ObjectiveThis study aims to investigate the dynamic changes in general body parameters, blood glucose, and blood lipid profiles in obese cynomolgus monkeys, exploring the correlations among these parameters and providing a reference for research on the obese cynomolgus monkey model. Methods30 normal male cynomolgus monkeys aged 5 - 17 years old (with body mass index < 35 kg/m² and glycated hemoglobin content < 4.50%) and 99 spontaneously obese male cynomolgus monkeys (with body mass index ≥35 kg/m² and glycated hemoglobin content < 4.50%) were selected. Over a period of three years, their abdominal circumference, skinfold thickness, body weight, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, and four blood lipid indicators were monitored. The correlations between each indicator were analyzed using repeated measurement ANOVA, simple linear regression, and multiple linear regression correlation analysis method. Results Compared to the control group, the obese group exhibited significantly higher levels of abdominal circumference, skinfold thickness, body weight, body mass index, and triglyceride (P＜0.05). In the control group, skinfold thickness increased annually, while other indicators remained stable. Compared with the first year, the obese group showed significantly increased abdominal circumference, skinfold thickness, body weight, body mass index, triglyceride, and fasting blood glucose in the second year(P＜0.05), with this increasing trend persisting in the third year (P＜0.05). In the control group, the obesity incidence rates in the second and third years were 16.67% and 23.33%, respectively, while the prevalence of diabetes remained at 16.67%. In the obese group, the diabetes incidence rates were 29.29% and 44.44% in years 2 and 3, respectively. Among the 11-13 year age group, the incidence rates were 36.36% and 44.68%, while for the group older than 13 years, the rates were 28.13% and 51.35%. Correlation analysis revealed significant associations (P＜0.05) between fasting blood glucose and age, abdominal circumference, skinfold thickness, body weight, and triglyceride in the diabetic monkeys. Conclusion Long-term obesity can lead to the increases in general physical indicators and fasting blood glucose levels in cynomolgus monkeys, and an increase in the incidence of diabetes. In diabetic cynomolgus monkeys caused by obesity, there is a high correlation between their fasting blood glucose and age, weight, abdominal circumference, skinfold thickness, and triglyceride levels, which is of some significance for predicting the occurrence of spontaneous diabetes.

Although clinical evidence suggests that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is an established major risk factor for heart failure, it remains unexplored whether sleep disorder-caused hepatic damage contributes to the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Here, our findings revealed that sleep fragmentation (SF) displayed notable hepatic detrimental phenotypes, including steatosis and oxidative damage, along with significant abnormalities in cardiac structure and function. All these pathological changes persisted even after sleep recovery for 2 consecutive weeks or more, displaying memory properties. Mechanistically, persistent higher expression of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase 4 (NOX4) in the liver was the key initiator of SF-accelerated damage phenotypes. SF epigenetically controlled the acetylation of histone H3 lysine 27 (H3K27ac) enrichment at the Nox4 promoter and markedly increased Nox4 expression in liver even after sleep recovery. Moreover, fine coordination of the circadian clock and hepatic damage was strictly controlled by BMAL1-dependent Sirtuin 1 (Sirt1) transcription after circadian misalignment. Accordingly, genetic manipulation of liver-specific Nox4 or Sirt1, along with pharmacological intervention targeting NOX4 (GLX351322) or SIRT1 (Resveratrol), could effectively erase the epigenetic modification of Nox4 by reducing the H3K27ac level and ameliorate the progression of liver pathology, thereby counteracting SF-evoked sustained CVD. Collectively, our findings may pave the way for strategies to mitigate myocardial injury from persistent hepatic detrimental memory in diabetic patients.

A major obstacle in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is sleep fragmentation (SF), which negatively affects testicular function. However, the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that SF induces testicular damage through a mechanism involving lipid metabolism, specifically mediated by melatonin (MEL) receptor 1a (MT1). T2DM mice with SF intervention displayed several deleterious phenotypes such as apoptosis, deregulated lipid metabolism, and impaired testicular function. Unexpectedly, sleep recovery (SR) for 2 consecutive weeks could not completely abrogate SF's detrimental effects on lipid deposition and testicular function. Interestingly, MEL and MT1 agonist 2-iodomelatonin (2IM) effectively improved lipid homeostasis, highlighting MEL/2IM as a promising therapeutic drug for SF-trigged testicular damage. Mechanistically, MEL and 2IM activated FGFR1 and sequentially restrained the crosstalk and physical interaction between TAB1 and TAK1, which ultimately suppressed the phosphorylation of TAK1 to block lipid deposition and cell apoptosis caused by SF. The ameliorating effect of MEL/2IM was overtly nullified in Fgfr1 knockout (Fgfr1-KO ^+/- ) diabetic mice. Meanwhile, testicular-specific overexpression of Tak1 abolished the protective effect of FGF1^mut on diabetic mouse testis. Our findings offer valuable insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the testicular pathogenesis associated with SF and propose a novel therapeutic approach for addressing male infertility in T2DM.

