Given that ovarian stimulation is vital for assisted reproductive technology (ART) and results in elevated serum estrogen levels, exploring the impact of elevated estrogen exposure on oocytes and embryos is necessary. We investigated the effects of various ovarian stimulation treatments on oocyte and embryo morphology and gene expression using a mouse model and estrogen-treated mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Female C57BL/6J mice were subjected to two types of conventional ovarian stimulation and ovarian hyperstimulation; mice treated with only normal saline served as controls. Hyperstimulation resulted in high serum estrogen levels, enlarged ovaries, an increased number of aberrant oocytes, and decreased embryo formation. The messenger RNA (mRNA)‍-sequencing of oocytes revealed the dysregulated expression of lysine-specific demethylase 6b (Kdm6b), which may be a key factor indicating hyperstimulation-induced aberrant oocytes and embryos. In vitro, Kdm6b expression was downregulated in mESCs treated with high-dose estrogen; treatment with an estrogen receptor antagonist could reverse this downregulated expression level. Furthermore, treatment with high-dose estrogen resulted in the upregulated expression of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and phosphorylated H2A histone family member X (γ-H2AX). Notably, knockdown of Kdm6b and high estrogen levels hindered the formation of embryoid bodies, with a concomitant increase in the expression of H3K27me3 and γ-H2AX. Collectively, our findings revealed that hyperstimulation-induced high-dose estrogen could impair the demethylation of H3K27me3 by reducing Kdm6b expression. Accordingly, Kdm6b could be a promising marker for clinically predicting ART outcomes in patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Female ; Mice ; Demethylation/drug effects* ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; Estrogens/administration & dosage* ; Gene Expression/drug effects* ; Histones/metabolism* ; Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oocytes ; Ovary/drug effects* ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Animals

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Objective:To prepare decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM)-gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA) composite hydrogels and to study their effects on hepatocyte proliferation.Methods:Hepatic dECM was prepared by elution, and GelMA hydrogel and 10%, 30% and 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels were prepared by pepsin solubilization. The morphology of normal liver and dECM liver was observed by eyes and scanning electron microscopy using hematoxylin-eosin, Sirius red and periodate-Schiff staining, respectively. The internal structure of the dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels was observed by scanning electron microscopy, and the pore diameter was measured. Liver HL-7702 cells were co-cultured with GelMA hydrogel and 10%, 30% and 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels, and the cell proliferation viability was determined by cell counting kit-8. The expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), Wnt family protein 5a (Wnt5a), β-catenin, extracellular-regulated protein kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and phosphorylated ERK1/2 (p-ERK1/2) were detected by Western blotting. Comparisons were made using independent sample t-test or one-factor analysis of variance. Results:After decellularization, the hepatocyte morphology showed rounded depressions, and the extracellular matrix structure was intact. The GelMA hydrogel and 10%, 30% and 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogels showed inernally porous structures. The pore diameter increased from (3.06±1.35) μm in the GelMA hydrogel to (16.01±4.02) μm in the 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel. On the 3rd, 5th and 7th day, the relative cell proliferation was higher in the 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel group than that in the GelMA hydrogel group (1.89±0.04 vs 1.53±0.01, 9.36±0.04 vs 3.89±0.09, 7.15±0.27 vs 4.89±0.15, all P<0.05). The relative expression levels of PCNA, Wnt5a, β-catenin, and p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 proteins in the 50% dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel group were higher than those in the GelMA hydrogel group (2.14±0.04 vs 1.00±0.03, 2.36±0.09 vs 1.00±0.08, 1.45±0.03 vs 1.00±0.04, 1.43±0.04 vs 1.00±0.01, all P<0.05). Conclusions:A dECM-GelMA composite hydrogel can be prepared, which may promote hepatocyte proliferation by upregulating the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

