ObjectiveTo explore the effect of gypenosides （GPs） on liver lipid deposition in metabolism-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） mice and its mechanism based on classical/non-classical ferroptosis. MethodsEight male C57BL/6 mice in a blank group and 32 male apolipoprotein E gene knockout （ApoE^-/-） mice were randomly divided into a model group， a low-dose GPs （GPs-L） group， a high-dose GPs （GPs-H） group， and a simvastatin （SV） group. Starting from the second week， mice in the blank group were given a maintenance diet， and the other four groups were fed a high-fat diet daily. After eight weeks of feeding， mice in the GPs-L and GPs-H groups were given GPs of 1.487 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 and 2.973 mg·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively， and mice in the SV group were given simvastatin of 2.275 mg·kg^-1·d^-1. Mice in the blank group and the model group were given saline of equal volume by gavage for four weeks. The content of total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） in the serum of mice in each group was detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The level of non-esterified fatty acid （NEFA） and TG in the mouse liver was measured by the kit. The change in liver tissue structure and lipid deposition was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and oil red O staining. The levels of coenzyme Q₁₀ （CoQ₁₀）， glutathione （GSH）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and Fe²⁺ in serum， as well as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate ［NAD（P）H］ in the liver were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expression of ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 （FSP1） in the liver of mice was observed by the immunohistochemical （IHC） method， and the expression of genes and proteins related to classical and non-classical ferroptosis pathways was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Wes automated protein expression analysis system. ResultsCompared with those in the blank group， the levels of TC， TG， LDL-C， ALT， and AST in serum and TG and NEFA in the liver in the model group were significantly increased， and the level of HDL-C in serum was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The liver tissue structure changed， and there were fat vacuoles of different sizes and a large number of red lipid droplets， with obvious lipid deposition. The level of CoQ10 and GSH in serum and NADH in the liver were significantly decreased， while the level of MDA and Fe²⁺ in serum was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expressions of cystine/glutamate transporter （xCT/SLC7A11）， glutathione peroxidase （GPX4）， p62， nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， and FSP1 were significantly decreased， and the mRNA and protein expressions of tumor antigen （p53）， spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1 （SAT1）， arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase （ALOX15）， and Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein-1 （Keap1） were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the level of TC， TG， LDL-C， ALT， and AST in serum and TG and NEFA in the liver of mice in the GPs-L， GPs-H， and SV groups were decreased， while the level of HDL-C in serum was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The liver tissue structure and lipid deposition were improved. The levels of CoQ10 and GSH in serum and NADH in the liver were significantly increased， while the levels of MDA and Fe²⁺ in serum were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expressions of xCT， GPX4， p62， Nrf2， and FSP1 were significantly increased， while the mRNA and protein expressions of p53， SAT1， ALOX15， and Keap1 were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionGPs can interfere with liver lipid deposition in MAFLD mice through classical/non-classical ferroptosis pathways.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of gypenosides （GPs） on liver lipid deposition in metabolism-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） mice and its mechanism based on classical/non-classical ferroptosis. MethodsEight male C57BL/6 mice in a blank group and 32 male apolipoprotein E gene knockout （ApoE^-/-） mice were randomly divided into a model group， a low-dose GPs （GPs-L） group， a high-dose GPs （GPs-H） group， and a simvastatin （SV） group. Starting from the second week， mice in the blank group were given a maintenance diet， and the other four groups were fed a high-fat diet daily. After eight weeks of feeding， mice in the GPs-L and GPs-H groups were given GPs of 1.487 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 and 2.973 mg·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively， and mice in the SV group were given simvastatin of 2.275 mg·kg^-1·d^-1. Mice in the blank group and the model group were given saline of equal volume by gavage for four weeks. The content of total cholesterol （TC）， triglyceride （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） in the serum of mice in each group was detected by an automatic biochemical analyzer. The level of non-esterified fatty acid （NEFA） and TG in the mouse liver was measured by the kit. The change in liver tissue structure and lipid deposition was observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） and oil red O staining. The levels of coenzyme Q₁₀ （CoQ₁₀）， glutathione （GSH）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， and Fe²⁺ in serum， as well