1.Mechanisms of Gut Microbiota Influencing Reproductive Function via The Gut-Gonadal Axis
Ya-Qi ZHAO ; Li-Li QI ; Jin-Bo WANG ; Xu-Qi HU ; Meng-Ting WANG ; Hai-Guang MAO ; Qiu-Zhen SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1152-1164
Reproductive system diseases are among the primary contributors to the decline in social fertility rates and the intensification of aging, posing significant threats to both physical and mental health, as well as quality of life. Recent research has revealed the substantial potential of the gut microbiota in improving reproductive system diseases. Under healthy conditions, the gut microbiota maintains a dynamic balance, whereas dysfunction can trigger immune-inflammatory responses, metabolic disorders, and other issues, subsequently leading to reproductive system diseases through the gut-gonadal axis. Reproductive diseases, in turn, can exacerbate gut microbiota imbalance. This article reviews the impact of the gut microbiota and its metabolites on both male and female reproductive systems, analyzing changes in typical gut microorganisms and their metabolites related to reproductive function. The composition, diversity, and metabolites of gut bacteria, such as Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Firmicutes, including short-chain fatty acids, 5-hydroxytryptamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and bile acids, are closely linked to reproductive function. As reproductive diseases develop, intestinal immune function typically undergoes changes, and the expression levels of immune-related factors, such as Toll-like receptors and inflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β), also vary. The gut microbiota and its metabolites influence reproductive hormones such as estrogen, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone, thereby affecting folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis. Additionally, the metabolism and absorption of vitamins can also impact spermatogenesis through the gut-testis axis. As the relationship between the gut microbiota and reproductive diseases becomes clearer, targeted regulation of the gut microbiota can be employed to address reproductive system issues in both humans and animals. This article discusses the regulation of the gut microbiota and intestinal immune function through microecological preparations, fecal microbiota transplantation, and drug therapy to treat reproductive diseases. Microbial preparations and drug therapy can help maintain the intestinal barrier and reduce chronic inflammation. Fecal microbiota transplantation involves transferring feces from healthy individuals into the recipient’s intestine, enhancing mucosal integrity and increasing microbial diversity. This article also delves into the underlying mechanisms by which the gut microbiota influences reproductive capacity through the gut-gonadal axis and explores the latest research in diagnosing and treating reproductive diseases using gut microbiota. The goal is to restore reproductive capacity by targeting the regulation of the gut microbiota. While the gut microbiota holds promise as a therapeutic target for reproductive diseases, several challenges remain. First, research on the association between gut microbiota and reproductive diseases is insufficient to establish a clear causal relationship, which is essential for proposing effective therapeutic methods targeting the gut microbiota. Second, although gut microbiota metabolites can influence lipid, glucose, and hormone synthesis and metabolism via various signaling pathways—thereby indirectly affecting ovarian and testicular function—more in-depth research is required to understand the direct effects of these metabolites on germ cells or granulosa cells. Lastly, the specific efficacy of gut microbiota in treating reproductive diseases is influenced by multiple factors, necessitating further mechanistic research and clinical studies to validate and optimize treatment regimens.
