In recent years, China has been facing the dual challenges of declining fertility rates and births, with male reproductive health issues, especially the decline in semen quality, identified as a pivotal contributor to this phenomenon. Meanwhile, accumulating evidence indicates that air pollutants, an increasingly severe environmental problem, can damage semen quality not only directly through their biological toxicity but also indirectly by disrupting the composition of microbial communities in the gut and semen, thereby dysregulating immune function, endocrine homeostasis, and oxidative stress responses. The gut microbiota and semen microbiota, as important components of the human microecosystem, play crucial roles in maintaining reproductive health. This article comprehensively reviewed the research progress on the potential effects of air pollutants (particulate matter and gaseous pollutants), gut microbiota, and semen microbiota on semen quality. Specifically, it elucidated the mechanisms of interaction between these factors and explored how they affect male fertility.

Normal heart function depends on complex regulation by the brain, and abnormalities in the brain‒heart axis affect various diseases, such as myocardial infarction and anxiety disorders. However, systematic tracking of the brain regions associated with the input and output of the heart is lacking. In this study, we injected retrograde transsynaptic pseudorabies virus (PRV) and anterograde transsynaptic herpes simplex virus (HSV) into the left ventricular wall of mice to identify the whole-brain regions associated with the input to and output from the heart. We successfully detected PRV and HSV expression in at least 170 brain subregions in both male and female mice. Sex differences were discovered mainly in the hypothalamus and medulla, with male mice exhibiting greater correlation and hierarchical clustering than female mice, indicating reduced similarity and increased modularity of virus expression patterns in male mice. Further graph theory and multiple linear regression analysis of different injection timelines revealed that hub regions of PRV had highly similar clusters, with different brain levels, suggesting a top-down, hierarchically transmitted neural control pattern of the heart. Hub regions of HSV had scattered clusters, with brain regions gathered in the cortex and brainstem, suggesting a bottom-up, leapfrog, multipoint neural sensing pattern of the heart. Both patterns contain many hub brain regions that have been previously overlooked in brain‒heart axis studies. These results provide brain targets for future research and will lead to deeper insight into the brain mechanisms involved in specific heart conditions.
Animals ; Male ; Female ; Heart/physiology* ; Mice ; Herpesvirus 1, Suid ; Brain/physiology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Brain Mapping ; Efferent Pathways/physiology* ; Afferent Pathways/physiology* ; Simplexvirus ; Sex Characteristics

Cancer multidrug resistance (MDR) impairs the therapeutic efficacy of various chemotherapeutics. Novel approaches, particularly the development of MDR reversal agents, are critically needed to address this challenge. This study demonstrates that tenacissoside I (TI), a compound isolated from Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Wight et Arn, traditionally used in clinical practice as an ethnic medicine for cancer treatment, exhibits significant MDR reversal effects in ABCB1-mediated MDR cancer cells. TI reversed the resistance of SW620/AD300 and KBV200 cells to doxorubicin (DOX) and paclitaxel (PAC) by downregulating ABCB1 expression and reducing ABCB1 drug transport function. Mechanistically, protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1), whose expression correlates with poor prognosis and shows positive association with both ABCB1 and EGFR expressions in tumor tissues, was differentially expressed in TI-treated SW620/AD300 cells. SW620/AD300 and KBV200 cells exhibited elevated levels of EGFR asymmetric dimethylarginine (aDMA) and enhanced PRMT1-EGFR interaction compared to their parental cells. Moreover, TI-induced PRMT1 downregulation impaired PRMT1-mediated aDMA of EGFR, PRMT1-EGFR interaction, and EGFR downstream signaling in SW620/AD300 and KBV200 cells. These effects were significantly reversed by PRMT1 overexpression. Additionally, TI demonstrated resistance reversal to PAC in xenograft models without detectable toxicities. This study establishes TI's MDR reversal effect in ABCB1-mediated MDR human cancer cells through inhibition of PRMT1-mediated aDMA of EGFR, suggesting TI's potential as an MDR modulator for improving chemotherapy outcomes.
Humans ; Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects* ; ErbB Receptors/genetics* ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Multiple/drug effects* ; Methylation/drug effects* ; Saponins/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B/genetics* ; Doxorubicin/pharmacology* ; Paclitaxel/pharmacology* ; Female ; Repressor Proteins