as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate ［NAD（P）H］ in the liver were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）. The expression of ferroptosis suppressor protein 1 （FSP1） in the liver of mice was observed by the immunohistochemical （IHC） method， and the expression of genes and proteins related to classical and non-classical ferroptosis pathways was analyzed by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） and Wes automated protein expression analysis system. ResultsCompared with those in the blank group， the levels of TC， TG， LDL-C， ALT， and AST in serum and TG and NEFA in the liver in the model group were significantly increased， and the level of HDL-C in serum was significantly decreased （P<0.01）. The liver tissue structure changed， and there were fat vacuoles of different sizes and a large number of red lipid droplets， with obvious lipid deposition. The level of CoQ10 and GSH in serum and NADH in the liver were significantly decreased， while the level of MDA and Fe²⁺ in serum was significantly increased （P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expressions of cystine/glutamate transporter （xCT/SLC7A11）， glutathione peroxidase （GPX4）， p62， nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， and FSP1 were significantly decreased， and the mRNA and protein expressions of tumor antigen （p53）， spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1 （SAT1）， arachidonate 15-lipoxygenase （ALOX15）， and Kelch-like epichlorohydrin-associated protein-1 （Keap1） were significantly increased （P<0.01）. Compared with those in the model group， the level of TC， TG， LDL-C， ALT， and AST in serum and TG and NEFA in the liver of mice in the GPs-L， GPs-H， and SV groups were decreased， while the level of HDL-C in serum was significantly increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The liver tissue structure and lipid deposition were improved. The levels of CoQ10 and GSH in serum and NADH in the liver were significantly increased， while the levels of MDA and Fe²⁺ in serum were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The mRNA and protein expressions of xCT， GPX4， p62， Nrf2， and FSP1 were significantly increased， while the mRNA and protein expressions of p53， SAT1， ALOX15， and Keap1 were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionGPs can interfere with liver lipid deposition in MAFLD mice through classical/non-classical ferroptosis pathways.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of the immunotoxicity induced by dictamnine （DIC） in rats and the recovery effect after drug withdrawal by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry， thereby providing a theoretical basis for elucidating the toxic mechanism of DIC. MethodsSD rats were randomized into blank （normal saline）， DIC （10 mg·kg^-1）， and DIC withdrawal （recovery period） groups （n=8）. The rats were continuously treated for 7 days， once a day， and the body weight and organ weight were recorded. The levels of interleukin-1 （IL-1）， IL-6， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the serum and immunoglobulin A （IgA）， immunoglobulin G （IgG）， and immunoglobulin M （IgM） in the spleen were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the spleen. ultra performance liquid chromatography quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-TOF-MS） was employed to screen the potential biomarkers of immune inflammation caused by DIC， and pathway enrichment analysis and correlation analysis were performed. The mRNA levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， lysophosphatidylcholine acyltransferase 2 （LPCAT2）， and farnesoid X receptor （FXR） in the serum were determined by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the DIC group showed elevated levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α in the serum （P<0.01）， and the DIC withdrawal group showcased lowered levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α in the serum （P<0.01）. The levels of IgA， IgG， and IgM in the spleen of rats in the DIC group were decreased （P<0.01）， while those in the DIC withdrawal group were recovered （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Untargeted metabolomics of the serum and spleen screened out 14 common differential metabolites and 14 common metabolic pathways. The Spearman correlation analysis between differential metabolites and inflammatory factors identified PC （32∶0）， LysoPC （20∶4/0∶0）， LysoPC （P-18∶0/0∶0）， taurochenodeoxycholic acid， taurocholic acid， LysoPC ［20∶5（5Z，8Z，11Z，14Z，17Z）/0∶0］， chenodeoxycholic acid， arachidonic acid， LysoPC （18∶0/0∶0）， LysoPC （15∶0/0∶0）， LysoPC （16∶0/0∶0）， and LysoPC （17∶0/0∶0） as the biomarkers of immunotoxicity induced by DIC in SD rats. In the process of immunotoxicity caused by DIC， lipid metabolism disorders such as glycerophospholipid metabolism， primary bile acid metabolism， and arachidonic acid metabolism were enriched， which was consistent with the DIC-induced inflammatory factors and pathological characteristics of the spleen. Compared with the blank group， the DIC group exhibited up-regulated mRNA levels of IL-1β， TNF-α， LPCAT2， and FXR （P<0.01）， and the up-regulation was decreased in the withdrawal group （P<0.01）. ConclusionDIC can lead to immune and inflammatory disorders. DIC withdrawal can regulate the expression of biomarkers related to serum and spleen metabolites， regulate the inflammatory metabolic pathway， reduce the inflammation level， and alleviate the metabolic disorders， thus attenuating the potential toxicity induced by DIC.

