Background and purpose:Intracellular deubiquitylating enzymes,such as ubiquitin-specific peptidase 2(USP2),play a pivotal role in regulating protein degradation and cellular homeostasis by modulating protein ubiquitin deconjugation,which have been implicated in the proliferation and survival of multiple myeloma(MM)cells.Targeting the inhibition of USP2 activity in MM cells might modulate their biological behavior.This study aimed to investigate regulatory effects of the leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast sodium on USP2 in MM cells and its subsequent biological effects.Methods:An in vitro deubiquitination reaction system was established using purified USP2 protein and its substrate,the glutathione S-transferase(GST)tagged ubiquitin A-52 residue ribosomal protein fusion product(UbA52),known as GST-UbA52 protein.This system was used to characterize inhibitory effects of montelukast sodium on USP2 deubiquitinase activity.The MM cell lines MM1.S and H929 were used as in vitro models.Cellular thermal shift assay(CETSA)was subsequently employed to test interaction mode between montelukast sodium and USP2 in MM cells.Western blot assay was applied to detect expression levels of USP2 and its targeting regulators,including cell cycle supervisors cyclin D1(CCND1)and cyclin A1(CCNA1),classical signaling transducer KRAS and glucose regulated protein 78kD(GRP78),as well as apoptotic molecule C/EBP-homologous protein(CHOP)in MM1.S and H929 cells before and after the treatment with different concentrations of montelukast sodium.MM cells with either overexpression(H929-OE,MM1.S-OE)or knockdown(H929-LE,MM1.S-LE)of USP2 were generated using a lentiviral vector.Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)and flow cytometry were utilized to detect the proliferation and apoptotic rates of H929-OE,MM1.S-OE,H929-LE and MM1.S-LE cells treated with montelukast sodium.Results:Montelukast sodium was found to inhibit USP2 mediated degradation of GST-UbA52 protein in a concentration-dependent manner,with a half inhibitory concentration(IC50)of 3.814 μmol/L.Additionally,montelukast sodium significantly enhanced the thermal stability of USP2 at temperatures of 49.1,53.2 and 56.4℃.It was also shown that montelukast sodium could down-regulate expressions of CCND1,CCNA1 and KRAS,while increase levels of GRP78 and CHOP in MM1.S and H929 cells.Furthermore,after treating with 40 μmol/L montelukast sodium for 24 h,the proliferation inhibition and apoptotic rate of H929-OE cells reached to(37.68±1.10)%and(18.99±0.26)%,while the proliferation inhibition and apoptotic rate of MM1.S-OE cells reached to(24.48±0.49)%and(33.29±0.75)%,which were significantly lower than those in H929 and MM1.S cells[H929:(57.19±1.93)%and(45.65±0.24)%;MM1.S:(50.04±0.53)%and(40.25±0.91)%;P＜0.05,n=3].Conversely,the proliferation inhibition and apoptotic rates of H929-LE and MM1.S-LE cells were significantly higher[H929-LE-1#:(80.70±1.60)%and(89.08±0.49)%;H929-LE-2#:(75.30±3.80)%and(82.41±1.07)%;MM1.S-LE-1#:(70.64±0.84)%and(67.63±0.21)%;MM1.S-LE-2#:(68.47±1.32)%and(85.90±0.18)%;P＜0.05,n=3].Conclusion:Montelukast sodium can target ubiquitin proteasome regulator USP2 and inhibit its deubiquitylating activity,which may modulate USP2 directing protein and trigger endoplasmic reticulum stress to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MM cells.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To explore the relationship between urinary cadmium levels and thyroid hormone levels in people aged 40-89 years old in selected areas of China.Methods:Based on the "Investigation of the Impact of Soil Quality of Agricultural Land on Human Health in Typical Areas" project from October 2019 to August 2020, a multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to include 6 588 middle-aged and older adults aged 40-89. Demographic characteristics, dietary frequency and disease status were collected through the questionnaire and physical examination. Urinary cadmium and urinary creatinine were detected by random midstream urine. Fasting venous blood was collected for the detection of Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4). The linear mixed effects model was used to explore the association of urine cadmium levels with thyroid hormone levels. Its dose-response relationship was explored by using the restricted cubic spline.Results:The age of the subjects was (63.48±12.18) years, with males accounting for 51.28%. The M ( Q 1,Q 3) of urinary cadmium level, T3 and T4 was 2.48 (1.36, 4.42) μg/g·creatinine, (1.96±0.51) nmol/L and (113.75±29.11) nmol/L, respectively. The linear mixed effects model showed that the changes of T3 and T4 were 0.027 (0.009, 0.044) nmol/L and 2.019 (1.084, 2.953) nmol/L for each one-unit increase (natural logarithm transformed) of urinary cadmium. The restricted cubic spline showed that there was a positive nonlinear association between urinary cadmium and T3 as well as T4 (all Pnonlinear<0.05). Conclusion:In selected areas of China, the urinary cadmium level of middle-aged and older adults aged 40-89 years is positively associated with T3 and T4.

