BACKGROUND:Bone morphogenetic protein 7 is mainly synthesized in the kidney and is expressed at different stages of kidney development,but the spatiotemporal distribution of its expression and its relationship with kidney development have not been systematically reported.OBJECTIVE:To observe the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 in mice kidneys during different developmental stages and to explore its potential relationship with kidney development.METHODS:Immunohistochemical techniques combined with stereological methods and western blot analysis were used to observe and analyze the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 in mouse kidney tissues at embryonic days(E)12,14,16,18,and neonatal days(N)1,3,7,14,24,40,and 70.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of immunohistochemistry showed that bone morphogenetic protein 7 was mainly expressed in the nephrogenic zone and immature renal corpuscles during the early stage of kidney development.Subsequently,it was located in mature renal corpuscles and the surrounding distal convoluted tubules,and the expression range gradually increased.After N40 days,bone morphogenetic protein 7 positively expressed in the renal interstitium.(2)Stereology and western blot results showed that the expression level of bone morphogenetic protein 7 gradually decreased with the development of the kidney,reached the lowest level at N7 days,and then slowly increased.To conclude,during the process of kidney development,the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 has significant spatiotemporal specificity,and it is hypothesized that it may be related to the development and maturation of renal corpuscles and distal convoluted tubules.

BACKGROUND:Bone morphogenetic protein 7 is mainly synthesized in the kidney and is expressed at different stages of kidney development,but the spatiotemporal distribution of its expression and its relationship with kidney development have not been systematically reported.OBJECTIVE:To observe the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 in mice kidneys during different developmental stages and to explore its potential relationship with kidney development.METHODS:Immunohistochemical techniques combined with stereological methods and western blot analysis were used to observe and analyze the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 in mouse kidney tissues at embryonic days(E)12,14,16,18,and neonatal days(N)1,3,7,14,24,40,and 70.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of immunohistochemistry showed that bone morphogenetic protein 7 was mainly expressed in the nephrogenic zone and immature renal corpuscles during the early stage of kidney development.Subsequently,it was located in mature renal corpuscles and the surrounding distal convoluted tubules,and the expression range gradually increased.After N40 days,bone morphogenetic protein 7 positively expressed in the renal interstitium.(2)Stereology and western blot results showed that the expression level of bone morphogenetic protein 7 gradually decreased with the development of the kidney,reached the lowest level at N7 days,and then slowly increased.To conclude,during the process of kidney development,the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 has significant spatiotemporal specificity,and it is hypothesized that it may be related to the development and maturation of renal corpuscles and distal convoluted tubules.

OBJECTIVE To focus on the classic NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）/Caspase-1/gasdermin D （GSDMD） pyroptosis pathway and explore the mechanism by which Huatan qushi huoxue formula （HQHF） inhibits macrophage pyroptosis to ameliorate metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis （MASH）. METHODS RAW264.7 cells were divided into 5 groups： Control group （10% blank serum）， Model group [10% blank serum+5 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide （LPS）]， HQHF-L group （2.5% drug-containing serum+7.5% blank serum+5 μg/mL LPS）， HQHF-M group （5% drug-containing serum+5% blank serum+5 μg/mL LPS）， and HQHF-H group （10% drug-containing serum+5 μg/mL LPS）. After 24 h of routine culture post-administration， cells and supernatants were collected for assays. Cell morphology was observed via scanning electron microscopy and phase-contrast microscopy； localization and expression of gasdermin D-N （GSDMD-N） were observed by immunofluorescence. Interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and IL-18 contents in supernatants were detected by ELISA； mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD were measured using real-time PCR and Western blot. RESULTS Compared with the Control group， the Model group showed typical pyroptotic morphology （cell membrane bulging and pore formation）， increased aggregation and fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-N on the cell membrane （ P ＜0.05）， significantly increased the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatants （ P ＜0.05）， and significantly up-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD in cells （ P ＜0.05）. Compared with the Model group， the HQHF-L， HQHF-M and HQHF-H groups showed improved pyroptotic morphology， reduced membrane localization and significantly weakened fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-N （ P ＜0.05）， significantly decreased the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatants （ P ＜0.05）， and significantly down-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD in cells （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS HQHF inhibits LPS-induced macrophage pyroptosis， and its mechanism of improving MASH may be associated with the suppression of the activation of the classical NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway.

Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate among malignant tumors worldwide, posing a severe threat to human health. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers unique advantages in treating lung cancer, with disease-syndrome-integrated animal models serving as a critical component of TCM lung cancer research. According to TCM pathogenesis, lung cancer is classified as a pattern of underlying deficiency with superficial excess. Clinically, it is often categorized into syndromes such as qi and yin deficiency, lung-spleen qi deficiency, lung yin deficiency, qi stagnation and blood stasis, and phlegm-heat obstructing the lungs. Treatment should fundamentally adhere to the principle of "strengthening the healthy qi and expelling pathogenic factors". This paper systematically reviews literature from 2005 to 2025 on disease-syndrome-integrated animal models for lung cancer. It summarizes the theoretical basis and establishment methods of four core disease-syndrome-integrated models: qi-yin deficiency pattern, spleen qi deficiency pattern, qi stagnation and blood stasis pattern, and kidney deficiency pattern. Further discussion covers their evaluation systems and limitations. Additionally, modeling approaches for other patterns including yang deficiency, spleen deficiency, and qi deficiency with blood stasis are summarized, with evaluation methods categorized by behavioral characteristics and biochemical indicators. Analysis reveals that current models predominantly use C57BL/6 mice, exhibiting issues such as insufficient clinical relevance, complex modeling procedures, numerous confounding factors, and a low degree of standardization. Future improvements to disease-syndrome-integrated lung cancer animal models could include using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology to establish organoid–patient-derived xenograft models; developing controllable composite stress systems and standardized stimulus models, such as gradient-controlled alternating cold/heat chambers and programmed dietary regulation systems, to reduce nonspecific interference; and developing multidimensional dynamic modeling techniques by integrating clinical big data, including metabolomics and imaging features, to design dynamic intervention protocols, thereby providing more precise and reliable experimental tools for elucidating the mechanisms of TCM in lung cancer prevention and treatment.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of mechanical pressure regulation on the migration and bone-promoting ability of suture dural cells （S-DCs） and non-suture dural cells （NS-DCs）. MethodsDural cells （S-DCs）， non-cranial suture dural cells （NS-DCs） and cranial suture mesenchymal stem cells （CS-MSCs） of 5-day-old SD rats were isolated and cultured. Four experimental conditions， namely S-DCs-Normal， S-DCs-Stress， NS-DCs-Normal and NS-DCs-Stress， were set according to the source of the cells and whether mechanical pressure （1.07 kPa， 24 hours） was applied. The migration ability of dural cells was detected by cell scratch test. Four experimental condition culture media were collected and co-cultured with CS-MSCs for osteogenic induction. Calcium salt deposition was detected by alizarin red staining， and the expression of osteogenesis-related proteins was detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the Normal group， the migration abilities of both S-DCs and NS-DCs decreased after Stress treatment （P<0.05）. Compared with S-DCs， NS-DCs has a weaker migration ability under the same processing conditions （P<0.05）. The conditioned medium experiment showed that Stress treatment reduced the osteogenic ability of CS-MSCs （P<0.05）， and the osteogenic effect of the conditioned medium derived from NS-DCs was weaker than that of S-DCs （P<0.05）. The Western blot results were consistent with the trend of alizarin red staining. Both Stress treatment and NS-DCs sources could down-regulate the expression of osteogenesis-related proteins （P<0.05）. ConclusionMechanical stress can significantly inhibit the migration of dural cells and the osteogenic differentiation process of CS-MSCs mediated by it. The mechanical tolerance and osteogenic regulation ability of S-DCs are significantly better than those of NS-DCs.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） has become the leading chronic liver disease worldwide. As a classic food-medicine homologous Chinese herb， hawthorn fruit has the functions of promoting digestion to resolve food stagnation and activating blood circulation to resolve blood stasis. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that hawthorn fruit and its active components exert diverse pharmacological activities in regulating lipid metabolism， improving insulin resistance， inhibiting inflammatory response， delaying hepatic fibrosis， and protecting hepatocytes. These effects precisely match the “multiple-hit” pathological features of MAFLD， and thus hawthorn fruit shows significant advantages in the prevention and treatment of MAFLD. Drug pair combination is a key strategy in traditional Chinese medicine to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity. In clinical practice， hawthorn fruit is often combined with Salvia miltiorrhiza， Alisma orientalis， cassia seed， and Poria cocos， and such combination adheres to the principle of “mutual reinforcement and assistance” to enhance efficacy and expand their application in different syndromes of MAFLD. This article systematically reviews the core pharmacological mechanisms of hawthorn fruit in intervening against MAFLD and the research advances in its classic drug combinations， in order to provide a scientific reference for the in-depth development of hawthorn fruit and its combinations and the precise clinical intervention of MAFLD.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, immunophenotype and prognosis of SWI/SNF complex-deficient sinonasal carcinomas.Methods:The clinicopathological, immunohistochemical profiles of 13 SWI/SNF complex-deficient sinonasal carcinomas diagnosed at Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing, China between Januay 2019 and December 2024 were reviewed and followed up.Results:The patients′ ages ranged from 33-81 years, median 59.0 (41.5, 64.5) years, including 10 males and 3 females. Imaging findings showed space-occupying lesions in the nasal cavity and sinuses. Microscopically, tumors predominantly exhibited invasive growth in medium-to-large nests or sheets, with relatively uniform morphology, mainly basaloid and/or small cells, while one recurrent case displayed epithelioid morphology. Focal necrosis was observed in 7 cases. Immunohistochemical results showed loss of SMARCA4/BRG1 in 7 cases, loss of SMARCB1/INI1 in 6 cases, and concurrent loss of SMARCA2 in 5 cases. CKpan was expressed to varying extent in all cases, 10 cases were EMA positive, and 5 cases were partially positive for p63/p40. Among neuroendocrine markers, 10 cases showed focal expression of syn or CgA. The Ki-67 proliferation index ranged from 40% to 90%. PD-L1 staining showed combined positive score (CPS) was ≥1 in 3 SMARCB1-deficient cases (CPS ranging from 2 to 3) and CPS <1 in the other 10 cases. Among the 13 patients, 2 were lost to follow-up, 6 died (postoperative survival: 1-25 months), and 5 remained alive, with the longest survival time of 130 months (follow-up range, 8-130 months).Conclusions:SWI/SNF complex-deficient sinonasal carcinoma is a rare undifferentiated malignancy in the head and neck, characterized by distinct pathological and molecular genetic features. SMARCA4-deficient and SMARCB1-deficient carcinomas both exhibit basaloid or small cell-like morphology. Compared to SMARCB1-deficient carcinomas, SMARCA4-deficient carcinomas show reduced expression of squamous cell markers but increased expression of neuroendocrine markers. The positive PD-L1 staining is more likely present in SMARCB1-deficient carcinomas than SMARCB4-dificient ones. Co-loss of SWI/SNF and SMARCA2 correlates with poorer prognosis. Comprehensive evaluation of histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular genetics is critical for accurately diagnosing this rare entity.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological features, immunophenotype and prognosis of SWI/SNF complex-deficient sinonasal carcinomas.Methods:The clinicopathological, immunohistochemical profiles of 13 SWI/SNF complex-deficient sinonasal carcinomas diagnosed at Xuanwu Hospital, Beijing, China between Januay 2019 and December 2024 were reviewed and followed up.Results:The patients′ ages ranged from 33-81 years, median 59.0 (41.5, 64.5) years, including 10 males and 3 females. Imaging findings showed space-occupying lesions in the nasal cavity and sinuses. Microscopically, tumors predominantly exhibited invasive growth in medium-to-large nests or sheets, with relatively uniform morphology, mainly basaloid and/or small cells, while one recurrent case displayed epithelioid morphology. Focal necrosis was observed in 7 cases. Immunohistochemical results showed loss of SMARCA4/BRG1 in 7 cases, loss of SMARCB1/INI1 in 6 cases, and concurrent loss of SMARCA2 in 5 cases. CKpan was expressed to varying extent in all cases, 10 cases were EMA positive, and 5 cases were partially positive for p63/p40. Among neuroendocrine markers, 10 cases showed focal expression of syn or CgA. The Ki-67 proliferation index ranged from 40% to 90%. PD-L1 staining showed combined