Background: This study aimed to estimate temporal trends in metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) among United States (US) adults by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and income from 1999 to 2018. Methods: We included 17,230 non-pregnant adults from a nationally representative cross-sectional study, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). MUO was defined as body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 with any metabolic disorders in blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood lipids. The age-adjusted percentage of MUO was calculated, and linear regression models estimated trends in MUO. Results: The weighted mean age of adults was 47.28 years; 51.02% were male, 74.64% were non-Hispanic White. The age-adjusted percentage of MUO continuously increased in adults across all subgroups during 1999–2018, although with different magnitudes (all P<0.05 for linear trend). Adults aged 45 to 64 years consistently had higher percentages of MUO from 1999–2000 (34.25%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 25.85% to 42.66%) to 2017–2018 (42.03%; 95% CI, 35.09% to 48.97%) than the other two age subgroups (P<0.05 for group differences). The age-adjusted percentage of MUO was the highest among non-Hispanic Blacks while the lowest among non-Hispanic Whites in most cycles. Adults with high-income levels generally had lower MUO percentages from 1999–2000 (22.63%; 95% CI, 17.00% to 28.26%) to 2017–2018 (32.36%; 95% CI, 23.87% to 40.85%) compared with the other two subgroups. Conclusion This study detected a continuous linear increasing trend in MUO among US adults from 1999 to 2018. The persistence of disparities by age, race/ethnicity, and income is a cause for concern. This calls for implementing evidence-based, structural, and effective MUO prevention programs.

Osteoporosis(OP) is a senile bone disease characterized by an imbalance between bone remodeling and bone formation. Targeting pathogenesis of kidney deficiency, spleen deficiency, and blood stasis, Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction has a significant effect on the treatment of OP by tonifying kidney, invigorating spleen, and activating blood circulation. MicroRNA(miRNA) and the anti-apoptotic protein B-cell lymphoma-2-like protein 1(BCL2L1) are closely related to bone cell metabolism. Therefore, in this study, the binding of miR-140-5p to BCL2L1 was detected by dual luciferase assay and polymerase chain reaction(PCR). After silencing or overexpressing miR-140-5p, the apoptosis, autophagy, and osteogenic function of human fetal osteoblast cell line 1.19(HFOB1.19) were observed by flow cytometry and Western blot. Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction-containing serum was prepared by intragastric administration of Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction in rats. Different concentrations of Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction-containing serum were used to treat HFOB1.19 with or without miR-140-5p mimic. The expression of osteogenic proteins in each group was observed, and the role of miR-140-5p/BCL2L1 in apoptosis and autophagy of HFOB1.19 was studied, along with the effect of Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction on these processes. As indicated by the dual luciferase assay, miR-140-5p bound to BCL2L1. Flow cytometry and Western blot showed that miR-140-5p promoted apoptosis and inhibited autophagy in HFOB1.19. After intervention with high, medium, and low doses of Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction-medicated serum, compared with the miR-140-5p NC group, the expression of osteocalcin(OCN), osteopontin(OPN), Runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2), and transforming growth factor beta 1(TGF-β1) decreased in the miR-140-5p mimic group, while the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP2) showed no significant difference under high-dose intervention. Therefore, miR-140-5p/BCL2L1 can promote apoptosis and inhibit autophagy in HFOB1.19. Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Decoction can affect the osteogenic effect of miR-140-5p through BMP2.
MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Animals ; Cell Line ; bcl-X Protein/metabolism* ; Osteoblasts/metabolism* ; Rats ; Osteoporosis/physiopathology* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Osteogenesis/drug effects*

