Bile acids,as important signaling molecules,regulate a complex metabolic network by binding to various membrane receptors and nuclear receptors such as farnesoid X receptor(FXR),Takeda G protein-coupled recep-tor 5(TGR5),and sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 2(S1PR2).Studies have shown that bile acids are closely related to the occurrence and development of various metabolic cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases.For instance,activa-tion of TGR5 can reduce foam cell formation and atherosclerotic lesions,FXR modulates lipid metabolism by inhibiting genes of triglyceride synthesis,and ursodeoxycholic acid effectively reduces pro-inflammatory cytokines,improves peripheral microcirculation and decreases the risk of heart failure.This study provides an overview of the biosynthesis and metabo-lism of bile acids,the pathways and functions of major bile acid receptors,and the relationship between bile acids and the development of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases,aiming to offer a reference for mechanistic research and drug development targeting bile acid receptors.

Background::The increasing incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) presents significant medical and societal challenges. A well-designed IBD database is crucial for both epidemiological studies and clinical management. However, inconsistencies between regional databases hinder cross-institutional and international research, especially between Eastern and Western societies.Methods::We developed a new IBD database, the 301 IBD database, integrating the IBD clinical characteristics from the Penn IBD database (USA) and the latest IBD guidelines and consensus and clinical practices of the Chinese PLA General Hospital (PLAGH). We applied this database to analyze clinical data of IBD inpatients at PLAGH from 2008 to 2023.Results::The 301 IBD database contains 490 items in 6 sections including demographic characteristics, personal history, clinical phenotype, disease activity, laboratory tests and examinations, and treatment. Features of the 301 IBD database include inpatient focus, biochemical indicators and opportunistic infection focus, and more about ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated complications. Single-center analysis revealed an increasing hospitalization trend, from 2.35% in 2008 to 3.94% in 2023. We found that the clinical characteristics of our UC inpatients are predominantly male (62.5%), extensive lesions (55.1%), low usage of biologics (4.1%), and a high incidence of UC-CRC (3.0%). The clinical characteristics of CD inpatients included male predominance (68.39%), early onset age (35.43 ± 14.75-year-old), and high rate of surgery (25.81%).Conclusion::The 301 IBD database, integrating Eastern and Western clinical data, provides a valuable tool for IBD clinical research. Future international, multicenter collaborations are expected to further enhance its utility.

Maternal obesity has been shown to exert adverse transgenerational effects on offspring ovarian function,characterized by reduced ovarian follicle reserve,impaired granulosa cell function,and disrupted reproductive cycles.The underlying mechanisms involve cellular stress-induced damage characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction,oxidative stress,and apoptosis,as well as dysregulation in key regulatory pathways such as ovarian hormone secretion,gene expression,and epigenetic modifications.This review synthesizes existing evidence on how maternal obesity-induced acute stress and chronic genetic/epigenetic alterations jointly contribute to offspring ovarian impairment.The findings elu-cidate the complex relationship between maternal metabolic status and offspring reproductive health,providing a robust theoretical foundation for refining prenatal management and developing targeted intervention strategies.

Aim To investigate the effect of adenovirus(ADV)-mediated Profurin(PF)expression on the plaque stability of ApoE-/-mice.Methods ApoE-/-mice were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks,and then treated with ADV-mediated PF intervention,followed by high-fat diet for 4 weeks.Aortic roots were isolated for atherosclerotic plaque area analysis and immunohistochemical analysis.Plasma phospholipid transfer protein(PLTP)activity was detec-ted by fluorescence donor essay,plasma total cholesterol(TC)and triglyceride(TG)were measured by enzyme assay kits,and fast protein liquid chromatography was used for lipoprotein profile analysis.Results Compared with the con-trol group,the plasma TC and TG levels,PLTP activity and circulating tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)levels in ADV-PF group were significantly decreased(P＜0.01).In the ADV-PF group,there was no significant change in atherosclerotic lesions on the inner surface of the full-length aorta,but the plaque area and lipid area in the aortic root were reduced(P＜0.01),the content of macrophages was significantly decreased(P＜0.01),and the smooth muscle cells and collagen area were not significantly different.The content of matrix metalloproteinase-9 in plaque was signifi-cantly decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Overexpression of PF can alleviate atherosclerosis and reduce the levels of circulating inflammatory factors to a certain extent,and effectively improve the plaque stability of ApoE-/-mice.

