OBJECTIVE: To explore the co-morbid influencing factors of postmenopausal osteoporosis(PMOP) and dyslipidemia, and to provide evidence-based basis for clinical co-morbidity management. METHODS: Based on the 2017 to 2018 Beijing community cross-sectional survey data, PMOP patients were included and divided into the dyslipidemia group and the uncomplicated dyslipidemia group according to whether they were comorbid with dyslipidemia. Demographic characteristics, living habits and disease history were collected through questionnaires, and bone mineral density and bone metabolism biomarkers (osteocalcin, blood calcium, serum typeⅠprocollagen N-terminal prepeptide, etc.) were detected on site. Co-morbidity risk factors were analyzed using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Three hundred and twenty patients with PMOP were included, including the comorbid group (75 patients) and the uncomplicated group (245 patients). The results showed that history of cardiovascular disease [OR=1.801, 95%CI(1.003, 3.236), P=0.049], history of cerebrovascular disease [OR=2.923, 95%CI(1.460, 5.854), P=0.002], frying and cooking methods[OR=5.388, 95%CI(1.632, 17.793), P=0.006], OST results[OR=0.910, 95%CI(0.843, 0.983), P=0.016], and blood Ca results [OR=60.249, 95%CI(1.862, 1 949.926), P=0.021] were the influencing factors of PMOP complicated with dyslipidemia. CONCLUSION Focus should be placed on the influencing factors of PMOP and dyslipidemia co-morbidities, with emphasis on multidimensional assessment, combining lifestyle interventions with bone metabolism marker monitoring to optimize co-morbidity management.
Humans ; Dyslipidemias/epidemiology* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/metabolism* ; Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Risk Factors ; Bone Density

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the molecular epidemiology of children with phenylketonuria (PKU) in Gansu, China, providing foundational data for intervention strategies. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1 159 PKU families who attended Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Care Hospital from January 2012 to December 2024. Sanger sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, whole exome sequencing, and deep intronic variant analysis were used to analyze the PAH gene. RESULTS: For the 1 159 children with PKU, 2 295 variants were identified in 2 318 alleles, resulting in a detection rate of 99.01%. The detection rates were 100% (914/914) in 457 classic PKU families, 99.45% (907/912) in 456 mild PKU families, and 96.34% (474/492) in 246 mild hyperphenylalaninemia families. The 2 295 variants detected comprised 208 distinct mutation types, among which c.728G>A (14.95%, 343/2 295) had the highest frequency, followed by c.611A>G (4.88%, 112/2 295) and c.721C>T (4.79%, 110/2 295). The cumulative frequency of the top 23 hotspot variants reached 70.28% (1 613/2 295), and most variant alleles were detected in exon 7 (29.19%, 670/2 295). CONCLUSIONS Deep intronic variant analysis of the PAH gene can improve the genetic diagnostic rate of PKU. The development of targeted detection kits for PAH hotspot variants may enable precision screening programs and enhance preventive strategies for PKU.
Humans ; Phenylketonurias/epidemiology* ; Female ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Phenylalanine Hydroxylase/genetics* ; Mutation ; Child, Preschool ; China/epidemiology* ; Child ; Infant

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of stir-fried Semen Armeniacae Amarum (SAA) against aristolochic acid I (AAI)-induced nephrotoxicity and DNA adducts and elucidate the underlying mechanism involved for ensuring the safe use of Asari Radix et Rhizoma. METHODS: In vitro, HEK293T cells overexpressing Flag-tagged multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (MRP3) were constructed by Lentiviral transduction, and inhibitory effect of top 10 common pairs of medicinal herbs with Asari Radix et Rhizoma in clinic on MRP3 activity was verified using a self-constructed fluorescence screening system. The mRNA, protein expressions, and enzyme activity levels of NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1 (NQO1) and cytochrome P450 1A2 (CYP1A2) were measured in differentiated HepaRG cells. Hepatocyte toxicity after inhibition of AAI metabolite transport was detected using cell counting kit-8 assay. In vivo, C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 5 groups according to a random number table, including: control (1% sodium bicarbonate), AAI (10 mg/kg), stir-fried SAA (1.75 g/kg) and AAI + stir-fried SAA (1.75 and 8.75 g/kg) groups, 6 mice in each group. After 7 days of continuous gavage administration, liver and kidney damages were assessed, and the protein expressions and enzyme activity of liver metabolic enzymes NQO1 and CYP1A2 were determined simultaneously. RESULTS: In vivo, combination of 1.75 g/kg SAA and 10 mg/kg AAI suppressed AAI-induced nephrotoxicity and reduced dA-ALI formation by 26.7%, and these detoxification effects in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.01). Mechanistically, SAA inhibited MRP3 transport in vitro, downregulated NQO1 expression in vivo, increased CYP1A2 expression and enzymatic activity in vitro and in vivo, respectively (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Notably, SAA also reduced AAI-induced hepatotoxicity throughout the detoxification process, as indicated by a 41.3% reduction in the number of liver adducts (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Stir-fried SAA is a novel drug candidate for the suppression of AAI-induced liver and kidney damages. The protective mechanism may be closely related to the regulation of transporters and metabolic enzymes.
