Effects of surface nanomorphology on the senescence of periodontal ligament stem cells.

OBJECTIVES: The effect of TiO2 nanotube morphology on the differentiation potency of senescent periodontal ligament stem cells was investigated. METHODS: Two types of titanium sheets with TiO2 nanotube morphology (20V-NT and 70V-NT) were prepared via anodic oxidation at 20 and 70 V separately, and their surface morphology was observed. Young periodontal ligament stem cells were cultivated in an osteogenic induction medium, and the most effective surface morphology in promoting osteogenic differentiation was selected. RO3306 and Nutlin-3a were used to induce the aging of young periodontal ligament stem cells, and senescent periodontal ligament stem cells were obtained. The osteogenic differentiation of senescent periodontal ligament stem cells was induced, and the effect of surface morphology on osteogenic differentiation was observed. RESULTS: Nanotube morphology was achieved on the surfaces of titanium sheets through anodic oxidation, and the diameters of the nanotubes increased with voltage. A significant difference in the effect of nanotube morphology was found among nanotubes with different diameters in the young periodontal ligament stem cells. The surface nanotube morphology of 20V-NT had a more significant effect that promoted osteogenic differentiation. Compared with a smooth titanium sheet, the surface nanotube morphology of 20V-NT increased the number of alkaline phosphatase-positive senescent periodontal ligament stem cells and promoted calcium deposition and the expression of osteogenic marker genes Runt-related transcription factor 2, osteopontin, and osteocalcin. CONCLUSIONS: A special nanotube morphology enhances the differentiation ability of senescent periodontal ligament stem cells, provides an effective method for periodontal regeneration, and further improves the performance of implants.

Impact of background music on reading comprehension: influence of lyrics language and study habits.

Numerous studies have explored the effects of background music on reading comprehension, however, little is known about how native language (L1) lyrics and second language (L2) lyrics in background music influence reading comprehension performance for college students. The present study used a mixed experimental design to examine the effects of listening habits (between-participants variable: non-listeners or listeners), music type (between-participants variable: L1 (Mandarin) pop music, L2 (English) pop music or no music) and text language (within-participants variable: L1 or L2) on reading comprehension of college students in East China. A total of 90 participants (50 females) were screened into non- listeners (n = 45) and listeners (n = 45), and then were randomly assigned to one of three groups: Mandarin pop music group (n = 30), English pop music group (n = 30) and no music group (n = 30). The results showed that reading comprehension performance was negatively affected by music with lyrics compared to the no music condition. Furthermore, Chinese/English reading comprehension was reduced more by pop music in the same language as the written texts. As expected, non-listeners were more negatively affected by music with lyrics than listeners. For both listeners and non-listeners, average reading comprehension accuracy rates were the lowest in the condition of music with native language lyrics. Overall, our research findings indicate that listening to pop music with lyrics reduces reading comprehension performance. However, listening to background music cause much less distraction if the students commonly listen to music while reading. The current study supports the duplex-mechanism account of auditory distraction.

Functional diversity of apoptotic vesicle subpopulations from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in tissue regeneration.

Apoptosis releases numerous apoptotic vesicles that regulate processes such as cell proliferation, immunity, and tissue regeneration and repair. Now, it has also emerged as an attractive candidate for biotherapeutics. However, apoptotic vesicles encompass a diverse range of subtypes, and it remains unclear which specific subtypes play a pivotal role. In this study, we successfully isolated different apoptotic vesicle subtypes based on their sizes and characterized them using NTA and TEM techniques, respectively. We compared the functional variances among the distinct subtypes of apoptotic vesicles in terms of stem cell proliferation, migration, and differentiation, as well as for endothelial cell and macrophage function, effectively identifying subtypes that exhibit discernible functional differences. ApoSEV (with diameter <1000 nm) promoted stem cell proliferation, migration, and multi-potent differentiation, and accelerated skin wound healing of diabetes mouse model, while apoBD (with diameter >1000 nm) played the opposite effect on cell function and tissue regeneration. Lastly, employing protein analysis and gene sequencing techniques, we elucidated the intrinsic mechanisms underlying these differences between different subtypes of apoEVs. Collectively, this study identified that apoptotic vesicle subtypes possessed distinct bio-functions in regulating stem cell function and behaviour and modulating tissue regeneration, which primarily attribute to the distinct profiling of protein and mRNA in different subtypes. This comprehensive analysis of specific subtypes of apoEVs would provide novel insights for potential therapeutic applications in cell biology and tissue regeneration.

