Objective:To observe the effects of RasGRP4 gene deletion on the structure and function of the retina in diabetic mice, and to explore the mechanism of RasGRP4 in diabetic retinopathy (DR) by transcriptome sequencing in conjunction with bioinformatics analysis. Methods:A total of 12 male C57BL/6J mice were divided into normal group, diabetic group (DM group), with 6 mice in each group. Six male RasGRP4 knockout mice were uesd as RasGRP4 knockout diabetic group (DM-KO group). Mice in the DM group and DM-KO group were fed with high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to establish diabetic model and body weight and blood glucose were monitored regularly. Three months after modeling, optical coherence tomography was used to detect the retinal thickness and ganglion cell layer thickness. Electroretinography was used to detect the function of the retina in mice under dark-adapted conditions. Total RNA was extracted from the retinas of mice in DM group and DM-KO group, and transcriptomic sequencing was performed to screen differentially expressed genes (DEG). Core genes were screened using MCODE and Cytohubba plug-ins of Cytoscape v3.8.2 software. At the same time, the functional enrichment analysis of gene samples (GO) of the selected DEG was performed. The mRNA relative expression levels of interleukin-8, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), NOd-like receptor thermal protein domain protein 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1 and IL-1β in each group were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. t test was used to compare the two groups. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the three groups. Results:Compared with the DM group, there was no significant difference in blood glucose and body weight in the DM-KO group with the extension of high-fat diet ( t=0.12, 2.02, 0.22, 0.10, 0.59, 0.41, 1.35, 0.31, 1.12, 1.58, 1.47, 1.20, 1.24, 0.39, 0.66, 0.14; P>0.05). The retinal thickness and ganglion cell layer thickness of mice in the three groups were significantly reduced in the DM group compared with the normal group, while DM-KO was significantly increased compared with the DM group, and the differences were statistically significant ( F=30.43, 7.81; P<0.000 1, 0.01). Comparison of a-wave and b-wave amplitudes among the three groups showed that the DM group was significantly lower than the normal group, while the DM-KO was significantly higher than the DM group, and the differences were statistically significant ( F=16.46, 35.58; P<0.001, 0.000 1). Compared with the DM group, 184 differential genes (DEG) were screened in the DM-KO group, among which 39 up-regulated and 145 down-regulated genes were detected, respectively. The results of the MCODE plug-in analysis showed that Col1a2, Fbln1, Fbn1, Col6a3, Fmod, Ogn, Tgfb, Mfap4, Vcan, Nid2, and Col18a1 were core genes in the DEG. Cytohubba plug-in analysis showed that Col1a2, Mrc1, Cd47, Fbn1, Cybb, Cd163, Fbln1, Fmod, Adgre1, and Col6a3 were the core genes in DEG. The results of the GO functional enrichment analysis showed that DEG was mainly involved in hemoglobin complexes, MHC class Ⅱ protein complex, apical plasma membrane, inflammasome complex, immunological synapse, response to bacterium, inflammatory response, immune system processe, response to hypoxia, and cell adhesion were significantly enriched. Comparison of mRNA relative expression levels of IL-8, TGF-β, IFN-γ, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and IL-1β in the three groups showed that the DM group was significantly higher than the normal group, while the DM-KO was significantly lower than the DM group, with statistical significance ( F=12.43, 15.41, 70.09, 29.04, 11.79, 41.28; P<0.01). Conclusion:RasGRP4 deficiency plays a therapeutic role in the development of DR through inhibition of inflammatory factor secretion and NLRP 3 inflammasome pathway activation.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To observe the effects of RasGRP4 gene deletion on the structure and function of the retina in diabetic mice, and to explore the mechanism of RasGRP4 in diabetic retinopathy (DR) by transcriptome sequencing in conjunction with bioinformatics analysis. Methods:A total of 12 male C57BL/6J mice were divided into normal group, diabetic group (DM group), with 6 mice in each group. Six male RasGRP4 knockout mice were uesd as RasGRP4 knockout diabetic group (DM-KO group). Mice in the DM group and DM-KO group were fed with high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin to establish diabetic model and body weight and blood glucose were monitored regularly. Three months after modeling, optical coherence tomography was used to detect the retinal thickness and ganglion cell layer thickness. Electroretinography was used to detect the function of the retina in mice under dark-adapted conditions. Total RNA was extracted from the retinas of mice in DM group and DM-KO group, and transcriptomic sequencing was performed to screen differentially expressed genes (DEG). Core genes were screened using MCODE and Cytohubba plug-ins of Cytoscape v3.8.2 software. At the same time, the functional enrichment analysis of gene samples (GO) of the selected DEG was performed. The mRNA relative expression levels of interleukin-8, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), NOd-like receptor thermal protein domain protein 3 (NLRP3), Caspase-1 and IL-1β in each group were detected by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. t test was used to compare the two groups. