OBJECTIVE To focus on the classic NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）/Caspase-1/gasdermin D （GSDMD） pyroptosis pathway and explore the mechanism by which Huatan qushi huoxue formula （HQHF） inhibits macrophage pyroptosis to ameliorate metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis （MASH）. METHODS RAW264.7 cells were divided into 5 groups： Control group （10% blank serum）， Model group [10% blank serum+5 μg/mL lipopolysaccharide （LPS）]， HQHF-L group （2.5% drug-containing serum+7.5% blank serum+5 μg/mL LPS）， HQHF-M group （5% drug-containing serum+5% blank serum+5 μg/mL LPS）， and HQHF-H group （10% drug-containing serum+5 μg/mL LPS）. After 24 h of routine culture post-administration， cells and supernatants were collected for assays. Cell morphology was observed via scanning electron microscopy and phase-contrast microscopy； localization and expression of gasdermin D-N （GSDMD-N） were observed by immunofluorescence. Interleukin-1β （IL-1β） and IL-18 contents in supernatants were detected by ELISA； mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD were measured using real-time PCR and Western blot. RESULTS Compared with the Control group， the Model group showed typical pyroptotic morphology （cell membrane bulging and pore formation）， increased aggregation and fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-N on the cell membrane （ P ＜0.05）， significantly increased the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatants （ P ＜0.05）， and significantly up-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD in cells （ P ＜0.05）. Compared with the Model group， the HQHF-L， HQHF-M and HQHF-H groups showed improved pyroptotic morphology， reduced membrane localization and significantly weakened fluorescence intensity of GSDMD-N （ P ＜0.05）， significantly decreased the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in cell supernatants （ P ＜0.05）， and significantly down-regulated mRNA and protein expressions of NLRP3， Caspase-1， and GSDMD in cells （ P ＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS HQHF inhibits LPS-induced macrophage pyroptosis， and its mechanism of improving MASH may be associated with the suppression of the activation of the classical NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD pyroptosis pathway.

BACKGROUND:Bone morphogenetic protein 7 is mainly synthesized in the kidney and is expressed at different stages of kidney development,but the spatiotemporal distribution of its expression and its relationship with kidney development have not been systematically reported.OBJECTIVE:To observe the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 in mice kidneys during different developmental stages and to explore its potential relationship with kidney development.METHODS:Immunohistochemical techniques combined with stereological methods and western blot analysis were used to observe and analyze the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 in mouse kidney tissues at embryonic days(E)12,14,16,18,and neonatal days(N)1,3,7,14,24,40,and 70.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of immunohistochemistry showed that bone morphogenetic protein 7 was mainly expressed in the nephrogenic zone and immature renal corpuscles during the early stage of kidney development.Subsequently,it was located in mature renal corpuscles and the surrounding distal convoluted tubules,and the expression range gradually increased.After N40 days,bone morphogenetic protein 7 positively expressed in the renal interstitium.(2)Stereology and western blot results showed that the expression level of bone morphogenetic protein 7 gradually decreased with the development of the kidney,reached the lowest level at N7 days,and then slowly increased.To conclude,during the process of kidney development,the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 has significant spatiotemporal specificity,and it is hypothesized that it may be related to the development and maturation of renal corpuscles and distal convoluted tubules.

BACKGROUND:Bone morphogenetic protein 7 is mainly synthesized in the kidney and is expressed at different stages of kidney development,but the spatiotemporal distribution of its expression and its relationship with kidney development have not been systematically reported.OBJECTIVE:To observe the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 in mice kidneys during different developmental stages and to explore its potential relationship with kidney development.METHODS:Immunohistochemical techniques combined with stereological methods and western blot analysis were used to observe and analyze the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 in mouse kidney tissues at embryonic days(E)12,14,16,18,and neonatal days(N)1,3,7,14,24,40,and 70.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The results of immunohistochemistry showed that bone morphogenetic protein 7 was mainly expressed in the nephrogenic zone and immature renal corpuscles during the early stage of kidney development.Subsequently,it was located in mature renal corpuscles and the surrounding distal convoluted tubules,and the expression range gradually increased.After N40 days,bone morphogenetic protein 7 positively expressed in the renal interstitium.(2)Stereology and western blot results showed that the expression level of bone morphogenetic protein 7 gradually decreased with the development of the kidney,reached the lowest level at N7 days,and then slowly increased.To conclude,during the process of kidney development,the expression of bone morphogenetic protein 7 has significant spatiotemporal specificity,and it is hypothesized that it may be related to the development and maturation of renal corpuscles and distal convoluted tubules.

