Objective To identify the key differentially expressed genes in the patients with lupus nephritis(LN)using bioinformatics methods and discover potential diagnostic biomarkers of LN for exploring the pathogenic mechanisms of LN.Methods The GSE99339 dataset related to chronic kidney disease was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database.Weighted gene co-expres-sion network analysis(WGCNA)was performed to identify the core modules highly correlated with LN.The differentially expressed genes(DEGs)between the two groups(32 LN patients and 14 healthy controls)from GSE32591 dataset were identified using Limma package.The intersection of DEGs and the LN-related module genes was obtained.The Gene Ontology(GO)function annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analyses of intersection genes were conducted using DAVID online tool to construct protein-protein interaction(PPI)network,and the key genes were screened using Cytoscape software.Boxplots and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were generated to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the key genes based on the the gene expression data of GSE112943 validation dataset.Results The greenyellow module(102 genes)was strongly correlated with LN(r=0.85,P＜0.01).A total of 361 DEGs were identified from GSE32591 dataset,among which 53 genes were found to intersect with the green-yellow module genes.The LN-related genes were mainly enriched in the biological processes and pathways which related to antiviral response,innate immunity,hepatitis C,and influenza A virus.The top five key genes in the PPI network were IFIT3,MX1,OAS1,RSAD2,and OAS3.The expression levels of 1FIT3,MX1,OAS1 and RSAD2 in LN were significantly different from con-trol groups(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC values for the four genes in predicting LN were all greater than 0.8,indicating high diagnostic efficiency.Conclusion IFIT3,MX1,OAS1 and RSAD2 may be the key differentially expressed genes in LN and may be potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for LN.

Objective:To investigate the association between blood selenium levels and sex hormones in Chinese men aged 18-79 years.Methods:Data were derived from the China National Human Biomonitoring survey conducted in 2017-2018, with a final sample size of 5 414 men. General demographic characteristics, behavioral habits, and dietary frequency were collected through questionnaires and physical examinations. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure blood lead, serum testosterone, and estradiol levels. Complex sampling linear regression models were used to analyze the associations between blood selenium levels and testosterone, estradiol, and the testosterone/estradiol ratio, adjusting for confounding factors including age, education level, marital status, smoking status, alcohol consumption, seafood intake, soy product intake, protein supplement intake, BMI, and diabetes status.Results:The mean age of the 5 414 participants was (46.85±27.91) years; 4 774 (91.65%) were of Han ethnicity and 4 505 (86.68%) were married. The median ( Q1, Q3) blood selenium concentration in men was 97.80 (80.64, 116.99) μg/L. After adjusting for confounding factors, the complex sampling linear regression model revealed negative associations between blood selenium levels and both testosterone levels and the testosterone/estradiol ratio, with a significant linear trend ( Ptrend<0.05). Compared with the Q1 group, the β (95% CI) values for testosterone in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were -0.02 (-0.06 to 0.02), -0.03 (-0.08 to 0.01), and -0.06 (-0.09 to -0.02), respectively. Similarly, the β (95% CI) values for the testosterone/estradiol ratio in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were -0.01 (-0.03 to 0.02), -0.01 (-0.04 to 0.04), and -0.03 (-0.06 to -0.01), respectively. Subgroup analysis indicated stronger associations between blood selenium levels and testosterone/estradiol levels in non-smoking and obese men (BMI≥28 kg/m2). Conclusion:Blood selenium levels are negatively associated with testosterone levels and the testosterone/estradiol ratio in Chinese adult males.

