ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu Huayu prescription on minimal hepatic encephalopathy in liver cirrhosis based on intestinal metabolomics. MethodsA total of 11 patients with liver cirrhosis who were hospitalized in Beijing Ditan Hospital， Capital Medical University， from March to May 2024， and were diagnosed with MHE based on psychometric hepatic encephalopathy score were enrolled as subjects， and 11 healthy family members of the patients were enrolled as control group. Fecal samples were collected for metabolomics analysis from the control group and the patients with MHE before and after treatment with Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu Huayu prescription， and a population cohort study was conducted to investigate the effect of Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu Huayu prescription on intestinal metabolism of patients with MHE. The Fisher’s exact test was used for categorical data between two groups； the independent samples t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， the paired t-test was used for comparision before and after treatment within the same group， and the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups. ResultsA total of 29 differentially expressed metabolites were detected between the MHE group and the control group， mainly amino acids， organic acids， organic amines， carbohydrates， fatty acids， and vitamins， and there were 12 upregulated metabolites and 17 downregulated metabolites in the MHE group， which were mainly enriched in the metabolic pathways of ornithine， branched-chain amino acid， and aromatic amino acid. After the treatment with Yiqi Yangyin Jiedu Huayu prescription， 80 differentially expressed metabolites were detected in the patients with MHE， mainly carbohydrates， organic acids， and amino acids， and there were 56 upregulated metabolites and 24 downregulated metabolites， which were mainly enriched in the metabolic pathways of ornithine， branched-chain amino acid， and aromatic amino acid. ConclusionYiqi Yangyin Jiedu Huayu prescription can exert a therapeutic effect on patients with MHE by regulating intestinal metabolism.

Objective: To investigate the molecular regulatory mechanism of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) in mechanical stress-induced inflammatory cytokine expression in human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs), providing a theoretical basis and potential therapeutic target for inflammatory control during orthodontic treatment. Methods: This study was approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee. Primary human periodontal ligament cells (hPDLCs) were isolated and cultured in vitro. Self-renewal capacity was confirmed via colony-forming assays, while osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation potential was evaluated via Alizarin Red S staining, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity assays, and Oil Red O staining. An in vitro compressive force stimulation model (1.5 g/cm2, 12 h) was established to compare inflammatory cytokine expression of hPDLCs—interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and HIF-1α—between the Control group (no mechanical stimulation) and the Force group (1.5 g/cm2, 12 h) using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), Western blot, and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. Mechanically induced HIF-1α-regulated gene expression changes were analyzed through transcriptomic sequencing. To explore pharmacological inhibition, the small-molecule HIF-1α inhibitor LW-6 was applied at varying concentrations (10 μmol/L, 30 μmol/L, 50 μmol/L) to optimize the treatment dose. Subsequently, qRT-PCR, Western blot, and IF staining were conducted to evaluate inflammatory cytokine of hPDLCs and HIF-1α expression in three groups: Control (no force), Force (1.5 g/cm2, 12 h), and Force+LW6 (1.5 g/cm2, 12 h + 30 μmol/L LW-6). Results: Primary hPDLCs demonstrated self-renewal capacity along with osteogenic and adipogenic differentiation potential. Compared to the Control group, the Force group exhibited significantly increased mRNA and protein expression levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, along with enhanced fluorescence intensity of IL-1β and TNF-α. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that mechanical compressive force activated the HIF-1 signaling pathway, which subsequently mediated inflammatory responses and bone remodeling processes in hPDLCs. Furthermore, the mRNA and protein levels of HIF-1α were considerably elevated in the Force group compared to the Control group. Treatment with LW-6 (10, 30, or 50 μmol/L) effectively suppressed HIF-1α expression, with 30 μmol/L LW-6 identified as the optimal concentration for intervention. In subsequent experiments, the Force group showed significant upregulation in mRNA/protein expression of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α compared to the Control group, as well as intensified HIF-1α, IL-1β, and TNF-α fluorescence signals. Conversely, the Force+LW6 group (mechanical force + 30 μmol/L LW-6) exhibited a notable reduction in inflammatory cytokine expression levels and a weakening of HIF-1α, IL-1β, and TNF-α fluorescence signals compared to the Force group. Conclusion HIF-1α potentiates mechanical stress-induced inflammatory responses in hPDLCs and may serve as a promising therapeutic target for mitigating orthodontic-associated periodontal inflammation.