Objective To evaluate whether Vibrio vulnificus secreted exotoxin-hemolysin (VVH) can activate platelet, an important blood immune cell, and to explore the possible molecular mechanism of platelet activation by VVH. Methods Transcriptomics and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze whether Vibrio vulnificus infection caused platelet activation in mice. Then, flow cytometry was used to identify whether VVH was the main stimulator of platelet activation. Naturally expressed VVH toxin was purified and prepared. The effects of extracellular and intracellular Ca²⁺ signal inhibitors on VVH activated platelets were evaluated by flow cytometry and Western blotting. The immune activation effect of VVH in the early stage of Vibrio vulnificus infection was analyzed in vivo. Results VVH was the main stimulator of platelet activation in Vibrio vulnificus culture supernatant. Natural VVH can induce the increase of P-selectin (CD62P) on platelet surface, the formation of platelet-neutrophil complex (PNC), and the release of platelet microvesicles. The activation mechanism may be related to the VVH pore-dependent Ca²⁺-calmodulin (CaM) -myosin light chain kinase (MLCK) signaling pathway, which led to the release of platelet alpha particles and cascade activation of platelets. In a mouse model of ALD infected by Vibrio vulnificus gavage, VVH was strongly associated with platelet activation. Conclusion This study shows that VVH is an important platelet activating molecule in the early stage of Vibrio vulnificus infection, and its induction of platelet activation may be related to the pathogenic process.
Animals ; Platelet Activation/drug effects* ; Hemolysin Proteins/pharmacology* ; Vibrio vulnificus/metabolism* ; Mice ; Blood Platelets/drug effects* ; Vibrio Infections/immunology* ; P-Selectin/metabolism* ; Bacterial Proteins ; Female

Notum, a negative feedback regulator of the Wnt signaling, has emerged as a promising target for treating glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP). This study showcases an efficient strategy for discovering the anti-Notum constituents from herbal medicines (HMs) as novel anti-GIOP agents. Firstly, a rapid-responding near-infrared fluorogenic substrate for Notum was rationally engineered for high-throughput identifying the anti-Notum HMs. The results showed that Bu-Gu-Zhi (BGZ), a known anti-osteoporosis herb, potently inhibited Notum in a competitive-inhibition manner. To uncover the key anti-Notum constituents in BGZ, an efficient strategy was adapted via integrating biochemical, phytochemical, computational, and pharmacological assays. Among all identified BGZ constituents, three furanocoumarins were validated as strong Notum inhibitors, while 5-methoxypsoralen (5-MP) showed the most potent anti-Notum activity and favorable safety profiles. Mechanistically, 5-MP acted as a competitive inhibitor of Notum via creating strong hydrophobic interactions with Trp128 and Phe268 in the catalytic cavity of Notum. Cellular assays showed that 5-MP remarkably promoted osteoblast differentiation and activated Wnt signaling in dexamethasone (DXMS)-challenged MC3T3-E1 osteoblasts. In dexamethasone-induced osteoporotic mice, 5-MP strongly elevated bone mineral density (BMD) and improved cancellous and cortical bone thickness. Collectively, this study constructs a high-efficient platform for discovering key anti-Notum constituents from HMs, while 5-MP emerges as a promising anti-GIOP agent.

In recent years, the rapid development of transportation and sports industries, coupled with the accelerated population aging in China, has led to a steady increase in the incidence of articular cartilage injuries, wear, and degenerative changes. Currently, the clinical treatment options for cartilage defects primarily include conservative therapies and surgical interventions, both of which have certain limitations. Cartilage tissue engineering (CTE), as a novel technology, provides an infinite prospect for cartilage regeneration and repair. Because of the abilities of scaffolds to mimic the natural cartilage structure, exhibit excellent biocompatibility and biomimetic mechanical properties, and promote cell adhesion and proliferation, scaffolds are considered effective delivery systems for growth factors, genes, and drugs. This review summarizes the clinical treatments for cartilage defects and their limitations, discusses the materials and preparation techniques of scaffolds used in CTE, with a particular focus on drug-loaded scaffold delivery systems in cartilage repair and regeneration, and offers a perspective on the future application of drug-loaded CTE. The aim is to provide theoretical guidance and new approaches for the repair of cartilage defects.
Tissue Engineering/methods* ; Humans ; Tissue Scaffolds ; Drug Delivery Systems/methods* ; Regeneration ; Cartilage, Articular/physiology* ; Animals ; Biocompatible Materials

