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

Objective To investigate the expression of ferritinophagy-related gene ELAV-like RNA binding protein 1(ELAVL1)in multiple myeloma(MM)and elucidate its diagnostic and prognostic value for MM.Methods First,we analyzed ELAVL1 expression level in healthy controls and MM patients using data from the GEO and TCGA databases.Subsequently,bone marrow specimens were collected from 28 newly diagnosed MM patients and 20 healthy controls,and qRT-PCR was employed to validate ELAVL1 expression.The diagnostic and prognostic potential of ELAVL1 was assessed using ROC curve analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival curves.Additionally,univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for MM prognosis.Finally,KEGG and GO enrichment analyses were performed using the DAVID online platform.Results The level of ELAVL1 expression was significantly higher in newly diagnosed MM patients and refractory/relapsed MM patients than in the healthy controls(P＜0.001).Moreover,ELAVL1 expression was positively correlated with the International Staging System(ISS)stage of MM(P＜0.01).Furthermore,qRT-PCR validation confirmed that ELAVL1 expression was elevated in the 28 newly diagnosed MM patients compared to the 20 healthy controls(P＜0.001).ROC curve analysis demonstrated that ELAVL1 could effectively differentiate between newly diagnosed MM patients,healthy controls,and MGUS patients(P＜0.001 and P=0.000 2,respectively).Survival analysis revealed that high ELAVL1 expression was associated with shorter progression-free survival(P=0.0141)and overall survival(P=0.008 0).Univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses identified high ELAVL1 expression as an independent risk factor for poor MM prognosis(P=0.005 0).KEGG analysis suggested that ELAVL1 might be involved in the Hippo and MAPK signaling pathways.Conclusion High ELAVL1 expression in MM may serve as a biomarker for diagnosis and poor prognosis.ELAVL1 may promote MM initiation and progression via the Hippo and MAPK signaling pathways.

Objective To investigate the expression of ferritinophagy-related gene ELAV-like RNA binding protein 1(ELAVL1)in multiple myeloma(MM)and elucidate its diagnostic and prognostic value for MM.Methods First,we analyzed ELAVL1 expression level in healthy controls and MM patients using data from the GEO and TCGA databases.Subsequently,bone marrow specimens were collected from 28 newly diagnosed MM patients and 20 healthy controls,and qRT-PCR was employed to validate ELAVL1 expression.The diagnostic and prognostic potential of ELAVL1 was assessed using ROC curve analysis and Kaplan-Meier survival curves.Additionally,univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses were performed to identify independent risk factors for MM prognosis.Finally,KEGG and GO enrichment analyses were performed using the DAVID online platform.Results The level of ELAVL1 expression was significantly higher in newly diagnosed MM patients and refractory/relapsed MM patients than in the healthy controls(P＜0.001).Moreover,ELAVL1 expression was positively correlated with the International Staging System(ISS)stage of MM(P＜0.01).Furthermore,qRT-PCR validation confirmed that ELAVL1 expression was elevated in the 28 newly diagnosed MM patients compared to the 20 healthy controls(P＜0.001).ROC curve analysis demonstrated that ELAVL1 could effectively differentiate between newly diagnosed MM patients,healthy controls,and MGUS patients(P＜0.001 and P=0.000 2,respectively).Survival analysis revealed that high ELAVL1 expression was associated with shorter progression-free survival(P=0.0141)and overall survival(P=0.008 0).Univariate and multivariate COX regression analyses identified high ELAVL1 expression as an independent risk factor for poor MM prognosis(P=0.005 0).KEGG analysis suggested that ELAVL1 might be involved in the Hippo and MAPK signaling pathways.Conclusion High ELAVL1 expression in MM may serve as a biomarker for diagnosis and poor prognosis.ELAVL1 may promote MM initiation and progression via the Hippo and MAPK signaling pathways.

