This study aimed to explore the therapeutic mechanisms of Colquhounia Root Tablets(CRT) in treating diabetic kidney disease(DKD) by integrating biomolecular network mining with animal model verification. By analyzing clinical transcriptomics data, an interaction network was constructed between candidate targets of CRT and DKD-related genes. Based on the topological eigenvalues of network nodes, 101 core network targets of CRT against DKD were identified. These targets were found to be closely related to multiple pathways associated with type 2 diabetes, immune response, and metabolic reprogramming. Given that immune-inflammatory imbalance driven by metabolic reprogramming is one of the key pathogenic mechanisms of DKD, and that many core network targets of CRT are involved in this pathological process, receptor for advanced glycation end products(RAGE)-reactive oxygen species(ROS)-phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase(PI3K)-protein kinase B(AKT)-nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)-NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3) signaling axis was selected as a candidate target for in-depth research. Further, a rat model of DKD induced by a high-sugar, high-fat diet and streptozotocin was established to evaluate the pharmacological effects of CRT and verify the expression of related targets. The experimental results showed that CRT could effectively correct metabolic disturbances in DKD, restore immune-inflammatory balance, and improve renal function and its pathological changes by inhibiting the activation of the RAGE-ROS-PI3K-AKT-NF-κB-NLRP3 signaling axis. In conclusion, this study reveals that CRT alleviates the progression of DKD through dual regulation of metabolic reprogramming and immune-inflammatory responses, providing strong experimental evidence for its clinical application in DKD.
Animals ; Diabetic Nephropathies/metabolism* ; Receptor for Advanced Glycation End Products/genetics* ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Rats ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/genetics* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Humans ; Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tablets/administration & dosage*

Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), one of the most severe types of male infertility, etiology often remains unclear in most cases. Therefore, this study aimed to detect four biallelic detrimental variants (0.5%) in the minichromosome maintenance domain containing 2 ( MCMDC2 ) genes in 768 NOA patients by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) demonstrated that MCMDC2 deleterious variants caused meiotic arrest in three patients (c.1360G>T, c.1956G>T, and c.685C>T) and hypospermatogenesis in one patient (c.94G>T), as further confirmed through immunofluorescence (IF) staining. The single-cell RNA sequencing data indicated that MCMDC2 was substantially expressed during spermatogenesis. The variants were confirmed as deleterious and responsible for patient infertility through bioinformatics and in vitro experimental analyses. The results revealed four MCMDC2 variants related to NOA, which contributes to the current perception of the function of MCMDC2 in male fertility and presents new perspectives on the genetic etiology of NOA.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/genetics* ; Meiosis/genetics* ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Adult ; Exome Sequencing ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics* ; Alleles ; Infertility, Male/genetics*

Excessive fat accumulation,viral infections and sustained inflammatory responses caused by non-alcoholic and alcoholic factors can contribute to liver inflammation,fibrosis and carcinogenesis,promoting the development of chronic liver disease.Gaining an in-depth understanding of the etiologic factors and underlying mechanisms that lead to chronic liver disease can help identify potential therapeutic targets for targeted therapy.Lactate,as an important substance in hepatic metabolism,has been found to be involved in the process of chronic liver disease through various pathways,and this review will provide a useful reference for the prevention and treatment of chronic liver disease.