Descurainiae Semen Lepidii Semen, also known as Tinglizi, originates from Brassicaceae plants Descurainia sophia or Lepidium apetalum. The former is commonly referred to as "Southern Tinglizi(Descurainiae Semen)", while the latter is known as "Northern Tinglizi(Lepidii Semen)". To scientifically and accurately identify the origin of Tinglizi medicinal materials and traditional Chinese medicine products, this study developed a specific DNA mini-barcode based on chloroplast genome sequences. By combining the DNA mini-barcode with DNA metabarcoding technology, a method for the qualitative and quantitative identification of Tinglizi medicinal materials and Chinese patent medicines was established. In this study, chloroplast genomes of Southern Tinglizi and Northern Tinglizi and seven commonly encountered counterfeit products were downloaded from the GenBank database. Suitable polymorphic regions were identified to differentiate these species, enabling the development of the DNA mini-barcode. Using DNA metabarcoding technology, medicinal material mixtures of Southern and Northern Tinglizi, as well as the most common counterfeit product, Capsella bursa-pastoris seeds, were analyzed to validate the qualitative and quantitative capabilities of the mini-barcode and determine its minimum detection limit. Additionally, the mini-barcode was applied to Chinese patent medicines containing Tinglizi to authenticate their botanical origin. The results showed that the developed mini-barcode(psbB) exhibited high accuracy and specificity, effectively distinguishing between the two authentic origins of Tinglizi and commonly encountered counterfeit products. The analysis of mixtures demonstrated that the mini-barcode had excellent qualitative and quantitative capabilities, accurately identifying the composition of Chinese medicinal materials in mixed samples with varying proportions. Furthermore, the analysis of Chinese patent medicines revealed the presence of the adulterant species(Capsella bursa-pastoris) in addition to the authentic species(Southern and Northern Tinglizi), indicating the occurrence of adulteration in commercially available Tinglizi-containing products. This study developed a method for the qualitative and quantitative identification of multi-origin Chinese medicinal materials and related products, providing a model for research on other multi-origin Chinese medicinal materials.
DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Drug Contamination ; Genome, Chloroplast ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

ObjectiveTo explore the material basis of the "interaction of blood stasis and toxin" mechanism in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury， as well as the protective role of Huoxue Huayu Jiedu prescription （HXHYJDF） against ferroptosis. MethodsSixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups： sham group， model group， deferoxamine （DFO） group （100 mg·kg^-1）， low-dose HXHYJDF group （4.52 g·kg^-1）， medium-dose HXHYJDF group （9.04 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose HXHYJDF group （18.07 g·kg^-1）， with ten rats in each group. Except for the sham group， the other groups were used to replicate the model of focal cerebral ischemia-reperfusion in the middle cerebral artery of rats by the reforming Longa method. Neurological function was assessed at 1^st， 3^rd， 5^th， and 7^th days post-reperfusion using the modified neurological severity scores （m-NSS）. Brain tissue pathology and the morphology of mitochondria were observed using hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and transmission electron microscopy. The contents of malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione （GSH）， divalent iron ions （Fe²⁺）， and reactive oxygen species （ROS） in the ischemic cerebral tissue were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. Immunohistochemistry and Western blot （WB） were used to detect the expression of iron death marker proteins glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4）， ferroportin-1 （FPN1）， transferrin receptor protein 1 （TfR1）， and ferritin mitochondrial （FtMt） in brain tissue. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the mNSS score of the model group was significantly increased （P<0.01）. HE staining showed that the number of neurons in the cortex of brain tissue was seriously reduced， and the intercellular space was widened. The nucleus was fragmented， and the cytoplasm was vacuolated. The results of transmission electron microscopy showed that the mitochondria in the cytoplasm contracted and rounded， and the mitochondrial cristae decreased. The matrix was lost and vacuolated， and the density of the mitochondrial bilayer membrane increased. The results of ELISA showed that the content of GSH decreased significantly （P<0.01）， and the contents of MDA， Fe²⁺， and ROS increased significantly （P<0.01）. The results of immunohistochemistry and WB showed that the expression of GPX4 and FPN1 proteins was significantly decreased （P<0.01）， and the expression of FtMt and TfR1 proteins was significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with those of the model group， the m-NSS scores of the high-dose and medium-dose HXHYJDF groups began to decrease on the 3^rd and 5^th days， respectively （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The results of HE and transmission electron microscopy showed that the intervention of HXHYJDF improved the pathological changes of neurons and mitochondria. The results of ELISA showed that the content of GSH in the medium-dose and high-dose HXHYJDF groups increased significantly （P<0.01）， and the contents of MDA， Fe²⁺， and ROS decreased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The content of GSH in the low-dose HXHYJDF group increased significantly （P<0.01）， and the contents of MDA and ROS decreased significantly （P<0.01）. The results of immunohistochemistry showed that the expression of GPX4 and FPN1 in the high-dose HXHYJDF group increased significantly （P<0.01）， and the expression of FtMt and TfR1 decreased significantly （P<0.01）. The expression of GPX4 and FPN1 in the medium-dose HXHYJDF group increased significantly （P<0.05）， and the expression of TfR1 decreased significantly （P<0.01）. WB results showed that the expression levels of FPN1 and GPX4 proteins in the high-dose， medium-dose， and low-dose HXHYJDF groups were significantly up-regulated （P<0.01）， and the expression levels of FtMt and TfR1 proteins were significantly down-regulated （P<0.01）. ConclusionHXHYJDF can significantly improve neurological dysfunction symptoms in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury， improve the pathological morphology of the infarcted brain tissue， and protect the brain tissue of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury to a certain extent. Neuronal ferroptosis is involved in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury， with increased levels of MDA， Fe²⁺， ROS， and TfR1 and decreased levels of FtMt， FPN1， GPX4， and GSH potentially constituting the material basis of the interaction of blood stasis and toxin mechanism in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. HXHYJDF may exert brain-protective effects by regulating iron metabolism-related proteins， promoting the discharge of free iron， reducing brain iron deposition， alleviating oxidative stress， and inhibiting ferroptosis.

