Colonic mucosal healing is the ultimate goal of ulcerative colitis (UC) treatment, but it remains difficult to realize. Given the higher incidence of UC in males and the beneficial effect of estrogen on UC, we conducted this study to examine the therapeutic potential of estrogen receptor β (ERβ), the primary ER subtype in colon, on mucosal healing in UC. Our study is the first to report that ERβ activation degree was positively correlated with mucosal healing in patients with UC. Furthermore, ERβ activation enhanced mucosal healing in mice with dextran sulfate sodium-induced and biopsy-induced colonic injuries. Mechanistically, ERβ activation promoted autophagy of colonic epithelial cells by inhibiting branched-chain amino acid transport, leading to focal adhesion kinase (FAK) activation. Activated FAK promoted focal adhesion turnover and colonic epithelial cell migration, ultimately facilitating mucosal healing. ERβ ^-/- colitis mice exhibited impaired mucosal healing compared to wild-type littermates, highlighting the crucial effect of ERβ. Importantly, combination with ERβ-agonist diarylpropionitrile enhanced the amelioration of 5-aminosalicylic acid, a standard UC treatment agent, against mouse colitis. These findings attest to the crucial role of ERβ activation in colonic mucosal healing and may further inform the development of novel strategies for UC treatment.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Ionizing radiation (IR) is a genotoxic agent that can play an important role in the occurrence and development of various diseases by inducing epigenetic changes. Studies have shown that the basic mechanisms of IR-induced epigenetic changes include abnormal DNA methylation, increased oxidative stress levels, changes in histone modifications, and regulation by microRNAs. These can lead to health hazards such as malignant tumors, genetic effects, nervous system damage, circulatory system diseases, and radiation-induced cataracts. This article collected relevant literatures regarding epigenetic changes induced by IR from 2005 to 2024, and reviewed the basic mechanisms of IR-induced epigenetic changes and the associated disease risks, providing the reference for radiation protection in occupational exposure and radiotherapy.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of Bulleyaconitine A combined with pregabalin in the treatment of herpes zoster neuralgia (HZN), and its effects on serum neuropeptide, interleukin-17 (IL-17), CXC chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) levels.Methods:A total of 114 HZN patients admitted to the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected and divided into observation group ( n=57) and control group ( n=57) by random number table method. The control group was treated with oral pregabalin capsules, and the observation group was treated with Bulleyaconitine A on the basis of the control group for 4 weeks. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was observed. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain, total score of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), total score of The MOS 36 Item Short form Health Survey (SF-36), as well as serum neuropeptide [substance P (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), β-endorphin (β-EP)] and IL-17, CXCL10, NF-κB levels were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. The occurrence of adverse reactions in the two groups was recorded. Results:The total effective rate of the observation group [82.46%(47/57)] was significantly higher than that of the control group [64.91%(37/57), P<0.05]. Before treatment, there were no significant differences in VAS score, total PSQI score, and total SF-36 score between the two groups (all P>0.05); after treatment, the VAS score and total PSQI score of both groups were significantly decreased (all P<0.05), the total SF-36 score was significantly increased (all P<0.05), and the above indicators in the observation group were better than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Before treatment, there were no significant differences in serum SP, NPY, and β-EP levels between the two groups (all P>0.05); after treatment, serum SP and NPY levels in both groups were significantly decreased (all P<0.05), serum β-EP levels were significantly increased (all P<0.05), and serum SP and NPY levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05), serum β-EP levels were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05). Before treatment, there were no significant differences in serum IL-17, CXCL10, and NF-κB levels between the two groups (all P>0.05); after treatment, serum IL-17, CXCL10, and NF-κB levels in both groups were significantly decreased (all P<0.05), and serum IL-17, CXCL10, and NF-κB levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the adverse reaction rate between the observation group [7.02%(4/57)] and the control group [12.28%(7/57)] ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Bulleyaconitine A combined with pregabalin has good efficacy and safety in the treatment of HZN, which can effectively reduce the degree of neuropathic pain and improve sleep and quality of life. Its mechanism may be related to further regulating the level of neuropeptide and inhibiting the inflammatory state in the body.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of Bulleyaconitine A combined with pregabalin in the treatment of herpes zoster neuralgia (HZN), and its effects on serum neuropeptide, interleukin-17 (IL-17), CXC chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10), and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) levels.Methods:A total of 114 HZN patients admitted to the Second Hospital of Tianjin Medical University from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected and divided into observation group ( n=57) and control group ( n=57) by random number table method. The control group was treated with oral pregabalin capsules, and the observation group was treated with Bulleyaconitine A on the basis of the control group for 4 weeks. The clinical efficacy of the two groups was observed. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain, total score of Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), total score of The MOS 36 Item Short form Health Survey (SF-36), as well as serum neuropeptide [substance P (SP), neuropeptide Y (NPY), β-endorphin (β-EP)] and IL-17, CXCL10, NF-κB levels were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. The occurrence of adverse reactions in the two groups was recorded. Results:The total effective rate of the observation group [82.46%(47/57)] was significantly higher than that of the control group [64.91%(37/57), P<0.05]. Before treatment, there were no significant differences in VAS score, total PSQI score, and total SF-36 score between the two groups (all P>0.05); after treatment, the VAS score and total PSQI score of both groups were significantly decreased (all P<0.05), the total SF-36 score was significantly increased (all P<0.05), and the above indicators in the observation group were better than those in the control group (all P<0.05). Before treatment, there were no significant differences in serum SP, NPY, and β-EP levels between the two groups (all P>0.05); after treatment, serum SP and NPY levels in both groups were significantly decreased (all P<0.05), serum β-EP levels were significantly increased (all P<0.05), and serum SP and NPY levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05), serum β-EP levels were higher than those in the control group ( P<0.05). Before treatment, there were no significant differences in serum IL-17, CXCL10, and NF-κB levels between the two groups (all P>0.05); after treatment, serum IL-17, CXCL10, and NF-κB levels in both groups were significantly decreased (all P<0.05), and serum IL-17, CXCL10, and NF-κB levels in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the adverse reaction rate between the observation group [7.02%(4/57)] and the control group [12.28%(7/57)] ( P>0.05). Conclusions:Bulleyaconitine A combined with pregabalin has good efficacy and safety in the treatment of HZN, which can effectively reduce the degree of neuropathic pain and improve sleep and quality of life. Its mechanism may be related to further regulating the level of neuropeptide and inhibiting the inflammatory state in the body.

