This study investigated the effects of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata on striatal neuronal apoptosis in rats with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) based on the B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)/caspase-3 signaling pathway. Twenty-four 3-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR) were randomly divided into a model group, a methylphenidate group(2 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and a Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata group(2.4 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). Age-matched male Wistar Kyoto(WKY) rats were used as the normal control group, with 8 rats in each group. The rats were administered by gavage for 28 days. Body weight and food intake were recorded for each group. The open field test and elevated plus maze test were used to assess hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors. Nissl staining was used to detect changes in striatal neurons and Nissl bodies. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) fluorescence staining was used to detect striatal cell apoptosis. Western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 proteins in the striatum. The results showed that compared with the model group, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata significantly reduced the total movement distance, average movement speed, and central area residence time in the open field test, and significantly reduced the ratio of open arm entries, open arm stay time, and head dipping in the elevated plus maze test. Furthermore, it increased the number of Nissl bodies in striatal neurons, significantly downregulated the apoptosis index, significantly increased Bcl-2 protein expression and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and reduced Bax and caspase-3 protein expression. In conclusion, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata can reduce hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors in ADHD rats. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 signaling pathway in the striatum, enhancing the anti-apoptotic capacity of striatal neurons.
Animals ; Male ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Rats ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Caspase 3/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/genetics* ; Rehmannia/chemistry* ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/physiopathology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Neurons/cytology* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Humans ; Corpus Striatum/cytology* ; Plant Extracts

The chemical constituents were systematically separated from the roots of Berberis polyantha by various chromatographic methods, including silica gel column chromatography, HP20 column chromatography, polyamide column chromatography, reversed-phase C_(18) column chromatography, and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. The structures of the compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic techniques(1D NMR, 2D NMR, UV, MS, and CD). Four phenylpropanoids were isolated from the methanol extract of the roots of B. polyantha, and they were identified as(2R)-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(1), methyl 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoate(2),(+)-syringaresinol(3), and syringaresinol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(4). Compound 1 was a new compound, and other compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. The anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds was evaluated based on the release of nitric oxide(NO) in the culture of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. At a concentration of 10 μmol·L~(-1), all the four compounds inhibited the LPS-induced release of NO in RAW264.7 cells, demonstrating potential anti-inflammatory properties.
Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Animals ; Mice ; Berberis/chemistry* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Nitric Oxide/metabolism* ; Molecular Structure ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification*

OBJECTIVE: To explore and quantify the association of hot night exposure during the sperm development period (0-90 lag days) with semen quality. METHODS: A total of 6,640 male sperm donors from 6 human sperm banks in China during 2014-2020 were recruited in this multicenter study. Two indices (i.e., hot night excess [HNE] and hot night duration [HND]) were used to estimate the heat intensity and duration during nighttime. Linear mixed models were used to examine the association between hot nights and semen quality parameters. RESULTS: The exposure-response relationship revealed that HNE and HND during 0-90 days before semen collection had a significantly inverse association with sperm motility. Specifically, a 1 °C increase in HNE was associated with decreased sperm progressive motility of 0.0090 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: -0.0147, -0.0033) and decreased total motility of 0.0094 (95% CI: -0.0160, -0.0029). HND was significantly associated with reduced sperm progressive motility and total motility of 0.0021 (95% CI: -0.0040, -0.0003) and 0.0023 (95% CI: -0.0043, -0.0002), respectively. Consistent results were observed at different temperature thresholds on hot nights. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the need to mitigate nocturnal heat exposure during spermatogenesis to maintain optimal semen quality.
Humans ; Male ; Semen Analysis ; Adult ; Sperm Motility ; Hot Temperature/adverse effects* ; China ; Middle Aged ; Spermatozoa/physiology* ; Young Adult

