Objective To explore the effects of nicotinamide mononucleotide （NMN） on hypertensive rats. Methods Two rat hypertension models including spontaneously hypertensive rats（SHR）and two-kidney two-clip （2K2C） rats were used to be given single, long-term or lifelong administration of NMN respectively. NMN’s effects were assessed comprehensively by monitoring survival time, blood pressure levels, and the extent of organ damage in hypertensive model rats. Results It was revealed that NMN did not exhibit protective effects in terms of lowering blood pressure levels, reducing organ damage or increasing survival time in hypertensive rats. Conclusion This study suggested that NMN did not demonstrate anti-hypertensive effects in rat hypertension models and could provide valuable insights for future clinical observation on NMN.

Objective To investigate the effects of the H₃ receptor inverse agonist pitolisant on wakefulness and cognitive behavior in mice subjected to sleep deprivation, and assess its potential wake-promoting and pro-cognitive properties. Methods A mouse model of sleep deprivation was utilized, in which sleep deprivation was performed for 6, 12, and 24 h by an automatic rotating rod system. Pitolisant （20 mg/kg, i.p.） or saline control was administered prior to the end of deprivation. Quantitative wakefulness was monitored by polysomnographic recordings and spontaneous locomotion, spatial learning and memory were assessed through open field test and Morris water maze test, respectively. Results Pitolisant significantly increased wake duration after all sleep deprivation periods, with the most prominent effect observed in the early recovery phase. In the 24 h deprivation model, pitolisant also significantly improved spontaneous locomotor activity and showed a potential enhancement of spatial learning and memory, although the effects did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion Pitolisant not only enhanced wakefulness but also showed partial pro-cognitive effects following sleep loss, which supported its potential application in improving cognitive impairment associated with various sleep disorders.

Objective·To investigate the effects of liraglutide on liver fibrosis in mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and the underlying mechanisms.Methods·Twenty 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal chow diet group(Chow group)and a methionine-choline-deficient(MCD)diet group(MCD group),with 10 mice per group.The MCD diet was used to induce NAFLD.Each group was further divided into two subgroups,resulting in four subgroups:Chow+saline,Chow+liraglutide,MCD+saline,and MCD+liraglutide group.After daily intraperitoneal injection of liraglutide(400 μg/kg)or an equivalent volume of saline for 4 weeks,an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test(IPGTT)was performed.Serum levels of aspartate transaminase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TAG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)were measured.Liver tissues were collected post-euthanasia to assess TAG content.Histopathological changes,lipid deposition,and fibrosis were evaluated via hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,Oil Red O staining,and Masson staining.Real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)and Western blotting were used to analyze the expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),fibronectin(FN),collagen type Ⅰ α(COL1A),matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9),tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1(TIMP1),transforming growth factor β(TGF-β),SMAD3,and phosphorylated SMAD3(pSMAD3).Results·The IPGTT revealed that liraglutide intervention reduced blood glucose levels at 15,30,and 60 min,with a decreased area under the curve(AUC)(both P<0.05).Biochemical analysis showed that liraglutide lowered AST and ALT levels(both P<0.001),increased TC and HDL-C levels(both P<0.05),but had no significant effect on TAG or LDL-C in MCD mice.HE staining and Oil Red O staining revealed reduced lipid droplets,ballooning degeneration,and inflammatory infiltration in hepatocytes after liraglutide treatment.Masson staining indicated decreased collagen fiber deposition in the liver.qPCR and Western blotting analysis demonstrated upregulated expression of α-SMA,FN,COL1A,TIMP1,TGF-β,and pSMAD3/SMAD3,alongside downregulated MMP9 in MCD mice.Liraglutide reversed these changes,lowering α-SMA,FN,COL1A,TIMP1,TGF-β,and pSMAD3/SMAD3 expression while increasing MMP9 expression.Conclusion·Liraglutide ameliorates liver injury,lipid deposition,and fibrosis in NAFLD mice,through modulation of the TGF-β/SMAD3 pathway and regulating fibrosis-associated protein expression.

