BACKGROUND:The phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase(PI3K/AKT)signaling pathway plays a pivotal role in regulating osteoclast activation,which is essential for maintaining bone homeostasis.Bone destruction in osteoarticular tuberculosis is caused by aberrant osteoclastogenesis induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection.However,the role of the PI3K signaling pathway in Mycobacterium tuberculosis-induced aberrant osteoclastogenesis remains unclear. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects and mechanisms of the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway inhibitor BYL-719 on aberrant osteoclastogenesis induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis. METHODS:RAW264.7 cells were infected with bovine Mycobacterium tuberculosis bacillus calmette-cuerin vaccine,and Ag85B was used for cellular immunofluorescence staining.The cell counting kit-8 assay was employed to determine the safe concentration of BYL-719.There were four groups in the experiment:blank control group,BYL-719 group,BCG group,and BCG+BYL-719 group.Under the induction of receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand,the effects of BYL-719 on post-infection osteoclast differentiation and fusion were explored through tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and phalloidin staining.RT-PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression of osteoclast-related genes and proteins,and further investigate the mechanism of action. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Immunofluorescence staining showed that RAW264.7 cells phagocytosed Mycobacterium tuberculosis.Cell counting kit-8 data indicated that 40 nmol/L BYL-719 was non-toxic to cells.Tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining and phalloidin staining showed that BYL-719 inhibited the generation and fusion ability of osteoclasts following infection.RT-PCR and western blot results also indicated that BYL-719 suppressed the upregulation of osteoclast-specific genes(including c-Fos,NFATc1,matrix metalloproteinase 9,and CtsK)induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection(P<0.05).Western blot and immunofluorescence staining revealed that BYL-719 inhibited excessive osteoclast differentiation induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis by downregulating the expression of IκBα-p65.To conclude,BYL-719 inhibits aberrant osteoclastogenesis induced by Mycobacterium tuberculosis through the downregulation of IκBα/p65.Therefore,the IκBα/p65 signaling pathway is a potential therapeutic target for osteoarticular tuberculosis,and BYL-719 holds potential value for the preventing and amelioration of bone destruction in osteoarticular tuberculosis.BYL-719 has the potential to prevent and ameliorate bone destruction in osteoarticular tuberculosis.

In recent years， diabetic nephropathy （DN） has become an increasingly serious health challenge worldwide， and its morbidity and mortality rates are rapidly increasing. The patients suffering from the disease tend to be younger. DN is not only accompanied by a wide range of renal pathological changes， such as renal hypertrophy， inflammatory cell infiltration， expansion of the tethered membrane stroma， and thickening of the basement membrane but is also the main cause of end-stage renal disease and death in patients with diabetes mellitus. Therefore， it is particularly urgent to explore new strategies for the prevention and treatment of DN. The pathogenesis of DN is intricate and complex， with current research focusing on multifactorial interactions between metabolic and hemodynamic factors， such as hypoxia， inflammatory responses， and fibrotic processes. Notably， hypoxia plays a pivotal role in the initiation and progression of DN. Hypoxia-inducible factor （HIF-1α）， as a key regulatory protein commonly found in hypoxic cells， has a profound impact on various physiological and pathological processes， such as cell metabolism， vascular neogenesis， oxidative stress， and apoptosis. With its unique theoretical system and therapeutic approach， traditional Chinese medicine has demonstrated significant advantages in coping with hypoxic diseases and can slow down the progression of DN by regulating the expression level of HIF-1α and its downstream signaling molecules and exerting anti-inflammatory， antioxidant， and antifibrotic effects， which has positive clinical significance for drug development and early prevention and treatment of DN.

