BACKGROUND:Several observational studies have found a close relationship between thyroid function levels and sarcopenia,but the causal relationship between thyroid function levels and the onset of sarcopenia is not yet clear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the causal relationship between thyroid function levels and sarcopenia using a two sample Mendelian randomization method. METHODS:A two sample Mendelian randomization analysis was conducted using genome-wide association study data on thyrotropin,free triiodothyronine,free tetraiodothyronine,subclinical hyperthyroidism,subclinical hypothyroidism,and four related phenotypes of sarcopenia-lefthand grip strength,right hand grip strength,limb lean mass,and gait speed.The inverse-variance weighted method,weighted median method,simple mode method,weighted median estimator method,and MR Egger regression method were used as analysis methods,while heterogeneity test,pleiotropy test,MR-PRESSO,leave-one-out method,funnel plot and other methods were used for sensitivity analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Elevated levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone increased left-(β=0.02,SE=0.01,P=0.01)and right-handed grip strength(β=0.02,SE=0.01,P=0.01),an increase in free triiodothyronine decreased left-(β=-0.06,SE=0.02,P=9.5×10-5)and right-handed grip strength(β=-0.07,SE=0.02,P=9.3×10-5),and subclinical hyperthyroidism decreased gait speed(β=-4.4×10-3,SE=1.7×10-3,P=0.01).The sensitivity analysis results were basically consistent with the main analysis results.To conclude,an increase in thyroid-stimulating hormone is a protective factor for sarcopenia,and elevation of free triiodothyronine and subclinical hyperthyroidism may increase the risk of sarcopenia.

Objective To investigate the effects of adiponectin(APN)on the proliferation,migration,and invasion of ovarian cancer cells and its potential association with the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)/pro-tein kinase B(Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR)signaling pathway.Methods A2780 and SK-OV3 cell lines were selected.AdipoR1 mRNA expression was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).The CCK-8 assay was employed to evaluate APN-induced proliferation,while scratch wound heal-ing and Transwell assays were conducted to assess migration and invasion capabilities.Western blot analysis was performed to measure the expression levels of PI3K,Akt,mTOR,and their phosphorylated forms(p-Akt,p-mTOR)at different time points(0-60 min)after APN treatment and across intervention groups(APN,LY294002,APN+LY294002).Results Both A2780 and SKOV3 cells expressed AdipoR1 mRNA.Compared with the control group,APN significantly enhanced the proliferation,migration,and invasion of o-varian cancer cells(P＜0.05).Under the stimulation of APN,the expression levels of p-Akt and p-mTOR in A2780 and SKOV3 cells showed a significant upward trend.The peak expression of p-Akt and p-mTOR in A2780 cells was observed at 30 minutes,while in SKOV3 cells,it occurred at 60 minutes.The expression lev-els of p-Akt and p-mTOR were significantly reduced in the LY294002 group and APN+LY294002 group(P＜0.001).Conclusion APN enhances the proliferation,migration,and invasion behavior of ovarian cancer cells by activating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway,and its effect can be reversed by PI3K inhibitors,providing a theoretical basis for targeted intervention in ovarian cancer progression.

Petroleum hydrocarbon pollution has become one of the global environmental problems, posing a serious threat to the environment and human health. Microbial remediation plays an important role in the remediation of petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated environment. Nevertheless, the stress factors present in the environment polluted by petroleum hydrocarbons limit the effectiveness of microbial remediation. This paper reviews the common stress factors in petroleum hydrocarbon-polluted environment and the response mechanisms of microorganisms to these factors. Furthermore, we introduce the methods to improve microbial tolerance, such as irrational modification, rational modification based on systems biology tools or tolerance mechanisms, and the construction of microbial consortia. The application of these methods is expected to improve the viability and remediation efficiency of microorganisms in petroleum hydrocarbon-contaminated environment and provide new perspectives and technical support for environmental remediation.
Biodegradation, Environmental ; Petroleum/metabolism* ; Hydrocarbons/isolation & purification* ; Bacteria/genetics* ; Environmental Pollutants/isolation & purification* ; Petroleum Pollution