Addressing Biological Questions with Preclinical Cancer Imaging.

The broad application of noninvasive imaging has transformed preclinical cancer research, providing a powerful means to measure dynamic processes in living animals. While imaging technologies are routinely used to monitor tumor growth in model systems, their greatest potential lies in their ability to answer fundamental biological questions. Here we present the broad range of potential imaging applications according to the needs of a cancer biologist with a focus on some of the common biological processes that can be used to visualize and measure. Topics include imaging metastasis; biophysical properties such as perfusion, diffusion, oxygenation, and stiffness; imaging the immune system and tumor microenvironment; and imaging tumor metabolism. We also discuss the general ability of each approach and the level of training needed to both acquire and analyze images. The overall goal is to provide a practical guide for cancer biologists interested in answering biological questions with preclinical imaging technologies.

Bimetallic Coordination Polymers: Synthesis and Applications in Biosensing and Biomedicine.

Bimetallic coordination polymers (CPs) have two different metal ions as connecting nodes in their polymer structure. The synthesis methods of bimetallic CPs are mainly categorized into the one-pot method and post-synthesis modifications according to various needs. Compared with monometallic CPs, bimetallic CPs have synergistic effects and excellent properties, such as higher gas adsorption rate, more efficient catalytic properties, stronger luminescent properties, and more stable loading platforms, which have been widely applied in the fields of gas adsorption, catalysis, energy storage as well as conversion, and biosensing. In recent years, the study of bimetallic CPs synergized with cancer drugs and functional nanomaterials for the therapy of cancer has increasingly attracted the attention of scientists. This review presents the research progress of bimetallic CPs in biosensing and biomedicine in the last five years and provides a perspective for their future development.

Parvalbumin neurons in the nucleus accumbens shell modulate seizure in temporal lobe epilepsy.

A growing number of clinical and animal studies suggest that the nucleus accumbens (NAc), especially the shell, is involved in the pathogenesis of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). However, the role of parvalbumin (PV) GABAergic neurons in the NAc shell involved in TLE is still unclear. In this study, we induced a spontaneous TLE model by intrahippocampal administration of kainic acid (KA), which generally induce acute seizures in first 2 h (acute phase) and then lead to spontaneous recurrent seizures after two months (chronic phase). We found that chemogenetic activation of NAc shell PV neurons could alleviate TLE seizures by reducing the number and period of focal seizures (FSs) and secondary generalized seizures (sGSs), while selective inhibition of PV exacerbated seizure activity. Ruby-virus mapping results identified that the hippocampus (ventral and dorsal) is one of the projection targets of NAc shell PV neurons. Chemogenetic activation of the NAc-Hip PV projection fibers can mitigate seizures while inhibition has no effect on seizure ictogenesis. In summary, our findings reveal that PV neurons in the NAc shell could modulate the seizures in TLE via a long-range NAc-Hip circuit. All of these results enriched the investigation between NAc and epilepsy, offering new targets for future epileptogenesis research and precision therapy.

