BACKGROUND:Carnosic acid,a bioactive compound found in rosemary,has been shown to reduce inflammation and reactive oxygen species(ROS).However,its mechanism of action in osteoclast differentiation remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of carnosic acid on osteoclast activation,ROS production,and mitochondrial function. METHODS:Primary bone marrow-derived macrophages from mice were extracted and cultured in vitro.Different concentrations of carnosic acid(0,10,15,20,25 and 30 μmol/L)were tested for their effects on bone marrow-derived macrophage proliferation and toxicity using the cell counting kit-8 cell viability assay to determine a safe concentration.Bone marrow-derived macrophages were cultured in graded concentrations and induced by receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand for osteoclast differentiation for 5-7 days.The effects of carnosic acid on osteoclast differentiation and function were then observed through tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining,F-actin staining,H2DCFDA probe and mitochondrial ROS,and Mito-Tracker fluorescence detection.Western blot and RT-PCR assays were subsequently conducted to examine the effects of carnosic acid on the upstream and downstream proteins of the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand-induced MAPK signaling pathway. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and F-actin staining showed that carnosic acid dose-dependently inhibited in vitro osteoclast differentiation and actin ring formation in the cell cytoskeleton,with the highest inhibitory effect observed in the high concentration group(30 μmol/L).Carnosic acid exhibited the most significant inhibitory effect during the early stages(days 1-3)of osteoclast differentiation compared to other intervention periods.Fluorescence imaging using the H2DCFDA probe,mitochondrial ROS,and Mito-Tracker demonstrated that carnosic acid inhibited cellular and mitochondrial ROS production while reducing mitochondrial membrane potential,thereby influencing mitochondrial function.The results of western blot and RT-PCR revealed that carnosic acid could suppress the expression of NFATc1,CTSK,MMP9,and C-fos proteins associated with osteoclast differentiation,and downregulate the expression of NFATc1,Atp6vod2,ACP5,CTSK,and C-fos genes related to osteoclast differentiation.Furthermore,carnosic acid enhanced the expression of antioxidant enzyme proteins and reduced the generation of ROS during the process of osteoclast differentiation.Overall,carnosic acid exerts its inhibitory effects on osteoclast differentiation by inhibiting the phosphorylation modification of the P38/ERK/JNK protein and activating the MAPK signaling pathway in bone marrow-derived macrophages.

BACKGROUND:Acupoint embedding and floating needle therapy are two methods for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis,but there are few reports on the combined treatment of the two methods. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the therapeutic effect of acupoint embedding combined with floating needle therapy on different stages of knee osteoarthritis using generalized estimating equations. METHODS:A total of 436 patients with knee osteoarthritis admitted to Dongguan Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from February 2019 to February 2023 were selected as the research subjects.All patients were randomly divided into a control group with floating needle therapy(n=218)and an observation group with acupoint embedding method combined with floating needle therapy(n=218).Staging was performed according to the K-L staging method.In the control group,there were 57 cases in stage Ⅰ,62 in stage Ⅱ,49 in phase Ⅲ,and 50 in stage Ⅳ,while in the observation group,there were 48 cases in stage Ⅰ,66 in stage Ⅱ,63 in phase Ⅲ,and 41 in stage Ⅳ.The levels of indexes and clinical efficacy were compared between groups before and after treatment.Generalized estimating equation model was used to analyze the influencing factors of clinical efficacy and the interaction effect of different time points,different methods and different stages on therapeutic efficacy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There was no significant difference in baseline data between the observation group and the control group,as well as between the patients of different stages(P>0.05).After treatment,the cure rate of stage Ⅰ patients was the highest after treatment,and the total improvement rate in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group.There were significant differences in the cure rate among different stages in each group(P<0.05).After treatment,all indicators in the two groups were significantly decreased.In the control group,there were significant differences in various indicators of patients at different stages after 4 weeks of treatment(P<0.05).In the observation group,after 2 weeks of treatment,there were significant differences in various indicators of patients at different stages(P<0.05),and all the indexes in the observation were lower than those in the control group after 4 weeks of treatment(P<0.05)and the therapeutic effect in the observation group was better than that in the control group.Generalized estimating equation model analysis showed that trauma history,interleukin-6 level,treatment method,treatment time and K-L stage all significantly affected the clinical efficacy in patients.In the interaction effect analysis,after 2 weeks of treatment,there was a significant difference in the visual analogue scale score between the two groups in stages Ⅲ and Ⅳ(P<0.05).After 4 weeks of treatment,there was a significant difference in the visual analogue scale score between the two groups in stages Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and Ⅳ(P<0.05).To conclude,acupoint embedding combined with floating needle therapy is superior to floating needle therapy alone in the treatment of different stages of knee osteoarthritis.Trauma history,interleukin-6 level,treatment method,treatment time and K-L stage significantly influence the therapeutic effect.

