Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent and intractable ocular disease induced by a variety of causes. Elevated sphingomyelin (SM) levels and pro-inflammatory cytokines were detected on the ocular surface of DED patients, particularly in the meibomian glands. Sphingomyelin synthase 2 (SMS2), one of the proteins involved in SM synthesis, would light a novel way of developing a DED therapy strategy. Herein, we report the design and optimization of a series of novel thiophene carboxamide derivatives to afford 14l with an improved highly potent inhibitory activity on SM synthesis (IC_{50, SMS2} = 28 nmol/L). Moreover, 14l exhibited a notable protective effect of anti-inflammation and anti-apoptosis on human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC) under TNF-α-hyperosmotic stress conditions in vitro, with an acceptable ocular specific distribution (corneas and meibomian glands) and pharmacokinetics (PK) profiles (t _{1/2, cornea} = 1.11 h; t _{1/2, meibomian glands} = 4.32 h) in rats. Furthermore, 14l alleviated the dry eye symptoms including corneal fluorescein staining scores and tear secretion in a dose-dependent manner in mice. Mechanically, 14l reduced the mRNA expression of Tnf-α, Il-1β and Mmp-9 in corneas, as well as the proportion of very long chain SM in meibomian glands. Our findings provide a new strategy for DED therapy based on selective SMS2 inhibitors.

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 explore the value of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and interleukin (IL)-33 in the early diagnosis of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI).Methods:It was a prospective cohort study. The clinical data of patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) in Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University from December 2022 to December 2023 were collected. The main indicators of NETs included myeloperoxidase (MPO), neutrophil elastase (NE), citrullinated histone H3 (H3Cit) and antimicrobial peptide LL-37 amide (LL-37). Serum samples were collected before CAG, and 2 hours and 12 hours after CAG, and the levels of MPO, NE, H3Cit, LL-37, IL-33 and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were detected. The differences of clinical data between CIAKI group and non-CIAKI group were compared. Multivariate logistic regression model was applied to analyze the risk factors of CIAKI. The receiver- operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the predictive performance of biomarkers. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlations among those biomarkers.Results:A total of 280 eligible patients with CAG were included in this study, with age of (65±13) years and 203 males (72.5%). The incidence rate of CIAKI was 11.8% (33/280). Compared with non-CIAKI group, the proportions of diabetes ( χ2=5.302, P=0.021), preoperative positive urine protein ( χ2=6.871, P=0.009), taking beta-blockers ( χ2=4.580, P=0.032), diuretics ( χ2=21.987, P<0.001) and calcium channel blocker ( χ2=10.424, P=0.001), preoperative blood glucose ( Z=2.807, P=0.005), preoperative blood urea nitrogen ( Z=2.504, P=0.012), neutrophil at 24 hours after CAG ( Z=2.173, P=0.030), serum creatinine at 24 hours after CAG ( Z=4.000, P<0.001), and blood urea nitrogen at 24 hours after CAG ( Z=4.459, P<0.001) were higher, while the preoperative hemoglobin ( Z=-2.380, P=0.017) and serum albumin ( Z=-2.556, P=0.011) were lower in CIAKI group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increasing neutrophil at 24 hours after CAG ( OR=1.180，95% CI 1.037-1.341), diuretics ( OR=5.615，95% CI 2.294-13.745) and calcium channel blockers ( OR=3.141，95% CI 1.374-7.182) were independent influencing factors of CIAKI. There were statistically significant differences in the levels of serum NE, MPO, H3Cit, LL-37, NGAL and IL-33 among before CAG, 2 hours after CAG and 12 hours after CAG in the overall population, CIAKI group and non-CIAKI group (all P<0.05). In addition, the changes of IL-33 before CAG and 12 hours after CAG was positively correlated with the changes of MPO, NE, H3Cit, LL-37, NGAL, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen before CAG and 12 hours after CAG (all P<0.05). The levels of NE ( Z=3.435, P=0.001; Z=6.164， P<0.001), MPO ( Z=3.627, P<0.001; Z=4.729, P<0.001), H3Cit ( Z=5.174, P<0.001; Z=6.241, P<0.001), LL-37 ( Z=4.986, P<0.001; Z=6.346, P<0.001), NGAL ( Z=2.956, P=0.003; Z=4.263, P<0.001) and IL-33 ( Z=5.056, P<0.001; Z=6.240, P<0.001) in CIAKI group at 2 h and 12 h after CAG were significantly higher than those in non-CIAKI group. The receiver-operating characteristic curve indicated that the combined AUC of neutrophil 24 hours after CAG, diuretics and calcium channel blockers in predicting CIAKI was 0.791. NE ( AUC=0.701), MPO ( AUC=0.712), H3Cit ( AUC=0.777), LL-37 ( AUC=0.767) and IL-33 ( AUC=0.795) at 2 hours after CAG predicted CIAKI relatively well. NE ( AUC=0.865), MPO ( AUC=0.758), H3Cit ( AUC=0.834), LL-37 ( AUC=0.840) and IL-33 ( AUC=0.867) at 12 hours after CAG had better prediction effect for CIAKI. The AUC of NETs combined with IL-33 in predicting CIAKI at 2 hours and 12 hours after CAG was 0.874 and 0.956, respectively. Conclusions:CIAKI patients exhibit elevated levels of NETs and IL-33. Serum MPO, NE, H3Cit, LL-37 and IL-33 at 12 hours after CAG can predict the occurrence of CIAKI. The combination of NETs and IL-33 is more effective in predicting CIAKI.

