BACKGROUND: G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) could participate in the regulation of diverse cells via interacting with non-G-protein-coupled receptors. In the present work, we explored how paroxetine, a GRK2 inhibitor, modulates the differentiation and activation of immune cells in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). METHODS: The blood samples of healthy individuals and RA patients were collected between July 2021 and March 2022 from the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University. C57BL/6 mice were used to induce the collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) model. Flow cytometry analysis was used to characterize the differentiation and function of dendritic cells (DCs)/T cells. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to explore the specific molecular mechanism. RESULTS: In patients with RA, high expression of GRK2 in peripheral blood lymphocytes, accompanied by the increases of phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K), protein kinase B (AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR). In animal model, a decrease in regulatory T cells (T regs ), an increase in the cluster of differentiation 8 positive (CD8 + ) T cells, and maturation of DCs were observed. Paroxetine, when used in vitro and in CIA mice, restrained the maturation of DCs and the differentiation of CD8 + T cells, and induced the proportion of T regs . Paroxetine inhibited the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines, the expression of C-C motif chemokine receptor 7 in DCs and T cells. Simultaneously, paroxetine upregulated the expression of programmed death ligand 1, and anti-inflammatory cytokines. Additionally, paroxetine inhibited the PI3K-AKT-mTOR metabolic pathway in both DCs and T cells. This was associated with a reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential and changes in the utilization of glucose and lipids, particularly in DCs. Paroxetine reversed PI3K-AKT pathway activation induced by 740 Y-P (a PI3K agonist) through inhibiting the interaction between GRK2 and PI3K in DCs and T cells. CONCLUSION Paroxetine exerts an immunosuppressive effect by targeting GRK2, which subsequently inhibits the metabolism-related PI3K-AKT-mTOR pathway of DCs and T cells in RA.
G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinase 2/metabolism* ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/immunology* ; Animals ; Dendritic Cells/metabolism* ; Paroxetine/therapeutic use* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Mice ; Humans ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Male ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects* ; Female ; T-Lymphocytes/metabolism* ; Middle Aged

The aim of this investigation was to determine the optimal storage medium for testicular hypothermic transportation and identify the ideal concentration for the application of the protective agent 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA). Furthermore, this study aimed to explore the underlying mechanism of the protective effects of 5-ALA. First, we collected and stored mouse testicular fragments in different media, including Hank's balanced salt solution (HBSS; n = 5), Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium/Nutrient Mixture F-12 (DMEM/F12; n = 5), and alpha-minimum essential medium (αMEM; n = 5). Storage of testicular tissue in HBSS preserved the integrity of testicular morphology better than that in the DMEM/F12 group ( P < 0.05) and the αMEM group ( P < 0.01). Testicular fragments were subsequently placed in HBSS with various concentrations of 5-ALA (0 [control], 1 mmol l -1 , 2 mmol l -1 , and 5 mmol l -1 ) to determine the most effective concentration of 5-ALA. The 2 mmol l -1 5-ALA group ( n = 3) presented the highest positive rate of spermatogonial stem cells compared with those in the control, 1 mmol l -1 , and 5 mmol l -1 5-ALA groups. Finally, the tissue fragments were preserved in HBSS with control ( n = 3) and 2 mmol l -1 5-ALA ( n = 3) under low-temperature conditions. A comparative analysis was performed against fresh testes ( n = 3) to elucidate the underlying mechanism of 5-ALA. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) for WikiPathways revealed that the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was downregulated in the 2 mmol l -1 5-ALA group compared with that in the control group (normalized enrichment score [NES] = -1.57, false discovery rate [FDR] = 0.229, and P = 0.019). In conclusion, these data suggest that using 2 mmol l -1 5-ALA in HBSS effectively protected the viability of spermatogonial stem cells upon hypothermic transportation.
Male ; Animals ; Testis/cytology* ; Aminolevulinic Acid/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Organ Preservation/methods* ; Organ Preservation Solutions/pharmacology* ; Cryopreservation/methods*

