ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effects of Huanglian Jiedutang on cerebral infarction injury in a mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） and to explore its mechanism of action on oligodendrocytes， particularly its potential in myelin repair. MethodsMultiple experimental approaches were used to evaluate cerebral ischemic injury and the effects of drug intervention. Laser speckle imaging was used to detect changes in cerebral blood flow， 2，3，5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining was used to measure infarct volume， and neurological function was scored according to the Zea-Longa criteria. Brain tissues were routinely embedded in paraffin and subjected to HE and Nissl staining to observe tissue structure and neuronal damage. Animals were divided into a sham group （n=24）， model group （n=24）， Huanglian Jiedutang group （n=24）， and Ginkgo biloba extract （GBE） group （n=18）. After 1 week of acclimatization， intragastric administration was initiated. The sham and model groups received normal saline， the Huanglian Jiedutang group was administered 1.82 g·kg^-1， and the GBE group was administered 0.432 g·kg^-1 after preparation as a 2.16 g·L^-1 solution. All groups were treated for 5 consecutive days at a dose of 0.2 mL·（10 g）^-¹·d^-¹. The MCAO model was established after the final administration on day 6. Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to analyze brain tissue cellular composition and changes in oligodendrocyte subpopulations. Distinct subpopulations were identified by Uniform manifold approximation and projection （UMAP） dimensionality reduction and unsupervised clustering， and marker gene expression was analyzed. Pathway enrichment and causal inference were further performed using IPA. Finally， real-time quantitative PCR was used to verify mRNA expression changes of myelin-related genes. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the model group showed significantly increased neurological function scores （P<0.01）， significantly impaired blood flow （P<0.01）， significantly enlarged cerebral infarct area （P<0.01）， and pathological changes including disordered cortical structural arrangement， aggravated cytoplasmic vacuolization， and increased Nissl bodies. Compared with the model group， the Huanglian Jiedutang and GBE groups showed significantly decreased neurological function scores （P<0.01）， markedly restored blood flow levels （P<0.01）， significantly reduced cerebral infarct area （P<0.01）， and improvement in cortical structural disorder， alleviation of cytoplasmic vacuolization， and a reduction in Nissl bodies. Single-cell data showed that a myelin-associated oligodendrocyte （Mye-OL） subpopulation existed among oligodendrocytes， which was closely related to myelin generation. Compared with the sham group， the number of Mye-OL cells decreased in the model group. Compared with the model group， the number of Mye-OL cells increased in the Huanglian Jiedutang group. This subpopulation promoted the expression of myelin-related genes， including MOG， MBP， and MAG， via transcription factors such as OLIG1， OLIG2， NKX2-2， and SOX10， thereby regulating myelin generation， restoring cognition， and exerting therapeutic effects on acute cerebral infarction. Compared with the sham group， the mRNA expression levels of OLIG1， OLIG2， NKX2-2， and SOX10 were significantly downregulated in the model group （P<0.01）， and the mRNA expression levels of myelin-related genes， including MOG， MBP， and MAG， were also significantly downregulated （P<0.01）. In contrast， compared with the model group， the Huanglian Jiedutang and GBE groups showed significantly upregulated mRNA expression levels of OLIG1， OLIG2， NKX2-2， and SOX10 （P<0.01）， and significantly upregulated mRNA expression levels of myelin-related genes， including MOG， MBP， and MAG （P<0.01）. ConclusionHuanglian Jiedutang exerts therapeutic effects on acute cerebral infarction by regulating the OLIG1/2-NKX2-2-SOX10 signaling pathway to promote myelin generation by Mye-OL cells.