To investigate the role of the DPP4-nestin axis in liver fibrosis induced by alveolar cyst infection,a murine model was established using C57BL/6 mice via hepatic portal vein injection.Liver histopathological changes were assessed using HE staining,while immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were employed to evaluate the expression levels of nestin and DPP4 in infected mouse livers.In vitro,J S1 cell line was stimulated with recombinant DPP4 protein to es-tablish a cellular model,and qPCR,Western blot,and shRNA lentivirus interference techniques were utilized to examine the involvement of the DPP4-nestin axis in hepatic stellate cell activation.The findings demonstrated that compared to the Sham group,liver tissue structure disruption and collagen deposition were evident along with significantly increased expressions of nestin and DPP4(P＜0.050 0),which colocalized with nesin and α-SMA.Furthermore,stimulation with recombi-nant DPP4 protein significantly enhanced JS1 cell activation(P＜0.050 0)as well as upregulated nestin expression(P＜0.050 0)when compared to control group cells.Notably,shRNA lentivirus-mediated inhibition of nestin expression effectively suppressed the activating effects exerted by re-combinant DPP4 protein on JS1 cells(P＜0.050 0).Collectively,these results highlight the crucial regulatory role played by the DPP4-nestin axis in hepatic stellate cell activation triggered by alveo-lar infection;thus,targeting this axis may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for treating alveo-lar infection-induced liver fibrosis.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of Ziyin Mingmu Formula in treating age-related mac-ular degeneration(AMD)by combining network pharmacology with animal model validation.METHODS Active ingredients of Ziyin Mingmu Formula were obtained from the TCMSP and BATMAN databases,and their targets were searched using the PharmMapper da-tabase.AMD disease targets were identified using the GeneCards,DrugBank,OMIM,and TTD databases.Venny analysis was per-formed to identify the intersection of active ingredient and disease targets.A protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed using the String database,and core targets were screened using Cytoscape 3.9.0 software.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was per-formed using the DAVID database.Molecular docking of key active ingredients with core targets was performed using Autodock software.A laser-induced mouse choroidal neovascularization(CNV)model was used.Optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)was used to assess CNV area in vivo,immunofluorescence staining was used to assess CNV area on choroidal flat mounts,and Western blot analysis was used to examine the expression of proteins involved in the vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)pathway.RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis identified 221 active ingredients in the Ziyin Mingmu Formula.PPI analysis i-dentified 29 core targets,including SRC,protein kinase B(AKT1),mitogen-activated protein kinase 1(MAPK1),and heat shock protein 90α family class A member 1(HSP90AA1).KEGG analysis revealed that the VEGF signaling pathway was the most highly en-riched.Molecular docking revealed that the core targets SRC,AKT1,MAPK1,and HSP90AA1 had good binding affinity with the main active ingredients,diosmetin,catechin,vestitol,and licochalcone A.Animal experiments showed that the Ziyin Mingmu Formula significantly reduced CNV area in model mice,downregulated VEGF protein expression,decreased VEGFR2,p38,and ERK1/2 pro-tein phosphorylation levels,and inhibited the VEGF signaling pathway.CONCLUSION Ziyin Mingmu Formula may inhibit CNV for-mation by regulating the VEGF signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect and potential mechanism of Ziyin Mingmu Formula in treating age-related mac-ular degeneration(AMD)by combining network pharmacology with animal model validation.METHODS Active ingredients of Ziyin Mingmu Formula were obtained from the TCMSP and BATMAN databases,and their targets were searched using the PharmMapper da-tabase.AMD disease targets were identified using the GeneCards,DrugBank,OMIM,and TTD databases.Venny analysis was per-formed to identify the intersection of active ingredient and disease targets.A protein-protein interaction(PPI)network was constructed using the String database,and core targets were screened using Cytoscape 3.9.0 software.KEGG pathway enrichment analysis was per-formed using the DAVID database.Molecular docking of key active ingredients with core targets was performed using Autodock software.A laser-induced mouse choroidal neovascularization(CNV)model was used.Optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)was used to assess CNV area in vivo,immunofluorescence staining was used to assess CNV area on choroidal flat mounts,and Western blot analysis was used to examine the expression of proteins involved in the vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)pathway.RESULTS Network pharmacology analysis identified 221 active ingredients in the Ziyin Mingmu Formula.PPI analysis i-dentified 29 core targets,including SRC,protein kinase B(AKT1),mitogen-activated protein kinase 1(MAPK1),and heat shock protein 90α family class A member 1(HSP90AA1).KEGG analysis revealed that the VEGF signaling pathway was the most highly en-riched.Molecular docking revealed that the core targets SRC,AKT1,MAPK1,and HSP90AA1 had good binding affinity with the main active ingredients,diosmetin,catechin,vestitol,and licochalcone A.Animal experiments showed that the Ziyin Mingmu Formula significantly reduced CNV area in model mice,downregulated VEGF protein expression,decreased VEGFR2,p38,and ERK1/2 pro-tein phosphorylation levels,and inhibited the VEGF signaling pathway.CONCLUSION Ziyin Mingmu Formula may inhibit CNV for-mation by regulating the VEGF signaling pathway.

