Purpose: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male sexual dysfunction. Gut microbiota plays an important role in various diseases. To investigate the effects and mechanisms of intestinal flora dysregulation induced by high-fat diet (HFD) on erectile function. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague–Dawley rats aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into the normal diet (ND) and HFD groups. After 24 weeks, a measurement of erectile function was performed. We performed 16S rRNA sequencing of stool samples. Then, we established fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) rat models by transplanting fecal microbiota from rats of ND group and HFD group to two new groups of rats respectively. After 24 weeks, erectile function of the rats was evaluated and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed, and serum samples were collected for the untargeted metabolomics detection. Results: The erectile function of rats and the species diversity of intestinal microbiota in the HFD group was significantly lower, and the characteristics of the intestinal microbiota community structure were also significantly different between the two groups. The erectile function of rats in the HFD-FMT group was significantly lower than that of rats in the ND-FMT group. The characteristics of the intestinal microbiota community structure were significantly different. In the HFD-FMT group, 27 metabolites were significantly different and they were mainly involved in the several inflammation-related pathways. Conclusions Intestinal microbiota disorders induced by HFD can damage the intestinal barrier of rats, change the serum metabolic profile, induce low-grade inflammation and apoptosis in the corpus cavernosum of the penis, and lead to ED.

Purpose: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male sexual dysfunction. Gut microbiota plays an important role in various diseases. To investigate the effects and mechanisms of intestinal flora dysregulation induced by high-fat diet (HFD) on erectile function. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague–Dawley rats aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into the normal diet (ND) and HFD groups. After 24 weeks, a measurement of erectile function was performed. We performed 16S rRNA sequencing of stool samples. Then, we established fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) rat models by transplanting fecal microbiota from rats of ND group and HFD group to two new groups of rats respectively. After 24 weeks, erectile function of the rats was evaluated and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed, and serum samples were collected for the untargeted metabolomics detection. Results: The erectile function of rats and the species diversity of intestinal microbiota in the HFD group was significantly lower, and the characteristics of the intestinal microbiota community structure were also significantly different between the two groups. The erectile function of rats in the HFD-FMT group was significantly lower than that of rats in the ND-FMT group. The characteristics of the intestinal microbiota community structure were significantly different. In the HFD-FMT group, 27 metabolites were significantly different and they were mainly involved in the several inflammation-related pathways. Conclusions Intestinal microbiota disorders induced by HFD can damage the intestinal barrier of rats, change the serum metabolic profile, induce low-grade inflammation and apoptosis in the corpus cavernosum of the penis, and lead to ED.

Purpose: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male sexual dysfunction. Gut microbiota plays an important role in various diseases. To investigate the effects and mechanisms of intestinal flora dysregulation induced by high-fat diet (HFD) on erectile function. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague–Dawley rats aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into the normal diet (ND) and HFD groups. After 24 weeks, a measurement of erectile function was performed. We performed 16S rRNA sequencing of stool samples. Then, we established fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) rat models by transplanting fecal microbiota from rats of ND group and HFD group to two new groups of rats respectively. After 24 weeks, erectile function of the rats was evaluated and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed, and serum samples were collected for the untargeted metabolomics detection. Results: The erectile function of rats and the species diversity of intestinal microbiota in the HFD group was significantly lower, and the characteristics of the intestinal microbiota community structure were also significantly different between the two groups. The erectile function of rats in the HFD-FMT group was significantly lower than that of rats in the ND-FMT group. The characteristics of the intestinal microbiota community structure were significantly different. In the HFD-FMT group, 27 metabolites were significantly different and they were mainly involved in the several inflammation-related pathways. Conclusions Intestinal microbiota disorders induced by HFD can damage the intestinal barrier of rats, change the serum metabolic profile, induce low-grade inflammation and apoptosis in the corpus cavernosum of the penis, and lead to ED.

Purpose: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male sexual dysfunction. Gut microbiota plays an important role in various diseases. To investigate the effects and mechanisms of intestinal flora dysregulation induced by high-fat diet (HFD) on erectile function. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague–Dawley rats aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into the normal diet (ND) and HFD groups. After 24 weeks, a measurement of erectile function was performed. We performed 16S rRNA sequencing of stool samples. Then, we established fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) rat models by transplanting fecal microbiota from rats of ND group and HFD group to two new groups of rats respectively. After 24 weeks, erectile function of the rats was evaluated and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed, and serum samples were collected for the untargeted metabolomics detection. Results: The erectile function of rats and the species diversity of intestinal microbiota in the HFD group was significantly lower, and the characteristics of the intestinal microbiota community structure were also significantly different between the two groups. The erectile function of rats in the HFD-FMT group was significantly lower than that of rats in the ND-FMT group. The characteristics of the intestinal microbiota community structure were significantly different. In the HFD-FMT group, 27 metabolites were significantly different and they were mainly involved in the several inflammation-related pathways. Conclusions Intestinal microbiota disorders induced by HFD can damage the intestinal barrier of rats, change the serum metabolic profile, induce low-grade inflammation and apoptosis in the corpus cavernosum of the penis, and lead to ED.

