To analyze the clinical and genetic features of oculopharyngodistal myopathy (OPDM) patients and compare the phenotypic differences among various causative genes.

OBJECTIVES: Exposure to rare earth elements (REEs) has been linked to various systemic diseases, but their impact on the offspring blood-brain barrier (BBB) via the gut-brain axis remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the effects of maternal exposure to neodymium oxide (Nd₂O₃) on the BBB integrity of offspring rats, and to evaluate the potential protective role of bifidobacterium tetrad viable tablets (BTVT) against Nd₂O₃-induced intestinal and BBB damage. METHODS: Healthy adult SD rats were mated at a 1:1 male-to-female ratio, with the day of vaginal plug detection marked as gestational day 0. A total of 60 pregnant rats were randomly assigned to the following groups: Control, 50 mg/(kg·d) Nd₂O₃, 100 mg/(kg·d) Nd₂O₃, 200 mg/(kg·d) Nd₂O₃, and 200 mg/(kg·d) Nd₂O₃ + BTVT group. Treatments were administered by daily oral gavage throughout pregnancy and lactation. On postnatal day 21 (weaning), offspring feces, brain, and colon tissues were collected. Hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining was used to assess structural changes in brain and intestinal tissues. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in feces were quantified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Evans Blue (EB) dye extravasation assessed BBB permeability. Gene and protein expression levels of tight junction proteins occludin and zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) were measured by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blotting (WB), respectively. Neodymium levels in brain tissue were determined via inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). RESULTS: HE staining revealed that maternal Nd₂O₃ exposure caused mucosal edema, increased submucosal spacing, and lymphocyte infiltration in offspring colon, as well as neuronal degeneration and vacuolization in brain tissue. BTVT intervention alleviated these changes. GC-MS analysis showed that levels of acetic acid, propionic acid, butyric acid, and isobutyric acid significantly decreased, while valeric acid and isovaleric acid increased in offspring of Nd₂O₃-exposed mothers (P<0.05). BTVT significantly restored levels of acetic, propionic, and isobutyric acids and reduced valeric acid content (P<0.05). EB permeability was significantly elevated in Nd₂O₃-exposed offspring brains (P<0.05), but reduced with BTVT treatment (P<0.05). RT-PCR and WB showed downregulation of occludin and ZO-1 expression following Nd₂O₃ exposure (P<0.05), which was reversed by BTVT (P<0.05). ICP-MS results indicated significantly increased brain neodymium levels in offspring from all Nd₂O₃-exposed groups (P<0.05), while BTVT significantly reduced neodymium accumulation compared to the 200 mg/(kg·d) Nd₂O₃ group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Maternal exposure to Nd₂O₃ during pregnancy and lactation disrupts intestinal health and BBB integrity in offspring, elevates brain neodymium accumulation, and induces neuronal degeneration. BTVT effectively mitigates Nd₂O₃-induced intestinal and BBB damage in offspring, potentially through modulation of the gut-brain axis.
Animals ; Female ; Blood-Brain Barrier/pathology* ; Pregnancy ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Male ; Neodymium/toxicity* ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects/prevention & control* ; Lactation ; Maternal Exposure/adverse effects* ; Brain

Astragali Radix (AR), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy against various diseases, including cardiovascular conditions, over centuries of use. While doxorubicin serves as an effective chemotherapeutic agent against multiple cancers, its clinical application remains constrained by significant cardiotoxicity. Research has indicated that AR exhibits protective properties against doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC); however, the specific bioactive components and underlying mechanisms responsible for this therapeutic effect remain incompletely understood. This investigation seeks to identify the protective bioactive components in AR against DIC and elucidate their mechanisms of action. Through network medicine analysis, astragaloside IV (AsIV) and formononetin (FMT) were identified as potential cardioprotective agents from 129 AR components. In vitro experiments using H9c2 rat cardiomyocytes revealed that the AsIV-FMT combination (AFC) effectively reduced doxorubicin-induced cell death in a dose-dependent manner, with optimal efficacy at a 1∶2 ratio. In vivo, AFC enhanced survival rates and improved cardiac function in both acute and chronic DIC mouse models. Additionally, AFC demonstrated cardiac protection while maintaining doxorubicin's anti-cancer efficacy in a breast cancer mouse model. Lipidomic and metabolomics analyses revealed that AFC normalized doxorubicin-induced lipid profile alterations, particularly by reducing fatty acid accumulation. Gene knockdown studies and inhibitor experiments in H9c2 cells demonstrated that AsIV and FMT upregulated peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and PPARα, respectively, two key proteins involved in fatty acid metabolism. This research establishes AFC as a promising therapeutic approach for DIC, highlighting the significance of multi-target therapies derived from natural herbals in contemporary medicine.
Animals ; Doxorubicin/adverse effects* ; Saponins/administration & dosage* ; Isoflavones/pharmacology* ; Rats ; Cardiomyopathies/prevention & control* ; Mice ; Fatty Acids/metabolism* ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Triterpenes/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Humans ; Cardiotonic Agents/administration & dosage* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cell Line ; Astragalus Plant/chemistry* ; Astragalus propinquus

