Biomolecular condensates are formed through phase separation of biomacromolecules such as proteins and RNAs. These condensates exhibit liquid-like properties that can futher transition into more stable material states. They form complex internal structures via multivalent weak interactions, enabling precise spatiotemporal regulations. However, the use of inconsistent and non-standardized terminology has become increasingly problematic, hindering academic exchange and the dissemination of scientific knowledge. Therefore, it is necessary to discuss the terminology related to biomolecular condensates in order to clarify concepts, promote interdisciplinary cooperation, enhance research efficiency, and support the healthy development of this field.

OBJECTIVE To study the safety of Shuangshu decoction in rats and its efficacy in improving functional dyspepsia （FD） in rats. METHODS In safety test， 40 rats were divided into blank control group， Shuangshu decoction low-dose， medium- dose and high-dose groups [108， 216， 324 g/（kg·d）， calculated by raw medicine， the same applies below]； they were given relevant medicine intragastrically， for continuous 14 days. The mortality and toxic reactions of rats were recorded， and the organ indexes of the liver， kidney， spleen， lung and heart of rats were calculated； the pathological morphological changes in the liver， kidney， spleen， lung， heart， stomach， duodenum， and colon were observed to evaluate the acute toxicity of Shuangshu decoction. Another 40 rats were grouped and administered in the same way for 30 consecutive days. The mortality and toxic reactions of the rats were recorded， and the corresponding organ indexes were calculated. The pathological morphological changes in the corresponding organs were observed， and blood routine and serum biochemical indicators were measured， in order to assess the subacute toxicity of Shuangshu decoction. In pharmacodynamic experiments: 50 rats were divided into blank control group， model group， and Shuangshu decoction low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （9.45， 18.9， 37.8 g/kg）， with 10 rats in each group. Except for blank control group， rats in all other groups were used to establish the FD rat model by subcutaneous injection of loperamide （3.5 mg/kg）. Rats in each group were administered the corresponding drug solution/normal saline intragastrically， once a day， for 14 consecutive days. After the last medication， fecal moisture content， intestinal propulsion rate， gastric emptying rate and serum level of motilin were all detected， and interstitial cell of Cajal （ICC） ultrastructure of rats was observed in colon tissue. RESULTS The safety experiments showed that no death occurred in each dose group， and no significant difference was found in organ coefficient， routine blood and serum biological index， compared to blank control group （P＞0.05）； no abnormality was found in organ appearance and pathological sections. The results of the pharmacodynamic experiments showed that， compared with the blank control group， the fecal moisture content， gastric emptying rate， intestinal propulsion rate， and serum motilin levels in the model group were significantly decreased （P＜0.05）； in the colonic tissue， the mitochondria in the ICC exhibited severe swelling with the disappearance of cristae， and the endoplasmic reticulum was dilated. Compared with model group， the rats in Shuangshu decoction high-dose group showed significant increases in the above quantitative indicators （P＜ 0.05）； additionally， there was a large number of mitochondria in the ICC of the colonic tissue， with clear cristae and regular arrangement. CONCLUSIONS Shuangshu decoction is safe and has a beneficial improving effect on FD rats； its mechanism of action may be related to the regulation of gastrointestinal hormone expression to promote gastric emptying and intestinal propulsion， as well as the repair of mitochondrial structure in ICCs to restore gastrointestinal function.

