Effects of treadmill exercise on osteoporosis and wnt/beta-catenin signal pathway in aged rats / 中国组织工程研究

BACKGROUND:Exercise training can improve osteoporosis,but its effects and mechanisms on senile osteoporosis are not fully understood. OBJECTIVE:To observe the effect of treadmill exercise on osteoporosis and wnt/β-catenin signal pathway in aged rats. METHODS:Sixteen 24-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into osteoporosis group(n=8)and treadmill group(n=8)and eight 6-month-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were used as young control group.The model of senile osteoporosis was replicated by natural aging and the rats in the treadmill group were treated with treadmill exercise once a day,5 days a week,for 8 weeks.Levels of bone metabolic markers such as type I collagen cross-linked C-terminal peptide,tartrate resistant acid phosphatase,osteocalcin and bone specific alkaline phosphatase were detected by ELISA;bone mineral density of the left femur and L5 was measured by dual energy X-ray;bone scanning and bone microstructure quantitative analysis were performed by bone micro-CT;and the mRNA and protein expression levels of wnt3a,β-catenin,LRP5,DKK1 and GSK3β were detected by RT-PCR and western blot,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the young control group,the osteoporosis group showed a reduction in serum bone specific alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin levels(P<0.05),bone mineral density of the femur and L5,the number of tibia and L4 bone trabeculae,bone volume,bone volume fraction(P<0.05),and mRNA and protein expression of wnt3a,β-catenin,and LRP5 in bone marrow tissue(P<0.05)as well as an increase in serum levels of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase and type I collagen cross-linked C-terminal peptide(P<0.05),the intertrabecular space between the tibia and L4,structural model index(P<0.05),and mRNA and protein expression of DKK1 and GSK3 β in bone marrow tissue(P<0.05).In addition to the reduced number of trabeculae in the tibia and L4 vertebrae,the trabeculae were structurally disturbed and sparsely aligned and fractured.Compared with the osteoporosis group,the treadmill group showed an increase in serum bone specific alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin levels(P<0.05),bone mineral density of the femur and L5(P<0.05),the number of tibial trabeculae,bone volume,bone volume fraction(P<0.05),mRNA and protein expression of wnt3a,β-catenin,and LRP5 in bone marrow tissue(P<0.05)but a reduction in the serum levels of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase and type I collagen cross-linked C-terminal peptide,L4 trabecular space,tibial trabecular space,structural model index,and mRNA and protein expression of DKK1 and GSK3 β in bone marrow tissue(P<0.05).In addition to the increased number of tibial and L4 trabeculae,the trabeculae were arranged in a regular and dense pattern and were connected to a network.To conclude,treadmill exercise may improve osteoporosis in aged rats by activating the wnt/β-catenin signal pathway.

Cell softness reveals tumorigenic potential via ITGB8/AKT/glycolysis signaling in a mice model of orthotopic bladder cancer / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

BACKGROUND@#Bladder cancer, characterized by a high potential of tumor recurrence, has high lifelong monitoring and treatment costs. To date, tumor cells with intrinsic softness have been identified to function as cancer stem cells in several cancer types. Nonetheless, the existence of soft tumor cells in bladder tumors remains elusive. Thus, our study aimed to develop a micro-barrier microfluidic chip to efficiently isolate deformable tumor cells from distinct types of bladder cancer cells.@*METHODS@#The stiffness of bladder cancer cells was determined by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The modified microfluidic chip was utilized to separate soft cells, and the 3D Matrigel culture system was to maintain the softness of tumor cells. Expression patterns of integrin β8 (ITGB8), protein kinase B (AKT), and mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) were determined by Western blotting. Double immunostaining was conducted to examine the interaction between F-actin and tripartite motif containing 59 (TRIM59). The stem-cell-like characteristics of soft cells were explored by colony formation assay and in vivo studies upon xenografted tumor models.@*RESULTS@#Using our newly designed microfluidic approach, we identified a small fraction of soft tumor cells in bladder cancer cells. More importantly, the existence of soft tumor cells was confirmed in clinical human bladder cancer specimens, in which the number of soft tumor cells was associated with tumor relapse. Furthermore, we demonstrated that the biomechanical stimuli arising from 3D Matrigel activated the F-actin/ITGB8/TRIM59/AKT/mTOR/glycolysis pathways to enhance the softness and tumorigenic capacity of tumor cells. Simultaneously, we detected a remarkable up-regulation in ITGB8, TRIM59, and phospho-AKT in clinical bladder recurrent tumors compared with their non-recurrent counterparts.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The ITGB8/TRIM59/AKT/mTOR/glycolysis axis plays a crucial role in modulating tumor softness and stemness. Meanwhile, the soft tumor cells become more sensitive to chemotherapy after stiffening, that offers new insights for hampering tumor progression and recurrence.