Objective·To investigate the effects of liraglutide on liver fibrosis in mice with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and the underlying mechanisms.Methods·Twenty 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal chow diet group(Chow group)and a methionine-choline-deficient(MCD)diet group(MCD group),with 10 mice per group.The MCD diet was used to induce NAFLD.Each group was further divided into two subgroups,resulting in four subgroups:Chow+saline,Chow+liraglutide,MCD+saline,and MCD+liraglutide group.After daily intraperitoneal injection of liraglutide(400 μg/kg)or an equivalent volume of saline for 4 weeks,an intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test(IPGTT)was performed.Serum levels of aspartate transaminase(AST),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TAG),high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)were measured.Liver tissues were collected post-euthanasia to assess TAG content.Histopathological changes,lipid deposition,and fibrosis were evaluated via hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,Oil Red O staining,and Masson staining.Real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)and Western blotting were used to analyze the expression of α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA),fibronectin(FN),collagen type Ⅰ α(COL1A),matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9),tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1(TIMP1),transforming growth factor β(TGF-β),SMAD3,and phosphorylated SMAD3(pSMAD3).Results·The IPGTT revealed that liraglutide intervention reduced blood glucose levels at 15,30,and 60 min,with a decreased area under the curve(AUC)(both P<0.05).Biochemical analysis showed that liraglutide lowered AST and ALT levels(both P<0.001),increased TC and HDL-C levels(both P<0.05),but had no significant effect on TAG or LDL-C in MCD mice.HE staining and Oil Red O staining revealed reduced lipid droplets,ballooning degeneration,and inflammatory infiltration in hepatocytes after liraglutide treatment.Masson staining indicated decreased collagen fiber deposition in the liver.qPCR and Western blotting analysis demonstrated upregulated expression of α-SMA,FN,COL1A,TIMP1,TGF-β,and pSMAD3/SMAD3,alongside downregulated MMP9 in MCD mice.Liraglutide reversed these changes,lowering α-SMA,FN,COL1A,TIMP1,TGF-β,and pSMAD3/SMAD3 expression while increasing MMP9 expression.Conclusion·Liraglutide ameliorates liver injury,lipid deposition,and fibrosis in NAFLD mice,through modulation of the TGF-β/SMAD3 pathway and regulating fibrosis-associated protein expression.

Growth arrest and DNA damage-inducible 45b(GADD45b)was initially discovered to be involved in processes such as cell cycle arrest,differentiation and apoptosis.It is an important signal regulatory molecule in cells,responsible for signal transduction under various physiological or environmental stimuli.The GADD45b gene belongs to the GADD45 gene family.This gene is commonly expressed in human and fetal tissues,but the expression is tissue-specific,with high expression in the liver and bone marrow.The GADD45b protein is a small,evolutionarily conserved acidic protein distributed in both the cytoplasm and nucleus.Research has shown that GADD45b is closely associated with signaling pathways such as p38/MAPK and TGFβ/Smad3,and it has functions including improving tissue fibrosis and inflammation progression,inhibiting cell autophagy,and enhancing neural function recovery.GADD45b plays a significant role in tumors,innate immunity,neurological diseases,and disorders of hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism.The incidence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is increasing year by year in China and has become a serious public health issue in the country.Disorders in hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism are major causes of NAFLD.Multiple studies have shown that GADD45b gene and protein exhibit abnormal expression in liver diseases with hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism disorders.Previous research has found that GADD45b can increase the stability of the FoxO1 protein in hepatocytes,and enhance the expression of PGC1a,thereby promoting hepatic gluconeogenesis.Additionally,GADD45b can inhibit fatty acid transport in hepatocytes by binding to FABP1 and reduce hepatic steatosis by interacting with HSP72 protein.Therefore,the roles of GADD45b in promoting hepatic gluconeogenesis,inhibiting fatty acid transport,and reducing steatosis may form the basis for research into treatments for hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism disorders and liver diseases.This paper reviews the characteristics and functions of the GADD45b protein,as well as recent advances in the study of hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism and liver diseases,aiming to provide reference for further GADD45b research.

