BACKGROUND:Percutaneous kyphoplasty was a common surgical procedure for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.However,there was no research to confirm whether percutaneous kyphoplasty could effectively correct the local kyphoplasty of the spine in patients over 80 years old with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of percutaneous kyphoplasty on local kyphosis in super-aging patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.METHODS:Single-segment osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture patients treated with percutaneous kyphoplasty at the Department of Spinal Surgery,Peking University People's Hospital,from March 2016 to August 2022,were selected as the research cohort,and the follow-up data of patients in hospital and out-patient were collected.According to patients'age,patients were divided into the advanced age group(60-79 years old,n=126)and the super-aged group(＞80 years old,n=52).According to gender,body mass index,basic diseases(hypertension,diabetes,and cardiovascular diseases),fracture segments and the presence or absence of preoperative intravertebral cleft,the two groups of patients were matched 1:2 by propensity score matching.The lumbar CT values,injection amount of bone cement,preoperative and postoperative vertebral height,preoperative collapse rate of the vertebral body,preoperative and postoperative Cobb angle,recovery rate of Cobb angle,distance between the bone cement and anterior edge of the vertebral body,sagittal position of cement filling,contact between the bone cement and endplate,distance between the bone cement and vertebral endplates,bone cement distribution score,bone cement leakage,and vertebral refracture were compared between the two groups.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After matching the propensity score,115 patients were included,with 71 patients in the advanced age group and 44 patients in the super-aged group.There was no statistically significant difference in baseline data,including gender,body mass index,hypertension ratio,diabetes ratio,cardiovascular disease ratio,fracture section,and preoperative intravertebral cleft,between the two groups(P＞0.05).The postoperative Cobb angle of the super-aged patients was significantly smaller than that of the elderly patients(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in lumbar CT values,injection amount of bone cement,preoperative and postoperative vertebral height,preoperative collapse rate of the vertebral body,preoperative Cobb angle,recovery rate of Cobb angle,postoperative distance between the bone cement and anterior edge of the vertebral body,sagittal position of cement filling,contact between the bone cement and endplate,distance between the bone cement and vertebral endplates,bone cement distribution score,bone cement leakage,and vertebral refracture ratio between the two groups(P＞0.05).(2)These findings indicate that percutaneous kyphoplasty can effectively correct local kyphosis of the spine in super-aging patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (DMQ) for alleviating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. METHODS: Eighteen male C57BL/6J mice were equally randomized into control group, DSS group and DMQ treatment group. In DSS and DMQ groups, the mice were treated with DSS in drinking water to induce UC, and received intraperitoneal injections of sterile PBS or DMQ (20 mg/kg) during modeling. The changes in body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, spleen weight, and colon histological scores of the mice were examined, and the percentages of Th17 and IFN-γ⁺ CD8⁺ T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen were analyzed using flow cytometry. The expressions of tight junction proteins (Occludin and ZO-1), proteins associated with inflammasome activation (caspase-1 and p20), IL-1β and TNF-α in the colon tissues were detected using Western blotting or ELISA. In the cell experiment, mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) primed with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were treated with DMQ, followed by stmulation with nigericin to activate the classical NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. In cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) treated with either LPS alone or LPS plus nigericin, the effects of DMQ on inflammasome activation, pyroptosis, and cytokine release were evaluated via Western blotting, ELISA, and flow cytometry. RESULTS: In DSS-treated mice, DMQ treatment significantly alleviated DSS-induced body weight loss, colon shortening, spleen enlargement, and colon inflammation. The DMQ-treated mice showed significantly reduced percentages of Th17 cells and IFN-γ⁺ CD8⁺ T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen, with increased occludin and ZO-1 expressions and decreased caspase-1 expression in the colon tissue. DMQ obviously inhibited classical NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mouse BMDMs and both the classical and alternative pathways of NLRP3 activation in human PBMCs, causing also suppression of caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis. CONCLUSIONS DMQ ameliorates DSS-induced UC in mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Animals ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism* ; Dextran Sulfate/adverse effects* ; Male ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Mice ; Benzoquinones/therapeutic use* ; Th17 Cells ; Caspase 1/metabolism*

Gene regulation relies on the precise binding of transcription factors (TFs) at regulatory elements, but simultaneously detecting hundreds of TFs on chromatin is challenging. We developed cFOOT-seq, a cytosine deaminase-based TF footprinting assay, for high-resolution, quantitative genome-wide assessment of TF binding in both open and closed chromatin regions, even with small cell numbers. By utilizing the dsDNA deaminase SsdAtox, cFOOT-seq converts accessible cytosines to uracil while preserving genomic integrity, making it compatible with techniques like ATAC-seq for sensitive and cost-effective detection of TF occupancy at the single-molecule and single-cell level. Our approach enables the delineation of TF footprints, quantification of occupancy, and examination of chromatin influences on TF binding. Notably, cFOOT-seq, combined with FootTrack analysis, enables de novo prediction of TF binding sites and tracking of TF occupancy dynamics. We demonstrate its application in capturing cell type-specific TFs, analyzing TF dynamics during reprogramming, and revealing TF dependencies on chromatin remodelers. Overall, cFOOT-seq represents a robust approach for investigating the genome-wide dynamics of TF occupancy and elucidating the cis-regulatory architecture underlying gene regulation.
Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Humans ; Chromatin/genetics* ; Animals ; Binding Sites ; Mice ; DNA Footprinting/methods*