A chemical investigation of secondary metabolites (SMs) from Aspergillus nidulans resulted in the identification of five novel dioxopiperazine (DKP)-diphenyl ether hybrids, designated as diphenylemestrins A-E (1-5). These compounds 1-5 represent the first known dimers combining DKP and diphenyl ether structures, with compound 4 featuring an uncommon dibenzofuran as the diphenyl ether component. The structural elucidation and determination of absolute stereochemistry were accomplished through spectroscopic analysis and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. Notably, diphenylemestrin C (3) exhibited moderate cytostatic activity against NB4 cells, with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value of 21.99 μmol·L^-1, and induced apoptosis at higher concentrations.
Aspergillus nidulans/metabolism* ; Diketopiperazines/pharmacology* ; Molecular Structure ; Phenyl Ethers/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Line, Tumor

Ferroptosis is a new type of regulatory cell death and is mainly caused by changes in intracellular iron homeostasis due to various inducers,which promotes the occurrence of iron ion-dependent lipid peroxidation,thereby leading to the accumulation of toxic lipid peroxides and finally resulting in cell death.Hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury is a common and serious complication after liver surgery,with the main mechanisms of anaerobic respiration,mitochondrial injury,oxidative stress response,inflammatory response,calcium overload,and microcirculation dysfunction.This article introduces the concepts and mechanisms of ferroptosis and hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury and summarizes some related treatment strategies,so as to provide a reference for exploring new treatment methods for hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Background::Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a recently recognized immune-mediated disorder that can affect almost any organ in the human body. IgG4-RD can be categorized into proliferative and fibrotic subtypes based on patients’ clinicopathological characteristics. This study aimed to compare the clinical manifestations, laboratory findings, and treatment outcomes of IgG4-RD among different subtypes.Methods::We prospectively enrolled 622 patients with newly diagnosed IgG4-RD at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from March 2011 to August 2021. The patients were divided into three groups according to their clinicopathological characteristics: proliferative, fibrotic, and mixed subtypes. We compared demographic features, clinical manifestations, organ involvement, laboratory tests, and treatment agents across three subtypes. We then assessed the differences in treatment outcomes among 448 patients receiving glucocorticoids alone or in combination with immunosuppressants. Moreover, risk factors of relapse were revealed by applying the univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis.Results::We classified the 622 patients into three groups consisting of 470 proliferative patients, 55 fibrotic patients, and 97 mixed patients, respectively. We found that gender distribution, age, disease duration, and frequency of allergy history were significantly different among subgroups. In terms of organ involvement, submandibular and lacrimal glands were frequently involved in the proliferative subtype, while retroperitoneum was the most commonly involved site in both fibrotic subtype and mixed subtype. The comparison of laboratory tests revealed that eosinophils ( P = 0.010), total IgE ( P = 0.006), high-sensitivity C-reactive protein ( P <0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate ( P <0.001), complement C4 ( P <0.001), IgG ( P = 0.001), IgG1 (P <0.001), IgG4 (P <0.001), and IgA ( P <0.001), at baseline were significantly different among three subtypes. Compared with proliferative and mixed subtypes, the fibrotic subtype showed the lowest rate of relapse (log-rank P = 0.014). Conclusions::Our study revealed the differences in demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, organ involvement, laboratory tests, treatment agents, and outcomes across proliferative, fibrotic, and mixed subtypes in the retrospective cohort study. Given significant differences in relapse-free survival among the three subtypes, treatment regimens, and follow-up frequency should be considered separately according to different subtypes.Trial Registration::ClinicalTrials. gov, NCT01670695.

