Objective To investigate the possible role and mechanism of activation of pyroptosis classical pathway and alterations in cell adhesion in calcium-containing kidney stones after the action of high concentration of Ca2+ on HK-2 cells.Methods HK-2 cells were cultured in the presence of different concentrations of CaCl2(0,0.1,0.5,1.0,2.0,4.0 and 8.0 g/L)for 24 hours,and cell counting Kit-8(CCK-8)and flow cytometry were used to determine the optimal treatment concentration.Subsequently,the ultrastructure of renal tubular epithelial cells under high Ca2+ condition was observed by transmission electron microscopy after Ca2+ treatment.DCFH-DA staining was used to detect intracellular reactive oxygen species production,and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)and Western blot analysis were performed to examine the expression of pyroptosis-related proteins NLRP3,Caspase-1,gasdermin D(GSDMD),adhesive molecules osteopontin(OPN)and CD44 at mRNA and protein levels after high concentration Ca2+ treatment.The expression levels of pyroptosis-related inflammatory factors interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-18 and adhesive molecule monocyte chemotactic protein-1(MCP-1)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)after high Ca2+ stimulation.Results Ca2+ showed cytotoxicity for HK-2 cell growth and can promote apoptosis.The higher the Ca2+ concentration,the more toxicity and apoptosis rate for HK-2 cell growth.High concentration of Ca2+ can promote pyroptosis-like morphological changes in HK-2 cells,including loss of cell membrane integrity,release of contents and numerous intracellular vacuoles.Compared with the control group,the expression levels of ROS were sequentially increased in the 1.0 g/L CaCl2 group and the 2.0 g/L CaCl2 group,and the expression levels of pyroptosis-related genes NLRP3,Caspase-1,GSDMD,and the pyroptosis-associated inflammatory factors IL-1β and IL-18,as well as the adhesion molecules OPN,CD44 and MCP-1 were significantly increased(P＜0.05).Conclusion High Ca2+ treatment can cause oxidative stress damage in HK-2 cells to produce ROS,which activates NLRP3 inflammasome,leads to the activation of the classical pathway of pyroptosis and increase the adhesion of cells,and ultimately leads to the formation of kidney stones.

BACKGROUND:A large number of domestic and international documents have confirmed that elevated interleukin-1β is associated with primary frozen shoulder.Interleukin-1B gene polymorphisms can affect the transcription and protein expression of interleukin 1β-related genes,resulting in altered levels of cytokines in vivo,and thus altering the incidence of primary frozen shoulder.Through the study of interleukin-1B gene polymorphism and susceptibility to primary frozen shoulder,this study aimed to explore new breakthroughs in the pathogenesis of primary frozen shoulder from the perspective of molecular biology,and to search for susceptibility genes of primary frozen shoulder. OBJECTIVE:To explore the association between linkage disequilibrium of three gene loci in interleukin-1B gene and susceptibility to primary frozen shoulder. METHODS:A case-control study was conducted.There were two groups in this study.One group consisted of 184 patients with primary frozen shoulder,while the other group included 260 healthy controls.The genotypes of interleukin-1B gene loci-511C/T(rs16944),+3954C/T(rs1143634),and-31C/T(rs1143627)were detected by polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism.The correlation between the probability of linkage disequilibrium and haplotypes and the risk of primary frozen shoulder disease was compared and analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Unconditional Logistic regression analysis showed that the proportion of CT genotypes at rs1143634 and rs1143627 sites increased significantly in the primary frozen shoulder.Linkage disequilibrium analysis showed that rs16944,rs1143634 and rs1143627 tended to be balanced in the control group(D'value<0.1),while there was a certain degree of linkage disequilibrium at rs1143627 and rs1143634 sites in the primary frozen shoulder group(D'value=0.595).Haplotype TTT increased the risk of primary frozen shoulder by 6.66 times compared with CCT type(TTT,OR=6.66,95%CI=1.59-27.88,P=0.009 7).To conclude,there is a certain degree of linkage disequilibrium between interleukin-1B gene loci rs1143627and rs1143634 in patients with primary frozen shoulder;haplotype TTT formed by these three gene loci may increase the risk of developing primary frozen shoulder.

