Objective:To explore the role of cathepsin S(CTSS) in diabetic vascular injury-induced restenosis.Methods:(1) Dendritic cells(DCs) were stimulated with different concentrations of glucose, and CTSS was either knocked down or upregulated in dendritic cells using adenovirus transfection. The mRNA and protein expression levels of CTSS were detected by RT-qPCR and Western blot, and the changes of interleukin(IL)-6 levels were assessed using RT-qPCR and ELISA in response to CTSS. (2) The extent of Th17 cell differentiation was evaluated with Flow cytometry when CTSS was downregulated or overexpressed. Levels of ROR-γt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, and IL-23 were measured. (3) Streptozomycin(STZ, 60 mg/kg) was injected into the intraperitoneal cavity of rats fasted for 12 h to obtain a diabetic rat model, and the restenosis model was obtained by balloon catheter and carotid guidewire injury, and the differentiation degree of Th17 cells in different groups of rats was compared when CTSS was up-regulated and down-regulated.Results:(1) DC viability decreased when stimulated with 35 mmol/L glucose for 48 hours. Compared to the control group, glucose treatment led to a concentration-dependent increase in CTSS and IL-6 levels in DCs( P<0.05). Inhibition of CTSS reduced IL-6 protein levels, while its overexpression increased IL-6 protein levels( P<0.05). (2) Compared with the control group, CTSS inhibition in DC decreased the percentage of Th17 cells in T cells, with decreased protein levels of ROR-γt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, and IL-23, and vice versa ( P<0.050). (3) After carotid artery injury, CTSS expression was increased in perivascular adipose tissue(PVAT) of rats, and levels of ROR-γt, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, and IL-23 in PVAT were significantly elevated. Down-regulation of CTSS eliminated the glucose-induced enhancement. Conclusion:Inhibition of CTSS in DC reduces Th17 cell differentiation and thereby suppresses restenosis following diabetic vascular injury.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH)is one of the major chronic complications of type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),and sex steroid hormones are common risk factors for the occurrence of T2DM and BPH.The profiles of sex steroid hormones are simultaneously quantified by LC-MS/MS in the clinical serum of patients,including simple BPH patients,newly diagnosed T2DM patients,T2DM complicated with BPH patients and matched healthy individuals.The G protein-coupled estrogen receptor(GPER)inhibitor G15,GPER knockdown lentivirus,the YAP1 inhibitor verteporfin,YAP1 knockdown/overexpression lentivirus,targeted metabolomics analysis,and Co-IP assays are used to investigate the molecular mechanisms of the disrupted sex steroid hormones homeostasis in the pathological process of T2DM complicated with BPH.The homeostasis of sex steroid hormone is disrupted in the serum of patients,accompanying with the proliferated prostatic epithelial cells(PECs).The sex steroid hormone metabolic profiles of T2DM patients complicated with BPH have the greatest degrees of separation from those of healthy individuals.Elevated 17β-estradiol(E2)is the key contributor to the disrupted sex steroid hormone homeostasis,and is significantly positively related to the clinical characteristics of T2DM patients complicated with BPH.Activating GPER by E2 via Hippo-YAP1 signaling exacerbates high glucose(HG)-induced PECs prolifer-ation through the formation of the YAP1-TEAD4 heterodimer.Knockdown or inhibition of GPER-mediated Hippo-YAP1 signaling suppresses PECs proliferation in HG and E2 co-treated BPH-1 cells.The anti-proliferative effects of verteporfin,an inhibitor of YAP1,are blocked by YAP1 overexpression in HG and E2 co-treated BPH-1 cells.Inactivating E2/GPER/Hippo/YAP1 signaling may be effective at delaying the progression of T2DM complicated with BPH by inhibiting PECs proliferation.