Objective: We aimed to explore the mechanism of Pizhan Powder in regulating the Wnt4/β-catenin signaling pathway to promote wound healing in mice with chronic skin ulcer. Methods: Male BALB/c mice were divided into blank, model, Pizhan Powder, Pizhan powder removed bark medications, bark medications, inhibitor, and Pizhan Powder + inhibitor groups using the random number table method, with six mice per group. Except for the blank group, chronic skin ulcer wound models were prepared in the other groups by implanting foreign bodies. The blank control group received no treatment, whereas the wounds of the model group were cleaned with furacilin solution. The Pizhan Powder, Pizhan Powder removed bark medications, and bark medications groups were each administered 0.1 g of the corresponding medication on the skin wounds. The inhibitor group received an intraperitoneal injection of 3-(4-methylphenylsulfonamido) benzoic acid methyl ester (MSAB) at a dosage of 10 mg/kg. The Pizhan Powder + inhibitor group was administered 0.1 g of Pizhan Powder on the skin wound, and an intraperitoneal injection of MSAB was also administered (10 mg/kg). These treatments were administered once a day for 14 consecutive days. Wound healing was observed on the first, third, seventh, and 14th day of treatment; hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes of ulcerated skin; keratin 10 (CK10), keratin 14 (CK14), cell proliferation nuclear antigen (Ki-67), α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and β-catenin expression in wounds was observed through immunofluorescence; Western blotting was used to detect the expression of signaling pathway-related proteins (Wnt4 and β-catenin). Results: Compared to the model group, the Pizhan Powder group showed a reduced wound area and an increased wound healing rate (P<0.05) and elevated CK10, CK14, Ki-67, α-SMA, β-catenin, and Wnt4 protein expressions (P<0.05). Compared to the Pizhan Powder group, the wound healing rate of the bark medications and Pizhan Powder removed bark medications groups was reduced (P<0.05). The wound healing rate and the fluorescence expression of CK10, CK14, Ki-67, and α-SMA in the Pizhan Powder removed bark medications group were lower than that in the bark medications group (P<0.05). Compared to the Pizhan Powder group, the wound healing rate of the Pizhan Powder + inhibitor group was reduced, and CK10, CK14, Ki-67, α-SMA, β-catenin and Wnt4 protein expression were lower (P<0.05). Conclusion Pizhan Powder promotes wound healing in chronic skin ulcers of mice by regulating the Wnt4/β-catenin signaling pathway. The bark medications (buffalo hide, white mulberry root-bark, and Chinese wolfberry root-bark) play a crucial role, representing a concrete application of the traditional Chinese medicine theory of " treating skin with skin.

