BACKGROUND:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are one of the sources of adipocytes and express all renin-angiotensin system components,but the effect of angiotensin Ⅱ on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into brown adipose tissue is not clear.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of angiotensin Ⅱ on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into brown adipose tissue and investigate the role of angiotensin 1a receptor knockout in effect of angiotensin Ⅱ on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into brown adipocytes and its potential mechanisms.METHODS:After isolation and culture of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in wild-type and angiotensin 1a receptor knockout SD rats,the cells were cultured to the third generation and randomly divided into four groups:wild type group,knockout group,wild type+angiotensin Ⅱ group,and knockout+angiotensin Ⅱ group.The differentiation was induced in the brown fat induced differentiation medium for 14 days.Angiotensin Ⅱ(100 nmol/L)was added for intervention when the differentiation medium was changed each time in the latter two groups.Western blot assay,qRT-PCR,immunofluorescence,and other methods were used to detect the expression of induced differentiation,lipolysis,β oxidation,and mitochondrial biogenesis in brown fat.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Angiotensin Ⅱ could inhibit the browning of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.Knockout of angiotensin 1a receptor could improve the inhibitory effect of angiotensin Ⅱ on brown lipid formation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by promoting lipolysis,enhancing fatty acid β oxidation,promoting mitochondrial biogenesis,and enhancing mitochondrial function.These findings provide new research directions and potential therapeutic targets for obesity treatment,revealing the important role of renin angiotensin systems in fat metabolism and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of action of the Astragalus-Chinese yam combination in treating cancer-related fatigue(CRF)in mice.Methods The active components and related targets of Astragalus-Chinese yam were obtained from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform.CRF-associated targets were identified using the GeneCards database.Intersecting targets were analyzed using the DAVID database for gene ontology and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analyses.A network diagram depicting"drug-active component-intersecting targets-disease"was constructed using Cytoscape software,and a protein-protein interaction network was created to identify the top five core target proteins based on degree values.Molecular docking simulations were performed using Autodock Vina software.Twenty-five mice were divided randomly into a blank group and a modeling group in a 1∶4 ratio.After successfully establishing the CRF model using Lewis lung cancer cells,mice in the modeling group were further divided into model,Chinese yam(0.2 g/kg),Astragalus(0.6 g/kg),and Astragalus-Chinese yam combination groups(0.3+0.1 g/kg)(n=5 mice per group).The treatments were administered by gavage twice daily for 14 consecutive days.Grip-strength and forced-swimming tests were conducted.The mice were then euthanized and tissues were collected.The gastrocnemius muscles were weighed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin to reveal the muscle fiber morphology.Results A total of 23 effective active components of Astragalus-Chinese yam were identified through network pharmacology analysis,with 199 intersecting drug-disease targets.These targets mainly participated in biological processes such as protein phosphorylation through cellular components(cytoplasm,membrane,nucleus)and performed molecular functions such as protein binding.A total of 155 signaling pathways,including pathway in cancer and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B signaling pathway,were involved in CRF.The critical targets of Astragalus-Chinese yam for CRF included serine/threonine kinase,tumor necrosis factor,epidermal growth factor receptor,B-cell lymphoma 2,and caspase 3.The active components quercetin and diosgenin interacted with the highest number of targets and demonstrated binding energies＜-5.0 kJ/mol with the five core targets,indicating strong ligand-receptor binding affinity.Mice in the Chinese yam and Astragalus groups exhibited increased grip strength and prolonged swimming times compared with the model group.Gastrocnemius muscle volume and mass were increased,with well-organized muscle fibers and clear boundaries,and the effects were even more pronounced in the Astragalus-Chinese yam combination group.Conclusions Astragalus-Chinese yam treats CRF via a multi-target,multi-pathway approach,enhancing muscle strength and endurance in mice,improving gastrocnemius muscle volume and mass,and alleviating muscle atrophy,thereby mitigating the associated symptoms of CRF in mice.