Aristolochic Acids/toxicity* ; Animals ; Humans ; NAD(P)H Dehydrogenase (Quinone)/genetics* ; HEK293 Cells ; Kidney/pathology* ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; DNA Adducts/drug effects* ; Male ; Kidney Diseases/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Mice ; Prunus armeniaca ; Plant Extracts

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of astragaloside IV (AS-IV) on podocyte injury of diabetic nephropathy (DN) and reveal its potential mechanism. METHODS: In in vitro experiment, podocytes were divided into 4 groups, normal, high glucose (HG), inositol-requiring enzyme 1 (IRE-1) α activator (HG+thapsigargin 1 µmol/L), and IRE-1α inhibitor (HG+STF-083010, 20 µmol/L) groups. Additionally, podocytes were divided into 4 groups, including normal, HG, AS-IV (HG+AS-IV 20 µmol/L), and IRE-1α inhibitor (HG+STF-083010, 20 µmol/L) groups, respectively. After 24 h treatment, the morphology of podocytes and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) was observed by electron microscopy. The expressions of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78) and IRE-1α were detected by cellular immunofluorescence. In in vivo experiment, DN rat model was established via a consecutive 3-day intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) injections. A total of 40 rats were assigned into the normal, DN, AS-IV [AS-IV 40 mg/(kg·d)], and IRE-1α inhibitor [STF-083010, 10 mg/(kg·d)] groups (n=10), respectively. The general condition, 24-h urine volume, random blood glucose, urinary protein excretion rate (UAER), urea nitrogen (BUN), and serum creatinine (SCr) levels of rats were measured after 8 weeks of intervention. Pathological changes in the renal tissue were observed by hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining. Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the expressions of GRP78, IRE-1α, nuclear factor kappa Bp65 (NF-κBp65), interleukin (IL)-1β, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), caspase-1, gasdermin D-N (GSDMD-N), and nephrin at the mRNA and protein levels in vivo and in vitro, respectively. RESULTS: Cytoplasmic vacuolation and ER swelling were observed in the HG and IRE-1α activator groups. Podocyte morphology and ER expansion were improved in AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups compared with HG group. Cellular immunofluorescence showed that compared with the normal group, the fluorescence intensity of GRP78 and IRE-1α in the HG and IRE-1α activator groups were significantly increased whereas decreased in AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups (P<0.05). Compared with the normal group, the mRNA and protein expressions of GRP78, IRE-1α, NF-κ Bp65, IL-1β, NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD-N in the HG group was increased (P<0.05). Compared with HG group, the expression of above indices was decreased in the AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups, and the expression in the IRE-1α activator group was increased (P<0.05). The expression of nephrin was decreased in the HG group, and increased in AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups (P<0.05). The in vivo experiment results revealed that compared to the normal group, the levels of blood glucose, triglyceride, total cholesterol, BUN, blood creatinine and urinary protein in the DN group were higher (P<0.05). Compared with DN group, the above indices in AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups were decreased (P<0.05). HE staining revealed glomerular hypertrophy, mesangial widening and mesangial cell proliferation in the renal tissue of the DN group. Compared with the DN group, the above pathological changes in renal tissue of AS-IV and IRE-1α inhibitor groups were alleviated. Quantitative RT-PCR and Western blot results of GRP78, IRE-1α, NF-κ Bp65, IL-1β, NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD-N were consistent with immunofluorescence analysis. CONCLUSION AS-IV could reduce ERS and inflammation, improve podocyte pyroptosis, thus exerting a podocyte-protective effect in DN, through regulating IRE-1α/NF-κ B/NLRP3 signaling pathway.