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare the three groups. Results:Compared with the DM group, there was no significant difference in blood glucose and body weight in the DM-KO group with the extension of high-fat diet ( t=0.12, 2.02, 0.22, 0.10, 0.59, 0.41, 1.35, 0.31, 1.12, 1.58, 1.47, 1.20, 1.24, 0.39, 0.66, 0.14; P>0.05). The retinal thickness and ganglion cell layer thickness of mice in the three groups were significantly reduced in the DM group compared with the normal group, while DM-KO was significantly increased compared with the DM group, and the differences were statistically significant ( F=30.43, 7.81; P<0.000 1, 0.01). Comparison of a-wave and b-wave amplitudes among the three groups showed that the DM group was significantly lower than the normal group, while the DM-KO was significantly higher than the DM group, and the differences were statistically significant ( F=16.46, 35.58; P<0.001, 0.000 1). Compared with the DM group, 184 differential genes (DEG) were screened in the DM-KO group, among which 39 up-regulated and 145 down-regulated genes were detected, respectively. The results of the MCODE plug-in analysis showed that Col1a2, Fbln1, Fbn1, Col6a3, Fmod, Ogn, Tgfb, Mfap4, Vcan, Nid2, and Col18a1 were core genes in the DEG. Cytohubba plug-in analysis showed that Col1a2, Mrc1, Cd47, Fbn1, Cybb, Cd163, Fbln1, Fmod, Adgre1, and Col6a3 were the core genes in DEG. The results of the GO functional enrichment analysis showed that DEG was mainly involved in hemoglobin complexes, MHC class Ⅱ protein complex, apical plasma membrane, inflammasome complex, immunological synapse, response to bacterium, inflammatory response, immune system processe, response to hypoxia, and cell adhesion were significantly enriched. Comparison of mRNA relative expression levels of IL-8, TGF-β, IFN-γ, NLRP3, Caspase-1 and IL-1β in the three groups showed that the DM group was significantly higher than the normal group, while the DM-KO was significantly lower than the DM group, with statistical significance ( F=12.43, 15.41, 70.09, 29.04, 11.79, 41.28; P<0.01). Conclusion:RasGRP4 deficiency plays a therapeutic role in the development of DR through inhibition of inflammatory factor secretion and NLRP 3 inflammasome pathway activation.

AIM:To investigate the effects of overexpressing α-Klotho(KL)in RAW264.7 cells stimulated by oxidative stress on the proliferation, migration, tube-formation and tight junction of human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs).METHODS:RAW264.7 cells were categorized into control, 4-hydroxynonenal(4HNE), and 4HNE+KL groups, with F4/80 expression assessed via immunofluorescence staining. Three groups of conditional media were prepared for HUVECs and culture divided into Mø-NC, Mø-4HNE, and Mø-4HNE+KL groups. Cell proliferation was evaluated using CCK8 assay, while scratch test and Transwell assays were employed to measure cell migration. Additionally, tube-formation assay was conducted to assess cell tubule formation, and Western blot assay was utilized to detect the protein expression levels of Claudin 5, Occludin and ZO 1.RESULTS:The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that the fluorescence intensity of F4/80 of RAW264.7 cells in the 4HNE group was significantly enhanced compared with the control group, while that of F4/80 in the 4HNE+KL group was significantly decreased compared with the 4HNE group(all P<0.05). The CCK8 assay results revealed a significant increase in the proliferation of HUVECs in the Mø-4HNE group compared with the Mø-NC group. Conversely, the proliferation of the Mø-4HNE+KL group exhibited a significant decrease compared with that in the Mø-4HNE group(all P<0.01). The results of scratch test and Transwell assays demonstrated a significant increase in the migration of HUVECs in the Mø-4HNE group compared with the Mø-NC group, while the migration of the Mø-4HNE+KL group exhibited a significant decrease compared with the Mø-4HNE group(all P<0.01). In the tube-formation assay, it was observed that the number of tubes formed by HUVECs in the Mø-4HNE group was significantly increased compared with the Mø-NC group, while that of tubes formed in the Mø-4HNE+KL group was significantly decreased compared with the Mø-4HNE group(all P<0.01). Additionally, the Western blot results revealed a significant decrease in the relative expression levels of Claudin 5, Occludin, and ZO 1 in the Mø-4HNE group compared with the Mø-NC group. Conversely, in the Mø-4HNE+KL group, there was a significant increase in the relative expression levels of Claudin 5, Occludin, and ZO 1 compared to the Mø-4HNE group(all P<0.01).CONCLUSIONS: KL inhibits the proliferation, migration, and tube-formation of HUVECs while enhancing the tight junction by changing the activation state of macrophages in the diabetic oxidative stress environment.

