Objective To explore the relationship between levels of retinol binding protein (RBP) and lipoprotein (a) [Lp(a)], and obesity and the occurrence risk of cardiovascular disease in population with prehypertension (PH). Methods A total of 301 patients with PH who were admitted to the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Science and Technology for physical examination from July 2021 to July 2024 were selected as the study subjects. The levels of serum RBP and Lp(a) were determined, and the waist circumference (WC) and body mass index (BMI) were measured to evaluate the obesity of patients. All patients were followed up. According to whether cardiovascular disease occurred during the follow-up period, they were classified into a study group (with cardiovascular disease) and a control group (without cardiovascular disease). The effects of serum RBP and Lp(a) levels, WC and BMI on the risk of cardiovascular disease were analyzed. Results The follow-up results showed that 53 out of 301 cases developed cardiovascular disease. The levels of RBP, Lp(a), WC, and BMI in the study group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve revealed that the areas under the curves of RBP, Lp(a), WC, and BMI for predicting the cardiovascular disease were 0.823, 0.741, 0.768, and 0.841, respectively. Serum RBP, Lp(a), WC, and BMI were influencing factors of the occurrence of cardiovascular disease (P<0.05). Conclusion RBP, Lp(a), WC, and BMI are the influencing factors for the occurrence of cardiovascular disease in patients with prehypertension. These four indicators have certain predictive value on the occurrence of cardiovascular disease.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect and underlying mechanism of the Wulao Qisun prescription on pathological new bone formation in ankylosing spondylitis （AS）. MethodsSynovial fibroblasts were isolated from the hip joints of AS patients and observed under a microscope to assess cell morphology. The cells were identified using immunofluorescence staining. The isolated AS fibroblasts were divided into blank group， low drug-containing serum group， medium drug-containing serum group， high drug-containing serum group， and positive drug group. After drug intervention， cell proliferation was measured using the cell counting kit-8 （CCK-8） assay to observe fibroblast growth and determine the optimal intervention time. Alkaline phosphatase （ALP） activity was measured using the alkaline phosphatase assay. Protein expression of osteocalcin （OCN）， osteopontin （OPN）， and runt-related transcription factor 2 （Runx2） was detected by Western blot. The mRNA expression levels of Wnt5a， β-catenin， and Dickkopf-1 （DKK-1） were measured by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， each drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription and the positive drug group inhibited the proliferation of AS fibroblasts and reduced ALP expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the low drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription downregulated β-catenin mRNA expression （P<0.05）. The medium and high drug-containing serum groups and the positive drug group significantly downregulated Wnt5a and β-catenin mRNA expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）， with the positive drug group showing the most pronounced effect （P<0.01）. The high drug-containing serum group and the positive drug group significantly upregulated DKK-1 mRNA expression （P<0.01）. Compared with the blank group， the low drug-containing serum group of Wulao Qisun prescription inhibited the expression of OPN and Runx2 proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the medium and high drug-containing serum groups and the positive drug group inhibited the expression of OCN， OPN， and Runx2 proteins （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe Wulao Qisun prescription can inhibit the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of AS fibroblasts， thereby delaying the formation of pathological new bone in AS. The possible mechanism involves the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin-related gene expression， further inhibiting the transcription of downstream target genes.

