Compared with traditional therapies for chronic liver disease （CLD）， Bifidobacterium has the characteristics of multi-target intervention， high biosafety， and good host compatibility and provides new strategies for intervention of CLD progression in terms of microecological regulation. Various studies have shown that Bifidobacterium regulates liver homeostasis and exerts a therapeutic effect on CLD by regulating intestinal flora， maintaining antioxidation， promoting energy consumption， alleviating inflammation， improving glycolipid metabolism， and exerting an antitumor effect. This article systematically reviews the studies on Bifidobacterium in the treatment of CLD in China and globally， explores their different mechanisms， and elaborates on the interaction between related signaling pathways （such as the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 signaling pathway and the adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase signaling pathway） and the liver， in order to provide a basis for probiotic intervention in liver pathology， as well as new ideas for the comprehensive treatment of CLD.

Olfactory receptors (ORs) form the largest superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Traditionally recognized for their role in the nasal olfactory epithelium, where they mediate the sense of smell, accumulating evidence has firmly established their ectopic expression in non-olfactory tissues, including the intestine, lungs, and kidneys. The intestine, as the primary site for nutrient digestion and absorption, harbors a highly complex chemical environment. To adapt to this environment, the gut employs a sophisticated network of “chemosensors” to monitor luminal contents and maintain homeostasis. Among these sensors, intestinal ORs have emerged as crucial functional components, serving as a molecular bridge that connects environmental chemical signals—such as food-derived odorants—to specific physiological responses. This discovery has significantly deepened our understanding of how dietary flavors and compounds influence intestinal physiology at the molecular level. This review systematically summarizes the expression profiles, ligand classification, and biological functions of ORs within the gastrointestinal tract. Studies indicate that intestinal ORs exhibit distinct spatial distribution patterns across different gut segments and display cell-type specificity, particularly within enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells. These receptors function as versatile sensors capable of recognizing a wide variety of ligands, including exogenous dietary components, gut microbiota metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, and endogenous small molecules like azelaic acid. Upon activation by specific ligands, intestinal ORs trigger intracellular signaling cascades, primarily involving the AC-cAMP-PKA pathway or calcium influx channels. A major focus of this review is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these receptors regulate the secretion of gut hormones. Activation of specific ORs in enteroendocrine cells has been shown to stimulate the release of hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and serotonin (5-HT), thereby modulating systemic energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and gastrointestinal motility. Furthermore, the review addresses the critical roles of ORs in immune regulation and pathology. Evidence suggests that specific ORs contribute to the maintenance of intestinal immune homeostasis and may offer protection against inflammation. Beyond their involvement in inflammatory responses, ORs such as Olfr78 have been shown to regulate the differentiation and function of intestinal endocrine cells. Similarly, Olfr544 has been demonstrated to alleviate intestinal inflammation by remodeling the gut microbiome and metabolome. These findings collectively suggest that specific ORs hold promise as therapeutic targets for mitigating intestinal inflammation and maintaining gut homeostasis. Additionally, the review explores the emerging role of ORs in cancer. Although OR expression is often downregulated in tumor tissues compared to normal mucosa, activation of specific ORs by certain ligands can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration and induce apoptosis via pathways such as MEK/ERK and p38 MAPK. Conversely, other receptors, such as OR7C1, may serve as biomarkers for cancer-initiating cells. In conclusion, intestinal ORs represent a vital component of the gut’s sensory network. The review also discusses the translational potential of these findings. By elucidating the precise pairing relationships between dietary components and specific ORs, novel therapeutic strategies could be developed. Intestinal ORs may thus emerge as promising targets for nutritional and pharmacological interventions in metabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and malignancies.

Abnormal synaptic plasticity is an early pathological feature of Alzheimer disease (AD). Synaptic damage and dysfunction initiate neuronal degeneration and death, ultimately leading to cognitive impairment. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) can effectively ameliorate cognitive dysfunction through multitarget regulation of synaptic plasticity. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which TCM, including active components, single herbs, and classical formulas, modulates synaptic plasticity, offering new insights for future research and clinical applications. Relevant experimental studies published between 2020 and 2024 were retrieved from major databases, including China National Knowledge Infrastructure, the National Science and Technology Library, Wanfang Data, Elsevier, ScienceDirect, PubMed, SpringerLink, and Web of Science. Network pharmacology and bioinformatics approaches were used to predict the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of TCM on AD-related synaptic plasticity. In total, 15 TCM single herbs and 11 TCM formulas were identified as enhancing AD-related synaptic plasticity. Additionally, 15 active ingredients targeting synaptic plasticity in AD were retrieved from TCM databases over the past decade. This review provides novel perspectives and strategic directions for future AD research and therapeutic development.