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of CGG repeat numbers in the FMR1 gene among reproductive-age women in China, providing data reference for carrier screening and genetic counseling of Fragile X syndrome. Methods:This cross-sectional study recruited 16 610 reproductive-age women from 12 medical institutions between July 2022 and October 2023. Peripheral venous blood samples (3 mL) were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted. The number of CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene was determined using the triplet-primed polymerase chain reaction (TP-PCR) combined with capillary electrophoresis technology. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the prevalence and distribution of CGG repeat expansions. Results:Among 16 610 women of childbearing age, 5 684 (34.220%) women had the same number of CGG repeats in the two alleles of FMR1 gene, and 10 926 (65.780%) women had different numbers of repeats in the two alleles. Among the 33 220 FMR1 alleles in 16 610 women of reproductive age, the most common CGG repeat numbers were 29 [48.645% (16 160/33 220)] and 30 [26.276% (8 729/33 220)], while the most frequent CGG genotype was CGG 29/29 [24.726% (4 107/16 610)]. The CGG repeat numbers of FMR1 gene were normal in 16 498 women (99.326%). Among the 112 women (0.674%) with CGG repeat abnormities, 96 (0.578%) women were classified as intermediate carriers, 15 (0.090%) as premutation carriers, and 1 (0.006%) as a full mutation carrier, whose CGG genotype was (36, >200). Conclusion:In the general reproductive-age female population in China, the normal CGG repeat numbers of the FMR1 gene account for 99.326%, while the intermediate carrier rate is 0.578%, and the combined carrier rate of the premutation and full mutation types is 0.096%.

Tubal ciliary movement is one of the essential transport mechanisms for female fertility, playing a key role in facilitating oocyte pickup and transporting the fertilized ovum. This movement is mediated by multiciliated cells and regulated by specific proteins and hormones that modulate ciliary number, length, polarity, beat frequency, and amplitude to ensure proper function. Genetic mutations, inflammatory stimuli, and hormonal fluctuations can impair ciliary activity or induce ciliary apoptosis, leading to ciliary dysfunction. Disorders of tubal ciliary movement are frequently observed in primary ciliary dyskinesia, pelvic inflammatory disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, and endometriosis, conditions commonly associated with female infertility. These disorders manifest as structural abnormalities of cilia, disrupted polarity, shortened ciliary length, reduced ciliary count, and decreased beat frequency and amplitude. Understanding the role of tubal ciliary movement in female infertility-related diseases, through immunohistochemistry and ultrastructural analysis, helps clarify underlying infertility mechanisms. Identifying abnormal inflammatory factors, hormonal environments, and gene expression, combined with advanced techniques for measuring ciliary protein and beat frequency, may offer novel clinical targets for early prevention and treatment of female infertility.
Humans ; Female ; Infertility, Female/etiology* ; Cilia/physiology* ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/physiopathology* ; Fallopian Tubes/physiopathology* ; Endometriosis/complications* ; Pelvic Inflammatory Disease/complications*

Objective To explore the current status of minor children parenting concerns among young and middle-aged breast cancer patients and investigate the influencing factors based on a random forest model so as to provide references for clinical interventions.Methods A convenience sampling method was used to select breast cancer patients undergoing treatment in our hospital between April and December 2023.A self-designed general information questionnaire,the Chinese version of parenting concerns questionnaire(PCQ),perceived social support scale(PSSS),concern about recurrence scale(CARS),and the brief illness perception questionnaire(BIPQ)were used for the study.A random forest model and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)were employed to prioritise variables and filtered by significance.The selected variables were then incorporated into the multiple linear regression analysis.Results A total of 260 patients completed the study.The score of minor children parenting concerns of young and middle-aged breast cancer patients was 51.1±6.4.The multiple linear regression analysis,which included variables determined by random forest and LASSO regression(and sorted by the importance of influencing factors),showed that higher disease perception,lower perceived social support,greater concern about cancer recurrence,stage IV tumors,being divorced/widowed,and having more minor children were associated with higher parenting concerns among young and middle-aged breast cancer patients(all P<0.05),accounting for 57.0%of the total variance.Conclusion The minor children parenting concerns in young and middle-aged breast cancer patients are at a moderately high level and are influenced by a variety of factors.Healthcare professionals should develop targeted measures and interventions to reduce the parenting concerns among the patients.