The ambiguity of etiology makes temporomandibular joint osteoarthritis (TMJOA) "difficult-to-treat". Emerging evidence underscores the therapeutic promise of exosomes in osteoarthritis management. Nonetheless, challenges such as low yields and insignificant efficacy of current exosome therapies necessitate significant advances. Addressing lower strontium (Sr) levels in arthritic synovial microenvironment, we studied the effect of Sr element on exosomes and miRNA selectively loading in synovial mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs). Here, we developed an optimized system that boosts the yield of SMSC-derived exosomes (SMSC-EXOs) and improves their miRNA profiles with an elevated proportion of beneficial miRNAs, while reducing harmful ones by pretreating SMSCs with Sr. Compared to untreated SMSC-EXOs, Sr-pretreated SMSC-derived exosomes (Sr-SMSC-EXOs) demonstrated superior therapeutic efficacy by mitigating chondrocyte ferroptosis and reducing osteoclast-mediated joint pain in TMJOA. Our results illustrate Alix's crucial role in Sr-triggered miRNA loading, identifying miR-143-3p as a key anti-TMJOA exosomal component. Interestingly, this system is specifically oriented towards synovium-derived stem cells. The insight into trace element-driven, site-specific miRNA selectively loading in SMSC-EXOs proposes a promising therapeutic enhancement strategy for TMJOA.
MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells/drug effects* ; Osteoarthritis/drug therapy* ; Exosomes/drug effects* ; Strontium/pharmacology* ; Synovial Membrane/cytology* ; Humans ; Animals ; Temporomandibular Joint Disorders/therapy* ; Temporomandibular Joint

Objective To investigate the relationship between circular RNA homeodomain interacting protein ki-nase 3 (circHIPK3) and the activation of rat microglia (RM) cells.Methods In vitro, RM cells were cultured and randomized into normal and oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) groups, and the expression lev-el of circHIPK3 in each group was detected by RT-qPCR.The circHIPK3 lentiviral vector with puromycin resist-ance was constructed, and the overexpression (OE) group and negative control (NC) group were set up.The opti-mal multiplicity of infection (MOI) for RM cells was determined based on fluorescence expression, and puromycin was used to screen RM cells stably expressing circHIPK3 .The cells of OE and NC groups were treated with OGD/R, and the expression levels of ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1) and eukaryotic tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily (CD40) were detected by Western blot.The circHIPK3 translational protein potential was analyzed by the circRNAdb database, while the potential binding microRNAs on circHIPK3 were predicted by circBank and Starbase databases.Results OGD/R down-regulated circHIPK3 in RM cells (P <0.0001).The sequencing results were accurate and the lentiviral vector of circHIPK3 was constructed successfully.The optimal MOI of RM cells was 80 , puromycin at a concentration of 2μg/ml was used to screen RM cell lines stably express-ing circHIPK3 .RT-qPCR results showed that the expression level of circHIPK3 was significantly higher in the OE group compared with the NC group (P<0.01) .Western blot results revealed that the expression levels of Iba-1 and CD40 in the OE group were markedly lower than those in the NC group (P<0.05) .Protein translation analy-sis showed that circHIPK3 encoded a polypeptide of 404 amino acids with two internal ribosome entry sites (IRES) and an open reading frame (ORF) .Database analysis uncovered that circHIPK3 could target eight specific miR-Nas, namely hsa-miR-3529-5p, hsa-miR-379-5p, hsa-miR-506-3p, hsa-miR-33, hsa-miR-450b-5p, hsa-miR-551b-3p, hsa-miR-193, and hsa-miR-508-3p.Conclusion The overexpression of circHIPK3 effectively suppres-ses OGD/R-induced activation of RM cells.It has the potential to encode peptides and may act as a miRNA sponge.These findings provide a foundation for further study of circHIPK3 functions.