Bone and joint infections(BJI)are serious postoperative complications,and traditional bacterial culture techniques serve as the gold standard for diagnosis,but there are problems with untimely or undiag-nosed diagnosis.Metagenomics next-generation sequencing(mNGS),as an emerging technology,can detect various pathogens such as bacteria,viruses,parasites,and fungi in samples without bias,providing a new ap-proach for the diagnosis of BJI.This article reviews the application progress of mNGS in BJI,including techni-cal principles,advantages,limitations,and clinical application status.mNGS exhibits high sensitivity and speci-ficity in the diagnosis of prosthetic joint infections(PJI),and its advantages are obvious especially in cultiva-ting negative cases.In addition,mNGS can optimize traditional culture methods,improve the sensitivity of in-traoperative culture,and be used to guide antibiotic selection.However,mNGS has limitations such as slow database updates,sample contamination,and high costs.Further research is needed in the future to elucidate its complete clinical benefits and promote its widespread application in the field of orthopedics.

Objective:To evaluate the perioperative application effect of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) clinical pathway in percutaneous vertebro plasty (PVP).Methods:The clinical data of 274 patients who underwent PVP treatment for osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) in Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University from May 2023 to August 2024 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups according to the different numbers of surgical segments: the single-segment group ( n=211) and the multisegment group ( n=63). Patients in the single-segment group underwent single-segment surgery, while patients in the multisegment group underwent surgery on ≥2 segments. The core points of the ERAS clinical pathway adopted in this study include perioperative education, pain management, early mobilization, application of "outfast", and joint guidance from the departments of nutrition and rehabilitation. Comparison was made between the two groups of patients in terms of visual analog scale (VAS) scores for low back pain at preoperative, 2 h, 6 h, 24 h postoperatively, and on the day of discharge; Oswestry disability index (ODI) scores preoperatively and on the day of discharge; time to first ambulation postoperatively, total length of hospital stay, postoperative length of stay, perioperative complications, and perioperative application of Opioid consumption. Measurement data were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s), and the independent sample t-test was used for comparison between groups; count data were expressed as cases and percentage, and the Chi-square test was used for comparison between groups. The VAS pain scores at each stage of the perioperative period were evaluated using repeated measures analysis of variance or generalized estimating equations. Results:Compared with that before the operation [(6.17±0.93) points, (6.29±0.83) points], the VAS scores of low back pain of patients in the single-segment group and the multisegment group at 2 hours after surgery [(3.09±0.82) points, (3.27±0.65) points], 6 hours after surgery [(2.60±0.79) points, (2.62±0.55) points], and 24 hours after surgery [(1.89±0.77) points, (1.97±0.72) points] and on the day of discharge [(1.72±0.71) points, (1.81±0.64) points] were significantly decreased, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). At the same stage, the VAS scores of low back pain in both groups were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The ODI scores of patients in the single-segment group and the multisegment group on the day of discharge [(24.21±2.35) points, (24.63±3.31) points] were significantly lower than those before the operation [(64.50±4.81) points, (65.52±4.08) points], and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in perioperative complications and the proportion of Opioid drug application between the two groups of patients ( P>0.05). Conclusion:For patients with single-segment or multisegment OVCF, PVP surgical treatment under ERAS clinical pathway management can achieve immediate pain relief, early ambulation exercise, and satisfactory perioperative efficacy.

