Obesity is a worldwide health problem. An imbalance in energy metabolism is an important cause of obesity and related metabolic diseases. Our previous studies showed that inhibition of miR-429 increased the protein level of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) in beige adipocytes; however, whether local inhibition of miR-429 in subcutaneous adipose tissue affects diet-induced obesity and related metabolic disorders remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of local overexpression of miR-429 sponge in subcutaneous adipose tissue on obesity and related metabolic disorders. The control adeno-associated virus (AAV) or AAV expressing the miR-429 sponge was injected into mouse inguinal white adipose tissue. Seven days later, the mice were fed a high-fat diet for 10 weeks to induce obesity. The effects of the miR-429 sponge on body weight, adipose tissue weight, plasma glucose and lipid levels, and hepatic lipid content were explored. The results showed that the overexpression of miR-429 sponge in subcutaneous white adipose tissue reduced body weight and fat mass, decreased fasting blood glucose and plasma cholesterol levels, improved glucose tolerance, and alleviated hepatic lipid deposition in mice. Mechanistic investigation showed that the inhibition of miR-429 significantly upregulated the expression of UCP1 in adipocytes and adipose tissue. These results suggest that local inhibition of miR-429 in subcutaneous white adipose tissue ameliorates obesity and related metabolic disorders potentially by upregulating UCP1, and miR-429 is a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic disorders.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/physiology* ; Obesity/metabolism* ; Mice ; Adipose Tissue, White/metabolism* ; Metabolic Diseases ; Subcutaneous Fat/metabolism* ; Male ; Uncoupling Protein 1/metabolism* ; Diet, High-Fat ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the gap between the evidence of systematic reviews (SRs) and clinical concerns by systematically summarizing the evidence on acupuncture and moxibustion for frozen shoulder and investigating the concerns and needs of clinicians in treatment with acupuncture and moxibustion for this disease. METHODS: The articles of SR and Meta-analysis on acupuncture and moxibustion for frozen shoulder were searched from CNKI, Wanfang, VIP, SinoMed, PubMed, EMbase and Cochrane Library, starting from the inception of each database up to December 31st, 2022. Two researchers screened the articles and extracted data independently. Using AMSTAR-2, the methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated. Based on systematic reviews and expert discussion, a questionnaire on clinical concerns of acupuncture and moxibustion for frozen shoulder was developed and distributed to clinicians. The discrepancies between the evidence and clinical concerns were compared from 5 dimensions, including population, interventions, control measures, outcome indicators and review time points. RESULTS: The evidence gaps existed between SRs and clinical concerns. In the existing studies, the needs of personalized treatment were not fully considered in terms of different syndromes/patterns of frozen shoulder and stages of illness, the outcome indicators were not employed properly, the time for outcome measurement was vague, the control groups were set up outside of standardization, and the methodological quality was lower. CONCLUSION It is suggested that future studies should improve the quality of methodology, lay more consideration to different patient groups, optimize outcome indicators and standardize the setting of control groups, so as to better meet the needs of patients and achieve the best match between evidence and clinicians' needs.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Bursitis/therapy* ; Evidence Gaps ; Moxibustion ; Systematic Reviews as Topic ; Meta-Analysis as Topic

