At present,treatments for Alzheimer's disease can temporarily relieve symptoms but cannot prevent the decline of cognitive ability and other neurodegenerative changes.Dendrobium nobile Lindl alkaloid is the main a...At present,treatments for Alzheimer's disease can temporarily relieve symptoms but cannot prevent the decline of cognitive ability and other neurodegenerative changes.Dendrobium nobile Lindl alkaloid is the main active component of Dendrobium nobile Lindl.Dendrobium nobile Lindl alkaloid has been shown to resist aging,prolong life span,and exhibit immunomodulatory effects in animals.This review summarizes the mechanisms behind the neuroprotective effects reported in Alzheimer's disease animal models.The neuroprotective effects of Dendrobium nobile Lindl alkaloid have not been studied in patients.The mechanisms by which Dendrobium nobile Lindl alkaloid has been reported to improve cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease animal models may be associated with extracellular amyloid plaque production,regulation of tau protein hyperphosphorylation,inhibition of neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis,activation of autophagy,and enhanced synaptic connections.展开更多
Parkinson’s disease is chara cterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars com pacta,and although restoring striatal dopamine levels may improve symptoms,no treatment can cure or reve rse ...Parkinson’s disease is chara cterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars com pacta,and although restoring striatal dopamine levels may improve symptoms,no treatment can cure or reve rse the disease itself.Stem cell therapy has a regenerative effect and is being actively studied as a candidate for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.Mesenchymal stem cells are considered a promising option due to fewer ethical concerns,a lower risk of immune rejection,and a lower risk of teratogenicity.We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells and their derivatives on motor function,memory,and preservation of dopamine rgic neurons in a Parkinson’s disease animal model.We searched bibliographic databases(PubMed/MEDLINE,Embase,CENTRAL,Scopus,and Web of Science)to identify articles and included only pee r-reviewed in vivo interve ntional animal studies published in any language through J une 28,2023.The study utilized the random-effect model to estimate the 95%confidence intervals(CI)of the standard mean differences(SMD)between the treatment and control groups.We use the systematic review center for laboratory animal expe rimentation’s risk of bias tool and the collaborative approach to meta-analysis and review of animal studies checklist for study quality assessment.A total of 33studies with data from 840 Parkinson’s disease model animals were included in the meta-analysis.Treatment with mesenchymal stem cells significantly improved motor function as assessed by the amphetamine-induced rotational test.Among the stem cell types,the bone marrow MSCs with neurotrophic factor group showed la rgest effect size(SMD[95%CI]=-6.21[-9.50 to-2.93],P=0.0001,I^(2)=0.0%).The stem cell treatment group had significantly more tyrosine hydroxylase positive dopamine rgic neurons in the striatum([95%CI]=1.04[0.59 to 1.49],P=0.0001,I^(2)=65.1%)and substantia nigra(SMD[95%CI]=1.38[0.89 to 1.87],P=0.0001,I^(2)=75.3%),indicating a protective effect on dopaminergic neurons.Subgroup analysis of the amphetamine-induced rotation test showed a significant reduction only in the intracranial-striatum route(SMD[95%CI]=-2.59[-3.25 to-1.94],P=0.0001,I^(2)=74.4%).The memory test showed significant improvement only in the intravenous route(SMD[95%CI]=4.80[1.84 to 7.76],P=0.027,I^(2)=79.6%).Mesenchymal stem cells have been shown to positively impact motor function and memory function and protect dopaminergic neurons in preclinical models of Parkinson’s disease.Further research is required to determine the optimal stem cell types,modifications,transplanted cell numbe rs,and delivery methods for these protocols.展开更多
Huntington'sdisease(HD)isahereditary neurodegenerative disorder for which there is currently no effectivetreatmentavailable.Consequently,the development of appropriate disease models is critical to thoroughly inve...Huntington'sdisease(HD)isahereditary neurodegenerative disorder for which there is currently no effectivetreatmentavailable.Consequently,the development of appropriate disease models is critical to thoroughly investigate disease progression.The genetic basis of HD involves the abnormal expansion of CAG repeats in the huntingtin(HTT)gene,leading to the expansion of a polyglutamine repeat in the HTT protein.Mutant HTT carrying the expanded polyglutamine repeat undergoes misfolding and forms aggregates in the brain,which precipitate selective neuronal loss in specific brain regions.Animal models play an important role in elucidating the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as HD and in identifying potential therapeutic targets.Due to the marked species differences between rodents and larger animals,substantial efforts have been directed toward establishing large animal models for HD research.These models are pivotal for advancing the discovery of novel therapeutic targets,enhancing effective drug delivery methods,and improving treatment outcomes.We have explored the advantages of utilizing large animal models,particularly pigs,in previous reviews.Since then,however,significant progress has been made in developing more sophisticated animal models that faithfully replicate the typical pathology of HD.In the current review,we provide a comprehensive overview of large animal models of HD,incorporating recent findings regarding the establishment of HD knock-in(KI)pigs and their genetic therapy.We also explore the utilization of large animal models in HD research,with a focus on sheep,non-human primates(NHPs),and pigs.Our objective is to provide valuable insights into the application of these large animal models for the investigation and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.展开更多
Acute kidney injury(AKI)and chronic kidney disease(CKD)are significant public health issues associated with a long-term increase in mortality risk,resulting from various etiologies including renal ischemia,sepsis,drug...Acute kidney injury(AKI)and chronic kidney disease(CKD)are significant public health issues associated with a long-term increase in mortality risk,resulting from various etiologies including renal ischemia,sepsis,drug toxicity,and diabetes mellitus.Numerous preclinical models have been developed to deepen our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic approaches for kidney diseases.Among these,rodent models have proven to be powerful tools in the discovery of novel therapeutics,while the development of kidney organoids has emerged as a promising advancement in the field.This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the construction methodologies,underlying biological mechanisms,and recent therapeutic developments across different AKI and CKD models.Additionally,this review summarizes the advantages,limitations,and challenges inherent in these preclinical models,thereby contributing robust evidence to support the development of effective therapeutic strategies.展开更多
Neurodegeneration is a catastrophic process that develops progressive damage leading to functional andstructural loss of the cells of the nervous system and is among the biggest unavoidable problems of our age.Animalm...Neurodegeneration is a catastrophic process that develops progressive damage leading to functional andstructural loss of the cells of the nervous system and is among the biggest unavoidable problems of our age.Animalmodels do not reflect the pathophysiology observed in humans due to distinct differences between the neuralpathways,gene expression patterns,neuronal plasticity,and other disease-related mechanisms in animals andhumans.Classical in vitro cell culture models are also not sufficient for pre-clinical drug testing in reflecting thecomplex pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases.Today,modern,engineered techniques are applied to developmulticellular,intricate in vitro models and to create the closest microenvironment simulating biological,biochemical,and mechanical characteristics of the in vivo degenerating tissue.In THIS review,the capabilities and shortcomings ofscaffold-based and scaffold-free techniques,organoids,and microfluidic models that best reflect neurodegeneration invitro in the biomimetic framework are discussed.展开更多