Purpose: Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a common male sexual dysfunction. Gut microbiota plays an important role in various diseases. To investigate the effects and mechanisms of intestinal flora dysregulation induced by high-fat diet (HFD) on erectile function. Materials and Methods: Male Sprague–Dawley rats aged 8 weeks were randomly divided into the normal diet (ND) and HFD groups. After 24 weeks, a measurement of erectile function was performed. We performed 16S rRNA sequencing of stool samples. Then, we established fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) rat models by transplanting fecal microbiota from rats of ND group and HFD group to two new groups of rats respectively. After 24 weeks, erectile function of the rats was evaluated and 16S rRNA sequencing was performed, and serum samples were collected for the untargeted metabolomics detection. Results: The erectile function of rats and the species diversity of intestinal microbiota in the HFD group was significantly lower, and the characteristics of the intestinal microbiota community structure were also significantly different between the two groups. The erectile function of rats in the HFD-FMT group was significantly lower than that of rats in the ND-FMT group. The characteristics of the intestinal microbiota community structure were significantly different. In the HFD-FMT group, 27 metabolites were significantly different and they were mainly involved in the several inflammation-related pathways. Conclusions Intestinal microbiota disorders induced by HFD can damage the intestinal barrier of rats, change the serum metabolic profile, induce low-grade inflammation and apoptosis in the corpus cavernosum of the penis, and lead to ED.

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

OBJECTIVE: To investigate possible associations between physical function assessment scales, such as Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) and Berg Balance Scale (BBS), with all-cause mortality in acute decompensated heart failure (ADHF) patients. METHODS: A total of 108 ADHF patients were analyzed from October 2020 to October 2022, and followed up to May 2023. The association between baseline clinical characteristics and all-cause mortality was analyzed by univariate Cox regression analysis, while for SPPB and BBS, univariate Cox regression analysis was followed by receiver operating characteristic curves, in which the area under the curve represented their predictive accuracy for all-cause mortality. Incremental predictive values for both physical function assessments were measured by calculating net reclassification index and integrated discrimination improvement scores. Optimal cut-off value for BBS was then identified using restricted cubic spline plots, and survival differences below and above that cut-off were compared using Kaplan-Meier survival curves and the log-rank test. The clinical utility of BBS was measured using decision curve analysis. RESULTS: For baseline characteristics, age, female, blood urea nitrogen, as well as statins, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers, or angiotensin receptor-neprilysin inhibitors, were predictive for all-cause mortality for ADHF patients. With respect to SPPB and BBS, higher scores were associated with lower all-cause mortality rates for both assessments; similar area under the curves were measured for both (0.774 for SPPB and 0.776 for BBS). Furthermore, BBS ≤ 36.5 was associated with significantly higher mortality, which was still applicable even adjusting for confounding factors; BBS was also found to have great clinical utility under decision curve analysis. CONCLUSIONS BBS or SPPB could be used as tools to assess physical function in ageing ADHF patients, as well as prognosticate on all-cause mortality. Moreover, prioritizing the improvement of balance capabilities of ADHF patients in cardiac rehabilitation regimens could aid in lowering mortality risk.

OBJECTIVE To prepare zeolite imidazole framework （ZIF）-8 nanoparticles （NPs） loaded with temozolomide （TMZ） （abbreviated as TMZ@ZIF-8 NPs） drug delivery system， thus increasing drug enrichment and anti-glioma effects in lesions. METHODS After preparing ZIF-8 NPs using the room temperature solution reaction method， the impregnation method was used to prepare TMZ@ZIF-8 NPs drug delivery system. Characterization was carried out using transmission electron microscopy， laser particle size， and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy， and dissolution and anti-tumor activity experiments in vitro and in vivo were conducted. RESULTS TMZ@ZIF-8 NPs were successfully prepared with the particle size of （126.23±7.92） nm， drug loading amount of （28.79±1.26）%， and 72 h cumulative dissolution rate of （72.36±3.62）%. The results of in vitro anti-tumor activity experiments showed that the relative cell survival rate of ZIF-8 NPs remained above 90%； the prepared TMZ@ZIF-8 NPs delivery system exhibited superior inhibition， higher uptake capacity， and better promoting apoptosis effects on the growth and proliferation of C6 cells as compared with the free TMZ. The results of in vivo anti-tumor activity experiments showed that ZIF-8 NPs were not enriched in the brain of rats， and the enrichment effect of TMZ in the brain was not significant， while TMZ@ZIF-8 NPs had a significant enrichment effect in the brain. CONCLUSIONS ZIF-8 NPs can effectively load TMZ， and successfully prepared TMZ@ZIF-8 NPs can improve TMZ uptake ability and anti-glioma effect.

