Objective:To investigate the diagnostic potential of serum Dickkopf-related protein 3(Dkk3)as a novel biomarker for sarcopenia in an elderly Chinese population by examining its correlation with muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function.Methods:The study included elderly individuals aged ≥60 years from the Health Examination Center of Jiangsu Provincial Hospital between 2021 and 2022, who had independent mobility and were free from acute diseases.Fat and muscle mass were measured using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry(DXA). Grip strength and chair stand test times were employed to assess upper and lower limb muscle strength, respectively.Physical function was evaluated using the Short Physical Performance Battery(SPPB). Serum Dkk3 concentration was measured using a human Dkk3 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)kit.Results:A total of 108 elderly participants(83 males)were included in the study, with an age range of 60 to 97 years(mean age: 70.6±10.8). Serum Dkk3 concentration was found to be negatively correlated with the skeletal muscle mass index(SMI)( R=-0.292, P=0.002), lower limb muscle mass( R=-0.320, P<0.001), upper limb muscle mass( R=-0.222, P=0.020), and hip muscle mass( R=-0.261, P=0.006). Functional assessments revealed negative correlations with grip strength( R=-0.204, P=0.035), 4-meter walking speed( R=-0.195, P=0.043), the three-position balance test( R=-0.245, P=0.011), and the SPPB score( R=-0.196, P=0.043). Regression analysis indicated that, after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index(BMI), and comorbidities, Dkk3 remained negatively associated with lower limb muscle mass( β=-0.197, P=0.012), hip muscle mass( β=-0.156, P=0.029), and the SPPB score( β=-0.001, P=0.013). The sarcopenia group exhibited a 55.6% higher serum Dkk3 level compared to the control group(76.68±37.62 ng/ml vs.49.27±25.88 ng/ml, P<0.001). Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC)curve analysis determined the optimal diagnostic threshold to be 80.08 ng/ml, with an area under the curve of 0.726, a sensitivity of 41.98%, and a specificity of 96.30% for detecting sarcopenia. Conclusions:Serum Dkk3 is closely associated with reduced muscle mass in the lower limbs and hips, as well as a decline in physical function, in elderly individuals with sarcopenia.Given its cost-effectiveness and clinical utility, serum Dkk3 shows potential as a meaningful biomarker for diagnosing sarcopenia in the elderly.

Objective:To investigate the diagnostic potential of serum Dickkopf-related protein 3(Dkk3)as a novel biomarker for sarcopenia in an elderly Chinese population by examining its correlation with muscle mass, muscle strength, and physical function.Methods:The study included elderly individuals aged ≥60 years from the Health Examination Center of Jiangsu Provincial Hospital between 2021 and 2022, who had independent mobility and were free from acute diseases.Fat and muscle mass were measured using Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry(DXA). Grip strength and chair stand test times were employed to assess upper and lower limb muscle strength, respectively.Physical function was evaluated using the Short Physical Performance Battery(SPPB). Serum Dkk3 concentration was measured using a human Dkk3 enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)kit.Results:A total of 108 elderly participants(83 males)were included in the study, with an age range of 60 to 97 years(mean age: 70.6±10.8). Serum Dkk3 concentration was found to be negatively correlated with the skeletal muscle mass index(SMI)( R=-0.292, P=0.002), lower limb muscle mass( R=-0.320, P<0.001), upper limb muscle mass( R=-0.222, P=0.020), and hip muscle mass( R=-0.261, P=0.006). Functional assessments revealed negative correlations with grip strength( R=-0.204, P=0.035), 4-meter walking speed( R=-0.195, P=0.043), the three-position balance test( R=-0.245, P=0.011), and the SPPB score( R=-0.196, P=0.043). Regression analysis indicated that, after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index(BMI), and comorbidities, Dkk3 remained negatively associated with lower limb muscle mass( β=-0.197, P=0.012), hip muscle mass( β=-0.156, P=0.029), and the SPPB score( β=-0.001, P=0.013). The sarcopenia group exhibited a 55.6% higher serum Dkk3 level compared to the control group(76.68±37.62 ng/ml vs.49.27±25.88 ng/ml, P<0.001). Receiver Operating Characteristic(ROC)curve analysis determined the optimal diagnostic threshold to be 80.08 ng/ml, with an area under the curve of 0.726, a sensitivity of 41.98%, and a specificity of 96.30% for detecting sarcopenia. Conclusions:Serum Dkk3 is closely associated with reduced muscle mass in the lower limbs and hips, as well as a decline in physical function, in elderly individuals with sarcopenia.Given its cost-effectiveness and clinical utility, serum Dkk3 shows potential as a meaningful biomarker for diagnosing sarcopenia in the elderly.

