Background Arsenic is an environmentally harmful substance that causes hepatic insulin resistance and liver damage, increasing the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Objective To explore whether the insulin-like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 2 (IGF2BP2) is involved in insulin resistance in HepG2 cells after arsenic exposure through the peroxisome-proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPAR-γ) / glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) pathway. Methods Cell viability was determined using cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) and an appropriate NaAsO₂ infection dose was determined. A cellular arsenic exposure model of HepG2 cells was established by four concentrations of NaAsO₂ solution for 24 h (the experiment was divided into four groups: 0, 2, 4, and 8 μmol·L⁻¹); HepG2 cells were firstly treated with pcDNA3.1-IGF2BP2 and pcDNA3.1-NC respectively for 6 h, then with 8 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ for 24 h to establish a IGF2BP2 overexpression cell model (the experiment was divided into 4 groups: control, NaAsO₂, NaAsO₂+pcDNA3.1-IGF2BP2, and NaAsO₂+pcDNA3.1-NC); finally the cells were subject to 100 nmol·L⁻¹ insulin stimulation for 30 min. Glycogen and glucose in HepG2 cells were determined by glycogen and glucose assay kits; mRNA expression levels of IGF2BP2 were measured by quantitative real-time PCR; protein expression levels of IGF2BP2, PPAR-γ, and GLUT4 in HepG2 were detected by Western blot (WB); and the binding of IGF2BP2 to PPAR-γ and PPAR-γ to GLUT4 was verified by co-immunoprecipitation (CO-IP) experiment. Results The results of CCK8 experiment showed a dose-effect relationship between NaAsO₂ concentration and cell viability. When the concentration of NaAsO₂ was ≥4 μmol·L⁻¹ , the cell viabilities were lower than that of the control group (P <0.05). With the increasing dose of NaAsO₂ infection, reduced glucose consumption and glycogen levels in HepG2 cells were found in the 2, 4, and 8 μmol·L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ treatment groups compared to the control group (P <0.05). The difference between the mRNA expression level of IGF2BP2 in the HepG2 cells treated with 4 or 8 μmol L⁻¹ NaAsO₂ and the control group was significant (P <0.05). In the IGF2BP2 overexpression cell model, compared with the control group, glucose consumption and glycogen levels were lowered in the NaAsO₂ group (P <0.05), the mRNA expression level of IGF2BP2 and the protein expression levels of IGF2BP2, PPAR-γ, and GLUT4 in the cell membrane were all decreased (P <0.05). Compared with the NaAsO₂ group, the glucose consumption and glycogen levels were increased in the NaAsO₂+pcDNA3.1-IGF2BP2 group (P <0.05), and the mRNA expression level of IGF2BP2 and the protein expression levels of IGF2BP2, PPAR-γ, and GLUT4 in the cell membrane were all increased (P <0.05). The results of CO-IP experiments showed that IGF2BP2 interacted with PPAR-γ as well as PPAR-γ with GLUT4 protein. Conclusion IGF2BP2 is involved in arsenic exposure-induced insulin resistance in HepG2 cells by acting on the PPAR-γ/GLUT4 pathway.