Elucidating the hepatoprotective mechanisms of cholic acid against CCl4-Induced acute liver injury: A transcriptomic and metabolomic study.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Cholic acid (CA) is one of the main active ingredients in Calculus Bovis, a traditional Chinese medicine, which helps to regulate the heart and liver meridians, clearing the heart, opening the mouth, cooling the liver and calming the wind. However, the molecular mechanism of its liver protective effect is still unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: Growing attention has been directed towards traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), particularly Calculus Bovis, as a potential solution for liver protection. Despite this interest, a comprehensive understanding of its hepatoprotective mechanisms remains lacking. This research seeks to explore the potential protective properties of cholic acid (CA) against CCl4-induced acute liver injury (ALI) in mice, while also examining the mechanisms involved. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In the experiment, a mouse model was employed to ALI using CCl4, and the potential therapeutic effects of orally administered CA at varying doses (15, 30, and 60 mg/kg) were assessed. The study employed a multi-faceted approach, integrating liver transcriptomics with serum metabolomics, and conducting thorough analyses of serum biochemical markers and liver histopathological sections. RESULTS: Oral CA administration markedly reduced the organ indices of the liver, spleen, and thymus in comparison with the model group. It also elevated the expression of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in serum while diminishing the concentrations of ALT, AST, MDA, IL-6, and TNF-α. Moreover, CA ameliorated the pathological damage induced by CCl4. Integrated metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses indicated that the hepatoprotective action of CA on ALI is mediated through the modulation of lipid metabolic pathways-specifically, metabolisms of glycerophospholipid, arachidonic acid, as well as linoleic acid-and by altering the expression of genes such as Ptgr1, PLpp1, Tbxas1, and Cyp2c37. CONCLUSIONS: The current investigation offers insights into the hepatoprotective mechanisms by which CA mitigates ALI caused by CCl4 exposure, thus supporting the further evaluation and development of CA-based therapeutics for ALI.

Inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase as a therapeutic approach for blood-brain barrier dysfunction.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a protective semi-permeable structure that regulates the exchange of biomolecules between the peripheral blood and the central nervous system (CNS). Due to its specialized tight junctions and low vesicle trafficking, the BBB strictly limits the paracellular passage and transcellular transport of molecules to maintain the physiological condition of brain tissues. BBB breakdown is associated with many CNS disorders. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is a hydrolase enzyme that converts epoxy-fatty acids (EpFAs) to their corresponding diols and is involved in the onset and progression of multiple diseases. EpFAs play a protective role in the central nervous system via preventing neuroinflammation, making sEH a potential therapeutic target for CNS diseases. Recent studies showed that sEH inhibition prevented BBB impairment caused by stroke, hemorrhage, traumatic brain injury, hyperglycemia and sepsis via regulating the expression of tight junctions. In this review, the protective actions of sEH inhibition on BBB and potential mechanisms are summarized, and some important questions that remain to be resolved are also addressed.

Risk assessment of arrhythmias related to three antiseizure medications: a systematic review and single-arm meta-analysis.

Objective: Antiseizure medications (ASMs) are first line therapy for seizure disorders. Their effects on arrhythmias, especially the risk of arrhythmias associated with lacosamide (LCM), levetiracetam (LEV), and perampanel (PER), have been intensely investigated. Methods: We searched four databases (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science) until August 6, 2023. We used a common effects model and reported data as pooled incidence with 95% CIs. Meta-analyses were conducted to elucidate the risk of arrhythmias with different drugs, and Egger's regression was performed to detect publication bias analysis. Results: We included 11 clinical trials with 1,031 participants. The pooled incidence of arrhythmias in the LEV group was 0.005 (95% CI: 0.001-0.013), while it was 0.014 in the LCM group (95% CI: 0.003-0.030). Publication bias analyses indicated no significant bias in the LEV group (t = 0.02, df = 4, p-value = 0.9852) but a significant bias in the LCM group (t = 5.94, df = 3, p-value = 0.0095). We corrected for this bias in the LCM group using the trim-and-fill method, which yielded a similar pooled incidence of 0.0137 (95% CI: 0.0036-0.0280), indicating good reliability. Due to insufficient studies, we could not conduct a meta-analysis for PER, and we analyzed them in our systematic review. Conclusion: The use of LCM significantly elevated the risk of arrhythmias, while LEV had non-significant arrhythmogenic effects. As for the arrhythmogenic effects of PER, more clinical trials are needed in the future.

Protopine ameliorates OVA-induced asthma through modulatingTLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis.

