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.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between paraspinal muscle parameters and the angle of degenerative thoracolumbar segmental kyphosis.Methods:From November 2021 to April 2023, a total of 90 female patients with lumbar degenerative disease who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Spine Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The average age was 67.62±4.98 years (range, 60-80 years), and the average height was 1.58±0.05 m (range, 1.48-1.70 m). Weight 63.79±9.13 kg (range, 47-90 kg), body mass index 25.48±3.35 kg/m 2 (range, 18.37-36.05 kg/m 2). The angle of kyphosis of the thoracolumbar segments was 6.65°±10.38° (range, -17.34° to 9.34°). Disease diagnosis: 32 cases of lumbar disc herniation and 58 cases of lumbar spinal stenosis. Frontal and lateral radiographs of the thoracolumbar segments in the standing position were taken to measure the angle of kyphosis of the thoracolumbar segments; quantitative CT of the thoracolumbar segments and Osirix software were used to measure the parameters of the paravertebral muscles at the levels of T 12, L 3, and L 5, including paravertebral muscle cross-sectional area, skeletal muscle area, and tissue density, the proportion of fat infiltration, and the height-corrected skeletal muscle area index. The correlation between paraspinal muscle parameters and the angle of thoracolumbar segmental kyphosis was analyzed, and the factors affecting the angle of thoracolumbar segmental kyphosis were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Results:Correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between the angle of thoracolumbar segmental kyphosis and the tissue density of T 12 skeletal muscle ( r=-0.303, P=0.004) and L 5 skeletal muscle ( r=-0.219, P=0.038). Age was negatively correlated with T 12 skeletal muscle tissue density ( r=-0.263, P=0.012), T 12 height-corrected skeletal muscle area index ( r=-0.221, P=0.036), T 12 paravertebral muscle cross-sectional area ( r=-0.280, P=0.007), L 3 skeletal muscle tissue density ( r=-0.266, P=0.011) and L 5 skeletal muscle tissue density ( r=-0.290, P=0.006). There was no correlation between bone mineral density and paravertebral muscle parameters ( P>0.05). Multiple linear regression showed that T 12 skeletal muscle tissue density ( β=-1.125, P<0.001), T 12 fat-infiltrated proportion ( β=-0.849, P=0.001), L 3 skeletal muscle tissue density ( β=0.996, P<0.001), and L 3 fat-infiltrated proportion ( β=0.496, P=0.020) were independent factors influencing the angle of thoracolumbar segmental kyphosis . Conclusion:T 12 and L 3 paraspinal muscle density and fat-infiltrated proportion are independent factors affecting the angle of thoracolumbar kyphosis. The smaller the density and fat-infiltrated proportion of T 12 paraspinal muscle, and the larger the density and fat-infiltrated proportion of L 3 paraspinal muscle, the larger the angle of thoracolumbar kyphosis.

AIM To optimize the processing technology of red Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma and evaluate its blood tonifying activity.METHODS On the basis of a single factor experiment,with steaming temperature,steaming time,drying temperature,and drying time as influencing factors,the total contents of notoginsenoside R1,ginsenoside Rg1,Rb1,Rk3,Rh4,and 20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 as evaluation indicators,Box-Behnken response surface method ology was used to optimize the processing technology.Upon the anemic mouse models jointly induced by 1-acetyl-2-phenylhydrazine(APH)and cyclophosphamide(CTX),the investigation of the blood tonifying activity of red Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma was carried out in contrast to that of the steamed Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma.RESULTS The optimal conditions,contributing saponin content of 8.326%and RSD of 0.087%,were determined as follows:steaming temperature of 130℃,steaming time of 4 hours,drying temperature of 60℃,and drying time of 48 h.The pharmacological activity revealed that the different processing techniques were responsible for the different blood enriching activity of notoginseng,with red Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma displaying a better efficacy than that of steamed Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma.CONCLUSION This stable and feasible method can be used to control the production of red Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and survival prognosis of patients with triple/quad-class exposed relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma(RRMM).Methods:The clinical data of patients with triple/quad-class exposed RRMM from eight centers in Shanxi Province between May 2017 and May 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.Overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method,and factors affecting survival were examined by the Cox proportional hazards model and Log-rank test.Results:Among the 112 patients with triple-class exposure,16 were quadruple-class exposed.The detection rates of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities and extramedullary lesions in patients with triple-class exposure were 57.1%and 36.6%,respectively,while those in patients with quadruple-class exposure were 87.5%and 62.5%,respectively.The median PFS and OS of patients with triple-class expos-ure were 5.6 months and 12.2 months,respectively,while those of patients with quadruple-class exposure were 9.4 months and 16.9 months,respectively.Cox model analysis showed that extramedullary lesions and multi-line treatment(≥3 lines)were independent risk factors for the survival of patients with triple-class exposed RRMM(P<0.05).Previous autologous stem cell transplantation,subsequent con-ventional drug treatment,and B-cell maturation antigen(BCMA)chimeric antigen receptor T-cell(CAR-T)treatment were protective factors(P<0.05).After triple-class drug resistance,the Log-rank test verified that BCMA CAR-T treatment significantly prolonged the median PFS of patients compared to conventional drug treatment(9.4 months vs.5.2 months,P=0.026 9),whereas the difference in OS was not statistic-ally significant(16.9 months vs.7.9 months,P=0.263 4).Conclusions:Patients with triple/quad-class exposed RRMM have a poor prognosis,and BCMA CAR-T cell therapy can improve survival in patients with triple-class drug-resistant RRMM.