Background and purpose:Intracellular deubiquitylating enzymes,such as ubiquitin-specific peptidase 2(USP2),play a pivotal role in regulating protein degradation and cellular homeostasis by modulating protein ubiquitin deconjugation,which have been implicated in the proliferation and survival of multiple myeloma(MM)cells.Targeting the inhibition of USP2 activity in MM cells might modulate their biological behavior.This study aimed to investigate regulatory effects of the leukotriene receptor antagonist montelukast sodium on USP2 in MM cells and its subsequent biological effects.Methods:An in vitro deubiquitination reaction system was established using purified USP2 protein and its substrate,the glutathione S-transferase(GST)tagged ubiquitin A-52 residue ribosomal protein fusion product(UbA52),known as GST-UbA52 protein.This system was used to characterize inhibitory effects of montelukast sodium on USP2 deubiquitinase activity.The MM cell lines MM1.S and H929 were used as in vitro models.Cellular thermal shift assay(CETSA)was subsequently employed to test interaction mode between montelukast sodium and USP2 in MM cells.Western blot assay was applied to detect expression levels of USP2 and its targeting regulators,including cell cycle supervisors cyclin D1(CCND1)and cyclin A1(CCNA1),classical signaling transducer KRAS and glucose regulated protein 78kD(GRP78),as well as apoptotic molecule C/EBP-homologous protein(CHOP)in MM1.S and H929 cells before and after the treatment with different concentrations of montelukast sodium.MM cells with either overexpression(H929-OE,MM1.S-OE)or knockdown(H929-LE,MM1.S-LE)of USP2 were generated using a lentiviral vector.Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)and flow cytometry were utilized to detect the proliferation and apoptotic rates of H929-OE,MM1.S-OE,H929-LE and MM1.S-LE cells treated with montelukast sodium.Results:Montelukast sodium was found to inhibit USP2 mediated degradation of GST-UbA52 protein in a concentration-dependent manner,with a half inhibitory concentration(IC50)of 3.814 μmol/L.Additionally,montelukast sodium significantly enhanced the thermal stability of USP2 at temperatures of 49.1,53.2 and 56.4℃.It was also shown that montelukast sodium could down-regulate expressions of CCND1,CCNA1 and KRAS,while increase levels of GRP78 and CHOP in MM1.S and H929 cells.Furthermore,after treating with 40 μmol/L montelukast sodium for 24 h,the proliferation inhibition and apoptotic rate of H929-OE cells reached to(37.68±1.10)%and(18.99±0.26)%,while the proliferation inhibition and apoptotic rate of MM1.S-OE cells reached to(24.48±0.49)%and(33.29±0.75)%,which were significantly lower than those in H929 and MM1.S cells[H929:(57.19±1.93)%and(45.65±0.24)%;MM1.S:(50.04±0.53)%and(40.25±0.91)%;P＜0.05,n=3].Conversely,the proliferation inhibition and apoptotic rates of H929-LE and MM1.S-LE cells were significantly higher[H929-LE-1#:(80.70±1.60)%and(89.08±0.49)%;H929-LE-2#:(75.30±3.80)%and(82.41±1.07)%;MM1.S-LE-1#:(70.64±0.84)%and(67.63±0.21)%;MM1.S-LE-2#:(68.47±1.32)%and(85.90±0.18)%;P＜0.05,n=3].Conclusion:Montelukast sodium can target ubiquitin proteasome regulator USP2 and inhibit its deubiquitylating activity,which may modulate USP2 directing protein and trigger endoplasmic reticulum stress to induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MM cells.

