The increasing prevalence of aging has led to a rising incidence of comorbidity of sarcopenia and obesity, posing significant burdens on socioeconomic and public health. Current research has systematically explored the pathogenesis of each condition; however, the mechanisms underlying their comorbidity remain unclear. This study reviews the current literature on sarcopenia and obesity in the aging population, focusing on their shared biological mechanisms, which include loss of autophagy, abnormal macrophage function, mitochondrial dysfunction, and reduced sex hormone secretion. It also identifies metabolic mechanisms such as insulin resistance, vitamin D metabolism abnormalities, dysregulation of iron metabolism, decreased levels of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide, and gut microbiota imbalances. Additionally, this study also explores the important role of genetic factors, such as alleles and microRNAs, in the co-occurrence of sarcopenia and obesity. A better understanding of these mechanisms is vital for developing clinical interventions and preventive strategies.
Humans ; Sarcopenia/physiopathology* ; Obesity/physiopathology* ; Aging/physiology* ; Autophagy/physiology* ; Insulin Resistance ; Comorbidity ; Vitamin D/metabolism* ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones/metabolism* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Mitochondria ; MicroRNAs

This study aimed to explore the pharmacological mechanism of Yourenji Capsules(YRJ) in improving osteoporosis by combining network pharmacology and proteomics technologies. The SD rats were randomly divided into a blank control group and a 700 mg·kg~(-1) YRJ group. The rats were subjected to gavage administration with the corresponding drugs, and the blank serum, drug-containing serum, and YRJ samples were compared using ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS) to analyze the main components absorbed into blood. Network pharmacology analysis was conducted based on the YRJ components absorbed into blood to obtain related targets of the components and target genes involved in osteoporosis, and Venn diagrams were used to identify the intersection of drug action targets and disease targets. The STRING database was used for protein-protein interaction(PPI) network analysis of potential target proteins to construct a PPI network. Gene Ontology(GO) functional enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment were performed using Enrichr to investigate the potential mechanism of action of YRJ. Ovariectomy(OVX) was performed to establish a rat model of osteoporosis, and the rats were divided into a sham group, a model group, and a 700 mg·kg~(-1) YRJ group. The rats were given the corresponding drugs by gavage. The femurs of the rats were subjected to label-free proteomics analysis to detect differentially expressed proteins, and GO functional enrichment and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses were performed on the differentially expressed proteins. With the help of network pharmacology and proteomics results, the mechanism by which YRJ improves osteoporosis was predicted. The analysis of the YRJ components absorbed into blood revealed 23 bioactive components of YRJ, and network pharmacology results indicated that key targets involved include tumor necrosis factor(TNF), tumor protein p53(TP53), protein kinase(AKT1), and matrix metalloproteinase 9(MMP9). These targets are mainly involved in osteoclast differentiation, estrogen signaling pathways, and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) signaling pathways. Additionally, the proteomics analysis highlighted important pathways such as peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor(PPAR) signaling pathways, mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathways, and β-alanine metabolism. The combined approaches of network pharmacology and proteomics have revealed that the mechanism by which YRJ improves osteoporosis may be closely related to the regulation of inflammation, osteoblast, and osteoclast metabolic pathways. The main pathways involved include the NF-κB signaling pathways, MAPK signaling pathways, and PPAR signaling pathways, among others.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Osteoporosis/metabolism* ; Proteomics ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Network Pharmacology ; Female ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Capsules ; Humans ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

