OBJECTIVES: Osteoarthritis (OA) and sarcopenia are significant health concerns in the elderly, substantially impacting their daily activities and quality of life. However, the relationship between them remains poorly understood. This study aims to uncover common biomarkers and pathways associated with both OA and sarcopenia. METHODS: Gene expression profiles related to OA and sarcopenia were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between disease and control groups were identified using R software. Common DEGs were extracted via Venn diagram analysis. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were conducted to identify biological processes and pathways associated with shared DEGs. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed, and candidate hub genes were ranked using the maximal clique centrality (MCC) algorithm. Further validation of hub gene expression was performed using 2 independent datasets. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of key genes for OA and sarcopenia. Mouse models of OA and sarcopenia were established. Hematoxylin-eosin and Safranin O/Fast Green staining were used to validate the OA model. The sarcopenia model was validated via rotarod testing and quadriceps muscle mass measurement. Real-time reverse transcription PCR (real-time RT-PCR) was employed to assess the mRNA expression levels of candidate key genes in both models. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted to identify pathways associated with the selected shared key genes in both diseases. RESULTS: A total of 89 common DEGs were identified in the gene expression profiles of OA and sarcopenia, including 76 upregulated and 13 downregulated genes. These 89 DEGs were significantly enriched in protein digestion and absorption, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and extracellular matrix-receptor interaction. PPI network analysis and MCC algorithm analysis of the 89 common DEGs identified the top 17 candidate hub genes. Based on the differential expression analysis of these 17 candidate hub genes in the validation datasets, AEBP1 and COL8A2 were ultimately selected as the common key genes for both diseases, both of which showed a significant upregulation trend in the disease groups (all P<0.05). The value of area under the curve (AUC) for AEBP1 and COL8A2 in the OA and sarcopenia datasets were all greater than 0.7, indicating that both genes have potential value in predicting OA and sarcopenia. Real-time RT-PCR results showed that the mRNA expression levels of AEBP1 and COL8A2 were significantly upregulated in the disease groups (all P<0.05), consistent with the results observed in the bioinformatics analysis. GSEA revealed that AEBP1 and COL8A2 were closely related to extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, ribosome, and oxidative phosphorylation in OA and sarcopenia. CONCLUSIONS AEBP1 and COL8A2 have the potential to serve as common biomarkers for OA and sarcopenia. The extracellular matrix-receptor interaction pathway may represent a potential target for the prevention and treatment of both OA and sarcopenia.
Sarcopenia/genetics* ; Osteoarthritis/genetics* ; Computational Biology/methods* ; Humans ; Protein Interaction Maps/genetics* ; Animals ; Mice ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Ontology ; Transcriptome ; Male ; Signal Transduction/genetics* ; Gene Regulatory Networks

OBJECTIVES: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common chronic degenerative diseases, with chondrocyte apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation as the major pathological changes. The mechanical stimulation can attenuate chondrocyte apoptosis and promote ECM synthesis, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of primary cilia (PC) in mediating the effects of mechanical stimulation on OA progression. METHODS: In vivo, conditional knockout mice lacking intraflagellar transport 88 (IFT88^flox/flox IFT88 knockout; i.e., primary cilia-deficient mice) were generated, with wild-type mice as controls. OA models were established via anterior cruciate ligament transection combined with destabilization of the medial meniscus, followed by treadmill exercise intervention. OA progression was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining, safranin O-fast green staining, and immunohistochemistry; apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining; and limb function by rotarod testing. In vitro, primary articular chondrocytes were isolated from mice and transfected with lentiviral vectors to suppress IFT88 expression, thereby constructing a primary cilia-deficient cell model. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was used to induce an inflammatory environment, while cyclic tensile strain (CTS) was applied via a cell stretcher to mimic mechanical loading on chondrocytes. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting were used to detect the protein expression levels of type II collagen α1 chain (COL2A1), primary cilia, IFT88, and caspase-12; reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to assess COL2A1 mRNA levels; and flow cytometry was used to evaluate apoptosis. RESULTS: In vivo, treadmill exercise significantly reduced Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scores and apoptotic cell rates, and improved balance ability in wild-type OA mice, whereas IFT88-deficient OA mice showed no significant improvement. In vitro, CTS inhibited IL-1β-induced ECM degradation and apoptosis in primary chondrocytes; however, this protective effect was abolished in cells with suppressed primary cilia expression. CONCLUSIONS Mechanical stimulation delays OA progression by mediating signal transduction through primary cilia, thereby inhibiting cartilage degeneration and chondrocyte apoptosis.
Animals ; Chondrocytes/cytology* ; Apoptosis/physiology* ; Mice ; Cilia/metabolism* ; Osteoarthritis/pathology* ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Mice, Knockout ; Disease Progression ; Interleukin-1beta ; Male ; Cells, Cultured

Clinical research reports serve as the presentation of scientific research findings and directly reflect the quality of the research. This article describes the writing of different types of clinical research reports， such as observational studies and randomized controlled trial studies， with a particular focus on randomized controlled trials. Each scientific research design has its reporting focus， and the writing of scientific research papers has uniform requirements and a specific writing format. Mastering the proper format of drafting research reports is of practical value and significant importance for conduction high-quality clinical research.