This study employed the "disease-medicine-dose" pattern to mine the medication rules of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) prescriptions containing Astragali Radix in ancient Chinese medical books, aiming to provide a scientific basis for the clinical application of Astragali Radix and the development of new medicines. The TCM prescriptions containing Astragali Radix were retrieved from databases such as Chinese Medical Dictionary and imported into Excel 2020 to construct the prescription library. Statical analysis were performed for the prescriptions regarding the indications, syndromes, medicine use frequency, herb effects, nature and taste, meridian tropism, dosage forms, and dose. SPSS statistics 26.0 and IBM SPSS Modeler 18.0 were used for association rules analysis and cluster analysis. A total of 2 297 prescriptions containing Astragali Radix were collected, involving 233 indications, among which sore and ulcer, consumptive disease, sweating disorder, and apoplexy had high frequency(>25), and their syndromes were mainly Qi and blood deficiency, Qi and blood deficiency, Yin and Yang deficiency, and Qi deficiency and collateral obstruction, respectively. In the prescriptions, 98 medicines were used with the frequency >25 and they mainly included Qi-tonifying medicines and blood-tonifying medicines. Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, Angelicae Sinensis Radix, Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma, Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma, and Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium were frequently used. The medicines with high frequency mainly have warm or cold nature, and sweet, pungent, or bitter taste, with tropism to spleen, lung, heart, liver, and kidney meridians. In the treatment of sore and ulcer, Astragali Radix was mainly used with the dose of 3.73 g and combined with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to promote granulation and heal up sores. In the treatment of consumptive disease, Astragali Radix was mainly used with the dose of 37.30 g and combined with Ginseng Radix et Rhizoma to tonify deficiency and replenish Qi. In the treatment of sweating disorder, Astragali Radix was mainly used with the dose of 3.73 g and combined with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to consolidate exterior and stop sweating. In the treatment of apoplexy, Astragali Radix was mainly used with the dose of 7.46 g and combined with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma to dispell wind and stop convulsions. Astragali Radix can be used in the treatment of multiple system diseases, with the effects of tonifying Qi and ascending Yang, consolidating exterior and stopping sweating, and expressing toxin and promoting granulation. According to the manifestations of different diseases, when combined with other medicines, Astragali Radix was endowed with the effects of promoting granulation and healing up sores, tonifying deficiency and Qi, consolidating exterior and stopping sweating, and dispelling wind and replenishing Qi. The findings provide a theoretical reference and a scientific basis for the clinical application of Astragali Radix and the development of new medicines.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/history* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/history* ; History, Ancient ; Astragalus Plant/chemistry* ; China ; Astragalus propinquus

Obesity is a significant risk factor for cancer and is associated with breast cancer metastasis. Nevertheless, the mechanism by which alterations in systemic metabolism affect tumor microenvironment (TME) and consequently influence tumor metastasis remains inadequately understood. Herein, we found that perturbations in circulating metabolites induced by obesity promote metastasis-like phenotypes in breast cancer. Oleoylcarnitine (OLCarn) concentrations were elevated in the serum of obese mice and humans. Administration of exogenous OLCarn induces metastasis-like characteristics in breast cancer cells. Mechanistically, OLCarn directly interacts with the Arg176 site of adenylate cyclase 10 (ADCY10), leading to the activation of ADCY10 and enhancement of cAMP production. Mutations at Arg176 prevent OLCarn from binding to ADCY10, disrupting the ADCY10-mediated activation of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway. This activation promotes transcription factor 4 (TCF4)-dependent kinesin family member C1 (KIFC1) transcription, thereby driving breast cancer metastasis. Conversely, the neutralization of both ADCY10 and KIFC1 through knockdown or pharmacological inhibition abrogates the oncogenic effects mediated by OLCarn. Hence, obesity-induced systemic environmental changes lead to the aberrant accumulation of OLCarn within the TME, making it a potential therapeutic target and biomarker for breast cancer.