2.Analysis of factors influencing platelet transfusion in children with high-risk stage Ⅳ neuroblastoma undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Xiaoyan FU ; Zida ZHEN ; Lijuan QIU ; Huimin ZHANG ; Mengjian WANG ; Shuaihang ZHANG ; Shuxuan MA
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(7):896-901
Objective: To evaluate the platelet transfusion requirements in children with high-risk stage Ⅳ neuroblastoma undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT), and to identify risk factors for increased transfusion needs and prolonged time to platelet transfusion independence. Methods: This single-center retrospective clinical study included 96 children with high-risk stage Ⅳ neuroblastoma who underwent ASCT from January 2019 to May 2024 in our hospital. Relevant clinical data were collected and analyzed, including age, gender, body surface area, platelet count (PLT) on stem cell infusion day (day 0), conditioning regimen, CD34
stem cell dose, platelet transfusion requirements during transplantation, and time to platelet transfusion independence post-transplant. Results: All 96 (100%) children received transfusion after ASCT. From day 0 to transfusion independence, the median number of platelet transfusion was 3 (2, 4.50), and the median volume of platelet transfused was 3 (2, 4.25) units. Platelet transfusion was required in almost all children in pseudo-healing stage (day 4 to day 6) and polar stage (day 7 to day 14), with transfusion rates as high as 83.33%(n=80) and 100%(n=96), respectively. The median time to platelet transfusion independence post-transplant was 13(11,17) days. Multivariate analysis showed that PLT<100×10
/L on day 0, platelet transfusion within one week before ASCT, the use of “busulfan+ melphalan” conditioning regimen, and CD34
stem cell dose<4.0×10
/kg were associated with significantly increased platelet requirements and numbers of transfusion (P<0.05). PLT<100×10
/L on day 0, platelet transfusion within one week before ASCT, and CD34
stem cell dose<4.0×10
/kg were associated with significantly delayed platelet transfusion independence (P<0.05). Age, sex, and blood type showed no statistically significant association (P>0.05) with post-transplant platelet transfusion requirements or time to transfusion independence in neuroblastoma patients. Conclusion: This study provided quantitative data for platelet transfusion after ASCT in children with high-risk stage Ⅳ neuroblastoma, and identified PLT<100×10
/L on day 0, platelet transfusion within one week before ASCT, CD34
stem cell dose<4.0×10
/kg were risk factors for increased platelet transfusions and delayed transfusion independence. Furthermore, the use of the BuMel (busulfan-melphalan) conditioning regimen was also found to contribute to increased transfusion requirements.
3.Analysis of factors influencing platelet transfusion in children with high-risk stage Ⅳ neuroblastoma undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Xiaoyan FU ; Zida ZHEN ; Lijuan QIU ; Huimin ZHANG ; Mengjian WANG ; Shuaihang ZHANG ; Shuxuan MA
Chinese Journal of Blood Transfusion 2025;38(7):896-901
Objective: To evaluate the platelet transfusion requirements in children with high-risk stage Ⅳ neuroblastoma undergoing autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (ASCT), and to identify risk factors for increased transfusion needs and prolonged time to platelet transfusion independence. Methods: This single-center retrospective clinical study included 96 children with high-risk stage Ⅳ neuroblastoma who underwent ASCT from January 2019 to May 2024 in our hospital. Relevant clinical data were collected and analyzed, including age, gender, body surface area, platelet count (PLT) on stem cell infusion day (day 0), conditioning regimen, CD34
stem cell dose, platelet transfusion requirements during transplantation, and time to platelet transfusion independence post-transplant. Results: All 96 (100%) children received transfusion after ASCT. From day 0 to transfusion independence, the median number of platelet transfusion was 3 (2, 4.50), and the median volume of platelet transfused was 3 (2, 4.25) units. Platelet transfusion was required in almost all children in pseudo-healing stage (day 4 to day 6) and polar stage (day 7 to day 14), with transfusion rates as high as 83.33%(n=80) and 100%(n=96), respectively. The median time to platelet transfusion independence post-transplant was 13(11,17) days. Multivariate analysis showed that PLT<100×10
/L on day 0, platelet transfusion within one week before ASCT, the use of “busulfan+ melphalan” conditioning regimen, and CD34
stem cell dose<4.0×10
/kg were associated with significantly increased platelet requirements and numbers of transfusion (P<0.05). PLT<100×10
/L on day 0, platelet transfusion within one week before ASCT, and CD34
stem cell dose<4.0×10
/kg were associated with significantly delayed platelet transfusion independence (P<0.05). Age, sex, and blood type showed no statistically significant association (P>0.05) with post-transplant platelet transfusion requirements or time to transfusion independence in neuroblastoma patients. Conclusion: This study provided quantitative data for platelet transfusion after ASCT in children with high-risk stage Ⅳ neuroblastoma, and identified PLT<100×10
/L on day 0, platelet transfusion within one week before ASCT, CD34
stem cell dose<4.0×10
/kg were risk factors for increased platelet transfusions and delayed transfusion independence. Furthermore, the use of the BuMel (busulfan-melphalan) conditioning regimen was also found to contribute to increased transfusion requirements.
4.Impact of early detection and management of emotional distress on length of stay in non-psychiatric inpatients: A retrospective hospital-based cohort study.
