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.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.

To investigate the impact of preoperative serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels on the probability of testicular sperm retrieval, we conducted a study of nonobstructive azoospermic (NOA) men with different testicular volumes (TVs) who underwent microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). A total of 177 NOA patients undergoing micro-TESE for the first time from April 2019 to November 2022 in Shenzhen Zhongshan Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital (formerly Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China) were retrospectively reviewed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on average TV quartiles. Serum hormone levels in each TV group were compared between positive and negative sperm retrieval subgroups. Overall sperm retrieval rate was 57.6%. FSH levels (median [interquartile range]) were higher in the positive sperm retrieval subgroup compared with the negative outcome subgroup when average TV was <5 ml (first quartile [Q1: TV <3 ml]: 43.32 [17.92] IU l -1 vs 32.95 [18.56] IU l -1 , P = 0.048; second quartile [Q2: 3 ml ≤ TV <5 ml]: 31.31 [15.37] IU l -1 vs 25.59 [18.40] IU l -1 , P = 0.042). Elevated serum FSH levels were associated with successful micro-TESE sperm retrieval in NOA men whose average TVs were <5 ml (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.06 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.11; P = 0.011). In men with TVs ≥5 ml, larger TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval (adjusted OR: 0.84 per 1 ml increase; 95% CI: 0.71-0.98; P = 0.029). In conclusion, elevated serum FSH levels were associated with positive sperm retrieval in micro-TESE in NOA men with TVs <5 ml. In men with TV ≥5 ml, increases in average TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/surgery* ; Sperm Retrieval/statistics & numerical data* ; Adult ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Retrospective Studies ; Testis/pathology* ; Microdissection ; Organ Size

Ultra performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight-mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS), network pharmacology, and animal experiments were integrated o explore the blood glucose-lowering effects and mechanisms of Poria aqueous extract. Firstly, the active components of Poria aqueous extract were identified by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS. Subsequently, network pharmacology was employed to predict the blood glucose-lowering components and mechanisms of Poria aqueous extract. Finally, a rat model of diabetes mellitus, 16S rDNA sequencing, and Western blot were employed to investigate the blood glucose-lowering effect and mechanism of Poria aqueous extract. A total of 39 triterpenoids were identified in the Poria aqueous extract, among them, 25-hydroxypachymic acid, 25α-hydroxytumulosic acid, 16α-hydroxytrametenolic acid, polyporenic acid C, and tumulosic acid may be the main active ingredients for treating diabetes. The Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis revealed that Poria might exert its therapeutic effects through multiple pathways such as NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) signaling pathway, and tumor necrosis factor(TNF) signaling pathway. The results of animal experiments demonstrated that Poria aqueous extract significantly reduced the levels of blood glucose and lipids and regulated the intestinal flora in diabetic rats. The main affected taxa included g＿Escherichia-Shigella, g＿Corynebacterium, g＿Prevotella＿9, g＿Prevotellaceae＿UCG-001, and g＿Bacteroidota＿unclassified. In addition, Poria aqueous extract lowered the levels of D-lactic acid and lipopolysaccharide, alleviated colonic mucosal damage, significantly down-regulated the protein levels of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3(NLRP3), NF-κB, and TNF-α, and significantly up-regulated the protein levels of zonula occludens 1 and occludin in diabetic rates. Poria aqueous extract may play a role in treating diabetes mellitus by repairing the intestinal flora disturbance, protecting the intestinal barrier function, and inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway. The results provide a scientific basis for clinical application and expansion of indications of Poria.
Animals ; Rats ; Network Pharmacology ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Blood Glucose/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Hypoglycemic Agents/administration & dosage* ; Poria/chemistry* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental/metabolism* ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Humans

