Adipose tissue is a critical energy reservoir in animals and humans, with multifaceted roles in endocrine regulation, immune response, and providing mechanical protection. Based on anatomical location and functional characteristics, adipose tissue can be categorized into distinct types, including white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT), beige adipose tissue, and pink adipose tissue. Traditionally, adipose tissue research has centered on its morphological and functional properties as a whole. However, with the advent of single-cell transcriptomics, a new level of complexity in adipose tissue has been unveiled, showing that even under identical conditions, cells of the same type may exhibit significant variation in morphology, structure, function, and gene expression——phenomena collectively referred to as cellular heterogeneity. Single-cell transcriptomics, including techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), enables in-depth analysis of the diversity and heterogeneity of adipocytes at the single-cell level. This high-resolution approach has not only deepened our understanding of adipocyte functionality but also facilitated the discovery of previously unidentified cell types and gene expression patterns that may play key roles in adipose tissue function. This review delves into the latest advances in the application of single-cell transcriptomics in elucidating the heterogeneity and diversity within adipose tissue, highlighting how these findings have redefined the understanding of cell subpopulations within different adipose depots. Moreover, the review explores how single-cell transcriptomic technologies have enabled the study of cellular communication pathways and differentiation trajectories among adipose cell subgroups. By mapping these interactions and differentiation processes, researchers gain insights into how distinct cellular subpopulations coordinate within adipose tissues, which is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis and function. Understanding these mechanisms is essential, as dysregulation in adipose cell interactions and differentiation underlies a range of metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2. Furthermore, single-cell transcriptomics holds promising implications for identifying therapeutic targets; by pinpointing specific cell types and gene pathways involved in adipose tissue dysfunction, these technologies pave the way for developing targeted interventions aimed at modulating specific adipose subpopulations. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of single-cell transcriptomic technologies in uncovering the heterogeneity and functional diversity of adipose tissues.

This study aims to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of polysaccharide extract PCP1 from Polygonatum cyrtonema in ameliorating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) injury in rats through modulation of the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) signaling pathway. In vivo, SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group, model group, PCP1 group, nimodipine(NMDP) group, and TLR4 signaling inhibitor(TAK-242) group. A middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R) model was established, and neurological deficit scores and infarct size were evaluated 24 hours after reperfusion. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in ischemic brain tissue. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) assessed ultrastructural damage in cortical neurons. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-18(IL-18), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-10(IL-10), and nitric oxide(NO) in serum. Immunofluorescence was used to analyze the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins. In vitro, a BV2 microglial cell oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R) model was established, and cells were divided into the control, OGD/R, PCP1, TAK-242, and PCP1 + TLR4 activator lipopolysaccharide(LPS) groups. The CCK-8 assay evaluated BV2 cell viability, and ELISA determined NO release. Western blot was used to analyze the expression of TLR4, NLRP3, and downstream pathway-related proteins. The results indicated that, compared with the model group, PCP1 significantly reduced neurological deficit scores, infarct size, ischemic tissue pathology, cortical cell damage, and the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-α, and NO(P<0.01). It also elevated IL-10 levels(P<0.01) and decreased the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins(P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, in vitro results showed that, compared with the OGD/R group, PCP1 significantly improved BV2 cell viability(P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced cell NO levels induced by OGD/R(P<0.01), and inhibited the expression of TLR4-related inflammatory pathway proteins, including TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6), phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p-p65)/nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p65), NLRP3, cleaved-caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC), GSDMD-N, IL-1β, and IL-18(P<0.05, P<0.01). The protective effects of PCP1 were reversed by LPS stimulation. In conclusion, PCP1 ameliorates cerebral I/R injury by modulating the TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway, exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-pyroptotic effects.