Expression of CD226 in the small intestinal group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3) in mice / 细胞与分子免疫学杂志

Objective To observe the expression of adhesion molecule CD226 on the small intestinal group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3) in mice. Methods The bioinformatics was used to analyze the expression of CD226 on murine ILCs. Small intestinal mucosal lamina propria lymphocytes (LPL) were isolated from wild-type C57BL/6J mice, and the expression of CD226 on ILC1 and ILC3 was detected by flow cytometry. A mouse model of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis was constructed to observe the changes in the expression of CD226 on ILC3. Results Both ILC1 and ILC3 in the mice small intestine expressed CD226 molecules; the proportion of ILC3 was reduced, while the expression level of CD226 on ILC3 was increased in the colitis model. Conclusion CD226 is expressed on the small intestines of mice, and although the proportion of ILC3 decreases in the DSS-induced colitis, the expression of CD226 on ILC3 increases.

Application and prospects of ctDNA detection in HPV associated cervical cancer / 实用医学杂志

Circulating tumor DNA(ctDNA)is a kind of cell-free DNA derived from tumors,which carries comprehensive tumor genetic information;Recent studies have found that ctDNA detection can play a role in the early diagnosis,targeted therapy,and prediction of recurrence in tumors.Human papillomavirus(HPV)-associated gynecological malignancies include most cervical cancer,some vulvar cancer,and vaginal cancer.High-risk HPV long-term infection and integration with cell genome are important causes of these cancers.Studies found that the use of ctDNA detection technology to dynamically monitor changes in HPV-ctDNA can provide valuable information for the clinical management and prognosis of these cancers.Thus,HPV-ctDNA is expected to become an biomarker for HPV-associated tumors.

Randomized Double-blind Placebo-controlled Trial of Modified Zuojinwan Granules in Treating Reflux Esophagitis and Functional Dyspepsia with Same Syndrome with Disharmony Between Liver and Stomach / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy of modified Zuojinwan granules in treating reflux esophagitis （RE） and functional dyspepsia （FD） with the same syndrome with disharmony between liver and stomach）. MethodA randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted to enroll 144 patients with disharmony between liver and stomach， including 72 patients with RE and 72 patients with FD. These patients were then randomly divided into observation and control groups， with 36 patients in each group. The observation group was given modified Zuojinwan granules orally， and the control group was given placebo granules orally. They both were treated with two packs each time， twice a day， for four weeks. The traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome scores， cerebrointestinal peptides ［calcitonin gene-associated titanium （CGRP）， vasoactive intestinal peptide （VIP）， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， and substance P （SP）］， inflammatory factors ［tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-6 （IL-6）］， common gastrointestinal related hormones ［gastrin （GAS） and motilin （MTL）］， and other indicators in the two groups were compared before and after treatment， and the curative effect of TCM syndromes and the occurrence of adverse reactions were determined. At the same time， the changes in the above indicators and the curative effect of TCM syndromes in the two groups of patients with the same disease were analyzed. ResultAfter treatment， CGRP， VIP， 5-HT， SP， TNF-α， IL-6， GAS， MTL， and TCM syndrome scores in the observation group and control group were significantly improved （P<0.05）. After treatment， the improvement of CGRP， VIP， 5-HT， SP， TNF-α， IL-6， GAS， MTL， and TCM syndrome scores in the observation group was better than that in the control group （P<0.05）. After treatment， CGRP， VIP， 5-HT， SP， TNF-α， IL-6， GAS， MTL， and TCM syndrome scores in both groups of RE patients and FD patients were significantly improved （P<0.05）. After treatment， the improvement of CGRP， VIP， 5-HT， SP， TNF-α， IL-6， GAS， MTL， and TCM syndrome scores in RE patients and FD patients in the observation group were better than that in the control group （P<0.05）. In the observation group and the control group， the incidence of nausea， vomiting， fatigue， dry mouth， and other adverse reactions was lower， and there was no statistical significance. ConclusionModified Zuojinwan granules can effectively improve the TCM syndromes of disharmony between liver and stomach of RE and FD， brain and intestinal peptide， gastrointestinal hormone， and inflammatory factors and provide evidence for the clinical application of TCM theory of "treating different diseases with the same method".

