BACKGROUND:Bone morphogenetic protein 7 is mainly synthesized in the kidney and is expressed at different stages of kidney development,but the spatiotemporal distribution of its expression and its relationship with kidney development have not been systematically reported.OBJECTIVE:To observe the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 in mice kidneys during different developmental stages and to explore its potential relationship with kidney development.METHODS:Immunohistochemical techniques combined with stereological methods and western blot analysis were used to observe and analyze the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 in mouse kidney tissues at embryonic days(E)12,14,16,18,and neonatal days(N)1,3,7,14,24,40,and 70.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of immunohistochemistry showed that bone morphogenetic protein 7 was mainly expressed in the nephrogenic zone and immature renal corpuscles during the early stage of kidney development.Subsequently,it was located in mature renal corpuscles and the surrounding distal convoluted tubules,and the expression range gradually increased.After N40 days,bone morphogenetic protein 7 positively expressed in the renal interstitium.(2)Stereology and western blot results showed that the expression level of bone morphogenetic protein 7 gradually decreased with the development of the kidney,reached the lowest level at N7 days,and then slowly increased.To conclude,during the process of kidney development,the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 has significant spatiotemporal specificity,and it is hypothesized that it may be related to the development and maturation of renal corpuscles and distal convoluted tubules.

BACKGROUND:Bone morphogenetic protein 7 is mainly synthesized in the kidney and is expressed at different stages of kidney development,but the spatiotemporal distribution of its expression and its relationship with kidney development have not been systematically reported.OBJECTIVE:To observe the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 in mice kidneys during different developmental stages and to explore its potential relationship with kidney development.METHODS:Immunohistochemical techniques combined with stereological methods and western blot analysis were used to observe and analyze the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 in mouse kidney tissues at embryonic days(E)12,14,16,18,and neonatal days(N)1,3,7,14,24,40,and 70.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of immunohistochemistry showed that bone morphogenetic protein 7 was mainly expressed in the nephrogenic zone and immature renal corpuscles during the early stage of kidney development.Subsequently,it was located in mature renal corpuscles and the surrounding distal convoluted tubules,and the expression range gradually increased.After N40 days,bone morphogenetic protein 7 positively expressed in the renal interstitium.(2)Stereology and western blot results showed that the expression level of bone morphogenetic protein 7 gradually decreased with the development of the kidney,reached the lowest level at N7 days,and then slowly increased.To conclude,during the process of kidney development,the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 has significant spatiotemporal specificity,and it is hypothesized that it may be related to the development and maturation of renal corpuscles and distal convoluted tubules.