BACKGROUND: The correlation between geriatric nutritional risk index (GNRI) and the prognosis of patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia has not been studied. This study aims to explore the relationship between GNRI and the cardiovascular disease (CVD) and all-cause mortality rates in elderly patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia. METHODS: This study included 4756 patients with osteoporosis and osteopenia from five cycles of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). We used multivariable Cox regression and subgroup analyses to investigate the correlation between GNRI and mortality rates. The restricted cubic spline analysis was used to assess the dose-response relationship between GNRI and mortality risk. Mediation analysis was conducted to examine the mediating effect of chronic kidney disease on the relationship between nutritional risk and mortality. RESULTS: During a median follow-up period of 114 months, a total of 1241 deaths (26.09%) occurred, including 300 deaths due to CVD (6.31%). In the fully adjusted Model 3, compared to the no-risk group, the risk group showed significantly increased all-cause mortality risk (HR = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.74-2.40) and CVD mortality risk (HR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.30-2.71). The restricted cubic spline analysis indicated a non-linear association between GNRI and all-cause mortality risk as well as CVD mortality risk. The mediation analysis results indicated that chronic kidney disease mediates 16.9% of the effect of nutritional risk on all-cause mortality and 25.3% on CVD mortality risk. CONCLUSIONS GNRI can serve as a predictive factor for all-cause and CVD mortality rates in elderly patients with osteoporosis or osteopenia.

Filamenting temperature-sensitive mutant Z (FtsZ), a protein essential for bacterial cell division, is highly conserved across bacterial species but absent in humans, positioning it as a strategic target for the development of antibiotics. Significant efforts to identify FtsZ inhibitors-via biochemical assays (e.g., GTPase activity) and cellular approaches (e.g., immunofluorescence)-have yielded over 100 natural products and synthetic compounds, whose cheminformatics clustering underscores a limited chemical diversity among the current scaffolds. Structural studies, including X-ray crystallography and cryo-electron microscopy, have resolved 97 FtsZ structures revealing conserved polymerization mechanisms and conformational plasticity, as exemplified by extremophile adaptations (e.g., Shewanella benthica from the high-pressure environment of the Mariana Trench's Challenger Deep). However, clinical translation is hindered by weak binding affinities, inhibitory inefficacy, dynamic conformational flexibility, and evolving drug resistance linked to FtsZ's functional plasticity. To address these challenges, future efforts should be directed to resolve transient assembly intermediates, leveraging machine learning with high-throughput screening, and integrating structural biology with pharmacokinetic optimization. Multidisciplinary strategies combining these approaches hold promise for translating FtsZ-focused research into clinically viable therapies, addressing the critical unmet need posed by antibiotics resistance.

OBJECTIVE: To assess relationships between cold spells and genitourinary hospitalization risk. METHODS: Hospitalization records for genitourinary system diseases (GUDs) from 16 districts in Beijing (2013-2018) were analyzed. Cold spells were defined based on varying intensity thresholds. A two-stage analytical method was employed: first, generalized linear models assessed district-specific associations between cold spells and hospitalizations; second, random-effects meta-analysis aggregated the district-level results. Subgroup analyses were performed by admission type (emergency vs. outpatient), age, and sex. RESULTS: A total of 271,579 GUD-related hospitalizations were recorded. Cold spells (p1day2，daily mean temperature below the 1 ^st percentiles of the daily mean temperature distribution from January 1, 2013, to December 31, 2018, lasting for two or more consecutive days) were linked to a significant rise in hospitalization risks: 1.43 (95% CI: 1.32-1.56) for all GUDs, 1.35 (95% CI: 1.23-1.49) for urinary system diseases, and 1.46 (95% CI: 1.28-1.67) for renal failure, when compared to non-cold spell days. Emergency admissions showed higher risk increases than outpatient admissions. CONCLUSION Extreme cold spells significantly elevate hospitalization risks for GUDs. This highlights the urgent need for targeted public health interventions to mitigate cold-related health impacts, especially for vulnerable populations.
Humans ; Hospitalization/statistics & numerical data* ; Male ; Female ; Cold Temperature/adverse effects* ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Child ; Aged ; Adolescent ; Young Adult ; Beijing/epidemiology* ; Female Urogenital Diseases/etiology* ; Male Urogenital Diseases/etiology* ; Infant, Newborn ; Risk Factors