Sneddon syndrome is a rare neurocutaneous disorder that primarily affects small-and medium-sized arteries.Its clinical manifestations include livedo racemosa and recurrent cerebral ischemic events,and it may also involve multiple organs such as the heart,spleen,and kidneys.This disease can lead to early-onset stroke,making it a rare cause of stroke in young adults.This article reported a case of a young female patient who experienced two cerebral infarctions within one month.Genetic testing identified a homozygous mutation in the adenosine deaminase 2 gene,confirming the diagnosis of Sneddon syndrome.This case serves as a reference to improve clinical recognition of this disease.

BACKGROUND:Percutaneous kyphoplasty was a common surgical procedure for the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.However,there was no research to confirm whether percutaneous kyphoplasty could effectively correct the local kyphoplasty of the spine in patients over 80 years old with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of percutaneous kyphoplasty on local kyphosis in super-aging patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture.METHODS:Single-segment osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture patients treated with percutaneous kyphoplasty at the Department of Spinal Surgery,Peking University People's Hospital,from March 2016 to August 2022,were selected as the research cohort,and the follow-up data of patients in hospital and out-patient were collected.According to patients'age,patients were divided into the advanced age group(60-79 years old,n=126)and the super-aged group(＞80 years old,n=52).According to gender,body mass index,basic diseases(hypertension,diabetes,and cardiovascular diseases),fracture segments and the presence or absence of preoperative intravertebral cleft,the two groups of patients were matched 1:2 by propensity score matching.The lumbar CT values,injection amount of bone cement,preoperative and postoperative vertebral height,preoperative collapse rate of the vertebral body,preoperative and postoperative Cobb angle,recovery rate of Cobb angle,distance between the bone cement and anterior edge of the vertebral body,sagittal position of cement filling,contact between the bone cement and endplate,distance between the bone cement and vertebral endplates,bone cement distribution score,bone cement leakage,and vertebral refracture were compared between the two groups.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)After matching the propensity score,115 patients were included,with 71 patients in the advanced age group and 44 patients in the super-aged group.There was no statistically significant difference in baseline data,including gender,body mass index,hypertension ratio,diabetes ratio,cardiovascular disease ratio,fracture section,and preoperative intravertebral cleft,between the two groups(P＞0.05).The postoperative Cobb angle of the super-aged patients was significantly smaller than that of the elderly patients(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in lumbar CT values,injection amount of bone cement,preoperative and postoperative vertebral height,preoperative collapse rate of the vertebral body,preoperative Cobb angle,recovery rate of Cobb angle,postoperative distance between the bone cement and anterior edge of the vertebral body,sagittal position of cement filling,contact between the bone cement and endplate,distance between the bone cement and vertebral endplates,bone cement distribution score,bone cement leakage,and vertebral refracture ratio between the two groups(P＞0.05).(2)These findings indicate that percutaneous kyphoplasty can effectively correct local kyphosis of the spine in super-aging patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures.