Wanjun GUO ; Huiyao WANG ; Wei DENG ; Zaiquan DONG ; Yang LIU ; Shanxia LUO ; Jianying YU ; Xia HUANG ; Yuezhu CHEN ; Jialu YE ; Jinping SONG ; Yan JIANG ; Dajiang LI ; Wen WANG ; Xin SUN ; Weihong KUANG ; Changjian QIU ; Nansheng CHENG ; Weimin LI ; Wei ZHANG ; Yansong LIU ; Zhen TANG ; Xiangdong DU ; Andrew J GREENSHAW ; Lan ZHANG ; Tao LI
Chinese Medical Journal 2025;138(22):2974-2983
BACKGROUND:
While emotional distress, encompassing anxiety and depression, has been associated with negative clinical outcomes, its impact across various clinical departments and general hospitals has been less explored. Previous studies with limited sample sizes have examined the effectiveness of specific treatments (e.g., antidepressants) rather than a systemic management strategy for outcome improvement in non-psychiatric inpatients. To enhance the understanding of the importance of addressing mental health care needs among non-psychiatric patients in general hospitals, this study retrospectively investigated the impacts of emotional distress and the effects of early detection and management of depression and anxiety on hospital length of stay (LOS) and rate of long LOS (LLOS, i.e., LOS >30 days) in a large sample of non-psychiatric inpatients.
METHODS:
This retrospective cohort study included 487,871 inpatients from 20 non-psychiatric departments of a general hospital. They were divided, according to whether they underwent a novel strategy to manage emotional distress which deployed the Huaxi Emotional Distress Index (HEI) for brief screening with grading psychological services (BS-GPS), into BS-GPS ( n = 178,883) and non-BS-GPS ( n = 308,988) cohorts. The LOS and rate of LLOS between the BS-GPS and non-BS-GPS cohorts and between subcohorts with and without clinically significant anxiety and/or depression (CSAD, i.e., HEI score ≥11 on admission to the hospital) in the BS-GPS cohort were compared using univariable analyses, multilevel analyses, and/or propensity score-matched analyses, respectively.
RESULTS:
The detection rate of CSAD in the BS-GPS cohort varied from 2.64% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.49%-2.81%) to 20.50% (95% CI: 19.43%-21.62%) across the 20 departments, with a average rate of 5.36%. Significant differences were observed in both the LOS and LLOS rates between the subcohorts with CSAD (12.7 days, 535/9590) and without CSAD (9.5 days, 3800/169,293) and between the BS-GPS (9.6 days, 4335/178,883) and non-BS-GPS (10.8 days, 11,483/308,988) cohorts. These differences remained significant after controlling for confounders using propensity score-matched comparisons. A multilevel analysis indicated that BS-GPS was negatively associated with both LOS and LLOS after controlling for sociodemographics and the departments of patient discharge and remained negatively associated with LLOS after controlling additionally for the year of patient discharge.
CONCLUSION
Emotional distress significantly prolonged the LOS and increased the LLOS of non-psychiatric inpatients across most departments and general hospitals. These impacts were moderated by the implementation of BS-GPS. Thus, BS-GPS has the potential as an effective, resource-saving strategy for enhancing mental health care and optimizing medical resources in general hospitals.
Humans
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Male
;
Length of Stay/statistics & numerical data*
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Psychological Distress
;
Inpatients/psychology*
;
Aged
;
Anxiety/diagnosis*
;
Depression/diagnosis*
5.Randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, multicenter, equivalence clinical trial of Jiuwei Xifeng Granules(Os Draconis replaced by Ostreae Concha) for treating tic disorder in children.
