AIM: To explore the effect of adiponectin(ADPN)on angiogenesis of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells(hRMECs)in high glucose(HG)environment and role of NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3)inflammasome.METHODS: The hRMECs were divided into six groups, including control group(without treatment), HG group: incubated with D-glucose, ADPN group: pretreatment with ADPN and then incubated with D-glucose, CY-09 group: pretreatment with CY-09(an NLRP3 inhibitor)and then incubated with D-glucose, Nigericin group: pretreatment with nigericin(an NLRP3 activator)and then incubated with D-glucose, Nigericin+ADPN group: pretreatment with nigericin and ADPN and then incubated with D-glucose. NLRP3 level was detected using Western blot analysis. hRMECs migration was measured using scratch wound healing assay. The tube formation of hRMECs was detected using Matrigel.RESULTS: The NLRP3 expression in hRMECs cultured in an HG environment was significantly increased(P<0.01), while ADPN and CY-09 reduced the elevated NLRP3(both P<0.05 vs HG group). Nigericin significantly increased NLRP3 levels(P<0.01 vs control group)which was reversed by ADPN(P=0.032 vs Nigericin group). hRMECs migration ability(P<0.001), and total master segments length and number of meshes increased in HG group(P<0.001)while decreased in ADPN and CY-09 groups(all P<0.01 vs HG group). The hRMECs migration ability and tube formation(total master segments length and number of meshes)in HG environment were significantly increased by nigericin(P=0.003), while ADPN inversed the change. CONCLUSION: ADPN alleviates the migration and angiogenesis of hRMECs under HG conditions.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1016/j.apsb.2024.03.030.].

Objective:To investigate the effects of Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules on JNK signaling molecules and their phosphorylated proteins in postmenopausal osteoporosis model female mice.Methods:The rats were divided into sham-operation group, blank group, model group, positive drug group, and Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules group according to the random number table method, with 10 rats in each group. The model group, the positive drug group and the Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules group were prepared by bilateral ovarian detomy to prepare a female mouse model of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The positive drug group was given 0.9 mg/kg of alendronate sodium, the Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules group was given was Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules 1.944 g/kg for gavage, and the blank group, sham-operation group, and model group were given the same volume of normal saline for gavage, once a day for a total of 13 weeks. Rat vaginal exfoliated cells were stained with Wright's staining; serum Omentin-1 and 25(OH)D 3 levels were determined by ELISA; renal tissue and femoral structure were observed by HE staining; JNK and p-JNK protein expressions were detected by immunohistochemical staining; JNK mRNA levels were detected by PCR. Results:Compared with the model group, the serum levels of 25(OH)D3 and Omentin-1 in the Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules group and the positive drug group increased ( P<0.01), the mean gray values of JNK and p-JNK protein in bone and kidney tissues decreased ( P<0.01), and the mRNA levels of JNK in bone and kidney tissues decreased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Zhuanggu Zhitong Capsules can effectively improve the bone microstructure of postmenopausal osteoporotic rats, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of JNK signaling pathway.

Objective To explore the relationship between lactate dehydrogenase to albumin ratio(LAR)and short-term prognosis in patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury(AKI).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 463 sepsis patients treated in the intensive care unit(ICU)of Beijing Shijitan Hospital,Capital Medical University,from January 2018 to June 2022.The patients were divided into two groups:a group with secondary AKI(AKI group)and the one without acute kidney injury(non-AKI group).Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation Ⅱ(APACHEⅡ),Sequential Organ Failure Assessment(SOFA),and levels of procalcitonin(PCT),C-reactive protein(CRP),serum creatinine(SCr),lactate dehydrogenase(LDH),and albumin(ALB)were compared between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to determine prognostic factors for sepsis-associated acute kidney injury,and Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC)analysis was performed to assess the predictive value of APACHE Ⅱ score,SOFA score,PCT,SCr,and lactate dehydrogenase to albumin ratio(LAR)for short-term prognosis of sepsis-associated acute kidney injury.Results The 28-day mortality rate in the non-AKI group was lower than that in the AKI group,and the length of stay in ICU was shorter in the non-AKI group than in the AKI group(P<0.05).APACHE Ⅱ score,SOFA score,PCT,SCr and LAR were independent influencing factors for 28-days death in patients with sepsis-associated acute kidney injury.The ROC curve analysis showed that LAR level had a higher predictive value for short-term prognosis in patients with sepsis-associated AKI as compared with APACHE Ⅱ score,SOFA score,PCT,and SCr.Conclusions LAR is an independent risk factor for sepsis-associated AKI and is associated with 28-day mortality in patients.