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 explore the value of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) and interleukin (IL)-33 in the early diagnosis of contrast-induced acute kidney injury (CIAKI).Methods:It was a prospective cohort study. The clinical data of patients who underwent coronary angiography (CAG) in Sir Run Run Hospital, Nanjing Medical University from December 2022 to December 2023 were collected. The main indicators of NETs included myeloperoxidase (MPO), neutrophil elastase (NE), citrullinated histone H3 (H3Cit) and antimicrobial peptide LL-37 amide (LL-37). Serum samples were collected before CAG, and 2 hours and 12 hours after CAG, and the levels of MPO, NE, H3Cit, LL-37, IL-33 and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin (NGAL) were detected. The differences of clinical data between CIAKI group and non-CIAKI group were compared. Multivariate logistic regression model was applied to analyze the risk factors of CIAKI. The receiver- operating characteristic curve was used to evaluate the predictive performance of biomarkers. Spearman correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlations among those biomarkers.Results:A total of 280 eligible patients with CAG were included in this study, with age of (65±13) years and 203 males (72.5%). The incidence rate of CIAKI was 11.8% (33/280). Compared with non-CIAKI group, the proportions of diabetes ( χ2=5.302, P=0.021), preoperative positive urine protein ( χ2=6.871, P=0.009), taking beta-blockers ( χ2=4.580, P=0.032), diuretics ( χ2=21.987, P<0.001) and calcium channel blocker ( χ2=10.424, P=0.001), preoperative blood glucose ( Z=2.807, P=0.005), preoperative blood urea nitrogen ( Z=2.504, P=0.012), neutrophil at 24 hours after CAG ( Z=2.173, P=0.030), serum creatinine at 24 hours after CAG ( Z=4.000, P<0.001), and blood urea nitrogen at 24 hours after CAG ( Z=4.459, P<0.001) were higher, while the preoperative hemoglobin ( Z=-2.380, P=0.017) and serum albumin ( Z=-2.556, P=0.011) were lower in CIAKI group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that increasing neutrophil at 24 hours after CAG ( OR=1.180，95% CI 1.037-1.341), diuretics ( OR=5.615，95% CI 2.294-13.745) and calcium channel blockers ( OR=3.141，95% CI 1.374-7.182) were independent influencing factors of CIAKI. There were statistically significant differences in the levels of serum NE, MPO, H3Cit, LL-37, NGAL and IL-33 among before CAG, 2 hours after CAG and 12 hours after CAG in the overall population, CIAKI group and non-CIAKI group (all P<0.05). In addition, the changes of IL-33 before CAG and 12 hours after CAG was positively correlated with the changes of MPO, NE, H3Cit, LL-37, NGAL, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen before CAG and 12 hours after CAG (all P<0.05). The levels of NE ( Z=3.435, P=0.001; Z=6.164， P<0.001), MPO ( Z=3.627, P<0.001; Z=4.729, P<0.001), H3Cit ( Z=5.174, P<0.001; Z=6.241, P<0.001), LL-37 ( Z=4.986, P<0.001; Z=6.346, P<0.001), NGAL ( Z=2.956, P=0.003; Z=4.263, P<0.001) and IL-33 ( Z=5.056, P<0.001; Z=6.240, P<0.001) in CIAKI group at 2 h and 12 h after CAG were significantly higher than those in non-CIAKI group. The receiver-operating characteristic curve indicated that the combined AUC of neutrophil 24 hours after CAG, diuretics and calcium channel blockers in predicting CIAKI was 0.791. NE ( AUC=0.701), MPO ( AUC=0.712), H3Cit ( AUC=0.777), LL-37 ( AUC=0.767) and IL-33 ( AUC=0.795) at 2 hours after CAG predicted CIAKI relatively well. NE ( AUC=0.865), MPO ( AUC=0.758), H3Cit ( AUC=0.834), LL-37 ( AUC=0.840) and IL-33 ( AUC=0.867) at 12 hours after CAG had better prediction effect for CIAKI. The AUC of NETs combined with IL-33 in predicting CIAKI at 2 hours and 12 hours after CAG was 0.874 and 0.956, respectively. Conclusions:CIAKI patients exhibit elevated levels of NETs and IL-33. Serum MPO, NE, H3Cit, LL-37 and IL-33 at 12 hours after CAG can predict the occurrence of CIAKI. The combination of NETs and IL-33 is more effective in predicting CIAKI.