End-stage liver disease (ESLD) covers the end-stage of acute and chronic liver diseases, mainly involving decompensated cirrhosis, various types of liver failure, and advanced liver cancer. Hepatocyte transplantation has shown promise in treating ESLD, but its clinical application is hampered by the shortage of donor hepatocytes. Cell therapy, an emerging effective treatment for ESLD, faces the same limitation due to scarce hepatocyte availability. Hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs), which are terminally differentiated cells, can be induced from both stem cells and somatic cells. As HLCs exhibit the morphology and function of primary hepatocytes, they offer a promising supplementary source of hepatocytes for cell therapy. First, we provide a background for the differentiation and maturation of primary hepatocytes. Subsequently, based on the current insights into the molecular pathways that regulate hepatocyte differentiation in vivo, we describe a strategy for establishing HLC derived from either stem cells or somatic cells. The key characteristics of these HLCs are also detailed. Furthermore, HLC offers therapeutic potential for liver failure, and HLC-based liver organoids and bioartificial liver systems have demonstrated the ability to provide liver functions, offering an innovative approach to treating various types of ESLD. Despite their promise, challenges such as efficiency in differentiation and functional maturation need to be addressed to improve the clinical application of HLCs. This review discusses these advancements and outlines the therapeutic potential and current challenges of HLC therapy for ESLD.

Background Air pollution has widespread adverse health effects on human health, but research on its impact on reproductive health and related physiological mechanisms remains insufficient. Objective To investigate the associations between short-term exposure to particulate matter and nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) and serum levels of anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) and testosterone in healthy adults. Methods A total of 152 healthy adults were recruited for a panel study, undergoing four follow-up visits from September 2019 to January 2020. Basic demographic information and serum samples were collected. Reproductive hormone levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. Concurrently, environmental data in the study area were monitored, including fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), black carbon (BC), NO₂, particle number concentrations in the 5-560 nm size fraction (PNC_{5_560}), and meteorological variables. Linear mixed-effects models were constructed to estimate the effects of short-term exposure to these particulate matter on serum reproductive hormone levels. Results The participants had an average age of (23.9±2.4) years, with 102 women. For each interquartile range (IQR) increment in pollutant moving average concentrations, PM_2.5, PNC_{5_25}, PNC_{100_560}, BC, and NO₂ were associated with relative decreases in female serum AMH levels by 10.2%-16.9%, 46.2%-58.0%, 16.9%-21.2%, 14.8%-26.5%, and 11.3%-17.6%, respectively. These negative associations were stronger in females with waist-to-hip ratio > 0.76 and physical activity levels ≤ 1217 metabolic equivalents (MET) min per week. Similarly, in males, an IQR increase in the same pollutants was associated with relative decreases in serum free testosterone by 11.1%-17.2%, 35.2%, 10.5%-18.9%, 18.7%-24.2%, and 10.3%-26.0%, respectively. These effects were more pronounce in male with a waist-to-hip ratios > 0.81 and physical activity levels ≤ 1498 MET-min per week. Conclusion Short-term exposure to particulate matter and NO₂ may reduce serum levels of AMH and testosterone in healthy adults. Furthermore, these adverse effects appears to be stronger in adults with higher waist-to-hip ratios.

