OBJECTIVES: To analyze bone mass distribution and the factors affecting bone mass in a general Chinese Han cohort undergoing physical examinations at our center. METHODS: We retrospectively collected the data of bone mineral density (BMD) measurements from 30 599 healthy Han Chinese adults (age≥20 years) who underwent dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scans at our hospital from July, 2013 to July, 2023. Basic parameters including height, body weight, and gender were recorded, and descriptive statistics and correlation analyses were performed using R software. RESULTS: In this cohort, the male individuals had a mean peak BMD of 1.00±0.12 g/cm² in the lumbar vertebrae, 0.94±0.14 g/cm² in the femoral neck, and 0.99±0.13 g/cm² in the total hip, significantly higher than the values in the female individuals [0.99±0.12 g/cm² in the lumbar vertebrae (P=0.022), 0.79±0.11 g/cm² in the femoral neck (P<0.001), and 0.88±0.11 g/cm² in the total hip (P<0.001)]. In the overall cohort, the BMD values of the lumbar spine and femur decreased with age after reaching their peak levels. There was a positive correlation between BMD value and body mass index (BMI) in both male and female individuals. The 2013-2014 period recorded the lowest BMD values in the lumbar, hip, and femoral neck, which tended to increase steadily in the following years (2015-2023). CONCLUSIONS Our data suggest that the BMD values vary among different populations, and future multi-center studies using more accurate BMD detection technology are warranted to capture the variation patterns of BMD with demographic characteristics of specific populations.
Humans ; Bone Density ; Absorptiometry, Photon ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Osteoporosis/diagnostic imaging* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; China/epidemiology* ; Femur Neck/diagnostic imaging* ; Aged ; Beijing/epidemiology* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the effects of quercetin on cuproptosis and L-type calcium currents in the myocardium of diabetic rats. METHODS: Forty SD rats were randomized into control group and diabetic model groups. The rat models of diabetes mellitus (DM) induced by high-fat and high-sugar diet combined with streptozotocin (STZ) injection were further divided into DM model group, quercetin treatment group, and empagliflozin treatment group (n=10). Blood glucose and body weight were measured every other week, and cardiac function of the rats was evaluated using echocardiography. HE staining, Sirius red staining, and wheat germ agglutinin (WGA) analysis were used to observe the changes in myocardial histomorphology, and serum copper levels and myocardial FDX1 expression were detected. In cultured rat cardiomyocyte H9c2 cells with high-glucose exposure, the effects of quercetin and elesclomol, alone or in combination, on intracellular CK-MB and LDH levels and FDX1 expression were assessed, and the changes in L-type calcium currents were analyzed using patch-clamp technique. RESULTS: The diabetic rats exhibited elevated blood glucose, reduced body weight, impaired left ventricular function, increased serum copper levels and myocardial FDX1 expression, decreased L-type calcium currents, and prolonged action potential duration. Quercetin and empagliflozin treatment significantly lowered blood glucose, improved body weight, and restored cardiac function of the diabetic rats, and compared with empagliflozin, quercetin more effectively reduced serum copper levels, downregulated FDX1 expression, and enhanced myocardial L-type calcium currents in diabetic rats. In H9c2 cells, high glucose exposure significantly increased myocardial expressions of FDX1, CK-MB and LDH, which were effectively lowered by quercetin treatment; Elesclomol further elevated FDX1, CK-MB and LDH levels in the exposed cells, and these changes were not significantly affected by the application of quercetin. CONCLUSIONS Quercetin ameliorates myocardial injury in diabetic rats possibly by suppressing myocardial cuproptosis signaling and restoring L-type calcium channel activity.
Animals ; Quercetin/pharmacology* ; Calcium Channels, L-Type/metabolism* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Myocytes, Cardiac/drug effects* ; Myocardium/pathology* ; Male

