ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanism of Changji'an Formula （肠激安方） on intestinal permeability for rats with diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-D） of liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome by the microRNA-29b-3p （miR-29b-3p）/tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 3 （TRAF3）/nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）/myosin light chain kinase （MLCK） axis. MethodsTwenty-four 1-day-old male Sprague-Dawley （SD） suckling rats were selected， and the IBS-D rat model of liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome was established via a three-factor method，i.e. maternal separation plus acetic acid stimulation and restraint stress， for 6 consecutive weeks. After successful modeling， the rats were randomly divided into a model group， pinaverium bromide group， low-dose and high-dose Changji'an Formula groups， with 6 rats in each group. Another 6 age-matched non-modeled SD rats were included as the control group. The low-dose and high-dose Changji'an Formula groups were given intragastric administration of Changji'an Formula solution at doses of 16.74 g/（kg·d） and 33.48 g/（kg·d）， respectively； the pinaverium bromide group received intragastric administration of pinaverium bromide tablets at 0.018 g/（kg·d）； and the control group was given distilled water at 10 ml/（kg·d） via intragastric gavage. The intervention was conducted once daily for 14 consecutive days. After the gavage treatment， the fecal water content of rats in each group was measured. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to detect the serum levels of intestinal permeability indicators， including D-lactic acid （D-LA）， diamine oxidase （DAO）， and lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction （qRT-PCR） was conducted to determine the mRNA expression levels of miR-29b-3p， TRAF3， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， p65， p50， and MLCK in colonic tissues. Western Blot analysis was employed to detect the protein expression levels of TRAF3， TNF-α， p65， phosphorylated p65 （p-p65）， MLCK， myosin light chain （MLC）， phosphorylated MLC （p-MLC）， and tight junction proteins including junctional adhesion molecule-A （JAM-A）， Occludin， and Claudin-1 in colonic tissues. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited significantly increased fecal water content and serum levels of D-LA， DAO， and LPS， along with decreased protein expression levels of JAM-A， Occludin， and Claudin-1 in colonic tissues （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Additionally， in the model group， the mRNA expression levels of miR-29b-3p， TNF-α， p65， p50， and MLCK in colonic tissues were up-regulated， while the mRNA and protein expression levels of TRAF3 were down-regulated； the protein levels of TNF-α and MLCK， as well as the ratios of p-p65/p65 and p-MLC/MLC， significantly elevated （P＜0.01）. Compared with the model group， all treatment groups showed reduced fecal water content and serum levels of D-LA， DAO， and LPS， along with down-regulated mRNA expression levels of miR-29b-3p， TNF-α， p65， p50， and MLCK， and up-regulated TRAF3 mRNA expression in colonic tissues. Moreover， the pinaverium bromide group and high-dose Changji'an Formula group presented increased protein levels of Occludin， Claudin-1， and TRAF3， as well as decreased protein levels of TNF-α and MLCK， and reduced ratios of p-p65/p65 and p-MLC/MLC in colonic tissues （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the low-dose Changji'an Formula group， the high-dose group had lower fecal water content and serum levels of DAO and LPS （P＜0.01）. In comparison with the pinaverium bromide group， the high-dose Changji'an Formula group showed a significant decrease in serum DAO level （P＜0.01）. ConclusionsChangji'an Formula can reduce intestinal permeability and restore intestinal barrier function in IBS-D rats of liver depression and spleen deficiency syndrome by regulating the miR-29b-3p/TRAF3/NF-κB/MLCK axis.

