Metabolic associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) is fundamentally driven by an imbalance in hepatic fatty-acid flux: the influx of fatty acids exceeds the liver’s capacity for disposal, resulting in excessive hepatic lipid accumulation, predominantly in the form of triglycerides (TGs). The occurrence and progression of MAFLD depend on disordered regulation across multiple metabolic steps, including fatty-acid uptake, de novo lipogenesis (DNL), fatty-acid oxidation (FAO), and very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) export. Forkhead box protein O1 (FOXO1) is a key transcriptional regulator within the hepatic network coordinating glucose and lipid metabolism. Under metabolic stress and insulin resistance (IR), FOXO1 expression is frequently increased, whereas its inhibitory phosphorylation is reduced. These changes enhance FOXO1 nuclear localization and transcriptional activity, thereby reprogramming the expression of genes related to metabolism in the liver. Because hepatic lipid deposition is the central pathological feature of MAFLD, the functional status of FOXO1 directly influences hepatic lipid homeostasis. Growing evidence suggests that FOXO1 can exert bidirectional, environment-dependent effects on hepatic lipid accumulation; however, the molecular basis for this functional switch remains incompletely understood. This review systematically summarizes the biological functions and regulatory mechanisms of FOXO1 and its roles in hepatic lipid metabolism, with a particular focus on its crosstalk with insulin signaling. FOXO1 expression is shaped by RNA modifications and epigenetic regulation mediated by non-coding RNAs. Its transcriptional output is precisely governed by post-translational modifications—such as phosphorylation and acetylation—as well as by coordinated nucleocytoplasmic shuttling. Notably, these regulatory patterns vary markedly across nutritional states, degrees of insulin resistance, and stages of disease. In the fed state, insulin/IGF-1 signaling activates the PI3K-AKT pathway, promoting the inhibitory phosphorylation of FOXO1 and facilitating additional modifications, including acetylation, methylation, and ubiquitination. Together, these events drive FOXO1 export from the nucleus and dampen its transcriptional activity, suppressing gluconeogenesis and constraining lipogenic programs. Conversely, during fasting or when insulin signaling is weakened, FOXO1 inhibition is relieved. FOXO1 accumulates in the nucleus, binds to DNA, and regulates the transcription of downstream target genes. Mechanistically, FOXO1 can aggravate hepatic lipid accumulation by activating genes involved in TG synthesis while repressing FAO-related pathways, thereby favoring storage over oxidation. However, under specific conditions, FOXO1 may also alleviate the hepatic lipid burden by promoting TG hydrolysis and enhancing VLDL secretion, thereby reducing the net hepatic lipid load. In addition, lipotoxic signals mediated by ceramides and diacylglycerols (Cer/DAG) activate atypical protein kinase C (aPKC), further exacerbating the disruption of the AKT-FOXO1 axis. This vicious cycle ultimately produces a metabolic paradox in which increased hepatic glucose output coexists with persistent, insulin-independent lipogenesis, accelerating MAFLD progression. Importantly, FOXO1 regulation is not uniform: during early metabolic overload, insulin-mediated suppression may remain effective, whereas in advanced insulin resistance, the loss of AKT control permits sustained FOXO1 activity. Such stage-dependent dynamics may help explain why FOXO1 can either promote steatosis or, in certain contexts, support programs that facilitate lipid turnover. Accordingly, interventions should be liver-specific and tuned to the disease stage, aiming to curb maladaptive FOXO1 signaling while preserving its capacity to promote triglyceride hydrolysis and VLDL secretion when advantageous. Overall, this review offers an important perspective on MAFLD pathogenesis, emphasizing FOXO1 as a potential therapeutic target and providing a theoretical basis for developing liver-specific, disease-course-dependent precision interventions.

Medical institutions, with their clinical practice foundation and abundant human use experience data, have become important carriers for the inheritance and innovation of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) and the "cradles" of the preparation of new TCM. To effectively promote the transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and establish an effective evaluation index system for the transformation of new TCM conforming to the characteristics of TCM, consensus experts adopted the literature research, questionnaire survey, Delphi method, etc. By focusing on the policy and technical evaluation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions, a comprehensive evaluation from the dimensions of drug safety, efficacy, feasibility, and characteristic advantages was conducted, thus forming a comprehensive evaluation system with four primary indicators and 37 secondary indicators. The expert consensus reached aims to encourage medical institutions at all levels to continuously improve the high-quality research and development and transformation of new TCM originating from the TCM clinical practice in medical institutions and targeted at clinical needs, so as to provide a decision-making basis for the preparation, selection, cultivation, and transformation of new TCM for medical institutions, improve the development efficiency of new TCM, and precisely respond to the public medication needs.