This study investigated the impact of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and its components on prostate volume (PV) in the general Chinese population. In total, 43 455 participants in The First Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital (Beijing, China) from January 1, 2012, to December 31, 2022, undergoing health examinations were included in the study. Participants were categorized into four groups according to PV quartiles: Q1 (PV ≤24.94 ml), Q2 (PV >24.94 ml and ≤28.78 ml), Q3 (PV >28.78 ml and ≤34.07 ml), and Q4 (PV >34.07 ml), with Q1 serving as the reference group. Logistic regression analyses were used to examine the association between MetS and PV, with subgroup analyses conducted by age. Among the participants, 18 787 (43.2%) were diagnosed with MetS. In the multivariate analysis model, a significant correlation between MetS and PV was observed, with odds ratios (ORs) increasing as PV increased (Q2, OR = 1.203, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.139-1.271; Q3, OR = 1.300, 95% CI: 1.230-1.373; and Q4, OR = 1.556, 95% CI: 1.469-1.648). Analysis of MetS components revealed that all components were positively associated with PV, with abdominal obesity showing the most significant effect. The number of MetS components was identified as a dose-dependent risk factor for elevated PV. The impact of MetS, its components, and component count on PV exhibited a decreasing trend with advancing age. Overall, the influence of MetS, its components, and component count on PV was predominantly observed in the age groups of 40-49 years and 50-59 years. Early intervention targeting MetS can significantly alleviate the increase in PV, particularly benefiting individuals aged 40-59 years who have abdominal obesity.
Humans ; Male ; Metabolic Syndrome/complications* ; Middle Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Aged ; Prostate/diagnostic imaging* ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Organ Size ; China/epidemiology* ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Risk Factors

BACKGROUND: Previous evidence showed that ambient air pollution and cardiovascular mortality are related. However, there is a lack of evidence towards the modification effect of long-term lifestyle on the association between short-term ambient air pollution and death from cardiovascular events. METHOD: A total of 14,609 death from major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) were identified among the China Kadoorie Biobank participants from 2013 to 2018. Ambient air pollution exposure including particulate matter 2.5 (PM_2.5), SO₂, NO₂, CO, and O₃ from the same period were obtained from space-time model reconstructions based on remote sensing data. Case-crossover design and conditional logistic regression was applied to estimate the effect of short-term exposure to air pollutants on MACE mortality. RESULTS: We found MACE mortality was significantly associated with PM_2.5 (relative percent increase 2.91% per 10 µg/m³ increase, 95% CI 1.32-4.53), NO₂ (5.37% per 10 µg/m³ increase, 95% CI 1.56-9.33), SO₂ (6.82% per 10 µg/m³ increase, 95% CI 2.99-10.80), and CO (2.24% per 0.1 mg/m³ increase, 95% CI 1.02-3.48). Stratified analyses indicated that drinking was associated with elevated risk of MACE mortality with NO₂ and SO₂ exposure; physical inactivity was associated with higher risk of death from MACE when exposed to PM_2.5; and people who had balanced diet had lower risk of MACE mortality when exposed to CO and NO₂. CONCLUSIONS The study results showed that short-term exposure to ambient PM_2.5, NO₂, SO₂, and CO would aggravate the risk of cardiovascular mortality, yet healthy lifestyle conduct might mitigate such negative impact to some extent.
Humans ; Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Air Pollution/adverse effects* ; Middle Aged ; Air Pollutants/analysis* ; Particulate Matter/analysis* ; Environmental Exposure/adverse effects* ; Life Style ; Aged ; Adult ; Risk Factors ; Cross-Over Studies ; East Asian People

