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Macrophages are essential immune cells in all tissues and are vital for maintaining tissue homeostasis, immune surveillance, and immune responses. Considerable efforts have identified shared and tissue-specific gene programs for macrophages across organs during homeostasis. This information has dramatically enhanced the understanding of tissue-restricted macrophage programming and function. However, few studies have addressed the overlapping and tissue-specific responses of macrophage subsets following inflammation. One subset of macrophages observed across several studies, lipid-associated macrophages (LAMs), have gained interest due to their unique role in lipid metabolism and potential as a therapeutic target. LAMs are associated with regulating disease outcomes in metabolically related disorders including atherosclerosis, obesity, and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease. We utilized single-cell RNA sequencing datasets to profile LAM diversity across multiple tissues and inflammatory conditions in mice and humans, to define a shared LAM transcriptional profile, including Trem2 and Lpl, and sets of tissue-specific gene programs. Importantly, LAM markers were highly conserved with human LAM populations that emerge in inflammation. Overall, this analysis provides a detailed transcriptional landscape of tissue-restricted and shared LAM gene programs, data that may help instruct appropriate molecular targets for broad or tissue-restricted therapeutic interventions to modulate LAM populations in disease. Show less

This study focuses on the impacts of polystyrene/polylactic acid microplastics (PS/PLA-MPs) on ovarian reserve and oocyte maturation in female mice, along with the underlying mechanisms. 1 μm PS-MPs and PLA-MPs were prepared, with PLA-MPs having a rougher surface and broader size distribution. In vitro, PLA-MPs showed higher cytotoxicity to granulosa cells compared to PS-MPs. In vivo, MPs exposure disrupted the estrous cycle, and damaged ovarian reserve. Granulosa cell apoptosis and cytokine activation led to transzonal projection retraction, oocyte oxidative stress, meiotic abnormalities, and reduced oocyte retrieval and polar body extrusion rate, thus reducing litter size. PS-MPs induced more severe intestinal and ovarian impairment. Analysis of feces 16S rRNA, serum metabolomics, and ovarian RNA sequencing revealed that lipoprotein lipase (LPL) was suppressed by both MPs, linking gut microbiota, lipid metabolism, and ovarian injury. Fecal microbiota transplantation as a rescue strategy in MPs exposed mice upregulated LPL, alleviating ovarian reserve decline. In PLA-MPs exposed mice, ovarian reserve related indicators partially recovered after a two-week exposure cessation. These results clarify the similarities and differences in how PS-MPs and PLA-MPs impair ovarian function via gut-ovary axis and lipid metabolism dysregulation. Show less

The color of rice leaves are important agronomic traits that directly influence the proportion of sunlight energy utilization and ultimately affect the yield and quality, so it is crucial to excavate the mechanism of regulating rice leave color. To investigate the molecular mechanism that triggers the purple color in rice leaf, phenotypic characterization and genome-wide transcriptome analysis were conducted using the japonica rice cultivar nipponbare (Nip) and its two purple leaf mutants, A total of 2247, 5484, 4525, 2103, 4375 and7029DEGs (differentially expressed genes) were identified in nip-a vs These results not only revealed the molecular mechanism triggering leaf purple color in the rice mutants Show less

Kidney Yang Deficiency (KYD) is a metabolic disorder associated with kidney damage. Its slow progression means that causative factors and effective therapeutic agents remain unclear. Extensive evidence links KYD to gut microbiome metabolic diseases and the Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Thyroid (HPT) axis. CDG was extracted from both raw and processed CD and analyzed via HPLC. Propylthiouracil-induced KYD rats were used to assess pharmacological effects, including serum levels of T Fecal non-targeted metabolomics identified 98 metabolites associated with KYD, while 16S rRNA sequencing revealed 13 key intestinal microbiotas linked to KYD. CDG therapy effectively alleviated KYD symptoms by modulating the gut microbiota, improving metabolic and microbial imbalances in KYD. RG/WG significantly improves KYD rats mainly through the relationship between the intestinal microbiota and arachidonic acid metabolism. The key bacterial genera This integrative approach of gut microbiome and fecal metabolomics not only provides a scientific basis for CDG's preventive effects on KYD via the HPT axis but also elucidates the potential mechanisms underlying CDG's action against KYD. Show less