Objective:To evaluate preoperative malnutrition risk in patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fracture (OVCF) based on mini nutritional assessment short form (MNA-SF) and analyze the related clinical risk factors.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted using clinical data from 129 OVCF patients who underwent percutaneous vertebroplasty at Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, between May 2023 and December 2023. The cohort included 26 males and 103 females, aged (74.71±9.13) years(ranging from 48-98 years). According to MNA-SF scoring method, they were divided into three groups, the malnutrition group ( n=6), the nutritional risk group ( n=40), and the good nutrition group ( n=83). Nutritional risk and malnutrition rates were evaluated using the MNA-SF score. Measurement data with normal distribution were expressed as mean±standard deviation ( ± s) and compared using one-way ANOVA. The comparison between groups of count data was conducted using chi-square test. Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were performed to identify independent risk factors for malnutrition and nutritional risk. Results:According to the MNA-SF score, among 129 patients, the malnutrition rate was 4.7%, the nutritional risk rate was 31.0%, and 64.3% exhibited adequate nutrition based on MNA-SF scores. The results of one-way ANOVA showed that gender ( P=0.023) and BMI ( P<0.001) were significantly correlated with malnutrition and nutritional risk; Logistic regression analysis suggested that the influencing factors of nutritional risk included gender ( P=0.002) and BMI ( P<0.001), while the only dangerous factor of malnutrition was BMI ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Bsed on MNA-SF, OVCF patients undergoing percutaneous vertebroplasty have a higher incidence of malnutrition and nutritional risk. The risk factors for nutritional risk in patients are gender and BMI, while the risk factor for malnutrition is only BMI.

kV X-ray radiotherapy was the primary mode of radiotherapy widely used to treat many types of cancer, including deep tumors, before the invention of the Co-60 therapy machine and the electron linear accelerator, which gradually replaced kV X-ray radiotherapy. kV X-ray radiotherapy equipment requires less space and shielding, and still has application value in the treatment of skin lesions and superficial tumors. Especially in recent years, kV X-ray has been used in the treatment of keloid, and electronic brachytherapy equipment has been used in intracavitary, intraoperative, and superficial radiotherapy. Therefore, kV X-ray radiotherapy has seen renewed application. The quality control of kV X-ray radiotherapy equipment is the key to ensure the treatment effect and safety of patients. This paper reviews the current status of quality control of kV X-ray radiotherapy equipment and provides a reference for the formulation of quality control assessment standards for kV X-ray radiotherapy equipment.

Objective:To investigate the value of peripheral blood neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels for predicting the occurrence of radiation pneumonia (RP) in small cell lung cancer.Methods:A total of 84 patients with small cell lung cancer who received image-guided radiotherapy in Xuzhou Cancer Hospital between September 2019 and September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into an RP group ( n = 25) and a non-RP group ( n = 59) according to whether RP occurred. Peripheral blood NLR and PLR and serum LDH levels were compared between the two groups before and after radiotherapy. The receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC curve) was used to analyze the value of peripheral blood NLR, PLR, and serum LDH levels for the diagnosis of RP in small cell lung cancer. Results:Before radiotherapy, there were no significant differences in peripheral blood NLR and PLR between the two groups (both P > 0.05). After radiotherapy, peripheral blood NLR and PLR in the RP group were (3.39 ± 0.81) and (129.06 ± 24.90), respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the non-RP group [(2.54 ± 0.71), (104.76 ± 26.26), t = 3.61, 3.83, both P < 0.05]. The NLR (2.86 ± 0.30) and PLR (110.07 ± 10.05) were the lowest in patients with grade 2 RP and they were highest in patients with grade 4 RP [(4.49 ± 0.63), (168.88 ± 14.11)]. The grade of RP was positively correlated with peripheral blood NLR and PLR. The sensitivity of peripheral blood NLR in the diagnosis of RP was 88.0%, the specificity was 66.1%, and the area under the curve (AUC) was 0.791. The sensitivity of PLR in the diagnosis of RP was 48.0%, the specificity was 94.9%, and the AUC was 0.735. The sensitivity of NLR combined with PLR in the diagnosis of RP was 92.0%, the specificity was 59.3%, and the AUC was 0.801. There was no significant difference in serum LDH levels between the two groups before and after radiotherapy (both P > 0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that NLR and PLR were risk factors for RP in patients with small cell lung cancer ( OR = 2.309, 1.037; 95% CI: 1.061-5.024, 1.004-1.071). Conclusion:In patients with small cell lung cancer who develop RP, peripheral blood NLR, and PLR are markedly elevated compared with those in patients who do not develop RP, and combined detection of peripheral blood NLR and PLR has a high value for early diagnosis of RP in patients with small cell lung cancer.

