This study aims to explore the effects and action mechanisms of the active ingredients in Buyang Huanwu Decoction(BYHWD), namely tetramethylpyrazine(TMP) and hydroxy-safflor yellow A(HSYA), on oxygen-glucose deprivation/reglucose-reoxygenation(OGD/R)-induced inflammation and oxidative stress of microglia(MG). Network pharmacology was used to screen the effective monomer ingredients of BYHWD and determine the safe concentration range for each component. Inflammation and oxidative stress models were established to further screen the best ingredient combination and optimal concentration ratio with the most effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. OGD/R BV2 cell models were constructed, and BV2 cells in the logarithmic growth phase were divided into a normal group, a model group, an HSYA group, a TMP group, and an HSYA + TMP group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and interleukin-6(IL-6). Oxidative stress markers, including superoxide dismutase(SOD), nitric oxide(NO), and malondialdehyde(MDA), were also measured. Western blot was used to analyze the protein expression of both inflammation-related pathway [Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)] and oxidative stress-related pathway [nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)]. Immunofluorescence was used to assess the expression of proteins such as inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and arginase-1(Arg-1). The most effective ingredients for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in BYHWD were TMP and HSYA. Compared to the normal group, the model group showed significantly increased levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, NO, and MDA, along with significantly higher protein expression of NF-κB, TLR4, Nrf2, and HO-1 and significantly lower SOD levels. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant. Compared to the model group, both the HSYA group and the TMP group showed significantly reduced levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, NO, and MDA, lower expression of NF-κB and TLR4 proteins, higher levels of SOD, and significantly increased protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1. Additionally, the expression of the M1-type MG marker iNOS was significantly reduced, while the expression of the M2-type MG marker Arg-1 was significantly increased. The results of the HSYA group and the TMP group had statistically significant differences from those of the model group. Compared to the HSYA group and the TMP group, the HSYA + TMP group showed further significant reductions in IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, NO, and MDA levels, along with significant reductions in NF-κB and TLR4 protein expression, an increase in SOD levels, and elevated Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression. Additionally, the expression of the M1-type MG marker iNOS was reduced, while the M2-type MG marker Arg-1 expression increased significantly in the HSYA + TMP group compared to the TMP or HSYA group. The differences in the results were statistically significant between the HSYA + TMP group and the TMP or HSYA group. The findings indicated that the combined use of HSYA and TMP, the active ingredients of BYHWD, can effectively inhibit OGD/R-induced inflammation and oxidative stress of MG, showing superior effects compared to the individual use of either component.
Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Mice ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Inflammation/genetics* ; Oxygen/metabolism* ; Pyrazines/pharmacology* ; Microglia/metabolism* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/immunology* ; NF-kappa B/immunology* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/immunology* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; Humans

Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), one of the most severe types of male infertility, etiology often remains unclear in most cases. Therefore, this study aimed to detect four biallelic detrimental variants (0.5%) in the minichromosome maintenance domain containing 2 ( MCMDC2 ) genes in 768 NOA patients by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) demonstrated that MCMDC2 deleterious variants caused meiotic arrest in three patients (c.1360G>T, c.1956G>T, and c.685C>T) and hypospermatogenesis in one patient (c.94G>T), as further confirmed through immunofluorescence (IF) staining. The single-cell RNA sequencing data indicated that MCMDC2 was substantially expressed during spermatogenesis. The variants were confirmed as deleterious and responsible for patient infertility through bioinformatics and in vitro experimental analyses. The results revealed four MCMDC2 variants related to NOA, which contributes to the current perception of the function of MCMDC2 in male fertility and presents new perspectives on the genetic etiology of NOA.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/genetics* ; Meiosis/genetics* ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Adult ; Exome Sequencing ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics* ; Alleles ; Infertility, Male/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: High-altitude hypoxia exposure often damages hippocampus-dependent learning and memory. Nogo-A is an important axonal growth inhibitory factor. However, its function in high-altitude hypoxia and its mechanism of action remain unclear. METHODS: In an in vivo study, a low-pressure oxygen chamber was used to simulate high-altitude hypoxia, and genetic or pharmacological intervention was used to block the Nogo-A/NgR1 signaling pathway. Contextual fear conditioning and Morris water maze behavioral tests were used to assess learning and memory in rats, and synaptic damage in the hippocampus and changes in oxidative stress levels were observed. In vitro, SH-SY5Y cells were used to assess oxidative stress and mitochondrial function with or without Nogo-A knockdown in Oxygen Glucose-Deprivation/Reperfusion (OGD/R) models. RESULTS: Exposure to acute high-altitude hypoxia for 3 or 7 days impaired learning and memory in rats, triggered oxidative stress in the hippocampal tissue, and reduced the dendritic spine density of hippocampal neurons. Blocking the Nogo-A/NgR1 pathway ameliorated oxidative stress, synaptic damage, and the learning and memory impairment induced by high-altitude exposure. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrate the detrimental role of Nogo-A protein in mediating learning and memory impairment under high-altitude hypoxia and suggest the potential of the Nogo-A/NgR1 signaling pathway as a crucial therapeutic target for alleviating learning and memory dysfunction induced by high-altitude exposure. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT available in www.besjournal.com.
Animals ; Oxidative Stress ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Rats ; Nogo Proteins/genetics* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Hypoxia/metabolism* ; Altitude ; Synapses ; Humans ; Altitude Sickness/metabolism*