Objective To analyze the perioperative outcomes of cardiac valve surgery in patients with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection. Methods The perioperative clinical data of patients receiving heart valve replacement in the Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China from November 2022 to February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. According to whether the patients were infected with SARS-CoV-2, they were divided into a non-infected group and an asymptomatic group. The perioperative data of the patients were compared between the two groups, and the effect of asymptomatic infection on the result of heart valve replacement surgery was analyzed. Results A total of 66 patients were enrolled including 36 males and 30 females with a mean age of 58.0±11.1 years. There were 51 patients in the non-infected group and 15 patients in the asymtomatic group. There were 2 patients of mitral valve replacement, 20 patients of aortic valve replacement, 1 patient of double valve replacement, 3 patients of aortic valve replacement with tricuspid valvoplasty, 22 patients of mitral valve replacement and tricuspid valvoplasty, 18 patients of double valve replacement and tricuspid valvoplasty. Asymptomatic infected patients received more emergency surgery than uninfected patients (26.7% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). There was no statistical difference in the duration of extracorporeal circulation, aortic occlusion, mechanical ventilation time after the surgery, ICU stay, postoperative drainage volume, or postoperative complications between the two groups. Conclusion Perioperative results of cardiac valve surgery in patients with asymptomatic SARS-CoV-2 infection and non-infection are almost the same.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility and early effectiveness of computer-simulated osteotomy based on the health-side combined with guide plate technique in the treatment of cubitus varus deformity in adolescents. METHODS: The clinical data of 23 patients with cubitus varus deformity who met the selection criteria between June 2019 and February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. There were 17 males and 6 females, ranging in age from 4 to 16 years with an average of 8.5 years. The time from injury to operation was 1-4 years. The angle of distal humerus rotation was defined by humeral head posterior inclination angle using low radiation dose CT to scan the patient's upper extremity data at one time, and the preoperative rotation of the distal humerus on the affected side was (33.82±4.39)°. The CT plain scan data were imported into 9yuan3D digital orthopaedic system (V3.34 software) to reconstruct three-dimensional images of both upper extremities. The simulated operation was performed with the healthy upper extremity as the reference, the best osteotomy scheme was planned, overlapped and compared, and the osteotomy guide plate was prepared. The patients were followed up regularly after operation, and the formation of callus in the osteotomy area was observed by X-ray examination. Before and after operation, the carrying angle of both upper extremities (the angle of cubitus valgus was positive, and the angle of cubitus varus was negative) and anteversion angle were measured on X-ray and CT images. At the same time, the flexion and extension range of motion of elbow joint and the external rotation range of motion of upper extremity were measured, and Mayo score was used to evaluate the function of elbow joint. RESULTS: The operation time ranged from 34 to 46 minutes, with an average of 39 minutes. All patients were followed up 5-26 months, with a mean of 14.9 months. All the incisions healed by first intention after the operation; 2 patients had nail path irritation symptoms after Kirschner wire fixation, which improved after dressing change; no complication such as breakage and loosening of internal fixators occurred after regular X-ray review. Continuous callus formed at the osteotomy end at 4 weeks after operation, and the osteotomy end healed at 8-12 weeks after operation. At last follow-up, the carrying angle, anteversion angle, external rotation range of motion, and extension and flexion range of motion of the elbow joint of the affected side significantly improved when compared with preoperative ones ( P<0.05). Except for the extension range of motion of the healthy elbow joint ( P<0.05), there was no significant difference in other indicators between the two sides ( P>0.05). At last follow-up, the Mayo elbow score was 85-100, with an average of 99.3; 22 cases were excellent, 1 case was good, and the excellent and good rate was 100%. CONCLUSION Computer-simulated osteotomy based on health-side combined with guide plate technique for treating cubitus varus deformity in adolescents can achieve precise osteotomy, which has the advantages of short operation time and easy operation, and the short-term effectiveness is satisfactory.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Elbow ; Humeral Fractures/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Joint Deformities, Acquired/surgery* ; Elbow Joint/surgery* ; Limb Deformities, Congenital ; Osteotomy/methods* ; Humeral Head ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Computers ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To investigate the mechanism by which Liraglutide improves the inflammatory response in metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD)by regulating the interferon gene stimulating factor(STING)signaling pathway.Methods 20 male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal diet group(NC),Liraglutide intervention group(NC+Lir group),high fat diet group(HFD group)and Liraglutide intervention high fat diet group(HFD+Lir group),with 5 in each group.Mouse primary hepato-cytes(MPHs)were divided into normal control(Con)group,Liraglutide intervention group(Con+Lir group),palmitic acid group(PA group)and Liraglutide intervention PA group(PA+Lir group).The levels of alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST)in serum and triglyceride(TG)contents in liver were detected.HE and oil red O staining were used to observe the pathological changes in the liver and to calculate the MAFLD activity score(NAS).The mRNA expression levels of STING,IL-1β and TNF-α in tissues and cells were detected by qRT-PCR.The protein expression levels of STING,p-IRF3 and IFN-β were detected by Western blot.Results Body weight,liver tissue weight,serum ALT,AST,liver TG,steatosis,lobular inflammation and balloon-like NAS in HFD group were higher than those in NC group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Body weight,liver tissue weight,serum ALT,AST,liver TG,steatosis,lobular inflammation and balloon-like NAS in HFD+Lir group were lower than those in HFD group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The mRNA expressions of STING,IL-1β,TNF-α and the protein expressions of STING,p-IRF3 and IFN-β in liver of HFD group were higher than those of NC group(P＜0.05).The mRNA expressions of STING,IL-1β,TNF-α and the protein expressions of STING,p-IRF3 and IFN-β in HFD+ Lir group were lower than those in HFD+ Lir group(P＜0.05).The mRNA expressions of STING,IL-1β,TNF-α and the protein expressions of STING,p-IRF3 and IFN-β in PA group were higher than those in Con group(P＜0.01).The mRNA expressions of STING,IL-1β,TNF-α and the protein expressions of STING,p-IRF3 and IFN-β in PA+Lir group were lower than those in PA group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion Liraglutide ameliorates the high-fat-induced inflammation responses in MAFLD by regulating the STING signaling pathways.

