ObjectiveTo assess the predictive value of the bladder deformation index (BDI) in determining upper urinary tract (UUT) damage among patients with neurogenic bladder (NB). MethodsClinical data of 132 NB patients admitted to Beijing Bo'ai Hospital from January, 2015 to December, 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into UUT damage group and normal UUT group according to the presence or absence of hydronephrosis. The demographics, biochemical parameters and video-urodynamics (VUDS) findings were collected, and BDI was calculated. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were utilized to evaluate the predictive capability. ResultsThere were 54 patients in UUT damage group and 33 in normal UUT group. The course of disease, creatinine level and BDI were siginificantly different between two groups (P < 0.05), while the area under the curve were 0.686, 0.836 and 0.928, respectively. ConclusionCourse of disease, creatinine level and BDI are associated with UUT damage in NB patients, and BDI demonstrates the highest sensitivity and specificity, which may play a role in diagnosis of UUT damage.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a chronic, progressive, and irreversible neurodegenerative disorder that typically begins with a subtle onset and progresses slowly. Pathologically, it is characterized by two hallmark features: the extracellular accumulation of amyloid β-protein (Aβ), forming senile plaques, and the intracellular hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, resulting in neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). These pathological changes are accompanied by substantial neuronal and synaptic loss, particularly in critical brain regions such as the cerebral cortex and hippocampus. Clinically, AD presents as a gradual decline in memory, language abilities, and spatial orientation, significantly impairing the quality of life of affected individuals. With the aging population steadily increasing in China, the incidence of AD is rising, making it a major public health concern that requires urgent attention. The growing societal and economic burden of AD underscores the pressing need to identify effective diagnostic biomarkers and develop novel therapeutic strategies. Among the various molecular signaling pathways involved in neurological disorders, the Notch signaling pathway is especially noteworthy due to its evolutionary conservation and regulatory roles in cell proliferation, differentiation, development, and apoptosis. In the central nervous system, Notch signaling is essential for neurodevelopment and synaptic plasticity and has been implicated in several neurodegenerative processes. Although some studies suggest that Notch signaling may influence AD-related pathology, its precise role in AD remains poorly understood. In particular, the interaction between Notch signaling and non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs)—key regulators of gene expression—has received limited attention. NcRNAs, including long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), are known to exert extensive regulatory functions at both transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. Dysregulation of these molecules has been widely associated with various diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular conditions, and neurodegenerative disorders. Notably, interactions between ncRNAs and major signaling pathways such as Notch can produce widespread biological effects. While such interactions have been increasingly reported in several disease models, comprehensive studies investigating the regulatory relationship between Notch signaling and ncRNAs in the context of AD remain scarce. Given the capacity of ncRNAs to modulate signaling cascades and form complex regulatory networks, a deeper understanding of their crosstalk with the Notch pathway could provide novel insights into AD pathogenesis and reveal potential targets for diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we investigated the regulatory landscape involving the Notch signaling pathway and associated ncRNAs in AD using bioinformatics approaches. By integrating data from multiple public databases, we systematically identified significantly dysregulated Notch pathway-related genes and their interacting ncRNAs in AD. Based on this analysis, we constructed a lncRNA-miRNA-mRNA regulatory network to elucidate the potential mechanisms linking Notch signaling to ncRNA-mediated gene regulation in AD pathogenesis. Furthermore, we explored the internal relationships and molecular mechanisms within this network and assessed the feasibility and clinical relevance of these molecules as early diagnostic biomarkers and potential therapeutic targets for AD. This study aims to deepen our understanding of the molecular basis of AD and offer novel strategies for its diagnosis and treatment.