The universal health coverage agenda promotes population health and social equity and is a priority for the WHO and governments worldwide. This article outlines the basic concept, development, content, monitoring indicators, global progress, and challenges of the universal health coverage agenda. After over half a century of development, a global consensus has been reached on the definition and content of the universal health coverage agenda which emphasizes coverage proportion of the population, content of healthcare services, and economic protection measures. The implementation principle of the agenda for universal health coverage is to prioritize providing healthcare services of high health benefits and social value to the entire population under resource constraints. However, the healthcare service recommendations and evaluation frameworks proposed by the WHO and other international organizations tend to favor low-income countries, neglecting services related to injury prevention and mental health, and therefore may not be suitable for all countries. The development across various dimensions of the agenda for universal health coverage is uneven, with low-income countries lagging. Progress in the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases and injuries is delayed. Low-income groups and vulnerable populations are at a disadvantage in accessing services and economic protection. It is suggested that a globally applicable set of standards, methods, and processes be used to identify high-priority healthcare services. Countries should gradually expand the scope of healthcare services and population coverage based on their needs and capabilities. Additionally, efforts should be made to increase investment in healthcare system resources and international collaboration to promote the development and technological advancement of healthcare systems in low-income countries. Furthermore, it is also necessary to build a high-quality primary healthcare service system and strengthen protection for vulnerable groups.

Objective: To investigate the effect of G protein-coupled receptor 108(GPR108) gene knockout on systemic inflammation in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced sepsis mice. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice and GPR108 gene knockout mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: WT group, WT-LPS group, KO group, KO-LPS group. The physiological characteristics of mice in different groups were observed, and the morphological changes of liver and lung tissues were observed. Macrophages were extracted from bone marrow and subjected to flow cytometry to detect their M1 polarization status. The expression levels of IL-6 in liver and lung tissues, macrophages, and serum were also measured. Results: KO-LPS group mice showed significant liver and lung tissue damage, with a significantly greater number of bone marrow-derived macrophages polarizing towards M1 in the KO-LPS group compared to the WT-LPS group. Additionally, at the tissue, cellular, and serum levels, the expression of IL-6 in the KO-LPS group mice was significantly higher than that in the WT-LPS group mice(P<0.05). Conclusion During the systemic inflammatory infection induced by LPS in mice, the lack of GPR108 exacerbates the systemic inflammatory response. GPR108 has an inhibitory effect on the inflammatory response in mice with LPS-induced sepsis.

Objective To observe the value of B1 corrected T1 mapping for distinguishing pathological types and differentiation degrees of lung cancers.Methods A total of 74 lesions in 65 patients with lung cancers were prospectively enrolled,including 49 poorly differentiated lesions and 25 moderately or well differentiated ones,i.e.42 adenocarcinomas,14 squamous cell carcinomas and 18 small cell lung cancers(all poorly differentiated).B1 corrected T1 mapping was performed,ROI(ROI1 and ROI2)were delineated using 2 methods,and T1 values of different pathological types and differentiation degrees lung cancers were compared.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were drawn,and the areas under the curve(AUC)were calculated.Results Significant differences of T1 values were found among different pathological types of lung cancer(all P＜0.05),as well as between small cell lung cancer and the rest 2 types of lung cancer(both P＜0.05).There were significant differences of T1 values between poorly differentiated and moderately well differentiated lung cancer(squamous cell carcinoma+adenocarcinoma)(both P＜0.05).Taken ROI1 T1 value=1 524.21 ms as the cut-off value,the AUC of T1 value for distinguishing poorly differentiated and moderately well differentiated lung cancer(squamous cell carcinoma+adenocarcinoma)was 0.698,with sensitivity of 64.50％and specificity of 76.00％.Taken ROI2 T1 value=1 630.68 ms as the cut-off value,the AUC of T1 value was 0.676,with sensitivity of 54.80％and specificity of 80.00％.Conclusion B1 corrected T1 mapping was helpful for distinguishing pathological types and differentiation degrees of lung cancers.

