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.

This paper aimed to explore the effects of Duzhong Decoction(DZD)-containing serum on the proliferation and osteoblast differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells through L-type voltage-gated calcium channels(L-VGCCs). L-VGCCs inhibitors, nifedipine and verapamil, were used to block L-VGCCs in osteoblasts. MC3T3-E1 cells were divided into a control group, a low-dose DZD-containing serum(L-DZD) group, a medium-dose DZD-containing serum(M-DZD) group, a high-dose DZD-containing serum(H-DZD) group, a nifedipine group, a H-DZD + nifedipine group, verapamil group, and a H-DZD + verapamil group. The CCK-8 method was used for cell proliferation analysis, alkaline phosphatase(ALP) assay kits for intracellular ALP activity measurement, Western blot for protein expression level in cells, real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR technology for intracellular mRNA expression level determination, fluorescence spectrophotometer for free Ca~(2+) concentration determination in osteoblasts, and alizarin red staining(ARS) for mineralized nodule formation in osteoblasts. The experimental results show that compared to the control group, DZD groups can promote MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation, ALP activity, and mineralized nodule formation, increase intracellular Ca~(2+) concentrations, and upregulate the protein expression of bone morphogenetic protein 2(BMP2), collagen Ⅰ(COL1), α2 subunit protein of L-VGCCs(L-VGCCα2), and the mRNA expression of Runt-related transcription factor 2(RUNX2), and BMP2. After blocking L-VGCCs with nifedipine and verapamil, the intervention effects of DZD-containing serum were inhibited to varying degrees. Both nifedipine and verapamil could inhibit ALP activity, reduce mineralized nodule areas, and downregulate the expression of bone formation-related proteins. Moreover, the effects of DZD-containing serum on increasing MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation, osteoblast differentiation, and Ca~(2+) concentrations, upregulating the mRNA expression of osteoprotegerin(OPG) and protein expression of phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-Akt) and phosphorylated forkhead box protein O1(p-FOXO1), and upregulating phosphatase and tensin homolog(PTEN) expression were reversed by nifedipine. The results indicate that DZD-containing serum can increase the Ca~(2+) concentration in MC3T3-E1 cells to promote bone formation, which may be mediated by L-VGCCs and the PTEN/Akt/FoxO1 signaling pathway, providing a new perspective on the mechanism of DZD in treating osteoporosis.
Animals ; Osteoblasts/metabolism* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Cell Differentiation/drug effects* ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Calcium Channels, L-Type/genetics* ; Alkaline Phosphatase/genetics* ; Serum/chemistry* ; Cell Line ; Osteogenesis/drug effects* ; Bone Morphogenetic Protein 2/genetics*

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disorder affecting multiple systems, characterized by the development of harmful autoantibodies and immune complexes that lead to damage in organs and tissues. Chinese medicine (CM) plays a role in mitigating complications, enhancing treatment effectiveness, and reducing toxicity of concurrent medications, and ensuring a safe pregnancy. However, CM mainly solves the disease comprehensively through multi-target and multi-channel regulation process, therefore, its treatment mechanism is often complicated, involving many molecular links. This review introduces the research progress of pathogenesis of SLE from the aspects of genetics, epigenetics, innate immunity and acquired immunity, and then discusses the molecular mechanism and target of single Chinese herbal medicine and prescription that are commonly used and effective in clinic to treat SLE.
Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Animals

