OBJECTIVES: Osteoarthritis (OA) and sarcopenia are significant health concerns in the elderly, substantially impacting their daily activities and quality of life. However, the relationship between them remains poorly understood. This study aims to uncover common biomarkers and pathways associated with both OA and sarcopenia. METHODS: Gene expression profiles related to OA and sarcopenia were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between disease and control groups were identified using R software. Common DEGs were extracted via Venn diagram analysis. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were conducted to identify biological processes and pathways associated with shared DEGs. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks were constructed, and candidate hub genes were ranked using the maximal clique centrality (MCC) algorithm. Further validation of hub gene expression was performed using 2 independent datasets. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis was used to evaluate the predictive value of key genes for OA and sarcopenia. Mouse models of OA and sarcopenia were established. Hematoxylin-eosin and Safranin O/Fast Green staining were used to validate the OA model. The sarcopenia model was validated via rotarod testing and quadriceps muscle mass measurement. Real-time reverse transcription PCR (real-time RT-PCR) was employed to assess the mRNA expression levels of candidate key genes in both models. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was conducted to identify pathways associated with the selected shared key genes in both diseases. RESULTS: A total of 89 common DEGs were identified in the gene expression profiles of OA and sarcopenia, including 76 upregulated and 13 downregulated genes. These 89 DEGs were significantly enriched in protein digestion and absorption, the PI3K-Akt signaling pathway, and extracellular matrix-receptor interaction. PPI network analysis and MCC algorithm analysis of the 89 common DEGs identified the top 17 candidate hub genes. Based on the differential expression analysis of these 17 candidate hub genes in the validation datasets, AEBP1 and COL8A2 were ultimately selected as the common key genes for both diseases, both of which showed a significant upregulation trend in the disease groups (all P<0.05). The value of area under the curve (AUC) for AEBP1 and COL8A2 in the OA and sarcopenia datasets were all greater than 0.7, indicating that both genes have potential value in predicting OA and sarcopenia. Real-time RT-PCR results showed that the mRNA expression levels of AEBP1 and COL8A2 were significantly upregulated in the disease groups (all P<0.05), consistent with the results observed in the bioinformatics analysis. GSEA revealed that AEBP1 and COL8A2 were closely related to extracellular matrix-receptor interaction, ribosome, and oxidative phosphorylation in OA and sarcopenia. CONCLUSIONS AEBP1 and COL8A2 have the potential to serve as common biomarkers for OA and sarcopenia. The extracellular matrix-receptor interaction pathway may represent a potential target for the prevention and treatment of both OA and sarcopenia.
Sarcopenia/genetics* ; Osteoarthritis/genetics* ; Computational Biology/methods* ; Humans ; Protein Interaction Maps/genetics* ; Animals ; Mice ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Ontology ; Transcriptome ; Male ; Signal Transduction/genetics* ; Gene Regulatory Networks

