BACKGROUND:Recent studies have shown that the occurrence and prevention of osteoporosis often focus on the cellular molecular level,and the mechanism of related signaling pathways is an important way to further understand osteoporosis.At present,traditional Chinese medicine has been proved to play a significant role in alleviating osteoporosis.Kaempferol as an emerging Chinese herbal extract has become the focus of clinical and basic research due to its anti-osteoporosis effectiveness and mechanism of action. OBJECTIVE:To further understand the mechanism underlying the anti-osteoporosis effect of kaempferol active monomer through regulation of related signaling pathways by analyzing and collating domestic and foreign literature. METHODS:"Kaempferol,osteoporosis,osteoblasts,osteoclasts,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,signaling pathways"were used as Chinese and English search terms to search CNKI,WanFang,VIP,PubMed,Web of Science and Embase databases for relevant literature published from database inception to February 2023. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Kaempferol affects the occurrence and progression of osteoporosis to varying degrees by participating in the regulation of differentiation,proliferation and apoptosis of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,osteoblasts and osteoclasts.Kaempferol can prevent and treat osteoporosis by regulating various signaling pathways.Kaempferol can promote the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and inhibit the formation of osteoclasts by interfering with the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway to regulate β-catenin protein counting and the formation of β-catenin-TCf/LEF complex.Kaempferol interferes with the RANK/RANKL pathway to maintain the dynamic balance of osteoclasts and bone homeostasis.Kaempferol can promote bone formation by intervening with the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway to upregulate the levels of related osteogenic factors Runx2 and Osterix and promote bone cell calcification.Kaempferol interferes with osteoclast differentiation and inhibits reactive oxygen species activity by regulating the ER/ERK pathway.Kaempferol inhibits the expression of ERK,JNK,p38/MAPK and decreases reactive oxygen species production by interfering with the MAPK pathway,thus protecting osteogenesis.Kaempferol enhances the expression of osteogenic factors,bone morphogenetic protein-2,p-Smad1/5/8,β-catenin and Runx2,inhibits the expression of Peroxisome proliferation-activated receptor,and promotes the differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts through the BMP/Smad pathway.

Background: Genetic defects in the human thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) receptor (TSHR) gene can cause congenital hypothyroidism (CH). However, the biological functions and comprehensive genotype–phenotype relationships for most TSHR variants associated with CH remain unexplored. We aimed to identify TSHR variants in Chinese patients with CH, analyze the functions of the variants, and explore the relationships between TSHR genotypes and clinical phenotypes. Methods: In total, 367 patients with CH were recruited for TSHR variant screening using whole-exome sequencing. The effects of the variants were evaluated by in-silico programs such as SIFT and polyphen2. Furthermore, these variants were transfected into 293T cells to detect their Gs/cyclic AMP and Gq/11 signaling activity. Results: Among the 367 patients with CH, 17 TSHR variants, including three novel variants, were identified in 45 patients, and 18 patients carried biallelic TSHR variants. In vitro experiments showed that 10 variants were associated with Gs/cyclic AMP and Gq/11 signaling pathway impairment to varying degrees. Patients with TSHR biallelic variants had lower serum TSH levels and higher free triiodothyronine and thyroxine levels at diagnosis than those with DUOX2 biallelic variants. Conclusions We found a high frequency of TSHR variants in Chinese patients with CH (12.3%), and 4.9% of cases were caused by TSHR biallelic variants. Ten variants were identified as loss-of-function variants. The data suggest that the clinical phenotype of CH patients caused by TSHR biallelic variants is relatively mild. Our study expands the TSHR variant spectrum and provides further evidence for the elucidation of the genetic etiology of CH.

Objective To compare the results of accumulation and continuation methods in indoor radon measurement. Methods The radon concentrations in 30 households in 7 provincial capital cities of China were simultaneously measured using both accumulation and continuation methods. Results The radon concentration measured by accumulation method in 30 households ranged from 21 to 323 Bq/m³, with a median M(P₂₅, P₇₅) of 70.5 (43.8, 111). The radon concentration measured by the continuation method ranged from 16.1 to 258 Bq/m³, with a median M(P₂₅, P₇₅) of 100 (51.3, 141). The average relative percent deviation between the two measurement methods was 41.8%. There were significant differences among the measurement results at 8, 16, and 24 h by the continuation method. Pairwise comparisons showed there were statistical diffferences between 8 h and 16 h, as well as between 8 h and 24h; however, no statistical significance was found (P < 0.05), between 16 h and 24 h. Conclusion The overall continuous measurement results of the 30 households were higher than those of cumulation method. The comparison between accumulation and continuation measurement results did not show a high level of correlation (r=0.49). The continuation method is significantly affected by environmental factors, and the length of the measurement period can affect the measurement results. The selection of indoor radon measurement methods should consider the purpose, sample size, and environmental conditions.