[Objective] To analyse the distribution of antigen phenotypes in the Rh, MNS and Kidd blood group systems of Han and Tujia blood donors in Chongqing, and to provide data support for the establishment of an expanded blood group antigen phenotype database and the development of expanded blood group coordinated transfusion in blood donors. [Methods] The antigens of Rh, MNS and Kidd blood group systems in Han and Tujia blood donors in Chongqing were detected by test-tube method, and the Hardy-Weinborg anastomosis of the three blood group systems was calculated. Pearson's chi-square test and Fisher's exact probability method were used to compare the differences in phenotypic distribution frequencies among different regions and ethnic groups. [Results] Han and Tujia blood donors accounted for the highest proportion of CCee in the antigenic phenotype of the Rh blood group system, followed by CcEe, and then Ccee and ccEE. Tujia blood donors accounted for 52.02% of CCee, which was higher than that of Han blood donors (47.24%), while Han blood donors accounted for 32.20% of CcEe, which was higher than that of Tujia blood donors (28.94%). In the antigenic phenotype of the MNS blood group system, the blood donors of Han nationality and Tujia were MN>MM>NN,. The antigen phenotype distribution frequency of the Kidd blood group system was highest for Jk(a+b+) among both Han and Tujia blood donors, and the blood donors of Han nationality were Jk(a+b+)>Jk(a+b+), while those of Tujia were Jk(a-b+)>Jk(a+b-). The antigens of the three blood groups of Han and Tujia blood donors were consistent with the Hardy-Weinberg balance(P>0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the frequency of antigen phenotypes of the three blood group systems between Han and Tujia blood donors(P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the phenotypic distribution frequency of Rh antigens between Chongqing and Xi'an, Zhejiang, Shantou, Foshan, Nanning and Yangzhou(P<0.05), but not with Guang'an and Shenzhen(P>0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the phenotypic distribution frequency of Rh antigens between Han, Tujia, Zang, Mongolian, Korean and Hani ethnic groups in Chongqing(P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the phenotypic distribution frequency of MNS antigens between Han blood donors in Chongqing and Urumqi, Hainan and Yuncheng, but not with Xi'an and Wenzhou. There was a statistically significant difference in the phenotypic distribution frequency of MNS antigen between Tujia blood donors in Chongqing and Urumqi and Hainan(P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in the phenotypic distribution frequency of MNS antigen between Tujia blood donors in Chongqing, Urumqi and Hainan(P>0.05). There was a statistically significant difference in the phenotypic distribution frequency of Kidd antigens between blood donors in Chongqing and Harbin(P<0.05), but not in Huizhou, Wenzhou and Yichang(P>0.05). [Conclusion] The population in Chongqing has multi-ethnic characteristics, and the antigenic phenotypes of Rh, MNS and Kidd blood group systems exhibit diversity and regional differences. Establishing an expanded blood bank can provide more options for precision blood transfusion.

[Objective] To assess the data characteristics of quality monitoring indicators for red blood cell (RBC) preparations, so as to provide reference for continuous improvement of blood quality. [Methods] The quality inspection data of 6 types of RBC preparations from Chongqing blood center from 2019 to 2023 were summarized. For the same indicators, the numerical range of quality indicators was monitored by comparing different types of preparations with the national standard GB18469. The loss and/or damage to RBCs caused by different preparation process were compared, and the impact of different preparation processes on the quality of RBCs was discussed. [Results] The appearance and sterility test compliance rates of the six types of RBC preparations were both 100%, while the compliance rates of other items were all ≥75%. The compliance rate of hematocrit for suspended RBCs was the lowest at 75%, with a median of 0.52, which was close to the lower limit of GB18469, while the medians of hematocrit for the other types were all at the midline level of GB18469. The Hb content for different types of RBCs was significantly higher than the corresponding requirements of GB18469 (P<0.05). The hemolysis rate at the end of storage for different types of RBCs was significantly lower than the requirements of GB18469 (P<0.05). The 1 U leukoreduction process resulted in a hemoglobin content loss of about 5% and had a significant impact on the hemolysis rate at the end of storage (P<0.05). The washing process resulted in a hemoglobin content loss of <3% and had no significant impact on the hemolysis rate at the end of storage (P>0.05). The concentration process resulted in a hemoglobin content loss of <3% and had a significant impact on the hemolysis rate at the end of storage (P<0.05). [Conclusion] The impact of different processes on RBC preparations is within a controllable range and meets the requirements of GB18469. The quality monitoring data can provide a reference for clinical blood selection, effectiveness evaluation and revision of related standards.

