Adipose tissue is a critical energy reservoir in animals and humans, with multifaceted roles in endocrine regulation, immune response, and providing mechanical protection. Based on anatomical location and functional characteristics, adipose tissue can be categorized into distinct types, including white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT), beige adipose tissue, and pink adipose tissue. Traditionally, adipose tissue research has centered on its morphological and functional properties as a whole. However, with the advent of single-cell transcriptomics, a new level of complexity in adipose tissue has been unveiled, showing that even under identical conditions, cells of the same type may exhibit significant variation in morphology, structure, function, and gene expression——phenomena collectively referred to as cellular heterogeneity. Single-cell transcriptomics, including techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), enables in-depth analysis of the diversity and heterogeneity of adipocytes at the single-cell level. This high-resolution approach has not only deepened our understanding of adipocyte functionality but also facilitated the discovery of previously unidentified cell types and gene expression patterns that may play key roles in adipose tissue function. This review delves into the latest advances in the application of single-cell transcriptomics in elucidating the heterogeneity and diversity within adipose tissue, highlighting how these findings have redefined the understanding of cell subpopulations within different adipose depots. Moreover, the review explores how single-cell transcriptomic technologies have enabled the study of cellular communication pathways and differentiation trajectories among adipose cell subgroups. By mapping these interactions and differentiation processes, researchers gain insights into how distinct cellular subpopulations coordinate within adipose tissues, which is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis and function. Understanding these mechanisms is essential, as dysregulation in adipose cell interactions and differentiation underlies a range of metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2. Furthermore, single-cell transcriptomics holds promising implications for identifying therapeutic targets; by pinpointing specific cell types and gene pathways involved in adipose tissue dysfunction, these technologies pave the way for developing targeted interventions aimed at modulating specific adipose subpopulations. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of single-cell transcriptomic technologies in uncovering the heterogeneity and functional diversity of adipose tissues.

Objective:To explore the efficacy and safety of Neuroform Atlas stent-assisted coil embolization in ruptured anterior communicating wide-necked aneurysms.Methods:Thirty-two patients with ruptured anterior communicating wide-necked aneurysms accepted Neuroform Atlas stent assisted coil embolization in Department of Neurosurgery, People's Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University from January 2022 to June 2023 were chosen. DSA was performed immediately after surgery, and aneurysm embolization was assessed using Raymond grading. Prognoses were assessed by modified Rankin Scale (mRS, mRS scores≤2 as good prognosis and mRS scores>2 as poor prognosis) at last follow-up. DSA was performed again 6 months after surgery to assess the aneurysm healingResults:Neuroform Atlas stents were successfully implanted in all 32 patients; Postoperative DSA showed that aneurysm embolization reached Raymond grading I in all 32 patients(100%). No such complications as in-stent thrombosis, cerebral vasospasm, or poor opening of the stent were noted excepted for one with intraoperative aneurysm rupture hemorrhage. At the last follow-up, 31 patients had good prognosis and 1 had poor prognosis; in 22 patients underwent DSA re-examination, Raymond grading I was noted in 20 patients (90.91%) and grading II in 2 (9.09%).Conclusion:Neuroform Atlas stent-assisted coil embolization for ruptured anterior communicating wide-necked aneurysms seems safe and effective.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of Danmu Extract Syrup (DMS) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice and explore the mechanism. METHODS: Seventy-two male Balb/C mice were randomly divided into 6 groups according to a random number table (n=12), including control (normal saline), LPS (5 mg/kg), LPS+DMS 2.5 mL/kg, LPS+DMS 5 mL/kg, LPS+DMS 10 mL/kg, and LPS+Dexamethasone (DXM, 5 mg/kg) groups. After pretreatment with DMS and DXM, the ALI mice model was induced by LPS, and the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were collected to determine protein concentration, cell counts and inflammatory cytokines. The lung tissues of mice were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, and the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D) of lung tissue was calculated. The levels of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-1 β in BALF of mice were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The expression levels of Claudin-5, vascular endothelial (VE)-cadherin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), phospho-protein kinase B (p-Akt) and Akt were detected by Western blot analysis. RESULTS: DMS pre-treatment significantly ameliorated lung histopathological changes. Compared with the LPS group, the W/D ratio and protein contents in BALF were obviously reduced after DMS pretreatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The number of cells in BALF and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity decreased significantly after DMS pretreatment (P<0.05 or P<0.01). DMS pre-treatment decreased the levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1 β (P<0.01). Meanwhile, DMS activated the phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) pathway and reversed the expressions of Claudin-5, VE-cadherin and VEGF (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS DMS attenuated LPS-induced ALI in mice through repairing endothelial barrier. It might be a potential therapeutic drug for LPS-induced lung injury.