ObjectiveTo evaluate the therapeutic effects of Huanglian Jiedutang on cerebral infarction injury in a mouse model of middle cerebral artery occlusion （MCAO） and to explore its mechanism of action on oligodendrocytes， particularly its potential in myelin repair. MethodsMultiple experimental approaches were used to evaluate cerebral ischemic injury and the effects of drug intervention. Laser speckle imaging was used to detect changes in cerebral blood flow， 2，3，5-Triphenyltetrazolium chloride （TTC） staining was used to measure infarct volume， and neurological function was scored according to the Zea-Longa criteria. Brain tissues were routinely embedded in paraffin and subjected to HE and Nissl staining to observe tissue structure and neuronal damage. Animals were divided into a sham group （n=24）， model group （n=24）， Huanglian Jiedutang group （n=24）， and Ginkgo biloba extract （GBE） group （n=18）. After 1 week of acclimatization， intragastric administration was initiated. The sham and model groups received normal saline， the Huanglian Jiedutang group was administered 1.82 g·kg^-1， and the GBE group was administered 0.432 g·kg^-1 after preparation as a 2.16 g·L^-1 solution. All groups were treated for 5 consecutive days at a dose of 0.2 mL·（10 g）^-¹·d^-¹. The MCAO model was established after the final administration on day 6. Single-cell RNA sequencing was used to analyze brain tissue cellular composition and changes in oligodendrocyte subpopulations. Distinct subpopulations were identified by Uniform manifold approximation and projection （UMAP） dimensionality reduction and unsupervised clustering， and marker gene expression was analyzed. Pathway enrichment and causal inference were further performed using IPA. Finally， real-time quantitative PCR was used to verify mRNA expression changes of myelin-related genes. ResultsCompared with the sham group， the model group showed significantly increased neurological function scores （P<0.01）， significantly impaired blood flow （P<0.01）， significantly enlarged cerebral infarct area （P<0.01）， and pathological changes including disordered cortical structural arrangement， aggravated cytoplasmic vacuolization， and increased Nissl bodies. Compared with the model group， the Huanglian Jiedutang and GBE groups showed significantly decreased neurological function scores （P<0.01）， markedly restored blood flow levels （P<0.01）， significantly reduced cerebral infarct area （P<0.01）， and improvement in cortical structural disorder， alleviation of cytoplasmic vacuolization， and a reduction in Nissl bodies. Single-cell data showed that a myelin-associated oligodendrocyte （Mye-OL） subpopulation existed among oligodendrocytes， which was closely related to myelin generation. Compared with the sham group， the number of Mye-OL cells decreased in the model group. Compared with the model group， the number of Mye-OL cells increased in the Huanglian Jiedutang group. This subpopulation promoted the expression of myelin-related genes， including MOG， MBP， and MAG， via transcription factors such as OLIG1， OLIG2， NKX2-2， and SOX10， thereby regulating myelin generation， restoring cognition， and exerting therapeutic effects on acute cerebral infarction. Compared with the sham group， the mRNA expression levels of OLIG1， OLIG2， NKX2-2， and SOX10 were significantly downregulated in the model group （P<0.01）， and the mRNA expression levels of myelin-related genes， including MOG， MBP， and MAG， were also significantly downregulated （P<0.01）. In contrast， compared with the model group， the Huanglian Jiedutang and GBE groups showed significantly upregulated mRNA expression levels of OLIG1， OLIG2， NKX2-2， and SOX10 （P<0.01）， and significantly upregulated mRNA expression levels of myelin-related genes， including MOG， MBP， and MAG （P<0.01）. ConclusionHuanglian Jiedutang exerts therapeutic effects on acute cerebral infarction by regulating the OLIG1/2-NKX2-2-SOX10 signaling pathway to promote myelin generation by Mye-OL cells.

