The trillions of commensal microorganisms living in the gut lumen profoundly influence the physiology and pathophysiology of the liver through a unique gut-liver axis. Disruptions in the gut microbial communities, arising from environmental and genetic factors, can lead to altered microbial metabolism, impaired intestinal barrier and translocation of microbial components to the liver. These alterations collaboratively contribute to the pathogenesis of liver disease, and their continuous impact throughout the disease course plays a critical role in hepatocarcinogenesis. Persistent inflammatory responses, metabolic rearrangements and suppressed immunosurveillance induced by microbial products underlie the pro-carcinogenic mechanisms of gut microbiota. Meanwhile, intrahepatic microbiota derived from the gut also emerges as a novel player in the development and progression of liver cancer. In this review, we first discuss the causes of gut dysbiosis in liver disease, and then specify the pivotal role of gut microbiota in the malignant progression from chronic liver diseases to hepatobiliary cancers. We also delve into the cellular and molecular interactions between microbes and liver cancer microenvironment, aiming to decipher the underlying mechanism for the malignant transition processes. At last, we summarize the current progress in the clinical implications of gut microbiota for liver cancer, shedding light on microbiota-based strategies for liver cancer prevention, diagnosis and therapy.

The trillions of commensal microorganisms living in the gut lumen profoundly influence the physiology and pathophysiology of the liver through a unique gut-liver axis. Disruptions in the gut microbial communities, arising from environmental and genetic factors, can lead to altered microbial metabolism, impaired intestinal barrier and translocation of microbial components to the liver. These alterations collaboratively contribute to the pathogenesis of liver disease, and their continuous impact throughout the disease course plays a critical role in hepatocarcinogenesis. Persistent inflammatory responses, metabolic rearrangements and suppressed immunosurveillance induced by microbial products underlie the pro-carcinogenic mechanisms of gut microbiota. Meanwhile, intrahepatic microbiota derived from the gut also emerges as a novel player in the development and progression of liver cancer. In this review, we first discuss the causes of gut dysbiosis in liver disease, and then specify the pivotal role of gut microbiota in the malignant progression from chronic liver diseases to hepatobiliary cancers. We also delve into the cellular and molecular interactions between microbes and liver cancer microenvironment, aiming to decipher the underlying mechanism for the malignant transition processes. At last, we summarize the current progress in the clinical implications of gut microbiota for liver cancer, shedding light on microbiota-based strategies for liver cancer prevention, diagnosis and therapy.

The trillions of commensal microorganisms living in the gut lumen profoundly influence the physiology and pathophysiology of the liver through a unique gut-liver axis. Disruptions in the gut microbial communities, arising from environmental and genetic factors, can lead to altered microbial metabolism, impaired intestinal barrier and translocation of microbial components to the liver. These alterations collaboratively contribute to the pathogenesis of liver disease, and their continuous impact throughout the disease course plays a critical role in hepatocarcinogenesis. Persistent inflammatory responses, metabolic rearrangements and suppressed immunosurveillance induced by microbial products underlie the pro-carcinogenic mechanisms of gut microbiota. Meanwhile, intrahepatic microbiota derived from the gut also emerges as a novel player in the development and progression of liver cancer. In this review, we first discuss the causes of gut dysbiosis in liver disease, and then specify the pivotal role of gut microbiota in the malignant progression from chronic liver diseases to hepatobiliary cancers. We also delve into the cellular and molecular interactions between microbes and liver cancer microenvironment, aiming to decipher the underlying mechanism for the malignant transition processes. At last, we summarize the current progress in the clinical implications of gut microbiota for liver cancer, shedding light on microbiota-based strategies for liver cancer prevention, diagnosis and therapy.

