ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of icariin （ICA） on steroid-induced ferroptosis in bone microvascular endothelial cells （BMECs）. MethodsRat BMECs were selected and treated with 500 mg·L^-1 hydrocortisone for 1.5 h to establish a ferroptosis model of BMECs. The experimental cells were divided into a blank group， hormone group （500 mg·L^-1 hydrocortisone）， ICA group （500 mg·L^-1 hydrocortisone + 34 mg·L^-1 ICA）， and ferroptosis agonist group （500 mg·L^-1 hydrocortisone + 34 mg·L^-1 ICA + 2.7 mg·L^-1 erastin）. Cell viability was detected by CCK-8. The levels of ferrous ion， glutathione （GSH）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and reactive oxygen species （ROS） were detected by related kit species. The ferroptosis-related proteins， such as glutathione peroxidase 4（GPX4）， ferritin light chain （FTL）， and transferrin receptor protein1 （sTfR） were detected by Western blot， as well as autophagy-related proteins including microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B （LC3B）， Beclin1， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Caspase-3. Results500 mg·L^-1 hydrocortisone intervention for 1.5 h could effectively induce ferroptosis in BMECs， and ferroptosis levels could reach a peak as the intervention continued. In terms of cellular antioxidant capacity， compared with those in the blank group， the cell vitality， GSH in the hormone group decreased significantly， and the levels of ROS， SOD， MDA， and ferrous ions were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the hormone group， the cell viability， GSH were significantly increased， and the levels of ROS， SOD， MDA， and ferrous ions were decreased in the ICA group （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the ICA group， the cell vitality， GSH in the ferroptosis agonist group decreased significantly， and the levels of ROS， SOD， MDA， and ferrous ions increased significantly （P<0.01）. In terms of the relationship between ferroptosis and autophagy， compared with the blank group， the hormone group had significantly increased expression levels of LC3B， sTfR， Beclin1， and FTL and significantly decreased expression levels of GPX4 （P<0.01）. Compared with the hormone group， The ICA group had significantly decreased expression levels of LC3B， sTfR， and FTL and significantly increased expression levels of Beclin 1 and GPX4 （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the ICA group， the expression levels of LC3B， sTfR， and FTL increased in the rapamycin group， and those of Beclin 1 and GPX4 decreased （P<0.01）. In terms of cell ferroptosis and apoptosis，compared with the blank group， the hormone group had significantly increased expression levels of FTL， sTfR and Caspase-3 and significantly decreased expression levels of GPX4， and Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. Compared with the hormone group， the ICA group had significantly decreased expression levels of FTL， sTfR and Caspase-3 and significantly increased expression levels of GPX4， and Bcl-2 （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the ICA group， the expression levels of FTL， sTfR and Caspase-3 in the ferroptosis agonist group were increased， and the expression levels of GPX4， and Bcl-2 were decreased （P<0.01）. In terms of cell function，compared with that in the blank group， the ability of cell migration and tube formation was significantly decreased in the hormone group （P<0.01）. Compared with that in the hormone group， the cell migration and tube formation ability in the ICA group were significantly increased （P<0.01）. ConclusionFerroptosis is involved in steroid-induced damage in BMECs. ICA can inhibit steroid-induced ferroptosis in BMECs， and the mechanism may be associated with the inhibition of ferroptosis by regulating autophagy.

Lumbar disc (LD) herniation and aging are prevalent conditions that can result in substantial morbidity. This study aimed to clarify the mechanisms connecting the LD aging and herniation, particularly focusing on cellular senescence and molecular alterations in the nucleus pulposus (NP). We performed a detailed analysis of NP samples from a diverse cohort, including individuals of varying ages and those with diagnosed LD herniation. Our methodology combined histological assessments with single-nucleus RNA sequencing to identify phenotypic and molecular changes related to NP aging and herniation. We discovered that cellular senescence and a decrease in nucleus pulposus progenitor cells (NPPCs) are central to both processes. Additionally, we found an age-related increase in NFAT1 expression that promotes NPPC senescence and contributes to both aging and herniation of LD. This research offers fresh insights into LD aging and its associated pathologies, potentially guiding the development of new therapeutic strategies to target the root causes of LD herniation and aging.
