Osteoarthritis (OA), a highly prevalent degenerative joint disease worldwide, is defined by articular cartilage degradation, abnormal bone remodeling, and persistent chronic inflammation. It severely compromises patients’ quality of life, and currently, there is no radical cure. Abnormal mechanical stress is widely regarded as a core driver of OA pathogenesis, and the exploration of mechanical signal perception and transduction mechanisms has become crucial for deciphering OA’s pathophysiological processes. Piezo1, a key mechanosensitive cation channel belonging to the Piezo protein family, has recently gained significant attention due to its pivotal role in mediating cellular responses to mechanical stimuli in joint tissues. This review systematically examines Piezo1’s expression patterns, regulatory mechanisms, and pathological functions in OA, with a particular focus on its dual roles in modulating chondrocyte homeostasis and bone metabolism disorders, while also delving into the underlying molecular signaling pathways and potential therapeutic implications. Piezo1, consisting of approximately 2 500 amino acids and forming a unique trimeric propeller-like structure, is widely expressed in chondrocytes, osteocytes, mesenchymal stem cells, and synovial cells. It exhibits permeability to cations such as Ca²⁺, K⁺, and Na⁺, and directly responds to membrane tension changes induced by mechanical stimuli like fluid shear stress and mechanical overload. In OA patients and animal models, Piezo1 expression is significantly upregulated, especially in cartilage regions subjected to abnormal mechanical stress (e.g., human temporomandibular joint cartilage). This overexpression is closely associated with aggravated cartilage degeneration, increased chondrocyte apoptosis, accelerated cellular senescence, and intensified inflammatory responses. Mechanical overload and pro-inflammatory cytokines (e.g., IL-1β) are key inducers of Piezo1 upregulation: IL-1β activates the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway to enhance Piezo1 expression, forming a pathogenic positive feedback loop that inhibits chondrocyte autophagy, promotes apoptosis, and further accelerates joint degeneration. Mechanistically, Piezo1 mediates OA progression through multiple interconnected pathways. When activated by mechanical stress, Piezo1 triggers excessive Ca²⁺ influx, leading to endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and mitochondrial dysfunction, which directly induce chondrocyte apoptosis. This process involves the activation of downstream signaling cascades such as cGAS-STING and YAP-MMP13/ADAMTS5. YAP, a transcriptional regulator, upregulates the expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 (MMP13) and aggrecanase (ADAMTS5), thereby accelerating cartilage matrix degradation. Additionally, Piezo1-driven Ca²⁺ overload promotes the accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and upregulates senescence markers (p16 and p21), accelerating chondrocyte senescence via the p38MAPK and NF-κB pathways. Senescent chondrocytes secrete senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) factors (e.g., IL-6, IL-1β), further amplifying joint inflammation. In terms of bone metabolism, Piezo1 maintains joint homeostasis by promoting the differentiation of fibrocartilage stem cells into chondrocytes and balancing bone formation and resorption through regulating the FoxC1/YAP axis and RANKL/OPG ratio. Therapeutically, targeting Piezo1 shows promising potential. Preclinical studies have demonstrated that Piezo1 inhibitors (e.g., GsMTx4) can reduce joint damage and alleviate pain in OA mice. Simultaneously, siRNA-mediated co-silencing of Piezo1 and TRPV4 (another mechanosensitive channel) decreases intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration, inhibits chondrocyte apoptosis, and promotes cartilage repair. Conditional knockout of Piezo1 using Gdf5-Cre transgenic mice alleviates cartilage degeneration in post-traumatic OA models by downregulating MMP13 and ADAMTS5 expression. Despite existing challenges, such as off-target effects of inhibitors, inefficient local drug delivery, and interindividual genetic variability, strategies like developing selective Piezo1 antagonists, optimizing targeted nanocarriers, and combining Piezo1-targeted therapy with physical therapy provide viable avenues for clinical translation. The authors propose that Piezo1 serves as a critical therapeutic target for OA, and future research should focus on deciphering its context-dependent regulatory networks, developing tissue-specific intervention strategies, and validating their efficacy and safety in clinical trials to address the unmet medical needs of OA patients.