Objective: To explore the current status and influencing factors of eating behaviors in adolescents, so as to provide a theoretical foundation for health promotion education among adolescents. Methods: Based on the database from Survey of Chinese Family Health Index (2021), by a random number table method, 1 065 teenagers were selected from the provincial capitals of 22 provinces and 5 autonomous regions in China, as well as 4 municipalities directly under the central government. A general characteristic questionnaire, Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), Short Form of the Family Health Scale (FHS-SF), 10-item Short Version of the Big Five Personality(BFP-10), Content-based Media Exposure Scale (CM-E) and Sakata Eating Behavior Scale Short Form(EBS-SF) were used to collect information. Multivariate stepwise linear regression analysis was employed to identify and analyze related factors of eating behaviors among adolescents. Receiver operating characteristic was used to validate the predictive ability of the EBS-SF score for overweight and obesity among adolescents. Results: The average scores of BFI-10,C-ME, FHS-SF, PHQ-9 and EBS-SF were (33.08±4.64)(19.20±4.55)(38.48±6.65)(6.09±5.63)(16.75±4.36), respectively. Multivariate linear regression showed that family type (other types), agreeableness, conscientiousness, family health and depression were the main related factors of EBS-SF scores among adolescents( B =2.61,-0.42,0.20,-0.11,0.23, P <0.05).The analysis of receiver operating characteristic curve showed that the EBS-SF scores had a good ability in predicting obesity among male adolescents ( AUC= 0.73, P <0.01). Conclusions Family type, big five personality, family health,depression are the related factors of eating behaviors among adolescents. EBS-SF scores are predictive of obesity in adolescents, which would provide a new perspective for promoting healthy eating habits among adolescents.

BACKGROUND:It has also been confirmed that ferroptosis is closely related to a variety of musculoskeletal diseases,such as rheumatoid arthritis,osteosarcoma,and osteoporosis.The pathophysiological mechanisms of ferroptosis and osteoporosis need to be further studied and elucidated to broaden our understanding of iron metabolism and osteoporosis.It will provide research ideas for the future elucidation of new mechanisms of osteoporosis and the development of new technologies and drugs for the treatment of osteoporosis. OBJECTIVE:To provide an overview of the current status of research on ferroptosis in osteoporosis,to provide a new direction for future research on the specific molecular mechanisms of osteoporosis,and to provide more effective and better options for osteoporosis treatment strategies. METHODS:The first author used the computer to search the literature published from 2000 to 2024 in CNKI,WanFang,VIP,and PubMed databases with search terms"ferroptosis,iron metabolism,osteoporosis,osteoblast,osteoclast,bone metabolism,signal pathway,musculoskeletal,review"in Chinese and English.A total of 68 articles were finally included according to the selection criteria. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Ferroptosis is a new type of cell death discovered in recent years,which is usually accompanied by a large amount of iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation during cell death,and its occurrence is iron-dependent.This is distinctly different from several types of cell death that are currently being hotly studied(e.g.,cellular pyroptosis,necrotic apoptosis,cuproptosis,and autophagy).(2)Intracellular iron homeostasis is manifested as a balance between iron uptake,export,utilization,and storage.The body's iron regulatory system includes systemic and intracellular regulation.The main factor of systemic regulation is hepcidin produced by hepatic secretion,and cellular regulation depends on the iron regulatory protein/iron response element system.Of course,intracellular iron homeostasis can be controlled by other factors,such as hypoxia,cytokines,and hormones.(3)Lipid peroxidation causes oxidative damage to biological membranes(plasma membrane and internal organelle membranes),lipoproteins,and other lipid-containing molecules.Polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing phospholipids are important targets of lipid peroxidation.Free polyunsaturated fatty acid is an important substrate for lipid oxidation and can bind to the phospholipid bilayer,leading to over-oxidation and thus triggering lipid apoptosis.(4)Several studies have shown that osteoblasts are overloaded with iron in different ways,resulting in the accumulation of unstable ferrous iron and the generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxides,causing ferroptosis of osteoblasts and ultimately a decrease in bone formation,affecting bone homeostasis and the development of osteoporosis.(5)Osteoclasts are large multinucleated cells formed by the fusion of mononuclear macrophage cell lines or bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells induced by nuclear factor-κB ligand receptor activator,and they have the function of bone resorption.Iron ions can promote osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption through the production of intracellular lipid reactive oxygen species,while iron chelators can inhibit osteoclast formation in vitro and thus affect the occurrence and development of osteoporosis.

