Background and Objectives: SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (Shank3) proteins play crucial roles as neuronal postsynaptic scaffolds. Alongside neuropsychiatric symptoms, individuals with SHANK3 mutations often exhibit symptoms related to dysfunctions in other organs, including the heart. However, detailed insights into the cardiac functions of Shank3 remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the cardiac phenotypes of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cardiac histological analysis, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram recordings were conducted on Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice. Electrophysiological properties, including action potentials and L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) currents, were measured in isolated cardiomyocytes. Ca2+ homeostasis was assessed by analyzing cytosolic Ca2+transients and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents. Depolarization-induced cell shortening was examined in cardiomyocytes. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometrybased identification was employed to identify proteins in the cardiac Shank3 interactome.Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses were conducted to identify changes in protein expression in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Results: The hearts of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice displayed reduced weight and increased fibrosis. In vivo, sudden cardiac death, arrhythmia, and contractility impairments were identified. Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes showed prolonged action potential duration and increased LTCC current density. Cytosolic Ca2+ transients were increased with prolonged decay time, while sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents remained normal. Cell shortening was augmented in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. The cardiac Shank3 interactome comprised 78 proteins with various functions. Troponin I levels were down-regulated in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Conclusions This study revealed cardiac dysfunction in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice, potentially attributed to changes in Ca2+ homeostasis and contraction, with a notable reduction in troponin I.

Background and Objectives: SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (Shank3) proteins play crucial roles as neuronal postsynaptic scaffolds. Alongside neuropsychiatric symptoms, individuals with SHANK3 mutations often exhibit symptoms related to dysfunctions in other organs, including the heart. However, detailed insights into the cardiac functions of Shank3 remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the cardiac phenotypes of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cardiac histological analysis, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram recordings were conducted on Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice. Electrophysiological properties, including action potentials and L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) currents, were measured in isolated cardiomyocytes. Ca2+ homeostasis was assessed by analyzing cytosolic Ca2+transients and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents. Depolarization-induced cell shortening was examined in cardiomyocytes. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometrybased identification was employed to identify proteins in the cardiac Shank3 interactome.Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses were conducted to identify changes in protein expression in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Results: The hearts of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice displayed reduced weight and increased fibrosis. In vivo, sudden cardiac death, arrhythmia, and contractility impairments were identified. Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes showed prolonged action potential duration and increased LTCC current density. Cytosolic Ca2+ transients were increased with prolonged decay time, while sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents remained normal. Cell shortening was augmented in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. The cardiac Shank3 interactome comprised 78 proteins with various functions. Troponin I levels were down-regulated in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Conclusions This study revealed cardiac dysfunction in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice, potentially attributed to changes in Ca2+ homeostasis and contraction, with a notable reduction in troponin I.

Background and Objectives: SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (Shank3) proteins play crucial roles as neuronal postsynaptic scaffolds. Alongside neuropsychiatric symptoms, individuals with SHANK3 mutations often exhibit symptoms related to dysfunctions in other organs, including the heart. However, detailed insights into the cardiac functions of Shank3 remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the cardiac phenotypes of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cardiac histological analysis, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram recordings were conducted on Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice. Electrophysiological properties, including action potentials and L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) currents, were measured in isolated cardiomyocytes. Ca2+ homeostasis was assessed by analyzing cytosolic Ca2+transients and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents. Depolarization-induced cell shortening was examined in cardiomyocytes. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometrybased identification was employed to identify proteins in the cardiac Shank3 interactome.Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses were conducted to identify changes in protein expression in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Results: The hearts of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice displayed reduced weight and increased fibrosis. In vivo, sudden cardiac death, arrhythmia, and contractility impairments were identified. Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes showed prolonged action potential duration and increased LTCC current density. Cytosolic Ca2+ transients were increased with prolonged decay time, while sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents remained normal. Cell shortening was augmented in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. The cardiac Shank3 interactome comprised 78 proteins with various functions. Troponin I levels were down-regulated in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Conclusions This study revealed cardiac dysfunction in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice, potentially attributed to changes in Ca2+ homeostasis and contraction, with a notable reduction in troponin I.