Objective To investigate whether activation of mitochondrial acetal dehydrogenase 2(ALDH2)alleviates hypoxic pulmonary hypertension by regulating the SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway.Methods Thirty 8-week-old C57 BL/6 mice were randomized into control,hypoxia,and hypoxia+Alda-1(an ALDH2 activator)group(n=10),and the mice in the latter two groups,along with 10 ALDH2 knockout(ALDH2-/-)mice,were exposed to hypoxia(10%O2,90%N2)with or without daily intraperitoneal injection of Alda-1 for 4 weeks.The changes in right ventricular function and pressure(RVSP)of the mice were evaluated by echocardiography and right ventricular catheter test,and pulmonary artery pressure was estimated based on RVSP.Pulmonary vascular remodeling,right ventricular injury,myocardial α-SMA expression,distal pulmonary arteriole muscle normalization,right ventricular cross-sectional area,myocardial cell hypertrophy,and right cardiac hypertrophy index were assessed with HE staining,immunofluorescence staining and WGA staining,and the expressions of ALDH2,SIRT1,PGC-1α,P16INK4A and P21CIP1 were detected.In pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells with hypoxic exposure,the effect of Alda-1 and EX527 on cell senescence and protein expressions was evaluated using β-galactose staining and Western blotting.Results The wild-type mice with hypoxic exposure showed significantly increased RVSP,right ventricular free wall thickness and myocardial expressions of P16INK4A and P21CIP1,which were effectively lowered by treatment with Alda-1 but further increased in ALDH2-/-mice.In cultured pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells,hypoxic exposure significantly increased senescent cell percentage and cellular expressions of P16INK4A and P21CIP1,which were all lowered by treatment with Alda-1,but its effect was obviously attenuated by EX527 treatment.Conclusion ALDH2 alleviates hypoxia-induced senescence of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells by upregulating the SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway to alleviate pulmonary hypertension in mice.

Objective:To explore the association between insulin resistance (IR) and genome-wide DNA methylation based on Shanghai twin study.Methods:Monozygotic twins (MZ) from Shanghai were recruited during 2012-2013, 2017-2018, and 2022-2023. Data were collected by questionnaire survey, physical examination and laboratory tests. Genome-wide DNA methylation was quantified. Generalized linear mixed effect model was applied to analyze the association between methylation level at each site and homeostatic model assessment 2-insulin resistance (HOMA2-IR). Non-paired and paired designs were used to assess the association between DNA methylation and phenotype of IR. Cluster analysis was conducted to identify the clusters of top significant sites. Generalized linear regression was performed to examine the differential methylation patterns from clusters.Results:A total of 100 MZ pairs were included in this study. Hypermethylated cg10535199-2q23.1 ( β=0.74%, P=1.51×10 -7, OR=1.06, 95% CI: 1.03-1.09) and ch.17.49619327- SPOP ( β=0.23%, P=7.54×10 -7, OR=1.17, 95% CI: 1.08-1.28) were identified with suggestive significance. After correcting for multiple testing, no sites reached genome-wide significance. There was no statistical significance in the paired analysis. Two clusters with hypomethylated ( β=-0.39%, P<0.001) and hypermethylated ( β=0.47%, P<0.001) patterns were observed for HOMA2-IR. Conclusions:IR was significantly associated with DNA methylation, and genetic factors might contribute to the association.