Objective:To prepare decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM)-gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) composite hydrogels and to study their effects on hepatocyte proliferation.Methods:Hepatic dECM was prepared by elution, and GelMA hydrogel and 10%, 30% and 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels were prepared by pepsin solubilization. The morphology of normal liver and dECM liver was observed by eyes and scanning electron microscopy using hematoxylin-eosin, Sirius red and periodate-Schiff staining, respectively. The internal structure of the dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the pore diameter was measured. Liver HL-7702 cells were co-cultured with GelMA hydrogel and 10%, 30% and 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels, and the cell proliferation viability was determined by cell counting kit-8. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Wnt family protein 5a (Wnt5a), β-catenin, extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) were detected by Western blotting. Comparisons were made using independent sample t-test or one-factor analysis of variance. Results:After decellularization, the hepatocyte morphology showed rounded depressions, and the extracellular matrix structure was intact. The GelMA hydrogel and 10%, 30% and 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels showed inernally porous structures. The pore diameter increased from (3.06±1.35) μm in the GelMA hydrogel to (16.01±4.02) μm in the 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel. On the 3rd, 5th and 7th day, the relative cell proliferation was higher in the 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel group than that in the GelMA hydrogel group (1.89±0.04 vs 1.53±0.01, 9.36±0.04 vs 3.89±0.09, 7.15±0.27 vs 4.89±0.15, all P<0.05). The relative expression levels of PCNA, Wnt5a, β-catenin, and p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 proteins in the 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel group were higher than those in the GelMA hydrogel group (2.14±0.04 vs 1.00±0.03, 2.36±0.09 vs 1.00±0.08, 1.45±0.03 vs 1.00±0.04, 1.43±0.04 vs 1.00±0.01, all P<0.05). Conclusions:A dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel can be prepared, which may promote hepatocyte proliferation by upregulating the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Based on the ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole Exactive Orbitrap mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS) technology, combined with related literature, databases, and reference material information, this study qualitatively analyzed the components of Dayuanyin in the tissue of rats after gavage and employed molecular docking technology to predict the rationality of the mechanism behind the antipyretic effect of the in vivo components in Dayuanyin. A total of 21, 26, 20, 21, 14, and 31 prototype components and 3, 16, 3, 7, 5, and 24 metabolites were identified from the heart, liver, spleen, lung, kidney, and hypothalamus of the rats, respectively, and the binding ability of key components and targets was further verified by molecular docking. The results showed that all components had good binding ability with targets. The established UPLC-Q-Exactive Orbitrap-MS could effectively and quickly identify the Dayuanyin components distributed in tissue and preliminarily identify their metabolites. Many components were identified in the hypothalamus, which suggested that the components delivered to the brain should be focused on in the study on Dayuanyin in the treatment of febrile diseases. The molecular docking technology was used to predict the rationality of the mechanism behind its antipyretic effect, which lays the foundation for the clarification of the material basis and action mechanism of Dayuanyin, the development of new preparations, and the prediction of quality markers.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Male ; Antipyretics/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tissue Distribution ; Mass Spectrometry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Hypothalamus/metabolism*

A growing body of research points out that gut microbiota plays a key role in tumor immunotherapy. By optimizing the composition of intestinal microbiota, it is possible to effectively improve immunotherapy resistance and enhance its therapeutic effect. This article comprehensively analyzes the mechanism of intestinal microbiota influencing tumor immunotherapy resistance, expounds the current strategies for targeted regulation of intestinal microbiota, such as traditional Chinese medicine and plant components, fecal microbiota transplantation, probiotics, prebiotics and dietary therapy, and explores the potential mechanisms of these strategies to improve patients' resistance to tumor immunotherapy. At the same time, the article also briefly discusses the prospects and challenges of targeting intestinal microbiota to improve tumor immunotherapy resistance, which provides a reference for related research to help the strategy research of reversing tumor immunotherapy resistance.