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of replacing fish meal with either whole-fat or defatted krill powder on the growth, body color, immunity, and related gene expression of red-white koi carp. A total of 630 red-white koi carp with an initial body mass of 13.5 ± 0.05 g were randomly divided into seven groups with three replicates per group and 30 fish per replicate. The control group was fed a basic diet (C0). The other six diets were supplemented with different levels of whole krill meal or defatted krill meal as replacements (10% whole fat, 20% whole fat, 30% whole fat, 10% defatted, 20% defatted, and 30% defatted) in the experimental groups, named W10, W20, W30, D10, D20, and D30, respectively, for a total duration of 60 days. The growth, body color, immunity and gene expression indexes were measured in the koi after completion. The results indicate the following. (1) Compared with C0, the experimental groups of koi showed a significant increase in the specific growth rate (SGR) ( Show less

The purpose of this paper is to comprehensively review the research progress of nattokinase in lowering blood lipid, including its source, structure and physicochemical properties, mechanisms of functions, clinical research status, and safety considerations, so as to provide reference for further research on the application of nattokinase in the treatment of dyslipidemia. Natto is a traditional Japanese fermented food, which is made from soybeans fermented by Bacillus natto. During the fermentation process, natto will produce a variety of biologically active substances, including nattokinase. Nattokinase (NK) is a serine protease with stable enzyme activity and good freeze-thaw tolerance, which exerts lipid-lowering and anti-atherosclerotic effects by activating hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), inhibiting hydroxymethylglutaryl monoacyl coenzyme A reductase (HMG-CoA reductase), and enhancing lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity. Large-scale clinical trials have confirmed that nattokinase significantly improves the lipid profile and reduces the atherosclerotic plaque area and intima-media thickness with a favorable safety profile. Compared with traditional lipid-lowering drugs (e.g., statins and fibrates), nattokinase has a multifaceted lipid-lowering mechanism and lower risk of side effects, which makes it suitable for patients intolerant of traditional drugs; when combined with natural products such as statins, fibrates, red yeast, and lifestyle interventions, it can play a synergistic role and further reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. There are various types of nattokinase preparations on the market, and consumers should choose regular products with high activity and purity, and pay attention to their safety and applicable population. Show less

Reading relies on the ability to map written symbols with speech sounds. A specific part of the left ventral occipitotemporal cortex, known as the Visual Word Form Area (VWFA), plays a crucial role in this process. Through the automatization of the mapping ability, this area progressively becomes specialized in written word recognition. Yet, despite its key role in reading, the area also responds to speech. This observation raises questions about the actual nature of neural representations encoded in the VWFA and, therefore, the underlying mechanism of the cross-modal responses. Here, we addressed this issue by applying fine-grained analyses of within- and cross-modal repetition suppression effects (RSEs) and Multi-Voxel Pattern Analyses in fMRI and sEEG experiments. Convergent evidence across analysis methods and protocols showed significant RSEs and successful decoding in both within-modal visual and auditory conditions, suggesting that populations of neurons within the VWFA distinctively encode written and spoken language. This functional organization of neural populations enables the area to respond to both written and spoken inputs. The finding opens further discussions on how the human brain may be prepared and adapted for an acquisition of a complex ability such as reading. Show less