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of CGG repeat numbers in the FMR1 gene among reproductive-age women in China, providing data reference for carrier screening and genetic counseling of Fragile X syndrome. Methods:This cross-sectional study recruited 16 610 reproductive-age women from 12 medical institutions between July 2022 and October 2023. Peripheral venous blood samples (3 mL) were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted. The number of CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene was determined using the triplet-primed polymerase chain reaction (TP-PCR) combined with capillary electrophoresis technology. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the prevalence and distribution of CGG repeat expansions. Results:Among 16 610 women of childbearing age, 5 684 (34.220%) women had the same number of CGG repeats in the two alleles of FMR1 gene, and 10 926 (65.780%) women had different numbers of repeats in the two alleles. Among the 33 220 FMR1 alleles in 16 610 women of reproductive age, the most common CGG repeat numbers were 29 [48.645% (16 160/33 220)] and 30 [26.276% (8 729/33 220)], while the most frequent CGG genotype was CGG 29/29 [24.726% (4 107/16 610)]. The CGG repeat numbers of FMR1 gene were normal in 16 498 women (99.326%). Among the 112 women (0.674%) with CGG repeat abnormities, 96 (0.578%) women were classified as intermediate carriers, 15 (0.090%) as premutation carriers, and 1 (0.006%) as a full mutation carrier, whose CGG genotype was (36, >200). Conclusion:In the general reproductive-age female population in China, the normal CGG repeat numbers of the FMR1 gene account for 99.326%, while the intermediate carrier rate is 0.578%, and the combined carrier rate of the premutation and full mutation types is 0.096%.

BACKGROUND:Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells are one of the sources of adipocytes and express all renin-angiotensin system components,but the effect of angiotensin Ⅱ on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into brown adipose tissue is not clear.OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of angiotensin Ⅱ on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into brown adipose tissue and investigate the role of angiotensin 1a receptor knockout in effect of angiotensin Ⅱ on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell differentiation into brown adipocytes and its potential mechanisms.METHODS:After isolation and culture of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in wild-type and angiotensin 1a receptor knockout SD rats,the cells were cultured to the third generation and randomly divided into four groups:wild type group,knockout group,wild type+angiotensin Ⅱ group,and knockout+angiotensin Ⅱ group.The differentiation was induced in the brown fat induced differentiation medium for 14 days.Angiotensin Ⅱ(100 nmol/L)was added for intervention when the differentiation medium was changed each time in the latter two groups.Western blot assay,qRT-PCR,immunofluorescence,and other methods were used to detect the expression of induced differentiation,lipolysis,β oxidation,and mitochondrial biogenesis in brown fat.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Angiotensin Ⅱ could inhibit the browning of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.Knockout of angiotensin 1a receptor could improve the inhibitory effect of angiotensin Ⅱ on brown lipid formation of rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells by promoting lipolysis,enhancing fatty acid β oxidation,promoting mitochondrial biogenesis,and enhancing mitochondrial function.These findings provide new research directions and potential therapeutic targets for obesity treatment,revealing the important role of renin angiotensin systems in fat metabolism and its potential as a therapeutic target.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of action of the Astragalus-Chinese yam combination in treating cancer-related fatigue(CRF)in mice.Methods The active components and related targets of Astragalus-Chinese yam were obtained from the traditional Chinese medicine systems pharmacology database and analysis platform.CRF-associated targets were identified using the GeneCards database.Intersecting targets were analyzed using the DAVID database for gene ontology and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analyses.A network diagram depicting"drug-active component-intersecting targets-disease"was constructed using Cytoscape software,and a protein-protein interaction network was created to identify the top five core target proteins based on degree values.Molecular docking simulations were performed using Autodock Vina software.Twenty-five mice were divided randomly into a blank group and a modeling group in a 1∶4 ratio.After successfully establishing