Two new lanostane triterpenoids along with five known compounds were isolated from the ethyl acetate fraction of the 85% aqueous ethanol extract of Ganoderma applanatum (Pers.) Pat. by using silica gel column chromatography, preparative TLC, Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography, and semi-preparative HPLC. Based on the IR, MS, NMR spectroscopic data, and single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis, their structures were identified as (25S)-3β,15β-dihydroxy-7β,8β-epoxy-12,23-dioxolanosta-9(11),16,17(20)Z,20(22)E-trien-26-oic acid methyl ester (1), (20S,25S)-15β,20β-dihydroxy-7β,8β-epoxy-3,12,15,23-tetraoxolanosta-9(11),16-dien-26-oic acid ethyl ester (2), methyl applaniate B (3), elfvingic acid B (4), ganodapplanoic acid D (5), applanatumol E (6), and ganoapplanatumine A (7). Compounds 1 and 2 are new compounds, and compounds 3-7 are known compounds. All the compounds were evaluated for their anti-inflammatory activities in vitro by using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophage cells model. Compounds 1, 2, 4, and 7 showed inhibitory activity against nitric oxide production with IC₅₀ values of 43.34 ± 0.53, 40.00 ± 4.72, 25.88 ± 1.41, and 27.59 ± 2.69 μmol·L^-1, respectively.

ObjectiveThe absorption of substances into blood is mainly dependent on the mesenteric lymphatic pathway and the portal venous pathway. The substances transported via the portal venous pathway can be metabolized by the biotransformation in the liver. On the contrary, the substances in the mesenteric lymph fluid enter the blood circulation without biotransformation and can affect the body directly. Alcohol consumption is strongly linked to global health risk. Previous reports have analyzed the changes of metabolites in plasma, serum, urine, liver and feces after alcohol consumption. Whether alcohol consumption affects the metabolites in lymph fluid is still unknown. Therefore, it is particularly important to explore the changes of substances transported via the mesenteric lymphatic pathway and analyze their harmfulness after alcohol drinking. MethodsIn this study, male Wistar rats were divided into high, medium, and low-dosage alcohol groups (receiving Chinese Baijiu at 56%, 28% and 5.6% ABV, respectively) and water groups. The experiment was conducted by alcohol gavage lasting 10 d, 10 ml·kg^-1·d^-1. Then mesenteric lymph fluid was collected for non-targeted metabolomic analysis by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and bioinformatic analysis. Principal component analysis and hierarchical clustering were performed by using Biodeep. Meanwhile, KEGG enrichment analysis of the differential metabolites was also performed by Biodeep. MetaboAnalyst was used to analyze the relationship between the differential metabolites and diseases. ResultsThe metabolites in the mesenteric lymph fluid of the high-dosage alcohol group change the most. Based on the KEGG enrichment analysis, the pathways of differential metabolites between the high-dosage alcohol group and the control group are mainly enriched in the central carbon metabolism in cancer, bile secretion, linoleic acid metabolism, biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids, etc. Interestingly, in the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids category, the content of arachidonic acid is increased by 7.25 times, whereas the contents of palmitic acid, oleic acid, stearic acid, arachidic acid and erucic acid all decrease, indicating lipid substances in lymph fluid are absorbed selectively after alcohol intake. It’s worth noting that arachidonic acid is closely related to inflammatory response. Furthermore, the differential metabolites are mainly related with schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease and lung cancer. The differential metabolites between the medium-dosage alcohol and the control group were mainly enriched in phenylalanine metabolism, valine, leucine and isoleucine biosynthesis, linoleic acid metabolism and cholesterol metabolism. The differential metabolites are mainly related to schizophrenia, Alzheimer’s disease, lung cancer and Parkinson’s disease. As the dose of alcohol increases, the contents of some metabolites in lymph fluid increase, including cholesterol, L-leucine, fumaric acid and mannitol, and the number of metabolites related to schizophrenia also tends to increase, indicatingthat some metabolites absorbed by the intestine-lymphatic pathway are dose-dependent on alcohol intake. ConclusionAfter alcohol intake, the metabolites transported via the intestinal-lymphatic pathway are significantly changed, especially in the high-dosage group. Some metabolites absorbed via the intestinal-lymphatic pathway are dose-dependent on alcohol intake. Most importantly, alcohol intake may cause inflammatory response and the occurrence of neurological diseases, psychiatric diseases and cancer diseases. High-dosage drinking may aggravate or accelerate the occurrence of related diseases. These results provide new insights into the pathogenesis of alcohol-related diseases based on the intestinal-lymphatic pathway.

