Olfactory receptors (ORs) form the largest superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Traditionally recognized for their role in the nasal olfactory epithelium, where they mediate the sense of smell, accumulating evidence has firmly established their ectopic expression in non-olfactory tissues, including the intestine, lungs, and kidneys. The intestine, as the primary site for nutrient digestion and absorption, harbors a highly complex chemical environment. To adapt to this environment, the gut employs a sophisticated network of “chemosensors” to monitor luminal contents and maintain homeostasis. Among these sensors, intestinal ORs have emerged as crucial functional components, serving as a molecular bridge that connects environmental chemical signals—such as food-derived odorants—to specific physiological responses. This discovery has significantly deepened our understanding of how dietary flavors and compounds influence intestinal physiology at the molecular level. This review systematically summarizes the expression profiles, ligand classification, and biological functions of ORs within the gastrointestinal tract. Studies indicate that intestinal ORs exhibit distinct spatial distribution patterns across different gut segments and display cell-type specificity, particularly within enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells. These receptors function as versatile sensors capable of recognizing a wide variety of ligands, including exogenous dietary components, gut microbiota metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, and endogenous small molecules like azelaic acid. Upon activation by specific ligands, intestinal ORs trigger intracellular signaling cascades, primarily involving the AC-cAMP-PKA pathway or calcium influx channels. A major focus of this review is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these receptors regulate the secretion of gut hormones. Activation of specific ORs in enteroendocrine cells has been shown to stimulate the release of hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and serotonin (5-HT), thereby modulating systemic energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and gastrointestinal motility. Furthermore, the review addresses the critical roles of ORs in immune regulation and pathology. Evidence suggests that specific ORs contribute to the maintenance of intestinal immune homeostasis and may offer protection against inflammation. Beyond their involvement in inflammatory responses, ORs such as Olfr78 have been shown to regulate the differentiation and function of intestinal endocrine cells. Similarly, Olfr544 has been demonstrated to alleviate intestinal inflammation by remodeling the gut microbiome and metabolome. These findings collectively suggest that specific ORs hold promise as therapeutic targets for mitigating intestinal inflammation and maintaining gut homeostasis. Additionally, the review explores the emerging role of ORs in cancer. Although OR expression is often downregulated in tumor tissues compared to normal mucosa, activation of specific ORs by certain ligands can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration and induce apoptosis via pathways such as MEK/ERK and p38 MAPK. Conversely, other receptors, such as OR7C1, may serve as biomarkers for cancer-initiating cells. In conclusion, intestinal ORs represent a vital component of the gut’s sensory network. The review also discusses the translational potential of these findings. By elucidating the precise pairing relationships between dietary components and specific ORs, novel therapeutic strategies could be developed. Intestinal ORs may thus emerge as promising targets for nutritional and pharmacological interventions in metabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and malignancies.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of endoscopic endonasal dorsum sellae and posterior clinoid process resection combined with pituitary hemi-transposition in the treatment of pan-sellar area lesions. Methods Clinical data from 57 patients with pan sellar diseases who underwent endoscopic transnasal resection of the posterior clinoid process combined with lateral pituitary displacement surgery in the neurosurgery department of Zhongshan Hospital, Fudan University from January 2019 to January 2025 were collected, and their clinical surgical characteristics and prognosis were analyed. Results A total of 57 patients with pan-sellar area lesions were included in this study, comprising 27 craniopharyngiomas, 7 giant suprasellar pituitary adenomas, 7 chordomas, 6 chondrosarcomas, 5 diaphragma sellae/dorsum sellae meningiomas, and 5 rare lesions. All procedures were completed successfully, and gross total or near-total resection was achieved in all patients. No new neurovascular complications occurred intraoperatively. The follow-up duration ranged from 3 to 24 months. New postoperative anterior pituitary insufficiency occurred in 3 patients (5.3%), and new posterior pituitary insufficiency requiring long-term hormone replacement therapy occurred in 4 patients (7.0%). No additional pituitary dysfunction was observed in the remaining patients. Cerebrospinal fluid rhinorrhea occurred in 1 patient (1.8%) and was successfully repaired. Intracranial infection occurred in 3 patients (5.3%) and resolved after medical treatment. Conclusion Endoscopic resection of the posterior clinoid process combined with lateral displacement of the pituitary gland can effectively expand the surgical space, while repositioning the pituitary gland can reduce the extent of skull base defects. In addition, the risk of pituitary dysfunction caused by lateral displacement of the pituitary gland is relatively low.

