Ethyl Lactate Ameliorates Hepatic Steatosis and Acute-on-Chronic Liver Injury in Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease by Inducing Fibroblast Growth Factor 21.

Aberrant upregulation of hepatic lipogenesis induced by chronic and excessive alcohol consumption is a critical driver of the progression of alcohol-associated liver disease (ALD), however, no effective approaches inhibiting lipogenesis are currently available for treating ALD patients. Moreover, little is known about whether and how nonethanol ingredients in alcoholic beverages regulate the pathogenesis of ALD. Here the discovery of a small molecule that activates the production and secretion of fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) is reported.

Eye movement characteristics of emotional face recognizing task in patients with mild to moderate depression.

Objective: Depression is a complex affective disorder characterized by high prevalence and severe impact, commonly presenting with cognitive impairment. The objective diagnosis of depression lacks precise standards. This study investigates eye movement characteristics during emotional face recognition task (EFRT) in depressive patients to provide empirical support for objective diagnosis.

Protocol for building an in vivo model for observation and evaluation of neutrophil extracellular trapping nets in influenza virus-infected mice.

Neutrophils sense microbes and selectively release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in response to pathogens. Here, we present a protocol for qualitative and quantitative analysis of NETs in PR8-infected mouse models. We describe steps for obtaining single-cell suspensions of infiltrated neutrophils from mouse bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF).

Sirtuin 2 regulates neutrophil functions through NAD synthesis pathway in virus infection.

Neutrophils play an important role in antiviral immunity, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we found that SIRT2 deficiency inhibited the infiltration of neutrophils, as well as the secretion of inflammatory cytokines and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), ameliorating disease symptoms during acute respiratory virus infection. Mechanistically, SIRT2 deficiency upregulates quinolinic acid (QA)-producing enzyme 3-hydroxyanthranilate oxygenase (3-HAO) and leads to expression of quinolinate phosphoribosyltransferase (QPRT), which promotes the synthesis of QA for NAD and limits viral infection when NAD synthesis is blocked.

Preparation, structural characterization, bioactivities, and applications of Crataegus spp. polysaccharides: A review.

Crataegus, is a genus within the Rosaceae family. It is recognized as a valuable plant with both medicinal and edible qualities, earning it the epithet of the "nutritious fruit" owing to its abundant bioactive compounds. Polysaccharides are carbohydrate polymers linked by glycosidic bonds, one of the crucial bioactive ingredients of Crataegus spp.

Hippo Kinase MST1-Mediated Cell Metabolism Reprograms the Homeostasis and Differentiation of Granulocyte Progenitor Cells.

The mechanism of the development of granulocyte progenitor cells into neutrophils under steady-state and pathological conditions remains unclear. In this study, our results showed that with the development of neutrophils from hematopoietic stem cells to mature neutrophils, the expression level of the Hippo kinase MST1 gradually increased. Mst1-specific deficiency in myeloid cells caused neutrophilia, with an expanded granulocytic compartment resulting from a cell-autonomous increase in the number of granulocyte-macrophage progenitors under steady-state conditions and during Listeria monocytogenes infection.

Aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator limits the recruitment and function of regulatory neutrophils against colorectal cancer by regulating the gut microbiota.

Background: Although the role and mechanism of neutrophils in tumors have been widely studied, the precise effects of aryl hydrocarbon receptor nuclear translocator (ARNT) on neutrophils remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the roles of ARNT in the function of CD11bGr1 neutrophils in colitis-associated colorectal cancer.

Methods: Wild-type (WT), ARNT myeloid-specific deficient mice and a colitis-associated colorectal cancer mouse model were used in this study.

Immunoregulatory Role of the Mechanosensitive Ion Channel Piezo1 in Inflammation and Cancer.