Objective:To assess the effects of various leisure hobbies on the ability of daily living(ADL)and the quality of life among older adults in China.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 4th Chinese Urban and Rural Elderly Living Conditions Sample Survey.We categorized community recreation hobbies into two types: dynamic hobbies, which include walking, playing ball games, dancing, and other physical activities, and static hobbies, which encompass activities that do not require physical exertion, such as reading, watching TV, and drawing.The EuroQol five-dimension scale(EQ-5D)-3L was employed to evaluate the quality of life.Older adults who maintained either dynamic or static hobbies for three consecutive years from 2017 to 2019 were initially screened.The relationship between different types of leisure hobbies and ADL scores, as well as quality of life at various time points, was analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA.Subsequently, propensity scores were matched based on gender, age, ethnicity, marital status, literacy, and chronic diseases, and five machine learning algorithms were utilized to identify the optimal model for predicting fully independent ADL and EQ-5D effect values.Based on the optimal predictive model, we conducted Shapley Additive Explanations(SHAP)and global analysis.Results:The total number of older adults who participated in the survey over the three consecutive years from 2017 to 2019 was 4 912.Among these, 2 594 individuals maintained the same hobby habits throughout this period, comprising 1 362 males and 1 232 females, with an average age of(70.81±6.71)years.Statistically significant differences in ADL scores and EQ-5D scores were observed between the dynamic and static leisure hobby groups(all P<0.05)across various time points, hobby group classifications, and interaction levels.Older adults engaged in dynamic hobbies exhibited superior ADL functioning and higher EQ-5D scores in comparison to those in the static hobby group, with these differences remaining statistically significant following propensity score matching(all P<0.05).In predicting full ADL independence, the SHAP value for dynamic hobbies ranked second, while for predicting an EQ-5D weighted value of 1, the SHAP value for dynamic hobbies ranked ninth.Overall, the type of dynamic hobby demonstrated a positive trend in its effect on the ability to perform daily activities independently and in achieving an EQ-5D weighted value of 1. Conclusions:In comparison to static hobbies, Chinese older adults who engage in dynamic hobbies exhibit improved daily mobility and a higher quality of life.Furthermore, dynamic hobbies positively influence the capacity for full independence in daily activities, as evidenced by an EQ-5D weighted value of 1.

Excessive fat accumulation,viral infections and sustained inflammatory responses caused by non-alcoholic and alcoholic factors can contribute to liver inflammation,fibrosis and carcinogenesis,promoting the development of chronic liver disease.Gaining an in-depth understanding of the etiologic factors and underlying mechanisms that lead to chronic liver disease can help identify potential therapeutic targets for targeted therapy.Lactate,as an important substance in hepatic metabolism,has been found to be involved in the process of chronic liver disease through various pathways,and this review will provide a useful reference for the prevention and treatment of chronic liver disease.

Objective:To assess the effects of various leisure hobbies on the ability of daily living(ADL)and the quality of life among older adults in China.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted using data from the 4th Chinese Urban and Rural Elderly Living Conditions Sample Survey.We categorized community recreation hobbies into two types: dynamic hobbies, which include walking, playing ball games, dancing, and other physical activities, and static hobbies, which encompass activities that do not require physical exertion, such as reading, watching TV, and drawing.The EuroQol five-dimension scale(EQ-5D)-3L was employed to evaluate the quality of life.Older adults who maintained either dynamic or static hobbies for three consecutive years from 2017 to 2019 were initially screened.The relationship between different types of leisure hobbies and ADL scores, as well as quality of life at various time points, was analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA.Subsequently, propensity scores were matched based on gender, age, ethnicity, marital status, literacy, and chronic diseases, and five machine learning algorithms were utilized to identify the optimal model for predicting fully independent ADL and EQ-5D effect values.Based on the optimal predictive model, we conducted Shapley Additive Explanations(SHAP)and global analysis.Results:The total number of older adults who participated in the survey over the three consecutive years from 2017 to 2019 was 4 912.Among these, 2 594 individuals maintained the same hobby habits throughout this period, comprising 1 362 males and 1 232 females, with an average age of(70.81±6.71)years.Statistically significant differences in ADL scores and EQ-5D scores were observed between the dynamic and static leisure hobby groups(all P<0.05)across various time points, hobby group classifications, and interaction levels.Older adults engaged in dynamic hobbies exhibited superior ADL functioning and higher EQ-5D scores in comparison to those in the static hobby group, with these differences remaining statistically significant following propensity score matching(all P<0.05).In predicting full ADL independence, the SHAP value for dynamic hobbies ranked second, while for predicting an EQ-5D weighted value of 1, the SHAP value for dynamic hobbies ranked ninth.Overall, the type of dynamic hobby demonstrated a positive trend in its effect on the ability to perform daily activities independently and in achieving an EQ-5D weighted value of 1. Conclusions:In comparison to static hobbies, Chinese older adults who engage in dynamic hobbies exhibit improved daily mobility and a higher quality of life.Furthermore, dynamic hobbies positively influence the capacity for full independence in daily activities, as evidenced by an EQ-5D weighted value of 1.