Objective To observe the clinical and symptomatic improvement three months after uterine artery embolization(UAE),and to analyze the value of apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)in MR diffusion weighted imaging(DWI)in assessing the response of fibroids volume after UAE.Methods A total of 40 patients with uterine fibroids were included.The volume changes of fibroids,clinical and symptomatic improvement before and after treatment were recorded,and the efficacy of UAE was comprehensively analyzed.All patients underwent MR DWI before UAE and were evaluated at three months postoperatively by outpatient MR follow-up,with fibroids vol-ume and ADC quantitative measurements were performed to compare the changes in ADC values of fibroids preoperatively and post-operatively at each b value.Pearson correlation analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between baseline ADC values and postoperative fibroids volume reduction.Regression analysis was performed to assess the relationship between ADC and fibroids volume reduction after UAE.And the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve were plotted to analyze the predictive value of ADC values for evaluating fibroids volume reduction of more than 30％after UAE.Results The patients'clinical symptoms was improved in the three months after surgery,the volume of fibroids was significantly reduced,and the life quality was improved,the difference was sta-tistically significant(P＜0.05).There was no significant effect on ovarian function,hormone levels did not change significantly com-pared to before surgery,with no statistical significance(P＞0.05).When b=50,1 000 s/mm2,the changes in ADC values before and after uterine fibroids treatment were not significant,with no statistical significance(P＞0.05).However,the changes in ADC values before and after uterine fibroids treatment were significant when b=800 s/mm2 and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Under the condition of b=800 s/mm2,Pearson correlation analysis showed ADC value had a positive correlation with postoperative uterine fibroids volume reduction rate(r=0.45,P＜0.05),and the area under the curve(AUC)for ADC value to predict the reduction rate of uterine fibroids volume by more than 30％after UAE was 0.787.The cut-off value was 1.143 × 10-3 mm2/s,with sensitivity and specificity of 0.793 and 0.818,respectively.Conclusion UAE is more effective in treating uterine fibroids.The baseline ADC value of uterine fibroids correlated significantly with the volume reduction after UAE.The ADC value can be used to assess the volume response after UAE.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Houttuynize Herba decoction on aspirin-induced gastric ulcer (GU) in mice; To discuss its mechanism.Methods:A total of 64 SPF male mice were selected, and 48 mice were randomly selected to establish the model by gavage of 20 mg/ml aspirin solution. The remaining 16 rats were treated as normal group by gavage with the same amount of normalsaline once a day for 7 consecutive days. After successful modeling, the remaining mice in the model group were randomly divided into 5 groups, with 8 mice in each group, namely normal saline group (given normal saline), omeprazole group (given omeprazole 0.5 mg/ml), Houttuynize Herba high-, medium- and low-dosage groups (given 1.08 g/ml, 0.54 g/ml, 0.27 g/ml), and the remaining 8 mice in the normal group were given the same amount of normal saline by gavage. The mice were treated by gavage once a day for 7 days. The number of Escherichia coli and Bifidobacterium in mouse feces was counted by bacterial culture method, and the ratio of Bifidobacterium to Escherichia coli (B/E value) was used to judge the imbalance of bacterial flora. The expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in serum was detected by magnetic particle chemiluminescence. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect the expression of prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) in the serum of mice to determine the level of inflammation. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to determine the ulcer and healing. ImageJ 1.8.0 was used to calculate the ulcer inhibition rate. The protein expression levels of IκBα, NF-κB-p65 subunit and phosphorylated IκBα (p-IκBα) and p65 (p-NF-κB-p65) subunits in gastric tissue of mice were evaluated by Western blot. Results:Compared with the normal group, the epithelial cells of the gastric mucosa were missing, the glands were irregularly arranged, and the tissue structure was severely damaged in the modeling group; the number of Escherichia coli in the intestine increased ( P<0.01), the number of Bifidobacterium decreased ( P<0.01), and the B/E value was less than 1 ( P<0.01); Serum PGE2 levels were decreased ( P<0.01), IL-6 levels were increased ( P<0.01); The expression of p-IκBα and p-NF-κB-p65 proteins in gastric tissues was elevated ( P<0.05). After 7 days of drug treatment, compared with the saline group, gastric mucosal cells and structures were improved, and weight gained in the Houttuynize Herba groups ( P<0.05); the rate of inhibition of ulcers in mice in the Houttuynize Herba high-dosage group was significantly improved ( P<0.01); the number of Bifidobacteria in the intestinal tract significantly increased ( P<0.01), that of Escherichia coli was diminished ( P<0.05), B/E value was greater than 1 ( P<0.05), IL-6 content in peripheral blood was reduced ( P<0.05), PGE 2 levels significantly increased ( P<0.01); the level of p-IκBα/IκBα and p-NF-κB-p65/NF-κB-p65 in the gastric tissues of mice decreased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Houttuynize Herba decoction can effectively improve gastric mucosal injury in mice, and its mechanism may be related to regulating intestinal microorganisms, inhibiting the opening of IκBα/NF-κB pathway, and reducing inflammatory response.

