Objective To explore a method for rapid and differential diagnosis of rejection after kidney transplantation through urine hyperspectral imaging technology. Methods Hyperspectral data information from urine samples of 118 recipients after kidney transplantation was collected, and a deep learning model was constructed to diagnose and classify the types of rejection. Results A deep learning diagnostic model based on the 34-layer residual network (ResNet-34) was constructed, and 118 patients were included and divided into the training set and the test set. Based on the pathological results of the transplanted kidney puncture, the urine samples of the patients were classified into five groups: the non-rejection group, the T-cell-mediated rejection group, the antibody-mediated rejection group, the mixed rejection group and the nephropathy recurrence group. The results showed that the diagnostic sensitivities of the model for the above five groups were 0.960, 0.980, 0.930, 0.940 and 0.943 respectively, and the diagnostic specificities were 0.983, 0.993, 0.997, 0.989 and 0.989 respectively. The overall diagnostic accuracy rate reached 95.7%. Conclusions The study provides a non-invasive, rapid and accurate auxiliary diagnostic method for the differential diagnosis of rejection after kidney transplantation.

Atherosclerosis (AS), the primary pathological contributor to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), has increasingly affected younger populations due to modern dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles. Current diagnostic modalities, including ultrasound, MRI, and CT, primarily identify advanced lesions and inadequately evaluate plaque vulnerability, thereby hindering early detection. Conventional treatments, which involve long-term medications associated with side effects such as hepatic injury and surgical interventions that carry risks of restenosis and hemorrhage, underscore the urgent need for non-invasive, cost-effective early diagnostic methods and targeted therapies. Gut microbiota metabolites are pivotal in AS pathogenesis, with trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) serving as functionally opposing biomarkers. TMAO is produced when gut bacteria, specifically Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, metabolize dietary choline and carnitine into trimethylamine (TMA), which the liver subsequently converts to TMAO via flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3); TMAO is then excreted in urine. Variability in TMAO levels is influenced by marine food consumption and FMO3 modulation, which can be affected by genetics, age, and diet. Mechanistically, TMAO exacerbates AS by disrupting cholesterol metabolism, inducing endothelial dysfunction through the elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, and reducing nitric oxide levels. Additionally, TMAO activates NF-κB and NLRP3 pathways while enhancing platelet reactivity. Clinically, elevated TMAO levels correlate with early AS and serve as predictors of mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS), as well as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in stroke patients. Conversely, SCFAs—namely acetate, propionate, and butyrate—are produced by gut bacteria such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii through the fermentation of dietary fiber. These metabolites exert anti-AS effects: acetate aids in maintaining metabolic homeostasis; propionate protects endothelial function and reduces plaque area; and butyrate fortifies intestinal barriers while suppressing inflammation. Furthermore, SCFAs cross-regulate bile acid metabolism, thereby influencing TMAO levels, and antagonize the pro-inflammatory and lipid-disrupting effects of TMAO. The use of TMAO and SCFAs as standalone biomarkers is constrained by limitations. TMAO lacks specificity, while SCFA levels fluctuate based on gut microbiota and dietary intake. Traditional AS risk assessment tools, which include clinical indicators, imaging techniques, and single biomarkers such as CRP, LDL-C, and ASCVD scores, overlook gut metabolism and demonstrate inadequate performance in younger populations. This review advocates for an “antagonistic-complementary” combined strategy: utilizing acetate and TMAO for early AS, propionate and TMAO for progressive AS, and butyrate and TMAO for advanced AS, addressing endothelial dysfunction, lipid deposition, and plaque stability/thrombosis risk, respectively. For clinical application, standardization of detection methods is crucial; liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is the gold standard, necessitating a unified sample pretreatment protocol, such as extraction with 1% formic acid in methanol. Additionally, dried blood spots (DBS) facilitate non-invasive testing, provided that dietary controls are implemented prior to detection, including a 12-hour fast and avoidance of high-choline and high-fiber foods. Existing challenges encompass the absence of standardized systems, limited large-scale validation, and ambiguous interactions with conditions such as hypertension. The authors’ team has previously established connections between gut metabolites and AS, including the reduction of TMAO as a preventive measure for AS, thereby reinforcing this proposed strategy. Future research should prioritize standardization, the development of machine learning-optimized models, validation of interventions, and the exploration of multi-omics-based “gut microbiota-metabolite-vascular” networks. In conclusion, the combined detection of TMAO and SCFAs offers a novel framework for AS risk assessment, facilitating early diagnosis and targeted interventions while enhancing the integration of gut metabolism into cardiovascular disease management.