Objective To establish an acute exposure model of extreme plateau hypobaric hypoxia environment and explore transcriptomic changes related to learning and memory impairment in rats.Methods Healthy male SD rats aged 6-weeks,200-250 g,were selected and divided into control group and plateau group.The control group was treated with normal pressure and oxygen(19 rats),and the plateau group was placed in a hypobaric hypoxia chamber(19 rats)at a simulated altitude of 8000 meters and treated for 72 hours.Behavioral changes were detected with 16 animals from each group using contextual fear conditioning and Morris water maze(8 rats each).Three hippocampal tissues were extracted from each group for transcriptomic sequencing,and the molecular mechanism of learning and memory impairment induced by extreme plateau environment was analyzed by Gene Ontology(GO),Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)and gene set enrichment analysis(GSEA)enrichment.Results The behavioral result showed that compared with the control group,the fear memory and spatial learning memory abilities of rats in plateau group were decreased.GO and KEGG analyses showed that the extreme altitude environment reshaped the hippocampal microenvironment and affected the intercellular signal transmission,while GSEA analysis showed that the extreme altitude environment up-regulated the gene set related to the plasma membrane and extracellular matrix.Conclusion The extreme plateau environment at an altitude of 8000 meters could affect the microenvironment of rat hippocampus,destroy intercellular connections and impair intercellular communication and then induce learning and memory impairment.

Objective To measure the distance between the lateral compression Ⅱ(LC-Ⅱ)screw guide needle and the surrounding important structures around the anterior inferior iliac spine in pelvic fractures and to locate the needle point,so as to provide anatomical reference for clinical nail placement.Methods Totally 40 adult gross specimens of embalming were implanted with LC-Ⅱ screw guide needle under the surveillance of C-arm machine,and the specimens were dissected.The shortest distance between the insertion point and the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve,femoral nerve,femoral artery,femoral vein,anterior superior iliac spine and inguinal ligament was measured.The triangle was constructed between the insertion point,anterior superior iliac spine and inguinal ligament,and the exact location of the entry point was calculated.Results The average distance between the insertion point of the male needle and the femoral vein was(50.67±7.29)mm＞the anterior superior iliac spine(43.83±7.58)mm＞the femoral artery(38.35±6.63)mm＞the femoral nerve(31.17±1.67)mm=the inguinal ligament(28.69±6.59)mm＞the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve(7.98±3.81)mm.The mean distance between the insertion point of the female needle and the anterior superior iliac spine was(45.28±7.07)mm=femoral vein(43.72±6.89)mm＞femoral artery(33.76±6.33)mm＞femoral nerve(25.66±6.46)mm=inguinal ligament(23.22±5.00)mm＞lateral femoral cutaneous nerve(8.97±4.76)mm.The projection distance of the entry point was 31.77 mm for men and 38.41 mm for women.The Angle b was 42.81°for men and 31.71° for women.Conclusion The lateral femoral cutaneous nerve is most vulnerable to injury when LC-Ⅱ screw is inserted,and the risk of injury has nothing to do with sex.The insertion point positioning method a and b made LC-Ⅱ screw placement quickly,safely and accurately,and reduced fluoroscopy time and frequency.