OBJECTIVE To explore the pharmacokinetic characteristics of 3 blood-absorbed components of Xiangshao sanjie oral liquid in rats with hyperplasia of mammary gland （HMG）. METHODS Female SD rats were divided into control group and HMG group according to body weight， with 6 rats in each group. The HMG group was given estrogen+progesterone to construct HMG model. After modeling， two groups were given 1.485 g/kg of Xiangshao sanjie oral liquid （calculated by crude drug） intragastrically， once a day， for 7 consecutive days. Blood samples were collected before the first administration （0 h）， and at 5， 15， 30 minutes and 1， 2， 4， 8， 12， 24 hours after the last administration， respectively. Using chlorzoxazone as the internal standard， the plasma concentrations of ferulic acid， paeoniflorin and rosmarinic acid in rats were detected by UPLC-Q/TOF-MS. The pharmacokinetic parameters [area under the drug time curve （AUC0－24 h， AUC0－∞）， mean residence time （MRT0－∞）， half-life （t1/2）， peak time （tmax）， peak concentration （cmax）] were calculated by the non-atrioventricular model using Phoenix WinNonlin 8.1 software. RESULTS Compared with the control group， the AUC0－24 h， AUC0－∞ and cmax of ferulic acid in the HMG group were significantly increased （P＜0.05）； the AUC0－24 h， AUC0－∞ ， MRT0－∞ ， t1/2 and cmax of paeoniflorin increased， but there was no significant difference between 2 groups （P＞0.05）； the AUC0－24 h and MRT0-∞ of rosmarinic acid were significantly increased or prolonged （P＜0.05）. C ONCLUSIONS In HMG model rats， the exposure of ferulic acid， paeoniflorin and rosmarinic acid in Xiangshao sanjie oral liquid all increase， and the retention time of rosmarinic acid is significantly prolonged.

Pulmonary electrical impedance tomography (EIT), a noninvasive, continuous, dynamic, and radiation-free bedside imaging technique for monitoring pulmonary ventilation, is now widely utilized in the diagnosis and management of critically ill patients. Beyond ventilation monitoring, hypertonic saline contrast-enhanced EIT for bedside pulmonary perfusion assessment has recently garnered significant attention. This article describes the application of hypertonic saline contrast-enhanced EIT to evaluate pulmonary perfusion in two patients following pulmonary endarterectomy, providing a reference for its perioperative application in such patients.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of human cartilage glycoprotein 39 (YKL-40) and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) for clinical outcomes of patients with Parkinson disease (PD).Methods:A total of 109 patients with PD admitted to Xinxiang Central Hospital from February 2021 to February 2023 were selected and treated with regular anti-PD medications for 4 weeks, with dosage appropriately adjusted according to clinical status and individual response.Clinical outcomes were evaluated after 2 months of treatment, and the predictive value of serum YKL-40 and GDF-15 at admission for clinical outcomes was analyzed.Data were analyzed by independent sample t-test, χ2 test and Logistic regression using SPSS 26.0. Results:PD patients with poor outcomes exhibited higher serum levels of YKL-40((3.18±0.67)mg/L, (2.34±0.41)mg/L) and GDF-15((457.82±142.83)pg/mL, (282.95±105.96)pg/mL) than those with good outcomes, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=8.082, 7.349, both P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated serum levels of YKL-40( B=0.664, OR=1.943, 95% CI=1.237-3.052) and GDF-15( B=0.185, OR=1.787, 95% CI=1.145-2.789) both influenced the clinical outcomes of PD patients(both P<0.05).Serum YKL-40 combined with GDF-15 demonstrated a predictive sensitivity of 87.23%, specificity of 90.32%, and AUC of 0.927(95% CI=0.861-0.968) for clinical outcomes in PD patients.The AUC was significantly higher than that achieved by either indicator alone (YKL-40: AUC (95% CI)=0.722 (0.628-0.804); GDF-15: AUC (95% CI)=0.797 (0.709-0.868)). Conclusion:The elevated levels of YKL-40 and GDF-15 in PD patients are associated with clinical outcomes, which may be the potential markers for predicting clinical outcomes of patients with PD.