Familial chylomicronemia syndrome (FCS) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder characterized by severe hypertriglyceridemia. It is caused by loss-of-function variants in the genes encoding the lipoprotein lipase (LPL) enzyme and its cofactors, which severely impair the hydrolysis of triglycerides (TG). Its main complication is represented by acute pancreatitis (AP), a potentially life-threatening condition. Conventional TG-lowering therapies are poorly effective in FCS, thus requiring the search of novel treatments. Lomitapide, an inhibitor of microsomal triglyceride transfer protein (MTP), has demonstrated efficacy in reducing TG levels in FCS. However, it is associated with hepatic side effects, namely liver fat accumulation. Here we present a case study of a 71-year-old female patient with genetically confirmed FCS, baseline TG level of 2300 mg/dL (25.97 mmol/L) and a history of AP, who was treated with lomitapide for almost 5 years. The treatment allowed a marked reduction of TG (about 90%) and no recurrence of AP. However, hepatic monitoring during treatment revealed a progressive worsening of liver fat accumulation as detected by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), which was associated with pronounced increases in liver transaminases and liver stiffness (up to 15 kPa). Due to these hepatic adverse events, it was decided to discontinue therapy with lomitapide. An MRI scan repeated after 70 days of drug withdrawal revealed complete resolution of fatty liver disease associated with normalization of liver stiffness (4.1 kPa) and liver transaminases. This case demonstrates the reversibility of lomitapide-induced fatty liver and underscores the importance of regular monitoring of the liver safety during lomitapide to guide timely interventions. Show less

Quinolinic acid (QA) is a metabolite of tryptophan catabolism involved in the biosynthesis of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD). It has been extensively studied in the context of neuropsychiatric disorders in the past decades. Recent studies have also linked high plasma QA levels to obesity, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and diabetes. In the present study, we have explored the impact of long-term oral QA administration on glucose and lipid metabolism in mice. We observed a protective role for QA in preventing hepatic lipid accumulation in high-fat-diet fed mice, whereas oral administration of NAD showed opposite effects. We further demonstrated that QA reduces hepatic lipid uptake by inhibiting the expression of lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and fatty acid translocase (CD36) in liver, thereby mitigating liver lipid accumulation in the context of a high-fat diet. Our data suggest that QA is an important regulator of lipid homeostasis and has potential as a therapeutic target for MASLD. Show less

<b>Introduction:</b> Colonic diverticular disease (diverticulosis) is a currently worldwide increasing gastrointestinal disorder with a particularly high prevalence in Western countries. The operative treatment of acute diverticulitis could be executed through open or laparoscopic techniques. A non-resectional procedure, namely laparoscopic peritoneal lavage (LPL) and drainage, has also been adopted as a less invasive treatment strategy to treat patients with diverticular perforation and purulent peritonitis.<b>Aim:</b> The present work was conducted to pool the currently available evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of LPL for the treatment of complicated perforated diverticulitis.<b>Methods:</b> The analysis included studies that compared patients who underwent LPL to those who underwent surgical resection. Fifteen articles were eligible for this review after searching the Scopus, PubMed Central, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar databases.<b>Results:</b> The meta-analysis demonstrated that operative time and blood loss were significantly lower in the LPL group (p<0.001). The rates of overall morbidity and reoperation were comparable in the two groups (p = 0.57 and 0.74, respectively). There were significantly lower rates of cardiovascular (p < 0.001) and respiratory complications (p = 0.01), incisional/parastomal hernia formation (p = 0.02), ICU admission (p < 0.001), length of hospital stay (p < 0.001), permanent stoma formation (p < 0.001), and mortality (p < 0.001), and higher rates of sepsis (p = 0.03), intra-abdominal abscess formation (p < 0.001), and postoperative recurrence (p < 0.001) in the LPL group.<b>Conclusions:</b> Compared to the colon resection procedures for the treatment of complicated diverticulitis, laparoscopic peritoneal lavage had comparable overall morbidity and reoperation rates and lower rates of permanent stoma formation and mortality. Still, there is concern regarding the recurrence and intra-abdominal abscess formation. Show less

