This study investigated the mechanism of Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction in improving hippocampal neuroinflammation in depressed rats based on complement component 3(C3)/C3 receptor(C3aR). A total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group, high, medium, and low dose groups of Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction, and a positive drug group, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) was used to construct depression models in other groups. Sucrose preference, open-field experiment, forced swimming, and water maze were used to detect the changes in depression-like behavior in each group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the serum inflammatory factor level in rats, and hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining and Nissl staining were employed to observe the pathological damage of hippocampal neurons. Golgi-Cox staining was used to observe the dendritic spine damage of hippocampal neurons, and immunofluorescence and Western blot were utilized to detect the expression of microglial marker Iba-1 and C3/C3aR protein in the hippocampus of rats. The behavioral results showed that compared with the model group, Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction could significantly strengthen the sugar water preference, increase the distance and number of voluntary activities, shorten the immobility time in forced swimming and the successful incubation period of positioning navigation, and prolong the stay time of space exploration in the target quadrant. ELISA results showed that the content of inflammatory factors in the hippocampus of depressed rats was significantly higher than that of the blank group, and the content of inflammatory factors decreased significantly after the intervention of Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction. In addition, Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction could relieve pathological damage such as cell swelling and loose arrangement of hippocampus tissue. In the Western blot experiment, the expression levels of C3 and C3aR proteins in the model group were higher than those in the blank group, while the expression of C3 and C3aR in Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction could be down-regulated. Immunofluorescence results showed that compared with the model group, the fluorescence intensity of microglia marker Iba-1 decreased significantly after the intervention of Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction and positive drugs. The antidepressant effect of Chaishao Kaiyu Decoction may be related to the down-regulation of C3/C3aR signaling pathway-related proteins, thus alleviating hippocampal inflammation.
Animals ; Hippocampus/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Male ; Depression/metabolism* ; Complement C3/metabolism* ; Receptors, Complement/metabolism* ; Humans ; Neuroinflammatory Diseases/genetics*

This study aims to investigate the effect of Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula on the neuroinflammation of rats with insomnia complicated with depression through the regulation of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2(TREM2)/complement protein C1q signaling pathway. Rats were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group, a positive drug group, as well as a high, medium, and low-dose groups of Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the normal group, the other groups were injected with p-chlorophenylalanine and exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress to establish the rat model of insomnia complicated with depression. The sucrose preference experiment, open field experiment, and water maze test were performed to evaluate the depression in rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to detect serum 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT), dopamine(DA), and norepinephrine(NE) levels. Hematoxylin and eosin staining and Nissl staining were used to observe the damage in nucleus accumbens neurons. Western blot and immunofluorescence were performed to detect TREM2, C1q, postsynaptic density 95(PSD-95), and synaptophysin 1(SYN1) expressions in rat nucleus accumbens, respectively. Golgi-Cox staining was utilized to observe the synaptic spine density of nucleus accumbens neurons. The results show that, compared with the model group, Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula can significantly increase the sucrose preference as well as the distance and number of voluntary activities, shorten the immobility time in forced swimming test and the successful incubation period of positioning navigation, and prolong the stay time of space exploration in the target quadrant test. The serum 5-HT, DA, and NE contents in the model group are significantly lower than those in the normal group, with the above contents significantly increased after the intervention of Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula. In addition, Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula can alleviate pathological damages such as swelling and loose arrangement of tissue cells in the nucleus accumbens, while increasing the Nissl body numbers. Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula can improve synaptic damage in the nucleus accumbens and increase the synaptic spine density. Compared to the normal group, the expression of C1q protein was significantly higher in the model group, while the expression of TREM2 protein was significantly lower. Compared to the model group, the intervention with Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula significantly downregulated the expression of C1q protein and significantly upregulated the expression of TREM2. Compared with the model group, the PSD-95 and SYN1 fluorescence intensity is significantly increased in the groups receiving different doses of Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula. In summary, Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula can reduce the C1q protein expression, relieve the TREM2 inhibition, and promote the synapse-related proteins PSD-95 and SNY1 expression. Chaijin Jieyu Anshen Formula improves synaptic injury of the nucleus accumbens neurons, thereby treating insomnia complicated with depression.
Animals ; Male ; Rats ; Nucleus Accumbens/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Depression/complications* ; Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders/complications* ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Receptors, Immunologic/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Synapses/metabolism*

