Notum, a negative feedback regulator of the Wnt signaling, has emerged as a promising target for treating glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP). This study showcases an efficient strategy for discovering the anti-Notum constituents from herbal medicines (HMs) as novel anti-GIOP agents. Firstly, a rapid-responding near-infrared fluorogenic substrate for Notum was rationally engineered for high-throughput identifying the anti-Notum HMs. The results showed that Bu-Gu-Zhi (BGZ), a known anti-osteoporosis herb, potently inhibited Notum in a competitive-inhibition manner. To uncover the key anti-Notum constituents in BGZ, an efficient strategy was adapted via integrating biochemical, phytochemical, computational, and pharmacological assays. Among all identified BGZ constituents, three furanocoumarins were validated as strong Notum inhibitors, while 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MP) showed the most potent anti-Notum activity and favorable safety profiles. Mechanistically, 5-MP acted as a competitive inhibitor of Notum via creating strong hydrophobic interactions with Trp128 and Phe268 in the catalytic cavity of Notum. Cellular assays showed that 5-MP remarkably promoted osteoblast differentiation and activated Wnt signaling in dexamethasone (DXMS)-challenged MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. In dexamethasone-induced osteoporotic mice, 5-MP strongly elevated bone mineral density (BMD) and improved cancellous and cortical bone thickness. Collectively, this study constructs a high-efficient platform for discovering key anti-Notum constituents from HMs, while 5-MP emerges as a promising anti-GIOP agent.

Objective: To compare quality control (relative purity and specific activity) and process control [plasminogen (Pg) antigen recovery and potency recovery] indexes of samples before and after adding the Q chromatography step to the full chromatography process of human Pg, thereby determining whether the addition of this step could improve Pg recovery by affinity chromatography. Methods: A Q chromatography step was added before the Pg affinity chromatography in the original Pg chromatography process. The loading solution, flow through solution and eluate of Q chromatography and Pg affinity chromatography were collected. The potency of coagulation factor Ⅱ (FⅡ), Ⅶ (FⅦ), Ⅷ (FⅧ), Ⅸ (FⅨ), and Ⅹ(FⅩ) were detected by the coagulation method, the total protein content was detected by the BCA method, and the Pg potency was detected by the chromogenic substrate method. The content of specific plasma proteins was detected by immunoturbidimetry, the potency recovery of coagulation factors was calculated, and the flow direction of coagulation factors was analyzed. The recovery of different plasma protein antigens were calculated, and the distribution of impurity proteins was analyzed. The relative purity and specific activity of Pg, antigen content, and potency recovery in the target fractions were calculated and compared with the original process indicators, so as to determine the effect of adding Q chromatography on the original process. Furthermore, the reproducibility after process modification was assessed. Results: 100% of FⅡ, FⅩ, and FⅨ, 87.81% of FⅧ, and 40.44% of FⅦ in filtered plasma were removed by Q chromatography. The residual FⅦ (53.26%) and FⅧ (13.30%) in Q flow-through fraction were completely removed by Pg affinity chromatography. In both the original process (without Q-chromatography) and the modified process (with Q-chromatography), non-target plasma proteins mainly existed in the flow-through fraction of Pg affinity chromatography. The antigen recovery of IgM, ceruloplasmin (CER), and fibronectin (FNC) in Q-chromatography flow-through fraction were reduced. In contrast, antigen recovery of other plasma proteins [IgG, IgA, Pg, albumin (AlB), alpha-1-antitrypsin (AAT), and fibrinogen (Fg)] were all >90%, which were consistent with the protein composition and proportion in the original affinity chromatography loading solution. Compared with the recovery rate of Pg antigen in the original process (74.4%), the total recovery of Pg antigen in the modified process was significantly increased (89.97%). Compared with the recovery of IgG (97.48%) and Fg (95.32%) in the Pg affinity flows-through fraction of the original process, the modified process resulted in a slight reduction in the recovery of IgG (94.60%), while the recovery of Fg was not affected (95.05%). The potency recovery rate, specific activity, and relative purity of Pg after Q chromatography were 99.3%, 0.016 U/mg, and 0.15%. These values were the same as those of Pg affinity chromatography loading solution by the original process, indicating that introduction of Q chromatography did not affect subsequent Pg affinity chromatography. Compared with the recovery of Pg antigen in three batches of the original process (66.49±1.02)%, the recovery of Pg antigen in the affinity chromatography eluent of the modified process [five batches; (77.43±4.43)%] was significantly improved. Furthermore, the potency recovery was (86.80±4.28)%, the relative purity was (81.99±1.25)%, the specific activity was (8.679±1.073)U/mg, and the process was reproducible. Conclusion: The addition of Q chromatography could improve the recovery of Pg affinity chromatography in the full chromatography process.