The molecular mechanisms underlying the develop-ment and metastasis of prostate cancer remain elusive.This comprehensive review delves into the intricate role of cofilin,an actin-binding protein,in the pathogenesis and progression of prostate cancer.Cofilin is a significant protein in cytoskeletal dynamics,and any dysregulation may result in the morphological changes in normal cells and the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells.Research has revealed that the activity of cofilin is regula-ted by various mechanisms,including phosphorylation/dephos-phorylation and interactions with other molecules.Moreover,this review discusses promising therapeutic interventions,such as co-filin inhibitors and gene therapy,which have demonstrated effica-cy in preclinical models.The challenge of clinically preventing the transition to castration-resistant prostate cancer and tumor metastasis is widely recognized,necessitating the development of precise drug treatments and biomarker identification.As a key regulatory protein,cofilin provides a more comprehensive refer-ence for the prevention and treatment of prostate diseases.

The molecular mechanisms underlying the develop-ment and metastasis of prostate cancer remain elusive.This comprehensive review delves into the intricate role of cofilin,an actin-binding protein,in the pathogenesis and progression of prostate cancer.Cofilin is a significant protein in cytoskeletal dynamics,and any dysregulation may result in the morphological changes in normal cells and the invasion and metastasis of tumor cells.Research has revealed that the activity of cofilin is regula-ted by various mechanisms,including phosphorylation/dephos-phorylation and interactions with other molecules.Moreover,this review discusses promising therapeutic interventions,such as co-filin inhibitors and gene therapy,which have demonstrated effica-cy in preclinical models.The challenge of clinically preventing the transition to castration-resistant prostate cancer and tumor metastasis is widely recognized,necessitating the development of precise drug treatments and biomarker identification.As a key regulatory protein,cofilin provides a more comprehensive refer-ence for the prevention and treatment of prostate diseases.

Objective An isotemporal substitution model was used to explore the associations between activities including 10 minutes per day of physical activity(PA),sedentary behavior(SB),and sleep(SLP),and depressive symptoms among vocational school students with and without depressive symptoms.Methods Questionnaire survey was conducted on grade one to grade three students attending vocational schools in Shanghai and Jiangsu Province from Dec 2021 to Jan 2022.Fourteen schools were selected using the convenience cluster sampling method.The selected students were categorized into depressive symptoms group and non-depressive symptoms group according to the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale(CES-D)scores.Results A total of 40 339 questionnaires were collected,of which 10 086 were able to clearly remember the time of physical activity in the past week,and 8 149 were valid after data cleaning.According to the valid questionnaires,5 496 students(67.44%)were in the non-depressive symptoms group and 2 653(32.56%)were in the depressive symptoms group.The mean age of the students were(16.70±1.19)years.In the non-depressive symptoms group,substituting moderate physical activity(MPA)for all the other behaviors was negatively associated with CES-D scores,while substituting vigorous physical activity(VPA)for MPA and SB was positively associated with CES-D scores.In the depressive symptoms group,substituting walking,SB,and SLP with MPA was negatively associated with CES-D scores,respectively.The associations of MPA substituted for walking,SB,and SLP with CES-D scores were much stronger in the depressive symptoms group than in the non-depressive symptoms group.Conclusion The detection rate of depressive symptoms was high among vocational students.Substituting MPA for walking,SB,and SLP were negatively associated with CES-D scores,with a stronger association observed in the depressive symptoms group than in the non-depressive symptoms group.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and treatment of patients with CD4+CD8-T-cell large granular lymphocytic leukemia(T-LGLL).Methods:The clinical manifestations,diagnosis and treatment of 1 case of CD4+CD8-T-LGLL patient were reported,and relevant literatures were reviewed.Results:The patient was a 70-year-old woman with slow clinical progress,mainly manifested by thrombocytopenia and myelodysplasia.The blood smear was mainly composed of large granular lymphocytes.Immunotyping and T-cell receptor gene rearrangement analysis showed that it was in line with T-LGLL.Partial remission(PR)was achieved through the treatment of cyclophosphamide(50 mg/d)combined with prednisone(gradually reduced and stopped later).Conclusion:CD4+CD8-T-LGLL is very rare in clinical practice,and its clinical manifestations are different from those of CD4-CD8+T-LGLL.

