ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Tougu Xiaotong capsules （TGXTC） on the regulation of chondrocyte PANoptosis， delay of chondrocyte degeneration， and improvement of the symptoms in knee osteoarthritis （KOA）. MethodsIn vivo experiments： 50 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into five groups （n=10 per group）： sham operation group， model group， low-dose TGXTC group （7.2 g·kg^-1）， high-dose TGXTC group （14.4 g·kg^-1）， and diclofenac sodium group （0.05 g·kg^-1）. Except for the sham group， KOA models were established in all other groups using the modified Hulth method. Following successful model induction， the TGXTC groups received daily oral gavage of 7.2 or 14.4 g·kg^-1 for 6 weeks， while the diclofenac sodium group received 0.05 g·kg^-1 solution daily over the same duration. Model evaluation was performed using Lequesne MG score； micro-computed tomography （micro-CT） was used to scan the knee， hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and safranin O-fast green staining were used to observe the morphology of cartilage， transmission electron microscopy （TEM） was used to determine ultrastructural changes of PANoptosis. Multiple immunofluorescence （IF） co-localization assays was performed to detect the co-localization of cleaved Caspase-3， receptor-interacting protein 3 （RlPK3）， and the N-terminal domain of gasdermin D （GSDMD-N） in cartilage tissue， while western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of cleaved Caspase-3， RIPK3， and GSDMD-N. In vitro experiments： The knee cartilages of 4-week-old SD rats were isolated， and a chondrocyte in vitro culture system was established through mechanical digestion with 0.2% type Ⅱ collagenase. Second-generation chondrocytes were divided into three groups： the control group， the model group （pretreated with 10 mg·L^-1 lipopolysaccharide （LPS） for 24 h followed by treatment with 1 μmol·L^-1 nigericin for 4 h）， and the TGXTC treatment group （pretreated with 10 mg·L^-1 LPS for 24 h， followed by exposure to 1 μmol·L^-1 nigericin for 4 h and subsequently treated with 100 mg·L^-1 TGXTC for an additional 24 h）. The levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS）， apoptosis， necroptosis， and pyroptosis of chondrocytes were evaluated via fluorescence microscopy following staining with ROS detection， AO/EB and YO-PRO-1/PI staining kits. Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to investigate the ultrastructural changes associated with PANoptosis in cartilage tissue of KOA mice. Inflammatory cytokine levels （IL-1β and IL-18） were measured using ELISA. Western blot was conducted to assess protein expressions related to PANoptosis， including cleaved Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-8， RIPK3， ZBP1， GSDMD-N， and NLRP3. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the Lequesne MG scores were significantly up-regulated（P<0.01） in the model group， and the pathological changes of cartilage were significantly， with joint spaces narrower， osteophyte formation increased， secere abrasion of cartilage surface. Ultrastructural analysis revealed pronounced chondrocyte apoptosis， necroptosis， and pyroptosis， along with markedly elevated expression of cleaved Caspase-3， RlPK3， and GSDMD-N in cartilage tissue （P<0.01）. In addition， The mean fluorescence intensities of ROS， orange-red fluorescence in AO/EB staining， green fluorescence and red fluorescence in YO-PRO-1/PI staining were increased of chondrocyte in the model group （P<0.01） . The levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatant were increased （P<0.01）. The expression of PANoptosis related proteins （cleaved Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-8， RIPK3， ZBP1， GSDMD-N， and NLRP3） were also significantly upregulated（P<0.05）. Compared to the model group， the TGXTC group demonstrated a significant improvement in various parameters of mice. These included a reduction in the Lequesne MG score， an increase in joint space， a decrease in osteophyte formation， diminished cartilage damage， reduced release of ROS， and alleviation of apoptotic， necroptotic， and pyroptotic processes in chondrocytes. Additionally， mitochondrial swelling and endoplasmic reticulum dilation were also mitigated. The levels of ROS as well as IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Furthermore， the expression levels of proteins associated with PANoptosis in cartilage tissue showed marked reductions （P<0.05）. Similar results were observed in chondrocytes： cleaved Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-8， RIPK3， ZBP1， GSDMD-N， and NLRP3 exhibited significant decreases as well （P<0.05）. ConclusionTGXTC may mitigate chondrocytes degeneration and alleviate KOA symptoms by reducing oxidative stress and suppressing the activation of PANoptosis pathways.