Objective:To evaluate the value of metagenomic Next Generation Sequencing (mNGS) for the pathogenetic diagnosis of bloodstream infections in patients with sepsis.Methods:A retrospective analysis was performed on 105 sepsis cases who received blood mNGS and blood culture tests during their hospitalization in the Intensive Care Department of the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from September 2021 to August 2023, and the results were compared and analyzed. According to mNGS and blood culture results, the cases were divided into the positive group and negative group.The distribution of pathogens in the enrolled patients were analyzed, and the diagnostic performance and consistency of blood culture and mNGS were compared. The differences in clinical characteristics of patients in each group were analyzed, and the pathogenic diagnostic value of mNGS for bloodstream infections in patients with sepsis was evaluated.Results:①Among 105 blood samples, 61 cases (58.10%) had positive results of mNGS, and 32 cases (30.48%) had positive results of blood culture. The positive rate of mNGS was higher than that of blood culture, and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05).The accuracy of mNGS was lower than that of blood culture②The mean values of ESR, PCT and CRP in positive group were higher than those in negative group, and the proportion of septic shock was higher than that in negative group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in 28-day mortality rate between the two groups ( P > 0.05). Conclusions:mNGS is beneficial to the etiological diagnosis and treatment of bloodstream infection in patients with sepsis.

Objective To explore the correlation between the expression of serum long non-coding RNA bladder cancer associated transcript 1(LncRNA BLACAT1)and long non-coding RNA(LncRNA)-H19 levels and the severity of elderly knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Methods A total of 120 elderly KOA patients who underwent diagnosis and treatment in Jingmen Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from November 2021 to February 2023 were selected as subjects(KOA group).Based on the Kelgren-Lawrence(K-L)classification,these KOA group patients were grouped into mild group(n=41),moderate group(n=45),and severe group(n=34).Meanwhile,those who underwent health examinations at the same time were regarded as control group(n=120).Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR method was applied to measure the levels of serum LncRNA BLACAT1 and LncRNA-H19.The serum levels of LncRNA BLACAT1 and LncRNA-H19 were compared between KOA group and the control group.The serum levels of LncRNA BLACAT1 and LncRNA-H19 in KOA patients with different degrees of illness were analyzed.Spearman correlation was applied to analyze the relationship between the expression of serum LncRNA BLACAT1,LncRNA-H19 levels and the severity of KOA patients.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was applied to analyze the diagnostic value of serum LncRNA BLACAT1 and LncRNA-H19 levels for KOA.Results The serum levels of LncRNA BLACAT1(1.31±0.31)and LncRNA-H19(1.41±0.37)in KOA patients were higher than those in the healthy control group(0.99±0.24,1.03±0.25),and the differences were statistically significant(t=8.941,9.322,all P＜0.05).The serum levels of LncRNA BLACAT1(1.53±0.36)and LncRNA-H19(1.71±0.44)in the severe group were higher than those in the mild(1.13±0.27,1.18±0.29)and moderate groups(1.32±0.31,1.40±0.38)(q=7.806,4.183;8.709,5.200),and the serum levels of the moderate group were higher than that of the mild group(q=3.983,3.884),and the differences were statistically significant,respectively(all P＜0.05).Spearman correlation analysis results showed that the serum levels of LncRNA BLACAT1 and LncRNA-H19 were positively correlated with the severity of the disease(r=0.552,0.414,all P＜0.05).The results of ROC showed that the AUCs of LncRNA BLACAT1 and LncRNA-H19 alone diagnosed KOA were 0.860 and 0.869,with specificity of 74.2％and 80.8％,and sensitivity of 66.7％and 69.1％,respectively.The AUC of the combined diagnosis of KOA was 0.966,with a sensitivity and a specificity of 90.0％,81.7％,respectively.Conclusion The serum levels of LncRNA BLACAT 1 and LncRNA-H19 in KOA patients were elevated and were positively correlated with the severity of KOA patients.Combined detection of the two could effectively predict the occurrence of KOA.