Mendelian randomization and transcriptome analysis identified immune-related biomarkers for osteoarthritis.

Background: The immune microenvironment assumes a significant role in the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis (OA). However, the current biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of OA are not satisfactory. Our study aims to identify new OA immune-related biomarkers to direct the prevention and treatment of OA using multi-omics data.

Prediction of cervical lymph node metastasis in solitary papillary thyroid carcinoma based on ultrasound radiomics analysis.

Objective: To assess the utility of predictive models using ultrasound radiomic features to predict cervical lymph node metastasis (CLNM) in solitary papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) patients.

Methods: A total of 570 PTC patients were included (456 patients in the training set and 114 in the testing set). Pyradiomics was employed to extract radiomic features from preoperative ultrasound images.

[Spatial and Temporal Evolution and Impact Factors Analysis of Ecosystem Service Value in the Liaohe River Delta over the Past 30 Years].

An in-depth study of the spatiotemporal variation characteristics and driving factors of ecosystem service values in the Liaohe River Delta is of great significance to its ecological environment governance and protection. Based on the land use data of the Liaohe River Delta for seven periods from 1990 to 2020, the ecosystem service value (ESV) was evaluated according to the equivalent factor coefficient correction method, establishing models for estimating the value of ecosystem services; the spatial and temporal evolution characteristics of the ESV in the study area were comprehensively analyzed; and the driving influencing factors and mechanisms of the ESV were explored. The results showed that:① From 1990 to 2020, the most common land use type in the Liaohe River Delta was cultivated land, and the areas of forest land, wetland, and unutilized land showed a decreasing trend; grassland, water, and construction land showed an increasing trend; and the area of cultivated land was basically unchanged during the 30 year period.

β-sitosterol alleviates dextran sulfate sodium-induced experimental colitis via inhibition of NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis.

Inflammation-related NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis is involved in the progression of ulcerative colitis (UC). β-sitosterol (SIT) was reported to have anti-inflammatory effects on experimental colitis, while the regulation of SIT on pyroptosis is unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to define the protective and healing effects of SIT on dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced experimental UC rats and human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2) and explore the underlying mechanisms that are responsible for its effects on NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis in UC.

A Mendelian randomization study for drug repurposing reveals bezafibrate and fenofibric acid as potential osteoporosis treatments.

Lipid pathways have been implicated in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis (OP). Lipid-lowering drugs may be used to prevent and treat OP. However, the causal interpretation of results from traditional observational designs is controversial by confounding.

Design, Synthesis, and Biological Activity of a Novel Series of 2-Ureidonicotinamide Derivatives Against Influenza A Virus.

Background: Viral resistance to existing inhibitors and the time-dependent effectiveness of neuraminidase inhibitors have limited the number of antivirals that can be used for prophylaxis and therapeutic treatment of severe influenza infection. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop new drugs to prevent and treat influenza infection.

Objective: The aims of this study was to design and synthesize a novel series of 2-ureidonicotinamide derivatives and evaluate their anti-IAV activities.

Urinary levels of dimethoate, bisphenol A and benzo[a]pyrene in first-year students of Hohai University from different geographical regions.

Background: The objective of this study was to detect the urinary levels of dimethoate, benzo(a) pyrene (BaP), and bisphenol A (BPA) in first-year Hohai University students with different geographic origins.

Methods: First-morning urine samples were collected from 540 healthy freshmen aged 17 to 19 years. Chemical levels were measured using β-glucuronidase hydrolysis followed by a high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry-based method.

SARS-CoV-2 infection in infants under 1 year of age in Wuhan City, China.

Background: The clinical characteristics and outcome of COVID-19 in children are different from those in adults. We aimed to describe the characteristics of infants under 1 year of age (excluding newborns) with COVID-19.

Methods: We retrospectively retrieved data of 36 infants with SARS-CoV-2 infection in Wuhan Children's Hospital from January 26 to March 22, 2020.

[Analysis and evaluation of dynamic accumulation of multiple bioactive constituents in Spatholobi Caulis].

A method was established for simultaneous determination of 21 active constituents including flavanols, isoflavones, flavonols, dihydroflavones, dihydroflavonols, chalcones, pterocarpan, anthocyanidins and phenolic acids in Spatholobi Caulis by ultra fast liquid chromatography with triple quadrupole linear ion trap mass spectrometry(UFLC-QTRAP-MS/MS). Then, it was employed to analyze and evaluate the dynamic accumulation of multiple bioactive constituents in Spatholobi Caulis. The chromatographic separation was performed on a XBridge®C_(18)(4.

Clinical features of severe pediatric patients with coronavirus disease 2019 in Wuhan: a single center's observational study.

Background: An outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by SARS-CoV-2 was first detected in Wuhan, Hubei, China. People of all ages are susceptible to SARS-CoV-2 infection. No information on severe pediatric patients with COVID-19 has been reported.

Methodological and reporting quality evaluation of systematic reviews on acupuncture in women with polycystic ovarian syndrome: A systematic review.

Purpose: To evaluate the methodological and reporting quality of systematic reviews (SRs) on acupuncture treatment for women with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Methods: A comprehensive search on multiple databases was performed. Methodological and reporting quality of reviews were assessed by revised assessment of multiple systematic reviews (AMSTAR 2) and preferred reporting items for SRs and meta-analyses (PRISMA), respectively.

