Objective To investigate the current status of cognitive impairment and its influencing factors in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD) and to explore effective intervention strategies. Methods A total of 380 patients with AD diagnosed in the Qingdao Central Hospital were retrospectively enrolled between January 2023 and January 2025. According to scores of Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), the patients were divided into a mild cognitive impairment group (21-25 points) and a moderate to severe impairment group (<21 points). The general clinical data in the two groups were collected. The influencing factors of moderate to severe cognitive impairment were analyzed by univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results Among the 380 AD patients, 157 cases (41.32%) had mild cognitive impairment, and 223 cases (58.68%) had moderate to severe cognitive impairment. Compared with the mild cognitive impairment group, the moderate to severe cognitive impairment group had a higher proportion of patients who were aged ≥ 75 years, engaged in physical labor, had a disease course of ≥5 years, and had moderate to severe atrophy on head CT examination (P < 0.05). Age ≥75 years, disease course ≥5 years, and moderate to severe atrophy on head CT were independent risk factors of moderate to severe cognitive impairment in AD patients (P<0.05). Conclusion Cognitive impairment is closely related to age, disease course and head CT manifestations in AD patients. Interventions targeting these key factors are expected to delay cognitive decline and improve patients' quality of life.

Hepatitis B virus （HBV） infection is the primary cause of viral hepatitis and represents a substantial disease burden in China. However， effective and safe agents capable of completely eliminating HBV DNA are still lacking. In modern medicine， anti-HBV strategies mainly target covalently closed circular DNA （cccDNA）， among other mechanisms， and multiple novel drugs are currently under clinical investigation. Traditional medicine has been shown to exert anti-HBV effects through direct pathways， such as blocking viral entry， as well as indirect pathways， including the regulation of programmed cell death. Studies have confirmed that the integration of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） and Western medicine in treating HBV infection and its related complications offers complementary advantages， particularly in enhancing HBV clearance rates， improving liver function， preventing various complications， and delaying the progression from hepatic fibrosis to hepatocellular carcinoma. This review focuses on advances in anti-HBV research involving TCM， Western medicine， and their integrated application， aiming to provide a basis for integrated HBV therapy and new drug development.

Impaired glucose regulation （IGR） is an intermediate state between normal blood glucose and diabetes， falling under the category of splenic pure heat in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）. The core pathogenesis is believed to be the dysfunction of the zang-fu （脏腑） organs， leading to metabolic abnormalities of subtle essence and the generation of "turbid pathogen". Its accumulation can block qi movement， damage the vessel collaterals， and promote the disease progression toward diabetes. The concept of "turbid pulse" is proposed as an early sign of IGR， characterized by full and heavy sensation with stagnated and astringent circulation， which can serve as an effective supplement to clinical screening. The differentiation and treatment approach in clinical practice is summarized as follows. If the ascending and descending mechanisms of qi movement in the middle jiao （焦） are disrupted， with mutual interference between the clear and the turbid， treatment should focus on harmonizing the ascending and the descending， and transforming dampness with aromatic medicinals. For spleen-stomach qi deficiency due to long-term restriction of the spleen and stomach's function of transportation and transformation， it is suggested to fortify spleen and harmonize stomach， and transport turbid with sweet-warm medicinals. For spleen deficiency and liver constraint induced by internal generation of damp-heat in the middle jiao， the treatment should focus on soothing the liver and opening constraint， and directing the turbid downward with sour-sweat medicinals. For solid accumulation and stagnation caused by liver qi constraint， it is recommended to unblock intestine and remove stagnation， and discharge turbid with bitter-cold medicinals. When the disease is transmitted to the lower jiao， and the kidneys are affected， the treatment should be regulating spleen and kidney， and rectifying turbid with salty-sour medicinals. In conclusion， it is emphasized to promote the transformation of turbid pathogen to restore metabolic homeostasis， providing methods for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of IGR.

SMYD5 is a ribosomal methyltransferase with SET and MYND structural domains， which is a member of the SMYD family and is expressed in a variety of tissues， including ovary and testis. This enzyme participates in biological processes such as gene expression regulation， cell development and differentiation， and maintenance of genomic stability through ribosomal protein methylation modification. In recent years， research on SMYD5 has increased in cancers including hepatocellular carcinoma， gastric adenocarcinoma， and lung cancer. Studies have revealed that SMYD5 exhibits high expression levels in various diseases including hepatocellular carcinoma， gastric adenocarcinoma， lung cancer， and inflammatory bowel disease， influencing the progression of these conditions. This review summarizes the role of SMYD5 in hepatocellular carcinoma， inflammatory bowel disease， and other biological functions， aiming to provide a reference for related disease research.

