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.

The chemical constituents of the petroleum ether extract derived from the 90% ethanol extract of Elephantopus scaber were investigated. By silica gel column chromatography, C_(18), MCI column chromatography and semi-preparative high performance liquid chromatography, ten compounds were isolated. Their structures were identified as 3β-hydroxy-6β,7β-epoxytaraxeran-14-ene(1), 3β-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid(2), D-friedoolean-14-ene-3β,7α-diol(3), 3β-hydroxy-11α-methoxyolean-12-ene(4), 3β-hydroxyolean-11,13(18)-diene(5), 11α-hydroxy-β-amyrin(6), betulinic acid(7), 3β-hydroxy-30-norlupan-20-one(8), 6-acetonylchelerythrine(9), and 4',5'-dehydrodiodictyonema A(10) by analysis of the 1D NMR, 2D NMR, MS, and IR spectral data. Among them, compound 1 was a new triterpene and other compounds except compounds 2 and 7 were isolated from this plant for the first time.
Triterpenes/isolation & purification* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Molecular Structure ; Asteraceae/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) capable of clearing heat and removing toxin is most commonly used in clinical practice and has the effect of removing fire-heat and toxin. Studies have shown that most of the Ilex plants have the effect of clearing heat and removing toxin, among which the varieties of I. cornuta, I. pubescens, I. rotunda, I. latifolia, and I. chinensis are most widely used. These plants generally contain triterpenoids and their glycosides, alkaloids, flavonoids, phenylpropanoids, and other chemical components, especially pentacyclic triterpenoids. According to their skeletons, pentacyclic triterpenoids can be divided into the oleanane type, the ursane type, the lupinane type, etc. Among them, ursane-type components are the most abundant, and 136 species have been found so far. These components have been proved to have pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, hypolipidemic, anti-thrombosis, cardiomyocyte-protective, antibacterial, and hepatoprotective effects. Therefore, this paper systematically reviews the domestic and foreign literature on Ilex plants with a focus on the research progress on pentacyclic triterpenoids and their pharmacological activities, aiming to provide reference for the development of TCM resources with the effect of clearing heat and removing toxin.
Ilex/chemistry* ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Pentacyclic Triterpenes/pharmacology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Animals

The pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has impacted our lifestyles. On the one hand, the patients with hematological malignancies (HM) are more vulnerable to COVID-19 infection. Once infected with COVID-19, these patients tend to develop into severe type with a higher mortality rate. Although patients with HM demonstrated a reduced response to COVID-19 vaccines, they still can benefit from vaccine injection with reduced rates of viral infection and incidence of severe cases. The combination of monoclonal antibodies and antiviral drugs is helpful to the COVID-19 treatment of patients with HM. On the other hand, COVID-19 infection can lead to a delay of hematopoietic recovery and low immunity in patients with HM. For HM patients with COVID-19 infection, to reduce the intensity and shorten the course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy is needed. This article will review the interaction between COVID-19 infection and HM.
Humans ; COVID-19/complications* ; Hematologic Neoplasms/complications* ; SARS-CoV-2

