Adipose tissue is a critical energy reservoir in animals and humans, with multifaceted roles in endocrine regulation, immune response, and providing mechanical protection. Based on anatomical location and functional characteristics, adipose tissue can be categorized into distinct types, including white adipose tissue (WAT), brown adipose tissue (BAT), beige adipose tissue, and pink adipose tissue. Traditionally, adipose tissue research has centered on its morphological and functional properties as a whole. However, with the advent of single-cell transcriptomics, a new level of complexity in adipose tissue has been unveiled, showing that even under identical conditions, cells of the same type may exhibit significant variation in morphology, structure, function, and gene expression——phenomena collectively referred to as cellular heterogeneity. Single-cell transcriptomics, including techniques like single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) and single-nucleus RNA sequencing (snRNA-seq), enables in-depth analysis of the diversity and heterogeneity of adipocytes at the single-cell level. This high-resolution approach has not only deepened our understanding of adipocyte functionality but also facilitated the discovery of previously unidentified cell types and gene expression patterns that may play key roles in adipose tissue function. This review delves into the latest advances in the application of single-cell transcriptomics in elucidating the heterogeneity and diversity within adipose tissue, highlighting how these findings have redefined the understanding of cell subpopulations within different adipose depots. Moreover, the review explores how single-cell transcriptomic technologies have enabled the study of cellular communication pathways and differentiation trajectories among adipose cell subgroups. By mapping these interactions and differentiation processes, researchers gain insights into how distinct cellular subpopulations coordinate within adipose tissues, which is crucial for maintaining tissue homeostasis and function. Understanding these mechanisms is essential, as dysregulation in adipose cell interactions and differentiation underlies a range of metabolic disorders, including obesity and diabetes mellitus type 2. Furthermore, single-cell transcriptomics holds promising implications for identifying therapeutic targets; by pinpointing specific cell types and gene pathways involved in adipose tissue dysfunction, these technologies pave the way for developing targeted interventions aimed at modulating specific adipose subpopulations. In summary, this review provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of single-cell transcriptomic technologies in uncovering the heterogeneity and functional diversity of adipose tissues.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of video-based educational intervention combined with maternal presence on perioperative adverse outcomes in preschool children undergoing general anesthesia， including cooperation in anesthesia induction， perioperative anxiety， pain and agitation during recovery. MethodsA total of 300 preschool children scheduled for general anesthesia in our hospital from June to December 2023 were randomly assigned to control group （n=150） and intervention group （n=150）. The control group received routine recovery care. For the intervention group， in addition to routine recovery care， a preoperative visit was scheduled one day before surgery. During this visit， mothers were guided to watch anesthesia videos with their children. During the waiting period in the operating room and 30 minutes after awakening， the mothers were guided to accompany the children for more than 30 minutes. Recovery conditions were recorded using the surgical anesthesia information system， and the children’s anesthetic induction compliance， perioperative anxiety， pain， and agitation were evaluated and recorded using the modified Yale Preoperative Anxiety Scale （m-YPAS）， the Induction Compliance Scale （ICC）， the Children’s Pain Behavior Scale （FLACC）， and the Pediatric Agitation and Emergence Delirium Scale （PAED）. ResultsOn the preoperative visit day， there were no statistically significant differences in baseline data between the two groups （P > 0.05）. For perioperative anxiety， the m-YPAS scores of the intervention group were significantly lower than those of the control group， both when entering the operating room waiting area （35.27±6.48 vs. 41.79±6.68， P < 0.05） and 30 minutes after postoperative recovery （20.13±7.05 vs. 35.75±9.51， P < 0.05）. In terms of anesthesia induction cooperation， the ICC scores of the intervention group were significantly lower than those of the control group （1.84±0.95 vs. 3.17±0.62， P < 0.05）， and the proportion of good induction cooperation was significantly higher than that of the control group （24.00% vs. 12.67%， P < 0.05）. There was no significant difference in awakening duration between the two groups， but the intervention group had a significantly shorter length of stay in the post-anesthesia care unit than the control group （0.90±0.29 hours vs. 1.29±0.42 hours， P < 0.001）. For perioperative agitation， the PAED scores of the intervention group were significantly lower than those of the control group （entering in the operating room waiting area： 8.5 vs. 9.2， P < 0.05； 30 minutes after postoperative recovery： 4.2 vs. 7.8， P < 0.05）. In terms of pain scores， the FLACC scores of the intervention group were also significantly lower than those of the control group， both when entering the operating room waiting area （ 5.3 vs. 6.7， P < 0.05； 30 minutes after postoperative recovery： 2.1 vs. 4.9， P < 0.05）. ConclusionsVideo-based educational intervention combined with maternal presence reduces the perioperative anxiety， pain and agitation of preschool children undergoing general anesthesia， and improved the compliance of anesthesia induction. It is recommended to promote this intervention measure in clinical practice.