ObjectiveTo conduct a systematic review of the health benefits of mindfulness interventions for older adults with insomnia disorders. MethodsThematic keyword search was conducted in databases including Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, EBSCO, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang data, for literature on the impact of mindfulness intervention on sleep quality in older adults with insomnia disorders, published up to August, 2023. The methodological quality of the researches was evaluated using the Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale. Insomnia disorders, sleep function and mindfulness interventions were coded using International Classification of Diseases 11th Revision, International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health, and International Classification of Health Interventions Beta-3； and a systematic review was conducted following the PRISMA. ResultsNine researches from four countries were included, involving 800 participants, and all the researches were randomized controlled trials. The average score of PEDro scale was 7.1. The health-related conditions were insomnia disorders and insomnia disorders complicated with mild cognitive impairment. Mindfulness interventions used included mindfulness-based therapy for insomnia, mindfulness-based stress reduction, mindfulness-based cognitive therapy and mindfulness meditation. Interventions were implemented in institutions or health centers, care facilities, and community health service centers, varying from six to eight weeks. Health benefits of mindfulness intervention included improvements in sleep quality and psychological and behavioral health. ConclusionMindfulness interventions effectively improve sleep quality in older adults with insomnia disorders, alleviate negative emotional states such as depression, anxiety and perceived stress, and improve the quality of life.

Objective Based on U.S.Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System(FAERS)database,the signal mining of tizanidine adverse drug events(ADEs)was conducted to explore the occurrence characteristics of ADE,hoping to provide references for the safe clinical application of tizanidine.Methods The reporting odds ratio(ROR)and medicines and healthcare products regulatory agency methods(MHRA)were used to analyse the ADE of tizanidine using FAERS registration data from the first quarter of 2004 to the second quarter of 2022.After valid signals were obtained,the MedDRA was used for translation and system organ classification.Results A total of 7 135 reports of tizanidine ADE were obtained,including 1 732 patients,1 304 ADE types were involved.According to the results of 2 ADE signal mining methods,at the preferred term(PT)level,177 signals were detected.There were 32 PT signals not included in the drug instructions,including potassium wasting nephropathy,cardio-respiratory arrest,and foetal growth restriction etc.In 1 732 patients,the number of ADE cases of female was 2.37 times that in male(1 057 vs.446),and the age group between 40 and 64 accounted for a large proportion(36.03％).The highest proportion(32.79％)reported by consumers.The system organ class involved mainly included various neurological diseases and psychosis.The median time to onset of tizanidine-related ADEs was 75 d(interquartile range:28-223 d),but it was necessary to be vigilant that ADE may still occur 1 year after starting the drug(13.38％).Conclusion This study aims to suggest that clinical application of tizanidin-related ADE should be paid full attention to the occurrence of ADE such as potassium-wasting nephropathy and suicidally completed,as well as key populations such as women and patients of 40-64 years old.

Objective To investigate the effect of glycine N-methyl transferase (GNMT)on intrauterine adhesion (IUA)fibrosis and its related mechanism.Methods In vivo experiment:A total of 36 healthy female SD rats (SPF grade,6～8 weeks old and weighing from 180～220 g)were subjected in this study.IUA model of SD rats and IUA model of GNMT overexpressed rats were established.RT-qPCR and immunofluorescence assay were applied to detect GNMT expression level in normal uterus and model group.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein levels of fibrosis-related molecules and the activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway in each group.The number of endometrial glands in each group was observed by HE staining.Masson staining was used to analyze the severity of endometrial fibrosis in each group.In vitro experiment:transformed human endometrial stromal cells (THESCs)fibrotic phenotype model was constructed using TGF-β1,and THESCs stably transfected with GNMT overexpression lentvirus were treated with TGF-β1.RT-qPCR and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of fibrosis-related molecules.The expression of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway was detected by Western blotting.TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway was activated by TGF-β1/Smad signaling pathway activator (SRI-011381),and the expression of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway and key molecular proteins of fibrosis phenotype was measured with Western blotting.Results In vivo experiment,the mRNA and protein expression levels of GNMT were significantly decreased in the IUA rats than the control rats (P<0.05).Overexpression of GNMT decreased the mRNA and protein levels of fibrosis related molecules,Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ and FN in the IUA rats (P<0.05),and decreased the phosphorylation levels of TGF-β1 and its downstream Smad3 protein (P<0.05).HE and Masson staining showed that overexpression of GNMT could increase the number of endometrial glands and reduce the severity of fibrosis in the IUA rats (P<0.05).In vitro experiments:overexpression of GNMT decreased the mRNA and protein levels of Collagen Ⅰ,Collagen Ⅲ and FN associated with fibrotic phenotype of THESCs (P<0.05),and reduced the phosphorylation level of Smad3 protein,downstream of TGF-β1 (P<0.05).After activation of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway,the protein levels of TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway and downstream fibrosis phenotype molecules,Collagen Ⅲ and FN,were significantly decreased in the LV-GNMT+SRI-011381 group.Conclusion Overexpression of GNMT can inhibit endometrial fibrosis by regulating TGF-β1/Smad3 signaling pathway,thus achieving therapeutic effect on IUA.