Characteristics of anterior segment structure in first-degree relatives of patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the characteristics of anterior segment structure in first-degree relatives of patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma(PACG).METHODS: A total of 48 first-degree relatives of PACG patients aged 40-60 who were treated in the Affiliated Eye Hospital of Nanchang University from September 2020 to October 2022 were selected as the observation group. Additionally, 40 cases(40 eyes)of healthy individuals without glaucoma and family history of glaucoma at the same age group were collected as the control group. They were divided into younger group(40-49 years old)and elder group(50-60 years old). All subjects were examined with ultrasound biomicroscopy(UBM)and were measured using camera measure software. The parameters mainly included anterior chamber depth(ACD), anterior chamber area(ACA), anterior chamber width(ACW), anterior segment depth(ASD), angle open distance(AOD500), trabecular iris angle(TIA), trabecular iris area(TISA500), lens vault(LV), iris curve(IC), iris thickness(IT500), scleral ciliary process angle(SCPA), and iris ciliary process distance(ICPD).RESULTS: ACD, ACA, AOD500, TISA500 and TIA in the observation group were lower than those of the control group, and LV and IC were higher than those of the control group(all P&#x0026;#x003C;0.05). ACD, ACA, AOD500, TISA500, and TIA of the elder group were lower than those in the age-matched control group, while LV and IC were larger than those of the age-matched control group(all P&#x0026;#x003C;0.05). ACD, AOD500, TISA500, and TIA of the younger observation group were smaller than those of the age-matched control group, but LV and IC were significantly larger than those of the age-matched control group(all P&#x0026;#x003C;0.05). ACD, ACA, AOD500, TISA500 and TIA of the elder observation group were significantly lower than those of the younger observation group, and LV and IC were significantly larger than those of the younger observation group(all P&#x0026;#x003C;0.05). There was a difference in the distribution of ACD between the observation group and the control group(P&#x0026;#x003C;0.05), and the proportion of moderate to severe shallow anterior chambers was 10 times that of the control group. Correlation analysis showed that TISA500 was positively correlated with ACD and ACA, and negatively correlated with LV and IC, and TISA500 was mainly influenced by LV. IC had a positive correlation with LV and a negative correlation with ACD and ACA.CONCLUSION: First-degree relatives of PACG with normal axial length have a high risk of angle closure. The anterior segment structures of first-degree relatives of PACG are more crowded than normal individuals, and the lens forward shift may be the initial influencing factor for narrow angle.

Preparation of human monoclonal antibody against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein using single B cell / 中国生物制品学杂志

@#Abstract：Objective To prepare human monoclonal antibody against spike protein（S protein）of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2（SARS⁃CoV⁃2）by using single B cell，and determine its neutralizing activity. Methods Venous blood with high antibody level was collected from people immunized with inactivated SARS⁃CoV⁃2 vaccine（Vero cells） twice，of which peripheral blood mononuclear cells（PBMCs）were isolated by lymphocyte stratified fluid and used to isolate single B cell expressing S protein antibody by magnetic beads coupled with S1 protein. Variable region genes of IgG heavy chain and light chain were amplified by nested PCR after reverse transcription of single B cell，which were connected with CMV promoter，IgG leader sequence，IgG constant region and polyA sequence by overlapping PCR to construct antibody linear expression cassette. Linear expression cassette of the heavy chain and light chain from the same B cell was transfected to HEK293T cells to express human monoclonal antibody of SARS⁃CoV⁃2 S protein. Immunoreactivity was detected by immuno⁃ fluorescence while neutralizing activity by pseudovirus neutralization test. Results A total of 26 monoclonal antibodies against SARS⁃CoV⁃2 S protein were expressed，which showed heavy chain and light chain protein bands of IgG antibody at

Etiology, diagnosis and treatment strategy of dental therapy-related subcutaneous emphysema / 中华口腔医学杂志

Subcutaneous emphysema is the local tissue swelling caused by the gas entering the subcutaneous tissue through the tissue gap. Although subcutaneous emphysema is usually a nonfatal and self-limited disease, in severe cases, the gas may spread to the neck, mediastinum and chest, resulting in mediastinal emphysema and other serious complications. This article reviews the etiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis of subcutaneous emphysema related to dental therapy,and operations that may cause subcutaneous emphysema in stomatology department,as well as the treatment and prognosis of subcutaneous emphysema, with a view to providing some references for dentists.