ObjectiveTo observe and compare the effects of different concentrations of cyclophosphamide (CTX) in inducing premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) model in mice and investigate the mechanism of injury. MethodsThirty-two 6~8-week-old female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=8 per group) using a weight-based block randomization method. The POI model was established via a single intraperitoneal injection of 75 mg/kg cyclophosphamide (CTX), 120 mg/kg CTX, 120 mg/kg CTX + 12 mg/kg Busulfan, or an equivalent volume of normal saline (control). Ovarian coefficients, serum estradiol (E₂) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were measured. Western blotting was performed to assess changes in ovarian expression levels of NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-5 (SIRT5) and forkhead box O3a (FOXO3a) under different modeling conditions. After determining the optimal CTX concentration for modeling, an additional forty 6~8-week-old femal C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups (n=8 per group) using a weight-based block randomization method: saline control, 120 mg/kg CTX sampling at 1, 2, 7, or 14 days after modeling. Western blotting was used to evaluate temporal changes of ovarian SIRT5 and FOXO3a protein expression. ResultsCompared with the saline control, all concentrations of CTX (75 mg/kg CTX, 120 mg/kg CTX) and 120 mg/kg CTX + 12 mg/kg Busulfan induced POI injury in mice. The 120 mg/kg CTX group exhibited smaller changes in ovarian coefficients (P<0.001) and E₂ levels (P<0.05), whereas the 120 mg/kg CTX + 12 mg/kg Busulfan group showed rough and reduced luster fur, sluggish response and was in the worst state. Compared with the saline control group, FOXO3a expression was significantly down-regulated (P<0.05), while SIRT5 remained unchanged in the 75 mg/kg CTX group (P>0.05). In contrast, both SIRT5 (P<0.05) and FOXO3a (P<0.05) were significantly down-regulated in the 120 mg/kg CTX group. Further analysis revealed that on day 2 and 7 after 120 mg/kg CTX modeling, the expressions of SIRT5 (P<0.01) and FOXO3a (P<0.001) were significantly down-regulated, with the largest decrease observed on day 7 (SIRT5, P<0.000 1; FOXO3a, P<0.000 1). ConclusionOvarian injury in the POI model induced by 120 mg/kg CTX is milder than that in the POI model induced by 75 mg/kg CTX. Moreover, the expression changes of SIRT5 and FOXO3a are most significant on day 7 after modeling induced by 120 mg/kg CTX, which may be related to the inhibition of the SIRT5-FOXO3a signaling pathway.