Objective:To explore the relationship between urinary cadmium levels and thyroid hormone levels in people aged 40-89 years old in selected areas of China.Methods:Based on the "Investigation of the Impact of Soil Quality of Agricultural Land on Human Health in Typical Areas" project from October 2019 to August 2020, a multi-stage stratified random sampling method was used to include 6 588 middle-aged and older adults aged 40-89. Demographic characteristics, dietary frequency and disease status were collected through the questionnaire and physical examination. Urinary cadmium and urinary creatinine were detected by random midstream urine. Fasting venous blood was collected for the detection of Triiodothyronine (T3) and Thyroxine (T4). The linear mixed effects model was used to explore the association of urine cadmium levels with thyroid hormone levels. Its dose-response relationship was explored by using the restricted cubic spline.Results:The age of the subjects was (63.48±12.18) years, with males accounting for 51.28%. The M ( Q 1,Q 3) of urinary cadmium level, T3 and T4 was 2.48 (1.36, 4.42) μg/g·creatinine, (1.96±0.51) nmol/L and (113.75±29.11) nmol/L, respectively. The linear mixed effects model showed that the changes of T3 and T4 were 0.027 (0.009, 0.044) nmol/L and 2.019 (1.084, 2.953) nmol/L for each one-unit increase (natural logarithm transformed) of urinary cadmium. The restricted cubic spline showed that there was a positive nonlinear association between urinary cadmium and T3 as well as T4 (all Pnonlinear<0.05). Conclusion:In selected areas of China, the urinary cadmium level of middle-aged and older adults aged 40-89 years is positively associated with T3 and T4.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Inducing the degradation of KRAS represents a novel strategy to combat cancers with KRAS mutation. In this study, we identify ubiquitin-specific protease 2 (USP2) as a novel deubiquitinating enzyme of KRAS in multiple myeloma (MM). Specifically, we demonstrate that gambogic acid (GA) forms a covalent bond with the cysteine 284 residue of USP2 through an allosteric pocket, inhibiting its deubiquitinating activity. Inactivation or knockdown of USP2 leads to the degradation of KRAS, resulting in the suppression of MM cell proliferation in vitro and in vivo. Conversely, overexpressing USP2 stabilizes KRAS and partially abrogates GA-induced apoptosis in MM cells. Furthermore, elevated USP2 levels may be associated with poorer prognoses in MM patients. These findings highlight the potential of the USP2/KRAS axis as a therapeutic target in MM, suggesting that strategically inducing KRAS degradation via USP2 inhibition could be a promising approach for treating cancers with KRAS mutations.

Male ; Humans ; Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Varicocele/diagnosis* ; Biomarkers

Background::Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and diameter, stiffness, and wave reflections, are independent and important clinical biomarkers and risk predictors for cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the present study was to establish nationwide reference values of carotid properties for healthy Chinese adults and to explore potential clinical determinants.Methods::A total of 3053 healthy Han Chinese adults (1922 women) aged 18-79 years were enrolled at 28 collaborating tertiary centers throughout China between April 2021 and July 2022. The real-time tracking of common carotid artery walls was achieved by the radio frequency (RF) ultrasound system. The IMT, diameter, compliance coefficient, β stiffness, local pulse wave velocity (PWV), local systolic blood pressure, augmented pressure (AP), and augmentation index (AIx) were then automatically measured and reported. Data were stratified by age groups and sex. The relationships between age and carotid property parameters were analyzed by Jonckheere-Terpstra test and simple linear regressions. The major clinical determinants of carotid properties were identified by Pearson’s correlation, multiple linear regression, and analyses of covariance.Results::All the parameters of carotid properties demonstrated significantly age-related trajectories. Women showed thinner IMT, smaller carotid diameter, larger AP, and AIx than men. The β stiffness and PWV were significantly higher in men than women before forties, but the differences reversed after that. The increase rate of carotid IMT (5.5 μm/year in women and 5.8 μm/year in men) and diameter (0.03 mm/year in both men and women) were similar between men and women. For the stiffness and wave reflections, women showed significantly larger age-related variations than men as demonstrated by steeper regression slopes (all P for age by sex interaction <0.05). The blood pressures, body mass index (BMI), and triglyceride levels were identified as major clinical determinants of carotid properties with adjustment of age and sex. Conclusions::The age- and sex-specific reference values of carotid properties measured by RF ultrasound for healthy Chinese adults were established. The blood pressures, BMI, and triglyceride levels should be considered for clinical application of corresponding reference values.

Objective:To discuss the postoperative survival of the gastric cancer patients with different expression levels of myeloid ecotropic viral integration site 1(MEIS1),and to analyze the predictive value of MEIS1 expression in the prognosis evaluation of gastric cancer.Methods:In a gastric cancer survival cohort,215 patients who underwent radical gastrectomy were selected.Immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the expression levels of MEIS1 in both gastric cancer and adjacent normal tissues.The relationship between expression level of MEIS1 and the clinicopathological characteristics of the patients were analyzed by x2 test or Fisher's exact probability method;survival curves were plotted by Kaplan-Meier method;the differences in survival of the patients between MEIS1 high expression group and MEIS1 low expression group were compared by Log-rank test;multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression model was used to calculate the hazard ratios(HR)and 95％confidence intervals(CI)to assess the relationship between MEIS1 expression level and the survival of the gastric cancer patients.Results:The immunohistochemical staining result showed that the expression level of MEIS1 in gastric cancer tissue was decreased.The univariate analysis results showed that the patients with high MEIS1 expression had a longer overall survival than those with low expression(P=0.049),and had a better prognosis.The multivariate Cox proprotional hazards regression analysis results showed that the low MEIS1 expression and high TNM stage were the independent risk factors for poor prognosis of the patients with gastric cancer(HR=1.577,95％CI:1.011-2.460,P=0.045;HR=2.709,95％CI:1.708-4.297,P＜0.001).Conclusion:The gastric cancer patients with low expression of ME1S1 have a shorter postoperative overall survival;MEIS1 is a promising biomarker for prognosis assessment of the patients after radical gastrectomy.