OBJECTIVE To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of Huangkui capsule combined with cyclophosphamide and prednisone in the treatment of immunoglobulin A （IgA） nephropathy with renal insufficiency. METHODS A total of 117 patients with IgA nephropathy and renal insufficiency who were hospitalized in the department of nephrology of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University from February 2021 to March 2024 were divided into prednisone group （n＝38）， cyclophosphamide group （n＝39） and Huangkui group （n＝40） according to the random number table method. On the basis of standardized basic treatment， the three groups were treated with prednisone， prednisone + cyclophosphamide， and prednisone + cyclophosphamide + Huangkui capsule， respectively， with a course of 6 months. The clinical efficacy， renal function indexes， immunoglobulin levels， inflammatory factor levels before and after treatment， and the incidence of adverse reactions during treatment were compared among the three groups. RESULTS Finally， 107 patients completed the study （35 in prednisone group， 37 in cyclophosphamide group， and 35 in Huangkui group）. After 6 months of treatment， there was a statistically significant difference in the total effective rate among the three groups （P＝0.028）， and the total effective rate of the Huangkui group was significantly higher than that of the prednisone group （P＝0.023）. In terms of renal function， the levels of blood urea nitrogen （BUN）， serum creatinine （Scr）， and urinary microalbumin （Umalb） in the three groups after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment， while the estimated glomerular filtration rate （eGFR） was significantly higher than that before treatment （P＜0.05）. Among them， the Huangkui group was superior to the other two groups in reducing BUN level （P＜0.05）， and both the Huangkui group and cyclophosphamide group were superior to the prednisone group in improving Scr， Umalb and eGFR （P＜0.05）. In terms of immunology， both the Huangkui group and cyclophosphamide group were superior to the prednisone group in increasing IgG level and decreasing IgA and IgM levels （P＜0.05）. In terms of inflammatory factors， E-mail：amychina0411@163.com the Huangkui group was superior to the prednisone group and cyclophosphamide group in reducing tumor necrosis factor-α level （P＜0.05）， and superior to the prednisone group in reducing interleukin-6 level （P＜0.05）. There was no statistically significant difference in the total incidence of adverse reactions among the three groups （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Huangkui capsule combined with cyclophosphamide and prednisone has a good therapeutic effect on IgA nephropathy with renal insufficiency. It can further improve patients’ renal function and immune function， regulate inflammatory status， and has good safety.

Psoriasis is an incurable chronic inflammatory disease that requires new interventions. Here, we found that fibroblasts exacerbate psoriasis progression by promoting macrophage recruitment via CCL2 secretion by single-cell multi-omics analysis. The natural small molecule celastrol was screened to interfere with the secretion of CCL2 by fibroblasts and improve the psoriasis-like symptoms in both murine and cynomolgus monkey models. Mechanistically, celastrol directly bound to the low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1 (LRP1) β-chain and abolished its binding to the transcription factor c-Jun in the nucleus, which in turn inhibited CCL2 production by skin fibroblasts, blocked fibroblast-macrophage crosstalk, and ameliorated psoriasis progression. Notably, fibroblast-specific LRP1 knockout mice exhibited a significant reduction in psoriasis like inflammation. Taken together, from clinical samples and combined with various mouse models, we revealed the pathogenesis of psoriasis from the perspective of fibroblast-macrophage crosstalk, and provided a foundation for LRP1 as a novel potential target for psoriasis treatment.