To investigate the role of the DPP4-nestin axis in liver fibrosis induced by alveolar cyst infection,a murine model was established using C57BL/6 mice via hepatic portal vein injection.Liver histopathological changes were assessed using HE staining,while immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were employed to evaluate the expression levels of nestin and DPP4 in infected mouse livers.In vitro,J S1 cell line was stimulated with recombinant DPP4 protein to es-tablish a cellular model,and qPCR,Western blot,and shRNA lentivirus interference techniques were utilized to examine the involvement of the DPP4-nestin axis in hepatic stellate cell activation.The findings demonstrated that compared to the Sham group,liver tissue structure disruption and collagen deposition were evident along with significantly increased expressions of nestin and DPP4(P＜0.050 0),which colocalized with nesin and α-SMA.Furthermore,stimulation with recombi-nant DPP4 protein significantly enhanced JS1 cell activation(P＜0.050 0)as well as upregulated nestin expression(P＜0.050 0)when compared to control group cells.Notably,shRNA lentivirus-mediated inhibition of nestin expression effectively suppressed the activating effects exerted by re-combinant DPP4 protein on JS1 cells(P＜0.050 0).Collectively,these results highlight the crucial regulatory role played by the DPP4-nestin axis in hepatic stellate cell activation triggered by alveo-lar infection;thus,targeting this axis may represent a novel therapeutic strategy for treating alveo-lar infection-induced liver fibrosis.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

ObjectiveTo observe the therapeutic effects of Qishao Huoxue prescription on patients with lumbar disc herniation due to Qi stagnation and blood stasis and the effects of this prescription on hemorheological parameters and serum levels of inflammatory mediators. MethodA total of 86 patients with lumbar disc herniation due to Qi stagnation and blood stasis treated in the Wangjing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from January 2023 to February 2024 were selected and assigned according to the random number table into observation and control groups （n=43）. Patients in both groups received lumbar traction treatment. In addition， the observation group was orally treated with Qishao Huoxue prescription and the control group with celebrex for 3 weeks. The visual analogue scale （VAS） score， Oswestry disabilitiy index （ODI） score， 12-item Short-Form Survey （SF-12） score， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） symptom score， hemorheological parameters ［whole blood high shear viscosity， middle shear viscosity， low shear viscosity， plasma viscosity （PV）， and fibrinogen （FIB）］， and the serum levels of inflammatory mediators ［tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and transforming growth factor-β₁ （TGF-β₁）］ were determined before and after treatment. In addition， the clinical efficacy and adverse reactions were observed and compared between the two groups. ResultAfter treatment， both groups showed declined VAS， ODI， and TCM symptom scores （P<0.05）， increased SF-12 physical component summary （PCS） and mental component summary （MCS） scores （P<0.05）. After treatment， the whole blood high shear viscosity， middle shear viscosity， low shear viscosity， PV， and FIB decreased in the observation group （P<0.05）， while they did not show significant variations in the control group. After treatment， both groups of patients showed reductions in TNF-α， IL-6， and IL-1β levels and an elevation in the TGF-β₁ level （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group after treatment， the observation group showed decreases in VAS， ODI， TCM symptom scores and main symptom scores （P<0.05）， no significant differences in the secondary symptom scores， increased PCS and MCS scores （P<0.05）. The observation group outperformed the control group in terms of recovering whole blood high shear viscosity， middle shear viscosity， low shear viscosity， PV， FIB， TNF-α， IL-6， IL-1β， and TGF-β₁ （P<0.05）. The total response rate in the observation group was 97.5% （40/41）， which was higher than that （88.1%， 37/42） in the control group （P<0.05）. No serious adverse reaction was observed in the two groups during the observation period. One case in the observation group showed subcutaneous bruising on the lower limbs， which gradually disappeared after withdrawal. ConclusionQishao Huoxue prescription demonstrated definite effect in treating lumbar disc herniation due to qi stagnation and blood stasis by recovering hemorheological parameters and inhibiting the expression of inflammatory mediators in the serum without inducing adverse reactions. It is worth applying in clinical practice.

