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

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus(MPXV),which belongs to the or-thopoxvirus genus along with the smallpox virus.In Jul.2022 and Aug.2024,the World Health Organization(WHO)declared monkeypox outbreaks"public health emergencies of international concern"twice.The virus pri-marily spreads through close contact,which can be transmitted from infected animals to humans and among hu-mans.Pregnant women are susceptible to MPXV,and the virus can be transmitted vertically to the fetus through the placenta,with trophoblastic cells in the placenta considered to be the targets for MPXV replication.MPVX in-fection during pregnancy may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage,premature birth and fetal death,and the clinical treatment outcomes are closely associated with the subtype of the virus.The diagnosis of monkeypox mainly relies on MPXV DNA test.To prevent monkeypox,women who are at the childbearing age should complete the vaccination before the pregnancy and avoid contacting with the patients with monkeypox or the animals that may carry MPXV.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and prognosis of biliary drainage via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) before steroid therapy in treating autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) complicated with obstructive jaundice.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data of patients with AIP complicated with obstructive jaundice who received steroid therapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from 2010 to 2023. Patients were divided into a drainage group (receiving ERCP biliary drainage before steroid therapy) and a steroid group (receiving only steroid therapy). Short-term efficacy, long-term efficacy, hospitalization costs and postoperative complications of ERCP biliary drainage were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 69 patients were included, with 32 in the drainage group, aged 62.78±11.21 years, which demonstrated significantly higher costs (34 816.57±11 688.85 yuan VS 16 518.50±6 544.37 yuan, t=7.0, P<0.001), with 25.00% (8/32) experiencing ERCP-related complications, compared with 37 patients in the steroid group, aged 55.41±2.15 years. There was no significant difference in hospitalization duration between the drainage group (10.38±4.56 days) and the steroid group (8.95±4.99 days, t=1.2, P=0.219). After 1 month of treatment, total bilirubin [118.5 (76.2, 309.3) μmol/L VS 48.7 (30.5, 148.4) μmol/L, U=1 728.5, P<0.001] and direct bilirubin [84.5 (47.7, 236.3) μmol/L VS 37.7 (18.3, 105.7) μmol/L, U=1 588.5, P=0.001] levels in the drainage group remained higher than those in the steroid group, while alanine aminotransferase levels were lower [74.0 (46.5,110.5) U/L VS 143.0 (51.0,253.5) U/L, U=769.0, P=0.006]. No significant differences were observed in these biochemical indices between the two groups at 4-month and 12-month follow-ups ( P>0.05). The recurrence rates were 28.1% (9/32) in the drainage group and 21.6% (8/37) in the steroid group, with no significant difference in recurrence rate between groups ( χ2=0.4, P=0.266). Conclusion:ERCP biliary drainage does not significantly improve long-term efficacy or reduce recurrence rates in AIP patients with obstructive jaundice. Instead, it increases the risk of postoperative complications and medical costs. Direct steroid therapy is safe and feasible for confirmed AIP with obstructive jaundice.

Objective:To compare the influence of definition methods of different isocenter on postoperative volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans for patients with high-grade glioma (HGG),and to explore the feasibility of determining the treatment isocenter at location stage of computed tomography (CT) simulation system (CT-Sim). Methods:A total of 30 HGG patients who received radiotherapy after surgery in Peking University International Hospital from September 1,2021 to December 31,2022 were selected. 4 kinds of methods,which included center of mass (CT-COM) of target region of tumor bed was delineated by CT-Sim location stage,geometric center of target region of treatment plan system (TPS-Geo),whole brain geometric center of treatment plan system (TPS-Head) and center of mass of target region of TPS (TPS-COM),were respectively adopted to definite treatment isocenter for each patient,and they were respectively set as CT-COM group,TPS-Geo group,TPS-Head group and TPS-COM group to design 4 groups of VMAT treatment. The parameters included dose,conformity index (CI),uniformity index (HI) and machine unite (MU) among 4 groups of target region and organ at risk (OAR) were compared. Results:The doses of target region and OAR of four groups were similar,and all of them can meet the requirements of clinical dosimetry and clinical OAR dose limitation,without statistically significant differences (P>0.05). The covered volumes that brain tissues received 10,20,30,40 and 50 Gy doses in CT-COM group,TPS-Geo group and TPS-COM group closed to the maximum dose,the maximum dose of 2％ volume and mean dose (Dmax,D2％,Dmean) of brainstem,bilateral lens,optic chiasm,bilateral optic nerve and pituitary gland. The V10,V20,V30 of brain tissue,and Dmax,D2％,and Dmean of brainstem in TPS-Head group were slightly higher than those in other three groups,and the Dmean of lens,and Dmax,D2％ and Dmean of optic nerve at health side of TPS-Head group were slightly lower than those of other three groups,without statistically significant differences (P>0.05). Conclusion:The four VMAT plans of defining the treatment isocenter can meet the clinical dosimetric requirements,and can determine the isocenter at CT-Sim location stage,which can effectively avoid the occurrence of errors in the reduction of radiotherapy,and increase precision of delivery of radiotherapy dose,and enhance effective utilization rate of equipment.