Background: and Purpose Bilirubin has potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. Herein, we investigated whether total bilirubin (TBIL) modifies the association between hypertension and cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD). Methods: Data were obtained from the PolyvasculaR Evaluation for Cognitive Impairment and vaScular Events study. TBIL and direct bilirubin (DBIL) levels were assayed using fasting venous blood samples. Indirect bilirubin (IBIL) was calculated by subtracting DBIL from TBIL. TBIL was stratified as ≤17 μmol/L and >17 μmol/L based on the biological relevance of Gilbert’s syndrome. Hypertension was defined as blood pressure ≥140/90 mm Hg, self-reported hypertension history, or current use of antihypertensive agents. White matter hyperintensity, lacunes, cerebral microbleeds, and enlarged perivascular spaces were evaluated using magnetic resonance imaging and used to rate CSVD burden according to the criteria proposed by Wardlaw et al. and Rothwell et al. Results: This study included 3,061 participants, with a mean age of 61.2±6.7 years and 46.5% males. After adjusting for confounders, hypertension was associated with increased odds of presence of CSVD (Wardlaw: odds ratio [OR]=1.86, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.41–2.44, P<0.001; Rothwell: OR=1.84, 95% CI 1.43–2.38, P<0.001) and higher modified total CSVD burden (common OR: 1.85, 95% CI 1.45–2.36, P<0.001) in participants with TBIL ≤17 μmol/L but not in TBIL >17 μmol/L (P for interaction <0.05). Johnson–Neyman analyses showed cut-off concentrations of 22.3–22.4 μmol/L for effect modification by TBIL. IBIL contributed to effect modification, whereas DBIL did not. Conclusions Mildly elevated TBIL may modify the association between hypertension and CSVD.

ObjectiveTo establish and evaluate a hyperuricemia （HUA） mouse model with the damp-turbidity internal accumulation syndrome. MethodsThirty-six C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group， chemically induced model group （Model）， and model combined with high-fat and fatigue group （Model+HF）. Twenty-four uricase gene knockout （UOX^-/-） mice were randomly divided into UOX^-/- group and UOX^-/-+HF group， with 12 mice in each group. The Model group and the Model+HF group established the HUA model by intragastric administration of potassium oxyazinate combined with adenine. The Model+HF group and the UOX^-/-+HF group adopted a high-fat diet combined with weight-bearing exhaustive swimming to establish the HUA model with the damp-turbidity internal accumulation syndrome. On day 1， 7， 14， 21， and 28 after modeling， the damp-turbidity internal accumulation syndrome score of each group was evaluated. On day 1 and day 28， a weight-bearing swimming exhaustion test was performed， and the exhaustive swimming time was recorded. On day 28， liver and kidney indexes were calculated， and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissues. Serum levels of uric acid （UA）， xanthine dehydrogenase （XDH）， xanthine oxidase （XOD） and urea nitrogen （BUN） were detected through biochemical assays. ELISA was used to detect serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β）. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression of organic anion transporter 1 （OAT1） and glucose transporter 9 （GLUT9） in renal tissues. Quantitative real-time PCR （qRT-PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expressions of adenosine triphosphate binding transporter G2 （ABCG2）， hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）， urate anion transporter 1 （URAT1）， and GLUT9 in renal tissues. ResultsOn day 14 of modeling， the damp-turbidity internal accumulation syndrome scores of mice in the Model+HF group and the UOX^-/-+HF group were elevated compared with the control group（P＜0.05）； on day 28， the scores significantly increased， and the exhaustive swimming time was shortened （P＜0.01）， indicating successful establishment of the damp-turbidity internal accumulation syndrome model. Compared with the control group， all other groups exhibited increased kidney index， serum levels of UA， XDH， XOD， BUN， TNF-α， and IL-1β， elevated renal mRNA expression of HIF-1α， URAT1， OAT1， and GLUT9， and decreased renal ABCG2 mRNA expression （P＜0.01 or P＜0.05）. Significant pathological damage in the kidney was observed in the Model+HF group and the UOX^-/-+HF group compared to the Model group and the UOX^-/- group， with decreased serum UA and increased BUN and TNF-α levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）， as well as increased expression of OAT1 and GLUT9 in the renal tissue. ConclusionBoth chemical induction and gene knockout， combined with a high-fat diet and weight-bearing exhaustive swimming， can successfully establish mouse models of HUA with damp-turbidity internal accumulation syndrome. Chemical induction is simple to operate and cost-effective， suitable for short-term drug screening， while UOX gene knockout induces spontaneous elevation of serum uric acid levels without drug administration， which may better mimick human metabolic characteristics.