Objective:To explore the characteristics of renal oxidative stress injuries in rats with high-voltage electric burns and the intervention effects of breviscapine.Methods:This study was an experimental study. One hundred and sixty 8-10-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into sham injury group, electric burn group, saline group, low breviscapine group, middle breviscapine group, and high breviscapine group, with 60 rats in each of the sham injury group and electric burn group, 10 rats in each of the other 4 groups, respectively. The rats in sham injury group and electric burn group were divided into 10 rats at each time point, including post injury hour (PIH) 0 (immediately), 8, 24, 48, and 72, and post injury week (PIW) 1. The rats in sham injury group were not conducted with electrical current to cause sham injury. The rats in the other 5 groups were caused high-voltage electric burns. The rats in sham injury group and electric burn group were not treated after injury. The rats in saline group, low breviscapine group, middle breviscapine group, and high breviscapine group were intraperitoneally injected with 5 mL/kg normal saline or 0.4, 1.6, and 4.0 g/L breviscapine, repeated every 24 h until PIH 72. After the model was successfully made, 14 rats died, including 1, 2, 2, and 1 rat (s) at PIH 24, 48, and 72 and PIW 1 in electric burn group, 4, 1, 2, and 1 rat (s) at PIH 72 in saline group, low breviscapine group, middle breviscapine group, and high breviscapine group, respectively. The kidney tissue collected from rats in the 6 groups was weighed and the kidney/body weight ratio was calculated. The left upper pole tissue of kidney was collected from each 4 rats in sham injury group, and in electric burn group at PIH 8, 24, 48, and 72 and PIW 1, and in saline group, low breviscapine group, middle breviscapine group, and high breviscapine group at PIH 72. The renal tubular and renal interstitial injury was evaluated by a semi-quantitative histological scoring system after hematoxylin-eosin staining. The inferior vena cava blood samples were collected from rats in the 6 groups to measure the serum creatinine levels via sarcosine oxidase method, and serum urea nitrogen levels via urease method. The right renal cortices were collected from rats in the 6 groups to measure the catalase (CAT) activity in the supernatant of renal tissue via molybdic acid method, and the levels of advanced oxidation protein product (AOPP) and Klotho protein in the supernatant of renal tissue via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results:At PIH 8, 48, and 72 and PIW 1, the kidney/body weight ratios of rats in electric burn group were significantly higher than those in sham injury group (with t values of -0.52, -3.75, -4.05, and -2.25, respectively, P<0.05). At PIH 72, compared with those in electric burn group, saline group, low breviscapine group, and middle breviscapine group, the kidney/body weight ratio of rats in high breviscapine group was significantly decreased (with P values all <0.05). Compared with those in sham injury group, the renal tubular and renal interstitial injury scores of rats in electric burn group at PIH 48 and 72 and PIW 1 were significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared with those in electric burn group at PIH 8 and 24, the renal tubular and renal interstitial injury score of rats in electric burn group at PIW 1 was significantly increased (with P values all <0.05). At PIH 72, the renal tubular and renal interstitial injury scores of rats in the 5 groups of rats with electric burns were similar ( P>0.05). At PIH 8, 24, 48, and 72 and PIW 1, the levels of serum creatinine and serum urea nitrogen of rats in electric burn group were significantly higher than those in sham injury group (with Z values of -2.00, -2.37, -2.62, -2.67, -3.67, -2.34, -3.11, -3.43, -3.11, and -3.51, respectively, P<0.05). Compared with that in electric burn group at PIH 0, the levels of serum creatinine of rats in electric burn group at PIH 72 and PIW 1 were significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared with that in electric burn group at PIH 8, the levels of serum creatinine of rats in electric burn group at PIH 72 and PIW 1 were significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared with that in electric burn group at PIH 24, the level of serum creatinine of rats in electric burn group at PIW 1 was significantly increased ( P<0.05). At PIH 72, the levels of serum creatinine of rats in the 5 groups of rats with electric burns were similar ( P>0.05). Compared with that in electric burn group, the levels of serum urea nitrogen of rats in low breviscapine group, middle breviscapine group, and high breviscapine group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with that in saline group, the levels of serum urea nitrogen in middle breviscapine group and high breviscapine group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). At PIH 48 and 72 and PIW 1, the CAT activities in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in electric burn group were significantly lower than those in sham injury group (with Z values of -2.22, -2.13, and -3.51, respectively, P<0.05). At PIH 8, 24, 48, and 72 and PIW 1, the levels of AOPP in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in electric burn group were significantly higher than those in sham injury group (with Z values of -2.00, -3.15, -2.71, -2.04, and -2.33, respectively, P<0.05). At PIH 0-PIW 1, the levels of Klotho protein in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in sham injury group and electric burn group were all similar ( P>0.05). Compared with that in electric burn group at PIH 0, the CAT activities in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in electric burn group at PIH 72 and PIW 1 and the levels of Klotho protein in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in electric burn group at PIH 48 and 72 and PIW 1 were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with that in electric burn group at PIH 8, the CAT activities in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in electric burn group at PIH 72 and PIW 1 and the levels of Klotho protein in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in electric burn group at PIH 48 and 72 and PIW 1 were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with that in electric burn group at PIH 24, the CAT activities in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in electric burn group at PIH 72 and PIW 1 were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Compared with that in electric burn group at PIH 48, the CAT activity in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in electric burn group at PIW 1 was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). At PIH 72, the levels of Klotho protein in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in the 5 groups of rats with electric burns were similar ( P<0.05). Compared with 14.6 (12.6, 23.6) U/mgprot in electric burn group, the CAT activities in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in low breviscapine group (20.5 (18.0, 39.8) U/mgprot), middle breviscapine group (24.9 (14.7, 28.9) U/mgprot), and high breviscapine group (28.0 (21.9, 39.1) U/mgprot) were significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared with 15.7 (13.7, 25.6) U/mgprot in saline group, the CAT activities in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in middle breviscapine group and high breviscapine group were significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared with that in low breviscapine group, the CAT activity in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in high breviscapine group was significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared with those in electric burn group and saline group, the levels of AOPP in the supernatant of renal tissue of rats in middle breviscapine group and high breviscapine group were significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusions:After high-voltage electric burns, oxidative stress injury occur in the kidneys of rats, which is aggravated with time extension. Breviscapine can alleviate oxidative stress injuries in the kidneys of rats with high-voltage electric burns.