Diabetes is a chronic disease resulting from insufficient insulin secretion or impaired insulin function. Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is one of the most common complications of diabetes and a leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Early diagnosis of DN is crucial for timely intervention and effective disease management. Gene expression profiles GSE142025 and GSE220226 were retrieved from the GEO database and combined into a metadata cohort, while GSE189007 was obtained as an independent validation dataset. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in 46 glomerular samples from DN patients and 31 control samples. Gene Ontology (GO) and Disease Ontology (DO) enrichment analyses, gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA), least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression, support vector machine-recursive feature elimination (SVM-RFE) analysis, and area under the curve (AUC) calculations were performed. A total of 109 DEGs were identified. Among them, DUSP1, EGR1, FPR1, G6PC, GDF15, LOX, LPL, PRKAR2B, PTGDS, and TPPP3 were selected as potential diagnostic biomarkers for DN. These biomarkers exhibited a positive correlation with immune cell infiltration. Experimental validation identified LOX as the most promising novel diagnostic biomarker for DN. This study provides new insights into the early diagnosis, pathogenesis, and molecular mechanisms of DN. Show less

The size of fat globules in ruminant milk to some extent affects the nutritional quality of dairy products and plays potential roles in infant and adult health. Lipid droplets (LD) in mammary epithelial cells are the precursors of milk fat globules (MFG). However, it is unclear what happens to proteins during the transformation process from LD to MFG, and little is known about the regulation of LD diameter in vivo. In this study, 12 mid-lactation Saanen dairy goats were randomly divided into 2 groups: a control group fed a basal diet and an experimental group fed a basal diet supplemented with CLA at 90 g/d. Goat milk was collected for analysis of composition and MFG size. Mammary gland tissue was collected for analysis of LD diameter and proteins. The size of MFG was found to depend on LD diameter in the mammary glands of dairy goats. The regression equations for MFG size (Y) and LD diameter (x) were Y Show less

Recent research has identified metabolic pathways which play key roles in the differentiation and function of osteoblasts and osteoclasts. However, the mechanisms by which osteocytes, the most numerous cells in bone, meet their energetic demands are still unknown. To address this, we used the IDG-SW3 osteocyte cell line to examine changes in metabolism during differentiation from late osteoblasts to mature osteocytes. There was a significant increase in the expression of glycolysis genes (including Show less

Pancreas-specific lipase and lipase activity measured by immunological assays (Spec cPL and Spec fPL) and colorimetric assays (1,2-o-dilauryl-rac-glycelo-3-glutaric acid-(6'-methylresorufin) ester [DGGR] and triolein), respectively, are used to diagnose pancreatitis in both dogs and cats. However, DGGR and triolein assays may be influenced by extrapancreatic lipases, including hepatic triglyceride lipase (HTGL) and lipoprotein lipase (LPL). To investigate the effect of extrapancreatic lipases on immunological and colorimetric assays by measuring changes in HTGL and LPL activity following heparin administration. Six healthy Beagles and six adult purpose-bred cats were enrolled. HTGL and LPL activities were induced by intravenous heparin administration. Serum samples were collected at baseline and at 5-, 10-, 15-, and 60-min following heparin injection. Spec cPL, Spec fPL, and lipase activities were measured using DGGR and triolein assays, whereas HTGL and LPL activities were measured using their respective assays. Spec cPL and Spec fPL levels showed no significant changes following heparin administration. Conversely, DGGR-based and triolein-based lipase activities, as well as HTGL and LPL activities, were significantly increased after heparin administration in both dogs and cats. HTGL and LPL activities showed significant positive correlations with DGGR-based (P < .001, r = .90 for both) and triolein-based (P < .001, r = .63 and P < .001, r = .68, respectively) lipase activities, but not with Spec cPL and Spec fPL. DGGR- and triolein-based lipase activities are influenced by HTGL and LPL activities, as their substrates are hydrolyzed by pancreatic lipase, HTGL, and LPL. Show less