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 investigate the long-term outcome of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients with KMT2B gene-related dystonia. Methods:Seven patients with KMT2B gene-related dystonia who were treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from April 2018 to December 2020 were enrolled. Whole-exome sequencing was used to detect genetic variations, and clinical phenotypes were summarized. All patients underwent DBS surgery and were followed up at 6 months, 3 years, and 5 years post-surgery. The therapeutic effects of DBS were evaluated by Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS), including BFMDRS Motor Subscale (BFMDRS-M) and Disability Subscale (BFMDRS-D). Results:The preoperative BFMDRS-M and BFMDRS-D scores were 60.43±27.12 and 17.00±6.24, respectively. The most significant improvements were observed at 6 months post-surgery, with the BFMDRS-M and BFMDRS-D scores being 20.64±5.50 and 9.57±1.72, reflecting improvements of 65.8% and 43.7%, respectively, both with statistically significant differences ( t=4.342, P=0.005; t=2.828, P=0.030). At 3 years post-surgery, the BFMDRS-M and BFMDRS-D scores were 26.20±8.68 and 10.50±2.74, representing improvements of 56.7% ( t=3.045, P=0.029) and 38.2% ( t=2.012, P=0.100), respectively. At 5 years post-surgery, the BFMDRS-M and BFMDRS-D scores were 27.80±14.87 and 11.00±2.83, with improvements of 54.0% ( t=1.824, P=0.142) and 35.3% ( t=1.933, P=0.125), respectively. At the 5-year postoperative follow-up, the patients′ cervical dystonia improved by 78.9%, while the upper limbs, lower limbs, and trunk dystonia improved by 57.8%, 56.6%, and 58.0%, respectively. However, only 1 patient showed significant improvement in the language function. Conclusions:DBS showed good therapeutic effects on KMT2B gene-related dystonia, but the efficacy declined over time. Significant improvements were observed in patients′ cervical, limb and trunk dystonia, but the improvement in language function was not significant.

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 investigate the long-term outcome of deep brain stimulation (DBS) in patients with KMT2B gene-related dystonia. Methods:Seven patients with KMT2B gene-related dystonia who were treated at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from April 2018 to December 2020 were enrolled. Whole-exome sequencing was used to detect genetic variations, and clinical phenotypes were summarized. All patients underwent DBS surgery and were followed up at 6 months, 3 years, and 5 years post-surgery. The therapeutic effects of DBS were evaluated by Burke-Fahn-Marsden Dystonia Rating Scale (BFMDRS), including BFMDRS Motor Subscale (BFMDRS-M) and Disability Subscale (BFMDRS-D). Results:The preoperative BFMDRS-M and BFMDRS-D scores were 60.43±27.12 and 17.00±6.24, respectively. The most significant improvements were observed at 6 months post-surgery, with the BFMDRS-M and BFMDRS-D scores being 20.64±5.50 and 9.57±1.72, reflecting improvements of 65.8% and 43.7%, respectively, both with statistically significant differences ( t=4.342, P=0.005; t=2.828, P=0.030). At 3 years post-surgery, the BFMDRS-M and BFMDRS-D scores were 26.20±8.68 and 10.50±2.74, representing improvements of 56.7% ( t=3.045, P=0.029) and 38.2% ( t=2.012, P=0.100), respectively. At 5 years post-surgery, the BFMDRS-M and BFMDRS-D scores were 27.80±14.87 and 11.00±2.83, with improvements of 54.0% ( t=1.824, P=0.142) and 35.3% ( t=1.933, P=0.125), respectively. At the 5-year postoperative follow-up, the patients′ cervical dystonia improved by 78.9%, while the upper limbs, lower limbs, and trunk dystonia improved by 57.8%, 56.6%, and 58.0%, respectively. However, only 1 patient showed significant improvement in the language function. Conclusions:DBS showed good therapeutic effects on KMT2B gene-related dystonia, but the efficacy declined over time. Significant improvements were observed in patients′ cervical, limb and trunk dystonia, but the improvement in language function was not significant.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) has become an increasingly serious public health issue, characterized by high incidence and high disability rates. It often coexists with other mental health problems and physical diseases, with a significant negative impact on patients' quality of life. In clinical practice, MDD is considered a heterogeneous disease. The complexity of the pathological mechanisms and the variability in treatment responses lead to a lack of clear therapeutic targets, which complicates the treatment process. In recent years, with advancements in neuroscience, the crucial role of microglia in the pathogenesis of MDD has been revealed. As the main immune cells in the brain, microglia are not only involved in the regulation of neuroinflammation but also play important roles in neurogenesis and neuronal regulation in MDD. This article mainly discusses the role of microglia in the pathophysiological mechanisms of MDD, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for microglia as a potential target for the treatment of MDD.