OBJECTIVES: Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common chronic degenerative diseases, with chondrocyte apoptosis and extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation as the major pathological changes. The mechanical stimulation can attenuate chondrocyte apoptosis and promote ECM synthesis, but the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the role of primary cilia (PC) in mediating the effects of mechanical stimulation on OA progression. METHODS: In vivo, conditional knockout mice lacking intraflagellar transport 88 (IFT88^flox/flox IFT88 knockout; i.e., primary cilia-deficient mice) were generated, with wild-type mice as controls. OA models were established via anterior cruciate ligament transection combined with destabilization of the medial meniscus, followed by treadmill exercise intervention. OA progression was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining, safranin O-fast green staining, and immunohistochemistry; apoptosis was assessed by TUNEL staining; and limb function by rotarod testing. In vitro, primary articular chondrocytes were isolated from mice and transfected with lentiviral vectors to suppress IFT88 expression, thereby constructing a primary cilia-deficient cell model. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) was used to induce an inflammatory environment, while cyclic tensile strain (CTS) was applied via a cell stretcher to mimic mechanical loading on chondrocytes. Immunofluorescence and Western blotting were used to detect the protein expression levels of type II collagen α1 chain (COL2A1), primary cilia, IFT88, and caspase-12; reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed to assess COL2A1 mRNA levels; and flow cytometry was used to evaluate apoptosis. RESULTS: In vivo, treadmill exercise significantly reduced Osteoarthritis Research Society International (OARSI) scores and apoptotic cell rates, and improved balance ability in wild-type OA mice, whereas IFT88-deficient OA mice showed no significant improvement. In vitro, CTS inhibited IL-1β-induced ECM degradation and apoptosis in primary chondrocytes; however, this protective effect was abolished in cells with suppressed primary cilia expression. CONCLUSIONS Mechanical stimulation delays OA progression by mediating signal transduction through primary cilia, thereby inhibiting cartilage degeneration and chondrocyte apoptosis.
Animals ; Chondrocytes/cytology* ; Apoptosis/physiology* ; Mice ; Cilia/metabolism* ; Osteoarthritis/pathology* ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Mice, Knockout ; Disease Progression ; Interleukin-1beta ; Male ; Cells, Cultured

Objective To explore the characteristics of blood lipid metabolism indicators and risk factors of prognosis in children with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods A total of 54 children who were diagnosed with SLE and hospitalized in Chengdu Women and Children’ s Central Hospital from January 2013 to August 2022 were selected. Clinical data of all children were collected and blood lipid metabolism indicators and biochemical indicators were detected , and binary logistic regression was used to analyze the prognosis risk factors in children with SLE. Results Among the 47 cases (87.04%) had abnormal blood lipid metabolism at admission, and is mainly manifested as elevated levels of LDL-C, TG and TC and decreased level of HDL-C. The proportion of cardiovascular system damage, hematological system damage, urinary protein positivity, and SLEDAI-2000 score in the group with good prognosis were lower than those in the group with poor prognosis, while the proportion of dsDNA positivity was higher in the group with poor prognosis. Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that the cardiovascular system damage and positive urinary protein were risk factors for poor prognosis, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). Conclusion Abnormal blood lipid metabolism is common in children with SLE, and cardiovascular system damage and positive urinary protein may increase the risk of poor prognosis in young children.

[Objective] To investigate the inhibitory effect of quercetin on cisplatin-resistant human colorectal cancer (CRC) cells SW480 and SW620 and its possible mechanism. [Methods] Cisplatin-resistant subtypes of SW480 and SW620 cells were first cultured and the effects of quercetin on cell proliferation and chemosensitivity were determined by MTT assay. Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis and protein blotting was used to detect the expressions of relevant proteins. [Results] MTT assay showed that quercetin at the concentrations of 80 μmol/L and 160 μmol/L significantly inhibited the proliferation of SW480 and SW620 cells. Flow cytometry results showed that the apoptosis rate was significantly higher in the cisplatin combined with quercetin group than in the other three groups. Protein blotting showed that cleaved-caspase-3 and caspase-9 expressions were significantly increased in the cisplatin combined with quercetin group. The chemotherapeutic drug sensitivity assay showed that the elevated IC50 of drug-resistant cells was decreased significantly after quercetin administration (P<0.05). [Conclusion] The present study clarifies that quercetin can increase the sensitivity of human CRC cells to cisplatin. This effect may be related to its mechanism of action in affecting cell proliferation, apoptosis and autophagy.