Objective: To analyze the disease burden of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and changes in its risk factors among residents in Zhejiang Province from 1990 to 2021, so as to identify key priorities for COPD prevention and control. Methods: Data on COPD mortality and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) for residents in Zhejiang Province from 1990 to 2021 were collected from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database. Standardized mortality and standardized DALY rate were calculated using the GBD 2021 world population standard structure. Premature mortality was computed via the life table method. The average annual percent change (AAPC) was applied to analyze trends in COPD mortality, DALY rate, and premature mortality. Changes in deaths of COPD risk factors were evaluated using population attributable fraction (PAF). Results: From 1990 to 2021, the standardized COPD mortality in Zhejiang Province decreased from 272.40/100 000 to 70.56/100 000 (AAPC=-4.395%), and the standardized DALY rate declined from 4 167.37/100 000 to 1 071.89/100 000 (AAPC=-4.396%). Similar downward trends were observed in both males (AAPC=-3.933%, -4.173%) and females (AAPC=-4.785%, -4.480%), all P<0.05. Crude mortality and DALY rates increased with age, and the crude mortality and DALY rates of various age groups in Zhejiang Province showed decreasing trends from 1990 to 2021 (all P<0.05). The premature mortality declined from 4.37% to 0.60% from 1990 to 2021 (AAPC=- 6.206%), with consistent trends across males and females (AAPC=- 6.144%, - 6.379%, all P<0.05). From 1990 to 2021, particulate matter pollution showed the largest reduction in PAF (- 56.76%), while ambient ozone pollution had the largest increase (103.07%) in Zhejiang Province. By 2021, smoking became the leading risk factor for deaths of COPD (PAF=43.32%). Conclusions The standardized mortality, standardized DALY rate, and premature mortality for COPD show consistent declining trends in Zhejiang Province from 1990 to 2021. However, risk factors such as smoking and ambient ozone pollution require intensified focus to further reduce disease burden of COPD.

Ulcerative colitis(UC) is a recurrent, chronic, nonspecific inflammatory bowel disease. The longer the course of the disease, the higher the risk of cancerization. In recent years, the incidence and mortality rates of colon cancer in China have been increasing year by year, seriously threatening the life and health of patients. Therefore, studying the mechanism of "inflammation cancer transformation" in UC and conducting early intervention is crucial. The "Kenang" theory is an important component of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) theory of phlegm and blood stasis. It is based on the coexistence of phlegm and blood stasis in the body and deeply explores the pathogenic syndromes and characteristics of phlegm and blood stasis. Kenang is a pathological product formed when long-term Qi stagnation leads to the internal formation of phlegm and blood stasis, which is hidden deep within the body. It is characterized by being hidden, progressive, and difficult to treat. The etiology and pathogenesis of "inflammation cancer transformation" in UC are consistent with the connotation of the "Kenang" theory. The internal condition for the development of UC "inflammation cancer transformation" is the deficiency of healthy Qi, with Qi stagnation being the key pathological mechanism. Phlegm and blood stasis are the main pathogenic factors. Phlegm and blood stasis accumulate in the body over time and can produce cancer toxins. Due to the depletion of healthy Qi and a weakened constitution, the body is unable to limit the proliferation and invasion of cancer toxins, eventually leading to cancer transformation in UC. In clinical treatment, the focus should be on removing phlegm and blood stasis, with syndrome differentiation and treatment based on three basic principles: supporting healthy Qi to strengthen the body's foundation, resolving phlegm and blood stasis to break up the Kenang, and regulating Qi and blood to smooth the flow of energy and resolve stagnation. This approach helps to dismantle the Kenang, delay, block, or even reverse the cancerization process of UC, reduce the risk of "inflammation cancer transformation", improve the patient's quality of life, and provide new perspectives and strategies for early intervention in the development of colon cancer.
Humans ; Colitis, Ulcerative/immunology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic

Ginkgo biloba, an ancient relict plant, holds a lengthy medicinal tradition in China. The leaves and seeds of this remarkable species contain flavonoids, a class of active compounds that offer a multitude of pharmacological advantages. The understanding of the synthesis process of these flavonoids can be deepened substantially by elucidating their biosynthetic pathway and metabolic regulation mechanisms. This can thereby provide a foundation for achieving precise regulation of flavonoid biosynthesis, which is of great significance for improving the production efficiency and quality of flavonoids in G. biloba. This review comprehensively summarizes research advancements in metabolomics, genomics, and transcriptomics of flavonoids in G. biloba, aiming to establish a thorough academic framework. It examines key enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway of flavonoids in G. biloba and their functions, highlighting their crucial roles in flavonoid production. Additionally, it outlines transcriptional regulation mechanisms associated with flavonoid in G. biloba biosynthesis, focusing on transcription factors responsive to environmental cues and their regulatory networks that modulate flavonoid gene expression. These insights offer a theoretical foundation for precise control of G. biloba flavonoid production. By amalgamating these diverse research findings, this review aims to establish a robust theoretical groundwork for future studies on biosynthesis and efficient utilization of flavonoids in G. biloba.
