Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is largely attributed to impaired endogenous repair. Nucleus pulposus-derived stem cells (NPSCs) senescence leads to endogenous repair failure. Small extracellular vesicles/exosomes derived from mesenchymal stem cells (mExo) have shown great therapeutic potential in IDD, while whether mExo could alleviate NPSCs senescence and its mechanisms remained unknown. We established a compression-induced NPSCs senescence model and rat IDD models to evaluate the therapeutic efficiency of mExo and investigate the mechanisms. We found that mExo significantly alleviated NPSCs senescence and promoted disc regeneration while knocking down thioredoxin (TXN) impaired the protective effects of mExo. TXN was bound to various endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) proteins. Autocrine motility factor receptor (AMFR) mediated TXN K63 ubiquitination to promote the binding of TXN on ESCRT proteins and sorting of TXN into mExo. Knocking down exosomal TXN inhibited the transcriptional activity of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and activator protein 1 (AP-1). NRF2 and AP-1 inhibition reduced endogenous TXN production that was promoted by exosomal TXN. Inhibition of NRF2 in vivo diminished the anti-senescence and regenerative effects of mExo. Conclusively, AMFR-mediated TXN ubiquitination promoted the sorting of TXN into mExo, allowing exosomal TXN to promote endogenous TXN production in NPSCs via TXN/NRF2/AP-1 feed-forward circuit to alleviate NPSCs senescence and disc degeneration.

Objective: To explore the network structure characteristics and core items of rural middle school students suffering from campus bullying and anxiety symptoms, so as to provide a reference basis for the precise prevention and intervention of the comorbidity of campus bullying and anxiety symptoms. Methods: From September 2021 to March 2022, a multi stage random cluster sampling method was used to select 1 920 rural middle school students from Xuzhou. The Chinese version of the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire was used to investigate the situation of campus bullying, and the Chinese version of the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) was used to assess anxiety symptoms. The network analysis method was used to construct the network between suffering from campus bullying and anxiety symptoms of rural middle school students to evaluate the centrality, bridge strength, stability and accuracy of each item. Results: The total score of suffering from campus bullying symptoms of rural middle school students was (10.42±3.26) points, and the total score of anxiety symptoms was (11.47±4.93) points. The symptom with the highest strength and expected influence was "unable to stop or control one s worry emotions", and the node strength and expected influence value was 1.041 7. The nodes "feel nervous, anxious or irritable" and "unable to stop or control one s worry emotions" were most closely related. The symptoms with the highest bridge strength were "others give me ugly nicknames to scold me or make fun of and satirize me" and "unable to stop or control one s worry emotions". Conclusions Rural middle school students suffering from campus bullying is related to anxiety symptoms. Accurate intervention according to the intervention targets may minimize the negative impact of suffering from campus bullying and anxiety symptoms on rural middle school students.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for portopulmonary hypertension(POPH)in liver cirrhosis,and to construct a noninvasive predictive model.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the clinical data of 310 cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension who were hospitalized in The Third Affiliated Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2013 to August 2022,and according to whether pulmonary artery systolic pressure was≥40 mmHg on ultrasound,the patients were divided into POPH group with 31 patients and non-POPH group with 279 patients.The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups,and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups;the chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups.A binary Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the independent risk factors for POPH,and a nomogram prediction model was constructed.The Bootstrap resampling method was used for internal validation,and C-index and calibration curve were used to assess the discriminatory ability and consistency of the model.The rms package was used to plot the nomogram.Results Compared with the non-POPH group,the POPH group had a significantly younger age,a significantly higher proportion of women or patients with hepatic encephalopathy or Child-Pugh class C disease,and significantly higher levels of direct bilirubin,Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score,albumin-bilirubin(ALBI)score,international normalized ratio,prothrombin time,FIB-4 index,LOK score,and Forns index,as well as significantly lower levels of serum albumin,alanine aminotransferase,gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase,hemoglobin,total cholesterol,and triglycerides(all P<0.05).The multivariate analysis showed that sex(odds ratio[OR]=0.172,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.064-0.462,P<0.001),age(OR=0.944,95%CI:0.901-0.989,P=0.016),ALBI score(OR=3.091,95%CI:1.100-8.687,P=0.032),and hepatic encephalopathy(OR=3.466,95%CI:1.331-9.031,P=0.011)were independent risk factors for POPH.A predictive model for POPH in liver cirrhosis was established based on the above independent risk factors,with a C-index of 0.796(95%CI:0.701-0.890),suggesting that the model had good discriminatory ability,and the calibration curve showed that the model had good calibration ability,suggesting that the model had certain predictive efficacy.Conclusion Young female individuals,elevated ALBI score,and comorbidity with hepatic encephalopathy are independent risk factors for POPH in patients with liver cirrhosis,and the predictive model established based on these factors has a certain clinical application value.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of N-(2R,3R,4R,5R,6R-pentahydroxyhexyl)-(N-disubstituted sodium formate)-L-methylthio-glutamate sodium (GMDTC) against cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) in rats. Methods Specific pathogen free male adult SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group, low-dose group and high-dose group, with eight rats in each group. The rats in the latter three groups were injected with cisplatin at a dose of 4 mg/kg body mass through the tail vein to establish an AKI model, while the control group was not treated. Rats in the low-dose and high-dose groups were injected with injectable GMDTC at doses of 108 and 433 mg/kg body mass through the tail vein, respectively, in two hours after intoxication, while the rats in the model group were injected with an equal volume of 0.9% sodium chloride solution, once per day for five consecutive days. The 24-hours urine platinum level at day 1, 3, 5 and the level of whole blood platinum, serum platinum, urinary platinum and renal platinum at day 6 were determined using the inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry after GMDTC administration. Serum renal functional indicators and electrolyte level were detected, and renal histopathology was observed at day 6 after GMDTC administration. Results The levels of serum urea, serum creatinine, serum calcium ion, whole blood platinum, serum platinum and renal platinum, and the score of renal tubular injury in the model group were higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05). The 24-hours urinary platinum level at day 1, 3 and 5 after GMDTC administration in the model group was also higher than those in the control group (all P<0.05), and AKI changes were observed in histopathology. The levels of serum urea, serum creatinine, serum calcium ion, whole blood platinum, serum platinum, renal platinum, and renal tubular injury scores of rats in the low- and high-dose groups decreased compared with that in the model group (all P<0.05). The 24-hour urinary platinum levels on the first day after GMDTC administration of rats in the low- and high-dose groups increased compared with that in the model group (all P<0.05), as well as the renal histopathological changes of AKI were improved. However, there was no significant difference in the above-mentioned indicators between the low- and high-dose groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion GMDTC can promote the elimination of platinum in urine, effectively reduce the platinum level in blood and renal tissues, alleviate the pathological damage of renal tubules in rats, and improve the cisplatin-induced AKI.