positive score (CPS) was ≥1 in 3 SMARCB1-deficient cases (CPS ranging from 2 to 3) and CPS <1 in the other 10 cases. Among the 13 patients, 2 were lost to follow-up, 6 died (postoperative survival: 1-25 months), and 5 remained alive, with the longest survival time of 130 months (follow-up range, 8-130 months).Conclusions:SWI/SNF complex-deficient sinonasal carcinoma is a rare undifferentiated malignancy in the head and neck, characterized by distinct pathological and molecular genetic features. SMARCA4-deficient and SMARCB1-deficient carcinomas both exhibit basaloid or small cell-like morphology. Compared to SMARCB1-deficient carcinomas, SMARCA4-deficient carcinomas show reduced expression of squamous cell markers but increased expression of neuroendocrine markers. The positive PD-L1 staining is more likely present in SMARCB1-deficient carcinomas than SMARCB4-dificient ones. Co-loss of SWI/SNF and SMARCA2 correlates with poorer prognosis. Comprehensive evaluation of histopathology, immunohistochemistry, and molecular genetics is critical for accurately diagnosing this rare entity.

Objective:To explore the current status and factors influencing physical activity among pre-frail and frail older adults in the community.Methods:Convenience sampling was used to select 207 pre-frail and frail older adults from Donghuashi community and Fangzhuang community in Beijing from April to June 2024 as study subjects. Older adults were surveyed for their general information, lifestyle behaviors, nutritional status, and physical activity. Binary Logistic regression was used to explore the factors influencing the level of physical activity among pre-frail and frail older adults in the community.Results:A total of 207 questionnaires were distributed and 204 valid questionnaires were recovered, with a valid recovery rate of 98.55%. The Physical Activity Scale for the Elderly score of the 204 community-based pre-frail and frail older adults was 86.87 (52.14, 125.00), and the form of activity was predominantly walking (98.5%, 201/204) and light domestic physical activity (85.8%, 175/204). Binary Logistic regression showed that taking a nap ( OR=3.614), abnormal nighttime sleep duration ( OR=4.077), fear of falling before or during exercise ( OR=7.895), and risk of malnutrition ( OR=9.263) were risk factors for levels of physical activity in pre-frail and frail older adults in the community ( P<0.05), and good exercise cognition ( OR=0.055) was a protective factor for physical activity levels ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Pre-frail and frail older adults in the community have low levels of physical activity, which is dominated by walking and household activities. Community healthcare workers should strengthen the management of physical activity for pre-frail and frail older adults, cultivate their good living habits, improve their sleep quality, ensure sufficient night sleep, help them overcome the fear of falling before or during exercise, set up the correct concept of exercise, form a good cognition of exercise, and guide their family members to pay attention to the nutritional status of older adults, beware of the risk of malnutrition, and improve the level of physical activity to delay or even reverse the frail state.

Objective:To investigate the current status of physical function decline among community-dwelling elderly in Beijing and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:A convenience sampling method was used to select elderly individuals from Fangzhuang Community in Fengtai District and Donghuashi Community in Dongcheng District, Beijing, between February and July 2023. Data were collected using a general information questionnaire, lifestyle behavior survey, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB). Binary Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify factors influencing physical function decline.Results:A total of 2 434 questionnaires were distributed, with 2 060 valid responses, yielding an effective response rate of 84.6%. Among the 2 060 community-dwelling elderly, 1 273 exhibited physical function decline. Logistic regression analysis revealed that age, history of stroke, alcohol consumption, annual physical examinations, social participation frequency, and cognitive impairment were significant factors influencing physical function decline among community-dwelling elderly ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Physical function decline is prevalent among community-dwelling elderly in Beijing. Regular physical examinations, active social participation, early rehabilitation of stroke, and early screening and intervention for cognitive impairment can help slow the progression of physical function decline.