Objective To explore the feasibility of the endoscopic occipital transtentorial transpineal-recess (EOTT-TR) approach for treatment of craniopharyngiomas within the third ventricle. Methods The clinical and imaging data of a 54-year-old female patient with craniopharyngioma was reviewed. The patient was presented with progressive visual impairment and headache for six months. Endocrine evaluation indicated mild impairment of the pituitary-hypothalamic axis function. Imaging revealed a large solid tumor was entirely confined within the third ventricle, maximal diameter of approximately 4.7 cm. The lesion was resected via right EOTT-TR approach, which involved upward retraction of the pineal gland under the 3D endoscopy, and accessing the third ventricle through the pineal recess. Following resection, pathological diagnosis was performed, and postoperative complications were observed. Results Subtotal resection was achieved. Postoperatively, central diabetes insipidus, diplopia and upward gaze dysfunction occurred, but improved after 3 months of follow-up. MRI confirmed subtotal resection of the tumor, and the vision of the patient was improved, and the Karnofsky performance status (KPS) score increased from 80 points to 90 points at 3 months after operation. The pathological diagnosis was papillary craniopharyngioma (WHO grade Ⅰ). Conclusions The EOTT-TR approach provides a unique postero-superior to antero-inferior perspective, allowing full exposure of the third ventricle. It is particularly advantageous for treating craniopharyngiomas originating from the antero-inferior wall of the third ventricle, enabling tumor resection while preserving hypothalamic function without affecting visual acuity or visual fields. Therefore, for craniopharyngiomas strictly confined within the third ventricle, the EOTT-TR approach is a feasible surgical approach.

ObjectiveTo investigate the anti-Alzheimer's disease （AD） effect of Dipsacus asper（DA） in the Caenorhabditis elegans model， and decipher the underlying mechanism via the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α （PPARα）/transcription factor EB （TFEB） pathway. MethodsFirst， transgenic AD C. elegans individuals were assigned into the blank control， model， positive control （WY14643， 20 µmol·L^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （100， 200， and 400 mg·L^-1， respectively） DA groups. The amyloid β-42 （Aβ₄₂） formation in the muscle cells， the paralysis time， and the deposition of amyloid β-protein （Aβ） in the head were detected. The lysosomal autophagy in the BV2 cell model was examined by Rluc-LC3wt/G120A. The expression levels of lysosomal autophagy-related proteins LC3Ⅱ， LC3I， LAMP2， and TFEB were detected by Western blot. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to determine the mRNA levels of autophagy-related genes beclin1 and Atg5 and lysosome-related genes LAMP2 and CLN2 downstream of PPARα/TFEB. A reporter gene assay was used to detect the transcriptional activities of PPARα and TFEB. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the fluorescence intensity of PPARα， and the active components of the ethanol extract of DA were identified by UPLC-MS. RCSB PDB， Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP）， and Autodock were used to analyze the binding between the active components and PPARα-ligand-binding domain （LBD）. ResultsCompared with the model group， the positive control group and 200 and 400 mg·L^-1 DA groups showed prolonged paralysis time （P<0.05）， and all the treatment groups showed decreased Aβ deposition in the head （P<0.01）. DA within the concentration range of 50-500 mg·L^-1 did not affect the viability of BV2 cells. In addition， DA enhanced the autophagy flux （P<0.05）， up-regulated the mRNA levels of beclin1， Atg5， LAMP2， and CLN2 （P<0.05， P<0.01）， promoted the nuclear translocation of TFEB （P<0.05）， increased LAMP2 expression and autophagy flux （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and enhanced the transcriptional activities of PPARα and TFEB （P<0.01）. The positive control group and 200 and 400 mg·L^-1 DA groups showed enhanced fluorescence intensity of PPARα in the BV2 nucleus （P<0.01）. UPLC-MS detected nine known compounds of DA， from which 8 active components of DA were screened out. The docking results suggested that a variety of components in DA could bind to PPARα-LBD and form stable hydrogen bonds. ConclusionDA may reduce the pathological changes in AD by regulating the PPARα-TFEB pathway.