Objective To investigate the effect of the rs3765467 polymorphism of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor(GLP-1R)gene on the efficacy of Liraglutide(Lir)in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)and metabolic associated fatty liver disease(MAFLD).Methods A total of 281 patients with T2DM from May 2022 to May 2023 were selected,including 125 patients with simple T2DM(T2DM group)and 156 patients with T2DM combined with MAFLD(T2DM+MAFLD group).120 healthy individuals during the same period were selected as the control(NC)group.The related indexes of glucose and lipid metabolism were detected.The polymorphism of GLP-1R gene rs3765467 was detected.Results BMI,FPG,HbA1c,HOMA-IR and TG in each group increased in turn(P<0.05),while the distribution frequency of genotype GG and allele G decreased in turn(P<0.05).TC and LDL-C in T2DM and T2DM+MAFLD groups were higher than those in NC group(P<0.05).TC and TG levels in genotype GA/AA patients were significantly higher than those in genotype GG patients(P<0.05).Compared with before treatment,the levels of BMI,FPG,HbA1c,HOMA-IR,TC,TG and LDL-C in T2DM patients with MAFLD were significantly decreased after Lir treatment(P<0.05).There was no significant difference in BMI and related indexes of glucose and lipid metabolism in GG and GA/AA patients before and after Lir treatment(P>0.05).Conclusions The distribution frequency of GG and G allele at rs3765467 of GLP-1R gene is reduced in T2DM patients with MAFLD.The carrying of allele A was associated with increased TC and TG levels,but did not affect the efficacy of Lir in reducing weight and improving glycolipid metabolism.

Objective:To explore the biodistribution characteristics of mixed activated killer (MAK) immune cells in immunodeficient mice after administration.Methods:Ninety-six immune immunodeficient (NOG) mice (half male and half female) were equally divided into MAK cell group and solvent control group. The MAK cell group mice were injected with DiR-labeled MAK cells via the tail vein, while those in the solvent control group were injected with an equal amount of solvent via the tail vein. The number of MAK cells in the peripheral blood of mice was detected using a flow cytometry at 11 time points from 15 minutes to 84 days after administration. The distribution of MAK cells in mice was measured using in vivo bioluminescence imaging at 18 time points from 5 minutes to 84 days after administration. And at 8 time points from 3 hours to 84 days after administration, the heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, brain, stomach, duodenum, colon, bone marrow, fat, skeletal muscle, testes/uterus, epididymis/ovary, and blood were collected from corresponding mice. The DNA levels of MAK cells in blood and various organs of these mice were detected using fluorescence real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) method.Results:The flow cytometry results showed that MAK cells could be detected in the peripheral blood of mice 15 minutes after administration, and the highest number of MAK cells in blood appeared during 3 hours to 1 day. By 14 days after administration, MAK cells were almost undetectable in peripheral blood of mice. In vivo bioluminescence imaging results showed that the fluorescence intensity of MAK cells in mice was strongest on days 1 and 2 after administration, and MAK cells were mostly distributed in the liver, spleen, lung, and leg bone of mouse. The qPCR detection results showed that MAK cells were mainly distributed in the spleen and lungs. High levels of MAK cell DNA amplification were observed in organs such as the spleen and lungs 28-56 days after administration, and a certain amount of MAK cell DNA could still be detected in organs of mice such as the spleen at 84 days.Conclusions:After administration, MAK cells were mainly distributed in the spleen, lung, liver and other organs of NOG mice. From 28 to 56 days after administration, MAK cells are significantly activated and proliferate, and a certain amount of MAK cell DNA can still be detected in the spleen and other organs after 84 days in mice.

