OBJECTIVE: To reveal the molecular basis of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) with Yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome by analyzing the gene expression profiles in synovial fluid and blood of KOA patients with this syndrome. METHODS: A total of 80 KOA patients were recruited from October 2022 to June 2024, including 40 cases in the non-Yang deficiency and blood stasis group (27 males and 13 females), with an average age of (61.75±3.45) years old;and 40 cases in the Yang deficiency and blood stasis group (22 males and 18 females), with an average age of (62.00±2.76) years old. The levels of body mass index (BMI), high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), fibrinogen, total cholesterol, and D-dimer were recorded and summarized. Blood and synovial fluid samples from patients were collected for gene expression profile microarray sequencing, and then PCR and immunohistochemistry were used for clinical verification on the patients' synovial fluid and cartilage samples. RESULTS: Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with KOA patients with non-Yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome, those with Yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome had increased BMI, LDL, fibrinogen, total cholesterol, and D-dimer, and decreased HDL, with a clear correlation between the two groups. There were 562 differential genes in the blood, among which 322 were up-regulated and 240 were down-regulated;755 differential genes were found in the synovial fluid, with 350 up-regulated and 405 down-regulated. KEGG signaling pathway analysis of synovial fluid revealed changes in lipid metabolism-related pathways, including cholesterol metabolism, fatty acid metabolism, and PPARG signaling pathway. Analysis of the involved differential genes identified 6 genes in synovial fluid that were closely related to lipid metabolism, namely LRP1, LPL, ACOT6, TM6SF2, DGKK, and PPARG. Subsequently, PCR and immunohistochemical verification were performed using synovial fluid and cartilage samples, and the results were consistent with those of microarray sequencing. CONCLUSION This study explores the clinical and genomic correlation between traditional Chinese medicine syndromes and knee osteoarthritis from the perspective of lipid metabolism, and proves that abnormal lipid metabolism is closely related to KOA with Yang deficiency and blood stasis syndrome from both clinical and basic aspects.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Synovial Fluid/metabolism* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/metabolism* ; Yang Deficiency/complications* ; Aged

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Space radiation is the most important environmental harmful factor in long-term manned spaceflight and deep space exploration, and it may produce deterministic and stochastic effects on tissues and organs. In-depth research into the biological effects, mechanisms, and protective measures of space radiation is essential and serves as an important foundation for exploring radiation biology and promoting major manned space projects. Firstly, this review introduces the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of space radiation during low-earth orbit flights, manned lunar landings, and deep space exploration missions, as well as the health risks and challenges it posed to astronauts. Then, it discusses medical requirements and exposure limits, risk assessment, and protection technologies included in the space radiation protection system established internationally and over 30 years of Chinese manned spaceflight departments. Finally, it outlines the subsequent work and prospects for further research.