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a rare neurodegenerative disease with complex clinical manifestations, presenting substantial challenges in clinical diagnosis and treatment. Its symptoms and the eight extraordinary meridians are potentially correlated; therefore, this article explores the association between MSA symptom clusters and the eight extraordinary meridians based on their circulation and physiological functions, as well as their treatment strategies. The progression from deficiency to damage in the eight extraordinary meridians aligns with the core pathogenesis of MSA, which is characterized by "the continuous accumulation of impacts from the vital qi deficiency leading to eventual damage". Liver and kidney deficiency and the emptiness of the eight extraordinary meridians are required for the onset of MSA; the stagnation of qi deficiency and the gradual damage to the eight extraordinary meridians are the key stages in the prolonged progression of MSA. The disease often begins with the involvement of the yin and yang qiao mai, governor vessel, thoroughfare vessel, and conception vessel before progressing to multiple meridian involvements, ultimately affecting all eight extraordinary meridians simultaneously. The treatment approach emphasizes that "the direct method may be used for joining battle, but indirect method will be needed in order to secure victory" and focuses on "eliminate pathogenic factors and reinforce healthy qi". Distinguishing the extraordinary meridians and focusing on the primary symptoms are pivotal to improving efficacy. Clinical treatment is aimed at the target, and tailored treatment based on careful clinical observation ensures precision in targeting the disease using the eight extraordinary meridians as the framework and core symptoms as the specific focus. Additionally, combining acupuncture, daoyin therapy, and other method may help prolong survival. This article classifies clinical manifestations based on the theory of the eight extraordinary meridians and explores treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a new noninvasive diagnostic model for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) based on features of tongue images. METHODS: Healthy controls and volunteers confirmed to have NAFLD by liver ultrasound were recruited from China-Japan Friendship Hospital between September 2018 and May 2019, then the anthropometric indexes and sampled tongue images were measured. The tongue images were labeled by features, based on a brief protocol, without knowing any other clinical data, after a series of corrections and data cleaning. The algorithm was trained on images using labels and several anthropometric indexes for inputs, utilizing machine learning technology. Finally, a logistic regression algorithm and a decision tree model were constructed as 2 diagnostic models for NAFLD. RESULTS: A total of 720 subjects were enrolled in this study, including 432 patients with NAFLD and 288 healthy volunteers. Of them, 482 were randomly allocated into the training set and 238 into the validation set. The diagnostic model based on logistic regression exhibited excellent performance: in validation set, it achieved an accuracy of 86.98%, sensitivity of 91.43%, and specificity of 80.61%; with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68-0.98]. The decision tree model achieved an accuracy of 81.09%, sensitivity of 91.43%, and specificity of 66.33%; with an AUC of 0.89 (95% CI 0.66-0.92) in validation set. CONCLUSIONS The features of tongue images were associated with NAFLD. Both the 2 diagnostic models, which would be convenient, noninvasive, lightweight, rapid, and inexpensive technical references for early screening, can accurately distinguish NAFLD and are worth further study.
Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/diagnostic imaging* ; Ultrasonography ; Anthropometry ; Algorithms ; China

Chemotherapy-induced complications, particularly lethal cardiovascular diseases, pose significant challenges for cancer survivors. The intertwined adverse effects, brought by cancer and its complication, further complicate anticancer therapy and lead to diminished clinical outcomes. Simple supplementation of cardioprotective agents falls short in addressing these challenges. Developing bi-functional co-therapy agents provided another potential solution to consolidate the chemotherapy and reduce cardiac events simultaneously. Drug repurposing was naturally endowed with co-therapeutic potential of two indications, implying a unique chance in the development of bi-functional agents. Herein, we further proposed a novel "trilogy of drug repurposing" strategy that comprises function-based, target-focused, and scaffold-driven repurposing approaches, aiming to systematically elucidate the advantages of repurposed drugs in rationally developing bi-functional agent. Through function-based repurposing, a cardioprotective agent, carvedilol (CAR), was identified as a potential neddylation inhibitor to suppress lung cancer growth. Employing target-focused SAR studies and scaffold-driven drug design, we synthesized 44 CAR derivatives to achieve a balance between anticancer and cardioprotection. Remarkably, optimal derivative 43 displayed promising bi-functional effects, especially in various self-established heart failure mice models with and without tumor-bearing. Collectively, the present study validated the practicability of the "trilogy of drug repurposing" strategy in the development of bi-functional co-therapy agents.

