ObjectiveTo observe the effects of Youguiwan on the localization and differentiation of embryonic stem cells transplanted into ovaries，and to preliminarily explore whether its mechanism is related to the protein kinase B （Akt）/mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）/4E-binding protein 1 （4EBP1）/p70S6 kinase （P70S6K） signaling pathway. MethodsA total of 81 healthy adult female C57BL/6 mice that had received ovarian transplantation of GFP-labeled embryonic stem cells were randomly allocated into a control group，a Youguiwan group，and a positive control group. The control group received normal saline via gavage，the Youguiwan group was administered Youguiwan decoction at a clinical equivalent dose of 17.1 g·kg^-1，and the positive control group received human menopausal gonadotropin （HMG） injections every 48 h. Ovarian tissue samples were collected on days 7，14，and 21 post-administration. Frozen sections were prepared to observe stem cell localization. The immunofluorescence assay was used to detect growth differentiation factor 9 （GDF9） and mTOR expression. real time polymerase chain reaction（Real-time PCR） was performed to measure the mRNA levels of follicle-stimulating hormone receptor （FSHR） and luteinizing hormone receptor （LHR）. Western blotting was conducted to assess the expression and phosphorylation levels of Akt，mTOR，4EBP1，and P70S6K. ResultsFluorescence microscopy revealed that the transplanted embryonic stem cells were predominantly localized within the granular cell layer，the cell layer of the follicular structure，and the stroma. After 14 days of drug intervention，compared with the control group，the Youguiwan group showed upregulated mRNA levels of FSHR and LHR in the ovarian tissue （P<0.01），as well as elevated phosphorylation/protein ratios of Akt，mTOR，4EBP1，and P70S6K （P<0.05）. After 21 days of drug intervention，compared with the control group，the Youguiwan group exhibited enhanced expression of GDF9 and mTOR in the ovarian tissue as detected by immunofluorescence （P<0.05），along with elevated mRNA levels of FSHR and LHR （P<0.01） and phosphorylation/protein ratios of Akt and 4EBP1 （P<0.05）. ConclusionYouguiwan can promote the localization and differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells within the ovary and enhance the expression of GDF9，FSHR，and LHR mRNA in the ovarian tissue by influencing the Akt/mTOR/4EBP1/P70S6K pathway.

X-ray-visible embolic microsphere (XEM) is a type of embolic microsphere that incorporates radiopaque substances within its matrix or on its surface, enabling visualization under X-ray imaging. This capability provides real-time intraprocedural feedback during transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), which helps optimize embolization outcomes and facilitates post-procedural evaluation. This article summarizes recent advances in the application of XEM in TACE and discusses the challenges associated with its clinical translation, with the aim of promoting the further development and clinical utilization of this technology.

X-ray-visible embolic microsphere (XEM) is a type of embolic microsphere that incorporates radiopaque substances within its matrix or on its surface, enabling visualization under X-ray imaging. This capability provides real-time intraprocedural feedback during transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), which helps optimize embolization outcomes and facilitates post-procedural evaluation. This article summarizes recent advances in the application of XEM in TACE and discusses the challenges associated with its clinical translation, with the aim of promoting the further development and clinical utilization of this technology.

Recent studies have demonstrated that bitter taste receptors are distributed not only in oral cavity but also in non-gustatory systems,such as the respiratory,digestive,reproductive and cardiovascular systems.The physiological role of bitter taste receptors is to recognize bitter substances or bacterial secretions,to trigger the immune response and to maintain the internal environmental homeosta-sis.In addition,oral bitter taste receptors are expressed not only in taste buds,perceiving bitter taste,but also in many other parts of periodontal tissues,which is the potential treatment target for oral infectious diseases.This review summarized the expression and distri-bution of oral bitter taste receptors which was off the taste buds and their roles in regulating oral inflammation and oral bacteria,dis-cussed the effects of genetic polymorphism of bitter taste receptor 38 subtype(TAS2R38)on innate immunity and its relationship with the susceptibility of dental caries and periodontal,aimed to provide novel ideas for the better prevention and treatment of dental caries and periodontal diseases.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of arctiin （ARC）relieving lipopolysaccharide （LPS）induced inflammatory injury of human nasopharyngeal epithelial cells NP- 69. METHODS The effects of 24 h treatment of 0.000 1，0.001，0.01，0.1， 1.0，10 μmol/L ARC on the proliferation of NP-69 were determined by MTS method. After 0.01，0.1，and 1.0 μmol/L ARC was applied to NP- 69 for 24 h and NP- 69 was pre-treated with 0.01，0.1 and 1.0 μmol/L ARC for 24 h，and then stimulated with 1.0 μg/mL LPS for 24 h，scratch tests were used to detect cell migration in both experiments. LPS stimulated NP- 69 to establish an inflammation injury model. The levels of nitric oxide （NO），tumor necrosis factor α（TNF-α）interleukin-6（IL-6），and IL- 1β in cell supernatants were detected ，and mRNA and protein expression of zonula oecludens protein 1（ZO-1），β-defensin 3（BD3）， Janus kinase 1 （JAK1），signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） in cell supernatant were also detected. RESULTS Compared with normal group ，0.000 1，0.001，0.01，0.1，1.0，10 μmol/L ARC had no effect on the proliferation of NP-69 after 24 h treatment （P＞0.05）. ARC （0.1，1.0 μmol/L）could significantly promote the rate of cell migration （P＜0.05）. For the inflammatory injure of NP- 69 cells stimulated by LPS ，ARC（1.0 μmol/L）could significantly reduce the release of NO ， TNF-α and IL-6（P＜0.05），significantly increased mRNA and protein expression of ZO- 1 and BD 3 but decreased mRNA and protein expression of STAT 3（P＜0.01 or P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ARC has the effect of reducing the inflammatory injury of NP-69 cells induced by LPS ，promoting the physical and immune defense ability of the nasal mucosa epithelial barrierunder inflammatory environment. The mechanism of action may be related to inhibiting IL- 6/JAK1/STAT3 signaling pathway.