Objective To investigate the effects of dapagliflozin on the risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmia(MVA)during hospitalization in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods A retrospective study was conducted to select patients with AMI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in the department of cardiology of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2018 and November 2023.Clinical datas collected during hospitalization included demographics(gender,age),baseline vital signs(systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,heart rate),comorbidities(hypertension,diabetes mellitus),body mass index(BMI),smoking,alcohol consumption,ST segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI),Killip class≥3,laboratory parameters[white blood cell count(WBC),neutrophil percentage(NEU%),serum creatinine(SCr)],procedural data(number of coronary stents implanted,culprit vessels being the left main coronary artery,left anterior descending artery,right coronary artery,left circumflex artery and intraoperative hypotension),medications[angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensinⅡreceptor blocker(ACEI/ARB),β-blockers,aspirin,ticagrelor,clopidogrel,platelet glycoproteinⅡb/Ⅲa receptor antagonists,Statin],and electrocardiogram characteristics[the number of cases frequent ventricular premature contractions(premature beats)and the number of cases of sinus rhythm].The study endpoint was the occurrence of MVA during hospitalization among enrolled patients.Patients were categorized into the MVA group and the non-MVA group based on the occurrence of MVA during their hospital stay.Differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups were compared.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were employed to evaluate the impact of dapagliflozin use on the risk of MVA in patients with AMI.Results A total of 2 893 eligible AMI patients were enrolled and 145 patients(5.01%)experienced MVA during hospitalization.Compared with the MVA group,the proportion of patients taking dapagliflozin was higher in the non-MVA group[13.2%(363/2 748)vs.6.2%(9/145),P=0.014],the proportion of males was higher[74.3%(2 042/2 748)vs.66.9%(97/145),P=0.048],the age was younger(years:64.82±13.91 vs.69.78±14.07,P<0.001),the heart rate at admission was slower(beats/min:80.09±15.72 vs.84.31±20.92,P=0.002),the proportion of patients with Killip grade≥3 was lower[11.5%(317/2 748)vs.38.6%(56/145),P<0.001],the proportion of smoking patients was higher[48.0%(1 319/2 748)vs.33.8%(49/145),P<0.05],SCr level was lower(μmol/L:84.73±58.52 vs.102.87±59.47,P<0.001),and the proportion of patients taking ACEI/ARB and β-blockers was higher[64.9%(1 783/2 748)vs.49.0%(71/145),65.1%(1 788/2 748)vs.53.8%(78/145),both P<0.05],the rate of frequent premature ventricular beats was lower[1.0%(28/2 748)vs.11.7%(17/145),P<0.05],and the proportion of patients with intraoperative hypotension was lower[3.2%(86/2 748)vs.10.6%(15/145),P<0.05].After adjusting numerous confounding factors,multifactorial Logistic regression analysis showed that dapagliflozin may significantly reduced the risk of MVA in patients with AMI after PCI[odds ratio(OR)=0.417,95%confidence interval(95%CI)was 0.200-0.880,P=0.022].Subgroup analysis suggested that there were 1 042 AMI patients with diabetes mellitus,of whom 348 took dapagliflozin,and 8 patients(2.30%)had MVA.The risk of MVA was reduced in patients taking dapagliflozin(Log-Rank:χ2=11.983,P=0.001).Conclusion The use of dapagliflozin significantly reduced the risk of MVA during hospitalization in patients with AMI.