BACKGROUND: Chronic airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness are characteristics of asthma. The isoquinoline alkaloid protopine (PRO) has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory effects, but its mechanism of action in asthma is not known. PURPOSE: Investigate the protective properties of PRO upon asthma and elucidate its mechanism. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: The effects of PRO in asthma treatment were assessed by histology, biochemical analysis, and real-time reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Then, we integrated molecular docking, western blotting, cellular experiments, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence analysis, flow cytometry, and metabolomics analysis to reveal its mechanism. RESULTS: In vivo, PRO therapy reduced the number of inflammatory cells (eosinophils, leukocytes, monocytes) in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), ameliorated pathologic alterations in lung tissues, and inhibited secretion of IgG and histamine. Molecular docking showed that PRO could dock with the proteins of TLR4, MyD88, TRAF6, TAK1, IKKα, and TNF-α. Western blotting displayed that PRO inhibited the TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathway. PRO regulated expression of the pyroptosis-related proteins NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, gasdermin D, caspase-1, and drove caspase-1 inactivation to affect inflammatory responses by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome. In vitro, 24 h after treatment with PRO, cell activity, as well as levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and interleukin (IL)-1ß and IL-18, decreased significantly. Immunofluorescence staining showed that PRO decreased expression of TLR4 and MyD88 in vitro. PRO decreased nuclear translocation of NF-κB p65. Twenty-one potential biomarkers in serum were identified using metabolomics analysis, and they predominantly controlled the metabolism of phenylalanine, tryptophan, glucose, and sphingolipids. CONCLUSION: PRO reduced OVA-induced asthma. The underlying mechanism was associated with the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway and NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated pyroptosis.

Association between social isolation and depression: Evidence from longitudinal and Mendelian randomization analyses.

BACKGROUND: Increasing evidence shows that social isolation and depression are likely to interact with each other, yet the direction and causality of the association are not clear. This study aims to examine the possible reciprocity in the relationship between social isolation and depression. METHODS: This study fitted a cross-lagged panel model (CLPM) by using data from the English Longitudinal Study of Aging (ELSA, 2014-2019, n = 6787) to examine the temporal relationship between social isolation and depressive symptoms in older adults. We then conducted two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses by using independent genetic variants associated with multiple social isolation phenotypes (n = 448,858-487,647) and with depression (n = 215,644-2,113,907) as genetic instruments from genome-wide association studies to assess the causality between social isolation and onset of depression. RESULTS: The CLPM in the ELSA cohort showed a significant and positive lagged effect of social isolation on depressive symptoms (ß = 0.037, P < .001). The reverse cross-lagged path from depressive symptoms to social isolation was also statistically significant (ß = 0.039, P < .001). In two-sample bidirectional MR, the genetically predicted loneliness and social isolation combined phenotype (LNL-ISO) was positively associated with occurrence of depression (OR = 1.88, 95 % CI: 1.41-2.50, P < .001), vice versa (OR = 1.16, 95 % CI:1.13-1.20, P < .001). LIMITATIONS: The self-report nature of the assessments and missing data are study limitations. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest a bidirectional relationship between social isolation and depression. It is important to develop interventions that highlight the reciprocal consequences of improving either mental health or social connection in older adults.

Association of Abnormal Sleep Duration and Sleep Disturbance with Physical Activity in Older Adults: Between- and within-Person Effects.