Qiu-Han CAI ; Cheng-Liang ZHONG ; Si-Yuan HU ; Xin-Min LI ; Zhi-Chun XU ; Hui CHEN ; Ying HUA ; Jun-Hong WANG ; Ji-Hong TANG ; Bing-Xiang MA ; Xiu-Xia WANG ; Ai-Zhen WANG ; Meng-Qing WANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Chun WANG ; Yi-Qun TENG ; Yi-Hui SHAN ; Sheng-Xuan GUO
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(6):1699-1705
Jiuwei Xifeng Granules have become a Chinese patent medicine in the market. Because the formula contains Os Draconis, a top-level protected fossil of ancient organisms, the formula was to be improved by replacing Os Draconis with Ostreae Concha. To evaluate whether the improved formula has the same effectiveness and safety as the original formula, a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, equivalence clinical trial was conducted. This study enrolled 288 tic disorder(TD) of children and assigned them into two groups in 1∶1. The treatment group and control group took the modified formula and original formula, respectively. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks, and follow-up visits were conducted at weeks 2, 4, and 6. The primary efficacy endpoint was the difference in Yale global tic severity scale(YGTSS)-total tic severity(TTS) score from baseline after 6 weeks of treatment. The results showed that after 6 weeks of treatment, the declines in YGTSS-TSS score showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The difference in YGTSS-TSS score(treatment group-control group) and the 95%CI of the full analysis set(FAS) were-0.17[-1.42, 1.08] and those of per-protocol set(PPS) were 0.29[-0.97, 1.56], which were within the equivalence boundary [-3, 3]. The equivalence test was therefore concluded. The two groups showed no significant differences in the secondary efficacy endpoints of effective rate for TD, total score and factor scores of YGTSS, clinical global impressions-severity(CGI-S) score, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) response rate, or symptom disappearance rate, and thus a complete evidence chain with the primary outcome was formed. A total of 6 adverse reactions were reported, including 4(2.82%) cases in the treatment group and 2(1.41%) cases in the control group, which showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. No serious suspected unexpected adverse reactions were reported, and no laboratory test results indicated serious clinically significant abnormalities. The results support the replacement of Os Draconis by Ostreae Concha in the original formula, and the efficacy and safety of the modified formula are consistent with those of the original formula.
Adolescent
;
Child
;
Child, Preschool
;
Female
;
Humans
;
Male
;
Double-Blind Method
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use*
;
Tic Disorders/drug therapy*
;
Treatment Outcome
6.Polysaccharide extract PCP1 from Polygonatum cyrtonema ameliorates cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats by inhibiting TLR4/NLRP3 pathway.
Xin ZHAN ; Zi-Xu LI ; Zhu YANG ; Jie YU ; Wen CAO ; Zhen-Dong WU ; Jiang-Ping WU ; Qiu-Yue LYU ; Hui CHE ; Guo-Dong WANG ; Jun HAN
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(9):2450-2460
This study aims to investigate the protective effects and mechanisms of polysaccharide extract PCP1 from Polygonatum cyrtonema in ameliorating cerebral ischemia-reperfusion(I/R) injury in rats through modulation of the Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3) signaling pathway. In vivo, SD rats were randomly divided into the sham group, model group, PCP1 group, nimodipine(NMDP) group, and TLR4 signaling inhibitor(TAK-242) group. A middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion(MCAO/R) model was established, and neurological deficit scores and infarct size were evaluated 24 hours after reperfusion. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) and Nissl staining were used to observe pathological changes in ischemic brain tissue. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM) assessed ultrastructural damage in cortical neurons. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-18(IL-18), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-10(IL-10), and nitric oxide(NO) in serum. Immunofluorescence was used to analyze the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins. In vitro, a BV2 microglial cell oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R) model was established, and cells were divided into the control, OGD/R, PCP1, TAK-242, and PCP1 + TLR4 activator lipopolysaccharide(LPS) groups. The CCK-8 assay evaluated BV2 cell viability, and ELISA determined NO release. Western blot was used to analyze the expression of TLR4, NLRP3, and downstream pathway-related proteins. The results indicated that, compared with the model group, PCP1 significantly reduced neurological deficit scores, infarct size, ischemic tissue pathology, cortical cell damage, and the levels of inflammatory factors IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-α, and NO(P<0.01). It also elevated IL-10 levels(P<0.01) and decreased the expression of TLR4 and NLRP3 proteins(P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, in vitro results showed that, compared with the OGD/R group, PCP1 significantly improved BV2 cell viability(P<0.05, P<0.01), reduced cell NO levels induced by OGD/R(P<0.01), and inhibited the expression of TLR4-related inflammatory pathway proteins, including TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6), phosphorylated nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p-p65)/nuclear factor-kappaB dimer RelA(p65), NLRP3, cleaved-caspase-1, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein(ASC), GSDMD-N, IL-1β, and IL-18(P<0.05, P<0.01). The protective effects of PCP1 were reversed by LPS stimulation. In conclusion, PCP1 ameliorates cerebral I/R injury by modulating the TLR4/NLRP3 signaling pathway, exerting anti-inflammatory and anti-pyroptotic effects.
