Retinitis pigmentosa （RP） is the most common hereditary blinding eye disease in clinical practice， with the pathogenesis remaining unclear. Patients experience progressive apoptosis of retinal photoreceptor cells， accompanied by degeneration of retinal pigment epithelium （RPE） cells. Current Western medical treatments mainly focus on gene therapy and stem cell transplantation， showing limited efficacy. In contrast， clinical observations have confirmed the therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） treatments. Establishing an RP animal model that aligns with the diagnostic features of both TCM and Western medicine could help combine the strengths of both approaches， thereby broadening the treatment options for RP. This study categorizes and summarizes the existing RP animal models in terms of classification， types， inheritance patterns， and alignment with clinical manifestations. It is found that current RP models are primarily derived from natural animal models such as RD mice and RCS rats， transgenic animal models like RPE-65 knockout mice and rhodopsin gene knockout mice， and chemically induced models such as those created by monochromatic light exposure or N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea （ENU） administration. These three categories of models focus more on detecting RP-related histopathological， molecular biological， and cellular immunological indicators， but offer limited observation of the overall characteristics of the disease and lack insight into syndrome differentiation. Although RP is a congenital genetic disease， its progression is influenced by acquired factors such as environment， constitution， emotions， and care. Current models do not fully capture the characteristics of this disease. Therefore， establishing an RP animal model based on the diagnostic features of both TCM and Western medicine will have significant implications for future experimental and clinical research.

Retinitis pigmentosa （RP） is the most common hereditary blinding eye disease in clinical practice， with the pathogenesis remaining unclear. Patients experience progressive apoptosis of retinal photoreceptor cells， accompanied by degeneration of retinal pigment epithelium （RPE） cells. Current Western medical treatments mainly focus on gene therapy and stem cell transplantation， showing limited efficacy. In contrast， clinical observations have confirmed the therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） treatments. Establishing an RP animal model that aligns with the diagnostic features of both TCM and Western medicine could help combine the strengths of both approaches， thereby broadening the treatment options for RP. This study categorizes and summarizes the existing RP animal models in terms of classification， types， inheritance patterns， and alignment with clinical manifestations. It is found that current RP models are primarily derived from natural animal models such as RD mice and RCS rats， transgenic animal models like RPE-65 knockout mice and rhodopsin gene knockout mice， and chemically induced models such as those created by monochromatic light exposure or N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea （ENU） administration. These three categories of models focus more on detecting RP-related histopathological， molecular biological， and cellular immunological indicators， but offer limited observation of the overall characteristics of the disease and lack insight into syndrome differentiation. Although RP is a congenital genetic disease， its progression is influenced by acquired factors such as environment， constitution， emotions， and care. Current models do not fully capture the characteristics of this disease. Therefore， establishing an RP animal model based on the diagnostic features of both TCM and Western medicine will have significant implications for future experimental and clinical research.

BACKGROUND: Macrophage polarization anomalies and dysfunction play a crucial role in the pathogenesis of immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Itaconate is a Krebs cycle-derived immunometabolite synthesized by myeloid cells to modulate cellular metabolism and inflammatory responses. This study aimed to evaluate the immunoregulatory effects of an itaconate derivative on macrophages in patients with ITP. METHODS: Peripheral blood-derived macrophages from patients with ITP and healthy controls were treated with 4-octyl itaconate (4-OI), a derivative of itaconate that can penetrate the cell membrane. Macrophage polarization, antigen-presenting functions, and phagocytic capability were measured via flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Macrophage glycolysis in patients with ITP and the metabolic regulatory effect of 4-OI were detected using a Seahorse XFe96 Analyzer. An active murine model of ITP was used to evaluate the therapeutic effects of 4-OI in vivo . RESULTS: 4-OI reduced the levels of CD80 and CD86 in M1 macrophages and suppressed the release of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin (IL)-6 pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting that 4-OI could hinder the polarization of macrophages toward an M1 phenotype. We found that 4-OI pretreated M1 macrophages reduced the proliferation of CD4 + T cells and promoted the differentiation of regulatory T cells. In addition, after 4-OI treatment, the phagocytic capacity of M1 macrophages toward antibody-coated platelets decreased significantly in patients with ITP. In addition, the glycolytic function of M1 macrophages was elevated in individuals with ITP compared to those in healthy controls. 4-OI treatment downregulated glycolysis in M1 macrophages. The glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG) also inhibited the polarization of M1 macrophages and restored their functions. In vivo , 4-OI treatment significantly increased platelet counts in the active ITP murine model. CONCLUSIONS Itaconate derivative 4-OI inhibited M1 macrophage polarization and restored impaired functions through metabolic reprogramming. This study provides a novel therapeutic option for ITP.
Macrophages/metabolism* ; Humans ; Animals ; Succinates/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Flow Cytometry ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic/metabolism* ; Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Metabolic Reprogramming