Studies have investigated the effects of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) use on the incidence and clinical outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19); however, the results have been inconsistent. We searched the PubMed, Medline, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science databases from inception to March 2022; 13 studies covering 84 003 prostate cancer (PCa) patients with or without ADT met the eligibility criteria and were included in the meta-analysis. We calculated the pooled risk ratios (RRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to explore the association between ADT use and the infection risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and severity of COVID-19. After synthesizing the evidence, the pooled RR in the SARS-CoV-2 positive group was equal to 1.17, and the SARS-CoV-2 positive risk in PCa patients using ADT was not significantly different from that in those not using ADT (P = 0.544). Moreover, no significant results concerning the beneficial effect of ADT on the rate of intensive care unit admission (RR = 1.04, P = 0.872) or death risk (RR = 1.23, P = 0.53) were found. However, PCa patients with a history of ADT use had a markedly higher COVID-19 hospitalization rate (RR = 1.31, P = 0.015) than those with no history of ADT use. These findings indicate that ADT use by PCa patients is associated with a high risk of hospitalization during infection with SARS-CoV-2. A large number of high quality studies are needed to confirm these results.
Male ; Humans ; Prostatic Neoplasms/chemically induced* ; Androgen Antagonists/adverse effects* ; COVID-19 ; Androgens/therapeutic use* ; SARS-CoV-2

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the change trends of sperm quality with seasonal variations among the volunteers of sperm donors in Beijing area, as well as the relationship between two parameters. METHODS: Semen data from the volunteers of sperm donors in Human Sperm Bank of Peking University Third Hospital were collected using a retrospective study method. The subjects were divided into 4 seasonal groups based on the lunar solar terms and the time of sperm donation. The data were assessed to find whether there were differences in semen parameters among different seasonal groups, and to analyze the change trends and the influence of seasonal factors on semen parameters. RESULTS: A total of 21 174 semen parameter data were analyzed. Firstly, to analyze all data as a whole, in spring, summer, autumn and winter groups, sperm concentration was (106.04±59.67)×10⁶/mL, (97.61±47.41)×10⁶/mL, (100.18±47.17)×10⁶/mL, (100.59±38.68)×10⁶/mL, respectively, and the spring group was significantly higher than the other 3 seasonal groups (P < 0.001); proportion of progressive motility sperm (PR) was 56.49%±12.76%, 58.02%±13.65%, 58.05%±12.36%, and 57.66%±12.61%, respectively, spring group was lower than the other three seasonal groups, and summer group was better among the latter (P < 0.001). There was no difference in normal rate of sperm morphology among the four seasonal groups. The qualified rate of sperm donors in the winter group was higher than that in the other three seasons groups (P < 0.01), while the qualified rate in the summer group was lower than that in the other three seasons groups. In addition, the semen parameters of the volunteers during the screening period and the official sperm donation period were analyzed respectively, which revealed that sperm concentration of spring group was higher than that of summer and winter groups, and PR was lower than that of summer and autumn groups. On account of the semen parameters of official sperm donation period, multiple linear regression analysis found that season was the main factor affecting sperm concentration, the average sperm concentration in spring group was about 6×10⁶/mL higher than in winter group, but PR was 2.9% lower in spring group compared with autumn group (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Season was the influencing factor of semen quality of sperm donors in Beijing area. We recommend spring and winter may be the preferred seasons for sperm donation.
Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Seasons ; Semen ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa

Deficits in the clearance of amyloid β protein (Aβ) by the peripheral system play a critical role in the pathogenesis of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Impaired uptake of Aβ by dysfunctional monocytes is deemed to be one of the major mechanisms underlying deficient peripheral Aβ clearance in AD. In the current study, flow cytometry and biochemical and behavioral techniques were applied to investigate the effects of polysaccharide krestin (PSK) on AD-related pathology in vitro and in vivo. We found that PSK, widely used in therapy for various cancers, has the potential to enhance Aβ uptake and intracellular processing by human monocytes in vitro. After administration of PSK by intraperitoneal injection, APP/PS1 mice performed better in behavioral tests, along with reduced Aβ deposition, neuroinflammation, neuronal loss, and tau hyperphosphorylation. These results suggest that PSK holds promise as a preventive agent for AD by strengthening the Aβ clearance by blood monocytes and alleviating AD-like pathology.
Alzheimer Disease/pathology* ; Amyloid beta-Peptides/metabolism* ; Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/metabolism* ; Animals ; Cognition ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Monocytes/pathology* ; Polysaccharides/therapeutic use* ; Proteoglycans