Three soil conditioners were prepared from granulated food waste and decomposed cattle manure combined with desulfurization gypsum, coal gangue, and maifanite, respectively. Field trials were conducted in the saline field growing Cabernet Sauvignon. The effects of soil conditioners on rhizospheric bacterial communities were studied, with the aim of providing a scientific basis for soil amelioration and restoration. Five treatments were designed, including the control (T1), conventional fertilization (T2), reduced chemical fertilization+organic matter-based soil conditioner with calcium additives (T3), reduced chemical fertilization+organic matter-based soil conditioner with silica additives (T4), and reduced chemical fertilization+organic matter-based soil conditioner with magnesium additives (T5), each with three replications. The results indicated that soil conditioners improved the rhizospheric nutrients, yield, and quality of grape (P<0.05), increased relative abundance of Proteobacteria by 17.32%-23.37%, decreased relative abundance of unidentified_Bacteria and Acidobacteriota by 4.22%-28.42% and 20.88%-35.81%, respectively. The bacterial community composition and diversity were different between treatments. Function analysis showed that the expression levels of the genes involved in chromosome and protein synthesis, mRNA biosynthesis, and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism were up-regulated in the treatments with soil conditioners. The correlation analysis revealed that multiple environmental factors affected the alpha diversity of rhizospheric bacterial communities, and some bacterial taxa were closely related to the grape yield and quality. It is concluded that soil conditioners can effectively alter rhizosphere nutrient levels and bacterial community structures and functions. T5 treatment outperforms other treatments in improving the physico-chemical and biological characteristics of rhizosphere, and the yield, and quality of grape. It has potential for application, and provides an important basis for development of new-type soil conditioners.
Soil Microbiology ; Rhizosphere ; Soil/chemistry* ; Vitis/microbiology* ; Fertilizers ; Bacteria/growth & development* ; Cattle ; Manure ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: To compare the short-term clinical efficacy and safety of closed reduction with Kirschner wire fixation versus open reduction with plate fixation for treating osteoporotic Colles' fractures in middle-aged and elderly patients. METHODS: Between January 2018 and January 2023, 119 patients with Colles fractures were retrospectively analyzed, including 39 males and 80 females, aged from 48 to 74 years old with an average of(60.58±6.71) years old. The time from injury to operation ranged 1 to 13 days with an average of (5.29±2.52) days. According to the surgical method, they were divided into Kirschner wire fixation group (Kirschner wire group) and plate internal fixation group (plate group). In Kirschner wire group, there were a total of 68 patients, comprising 21 males and 47 females. The average age was (61.15±6.24) years old, ranged from 49 to 74 years old. Among them, 41 cases involved the left side while 27 cases involved the right side. In the plate group, there were a total of 51 patients, including 18 males and 33 females. The average age was (59.78±5.71) years old ranged from 48 to 72 years old. Among them, there were 31 cases on the left side and 20 cases on the right side. The following parameters were recorded before and after the operation:operation time, intraoperative blood loss, hospitalization days, hospitalization expenses, postoperative complications, and radiographic parameters of distal radius (distal radius height, ulnar deviation angle, palmar tilt angle). The clinical efficacy was evaluated at 3 and 12 months after the operation using Gartland-Werley and disabilites of the arm shoulder and hand (DASH) scores. RESULTS: The patients in both groups were followed up for a duration from 12 to 19 months with an average of(13.32±2.02) months. The Kirschner wire group exhibited significantly shorter operation time compared to the plate group 27.91(13.00, 42.00) min vs 67.52(29.72, 105.32) min, Z=-8.74, P=0.00. Intraoperative blood loss was also significantly lower in the Kirschner wire group than in the plate group 3.24(1.08, 5.40) ml vs 21.91(17.38, 26.44) ml, Z=-9.31, P=0.00. Furthermore, patients in the Kirschner wire group had a shorter length of hospital stay compared to those in the plate group (8.38±2.63) days vs (11.40±2.78) days, t=-3.12, P=0.00. Additionally, hospitalization cost was significantly lower in the Kirschner wire