Objective To investigate the effect of nobiletin on platelet-activating factor(PAF)metabolism in diabetic rats with renal injury.Methods Totally 72 rats were randomly divided into control group(n=10)and modeling group(n=62).The modeling group rats were induced to develop a diabetic rat model with renal injury and then further divided into the model group,aspirin group(20 mg/kg),and nobiletin low(50 mg/kg),medium(100 mg/kg),and high-dose(200 mg/kg)groups,each with 10 rats.After continuous oral administration for 6 weeks,rat body weight,kidney weight,and kidney index were measured.Histopathological assessments were conducted by using HE,periodic acid-Schiff staining(PAS),Masson staining,and transmission electron microscopy.Blood glucose levels,renal function,inflammatory factors,PAF and its regulatory factors were detected.Expression levels of PAF metabolism-related proteins,PAF-acetylhydrolase(PAFAH),PAF receptor(PAFR),and cholinephosphotransferase 1(CHPT1)in kidney tissues were assessed using Western blotting and immunohistochemistry.Results Following nobiletin intervention,rat body weight increased while kidney weight and kidney index decreased.Improvement in renal tissue pathology was observed,with reduced interstitial fibrosis and thinner basement membrane.Fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin decreased,while fasting insulin showed no significant improvement.Urea nitrogen,blood creatinine,cystatin C,and 24-hour urinary protein excretion were reduced.Levels of interleukin(IL)-1α,IL-6,IL-8,and tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α)were lowered.PAF and its regulatory factors decreased.PAFR and CHPT1 expression decreased,while PAFAH increased.Conclusion Nobiletin can alleviate renal injury in diabetic rats with renal injury,improve kidney function,regulate blood glucose,and mitigate inflammatory response.Its mechanism may be associated with the modulation of platelet-activating factor metabolism.

Objectives:To investigate the association between normal-weight central obesity with new-onset cardiovascular disease and all-cause mortality risk. Methods:A prospective cohort study was conducted,selecting a total of 93885 participants from the Kailuan Study who had their first physical examination in 2006-2007.According to waist circumference (central obesity:male waist circumference ≥90 cm,female waist circumference ≥85 cm;no central obesity:male waist circumference<90 cm,female waist circumference<85 cm) and body mass index (BMI,normal weight:18.5 kg/m2≤BMI<24.0 kg/m2;overweight/obesity:BMI ≥24.0 kg/m2),the participants were divided into 4 groups:normal weight no central obesity group (G1 group),normal weight central obesity group (G2 group),overweight/obesity no central obesity group (G3 group) and overweight/central obesity group (G4 group);Using the Kaplan-Meier method,the cumulative incidence of new-onset cardiovascular diseases (including hemorrhagic stroke,ischemic stroke and myocardial infarction) and all-cause mortality in different groups was calculated,and the Log-rank test was used for intergroup comparisons.Furthermore,the associations between the different groups and the risk of new-onset cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality were analyzed using the multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model. Results:After a median follow-up of 14.97 (14.55,15.17) years,the cumulative incidence of new-onset cardiovascular diseases in G1 group,G2 group,G3 group and G4 group was 7.62％,10.84％,8.67％,12.91％ respectively (log-rank P<0.05) and the cumulative incidence of all-cause mortality was 12.83％,19.72％,10.65％,16.33％ respectively (log-rank P<0.01).After adjusting for confounding factors,Cox regression analysis showed that the HR (95％CI) of new-onset cardiovascular diseases in G2 group,G3 group and G4 group were 1.14 (1.04-1.25),1.07 (1.01-1.14),1.27 (1.21-1.34),respectively compared with G1 group (all P<0.05).The HR (95％CI) of all-cause mortality were 1.06 (1.00-1.14),0.90 (0.85-0.95),0.97 (0.93-1.01) compared with G1 group,and P values were 0.07,<0.01,0.15,respectively.The results of sensitivity analysis were consistent with the above major studies after excluding overweight/obesity and cancer participants during follow-up. Conclusions:Normal-weight central obesity increases the risk of new-onset cardiovascular diseases and all-cause mortality.