Piezo1 was originally identified as a mechanically activated, nonselective cation ion channel, with significant permeability to calcium ions, is evolutionally conserved, and is involved in the proliferation and development of various types of cells, in the context of various types of mechanical or innate stimuli. Recently, our study and work by others have reported that Piezo1 from all kinds of immune cells is involved in regulating many diseases, including infectious inflammation and cancer. This review summarizes the recent progress made in understanding the immunoregulatory role and mechanisms of the mechanical receptor Piezo1 in inflammation and cancer and provides new insight into the biological significance of Piezo1 in regulating immunity and tumors.

Circulating Growth Differentiation Factor 15 and Preeclampsia: A Meta-Analysis.

Growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF-15) has been suggested as a potential biomarker of preeclampsia. However, previous studies evaluating circulating GDF-15 in women with preeclampsia showed inconsistent results. A meta-analysis was performed accordingly in this study.

Modulation of tumor-associated macrophages in colitis-associated colorectal cancer.

Intestinal macrophages are the most abundant immune cells in the small and large intestine, which maintain intestinal homeostasis by clearing invading bacteria and dead cells, secreting anti-inflammatory cytokines, and inducing tolerance to symbiotic bacteria and food particles. In addition, as antigen-presenting cells, they also participate in eliciting adaptive immune responses through bridging innate immune responses. After the intestinal homeostasis is disrupted, the damaged or apoptotic intestinal epithelial cells cannot be effectively cleared, and the infection of exogenous pathogens and leakage of endogenous antigens lead to persistent intestinal inflammation.

The hippo kinase MST1 negatively regulates the differentiation of follicular helper T cells.

Follicular helper T (T ) cells are essential for inducing germinal centre (GC) reactions to mediate humoral adaptive immunity and antiviral effects, but the mechanisms of T cell differentiation remain unclear. Here, we found that the hippo kinase MST1 is critical for T cell differentiation, GC formation, and antibody production under steady-state conditions and viral infection. MST1 deficiency intrinsically enhanced T cell differentiation and GC reactions in vivo and in vitro.

Dendritic cell Piezo1 directs the differentiation of T1 and T cells in cancer.

Dendritic cells (DCs) play an important role in anti-tumor immunity by inducing T cell differentiation. Herein, we found that the DC mechanical sensor Piezo1 stimulated by mechanical stiffness or inflammatory signals directs the reciprocal differentiation of T1 and regulatory T (T) cells in cancer. Genetic deletion of Piezo1 in DCs inhibited the generation of T1 cells while driving the development of T cells in promoting cancer growth in mice.

Selenium metabolism and regulation of immune cells in immune-associated diseases.

Selenium, as one of the essential microelements, plays an irreplaceable role in metabolism regulation and cell survival. Selenium metabolism and regulation have great effects on physiological systems especially the immune system. Therefore, selenium is tightly related to various diseases like cancer.

Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase PTPRO Signaling Couples Metabolic States to Control the Development of Granulocyte Progenitor Cells.

Protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTPase) is critically involved in the regulation of hematopoietic stem cell development and differentiation. Roles of novel isolated receptor PTPase PTPRO from bone marrow hematopoietic stem cells in granulopoiesis have not been investigated. PTPRO expression is correlated with granulocytic differentiation, and mice developed neutrophilia, with an expanded granulocytic compartment resulting from a cell-autonomous increase in the number of granulocyte progenitors under steady-state and potentiated innate immune responses against infection.

[Exploring and practicing over 80 years in traditional Chinese medicine: the academic career of professor ].

This paper reviewes the clinical and scientific research history of professor - and summarizes his academic thoughts and main achievements. Professor - created the first personality and constitution inventory in China to lay the foundation for the discipline of TCM psychology; discovered meridian sensory conduction in phantom limbs and proposed the extension of the central model; invented a method for treating mental illness with a low-dose electroacupuncture convulsion therapy instrument; and interpreted the TCM medical model as a Time-Space-Social- Psychological-Biological medical model.

The direct and indirect regulation of follicular T helper cell differentiation in inflammation and cancer.