Background and Objectives: SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (Shank3) proteins play crucial roles as neuronal postsynaptic scaffolds. Alongside neuropsychiatric symptoms, individuals with SHANK3 mutations often exhibit symptoms related to dysfunctions in other organs, including the heart. However, detailed insights into the cardiac functions of Shank3 remain limited. This study aimed to characterize the cardiac phenotypes of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice and explore the underlying mechanisms. Methods: Cardiac histological analysis, electrocardiogram and echocardiogram recordings were conducted on Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice. Electrophysiological properties, including action potentials and L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) currents, were measured in isolated cardiomyocytes. Ca2+ homeostasis was assessed by analyzing cytosolic Ca2+transients and sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents. Depolarization-induced cell shortening was examined in cardiomyocytes. Immunoprecipitation followed by mass spectrometrybased identification was employed to identify proteins in the cardiac Shank3 interactome.Western blot and immunocytochemical analyses were conducted to identify changes in protein expression in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Results: The hearts of Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice displayed reduced weight and increased fibrosis. In vivo, sudden cardiac death, arrhythmia, and contractility impairments were identified. Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes showed prolonged action potential duration and increased LTCC current density. Cytosolic Ca2+ transients were increased with prolonged decay time, while sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca2+ contents remained normal. Cell shortening was augmented in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. The cardiac Shank3 interactome comprised 78 proteins with various functions. Troponin I levels were down-regulated in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic cardiomyocytes. Conclusions This study revealed cardiac dysfunction in Shank3-overexpressing transgenic mice, potentially attributed to changes in Ca2+ homeostasis and contraction, with a notable reduction in troponin I.

BACKGROUND:The results of in vivo and in vitro studies showed that catalpol from Rehmannia glutinosa can significantly reduce the level of inflammatory indexes in the synovial tissue of rats with knee osteoarthritis,and meanwhile,it can delay the progression of knee osteoarthritis.But whether catalpol from Rehmannia glutinosa affects chondrocyte senescence and then delay the progression of knee osteoarthritis has not yet been clarified. OBJECTIVE:To investigate investigate whether catalpol from Rehmannia glutinosa could regulate ATDC5 chondrocyte senescence and the possible mechanisms. METHODS:ATDC5 chondrocytes were divided into blank group(0.1%bovine serum albumin),model group(0.1%bovine serum albumin+1 μmol/L adriamycin),low-dose catalpol group(0.1%bovine serum albumin+1 μmol/L adriamycin+20 μmol/L catalpol from Rehmannia glutinosa)and high-dose catalpol group(0.1%bovine serum albumin+1 μmol/L adriamycin+80 μmol/L catalpol from Rehmannia glutinosa).Adriamycin-induced ATDC5 chondrocyte senescence model was constructed,and the corresponding treatments were given according to the above groups.Cell counting kit-8 assay was used to detect the effects of catalpol from Rehmannia glutinosa on ATDC5 chondrocyte viability,and to screen the optimal concentration of catalpol from Rehmannia glutinosa.The senescence of ATDC5 chondrocytes in each group was detected by β-galactosidase staining after the corresponding treatments.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression of P21,P53,type II collagen,matrix metalloproteinase 13,and interleukin-6.Immunofluorescence method was used to detect the expression of P21,P53 and type II collagen.Flow cytometry was used to detect apoptosis in each group. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:ATDC5 chondrocytes were identified to be successfully induced and senescence model was induced.Catalpol from Rehmannia glutinosa at the concentrations of 0,20,40,and 80 μmol/L showed no significant effects on the cell viability,suggesting that catalpol from Rehmannia glutinosa is non-cytotoxic and can be used safely(P>0.05);when the concentration was≥100 μmol/L,the cell viability was reduced,suggesting that there may be cytotoxic.Therefore,80 μmol/L was chosen as the high dose for subsequent experiments in this study.The percentage of positive cells in the model group was(86.93±2.18)%,which was significantly higher than that in the blank group[(17.32±0.72)%;P<0.05].Compared with the model group,the percentage of positive cells was significantly lower in the low-and high-dose catalpol groups[(57.28±1.73)%and(27.18±0.97)%,respectively;both P<0.05].Compared with the model group,the relative expression of P21,P53,matrix metalloproteinase 13,and interleukin-6 at mRNA and protein levels was significantly downregulated in the low-and high-dose catalpol groups,while the relative expression of type II collagen at mRNA and protein levels was significantly upregulated in both groups(P<0.05),especially in the high-dose catalpol group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the fluorescence intensities of P21 and P53 were significantly weakened in the low-and high-dose catalpol groups,while the fluorescence intensity of type II collagen was significantly enhanced in the low-and high-dose catalpol groups(P<0.05),especially in the high-dose catalpol group(P<0.05).The cell apoptosis detected by Annexin V/PI method showed that there was no significant difference between the model group and the blank group(P>0.05);compared with the model group,the apoptotic index was significantly elevated in the low-and high-dose catalpol groups,especially in the high-dose catalpol group(P<0.05).To conclude,catalpol from Rehmannia glutinosa can slow the progression of osteoarthritis by promoting apoptosis of senescent ATDC5 chondrocytes,further removing senescent ATDC5 chondrocytes,and decreasing the senescence-associated phenotypes.

Objective:To investigate the effect of macrophage-derived exosomes on the morphological transformation of Candida albicans (CA), and to explore the underlying mechanisms.Methods:In vitro cultured human acute monocytic leukemia cell line THP-1 was induced and differentiated into M0 macrophages using the phorbol ester PMA. CA was activated and prepared as the fungal suspension. M0 macrophages were infected with the CA suspension, and the process of cell phagocytosis was observed under a high-content imaging analysis system. M0 macrophage-derived exosomes (exosome group) and CA-infected M0 macrophage-derived exosomes (CA exosome group) were extracted by differential centrifugation; transmission electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and Western blot analysis were performed to identify and compare exosomes in the two groups. The exosomes from the two groups were separately co-cultured with CA (exosome-treated group and CA exosome-treated group), and independently cultured CA served as the blank control group; the morphological changes of CA were observed under an inverted microscope, the intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) contents were detected by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and the expression levels of cAMP-related genes, RAS1 and CDC35 (also known as Cyr1), were detected by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) . Results:Western blot analysis showed that exosomes from the exosome group and CA exosome group both expressed the tumor susceptibility gene 101 protein (TSG101, an exosome marker), and did not express calnexin (a negative marker) ; transmission electron microscopy and nanoparticle tracking analysis showed no significant differences in the morphology or size of the exosomes between the two groups. Compared with the blank control group, the exosome-treated group and CA exosome-treated group both showed obvious inhibition of the yeast-to-mycelial phase transition of CA, with a noticeable reduction in the length of the hyphae under the inverted microscope. ELISA revealed that the intracellular cAMP content in CA significantly decreased in the exosome-treated group and CA exosome-treated group (16.70 ± 0.84 pmol/ml, 16.82 ± 0.87 pmol/ml, respectively) compared with the blank control group (21.82 ± 1.08 pmol/ml; t = 6.45, 6.23, respectively, both P = 0.003). RT-qPCR revealed that the expression of the cAMP-related genes, RAS1 and CDC35, was down-regulated in the exosome-treated group and CA exosome-treated group compared with the blank control group (all P < 0.01), and the RAS1 mRNA expression was significantly lower in the CA exosome-treated group than in the exosome-treated group ( t = 7.43, P = 0.002) . Conclusion:Both M0 macrophage-derived exosomes and CA-infected M0 macrophage-derived exosomes could effectively inhibit the mycelial growth of CA, and the latter one exhibited a stronger inhibitory effect, possibly by down-regulating cAMP in the cAMP/protein kinase A pathway.