Objective:To explore the association of blood and urinary cadmium levels with lipid profile levels and dyslipidemia in Chinese adults aged 18 to 79 years.Methods:Based on the China National Human Biomonitoring (CNHBM) program, a cross-sectional survey was conducted from 2017 to 2018 using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method, including a total of 10 713 adults aged 18 to 79 years. Data was obtained through questionnaires, physical examinations, biological sample collection, and laboratory testing. Multiple linear mixed effect model (MLMM) and generalized linear mixed effect model (GLMM) were used to analyze the association of blood and creatinine-corrected urinary cadmium levels with lipid profile levels as well as dyslipidemia among adults.Results:The age of 10 713 participants was (47.23±0.24) years, with 5 372 males accounting for 61.3% of the national population. The weighted mean±standard error (SE) of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was (5.21±0.03), (1.86±0.03), (2.96±0.03), and (1.43±0.01) mmol/L, respectively. The prevalence rate of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, mixed hyperlipidemia, low HDL-C, and high LDL-C was 16.0%, 21.6%, 6.6%, 13.5%, and 10.0%, respectively. MLMM showed that, after adjusting for relevant confounders, log-transformed blood cadmium levels were positively associated with increased levels of TC, TG and LDL-C ( P<0.05). When blood cadmium levels were categorized into quartiles, compared to the lowest exposure group ( Q1), participants in the highest blood cadmium exposure group ( Q4) had increases of 0.19 (95% CI: 0.06, 0.32) mmol/L in TC and 0.25 (95% CI: 0.08, 0.43) mmol/L in TG. GLMM indicated that, after adjusting for confounders, higher blood cadmium exposure levels were associated with increased risks of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, mixed hyperlipidemia, and high LDL-C ( P<0.05). Further analysis by quartiles showed that, compared to the blood cadmium Q1 exposure group, the OR value (95% CI) for the Q4 group was 1.53 (1.12, 2.08) for hypercholesterolemia, 1.54 (1.09, 2.17) for hypertriglyceridemia, 2.24 (1.47, 3.40) for mixed hyperlipidemia, and 1.49 (1.07, 2.09) for high LDL-C. Conclusion:The cadmium internal exposure levels are associated with blood lipid profile levels as well as the incidence of dyslipidemia in Chinese adults aged 18 to 79.

Objective:To observe and analyze the intraocular stability of intraocular lens (IOL) with different haptic designs after cataract surgery by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:A cohort study was conducted.Medical records of 130 consecutive patients (130 eyes) diagnosed with age-related cataract, who underwent phacoemulsification and IOL implantation at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2021 to August 2022 were collected.According to the type of IOL implanted, the patients were divided into four groups, L-haptic group with 34 cases (34 eyes), modified C-haptic group with 30 cases (30 eyes), plate-haptic group with 36 cases (36 eyes), four-haptic group with 30 cases (30 eyes).Before surgery, the patient's axial length and IOL diopter were measured with an optical biometer, and the angle kappa and angle alpha were measured with corneal topography.At 3 months after surgery, the anterior chamber depth, decentration and tilt of IOL, the space area between IOL and posterior capsule (AREAP) of the four groups were measured using SS-OCT.And anterior chamber depth changes and diopter changes were calculated.This study complied with the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (No.2022-KY-1222-002).All subjects were aware of the purpose and significance of this study and voluntarily signed the informed consent form.Results:The average decentration and tilt of the modified C-haptic, L-haptic, plate-haptic, and four-haptic IOL decreased successively at 3 months after surgery, with no statistically significant differences ( H=7.055, F=5.162; all P>0.05).The postoperative anterior chamber depth, the anterior chamber depth change, the diopter change and the AREAP of the modified C-haptic, L-haptic, plate-haptic, and four-haptic IOL decreased successively at 3 months after surgery, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05).Preoperative angle kappa was positively correlated with postoperative 3-month IOL tilt ( r=0.554, P<0.001).Preoperative angle alpha was positively correlated with postoperative 3-month IOL tilt ( r=0.469, P<0.001).The multiple linear regression model constructed with preoperative angle kappa and preoperative angle alpha as independent variables and IOL tilt as dependent variable was statistically significant ( F=39.526, P<0.001, R2=0.384).For every 1 mm increase in preoperative angle kappa, postoperative tilt will increase by 0.438°; for every 1 mm increase in preoperative angle alpha, postoperative tilt will increase by 0.300°. Conclusions:All four IOLs with different haptic designs have good horizontal centering stability.The plate-haptic and the four-haptic IOLs have superior vertical stability compared to L-haptic and modified C-haptic designs.Preoperative angles kappa and alpha can be used as indicators to predict postoperative IOL tilt.