ObjectiveTo explore the correlation between serum albumin levels and coronary artery calcification （CAC） in patients with early-stage chronic kidney disease （CKD）， as well as the value of serum albumin levels in predicting the incidence and severity of CAC. MethodsThe study included 391 early-stage CKD patients who underwent coronary computed tomography angiography （CTA） at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University between January 2019 and December 2022. Demographic and biochemistry data， as well as the coronary CTA results， were collected. Based on the coronary artery calcification score （CACS）， all patients were divided into non-CAC group （CACS=0， n=184） and CAC group （CACS>0， n=207）. All patients were further divided into 3 groups based on the serum albumin levels： group A （serum albumin levels<35 g/L， n=30）， group B （35 g/L≤ serum albumin levels< 40 g/L， n=198） and group C （serum albumin levels≥ 40 g/L， n=163）. Univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses were conducted to investigate the association between serum albumin levels and CAC in early-stage CKD patients. Differences in CAC among groups were analyzed by using post-hoc multiple comparisons and ordinal logistic regression model analysis. ResultsPatients with CAC had significantly lower serum albumin levels than those without CAC （P<0.05）. There was a negative correlation between serum albumin levels and CACS in early-stage CKD patients （P<0.01）， as serum albumin decreased in levels， CAC increased in severity. ConclusionsOur study shows that early-stage CKD patients with lower serum albumin levels have a higher incidence of CAC. Low serum albumin level is an independent risk factor for CAC progression.

Objective To comprehensively excavate and analyze the research status,research hotspots and future trends of the literature related to the field of acupoint catgut embedding therapy for pain treatment in the CNKI database.Methods We searched the CNKI database from its establishment to June 2022,and scientifically analyzed the authors,keywords,and institutions of the included literature of acupoint catgut embedding therapy for pain treatment through specific algorithms of Citespace to generate a visual knowledge map.Results A total of 319 documents were included for statistical analysis,the number of publications in the field of acupoint catgut embedding therapy for the treatment of pain was generally on the rise,the number of publications by various authors was on the low side,and there was a lack of co-operation between the research teams,with the main institutions being the Guang'anmen Hospital,Chinese Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences,Affiliated Hospital of Youjiang Medical Universities of Nationalities and the Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine,forming a 10-keyword clustering,and the hotspots of diseases under study were mainly mixed haemorrhoids,postoperative pain,low back and leg pain and dysmenorrhoea,etc..The main interventions were pure acupoint catgut embedding therapy and the combination of acupoint catgut embedding therapy and other acupuncture therapies,and the main research method was clinical research.Conclusion Acupoint catgut embedding therapy for the treatment of pain has a good development prospect,the future needs to deepen the clinical research,strengthen the mechanism research,pay attention to the joint use of acupoint catgut embedding therapy and other traditional Chinese medicine methods,and pay attention to the research of different thread materials.

Surgical operation is the main treatment of oral and maxillofacial tumors.Dysphagia is a common postoperative complication.Swal-lowing disorder can not only lead to mis-aspiration,malnutrition,aspiration pneumonia and other serious consequences,but also may cause psychological problems and social communication barriers,affecting the quality of life of the patients.At present,there is no systematic evalua-tion and rehabilitation management plan for the problem of swallowing disorder after oral and maxillofacial tumor surgery in China.Combining the characteristics of postoperative swallowing disorder in patients with oral and maxillofacial tumors,summarizing the clinical experience of ex-perts in the field of tumor and rehabilitation,reviewing and summarizing relevant literature at home and abroad,and through joint discussion and modification,a group of national experts reached this consensus including the core contents of the screening of swallowing disorders,the phased assessment of prognosis and complications,and the implementation plan of comprehensive management such as nutrition management,respiratory management,swallowing function recovery,psychology and nursing during rehabilitation treatment,in order to improve the evalua-tion and rehabilitation of swallowing disorder after oral and maxillofacial tumor surgery in clinic.

