Biomolecular condensates are formed through phase separation of biomacromolecules such as proteins and RNAs. These condensates exhibit liquid-like properties that can futher transition into more stable material states. They form complex internal structures via multivalent weak interactions, enabling precise spatiotemporal regulations. However, the use of inconsistent and non-standardized terminology has become increasingly problematic, hindering academic exchange and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the terminology related to biomolecular condensates in order to clarify concepts, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, enhance research efficiency, and support the healthy development of this field.

Spermatogenesis is a fundamental process that requires a tightly controlled epigenetic event in spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs). The mechanisms underlying the transition from SSCs to sperm are largely unknown. Most studies utilize gene knockout mice to explain the mechanisms. However, the production of genetically engineered mice is costly and time-consuming. In this study, we presented a convenient research strategy using an RNA interference (RNAi) and testicular transplantation approach. Histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) methylation was dynamically regulated during spermatogenesis. As Jumonji domain-containing protein 1A (JMJD1A) and Jumonji domain-containing protein 2C (JMJD2C) demethylases catalyze histone H3 lysine 9 dimethylation (H3K9me2), we firstly analyzed the expression profile of the two demethylases and then investigated their function. Using the convenient research strategy, we showed that normal spermatogenesis is disrupted due to the downregulated expression of both demethylases. These results suggest that this strategy might be a simple and alternative approach for analyzing spermatogenesis relative to the gene knockout mice strategy.
Spermatogenesis/physiology* ; Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/metabolism* ; Histones/metabolism* ; RNA Interference ; Testis/metabolism* ; Methylation ; Mice, Knockout ; Histone Demethylases

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on pregnancy outcomes after assisted reproduction and mitochondrial function of granulosa cells (GCs) in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and phlegm-dampness syndrome. METHODS: In this randomized controlled trial, 90 infertile women with PCOS and phlegm-dampness syndrome were recruited between August 2022 and December 2022. Patients were randomly assigned to the EA and control groups using a random sequence of codes in the order of enrolment, with 45 in in each group. Both groups underwent the ovarian stimulation protocol. The patients in the EA group received EA therapy including Zhongwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), bilateral Xuehai (SP 10), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Yinlingquan (SP 9), Tianshu (ST 25), Zusanli (ST 36), and Fenglong (ST 40), and the patients in the control group was treated with pseudo-acupuncture. The intervention was 25 min twice a week for a total of 6 times until the trigger day after menstruation had ended in the cycle before oocyte retrieval. The primary outcomes were clinical pregnancy rate (CPR) and the number of high-quality embryos. The secondary outcomes were (1) pregnancy-related indicators, including fresh embryo transfer rate (ETR), ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) rate, early pregnancy loss rate (ePLR), ectopic pregnancy rate, live birth rate (LBR), and cumulative CPR; (2) mitochondrial autophagy and mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) in GCs; and (3) scoring for Chinese medicine syndrome. Adverse events to assess clinical safety were also monitored. RESULTS: The cumulative CPR was significantly higher in the EA group (42/45, 93.3%) than in the control group (38/45, 84.4%, P=0.036). The number of high-quality embryos and fresh ETR in the EA group were higher than those in the control group (3.80±1.65 vs. 2.44±1.34, P<0.001; 46.7% vs 24.4%, P=0.028). Ectopic pregnancies were not observed in either group. There were no significant differences in the fresh CPR, OHSS rate, ePLR or LBR between the two groups (P>0.05). Compared with the control group, the EA group showed lower expression levels of miR-146a-5p mRNA and P62 protein in GCs and higher levels of MMP and the LC3-II/LC3-I protein ratio (all P<0.01). The phlegm-dampness syndrome scores of the EA group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS EA significantly improved pregnancy outcomes in patients with PCOS and phlegm dampness syndrome. Mechanistically, this effect may be related to EA in decreasing miR-146a-5p mRNA expression, promoting mitochondrial autophagy in GCs, and improving mitochondrial function, which may contribute to improved oocyte quality. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR2200062915).
Humans ; Female ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/therapy* ; Pregnancy ; Electroacupuncture ; Granulosa Cells/metabolism* ; Adult ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Pregnancy Rate ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Infertility, Female/therapy*