ObjectiveTo establish and evaluate a hyperuricemia （HUA） mouse model with the damp-turbidity internal accumulation syndrome. MethodsThirty-six C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control group， chemically induced model group （Model）， and model combined with high-fat and fatigue group （Model+HF）. Twenty-four uricase gene knockout （UOX^-/-） mice were randomly divided into UOX^-/- group and UOX^-/-+HF group， with 12 mice in each group. The Model group and the Model+HF group established the HUA model by intragastric administration of potassium oxyazinate combined with adenine. The Model+HF group and the UOX^-/-+HF group adopted a high-fat diet combined with weight-bearing exhaustive swimming to establish the HUA model with the damp-turbidity internal accumulation syndrome. On day 1， 7， 14， 21， and 28 after modeling， the damp-turbidity internal accumulation syndrome score of each group was evaluated. On day 1 and day 28， a weight-bearing swimming exhaustion test was performed， and the exhaustive swimming time was recorded. On day 28， liver and kidney indexes were calculated， and hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe histopathological changes in liver and kidney tissues. Serum levels of uric acid （UA）， xanthine dehydrogenase （XDH）， xanthine oxidase （XOD） and urea nitrogen （BUN） were detected through biochemical assays. ELISA was used to detect serum levels of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） and interleukin-1β （IL-1β）. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the protein expression of organic anion transporter 1 （OAT1） and glucose transporter 9 （GLUT9） in renal tissues. Quantitative real-time PCR （qRT-PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expressions of adenosine triphosphate binding transporter G2 （ABCG2）， hypoxia-inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α）， urate anion transporter 1 （URAT1）， and GLUT9 in renal tissues. ResultsOn day 14 of modeling， the damp-turbidity internal accumulation syndrome scores of mice in the Model+HF group and the UOX^-/-+HF group were elevated compared with the control group（P＜0.05）； on day 28， the scores significantly increased， and the exhaustive swimming time was shortened （P＜0.01）， indicating successful establishment of the damp-turbidity internal accumulation syndrome model. Compared with the control group， all other groups exhibited increased kidney index， serum levels of UA， XDH， XOD， BUN， TNF-α， and IL-1β， elevated renal mRNA expression of HIF-1α， URAT1， OAT1， and GLUT9， and decreased renal ABCG2 mRNA expression （P＜0.01 or P＜0.05）. Significant pathological damage in the kidney was observed in the Model+HF group and the UOX^-/-+HF group compared to the Model group and the UOX^-/- group， with decreased serum UA and increased BUN and TNF-α levels （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）， as well as increased expression of OAT1 and GLUT9 in the renal tissue. ConclusionBoth chemical induction and gene knockout， combined with a high-fat diet and weight-bearing exhaustive swimming， can successfully establish mouse models of HUA with damp-turbidity internal accumulation syndrome. Chemical induction is simple to operate and cost-effective， suitable for short-term drug screening， while UOX gene knockout induces spontaneous elevation of serum uric acid levels without drug administration， which may better mimick human metabolic characteristics.