Objective: To analyze epidemiological trends and changing characteristics of syphilis among students in Yunnan Province from 2005 to 2023, so as to provide evidence for the comprehensive prevention and control of syphilis in schools. Methods: The case data of syphilis among students in Yunnan Province from 2005 to 2023 were obtained from the China Information System for Disease Control and Prevention. The Joinpoint regression model was used to conduct a time trend analysis of the reported incidence rate of syphilis. Results: From 2005 to 2023, a cumulative total of 3 191 cases of syphilis were reported in schools in Yunnan Province(1 248 male cases and 1 943 female cases). The reported incidence rate rose continuously from 0.17/100 000 in 2005 to 8.26/100 000 in 2023, with an average annual percent change (AAPC) of 24.89%( Z =13.18, P <0.01). The reported incidence rate was higher in female students than in male students ( χ 2=229.48, P <0.05). The incidence rates in the primary school, junior high school, senior high school and higher education were 0.21/100 000, 2.42/100 000, 4.45/100 000 and 6.29/100 000 respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2=3 432.84, P <0.05). The average annual growth rate was the highest in the junior high school stage(AAPC= 30.68% , Z =7.57, P <0.05),followed by the senior high school stage (AAPC=24.28%, Z = 5.70 , P <0.05).The reported incidence rate of primary and secondary syphilis increased from 0.12/100 000 in 2005 to 2.06/ 100 000 in 2023, with an AAPC of 16.86% ( Z = 4.57, P <0.05). Conclusions The overall reported incidence rate of syphilis among students in schools in Yunnan Province shows a sustained upward trend, with the most rapid annual increase observed in junior high schools. Schools should prioritize syphilis education and expand awareness campaigns to curb transmission.

AIM: To explore the factors affecting the whole-eye astigmatism after pterygium excision combined with autologous limbal stem cell transplantation.METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical records of 42 patients(42 eyes)with primary pterygium admitted in the ophthalmology department of Xijing Hospital from January 2023 to October 2023. They underwent pterygium excision combined with autologous limbal stem cell transplantation. The maximum invasion depth of pterygium into the cornea was measured with anterior segment optical coherence tomography(AS-OCT)before operation, the length of the pterygium invading cornea, the width of the limbus and the area of the invading cornea were measured during the operation, and three-dimensional values of corneal astigmatism of anterior segment, index of surface variance(ISV), index of vertical asymmetry(IVA), best corrected visual acuity(BCVA)and whole-eye astigmatism were collected before and at 1 mo after surgery. Patients with astigmatism ≤0.50 D or >0.50 D of the whole eye at 1 mo after surgery were assigned to group A and B, respectively. The differences of clinical data before and at 1 mo after surgery between the two groups, and the correlation between pre-operative clinical indicators and whole-eye astigmatism were analyzed. The decision tree algorithm was performed to explore the influencing factors of whole-eye astigmatism at 1 mo postoperatively.RESULTS: The maximum invasion depth of pterygium in the group A was significantly less than that in the group B [80.00(40.00, 180.00)μm vs 175.00(123.00, 190.00)μm, P=0.002]. Preoperative BCVA(LogMAR), whole-eye astigmatism, cornea astigmatism, ISV, IVA and maximum invasion depth of pterygium were positively correlated with whole-eye astigmatism at 1 mo after surgery(rs=0.317, P=0.041; rs=0.545, P<0.001; rs=0.448, P=0.003; rs=0.389, P=0.011; rs=0.382, P=0.013; rs=0.391, P=0.010). The decision tree algorithm screened out two influential factors: the maximum invasion depth of pterygium into the cornea and preoperative whole-eye astigmatism. The risk of whole-eye astigmatism >0.50 D at 1 mo after operation was higher with maximum invasion depth of pterygium into the cornea >95 μm than that with ≤95 μm. Among the patients with whole-eye astigmatism >2.63 D before operation, the probability of residual whole-eye astigmatism >0.50 D was 88.9%, and the predictive model AUC was 0.804.CONCLUSION: The whole-eye astigmatism after pterygium resection is mainly affected by the maximum invasion depth of pterygium into the cornea and preoperative whole-eye astigmatism. When the maximum invasion depth of pterygium into the corneal is >95 μm and the whole-eye stigmatism is >2.63 D before surgery, the patient should receive surgical treatment as soon as possible in order to obtain good clinical benefits.