This letter evaluates the article by Gravina et al on ChatGPT’s potential in providing medical information for inflammatory bowel disease patients.While promising,it highlights the need for advanced techniques like r...This letter evaluates the article by Gravina et al on ChatGPT’s potential in providing medical information for inflammatory bowel disease patients.While promising,it highlights the need for advanced techniques like reasoning+action and retrieval-augmented generation to improve accuracy and reliability.Emphasizing that simple question and answer testing is insufficient,it calls for more nuanced evaluation methods to truly gauge large language models’capabilities in clinical applications.展开更多
BACKGROUND Congenital heart disease is most commonly seen in neonates and it is a major cause of pediatric illness and childhood morbidity and mortality.AIM To identify and build the best predictive model for predicti...BACKGROUND Congenital heart disease is most commonly seen in neonates and it is a major cause of pediatric illness and childhood morbidity and mortality.AIM To identify and build the best predictive model for predicting cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease in children during pregnancy and identify their potential risk factors.METHODS The data were collected from the Pediatric Cardiology Department at Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi Institute of Cardiology Multan,Pakistan from December 2017 to October 2019.A sample of 3900 mothers whose children were diagnosed with identify the potential outliers.Different machine learning models were compared,and the best-fitted model was selected using the area under the curve,sensitivity,and specificity of the models.RESULTS Out of 3900 patients included,about 69.5%had acyanotic and 30.5%had cyanotic congenital heart disease.Males had more cases of acyanotic(53.6%)and cyanotic(54.5%)congenital heart disease as compared to females.The odds of having cyanotic was 1.28 times higher for children whose mothers used more fast food frequently during pregnancy.The artificial neural network model was selected as the best predictive model with an area under the curve of 0.9012,sensitivity of 65.76%,and specificity of 97.23%.CONCLUSION Children having a positive family history are at very high risk of having cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease.Males are more at risk and their mothers need more care,good food,and physical activity during pregnancy.The best-fitted model for predicting cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease is the artificial neural network.The results obtained and the best model identified will be useful for medical practitioners and public health scientists for an informed decision-making process about the earlier diagnosis and improve the health condition of children in Pakistan.展开更多
Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) pose a significant global health challenge, necessitating accurate risk prediction for effective preventive measures. This comprehensive comparative study explores the performance of tra...Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) pose a significant global health challenge, necessitating accurate risk prediction for effective preventive measures. This comprehensive comparative study explores the performance of traditional Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) models in predicting CVD risk, utilizing a meticulously curated dataset derived from health records. Rigorous preprocessing, including normalization and outlier removal, enhances model robustness. Diverse ML models (Logistic Regression, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, K-Nearest Neighbor, Decision Tree, and Gradient Boosting) are compared with a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network for DL. Evaluation metrics include accuracy, ROC AUC, computation time, and memory usage. Results identify the Gradient Boosting Classifier and LSTM as top performers, demonstrating high accuracy and ROC AUC scores. Comparative analyses highlight model strengths and limitations, contributing valuable insights for optimizing predictive strategies. This study advances predictive analytics for cardiovascular health, with implications for personalized medicine. The findings underscore the versatility of intelligent systems in addressing health challenges, emphasizing the broader applications of ML and DL in disease identification beyond cardiovascular health.展开更多
Eosinophilic oesophagitis(EoE)is an allergen/immune-mediated chronic esophageal disease characterized by esophageal mucosal eosinophilic infiltration and esophageal dysfunction.Although the disease was originally attr...Eosinophilic oesophagitis(EoE)is an allergen/immune-mediated chronic esophageal disease characterized by esophageal mucosal eosinophilic infiltration and esophageal dysfunction.Although the disease was originally attributed to a delayed allergic reaction to allergens and a Th2-type immune response,the exact pathogenesis is complex,and the efficacy of existing treatments is unsatisfactory.Therefore,the study of the pathophysiological process of EOE has received increasing attention.Animal models have been used extensively to study the molecular mechanism of EOE pathogenesis and also provide a preclinical platform for human clinical intervention studies of novel therapeutic agents.To maximize the use of existing animal models of EOE,it is important to understand the advantages or limitations of each modeling approach.This paper systematically describes the selection of experimental animals,types of allergens,and methods of sensitization and excitation during the preparation of animal models of EoE.It also discusses the utility and shortcomings of each model with the aim of providing the latest perspectives on EoE models and leading to better choices of animal models.展开更多
Alzheimer's disease(AD)is an age-related progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to cognitive impairment and memory loss.Emerging evidence suggests that autophagy plays an important role in the pathogene...Alzheimer's disease(AD)is an age-related progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to cognitive impairment and memory loss.Emerging evidence suggests that autophagy plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD through the regulation of amyloid-beta(Aβ)and tau metabolism,and that autophagy dysfunction exacerbates amyloidosis and tau pathology.Therefore,targeting autophagy may be an effective approach for the treatment of AD.Animal models are considered useful tools for investigating the pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic strategies of diseases.This review aims to summarize the pathological alterations in autophagy in representative AD animal models and to present recent studies on newly discovered autophagy-stimulating interventions in animal AD models.Finally,the opportunities,difficulties,and future directions of autophagy targeting in AD therapy are discussed.展开更多
Parkinson’s disease(PD)relates to defective mitochondrial quality control in the dopaminergic motor network.Genetic studies have revealed that PINK1 and Parkin mutations are indicative of a heightened propensity to P...Parkinson’s disease(PD)relates to defective mitochondrial quality control in the dopaminergic motor network.Genetic studies have revealed that PINK1 and Parkin mutations are indicative of a heightened propensity to PD onset,pinpointing mitophagy and inflammation as the culprit pathways involved in neuronal loss in the substantia nigra(SNpc).In a reciprocal manner,LRRK2 functions in the regulation of basal flux and inflammatory responses responsible for PINK1/Parkin-dependent mitophagy activation.Pharmacological intervention in these diseasemodifying pathways may facilitate the development of novel PD therapeutics,despite the current lack of an established drug evaluation model.As such,we reviewed the feasibility of employing the versatile global Pink1knockout(KO)rat model as a self-sufficient,spontaneous PD model for investigating both disease etiology and drug pharmacology.These rats retain clinical features encompassing basal mitophagic flux changes with PD progression.We demonstrate the versatility of this PD rat model based on the incorporation of additional experimental insults to recapitulate the proinflammatory responses observed in PD patients.展开更多
