Background: Sex-based differences often influence the therapeutic efficacy and safety of medications. Semen Cuscutae is a traditional tonic botanical drug with sex-specific characteristics, traditionally indicated for conditions such as impotence (exclusive to males) and restless fetus (exclusive to pregnant females). However, most existing studies have focused on a single sex. Objective: To evaluate the sex-specific biological effects of Semen Cuscutae in rats and explore its molecular mechanisms, with the aim of uncovering its pharmacological characteristics through a multiomics approach. Methods: A traditional aqueous extract of Semen Cuscutae (SCA) was used as the experimental material. Forty adult Sprague-Dawley rats (equal numbers of males and females) were randomly divided into 4 groups: male control, male SCA treatment (240 mg/kg), female control, and female SCA treatment (240 mg/kg), with 10 rats in each group. The biological effects were comprehensively evaluated using a combination of open field test, biochemical analyses, proteomics, and gut microbiota profiling. Results: As a tonic botanical drug, SCA appeared to directly affect the mental and behavioral state of rats. It significantly altered the time spent by rats in the center area during the open field test, showing a sex-dependent reversal of behaviors. Proteomic analysis of brain tissue identified 624 differentially expressed proteins across the groups, with 10 key differentially expressed proteins related to sex differences, including fibroblast growth factor receptor 3, transcription elongation factor A protein-like 1, 40S ribosomal protein S25, neural cell adhesion molecule, and anion exchange protein 2 (SLC4A2). Enrichment analysis revealed that in male rats, SCA upregulated proteins involved in biological processes such as ribosome function and energy derivation, supporting protein synthesis and enhancing energy supply, showing an overall gain effect. In contrast, in female rats, SCA downregulated proteins associated with processes such as positive regulation of target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling and vesicle transport, suggesting suppression of neuronal signaling and material transport, indicative of a shift toward a more restrained physiological state. Furthermore, SCA reduced gut microbiota diversity in female rats but increased it in males, including the abundance of Akkermansia, which may serve as a crucial mediator. Conclusion: Overall, the biological effects of SCA differ significantly between male and female rats, with evidence suggesting greater health benefits in males. These findings help elucidate the scientific basis of its traditional applications and provide guidance for the precise application of SCA as a functional health food.

Curcumae Rhizoma, derived from the rhizome of Curcuma phaeocaulis, Curcuma kwangsiensis and Curcuma wenyujin, was called Ezhu in China. In the past, Curcumae Rhizoma extracts were obtained through water decoction or alternative methods, which showed significant anti-cancer effects. However, the mixed extracts contain various compound components of Curcumae Rhizoma, leading to an ambiguous mechanism of action for Curcumae Rhizoma extracts anti-cancer. Contemporary researchers have extracted the chemical components of Curcumae Rhizoma separately for experimental verification of its active ingredients in the anti-cancer field. Numerous studies demonstrated that curcumol, germacrone, β-elemene, and curcumin in Curcumae Rhizoma extracts have significant governing effects in anti-cancer activities. Pharmacological studies have shown that Curcumae Rhizoma suppresses cancer cell proliferation, invasion, and migration, triggering apoptosis and regulating cellular autophagy to achieve anticancer effects. Here, we summarized the research progress of Curcumae Rhizoma on anti-cancer effects from 2013 to 2022, aiming to explore the deeper molecular mechanisms of Curcumae Rhizoma's active components in cancer treatment.

Animals ; Macaca mulatta ; Optic Disk ; Glaucoma ; Craniocerebral Trauma ; Intraocular Pressure ; Low Tension Glaucoma

In recent years,as the incidence rate of stroke in China has been increasing,the number of survivors has also been rising,highlighting an urgent need to improve their quality of life and outcome.Recent advances in bioinformat-ics and genomics have unraveled close links between ischemic stroke and genetic factors.This review aims to elucidate the relationship between the risk of ischemic stroke risk and inflammation-related genes,thrombosis-related genes,genetic polymorphisms in vascular diseases,and oxidative stress-related genes,and discuss the pathogenesis and risk prediction of ischemic stroke from the perspectives of genetic variation,genetic susceptibility,epigenetics,and related research methods.These insights may provide a reference for the etiological diagnosis and personalized treatment of ischemic stroke,so as to improve survivor's outcome and quality of life.

