Licochalcone E is a chalcone isolated from Glycyrrhiza uralensis and G. inflata Batal. This study explored the effect of licochalcone E on improving hepatic steatosis in obese mice and evaluated the role of licochalcone E in regulating lipid accumulation in hepatocytes. In vitro, oleic acid–induced hepatocytes were treated with licochalcone E to investigate its effect on lipid metabolic pathways. In animal experiments, male C57BL/6 mice were fed with a high-fat diet (HFD) and treated with licochalcone E by intraperitoneal injection for 12 weeks to assess its effects on biochemical indexes and hepatic steatosis. Furthermore, mice were fed a methionine/choline-deficient (MCD) diet and administered licochalcone E, followed by evaluation of liver fibrosis. Licochalcone E effectively reduced body weight, epididymal and inguinal fat weight, and adipocyte size in HFD-induced obese mice. Licochalcone E treatment of obese mice also reduced hepatic lipid accumulation and improved hepatocyte steatosis. Licochalcone E regulated the expression of lipogenesis- and lipolysis-related genes in the livers of obese mice and increased AMPK phosphorylation and Sirt1 expression in the liver. Licochalcone E also attenuated hepatic inflammation and oxidative stress in obese mice. Furthermore, treatment of MCD-induced mice with licochalcone E reduced the number of lipid vacuoles and the extent of fibrosis and inhibited liver inflammation. In FL83B hepatocytes, licochalcone E could regulate lipogenesis and lipolysis, and increase the phosphorylation of AMPK and ACC. These findings provide new insights into the role of licochalcone E in regulating lipid metabolism and preventing hepatic steatosis.

Objective This study reports on the obligatory parasitism of water mites Arrenurus sp. on Anopheles messeae at the Manzhouli Port, Inner Mongolia, China. Methods Duing July 2024, a survey on the mosquito diversity was conducted at the Manzhouli Port. Captured mosquitoes and their ectoparasites were identified to species level. Results A total of 1840 adult mosquitoes were collected, representing species from three genera: Culex(Cx. modestus, Cx. pipiens pallens), Aedes(Ae. dorsalis, Ae. flavidorsalis, Ae. flavescens), and Anopheles (An. messeae). Among all the mosqutioes specimens,3 out of 150 captured An. messeae were found to carry ectoparasitic mites, with number of 2,4,27 mites separately. Morphological and molecular identification reached the same result as water mites(Hydrachnidiae, Hydracrina). COI gene sequence showed 94% similarity with the closest species Arrenurus truncatellus. Conlusions Literature review suggests water mites are host-specific parasitism of mosquito species and herein with the first record of Arrenurus sp. parasiting on An. Messeae in the most high-latitude region globally.

It is considered that although meibomian gland dysfunction （MGD）-associated dry eye is mainly manifested by signs of dryness such as ocular dryness and burning sensation， it may also be accompanied by signs of dampness， including thick meibomian secretions， epigastric and abdominal fullness， and a greasy tongue coating， thus presenting a pattern characterized by the coexistence of dryness and dampness. Based on LIU Wansu's theory of "promoting the flow of dampness to moisten dryness"， this disease is understood from the perspectives of an imbalance between dryness and dampness in the middle jiao （焦） and abnormal distribution of body fluids. For dampness and turbidity constraint and stagnation， treatment should focus on diffusing the lung， fortifying the spleen， promoting the flow of dampness， and resolving turbidity， with modified Sanren Decoction （三仁汤） combined with Shenling Baizhu Powder （参苓白术散） commonly used. For steaming of dampness-heat， treatment should focus on clearing heat， draining dampness， and moistening dryness with sweet and cool medicinals， with modified Jinzhi Qingmu Formula （金栀清目方） combined with Shashen Maidong Decoction （沙参麦冬汤） commonly used. For dryness-toxin damaging the physical form， treatment should focus on nourishing yin and blood， unblocking the collaterals， and resolving toxins， with modified Qiju Dihuang Pill （杞菊地黄丸） combined with Taohong Siwu Decoction （桃红四物汤） commonly used.

