Hepatic fibrosis is not only a pathological process of hepatic self-repair after chronic liver injury， but also a critical stage in the progression of chronic liver disease to liver cirrhosis. Studies have shown that as a pro-inflammatory form of programmed cell death， pyroptosis plays an important role in various diseases and is also considered a potential therapeutic target for hepatic fibrosis. This article systematically reviews the association of pyroptosis in hepatocytes， hepatic stellate cells， and hepatic macrophages with hepatic fibrosis and discusses pyroptosis-mediated therapeutic strategies targeting hepatic fibrosis.

Objective: Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is one of the most common neurodevelopmental disorders in children and adolescents, often accompanied by motor function disorders. Sarcopenia not only has skeletal muscle dysfunction but also has neurocognitive dysfunction. At present, there is no research to explore the relationship between ADHD and skeletal muscle function. The purpose of this study is to explore whether there is a causal effect between ADHD and sarcopenia. Methods: In this study, genome-wide association study data of ADHD, appendicular lean mass (ALM), hand grip strength, and walking pace (WP) were extracted from public databases. The bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) method was employed to investigate the correlation between ADHD and sarcopenia-related indicators, and the inverse-variance weighted analysis as the primary analysis method. Results: Based on the forward MR analysis, a potential causal relationship exists between ADHD and ALM (odds ratio [OR]=1.020, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.012–1.029, p<0.001). The reverse MR analysis indicates a link between WP and the risk of ADHD (OR=2.712, 95% CI: 1.609–4.571, p<0.001), with an accelerated WP increasing the likelihood of ADHD. Nevertheless, other MR analysis results did not show significant differences. Conclusion The findings of this study indicate an intricate causal relationship between ADHD and sarcopenia, suggesting the absence of a clear link. WP may be used as one of the indicators to evaluate the risk of ADHD. At the same time, we should pay more attention to the ALM of ADHD patients.

This narrative review examines the challenges, strategies, and future directions in the development of young teachers within the pathophysiology departments of Chinese medical colleges. A thorough review of 49 studies published between 2013 and 2024 was carried out using PubMed, Web of Science, and various Chinese databases. The primary challenges identified include teaching innovation (cited in 84.2% of the studies), research pressure (91.2%), disciplinary characteristics (87.7%), and career development (80.7%). Medical schools have responded by enhancing training systems (94.7%), innovating teaching methods (93.0%), and bolstering research support (96.5%). Looking ahead, trends are shifting toward the application of new technologies, interdisciplinary integration, and international collaboration. The focus on cultivating young teachers is increasingly geared towards personalization and diversification, which are essential for advancing education in pathophysiology. High-quality young teachers are pivotal in raising teaching standards, fostering research innovation, and facilitating interdisciplinary exchanges. Based on these insights, we recommend several practical measures to enhance the quality of pathophysiology education in China. These include establishing comprehensive training programs that integrate teaching innovation and research skills; developing structured mentorship systems with clear pathways for career advancement; creating platforms that support technology-enhanced teaching and international collaboration; and implementing systematic evaluation mechanisms to assess teaching effectiveness. These targeted interventions will require a coordinated effort from department heads, educational institutions, and policymakers to ensure a sustained improvement in the quality of pathophysiology education.

Macrophages are innate immune cells connected with the development of inflammation. Retinoic acid has previously been proved to have anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic properties. However, the exact mechanism through which retinoic acid modulates arthritis remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate whether retinoic acid ameliorates rheumatoid arthritis by modulating macrophage polarization. This study used retinoic acid to treat mice with adjuvant arthritis and evaluated anti-inflammatory effects by arthritis score, thermal nociceptive sensitization test, histopathologic examination and immunofluorescence assays. In addition, its specific anti-arthritic mechanism was investigated by flow cytometry, cell transfection and inflammatory signaling pathway assays in RAW264.7 macrophages in vitro. Retinoic acid significantly relieved joint pain and attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration in mice. Furthermore, this treatment modulated peritoneal macrophage polarization, increased levels of arginase 1, as well as decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase expression. In vitro, we verified that retinoic acid promotes macrophage transition from the M1 to M2 type by upregulating mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) phosphatase 1 (MKP-1) expression and inhibiting P38, JNK and ERK phosphorylation in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Notably, the therapeutic effects of retinoic acid were inhibited by MKP-1 knockdown. Retinoic acid exerts a significant therapeutic effect on adjuvant arthritis in mice by regulating macrophage polarization through the MKP-1/MAPK pathway, and play an important role in the treatment of rheumatic diseases.