Objective To investigate the role of bufalin(BU)in inhibiting M2-type macrophage-mediated colorec-tal cancer metastasis.Methods Human acute leukemia mononuclear cells(THP-1)were differentiated into M0 macrophages using phorbol ester induction(PMA)for 48 hours.The M0 macrophages were then treated with IL-4 and IL-13 medium.Surface markers and morphological changes were observed through ELISA,morphology,and RT-qPCR experiments.RT-PCR and ELISA experiments were conducted to detect the surface markers TGF-β and IL-10 of M2 macrophages.The secretion level of IL-6 in the supernatant of M2 macrophages and colorectal cancer cells HCT116 was compared using ELISA.Additionally,the effect of conditioned medium on colorectal cancer cell HCT116 was assessed through Transwell,Wound healing,RT-qPCR,and Western blot experiments.Subsequent-ly,bufalin was added to the conditioned medium and the changes in AKT/PI3K protein,migration,and epithelial-mesenchymal transition ability in HCT116 were observed using Western blot,Transwell,Wound healing and RT-qPCR experiments.Results THP-1 were successfully differentiated into M2 macrophages.The activation of AKT/PI3K protein in HCT116 cells was induced by the secretion of IL-6 from M2 macrophages,which in turn promoted the migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition ability of the HCT116 cells.The migration and epithelial-mes-enchymal transition mediated by M2 macrophages in HCT116 cells were effectively inhibited by Bufalin.Conclu-sion The release of IL-6 from M2 macrophages activates the AKT/PI3K signaling pathway in colorectal cancer cells,thereby promoting their migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition capacity.Moreover,bufalin exhibits inhibitory effects on this effect.

Objective:To explore genes related to costimulatory molecule related to the prognosis of bladder cancer,and to construct and evaluate prognosis model based on costimulatory molecule-based signature(CMS).Methods:Gene expression matrix and clinical information of bladder cancer patients were downloaded from TCGA database and GEO database(GSE31684),and costimulatory molecule-related genes were retrieved from the literature.The univariate and multivariate Cox analysis were used to screened prognostic-related genes and constructed prognostic model.Forecast accuracy of model was verified in TCGA training group,TCGA validation data group and GEO group by Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC).Considering risk score and clinical characteristics,we constructed a nomogram and evaluated its performance by consistency analysis and ROC.CIBERSORT algorithm was used to analyze immune cell composition of tumor microenvironment infiltration,and gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)was performed to explore the potential mechanism.Results:Four prognostic-related CMSs were found:TNFRSF14,CD276,ICOS and TMIGD2,of which three were included in the risk score construction.Multivariate Cox regression results showed that the risk score based on CMS was an independent prognostic factor for bladder cancer patients.Consistency analysis and ROC results showed that the nomogram had ideal prognosis prediction accuracy.Immune infiltration analysis showed that the high risk group was likely to be in immunosuppressive state.GSEA results suggested that genes in high risk group were enriched in extracel-lular matrix(ECM)receptors interaction,cell cycle and other pathways.Conclusion:TNFRSF14,CD276 and ICOS may be potential prognostic biomarkers for bladder cancer patients.CMS-based risk score and nomogram could contribute to early prognosis and choice of personalized treatment.

Sepsis presents challenges in clinical treatment due to its high incidence,difficult treatment,and high fatality rate.The intestine has long been considered the"motor"of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome(MODS).Intestinal dysfunction is one of the common complications of sepsis,which is often neglected due to its hidden occurrence and poor clinical efficacy,leading to poor prognosis.Therefore,it is of great significance to explore the pathogenesis and treatment of intestinal dysfunction in sepsis.As an effective supplement for the clinical treatment of intestinal dysfunction in sepsis,Traditional Chinese medicine has been paid more and more attention by clinicians.This article summarizes the research progress on the pathogenesis of sepsis-induced intestinal dysfunction and the clinical application of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM),aiming to provide more ideas and references for the clinical treatment of sepsis.