The auxin/indole-3-acetic acid (Aux/IAA) gene family is an important regulator for plant growth hormone signaling, involved in plant growth, development, as well as response to environmental stresses. In the present study, we identified SmIAA7 which is potentially associated with Salvia miltiorrhiza leaf development through comparatively analyzed the transcriptome data from different pinnate leaves. SmIAA7 was successfully isolated from S. miltiorrhiza using the specific primers. Then subsequent bioinformatic analysis, prokaryotic expression and purification, subcellular localization, and induction expression analysis under auxin and abiotic stress were performed. The full-length of SmIAA7 contained an ORF of 684 bp encoding a protein of 227 amino acid with a molecular weight of 25.3 kD. Conserved domain analysis showed that SmIAA7 contains the conserved Aux_IAA domain (pfam02309). Sequence analysis and phylogenetic tree analysis results indicated SmIAA7 was phylogenetically close to IAA7 and IAA14 from other plants, suggesting SmIAA7 involved in plant growth and development as well as response to environmental stresses. The prokaryotic expression vector pET28a-SmIAA7 was constructed and SmIAA7 recombinant protein was successfully expressed in E. coli Rosetta (DE3) strain. Subcellular localization experiment demonstrated that SmIAA7 localized in the nucleus of plant cells. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR results showed that the expression level of SmIAA7 was upregulated in response to auxin. Drought, low temperature, and salt stress significantly increased the transcript level of SmIAA7 gene. This study lays a foundation for further elucidating the role of SmIAA7 in leaf development, signal transduction, and stress defense in S. miltiorrhiza.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the molecular epidemiology of children with phenylketonuria (PKU) in Gansu, China, providing foundational data for intervention strategies. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1 159 PKU families who attended Gansu Provincial Maternity and Child Care Hospital from January 2012 to December 2024. Sanger sequencing, multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification, whole exome sequencing, and deep intronic variant analysis were used to analyze the PAH gene. RESULTS: For the 1 159 children with PKU, 2 295 variants were identified in 2 318 alleles, resulting in a detection rate of 99.01%. The detection rates were 100% (914/914) in 457 classic PKU families, 99.45% (907/912) in 456 mild PKU families, and 96.34% (474/492) in 246 mild hyperphenylalaninemia families. The 2 295 variants detected comprised 208 distinct mutation types, among which c.728G>A (14.95%, 343/2 295) had the highest frequency, followed by c.611A>G (4.88%, 112/2 295) and c.721C>T (4.79%, 110/2 295). The cumulative frequency of the top 23 hotspot variants reached 70.28% (1 613/2 295), and most variant alleles were detected in exon 7 (29.19%, 670/2 295). CONCLUSIONS Deep intronic variant analysis of the PAH gene can improve the genetic diagnostic rate of PKU. The development of targeted detection kits for PAH hotspot variants may enable precision screening programs and enhance preventive strategies for PKU.
Humans ; Phenylketonurias/epidemiology* ; Female ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Phenylalanine Hydroxylase/genetics* ; Mutation ; Child, Preschool ; China/epidemiology* ; Child ; Infant

Objective To comparatively analyze the clinical characteristics of primary bilateral macronodular adrenal hyperplasia(PBMAH)and adrenal cortisol-producing Adenoma(CPA),and enhance the understanding of two diseases.Methods The clinical data of 85 PBMAH patients(PBMAH group)and 195 CPA patients(CPA group)diagnosed at Department of Endocrinology,the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital,from September 2014 to August 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.The demographic characteristics,comorbidities,biochemical indicators,adrenocorticotropic hormone-cortisol(ACTH-F)levels,and adrenal imaging features and treatment conditions were compared between the two groups.Results(1)General characteristics:Compared with CPA group,PBMAH group had older age at diagnosis and a higher proportion of male patients.(2)Clinical characteristics:Compared with CPA group,PBMAH group had a longer disease duration,a higher proportion of subclinical Cushing's syndrome(CS),and a higher proportion of hypertension,impaired glucose tolerance/diabetes,bone mass reduction or osteoporosis,with higher serum potassium levels,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.01).(3)Hormone levels:Both PBMAH and CPA groups showed ACTH-F rhythm disorder,significantly increased cortisol levels and suppressed ACTH.Compared with PBMAH group,CPA group had stronger autonomous cortisol secretion ability,manifested by increased midnight serum cortisol(F0:00),16:00 serum cortisol(F16:00),24-hour urinary free cortisol(24 h UFC)levels and lower 8:00 serum ACTH(ACTH8:00)and 16:00 serum ACTH(ACTH16:00)(P<0.01).After low-dose dexamethasone suppression test(LDDST),CPA group showed lower suppression rates of ACTH and cortisol,and higher proportions of paradoxical elevation in serum cortisol and 24 h UFC compared with PBMAH(P<0.01).Conclusions PBMAH has a longer disease course and higher proportions of comorbid metabolic disorders than CPA,mostly manifested as subclinical Cushing's syndrome.CPA has stronger autonomous cortisol secretion ability,with cortisol less likely to be suppressed after LDDST and more obvious paradoxical elevation of cortisol and 24 h UFC.

