Objective:Investigating the changes of phenotype and moleculars associated with aging with the increase of passage times of human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSC), to explore the role of WW-containing transcriptional regulator 1 (WWTR1) in the aging mechanism.Methods:hDPSCs were cultured by tissue block method, and were divided into 4 groups according to the age, algebra, cell knockdown and overexpression of WWTR1 in hDPSCs. Group Ⅰ: hDPSCs from human teeth were further divided into youth group (15-25 years old) and group middle-aged group (40-50 years old) according to different ages. Group Ⅱ: according to different passage, hDPSCs were divided into young cells group (hDPSCs were transmitted to P3 generation), and old cells group (hDPSCs were transmitted to P10 generation). Group Ⅲ: hDPSCs were knocked down of WWTR1, which were further divided into knockdown group and knockdown carrier group. Group Ⅳ: hDPSCs were overexpressed of WWTR1, which were further divided into overexpression group and overexpression carrier group. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the changes of WWTR1 expression in groups Ⅰ and Ⅱ, and cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) was used for groups Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ. Cell proliferation capacity was detected by CCK-8 assay. The ability of osteogenic differentiation was detected by alizarin red staining. Cell senescence positive rate was detected by age-related β-galactosidase staining. The expression levels of age-related genes p53 and p21 were detected by RT-qPCR.Results:The proportion of senescent cells increased gradually with continuous culture. The proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hDPSCs in the old group were significantly lower than those in the young group ( P<0.001). The expression levels of senescence related genes p53 (2.09±0.24) and p21 (4.91±0.54) in old cell group were higher than those in young cell group respectively [p53: (1.08±0.09) and p21: (1.09±0.08)] ( P<0.01, P<0.001). The WWTR1 expression levels of hDPSCs in middle-aged group and old cells group were both decreased compared with those in young group and young cells group ( P<0.01). The proportion of senescent cells in knockdown group (44.50±2.42) was higher than that in knockdown carrier group (22.27±0.56) ( P<0.001). After knocking down WWTR1 in hDPSCs, the expression levels of age-related genes p53 and p21 were up-regulated ( P<0.001), and the abilities of proliferation and osteogenic differentiation in the knockdown group were lower than those in the knockdown carrier group ( P<0.001). The proportion of senescent cells in overexpression empty carrier group (20.40±0.79) was higher than that in overexpression group (10.07±0.61) ( P<0.001). After WWTR1 overexpression ins hDPSCs, the expression levels of age-related genes p53 and p21 were down-regulated, and the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation ability in overexpression group were higher than those in overexpression carrier group ( P<0.001). Conclusions:WWTR1 can inhibit the expression levels of age-related genes p53 and p21, thus delaying the aging process as well as promoting the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of hDPSCs.

Objective:To investigate the quality of life(QOL)of patients undergoing maintenance hemodialysis(MHD)in blood purification centers of three hospitals in Shenyang,and analyze its influencing factors,so as to provide reference for improving QOL of MHD patients.Methods:A total of 343 patients undergoing MHD from Mar to Oct,2021 were included,and their general data,laboratory indicators,hemodialysis indicators,etc.were collected.QOL of patients was evaluated by KDQOL-SFTM1.3 scale(SF-36 score and KDTA score).Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to analyze the factors affecting their QOL.Results:The scores of SF-36 and KDTA in MHD patients were 51.22±19.50 and 60.43±14.50,respectively.Age,marital status,family per capita monthly income,vascular access,monocyte count,blood phosphorus and serum albumin were independent influencing factors of SF-36 score(P＜0.05).And age,education level,family per capita monthly income and serum creatinine were independent influencing factors of KDTA score(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Comprehensive intervention of influencing factors should be paid more attention to improve the QOL of MHD patients.