OBJECTIVES: Sleep is associated with physical activity (PA), yet the nature and directions of this association are less understood. This study aimed to disentangle the long-term temporal sequences between sleep duration/disturbance and PA in older adults, distinguishing between- and within-person effects. DESIGN: Longitudinal panel study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We conducted a longitudinal study using 3 waves of data collected in 2008/09 (T1), 2012/13 (T2), and 2016/17(T3) from adults aged ≥50 years in the English Longitudinal Study of Ageing (N = 10,749 individuals). MEASURES: Sleep duration, sleep disturbance, and PA were assessed by self-reported questionnaires. We used cross-lagged panel models (CLPMs) to examine between-person effects and random intercept cross-lagged panel models (RI-CLPMs) to examine within-person effects. RESULTS: Our analyses revealed a reciprocal relationship between abnormal sleep duration and low PA levels at between-person level (abnormal sleep duration to PA: ßT1-T2 = -0.053, ßT2-T3 = -0.058, all P < .001; PA to abnormal sleep duration: ßT1-T2 = -0.040, ßT2-T3 = -0.045, all P < .05), with abnormal sleep duration being the driving force in the dynamic association. In addition, there was a unidirectional effect of more severe sleep disturbance on lower levels of PA at both between- and within-person levels (between-person level: ßT1-T2 = -0.032, ßT2-T3 = -0.028, all P < .001; within-person level: ßT1-T2 and T2-T3 = -0.031, all P = .011). CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: This study adds novel insights into the temporal directionality of sleep and PA among community-dwelling older adults and highlights poor sleep as a potential risk factor for PA. Intervention strategies should aim to improve sleep to promote PA levels and successful aging.

Phenotype and function of smooth muscle cells derived from the human normal great saphenous vein in response to hypoxia.

OBJECTIVE: The contribution of hypoxia to the pathophysiology of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) has not yet been fully elucidated. This study evaluated the effect of hypoxia on the phenotype and function of SMCs derived from the human normal great saphenous veins (NGSVs). METHODS: Fifteen NGSV tissue samples were collected. SMCs were isolated and cultured. Proliferation, migration, adhesion, senescence, and the structure of cytoskeletal filaments in SMCs were observed. mRNA and protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2, MMP-9, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1, and TIMP-2 was detected by fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction and immunoblotting in the cobalt chloride (CoCl2) and the control groups. RESULTS: A decrease in the number of cytoskeletal filaments was observed. mRNA and protein expression of Bas and caspase-3 was significantly decreased, while the quantity of proliferation, migration, adhesion, senescence, and mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2, MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1, and TIMP-2 in SMCs in the CoCl2 group were significantly increased compared with the control group. CONCLUSION: Under hypoxic conditions, the phenotype and function of SMCs derived from the human NGSVs were dysregulated, suggesting that VSMCs switch from the contractile phenotype to the secretory or synthetic phenotype, and more dedifferentiate, resulting in extracellular matrix deposition and apoptotic decrease through the intrinsic pathway.

Hierarchically patterned triple-layered gelatin-based electrospun membrane functionalized by cell-specific extracellular matrix for periodontal regeneration.

OBJECTIVES: Regenerating the periodontium poses a critical challenge in oral medicine. To repair various periodontal defects, it is necessary to adopt a bio-scaffold that provides both the architecture and bioactive cues for local stem cells to migrate, reside, proliferate, and differentiate. The objective of this study is to combine a cell-specific decellularized extracellular matrix (ECM) and a biomimetic electrospinning scaffold to regenerate severely destructed periodontium. METHODS: SEM, water contact angle (WCA), live/dead staining, swelling ratio, tensile test and immune-fluorescent staining were used to define the suitable topography for certain dental stem cells seeding and culturing. Transwell assay, CCK-8, Alizarin Red staining and PCR immune-fluorescent staining were used to determine ideal cell-specific ECM for PDLSCs/BMSCs migration, viability, and oriented differentiation. A biodegradable triple-layered electrospun scaffold (TLS) was fabricated by electrospinning with aligned fibers on both surfaces and a polyporous structure in the middle. The morphology and inter-porous structure of the TLS were characterized by SEM and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP). The surface of the TLS was functionalized with cell-specific ECM (Bi-ECM-TLS) through decellularization of the cell sheets cultured on the scaffold. The regenerative outcome of Bi-ECM-TLS was assessed by an in-situ rat periodontal defect model. Micro-CT, HE-staining, Masson's trichome staining, Sirius Red staining and Immunofluorescent staining were used for histological analysis. RESULTS: Aligned Gelatin/PCL fibrous membrane (GPA) was most effective for both PDLSCs and BMSCs in culture with WCA around 50 degrees and better mechanical strength than the rest. MSCs favored the same type of ECM (cell-specific ECM), and their regenerative properties were effectively induced with better chemotaxis, proliferative and differentiating behaviors. TLS characterization showed that TLS possessed aligned-random-aligned structure and inter-porous structure. In a rat model of periodontal defects, the TLS functionalized by BMSC-specific ECM for bone regeneration and PDLSC-specific ECM demonstrated highest BV/TV ratio, best bone structure and ligament fiber orientation and blood vessel formation, suggesting optimal performance in regenerating both alveolar bone and periodontal ligaments over TLS, single-ECM loaded TLS and r-Bi-ECM-TLS. SIGNIFICANCE: This study highlights the importance of combining a cell-specific decellularized ECM and a biomimetic electrospinning scaffold for targeted periodontal tissue regeneration, with potential implications for periodontal tissue engineering and improved patient outcomes.