Medicine, Chinese Traditional/standards* ; Humans ; Consensus ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Emodin is a hydroxyanthraquinone compound that is widely distributed and has multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective effects. Research indicates that emodin may be one of the main components responsible for inducing hepatotoxicity. However, studies on the mechanisms of liver injury are relatively limited, particularly those related to bile acids(BAs) metabolism. This study aims to systematically investigate the effects of different dosages of emodin on BAs metabolism, providing a basis for the safe clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)containing emodin. First, this study evaluated the safety of repeated administration of different dosages of emodin over a 5-week period, with a particular focus on its impact on the liver. Next, the composition and content of BAs in serum and liver were analyzed. Subsequently, qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of nuclear receptors and transporters related to BAs metabolism. The results showed that 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin induced hepatic damage, with bile duct hyperplasia as the primary pathological manifestation. It significantly increased the levels of various BAs in the serum and primary BAs(including taurine-conjugated and free BAs) in the liver. Additionally, it downregulated the mRNA expression of farnesoid X receptor(FXR), retinoid X receptor(RXR), and sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide(NTCP), and upregulated the mRNA expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase(CYP7A1) in the liver. Although 0.01 g·kg~(-1) and 0.03 g·kg~(-1) emodin did not induce obvious liver injury, they significantly increased the level of taurine-conjugated BAs in the liver, suggesting a potential interference with BAs homeostasis. In conclusion, 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin may promote the production of primary BAs in the liver by affecting the FXR-RXR-CYP7A1 pathway, inhibit NTCP expression, and reduce BA reabsorption in the liver, resulting in BA accumulation in the peripheral blood. This disruption of BA homeostasis leads to liver injury. Even doses of emodin close to the clinical dose can also have a certain effect on the homeostasis of BAs. Therefore, when using traditional Chinese medicine or formulas containing emodin in clinical practice, it is necessary to regularly monitor liver function indicators and closely monitor the risk of drug-induced liver injury.
Emodin/administration & dosage* ; Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism* ; Animals ; Male ; Liver/injuries* ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Mice ; Rats

In this study, lipopolysaccharide(LPS), ovalbumin(OVA), and compound 48/80(C48/80) were administered to establish non-infectious pneumonia models under simulated clinical conditions, and the correlation between their pathological characteristics and traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) syndromes was compared, providing the basis for the selection of appropriate animal models for TCM efficacy evaluation. An acute pneumonia model was established by nasal instillation of LPS combined with intraperitoneal injection for intensive stimulation. Three doses of OVA mixed with aluminum hydroxide adjuvant were injected intraperitoneally on days one, three, and five and OVA was administered via endotracheal drip for excitation on days 14-18 to establish an OVA-induced allergic pneumonia model. A single intravenous injection of three doses of C48/80 was adopted to establish a C48/80-induced pneumonia model. By detecting the changes in peripheral blood leukocyte classification, lung tissue and plasma cytokines, immunoglobulins(Ig), histamine levels, and arachidonic acid metabolites, the multi-dimensional analysis was carried out based on pathological evaluation. The results showed that the three models could cause pulmonary edema, increased wet weight in the lung, and obvious exudative inflammation in lung tissue pathology, especially for LPS. A number of pyrogenic cytokines, inclading interleukin(IL)-6, interferon(IFN)-γ, IL-1β, and IL-4 were significantly elevated in the LPS pneumonia model. Significantly increased levels of prostacyclin analogs such as prostaglandin E2(PGE2) and PGD2, which cause increased vascular permeability, and neutrophils in peripheral blood were significantly elevated. The model could partly reflect the clinical characteristics of phlegm heat accumulating in the lung or dampness toxin obstructing the lung. The OVA model showed that the sensitization mediators IgE and leukotriene E4(LTE4) were increased, and the anti-inflammatory prostacyclin 6-keto-PGF2α was decreased. Immune cells(lymphocytes and monocytes) were decreased, and inflammatory cells(neutrophils and basophils) were increased, reflecting the characteristics of "deficiency", "phlegm", or "dampness". Lymphocytes, monocytes, and basophils were significantly increased in the C48/80 model. The phenotype of the model was that the content