Single-cell omics technologies have transformed our investigation of genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic landscapes at the individual cell level. In particular, the application of single-cell RNA sequencing has unveiled the complex transcriptional variations inherent in cardiac cells, offering valuable perspectives into their dynamics. This review focuses on the integration of single-cell omics with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in the context of cardiovascular research, offering a unique avenue to deepen our understanding of cardiac biology. By synthesizing insights from various single-cell technologies, we aim to elucidate the molecular intricacies of heart health and diseases. Beyond current methodologies, we explore the potential of emerging paradigms such as single-cell/spatial omics, delving into their capacity to reveal the spatial organization of cellular components within cardiac tissues. Furthermore, we anticipate their transformative role in shaping the future of cardiovascular research. This review aims to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field, offering a comprehensive perspective on the synergistic potential of transcriptomic analyses, iPSC applications, and the evolving frontier of spatial omics.

Single-cell omics technologies have transformed our investigation of genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic landscapes at the individual cell level. In particular, the application of single-cell RNA sequencing has unveiled the complex transcriptional variations inherent in cardiac cells, offering valuable perspectives into their dynamics. This review focuses on the integration of single-cell omics with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in the context of cardiovascular research, offering a unique avenue to deepen our understanding of cardiac biology. By synthesizing insights from various single-cell technologies, we aim to elucidate the molecular intricacies of heart health and diseases. Beyond current methodologies, we explore the potential of emerging paradigms such as single-cell/spatial omics, delving into their capacity to reveal the spatial organization of cellular components within cardiac tissues. Furthermore, we anticipate their transformative role in shaping the future of cardiovascular research. This review aims to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field, offering a comprehensive perspective on the synergistic potential of transcriptomic analyses, iPSC applications, and the evolving frontier of spatial omics.

Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a biallelic expansion of pentanucleotide repeats in the RFC1 gene. Previous studies have reported up to 22% of patients with late-onset ataxia harbor this pathogenic repeat expansion. Despite its relatively high prevalence, CANVAS is often underdiagnosed because the disease is not well recognized and genetic testing is not performed in clinical practice. Here, we present a patient with characteristic clinical features, confirmed by genetic testing.

Background: This study surveyed pharmacists registered with the Yamaguchi Prefectural Pharmacists Association to determine the key elements of tablet printing design that enhance visibility and distinguishability during dispensing.Objectives: The purpose of this study is to identify suitable design components for tablets that enhance visibility and distinguishability by utilizing text data.Methods: Given the high risk of medication errors due to similar-looking tablets, the study employed KH Coder for text mining analysis of free-text responses.Results: Results indicated that design elements such as "horizontal writing," "straight lines, " and "emphasis on characters" significantly improve visibility and distinguishability, particularly for similar-looking tablets. The findings from this study provide specific guidelines for optimal tablet design, aiming to improve pharmacists' efficiency and enhance medication safety.Conclusions: KH Coder proved to be a valuable tool for analyzing qualitative data in the medical field. While the study focused on pharmacists in Yamaguchi Prefecture, expanding the survey to a national scale is recommended to validate and generalize the findings. This research supports the development of standardized tablet designs that can minimize dispensing errors and ensure patient safety, highlighting the importance of effective tablet printing design in pharmaceutical practice.

Single-cell omics technologies have transformed our investigation of genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic landscapes at the individual cell level. In particular, the application of single-cell RNA sequencing has unveiled the complex transcriptional variations inherent in cardiac cells, offering valuable perspectives into their dynamics. This review focuses on the integration of single-cell omics with induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) in the context of cardiovascular research, offering a unique avenue to deepen our understanding of cardiac biology. By synthesizing insights from various single-cell technologies, we aim to elucidate the molecular intricacies of heart health and diseases. Beyond current methodologies, we explore the potential of emerging paradigms such as single-cell/spatial omics, delving into their capacity to reveal the spatial organization of cellular components within cardiac tissues. Furthermore, we anticipate their transformative role in shaping the future of cardiovascular research. This review aims to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field, offering a comprehensive perspective on the synergistic potential of transcriptomic analyses, iPSC applications, and the evolving frontier of spatial omics.

Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a biallelic expansion of pentanucleotide repeats in the RFC1 gene. Previous studies have reported up to 22% of patients with late-onset ataxia harbor this pathogenic repeat expansion. Despite its relatively high prevalence, CANVAS is often underdiagnosed because the disease is not well recognized and genetic testing is not performed in clinical practice. Here, we present a patient with characteristic clinical features, confirmed by genetic testing.

Cerebellar ataxia, neuropathy, and vestibular areflexia syndrome (CANVAS) is a neurodegenerative disorder caused by a biallelic expansion of pentanucleotide repeats in the RFC1 gene. Previous studies have reported up to 22% of patients with late-onset ataxia harbor this pathogenic repeat expansion. Despite its relatively high prevalence, CANVAS is often underdiagnosed because the disease is not well recognized and genetic testing is not performed in clinical practice. Here, we present a patient with characteristic clinical features, confirmed by genetic testing.

Background The decline of physical activity in the elderly due to aging may increase the risk of sarcopenia. Currently, there is a lack of evidence from large natural populations on the relationship between PA and sarcopenia. Objective To explore the relationship between PA and sarcopenia in the elderly aged 60 years and above in 10 provinces (autonomous regions) of China. Methods Data were retrieved from the 2022—2023 round of the China Development and Nutrition Health Impact Cohort. Personal basic information and PA data were collected by questionnaire survey. Skeletal muscle mass was measured by bio-electrical impedance analysis, muscle strength was measured using a grip dynamometer, and physical performance was reflected by 6-meter walk speed. The Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia (AWGS) 2019 criteria were used to diagnose sarcopenia. Light physical activity (LPA) duration, moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) duration, and total physical activity volume were calculated. A total of 3326 residents aged ≥60 years with complete data were selected as the survey participants. Multiple logistic regression models and restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to assess the association between PA duration/volume and sarcopenia. Results In 10 provinces (autonomous regions) of China, the prevalence of sarcopenia in the elderly aged 60 years and above was 5.5% (95%CI: 4.7%, 6.2%). The logistic regression analysis showed that compared with the elderly reporting 0-7.0 h·week⁻¹ in LPA duration, the risk of sarcopenia in the elderly with LPA duration of >14.0-21.0 h·week⁻¹ was reduced by 51% (OR=0.49, 95%CI: 0.26, 0.96). Compared with the elderly with total physical activity ≥15.0 metabolic equivalent of task (MET)-h·week⁻¹, those with <7.5 MET-h·week⁻¹ had a 2.24-fold increased risk of sarcopenia (OR=2.24, 95%CI: 1.17, 4.29). The RCS results found that LPA duration and total physical activity volume each showed a nonlinear dose-response relationship with the risk of sarcopenia (P_overall<0.05, P_non-linear<0.05). Compared with the elderly with an LPA duration of 0 h· week⁻¹, the risk of sarcopenia in the elderly with an LPA duration of 12.6 h· week⁻¹ was the lowest (OR=0.42, 95%CI: 0.21, 0.83). Compared with the elderly with a total physical activity volume of 15.0 MET-h· week⁻¹, the elderly with a total physical activity volume of 46.0 MET-h· week⁻¹ had the lowest risk of sarcopenia (OR=0.57, 95%CI: 0.38, 0.84). There was no statistically significant association between weekly MVPA duration and the risk of sarcopenia (P>0.05). Conclusion Increasing weekly LPA duration and total physical activity volume would help to reduce the risk of sarcopenia.

Thymocyte selection-associated high mobility group box (TOX), a member of the high mobility group protein super-family, plays an important role in T cell development, functional maintenance, and exhaustion. It has been recently found that TOX exerts critical immunoregulatory functions during pathogen infections, and TOX expression is strongly associated with the intensity and tolerance of host immune responses. This review systematically summarizes the structural and functional features of TOX and focuses on its expression dynamics, mechanisms of action, and immunomodulatory effects during viral, bacterial, and parasitic infections, which provides a theoretical support to better understanding of the role of TOX in infectious diseases and provides new insights into development of potential immunotherapeutic strategies targeting TOX.