Objective:To investigate the clinical, laboratory, and prognostic features of myelodysplastic neoplasm (MDS) patients harboring acute myeloid leukemia (AML) -like mutations.Methods:We retrospectively analyzed clinical, molecular, and outcome data from 1 464 adults with primary MDS diagnosed at the Institute of Hematology and Blood Diseases Hospital from August 2016 to June 2024.Results:AML-like mutations were detected in 64 patients (4.4% ). Compared with patients without AML-like mutations, those with AML-like mutations were younger [median 50 ( IQR 39–60) vs 56 (45, 65) years; P=0.001], more often female (51.6% vs 35.4% ; P=0.009), had higher bone marrow blast percentage [6.5% (3.0%, 10.5% ) vs 2.5% (1.0%, 7.0% ) ; P<0.001], a higher rate of normal karyotype (75.0% vs 48.1% ; P<0.001), and lower hemoglobin levels [73 (67, 82) g/L vs 80 (66, 98) g/L; P=0.006]. The AML-like group had a higher number of gene mutations than the non-AML-like group [3 ( IQR 2–4) vs 2 (1, 3) ; P<0.001). It was enriched for mutations in NPM1, DNMT3A, WT1, PTPN11, NRAS, BCOR, FLT3, CEBPA, and MYC (all P<0.05) and had lower rates of U2AF1, ASXL1, and TP53 mutations (all P<0.05). Overall survival (OS) did not differ between groups ( P=0.730) ; however, the AML-like group had significantly shorter leukemia-free survival (LFS) [19 months (95% CI: 13–25) vs 46 months (95% CI: 38–54) ; P=0.012] and a higher 2-year cumulative incidence of AML transformation [ (41.7±9.1) % vs (10.4±1.1) % ; P<0.001]. Within the AML-like group, OS, LFS, and cumulative incidence of AML transformation did not differ between patients with low blasts and those with excess blasts (IB). Multivariable Cox regression identified age ≥60 years and PTPN11 mutations as independent adverse prognostic factors for OS, while DNMT3A, PTPN11, and FLT3 mutations independently predicted leukemic transformation. Conclusions:MDS patients harboring AML-like mutations exhibit distinct clinical and molecular features and a higher risk of progression to AML.

Objective:To explore the effects of IFN-γ on IL-8 secretion by human liver cancer cells and the impact on their malignant biological functions in vitro. Methods:HuH7 and Hep3B cells were treated with different concentrations of IFN-γ for 24 or 48 h. Changes in the cellular activity, IL-8 secretion, and the proportion of CD133 + liver cancer stem cells were evaluated using CCK8 kit and flow cytometry. Western blot was used to detect the effects of IFN-γ on the expression of several molecules such as phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-Akt), phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (p-JNK), vimentin, and E-cadherin in the liver cancer cells. Effects of IFN-γ with or without IL-8 on the migration of liver cancer cells were detected by transwell assay. Additionally, effects of IFN-γ combined with IL-8 or IL-8 receptor inhibitor repertaxin on the differentiation of liver cancer stem cells were detected by flow cytometry. One-way analysis of variance and Tukey-Kramer test were used for statistical analysis. Results:HuH7 and Hep3B cells secreted significantly higher levels of IL-8 than normal hepatocytes LO2 ( P<0.01) and high expression level of IL-8 gene ( CXCL8) was closely correlated with the expression levels of vimentin gene ( VIMENTIN), CD133 gene ( PRCM1), PD-L1 gene ( CD274), PD-1 gene ( PDCD1), and CD163 gene ( CD163), as well as the poor prognosis of liver cancer patients ( P<0.01). IFN-γ (1-100 ng/ml) had no significant effect on the proliferative activity of HuH7 and Hep3B cells ( P>0.05), but could significantly inhibit IL-8 secretion, cell migration, CD133 + liver cancer stem cell differentiation and suspension tumor sphere formation through the Akt and JNK pathways ( P<0.01). IFN-γ combined with IL-8 could significantly reversed the inhibitory effects of IFN-γ on liver cancer cell migration, stem cell differentiation, and suspension tumor sphere formation ( P<0.01). IFN-γ in combination with repertaxin could synergistically inhibited the differentiation of CD133 + liver cancer stem cells ( P<0.01). Conclusion:IFN-γ inhibits the differentiation and migration of human liver cancer cells through the Akt/JNK-IL-8 signaling pathway, providing a new strategy for future clinical immunotherapy of liver cancer.