Objective:To explore the effect of calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) on the expression of mitochondrial glycerol 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (mGPDH) in human non-alcoholic fatty liver disease cells.Methods:Oleic acid was used to construct a non-alcoholic fatty liver disease cell model by inducing lipid deposition in THLE-2 cells in vitro. Simultaneously, intracellular triglyceride content, iPLA2 expression levels, and mGPDH levels were determined at various induction times (0, 24, 48, and 72 h) using a triglyceride assay kit, quantitative RT-PCR, and western blotting. The model cells were treated with bromelenol lactone, an iPLA2 inhibitor, and N-acetylcysteine, a ROS inhibitor, respectively. Following continuous culture for 24 and 48 hours, the cells were harvested, and the mRNA and protein expression levels of mGPDH were measured. Statistical analysis was performed using the t-test, one-way analysis of variance, and linear correlation.Results:The intracellular triglyceride content gradually increased ( P < 0.01), the mGPDH mRNA and protein expression decreased ( P < 0.01), and the iPLA2 mRNA and protein expression increased ( P < 0.01) in THLE-2 cells with the prolonging time effect of oleic acid therapy. In addition, the mGPDH mRNA expression level was negatively correlated with the iPLA2 mRNA level ( r = -0.878, P = 0.002). The expression levels of mGPDH mRNA and protein in the iPLA2 inhibitor group and ROS inhibitor group were increased compared with the model control group ( P < 0.01). The expression of mGPDH mRNA was increased at 24 h compared with 48 h in the iPLA2 inhibitor group ( P < 0.01). The expression of mGPDH mRNA was gradually increased in the ROS inhibitor group with the prolongation of inhibitor action time ( P < 0.01). Compared with the two inhibitor groups, the increase in mGPDH mRNA was significantly higher in the ROS inhibitor group than that in the iPLA2 inhibitor group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.01). Conclusion:iPLA2 can inhibit the expression of mGPDH in non-alcoholic fatty liver cells to a certain extent.

PRP (Platelet-rich plasma) is an autologous concentrate of platelets extracted from the whole blood,which has the ability of hemostasis,relieving pain and accelerating wound healing.PRP can promote tissue repairing effectively,because it not only provides concentrated nutrition,but also builds a better microenvironment.With the wide spread of PRP,it has been gradually applied to the treatment of tendon,ligament,cartilage and muscle injury in orthopedics.And meanwhile,with the rapid development of foot and ankle surgery in recent years,such applications have been introduced into this area,reports of therapeutic effects of foot and ankle disorders are also emerging.This paper makes a summary of the clinical studies of foot and ankle disorders with PRP.