[Objective] To determine the feasibility of preparing plasminogen (Pg) with Fraction Ⅲ precipitation (hereinafter referred to as FⅢ-P) from low-temperature ethanol process by full chromatography (hereinafter referred to as FⅢ-P process). [Methods] The FⅢ-P was diluted with dissolution buffer at different dilution times and stirring time. The potency and antigen concentration of Pg in dissolution sample were detected and the dissolution and clarification conditions were determined. Pre-treatment of loading sample and pre-experiment of affinity chromatography were carried out on the FⅢ-P dissolution sample to judge whether the loading sample had an impact on the chromatography by observing the performance of the affinity chromatography column and to evaluate whether the affinity chromatography could achieve the purpose of purifying Pg by detecting the plasma protein antigen concentration and Pg potency of the samples in the process. Two batches of FⅢ-P process were studied step by step, and the specific activity, steps and total recovery, and the output of Pg per ton of plasma were calculated. The feasibility of preparing Pg by FⅢ-P process was evaluated by comparing with the data of full chromatography process using plasma as raw material (hereinafter referred to as plasma process). [Results] The FⅢ-P was dissolved with 10 times of dissolution buffer, stirred for 1 hour, centrifuged at room temperature of 10 000×g for 15 minutes. The supernatant was first filtered with a screen, then clarified with an 8/0.8 μm filter, and finally filtered with a 0.45/0.2 μm filter and loaded. Pre-test showed that from clarification and filtration to Pg affinity chromatography, the step recovery of activity and antigen was 39.51% and 108.64%, respectively, the antigen concentration of Pg increased by 31.16 times and the activity increased by 11.39 times after affinity chromatography, which reaching the effect of affinity chromatography purification of Pg. The results of 2 batches of step-by-step scale-up FⅢ-P process showed that the total recoveries of antigen and activity from plasma to SP chromatography of FⅢ-P process were (45.76±1.10)% and (24.15±0.59)%, respectively, which had a total loss of about 1/3 of antigen and about 2/3 of activity compared to the plasma process. The Pg specific activity of SP chromatography eluent was (4.68±0.25) U/mg, which was about half of that of plasma process, but meeted the internal standard of > 4 U/mg. The output of Pg antigen per ton of plasma in the FⅢ-P process was 68.73% of that in the plasma process, and the output of Pg activity per ton of plasma in the plasma process was 29.82% of that in the plasma process, which basically achieved the purpose of waste utilization of FⅢ-P. [Conclusion] The technical route of preparing Pg from FⅢ-P by full chromatography is feasible.

Objective To study placental microcirculation and microstructure of pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hyper-tension by using MRI intravoxel incoherent motion(IVIM)at plateau area.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 22 healthy pregnant women at third trimester with single birth and 20 pregnant women with pregnancy-induced hypertension.All subjects underwent ultrasound,routine MRI and IVIM examination.The D,D*,f values of the whole placental and various parts of the placental,estimated fetal weight(EFW)and postnatal weight were measured and recorded.The differences of two groups data were analyzed by independent sample t test or one-way analysis of variance,and then multiple comparisons of placental quantitative parameters between the two groups were analyzed by Bonferroni method.Results The fetal side and whole placental f values in healthy pregnant women at third trimester were higher than pregnancy-induced hypertension(P＜0.05),the maternal side and whole placental D values in healthy pregnant women at third trimester were higher than pregnancy-induced hypertension(P＜0.05),the EFW and fetal birth weight in healthy pregnant women at third trimester were higher than pregnancy-induced hypertension(P＜0.05).Conclusion IVIM can effectively evaluate placental blood flow microcirculation and microstructure with pregnancy-induced hypertension at plateau area,and provide a new proof for clinical evaluation of placental structure and function changes.