Mice ; Male ; Animals ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Claudin-5/metabolism* ; Acute Lung Injury/chemically induced* ; Lung/pathology* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

Objective To investigate the effect and mechanism of rhubarb Tangluo pill on liver injury in type 2 diabetic rats.Methods ZDF(fa/fa)rats were given high-fat diet to induce type 2 diabetes model,and were randomly divided into model group,positive control group(0.18 g·kg-1 metformin)and experimental-L,-M,-H groups(0.54,1.08 and 2.16 g·kg-1 rhubarb Tangluo pill),with 8 rats in each group.Eight ZDF(fa/+)rats were selected as control group.The control group and model group were given equal volume of pure water once a day for 12 weeks.An oral glucose tolerance test(OGTT)was performed after administration.Fasting blood glucose level,body mass and liver mass of rats were measured and liver index was calculated.The contents of glutamic-pyruvic transaminase(GPT),glutamic oxalacetic transaminase(GOT),triglyceride(TG)and total cholesterol(TC)in serum were detected.The histomorphologic changes of liver were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining and Masson staining.The protein expression of phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1(p-IRS1),phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-Akt)and glucose transporter 4(GLUT4)were detected by Western blotting.Results After administration,the fasting blood glucose levels of control group,model group,positive control group and experimental-H group were(4.71±0.45),(29.9±2.97),(15.28±4.52)and(13.84±1.55)mmol·L-1,respectively;the liver index were 2.31±0.46,4.03±0.18,3.37±0.23 and 3.38±0.24;the relative expression level of p-IRS1 protein were 1.00±0.36,4.00±0.11,1.62±0.27 and 1.90±0.17,respectively;the relative expression levels of p-Akt protein were 1.00±0.25,0.21±0.04,0.73±0.15 and 0.54±0.04,respectively;GLUT4 protein relative expression levels were 1.00±0.11,0.40±0.08,0.86±0.04 and 0.70±0.06,respectively.Compared with the model group,the above indexes in the experimental-H group were statistically significant(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Conclusion Rhubarb Tanglu pill can effectively improve glycolipid metabolism and liver injury in type 2 diabetes mellitus,and its mechanism may be related to the activation of IRS1/Akt signaling pathway.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of amygdalin on liver fibrosis in a liver fibrosis mouse model, and the underlying mechanisms were partly dissected in vivo and in vitro. METHODS: Thirty-two male mice were randomly divided into 4 groups, including control, model, low- and high-dose amygdalin-treated groups, 8 mice in each group. Except the control group, mice in the other groups were injected intraperitoneally with 10% carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄)-olive oil solution 3 times a week for 6 weeks to induce liver fibrosis. At the first 3 weeks, amygdalin (1.35 and 2.7 mg/kg body weight) were administered by gavage once a day. Mice in the control group received equal quantities of subcutaneous olive oil and intragastric water from the fourth week. At the end of 6 weeks, liver tissue samples were harvested to detect the content of hydroxyproline (Hyp). Hematoxylin and eosin and Sirius red staining were used to observe the inflammation and fibrosis of liver tissue. The expressions of collagen I (Col-I), alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), CD31 and transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)/Smad signaling pathway were observed by immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot, respectively. The activation models of hepatic stellate cells, JS-1 and LX-2 cells induced by TGF-β1 were used in vitro with or without different concentrations of amygdalin (0.1, 1, 10 µmol/L). LSECs. The effect of different concentrations of amygdalin on the expressions of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells (LSECs) dedifferentiation markers CD31 and CD44 were observed. RESULTS: High-dose of amygdalin significantly reduced the Hyp content and percentage of collagen positive area, and decreased the mRNA and protein expressions of Col-I, α-SMA, CD31 and p-Smad2/3 in liver tissues of mice compared to the model group (P<0.01). Amygdalin down-regulated the expressions of Col-I and α-SMA in JS-1 and LX-2 cells, and TGFβ R1, TGFβ R2 and p-Smad2/3 in LX-2 cells compared to the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, 1 and 10 µmol/L amygdalin inhibited the mRNA and protein expressions of CD31 in LSECs and increased CD44 expression compared to the model group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS Amygdalin can dramatically alleviate liver fibrosis induced by CCl₄ in mice and inhibit TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway, consequently suppressing HSCs activation and LSECs dedifferentiation to improve angiogenesis.