Objective:To investigate the expression of soluble lectin-like oxidized low den-sity lipoprotein receptor-1(sLOX-1)and C1q/tumor necrosis factor related protein 3(CTRP3)in the serum of patients with lower extremity arteriosclerosis obliterans(ASO)and their relationship with restenosis(ISR)after stent intervention.Methods:From June 2019 to June 2022,106 ASO pa-tients who underwent stent intervention in our hospital were regarded as the study subjects.One year after surgery,they were separated into a non ISR group(n=64)and an ISR group(n=42)based on their onset of ISR.The serum levels of sLOX-1 and CTRP3 were compared between the two groups;multivariate Logistic regression was applied to analyze the influencing factors of ISR after stent intervention in ASO patients;ROC curve was applied to analyze the predictive value of se-rum sLOX-1 and CTRP3 levels for ISR after stent intervention in ASO patients.Results:The se-rum sLOX-1 level in the ISR group was obviously higher than that in the non ISR group(P＜0.05),and the CTRP31 level was obviously lower than that in the non ISR group(P＜0.05).The complete occlusion,and sLOX-1 were independent risk factors for ISR after stent intervention in ASO pa-tients,while CTRP3 was a protective factor for ISR after stent intervention in ASO patients(P＜0.05).The AUC of the combination of serum sLOX-1 and CTRP3 in predicting ISR after stent in-tervention in ASO patients was 0.944,with a sensitivity of 97.62％and a specificity of 79.69％,which was superior to the individual predictions of sLOX-1 and CTRP3(Zcombineddetaction-sLOX-1=2.732,Zcombineddetection-CTRP3=2.143,P=0.006,0.032).Conclusion:After ASO stent intervention,the serum level of sLOX-1 was obviously increased in ISR patients,while the level of CTRP3 was obviously reduced,and the combination of the two fatcors has high predictive value for the occurrence of ISR in ASO patients after stent intervention.

Objective To analyze the factors affecting the prognosis of patients with knee osteoarthritis,and to construct a nomogram prediction model in conjunction with multi-dimensional clinical indicators.Methods The clinical data of 234 pa-tients with knee osteoarthritis who were treated in our hospital from January 2015 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed,including 126 males and 108 females;age more than 60 years old for 135 cases,age less than 60 years old for 99 cases.Lysholm knee function score was used to evaluate the prognosis of the patients,and the patients were divided into good progno-sis group for 155 patients and poor prognosis group for 79 patients according to the prognosis.The clinical data of the subjects in the experimental cohort were analyzed by single factor and multiple factors.The patients were divided into experimental co-hort and verification cohort,the results of the multiple factor analysis were visualized to obtain a nomogram prediction model,the receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC),calibration curve and decision curve were used to evaluate the model's dis-crimination,accuracy and clinical benefit rate.Results The results of multivariate analysis showed that smoking,pre-treatment K-L grades of Ⅲto Ⅳ,and high levels of interleukin 6(IL-6)and matrix metallo proteinase-3(MMP-3)were risk factors for the prognosis of patients with knee osteoarthritis.ROC test results showed that the area under the curve of the nomogram model in the experimental cohort and validation cohort was 0.806[95％CI(0.742,0.866)]and 0.786[(95％CI(0.678,0.893)],re-spectively.The results of the calibration curve showed that the Brier values of the experimental cohort and verification cohort were 0.151 points and 0.134 points,respectively.When the threshold probability value in the decision curve was set to 31％,the clinical benefit rates of the experimental cohort and validation cohort were 51％and 56％,respectively.Conclusion The prognostic model of patients with knee osteoarthritis constructed based on multi-dimensional clinical data has both theoretical and practical significance,and can provide a reference for taking targeted measures to improve the prognosis of patients.