BackgroundThe prevalence， disability rate and mortality rate of cerebral small vessel disease （CSVD） are relatively high among the elderly population， imposing a heavy burden on families and society. Among the various clinical manifestations of CSVD， cognitive impairment is the most common， and it is also the most closely related neuro-psychiatric syndrome to clinical practice in psychiatry. Previous studies on CSVD-related cognitive impairment （CSVD-CI） have mostly focused on the field of imaging， while studies on non-invasive electrophysiological and cerebral hemodynamic assessments are relatively scarce. ObjectiveTo analyze the characteristics of event-related potential （ERP） and functional near-infrared spectroscopy （fNIRS） in patients with CSVD-CI， and to explore their correlations with the severity of white matter lesions， in order to provide references for the objective assessment and early identification of CSVD-CI. MethodsA total of 40 patients with CSVD who met the diagnostic criteria of the Chinese Guideline for Diagnosis and Treatment of Cerebral Small Vessel Disease （2020） and had cognitive impairment， as well as were admitted to the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from December 2024 to December 2025， were enrolled as the case group. Meanwhile， 40 healthy volunteers matched for gender， age and education level were recruited as the control group. Both groups underwent assessment using the Mini-Mental State Examination （MMSE）， ERP-P300 detection， and fNIRS examination. The ERP-P300 indicators， functional connectivity strength of the whole brain and cognitive-related regions of interest （ROI） in fNIRS of the two groups were compared. The severity of the patients' white matter lesions was classified as follows： the Fazekas grade I group （mild white matter lesions） and the Fazekas grades II to III group （moderate to severe white matter lesions）. Spearman correlation analysis was employed to investigate the correlation between the Fazekas grading of brain white matter lesions and the latency of ERP-P300， as well as the strength of functional connectivity measured by fNIRS. ResultsThe MMSE score of the CSVD-CI group was lower than that of the control group （Z=-6.250， P<0.01）， and ERP-P300 lantency was significantly longer than that of the control group （t=12.291， P<0.01）. The MMSE score of the sub-group with Fazekas grade I was higher than that of the sub-groups with grades II to III （Z=-2.420， P<0.05）， and showed a shorter P300 latency than that of the sub-groups with grades II to III （Z=-4.210， P<0.01）. All the differences were statistically significant. The resting-state whole-brain functional connectivity strength in the CSVD-CI group was lower than that in the control group， and the difference was statistically significant （t=10.243， P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， the differences in the functional connectivity strength within the left premotor cortex （PMC）， right PMC， left frontopolar cortex （FPC）， right FPC， left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex （DLPFC）， right DLPFC， left orbitofrontal cortex （OFC）， and right OFC regions in the CSVD-CI group were all statistically significant （P_{FDR correction}<0.01）. The differences in the functional connectivity strength between multiple prefrontal-related brain regions between the CSVD-CI group and the control group were all statistically significant （P_{FDR correction}<0.01）. The severity of white matter lesions in CSVD-CI patients was positively correlated with the P300 latency （r_s=0.891， P<0.05）， and negatively correlated with the fNIRS functional connectivity strength （r_s=-0.359， P<0.05）. ConclusionPatients with CSVD-CI exhibit prolonged P300 latency， as well as decreased functional connectivity strength in multiple brain regions including the whole brain and the prefrontal lobe during the resting state. Moreover， these indicators are correlated with the severity of white matter lesions.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical efficacy and safety of Tangning Tongluo tablets in the treatment of nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy （DR）. MethodsFourteen research centers participated in this study， which spanned a time interval from September 2021 to May 2023. A total of 240 patients with nonproliferative DR were included and randomly assigned into an observation group （120 cases） and a control group （120 cases）. The observation group was treated with Tangning Tongluo tablets， and the control group with calcium dobesilate capsules. Both groups were treated for 24 consecutive weeks. The vision， DR progression rate， retinal microhemangioma， hemorrhage area， exudation area， glycosylated hemoglobin （HbA1c） level， and TCM syndrome score were assessed before and after treatment， and the safety was observed. ResultsThe vision changed in both groups after treatment （P<0.05）， and the observation group showed higher best corrected visual acuity （BCVA） than the control group （P<0.05）. The DR progression was slow with similar rates in the two groups. The fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area did not change significantly after treatment in both groups， while the observation group outperformed the control group in reducing the fundus hemorrhage area and exudation area. There was no significant difference in the number of microhemangiomas between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， the number of microhemangiomas decreased in both the observation group （Z=-1.437， P<0.05） and the control group （Z=-2.238， P<0.05）， and it showed no significant difference between the two groups. As the treatment time prolonged， the number of microhemangiomas gradually decreased in both groups. There was no significant difference in the HbA1c level between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， the decline in the HbA1c level showed no significant difference between the two groups. The TCM syndrome score did not have a statistically significant difference between the two groups before treatment. After treatment， neither the TCM syndrome score nor the response rate had significant difference between the two groups. With the extension of the treatment time， both groups showed amelioration of TCM syndrome compared with the baseline. ConclusionTangning Tongluo tablets are safe and effective in the treatment of nonproliferative DR， being capable of improving vision and reducing hemorrhage and exudation in the fundus.

