OBJECTIVE: To investigate the common mechanisms among collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis, and CIA+BLM to evaluate the therapeutic effect of triptolide (TP) on CIA+BLM. METHODS: Thirty-six male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups according to a random number table (n=6 per group): normal control (NC), CIA, BLM, combined CIA+BLM model, TP low-dose (TP-L, 0.0931 mg/kg), and TP high-dose (TP-H, 0.1862 mg/kg) groups. The CIA model was induced by intradermal injection at the base of the tail with emulsion of bovine type II collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant (1:1), with 200 µL administered on day 0 and a booster of 100 µL on day 7. Pulmonary fibrosis was induced via a single intratracheal injection of BLM (5 mg/kg). The CIA+BLM model combined both protocols, and TP was administered orally from day 14 to 35. After successful modeling, arthritis scores were recorded every 3 days, and pulmonary function was assessed once at the end of the treatment period. Lung tissues were collected for histological analysis (hematoxylin eosin and Masson staining), immunohistochemistry, measurement of hydroxyproline (HYP) content, and calculation of lung coefficient. In addition, HE staining was performed on the ankle joint. Total RNA was extracted from lung tissues for transcriptomic analysis. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were compared with those from the RA-associated interstitial lung diseases patient dataset GSE199152 to identify overlapping genes, which were then used to construct a protein-protein interaction network. Hub genes were identified using multiple topological algorithms. RESULTS: The successfully established CIA+BLM rat model exhibited significantly increased arthritis scores and severe pulmonary fibrosis (P<0.01). By intersecting the DEGs obtained from transcriptomic analysis of lung tissues in CIA, BLM, and CIA+BLM rats with DEGs from rheumatoid arthritis-interstitial lung disease patients (GSE199152 dataset), 50 upregulated and 44 downregulated genes were identified. Through integrated PPI network analysis using multiple topological algorithms, IGF1 was identified as a central hub gene. TP intervention significantly improved pulmonary function by increasing peak inspiratory flow (P<0.01), and reduced lung index and HYP content (P<0.01). Histopathological analysis showed that TP alleviated alveolar collapse, interstitial thickening, and collagen deposition in the lung tissues (P<0.01). Moreover, TP treatment reduced the expression of collagen type I and α-SMA and increased E-cadherin levels (P<0.01). TP also significantly reduced arthritis scores and ameliorated synovial inflammation (P<0.05). Both transcriptomic and immunohistochemical analyses confirmed that IGF1 expression was elevated in the CIA+BLM group and downregulated following TP treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION TP exerts protective effects in the CIA+BLM model by alleviating arthritis and pulmonary fibrosis through the inhibition of IGF1-mediated EMT.
Animals ; Pulmonary Fibrosis/complications* ; Bleomycin/adverse effects* ; Phenanthrenes/pharmacology* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Diterpenes/pharmacology* ; Epoxy Compounds/therapeutic use* ; Arthritis, Experimental/complications* ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor I/metabolism* ; Rats ; Lung/physiopathology*

Taxifolin (TAX) is a natural compound known for its liver protection effect, but the mechanism remains unknown. Phosphorylated proteomics analyses discovered that the phosphorylation level of NDRG1 at T328 was a key event of TAX-improved liver fibrosis. We established models with NDRG1 knockout (KO) in vivo and in vitro, demonstrating that NDRG1 KO attenuated the development of hepatocyte injury, and combining NDRG1 KO and TAX administration did not result in a reduction in protection against liver injury. Cellular thermal shift assay and surface plasma resonance analysis showed that TAX directly binds to NDRG1 rather than its upstream kinase, subsequently demonstrating that TAX regulated phosphorylation of NDRG1 at T328 through binding to its C289 site. NDRG1 T328A (phosphorylated mutation) and T328E (mimic phosphorylation) in vivo and in vitro confirmed that pNDRG1_T328 exacerbates hepatocyte injury along with DNA damage, inflammatory response, and apoptosis, thereby contributing to hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) activation. In contrast, TAX can inhibit the above pathological abnormalities and block hepatocyte injury-triggered HSCs activation and fibrosis. Overall, TAX is a potent liver protection drug primarily targeting NDRG1 and inhibiting pNDRG1_T328 in hepatocytes.

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.

Intracranial or extracranial artery stenosis is the major reason of ischemic stroke,which leads to insufficient cerebral blood flow perfusion and triggers cerebral dysfunction.The detection rate of unruptured intracranial aneurysm(UIA)combined with intracranial or extracranial artery stenosis is increasing with advances in diagnostic techniques for cerebrovascular disease.Due to the complexity of location and hemodynamic implications,there is no consensus on the treatment of UIA combined with intracranial or extracranial artery stenosis.This article summarized several types of UIA combined with intracranial or extracranial artery stenosis in terms of anatomical location,hemodynamics,and therapy strategies,aiming to provide references for clinical interventionalists.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy,safety and economy of three Janus kinase inhibitors in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)using a rapid health technology assessment method,and to provide a basis for drug access and rational clinical use.Methods PubMed,Cochrane Library,Embase,CNKI,WanFang Data databases and the official websites of foreign health technology assessment(HTA)institutions were searched electronically to collect HTA reports,systematic reviews/Meta-analysis and pharmacoeconomics studies of tofacitinib,baricitinib,and upadacitinib in the treatment of RA from inception to December 31,2024.Two reviewers independently screened the literature,extracted information and performed quality assessment of the included studies,and then performed descriptive analysis on the results.Results A total of 16 literature were included,including 12 systematic reviews/Meta-analysis and 4 pharmacoeconomic studies.In terms of efficacy,taking the American College of Rheumatology(ACR)evaluation criteria for symptom relief 20％(ACR20),ACR50,ACR70 and disease activity score 28(DAS28)＜2.6 response rates as the efficacy indicators,upadacitinib 30 mg and upadacitinib 15 mg had better effectiveness in the treatment of RA patients.In terms of safety,the incidence of adverse drug events was the lowest in RA patients treated with 15 mg of upadacitinib.The incidence of serious adverse drug events in RA patients treated with tofacitinib 5 mg was the lowest.In terms of economy,compared with tofacitinib and baricitinib,upadacitinib 15 mg was the most economical.Conclusion Upadacitinib 15 mg has better efficacy,safety and economy in the treatment of RA patients.

