Pancreatic β-cell dysfunction is a key link during the progression of type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and SIRT1 participates in the regulation of various physiological activities of islet β-cells. However, as a key link in signal transduction, it is not clear how SIRT1 is regulated. By TargetScan prediction, we found that miR-204, which is enriched in islets, has highly complementary binding sites with SIRT1. Therefore, we speculate that miR-204 may be the upstream regulatory target of SIRT1 in islets and thus participate in the occurrence of β-cell dysfunction. In this study, we explored the association between miR-204 and β-cell dysfunction, the therapeutic effects of berberine (BBR) on β-cell function and the possible mechanisms. We found that miR-204 increased and SIRT1 mRNA and protein levels decreased significantly in islets both in vivo and in vitro. MIN6 cells induced by palmitic acid exhibited increased apoptosis, and the accumulation of insulin and ATP in the supernatant decreased. Importantly, palmitic acid treatment combined with miR-204 silencing showed opposite changes. MiR-204 overexpression in MIN6 cells increased apoptosis and decreased insulin and ATP production and SIRT1 expression. SIRT1 overexpression reversed the damage to β-cells caused by miR-204. The BBR treatment effectively improved insulin synthesis, reduced miR-204 levels, and increased SIRT1 expression in islet tissue in diabetic mice. Overexpression of miR-204 reversed the protective effect of BBR on apoptosis and insulin secretion in MIN6 cells. Our study identifies a novel correlation between miR-204 and β-cell dysfunction in T2DM and shows that administration of BBR leads to remission of β-cell dysfunction by regulating the miR-204/SIRT1 pathway.

Artemisinin (also known as Qinghaosu), an active component of the Qinghao extract, is widely used as antimalarial drug. Previous studies reveal that artemisinin and its derivatives also have effective anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory properties, but the direct molecular target remains unknown. Recently, several reports mentioned that myeloid differentiation factor 2 (MD-2, also known as lymphocyte antigen 96) may be the endogenous target of artemisinin in the inhibition of lipopolysaccharide signaling. However, the exact interaction between artemisinin and MD-2 is still not fully understood. Here, experimental and computational methods were employed to elucidate the relationship between the artemisinin and its inhibition mechanism. Experimental results showed that artemether exhibit higher anti-inflammatory activity performance than artemisinin and artesunate. Molecular docking results showed that artemisinin, artesunate, and artemether had similar binding poses, and all complexes remained stable throughout the whole molecular dynamics simulations, whereas the binding of artemisinin and its derivatives to MD-2 decreased the TLR4(Toll-Like Receptor 4)/MD-2 stability. Moreover, artemether exhibited lower binding energy as compared to artemisinin and artesunate, which is in good agreement with the experimental results. Leu61, Leu78, and Ile117 are indeed key residues that contribute to the binding free energy. Binding free energy analysis further confirmed that hydrophobic interactions were critical to maintain the binding mode of artemisinin and its derivatives with MD-2.

This study evaluated 75 strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from traditional dairy products in western China for their probiotic properties. Among them, Limosilactobacillus fermentum WXZ 2-1, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TXZ 2-35, Companilactobacillus crustorum QHS 9, and Companilactobacillus crustorum QHS 10 demonstrated potential probiotic characteristics. The antioxidant capacity of these 4 strains was assessed, revealing that L. fermentum WXZ 2-1 exhibited the highest antioxidant capacity. Furthermore, when cocultured with Streptococcus salivarius ssp. thermophiluss and Lactobacillus delbrueckii ssp. bulgaricus, L. fermentum WXZ 2-1 demonstrated a synergistic effect in growth medium and goat milk. To explore its impact on goat milk fermentation, different amounts of L. fermentum WXZ 2-1 were added to goat milk, and its physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity, flavor substances, and metabolomics were analyzed. The study found that the incorporation of L. fermentum WXZ 2-1 in goat milk fermentation significantly improved the texture characteristics, antioxidant capacity, and flavor of fermented goat milk. These findings highlight the potential of L. fermentum WXZ 2-1 as a valuable probiotic strain for enhancing the functionality and desirability of fermented goat milk, contributing to the development of novel functional foods with improved health benefits and enhanced quality attributes.

Osteoarthritis is a common multifactorial chronic disease that occurs in articular cartilage, subchondral bone, and periarticular tissue. The pathogenesis of OA is still unclear. To investigate the differences in serum metabolites between OA and the control group, liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS)-based metabolomics was used. To reveal the pathogenesis of OA, 12 SD male rats were randomly divided into control and OA groups using collagenase to induce OA for modeling, and serum was collected 7 days after modeling for testing. The OA group was distinguished from the control group by principal component analysis and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis, and six biomarkers were finally identified. These biomarkers were metabolized through tryptophan metabolism, glutamate metabolism, nitrogen metabolism, spermidine metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism pathways. The study identified metabolites that may be altered in OA, suggesting a role in OA through relevant metabolic pathways. Metabolomics, as an important tool for studying disease mechanisms, provides useful information for studying the metabolic mechanisms of OA.

Background: Acne and hyperpigmentation are ubiquitous problems for young adults, but they are more than visible changes. They can affect confidence, reduce peer acceptance, and distract attention from academic work. This study examined their impact on international students, considering how cultural beauty standards and peer judgment may shape these experiences. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at Jilin University, enrolling 150 international students aged 18-30 years. Participants completed a questionnaire using validated scales, including the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES) and Likert scales, to assess anxiety symptoms, academic effects, and perceived cultural pressure. Chi-square tests and correlation analysis were used to investigate the relationships between variables. Results: Among 150 participants, 45% reported low to very low self-esteem, and 43% experienced anxiety symptoms. Approximately 20% indicated that acne or hyperpigmentation negatively affected their academic engagement. Cultural beauty standards have a significant influence on self-perception, particularly among individuals of East Asian descent (85%) and South Asian descent (70%). A significant association was found between ethnicity and perceived beauty pressure (χ²(4) = 19.89, p < 0.001; Cramér’s V = 0.29). Conclusions: Acne and hyperpigmentation significantly impact students’ psychological well-being and academic performance, particularly in cultural contexts with rigid beauty standards. These findings underscore the importance of providing inclusive, culturally sensitive mental health and dermatological support within academic institutions.