of histamine, a large number of prostacyclins(6-keto-PGE1, PGF2α, 15-keto-PGF2α, 6-keto-PGF1α, 13,14-D-15-keto-PGE2, PGD2, PGE2, and PGH2), LTE4, and 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid(5S-HETE) was significantly increased, and these indicators were associated with vascular expansion and increased vascular permeability. The pyrogenic inflammatory cytokines were not increased. The C48/80 model reflected the characteristics of cold and damp accumulation. In the study, three non-infectious pneumonia models were constructed. The LPS model exhibited neutrophil infiltration and elevated inflammatory factors, which was suitable for the efficacy study of TCM for clearing heat, detoxifying, removing dampness, and eliminating phlegm. The OVA model, which took allergic inflammation as an index, was suitable for the efficacy study of Yiqi Gubiao formulas. The C48/80 model exhibited increased vasoactive substances(histamine, PGs, and LTE4), which was suitable for the efficacy study and evaluation of TCM for warming the lung, dispersing cold, drying dampness, and resolving phlegm. The study provides a theoretical basis for model selection for the efficacy evaluation of TCM in the treatment of pneumonia.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Pneumonia/genetics* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Male ; Humans ; Cytokines/immunology* ; Female ; Lipopolysaccharides/adverse effects* ; Lung/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Ovalbumin ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

BACKGROUND: Non-invasive computed tomography angiography (CTA)-based fractional flow reserve (CT-FFR) could become a gatekeeper to invasive coronary angiography. Deep learning (DL)-based CT-FFR has shown promise when compared to invasive FFR. To evaluate the performance of a DL-based CT-FFR technique, DeepVessel FFR (DVFFR). METHODS: This retrospective study was designed for iScheMia Assessment based on a Retrospective, single-center Trial of CT-FFR (SMART). Patients suspected of stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and undergoing both CTA and invasive FFR examinations were consecutively selected from the Beijing Anzhen Hospital between January 1, 2016 to December 30, 2018. FFR obtained during invasive coronary angiography was used as the reference standard. DVFFR was calculated blindly using a DL-based CT-FFR approach that utilized the complete tree structure of the coronary arteries. RESULTS: Three hundred and thirty nine patients (60.5 ±10.0 years and 209 men) and 414 vessels with direct invasive FFR were included in the analysis. At per-vessel level, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of DVFFR were 94.7%, 88.6%, 90.8%, 82.7%, and 96.7%, respectively. The area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC) was 0.95 for DVFFR and 0.56 for CTA-based assessment with a significant difference (P < 0.0001). At patient level, sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, PPV and NPV of DVFFR were 93.8%, 88.0%, 90.3%, 83.0%, and 95.8%, respectively. The computation for DVFFR was fast with the average time of 22.5 ± 1.9 s. CONCLUSIONS The results demonstrate that DVFFR was able to evaluate lesion hemodynamic significance accurately and effectively with improved diagnostic performance over CTA alone. Coronary artery disease (CAD) is a critical disease in which coronary artery luminal narrowing may result in myocardial ischemia. Early and effective assessment of myocardial ischemia is essential for optimal treatment planning so as to improve the quality of life and reduce medical costs.

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is a highly aggressive hematologic malignancy with a poor prognosis, despite advancements in treatment. Many patients struggle with relapse or refractory disease. Investigating the role of the super-enhancer (SE) regulated gene ubiquitin-specific protease 20 (USP20) in T-ALL could enhance targeted therapies and improve clinical outcomes. Analysis of histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27ac) chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) data from six T-ALL cell lines and seven pediatric samples identified USP20 as an SE-regulated driver gene. Utilizing the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia (CCLE) and BloodSpot databases, it was found that USP20 is specifically highly expressed in T-ALL. Knocking down USP20 with short hairpin RNA (shRNA) increased apoptosis and inhibited proliferation in T-ALL cells. In vivo studies showed that USP20 knockdown reduced tumor growth and improved survival. The USP20 inhibitor GSK2643943A demonstrated similar anti-tumor effects. Mass spectrometry, RNA-Seq, and immunoprecipitation revealed that USP20 interacted with hypoxia-inducible factor 1 subunit alpha (HIF1A) and stabilized it by deubiquitination. Cleavage under targets and tagmentation (CUT&Tag) results indicated that USP20 co-localized with HIF1A, jointly modulating target genes in T-ALL. This study identifies USP20 as a therapeutic target in T-ALL and suggests GSK2643943A as a potential treatment strategy.