Mineral oil contaminants composed of saturated hydrocarbons(MOSH)and aromatic hydrocarbons(MOAH)are commonly found in edible oils and related processed foods.Currently,the analysis of mineral oils primarily employs the liquid chromatography-gas chromatography-flame ionization detector(LC-GC-FID)method.Liquid chromatography is used to purify and separate MOSH and MOAH from interfering substances,and the interface technology transfers MOSH or MOAH into different GC channels for quantitative analysis.The MOSH and MOAH chromatograms typically exhibit an irregular hump shape,with sharp peaks above the hump representing natural hydrocarbon interferences,which usually do not affect the identification of the hump profile.However,when the purification of interferences is incomplete,they can form one or more gaps above the hump,interfering with the accurate judgment and delineation of the hump profile,and leading to poor reproducibility of analysis results of mineral oil.In this study,an algorithm that mimicked the manual drawing of the hump shape or contour was proposed for automatically determining the mineral oil hump contour(i.e.,the lower envelope line).The algorithm used a multiple second-order difference quotient filtering method to identify and remove the gaps above the hump.The method involved first searching and determining the lowest value of the mineral oil hump,which was the valley point sequence,and then applying second-order difference quotient filtering to the valley point sequence.Compared to the hump,the second-order difference quotient of sharp peaks was a significantly larger negative value.By filtering out the points in the valley point sequence with larger negative second-order difference quotients(or multiple second-order difference quotients),the sharp peaks above the hump were removed.To verify the accuracy of the algorithm,42 different types of samples,including edible oils and milk powders were analyzed,using both the automatic algorithm and manual methods.The results showed that there were no significant differences in the detected mineral oil contents between these two methods.

Objective:To explore inhibitory effect of Tianzhi granule on neuroinflammation in vascular dementia(VD)rats.Methods:Sixty rats were randomly divided into Sham group,VD group,TZG-L group and TZG-H group,with 15 rats in each group.Bilateral common carotid artery occlusion was used to construct VD rats model,Sham group was not ligated.Rats in TZG-L group and TZG-H group were gavaged with Tianzhi granule 5 g/kg,20 g/kg every day,while rats in Sham group and VD group were gavaged with same amount of normal saline for 8 weeks.Y-maze test was used to detect cognitive ability of rats;Nissl staining and FJC staining were used to assess neuronal damage;TUNEL staining was used to detect neuronal apoptosis;immunofluorescence staining and Western blot were used to detect Bcl-2,Bax,Caspase-3,NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,IL-1β,IL-18,TNF-α,Iba-1,GFAP,MPO,Nrf2,HO-1 protein levels in temporal cortex tissue.PC12 cells was divided into Control group,Glutamate group,TZG-L group and TZG-H group.Glutamate(20 μmol/L)was used to construct neuron injury model.TZG-L group and TZG-H group were added with Tianzhi granule 1 mg/ml,4 mg/ml.Neurons in each group were incubated for 48 h.CCK8 method and TUNEL staining were used to detect activity and apoptosis of neurons;immunofluorescence staining and Western blot were used to detect Bcl-2,Bax,Caspase-3,Nrf2,HO-1 protein levels in cells.Results:Compared with Sham group,cognitive ability of rats in VD group were decreased,TUNEL positive neurons ratio was increased,Bcl-2 level was decreased,Bax,Caspase-3,NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,IL-1β,IL-18,TNF-α,Iba-1,GFAP,MPO,Nrf2,HO-1 levels were increased(all P<0.05).Compared with VD group,cognitive ability of rats in TZG-L group and TZG-H group were increased,TUNEL positive neurons ratio was decreased,Bcl-2,Nrf2,HO-1 levels were increased,Bax,Caspase-3,NLRP3,ASC,Caspase-1,IL-1β,IL-18,TNF-α,Iba-1,GFAP,MPO levels were decreased(all P<0.05).Morphology of neurons in control group were normal;compared with control group,neurons in Glutamate group were swollen,activity of neurons was decreased,apoptosis rate was increased,Bcl-2 level was decreased,Bax,Caspase-3,Nrf2,HO-1 levels were increased(all P<0.05);compared with Glutamate group,cell damage in TZG-L group and TZG-H group were reduced,activity of neurons was increased and apoptosis rate was decreased,Bcl-2,Nrf2,HO-1 levels were increased,Bax,Caspase-3 levels were decreased(all P<0.05).Conclusion:Tianzhi granule can inhibit neuronal apoptosis and expression of NLRP3 inflammasome in VD rats,inhibit activa-tion of microglia/astrocytes and neutrophil infiltration,improve neuroinflammation of VD,which may play a role by activating Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway in neurons.