Objective:To summarize the characteristics and management experience of pregnancy after bariatric surgery.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on four pregnant patients who had undergone pre-pregnant bariatric surgery and delivered at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, from January 2021 to December 2023. The analysis included the type of bariatric surgery, the interval between bariatric surgery and pregnancy, pregnancy complications, and neonatal birth conditions. Descriptive statistical analysis was used.Results:Among the four patients, two were primiparas and two were multiparas. All patients were obese (body mass index≥27.5 kg/m2) before undergoing sleeve gastrectomy. Before the current pregnancy, three patients had a normal body mass index, while one patient remained obese (body mass index 30.5 kg/m2). The interval between bariatric surgery and pregnancy exceeded one year for three patients (14, 14, and 60 months, respectively), while one patient became pregnant 10 months after surgery. Three patients developed normocytic anemia in early pregnancy, with the lowest hemoglobin levels of 101 to 106 g/L. After nutritional guidance and medication, hemoglobin levels returned to normal before delivery. One patient experienced a threatened late miscarriage at 26 weeks of gestation, which was successfully managed with tocolytic therapy. One patient was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 27 weeks of gestation and achieved satisfactory blood glucose control through dietary and exercise guidance. Oral glucose tolerance tests for all four patients showed low fasting blood glucose levels (3.8-4.5 mmol/L) and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose levels (3.5-6.1 mmol/L). All four patients delivered at term, with no cases of small for gestational age infants.Conclusions:Pregnancy after bariatric surgery is prone to maternal nutrient deficiencies and blood glucose fluctuations. Multidisciplinary collaborative management and individualized nutritional guidance are recommended to reduce the risk of related complications.

BACKGROUND:In our previous experiments,it was found that transplantation of young adipose stem cells into aged mice would have weight loss effect and improve the inflammatory state in aged mice. Therefore,we speculate that insulin-like growth factor 1 may play an important role in aging and obesity. OBJECTIVE:To explore the anti-obesity effect of insulin-like growth factor 1 in naturally aging mice. METHODS:(1) Bioinformatics analysis:Sequencing of adipose tissue from obese patients in the GEO database and transcriptomic sequencing of young mouse adipose stem cells and old adipose stem cells were conducted to analyze insulin-like growth factor 1 expression. (2) Animal experiment verification:Six young C57BL/6J mice and twelve aged C57BL/6J mice (20 months old) were selected. Abdominal adipose tissue and serum insulin-like growth factor 1 expression in young and aged mice were examined by ELISA and qRT-PCR. All the 12 aged mice were randomly divided into two groups with 6 mice in each group:the experimental group was given insulin-like growth factor 1 (50 μg/kg) for 4 continuous weeks,while the control group was given the same amount of phosphate buffer saline. The body mass changes of mice were monitored regularly,glucose tolerance was measured at the end of the experiment,and serum inflammatory factors and inflammatory factors in abdominal white adipose tissue of mice were detected by ELISA. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe pathological changes in the mouse liver,kidney and abdominal white adipose tissue. The mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in abdominal white adipose tissue of mice were detected by qRT-PCR.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Obese patients showed lowly expressed insulin-like growth factor 1 in adipose tissue,but the expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 increased after weight loss surgery. Insulin-like growth factor 1 expressed lowly in aged adipose stem cells. Insulin-like growth factor 1 also showed a low expression in adipose tissue and serum of aged mice. Injection of insulin-like growth factor 1 protein could significantly reduce the body mass of aged mice and improve insulin resistance. Pathological sections of the liver of aged mice revealed fat accumulation. After injection of insulin-like growth factor 1 protein,fat accumulation was significantly improved and the size of fat droplets in adipose tissue was significantly reduced. Insulin-like growth factor 1 injection significantly reduced the expression levels of serum tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 1β,and interleukin 6 in aged mice,and significantly increased the expression of PI3K-AKT signaling pathway in adipose tissue of aged mice. To conclude,exogenous insulin-like growth factor 1 can reduce body mass,reduce fat droplet size in adipose tissue,and improve liver fat accumulation in aged mice,thereby improving their inflammatory status. Exogenous insulin-like growth factor 1 may activate the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway to improve the inflammatory symptoms in aged mice,thereby improving obesity in naturally aging mice.

Objective:To explore facilitators and impediments to home glucose management for patients undergoing bariatric surgery based on the consolidated framework for implementation research (CFIR), so as to inform the development of a glucose management pathway after bariatric surgery.Methods:This study was a descriptive phenomenological study. Using purposive sampling method, seven healthcare professionals and 11 patients undergoing bariatric surgery from the General Surgery·Metabolic and Bariatric Center of China-Japan Friendship Hospital were selected from November 2023 to January 2024 for semi-structured interviews. Targeted content analysis was used for the data analysis.Results:A total of six facilitators and six impediments related to the five dimensions of CFIR were distilled. Facilitators included the personalized glucose management program, regular long-term follow-up, multidisciplinary management team, support from family and friends, complication distress, and information technology platform. Impediments involved patterned follow-up, poor accessibility and convenience of resources, role conflict, herd mentality, poor behavioral compliance, and low utilization of digital equipment.Conclusions:Glucose management needs vary in patients after bariatric surgery, with a gradual decline in management compliance. Healthcare professionals should build an "Internet +"home glucose management service model, carry out targeted multidisciplinary team follow-up, and promote the formation of a standardized pathway for patients' home glucose management.

