This study was aimed at investigating the presence of Helicobacter hepaticus(Hh)infection in patients with digestive tract diseases and evaluating Helicobacter pylori(Hp)infection status in patients with digestive tract cancers other than gastric cancer.Fecal samples were collected from 197 patients with digestive tract diseases at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical Uni-versity and from 149 healthy volunteers residing in Guiyang.Hp stool antigen(HpSA)was detected with the colloidal gold method.Af-ter the extraction of fecal DNA,the Hp specific ureA gene and the Hh specific 16S rRNA gene were amplified via nested PCR,and the amplified products were subsequently confirmed through sequencing analysis.The study included 197 patients with digestive system diseases,comprising 135 cases of colorectal cancer,32 cases of chronic gastritis,22 cases of gastric cancer,5 cases of liver cancer,and 3 cases of cholangiocarcinoma.The detection rate of HpSA was 31.5%(62/197).HpSA was detected across all five disease catego-ries,and the highest detection rate was observed in patients with gastric cancer,at 50.0%(11/22),or colorectal cancer,at 24.4%(33/135).The positivity rate of Hp ureA gene PCR was 7.6%(15/197),and sequencing confirmed that the amplified products were in-deed Hp ureA gene fragments.Notably,the highest detection rate was observed in patients with colorectal cancer,at 8.9%(12/135).The positivity rate of Hh 16S rRNA gene PCR was 11.2%(22/197),and sequencing confirmed that the amplified products were in-deed Hh 16S rRNA gene fragments.Hh 16S rRNAgene presence was detected in patients with all five diseases,and the highest detec-tion rate was observed in patients with colorectal cancer,at 11.1%(15/135).Among 149 healthy volunteers,the detection rate of HpSA was 11.4%(17/149),only one case tested positive for the Hp ureA gene,and the Hh 16S rRNA gene was undetectable in all samples.In conclusion,Hh infection was detected in patients with digestive tract diseases.Beyond patients with gastric cancer,the prevalence of Hp infection was also notably high among patients with colorectal cancer,liver cancer,and cholangiocarcinoma.Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the roles of the two species of Helicobacter in the occurrence and progression of digestive tract cancers.

BACKGROUND:Developed by the esteemed Chinese medicine master Wei Guikang,Tongan Decoction has proven highly effective in treating knee osteoarthritis.However,the mechanism of action is yet unclear.OBJECTIVE:To elucidate how Tongan Decoction modulates synovial macrophage polarization as a therapeutic strategy for knee osteoarthritis in a rat model.METHODS:(1)We employed high-throughput microRNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction to analyze the differentially expressed miRNA in synovial macrophages of normal and knee osteoarthritis rats.Predicted target genes of miR-27a were identified using bioinformatics databases,with subsequent validation through luciferase assays.A total of 68 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group(n=16),model group(n=16),miR-27a overexpression group(n=12),Tongan Decoction group(n=12),and Tongan Decoction+miR-27a inhibition group(n=12).The miR-27a overexpression group and the Tongan Decoction+miR-27a inhibition group were injected with miR-27a mimic and miR-27a inhibitor in the right knee joint cavity,respectively,once daily for 5 continuous days.On the 15th day after modeling,the Tongan Decoction group and the Tongan Decoction+miR-27a inhibition group were given Tongan Decoction by gastric lavage,and the other three groups were given saline by gastric lavage,once daily for 14 continuous days.After administration,behavioral tests,X-rays,hematoxylin-eosin staining of synovial and cartilage tissues of the knee joint and immunofluorescence staining of synovial tissues of the knee joint,RT-PCR,and Western blot were performed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:High-throughput sequencing of miRNA showed low expression of miR-27a in synovial tissues of rats with knee osteoarthritis.The target gene of miR-27a was nuclear factor κB,and luciferase assay showed that the two could bind to each other.Behavioral assays showed that miR-27a overexpression or Tongan Decoction alleviated joint dysfunction in rats with knee osteoarthritis,and miR-27a inhibition antagonized the effect of Tongan Decoction.X-ray films and hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that miR-27a overexpression or Tongan Decoction reduced the degree of knee osteoarthritis and miR-27a inhibition weakened the therapeutic effect of Tongan Decoction.The results of RT-PCR and western blot assay showed that compared with the normal control group,the expression of interleukin 10 was reduced in the model group(P＜0.05),and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13,interleukin 1β,and nuclear factor κB was elevated in the model group(P＜0.05).miR-27a overexpression or Tongan Decoction could differently reverse the changes in the above-mentioned indexes,while miR-27a inhibition weakened the effect of Tongan Decoction.Immunofluorescence staining results showed that CD86 protein expression in the model group was higher than that in the normal control group(P＜0.05),and CD206 protein expression was lower than that in the normal control group(P＜0.05);miR-27a overexpression group and Tongan Decoction had lower CD86 protein expression than that in the model group(P＜0.05),and higher CD206 protein expression than that in the model group(P＜0.05);in the Tongan Decoction+miR-27a inhibition group,CD86 protein expression was higher(P＜0.05)and CD206 protein expression was lower than that in the Tongan Decoction group(P＜0.05).Tongan Decoction mitigates knee osteoarthritis by upregulating miR-27a expression and suppressing nuclear factor κB activity,which improves knee joint function and further treats knee osteoarthritis.