group than in the plate group 10 111.29(6 738.98, 13 483.60) yuan vs 15 871.11(11 690.40, 20 051.82) yuan, Z=-5.62, P=0.00. The incidence of complications was 2 cases in the Kirschner wire group and 1 case in the plate group, with no statistically significant difference(P>0.05). At 3 months postoprative, the radial height of the Kirschner wire group was found to be significantly smaller than that of the plate group, with measurements of (11.45±1.69) mm and (12.11±1.78) mm respectively (t=-2.06, P=0.04). However, there were no statistically significant differences observed in ulnar deviation angle and palmar tilt angle between the two groups (P>0.05). The DASH score and Gartland-Werley score in the Kirschner group were significantly higher than those in the plate group at 3 months post-operation (19.10±9.89) vs (13.47±3.51), t=4.34, P=0.00;(11.15±3.61) vs (6.41±2.75), t=8.13, P=0.00). However, there was no significant difference between the two groups at 12 months post-operation (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Compared to plate internal fixation, closed reduction with Kirschner wire support fixation yields a slightly inferior recovery of radial height;however, there is no significant disparity in the functional score of the affected limb at 12 months post-operation. Nonetheless, this technique offers advantages such as shorter operation time, reduced intraoperative blood loss, decreased hospitalization duration, and lower cost.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Bone Wires ; Bone Plates ; Retrospective Studies ; Colles' Fracture/surgery* ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Open Fracture Reduction/methods* ; Osteoporotic Fractures/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To compare clinical efficacy of tibial transverse transport (TTT) microcirculation reconstruction and periosteal distraction in treating patients with early diabetic foot(DF). METHODS: From June 2021 to June 2024, 60 patients with DF were admitted and divided into bone transport group and stretch group according to different treatment methods. There were 30 patients in bone transport group, including 16 males and 14 females;aged from 48 to 65 years old with an average of (55.59±3.78) years old;the course of disease ranged from 2 to 9 months with an average of(5.95±1.32) months;TTT microcirculation reconstruction surgery was performed. There were 30 patients in distraction group, including 17 males and 13 females;aged from 47 to 67 years old with an average of (55.24±3.81) years old;the course of disease ranged from 2 to 10 months with an average of (5.68±1.54) months;periosteal distraction surgery was performed. The skin temperature of the affected feet, the time of getting out of bed and walking after operation, the time of full weight-bearing, the wound healing time and complications were compared between two groups;the pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS) before operation and one month after operation respectively;the changes of blood flow velocity of dorsal foot arteries, ankle brachial index(ABI), epidermal growth factor (EGF), and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) before and after operation at 3 months were compared between two groups. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 3 to 4 months with an average of (3.52±0.12) months. There were no statistically significant differences in comparison of foot skin temperature, postoperative walking time, full weight-bearing time and complications between two groups (P>0.05). The wound healing time of bone transport group (61.26±7.31) days was shorter than that of distraction group (70.17±7.15) days, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). Postoperative VAS at 1 month of bone transport group (2.19±0.21) was lower than that of distraction group (2.55±0.20), and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05). At 3 months after operation, the blood flow velocity of dorsal foot artery, ankle-brachial index, EGF and bFGF in bone transport group were(34.73±4.18) cm·s^-1, (0.95±0.13), (716.61±71.13) pg·ml^-1 and (175.69±31.28) pg·ml^-1, respectively;which were higher than that of distraction group (31.86±3.23) cm·s^-1, (0.84±0.11), (677.37±70.21) pg·ml^-1, (149.26±30.13) pg·ml^-1, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05). There was no recurrence of ulcers in situ or at other sites in both groups during follow-up. CONCLUSION Compared with periosteal distraction, TTT microcirculation reconstruction surgery has a definite effect in the treatment of early DF. It could effectively reduce pain level, improve blood flow indicators and vascular endothelial function of the foot, and has a relatively high safety.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Tibia/blood supply* ; Diabetic Foot/physiopathology* ; Microcirculation ; Periosteum/surgery* ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Osteogenesis, Distraction