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/metabolism* ; Humans ; Aging/pathology* ; Nucleus Pulposus/pathology* ; Male ; Female ; Transcriptome ; Middle Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/pathology* ; Adult ; Cellular Senescence ; Stem Cells/pathology* ; Aged ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/metabolism*

Objective To analyze the effect of circLRP6 on high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury via miR-31-5p/high mobility group protein A1(HMGA1)axis regulation.Methods Human renal tubular epithelial HK-2 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into eight groups:control,high glucose,high glucose+si-NC,high glucose+si-circLRP6,high glucose+si-circLRP6+miR-NC,high glucose+si-circLRP6+miR-31-5p inhibitor,high glucose+si-circLRP6+miR-31-5p inhibitor+si-NC,and high glucose+si-circ-LRP6+ miR-31-5p inhibitor+si-HMGA1.The circLRP6,miR-31-5p,and HMGA1 mRNA levels were determined using real-time quantitative PCR.Cell supernatant IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)levels,lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)activity,and malondialdehyde(MDA)content were also determined.Furthermore,flow cytometry was used to observe cell apoptosis.HMGA1,Bax,and Bcl-2 protein expression was detected by Western blotting.Finally,dual luciferase assay was used to report the targeting relationship of miR-31-5p with circLRP6 and HMGA1.Results Compared with the high glucose group,the HK-2 cell proliferation inhibition rate;cell superserum IL-6,TNF-α,LDH,and MDA levels;apoptosis rate;and Bax protein expression in the high glucose+si-circLRP6 group decreased significantly,whereas Bcl-2 protein expression increased significantly(all P＜0.05).Consequently,miR-31-5p downregulation possibly weakened the protective effect of si-circLRP6 on high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury.HMGA1 expression inhibition reversed the effect of the si-circLRP6+miR-31-5p inhibitor on high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury.Finally,miR-31-5p exhibited a targeting relationship with circLRP6 and HMGA1.Conclusion Si-circLRP6 protects high glucose-induced renal tubular epithelial cell injury via miR-31-5p upregulation and HMGA1 expression inhibition.

BACKGROUND:Pro-kin balance system guidance has a relatively excellent rehabilitation effect on lower extremity proprioception and trunk control in stroke patients,but its effect on knee proprioception and balance function in patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction has been less reported. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of rehabilitation training guided by Pro-kin balance system on proprioception and balance function of the affected knee after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. METHODS:A total of 84 patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament rupture reconstruction surgery were randomly divided into observation group and control group,with 42 patients in each group.The patients in the control group received routine rehabilitation intervention after surgery,and those in the observation group were given rehabilitation training based on the guidance of Pro-kin balance system.The training in each group lasted for 8 weeks.Lysholm score and International Knee Documentation Committee score were used to evaluate the change of knee joint function before and after the intervention.Average weight-bearing strength difference,trajectory error,swing value and 30°,45° and 60° passive angulation errors of the affected knee joint were used to evaluate the changes in the proprioception of the affected knee.The area and length of motion trajectory under open and closed eyes were used to evaluate the change of balance function.The satisfaction of patients in both groups with this rehabilitation training was investigated. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After training,Lysholm score and International Knee Documentation Committee score of patients in both groups were significantly higher than those before training(P<0.01),and the above scores in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.01).After training,the average weight-bearing strength difference,trajectory error and swing value of the two groups were significantly lower than those before training(P<0.01),and the above scores in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.01).After training,the passive angulation errors of 30°,45° and 60° of the affected knee joints in both groups were significantly lower than those before training(P<0.01),and those in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).After training,the area and length of motion trajectory in both groups with eyes open were significantly smaller than those before training(P<0.01),and the above indicators in the observation group were significantly smaller than those in the control group(P<0.05,P<0.01).After training,the area and length of the movement track of the patients in both groups with eyes closed were significantly smaller than those before training(P<0.01),and the above indicators in the observation group were significantly smaller than those in the control group(P<0.01).The satisfaction of patients in the observation group was 95,which was significantly higher than 81%in the control group(P<0.05).To conclude,compared with the conventional rehabilitation training,the rehabilitation training based on Pro-kin balance system is more effective in improving the function,proprioception and balance function of the affected knee joints of patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament rupture reconstruction,and the patients'satisfaction is higher.