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) plays a crucial role in maintaining the homeostasis of the brain's internal environment, which poses challenges to the treatment of central nervous system diseases. Drug carriers can aid in the delivery of therapeutic agents across the BBB to exert their pharmacological effects. The article reviewed the pathways for drug delivery across the BBB, the intracerebral fate and the classification of drug carriers and focuses on the functions and characteristics of liposomes, exosomes, apoptotic bodies, cell-penetrating peptides, and cell-targeting peptides. The review will provide an outlook on the future and challenge of research in the field of drug delivery across the BBB.

Radiotherapy is widely used in the management of advanced colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the clinical efficacy is limited by the safe irradiated dose. Sensitizing tumor cells to radiotherapy via interrupting DNA repair is a promising approach to conquering the limitation. The BRCA1-BARD1 complex has been demonstrated to play a critical role in homologous recombination (HR) DSB repair, and its functions may be affected by HERC2 or BAP1. Accumulated evidence illustrates that the ubiquitination-deubiquitination balance is involved in these processes; however, the precise mechanism for the cross-talk among these proteins in HR repair following radiation hasn't been defined. Through activity-based profiling, we identified PT33 as an active entity for HR repair suppression. Subsequently, we revealed that BAP1 serves as a novel molecular target of PT33 via a CRISPR-based deubiquitinase screen. Mechanistically, pharmacological covalent inhibition of BAP1 with PT33 recruits HERC2 to compete with BARD1 for BRCA1 interaction, interrupting HR repair. Consequently, PT33 treatment can substantially enhance the sensitivity of CRC cells to radiotherapy in vitro and in vivo. Overall, these findings provide a mechanistic basis for PT33-induced HR suppression and may guide an effective strategy to improve therapeutic gain.

Tumor brings great threat to human public health. In recent years, incidence rate and mortality of tumor were rapidly increased in the world. Anti-tumor therapies have undergone the development of cytotoxic therapy, targeted therapy, and immunotherapy. Among them, tumor immunotherapy is rapidly developed and becomes an important anti-tumor therapy in recent years, although it also brings some related side effects. Tumor microenvironment (TME) is composed of immune cells, vascular vessels, fibroblasts, the extracellular matrix, etc. TME significantly affects the efficacy of immunotherapy. Macrophages in the TME are named as tumor associated macrophages (TAMs). Recently, increasing studies have shown that TAMs play an important role in the regulation of tumor immunity, especially in tumor immune surveillance and immune escape. Currently, more and more anti-tumor immunotherapy strategies targeting TAMs are at the development stage. Based on the important role of TAMs in the TME and their potential as therapeutic targets in tumor immunotherapy, we first reviewed the subtypes and functions of TAMs, as well as the roles of TAMs in tumors. Furthermore, we summarized the research progress on anti-tumor strategies targeting TAMs and the current status of drug targeting TAMs. The current review will provide new ideas and novel insights for tumor immunotherapy.