Rats ; Male ; Mice ; Animals ; Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism* ; Amygdalin/therapeutic use* ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Olive Oil/therapeutic use* ; Rats, Wistar ; Smad Proteins/metabolism* ; Liver Cirrhosis/metabolism* ; Liver ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Collagen Type I/metabolism* ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; Hepatic Stellate Cells

ObjectiveTo establish a mutation library of rifampicin resistance gene rpoB. MethodsThe ΔrpoB attB：：rpoB strain of Mycobacterium smegmatis （M. smegmatis） be constructed by homologous recombination and L5 attB phage integration site exchange. Based on the L5 attB plasmid exchange system and resistance selection medium， 48 clones are selected to verify plasmid replacement efficiency. Degenerate primers are designed every 3 bases in the rifampicin resistance determining region （RRDR）， and a full-coverage mutation library of 81 bases in RRDR region is obtained by PCR amplification. The library fragments are seamlessly cloned into the vector and transformed into Escherichia coli （E. coli）to form an E. coli mutation library. Based on the principle of plasmid exchange， the mutant plasmid library is transformed into the M. smegmatis strain ΔrpoB attB：：rpoB， and the original L5 attB site plasmid is replaced to form the M. smegmatis mutant library. The genotype of the library are determined by genome extraction， library construction and high-throughput sequencing. ResultsCompared with the wild-type rpoB gene （5 600 bp）， the amplified fragment of the rpoB knockout strain is 2 200 bp， which proved that the ΔrpoB attB：：rpoB conditional knockout strain of M. smegmatis is successfully constructed. The success rate of plasmid replacement is 100%. There were 540 kinds of single amino acid mutations in both E. coli library and M. smegmatis library， 5 301 kinds of multi-point mutations in E. coli library， and 853 kinds of multi-point mutations in M. smegmatis library. The correlation coefficient between E. coli library and M. smegmatis library is 0.84. ConclusionsWe have developed a strategy to construct a library of mutants targeting the essential mycobacterial gene rpoB， and successfully established a mutant library of rifampicin resistance gene rpoB.