Purpose To evaluate the differential diagnostic value of 5.0T MRI susceptibility-weighted imaging(SWI)in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(MICC).Materials and Methods A total of 56 patients with HCC and 36 patients with MICC confirmed by pathology from March 2023 to November 2024 in Anhui Provincial Hospital were retrospectively enrolled.Two radiologists independently analyzed three features of the lesions,including the low-signal rims around the lesion,hemorrhage within the lesion,and the relationship between lesions and adjacent vessels,on the SWI sequence between the two groups,respectively,via inter-rater consistency analysis.These above features between the two groups were compared and contrasted them with those obtained from conventional MR plain and enhanced scans,respectively.For intralesional hemorrhages,the diagnostic value was quantified by calculating the internal tissue susceptibility signal.Results The radiologists showed good consistency in the low-signal rims,intratumoral hemorrhage as well as the relationship between the lesion and the blood vessel on the SWI in the HCC group and the MICC group(Kappa=0.802-0.929,all P<0.001).Compared with conventional MR plain,SWI significantly enhanced the detection rates of perilesional low-signal rims and intratumoral hemorrhage(χ2=89.409,46.210,both P<0.001).These findings were more prevalent in HCC patients.The internal tissue susceptibility signal grading showed that HCC predominantly exhibited grade 3,whereas MICC predominantly exhibited grade 1,with statistically significant differences(Z=-4.059,P<0.05).Additionally,compared with enhanced MRI,SWI demonstrated higher accuracy in diagnosing the relationship between lesions and blood vessels in both groups;however,these differences were not statistically significant(χ2=0.275,0.247,P=0.871,0.619).In the HCC group,the relationship between tumors and blood vessels was primarily characterized by compression and tumor thrombus formation,while in the MICC group,it was predominantly marked by invasive changes,including vessel encasement,stenosis or occlusion,with a statistically significant difference between the two groups(Z=-6.809,P<0.001).Conclusion SWI sequence of 5.0T MRI provides clear visualization of the internal and peripheral structures of HCC and MICC.It can accurately delineate the relationship between lesions and blood vessels without the need for contrast agents,offering significant clinical utility in differentiating these two conditions.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of baicalein on acute myocardial injury in rats with high-level spinal cord injury (SCI) and the role of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2).Methods:Twenty-four clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 250-300 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (Sham group), SCI group, SCI+ baicalein group (SCI+ Bai group) and SCI+ baicalein+ ML385 group (SCI+ Bai+ ML385 group). The high-level SCI rat model was established by the modified Allens method. In Sham group, the 7th cervical vertebra (C 7) was only exposed, but the spinal cord was not hit. In SCI group, C 7 was exposed and the spinal cord was hit. In SCI+ Bai group, baicalein 50 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected immediately after SCI. In SCI+ Bai+ ML385 group, Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 30 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 1 h before SCI, and baicalein 50 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected immediately after SCI. The rats were anesthetized at 24 h after SCI and sacrificed after the blood samples from the abdominal aorta were collected and the hearts were taken for microscopic examination of the pathological changes (by HE staining) which were scored and the ultrastructure of cells (with a transmission electron microscope) and for determination of the serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), content of ferrous ion (Fe 2+ ) in myocardial tissues (by colorimetry), contents of malondialdehyde(MDA) and glutathione (GSH) and activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) in myocardial tissues (by biochemical method) and expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), acyl CoA synthase long chain family member 4 (ACSl4) and Nrf2 protein and mRNA in myocardial tissues (by Western blot and fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction). The mitochondrial Flameng score was assessed and recorded. Results:Compared with Sham group, the pathological score, mitochondrial Flameng score and serum cTnI concentrations were significantly increased, the contents of Fe 2+ and MDA in myocardial tissues were increased, the content of GSH and SOD activity were decreased, the expression of GPX4 was down-regulated, and the expression of ACSL4 and Nrf2 was up-regulated in SCI group ( P<0.05). Compared with SCI group, the pathological score, mitochondrial Flameng score and serum cTnI concentration were significantly decreased, the contents of Fe 2+ and MDA in myocardial tissues were decreased, the contents of GSH and SOD activity were increased, the expression of GPX4 and Nrf2 was up-regulated, and the expression of ACSL4 was down-regulated in SCI+ Bai group ( P<0.05). Compared with SCI+ Bai group, the pathological score, mitochondrial Flameng score and serum cTnI concentrations were significantly increased, the contents of Fe 2+ and MDA in myocardial tissues were increased, the content of GSH and SOD activity were decreased, the expression of GPX4 and Nrf2 was down-regulated, and the expression of ACSL4 was up-regulated in SCI+ Bai+ ML385 group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Baicalein can alleviate acute myocardial injury in rats with high-level SCI, and Nrf2 is involved in this process.