Diabetic kidney disease(DKD)is a prevalent complication of diabetes,often leading to end-stage renal disease.Animal models have been widely used to study the pathogenesis of DKD and evaluate potential therapies.Howeve...Diabetic kidney disease(DKD)is a prevalent complication of diabetes,often leading to end-stage renal disease.Animal models have been widely used to study the pathogenesis of DKD and evaluate potential therapies.However,current animal models often fail to fully capture the pathological characteristics of renal injury observed in clinical patients with DKD.Additionally,modeling DKD is often a time-consuming,costly,and labor-intensive process.The current review aims to summarize modeling strategies in the establishment of DKD animal models by utilizing meta-analysis related methods and to aid in the optimization of these models for future research.A total of 1215 articles were retrieved with the keywords of“diabetic kidney disease”and“animal experiment”in the past 10 years.Following screening,84 articles were selected for inclusion in the meta-analysis.Review manager 5.4.1 was employed to analyze the changes in blood glucose,glycosylated hemoglobin,total cholesterol,triglyceride,serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen,and urinary albumin excretion rate in each model.Renal lesions shown in different models that were not suitable to be included in the metaanalysis were also extensively discussed.The above analysis suggested that combining various stimuli or introducing additional renal injuries to current models would be a promising avenue to overcome existing challenges and limitations.In conclusion,our review article provides an in-depth analysis of the limitations in current DKD animal models and proposes strategies for improving the accuracy and reliability of these models that will inspire future research efforts in the DKD research field.展开更多
Artificial intelligence is increasingly entering everyday healthcare.Large language model(LLM)systems such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer(ChatGPT)have become potentially accessible to everyone,including pa...Artificial intelligence is increasingly entering everyday healthcare.Large language model(LLM)systems such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer(ChatGPT)have become potentially accessible to everyone,including patients with inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD).However,significant ethical issues and pitfalls exist in innovative LLM tools.The hype generated by such systems may lead to unweighted patient trust in these systems.Therefore,it is necessary to understand whether LLMs(trendy ones,such as ChatGPT)can produce plausible medical information(MI)for patients.This review examined ChatGPT’s potential to provide MI regarding questions commonly addressed by patients with IBD to their gastroenterologists.From the review of the outputs provided by ChatGPT,this tool showed some attractive potential while having significant limitations in updating and detailing information and providing inaccurate information in some cases.Further studies and refinement of the ChatGPT,possibly aligning the outputs with the leading medical evidence provided by reliable databases,are needed.展开更多
Crohn’s disease(CD)is caused by immune,environmental,and genetic factors.It can involve the entire gastrointestinal tract,and although its prevalence is rapidly increasing its etiology remains unclear.Emerging biolog...Crohn’s disease(CD)is caused by immune,environmental,and genetic factors.It can involve the entire gastrointestinal tract,and although its prevalence is rapidly increasing its etiology remains unclear.Emerging biological and small-molecule drugs have advanced the treatment of CD;however,a considerable proportion of patients are non-responsive to all known drugs.To achieve a breakthrough in this field,innovations that could guide the further development of effective therapies are of utmost urgency.In this review,we first propose the innovative concept of pan-lymphatic dysfunction for the general distribution of lymphatic dysfunction in various diseases,and suggest that CD is the intestinal manifestation of pan-lymphatic dysfunction based on basic and clinical preliminary data.The supporting evidence is fully summarized,including the existence of lymphatic system dysfunction,recognition of the inside-out model,disorders of immune cells,changes in cell plasticity,partial overlap of the underlying mechanisms,and common gut-derived fatty and bile acid metabolism.Another benefit of this novel concept is that it proposes adopting the zebrafish model for studying intestinal diseases,especially CD,as this model is good at presenting and mimicking lymphatic dysfunction.More importantly,the ensuing focus on improving lymphatic function may lead to novel and promising therapeutic strategies for CD.展开更多
Parkinson’s disease is typically characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta.Many studies have been performed based on the supplementation of lost dopaminergic ...Parkinson’s disease is typically characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta.Many studies have been performed based on the supplementation of lost dopaminergic neurons to treat Parkinson’s disease.The initial strategy for cell replacement therapy used human fetal ventral midbrain and human embryonic stem cells to treat Parkinson’s disease,which could substantially alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in clinical practice.However,ethical issues and tumor formation were limitations of its clinical application.Induced pluripotent stem cells can be acquired without sacrificing human embryos,which eliminates the huge ethical barriers of human stem cell therapy.Another widely considered neuronal regeneration strategy is to directly reprogram fibroblasts and astrocytes into neurons,without the need for intermediate proliferation states,thus avoiding issues of immune rejection and tumor formation.Both induced pluripotent stem cells and direct reprogramming of lineage cells have shown promising results in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.However,there are also ethical concerns and the risk of tumor formation that need to be addressed.This review highlights the current application status of cell reprogramming in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease,focusing on the use of induced pluripotent stem cells in cell replacement therapy,including preclinical animal models and progress in clinical research.The review also discusses the advancements in direct reprogramming of lineage cells in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease,as well as the controversy surrounding in vivo reprogramming.These findings suggest that cell reprogramming may hold great promise as a potential strategy for treating Parkinson’s disease.展开更多
Disturbances in the microbiota-gut-brain axis may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease. Magnesium-L-threonate has recently been found to have protective effects on learning and memory in aged and A...Disturbances in the microbiota-gut-brain axis may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease. Magnesium-L-threonate has recently been found to have protective effects on learning and memory in aged and Alzheimer's disease model mice. However, the effects of magnesium-L-threonate on the gut microbiota in Alzheimer's disease remain unknown. Previously, we reported that magnesium-L-threonate treatment improved cognition and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in a double-transgenic line of Alzheimer's disease model mice expressing the amyloid-β precursor protein and mutant human presenilin 1(APP/PS1). Here, we performed 16S r RNA amplicon sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze changes in the microbiome and serum metabolome following magnesium-Lthreonate exposure in a similar mouse model. Magnesium-L-threonate modulated the abundance of three genera in the gut microbiota, decreasing Allobaculum and increasing Bifidobacterium and Turicibacter. We also found that differential metabolites in the magnesiumL-threonate-regulated serum were enriched in various pathways associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The western blotting detection on intestinal tight junction proteins(zona occludens 1, occludin, and claudin-5) showed that magnesium-L-threonate repaired the intestinal barrier dysfunction of APP/PS1 mice. These findings suggest that magnesium-L-threonate may reduce the clinical manifestations of Alzheimer's disease through the microbiota-gut-brain axis in model mice, providing an experimental basis for the clinical treatment of Alzheimer's disease.展开更多