Objective To explore the effect of miR-1-3p on the malignant biological behavior of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells and the potential mechanisms.Methods The Gene Expression Omnibus(GEO)database was analyzed to screen differentially expressed miRNAs in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC).qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression of miR-1-3p in human ESCC cell lines(KYSE30,KYSE150,KYSE410,KYSE510,and Eca109)and normal esophageal epithelial cell line HET-1A.CCK-8,wound healing,Transwell assays,and flow cytometry were applied to detect the effect of miR-1-3p on the proliferation,migration,invasion,and apoptosis of ESCC cells.Bioinformatics tool was used to predict the target genes of miR-1-3p.A Kaplan-Meier survival curve was drawn to analyze the correlation between STC2 expression and overall survival of patients in the ESCC cohort of the TCGA database.Fluorescence in situ hybridization was performed to verify the subcellular location of miR-1-3p in ESCC cells,and dual-luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to validate the regulation of miR-1-3p on stanniocalcin 2(STC2).RNA immunoprecipitation assays were used to detect the binding of miR-1-3p and STC2.Western blot assay was performed to determine the effect of miR-1-3p on the expression of STC2 and endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway-related proteins,including p-PERK,p-eIF2α,and ATF4.CCK-8,wound healing,Transwell assays,and flow cytometry were applied to detect the effect of STC2 overexpression and knockdown on the proliferation,migration,invasion,and apoptosis of ESCC cells.Results The expression of miR-1-3p was lower in ESCC cell lines than in HET-1A cells(all P<0.05).The transfection of miR-1-3p mimic decreased the proliferation,invasion,and migration of ESCC cells(all P<0.05)and promoted the apoptosis of ESCC cells(all P<0.001).Bioinformatics tool showed that STC2 was a target gene of miR-1-3p.The expression of STC2 in ESCC tissues was higher than that in normal esophageal epithelial tissues in the ESCC cohort of TCGA database and was negatively correlated with prognosis(all P<0.05).miR-1-3p was located in the cytoplasm and can directly bind to STC2 mRNA.The transfection of miR-1-3p mimic downregulated the expression of STC2,p-PERK,p-eIF2α,and ATF4(all P<0.05).The overexpression of STC2 promoted the proliferation,invasion,and migration(all P<0.05)and inhibited the apoptosis of ESCC cells(all P<0.05).Knockdown of STC2 inhibited the proliferation,invasion,and migration(all P<0.05)and promoted the apoptosis of ESCC cells(all P<0.05).Conclusion miR-1-3p inhibits the malignant biological behavior and promotes the apoptosis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma cells by regulating STC2 possibly by suppressing the endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and epidemic situation of children with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) in China,and provide the basis for formulating prevention and control measures. Methods Fixed-point monitoring,moving-point monitoring,and full coverage of monitoring were promoted successively from 1990 to 2023. Some children (7-12 years old) underwent clinical and right-hand X-ray examinations every year. According to the KBD diagnosis criteria,clinical and X-ray assessments were used to confirm the diagnosis. Results In 1990,the national KBD detectable rate was 21.01％. X-ray detection decreased to below 10％ in 2003 and below 5％ in 2007. Between 2010 and 2018,the prevalence of KBD in children was less than 0.4％,which fluctuated at a low level,and has decreased to 0％ since 2019. Spatial epidemiological analysis indicated a spatial clustering of adult patients prevalence rate in the KBD areas. Conclusion The evaluation results of the elimination of KBD in China over the last 5 years showed that all villages in the monitored areas have reached the elimination standard. While the adult KBD patients still need for policy consideration and care.

Objective:To elucidate the primary elements pertaining to the perception of relapse risk and to in-vestigate the characteristics and alterations of perception of the risk of recurrence in patients with schizophrenia.Methods:By using the method of phenomenological study,semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted among schizophrenic patients with first onset,first recurrence and multiple recurrences.Twenty-three 23 outpatient and inpatient cases that met the criteria of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fifth Edition(DSM-5)were included,and all patients had PANSS scores below 60.The interview data were collated and analyzed according to Colaizzi analysis.Results:The perception of recurrence risk in patients with schizophrenia en-compassed 4 major themes and 11 sub-themes,namely susceptibility(limited overall understanding,transition from optimism to objectivity),detection of early warning symptoms(dynamic escalation,assistance from family mem-bers in identification),understanding risk factors(lack of understanding,the relationship between psychosocial fac-tors and relapse,dynamic understanding of medication-relapse relationship),and apprehension of the consequences of recurrence(care burden and financial constraints,impaired social functioning and maladjustment,impact on pub-lic safety,personal health risks).Conclusion:The content of risk perception of recurrence in patients with schizo-phrenia is relatively substantial.The overall level of risk perception of recurrence in patients with schizophrenia is low.