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum osteopontin (OPN), bone morphogenetic protein 2 (BMP2), retinol binding protein 4 (RBP4) and renal function and bone mineral density in patients with diabetes nephropathy (DN).Methods:A total of 120 patients with DN diagnosed in the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from January 2020 to December 2021 were selected as the DN group, 60 patients with simple diabetes as the type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) group, and 60 subjects with normal glucose tolerance test as the control group. The serum OPN, BMP2, RBP4, low bone mineral density (LBMD), femoral neck bone density (FNBMD) and renal function indicators of the three groups were compared. According to the urinary albumin excretion rate (UAER) of DN patients, the patients were divided into microalbuminuria DN group (71 cases) and massive albuminuria DN group (49 cases), and stratified comparison was made. The simple linear correlation analysis was used to analyze the OPN of DN patients. BMP2, RBP4, renal function and bone mineral density.Results:The fasting blood glucose (FPG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA 1c), serum creatinine (Scr), UAER, and cystatin (CysC) levels of DN group patients were significantly higher than those of T2DM group and control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05); The FPG and HbA 1c in the T2DM group were higher than those in the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05); The OPN and BMP2 of DN group patients were higher than those of T2DM group and control group, while the RBP4, LBMD, FNBMD of DN group were lower than those of T2DM group and control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05); The OPN and BMP2 of the T2DM group were higher than those of the control group, while RBP4 was lower than that of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05); The levels of FPG, HbA 1c, Scr, UAER, and CysC in patients with macroalbuminuria DN were significantly higher than those in patients with microalbuminuria DN, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05); The OPN and BMP2 of patients in the large albuminuria DN group were higher than those in the microalbuminuria DN group, while the RBP4, LBMD, and FNBMD of patients in the large albuminuria DN group were lower than those in the microalbuminuria DN group, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The OPN of DN group patients was positively correlated with Scr, UAER, and CysC (all P<0.05), while BMP2 was positively correlated with UAER and CysC (all P<0.05); The OPN and BMP2 of DN group patients were negatively correlated with LBMD and FNBMD (all P<0.05), while RBP4 was positively correlated with LBMD and FNBMD (all P<0.05). Conclusions:OPN, BMP2, RBP4 are closely related to the degree of renal function impairment and bone loss in DN patients, and can to some extent reflect the degree of bone metabolism and osteoporosis in T2DM patients.

Objective To analyze the application characteristics of acupuncture and moxibustion in the treatment of postherpetic neuralgia(PHN)using complex networks;To provide clinical acupuncture and moxibustion treatment with application basis for acupoint selection,acupuncture and moxibustion,and treatment ideas.Methods The clinical research literature on acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for PHN was retrieved from CNKI,Wanfang Data,VIP,PubMed and Web of Science.The literature was screened according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,and Excel 2019 was used to establish an acupuncture and moxibustion treatment PHN database.SPSS Modeler 18.0 software was used for modeling and association rule analysis,and Gephi 0.10.1 software was used for complex network analysis.Results Totally 237 articles were included,and 262 acupuncture and moxibustion prescriptions data were extracted,involving a total of 115 acupoints,with a total use frequency of 1 432 times.The top 10 most frequently used acupoints were Ashi acupoint(214 times)and Jiaji acupoint(198 times),Zusanli(74 times),Taichong(74 times),Sanyinjiao(66 times),Hegu(65 times),Yanglingquan(62 times),Xuehai(60 times),Zhigou(53 times),and Quchi(52 times).The association rule analysis showed that the acupoint combination with the highest correlation was Ashi acupoint-Jiaji acupoint.K-core hierarchical analysis and community analysis on the complex network of the acupoint prescriptions obtained two core acupoint groups.Therapy analysis showed that filiform needle acupuncture was the most commonly used intervention for acupuncture treatment of PHN;syndrome type-acupoint analysis showed that the syndrome types with the highest frequency of PHN were liver meridian heat stagnation,blood stasis and collaterals obstruction,and spleen meridian damp-heat;tonic and diarrhea-acupoint analysis showed that the main operating techniques were neutral-tonifying and neutral-discharging.Conclusion Acupuncture and moxibustion treatment for PHN mainly selects local acupoints,Ashi acupoint and Jiaji acupoint are often selected,and focusing on the cooperation with distal acupoints.The external and internal meridians are mostly selected according to different syndrome types.The operation is performed using neutral-tonifying and neutral-discharging techniques.Commonly used filiform acupuncture combined with electro-acupuncture,pricking,cupping and other therapies.The application characteristics can provide clinical reference for the treatment of PHN.