ObjectiveTo establish and validate a new prediction model for the risk of death in patients with acute-on-chronic liver failure （ACLF） based on sarcopenia and other clinical indicators， and to improve the accuracy of prognostic assessment for ACLF patients. MethodsA total of 380 patients with ACLF who were admitted to Beijing YouAn Hospital， Capital Medical University， from January 2019 to January 2022 were enrolled， and they were divided into training group with 228 patients and testing group with 152 patients in a ratio of 6∶4 using the stratified random sampling method. For the training group， CT images were used to measure the cross-sectional area of the skeletal muscle at the third lumbar vertebra （L3）， and L3 skeletal muscle index （L3-SMI） was calculated. Sarcopenia was diagnosed based on the previously established L3-SMI reference values for healthy adults in northern China. Univariate and multivariable Cox regression analyses were used to establish a sarcopenia-ACLF model which integrated sarcopenia and clinical risk factors， and a nomogram was developed for presentation. The area under the ROC curve （AUC） was used to assess the predictive performance of the model， the calibration curve was used to assess the degree of calibration， and a decision curve analysis was used to investigate the clinical application value of the model. The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups， and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to plot survival curves， and the Log-rank test was used for comparison between groups. The DeLong test was used for comparison of AUC between different models. ResultsThe multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that sarcopenia （hazard ratio ［HR］=1.962， 95% confidence interval ［CI］： 1.185‍ ‍—‍ ‍3.250， P=0.009）， total bilirubin （HR=1.003， 95%CI： 1.002‍ ‍—‍ ‍1.005， P<0.001）， international normalized ratio （HR=1.997， 95%CI： 1.674‍ ‍—‍ ‍2.382， P<0.001）， and lactic acid （HR=1.382， 95%CI： 1.170‍ ‍—‍ ‍1.632， P<0.001） were included in the sarcopenia-ACLF model. In the training cohort， the sarcopenia-ACLF model had a larger AUC than MELD-Na score in predicting 90-day mortality in patients with ACLF （0.80 vs 0.73， Z=1.97， P=0.049）. In the test cohort， the sarcopenia-ACLF model had a significantly larger AUC than MELD score （0.79 vs 0.69， Z=2.70， P=0.007） and MELD-Na score （0.79 vs 0.68， Z=2.92， P=0.004）. The calibration curve showed that the model had good calibration ability， with a relatively good consistency between the predicted risk of mortality and the observed results. The DCA results showed that within a reasonable range of threshold probabilities， the sarcopenia-ACLF model showed a greater net benefit than MELD and MELD-Na scores in both the training cohort and the test cohort. ConclusionThe sarcopenia-ACLF model developed in this study provides a more accurate tool for predicting the risk of 90-day mortality in ACLF patients， which provides support for clinical decision-making and helps to optimize treatment strategies.

OBJECTIVE: To review the research progress on the lower limb biomechanical characteristics of patients with discoid lateral meniscus (DLM) injury after surgery. METHODS: By searching relevant domestic and international research literature on DLM, the postoperative characteristics of knee joint movement biomechanics, tibiofemoral joint stress distribution, lower extremity force line, and patellofemoral joint changes in patients with DLM injury were summarized. RESULTS: Surgical treatment can lead to varying degrees of changes in the lower limb biomechanical characteristics of patients with DLM injury. Specifically, the kinematic biomechanics of the knee joint can significantly improve, but there are still problems such as extension deficits in the affected knee joint. The peak stress of the tibiofemoral joint decreases with the increase of the residual meniscus volume, and the degree of change is closely related to the residual meniscus volume. Preserving a larger volume of the meniscus, especially the anterior horn volume, helps to reduce stress concentration. The lower extremity force line will deviate outward after surgery, and the more meniscus is removed during surgery, the greater the change in the lower extremity force line after surgery. There are conditions such as cartilage degeneration, position and angle changes in the patellofemoral joint after surgery. CONCLUSION The changes in the lower limb biomechanical characteristics after DLM injury are closely related to the choice of surgical methods and rehabilitation programs. However, the mechanisms of biomechanical changes in multiple lower limb joints and individual differences still need to be further studied and clarified.