Objective:To investigate the incidence of venous thromboembolism (VTE) in patients with esophageal cancer (EC).Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 8 458 EC patients who were admitted to Sichuan Cancer Hospital from January 2017 to December 2021 were collected. There were 6 923 males and 1 535 females, aged (64±9)years. There were 3 187 patients undergoing surgical treatment, and 5 271 cases undergoing non-surgical treatment. Observation indicators: (1) incidence of VTE in EC patients; (2) treatment and outcomes of patients with VTE. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M(range), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the nonparameter rank sum test. Count data were expressed as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ordinal data was analyzed using the nonparameter rank sum test. Results:(1) Incidence of VTE in EC patients. Of 8 458 EC patients, 175 cases developed VTE, with an incidence rate of 2.069%(175/8 458). Among 175 VTE patients, there were 164 cases of deep venous thrombosis (DVT), 4 cases of pulmonary embolism (PE), 7 cases of DVT and PE. There were 59 surgical patients and 116 non-surgical patients. There was no significant difference in thrombus type between surgical and non-surgical EC patients with VTE ( χ2=1.95, P>0.05). Of 3 187 surgical patients, the incidence of VTE was 1.851%(59/3 187), including an incidence of 0.157%(5/3 187) of PE. PE accounted for 8.475%(5/59) of surgical patients with VTE. Of 5 271 non-surgical patients, the incidence of VTE was 2.201%(116/5 271), including an incidence of 0.114%(6/5 271) of PE. PE accounted for 5.172%(6/116) of non-surgical patients with VTE. There was no significant difference in the incidence of VTE or PE between surgical patients and non-surgical patients ( χ2=1.20, 0.05, P>0.05). (2) Treatment and outcomes of patients with VTE. Among 175 EC patients with VTE, 163 cases underwent drug treatment, and 12 cases did not receive treatment. Among 163 cases with drug therapy, 158 cases underwent anticoagulant therapy, 5 cases were treated with thrombolysis. All the 163 patients were improved and discharged from hospital. Conclusions:The incidence of VTE in patients with EC is relatively low, as 2.069%. There is no significant difference in the incidence of VTE or thrombus type between surgical EC patients and non-surgical EC patients.

Objective:To investigate the toxic effect of chlorambucil combined with ibrutinib on mantle cell lymphoma(MCL)cell line Jeko-1 and its related mechanism.Methods:The MCL cell line Jeko-1 was incubated with different concentrations of chlorambucil or ibrutinib or the combination of the two drugs,respectively.CCK-8 assay was used to detect the proliferation of the cells,and Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of BCL-2,caspase-3,PI3K,AKT and P-AKT.Results:After Jeko-1 cells were treated with chlorambucil(3.125,6.25,12.5,25,50 μmol/L)and ibrutinib(3.125,6.25,12.5,25,50 μmol/L)alone for 24,48,72h respectively,the cell proliferation was inhibited in a time-and dose-dependent manner.Moreover,the two drugs were applied in combination at low doses(single drug inhibition rate＜50％),and the results showed that the combination of two drugs had a more significant inhibitory effect(all P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the apoptosis rate of the single drug group of chlorambucil(3.125,6.25,12.5,25,50 μmol/L)and ibutinib(3.125,6.25,12.5,25,50 μmol/L)was increased in a dose-dependent manner.The combination of the two drugs at low concentrations(3.125,6.25,12.5 μmol/L)could significantly increase the apoptosis rate compared with the corresponding concentration of single drug groups(all P＜0.05).Compared with control group,the protein expression levels of caspase-3 in Jeko-l cells were upregulated,while the protein expression levels of BCL-2,PI3K,and p-AKT/AKT were downregulated after treatment with chlorambucil or ibrutinib alone.The combination of the two drugs could produce a synergistic effect on the expressions of the above-mentioned proteins,and the differences between the combination group and the single drug groups were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion:Chlorambucil and ibrutinib can promote the apoptosis of MCL cell line Jeko-1,and combined application of the two drugs shows a synergistic effect,the mechanism may be associated with the AKT-related signaling pathways.