Objective To investigate the genetic diversity and genetic differentiation of different geographical isolates of Gohieria fusca.. Methods G. fusca isolates were sampled from Wuhu (WH), Bengbu (BB) and Bozhou cities (BZ) of Anhui Province and Jiaxing City of Zhejiang Province (JX). Mitochondrial cytochrome b (Cytb) and ribosomal internal transcribed spacer (ITS) genes were amplified in WH, BB, BZ and JX isolates of G. fusca using PCR assay. The gene sequences were edited and aligned using the software Chromas 2 and DNASTAR 1.00, and the haplotype, haplotype diversity (Hd) and nucleotide polymorphism (Pi) of each isolate were calculated using the software DnaSP 5.10.00. The genetic differentiation among isolates (F_st) and gene flow value (N_m) were estimated using the software MEGA 10.2, and a phylogenetic tree was built. Tests of neutrality and analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) were performed using the software Arlequin 3.1 and a haplotype network was built based on the Median-Joining network using the software Network 10.2. Results PCR assay showed that the sizes of the Cytb and ITS genes were 372 bp and 1 301 to 1 320 bp, respectively. All four isolates of G. fusca presented high genetic diversity based on mitochondrial Cytb and ITS genes (Hd = 0.804, Pi = 0.006 91). AMOVA showed genetic differentiation among geographical isolates of G. fusca (F_st = 0.202 40, P < 0.05), and the genetic variation was mainly caused by intra-population variations (79.76%). Gene flow analysis showed a high level of gene flow among G. fusca isolates (N_m > 1). Tests of neutrality based on Cytb gene measured a Tajima’s D value of −1.796 31 (P < 0.05) and a Fu’s FS value of −3.293 98 (P < 0.05) in WH isolate of G. fusca, indicating population expansion in WH isolate of G. fusca. Haplotype network analysis and phylogenetic analysis revealed no remarkable geographical distribution pattern among different geographical isolates of G. fusca. All four isolates of G. fusca presented high genetic diversity (Hd = 0.985, Pi = 0.011 97). AMOVA showed moderate level of genetic differentiation between four isolates (F_st = 0.104 62, P < 0.05). The tests of neutrality based on ITS genes measured a Tajima’s D value of −6.088 20 and a Fu’s FS value of −1.935 99 (both P > 0.05) in the whole isolate of G. fusca, indicating no obviously population expansion. Conclusions The four geographical isolates of G. fusca have high genetic diversity and remarkable genetic differentiation. Since a high level of gene flow is detected among different geographical isolates of G. fusca, no obvious geographical distribution pattern of G. fusca is found.

Objective    To compare the outcomes following emergency surgery or conservative treatment for patients with acute type A aortic intramural hematoma (IMH). Methods    Clinical data of consecutive patients diagnosed with acute type A aortic IMH in our hospital from September 2014 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients who met our surgical indications received surgery (an operation group) and other patients received strict conservative treatment (a conservative treatment group). Results    Finally 127 patients were enrolled, including 112 males and 15 females with an average age of 53.6±13.0 years. Of 127 patients, 85 (66.9%) patients accepted emergency surgery and 42 (33.1%) patients accepted strict conservative treatment. There was no difference between the two groups in early mortality or complications (P>0.05). The 5-year survival rate was 90.4% in the operation group and 74.3% in the conservative treatment group (P=0.010). A maximum aortic diameter in the ascending aorta and aortic arch≥45 mm and maximum thickness of IMH in the same section≥8 mm were risk factors for IMH-related death in patients undergoing conservative treatment (P<0.001). Conclusion    The mortality associated with emergency surgery for patients with acute type A aortic IMH is satisfactory. In clinical centers with well-established surgical techniques and postoperative management, emergency surgical treatment may provide a better outcome than conservative treatment for patients with acute type A aortic IMH.