Objective:To investigate the association of malnutrition based on Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria with the disease activity and clinical outcomes in hospitalized ulcerative colitis (UC) patients.Methods:Clinical data of 115 patients with UC hospitalized in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University from September 2019 to March 2023 were prospectively analyzed. GLIM and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) 2015 criteria were used for the diagnosis of malnutrition, allowing the analysis of consistency between two diagnostic criteria for malnutrition. The relationship between malnutrition based on GLIM criteria and disease activity and clinical outcome was further investigated. The risk factors of adverse clinical outcomes in UC patients were analyzed using binary logistic regression.Results:GLIM and ESPEN 2015 diagnostic criteria showed high correlation and consistency (AUC=0.875, P<0.001; K=0.809, P<0.001). According to GLIM criteria, the prevalence of malnutrition among hospitalized UC patients was 32.17% (37 cases). Compared with non-malnourished UC patients, the modified Mayo score and C-reactive protein level of malnutrition patients were higher ( P<0.005), and the proportion of patients with severe disease activity was higher ( P=0.005). UC patients in the malnourished group had longer hospital stay ( P<0.001), higher hospitalization costs ( P<0.001), and higher rates of drug escalation/conversion therapy, re-admission and surgery at 12 weeks and 54 weeks ( P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that a high Mayo score ( OR=3.606, P=0.016), a high modified Mayo score ( OR=1.346, P=0.009) and malnutrition ( OR=1.430, P=0.012) were independent risk factors for adverse clinical outcomes of hospitalized UC patients at 12 weeks. A high modified Mayo score ( OR=6.491, P=0.011) and malnutrition as per GLIM criteria ( OR=6.693, P=0.033) were independent risk factors for adverse clinical outcomes of hospitalized UC patients at 54 weeks. Conclusions:GLIM and ESPEN 2015 diagnostic criteria show high consistency in the diagnosis of malnutrition in hospitalized UC inpatients. Malnutrition may imply adverse clinical outcomes of hospitalized UC patients, which is an independent risk factor for the adverse clinical outcome of hospitalized UC patients.

Objective:To explore the effects of body mass index (BMI) on the incidence of nocturnal hypertension in patients with hypertension.Methods:Totally 341 hospitalized hypertensive patients treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University from February to May 2023 were selected by convenience sampling. Patients' general information, clinical data, and 24-hour ambulatory blood pressure results were collected. A binomial Logistic regression analysis was conducted to investigate the factors affecting the occurrence of nocturnal hypertension in these patients. The relationship between BMI and the incidence of nocturnal hypertension was examined using threshold effect tests and smooth curve fitting.Results:The binomial Logistic regression analysis indicated that blood phosphate level was a factor influencing the occurrence of nocturnal hypertension in hypertensive patients ( P<0.05). Smooth curve fitting and threshold effect test results showed that the relationship between BMI and the incidence of nocturnal hypertension was curve-correlated, with a turning point at 24.61 kg/m 2. To the left of the turning point, there was no correlation ( P=0.130) ; to the right, there was a correlation ( P=0.016) . Conclusions:When the BMI of hypertensive patients exceeds 24.61 kg/m 2, the likelihood of nocturnal hypertension increases with rising BMI, providing a precise intervention target for weight management-based patient care in hypertension.

Objective:To discuss the improved methods for the isolation and culture of primary chondrocytes from the neonatal rats,and to establish an efficient and economical in vitro chondrocyte culture system.Methods:The primary chondrocytes were isolated from the joints of neonatal rats and divided into overnight digestion(OD)group and rapid digestion(RD)group for separation.The chondrocytes in OD group were digested overnight by type Ⅱ collagenase,while the chondrocytes in RD group were separated by the combination of pre-digestion with physical and chemical digestion methods.The chondrocytes were cultured in modified media containing 0％(blank group 1),1％,2％,4％,and 10％fetal bovine serum(FBS),0(blank group 2),0.1,0.2,0.4,0.8,1.0,and 2.0 g·L-1 vitamin C(VC),and 0(blank group 3),0.5,1.0,2.0,4.0,8.0,10.0 μg·L-1 poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA)nanoparticles.The media containing different concentrations of FBS,VC,and PLGA were mixed with Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium/nutrient mixture F-12(DMEM/F12),and were divided into related groups based on the concentrations of ingredients.Cell counter was used to count the chondrocytes in various groups and the survival rates and diameters of the chondrocytes in various groups were detected;Toluidine blue staining was used to detect the morphology of the chondrocytes in various groups;CCK-8 method was used to detect the proliferative activities of the chondrocytes in various groups;cell adhesion assay was used to detect the adhesion rates of the chondrocytes in various groups;Hoechst/propidium iodide(PI)staining was used to detect the apoptosis of the chondrocytes in various groups;MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation activities of the chondrocytes in various groups after treated with modified media.The cells were divided into DMEM/F12+10％FBS group,DMEM/F12+1％FBS group,and DMEM/F12+1％FBS+0.4 g·L-1 VC+1 μg·L-1 PLGA group.