Objective: To examine the feasibility and surgical approach of removing type D trigeminal schwannoma through nasal cavity and nasal sinus under endoscope. Methods: Eleven patients with trigeminal schwannoma who were treated in the Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from December 2014 to August 2021 were analyzed retrospectively in this study. There were 7 males and 4 females, aged (47.5±13.5) years (range: 12 to 64 years). The neoplasm involved the pterygopalatine fossa, infratemporal fossa, ethmoidal sinus, sphenoid sinus, cavernous sinus, and middle cranial fossa. The size of tumors were between 1.6 cm×2.0 cm×2.0 cm and 5.7 cm×6.0 cm×6.0 cm. Under general anesthesia, the tumors were resected through the transpterygoid approach in 4 cases, through the prelacrimal recess approach in 4 cases, through the extended prelacrimal recess approach in 2 cases, and through the endoscopic medial maxillectomy approach in 1 case. The nasal endoscopy and imaging examination were conducted to detect whether neoplasm recurred or not, and the main clinical symptoms during follow-up. Results: All the surgical procedures were performed under endonasal endoscope, including Gross total resection in 10 patients. The tumor of a 12-year-old patient was not resected completely due to huge tumor size and limited operation space. One patient was accompanied by two other schwannomas located in the occipital region and the ipsilateral parotid gland region originating from the zygomatic branch of the facial nerve, both of which were removed concurrently. After tumor resection, the dura mater of middle cranial fossa was directly exposed in the nasal sinus in 2 cases, including 1 case accompanied by cerebrospinal fluid leakage which was reconstructed by a free mucosal flap obtained from the middle turbinate, the other case was packed by the autologous fat to protect the dura mater. The operation time was (M(IQR)) 180 (160) minutes (range: 120 to 485 minutes). No complications and deaths were observed. No recurrence was observed in the 10 patients with total tumor resection during a 58 (68) months' (range: 10 to 90 months) follow-up. No obvious change was observed in the facial appearance of all patients during the follow-up. Conclusion: Type D trigeminal schwannoma involving pterygopalatine fossa and infratemporal fossa can be removed safely through purely endoscopic endonasal approach by selecting the appropriate approach according to the size and involvement of the tumor.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Child ; Retrospective Studies ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Nasal Cavity/surgery* ; Neurilemmoma/surgery* ; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms/surgery*

Due to various constraints, such as clinical implementation conditions and unique characteristics of acupuncture-moxibustion, some randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of acupuncture-moxibustion still suffer from relatively low quality and limited applicability. The single-arm objective performance criteria/performance goal can be considered as an ideal supplementary and alternative research approach to RCTs. In this paper, the feasibility of applying the single-arm objective performance criteria/performance goal in acupuncture-moxibustion clinical research is explored from the limitations of conducting acupuncture-moxibustion RCTs, the principles, the essential design considerations and key statistical steps. In addition, illustrative examples are provided. The objective is to offer insights into resolving practical difficulties in acupuncture-moxibustion clinical research.
Moxibustion ; Goals ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture

Objective:To investigate MRI texture features reflecting short-term medial femoral cartilage variations after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.Methods:A retrospective case series analysis was conducted referring to the data of 20 patients who received ACL reconstruction at First Affiliated Hospital of Fujian Medical University from January 2017 to January 2020 including 17 males and 3 females, aged 23-43 years [(32.1±5.4)years]. The patients were evaluated before operation and at 1, 4, 12, 24, 48 weeks after operation: (1) the region of interest (ROI) in medial femoral cartilage was divided into ROI1 (meniscus anterior horn cartilage), ROI2 (meniscus body cartilage) and ROI3 (meniscus posterior horn cartilage) according to MRI image acquisition of the affected knee. The texture feature parameters were extracted for screening and analyzing to obtain the parameters reflecting sensitivity to cartilage variations; (2) the level of urinary C-telopeptide of type II collagen (uCTX-II) was measured by ELISA. At different time points, differences in texture feature parameters were compared to screen the parameters most sensitive to cartilage variations, and uCTX-II level were compared as well. Then, Pearson correlation analysis was used to determine the correlation between texture feature parameters most sensitive to cartilage variations and uCTX-II level.Results:After screening and analyzing, the horizontal direction of gray level non-uniformity (Horzl_GlevNonU) and Skewness of histogram (Skewness) of ROI3 were selected as sensitive texture feature parameters reflecting sensitivity to cartilage variations. There were significant difference in the Horzl_GlevNonU and Skewness of ROI3 before operation and at 1, 4, 12, 24, 48 weeks after operation (all P<0.05). Meanwhile, the Horzl_GlevNonU and Skewness of ROI3 were gradually increased over time, with a more significant tendency in the Horzl_GlevNonU. The Horzl_GlevNonU of ROI3 was similar at 4 weeks and 12 weeks after operation ( P>0.05), with significant differences at other time points (all P<0.05). The Skewness of ROI3 was significantly different at 1 week and 48 weeks after operation ( P<0.05), with insignificant differences at other time points (all P>0.05). The Horzl_GlevNonU of ROI3 was selected as the most sensitive texture feature parameter reflecting cartilage variations. Significant difference was reported in uCTX-II level before operation and at 1, 4, 12, 24, 48 weeks after operation (all P<0.05). After Pearson correlation analysis, the Horzl_GlevNonU of ROI3 was positively correlated with uCTX-II level before operation and at 1, 4, 12, 24, 48 weeks after operation ( r=0.554, 0.596, 0.550, 0.632, 0.756, 0.514, P<0.05 or 0.01). Conclusion:The Horzl_GlevNonU of ROI3 is the most sensitive texture feature parameter that reflects the early variations of medial femoral cartilage after ACL reconstruction and is positively correlated with uCTX-II level.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT images of multiple myeloma secondary extramedullary infiltration in order to improve recognition. METHODS: Twenty-one patients with multiple myeloma secondary extramedullary infiltration confirmed by pathology or follow-up from January 2012 to October 2020 in the First Affiliated Hospital of University of Science and Technology of China were retrospectively analyzed. All the patients underwent ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT imaging before treatment, and the PET/CT characteristics of extramedullary infiltration and bone marrow were analyzed. RESULTS: Twenty-one patients included 12 males and 9 females, aged from 41 to 77 years old, with an average of 58.3±10.0; 9 cases of extramedullary infiltration involving lymph nodes; lung, stomach, spleen, and kidney were involved respectively in 2 cases; retroperitoneal, right auricle, subcutaneous nodule, and spinal meninges involvement were reported in each one case respectively. The maximum SUVmax value of extra-medullary lesions was 21.2, the minimum value was 2.1, and mean was 7.7±5.3. The maximum SUVmax value of bone marrow was 33.5, the minimum was 2.4, and mean was 6.6±3.6. There was no statistically significant difference in SUVmax value between extra-medullary lesions and bone marrow (Z=-1.195, P=0.232). CONCLUSION ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT not only has a good diagnostic value for multiple myeloma, but also a good evaluation value for secondary extramedullary infiltration, which provides reference for clinical treatment and prognosis.
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma/diagnostic imaging* ; Positron Emission Tomography Computed Tomography ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To assess the health risks of welding fume jobs with five occupational health risk assessment methods, and to compare the advantages, disadvantages and applicability of these methods in the health risk assessment of welding fume.Methods:The International Commission for Mining and Metals (ICMM) occupational health risk assessment method, MES method, the qualitative method and comprehensive index method in GBZ/T 298-2017 "Technical Guidelines for Occupational Health Risk Assessment of Chemical Hazardous Factors in the Workplace" were used to assess the risk of welding fume exposure positions in four manufacturing enterprises in Tianjin in March, 2020. The assessment results of different methods were standardized by risk ratio ( RR) . Results:After the results were standardized, the results of enterprises 1, 2 and 4 were negligible risks, enterprise 3 was medium risk in the ICMM matrix method and MES method, and the results of ICMM quantitative method for each enterprise were negligible risk, low risk, extremely high risk and low risk, respectively. The results of the qualitative assessment of the guidelines for all companies were negligible risks, and the comprehensive index method were medium risks.Conclusion:The five models are all suitable for occupational health risk assessment of welding fumes, but they all have certain shortcomings. They should be combined with qualitative and semi-quantitative assessment results for comprehensive analysis.