Hemorrhagic shock is a common clinical emergency that can aggravate cell injury after resuscitation. Astrocytes are crucial for the survival of neurons because they regulate the surrounding ionic microenvironment of neurons. Although hemorrhagic shock and resuscitation (HSR) injury can impair cognition, it remains unclear how this insult directly affects astrocytes. In this study, we established an HSR model by bleeding and re-transfusion in mice. The social interaction test and new object recognition test were applied to evaluate post-operative cognitive changes, and the results suggest that mice experience cognitive impairment following exposure to HSR. In the HSR group, the power spectral density of β and γ oscillations decreased, and the coupling of the θ oscillation phase and γ oscillation amplitude was abnormal, which indicated abnormal neuronal oscillation and cognitive impairment after HSR exposure. In brief, cognitive impairment in mice is strongly correlated with Ca²⁺ signal strength in lateral septum astrocytes following HSR.
Animals ; Astrocytes/metabolism* ; Shock, Hemorrhagic/metabolism* ; Resuscitation/adverse effects* ; Male ; Mice ; Calcium Signaling/physiology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Septal Nuclei/metabolism* ; Cognitive Dysfunction/etiology* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Cognition Disorders/etiology*

Objective:To observe the effect of electroacupuncture at the Shuigou point on systolic phenotype-related factors and on the JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway of the middle cerebral artery smooth muscle cells in rats modeling cerebral infarction; and to explore the molecular mechanism of treating cerebral infarction with electroacupuncture.Methods:A total of 108 healthy male Wistar rats were randomly divided into a blank group ( n=6), a sham operation group ( n=6), a model group ( n=48) and an electroacupuncture group ( n=48). The model and electroacupuncture groups were randomly divided into eight phase subgroups at 1h, 3h, 6h, 12h, 24h, 72h, 7d and 14d after the modeling of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO), with six rats in each group. The electroacupuncture groups received electric acupuncture at the Shuigou acupoint for 20min after successful modeling. Neurological Severity scoring (NSS) was used to evaluate the neurological impairment. PLN protein expression in the middle cerebral artery and the expression of JAK1 and STAT3 proteins in the rats′ brain tissue were detected using western blotting. PDGF-AA content in the middle cerebral artery was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Results:Compared with the blank and sham operation groups, the average NSS score and PDGF-AA protein expression had increased significantly in the model and electroacupuncture groups. PLN protein expression had decreased significantly at 12h-14d in the model group, but decreased significantly at 12h-7d in the electroacupuncture group. Compared with those two groups, there was a significant increase in JAK1 protein expression at 1h-72h, 3h-6h, 24h-72h, and14d in the model group. In the electroacupuncture group the corresponding significant increases were over 1h-14d, 1h-6h, 24h, 72h, and 14d. STAT3 protein expression had increased significantly in the model group over 6h-14d and 3h-14d. In the electroacupuncture group those increases were over 6h-14d. Compared to the model group, a significant increase was observed in the expression of PLN protein at 14d, with a significant decrease in NSS at 72h, 7d and 14d. PDGF-AA protein had increased significantly at 6h-7d. For JAK1 protein that was at 12h and 14d, and for STAT3 protein it was over 12h-72h and at 14d.Conclusion:Electroacupuncture at the Shuigou point may regulate the expression of PDGF-AA and the JAK/STAT signaling pathway so as to regulate the normal expression of PLN, and thus smooth muscle contraction to maintain the normal functioning of the middle cerebral artery. This may be one of the molecular mechanisms by which electroacupuncture at the Shuohui point improves nerve functioning in treating cerebral infarction.