Atherosclerosis (AS), the primary pathological contributor to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), has increasingly affected younger populations due to modern dietary habits and sedentary lifestyles. Current diagnostic modalities, including ultrasound, MRI, and CT, primarily identify advanced lesions and inadequately evaluate plaque vulnerability, thereby hindering early detection. Conventional treatments, which involve long-term medications associated with side effects such as hepatic injury and surgical interventions that carry risks of restenosis and hemorrhage, underscore the urgent need for non-invasive, cost-effective early diagnostic methods and targeted therapies. Gut microbiota metabolites are pivotal in AS pathogenesis, with trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO) and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) serving as functionally opposing biomarkers. TMAO is produced when gut bacteria, specifically Firmicutes and Proteobacteria, metabolize dietary choline and carnitine into trimethylamine (TMA), which the liver subsequently converts to TMAO via flavin-containing monooxygenase 3 (FMO3); TMAO is then excreted in urine. Variability in TMAO levels is influenced by marine food consumption and FMO3 modulation, which can be affected by genetics, age, and diet. Mechanistically, TMAO exacerbates AS by disrupting cholesterol metabolism, inducing endothelial dysfunction through the elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-6, and reducing nitric oxide levels. Additionally, TMAO activates NF-κB and NLRP3 pathways while enhancing platelet reactivity. Clinically, elevated TMAO levels correlate with early AS and serve as predictors of mortality in patients with stable coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute coronary syndrome (ACS), as well as major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) in stroke patients. Conversely, SCFAs—namely acetate, propionate, and butyrate—are produced by gut bacteria such as Akkermansia muciniphila and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii through the fermentation of dietary fiber. These metabolites exert anti-AS effects: acetate aids in maintaining metabolic homeostasis; propionate protects endothelial function and reduces plaque area; and butyrate fortifies intestinal barriers while suppressing inflammation. Furthermore, SCFAs cross-regulate bile acid metabolism, thereby influencing TMAO levels, and antagonize the pro-inflammatory and lipid-disrupting effects of TMAO. The use of TMAO and SCFAs as standalone biomarkers is constrained by limitations. TMAO lacks specificity, while SCFA levels fluctuate based on gut microbiota and dietary intake. Traditional AS risk assessment tools, which include clinical indicators, imaging techniques, and single biomarkers such as CRP, LDL-C, and ASCVD scores, overlook gut metabolism and demonstrate inadequate performance in younger populations. This review advocates for an “antagonistic-complementary” combined strategy: utilizing acetate and TMAO for early AS, propionate and TMAO for progressive AS, and butyrate and TMAO for advanced AS, addressing endothelial dysfunction, lipid deposition, and plaque stability/thrombosis risk, respectively. For clinical application, standardization of detection methods is crucial; liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) is the gold standard, necessitating a unified sample pretreatment protocol, such as extraction with 1% formic acid in methanol. Additionally, dried blood spots (DBS) facilitate non-invasive testing, provided that dietary controls are implemented prior to detection, including a 12-hour fast and avoidance of high-choline and high-fiber foods. Existing challenges encompass the absence of standardized systems, limited large-scale validation, and ambiguous interactions with conditions such as hypertension. The authors’ team has previously established connections between gut metabolites and AS, including the reduction of TMAO as a preventive measure for AS, thereby reinforcing this proposed strategy. Future research should prioritize standardization, the development of machine learning-optimized models, validation of interventions, and the exploration of multi-omics-based “gut microbiota-metabolite-vascular” networks. In conclusion, the combined detection of TMAO and SCFAs offers a novel framework for AS risk assessment, facilitating early diagnosis and targeted interventions while enhancing the integration of gut metabolism into cardiovascular disease management.

