ObjectiveTo investigate whether intestinal deficiency of lanosterol synthase （LSS）， a key enzyme in cholesterol synthesis， influences the progression of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease （MASLD） by regulating intestinal cholesterol absorption and immune response. MethodsLSS heterozygous knockout （LSS^+/-） mice and wild-type （WT） controls were generated using CRISPR/Cas9 technology and fed either a high-fat diet （HFD） or regular chow （CHOW）. The model was validated by genotyping. Hepatic steatosis was assessed by HE and oil red O staining. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the localization and expression of NPC1L1 and CD36 proteins in the intestine. Western blot analysis was performed to measure JNK phosphorylation and TLR4 protein levels in intestinal tissues. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （qPCR） was employed to examine the mRNA expression of TLR4 and IL-6. ResultsLSS^+/- mice were successfully validated by genotyping and reduced intestinal LSS protein expression. HE and oil red O staining of liver sections showed that， compared with WT mice fed a CHOW diet， WT mice fed a HFD exhibited a marked increase in hepatic lipid vacuoles. In contrast， compared with HFD-fed WT mice， HFD-fed LSS^+/- mice displayed significantly attenuated hepatic lipid deposition and reduced serum ALT levels （P<0.05）. Immunohistochemical analysis revealed that， compared with WT mice， the expression of the cholesterol absorption protein NPC1L1 in the intestinal villi of LSS^+/- mice was downregulated under both CHOW and HFD conditions （P_HFD<0.001）. Conversely， the expression of the fatty acid transporter CD36 was upregulated in the intestines of LSS^+/- mice （P_CHOW<0.05， P_HFD<0.01）. Western blot analysis demonstrated that， compared with WT mice， TLR4 protein expression in the intestines of LSS^+/- mice significantly increased under both CHOW and HFD conditions （both P<0.05）. JNK phosphorylation level was significantly elevated in LSS^+/- mice under CHOW condition （both P<0.05）. Under HFD condition， total JNK protein expression increased， but its phosphorylation level showed no significant change. qPCR analysis showed that， compared with WT mice， the mRNA levels of TLR4 （P_CHOW<0.01， P_HFD<0.000 1） and IL-6 （P_CHOW<0.001， P_HFD<0.01） were significantly upregulated in the intestines of LSS^+/-mice. ConclusionLSS deficiency counteracts hepatic lipid deposition by orchestrating a synergistic reprogramming involving restricted intestinal cholesterol absorption， enhanced fatty acid utilization， and activation of immune pathways， suggesting intestinal LSS as a potential therapeutic target of MASLD.

In recent years, the rising prevalence of obesity and its associated metabolic syndromes has emerged as a critical global public health concern. Sustained weight loss exceeding 10% of total body weight has been shown to ameliorate obesity-related comorbidities, including type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and hepatic steatosis. Recently, the potential of brown adipose tissue (BAT) to improve metabolism has garnered significant attention. However, evidence regarding weight loss therapies that promote BAT activation remains limited in preclinical models and is even scarcer in clinical studies, partly due to the paucity of appropriate BAT assessment techniques. This review aims to explore the potential impact of various weight loss therapies on BAT, with the goal of providing novel insights and strategies for the treatment of obesity.

ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Changji'an Formula （肠激安方） on intestinal permeability for rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-D） of liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome by the microRNA-29b-3p （miR-29b-3p）/tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3 （TRAF3）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）/myosin light chain kinase （MLCK） axis. MethodsTwenty-four 1-day-old male Sprague-Dawley （SD） suckling rats were selected， and the IBS-D rat model of liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome was established via a three-factor method，i.e. maternal separation plus acetic acid stimulation and restraint stress， for 6 consecutive weeks. After successful modeling， the rats were randomly divided into a model group， pinaverium bromide group， low-dose and high-dose Changji'an Formula groups， with 6 rats in each group. Another 6 age-matched non-modeled SD rats were included as the control group. The low-dose and high-dose Changji'an Formula groups were given intragastric administration of Changji'an Formula solution at doses of 16.74 g/（kg·d） and 33.48 g/（kg·d）， respectively； the pinaverium bromide group received intragastric administration of pinaverium bromide tablets at 0.018 g/（kg·d）； and the control group was given distilled water at 10 ml/（kg·d） via intragastric gavage. The intervention was conducted once daily for 14 consecutive days. After the gavage treatment， the fecal water content of rats in each group was measured. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the serum levels of intestinal permeability indicators， including D-lactic acid （D-LA）， diamine oxidase （DAO）， and lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （qRT-PCR） was conducted to determine the mRNA expression levels of miR-29b-3p， TRAF3， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， p65， p50， and MLCK in colonic tissues. Western Blot analysis was employed to detect the protein expression levels of TRAF3， TNF-α， p65， phosphorylated p65 （p-p65）， MLCK， myosin light chain （MLC）， phosphorylated MLC （p-MLC）， and tight junction proteins including junctional adhesion molecule-A （JAM-A）， Occludin， and Claudin-1 in colonic tissues. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited significantly increased fecal water content and serum levels of D-LA， DAO， and LPS， along with decreased protein expression levels of JAM-A， Occludin， and Claudin-1 in colonic tissues （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Additionally， in the model group， the mRNA expression levels of miR-29b-3p， TNF-α， p65， p50， and MLCK in colonic tissues were up-regulated， while the mRNA and protein expression levels of TRAF3 were down-regulated； the protein levels of TNF-α and MLCK， as well as the ratios of p-p65/p65 and p-MLC/MLC， significantly elevated （P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， all treatment groups showed reduced fecal water content and serum levels of D-LA， DAO， and LPS， along with down-regulated mRNA expression levels of miR-29b-3p， TNF-α， p65， p50， and MLCK， and up-regulated TRAF3 mRNA expression in colonic tissues. Moreover， the pinaverium bromide group and high-dose Changji'an Formula group presented increased protein levels of Occludin， Claudin-1， and TRAF3， as well as decreased protein levels of TNF-α and MLCK， and reduced ratios of p-p65/p65 and p-MLC/MLC in colonic tissues （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the low-dose Changji'an Formula group， the high-dose group had lower fecal water content and serum levels of DAO and LPS （P＜0.01）. In comparison with the pinaverium bromide group， the high-dose Changji'an Formula group showed a significant decrease in serum DAO level （P＜0.01）. ConclusionsChangji'an Formula can reduce intestinal permeability and restore intestinal barrier function in IBS-D rats of liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome by regulating the miR-29b-3p/TRAF3/NF-κB/MLCK axis.

ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Dihuang Yinzi （DY） on motor dysfunction in rats with advanced Parkinson's disease （PD） and to investigate the mechanisms by which DY improves advanced PD symptoms through the "gut microbiota-short-chain fatty acids （SCFAs）-inflammation-neuroprotection pathway". MethodsAn advanced PD rat model was induced by rotenone. Rats were divided into a normal group， model group， positive drug group （levodopa， 50 mg·kg^-1）， and DY low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （5.2， 10.4， 20.8 g·kg^-1）. After 7 days of administration， motor function was evaluated using the open-field， pole-climbing， and inclined plate tests. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe pathological changes in the substantia nigra and colon， and immunohistochemistry was performed to detect α-Synuclein （α-Syn） and tyrosine hydroxylase （TH） expression in the substantia nigra. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to measure levels of dopamine （DA）， 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， 3，4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid （DOPAC）， Levodopa， homovanillic acid （HVA）， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and interleukin-1β （IL-1β）. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1） and occludin. Gut microbiota diversity was analyzed by 16S rRNA sequencing， and gas chromatography （GC） was used to determine the content of SCFAs in colonic contents. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly decreased movement speed and distance in the open-field test， prolonged pole-climbing time， and reduced retention angle on the inclined plate （P<0.01）， accompanied by increased α-Syn expression （P<0.01） and decreased TH expression （P<0.01） in the brain. Compared with the model group， all DY dose groups improved motor dysfunction in advanced PD rats to varying degrees （P<0.05， P<0.01） and alleviated pathological damage in the brain and colon. High-dose DY significantly reduced α-Syn aggregation in the substantia nigra （P<0.01） and increased TH expression （P<0.01）. ELISA and Western blot results showed that， compared with the normal group， the model group exhibited decreased levels of DA， 5-HT， DOPAC， Levodopa， and HVA in the striatum （P<0.01）， increased levels of TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β in the colon and striatum （P<0.01）， and significantly reduced expression of ZO-1 （P<0.05） and occludin in the colon （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， all DY dose groups increased the levels of DA， 5-HT， DOPAC， Levodopa， and HVA in the striatum to varying degrees （P<0.05， P<0.01）. In the high-dose DY group， the levels of TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β in the colon and striatum were reduced （P<0.01）， while the expression of ZO-1 （P<0.05） and occludin in the intestine was increased. The 16S rRNA sequencing results indicated that the relative abundances of Actinobacteriota， Enterobacteriaceae， and Erysipelotrichaceae were increased in the model group， whereas the relative abundances of Bacteroidota， class Clostridia， Lachnospiraceae， and Akkermansia muciniphila were decreased. These changes were effectively reversed after high-dose DY intervention. GC analysis showed that the content of SCFAs in the colonic contents of rats in the model group was decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while after high-dose DY intervention， the levels of acetate， propionate， isobutyrate， and butyrate were significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionDY may exert therapeutic effects in advanced PD by regulating the gut microbiota-SCFAs-inflammation pathway.