Objective:To investigate effect of artesunate(ART)on high glucose(HG)induced trophoblast cell damage and its mechanism.Methods:Human trophoblast cells HTR-8/SVneo were separated into control group,HG group,ART low concentra-tion group,ART high concentration group and ART high concentration+lysophosphatidic acid(LPA)group.CCK-8 method was applied to detect cell viability.Flow cytometry was applied to detect cell apoptosis.ELISA was applied to detect levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-10.Reagent kits were used to detect levels of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),malondialdehyde(MDA)and superoxide dismutase(SOD).Western blot was applied to detect expressions of Bax,Bcl-2,Ras homolog gene family member A(RhoA),Rho associated coiled coil containing protein kinase(ROCK)1 and ROCK2.Results:After treatment with 0.4～1.6 μmol/L ART,activity of HTR-8/SVneo cells were increased(P<0.05).ART greatly enhanced activity of HTR-8/SVneo cells induced by HG,and cell viability was most significantly increased under 1.6 μmol/L ART treatment(P<0.05).Compared with control group,activity of HTR-8/SVneo cells,IL-10,SOD and Bcl-2 levels were reduced in HG group,apoptosis rate,TNF-α,IL-1β,LDH,MDA,Bcl-2,RhoA,ROCK1 and ROCK2 levels were increased(P<0.05).Compared with HG group,activity of HTR-8/SVneo cells,IL-10,SOD and Bcl-2 levels were increased in ART low and high concentration groups,apoptosis rate,TNF-α,IL-1β,LDH,MDA,Bcl-2,RhoA,ROCK1 and ROCK2 levels were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with ART high concentration group,activity of HTR-8/SVneo cells,IL-10,SOD and Bcl-2 levels were decreased in ART high concentration+LPA group,apoptosis rate,TNF-α,IL-1β,LDH,MDA,Bcl-2,RhoA,ROCK1 and ROCK2 levels were increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:ART can inhibit inflammatory response and oxidative stress of trophoblast cells and reduce cell apoptosis,whose mechanism may be related to inhibition of RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate effect of artesunate(ART)on high glucose(HG)induced trophoblast cell damage and its mechanism.Methods:Human trophoblast cells HTR-8/SVneo were separated into control group,HG group,ART low concentra-tion group,ART high concentration group and ART high concentration+lysophosphatidic acid(LPA)group.CCK-8 method was applied to detect cell viability.Flow cytometry was applied to detect cell apoptosis.ELISA was applied to detect levels of TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-10.Reagent kits were used to detect levels of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),malondialdehyde(MDA)and superoxide dismutase(SOD).Western blot was applied to detect expressions of Bax,Bcl-2,Ras homolog gene family member A(RhoA),Rho associated coiled coil containing protein kinase(ROCK)1 and ROCK2.Results:After treatment with 0.4～1.6 μmol/L ART,activity of HTR-8/SVneo cells were increased(P<0.05).ART greatly enhanced activity of HTR-8/SVneo cells induced by HG,and cell viability was most significantly increased under 1.6 μmol/L ART treatment(P<0.05).Compared with control group,activity of HTR-8/SVneo cells,IL-10,SOD and Bcl-2 levels were reduced in HG group,apoptosis rate,TNF-α,IL-1β,LDH,MDA,Bcl-2,RhoA,ROCK1 and ROCK2 levels were increased(P<0.05).Compared with HG group,activity of HTR-8/SVneo cells,IL-10,SOD and Bcl-2 levels were increased in ART low and high concentration groups,apoptosis rate,TNF-α,IL-1β,LDH,MDA,Bcl-2,RhoA,ROCK1 and ROCK2 levels were decreased(P<0.05).Compared with ART high concentration group,activity of HTR-8/SVneo cells,IL-10,SOD and Bcl-2 levels were decreased in ART high concentration+LPA group,apoptosis rate,TNF-α,IL-1β,LDH,MDA,Bcl-2,RhoA,ROCK1 and ROCK2 levels were increased(P<0.05).Conclusion:ART can inhibit inflammatory response and oxidative stress of trophoblast cells and reduce cell apoptosis,whose mechanism may be related to inhibition of RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway.