BACKGROUND Diabetic kidney disease(DKD)is a major complication of diabetes mellitus.Renal tubular epithelial cell(TEC)damage,which is strongly associated with the inflammatory response and mesenchymal trans-differenti...BACKGROUND Diabetic kidney disease(DKD)is a major complication of diabetes mellitus.Renal tubular epithelial cell(TEC)damage,which is strongly associated with the inflammatory response and mesenchymal trans-differentiation,plays a significant role in DKD;However,the precise molecular mechanism is unknown.The recently identified microRNA-630(miR-630)has been hypothesized to be closely associated with cell migration,apoptosis,and autophagy.However,the association between miR-630 and DKD and the underlying mechanism remain unknown.AIM To investigate how miR-630 affects TEC injury and the inflammatory response in DKD rats.METHODS Streptozotocin was administered to six-week-old male rats to create a hypergly cemic diabetic model.In the second week of modeling,the rats were divided into control,DKD,negative control of lentivirus,and miR-630 overexpression groups.After 8 wk,urine and blood samples were collected for the kidney injury assays,and renal tissues were removed for further molecular assays.The target gene for miR-630 was predicted using bioinformatics,and the association between miR-630 and toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)was confirmed using in vitro investigations and double luciferase reporter gene assays.Overexpression of miR-630 in DKD rats led to changes in body weight,renal weight index,basic blood parameters and histopathological changes.RESULTS The expression level of miR-630 was reduced in the kidney tissue of rats with DKD(P<0.05).The miR-630 and TLR4 expressions in rat renal TECs(NRK-52E)were measured using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.The mRNA expression level of miR-630 was significantly lower in the high-glucose(HG)and HG+mimic negative control(NC)groups than in the normal glucose(NG)group(P<0.05).In contrast,the mRNA expression level of TLR4 was significantly higher in these groups(P<0.05).However,miR-630 mRNA expression increased and TLR4 mRNA expression significantly decreased in the HG+miR-630 mimic group than in the HG+mimic NC group(P<0.05).Furthermore,the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and IL-6 were significantly higher in the HG and HG+mimic NC groups than in NG group(P<0.05).However,the levels of these cytokines were significantly lower in the HG+miR-630 mimic group than in the HG+mimic NC group(P<0.05).Notably,changes in protein expression were observed.The HG and HG+mimic NC groups showed a significant decrease in E-cadherin protein expression,whereas TLR4,α-smooth muscle actin(SMA),and collagen IV protein expression increased(P<0.05).Conversely,the HG+miR-630 mimic group exhibited a significant increase in E-cadherin protein expression and a notable decrease in TLR4,α-SMA,and collagen IV protein expression than in the HG+mimic NC group(P<0.05).The miR-630 targets TLR4 gene expression.In vivo experiments demonstrated that DKD rats treated with miR-630 agomir exhibited significantly higher miR-630 mRNA expression than DKD rats injected with agomir NC.Additionally,rats treated with miR-630 agomir showed significant reductions in urinary albumin,blood glucose,TLR4,and proinflammatory markers(TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6)expression levels(P<0.05).Moreover,these rats exhibited fewer kidney lesions and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells.CONCLUSION MiR-630 may inhibit the inflammatory reaction of DKD by targeting TLR4,and has a protective effect on DKD.展开更多
The microbiota-gut-brain axis(MGBA)has emerged as a key prospect in the bidirectional communication between two major organ systems:the brain and the gut.Homeostasis between the two organ systems allows the body to fu...The microbiota-gut-brain axis(MGBA)has emerged as a key prospect in the bidirectional communication between two major organ systems:the brain and the gut.Homeostasis between the two organ systems allows the body to function without disease,whereas dysbiosis has long-standing evidence of etiopathological conditions.The most common communication paths are the microbial release of metabolites,soluble neurotransmitters,and immune cells.However,each pathway is intertwined with a complex one.With the emergence of in vitro models and the popularity of three-dimensional(3D)cultures and Transwells,engineering has become easier for the scientific understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.This paper briefly retraces the possible communication pathways between the gut microbiome and the brain.It further elaborates on three major diseases:autism spectrum disorder,Parkinson’s disease,and Alzheimer’s disease,which are prevalent in children and the elderly.These diseases also decrease patients’quality of life.Hence,understanding them more deeply with respect to current advances in in vitro modeling is crucial for understanding the diseases.Remodeling of MGBA in the laboratory uses many molecular technologies and biomaterial advances.Spheroids and organoids provide a more realistic picture of the cell and tissue structure than monolayers.Combining them with the Transwell system offers the advantage of compartmentalizing the two systems(apical and basal)while allowing physical and chemical cues between them.Cutting-edge technologies,such as bioprinting and microfluidic chips,might be the future of in vitro modeling,as they provide dynamicity.展开更多
Animal models are extensively used in all aspects of biomedical research,with substantial contributions to our understanding of diseases,the development of pharmaceuticals,and the exploration of gene functions.The fie...Animal models are extensively used in all aspects of biomedical research,with substantial contributions to our understanding of diseases,the development of pharmaceuticals,and the exploration of gene functions.The field of genome modification in rabbits has progressed slowly.However,recent advancements,particularly in CRISPR/Cas9-related technologies,have catalyzed the successful development of various genome-edited rabbit models to mimic diverse diseases,including cardiovascular disorders,immunodeficiencies,agingrelated ailments,neurological diseases,and ophthalmic pathologies.These models hold great promise in advancing biomedical research due to their closer physiological and biochemical resemblance to humans compared to mice.This review aims to summarize the novel gene-editing approaches currently available for rabbits and present the applications and prospects of such models in biomedicine,underscoring their impact and future potential in translational medicine.展开更多
BACKGROUND The severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and lipid metabolism are related to the occurrence of colorectal polyps.Liver-controlled attenuation parameters(liver-CAPs)have been established to pre...BACKGROUND The severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and lipid metabolism are related to the occurrence of colorectal polyps.Liver-controlled attenuation parameters(liver-CAPs)have been established to predict the prognosis of hepatic steatosis patients.AIM To explore the risk factors associated with colorectal polyps in patients with NAFLD by analyzing liver-CAPs and establishing a diagnostic model.METHODS Patients who were diagnosed with colorectal polyps in the Department of Gastroenterology of our hospital between June 2021 and April 2022 composed the case group,and those with no important abnormalities composed the control group.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to predict the diagnostic efficiency.Differences were considered statistically significant when P<0.05.RESULTS The median triglyceride(TG)and liver-CAP in the case group were significantly greater than those in the control group(mmol/L,1.74 vs 1.05;dB/m,282 vs 254,P<0.05).TG and liver-CAP were found to be independent risk factors for colorectal polyps,with ORs of 2.338(95%CI:1.154–4.733)and 1.019(95%CI:1.006–1.033),respectively(P<0.05).And there was no difference in the diagnostic efficacy between liver-CAP and TG combined with liver-CAP(TG+CAP)(P>0.05).When the liver-CAP was greater than 291 dB/m,colorectal polyps were more likely to occur.CONCLUSION The levels of TG and liver-CAP in patients with colorectal polyps are significantly greater than those patients without polyps.Liver-CAP alone can be used to diagnose NAFLD with colorectal polyps.展开更多
基金supported by Shijingshan’s Tutor Studio of Pharmacology,No.GZS-2016-07(to JSS)the Construction of National First Class Pharmacy Disciplineb,No.GESR-2017-85(to JSS)+1 种基金the Master Start Foundation of Zunyi Medical University,No.F-839(to DDL)a grant from Guizhou Chinese Medicine Administration,No.QZYY-2018-025(to DDL)。
文摘At present,treatments for Alzheimer's disease can temporarily relieve symptoms but cannot prevent the decline of cognitive ability and other neurodegenerative changes.Dendrobium nobile Lindl alkaloid is the main active component of Dendrobium nobile Lindl.Dendrobium nobile Lindl alkaloid has been shown to resist aging,prolong life span,and exhibit immunomodulatory effects in animals.This review summarizes the mechanisms behind the neuroprotective effects reported in Alzheimer's disease animal models.The neuroprotective effects of Dendrobium nobile Lindl alkaloid have not been studied in patients.The mechanisms by which Dendrobium nobile Lindl alkaloid has been reported to improve cognitive dysfunction in Alzheimer's disease animal models may be associated with extracellular amyloid plaque production,regulation of tau protein hyperphosphorylation,inhibition of neuroinflammation and neuronal apoptosis,activation of autophagy,and enhanced synaptic connections.
