Background and aims The mechanism of cholestatic liver injury (CLI) is unclear, and effective therapies are lacking. While peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists show potential hepatoprotective effect and pyroptosis is implicated in hepatocellular damage, how PPARα activation mitigates lithocholic acid (LCA)-induced pyroptosis remains unknown. Methods The hepatoprotective effect of PPARα agonists was evaluated in a mouse model of intrahepatic cholestasis induced by LCA. Liver injury was assessed via serum biochemistry, hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining, and electron microscopy. Pyroptosis pathways were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation. Results Combined morphological, histopathological, and biochemical analyses confirmed that PPARα activation protects against CLI. Compared with LCA treatment alone, PPARα activation significantly attenuated the elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the increased TUNEL-positive cells, and the formation of hepatocyte membrane pores. Mechanistically, PPARα activation suppressed both NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (APAF-1)/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Furthermore, PPARα agonist pretreatment inhibited activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) signaling pathways. Conclusions PPARα protects against LCA-induced CLI by inhibiting both NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis associated with NF-κB and APAF-1/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis associated with the FOXO1 signaling pathway.

ObjectiveTo investigate the repair effects of Zhengan Xifengtang on intestinal mucosal barrier in spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHRs） through the pathways of farnesoid X receptor （FXR）-myosin light chain kinase （MLCK）/phosphorylated myosin light chain （p-MLC） and its potential mechanism. MethodsForty 10-week-old male SHRs were randomly divided into model group， amlodipine besylate group （0.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high， middle and low dose groups of Zhengan Xifengtang （34.5， 17.25， 8.625 g·kg^-1·d^-1）； eight age-matched male Wistar-Kyoto （WKY） rats of the same origin served as the normal control group. Drug intervention was carried out for 8 weeks， and the blood pressure of the rats was measured regularly. After the intervention， the rats were euthanized to collect tissue samples. Hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining and Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff （AB-PAS） staining were used to evaluate the pathological morphology and the number of goblet cells in colonic mucosa. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure plasma lipopolysaccharide （LPS） and diamine oxidase （DAO） levels in each group of rats. Immunofluorescence （IF） assay was used to detect the relative fluorescence intensity of FXR and p-MLC in colonic tissue. Western blot was used to detect the zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1）， Occludin， Claudin-1， junctional adhesion molecule-1 （JAM-1）， mucin-2 （MUC2）， FXR， MLCK， and p-MLC protein expression in colon tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect mRNA expression levels of ZO-1， Occludin， Claudin-1， JAM-1， MUC2， FXR， MLCK， and MLC in colon tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the blood pressure in the model group increased significantly （P<0.01）， the colonic mucosal structure was seriously damaged， and the number of goblet cells decreased significantly. The contents of LPS and DAO increased significantly （P<0.01）， the relative fluorescence intensity of FXR in colon decreased， while that of p-MLC increased （P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expressions of ZO-1， Claudin-1， JAM-1， Occludin， MUC2 and FXR decreased significantly （P<0.01）， whereas the protein expression of MLCK and p-MLC increased significantly （P<0.01）. Additionally， the mRNA expression of MLCK and MLC increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Zhengan Xifengtang groups at various dosages and the amlodipine besylate group showed significantly reduced blood pressure （P<0.01）. The damage of colonic mucosa structure was alleviated， the infiltration of inflammatory cells decreased， and the number of goblet cells increased. LPS and DAO levels were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the colon， the relative fluorescence intensity of FXR increased， while that of p-MLC decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expression levels of ZO-1， Claudin-1， JAM-1， Occludin， and FXR increased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the protein expression of MLCK and p-MLC decreased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， the mRNA expression of MLCK and MLC decreased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the protein expression of MUC2 increased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression of MUC2 mRNA in each dose group of Zhengan Xifengtang increased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionZhengan Xifengtang may regulate the FXR-MLCK/p-MLC signaling pathway and enhance the expression of tight junction protein， thereby reducing intestinal mucosal permeability， promoting mucosal barrier repair， decreasing LPS release into the blood， and ultimately lowering blood pressure.