Objectives:This study aims to investigate the association between cumulative fasting blood glucose(FBG)and presence of coronary artery calcification(CAC). Methods:A total of 1 113 participants were recruited from the Beijing Community-based Cohort of Atherosclerosis.Anthropometric measurements and laboratory examinations including FBG were performed in 1998,2008-2009 and 2013-2014 respectively,and coronary CT scan was performed in 2013-2014.Participants were classified into 4 groups according to the level of cumulative FBG(10-year weighted cumulative value of at least 2 FBGs):<50.0 mmol/L group(n=495),50.0-55.9 mmol/L group(n=345),56.0-69.9 mmol/L group(n=176),and≥70.0 mmol/L group(n=97).CAC score>0 was defined as presence of CAC.Multivariable logistic regression model was applied to analyze the impact of cumulative FBG exposure on the risk of CAC,and subgroup analyses were conducted according to factors such as sex and age. Results:The mean age of enrolled participants was(59.7±6.4)years,523(47.0%)were male and 478(42.9%)had CAC.The proportion of subjects with CAC increased with the increment of cumulative FBG.Compared with the<50.0 mmol/L group,the multivariable-adjusted OR(95%CI)for CAC in the 50.0-55.9 mmol/L group,56.0-69.9 mmol/L group,and≥70.0 mmol/L group were 1.43(1.04-1.98),1.92(1.24-2.99)and 2.79(1.35-5.77),respectively(Ptrend<0.05).The risk for CAC increased by 34%per 10 mmol/L increase in cumulative FBG,with OR(95%CI)of 1.34(1.12-1.59).There was no statistically significant difference in the risk of CAC presence for each 10 mmol/L increase in cumulative FBG level between the subgroups(all P≥0.05). Conclusions:Elevated cumulative FBG is a risk factor for the prevalence of CAC,indicating the importance of maintaining healthy FBG in preventing the occurrence of CAC.

Objective This study aims to provide an in-depth analysis of the effectiveness of blood pressure control and the influencing factors in elderly hypertensive patients in urban areas of Beijing,providing scientific support for developing more precise and effective home pharmaceutical intervention strategies.Methods Pharmacists conducted home visits and administered questionnaires to systematically investigate elderly hypertensive patients aged 60 and above in the urban areas of Beijing from February to June 2023.Binary logistic regression was used to identify key factors affecting blood pressure control.Results A total of 575 questionnaires were collected with 560 valid responses,achieving an effective recovery rate of 97.39%.Among the respondents,233 were male(41.61%)and 327 were female(58.39%),with a median age of 69.The proportion of patients with qualified blood pressure control was 33.39%(187 cases).Logistic regression analysis further revealed that smoking,the presence of comorbidities,and multiple comorbid conditions significantly impacted the control rate(P<0.05).Conclusion The blood pressure control rate among elderly hypertensive patients in urban areas of Beijing remains low.It is recommended to develop more targeted home pharmaceutical intervention measures for patients who smoke and have multiple comorbidities to enhance blood pressure control outcomes.