Intracranial or extracranial artery stenosis is the major reason of ischemic stroke,which leads to insufficient cerebral blood flow perfusion and triggers cerebral dysfunction.The detection rate of unruptured intracranial aneurysm(UIA)combined with intracranial or extracranial artery stenosis is increasing with advances in diagnostic techniques for cerebrovascular disease.Due to the complexity of location and hemodynamic implications,there is no consensus on the treatment of UIA combined with intracranial or extracranial artery stenosis.This article summarized several types of UIA combined with intracranial or extracranial artery stenosis in terms of anatomical location,hemodynamics,and therapy strategies,aiming to provide references for clinical interventionalists.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy,safety and economy of three Janus kinase inhibitors in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA)using a rapid health technology assessment method,and to provide a basis for drug access and rational clinical use.Methods PubMed,Cochrane Library,Embase,CNKI,WanFang Data databases and the official websites of foreign health technology assessment(HTA)institutions were searched electronically to collect HTA reports,systematic reviews/Meta-analysis and pharmacoeconomics studies of tofacitinib,baricitinib,and upadacitinib in the treatment of RA from inception to December 31,2024.Two reviewers independently screened the literature,extracted information and performed quality assessment of the included studies,and then performed descriptive analysis on the results.Results A total of 16 literature were included,including 12 systematic reviews/Meta-analysis and 4 pharmacoeconomic studies.In terms of efficacy,taking the American College of Rheumatology(ACR)evaluation criteria for symptom relief 20％(ACR20),ACR50,ACR70 and disease activity score 28(DAS28)＜2.6 response rates as the efficacy indicators,upadacitinib 30 mg and upadacitinib 15 mg had better effectiveness in the treatment of RA patients.In terms of safety,the incidence of adverse drug events was the lowest in RA patients treated with 15 mg of upadacitinib.The incidence of serious adverse drug events in RA patients treated with tofacitinib 5 mg was the lowest.In terms of economy,compared with tofacitinib and baricitinib,upadacitinib 15 mg was the most economical.Conclusion Upadacitinib 15 mg has better efficacy,safety and economy in the treatment of RA patients.

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 develop an intelligent horizontal rotating cell culture device with high modularity,easy operation,easy disinfection,low cost and high stability.Methods The cell culture device consisted of a rotating culture module,a dirve module,a control module and control software,with the shells of all the modules being manufactured by 3D printing.The rotating culture module was composed of a tubular electrospun scaffold,a cell culture chamber,a magnetic coupling rotor and polypropylene pipeline;the drive module was made up of a N20 reduction motor and a magnetic coupling rotor;the control module included an ESP-8266 chip and a printed circuit board;the control software was developed with Blinker IoT platform and C++language.The device was used to culture human intrahepatic bile duct epithelial cells to verify its effects.Results Light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy images showed that a uniform and continuous cell layer was formed on the surface of the tubular electrospun scaffold.Conclusion The intelligent horizontal rotating cell culture device achieves uniform growth of cells on the inner surface of tubular electrospun scaffolds,and can be used as an effective platform for cell culture on tubular scaffolds.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(9):41-45]

Objective To investigate the effect of varying ureteral wall thickness(UWT)at the site of ureteral stones on the clinical efficacy of ureteroscopic lithotripsy(URL).Methods The clinical data of 164 patients with ureteral stones in our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.According to different UWT,the patients were divided into the mild thickening group(84 cases,UWT<3.16 mm),the moderate thickening group(31 cases,UWT 3.16 to 3.49 mm),and the severe thickening group(49 cases,UWT>3.49 mm),and the differences of clinical related indicators among the three groups were compared.Results The incidence of postoperative renal colic and leukocyte disorder in the mild thickening group and the moderate thickening group were lower than those in the severe thickening group,and the differences were statistically significant(P<0.05).The postoperative catheterization time in the mild thickening group and the moderate thickening group were shorter than that in the severe thickening group,and the incidences of secondary lithotripsy,residual stones and stone return to kidney in the mild thickening group and the moderate thickening group were lower than those in the severe thickening group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).The length of hospital stay and hospitalization cost in the mild thickening group and the moderate thickening group were shorter/less than those in the severe thickening group,with statistically significant differences(P<0.05).Conclusion With the increase of UWT(especially when UWT>3.49 mm),the incidence of postoperative complications and hospitalization cost of URL increase to varying degrees,and the surgical efficacy decreases.In clinical work,UWT measurement holds potential value in predicting the surgical efficacy and complications of URL.