Objective:To investigate the effect of oleanolic acid(OA)on inflammatory injury of pancreatic acinar cells in-duced by lipopolysaccharide(LPS)by regulating stromal cell-derived factor-1(SDF-1)/CXC chemokine receptor 4(CXCR4)signal axis.Methods:Rat pancreatic acinar cells AR42J were treated with 5,10,20 and 40 μmol/L OA,and the cell viability was detected using CCK-8 method to determine the optimal dosage for subsequent experimental OA treatment;AR42J cells were randomly divided into control group(NC),LPS group(10 mg/L LPS),OA low-dose group(OA-L group,10 mg/L LPS+5 μmol/L OA),OA medium dose group(OA-M group,10 mg/L LPS+10 μmol/L OA),OA high-dose group(OA-H group,10 mg/L LPS+20 μmol/L OA),Rr-SDF-1 activator(SDF-1)group(10 mg/L LPS+20 ng/ml Rr-SDF-1)and OA-H+Rr-SDF-1 group(10 mg/L LPS+20 μmol/L OA+20 ng/ml Rr-SDF-1).CCK-8 method and EdU staining were applied to detect proliferation of AR42J cells;flow cytometry was applied to detect apoptosis of AR42J cells;activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and content of malondialdehyde(MDA)in cell supernatant were detected by spectrophotometry;ELISA was applied to detect levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in cell supernatant;Western blot was applied to detect expressions of CyclinD1,Bcl-2 associated X protein(Bax),SDF-1 and CXCR4 proteins in cells.Results:5,10 and 20 μmol/L OA were selected as the low,medium and high doses for subsequent treatment of AR42J cells;compared with NC group,A450 value,EdU positive cell rate,SOD activity,and CyclinD1 protein expression in LPS group decreased,while apoptosis rate,MDA content,IL-6,TNF-α levels,Bax,SDF-1 and CXCR4 protein expressions increased(P<0.05);compared with LPS group,A450 value,EdU positive cell rate,SOD activity,and CyclinD1 protein expression in OA-L group,OA-M group and OA-H group increased,while apoptosis rate,MDA content,IL-6,TNF-α levels,Bax,SDF-1 and CXCR4 protein expressions reduced,the change trends of corre-sponding indicators in Rr-SDF-1 group was opposite to the above(P<0.05);compared with OA-H group,A450 value,EdU positive cell rate,SOD activity,and CyclinD1 protein expression in OA-H+Rr-SDF-1 group decreased,while apoptosis rate,MDA content,IL-6,TNF-α levels,Bax,SDF-1 and CXCR4 protein expressions increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:OA may alleviate LPS induced inflam-matory damage to pancreatic acinar cells in rats by inhibiting the SDF-1/CXCR4 pathway.