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Tougu Xiaotong capsules （TGXTC） on the regulation of chondrocyte PANoptosis， delay of chondrocyte degeneration， and improvement of the symptoms in knee osteoarthritis （KOA）. MethodsIn vivo experiments： 50 male C57BL/6 mice were randomly assigned into five groups （n=10 per group）： sham operation group， model group， low-dose TGXTC group （7.2 g·kg^-1）， high-dose TGXTC group （14.4 g·kg^-1）， and diclofenac sodium group （0.05 g·kg^-1）. Except for the sham group， KOA models were established in all other groups using the modified Hulth method. Following successful model induction， the TGXTC groups received daily oral gavage of 7.2 or 14.4 g·kg^-1 for 6 weeks， while the diclofenac sodium group received 0.05 g·kg^-1 solution daily over the same duration. Model evaluation was performed using Lequesne MG score； micro-computed tomography （micro-CT） was used to scan the knee， hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and safranin O-fast green staining were used to observe the morphology of cartilage， transmission electron microscopy （TEM） was used to determine ultrastructural changes of PANoptosis. Multiple immunofluorescence （IF） co-localization assays was performed to detect the co-localization of cleaved Caspase-3， receptor-interacting protein 3 （RlPK3）， and the N-terminal domain of gasdermin D （GSDMD-N） in cartilage tissue， while western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of cleaved Caspase-3， RIPK3， and GSDMD-N. In vitro experiments： The knee cartilages of 4-week-old SD rats were isolated， and a chondrocyte in vitro culture system was established through mechanical digestion with 0.2% type Ⅱ collagenase. Second-generation chondrocytes were divided into three groups： the control group， the model group （pretreated with 10 mg·L^-1 lipopolysaccharide （LPS） for 24 h followed by treatment with 1 μmol·L^-1 nigericin for 4 h）， and the TGXTC treatment group （pretreated with 10 mg·L^-1 LPS for 24 h， followed by exposure to 1 μmol·L^-1 nigericin for 4 h and subsequently treated with 100 mg·L^-1 TGXTC for an additional 24 h）. The levels of reactive oxygen species （ROS）， apoptosis， necroptosis， and pyroptosis of chondrocytes were evaluated via fluorescence microscopy following staining with ROS detection， AO/EB and YO-PRO-1/PI staining kits. Transmission electron microscopy was utilized to investigate the ultrastructural changes associated with PANoptosis in cartilage tissue of KOA mice. Inflammatory cytokine levels （IL-1β and IL-18） were measured using ELISA. Western blot was conducted to assess protein expressions related to PANoptosis， including cleaved Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-8， RIPK3， ZBP1， GSDMD-N， and NLRP3. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the Lequesne MG scores were significantly up-regulated（P<0.01） in the model group， and the pathological changes of cartilage were significantly， with joint spaces narrower， osteophyte formation increased， secere abrasion of cartilage surface. Ultrastructural analysis revealed pronounced chondrocyte apoptosis， necroptosis， and pyroptosis， along with markedly elevated expression of cleaved Caspase-3， RlPK3， and GSDMD-N in cartilage tissue （P<0.01）. In addition， The mean fluorescence intensities of ROS， orange-red fluorescence in AO/EB staining， green fluorescence and red fluorescence in YO-PRO-1/PI staining were increased of chondrocyte in the model group （P<0.01） . The levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-18 in the supernatant were increased （P<0.01）. The expression of PANoptosis related proteins （cleaved Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-8， RIPK3， ZBP1， GSDMD-N， and NLRP3） were also significantly upregulated（P<0.05）. Compared to the model group， the