Objective To evaluate the clinical advantages of transradiai approach for percutaneous coronary intervention in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction.Methods From January 2008 to October 2011,150 elderly patients (average age of 70.4±7.2 yrs) diagnosed with acute ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction underwent primary percutaneous coronary invention (PCI).They were divided into transfemoral intervention group (TFI group,n=91) and transradial intervention group (TRI group,n=59).The arrival time at the first balloon inflation,the success rate of reperfusion,the X ray exposure time,the total procedural time,contrast volume,the average in-hospital days,the mean hospital expenses and postoperative complications were compared between two groups.Results The average in-hospital days was shorter in TRI group than in TFI group [(9.3±0.5) days vs.(12.8±0.7) days,P＜0.01].The mean in-hospital expenses was less in TRIgroup than in TFI group [(44707.3±1009.3) RMB vs.(54047.8±1971.6) RMB,P＜0.05].There were no significant differences in the arrival time at the first balloon inflation,the success rate of reperfusion,the X-ray exposure time,the contrast volume between the two groups [(26.7±0.8)minutes vs.(27.7±1.2) minutes,98.3％ (58/59) vs.96.7％ (88/91),(10.8±0.9) minutes vs.(9.6±0.6) minutes,(223.9±9.2) ml vs.(229.8±7.5) ml,respectively,all P＞0.05].The postoperative complications including major bleeding,pseudoaneurysm,radial occlusion without ischemia and the incidence of major adverse cardiovascular events had no statistical differences between the two groups (P＞0.05).The cases of urethral catheterization caused by urinary retention were less in TRI group than in TFI (0 vs.11 cases,P＜0.01).Conclusions Compared with transfemoral approach,the transradial approach is feasible and safe for primary PCI in elderly patients with acute myocardial infarction,and has better clinical advantage and socioeconomic benefit.

This study was aimed to compare the differences of adhesion properties of endothelial cells (EC) from arteries (AEC), veins (VEC) and capillaries (MVEC) under shear stress condition, and to explore whether they can get the same adhesive ability as graft in similar shear stress conditions. With mended parallel plate flow apparatus and peristalsis pump providing fluid shear stress used, endothelial culture models were established in vitro with the same environmental factors as steady culture. To compare the adhesion among three kinds of endothelial cells under dynamic condition and static condition, the dynamic change of cytoskeletal actin filaments and the effects of different adhesive proteins coated on the adhesion of EC to the glass were studied. The cultured endothelial cells under flow conditions were extended and arranged along the direction of flow. The adhesive ability from high to low under static condition were AEC, MVEC and VEC (VEC compared with AEC or MVEC, P < 0.05), sequentially. The adhesion of endothelial cells from variety sources under dynamic culture condition was significantly increased than that of the static groups. The ratio of cell retention was not significantly different between AEC and MVEC. But VEC was significantly different (P < 0.05) compared with AEC or MVEC. The actin filaments (F-actin) were bundled together and arranged along the direction of flow after fluid culture. Dense peripheral band (DPB) gradually disappeared and distinct stress fibers were formed, which even interconnected to form a whole in the MVEC. The adhesion of AEC, VEC and MVEC under shear stress conditions are more significantly increased than those under the static culture conditions, and the MVEC can achieve the same adhesion as AEC.
Arteries ; cytology ; Capillaries ; cytology ; Cell Adhesion ; Cell Culture Techniques ; methods ; Cells, Cultured ; Cytoskeleton ; physiology ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; physiology ; Humans ; Shear Strength ; Stress, Mechanical ; Veins ; cytology

Lining the inner surface of the walls of blood vessels, Endothelial cells (ECs) go beyond providing selective membrane to maintain the natural structure and function of vessels; they also synthesize varieties of vasoactive proteins to modify the pressure shift in the local flow field and hence they adapt the physiological activities of vessels. In this experiment, ELISA and RT-PCR technologies were adopted. We set up five different pressure loaded ECs groups,one non-activated cultured ECs group and one single shear stress loaded ECs group. Such a design was intended to demonstrate the effects of pressure shift on the expression of vasoactive protein synthesized by ECs [Endothelin-1(ET-1), endothelial Nitric Oxide Synthase (eNOS), Cyclooxygenase-2(COX-2) and Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor(VEGF)]. Our aim was to elucidate the mechanism of the pressure shift mediated dysfunction in ECs and the related dose-effect relationship. Based on these data, we suggest that ECs could modify the expression of vasoactive protein for adapting to the pressure shift in the local flow field; while in the process of--40 cmH2O induced ECs' dysfunction, the vasoactive proteins eNOS, COX-2 and VEGF play an important role in protecting ECs.
Cells, Cultured ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Endothelial Cells ; metabolism ; physiology ; Endothelin-1 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type III ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pressure ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; genetics ; metabolism