Ginkgo biloba/chemistry* ; Flavonoids/biosynthesis* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Plant Proteins/genetics* ; Biosynthetic Pathways

OBJECTIVE: To preliminarily investigate the effect of buccal acupuncture therapy on ameliorating postoperative pain and enhancing recovery quality among patients undergoing radical resection of gastrointestinal cancers. METHODS: Fifty-two participants were randomized at a 1:1 ratio to either the buccal acupuncture or the control group. The acupuncture protocol entailed targeting 5 predetermined acupoints [CA-2 (Upper jiao), CA-3 (Middle jiao), CA-4 (Lower jiao), CA-6 (back), and CA-7 (waist) and two adjustable acupoints [CA-1 (head) and CA-8 (sacrum)] on each side of the face. The outcomes included the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS) scores for each day within 7 days postoperatively, 15-Item Quality of Recovery Scale (QoR-15) scores, analgesics consumption during and after surgery, incidences of postoperative nausea and vomiting, and perioperative levels of interleukin-6 and glucose. Adverse events related to acupuncture were recorded. RESULTS: Of the initial 52 participants, 46 completed the study and were included in the analysis. Findings indicated that the buccal acupuncture group experienced significantly reduced resting NRS scores in post-anesthesia care unit and throughout the postoperative phase (P=0.001 and P=0.003, respectively), along with enhanced QoR-15 scores on the 3rd postoperative day (P=0.008), compared to the control group. No notable differences were identified in the remaining indicators (P>0.05). CONCLUSION Buccal acupuncture therapy demonstrated significant effectiveness in reducing postoperative pain and improving recovery quality for patients undergoing radical resection of gastrointestinal cancers, presenting a viable intervention without associated adverse outcomes. (Trial registration No. ChiCTR2200060441).
Humans ; Male ; Pilot Projects ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Pain, Postoperative/therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Aged ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

Nipah virus (NiV) and related viruses form a distinct henipavirus genus within the Paramyxoviridae family. NiV continues to spillover into the humans causing deadly outbreaks with increasing human-bat interaction. NiV encodes the large protein (L) and phosphoprotein (P) to form the viral RNA polymerase machinery. Their sequences show limited homologies to those of non-henipavirus paramyxoviruses. We report two cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the Nipah virus (NiV) polymerase L-P complex, expressed and purified in either its full-length or truncated form. The structures resolve the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) and polyribonucleotidyl transferase (PRNTase) domains of the L protein, as well as a tetrameric P protein bundle bound to the L-RdRp domain. L-protein C-terminal regions are unresolved, indicating flexibility. Two PRNTase domain zinc-binding sites, conserved in most Mononegavirales, are confirmed essential for NiV polymerase activity. The structures further reveal anchoring of the P protein bundle and P protein X domain (XD) linkers on L, via an interaction pattern distinct among Paramyxoviridae. These interactions facilitate binding of a P protein XD linker in the nucleotide entry channel and distinct positioning of other XD linkers. We show that the disruption of the L-P interactions reduces NiV polymerase activity. The reported structures should facilitate rational antiviral-drug discovery and provide a guide for the functional study of NiV polymerase.
Nipah Virus/chemistry* ; Cryoelectron Microscopy ; Viral Proteins/genetics* ; RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase/genetics* ; Phosphoproteins/genetics* ; Humans ; Models, Molecular ; Protein Binding