This study investigated the effects and underlying mechanisms of vanillic acid(VA) against cardiac fibrosis(CF) induced by isoproterenol(ISO) in mice. Male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group, VA group(100 mg·kg~(-1), ig), ISO group(10 mg·kg~(-1), sc), ISO + VA group(10 mg·kg~(-1), sc + 100 mg·kg~(-1), ig), ISO + dynamin-related protein 1(Drp1) inhibitor(Mdivi-1) group(10 mg·kg~(-1), sc + 50 mg·kg~(-1), ip), and ISO + VA + Mdivi-1 group(10 mg·kg~(-1), sc + 100 mg·kg~(-1), ig + 50 mg·kg~(-1), ip). The treatment groups received the corresponding medications once daily for 14 consecutive days. On the day after the last administration, cardiac functions were evaluated, and serum and cardiac tissue samples were collected. These samples were analyzed for serum aspartate aminotransferase(AST), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), creatine kinase-MB(CK-MB), cardiac troponin I(cTnI), reactive oxygen species(ROS), interleukin(IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) levels, as well as cardiac tissue catalase(CAT), glutathione(GSH), malondialdehyde(MDA), myeloperoxidase(MPO), superoxide dismutase(SOD), total antioxidant capacity(T-AOC) activities, and cytochrome C levels in mitochondria and cytoplasm. Hematoxylin-eosin, Masson, uranium acetate and lead citrate staining were used to observe morphological and mitochondrial ultrastructural changes in the cardiac tissues, and myocardial injury area and collagen volume fraction were calculated. Flow cytometry was applied to detect the relative content and M1/M2 polarization of cardiac macrophages. The mRNA expression levels of macrophage polarization markers [CD86, CD206, arginase 1(Arg-1), inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS)], CF markers [type Ⅰ collagen(Coll Ⅰ), Coll Ⅲ, α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA)], and cytokines(IL-1β, IL-4, IL-6, IL-10, IL-18, TNF-α) in cardiac tissues were determined by quantitative real-time PCR. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of Coll Ⅰ, Coll Ⅲ, α-SMA, Drp1, p-Drp1, voltage-dependent anion channel(VDAC), hexokinase 1(HK1), NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC), caspase-1, cleaved-caspase-1, gasdermin D(GSDMD), cleaved N-terminal gasdermin D(GSDMD-N), IL-1β, IL-18, B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), B-cell lymphoma-xl(Bcl-xl), Bcl-2-associated death promoter(Bad), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), apoptotic protease activating factor-1(Apaf-1), pro-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-3, pro-caspase-9, cleaved-caspase-9, poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1(PARP-1), and cleaved-PARP-1 in cardiac tissues. The results showed that VA significantly improved cardiac function in mice with CF, reduced myocardial injury area and cardiac index, and decreased serum levels of AST, CK-MB, cTnI, LDH, ROS, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α. VA also lowered MDA and MPO levels, mRNA expressions of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α, and mRNA and protein expressions of Coll Ⅰ, Coll Ⅲ, and α-SMA in cardiac tissues, and increased serum levels of IL-4 and IL-10, cardiac tissue levels of CAT, GSH, SOD, and T-AOC, and mRNA expressions of IL-4 and IL-10. Additionally, VA ameliorated cardiac pathological damage, inhibited myocardial cell apoptosis, inflammatory infiltration, and collagen fiber deposition, reduced collagen volume fraction, and alleviated mitochondrial damage. VA decreased the ratio of F4/80~+CD86~+ M1 cells and the mRNA expressions of CD86 and iNOS in cardiac tissue, and increased the ratio of F4/80~+CD206~+ M2 cells and the mRNA expressions of CD206 and Arg-1. VA also reduced protein expressions of p-Drp1, VDAC, NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1, cleaved-caspase-1, GSDMD, GSDMD-N, IL-1β, IL-18, Bad, Bax, Apaf-1, cleaved-caspase-3, cleaved-caspase-9, cleaved-PARP-1, and cytoplasmic cytochrome C, and increased the expressions of HK1, Bcl-2, Bcl-xl, pro-caspase-3, pro-caspase-9 proteins, as well as the Bcl-2/Bax and Bcl-xl/Bad ratios and mitochondrial cytochrome C content. These results indicate that VA has a significant ameliorative effect on ISO-induced CF in mice, alleviates ISO-induced oxidative damage and inflammatory response, and its mechanism may be closely related to the inhibition of Drp1/HK1/NLRP3 and mitochondrial apoptosis signaling pathways, suppression of myocardial cell inflammatory infiltration and collagen fiber deposition, reduction of collagen volume fraction and CollⅠ, Coll Ⅲ, and α-SMA expressions, thus mitigating CF.
Animals ; Isoproterenol/adverse effects* ; Male ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Vanillic Acid/administration & dosage* ; Dynamins/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Fibrosis/genetics* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Humans