As China accelerates its efforts in deep space exploration and long-duration space missions, including the operationalization of the Tiangong Space Station and the development of manned lunar missions, safeguarding astronauts’ physiological and cognitive functions under extreme space conditions becomes a pressing scientific imperative. Among the multifactorial stressors of spaceflight, microgravity emerges as a particularly potent disruptor of neurobehavioral homeostasis. Dopamine (DA) plays a central role in regulating behavior under space microgravity by influencing reward processing, motivation, executive function and sensorimotor integration. Changes in gravity disrupt dopaminergic signaling at multiple levels, leading to impairments in motor coordination, cognitive flexibility, and emotional stability. Microgravity exposure induces a cascade of neurobiological changes that challenge dopaminergic stability at multiple levels: from the transcriptional regulation of DA synthesis enzymes and the excitability of DA neurons, to receptor distribution dynamics and the efficiency of downstream signaling pathways. These changes involve downregulation of tyrosine hydroxylase in the substantia nigra, reduced phosphorylation of DA receptors, and alterations in vesicular monoamine transporter expression, all of which compromise synaptic DA availability. Experimental findings from space analog studies and simulated microgravity models suggest that gravitational unloading alters striatal and mesocorticolimbic DA circuitry, resulting in diminished motor coordination, impaired vestibular compensation, and decreased cognitive flexibility. These alterations not only compromise astronauts’ operational performance but also elevate the risk of mood disturbances and motivational deficits during prolonged missions. The review systematically synthesizes current findings across multiple domains: molecular neurobiology, behavioral neuroscience, and gravitational physiology. It highlights that maintaining DA homeostasis is pivotal in preserving neuroplasticity, particularly within brain regions critical to adaptation, such as the basal ganglia, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum. The paper also discusses the dual-edged nature of DA plasticity: while adaptive remodeling of synapses and receptor sensitivity can serve as compensatory mechanisms under stress, chronic dopaminergic imbalance may lead to maladaptive outcomes, such as cognitive rigidity and motor dysregulation. Furthermore, we propose a conceptual framework that integrates homeostatic neuroregulation with the demands of space environmental adaptation. By drawing from interdisciplinary research, the review underscores the potential of multiple intervention strategies including pharmacological treatment, nutritional support, neural stimulation techniques, and most importantly, structured physical exercise. Recent rodent studies demonstrate that treadmill exercise upregulates DA transporter expression in the dorsal striatum, enhances tyrosine hydroxylase activity, and increases DA release during cognitive tasks, indicating both protective and restorative effects on dopaminergic networks. Thus, exercise is highlighted as a key approach because of its sustained effects on DA production, receptor function, and brain plasticity, making it a strong candidate for developing effective measures to support astronauts in maintaining cognitive and emotional stability during space missions. In conclusion, the paper not only underscores the centrality of DA homeostasis in space neuroscience but also reflects the authors’ broader academic viewpoint: understanding the neurochemical substrates of behavior under microgravity is fundamental to both space health and terrestrial neuroscience. By bridging basic neurobiology with applied space medicine, this work contributes to the emerging field of gravitational neurobiology and provides a foundation for future research into individualized performance optimization in extreme environments.

Thermal analysis technology has emerged as a pivotal tool for the identification and quality control of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） owing to its advantages of high sensitivity and capability for simultaneous multi-parameter detection. The application progress on thermogravimetric analysis （TGA）, differential thermal analysis （DTA）, and differential scanning calorimetry （DSC） in four key areas: authenticity identification of herbal medicines, optimization of processing techniques, evaluation of extract thermal stability, and construction of quality evaluation systems were summarized. Thermal analysis technology enables rapid authentication of medicinal materials by establishing a thermal fingerprint. When integrated with hyphenated techniques （e.g., FTIR and GC-MS）, it facilitates in-depth analysis of compositional differences in complex matrices. In Future, the development of thermal analysis databases and multi-technology integration will be expected to further promote the standardization of TCM quality control.