Background and aims The mechanism of cholestatic liver injury (CLI) is unclear, and effective therapies are lacking. While peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα) agonists show potential hepatoprotective effect and pyroptosis is implicated in hepatocellular damage, how PPARα activation mitigates lithocholic acid (LCA)-induced pyroptosis remains unknown. Methods The hepatoprotective effect of PPARα agonists was evaluated in a mouse model of intrahepatic cholestasis induced by LCA. Liver injury was assessed via serum biochemistry, hematoxylin and eosin and TUNEL staining, and electron microscopy. Pyroptosis pathways were analyzed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and co-immunoprecipitation. Results Combined morphological, histopathological, and biochemical analyses confirmed that PPARα activation protects against CLI. Compared with LCA treatment alone, PPARα activation significantly attenuated the elevation of serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), the increased TUNEL-positive cells, and the formation of hepatocyte membrane pores. Mechanistically, PPARα activation suppressed both NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis and apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (APAF-1)/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis. Furthermore, PPARα agonist pretreatment inhibited activation of the nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) and forkhead box O1 (FOXO1) signaling pathways. Conclusions PPARα protects against LCA-induced CLI by inhibiting both NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis associated with NF-κB and APAF-1/CASPASE-3/GSDME-mediated pyroptosis associated with the FOXO1 signaling pathway.

Objective: To investigate the chemical compositions of Maxing Shigan Decoction (麻杏石甘汤, MXSGD) and elucidate its anti-influenza A virus (IAV) mechanism from prediction to validation. Methods: Ultra high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) was employed to analyze the chemical compositions of MXSGD. Network pharmacology theories were used to screen and identify shared targets of both the potential targets of active ingredients of MXSGD and IAV. A protein-protein interaction (PPI) network was then constructed, followed by Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses. The binding stability between core bioactive compounds and key targets was validated by molecular docking and dynamic simulations. A total of 24 BALB/c mice were infected with IAV to build IAV mouse models. After successful modelling, the mouse models were randomly divided into model, MXSGD high-dose (2.8 g/kg), MXSGD low-dose (1.4 g/kg), and oseltamivir (20.14 mg/kg) groups, with an additional normal mice as control group (n = 6 per group). The treatments were administered by gavage daily between 8:00 a.m. and 10:00 a.m. for five consecutive days. Upon completion of the administration, the body weight ratio, lung index, protein content in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), and the levels of inflammatory factors including interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in mice were measured to preliminarily analyze the therapeutic efficacy of MXSGD against IAV infection. Furthermore, the expression levels of mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR), hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) proteins in the HIF-1 signaling pathway, which was enriched by network pharmacology, were detected by Western blot. Results: A total of 212 chemical components in MXSGD were identified by the UPLC-MS/MS method. These chemical components can be classified into 9 primary categories and 31 secondary categories. After intersecting the chemical component targets with IAV-related targets, a total of 567 potential MXSGD components targeting IAV were identified. The construction of PPI network and the results of both GO and KEGG enrichment analyses revealed that the anti-IAV effects of MXSGD were associated with multiple pathways, including apoptosis, TNF, HIF-1, and IL-17 signaling pathways. The results of molecular docking demonstrated that the binding energies between the core compound 1-methoxyphaseollin and key targets including HIF-1α, mTOR, and VEGF were all lower than – 5.0 kcal/mol. Furthermore, molecular dynamics simulations confirmed the structural stability of the resulting complexes. Animal experiments showed that compared with the normal controls, IAV-infected mice showed significantly reduced body weight ratio, markedly increased lung index, protein content in BALF, and the levels of inflammatory factors such as IL-6 and TNF-α (P < 0.01), thereby causing damage to the lung tissue; consequently, the expression levels of mTOR, HIF-1α, and VEGF proteins in the lung tissues of these mice were significantly elevated (P < 0.01). However, after MXSGD treatment, the mouse models presented a significant increase in body weight ratio, as well as marked decreases in lung index, protein content in BALF, and the levels of inflammatory factors including IL-6 and TNF-α (P < 0.01). Furthermore, the therapy alleviated IAV-induced injuries and significantly downregulated the expression levels of mTOR, HIF-1α, and VEGF proteins in lung tissues (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). Conclusion MXSGD exerts anti-IAV effects through multi-component, multi-target, and multi-pathway synergism. Among them, 1-methoxyphaseollin is identified as a potential key component, which alleviates virus-induced lung injury and inflammatory response via the regulation of HIF-1 signaling pathway, providing experimental evidence for the clinical application of MXSGD.

Liver fibrosis has a complex pathogenesis， and as research deepens， an increasing number of evidence has revealed extensive metabolic reprogramming in the development and progression of liver fibrosis. This article reviews the origin and role of hepatic macrophages， the distribution of hepatic stellate cells， and the changes in glycolysis and lipid metabolism in the two types of cells， in order to provide new insights into the research on liver fibrosis and the prevention and treatment of this disease.