Objective : To investigate the effect of transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) on human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPDLFs) stimulated by lipopolysaccharide from Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg-LPS). Methods: hPDLFs were obtained and identified by immunohistochemistry. The stimulating concentration of Pg-LPS was determined by qRT-PCR and CCK-8. The hPDLFs were divided into 4 groups: blank control group, 100 μg/mL pure Pg-LPS; low concentration group, 1 ng/mL TGF-β1+100 μg/mL Pg-LPS; medium concentration group, 10 ng/mL TGF-β1+100 μg/mL Pg-LPS; and high concentration group 100 ng/mL TGF-β1+100 μg/mL Pg-LPS. Cell proliferation was measured by CCK-8 assay at 72 hours, cell migration was measured by scratch and Transwell chamber assays at 24 hours, and the cell cycle of the hPDLFs was measured by flow cytometry at 72 hours. The expression of Forkhead/winged helix transcription factor p3 (Foxp3), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Epstein-Barr virus-induced gene 3 (EBI3) mRNA in hPDLFs at 72 hours was measured by qRT-PCR, and the expression of Foxp3, IL-6 and EBI3 proteins in hPDLFs at 72 hours was detected by western blot. Results : The immunohistochemistry results showed that anti-vimentin was positive and anti-keratin was negative. At a concentration of 100 μg/mL Pg-LPS, the expression of IL-6 mRNA in hPDLFs was increased (P<0.000 1), and the proliferation of hPDLFs was decreased (P<0.000 1). Therefore, 100 μg/mL PG-LPS was selected to simulate the inflammatory state. 10, 100 ng/mL TGF-β1 could improve the proliferation ability of hPDLFs in inflammatory state (P<0.000 1) ; 1, 10 and 100 ng/mL TGF-β1 could promote the migration ability of hPDLFs in inflammatory state (P<0.000 1). 1, 10 and 100 ng/mL TGF-β1 could accelerate the cell cycle of hPDLFs in inflammatory state (P<0.000 1). 1, 10 and 100 ng/mL TGF-β1 could inhibit the expression of IL-6 gene and protein in hPDLFs in inflammatory state (P<0.000 1), 1 and 10 ng/mL TGF-β1 could increase the expression of EBI3 gene and protein in hPDLFs in inflammatory state (P<0.000 1). 1, 10 ng/mL TGF-β1 could increase the expression level of Foxp3 gene in hPDLFs in inflammatory state, and 10 ng/mL TGF-β1 could increase the expression level of Foxp3 protein (P<0.05). Conclusion TGF-β1 can promote the proliferation and migration of hPDLFs under inflammatory conditions, upregulate EBI3 and inhibit inflammation, which may be related to the expression of the transcription factor Foxp3.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics of circadian rhythm disorder of blood pressure and its impact on orthostatic hypotension (OH) in Parkinson′s disease (PD).Methods:A total of 165 PD patients from Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from August 2019 to October 2021 were consecutively enrolled. Medical history and scores of motor and non-motor symptoms of patients were collected. Twenty-four-hour ambulatory blood pressure and OH data were collected, and the OH questionnaire was completed. The incidence of each type of circadian rhythm disorder of blood pressure was investigated. The t test, chi-square test and Mann-Whitney U test were used to determine between-group differences of circadian rhythm disorder of blood pressure. The linear trends in clinical characteristics were tested by linear regression analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relationship between different circadian rhythm disorders of blood pressure and OH as well as symptomatic OH (SOH). Results:In 165 PD patients, the incidence of reverse dipping pattern was 39.39% (65/165), nocturnal hypertension was 43.64% (72/165), and awakening hypotension was 31.52% (52/165). Compared with patients without reverse dipping pattern, patients with reverse dipping pattern were older [(71.72±7.81) years vs (65.29±9.68) years, t=-4.491, P<0.001], had later onset age [(66.67±9.10) years vs (62.16±10.66) years, t=-2.809, P=0.006], longer duration [36.00(20.50, 95.50) months vs 24.00(12.00, 41.75) months, Z=-3.393, P<0.001], higher dose of levodopa (LD) [(426.15±267.38) mg/d vs (284.00±235.58) mg/d, t=-3.590, P<0.001], higher levodopa equivalent dose (LED) [(514.80±360.03) mg/d vs (341.44±284.57) mg/d, t=-3.440, P=0.001], higher Unified Parkinson′s Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS)-Ⅱ scores (12.92±6.38 vs 9.54±5.59, t=-3.434, P=0.001), higher UPDRS-Ⅲ scores (28.34±11.60 vs 21.41±12.18, t=-3.508, P=0.001) and higher percentages of hallucinations [18.46% (12/65) vs 