Objective:To explore the impact of female body mass index (BMI) on pregnancy outcomes in artificial insemination with donor sperm (AID).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 4 484 couples with 9 852 AID treatment cycles treated at Reproductive Center of Guangdong Institute of Reproductive Science from January 2011 to September 2024. Participants were divided into four groups based on BMI: low BMI group (BMI<18.5 kg/m 2), normal BMI group (18.5 kg/m 2≤BMI<24.0 kg/m 2), overweight group (24.0 kg/m 2≤BMI<28.0 kg/m 2), and obese group (BMI≥28.0 kg/m 2). General characteristics and pregnancy outcomes were compared across groups. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was used to calculate cumulative pregnancy rates from one to six cycles. Generalized estimating equations (GEE), univariate and multivariate logistic and Cox regression analysis were performed, adjusting for age, basal follicle-stimulating hormone, basal luteinizing hormone, endometrial thickness, clinical diagnosis, and treatment protocol, to explore correlations between female BMI and clinical pregnancy rate, spontaneous abortion rate, and cumulative pregnancy rate. Results:1) There were no statistically significant differences in clinical pregnancy rate and spontaneous abortion rate among the low BMI group, the normal BMI group, the overweight group, and the obesity group (all P>0.05). 2) Cumulative pregnancy rates for AID cycles 1-6 were 17.60%, 31.60%, 43.08%, 54.37%, 61.83% and 73.68%, respectively. 3) Multivariate GEE analysis revealed that female age ( OR=0.962, 95% CI: 0.950-0.974, P<0.001), endometrial thickness ( OR=1.040, 95% CI:1.011-1.069, P=0.006), and natural cycles ( OR=1.171, 95% CI: 1.060-1.294, P=0.002) influenced clinical pregnancy rates. Compared with the normal BMI group, there were no statistically significant differences in clinical pregnancy rates of low BMI group, overweight group, and obese group (all P>0.05). Multivariate logistic analysis showed that female age ( OR=1.051, 95% CI: 1.012-1.091, P=0.010), endometrial thickness ( OR=0.920 , 95% CI: 0.847-1.000, P=0.049) and polycystic ovary syndrome ( OR=1.927, 95% CI: 1.044-3.556, P=0.036) influenced spontaneous abortion rates. Compared with the normal BMI group, there were no statistically significant differences in spontaneous abortion rates of low BMI group, overweight group and obese group (all P>0.05). 4) Cox regression analysis indicated that female age ( HR=0.939, 95% CI: 0.928-0.950, P<0.001), endometrial thickness ( HR=1.039, 95% CI: 1.013-1.066, P=0.003) and natural cycles ( HR=1.957, 95% CI: 1.785-2.146, P<0.001) influenced cumulative pregnancy rates. Compared with the normal BMI group, there were no statistically significant differences in cumulative pregnancy rates of low BMI group, overweight group and obese group (all P>0.05). Conclusion:Female BMI does not significantly affect clinical pregnancy rates, spontaneous abortion rates and cumulative pregnancy rates in AID.

DNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification in mammals, playing a crucial role in various physiological processes, including cell differentiation and the gene expression regulation. The ten-eleven translocation (TET) protein family of DNA demethylases is integral to the regulation of DNA methylation, as it catalyzes the oxidation of 5-methylcytosine to form 5-hydroxymethylcytosine. During early embryonic development, the genome undergoes extensive DNA demethylation, and any aberration in this reprogramming process can result in abnormal embryonic development and physiological defects in offspring. The TET proteins, due to their unique dynamics and multifaceted roles, facilitate DNA demethylation and are involved in development and maturation of germ cells, the establishment of pluripotency, cell lineage differentiation, and transcriptional processes throughout mammalian embryogenesis. Furthermore, these proteins are closely associated with the maintenance of pregnancy and susceptibility of progeny to disease. Factors such as genetic mutations, maternal health conditions, and exposure to adverse environmental influences can impact TET protein activity, resulting in abnormal patterns of DNA demethylation. A comprehensive investigation of the related mechanisms of TET proteins is essential for enhancing our understanding of epigenetic regulation during early life, diagnosing and treating related diseases such as early fetal development retardation, and informing strategies for the prevention and management of pregnancy.This article reviews the regulatory role of DNA demethylation mediated by TET protein in mammalian embryonic development and pregnancy outcomes.