BACKGROUND:The specific molecular mechanism of the transformation from normal healthy people to acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy has not been clear,which needs to be further studied. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the differential expression of serum proteomics between normal healthy people and patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy,and to find and identify potential specific serum markers between them. METHODS:The serum samples of eight patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy and eight normal healthy people were collected,and the proteomic screening and analysis were performed by tandem mass tag combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry technology,in order to explore and identify serum proteins differentially expressed in patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:A total of 183 significantly differential proteins were screened by tandem mass tag technology,and 11 significantly differential proteins were identified(P＜0.05).Compared with normal healthy people,three differential proteins were significantly up-regulated,including human leukocyte antigen-A,secretoglobin family 1a member 1,and protein 4-hydroxyphenylpyruvate dioxygenase,and seven differential proteins were significantly down-regulated,such as immunoglobulin heavy constant gamma 3,skin factor,and myosin light chain 3,in patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.Gene ontology enrichment analysis showed that these differential proteins participated in antigen binding,immunoglobulin receptor binding and other molecular functions.Protein-protein interaction analysis showed that among the common differential proteins between normal healthy people and patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy,HLA-A,HPD,PSMA3,DMKN,SCGB1A1,and MYL3 were located at the nodes of the functional network,and were closely related to the systems of body immunity,cellular inflammatory response,energy metabolism,and mechanical pressure.The significantly differential proteins HLA-A,HPD and MYL3 were verified by western blot,and the results were consistent with those of proteomics.To conclude,tandem mass tag combined with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry technology can be used to find the differentially expressed proteins in serum between normal healthy people and patients with acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy.It is preliminarily believed that HLA-A,HPD and MYL3 may be specific serum markers of acute cervical spondylotic radiculopathy,providing a new direction for further research on its pathogenesis.

Objective A feasible and stable mouse model of thoracic aortic dissection(TAD)combined with acute lung injury(ALI)was established using β-aminopropionitrile monofumarate(BAPN)1 g/(kg·d)administered in drinking water.The mouse model of TAD combined with acute lung injury(ALI)was established to provide a rational animal model to study TAD combined with ALI.Methods Forty-five SPF-grade 3-week-old C57BL/6J male mice were selected and randomly allocated to a CON group(normal dietary water;15 mice)or BAPN group(administration in sterile water at 1 g/(kg·d);30 mice)for 4 weeks.During the experimental period,the general condition and modeling rate of mice were observed.TAD model mice were validated,and the BAPN group was divided into TAD and non-TAD groups by measuring the maximum diameter of the thoracic aorta and HE staining of aortic tissues.HE pathological staining,the wet/dry weight(W/D)ratio,total protein level in bronchioalveolar lavage fluid(BALF),and interleukin(IL)-1 β,IL-6,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in BALF)were used to validate the TAD combined ALI model in mice.Results BAPN treatment significantly delayed the increase in body mass and water intake of mice.Compared with CON and non-TAD groups,the maximum diameter of the thoracic aorta of mice in the TAD group was significantly thickened(P＜0.05).HE staining of the aorta showed significant thickening of the middle aortic layer,and the structure of the aortic wall was damaged and disordered.HE staining of lung tissues showed significant interstitial edema and inflammatory exudation accompanied by enlargement of alveolar lumen,alveolar wall epithelial exfoliation and hyaline membrane formation,and a significant increase in the pathological scores of lung injury(P＜0.05).Total protein levels and expression of IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α in lung tissue,W/D ratio,and BALF were also significantly increased(P＜0.05),whereas no significant difference was observed in the above indexes between the other two groups.Conclusions A mouse model of thoracic aortic dissection combined with acute lung injury can be established by BAPN administration in drinking water.