BACKGROUND:Clinical studies have shown that aerobic exercise is an important supplement to the clinical treatment of patients with pulmonary hypertension,which can alleviate the disease condition,increase exercise tolerance and improve the quality of life.However,it is not clear whether patients at different stages of pulmonary hypertension can benefit equally from exercise training. OBJECTIVE:To compare the intervention effects of early or late aerobic training on right heart failure in rats with pulmonary hypertension and explore its possible mechanism. METHODS:Sixty male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group,model sedentary group,model early exercise group and model late exercise group,with 15 rats in each group.The model of pulmonary hypertension was established by intraperitoneal injection of monocrotaline(60 mg/kg)in the latter three groups.The model early exercise group was given 8 weeks of treadmill aerobic exercise(60%maximum running speed,60 minutes per day,5 days a week)after modeling,while the model late exercise group was trained for 6 weeks after 2 weeks of modeling.The control and model sedentary groups were fed quietly in the rat cage for 8 weeks.After training,the exercise performance,right ventricular hemodynamics,cardiopulmonary function,cardiopulmonary histopathology,reactive oxygen species level in mitochondria,activity of mitochondrial respiratory chain complex and expressions of myocardial tissue proteins were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the model sedentary group,exercise performance and right ventricular function improved(P<0.05),myocardial collagen content,endothelin-1,tumor necrosis factor-α/interleukin-10 ratio and β-myosin heavy chain/α-myosin heavy chain ratio decreased(P<0.05),vascular endothelial growth factor and sarcoplasmic reticulum calcium-adenosine triphosphate enzyme expression increased(P<0.05),immunofluorescence intensity of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species and the protein expression of 3-nitrotyrosine decreased(P<0.05),the activities of complex I,II,IV and V increased in the model early exercise and model late exercise groups(P<0.05),but there were no significant changes in right ventricular maximum pressure,pulmonary acceleration time and pulmonary artery wall area/total vascular area ratio(P>0.05).Compared with the model late exercise group,the model early exercise group further improved exercise performance and right ventricular function,and downregulated collagen content,brain natriuretic peptide protein expression,tumor necrosis factor-α/interleukin-10 ratio and β-myosin heavy chain/α-myosin heavy chain ratio(P<0.05).To conclude,although pulmonary vascular remodeling and right ventricular overload persist in rats with pulmonary hypertension,exercise training at different stages of the disease has a cardioprotective effect.The mechanism is related to the improvement of cardiac remodeling,neurohormone system imbalance,inflammatory response and mitochondrial oxidative stress.Greater benefit is gained from initiating exercise in the early stage of the disease.

BACKGROUND:Aging is associated with increased susceptibility to cardiovascular disease,and mitochondrial dysfunction plays a key role in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease.Regular physical activity is beneficial to cardiovascular health and can prevent and treat chronic heart disease.However,the specific mechanism of mitochondria in the protective effect of exercise on the aging heart has not yet been clarified. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effect of aerobic exercise on cardiac pathological remodeling in aging rats and to investigate the possible mechanism of mitochondrial quality control system. METHODS:Sixty Wistar rats were randomly divided into young sedentary group(6 months old),old sedentary group(20 months old)and old exercise group(20 months old)with 20 rats in each group.Rats in the young sedentary and old sedentary groups were fed in cages for 12 weeks,while those in the old exercise group underwent moderate-intensity aerobic treadmill exercise(60%of the maximal running speed,slope 0°,60 minute per day,5 days per week)for 12 weeks.After the experiment,the heart was extracted for relevant indicator tests. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Cardiac morphology and myocardial histopathology:compared with the young sedentary group,the rats in the old sedentary group presented with concentric cardiac hypertrophy,myocardial fibrosis,myocardial cell apoptosis and loss,and cardiac diastolic dysfunction(P＜0.05);compared with the old sedentary group,animals in the old exercise group showed reduced myocardial fibrosis and apoptosis rates,increased cell numbers,improved cardiac function(P＜0.05),and a transition in cardiac phenotype from pathological to physiological hypertrophy.Mitochondrial function:compared with the young sedentary group,the generation rate of mitochondrial hydrogen peroxide increased(P＜0.05),respiration rate and respiratory control ratio of state 3 and state 4 decreased(P＜0.05),activities of respiratory chain complexes Ⅰ,Ⅱ and Ⅳ decreased(P＜0.05),mitochondrial calcium retention capacity decreased(P＜0.05),and mitochondrial permeability transition pore opening increased(P＜0.05)in the old sedentary group.Compared with the old sedentary group,all of the above indicators were significantly improved in the old exercise group(P＜0.05).Mitochondrial quality control:compared with the young sedentary group,mitochondrial biogenesis decreased(P＜0.05),mitophagy activity increased(P＜0.05),mitochondrial fusion reduced(P＜0.05),and fission raised(P＜0.05)in the old sedentary group;compared with the old sedentary group,mitochondrial biogenesis and mitophagy activity increased(P＜0.05),mitochondrial fusion raised(P＜0.05)and fission decreased(P＜0.05)in the old exercise group.To conclude,regular aerobic exercises exert cardioprotective effects in aging rats by regulating the mitochondrial quality control system,thus reversing pathological cardiac remodeling and improving cardiac function.