Objective:To investigate the current situation and influencing factors of patients′ satisfaction with nursing humanistic care, and to provide reference for improving the quality of such care provided by hospitals.Methods:From July to August 2022, outpatients and inpatients in 30 provinces were selected by multi-stage stratified sampling as the survey objects. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on an online platform, using the general information questionnaire and Chinese version of methodist health care system nurse caring instrument revised by the research group. The latter instrument consists of 12 dimensions. namely care coordination, competence, teaching/learning, emotional support, respect for individuality, physical comfort, availability, helping/trusting relationship, patient/family engagement, physical environment, spiritual environment and outcomes. Descriptive analysis was performed on the data collected by the questionnaires, and independent sample t-test and one-way ANOVA were used to analyze the influencing factors of patient satisfaction. Results:A total of 107 hospitals were selected for questionnaire survey, including 86 tertiary hospitals and 21 secondary hospitals, and 29 108 valid questionnaires were recovered. The patient satisfaction with nursing humanistic care scored (5.40±0.86); the top three dimensions were competence (5.50±0.89), emotional support (5.47±0.88) and helping/trusting relationship (5.46±0.86); the lowest scoring dimensions were teaching/learning (5.38±1.01), spiritual environment (5.36±1.04) and patient/family engagement (5.11±1.28). Differences with gender, age, marital status, child status, educational level, occupation, place of residence, economic region, per capita monthly income of the family, type of medical insurance, medical department visited and surgery or not presented significant differences on the patient satisfaction with nursing humanistic care scores ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The satisfaction of patients with hospital′s nursing humanistic care in China was at the middle to upper level. In the future, health education for patients should be strengthened, and a mode of family-engaged nursing humanistic care should be constructed in line with the Chinese cultural background. In the process of nursing services, the particularity of patient groups should be considered to better meet their needs.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Jianpi Yishen Huazhuo prescription in the improvement of ovarian function in polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS）. MethodSeventy female SD rats in SPF grade were randomly divided into 6 groups， 15 in the blank group and 15 in the model group， 10 in the metformin group （0.1 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and 10 in the low （1.275 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， medium （2.55 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high-dose （5.10 g·kg^-1·d^-1） Jianpi Yishen Huazhuo prescription groups. The blank group was given normal saline （10 mL·kg^-1·d^-1） by gavage and ordinary feed， and the other groups were given letrozole （1 mg·kg^-1·d^-1） by gavage combined with high-fat feed for 21 days to induce the model of PCOS. After modeling， the blank group and model group were given equal volume normal saline by gavage， and each drug group was given the corresponding dose of the drug by gavage for 30 days. The changes in body mass and fasting blood glucose （FPG） of rats before and after modeling were compared. Hematoxylin eosin （HE） staining was used to observe the morphological change in the ovaries of rats in each group. The serum levels of follicle stimulating hormone （FSH）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， testosterone （T）， anti-Mullerian hormone （AMH）， and estradiol （E₂） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and the LH/FSH ratio was calculated. Immunohistochemical staining （IHC） and Western blot were used to detect the protein expression levels of nucleoside binding oligomerization domain protein like receptor 3 （NALP3）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein （ASC）， cysteine protease-1 （Caspase-1）， nuclear transcription factor-κB （NF-κB）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， interleukin-18 （IL-18）， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） in the rat ovaries. ResultAs compared with the blank group， large follicles with polycystic expansion were found in the ovaries of the model group， no dominant follicles were found， the granular layer of follicles decreased and arranged loosely， and the number of corpus luteum decreased significantly. Serum T， LH， AMH and LH/FSH increased in the model group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while FSH and E₂ decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The relative protein expression levels of NALP3， ASC， Caspase-1， NF-κB， IL-1β， IL-18， and IL-6 increased （P<0.05， P<0.01） in the ovaries of the model group. Compared with the model group， the low， medium， and high-dose Jianpi Yishen Huazhuo prescription groups and the metformin group showed growing follicles and corpus luteum at all levels， the number of cystic expanding follicles decreased， the thickness of follicular granular layer increased， the number of follicular fluid increased， mature follicles were visible， and the local morphology of oocytes was complete. Serum T， LH， AMH， and LH/FSH in these groups decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while E₂ and FSH increased （P<0.05）. The relative protein expressions of NALP3， ASC， Caspase-1， NF-κB， IL-1β， IL-18， and IL-6 in the ovaries of these groups decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. There was no significant difference among the treatment groups. ConclusionBy inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome， Jianpi Yishen Huazhuo prescription reduces the release of NALP3， ASC， Caspase-1， NF-κB， IL-18， IL-1β， and IL-6 inflammatory factors in ovarian tissues， regulates endocrine level， and effectively reduces PCOS inflammatory statu， so as to play a role in improving ovarian function.