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)method was used to detect the expression levels of sex-determining region Y-box 9(SOX9),collagen type Ⅱ alpha 1 chain(Col2A1),collagen type X alpha 1 chain(Col10A1),and matrix metallopeptidase 13(MMP13)mRNAs in the chondrocytes in various groups after treated with modified media;immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the expressions of type Ⅱ collagen(COL Ⅱ)and SOX9 in the chondrocytes in various groups after treated with modified media.Results:The survival rate of primary chondrocytes in OD group was lower than that in RD group,and the average cell diameter was larger than that in RD group.The primary chondrocytes in OD group were larger and spindle-shaped,and most cells exhibited pseudopodia;in RD group,the primary chondrocytes were smaller,mostly rhomboid in shape,with only a portion of the cells showing pseudopodia.The Toluidine blue staining results showed significant coloration in both groups,but the digestion time of the chondrocytes in RD group was shorter,and compared with OD group,the actual culture time of the chondrocytes was reduced by 9-13 h,and more immature morphology of the primary chondrocytes were observed.The proliferation activity of the primary chondrocytes in OD group was slow at 24 h of culture but increased at 48 h of culture,and the proliferation activity of the primary chondrocytes was significantly higher at 48 h of culture compared with 12 h of culture(P＜0.01).Compared with 12 h of culture,the proliferation rates of the primary chondrocytes in RD group were increased at 24 and 48 h of culture(P＜0.01).At 24 and 48 h of culture,compared with OD group,the proliferation rates of the primary chondrocytes in RD group were increased(P＜0.05).The number of apoptotic chondrocytes in RD group was lower than that in OD group,and no necrotic chondrocytes were observed in either group.The proliferation activities of chondrocytes of the rats were increased with the rising of FBS concentration in the culture medium.Compared with blank group 1,the proliferation activities of chondrocytes of the rats after treated with culture mediums containing 1％,2％,4％,and 10％FBS were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with blank group 2,the proliferative activities of chondrocytes of the rats after treated with culture mediums containing 0.2-1.0 g·L-1 VC were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the highest proliferation activity was found when the concentration of VC was 0.4 g·L-1(P＜0.01).Compared with blank group 3,the proliferation activities of chondrocytes of the rats after treated with culture mediums containing 1-4 μg·L-1 PLGA were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the highest proliferation activity was found after treated with culture medium containing 1 μg·L-1 PLGA(P＜0.05).Compared with DMEM/F12+10％FBS group,the expression levels of SOX9 mRNA and Col2A1 mRNA in the chondrocytes in DMEM/F12+1％FBS group were significantly increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with DMEM/F12+10％FBS group,the expression levels of SOX9 mRNA and Col2A1 mRNA in the chondrocytes in DMEM/F12+1％FBS+0.4 g·L-1 VC+1 μg·L-1 PLGA group were significantly increased(P＜0.01).The immunofluorescence staining results showed that the green fluorescence signal of COL Ⅱ and the red fluorescence signal of SOX9 were observed in some chondrocytes in DMEM/F12+10％FBS group under fluorescence microscope,and the fluorescence intensity was weak.In DMEM/F12+1％FBS group,most chondrocytes exhibited COL Ⅱ green fluorescence signal and SOX9 red fluorescence signal,and the fluorescence intensity was significantly stronger than that in DMEM/F12+10％FBS group.In DMEM/F12+1％FBS+0.4 g·L-1 VC+1 μg·L-1 PLGA group,the COLⅡ green fluorescence signal and SOX9 red fluorescence signal were found in all the chondrocytes,and the fluorescence intensity was significantly higher than those in DMEM/F12+10％FBS and DMEM/F12+1％FBS groups.The expression levels of COLⅡ and SOX9 proteins in the chondrocytes in DMEM/F12+1％FBS group were significantly higher than those in DMEM/F12+10％FBS group,and the expression levels of COL Ⅱ and SOX9 proteins in the chondrocytes in DMEM/F12+1％FBS+0.4 g·L-1 VC+1 μg·L-1 PLGA group were significantly higher than those in DMEM/F12+10％FBS group.Conclusion:The improved methods for the isolation and culture of primary chondrocytes of the rats can overcome the shortcomings of traditional methods,shorten the isolation time of primary chondrocytes,and improve the quality of in vitro culture of primary chondrocytes.