Body weight abnormalities, including overweight, obesity, and underweight, have become a dual public health challenge in Chinese adults: overweight and obesity lead to a variety of chronic complications, while underweight increases the risks of malnutrition, sarcopenia, and organ dysfunction. To systematically address these issues, multidisciplinary experts in endocrinology, sports science, nutrition, and psychiatry from various regions have held multiple weight management seminars. Based on the latest epidemiological data and clinical evidence, they expanded the guideline to include assessment and intervention strategies for underweight, in addition to the core content of obesity management. This guideline outlines the etiological mechanisms, evaluation methods, and multidimensional management strategies for overweight and obesity, covering key areas such as diagnosis and assessment, medical nutrition therapy, exercise prescription, pharmacological intervention, and psychological support. It is intended to provide a scientific and standardized approach to weight management across the adult population, aiming to curb the rising prevalence of obesity, mitigate complications associated with abnormal body weight, and improve nutritional status and overall quality of life.

Diabetic gastroparesis （DGP） is a common diabetic neuropathy that affects the normal function of gastric motility and emptying. Clinically， it often manifests as abdominal distension， nausea and vomiting， early satiety， dyspepsia， etc. The pathogenesis of DGP is multifactorial， closely related to many factors， such as chronic hyperglycemia， neuropathy， autonomic nervous system disorders， inflammation， and oxidative stress. These factors can interact with each other， leading to delayed gastric emptying and the occurrence of related symptoms. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has significant advantages in the prevention and treatment of DGP， including a long history， remarkable efficacy， individualized treatment， diverse therapeutic formulations， and improvement in the quality of life. Additionally， TCM is known for its low adverse reactions， good tolerance， and multi-targeted effects， making it an important approach in the management of DGP. Previous research has found that the main mechanisms of Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of DGP include the regulation of gastrointestinal hormones， inhibition of inflammatory responses， reduction of oxidative stress， enhancement of interstitial cells of Cajal activity， inhibition of pyroptosis， and modulation of related signaling pathways such as stem cell factor （SCF）/cellular growth factor receptor （c-Kit）， adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK）， Ras homologous genome member A （RhoA）/Rho-associated coiled-coil forming kinase （ROCK）. This article primarily summarized the research progress on Chinese medicine in preventing and treating DGP through the inhibition of inflammatory responses， reduction of oxidative stress， enhancement of interstitial cells of Cajal activity， inhibition of pyroptosis， and regulation of related signaling pathways， aiming to provide a reference and basis for further research on the application value of Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of DGP.