Environmental toxicants have been linked to aging and age-related diseases. The emerging evidence has shown that the enhancement of detoxification gene expression is a common transcriptome marker of long-lived mice, Drosophila melanogaster, and Caenorhabditis elegans. Meanwhile, the resistance to toxicants was increased in long-lived animals. Here, we show that farnesoid X receptor (FXR) agonist obeticholic acid (OCA), a marketed drug for the treatment of cholestasis, may extend the lifespan and healthspan both in C. elegans and chemical-induced early senescent mice. Furthermore, OCA increased the resistance of worms to toxicants and activated the expression of detoxification genes in both mice and C. elegans. The longevity effects of OCA were attenuated in Fxr ^-/- mice and Fxr homologous nhr-8 and daf-12 mutant C. elegans. In addition, metabolome analysis revealed that OCA increased the endogenous agonist levels of the pregnane X receptor (PXR), a major nuclear receptor for detoxification regulation, in the liver of mice. Together, our findings suggest that OCA has the potential to lengthen lifespan and healthspan by activating nuclear receptor-mediated detoxification functions, thus, targeting FXR may offer to promote longevity.

Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary fibrogenic cells in the liver, and their activation plays a crucial role in the development and progression of hepatic fibrosis. Here, we report that retinoid X receptor-alpha (RXRα), a unique member of the nuclear receptor superfamily, is a key modulator of HSC activation and liver fibrosis. RXRα exerts its effects by modulating calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase kinase β (CaMKKβ)-mediated activation of AMP-activated protein kinase-alpha (AMPKα). In addition, we demonstrate that K-80003, which binds RXRα by a unique mechanism, effectively suppresses HSC activation, proliferation, and migration, thereby inhibiting liver fibrosis in the CCl₄ and amylin liver NASH (AMLN) diet animal models. The effect is mediated by AMPKα activation, promoting mitophagy in HSCs. Mechanistically, K-80003 activates AMPKα by inducing RXRα to form condensates with CaMKKβ and AMPKα via a two-phase process. The formation of RXRα condensates is driven by its N-terminal intrinsic disorder region and requires phosphorylation by CaMKKβ. Our results reveal a crucial role of RXRα in liver fibrosis regulation through modulating mitochondrial activities in HSCs. Furthermore, they suggest that K-80003 and related RXRα modulators hold promise as therapeutic agents for fibrosis-related diseases.

Glucocorticoids play a critical role in initiating parturition in most mammals, including humans. In humans, their labor-promoting mechanisms primarily involve promoting estrogen and prostaglandin synthesis, inducing functional progesterone withdrawal, and facilitating membrane rupture. However, the administration of synthetic glucocorticoids—whether intramuscular, intravenous, or intra-amniotic—can variably trigger labor and may even contribute to the development of fetal programming of adult diseases. Clinically, synthetic glucocorticoids are primarily used in threatened preterm pregnant women to enhance fetal lung maturation and improve neonatal outcomes, rather than to intervene in the delivery process. Therefore, strict control over the timing and dosage of synthetic glucocorticoids is essential to balance their benefits for fetal lung development against the risks of unintended labor induction.