【Objective】 To investigate the correlation between heart rate variability (HRV) and the degree of nervousness before blood donation. 【Methods】 The psychological state of 253 blood donors before blood donation was assessed by the self-rating anxiety scale (SAS) and the degree of nervousness and their HRV were measured. The correlation between the SAS score, the degree of nervousness and the HRV parameters was analyzed, and the differences were compared among different types of donors by multivariate linear regression. 【Results】 A total of 247 blood donors were included in the study. Five HRV parameters in blood donors aged 18-24 were higher than in those aged 25 years and above(all P<0.05), and the anxiety level was higher in female donors(SAS score 41-46) than in males(SAS score 35-43)(P<0.001); the pre-donation SAS score was consistent with the assessment of the tension level (r=0.970, P<0.001); the pre-donation tension level and the SAS score were all significantly negatively correlated with VLF in HRV parameters(r=0.179, P=0.005), and the associations were independent of confounders such as age, body mass index and gender (P<0.05). 【Conclusion】 Compared with SAS and tension assessment, HRV is more objective, and can be used as one of the tests for assessing the tension level of blood donors. The inclusion of HRV in the routine screening of blood donors deserves further study for its application in assessing the anxiety level of blood donors before blood donation, identifying people prone to blood donation-related vasovagal reaction (DRVR), preventing and reducing the risk of DRVR, and improving the safety of blood donation.

Objective To investigate the relationship between occupational noise exposure and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, as well as prediabetes diagnosed by HbA1c. Methods A total of 1 181 workers from a cigarette factory were selected as the research subjects using a judgment sampling method. Workers were divided into control, low-level noise exposure and high-level noise exposure groups, consisting of 236, 359, and 586 individuals, respectively. The blood sample was collected for HbA1c test and occupation noise exposure intensity in workplace was detected by an area-sampling method. Results There were no statistical significant differences in HbA1c levels and prediabetes prevalence among the three groups of workers (all P>0.05). After adjusting for potential confounding factors such as years of service, gender, smoking, pack-years of smoking, alcohol consumption, and body mass index, multiple linear regression analysis showed that the high-level noise exposure group had higher HbA1c level than the control group (P<0.05). Multivariable logistic regression analysis results showed that the high-level noise exposure group had higher risk of prediabetes compared with the control group (P<0.05). Conclusion Occupational noise exposure could be a risk factor for the increased HbA1c levels and prediabetes incidence among the occupational population. More attention should be paid to the effects of occupational noise exposure on the HbA1c level in occupational health surveillance.

Melatonin receptor 1B (MT2, encoded by the MTNR1B gene), a high-affinity receptor for melatonin, is associated with glucose homeostasis including glucose uptake and transport. The rs10830963 variant in the MTNR1B gene is linked to glucose metabolism disorders including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); however, the relationship between MT2-mediated melatonin signaling and a high birth weight of GDM infants from maternal glucose abnormality remains poorly understood. This article aims to investigate the relationship between rs10830963 variants and GDM development, as well as the effects of MT2 receptor on glucose uptake and transport in trophoblasts. TaqMan-MGB (minor groove binder) probe quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays were used for rs10930963 genotyping. MT2 expression in the placenta of GDM and normal pregnant women was detected by immunofluorescence, western blot, and qPCR. The relationship between MT2 and glucose transporters (GLUTs) or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) was established by western blot, and glucose consumption of trophoblasts was measured by a glucose assay kit. The results showed that the genotype and allele frequencies of rs10830963 were significantly different between GDM and normal pregnant women (P<0.05). The fasting, 1-h and 2-h plasma glucose levels of G-allele carriers were significantly higher than those of C-allele carriers (P<0.05). Besides, the protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of MT2 in the placenta of GDM was significantly higher than that of normal pregnant women (P<0.05). Melatonin could stimulate glucose uptake and GLUT4 and PPARγ protein expression in trophoblasts, which could be attenuated by MT2 receptor knockdown. In conclusion, the rs10830963 variant was associated with an increased risk of GDM. The MT2 receptor is essential for melatonin to raise glucose uptake and transport, which may be mediated by PPARγ.
Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Diabetes, Gestational/metabolism* ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Melatonin/metabolism* ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; PPAR gamma ; Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/genetics*