Objective To design a novel oxygenator to solve the existing problems of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)machine in high transmembrane pressure difference,low efficiency of blood oxygen exchange and susceptibility to thrombosis.Methods The main body of the oxygenator vascular access flow field was gifted with a flat cylindrical shape.The topology of the vascular access was modeled in three dimensions,and the whole flow field was cut into a blood inlet section,an inlet buffer,a heat exchange zone,a blood oxygen exchange zone,an outlet buffer and a blood outlet section.The oxygenator was compared with Quadrox oxygenator by means of ANSYS FLUENT-based simulation and prototype experiments.Results Simulation calculations showed the oxygenator designed was comparable to the clinically used ones in general,and gained advantages in transmembrane pressure difference,blood oxygen exchange and flow uniformity.Experimental results indicated that the oxygenator behaved better than Quadrox oxygenator in transmembrane pressure difference and blood oxygen exchange.Conclusion The oxygenator has advantages in transmem-brane pressure difference,temperature change,blood oxygen ex-change and low probability of thrombosis.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2024,45(3):23-28]

OBJECTIVE: To explore the diagnostic value of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT in bone marrow infiltration (BMI) of newly diagnosed diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL), compared with the results of bone marrow biopsy (BMB) and investigate whether the BMI diagnosed by ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT and other factors have independent prognostic values. METHODS: Ninety-four newly diagnosed DLBCL patients who underwent PET/CT in Clinical Medical College of Shanghai General Hospital of Nanjing Medical University were included. BMB was performed within 2 weeks before or after PET/CT, and standardized treatment was performed after PET/CT. The manifestations of bone marrow (BM) FDG uptake were recorded. The diagnostic criteria of BMI were BMB positive or focal BM FDG uptake confirmed by imaging follow-up. The relationship between clinical features and BM FDG uptake and the values of PET/CT and BMB in the diagnosis of BMI was analyzed. The progression-free survival (PFS) was analyzed by Kaplan-Meier survival curves, log-rank test was used to compare PFS rate, and Cox regression model was used to analyze the independent risk factors affecting PFS. RESULTS: Among 94 DLBCL patients, 34 patients showed focal BM uptake (fPET), 7 patients showed super BM uptake (sBMU), 11 patients showed diffuse homogenous uptake higher than liver (dPET), and the other 42 patients had normal BM uptake (nPET) (lower than liver). BMB positive was found in all sBMU patients, in 20.6%(7/34) of fPET patients, and in 27.3% (3/11) of dPET patients. All nPET patients had negative BMB results. dPET patients were associated with lower hemoglobin level and leukocyte count compared with nPET group (P < 0.001, P =0.026). Compared with fPET patients, sBMU patients were more likely to have B symptoms and elevated lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). A total of 44 patients were diagnosed BMI, including 17 cases with BMB⁺. The sensitivity and specificity of BMB in the diagnosis of BMI was 38.6% (17/44) and 100% (50/50), respectively. Using fPET and sBMU as criteria of PET BMI, the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity of PET/CT was 93.2% (41/44) and 100% (50/50), respectively. Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that there was no significant difference in 2-year PFS rate between nPET and dPET patients (P >0.05), while sBMU patients had lower 2-year PFS rate compared with fPET patients (P < 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that higher Ann Arbor stage (HR=9.010, P =0.04) and sBMU (HR=3.964, P =0.002) were independent risk factors affecting PFS. CONCLUSIONS Increased BM FDG uptake of DLBCL can be manifested as dPET, fPET and sBMU. fPET and sBMU can replace BMB to diagnose BMI. Although dPET cannot completely exclude the possibility of BMI, it does not affect the prognosis, so it can be diagnosed as PET BMI negative. sBMU is an independent prognostic risk factor.
Humans ; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography/methods* ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Prognosis ; Bone Marrow/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; China ; Positron-Emission Tomography/methods* ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/pathology* ; Biopsy