OBJECTIVE: Observational studies have found associations between inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and the risk of dementia, including Alzheimer's dementia (AD) and vascular dementia (VD); however, these findings are inconsistent. It remains unclear whether these associations are causal. METHODS: We conducted a meta-analysis by systematically searching for observational studies on the association between IBD and dementia. Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis based on summary genome-wide association studies (GWASs) was performed. Genetic correlation and Bayesian co-localization analyses were used to provide robust genetic evidence. RESULTS: Ten observational studies involving 80,565,688 participants were included in this meta-analysis. IBD was significantly associated with dementia (risk ratio [ RR] =1.36, 95% CI = 1.04-1.78; I ² = 84.8%) and VD ( RR = 2.60, 95% CI = 1.18-5.70; only one study), but not with AD ( RR = 2.00, 95% CI = 0.96-4.13; I ² = 99.8%). MR analyses did not supported significant causal associations of IBD with dementia (dementia: odds ratio [ OR] = 1.01, 95% CI = 0.98-1.03; AD: OR = 0.98, 95% CI = 0.95-1.01; VD: OR = 1.02, 95% CI = 0.97-1.07). In addition, genetic correlation and co-localization analyses did not reveal any genetic associations between IBD and dementia. CONCLUSION Our study did not provide genetic evidence for a causal association between IBD and dementia risk. The increased risk of dementia observed in observational studies may be attributed to unobserved confounding factors or detection bias.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/complications* ; Dementia/etiology* ; Observational Studies as Topic ; Genome-Wide Association Study

OBJECTIVE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is sensitive to ferroptosis, a new form of programmed cell death that occurs in most tumor types. However, the mechanism through which ferroptosis modulates HCC remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the oncogenic role and prognostic value of FANCD2 and provide novel insights into the prognostic assessment and prediction of immunotherapy. METHODS: Using clinicopathological parameters and bioinformatic techniques, we comprehensively examined the expression of FANCD2 macroscopically and microcosmically. We conducted univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses to identify the prognostic value of FANCD2 in HCC and elucidated the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying the involvement of FANCD2 in oncogenesis by promoting iron-related death. RESULTS: FANCD2 was significantly upregulated in digestive system cancers with abundant immune infiltration. As an independent risk factor for HCC, a high FANCD2 expression level was associated with poor clinical outcomes and response to immune checkpoint blockade. Gene set enrichment analysis revealed that FANCD2 was mainly involved in the cell cycle and CYP450 metabolism. CONCLUSION To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to comprehensively elucidate the oncogenic role of FANCD2. FANCD2 has a tumor-promoting aspect in the digestive system and acts as an independent risk factor in HCC; hence, it has recognized value for predicting tumor aggressiveness and prognosis and may be a potential biomarker for poor responsiveness to immunotherapy.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis* ; Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Immunotherapy ; Fanconi Anemia Complementation Group D2 Protein/metabolism* ; Prognosis ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of lumbar spondylolysis (LS) and the proportion of spondylolytic spondylolisthesis (SS) in China, and to evaluate the musculoskeletal status of patients with LS and SS. METHODS: Spine Computed Tomography (CT) images were collected from community populations aged 40 and above in a nationwide multi-center project. LS was diagnosed, and SS was graded by an experienced radiologist. Bone mineral density (BMD) and paraspinal muscle parameters were quantified based on CT images. RESULTS: One hundred and seventeen patients of a total of 3,317 individuals were diagnosed with LS, corresponding to a prevalence rate of 3.53%. 63 of the 1,214 males (5.18%) and 54 of the 2,103 females (2.57%) were diagnosed with LS. SS occurred in 64/121 vertebrae (52.89%). BMD was not associated with LS ( P = 0.341). The L5 extensor paraspinal muscle density was higher in the LS group than in the non-LS group. In the LS group, patients with SS had a smaller L5 paraspinal extensor muscle cross-sectional area than those without SS ( P = 0.003). CONCLUSION The prevalence of LS in Chinese adults was 3.53%, with prevalence rates of 5.18% in males and 2.57% in females. Patients with LS have higher muscle density, whereas those with SS have smaller muscle cross-sectional areas at the L5 level.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Prevalence ; Adult ; Lumbar Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; Spondylolysis/diagnostic imaging* ; Aged ; Bone Density ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Aged, 80 and over ; Spondylolisthesis/epidemiology* ; East Asian People