OBJECTIVE To focus on the classic NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）/Caspase-1/gasdermin D （GSDMD） pyroptosis pathway and explore the mechanism by which Huatan qushi huoxue formula （HQHF） inhibits macrophage pyroptosis to ameliorate metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis （MASH）. METHODS RAW264.7 cells were divided into 5 groups： Control group （10% blank serum）， Model group [10% blank serum+5 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide （LPS）]， HQHF-L group （2.5% drug-containing serum+7.5% blank serum+5 μg/mL LPS）， HQHF-M group （5% drug-containing serum+5% blank serum+5 μg/mL LPS）， and HQHF-H group （10% drug-containing serum+5 μg/mL LPS）. After 24 h of routine culture post-administration， cells and supernatants were collected for assays. Cell morphology was observed via scanning electron microscopy and phase-contrast microscopy； localization and expression of gasdermin D-N （GSDMD-N） were observed by immunofluorescence. Interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and IL-18 contents in supernatants were detected by ELISA； mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD were measured using real-time PCR and Western blot. RESULTS Compared with the Control group， the Model group showed typical pyroptotic morphology （cell membrane bulging and pore formation）， increased aggregation and fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-N on the cell membrane （ P ＜0.05）， significantly increased the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatants （ P ＜0.05）， and significantly up-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD in cells （ P ＜0.05）. Compared with the Model group， the HQHF-L， HQHF-M and HQHF-H groups showed improved pyroptotic morphology， reduced membrane localization and significantly weakened fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-N （ P ＜0.05）， significantly decreased the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatants （ P ＜0.05）， and significantly down-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD in cells （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS HQHF inhibits LPS-induced macrophage pyroptosis， and its mechanism of improving MASH may be associated with the suppression of the activation of the classical NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between serum creatinine/cystatin C ratio （CCR） and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） based on the NHANES database， and to evaluate the potential significance of CCR as an indicator reflecting the metabolic status of the body. MethodsBased on the data from the NHANES database in 1999‍ ‍—‍ ‍2004， a total of 4 217 participants were enrolled and divided into NAFLD group with 1 726 participants and non-NAFLD group with 2 491 participants. CCR was compared between the two groups， and the association between CCR and NAFLD was analyzed. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups， and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to investigate the association between CCR and NAFLD； CCR was divided into 4 groups based on quartiles， and odds ratio （OR） and 95% confidence interval （CI） in the regression model was calculated with the first quartile as reference. In addition， the restricted cubic spline analysis was used to investigate whether there was a non-linear relationship between CCR and NAFLD， and interaction items were introduced into the Logistic regression model to perform an interaction analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the stratification of variables to investigate the difference in the association between CCR and NAFLD in different populations. ResultsThe non-NAFLD group had a significantly higher CCR than the NAFLD group （Z=-4.76，P<0.01）. The Logistic regression analysis showed that in model 1 without adjustment of variables， CCR was negatively associated with NAFLD （OR=0.993，95%CI：0.989‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.996，P<0.01）， and in model 3 with adjustment of all variables， CCR was still negatively associated with NAFLD （OR=0.986，95%CI：0.981‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.991，P<0.01）. The analysis of CCR based on quartiles showed a significant association between the increase in CCR and the reduction in the risk of NAFLD. In model 3， compared with the individuals with the lowest quartile of CCR， the individuals with the highest quartile of CCR had a significantly lower risk of NAFLD （OR=0.426，95%CI：0.316‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.574，P<0.01）. Further interaction and subgroup analyses showed that the interaction between CCR and age/sex had a statistical significance （P_interaction<0.01 and P_interaction=0.04）. The subgroup analysis based on age showed a more significant association between CCR and NAFLD in the middle-aged population （≤60 years） （OR=0.982，95%CI：0.976‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.987）， and the subgroup analysis based on sex showed a stronger association between CCR and NAFLD in women （OR=0.979，95%CI：0.972‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.986）. ConclusionThis study shows a significant negative association between CCR and NAFLD， and such association is more significant in middle-aged individuals and women.

Siwu Decoction is a classic formula for tonifying the blood and activating blood circulation and is characterized by its ability to tonify the blood without leaving stasis and promote blood circulation without harming the vital energy of the body.It is widely used in clinical practice for the treatment of various conditions related to blood deficiency and poor blood circulation,such as anemia,menstrual disorders,and dysmenorrhea.The liver is responsible for governing the free flow of Qi and storing blood,and abnormalities in liver function are associated with various acute and chronic liver injuries.Siwu Decoction can restore liver homeostasis by tonifying the blood,activating blood circulation,nourishing the blood,and soothing the liver.Based on its unique prescription formulation and multiple pharmacological mechanisms,Siwu Decoction has become an important prescription for enhancing liver microcirculation,facilitating hepatocyte repair and regeneration,and alleviating liver injury.This article reviews the effect and mechanism of Siwu Decoction in the prevention and treatment of various liver injuries(including alcoholic liver disease,nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,liver fibrosis,and liver cirrhosis)and discusses existing problems and future research directions.