Objective To analyze the pathogenic bacteria and drug resistance of peritoneal dialysis-associated peritonitis(PDAP),and provide a clinical reference for the rational use of antibiotics.Methods The demographic data of PDAP patients admitted to the peritoneal dialysis(PD)Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from July 1,2015 to December 30,2021 were collected,and the pathogens,drug resistance and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed.Results A total of 150 episodes of PDAP occurred in 92 patients.The positive rate of PD fluid culture was 61.33％,including 65 cases(70.65％)of Gram-positive(G+)bacteria,mainly Staphylococcus and Streptococcus.Gram-negative(G-)bacteria were in 16 cases(17.39％),mainly Escherichia coli and Enterobacter cloacae.There were 11 cases(11.96％)of multiple infections,including 5 cases of combined fungal infection.From 2016 to 2021,the incidence of G+bacteria-related PDAP decreased from 14 to 8 cases.G+strains were resistant to methicillin(35.00％),and were sensitive to linezolid(100.00％),teicoplanin(100.00％)and rifampicin(100.00％).The sensitivity rate to vancomycin was 98.59％.G-strains were sensitive to ceftazidime(86.36％),ceftizoxime(88.89％)and amikacin(100.00％).The MIC of vancomycin against Staphylococcus showed an upward trend in 2019-2021.The overall cure rate of PDAP was 81.33％in patients who responded to antibiotic treatment,and the cure rate of G+bacteria was higher than that of multiple infections(89.23％vs.36.36％,P＜0.01).The outcome of patients with multiple infections,especially those with concurrent fungal infection was poor.Conclusion The incidence of PDAP in the PD center has shown a decreasing trend in recent years.G+bacteria are still the main pathogenic bacteria causing PDAP,and they are highly resistant to methicillin,so vancomycin should be used as empirical therapy.For G-bacteria,cefotaxime and amikacin can be chosen as empirical therapy.There is a drift in the MIC values of vancomycin against Staphylococcus in the study period,so it is necessary to monitor the MIC of vancomycin against Staphylococcus and its changing trend.

Objective To understand the respiratory protection competency of staff in hospitals.Methods Staff from six hospitals of different levels and characteristics in Beijing were selected,including doctors,nurses,medical technicians,and servicers,to conduct knowledge assessment on respiratory protection competency.According to exposure risks of respiratory infectious diseases,based on actual cases and daily work scenarios,content of respira-tory protection competency assessment was designed from three aspects:identification of respiratory infectious di-seases,transmission routes and corresponding protection requirements,as well as correct selection and use of masks.The assessment included 6,6,and 8 knowledge points respectively,with 20 knowledge points in total,all of which were choice questions.For multiple-choice questions,full marks,partial marks,and no mark were given respective-ly if all options were correct,partial options were correct and without incorrect options,and partial options were correct but with incorrect options.Difficulty and discrimination analyses on question of each knowledge point was conducted based on classical test theory.Results The respiratory protection competency knowledge assessment for 326 staff members at different risk levels in 6 hospitals showed that concerning the 20 knowledge points,more than 60％participants got full marks for 6 points,while the proportion of full marks for other questions was relatively low.Less than 10％participants got full marks for the following 5 knowledge points:types of airborne diseases,types of droplet-borne diseases,conventional measures for the prevention and control of healthcare-associated infec-tion with respiratory infectious diseases,indications for wearing respirators,and indications for wearing medical protective masks.Among the 20 knowledge questions,5,1,and 14 questions were relatively easy,medium,and difficult,respectively;6,1,4,and 9 questions were with discrimination levels of ≥0.4,0.30-0.39,0.20-0.29,and ≤0.19,respectively.Conclusion There is still much room for hospital staff to improve their respiratory protection competency,especially in the recognition of diseases with different transmission routes and the indications for wearing different types of masks.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Bushen Huoxue enema in treating the rat model of kidney deficiency and blood stasis-thin endometrium （KDBS-TE） by transcriptome sequencing. MethodThe rat model of KDBS-TE was established by administration of tripterygium polyglycosides tablets combined with subcutaneous injection of adrenaline. The pathological changes of rat endometrium in each group were then observed. Three uterine tissue specimens from each of the blank group， model group， and Bushen Huoxue enema group were randomly selected for transcriptome sequencing. The differentially expressed circRNAs， lncRNAs， and miRNAs were screened， and the disease-related specific competitive endogenous RNA （ceRNA） regulatory network was constructed. Furthermore， the gene ontology （GO） functional annotation and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment were performed for the mRNAs in the network. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed endometrial dysplasia， decreased endometrial thickness and endometrial/total uterine wall thickness ratio （P<0.01）， and differential expression of 18 circRNAs， 410 lncRNAs， and 7 miRNAs. Compared with the model group， the enema and estradiol valerate groups showed improved endometrial morphology and increased endometrial thickness and ratio of endometrial to total uterine wall thickness （P<0.05）. In addition， 21 circRNAs， 518 lncRNAs， and 17 miRNAs were differentially expressed in the enema group. The disease-related specific circRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network composed of 629 nodes and 664 edges contained 2 circRNAs， 34 miRNAs， and 593 mRNAs. The lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network composed of 180 nodes and 212 edges contained 5 lncRNAs， 10 miRNAs， and 164 mRNAs. The mNRAs were mainly enriched in Hippo signaling pathway， autophagy-animal， axon guidance， etc. ConclusionBushen Huoxue enema can treat KDBS-TE in rats by regulating specific circRNAs， lncRNAs， and miRNAs in the uterus and the ceRNA network.