ObjectiveAutism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by difficulties with communication and social interaction, restricted and repetitive behaviors. Previous studies have indicated that individuals with ASD exhibit early and lifelong attention deficits, which are closely related to the core symptoms of ASD. Basic visual attention processes may provide a critical foundation for their social communication and interaction abilities. Therefore, this study explores the behavior of children with ASD in capturing attention to changes in topological properties. MethodsOur study recruited twenty-seven ASD children diagnosed by professional clinicians according to DSM-5 and twenty-eight typically developing (TD) age-matched controls. In an attention capture task, we recorded the saccadic behaviors of children with ASD and TD in response to topological change (TC) and non-topological change (nTC) stimuli. Saccadic reaction time (SRT), visual search time (VS), and first fixation dwell time (FFDT) were used as indicators of attentional bias. Pearson correlation tests between the clinical assessment scales and attentional bias were conducted. ResultsThis study found that TD children had significantly faster SRT (P<0.05) and VS (P<0.05) for the TC stimuli compared to the nTC stimuli, while the children with ASD did not exhibit significant differences in either measure (P>0.05). Additionally, ASD children demonstrated significantly less attention towards the TC targets (measured by FFDT), in comparison to TD children (P<0.05). Furthermore, ASD children exhibited a significant negative linear correlation between their attentional bias (measured by VS) and their scores on the compulsive subscale (P<0.05). ConclusionThe results suggest that children with ASD have difficulty shifting their attention to objects with topological changes during change detection. This atypical attention may affect the child’s cognitive and behavioral development, thereby impacting their social communication and interaction. In sum, our findings indicate that difficulties in attentional capture by TC may be a key feature of ASD.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Bushen Huoxue Granule on the ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) in an in vitro model of Parkinson's disease. METHODS: After treated with 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium (MPP⁺, 1 mmol/L) for 24 h, the cells were incubated with drug-free serum, Madopar-containing serum or Bushen Huoxue Granule-containing serum (BCS, 5%, 10%, and 20%) for another 24 h. The levels of α-synuclein (α-syn), tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and UPS-related proteins were detected by Western blot. The expression levels of α-syn in PC12 cells were also analyzed by Western blot after treated with proteasome inhibitor MG132 and WT-α-syn plasmid transfection, respectively, as well as the alterations induced by subsequent BCS intervention. Immunocytochemistry was performed to determine the changes in α-syn phosphorylation at serine 129 (pSer129-α-syn) expression. The 20S proteasome levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbnent assay. RESULTS: BCS (volume fraction ⩽20%) intervention could alleviate the MMP⁺-induced cell viability decrease (P<0.05). In the MPP⁺ treated cells, α-syn was up-regulated, while TH and proteins of UPS such as ubiquitin (Ub), Ub binding with Ub-activating enzyme (UBE1), Parkin and Ub C-terminal hydrolase-1 (UCHL-1) were down-regulated (P<0.05). BCS intervention could attenuate the above changes (P<0.05). The activity of BCS on blocking α-syn accumulation was weakened by MG132 (P<0.05). While α-syn level was significantly increased in cells transfected with plasmid, and reduced by BCS intervention (P<0.05). pSer129-α-syn was increased in MPP⁺-induced PC12 cells, whereas decreased by later BCS intervention (P<0.05). The 20S proteasome activity of MPP⁺-induced PC12 cells was decreased, but increased after BCS intervention (P<0.05). CONCLUSION BCS intervention protected UPS function, increased 20S proteasome activity, promoted pathological α-syn clearance, restored cell viability, and reversed the damage caused by MPP⁺ in the in vitro model of Parkinson's disease.
PC12 Cells ; alpha-Synuclein/metabolism* ; Rats ; Animals ; 1-Methyl-4-phenylpyridinium/toxicity* ; Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Ubiquitin/metabolism* ; Cell Survival/drug effects* ; Phosphorylation/drug effects* ; Tyrosine 3-Monooxygenase/metabolism*

ObjectiveTo clarify whether epigallocatechin gallate （EGCG） is involved in the clearance of amyloid β-protein （Aβ） and autophagy induction by microglia， so as to explore the potential mechanisms of EGCG in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease （AD）. MethodsSix-month-old APP/PS1 mice were randomly divided into model and EGCG groups， with some additional wild type （WT） mice as the control group， each group consisting of 15 mice. The EGCG group received continuous gavage administration［5 mg/（kg·d）］ for 8 weeks， followed by the open field test and Y-maze to assess the learning and memory abilities of the mice. Thioflavin-S staining was used to evaluate the content and distribution of amyloid β-protein （Aβ）in the brain parenchyma of the mice， and immunofluorescence was employed to detect the expression levels of Aβ_1-42， glial fibrillary acidic protein （GFAP）， and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 （Iba1） in the hippocampal tissue of the mice. Additionally， N9 mouse microglial cells were induced with 20 µmol/L Aβ_1-42， and the cell viability was measured after treatment with different concentrations of EGCG （5 µmol/L， 10 µmol/L， 20 µmol/L）. Western blotting was used to detect the levels of Aβ_1-42， low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 1（LRP1）， receptor for advanced glycation endproducts （RAGE）， amyloid precursor protein （APP）， insulin degrading enzyme （IDE）， neprilysin （NEP）， microtubule associated protein 1 hydrogen chain 3（LC3）-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ， phosphatidylinositol 3-hydroxy kinase（PI3K）， p-PI3K， protein kinase B （AKT）， p-AKT， mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）， p-mTOR， and histone deacetylase 6（HDAC6）. Finally， through the co-culture of microglial cells and neuronal SH-SY5Y cells， cell viability and Caspase-3 levels were measured to verify the protective effect of EGCG-mediated Aβ clearance on neurons. ResultsEGCG increased the activity time and frequency of APP/PS1 mice in the central area of the open field （P<0.05）， and enhanced the percentage of alternation in the Y-maze test （P<0.01）； EGCG reduced Aβ deposition in the hippocampal tissue of APP/PS1 mice and increased the number of microglia； in vitro experiments showed that EGCG improved the survival rate of Aβ-induced N9 cells （P<0.01）， upregulated RAGE activity （P<0.05）， and promoted the internalization and phagocytosis of Aβ （P<0.01）. ECGC activated microglial autophagy by downregulating the level of HDAC6 （P<0.05）， inhibiting the phosphorylation of PI3K， AKT， mTOR （P<0.001）， and increasing the LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-I ratio （P<0.001）； EGCG improved the survival rate of SH-SY5Y cells （P<0.05） and reduced the activity of Caspase-3 （P<0.01） by clearing Aβ_1-42 through microglia， and had a protective effect on neurons. ConclusionEGCG activates microglial autophagy to clear Aβ by targeting and inhibiting the HDAC6-PI3K/AKT/mTOR axis.