The mental health management of laboratory animals is a critical factor in ensuring the reliability of scientific research data. However, due to the subtle nature of mental state alterations and the limitations of current assessment methods, the mental health of laboratory animals is often overlooked by researchers. Therefore, there is an urgent need to explore a new, objective, simple, and practical method for evaluating mental health. Stress, as a primary factor inducing alterations in the mental state of animals, can influence experimental results across multiple research fields through the neuroendocrine-immune network. This paper first elucidates the necessity of mental health management in laboratory animals from three perspectives: factors contributing to stress, neural mechanisms of stress, and research areas affected by stress. It highlights that excluding animals with abnormal mental states before experiments can enhance the efficiency and reproducibility of biomedical studies. Second, this paper briefly summarizes existing methods for assessing the health of laboratory animals, pointing out that approaches such as behavioral tests and metabolomics have many limitations in evaluating stress responses. Existing methods struggle to meet the demand for simple, objective, and non-invasive assessment methods in animal management. Therefore, this paper focuses on hair, a biological sample with the advantages of cumulative information and non-invasive collection, and systematically describes the theoretical basis and technological advances in using hair characteristics as indicators of stress responses from three perspectives: hair traits, the levels of substances in hair, and artificial intelligence (AI). It proposes and supports an innovative technical pathway that combines hair traits with AI-based image analysis, with the aim of offering an improved solution for non-invasive and objective stress assessment, while providing theoretical support for improving the health management system of laboratory animals.

Hippophae rhamnoides is a plant with both medicinal and edible properties, rich in nutritional value and biological activity, and has a long history of medicinal use. It is rich in various chemically active components, mainly including flavonoids, polysaccharides, vitamins, and fatty acids. In recent years, extensive research has been conducted on the chemically active components of sea buckthorn both at home and abroad. By comparing different extraction methods of various components, it has been found that different extraction methods affect the chemical structure of Hippophae rhamnoides extracts, and thus influence their pharmacological activities. Studies have shown that Hippophae rhamnoides has significant pharmacological effects in cardiovascular diseases, obesity and overweight, liver diseases, immune regulation diseases, gastrointestinal diseases and so on, with multiple pharmacological activities such as antioxidation, anti-inflammation, lipid-lowering, and blood sugar-lowering. Its development and application value in the fields of health food and medicine is immeasurable. The different chemical components of Hippophae rhamnoides, their extraction and analysis methods were systematically reviews, as well as the research progress on its main pharmacological effects and mechanisms, which could provide a reference basis for the further development and application of Hippophae rhamnoides resources.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the impact of Netupitant and palonosetron hydrochloride capsules （NEPA） on the pharmacokinetics of Paclitaxel for injection （albumin bound） （i. e. albumin-bound paclitaxel） under different intestinal microenvironment conditions. METHODS Male SD rats were divided into a normal group and a model group （n＝16）. Rats in the model group were intragastrically administered vancomycin solution to establish an intestinal disorder model. The next day after modeling， intestinal microbiota diversity was analyzed， and the mRNA expressions of cytochrome P450 3A1 （CYP3A1） and CYP2C11 in small intestine and liver tissues as well as those protein expressions in liver tissue were measured. Male SD rats were grouped as described above （n＝16）. The normal group was subdivided into the TP chemotherapy group （TP-1 group） and the TP chemotherapy+NEPA group （TP+NEPA-1 group）； the model group was subdivided into the TP chemotherapy group （TP-2 group） and the TP chemotherapy+NEPA group （TP+NEPA-2 group） （n＝8）. Rats in