Extensive epigenetic reprogramming involves in memory CD8+ T-cell differentiation. The elaborate epigenetic rewiring underlying the heterogeneous functional states of CD8+ T cells remains hidden. Here, we profile single-cell chromatin accessibility and map enhancer-promoter interactomes to characterize the differentiation trajectory of memory CD8+ T cells. We reveal that under distinct epigenetic regulations, the early activated CD8+ T cells divergently originated for short-lived effector and memory precursor effector cells. We also uncover a defined epigenetic rewiring leading to the conversion from effector memory to central memory cells during memory formation. Additionally, we illustrate chromatin regulatory mechanisms underlying long-lasting versus transient transcription regulation during memory differentiation. Finally, we confirm the essential roles of Sox4 and Nrf2 in developing memory precursor effector and effector memory cells, respectively, and validate cell state-specific enhancers in regulating Il7r using CRISPR-Cas9. Our data pave the way for understanding the mechanism underlying epigenetic memory formation in CD8+ T-cell differentiation.
CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes/metabolism* ; Cell Differentiation ; Chromatin/immunology* ; Animals ; Mice ; Immunologic Memory ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; SOXC Transcription Factors/immunology* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/immunology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Enhancer Elements, Genetic

Objective:To explore the effects of applying peer-assisted learning (PAL) combined with modular teaching in physiology education, and to explore a more suitable mode for physiology teaching and learning.Methods:We selected a total of 89 undergraduate medical students of grade 2022 from a university offering physiology courses from February 28 to June 30, 2022. They were assigned using a random number table into experimental class (44 students) and control class (45 students). The experimental class adopted PAL with modular teaching, while the control class adopted the online and offline hybrid teaching method. The two classes were compared for teaching effects in terms of the completion rate of task points, final assessment scores, and questionnaire results. SPSS 19.0 was used to perform the independent samples t-test and the chi-square test. Results:The final exam scores for the objective questions of the experimental class and the control class were (43.04±3.25) and (40.24±8.64), respectively; the scores for the subjective items were (44.49±2.80) and (39.21±5.71), respectively; and the total scores were (87.53±4.24) and (79.40±12.08), respectively, all with significant differences between the two classes. There were significant differences in students' learning autonomy, micro-video preview rate, problem discussion participation rate, unit self-test participation rate, and after-class homework completion rate. The questionnaire survey showed that students in the experimental class believed that this teaching model was helpful for improving students' comprehensive qualities.Conclusions:PAL combined with modular teaching can effectively improve physiology teaching effects and students' learning autonomy and comprehensive abilities.

Objective To construct a prediction model for postoperative healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in elderly patients with hip fracture,analyze the economic burden,provide a reference and basis for the development of clinical prevention and control programs.Methods 627 elderly patients who underwent hip fracture surgery in a hospital from January 1,2017 to May 31,2023 were selected as the study subjects.Patients were randomly divided into a modeling group and a validation group at a 7:3 ratio.A logistic regression prediction model was constructed based on data from the modeling group,the discriminant and consistency of the model were evaluated by receiver ope-rating characteristic(ROC)curve and Hosmer-Lemeshow test,and the direct economic burden of postoperative HAI in patients was analyzed with 1∶1 propensity score matching(PSM).Results The incidence of postoperative HAI in elderly patients with hip fracture surgery was 12.1％,with pulmonary infection being the most common(52.6％).Logistic regression analysis showed that male,old age,perioperative disturbance of consciousness,gradeⅣ of American Society of Anesthesiologists(ASA)classification,low albumin level,and intensive care unit(ICU)admission were all independent risk factors for postoperative HAI in patients(all P＜0.05).There was good model discrimination and consistency between the training and validation groups in predicting the risk of postoperative HAI.The direct economic burden of postoperative HAI in patients was 7 927.4 Yuan,of which the burden of wes-tern medicine was the largest(3 139.7 Yuan).HAI prolonged patients hospitalization time by 3.6 days.Conclusion Postoperative HAI increases the economic burden of patients,the nomogram model constructed in this study can effectively predict the risk of postoperative HAI in patients,which can provide a basis for the early identification,as well as the implementation of targeted preventive and diagnostic measures for high-risk patients in the clinic.