Objective:To analyze the influencing factors on the prognosis for survival in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and to construct a nomogram for predicting the prognosis for survival.Methods:The research was designed as a retrospective study. The subjects were selected from advanced NSCLC patients who visited Qingdao Municipal Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 and received ICIs. The clinical data of patients was extracted through the hospital diagnosis and treatment system. A Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the factors affecting the prognosis for survival in patients. Patients were randomly divided into the modeling group and validation group according to a ratio of 7∶3. Using R4.2.1 software, a nomogram was built, and its prediction performance was verified based on the bootstrap repeated sampling method. Patients were divided into low- and high-risk groups according to the nomogram. The overall survival (OS) of patients was described through Kaplan-Meier curve, and the difference between the 2 groups was compared using the log-rank test.Results:A total of 161 patients with advanced NSCLC were included in the analysis, with an age of (65±8.7) years. Among the 161 patients, 127 were male, 113 had a pathological classification of NSCLC as adenocarcinoma, 86 had an Eastern Coperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) score ≥2, and 113 had ICI combined with other treatments. By December 2022, 81 patients (50.3%) had experienced immune-related adverse events (irAEs), of which 14 had grade 3 or 4 irAEs and 15 had irAEs in multiple systems. Eighty-six patients died. Cox regression analysis showed that advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI)≥29.8 [hazard ratio ( HR)=0.48, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.28-0.85, P=0.011], ECOG PS score ≥2 ( HR=2.17, 95% CI: 1.21-3.90, P=0.009), and having irAEs ( HR=0.40, 95% CI: 0.21-0.76, P=0.005) were prognostic factors for survival in patients with advanced NSCLC treated by ICIs. The nomogram was established based on factors of age, gender, ECOG PS score, irAEs, and ALI, and the total score of each patient was calculated. The patients were divided into the low-risk group (126 cases) and high-risk group (35 cases) according to the optimal cut-off value (183.82) of the receiver operator characteristic curve. The Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference in OS between the 2 groups ( P<0.00 1). Conclusion:ALI, ECOG PS score, and irAEs are independent factors affecting the prognosis for survival in advanced NSCLC patients receiving ICIs, and the nomogram constructed based on multiple biological indicators can effectively predict patient prognosis for survival.

Objective:To analyze the influencing factors on the prognosis for survival in patients with advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and to construct a nomogram for predicting the prognosis for survival.Methods:The research was designed as a retrospective study. The subjects were selected from advanced NSCLC patients who visited Qingdao Municipal Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 and received ICIs. The clinical data of patients was extracted through the hospital diagnosis and treatment system. A Cox proportional risk model was used to analyze the factors affecting the prognosis for survival in patients. Patients were randomly divided into the modeling group and validation group according to a ratio of 7∶3. Using R4.2.1 software, a nomogram was built, and its prediction performance was verified based on the bootstrap repeated sampling method. Patients were divided into low- and high-risk groups according to the nomogram. The overall survival (OS) of patients was described through Kaplan-Meier curve, and the difference between the 2 groups was compared using the log-rank test.Results:A total of 161 patients with advanced NSCLC were included in the analysis, with an age of (65±8.7) years. Among the 161 patients, 127 were male, 113 had a pathological classification of NSCLC as adenocarcinoma, 86 had an Eastern Coperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) score ≥2, and 113 had ICI combined with other treatments. By December 2022, 81 patients (50.3%) had experienced immune-related adverse events (irAEs), of which 14 had grade 3 or 4 irAEs and 15 had irAEs in multiple systems. Eighty-six patients died. Cox regression analysis showed that advanced lung cancer inflammation index (ALI)≥29.8 [hazard ratio ( HR)=0.48, 95% confidence interval ( CI): 0.28-0.85, P=0.011], ECOG PS score ≥2 ( HR=2.17, 95% CI: 1.21-3.90, P=0.009), and having irAEs ( HR=0.40, 95% CI: 0.21-0.76, P=0.005) were prognostic factors for survival in patients with advanced NSCLC treated by ICIs. The nomogram was established based on factors of age, gender, ECOG PS score, irAEs, and ALI, and the total score of each patient was calculated. The patients were divided into the low-risk group (126 cases) and high-risk group (35 cases) according to the optimal cut-off value (183.82) of the receiver operator characteristic curve. The Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank analysis showed that there was a statistically significant difference in OS between the 2 groups ( P<0.00 1). Conclusion:ALI, ECOG PS score, and irAEs are independent factors affecting the prognosis for survival in advanced NSCLC patients receiving ICIs, and the nomogram constructed based on multiple biological indicators can effectively predict patient prognosis for survival.