In the study we investigated how post-hatch preventive administration of Enterococcus faecium AL41 affects growth performance, the intestinal immune parameters and barrier factors, and morphology of jejunum in chickens. Chicks were divided into two groups as control (C) and Enterococcus faecium AL41 (EF). Samples (n=10) from blood and small intestine were taken at days 5, 8, and 11 of the life. Body weight gain increased in EF treated chicks on day 11. From day 8 to 11quantity of IgA in intestinal flush was lower in EF group. Relative expression of occludin gene was up-regulated at day11 in EF group and in same group claudin 1 gene was up-regulated at days 5 and 11. Jejunal CD3 Show less

Taurine is an amino acid widely present in animal tissues. Recent research has highlighted the importance of including taurine in the diet of various commercially relevant species. This study evaluated the impact of taurine supplementation in the diet of Seriola rivoliana on the activity of antioxidant enzymes, lysozyme, and the expression of metabolic-related genes in different tissues. Three experimental diets were designed with 0% (Control), 1%, and 2% of taurine concentrations, administered over 60 days. The results indicated that taurine supplementation significantly improved the activity of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the liver and plasma. Additionally, an increase in lysozyme (LZM) activity was observed in mucus and plasma of the fish. Regarding gene expression, the 2% taurine supplementation significantly increased the expression of critical genes involved in carbohydrates and lipid metabolism, such as glucokinase (gck), hexokinase (hk1), and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (acoa1) in the liver, as well as lipase (lpl), cholecystokinin (cck), and trypsin (try1) in the intestine. These results suggest that taurine not only enhances the antioxidant and immune capacity of the fish but also optimizes their energy metabolism and digestion, which could contribute to improved aquaculture diets, promoting more excellent resistance to oxidative stress and better overall health of fish raised under intensive conditions. Show less

Given that lipoprotein lipase (LPL) activity assays are not standardized for clinical use, we aimed to define reference values applicable to our clinical setting and identify a cut-off point to help distinguish Familial Chylomicronemia Syndrome from Multifactorial Chylomicronemia Syndrome, particularly in patients with inconclusive genetic findings. We evaluated 28 patients with a history of TG levels above 880 mg/dL (10 mmol/L), and assessed their likelihood of FCS using the Moulin score. LPL activity was measured in post-heparin plasma using a radiometric assay. Thirty normotriglyceridemic controls were used to define reference values. Genetic testing for FCS canonical genes and lipid profile was performed in all sHTG patients. The reference value for LPL activity was 33.3 (18.7-70.3) mIU, with a cut-off of 8.42 mIU (25 % of the median of NTG) to distinguish FCS from MCS. Eighteen patients without genetic variants in canonical genes, a Moulin score <9 and LPL activity >25 % of NTG, were classified as MCS. Five genetic diagnosed FCS patients, with a Moulin score>10 presented LPL activity <25 % of NTG. Four patients with inconclusive genetic results and a Moulin score>10 were classified as FCS according to LPL activity. LPL activity in patients with sHTG could be useful for differentiating FCS and MCS, particularly in patients with ambiguous or negative genetic findings, highlighting the need for specialized laboratory support in diagnostics. Show less

Membrane lipids play a crucial role in brain function and cell signalling, and they serve as key biological substrates in inflammatory responses, thrombosis, and energy metabolism. Multiple clinical and molecular evidences suggest that membrane lipids are probably involved in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke (IS). However, current knowledge about the membrane lipid landscape and its involvement in IS pathophysiology is limited. We performed untargeted lipidomic analysis on erythrocyte membranes from 56 IS patients and 55 healthy controls. Integrated with gene expression and weighted gene co-expression network analysis, we identified dysregulated lipid signalling pathways and their contributions to IS pathophysiology. A total of 1392 erythrocyte membrane lipids were detected and quantified. Our results revealed significant impairment of membrane lipid homeostasis in IS patients, characterized by a marked reduction in glycerophospholipids (GPLs) and lysophospholipids (LPLs). Further analysis indicated that the impaired lipids were primarily concentrated in three disturbed signalling pathways, including the phospholipase A2-mediated GPL-LPL pathway, the phospholipase C-mediated inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate/diglyceride pathway, and the sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P)-S1P receptors pathway. Gene expression results indicated that these pathways were inhibited during the subacute phase of IS. Furthermore, these lipid signalling pathways form a highly interconnected network that collaboratively contributes to inflammation and thrombosis in IS, thereby influencing the progression and prognosis of the disease. Our findings reveal impaired erythrocyte membrane lipid homeostasis in IS, which implicates inflammatory processes and thrombosis in IS. This research offers new insights into the role of membrane lipids in IS pathogenesis, potentially informing future monitoring and therapeutic strategies. Show less