The main characteristics of neurodegenerative diseases represented by Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) is the progressive irreversible loss of neurons, leading to varying degrees of pathological changes and loss of cognitive function. There is still no effective treatment. With the acceleration of global aging society, the incidence of neurodegenerative diseases is rapidly increasing, becoming a serious global public health concern that urgently requires the development of effective therapeutic strategies. The Hippo signaling pathway, a highly evolutionarily conserved pathway, consists of the core components MST1/2, LATS1/2, and downstream effectors, transcriptional co-activators YAP and TAZ. It plays a crucial role in the regulation of various biological processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, development, and apoptosis. Dysregulation of the Hippo pathway contributes to the development of many diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular diseases, immune disorders, etc. Therefore, targeting the dysregulated components of the Hippo pathway may be an effective strategy for treating various diseases. Increasing evidence indicates that the Hippo pathway is excessively activated in the development of neurodegenerative diseases, manifested by increased expression of MST1 and downregulation of YAP. Stabilizing the Hippo pathway levels has shown improvements in AD and PD. However, most studies on the Hippo pathway in AD and PD focus on changes in the expression levels of Hippo pathway components, and research in other neurodegenerative diseases is still lacking. Therefore, further investigation is needed to fully understand the mechanistic role of the Hippo pathway in neurodegenerative diseases. Meanwhile, miRNA, similarly dysregulated in neurodegenerative diseases and serving as biomarkers, is a primary target for miRNA therapy in neurodegenerative diseases, including AD and PD. Activating or inhibiting dysregulated miRNAs is the main strategy of miRNA therapy during the neurodegenerative disease development. Evidence suggests that the interaction between the Hippo pathway and miRNA can result in widespread biological effects and crosstalk in the occurrence of different types of diseases. However, studies on the interplay between the Hippo pathway and miRNA in neurodegenerative diseases are relatively scarce. In this paper, we predicted the miRNAs related to Hippo pathway through bioinformatics database, and further screened the miRNAs with crosstalk relationship with Hippo signaling pathway through experiments in combination with PubMed. Then, the mechanism of action of Hippo signaling pathway related miRNAs in AD and PD is further elucidated. It is reported that the Hippo pathway and its related miRNA may exert neuroprotective effects by reducing oxidative stress, improving neuroinflammation, stabilizing autophagy levels, maintaining neuronal mitochondrial function, and ameliorating blood-brain barrier dysfunction, thereby delaying the progression of AD and PD. However, research on miRNA directly regulating the Hippo pathway to improve AD and PD is limited, and observations of the Hippo pathway and its related miRNA in other neurodegenerative diseases are scarce. However, considering the regulatory relationship between the Hippo pathway and miRNA in multiple diseases and their respective roles in key mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases, such as oxidative stress and neuroinflammation, the crosstalk between miRNA and the Hippo pathway holds a crucial regulatory role in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, the interaction pathways of the Hippo pathway and its related miRNA may be a pivotal avenue for exploring effective therapeutic strategies for neurodegenerative diseases in the future.

Vitamin D is a unique fat-soluble vitamin that plays an indispensable role in human health. It exists in various forms, the most significant being vitamin D₂ (derived from plant sources) and vitamin D₃ (synthesized naturally in human skin upon exposure to sunlight). Vitamin D’s primary function is to facilitate the absorption of calcium and phosphorus, which are crucial for maintaining healthy bones. Beyond its role in bone health, vitamin D significantly influences the immune system, muscle function, cardiovascular health, and the regulation of brain functions. A deficiency in vitamin D can lead to various chronic diseases such as rickets, osteoporosis, decreased immunity, increased risk of mental disorders, and cancers. The synthesis of vitamin D in the human body, both peripherally and centrally, relies on sunlight exposure, dietary sources, and various supplements. As a neuroactive steroid, vitamin D impacts both the physiological and pathological processes of the nervous system and plays a key role in brain health. It profoundly affects the brain by regulating neurotransmitter synthesis and maintaining intracellular calcium balance. As an essential chemical molecule, vitamin D participates in complex signal transduction pathways, impacting neurotransmitter functions and synaptic plasticity. Vitamin D’s role in regulating dopamine (DA)—a neurotransmitter critical for motivation, reward perception, and other higher cognitive functions—is particularly noteworthy. Recent studies have revealed that vitamin D not only promotes the synthesis of DA but also plays a role in regulating DA levels within the brain. It exerts neuroprotective effects on DA neurons through anti-inflammatory, antioxidant actions, and neurotrophic support, thereby creating an optimal environment for DA neurons, influencing neuronal structure, and affecting the movement of calcium ions within nerve cells, positively impacting the overall health and functionality of the DA system. Furthermore, vitamin D can regulate the synthesis and release of DA, thus affecting the signal transmission of various DA neural projection pathways in the brain. This function is vital for understanding the complex interactions between neural mechanisms and their effects on key behaviors and cognitive functions. This review aims to delve deeply into the synthesis, metabolism, and pathways of vitamin D’s action, especially its regulatory mechanisms on DA neurons. Through this exploration, this article seeks to provide a solid theoretical foundation and research framework for a deeper understanding of vitamin D’s role in motivation and reward behaviors. This understanding is crucial for appreciating the broader significance of vitamin D in the fields of neuroscience and neurology. In summary, research and discoveries regarding vitamin D’s impact on the nervous system highlight its importance in neural health and function. These insights not only enhance our understanding of the complex workings of the nervous system but also open new avenues for the prevention and treatment of neurological diseases. The exploration of vitamin D’s multifaceted roles offers promising prospects for developing new therapeutic strategies, underscoring the compound’s potential in addressing a range of neural dysfunctions and diseases. As research continues to evolve, the profound implications of vitamin D in the field of neurology and beyond become increasingly apparent, marking it as a key target for ongoing and future scientific inquiry.