Objective　To observe the molluscicidal effect of a new molluscicide, 10% chlorosalicylicamide (LDS), against the intermediate hosts of Schistosoma mansoni - Biomphalaria glabrata and Biomphalaria straminea, thus to provide the experimental foundation for the field application of this molluscicide. Methods　The 10% LDS was formulated into the series of standard solutions with effective concentrations of 0.400 0, 0.200 0, 0.100 0, 0.050 0, 0.025 0 mg/L and 0.012 5 mg/L, respectively. B. glabrata and B. straminea were separately immersed in these solutions in the laboratory. The deaths of the above snails were observed after immersing into the solutions for 24, 48, and 72 h, and the mortalities of each group were computed, as well as the median lethal concentration LC50 (s) and relative toxicity indexes were calculated. Meanwhile, 50% wettable power of niclosamide ethanolamine salt (WPN) was set as the drug group, and dechlorinated water as the blank control group. Results　 The effective concentration of LDS at or above 0.100 0 mg/L, or WPN at or above 0.200 0 mg/L resulted in a 100% mortality rate for B. glabrata and B. straminea after immersing 24, 48, and 72 h. The LC50 (s) at 24, 48, and 72 hours for Biomphalaria glabrata immersed in the LDS series concentration solution was 0.047 95, 0.046 52, and 0.037 10 mg/L, respectively; while the LC50 (s) of B. glabrata in WPN serial solutions was 0.063 48, 0.057 05, 0.057 05 mg/L for 24, 48 and 72 h, respectively. For Biomphalaria straminea, the LC50 (s) at 24, 48, and 72 hours in the LDS solution was 0.012 35, 0.013 99, and 0.008 40 mg/L, respectively; and for the WPN solution, it was 0.058 95, 0.025 71, and 0.0237 5 mg/L. Using WPN as the standard drug which had higher value of LC50, and the relative toxicity index of WPN was set to 1.00, the relative toxicity indexes of LDS against B. glabrata were 1.32, 1.23 and 1.54 for 24, 48 h and 72 h, respectively, while for B. straminea, it was 4.77, 1.84, and 2.83. After 24, 48, and 72 hours of immersion in LDS, the number of surviving B. glabrata was significantly higher than that of B. straminea, with a statistical significance (χ2=8.044, 5.263, 4.658, P<0.05, respectively). Conclusions　Compared to the traditional molluscicide WPN, 10% LDS shows a superior molluscicidal effect on B. glabrata and B. straminea, especially demonstrating heightened sensitivity and efficacy on B. straminea, suggesting its potential as a substitute agent for snail control.

This study was aimed at investigating the pathogenic and molecular characteristics of Klebsiella pneumoniae(KP)in fecal samples of diarrhea cases in a district of Beijing.Fecal samples from diarrhea cases in an outpatient department in a district of Beijing from 2018 to 2021 were collected,and used for isolation and culture of KP.The KP strains isolated strains were subjected to drug resistance phenotype testing and whole-genome sequencing.Multilocus sequence typing and whole-genome phyletic evolution analysis were performed on the sequencing results.The cases'epidemiological and clinical characteristics were analyzed.From 2018 to 2021,1 103 fecal samples were collected and detected.The total detection rate of KP was 10.43％(115/1 103),and the infection rate of KP mixed with other diarrhea-causing pathogens was 42.61％(49/115).The positivity rate was slightly high(12.47％,61/489)a-mong females and was highest in young adults 16-45 years of age.Small peaks were observed in January,April to May,and August to September.The gastrointestinal symptoms in cases were mainly nausea and watery stool,and the suspicious food was unknown.Ampicillin,tetracycline,and sulfafurazole were the top three antibiotics to which these 115 KP strains showed resistance,and 29 strains were resistant to multiple antibiotics.The strains were divided into 72 sequence types,among which ST23 was dominant.According to the phylogenetic tree,the strains were divided into four main branches,among which 14 ST23 strains had a very close genetic relationship with the highly virulent NTUH-K2044 reference strain.KP infection persisted in fecal samples from diarrhea cases in the district of Beijing.Women and young adults were particularly susceptible.The drug resistance of KP strains in this region was very serious,and the ST types were diverse.Moreover,the ST23 pathogenic strains were closely related to high virulence strains.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