Objective To investigate whether microRNA(miR)-199a-5p regulates blood-brain barrier(BBB)integrity through PI3K/Akt pathway after cerebral ischemia.Methods A permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)model was established in SPF adult male SD rats.Totally 48 rats were randomly divided into sham group(n=12),model group(n=12),MCAO+miR-199a-5p group(n=12),and MCAO+miR-199a-5p negative control group(n=12).The Ludmila Bellayev 12 point score was used to evaluate the neurobehavioral performance of rats;The integrity of the BBB after ischemia stroke was detected through Evans blue staining;Immunofluorescent staining was used to determine apoptosis after cerebral ischemia;Western blotting technology was used to detect the protein expression of claudin-5,phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase regulatory subunit 2(PIK3R2),p-Akt,Akt,and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)-A;Real-time PCR was used to investigate the expression levels of miR-199a-5p,claudin-5,and VEGF-A in the ischemic penumbra and infarcted area of the brain.Results The result showed that miR-199a-5p mimic intervention improved proprioception and motor ability in MCAO rats.MiR-199a-5p mimic reduced the expression of PIK3R2 following ischemia stroke,activated the Akt signaling pathway,and increased the expression of claudin-5 and VEGF-A in the ischemic penumbra.In addition,miR-199a-5p alleviated inflammation after cerebral ischemia.MiR-199a-5p mimic reduced BBB permeability and reduced neuronal apoptosis after cerebral ischemia.Conclusion MiR-199a-5p can reduce the expression of PIK3R2 following ischemic stroke,activate the Akt signaling pathway,reduce the expression of inflammatory cytokines,and alleviate the damage to the blood-brain barrier.

Objective To verify the application effect of the muscle strength training based on Fogg behavior model for elderly frail patients,and provide references and bases for subsequent related research.Methods This paper constructed a muscle strength training program for elderly frail patients based on the Fogg behavior model.The exercise intervention process includes the stages of cultivating exercise awareness,scientific fitness guidance,and developing exercise habits.66 elderly frail people aged 60 and above who were hospitalized in 4 geriatric wards of a tertiary A hospital in Beijing from January to March 2022 were recruited,and they were randomly divided into a control group and an intervention group.The intervention group implemented a muscle strength training based on the Fogg behavior model,while the control group was given routine exercise guidance and education for 6 months.The muscle strength,cardiopulmonary function,and glucose and lipid metabolism of the 2 groups were compared at the end of 3 and 6 months of intervention.Results A total of 65 patients with 33 in the control group and 32 in the intervention group completed the study.The muscle strength of the intervention group showed better changes over time at 6 months compared to the control group(P<0.05).In terms of cardiopulmonary function,the intervention group had better lung capacity than the control group at 3 and 6 months,with statistically significant differences(t=2.166,P=0.034;t=3.385,P=0.001).There was no statistically significant difference in heart rates and left ventricular ejection fraction between the groups(P>0.05).In terms of glucose and lipid metabolism,only high-density lipoprotein in the intervention group was found to be superior to it in the control group at 3 and 6 months,with statistically significant differences(t=2.970,P=0.004;t=4.111,P<0.001).There was no statistically significant difference between blood glucose,low-density lipoprotein,total cholesterol,and triglycerides groups(P>0.05).Conclusion The muscle strength training based on the Fogg behavior model can effectively improve the muscle strength and lung function of frail elderly patients,and can also improve blood lipid metabolism to a certain extent,while there is no obvious effect on heart function and blood glucose control.

Objective:To investigate blood glucose management in elderly diabetic patients and the factors that affected achieving high rates of achieving it.Methods:The quality of blood glucose control by elderly diabetic patients who visited five community health service centers in Beijing in June 2022 was surveyed retrospectively using a questionnaire.Participants were divided into the high-quality group and not high-quality groups by the criteria of glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA 1C)<7% without hypoglycemia and weight gain.Single factor analysis and multiple-stepwise Logistic regression analysis were used to identify the relative risk of factors affecting the achievement of good glucose management. Results:A total of 287 valid questionnaires were collected, including 80 cases(27.9%)in the high-quality group and 207 cases(72.1%)in the not high-quality group.There were significant differences in sex, course of disease, occurrence of hypoglycemia, number of chronic complications, medication, alcohol consumption, dietary changes, missed medication doses, prolonged outpatient visit intervals, and depressive mood between the two groups( P<0.05).Multivariate stepwise logistic regression analysis showed that insulin use, missed medication ≥ 1 time/week, and prolonged outpatient visit intervals were independent risk factors for good control( P<0.05). Conclusions:The percentage of elderly diabetes patients with good blood glucose control was low.Factors affecting the rate included insulin use, medication compliance, and prolonged outpatient visit intervals.

