Hepatic fibrosis refers to excessive accumulation and abnormal proliferation of fibrous connective tissue in the liver triggered by multiple pathogenic factors， and it may progress to liver cirrhosis， portal hypertension， and liver cancer. The pathological mechanisms of hepatic fibrosis involve hepatocyte injury， inflammatory cell infiltration with the release of inflammatory mediators， hepatic stellate cell activation， and extracellular matrix deposition. Recent studies have focused on mitochondrial dysfunction in disease progression， including the molecular pathways for hepatic fibrosis driven by metabolic disorders， energy deficiency， oxidative stress， mitochondrial dynamic imbalance， and autophagic dysfunction， all of which can induce liver injury. This article reviews the latest advances in hepatic fibrosis， in order to provide new therapeutic strategies for clinical management.

Background Climate change poses a significant threat to public health. In China, relevant health intervention research is still in its early stages, and evidence for evaluating the effectiveness of regional climate change health adaptation strategies and measures is scarce. Objective To investigate the level of climate change-related health literacy among residents in Shenzhen, implement targeted health interventions, and assess the intervention effects as well as their influencing factors. Methods From July 2023 to January 2024, 4 communities were randomly selected in Shenzhen, and a total of 896 community residents were enrolled and divided into an intervention group (444 participants) and a control group (452 participants). Baseline and follow-up surveys on climate change-related health literacy were conducted among residents for both groups. During the period between the two surveys, the intervention group received targeted health interventions. Health literacy—comprising 3 dimensions: basic health knowledge and concepts, basic health skills, and healthy lifestyles—was defined as achieving ≥80% of the total score. A differences-in-differences model was adopted to analyze the impact of the intervention, and multiple linear regression was used to explore the factors influencing the intervention effect. Results The baseline survey showed that 240 out of the 896 surveyed residents (26.79%) possessed climate change health literacy. For the 3 dimensions, the number of residents and the proportions with corresponding literacy in descending order were: basic health skills (521, 58.15%), healthy lifestyles (345, 38.50%), and basic health knowledge and concepts (44, 4.91%). After the intervention, the intervention group showed a 3.19% increase in the total health literacy score, a 3.55% increase in basic health knowledge and concepts, and a 4.24% increase in basic health skills (t=2.79, 2.77, and 2.47 respectively) (P<0.05). No significant change was observed in healthy lifestyle scores (t=0.70, P>0.05). Further analysis showed that awareness of the “dual carbon goals” and occupation were significantly associated with the intervention effect on overall health literacy (P<0.05). For basic health knowledge and concepts, occupation, history of chronic diseases, and awareness of the “dual carbon goals” had statistically significant effects on the intervention outcomes (P<0.05). Regarding basic health skills, awareness of the “dual carbon goals” significantly influenced the intervention effect (P<0.001). In terms of healthy lifestyles, gender, educational level, occupation, and awareness of climate change were significantly associated with the intervention effect (P<0.05). Conclusion The climate change-related health literacy among community residents in Shenzhen is in urgent need of improvement. Health interventions can effectively enhance residents' basic health knowledge and concepts, basic health skills, and overall literacy level. In the future, it is necessary to strengthen the popularization of climate change health knowledge based on different population characteristics and further optimize intervention strategies, to comprehensively improve residents' health adaptation capacity to climate change.

Osteoporosis is a prevalent skeletal condition characterized by reduced bone mass and strength, leading to increased fragility. Buqi-Tongluo (BQTL) decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, has yet to be fully evaluated for its potential in treating bone diseases such as osteoporosis. To investigate the mechanism by which BQTL decoction inhibits osteoclast differentiation in vitro and validate these findings through in vivo experiments. We employed MTS assays to assess the potential proliferative or toxic effects of BQTL on bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) at various concentrations. TRAcP experiments were conducted to examine BQTL's impact on osteoclast differentiation. RT-PCR and Western blot analyses were utilized to evaluate the relative expression levels of osteoclast-specific genes and proteins under BQTL stimulation. Finally, in vivo experiments were performed using an osteoporosis model to further validate the in vitro findings. This study revealed that BQTL suppressed receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL)-induced osteoclastogenesis and osteoclast resorption activity in vitro in a dose-dependent manner without observable cytotoxicity. The inhibitory effects of BQTL on osteoclast formation and function were attributed to the downregulation of NFATc1 and c-fos activity, primarily through attenuation of the MAPK, NF-κB, and Calcineurin signaling pathways. BQTL's inhibitory capacity was further examined in vivo using an ovariectomized (OVX) rat model, demonstrating a strong protective effect against bone loss. BQTL may serve as an effective therapeutic TCM for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis and the alleviation of bone loss induced by estrogen deficiency and related conditions.
Animals ; NFATC Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ovariectomy ; Osteoclasts/metabolism* ; Female ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; NF-kappa B/genetics* ; Osteoporosis/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Bone Resorption/genetics* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Humans ; RANK Ligand/metabolism* ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Transcription Factors