文摘Parkinson’s disease is chara cterized by the loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars com pacta,and although restoring striatal dopamine levels may improve symptoms,no treatment can cure or reve rse the disease itself.Stem cell therapy has a regenerative effect and is being actively studied as a candidate for the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.Mesenchymal stem cells are considered a promising option due to fewer ethical concerns,a lower risk of immune rejection,and a lower risk of teratogenicity.We performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cells and their derivatives on motor function,memory,and preservation of dopamine rgic neurons in a Parkinson’s disease animal model.We searched bibliographic databases(PubMed/MEDLINE,Embase,CENTRAL,Scopus,and Web of Science)to identify articles and included only pee r-reviewed in vivo interve ntional animal studies published in any language through J une 28,2023.The study utilized the random-effect model to estimate the 95%confidence intervals(CI)of the standard mean differences(SMD)between the treatment and control groups.We use the systematic review center for laboratory animal expe rimentation’s risk of bias tool and the collaborative approach to meta-analysis and review of animal studies checklist for study quality assessment.A total of 33studies with data from 840 Parkinson’s disease model animals were included in the meta-analysis.Treatment with mesenchymal stem cells significantly improved motor function as assessed by the amphetamine-induced rotational test.Among the stem cell types,the bone marrow MSCs with neurotrophic factor group showed la rgest effect size(SMD[95%CI]=-6.21[-9.50 to-2.93],P=0.0001,I^(2)=0.0%).The stem cell treatment group had significantly more tyrosine hydroxylase positive dopamine rgic neurons in the striatum([95%CI]=1.04[0.59 to 1.49],P=0.0001,I^(2)=65.1%)and substantia nigra(SMD[95%CI]=1.38[0.89 to 1.87],P=0.0001,I^(2)=75.3%),indicating a protective effect on dopaminergic neurons.Subgroup analysis of the amphetamine-induced rotation test showed a significant reduction only in the intracranial-striatum route(SMD[95%CI]=-2.59[-3.25 to-1.94],P=0.0001,I^(2)=74.4%).The memory test showed significant improvement only in the intravenous route(SMD[95%CI]=4.80[1.84 to 7.76],P=0.027,I^(2)=79.6%).Mesenchymal stem cells have been shown to positively impact motor function and memory function and protect dopaminergic neurons in preclinical models of Parkinson’s disease.Further research is required to determine the optimal stem cell types,modifications,transplanted cell numbe rs,and delivery methods for these protocols.
基金supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2021YFA0805300,2021YFA0805200)National Natural Science Foundation of China (32170981,82371874,82394422,82171244,82071421,82271902)+1 种基金Guangzhou Key Research Program on Brain Science (202007030008)Department of Science and Technology of Guangdong Province (2021ZT09Y007,2020B121201006,2018B030337001)。
文摘Huntington'sdisease(HD)isahereditary neurodegenerative disorder for which there is currently no effectivetreatmentavailable.Consequently,the development of appropriate disease models is critical to thoroughly investigate disease progression.The genetic basis of HD involves the abnormal expansion of CAG repeats in the huntingtin(HTT)gene,leading to the expansion of a polyglutamine repeat in the HTT protein.Mutant HTT carrying the expanded polyglutamine repeat undergoes misfolding and forms aggregates in the brain,which precipitate selective neuronal loss in specific brain regions.Animal models play an important role in elucidating the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative disorders such as HD and in identifying potential therapeutic targets.Due to the marked species differences between rodents and larger animals,substantial efforts have been directed toward establishing large animal models for HD research.These models are pivotal for advancing the discovery of novel therapeutic targets,enhancing effective drug delivery methods,and improving treatment outcomes.We have explored the advantages of utilizing large animal models,particularly pigs,in previous reviews.Since then,however,significant progress has been made in developing more sophisticated animal models that faithfully replicate the typical pathology of HD.In the current review,we provide a comprehensive overview of large animal models of HD,incorporating recent findings regarding the establishment of HD knock-in(KI)pigs and their genetic therapy.We also explore the utilization of large animal models in HD research,with a focus on sheep,non-human primates(NHPs),and pigs.Our objective is to provide valuable insights into the application of these large animal models for the investigation and treatment of neurodegenerative disorders.
基金supported by the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China(LZ22H050001)National Natural Science Foundation of China(82270704,81970573)+1 种基金“Lingyan”R&D Research and Development Project(2024C03165)Zhejiang Provincial Program for the Cultivation of High-level Innovative Health Talents。
文摘Acute kidney injury(AKI)and chronic kidney disease(CKD)are significant public health issues associated with a long-term increase in mortality risk,resulting from various etiologies including renal ischemia,sepsis,drug toxicity,and diabetes mellitus.Numerous preclinical models have been developed to deepen our understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms and therapeutic approaches for kidney diseases.Among these,rodent models have proven to be powerful tools in the discovery of novel therapeutics,while the development of kidney organoids has emerged as a promising advancement in the field.This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the construction methodologies,underlying biological mechanisms,and recent therapeutic developments across different AKI and CKD models.Additionally,this review summarizes the advantages,limitations,and challenges inherent in these preclinical models,thereby contributing robust evidence to support the development of effective therapeutic strategies.
文摘Neurodegeneration is a catastrophic process that develops progressive damage leading to functional andstructural loss of the cells of the nervous system and is among the biggest unavoidable problems of our age.Animalmodels do not reflect the pathophysiology observed in humans due to distinct differences between the neuralpathways,gene expression patterns,neuronal plasticity,and other disease-related mechanisms in animals andhumans.Classical in vitro cell culture models are also not sufficient for pre-clinical drug testing in reflecting thecomplex pathophysiology of neurodegenerative diseases.Today,modern,engineered techniques are applied to developmulticellular,intricate in vitro models and to create the closest microenvironment simulating biological,biochemical,and mechanical characteristics of the in vivo degenerating tissue.In THIS review,the capabilities and shortcomings ofscaffold-based and scaffold-free techniques,organoids,and microfluidic models that best reflect neurodegeneration invitro in the biomimetic framework are discussed.