Pafolacianine is a fluorescent agent that specifically targets folate receptors,employed in the treatment of adult ovarian cancer patients to support the detection of malignant growths during surgical interventions.Pafolacianine binds to cancer cells expressing folate receptors,accumulating within folate-receptor-positive tumor tissue through receptor-mediated endocytosis.It can be excited by near-infrared fluorescence imaging,facilitating the surgical removal of tumors during procedures.This article gives an introduction to the mechanism of action,pharmacokinetics,clinical studies,and safety aspects of Pafolacianine.

On May 27,2021,the U.S.Food and Drug Administration(FDA)officially approved Lantheus'PYLARIFY?(Piflufolastat F 18,18 F-labeled imaging agent),which can be used for positron emission computed tomography(PET)of prostate-specific membrane antigen(PSMA)-positive lesions in prostate cancer patients to accurately identify prostate cancer with suspected metastasis or recurrence.Piflufolastat F 18 is approved by FDA for two indications.The first is the initial staging for suspected metastatic lesions in men with newly diagnosed prostate cancer.The second is restaging,with the goal of identifying lesions in the setting of biochem ical recurrence.

Renal fibrosis is a common pathological manifestation of all chronic kidney diseases.Ferroptosis is closely related to the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis and can influence the onset of renal fibrosis,and it is the most critical step in the development of renal fibrosis.The paper describes the relationship between ferroptosis and renal fibrosis,discusses the research progress of ferroptosis on renal fibrosis,and further summarizes,analyzes,and describes the effective and highly targeted natural active ingredients of traditional Chinese medicines against ferroptosis,and concludes that the reversal of renal fibrosis is achieved through the regulation of the key targets of ferroptosis,with a view to providing a broad new direction for its prospects in the field of renal fibrotic disease prevention and treatment;and to provide a scientific guide for clinical treatment and basis for clinical treatment.

Polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)is a common endocrine and metabolic disease in gynecology.The main clinical manifestations are infertility,hirsuty,obesity,menstrual disorders,etc.,which seriously affect women's health.Studies have shown that the mechanism of action of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of PCOS involves a variety of signaling pathways,among which advanced glycation end products-receptor for advanced glycation end products(AGE-RAGE)signaling pathway is an important pathway regulating inflammation and oxidative stress.More and more Chinese herbal compounds,single herbs and their extracts can reduce inflammation,oxidative stress,insulin resistance and hyperandrogenemia in patients by regulating AGE-RAGE signaling pathway,which provides a new strategy and direction for the treatment of PCOS.However,there is currently no comprehensive summary of Chinese medicine intervention in the treatment of PCOS by AGE-RAGE signaling pathway.Therefore,this paper reviews the current research status of Chinese medicine regulation of AGE-RAGE signaling pathway in the treatment of PCOS in recent years,so as to provide new directions and thoughts for further research on PCOS.