Background/Aims: Acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA) is one of the most essential metabolites in cell metabolism but its function and concentration in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain elusive and controversial. Methods: A comprehensive analysis of acetyl-CoA levels and acetyl-CoA synthetase 2 (ACSS2) expression across a range of samples, including patient specimens from both hepatitis B virus (HBV) positive and HBV negative HCC individuals, HBV-transgenic mouse HCC models, and multiple cell lines. Furthermore, to evaluate the functional significance of ACSS2 in HBV-related HCC, we implemented both genetic and pharmacological inhibition strategies targeting ACSS2. Molecular mechanism and mitophagy assessment were revealed by cleavage under target and tagmentation sequencing, RNA sequencing, bioinformatic analyses, transmission electron microscopy and JC-1 staining. Results: Our study revealed a distinct metabolic signature of HBV-related HCC, marked by elevated acetyl-CoA, which was driven by ACSS2. ACSS2 was upregulated by the carbohydrate response element-binding protein in HBV-related HCC. Furthermore, ACSS2 improved tumor cell proliferation, an effect that was dependent on its enzymatic activity. Mechanistically, ACSS2-induced acetyl-CoA accumulation activated voltage-dependent anion channels 1 transcription through increased H3K27ac occupancy, which subsequently promoted mitophagy and HBV-related HCC tumorigenesis. Notably, targeting ACSS2 by depletion or inhibition with a catalytic inhibitor significantly suppressed tumor growth. Conclusions These findings not only illustrate the interplay between metabolic reprogramming, epigenetic modification, and tumorigenesis in the context of HBV infection, but also highlight ACSS2 as a novel metabolic vulnerability in HBV-related HCC. Therefore, targeting ACSS2 could be a novel strategy against HBV-related HCC.

Background/Aims: Liver transplantation (LT) following total hepatectomy is a life-saving treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC recurrence after LT hinders the effectiveness of the procedure. The objective of this study is to develop a pre-operative risk stratification model based on a liquid biopsy. Methods: We conducted a comprehensive multi-omics study of 260 HCC patients from three centers, including clinical data, low-coverage whole-genome sequencing of cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from plasma, as well as whole-exome, single-nucleus RNA, and spatial transcriptomics from matched tumor and non-tumor tissues. Results: We identified cfDNA-derived copy number alteration (CNA) signatures associated with post-transplant recurrence. By integrating cfDNA-derived CNA profiles with single-cell transcriptomic data, we traced recurrence-associated cfDNA to a distinct subpopulation of malignant cells within the primary tumor. These cells were embedded in a pro-metastatic microenvironment of specialized endothelial subtypes and cancer-associated fibroblasts. Notably, most recurrence-associated lesions were detectable in cfDNA prior to liver transplantation (LT). Building on these insights, we developed the ZJU Criteria based on CNA fragments and tumor markers, a pre-LT risk prediction tool that integrates conventional clinical factors with cfDNA-derived CNA signatures, and validated it using internal and independent external cohorts. Conclusion Our findings suggest that post-transplant recurrence commonly originates from advanced subclones that emerge late during tumor evolution. The ZJU Criteria provides an accurate, non-invasive strategy that significantly improves pre-LT risk stratification and clinical decision-making for patients with HCC.

Graves'ophthalmopathy(GO)is a specific autoimmune disease occurring in orbital tissues and is closely related to hyperthyroidism caused by Graves'disease(GD).Its disabling and disfiguring features significantly impact the quality of life of patients.The exact mechanism of GO still remains to be fully elucidated.In recent years,gene sequencing and medical microbiology studies have shown that changes in the gut microbiota may play a role in the development and progression of GO,with gut dysbiosis altering immune system regulatory signals and causing immune damage to organs.Clarifying the correlation between gut microbiota and GO helps to understand the disease's pathogenic mechanism and provides a theoretical basis for the diagnosis and treatment of GO.This review summarizes the impact of gut microbiota dysbiosis in the pathogenesis of GO and promising therapeutic approaches,including research progress in aspects such as gut microbiota experiments,case studies,pathogenesis,and treatment strategies.