The interaction between m⁶A-methylated RNA and chromatin modification remains largely unknown. We found that targeted inhibition of bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) by siRNA or its inhibitor (JQ1) significantly decreases mRNA m⁶A levels and suppresses the malignancy of breast cancer (BC) cells via increased expression of demethylase AlkB homolog 5 (ALKBH5). Mechanistically, inhibition of BRD4 increases the mRNA stability of ALKBH5 via enhanced binding between its 3' untranslated regions (3'UTRs) with RNA-binding protein RALY. Further, BRD4 serves as a scaffold for ubiquitin enzymes tripartite motif containing-21 (TRIM21) and ALKBH5, resulting in the ubiquitination and degradation of ALKBH5 protein. JQ1-increased ALKBH5 then demethylates mRNA of extra spindle pole bodies like 1 (ESPL1) and reduces binding between ESPL1 mRNA and m⁶A reader insulin like growth factor 2 mRNA binding protein 3 (IGF2BP3), leading to decay of ESPL1 mRNA. Animal and clinical studies confirm a critical role of BRD4/ALKBH5/ESPL1 pathway in BC progression. Further, our study sheds light on the crosstalks between histone modification and RNA methylation.

Pyroptosis is an identified programmed cell death that has been highly linked to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dynamics. However, the crucial proteins for modulating dynamic ER membrane curvature change that trigger pyroptosis are currently not well understood. In this study, a biotin-labeled chemical probe of potent pyroptosis inducer α-mangostin (α-MG) was synthesized. Through protein microarray analysis, reticulon-4 (RTN4/Nogo), a crucial regulator of ER membrane curvature, was identified as a target of α-MG. We observed that chemically induced proteasome degradation of RTN4 by α-MG through recruiting E3 ligase UBR5 significantly enhances the pyroptosis phenotype in cancer cells. Interestingly, the downregulation of RTN4 expression significantly facilitated a dynamic remodeling of ER membrane curvature through a transition from tubules to sheets, consequently leading to rapid fusion of the ER with the cell plasma membrane. In particular, the ER-to-plasma membrane fusion process is supported by the observed translocation of several crucial ER markers to the "bubble" structures of pyroptotic cells. Furthermore, α-MG-induced RTN4 knockdown leads to pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2)-dependent conventional caspase-3/gasdermin E (GSDME) cleavages for pyroptosis progression. In vivo, we observed that chemical or genetic RTN4 knockdown significantly inhibited cancer cells growth, which further exhibited an antitumor immune response with anti-programmed death-1 (anti-PD-1). In translational research, RTN4 high expression was closely correlated with the tumor metastasis and death of patients. Taken together, RTN4 plays a fundamental role in inducing pyroptosis through the modulation of ER membrane curvature remodeling, thus representing a prospective druggable target for anticancer immunotherapy.
Pyroptosis/immunology* ; Humans ; Endoplasmic Reticulum/immunology* ; Animals ; Nogo Proteins/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Mice ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Xanthones/pharmacology* ; Neoplasms/pathology* ; Mice, Nude

Abstract In recent years, the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents has risen rapidly, posing a serious threat to their physical and mental health. To provide scientific, systematic, and standardized weight management guidance for overweight and obese children and adolescents, the study focuses on the core concept of healthy lifestyle intervention, integrates multidisciplinary expert opinions and research findings,and proposes a comprehensive multidisciplinary intervention framework covering scientific exercise intervention, precise nutrition and diet, optimized sleep management, and standardized psychological support. It calls for the establishment of a multi agent collaborative management mechanism led by the government, implemented by families, fostered by schools, initiated by individuals, optimized by communities, reinforced by healthcare, and coordinated by multiple stakeholders. Emphasizing a child and adolescent centered approach, the consensus advocates for comprehensive, multi level, and personalized guidance strategies to promote the internalization and maintenance of a healthy lifestyle. It serves as a reference and provides recommendations for the effective prevention and control of overweight and obesity, and enhancing the health level of children and adolescents.