Adult-onset idiopathic opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome / Síndrome de opsoclonia-mioclonia idiopática de início adulto

ABSTRACT Purpose: Opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome is extremely uncommon in adults with an autoimmune pathophysiology. Because of the rarity of the syndrome, international recognition of opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome needs to be improved urgently. Therefore, the goal of this study was to raise the awareness of the opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome and help doctors in better diagnosing and using immunotherapy. Methods: We present a case study of an adult-onset case of idiopathic opsoclonus-myoclonus syndrome characterized by spontaneous arrhythmic multidirectional conjugate eye movements, myoclonus, ataxia, sleep disorders, and intense fear. Additionally, we conduct a literature search and summarize the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome. Results: Immunotherapies successfully treated the patient's opsoclonus, myoclonus, and ataxia. Further, the article also includes an update summary of the opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome. Conclusion: The prevalence of residual sequela in adults with opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome is low. Early diagnosis and treatment may result in a better prognosis. Furthermore, combined immunotherapy is expected to reduce the incidence of refractory and reoccurring opsoclonus-myoclonus-ataxia syndrome.

RESUMO Objetivo: A síndrome de opsoclonia-mioclonia é extremamente rara em adultos e tem uma fisiopatologia autoimune. Devido à raridade dessa síndrome, o reconhecimento da síndrome de opsoclonia-mioclonia-ataxia precisa melhorar urgentemente em todo o mundo. Assim sendo, este estudo visou aumentar a conscientização sobre a síndrome de opsoclonia-mioclonia-ataxia e ajudar os médicos para um melhor diagnóstico e o uso correto da imunoterapia. Métodos: Este é o relato de um caso adulto de síndrome de opsoclonia-mioclonia idiopática com movimentos oculares conjugados, multidirecionais, arrítmicos e espontâneos, mioclonia, ataxia, distúrbios do sono e medo intenso. Além disso, foram pesquisadas as publicações recentes relevantes e resumiu-se a fisiopatologia, a apresentação clínica, o diagnóstico e o tratamento da síndrome de opsoclonia-mioclonia-ataxia. Resultados: A paciente recuperou-se totalmente da opsoclonia, da mioclonia e da ataxia através de imunoterapia. O artigo também fornece um resumo atualizado sobre a síndrome de opsoclonia-mioclonia-ataxia. Conclusão: Adultos com síndrome de opsoclonia-mioclonia-ataxia têm uma baixa frequência de sequelas residuais. O diagnóstico e o tratamento precoces podem levar a melhores prognósticos. Espera-se que a imunoterapia combinada reduza a incidência da síndrome de opsoclonia-mioclonia-ataxia refratária e recorrente.

Therapeutic impact of stachyose on hyperlipidaemia caused by a high-fat diet in mice as revealed by gut microbiota and metabolomics.