Objective To explore the role of zinc finger protein 36 (ZFP36) in regulating osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and preosteoblasts. Methods ZFP36 expression was observed in primary mouse BMSCs and mouse preosteoblasts (MC3T3-E1 cells) during induced osteogenic differentiation. Zfp36-deficient cell models were constructed in the two cells using RNA interference technique and the changes in differentiation capacities of the transfected cells into osteoblasts were observed. Transcriptome sequencing was used to investigate the potential mechanisms of ZFP36 for regulating osteoblast differentiation of the two cells. U0126, a ERK/MAPK signal suppressor, was used to verify the regulatory mechanism of Zfp36 in osteogenic differentiation of Zfp36-deficient cells. Results During the 14-day induction of osteogenic differentiation, both mouse BMSCs and MC3T3-E1 cells exhibited increased expression of ZFP36, and its mRNA expression reached the peak level on Day 7 (P<0.0001). The Zfp36-deficient cell models showed reduced intensity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and alizarin red staining with significantly lowered expressions of the osteogenic marker genes including Alpl, Sp7, Bglap and Ibsp (P<0.01). Transcriptome sequencing verified the reduction of bone mineralization-related gene expressions in Zfp36-deficient cells and indicated the involvement of ERK signaling in the potential regulatory mechanism of Zfp36. Immunoblotting showed that pERK protein expression increased significantly in Zfp36-deficient cells compared with the control cells. In Zfp36-deficient MC3T3-E1 cells, inhibition of activated ERK/MAPK signaling with U0126 resulted in obviously enhanced ALP staining and significantly increased expressions of osteoblast differentiation markers Runx2 and Bglap (P<0.05). Conclusions ZFP36 is involved in the regulation of osteoblast differentiation of mouse BMSCs and preosteoblasts, and ZFP36 deficiency causes inhibition of osteoblast differentiation of the cells by activating the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway.

Purpose/Significance By investigating and analyzing the characteristics of scientific data citation of scientific data sharing institutions in the field of medical and population health,the paper provides references and guidance for open sharing and standardized ci-tation of scientific data.Method/Process Taking the National Population Health Data Center as an example,the literature analysis meth-od is used to analyze the scientific data citation behavior and its traceability in this field.Result/Conclusion It is found that there are non-standard citation behaviors such as inconsistent labeling positions and missing citation elements in the scientific data in the field of medical and population health,and a large number of open and shared scientific data cannot be effectively traced.It is urgent to improve the standards of scientific data citation,strengthen the management of scientific data platform,enhance the awareness of scientific re-searchers,and promote scientific data sharing and citation.