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of the bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (VRD) regimen combined with autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (auto-HSCT) in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and renal impairment, analyze treatment efficacy and renal responses stratified based on renal dysfunction severity, and explore the prognostic significance of early renal response and its affecting factors.Methods:This retrospective study, conducted at the First Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University, categorized 316 patients with newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) from August 2018 to October 2022 based on renal function for analysis of clinical characteristics, treatment response, and prognosis. Continuous variables were compared using t-tests or Mann-Whitney U tests, categorical variables utilizing Chi-square tests, survival outcomes employing Kaplan-Meier and Log-rank tests, and renal response predictors with logistic regression.Results:Patients were stratified based on baseline estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) : normal [≥90 ml·min -1· (1.73 m 2) -1, n=160], mild [≥60 ml·min -1· (1.73 m 2) -1 to <90 ml·min -1· (1.73 m 2) -1, n=55], moderate [≥30 ml·min -1· (1.73 m 2) -1 to <60 ml·min -1· (1.73 m 2) -1, n=39], and severe impairment [<30 ml·min -1· (1.73 m 2) -1, n=62]. Moderate and severe renal impairment correlated with advanced International Staging System/Revised International Staging System classification, lower hemoglobin levels, frailty, and higher light-chain/IgD subtype prevalence ( P<0.05). Despite younger age ( P=0.001) and higher transplant rates ( P=0.041) in severe cases, overall response rates ( ORR: 93.7% ; ≥VGPR: 82.9% ) were comparable across groups ( P>0.05). Among 24 dialysis-dependent patients at diagnosis, 11 (45.8% ) achieved dialysis independence after induction [median: 3.0 (0.5–4.0) months], including 10 undergoing auto-HSCT. In 89 evaluable patients [baseline eGFR <50 ml·min -1· (1.73 m 2) -1], renal ORR (RORR) was 70.8% [rapid complete response: 31.5% ; rapid partial response: 11.2% ; rapid minimal response (RMR) : 28.1% ]. Renal response predicted better survival (overall survival: HR=0.36, 95% CI: 0.13–0.99, P=0.049). Moderate-to-severe renal impairment was associated with increased transplant-related adverse events and delayed engraftment ( P<0.05) ; however, auto-HSCT significantly improved outcomes after 33.5-month median follow-up (range: 2–65 months). Multivariate analysis identified 1q21+ ( OR=3.58, 95% CI: 1.17–11.02, P=0.026) and light-chain subtype ( OR=2.86, 95% CI: 1.08–7.69, P=0.036) as independent predictors of poor renal response. Conclusion:VRD regimen plus auto-HSCT demonstrates robust efficacy in NDMM, including patients with renal impairment, with a 70.8% RORR and manageable toxicity. Achieving ≥RMR correlates with superior prognosis, whereas 1q21+ and light-chain subtype independently predict inferior renal response.

Objective:To investigate the effect of changes in metabolic syndrome status and persistence on carotid plaque risk.Methods:This retrospective cohort study analyzed individuals who underwent routine health check-ups at the health management center of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from 2014 to 2023. Participants with at least three carotid ultrasound records meeting the inclusion criteria were classified into 4 groups based on changes in metabolic status: persistently metabolic health, transitioning from metabolic health to unhealth, transitioning from metabolic unhealth to health, and persistently metabolic unhealth. The cumulative incidence of carotid plaque in these groups was compared. A Cox proportional risk model was used to evaluate the relationship between changes in metabolic syndrome status, the number of metabolic syndrome components, and the risk of carotid plaque development. Restricted cubic spline analysis was applied to explore the association between changes in individual metabolic syndrome components and carotid plaque risk.Results:Compared to the persistently metabolic health group, the persistent unhealth group had the highest risk of developing carotid plaque( HR=1.35, 95% CI 1.05-1.74, P=0.021), followed by those who transitioned from metabolic health to unhealth and those who improved from metabolic unhealth to health. Furthermore, the risk of carotid plaque increased progressively with the number of metabolic syndrome components. Restricted cubic spline analysis revealed a nonlinear relationship between fasting blood glucose change and carotid plaque risk, while systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, triglycerides, and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol showed a linear dose-response relationship with carotid plaque. Conclusions:The change of metabolic syndrome is associated with the risk of developing carotid plaque, and maintaining metabolic health, recovering from metabolic syndrome, or minimizing the number of metabolic syndrome components may be effective strategies to prevent carotid plaque formation.