Animals ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/genetics* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Reperfusion Injury/genetics* ; Male ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Polysaccharides/isolation & purification* ; Polygonatum/chemistry* ; Brain Ischemia/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Humans

Aim To explore the effect of kaempferol-7- 0-neohesperidoside (K70N) against prostate cancer (PCa) and the underlying mechanism. Methods The effect of K70N on the proliferation of PCa cell lines PC3, DU145, C4-2 and LNCaP was detected using CCK8 assay. The effect of K70N on migration ability of DU145 cells was determined by wound healing assay. The targets of K70N and PCa were screened from SuperPred and other databases. The common targets both related to K70N and PCa were obtained from the Venny online platform, a protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed by the String and Cyto- scape. Meanwhile, the GO and KEGG functional enrichment were analyzed by David database. Then, a "drug-target-disease-pathway" network model was constructed. Cell cycle of PCa cells treated with K70N was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expressions of cycle-associated proteins including Skp2, p27 and p21 protein were detected by Western blot. Molecular docking between Skp2 and K70N was conducted by Sybyl X2. 0. Results K70N significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of PCa cells. A total number of 34 drug-disease intersection targets were screened. The String results showed that Skp2 and p27, among the common targets, were the key targets of K70N for PCa treatment. Furthermore, GO and KEGG functional en-richment indicated that the mechanism was mainly related to the cell cycle. Flow cytometry showed that K70N treatment induced cell cycle arrest at the S phase. Compared with the control group, the protein expression level of Skp2 was significantly down-regulated, while the protein expression levels of p27 and p21 were up-regulated. The network molecular docking indicated that the ligand K70N had a good binding ability with the receptor Skp2. Conclusions K70N could inhibit the proliferation and migration of PCa cells, block the cell cycle in the S phase, which may be related to the regulation of cell cycle through the Skp2- p27/p21 signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the optimal storage condition and time of umbilical cord blood from collection to preparation.Methods:Collect cord blood samples from 30 healthy newborns,with each new born's umbilical cord blood was divided into two parts on average.One part was stored in cold storage(4 ℃)and the other was stored at room temperature(20-24 ℃).Samples were taken at 24,36,48,60 and 72 h,respectively,total nucleated cells(TNC)count and TNC viability was analyzed.Flow cytometry was used to detect the ratio of viable CD34+cells to viable CD45+cells and viability of CD34+cells,and colony-forming unit-granulocyte-macrophage(CFU-GM)count was performed by hematopoietic progenitor cell colony culture.The change trend of each index over time was observed,and the differences in each index was compared between cold storage and room temperature storage under the same storage time.Results:The TNC count(r4℃=-0.9588,r20-24℃=-0.9790),TNC viability(r4℃=-0.9941,r20 24 ℃=-0.9970),CD34+cells viability(r4℃=-0.9932,r20-24℃=-0.9828)of cord blood stored in cold storage(4 ℃)and room temperature storage(20-24 ℃)showed a consistent downward trend with the prolongation of storage time.The percentage of viable CD34+cells(r4℃=0.9169,r20-24 ℃=0.7470)and CFU-GM count(r4℃=-0.2537,r20-24℃=-0.8098)did not show consistent trends.When the storage time was the same,the TNC count,TNC viability,CD34+cells viability and CFU-GM count of cord blood stored in cold storage were higher than those stored at room temperature.Under the same storage time(24,36,48,60 or 72 h),TNC viability in room temperature storage was significantly lower than that in cold storage(P＜0.001),but TNC count,percentage of viable CD34+cells and CFU-GM count were not significantly different between room temperature storage and cold storage.When stored at room temperature for 24 h and 36 h,the viability of CD34+cells was significantly lower than that in cold storage(P＜0.001,P＜0.01),when the storage time for 48,60 and 72 h,there was no significant difference in the CD34+cells viability between room temperature storage and cold storage.Conclusion:It is recommended that cord blood be stored in cold storage(4 ℃)from collection to preparation,and processed as soon as possible.