Diabetes-related cognitive impairment(DCI)is a major complication of type 2 diabetes melli-tus(T2DM).Although exercise is essential in alleviating DCI,the underlying mechanisms remain un-clear.The aim of this study is to investigate the role and mechanism of exosomal miR-126a-5p induced by exercise in ameliorating DCI.Twenty-four 16-week-old male db/db mice were randomly divided into dia-betes group(n=12;DM)and exercise intervention group(n=12;DE).The control group consisted of male m/m mice of the same age group(n=12;CON).The DE group underwent 8 weeks of moderate in-tensity treadmill training(10 m/min,5 days a week).In the MWM experiment,compared to the CON group,the DM group exhibited prolonged escape latency(P<0.01),reduced swimming speed and target quadrant time(P<0.001),and decreased expression of miR-126a-5p and EX-miR-126a-5p in hipp-ocampal tissue(P<0.001).After exercise intervention,the DE group showed improved performance with decreased escape latency(P<0.05),increased swimming speed and target quadrant time(P<0.05),and elevated levels of exosomal miR-126a-5p(P<0.001).Morphological staining revealed a de-crease in the expression and proportion of NeuN in hippocampal neurons and an increase in the expression and proportion of glial cells in the CA1 and CA3 regions of DM group mice compared to CON group mice(P<0.05),while DE group mice showed increased fluorescence intensity and proportion of neurons(P<0.05).Western blotting analysis revealed that the DM group also showed significant upregulation of amy-loid β(Aβ),high mobility group box 1(Hmgb1),and NF-κB in the hippocampus(P<0.05),which were reduced after exercise(P<0.05).Moreover,exosomal miR-126a-5p overexpression greatly de-creased the levels of Hmgb1,NF-κB,and amyloid precursor protein(APP)in HT22 cells and TNF-α,IL-1β in supernatant exposed to HG(P<0.05),while inhibition of miR-126a-5p led to increased levels of these proteins(P<0.05).In conclusion,eight weeks of treadmill exercise improved cognitive function in db/db mice,likely through the EXs-miR-126/HMGB1/NF-κB pathway to reduce inflammation in hip-pocampal tissue.

Objective To analyze the implementation of MPOWER tobacco control policies in different regions and populations in China,as well as the impact of perceptions of tobacco control policies on individual smoking behavior and quit intentions,to promote the fairness of policy implementation and protection for vulnerable groups.Methods A multivariable regression model was constructed utilizing raw data from the China Adult Tobacco Survey to analyze disparities in perceived MPOWER policy implementation among various social demographics and its impact on smoking behavior and quitting intentions.Results Regarding protection from tobacco smoke(P),local economic level,urban-rural divide were significantly correlated with awareness of comprehensive smoking bans.For offering help to quit smoking(O),local tobacco industry revenue and individual age were associated with the doctor's advice for quitting.As to the warning about the harm of tobacco(W),economic level,geography and urban-rural disparity were correlated with the visibility of health warnings.About the tobacco advertising,promotion and sponsorship(E),geography was related to the exposure to tobacco advertisements,local tobacco industry revenue was associated with the tobacco promotion.For tobacco taxes(R),education level and age were significantly correlated with tobacco affordability.People who perceived comprehensive smoking bans(OR=0.69,95%CI:0.59-0.81)was associated with less smoking behavior,while people perceiving tobacco promotional activities(OR=2.51,95%CI:2.00-3.17)were more likely to smoke.Additionally,people who perceived comprehensive smoking bans(OR=1.70,95%CI:1.25-2.31)and health warning(OR=2.09,95%CI:1.48-3.01)had higher intention to quit smoking.Conclusion In economically disadvantaged regions and among specific socially vulnerable groups(such as low-income individuals,rural residents,and the elderly)in China,the perception of tobacco control policy implementation is relatively low,the perception of tobacco control policies can influence smoking behavior and quitting intentions.Legislative and enforcement efforts should be increased targeting these groups with lower perceptions of the policies to enhance the fairness of tobacco control measures.

Atherosclerosis(AS)is the major pathologic basis of cardiovascular disease,and its complications,such as myocardial infarction and stroke,are primarily triggered by rupture of atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques(VASPs).Conventional imaging techniques rely on anatomical changes,making it difficult to assess plaque vulnerability at an early stage.In recent years,molecular imaging combined with nanoprobe technology has enabled precise visualization at the cellular and molecular levels by targeting pathological features of plaques(e.g.,lipid core,inflammation,thin fibrous cap,etc.).This article reviews the pathological features of VASPs,the limitations of existing imaging techniques,and the design principles and application progress of molecular imaging probes and discusses the challenges and future directions for their clinical translation.

Atherosclerosis(AS)is the major pathologic basis of cardiovascular disease,and its complications,such as myocardial infarction and stroke,are primarily triggered by rupture of atherosclerotic vulnerable plaques(VASPs).Conventional imaging techniques rely on anatomical changes,making it difficult to assess plaque vulnerability at an early stage.In recent years,molecular imaging combined with nanoprobe technology has enabled precise visualization at the cellular and molecular levels by targeting pathological features of plaques(e.g.,lipid core,inflammation,thin fibrous cap,etc.).This article reviews the pathological features of VASPs,the limitations of existing imaging techniques,and the design principles and application progress of molecular imaging probes and discusses the challenges and future directions for their clinical translation.