Objective:To investigate the risk factors of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in patients with hormone receptor positive (HR+), human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 negative (HER2-) breast cancer (HR+/HER2-BC) and the impact of NAFLD on the survival of patients.Methods:54 HR+BC patients were enrolled in this study. The liver fat accumulation was examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The patients were divided into two groups: non-NAFLD and NAFLD. Student's t test or Fisher's test was used to analyze the clinical indicators of the two groups. Logistic univariate and multivariate tests were used to analyze the clinical risk factors related to NAFLD. Receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was used to further analyze the sensitivity of clinical risk factors to predict the diagnosis of NAFLD. The Disease-free survival (DFS) and Overall survival (OS) of the two groups were analyzed by Log-rank (Mantel-Cox) test. Results:There were 22 NAFLD patients and 32 non-NAFLD patients diagnosed by MRI. Student's t test or Fisher's test showed that BMI, waist circumference, AST, ALT, GGT, TG, LDL and HDL were statistically different between the two groups (all P<0.05). Logistic univariate and multivariate analysis showed that AST ( OR=1.05, 95% CI: 1.02-1.10, P=0.007), GGT ( OR=1.04, 95% CI: 1.01-1.09, P=0.038), TG ( OR=1.03, 95% CI: 1.01-1.06, P=0.011) and HDL ( OR=1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.12, P=0.037) were the risk factors associated with NAFLD. ROC curve analysis showed that the combination of AST, GGT, TG and HDL had high sensitivity in predicting NAFLD (AUC=0.869, P<0.05). There was no difference in DFS ( HR=1.830, 95% CI: 0.983-3.409, P=0.057) or OS ( HR=2.482, 95% CI: 0.761-8.093, P=0.132) between the two groups. Conclusion:AST, GGT, TG and HDL are the independent risk factors for NAFLD in HR+BC patients during treatment, but concurrent NAFLD has no significant effect on DFS or OS.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between serum miR-122-5p and FOXO3 levels and osteoporosis (OP) in postmenopausal women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) .Methods:The clinical data and serum of 30 postmenopausal women with NAFLD and 48 postmenopausal women with no-NAFLD were collected. The levels of miR-122-5p and FOXO3 in serum were detected by qRT-PCR. Triglycerides, high-density lipoproteins, and low-density lipoproteins were detected by biochemical autoanalyzer. The bone mineral density of lumbar vertebrae 1-4, Wards triangular bone, femoral neck, greater trochanter and total hip was detected by bone mineral density analyzer. The correlation between the above clinical indicators and OP was analyzed.Results:The expression of miR-122-5p in postmenopausal female NAFLD patients (0.76±0.28) was lower than that in non-NAFLD patients (1±0.31) ( t=3.43, P=0.001) . The downstream target gene FOXO3 of miR-122-5p was identified by bioinformatics website analysis. The expression of FOXO3 in postmenopausal female NAFLD patients (1.31±0.30) was higher than that in non-NAFLD patients (1±0.27) ( t=4.73, P<0.001) . Student’ s t test and Logistic regression analysis showed that triglyceride, miR-122-5p and FOXO3 levels were risk factors for NAFLD (all P<0.05) . Pearson correlation coefficient showed that miR-122-5p level was significantly positively correlated with BMD of femoral neck ( r=0.488, P=0.006) , greater trochanter ( r=0.367, P=0.046) and whole hip ( r=0.404, P=0.027) . FOXO3 level was negatively correlated with bone mineral density of femoral neck ( r=-0.445, P=0.014) and whole hip ( r=-0.507, P=0.004) , while other indexes were not significantly correlated (all P>0.05) . Conclusion:Decreased serum miR-122-5p level and increased FOXO3 level in postmenopausal women with NAFLD may increase the risk of OP.