Objective: To investigate the effect of asiaticoside for fibrosis in lung tissues of rats exposed to silica and to explore its possible mechanism. Methods: 144 SD male rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, positive drug control group, asiaticoside high-dose group, medium-dose group and low-dose group, each group included 24 rats. Rats in the control group were perfused with 1.0 ml of normal saline, and the other groups were given 1.0 ml 50 mg/ml SiO(2) suspension. Gavage of herbal was given from the next day after model establishment, once a day. Rats in the positive drug control group were administration with 30 mg/kg tetrandrine and rats in the low-dose group, medium-dose group and high-dose group were given 20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg and 60 mg/kg asiaticoside for fibrosis respectively. Rats in the control group and the model group were given 0.9% normal saline. The rats were sacrificed in on the 14th, 28th and 56th day after intragastric administration and collect the lung tissues to detect the content of hydroxyproline, TGF-β(1) and IL-18, observe the pathological changes of the lung tissues by HE and Masson staining and determine the expressions of Col-I, a-SMA, TGF-β in lung tissues by Western Blot. Results: On the 14th day, 28th day and 56th day after model establishment, the lung tissues of rats in the model group showed obvious inflammatory response and accumulation of collagen fibers, and the degree of inflammation and fibrosis increased with time. The intervention of asiaticoside could effectively inhibit the pathological changes of lung tissues. The contents of hydroxyproline, IL-18 and TGF-β1 in lung tissues of model group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05) , while the level of hydroxyproline, IL-18 and TGF-β1 in asiaticoside groups were significantly decreased, and the difference was statistically signicant (P<0.05) . Compared with the control group, the expression levels of Col-I, TGF-β1and α-SMA in lung tissue of model group were increased (P<0.05) , while the expression level of Col-I, TGF-β1 and α-SMA were decreased after the intervention of asiaticoside, and the difference was statistically signicant (P<0.05) . Conclusion: Asiaticoside can inhibit the increase of Col-I, TGF-β1 and α-SMA content in the SiO(2)-induced lung tissues of rats, reduce the release of TGF-β1 and IL-18 inflammatory factors in lung tissue, and then inhibit the synthesis and deposition of extracellular matrix in rat lung tissue, and improve silicosis fibrosis.
Animals ; Dust ; Lung ; Male ; Pulmonary Fibrosis/metabolism* ; Rats ; Silicon Dioxide/adverse effects* ; Silicosis/metabolism* ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1/metabolism*

There is a rare case of an elderly diabetic with diabetic foot infection at Hainan General Hospital in September 2021, which was diagnosed as Corynebacterium diphtheriae infection incidentally on routine culture with conventional methods and molecular biological approaches, to aid in diagnosis in clinical practice. Owing to smear staining, Albert staining and VITEK 2 system, automated identification systems viz matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) confirmed combing with 16S ribosomal RNA (16S rRNA) gene has been used for the taxonomic classification of bacteria. Otherwise, toxin gene tox was done for diphtheria toxin synthesis. The isolate was Gram-stain-positive, rod-like arrangement with irregular thickness, with characteristic metachromatic granules, ferment most sugars and homology of 16S rRNA analyses with C. diphtheriae NCTC11397^T (MW682323.1) was greater than a 100% possibility, toxin gene tox was negative. The findings lay the foundation to clinical identify and trace of non-toxigenic C. diphtheriae. Moreover, this work provides insights into the non-toxigenic C.diphtheriae that contribute to recognized risk of non-toxigenic C.diphtheriae infections.
Aged ; Corynebacterium/genetics* ; Corynebacterium diphtheriae/genetics* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Foot ; Diphtheria/microbiology* ; Humans ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S/genetics*

[Abstract] Objective To investigate the role of dihydromyricetin (DHM) in the treatment of ischemic stroke in rats, and to explore the effect of DHM on the expression of inflammasome. Methods The middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model was induced by endovascular suture method. The therapeutic effect and mechanism of DHM were investigated by Longa score, TTC staining, Nissl staining, immunohistochemical staining and Western bloting. Results After DHM treatment, the motor capacity of MCAO rats was significantly improved, the infarct volume was significantly reduced, the brain structure and neuron morphology were improved, and the expressions of nod-like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3) and interleukin-1(IL-1) decreased significantly. Conclusion DHM can down-regulate the expression of NLRP3 and thus reduces the cerebral infarction volume and improves neurobehavioral performance in MCAO rats.