The liver has diverse functions such as metabolism， detoxification， and immune defense， and the maintenance of hepatic microenvironment homeostasis is crucial for overall bodily health. The hepatic microenvironment consists of the components such as parenchymal cells， non-parenchymal cells， and non-cellular components. Chronic inflammatory responses induced by various etiological factors may promote the formation and progression of liver fibrosis. During the dynamic progression of liver fibrosis， from the early to advanced stages， various components within the hepatic microenvironment undergo a series of changes， which can promote the malignant progression of liver fibrosis. An in-depth exploration of the mechanisms underlying such changes in each component of the liver fibrosis microenvironment is of great significance for understanding the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis and discovering potential treatment strategies.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Renal tumors are common diseases of urinary system.In recent years,the development of radiomics and artificial intelligence(AI)technology had provided new directions of accurate diagnosis,differential diagnosis,evaluating grade and stage,as well as guiding treatment of renal tumors.The research progresses of radiomics and AI for renal tumors were reviewed in this article.

Colonic mucosal healing is the ultimate goal of ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment, but it remains difficult to realize. Given the higher incidence of UC in males and the beneficial effect of estrogen on UC, we conducted this study to examine the therapeutic potential of estrogen receptor β (ERβ), the primary ER subtype in colon, on mucosal healing in UC. Our study is the first to report that ERβ activation degree was positively correlated with mucosal healing in patients with UC. Furthermore, ERβ activation enhanced mucosal healing in mice with dextran sulfate sodium-induced and biopsy-induced colonic injuries. Mechanistically, ERβ activation promoted autophagy of colonic epithelial cells by inhibiting branched-chain amino acid transport, leading to focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation. Activated FAK promoted focal adhesion turnover and colonic epithelial cell migration, ultimately facilitating mucosal healing. ERβ ^-/- colitis mice exhibited impaired mucosal healing compared to wild-type littermates, highlighting the crucial effect of ERβ. Importantly, combination with ERβ-agonist diarylpropionitrile enhanced the amelioration of 5-aminosalicylic acid, a standard UC treatment agent, against mouse colitis. These findings attest to the crucial role of ERβ activation in colonic mucosal healing and may further inform the development of novel strategies for UC treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the therapeutic mechanism of compound Centella asiatica formula (CCA) for alleviating Schistosoma japonicum (Sj)-induced liver fibrosis in mice. METHODS: The active components and targets of CCA were identified using the TCMSP database with cross-analysis of Sj-related liver fibrosis targets. A "drug-component-target-pathway-disease" network was constructed using Cytoscape 3.9.1. Functional enrichment analysis (GO/KEGG) was performed using DAVID. Molecular docking study was carried out to validate interactions between the core targets and the key compounds. For experimental validation of the results, 36 mice were divided into control group, Sj-infected model group, and CCA-treated groups. In the latter two groups, liver fibrosis was induced via abdominal infection with Sj cercariae for 8 weeks, followed by 8 weeks of daily treatment with CCA decoction or saline. Hepatic pathology of the mice was assessedwith HE and Masson staining, and hepatic expressions of collagen-I and collagen-III were detected using immunohistochemistry; serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels were determined with ELISA. Hepatic expressions of TLR4 and MyD88 proteins were analyzed with Western blotting. RESULTS: We identified a total of 107 bioactive CCA components and 791 targets, including 37 intersection targets linked to Sj-induced fibrosis. The core targets included TNF, TP53, JUN, MMP9, and CXCL8, involving the IL-17 signaling, lipid metabolism, TLR4/MyD88 axis, and cancer pathways. Molecular docking study confirmed strong binding affinity between quercetin (a primary CCA component) and TNF/TP53/JUN/MMP9. In Sj-infected mouse models, CCA treatment significantly attenuated hepatic inflammatory cell infiltration, reduced collagen-I and collagen-III deposition, improved tissue architecture, reduced serum IL-6 and TNF-α levels, and downregulated TLR4 and MyD88 expressions in the liver. CONCLUSIONS CCA mitigates Sj-induced liver fibrosis by targeting TNF, TP53, JUN, and MMP9 to modulate the TLR4/MyD88 pathway, thereby suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokine release, inhibiting hepatic stellate cell activation, reducing collagen deposition, and preventing granuloma formation in the liver.
Animals ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Mice ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism* ; Schistosoma japonicum ; Liver Cirrhosis/parasitology* ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; Signal Transduction ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Inflammation ; Centella/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism*