TGXTC group demonstrated a significant improvement in various parameters of mice. These included a reduction in the Lequesne MG score， an increase in joint space， a decrease in osteophyte formation， diminished cartilage damage， reduced release of ROS， and alleviation of apoptotic， necroptotic， and pyroptotic processes in chondrocytes. Additionally， mitochondrial swelling and endoplasmic reticulum dilation were also mitigated. The levels of ROS as well as IL-1β and IL-18 were significantly decreased （P<0.05）. Furthermore， the expression levels of proteins associated with PANoptosis in cartilage tissue showed marked reductions （P<0.05）. Similar results were observed in chondrocytes： cleaved Caspase-3， cleaved Caspase-8， RIPK3， ZBP1， GSDMD-N， and NLRP3 exhibited significant decreases as well （P<0.05）. ConclusionTGXTC may mitigate chondrocytes degeneration and alleviate KOA symptoms by reducing oxidative stress and suppressing the activation of PANoptosis pathways.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in spinal cord injury (SCI) and its underlying mechanism, focusing on the interplay between m6A methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), miR-30c, and autophagy-related proteins. Methods: An SCI model was established in rats, and changes in autophagy-related proteins, m6A methylation levels, and miR-30c levels were analyzed. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-stimulated spinal cord neuron cells (SCNCs) were used to assess the impact of METTL3 overexpression. The effects of STM2457, an antagonist of METTL3, were evaluated on cell viability, apoptosis, and autophagy markers in H2O2-stimulated SCNCs. Results: In the SCI model, decreased levels of autophagy markers and increased m6A methylation, miR-30c levels, and METTL3 were observed. Overexpression of METTL3 in SCNCs led to reduced cell viability, increased apoptosis, and suppressed autophagy. Conversely, co-overexpression of autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5) or miR-30c inhibition reversed these effects. Knocking out METTL3 yielded opposite results. STM2457 treatment improved cell viability, reduced apoptosis, and upregulated autophagy markers in SCNCs, which also enhanced functional recovery in rats as measured by the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan score and inclined plate test. Conclusion STM2457 alleviated SCI by suppressing METTL3-mediated m6A modification of miR-30c, which in turn induces ATG5-mediated autophagy. This study provides insights into the role of m6A modification in SCI and suggests a potential therapeutic approach through targeting METTL3.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in spinal cord injury (SCI) and its underlying mechanism, focusing on the interplay between m6A methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), miR-30c, and autophagy-related proteins. Methods: An SCI model was established in rats, and changes in autophagy-related proteins, m6A methylation levels, and miR-30c levels were analyzed. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-stimulated spinal cord neuron cells (SCNCs) were used to assess the impact of METTL3 overexpression. The effects of STM2457, an antagonist of METTL3, were evaluated on cell viability, apoptosis, and autophagy markers in H2O2-stimulated SCNCs. Results: In the SCI model, decreased levels of autophagy markers and increased m6A methylation, miR-30c levels, and METTL3 were observed. Overexpression of METTL3 in SCNCs led to reduced cell viability, increased apoptosis, and suppressed autophagy. Conversely, co-overexpression of autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5) or miR-30c inhibition reversed these effects. Knocking out METTL3 yielded opposite results. STM2457 treatment improved cell viability, reduced apoptosis, and upregulated autophagy markers in SCNCs, which also enhanced functional recovery in rats as measured by the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan score and inclined plate test. Conclusion STM2457 alleviated SCI by suppressing METTL3-mediated m6A modification of miR-30c, which in turn induces ATG5-mediated autophagy. This study provides insights into the role of m6A modification in SCI and suggests a potential therapeutic approach through targeting METTL3.