Objective:To investigate the anti-fatigue effect of Dendrobium and Panax Quinquefolius Granules(DPQG)on the overtrained mice,and to clarify its possible mechanism.Methods:A total of 48 mice were randomly divided into control group(equal volume of distilled water),low dose of DPQG group(400 mg·kg-1 DPQG),medium dose of DPQG group(800 mg·kg-1 DPQG),and high dose of DPQG group(1 600 mg·kg-1 DPQG).The DPQG were administered by gavage for 35 d,and the rotarod test and swimming endurance test were performed 30 min after last administration.Serum,liver tissue,and muscle tissue were collected from the mice in various groups.ELISA method was used to detect the serum lacticacid(LAC)levels and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)activities,and the malondialdehyde(MDA)levels,superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)activities,and the liver glycogen and muscle glycogen levels in muscle tissue of the mice in various groups;HE staining was used to observe the pathomorphology of muscle tissue of the mice.Transcriptomics and metabolomics technologies were used to identify the key genes and metabolites in muscle tissue of the mice in control group and high dose of DPQG group and to analyze the correlations between differentially expressed genes(DEGs)and differentially expressed metabolites.Results:Compared with control group,the rod turning exhaustion time of the mice in different doses of DPQG groups were significantly increased(P＜0.05),and the swimming exhaution time of the mice in high dose of DPQG group was increased(P＜0.05).Compared with control group,the LDH,SOD,and GSH-Px activities of the mice in medium and high doses of DPQG groups were increased(P＜0.01).Compared with control group,the levels of MDA and liver glycogen of the mice in medium and high doses of DPQG groups were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The transcriptomics sequencing results showed that DPQG mainly acted on DEGs such as Trib3 and Olfr495;the Gene Ontology(GO)functional enrichment analysis and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)signaling pathway enrichment analysis results showed that the DEGs were mainly enriched in olfactory-related processes and signaling pathways;the metabolomics KEGG analysis results showed that the differential metabolites were mainly enriched in the regulation pathway of inflammatory mediators on tryptophan(TRP);the combined analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics results showed that the piezo1 gene had high correlations with the differential metabolites β1-solamarine(r=-1,P＜0.05)and tilidine(r=1,P＜0.05).Conclusion:DPQG can exert an anti-fatigue effect on the overtrained mice by modulating LAC metabolism and glycogen homeostasis,as well as maintaining the oxidative/antioxidant balance in the body;its anti-fatigue mechanism is related to the Olfr495 and piezo1 genes and the regulation pathway of inflammatory mediators on TRP channels.

Nitrogen oxides(NOx=NO+NO2)are important precursors of ozone(O3),and NOx and its oxides together constitute reactive nitrogen oxides(NOy)in the atmosphere.A comprehensive understanding of the total NOy level in the atmosphere is of great significance for a deeper understanding of the atmospheric nitrogen cycle and oxidation,as well as for formulating strategies for air pollution prevention and control.In this work,a thermal decomposition-broadband cavity enhanced absorption spectroscopy(TD-BBCEAS)technique for online measurement of total NOy in the atmosphere was developed.With this method,the NOy was efficiently converted into NO2,and the total NOy concentration in the atmosphere was indirectly obtained by measuring NO2.Focusing on the key factors affecting the measurement of total NOy,the influence of NO titration efficiency and other NOy component TD efficiency on measurement accuracy was emphasized.By changing the oxygen(O2)flow rate through the mercury lamp to alter the O3 concentration for titrating NO,the conversion efficiency of NO was evaluated.At O2 flow rate of 6 mL/min,the conversion efficiency of NO was greater than 99%.TD efficiency testing and analysis on NO2,peroxyacetyl nitrate(PAN),nitric acid(HNO3),and nitrous acid(HONO),which account for a large proportion of atmospheric NOy components,was carried out using 680℃as the optimal TD temperature for efficient conversion of NOy.With NO and HONO sample gases as typical verification gases,the conversion efficiency of NOy and the accuracy of NOy measurement by TD-BBCEAS system were verified by switching the on and off modes of mercury lamp and TD device.At integration time of 60 s,the detection limit of the system for NOy was 2.83×1010 molecules/cm3(60 s,2σ).A comparative measurement of actual atmospheric NOy was conducted between the TD-BBCEAS system and the NOy analyzer.The observation results showed a correlation coefficient(R2)of 0.98 and a slope of 0.93,further verifying the feasibility and accuracy of applying the TD-BBCEAS system to measurement of total NOy.