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) exosomes on osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) extracted from osteoporotic mice, and to evaluate the effect of hASCs exosomes on preventing bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency. METHODS: hASCs exosomes were extracted by ultracentrifugation. The osteoporotic mice were established by bilateral ovariectomy (OVX). BMSCs were isolated from osteo-porotic mice and cultured for further analysis. In the experimental group, these BMSCs were exposed to an osteogenic induction medium supplemented with hASCs exosomes to evaluate their potential effects on osteogenesis. In contrast, the control group was treated with the same osteogenic induction medium, but without the addition of hASCs exosomes, to serve as a baseline comparison for the study. To comprehensively assess the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs influenced by hASCs exosomes, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining, ALP activity quantitative analysis and quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) were performed. These evaluations provided critical insights into the role of hASCs exosomes in promoting osteoblast differentiation and bone formation in osteoporotic conditions. The fluorescence labeled hASCs exosomes were injected via the tail vein to observe the biodistribution of exosomes. Two weeks after OVX, the mice were divided into three groups: The experimental group consisted of estrogen-deficient mice receiving hASCs exosome injections; the negative control group consisted of estrogen-deficient mice receiving phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) injections; and the positive control group consisted of mice that underwent Sham surgery and received PBS injections.The injections were administered once every 3 days, for a total of 8 injections. Afterward, the femurs were collected from the mice, and micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) was performed to measure bone mineral density and conduct bone morphometric analysis. RESULTS: hASCs exosomes were successfully extracted using ultracentrifugation. After the induction by hASCs exosomes, ALP staining and ALP activity in the BMSCs extracted from osteoporotic mice were significantly enhanced, the expression of osteogenesis related genes in BMSCs were significantly up-regulated. More trabecular bone and higher bone mineral density were observed in estrogen-deficient mice injected with hASCs exosomes compared with estrogen-deficient mice injected with PBS, and there was no significant decrease in bone mineral density compared with the Sham operation group. CONCLUSION hASCs exosomes promoted the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs extracted from osteoporotic mice. hASCs exosomes prevented bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency.
Animals ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/cytology* ; Exosomes ; Estrogens/deficiency* ; Humans ; Osteogenesis ; Cell Differentiation ; Female ; Mice ; Osteoporosis/prevention & control* ; Ovariectomy ; Adipose Tissue/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVES: To explore the values of materialism in medical postgraduates and its relationship with depression. METHODS: We conducted a survey among 592 postgraduates in clinical medicine using Materialism Tendency Scale (MTS) and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9). Descriptive analysis, mean comparison, and correlation analysis were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The postgraduates had a mean total score of materialism of 56.36±10.44, and 11.8%, 54.1%, and 34.1% of them reported high, medium, and low levels of materialism, respectively. No significant differences were found in the total score of materialism among the postgraduates of different genders or with different family economic levels, but the postgraduates from urban families had a significantly higher level of materialism than those from rural families (P<0.001). 18.4% of the postgraduates screened positive for moderate to severe depressive symptoms. The total score of MTS was positively correlated with depression (r=0.289, P<0.001). The dimension scores of MTS for materialism obsessions, material vanity, material interest, and material pursuit were all positively correlated with depression (r=0.183-0.289, P<0.001). The depressive symptoms and their overall levels differed significantly among individuals with different levels of materialism, and higher levels of materialism were associated with severer depressive symptoms (F=18.792, P<0.001) and a higher positive rate of depression (χ²=27.528, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS Materialistic values may increase the risk of depression among medical postgraduates.
Humans ; Depression/epidemiology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Female ; Adult ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors

Objective To analyze the impact of mini plate and cannulated screw internal fixation on joint function recovery in patients with posterior malleolus fracture.Methods A total of 150 patients with posterior malleolus fractures,treated at our hospital from March 2021 to June 2023,were included in this study.They were divided into two groups using the odd-even number method.The control group consisted of 75 patients who underwent cannulated screw internal fixation,while the study group comprised 75 patients who received mini plate internal fixation.Clinical indicators,ankle range of motion,ankle function,and health status were compared and analyzed between the two groups.Additionally,levels of inflammatory factors,postoperative complications,and clinical efficacy were assessed.Results In terms of operation time and intraoperative blood loss,there was no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).However,the study group exhibited shorter ambulation days,fracture healing time,and hospitalization days compared to the control group(P＜0.05).Moreover,the study group demonstrated significantly improved ankle dorsiflexion,ankle plantar flexion,foot varus and foot valgus range of motion compared to the control group(P＜0.05).Additionally,higher AOFAS score and KPS score were observed in the study group as compared to the control group(P＜0.05).Furthermore,levels of IL-6,IL-8 and CRP were lower in the study group than in the control group(P＜0.05).The incidence of postoperative complica-tions was also lower in the study group than in the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Mini plate internal fixa-tion for posterior malleolus fracture yields ideal outcomes by promoting improvement in clinical indicators and ankle range of motion while effectively enhancing ankle function,reducing inflammatory reaction as well as minimizing postoperative complications.