Objective To observe the effect of abdominal massage combined with thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding on sleep homeostasis system in rats with anxiety insomnia.Methods Forty rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,abdominal massage group,thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group and abdominal massage plus thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group,with 8 rats in each group.Except for the normal group,the rats in the other groups were used to replicate the model of anxiety insomnia by multi-factor compound stimulation.After the corresponding intervention,Morris water maze test was used to detect the level of learning and memory.Open field test was used to detect the degree of anxiety stress.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the pathological changes of hypothalamic ventral lateral preoptic nucleus(VLPO)neurons.Immunohistochemistry,real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)and Western Blot were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)receptor subunits NR1,NR2B and calmodulin kinase Ⅱ(CaMK Ⅱ)in hypothalamic VLPO area,respectively.Results Compared with the normal group,the daytime anxiety symptoms of the rats in the model group were aggravated,the sleep latency was prolonged and the duration was shortened(P＜0.01).The average total swimming distance and average escape latency of the water maze directional navigation experiment were increased(P＜0.01).The number of crossing the hidden platform and the retention time of the target quadrant in the space exploration experiment were decreased(P＜0.01).The movement distance,the number of central grid crossings and the retention time of the central grid in the open field experiment were significantly reduced(P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in the modification frequency and the number of uprights(P＞0.05).Neurons in the VLPO brain region showed pathological damage.The protein and mRNA expression levels of NR1 and CaMK Ⅱ were decreased(P＜0.01)in VLPO brain region,and the protein and mRNA expression levels of NR2B were increased(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the level of learning and memory in the water maze test and the degree of anxiety stress in the open field test were significantly restored in the abdominal massage group,the thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group and the abdominal massage combined with thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),the neuronal damage in the VLPO brain region was improved,the protein and mRNA expression levels of NR1,CaMK Ⅱ were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the protein and mRNA expression levels of NR2B were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The improvement effect of the above indexes in the abdominal massage plus thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group was superior to that in the abdominal massage group or thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion Abdominal massage combined with thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding can promote sleep and anti-anxiety in rats with anxiety insomnia.The related mechanism may be related to adjusting the dynamic balance between NR1/NR2B in VLPO brain area and up-regulating the expression level of CaMK Ⅱ,improving the function of neurons in VLPO brain area,and then restoring the regulation of sleep homeostasis system.

Objective To compare the diagnostic value of adrenocorticotropic hormone(ACTH)stimulation test(AST)with different doses of ACTH combined with midnight administration of 1 mg dexamethasone for the determination of the subtypes of primary hyperaldosteronism(PA).Methods This is a prospective observational study.Patients diagnosed with PA in the Department of Endocrinology,the First Medical Center of of Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 1,2020 to September 30,2022 underwent AST with different doses of ACTH.All patients received 1 mg dexamethasone at midnight for inhibition.Then,the patients were randomly assigned to 25-unit and 50-unit ACTH treatment groups by a ratio of 1:2.Subtype classification and diagnosis of aldosterone-producing adenoma(APA)and idiopathic hyperaldosteronism(IHA)was made on the basis of adrenal venous blood samples and/or postoperative pathology and clinical follow-up findings.Receiver operating characteristics(ROC)curves were plotted to examine the diagnostic efficacy and the difference of AST by varying doses of ACTH in distinguishing APA and IHA.Results A total of 82 patients,including 49 patients with APA(59.8%)and 33 patients with IHA(40.2%),were enrolled.There were 29 patients in the 25-unit ACTH group(35.4%)and 53 patients in the 50-unit ACTH group(64.6%).There were no significant differences in age,sex,blood pressure,minimum serum potassium,and biochemical parameters between the 25-unit and 50-unit groups.After ACTH stimulation,plasma aldosterone concentration(PAC),cortisol(F),and PAC/F at different points of time showed no statistical difference between the two groups(P>0.05).The area under the curve(AUC)of PAC in the 25-unit group was higher than that of PAC/F.The AUC of PAC reached the maximum at 90 minutes(0.948,95%confidence interval[CI]:0870-1.000)and the optimal cutoff was 38.0 ng/dL,which had a sensitivity of 92.9%and a specificity of 86.7%for differentiating APA and IHA.Similar to the 25-unit group,the maximum AUC of PAC in the 50-unit group was greater than that of PAC/F.The AUC of PAC reached the maximum 90 minutes(0.930,95%CI:0.840-0.994)and the optimal cutoff was 39.6 ng/dL,which had a sensitivity of 91.2%and a specificity of 83.3%.The AUC of PAC at different points of time in the 25-unit ACTH group(0.862-0.948)was greater than that of 50-unit ACTH group(0.823-0.930),but the difference was not statistical significance.Conclusion AST with 25-unit or 50-unit ACTH combined with small-dose dexamethasone can be used in PA subtype determination,ie,differentiation between APA and IHA.The optimal PAC cut-off values for 25-unit or 50-unit ACTH are similar,being 38.0 ng/dL and 39.6 ng/dL,respectively,and both cutoff values show higher sensitivity and specificity at 90 min.The AST with 25-unit ACTH has the smaller dose and the better safety.Therefore,it is recommended for the diagnosis of PA subtypes.