To summarize LI Qiangou's clinical experience in treating laryngopharyngeal reflux disease （LPRD） based on the theory of "yang transforming qi while yin constituting form". It is believed that "insufficiency of yang transforming qi and excess of yin constituting form" is the key mechanism of LPRD， in which yang deficiency of the lungs， spleen and kidneys is an important factor causing "insufficiency of yang transforming qi"， while phlegm， dampness and other tangible yin turbidities are the pathological products of "excess of yin constituting form". The key treatment principle is to reinforce yang qi and dispel yin turbidity. Starting from regulating the qi transformation of the sanjiao， the treatment is based on the different pathologies of lung yang insufficiency and phlegm congestion in the upper jiao， spleen yang failing to ascend and dampness accumulation in the middle jiao， and kidney yang deficiency and phlegm-fluid retention in the lower jiao， prescribed by modified Suzi Jiangqi Decoction （苏子降气汤）， Shengyang Chushi Decoction （升阳除湿汤）， and Jingui Shenqi Pill （金匮肾气丸）， the prescriptions could also combine with Banxia Houpo Decoction （半夏厚朴汤） to dissolve phlegm and relieve pharyngeal pains， and regulate qi to direct counterflow downward.

Stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) is a key component mediating store-operated calcium entry (SOCE), which controls the opening and closing of plasma membrane Ca 2+ channels by sensing the Ca 2+ content of endoplasmic reticulum luminal stores, and thus affects the processes of cell adhesion, migration, gene expression and proliferation. Studies have shown that STIM1 is abnormally expressed in a variety of cells such as neurons, endothelial cells and platelets during ischemic stroke (IS) development; it plays an important role in the pathological processes regulating hypertension, promoting thrombosis, activating cellular autophagy, mediating apoptosis and promoting neuroinflammation. This review summarizes the research progress of STIM1 in the development and prognostic assessment of IS, and seeks to provide theoretical references for potential therapeutic targets for IS.

Objective To develop a portable three-dimensional foot motion analysis system based on low-cost inertial measurement units(IMU)and force sensing resistor(FSR),and to explore the feasibility of assessing three-dimensional motion of internal small joints of foot in barefoot and shod conditions. Methods The system consisted of data sampling,data transmitting and data processing parts.IMUs were employed for data acquisition of small foot joints,and FSRs were utilized to detect heel strike and toe off.All the data were transmitted via wireless local area network.Data processing was accomplished by a self-programmed Excel mac-ro.From January to July,2024,two healthy female subjects wearing the device walked in the corridor at self-se-lected pace,for ten meters.Gait analysis was used to conduct consistency test on subject 2.Dorsiflexion-plan-tarflexion,adduction-abduction and internal rotation-external rotation of the 1st metatarsal relative to the phalan-geal(Met-Ph),the midfoot relative to the 1st metatarsal(Mid-Met)were recorded and analyzed on subject 1 in consecutive barefoot walking and two types of nurse footwear walking conditions. Results The system showed good consistency between tests.Dorsiflexion-plantarflexion,adduction-abduction and inter-nal rotation-external rotation ranges of motion were reduced in both Met-Ph and Mid-Met with shoes compared with those of bare foot,they were the least in arch support. Conclusion A low-cost,portable three-dimensional foot motion analysis system has been developed,which could be used to measure barefoot motion and shod foot motion in consecutive walking.