Podocytes/metabolism* ; Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism* ; Saponins/therapeutic use* ; Triterpenes/therapeutic use* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Endoribonucleases/metabolism* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Chaperone BiP ; Rats ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/complications* ; Endoplasmic Reticulum/metabolism* ; Multienzyme Complexes

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of colon dialysis with Yishen Decoction (YS) in improving the autophagy disorder of intestinal epithelial cells in chronic renal failure (CRF) in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: Thirty male SD rats were randomly divided into normal, CRF, and colonic dialysis with YS groups by a random number table method (n=10). The CRF model was established by orally gavage of adenine 200 mg/(kg•d) for 4 weeks. CRF rats in the YS group were treated with colonic dialysis using YS 20 g/(kg•d) for 14 consecutive days. The serum creatinine (SCr) and urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Pathological changes of kidney and colon tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining. Autophagosome changes in colonic epithelial cells was observed with electron microscopy. In vitro experiments, human colon cancer epithelial cells (T84) were cultured and divided into normal, urea model (74U), YS colon dialysis, autophagy activator rapamycin (Ra), autophagy inhibitor 3-methyladenine (3-MA), and SIRT1 activator resveratrol (Re) groups. RT-PCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1), Claudin-1, silent information regulator sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), LC3, and Beclin-1 both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Colonic dialysis with YS decreased SCr and BUN levels in CRF rats (P<0.05), and alleviated the pathological changes of renal and colon tissues. Expressions of SIRT1, ZO-1, Claudin-1, Beclin-1, and LC3II/I were increased in the YS group compared with the CRF group in vivo (P<0.05). In in vitro study, compared with normal group, the expressions of SIRT1, ZO-1, and Claudin-1 were decreased, and expressions of Beclin-1, and LC3II/I were increased in the 74U group (P<0.05). Compared with the 74U group, expressions of SIRT1, ZO-1, and Claudin-1 were increased, whereas Beclin-1, and LC3II/I were decreased in the YS group (P<0.05). The treatment of 3-MA and rapamycin regulated autophagy and the expression of SIRT1. SIRT1 activator intervention up-regulated autophagy as well as the expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-1 compared with the 74U group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Colonic dialysis with YS could improve autophagy disorder and repair CRF intestinal mucosal barrier injury by regulating SIRT1 expression in intestinal epithelial cells.
Animals ; Sirtuin 1/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Male ; Intestinal Mucosa/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Epithelial Cells/metabolism* ; Colon/drug effects* ; Humans ; Kidney Failure, Chronic/drug therapy* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Renal Dialysis ; Rats ; Kidney/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the functional roles and underlying mechanisms of neferine in the context of angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced hypertension and vascular dysfunction. METHODS: Male mice were infused with Ang II to induce hypertension and randomly divided into treatment groups receiving neferine or a control vehicle based on baseline blood pressure using a random number table method. The hypertensive mouse model was constructed by infusing Ang II via a micro-osmotic pump (500 ng/kg per minute), and neferine (0.1, 1, or 10 mg/kg), valsartan (10 mg/kg), or double distilled water was administered intragastrically once daily for 6 weeks. A non-invasive blood pressure system, ultrasound, and hematoxylin and eosin staining were performed to assess blood pressure and vascular changes. RNA sequencing and network pharmacology were employed to identify differentially expressed transcripts (DETs) and pathways. Vascular ring tension assay was used to test vascular function. A7R5 cells were incubated with neferine for 24 h and then treated with Ang II to record the real-time Ca²⁺ concentration by confocal microscope. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and Western blot were used to evaluate vasorelaxation, calcium, and the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 pathway. RESULTS: Neferine treatment effectively mitigated the elevation in blood pressure, pulse wave velocity, aortic thickening in the abdominal aorta of Ang II-infused mice (P<0.05). RNA sequencing and network pharmacology analysis identified 355 DETs that were significantly reversed by neferine treatment, along with 25 potential target genes, which were further enriched in multiple pathways and biological processes, such as ERK1 and ERK2 cascade regulation, calcium pathway, and vascular smooth muscle contraction. Further investigation revealed that neferine treatment enhanced vasorelaxation and reduced Ca²⁺-dependent contraction of abdominal aortic rings, independent of endothelium function (P<0.05). The underlying mechanisms were mediated, at least in part, via suppression of receptor-operated channels, store-operated channels, or voltage-operated calcium channels. Neferine pre-treatment demonstrated a reduction in intracellular Ca²⁺ release in Ang II stimulated A7R5 cells. IHC staining and Western blot confirmed that neferine treatment effectively attenuated the upregulation of p-ERK1/2 both in vivo and in vitro, which was similar with treatment of ERK1/2 inhibitor PD98059 (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Neferine remarkably alleviates Ang II-induced elevation of blood pressure, vascular dysfunction, and pathological changes in the abdominal aorta. This beneficial effect is mediated by the modulation of multiple pathways, including calcium and ERK1/2 pathways.