With the widespread use of antibiotics, drug-resistant bacterial infections have become a significant threat to human health. Finding new antibacterial strategies that can effectively control drug-resistant bacterial infections has become an urgent task. Unlike small molecule drugs that target bacterial proteins, antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) can target genes related to bacterial resistance, pathogenesis, growth, reproduction and biofilm formation. By regulating the expression of these genes, ASO can inhibit or kill bacteria, providing a novel approach for the development of antibacterial drugs. To overcome the challenge of delivering antisense oligonucleotide into bacterial cells, various drug delivery systems have been applied in this field, including cell-penetrating peptides, lipid nanoparticles and inorganic nanoparticles, which have injected new momentum into the development of antisense oligonucleotide in the antibacterial realm. This review summarizes the current development of small nucleic acid drugs, the antibacterial mechanisms, targets, sequences and delivery vectors of antisense oligonucleotide, providing a reference for the research and development of antisense oligonucleotide in the treatment of bacterial infections.

Background: This study aimed to estimate temporal trends in metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUO) among United States (US) adults by age, sex, race/ethnicity, and income from 1999 to 2018. Methods: We included 17,230 non-pregnant adults from a nationally representative cross-sectional study, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). MUO was defined as body mass index ≥30 kg/m2 with any metabolic disorders in blood pressure, blood glucose, and blood lipids. The age-adjusted percentage of MUO was calculated, and linear regression models estimated trends in MUO. Results: The weighted mean age of adults was 47.28 years; 51.02% were male, 74.64% were non-Hispanic White. The age-adjusted percentage of MUO continuously increased in adults across all subgroups during 1999–2018, although with different magnitudes (all P<0.05 for linear trend). Adults aged 45 to 64 years consistently had higher percentages of MUO from 1999–2000 (34.25%; 95% confidence interval [CI], 25.85% to 42.66%) to 2017–2018 (42.03%; 95% CI, 35.09% to 48.97%) than the other two age subgroups (P<0.05 for group differences). The age-adjusted percentage of MUO was the highest among non-Hispanic Blacks while the lowest among non-Hispanic Whites in most cycles. Adults with high-income levels generally had lower MUO percentages from 1999–2000 (22.63%; 95% CI, 17.00% to 28.26%) to 2017–2018 (32.36%; 95% CI, 23.87% to 40.85%) compared with the other two subgroups. Conclusion This study detected a continuous linear increasing trend in MUO among US adults from 1999 to 2018. The persistence of disparities by age, race/ethnicity, and income is a cause for concern. This calls for implementing evidence-based, structural, and effective MUO prevention programs.

To investigate the impact of preoperative serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels on the probability of testicular sperm retrieval, we conducted a study of nonobstructive azoospermic (NOA) men with different testicular volumes (TVs) who underwent microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). A total of 177 NOA patients undergoing micro-TESE for the first time from April 2019 to November 2022 in Shenzhen Zhongshan Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital (formerly Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China) were retrospectively reviewed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on average TV quartiles. Serum hormone levels in each TV group were compared between positive and negative sperm retrieval subgroups. Overall sperm retrieval rate was 57.6%. FSH levels (median [interquartile range]) were higher in the positive sperm retrieval subgroup compared with the negative outcome subgroup when average TV was <5 ml (first quartile [Q1: TV <3 ml]: 43.32 [17.92] IU l -1 vs 32.95 [18.56] IU l -1 , P = 0.048; second quartile [Q2: 3 ml ≤ TV <5 ml]: 31.31 [15.37] IU l -1 vs 25.59 [18.40] IU l -1 , P = 0.042). Elevated serum FSH levels were associated with successful micro-TESE sperm retrieval in NOA men whose average TVs were <5 ml (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.06 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.11; P = 0.011). In men with TVs ≥5 ml, larger TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval (adjusted OR: 0.84 per 1 ml increase; 95% CI: 0.71-0.98; P = 0.029). In conclusion, elevated serum FSH levels were associated with positive sperm retrieval in micro-TESE in NOA men with TVs <5 ml. In men with TV ≥5 ml, increases in average TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/surgery* ; Sperm Retrieval/statistics & numerical data* ; Adult ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Retrospective Studies ; Testis/pathology* ; Microdissection ; Organ Size