Animals
;
Toll-Like Receptor 4/genetics*
;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics*
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Rats
;
Reperfusion Injury/genetics*
;
Male
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Polysaccharides/isolation & purification*
;
Polygonatum/chemistry*
;
Brain Ischemia/genetics*
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage*
;
Mice
;
Humans
7.Mechanistic of Yueju Wan volatile oil in inhibiting inflammation for antidepressant effects by regulating AGE/PI3K/Akt pathway.
Tan-Lu CHU ; Ze-Jun GUO ; Wei ZHANG ; Ling-Feng WANG ; Shu-Rui LYU ; Wan-Yu GUO ; Xiao-Ming ZHONG ; Feng-Mei QIU ; Zhen HUANG
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(11):3147-3158
The antidepressant activity and molecular mechanisms of Yueju Wan volatile oil were investigated. The Yueju Wan volatile oil was extracted by using supercritical CO_2. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) combined with network pharmacology identified 28 chemical constituents in Yueju Wan volatile oil, primarily terpenes and lactones. A total of 123 overlapping targets were associated with depression, including core targets of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), and caspase-3(CASP3). These targets were mainly involved in the prolactin, advanced glycation end products/receptor(AGE/RAGE), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways. A reserpine-induced depression mouse model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Yueju Wan volatile oil. The effects of Yueju Wan volatile oil on depression-like behavior in mice were evaluated by analyzing body mass, body temperature index, tail suspension immobility time, forced swimming immobility time, and sucrose preference. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining revealed neuronal protection of Yueju Wan volatile oil in the brain of mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and Western blot were employed to detect the protein expression of AGEs, IL-1β, phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K), Akt, phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt), nuclear factor κB(NF-κB), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF). Behavioral evaluation showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could effectively control the decline of body mass and body temperature of depressed mice, reduce tail suspension and swimming immobility time, and enhance their preference for sucrose. Histopathological examination showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could alleviate the neuronal damage in CA1 and dentate gyrus(DG) of the hippocampus of mice. ELISA and Western blot results showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could significantly increase the protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, and BDNF and significantly decrease the protein expression levels of AGEs, IL-1β, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and NF-κB in the hippocampus of mice. Furthermore, the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt ratios were significantly decreased at medium and high doses. These findings suggest that the aromatherapy of Yueju Wan volatile oil can significantly improve reserpine-induced depression-like behavior in mice, which may be related to reducing the expression of neuronal membrane protein AGEs, reducing the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt, inhibiting NF-κB entry into the nucleus, and alleviating the release of pro-inflammatory factors and nerve injury.
Animals
;
Antidepressive Agents/chemistry*
;
Mice
;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology*
;
Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/immunology*
;
Oils, Volatile/chemistry*
;
Male
;
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry*
;
Signal Transduction/drug effects*
;
Depression/metabolism*
;
Glycation End Products, Advanced/immunology*
;
Humans
8.Treatment of chronic lumbar disc herniation by bone injury manipulation combined with guided exercise.
Feng QIU ; Ai-Zhen ZHOU ; Lin GUO ; Lei WANG ; Xian ZHANG
China Journal of Orthopaedics and Traumatology 2025;38(8):779-785
OBJECTIVE:
To explore the clinical efficacy of orthopedic manipulation combined with daoyin exercises in the treatment of chronic lumbar disc herniation under the guidance of the theory of "equal emphasis on muscles and bones".
METHODS:
A total of 60 patients with single-segment, unilateral chronic lumbar disc herniation from January 2023 to January 2024 were randomly divided into the traditional physical therapy group and the manipulation treatment group, with 30 cases in each group. Among them, 3 cases were lost to follow-up in the traditional physical therapy group and 2 cases in the manipulation treatment group. There were 27 cases in the traditional physical therapy group, including 15 males and 12 females, aged 25 to 65 years old with an average of (51.96±14.42) years;the course of disease ranged from 3 to 15 months with an average of (9.89±3.32) months;11 cases were on the left side and 16 cases on the right side;15 cases were at the L4, 5 segment and 12 cases at the L5S1 segment. They were treated with lumbar traction, medium-frequency electrical stimulation and ultrasonic therapy. There were 28 cases in the manipulation treatment group, including 14 males and 14 females, aged 24 to 68 years old with an average of (49.82±14.85) years old;the course of disease ranged from 3 to 14 months with an average of (9.61±3.05) months;15 cases were on the left side and 13 cases on the right side;17 cases were at the L4, 5 segment and 11 cases at the L5S1 segment. They were treated with orthopedic manipulation combined with daoyin exercises. The visual analogue scale (VAS), Oswestry disability index (ODI) and bilateral erector spinae muscle tone were compared between the two groups before treatment, after 2 weeks and 4 weeks of treatment.