This study used whole-genome sequence data on 406 beef cattle (203 Hanwoo and 203 Angus) to detect signatures of selection using four different methods; integrated haplotype score (iHS), Rsb, XP-EHH, and runs of homozygosity (ROH). Based on Rsb and XP-EHH analysis, 36 and 21 genomic regions differed significantly between Angus and Hanwoo breeds. Within breeds, we identified 108 regions (76 in Hanwoo and 32 in Angus) with the ROH analysis and 331 regions with the iHS method (298 in Hanwoo and 33 in Angus). The candidate genes related to meat quality, such as HSPA9 and LPL, were found within Hanwoo, while genes associated with growth and meat quantity traits, including ACTC1 and TMEM68, were identified within Angus. This study can assist in understanding the selection history of these breeds and identifying the genomic regions associated with the traits selected for in the breeding programs for these cattle breeds. Show less

Osteoporosis is characterized by an imbalance between bone formation and resorption, leading to decreased bone mass and an increased fracture risk, mainly associated with aging. Current treatments include anti-resorptive and anabolic drugs. However, these often have side effects, leading many patients to seek natural biological alternatives. We have demonstrated previously that hops extract, rich in compounds with estrogenic activity classified as phytoestrogens, exerts osteogenic effects by promoting the osteoblastic differentiation of bone marrow stem cells (BMSCs) while inhibiting osteoclast activity Show less

Emodin has been proven to have weight-reducing and lipid-lowering effects. In order to make emodin play a better anti-obesity role, we designed and developed an emodin loaded dissolving microneedle patch, in which emodin existed in the form of emodin-polyvinylpyrrolidone co-precipitate (Emodin-PVP). Meanwhile, polydopamine (PDA) was added to the microneedle patch (PDA-Emodin-PVP-MN) for photothermal-enhanced chemotherapy of obesity. The average weight of the patch was 0.1 ± 0.05 g and the drug loading was 0.37 ± 0.031 mg. After 5 min of NIR irradiation (808 nm, 0.6 W/cm Show less

Our perceptual system is highly sensitive to statistical regularities in our environment. In particular, we respond faster to targets that appear in frequently attended locations-a phenomenon known as target-location probability learning (LPL). Is attention proactively aligned with the high-probability target location, or reactively allocated to that location when the learning context is detected? The studies that addressed this question tested whether a spatial attentional bias learned in one task transfers to another. However, they yielded conflicting findings and were open to alternative accounts. We reexamined whether LPL-guided attention is proactively allocated to the high-probability target location while addressing these previous studies' potential caveats, in two experiments. During learning, the search target appeared more often at one location than elsewhere, and during extinction, all search target locations were equiprobable. In both learning and extinction, letter-probe trials were interspersed among the search trials. We found that LPL acquired during search transferred to the letter-probe task during both learning and extinction. Importantly, during extinction, participants continued to prioritize the previously high-probability location on both search and letter-probe trials, even when they were informed after the learning phase that the bias would be discontinued and were asked to start their search at the location indicated by an arrow precue. We conclude that LPL guides attention proactively and inflexibly. Show less

Intramuscular fat (IMF) content in beef cattle is a critical determinant of beef meat quality, as it positively influences juiciness, tenderness, and palatability. In China, the crossbreeding of Wagyu and Angus is a prevalent method for achieving a better marbling level. However, the molecular mechanisms governing IMF regulation in these crossbreeds remain poorly understood. To elucidate the mechanism of IMF deposition in these crossbred cattle, we conducted a comparative transcriptomic analysis of Show less