This study was aimed at investigating the presence of Helicobacter hepaticus(Hh)infection in patients with digestive tract diseases and evaluating Helicobacter pylori(Hp)infection status in patients with digestive tract cancers other than gastric cancer.Fecal samples were collected from 197 patients with digestive tract diseases at the Affiliated Cancer Hospital of Guizhou Medical Uni-versity and from 149 healthy volunteers residing in Guiyang.Hp stool antigen(HpSA)was detected with the colloidal gold method.Af-ter the extraction of fecal DNA,the Hp specific ureA gene and the Hh specific 16S rRNA gene were amplified via nested PCR,and the amplified products were subsequently confirmed through sequencing analysis.The study included 197 patients with digestive system diseases,comprising 135 cases of colorectal cancer,32 cases of chronic gastritis,22 cases of gastric cancer,5 cases of liver cancer,and 3 cases of cholangiocarcinoma.The detection rate of HpSA was 31.5%(62/197).HpSA was detected across all five disease catego-ries,and the highest detection rate was observed in patients with gastric cancer,at 50.0%(11/22),or colorectal cancer,at 24.4%(33/135).The positivity rate of Hp ureA gene PCR was 7.6%(15/197),and sequencing confirmed that the amplified products were in-deed Hp ureA gene fragments.Notably,the highest detection rate was observed in patients with colorectal cancer,at 8.9%(12/135).The positivity rate of Hh 16S rRNA gene PCR was 11.2%(22/197),and sequencing confirmed that the amplified products were in-deed Hh 16S rRNA gene fragments.Hh 16S rRNAgene presence was detected in patients with all five diseases,and the highest detec-tion rate was observed in patients with colorectal cancer,at 11.1%(15/135).Among 149 healthy volunteers,the detection rate of HpSA was 11.4%(17/149),only one case tested positive for the Hp ureA gene,and the Hh 16S rRNA gene was undetectable in all samples.In conclusion,Hh infection was detected in patients with digestive tract diseases.Beyond patients with gastric cancer,the prevalence of Hp infection was also notably high among patients with colorectal cancer,liver cancer,and cholangiocarcinoma.Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the roles of the two species of Helicobacter in the occurrence and progression of digestive tract cancers.

BACKGROUND:Developed by the esteemed Chinese medicine master Wei Guikang,Tongan Decoction has proven highly effective in treating knee osteoarthritis.However,the mechanism of action is yet unclear.OBJECTIVE:To elucidate how Tongan Decoction modulates synovial macrophage polarization as a therapeutic strategy for knee osteoarthritis in a rat model.METHODS:(1)We employed high-throughput microRNA sequencing and polymerase chain reaction to analyze the differentially expressed miRNA in synovial macrophages of normal and knee osteoarthritis rats.Predicted target genes of miR-27a were identified using bioinformatics databases,with subsequent validation through luciferase assays.A total of 68 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into normal control group(n=16),model group(n=16),miR-27a overexpression group(n=12),Tongan Decoction group(n=12),and Tongan Decoction+miR-27a inhibition group(n=12).The miR-27a overexpression group and the Tongan Decoction+miR-27a inhibition group were injected with miR-27a mimic and miR-27a inhibitor in the right knee joint cavity,respectively,once daily for 5 continuous days.On the 15th day after modeling,the Tongan Decoction group and the Tongan Decoction+miR-27a inhibition group were given Tongan Decoction by gastric lavage,and the other three groups were given saline by gastric lavage,once daily for 14 continuous days.After administration,behavioral tests,X-rays,hematoxylin-eosin staining of synovial and cartilage tissues of the knee joint and immunofluorescence staining of synovial tissues of the knee joint,RT-PCR,and Western blot were performed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:High-throughput sequencing of miRNA showed low expression of miR-27a in synovial tissues of rats with knee osteoarthritis.The target gene of miR-27a was nuclear factor κB,and luciferase assay showed that the two could bind to each other.Behavioral assays showed that miR-27a overexpression or Tongan Decoction alleviated joint dysfunction in rats with knee osteoarthritis,and miR-27a inhibition antagonized the effect of Tongan Decoction.X-ray films and hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that miR-27a overexpression or Tongan Decoction reduced the degree of knee osteoarthritis and miR-27a inhibition weakened the therapeutic effect of Tongan Decoction.The results of RT-PCR and western blot assay showed that compared with the normal control group,the expression of interleukin 10 was reduced in the model group(P＜0.05),and the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13,interleukin 1β,and nuclear factor κB was elevated in the model group(P＜0.05).miR-27a overexpression or Tongan Decoction could differently