Lung cancer has the highest mortality rate among malignant tumors worldwide, posing a severe threat to human health. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) offers unique advantages in treating lung cancer, with disease-syndrome-integrated animal models serving as a critical component of TCM lung cancer research. According to TCM pathogenesis, lung cancer is classified as a pattern of underlying deficiency with superficial excess. Clinically, it is often categorized into syndromes such as qi and yin deficiency, lung-spleen qi deficiency, lung yin deficiency, qi stagnation and blood stasis, and phlegm-heat obstructing the lungs. Treatment should fundamentally adhere to the principle of "strengthening the healthy qi and expelling pathogenic factors". This paper systematically reviews literature from 2005 to 2025 on disease-syndrome-integrated animal models for lung cancer. It summarizes the theoretical basis and establishment methods of four core disease-syndrome-integrated models: qi-yin deficiency pattern, spleen qi deficiency pattern, qi stagnation and blood stasis pattern, and kidney deficiency pattern. Further discussion covers their evaluation systems and limitations. Additionally, modeling approaches for other patterns including yang deficiency, spleen deficiency, and qi deficiency with blood stasis are summarized, with evaluation methods categorized by behavioral characteristics and biochemical indicators. Analysis reveals that current models predominantly use C57BL/6 mice, exhibiting issues such as insufficient clinical relevance, complex modeling procedures, numerous confounding factors, and a low degree of standardization. Future improvements to disease-syndrome-integrated lung cancer animal models could include using clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) technology to establish organoid–patient-derived xenograft models; developing controllable composite stress systems and standardized stimulus models, such as gradient-controlled alternating cold/heat chambers and programmed dietary regulation systems, to reduce nonspecific interference; and developing multidimensional dynamic modeling techniques by integrating clinical big data, including metabolomics and imaging features, to design dynamic intervention protocols, thereby providing more precise and reliable experimental tools for elucidating the mechanisms of TCM in lung cancer prevention and treatment.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of mechanical pressure regulation on the migration and bone-promoting ability of suture dural cells （S-DCs） and non-suture dural cells （NS-DCs）. MethodsDural cells （S-DCs）， non-cranial suture dural cells （NS-DCs） and cranial suture mesenchymal stem cells （CS-MSCs） of 5-day-old SD rats were isolated and cultured. Four experimental conditions， namely S-DCs-Normal， S-DCs-Stress， NS-DCs-Normal and NS-DCs-Stress， were set according to the source of the cells and whether mechanical pressure （1.07 kPa， 24 hours） was applied. The migration ability of dural cells was detected by cell scratch test. Four experimental condition culture media were collected and co-cultured with CS-MSCs for osteogenic induction. Calcium salt deposition was detected by alizarin red staining， and the expression of osteogenesis-related proteins was detected by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the Normal group， the migration abilities of both S-DCs and NS-DCs decreased after Stress treatment （P<0.05）. Compared with S-DCs， NS-DCs has a weaker migration ability under the same processing conditions （P<0.05）. The conditioned medium experiment showed that Stress treatment reduced the osteogenic ability of CS-MSCs （P<0.05）， and the osteogenic effect of the conditioned medium derived from NS-DCs was weaker than that of S-DCs （P<0.05）. The Western blot results were consistent with the trend of alizarin red staining. Both Stress treatment and NS-DCs sources could down-regulate the expression of osteogenesis-related proteins （P<0.05）. ConclusionMechanical stress can significantly inhibit the migration of dural cells and the osteogenic differentiation process of CS-MSCs mediated by it. The mechanical tolerance and osteogenic regulation ability of S-DCs are significantly better than those of NS-DCs.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease （MAFLD） has become the leading chronic liver disease worldwide. As a classic food-medicine homologous Chinese herb， hawthorn fruit has the functions of promoting digestion to resolve food stagnation and activating blood circulation to resolve blood stasis. Modern pharmacological studies have shown that hawthorn fruit and its active components exert diverse pharmacological activities in regulating lipid metabolism， improving insulin resistance， inhibiting inflammatory response， delaying hepatic fibrosis， and protecting hepatocytes. These effects precisely match the “multiple-hit” pathological features of MAFLD， and thus hawthorn fruit shows significant advantages in the prevention and treatment of MAFLD. Drug pair combination is a key strategy in traditional Chinese medicine to enhance efficacy and reduce toxicity. In clinical practice， hawthorn fruit is often combined with Salvia miltiorrhiza， Alisma orientalis， cassia seed， and Poria cocos， and such combination adheres to the principle of “mutual reinforcement and assistance” to enhance efficacy and expand their application in different syndromes of MAFLD. This article systematically reviews the core pharmacological mechanisms of hawthorn fruit in intervening against MAFLD and the research advances in its classic drug combinations， in order to provide a scientific reference for the in-depth development of hawthorn fruit and its combinations and the precise clinical intervention of MAFLD.