Dysbiosis can cause microenvironmental dysregulation, which can further lead to local or systemic diseases, such as caries, inflammatory bowel disease, obesity, and diabetes. Dysbiosis is primarily manifested as the disturbance of metabolic processes and products. Arginine plays an important role in various metabolic processes and homeostasis of the microbial flora and the host. This study aims to explore the potential therapeutic value of arginine and its metabolism and homeostasis regulation in diseases associated with oral-intestinal dysbiosis. Host and microbial homeostasis can be restored by regulating the composition or function of host microbiota, and arginine has been found to exhibit significant clinical potential in restoring host microbiota composition and function. For example, arginine can reduce the risk of caries by regulating the relative abundance of Streptococcus mutans and Streptococcus sanguineus. Additionally, arginine metabolism may play a therapeutic role in inflammatory bowel disease and obesity by regulating the relative abundance of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. In addition, supplementation of arginine and its metabolite polyamine has clinical prospects in the treatment of diabetic patients with ketoacidosis. Although studies have demonstrated the therapeutic role of arginine in oral, intestinal, and metabolism-related diseases, the specific mechanism is yet to be explored. In addition, further research is required to determine the optimal clinical dosage of arginine that can maintain microbiota homeostasis without causing any side effects.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have reported inconsistent results with positive,negative,and J-shaped associations between alcohol consumption and the hazard of aortic aneurysm and dissection(AAD).This study aimed to examine the connections between weekly alcohol consumption and the subsequent risk of AAD. METHODS:The UK Biobank study is a population-based cohort study.Weekly alcohol consumption was assessed using self-reported questionnaires and the congenital risk of alcohol consumption was also evaluated using genetic risk score(GRS).Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate hazard ratios(HRs)with 95%confidence intervals(CIs)for the associations between alcohol consumption and AAD.Several sensitivity analyses were performed to assess the robustness of the results. RESULTS:Among the 388,955 participants(mean age:57.1 years,47.4%male),2,895 incident AAD cases were documented during a median follow-up of 12.5 years.Compared with never-drinkers,moderate drinkers(adjusted HR:0.797,95%CI:0.646-0.984,P<0.05)and moderate-heavy drinkers(adjusted HR:0.794,95%CI:0.635-0.992,P<0.05)were significantly associated with a decreased risk of incident AAD.Interaction-based subgroup analysis revealed that the protective effect of moderate drinking was reflected mainly in participants younger than 65 years and women. CONCLUSION:Our findings support a protective effect of moderate alcohol consumption on AAD,but are limited to participants younger than 65 years and women.

Objective:To analyze the changing trend of incidence and prevalence of pneumoconiosis globally, and provide scientific basis for the formulation of health policy.Methods:In June 2022, through the Global Health Data exchange (GHDx) query tool (http: //ghdx.healthdata.org/gbd-results-tool) , the pneumoconiosis incidence and prevalence data was downloaded and organized. Estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) and age-standardized rate (ASR) were used to estimate the trends of pneumoconiosis from 1990 to 2019. EAPC was estimated by linear regression model based on ASR.Results:The overall ASR of the incidence and prevalence of pneumoconiosis decreased from 1990 to 2019, and their EAPCs were-0.85% (95% CI: -1.11%--0.60%) and -0.78% (95% CI: -1.08%--0.49%) . Over the past 30 years, the incidence and prevalence of pneumoconiosis in all SDI areas showed decreasing trends, especially in high SDI areas, their EAPCs were -1.46% (95% CI: -1.76%--1.15%) and -1.99% (95% CI: -2.44%--1.53%) . 110 countries/areas showed increasing trends in age standardized incidence rate (ASIR) , with Iran and Georgia showing the most pronounced upward trend, their EAPCs were 5.32% (95% CI: 4.43%-6.22%) and 4.39% (95% CI: 3.81%-4.97%) . 125 countries/areas showed anincreasing trends in prevalence ASR, with Iran had the fastest rise in prevalence (EAPC=6.40%, 95% CI: 5.33%-7.49%) . Conclusion:Although decreasing trends in the burden of pneumoconiosis are observed globally from 1990 to 2019, but the burden of pneumoconiosis in low-and middle-income countries or regions are still heavy. We need more effective strategies to prevent and reduce the burden of pneumoconiosis.