Objective To explore the optimal administration route of tranexamic acid (TXA) in shoulder arthroscopic surgery. Methods Patients undergoing arthroscopic rotator cuff repair were randomly divided into four groups: control group (without TXA treatment), intravenous group (TXA was intravenously administered 10 minutes before surgery), irrigation group (TXA was added to the irrigation fluid during subacromial decompression and acromioplasty), and intravenous plus irrigation group (TXA was applied both intravenously and via intra-articular irrigation). The primary outcome was visual clarity assessed with visual analog scale (VAS) score, and the secondary outcomes included irrigation fluid consumption and time to subacromial decompression and acromioplasty procedure. Results There were 134 patients enrolled in the study, including 33 in the control group, 35 in the intravenous group, 32 in the irrigation group, and 34 in the intravenous plus irrigation group. The median and interquartile range of VAS scores for the intravenous, irrigation, and intravenous plus irrigation groups were 2.70 (2.50, 2.86) (Z = -3.677, P = 0.002), 2.67 (2.50, 2.77) (Z = -3.058, P < 0.001), and 2.91 (2.75, 3.00) (Z = -6.634, P < 0.001), respectively, significantly higher than that of the control group [2.44 (2.37, 2.53)]. Moreover, the control group consumed more irrigation fluid than the intravenous group, irrigation group, and intravenous plus irrigation group (all P < 0.05). The intravenous plus irrigation group consumed less irrigation fluid than either the intravenous group or the irrigation group (both P < 0.001). There was no difference in subacromial decompression and acromioplasty operative time among the four groups. Conclusion TXA applied both topically and systematically can improve intraoperative visual clarity, and the combined application is more effective.
Humans ; Tranexamic Acid/therapeutic use* ; Shoulder ; Arthroscopy/methods* ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Treatment Outcome

In the outbreak of COVID-19,triage procedures based on epidemiology were implemented in a local hospital in Changsha to control the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 and avoid healthcare-associated infection.This re-trospective study analyzed the data collected during the triage period and found that COVID-19 patients were en-riched 7 folds into the Section A designated for patients with obvious epidemiological history.On the other side,nearly triple amounts of visits were received at the Section B for patients without obvious epidemiological history.8 COVID-19 cases were spotted out of 247 suspected patients.More than 50％of the suspected patients were submi-tted to multiple rounds of nucleic acid analysis for SARS-CoV-2 infection.Of the 239 patients who were diagnosed as negative of the virus infection,188 were successfully revisited and none was reported as COVID-19 case.Of the 8 COVID-19 patients,3 were confirmed only after multiple rounds of nucleic acid analysis.Besides comorbidities,delayed sharing of epidemiological history added complexity to the diagnosis in practice.The triaging experience and strategy will be helpful for the control of infectious diseases in the future.