ObjectiveTo investigate the repair effects of Zhengan Xifengtang on intestinal mucosal barrier in spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHRs） through the pathways of farnesoid X receptor （FXR）-myosin light chain kinase （MLCK）/phosphorylated myosin light chain （p-MLC） and its potential mechanism. MethodsForty 10-week-old male SHRs were randomly divided into model group， amlodipine besylate group （0.5 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high， middle and low dose groups of Zhengan Xifengtang （34.5， 17.25， 8.625 g·kg^-1·d^-1）； eight age-matched male Wistar-Kyoto （WKY） rats of the same origin served as the normal control group. Drug intervention was carried out for 8 weeks， and the blood pressure of the rats was measured regularly. After the intervention， the rats were euthanized to collect tissue samples. Hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining and Alcian blue-periodic acid-Schiff （AB-PAS） staining were used to evaluate the pathological morphology and the number of goblet cells in colonic mucosa. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure plasma lipopolysaccharide （LPS） and diamine oxidase （DAO） levels in each group of rats. Immunofluorescence （IF） assay was used to detect the relative fluorescence intensity of FXR and p-MLC in colonic tissue. Western blot was used to detect the zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1）， Occludin， Claudin-1， junctional adhesion molecule-1 （JAM-1）， mucin-2 （MUC2）， FXR， MLCK， and p-MLC protein expression in colon tissue. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect mRNA expression levels of ZO-1， Occludin， Claudin-1， JAM-1， MUC2， FXR， MLCK， and MLC in colon tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the blood pressure in the model group increased significantly （P<0.01）， the colonic mucosal structure was seriously damaged， and the number of goblet cells decreased significantly. The contents of LPS and DAO increased significantly （P<0.01）， the relative fluorescence intensity of FXR in colon decreased， while that of p-MLC increased （P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expressions of ZO-1， Claudin-1， JAM-1， Occludin， MUC2 and FXR decreased significantly （P<0.01）， whereas the protein expression of MLCK and p-MLC increased significantly （P<0.01）. Additionally， the mRNA expression of MLCK and MLC increased significantly （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Zhengan Xifengtang groups at various dosages and the amlodipine besylate group showed significantly reduced blood pressure （P<0.01）. The damage of colonic mucosa structure was alleviated， the infiltration of inflammatory cells decreased， and the number of goblet cells increased. LPS and DAO levels were decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the colon， the relative fluorescence intensity of FXR increased， while that of p-MLC decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The protein and mRNA expression levels of ZO-1， Claudin-1， JAM-1， Occludin， and FXR increased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the protein expression of MLCK and p-MLC decreased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Furthermore， the mRNA expression of MLCK and MLC decreased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the protein expression of MUC2 increased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The expression of MUC2 mRNA in each dose group of Zhengan Xifengtang increased significantly （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionZhengan Xifengtang may regulate the FXR-MLCK/p-MLC signaling pathway and enhance the expression of tight junction protein， thereby reducing intestinal mucosal permeability， promoting mucosal barrier repair， decreasing LPS release into the blood， and ultimately lowering blood pressure.

Integrated metabolomic and lipidomic profiling,utilizing liquid chromatography coupled with high-resolution mass spectrometry(LC-HRMS),has emerged as a pivotal strategy for biomarker discovery.However,the inherent polarity disparity between metabolites and lipids complicates simultaneous analysis.To address this,a dual-stationary phase polarity-extended liquid chromatography(PELC)system was developed,which surpassed conventional one-dimensional LC(1D-LC)by enabling comprehensive coverage of both polar and non-polar compounds within a single injection.This system enhanced chromatographic resolution,peak capacity,and throughput while minimizing analytical variability.Extracellular vesicles(EVs),lipid bilayer-enclosed nanoparticles ubiquitously present in biofluids,had gained prominence as reservoirs of cancer biomarkers due to their cargo stability and pathophysiological relevance.Herein,the application of PELC-HRMS for concurrent metabolome-lipidome profiling in EVs was pioneered.A total of 193 metabolites were identified using this technique coupled with MS-DIAL software and Human Metabolome Database.Subsequently,this technique was employed to explore potential biomarkers for prostate cancer(PCa).Multivariate analysis identified 17 differentially abundant metabolites in PCa,implicating dysregulated pathways including purine metabolism,starch and sucrose metabolism,galactose metabolism,cysteine and methionine metabolism,and biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids.Notably,creatine(AUC=0.92)and DG 42:5(AUC=0.80)demonstrated robust diagnostic efficacy,attributable to their broad polarity ranges and EV-specific enrichment.This study established PELC as a high-fidelity platform for multi-omics integration in complex biospecimens,advancing mechanistic insights into metabolic rewiring and disease pathophysiology.

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.