Objective:To compare the influence of definition methods of different isocenter on postoperative volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans for patients with high-grade glioma (HGG),and to explore the feasibility of determining the treatment isocenter at location stage of computed tomography (CT) simulation system (CT-Sim). Methods:A total of 30 HGG patients who received radiotherapy after surgery in Peking University International Hospital from September 1,2021 to December 31,2022 were selected. 4 kinds of methods,which included center of mass (CT-COM) of target region of tumor bed was delineated by CT-Sim location stage,geometric center of target region of treatment plan system (TPS-Geo),whole brain geometric center of treatment plan system (TPS-Head) and center of mass of target region of TPS (TPS-COM),were respectively adopted to definite treatment isocenter for each patient,and they were respectively set as CT-COM group,TPS-Geo group,TPS-Head group and TPS-COM group to design 4 groups of VMAT treatment. The parameters included dose,conformity index (CI),uniformity index (HI) and machine unite (MU) among 4 groups of target region and organ at risk (OAR) were compared. Results:The doses of target region and OAR of four groups were similar,and all of them can meet the requirements of clinical dosimetry and clinical OAR dose limitation,without statistically significant differences (P>0.05). The covered volumes that brain tissues received 10,20,30,40 and 50 Gy doses in CT-COM group,TPS-Geo group and TPS-COM group closed to the maximum dose,the maximum dose of 2％ volume and mean dose (Dmax,D2％,Dmean) of brainstem,bilateral lens,optic chiasm,bilateral optic nerve and pituitary gland. The V10,V20,V30 of brain tissue,and Dmax,D2％,and Dmean of brainstem in TPS-Head group were slightly higher than those in other three groups,and the Dmean of lens,and Dmax,D2％ and Dmean of optic nerve at health side of TPS-Head group were slightly lower than those of other three groups,without statistically significant differences (P>0.05). Conclusion:The four VMAT plans of defining the treatment isocenter can meet the clinical dosimetric requirements,and can determine the isocenter at CT-Sim location stage,which can effectively avoid the occurrence of errors in the reduction of radiotherapy,and increase precision of delivery of radiotherapy dose,and enhance effective utilization rate of equipment.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic disease caused by the monkeypox virus(MPXV),which belongs to the or-thopoxvirus genus along with the smallpox virus.In Jul.2022 and Aug.2024,the World Health Organization(WHO)declared monkeypox outbreaks"public health emergencies of international concern"twice.The virus pri-marily spreads through close contact,which can be transmitted from infected animals to humans and among hu-mans.Pregnant women are susceptible to MPXV,and the virus can be transmitted vertically to the fetus through the placenta,with trophoblastic cells in the placenta considered to be the targets for MPXV replication.MPVX in-fection during pregnancy may lead to adverse pregnancy outcomes such as miscarriage,premature birth and fetal death,and the clinical treatment outcomes are closely associated with the subtype of the virus.The diagnosis of monkeypox mainly relies on MPXV DNA test.To prevent monkeypox,women who are at the childbearing age should complete the vaccination before the pregnancy and avoid contacting with the patients with monkeypox or the animals that may carry MPXV.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and prognosis of biliary drainage via endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) before steroid therapy in treating autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) complicated with obstructive jaundice.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data of patients with AIP complicated with obstructive jaundice who received steroid therapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Naval Medical University from 2010 to 2023. Patients were divided into a drainage group (receiving ERCP biliary drainage before steroid therapy) and a steroid group (receiving only steroid therapy). Short-term efficacy, long-term efficacy, hospitalization costs and postoperative complications of ERCP biliary drainage were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 69 patients were included, with 32 in the drainage group, aged 62.78±11.21 years, which demonstrated significantly higher costs (34 816.57±11 688.85 yuan VS 16 518.50±6 544.37 yuan, t=7.0, P<0.001), with 25.00% (8/32) experiencing ERCP-related complications, compared with 37 patients in the steroid group, aged 55.41±2.15 years. There was no significant difference in hospitalization duration between the drainage group (10.38±4.56 days) and the steroid group (8.95±4.99 days, t=1.2, P=0.219). After 1 month of treatment, total bilirubin [118.5 (76.2, 309.3) μmol/L VS 48.7 (30.5, 148.4) μmol/L, U=1 728.5, P<0.001] and direct bilirubin [84.5 (47.7, 236.3) μmol/L VS 37.7 (18.3, 105.7) μmol/L, U=1 588.5, P=0.001] levels in the drainage group remained higher than those in the steroid group, while alanine aminotransferase levels were lower [74.0 (46.5,110.5) U/L VS 143.0 (51.0,253.5) U/L, U=769.0, P=0.006]. No significant differences were observed in these biochemical indices between the two groups at 4-month and 12-month follow-ups ( P>0.05). The recurrence rates were 28.1% (9/32) in the drainage group and 21.6% (8/37) in the steroid group, with no significant difference in recurrence rate between groups ( χ2=0.4, P=0.266). Conclusion:ERCP biliary drainage does not significantly improve long-term efficacy or reduce recurrence rates in AIP patients with obstructive jaundice. Instead, it increases the risk of postoperative complications and medical costs. Direct steroid therapy is safe and feasible for confirmed AIP with obstructive jaundice.

