carnosic acid exerts its inhibitory effects on osteoclast differentiation by inhibiting the phosphorylation modification of the P38/ERK/JNK protein and activating the MAPK signaling pathway in bone marrow-derived macrophages.

Objective:To investigate the status and diagnostic reference levels (DRLs) of adult CT radiation dose based on survey result from some hospitals in Beijing.Methods:From September to December 2023, the survey results for 50 hospitals were collected in Beijing, including 47 tertiary hospitals and 3 second grade general hospitals. The CT data sets in total of 20 items including head (sequential scanning), head (spiral scanning), head perfusion, sinus, neck, chest, chest (low dose scanning), abdomen, pelvis, abdomen-pelvis, chest-abdomen-pelvis, lumbar spine, CT urography, coronary CTA (retrospective), coronary CTA (prospective), head CTA, neck CTA, aorta CTA, leg CTA and knee were collected on clinical commonly used CT scanners with annual qualified state inspection. For each item, radiation dose data was collected continuously and randomly for up to 50 cases for every CT scanner. Using the volume CT dose index (CTDI vol) and dose length product (DLP) as dose parameters, the median value of each item in each hospital was obtained. The median CTDI vol and DLP values of all hospitals were arranged, and the local DRL of each item was set as the 75th percentile of the median values. The obtained DRLs were compared with the DRLs issued by domestic and international radiological protection organizations. Results:A total of 26 031 dose values of adult patients were collected and 25 996 dose values were left while 35 invalid values removed.For different CT users, CTDl vol, DLP and scanning phases were different for the same item. The five items with the highest CTDI were head perfusion, head sequential scanning, head spiral scanning, coronary CTA (retrospective mode), and sinus. The five items with the highest DLP were CTU, head perfusion, leg CTA, chest-abdomen-pelvis and aortic CTA. The CTDI vol of CTU was only 16.9 mGy (75th percentile), while the DLP was as high as 2 394.9 mGy·cm (75th percentile). The survey showed that the DRLs of most items in Beijing was lower than the national DRLs of domestic and foreign standards, and the DRLs of a small number of items were slightly higher. Conclusion:The current CT dose level in Beijing is not consistent with national DRLs released at home and abroad, so it is necessary to establish local DRLs according to the clinical status in Beijing.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the expression of lysosomal-associated membrane protein 5 (LAMP5) and microRNA (miR)-302a-3p in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) and their functional mechanism on the invasion and metastasis of OSCC. METHODS: The expression of LAMP5 in OSCC and its sensitivity as a prognostic indicator were analyzed on the basis of The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Western blot, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and cell immunocytochemistry were used to detect the expression of LAMP5 in OSCC tissues and cells. The effect of LAMP5 on the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells was evaluated through cell counting kit-8, immunocytochemistry, migration, and invasion assays, respectively. The miRNA targeting prediction websites were used to predict the miR that regulates LAMP5 and verify the targeted regulatory effect of miR-302a-3p on LAMP5. The effect of LAMP5 knockdown on OSCC tumor growth was evaluated in a nude mouse tumorigenesis model. RESULTS: LAMP5 was highly expressed in OSCC tissues and cells. It showed high sensitivity in the early diagnosis of OSCC. LAMP5 knockdown significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells, whereas LAMP5 overexpression increased these cell activities. The expression of LAMP5 was regulated by miR-302a-3p. In vivo, LAMP5 knockdown significantly inhibited the growth of OSCC tumor. CONCLUSIONS LAMP5 promotes the malignant progression of OSCC by enhancing the proliferation, migration, and invasion of OSCC cells. The expression of LAMP5 is negatively regulated by miR-302a-3p.
MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Mouth Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Humans ; Animals ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/genetics* ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Cell Proliferation ; Mice, Nude ; Cell Movement ; Lysosomal Membrane Proteins/genetics* ; Mice ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Neoplasm Metastasis

To investigate the anti-atherosclerotic effects of dietary hesperidin and naringin on ather-osclerosis in rabbits.Twenty-four adult healthy male New Zealand Large White rabbits were ran-domly assigned to four groups based on one factor:control(Con),model(Mod),hesperidin(HP),and naringenin(NG),each containing six rabbits and housed in solitary cages.During the experi-mental period,the control group received normal feed;the model group was fed high-fat for 30 d to establish the atherosclerosis,(AS)model and continued to be fed high-fat feed;the hesperidin and naringenin groups were fed high-fat for 30 d and then underwent AS modeling,and at a later stage,150 mg of hesperidin(or naringenin)was added to the diets at a rate of 1.5 mg per kg of di-et,respectively,for 30 d.Relative body quality,blood lipids,oxidation,and inflammatory factor lev-els were all assessed.At the end of the test period,the test rabbits were sacrificed to obtain the common carotid artery for histopathological section HE staining,Oil red O staining,and Sirius red staining in order to observe vascular tissue structure,lipid and inflammatory cell infiltration,and e-lastic plate and elastic fiber damage.The results indicated that the relative body quality of the mod-el,HP and NG groups increased rapidly,and the difference with the control group within the same period was highly significant(P＜0.01);The HP and NG interventions significantly decreased to-tal cholesterol(TC)and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)levels(P＜0.01),while also leading to a significant increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)levels(P＜0.01);MDA levels exhibited a significant decrease(P＜0.01),while SOD levels showed a notable in-crease(P＜0.01)following the HP and NG interventions;After HP and NG interventions,TNF-α and IL-1 were regressed(P＜0.01)and IL-10 was significantly elevated(P＜0.01);Compared with the control group,the model group showed approximately 41.8 and 2.5 fold thickening of the maximal endo-medial membrane,respectively,and the HP and NG interventions showed approxi-mately 13 and 15 fold thickening of the maximal endo-medial membrane,and both of the maximal medial membranes thickened by approximately 1.4 fold;Staining of pathological sections showed that HP and NG intervened to significantly reduce inflammatory cell infiltration,deposition of lipid components,slight thickening of the endothelium,and intact fibroblastic components.The results showed that the addition of HP and NG to diets could regulate blood lipids and exert anti-inflam-matory and antioxidant effects by inhibiting the expression of inflammatory factors and oxidizing factors,showing significant anti-AS effects,and the two effects were comparable.