Objective:To investigate the safety and therapeutic effect of split liver transplantation (SLT) in clinical application.Methods:This is a retrospective case-series study. The clinical data of 203 consecutive SLT, 79 living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and 1 298 whole liver transplantation (WLT) performed at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from July 2014 to July 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Two hundred and three SLT liver grafts were obtained from 109 donors. One hundred and twenty-seven grafts were generated by in vitro splitting and 76 grafts were generated by in vivo splitting. There were 90 adult recipients and 113 pediatric recipients. According to time, SLT patients were divided into two groups: the early SLT group (40 cases, from July 2014 to December 2017) and the mature SLT technology group (163 cases, from January 2018 to July 2023). The survival of each group was analyzed and the main factors affecting the survival rate of SLT were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test were used for survival analysis.Results:The cumulative survival rates at 1-, 3-, and 5-year were 74.58%, 71.47%, and 71.47% in the early SLT group, and 88.03%, 87.23%, and 87.23% in the mature SLT group, respectively. Survival rates in the mature SLT group were significantly higher than those in the early SLT group ( χ2=5.560, P=0.018). The cumulative survival rates at 1-, 3- and 5-year were 93.41%, 93.41%, 89.95% in the LDLT group and 87.38%, 81.98%, 77.04% in the WLT group, respectively. There was no significant difference among the mature SLT group, the LDLT group and the WLT group ( χ2=4.016, P=0.134). Abdominal hemorrhage, infection, primary liver graft nonfunction,and portal vein thrombosis were the main causes of early postoperative death. Conclusion:SLT can achieve results comparable to those of WLT and LDLT in mature technology liver transplant centers, but it needs to go through a certain time learning curve.

Objective:To investigate the safety and therapeutic effect of split liver transplantation (SLT) in clinical application.Methods:This is a retrospective case-series study. The clinical data of 203 consecutive SLT, 79 living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) and 1 298 whole liver transplantation (WLT) performed at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from July 2014 to July 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. Two hundred and three SLT liver grafts were obtained from 109 donors. One hundred and twenty-seven grafts were generated by in vitro splitting and 76 grafts were generated by in vivo splitting. There were 90 adult recipients and 113 pediatric recipients. According to time, SLT patients were divided into two groups: the early SLT group (40 cases, from July 2014 to December 2017) and the mature SLT technology group (163 cases, from January 2018 to July 2023). The survival of each group was analyzed and the main factors affecting the survival rate of SLT were analyzed. The Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test were used for survival analysis.Results:The cumulative survival rates at 1-, 3-, and 5-year were 74.58%, 71.47%, and 71.47% in the early SLT group, and 88.03%, 87.23%, and 87.23% in the mature SLT group, respectively. Survival rates in the mature SLT group were significantly higher than those in the early SLT group ( χ2=5.560, P=0.018). The cumulative survival rates at 1-, 3- and 5-year were 93.41%, 93.41%, 89.95% in the LDLT group and 87.38%, 81.98%, 77.04% in the WLT group, respectively. There was no significant difference among the mature SLT group, the LDLT group and the WLT group ( χ2=4.016, P=0.134). Abdominal hemorrhage, infection, primary liver graft nonfunction,and portal vein thrombosis were the main causes of early postoperative death. Conclusion:SLT can achieve results comparable to those of WLT and LDLT in mature technology liver transplant centers, but it needs to go through a certain time learning curve.