reverse the changes in the above-mentioned indexes,while miR-27a inhibition weakened the effect of Tongan Decoction.Immunofluorescence staining results showed that CD86 protein expression in the model group was higher than that in the normal control group(P＜0.05),and CD206 protein expression was lower than that in the normal control group(P＜0.05);miR-27a overexpression group and Tongan Decoction had lower CD86 protein expression than that in the model group(P＜0.05),and higher CD206 protein expression than that in the model group(P＜0.05);in the Tongan Decoction+miR-27a inhibition group,CD86 protein expression was higher(P＜0.05)and CD206 protein expression was lower than that in the Tongan Decoction group(P＜0.05).Tongan Decoction mitigates knee osteoarthritis by upregulating miR-27a expression and suppressing nuclear factor κB activity,which improves knee joint function and further treats knee osteoarthritis.

Aim To explore the potential mechanism of metformin on ATP-binding cassette transport A1(ABCA1)expression.Methods J774A.1 macrophages were treated with metformin and cycloheximide,and ABCA1 expression was determined by Western blot.His-tagged ABCA1 and HA-tagged Ub plasmids were co-transferred into HEK293 cells and stimulated with metformin.Co-immunoprecipitation(Co-IP)was used to test the binding ability of ABCA1 and ubiquitin.Candidate E3 ubiquitin-protein ligases(CE3)of ABCA1 were identified through Co-IP-based pro-teomics.The MIB1 plasmid was constructed and transferred into HEK293 cells,and Western blot was used to determine the effect of metformin and MIB1 on ABCA1 expression.Results Metformin increased the expression of ABCA1 in J774A.1 cells(P<0.01),and inhibited ABCA1 degradation(P<0.05).Metformin disrupted the binding of ABCA1 to ubiquitin(P<0.05).The proteins regulated by metformin in ABCA1 expression were primarily enriched in pathways re-lated to cell development,inflammation and immune defense.Metformin may upregulate ABCA1 protein expression via MIB1(P<0.05).Conclusion Metformin inhibits the degradation of ABCA1 by blocking the ubiquitin-proteasome system(UPS),and MIB1 might act as a candidate E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase(CE3)for ABCA1.

Objective:To evaluate the relationship between trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and high glucose-hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury in rat cardiomyocytes and the role of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS).Methods:Normally cultured rat H9C2 cardiomyocytes were divided into 4 groups ( n=24 each) by using a table of random numbers: high glucose control group (HC group), high glucose-H/R group (H/R group), high glucose-H/R + TMAO group (T group), and high glucose-H/R + TMAO + 4-phenylbutyric acid group (P group). The high glucose-H/R injury model was established by incubating cells in high-glucose (25 mmol/L glucose) medium for 72 h, followed by 4 h of hypoxia in glucose-free medium and 4 h of reoxygenation in high-glucose medium. T group was incubated with 400 μmol/L TMAO for 72 h before hypoxia, and P group was incubated with 400 μmol/L TMAO and 1 mmol/L 4-phenylbutyric acid for 72 h before hypoxia. At 4 h of reoxygenation, the cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay, the apoptosis rate, ROS level and opening of mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP) were measured by flow cytometry, the mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) was determined by JC-1 staining, the content of ATP was measured by luciferase method, and the expression of activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), activating transcription factor 6 (ATF6), B-cell lymphoma 2-associated X protein (BAX), glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK) and inositol-requiring enzyme 1α (IRE1α) was detected by Western blot. Results:Compared with HC group, the cell survival rate, MMP and ATP levels were significantly decreased, the apoptosis rate, ROS level and opening of mPTP were increased, and the expression of ATF4, ATF6, BAX, GRP78, PERK and IRE1α was up-regulated in H/R group ( P<0.05). Compared with H/R group, the cell survival rate, MMP and ATP levels were significantly decreased, the apoptosis rate, ROS level and opening of mPTP were increased, the expression of ATF4, BAX, GRP78 and PERK was up-regulated ( P<0.05), and no statistically significant change was found in the expression of ATF6 or IRE1α in T group ( P>0.05). Compared with T group, the cell survival rate, MMP and ATP levels were significantly increased, and the apoptosis rate, ROS level and opening of mPTP was decreased, and the expression of ATF4, ATF6, BAX, GRP78, PERK and IRE1α was down-regulated in P group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:TMAO is involved in the underlying mechanism of high glucose-H/R injury in rat cardiomyocytes, which may be related to the excessive activation of the PERK pathway-mediated ERS and consequent exacerbation of mitochondrial dysfunction.