Objective The complex evolutionary history of the origin of medicinal blue herbs might result in the presence of adulterants, affecting the accuracy and safety of clinical medication. To provide a reference basis for the identification of medicinal blue herbs with leaves as the medicinal part, based on the leaf epidermis microstructure. Methods The species belonging to medicinal blue herbs and their close relatives (10 species from 4 genera) were systematically investigated. The leaf epidermis microstructure of these species was observed and analyzed by optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. A species retrieval table was established based on the microstructure characteristics. Results By combining the distribution of stomata, types of subsidiary cells, stomatal index, stomatal density, characteristics of the periclinal walls of epidermal cells, and epidermal appendages, the species Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum, Polygonum tinctorium, Isatis indigotica, I. violascens, I. costata, I. minima, Strobilanthes wallichii, S. dalzielii, S. pentstemonoides, and S. cusia can be accurately distinguished. Conclusion Microscopic characteristics of leaf epidermis can provide reference data for accurately differentiating the botanical origins of medicinal blue herbs.

Linxian County in Henan Province, Northern China is known as the region with the highest incidence and mortality rate of esophageal cancer worldwide. Since 1959, the Henan medical team has conducted field work on esophageal cancer prevention and treatment in Linxian. Through three generations of effort exerted by oncologists over 65 years of research on esophageal cancer prevention and treatment in Linxian, the incidence rate of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma in this area has dropped by nearly 50%, and the 5-year survival rate has increased to 40%, reaching the international leading level. This article aims to summarize the history, present opportunities and new challenges, and explore the experience of esophageal cancer prevention and treatment in Linxian (referred to as the “Linxian experience”), providing reference and guidance to cancer prevention and treatment research in China.

Reproductive system diseases are among the primary contributors to the decline in social fertility rates and the intensification of aging, posing significant threats to both physical and mental health, as well as quality of life. Recent research has revealed the substantial potential of the gut microbiota in improving reproductive system diseases. Under healthy conditions, the gut microbiota maintains a dynamic balance, whereas dysfunction can trigger immune-inflammatory responses, metabolic disorders, and other issues, subsequently leading to reproductive system diseases through the gut-gonadal axis. Reproductive diseases, in turn, can exacerbate gut microbiota imbalance. This article reviews the impact of the gut microbiota and its metabolites on both male and female reproductive systems, analyzing changes in typical gut microorganisms and their metabolites related to reproductive function. The composition, diversity, and metabolites of gut bacteria, such as Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Firmicutes, including short-chain fatty acids, 5-hydroxytryptamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and bile acids, are closely linked to reproductive function. As reproductive diseases develop, intestinal immune function typically undergoes changes, and the expression levels of immune-related factors, such as Toll-like receptors and inflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β), also vary. The gut microbiota and its metabolites influence reproductive hormones such as estrogen, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone, thereby affecting folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis. Additionally, the metabolism and absorption of vitamins can also impact spermatogenesis through the gut-testis axis. As the relationship between the gut microbiota and reproductive diseases becomes clearer, targeted regulation of the gut microbiota can be employed to address reproductive system issues in both humans and animals. This article discusses the regulation of the gut microbiota and intestinal immune function through microecological preparations, fecal microbiota transplantation, and drug therapy to treat reproductive diseases. Microbial preparations and drug therapy can help maintain the intestinal barrier and reduce chronic inflammation. Fecal microbiota transplantation involves transferring feces from healthy individuals into the recipient’s intestine, enhancing mucosal integrity and increasing microbial diversity. This article also delves into the underlying mechanisms by which the gut microbiota influences reproductive capacity through the gut-gonadal axis and explores the latest research in diagnosing and treating reproductive diseases using gut microbiota. The goal is to restore reproductive capacity by targeting the regulation of the gut microbiota. While the gut microbiota holds promise as a therapeutic target for reproductive diseases, several challenges remain. First, research on the association between gut microbiota and reproductive diseases is insufficient to establish a clear causal relationship, which is essential for proposing effective therapeutic methods targeting the gut microbiota. Second, although gut microbiota metabolites can influence lipid, glucose, and hormone synthesis and metabolism via various signaling pathways—thereby indirectly affecting ovarian and testicular function—more in-depth research is required to understand the direct effects of these metabolites on germ cells or granulosa cells. Lastly, the specific efficacy of gut microbiota in treating reproductive diseases is influenced by multiple factors, necessitating further mechanistic research and clinical studies to validate and optimize treatment regimens.