Objective To evaluate the role and potential mechanism of apolipoprotein E(APOE)in drug resistance of colon cancer by bioinformatic tools and cellular experiments.Methods After downloading the microarray dataset GSE196900 from the GEO database,the online tool GEO2R was used to identify genes that were expressed differently in the drug-resistant and control groups.The differently expressed genes were then examined for Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment.The STRING database and Cytoscape software were used to build protein-protein interaction(PPI)networks and find hub genes.Hub genes'predictive significance in colon cancer was further assessed.Western blod and qRT-PCR were used to identify changes in APOE expression,whereas Transwell was used to identify changes in the colon cancer cells'capacity for invasion and migration.Results The analysis of GO and KEGG enrichment revealed that the differential genes derived from the GSE196900 dataset were primarily focused on receptor-ligand activity and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction pathways.Using the CytoNCA plug-in in Cytoscape software,ten hub genes were obtained through PPI construction.Of these,the prognosis of the patients with colon cancer was negatively correlated with the expression of the APOE gene(P<0.05)and the overexpression of the APOE gene might significantly increase the migration and nvasivenessability of colon cancer cells(P<0.05).Conclusion The increased expression of APOE significantly promotes the migration and invasion ability of colon cancer cells,which may be one of the mechanisms by which APOE gene promotes tumor progression in the patients with colon cancer.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of baicalein on acute myocardial injury in rats with high-level spinal cord injury (SCI) and the role of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2).Methods:Twenty-four clean-grade healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 250-300 g, were divided into 4 groups ( n=6 each) using a random number table method: sham operation group (Sham group), SCI group, SCI+ baicalein group (SCI+ Bai group) and SCI+ baicalein+ ML385 group (SCI+ Bai+ ML385 group). The high-level SCI rat model was established by the modified Allens method. In Sham group, the 7th cervical vertebra (C 7) was only exposed, but the spinal cord was not hit. In SCI group, C 7 was exposed and the spinal cord was hit. In SCI+ Bai group, baicalein 50 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected immediately after SCI. In SCI+ Bai+ ML385 group, Nrf2 inhibitor ML385 30 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected at 1 h before SCI, and baicalein 50 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected immediately after SCI. The rats were anesthetized at 24 h after SCI and sacrificed after the blood samples from the abdominal aorta were collected and the hearts were taken for microscopic examination of the pathological changes (by HE staining) which were scored and the ultrastructure of cells (with a transmission electron microscope) and for determination of the serum cardiac troponin I (cTnI) concentrations (by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay), content of ferrous ion (Fe 2+ ) in myocardial tissues (by colorimetry), contents of malondialdehyde(MDA) and glutathione (GSH) and activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD) in myocardial tissues (by biochemical method) and expression of glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4), acyl CoA synthase long chain family member 4 (ACSl4) and Nrf2 protein and mRNA in myocardial tissues (by Western blot and fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction). The mitochondrial Flameng score was assessed and recorded. Results:Compared with Sham group, the pathological score, mitochondrial Flameng score and serum cTnI concentrations were significantly increased, the contents of Fe 2+ and MDA in myocardial tissues were increased, the content of GSH and SOD activity were decreased, the expression of GPX4 was down-regulated, and the expression of ACSL4 and Nrf2 was up-regulated in SCI group ( P<0.05). Compared with SCI group, the pathological score, mitochondrial Flameng score and serum cTnI concentration were significantly decreased, the contents of Fe 2+ and MDA in myocardial tissues were decreased, the contents of GSH and SOD activity were increased, the expression of GPX4 and Nrf2 was up-regulated, and the expression of ACSL4 was down-regulated in SCI+ Bai group ( P<0.05). Compared with SCI+ Bai group, the pathological score, mitochondrial Flameng score and serum cTnI concentrations were significantly increased, the contents of Fe 2+ and MDA in myocardial tissues were increased, the content of GSH and SOD activity were decreased, the expression of GPX4 and Nrf2 was down-regulated, and the expression of ACSL4 was up-regulated in SCI+ Bai+ ML385 group ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Baicalein can alleviate acute myocardial injury in rats with high-level SCI, and Nrf2 is involved in this process.

Purpose To evaluate the differential diagnostic value of 5.0T MRI susceptibility-weighted imaging(SWI)in hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)and mass-forming intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma(MICC).Materials and Methods A total of 56 patients with HCC and 36 patients with MICC confirmed by pathology from March 2023 to November 2024 in Anhui Provincial Hospital were retrospectively enrolled.Two radiologists independently analyzed three features of the lesions,including the low-signal rims around the lesion,hemorrhage within the lesion,and the relationship between lesions and adjacent vessels,on the SWI sequence between the two groups,respectively,via inter-rater consistency analysis.These above features between the two groups were compared and contrasted them with those obtained from conventional MR plain and enhanced scans,respectively.For intralesional hemorrhages,the diagnostic value was quantified by calculating the internal tissue susceptibility signal.Results The radiologists showed good consistency in the low-signal rims,intratumoral hemorrhage as well as the relationship between the lesion and the blood vessel on the SWI in the HCC group and the MICC group(Kappa=0.802-0.929,all P<0.001).Compared with conventional MR plain,SWI significantly enhanced the detection rates of perilesional low-signal rims and intratumoral hemorrhage(χ2=89.409,46.210,both P<0.001).These findings were more prevalent in HCC patients.The internal tissue susceptibility signal grading showed that HCC predominantly exhibited grade 3,whereas MICC predominantly exhibited grade 1,with statistically significant differences(Z=-4.059,P<0.05).Additionally,compared with enhanced MRI,SWI demonstrated higher accuracy in diagnosing the relationship between lesions and blood vessels in both groups;however,these differences were not statistically significant(χ2=0.275,0.247,P=0.871,0.619).In the HCC group,the relationship between tumors and blood vessels was primarily characterized by compression and tumor thrombus formation,while in the MICC group,it was predominantly marked by invasive changes,including vessel encasement,stenosis or occlusion,with a statistically significant difference between the two groups(Z=-6.809,P<0.001).Conclusion SWI sequence of 5.0T MRI provides clear visualization of the internal and peripheral structures of HCC and MICC.It can accurately delineate the relationship between lesions and blood vessels without the need for contrast agents,offering significant clinical utility in differentiating these two conditions.