Objective To investigate the role and action mechanism of rosemarinic acid(RA)on the malignant behavior of colorectal cancer(CRC)SW480 cells.Methods We collected tumor tissues from patients with primary untreated CRC who underwent surgery in People's Hospital of Rugao from January 2019 to December 2020,as well as colon tissues from normal individuals.The expression of β-catenin was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting to analyze its relationship with the clinical stage,prognosis,and immune infiltration.CCK-8 was used to detect the effects of 10,15 and 20 μmol/L of RA on the proliferation of SW480 cells;flow cytometry detected apoptosis;Transwell and scratch assay detected changes in the invasion and migration ability of the cells,respectively.Western blotting detected the expressions of proteins related to apoptosis,epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT),and Wnt/β-catenin pathway.A mouse model of CRC transplant tumor was established,and the effect of RA on the growth of transplant tumor was investigated by gavage administration.The levels of inflammatory factors were detected by ELISA.Results The expression of β-catenin was low in normal colon tissues and significantly higher in CRC tissues.In the CRC patients with high expression of β-catenin,the number of patients with tumors larger than 5 cm was significantly higher than that in the low expression group,whereas the overall survival of the patients was significantly smaller than that in the low expression group(P＜0.05).Cell proliferation was significantly inhibited and decreased in a concentration-dependent manner in the RA group at all concentrations(P＜0.05).In animal experiments,the expression of apoptotic proteins Bax and Bad was significantly increased and the expression of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 was significantly decreased in the RA-treated group compared with the control group(P＜0.05).It was also found that the invasive and migratory ability of SW480 cells was significantly inhibited(P＜0.05),the expression of E-cadherin protein was significantly increased,the expression of Snail,N-cadherin and Vimentin was significantly reduced(P＜0.05),the expression of Axin and GSK-3β was increased,and the expression of β-catenin was reduced(P＜0.05).Conclusion RA may inhibit the biological activity of SW480 by interfering with Wnt/β-catenin pathway-mediated EMT.

Objective:To investigate the association between congenital hypothyroidism (CH) and the adverse outcomes during hospitalization in very low birth weight infants (VLBWI).Methods:This prospective, multicenter observational cohort study was conducted based on the data from the Sino-northern Neonatal Network (SNN). Data of 5 818 VLBWI with birth weight <1 500 g and gestational age between 24-<37 weeks that were admitted to the 37 neonatal intensive care units from January 1 st, 2019 to December 31 st, 2022 were collected and analyzed. Thyroid function was first screened at 7 to 10 days after birth, followed by weekly tests within the first 4 weeks, and retested at 36 weeks of corrected gestational age or before discharge. The VLBWI were assigned to the CH group or non-CH group. Chi-square test, Fisher exact probability method, Wilcoxon rank sum test, univariate and multivariate Logistic regression were used to analyze the relationship between CH and poor prognosis during hospitalization in VLBWI. Results:A total of 5 818 eligible VLBWI were enrolled, with 2 982 (51.3%) males and the gestational age of 30 (29, 31) weeks. The incidence of CH was 5.5% (319 VLBWI). Among the CH group, only 121 VLBWI (37.9%) were diagnosed at the first screening. Univariate Logistic regression analysis showed that CH was associated with increased incidence of extrauterine growth retardation (EUGR) ( OR=1.31(1.04-1.64), P<0.05) and retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) of stage Ⅲ and above ( OR=1.74(1.11-2.75), P<0.05). However, multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed no significant correlation between CH and EUGR, moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia, grade Ⅲ to Ⅳ intraventricular hemorrhage, neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis in stage Ⅱ or above, and ROP in stage Ⅲ or above ( OR=1.04 (0.81-1.33), 0.79 (0.54-1.15), 1.15 (0.58-2.26), 1.43 (0.81-2.53), 1.12 (0.70-1.80), all P>0.05). Conclusion:There is no significant correlation between CH and in-hospital adverse outcomes, possibly due to timely diagnosis and active replacement therapy.

With the course of Clinical Skill Training as an example, this article integrates hierarchical teaching and peer teaching, adopts the problem-based learning (PBL) teaching model and famous traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) teaching clinics, connects the assessment criteria for standardized residency training, and pays attention to cultivating a reasonable teacher team, so as to improve the overall teaching quality of the course and the enthusiasm for the course among students. The application of the teacher inheritance model combined with case-based learning (CBL) teaching can help medical students to learn and inherit the clinical experience and skills, communication methods, and academic ideas of famous old TCM doctors and inherit and carry forward the essence of TCM culture. At the same time, CBL teaching is adopted to promote the integrated and people-oriented teaching concept of TCM, with medical students as the main body and teachers as the supporting role. The training with this model can effectively improve the clinical skills and development potential of TCM students.