Follicular T helper (Tfh) cells play important roles in facilitating B-cell differentiation and inducing the antibody response in humoral immunity and immune-associated inflammatory diseases, including infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancers. However, Tfh cell differentiation is mainly achieved through self-directed differentiation regulation and the indirect regulation mechanism of antigen-presenting cells (APCs). During the direct intrinsic differentiation of naïve CD4 T cells into Tfh cells, Bcl-6, as the characteristic transcription factor, plays the core role of transcriptional regulation.

Hippo Kinases MST1/2 Regulate Immune Cell Functions in Cancer, Infection, and Autoimmune Diseases.

Mammalian STE20-like protein kinases (MST), including MST1, MST2, MST3, and MST4, belong to the germinal center kinase (GCK) family. Kinase MST1/2 is an important component of the Hippo pathway in regulating cell proliferation, tissue homeostasis, and organ development. Recent studies have shown that Hippo kinase MST1/2 plays a crucial role in immune-associated diseases, which has attracted extensive attention of researchers.

Functional differentiation and regulation of follicular T helper cells in inflammation and autoimmunity.

Follicular T helper (T ) cells are specialized T cells that support B cells, which are essential for humoral immunity. T cells express the transcription factor B-cell lymphoma 6 (Bcl-6), chemokine (C-X-C motif) receptor (CXCR) 5, the surface receptors programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) and inducible T-cell costimulator (ICOS), the cytokine IL-21 and other molecules. The activation, proliferation and differentiation of T cells are closely related to dynamic changes in cellular metabolism.

Targeting Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells in Cancer Immunotherapy.

Myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), which are activated under pathological conditions, are a group of heterogeneous immature myeloid cells. MDSCs have potent capacities to support tumor growth via inhibition of the antitumoral immune response and/or the induction of immunosuppressive cells. In addition, multiple studies have demonstrated that MDSCs provide potential therapeutic targets for the elimination of immunosuppressive functions and the inhibition of tumor growth.

The crosstalk between gut bacteria and host immunity in intestinal inflammation.

The gut of mammals is considered as a harmonious ecosystem mediated by intestinal microbiota and the host. Both bacteria and mammalian immune cells show region-related distribution characteristics, and the interaction between the two could be demonstrated by synergetic roles in maintaining intestinal homeostasis and dysregulation in intestinal inflammation. The harmonious interplay between bacteria and host requires fine-tuned regulations by environmental and genetic factors.

Regulations of Glycolytic Activities on Macrophages Functions in Tumor and Infectious Inflammation.

Macrophages differentiated into a classically activated (M1) or alternatively activated phenotype (M2) in infection and tumor, but the precise effects of glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) metabolic pathway remain unclear. Herein, the effects of glycolysis or OXPHOS on macrophage polarizations were investigated using a pharmacological approach in mice. 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) treatments, which blocks the key enzyme hexokinase of glycolysis, efficiently inhibits a specific switch to M1 lineage, decreasing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines and expressions of co-stimulatory molecules associated with relieving infectious inflammation .

Non-destructive estimation of field maize biomass using terrestrial lidar: an evaluation from plot level to individual leaf level.

Background: Precision agriculture is an emerging research field that relies on monitoring and managing field variability in phenotypic traits. An important phenotypic trait is biomass, a comprehensive indicator that can reflect crop yields. However, non-destructive biomass estimation at fine levels is unknown and challenging due to the lack of accurate and high-throughput phenotypic data and algorithms.

Glucocorticoids Promote the Onset of Acute Experimental Colitis and Cancer by Upregulating mTOR Signaling in Intestinal Epithelial Cells.

The therapeutic effects of glucocorticoids on colitis and colitis-associated cancer are unclear. In this study, we investigated the therapeutic roles of glucocorticoids in acute experimental ulcerative colitis and colitis-associated cancer in mice and their immunoregulatory mechanisms. Murine acute ulcerative colitis was induced by dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) and treated with dexamethasone (Dex) at different doses.