文摘This letter evaluates the article by Gravina et al on ChatGPT’s potential in providing medical information for inflammatory bowel disease patients.While promising,it highlights the need for advanced techniques like reasoning+action and retrieval-augmented generation to improve accuracy and reliability.Emphasizing that simple question and answer testing is insufficient,it calls for more nuanced evaluation methods to truly gauge large language models’capabilities in clinical applications.
文摘BACKGROUND Congenital heart disease is most commonly seen in neonates and it is a major cause of pediatric illness and childhood morbidity and mortality.AIM To identify and build the best predictive model for predicting cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease in children during pregnancy and identify their potential risk factors.METHODS The data were collected from the Pediatric Cardiology Department at Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi Institute of Cardiology Multan,Pakistan from December 2017 to October 2019.A sample of 3900 mothers whose children were diagnosed with identify the potential outliers.Different machine learning models were compared,and the best-fitted model was selected using the area under the curve,sensitivity,and specificity of the models.RESULTS Out of 3900 patients included,about 69.5%had acyanotic and 30.5%had cyanotic congenital heart disease.Males had more cases of acyanotic(53.6%)and cyanotic(54.5%)congenital heart disease as compared to females.The odds of having cyanotic was 1.28 times higher for children whose mothers used more fast food frequently during pregnancy.The artificial neural network model was selected as the best predictive model with an area under the curve of 0.9012,sensitivity of 65.76%,and specificity of 97.23%.CONCLUSION Children having a positive family history are at very high risk of having cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease.Males are more at risk and their mothers need more care,good food,and physical activity during pregnancy.The best-fitted model for predicting cyanotic and acyanotic congenital heart disease is the artificial neural network.The results obtained and the best model identified will be useful for medical practitioners and public health scientists for an informed decision-making process about the earlier diagnosis and improve the health condition of children in Pakistan.
文摘Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) pose a significant global health challenge, necessitating accurate risk prediction for effective preventive measures. This comprehensive comparative study explores the performance of traditional Machine Learning (ML) and Deep Learning (DL) models in predicting CVD risk, utilizing a meticulously curated dataset derived from health records. Rigorous preprocessing, including normalization and outlier removal, enhances model robustness. Diverse ML models (Logistic Regression, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, K-Nearest Neighbor, Decision Tree, and Gradient Boosting) are compared with a Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) neural network for DL. Evaluation metrics include accuracy, ROC AUC, computation time, and memory usage. Results identify the Gradient Boosting Classifier and LSTM as top performers, demonstrating high accuracy and ROC AUC scores. Comparative analyses highlight model strengths and limitations, contributing valuable insights for optimizing predictive strategies. This study advances predictive analytics for cardiovascular health, with implications for personalized medicine. The findings underscore the versatility of intelligent systems in addressing health challenges, emphasizing the broader applications of ML and DL in disease identification beyond cardiovascular health.
基金supported by Natural Science Foundation of Hubei Province(2021CFB401)。
文摘Eosinophilic oesophagitis(EoE)is an allergen/immune-mediated chronic esophageal disease characterized by esophageal mucosal eosinophilic infiltration and esophageal dysfunction.Although the disease was originally attributed to a delayed allergic reaction to allergens and a Th2-type immune response,the exact pathogenesis is complex,and the efficacy of existing treatments is unsatisfactory.Therefore,the study of the pathophysiological process of EOE has received increasing attention.Animal models have been used extensively to study the molecular mechanism of EOE pathogenesis and also provide a preclinical platform for human clinical intervention studies of novel therapeutic agents.To maximize the use of existing animal models of EOE,it is important to understand the advantages or limitations of each modeling approach.This paper systematically describes the selection of experimental animals,types of allergens,and methods of sensitization and excitation during the preparation of animal models of EoE.It also discusses the utility and shortcomings of each model with the aim of providing the latest perspectives on EoE models and leading to better choices of animal models.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (82271455)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2022A1515012416)+6 种基金Science and Technology Development FundMacao SAR (0128/2019/A3,0025/2022/A1)Shenzhen Fundamental Research Program (SGDX20210823103804030)University of Macao Grants (MYRG2022-00094-ICMS)awarded to J.H.L.partially supported by the National Key R&D Program of China (2021YFA0805901)National Natural Science Foundation of China (82070199)Guangdong Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation (2021A1515220078)awarded to D.S.T。
文摘Alzheimer's disease(AD)is an age-related progressive neurodegenerative disorder that leads to cognitive impairment and memory loss.Emerging evidence suggests that autophagy plays an important role in the pathogenesis of AD through the regulation of amyloid-beta(Aβ)and tau metabolism,and that autophagy dysfunction exacerbates amyloidosis and tau pathology.Therefore,targeting autophagy may be an effective approach for the treatment of AD.Animal models are considered useful tools for investigating the pathogenic mechanisms and therapeutic strategies of diseases.This review aims to summarize the pathological alterations in autophagy in representative AD animal models and to present recent studies on newly discovered autophagy-stimulating interventions in animal AD models.Finally,the opportunities,difficulties,and future directions of autophagy targeting in AD therapy are discussed.
基金supported by the KIZ-CUHK Joint Lab of Bioresources and Molecular Research of Common Diseases(4750378)the VC Discretionary Fund provided to the Hong Kong Branch of Chinese Academy of Science Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics(Acc 8601011)partially by the State Key Laboratory CUHKJinan MOE Key Laboratory for Regenerative medicine(2622009)。
文摘Parkinson’s disease(PD)relates to defective mitochondrial quality control in the dopaminergic motor network.Genetic studies have revealed that PINK1 and Parkin mutations are indicative of a heightened propensity to PD onset,pinpointing mitophagy and inflammation as the culprit pathways involved in neuronal loss in the substantia nigra(SNpc).In a reciprocal manner,LRRK2 functions in the regulation of basal flux and inflammatory responses responsible for PINK1/Parkin-dependent mitophagy activation.Pharmacological intervention in these diseasemodifying pathways may facilitate the development of novel PD therapeutics,despite the current lack of an established drug evaluation model.As such,we reviewed the feasibility of employing the versatile global Pink1knockout(KO)rat model as a self-sufficient,spontaneous PD model for investigating both disease etiology and drug pharmacology.These rats retain clinical features encompassing basal mitophagic flux changes with PD progression.We demonstrate the versatility of this PD rat model based on the incorporation of additional experimental insults to recapitulate the proinflammatory responses observed in PD patients.