the TP+NEPA-1 and TP+NEPA-2 groups received a single intragastric dose of NEPA suspension （25.8 mg/kg， calculated by netupitant）. One hour later， all four groups received a single tail vein injection of albumin-bound paclitaxel and cisplatin. Blood samples were collected at different time points after the last administration. Using azithromycin as the internal standard， plasma paclitaxel concentrations were determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The main pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated using DAS 2.0 software and compared between groups. RESULTS Compared with the normal group， the model group showed significantly decreased Chao1 and Shannon indexes （P＜0.05）， significant alterations in microbiota composition and relative abundance， and significantly downregulated expressions of CYP3A1 mRNA in liver tissue and CYP2C11 mRNA in both small intestine and liver tissues （P＜0.05）. Compared with the TP-1 group， the AUC0－t， AUC0－∞， MRT0－t of paclitaxel in the TP-2 group， the cmax， AUC0－t， AUC0－∞ of paclitaxel in the TP+NEPA-1 group and TP+NEPA-2 group were significantly increased or prolonged； CL of paclitaxel in the TP-2 group， Vd and CL of paclitaxel in the TP+NEPA-1 group and the TP+NEPA-2 group were significantly decreased or shortened （P＜0.05）. Compared with the TP-2 group， cmax of paclitaxel in the TP+NEPA-2 group was significantly increased， and Vd and MRT0－t were significantly decreased or shortened （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Intestinal microbiota disorder affects the mRNA expressions of CYP3A1 and CYP2C11， leading to decreased clearance and increased systemic exposure of paclitaxel. Concomitant administration of NEPA under normal intestinal microbiota condition increases paclitaxel exposure. However， under conditions of intestinal microbiota disorder， concomitant administration of NEPA has a limited impact on paclitaxel systemic exposure.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of moxibustion at "Shenque" (CV8) on urodynamics and the expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and immediate early gene (c-fos) in pontine micturition center (PMC), periaqueductal gray (PAG), medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) of neurogenic bladder (NB) rats after spinal cord injury. METHODS: Twenty-four SPF female SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operation group (6 rats) and a modeling group (18 rats). In the modeling group, T₉ complete spinal cord transection method was used to establish a neurogenic detrusor overactivity model, and the 12 rats with successful modeling were randomized into a model group and a moxibustion group, with 6 rats in each group. The rats in the moxibustion group were treated with ginger/salt-insulated moxibustion at "Shenque" (CV8), and 4 consecutive moxa cones were delivered in one intervention. Moxibustion was operated once daily and for 14 days. After intervention completion, the urodynamic indexes of rats in each group were detected. Fluorescence quantitative PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of BDNF and c-fos in PMC, PAG and mPFC in rats. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of BDNF and c-fos in PMC, PAG and mPFC. RESULTS: The rats in the sham-operation group did not show phasic detrusor contraction during bladder filling. Compared with the model group, the frequency and amplitude of the phasic detrusor contraction were reduced 5 min before urine leakage in the rats of the moxibustion group (P<0.05), and the duration of the first phasic detrusor contraction during bladder filling was prolonged (P<0.05). Compared with the sham-operation group, the mRNA and protein expression of BDNF and c-fos in PMC, PAG and mPFC increased in the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the mRNA and protein expression of BDNF and c-fos in PMC, PAG and mPFC decreased in the moxibustion group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION Moxibustion at "Shenque" (CV8) can improve the phasic contraction during bladder filling in NB rats after spinal cord injury, possibly by down-regulating the mRNA and protein expression of BDNF and c-fos in PMC, PAG, and mPFC.
Animals ; Moxibustion ; Female ; Rats ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Acupuncture Points ; Spinal Cord Injuries/metabolism* ; Urinary Bladder, Neurogenic/etiology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism* ; Humans ; Urinary Bladder/physiopathology* ; Brain/metabolism* ; Urination