Humans ; Biomechanical Phenomena ; Tibial Meniscus Injuries/physiopathology* ; Menisci, Tibial/physiopathology* ; Knee Joint/surgery* ; Lower Extremity/physiopathology* ; Patellofemoral Joint/physiopathology* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Knee Injuries/physiopathology*

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by persistent inflammation and joint damage, accompanied by the accumulation of plasma cells, which contributes to its pathogenesis. Understanding the genetic alterations occurring during plasma cell differentiation in RA can deepen our comprehension of its pathogenesis and guide the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. Here, our study elucidates the intricate molecular mechanisms underlying plasma cell differentiation by demonstrating that PRDX1 interacts with DOK3 and modulates its degradation by the autophagy-lysosome pathway. This interaction results in the inhibition of plasma cell differentiation, thereby alleviating the progression of collagen-induced arthritis. Additionally, our investigation identifies Salvianolic acid B (SAB) as a potent small molecular glue-like compound that enhances the interaction between PRDX1 and DOK3, consequently impeding the progression of collagen-induced arthritis by inhibiting plasma cell differentiation. Collectively, these findings underscore the therapeutic potential of developing chemical stabilizers for the PRDX1-DOK3 complex in suppressing plasma cell differentiation for RA treatment and establish a theoretical basis for targeting PRDX1-protein interactions as specific therapeutic targets in various diseases.

Objective:To discuss the effect of exosomes(Exos)loaded with microRNA-520a-5p(miR-520a-5p)on the pregnancy outcomes in fetal mice with intrauterine growth restriction(FGR),and to clarify its mechanism.Methods:The mouse placental mesenchymal stem cells(MSCs)were cultured in vitro and transfected with miR-520a-5p adenovirus vector(Ad-miR-520a-5p)to obtain the Exos with high miR-520a-5p load(miR-520a-5p-MSCs-Exos),which were then identified.The C57BL/6 mice were mated in cages at a female∶male ratio of 2∶1 to achieve successful pregnancy.Forty pregnant mice were divided into control group,FGR group,NC-MSCs-Exos group,and miR-520a-5p-MSCs-Exos group,with 10 mice in each group.Except for control group,the mice in other groups were exposed to excessive dexamethasone(DEX)during pregnancy to induce FGR models in the pregnant mice.The body weights of the fetal mice at birth and at 1,2,3,and 4 weeks after birth were detected;real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of miR-520a-5p,DNA methyltransferase 3b(DNMT3b),and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)mRNA in placenta tissue of the mice in various groups;Western blotting method was used to detect the expression levels of DNMT3b and VEGF proteins in placenta tissue of the mice in various groups;methylation-specific PCR(MSP)was used to analyze the methylation rates of VEGF promoter in placenta tissue of the mice in various groups;dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was used to verify the targeting relationship between miR-520a-5p and DNMT3b.Results:The results of transmission electron microscope(TEM)and nanoparticle tracking analysis(NTA)showed that the Exos were spherical with particle size concentrated near 100 nm;the Western blotting method results showed that the surface biomarkers CD63 and CD81 of Exos were positively expressed.The RT-qPCR results showed that compared with NC-MSCs-Exos and Ad-NC-MSCs-Exos,the expression level of miR-520a-5p in Ad-miR-520a-5p-MSCs-Exos was increased(P＜0.001).The differences in birth body weight and the body weights at 1,2,and 3 weeks after birth of the fetal mice among four groups were statistically significant(F=36.084,F=19.851,F=77.755,F=103.223;P＜0.001).Compared with control group,the birth body weight and the body weights at 1,2,and 3 weeks after birth of the fetal mice in FGR group were decreased(P＜0.05);compared with FGR group and NC-MSCs-Exos group,the birth body weight and the body weights at 1,2,and 3 weeks after birth of the fetal mice in miR-520a-5p-MSCs-Exos group were increased(P＜0.05).The One-way ANOVA results showed that the differences in the expression levels of miR-520a-5p,DNMT3b,and