Objective: To investigate the clustering of health-risk behaviors and its influencing factors among children and adolescents in Yancheng City, Jiangsu Province, so as to provide insights into the prevention and control of health-risk behaviors among children and adolescents. Methods: Students were randomly sampled from 4 primary schools, 4 junior high schools and 4 senior high schools in Yancheng City using a multi-stage stratified cluster random sampling method from September to December 2021. Students' demographics and 12 health-risk factors including unhealthy diet, insufficient physical activity and attempted smoking were collected using the Student's Health Status and Influencing Factors Questionnaire by Jiangsu Provincial Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and factors affecting the clustering of health-risk behaviors were identified using a multivariable linear regression model. Results: A total of 2 925 valid questionnaires were recovered, and the respondents included 1 611 boys (55.08%) and 1 314 girls (44.92%). A total of 2 896 respondents were detected with health-risk behaviors, with a detection rate of 99.09%, and 2 772 respondents were detected with clustering of health-risk behaviors (93.06%). Insufficient sleep, insufficient physical activity and insufficient duration of outdoor activity were predominant patterns of clustering. The median number of health-risk behaviors was 4.00 (interquartile range, 2.00) per capita. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that boys (β=0.232), grade (junior high school, β=0.519; senior high school, β=0.427), urban area (β=0.241), living at school (β=0.395), family structure (single parental family, β=0.188; other families, β=0.344) and father's education level of primary school and below (β=0.369) were factors affecting clustering of health-risk behavior among primary and high school students. Conclusions The detection of health-risk behaviors is high among children and adolescents in Yancheng City, and insufficient sleep, insufficient physical activity and insufficient duration of outdoor activity are predominant health-risk behaviors. Boys, junior high school and above, urban areas, living at schools, single parents, and fathers with a low educational level lead to a high degree of clustering of health-risk behaviors.

Objective:To investigate the intention to participate in health care in transitional children and adolescents with diabetes and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:This was a cross-sectional survey study. From March to October 2021, 185 children and adolescents with diabetes were selected as research subjects by convenience sampling method from People′s Hospital Affiliated to Jiangsu University. General data questionnaire, Participation in Health Care Intention Questionnaire, Health Literacy Scale and Diabetes Self-management Scale were used to investigate, and multiple linear regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of the population′s intention to participate in health care.Results:The transitional children and adolescents with diabetes participation in health care intention total score was (124.87 ± 16.31) points, the health literacy total score was (33.70 ± 4.38) points, diabetes self-management total score was (35.11 ± 5.19) points. The regression analysis found that age, course of the disease, diabetes type, family structure modes, health literacy, and self-management ability were the main factors influencing adolescents involved in health care intention ( t values were -1.99-2.66, all P<0.05), including health literacy ability and disease management ability was positively correlated with the disease ( r = 0.250, 0.232, both P<0.01). Conclusions:The transitional children and adolenscents with diabetes have a medium level of intention to participate in health care. The transitional children and adolenscents with older age, longer disease course and nuclear family structure had higher levels of health care intention. The higher the level of health literacy and self-management, the higher the level of intention to participate in health care, medical staff should take targeted measures to improve the intention to participate in health care, promote this group to improve disease management ability and quality of life.

Objective To investigate the effect of lead exposure on blood pressure of lead workers. Methods A total of 665 lead workers from some lead-acid battery enterprises in Wuhan were selected as the lead exposure group, and 708 ordinary workers without lead exposure were selected as the control group. The blood pressure in the workers of both groups was measured. The blood lead concentrations were measured in the lead-exposed group. The independent samples t-test was used to compare the blood pressure between the two groups. Linear regression model was used to analyze the relationship between the blood lead concentration and the blood pressure in the lead-exposed group. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between the risk of hypertension and blood lead concentration in lead-exposed group. Results The mean values of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and pulse in the lead exposure group were significantly higher than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in pulse pressure difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Linear regression analysis revealed that blood lead concentrations were significantly correlated with both systolic and diastolic blood pressure in the lead exposure group. For each increase of 1μg/L of blood lead concentration in the lead exposure group, the systolic blood pressure of lead workers increased by 0.011 mmHg, and the diastolic blood pressure increased by 0.007 mmHg. Logistic regression analysis found that men in the lead-exposed group had a higher risk of hypertension than women. The older the age and the higher the blood lead concentration, the higher the risk of development of hypertension. Conclusion There is a positive correlation between the blood lead concentration and the systolic and diastolic blood pressure in lead workers. The older the lead worker, the higher the risk of developing high blood pressure. The higher the lead concentration in lead workers, the higher the risk of developing high blood pressure.