Objective: To explore the differential expression profiles of DNA methylation sites/regions and potential molecular mechanisms in the peripheral blood of coronary heart disease (CHD)-induced unstable angina pectoris patients with or without Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, and to provide scientific evidence for the conbination of disease and syndrome. Methods: According to the pre-determined inclusion and exclusion criteria, the study subjects were enrolled and divided into two groups namely CHD-induced unstable angina group (G group) and healthy control group (J group) to conduct “disease” analysis, while G group was further divided into Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome group (case group) and non-Qi deficiency blood stasis syndrome group (control group) to perform “syndrome” analysis. The general data and clinical information of the study subjects were collected. The peripheral venous blood was extracted on an empty stomach, and the Illumina Infinium MethylationEPIC BeadChip (850K methylation chip) was used to detect the differential expressionprofiles of DNA methylation in each group, ChAMP software (V 2.14.0) was used for the differential methylation data analysis, with a threshold of the adjusted P value (adj.P.val) < 0.01. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genomes (KEGG) were employed for the functional and pathway enrichment analyses of related mapped genes. Results: A total of 263 differentially methylated CpG positions (DMPs) were screened out between G and J groups, including 191 hypermethylated positions such as cg05845204 and cg08906898, and 72 hypomethylated positions such as cg26919182 and cg13149459. These positions were mainly mapped to 148 genes encompassing RNA binding motif protein 39 (RBM39), acetyl-CoA acyltransferase 2 (ACAA2), protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 12B (PPP1R12B), and the dual-specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 2 (DYRK2). GO functional enrichment analysis revealed that the genes of the DMPs were primarily enriched in protein localization to chromosomes, regulation of cell morphogenesis, negative regulation of calcium-mediated signals, etc. KEGG pathway analysis suggested that the genes were mainly enriched in fatty acid metabolism and endocytosis pathways. In addition, a total of 23 differential methylation regions (DMRs) were identified, with overlapping genes such as transmembrane protein 232 (TMEM232), ribosomal protein large P1 (RPLP1), peroxisomal biogenesis factor 10 (PEX10), and forkhead box N3 (FOXN3) recognized. It was found that GO functions were mainly enriched in the negative regulation of Ras protein signal transduction, small GTPase-mediated signal transduction, negative regulation, etc. A total of 1 703 differential methylation sites were screened out between case and control groups, including 444 increased methylation positions such as cg05573767 and 1 259 decreased methylationpositions such as cg19938535, and cg03893872. These positions were mapped to 1 108 genes such as ribosomal protein S6 kinase A2 (RPS6KA2), leucine rich repeat containing 16A (LRRC16A), and hedgehog acyltransferase (HHAT). According to the GO functional enrichment analysis, the genes relating to the DMPs were mainly enriched in biological functions such as transmembrane receptor protein serine/threonine kinase signaling pathway and axonogenesis. The KEGG pathway enrichment analysis suggested the involvement of Rap1 signaling pathway, adenosine 5’-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling pathway, etc. A total of 21 DMRs were identified, including 22 overlapping genes such as mucin 4 (MUC4), three prime repair exonuclease 1 (TREX1), and LIM homeobox 6 (LHX6). GO analysis demonstrated that the genes primarily participated in molecular functions such as positive regulation of transmembrane transport, regulation of fatty acid metabolism, and copper ion binding. Conclusion This study reveals the methylation patterns of DMPs and DMRs in patients with Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome caused by CHD-induced unstable angina pectoris. Potential epigenetic regulation of fatty acid metabolism, Rap1 signaling, and other molecular functions are involved in the development of CHD between the "disease" and "syndrome".