[Purpose]To analyze the trends of incidence and mortality of lung cancer in Jinshan District of Shanghai from 2002 to 2020.[Methods]The data of lung cancer was obtained from the Shanghai Cancer Registry and the population data was obtained from the Jinshan District Bureau of Public Security.The crude rate and age-standardized rate of incidence and mortality(ASIR and ASMR),and the average annual percentage change(AAPC)of lung cancer were calculated.[Results]From 2002 to 2020,8 982 new cases and 6 081 deaths of lung cancer were reported.The ASIR of lung cancer increased from 36.55/105 to 56.72/105 with an AAPC of 3.34％(P＜0.05).The ASIR was also increased in male and female,with higher increase in female(AAPC=8.56％)than that in male(AAPC=0.50％).The ASMR decreased from 32.25/105 to 23.06/105 with an AAPC of-2.08％(P＜0.05).The ASMR was decreased both in male and female,with higher decline in male(AAPC=-2.71％)than that in female(AAPC=-0.43％).The disease risk in male was higher than that in female,while the difference in ASIR between male and female was decreasing.The inci-dence and mortality increased with age.[Conclusion]From 2002 to 2020,the incidence of lung cancer in Jinshan District was increasing,but the age-standardized mortality was decreasing.The incidence and mortality of lung cancer varied among different ages and sexes,so targeted preven-tion and control measures should be implemented.

Objective:To assess the presence of chemotherapy-induced abnormal myocardial perfusion using SPECT myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI) in patients with malignant hematologic diseases before hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), and to explore its predictive value for mid-to-long-term mortality risk after transplantation.Methods:From March 2016 to August 2022, 139 patients with malignant hematologic diseases (80 males, 59 females; age (45.7±13.0) years) who underwent resting MPI to assess the presence of chemotherapy-induced abnormal myocardial perfusion before HSCT at the First People′s Hospital of Changzhou were prospectively included. Baseline-data were collected and patients were followed up for mid-to-long-term (≥100d) adverse outcomes after transplantation. Overall survival (OS) of each patient was recorded. The χ2 test and independent-sample t test were used for data analysis. Cox regression analysis was utilized to identify independent risk factors affecting OS. Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test were used for survival analysis. Results:The median follow-up time of 139 patients was 41.6(19.5, 65.6) months, with all-cause mortality of 28.8%(40/139), and the cardiovascular mortality was 42.5%(17/40). The prior cardiotoxic therapies rate (anthracycline dose ≥250mg/m 2) was higher in the death group compared to that in the survival group (15.0% (6/40) vs 5.1% (5/99); χ2=3.87, P=0.049). Pre-transplant abnormal myocardial perfusion rate was also higher in the death group compared to that in the survival group (55.0%(22/40) vs 22.2%(22/99); χ2=15.19, P<0.001). But pre-transplant left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was lower in the death group compared to that in the survival group ((60.4±5.2)% vs (62.9±3.9)%; t=-3.07, P=0.003). Cox multivariate regression analysis showed that the abnormal myocardial perfusion indicated by MPI before transplantation was an independent risk factor affecting OS after HSCT in patients with malignant hematologic diseases (hazard rate ( HR)=2.70, 95% CI: 1.33-5.46, P=0.006). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed the 1-, 2-, 5-year OS rates of patients with the abnormal myocardial perfusion and the normal myocardial perfusion were 73.5%, 69.1%, 49.2% and 94.6%, 89.9%, 81.6%, respectively, with significant difference ( χ2=17.01, P<0.001). Conclusions:Patients with abnormal myocardial perfusion detected by MPI before HSCT for malignant hematologic diseases have a poorer prognosis, characterized by lower post-transplantation OS rates. The utilization of MPI for assessing abnormal myocardial perfusion before transplantation in patients with malignant hematologic diseases can aid in predicting the mid-to-long-term mortality risk after transplantation.