The rapid development of point-of-care testing (POCT) in clinical laboratories has brought challenges to the unified management in the hospital. There are many problems, such as how to ensure the ability and qualification of POCT operators, how to improve the quality management awareness of human, machines, materials, methods and environment in the process of POCT in clinical laboratories, how to help the clinical laboratories in the hospital to carry out POCT comparison, and how to strengthen the information construction of POCT in the hospital. Thus, this article reviews the practice and experience of POCT management in our hospital on POCT quality assurance and the problems existing in POCT in clinical departments, proposes suggestions and solutions to strengthen the unified management of POCT in clinical laboratories and establish POCT quality management documents and to improve quality awareness. We hope to provide references for hospital administrators, medical departments, nursing departments, quality control departments and other functional departments on the quality management of POCT in the hospital, and find helpful answers to the puzzles of clinical laboratory in POCT, so as to make joint efforts to standardize the quality management of POCT in the hospital to ensure the accuracy of testing results.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between vulnerability of mouse coronary artery plaque and downstream myocardial perfusion and myocardial strain.Methods:Thirteen ApoE knockout mice with stable coronary plaques (stable plaque group)and 13 ApoE knockout mice with vulnerable coronary plaques(vulnerable plaque group) were selected as the experimental group, and 15 sex- and age-matched C57BL/6 mice with the same genetic background as ApoE mice were chosed as the control group. Myocardial contrast echocardiography (MCE) was carried out to quantify regional myocardial perfusion at rest and during adenosine stress using a Vevo 2100 system (Visual sonics). Replenishment curves of myocardial contrast were obtained, and rates of signal rise (β) and plateau intensity (A) were recorded. MBF was estimated by the product of A and β. Speckle tracking imaging combined with adenosine stress test was used to evaluate the longitudinal strain of left ventricular myocardium in mice. The vulnerability of the plaque was assessed by histopathology in serial tissue sections of proximal and middle left coronary artery according to the previously reported method.Results:There were no significant differences in body weight, heart rate, left ventricular end diastolic volume, left ventricular end systolic volume, left ventricular mass and ejection fraction among the three groups( P>0.05). The levels of serum triglyceride, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein and low density lipoprotein in stable plaque group and vulnerable plaque group were significantly increased when compared with those in control group (all P<0.05). The pathological results showed that the coronary luminal stenosis rates in the stable plaque group and the vulnerable plaque group were (74.3±4.9)% and (75.5±7.1)% respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups( P>0.05). MBF of the middle anterior septum and left ventricular posterior wall in the experimental groups were significantly decreased when compared with that in the control group both in the resting status and during adenosine stress(all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in the MCE parameters between the stable plaque group and the vulnerable plaque group at rest( P>0.05). However, during adenosine stress, MBF of the vulnerable plaque group was decreased more significantly than that of the stable plaque group ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the values of longitudinal strain of the left ventricle in both experimental groups were decreased during resting status, without statistical significance (all P>0.05), but decreased significantly during adenosine stress and with more decrease in the vulnerable plaque group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:For the same degree of coronary artery stenosis in mice, the coronary artery vulnerable plaque group has less downstream myocardial perfusion and myocardial strain than the stable plaque group during adenosine stress. That is, the plaque vulnerability can affect the downstream myocardial perfusion and myocardial strain in the mouse model.