ObjectiveTo compare the annual and age trends of the age-standard incidence rate （ASIR） and the age-standard mortality rate （ASMR） of lung cancer in countries with different human development index （HDI） from 1990 to 2019. MethodsThe data were collected from the global burden of disease study and GLOBOCAN 2020. The average annual percentage change （AAPC） and age trends of ASIR and ASMR in lung cancer were analyzed by the Joinpoint regression model， and the comparison between the four groups was analyzed by Kruskale-Wallis analysis. ResultsIn 2020， the incidence and mortality of lung cancer gradually increased with age and HDI grade. From 1990 to 2019， the global ASIR and ASMR of lung cancer decreased， and the ASIR of lung cancer among male decreased， while the ASIR of lung cancer among female increased. The results showed that ASIR of lung cancer in female residents in countries with very high HDI increased significantly from 1996 to 2011， resulting in an overall upward trend in female ASIR， while the other groups showed a downward trend. It was found that ASIR and ASMR of lung cancer in China and India were on the rise， while ASIR and ASMR of lung cancer in Russia and the United States were on the decline. ConclusionAlthough very high/high HDI countries face a higher burden of lung cancer occurrence and death， the accumulation of lung cancer burden is completed in the transitioning period. Therefore， lung cancer prevention measures in countries in transition are critical for global lung cancer control.

Objective:To explore the key amino acids of side chain dioxate dehydrogenase complex E2 protein (BCOADC-E2) that can react specifically with specific autoantibody anti-mitochondrial antibodies (AMA)-M2 in patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC).Methods:The homologous target gene BCKD, which expressed the epitopes of BCOADC-E2 protein, was cloned and recombined with the engineering plasmid pGEX-4T1. Fifteen point mutant plasmids were obtained by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and transferred to the prokaryotic expression strain for protein expression and purification. Fourteen mutant proteins and one wild-type protein were obtained. The AMA-M2 specificity of the 14 mutant proteins was measured by enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay (ELISA), and the amino acids that were critical to the specificity of BCOADC-E2 and AMA-M2 were identified by comparing the specificity of the 14 mutant proteins with that of the wild type proteins. Differences between groups were analyzed by analysis of variance, LSD- t test. Results:A total of 14 mutant proteins and 1 wild-type protein were obtained.The specific reaction degree of mutant protein pGEX-BCKD-S1A (1.634±0.328) and pGEX-BCKD-C3A (1.744±0.345) with serum AMA-M2 in patients with PBC was higher than that of wild-type protein pGEX-BCKD (1.000±0.000) with AMA-M2; Mutant protein pGEX-BCKD-E4A (0.157±0.067), pGEX-BCKD-V5A (0.057±0.029), pGEX-BCKD-Q6A (0.580±0.166), pGEX-BCKD-S7A (0.744 ±0.125), pGEX-BCKD-D8A (0.351 ±0.135), pGEX-BCKD-S10A (0.496 ±0.158), pGEX-BCKD-V11A(0.149±0.089), pGEX-BCKD-T12A(0.061±0.043), pGEX-BCKD-I13A(0.007±0.017), pGEX-BCKD-T14A (0.198±0.101), pGEX-BCKD-S15A (0.156±0.087), The specific reaction degree of pGEX-BCKD-R16A (0.884±0.099) with AMA-M2 was lower than that of wild-type protein pGEX-BCKD (1.000±0.000) with AMA-M2.Conclusion:The cysteines at positions 1 and 3 of BCOADC-E2 protein were the key amino acids to improve the specific reaction between BCOADC-E2 and AMA-M2. The mutant proteins formed after amino acids at position 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are replaced by alanine can decrease the specificity of AMA-M2. Amino acids at positions 5 and 13 are the key amino acids that affect the specific reaction between BCOADC-E2 and AMA-M2, and have an important effect on the function of BCOADC-E2 protein.

AIM To compare liver-protective and anti-inflammatory effects of extracts from root,stem,leaf,and flower of Gentiana rigescens.METHODS The mouse model for the immunological liver injury induced by Concanavalin A,and mouse ear swelling model for inflammation caused by dimethylbenzene were used for the comparison of the liver-protective or anti-inflammatory effects of four parts individually.RESULTS Four aqueous extracts of Gentiana rigescens showed the dose-dependent decrease in the activity of ALT and AST in serum and liver index,and alleviation of hepatic tissue injury induced by Concanavalin A in mice.The effects of the extracts from the leaf and root were better than those from the stem and flower.These extracts presented dose-dependent inhibition against the ear swelling caused by dimethylbenzene in mice.The effects of the extracts from the leaf and stem were better than those from the flower and root.CONCLUSION Extracts from the root and leaf of G.rigescens have liver-protective effect,and parts from the stem and leaf have anti-inflammatory effect.

Objective:To optimize the compatibility conditions of erigeron injection and study the stability after compatibility. Methods:An orthogonal test was employed using the quantity of insoluble particles and the content of rutin as the indices and tempera-ture, solvent and solvent amount as the influencing factors. The results were comprehensively analyzed. According to the results of the orthogonal test, three batches of samples were prepared and observed the stability in 24 hours, including the changes in the number of insoluble particles, pH and total flavonoid content. Results:The optimal compatibility conditions were as follows:the temperature was 25℃, and 250 ml 0. 9% sodium chloride injection was used as the solvent. The appearance and the insoluble particles showed no sig-nificant changes in 24 hours. The total flavonoid content was also stable in 4 hours, but decreased to some extent after then. Conclu-sion:At the clinical dose, erigeron injection in 250 ml 0. 9% sodium chloride injection can keep stable in 4 hours.

Objective:To increase the critical relative humidity(CRH) of Qubi granule,thus to improve its humidity resistance. Methods:The best prescription of Qubi granule was optimized by comparative method,and to determine its critical relative humidity. Results:The old prescription of the Qubi granule's CRH was 50%.With new prescription,the Qubi granule’ s CRH was 61%. the latter has increased by 11% as compared with the former . Conclusion:Considering above result,there is a hope to improve the hygroscopicity of Qubi granule.