Licochalcone E is a chalcone isolated from Glycyrrhiza uralensis and G. inflata Batal. This study explored the effect of licochalcone E on improving hepatic steatosis in obese mice and evaluated the role of licochalcone E in regulating lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. In vitro, oleic acid–induced hepatocytes were treated with licochalcone E to investigate its effect on lipid metabolic pathways. In animal experiments, male C57BL/6 mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) and treated with licochalcone E by intraperitoneal injection for 12 weeks to assess its effects on biochemical indexes and hepatic steatosis. Furthermore, mice were fed a methionine/choline-deficient (MCD) diet and administered licochalcone E, followed by evaluation of liver fibrosis. Licochalcone E effectively reduced body weight, epididymal and inguinal fat weight, and adipocyte size in HFD-induced obese mice. Licochalcone E treatment of obese mice also reduced hepatic lipid accumulation and improved hepatocyte steatosis. Licochalcone E regulated the expression of lipogenesis- and lipolysis-related genes in the livers of obese mice and increased AMPK phosphorylation and Sirt1 expression in the liver. Licochalcone E also attenuated hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress in obese mice. Furthermore, treatment of MCD-induced mice with licochalcone E reduced the number of lipid vacuoles and the extent of fibrosis and inhibited liver inflammation. In FL83B hepatocytes, licochalcone E could regulate lipogenesis and lipolysis, and increase the phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC. These findings provide new insights into the role of licochalcone E in regulating lipid metabolism and preventing hepatic steatosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the urate-lowering effect of Shenling Qushi prescription in the mouse model of hyperuricaemia. MethodsSixty-three C57BL/6N mice were randomly assigned to the following groups （n=9）： Control， model， low-dose （6 g·kg^-1） Shenling Qushi prescription， medium-dose （12 g·kg^-1） Shenling Qushi prescription， high-dose （24 g·kg^-1） Shenling Qushi prescription， medium-dose Shenling Qushi prescription plus febuxostat （12+0.003 g·kg^-1）， and febuxostat （3 mg·kg^-1）. A mouse model of persistent hyperuricaemia was established via intraperitoneal injection of potassium oxazolamide （250 mg·kg^-1） combined with oral administration of allopurinol （300 mg·kg^-1） over a 28-day period. Concurrently， the prescription was administered orally at the specified doses once daily for 21 consecutive days. Throughout the experiment， mouse body weight， food intake， water consumption， and urine output were measured and recorded. Kidney and liver indices were calculated. Renal histopathological changes were observed by haematoxylin and eosin staining. Serum uric acid （SUA） and urinary uric acid （UUA） levels， along with xanthine oxidase （XOD） and adenosine deaminase （ADA）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） activities， were determined. Real-time PCR was employed to assess the mRNA levels of urate anion transporter 1 （URAT1） and glucose transporter 9 （GLUT9） in the renal tissue， alongside those of XOD and ADA in the liver tissue. The protein levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 in the renal tissue were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal group， model mice exhibited reduced food intake and body weight （P<0.01）， decreased water consumption yet increased urine output， no significant change in the liver index but increased kidney index （P<0.01）. Pathological findings revealed renal tissue damage including glomerular atrophy， epithelial cell detachment， and inflammatory cell infiltration. Furthermore， the model group exhibited elevated UUA and SUA levels （P<0.01）， enhanced activities of ALT， AST， XOD， and ADA in the liver tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， upregulated mRNA and protein levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 in the renal tissue （P<0.05）， alongside markedly elevated mRNA levels of XOD and ADA in the liver （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Shenling Qushi prescription groups showed no significant changes in body weight or food intake， with water consumption and urine output remaining within normal ranges， alleviated glomerular atrophy， with reduced pathological damage such as inflammatory infiltration， declined UUA and SUA levels （P<0.01）， and increased activities of ALT， AST， XOD， and ADA in the serum （P<0.01）. Real-time PCR results demonstrated that Shenling Qushi prescription downregulated the mRNA levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 in the renal tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01） and XOD and ADA in the hepatic tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Western blot results demonstrated Shenling Qushi prescription reduced the protein levels of URAT1 and GLUT9 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionShenling Qushi prescription modulates fluid balance and reduces uric acid levels， thereby alleviating renal injury in hyperuricaemic mice. This effect is highly likely mediated through inhibition of uric acid synthesis and reabsorption.