The precise localization of pulmonary nodules has become an important technical key point in the treatment of pulmonary nodules by thoracoscopic surgery, which is a guarantee for safe margin and avoiding removal of too much normal lung parenchyma. With the development of medical technology and equipment, the methods of locating pulmonary nodules are also becoming less trauma and convenience. There are currently a number of methods applied to the preoperative or intraoperative localization of pulmonary nodules, including preoperative percutaneous puncture localization, preoperative transbronchial localization, intraoperative palpation localization, intraoperative ultrasound localization, and localization according to anatomy. The most appropriate localization method should be selected according to the location of the nodule, available equipment, and surgeon鈥檚 experience. According to the published literatures, we have sorted out a variety of different theories and methods of localization of pulmonary nodules in this article, summarizing their advantages and disadvantages for references.

Objective:To explore the effect of ubiquitin-specific protease 42(USP42)on osteogenic differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells(hASCs)in vivo and in vitro.Methods:A combina-tion of experiments was carried out with genetic depletion of USP42 using a lentiviral strategy.Alkaline phosphatase(ALP)staining and quantification,alizarin red S(ARS)staining and quantification were used to determine the osteogenic differentiation ability of hASCs under osteogenic induction between the experimental group(knockdown group and overexpression group)and the control group.Quantitative re-verse transcription PCR(qRT-PCR)was used to detect the expression levels of osteogenesis related genes in the experimental group and control group,and Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of osteogenesis related proteins in the experimental group and control group.Nude mice ectopic im-plantation experiment was used to evaluate the effect of USP42 on the osteogenic differentiation of hASCs in vivo.Results:The mRNA and protein expressions of USP42 in knockdown group were significantly lower than those in control group,and those in overexpression group were significantly higher than those in control group.After 7 days of osteogenic induction,the ALP activity in the knockdown group was sig-nificantly higher than that in the control group,and ALP activity in overexpression group was significantly lower than that in control group.After 14 days of osteogenic induction,ARS staining was significantly deeper in the knockdown group than in the control group,and significantly lighter in overexpression group than in the control group.The results of qRT-PCR showed that the mRNA expression levels of ALP,os-terix(OSX)and collagen type Ⅰ(COL Ⅰ)in the knockdown group were significantly higher than those in the control group after 14 days of osteogenic induction,and those in overexpression group were signifi-cantly lower than those in control group.The results of Western blotting showed that the expression levels of runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2),OSX and COL Ⅰ in the knockout group were significant-ly higher than those in the control group at 14 days after osteogenic induction,while the expression levels of RUNX2,OSX and COL Ⅰ in the overexpression group were significantly lower than those in the control group.Hematoxylin-eosin staining of subcutaneous grafts in nude mice showed that the percentage of osteoid area in the knockdown group was significantly higher than that in the control group.Conclusion:Knockdown of USP42 can significantly promote the osteogenic differentiation of hASCs in vitro and in vi-vo,and overexpression of USP42 significantly inhibits in vivo osteogenic differentiation of hASCs,and USP42 can provide a potential therapeutic target for bone tissue engineering.