Whole-course management strategies for gastroesophageal reflux disease: an evidence mapping study based on clinical practice guidelines / 中华胃肠外科杂志

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) is one of the most common digestive diseases with high incidence, complicated clinical symptoms, difficulties in standard treatment, and heavy medical burden. At present, some GERD-relevant clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) have been issued by different countries and academic organizations, but some recommendations were inconsistent, which has caused some problems for the current clinical whole-course management of GERD. To summarize the relevant evidence among the CPGs on GERD and formulate the whole- course management strategies, we included GERD-relevant CPGs published or updated after 2010 by searching websites of guidelines, relevant professional societies, and electronic databases. We extracted the recommendations and summarized the evidence from the aspects of symptoms, epidemiology, diagnosis and treatment, which was presented in the form of evidence mapping. We included 24 CPGs, including three in Chinese and 21 in English. The clinical practice management strategies of GERD were formulated based on the evidence from the aspects of clinical symptoms, diagnostic methods, medical treatment, anti-reflux surgery and endoscopic treatment, psychological treatment, and traditional Chinese medicine treatment.

Influencing factors of coronary heart disease in advanced aged population and therapeutic effect of PCI / 心血管康复医学杂志

Objective:To analyze influencing factors of coronary heart disease(CHD)in advanced aged population and the therapeutic effect of percutaneous coronary intervention(PCI).Methods:According to diagnosed as CHD or not,a total of 209 aged patients underwent cardio-and cerebrovascular examination in our hospital were divided into CHD group(n=104)and no CHD group(n=105),and general clinical data were compared between two groups.According to treatment method,CHD group was divided into routine treatment group(received routine medication)and PCI group;and recovery time,hospital stay,incidence rate of adverse events during admission and prognosis within one-year follow-up were compared between two groups.Influencing factors of CHD in aged population was analyzed.Results:Compared with no CHD group,there were significant rise in percentages of age＞80 years,smoking,diabetes mellitus,hypertension,total cholesterol＞5.17mmol/L,triglyceride＞1.7mmol/L,high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C)＜0.96mmol/L,low density lipoprotein cholesterol＞3.37mmol/L,uric acid＞420μmol/L and fibrinogen＞4 g/L in CHD group(P＜0.05 or＜0.01).Compared with routine treat-ment group,there were significant reductions in recovery time,hospital stay,incidence rates of adverse events,lu-men loss/restenosis,primary and secondary endpoint events within one-year follow-up in PCI group(P＜0.05 or＜0.01).Binary Logistic regression analysis indicated that age＞80 years,uric acid＞420μmol/L and HDL-C＜0.96mmol/L were independent risk factors for CHD in advanced aged population(OR=1.755～6.103,P＜0.05 or＜0.01).Conclusion:Age＞80 years,uric acid＞420μmol/L and HDL-C＜0.96 mmol/L are independent risk fac-tors for coronary heart disease in advanced aged population.PCI can significantly shorten recovery time and treat-ment time in advanced aged patients with coronary heart disease with good safety.

Research progress on the involvement of dopaminergic neurons in the ventral tegmental area in the regula-tion of anxiety-like behavior / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Anxiety disorders,dopaminergic neurons and ventral tegmental area(VTA)are related closely.VTA dopaminergic neurons play an important role in the regulation of anxiety.Numerous research results in animals indicated that the VTA dopaminergic neurons,involving in multiple neural pathways,respectively regulate anxiety-like behavior in physiological or pathological condition.Dopamine,the main neurotransmitters in VTA regulates anxiety through dopamine D1 and D2 receptors.In addition,the VTA glutamate,GABA and acetylcholine also play directly or indirectly roles in regulating anxiety.The clinical imaging research showed that the integrity of dopaminergic VTA structural of anxiety disorder group is lower than healthy control.Current researches of VTA dopamine neurons involving in the regulation of anxiety-like behavior is developing at a high speed and deserving further exploration,which will further elucidate the pathogenesis and provide new ideas for prevention and treatment of anxiety disorders.