Objective:To explore the current status and factors influencing physical activity among pre-frail and frail older adults in the community.Methods:Convenience sampling was used to select 207 pre-frail and frail older adults from Donghuashi community and Fangzhuang community in Beijing from April to June 2024 as study subjects. Older adults were surveyed for their general information, lifestyle behaviors, nutritional status, and physical activity. Binary Logistic regression was used to explore the factors influencing the level of physical activity among pre-frail and frail older adults in the community.Results:A total of 207 questionnaires were distributed and 204 valid questionnaires were recovered, with a valid recovery rate of 98.55%. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly score of the 204 community-based pre-frail and frail older adults was 86.87 (52.14, 125.00), and the form of activity was predominantly walking (98.5%, 201/204) and light domestic physical activity (85.8%, 175/204). Binary Logistic regression showed that taking a nap ( OR=3.614), abnormal nighttime sleep duration ( OR=4.077), fear of falling before or during exercise ( OR=7.895), and risk of malnutrition ( OR=9.263) were risk factors for levels of physical activity in pre-frail and frail older adults in the community ( P<0.05), and good exercise cognition ( OR=0.055) was a protective factor for physical activity levels ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Pre-frail and frail older adults in the community have low levels of physical activity, which is dominated by walking and household activities. Community healthcare workers should strengthen the management of physical activity for pre-frail and frail older adults, cultivate their good living habits, improve their sleep quality, ensure sufficient night sleep, help them overcome the fear of falling before or during exercise, set up the correct concept of exercise, form a good cognition of exercise, and guide their family members to pay attention to the nutritional status of older adults, beware of the risk of malnutrition, and improve the level of physical activity to delay or even reverse the frail state.

Objective:To investigate the current status of physical function decline among community-dwelling elderly in Beijing and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:A convenience sampling method was used to select elderly individuals from Fangzhuang Community in Fengtai District and Donghuashi Community in Dongcheng District, Beijing, between February and July 2023. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, lifestyle behavior survey, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Binary Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing physical function decline.Results:A total of 2 434 questionnaires were distributed, with 2 060 valid responses, yielding an effective response rate of 84.6%. Among the 2 060 community-dwelling elderly, 1 273 exhibited physical function decline. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, history of stroke, alcohol consumption, annual physical examinations, social participation frequency, and cognitive impairment were significant factors influencing physical function decline among community-dwelling elderly ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Physical function decline is prevalent among community-dwelling elderly in Beijing. Regular physical examinations, active social participation, early rehabilitation of stroke, and early screening and intervention for cognitive impairment can help slow the progression of physical function decline.

Objective:Based on the health ecological model, this study aimed to identify the influencing factors of cognitive function in older patients with common cardiovascular diseases in China, providing insights for the prevention of cognitive impairment in this population.Methods:A multi-stage sampling method was used to recruit 9 833 older patients with common cardiovascular diseases from ten ClassⅢ Grade A hospitals located in North China, East China, Central-South China, Southwest China, and Northwest China between January and December 2023. General information and cognitive status were assessed using a self-designed Ceneral Information Questionnaire and the Mini-mental State Examination. Binary Logistic regression was applied to explore factors influencing cognitive function.Results:Among the 9 833 patients, 2 394 (24.3%, 2 394/9 833) were identified with cognitive impairment. Binary Logistic regression analysis showed that intrapersonal level (gender, age, physical function, history of stroke, and history of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), behavioral level (social activity participation and regular exercise), interpersonal network level (marital status and self-reported social support), and living and working conditions level (educational level, per capita monthly household income, and type of residence area) were the influencing factors of cognitive function ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Cognitive function in older adults with cardiovascular diseases is suboptimal and influenced by multi-level and multidimensional factors. Healthcare providers should focus on monitoring high-risk individuals and promoting social participation and regular physical activity among this population.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with common pathophysiological processes, such as inflammation and fibrosis, in both the heart and the kidney. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms that drive these processes are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study focused on the molecular mechanism of heart and kidney injury in CKD. METHODS: We generated an microRNA (miR)-26a knockout (KO) mouse model to investigate the role of miR-26a in angiotensin (Ang)-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. We performed Ang-II modeling in wild type (WT) mice and miR-26a KO mice, with six mice in each group. In addition, Ang-II-treated AC16 cells and HK2 cells were used as in vitro models of cardiac and renal injury in the context of CKD. Histological staining, immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Western blotting were applied to study the regulation of miR-26a on Ang-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. Immunofluorescence reporter assays were used to detect downstream genes of miR-26a, and immunoprecipitation was employed to identify the interacting protein of LIM and senescent cell antigen-like domain 1 (LIMS1). We also used an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to supplement LIMS1 and explored the specific regulatory mechanism of miR-26a on Ang-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. Dunnett's multiple comparison and t -test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Compared with the control mice, miR-26a expression was significantly downregulated in both the kidney and the heart after Ang-II infusion. Our study identified LIMS1 as a novel target gene of miR-26a in both heart and kidney tissues. Downregulation of miR-26a activated the LIMS1/integrin-linked kinase (ILK) signaling pathway in the heart and kidney, which represents a common molecular mechanism underlying inflammation and fibrosis in heart and kidney tissues during CKD. Furthermore, knockout of miR-26a worsened inflammation and fibrosis in the heart and kidney by inhibiting the LIMS1/ILK signaling pathway; on the contrary, supplementation with exogenous miR-26a reversed all these changes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that miR-26a could be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiorenal injury in CKD. This is attributed to its ability to regulate the LIMS1/ILK signaling pathway, which represents a common molecular mechanism in both heart and kidney tissues.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Angiotensin II/toxicity* ; Mice ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/chemically induced* ; Mice, Knockout ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Signal Transduction/genetics* ; LIM Domain Proteins/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cell Line ; Humans