Objective To investigate the treatment of female bladder neck obstruction by 1470nm laser transurethral modified enlarged female bladder neck obstruction(FBNO).Methods The clinical data of 34 patients with FBNO from January 2019 to November 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.The patient underwent a 1470nm laser transurethral modified enlarged bladder neck incision.The 1470nm laser was used to vaporise the bladder neck at 12 o'clock(lithotomy),and the incision site was expanded along the bladder neck to 9 o'clock and 3 o'clock to form a semi-circular surgical wound.The patients were followed up for complications,scored form of Bristol female lower urinary tract symptoms questionnaire(BFLUTS-SF)urination symptom subscale,quality of life(QoL)score and the maximum urinary flow rate(Qmax),detrusor pressure at maximum flow rate(PdetQmax),post-void residual(PVR)were reviewed at 1,4,and 10 months after operation.Results After 10 months of follow-up,the subjective indexes of BFLUTS-SF and QoL scores were significantly improved compared with those before operation(P<0.001),and the objective indexes of Qmax,PdetQmax,and PVR were significantly improved compared with those before operation(P<0.001).Two patients had mild urgency urinary incontinence and urinary tract infection symptoms half a month after operation,and the symptoms were improved after anti-infection and pelvic floor rehabilitation treatment.During the follow-up period,there were no complications such as vesicovaginal fistula,stress urinary incontinence,or recurrent bladder neck obstruction.Conclusion 1470nm laser transurethral modified enlarged bladder neck resection can effectively relieve bladder neck obstruction without significant postoperative complications,with high safety and good patient satisfaction.

Objective To investigate the expression of long non-coding RNA(lncRNA)brain-derived neurotrophic factor-antisense(BDNF-AS)and semaphorin 3B-antisense 1(SEMA3B-AS1)in patients with gastric cancer and the application value of combined ultrasound in the diagnosis of gastric cancer.Methods From January 2021 to February 2023,118 gastric cancer patients admitted to our hospital were retrospectively selected as the gastric cancer group,another 113 cases with benign gastric lesions in our hospital were as the benign lesion group.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(qRT-PCR)was applied to detect the expression levels of serum BDNF-AS and SEMA3B-AS1,and patients were divided into BDNF-AS high expression group(n=55)and BDNF-AS low expression group(n=63),SEMA3B-AS1 high expression group(n=57),and SEMA3B-AS1 low expression group(n=61)based on the average value;Kappa test was applied to analyze the consistency between ultrasound diagnosis and clinical pathological diagnosis;receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was applied to analyze the diagnostic value of serum BDNF-AS and SEMA3B-AS1 combined with ultrasound for gastric cancer.Results Compared with the benign lesion group,the serum levels of BDNF-AS and SEMA3B-AS1 in the gastric cancer group were obviously lower(t=10.205,t=9.590,P＜0.05);the expression levels of BDNF-AS and SEMA3B-AS1 were obviously lower in gastric cancer patients with tumor diameter≥3 cm,deeper infiltration depth,lower differentiation,and lymph node metastasis(P＜0.05);Kappa test results showed a high consistency between ultrasound diagnosis and clinical pathological diagnosis(Kappa value=0.723,P＜0.05);ROC results showed that the AUC of serum levels of BDNF-AS,SEMA3B-AS1,and ultrasound in diagnosis of gastric cancer was 0.848,0.835,and 0.861,respectively,the AUC(0.949)diagnosed by the combination of the three was obviously higher than that diagnosed by serum BDNF-AS alone(Z=4.713,P=0.000),serum SEMA3B-AS1 level alone(Z=4.112,P=0.001 5),and ultrasound diagnosis(Z=3.350,P=0.000 8),the sensitivity and specificity of the combined diagnosis were superior to those diagnosed by the three alone.Conclusion The combination of serum BDNF-AS and SEMA3B-AS1 ultrasound has high practical value in the diagnosis of gastric cancer.