OBJECTIVE: To explore the safety and efficacy of high-dose etoposide (VP-16) combined with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) as salvage mobilization for peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients. METHODS: From April 2021 to May 2023, eight NDMM patients who had failed to yield sufficient PBSC during initial mobilization with high-dose cyclophosphamide (CTX) combined with rhG-CSF underwent salvage mobilization with 1.2 g/m2 etoposide combined with rhG-CSF 10 μg/(kg·d). The effects and adverse reactions of initial mobilization and salvage mobilization were analyzed. RESULTS: For salvage mobilization and initial mobilization, the numbers of PBSC collections were 16 and 18, respectively. The mean value of total collected CD34⁺ cells were (11.90±5.75)×10⁶/kg and (1.67±0.75)×10⁶/kg (P =0.0010) in salvage mobilization group and initial mobilization group, respectively. The proportion of patients with a total collection of CD34⁺ cell count≥2×10⁶/kg were 100% and 37.5% (P =0.0625), and the proportion of patients with a total collection of CD34⁺ cell count≥5×10⁶/kg were 87.5% and 0% (P =0.0156) in salvage mobilization group and initial mobilization group, respectively. For five patients who underwent high-dose CTX initial mobilization but had a total CD34⁺ cell count < 2×10⁶/kg, successful collection was achieved through salvage mobilization with high-dose VP-16. Salvage mobilization with high-dose VP-16 was scheduled 2-3 weeks after failure of CTX mobilization. Adverse reactions of high-dose VP-16 mobilization did not increase compared to the initial mobilization with high-dose CTX. CONCLUSION As a salvage mobilization regimen, VP-16 1.2 g/m² combined with rhG-CSF is safe and highly effective in NDMM patients who failed to initial mobilization with high-dose CTX combined with rhG-CSF.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/therapy* ; Etoposide/therapeutic use* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization/methods* ; Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use* ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Salvage Therapy ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cells ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor autoantibody (AT1-AA) and semen parameters. Methods： The semen samples of 820 male patients who were treated in the Reproductive Medicine Center of Taiyuan Central Hospital from August 2022 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The levels of AT1-AA and Ang Ⅱ of semen were detected by ELISA, and the function of AT1-AA was detected by cardiomyocyte beating assay in suckling rats. The patients were divided into low group, median group and high group according to the OD values of AT1-AA. The differences in general data and semen parameters between different groups were analyzed. And the correlation between AT1-AA level and semen parameters in semen of all study subjects was analyzed by the method of Spearman analysis. And the relationships between AT1-AA OD value, Ang Ⅱ level and semen parameters in the AT1-AA high value group were analyzed as well. RESULTS: AT1-AA was present in semen with good function. There was no significant difference in the general data of patients in different AT1-AA levels (P>0.05). In the comparison of semen parameters among the groups with different levels of AT1-AA, there were differences in sperm concentration, PR concentration, NP％, and ALH among the three groups (P<0.05). And AT1-AA OD value was positively correlated with total sperm count, sperm concentration, PR concentration, and NP％, and negatively correlated with semen volume (P<0.05). In the AT1-AA high value group, the OD value of AT1-AA in semen was negatively correlated with inactive sperm, and positively correlated with total motility (［PR+NP］％), curve rate, mean path rate, and ALH. However, there was no correlation between the level of Ang Ⅱ in semen and semen parameters (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The presence of AT1-AA in semen may be associated with the promotion of sperm motility.
Male ; Humans ; Autoantibodies ; Sperm Motility ; Semen ; Retrospective Studies ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1/immunology* ; Animals ; Rats ; Angiotensin II ; Adult ; Sperm Count ; Semen Analysis ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2/immunology*

Objective To investigate the correlation between spread through air space (STAS) of sub-centimeter non-small cell lung cancer and clinical characteristics and radiological features, constructing a nomogram risk prediction model for STAS to provide a reference for the preoperative planning of sub-centimeter non-small cell lung cancer patients. Methods The data of patients with sub-centimeter non-small cell lung cancer who underwent surgical treatment in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from January 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively collected. According to the pathological diagnosis of whether the tumor was accompanied with STAS, they were divided into a STAS positive group and a STAS negative group. The clinical and radiological data of the two groups were collected for univariate logistic regression analysis, and the variables with statistical differences were included in the multivariate analysis. Finally, independent risk factors for STAS were screened out and a nomogram model was constructed. The sensitivity and specificity were calculated based on the Youden index, and area under the curve (AUC), calibration plots and decision curve analysis (DCA) were used to evaluate the performance of the model. Results A total of 112 patients were collected, which included 17 patients in the STAS positive group, consisting of 11 males and 6 females, with a mean age of (59.0±10.3) years. The STAS negative group included 95 patients, with 30 males and 65 females, and a mean age of (56.8±10.3) years. Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that male, anti-GAGE7 antibody positive, mean CT value and spiculation were associated with the occurrence of STAS (P＜0.05). Multivariate regression analysis showed that associations between STAS and male (OR=5.974, 95%CI 1.495 to 23.872), anti-GAGE7 antibody positive (OR=11.760, 95%CI 1.619 to 85.408) and mean CT value (OR=1.008, 95%CI 1.004 to 1.013) were still significant (P＜0.05), while the association between STAS and spiculation was not significant anymore (P=0.438). Based on the above three independent predictors, a nomogram model of STAS in sub-centimeter non-small cell lung cancer was constructed. The AUC value of the model was 0.890, the sensitivity was 76.5%, and the specificity was 91.6%. The calibration curve was well fitted, suggesting that the model had a good prediction efficiency for STAS. The DCA plot showed that the model had a good clinically utility. Conclusion Male, anti-GAGE7 antibody positive and mean CT value are independent predictors of STAS positivity of sub-centimeter non-small cell lung cancer, and the nomogram model established in this study has a good predictive value and provides reference for preoperative planning of patients.