ObjectiveTo observe the pathological changes of hepatic sinusoidal obstruction syndrome （HSOS） induced by different doses of monocrotaline （MCT） in rats， investigate the dose and duration of modeling， and elucidate the mechanism. MethodA total of 72 male SD rats were randomized into normal group （n=12）， and low-， medium-， and high-dose MCT groups （n=20 per group， 80，120，160 mg·kg^-1， respecctively）. In the model groups， different doses of MCT were intragastrically administered to induce the HSOS in rats. After 48 h and 120 h separately， rats in each group were sacrificed and sampling was performed. The survival rate of rats in each group was calculated， and the body weight， liver weight， and and serum liver function indexes of the rats were examined. The histopathological changes of the liver were observed based on scanning electron microscopy， hematoxylin and eosin （HE） staining， and Sirius red （SR） staining. Glutathione S-transferase （GST） activity， total superoxide dismutase （T-SOD） activity， and malondialdehyde （MDA） content of liver tissue homogenate were measured with microplate method. The expression of liver tissue-related indexes was detected by real-time polymerase chain reaction （PCR）， Western blot， and immunohistochemistry. ResultThe activity of serum alanine aminotransferase （ALT） and aspartate aminotransferase （AST） in MCT groups rose with the increase in MCT dose （P<0.05， P<0.01） compared with that in the normal group. With the extension of modeling time， the activity of serum ALT and AST in the low-dose group decreased （P<0.01）， while the activity of them in the medium-dose and high-dose groups increased （P<0.01）. HE staining showed that hepatocyte necrosis， inflammatory cell infiltration， and erythrocyte accumulation in MCT groups. Electron microscopy demonstrated that fenestrae of liver sinusoidal endothelial cells widened and the sieve plates disappeared. Morever， the injury was worsened with the increase in MCT dose. In addition， the expression of CD44 in MCT groups was significantly reduced compared with that in the normal group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. SR staining showed that no positive staining was found in model groups after 48 h， while collagen deposition in portal areas and liver sinusoids could be seen in model groups after 120 h. MCT groups showed increase in MDA content and GST activity and decrease in T-SOD activity compared with the normal group， particularly the medium-dose and high-dose groups （P<0.01）， and the changes were dose-dependent after 120 h （P<0.01）. The protein expression of CD68 （pro-inflammatory macrophage marker） was raised with the increase in dosage， which was consistent with the results of immunohistochemistry （P<0.01）， while CD163 （anti-inflammatory macrophage marker） protein and mRNA expression was significantly decreased with the increase in dosage （P<0.01）. Western blot results showed that the expression of phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB/nuclear factor-κB （p-NF-κB/NF-κB） and phosphorylated protein kinase B/protein kinase B （p-Akt/t-Akt） was significantly increased in medium-dose and high-dose MCT groups （P<0.05，P<0.01）. The protein expression of α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） in liver tissues in MCT groups was significantly increased over time and with the increase in dose， and the mRNA expression of α-SMA， collagen type I α1 （Col1a1）， and collagen type Ⅳ α1 （Col4a1） showed the same trend （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The results of TUNEL staining showed that apoptotic cells were increased with the rise of MCT dose， while B-cell lymphoma-2（Bcl-2） /Bcl-2 associated X protein （Bax） was remarkably decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionHSOS in rats induced by intragastric administration of different doses of MCT was aggravated with the increase of dosage. In the low-dose （80 mg·kg^-1） MCT group， the liver healed spontaneously over time. However， liver damage caused by MCT of 120 mg·kg^-1 and 160 mg·kg^-1 aggravated over time， and even fibrosis and death occurred. The pathological mechanism of MCT-induced HSOS in rats may be that MCT triggered intense oxidative stress in liver tissue， thus activated pro-inflammatory macrophages to secrete large amounts of inflammatory factors， and further activated the NF-κB/Akt signalling pathway， leading to severe cell damage and death.

ObjectiveTo prepare ⁶⁸Ga-labeled magnetic ferrite nanoparticles PET/MRI dual-modal imaging probe and evaluate the possibility of using it as a novel molecular probe for prostate cancer imaging. MethodsUsing superparamagnetic manganese iron oxide nanoparticles as the key component， fibroblast inhibitor and DOTA-NHS ester as the modification，along with chelating the positron radionuclide ⁶⁸Ga， we prepared the nanoprobe ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-UMFNPs-FAPI-04. Characterization of nanoprobe and analysis of its cytotoxicity， radiochemical purity and stability were performed during the whole process. The observation of the distribution of nanoprobes in normal mice was performed. The effect of nanoprobes on MRI imaging on tumor-bearing mice was analyzed. ResultsAfter purification， the radiochemical purity of probe was 94%， also it had high stability. MRI T2 test showed that its T2 relaxation rate was about 39.02 mM^-1·s^-1. The bio-distribution in the normal mice showed that ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-UMFNPs- FAPI-04 had a higher uptake in liver and spleen. MRI imaging demonstrated that tumor could be observed clearly after probe injection in 30 minutes. ConclusionsWe have successfully constructed the PET/MRI dual-modal imaging probe ⁶⁸Ga-DOTA-UMFNPs-FAPI-04. It has the characteristics of MRI T2 contrast agent and it also performs well in the MRI imaging of prostate tumors and has the potential of PET imaging. The study provides a new idea for constructing a multi-modal imaging probe for prostate cancer.