Objective To establish mouse models exposed to different doses of neodymium oxide via tracheal instillation,and to investigate the mechanisms underlying brain tissue damage induced by neodymium oxide exposure in mice.Methods Forty-eight male C57/BL6 mice were randomly assigned to four groups:the control group,the low-dose group,the medium-dose group,and the high-dose group.The low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose groups received 62.5 mg/mL,125 mg/mL,and 250 mg/mL neodymium oxide,respectively,via non-exposed tracheal instillation.The control group received an equivalent volume of saline using the same administration method.After 35 days,the mice were euthanized,and brain tissues were collected.RT-PCR was used to assess the mRNA expression changes of Claudin-5 and Occludin.Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the expression changes of Claudin-5 and Occludin tight junction proteins,as well as the expression changes of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the brain tissues.Additionally,the expression of the RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathway and downstream cofilin protein was examined.Changes in oxidative stress markers,including MDA,T-AOC,and NO,were measured using a kit method.Results The mRNA expression of Claudin-5 was significantly reduced in the middle-dose and high-dose groups compared to the control group(P<0.05).Similarly,the mRNA expression of Occludin was significantly lower in the low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose groups compared to the control group(P<0.05).Additionally,the protein expression of Claudin-5,MMP-2,and Occludin was significantly decreased in the low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose groups compared to the control group(P<0.05).The protein expression of MMP-9 and RhoA was also signifi-cantly lower in the medium-dose and high-dose groups compared to the control group(P<0.05).Furthermore,the protein expression of ROCK2 and p-cofilin in the high-dose group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).The content of MDA and T-AOC was significantly lower in the medium-dose and high-dose groups compared to the control group(P<0.05),and the content of NO in the high-dose group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Exposure to neodymium oxide results in increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier in mice,leading to oxidative stress,inflammatory responses,and activation of the RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathway.

Objective:To investigate the influencing factors for sarcopenia in hospitalized patients,to construct a risk prediction model for sarcopenia in elderly hospitalized patients,and to provide a quantitative tool for early screening and intervention of sarcopenia based on the integration of multi-dimensional indicators.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed for the data of 2105 elderly patients who were hospitalized in The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from March 2016 to June 2023.The least absolute shrinkage and selection operator analysis was used for the screening of variables,and the logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influencing factors for sarcopenia.A predictive model was constructed,and internal and external validation was performed.The Shapley additive explanations model was used to analyze feature contributions,and a nomogram model was constructed to visualize and interpret the results.Results:The 1259 patients from March 2016 to December 2020 were randomly divided into a training set with 882 patients and an internal test set with 377 patients at a ratio of 7∶3,and the 846 patients from January 2021 to June 2023 were established as the external validation set.A total of 489 cases of sarcopenia(55.44%)were detected in the training set.The logistic regression analysis based on the training set showed that asthenia,dependence on Activity of Daily Living,malnutrition,and in-creasing age were risk factors for sarcopenia(odds ratio[OR]>1,P<0.05),and male sex,normal body mass index,and overweight were protective factors against sarcopenia(OR<1,P<0.05).The model had an AUC of 0.876(95%CI=0.854-0.899)in the training set,0.883(95%CI=0.849-0.918)in the internal test set,and 0.750(95%CI=0.717-0.783)in the external validation set,suggesting that the model had good performance.The decision curve analysis showed that the nomogram model had a good clinical value.Conclu-sion:The predictive model for sarcopenia has good performance and holds promise for clinical application.

Over the past 40 years,prenatal ultrasound in China has undergone a transformative evolution,from basic grayscale imaging to the integration of artificial intelligence(AI).Initial efforts focused on identifying major fetal anomalies and establishing standardized screening systems.In subsequent decades,advances such as 3D/4D imaging,quantitative diagnostic models and multimodal approaches enhanced the accuracy and scope of assessments.Recently,the emergence of AI-driven diagnostics,early trimester screening and multi-omics integration have ushered Chinese prenatal ultrasound into an era of precision and intelligence.Chinese scholars have not only adopted global innovations,but also contributed original,locally adapted solutions and multidisciplinary frameworks.Looking ahead,future development will emphasize intelligent assistance,equitable access,evidence-based systems,and cross-disciplinary integration-driving continued improvement in birth defect prevention and maternal-fetal health.