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the distribution characteristics of sensitization areas on the body surface in the rat models with functional constipation and diarrhea, explore the regulatory patterns of electroacupuncture (EA) of different intensities at "Tianshu" (ST25) on distal colon motility, and clarify the roles of the neurons of different subtypes in the enteric nervous system (ENS) displayed in the regulatory effect. METHODS: Of 90 SD male rats of SPF grade, 15 rats were randomized into a normal group, a constipation group and a diarrhea group, 5 rats in each one. The stool form and fecal water content, as well as the distribution of the Evans blue (EB) extravasation on the body surface after the intravenous injection with EB on the tails were observed. Eighteen rats were randomized into a normal +2 mA group, a normal +4 mA group and a normal + 6 mA group, 6 rats in each one. Using physiological signal acquisition system, the area under the curve and the average amplitude of colon peristalsis were recorded and analyzed, and the immediate effect on distal colon peristalsis observed after EA with different intensities at "Tianshu" (ST25). Thirty rats were randomized into a normal group, a constipation group, a diarrhea group, a constipation +2 mA group, and a diarrhea +6 mA group, 6 rats in each one, so as to observe the cumulative effect on colon motility disorder in the rat models of constipation and diarrhea after EA at "Tianshu" (ST25). Twelve rats were randomized into a constipation +2 mA group and a diarrhea +6 mA group, 6 rats in each one, to observe the immediate effect on colon motility disorder in the rat models of constipation and diarrhea after EA at "Tianshu" (ST25). Fifteen rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a constipation group, a diarrhea group, a constipation +2 mA group, and a diarrhea + 6 mA group, 3 rats in each one. Using the whole-mount staining technique, the expression of vesicular acetylcholine transporter (VAChT)-positive neurons and nitric oxide synthase (nNOS)-positive neurons in ENS was detected. According to the group divisions, the functional constipation models were established by intragastric administration of loperamide hydrochloride (10 mg/kg, once daily, for consecutive 7 days), and the functional diarrhea models were prepared by intragastric administration of folium sennae decoction (10 mL/kg, once daily, for consecutive 2 days). The interventions were delivered with EA of different intensities (the electric current of 2, 4 or 6 mA) at bilateral "Tianshu" (ST25), separately, with the continuous wave and the frequency of 10 Hz used. RESULTS: Compared with the normal group, the fecal amount was decreased, and the fecal water content was reduced in the rats of the constipation group (P<0.001); and loose stool was presented and the fecal water content increased in rats of the diarrhea group (P<0.001). EB extravasation on the body surface happened in the region from T₆ to S₂ of the rats in the constipation and diarrhea groups, and it was more concentrated in the lower abdominal and the lower back regions from T₁₀ to L₃. Compared with the indexes before EA, in the normal +2 mA group and the normal +4 mA group, the areas under the curve and the average amplitude of the distal colon peristalsis were higher during EA delivery (P<0.01, P<0.05), showing a stimulatory immediate effect; and the post-effect was obtained after EA at 2 mA. Whereas, these two indexes were declined during EA in the rats of the normal +6 mA group (P<0.001), showing an inhibitory immediate effect. After many interventions with EA, when compared with those before EA, the above two indexes rose in the constipation +2 mA group (P<0.05, P<0.01), and they were dropped in the diarrhea +6 mA group (P<0.01, P<0.05). The area under the curve of the colon peristalsis in the constipation +2 mA group was higher than that of the constipation group (P<0.001), and that in the diarrhea +6 mA group was lower compared with that in the diarrhea group (P<0.001). The stimulatory effect of EA on colon motility in the constipation +2 mA group was stronger than that of the normal + 2 mA group (P<0.05), and its inhibitory effect was not different statistically in comparison between the normal +6 mA group and the diarrhea +6 mA group (P>0.05). In ENS of the distal colon, after EA at 2 mA, the proportion of VAChT-positive neurons was higher than that of the activated nNOS-positive neurons (P<0.001); and after EA at 6 mA, the activated nNOS-positive neurons were dominant (P<0.001). CONCLUSION In the functional constipation and diarrhea rat models, the sensitization areas on the body surface are centralized in the lower abdominal and the lower back regions of T₁₀ to L₃. Electroacupuncture at "Tianshu" (ST25) has a bidirectional regulatory effect on distal colon motility, and this effect is coordinated with the intensity of electroacupuncture, and may be mediated by ENS neurons of different subtypes.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Male ; Rats ; Colon/innervation* ; Acupuncture Points ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Constipation/physiopathology* ; Gastrointestinal Motility ; Humans ; Diarrhea/physiopathology*

The connection between tendons and bones is called the tendon bone connection. With the continuous improvement of national sports awareness, excessive exercises and the related intensity are prone to damage the tendon bone connection. Tendon bone healing is a complex repair and healing process involving multiple factors, and good tendon bone healing is a prerequisite for its physiological function. The complexity of tendon bone structure also poses great challenges to the repair of tendon bone injuries. In recent years, researches have found that stem cells, growth factors, macrophages, and other factors are closely related to the healing process of tendon bone injuries, among which macrophages play an important role in the healing process. The authors reviewed relevant research literature in recent years and summarized the role of macrophages in tendon bone healing, in order to provide new ideas and directions for treatment strategies to promote tendon bone healing.