Objective To study the effectiveness of pro-abdominal exercise in improving the quality of gastroscopy,and provide patients with a better preoperative preparation for gastroscopy.Methods 307 patients who underwent painless gastroscopy from March to July 2023 were selected and divided into three groups according to the random number table method.There were 106 cases in the abdominal massage group,103 cases in the bed turning group and 98 cases in the control group.On the basis of routine medication,different preoperative activity guidance was used to compare and analyze the preoperative preparation time,examination time and gastric mucosal visual field clarity score in each group.Results The gastroscopy time in the abdominal massage group and the bed-turning group was significantly shorter than that in the control group,and the clarity score of the gastric mucosal visual field was significantly lower than that of the control group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).However,there were no statistically significant differences in the gastroscopy time or visual field clarity score for gastric body,gastric fundus,and gastric antrum between the abdominal massage group and the bed-turning group(P>0.05).The satisfaction rate of endoscopists in the abdominal massage group and the bed turning group was higher than that in the control group,and the differences were statistically significant.Conclusion Abdominal massage and turning over in bed as preoperative preparation methods for gastroscopy can improve the quality of gastroscopy,while abdominal massage can shorten the preparation time before gastroscopy,which is helpful for the efficient operation of digestive endoscopy center and is worthy of clinical application.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in spinal cord injury (SCI) and its underlying mechanism, focusing on the interplay between m6A methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), miR-30c, and autophagy-related proteins. Methods: An SCI model was established in rats, and changes in autophagy-related proteins, m6A methylation levels, and miR-30c levels were analyzed. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-stimulated spinal cord neuron cells (SCNCs) were used to assess the impact of METTL3 overexpression. The effects of STM2457, an antagonist of METTL3, were evaluated on cell viability, apoptosis, and autophagy markers in H2O2-stimulated SCNCs. Results: In the SCI model, decreased levels of autophagy markers and increased m6A methylation, miR-30c levels, and METTL3 were observed. Overexpression of METTL3 in SCNCs led to reduced cell viability, increased apoptosis, and suppressed autophagy. Conversely, co-overexpression of autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5) or miR-30c inhibition reversed these effects. Knocking out METTL3 yielded opposite results. STM2457 treatment improved cell viability, reduced apoptosis, and upregulated autophagy markers in SCNCs, which also enhanced functional recovery in rats as measured by the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan score and inclined plate test. Conclusion STM2457 alleviated SCI by suppressing METTL3-mediated m6A modification of miR-30c, which in turn induces ATG5-mediated autophagy. This study provides insights into the role of m6A modification in SCI and suggests a potential therapeutic approach through targeting METTL3.

Objective:This study aimed to explore the clinical value of myostatin(MST) and follistatin(FST) as biological biomarkers in evaluating sarcopenia in elderly women.Methods:This was a retrospective cross-sectional study that enrolled 350 females aged 20-89 years who underwent physical examinations in Shanghai Huadong Hospital in 2021. Demographic characteristics, muscle mass, fat mass, bone mineral density, hand grip strength, gait speed, and serum indices of MST and FST were collected.Results:The serum levels of MST did not change significantly with age. However, the serum levels of FST increased with age. In women aged≥60 years, MST was positively correlated with total lean mass and appendicular skeletal muscle index(ASMI; r=0.236, P=0.041; r=0.289, P=0.014), while FST was negatively correlated with ASMI( r=-0.265, P=0.030). In multivariate stepwise regression analysis, after adjusting for age, body mass index, hip bone mineral density, and total fat mass, only FST was independently correlated with ASMI( β=-0.238, P=0.006), while MST was not correlated with ASMI. The receiver operating characteristic curve was plotted using muscle mass reduction as the state variable and serum FST level as the test variable. The area under the curve was 0.753. And when the FST cutoff value was 17.49 ng/mL, the maximum Jordan index was 0.46, with a sensitivity of 77.3% and a specificity of 68.7%. Women aged ≥60 years were divided into three groups based on serum FST levels. Compared to the upper third of the serum FST level group, the low third of the FST level group had a significantly reduced risk of suffering from sarcopenia( OR=0.098, P =0.036). Conclusions:Serum FST lever has a better correlation with muscle mass among elderly women, making it a promising biomarker for evaluating muscle mass.