Objective:To investigate the changes in and correlations between melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and androgen levels in the serum of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), aiming to provide a novel research perspective for its diagnosis.Methods:A cross-sectional study. A total of 307 subjects were enrolled from the physical examination center and endocrinology clinic of the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from June 2023 to June 2024. The cohort comprised 114 healthy controls and 193 patients with PCOS, diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria. The patients were grouped into four phenotypes: Phenotype A (hyperandrogenemia [HA]+ovulatory dysfunction [OA]+polycystic ovarian morphology [PCOM], n=44), Phenotype B (HA+OA, n=50), Phenotype C (HA+PCOM, n=46), and Phenotype D (OA+PCOM, n=53). Clinical data were collected for all subjects. Serum MCH levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationship between MCH and androgen-related risk factors for PCOS was analyzed using Spearman partial correlation analysis and stepwise multiple linear hierarchical regression. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze factors influencing PCOS onset. The diagnostic value of MCH for PCOS was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:There were no significant differences in age and height between the healthy control group and the PCOS phenotypic groups (both P>0.05). MCH levels [17.63 (12.69, 22.00), 17.31 (11.05, 20.09), 17.82 (11.47, 19.40), 16.50 (11.14, 19.41) μg/L vs. 12.14 (9.78, 15.05) μg/L], homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, fasting plasma glucose, fasting serum lisulin, body mass index, and weight were significantly higher across all four PCOS phenotypes (A, B, C, and D) than in healthy controls (all P<0.05), whereas sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) contents were significantly lower ( P<0.05). Free androgen index (FAI), total testosterone (TES) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels were significantly higher in PCOS phenotypes A, B, and C than in the control group and PCOS phenotype D (all P<0.05). Spearman partial correlation analysis revealed no significant correlation between MCH and TES, DHEA, or FAI in healthy controls and patients with non-HA PCOS (all P>0.05). However, in PCOS patients with HA, MCH showed a significant positive correlation with TES and DHEA ( r=0.227 and 0.196, respectively; both P<0.05), but not FAI ( P>0.05). Stepwise multiple linear hierarchical regression analysis showed that MCH was positively correlated with TES, DHEA and luteinizing hormone and negatively correlated with SHBG (all P<0.05). Binary logistic regression indicated that an increase in MCH may be a potential risk factor for PCOS occurrence ( OR=1.113, 95% CI 1.012-1.224, P=0.028). ROC analysis showed that MCH has diagnostic value for PCOS ( P<0.05), with an area under the curve of 0.713. Conclusion:Serum MCH is closely related to FAI, TES, and DHEA levels in PCOS patients and may play an important role in the etiology and progression of the syndrome.