There are practical and cost-effective opportunities for the prevention and early intervention of periodontal disease, a common oral condition. Depression and anxiety represent major global mental health challenges, and they are characterized by high prevalence rates and an elevated suicide risk. Their clinical management is complicated by extended treatment timelines and substantial healthcare costs. Accumulating evidence demonstrates a statistically significant bidirectional association between periodontal disease and depression/anxiety disorders. However, established clinical pathways integrating these conditions remain lacking. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of current research examining the relationship between periodontal disease and mood disorders, specifically depression and anxiety. This study explored the bidirectional mechanisms within the microbiota-oral-brain axis, which includes both periodontal disease inducing neuroinflammation through pro-inflammatory factors, such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) activating the TLR-4/NF-κB signaling pathway, and depression and anxiety leading to “glucocorticoid resistance” through hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation, thus causing dual immune dysfunction that exacerbates periodontal tissue destruction, as well as the mechanisms by which biological, psychological, and social factors contribute to the bidirectional association between periodontal disease and depression/anxiety. We propose implementing bidirectional referral protocols between dental and psychiatric services in clinical practice, incorporating mental health screening tools, such as Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7(GAD-7), for patients with moderate-to-severe periodontal disease, and incorporating periodontal examination into routine assessment during psychiatric services. This multidisciplinary approach aims to break the vicious circle between these conditions and provide clinicians with pragmatic intervention strategies.

ObjectiveTo investigate the regulatory effects and underlying mechanisms of Liuhuang Zhike prescription （LHZK） on blood glucose in type 2 diabetic db/db mice based on the AMP-activated protein kinase/protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase-3β （AMPK/Akt/GSK-3β） signaling pathway. MethodsDb/db mice were used as the model animals， and db/m mice served as the blank control. Forty db/db mice were randomly divided into the model group， metformin group （0.14 g·kg^-1）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose （4.11， 8.21， 16.43 g·kg^-1） LHZK groups， with 8 mice in each group. The db/db mice in the metformin and LHZK groups were administered the corresponding drugs by gavage， while the blank control and model groups were given distilled water by gavage once daily for 8 consecutive weeks. Food intake， water consumption， body weight， and fasting blood glucose （FBG） were measured weekly. An automatic biochemical analyzer was used to determine glycated serum protein （GSP）， serum triglycerides （TG）， total cholesterol （TC）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C） levels. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe pathological morphological changes in the liver and pancreatic tissues. Oil red O staining was used to assess lipid accumulation in liver tissue. The anthrone colorimetric method was used to determine hepatic glycogen content. Real-time quantitative PCR （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression levels of insulin receptor substrate-1 （IRS-1）， Akt2， phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase （PEPCK）， and glucose-6-phosphatase （G6Pase） in liver tissue. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of AMPKα， phosphorylated AMPKα （p-AMPKα）， GSK-3β， p-GSK-3β， glycogen synthase （GS）， and phosphorylated GS （p-GS） in liver tissue. ResultsCompared with the blank control group， the model group showed significantly increased food intake， water consumption， body weight， FBG， and GSP levels （P<0.01）. Pancreatic islets exhibited marked parenchymal cell hyperplasia and interstitial inflammatory cell infiltration. Liver tissue showed obvious steatosis， accompanied by a compensatory increase in hepatic glycogen content （P<0.01）. Hepatic G6Pase mRNA expression was increased， while IRS-1 and Akt2 mRNA expression levels were significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The p-AMPKα/AMPKα protein expression ratio showed a decreasing trend， whereas the p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β and p-GS/GS protein expression ratios were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， food intake and water consumption showed decreasing trends in all treatment groups. Food intake was significantly reduced in the low- and high-dose LHZK groups and in the metformin group （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and water consumption was significantly reduced in the low-dose LHZK group and in the metformin group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. No statistically significant