Background Nano-alumina (nano-Al₂O₃) is a widely utilized nanomaterial. Its impacts on the environment and biological systems have garnered significant attention. Zebrafish serves as a common model organism in scientific research due to its high homology with the human genome and is extensively used in toxicity studies. Objective To investigate the developmental toxicity and neurotoxicity of nano-Al₂O₃ exposure in zebrafish and the corresponding mechanisms of action. Method Zebrafish embryos at 6 h post-fertilization (hpf) were randomly assigned to a control group and five dose groups exposed to nano-Al₂O₃ at concentrations of 200, 400, 600, 800, and 1000 μg·mL⁻¹, respectively. Thirty embryos were included in each group, and the culture medium was replaced every 24 h until 144 hpf. The hatching rates at 48 and 72 hpf and the cumulative malformation rates up to 144 hpf were calculated. At 144 hpf, a zebrafish behavior analyzer was used to record the movement trajectories of the zebrafish, and the total distance traveled and average speed were analyzed for each group. At 144 hpf, the development of dopaminergic neurons in transgenic zebrafish expressing vmat2: GFP, brain vessels in those expressing vegf: GFP, and central nervous system neurons in those expressing elavl3: EGFP were observed under a fluorescence microscope, and statistical analysis was conducted using Image Pro Plus. Real-time quantitative PCR was employed to detect the expression levels of neuron development-related genes (syn2α, gap43, dat), Lewy body formation-related gene (α-syn), and autophagy-related genes (pink1, parkin) at 144 hpf. Results Compared to the control group, the nano-Al₂O₃ exposed groups exhibited reduced hatching rates at 48 hpf and increased cumulative malformation rates (P<0.05), with phenomena such as delayed development, absence of the swim bladder, and body curvature. The autonomous behavioral tests revealed that the nano-Al₂O₃ exposed zebrafish showed a decrease in the total distance swum (P<0.001) and a significant reduction in average speed compared to the control group. The fluorescence observations indicated that the length of dopaminergic neurons in vmat2: GFP transgenic zebrafish was reduced in the nano-Al₂O₃ exposed groups (P<0.001). Additionally, vegf: GFP transgenic zebrafish exhibited a significant absence of brain vessels, while elavl3: EGFP transgenic zebrafish showed a weakened fluorescence intensity of central nervous system neurons (P<0.001) and a decreased length of these neurons (P<0.01). The real-time quantitative PCR analysis revealed that compared to the control group, the gene expression levels of α-syn, syn2α, dat, and gap43 were upregulated in the zebrafish exposed to nano-Al₂O₃ (except for the 400 μg·mL⁻¹ exposure group) (P<0.01), while the expression levels of parkin were downregulated in the 600 and 800 μg·mL⁻¹ nano-Al₂O₃ exposed groups, and the expression levels of pink1 were downregulated in all exposure groups except for the 200 μg·mL⁻¹ group (P<0.05). Conclusion Exposure to nano-Al₂O₃ exhibits developmental toxicity in zebrafish larvae and induces Parkinsonism-like symptoms in zebrafish. The preliminary speculation of the mechanism suggests that it may be related to nano-Al₂O₃-induced mitochondrial autophagy impairment.