Objective:To investigate the association between shift work and the risk of lower extremity osteoarthritis.Methods:The study population came from the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort established in 2008. In September 2008, the Dongfeng Motor Company in Hubei Province was to recruit all retired workers who voluntarily participated in the survey as the research objects. During the follow-up conducted from April to October 2013, a total of 14 438 retired workers, i.e. all of the participants who underwent physical examination were investigated about demographic characteristics, lifestyles, occupation history, and lower extremity joint-related medical history, and additionally completed lower extremity joint examinations. After excluding individuals with missing data regarding lower extremity osteoarthritis, with the history of lower extremity joint trauma, or with history of rheumatoid arthritis (N=532), data from 13 906 participants was analyzed in the study. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between shift work and lower extremity osteoarthritis. After stratified by the duration of shift work, multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between the duration after leaving from shift work and lower extremity osteoarthritis.Results:Finally, a total of 13 906 retired employees included 7 560 (54.4%) females with a mean age of 64.74 (standard deviation 8.23) years old. 5 537 (39.8%) workers had ever engaged in shift work, including 2 004 (14.4%) workers with 1-9 years of shift work and 3 533 (25.4%) workers with ≥ 10 years of shift work. The prevalence of lower extremity osteoarthritis was 7.0%, while the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis and hip osteoarthritis were 6.7% and 0.7%, respectively. Compared with daytime workers, shift workers showed a 22% increase in the risk of lower extremity osteoarthritis ( OR=1.22, 95 %CI:1.06-1.40). Each 5-year increase in the duration of shift work was associated with a 4% increase in the risk of lower extremity osteoarthritis ( OR=1.04, 95 %CI:1.01-1.08). With the extension of the duration after leaving from shift work, the risk of lower extremity osteoarthritis decreased. Similar relationships were found between shift work and the risk of knee osteoarthritis, as well as hip osteoarthritis. Conclusion:Shift work was associated with the increased risk of lower extremity osteoarthritis.

Objective:To investigate the association between shift work and the risk of lower extremity osteoarthritis.Methods:The study population came from the Dongfeng-Tongji cohort established in 2008. In September 2008, the Dongfeng Motor Company in Hubei Province was to recruit all retired workers who voluntarily participated in the survey as the research objects. During the follow-up conducted from April to October 2013, a total of 14 438 retired workers, i.e. all of the participants who underwent physical examination were investigated about demographic characteristics, lifestyles, occupation history, and lower extremity joint-related medical history, and additionally completed lower extremity joint examinations. After excluding individuals with missing data regarding lower extremity osteoarthritis, with the history of lower extremity joint trauma, or with history of rheumatoid arthritis (N=532), data from 13 906 participants was analyzed in the study. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to estimate the association between shift work and lower extremity osteoarthritis. After stratified by the duration of shift work, multivariate logistic regression models were used to analyze the relationship between the duration after leaving from shift work and lower extremity osteoarthritis.Results:Finally, a total of 13 906 retired employees included 7 560 (54.4%) females with a mean age of 64.74 (standard deviation 8.23) years old. 5 537 (39.8%) workers had ever engaged in shift work, including 2 004 (14.4%) workers with 1-9 years of shift work and 3 533 (25.4%) workers with ≥ 10 years of shift work. The prevalence of lower extremity osteoarthritis was 7.0%, while the prevalence of knee osteoarthritis and hip osteoarthritis were 6.7% and 0.7%, respectively. Compared with daytime workers, shift workers showed a 22% increase in the risk of lower extremity osteoarthritis ( OR=1.22, 95 %CI:1.06-1.40). Each 5-year increase in the duration of shift work was associated with a 4% increase in the risk of lower extremity osteoarthritis ( OR=1.04, 95 %CI:1.01-1.08). With the extension of the duration after leaving from shift work, the risk of lower extremity osteoarthritis decreased. Similar relationships were found between shift work and the risk of knee osteoarthritis, as well as hip osteoarthritis. Conclusion:Shift work was associated with the increased risk of lower extremity osteoarthritis.

Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; Bortezomib ; Dexamethasone ; Humans ; Multiple Myeloma ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Stem Cell Transplantation ; Transplantation, Autologous

Objective To explore the feasibility of low-concentration contrast agent and low-dose technology for pulmonary angiography by comparing the image quality and radiation doses to the patient by different tube voltages and concentrations of contrast agents.Methods Totally 60 patients suspected with pulmonary embolism were divided into C, L1 and L2 groups, of which,Group C had the scanning parameters of 120 kV and 350 mgI/ml,Group L1 had the parameters as 100 kV and 350 mgI/ml and Group L2 had the parameters of 100 kV and 270 mgI/ml.The three groups had the tube voltage as 500 mA, the contrast agent dose as 25 ml,physiological saline dose as 40 ml and flow rate as 4.5 ml/s.SPSS 19.0 software was used to compare and analyze the CT values of pulmonary artery segment,superior vena cava and ascending aorta,main pulmonary artery noises,the image quality as well as the radiation doses of volume scanning. Results The three groups had the main pulmonary aortas and their branches display clearly to meet clinical requirements.When compared with Group C,Group L1 had higher CT values of the main pulmonary aorta and its branches,higher image noise while lower radiation dose (P<0.01);Group L2 had equivalent CT values of the main pulmonary aorta and its branches (P>0.05),higher image noise while lower radiation dose (P<0.01).When compared with Group L1,Group L2 had lower CT values of the main pulmonary aorta and its branches (P<0.01),and equivalent image noise and radiation dose (P>0.05).Conclusion Low-concentration contrast agent and low-dose technology gains feasibility and advantages when used in 320-slice CT pulmonary angiography.