Ankylosing spondylitis(AS)is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by inflammatory involvement of the axial skeleton and pathological bone formation.The T helper 17 cell(Th17 cell)subset of lym-phocytes plays a central role in mediating the inflammatory processes associated with AS.This review summarizes recent advances in the regulation of Th17 cell differentiation in AS,with a focus on the complex mechanisms governed by cytokine microenvironments,transcription factor networks,and metabolic and epigenetic regulatory pathways.Key regulatory components discussed include the IL-23/STAT3 signaling axis,the CCL20/CCR6 chemo-tactic axis,and the master transcription factor RORγt.Additionally,this review critically evaluates emerging thera-peutic strategies targeting metabolic reprogramming(e.g.,PKM2),epigenetic regulators(e.g.,JMJD3,EZH2),engineered exosome delivery systems,and modulators of metabolic enzymes.By analyzing the limitations of current treatment approaches,the review proposes future research directions emphasizing multi-target therapeutic strategies and highlights the importance of personalized medicine in achieving precise and effective treatment for AS.These developments reveal promising new avenues for modulating Th17-mediated immunity,offering transformative poten-tial for the clinical management of AS.

Objective To investigate the relationship between the level of hand grip strength(HGS)-based cachexia index(H-CXI)and all-cause mortality in a population with abnormal liver function.Methods The study was based on the America National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHANES)data from 2011～2014,which included 2 752 cases of people with abnormal liver function and followed up until December 31,2019,using Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and COX regression modeling to assess the relationship between H-CXI levels and all-cause mortality,and restricted cubic spline analysis to explore the nonlinear relationship.Results There were 244 all-cause deaths during a mean follow-up time of 82.70±3.86 months.H-CXI was ana-lyzed as a categorical variable(quartiles),and Cox regression analyses showed that in model 2,the risk of all-cause mortality was reduced in groups Q2,Q3 and Q4 compared with group Q1(HR=0.41,95%CI:0.21～0.82,P=0.012 1;HR=0.34,95%CI:0.16～0.69,P=0.003 1;HR=0.24,95%CI:0.09～0.67,P=0.006 3).Subgroup analyses revealed an interaction between stroke and all-cause mortality,and restricted cubic spline revealed a nonlinear relationship between H-CXI levels and all-cause mortality.Con-clusion H-CXI levels are negatively associated with the risk of all-cause mortality in people with abnormal liver function,and attention to H-CXI levels is needed in clinical practice to prevent adverse health outcomes.

Objective:To explore the predictive value of human cartilage glycoprotein 39 (YKL-40) and growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) for clinical outcomes of patients with Parkinson disease (PD).Methods:A total of 109 patients with PD admitted to Xinxiang Central Hospital from February 2021 to February 2023 were selected and treated with regular anti-PD medications for 4 weeks, with dosage appropriately adjusted according to clinical status and individual response.Clinical outcomes were evaluated after 2 months of treatment, and the predictive value of serum YKL-40 and GDF-15 at admission for clinical outcomes was analyzed.Data were analyzed by independent sample t-test, χ2 test and Logistic regression using SPSS 26.0. Results:PD patients with poor outcomes exhibited higher serum levels of YKL-40((3.18±0.67)mg/L, (2.34±0.41)mg/L) and GDF-15((457.82±142.83)pg/mL, (282.95±105.96)pg/mL) than those with good outcomes, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=8.082, 7.349, both P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that elevated serum levels of YKL-40( B=0.664, OR=1.943, 95% CI=1.237-3.052) and GDF-15( B=0.185, OR=1.787, 95% CI=1.145-2.789) both influenced the clinical outcomes of PD patients(both P<0.05).Serum YKL-40 combined with GDF-15 demonstrated a predictive sensitivity of 87.23%, specificity of 90.32%, and AUC of 0.927(95% CI=0.861-0.968) for clinical outcomes in PD patients.The AUC was significantly higher than that achieved by either indicator alone (YKL-40: AUC (95% CI)=0.722 (0.628-0.804); GDF-15: AUC (95% CI)=0.797 (0.709-0.868)). Conclusion:The elevated levels of YKL-40 and GDF-15 in PD patients are associated with clinical outcomes, which may be the potential markers for predicting clinical outcomes of patients with PD.