Objective:To observe and analyze the intraocular stability of intraocular lens (IOL) with different haptic designs after cataract surgery by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:A cohort study was conducted.Medical records of 130 consecutive patients (130 eyes) diagnosed with age-related cataract, who underwent phacoemulsification and IOL implantation at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2021 to August 2022 were collected.According to the type of IOL implanted, the patients were divided into four groups, L-haptic group with 34 cases (34 eyes), modified C-haptic group with 30 cases (30 eyes), plate-haptic group with 36 cases (36 eyes), four-haptic group with 30 cases (30 eyes).Before surgery, the patient's axial length and IOL diopter were measured with an optical biometer, and the angle kappa and angle alpha were measured with corneal topography.At 3 months after surgery, the anterior chamber depth, decentration and tilt of IOL, the space area between IOL and posterior capsule (AREAP) of the four groups were measured using SS-OCT.And anterior chamber depth changes and diopter changes were calculated.This study complied with the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (No.2022-KY-1222-002).All subjects were aware of the purpose and significance of this study and voluntarily signed the informed consent form.Results:The average decentration and tilt of the modified C-haptic, L-haptic, plate-haptic, and four-haptic IOL decreased successively at 3 months after surgery, with no statistically significant differences ( H=7.055, F=5.162; all P>0.05).The postoperative anterior chamber depth, the anterior chamber depth change, the diopter change and the AREAP of the modified C-haptic, L-haptic, plate-haptic, and four-haptic IOL decreased successively at 3 months after surgery, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05).Preoperative angle kappa was positively correlated with postoperative 3-month IOL tilt ( r=0.554, P<0.001).Preoperative angle alpha was positively correlated with postoperative 3-month IOL tilt ( r=0.469, P<0.001).The multiple linear regression model constructed with preoperative angle kappa and preoperative angle alpha as independent variables and IOL tilt as dependent variable was statistically significant ( F=39.526, P<0.001, R2=0.384).For every 1 mm increase in preoperative angle kappa, postoperative tilt will increase by 0.438°; for every 1 mm increase in preoperative angle alpha, postoperative tilt will increase by 0.300°. Conclusions:All four IOLs with different haptic designs have good horizontal centering stability.The plate-haptic and the four-haptic IOLs have superior vertical stability compared to L-haptic and modified C-haptic designs.Preoperative angles kappa and alpha can be used as indicators to predict postoperative IOL tilt.

ObjectiveTo multidimensionally analyze the clinical effects of Qianyang Yuyin granules on elderly hypertensive patients through an "energy-inflammation-aging" network. MethodsRelevant datasets were retrieved from the GEO database. Gene set enrichment analysis （GSEA） was performed on the gene expression profiles of peripheral blood cells from patients with essential hypertension in dataset GSE24752. The GSEA referenced "GO gene sets" and "KEGG gene sets" to identify significantly enriched gene sets. A clinical trial was conducted using a randomized controlled study design. A total of 40 patients meeting the inclusion criteria were enrolled. The control group received standard antihypertensive treatment with angiotensin receptor blockers （ARBs） or combined calcium channel blockers （CCBs）. In contrast，the treatment group received Qianyang Yuyin Granules in addition to the standard treatment for 12 weeks. Blood pressure levels and clinical efficacy were observed，and changes in energy metabolism indicators，DNA damage markers，and senescence-associated secretory phenotype （SASP） in blood were measured using ELISA before and after treatment. ResultsGSEA results indicated significant energy metabolism dysregulation in hypertensive patients. Clinical findings showed that both groups achieved blood pressure control without significant intergroup differences. In terms of clinical efficacy，the treatment group had a significantly higher effective rate compared to the control group （95% vs 65%，P0.05）. After treatment，the treatment group showed a significant increase in NAD⁺ levels （P0.01），with higher levels compared to the control group （P0.05）. The treatment group also exhibited a greater reduction in DNA damage marker 8-OHdG （P0.01） and cell adhesion factors ICAM-1 and VCAM-1 （P0.01） compared to the control group. Pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-1β and IL-6 were significantly reduced in the treatment group （P0.01），with greater reductions compared to the control group （P0.05，P0.01）. Anti-inflammatory cytokines IFN-α，IL-4，and IL-10 were significantly elevated in the treatment group （P0.01），with higher levels compared to the control group （P0.01）. No significant adverse reactions were reported in either group. ConclusionThe "energy- inflammation- aging" network plays an important role in the pathological mechanism of hypertension patients. Qianyang Yuyin granules may delay the aging process by increasing patients' energy metabolism levels，reducing DNA oxidative damage，and maintaining the balance of inflammatory factors.

Objective To identify the key differentially expressed genes in the patients with lupus nephritis(LN)using bioinformatics methods and discover potential diagnostic biomarkers of LN for exploring the pathogenic mechanisms of LN.Methods The GSE99339 dataset related to chronic kidney disease was obtained from the Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database.Weighted gene co-expres-sion network analysis(WGCNA)was performed to identify the core modules highly correlated with LN.The differentially expressed genes(DEGs)between the two groups(32 LN patients and 14 healthy controls)from GSE32591 dataset were identified using Limma package.The intersection of DEGs and the LN-related module genes was obtained.The Gene Ontology(GO)function annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analyses of intersection genes were conducted using DAVID online tool to construct protein-protein interaction(PPI)network,and the key genes were screened using Cytoscape software.Boxplots and receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were generated to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency of the key genes based on the the gene expression data of GSE112943 validation dataset.Results The greenyellow module(102 genes)was strongly correlated with LN(r=0.85,P＜0.01).A total of 361 DEGs were identified from GSE32591 dataset,among which 53 genes were found to intersect with the green-yellow module genes.The LN-related genes were mainly enriched in the biological processes and pathways which related to antiviral response,innate immunity,hepatitis C,and influenza A virus.The top five key genes in the PPI network were IFIT3,MX1,OAS1,RSAD2,and OAS3.The expression levels of 1FIT3,MX1,OAS1 and RSAD2 in LN were significantly different from con-trol groups(P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC values for the four genes in predicting LN were all greater than 0.8,indicating high diagnostic efficiency.Conclusion IFIT3,MX1,OAS1 and RSAD2 may be the key differentially expressed genes in LN and may be potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for LN.