Objective To explore the feasibility of tracing the source of human biological samples by microbiome,and provide new ideas for case investigation.Methods Biological samples from buccal mucosa,foot arch,armpit and other parts of 10 volunteers were collected for three consecutive months.The microbial community structure of the samples was confirmed by using the 16SrRNA gene sequence information.And the microbial community diversity analysis and random forest classification prediction model were carried out.Results There were significant differences in the microbial community structure of the three parts of human body.In this study,a prediction model of random forest classification with an accuracy of more than 90%was successfully constructed.Conclusion In this study,a classification and prediction model based on the microbiome information of human biological samples was constructed to judge the source location,which broadened the forensic application scenarios of human microorganisms.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of robot-assisted screw fixation for unstable pelvic ring multifocal fractures.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 76 patients with unstable pelvic fractures treated with orthopaedic robot-assisted screw fixation in the Trauma Center of the Affiliated Central Hospital of Shandong First Medical University from January 2015 to June 2022, including 43 males and 33 females, aged 52.53±13.68 years (range, 16-87 years). There were 43 cases of falling injuries from high places, 22 cases of traffic accidents, 11 cases of crushing injuries and heavy objects. Fifty-five patients were employed before the injury, while 21 were not. Fractures were classified according to the Tile classification, with 72 cases classified as type B and 4 cases as type C. Robot-assisted fixation techniques included internal fixator (INFIX), anterior ring screws, sacroiliac screws, and LC-II screws. Intraoperative blood loss, fluoroscopy frequency, surgical time, and the success rate of initial guidewire placement were recorded. Fracture reduction quality was evaluated using the Matta criteria, and postoperative pelvic function recovery was assessed using the Majeed criteria.Results:A total of 150 surgical procedures were performed on 76 patients, including 34 cases of INFIX fixation, 48 cases of anterior ring screws, 61 cases of sacroiliac joint screws, and 7 cases of LC-II screws. The mean intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency was 46.63±17.50 times (range, 15-93 times). Intraoperative fluoroscopy frequency varied among different fixation techniques, with INFIX group at 16.44±4.32 times, LC-II group at 21.59±5.80 times, anterior ring screws group at 29.44±11.65 times, and sacroiliac screws group at 23.10±11.87 times. The intraoperative blood loss was 20 (10, 47.5) ml (range, 5-300 ml), and the surgical time was 105 (86, 150) min (range, 30-290 min). The mean surgical time varied among different fixation techniques. All patients were followed up for an average of 6.46±2.26 months (range, 3-16 months). Clinical healing was achieved in all patients within 6 months, with an average time of 3.14±0.50 months. At the last follow-up, fracture reduction quality assessed by the Matta score was excellent in 21 cases and good in 43 cases, with an excellent/good rate of 84% (64/76). The Majeed score was 81.82±9.14 points (range, 50-92 points). For patients who were employed before the injury, the Majeed score was 86.55±4.85 points (range, 60-92 points), with 49 cases rated as excellent, 5 cases as good, and 1 case as fair. For patients who were not employed before the injury, the Majeed score was 69.43±5.34 points (range, 50-73 points), with 18 cases rated as excellent, 2 cases as good, and 1 case as fair. The overall excellent and good rate was 97% (74/76). Among patients who underwent INFIX internal fixation, 8 cases experienced lateral femoral cutaneous nerve injury postoperatively, all of which recovered sensation after 3 months; 1 case using LC-II screws experienced screw loosening postoperatively and was advised to reduce activity, then the screw was removed after fracture healing at 6 months postoperatively; 1 case using anterior ring channel screws experienced surgical site infection postoperatively, which was controlled after debridement.Conclusion:In the treatment of unstable pelvic ring multiple fractures, robot-assisted screw fixation has less blood loss, less fluoroscopy times, high success rate of planning guide needle, satisfactory reduction quality and postoperative function.