Space radiation is the most important environmental harmful factor in long-term manned spaceflight and deep space exploration, and it may produce deterministic and stochastic effects on tissues and organs. In-depth research into the biological effects, mechanisms, and protective measures of space radiation is essential and serves as an important foundation for exploring radiation biology and promoting major manned space projects. Firstly, this review introduces the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics of space radiation during low-earth orbit flights, manned lunar landings, and deep space exploration missions, as well as the health risks and challenges it posed to astronauts. Then, it discusses medical requirements and exposure limits, risk assessment, and protection technologies included in the space radiation protection system established internationally and over 30 years of Chinese manned spaceflight departments. Finally, it outlines the subsequent work and prospects for further research.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To explore the produced-radiation brain damage in simulated solar particle events and to provide evidence for health risk assessment of radiation from manned deep space exploration.Methods:According to the main characteristics of solar particle events, mice were treated with total body irradiation (TBI) with 90 MeV protons in a dose range from 0.1 to 2 Gy, with irradiation dose of 0, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5, 1, 2 Gy, respectively. At 3 and 7 d after irradiation, the behavior of mice was examined using balance beam tests, rotarod tests, and new object recognition tests. Then, the density of dendritic spines and the number of Nissl bodies in the hippocampus were measured using Golgi and Nissl staining. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and neurotransmitter content in brain tissue were detected using the WST-8 method, TBA method, and high pressure liquid chromatography (HPLC), respectively. Besides, cell apoptosis was determined using the TUNEL method, and the dose-response relationship, a function of dose change with damage index, was analyzed using linear and linear square fitting method. Finally, the minimum radiation dose causing a significant change in all indicators of brain damage was determined as the brain damage threshold.Results:Compared to the control group, 1 Gy proton irradiation result ed in a significant decrease in the density of filopod dendritic spines ( t = 1.82, 2.30, P < 0.05) and a significant increase in abnormal Nissl bodies in the CA1 region ( t = 2.44, 3.77, P < 0.05). At 3 and 7 d after irradiation, as well as a significant increase in the DA ( t = 2.52, P<0.05) and Glu contents ( t = 4.04, P < 0.05) on day 7. In contrast, 2 Gy proton irradiation result ed in a decrease in SOD activity on day 3 ( t = 3.44, P < 0.05), and an increase in the MDA content ( t = 1.90, 2.14, P < 0.05), hippocampal cell apoptosis (t = 3.91, 3.54, P < 0.05), and 5-HT levels ( t = 2.81, 2.69, P < 0.05), together with a decrease in climbing time in the rotarod tests ( t = 2.85, 2.64, P<0.05) and propensity to recognize new objects ( t = 2.87, 2.84, P < 0.05) on days 3 and 7. Furthermore, a dose-response relationship was observed in the dose range from 0.1 to 2 Gy ( R2=0.74-0.99). Conclusions:The dose threshold of 90 MeV protons inducing brain damage in mice is inferred to be 1 Gy, and 14 dose-response models are developed, providing a biological basis for organ dose capping and risk assessment of crew experiencing short-term deep space flights.

Bone metabolism refers to the dynamic process in which osteoblast-mediated bone formation and osteoclast-mediated bone resorption are coupled, playing a crucial role in maintaining bone homeostasis. Adenosine, as an important component of purinergic signaling pathway, has multiple effects such as inhibition of inflammation, promotion of neovascularization, and modulation of osteoblast proliferation and osteoclast differentiation. The application of adenosine receptor agonists or targeted delivery of adenosine may present a novel approach for addressing clinical challenges such as osteoporosis and poor fracture healing. The purinergic signaling pathway activated by extracellular adenosine has been identified as a key signaling pathway for regulating bone tissue function and homeostasis. This article reviews the regulation of physiological bone metabolism by adenosine and its receptors, as well as the relationship between adenosine and metabolic bone diseases in pathological conditions, aiming to provide reference and direction for understanding the significance of adenosine pathway in the field of bone metabolism, and offer new insights for the treatment of metabolic bone diseases.