High-fat diet (HFD) consumption contributes to obesity and liver damage, while exercise training may counteract these effects. Given the regulatory role of microRNAs in lipid metabolism, this study investigates the impact of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and HFD on hepatic fat accumulation, as well as the expression of miRNA-34a, miRNA-467b, and their associated proteins. Twenty-four male rats were randomly assigned to four groups: (1) CON, (2) HIIT, (3) HFD, and (4) HIIT+HFD. The HFD groups received a 60% fat diet, while the rats in the HIIT groups performed high-intensity interval training (3 sessions/week, 2.5 minutes high-intensity running × 90% maximal running capacity (MRC) with 2.5 minutes active rest × 50% MRC, for ten weeks). Forty-eight hours post-intervention, blood and liver samples were collected to assess histopathology, liver enzymes, and the expression of miRNA-34a, miRNA-467b, SIRT1, PPAR-ɑ, and LPL proteins. The HFD group exhibited excessive hepatic lipid accumulation, whereas HIIT significantly prevented HFD-induced hepatic steatosis, as confirmed by histopathological examinations. Liver enzyme levels (AST, ALT, and ALP) were significantly higher in the HFD group and significantly lower in both the HIIT and HIIT+HFD groups. Additionally, HIIT significantly increased miRNA-467b, SIRT1, and PPAR-ɑ expression while significantly decreasing miRNA-34a and LPL expression, preventing the effects of HFD. Our findings identified a novel molecular mechanism confirming that HIIT is beneficial to prevent hepatic steatosis and hepatic damage induced by HFD, likely due to the modulation of miRNA-467b, miRNA-34a, and their main target proteins. Show less

To clarify the anatomical characteristics of the lateral plantar ligament (LPL) of the transverse metatarsal arch (TMA) in the population of southwest Shandong Province, so as to complement the anatomical structures of the midfoot and Lisfranc joint complexes. A total of 100 adult lower limbs were dissected and the types of LPL were divided according to their insertions, among them, 63 were (63%) and 37 were female (37%); 50 were on the left side (50%) and 50 were on the right side (50%). The fiber bundle length, origin width, insertion width, and thickness of the LPL were measured. (1) According to the insertions of the LPL, they were divided into: ① Type I, the LPL was inserted at the base of the second metatarsal (M2) in 47 cases; ② Type II, the LPL was inserted at the base of M2 and fused with tibialis posterior tendon (TPT) in 16 cases; ③ Type III, the LPL was absent in 16 cases; ④ Type IV, the LPL was inserted at TPT in 6 cases; ⑤ Type V, the LPL was inserted at the intermediate cuneiform (IC) in 1 case; ⑥ Type VI, bifid LPL with one bundle inserted at the base of M2, and the other bundle inserted at the medial cuneiform (MC) in 4 cases; ⑦ Type VII, two bundles of LPL inserted at the base of M2 in 8 cases; ⑧ Type VIII, the LPL consisted of 3 bundles; the distal, middle and proximal bundles was inserted at the base of M2, the TPT and the lateral side of navicular bone in 2 cases, respectively. (2) There was a statistical significance in the length of LPL between male (31.62 ± 3.83) mm and female (28.07 ± 3.46) mm (t=-3.050, P = 0.003). There was no statistical significance in the types of LPL between male and female (Z=-1.721, P > 0.05), and no statistical significance in the types between left and right sides (Z=-0.026, P > 0.05). According to our research, LPL originates from M5 and is divided into 8 types according to its insertion location, of which insertion at the base of M2 is the most common. In addition, we found that LPL has fibrous fusion with the long plantar ligament and the TPT, which may be involved in maintaining arch stability. The classification of LPL in this study is a supplement to the anatomical structure of the middle foot and Lisfranc joint complex, providing a new direction for the diagnosis and treatment of middle foot and arch injury in the future. Show less