The protective effect of mangiferin on osteoarthritis: An in vitro and in vivo study

Mangiferin is a kind of polyphenol chemical compound separated from these herbal medicines of Mangifera indica L., Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bge. and Belamcanda chinensis L., which has anti-inflammatory, anti-virus, and other physiological activities without toxic effects. Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic disease that is also a kind of arthritis disease in which articular cartilage or bones under the joint is damaged. In addition, artificial replacements are required in severe cases. At present, there are not too much researches on the potential biological activities of mangiferin that plays a protective role in the treatment of OA. In this study, we evaluated the protective effect of mangiferin on osteoarthritis (OA) in vitro and in vivo. First, the effect of different concentrations of mangiferin on rat chondrocytes was determined by MTT assay. Second, the effects of mangiferin on the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, TNF alpha, Collagen II, Caspase-3, and cystatin-C in interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-induced rat chondrocytes were examined by the real-time polymerase chain reaction in vitro, meanwhile the effects of mangiferin on the nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappaB) signaling pathway were also investigated by Western Blot. Finally, the anti-osteoarthritic protective effect of mangiferin was evaluated in the rat model by anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT) combined with bilateral ovariectomy-induced OA in vivo. The results showed that the mangiferin was found to inhibit the expression of MMP-13, TNF-alpha, and Caspase-3 which also increased the expression of Collagen II and cystatin-C in IL 1beta induced rat chondrocytes. In addition, IL-1beta-induced activation of nuclear factor kappa-B (NF-kappaB) and the degradation of inhibitor of kappaB (IkappaB)-alpha were suppressed by mangiferin. For the in vivo study in a rat model of OA, 100 microl of mangiferin was administered by intra-articular injections for rats, the results showed that the cartilage degradation was suppressed by mangiferin through Micro CT and Histological Examination. According to both in vitro and in vivo results, mangiferin has a protective effect in the treatment of OA which may be a promising therapeutic agent for OA.

[The preliminary study of Neuroform EZ stent in the treatment of severe intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis]

Objective: To evaluate the safety and clinical efficacy of Neuroform EZ stent in the treatment of severe intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS). Methods: A total of 36 patients with severe ICAS receiving Neuroform EZ stent angioplasty were retrospectively analyzed at Beijing Anzhen Hospital from July 2018 to January 2020. Digital subtraction angiography (DSA) before endovascular intervention confirmed the diagnosis. Follow-up information was reviewed by neurologists at 30 days and 6 months after the procedure. The primary endpoints were transient ischemic attack (TIA), ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke and death caused by any reason within 30 days. Results: The overall technical success rate was 100%. The median stenosis rate was reduced from 93.6%±4.5% to 18.8%±11.2% (t=37.36,P<0.001).Primary endpoint event was not reported. During follow-up, one patient developed TIA and no death or ischemic stroke was observed. No in-stent restenosis at six months occurred. Conclusion: Neuroform EZ stent is safe and effective in patients with severe ICAS. However, perspective studies need to be operated for further validation via long-term follow-up.

In premenopausal women with idiopathic osteoporosis, lower bone formation rate is associated with higher body fat and higher IGF-1

We examined serum IGF-1 in premenopausal IOP, finding relationships that were opposite to those expected: higher IGF-1 was associated with lower bone formation and higher body fat, and lower BMD response to teriparatide. These paradoxical relationships between serum IGF-1, bone, and fat may contribute to the mechanism of idiopathic osteoporosis in premenopausal women.

INTRODUCTION

Premenopausal women with idiopathic osteoporosis (IOP) have marked deficits in bone microarchitecture but variable bone remodeling. We previously reported that those with low tissue-level bone formation rate (BFR) are less responsive to teriparatide and have higher serum IGF-1, a hormone anabolic for osteoblasts and other tissues. The IGF-1 data were unexpected because IGF-1 is low in other forms of low turnover osteoporosis-leading us to hypothesize that IGF-1 relationships are paradoxical in IOP. This study aimed to determine whether IOP women with low BFR have higher IGF-1 and paradoxical IGF-1 relationships in skeletal and non-skeletal tissues, and whether IGF-1 and the related measures predict teriparatide response.

METHODS

This research is an ancillary study to a 24 month clinical trial of teriparatide for IOP. Baseline assessments were related to trial outcomes: BMD, bone remodeling.

SUBJECTS

 Premenopausal women with IOP(n = 34); bone remodeling status was defined by baseline cancellous BFR/BS on bone biopsy.

MEASURES

 Serum IGF-1 parameters, compartmental adiposity (DXA, CT, MRI), serum hormones, and cardiovascular-risk-markers related to fat distribution.