BACKGROUND:Resistance training and weight-bearing exercise are recommended modes for patients with osteoporosis to improve bone health.High-intensity interval training is a high-impact weight-bearing exercise with obvious time-efficient characteristics;however,little attention has been paid to its impact on bones. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of high-intensity interval training on the bone health of ovariectomized rat models. METHODS:Thirty-six female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham group,model group and model exercise group(n=12 per group).Bilateral ovariectomy was used to prepare an osteoporosis rat model in the latter two groups.Six weeks after modeling,the model exercise group was subjected to a high-intensity interval training on an electric treadmill at 90%peak running speed for 2 minutes and 50%peak running speed for 1 minute as one session,a total of nine sessions,3 days per week,for 6 weeks.Rats in the sham and model groups were raised quietly in the mouse cage during the same period.The relevant indexes were tested 48-72 hours after the final training. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the sham group,bone mineral density,maximal load,stiffness,elasticity,trabecular volume fraction,and trabecular number decreased(P<0.05),while trabecular separation increased(P<0.05);the level of irisin in the serum,gastrocnemius and femur decreased(P<0.05);the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α protein and fibronectin type Ⅲ domain-containing protein 5 mRNA and protein in the gastrocnemius muscle decreased(P<0.05);the expression of type I collagen,Osterix,and Runx2 mRNA in the femur decreased(P<0.05);and the expression of anti-tartrate acid phosphatase,receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand,and osteoclast-associated receptor mRNA increased in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,bone mineral density,fracture load,maximal load,stiffness,elasticity,average trabecular thickness,and trabecular number increased(P<0.05),and trabecular separation decreased(P<0.05);the level of irisin in the serum,gastrocnemius and femur increased(P<0.05);the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator-1α protein and fibronectin type Ⅲ domain-containing protein 5 mRNA and protein in gastrocnemius increased(P<0.05);the expression of type I collagen,Osterix,and Runx2 mRNA in the femur increased(P<0.05);and the expression of anti-tartrate acid phosphatase,receptor activator of nuclear factor κB ligand,and osteoclast-associated receptor mRNA decreased in the model exercise group(P<0.05).To conclude,short-term high-intensity interval training may improve bone health of ovariectomized rats through up-regulating the irisin level.

Objective To explore the influencing factors for visual field defects in patients with advanced glaucoma.Methods Two hundred and six patients(206 eyes)with advanced glaucoma treated in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University from January 2019 to January 2023 were selected as the research subjects.The clinical and follow-up data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed.The patients were divided into the temporal visual island group(n=134)and the tubular visual field group(n=72)based on the degree of visual field defects.The risk factors for visual field defects in patients with advanced glaucoma were analyzed through univariate and multivariate logistic regression.Results The univariate logistic regression analysis showed that comorbidity with high myopia,types of glaucoma,peak and mean intraocular pressure during follow-up,types of drugs,and types of cumulative medication use were associated with visual field defects in patients with advanced glaucoma(P＜0.05).The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that comorbidity with high myopia,chronic primary angle closure glaucoma(CPACG),and peak intraocular pressure ≥21 mm Hg(1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)during follow-up were the independent risk factors for visual field defects in patients with advanced glaucoma(P＜0.05).Conclusion The incidence of temporal visual island is high in patients with advanced glaucoma.It is necessary to strengthen intraocular pressure monitoring and related eye health education in patients with high myopia,CPACG,and peak intraocular pressure≥21 mm Hg during follow-up to improve the visual field defects.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a highly heterogeneous mental disorder, and its complex etiology and unclear mechanism are great obstacles to the diagnosis and treatment of the disease. Studies have shown that abnormal functions of the visual cortex have been reported in MDD patients, and the actions of several antidepressants coincide with improvements in the structure and synaptic functions of the visual cortex. In this review, we critically evaluate current evidence showing the involvement of the malfunctioning visual cortex in the pathophysiology and therapeutic process of depression. In addition, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of visual cortex dysfunction that may underlie the pathogenesis of MDD. Although the precise roles of visual cortex abnormalities in MDD remain uncertain, this undervalued brain region may become a novel area for the treatment of depressed patients.
Humans ; Depressive Disorder, Major/pathology* ; Brain/pathology* ; Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use* ; Visual Cortex/pathology*