Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common form of human joint disease, is characterized by progressive degeneration of the articular cartilage, synovitis and subchondral osteoporosis. Chondrocyte apoptosis is the primary pathogenic mechanism of OA and is considered to be a potential therapeutic target. Sulforaphane (SFN), a dietary isothiocyanate obtained from cruciferous vegetables, has been reported to exert an anti‑apoptotic effect by activating sirtuin 1 (SIRT1). To the best of our knowledge, however, the effects of SFN on apoptotic responses in OA have not been reported. In the present study, SFN was shown to significantly inhibit chondrocyte apoptosis while enhancing expression levels of SIRT1 in a H₂O₂‑induced OA mouse model. The anti‑apoptotic effect of SFN was reversed by SIRT1 small interfering RNA, implying that SIRT1 exerted a protective role against the effect of SFN on chondrocytes. The expression levels of C/EBP homologous protein, 78‑kDa glucose regulated protein, Bax, Bcl‑2 and cleaved caspase 3 were found to be downregulated in SFN‑treated mice. Furthermore, SFN ameliorated cartilage degradation in the OA mouse model. These findings indicate that SFN exerted an anti‑apoptotic effect on chondrocytes and ameliorated OA in vivo by activating the SIRT1 signaling pathway.

To identify novel autoantibodies of Takayasu arteritis (TAK) using HuProt array-based approach, a two-phase approach was adopted. In Phase I, serum samples collected from 40 TAK patients, 15 autoimmune disease patients, and 20 healthy subjects were screened to identify TAK-specific autoantibodies using human protein (HuProt) arrays. In phase II, the identified candidate autoantibodies were validated with TAK-focused arrays using an additional cohort comprised of 109 TAK patients, 110 autoimmune disease patients, and 96 healthy subjects. Subsequently, the TAK-specific autoantibodies validated in phase II were further confirmed using western blot analysis. We identified and validated eight autoantibodies as potential TAK-specific diagnostic biomarkers, including anti-SPATA7, -QDPR, -SLC25A2, -PRH2, -DIXDC1, -IL17RB, -ZFAND4, and -NOLC1 antibodies, with AUC of 0.803, 0.801, 0.780, 0.696, 0.695, 0.678, 0.635, and 0.613, respectively. SPATA7 could distinguish TAK from healthy and disease controls with 73.4% sensitivity at 85.4% specificity, while QDPR showed 71.6% sensitivity at 86.4% specificity. SLC25A22 showed the highest sensitivity of 80.7%, but at lower specificity of 67.0%. In addition, PRH2, IL17RB, and NOLC1 showed good specificities of 88.3%, 85.9%, and 86.9%, respectively, but at lower sensitivities (<50%). Finally, DIXDC1 and ZFAND4 showed moderate performance as compared with the other autoantibodies. Using a decision tree model, we could reach a specificity of 94.2% with AUC of 0.843, a significantly improved performance as compared with that by each individual biomarker. The performances of three autoantibodies, namely anti-SPATA7, -QDPR, and -PRH2, were successfully confirmed with western blot analysis. Using this two-phase strategy, we identified and validated eight novel autoantibodies as TAK–specific biomarker candidates, three of which could be readily adopted in a clinical setting.

Background: Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ) is a prevalent pathogen associated with a wide range of infections, exhibiting significant antibiotic resistance and posing therapeutic challenges in clinical settings. The formation of biofilms contributes to the emergence of resistant strains, further diminishing the efficacy of antibiotics. This, in turn, leads to chronic and recurrent infections, ultimately increasing the healthcare burden. Consequently, preventing and eliminating biofilms has become a critical focus in clinical management and research. Aim of review: This review systematically examines the mechanisms underlying biofilm formation in S. aureus and its contribution to antibiotic resistance, emphasizing the essential roles biofilms play in maintaining structural integrity and enhancing resistance. It also analyses the protective mechanisms that fortify S. aureus biofilms against antimicrobial treatments. Furthermore, the review provides a comprehensive overview of recent therapeutic innovations, including enzymatic therapy, nanotechnology, gene editing, and phage therapy. Key scientific concepts of review: Emerging therapeutic strategies present novel approaches to combat S. aureus biofilm-associated infections through various mechanisms. This review discusses recent advancements in these therapies, their practical challenges in clinical application, and provides an in-depth analysis of each strategy’s mechanisms and therapeutic potential. By mapping future research directions, this review aims to refine anti-biofilm strategies to control infection progression and effectively mitigate recurrence.

Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) are a group of autoimmune diseases that includes the main subtypes dermatomyositis, polymyositis, immune-mediated necrotizing myopathy, and inclusion body myositis. IIMs are characterized by the involvement of skeletal muscle and multiple organs, including the heart. This review summarizes the pathology, prevalence, biomarkers, imaging and treatment of cardiac involvement in patients with IIMs. The cardiac involvement in these patients is usually subclinical and rarely considered as the main clinical feature at the time of initial consultation, with a prevalence ranging from 4% to 26%. However, it results in a worse prognosis and represents the main cause of mortality in patients with IIMs. The selection of specific serum cardiac biomarkers is essential for the early detection of cardiac involvement in patients with IIMs, such as cardiac troponin I (cTnI), which is preferred over cardiac troponin T (cTnT), followed by diagnostic evaluations including electrocardiography (ECG), echocardiography (ECHO), and cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR). The combination of glucocorticoids, immunosuppressants, and conventional cardiac medications is effective for the management of IIM patients with confirmed cardiac involvement.

Background: There has been controversial for the treatment of the posterolateral tibial plateau fractures (PTPF). This study aimed to evaluate clinic outcomes of the lateral locking compression plate (LCP) postposition, analyze the feasibility of LCP postposition through anatomical measurement, and address the potential problems of LCP postposition through the biomechanical assessment. Methods: 39 patients with PTPF undergoing LCP fixation between June 2019 and June 2022 were retrospectively evaluated. All cases were divided into two group: Group A (15 cases) employed plate transverse arm postpositioning with posterolateral (PL) fracture fixation using two raft screws, while Group B (24 cases) utilized non-postpositioning with fixation by a single raft screw. Surgical duration, intraoperative blood loss, the change of lateral tibial plateau angle (LTPA), lateral tibial plateau posterior slope angle (LPSA) and fracture collapse between immediate postoperative and last follow up, range of motion (ROM), HSS knee score, and Lysholm knee score were recorded. CT measurements of the fibular head superior space and LCP transverse arm were taken in 50 healthy adult knees to assess postposition feasibility. Finally, three fracture models were established using finite element analysis: Model A with plate postposition and PL split fracture fixed by two raft screws of transverse arm, Model B with plate non-postposition and PL split fracture fixed by one raft screw, and Model C with plate non-postposition and PL split fracture fixed by one raft screw and anterior–posterior tension screws. Loadings of 250N, 500N, and 750N were applied for the analysis of the displacement degree, von Mises stress distribution. Results: Results indicate comparable operative duration and intraoperative hemorrhage between groups. Complications were minimal in both groups. Group A demonstrated superior outcomes in terms of radiographic parameters, functional scores, and fracture collapse prevention. CT measurements revealed compatibility in 72% of healthy knees with the postpositioning technique. Finite element analysis indicated favorable biomechanical stability. Conclusion: Not all patients with PTPF were applicable to the management of the plate postposition and two raft screws fixation, even though this technique exerted good biomechanical stability and achieved satisfactory clinic outcomes. When the PL fracture was fixed by only raft screw through LCP owing to various reasons, two anterior–posterior tension screws might be necessitated to maintain the fracture stability.

Background: Bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by Acinetobacter baumannii (AB), especially carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB), can lead to a high patient mortality rate. Methods: This study aimed to analyze the clinical data and prognosis of 191 patients with AB-BSI hospitalized in Southern China from January 2017 to December 2023. Results: CRAB was diagnosed in 128 (67.0%) of the 191 patients with AB-BSI. Endotracheal intubation (OR = 23.957, 95% CI: 5.123– 112.022, P < 0.001), carbapenem treatment (OR = 6.422, 95% CI: 1.554– 26.542, P = 0.010) and ≥ 2 antimicrobial drugs therapy (OR = 6.131, 95% CI: 1.763– 21.324, P = 0.004) prior to the onset of BSI were independent risk factors for the development of CRAB-BSI, as revealed by the binary logistic regression analysis. The overall mortality rate of patients with AB-BSI was 27.7%, while that of patients with CRAB was significantly higher than that of patients with carbapenem-sensitive Acinetobacter baumannii (CSAB) (39.1% vs 4.8%, P < 0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed septic shock (HR = 3.664, 95% CI: 1.537– 8.736, P = 0.003) as an independent risk factor for mortality in CRAB-BSI patients. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed a significantly lower 28-day survival rate for CRAB-BSI patients who developed septic shock compared to those who did not (58.4% vs 87.1%, P = 0.001). Conclusion: Clinicians should closely monitor patients at high risk for CRAB-BSI, focusing on invasive procedure management and antimicrobial stewardship. Timely supportive care is crucial for CRAB-BSI patients at risk of septic shock to improve survival outcomes.