Cancer toxin is a specific pathogenesis leading to the heterogeneity of breast cancer.The nature and virulence of the cancer toxin determine the differences in the heterogeneity of breast cancer,which can dynamically evolve over time and space,resulting in varying invasion abilities and characteristics of the tumor.Cancer cells in the primary lesion possess"toxicity"that targets specific organs for metastasis,and cancer toxins can influence the metastatic propensity of different types of breast cancer.Therefore,breast cancer treatment strategies based on the theory of cancer toxins emphasize the continuous eradication of the cancer toxin,focusing on differentiating its strength and nature,protecting unaffected areas first,identifying the state based on symptoms,and targeting accordingly to combat resistance arising from tumor heterogeneity.This article aims to provide a new theoretical basis for the treatment strategies of different types of breast cancer.

Objective To study the economic burden caused by healthcare-associated infection(HAI)in patients with hemorrhagic stroke.Methods Patients with hemorrhagic stroke in a tertiary first-class hospital from January 1,2021 to December 31,2022 were surveyed retrospectively.Data on demographic characteristics,clinical informa-tion,and hospitalization expenses were collected.According to the occurrence of HAI,patients were divided into the HAI group and control group.The length of hospital stay,increase in hospitalization expense,and hospital eco-nomic burden of the HAI group and control group were studied by propensity score matching(PSM)method and generalized linear model method.Results A total of 688 patients were included in the study,with 266 cases experi-encing HAI and a HAI incidence of 38.66％.After propensity score matching,199 patients in the HAI group were successfully matched.Compared with the control group,the median length of hospital stay in the HAI group doub-led,increasing by 16 days(Z=11.779,P＜0.001);the median hospitalization expense increased by 34 597.42 Yuan,with an increase of 85％(Z=6.299,P＜0.001).Based on the generalized linear model method,length of hospital days attributed to HAI increased by 1.24 times,hospitalization expense increased by 76％(both P＜0.001).Except surgical expenses,the HAI group had higher single medical expenses than the control group(all P＜0.05).Economic burden to hospital caused by HAI was 541 900 Yuan.Conclusion HAI significantly increases the economic burden of hemorrhagic stroke patients and hospitals,and prolongs the length of hospital stay.Clinical staff should enhance the awareness on infection control,reduce the incidence of HAI,and save medical resources.

The problems caused by proximal contact loss(PCL)of dental implants have been a mainstream research topic in recent years,and scholars are unanimously committed to analyzing their causes and related factors,aiming to identify solutions to the problems related to PCL.The effects of the anterior component of force(ACF),the lifelong re-molding of the adult craniofacial jaw and alveolar socket,and the osseointegration characteristics of dental implants are the main causes of PCL.On the one hand,the closing movement of the mandible causes the ACF of the tooth to move through the posterior molar cusp.Moreover,drifting between the upper and lower posterior teeth and mandibular anteri-or teeth can cause the anterior teeth of the upper and lower jaws to be displaced labially.On the other hand,reconstruc-tion of the jaw,alveolar socket and tooth root,the forward horizontal force of the masticatory muscles,the dynamic com-ponent of the jaw and the forward force generated by the oblique plane of the tooth cusp can cause the natural tooth to experience near-middle drift.Additionally,natural teeth can shift horizontally and vertically and rotate to accommodate remodeling of the stomatognathic system and maintain oral function.Nevertheless,the lack of a natural periodontal mem-brane during implant osseointegration,the lack of a physiological basis for near-medium drift,the small average degree of vertical motion and the integrated silence of dental implants without the overall drift characteristics of natural teeth increases the probability of PCL.The high incidence of PCL is clearly associated with the duration of prosthesis delivery and the mesial position;but it is also affected by the magnitude of the bite force,occlusion,the adjacent teeth,restora-tion design,implant location,jaw,and patient age and sex.PCL has shown a significant correlation with food impaction,but not a one-to-one correspondence,and did not meet the necessary and sufficient conditions.PCL is also associated with peri-implant lesions as well as dental caries.PCL prevention included informed consent,regular examinations,se-lection of retention options,point of contact enhancement,occlusal splints,and the application of multipurpose digital crowns.Management of the PCL includes adjacent contact point additions,orthodontic traction,and occlusal adjust-ment.Existing methods can solve the problem of food impaction in the short term with comprehensive intervention to seek stable,long-term effects.Symmetric and balanced considerations will expand the treatment of issues caused by PCL.