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder with profound impact on patients’ quality of life and long-term health, and early detection and intervention are particularly critical. In recent years, the search for precise and reliable biomarkers has become one of the key strategies to effectively address the clinical challenges of PD. In this paper, we systematically evaluated potential biomarkers, including proteins, metabolites, epigenetic markers, and exosomes, in the peripheral blood of PD patients. Protein markers are one of the main directions of biomarker research in PD. In particular, α‑synuclein and its phosphorylated form play a key role in the pathological process of PD. It has been shown that aggregation of α-synuclein may be associated with pathologic protein deposition in PD and may be a potential marker for early diagnosis of PD. In terms of metabolites, uric acid, as a metabolite, plays an important role in oxidative stress and neuroprotection in PD. It has been found that changes in uric acid levels may be associated with the onset and progression of PD, showing its potential as an early diagnostic marker. Epigenetic markers, such as DNA methylation modifications and miRNAs, have also attracted much attention in Parkinson’s disease research. Changes in these markers may affect the expression of PD-related genes and have an important impact on the onset and progression of the disease, providing new research perspectives for the early diagnosis of PD. In addition, exosomes, as a potential biomarker carrier for PD, are able to carry a variety of biomolecules involved in intercellular communication and pathological regulation. Studies have shown that exosomes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PD, and their detection in blood may provide a new breakthrough for early diagnosis. It has been shown that exosomes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of PD, and their detection in blood may provide new breakthroughs in early diagnosis. In summary, through in-depth evaluation of biomarkers in the peripheral blood of PD patients, this paper demonstrates the important potential of these markers in the early diagnosis of PD and in the study of pathological mechanisms. Future studies will continue to explore the clinical application value of these biomarkers to promote the early detection of PD and individualized treatment strategies.

ObjectiveMagnetoencephalography (MEG), a non-invasive neuroimaging technique, meticulously captures the magnetic fields emanating from brain electrical activity. Compared with MEG based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID), MEG based on optically pump magnetometer (OPM) has the advantages of higher sensitivity, better spatial resolution and lower cost. However, most of the current studies are clinical studies, and there is a lack of animal studies on MEG based on OPM technology. Pain, a multifaceted sensory and emotional phenomenon, induces intricate alterations in brain activity, exhibiting notable sex differences. Despite clinical revelations of pain-related neuronal activity through MEG, specific properties remain elusive, and comprehensive laboratory studies on pain-associated brain activity alterations are lacking. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of inflammatory pain (induced by Complete Freund’s Adjuvant (CFA)) on brain activity in a rat model using the MEG technique, to analysis changes in brain activity during pain perception, and to explore sex differences in pain-related MEG signaling. MethodsThis study utilized adult male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. Inflammatory pain was induced via intraplantar injection of CFA (100 μl, 50% in saline) in the left hind paw, with control groups receiving saline. Pain behavior was assessed using von Frey filaments at baseline and 1 h post-injection. For MEG recording, anesthetized rats had an OPM positioned on their head within a magnetic shield, undergoing two 15-minute sessions: a 5-minute baseline followed by a 10-minute mechanical stimulation phase. Data analysis included artifact removal and time-frequency analysis of spontaneous brain activity using accumulated spectrograms, generating spectrograms focused on the 4-30 Hz frequency range. ResultsMEG recordings in anesthetized rats during resting states and hind paw mechanical stimulation were compared, before and after saline/CFA injections. Mechanical stimulation elevated alpha activity in both male and female rats pre- and post-saline/CFA injections. Saline/CFA injections augmented average power in both sexes compared to pre-injection states. Remarkably, female rats exhibited higher average spectral power 1 h after CFA injection than after saline injection during resting states. Furthermore, despite comparable pain thresholds measured by classical pain behavioral tests post-CFA treatment, female rats displayed higher average power than males in the resting state after CFA injection. ConclusionThese results imply an enhanced perception of inflammatory pain in female rats compared to their male counterparts. Our study exhibits sex differences in alpha activities following CFA injection, highlighting heightened brain alpha activity in female rats during acute inflammatory pain in the resting state. Our study provides a method for OPM-based MEG recordings to be used to study brain activity in anaesthetized animals. In addition, the findings of this study contribute to a deeper understanding of pain-related neural activity and pain sex differences.