Research progress of drug-withdrawal in patients after epilepsy surgery / 中国神经精神疾病杂志

Epilepsy surgery is an effective treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy.Once patients became seizure free for certain period after epilepsy surgery,whether anti-seizure medications(ASMs)could be withdrawn is the primary concern of clinicians and patients.However,there is no consensus about management of anti-seizure medications in patients after epilepsy surgery.Patients after epilepsy surgery can withdraw ASMs when they become seizure free for 1 to 2 years.The dose reduction is usually done at every 2 to 3 months.For patients receiving multiple ASMs,each one should be individually tapered completely prior to the subsequent medication and the primary medication is always withdrawn in the end.Longer epilepsy duration prior to surgery,older age at surgery,patients with focal cortical dysplasia,incomplete resection of the epileptogenic zone and presence of interictal epileptiform discharges in postoperative EEG may predict the risk of seizure relapse in patients who underwent ASM withdrawal after epilepsy surgery.Patients with seizure relapse on ASM withdrawal generally have benign outcome after reinstitution of medical treatment.

Reflection on the standardized training of geriatric specialists under the background of "the aging of population" / 中华医学教育探索杂志

With the intensive aging of the population, it's imperative and important to train a number of geriatric specialists. Essential clinical knowledge and skills as well as accomplishment of medical humanistic spirit are core competences of an eligible geriatrician. The standardized training of geriatric specialists is facing a few challenges such as incomplete comprehension of the training program and trainees, a lack of enough trainees, and a lack of standardized management for the program. An efficient social support system, a normative educational training system, an effective supervision and evaluation system, first-class teaching staff, and qualified trainees are important guarantees for the standardized training program.

Mechanism of melatonin regulation of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling in hypothalamus delaying the initiation of puberty in female mice / 解剖学报

Objective To explore the effect of melatonin ( MLT) on the initiation of puberty in female mice and on the expression level of phosphatidylinositol-3-kinases ( PI3K)/protein kinase B ( Akt)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway in the frypothalamus. Methods Seventy-eight 20-day-old female KM mice were randomly divided into melatonin (MLT) group and normal saline (NS) group, with 39 mice in each group. Starting at 22 days of age, the MLT group was given a subcutaneous injection of 1 mg/kg melatonin and the NS group was given an equal volume of saline. Thirty-two days of age were selected as the sampling point before puberty initiation and 13 mice were executed in each of the two groups, while 37 and 42 days of age were selected as the sampling point after puberty initiation and 13 mice were executed in each of the two groups. Observation of vaginal opening time in mice, weighing of ovaries and uterus to calculate organ indices. HE staining to observe the number of ovarian corpora lutea. The levels of serum luteinizing hormone (LH)were determined by ELISA. The mRNA and protein expression levels of PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway in frypothalamus were detected by Real-time PCR and Western blotting. Results Compared with the normal saline group, mice in the melatonin group had significantly delayed vaginal opening time ( P < 0. 05 ) , decreased significantly ovarian and uterine volume and index (P<0. 05) , decreased significantly serum LH levels (P<0. 05) , and decreased significantly mRNA and protein expression levels of the frypothalamic PI3K/Akt/mTOR pathway (P<0. 05). Conclusion Melatonin delays puberty initiation in mice by a mechanism that ma)' be related to inhibition of the hypothalamic PI3K/Akt/mTOR signalling pathway.

Role and clinical significance of MLLT1 super elongation complex subunit in the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma / 解剖学报

Objective To investigate the role of MLLT1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)and its impact on the tumor immune microenvironment. Methods Multivariate Cox regression analysis and tumor gene analysis tools such as GEPIA and UALCAN were used to explore the expression of the MLLT1 gene and its prognostic significance in different tumors. Real-time PCR, Western blotting, and immunohistochemistry were used to investigate the differential expression of MLLT1 between HCC tumor tissue and normal tissue. MTT assay and cell cycle analysis were performed to assess the effect of MLLT1 knockdown on cell proliferation and cell cycle. The correlation between MLLT1 and immune cells, as well as immune infiltrates in the tumor microenvironment, and their correlation with immune neoantigens, immune checkpoints, tumor mutation burden, and microsatellite instability were also explored. Results The MLLT1 gene was found to be aberrantly expressed in various solid tumors including HCC, and its high expression was associated with poor prognosis in HCC. Knockdown of MLLT1 inhibited HCC cell proliferation and blocked the cell cycle. High expression of MLLT1 was found to affect the content of multiple immune cells, including CD4