OBJECTIVE: The population density and diversity of Sinomenium acutum (Menispermaceae) have been greatly reduced recently by overharvesting for medicinal purposes in China. Therefore, it is urgent that the remaining populations are investigated, and that strategies for the utilization and conservation of this species are developed. This study aimed to find the possible glacial refugia and define the genetic diversity of S. acutum for its proper utilization and conservation. METHODS: A total of 77 S. acutum samples were collected from four locations, Qinling Mountains, Daba Mountains, Dalou Mountains, and Xuefeng Mountains, in subtropical China. Genetic diversity among and between these populations were phylogenetically analyzed using four chloroplast DNA molecular markers (atpI-atpH, trnQ-5'rps16, trnH-psbA and trnL-trnF). RESULTS: A total of 14 haplotypes (C1 to C14) were found in collected samples. Haplotypes C1 and C3 were shared among all populations, with C3 as the ancestral haplotype. Haplotypes C11 and C12 diverged the most from C3 and other haplotypes. No obvious phylogeographic structure was found in four locations using the GST/NST test. There is no evidence of rapid demographic expansion in S. acutum based on the mismatch distribution, and the results of Tajima's D test, and Fu's FS test. Our analyses of molecular variance revealed a high level of genetic variation within populations. In contrast, the genetic differentiation among S. acutum populations was low, indicating frequent gene flow. CONCLUSION Xuefeng, Dalou, and Daba Mountains were possible glacial refugia for the populations of S. acutum. C1, C3, C11 and C12 haplotypes of S. acutum should be carefully preserved and managed for their genetic value.

Objective: To understand the distribution of genotypes and sub-genotypes of HBV in different ethnic groups in China. Methods: The HBsAg positive samples were selected by stratified multi-stage cluster sampling from the sample base of national HBV sero-epidemiological survey in 2020 for the amplification of S gene of HBV by nested PCR. A phylogeny tree was constructed to determine the genotypes and sub-genotypes of HBV. The distribution of genotypes and sub-genotypes of HBV were analyzed comprehensively by using laboratory data and demographic data. Results: A total of 1 539 positive samples from 15 ethnic groups were successfully amplified and analyzed, and 5 genotypes (B, C, D, I and C/D) were detected. The proportion of genotype B was higher in ethnic group of Han (74.52%, 623/836), Zhuang (49.28%, 34/69), Yi (53.19%, 25/47), Miao (94.12%, 32/34), Buyi (81.48%, 22/27). The proportions of genotype C were higher in ethnic groups of Yao (70.91%, 39/55). Genotype D was the predominant genotype in Uygur (83.78%, 31/37). Genotype C/D were detected in Tibetan (92.35%,326/353). In this study, 11 cases of genotype I were detected, 8 of which were distributed in Zhuang nationality. Except for Tibetan, sub-genotype B2 accounted for more than 80.00% in genotype B in all ethnic groups. The proportions of sub-genotype C2 were higher in 8 ethnic groups, i.e. Han, Tibetan, Yi, Uygur, Mongolian, Manchu, Hui and Miao. The proportions of sub-genotype C5 were higher in ethnic groups of Zhuang (55.56%, 15/27) and Yao (84.62%, 33/39). For genotype D, sub-genotype D3 was detected in Yi ethnic group and sub-genotype D1 was detected in both Uygur and Kazak. The proportions of sub-genotype C/D1 and C/D2 in Tibetan were 43.06% (152/353) and 49.29% (174/353). For all the 11 cases of genotype I infection, only sub-genotype I1 was detected. Conclusions: Five genotypes and 15 sub-genotypes of HBV were found in 15 ethnic groups. There were significant differences in the distribution of genotypes and sub-genotypes of HBV among different ethnic groups.
Humans ; Asian People ; China/epidemiology* ; Ethnicity ; Genotype ; Gerbillinae ; Hepatitis B virus/genetics* ; Hepatitis B/virology*