The changes of pressure in local circulation flow field and the alterations of biorheological characteristics in Endothelial cells (ECs) would follow the geometric changes of cardiovascular wall structures and would further result in distinct pathophysiological changes of endothelial cellular proliferation and vitality. This experiment is designed to observe the effects of pressure shift on ECs proliferation, apoptosis, and expression of apoptosis-associated protein, to elucidate the influences of pressure shift on the vitality of ECs, and to shed light on the dose-effect relationship concerned. By adopting flow cytometery, transmission electron microscopy, real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting, we set the levels of pressure loading ECs groups and set down the non-activated cultured ECs,single shear stress loading ECs as the control group for studies on the ultra-structure alterations, on the distribution of cell cycle and the changes of proliferation and apoptosis in ECs. We also investigated the changes of the expression of Caspase-3 gene and the changing regularity of P53, Bcl-2 and Fas protein at the translation level. When ECs being exposed to decreased pressure shift (-40 cmH2O), distinct apoptosis in ECs could be observed and a pattern of duration-dependence was seen. The expressions of P53, Bcl-2 and Fas proteins are essential for regulating the genesis and process of ECs apoptosis induced by -40 cmH2O pressure.
Apoptosis ; physiology ; Apoptosis Inducing Factor ; metabolism ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; Fas Ligand Protein ; metabolism ; Humans ; Pressure ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rheology ; Stress, Mechanical ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology

In mankind, the circulation system is a closed pressure-loaded system; the pressure in circulation flow field would change with the variation of natural or pathological geometry of the local bloodvessel, and the pressure shift induced by the variation of vascular geometry would lead to a series of physiological and pathological changes in the endothelial cells (ECs). This experiment is designed to elucidate the effects of different pressure shift on F-actin alignment and expression in cultured endothelial cells in vitro, and to investigate the relationship between the altered pressure shift and the expression intensity of Vascular adhesion molecule (VCAM) and Integrin alphaVbeta3. Non-activated cultured ECs and single shear stress loaded ECs as control group were set, the double-immuno-fluoro-cytochemistry, laser confocal scanning microscopy and image analysis system were used to observe the expression of VCAM, Integrin alphaVbeta3 and F-actin in endothelial cells which were exposed to levels of pressure shift in an improved parallel plate flow chamber. When exposed to different decreased pressure shift, the expression intensity of VCAM, Integrin alphaVbeta3 and F-actin showed regular changes. The decreased pressure shift resulted in changes in cell alignment and cytoskeleton F-actin, and also affected ECs adhesion function and transmembrane mechanotransduction function which were represented by VCAM and Integrin alphaVbeta3 respectively.
Actins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Adhesion ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Hemodynamics ; Humans ; Integrin alphaVbeta3 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Pressure ; Umbilical Veins ; cytology ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; genetics ; metabolism

Focus on the defects of the extraction method of velocity pulsated signals in the velocity spectrum image of pulsed Doppler ultrasounds (such as the limited data, great amount of work and low reproducibility), we combine the earlier research results and the basic rules of the velocity spectrum image, and employing the visual basics plateau, to design and develop a software to extract the velocity signals from the spectrum image automatically. Compare the mean velocity and RNS between the PIV and the PDU resulting from the method, the correlations are r = 0.93 and r = 0.78 respectively. The study reveals the software increase the amount of valid data, decrease the amount of work and increase reproducibility of the signals extraction. The method may be an effective way to analyse the velocity spectrum image of PDU in clinic.
Arteries ; diagnostic imaging ; Blood Flow Velocity ; physiology ; Humans ; Pulsatile Flow ; Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted ; Software ; Ultrasonography, Doppler, Pulsed ; methods