Objective:To explore the current situation of knowledge, attitude and practice in the prevention and treatment of lymphedema after tumor treatment among nurses in cancer hospitals, and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:This study is a cross-sectional study. From October to November 2021, convenience sampling was used to survey 478 nurses from Hunan Cancer Hospital using the self-made Lymphedema Prevention and Treatment Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Questionnaire, which included 41 items from three dimensions of knowledge, attitudes and practice. The influencing factors of nurses' knowledge, attitude and behaviors related to lymphedema were studied using univariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis.Results:The knowledge, attitude and practice scores and the total score of nurses in the cancer hospital regarding the prevention and treatment of lymphedema after tumor treatment were (17.05±9.81) , (49.96±6.03) , (30.51±11.03) , and (97.53±21.52) , respectively. The score rate of knowledge dimension was the lowest at 42.63%, while the score rate of attitude dimension was the highest at 90.84%. Multiple linear regression showed that working with lymphedema patients, participation in lymphedema training, training forms (on-the-job continuing education, school studies, self-study) , and the nurses' department being the breast or gynecological oncology department were the influencing factors for the nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice in the prevention and treatment of lymphedema ( F=15.801, P<0.01) . Conclusions:Nurses in the cancer hospital generally have a moderate level of knowledge, attitude and practice in the prevention and treatment of lymphedema after tumor treatment. They have poor knowledge mastery and need to improve their behavioral, but their attitude is relatively positive. Nursing managers in cancer hospitals should strengthen training on lymphedema related knowledge among nurses from departments other than breast and gynecological oncology, strengthen nurses' knowledge and behavior in the prevention and treatment of lymphedema, and cultivate lymphedema therapists and specialized nurses. At the national level, policies should be introduced to establish a complete lymphedema rehabilitation training system, and improve nurses' ability to prevent and treat lymphedema in clinical practice.

OBJECTIVE To eval uate the cost-util ity of regimen containing bortezomib in the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in China. METHODS From the perspective of China ’s health system ，Markov model was constructed based on SWOG S 0777 clinical trial. The simulation time limit was 10 years，and the cycle was set with reference to the treatment cycle. Taking quality adjusted life years （QALYs）as the utility index ，the utility and cost were discounted at a discount rate of 5％；the willingness to pay （WTP）threshold was set to be 3 times of China ’s per capita gross domestic product （GDP）in 2021（242 928 yuan/QALY）. The incremental cost-utility ratio （ICER）of dexamethasone combined with bortezomib and lenalidomide （VRD） versus dexamethasone combined with lenalidomide （RD）were compared with cost-utility analysis. The sensitivity analysis was performed for the uncertainty of the model. RESULTS Results of baseline analysis showed that VRD regimen could obtain 0.65 more QALYs than RD scheme ，but its treatment cost was 135 782.77 yuan more than RD regimen ，ICER was 206 623.35 yuan/ QALY，which was lower than the WTP threshold set in this study ，VRD regimen was cost-effective. Single factor sensitivity analysis showed that the health utility value in progressive free survival had the greatest impact on the results ，the decrease of utility value would make the ICER higher than the WTP threshold ，and VRD regimen would no longer have advantages. Under the WTP threshold of 3 times of China ’s per capita GDP in 2021，the probability of VRD regimen being cost-effective was 86.5％； with the increase of WTP threshold ，the possibility of VRD regimen becoming more cost-effective than RD regimen would increase. CONCLUSIONS Under the WTP threshold of 3 times of China ’s per capita GDP in 2021，compared with RD regimen，VRD regimen is cost-effective in the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myelo ma in China.