RESULTS

As seen in other populations, lower BFR was associated with higher body fat and poorer teriparatide response. However, in contrast to observations in other populations, low BFR, higher body fat, and poorer teriparatide response were all related to higher IGF-1: IGF-1 Z-score was inversely related to BFR at all bone surfaces (r =  - 0.39 to - 0.46; p < 0.05), directly related to central fat (p = 0.05) and leptin (p = 0.03). IGF-1 inversely related to 24 month hip BMD %change (r =  - 0.46; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Paradoxical IGF-1 relationships suggest that abnormal or atypical regulation of bone and fat may contribute to osteoporosis mechanisms in premenopausal IOP.

Increased risk of modality failure with higher serum uric acid level in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis patients: a prospective cohort study

BACKGROUND

Peritoneal dialysis (PD) is one of the most important kidney replacement therapies for patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). PD technique failure can lead to an escalated cost and increased infectious and cardiovascular risk, up and including to death. The accumulation of uric acid (UA) was associated with adverse outcomes in ESKD patients. However, the relationship between serum UA and technique failure is little explored.

METHODS

Here, a total of 266 continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients (age, 41.8 ± 12.6 years; 125 males) were enrolled and followed up for 31.7 months. Serum UA levels were examined at baseline and each visit. Subjects were divided into three groups according to their baseline serum UA concentrations. Multivariable Cox regression models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of PD technique failure.

RESULTS

The level of serum UA increased gradually as time prolonged. During the follow-up period, 77 (28.9%) patients occurred PD technique failure, of which 56 (21.1%) transferred to hemodialysis (HD) and 21 (7.9%) died. Compared to the lowest UA tertile, after adjusting for potential confounders, HRs of technique failure in tertile 2 and tertile 3 were 1.82 (95% CI: 0.95-3.49) and 2.03 (95% CI: 1.05-3.92), respectively, and p for trend was 0.043. Adjusted HRs of all-cause technique failure, transferring to HD and mortality with each 1 mg/dL increase in serum UA were 1.20 (95% CI: 1.03-1.40, p = 0.019), 1.22 (95% CI: 1.01-1.48, p = 0.039), and 1.25 (95% CI: 0.94-1.67, p = 0.128), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Higher serum UA level predicted higher risk of technique failure in CAPD patients.

Machinability of Different Wood-Plastic Composites during Peripheral Milling

The aim of this study was to improve the machinability of wood-plastic composites by exploring the effects of different wood-plastic composites on machinability. In particular, the effects of milling with cemented carbide cutters were assessed by investigating cutting forces, cutting temperature, surface quality, chip formation, and tool wear. The cutting parameters determined to yield an optimal surface quality were rake angle 2°, cutting speed 9.0 m/s, feed per tooth 0.3 mm, and cutting depth 1.5 mm. In these optimized milling conditions, the wood-plastic composite with polypropylene exhibited the highest cutting forces, cutting temperature, and tool wear, followed by polyethylene and polyvinyl chloride wood-plastic composites. Two wear patterns were determined during wood-plastic composite machining, namely chipping and flaking. Due to the different material composition, semi-discontinuous ribbon chips and continuous ribbon chips were generated from the machining process of wood-plastic composites with polypropylene and polyethylene, respectively. The wood-plastic composite with polyvinyl chloride, on the other hand, formed needle-like chips. These results contribute to a theoretical and practical basis for improved wood-plastic composite machining in industrial settings.

Roles of the protein disulphide isomerases AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 in response to oxidant stress in Apis cerana cerana

Protein disulphide isomerase (PDI) plays an important role in a variety of physiological processes through its oxidoreductase activity and molecular chaperone activity. In this study, we cloned two PDI family members, AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3, from Apis cerana cerana. AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 had typical sequence features of PDI family members and were constitutively expressed in A. cerana cerana. The expression levels of AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 were generally upregulated after treatment with a variety of environmental stress factors. Inhibition assays showed that E. coli expressing recombinant AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 proteins was more resistant to oxidative stress than control E. coli. In addition, silencing AccPDIA1 or AccPDIA3 in A. cerana cerana resulted in significant changes in the expression levels of several antioxidant-related genes as well as the enzymatic activities of peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) and reduced the survival rate of A. cerana cerana under oxidative stress caused by high temperature. In conclusion, our results suggest that AccPDIA1 and AccPDIA3 may play important roles in the antioxidant activities of A. cerana cerana.