Objective To explore the role of zinc finger protein 36 (ZFP36) in regulating osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) and preosteoblasts. Methods ZFP36 expression was observed in primary mouse BMSCs and mouse preosteoblasts (MC3T3-E1 cells) during induced osteogenic differentiation. Zfp36-deficient cell models were constructed in the two cells using RNA interference technique and the changes in differentiation capacities of the transfected cells into osteoblasts were observed. Transcriptome sequencing was used to investigate the potential mechanisms of ZFP36 for regulating osteoblast differentiation of the two cells. U0126, a ERK/MAPK signal suppressor, was used to verify the regulatory mechanism of Zfp36 in osteogenic differentiation of Zfp36-deficient cells. Results During the 14-day induction of osteogenic differentiation, both mouse BMSCs and MC3T3-E1 cells exhibited increased expression of ZFP36, and its mRNA expression reached the peak level on Day 7 (P<0.0001). The Zfp36-deficient cell models showed reduced intensity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and alizarin red staining with significantly lowered expressions of the osteogenic marker genes including Alpl, Sp7, Bglap and Ibsp (P<0.01). Transcriptome sequencing verified the reduction of bone mineralization-related gene expressions in Zfp36-deficient cells and indicated the involvement of ERK signaling in the potential regulatory mechanism of Zfp36. Immunoblotting showed that pERK protein expression increased significantly in Zfp36-deficient cells compared with the control cells. In Zfp36-deficient MC3T3-E1 cells, inhibition of activated ERK/MAPK signaling with U0126 resulted in obviously enhanced ALP staining and significantly increased expressions of osteoblast differentiation markers Runx2 and Bglap (P<0.05). Conclusions ZFP36 is involved in the regulation of osteoblast differentiation of mouse BMSCs and preosteoblasts, and ZFP36 deficiency causes inhibition of osteoblast differentiation of the cells by activating the ERK/MAPK signaling pathway.

AIM:To investigate the clinical charac-teristics of tramadol-induced hypoglycemia.METH-ODS:Case reports of tramadol-induced hypoglyce-mia were collected by searching Chinese and Eng-lish data from the database establishment to April 28,2023.RESULTS:Twenty patients were included,with a median age of 50 years(4,88).Hypoglyce-mia occurred 1 h-23 d after tramadol administra-tion,with a median blood glucose of 2.25 mmol/L(0.22,3.3)and a median daily dose of 300 mg(1.53,14 000).The main clinical manifestations were unconscious(12 cases),multiple organ failure(7 cases),asystole and/or apnea(7 cases),seizures(4 cases),somnolence(3 cases)and sweating(3 cases).Tramadol concentrations were reported in 6 patients,with a median of 3.56 mg/L(0.47,9.4).Af-ter stopping tramadol in 20 patients and giving symptomatic supportive treatment,16 patients re-covered,1 patient had moderate brain dysfunction,and 3 patients died.CONCLUSION:Tramadol in-duced hypoglycemia can occur from 1 h to 23 d af-ter administration,and can be clinically manifested as autonomic nervous system symptoms and neu-rohypoglycemia symptoms,mainly neurohypoglyce-mia symptoms.After stopping tramadol,most pa-tients with hypoglycemia returned to normal,and severe patients can die.

Objective:To explore the application value of qualitative characteristics and quantitative parameters of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in the differential diagnosis of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) and non-PDAC presenting as pancreatic solid focal lesions.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 64 cases of PDAC(the PDAC group) and 52 cases of non-PDAC(the non-PDAC group) who underwent CEUS examination at Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital from July 2022 to June 2023. Clinical characteristics, two-dimensional ultrasound features, CEUS qualitative characteristic, and quantitative parameters were compared between the two groups. ROC curves were plotted, and the Delong test was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance of qualitative and quantitative analyses in distinguishing PDAC from non-PDAC. Binary logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the independent predictors of PDAC.Results:①There were significant differences in serum CA19-9, lesion size, boundary, the main pancreatic duct (MPD) diameter, degree of enhancement and enhancement pattern between the PDAC group and the non-PDAC group (all P<0.05). ②The relative peak intensity (rPE), and relative wash-in and wash-out area under the curve (rWiWoAUC) were lower in the PDAC group than the non-PDAC group, with statistically significant differences(all P<0.001). ③The areas under the curve (AUC) for diagnosing PDAC using enhancement pattern, venous phase(VP) enhancement degree, rPE, and rWiWoAUC were 0.698, 0.707, 0.863, and 0.867, respectively. The AUCs of quantitative parameters were superior to those of qualitative characteristics, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Using CEUS mode B, low VP enhancement, rPE<72.44, and rWiWoAUC<86.59 as cut-off values, the accuracies for diagnosing PDAC were 0.698, 0.741, 0.828, and 0.802, respectively. ④Serum CA19-9, lesion size, MPD diameter, rPE, and rWiWoAUC were independent predictors of PDAC (all P<0.05). Conclusions:CEUS qualitative and quantitative analyses are helpful in the differential diagnosis of PDAC and non-PDAC, with rPE and rWiWoAUC being useful indicators for diagnosing PDAC.