Objective:To explore the clinical value of autologous umbilical cord whole blood(UCB) priming of the cardiopulmonary bypass(CPB) circuit in neonatal cardiac surgery for congenital heart disease(CHD).Methods:This prospective non-randomized controlled trial included neonates undergoing CHD surgery at Guangdong Provincial People’s Hospital from August 2024 to January 2025. The experimental group used autologous UCB for CPB circuit priming, while the control group used adult allogeneic blood(AAB) priming when UCB was unavailable. Preoperative characteristics, intraoperative CPB and aortic cross-clamping(ACC) times, postoperative ICU stay duration, mechanical ventilation time, and hospitalization length were compared.Results:There were no significant differences in preoperative baseline characteristics between the two groups( P>0.05). At the end of surgery, red blood cell count(RBC), hemoglobin level(Hb), and creatine kinase(CK) showed no significant differences between the groups( P> 0.05). Additionally, perioperative left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) demonstrated no statistically significant variations( P>0.05). At surgery completion, the UCB group exhibited lower hematocrit(HCT) and higher blood lactic acid(Lac) levels but these differences resolved by 6 hours postoperatively( P>0.05). The UCB group had higher maximum vasoactive-inotropic scores(VISmax) within 48 hours and longer ICU stays, though total hospitalization and mechanical ventilation durations showed no significant differences( P>0.05). Conclusion:Autologous UCB priming reduces AAB requirements and has minimal impact on postoperative cardiac and pulmonary function recovery, or homeostasis., which is safe and feasible. This study provides evidence supporting the clinical application of UCB priming in CPB circuits.

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, treatment, and outcomes of Barth syndrome (BTHS).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 21 pediatric patients diagnosed with BTHS between January 2010 and December 2023 at Beijing Children′s Hospital, Beijing Anzhen Hospital, and Beijing JingDu Children′s Hospital. Clinical data including gender, age at onset, initial symptoms, clinical manifestations, personal history, family genetic history, and laboratory tests (neutrophil count, echocardiography, electrocardiogram and genetic testing) were reviewed.Results:All the 21 patients were male, with the age of onset at 4.1 (1.1, 9.3) months. Main clinical manifestations included heart failure (18 cases), neutropenia (16 cases), respiratory symptoms (15 cases), 3-methylpentenediuria (7 cases),develop retardation (8 cases), gastrointestinal symptoms (7 cases), fatigue and anorexia (6 cases), and recurrent infection (2 cases). Electrocardiogram abnormalities included ST changes (18 cases), flattened T wave and low voltage of limb leads (2 cases), and abnormal Q waves in lead Ⅰ and avL (1 case). Echocardiographic features showed increased trabeculation, interventricular septum and left ventricular wall thickening, and left ventricular enlargement with reduced ejection fraction. Genetic testing identified TAZ gene variations in all 21 patients: 11 missense mutations, 2 nonsense mutations, 2 frameshift mutations, 2 whole code mutations, 2 exon deletions, 1 splicing mutation, and 1 synonymous mutation. Fifteen mutations were maternally inherited, 2 were de novo, and 4 lacked verified variant origin.In terms of treatment, all 18 patients with heart failure received routine heart failure treatment, of whom 11 patients also received intravenous immunoglobulin and corticosteroids. After the follow-up of 91.0 (75.5, 109.5) months, 15 of the 18 patients showed restoration of cardiac function after 4.5 (3.0, 9.8) months of treatment, with one case of significant improvement, while 2 cases suddenly died.Conclusions:BTHS predominantly affects males with early onset, mainly characterized by abnormal cardiac structure and function, along with clinical features including fatigue, delayed growth and development, and neutropenia. Early diagnosis and intervention, including heart failure treatment, intravenous immunoglobulin, and corticosteroids, can lead to significant improvement in cardiac function, though sudden death remains a risk.