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and survival prognosis of patients with triple/quad-class exposed relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma(RRMM).Methods:The clinical data of patients with triple/quad-class exposed RRMM from eight centers in Shanxi Province between May 2017 and May 2024 were retrospectively analyzed.Overall survival(OS)and progression-free survival(PFS)were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier method,and factors affecting survival were examined by the Cox proportional hazards model and Log-rank test.Results:Among the 112 patients with triple-class exposure,16 were quadruple-class exposed.The detection rates of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities and extramedullary lesions in patients with triple-class exposure were 57.1%and 36.6%,respectively,while those in patients with quadruple-class exposure were 87.5%and 62.5%,respectively.The median PFS and OS of patients with triple-class expos-ure were 5.6 months and 12.2 months,respectively,while those of patients with quadruple-class exposure were 9.4 months and 16.9 months,respectively.Cox model analysis showed that extramedullary lesions and multi-line treatment(≥3 lines)were independent risk factors for the survival of patients with triple-class exposed RRMM(P<0.05).Previous autologous stem cell transplantation,subsequent con-ventional drug treatment,and B-cell maturation antigen(BCMA)chimeric antigen receptor T-cell(CAR-T)treatment were protective factors(P<0.05).After triple-class drug resistance,the Log-rank test verified that BCMA CAR-T treatment significantly prolonged the median PFS of patients compared to conventional drug treatment(9.4 months vs.5.2 months,P=0.026 9),whereas the difference in OS was not statistic-ally significant(16.9 months vs.7.9 months,P=0.263 4).Conclusions:Patients with triple/quad-class exposed RRMM have a poor prognosis,and BCMA CAR-T cell therapy can improve survival in patients with triple-class drug-resistant RRMM.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Nocardia rubra cell wall skeleton (Nr-CWS) in the treatment of persistent cervical high-risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) infection. Methods: A randomized, double blind, multi-center trial was conducted. A total of 688 patients with clinically and pathologically confirmed HR-HPV infection of the cervix diagnosed in 13 hispital nationwide were recruited and divided into: (1) patients with simple HR-HPV infection lasting for 12 months or more; (2) patients with cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) Ⅰ and HR-HPV infection lasting for 12 months or more; (3) patients with the same HR-HPV subtype with no CINⅡ and more lesions after treatment with CINⅡ or CIN Ⅲ (CINⅡ/CIN Ⅲ). All participants were randomly divided into the test group and the control group at a ratio of 2∶1. The test group was locally treated with Nr-CWS freeze-dried powder and the control group was treated with freeze-dried powder without Nr-CWS. The efficacy and negative conversion rate of various subtypes of HR-HPV were evaluated at 1, 4, 8, and 12 months after treatment. The safety indicators of initial diagnosis and treatment were observed. Results: (1) This study included 555 patients with HR-HPV infection in the cervix (included 368 in the test group and 187 in the control group), with an age of (44.1±10.0) years. The baseline characteristics of the two groups of subjects, including age, proportion of Han people, weight, composition of HR-HPV subtypes, and proportion of each subgroup, were compared with no statistically significant differences (all P>0.05). (2) After 12 months of treatment, the effective rates of the test group and the control group were 91.0% (335/368) and 44.9% (84/187), respectively. The difference between the two groups was statistically significant (χ²=142.520, P<0.001). After 12 months of treatment, the negative conversion rates of HPV 16, 18, 52, and 58 infection in the test group were 79.2% (84/106), 73.3% (22/30), 83.1% (54/65), and 77.4% (48/62), respectively. The control group were 21.6% (11/51), 1/9, 35.1% (13/37), and 20.0% (8/40), respectively. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant (all P<0.001). (3) There were no statistically significant differences in vital signs (body weight, body temperature, respiration, pulse rate, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, etc.) and laboratory routine indicators (blood cell analysis, urine routine examination) between the test group and the control group before treatment and at 1, 4, 8, and 12 months after treatment (all P>0.05); there was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions related to the investigational drug between the two groups of subjects [8.7% (32/368) vs 8.0% (15/187), respectively; χ²=0.073, P=0.787]. Conclusion: External use of Nr-CWS has good efficacy and safety in the treatment of high-risk HPV persistent infection in the cervix.