AIM To evaluate the quality of Croci Stigma from different producing areas.METHODS The analysis was performed on a 25 ℃ thermostatic Waters Acquity UPLC HSS T3 column(2.1 mm× 100 mm,1.8μm),with the mobile phase comprising of 0.1％phosphoric acid-acetonitrile flowing at 0.35 mL/min in a gradient elution manner,and the detection wavelengths were set at 254,440 nm.The UPLC fingerprints were established,after which orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis was performed,picrocrocin,crocin-Ⅰ,crocin-Ⅱ,crocin-Ⅲ,crocin-Ⅳ contents and chromaticity values(L*,a*,b*,E*ab)were determined,Pearson correlation analysis was adopted in the investigation of correlations between chromaticity values and internal constituent contents.RESULTS There were 14 common peaks in the fingerprints for 22 batches of medicinal materials with the similarities of more than 0.98.Various batches of medicinal materials were clustered into 2 types,7 quality difference components were screened.crocin-Ⅰ content in medicinal materials from different producing areas demonstrated significant differences(P＜0.05);the redder the color of medicinal material,the higher the contents of crocins.Picrocrocin,crocin-Ⅰ,crocin-Ⅱ,crocin-Ⅳ contents displayed highly significant correlations with colorimetric values(P＜0.01),while crocin-Ⅲ content exhibited no significant correlation with the latter(P＞0.05).CONCLUSION This accurate and reliable method can provide references for the quality control and color-quality relationship elucidation of Croci Stigma.

Objective:To investigate the effects of curcumin,berberine,and puerarin combination therapy on lipid levels in hyperlipidemic mice.Methods:A total of 40 male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into eight groups:normal control group(A),high-fat control group(B),curcumin group(C),berberine group(D),puerarin group(E),low-dose combination group of curcumin,berberine,and puerarin(F),high-dose combination group of curcumin,berberine,and puerarin(G),and positive control group(H),with 5 mice in each group.The normal control group was fed a standard diet,while the other groups were given a high-fat diet.After establishing the hyperlipidemic model,the mice were administered with physiological saline,curcumin(200 mg/kg),berberine(200 mg/kg),puerarin(300 mg/kg),low-dose combination of curcumin(50 mg/kg),berberine(50 mg/kg),and puerarin(100 mg/kg),high-dose combination of curcumin(200 mg/kg),berberine(200 mg/kg),and puerarin(300 mg/kg),or simvastatin(6 mg/kg)via gavage for three weeks.After treatment,serum was collected from the mice for biochemical analysis of lipid levels and liver function.Liver tissues were subjected to HE staining,Western blot analysis and real-time quantitative PCR.Results:Curcumin,berberine,and puerarin,whether administered individually or in combination,can reduce the body weight of hyperlipidemic mice(P＜0.01).Treatment with curcumin,berberine,and puerarin individually significantly reduced lipid levels in hyperlipidemic mice(P＜0.05)and alleviated liver damage caused by hyperlipidemia(P＜0.05).Furthermore,the high-dose combination of curcumin,berberine,and puerarin exhibited a more pronounced effect on improving lipid levels(P＜0.01)and provided greater protective effects on the liver compared to the positive control group(P＜0.05).Additionally,curcumin,berberine,and puerarin administered individually can each promote the expression of the LDLR gene in high-fat diet mice(increased by 90％,85％,and 98％,respectively)and reduce the expression of the ACC gene(decreased by 42％,45％,and 43％,respectively).The combination of all three compounds enhances the expression of the LDLR gene in high-fat diet mice(increased by 90％with low-dose combination and 169％with high-dose combination)and reduces the expression of the ACC gene(decreased by 38％with low-dose combination and 42％with high-dose combination).Conclusion:The combination of curcumin,berberine,and puerarin significantly improves lipid levels in hyperlipidemic mice and mitigates liver damage associated with hyperlipidemia.

Pancreatic cancer is a malignant tumor with a very poor prognosis,characterized by early me-tastasis and high invasiveness,and is unresponsive to traditional treatments like chemotherapy and radio-therapy.In recent years,the study of metabolic products has become a new hotspot in pancreatic cancer research,showing that the metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells is a key factor for their growth and pro-liferation,and that regulatory factors of metabolic pathways may serve as new therapeutic targets.Meta-bolic reprogramming primarily manifests as alterations in three major nutrient metabolic pathway and oxi-dative phosphorylation processes.Additionally,the tumor microenvironment of pancreatic cancer exhibits unique metabolic features.Mechanistic studies are actively underway,and future research may focus on integrating omics,artificial intelligence,and other novel research techniques to further explore how meta-bolic changes drive the development of pancreatic cancer and to improve treatment strategies,including the development of targeted drugs and metabolomics-based diagnostic tools.