differences in body weight were observed among the LHZK groups， whereas body weight in the metformin group was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. FBG showed a decreasing trend in all treatment groups， with significant decreases in the low-dose LHZK group and the metformin group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. GSP levels were significantly reduced in the low-dose LHZK group and in the metformin group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Hepatic steatosis and pancreatic pathological injury were alleviated to varying degrees in all treatment groups. Hepatic glycogen content further increased in all treatment groups， with significant increases in the medium- and high-dose LHZK groups （P<0.05）. Real-time PCR results showed that all treatment groups downregulated the mRNA expression of G6Pase and PEPCK in the liver tissues of db/db mice， with significant downregulation of PEPCK mRNA in the low-dose LHZK and metformin groups （P<0.01）. Meanwhile， all treatment groups upregulated IRS-1 and Akt2 mRNA expression， with the most pronounced upregulation observed in the medium-dose LHZK group （P<0.01）. The p-AMPKα/AMPKα protein expression ratio was significantly increased in the low- and medium-dose LHZK groups （P<0.01）. The p-GSK-3β/GSK-3β protein expression ratio was significantly increased in all treatment groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）， whereas the p-GS/GS protein expression ratio was significantly decreased in all treatment groups （P<0.01）. ConclusionLHZK effectively reduces FBG and GSP levels in type 2 diabetic mice and improves hepatic steatosis and pancreatic islet pathological injury. Its hypoglycemic mechanism may be associated with regulation of the AMPK/Akt/GSK-3β signaling pathway and promotion of hepatic glycogen synthesis.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of irradiation-incorporated and chemotherapy only-based myeloablative conditioning regimens in haploidentical hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (haplo-HSCT) for patients with high-risk myeloid malignancies.Methods:This study retrospectively collected clinical data from 63 high-risk acute myeloid leukemia/myelodysplastic syndrome (AML/MDS) patients who underwent haplo-HSCT at the Fifth Medical Center of the Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to December 2019. These patients were classified into the irradiation ( n = 17) and chemotherapy ( n = 46) groups based on different conditioning regimens. The differences between the two groups were compared in terms of hematopoietic reconstitution, cumulative incidence of acute/chronic graft-versus-host diseases (aGVHD and cGVHD), non-relapse mortality (NRM), relapse rate (RR), overall survival (OS), and disease-free survival (DFS), followed by the analysis of prognostic factors. Results:The median follow-up time for the irradiation and chemotherapy groups was 78.5 and 72.3 months, respectively. The median time for neutrophil engraftment was 14.0 days in the irradiation group and 14.5 d in the chemotherapy group, and for platelet engraftment was 15.0 and 13.0 d, respectively. As a result, the two groups showed no statistically significant differences in hematopoietic reconstitution ( P > 0.05). The cumulative incidence of aGVHD and cGVHD was higher in the irradiation group compared to the chemotherapy group, yet showing no statistically significant differences ( P > 0.05). Specifically, the cumulative incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD within 100 d was 29.4% and 21.7% for the irradiation and chemotherapy groups, respectively. The cumulative incidence of grade Ⅲ-Ⅳ aGVHD was 23.5% and 13.0%, respectively. The cumulative incidence of severe cGVHD within five years was 11.8% in the irradiation group and 8.7% in the chemotherapy group. In terms of long-term survival, the cumulative 5\|year RR and NRM were 20.2% and 28.4% in the irradiation group, 5.9% and 23.9% in the chemotherapy group, respectively, showing no statistically significant differences ( P > 0.05). The 5-year DFS and OS rates were 73.9% and 47.7% in the irradiation group, and 81.1% and 54.4% in the chemotherapy group, respectively, without statistically significant differences ( P > 0.05). Notably, the irradiation group manifested more favorable DFS and OS survival curves compared to the chemotherapy group. The survival curves indicate that the irradiation-incorporated regimen exhibited better trends in OS, DFS, and cGVHD-free relapse-free survival (GRFS). However, multivariate analysis did not reveal that irradiation conditioning is an independent prognostic factor affecting survival [ HR = 0.532 (0.163-1.735), 0.370 (0.091-1.516), 0.683 (0.248-1.882), P > 0.05]. Conclusions:In haplo-HSCT for high-risk myeloid malignancies, the irradiation-incorporated conditioning regimen demonstrates lower RR and NRM, higher DFS and OS, and potentially superior survival outcomes compared to the chemotherapy only-based regimen. Therefore, the irradiation-incorporated conditioning regimen may be preferentially considered in haplo-HSCT.