VEGF mRNA in placenta tissue of the mice among four groups were statistically significant(F=103.224,F=856.460,F=214.563;P＜0.001).The pairwise comparison between groups showed that compared with control group,the expression levels of miR-520a-5p and VEGF mRNA in placenta tissue of the mice in FGR group were decreased(P＜0.05),and the expression level of DNMT3b mRNA was increased(P＜0.05);compared with FGR group and NC-MSCs-Exos group,the expression levels of miR-520a-5p and VEGF mRNA in placenta tissue of the mice in miR-520a-5p-MSCs-Exos group were increased(P＜0.05),and the expression level of DNMT3b mRNA was decreased(P＜0.05).The One-way ANOVA results showed that the differences in the expression levels of DNMT3b and VEGF proteins in placenta tissue of the mice among four groups were statistically significant(F=245.601,F=149.360;P＜0.001).The pairwise comparison between groups showed that compared with control group,the expression level of DNMT3b protein in placenta tissue of the mice in FGR group was increased(P＜0.05),and the expression level of VEGF protein was decreased(P＜0.05);compared with FGR group and NC-MSCs-Exos group,the expression level of DNMT3b protein in placenta tissue of the mice in miR-520a-5p-MSCs-Exos group was decreased(P＜0.05),and the expression level of VEGF protein was increased(P＜0.05).The One-way ANOVA results showed that the difference in the methylation rate of VEGF promoter in placenta tissue of the mice among four groups was statistically significant(F=687.096,P＜0.001).The pairwise comparison between groups showed that compared with control group,the methylation rate of VEGF promoter in placenta tissue of the mice in FGR group was increased(P＜0.05);compared with FGR group and NC-MSCs-Exos group,the methylation rate of VEGF promoter in placenta tissue of the mice in miR-520a-5p-MSCs-Exos group was decreased(P＜0.05).Dual-luciferase reporter gene assay results showed that compared with miR-NC group,the luciferase activity in the cells containing DNMT3b-WT reporter vector in miR-520a-5p group was decreased(P＜0.05);compared with miR-NC group,the luciferase activity in the cells containing DNMT3b-MUT reporter vector in miR-520a-5p group had no change,no significant difference was observed(P＞0.05).Conclusion:The MSCs-derived Exos highly loaded with miR-520a-5p may improve the pregnancy outcomes of FGR fetal mice by targeting and down-regulating the expression of DNMT3b,inhibiting VEGF methylation,and promoting VEGF expression.

Objective To observe the clinical effect of Yangming meridian acupuncture combined with acupuncture push based on the theory of"treating flaccence and taking Yangming"in the treatment of Guillain-Barre syndrome.Methods 52 cases of patients with conventional rehabilitation combined with Yangming meridian acupuncture combined with acupuncture based on the theory of"treating potence and taking Yangming alone"were taken as the study group and 52 cases of patients with conventional rehabilitation alone as the control group.Limb muscle strength score,clinical efficacy,limb sensory function,limb motor function,upper limb median nerve electrophysiology and daily living ability were compared between the two groups.Results After treatment,muscle strength scores of proximal lower extremity,distal lower extremity,proximal upper extremity,distal upper extremity,median sensory nerve action potential(SNAP),motor conduction velocity(MCV),sensory conduction velocity(SCV)and modified Barthel index(MBI)were increased in 2 groups(P＜0.05).The study group was more obvious(P＜0.05).The total effective rate of the study group(86.54%)was higher than control group(69.23%)(P＜0.05).After treatment,the sensory function and motor function of limbs in 2 groups were better than before treatment(P＜0.05),especially in the study group(P＜0.05).After treatment,the distal motor latency(DML)of upper limb median nerve was decreased in 2 groups(P＜0.05),and more significantly in the study group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Yangming meridian acupuncture combined with acupuncture pushing based on the theory of"treating impotence and taking Yangming"is effective in the treatment of Guillain-Barre syndrome,which can improve the muscle strength,sensation and motor function of limbs,and regulate nerve electrophysiology.