Objective To compare clinical efficacy and complication rate of percutaneous endoscopic transforaminal discec-tomy(PETD),percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy(PEID)and unilateral biportal endoscopic(UBE)in treating single-segment lumbar disc herniation(LDH).Methods From October 2019 to August 2021,121 LDH patients with single-segment treated by spinal endoscopy were retrospectively analyzed and divided into three groups.In PETD group,there were 48 patients,including 19 males and 29 females,aged from 18 to 72 years old with an average of(44.0±13.9)years old;3 patients with L3,4 segments,27 patients with L4,5 segments,and 18 patients with L5S1 segments.In PEID group,there were 43 patients,including 23 males and 20 females,aged from 20 to 69 years old with an average of(40.1±12.1)years old;1 patient with L3.4 segments,15 patients with L4.5 segments,and 27 patients with L5S1 segments.In UBE group,there were 30 patients,including 12 males and 18 females,agedfrom29 to 72 years old with an average of(41.2±15.0)years old;1 patient with L3,4 segments,18 patients with L4,5 segments,and 11 patients with L5S1 segments.Operation time,blood loss,fluoroscopy times and complica-tions among three groups were observed and compared.Before opertaion,3 months after operation and at the latest follow-up,visual analogue scale(VAS)was used to evaluate low back pain and lower extremity pain,Oswestry disfunction index(ODI)was used to evaluate lumbar function,and modified MacNab was used to evaluate clinical efficacy at the latest follow-up.Re-sults All patients were performed endoscopic spinal surgery completely and were followed up for at least 12 months.One patient occurred dural sac rupture both in PETD and PEID group,and dural sac rupture was small,and there was no obvious discomfort after operation.Two patients were occurred intraoperative rupture of dural sac in UBE group.One patient was occurred cere-brospinal fluid leakage after operation,and was improved after rest in supine position and fluid rehydration.One patient without no significant postoperative discomfort.(1)There were no significant difference in operating time,blood loss and hospital stay between PETD and PEID group(P＞0.05),while UBE group was higher than those of PETD and PEID group(P＜0.05).There was no statistical significance in fluoroscopy times between PEID and UBE group(P＞0.05),but PETD group was higher than that of PEID and UBE group(P＜0.05).(2)VAS of low back pain at 3 months after operation in UBE group was higher than that in PETD and PEID group(P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference between PETD and PEID group(P＞0.05).At the latest follow-up,there was no significant difference in VAS of low back pain among three groups(P＞0.05).(3)Lower ex-tremity pain of VAS and ODI among 3 groups after operation were significantly improved at all time points compared with those before opertaion(P＜0.05),and there were no statistical significance between groups(P＞0.05),and there were no statistical significance in interaction between different time points and operation groups(P＞0.05).(4)At the latest follow-up,according to the modified MacNab standard,the results of PETD group were excellent in 27 patients,good in 16 patients,moderate in 4 patients,poor in 1 patient;in PEID group,27 patients got excellent result,12 good,3 moderate,and 1 poor;in UBE group,16 patients got excellent,10 good,2 moderate,and 2 poor.There was no significant difference among three groups(x2=0.308,P＞0.05).Recurrence of lumbar disc herniation occurred in 1 patient among each three groups,symptoms were improved in 2 pa-tients after symptomatic treatment,and 1 patient was treated in other hospitals.Conclusion PETD,PEID and UBE techniques could achieve good early clinical effects in treating lumbar disc herniation with similar complication rates.Both of PETD and PEID are single-channel minimally invasive surgery,with mild intraoperative tissue damage and quick postoperative recovery;while intraoperative fluoroscopy of PETD was relatively more frequent,and PEID was more suitable for L5S1 segment;UBE is a two-channel surgery,in which the intraoperative soft tissue damage is more severe,but exposure is broad,which is more suit-able for complex cases.