Gliomas, especially high-grade gliomas such as glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), are primary malignant tumors of the central nervous system, characterized by high proliferative capacity, invasiveness, and therapeutic resistance. The development of GBM relies heavily on continuous metabolic reprogramming to adapt to the unique intracranial microenvironment, with nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD⁺) metabolic remodeling playing a pivotal role. Dysregulation of NAD⁺ and its associated metabolic pathways sustains increased intracellular NAD⁺ levels, which drive the malignant proliferation and invasive potential of GBM, correlating with worsened patient prognosis. This review systematically summarizes the current research landscape of NAD⁺ metabolic remodeling in GBM, elucidates the mechanisms by which NAD⁺ contributes to GBM pathogenesis and progression, and explores the clinical potential of NAD⁺-targeted diagnostic and therapeutic strategies to provide novel insights and directions for the clinical management of GBM.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy of 0.05% cyclosporine eye drops in promoting ocular surface recovery following pterygium excision combined with autologous corneal limbal stem cell transplantation.METHODS:This study is a prospective randomized controlled trial, selecting 104 cases(104 eyes)of primary pterygium with monocular onset admitted to Baoding First Central Hospital from September 2023 to September 2024 as the initial sample. The patients were divided into an experimental group and a control group using a random number table method, with 52 eyes in each group. Both groups underwent pterygium excision and autologous corneal limbal stem cell transplantation performed by the same surgeon. The control group received tobramycin dexamethasone eye drops combined with 0.3% sodium hyaluronate eye drops, while the experimental group was additionally treated with 0.05% cyclosporine eye drops. The corneal epithelial repair status, ocular surface function [corneal fluorescein staining(FL)score, Schirmer I test(SIt), break-up time of tear film(BUT)] at preoperative and postoperative time points(1 and 3 mo), and dry eye symptoms [ocular surface disease index(OSDI), standard patient evaluation of eye dryness(SPEED)scores]. Additionally, the recurrence rate and postoperative complications were recorded.RESULTS: During the follow-up period, there was 1 case of loss to follow-up in both the experimental group and the control group, with lost to follow-up rate of 1.9%. Finally, 51 cases in each group completed all followed-up. No statistically significant difference was observed in preoperative general characteristics of patients between the two groups(P>0.05), and there was no statistically significant difference in corneal epithelial repair time or suture removal time(all P>0.05). At 1 mo postoperatively, the SIt and BUT decreased in both groups compared to preoperative levels, with the experimental group showing higher values than the control group(all P<0.05). FL scores increased compared to preoperative levels but were lower in the experimental group(all P<0.05). By 3 mo, the SIt, BUT and FL score of the control group were not statistically different from preoperative levels(all P>0.05), whereas the experimental group showed increased SIt and BUT, which were higher than the control group, and reduced FL scores, and decreased FL scores, which was lower than the control group(all P<0.05). At 3 mo postoperatively, both groups showed increased SIt and BUT compared to 1-month values, with the experimental group outperforming the control group(all P<0.05). FL scores decreased in both groups compared to 1-month values, with the experimental group maintaining lower scores(P<0.05). At 1 mo postoperatively, OSDI and SPEED scores were higher than preoperative levels, with the experimental group higher than the control group(all P<0.05); at 3 mo postoperatively, the scores returned to preoperative level(all P>0.05), and the OSDI and SPEED scores of the control group increased and higher than those of the experiment group(all P<0.05); at 3 mo postoperatively, the OSDI and SPEED scores decreased when compared with 1-month preoperative level, and the experiment group was lower than the control group(all P<0.05). There was no difference in the total incidence of postoperative complications between the two groups(P>0.05). According to the statistics of 6 mo follow-up after operation, there was no recurrence in the experimental group, and the recurrence rate was 11.8% in the control group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Adjunctive use of 0.05% cyclosporine eye drops after pterygium excision with limbal stem cell transplantation enhances ocular surface recovery, reduces dry eye symptoms, and lowers recurrence rates without compromising corneal epithelial healing or safety.

Objective To explore the cost effectiveness of osimertinib and gefitinib in the treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer （NSCLC） with epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR） mutation. Methods A total of 52 advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR mutation treated by osimertinib were selected as group A from June 2021 to August 2022 at the Chengde Central Hospital, and 52 patients treated by gefitinib were selected as group B according to the propensity score matching method in 1∶1 ratio. The treatment cost and effect of the two groups of patients were compared, and the cost-effectiveness ratio was calculated, and sensitivity analysis was conducted. Results The total effective rate of group A was higher than that of group B （90.38% vs 71.15%, χ²=6.190, P=0.013）. The drug cost and total treatment cost of group A were higher than those of group B（P<0.05）, and other direct costs were lower than those of group B （P<0.05）. The incremental cost effectiveness ratio of group A was 374.71. After the cost-effectiveness sensitivity analysis on adjusting drug costs to decrease by 10% and the total effective rate to decrease by 10% of the two groups, the sensitivity analysis results were basically consistent with the original results. Conclusion Based on the latest prices and actual case data of osimertinib and gefitinib, osimertinib was better than gefitinib in the treatment of advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR mutation. Although gefitinib had lower treatment costs, osimertinib had more cost effectiveness advantages. These findings could provide important reference for the clinical development of treatment plans for advanced NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations.