Circadian rhythm is an endogenous biological clock mechanism that enables organisms to adapt to the earth’s alternation of day and night. It plays a fundamental role in regulating physiological functions and behavioral patterns, such as sleep, feeding, hormone levels and body temperature. By aligning these processes with environmental changes, circadian rhythm plays a pivotal role in maintaining homeostasis and promoting optimal health. However, modern lifestyles, characterized by irregular work schedules and pervasive exposure to artificial light, have disrupted these rhythms for many individuals. Such disruptions have been linked to a variety of health problems, including sleep disorders, metabolic syndromes, cardiovascular diseases, and immune dysfunction, underscoring the critical role of circadian rhythm in human health. Among the numerous systems influenced by circadian rhythm, the skin—a multifunctional organ and the largest by surface area—is particularly noteworthy. As the body’s first line of defense against environmental insults such as UV radiation, pollutants, and pathogens, the skin is highly affected by changes in circadian rhythm. Circadian rhythm regulates multiple skin-related processes, including cyclic changes in cell proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis, as well as DNA repair mechanisms and antioxidant defenses. For instance, studies have shown that keratinocyte proliferation peaks during the night, coinciding with reduced environmental stress, while DNA repair mechanisms are most active during the day to counteract UV-induced damage. This temporal coordination highlights the critical role of circadian rhythms in preserving skin integrity and function. Beyond maintaining homeostasis, circadian rhythm is also pivotal in the skin’s repair and regeneration processes following injury. Skin regeneration is a complex, multi-stage process involving hemostasis, inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling, all of which are influenced by circadian regulation. Key cellular activities, such as fibroblast migration, keratinocyte activation, and extracellular matrix remodeling, are modulated by the circadian clock, ensuring that repair processes occur with optimal efficiency. Additionally, circadian rhythm regulates the secretion of cytokines and growth factors, which are critical for coordinating cellular communication and orchestrating tissue regeneration. Disruptions to these rhythms can impair the repair process, leading to delayed wound healing, increased scarring, or chronic inflammatory conditions. The aim of this review is to synthesize recent information on the interactions between circadian rhythms and skin physiology, with a particular focus on skin tissue repair and regeneration. Molecular mechanisms of circadian regulation in skin cells, including the role of core clock genes such as Clock, Bmal1, Per and Cry. These genes control the expression of downstream effectors involved in cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, oxidative stress response and inflammatory pathways. By understanding how these mechanisms operate in healthy and diseased states, we can discover new insights into the temporal dynamics of skin regeneration. In addition, by exploring the therapeutic potential of circadian biology in enhancing skin repair and regeneration, strategies such as topical medications that can be applied in a time-limited manner, phototherapy that is synchronized with circadian rhythms, and pharmacological modulation of clock genes are expected to optimize clinical outcomes. Interventions based on the skin’s natural rhythms can provide a personalized and efficient approach to promote skin regeneration and recovery. This review not only introduces the important role of circadian rhythms in skin biology, but also provides a new idea for future innovative therapies and regenerative medicine based on circadian rhythms.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Shenkang injection in delaying diabetic kidney disease by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress and attenuating podocyte apoptosis through the Glucose regulated protein 78 （ GRP78 ） / transcription factor C / EBP homologous protein （ CHOP ） signaling pathway （GRP78/CHOP） signaling pathway. MethodsFor the animal experiment， 10 12-week-old db/m mice were selected as a normal group， and 30 12-week-old db/db mice were randomly divided into a model group， a Shenkang injection group （15.6 mL·kg^-1）， and a dapagliflozin group （1.6 mg·kg^-1）. To observe the general condition of mice， fasting blood glucose， urinary albumin/urine creatinine （ACR）， and 24 h urine protein quantification were detected in each group before drug administration. After 12 weeks of drug treatment， mice were tested for fasting blood glucose， total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density cholesterol （LDL）， ACR， 24 h urine protein quantification， blood creatinine （SCr）， and blood urea （UREA）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining， and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the pathologic morphology in renal tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of nephroprotective marker protein （Nephrin）， glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein （CHOP）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） in renal tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， Bcl-2， Bax， and Nephrin proteins， and Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to detect the expressions of Nephrin， GRP78， CHOP， Bcl-2， and Bax mRNAs in renal tissue. ResultsBefore drug administration， compared with those in the normal group， the body mass of db/db mice was significantly increased， and blood glucose， 24 h urine protein quantification， and ACR were significantly elevated in the Shenkang injection group and Dapagliflozin group （P<0.01）. After 12 weeks of administration， compared with those in the model group， the general state of