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, immunophenotype and prognosis of SWI/SNF complex-deficient sinonasal carcinomas.Methods:The clinicopathological, immunohistochemical profiles of 13 SWI/SNF complex-deficient sinonasal carcinomas diagnosed at Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing, China between Januay 2019 and December 2024 were reviewed and followed up.Results:The patients′ ages ranged from 33-81 years, median 59.0 (41.5, 64.5) years, including 10 males and 3 females. Imaging findings showed space-occupying lesions in the nasal cavity and sinuses. Microscopically, tumors predominantly exhibited invasive growth in medium-to-large nests or sheets, with relatively uniform morphology, mainly basaloid and/or small cells, while one recurrent case displayed epithelioid morphology. Focal necrosis was observed in 7 cases. Immunohistochemical results showed loss of SMARCA4/BRG1 in 7 cases, loss of SMARCB1/INI1 in 6 cases, and concurrent loss of SMARCA2 in 5 cases. CKpan was expressed to varying extent in all cases, 10 cases were EMA positive, and 5 cases were partially positive for p63/p40. Among neuroendocrine markers, 10 cases showed focal expression of syn or CgA. The Ki-67 proliferation index ranged from 40% to 90%. PD-L1 staining showed combined positive score (CPS) was ≥1 in 3 SMARCB1-deficient cases (CPS ranging from 2 to 3) and CPS <1 in the other 10 cases. Among the 13 patients, 2 were lost to follow-up, 6 died (postoperative survival: 1-25 months), and 5 remained alive, with the longest survival time of 130 months (follow-up range, 8-130 months).Conclusions:SWI/SNF complex-deficient sinonasal carcinoma is a rare undifferentiated malignancy in the head and neck, characterized by distinct pathological and molecular genetic features. SMARCA4-deficient and SMARCB1-deficient carcinomas both exhibit basaloid or small cell-like morphology. Compared to SMARCB1-deficient carcinomas, SMARCA4-deficient carcinomas show reduced expression of squamous cell markers but increased expression of neuroendocrine markers. The positive PD-L1 staining is more likely present in SMARCB1-deficient carcinomas than SMARCB4-dificient ones. Co-loss of SWI/SNF and SMARCA2 correlates with poorer prognosis. Comprehensive evaluation of histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular genetics is critical for accurately diagnosing this rare entity.