Objective:To reveal the evolutionary characteristics of tissue engineering strategies for spinal cord injury repair from basic research to clinical application, based on the core database of Web of Science.Methods:Key words such as ′′scaffold′′, ′′growth factors′′, ′′stem-cells′′ and ′′progenitors′′ were searched for in the core database of Web of Science before December 31, 2024, with different combinations of keywords used. The search range was set to ′′Topic′′, and the category was ′′Article′′. The original literature data were screened, sorted and formatted using Excel and self-made R program. High-frequency words and annual scientific output were analysed using the Bibliometrix software package. The literature bird online analysis tool was used to screen the high-impact team and draw the author relationship map.Results:A total of 62 142 articles were retrieved, involving multiple disciplines such as biology and medicine. scaffold (17 times), growth factors (9 times) and stem-cells (37 times) were the three most frequently occuring tissue engineering elements in the spinal cord injury. In terms of scientific output in the field of spinal cord injury mechanism research, the number of articles on stem cell-related research began to exceed that of biological scaffolds and growth factors in 2001 (7 articles campared to 1 and 5 articles), and this increase has continued. For over 20 years, the number of stem cell-related articles has consistently outnumbered those on biological scaffolds and growth factors, with the disparity widening over time. Since 2010, the number of articles on growth factor-related research has shown a downward trend, while the number of articles on biological scaffold-related research has increased steadily. Since 2012, the number of articles on biological scaffold-related research (33 articles) has consistently exceeded that of growth factors (22 articles). In the scientific output of clinical research in the field of spinal cord injury, the number of articles on stem cell-related research has gradually increased since 2002 (4 articles), and has consistently outnumbered those on biological scaffolds and growth factors. Since 2011, the number of articles on growth factor-related research has decreased, while the number of articles on biological scaffold-related research has increased. Since 2016, the number of articles on biological scaffold-related research (6 articles) has been higher than that of growth factors (3 articles). Before December 31, 2024, although the number of articles on stem cells was higher than those on growth factors and biological scaffolds (22 and 20 articles), the difference was far less significant than that for mechanism research (101 and 90 articles). The median scientific output of the three-element composite (48 articles) and its respective applications (37 stem cells articles, 33 growth factors articles, 17 biological scaffolds articles) in the field of tissue engineering all appeared in 2011. The scientific output of the three-element composite application in the field of spinal cord injury research was the highest in 2010 (9 articles). Taking 2010 as a boundary point, the research process can be divided into an early and a late stage. Early research focused on a single element, whereas late stage research turned to the composite application of all three elements. Related research results showed a rapid growth trend. Around 2010, the number of articles on the application of the three elements in the field of spinal cord injury was 2 445. The field entered a new period of rapid development around this time, with a growth rate of 9.15%, and has remained stable since then. Around 2010, the discovery and application of induced pluripotent stem cells also began to receive significant attention (496 articles), and related research has remained active ever since. The top five most influential researchers in the field of spinal cord injury neurorestoration were Dai JW (Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, China), Gage FH (Solke Institute of Biology, USA), G?tz M (Biomedical Center of the University of Munich, Germany), Song HJ (Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, USA), and Shoichet MS (University of Toronto, Canada). Notably, only Dai JW team has published clinical studies exhibiting a head effect in the field.Conclusions:Based on the core database of Web of Science, the development of spinal cord injury was explored. Basic research into biological scaffolds, stem cells and growth factors has developed rapidly, with stem cells and biological scaffold material research being particularly active. The three elements are gradually tending towards multi-strategy combined application. Although research objectives in spinal cord injury have advanced from exploring the basic research of the three elements to clinical transformation, the efficiency with which research results are transformed into clinical practice remains low.

Renal tumors are common diseases of urinary system.In recent years,the development of radiomics and artificial intelligence(AI)technology had provided new directions of accurate diagnosis,differential diagnosis,evaluating grade and stage,as well as guiding treatment of renal tumors.The research progresses of radiomics and AI for renal tumors were reviewed in this article.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

This article introduces a recent paper published in JAMA titled " Tirzepatide for weight reduction in Chinese adults with obesity: The SURMOUNT-CN randomised clinical trial". The paper details the design, results, and implications of a randomized controlled clinical study of the efficacy and safety of tirzepatide in overweight/obese adults in China(SURMOUNT-CN). This study represents the first Chinese evidence supporting tirzepatide for the treatment of obesity, offering a potent therapeutic option for the prevention and treatment of obesity and weight-related comorbidity.

Objective:To explore the pathogenesis of flunarizine-induced parkinsonism from gut-brain axis perspective.Methods:Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group and flunarizine group ( n=15). Mice in the control group were given 0.1 mL 50% polyethylene glycol 400+50% saline by gavage once/d for 2 weeks, while mice in the flunarizine group were given 6 mg/mL flunarizine+50% polyethylene glycol 400+50% saline by gavage at a daily dose of 30 mg/kg for 2 weeks. Body mass was recorded 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 d after drug administration, and motor function was assessed by rotarod test 14 d after drug administration; 16s RNA sequencing was performed in the feces to observe the intestinal flora; intestinal transit function was detected by Evans blue by gavage; and then, the mice were sacrificed and homogenate or frozen sections (brain and intestinal tissues) were prepared; dopamine-ergic neuron expression was detected by Western blotting; RT-qPCR was applied to detect the expressions of inflammatory factors in the substantia nigra, and immunofluorescent staining was used to detect the expressions of ZO-1 and Claudin-5 in the intestinal epithelial tissues. Results:Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had lower body mass ratio 1, 3, 5, 7, 10 and 14 d after drug administration (ratio to body mass before drug administration). Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had significantly shortened residence time in rod rotating and lower rotational speed when falling ( P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had decreased tyrosine hydroxylase protein in the substantia nigra without significant difference ( P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had significantly increased interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-α in the substantia nigra (1.00±0.00 vs. 2.79±0.83; 1.00±0.00 vs. 3.39±1.37), significantly lower intestinal Evans blue propulsion rate (80.67%±4.51% vs. 50.67%±6.03%), and statistically decreased ZO-1 and Claudin-5 expressions in the colonic epithelial tissues (27.01±1.41 vs. 16.32±2.83; 37.00±2.80 vs. 24.52±2.12, P<0.05). Totally, 576 microorganisms were noted in both control group and flunarizine group, 744 in the control group alone, and 634 in the flunarizine group alone. The intestinal flora β diversity indices in the 2 groups were significantly different based on weighted Unifrac-principle coordinates analysis (PCoA, PCoA1: 39.88%; PCoA2: 30.69%). Compared with the control group, the microbial colony structure of mice in flunarizine group was dominated by phylum thick-walled bacteria and phylum warty microbacteria, and by families Muribaculaceae, Lachnospiraceae and Akkermansiaceae. Compared with the control group, the flunarizine group had significantly decreased relative abundance of Ackermannia spp. and Lactobacillus spp. in the intestinal flora ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Flunarizine may contribute to the pathogenesis of DIP by causing structural disturbances in the intestinal flora and inducing neuroinflammation based on the gut-brain axis.