AIM:To investigate the effect of vaccarin(VAC)on endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM),and to uncover the underlying mechanisms.METHODS:(1)C57BL/6 mice received intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin and were fed with a high-fat diet(21.8 kJ/kg,60%of the energy source was fat)to construct a T2DM mouse model.Thirty mice were randomly divided into control,T2DM and T2DM+VAC groups,with 10 mice in each group.The mice in T2DM+VAC group were given 1 mg/kg VAC via oral gavage for 6 weeks,while those in control and T2DM groups were given the same volume of PBS.The mRNA and protein expression levels of BCL2-interacting pro-tein 3(BNIP3),PTEN-induced kinase 1(PINK1)and parkin in the thoracic aorta were detected by RT-qPCR and West-ern blot.(2)Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were stimulated by high glucose(HG;35 mmol/L glu-cose).Mitochondrial membrane potential,autophagy and mitochondrial superoxide levels were detected using JC-1,acri-dine orange(AO)and MitoSOX staining,respectively.RESULTS:Compared with control group,the mRNA and protein levels of BNIP3,PINK1 and parkin were significantly increased in the thoracic aorta of T2DM mice(P<0.05).Compared with T2DM group,the mRNA and protein levels of BNIP3,PINK1 and parkin in the thoracic aorta were significantly re-duced in T2DM+VAC group(P<0.05).The results of JC-1,AO and MitoSOX staining showed that VAC attenuated the decrease in mitochondrial membrane potential and the increase in autophagy and mitochondrial superoxide levels in HG-in-duced HUVECs.Treatment with VAC also inhibited HG-mediated mitochondrial damage in HUVECs after BNIP3 overex-pression.The effect of miR-570-3p mimic on mitochondrial damage was similar to VAC.RT-qPCR and Western blot showed that both miR-570-3p mimic and VAC significantly reduced the mRNA and protein levels of BNIP3,PINK1 and parkin.In contrast,inhibition of miR-570-3p exhibited the opposite effects.CONCLUSION:Treatment with VAC alle-viated endothelial dysfunction in T2DM by inhibiting HG-induced mitochondrial dysfunction through miR-570-3p/BNIP3.

Objective To compare the effects of angular and unilateral vertebroplasty on spinal compression fractures in the elderly.Methods A total of 122 elderly patients with spinal compression fractures admitted to the Department of Orthopedics,Handan First Hospital from January 2018 to January 2021 were selected as the research subjects.They were divided into a control group and an observation group according to the surgical method,with 61 patients in each group.Patients in the control group were treated with unilateral vertebroplasty,while patients in the observation group were treated with angular vertebroplasty.The operation time,intraoperative blood loss and bone cement injection volume,bone cement distribution,bone cement leakage,spinal-pelvic parameters,visual analogue score(VAS),Barthel index score,and the occurrence of complications were compared between the two groups.Results There was no statistically significant different in the operation time,intraoperative blood loss and bone cement injection volume between the two groups(P＞0.05).The proportions of grade Ⅰ,grade Ⅱ,grade Ⅲ and grade Ⅳ bone cement distribution also showed no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).The total proportion of grade Ⅰ and grade Ⅱ bone cement distribution in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).The incidence of bone cement leakage in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05).Before operation,there was no statistically significant difference in sagittal balance,thoracic kyphosis angle,pel vic tilt angle,lumbar lordosis angle,and sacral slope angle between the two groups(P＞0.05).After operation,the sagittal balance,thoracic kyphosis angle and pelvic tilt angle significantly decreased in the two groups compared to before operation,and the sagittal balance,thoracic kyphosis angle and pelvic tilt angle of patients in the observation group were significantly smaller than those in the control group(P＜0.05);the lumbar lordosis angle and sacral slope angle significantly increased in the two groups compared to before operation,and the lumbar lordosis angle and sacral slope angle of patients in the observation group were significantly greater than those in the control group(P＜0.05).Before operation,there was no statistically significant difference in the VAS score and Barthel index between the two groups(P＞0.05).Three months after operation,the VAS score of patients in the two groups decreased,while the Barthel index increased compared to before operation(P＜0.05);the Barthel index of patients in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05),while the VAS score showed no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).During treatment,1 case of extraspinal hematoma occurred in the observation group,and the complication rate was 1.64％(1/61);in the control group,2 cases of extraspinal hematoma and 1 case of incision infection occurred,and the complication rate was 4.92％(3/61).There was no statistically significant difference in the incidence of complications between the two groups(x2=1.034,P=0.309).Conclusion Compared with unilateral vertebroplasty,angular vertebroplasty has better effect of bone cement distribution in treating elderly patients with spinal compression fractures,and it can improve the spiral balance and enhance the postoperative quality of life.