Objective:To investigate the association between blood selenium levels and sex hormones in Chinese men aged 18-79 years.Methods:Data were derived from the China National Human Biomonitoring survey conducted in 2017-2018, with a final sample size of 5 414 men. General demographic characteristics, behavioral habits, and dietary frequency were collected through questionnaires and physical examinations. Fasting blood samples were collected to measure blood lead, serum testosterone, and estradiol levels. Complex sampling linear regression models were used to analyze the associations between blood selenium levels and testosterone, estradiol, and the testosterone/estradiol ratio, adjusting for confounding factors including age, education level, marital status, smoking status, alcohol consumption, seafood intake, soy product intake, protein supplement intake, BMI, and diabetes status.Results:The mean age of the 5 414 participants was (46.85±27.91) years; 4 774 (91.65%) were of Han ethnicity and 4 505 (86.68%) were married. The median ( Q1, Q3) blood selenium concentration in men was 97.80 (80.64, 116.99) μg/L. After adjusting for confounding factors, the complex sampling linear regression model revealed negative associations between blood selenium levels and both testosterone levels and the testosterone/estradiol ratio, with a significant linear trend ( Ptrend<0.05). Compared with the Q1 group, the β (95% CI) values for testosterone in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were -0.02 (-0.06 to 0.02), -0.03 (-0.08 to 0.01), and -0.06 (-0.09 to -0.02), respectively. Similarly, the β (95% CI) values for the testosterone/estradiol ratio in the Q2, Q3, and Q4 groups were -0.01 (-0.03 to 0.02), -0.01 (-0.04 to 0.04), and -0.03 (-0.06 to -0.01), respectively. Subgroup analysis indicated stronger associations between blood selenium levels and testosterone/estradiol levels in non-smoking and obese men (BMI≥28 kg/m2). Conclusion:Blood selenium levels are negatively associated with testosterone levels and the testosterone/estradiol ratio in Chinese adult males.

Objective:To explore the association of blood and urinary cadmium levels with lipid profile levels and dyslipidemia in Chinese adults aged 18 to 79 years.Methods:Based on the China National Human Biomonitoring (CNHBM) program, a cross-sectional survey was conducted from 2017 to 2018 using a multi-stage stratified random sampling method, including a total of 10 713 adults aged 18 to 79 years. Data was obtained through questionnaires, physical examinations, biological sample collection, and laboratory testing. Multiple linear mixed effect model (MLMM) and generalized linear mixed effect model (GLMM) were used to analyze the association of blood and creatinine-corrected urinary cadmium levels with lipid profile levels as well as dyslipidemia among adults.Results:The age of 10 713 participants was (47.23±0.24) years, with 5 372 males accounting for 61.3% of the national population. The weighted mean±standard error (SE) of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) was (5.21±0.03), (1.86±0.03), (2.96±0.03), and (1.43±0.01) mmol/L, respectively. The prevalence rate of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, mixed hyperlipidemia, low HDL-C, and high LDL-C was 16.0%, 21.6%, 6.6%, 13.5%, and 10.0%, respectively. MLMM showed that, after adjusting for relevant confounders, log-transformed blood cadmium levels were positively associated with increased levels of TC, TG and LDL-C ( P<0.05). When blood cadmium levels were categorized into quartiles, compared to the lowest exposure group ( Q1), participants in the highest blood cadmium exposure group ( Q4) had increases of 0.19 (95% CI: 0.06, 0.32) mmol/L in TC and 0.25 (95% CI: 0.08, 0.43) mmol/L in TG. GLMM indicated that, after adjusting for confounders, higher blood cadmium exposure levels were associated with increased risks of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, mixed hyperlipidemia, and high LDL-C ( P<0.05). Further analysis by quartiles showed that, compared to the blood cadmium Q1 exposure group, the OR value (95% CI) for the Q4 group was 1.53 (1.12, 2.08) for hypercholesterolemia, 1.54 (1.09, 2.17) for hypertriglyceridemia, 2.24 (1.47, 3.40) for mixed hyperlipidemia, and 1.49 (1.07, 2.09) for high LDL-C. Conclusion:The cadmium internal exposure levels are associated with blood lipid profile levels as well as the incidence of dyslipidemia in Chinese adults aged 18 to 79.