BACKGROUND: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with common pathophysiological processes, such as inflammation and fibrosis, in both the heart and the kidney. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms that drive these processes are not yet fully understood. Therefore, this study focused on the molecular mechanism of heart and kidney injury in CKD. METHODS: We generated an microRNA (miR)-26a knockout (KO) mouse model to investigate the role of miR-26a in angiotensin (Ang)-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. We performed Ang-II modeling in wild type (WT) mice and miR-26a KO mice, with six mice in each group. In addition, Ang-II-treated AC16 cells and HK2 cells were used as in vitro models of cardiac and renal injury in the context of CKD. Histological staining, immunohistochemistry, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and Western blotting were applied to study the regulation of miR-26a on Ang-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. Immunofluorescence reporter assays were used to detect downstream genes of miR-26a, and immunoprecipitation was employed to identify the interacting protein of LIM and senescent cell antigen-like domain 1 (LIMS1). We also used an adeno-associated virus (AAV) to supplement LIMS1 and explored the specific regulatory mechanism of miR-26a on Ang-II-induced cardiac and renal injury. Dunnett's multiple comparison and t -test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Compared with the control mice, miR-26a expression was significantly downregulated in both the kidney and the heart after Ang-II infusion. Our study identified LIMS1 as a novel target gene of miR-26a in both heart and kidney tissues. Downregulation of miR-26a activated the LIMS1/integrin-linked kinase (ILK) signaling pathway in the heart and kidney, which represents a common molecular mechanism underlying inflammation and fibrosis in heart and kidney tissues during CKD. Furthermore, knockout of miR-26a worsened inflammation and fibrosis in the heart and kidney by inhibiting the LIMS1/ILK signaling pathway; on the contrary, supplementation with exogenous miR-26a reversed all these changes. CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that miR-26a could be a promising therapeutic target for the treatment of cardiorenal injury in CKD. This is attributed to its ability to regulate the LIMS1/ILK signaling pathway, which represents a common molecular mechanism in both heart and kidney tissues.
Animals ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Angiotensin II/toxicity* ; Mice ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/chemically induced* ; Mice, Knockout ; Disease Models, Animal ; Male ; Signal Transduction/genetics* ; LIM Domain Proteins/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cell Line ; Humans