Objective:To investigate the pathways involved in bisphenol S(BPS)and bisphenol F(BPF)induced male reproductive injury by bioinformatics methods and experimental verification.Methods:Bioinformatics analysis was conducted to screen the genes related to male reproductive system diseases associated with BPF and BPS from the Comparative Toxicogenomics Database(CTD).Functional enrichment using Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)pathway enrichment analysis were performed to predict potential signaling pathways and key genes.Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method was used to assess the cell viability in various groups treated with different concentrations of BPS and BPF(1×10-3,1×10-2,1×10-1,1×100,1×101,and 1×102 μmol·L-1).TM3 cells were divided into control group(0.1％DMSO),different doses of BPS groups,and different doses of BPF groups.The cells were treated with 20,40,and 80 μmol·L-1 of BPS and BPF for 72 h,respectively.Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR(RT-qPCR)and Western blotting method were used to detect the expression levels of key genes mRNA and proteins in various groups.Results:The bioinformatics analysis results revealed that 507 and 447 male systemic disease genes related to BPS and BPF were screened by CTD,respectively.The GO enrichment analysis results showed that the selected genes were primarily enriched in biological processes(BP)such as reproductive system development and reproductive structure development.The KEGG pathway analysis results indicated that these genes were significantly enriched in signaling pathways such as phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/AKT),hypoxia-inducible factor-1(HIF-1),and cellular senescence(P＜0.001).The CCK-8 method results showed that compared with control group,the cell viabilities in 1× 102 μmol·L-1 BPF and BPS groups were significantly decreased(P＜0.05),while the viabilities of TM3 cells in other groups had no significant changes(P＞0.05).After BPS treatment,compared with control group,the expression levels of PI3K,AKT,hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α),and CREB-binding protein(CBP)mRNA in low,medium,and high doses of BPS groups were decreased(P＜0.05),the expression levels of PI3K protein were decreased(P＜0.05),the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2-associated X protein(Bax)protein were increased(P＜0.05),and the expression levels of serine protease inhibitor clade B,member 10(SERPINB10)mRNA were increased(P＜0.01);the expression levels of Bax and intraflagellar transport 80 homolog(IFT80)mRNA in the cells in medium and high doses of BPS groups were increased(P＜0.05);the expression levels of B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)mRNA and protein in low and high doses of BPS groups were decreased(P＜0.05);the expression levels of additional sex combs like 2(ASXL2)mRNA in low and medium doses of BPS groups were decreased(P＜0.01).After BPF treatment,compared with control group,the expression levels of Bcl-2,HIF-1α,and structural maintenance of chromosomes protein 1B(SMC1B)mRNA in low,medium,and high doses of BPF groups were decreased(P＜0.05),and the expression levels of IFT80 mRNA(P＜0.01)and Bax protein(P＜0.01)were increased;the expression levels of PI3K,AKT,and ring finger protein 130(RNF130)mRNA in low and high doses of BPF groups were decreased(P＜0.05);the expression level of CBP mRNA in medium dose of BPF group was decreased(P＜0.05),while the expression level of RNF130 mRNA was increased(P＜0.05);the expression levels of PI3K and Bcl-2 proteins in high dose of BPF group were decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion:BPF and BPS may cause cell cytotoxicity and impair male reproductive health through PI3K/AKT and HIF-1 signaling pathways.RNF130 and SMC1B may be important targets for their induction of male reproductive toxicity.

Childhood primary renal tubular diseases are chronic kidney diseases characterized by impaired renal tubular reabsorption. Primary renal tubular disease has diverse clinical manifestations and lacks of specificity. Laboratory tests are limited，making it prone to missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis. Based on the current knowledge of renal tubular diseases，authors propose early warning signals of renal tubular diseases such as family history of primary tubular diseases，unexplained polyhydramnios during pregnancy，polydipsia，polyuria，delayed growth and development or rickets，decreased muscle strength and tone，unexplained electrolyte disturbance，hyperuricemia，acid-base disturbance，positive urine sugar test，renal tubular proteinuria，urinary imaging examination suggesting kidney stones，calcium deposition，renal cysts and early onset of eye，ear，joint and neuron injury.Meanwhile，some universal management strategies for primary renal tubular disease are proposed，emphasizing the importance of multidisciplinary collaboration，genetic testing and individualized intervention to improve the long-term prognosis of childhood primary renal tubular diseases.