In this study, RAW264.7 cells were employed to investigate the effects of honey-processed Astragalus on their energy metabolism and polarization, and explore the scientific connotation of the enhanced efficacy of honey-processed Astragalus on invigorating spleen-stomach and replenishing Qi. The medicated sera were prepared by intragastric administration of rats with water extracts of crude and honey-processed Astragalus, and the composition changes of medicated sera of crude and honey-processed Astragalus were analyzed by using LC-MS technology. The cell survival rates were detected and the concentrations of medicated sera were screened through CCK-8 assay. The differences of cell phagocytic rates, ATP energy metabolism, and NO secretion between crude and honey-processed Astragalus were evaluated by using neutral red phagocytosis assay, ATP detection kit, and NO detection kit. The effects of crude and honey-processed Astragalus on TNF-α secretion of RAW264.7 cells were detected by employing ELISA kit. The effects of crude and honey-processed Astragalus on polarization of RAW264.7 cells were evaluated by utilizing flow cytometry. The differential metabolites related to glycolysis in cell lysates and culture media were screened by using LC-MS technology. The experiment was approved by the experimental animal ethics committee from Shanxi University of Chinese Medicine (No. AWE202407352). The results showed that the contents of betaine, amino acids, and ononin in the prepared medicated sera of rats treated by intragastric administration with water extracts of honey-processed Astragalus increased compared to those in crude one. The results of CCK-8 experiment showed that there were no cytotoxic effects on RAW264.7 cells in the medicated sera of crude and honey-processd Astragalus at different concentration. The phagocytic index and ATP yield both increased to varying degrees after administration of the medicated sera to cells. The secretion of NO in normal and inflammatory cells increased and decreased respectively, and the effect of honey-processed Astragalus was better than that of crude one. The results of ELISA kit showed that the medicated sera of both crude and honey-processed Astragalus could promote the secretion of TNF-α in a concentration-dependent manner, and the promoting effect of honey-processed Astragalus was stronger than that of crude one. The results of flow cytometry showed that the medicated sera of both crude and honey-processed Astragalus could promote M1-type polarization and inhibit M2-type polarization of RAW264.7 cells, and the effect of honey-processed Astragalus was better than that of crude one. Compared to crude Astragalus, the metabolites related to glycolysis in the cell lysates and culture media of the medicated sera of honey-processed Astragalus were generally on the rise, indicating that the effect on promoting glycolysis of honey-processed Astragalus was better than that of crude one. In summary, honey-processed Astragalus can promote the polarization and energy metabolism of RAW264.7 cells, and participate in positive immune regulation, which is correlated with its enhanced effect of invigorating spleen-stomach and replenishing Qi.

Objective:To investigate and analyze the thyroid examination results and influencing factors of interventional radiation workers in Tianjin.Methods:In February 2023, A convenient sampling method was used to select the staff engaged in interventional radiation work in an occupational health inspection institution in Tianjin from 2020 to 2022 as the study object. After excluding the incomplete data, 1080 people were included, and 363 medical staff with non-radiological work during the same period were included as the control group. To analyze the individual doses and occupational health examination data of interventional radiation workers, and to analyze the possible influencing factors of thyroid abnormalities.Results:The cumulative dose M ( Q1, Q3) of interventional radiation workers was 1.039 (0.528, 1.905) mSv. The levels of FT 3 and FT 4 in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group, while TSH levels were lower than those in the control group ( Z=4.84、6.03、-5.82, P<0.05). The levels of FT 3 and FT 4 in female interventional radiation workers were lower than those in males, while the levels of TSH were higher than those in males ( Z= -17.54、-6.65、3.61, P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in FT 3 levels among different ages, differen tradiation exposure years, different initial age of exposure to radiation, and different cumulative doses ( H=47.22、11.33、16.70, Z=-2.48, P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in thyroid ultrasound abnormalities among different genders, different ages, different initial age of exposure to radiation, and different cumulative doses ( χ2=28.02、61.12、17.87、11.30, P<0.05). The results of logistic regression analysis showed that the influencing factors of FT 3 distributed in the low-level group were female ( OR=10.53, 95% CI: 7.66-14.47, P<0.05), and age 40-49, ≥50 years old ( OR=2.40, 95% CI: 1.12-5.14 OR=3.79, 95% CI: 1.59-9.03, P<0.05). The influencing factors of thyroid ultrasound abnormalities were female ( OR=1.92, 95% CI: 1.48-2.50, P<0.05) and age ≥50 years old ( OR=3.93, 95% CI: 1.91-8.09, P<0.05) . Conclusion:Long term low dose ionizing radiation has a certain effect on FT 3, FT 4 and TSH levels of interventional radiation workers. Gender and increased age are possible influencing factors of the decreased FT 3 levels and thyroid ultrasound abnormalities.