文摘Diabetic kidney disease(DKD)is a prevalent complication of diabetes,often leading to end-stage renal disease.Animal models have been widely used to study the pathogenesis of DKD and evaluate potential therapies.However,current animal models often fail to fully capture the pathological characteristics of renal injury observed in clinical patients with DKD.Additionally,modeling DKD is often a time-consuming,costly,and labor-intensive process.The current review aims to summarize modeling strategies in the establishment of DKD animal models by utilizing meta-analysis related methods and to aid in the optimization of these models for future research.A total of 1215 articles were retrieved with the keywords of“diabetic kidney disease”and“animal experiment”in the past 10 years.Following screening,84 articles were selected for inclusion in the meta-analysis.Review manager 5.4.1 was employed to analyze the changes in blood glucose,glycosylated hemoglobin,total cholesterol,triglyceride,serum creatinine,blood urea nitrogen,and urinary albumin excretion rate in each model.Renal lesions shown in different models that were not suitable to be included in the metaanalysis were also extensively discussed.The above analysis suggested that combining various stimuli or introducing additional renal injuries to current models would be a promising avenue to overcome existing challenges and limitations.In conclusion,our review article provides an in-depth analysis of the limitations in current DKD animal models and proposes strategies for improving the accuracy and reliability of these models that will inspire future research efforts in the DKD research field.
文摘Artificial intelligence is increasingly entering everyday healthcare.Large language model(LLM)systems such as Chat Generative Pre-trained Transformer(ChatGPT)have become potentially accessible to everyone,including patients with inflammatory bowel diseases(IBD).However,significant ethical issues and pitfalls exist in innovative LLM tools.The hype generated by such systems may lead to unweighted patient trust in these systems.Therefore,it is necessary to understand whether LLMs(trendy ones,such as ChatGPT)can produce plausible medical information(MI)for patients.This review examined ChatGPT’s potential to provide MI regarding questions commonly addressed by patients with IBD to their gastroenterologists.From the review of the outputs provided by ChatGPT,this tool showed some attractive potential while having significant limitations in updating and detailing information and providing inaccurate information in some cases.Further studies and refinement of the ChatGPT,possibly aligning the outputs with the leading medical evidence provided by reliable databases,are needed.
文摘Crohn’s disease(CD)is caused by immune,environmental,and genetic factors.It can involve the entire gastrointestinal tract,and although its prevalence is rapidly increasing its etiology remains unclear.Emerging biological and small-molecule drugs have advanced the treatment of CD;however,a considerable proportion of patients are non-responsive to all known drugs.To achieve a breakthrough in this field,innovations that could guide the further development of effective therapies are of utmost urgency.In this review,we first propose the innovative concept of pan-lymphatic dysfunction for the general distribution of lymphatic dysfunction in various diseases,and suggest that CD is the intestinal manifestation of pan-lymphatic dysfunction based on basic and clinical preliminary data.The supporting evidence is fully summarized,including the existence of lymphatic system dysfunction,recognition of the inside-out model,disorders of immune cells,changes in cell plasticity,partial overlap of the underlying mechanisms,and common gut-derived fatty and bile acid metabolism.Another benefit of this novel concept is that it proposes adopting the zebrafish model for studying intestinal diseases,especially CD,as this model is good at presenting and mimicking lymphatic dysfunction.More importantly,the ensuing focus on improving lymphatic function may lead to novel and promising therapeutic strategies for CD.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,No.31960120Yunnan Science and Technology Talent and Platform Plan,No.202105AC160041(both to ZW).
文摘Parkinson’s disease is typically characterized by the progressive loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta.Many studies have been performed based on the supplementation of lost dopaminergic neurons to treat Parkinson’s disease.The initial strategy for cell replacement therapy used human fetal ventral midbrain and human embryonic stem cells to treat Parkinson’s disease,which could substantially alleviate the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease in clinical practice.However,ethical issues and tumor formation were limitations of its clinical application.Induced pluripotent stem cells can be acquired without sacrificing human embryos,which eliminates the huge ethical barriers of human stem cell therapy.Another widely considered neuronal regeneration strategy is to directly reprogram fibroblasts and astrocytes into neurons,without the need for intermediate proliferation states,thus avoiding issues of immune rejection and tumor formation.Both induced pluripotent stem cells and direct reprogramming of lineage cells have shown promising results in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease.However,there are also ethical concerns and the risk of tumor formation that need to be addressed.This review highlights the current application status of cell reprogramming in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease,focusing on the use of induced pluripotent stem cells in cell replacement therapy,including preclinical animal models and progress in clinical research.The review also discusses the advancements in direct reprogramming of lineage cells in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease,as well as the controversy surrounding in vivo reprogramming.These findings suggest that cell reprogramming may hold great promise as a potential strategy for treating Parkinson’s disease.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.82101271 (to WL),82171178 (to JL)Basic and Applied Basic Research Foundation of Guangdong Province,Nos.2020A1515110317 (to WL),2021A1515010705 (to WL)+1 种基金Young Talent Support Project of Guangzhou Association for Science and Technology (to WL)Technology Key Project of Shenzhen,No.JCYJ202001091 14612308 (to ZS)。
文摘Disturbances in the microbiota-gut-brain axis may contribute to the development of Alzheimer's disease. Magnesium-L-threonate has recently been found to have protective effects on learning and memory in aged and Alzheimer's disease model mice. However, the effects of magnesium-L-threonate on the gut microbiota in Alzheimer's disease remain unknown. Previously, we reported that magnesium-L-threonate treatment improved cognition and reduced oxidative stress and inflammation in a double-transgenic line of Alzheimer's disease model mice expressing the amyloid-β precursor protein and mutant human presenilin 1(APP/PS1). Here, we performed 16S r RNA amplicon sequencing and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry to analyze changes in the microbiome and serum metabolome following magnesium-Lthreonate exposure in a similar mouse model. Magnesium-L-threonate modulated the abundance of three genera in the gut microbiota, decreasing Allobaculum and increasing Bifidobacterium and Turicibacter. We also found that differential metabolites in the magnesiumL-threonate-regulated serum were enriched in various pathways associated with neurodegenerative diseases. The western blotting detection on intestinal tight junction proteins(zona occludens 1, occludin, and claudin-5) showed that magnesium-L-threonate repaired the intestinal barrier dysfunction of APP/PS1 mice. These findings suggest that magnesium-L-threonate may reduce the clinical manifestations of Alzheimer's disease through the microbiota-gut-brain axis in model mice, providing an experimental basis for the clinical treatment of Alzheimer's disease.
基金Supported by the Huadong Medicine Joint Funds of the Zhejiang Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China,No.LHDMZ22H050001the Construction of Key Projects by Zhejiang Provincial Ministry,No.WKJ-ZJ-2302+3 种基金the Zhejiang Province Chinese Medicine Modernization Program,No.2020ZX001the Key Project of Scientific Research Foundation of Chinese Medicine,No.2022ZZ002the“Pioneer”and“LeadingGoose”R&D Program of Zhejiang,No.2022C03118 and 2023C03075the Key Project of Basic Scientific Research Operating Funds of Hangzhou Medical College,No.KYZD202002.