Humans ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Wound Healing ; Animals ; Tendons/physiology* ; Bone and Bones/injuries* ; Tendon Injuries

This study aimed to comprehensively examine the association of gallstones, cholecystectomy, and cancer risk. Multivariable logistic regressions were performed to estimate the observational associations of gallstones and cholecystectomy with cancer risk, using data from a nationwide cohort involving 239 799 participants. General and gender-specific two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis was further conducted to assess the causalities of the observed associations. Observationally, a history of gallstones without cholecystectomy was associated with a high risk of stomach cancer (adjusted odds ratio (aOR)=2.54, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50-4.28), liver and bile duct cancer (aOR=2.46, 95% CI 1.17-5.16), kidney cancer (aOR=2.04, 95% CI 1.05-3.94), and bladder cancer (aOR=2.23, 95% CI 1.01-5.13) in the general population, as well as cervical cancer (aOR=1.69, 95% CI 1.12-2.56) in women. Moreover, cholecystectomy was associated with high odds of stomach cancer (aOR=2.41, 95% CI 1.29-4.49), colorectal cancer (aOR=1.83, 95% CI 1.18-2.85), and cancer of liver and bile duct (aOR=2.58, 95% CI 1.11-6.02). MR analysis only supported the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer. This study added evidence to the causal effect of gallstones on stomach, liver and bile duct, kidney, and bladder cancer, highlighting the importance of cancer screening in individuals with gallstones.
Humans ; Mendelian Randomization Analysis ; Gallstones/complications* ; Female ; Male ; Cholecystectomy/statistics & numerical data* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Aged ; Adult ; Neoplasms/etiology* ; Stomach Neoplasms/epidemiology*

Abstract To explore the influence of the occurrence and development of bystander behavior in cyberbullying among adolescents, the paper reviews the factors influencing bystander behavior from the perspective of social ecosystem theory at the individual level, microsystem (family and school factors), peripheral system (contextual factors), macrosystem (cultural factors) and digital environment (media factors). It is pointed out that the future research needs to further explore the internal interaction of micro system, the influence of time system and technological development on bystanders, and the complex interaction between social ecosystems, and design feasible intervention strategies to transform passive bystanders into active interveners.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between the clinical features and endoscopic ultrasound-guided portal pressure gradient (EUS-PPG) in patients with cirrhosis.Methods:A total of 148 patients with cirrhosis and portal hypertension who underwent EUS-PPG measurement at the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from March 15, 2022 to June 20, 2023 were selected. The clinical data of patients collected before EUS-PPG measurement were analyzed. Variations in the EUS-PPG across different clinical data subgroups were analyzed. Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to explore the independent factors influencing EUS-PPG.Results:The EUS-PPG was significantly elevated in patients exhibiting red signs (16.62±5.33 mmHg VS 13.44±5.34 mmHg, t=3.616, P<0.001), gastroesophageal varices (15.78±5.30 mmHg VS 9.70±4.77 mmHg, t=4.247, P<0.001), hepatic encephalopathy (20.83±7.52 mmHg VS 14.92±5.35 mmHg, t=2.606, P=0.010), thrombocytopenia (15.66±5.39 mmHg VS 13.29±5.83 mmHg, t=2.136, P=0.034), hypoproteinemia (16.13±5.86 mmHg VS 14.12±5.03 mmHg, t=2.230, P=0.027), and an increased international normalized ratio (16.25±6.00 mmHg VS 14.40±5.11 mmHg, t=2.022, P=0.045). Conversely, the EUS-PPG was significantly reduced in patients with a history of splenectomy and devascularization (13.17±5.88 mmHg VS 15.73±5.34 mmHg, t=-2.379, P=0.019). The EUS-PPG in patients with varying degrees of ascites (no VS slight VS moderate or severe: 13.40±5.48 mmHg VS 15.90±5.49 mmHg VS 16.69±5.17 mmHg, F=5.188, P=0.007) and different Child-Pugh classifications (A VS B VS C: 14.07±5.05 mmHg VS 15.69±5.74 mmHg VS 17.64±5.99 mmHg, F=3.066, P=0.049) increased gradually. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that red signs ( β=2.44, t=2.732, P=0.007), gastroesophageal varices ( β=4.45, t=2.990, P=0.003), ascites ( β=1.75, t=2.368, P=0.019), and hepatic encephalopathy ( β=5.82, t=2.644, P=0.009) were independent factors for the elevated EUS-PPG. Conclusion:There is a significant correlation between EUS-PPG and the clinical features related to the severity of cirrhotic portal hypertension, which indicates the feasibility of EUS-PPG in evaluating cirrhotic portal hypertension.

Background/Aims: Low educational attainment is a well-established risk factor for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in developed areas. However, the association between educational attainment and the risk of NAFLD is less clear in China. Methods: A cross-sectional study including over 200,000 Chinese adults across mainland China was conducted. Information on education level and lifestyle factors were obtained through standard questionnaires, while NAFLD and advanced fibrosis were diagnosed using validated formulas. Outcomes included the risk of NAFLD in the general population and high probability of fibrosis among patients with NAFLD. Logistic regression analysis was employed to estimate the risk of NAFLD and fibrosis across education levels. A causal mediation model was used to explore the potential mediators. Results: Comparing with those receiving primary school education, the multi-adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) for NAFLD were 1.28 (1.16 to 1.41) for men and 0.94 (0.89 to 0.99) for women with college education after accounting for body mass index. When considering waist circumference, the odds ratios (95% CIs) were 0.94 (0.86 to 1.04) for men and 0.88 (0.80 to 0.97) for women, respectively. The proportions mediated by general and central obesity were 51.00% and 68.04% for men, while for women the proportions were 48.58% and 32.58%, respectively. Furthermore, NAFLD patients with lower educational attainment showed an incremental increased risk of advanced fibrosis in both genders. Conclusions In China, a low education level was associated with a higher risk of prevalent NAFLD in women, as well as high probability of fibrosis in both genders.

Tooth germ injury can lead to abnormal tooth development and even tooth loss, affecting various aspects of the stomatognathic system including form, function, and appearance. However, the research about tooth germ injury model on cellular and molecule mechanism of tooth germ repair is still very limited. Therefore, it is of great importance for the prevention and treatment of tooth germ injury to study the important mechanism of tooth germ repair by a tooth germ injury model. Here, we constructed a Tg(dlx2b:Dendra2-NTR) transgenic line that labeled tooth germ specifically. Taking advantage of the NTR/Mtz system, the dlx2b⁺ tooth germ cells were depleted by Mtz effectively. The process of tooth germ repair was evaluated by antibody staining, in situ hybridization, EdU staining and alizarin red staining. The severely injured tooth germ was repaired in several days after Mtz treatment was stopped. In the early stage of tooth germ repair, the expression of phosphorylated 4E-BP1 was increased, indicating that mTORC1 is activated. Inhibition of mTORC1 signaling in vitro or knockdown of mTORC1 signaling in vivo could inhibit the repair of injured tooth germ. Normally, mouse incisors were repaired after damage, but inhibition/promotion of mTORC1 signaling inhibited/promoted this repair progress. Overall, we are the first to construct a stable and repeatable repair model of severe tooth germ injury, and our results reveal that mTORC1 signaling plays a crucial role during tooth germ repair, providing a potential target for clinical treatment of tooth germ injury.
Animals ; Mice ; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1/pharmacology* ; Signal Transduction ; Tooth/metabolism* ; Tooth Germ/metabolism* ; Odontogenesis