BACKGROUND:Unaccustomed exercise triggers skeletal muscle damage,but produces a specific training effect that reduces muscle re-injury to reduce pain-muscle memory. OBJECTIVE:Based on the etiology of delayed onset muscle soreness,to review the existence and possible mechanism of skeletal muscle memory in delayed onset muscle soreness and to present new insights into the prevention and treatment of delayed onset muscle soreness. METHODS:The first author searched in PubMed,Embase,Web of Science,CNKI and WanFang databases for relevant literature published from January 1990 to December 2022.The keywords were"DOMS,skeletal muscle memory,exercise skeletal muscle adaptation,repeat turn effect,exercise and autophagy,autophagy and inflammation"in English and Chinese,respectively.A total of 102 articles were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The etiology of delayed onset muscle soreness is currently believed to be an acute inflammatory response due to metabolic disorders,mechanical injury and oxidative stress,while exercise-induced skeletal muscle memory can reduce delayed onset muscle soreness and exercise re-injury.When the duration,frequency and intensity of centrifugal training are gradually increased,symptoms of the injury can be minimized or even avoided.Therefore,based on the mechanism of exercise-induced skeletal muscle memory,it is the future research direction to find more effective ways to prevent and alleviate exercise-induced muscle injury.This review aims to(1)clarify the existence of exercise-induced skeletal muscle memory;(2)explore the possible mechanisms of exercise-induced skeletal muscle memory and propose the relationship between this memory and skeletal muscle autophagy;and(3)provide new strategies for the prevention and treatment of delayed onset muscle soreness by improving the level of skeletal muscle autophagy.

Background and Purpose:Accurate differentiation of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma(PDAC)from mass-forming chronic pancreatitis(MFCP)is clinically significant.The application of dual-layer spectral detector CT(DLCT)in pancreas has been explored.This study aimed to investigate the value of DLCT in distinguishing resectable PDAC from MFCP.Methods:We retrospectively collected data of 33 patients with resectable PDAC and 19 patients with MFCP admitted to Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center from September 1,2021 to May 31,2023.Prior to surgery,patients underwent enhanced DLCT scans,including arterial phase(AP),parenchymal phase(PP)and venous phase(VP).DLCT quantitative parameters,including attenuation enhancement fraction(AEF),lesion-to-parenchyma ratio(LPR)and iodine enhancement fraction(IEF)were calculated.Difference analysis was conducted using independent sample t-test or chi-square test.Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed using binary logistic regression.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were used for performance evaluation.P＜0.05 was considered statistically significant.Results:Statistically significant differences were observed between PDAC and MFCP in AEF_AP/PP,LPR40_VP,IEF_PP/VP,carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9)and double-duct sign(all P＜0.05).The spectral combined model composed of LPR40_VP and IEF_PP/VP exhibited the best discriminatory efficacy,surpassing CA19-9,double-duct sign and AEF_AP/PP(all P＜0.05).The combined model demonstrated an area under curve(AUC)of 0.841,sensitivity of 90%,specificity of 73%,and accuracy of 79%.Conclusion:DLCT has certain potential in differentiating resectable PDAC from MFCP.Spectral quantitative parameters can complement CA19-9 and outcome shortcomings of conventional CT in distinguishing resectable PDAC from MFCP.

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of icariin （ICA） on autophagy in glucocorticoid-induced bone microvascular endothelial cells （BMECs） mediated by the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/mammalian target of rapamycin （PI3K/Akt/mTOR） signaling pathway. MethodBMECs were isolated and cultured from femoral heads obtained during total hip arthroplasty and identified using immunofluorescence staining. The experimental cells were divided into four groups： A control group， a glucocorticoid group （100 mg·L^-1 hydrocortisone）， an ICA group （100 mg·L^-1 hydrocortisone+6.7×10^-3 mg·L^-1 ICA）， and a Rapamycin group （100 mg·L^-1 hydrocortisone+6.7×10^-3 mg·L^-1 ICA+1 mg·L^-1 rapamycin）. Autophagy in BMECs was induced using 100 mg·L^-1 hydrocortisone. LC3 fluorescence staining was used to observe the peak of autophagy at different time points. Western blot analysis was employed to analyze the expression of autophagy-related proteins and PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway proteins in each group. Electron microscopy was used to observe autophagosomes and autolysosomes in the cells. ResultHydrocortisone at 100 mg·L^-1 induced autophagy in BMECs， reaching a peak at around 5 hours， which then declined with further intervention. Compared to the control group， the glucocorticoid group showed cell membrane damage， disordered organelle arrangement， and a large number of autophagosomes and autolysosomes. Compared to the glucocorticoid group， the ICA group had more intact cell membranes， sparser organelle arrangement， and fewer autophagosomes and autolysosomes. Compared to the ICA group， the Rapamycin group showed cell membrane damage， disordered organelle arrangement， and more