Cover
Volume 1, Issue 1 (2026) – 6 articles
Cover Picture: This artwork features the classic Chinese mythological figure Erlang Shen and his celestial dog, Xiaotian Quan, as a visual metaphor for the liver’s central role in host defense against infection. The three-pointed double-edged blade strapped to Erlang Shen’s back symbolizes the canonical BMP–Smad4 pathway, which regulates iron metabolism and tissue repair, representing the liver’s established physiological functions. In contrast, the golden bow and celestial dog depict a newly identified iron-independent antibacterial mechanism. Specifically, they represent Smad4 functioning as a co-activator to drive the expression and secretion of Reg3b/Reg3g antimicrobial peptides, while simultaneously orchestrating macrophage recruitment as a frontline immune response against invading bacteria. Together, these elements illustrate how hepatic Smad4 coordinates organ and immune defenses to protect the host against severe bacterial infections.
Back Cover 1
Volume 1, Issue 1 (2026) – 6 articles
Back Cover Picture: In response to the growing burden of chronic diseases such as stroke, hypertension, diabetes, and chronic kidney disease, conventional one-size-fits-all dietary recommendations are increasingly unable to address individual differences in genetics, metabolism, and lifestyle. Centered on “Beyond One-Size-Fits-All: Toward Precision Nutrition,” the cover highlights the U-/J-shaped relationship between nutrient intake and health outcomes, emphasizing that more is not necessarily better. The one-carbon metabolism network symbolizes the complex interplay among genes, nutrients, and metabolism, while the surrounding nodes illustrate the precision nutrition pathway from multi-omics profiling and risk prediction to personalized intervention, dynamic monitoring, and AI-driven optimization. The cover envisions a shift from generalized dietary advice to individualized, dynamic, and precision nutrition for chronic disease prevention and management.
Back Cover 2
Volume 1, Issue 1 (2026) – 6 articles
Back Cover Picture: Inspired by the Tai Chi concept of "using four taels to deflect a thousand catties"—achieving a profound impact with minimal force—the cover metaphorically depicts the role of lithium (Li) in biological systems. Though present only in trace amounts, Li governs complexity through simplicity. It elegantly fine-tunes the vast and complex network of life and health by precisely regulating critical molecular pathways that involve iron (Fe), copper (Cu), and magnesium (Mg). Li holds the promise of being recognized by the scientific community as a newly identified essential trace metal element due to the highly leveraged regulatory ability.
Back Cover 3
Volume 1, Issue 1 (2026) – 6 articles
Back Cover Picture: The golden iron-based network represents the intricate regulatory framework through which iron contributes to the establishment and refinement of neural architectures.The desert landscape symbolizes the challenging environment in which developing neural systems rely on critical resources, with iron serving as a fundamental element that sustains brain growth and function.