Objective:To explore the relationship between thyroid hormone sensitivity and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease(MASLD) in a population with normal thyroid function, with a particular focus on sex-specific differences.Methods:This retrospective study included 41 355 euthyroid cases who underwent routine health examinations at the Health Management Centre of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from January 2014 to December 2023 were included. The free triiodothyronine(FT 3) to free thyroxine(FT 4) ratio(FT 3/FT 4) was calculated in order to reflect the peripheral sensitivity of the thyroid gland. Similarly, thyroid feedback quantile-based index(TFQI), thyrotrophic thyroxine resistance index(TT 4RI), and the FT 3-based TFQI-derived index(TFQI-FT 3) were calculated in order to reflect the central sensitivity of the thyroid gland. A Logistic regression was employed to analyse the effect of sex-specific thyroid hormone sensitivity indices on the prevalence of MASLD. The restricted cubic spline was used to analyse the non-linear relationship between the thyroid sensitivity hormone indices and MASLD. Furthermore, the correlation between the thyroid hormone sensitivity indices and MASLD in different subgroups was also analysed. Results:The prevalence of MASLD in the study population was 28.8%. After adjusting the model for confounders, the risk of MASLD increased by 7%, 3%, 10%, and 5% for each standard deviation increase in FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and TT 4RI in the total population, respectively. The risk of MASLD increased by 6% and 5% for each standard deviation increase in FT 3/FT 4 and TFQI-FT 3 in men, respectively. For each standard deviation increase in FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and TT 4RI in women, the risk of MASLD increased by 6%, 5%, 11%, and 5%, respectively. Higher FT 3/FT 4 and TFQI-FT 3 were positively associated with the risk of developing MASLD in men, and higher FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and TT 4RI were positively associated with the risk of developing MASLD in women. There was a non-linear, inverted U-shaped relationship between TFQI and risk of MASLD in women. Subgroup analyses showed positive associations between FT 3/FT 4, TFQI, TFQI-FT 3, and MASLD. Conclusions:The thyroid hormone sensitivity indices may provide a basis for clinical prevention and management of MASLD in individuals with normal thyroid function. Additionally, FT 3/FT 4 and TFQI-FT 3 may indicate the risk of MASLD in the general population, while TFQI and TT 4RI are more suitable for assessing the risk of MASLD in women.