Objective:To investigate the factors influencing patients' willingness to have a second child after obtaining their first singleton live birth by in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI). Methods:The data of patients who achieved their first single live birth via IVF/ICSI at the Reproductive Health Hospital of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University were collected between July 2016 and July 2021 in a retrospective cohort study. Until July 2023, the patients were divided into the returning group ( n=1 809) and the non-returning group ( n=5 824) according to whether they returned again to receive assisted reproduction treatment for the birth of a second child. The clinical data of the two groups were compared, and the factors affecting patients' willingness to have a second child were analyzed. Results:The characteristics of the two groups of patients were compared. Variables that were statistically significant after being included in the univariate analysis were employed to construct a multivariate logistic regression equation. The results indicated that the age of the female ( OR=0.93, 95% CI: 0.91-0.94, P<0.001), the duration of infertility ( OR=0.96, 95% CI: 0.93-0.98, P=0.002), male+female factors of infertility factor ( OR=0.82, 95% CI: 0.70-0.97, P=0.023) the previous reproductive history ( OR=0.33, 95% CI: 0.27-0.42, P<0.001), the method of assisted pregnancy ( OR=1.31, 95% CI: 1.11-1.55, P=0.001), the transplantation plan ( OR=0.83, 95% CI: 0.74-0.93, P=0.002), the mode of delivery ( OR=0.63, 95% CI: 0.55-0.71, P<0.001), pregnancy complications ( OR=0.70, 95% CI: 0.60-0.82, P<0.001), the presence or absence of remaining embryos ( OR=2.67, 95% CI: 2.24-3.19, P<0.001), the gender of the first live birth ( OR=0.40, 95% CI: 0.36-0.45, P<0.001), the degree of education ( OR=0.74, 95% CI: 0.64-0.85, P<0.001), and the type of household registration ( OR=0.74, 95% CI: 0.65-0.84, P<0.001) were the influencing factors of the second-child fertility intention of patients after obtaining the first singleton live birth through IVF/ICSI. Conclusion:The age of the female, the duration of infertility, the factors of infertility, the previous reproductive history, frozen-thawed embryo transfer, cesarean section, having pregnancy complications, the gender of the first live birth being a boy, having a high school education or above, and urban household registration are negatively correlated with the patients' return visits. ICSI-assisted pregnancy and having remaining embryos are positively correlated with the patients' return visits.

Objective To explore the effect of bone marrow injury by simulating the radiation from solar particle events in order to address the radiation limit and assess risks during manned deep space exploration.Methods In line with solar particle events(the main component was protons),BALB/c mice(48 mice per group)were irradiated with 90 MeV protons at the doses of 0,0.1,0.3,0.5,1 and 2 Gy.At 3 and 7 days after irradiation.Routine blood counters were employed to detect peripheral blood changes,Giemsa staining was used to detect the ratio of granulocytes to erythrocytes in bone marrow,and flow cytometry was adopted to detect the proportion of bone marrow stem cells,cell subsets and apoptosis before the dose-response relationship and threshold were analyzed.Results In the dose range of 0.1 to 2 Gy,the number of peripheral blood white blood cells and lymphocytes decreased at 3 and 7 days after irradiation and the ratio of granulocytes to erythrocytes in bone marrow and bone marrow cell subsets were abnormal as the dose increased.Seven days after irradiation,the platelet count decreased.The minimum dose that caused significant changes was 0.5 Gy,13 models with dose-response relationships were obtained,and the minimum values of ED25,ED50 and ED63 were 0.25,0.58 and 0.76 Gy,respectively.Conclusion A total of 13 dose-response relationship models of proton-induced bone marrow injury in mice have been obtained,and the dose threshold of proton-induced bone marrow injury ranges from 0.25 to 0.76 Gy.

Objective:To provide clues for in-depth research on radiation protection in deep space exploration missions by reviewing the biological effects of space radiation and biological protection technologies. Literature resource and selection 　Domestic and abroad relevant literatures were searched and reviewed. Literature quotation 　Thirty-nine papers published in China and abroad were cited. Literature synthesis 　Space radiation is the most important environmental harmful factor that affects the health and mission completion of astronauts in deep space exploration missions. It can cause multiple organ cancers throughout the body, degenerative diseases of cardiovascular, central nervous systems, and ocular lens, and acute radiation syndrome of the bone marrow, brain, and gastrointestinal tracts. The effect mechanisms include free radical production, oxidative stress, DNA and other biomolecular breaks, inflammation, cell apoptosis, and bystander effects. Biological protection can be carried out according to the characteristics of the mechanism at different stages of the development of space radiation effects. Conclusions:Deep space radiation can cause health risks such as cancer, degeneration, and acute radiation syndrome, which can be mainly protected and alleviated by reducing free radicals, promoting DNA repair, and inhibiting cell apoptosis.