ObjectiveTo investigate the antidepressant effects and mechanisms of total flavonoids from Cuscutae Semen （TFCC） in the mouse model of chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS）. MethodsFifty male 4-week-old ICR mice were randomized into five groups （n=10 per group）： blank control， model， Cuscutae Semen decoction （10.2 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， paroxetine （2.6 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and TFCC （173.2 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）. The other groups except the blank control group underwent chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） for 4 weeks. Behavioral assessments were conducted post-modeling. Then， the model group received distilled water （10 mL·kg^-1·d^-1）， while treatment groups were administrated with respective agents via oral gavage （10 mL·kg^-1） for 4 weeks. Depression-like behaviors were evaluated by the sucrose preference test （SPT）， forced swimming test （FST）， and tail suspension test （TST）. Hippocampal neuronal morphology was observed via hematoxylin-eosin staining， and apoptosis in the brain tissue was assessed via terminal- deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling （TUNEL）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the hippocampal levels of inflammatory cytokines ［interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α）］ and neurotransmitters ［5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， dopamine （DA）， and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）］， while the reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels were quantified via the DCFH-DA probe. Real-time PCR was performed to measure the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated Speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 （Caspase-1）， IL-1β， and inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）. Western blot was employed to evaluate the protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， uncoupling protein 2 （UCP2）， and thioredoxin-interacting protein （TXNIP）. ResultsCompared with the blank control group， the model group exhibited weight loss （P<0.01）， reduced sucrose preference （P<0.01）， prolonged immobility time in FST and TST （P<0.01）， neuron disarrangement with nuclear pyknosis in hippocampal CA3 region， increased apoptosis in the brain tissue， elevated levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α （P<0.01）， declined levels of 5-HT， DA， and BDNF （P<0.01）， increased ROS accumulation （P<0.01）， upregulated mRNA levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1β， and iNOS （P<0.01）， down-regulated protein level of UCP2 （P<0.01）， and up-regulated protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and TXNIP （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the interventions restored sucrose preference （P<0.01）， shortened immobility time （P<0.01）， repaired hippocampal neuronal structure， reduced apoptosis， lowered the levels of inflammatory cytokines （P<0.01）， restored the levels of neurotransmitters （P<0.01）， alleviated ROS accumulation （P<0.01）， downregulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1β， and iNOS （P<0.01）， upregulated the protein level of UCP2 （P<0.01）， and reduced the protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and TXNIP （P<0.01）. Moreover， TFCC outperformed Cuscutae Semen decoction in ameliorating depressive behaviors. TFCC excelled in neuronal repair， neurotransmitter regulation， anti-inflammatory effects， and modulation of the UCP2/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway （P<0.05）. ConclusionTFCC modulates the hippocampal UCP2/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway to inhibit inflammasome activation， reduce oxidative stress， restore neurotransmitters， thus suppressing neuronal apoptosis and promoting the rearrangement and morphology recovery of hippocampal cells. It outperforms Cuscutae Semen decoction in the antidepressant efficacy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the antidepressant effects and mechanisms of total flavonoids from Cuscutae Semen （TFCC） in the mouse model of chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS）. MethodsFifty male 4-week-old ICR mice were randomized into five groups （n=10 per group）： blank control， model， Cuscutae Semen decoction （10.2 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， paroxetine （2.6 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and TFCC （173.2 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）. The other groups except the blank control group underwent chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） for 4 weeks. Behavioral assessments were conducted post-modeling. Then， the model group received distilled water （10 mL·kg^-1·d^-1）， while treatment groups were administrated with respective agents via oral gavage （10 mL·kg^-1） for 4 weeks. Depression-like behaviors were evaluated by the sucrose preference test （SPT）， forced swimming test （FST）， and tail suspension test （TST）. Hippocampal neuronal morphology was observed via hematoxylin-eosin staining， and apoptosis in the brain tissue was assessed via terminal- deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling （TUNEL）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the hippocampal levels of inflammatory cytokines ［interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α）］ and neurotransmitters ［5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， dopamine （DA）， and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）］， while the reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels were quantified via the DCFH-DA probe. Real-time PCR was performed to measure the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated Speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 （Caspase-1）， IL-1β， and inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）. Western blot was employed to evaluate the protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， uncoupling protein 2 （UCP2）， and thioredoxin-interacting protein （TXNIP）. ResultsCompared with the blank control group， the model group exhibited weight loss （P<0.01）， reduced sucrose preference （P<0.01）， prolonged immobility time in FST and TST （P<0.01）， neuron disarrangement with nuclear pyknosis in hippocampal CA3 region， increased apoptosis in the brain tissue， elevated levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α （P<0.01）， declined levels of 5-HT， DA， and BDNF （P<0.01）， increased ROS accumulation （P<0.01）， upregulated mRNA levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1β， and iNOS （P<0.01）， down-regulated protein level of UCP2 （P<0.01）， and up-regulated protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and TXNIP （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the interventions restored sucrose preference （P<0.01）， shortened immobility time （P<0.01）， repaired hippocampal neuronal structure， reduced apoptosis， lowered the levels of inflammatory cytokines （P<0.01）， restored the levels of neurotransmitters （P<0.01）， alleviated ROS accumulation （P<0.01）， downregulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1β， and iNOS （P<0.01）， upregulated the protein level of UCP2 （P<0.01）， and reduced the protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and TXNIP （P<0.01）. Moreover， TFCC outperformed Cuscutae Semen decoction in ameliorating depressive behaviors. TFCC excelled in neuronal repair， neurotransmitter regulation， anti-inflammatory effects， and modulation of the UCP2/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway （P<0.05）. ConclusionTFCC modulates the hippocampal UCP2/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway to inhibit inflammasome activation， reduce oxidative stress， restore neurotransmitters， thus suppressing neuronal apoptosis and promoting the rearrangement and morphology recovery of hippocampal cells. It outperforms Cuscutae Semen decoction in the antidepressant efficacy.

Objective:To explore the metabolic basis and related molecular mechanism of oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)path-ogenesis.Methods:20 Chinese hamsters were divided into 2 groups(n=10).OSCC models were induced by dimethylbenzanthracene(DMBA)in 10 of the animals and the other 10 were used as the controls.LC-MS chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to iden-tify the metabolites in the buccal pouch,and multidimensional statistical analysis of the metabolites was performed with the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis model.Variable Importance for the Projection(VIP)＞1 and P＜0.05 were used as the criteria to screen the differential metabolites between the 2 groups.KEGG pathway annotation and enrichment analysis for the metabolites were performed to screen the significantly differential pathways.Results:The hamster cheek pouches painted with 0.5％DMBA for 18 weeks were diffused with leukoplakia and loaded obvious papillary protrusions,which were diagnosed as OSCC by pathological examination.Lipids and lipid-like molecules were the main differential metabolites.Reprogramming of unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis,cholesterol accumulation,enhanced catabolism of tryptophan,up-regulation of aspartate,increased synthesis of pyrimidine and purine,etc.were important metabolic features in the occurrence and development of OSCC.Conclusion:Molecular intervention targeting the related met-abolic pathways is expected to inhibit OSCC pathogenesis and progression.