Fast Von Mises strain imaging on ultrasound carotid vessel wall by flow driven diffusion method.

The elasticity of the vessel wall is important for the clinical identification of rupture-risks. The Von Mises strain can be a potential index for the indication of carotid vessel pathologies. In this paper, a fast clinically applicable real-time algorithm from time-sequence of B-mode carotid images is developed.

[Efficacy of analgesic and sedative treatments in children with mechanical ventilation in the pediatric intensive care unit].

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of different analgesic and sedative treatments in children with mechanical ventilation in the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).

Methods: Eighty children with mechanical ventilation in the PICU who needed analgesic and sedative treatments were equally and randomly divided into midazolam group and remifentanil+midazolam group. The sedative and analgesic effects were assessed using the Ramsay Scale and the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry and Consolability (FLACC) Scale.

Comprehensive assessment of the association of WNK4 polymorphisms with hypertension: evidence from a meta-analysis.

The relationship between with-no-lysine [K] kinase 4 (WNK4) gene polymorphisms and hypertension has been widely investigated, However, the studies yielded contradictory results. To evaluate these inconclusive findings comprehensively, we therefore performed a meta-analysis. Ten articles encompassing 16 independent case-control studies with 6089 hypertensive cases and 4881 normotensive controls were selected for this meta-analysis.

Estrogen receptor α gene PvuII polymorphism and coronary artery disease: a meta-analysis of 21 studies.

The association between the estrogen receptor α gene (ESR1) PvuII polymorphism (c.454-397T>C) and coronary artery disease (CAD) is controversial. Thus, we conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the relationship.

Interleukin-1 beta increases activity of human endothelial progenitor cells: involvement of PI3K-Akt signaling pathway.

Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a multifunctional proinflammatory cytokine upregulated in acute phase of heart ischemic disease. Controversial effects of IL-1β have been demonstrated on endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) functional activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the in vitro effect of IL-1β on activity of human origin EPCs and the possible mechanism involved.

[Study on the efficiency of the European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) in predicting in-hospital mortality of the patients with percutaneous coronary intervention].

Objective: To investigate the efficiency of European System for Cardiac Operative Risk Evaluation (EuroSCORE) in predicting in-hospital mortality for the patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI).

Methods: Retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients who had undergone PCI in our hospital since year 2005 to 2007. We used both cumulative EuroSCORE score and logistic EuroSCORE to predict the in-hospital morality and to analyze the correlation between the predicted mortality and the actual mortality.

Systemic evaluation of platelet and leukocyte activation and interaction in a rat model of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Objectives: Thrombosis and inflammation are associated with the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). However, there are no solid data supporting the involvement of platelet and leukocyte activation and interaction in PAH. The present study thus investigated the activation and interaction of circulating platelets and leukocytes in a rat model of monocrotaline (MCT)-induced pulmonary hypertension.

[The self intensification of the pure spectrum in the mixed spectrum].

In the present paper, the influence of the pure spectrum contained in the mixed spectrum was centralized at the origin, and in this way, the influence of the pure spectrum in the result curve reached the maximum value. This process is called the self intensification of the pure spectrum. Farther, considering that the center of the Gaussian function contained in the impure spectrum is much different from that of the pure spectrum, it can be accepted that the influence of the impure spectrum at the origin is approximately the minimum.

[Interleukin-1beta upregulates matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression and activity in cardiac fibroblasts via nitric oxide synthase pathway].

Objective: To investigate the effect of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) on expression and activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) of cultured human cardiac fibroblasts and related signaling pathway.

Methods: Primary human cardiac fibroblasts seeded in 6-well tissue culture plates and cultured to 80% to 90% confluence were harvested at passage 3 to 6 and exposed to IL-1beta at various concentrations for 24 h, culture supernatant and cell protein were obtained. MMP-2 mRNA was determined by RT-PCR.

Endothelial progenitor cells may inhibit apoptosis of pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells: new insights into cell therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Background Aims: Endothelial apoptosis underlies the pathophysiology of pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Some factors/cytokines released by endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) have been revealed as potent inhibitors of apoptosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of EPC on pulmonary microvascular endothelial cell (PMVEC) survival with the PAH condition.

Cyclophosphamide protects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats: one of the therapeutic targets is high sensitivity C-reactive protein.

Objective: Cyclophosphamide has a role of decreasing high-sensitivity C-reactive protein in the treatment of autoimmune disorders. The effect of cyclophosphasmide on high-sensitivity C-reactive protein was investigated in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion rat.

Methods: Open-chest rats were submitted to 30 minutes of ischemia and followed for 3, 12, or 24 hours of reperfusion.

Puerarin reduces endothelial progenitor cells senescence through augmentation of telomerase activity.

Endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) play an important role in both reendothelialization and neovascularization. Ex vivo expansion of EPCs might be useful for potential clinical cell therapy of ischemic diseases. However, ex vivo cultivation of EPCs leads to rapid onset of EPCs senescence, thereby severely limiting the proliferative capacity and clonal expansion potential.