Expression and Clinical Significance of ATP Citrate Lyase in Hepatocellular Carcinoma / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To investigate the role of ATP citrate lyase(ACLY)in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and the impact of this enzyme on the immune microenvironment of HCC.Methods We utilized the University of Alabama at Birmingham Cancer Data Analysis Portal and the Gene Expression Profiling Interactive Analysis to identify the changes in ACLY expression and prognosis across different tumor types from The Cancer Genome Atlas.With HCC as the disease model,we analyzed the ACLY expression in HCC samples from the gene expression database.Furthermore,we collected the clinical specimens from HCC patients to verify the mRNA and protein levels of ACLY.In addition,we conducted transcriptome sequencing after knocking down the expression of ACLY to analyze the differentially expressed genes and investigated the impact of ACLY expression interference on cell proliferation and other functions.Finally,we explored the correlations of ACLY with immune cells and immune infiltration in the tumor microenvironment,new antigens,and immune checkpoint genes.Results ACLY expression was significantly up-regulated in solid tumors including HCC(all P<0.05),and high ACLY expression was associated with overall survival rate in HCC(P=0.005).Furthermore,high ACLY expression affected the presence of immune cells(e.g.,tumor-associated fibroblasts)and the expression of genes involved in lipid metabolism(all P<0.05).Conclusions ACLY is closely related to the occurrence and development of HCC and lipid metabolism abnormalities.Moreover,it has a specific impact on the immune microenvironment of HCC.

Hepatic retinaldehyde deficiency is involved in diabetes deterioration by enhancing PCK1- and G6PC-mediated gluconeogenesis

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is often accompanied with an induction of retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 1 (RALDH1 or ALDH1A1) expression and a consequent decrease in hepatic retinaldehyde (Rald) levels. However, the role of hepatic Rald deficiency in T2D progression remains unclear. In this study, we demonstrated that reversing T2D-mediated hepatic Rald deficiency by Rald or citral treatments, or liver-specific Raldh1 silencing substantially lowered fasting glycemia levels, inhibited hepatic glucogenesis, and downregulated phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 1 (PCK1) and glucose-6-phosphatase (G6PC) expression in diabetic db/db mice. Fasting glycemia and Pck1/G6pc mRNA expression levels were strongly negatively correlated with hepatic Rald levels, indicating the involvement of hepatic Rald depletion in T2D deterioration. A similar result that liver-specific Raldh1 silencing improved glucose metabolism was also observed in high-fat diet-fed mice. In primary human hepatocytes and oleic acid-treated HepG2 cells, Rald or Rald + RALDH1 silencing resulted in decreased glucose production and downregulated PCK1/G6PC mRNA and protein expression. Mechanistically, Rald downregulated direct repeat 1-mediated PCK1 and G6PC expression by antagonizing retinoid X receptor α, as confirmed by luciferase reporter assays and molecular docking. These results highlight the link between hepatic Rald deficiency, glucose dyshomeostasis, and the progression of T2D, whilst also suggesting RALDH1 as a potential therapeutic target for T2D.

A preliminary study on Candida albicans-induced pyroptosis of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages / 中华皮肤科杂志