Sneddon syndrome is a rare neurocutaneous disorder that primarily affects small-and medium-sized arteries.Its clinical manifestations include livedo racemosa and recurrent cerebral ischemic events,and it may also involve multiple organs such as the heart,spleen,and kidneys.This disease can lead to early-onset stroke,making it a rare cause of stroke in young adults.This article reported a case of a young female patient who experienced two cerebral infarctions within one month.Genetic testing identified a homozygous mutation in the adenosine deaminase 2 gene,confirming the diagnosis of Sneddon syndrome.This case serves as a reference to improve clinical recognition of this disease.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone(DMQ),an active ingredients in fermented wheat germ extract,for inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and alleviating septic shock in mice.Methods Cultured murine bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDM)stimulated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)were treated with DMQ,followed by treatment with Nigericin,ATP,and MSU for activating the canonical NLRP3 inflammasome;the non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome was activated by intracellular transfection of LPS,and AIM2 inflammasome was activated using Poly A:T.In human monocytic THP-1 cells,the effect of Nigericin on inflammasome activation products was examined using Western blotting and ELISA.Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to explore the mechanism of DMQ-induced blocking of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.In a male C57BL/6J mouse model of LPS-induced septic shock treated with 20 and 40 mg/kg DMQ,the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the serum and peritoneal lavage fluid were determined using ELISA,and the survival time of the mice within 36 h was observed.Results Treatment with DMQ effectively inhibited LPS-induced activation of canonical NLRP3 inflammasome in mouse BMDM and human THP-1 cells and also inhibited non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mouse BMDM,but produced no significant effect on AIM2 inflammasome activation.DMQ significantly blocked the binding between ASC and NLRP3.In the mouse models of septic shock,DMQ treatment significantly reduced the levels of IL-1β in the serum and peritoneal fluid and obviously prolonged survival time of the mice.Conclusion DMQ can effectively block ASC-NLRP3 interaction to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation and alleviate LPS-induced septic shock in mice.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone(DMQ),an active ingredients in fermented wheat germ extract,for inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation and alleviating septic shock in mice.Methods Cultured murine bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDM)stimulated with lipopolysaccharide(LPS)were treated with DMQ,followed by treatment with Nigericin,ATP,and MSU for activating the canonical NLRP3 inflammasome;the non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome was activated by intracellular transfection of LPS,and AIM2 inflammasome was activated using Poly A:T.In human monocytic THP-1 cells,the effect of Nigericin on inflammasome activation products was examined using Western blotting and ELISA.Co-immunoprecipitation was performed to explore the mechanism of DMQ-induced blocking of NLRP3 inflammasome activation.In a male C57BL/6J mouse model of LPS-induced septic shock treated with 20 and 40 mg/kg DMQ,the levels of IL-1β and TNF-α in the serum and peritoneal lavage fluid were determined using ELISA,and the survival time of the mice within 36 h was observed.Results Treatment with DMQ effectively inhibited LPS-induced activation of canonical NLRP3 inflammasome in mouse BMDM and human THP-1 cells and also inhibited non-canonical NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mouse BMDM,but produced no significant effect on AIM2 inflammasome activation.DMQ significantly blocked the binding between ASC and NLRP3.In the mouse models of septic shock,DMQ treatment significantly reduced the levels of IL-1β in the serum and peritoneal fluid and obviously prolonged survival time of the mice.Conclusion DMQ can effectively block ASC-NLRP3 interaction to inhibit NLRP3 inflammasome activation and alleviate LPS-induced septic shock in mice.

Objective To investigate the value of mean platelet volume/lymphocyte ratio(MPVLR)in predicting the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis(DVT)after artificial hip replacement surgery.Methods A total of 104 patients who underwent artificial hip replacement surgery in Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from November 2022 to November 2023 were selected as the research objects.According to whether or not they had DVT,104 patients were divided into DVT group(36 cases)and non-DVT group(68 cases).The mean platelet volume(MPV)and lymphocyte count(LYC)were measured by automatic blood cell analyzer in all patients after admission,and MPVLR was calculated.Receiver operating characteristic curve was used to analyze the predictive value of MPV,LYC,and MPVLR for the occurrence of DVT after artificial hip replacement surgery.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the influencing factors of DVT after artificial hip replacement surgery.Results MPV and MPVLR in VTE group were higher than those in non-VTE group(P＜0.05),and LYC was lower than that in non-VTE group(P＜0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of MPV and LYC for predicting DVT after artificial hip arthroplasty were 0.774(95％CI:0.729-0.824)and 0.851(95％CI:0.806-0.901),respectively.AUC of MPVLR for predicting DVT after artificial hip replacement surgery was 0.943(95％CI:0.898-0.993).The body mass index and the proportion of postoperative bed rest time≥3 days in the DVT group were higher than those in the non-DVT group(P＜0.05).Body mass index ≥22.73 kg/m2(OR=1.923,95％CI:1.237-2.989),postoperative bed rest time≥3 days(OR=2.380,95％CI:1.380-4.104),MPV≥9.65 fL(OR=2.563,95％CI:1.548-4.241),LYC≤1.70× 109/L(OR=2.208,95％CI:1.404-3.472),MPVLR≥5.95(OR=2.942,95％CI:1.816-4.764)were the risk factors for DVT after artificial hip replacement surgery(P＜0.05).Conclusion High MPVLR is one of the risk factors for DVT after artificial hip replacement surgery.It could be used as an im-portant indicator to predict the occurrence of DVT after artificial hip replacement surgery,and its predictive performance is excellent.

Cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury(CIR1)refers to the recovery of blood supply after cerebral ischemia,which leads to further damage and the dysfunction of brain tissue.Modern medicine has made some progress in the prevention and treatment of CIRI,but it still faces some challenges and limitations.Therefore,it is of great clinical value to find effective interventions to prevent and treat CIRI.AMP-activated protein kinase(AMPK)and its downstream proteins are important targets for the treatment of CIRI and play key roles in the regulation of cellular energy homeostasis.Traditional Chinese medicine for CIRI has multi-target and multi-pathway activities and multiple effects.It can activate a cascade of reactions in the AMPK signaling pathway and can be used to treat CIRI by regulating autophagy,oxidative stress,inflammatory response,and apoptosis,and has achieved certain result.Therefore,this paper summarizes the structure and mechanisms of the AMPK-related signaling pathway,elaborates on its relationship with CIRI,and systematically summarizes the research status of traditional Chinese medicine's ability to regulate the AMPK signaling pathway in the prevention and treatment of CIRI.This paper aims to provide new ideas for the prevention and treatment of CIRI using traditional Chinese medicine and the development of new drugs.