Genetic analyses of blood β-hydroxybutyrate predicted from milk infrared spectra and its association with longevity and female reproductive traits in Holstein cattle

Ketosis is one of the most prevalent and complex metabolic disorders in high-producing dairy cows and usually detected through analyses of β-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) concentration in blood. Our main objectives were to evaluate genetic parameters for blood BHB predicted based on Fourier-transform mid-infrared spectra from 5 to 305 d in milk, and estimate the genetic relationships of blood BHB with 7 reproduction traits and 6 longevity traits in Holstein cattle. Predicted blood BHB records of 11,609 Holstein cows (after quality control) were collected from 2016 to 2019 and used to derive 4 traits based on parity number, including predicted blood BHB in all parities (BHBp), parity 1 (BHB1), parity 2 (BHB2), and parity 3+ (BHB3). Single- and multitrait repeatability models were used for estimating genetic parameters for the 4 BHB traits. Random regression test-day models implemented via Bayesian inference were used to evaluate the daily genetic feature of BHB variability. In addition, genetic correlations were calculated for the 4 BHB traits with reproduction and longevity traits. The heritability estimates of BHBp, BHB1, BHB2, and BHB3 ranged from 0.100 ± 0.026 (± standard error) to 0.131 ± 0.023. The BHB in parities 1 to 3+ were highly genetically correlated and ranged from 0.788 (BHB1 and BHB2) to 0.911 (BHB1 and BHB3). The daily heritability of BHBp ranged from 0.069 to 0.195, higher for the early and lower for the later lactation periods. A similar trend was observed for BHB1, BHB2, and BHB3. There are low direct genetic correlations between BHBp and selected reproductive performance and longevity traits, which ranged from -0.168 ± 0.019 (BHBp and production life) to 0.157 ± 0.019 (BHBp and age at first calving) for the early lactation stage (5 to 65 d). These direct genetic correlations indicate that cows with higher BHBp (greater likelihood of having ketosis) in blood usually have shorter production life (-0.168 ± 0.019). Cows with higher fertility and postpartum recovery, such as younger age at first calving (0.157 ± 0.019) and shorter interval from calving to first insemination in heifer (0.111 ± 0.006), usually have lower BHB concentration in the blood. Furthermore, the direct genetic correlations change across parity and lactation stage. In general, our results suggest that selection for lower predicted BHB in early lactation could be an efficient strategy for reducing the incidence of ketosis as well as indirectly improving reproductive and longevity performance in Holstein cattle.

[Enlightment of routine vaccination under the prevention and control of COVID-19 based on the circulating event of type Ⅲ vaccine-derived poliovirus in Shanghai]

Since the Global Polio Eradication Initiative was launched by the World Health Assembly in 1988, significant progress has been made in global polio prevention and control. But the occurrence of vaccine-associated paralytic poliomyelitis cases and vaccine-derived poliovirus related cases have become a major challenge during the post-polio era. While coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19) has brought serious disease burden and economic burden to all countries in the world, prevention and control of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases such as polio should not be neglected under the background of the global common fight against COVID-19. Taking the type Ⅲ VDPV cycle event in Shanghai as an example, the paper discussed how to do a good job of routine inoculation under the prevention and control of COVID-19 to strictly prevent the outbreak of vaccine-preventable infectious diseases.

Functional analysis of a putative Bombyx mori cypovirus miRNA BmCPV-miR-10 and its effect on virus replication

Bombyx mori cypovirus (BmCPV) is an important pathogen of silkworm (B. mori), the economically beneficial insect. The mechanism of its interaction with host immune defence system in the process of infection is still not yet completely clear. Researches have demonstrated that virus-encoded microRNAs (miRNA) play a crucial role in regulating host-pathogen interaction, but few reports are available so far on miRNAs encoded by insect viruses, especially the RNA viruses. In this study, a putative miRNA encoded by the 10th segment of BmCPV genomic RNA, BmCPV-miR-10, was identified and functionally analysed. The expression of the putative BmCPV-miR-10 could be detected via stem-loop RT-PCR (reverse transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction) in the midgut of silkworm larvae infected with BmCPV. BmCSDE1 (B. mori cold shock domain E1 protein) gene was predicted to be a candidate target gene for BmCPV-miR-10 with the miRNA binding site located in 3' untranslated region of its mRNA. The regulation effect of the putative BmCPV-miR-10 on BmCSDE1 was verified in HEK293 cells by lentiviral expression system, in BmN cells by transfecting BmCPV-miR-10 mimics. The qRT-PCR (quantitative real-time PCR) results showed that the putative BmCPV-miR-10 could suppress the expression of BmCSDE1. By injection of BmCPV-miR-10 mimics into the silkworm larvae infected with BmCPV, it was further proved that the putative BmCPV-miR-10 could suppress the expression of BmCSDE1 in vivo, then inhibit the expression of BmApaf-1 (B. mori apoptotic protease activating factor 1), while enhance the replication of BmCPV genomic RNAs to a certain extent. These results implied that the putative BmCPV-miR-10 could down-regulate the expression of BmCSDE1, then suppress the expression of BmApaf-1, thereby created a favourable intracellular environment for virus replication and proliferation.