ObjectiveTo screen out the transcriptomes related to the intervention of Wuzi Yanzongwan on the spermatogenic function of semi-castrated male mice， and to explore its potential mechanism in the intervention of the progress of low spermatogenic function. MethodBalb/c mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group， model group， testosterone propionate group（0.2 mg·kg^-1·d^-1， intramuscular injection） and Wuzi Yanzongwan group（1.56 g·kg^-1·d^-1， intragastric administration） according to body weight， with 12 mice in each group. The right testicle and epididymis were extracted from the model group and the drug administration group to construct the semi-castrated model of low spermatogenic function， while the fur and the right scrotum of the sham-operated group were only cut and immediately sterilized and sutured. At the end of the intervention， hematoxylin-eosin（HE） staining was used to observe the histopathology of testis， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA） was used to detect the levels of serum testosterone（T）， luteinizing hormone（LH） and follicle stimulating hormone（FSH）. The sperm count and motility of epididymis were measured by automatic sperm detector of small animal. Transcriptomic microarray technology was used to detect the mRNA expression level of testicular tissue in each group， the transcriptome of genes related to the regulation of Wuzi Yanzongwan was screened， and three mRNAs were selected for Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） to verify the transcriptome data. Through the annotation analysis of Gene Ontology（GO） and the signaling pathway analysis of Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes（KEGG）， the related functions of drugs regulating transcriptome were analyzed. ResultCompared with the sham-operated group， the testicular tissue of mice in the model group showed spermatogenic injury， contraction and vacuolization of the seminiferous tubules， reduction of spermatogenic cells at all levels， widening of the interstitial space， obstruction of spermatogonial cell development and other morphological abnormalities， and serum T significantly decreased， LH significantly increased（P<0.01）， and FSH elevated but no statistically significant difference， the count and vitality of epididymal sperm significantly decreased（P<0.01）. There were 882 differentially expressed mRNAs in the testicular tissues， of which 565 were up-regulated and 317 were down-regulated. Cluster analysis showed that these differentially expressed mRNA could effectively distinguish between the sham-operated group and the model group. Compared with the model group， the damage to testicular tissue in the Wuzi Yanzongwan group was reduced， the structure of the seminiferous tubules was intact， vacuolization was reduced， and the number of spermatogenic cells at all levels was significantly increased and arranged tightly. The serum T significantly increased， LH significantly decreased（P<0.01）， and FSH decreased but the difference was not statistically significant. The count and vitality of sperm in the epididymis were significantly increased（P<0.01）. Moreover， Wuzi Yanzongwan could regulate 159 mRNA levels in the testes of semi-castrated mice， of which 32 were up-regulated and 127 were down-regulated， and the data of the transcriptome assay was verified to be reliable by Real-time PCR. GO and KEGG analysis showed that the transcriptome functions regulated by Wuzi Yanzongwan were involved in the whole cell cycle process of sperm development such as sex hormone production of interstitial cells in testis， renewal， differentiation， metabolism， apoptosis and signal transduction of spermatogenic cells， and were closely related to the biological behaviors of signaling pathways such as spermatogenic stem cell function， endoplasmic reticulum protein processing and metabolic program. ConclusionWuzi Yanzongwan can effectively improve the low spermatogenic function of semi-castrated male mice， and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of testicular transcriptional regulatory network， the synthesis of sex hormones in testicular interstitial cells， the function of spermatogenic stem cells， the whole cell cycle process of spermatogenesis， as well as the expression of endoplasmic reticulum protein processing and metabolic program related genes transcription.