After being treated with acupuncture, some patients with idiopathic tinnitus may experience a short-term aggravation of tinnitus symptoms on the original basis. These symptoms can be gradually relieved and the overall condition fluctuates towards recovery. This phenomenon has brought some difficulties to patients and clinicians. Based on the academic view of TCM, "destroying pathogens and re-building balance", and in association with the existing understanding of acupuncture in modern medicine for tinnitus, this paper briefly discusses the mechanism and influencing factors of symptom fluctuation in patients with idiopathic tinnitus after acupuncture treatment in terms of both TCM and modern medicine, and proposes the future direction in the research of symptom fluctuation, so as to promote the recognition of clinicians and patients on symptom fluctuation and make rational use of its positive effects. Besides, it is hoped that more researchers will pay attention to symptom fluctuation and advance the exploration of it in academic field.
Humans ; Tinnitus/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Female

Cancer incidence in China has been rising steadily,with a particularly heavy burden from several high-prevalence malignancies.Medical examination for cancer plays a critical role in the early detection of cancer,precancerous lesions,and precursor conditions,thereby facilitating timely diagnosis and intervention.Such examination also addresses the growing demand for person-alized cancer screening services among diverse population groups.The development of evidence-based,context-specific cancer screening guidelines is essential to enhance the standardization,quality,and equity of preventive screening practices across the country,ultimately improving out-comes in early cancer detection and treatment.Guided by the Department of Medical Emergency Response of the National Health Commission,the Guidelines for Medical Examination for Cancer in Health Examination Agency(2025 Edition)were developed under the leadership of the National Cancer Center.A multidisciplinary panel of experts formulated the guidelines in accordance with the principles and methodology of the World Health Organization Handbook for Guideline Deve-lopment.The guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations on key clinical domains:target cancers and populations,overall screening workflow,screening protocols,diagnostic technolo-gies,result interpretation,follow-up procedures,and quality control.The primary objective is to standardize cancer screening practices in health examination agency and strengthen China's ca-pacity for prevention and control of high-burden cancers.

Objective To investigate the short-term efficacy of arthroscopic total internal suture combined with platelet-rich plasma(PRP)in the treatment of lateral meniscal popliteal hiatus area injuries.Methods Forty-eight patients diagnosed with lateral meniscal popliteal hiatus area injuries in our hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were selected and divided into Fast-Fix total internal suture group(FF group,n=23)and Fast-Fix total internal suture combined with PRP group(PRP group,n=25)according to treatment methods.The positive rate of McMurray test at 6 and 12 months after surgery,the preoperative and postoperative visual analogue scale(VAS)of pain,the International Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC)scores,the Lysholm Knee Function Scores,and the Knee Society Scores(KSS)were compared between the two groups.Results No adverse events such as vascular and nerve injury,fever and infection occurred in both groups.There was no significant difference between the two groups in the positive rates of McMurray test at 6 and 12 months(χ2=0.880,P=0.348;Fisher's exact test,P=0.479).In the PRP group,25 cases were followed up for11-14 months,with an average of(12.2±0.8)months;in the FF group,23 cases were followed up for11-14 months,with an average of(12.8±0.8)months.The VAS scores at 6 months and 12 months after surgery were significantly lower than those before surgery in both groups(all P=0.000).The VAS scores of the PRP group at 6 and 12 months after surgery were significantly lower than those of the FF group(P<0.05).Both groups showed significant improvements in IKDC,Lysholm,and KSS scores at 6 and 12 months after surgery compared to preoperative levels(all P=0.000).The IKDC,Lysholm,and KSS scores of the PRP group at 6 and 12 months after surgery were significantly higher than those of the FF group(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared to Fast-Fix total internal suture alone,PRP joint cavity adjuvant therapy based on Fast-Fix total internal suture surgery could reduce the postoperative pain of patients,and promote the functional recovery of the knee joint,which is more recommended in clinical practice.

Cancer stands as a significant global public health challenge,and cancer screening serves as a pivotal strategy for reducing its mortality.Presently,only a limited number of cancer types have appropriate screening methods available.Traditional single-cancer screen-ing approaches are fraught with limitations,including invasiveness,low accuracy,and poor patient compliance.Multi-cancer early detection(MCED)leveraging liquid biopsy technology enables non-invasive and efficient early detection of multiple cancers by analyzing biomarkers such as cell-free DNA,cell-free RNA,proteins,and metabolites in blood and other bodily fluids.This innovative approach substantially broadens the spectrum of detectable cancers and enhances population coverage,showcasing immense potential for improving existing can-cer screening strategies.This expert consensus comprehensively reviews the progress of liquid biopsy-based MCED,biomarker selection and detection technologies,the criteria for cancer type selection,research design and clinical utility evaluation,as well as implementation path-ways.The overarching goal of this consensus is to offer scientific guidance for further research and the widespread adoption of MCED,thereby facilitating the continuous optimization of cancer screening strategies.