Key considerations on the development of biodegradable biomaterials for clinical translation of medical devices: With cartilage repair products as an example

With the interdisciplinary convergence of biology, medicine and materials science, both research and clinical translation of biomaterials are progressing at a rapid pace. However, there is still a huge gap between applied basic research on biomaterials and their translational products - medical devices, where two significantly different perspectives and mindsets often work independently and non-synergistically, which in turn significantly increases financial costs and research effort. Although this gap is well-known and often criticized in the biopharmaceutical industry, it is gradually widening. In this article, we critically examine the developmental pipeline of biodegradable biomaterials and biomaterial-based medical device products. Then based on clinical needs, market analysis, and relevant regulations, some ideas are proposed to integrate the two different mindsets to guide applied basic research and translation of biomaterial-based products, from the material and technical perspectives. Cartilage repair substitutes are discussed here as an example. Hopefully, this will lay a strong foundation for biomaterial research and clinical translation, while reducing the amount of extra research effort and funding required due to the dissonance between innovative basic research and commercialization pipeline.

•

To elucidate the chain of medical devices development and basic research process.

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To propose rationales of biomaterial research with mindset of clinical translation.

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To elaborate with established medical devices for cartilage repairs as examples.

The Accumulation of Gut Microbiome-derived Indoxyl Sulfate and P-Cresyl Sulfate in Patients With End-stage Renal Disease

OBJECTIVES

Indoxyl sulfate (IS) and p-cresyl sulfate (pCS) are two important gut microbiota-generated protein-bound uremic toxins. The present study aims to explore the alterations of serum IS and pCS concentrations, their production, and daily removal in end-stage renal disease (ESRD).

METHODS

A case-controlled study was conducted based on 11 patients with ESRD and 11 healthy volunteers. The metabolic processes for IS and pCS were compared in these two groups, including gut microbiome, fecal indole and p-cresol, indole-producing bacteria and p-cresol-producing bacteria, serum total IS and pCS concentrations, and their daily removal by urine and spent dialyzate.

RESULTS

Compared with healthy controls, patients with ESRD exhibited higher relative abundance of the indole-producing bacteria Escherichia coli (P < .001) and Bacteroides fragilis (P = .010) and p-cresol-producing bacteria Bacteroides fragilis (P = .010) and Bacteroides caccae (P = .047). The predicted functional profiles of gut microbiome based on 16S rRNA gene PhyloChip analysis showed that the microbial tryptophan metabolism pathway (map00380, P = .0006) was significantly enriched in patients with ESRD. However, the fecal precursors indole (P = .332) and p-cresol concentrations (P = .699) were comparable between the two groups. The serum IS (P < .001) and pCS (P < .001) concentrations were far higher in patients with ESRD than those in healthy controls, whereas the daily total removal by urine and dialyzate was much lower for the former than that for the latter (P = .019 for IS, P = .016 for pCS).

CONCLUSIONS

The present study showed serious IS and pCS accumulation in patients with ESRD, with significant expansion of indole-producing bacteria and p-cresol-producing bacteria, upregulation of the bacterial tryptophan metabolism pathway, and greatly increased serum IS and pCS concentrations, whereas significant decline of daily IS and pCS removal.

FDX1 can Impact the Prognosis and Mediate the Metabolism of Lung Adenocarcinoma

Background: Lung cancer has emerged as one of the most common cancers in recent years. The mitochondrial electron transport chain (ETC) is closely connected with metabolic pathways and inflammatory response. However, the influence of ETC-associated genes on the tumor immune response and the pathogenesis of lung cancer is not clear and needs further exploration.

Methods: The RNA-sequencing transcriptome and clinical characteristic data of LUAD were downloaded from the Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database. The LASSO algorithm was used to build the risk signature, and the prediction model was evaluated by the survival analysis and receiver operating characteristic curve. We explored the function of FDX1 through flow cytometry, molecular biological methods, and liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry/mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS).

Results: 12 genes (FDX1, FDX2, LOXL2, ASPH, GLRX2, ALDH2, CYCS, AKR1A1, MAOB, RDH16, CYBB, and CYB5A) were selected to build the risk signature, and the risk score was calculated with the coefficients from the LASSO algorithm. The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year area under the curve (AUC) of ROC curves of the dataset were 0.7, 0.674, and 0.692, respectively. Univariate Cox analysis and multivariate Cox regression analysis indicated that the risk signature is an independent risk factor for LUAD patients. Among these genes, we focused on the FDX1 gene, and we found that knockdown of FDX1 neither inhibited tumor cell growth nor did it induce apoptosis or abnormal cell cycle distribution. But FDX1 could promote the ATP production. Furthermore, our study showed that FDX1 was closely related to the glucose metabolism, fatty acid oxidation, and amino acid metabolism.

Conclusion: Collectively, this study provides new clues about carcinogenesis induced by ETC-associated genes in LUAD and paves the way for finding potential targets of LUAD.