Nine novel compounds, comprising seven tetrahydroanthraquinones (auxarthrolones A-G, 1-7), a γ-butenolide glycoside (malfilamentoside E, 26), and a γ-butenolide (auxarthrolide A, 27), together with eighteen known compounds (8-25) were isolated from rice-based solid culture of Auxarthron umbrinum (A. umbrinum) DSM3193 using the one strain many compounds (OSMAC) approach. The structural elucidation of these compounds was accomplished through nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), mass spectrometry (MS), and NMR calculation combined with DP4+ analysis or MAEΔΔδ parameter, while the absolute configurations of new compounds were established through single-crystal X-ray diffraction, electronic circular dichroism (ECD) spectroscopic data analysis and/or chemical derivatization. Austrocortilutein (10) and auxarthrol H (14) demonstrated moderate cytotoxicity against U87 and U251 [half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) 3.5-12.1 μmol·L^-1]. Additionally, auxarthrolone A (1), auxarthrol H (14), eupolyphagin B (15), and 7-hydroxy-2-(2-hydroxypropyl)-5-methylchromone (17) exhibited torsional effects on fibroblast proliferation challenges induced by oleic acid, thus demonstrating fibroblast proliferation-promoting activity.
4-Butyrolactone/pharmacology* ; Molecular Structure ; Anthraquinones/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Animals ; Mice ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

The culture of suspended Vero cells is facing difficulties such as low cell viability and long doubling time. To investigate the main reasons for the slow growth and low viability of suspended Vero cells, this study conducted transcriptomic analysis of suspended Vero cells (Vero-XF) and adherent Vero cells (Vero-AD) to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) affecting the growth of suspended cells. In addition, epidermal growth factor (EGF) was supplemented to the culture system to improve the growth of Vero-XF. The results showed that compared with the Vero-AD group, the Vero-XF group had 7 376 significant DEGs. Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analysis revealed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in the autophagy and mitophagy pathways. Eleven DEGs were selected and verified by quantitative real-time PCR, which showed up-regulated expression of ATG9B, WIPI2, LAMP2, OPTN, Rab7a, and DEPTOR and down-regulated expression of ATG4D, being consistent with the results of transcriptomic analysis. In addition, the Vero-XF group showed significantly up-regulated expression of ATG101, ATG2A, and STX17 and insignificant change in the expression of NBR1, compared with the Vero-AD group. The protein levels of LC3 and P62 in Vero-XF and Vero-AD were determined by Western blotting, which showed up-regulated expression of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ and down-regulated expression of P62 in Vero-XF, indicating a higher level of autophagy. Finally, the exogenous supplementation of EGF at 10, 20, and 30 μg/L in the culture system reduced the autophagy level of Vero-XF by 22.35%, 48.15%, and 71.29%, increased the specific growth rate by 15.48%, 33.33%, and 57.14%, and decreased the apoptosis rate by 2.84%, 15.46%, and 16.23%, respectively. The results of this study preliminarily reveal that the activation of autophagy is one of the reasons for the slow growth of Vero-XF, which provides reference for the subsequent culture of suspended Vero cells.
Animals ; Vero Cells ; Autophagy/genetics* ; Chlorocebus aethiops ; Epidermal Growth Factor/pharmacology* ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Transcriptome ; Cell Survival

As a medicinal and edible fungus, Inonotus obliquus has a long history of folk application in Russia, Japan, and Northeast China. It is rich in terpenoids, steroids, polysaccharides, phenols, alkaloids, etc, and exhibits pharmacological activities including anti-tumor, hypoglycemic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and lipid-lowering effects. Among these, lanostane-type tetracyclic triterpenes represent its characteristic constituents. This review systematically summarizes the research progress on the chemical components isolated and identified from I. obliquus and their pharmacological activities in recent years. The structures of terpenoids, steroids, and phenolic compounds are compiled and illustrated, with a particular focus on the skeletal types and structural characteristics of lanostane-type tetracyclic triterpenes. This work aims to provide some reference for the further investigation and comprehensive development and utilization of I. obliquus.

A qualitative analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with time-of-flight mass spectrometry (HPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) was performed for the identification of main constituents in Gentiana veitchiorum. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) was developed for the quantification of seven major components, including loganic acid (1), swertiamarin (2), gentiopicroside (3), sweroside (4), isoorientin (5), isoscoparin (6), and gentiournoside A (7). A total of 42 compounds, including 31 flavonoids, and 11 Iridoids, were identified based on their retention behaviors, and MS fragment information. Furthermore, regression equations for these seven chemical components were established, with good linear relationships (r2 > 0.9999), and the sample recovery rate was 97.02%-103.08%. This method was successfully applied for simultaneous determination of seven components in 7 batches of G. veitchiorum samples by HPLC-UV method. The method established in this study is simple and reliable, capable of qualitatively and quantitatively analyzing the main chemical components of G. veitchiorum, and is applicable to its quality evaluation.