Background Atmospheric fine particulate matter (PM_2.5) can disrupt the metabolic homeostasis of the liver and accelerate the progression of liver diseases, but there are few studies on the effects of sub-chronic PM_2.5 exposure on the liver metabolome. Objectives To investigate the effects of sub-chronic exposure to concentrated PM_2.5 on hepatic metabolomics in mice by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS), and to identify potentially affected metabolites and metabolic pathways. Methods Twelve male C57BL/6J (6 weeks old) mice were randomly divided into two groups: a concentrated PM_2.5 exposure group and a clean air exposure group. The mice were exposed to concentrated PM_2.5 using the "Shanghai Meteorological and Environmental Animal Exposure System" at Fudan University. The exposure duration was 8 h per day, 6 d per week, for a total of 8 weeks. The mice's liver tissues were collected 24 h after the completion of exposure. LC-MS was performed to assess changes in the hepatic metabolome. Orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis and t-test were employed to identify differentially regulated metabolites between the two groups under the conditions of variable important in projection (VIP)≥1.0 and P<0.05. Metabolic pathway enrichment analysis was performed using MetaboAnalyst 5.0 software and the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). Results A total of 297 differentially regulated metabolites were identified between the concentrated PM_2.5 exposure group and the clean air group. Among these metabolites, 142 were upregulated and 155 were downregulated. A total of 38 metabolic pathways were altered, with 7 pathways showing significant perturbation (P<0.05). These pathways involved amino acid metabolism, glucose metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, as well as cofactor and vitamin metabolism. The 7 significant metabolic pathways were pantothenic acid and coenzyme A biosynthesis; purine metabolism; amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism; arginine biosynthesis; alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism; aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis; and fructose and mannose metabolism. Conclusion The results from metabolomics analysis suggest that sub-chronic exposure to PM_2.5 may disrupt hepatic energy metabolism and induce oxidative stress damage. Aspartic acid, succinic acid, ornithine, fumaric acid, as well as purine and xanthine derivatives, were identified as potential early biomarkers of hepatic response to sub-chronic PM_2.5 exposure.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the cerebral small vascular disease (CSVD) total burden and the imaging markers and the degree of unilateral middle cerebral artery (MCA) stenosis.Methods:The study was a cross-sectional study. Clinical and imaging data of patients with chronic unilateral MCA stenosis who underwent multimodal MRI from October 2015 to January 2019 in the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 261 patients were included, 187 males and 74 females. According to the degree of MCA stenosis, the patients were divided into 102 cases in severe stenosis-occlusion group (stenosis degree ≥70%) and 159 cases in mild-moderate stenosis group (stenosis degree <70%). CSVD imaging marker scores (including white matter hyperintensity, perivascular space, cerebral microbleed, and lacune of presumed vascular origin) were assessed according to the ?standards for reporting vascular changes on neuroimaging 1 in the 2 groups, and the CSVD total burden score was calculated. Mann-Whitney U test was used to compare the indicators between the two groups, and the CSVD total burden score and imaging marker scores were ultimately included in a multifactorial binary logistic regression to assess the association of CSVD imaging markers with severe stenosis-occlusion of the MCA after adjusting for vascular risk factors (age, gender, drinking, smoking, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, atrial fibrillation and coronary heart disease). Results:There were significant differences in the CSVD total burden, centrum semiovale perivascular space and lacune of presumed vascular origin score between the mild-to-moderate stenosis group and the severe stenosis-occlusion group (all P<0.05), and none of the differences in the remaining imaging marker scores were statistically significant (all P>0.05). Multivariate binary logistics regression analysis showed CSVD total burden score ( OR=1.300, 95% CI 1.047-1.613, P=0.017), centrum semiovale perivascular space score ( OR=2.099, 95% CI 1.540-2.860, P<0.001) and lacune of presumed vascular origin score ( OR=2.609, 95% CI 1.294-5.261, P=0.007) were independent associated with severe stenosis-occlusion of MCA. Conclusion:The higher CSVD total burden score, centrum semiovale perivascular space score and lacune of presumed vascular origin score are associated with severe stenosis-occlusion of MCA.