Objective: To identify core acupoint patterns and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of acupuncture for primary depressive disorder (PDD) through data mining and network analysis. Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Ovid Technologies (OVID), Web of Science, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China National Knowledge Infrastructure Database (VIP), Wanfang Data, and SinoMed Database from database foundation to January 31, 2025, for clinical studies on acupuncture treatment of PDD. Descriptive statistics, high-frequency acupoint analysis, degree and betweenness centrality evaluation, and core acupoint prescription mining identified predominant therapeutic combinations for PDD. Network acupuncture was used to predict therapeutic target for the core acupoint prescription. Subsequent protein-protein interaction (PPI) network and molecular complex detection (MCODE) analyses were conducted to identify the key targets and functional modules. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses explored the underlying biological mechanisms of the core acupoint prescription in treating PDD. Results: A total of 57 acupoint prescriptions underwent systematic analysis. The core therapeutic combinations comprised Baihui (GV20), Yintang (GV29), Neiguan (PC6), Hegu (LI4), and Shenmen (HT7). Network acupuncture analysis identified 88 potential therapeutic targets (79 overlapping with PDD), while PPI network analysis revealed central regulatory nodes, including interleukin (IL)-6, IL-1β, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), IL-10, brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (MAPK3), and nitric oxide synthase 1 (NOS1). MCODE-based modular analysis further elucidated three functionally coherent clusters: inflammation-homeostasis (score = 6.571), plasticity-neurotransmission (score = 3.143), and oxidative stress (score = 3.000). GO and KEGG analyses demonstrated significant enrichment of the MAPK, phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt), and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 signaling pathways. These mechanistic insights suggested that the antidepressant effects mediated through mechanisms of neuroinflammatory regulation, neuroplasticity restoration, and immune-oxidative stress homeostasis. Conclusion This study reveals that acupuncture alleviates depression through a multi-level mechanism, primarily involving the neuroinflammation suppression, neuroplasticity enhancement, and oxidative stress regulation. These findings systematically clarify the underlying mechanisms of acupuncture’s antidepressant effects and identify novel therapeutic targets for further mechanistic research.

OBJECTIVE: To screen anti-tumor drugs that improve antigen processing and presentation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. METHODS: A TCR-like or TCR mimic antibody that can specifically recognize HLA-A*0201:WT1_126-134 ( RMFPNAPYL) complex (hereafter referred to as HLA-A2:WT1) was synthesized to evaluate the function of antigen processing and presentation machinery (APM) in AML cells. AML cell line THP1 was incubated with increasing concentrations of IFN-γ, hypomethylating agents (HMA), immunomodulatory drugs (IMiD), proteasome inhibitors (PI) and γ-secretase inhibitors (GSI), followed by measuring of HLA-ABC, HLA-A2 and HLA-A2:WT1 levels by flow cytometry at consecutive time points. RESULTS: The TCR-like antibody we generated only binds to HLA-A*0201⁺WT1⁺ cells, indicating the specificity of the antibody. HLA-A2:WT1 level of THP-1 cells detected with the TCR-like antibody was increased significantly after co-incubation with IFN-γ, showing that the HLA-A2:WT1 TCR like antibody could evaluate the function of APM. Among the anti-tumor agents screened in this study, GSI (LY-411575) and HMA (decitabine and azacitidine) could significantly increase the HLA-A2:WT1 level. The IMiD lenalidomide and pomalidomide could aslo upregulate the expression of HLA-A2:WT1 complex under certain concentrations of the drugs and incubation time. As proteasome inhibitors, carfilzomib could significantly decreased the expression of HLA-A2:WT1, while bortezomib had no significant effect on HLA-A2:WT1 expression. CONCLUSION HLA-A2:WT1 TCR-like antibody can effectively reflect the APM function. Some of the anti-tumor drugs can affect the APM function and immunogenicity of tumor cells.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/immunology* ; Antineoplastic Agents/pharmacology* ; Antigen Presentation/drug effects* ; HLA-A2 Antigen/immunology* ; Receptors, Antigen, T-Cell/immunology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Interferon-gamma

Sympathectomy, as an emerging treatment method for cardiovascular diseases, has received extensive attention in recent years. Stereotactic radiotherapy (SRT), a precise and noninvasive therapeutic technique, has gradually been introduced into interventions targeting the sympathetic nervous system and has shown promising prospects in the management of cardiovascular conditions. Using three-dimensional imaging, SRT can accurately localize sympathetic ganglia and deliver high-energy radiation to disrupt nerve fibers, thereby achieving effects similar to conventional sympathectomy while reducing surgery-related complications and shortening recovery time. It also offers the advantages of being noninvasive and causing fewer adverse effects, and thus holds potential as an alternative to traditional approaches in the future. The integration of SRT with sympathectomy opens new avenues for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and presents broad clinical application prospects.
Radiosurgery/methods* ; Cardiovascular Diseases/radiotherapy* ; Humans ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Ganglionectomy/methods* ; Ganglia, Sympathetic/radiation effects* ; Blood Vessels/physiopathology* ; Heart/physiopathology*