ObjectiveTo investigate the differences in clinical efficacy of different medication regimens of Wangbi Tablets （尪痹片） for knee osteoarthritis （KOA） in a real-world setting， providing a basis for rational clinical use of Wangbi Tablets. MethodsA prospective registry study was conducted， involving 2，999 KOA patients registered in 30 hospitals nationwide from January 26th， 2019， to December 17th， 2021. Based on the use of Wangbi Tablets during the observation period， patients were divided into a monotherapy group （1，507 cases） and a combination therapy group （1，492 cases）， and the combination group can be further divided into Wangbi Tablets plus Chinese medicine （CM）， Wangbi Tablets plus western medicine （WM）， and Wangbi Tablets plus Chinese and western medicine （CM+WM） subgroups. The baseline data of patients in the monotherapy group and the combination group were compared， including age， gender， body weight， medication time， clinical stage， K-L grade， and others. Efficacy indicators included the Visual Analog Scale （VAS） score， Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index （WOMAC） score， and EuroQol five-dimensional （EQ-5D） health index， which were evaluated before and after 4-， 8- and 12-week treatment， and the difference before and after treatment was calculated after 4， 8 and 12 weeks of treatment. The difference between the baseline and 12 weeks of treatment of all the above indicators was used as the dependent variables， and gender， age， body mass index （BMI）， course of disease， K-L grade， and clinical stage were used as independent variables， when multiple linear regression was taken to explore the influencing factors of the efficacy. At the same time， the occurrence of major symptoms （including morning stiffness， joint swelling， soreness of waist and knees， fear of wind， and fear of cold） was counted， and the disappearance of symptoms at each time point was counted after 4， 8， and 12 weeks of treatment. ResultsAt baseline， there were no statistically significant differences in gender and age distribution between the monotherapy and combination therapy groups （P＞0.05）； the proportion of patients in the acute stage and recovery stage was higher in the monotherapy group than in the combination therapy group， while the proportion in the remission stage was lower （P＜0.05）； the VAS score was higher in the monotherapy group， and the EQ-5D index was lower （P＜0.01）， with no statistically significant difference in total WOMAC score between the two groups （P＞0.05）. Compared to those measured before treatment and at previous timepoint， the VAS score and WOMAC total score significantly decreased in both groups， while EQ-5D value increased （P＜0.05）. The difference in VAS score between baseline and after 12-week treatment was higher in the monotherapy group than the combination group， while the differences in WOMAC total score and EQ-5D value between baseline and after 4-， 8- and 12-week treatment were higher in the combination group （P＜0.05）. Multiple linear regression showed that VAS score before treatment had greatest impact on pain improvement （P＜0.01）， and compared to Wangbi Tablets monotherapy， the combination of Wangbi tablets with WM or CM had larger associations with pain improvement （P＜0.05）； and Wangbi Tablets had better efficacy when the course of treatment was ＞28 days （P＜0.01）. Wangbi Tablets plus WM had a better effect on improving the overall function of the knee joint than Wangbi Tablets alone （P＜0.01）； and the efficacy of Wangbi Tablets with a course of treatment ＞28 days was better （P＜0.05）. The improvement of quality of life of patients in the attack and remission stages was more obvious than that in the recovery stage （P＜0.01）； Wangbi Tablets plus WM or CM had a better effect on improving quality of life than Wangbi Tablets alone （P＜0.05）. Before treatment， the proportion of patients with morning stiffness， soreness of waist and knees， fear of wind and chills in the monotherapy group was higher than that in the combination group （P＜0.01）. The proportion of main symptoms in both groups decreased after 4， 8 and 12 weeks of treatment （P＜0.05）. After 4 weeks of treatment， the disappearance rate of each main symptom in the combination group was higher than that in the monotherapy group， and after 12 weeks of treatment， the disappearance rate of fear of wind in the monotherapy group was higher than that in the combination group， while the disappearance rate of joint swelling and soreness of waist and knees was lower （P＜0.05）. ConclusionWangbi Tablets， whether used alone or in combination with other medications， is effective throughout the course of KOA， with greater benefits in improving joint function and quality of life during the acute and remission stages compared to the recovery stage. Combination therapy had a faster onset of effect， but began to converge with monotherapy after 8 weeks. The best efficacy was observed with the combination of Wangbi Tablets with WM， followed by combination with CM.