The patients with skeletal Class Ⅱ high-angle malocclusion are frequently complicated by idiopathic condylar resorption(ICR),which may lead to temporomandibular joint(TMJ)dysfunction and dentofacial deformities.This article reports the diagnosis and treatment process of a 24-year-old female patient with skeletal Class Ⅱ high-angle malocclusion accompanied by ICR.The patient's chief complaints were anterior open bite and TMJ pain,and was diagnosed with ICR through clinical examination and imaging.After stabilizing condylar resorption with occlusal splint therapy,combined orthodontic-orthognathic treatment was performed.The 42-month follow-up revealed:well-aligned dentition with complete closure of diastemas,significant improvement of protrusive facial profile(ANB angle reduced by 4.2°),complete resolution of TMJ pain and clicking,and establishment of stable Class Ⅰ occlusion.Three-dimensional CT demonstrated satisfactory condylar bone remodeling and normalized joint space.Through multidisciplinary treatment,both occlusal function and facial aesthetics were significantly improved.This case demonstrates that orthodontic-orthognathic treatment should be performed after condylar stabilization in ICR patients,and occlusal splint therapy serves as an effective preoperative intervention.

Objective To assess the anti-skin photoaging properties of total flavonoids(TFT)extracted from the Chinese herb tulip,a preliminary analysis of its mechanism in combating skin photoaging were conducted.Methods UVB-induced photoaging mouse model was used to assess the anti-skin photoaging effects of TFT.A network pharmacology approach was used to conduct a preliminary analysis of TFT's mechanism of action against skin photoaging.Furthermore,molecular simulation was employed to predict the interactions between the active ingredients and target proteins.Results Treatment with TFT effectively improved skin condition in UVB-induced photoaging mice.The mechanism of action of TFT against skin photoaging likely involved the regulation of transcription factors such as NF-κB and AP-1,modulation of SASPs transcription,and inhibition of MMPs activity.Conclusion TFT is an effective anti-skin photoaging ingredient that deserves further research and development.

Objective To investigate the effect of interactions between hypoxia-inducing factor 1α(HIF-1α)and transforming growth faction-β2(TGF-β2)on the development of primary open-angle glaucoma(POAG)in high myopia(HM)and their early prediction value.Methods A prospective cohort study was conducted on 265 patients(421 eyes)with HM who were admitted to our hospital from February 2021 to June 2023.All patients underwent comprehensive oph-thalmological examinations,including optical coherence tomography to measure the total Bruch's membrane opening-disc edge minimum width(BMO)parameter,and the Humphrey field analyzer to measure the visual field index(VFI)and mean defect(MD)values.After a follow-up of 1 year(2 cases lost to follow up),the patients were divided into an occurrence group(51 cases,82 eyes)and a non-occurrence group(212 cases,337 eyes)according to whether POAG occurred.The clinical data[including age,gender,body mass index(BMI),central corneal thickness(CCT),axial length(AL),refrac-tive power,VFI,visual field MD,optic disc horizontal diameter,optic disc vertical diameter,elliptical index,optic disc ar-ea,optic cup area,disc rim area,cup-to-disc area ratio,and total BMO],tear HIF-1α and TGF-β2 were compared be-tween the two groups.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves of tear HIF-1α and TGF-β2 for predicting HM with POAG were plotted to obtain the optimal cutoff value.The effects of tear HIF-1α,TGF-β2 and their interactions on the development of POAG in HM were analyzed.The Pearson method was used to analyze the correlation of tear HIF-1α and TGF-β2 with the optic disc structure of HM patients.The ROC analysis was used to evaluate the value of HIF-1α combined with TGF-β2 for predicting POAG.Results Compared with those in the non-occurrence group,the VFI and BMO were lower while the visual field MD,disc cup area,cup-to-disc area ratio,tear HIF-1α and TGF-β2 were higher in the occur-rence group(all P＜0.05).The interaction analysis showed that the interaction between tear HIF-1 α and TGF-β2 was a su-per-multiplication model,with a positive interaction effect on the occurrence of POAG in HM(P＜0.05).The Pearson analysis showed that tear HIF-1α and TGF-β2 were negatively correlated with VFI and total BMO,and positively correlated with their visual field MD,disc cup area,and cup-to-disc area ratio in patients with HM(all P＜0.05).The ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the ROC curve(AUC)of the effect of tear HIF-1α combined with TGF-β2 for predic-ting POAG in HM was 0.925(95％CI:0.896-0.949).The predictive value of tear HIF-1α combined with TGF-β2 was bet-ter than that of the two indicators alone.Conclusion HIF-1α and TGF-β2 are up-regulated in tears of HM patients com-plicated with POAG,and they interact positively during the occurrence of POAG.The combined detection of HIF-1α and TGF-β2 has predictive value for POAG.They can be used as an auxiliary clinical predictor of POAG,and can guide its clini-cal prevention and treatment.