Objective:To explore expression of each member of miR17-92 cluster in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)of patients with gout,to predict their possible targets and pathways of action,and to evaluate their possible mechanism and clinical significance in gout.Methods:A total 67 gouty arthritis(GA)patients were selected,including 22 patients with acute gout arthritis(AG)and 45 patients with intermittent gout(IG),and 35 normal health control(HC)were selected in Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College.RT-qPCR measured expressions of miR17-92 cluster,IFN-γ,IL-10 and some members of JAK-STAT pathway,and relevant laboratory indicators were collected to analyze correlation between each other.Results:Relative expressions of miR17,miR18a,miR19a,miR20a and miR19b were significantly changed in AG,IG and HC(H=8.753,P<0.05;H=6.338,P<0.05;H=6.523,P<0.05;H=9.061,P<0.05;H=9.729,P<0.01).JAK3 and STAT2 expressions were statistically different in AG,IG and HC groups(H=10.349,P<0.01;H=14.801,P<0.01).Expression of IFN-γ was statistically different among AG,IG and HC groups(H=8.734,P<0.05).In AG patients,miR18a expression was inversely correlated with IBIL,Crea,MO and HGB.miR19a ex-pression was negatively associated and TC,UA and HGB.miR20a expression was negatively associated with Crea.miR19b expression was negatively associated with UA and HGB.In IG patients,miR17 expression was negatively associated with IBIL,WBC,LY and MO.miR18a expression was positively associated with ALP,miR19a expression was negatively associated with TC and UA,and miR20a expression was negatively associated with ADA and UA.Conclusion:miR17-92 cluster may regulate development and partici-pate in clinical pathology of gout by targeting JAK-STAT pathway.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with lower cervical fracture is often categorized into unstable fracture, with a high incidence of neurological injury and a high rate of disability and morbidity. As factors such as shoulder occlusion may affect the accuracy of X-ray imaging diagnosis, it is often easily misdiagnosed at the primary diagnosis. Non-operative treatment has complications such as bone nonunion and the possibility of secondary neurological damage, while the timing, access and choice of surgical treatment are still controversial. Currently, there are no clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture with or without dislocation. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate Clinical guidelines for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis combined with lower cervical fracture in adults ( version 2024) in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine, scientificity and practicality, in which 11 recommendations were put forward in terms of the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, typing and treatment, etc, to provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture.

By reviewing the historical materia medica， medical books and modern literature， this paper has systematically sorted out and verified the name， origin， quality and other aspects of Ophicalcitum. After herbal textual research， it is shown that before the Qing dynasty， the mineral medicine was mostly recorded in the name of Huarushi， but now it is called Huaruishi， and there is another mixed name Baiyunshi. The light white spots described in the historical materia medica are consistent with the characteristics of marble with sparkling star-like luster， combined with the color like sulfur， color are green， black spots and other serpentine features， it is deduced that it is serpentine marble， consistent with the present-day Ophicalcitum， and Ophicalcitum in the Song dynasty has a high content of serpentine. The main producing areas are Henan， Shaanxi， Shanxi and Sichuan， Jiangsu， Zhejiang， Hebei and other places are also available. Successive generations of materia medica on the quality evaluation of Ophicalcitum is less， the modern to neat and firm in the texture， sandwiched with yellow-green mottled for the best. Ophicalcitum is acidic， astringent and neutral in nature， belonging to the liver meridian， with the efficacy of treatment of gold sores and blood flow， internal leakage of cataracts， dropping afterbirth， now describing its efficacy as removing blood stasis and stopping bleeding. In ancient times， the earliest processing method was burning， followed by calcination by sulphur， calcination， quenching with vinegar and other methods. In modern times， it has been simplified to open calcination， processing with vinegar and the addition of water quenching. The gravimetric method and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid titration were used to detect the contents of CO₃^2- and CaCO₃ in Ophicalcitum， respectively， and it was found that the gap in CaCO₃ content among commercially available products was wide， and the content of CaCO₃ in sample S13 and sample S18 was the same， but their compositions were different， and according to the contents of CO₃^2- and CaCO₃， the dolomite and calcite contents could be calculated， of which the higher the calcite content the more obvious the sparkling star-like luster. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction（XRD） were used to detect the physical phase composition of the powder of the samples， and Raman spectroscopy was used for the rapid non-destructive testing of the striped part， which showed that Ophicalcitum was mainly composed of dolomite， calcite， serpentine， olivine and pyroxene， with serpentine dominanting the striped part. In summary， the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia stipulates that the content of CaCO₃ in Ophicalcitum is not less than 40%， which is difficult to control its quality， and it is suggested to increase the detection of CO₃^2- content. This study can provide a scientific basis for the traceability of Ophicalcitum and better guide the clinical medication and rational utilization of resources.