Objective To compare the value of stack-of-stars-volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination(Star-VIBE)and T1-volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination(T1-VIBE)MRI for displaying peripheral lung cancer.Methods Fifty-two patients with 56 peripheral lung cancer were prospectively enrolled,and chest Star-VIBE and T1-VIBE MRI were acquired.The morphological features were observed,and the subjective scores were recorded.The maximum diameter,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of lesions were measured based on Star-VIBE and T1-VIBE MRI,respectively.Taken CT as the references,the value of Star-VIBE and T1-VIBE MRI for displaying peripheral lung cancer were compared.Results Star-VIBE MRI had higher scores for displaying spiculation sign,lobulation sign,pleural depression sign and halo sign than T1-VIBE(both P＜0.05).CNR and SNR of Star-VIBE MRI were significantly higher than those of T1-VIBE(both P＜0.001).No significant difference of the maximum diameter of lesions measured based on Star-VIBE and T1-VIBE MRI compared with CT was found,nor between Star-VIBE and T1-VIBE MRI(all P＞0.05).Conclusion Star-VIBE MRI had better value for displaying peripheral lung cancer than T1-VIBE.

Purpose To study the association between ultrasonography signs of midurethral sling(MUS)and postoperative bladder neck mobility,and urethral segmental mobility,to explore ultrasound parameters that measure the biomechanical effects of MUS and to analyze the relationship between them and the clinical outcomes.Materials and Methods This was a retrospective analysis of the clinical material and ultrasound imaging data of the patients who underwent MUS surgery and had postoperative clinic follow-up in the Second Xiangya Hospital,Central South University,from September 2017 to July 2022.According to the surgical outcome,all patients were divided into three groups:stress urinary incontinence(SUI)cure group,SUI recurrence group and postoperative voiding dysfunction(VD)group.Bladder neck mobility,urethral segmental mobility,MUS position,and sling-pubic gap(SPG)during maximal Valsalva manoeuvre were measured by pelvic floor ultrasound.Ultrasound results among the three groups were compared,respectively.The relationships between ultrasound signs of the sling(MUS position and SPG),bladder neck and urethral mobility,and the surgical outcomes were analyzed,respectively.Results A total of 117 women had valid data.The median follow-up interval was 10(6,18)months.On clinical examination and diagnosis,44 women(37.6％)had cured SUI,46(39.3％)had recurrence SUI,and 27(23.1％)had postoperative VD.The mean SPG of the 117 slings was(12.0±3.5)mm(range 4.7 to 23.0 mm),and the mean position of the MUS was the 53％(range 33％-75％).There was no significant difference in MUS position and SPG between the SUI cured group and the postoperative VD group(P＞0.05).The SUI recurrence group had farther MUS position[(56±11)％vs.(49±10)％,P=0.003]relative to the bladder neck and wider SPG[(13.9±3.7)mm vs.(11.2±2.7)mm,P＜0.001]than SUI cure group.No significant correlation was found between the ultrasound signs of MUS(MUS position and SPG)and bladder neck mobility(r=-0.138-0.205,all P≥0.05).MUS position and SPG were correlated with midurethral mobility(MUS position vs.point 2 and 3,r=0.322,0.322,both P＜0.01;SPG vss.point 3 to 6,r=0.288-0.434,all P＜0.01):the closer the MUS position was relative to the distal urethra,the higher the midurethral mobility.The wider the SPG,the higher the midurethral mobility.Logistic regression showed a positive correlation between SPG and SUI recurrence with an odds ratio(OR)of 1.401(95％CI 1.189-1.652,P＜0.001),and a negative correlation with postoperative VD with an OR of 0.755(95％CI 0.627-0.909,P=0.003).Conclusion SPG during the Valsalva manoeuvre can be used to measure the tightness of MUS.The larger the measured value of SPG,with the looser the MUS,the greater the likelihood of postoperative SUI recurrence,and the lower the risk of postoperative VD.