7.00% (7/100), χ2 =5.079, P=0.024]. Compared with patients without awakening hypotension, patients with awakening hypotension were older [(70.83±7.09) years vs (66.44±10.16) years, t=-2.811, P=0.006]. Compared with patients without nocturnal hypertension, patients with nocturnal hypertension had longer duration [39.50(15.00, 96.00) months vs 24.00 (12.00, 36.00) months, Z=-2.944, P=0.003], higher LD [(398.61±251.19) mg/d vs (294.62±254.25) mg/d, t=-2.619, P=0.010], higher LED [(493.28±344.02) mg/d vs (345.05±298.59) mg/d, t=-2.959, P=0.004], higher percentages of hallucinations [19.44% (14/72) vs 5.38% (5/93), χ2 =7.882, P=0.005], higher UPDRS-Ⅱ scores (12.08±6.33 vs 10.00±5.86, t=-2.086, P=0.039), higher UPDRS-Ⅲ scores (26.50±11.72 vs 22.42±12.66, t=-2.034, P=0.044), and greater blood pressure variability (BPV) (20.66±5.47 vs 17.44±5.36, t=-3.798, P<0.001). Trend analysis showed that the variety of circadian rhythm was positively correlated with age and duration, use of levodopa and monoamine oxidase B inhibitors and amantidine, morning and daily LD and LED, UPDRS-Ⅱ, UPDRS-Ⅲ and Hamilton Anxiety Scale scores, hallucinations, OH and SOH, and BPV in PD ( P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that awakening hypotension ( OR=3.35, 95% CI 1.55-7.22, P=0.002) and nocturnal hypertension ( OR=2.44, 95% CI 1.20-4.97, P=0.014) were risk factors for OH, and LED ( OR=1.21, 95% CI 1.01-1.43, P=0.035), UPDRS-Ⅲ scores ( OR=1.09, 95% CI 1.02-1.16, P=0.009) and w-BPV ( OR=1.14, 95% CI 1.01-1.29, P=0.029) were independent risk factors for SOH. Conclusions:Circadian rhythm disorder of blood pressure was correlated with age, duration, severity of motor symptoms. Awakening hypotension and nocturnal hypertension are independent risk factors for OH in PD.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to clarify the effects of Foxp3 silencing on the expression of inflammatory cytokines in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLFs) in an inflammatory environment and on cell proliferation and invasiveness, as well as to explore the role of Foxp3 gene in the development of periodontitis. METHODS: An small interfering RNA (siRNA) construct specific for Foxp3 was transfected into hPDLFs. Foxp3 silencing efficiency was verified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting, and the siRNA with the optimum silencing effect of Foxp3 gene was screened. Using lipopolysaccharide to simulate an inflammatory environment in vitro, CCK-8 detected the effect of silencing Foxp3 on hPDLFs proliferation under inflammatory conditions. Wound-healing experiments and transwell assays were conducted to detect the effect of silencing Foxp3 on hPDLF migration under inflammatory conditions. The expression of the inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 was detected by RT-PCR and Western blotting under inflammatory conditions. RESULTS: After siRNA transfection, RT-PCR and Western blotting analyses showed that the expression of Foxp3 mRNA in the Foxp3-si3 group decreased significantly (t=21.03, P<0.000 1), and the protein expression of Foxp3 also decreased significantly (t=12.8, P<0.001). In the inflammatory environment, Foxp3 gene silencing had no significant effect on hPDLFs proliferation (P>0.05), and Foxp3 gene silencing promoted hPDLFs migration (P<0.05). Moreover, the expression of IL-6 and IL-8 increased (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS In an inflammatory environment, Foxp3 gene silencing promoted hPDLFs migration but had no significant effect on hPDLFs proliferation. The expression of inflammatory factors expressed in hPDLFs increased after Foxp3 gene silencing, indicating that Foxp3 gene inhibited inflammation in periodontitis.
Humans ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytokines/metabolism* ; Fibroblasts/metabolism* ; Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Gene Silencing ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Interleukin-8/metabolism* ; Periodontal Ligament/metabolism* ; Periodontitis/metabolism* ; RNA, Small Interfering/metabolism* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism*

As the most important active component of ginseng, a large number of studies have proved that ginsenosides can inhibit tumor cell proliferation, promote tumor cell apoptosis, inhibit tumor cell invasion and migration and so on. By consulting relevant literature in recent years, this paper reviews the anti-tumor mechanism of ginsenosides, so as to provide some guidance for the clinical application of ginsenosides in tumor.