Objective: To assess the effect of transarterial embolization (TAE) for adhesive capsulitis (AC) by evaluating clinical outcomes and changes in inflammation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: Patients who had undergone TAE between August 2020 and August 2023 for AC refractory to conservative treatments without any invasive procedures for more than 3 months, and had undergone baseline and 3-month post-AC follow-up contrast-enhanced MRI evaluations, were included. A suspension mixture of 500 mg imipenem/cilastatin in 10 mL of iodinated contrast agent was used for TAE. MRI results were analyzed to assess periarticular capsule/ligament inflammation. Clinical assessments included pain scores using the numeric rating scale (NRS) and functional scores using the quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (Quick DASH) questionnaire. Results: Twenty-five patients (female:male, 14:11; age, 54.9 ± 7.1 years) were included. Significant reductions in average NRS pain scores as well as improvements in Quick DASH scores and range of motion, including anterior flexion and abduction, were observed at 1, 3, and 6 months after TAE (all P < 0.001). MRI analyses revealed that TAE significantly decreased the grades of axillary recess capsule enhancement, rotator interval (RI) capsule T2 signal intensity, and RI capsule enhancement (all P ≤ 0.004). Conclusion TAE may be an effective and safe therapeutic approach for AC refractory to conservative treatments, alleviating pain and supporting functional recovery. The observed MRI findings suggest that the effectiveness of TAE for AC may be attributed to the reduction of inflammation and the elimination of angiogenesis.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a central neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive cognitive decline and memory impairment in clinical. Currently, there are no effective treatments for AD. In recent years, a variety of therapeutic approaches from different perspectives have been explored to treat AD. Although the drug therapies targeted at the clearance of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) had made a breakthrough in clinical trials, there were associated with adverse events. Neuroinflammation plays a crucial role in the onset and progression of AD. Continuous neuroinflammatory was considered to be the third major pathological feature of AD, which could promote the formation of extracellular amyloid plaques and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles. At the same time, these toxic substances could accelerate the development of neuroinflammation, form a vicious cycle, and exacerbate disease progression. Reducing neuroinflammation could break the feedback loop pattern between neuroinflammation, Aβ plaque deposition and Tau tangles, which might be an effective therapeutic strategy for treating AD. Traditional Chinese herbs such as Polygonum multiflorum and Curcuma were utilized in the treatment of AD due to their ability to mitigate neuroinflammation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and indomethacin had been shown to reduce the level of inflammasomes in the body, and taking these drugs was associated with a low incidence of AD. Biosynthetic nanomaterials loaded with oxytocin were demonstrated to have the capability to anti-inflammatory and penetrate the blood-brain barrier effectively, and they played an anti-inflammatory role via sustained-releasing oxytocin in the brain. Transplantation of mesenchymal stem cells could reduce neuroinflammation and inhibit the activation of microglia. The secretion of mesenchymal stem cells could not only improve neuroinflammation, but also exert a multi-target comprehensive therapeutic effect, making it potentially more suitable for the treatment of AD. Enhancing the level of TREM2 in microglial cells using gene editing technologies, or application of TREM2 antibodies such as Ab-T1, hT2AB could improve microglial cell function and reduce the level of neuroinflammation, which might be a potential treatment for AD. Probiotic therapy, fecal flora transplantation, antibiotic therapy, and dietary intervention could reshape the composition of the gut microbiota and alleviate neuroinflammation through the gut-brain axis. However, the drugs of sodium oligomannose remain controversial. Both exercise intervention and electromagnetic intervention had the potential to attenuate neuroinflammation, thereby delaying AD process. This article focuses on the role of drug therapy, gene therapy, stem cell therapy, gut microbiota therapy, exercise intervention, and brain stimulation in improving neuroinflammation in recent years, aiming to provide a novel insight for the treatment of AD by intervening neuroinflammation in the future.