Animals ; Angiotensin II ; Male ; Benzylisoquinolines/therapeutic use* ; Network Pharmacology ; Blood Pressure/drug effects* ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Mice ; Hypertension/chemically induced* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Calcium/metabolism*

Objective To explore clinical effect of manipulation reduction combined with vertebral plasty on osteoporotic compression fractures(OVCFs).Methods Totally 61 patients with OVCFs treated from January 2022 to March 2024 were randomly divided into self-made spinal locator positioning with manipulation reduction group(treatment group)and traditional Kirchner positioning group(control group).There were 30 patients in treatment group,including 4 males and 26 females,aged from 61 to 87 years old with an average of(73.61±7.17)years old;body mass index(BMI)ranged from 15.24 to 28.89 kg·m-2 with an average of(23.90±3.20)kg·m-2;bone mineral density T value ranged from-4.90 to-2.50 SD with an avergae of(-3.43±0.75)SD;fracture to operation time was 6.50(4.00,10.25)d;10 patients were grade Ⅰ,13 patients were grade Ⅱ,and 7 patients were grade Ⅲ according to Genant classification of fracture compression.There were 31 patients in control group,in-cluding 7 males and 24 females,aged from 61 to 89 years old with an average of(73.63±8.77)years old;BMI ranged from 18.43 to 27.06 kg·m-2 with an average of(23.67±2.35)kg·m-2;bone mineral density T value ranged from-4.60 to-2.50 SD with an avergae of(-3.30±0.68)SD;fracture to operation time was 6.00(3.00,8.00)d;1l patients were grade Ⅰ,9 patients were grade Ⅱ,and 11 patients were grade Ⅲ according to Genant classification of fracture compression.The puncture times,X-ray fluoroscopy times and puncture time between two groups were observed and compared.Visual analogue scale(VAS),Japanese Orthopaedic Association(JOA)and timed up and go test(TUGT)were observed and compared before operation,3 d and 1 month after operation.Results All patients were followed up for 1 to 3 months with an average of(2.10±0.80)months.Puncture times,X-ray fluorosecopy times and puncture time in treatment group were 5.00(4.00,6.00)times,(29.53±5.89)times and 14.83(12.42,21.20)min,respectively,while those in control group were 7.00(6.00,8.00)times,(34.58±5.33)times,22.19(17.33,27.01)min,treatment group was better than those of control group(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in preoperative VAS,JOA and TUGT between two groups(P＞0.05).VAS,JOA and TUGT in both groups were sig-nificantly improved after opeation(P＜0.05).On the third day after operation,JOA score of treatment group was 23.00(20.75,25.00),which was higher than that of control group 20.00(19.00,23.00)(P＜0.05).TUGT of treatment group was 6.26(5.86,6.57)s,which was better than that of control group 6.90(6.80,7.14)s(P＜0.05).Bone cement leakage occurred with 1 patient in treatment group and 2 patients in control group.Conclusion The optimal scheme of self-made spinal locators for lo-cating descending verteboplasty combined with traditional Chinese medicine reduction manipulation for OVCF patients could reduce the number of intraoperative puncture times,shorten puncture times and reduce number of X-ray fluoroscopy times,and have advantages over the simple positioning of Kirschn's needle in restoring short-term lumbar function and standing and walk-ing ability of postoperative patients.

The effect of porcine SIRT5 on replication of foot and mouth disease virus type O(FMDV-O)and the underlying regulatory mechanism were investigated.Western blot and RT-qPCR analyses were employed to monitor expression of endoge-nous SIRT5 in PK-15 cells infected with FMDV-O.Three pairs of SIRT5-specific siRNAs were synthesized.Changes to SIRT5 and FMDV-O protein and transcript levels,in addition to virus copy numbers,were measured by western blot and RT-qPCR analyses.PK-15 cells were transfected with a eukaryotic SIRT5 expression plasmid.Western blot and RT-qPCR analyses were used to explore the impact of SIRT5 overexpression on FMDV-O replication.Meanwhile,RT-qPCR analysis was used to detect the effect of SIRT5 overexpression on the mRNA expression levels of type I interferon-stimulated genes induced by SeV and FMDV-O.The results showed that expression of SIRT5 was up-regulated in PK-15 cells infected with FMDV-O and siRNA interfered with SIRT5 to inhibit FMDV-O replication.SIRT5 overexpression promoted FMDV-O replication.SIRT5 over-expression decreased mRNA expression levels of interferon-stimulated genes induced by SeV and FMDV-O.These results suggest that FMDV-O infection stimulated expression of SIRT5 in PK-15 cells,while SIRT5 promoted FMDV-O rep-lication by inhibiting production of type I interferon-stimula-ted genes.These findings provide a reference to further ex-plore the mechanism underlying the ability of porcine SIRT5 to promote FMDV-O replication.