The choice of biopsy method is critical in diagnosing prostate cancer (PCa). This retrospective cohort study compared systematic biopsy (SB) or cognitive fusion-targeted biopsy combined with SB (CB) in detecting PCa and clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa). Data from 2572 men who underwent either SB or CB in Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (Shanghai, China) between January 2019 and December 2023 were analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance baseline characteristics, and detection rates were compared before and after PSM. Subgroup analyses based on prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels and Prostate Imaging-Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scores were performed. Primary and secondary outcomes were the detection rates of PCa and csPCa, respectively. Of 2572 men, 1778 were included in the PSM analysis. Before PSM, CB had higher detection rates for both PCa (62.9% vs 52.4%, odds ratio [OR]: 1.54, P < 0.001) and csPCa (54.9% vs 43.3%, OR: 1.60, P < 0.001) compared to SB. After PSM, CB remained superior in detecting PCa (63.1% vs 47.9%, OR: 1.86, P < 0.001) and csPCa (55.0% vs 38.2%, OR: 1.98, P < 0.001). In patients with PSA 4-12 ng ml -1 (>4 ng ml -1 and ≤12 ng ml -1 , which is also applicable to the following text), CB detected more PCa (59.8% vs 40.7%, OR: 2.17, P < 0.001) and csPCa (48.1% vs 27.7%, OR: 2.42, P < 0.001). CB also showed superior csPCa detection in those with PI-RADS 3 lesions (32.1% vs 18.0%, OR: 2.15, P = 0.038). Overall, CB significantly improves PCa and csPCa detection, especially in patients with PSA 4-12 ng ml -1 or PI-RADS 3 lesions.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Propensity Score ; Retrospective Studies ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Image-Guided Biopsy/methods* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood* ; Prostate/diagnostic imaging*

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate preterm white matter injury (PWMI) in neonatal rats using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) combined with histological assessments and to explore its underlying mechanisms. METHODS: Healthy 3-day-old Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group and a PWMI group (n=12 in each group). A PWMI model was established in neonatal rats through hypoxia-ischemia. Laser speckle imaging was used to observe changes in cerebral oxygen saturation and blood flow at different time points post-modeling. Multimodal MRI was employed to assess the condition of white matter injury, while hematoxylin-eosin staining was utilized to observe morphological changes in the striatal area on the injured side. Immunofluorescence staining was performed to detect the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells. RESULTS: At 0, 6, 12, 24, and 72 hours post-modeling, the relative blood flow and relative oxygen saturation on the injured side in the PWMI group were significantly lower than those in the sham operation group (P<0.05). At 24 hours post-modeling, T2-weighted imaging showed high signals in the white matter of the injured side in the PWMI group, with relative apparent diffusion coefficient values and Lorenz differential values being lower than those in the sham operation group (P<0.001); additionally, the arrangement of nerve cells in the PWMI group was disordered, and the number of EdU⁺PDGFR-α⁺ cells was higher than that in the sham operation group (P<0.001). At 28 days post-modeling, the relative fractional anisotropy values, the number of EdU⁺Olig2⁺ cells, and the fluorescence intensity of myelin basic protein and neurofilament protein 200 in the white matter region of the PWMI group were all lower than those in the sham operation group (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Multimodal MRI can evaluate early and long-term changes in PWMI in neonatal rat models in vivo, providing both imaging and pathological evidence for the diagnosis and treatment of PWMI in neonates. Hypoxia-ischemia inhibits the proliferation and differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells in neonatal rats, leading to PWMI.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods* ; Rats ; White Matter/injuries* ; Animals, Newborn ; Female ; Multimodal Imaging ; Male ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain/pathology*