Objective To prospectively compare the clinical efficacy and radiographic outcomes between interlaminar per-cutaneous endoscopic lumbar decompression(IL-PELD)and transforaminar percutaneous endoscopic lumbar decompression(TF-PELD)in the treatment of single-segment lumbar lateral recess stenosis.Methods From April 2018 to July 2021,85 pa-tients with single-segment lumbar lateral recess stenosis underment percutaneous endoscopic lumbar decompression.There were 44 males and 41 females,aged from 49 to 81 years old with an average of(65.5±8.3)years old,duration of lumbar lateral re-cess stenosis ranging from 3 to 83 months with an average of(26.7±16.5)months.They were divided into IL-PELD group and TF-PELD group according to the different operation methods.There were 47 patients in the IL-PELD group,including 28 males and 19 females aged from 50 to 80 yeaes old with an average age was(66.7±9.3)years old.The disease duration ranged from 3 to 65 months with an average of(25.7±15.0)months.There were 38 patients in the TF-PELD group,including 16 males and 22 females,aged from 51 to 78 years old with an average of(64.1±7.6)years old.The disease duration ranged from 4 to 73 months with an average of(27.9±18.3)months The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,intraoperative fluoroscopy,hospi-talization day and complications of the two groups were recorded.Visual analogue scale(VAS)to evaluate low back pain and lower limb pain,Oswestry disability index(ODI)to evaluate lumbar function in preoperative and postoperative period(1 month,6 months and last follow-up)were recorded.the sagittal diameter of the lateral recess of the responsible intervertebral space in preoperative and 1 week after the operation were recorded.Results The operation was successfully completed in both groups without serious complications such as vascular injury,dural sac tear and nerve injury.The operation time in IL-PED group(69.3±19.3)min was significantly longer than that in TF-PELD group(57.5±14.5)min(P＜0.05).There was no significant dif-ference in the intraoperative blood loss between the two groups(P＞0.05).The number of intraoperative fluoroscopy in TF-PELD group(8.8±2.6)times was significantly higher than that in IL-PED group(4.8±1.2)times(P＜0.05).The hospitalization days of the two groups were not statistically significant(P＞0.05).VAS for low back and lower extremity pain and ODI were(5.1±2.2),(6.9±1.3)scores and(71.4±12.6)％in IL-PELD group,and(4.7±1.8),(6.9±1.3)scores and(68.4±13.9)％in TF-PELD group.In the IL-PELD group,the VAS of low back pain was(2.4±1.5),(1.6±0.8),(1.4±0.9)scores,and the VAS of lower extremity pain was(3.0±1.2),(1.6±0.7),(1.5±1.0)scores,ODI was(32.6±11.9)％,(17.4±6.5)％,(19.3±9.3)％;In TF-PELD group,the VAS of low back pain was(2.6±1.4),(1.5±0.6),(1.4±1.0)scores,and the VAS of lower extremity pain was(2.8±1.2),(1.6±0.6),(1.5±1.2)scores,The ODI was(32.0±11.2)％,(15.0±6.1)％,and(20.0±11.3)％.The VAS and ODI of the two groups at each time point after operation were significantly improved compared with those before operation(P＜0.05),but there was no statistically significant difference between the groups(P＞0.05),and there was no statistically sig-nificant difference in the interaction between different time points and groups(P＞0.05).At 1 week after operation,the sagittal diameter of lateral recess in both groups was significantly increased compared with that before operation(P＜0.05),but there was no significant difference between the two groups at each time point(P＞0.05).According to the modified Macnab criteria,IL-PELD group was rated as excellent in 24 cases,good in 19 cases and fair in 4 cases.In TF-PELD group the results were ex-cellent in 19 cases,good in 15 cases,fair in 3 cases and poor in 1 case.There was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion IL-PELD and TF-PELD can expand the lateral recess in the treatment of single level lumbar lateral recess stenosis,and have achieved good clinical effects.

Objective To verify the safety and efficacy of a new portable extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(ECMO)system(Xijing Advanced Life Support System JC-Ⅲ)in large animals.Methods A total of 10 healthy small fat-tail sheep underwent veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation(VA-ECMO)support by carotid arterial-jugular catheterization to evaluate the performance of the JC-Ⅲ ECMO system.Systemic anticoagulation was achieved by continuous infusion of heparin.Active coagulation time(ACT)was recorded every 2 hours during the experiment,and the ACT was maintained between 200-250 s.Centrifugal pump speed is set at 3 000-3 500 r/min.The changes of hemoglobin,blood cell counts,hematocrit,liver and kidney function were monitored before and 24 h after ECMO initiation,respectively.After the experiment,the pump and oxygenator were dissected to probe the thrombosis.Results The success rate of VA-ECMO operation was 100％,and there was no hemolysis,pump thrombosis and oxygenator thrombosis after 24 h of ECMO.Before and after the operation,there were no significant changes in indicators such as hemoglobin content,white blood cell counts,platelet counts,alanine aminotransferase concentration,aspartate aminotransferase concentration,urea,creatinine,high-sensitivity troponin Ⅰ,and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(all P＞0.05).Conclusions This in vivo study confirms that Xijing Advanced Life support System JC-Ⅲ is safe and effective.