BACKGROUND: The sirtuin family is well recognized for its crucial involvement in various cellular processes. Nevertheless, studies on its role in the human endometrium are limited. This study aimed to explore the expression and localization of the sirtuin family in the human endometrium, focusing on sirtuin 3 (SIRT3) and its potential role in the oxidative imbalance of the endometrium in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). METHODS: Endometrial specimens were collected from both patients with PCOS and controls undergoing hysteroscopy at the Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, from July to August 2015 and used for cell culture. The protective effects of SIRT3 were investigated, and the mechanism of SIRT3 in improving endometrial receptivity of patients with PCOS was determined using various techniques, including cellular bioenergetic analysis, small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) silencing, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, immunofluorescence, immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry analysis. RESULTS: The sirtuin family was widely expressed in the human endometrium, with SIRT3 showing a significant increase in expression in patients with PCOS compared with controls ( P <0.05), as confirmed by protein and gene assays. Concurrently, endometrial antioxidant levels were elevated, while mitochondrial respiratory capacity was reduced, in patients with PCOS ( P <0.05). An endometrial oxidative stress (OS) model revealed that the downregulation of SIRT3 impaired the growth and proliferation status of endometrial cells and reduced their receptivity to day 4 mouse embryos. The results suggested that SIRT3 might be crucial in maintaining normal cellular state by regulating antioxidants, cell proliferation, and apoptosis, thereby contributing to enhanced endometrial receptivity. CONCLUSIONS Our findings proposed a significant role of SIRT3 in improving endometrial receptivity in patients with PCOS by alleviating OS and regulating the balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis. Therefore, SIRT3 could be a promising target for predicting and improving endometrial receptivity in this patient population.
Humans ; Female ; Polycystic Ovary Syndrome/metabolism* ; Endometrium/metabolism* ; Sirtuin 3/genetics* ; Oxidative Stress/genetics* ; Adult ; Animals ; Mice ; Apoptosis/physiology* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Cell Proliferation/physiology*

Forsythia suspensa is a traditional Chinese medicine and a commonly used landscaping plant. Its dried fruit is used in medicine for its functions of clearing heat, removing toxins, reducing swelling, dissipating masses, and dispersing wind and heat. It possesses extremely high medicinal and economic value. However, the genetic differentiation and diversity of its wild populations remain unclear. In this study, chloroplast genome sequences were obtained from 15 wild individuals of F. suspensa using high-throughput sequencing technology. The sequence characteristics and intraspecific variations were analyzed. The results were as follows:(1) The full length of the F. suspensa chloroplast genome ranged from 156 184 to 156 479 bp, comprising a large single-copy region, a small single-copy region, and two inverted repeat regions. The chloroplast genome encoded a total of 132 genes, including 87 protein-coding genes, 37 tRNA genes, and 8 rRNA genes.(2) A total of 166-174 SSR loci, 792 SNV loci, and 63 InDel loci were identified in the F. suspensa chloroplast genome, indicating considerable genetic variation among individuals.(3) Population structure analysis revealed that F. suspensa could be divided into five or six groups. Both the population structure analysis and phylogenetic reconstruction results indicated significant genetic variation within the wild populations of F. suspensa, with no obvious correlation between intraspecific genetic differentiation and geographical distribution. This study provides new insights into the genetic diversity and differentiation within F. suspensa species and offers additional references for the conservation of species diversity and the utilization of germplasm resources in wild F. suspensa.
Genome, Chloroplast ; Forsythia/classification* ; Phylogeny ; Genetic Variation ; Chloroplasts/genetics* ; Microsatellite Repeats