Objective:Analyze the impact of smoking on the mortality and life expectancy of residents in Tianjin in 2019.Methods:Use mortality case-control study method to collect all cause of death cases of residents in Tianjin in 2019 for analysis. After adjusting for the 5-years-old age group, education level, and marital status, the smoking attributed deaths from different diseases of different genders, smoking attributed deaths in different age groups, and their impact on life expectancy were analyzed.Results:The total number of deaths in 2019 was 75 254, with 42 201 males (56.1%). Among male deaths, 3 215 (9.9%) were attributed to smoking, of which 2 157 (50.2%) lung cancer deaths were attributed to smoking; The risk of lung cancer death among smokers was 3.075 times higher than that of non-smokers (95% CI: 2.812-3.364); Among the 33 053 female deaths (43.9%), 1 396 (5.8%) were caused by smoking, with 744 (29.1%) lung cancer deaths attributed to smoking. The age group with the highest number of deaths attributed to smoking for women was the 75-<80 years old age group, followed by the 70-<75 and 80-<85 years old age groups. The age group with the highest proportion of deaths attributed to smoking for men was the 55-<60 years old age group. In addition, smoking accounts for more than 60% of deaths in the 60-<65, 45-<50, 55-<60, and 65-<70 years old age groups. In 2019, the loss of life expectancy attributed to smoking deaths among all residents in Tianjin was 1.13 years, with a loss of 1.15 years for males and 0.57 years for females. The expected life expectancy excluding deaths caused by smoking was 82.92 years, 80.77 years for males and 84.61 years for females. Conclusions:Smoking remains one of the important risk factors for death among residents. Promoting effective measures to reduce smoking rates is an effective way to increase life expectancy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of different doses of Jiedu Tongluo Shengjin prescription （JTSP） on serum interleukin-6 （IL-6）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and forkhead box P3 （FoxP3） in submandibular gland of NOD/Ltj mice with Sjögren's syndrome， and to explore the mechanism of JTSP on immune regulation in NOD/Ltj mice. MethodThirty NOD/Ltj mice （eight weeks old） were randomly divided into model group， JTSP low-dose group， JTSP medium-dose group， JTSP high-dose group and hydroxychloroquine group， and were administrated with normal saline， JTSP 9， 18， and 36 g·kg^-1， and hydroxychloroquine 60 mg·kg^-1 daily， respectively from the age of 12 weeks. Six ICR mice were given an equal amount of normal saline by gavage as the control group. During the experiment， daily water consumption and saliva secretion of mice at the age of 9， 12， 16 weeks were recorded. After 4 weeks of administration， submandibular gland and spleen tissues were dissected to calculate corresponding indexes. The pathological morphology of submandibular gland was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. Meso Scale Discovery （MSD） and immunohistochemistry were employed to detect the serum levels of IL-6， TNF-α and IL-10， and the expression and distribution of FoxP3 in submandibular gland， respectively. The protein expression of FoxP3 in mouse submandibular gland was determined by Western blot， and the mRNA expressions of FoxP3 and TNF-α were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultCompared with the control group， the model group presented increased daily water consumption， decreased saliva secretion， lowered submandibular gland index， elevated pathological score of submandibular gland， up-regulated serum IL-6 and TNF-α and mRNA expression of TNF-α while down-regulated serum IL-10 and protein and mRNA expressions of FoxP3 in submandibular gland （P<0.05）. Compared with the conditions in model group， daily water consumption in JTSP groups was reduced while saliva secretion was increased， especially in medium-dose and high-dose groups （P<0.05）， and there was an increase in the submandibular gland index of JTSP medium-dose group （P<0.05） while a decrease in the spleen index of JTSP high-dose group （P<0.05）. Additionally， JTSP groups had lower pathological score of submandibular gland than the model group （P<0.05）， especially high-dose group， as well as lower serum IL-6 and TNF-α and mRNA expression of TNF-α while higher serum IL-10 （P<0.05）. JTSP at medium and high doses up-regulated the protein and mRNA expressions of FoxP3 in submandibular gland （P<0.05）. ConclusionJTSP may inhibit the secretion of inflammatory cytokines by regulating the stability of FoxP3⁺ regulatory T （Treg） cells， thus alleviating the systemic immune inflammation in Sjögren's syndrome.

Peritoneal dialysis is a recognized renal replacement therapy. Long term peritoneal dialysis will lead to changes in the morphology and function of the peritoneum, that is, peritoneal fibrosis, which is a known cause of the loss of peritoneal ultrafiltration capacity. Pyroptosis is a special type of soluble programmed cell death, characterized by cell swelling, rupture, secretion of cell contents and significant proinflammatory effect. The pyroptosis can be divided into typical and atypical pathways, and the inflammatory body of NOD like receptor heat protein domain related protein 3 (NLRP3) is the most important initiator. Current evidence shows that high glucose peritoneal dialysis fluid can induce peritoneal Mesothelium to scorch, and the inflammation and cell damage caused by it can aggravate the progress of peritoneal fibrosis. Different signal pathways have been proved to regulate the occurrence of pyroptosis. The latest research has proved that some potential targeted methods to inhibit pyroptosis can effectively inhibit the inflammation of peritoneal mesothelium and alleviate peritoneal fibrosis. This article mainly discusses the molecular mechanism of pyroptosis and the relationship between pyroptosis and peritoneal fibrosis.