OBJECTIVE:There are many kinds of biological scaffolds used for pulp revascularization in clinical practice,and the difference of efficacy between different scaffolds is controversial.The efficacy of nine kinds of biological scaffolds in endodontic revascularization was evaluated by Bayesian network meta-analysis.METHODS:The computer was used to search the literature in CNKI,VIP,WanFang,China Biomedical Literature Service System,PubMed,Cochrane Library,Web of Science,Embase,and Scopus databases.Randomized controlled trials of different biological scaffolds for the treatment of pulp revascularization in young permanent teeth meeting inclusion criteria were collected from each database up to April 1,2024.Two researchers sifted through the literature,data collection,sorting and extraction were completed independently,and the quality of the included literature was assessed for risk of bias.A network meta-analysis was performed using BUGSnet1.1.1 package of R4.2.0 software.RESULTS:A total of 22 studies with 926 affected teeth and 9 different interventions were included in this study.The results of network meta-analysis showed that:(1)Clinical success rate(primary goal):platelet-rich fibrin was superior to blood clot[OR=1.45,95％CI(0.32,2.69)],and the top three ranking results were:concentrated growth factor(82.77％)＞platelet-rich fibrin(75.38％)＞modified platelet-rich fibrin(62.39％).(2)Increased root length(secondary goal):There was no difference among the 7 biological scaffolds at 1-6 months of follow-up(P＞0.05),the top 3 ranking results of rank probability were:concentrated growth factor(86.25％)＞platelet-rich plasma(53.76％)＞platelet-rich fibrin(51.11％).When followed up for＞6 months and＜12 months,concentrated growth factor was superior to blood clot[MD=9.59,95％CI(0.52,18.40)],the top 3 ranking results of rank probability were:concentrated growth factor(92.42％)＞platelet-rich plasma(56.03％)＞platelet-rich fibrin(55.76％).When followed up for more than 12 months,concentrated growth factor was superior to modified platelet-rich fibrin[MD=11.01,95％CI(0.02,22.72)],the top 3 ranking results of rank probability were:concentrated growth factor(86.95％)＞platelet-rich fibrin(68.61％)＞blood clot combined with collagen(52.5％).(3)Increased root wall thickness(secondary goal):at 1-6 months of follow-up,platelet-rich fibrin was superior to blood clot[MD=11.37,95％CI(4.74,17.71)],the top 3 ranking results of rank probability were:platelet-rich fibrin(93.66％)＞concentrated growth factor(63.11％)＞modified platelet-rich fibrin(50.48％).At＞6 months and＜12 months of follow-up,there was no difference among the 6 biological scaffolds(P＞0.05),the top 3 ranking results of rank probability were:modified platelet-rich fibrin(73.63％)＞platelet-rich fibrin(62.36％)＞concentrated growth factor(56.25％).When followed up for more than 12 months,there was no difference among the 9 biological scaffolds(P＞0.05),and the top 3 ranking results of rank probability were:blood clot combined with collagen(81.9％)＞platelet-rich plasma(62.67％)＞modified platelet-rich fibrin(59.49％).(4)Pulp vitality(third-level goal):there was no difference among the 6 biological scaffolds(P＞0.05),and the top 3 ranking results of rank probability were:blood clot combined with collagen(84.22％)＞concentrated growth factor(67.71％)＞platelet-rich fibrin(48.79％).CONCLUSION:Existing evidence shows that the clinical success rate of different scaffolds is higher in pulp revascularization,among which platelet-rich fibrin is better than blood clots.In terms of comprehensive comparison of root length and root wall thickness increase,concentrated growth factor performs best in the follow-up period of 1-6 months and＞6 months and＜12 months,while blood clot combined with collagen performs best after follow-up of more than 12 months;concentrated growth factor performs outstandingly in all levels of goals,and may be more conducive to the continued development of the tooth root than other scaffolds,and has great potential in pulp regeneration treatment.Limited by the quality and quantity of literature,the above conclusions still need to be verified by more high-quality studies.