Female ; Humans ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Cervix Uteri/pathology* ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms/pathology* ; Papillomavirus Infections/diagnosis* ; Cell Wall Skeleton ; Persistent Infection ; Powders ; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia/pathology* ; Immunotherapy ; Papillomaviridae

The material basis and mechanism of Chaenomelis Fructus in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) were explored by network pharmacology, and the potential anti-RA targets of Chaenomelis Fructus were verified by molecular docking and animal experiments. The active components and targets of Chaenomelis Fructus were searched against the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform. GeneCards, DisGeNET, and OMIM were used to obtain RA-related targets. The common targets shared by Chaenomelis Fructus and RA were considered as the potential targets of Chaenomelis Fructus in the treatment of RA. Cytoscape 3.9.0 was employed to establish a "traditional Chinese medicine-active component-common target-disease" network. The protein-protein interaction(PPI) network was established by STRING, and the core genes were visualized by RStudio 4.1.0. DAVID was used for Gene Ontology(GO) annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment to predict and visualize the involved signaling pathways. Molecular docking was carried out with the active components screened out as ligands and RA core genes as the targets. Finally, the prediction results were verified by animal experiments. Four main active components of Chaenomelis Fructus were obtained, which corresponded to 137 targets. Chaenomelis Fructus and RA shared 37 common targets. GO annotation yielded 239 terms(P<0.05), and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis screened out 94 signaling pathways(P<0.05), mainly involving interleukin-17(IL-17), tumor necrosis factor, Toll-like receptor, and nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB) signaling pathways. Molecular docking results showed that the main active components of Chaenomelis Fructus bound well with the core targets of RA. The results of animal experiments proved that Chaenomelis Fructus can alleviate joint swelling in the mice with RA. The results of ELISA showed that Chaenomelis Fructus lowered the levels of interleukin-6(IL-6) and interleukin-1β(IL-1β). Western blot showed that Chaenomelis Fructus down-regulated the protein level of vascular endothelial growth factor A(VEGFA). Chaenomelis Fructus exerts anti-inflammatory effect and reduces pannus formation by regulating the core targets such as VEGFA, IL-1β, and IL6 in the treatment of RA. The findings of this study provide new ideas for the future treatment of RA with Chaenomelis Fructus.
Animals ; Mice ; Network Pharmacology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/genetics* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; NF-kappa B ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

【Objective】 To investigate the predictive value of high preoperative neutrophile-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for the prognosis of nonurothelial carcinoma of the bladder (NUBC) after radical cystectomy (RC). 【Methods】 Clinical and follow-up data of NUBC patients undergoing RC during Jan.2005 and Dec.2020 were collected. The optimal cut-off value of NLR was determined with the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. The survival curve was drawn with Kaplan-Meier method to compare the differences in cancer specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) between the high-NLR and low-NLR groups. The independent risk factors of CSS and OS were screened with Cox proportional hazard regression model. 【Results】 Of the 62 eligible cases,34 (54.8%) were diagnosed with adenocarcinoma,17 (27.4%) with squamous cell carcinoma, 6 (9.7%) with small cell carcinoma and 5 (8.1%) with sarcoma. Kaplan-Meier analysis results showed high NLR was associated with poor CSS (P=0.001) and OS (P<0.001). Cox regression results indicated that high NLR (HR=2.42, 95%CI: 1.12-5.23, P=0.025) and advanced pathologic tumor stage (HR=3.21, 95%CI:1.53-6.74,P=0.002) were independent risk factors of unfavorable CSS. Similarly, high NLR (HR=2.75, 95%CI: 1.35-5.56, P=0.005) and advanced pathologic tumor stage (HR=2.81, 95%CI:1.43-5.57, P=0.003) were independent risk factors of unfavorable OS. 【Conclusion】 As an independent risk factor of unfavorable CSS and OS in NUBC patients undergoing RC, high preoperative NLR is of great value in the prediction of long-term prognosis and may help to optimize individualized treatment.