Objective: Patients with late life depression sometimes refuse to receive electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) owing to its adverse reactions. To alleviate patient’s resistance, a novel ECT stimulation strategy named mixed-strategy ECT (msECT) was designed in which patients are administered conventional ECT during the first three sessions, followed by low energy stimulation during the subsequent sessions. However, whether low energy electrical stimulation in the subsequent stage of therapy affect its efficacy and reduce adverse reactions in patients with late life depression remains unknown. To explore differences between msECT and regular ECT(RECT) with respect to clinical efficacy and side effects Methods: This randomized, controlled trial was conducted from 2019 to 2021 on 60 patients with late life depression who were randomly assigned to two groups: RECT or msECT. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) was used to compare the two stimulation strategies regarding their efficacy and side effects on cognition. Chi-squared test was used to compare side effects in the two strategies. Results: In the intent-to-treat group, the GEE model suggested no differences between-group difference in Hamilton Depression Rating Scale-17 score over time (Wald χ2=7.275, p=0.064), whereas the comparison of side effects in the two strategies favored msECT (Wald χ2=8.463, p=0.015) as fewer patients had adverse events during the second phase of treatment with msECT (χ2 =13.467, p=0.004). Conclusion msECT presents its similar efficacy to RECT. msECT may have milder side effects on cognition.

The comparison between traditional Chinese medicine Jinzhen oral liquid (JZOL) and Western medicine in treating children with acute bronchitis (AB) showed encouraging outcomes. This trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of the JZOL for improving cough and expectoration in children with AB. 480 children were randomly assigned to take JZOL or ambroxol hydrochloride and clenbuterol hydrochloride oral solution for 7 days. The primary outcome was time-to-cough resolution. The median time-to-cough resolution in both groups was 5.0 days and the antitussive onset median time was only 1 day. This randomized controlled trial showed that JZOL was not inferior to cough suppressant and phlegm resolving western medicine in treating cough and sputum and could comprehensively treat respiratory and systemic discomfort symptoms. Combined with clinical trials, the mechanism of JZOL against AB was uncovered by network target analysis, it was found that the pathways in TRP channels like IL-1β/IL1R/TRPV1/TRPA1, NGF/TrkA/TRPV1/TRPA1, and PGE2/EP/PKA/TRPV1/TRPA1 might play important roles. Animal experiments further confirmed that inflammation and the immune regulatory effect of JZOL in the treatment of AB were of vital importance and TRP channels were the key mechanism of action.

Chromodomain-helicase-DNA-binding protein 1 (CHD1) deletion is among the most common mutations in prostate cancer (PCa), but its role remains unclear. In this study, RNA sequencing was conducted in PCa cells after clustered regularly interspaced palindromic repeat (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9)-based CHD1 knockout. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) indicated upregulation of hypoxia-related pathways. A subsequent study confirmed that CHD1 deletion significantly upregulated hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) expression. Mechanistic investigation revealed that CHD1 deletion upregulated HIF1α by transcriptionally downregulating prolyl hydroxylase domain protein 2 (PHD2), a prolyl hydroxylase catalyzing the hydroxylation of HIF1α and thus promoting its degradation by the E3 ligase von Hippel-Lindau tumor suppressor (VHL). Functional analysis showed that CHD1 deletion promoted angiogenesis and glycolysis, possibly through HIF1α target genes. Taken together, these findings indicate that CHD1 deletion enhances HIF1α expression through PHD2 downregulation and therefore promotes angiogenesis and metabolic reprogramming in PCa.
Male ; Humans ; Von Hippel-Lindau Tumor Suppressor Protein/metabolism* ; DNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Prolyl Hydroxylases/metabolism* ; Hypoxia ; Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology* ; Glycolysis ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; DNA Helicases/metabolism*