BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) poses a major global health challenge, often foreshadowing poor patient outcomes. The C-reactive protein to albumin ratio (CAR) serves as a pivotal biomarker, demonstrating a strong correlation with adverse outcomes in cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study sought to examine the correlation between CAR and the risk of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in patients with CKD stages 3-5. METHODS: This study utilized data of CKD patients from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2010, with follow-up to December 31, 2019. The optimal CAR cutoff value was identified utilizing the method of maximally selected rank statistics. Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression model, restricted cubic splines (RCS) model, and subgroup analysis were employed to assess the association between CAR and mortality among CKD patients. RESULTS: During a median (with interquartile range) follow-up period of 115 (112,117) months among 2,841 CKD individuals, 1,893 deaths were observed, including 692 deaths due to CVD events. Based on the RCS analysis, a non-linear correlation was observed between CAR and mortality. Using 0.3 as the optimal CAR cutoff value, the cohort was divided into high and low groups. In the fully adjusted model, CKD patients with high CAR values exhibited an elevated risk of all-cause mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 1.53, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.28-1.83, P < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (HR 1.48, 95% CI 1.08-2.02, P = 0.014). Compared to the population aged >65 years (HR 1.32, 95% CI 0.99-1.76, P = 0.064), the risk of cardiovascular mortality was significantly higher in those aged ≤65 years (HR 2.19, 95% CI 1.18-4.09, P = 0.014) with elevated CAR levels. CONCLUSIONS A notable correlation exists between the elevation of CAR and increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality, suggesting its potential as an independent indicator for evaluating the prognosis of patients with CKD stages 3-5.
Humans ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology* ; Cardiovascular Diseases/blood* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; C-Reactive Protein/metabolism* ; Aged ; Biomarkers/blood* ; Nutrition Surveys ; Adult ; United States/epidemiology* ; Serum Albumin/analysis*

Objective:To explore the distribution characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) antibody detection data in hospital, provide data reference for the prevention and control of MP infections.Methods:A single-center retrospective study was conducted on 20 639 patients with suspected Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection from March 2017 to February 2024 at the outpatient, emergency, and inpatient departments of Peking University Third Hospital. The age range was from 0 to 105 years, with 11 286 males and 9 353 females. The passive agglutination method was used to detect MP antibodies in patient serum, and SPSS 22.0 statistical software was used for statistical analysis. The χ2 test was used to analyze the differences in positive rates of MP antibodies among different genders, age groups, seasons, years, and antibody titers. The trend χ2 test was used to analyze the trend of detection rates with age changes. Results:Among the 20 639 patients, the positive rate of MP antibodies was 23.19%(4 786/20 639), with a higher positive rate in females was 27.16%(2 540/9 353) compared to males (19.90%, 2 246/11 286; χ2=151.191, P<0.01). The positive rate in children was 37.13%(2 731/7 356)significantly higher than in adults(15.47%, 2 055/13 283; χ2=1 246.433, P<0.01). The 6 to <12 year age group (63.11%, 1 223/1 938) had the highest positive rate of MP antibodies, followed by 12 to <18 year old group (56.78%, 385/678). The positive rate of MP antibodies increased with age from 0 to 12 years old but gradually decreased after 12 to <18 years old ( χ2=3 848.393, P trend<0.01). The annual MP antibody positivity rates from 2017 to 2023 were 26.92%, 29.23%, 27.46%, 18.43%, 17.16%, 11.89%, and 23.72%, respectively, with statistically significant differences among the years ( χ2=387.519, P<0.01). The MP antibody positive rate was high in autumn over the course of 7 years ( χ2=242.560, P<0.01). The positive rates of MP antibodies for the years 2017-2019, 2020-2022, and 2023-2024 are (28.00%, 16.60%, 21.84%), respectively, with statistically significant differences among the three periods( χ2=295.845, P<0.01).The monthly positive rates of MP antibody in different years were (5.63% to 43.11%). In the MP antibody titer, qualitative testing was conducted on 4 563 patients and 16 076 patients had a semi-quantitative MP antibody titer of ≥1∶160 with a positive rate of 16.03%(2 577/16 076). Among the proportion of children with high titers of MP antibodies ≥1∶1 280 was 11.11%(798/7 182). Conclusion:The positive rates of MP antibodies in hospital in the Beijing area vary among different genders, ages, and seasons, with a higher incidence in autumn, mainly among children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies found that Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract prolongs slow-wave sleep and promotes growth hormone secretion in mice by increasing the expression of brain tissue serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1AR),which binds to serotonin,thus leading to bone growth. Serotonin 1A receptor acts as a protein,and its expression abundance is regulated by miRNAs. The authors hypothesized that Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract may regulate the expression of 5-HT1AR through miRNAs and thus exert drug effects. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract on bone growth by regulating the miR-7b-3p/5-HT1AR pathway in mouse brain tissue. METHODS:(1) Kunming mice were divided into a normal control group,a drug administration group (gavage administration of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract 0.320 mg/g),a positive control group (gavage administration of jujuboside 0.013 mg/g),a Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract+5-HT1AR selective inhibitor group (8 μg of P-MPPF,a 5-HTIAR selective inhibitor,was injected into the lateral ventricle every day for the last 3 days during the gavage administration of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract). After 25 days,the effects of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract on bone growth,serum growth hormone level and brain 5-HT1AR expression were observed. (2) Then the chip method was used to observe differentially expressed miRNAs in the brain tissues of growing mice and ordinary mice. PCR validation and dual luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed the regulatory relationship between the screened Mir-7B-3p and 5-HT1AR. (3) Mouse cerebral cortical cells were cultured and identified in vitro,and the effect of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract on 5-HT1AR expression in cerebral cortical cells was observed using western blot. (4) Kunming mice were divided into a normal control group,a medication group,a miR-7b-3p inhibitor group,a medication+5-HT1AR inhibitor group,and a positive control group. The expression of 5-HT1AR in brain tissues of mice and the binding activity of 5-HT and 5-HT1AR were observed. (5) Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a normal control group,a medication group,a miR-7b-3p inhibitor group,a medication+miR-7b-3p mimics group and a positive control group. Changes in slow wave sleep in mice were observed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract could promote the growth of body length and tibia,growth hormone secretion,and brain tissue 5-HT1AR level in mice. (2) The number of differentially expressed miRNAs screened by GeneChip was 16,of which 13 were up-regulated and 3 were down-regulated. Bioinformatics results predicted that down-regulation of miR-7b-3p could regulate 5-HT1AR expression,and dual-luciferase reporter gene experiments confirmed a direct regulatory relationship between the two. (3) Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract and silencing of miR-7b-3p expression in cerebral cortical cells could cause high expression of 5-HT1AR. After silencing of miR-7b-3p,5-HT1AR expression,binding activity of serotonin and 5-HT1AR and growth hormone secretion in mouse brain tissue were all elevated. After overexpression of miR-7b-3p,5-HT1AR expression,binding activity of serotonin and 5-HT1AR and growth hormone secretion were all reduced. Accordingly,the slow-wave sleep period in mice was also prolonged or shortened. To conclude,Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract can reduce the level of miR-7b-3p and increase the expression of 5-HT1AR in brain tissue to prolong slow wave sleep and promote the secretion of growth hormone,thereby playing a postive effect on bone growth. These findings provide a scientific basis for the use of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract as a potential measure to promote bone growth.

Objective:To explore the distribution characteristics of Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) antibody detection data in hospital, provide data reference for the prevention and control of MP infections.Methods:A single-center retrospective study was conducted on 20 639 patients with suspected Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) infection from March 2017 to February 2024 at the outpatient, emergency, and inpatient departments of Peking University Third Hospital. The age range was from 0 to 105 years, with 11 286 males and 9 353 females. The passive agglutination method was used to detect MP antibodies in patient serum, and SPSS 22.0 statistical software was used for statistical analysis. The χ2 test was used to analyze the differences in positive rates of MP antibodies among different genders, age groups, seasons, years, and antibody titers. The trend χ2 test was used to analyze the trend of detection rates with age changes. Results:Among the 20 639 patients, the positive rate of MP antibodies was 23.19%(4 786/20 639), with a higher positive rate in females was 27.16%(2 540/9 353) compared to males (19.90%, 2 246/11 286; χ2=151.191, P<0.01). The positive rate in children was 37.13%(2 731/7 356)significantly higher than in adults(15.47%, 2 055/13 283; χ2=1 246.433, P<0.01). The 6 to <12 year age group (63.11%, 1 223/1 938) had the highest positive rate of MP