Congenital tooth agenesis is a type of craniofacial developmental anomaly with reduced number of teeth, which is caused by disturbances in tooth germ development. If the number of missing teeth is less than six (excluding the third molars), it is termed as hypodontia. The second premolars are most commonly affected. When the second premolars are missing, the second primary molars are more prone to suffer from retention, infraocclusion, caries, pulpitis, or periapical periodontitis. Without timely prevention and appropriate treatment, congenital loss of second premolars may cause adverse effects on the patients′ tooth arrangement, occlusal function, craniofacial development, and even future prosthetic treatment. This review summarises the aetiological and diagnostic features of the agenesis of second premolars, and discusses the clinical considerations of retaining or extracting the second primary molars without permanent tooth germs, when the absence of permanent tooth germs is fully established or not, so as to provide references for dentists.

Objective:To explore the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on SAE in rats through the modulation of the gut microbiome.Methods:Total of 30 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided(random number) into sham surgery, SAE, SAE+FMT, SAE+FMT+ NF-κB agonist, and SAE+FMT+NLRP3 agonist groups. The gut microbiome, neurological function, and inflammatory responses in rats were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing, neurological behavioral scoring, water maze testing, Nissl staining, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and western blot assays. Univariate analysis of variance for multiple samples among groups was conducted using SPSS software, with further pairwise comparisons using Tukey's test.Results:(1) Compared with the sham surgery group, a reduction in α-diversity was observed in the SAE rats ( P<0.01), whereas an increase in α-diversity was noted in the SAE rats after FMT treatment ( P<0.05). A decrease in beneficial bacteria such as Bacteroidete and Clostridiales was seen in the SAE group compared to the sham group, which increased after FMT. (2) A decrease in mNSS, learning and memory abilities, and the number of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region was noted in SAE rats compared with the sham group ( P<0.01), whereas an improvement in mNSS scores, learning and memory abilities, and neuron count was observed in SAE rats treated with FMT ( P<0.05). (3) Compared with the sham group, increased liver and kidney function indicators, inflammatory factors, blood-brain barrier proteins, NLRP3 pathway proteins, and NF-κB pathway proteins were observed in the SAE group ( P<0.05), which were reduced by FMT ( P<0.05). (4) The effects of FMT were negated after the intervention with NF-κB and NLRP3 agonists ( P<0.05). Conclusions:FMT regulate the gut microbiome and inhibit the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway in the brain. This provides new insights into the treatment of SAE, emphasizing the importance of considering the gut microbiota in clinical therapy.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with spinal fractures with thoracic and lumbar fracture as the most common type shows characteristics of unstable fracture, high incidence of nerve injury, high mortality and high disability rate. The diagnosis may be missed because it is mostly caused by low-energy injury, when spinal rigidity and osteoporosis have a great impact on the accuracy of imaging examination. At the same time, the treatment choices are controversial, with no relevant specifications. Non-operative treatments can easily lead to bone nonunion, pseudoarthrosis and delayed nerve injury, while surgeries may be failed due to internal fixation failure. At present, there are no evidence-based guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture. In this context, the Spinal Trauma Academic Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate the Clinical guideline for the diagnosis and treatment of adult ankylosing spondylitis combined with thoracolumbar fracture ( version 2023) by following the principles of evidence-based medicine and systematically review related literatures. Ten recommendations on the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, classification and treatment of AS combined with thoracic and lumbar fracture were put forward, aiming to standardize the clinical diagnosis and treatment of such disorder.

The acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults have a higher rate of neurological injury and early death compared with atlas or axial fractures alone. Currently, the diagnosis and treatment choices of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults are controversial because of the lack of standards for implementation. Non-operative treatments have a high incidence of bone nonunion and complications, while surgeries may easily lead to the injury of the vertebral artery, spinal cord and nerve root. At present, there are no evidence-based Chinese guidelines for the diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults. To provide orthopedic surgeons with the most up-to-date and effective information in treating acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedic Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the field of spinal trauma to develop the Evidence-based guideline for clinical diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults ( version 2023) by referring to the "Management of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults" published by American Association of Neurological Surgeons (AANS)/Congress of Neurological Surgeons (CNS) in 2013 and the relevant Chinese and English literatures. Ten recommendations were made concerning the radiological diagnosis, stability judgment, treatment rules, treatment options and complications based on medical evidence, aiming to provide a reference for the diagnosis and treatment of acute combination fractures of the atlas and axis in adults.