Objective To construct an aptamer-functionalized carboxylated graphene oxide(CGO)fluo-rescent sensor to achieve highly sensitive and specific detection of ketamine(KET)and its metabolite norketamine(NK)using an aptamer capable of simultaneously recognizing KET and NK.Methods A specific aptamer for simultaneous recognition of KET and NK was screened using graphene oxide-sys-tematic evolution of ligand by exponential enrichment(GO-SELEX)and molecular docking tech-niques.The aptamer,labeled with Cy5 fluorescence,was chemically conjugated to CGO to construct an aptamer-functionalized CGO fluorescent sensor.By optimizing detection conditions,including the mass concentration of CGO,aptamer concentration,reaction temperature,and incubation time,quantita-tive analysis of the target analytes was achieved using the ratio of fluorescence intensity changes be-fore and after target addition.The stability of the sensor in biological matrices was evaluated by moni-toring fluorescence intensity changes over incubation time in blank blood and urine,in comparison with the traditional physical adsorption-based CGO fluorescent sensor.Spiked recovery experiments in blank blood and urine were conducted to compare performance with that of HPLC-MS/MS.Results A specific aptamer A5 was selected and chemically conjugated with CGO to construct the aptamer-functionalized CGO fluorescent sensor.Under optimized conditions,the proposed fluorescent sensor ex-hibited a linear detection range of 1.0-5.0 ng/mL for KET,with a limit of detection(LOD)of 0.86 ng/mL;while for NK,the linear detection range was 1.0-5.0 ng/mL,with an LOD of 0.70 ng/mL.Com-pared with the CGO fluorescent sensor constructed via physical adsorption,this sensor demonstrated greater stability in blood and urine.The spiked recovery rates of KET and NK in blank blood and urine ranged from 81.50%to 110.03%,exhibiting detection performance comparable to that of HPLC-MS/MS.Conclusion The aptamer screening method offers a novel approach for selecting aptamers tar-geting drugs and their metabolites.The constructed aptamer-functionalized CGO fluorescent sensor pro-vides an efficient and reliable strategy for the high-performance detection of KET and NK.

Objective To analyze the efficacy and safety of ustekinumab(UST)in patients with moderate-to-severe Crohn's disease(CD),and to identify factors influencing clinical outcomes.Methods Data were retrospectively collected from patients with moderate-to-severe CD treated with UST in the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University and Hangzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine between November 2020 and May 2023.Patients were categorized into first-line(not treated with biologic agents,n=68)and second-line(treated with biologic agents,n=66)treatment groups based on prior use of biologic agents.Baseline characteristics,including age,sex,smoking status,disease duration,age at diagnosis,lesion site,disease behavior,perianal disease,history of intestinal surgery,and CD-related drug use,were compared between the two groups.Crohn's disease activity indices(CDAI)were recorded at baseline,week 14,and week 52 to assess the clinical efficacy at weeks 14 and 52.Endoscopic evaluations were performed at baseline and week 52 to evaluate endoscopic efficacy at week 52.The 52-week drug persistence rate and safety profile were also analyzed.Influencing factors related to clinical outcomes were evaluated using univariate and multivariate logistic regression.Results A total of 134 patients with moderate-to-severe CD treated with UST were included.At week 14,clinical response and remission rates were 75.4%(101/134)and 33.6%(45/134),respectively,with no significant difference in clinical efficacy between first-line and second-line groups(clinical response rate:77.9%vs.72.7%,P=0.484;clinical remission rate:38.2%vs.28.8%,P=0.247).At week 52,clinical response and remission rates were 79.9%(107/134)and 56.0%(75/134),respectively.The rates of endoscopic response and remission were 70.9%(95/134)and 38.8%(52/134),respectively.There were no significant differences in clinical efficacy(clinical response rate:80.9%vs.78.8%,P=0.763;clinical remission rate:60.3%vs.51.5%,P=0.306)and endoscopic efficacy(endoscopic response rate:76.5%vs.65.2%,P=0.149;endoscopic remission rate:42.6%vs.34.8%,P=0.354)between the two groups.The 52-week drug persistence rate was 85.8%(115/134),and the adverse reaction rate was 4.5%(6/134).Compared with first-line treatment group,biologic-experienced patients had a significantly higher proportion of dose-optimized therapy in second-line treatment group(45.5%vs.22.1%,P=0.004).Multivariate logistic regression showed that the 14-week clinical response was a significant predictor of 52-week clinical remission,while perianal disease and intestinal surgery history were significant factors associated with treatment failure(P<0.05).Conclusions UST demonstrates significant efficacy in improving clinical and endoscopic outcomes for moderate-to-severe CD patients,with a favorable safety profile.Clinical response at 14 weeks is strongly predictive of clinical remission at 52 weeks.Patients with perianal disease or a history of intestinal surgery were at higher risk of treatment failure.