BACKGROUND:Myelodysplastic syndrome has worse hazards of acute myeloid leukemia transformation,and some studies have revealed that immune infiltration plays a vital part in the two.Nevertheless,more studies are required to confirm the relationship between immune infiltration and related differentially expressed gene regulation. OBJECTIVE:To screen the differentially expressed genes with prognostic significance between myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia by bioinformatics analysis and explore the possible roles and mechanisms among these differentially expressed genes and immune infiltration mechanisms in the occurrence and progression of diseases. METHODS:The differentially expressed genes were screened for bioinformatics analysis using the GEO datasets,and analyzed by DO,GO,KEGG and GSEA.The TCGA prognostic database was used to plot the K-M curves of differentially expressed genes and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was applied to evaluate the clinical diagnostic performance.Finally,CIBERSORT analysis was used to intuitively demonstrate the correlation between critical prognostic genes and the distribution of immuno-infiltrated cells.RT-qPCR was employed to detect peripheral blood samples from healthy controls,myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia patients so as to verify the crucial genes preliminarily. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)A total of 150 differentially expressed genes were obtained between myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia,among which 16 genes were up-regulated and 134 were down-regulated.(2)The results of DO,GO,KEGG and GSEA analysis suggested that differentially expressed genes might promote the development of myelodysplastic syndrome to acute myeloid leukemia by regulating the immune response.CIBERSORT revealed the differences in immune infiltration between myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia.The distribution of CD4+ T cells,monocytes,neutrophils and M1 macrophages decreased in acute myeloid leukemia patients.In contrast,the distribution of inflammatory suppressor cells M2 macrophages increased,suggesting that it may be related to the immunosuppression of acute myeloid leukemia.(3)K-M curve and receiver operating characteristic curve analysis of 150 differentially expressed genes screened out four genes relevant to immunity and prognosis with good diagnostic performance:MANSC1,FLT3,BMX and CXCR2.(4)The results of RT-qPCR exhibited that MANSC1,BMX and CXCR2 were low expressed,while FLT3 was highly expressed in acute myeloid leukemia patients.These findings verify that the differential expression of MANSC1,FLT3,BMX and CXCR2 in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia is not only significantly correlated with the prognosis of patients but may also affect the occurrence and development of myelodysplastic syndrome and acute myeloid leukemia by regulating the immune infiltration of patients.They can be used as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets of the transformation from myelodysplastic syndrome to acute myeloid leukemia,providing a new direction for clinical diagnosis and treatment of the transformation of myelodysplastic syndrome.

By analyzing the of genetic testing data of patients with renal polycystic kidney disease and their relatives, this study aims to identify unreported novel gene mutation sites associated with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). Structural prediction software was employed to investigate protein structural changes before and after mutations, explore genotype-phenotype correlations, and enrich the ADPKD gene database. In this single-center retrospective study, patients with multiple renal cysts diagnosed from January 2019 to February 2023 at the Zhong Da Hospital Southeast University were included. Genetic and clinical data of patients and their families were collected. Unreported novel gene mutation sites associated with ADPKD were identified. The AlphaFold v2.3.1 software was used to predict protein structures. Changes in protein structure before and after mutations were compared to explore genotype-phenotype correlations and enrich the ADPKD gene database. Twelve mutated genes associated with renal cysts were detected in 52 families. Nineteen novel gene mutation sites associated with ADPKD were identified, including 17 mutations in the PKD1 gene (one splicing mutation, seven frameshift mutations, four nonsense mutations, one whole-codon insertion, and four missense mutations); one ALG9 missense mutation; and one chromosomal structural variation. Truncating mutations in the PKD1 gene were correlated with a more severe clinical phenotype, while non-truncating mutations were associated with greater clinical heterogeneity. Numerous novel gene mutation sites associated with ADPKD remain unreported. Therefore, it is essential to analyze the pathogenicity of these novel mutation sites, establish genotype-phenotype correlations, and enrich the ADPKD gene database.