Objective To investigate the clinical and pathological characteristics of adrenal cortical carcinoma(ACC),compare differences between hypercortisolism and non-functional ACC,and assess the diagnostic value of indicators such as Ki-67 index.Methods The clinical data of 57 ACC patients admitted to the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to March 2025 were retrospectively analyzed.According to the results of endocrine function assessment,47 of these patients were divided into hypercortisolism group(n=19)and non-functional group(n=28).The differences in clinical and pathological characteristics between the two groups were compared,and non-parametric tests and Spearman correlation analysis were used to explore the relationship between Ki-67 index and tumor stage as well as imaging features.Results Among the 57 patients,there were 20 males and 37 females,with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.85.The age ranged from 16 to 76 years,and the age at diagnosis was(48.7±13.3)years.The tumor diameter was(10.53±4.14)cm.The tumors were located on the right side in 12 cases(21.1%),on the left side in 34 cases(59.6%),and bilaterally in 11 cases(19.3%).Among them,16 cases(28.1%)were complicated with glucose metabolism disorders,31 cases(54.3%)had hypertension,and 20 cases(35.1%)had hypokalemia.According to ENSAT staging,there were 0 cases in stage Ⅰ,15 cases(26.3%)in stage Ⅱ,24 cases(42.1%)in stage Ⅲ,and 18 cases(31.6%)in stage Ⅳ.Endocrine function assessment was completed in 47 of the 57 patients,including 28 cases(59.6%)of non-functional ACC and 19 cases(40.4%)of hypercortisolism(including 1 case of hypercortisolism combined with increased sex hormone secretion).Compared with non-functional group,hypercortisolism group had a significantly higher prevalence of hypertension(P=0.014),later ENSAT stage(P=0.010),and a higher proportion of hypervascularization(P=0.048).The median Ki-67 index was 20%(10%-40%),showing no significant correlation with either the maximum tumor diameter or SUVmax value,but it was related to ENSAT staging,with Ki-67 index in stageⅣ patients being significantly higher than that in stage Ⅱ(P=0.032).Immunohistochemistry results showed that the positive rate of Inhibin-α was 84.8%,and the positive rate of Melan-A was 40.9%.Conclusions ACC is a rare malignant endocrine tumor.ACC patients with hypercortisolism are more likely to be complicated with hypertension,have later staging,and more common hypervascular manifestations.Clinically,their endocrine function should be prioritized for assessment,and more active treatment strategies should be adopted.Diagnosis should be combined with imaging characteristics(such as hypervascularization)and immunohistochemical indicators(Ki-67,Inhibin-α,Melan-A).The significant increase in Ki-67 is in the advanced stage can serve as an important prognostic indicator to guide individualized treatment.

Objective To develop an enteral nutrition delivery device for nasal feeding patients to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort during enteral nutrition therapy and solve the problems in heating,quality preservation and constant temperature maintenance of the solution.Methods The enteral nutrition delivery device was mainly composed of a nasal feeding container,a fixing frame,a limiting trough,a heating wire,a temperature control unit and a speed control unit.The heating wire and temperature and speed control units were combined to facilitate the nasogastric solution in the container to be delivered to the patient's stomach and intestines at a constant temperature and a uniform speed.The device developed had its shell made of 304 waterproof stainless steel and the nasal feeding container made of 05-polypropylene.Results The device developed realized constant-temperature and uniform-speed delivery and auto cleaning,and could reduced effectively gastrointestinal adverse reactions during nasal feeding.Conclusion The device developed gains advantages in easy operation and autonomous feeding,and thus is worth promoting for nasal feeding patients clinically.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(2):108-111]

Objective:To investigate the changes in accommodative facility after implantation of V4c implantable collamer lens (ICL) using the intelligent flipper (iFLIP).Methods:A serial case-control study was conducted.Forty patients (80 eyes) who underwent ICL implantation of V4c for myopia correction and completed the follow-up were enrolled at the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from April 2022 to April 2023.Monocular and binocular accommodative facility, adjustment time, and relaxation time were measured with iFLIP before operation and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after operation.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University (No.2023-983).Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results:Monocular and binocular uncorrected visual acuity at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after surgery were significantly improved compared with before surgery, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05).Monocular and binocular postoperative accommodative facility gradually increased over time, and the increase gradually decreased and gradually stabilized.Before operation and 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after operation, the monocular accommodative facility was (7.99±3.42), (10.19±4.25), (12.03±4.24), (13.10±4.66) and (13.64±4.40)cpm, and the binocular accommodative facility was (9.01±3.63), (9.56±3.38), (11.58±4.00), (13.31±3.64), and (14.03±3.72)cpm, respectively, with statistically significant overall differences ( F=24.02, 14.46; both P<0.001).Monocular accommodative facility was higher than before surgery at each time point after surgery, and was higher than 1 week after surgery at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05).Binocular accommodative facility was higher at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery than that before surgery and 1 week after surgery, and higher at 3 and 6 months after surgery than that at 1 month after surgery, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05).With the extension of postoperative time, the monocular and binocular adjustment time and relaxation time gradually shortened, and the shortening gradually decreased and stabilized.Monocular adjustment time and relaxation time were shorter than before surgery at all time points after surgery.The monocular adjustment time was shorter at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery than that at 1 week after surgery and shorter at 3 and 6 months after surgery than that at 1 month after surgery, and the monocular relaxation time was shorter at 3 and 6 months after surgery than that at 1 week after surgery, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05).The binocular adjustment time was shorter at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery than before surgery and at 1 week after surgery, shorter at 3 and 6 months after surgery than at 1 month after surgery and the binocular relaxation time was shorter at all time points after surgery than that before surgery, showing statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Conclusions:After ICL implantation, uncorrected visual acuity, accommodative facility, adjustment time and relaxation time all improve throughout the preoperative period and eventually stabilize.