Cemental tear is a rare and indetectable condition unless obvious clinical signs present with the involvement of surrounding periodontal and periapical tissues. Due to its clinical manifestations similar to common dental issues, such as vertical root fracture, primary endodontic diseases, and periodontal diseases, as well as the low awareness of cemental tear for clinicians, misdiagnosis often occurs. The critical principle for cemental tear treatment is to remove torn fragments, and overlooking fragments leads to futile therapy, which could deteriorate the conditions of the affected teeth. Therefore, accurate diagnosis and subsequent appropriate interventions are vital for managing cemental tear. Novel diagnostic tools, including cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), microscopes, and enamel matrix derivatives, have improved early detection and management, enhancing tooth retention. The implementation of standardized diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols, combined with improved clinical awareness among dental professionals, serves to mitigate risks of diagnostic errors and suboptimal therapeutic interventions. This expert consensus reviewed the epidemiology, pathogenesis, potential predisposing factors, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, differential diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of cemental tear, aiming to provide a clinical guideline and facilitate clinicians to have a better understanding of cemental tear.
Humans ; Dental Cementum/injuries* ; Consensus ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Tooth Fractures/therapy*

Successful cloning through somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) faces significant challenges due to epigenetic obstacles. Recent studies have highlighted the roles of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 as potential contributors to these obstacles. However, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. In this study, we generated genome-wide maps of H3K4me3 and H3K27me3 in mouse pre-implantation NT embryos. Our analysis revealed that aberrantly over-represented broad H3K4me3 domain and H3K27me3 signal lead to increased bivalent marks at gene promoters in NT embryos compared with naturally fertilized (NF) embryos at the 2-cell stage, which may link to relatively low levels of H3K36me3 in NT 2-cell embryos. Notably, the overexpression of Setd2, a H3K36me3 methyltransferase, successfully restored multiple epigenetic marks, including H3K36me3, H3K4me3, and H3K27me3. In addition, it reinstated the expression levels of ZGA-related genes by reestablishing H3K36me3 at gene body regions, which excluded H3K27me3 from bivalent promoters, ultimately improving cloning efficiency. These findings highlight the excessive bivalent state at gene promoters as a potent barrier and emphasize the removal of these barriers as a promising approach for achieving higher cloning efficiency.
Animals ; Mice ; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase/biosynthesis* ; Histones/genetics* ; Nuclear Transfer Techniques ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism*

Gentianopsis barbata (G. barbata) represents a significant plant species with considerable ornamental and medicinal value in China. This investigation sought to elucidate the primary constituents within the plant and investigate their pharmacological properties. Fifty triterpenoids (1-50), including nine previously undescribed compounds (1, 2, 7, 10, 20, 28, 29, 37, and 41) were isolated and characterized from the whole plants of G. barbata. Notably, compounds 1 and 2 exhibited the novel 3,4;9,10-diseco-24-homo-cycloartane triterpenoid skeleton. The isolated triterpenoids demonstrated substantial anti-inflammatory activity through inhibition of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokine secretion in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophages, and hepatoprotective effects by preventing tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BHP)-induced oxidative injury in HepG2 cells. These results demonstrate both the presence of diverse triterpenoids in G. barbata and their therapeutic potential for inflammatory and hepatic conditions, providing scientific evidence supporting the clinical application of this traditional Mongolian medicinal plant.
Triterpenes/isolation & purification* ; Mice ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification* ; Animals ; Humans ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Hep G2 Cells ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Medicine, Mongolian Traditional ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Protective Agents/isolation & purification* ; Liver/drug effects* ; Gentianaceae/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts/chemistry* ; Molecular Structure