Objective: To assess the effect of transarterial embolization (TAE) for adhesive capsulitis (AC) by evaluating clinical outcomes and changes in inflammation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: Patients who had undergone TAE between August 2020 and August 2023 for AC refractory to conservative treatments without any invasive procedures for more than 3 months, and had undergone baseline and 3-month post-AC follow-up contrast-enhanced MRI evaluations, were included. A suspension mixture of 500 mg imipenem/cilastatin in 10 mL of iodinated contrast agent was used for TAE. MRI results were analyzed to assess periarticular capsule/ligament inflammation. Clinical assessments included pain scores using the numeric rating scale (NRS) and functional scores using the quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (Quick DASH) questionnaire. Results: Twenty-five patients (female:male, 14:11; age, 54.9 ± 7.1 years) were included. Significant reductions in average NRS pain scores as well as improvements in Quick DASH scores and range of motion, including anterior flexion and abduction, were observed at 1, 3, and 6 months after TAE (all P < 0.001). MRI analyses revealed that TAE significantly decreased the grades of axillary recess capsule enhancement, rotator interval (RI) capsule T2 signal intensity, and RI capsule enhancement (all P ≤ 0.004). Conclusion TAE may be an effective and safe therapeutic approach for AC refractory to conservative treatments, alleviating pain and supporting functional recovery. The observed MRI findings suggest that the effectiveness of TAE for AC may be attributed to the reduction of inflammation and the elimination of angiogenesis.

Objective: To assess the effect of transarterial embolization (TAE) for adhesive capsulitis (AC) by evaluating clinical outcomes and changes in inflammation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: Patients who had undergone TAE between August 2020 and August 2023 for AC refractory to conservative treatments without any invasive procedures for more than 3 months, and had undergone baseline and 3-month post-AC follow-up contrast-enhanced MRI evaluations, were included. A suspension mixture of 500 mg imipenem/cilastatin in 10 mL of iodinated contrast agent was used for TAE. MRI results were analyzed to assess periarticular capsule/ligament inflammation. Clinical assessments included pain scores using the numeric rating scale (NRS) and functional scores using the quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (Quick DASH) questionnaire. Results: Twenty-five patients (female:male, 14:11; age, 54.9 ± 7.1 years) were included. Significant reductions in average NRS pain scores as well as improvements in Quick DASH scores and range of motion, including anterior flexion and abduction, were observed at 1, 3, and 6 months after TAE (all P < 0.001). MRI analyses revealed that TAE significantly decreased the grades of axillary recess capsule enhancement, rotator interval (RI) capsule T2 signal intensity, and RI capsule enhancement (all P ≤ 0.004). Conclusion TAE may be an effective and safe therapeutic approach for AC refractory to conservative treatments, alleviating pain and supporting functional recovery. The observed MRI findings suggest that the effectiveness of TAE for AC may be attributed to the reduction of inflammation and the elimination of angiogenesis.

Objective: To assess the effect of transarterial embolization (TAE) for adhesive capsulitis (AC) by evaluating clinical outcomes and changes in inflammation using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Materials and Methods: Patients who had undergone TAE between August 2020 and August 2023 for AC refractory to conservative treatments without any invasive procedures for more than 3 months, and had undergone baseline and 3-month post-AC follow-up contrast-enhanced MRI evaluations, were included. A suspension mixture of 500 mg imipenem/cilastatin in 10 mL of iodinated contrast agent was used for TAE. MRI results were analyzed to assess periarticular capsule/ligament inflammation. Clinical assessments included pain scores using the numeric rating scale (NRS) and functional scores using the quick disabilities of the arm, shoulder, and hand (Quick DASH) questionnaire. Results: Twenty-five patients (female:male, 14:11; age, 54.9 ± 7.1 years) were included. Significant reductions in average NRS pain scores as well as improvements in Quick DASH scores and range of motion, including anterior flexion and abduction, were observed at 1, 3, and 6 months after TAE (all P < 0.001). MRI analyses revealed that TAE significantly decreased the grades of axillary recess capsule enhancement, rotator interval (RI) capsule T2 signal intensity, and RI capsule enhancement (all P ≤ 0.004). Conclusion TAE may be an effective and safe therapeutic approach for AC refractory to conservative treatments, alleviating pain and supporting functional recovery. The observed MRI findings suggest that the effectiveness of TAE for AC may be attributed to the reduction of inflammation and the elimination of angiogenesis.