Objective:To investigate the changes in accommodative facility after implantation of V4c implantable collamer lens (ICL) using the intelligent flipper (iFLIP).Methods:A serial case-control study was conducted.Forty patients (80 eyes) who underwent ICL implantation of V4c for myopia correction and completed the follow-up were enrolled at the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University from April 2022 to April 2023.Monocular and binocular accommodative facility, adjustment time, and relaxation time were measured with iFLIP before operation and at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after operation.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Guizhou Medical University (No.2023-983).Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results:Monocular and binocular uncorrected visual acuity at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months and 6 months after surgery were significantly improved compared with before surgery, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05).Monocular and binocular postoperative accommodative facility gradually increased over time, and the increase gradually decreased and gradually stabilized.Before operation and 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months after operation, the monocular accommodative facility was (7.99±3.42), (10.19±4.25), (12.03±4.24), (13.10±4.66) and (13.64±4.40)cpm, and the binocular accommodative facility was (9.01±3.63), (9.56±3.38), (11.58±4.00), (13.31±3.64), and (14.03±3.72)cpm, respectively, with statistically significant overall differences ( F=24.02, 14.46; both P<0.001).Monocular accommodative facility was higher than before surgery at each time point after surgery, and was higher than 1 week after surgery at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05).Binocular accommodative facility was higher at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery than that before surgery and 1 week after surgery, and higher at 3 and 6 months after surgery than that at 1 month after surgery, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05).With the extension of postoperative time, the monocular and binocular adjustment time and relaxation time gradually shortened, and the shortening gradually decreased and stabilized.Monocular adjustment time and relaxation time were shorter than before surgery at all time points after surgery.The monocular adjustment time was shorter at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery than that at 1 week after surgery and shorter at 3 and 6 months after surgery than that at 1 month after surgery, and the monocular relaxation time was shorter at 3 and 6 months after surgery than that at 1 week after surgery, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05).The binocular adjustment time was shorter at 1, 3 and 6 months after surgery than before surgery and at 1 week after surgery, shorter at 3 and 6 months after surgery than at 1 month after surgery and the binocular relaxation time was shorter at all time points after surgery than that before surgery, showing statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). Conclusions:After ICL implantation, uncorrected visual acuity, accommodative facility, adjustment time and relaxation time all improve throughout the preoperative period and eventually stabilize.

Objective To develop an enteral nutrition delivery device for nasal feeding patients to relieve gastrointestinal discomfort during enteral nutrition therapy and solve the problems in heating,quality preservation and constant temperature maintenance of the solution.Methods The enteral nutrition delivery device was mainly composed of a nasal feeding container,a fixing frame,a limiting trough,a heating wire,a temperature control unit and a speed control unit.The heating wire and temperature and speed control units were combined to facilitate the nasogastric solution in the container to be delivered to the patient's stomach and intestines at a constant temperature and a uniform speed.The device developed had its shell made of 304 waterproof stainless steel and the nasal feeding container made of 05-polypropylene.Results The device developed realized constant-temperature and uniform-speed delivery and auto cleaning,and could reduced effectively gastrointestinal adverse reactions during nasal feeding.Conclusion The device developed gains advantages in easy operation and autonomous feeding,and thus is worth promoting for nasal feeding patients clinically.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(2):108-111]