AIM:To investigate the effect of plasmin on epithelial sodium channel γ-subunit(γ-ENaC)acti-vation in mouse M-1 cells and the role of nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB).METHODS:Mouse M-1 cells were divided into three experimental parts.In the first part,the cells were divided into a control group,a plasmin group,and a plasmin+BAY 11-7082(NF-κB inhibitor)group to explore the effects of plasmin on inflammatory factors and γ-ENaC.In the sec-ond part,the cells were divided into a control group,a BAY 11-7082 group and a BAY 11-7082+plasmin group.M-1 cells were pretreated with BAY 11-7082 to explore the role of NF-κB in the regulation of γ-ENaC expression by plasmin.In the third part,the cells were divided into a control group,a plasmin group and an interleukin-6(IL-6)group.M-1 cells were treated with plasmin or IL-6 to explore the regulatory effect of IL-6 downstream of NF-κB on γ-ENaC.After drug interven-tion,the levels of IL-6,tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1)and IL-1β in cell culture supernatants were detected by ELISA.The protein levels of phosphorylated inhibitor of nuclear factor-κB α(p-IκBα)/IκBα,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65,and γ-ENaC was detected by Western blot.The distribution of γ-ENaC on the membrane was detected by immunofluorescence staining.RESULTS:Compared with control group,the levels of IL-6,TNF-α,MCP-1 and IL-1β in the supernatants of cells treated with 10 mg/L plasmin for 24 h were increased(n=3,P<0.01),the protein levels of p-IκBα/IκBα,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 and γ-ENaC were increased(n=5,P<0.01),and the distribution of γ-ENaC on the membrane was increased.Compared with plasmin group,the levels of IL-6,TNF-α,MCP-1,IL-1β,p-IκBα/IκBα,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 and γ-ENaC,and the γ-ENaC distribution on the membrane were lowered in plasmin and BAY 11-7082 coculture group(n=3,P<0.05 or P<0.01).Compared with control group,the ratio of p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 decreased in BAY 11-7082 group(n=5,P<0.05),whereas there was no significant change in γ-ENaC.After stimulation with plasmin,the levels of p-IκBα/IκBα,p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65 and γ-ENaC in-creased(n=5,P<0.05 or P<0.01),and the γ-ENaC distribution on the membrane increased.Treatment with IL-6,downstream of NF-κB,increased the protein expression of γ-ENaC(n=5,P<0.05)and the distribution of γ-ENaC on the membrane after 24 h of intervention.CONCLUSION:The regulation of γ-ENaC expression by plasmin in mouse M-1 cells is related to the abnormal increase in inflammatory factors after NF-κB activation.

Background::The increasing incidence of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) presents significant medical and societal challenges. A well-designed IBD database is crucial for both epidemiological studies and clinical management. However, inconsistencies between regional databases hinder cross-institutional and international research, especially between Eastern and Western societies.Methods::We developed a new IBD database, the 301 IBD database, integrating the IBD clinical characteristics from the Penn IBD database (USA) and the latest IBD guidelines and consensus and clinical practices of the Chinese PLA General Hospital (PLAGH). We applied this database to analyze clinical data of IBD inpatients at PLAGH from 2008 to 2023.Results::The 301 IBD database contains 490 items in 6 sections including demographic characteristics, personal history, clinical phenotype, disease activity, laboratory tests and examinations, and treatment. Features of the 301 IBD database include inpatient focus, biochemical indicators and opportunistic infection focus, and more about ulcerative colitis (UC)-associated complications. Single-center analysis revealed an increasing hospitalization trend, from 2.35% in 2008 to 3.94% in 2023. We found that the clinical characteristics of our UC inpatients are predominantly male (62.5%), extensive lesions (55.1%), low usage of biologics (4.1%), and a high incidence of UC-CRC (3.0%). The clinical characteristics of CD inpatients included male predominance (68.39%), early onset age (35.43 ± 14.75-year-old), and high rate of surgery (25.81%).Conclusion::The 301 IBD database, integrating Eastern and Western clinical data, provides a valuable tool for IBD clinical research. Future international, multicenter collaborations are expected to further enhance its utility.

Maternal obesity has been shown to exert adverse transgenerational effects on offspring ovarian function,characterized by reduced ovarian follicle reserve,impaired granulosa cell function,and disrupted reproductive cycles.The underlying mechanisms involve cellular stress-induced damage characterized by mitochondrial dysfunction,oxidative stress,and apoptosis,as well as dysregulation in key regulatory pathways such as ovarian hormone secretion,gene expression,and epigenetic modifications.This review synthesizes existing evidence on how maternal obesity-induced acute stress and chronic genetic/epigenetic alterations jointly contribute to offspring ovarian impairment.The findings elu-cidate the complex relationship between maternal metabolic status and offspring reproductive health,providing a robust theoretical foundation for refining prenatal management and developing targeted intervention strategies.