Objective:To survey the status of radiological diagnostic equipment, protective equipment and articles, personnel allocation, and exposure frequencies in Linyi city, Shandong province, and to provide data support for rational allocation of radiological resources and radiological health management.Methods:In 2023, a questionnaire survey was conducted of radiological diagnostic resources in 353 medical health institutions with radiological diagnostic equipment (excluding simple dental clinics, hereinafter referred to as radiological diagnostic institutions) in Linyi. The survey included the radiological diagnostic equipment (including 16 types of equipment in 7 categories), protective equipment and articles, the number of staff, and the exposure frequencies of X-ray diagnosis. The comparisons were conducted using rank sum test of number of peices of equipment and article and staff number in institutions at different levels in different regions.Results:In 2023, the 353 radiological diagnostic institutions in Linyi were all equipped with radiological diagnostic equipment, summing 1 180 pieces. The median value M ( P25, P75) of the number of peices of radiological diagnostic equipment possessed by each diagnostic institution was 2 (2, 3). The highest proportion of a single piece of equipment was 35.4% for digital radiography (RD) machine and 32.5% for computed tomography (CT) scanner, respectively, followed by image intensifier fluoroscopes 7.9% and flat-panel detector fluoroscopes 7.6%, while computed radiography(CR), 3 kinds of breast X-ray machines, 4 kinds of dental CT machines, and bone densitometers accounted for less than 4.0% each. A total of 223 items of protection equipment (radiation monitoring devices) were equipped, about of 47.0%. The radiological diagnostic institution was each equipped with protective articles. A total of 5 709 protective articles were provided, mainly including lead rubber neck covers, lead rubber hats, and lead rubber aprons (accounting for over 20% each). In 2023, there were a total of 2 677 staff engaged in radiological diagnosis in Linyi, with the majority being male (62.9%). The M ( P25, P75) of staff was 3 (2, 5), including 2 (1, 4) males and 1 (0, 2) females. There were level differences in radiological diagnostic equipment ( χ2=109.04, P<0.05), protective articles ( χ2=83.05, P<0.05), and the number of staff ( χ2=96.90, P<0.05), with tertiary institutions significantly higher than other levels. In 2023, there were 107.8 pieces of radiological diagnostic equipment per million population (38.2 DR units and 35.0 CT scanners per million population) and 244 radiological diagnostic staff per million population (154 males and 90 females per million population) in Linyi. The exposure frequencies of radiological diagnosis in Linyi were 543.7 examinations per thousand population, with CT diagnosis having the highest frequency (342.7 examinations per thousand population), followed by X-ray photography (157.8 examinations per thousand population) during the survey period. Conclusions:In 2023, all the radiological diagnostic institutions in Linyi are equipped with diagnostic equipment and protective articles. The number of CT, DR, breast DR units possessed by every millions of population are higher than the national and Shandong provincial average levels. The overall radiological diagnostic resources are generally good. However, the allocation of radiological diagnostic resources is unbalanced to a certain degree, which currently mainly focuses on the tertiary institutions. At the same time, the bone density meters and breast X-ray machines are insufficient, and further adjustments and optimizations are needed in the future.