Olfactory receptors (ORs) form the largest superfamily of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Traditionally recognized for their role in the nasal olfactory epithelium, where they mediate the sense of smell, accumulating evidence has firmly established their ectopic expression in non-olfactory tissues, including the intestine, lungs, and kidneys. The intestine, as the primary site for nutrient digestion and absorption, harbors a highly complex chemical environment. To adapt to this environment, the gut employs a sophisticated network of “chemosensors” to monitor luminal contents and maintain homeostasis. Among these sensors, intestinal ORs have emerged as crucial functional components, serving as a molecular bridge that connects environmental chemical signals—such as food-derived odorants—to specific physiological responses. This discovery has significantly deepened our understanding of how dietary flavors and compounds influence intestinal physiology at the molecular level. This review systematically summarizes the expression profiles, ligand classification, and biological functions of ORs within the gastrointestinal tract. Studies indicate that intestinal ORs exhibit distinct spatial distribution patterns across different gut segments and display cell-type specificity, particularly within enterocytes and enteroendocrine cells. These receptors function as versatile sensors capable of recognizing a wide variety of ligands, including exogenous dietary components, gut microbiota metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids, and endogenous small molecules like azelaic acid. Upon activation by specific ligands, intestinal ORs trigger intracellular signaling cascades, primarily involving the AC-cAMP-PKA pathway or calcium influx channels. A major focus of this review is to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which these receptors regulate the secretion of gut hormones. Activation of specific ORs in enteroendocrine cells has been shown to stimulate the release of hormones such as glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), peptide YY (PYY), and serotonin (5-HT), thereby modulating systemic energy metabolism, glucose homeostasis, and gastrointestinal motility. Furthermore, the review addresses the critical roles of ORs in immune regulation and pathology. Evidence suggests that specific ORs contribute to the maintenance of intestinal immune homeostasis and may offer protection against inflammation. Beyond their involvement in inflammatory responses, ORs such as Olfr78 have been shown to regulate the differentiation and function of intestinal endocrine cells. Similarly, Olfr544 has been demonstrated to alleviate intestinal inflammation by remodeling the gut microbiome and metabolome. These findings collectively suggest that specific ORs hold promise as therapeutic targets for mitigating intestinal inflammation and maintaining gut homeostasis. Additionally, the review explores the emerging role of ORs in cancer. Although OR expression is often downregulated in tumor tissues compared to normal mucosa, activation of specific ORs by certain ligands can inhibit tumor cell proliferation and migration and induce apoptosis via pathways such as MEK/ERK and p38 MAPK. Conversely, other receptors, such as OR7C1, may serve as biomarkers for cancer-initiating cells. In conclusion, intestinal ORs represent a vital component of the gut’s sensory network. The review also discusses the translational potential of these findings. By elucidating the precise pairing relationships between dietary components and specific ORs, novel therapeutic strategies could be developed. Intestinal ORs may thus emerge as promising targets for nutritional and pharmacological interventions in metabolic diseases, inflammatory bowel diseases, and malignancies.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effectiveness of different bacterial cleaning methods and their effects on the general condition,nasal mucosal and systemic inflammation of mice.METHODS A total of 44 mice were randomly divided into six groups:4-antibiotic per os group(4ABX po)with 7 mice,5-antibiotic oral gavage group(5ABX og)with 8 mice,5-antibiotic intranasal group(5ABX in)with 8 mice,and each of their control groups with 7 mice.Body weight,water intake,and peripheral blood routine test of mice were measured.Bacterial culture of nasal lavage fluid(NLF)was performed;mRNA level of inflammatory mediators and histopathological analysis were conducted with mouse nasal mucosa.RESULTS Bacteria were cultured from all control groups,while Bacteria were cultured from all control groups,while one mouse in the 4ABX po group,three mice in the 5ABX og group,and two mice in the 5ABX in group showed no bacterial growth.The number of goblet cells in the nasal mucosa significantly increased in the 5ABX og group compared with its control group(P<0.05).The 5ABX in group exhibited significantly higher counts of peripheral blood lymphocytes and hemoglobin levels,as well as greater nasal mucosal thickness compared with its control group,with a notable decrease in goblet cells(P<0.05).No statistical differences were observed in body weight or the mRNA expression of nasal mucosal inflammatory mediators.CONCLUSION Different combinations of antibiotics and administration routes have varying effects on nasal bacteria,systemic and nasal mucosal inflammation in mice.Therefore,choosing appropriate protocols is crucial for the progression of subsequent research.