Objective To investigate the effects of dapagliflozin on the risk of malignant ventricular arrhythmia(MVA)during hospitalization in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI).Methods A retrospective study was conducted to select patients with AMI who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI)in the department of cardiology of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University between January 2018 and November 2023.Clinical datas collected during hospitalization included demographics(gender,age),baseline vital signs(systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure,heart rate),comorbidities(hypertension,diabetes mellitus),body mass index(BMI),smoking,alcohol consumption,ST segment elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI),Killip class≥3,laboratory parameters[white blood cell count(WBC),neutrophil percentage(NEU%),serum creatinine(SCr)],procedural data(number of coronary stents implanted,culprit vessels being the left main coronary artery,left anterior descending artery,right coronary artery,left circumflex artery and intraoperative hypotension),medications[angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensinⅡreceptor blocker(ACEI/ARB),β-blockers,aspirin,ticagrelor,clopidogrel,platelet glycoproteinⅡb/Ⅲa receptor antagonists,Statin],and electrocardiogram characteristics[the number of cases frequent ventricular premature contractions(premature beats)and the number of cases of sinus rhythm].The study endpoint was the occurrence of MVA during hospitalization among enrolled patients.Patients were categorized into the MVA group and the non-MVA group based on the occurrence of MVA during their hospital stay.Differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups were compared.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were employed to evaluate the impact of dapagliflozin use on the risk of MVA in patients with AMI.Results A total of 2 893 eligible AMI patients were enrolled and 145 patients(5.01%)experienced MVA during hospitalization.Compared with the MVA group,the proportion of patients taking dapagliflozin was higher in the non-MVA group[13.2%(363/2 748)vs.6.2%(9/145),P=0.014],the proportion of males was higher[74.3%(2 042/2 748)vs.66.9%(97/145),P=0.048],the age was younger(years:64.82±13.91 vs.69.78±14.07,P<0.001),the heart rate at admission was slower(beats/min:80.09±15.72 vs.84.31±20.92,P=0.002),the proportion of patients with Killip grade≥3 was lower[11.5%(317/2 748)vs.38.6%(56/145),P<0.001],the proportion of smoking patients was higher[48.0%(1 319/2 748)vs.33.8%(49/145),P<0.05],SCr level was lower(μmol/L:84.73±58.52 vs.102.87±59.47,P<0.001),and the proportion of patients taking ACEI/ARB and β-blockers was higher[64.9%(1 783/2 748)vs.49.0%(71/145),65.1%(1 788/2 748)vs.53.8%(78/145),both P<0.05],the rate of frequent premature ventricular beats was lower[1.0%(28/2 748)vs.11.7%(17/145),P<0.05],and the proportion of patients with intraoperative hypotension was lower[3.2%(86/2 748)vs.10.6%(15/145),P<0.05].After adjusting numerous confounding factors,multifactorial Logistic regression analysis showed that dapagliflozin may significantly reduced the risk of MVA in patients with AMI after PCI[odds ratio(OR)=0.417,95%confidence interval(95%CI)was 0.200-0.880,P=0.022].Subgroup analysis suggested that there were 1 042 AMI patients with diabetes mellitus,of whom 348 took dapagliflozin,and 8 patients(2.30%)had MVA.The risk of MVA was reduced in patients taking dapagliflozin(Log-Rank:χ2=11.983,P=0.001).Conclusion The use of dapagliflozin significantly reduced the risk of MVA during hospitalization in patients with AMI.

Objective To establish mouse models exposed to different doses of neodymium oxide via tracheal instillation,and to investigate the mechanisms underlying brain tissue damage induced by neodymium oxide exposure in mice.Methods Forty-eight male C57/BL6 mice were randomly assigned to four groups:the control group,the low-dose group,the medium-dose group,and the high-dose group.The low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose groups received 62.5 mg/mL,125 mg/mL,and 250 mg/mL neodymium oxide,respectively,via non-exposed tracheal instillation.The control group received an equivalent volume of saline using the same administration method.After 35 days,the mice were euthanized,and brain tissues were collected.RT-PCR was used to assess the mRNA expression changes of Claudin-5 and Occludin.Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the expression changes of Claudin-5 and Occludin tight junction proteins,as well as the expression changes of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the brain tissues.Additionally,the expression of the RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathway and downstream cofilin protein was examined.Changes in oxidative stress markers,including MDA,T-AOC,and NO,were measured using a kit method.Results The mRNA expression of Claudin-5 was significantly reduced in the middle-dose and high-dose groups compared to the control group(P<0.05).Similarly,the mRNA expression of Occludin was significantly lower in the low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose groups compared to the control group(P<0.05).Additionally,the protein expression of Claudin-5,MMP-2,and Occludin was significantly decreased in the low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose groups compared to the control group(P<0.05).The protein expression of MMP-9 and RhoA was also signifi-cantly lower in the medium-dose and high-dose groups compared to the control group(P<0.05).Furthermore,the protein expression of ROCK2 and p-cofilin in the high-dose group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).The content of MDA and T-AOC was significantly lower in the medium-dose and high-dose groups compared to the control group(P<0.05),and the content of NO in the high-dose group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Exposure to neodymium oxide results in increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier in mice,leading to oxidative stress,inflammatory responses,and activation of the RhoA/ROCK2 signaling pathway.