Objective:To investigate the effect of Candida albicans ( C. albicans) on pyroptosis of murine bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) . Methods:Live-cell imaging was used to observe morphologic changes of in vitro C. albicans-infected BMDMs (multiplicity of infection [MOI] = 50) so as to evaluate whether pyroptosis occurred. Cultured BMDMs were divided into a control group and a C. albicans group, which were treated with phosphate-buffered saline and C. albicans suspensions respectively for 6 hours; then, real-time fluorescence-based quantitative PCR was performed to determine the mRNA expression of NOD-like receptor pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), interleukin (IL) -1β and IL-18, and Western blot analysis to determine the protein expression and cleavage levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 and gasdermin D (GSDMD). BMDMs were cultured with C. albicans suspensions for different durations (0, 10, 15, 20, and 25 hours), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was conducted to detect secretion levels of IL-1β and IL-18. Cultured wild-type BMDMs and GSDMD-knockout BMDMs were treated with C. albicans suspensions for 15 minutes, and then rates of phagocytosis of C. albicans by wild-type BMDMs and GSDMD-knockout BMDMs were estimated by flow cytometry; after 6-hour treatment with C. albicans, flow cytometry and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release assay were performed to assess mortality rates of wild-type BMDMs and GSDMD-knockout BMDMs. In addition, some wild-type BMDMs and GSDMD-knockout BMDMs were separately divided into blank control group, control group, maximum enzyme activity-sample control group, IL-1β alone group, C. albicans alone group, and IL-1β + C. albicans group, and cell mortality rates were detected by the LDH release assay after treatment with IL-1β and/or C. albicans. Statistical analysis was carried out by using unpaired t test, Kruskal-Wallis test, analysis of variance, and other statistical methods. Results:After in vitro treatment with C. albicans, swelling and ballooning with large bubbles blowing from the plasma membrane occurred in BMDMs, suggesting the occurrence of cell pyroptosis; compared with the control group, the C. albicans group showed significantly increased mRNA expression levels of NLRP3 and IL-1β after 6-hour treatment with C. albicans ( t = 13.02, 17.51, respectively, P = or < 0.001), but no significant change in the IL-18 mRNA expression level ( P = 0.486), and Western blot analysis showed that C. albicans could increase the expression of NLRP3 inflammasomes, as well as cleaved caspase-1 and GSDMD. After the treatment with C. albicans for different durations (0, 10, 15, 20, and 25 hours), the secretion level of IL-1β by BMDMs gradually increased over time ( H = 12.90, P = 0.012), while the secretion level of IL-18 did not significantly change ( F = 0.48, P = 0.753), and the secretion level of IL-1β was significantly lower in the GSDMD-knockout BMDM group than in the wild-type BMDM group ( F = 24.22, P = 0.008). After 15-minute in vitro treatment with C. albicans, the phagocytosis rate of C. albicans was significantly lower in the GSDMD-knockout BMDM group (50.3% ± 1.10%) than in the wild-type BMDM group (58.53% ± 1.19%, t = 5.09, P = 0.007) ; after 6-hour treatment with C. albicans, the cell mortality rate was significantly higher in the GSDMD-knockout BMDM group than in the wild-type BMDM group (flow cytometry: 38.40% ± 0.50% vs. 34.37% ± 0.52%, t = 4.72, P = 0.009; LDH release assay: 22.52% ± 0.18% vs. 12.48% ± 0.15%, t = 42.36, P < 0.001) ; the cell mortality rates of wild-type BMDMs and GSDMD-knockout BMDMs both significantly decreased in the IL-1β + C. albicans groups compared with the C. albicans groups (both P < 0.001) . Conclusion:Pyroptosis could be induced in murine BMDMs after C. albicans infection, which promotes the release of IL-1β and may reduce the mortality rate of macrophages by improving their immune activity.

Necrolytic Migratory Erythema—A Case Report of Pancreatic Occupying Lesion / 罕见病研究

Glucagonoma is a rare neuroendocrine tumor of α cells of the pancreas. The tumor excessively secretes glucagon and causes glucagonoma syndrome.70%-90% of patients with glucagonoma will develop necrolytic migratory erythema (NME). We reported a patient of glucagonoma syndrome who was presented to the dermatology outpatient clinic with a 2-year-history of recurrent erythema and scaling on the skin migrating throughout the body. A skin biopsy was performed and resulting features matched with NME, whilst imaging examinations suggested a soft tissue density tumor present in the tail of the pancreas with somatostatin receptor expression and laboratory tests found an elevated levels of serum glucagon. After the diagnosis was confirmed, the patient was treated with surgical resection of the glucagonoma and the skin eruptions resolved rapidly in 4 days. Meanwhile, we reviewed relevant literature published in recent years and summarized its clinical characteristics in order to improve its understanding by clinicians, including clinical manifestations, laboratory and imaging examinations, diagnosis and treatments.

Research Progress and Forensic Application of Human Vascular Finite Element Modeling and Biomechanics / 法医学杂志

The finite element method (FEM) is a mathematical method for obtaining approximate solutions to a wide variety of engineering problems. With the development of computer technology, it is gradually applied to the study of biomechanics of human body. The application of the combination of FEM and biomechanics in exploring the relationship between vascular injury and disease, and pathological mechanisms will be a technological innovation for traditional forensic medicine. This paper reviews the construction and development of human vascular FEM modeling, and its research progress on the vascular biomechanics. This paper also looks to the application prospects of FEM modeling in forensic pathology.