autophagosomes and autolysosomes. Compared to the control group， the glucocorticoid group had significantly increased expression of light chain 3B （LC3B）， Atg4B， and p62 （P<0.01）. Compared to the glucocorticoid group， the ICA group showed significantly decreased expression of LC3B， Atg4B， p62， and Beclin-1 （P<0.01）. Compared to the ICA group， the Rapamycin group had significantly increased expression of Atg4B and p62 （P<0.01）. Compared to the control group， the glucocorticoid group had significantly decreased expression of p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-mTOR/mTOR （P<0.01）. Compared to the glucocorticoid group， the ICA group showed significantly increased expression of p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-mTOR/mTOR （P<0.01）. Compared to the ICA group， the Rapamycin group had significantly decreased expression of p-PI3K/PI3K， p-Akt/Akt， and p-mTOR/mTOR （P<0.01）. Ubiquitination levels were significantly decreased in the glucocorticoid group compared to the control group （P<0.01）. Compared to the glucocorticoid group， ubiquitination levels were significantly increased in the ICA group （P<0.01）， and significantly decreased in the Rapamycin group compared to the ICA group （P<0.01）. ConclusionThe glucocorticoid-induced autophagy in BMECs is time-dependent. ICA inhibits glucocorticoid-induced autophagy in BMECs， and this effect may be related to the regulation of the PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Objective Studies on the expression and location of zinc finger protein A20 (A20) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in liver tissues of patients with chronic hepatitis B were conducted, and the relationship between them and liver fibrosis was determined by FibroScan. Methods Studies on A20 and CTGF in liver tissues of 160 patients with chronic hepatitis B were conducted in accordance with the stage of pathological fibrosis and inflammation of the liver, and quantitative immunohistochemistry test was conducted, and statistical analysis was conducted by FibroScan. Results The expressions of A20 and CTGF in liver tissues increased with the aggravation of liver pathological fibrosis and inflammation, and there were significant differences between each stage and the control group (P<0.05), and there were significant differences between adjacent groups (P<0.05). Studies have shown that FibroScan increases along with pathological fibrosis and inflammation in the liver. There are significant differences between the stage and the control group (P<0.05), and no significant differences between the adjacent groups (P>0.05). There was positive correlation between liver A20 and CTGF, r=0.796 (P<0.05). Conclusions In patients with chronic hepatitis B, A20, CTGF and FibroScan are positively correlated with the degree of liver fibrosis, and A20 and CTGF are also positively correlated with the degree of liver inflammation, which can be used as indicators to evaluate the degree of liver inflammation and fibrosis, and further guide the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrosis treatment of patients.

Objective:To summarize the incidence of cerebral venous reflux (CVR) in patients with recent small subcortical infarct (RSSI) and explore its correlation with enlarged perivascular spaces (EPVS).Methods:Patients with RSSI in the lenticulostriate artery admitted to the Department of Neurology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2019 to December 2022 were included. The baseline demographic data, medical history, and laboratory results of the patients were collected. CVR was assessed by time-of-flight magnetic resonance angiography. Patients were stratified into 2 groups based on the presence (CVR group) or absence of CVR (non-CVR group), and baseline characteristics as well as laboratory test results were compared between the 2 groups. The location and number of EPVS were evaluated using a visual grading scale, with EPVS with higher scores defined as high-grade EPVS (HEPVS). Simultaneous evaluation of cerebral white matter hyperintensities and lacunar infarctions was conducted, followed by intergroup comparisons. The relationship between EPVS and CVR was studied using multiple Logistic regression analysis.Results:A total of 571 patients with RSSI in the lentiform artery area were ultimately included, including 180 females (31.5%). Their age was (59.37±12.87) years. Among them, 73 patients (12.8%) exhibited CVR based on imaging findings, so the incidence of CVR was 12.8%. In comparison between the CVR group ( n=73) and the non-CVR group ( n=498), the proportion of females [21.9% (16/73) vs 32.9% (164/498), χ 2=3.578, P=0.059] was lower and the proportion of history of smoking [38.4% (28/73) vs 27.7% (138/498), χ 2=3.499, P=0.061] was higher in the CVR group, but without statistical significance. Additionally, the history of alcohol consumption [34.2% (25/73) vs 21.7% (108/498), χ 2=5.621, P=0.018] and the proportion of patients with concomitant HEPVS in the basal ganglia area [41.1% (30/73) vs 25.3% (126/498), χ 2=7.999, P=0.005] was higher in the CVR group with statistical significance. Multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that HEPVS in the basal ganglia region remained independently associated with CVR ( OR=1.988, 95% CI 1.190-3.320, P=0.009). Conclusion:EPVS in the basal ganglia region is significantly associated with CVR in the RSSI population, suggesting that venous dysfunction may be closely related to the formation of EPVS.