G protein-coupled receptor (GPR) 40, as one of GPRs family, plays a potential role in regulating glucose and lipid metabolism. To study the effect of GPR40 novel agonist SZZ15-11 on hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia and its potential mechanism, spontaneous type 2 diabetic KKA^y mice, human hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2 cells and murine mature adipocyte 3T3-L1 cells were used. KKA^y mice were divided into four groups, vehicle group, TAK group, SZZ (50 mg·kg^-1) group and SZZ (100 mg·kg^-1) group, with oral gavage of 0.5% sodium carboxymethylcellulose (CMC), 50 mg·kg^-1 TAK875, 50 and 100 mg·kg^-1 SZZ15-11 respectively for 45 days. Fasting blood glucose, blood triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), non-fasting blood glucose were tested. Oral glucose tolerance test and insulin tolerance test were executed. Blood insulin and glucagon were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). After mice′s execution, liver tissue was harvested to test TG and TC content. Then pathological morphology of liver was observed through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and the lipid metabolism relative signal pathway was analyzed by Western blot and RT-PCR. The experiments were approved by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of the Institute of Materia Medica, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College. At the same time, Akt phosphorylation level in HepG2 cells and adiponectin in 3T3-L1 cells treated with TNFα were measured with Western blot. The results show that SZZ15-11 not only decreased blood glucose and lipid, improved insulin sensitivity, but also increased fasting blood glucagon and promoted insulin secretion after glucose loading in KKA^y mice. Additionally, SZZ15-11 alleviated hepatic steatosis and liver dysfunction in KKA^y mice. In liver tissue, SZZ15-11 increased AMPKα phosphorylation level and cholesterol metabolism relative gene Abcg8 transcription. In HepG2 cells, SZZ15-11 increased Akt phosphorylation level. In adipocyte 3T3-L1, SZZ15-11 recovered the decreased adiponectin expression by TNFα. This study proved that GPR40 agonist SZZ15-11 could be a candidate compound for regulating glucolipid metabolic disorder.

Objective To investigate the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and potential influencing factors of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022, so as to provide insights into the formulation of the echinococcosis control strategy in Qinghai Province. Methods The number of individuals screened for echinococcosis, number of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases, number of registered dogs and number of stray dogs were captured from the annual reports of echinococcosis control program in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022, and the detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases was calculated. The number of populations, precipitation, temperature, wind speed, sunshine hours, average altitude, number of year-end cattle stock, number of year-end sheep stock, gross domestic product (GDP) per capita, and number of village health centers in each county (district) of Qinghai Province were captured from the Qinghai Provincial Statistical Yearbook, and county-level electronic maps in Qinghai Province were downloaded from the National Platform for Common Geospatial Information Services. The software ArcGIS 10.8 was used to map the distribution of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province, and the spatial autocorrelation analysis of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases was performed. In addition, the spacetime scan analyses of number of individuals screened for echinococcosis, number of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases and geographical coordinates in Qinghai Province were performed with the software SaTScan 10.1.2, and the spatial stratified heterogeneity of the detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases was investigated with the software GeoDetector. Results A total of 6 569 426 residents were screened for echinococcosis in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022, and 5 924 newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases were found. The detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases appeared a tendency towards a decline over years from 2016 to 2022 (χ² = 11.107, P < 0.01), with the highest detection in Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in 2017 (82.12/10⁵). There were spatial clusters in the detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2018 (Moran’s I = 0.34 to 0.65, all Z values > 1.96, all P values < 0.05), and the distribution of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases appeared random distribution from 2019 to 2022 (Moran’s I = −0.09 to 0.04, all Z values < 1.96, all P values > 0.05). Local spatial autocorrelation analysis showed high-high clusters and low-low clusters in the detection of new diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022, and space-time scan analysis showed that the first most likely cluster areas of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province from 2016 to 2022 were mainly distributed in Yushu Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture and Guoluo Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture. GeoDetector-based analysis of the driving factors for the spatial stratified heterogeneity of detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases in Qinghai Province showed that average altitude, number of village health centers, number of cattle and sheep stock, GDP per capita, annual average sunshine hours, and annual average temperature had a strong explanatory power for the spatial distribution of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases, with q values of 0.630, 0.610, 0.600, 0.590, 0.588, 0.537 and 0.526, respectively. Conclusions The detection of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases appeared a tendency towards a decline in Qinghai Province over years from 2016 to 2022, showing spatial clustering. Targeted control measures are required in cluster areas of newly diagnosed echinococcosis cases for further control of the disease.