文摘BACKGROUND Diabetic kidney disease(DKD)is a major complication of diabetes mellitus.Renal tubular epithelial cell(TEC)damage,which is strongly associated with the inflammatory response and mesenchymal trans-differentiation,plays a significant role in DKD;However,the precise molecular mechanism is unknown.The recently identified microRNA-630(miR-630)has been hypothesized to be closely associated with cell migration,apoptosis,and autophagy.However,the association between miR-630 and DKD and the underlying mechanism remain unknown.AIM To investigate how miR-630 affects TEC injury and the inflammatory response in DKD rats.METHODS Streptozotocin was administered to six-week-old male rats to create a hypergly cemic diabetic model.In the second week of modeling,the rats were divided into control,DKD,negative control of lentivirus,and miR-630 overexpression groups.After 8 wk,urine and blood samples were collected for the kidney injury assays,and renal tissues were removed for further molecular assays.The target gene for miR-630 was predicted using bioinformatics,and the association between miR-630 and toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)was confirmed using in vitro investigations and double luciferase reporter gene assays.Overexpression of miR-630 in DKD rats led to changes in body weight,renal weight index,basic blood parameters and histopathological changes.RESULTS The expression level of miR-630 was reduced in the kidney tissue of rats with DKD(P<0.05).The miR-630 and TLR4 expressions in rat renal TECs(NRK-52E)were measured using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction.The mRNA expression level of miR-630 was significantly lower in the high-glucose(HG)and HG+mimic negative control(NC)groups than in the normal glucose(NG)group(P<0.05).In contrast,the mRNA expression level of TLR4 was significantly higher in these groups(P<0.05).However,miR-630 mRNA expression increased and TLR4 mRNA expression significantly decreased in the HG+miR-630 mimic group than in the HG+mimic NC group(P<0.05).Furthermore,the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α),interleukin-1β(IL-1β),and IL-6 were significantly higher in the HG and HG+mimic NC groups than in NG group(P<0.05).However,the levels of these cytokines were significantly lower in the HG+miR-630 mimic group than in the HG+mimic NC group(P<0.05).Notably,changes in protein expression were observed.The HG and HG+mimic NC groups showed a significant decrease in E-cadherin protein expression,whereas TLR4,α-smooth muscle actin(SMA),and collagen IV protein expression increased(P<0.05).Conversely,the HG+miR-630 mimic group exhibited a significant increase in E-cadherin protein expression and a notable decrease in TLR4,α-SMA,and collagen IV protein expression than in the HG+mimic NC group(P<0.05).The miR-630 targets TLR4 gene expression.In vivo experiments demonstrated that DKD rats treated with miR-630 agomir exhibited significantly higher miR-630 mRNA expression than DKD rats injected with agomir NC.Additionally,rats treated with miR-630 agomir showed significant reductions in urinary albumin,blood glucose,TLR4,and proinflammatory markers(TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6)expression levels(P<0.05).Moreover,these rats exhibited fewer kidney lesions and reduced infiltration of inflammatory cells.CONCLUSION MiR-630 may inhibit the inflammatory reaction of DKD by targeting TLR4,and has a protective effect on DKD.
文摘The microbiota-gut-brain axis(MGBA)has emerged as a key prospect in the bidirectional communication between two major organ systems:the brain and the gut.Homeostasis between the two organ systems allows the body to function without disease,whereas dysbiosis has long-standing evidence of etiopathological conditions.The most common communication paths are the microbial release of metabolites,soluble neurotransmitters,and immune cells.However,each pathway is intertwined with a complex one.With the emergence of in vitro models and the popularity of three-dimensional(3D)cultures and Transwells,engineering has become easier for the scientific understanding of neurodegenerative diseases.This paper briefly retraces the possible communication pathways between the gut microbiome and the brain.It further elaborates on three major diseases:autism spectrum disorder,Parkinson’s disease,and Alzheimer’s disease,which are prevalent in children and the elderly.These diseases also decrease patients’quality of life.Hence,understanding them more deeply with respect to current advances in in vitro modeling is crucial for understanding the diseases.Remodeling of MGBA in the laboratory uses many molecular technologies and biomaterial advances.Spheroids and organoids provide a more realistic picture of the cell and tissue structure than monolayers.Combining them with the Transwell system offers the advantage of compartmentalizing the two systems(apical and basal)while allowing physical and chemical cues between them.Cutting-edge technologies,such as bioprinting and microfluidic chips,might be the future of in vitro modeling,as they provide dynamicity.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31970574)。
文摘Animal models are extensively used in all aspects of biomedical research,with substantial contributions to our understanding of diseases,the development of pharmaceuticals,and the exploration of gene functions.The field of genome modification in rabbits has progressed slowly.However,recent advancements,particularly in CRISPR/Cas9-related technologies,have catalyzed the successful development of various genome-edited rabbit models to mimic diverse diseases,including cardiovascular disorders,immunodeficiencies,agingrelated ailments,neurological diseases,and ophthalmic pathologies.These models hold great promise in advancing biomedical research due to their closer physiological and biochemical resemblance to humans compared to mice.This review aims to summarize the novel gene-editing approaches currently available for rabbits and present the applications and prospects of such models in biomedicine,underscoring their impact and future potential in translational medicine.
基金Supported by the Special Research Project of the Capital’s Health Development,No.2024-3-7037and the Beijing Clinical Key Specialty Project.
文摘BACKGROUND The severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD)and lipid metabolism are related to the occurrence of colorectal polyps.Liver-controlled attenuation parameters(liver-CAPs)have been established to predict the prognosis of hepatic steatosis patients.AIM To explore the risk factors associated with colorectal polyps in patients with NAFLD by analyzing liver-CAPs and establishing a diagnostic model.METHODS Patients who were diagnosed with colorectal polyps in the Department of Gastroenterology of our hospital between June 2021 and April 2022 composed the case group,and those with no important abnormalities composed the control group.The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve was used to predict the diagnostic efficiency.Differences were considered statistically significant when P<0.05.RESULTS The median triglyceride(TG)and liver-CAP in the case group were significantly greater than those in the control group(mmol/L,1.74 vs 1.05;dB/m,282 vs 254,P<0.05).TG and liver-CAP were found to be independent risk factors for colorectal polyps,with ORs of 2.338(95%CI:1.154–4.733)and 1.019(95%CI:1.006–1.033),respectively(P<0.05).And there was no difference in the diagnostic efficacy between liver-CAP and TG combined with liver-CAP(TG+CAP)(P>0.05).When the liver-CAP was greater than 291 dB/m,colorectal polyps were more likely to occur.CONCLUSION The levels of TG and liver-CAP in patients with colorectal polyps are significantly greater than those patients without polyps.Liver-CAP alone can be used to diagnose NAFLD with colorectal polyps.