Objective:To investigate the incidence of postoperative complications in Chinese patients with gastric or colorectal cancer, and to evaluate the risk factors for postoperative complications.Methods:This was a national, multicenter, prospective, registry-based, cohort study of data obtained from the database of the Prevalence of Abdominal Complications After Gastro- enterological Surgery (PACAGE) study sponsored by the China Gastrointestinal Cancer Surgical Union. The PACAGE database prospectively collected general demographic characteristics, protocols for perioperative treatment, and variables associated with postoperative complications in patients treated for gastric or colorectal cancer in 20 medical centers from December 2018 to December 2020. The patients were grouped according to the presence or absence of postoperative complications. Postoperative complications were categorized and graded in accordance with the expert consensus on postoperative complications in gastrointestinal oncology surgery and Clavien-Dindo grading criteria. The incidence of postoperative complications of different grades are presented as bar charts. Independent risk factors for occurrence of postoperative complications were identified by multifactorial unconditional logistic regression.Results:The study cohort comprised 3926 patients with gastric or colorectal cancer, 657 (16.7%) of whom had a total of 876 postoperative complications. Serious complications (Grade III and above) occurred in 4.0% of patients (156/3926). The rate of Grade V complications was 0.2% (7/3926). The cohort included 2271 patients with gastric cancer with a postoperative complication rate of 18.1% (412/2271) and serious complication rate of 4.7% (106/2271); and 1655 with colorectal cancer, with a postoperative complication rate of 14.8% (245/1655) and serious complication rate of 3.0% (50/1655). The incidences of anastomotic leakage in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer were 3.3% (74/2271) and 3.4% (56/1655), respectively. Abdominal infection was the most frequently occurring complication, accounting for 28.7% (164/572) and 39.5% (120/304) of postoperative complications in patients with gastric and colorectal cancer, respectively. The most frequently occurring grade of postoperative complication was Grade II, accounting for 65.4% (374/572) and 56.6% (172/304) of complications in patients with gastric and colorectal cancers, respectively. Multifactorial analysis identified (1) the following independent risk factors for postoperative complications in patients in the gastric cancer group: preoperative comorbidities (OR=2.54, 95%CI: 1.51-4.28, P<0.001), neoadjuvant therapy (OR=1.42, 95%CI:1.06-1.89, P=0.020), high American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) scores (ASA score 2 points:OR=1.60, 95% CI: 1.23-2.07, P<0.001, ASA score ≥3 points:OR=0.43, 95% CI: 0.25-0.73, P=0.002), operative time >180 minutes (OR=1.81, 95% CI: 1.42-2.31, P<0.001), intraoperative bleeding >50 mL (OR=1.29,95%CI: 1.01-1.63, P=0.038), and distal gastrectomy compared with total gastrectomy (OR=0.65,95%CI: 0.51-0.83, P<0.001); and (2) the following independent risk factors for postoperative complications in patients in the colorectal cancer group: female (OR=0.60, 95%CI: 0.44-0.80, P<0.001), preoperative comorbidities (OR=2.73, 95%CI: 1.25-5.99, P=0.030), neoadjuvant therapy (OR=1.83, 95%CI:1.23-2.72, P=0.008), laparoscopic surgery (OR=0.47, 95%CI: 0.30-0.72, P=0.022), and abdominoperineal resection compared with low anterior resection (OR=2.74, 95%CI: 1.71-4.41, P<0.001). Conclusion:Postoperative complications associated with various types of infection were the most frequent complications in patients with gastric or colorectal cancer. Although the risk factors for postoperative complications differed between patients with gastric cancer and those with colorectal cancer, the presence of preoperative comorbidities, administration of neoadjuvant therapy, and extent of surgical resection, were the commonest factors associated with postoperative complications in patients of both categories.