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics, surgical methods and prognosis of patients with acute type A aortic dissection combining coronary artery involvement.Methods:415 patients diagnosed with acute type A aortic dissection from October 2016 to September 2019 were included in the study.Among them, 358 were males and 57 were females; aged(51.2±10.7) years old.According to the results of intraoperative coronary probes, 342 patients in the group were without coronary involvement, and the other 73 were with coronary involvement.Data on the coronary involvement classification, site, and treatment methods of the coronary involvement group were collected by consulting the ward medical record system.Meanwhile, preoperative baseline data, surgical data and prognostic results were retrospectively collected between the two groups. The data of the two groups were compared by chi- square test, t-test and Mann- Whitney U test. Results:Coronary involvement group: Among 73 (17.6%, 73/415) patients with coronary involvement, 8 (11.0%) in the left coronary, 48 in the right (65.8%), and 17 (23.3%)cases with involvement of both left and right coronary arteries. Classification of coronary artery(90) involvement: Neri A in 47(52.2%, 47/90), 33 with Neri B (36.7%, 33/90), and 10 with type Neri C (11.1%, 10/90). Type Neri B/C coronary artery involvement was mostly treated with artificial vascular coronary artery replacement or coronary artery bypass grafting. Comparison between the two groups show, patients in the coronary involvement group had higher preoperative levels of CK-MB, D-dimer and more severe aortic valve regurgitation compared to the coronary non-involvement group. The comparison of surgical data suggests that the coronary involvement group had a higher proportion of aortic root treatment, longer operation time, cardiopulmonary bypass time and aortic clamping time. A higher percentage of intimal tear located in the ascending aorta or aortic root was found in the coronary involvement group. The mortality rate in the coronary involvement group was significantly higher than that of the non-involvement group (12% versus 4%), and it was more likely to combine heart failure (5% versus 1%) and renal failure (26% versus 13%).Conclusion:Compared with pure type A dissection, patients with coronary artery involvement are more common in patients whose primary intimal tear were found at the proximal aorta, and are more prone to severe aortic valve regurgitation. Coronary artery treatment procedures include direct suture and fixation, coronary artery replacement, and coronary artery bypass grafting. Among them, Neri A coronary involvement can mostly be fixed with direct suture and stabilization, while the Neri B / C type mostly requires artificial vascular replacement of the affected coronary artery or coronary artery bypass. Patients with coronary artery involvement have a higher proportion of deaths and confer relatively higher risk of post-operative renal/cardiac failure.

OBJECTIVE To study different extraction fractions of Agrimonia pilosa against h epatic fibrosis. METHODS Using hepatic stellate cells HSC-T 6 of rats as objects ，the effects of different extraction fractions （total extract ，ethyl acetate fraction ， petroleum ether fraction and n-butanol fraction ）with different concentrations （0.5，5，50，500，5 000 μg/mL，calculated by raw drug）of A. pilosa on the proliferation of HSC-T 6 cells were detected （after treated for 24，48，72 h）；median inhibition concentration（IC50）was also caculated. Platelet-derived growth factor （PDGF-BB）was used to induce the activation of HSC-T 6 cells to establish hepatic fibrosis cell model. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effects of different extraction fractions of A. pilosa on apoptosis of HSC-T 6 cells. The expression of collagen Ⅰ（Col-Ⅰ）in the supernatant was detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The expressions of α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA），Col-Ⅰ，B-cell lymphoma- 2（Bcl-2），Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax）and caspase- 3 were detected by Western blot assay. RESULTS Total extract ，ethyl acetate fraction ，petroleum ether fraction and n-butanol fraction of A. pilosa could significantly increase the apoptotic rate of HSC-T 6 cells（P＜0.01）. After treated for 24 h，IC50 of above fractions were 50.17，20.75，5.82，4.09 μg/mL，respectively. After intervened with PDGF-BB ，the expression of Col- Ⅰ in supernatant of HSC-T 6 cells as well as protein expression of Col- Ⅰ，α-SMA，Bcl-2，Bax and caspase- 3 in HSC-T6 cells were increased significantly （P＜0.01）. After intervened with different extraction fractions of A. pilosa ，most of the expressions of above proteins in HSC-T 6 cell culture supernatant or cells were significantly reversed compared with PDGF-BB group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）， and the intervention effect of n-butanol fraction of A. pilosa was the most significant. CONCLUSIONS Different extraction fractions of A. pilosa can inhibite the proliferation of HSC-T 6 cells and induce their apoptosis；n-butanol fraction from A. pilosa may be an effective fraction to exert the effect of anti-hepatic fibrosis.