OBJECTIVES: To explore the mediating role of sleep duration in the relationship between depression symptoms and myopia among middle school students. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional research conducted using a stratified cluster random sampling method. A total of 1 728 middle school students were selected from two junior high schools and two senior high schools in certain urban areas and farms of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Questionnaire surveys and vision tests were conducted among the students. Spearman analysis was used to analyze the correlation between depression symptoms, sleep duration, and myopia. The Bootstrap method was employed to investigate the mediating effect of sleep duration between depression symptoms and myopia. RESULTS: The prevalence of myopia in the overall population was 74.02% (1 279/1 728), with an average sleep duration of (7.6±1.0) hours. The rate of insufficient sleep was 83.62% (1 445/1 728), and the proportion of students exhibiting depression symptoms was 25.29% (437/1 728). Correlation analysis showed significant negative correlations between visual acuity in both eyes and sleep duration with depressive emotions as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (with correlation coefficients of -0.064, -0.084, and -0.199 respectively; P<0.01), as well as with somatic symptoms and activities (with correlation coefficients of -0.104, -0.124, and -0.233 respectively; P<0.01) and interpersonal relationships (with correlation coefficients of -0.052, -0.059, and -0.071 respectively; P<0.05). The correlation coefficients for left and right eye visual acuity and sleep duration were 0.206 and 0.211 respectively (P<0.001). Sleep duration exhibited a mediating effect between depression symptoms and myopia (indirect effect=0.056, 95%CI: 0.029-0.088), with the mediating effect value for females (indirect effect=0.066, 95%CI: 0.024-0.119) being higher than that for males (indirect effect=0.042, 95%CI: 0.011-0.081). CONCLUSIONS Sleep duration serves as a partial mediator between depression symptoms and myopia in middle school students.
Humans ; Myopia/etiology* ; Male ; Female ; Depression/physiopathology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Sleep ; Adolescent ; Students ; Child ; Time Factors ; Sleep Duration

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular mechanism and explore blood transfusion strategies for a proband exhibiting the JK (a-b-) phenotype and anti-JK³ high frequency antigen antibody and her eight family members. METHODS: The Kidd blood phenotype and irregular antibodies in a family were identified by serologic tests. Exon 4-11 and intron region of SLC14A1 gene were sequenced by Sanger method. RESULTS: The combination of the gene JK*B (c.499A>G,c.512G>A,c.588A>G) and gene JK*B (c.342-1G>A,588A>G) in this family were considered to result in the JK (a-b-) phenotype in two members. The members carrying gene JK*A(c.130G>A,588A>G) all present serological JK^a+W. Members carrying gene JK*B (c.499A>G,c.588A>G) all present serological JK^b+W, which has not been previously reported to cause antigenic weakening. The proband with JK (a-b-) phenotype produced anti-JK³ antibodies, the hospital formulated a number of blood preparation strategies for the patient and she was discharged after recovery. CONCLUSION In this study, the molecular mechanism of JK (a-b-) in this family was identified, the transfusion strategy of rare blood group was established in our institution preliminary, and the necessity of establishing a rare blood group bank was revealed in this region. It is suggested that JK*B (c.499A>G,c.588A>G) may be a new genetic pattern leading to the weakening of Kidd antigenicity, which lays a foundation for the study of population genetics.
Humans ; Blood Transfusion ; Female ; Kidd Blood-Group System/genetics* ; Phenotype ; Pedigree