RESULTS:
The two groups of patients were followed up and evaluated before treatment, 2 weeks and 4 weeks after treatment. The VAS of the manipulation treatment group and the traditional physical therapy group decreased from (5.46±0.99) and (5.41±1.05) points before treatment to (1.75±0.79) and (2.29±0.82) points after 4 weeks of treatment, respectively. Both groups were significantly improved after treatment compared with before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05);and the manipulation treatment group was better than the traditional physical therapy group at 4 weeks of treatment, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The ODI of the manipulation treatment group and the traditional physical therapy group before treatment was (20.25±2.72) and (18.96±2.52) points, respectively, which decreased to (15.46±1.88) and (16.56±2.01) points after 2 weeks of treatment, and to (11.54±1.23) and (12.85±1.72) points after 4 weeks of treatment. Both groups were significantly improved after treatment compared with before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05), and the ODI in the manipulation treatment group was better than that in the traditional physical therapy group after treatment (P<0.05). There was no significant statistical difference in the displacement of erector spinae muscle tone between the healthy side and the affected side in both the manipulation treatment group and the traditional physical therapy group before treatment (P>0.05). After 2 weeks of treatment, the displacement values of erector spinae muscle tone on the healthy side in the manipulation treatment group and the traditional physical therapy group were (6.68±0.81) mm and (6.45±0.65) mm, respectively, and those on the affected side were (5.87±0.82) mm and (5.61±0.84) mm, respectively. After 4 weeks of treatment, the displacement values of erector spinae muscle tone on the healthy side in the manipulation treatment group and the traditional physical therapy group were (7.51±0.75) mm and (7.04±0.63) mm, respectively, and those on the affected side were (6.87±0.78) mm and (6.33±0.82) mm, respectively. The displacement values of erector spinae muscle tone on both the healthy and affected sides in both groups were significantly higher than those before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05);the displacement of erector spinae muscle tone in the manipulation treatment group after 4 weeks of treatment was better than that in the traditional physical therapy group, with a statistically significant difference (P<0.05).
CONCLUSION
Orthopedic manipulation combined with daoyin exercises can effectively improve the symptoms and lumbar function of patients with chronic lumbar disc herniation, and has more advantages in improving the tone of the erector spinae muscle.
Humans
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
Adult
;
Intervertebral Disc Displacement/physiopathology*
;
Aged
;
Lumbar Vertebrae/injuries*
;
Exercise Therapy
;
Chronic Disease/therapy*
;
Manipulation, Orthopedic
;
Combined Modality Therapy
9.In vitro cultured calculus bovis alleviates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury through regulating microglial polarization and inhibiting NLRP3.
Tanlu CHU ; Wei ZHANG ; Jingwen CHEN ; Zeyue PAN ; Lingfeng WANG ; Xiaoming ZHONG ; Fengmei QIU ; Zhen HUANG
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2025;54(3):360-371
OBJECTIVES:
To investigate the effect of in vitro cultured calculus bovis (ICCB) on cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury (CIRI) and its mechanism.
METHODS:
A CIRI rat model and a cell model were induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in Sprague Dawley rats and oxygen glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) in BV2 cells, respectively. The CIRI rat model was evaluated using the modified neurological severity score (mNSS), brain water content, and cerebral infarction volume after 1.5 h of ischemia followed by 72 h of reperfusion. Histopathological changes in the cortex and hippocampal CA1 region were observed with hematoxylin and eosin staining. Microglial polarization and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein (NLRP) 3 inflammasome expression in the cortex were examined by immunofluorescence. BV2 cell viability was measured via MTT assay after treatment with ICCB and Nigericin. The expressions of NLRP3, ASC, caspase-1 proteins and inflammatory cytokines were detected with Western blotting in OGD/R treated BV2 cells (0.5 h OGD+24 h reperfusion) and in cells pretreated with Nigericin for 24 h.