Objective:To explore the application effect of early nursing intervention based on NNN-link in social disorders of children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) .Methods:A total of 126 hospitalized children with ASD in the Rehabilitation Center of Henan Children's Hospital from January to May 2023 were selected as research subjects by convenience sampling. They were randomly divided into an intervention group ( n=63) and a control group ( n=63) using a random number table. The control group received routine care, while the intervention group received early nursing intervention based on NNN-link in addition to routine care. The Social Disorder-related Nursing Diagnosis Outcome Scales and the Childhood Autism Rating Scale (CARS) scores were compared between the two groups before and after intervention. Results:After the early nursing intervention, the scores for family atmosphere, participation in leisure activities, participation in play, social skills, and social participation were higher in the intervention group compared to the control group, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The CARS scores of the intervention group were also lower than those of the control group, the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Early nursing intervention based on NNN-link can effectively improve the social disorder conditions of children with ASD, reduce their autism symptoms, and promote recovery.

Autoimmune hepatitis （AIH） is an autoimmune disease characterized by chronic liver inflammation， with a gradually increasing incidence rate， and its social and medical burdens cannot be neglected. Intestinal microecology is becoming a research hotspot in the field of autoimmune disease. In recent years， it has been believed that changes in intestinal microecology can cause changes in autoimmune state， microbial metabolites， and intestinal barrier， which is one of the driving factors for the onset of AIH. Early diagnosis and correct treatment can help to improve the prognosis of AIH patients. This article introduces the characteristics of gut microbiota in AIH patients， elaborates on the impact of intestinal microflora imbalance on the pathogenesis of AIH， and briefly describes related treatment regimens from the perspective of intestinal microecology， so as to comprehensively understand and explain the role of intestinal microecology in AIH and the impact of intestinal microecology balance on the pathogenesis， diagnosis， and treatment of AIH.