Objective To explore the possible effects and the underlying molecular mechanisms of xueshuantong[The main active component is panax notoginseng(PNS)]on the cognitive function and neural excitability of mice with Alzheimer's disease(AD).Methods The APP/PS1 mice were used as an animal model for AD research,at the stage when amyloid protein was not detected in mice(2 months of age).Mice in the xueshuantong group(APP/PS1+PNS)were administered by gavage once a day at a dose of 60 mg/kg for six months(for 8 months of age).The mice of the control group were given 0.9%sodium chloride(APP/PS1+Vehicle)intragastric treatment of the same volume,while the wild-type mice of the same age were given 0.9%sodium chloride intragastric treatment as the normal control group(WT+Vehicle)(15 mice in each group,n=15).After six months,the cognitive function of the mice was evaluated by the Novel Object Recognition(NOR)task and Morris Water Maze(MWM)test.The activity of BACE1,the distribution and expression of Nav1.1α,as well as the expression and enzymatic hydrolysis of Navβ2(Navβ2 full-length and Navβ2-CTF fragments)in cortex and hippocampus were detected by EEG,Western blot and cell surface biotinylation assay,respectively.Results The NOR task showed that compared with the mice in the APP/PS1+Vehicle group,the Discrimination index(DI)of mice in the APP/PS1 group was significantly increased after xueshuantong administration(P<0.05).The MWM test found that,the escape latency of the mice in the xueshuantong group was shortened followed six months in gastric administration(P<0.05),while the stay time in the target quadrant and the number of platforms significantly increased(P<0.05)after the removal of the platform.The results of EEG recording showed that xueshuantong reduced the frequency of spike-wave discharges in APP/PS1 mice(P<0.05).Furthermore,xueshuantong significantly reduced the expression of BACE1(P<0.05).In the APP+PNS group,the expression of Navβ2 full-length was increased(P<0.05),as well as corrected the abnormal distribution of Nav1.1α inside and outside of neurons(P<0.05).Conclusion Treatment with xueshuantong can significantly improve the learning and memory ability and correct the abnormal excitability of the brain in AD model mice.The mechanism may be related to the inhibition of BACE1 activity,the reduction of APP/PS1-induced excessive enzyme digestion of Navβ2,the correction of the abnormal expression and distribution of Nav1.1α in cortical and hippocampal neurons,as well as the subsequent regulation of neuronal excitability.

BACKGROUND:Filamin B(FLNB)can crosslink the actin cytoskeleton into a dynamic structure that is essential for the directional movement of cells.It can regulate the proliferation,differentiation and apoptosis of chondrocytes.However,the effect of FLNB on osteoblast proliferation,migration and apoptosis has not been reported. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of FLNB on the proliferation,migration and apoptosis of MC3T3-E1 cells. METHODS:The adenoviral vectors for knockdown of FLNB expression(sh-FLNB1,sh-FLNB2,sh-FLNB3)were constructed and infected with MC3T3-E1 cells.After screened by puromycin drug,the efficiency of FLNB knockdown was detected by western blot and RT-PCR.The MC3T3-E1 cell line with the best efficiency of FLNB knockdown was selected as the stable transient cell line of MC3T3-E1 for subsequent experiments.The cells were divided into blank group,mc3t3 group,sh-NC group(empty vector),and sh-FLNB group(sh-FLNB lentivirus).The blank group was cultured in cell-free α-MEM complete medium;the mc3t3 group was cultured in α-MEM complete medium alone;and the sh-NC and sh-FLNB groups were cultured with α-MEM medium containing 2.5 μg/mL puromycin.After 3 days of culture,cell counting kit-8 assay and cell scratch assay were used to detect the proliferation and migration ability of MC3T3-E1;flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis;and RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of apoptosis-related genes. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Western blot and RT-PCR results showed that the efficiency of FLNB knockdown was the best in the sh-FLNB3(P<0.000 1),which was used as a stable cell line for subsequent experiments.Cell counting kit-8 data showed that the proliferative ability of MC3T3 cells was significantly weakened after knockdown of FLNB(P<0.05).Cell scratch assay results showed that the migration ability of MC3T3 cells was significantly decreased after knockdown of FLNB.Flow cytometry and RT-PCR results showed that the apoptotic rate of MC3T3-E1 cells increased after knockdown of FLNB,the expression of pro-apoptotic factor Bax increased significantly,and the expression of anti-apoptotic factor Bcl-2 decreased significantly(P<0.05).To conclude,knockdown of FLNB can reduce the proliferation ability of MC3T3-E1 cells,decrease the migration ability of the cells,and increase cell apoptosis.