Objective:To investigate the psychological status of HD nursing staff in hospitals in Guangdong province and its influential factors.Methods:1 630 nursing staff in HD rooms of 71 hospitals or units in Guangdong Province in February and March 2020 were evaluated by using the 10-item Kessler psychological distress scale (Kessler 10), General self-efficacy scale (GSES) and Connor-Davidson resilience scale (CD-RISC) to conduct a questionnaire survey on their psychological status. Insomnia severity index (ISI) and Fatigue scale-14 (FS-14) were used to investigate their degree of insomnia and fatigue. General information on gender, age, educational level, marital status, economic income, professional title, HD working hours, average weekly overtime times and hours, total number of HD patients per day, and whether holding other positions were collected.Results:A total of 1 630 questionnaires were collected, among which 1 629 were valid, with an effective recovery rate of 99.9%. The scores of the three scales were (20.16±7.47), (27.03±4.45) and (58.37±15.75), respectively. According to the Kessler 10, 835 people (51.2%) had mental disorders. Univariate analysis showed that age, educational level, economic income, type of work unit, total number of HD patients per day and living status in recent one week were related with Kessler 10 score (all P<0.05). Economic income, type of work unit, whether holding other positions, total number of HD patients per day and living status in recent one week were related with GSES scores (all P<0.05). Age, marital status, economic income, professional title, type of work unit, whether holding other positions and living status in recent one week were related to CD-RISC score (all P<0.05). Spearman rank correlation analysis showed that the number of HD machines ( r=0.100, P<0.001), the number of nurses ( r=0.082, P=0.001), average weekly overtime times ( r=0.142, P<0.001) and overtime hours ( r=0.136, P<0.001), ISI score ( r=0.572, P<0.001) and FS-14 score ( r=0.635, P<0.001) were correlated with Kessler 10 score. ISI score ( r=-0.311, P<0.001) and FS-14 score ( r=-0.335, P<0.001) were correlated with GSES score. Working years of HD service ( r=0.112, P<0.001), ISI score ( r=-0.289, P<0.001) and FS-14 score ( r=-0.314, P<0.001) were correlated with CD-RISC score. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the economic income in 5 001-10 000 yuan (with<3 000 yuan as reference, B=-1.603, 95% CI -3.036--0.169, P=0.028) and the total number of HD patients per day >200 (with ≤50 as reference, B=-1.153, 95% CI -2.242--0.065, P=0.038) were negatively correlated with Kessler 10 score, and average weekly overtime times ( B=0.221, 95% CI 0.069-0.374, P=0.004), ISI score ( B=0.518, 95% CI 0.454-0.582, P<0.001) and FS-14 score ( B=1.166, 95% CI 1.066-1.265, P<0.001) were positively correlated with Kessler 10 score. The economic income (with<3 000 yuan as reference) in 3 001-5 000 yuan ( B=1.930, 95% CI 0.847-3.013, P<0.001), 5 001-10 000 yuan ( B=1.949, 95% CI 0.887-3.012, P<0.001), 10 001-15 000 yuan ( B=1.482, 95% CI 0.318-2.647, P=0.013), >20 000 yuan ( B=4.300, 95% CI 2.463-6.136, P<0.001), secondary hospital (with primary hospitals as reference, B= 1.078, 95% CI 0.005-2.152, P=0.049) and holding other positions ( B=0.729, 95% CI 0.277-1.181, P=0.002) were positively correlated with GSES score, and ISI score ( B=-0.169, 95% CI -0.217--0.120, P<0.001) and FS-14 score ( B=-0.403, 95% CI -0.478--0.328, P<0.001) were negatively correlated with GSES score. The economic income (with<3 000 yuan as reference) in 3 001-5 000 yuan ( B=7.631, 95% CI 3.753-11.509, P<0.001), 5 001-10 000 yuan ( B=9.236, 95% CI 5.362-13.110, P<0.001), 10 001-15 000 yuan ( B=9.039, 95% CI 4.735-13.342, P<0.001), 15 001-20 000 yuan ( B=8.639, 95% CI 2.989-14.289, P=0.003), >20 000 yuan ( B=16.101, 95% CI 9.162-23.039, P<0.001) and holding other positions ( B=3.228, 95% CI 1.510-4.945, P<0.001) were positively correlated with CD-RISC score, and ISI score ( B=-0.593, 95% CI -0.765--0.420, P<0.001) and FS-14 score ( B=-1.258, 95% CI -1.525--0.992, P<0.001) were negatively correlated with CD-RISC score. Conclusion:The psychological status of nursing staff in HD rooms of hospitals in Guangdong Province needs to be improved. Effective preventive measures should be taken to provide timely psychological support, counseling and intervention to nursing staff with psychological abnormalities, and encourage them to take the initiative to seek psychological counseling when necessary, so as to promote their physical and mental health.

