A pilot screening study for low bone mass in Singaporean women using years since menopause and BMI.

OBJECTIVE: Current risk assessment tools for osteoporosis have inconsistent performance across different cohorts, making them difficult for clinical practice. This study aimed to evaluate a simple screening index comprising years since menopause (YSM) and body mass index (BMI) that identifies postmenopausal Singaporean women with a greater likelihood of low bone mass. METHODS: The study used data from 188 treatment-naïve postmenopausal women. The associations between low bone mass and different demographic variables, including age, YSM and BMI, were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Diagnostic performance of the calculated screening index was compared to the Osteoporosis Self-Assessment Tool for Asians (OSTA) and the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX®). RESULTS: YSM and BMI were significantly associated with low bone mass. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves was 0.803 for the screening index, 0.759 for the OSTA, 0.683 for the FRAX® (major osteoporotic fracture probability [MOFP]) and 0.647 for the FRAX® (hip fracture probability [HFP]). Non-parametric Spearman's correlation between the screening index and the other models was 0.857 with the OSTA score, 0.694 with the FRAX® (HFP) and 0.565 with the FRAX® (MOFP) (p < 0.0005). CONCLUSIONS: The diagnostic performance of the screening index comprising YSM and BMI was equivalent to the OSTA and the FRAX®. A risk chart was developed for clinicians to identify and recommend subjects for a further dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry scan. Validation of this model in larger and more diverse cohorts is required.

Anti-cancer effects of baicalein on cervical carcinoma cells through down-regulation of the ERK/p38/MAPK pathway.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of baicalein on apoptosis of HeLa human cervical cancer (CC) cells and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. HeLa cells were treated with 20, 50, 100, or 200 µmol/L baicalein for 24, 36, and 48 hours, and CCK-8 assays were used to detect cell viability, and flow cytometry was performed to assess apoptosis rate. Reverse-transcription quantitative PCR was used to measure ERK1/2, p38, and JNK mRNA levels in HeLa cells, and western blotting was performed to measure ERK1/2, p38, and JNK protein levels. The CCK-8 assay showed that the OD value of HeLa cells gradually decreased with increasing baicalein concentrations (P < 0.01) and treatment time (P < 0.01). These results indicated a negative time- and dose-dependent effect of baicalein on HeLa cells. Baicalein treatment of HeLa cells significantly increased apoptosis rate (P < 0.01). In HeLa cells treated with 50 or 200 µmol/L baicalein for 24 h, expression levels of ERK1/2 and p38 mRNA were significantly reduced, whereas that of JNK mRNA was increased (P < 0.01). The levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2 and p38 were significantly reduced, and the level of JNK protein was increased (P < 0.01). Taken together, baicalein appeared to exert anti-cancer effects on HeLa cells through induction of apoptosis and regulation of the ERK/p38/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway.

Long non-coding RNA ENST00000457645 reverses cisplatin resistance in CP70 ovarian cancer cells.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of downregulating long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) on the reversal of cisplatin resistance in CP70 ovarian cancer cells, and to identify the underlying mechanism(s) of action. An lncRNA microarray was performed to screen for downregulated lncRNAs in cisplatin-resistant CP70 cells. Expression levels of these lncRNAs were then verified in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was conducted to identify the lncRNA most downregulated, which was then synthesized and transfected into CP70 cells. To assess the viability and migration ability of these transfected CP70 cells, methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium and Transwell assays were carried out. In addition, expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins were examined by western blotting. The lncRNA microarray analysis and qPCR identified seven lncRNAs that were significantly downregulated. Transfection of lncRNA ENST00000457645 into CP70 cells markedly inhibited viability and migration ability, and significantly increased expression of apoptotic proteins such as Bax and cleaved caspase-3. lncRNA ENST00000457645 negatively affects the viability and migration of cisplatin-resistant CP70 ovarian cancer cells. The mechanism responsible involves modification of apoptotic protein expression.

Effect of androgen deprivation on the expression of aquaporins in rat prostate and seminal vesicles.