Objective: To construct the diagnostic model of superficial esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and precancerous lesions in endoscopic images based on the YOLOv5l model by using deep learning method of artificial intelligence to improve the diagnosis of early ESCC and precancerous lesions under endoscopy. Methods: 13, 009 endoscopic esophageal images of white light imaging (WLI), narrow band imaging (NBI) and lugol chromoendoscopy (LCE) were collected from June 2019 to July 2021 from 1, 126 patients at the Cancer Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, including low-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, high-grade intraepithelial neoplasia, ESCC limited to the mucosal layer, benign esophageal lesions and normal esophagus. By computerized random function method, the images were divided into a training set (11, 547 images from 1, 025 patients) and a validation set (1, 462 images from 101 patients). The YOLOv5l model was trained and constructed with the training set, and the model was validated with the validation set, while the validation set was diagnosed by two senior and two junior endoscopists, respectively, to compare the diagnostic results of YOLOv5l model and those of the endoscopists. Results: In the validation set, the accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of the YOLOv5l model in diagnosing early ESCC and precancerous lesions in the WLI, NBI and LCE modes were 96.9%, 87.9%, 98.3%, 88.8%, 98.1%, and 98.6%, 89.3%, 99.5%, 94.4%, 98.2%, and 93.0%, 77.5%, 98.0%, 92.6%, 93.1%, respectively. The accuracy in the NBI model was higher than that in the WLI model (P<0.05) and lower than that in the LCE model (P<0.05). The diagnostic accuracies of YOLOv5l model in the WLI, NBI and LCE modes for the early ESCC and precancerous lesions were similar to those of the 2 senior endoscopists (96.9%, 98.8%, 94.3%, and 97.5%, 99.6%, 91.9%, respectively; P>0.05), but significantly higher than those of the 2 junior endoscopists (84.7%, 92.9%, 81.6% and 88.3%, 91.9%, 81.2%, respectively; P<0.05). Conclusion: The constructed YOLOv5l model has high accuracy in diagnosing early ESCC and precancerous lesions in endoscopic WLI, NBI and LCE modes, which can assist junior endoscopists to improve diagnosis and reduce missed diagnoses.
Artificial Intelligence ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Esophageal Neoplasms/pathology* ; Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Narrow Band Imaging ; Precancerous Conditions/diagnostic imaging* ; Sensitivity and Specificity

We predicted the anti-hepatitis B virus (HBV) active components and mechanism of Salvia miltiorrhiza based on network pharmacology. The active components of S. miltiorrhiza were obtained through TCMSP, PubChem database and literature research. The potential targets of the active components and HBV infection were predicted by SwissTargetPrediction and GeneCards databases, respectively. The protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was constructed by String database. Cytoscape software was adopted to construct a visual network of active component-disease target and perform topological analysis. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were performed using DAVID platform. The molecular docking of key components and core targets was carried out by AutoDock Vina software. We screened out a total of 38 active components and 178 disease-component overlapping targets. Enrichment analyses obtained 405 related GO items and 68 signaling pathways, such as T/B cell receptor signaling pathways, PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, and mTOR signaling pathway. According to the results of molecular docking, most characteristic components of S. miltiorrhiza (miltionone Ⅱ, miltirone, protocatechuic acid, lithospermic acid, protocatechualdehyde) showed good affinity with the key targets (PIK3CA, APP, STAT3,AKT1 and mTOR). Furthermore, the anti-HBV activity of lithospermic acid, the representative active component of S. miltiorrhiza, and its regulation on PI3K/AKT and mTOR signaling pathways were investigated in an HBV replicating mouse model. Animal welfare and experimental procedures follow the regulations of the Animal Ethics and Welfare Committee of Hubei University. The results showed that lithospermic acid significantly inhibited HBV DNA replication, reduced serum HBsAg and HBeAg levels, and decreased the phosphorylation protein expression levels of AKT and mTOR in liver, indicating that lithospermic acid might exert the anti-HBV activity by regulating PI3K/AKT and mTOR signaling pathways.