antibodies, followed by 12 to <18 year old group (56.78%, 385/678). The positive rate of MP antibodies increased with age from 0 to 12 years old but gradually decreased after 12 to <18 years old ( χ2=3 848.393, P trend<0.01). The annual MP antibody positivity rates from 2017 to 2023 were 26.92%, 29.23%, 27.46%, 18.43%, 17.16%, 11.89%, and 23.72%, respectively, with statistically significant differences among the years ( χ2=387.519, P<0.01). The MP antibody positive rate was high in autumn over the course of 7 years ( χ2=242.560, P<0.01). The positive rates of MP antibodies for the years 2017-2019, 2020-2022, and 2023-2024 are (28.00%, 16.60%, 21.84%), respectively, with statistically significant differences among the three periods( χ2=295.845, P<0.01).The monthly positive rates of MP antibody in different years were (5.63% to 43.11%). In the MP antibody titer, qualitative testing was conducted on 4 563 patients and 16 076 patients had a semi-quantitative MP antibody titer of ≥1∶160 with a positive rate of 16.03%(2 577/16 076). Among the proportion of children with high titers of MP antibodies ≥1∶1 280 was 11.11%(798/7 182). Conclusion:The positive rates of MP antibodies in hospital in the Beijing area vary among different genders, ages, and seasons, with a higher incidence in autumn, mainly among children and adolescents.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies found that Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract prolongs slow-wave sleep and promotes growth hormone secretion in mice by increasing the expression of brain tissue serotonin 1A receptor (5-HT1AR),which binds to serotonin,thus leading to bone growth. Serotonin 1A receptor acts as a protein,and its expression abundance is regulated by miRNAs. The authors hypothesized that Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract may regulate the expression of 5-HT1AR through miRNAs and thus exert drug effects. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract on bone growth by regulating the miR-7b-3p/5-HT1AR pathway in mouse brain tissue. METHODS:(1) Kunming mice were divided into a normal control group,a drug administration group (gavage administration of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract 0.320 mg/g),a positive control group (gavage administration of jujuboside 0.013 mg/g),a Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract+5-HT1AR selective inhibitor group (8 μg of P-MPPF,a 5-HTIAR selective inhibitor,was injected into the lateral ventricle every day for the last 3 days during the gavage administration of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract). After 25 days,the effects of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract on bone growth,serum growth hormone level and brain 5-HT1AR expression were observed. (2) Then the chip method was used to observe differentially expressed miRNAs in the brain tissues of growing mice and ordinary mice. PCR validation and dual luciferase reporter gene assay confirmed the regulatory relationship between the screened Mir-7B-3p and 5-HT1AR. (3) Mouse cerebral cortical cells were cultured and identified in vitro,and the effect of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract on 5-HT1AR expression in cerebral cortical cells was observed using western blot. (4) Kunming mice were divided into a normal control group,a medication group,a miR-7b-3p inhibitor group,a medication+5-HT1AR inhibitor group,and a positive control group. The expression of 5-HT1AR in brain tissues of mice and the binding activity of 5-HT and 5-HT1AR were observed. (5) Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into a normal control group,a medication group,a miR-7b-3p inhibitor group,a medication+miR-7b-3p mimics group and a positive control group. Changes in slow wave sleep in mice were observed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract could promote the growth of body length and tibia,growth hormone secretion,and brain tissue 5-HT1AR level in mice. (2) The number of differentially expressed miRNAs screened by GeneChip was 16,of which 13 were up-regulated and 3 were down-regulated. Bioinformatics results predicted that down-regulation of miR-7b-3p could regulate 5-HT1AR expression,and dual-luciferase reporter gene experiments confirmed a direct regulatory relationship between the two. (3) Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract and silencing of miR-7b-3p expression in cerebral cortical cells could cause high expression of 5-HT1AR. After silencing of miR-7b-3p,5-HT1AR expression,binding activity of serotonin and 5-HT1AR and growth hormone secretion in mouse brain tissue were all elevated. After overexpression of miR-7b-3p,5-HT1AR expression,binding activity of serotonin and 5-HT1AR and growth hormone secretion were all reduced. Accordingly,the slow-wave sleep period in mice was also prolonged or shortened. To conclude,Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract can reduce the level of miR-7b-3p and increase the expression of 5-HT1AR in brain tissue to prolong slow wave sleep and promote the secretion of growth hormone,thereby playing a postive effect on bone growth. These findings provide a scientific basis for the use of Semen Ziziphi Spinosae extract as a potential measure to promote bone growth.