Readiness for Hospital Discharge(RHD)refers to a multidimensional assessment of a patient's ability to transition safely from hospital to home,encompassing physiological stability,psychological preparedness,and social support adequacy.For patients requiring Home Nutrition Support(HNS),discharge readiness is particularly critical due to their heightened need for post-discharge specialized care,which significantly influences long-term recovery and quality of life.This paper reviews the concept,influencing factors,and unmet needs of RHD in patients with HNS and proposes targeted strategies to enhance discharge preparedness.By addressing gaps in current practices,we aim to optimize RHD in this vulnerable population and provide clinicians with evidence-based guidance for developing effective discharge plans.

Objective:To investigate the efficacy of enteral nutrition combined with trocar puncture with a sump drain in the treatment of Crohn's disease(CD)complicated by intra-abdominal abscess.Methods:A descriptive case series study was conducted.Clinical data of CD patients with intra-abdominal abscess who received enteral nutrition and trocar puncture with a sump drain at the Intestinal Fistula and Intra-abdominal Infection Center of Nanjing BenQ Hospital between June 2018 and December 2022 were retrospectively collected.Laboratory parameters,including white blood cell(WBC)count,C-reactive protein(CRP),and procalcitonin(PCT),were recorded at baseline(pre-puncture)and on days 1,3,and 7 post-puncture.Changes in clinical indicators before and after intervention were compared.Results:All 19 CD patients with intra-abdominal abscess successfully underwent CT-guided trocar puncture with a sump drain,with fistulography confirming the presence of intestinal fistula.No post-procedural complications,including puncture site infection,new-onset intestinal fistula or intra-abdominal hemorrhage,were observed.The median treatment duration was 58.3 days(range:14～300 days).10 patients achieved spontaneous healing while 9 eventually underwent surgical intervention for unresolved fistulas.Post-puncture WBC levels decreased significantly on days 1,3,and 7 compared to baseline(P<0.05).Serum CRP levels increased markedly on day 1 post-puncture(P<0.05)but declined significantly by days 3 and 7(P<0.05).No statistically significant difference was observed in serum procalcitonin levels before and after puncture(P>0.05).Conclusion:The combination of enteral nutrition and trocar puncture with a sump drain is safe,feasible,and effective for managing CD complicated by intra-abdominal abscess.

Objective The incidence of Alzheimer's disease(AD)in postmenopausal women is significantly increased with ageing.Menopause induced ovarian estrogen deficiency has been regarded as one of the causative risk factor of AD,but currently the detail mechanisms underlying estrogen regulation on the hippocampus remain unclear.This study aimed to uncover the potential pathways and key molecules through which estrogen deficiency induced by ovariectomy promotes AD pathogenesis by integrating transcriptomic and proteomic analyses.Methods The ovariectomy(OVX)mouse model was established to simulate postmenopausal estrogen decline.Transcriptomic(n=3)and proteomic(n=3)differences in the hippocampal tissues of OVX mice were analyzed using RNA sequencing and protein mass spectrometry.Co-trend molecules identified from both omics datasets were subjected to GO/KEGG enrichment and cluster analyses.These molecules were further compared with the human AD hippocampal database(AlzDate)for expression trend consistency;and online resources such as String,GeneCards/Uniports were employed to analyze protein interactions and networks of the co-trend genes to identify key molecules.Results A total of 139 differentially expressed genes(DEG)and 248 differentially expressed proteins(DEP)were identified,with 18 molecules showing consistent expression trends in both omics.Functional enrichment analysis revealed that these molecules were primarily involved in axonogenesis,cytoskeleton dynamics regulation,and long-chain fatty acid transport.After comparison with the human AD database,11 of the 18 co-trend molecules exhibited expression inhibition consistent with AD-associated genes in the human hippocampal databases.Interaction network analysis identified Aldoc(involved in glycolysis),Aldh6a1(involved in ROS scavenging),Etnppl(involved in mitochondrial energy metabolism),and Itih3(involved in hyaluronic acid-mediated extracellular matrix remodeling)as key genes contributing to AD pathogenesis.Additionally,3 co-trend molecules(Prxl2a,Set,Plin4)were not detected in human AD databases.Conclusion Postmenopausal estrogen deficiency decreases the expression levels of hippocampal Aldoc,Etnppl and Aldh6a1 then affects mitochondrial energy metabolism;and decreases levels of Itih3 expression then disables extracellular matrix remodeling.These effects collectively impair hippocampal axonal regenerative capacity,destabilize the cytoskeleton,and hinder the transport of long-chain fatty acids,ultimately driving the progression of AD pathology.