Objective:To investigate the application value of the teaching evaluation method guided by cultivating "excellent doctors" in the clinical teaching of dermatology and venereology.Methods:A non-simultaneous control study was conducted, and the medical students who received theoretical learning and clinical internship in Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College, from March 2020 to February 2022, were enrolled as subjects. According to the order of enrollment, 32 students who were enrolled from March 2020 to February 2021 were set up as control group, and 31 students who were enrolled from March 2021 to February 2022 were set up as experimental group. The students in the control group received lecture-based learning, and those in the experimental group received clinical teaching using a teaching and evaluation method guided by cultivating "excellent doctors". After the course ended, the two groups were compared in terms of the scores of theoretical knowledge and operation skills, clinical thinking ability [Self-Assessment of Clinical Reasoning and Reflection (SACRR)], core competence [Mini-Clinical Evaluation Exercise (Mini CEX)], and degree of satisfaction with teaching. SPSS 25.0 software was used to perform the independent samples t-test, the Mann-Whitney U test, the chi-square test, and the rank sum test. Results:One student in the control group voluntarily withdrew from the study, and one student in the experimental group did not complete the contents of internship. Finally, 31 students in the control group and 30 in the experimental group were included in the study. After 4 weeks of internship, compared with the control group, the experimental group had significantly higher scores of theoretical knowledge (88.00±4.30 vs. 85.71±4.12, t=2.12, P=0.040) and operation skills (91.87±3.99 vs. 88.23±3.84, t=3.63, P<0.05). After 4 weeks of internship, compared with the control group, the experimental group had significantly higher information systematization score (47.23±3.11 vs. 45.16±3.00), analysis problem score (34.87±2.30 vs. 31.29±2.30), truth finding score (16.30±1.49 vs. 14.45±1.52), reflective ability score [3.50 (3.00, 4.00) vs. 3.00 (3.00, 3.00)], and total score of SACRR (101.87±4.47 vs. 93.90±4.47), with significant differences between the two groups ( t/ Z=2.65, 6.17, 4.79, 3.15, and 6.96, all P<0.05). After 4 weeks of internship, the experimental group had a significantly better core competence than the control group ( Z=2.12, P=0.030); compared with the control group, the experimental group had significantly higher classroom teaching score (20.17±1.98 vs. 18.45±2.23, t=3.17, P<0.05), clinical practice score (19.83±2.10 vs. 17.65±2.17, t=4.00, P<0.05), learning plan score (18.63±2.24 vs. 17.03±2.15, t=2.85, P<0.05), teaching resource score (20.07±1.82 vs. 18.58±2.00, t=3.04, P<0.05) and total score (78.70±3.67 vs. 71.71±4.13, t=6.98, P<0.05). Conclusions:The application of the teaching and evaluation method guided by cultivating "excellent doctors" in the clinical teaching of dermatology and venereology can improve clinical theoretical knowledge, practical operation skills, clinical thinking ability, and core ability among interns and thus help to improve teaching quality. Therefore, it holds promise for clinical application.

With the increasing burden of hypertension in Chinese adults， the detection rate of hypertension among children and adolescents continued to rise， drawing increasing attention to the impact of pubertal timing on blood pressure. In recent years， many scholars have evaluated the association between pubertal development and blood pressure at different stages using various methods of assessing pubertal timing. To understand the correlation between pubertal timing and blood pressure in adolescents， this study reviews the associations between pubertal timing and blood pressure and their underlying mechanisms. The relationship between earlier female pubertal development and the risk of hypertension in adulthood shows positive， negative， and U-shaped correlations， with varying results. Earlier female pubertal development may lead to a higher detection rate of hypertension during adolescence. Most of the studies focus on the correlation between pubertal timing and adult blood pressure， with less research on adolescent blood pressure， indicating a need for further research to reveal underlying patterns.

In order to understand the current status of the knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) about prevention and control of COVID -19 in college students, and to provide theoretical basis for prevention and control work in college campus. This study investigated the KAP of COVID -19 of 1 847 college students in Shaanxi province by questionnaire using the convenience sampling method. Chisquare test and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the influencing factors for the KAP of COVID -19. The results demonstrated that 48.3% of the students had a higher knowledge level of COVID -19, 11.7% had a fear attitude and 39.6% had good protective practices. Logistic regression results showed that female and urban household college students had higher cognitive level of COVID -19. The college students with anxiety state were more likely to have fear attitude. Students of female, urban household, anxiety, higher cognition and fear attitude showed better protective practices. The above results indicated that the knowledge level of COVID -19 in college students are not enough, and the attitude and protective practices need to be further improved. Therefore, relevant departments should follow the rules of KAP, carry out targeted propaganda and education on COVID -19 for college students, to improve their ability to cope with public health emergencies.