Laccases (LACs), belonging to the multicopper oxidase family, are closely associated with various biological functions including lignin synthesis and responses to biotic and abiotic stresses in plants. However, few studies have reported the laccase genes in China rose (Rosa chinensis). Prickles cause difficulties to the management and harvest of R. chinensis and have become a trait concerned in the breeding. To investigate the expression patterns of laccase genes in roses, we cloned a laccase gene from an ancient variety R. chinensis 'Old Blush' and named it RcLAC15. The expression level of RcLAC15 in prickles was significantly higher than those in roots, stems, and leaves. Fifty-eight laccase genes were identified in the genome of R. chinensis, and bioinformatics analysis revealed that RcLAC15 was a homolog of AtLAC15, predicting that RcLAC15 was a stable hydrophilic protein without transmembrane structures. The recombinant expression vector pBI121-proRcLAC15:: GUS was introduced into Arabidopsis, and GUS staining results showed that the RcLAC15 promoter specifically drove GUS gene expression at the edges of Arabidopsis leaves. In summary, RcLAC15 is a gene specifically expressed in the prickles of R. chinensis. This discovery provides a reference for exploring the biological functions of laccase genes in the prickles of R. chinensis.
Laccase/metabolism* ; Rosa/enzymology* ; Cloning, Molecular ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Arabidopsis/metabolism* ; Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism*

Abstract Obesity is characterized by a body weight exceeding a certain range and a corpulent physique, often accompanied by symptoms such as dizziness and fatigue, lack of energy and motivation to speak, reduced physical activity, and shortness of breath. The core pathogenesis of obesity lies in the dysfunction of the spleen and stomach in transporting and transforming nutrients, leading to abnormal metabolism of water and grain essences and the subsequent accumulation of pathological substances such as phlegm-dampness and "Gaozhuo" (greasy-turbid substances). Traditional Chinese Medicine emphasizes that "spleen deficiency is the root cause, while phlegm-dampness and Gaozhuo are the manifestations", forming a dialectical system encompassing theories on spleen-stomach transportation and transformation, phlegm-dampness pathogenesis, Gaozhuo pathogenesis, and constitutional differentiation. Traditional Chinese Medicine plays a crucial role in preventing and treating obesity through interventions such as herbal medicine, external therapies, and dietary adjustments. This article systematically reviews classical Chinese medical texts, focusing on the etiology, pathogenesis, theoretical origins, and prevention and treatment methods of obesity, so as to provide references for modern Traditional Chinese Medicine approaches to obesity prevention and treatment.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of chronic dacryocystitis-related corneal ulcers and to provide a basis for the rational clinical diagnosis and treatment.Methods:An observational case series study was performed.A total of 31 patients (31 eyes) diagnosed with chronic dacryocystitis-related corneal ulcers in Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University were enrolled from January 2016 to January 2020, with an average age of (53.0±10.8) years.The typical ocular signs, results of the etiological examination and microbial sensitivity test, treatment process and outcomes were analyzed.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethics Committee of Eye Hospital of Shandong First Medical University (No.20191020-1).Written informed consent was obtained from each subject before any medical examination.Results:The average history of chronic dacryocystitis was (3.6±1.9) years.Corneal ulcers were mostly located in the peripheral cornea and had a rounded morphology with clear borders.The positive rate of corneal scraping was 74.2%(23/31), with bacteria in 19 eyes, fungal hyphae in 3 eyes, and both gram-positive cocci and fungal hyphae in 1 eye.The positive rate of microbial culture was 74.2%(23/31), with positive bacterial culture in 20 eyes (gram-positive cocci in 16 eyes and gram-negative bacilli in 4 eyes) and fungal growth in 3 eyes.The sensitivity rates of gram-positive cocci to vancomycin, rifampicin, moxifloxacin, and levofloxacin were 100%(16/16), 87.5%(14/16), 81.3%(13/16), and 75.0%(12/16), respectively.All patients were treated with surgery for chronic dacryocystitis, including 22 cases of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy, 7 cases of dacryocystectomy, and 2 cases of lacrimal duct probing combined with intubation.Among the 9 cases with an ulcer depth of <1/3 of the corneal thickness (CT), 6 cases were cured after (10.8±3.2) days of drug treatment and 3 cases underwent corneal lesion resection.The 6 patients with an ulcer depth of 1/3-2/3 of the CT underwent conjunctival flap covering surgery.Among the 16 patients with an ulcer depth of >2/3 of the CT, lamellar keratoplasty was performed in 6 cases, penetrating keratoplasty in 8 cases and evisceration in 2 cases with infectious endophthalmitis.Conclusions:Chronic dacryocystitis-related corneal ulcers are mainly located at the periphery of the cornea, and gram-positive cocci infections are the most common pathogenic bacteria.In patients with mild symptoms, corneal ulcers heal gradually after treatment with sensitive antibiotics.For patients with severe infections, appropriate surgery should be selected according to the depth of the corneal ulcer.