Objective:To evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and bone mineral density of calcaneus in adults.Methods:Data of the second resurvey of China Kadoorie Biobank study from Tongxiang of Zhejiang Province were used. A total of 2 896 participants aged 44-84 years were included in the final analysis. Overweight was defined as 23.0 kg/m 2≤BMI<25.0 kg/m 2, and obesity was defined as BMI ≥25.0 kg/m 2 based on the criteria recommended by WHO/West Pacific Region. Multiple linear regression model was used to evaluate the association between BMI and calcaneus bone mineral density. Restricted cubic splines were used to investigate the dose-response relationship between BMI and calcaneus bone mineral density. Results:The calcaneus bone mineral density in the study subjects were as follow ( x± SE): the broadband ultrasound attenuation was (109.4±12.1) dB/MHz, the speed of ultrasound was (1 545.9±33.8) m/s, and the stiffness index was 85.7±15.8. After adjusting for socio-demographic factors, lifestyle, waist circumference, diabetes and hypertension prevalence, BMI was positively associated with calcaneus stiffness index in non-overweight and non-obese adults, with β of 2.30 (95% CI: 1.11-3.49) for men ( P<0.001) and 1.08 (95% CI: 0.38-1.78) for women ( P=0.003), respectively. In addition, BMI was positively associated with calcaneus stiffness index in overweight and obese women ( β=0.90, 95% CI: 0.38-1.42) ( P<0.001), and null association was found in overweight and obese men ( β=0.06, 95% CI: -0.92-1.04) ( P=0.900). Restricted cubic spline model showed a nonlinear dose-response relationship between BMI and calcaneus stiffness index. Conclusion:Non-linear association was found between BMI with calcaneus bone mineral density in adults.

AIM To investigate the effects of Yiqi Juanbi Formula on chondrocyte pyroptosis in rat models of collagen-induced arthritis(CIA).METHODS Fifty rats were subcutaneously injected at the tail base with an emulsion containing equal volumes of bovine type Ⅱ collagen and incomplete Freund's adjuvant(IFA)to establish the CIA models.These rats were then randomly assigned to the model group,the methotrexate group(0.35 mg/kg),and the low-dose,medium-dose,and high-dose Yiqi Juanbi Formula groups(9.4,18.7,37.4 g/kg),in contrast to the ten intact rats serving in the normal control group.Following four weeks of intragastric administration,the rats had their general conditions observed;their joint swelling and arthritis indices measured;their ankle joint pathology assessed by HE staining;their serum levels of IL-1β,IL-18 and TNF-ɑ detected by ELISA;their mRNA expressions of NLRP3,Caspase-1,GSDMD,IL-1β,IL-18 and TNF-ɑ in ankle cartilage quantified by RT-qPCR;their protein expressions of NF-κB,NLRP3 and Caspase-1 in ankle cartilage analyzed by Western blot;and their NLRP3 and GSDMD positive expressions in ankle cartilage examined by immunohistochemistry.RESULTS Compared to the control group,the model group showed significantly increased joint swelling and arthritis indices(P＜0.01);elevated serum levels of IL-1 β,IL-18 and TNF-ɑ(P＜0.01);pathological changes including cartilage surface defects,reduced cell count,altered cellular morphology,irregular cell arrangement,and significant inflammatory cell infiltration in synovial tissue;upregulated mRNA expressions of NF-κB,NLRP3,Caspase-1,GSDMD,IL-1β,IL-18 and TNF-ɑ(P＜0.01)and increased protein expressions of NF-κB,NLRP3 and Caspase-1(P＜0.01)in ankle cartilage;enhanced positive expressions of NLRP3 and GSDMD in ankle cartilage(P＜0.01).Compared to the model group,the groups intervened with methotrexate or medium-or high-dose Yiqi Juanbi Formula exhibited reduced joint swelling and arthritis indices(P＜0.01);alleviated pathological damage in ankle joints;decreased serum levels of IL-1β,IL-18 and TNF-ɑ(P＜0.01);downregulated mRNA expressions of NF-κB,NLRP3,Caspase-1,GSDMD,IL-1β,IL-18 and TNF-ɑ(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),and reduced protein expressions of NF-κB,NLRP3 and Caspase-1(P＜0.05,P＜0.01)in ankle cartilage;and diminished positive expressions of NLRP3 and GSDMD in ankle cartilage(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION Yiqi Juanbi Formula alleviates inflammation in CIA rats,potentially by inhibiting the activation of the NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway,thereby suppressing chondrocyte pyroptosis.