Objective To explore the relationship of triglyceride-glucose index(TyG),triglyceride-glucose-body mass index(TyG-BMI),and triglyceride-glucose-waist circumference index(TyG-WC)with blood pressure abnormalities in adolescents,providing theoretical basis for the prevention and control of hypertension in adolescents.Methods A stratified cluster sampling method was used to select 1 572 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years in Yinchuan City for questionnaire surveys,physical measurements,and laboratory tests.Logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline analysis were employed to examine the relationship of TyG,TyG-BMI,and TyG-WC with blood pressure abnormalities in adolescents.Results Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that after adjusting for confounding factors,the groups with the highest quartile of TyG,TyG-BMI,and TyG-WC had 1.48 times(95%CI:1.07-2.04),3.71 times(95%CI:2.67-5.15),and 4.07 times(95%CI:2.89-5.73)higher risks of blood pressure abnormalities compared to the groups with the lowest quartile,respectively.Moreover,as the levels of TyG,TyG-BMI,and TyG-WC increased,the risk of blood pressure abnormalities gradually increased(P<0.05).A non-linear dose-response relationship was observed between TyG-BMI and the risk of blood pressure abnormalities(Poverall trend<0.001,Pnon-linearity=0.002).Linear dose-response relationships were found between TyG and the risk of blood pressure abnormalities(Poverall trend<0.001,Pnon-linearit =0.232),and between TyG-WC and the risk of blood pressure abnormalities(Poverall trend<0.001,Pnon-linearity=0.224).Conclusions Higher levels of TyG and its derivatives are associated with an increased risk of blood pressure abnormalities in adolescents,with linear or non-linear dose-response relationships.

Objective To understand the distribution and changing resistance profiles of clinical isolates of Enterococcus in hospitals across China from 2015 to 2021.Methods Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was conducted for the clinical isolates of Enterococcus according to the unified protocol of CHINET program by automated systems,Kirby-Bauer method,or E-test strip.The results were interpreted according to the Clinical & Laboratory Standards Institute(CLSI)breakpoints in 2021.WHONET 5.6 software was used for statistical analysis.Results A total of 124 565 strains of Enterococcus were isolated during the 7-year period,mainly including Enterococcus faecalis(50.7％)and Enterococcus faecalis(41.5％).The strains were mainly isolated from urinary tract specimens(46.9％±2.6％),and primarily from the patients in the department of internal medicine,surgery and ICU.E.faecium and E.faecalis strains showed low level resistance rate to vancomycin,teicoplanin and linezolid(≤3.6％).The prevalence of vancomycin-resistant E.faecalis and E.faecium was 0.1％and 1.3％,respectively.The prevalence of linezolid-resistant E.faecalis increased from 0.7％in 2015 to 3.4％in 2021,while the prevalence of linezolid-resistant E.faecium was 0.3％.Conclusions The clinical isolates of Enterococcus were still highly susceptible to vancomycin,teicoplanin,and linezolid,evidenced by a low resistance rate.However,the prevalence of linezolid-resistant E.faecalis was increasing during the 7-year period.It is necessary to strengthen antimicrobial resistance surveillance to effectively identify the emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and curb the spread of resistant pathogens.