Objective:To summarize the characteristics and management experience of pregnancy after bariatric surgery.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on four pregnant patients who had undergone pre-pregnant bariatric surgery and delivered at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Beijing Tsinghua Changgung Hospital, from January 2021 to December 2023. The analysis included the type of bariatric surgery, the interval between bariatric surgery and pregnancy, pregnancy complications, and neonatal birth conditions. Descriptive statistical analysis was used.Results:Among the four patients, two were primiparas and two were multiparas. All patients were obese (body mass index≥27.5 kg/m2) before undergoing sleeve gastrectomy. Before the current pregnancy, three patients had a normal body mass index, while one patient remained obese (body mass index 30.5 kg/m2). The interval between bariatric surgery and pregnancy exceeded one year for three patients (14, 14, and 60 months, respectively), while one patient became pregnant 10 months after surgery. Three patients developed normocytic anemia in early pregnancy, with the lowest hemoglobin levels of 101 to 106 g/L. After nutritional guidance and medication, hemoglobin levels returned to normal before delivery. One patient experienced a threatened late miscarriage at 26 weeks of gestation, which was successfully managed with tocolytic therapy. One patient was diagnosed with gestational diabetes at 27 weeks of gestation and achieved satisfactory blood glucose control through dietary and exercise guidance. Oral glucose tolerance tests for all four patients showed low fasting blood glucose levels (3.8-4.5 mmol/L) and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose levels (3.5-6.1 mmol/L). All four patients delivered at term, with no cases of small for gestational age infants.Conclusions:Pregnancy after bariatric surgery is prone to maternal nutrient deficiencies and blood glucose fluctuations. Multidisciplinary collaborative management and individualized nutritional guidance are recommended to reduce the risk of related complications.

BACKGROUND:In our previous experiments,it was found that transplantation of young adipose stem cells into aged mice would have weight loss effect and improve the inflammatory state in aged mice. Therefore,we speculate that insulin-like growth factor 1 may play an important role in aging and obesity. OBJECTIVE:To explore the anti-obesity effect of insulin-like growth factor 1 in naturally aging mice. METHODS:(1) Bioinformatics analysis:Sequencing of adipose tissue from obese patients in the GEO database and transcriptomic sequencing of young mouse adipose stem cells and old adipose stem cells were conducted to analyze insulin-like growth factor 1 expression. (2) Animal experiment verification:Six young C57BL/6J mice and twelve aged C57BL/6J mice (20 months old) were selected. Abdominal adipose tissue and serum insulin-like growth factor 1 expression in young and aged mice were examined by ELISA and qRT-PCR. All the 12 aged mice were randomly divided into two groups with 6 mice in each group:the experimental group was given insulin-like growth factor 1 (50 μg/kg) for 4 continuous weeks,while the control group was given the same amount of phosphate buffer saline. The body mass changes of mice were monitored regularly,glucose tolerance was measured at the end of the experiment,and serum inflammatory factors and inflammatory factors in abdominal white adipose tissue of mice were detected by ELISA. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe pathological changes in the mouse liver,kidney and abdominal white adipose tissue. The mRNA expression levels of inflammatory factors and PI3K-Akt signaling pathway in abdominal white adipose tissue of mice were detected by qRT-PCR.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Obese patients showed lowly expressed insulin-like growth factor 1 in adipose tissue,but the expression of insulin-like growth factor 1 increased after weight loss surgery. Insulin-like growth factor 1 expressed lowly in aged adipose stem cells. Insulin-like growth factor 1 also showed a low expression in adipose tissue and serum of aged mice. Injection of insulin-like growth factor 1 protein could significantly reduce the body mass of aged mice and improve insulin resistance. Pathological sections of the liver of aged mice revealed fat accumulation. After injection of insulin-like growth factor 1 protein,fat accumulation was significantly improved and the size of fat droplets in adipose tissue was significantly reduced. Insulin-like growth factor 1 injection significantly reduced the expression levels of serum tumor necrosis factor α,interleukin 1β,and interleukin 6 in aged mice,and significantly increased the expression of PI3K-AKT signaling pathway in adipose tissue of aged mice. To conclude,exogenous insulin-like growth factor 1 can reduce body mass,reduce fat droplet size in adipose tissue,and improve liver fat accumulation in aged mice,thereby improving their inflammatory status. Exogenous insulin-like growth factor 1 may activate the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway to improve the inflammatory symptoms in aged mice,thereby improving obesity in naturally aging mice.