Hyperlipidaemia, which is characterized by an excess of lipids or fats in the bloodstream, is a high-risk factor and critical indicator of many metabolic diseases. This study used 16 S rRNA gene sequencing and metabolomics to determine that stachyose (ST) has a therapeutic effect and is a mechanism of hyperlipidaemia. These results show that ST significantly attenuated high-fat diet-induced weight gain and fat deposition while also adjusting the gut microbial composition. Untargeted serum metabolomics identified 12 biomarkers, which suggests that ST may function by regulating metabolic pathways. These results highlight the potential of ST in treating hyperlipidaemia and provides directions for future research including an in-depth investigation of the bioactive components, dosage, and treatment strategies of ST.

Potential Plausible Role of Stem Cell for Treating Depressive Disorder: a Retrospective Review.

Depression poses a significant threat to global physical and mental health, impacting around 3.8% of the population with a rising incidence. Current treatment options primarily involve medication and psychological support, yet their effectiveness remains limited, contributing to high relapse rates. There is an urgent need for innovative and more efficacious treatment modalities. Stem cell therapy, a promising avenue in regenerative medicine for a spectrum of neurodegenerative conditions, has recently garnered attention for its potential application in depression. While much of this work remains preclinical, it has demonstrated considerable promise. Identified mechanisms underlying the antidepressant effects of stem cell therapy encompass the stimulation of neurotrophic factors, immune function modulation, and augmented monoamine levels. Nonetheless, these pathways and other undiscovered mechanisms necessitate further investigation. Depression fundamentally manifests as a neurodegenerative disorder. Given stem cell therapy's success in addressing a range of neurodegenerative pathologies, it opens the door to explore its application in depression treatment. This exploration may include repairing damaged nerves directly or indirectly and inhibiting neurotoxicity. Nevertheless, significant challenges must be overcome before stem cell therapies can be applied clinically. Successful resolution of these issues will ultimately determine the feasibility of incorporating stem cell therapies into the clinical landscape. This narrative review provides insights into the progress of research, potential avenues for exploration, and the prevailing challenges in the implementation of stem cell therapy for treatment of depression.

Metabolomic and lipidomic studies on the intervention of taurochenodeoxycholic acid in mice with hyperlipidemia.

Bile acids are the main component of animal bile and are directly involved in the metabolic process of lipids in vivo. Taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA) is the primary biologically active substance in bile acids and has biological functions such as antioxidant, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic activities and improves immunity. In the present study, we assessed the impact of TCDCA on hyperlipidemia development in mouse models. Mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD) to induce hyperlipidemia and orally administered different doses of TCDCA orally for 30 days. Then, indicators such as triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) in mice were detected. Using HE and ORO staining techniques, the morphology of the mice's liver tissue was detected. Based on metabolomic and lipidomic analyses, we determined the mechanism of TCDCA in treating hyperlipidemia. The results showed that TCDCA had a significant ameliorating effect on dietary hyperlipidemia. In addition, it exerted therapeutic effects through glycerophospholipid metabolism.

Serum, spleen metabolomics and gut microbiota reveals effect of catalpol on blood deficiency syndrome caused by cyclophosphamide and acetylphenylhydrazine.

Catalpol (CA), extracted from Rehmannia Radix, holds extensive promise as a natural medicinal compound. This study employed 16S rRNA gene sequencing and combined serum and spleen metabolomics to profoundly investigate the therapeutic effects of CA on blood deficiency syndrome (BDS) and the underlying mechanisms. Notably, CA exhibited effectiveness against BDS induced by cyclophosphamide (CP) and acetylphenylhydrazine (APH) in rats-CA substantially elevated levels of crucial indicators such as erythropoietin (EPO), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-a), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Additionally, CA could alleviate peripheral blood cytopenia. Furthermore, the analysis of 16S rRNA revealed that CA had the potential to reverse the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio associated with BDS. Through comprehensive serum and spleen metabolomic profiling, we successfully identified 22 significant biomarkers in the serum and 23 in the spleen, respectively. Enrichment analysis underscored Glycerophospholipid metabolism and Sphingolipid metabolism as potential pathways through which CA exerts its therapeutic effects on BDS.