Objective To investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Maxing Shigan Decoction on cough variant asthma(CVA)rats.Methods Sixty rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,low and high dose groups of Maxing Shigan Decoction,and high-dose of Maxing Shigan Decoction + signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3)activator Colivelin(Col)group,12 rats in each group.Except for the normal group,the CVA model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection of ovalbumin combined with moxa fumigation in all other groups of rats.After the corresponding treatment,the rats were observed for signs and cough counts,airway resistance(RE)was detected by pulmonary function meter,eosinophils(EOS)were counted by Diff-Quik staining,histopathological features of the lungs and bronchial tubes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining method,and the lung tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)for monocyte chemotactic protein 1(MCP-1),and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),and the protein expression levels of interleukin 6(IL-6),STAT3,and transient receptor potential vanilloid-1 channel(TRPV1)were detected by Western Blot.Results Compared with the normal group,rats in the model group showed obvious asthma symptoms,severe inflammatory cell infiltration was seen in the lung tissue,bronchial epithelial cell necrosis,ciliated adhesion,mucus,and RE,EOS number,MCP-1 and TNF-α contents,and protein expression levels of IL-6,STAT3,TRPV1 were elevated(P＜0.05);compared with the model group,rats in the low-and high-dose groups of Maxing Shigan Decoction showed significant improvement in asthma symptoms,reduction in lung and bronchial injury,and dose-dependent reduction in RE,EOS number,MCP-1 and TNF-α contents,and protein expression levels of IL-6,STAT3,and TRPV1(P＜0.05);compared with the high-dose group of Maxing Shigan Decoction,the rats in the high-dose Maxing Shigan Decoction+Col group showed increased asthma,increased lung and bronchial injury,and increased RE,EOS number,MCP-1 and TNF-α contents,and protein expression levels of IL-6,STAT3,and TRPV1(P＜0.05).Conclusion Maxing Shigan Decoction can effectively improve cough variant asthma in rats,and its mechanism is related to the inhibition of IL-6/STAT3 signaling pathway and the high expression of TRPV1.

Objective To explore the determination method of copper content in Chinese medicinal materials and to provide a scientific basis for the quality control of Chinese medicinal materials.Methods A method for rapid determination of copper content in different varieties of Chinese medicinal materials by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry was established.Results The content of copper in the linear range of 6-40 μg·g-1 showed good linearity with the response strength,which met the quantitative analysis requirements.Conclusion This method has the advantages of being simple,fast,and highly sensitive,and it can be used for rapid quality control of copper content in Chinese medicinal materials.

Objective:To explore the diagnosis and treatment of lymphoepithelioma-like intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(LEL-ICC).Methods:The retrospective and descriptive study was conducted. The data of 7 patients with pathological diagnosis of LEL-ICC after hepatectomy who were treated in Lishui Central Hospital in Zhejiang Province from December 1, 2009 to January 30, 2024 were collected. There were 2 males and 5 females. The age range was from 40 to 64 years old, with a median age of 52 years old. All 7 patients showed no obvious clinical symptoms.We analysed the imaging manifestations, pathological features, treatmentsand prognoses of patients.Postoperative follow-upswere conducted via telephone, with a focus on whether the patient had relapsed. The deadline was February 20, 2024.Results:Five cases underwent ultrasound examination, of which 4 cases showed hypoechogenicity and 1 case showed hyperechogenicity. 7 cases underwent MRI examination, showing low signal on T1WI, high signal on T2WI, and high signal on diffusion-weighted imaging. 2 cases had type A enhancement, 2 cases had type B enhancement, and 3 cases had type C enhancement. All 7 cases received surgical treatment, 2 cases were received prophylactic transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) after surgery, and 3 cases were received systemic chemotherapy after surgery; All 7 cases underwent postoperative follow-up, with a follow-up time of 1-166 months and a median follow-up time of 56 months. One case developed hilar and retroperitoneal lymph node metastasis after surgery for 6 months, and underwent surgical treatment. After surgery, chemotherapy was performed. 25 months later, right adrenal gland metastasis reappeared, and after combined treatment, the metastatic lesion was reduced and the patient received surgical treatment and chemotherapy, and there is currently no recurrence. The remaining 6 cases showed no recurrence.Conclusions:LEL-ICC lacks specific clinical symptoms and imaging manifestations, diagnosis relies on histopathological and immunohistochemical examinations. Comprehensive treatment with surgical intervention as the main approach can lead to better prognosis for patients.