Based on whole genome data, the identification and expression pattern analysis of the Atropa belladonna WRKY transcription factor family were conducted to provide a theoretical foundation for studying the biological functions and mechanisms of these transcription factors. In this study, bioinformatics methods were employed to identify members of the A. belladonna WRKY gene family and to predict their physicochemical properties, conserved motifs, promoter cis-acting elements, and chromosomal localization. Additionally, the expression patterns of the A. belladonna WRKY gene family under the regulation of environmental factors such as light quality and temperature were analyzed. The results revealed a total of 28 AbWRKY transcription factors, randomly distributed across 16 chromosomes, encoding 324-707 amino acids. Most AbWRKY proteins were acidic, unstable, and hydrophilic. Based on multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic analysis, the WRKY gene family members were classified into two subfamilies. Conserved motif and domain analysis indicated that WRKY transcription factors in the same subfamily possessed conserved structural features. Promoter analysis predicted that the A. belladonna WRKY family contained light-responsive elements, hormone-responsive elements, and stress-responsive elements. Collinearity analysis showed that AbWRKY24 plays a crucial role in the expansion of the AbWRKY gene family. Then qRT-PCR results indicated that AbWRKY6, AbWRKY8, AbWRKY14, and AbWRKY24 responded to red light stress, while AbWRKY8, AbWRKY14, and AbWRKY24 responded to yellow light/low-temperature combined stress. AbWRKY6 and AbWRKY8 were significantly expressed in leaves and stems, AbWRKY27 and AbWRKY28 were significantly expressed in fibrous roots, and AbWRKY25 was significantly expressed in flowers. This study is the first to identify and analyze the WRKY gene family in A. belladonna and to examine its expression patterns under light and temperature regulation, laying a foundation for in-depth analysis and functional validation of the molecular mechanisms of A. belladonna WRKY transcription factors in responding to light quality and temperature environmental factors.
Transcription Factors/chemistry* ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Phylogeny ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Light ; Temperature ; Atropa belladonna/metabolism* ; Multigene Family/genetics* ; Promoter Regions, Genetic/genetics* ; Sequence Alignment ; Amino Acid Sequence ; Genome, Plant/genetics*

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and interventions associated with drug-induced anaphylaxis in the emergency infusion room.Methods:Bases on the adverse drug reaction database from the emergency medicine center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, clinical data of patients who experienced drug-induced anaphylaxis in the emergency infusion room between November 2019 and November 2023 were collected, including gender, age, history of previous adverse drug reactions, allergy history, Charlson comorbidity index, medication details, information related to drug-induced anaphylaxis (onset time, clinical manifestations), interventions, outcomes, and follow-up. The clinical characteristics and interventions in these patients were analyzed.Results:During the study period, a total of 398 772 patients in the emergency infusion room in our hospital received intravenous infusion of drugs. Of them, 625 cases developed adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and 75 cases developed drug-induced anaphylaxis, accounting for 0.02% (75/398 772) of the total infusion patients and 12.0% (75/625) of all ADR cases. Of the 75 patients with anaphylaxis, 30 cases (40%) were classified as grade Ⅱ, and 45 cases (60%) as grade Ⅲ, with no grade Ⅳ cases. The most common drugs involved in 75 cases of anaphylaxis were anti-infective drugs (41 cases, 54.7%). Drug-induced anaphylaxis exhibited diverse clinical manifestations, with cardiovascular symptoms being the most common, primarily varying degrees of transient hypotension (67 cases, 89.3%), followed by systemic and neurological symptoms, including profuse sweating (31 cases, 41.3%) and dizziness (28 cases, 37.3%). All 75 patients with anaphylaxis were treated with measures such as discontinuation of medication, replacement of infusion sets, rapid assessment of circulation and respiration, and monitoring of vital signs, of which 65 (86.7%) received rapid intravenous infusion for volume expansion, 6 (8.0%) received intravenous injection of glucocorticoids, 3 (4.0%) received intramuscular injection of 0.5 mg epinephrine, and 2 (2.7%) received antihistamines. All 75 patients showed improvement in symptoms, and no sequelae or deaths were found.Conclusions:In the emergency infusion room, the severity of anaphylaxis is mainly grade Ⅱ and Ⅲ with a good prognosis after timely intervention. The treatment measures mainly focus on rapid intravenous infusion for volume expansion, and the use of epinephrine is relatively low.