Aim To explore the MST1 knockdown at-tenuates the inhibitory effect of salvianolic acid B(Sal B)on pERK anti-renal fibrosis.Methods In vitro experiments stimulated human renal cortical proximal tubular epithelial cells(HK-2)with XMU-XP-1(10μmol·L-1)inhibitor;in vivo experiments induced wild-type(WT)and MST1 systemic knockout mouse(MST1-/-)renal fibrosis models with DEN/CCl4/C2H5OH(DCC)and interfered with Sal B(15 mg·kg-1·d-1,ig)intervention.Renal histopathology was observed by HE and Masson staining;α-SMA and pERK protein expression was detected by Western blot;and pERK protein expression was detected by im-munofluorescence.Results In vitro results showed that Sal B could inhibit pERK protein expression.In vivo results showed that Sal B could improve DCC-in-duced renal tissue pathological injury and inhibit α-SMA and pERK protein expression;MST1-/-aggrava-ted pathological injury and significantly up-regulated α-SMA and pERK protein expression.Conclusion Sal B reduces the stimulatory effect of XMU-MP-1 on HK-2 cells by inhibiting the phosphorylation of ERK protein;Sal B exerts its anti-renal fibrosis effect by inhibiting the phosphorylation of α-SMA protein and ERK pro-tein;and MST1-/-,aggravating the pathological inju-ry of renal tissue,significantly up-regulated the expres-sion of α-SMA and pERK protein,which in turn atten-uated the antirenal fibrosis effect of Sal B.

The integration of medical treatment and disease prevention(hereinafter referred to as"med-prevent integra-tion")constitutes a vital strategy for achieving universal health objectives.Party-building initiatives in university-affiliated hospi-tals present a novel approach to enhance this integration at the primary care level.This study identifies three major challenges in current practice,including insufficient conceptual integration between medical and preventive services,inadequate cross-depart-mental coordination and resource allocation,and imperfect accountability mechanisms within Party-building frameworks.From the perspective of integrated governance,we propose a comprehensive pathway where party-building facilitates the systematic conver-gence of ideological orientation,organizational structure,cultural values,and institutional mechanisms.These findings provide both theoretical framework and practical guidance for university-affiliated hospitals to deepen primary-level med-prevent integration through Party-building initiatives.

Objective To construct the K64 capsule depolymerase recombinant protein,Dep44,and investigate its potential application against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP)infections.Methods The de-polymerase-encoding phage vB_Kpn_HF1013(GenBank:PP803128)was isolated and genomically analyzed to screen for candidate depolymerases.The recombinant protein Dep44 was constructed and functionally verified for depolymerase activity.Dep44 sensitive range was validated and Dep44 antimicrobial activity was assessed by bio-film disruption and serum sterilization assays.Results The tail spike protein of phage vB_Kpn_HF1013 exhibited depolymerase activity and recombinant protein Dep44 specifically degraded K64 CRKP capsule.Biofilm eradication assays demonstrated that recombinant Dep44 at both 2 μg/mL and 10 μg/mL significantly disrupted bacterial bio-films relative to the control.Serum bactericidal assays showed that Dep44 exhibited synergistic activity with serum,dependent on the complement system,as Dep44 alone lacked bactericidal properties.Conclusion Dep44 effec-tively targets and degrades K64 CRKP capsule,disrupts biofilms,and enhances serum bactericidal activity,high-lighting its potential for managing K64 CRKP infections and clearing biofilms from medical devices.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the association between body mass index (BMI) and mortality based on the 10-year population-based multicenter prospective study. METHODS: A general population-based multicenter prospective study was conducted at four sites in rural China between 2013 and 2023. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were used to assess the association between BMI and mortality. Stratified analyses were performed based on the individual characteristics of the participants. RESULTS: Overall, 19,107 participants with a sum of 163,095 person-years were included and 1,910 participants died. The underweight (< 18.5 kg/m ²) presented an increase in all-cause mortality (adjusted hazards ratio [ aHR] = 2.00, 95% confidence interval [ CI]: 1.66-2.41), while overweight (≥ 24.0 to < 28.0 kg/m ²) and obesity (≥ 28.0 kg/m ²) presented a decrease with an aHR of 0.61 (95% CI: 0.52-0.73) and 0.51 (95% CI: 0.37-0.70), respectively. Overweight ( aHR = 0.76, 95% CI: 0.67-0.86) and mild obesity ( aHR = 0.72, 95% CI: 0.59-0.87) had a positive impact on mortality in people older than 60 years. All-cause mortality decreased rapidly until reaching a BMI of 25.7 kg/m ² ( aHR = 0.95, 95% CI: 0.92-0.98) and increased slightly above that value, indicating a U-shaped association. The beneficial impact of being overweight on mortality was robust in most subgroups and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION This study provides additional evidence that overweight and mild obesity may be inversely related to the risk of death in individuals older than 60 years. Therefore, it is essential to consider age differences when formulating health and weight management strategies.
Humans ; Body Mass Index ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Rural Population/statistics & numerical data* ; Aged ; Follow-Up Studies ; Adult ; Mortality ; Cause of Death ; Obesity/mortality* ; Overweight/mortality*

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.