Objective To explore the correlation of complex inflammation indexes,neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio(NLR)and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio(PLR)with the severity of acute ische-mic stroke(AIS).Methods A total of 278 patients with brain MRI-confirmed AIS admitted in our department between March 2018 and September 2023 were enrolled retrospectively,and according to the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score at admission,they were divided into a mild stroke group(NIHSS score≤3,n=157)and a moderate-severe stroke group(NIHSS score＞3,n=121).Clinical data and results of laboratory tests at admission were collec-ted,and NLR and PLR were calculated.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the association of NLR and PLR with AIS severity.Results Compared with the mild stroke group,the moderate-severe stroke group had significantly older age,larger proportions of atrial fibrillation and pre-morbid Modified Rankin Scale(mRS)score＞1,higher NLR and PLR,and higher ratio of culprit large vessel stenosis,and a lower rate of transient ischemic attack(TIA)(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that TIA(95％CI:0.017-0.455,P=0.004)was a protective factor,and pre-morbid mRS＞1(95％CI:1.451-6.700,P=0.004),NLR(95％CI:1.041-1.346,P=0.010)and culprit large vessel stenosis(95％CI:1.370-4.415,P=0.003)were risk factors for the severity of AIS.Conclusion Inflammation is involved in the pathogenesis of AIS,and the complex inflammatory index,NLR may be an inde-pendent risk factor for the severity of AIS.

Objective To construct a hierarchical dynamic management intelligent system for nurses and to validate its application effectiveness,providing a reference for the development of intelligent nursing human resource management.Methods The nurse hierarchical classification and dynamic promotion management mechanism were clarified,and a hierarchical dynamic management system for nurses was established,comprising 2 modules:personal growth,and tier management and review.The system was officially implemented in a tertiary A hospital in Henan Province in March 2024.A comparison was conducted between pre-implementation(2023)and post-implementation(2024),including nurse tier applications and promotions,efficiency in tier promotion evaluations,Psychological Capital Questionnaire scores of nurses,and user satisfaction with the system.Results Following the implementation of the hierarchical dynamic management intelligent system for nurses,the application rate for tier promotion increased by 11.33％.After system implementation,the promotion pass rate and Psychological Capital Questionnaire scores of nurses were significantly higher than those before implementation,while the time required for tier review was significantly shorter.These differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The satisfaction survey scores for nurses applying for tier promotion and for reviewers using the system were(62.28±4.56)and(64.09±3.17)scores,respectively.Conclusion The application of the hierarchical dynamic management intelligent system for nurses helps enhance nurses'promotion pass rates and psychological capital,streamlines the nurse tier review process,and demonstrates high user satisfaction with the system.

Objective To investigate the clinical application of ceftazidime/avibactam(CAZ/AVI)in lung trans-plant recipients with pulmonary infection caused by carbapenem-resistant Gram-negative bacilli(CRGNB),and ana-lyze the factors affecting the prognosis.Methods Lung transplant recipients who had CRGNB pulmonary infection and were treated with CAZ/AVI were included in the analysis.Based on 14-day clinical response,14-day microbial response,and 30-day survival status,the recipients were divided into a clinical response group and a clinical failure group,a microbial response group and a microbial failure group,as well as a survival group and a death group,re-spectively.Univariate analysis was conducted on various data from the two groups.Factors affecting therapeutic ef-ficacy and survival were included in a binary logistic regression model.Independent risk factors for CAZ/AVI anti-infective efficacy and all-cause mortality outcomes were analyzed.Results A total of 43 recipients were included.After 14-day anti-infective treatment,32 recipients(74.42％)achieved clinical response,and 30 recipients(69.77％)achieved microbial response.34 recipients(79.07％)survived 30 days after CAZ/AVI treatment.The Charlson comorbidity index(CCI),proportion of renal dysfunction,and incidence of shock in recipients in the clini-cal response group were all lower than those in the clinical failure group(P＜0.05),while the serum albumin(ALB)level was higher(P＜0.05).The incidence of shock in recipients in the microbial response group was lower than that in the microbial failure group(P＜0.05).CCI,proportion of renal dysfunction,and incidence of shock in recipients in the survival group were all lower than those in the death group(all P＜0.05),while ALB level was higher during treatment period(P＜0.05).Multivariate analysis of 14-day clinical response and 30-day survival showed that higher CCI was an independent risk factor affecting 14-day clinical response of recipients(OR=2.22,95％CI:1.07-4.63),while lower ALB levels(OR=0.72,95％CI:0.54-0.98)and higher CCI(OR=5.27,95％CI:1.18-23.58)were independent risk factors for 30-day all-cause mortality in recipients with pulmonary in-fection after lung transplant.Conclusion CAZ/AVI may be an effective drug for treating pulmonary infection caused by CRGNB in lung transplant recipients.Higher CCI is an independent risk factor for 14-day clinical failure in recipients after CAZ/AVI treatment.Lower ALB level and higher CCI are independent risk factors for increased 30-day mortality in recipients.