Objective:To study the clinical characteristics of patients with brucella bloodstream infection in different age groups, and provide a basis for clinicians to take targeted diagnosis and treatment measures. Methods:Demographic data and general condition (age, sex, occupation, location, onset season, source of infection, clinical stage), clinical characteristics (main clinical symptoms and complications), and laboratory test results (routine and pathogenic tests) of adult patients with brucella bloodstream infection admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical College from January 2015 to January 2020 were collected. According to the age stratification standards recommended by the World Health Organization, the patients were divided into a young group (18 - 44 years old), a middle-aged group (45 - 59 years old), and an elderly group (≥60 years old), and various indicators among different age groups were compared and analyzed. Results:A total of 75 patients were included, including 15 cases (20.00%) in the young group, 37 cases (49.33%) in the middle-aged group, and 23 cases (30.67%) in the elderly group. Among them, 61 cases (81.33%) were males and 14 cases (18.67%) were females, with statistically significant differences in gender ratios among different age groups (χ 2 = 7.28, P = 0.021). The majority of patients were farmers (64 cases, 85.33%), and 92.00% (69/75) of the patients came from rural areas. The main sources of infection were infected cattle and sheep, and contaminated food (39 cases, 52.00%). The main season of onset was spring and summer (45 cases, 60.00%). The clinical staging was mainly in the acute phase (66 cases, 88.00%). In terms of clinical symptoms, the young group of patients had no symptoms of low back pain, while the incidence rates of low back pain in the middle-aged and elderly groups were 35.14% (13/37) and 30.43% (7/23), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the three groups (χ 2 = 6.98, P = 0.031). In terms of complications, there were no cases of concurrent spondylitis in the young group of patients. The incidence rates of spondylitis in the middle-aged and elderly groups were 32.43% (12/37) and 34.78% (8/23), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference among the three groups (χ 2 = 6.86, P = 0.032). In terms of routine laboratory examinations, there were statistically significant differences in the proportion of blood lymphocytes and albumin levels among patients of different age groups ( F = 3.41, 3.27, P = 0.038, 0.044). In terms of pathogenic examination, there was a statistically significant difference in the median alarm time for positive blood culture among patients of different age groups ( H = 9.54, P = 0.008), with the middle-aged group having the longest (66.24 h) and the elderly group having the shortest (58.80 h). Conclusions:The clinical characteristics of patients with brucella bloodstream infection vary among different age groups, middle-aged and elderly patients are prone to low back pain symptoms, accompanied by spondylitis. Clinicians should pay attention to the patient's own characteristics and provide targeted diagnosis and treatment.