mice in the Shenkang injection group was significantly improved， and the body mass was decreased. The blood glucose was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and blood lipids TC， TG， and LDL were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The 24 h urine protein quantification and ACR were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and SCr and UREA were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. Compared with those of the model group， the pathologic results of the Shenkang injection group showed that proliferation of mesangial cells， reduction of inflammatory cell infiltration， and alleviation of renal tubular vacuolization and podocyte damage were observed in renal tissue of mice. Electron microscopy showed that fusion of the pedicle protruding and thickening of the basement membrane were reduced. Immunohistochemistry results showed that the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and Bax proteins were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Nephrin and Bcl-2 proteins were significantly increased （P<0.01） in renal tissue of the Shenkang injection group. Western blot results showed that the expressions of Nephrin and Bcl-2 in the Shenkang injection group were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and Bax proteins were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Real-time PCR results showed that the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and Bax mRNAs were down regulated in the Shenkang injection group （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Nephrin and Bcl-2 mRNAs were up regulated （P<0.01）. ConclusionShenkang injection inhibits endoplasmic reticulum stress response and podocyte apoptosis by regulating the GRP78/CHOP signaling pathway， which in turn ensures the integrity of glomerular filtration barrier， reduces the occurrence of proteinuria， improves renal function， and thus delays the progression of diabetic kidney disease.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Shenkang injection in delaying diabetic kidney disease by regulating endoplasmic reticulum stress and attenuating podocyte apoptosis through the Glucose regulated protein 78 （ GRP78 ） / transcription factor C / EBP homologous protein （ CHOP ） signaling pathway （GRP78/CHOP） signaling pathway. MethodsFor the animal experiment， 10 12-week-old db/m mice were selected as a normal group， and 30 12-week-old db/db mice were randomly divided into a model group， a Shenkang injection group （15.6 mL·kg^-1）， and a dapagliflozin group （1.6 mg·kg^-1）. To observe the general condition of mice， fasting blood glucose， urinary albumin/urine creatinine （ACR）， and 24 h urine protein quantification were detected in each group before drug administration. After 12 weeks of drug treatment， mice were tested for fasting blood glucose， total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density cholesterol （LDL）， ACR， 24 h urine protein quantification， blood creatinine （SCr）， and blood urea （UREA）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining， and transmission electron microscopy were used to observe the pathologic morphology in renal tissue. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of nephroprotective marker protein （Nephrin）， glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein （CHOP）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， and Bcl-2-associated X protein （Bax） in renal tissue. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， Bcl-2， Bax， and Nephrin proteins， and Real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to detect the expressions of Nephrin， GRP78， CHOP， Bcl-2， and Bax mRNAs in renal tissue. ResultsBefore drug administration， compared with those in the normal group， the body mass of db/db mice was significantly increased， and blood glucose， 24 h urine protein quantification， and ACR were significantly elevated in the Shenkang injection group and Dapagliflozin group （P<0.01）. After 12 weeks of administration， compared with those in the model group， the general state of mice in the Shenkang injection group was significantly improved， and the body mass was decreased. The blood glucose was significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and blood lipids TC， TG， and LDL were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The 24 h urine protein quantification and ACR were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and SCr and UREA were significantly reduced （P<0.01）. Compared with those of the model group， the pathologic results of the Shenkang injection group showed that proliferation of mesangial cells， reduction of inflammatory cell infiltration， and alleviation of renal tubular vacuolization and podocyte damage were observed in renal tissue of mice. Electron microscopy showed that fusion of the pedicle protruding and thickening of the basement membrane were reduced. Immunohistochemistry results showed that the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and Bax proteins were significantly reduced （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Nephrin and Bcl-2 proteins were significantly increased （P<0.01） in renal tissue of the Shenkang injection group. Western blot results showed that the expressions of Nephrin and Bcl-2 in the Shenkang injection group were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and Bax proteins were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Real-time PCR results showed that the expressions of GRP78， CHOP， and Bax mRNAs were down regulated in the Shenkang injection group （P<0.01）， and the expressions of Nephrin and Bcl-2 mRNAs were up regulated （P<0.01）. ConclusionShenkang injection inhibits endoplasmic reticulum stress response and podocyte apoptosis by regulating the GRP78/CHOP signaling pathway， which in turn ensures the integrity of glomerular filtration barrier， reduces the occurrence of proteinuria， improves renal function， and thus delays the progression of diabetic kidney disease.