Objective:To investigate the correlation of miR-155 expression with drug sensitivity of FLT3-ITD+acute myeloid leukemia(AML)cell line and its potential regulatory mechanism.Methods:By knocking out miR-155 gene in FLT3-ITD+AML cell line MV411 through CRISPR/Cas9 gene-editing technology,monoclonal cells were screened.The genotype of these monoclonal cells was validated by PCR and Sanger sequencing.The expression of mature miRNA was measured by RT-qPCR.The treatment response of doxorubicin,quizartinib and midostaurin were measured by MTT assay and IC50 of these drugs were calculated to identify the sensitivity.Transcriptome sequencing was used to analyze change of mRNA level in MV411 cells after miR-155 knockout,gene set enrichment analysis to analyze change of signaling pathway,and Western blot to verify expressions of key molecules in signaling pathway.Results:Four heterozygotes with gene knockout and one heterozygote with gene insertion were obtained through PCR screening and Sanger sequencing.RT-qPCR results showed that the expression of mature miR-155 in the monoclonal cells was significantly lower than wild-type clones.MTT results showed that the sensitivity of MV411 cells to various anti FLT3-ITD+AML drugs increased significantly after miR-155 knockout compared with wild-type clones.RNA sequencing showed that the mTOR signaling pathway and Wnt signaling pathway were inhibited after miR-155 knockout.Western blot showed that the expressions of key molecules p-mTOR,Wnt5α and β-catenin in signaling pathway were down-regulated.Conclusion:Drug sensitivity of MV411 cells to doxorubicin,quizartinib and midostaurin can be enhanced significantly after miR-155 knockout,which is related to the inhibition of multiple signaling pathways including mTOR and Wnt signaling pathways.

Objective:To explore the early effects and safety of using a hybrid fixation strategy with 3D-printed porous tantalum metal augments to reconstruct substantial bone defects in complex primary total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data from August 2019 to September 2023, encompassing 20 patients (21 knees) with significant bone loss who underwent hybrid fixation with 3D-printed porous tantalum augments. The procedures were conducted at two medical centers: the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University (11 cases) and Xiangya Hospital of Central South University (9 cases). The study cohort comprised 6 males (6 knees) and 14 females (15 knees), with a mean age of 61.05±11.23 years (range, 42-80 years). The distribution of cases was 7 on the left side and 14 on the right side. All cases were categorized as type 3 according to the Anderson Orthopaedic Research Institute (AORI) classification system. The cohort included 19 unilateral and 1 bilateral case, with 5 involving complex primary replacements (3 with Charcot arthropathy, 1 with syphilitic arthropathy, and 1 with severe valgus deformity) and 16 revision surgeries (13 for aseptic loosening and 3 for infection). Preoperative assessments included routine CT scans and digital three-dimensional reconstructions to identify large metaphyseal defects exceeding 50% of the metaphyseal area or those thicker than 10 mm. For such defects, 3D-printed standardized porous tantalum augments were implemented. In cases of extensive cavitary bone defects or severe metaphyseal defects where the medial and lateral defects collectively exceeded 80% of the metaphyseal region or where the residual bone stock was insufficient for screw fixation of standardized augments, 3D-printed personalized custom-made porous tantalum augments were employed for hybrid fixation and repair. Comparative analyses were conducted on pre- and postoperative imaging data (prosthesis positioning and complications), knee range of motion (ROM), visual analogue scale (VAS) for pain, and Knee Society score (KSS).Results:Of the cases, 17 were repaired using standardized 3D-printed porous tantalum augments, while 4 underwent repairs with customized augments for hybrid fixation. Follow-up averaged 26.5±15.0 months (range, 12-62 months). There was a significant increase in knee ROM, improving from 72.8°±31.9° preoperatively to 113.2°±6.8° at 12 months postoperatively ( P<0.05). VAS scores decreased from 6.6±1.4 preoperatively to 2.5±1.0 at 12 months postoperatively ( P<0.05). Similarly, KSS improved from 52.8±6.4 preoperatively to 80.7±7.9 at 12 months postoperatively ( P<0.05). There were no incidences of prosthesis displacement, poor bone integration, or postoperative infections. Conclusion:The hybrid fixation strategy employing 3D-printed porous tantalum augments has been found to be effective in addressing significant bone defects in TKA. The follow-up results indicate a satisfactory biological integration of the porous tantalum metal augments with the host bone, which has resulted in substantial improvements in pain relief and knee joint functionality.