Objective:To explore the clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment methods, and prognosis of hepatic portal venous gas (HPVG).Methods:Retrospective case analysis was used in the case data of 7 patients with HPVG, who were treated in Lishui Central Hospital from January 2017 to July 2024, including 5 males and 2 females. Age ranged from 46 to 90 years, with an average age of 69 years. Abdominal pain was the first manifestation in 6 cases, and septic shock occurred in 2 cases. The initial symptoms, primary diseases, comorbidities, laboratory results, imaging examinations, treatment plans, and prognosis were analyzed. Prognostic follow-up was conducted by telephone, with the focus on whether the patient had experienced HPVG recurrence and postoperative complications. The deadline for follow-up was July 31, 2024.Results:All patients had elevated white blood cells and C-reactive protein (CRP), and prothrombin time was prolonged in 4 patients. pH and base excess decreased in 4 cases, and lactic acid increased in 5 cases. Alanine aminotransferase increased in 2 cases, and total bilirubin increased in 3 cases. Blood culture was positive in 3 cases. Contrast-enhanced abdominal CT showed clear gas shadows in the portal vein and its branches in all 7 cases, which were confined to the left liver in 4 cases and distributed in both sides of the liver in 3 cases. The primary diseases were intestinal obstruction and necrosis in 4 cases, intestinal perforation and necrosis in 1 case, inflammatory bowel disease in 1 case, and acute pancreatitis in 1 case. Five patients were complicated with hypertension, diabetes and other diseases. Two patients received surgical treatment, and the average time from surgery to diagnosis was 6.8 h. Five cases received conservative treatment, 2 cases were cured and 3 cases died, with an average time from onset to death of 21.2 h.Conclusions:Contrast-enhanced abdominal CT should be the preferred method for the diagnosis of HPVG. The primary disease and its severity should be fully evaluated in the treatment of HPVG. Patients with intestinal necrosis should undergo laparotomy as soon as possible, and enterostomy should be performed during the operation. Clinicians should strengthen the awareness of HPVG in order to improve the prognosis of patients.

Objective To compare the outcomes of transplant kidneys and patient survival between simultaneous pancreas-kidney transplantation(SPKT)recipients and deceased donor kidney transplant(DDKT)recipients in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)complicated with end-stage renal disease(ESRD),and to analyze the risk factors affecting patient survival post-SPKT.Methods Clinical and prognostic data of patients who underwent kidney transplantation from January 27,2003,to January 1,2021,were retrieved from the United Network for Organ Sharing(UNOS)database.A total of 50 230 cases were selected based on inclusion criteria,with 48 669 cases in DDKT group and 1561 cases in SPKT group.Kaplan-Meier analysis was employed to compare transplant kidney and patient survival between the two groups,and propensity score matching(PSM)was utilized to balance confounding factors between the groups.Cox regression model was used to analyze independent risk factors affecting patient survival post-SPKT.Results Compared with DDKT group,recipients in SPKT group had a younger median age(P<0.001),a higher proportion of males(P<0.001),lower BMI(P<0.001),shorter dialysis and transplant waiting times(P<0.001),a higher percentage of private medical insurance(P<0.001),a lower proportion of previous transplants(P<0.001),a younger age at diabetes diagnosis(P<0.001),and a lower incidence of peripheral vascular disease(P=0.033).Compared with DDKT group,the donors in SPKT group had a younger median age(P<0.001),a higher proportion of males(P<0.001),lower BMI(P<0.001),and a lower prevalence of hypertension and diabetes history(P<0.001).In terms of transplant-related factors,the SPKT group had a shorter donor kidney cold ischemia time(P<0.001),a higher degree of HLA mismatch(P<0.001),and a lower Kidney Donor Profile Index(KDPI)(P<0.001)when compared with DDKT group.The SPKT group had lower serum creatinine levels at discharge(P<0.001),lower rates of postoperative delayed graft function(DGF)and acute rejection(AR)(P<0.001),but longer hospital stays(P<0.001)when compared with DDKT group.Kaplan-Meier survival analysis curves,both original and after propensity score matching(PSM),consistently showed significantly higher transplant kidney and patient survival rates in SPKT group compared with DDKT group(P<0.001).Cox regression model analysis indicated that recipient age,recipient race,donor age,and donor kidney cold ischemia time were independent risk factors influencing patient survival post-SPKT.Conclusions For ESRD patients with T2DM,SPKT offers improved long-term graft and patient survival rates compared with DDKT.Recipient age,recipient ethnicity,donor age,and cold ischemia time for the donor's kidney are independent risk factors affecting post-SPKT patient survival.