Liquiritigenin(LG)is a flavone of pharmacological importance,however,its application potential is severely limited due to its poor water solubility.LG could be disassociated slightly in water to form phenolate anion,therefore,better solubilization effect is expected by inclusion with cationic cyclodextrins(CCDs).In this work,four kinds of CCDs modified with amino groups at the primary face were synthesized,and their solid inclusion complexes with LG were successfully prepared by preparing their saturated solutions.The formation of the solid inclusion complexes was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy(SEM)and powder X-ray diffraction(PXRD),and their supramolecular binding behavior in solution was studied using multiple techniques.A 1∶1 inclusion stoichiometry of inclusion complexation was defined using Job plot by ultraviolet-visible(UV-vis)spectroscopy,and their binding stability constants(Ks)were determined as 2862.77,3494.70,6521.85 and 9599.48 L/mol using UV-vis spectroscopic titration,far more superior to that of nativeβ-CD(Ks=236.79 L/mol).This indicated that the amino side chains on CCDs could actively participate in the inclusion complexation through anion-cation interactions,significantly strengthening the host-guest binding between CCDs and LG.The inclusion modes were further elucidated based on proton and two-dimensional rotating-frame overhauser enhancement spectroscopy(2D-ROESY)nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR)experiments and molecular docking.Water solubility of LG was dramatically promoted up to 4.9 mg/mL,which was 70-fold higher than that of native LG.This study could draw inspiration for the binding and solubilization of phenols such as flavones by design of cationic macrocyclic molecules.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between ABO blood types and gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk. METHODS: A prospective birth cohort study was conducted. ABO blood types were determined using the slide method. GDM diagnosis was based on a 75-g, 2-h oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) according to the criteria of the International Association of Diabetes and Pregnancy Study Groups. Logistic regression was applied to calculate the odds ratios ( ORs) and 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) between ABO blood types and GDM risk. RESULTS: A total of 30,740 pregnant women with a mean age of 31.81 years were enrolled in this study. The ABO blood types distribution was: type O (30.99%), type A (26.58%), type B (32.20%), and type AB (10.23%). GDM was identified in 14.44% of participants. Using blood type O as a reference, GDM risk was not significantly higher for types A ( OR = 1.05) or B ( OR = 1.04). However, women with type AB had a 19% increased risk of GDM ( OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.05-1.34; P < 0.05), even after adjusting for various factors. This increased risk for type AB was consistent across subgroup and sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSION The ABO blood types may influence GDM risk, with type AB associated with a higher risk. Incorporating it-either as a single risk factor or in combination with other known factors-could help identify individuals at risk for GDM before or during early pregnancy.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Diabetes, Gestational/etiology* ; ABO Blood-Group System ; Adult ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: Recombination events are common and serve as the primary driving force of diverse human adenovirus (HAdV), particularly in children with acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs). Therefore, continual monitoring of these events is essential for effective viral surveillance and control. METHODS: Respiratory specimens were collected from children with ARIs between January 2022 and December 2023. The penton base, hexon, and fiber genes were amplified from HAdV-positive specimens and sequenced to determine the virus type. In cases with inconsistent typing results, genes were cloned into the pGEM-T vector to detect recombination events. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) was performed to characterize the recombinant HAdV genomes. RESULTS: Among 6,771 specimens, 277 (4.09%, 277/6,771) were positvie for HAdV, of which 157 (56.68%, 157/277) were successfully typed, with HAdV-B3 being the dominant type (91.08%, 143/157), and 14 (5.05%, 14/277) exhibited inconsistent typing results, six of which belonged to species B. The penton base genes of these six specimens were classified as HAdV-B7, whereas their hexon and fiber genes were classified as HAdV-B3, resulting in a recombinant genotype designated P7H3F3, which closely resembled HAdV-B114. Additionally, a partial gene encoding L1 52/55 kD was identified, which originated from HAdV-B16. CONCLUSION A novel recombinant, P7H3F3, was identified, containing sequences derived from HAdV-B3 and HAdV-B7, which is similar to HAdV-B114, along with additional sequences from HAdV-B16.
Humans ; Adenoviruses, Human/isolation & purification* ; Respiratory Tract Infections/epidemiology* ; Child, Preschool ; Child ; Recombination, Genetic ; Male ; Beijing/epidemiology* ; Infant ; Female ; Phylogeny ; Adenovirus Infections, Human/epidemiology* ; Acute Disease ; Genome, Viral