Objective To explore the role of transcription factor EB(TFEB)induced by aerobic exer-cise in improving insulin resistance(IR)of skeletal muscles in high-fat diet mice.Method Eighteen male SPF C57BL/6 mice aged 6 weeks were randomly divided into a common diet group(CON),a high-fat diet group(HFD),and a high-fat diet exercise group(HFDE),each of 6.Both high-fat groups were on high-fat diet for 12 weeks.Then the HFDE group underwent daily 60-minute tread-mill exercise with the slope of 0°,at a speed of 12 m/min,5 times per week for 12 weeks.Finally,the glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity were detected using the intraperitoneal injection glucose tol-erance test(IPGTT)and intraperitoneal injection insulin tolerance test(IPITT).The fasting blood glu-cose and insulin contents were measured by biochemical method,and the IR level was calculated by using the homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR).Moreover,Western blotting was employed to detect the expression of phosphorylated transcription factor EB(pTFEB)and TFEB in skeletal muscle,glucose transporter 4(GLUT4)in cytoplasm and membrane,phosphorylated insulin re-ceptor substrates1(pIRS1),phosphorylated protein kinase B(pAKT),phosphoinositide 3-kinase(PI3K),and phosphorylated akt substrate of 160 kD(pTBC1D4)in skeletal muscle.The correlation of pTFEB and TFEB to insulin signaling pathway-related proteins was analyzed.Results(1)Compared with the CON group,there was a significant increase in the average body weight,IPGTT,blood glucose at each time point of IPGTT,area under curve(AUC),serum insulin,HOMA-IR,protein expressions of pTFEB,total-TFEB and GLUT4 in cytoplasm of the HFD group(P<0.01),but a significant decrease in the average protein expressions of pIRS1,pAKT,PI3K,pTBC1D4 and GLUT4 in cell membrane of skeletal muscles(P<0.01).However,no significant differences were found between the two groups in the average expression of pTFEB and T-TFEB proteins.(2)Compared to the HFD group,a signifi-cant increase was found in the average body weight,blood glucose at each time point of IPGTT,blood glucose of IPITT at 0 min,30 min and 60 min and AUC,serum insulin,HOMA-IR,expres-sions of pTFEB,T-TFEB and GLUT4 in cytoplasm of HFDE group(P<0.05 or P<0.01),with a signifi-cant decrease in the average protein expressions of pIRS1,pAKT,PI3K,pTBC1D4 and GLUT4 in cell membrane and T-TFEB in nucleus(P<0.01).(3)TFEB was negatively correlated with the expres-sion of pIRS1,PI3K,pAKT,and pTBC1D4 proteins(r=-0.8642,r=-0.7789,r=-0.8946,r=-0.8040)but positively correlated with cytoplasmic GLUT4(r=0.8532,P<0.01).Moreover,TFEB in the nucleus was of positive correlation with GLUT4 in the cell membrane(r=0.7744,P<0.01).Conclusions High-fat diet can decrease the expression of insulin signaling pathway related proteins in skeletal mus-cles of mice and weaken their insulin action,leading to the disorder of glucose and lipid metabolism.However,aerobic exercise can significantly increase the expression of such proteins to promote insulin function and sensitivity,and relieve disorders in glucose and lipid metabolism.This effect may be achieved through the promotion of skeletal muscle TFEB nuclear translocation,which activates IRS1/PI3K/AKT/TBC1D4/GLUT4 signaling pathway and facilitates GLUT4 membrane translocation,ultimately enhancing glucose uptake in skeletal muscle cells.The authors speculate that the TFEB-mediated insu-lin signaling pathway may be an important molecular pathway for aerobic exercise to improve insulin re-sistance.