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 establish a method to detect IDH2 gene mutations in the cell-free DNA (cfDNA) sample of angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL) based on the digital droplet PCR (ddPCR) method. The performance of this method was evaluated.Methods:Specific primers and probes were designed for IDH2 p. R172K, IDH2 p. R172M, and IDH2 p. R172W mutations, and primer combinations were optimized to establish the optimal ddPCR reaction system. In addition, the accuracy, precision, specificity, and detection limit of the method were evaluated using clinical cfDNA samples obtained from 40 patients with AITL at the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University.Results:The IDH2 R172K/M/W F2/R2 primer combination was selected to establish the ddPCR detection method for IDH2 R172K/M/W mutations. Specific standard samples showed no false-positive results. The accuracy test revealed that the relative deviation of the standard sample measurements was within ±10%. The detection limit test indicated that the method could detect 1 ng/μl with a 0.2% mutation rate for IDH2 R172K/M/W mutations. The precision measurements (inter-experimenter, inter-run, and inter-laboratory) all had a coefficient of variation of <5%. ddPCR was applied to 40 clinical samples with IDH2 R172K/M/W mutations, and the results were fully consistent with gene sequencing.Conclusion:ddPCR can detect IDH2 gene mutations in cfDNA from AITL with high sensitivity, specificity, and absolute quantification. This method offers a simple, rapid, and reliable approach for diagnosing and monitoring.

Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and influencing factors of single-cigarette use and dual cigarette-cigar use in China.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study that selected 85 638 urban and rural residents who met the inclusion criteria from the 2018 China Health Literacy Survey as research subjects. An analysis was conducted on 21 849 users of cigarettes and cigars among them. Due to the small number of individuals who exclusively used cigars (247 cases), the research subjects were divided into two categories: exclusive cigarette users and dual users of cigarettes and cigars. The groups were categorized by age (18-34 years, 35-54 years, ≥55 years), gender (male, female), education level (primary school and below, junior high school and high school, university and above) and annual household income (<20 000 yuan, 20 000-<80 000 yuan, ≥80 000 yuan) to compare the tobacco usage rate and conduct subgroup analyses for each subgroup. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was employed, incorporating general demographic characteristic information to explore the influencing factors of exclusive cigarette use and dual use of cigarettes and cigars, respectively.Results:The rate of exclusive cigarette use in our country was 24.3%, while the dual use rate of cigarettes and cigars was 0.9%. The exclusive cigarette use rate and the dual use rate of cigarettes and cigars among males were significantly higher than those among females (48.25% vs 2.48%, and 1.84% vs 0.06%) (both P<0.001). For males, the high-risk factors for exclusive cigarette use included living in urban areas ( OR: 1.37, 95% CI: 1.23-1.54), being Han ethnicity ( OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.51-1.98), and having an annual household income ≥20 000 yuan ( OR: 1.54, 95% CI: 1.38-1.82) while having a junior high school education or higher was a protective factor ( OR: 0.68, 95% CI: 0.52-0.90). Age≥35 years ( OR: 3.36, 95% CI: 2.62-4.32) and having a junior high school education or higher ( OR: 1.30, 95% CI: 1.02-1.67) were risk factors for dual use of cigarettes and cigars in males. Among females, living in urban areas ( OR: 1.53, 95% CI: 1.19-1.97) and being Han ethnicity ( OR: 5.96, 95% CI: 4.47-7.96) were risk factors for exclusive cigarette use, while having a university education or higher was a protective factor ( OR: 0.28, 95% CI: 0.18-0.42). However, for female dual use of cigarettes and cigars, no significant effects were observed for any demographic characteristics. Conclusions:The use rate of cigarettes alone in China is significantly higher than that of cigarette-cigar dual use, and the rates of cigarette use alone and cigarette-cigar dual use in men are significantly higher than those in women. Tobacco use is being affected by sociodemographic factors, among which place of residence, ethnicity and education level are the main influencing factors of cigarette use alone, and gender, age and education level are the main influencing factors of cigarette-cigar dual use.