Chrysophanol(Chr)and physcion(Phy)are primary active ingredients of a well-known traditional Chinese medicine namely rhubarb(Chinese name:Dahuang),and their glucuronides have been revealed as the dominant forms presenting in rats after oral administration.Either Chr or Phy has two glycosylation sites,resulting in a pair of positional isomers for glucuronides of either compound(CG1&CG2 and PG1&PG2).To confirmatively identify these glucuronides,energy-resolved mass spectrometry(ER-MS)was used to pursue the fragmentation trajectories of the targeted fragment ions,and the resultant breakdown graphs that were described by the optimal collision energy(OCE)were expected to exhibit the differences of glycosidic bond cleavage between the isomers.Quantum chemical calculation was thereafter conducted to produce the bond dissociation energy(BDE)of the glycosidic bonds.The isomers were unambiguously identified through applying the positive correlation rule between OCE and BDE.Fortunately,the glucuronides of Chr and Phy in vivo were observed through liver microsomes incubationin vitro.ER-MS was utilized to collect the Gaussian-shaped breakdown graphs in response to the neutral loss of 176 Da,and the absolute values of OCE were compared between positional isomers.The results revealed that CG1(-32.31 eV)>CG2(-31.61 eV),and nonetheless,PG1(-30.00 eV)Chr-8-GluA(-48.787 kJ/mol),and nonetheless,Phy-1-GluA(-48.672 kJ/mol)

Numerous studies have shown that depression is main-ly associated with the abnormal expression of connexin 43(Cx43)in astrocytes(Astro)and its mediated dysfunction of gap junction(GJ).However,the molecular mechanism of post-translational modifications targeting Cx43 to regulate neuroin-flammation-associated depression is still unclear.Post-transla-tional modifications of Cx43 mainly include phosphorylation of specific amino acid sites by PKC,PKA,PKG,MAPK and PTK,and protein degradation of Cx43 through the K48/K63 polyubiq-uitylation and deubiquitination pathways,which ultimately lead to protein degradation through K48/K63 polyubiquitination and deubiquitination.These modifications are ultimately involved in the regulation of neuroinflammatory responses through the associ-ation of GJ function.In this paper,we systematically review the role of Cx43 post-translational modifications in neuroinflamma-tion,with the aim of further exploring the potential application of targeting these modifications to modulate the inflammatory re-sponse mechanism in improving depressive symptoms.

Objective To explore the correlation between the expression level of serum fibrinogen-like protein 1(FGL1)and the indexes of metabolism and renal function in patients with diabetic nephropathy(DN)and diabetes mellitus(DM),and provide reference for clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods From January 2017 to April 2023,30 patients with DM and treated in Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine were selected as the DM group,68 patients with DN were selected as the DN group,and 36 healthy subjects were selected as the control group.The DN group was further divided into the early DN(DN-E)group(n=38)and the late DN(DN-A)group(n=30)according to whether there was a large amount of proteinuria and the severity.Clinical data such as serum albumin(ALB),estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR)and albumin-to-creatinine ratio(ACR)were collected.Serum FGL1 level was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Pearson linear correlation was used for correlation,the diagnostic value was analyzed by ROC curve.Results Compared with the control group,the levels of ACR,FGL1 in patients with DM group increased,the levels of eGFR decreased,and the differences were statistically significant(t=5.686,4.336,-4.683,all P<0.05).Compated with the DM group,the levels of ACR,FGL1 in patients with DN-E group was increased,and the level of eGFR was decreased,and the differences were statistically significant(t=5.275,3.454,-4.969,all P<0.05).Compared with the DN-E group,the levels of ACR,FGL1 in the DN-A group were increased,the levels of eGFR were decreased,and the differences were statistically significant(t=7.881,7.051,-5.596,all P<0.05).Serum FGL1 level was negatively correlated with ALB and eGFR(r=-0.638,-0.547,all P<0.05),and positively correlated with ACR(r=0.691,P<0.05).The AUC(95%CI),specificity and sensitivity of serum FGL1 level in the diagnosis of DN were 0.947(0.908～0.987),100%and 82.4%,respectively.Conclusion The level of serum FGL1 in DN and DM patients is high,and the level of serum FGL1 is closely related to the common metabolic indexes such as ALB,eGFR and ACR in the diagnosis of DN,which may have certain clinical diagnostic value.