Objective:To investigate risk factors for adverse pregnancy outcomes(APO) in women with hypertriglyceridemia(HTG) during late pregnancy despite normal thyroid function, focusing on thyroid-stimulating hormone receptor(TSHR) levels.Methods:A total of 242 pregnant women with normal thyroid function who delivered in General Hospital of Central Theater Command from October 2023 to June 2024 were divided into HTG( n=111) and non-HTG groups( n=131). Clinical data, lipid profiles, thyroid function, TSHR levels, and APO were compared, and the influencing factors of APO were analyzed. Results:Compared with non-HTG group, APO, adverse maternal outcomes, and gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) were significantly more frequent in the HTG group( P<0.05). The HTG group also had higher triglyceride(TG), fasting plasma glucose(FPG), triglyceride glucose index(TyG), triglyceride/high density lipoprotein cholesterol(TG/HDL-C), thyroid stimulating hormone(TSH) and TSHR, with lower free triiodothyronine (FT 3)( P<0.05). TSHR was an independent risk factor for APO, maternal adverse outcomes, and GDM in all pregnant women( OR=1.112, 95% CI 1.007-1.229; OR=1.126, 95% CI 1.020-1.243; OR=1.133, 95% CI 1.025-1.253) and was also an independent risk factor for APO in the HTG group( OR=1.165, 95% CI 1.005-1.351). Conclusion:Pregnant women with normal thyroid function and HTG in late pregnancy are more likely to have APO, manifested as maternal adverse outcomes and GDM. TSHR is an independent risk factor for APO.

Objective:To compare the effects of erector spinae plane block at T 2 (T 2-ESPB) and nerve root block at C 5 (C 5-NRB) in patients undergoing arthroscopic shoulder surgery with general anesthesia. Methods:This was a randomized, controlled, non-inferiority study. Sixty American Society of Anesthesiologists Physical Status classification I or Ⅱ patients, aged 45-75 yr, with body mass index ≤35 kg/m 2, scheduled for elective arthroscopic shoulder surgery at Jining No. 1 People′s Hospital from April 2023 to February 2024, were included and divided into 2 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: C 5-NRB group (group C) and T 2-ESPB group (group T). In group C, C 5-NRB was carried out by injecting 0.5% ropivacaine 5 ml. In group T, T 2-ESPB was performed by injecting 0.25% ropivacaine 30 ml. The efficacy of nerve block was assessed using a prick test at 30 min after administration, and then total intravenous anesthesia was performed in both groups. The time to first rescue analgesia (the non-inferiority boundary Δ =2 h), requirement for rescue analgesia within 24 h after operation and intraoperative consumption of anesthetics were recorded. The motor function of the affected limb during shoulder abduction, elbow flexion and elbow extension was assessed and scored using the modified Bromage scale (MBS) at 30 min and 4 and 12 h after nerve block. The diaphragmatic excursion was measured and recorded using M-mode ultrasound before nerve block and at 30 min after nerve block to evaluate the occurrence of diaphragmatic paralysis. Complications such as local anesthetic toxicity, recurrent laryngeal nerve block and pneumothorax were also recorded. Results:The mean difference (95% confidence interval) for the time to first rescue analgesia between the two groups was 5.551 (1.875-9.148) h, with the upper limit exceeding the non-inferiority boundary. Compared with group T, the intraoperative consumption of remifentanil was significantly reduced, the time to first rescue analgesia was prolonged, the consumption of morphine for rescue analgesia was decreased, MBS scores during shoulder abduction, elbow flexion and elbow extension were decreased at 30 min after block, and MBS scores during shoulder abduction and elbow flexion were decreased at 4 and 12 h after block in group C ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the diaphragmatic excursion, incidence of diaphragm paralysis and incidence of complications before and after block in the two groups ( P>0.05). Conclusions:C 5-NRB provides superior efficacy compared to T 2-ESPB when used for arthroscopic shoulder surgery under general anesthesia.

Objective:To investigate the key targets and mechanisms of compound Huangbai liquid in promoting wound healing of perianal abscess using network pharmacology and machine learning.Methods:Active components of compound Huangbai liquid and their target genes were screened and corrected using the TCMSP and HERB databases.Target genes related to wound healing were collected from the GeneCard and GEO databases.Common targets were identified using SangerBox online tool,followed by KEGG and GO enrichment analyses to explore potential biological functions.A PPI network was constructed to analyze core gene interactions,and immune cell infiltration was evaluated using the CIBERSORT algorithm.Key genes were screened using machine learning methods such as Boruta,random forest,XGBoost,and SVM-RFE.Finally,the binding affinity between active components and target genes was validated using AutoDock Vina.Results:Four key target genes(CYP19A1,IL10RA,ALOXE3,EGFR)were significantly correlated with components such as quercetin and berberine.These genes were involved in PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,and closely related to immune response and cell proliferation.The PPI network showed that these genes played important roles in angiogenesis and cell adhesion.Immune infiltration analysis showed that key genes were strongly correlated with immune cells such as macrophages.Conclusion:Compound Huangbai liquid may promote wound healing in perianal abscess by regulating multiple biological pathways and immune responses.