The aim of this study was to investigate the level of secretions of prostate and seminal vesicles and its association with the expression of AQP0, 1, 4, 5, 6 and 8 in castrated rats. Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats (n = 18) were randomly divided into control group, castrated rats group and castrated followed testosterone replacement group. Four weeks after surgery, the secretions and expression of AQP0, 1, 4, 5, 6 and 8 of prostate and seminal vesicles were determined. Serum testosterone was significantly lower in castrated groups than in control and testosterone replacement groups (P < 0.05). The level of prostate and seminal vesicle secretions and the expressions of AQP0, 1, 4, 5, 6 and 8 in prostate and seminal vesicles were significantly lower in castrated group than in control and castrated followed testosterone replacement groups (P < 0.05). The decreased prostatic and seminal vesicle secretions in castrated rats may be related to the decrease in AQP0, 1, 4, 5, 6 and 8 in prostatic tissue and seminal vesicles.

[Protective effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide against liver injury induced by D-galactose in aging mice and its mechanisms].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of Angelica sinensis polysaccharide (ASP) against liver injury induced by D-galactose in aging mice and its mechanisms. METHODS: Male C57BL/6J were randomly divided into three groups with 10 mice in each group. In the D-galactose model group, the mice were subcutaneously injected with D-galactose (120 mg/kg) qd×42; in the ASP+D-galactose group, from the 8th day of the establishment of D-galactose model, the mice were subcutaneously injected with ASP (120 mg/kg) qd×35. In the normal control group, the mice were subcutaneously injected with isotonic saline of the same volume at the same time point. On the 2nd day after the injection was finished, the ocular blood was collected to prepare serum and measure the content of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and total bilirubin (TBil). The liver tissue homogenate was prepared to measure the content of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), malondialdehyde (MDA), and advanced glycation end products (AGEs). A paraffin section of liver tissue was prepared; HE staining was performed to observe the pathomorphological changes of the liver, periodic acid-Schiff staining (PAS) was used to observe the changes in glycogen in the liver, and a transmission electron microscope was used to observe the hepatocyte ultrastructure. RESULTS: The D-galactose model group had increased content of ALT, AST, and TBil, reduced activities of SOD and GSH-Px, an increased content of MDA, and severe liver injuries; the hepatocytes showed degenerative changes, the amount of glycogen in the liver decreased, and the accumulation of AGEs increased. The ASP+D-galactose group had reduced content of ALT, AST, and TBil, increased activities of SOD and GSH-Px, and reduced content of MDA and AGEs; the amount of glycogen in the liver increased, and liver injury and hepatocyte injury were alleviated. CONCLUSION: ASP can antagonize the liver injury induced by D-galactose in aging mice, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of oxidative stress.

The effects of computer-aided cognitive rehabilitation combined with virtual reality technology on event-related potential P300 and cognitive function of patients with cognitive impairment after stroke.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to explore the effects of computer-aided cognitive rehabilitation (CACR) combined with virtual reality (VR) technology on event-related potential P300 and cognitive function in patients with cognitive impairment after stroke. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Clinical data from 94 patients with post-stroke cognitive impairment, admitted to our hospital from January 2020 to March 2023, were retrospectively analyzed. Of them, 45 patients received routine rehabilitation training (Control group), and 49 patients received CACR combined with VR technology (Observation group). Cognitive rehabilitation status, event-related potential P300 examination status, biochemical indices levels, and daily living activity scores of the two groups were evaluated and compared. RESULTS: After treatment, cognitive function significantly improved in the Observation group compared to the Control group. The amplitude of P300 in the Observation group was significantly higher, and the latency was significantly lower compared to the Control group. The levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the Observation group were significantly higher (p<0.05), while the levels of cystatin C (Cys-C) and neuron-specific enolase (NSE) were significantly lower than those in the Control group (p<0.05 each). Patients in the Observation group demonstrated a significantly higher ability to perform daily living activities compared to the Control group (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with conventional rehabilitation training, the combination of CACR and VR technology in the treatment of stroke-induced cognitive impairment is more effective in improving patients' cognitive function, regulating BDNF, Cys-C, and NSE levels, and enhancing patients' ability to perform daily living activities.

[Comparison of single infusion of anti-BCMA versus combined infusion of anti-CD19 chimeric antigen receptor T cells for immune reconstruction in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma].