RESULTS:
ICCB treatment significantly improved neurological function, reduced cerebral infarct volume and brain water content, and mitigated pathological damage in the cortical and hippocampal CA1 regions of rats subjected to CIRI (all P<0.05). ICCB promoted the transition of cortical microglia from M1 to M2 phenotypes and suppressed NLRP3 activation in microglial cells (all P<0.01). ICCB significantly down-regulated the expression of NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1 proteins, and reduced the secretion of IL-18 and IL-1β in BV2 cells of OGD/R model (all P<0.01). In addition, Nigericin significantly reversed the salvage effect of ICCB on model cells (both P<0.01) and the modulation of inflammatory cytokines (P<0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
ICCB exerts a protective effect against CIRI by mitigating neuroinflammation, through the reduction of M1 microglial polarization, promotion of M2 conversion, and suppression of the NLRP3/ASC/caspase-1 signaling pathway.
Animals
;
Rats, Sprague-Dawley
;
Reperfusion Injury/prevention & control*
;
Microglia/metabolism*
;
Rats
;
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein
;
Brain Ischemia/metabolism*
;
Male
10.Prognostic Significance of Monocyte Count in Patients with Non-Severe Aplastic Anemia.
Xue-Dong SHI ; Li HAN ; Shu-Qi WANG ; Qiu-Shuang WANG ; Zhen-Yu LI ; Kai-Lin XU ; Hai CHENG
Journal of Experimental Hematology 2025;33(4):1120-1126
OBJECTIVE:
To investigate the prognostic value of peripheral blood absolute monocyte count(AMC) in non-severe aplastic anaemia(NSAA) patients.
METHODS:
178 patients with NSAA who attended the Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from April 2008 to September 2020 were retrospectively analyzed, and the optimal cut-off value of peripheral blood AMC was determined by the receiver operating characteristic curve of the subjects, and they were divided into low AMC group (48 patients) and normal AMC group (130 patients), and the differences in clinical characteristics between the two groups were compared. Overall survival(OS) and progression-free survival(PFS) were analyzed by Kaplan-Meier. Univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis were used to determine the independent prognostic value of AMC.
RESULTS:
Among 178 NSAA patients, 105(59.0%) were male and 73(41.0%) were female, with a median age of 31(18-87) years old, a median follow-up time of 58 months (range: 6 months-175 months), and a median AMC of 0.15×109/L [range: (0.01-0.59)×109/L)]. The proportion of granulocytes (27.5% vs 36.0%, P < 0.05), and the proportion of mature monocytes (1% vs 2%, P < 0.05) in the low AMC group were lower than that in the normal AMC group; the proportion of mature lymphocytes in the low AMC group was higher than that in the normal AMC group (54% vs 50%, P < 0.05). However, there was no significantly different in the proportion of erythropoietic cells and stages of the erythropoietic cells between the two groups ( P >0.05). CR (27.7% vs 10.4%) and ORR (75.4% vs 56.3%) in the normal AMC group were higher than that in the low AMC group. Compared with patients in the low AMC group, AA patients in the normal AMC had better 5-year OS (98.5% vs 86.9%, P < 0.01), and the 5-year PFS (86.0% vs 58.9%, P < 0.01). Also, the 10-year survival rate of patients in the normal AMC group was higher than that in the low AMC group (98.5% vs 60.5%,P < 0.01). Univariate analysis showed that age, reticulocyte count, AMC<0.1×109/L and the proportion of bone marrow mature monocytes were related with patients survival. Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that monocyte count reduction was not an independent poor prognostic factor in NSAA patients (HR =4.474,95%CI :0.508-44.390; P =0.172).
CONCLUSION
Low AMC level at initial diagnosis is not an independent prognostic factor for NSAA patients, but still suggest potential prognostic value of AMC.
Humans
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Anemia, Aplastic/diagnosis*
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Female
;
Male
;
Prognosis
;
Monocytes
;
Adult
;
Middle Aged
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Adolescent
;
Aged
;
Young Adult
;
Aged, 80 and over
;
Leukocyte Count

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