Objective:To explore the changes in early postpartum pelvic floor muscle strength following the implementation of the new labor process.Methods:This retrospective cohort study selected 1 834 primiparous women with singleton, full-term pregnancies who delivered at Peking University First Hospital from February 2011 to March 2016 and had a pelvic floor re-examination 6-8 weeks postpartum. Out of these, 738 cases who followed the old labor process before 2014 were categorized as the old process group, and 1 096 cases who followed the new labor process after 2014 were categorized as the new process group. Basic data, childbirth information, and postpartum pelvic floor muscle strength of the two groups were compared. Data were statistically analyzed using t-test, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney U test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and ordered multicategory logistic regression to assess the impact of the new and old labor process and other factors on pelvic floor muscle strength. Results:The total duration of labor, as well as the duration of the first, second, and third stages of labor, were longer in the new process group than in the old process group [549.0 min (360.0-768.0 min) vs. 482.5 min (328.0-635.0 min), 465.0 min (297.5-672.5 min) vs. 420.0 min (285.0-555.0 min), 42.0 min (24.0-74.0 min) vs. 27.0 min (18.0-45.0 min), with Z-value of－5.72,－3.95, and－9.28, all P<0.05). The rates of vaginal delivery and labor analgesia were higher in the new process group [72.1% (790/1 096) vs. 67.2% (496/738), χ2=7.41; 67.4% (739/1 096) vs. 53.4% (394/738), χ2=36.82; both P<0.05]. There were no statistically significant differences in the comparison of Class Ⅰ and Class Ⅱ muscle strength grades between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion:There was no significant decline in early postpartum pelvic floor muscle strength following the implementation of the new labor process standards.

Objective: The study aimed to investigate the role of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification in spinal cord injury (SCI) and its underlying mechanism, focusing on the interplay between m6A methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), miR-30c, and autophagy-related proteins. Methods: An SCI model was established in rats, and changes in autophagy-related proteins, m6A methylation levels, and miR-30c levels were analyzed. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2)-stimulated spinal cord neuron cells (SCNCs) were used to assess the impact of METTL3 overexpression. The effects of STM2457, an antagonist of METTL3, were evaluated on cell viability, apoptosis, and autophagy markers in H2O2-stimulated SCNCs. Results: In the SCI model, decreased levels of autophagy markers and increased m6A methylation, miR-30c levels, and METTL3 were observed. Overexpression of METTL3 in SCNCs led to reduced cell viability, increased apoptosis, and suppressed autophagy. Conversely, co-overexpression of autophagy-related protein 5 (ATG5) or miR-30c inhibition reversed these effects. Knocking out METTL3 yielded opposite results. STM2457 treatment improved cell viability, reduced apoptosis, and upregulated autophagy markers in SCNCs, which also enhanced functional recovery in rats as measured by the Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan score and inclined plate test. Conclusion STM2457 alleviated SCI by suppressing METTL3-mediated m6A modification of miR-30c, which in turn induces ATG5-mediated autophagy. This study provides insights into the role of m6A modification in SCI and suggests a potential therapeutic approach through targeting METTL3.