the CRF model using Lewis lung cancer cells,mice in the modeling group were further divided into model,Chinese yam(0.2 g/kg),Astragalus(0.6 g/kg),and Astragalus-Chinese yam combination groups(0.3+0.1 g/kg)(n=5 mice per group).The treatments were administered by gavage twice daily for 14 consecutive days.Grip-strength and forced-swimming tests were conducted.The mice were then euthanized and tissues were collected.The gastrocnemius muscles were weighed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin to reveal the muscle fiber morphology.Results A total of 23 effective active components of Astragalus-Chinese yam were identified through network pharmacology analysis,with 199 intersecting drug-disease targets.These targets mainly participated in biological processes such as protein phosphorylation through cellular components(cytoplasm,membrane,nucleus)and performed molecular functions such as protein binding.A total of 155 signaling pathways,including pathway in cancer and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase-protein kinase B signaling pathway,were involved in CRF.The critical targets of Astragalus-Chinese yam for CRF included serine/threonine kinase,tumor necrosis factor,epidermal growth factor receptor,B-cell lymphoma 2,and caspase 3.The active components quercetin and diosgenin interacted with the highest number of targets and demonstrated binding energies＜-5.0 kJ/mol with the five core targets,indicating strong ligand-receptor binding affinity.Mice in the Chinese yam and Astragalus groups exhibited increased grip strength and prolonged swimming times compared with the model group.Gastrocnemius muscle volume and mass were increased,with well-organized muscle fibers and clear boundaries,and the effects were even more pronounced in the Astragalus-Chinese yam combination group.Conclusions Astragalus-Chinese yam treats CRF via a multi-target,multi-pathway approach,enhancing muscle strength and endurance in mice,improving gastrocnemius muscle volume and mass,and alleviating muscle atrophy,thereby mitigating the associated symptoms of CRF in mice.

Objective To explore the current status of minor children parenting concerns among young and middle-aged breast cancer patients and investigate the influencing factors based on a random forest model so as to provide references for clinical interventions.Methods A convenience sampling method was used to select breast cancer patients undergoing treatment in our hospital between April and December 2023.A self-designed general information questionnaire,the Chinese version of parenting concerns questionnaire(PCQ),perceived social support scale(PSSS),concern about recurrence scale(CARS),and the brief illness perception questionnaire(BIPQ)were used for the study.A random forest model and the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator(LASSO)were employed to prioritise variables and filtered by significance.The selected variables were then incorporated into the multiple linear regression analysis.Results A total of 260 patients completed the study.The score of minor children parenting concerns of young and middle-aged breast cancer patients was 51.1±6.4.The multiple linear regression analysis,which included variables determined by random forest and LASSO regression(and sorted by the importance of influencing factors),showed that higher disease perception,lower perceived social support,greater concern about cancer recurrence,stage IV tumors,being divorced/widowed,and having more minor children were associated with higher parenting concerns among young and middle-aged breast cancer patients(all P<0.05),accounting for 57.0%of the total variance.Conclusion The minor children parenting concerns in young and middle-aged breast cancer patients are at a moderately high level and are influenced by a variety of factors.Healthcare professionals should develop targeted measures and interventions to reduce the parenting concerns among the patients.

Mild cognitive impairment(MCI)is often regarded as a prodromal stage of dementia,primarily characterized by mild decline in cognitive function.Due to the mild nature of its symptoms,many MCI cases miss the opportunity for intervention.Research indicates that linguistic changes in MCI may precede other cognitive symptoms,providing an opportunity for early identification and intervention.These linguistic changes include abnormalities in speech rate,pronunciation,and intonation.Speech repetition tasks,such as the five-word test,delayed digit matching,and sentence repetition tests,are effective methods for assessing the speech characteristics of MCI patients.These tasks involve asking patients to repeat specific content,and analyzing the accuracy of their repetitions to assess their speech function.The application of machine learning and deep learning techniques enables automatic extraction of MCI-related features from speech data,improving diagnostic accuracy.The combined application of these techniques contributes to the early detection of MCI,providing a basis for timely intervention.