Objective: We observed and compared the differences in immune reconstruction between single-infusion anti-B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) , chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) , and combined infusion of anti-CD19 CAR-T cells in the treatment of recurrent/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) . Methods: Sixty-one patients with RRMM who underwent CAR-T cell therapy in our hospital from June 2017 to December 2020 were selected. Among them, 26 patients received anti-BCMA target, and 35 patients received anti-BCMA combined with anti-CD19 target. Using flow cytometry, we determined T cell subsets (CD3(+), CD4(+), CD8(+), CD4(+)/CD8(+)) , B cells (CD19(+)) , and NK cells (CD16(+) CD56(+)) at different time points before and after CAR-T treatment, and detected immunoglobulin IgG, IgA and IgM levels by immunoturbidimetry. We compared the reconstruction rules of lymphocyte subsets and immunoglobulins in the two groups. Results: CD8(+) T lymphocytes recovered most rapidly after the infusion of CAR-T cells, returning to pre-infusion levels at 3 months and 1 month after infusion, respectively[BCMA: 695 (357, 1264) /µl vs 424 (280, 646) /µl; BCMA+CD19: 546 (279, 1672) /µl vs 314 (214, 466) /µl]. NK cells returned to normal levels at 3 months after infusion in both groups[BCMA: 171 (120, 244) /µl, BCMA+CD19: 153 (101, 218) /µl (Normal reference range 150-1100/µl) ]; however, the NK cells were not maintained at stable levels in the BCMA CAR-T cells group. The recovery of CD4(+) T lymphocytes in both groups was slow and remained persistently low within 12 months after infusion, and no recovery was observed in most patients. The reversal of the ratio of CD4(+)/CD8(+) lasted for more than a year. The levels of CD19(+) B cells in both groups returned to baseline 3 months after infusion[BCMA: 62 (10, 72) /µl vs 57 (24, 78) /µl; BCMA+CD19: 40 (4, 94) /µl vs 29 (14, 46) /µl]. IgG returned to the pre-infusion level 12 months after infusion in the group with anti-BCMA cells alone, but not in the group with combined infusion of CD19 CAR T cells[7.82 (6.03, 9.64) g/L vs 6.92 (4.62, 12.76) g/L]. IgA returned to pre-infusion levels at 9 and 12 months after infusion, respectively[BCMA: 0.46 (0.07, 0.51) g/L vs 0.22 (0.12, 4.01) g/L; BCMA+CD19: 0.46 (0.22, 0.98) g/L vs 0.27 (0.10, 0.53) g/L]. IgM in both groups returned to pre-infusion levels 6 months after infusion[BCMA: 0.43 (0.06, 0.60) g/L vs 0.20 (0.13, 0.37) g/L; BCMA+CD19: 0.53 (0.10, 0.80) g/L vs 0.16 (0.11, 0.28) g/L]. There was no significant difference in the indexes of lymphocyte subpopulation reconstruction and immunoglobulin recovery between the two groups at each time point. Conclusion: This study showed that in patients with RRMM treated with CAR-T cells, the appropriate target antigen can be selected without considering the difference of immune reconstruction between anti-BCMA CAR-T and combined anti-CD19 CAR-T therapy.

[Advances in research of microRNA in the growth and development of mandibular condyle cartilage].

MicroRNA (miRNA) are a class of small non-coding single-stranded RNA that exert their biological effects by binding to target messenger RNA (mRNA). There is new evidence that miRNA may play an important role in regulating the growth and development of mandibular condylar cartilage. In this paper, the production and mechanism of miRNA are reviewed, and the progress of studies on the growth and development of mandibular condylar cartilage, which is helpful to further study the growth and development of mandibular condylar cartilage.

[The current status and applications of implantable bone-conduction devices].

Implantable bone-conduction devices are characterized by the fact that the vibration is transmitted through bone conduction. The technology and surgical techniques in the application of implantable bone-conduction devices have developed considerably in recent years, experiencing a transformation from percutaneous to transcutaneous implantation. This article reviewed current developments in the types, surgical indications, and complications, as well as compared between the various bone-conduction devices to provid references for clinical application.