AIM To identify the in vivo metabolites of Cynanchum auriculatum Royle ex Wight extract in functional dyspepsia rats by UHPLC Q-Exactive Plus Orbitrap HRMS.METHODS The rat models for functional dyspepsia were established.The analysis was performed on a 40℃ thermostatic Hypersil GOLD C18 column(2.1 mm×100 mm,1.9 μm),with the mobile phase comprising of water(containing 0.1％formic acid)-acetonitrile(containing 0.1％formic acid)flowing at 0.3 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and electrospray ionization source was adopted in positive and negative ion scanning.RESULTS Total 4 prototypes(baishouwubenzophenone,deacylmetaplexigenin,qingyangshengenin,syringic)and 110 metabolites were identified,12 of which were common metabolites in feces and urine,56 of which were unique metabolites in urine,42 of which were unique metabolites in feces.The metabolic pathway of prototypes contained phase Ⅰ metabolism(reduction,oxidization,etc.),phase Ⅱ metabolism(sulfonation,glucuronidation,etc.)and phase Ⅰ,Ⅱ composite reactions.CONCLUSION This effective and comprehensive method can lay the theoretical foundation for further discovery of potential active metabolites in C.auriculatum.

ABSTARCT Purpose To investigate the clinicopathologic characteristics and genetic mutations of metastatic follicular thy-roid carcinoma(FTC).Methods A total of 22 cases of meta-static FTC were collected,including previous medical history,imaging,treatments and outcomes,and next-generation sequen-cing study and Sanger sequencing were performed in 12 cases.Results There were 16 women and 6 men.Sixteen cases were older than 50 years.Seven cases presented with metastases as the first symptom.Fourteen cases developed metastases 3 to 12 years after thyroid surgery.Sixteen cases developed bone metas-tasis,10 cases had lung metastasis,and 3 cases had brain me-tastasis.Those patients with multiple bone metastases progressed during the follow-up period.The common gene mutations in me-tastases were NRAS p.Q61R(6 cases),HRAS p.Q61R(2 ca-ses)and KRAS p.Q61R(1 case),followed by TERT promoter mutation(8 cases).Other mutated genes included KEL,BRCA1/2,ALK,ROS1,ErbB4,etc.Conclusion FTC has a high misdiagnosis rate.Those diagnosed with FTC should under-go regular systemic examinations to detect potential metastasis,especially in bone,lung,and brain.Further research on the sig-nificance of NRAS and other molecular indicators in FTC metas-tasis will help to better predict its biological behaviors.

OBJECTIVE: The study aimed to estimate the benchmark dose (BMD) of coke oven emissions (COEs) exposure based on mitochondrial damage with the mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn) as a biomarker. METHODS: A total of 782 subjects were recruited, including 238 controls and 544 exposed workers. The mtDNAcn of peripheral leukocytes was detected through the real-time fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Three BMD approaches were used to calculate the BMD of COEs exposure based on the mitochondrial damage and its 95% confidence lower limit (BMDL). RESULTS: The mtDNAcn of the exposure group was lower than that of the control group (0.60 ± 0.29 vs. 1.03 ± 0.31; P < 0.001). A dose-response relationship was shown between the mtDNAcn damage and COEs. Using the Benchmark Dose Software, the occupational exposure limits (OELs) for COEs exposure in males was 0.00190 mg/m ³. The OELs for COEs exposure using the BBMD were 0.00170 mg/m ³ for the total population, 0.00158 mg/m ³ for males, and 0.00174 mg/m ³ for females. In possible risk obtained from animal studies (PROAST), the OELs of the total population, males, and females were 0.00184, 0.00178, and 0.00192 mg/m ³, respectively. CONCLUSION Based on our conservative estimate, the BMDL of mitochondrial damage caused by COEs is 0.002 mg/m ³. This value will provide a benchmark for determining possible OELs.
Male ; Female ; Animals ; Coke ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Benchmarking ; Occupational Exposure/analysis* ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics* ; DNA Damage