Purpose To investigate the changes of interhemispheric functional connectivity and functional connectivity between the selected region of interest(ROI)and other brain areas of the whole brain in resting state in early-blind adolescents(EBAs)via the voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity(VMHC)and seed-based functional connectivity methods.Materials and Methods A total of 23 EBAs in the Guangdong Province Blind School and 21 age-and gender-matched normal-sighted controls were recruited from June to August 2015.Brain resting-state magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed on all participants.The VMHC were calculated and compared between these two groups.And take the most significant brain area of VMHC as the ROI,the functional connectivity between it and all voxels in the whole brain were calculated and compared,respectively.Results Compared with the control groups,the EBAs groups showed decreased VMHC values in the occipital visual cortex with bilateral calcarine as peak point,bilateral cerebellum and right inferior temporal gyrus(FDR corrected,P<0.05).The EBAs group showed a decreased functional connectivity between bilateral calcarine(brain areas with significantly reduced VMHC),set as ROI and the right cuneus and middle cingulum gyrus,while the enhanced functional connectivity between the bilateral calcarine and the right cerebellum-Crus1 when compared with normal-sighted controls(false discovery rate,FDR corrected,P<0.05).Conclusion The visual cortex interhemispheres mainly in the primary visual cortex of EBAs and its functional connections with multiple brain regions are abnormal,which may indicate abnormal coordination between the primary visual center and other perceptual cortex,and may be related to the brain structure and function remodeling caused by visual loss.

Both cholinergic dysfunction and protein citrullination are the hallmarks of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the relationship between the two phenomena remains unclear. We explored whether and how cholinergic dysfunction accelerates protein citrullination and consequently drives the development of RA. Cholinergic function and protein citrullination levels in patients with RA and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice were collected. In both neuron-macrophage coculture system and CIA mice, the effect of cholinergic dysfunction on protein citrullination and expression of peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) was assessed by immunofluorescence. The key transcription factors for PAD4 expression were predicted and validated. Cholinergic dysfunction in the patients with RA and CIA mice negatively correlated with the degree of protein citrullination in synovial tissues. The cholinergic or alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) deactivation and activation resulted in the promotion and reduction of protein citrullination in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Especially, the activation deficiency of α7nAChR induced the earlier onset and aggravation of CIA. Furthermore, deactivation of α7nAChR increased the expression of PAD4 and specificity protein-3 (SP3) in vitro and in vivo. Our results suggest that cholinergic dysfunction-induced deficient α7nAChR activation, which induces the expression of SP3 and its downstream molecule PAD4, accelerating protein citrullination and the development of RA.

Objective:To investigate the effect of adjusting density exposure steps on image quality and radiation dose in digital mammography.Methods:Using the automatic exposure control (AEC) mode of the digital mammography machine, five different gland thicknesses of 4.3, 5.3, 6.3, 7.3, and 8.3 cm were simulated by attaching 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 PMMA plexiglass plates under the RMI-156 modal body, and the density exposure steps were adjusted to -3, -2, -1, 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 for each thickness. The target/filter combination, tube voltage, tube current, incident body surface dose (ESD), incident surface air kerma (ESAK), half-value layer (HVL) and the average glandular dose displayed by the device (displayed AGD) were recorded at each step and thickness, and the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), figure of merit (FOM) and the calculated average glandular dose (calculated AGD) were calculated. Then, the display effects of simulated fibers, simulated calcifications and simulated masses within the modal body were scored subjectively, and the changes in image quality and radiation dose at different steps were analyzed, and the relationships between ESD and ESAK, displayed AGD and calculated AGD, and displayed AGD/ESD and calculated AGD/ESAK were analyzed. A linear fit was used for the steps with SNR, CNR, and FOM, and an exponential function curve fit was used for the steps with mAs, ESAK, and calculated AGD. The differences between ESD and ESAK, displayed AGD and calculated AGD, and displayed AGD/ESD and calculated AGD/ESAK were analyzed by paired-samples t test. Results:The CNR and SNR of mammographic images rose and fell by about 8% with each increase or decrease of one step. The scores of image simulated fibers, simulated calcifications, and simulated masses showed an overall upward trend with increasing steps, but there were still cases where the scores decreased with increasing grades. FOM varied from 97% to 104% at each grade with little variability. ESD, ESAK, displayed AGD, and calculated AGD, which could measure radiation dose, showed an exponential trend of increasing function with increasing steps, with a variation of about 63% to 165%. There were statistically significant differences ( t=-9.61, P=0.001) between ESD (15.14±10.08) and ESAK (16.66±11.07). However, there were no statistically significant differences ( t=1.20, P=0.240) between displayed AGD and calculated AGD, which were 3.66±2.18 and 3.61±1.99, respectively. Conclusions:The adjustment of density exposure steps can make the image quality change linearly and the radiation dose change exponentially with increasing speed, and the mode and magnitude of the adjustment are appropriately stable with high application value.