Objective To investigate the association between 8 insulin resistance(IR)surrogate markers and incident atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease(ASCVD)in population with cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome(CKM)of stages 0-3,and to identify the surrogate marker with the best predictive performance.Methods A study was conducted on 20121 community residents classified as CKM stages 0-3 from the Chengdu cohort of the China Multi-Ethic Cohort.A Cox proportional hazards model was used to calculate hazard ratios(HRs)between each IR surrogate marker and incident ASCVD.Cubic spline regression was employed to explore the dose-response relationships between these markers and incident ASCVD.The relative relationships between different markers and incident ASCVD were examined through the ratio of HRs(RHRs).Time-dependent area under the receiver operating characteristic curve(TDAUC)and Uno's C-statistic were calculated to compare the predictive performance of each marker for incident ASCVD.Based on the PREVENT equation components and the 8 surrogate markers under analysis,random forest feature selection was used to determine the contribution of each marker to accurate prediction.Results During a follow-up period of82 741.93 person-years,1447 incident cases of ASCVD were recorded,with an incidence density of 17.49 per 1000 person-years.Association analyses indicated that the triglyceride to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio(TG/HDL)and the TyG/(TG/HDL)index were not associated with incident ASCVD(P＞0.05).The TyG index combined with obesity measurement parameters emerged as a reliable predictor of ASCVD incidence.The most promising indicator,TyG index with waist-to-height ratio(TyG_WHtR),exhibited an inverted J-shaped association with incident ASCVD(P for nonlinearity=0.045;TDAUC=0.640;C=0.634),while the TyG index with body mass index(TyG_BMI),waist circumference(TyG_WC),and waist-to-hip ratio(TyG_WHR)showed positive linear associations(all P for trend＜0.05),with relatively lower predictive performance(C=0.564,0.588,and 0.598,respectively).Although both the TyG index and the metabolic score for insulin resistance(METS-IR)were associated with increased ASCVD risk(TyG:Q2 vs.Q1,HR=1.23 and Q4 vs.Q1,HR=1.24;METS-IR:P for non-linearity=0.045),they exhibited poor predictive performance for incident ASCVD.Conclusion The TyG index combined with obesity measurement parameters is an ideal IR surrogate marker for predicting incident ASCVD in populations with stages 0-3 CKM.Monitoring these markers will facilitate the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases in CKM populations.

ObjectiveTo investigate the association between serum creatinine/cystatin C ratio （CCR） and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease （NAFLD） based on the NHANES database， and to evaluate the potential significance of CCR as an indicator reflecting the metabolic status of the body. MethodsBased on the data from the NHANES database in 1999‍ ‍—‍ ‍2004， a total of 4 217 participants were enrolled and divided into NAFLD group with 1 726 participants and non-NAFLD group with 2 491 participants. CCR was compared between the two groups， and the association between CCR and NAFLD was analyzed. The Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups， and the chi-square test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to investigate the association between CCR and NAFLD； CCR was divided into 4 groups based on quartiles， and odds ratio （OR） and 95% confidence interval （CI） in the regression model was calculated with the first quartile as reference. In addition， the restricted cubic spline analysis was used to investigate whether there was a non-linear relationship between CCR and NAFLD， and interaction items were introduced into the Logistic regression model to perform an interaction analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed based on the stratification of variables to investigate the difference in the association between CCR and NAFLD in different populations. ResultsThe non-NAFLD group had a significantly higher CCR than the NAFLD group （Z=-4.76，P<0.01）. The Logistic regression analysis showed that in model 1 without adjustment of variables， CCR was negatively associated with NAFLD （OR=0.993，95%CI：0.989‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.996，P<0.01）， and in model 3 with adjustment of all variables， CCR was still negatively associated with NAFLD （OR=0.986，95%CI：0.981‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.991，P<0.01）. The analysis of CCR based on quartiles showed a significant association between the increase in CCR and the reduction in the risk of NAFLD. In model 3， compared with the individuals with the lowest quartile of CCR， the individuals with the highest quartile of CCR had a significantly lower risk of NAFLD （OR=0.426，95%CI：0.316‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.574，P<0.01）. Further interaction and subgroup analyses showed that the interaction between CCR and age/sex had a statistical significance （P_interaction<0.01 and P_interaction=0.04）. The subgroup analysis based on age showed a more significant association between CCR and NAFLD in the middle-aged population （≤60 years） （OR=0.982，95%CI：0.976‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.987）， and the subgroup analysis based on sex showed a stronger association between CCR and NAFLD in women （OR=0.979，95%CI：0.972‍ ‍—‍ ‍0.986）. ConclusionThis study shows a significant negative association between CCR and NAFLD， and such association is more significant in middle-aged individuals and women.

With the increasing aging of the population in China,the problem of cognitive decline with age is becoming more prominent,and how to move forward to maintain and improve cognitive function in older adults has become an important research topic.Active participation in social activities has a protective effect on cognitive function in older adults.This paper summarizes the concepts of social activities,relationships with cognitive function,and strategies for promoting interventions.The corresponding nursing inspirations were proposed,aiming to provide new perspectives for improving cognitive function in older adults.