Objective To explore the protective effect of salidroside on retinal ganglion cells(RGC)in diabetic rats and its possible molecular mechanism.Methods Forty-five male SD rats were selected and randomly divided into the control group,the model group and the salidroside group,with 15 rats in each group.Diabetes models of rats were established in both the model group and the salidroside group.After successful modeling,rats in the salidroside group were given 50 mg/kg salidroside by gavage daily for 12 consecutive weeks,while rats in the model group received no further treatment.Rats in the control group were given the same amount of normal saline by gavage for 12 consecutive weeks.The fasting blood glucose of rats was detected every 4 weeks.After the experiment,the survival rate of rats in each group was calculated.Pathological HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of retinal tissue in rats,and RGC counting was performed.The contents of reactive oxygen species(ROS),superoxide dismutase(SOD),malondialdehyde(MAD)and catalase(CAT)in the retinal tissue of rats were detected by ELISA.Western blot was used to detect the expressions of heme oxygenase-1(HO-1),Kelch-like ECH associated protein 1(Keap1),and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(Nrf2)in the KEAP1-NrF2/HO-1 pathway.Results There was no statistically significant difference in the survival rate among the three groups of rats(P>0.05).The fasting blood glucose levels of rats in the control group fluctuated within the normal range at each time point.The fasting blood glucose levels of rats in the model group and the salidroside group were consistently higher than those in the control group(P<0.05).The fasting blood glucose level of rats in the salidroside group gradually decreased over time(P<0.05).Compared with the control group,the retinal thickness of rats in the model group became thinner,the cell arrangement showed obvious disordered phenomena,and there was obvious edema in the inner and outer nuclear layers and vacuole phenomena.The pathological changes of retinal tissue of rats in the salidroside group were improved compared with those in the model group.Compared with the control group,the contents of ROS and MAD and the protein expressions of Keap1 and Nrf2 in the retinal tissues of rats in the model group were significantly higher(P<0.05),while the contents of CAT and SOD,the number of RGC and the protein expression of HO-1 were significantly lower/less(P<0.05).After intervention with salidroside,the contents of each oxidative stress factor,the number of RGC,and the protein expressions of Keap1 and HO-1 of rats in the salidroside group were significantly reversed compared with the model group(P<0.05).Conclusion Intervention with salidroside can alleviate the oxidative stress response in the retina of diabetic rats and relieve RGC injury,which may exert its effect through the Keap1-Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.

The structure and potential antigenic epitopes of FliCEcN were analysed using bioinformat-ics technology.With the help of ClonExpress? homologous recombination technology,primers were designed to deletion of different structural domains in the highly variable region of FliCEcN and cloned into pET-28a(+)expression vector for expression.The expressed flagellin variants were identified by SDS-PAGE and Western blot.Endotoxin residues in the flagellin variants were detected by horseshoe crab reagent chromatography,and Caco-2 cells were stimulated with differ-ent concentrations of flagellin variants.The biological activity of each flagellin variant was assessed by detecting the secretion level of IL-8.Bioinformatic analysis showed that most of the structural domains in the highly variable region of FliCEcN were predicted to contain potential antigenic epitopes.PC R results showed that fliC△820-1 518,fliC△736-963,fliC△985-1 200,fliC △748-828,fliC△1 114-1 191,andfliC△1 225-1311 were approximately 1 095,1 566,1 578,1 713,1 716 and 1 707 bp,respectively.SDS-PAGE results showed that the sizes of the flagellin variants treated with nickel column purifi-cation and dialysis replication were about 41.36,57.06,57.50,61.97,61.95 and 61.56 kDa,respec-tively.Western blot results showed that all six flagellin variants reacted specifically with anti-His monoclonal antibody and E.coli H7 antigen diagnostic serum.The results of TLR5 activity assay showed that the flagellin variants missing different structural domains retained their TLR5 agonist function.In this study,six flagellin variants with different structural domains of FliCEcN deletion hypervariable region were successfully constructed,and all of them retained their TLR5 agonist function and showed good biological properties.This provides a reference for further research on the adjuvant effect of flagellin after deletion of different structural domains and the effect of flagel-lin antibody titer on its adjuvant effect.

Objective:To conduct signal detection and analysis of cardiovascular-related adverse events associated with second-generation H1 antihistamines(sgAH)in the elderly population, utilizing the Food and Drug Administration adverse event reporting system(FAERS)database.The findings provide a reference for assessing the clinical drug safety of sgAH in the elderly.Methods:A cross-sectional study was conducted.Four methods were utilized to detect signals of cardiovascular-related adverse events associated with sgAHs in the FAERS database, covering the period from the first quarter of 2004 to the first quarter of 2024.These methods included the reporting odds ratio, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency method, the Bayesian Confidence Propagation Neural Network method, and the multi-item gamma Poisson shrinker method.Subgroup analyses were performed on both the overall population and the elderly population(aged ≥65).Results:A total of 1 065 reports of cardiovascular-related adverse events involving sgAHs such as loratadine, desloratadine, cetirizine, levocetirizine, and fexofenadine were collected.In the overall population, palpitations were identified as a positive signal, while desloratadine also demonstrated positive signals for tachycardia and prolonged electrocardiogram QT interval.In the elderly population, both palpitations and prolonged electrocardiogram QT interval were recognized as positive signals, exhibiting higher information component(IC)values and empirical Bayesian geometric mean(EBGM)values compared to the overall population.Furthermore, loratadine and desloratadine were also identified as positive signals for prolonged electrocardiogram QT interval in the elderly.Conclusions:Palpitations have been identified as a significant indicator of cardiovascular-related adverse events associated with sgAHs.Elderly patients should be particularly vigilant regarding the risk of prolonged QT intervals on electrocardiograms.

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.