【Objective】 To investigate the impact of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) FGD5-AS1 on the malignant biolo-goical behavior of bladder cancer (BC) cells by regulating micro RNA (miR)-129-5p/cyclin dependent kinase 6 (CDK6) axis. 【Methods】 Human BC cell line T24 was cultured from tumor tissue and paracancerous tissue of 105 patients with confirmed BC. The expressions of FGD5-AS1, miR-129-5p and CDK6 mRNA in tissue samples and T24 cells were detected with RT-qPCR. T24 cells were randomly divided into control group, si-NC group, si-FGD5-AS1 group, si-FGD5-AS1+inhibitor NC group and si-FGD5-AS1+miR-129-5p inhibitor group. The cell viability, migration, invasion andapoptosis were detected with CCK-8, Wound healing test, Transwell assay and flow cytometry, respectively. The expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, Caspase3 and CDK6 were detected with Western blot. The relationship between FGD5-AS1 and miR-129-5p, between miR-129-5p and CDK6 were verified with double luciferase reporter gene experiment. 【Results】 FGD5-AS1 and CDK6 mRNA were highly expressed in BC tissue, while miR-129-5p was lowly expressed (P<0.05). After FGD5-AS1 silencing, the expression of FGD5-AS1,A450 value, cell scratch healing rate, cell invasion number, and expressions of Bcl-2 and CDK6 were significantly lower, while the apoptosis rate and expressions of miR-129-5p, Bax and Caspase3 were significantly higher (P<0.05). Inhibition of miR-129-5p expression reversed the effects of FGD5-AS1 silencing on various indexes of BC cells (P<0.05). FGD5-AS1 negatively regulated the expression of miR-129-5p, and miR-129-5p negatively regulated the expression of CDK6. 【Conclusion】 Silencing FGD5-AS1 may inhibit the expression of CDK6 protein by up-regulating miR-129-5p, thus inhibiting the proliferation, migration and invasion of BC cells and promoting cell apoptosis.

Objective: To investigate the expression pattern，underlying function and clinical significance of Guanylate-binding protein 1 ( GBP1) in pulmonary tuberculosis ( pTB) ． Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was applied to detect the expression of GBP1 in pTB specimensand control samples． Combined with Gene Expression Omnibus ( GEO) datasets ，including GSE83456 and GSE34608，receiver operating characteristic ( ROC) curve was depicted to assess the diagnostic value of GBP1 in pTB．Then，the correlation between GBP1 and related regulatory factors was analyzed by protein-protein interaction network ( PPI) ; Finally，the potential molecular mechanism of GBP1 in pTB was probed by Gene Set Enrichment Analysis( GSEA) . Results: Compared with the control group，GBP1 was significantly overexpressed in human pTB samples，including lung tissue and blood．The positive rate of GBP1 protein in pTB was 73. 9% . ROC curve analysis revealed that GBP1 might have important value in early diagnosis of pTB．GSEA analysis suggested that the hyper-expression of GBP1 was closely related to the host inflammatory response，IFN-γ/ α signaling pathway and TNF-α/ IL-6 signal transduction． Conclusion GBP1 is highly expressed in pTB tissues and is involved in the process of inflammatory response and host anti-tuberculosis infection ; GBP1 may be used as an early diagnostic marker or therapeutic target for pTB.

Objective : To investigate the effects of different occlusal veneer preparation designs and fiber posts on the fracture load and failure mode of endodontically treated maxillary premolars with pulp-piercing wedge-shaped defect． Methods : 60 maxillary first premolars were randomly divided into group A and group B after Root Canal Therapy (RCT) and severe defects(n = 30) ．Group A was filled with glass fiber post and resin core，and group B was filled with resin core only．Then the occlusal veneer( G2) ，buccal-occlusal veneer( G3) and buccal-proximal-occlusal veneer ( G4 ) were applied to the isolated teeth．The teeth filled with composite resin ( G1 ) and full crown ( G5) were set as negative and positive control respectively，with 6 samples in each group．The sample was subjected to 5 000 hot and cold cycles and 20 000 vertical compression load aging．Finally，all the samples were loaded with static load until the sample broke at the speed of 0．5mm / min．The fracture load and failure mode of each sample were recorded. Results : Both the fracture load in group A and B was G5 ＞G3 ＞G2 ＞G4 ＞G1，and the fracture load in G2，G3，G4，G5 was significantly higher than that in G1 (P＜0. 05) ，and there was no significant difference between group A and B (P＞0. 05) ．The fracture form of G3 was mostly unbonding of the repair body，which was conducive to re-repair． Conclusion Buccal ( occlusal) veneer is the most effective in repairing pulp-piercing wedge-shaped defects．The fiber post could not significantly enhance the fracture load of the pulp-piercing wedge- shaped defects teeth.