Objective To evaluate the differences in chemical composition and pharmacological effects between Angelica-Astragalus medicine pair decoction(DGD)and traditional decotion,and to provide a reference for the rational clinical application of Danggui Buxue decoction.Methods With the two comparison methods of unified and non-uniform raw material source batches,we set up different sample groups,established characteristic maps by HPLC,and evaluated the chemical components based on the similarity of characteristic maps,component types,index component content,common peak area,and other factors.The efficacy of the drug was evaluated in the hemorrhagic blood deficiency model mice.Results ①The similarity of the feature map between the DGD and TD was high(similarity was greater than 0.87).②The number of chromatographic peaks was inconsistent.Traditional decoction from self-purchased decoction pieces,or traditional decoction-Factory A decoction pieces had a total of 12 chromatographic peaks each.The DGD of Factory A had a total of 15 chromatographic peaks.There were 10 chromatographic peaks in the DGD of Factory B.③The contents of ferulic acid and calycosin 7-O-glucoside(CG)in DGD of Factory A were higher than those in traditional decoction(P<0.05,n=3).There was no significant difference between DGD and TD ferulic acid content in Factory B,but the content of CG was lower than that in traditional decoction(P<0.05).④The total area of common peaks in DGD was different from that in TD.The relative total ratios of the contents of the components in the self-purchased traditional decoction pieces,the traditional decoction pieces of Factory A,the formula granules of Factory A,and the formula granules of Factory B were 1.00,0.96,2.14,0.60,respectively.⑤Both DGD and traditional decoction could significantly promote the recovery of hemoglobin and red blood cells in hemorrhagic anemia model mice(P<0.01);Compared with the model control group,there was a significantly difference(P<0.05)except for the DGD group of Plant B.There was no significant difference between DGD and TD of Plant A,but there was a very significant difference between DGD and TD of Plant B(P<0.01).Conclusion Whether the raw material source batch is consistent or not,DGD and TD have certain differences in chemical composition.In terms of pharmacological effect,DGD,prepared from a unified batch of decoction pieces,has similar efficacy to traditional decoction in alleviating hemorrhagic anemia.There are certain differences in the pharmacological effects between DGD prepared from different batches of decoction pieces and traditional decoctions.The differences caused by the different preparation processes of the same source batch of prepared slices were compared,and the quality differences of the formula granules from different manufacturers were caused by the different source batches of prepared slices and different preparation processes,indicating the necessity and urgency of the country to formulate a unified quality standard for formula granules and related process specifications.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of Jianpiwenyang Gel(SSWYG)for treating chronic diarrhea and explore its therapeutic mechanism.Methods Eighty patients with chronic diarrhea of spleen and stomach weakness type were randomized into two groups for interventions with lifestyle adjustment and treatment with bifid triple viable capsules(control group,n=40)or naval application with SSWYG(treatment group,n=40)for one week,after which symptoms of chronic diarrhea were evaluated.The Chinese medicine system pharmacology analysis platform(TCMSP),GeneCards,NCBI,OMIM database and GEO database(GSE14841)were used to obtain the active ingredients and target proteins of SSWYG and chronic diarrhea-related targets.The key targets were obtained by topological analysis for Gene Ontology(GO)and KEGG analyses.The affinity and binding characteristics of SSWYG for specific targets were verified by molecular docking using AutoDock software.Results In both groups,gastrointestinal symptom rating scale(GSRS),Bristol Scale and TCM syndrome scores significantly improved after the treatments(P<0.05),and better effects were observed in the treatment group(P<0.05).Sixty-eight targets of SSWYG in treating chronic diarrhea were obtained,and 33 most probable ones were screened out by topological analysis.GO and KEGG analyses identified several chronic diarrhea-related pathways including the TNF and IL-17 pathways.Molecular docking study showed good affinity of the core components of SSWYG for the key targets CASP3,JNK,IL1B,IL6,and AKT1.JUN and CASP3 had the lowest binding energy and the highest stable binding energy with multiple major active ingredients of SSWYG.Conclusion SSWYG can significantly improve clinical symptoms of chronic diarrhea possibly by regulating the TNF and IL-17 as well as other pathways via CASP3 and JUN,suggesting a complex therapeutic mechanism of SSWYG involving multiple ingredients and targets and coordinated regulation of multiple pathways.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of Jianpiwenyang Gel(SSWYG)for treating chronic diarrhea and explore its therapeutic mechanism.Methods Eighty patients with chronic diarrhea of spleen and stomach weakness type were randomized into two groups for interventions with lifestyle adjustment and treatment with bifid triple viable capsules(control group,n=40)or naval application with SSWYG(treatment group,n=40)for one week,after which symptoms of chronic diarrhea were evaluated.The Chinese medicine system pharmacology analysis platform(TCMSP),GeneCards,NCBI,OMIM database and GEO database(GSE14841)were used to obtain the active ingredients and target proteins of SSWYG and chronic diarrhea-related targets.The key targets were obtained by topological analysis for Gene Ontology(GO)and KEGG analyses.The affinity and binding characteristics of SSWYG for specific targets were verified by molecular docking using AutoDock software.Results In both groups,gastrointestinal symptom rating scale(GSRS),Bristol Scale and TCM syndrome scores significantly improved after the treatments(P<0.05),and better effects were observed in the treatment group(P<0.05).Sixty-eight targets of SSWYG in treating chronic diarrhea were obtained,and 33 most probable ones were screened out by topological analysis.GO and KEGG analyses identified several chronic diarrhea-related pathways including the TNF and IL-17 pathways.Molecular docking study showed good affinity of the core components of SSWYG for the key targets CASP3,JNK,IL1B,IL6,and AKT1.JUN and CASP3 had the lowest binding energy and the highest stable binding energy with multiple major active ingredients of SSWYG.Conclusion SSWYG can significantly improve clinical symptoms of chronic diarrhea possibly by regulating the TNF and IL-17 as well as other pathways via CASP3 and JUN,suggesting a complex therapeutic mechanism of SSWYG involving multiple ingredients and targets and coordinated regulation of multiple pathways.

Animals ; Callithrix ; Sex Factors ; Vocalization, Animal ; Sex Characteristics