OBJECTIVE: To explore feasibility, clinical and imaging outcomes of percutaneous endoscopic interlaminar discectomy (PEID) for single level large lumbar disc herniation(LDH). METHODS: From October 2018 to March 2023, 31 patients with single level LDH treated with PEID were retrospectively analyzed. Among patients, including 18 males and 13 females, aged from 15 to 40 years old with an average of (28.5±7.4) years old;L_4,5 in 10 patients, L₅S₁ in 21 patients;14 patients on the left side, 17 patients on the right side;the courses of disease ranged from 3 to 19 months with an average of (6.8 ± 3.1) months. Operation time, blood loss, fluoroscopy times and hospital stay were observed. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to evaluate low back and leg pain, Oswestry disability index (ODI) was used to evaluate lumbar function, modified MacNab was used to evaluate clinical efficacy at the latest follow-up. Median sagittal diameter of spinal canal, effective sagittal diameter of spinal canal, spinal canal area, and dural sac area were used to evaluate spinal decompression. Anterior, middle, and posterior heights of intervertebral space were used to evaluate intervertebral space changes. RESULTS: All patients were performed spinal endoscopic surgery, operation time ranged from 30 to 71 min with an average of (48.7±14.2) min, blood loss ranged from 10 to 40 ml with an average of (21.1±7.0) ml, and intraoperative fluoroscopy times ranged from 4 to 7 with an average of (4.7±0.7). The hospital stay ranged from 3 to 8 days with an average of (5.1±1.3) days, and postoperative follow-up ranged from 12 to 34 months with an average of (16.9±4.1) months. VAS of low back pain before operation and 3, 6 months after operation, the latest follow-up were (6.2±1.8), (1.4±0.8), (1.9±0.7), (1.6±0.6), respectively;VAS of leg pain were (7.6±1.6), (1.8±0.9), (1.6±0.6), (1.4±0.7), respectively;ODI were (35.74±4.62), (6.68±1.78), (6.90±1.85), (7.10±1.94), respectively;postoperative lower back pain and leg pain VAS and ODI were significantly improved at all time points after operation (P<0.05). Postoperative VAS of low back pain at 6 months was higher than that of 3 months after operation (P<0.05). At the laest follow-up, 14 patients were excellent, 15 good, and 2 acceptable according to modified MacNab standard. Median diameters of spinal canal were (0.77±0.18) and (1.18±0.24) cm before operation and at the latest follow-up. The effective diameters of spinal canal were (0.48±0.17) and (0.89±0.23) cm, respectively. The vertebral canal areas were (0.90±0.22) and (1.68±0.43) cm², respectively. Dural sac areas were (0.41±0.10) and (0.81±0.24) cm², respectively. At the least follow-up, median diameter, effective diameter, area of spinal canal and dural sac were significantly increased compared with those before operation (P<0.05). Anterior vertebral space height before operation was (1.13±0.13) cm, and improved to (0.83±0.11) cm at the latest follow-up. Central height decreased from (0.81±0.20) cm before operation to (0.61±0.14) cm at the latest follow-up. The height of posterior margin decreased from (0.67±0.21) cm before operation to (0.46±0.15) cm at the latest follow-up (P<0.05). CONCLUSION PEID for giant LDH could effectively remove protruding giant nucleus pulposus tissue, and avoid injury to cauda equina nerve and nerve roots, which has good early clinical effect. However, the height of intervertebral space was obviously lost after operation.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/surgery* ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Young Adult ; Adolescent ; Diskectomy, Percutaneous/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Nucleus Pulposus/surgery*