Objective To assess the feasibility of establishing a nude mouse model of endometriosis fibrosis of human origin and to determine whether endometrial mesenchymal stem cells are involved in inducing endometriosis fibrosis.Methods Four endometrial tissue specimens were collected and transplanted 1∶3 into 12 BABL/c nude mice by subcutaneous injection.The morphology and volume of the lesions were recorded.The nude mice were sacrificed on the 15th day after transplantation to observe the morphology of the lesions and their adhesion to the periphery of the abdominal wall.HE staining was used to judge the result of modelling,Masson staining was used to assess the extent of fibrosis,and immunofluorescence was used to track the role of endometrial mesenchymal stem cells in the fibrotic process of endometriosis.Results The volume of ectopic lesions in nude mice increased over time and showed restricted,vesicular-like changes.The tight adhesion of the lesions to the abdominal wall,endometrioid glands,and collagen fiber deposition were seen microscopically.The success rate of the modelling was 83.4%,and the collagen fiber volume fraction of the lesions was significantly higher after modelling(P＜0.01).Confocal imaging suggested that endometrial mesenchymal stem cells(SUSD2+)differentiated into myofibroblasts(α-SMA+)in vivo.Conclusions The nude mouse model established by human allogeneic transplantation via subcutaneous injection was consistent with the lesion characteristics of endometriosis fibrosis.The modelling method is simple and feasible and provides a better reference model for further investigating the pathogenesis of endometriosis fibrosis.In addition,in vivo observations using the model indicated that endometrial mesenchymal stem cells are involved in inducing the formation of endometriosis fibrosis.

Objective:Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)is a common metabolic disorder in overweight and obese children,and its etiology and pathogenesis remain unclear,lacking effective preventive and therapeutic measures.This study aims to explore the association between whole blood copper,zinc,calcium,magnesium and iron levels and NAFLD in overweight and obese children aged 6 to 17 years,providing a scientific basis for the prevention and intervention of early NAFLD in overweight and obese children. Methods:A cross-sectional study design was used to collect relevant data from overweight and obese children who visited the Hunan Children's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2021 through questionnaire surveys.Fasting blood samples were collected from the subjects,and various indicators such as blood glucose,blood lipid,and mineral elements were detected.All children were divided into an overweight group(n=400)and a NAFLD group(n=202).The NAFLD group was divided into 2 subgroups according to the ALT level:A non-alcoholic fatty liver(NAFL)group and a non-alcoholic steatohepatitis(NASH)group.Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the association between minerals(copper,zinc,calcium,magnesium,and iron)and NAFLD,NAFL and NASH. Results:A total of 602 subjects were included,of whom 73.6%were male,with a median age of 10(9,11)years,and a body mass index(BMI)of 24.9(22.7,27.4)kg/m2.The intergroup comparison results showed that compared with the overweight group,the NAFLD group had higher levels of age,BMI,diastolic blood pressure(DBP),systolic blood pressure(SBP),triglyceride(TG),low density lipoprotein(LDL),alanine transaminase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST),and lower level of high density lipoprotein(HDL).The NAFL group had higher levels of age,BMI,DBP,SBP,ALT,and AST,and lower levels of HDL compared with the overweight group.The levels of age,BMI,DBP,SBP,TG,LDL,ALT,and AST of NASH were higher than those in the overweight group,while the level of HDL was lower than that in overweight group(all P<0.017).After adjusting for a variety of confounders,the OR of NAFLD for the highest quantile of iron was 1.79(95%CI 1.07 to 3.00)compared to the lowest quantile,and no significant association was observed between copper,zinc,calcium,and magnesium,and NAFLD.The subgroup analysis of NAFLD showed that the OR for the highest quantile of iron in children with NAFL was 2.21(95%CI 1.26 to 3.88),while no significant association was observed between iron level and NASH.In addition,no significant associations were observed between copper,zinc,calcium,and magnesium levels and NAFL or NASH. Conclusion:High iron level increases the risk of NAFLD(more likely NAFL)in overweight and obese children,while copper,zinc,calcium,magnesium,and other elements are not associated with the risk of NAFLD in overweight and obese children.