Objective To compare the effectiveness and safety of semaglutide with dulaglutide in patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.Methods A multicenter retrospective cohort study was conducted to include patients with type 2 diabetes who received semaglutide or dulaglutide treatment at three hospitals between April 2021 and July 2023 in the study.The patients were divided into the semaglutide group(SEMA group)and the dulaglutide group(DULA group)based on their treatment.Propensity score matching was used to pair the two groups in a 1:1 ratio,aligning them based on baseline characteristics such as gender,age,body mass index,blood glucose levels,duration of diabetes,and complications.Various parameters including fasting blood glucose,2-hour postprandial blood glucose,glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c),serum creatinine,urea nitrogen levels,estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),urinary albumin/creatinine ratio(UACR),and occurrences of adverse reactions were assessed at 3,6,9,and 12 months after the treatment.Results After propensity score matching,98 patients were included in both the SEMA and DULA groups,showing no statistically significant differences in baseline characteristics between the groups(P＞0.05).At each follow-up point,the fasting blood glucose,2-hour postprandial blood glucose,and HbA1c levels of both groups showed a significant decrease compared to the baseline(P≤0.05).The inter-group comparison revealed no statistically significant differences in the changes in fasting blood glucose,2-hour postprandial blood glucose,and HbA1c levels between the two groups(P＞0.05).At the 6th month,the SEMA group exhibited a statistically significant higher rate of HbA1c＜7％compared to the DULA group(P＜0.05).In the SEMA group,serum creatinine and urea nitrogen decreased significantly at the 6th month compared to baseline,while eGFR showed an increase at the 3rd and 6th month,and UACR decreased,all with statistical significance(P＜0.05).In the DULA group,there was a statistically significant increase in serum creatinine and decrease at the 3rd and 6th months in eGFR,respectively.Additionally,urea nitrogen levels decreased significantly at the 9th month,all differences were statistically significant(P＜0.05).The inter-group comparison revealed that at the 3rd and 6th month,the SEMA group exhibited a greater reduction in serum creatinine levels compared to the DULA group.Additionally,the SEMA group demonstrated a more pronounced increase in eGFR levels than the DULA group,with statistical significance(P＜0.05).At the 6th month,the SEMA group exhibited a significantly greater decrease in UACR and a significantly lower incidence of renal insufficiency compared to the DULA group(P＜0.05).There were no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion Semaglutide and dulaglutide can significantly improve blood glucose control,exhibit comparable effectiveness and safety in lowering blood glucose levels,and semaglutide has a potentially protective effect on renal function.