Based on the pathogenesis of erectile dysfunction (ED) from the meridian-zangfu relationship and the "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis, it proposes that dysfunction of the "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis is closely related to the occurrence of ED. Among these, brain-heart disharmony is the key pathogenic factor, kidney deficiency and essence depletion constitute an important basis, and essence chamber stasis is a critical mechanism. The treatment approach emphasizes harmonizing the brain and heart, regulating the mind, tonifying the kidney and replenishing qi, unblocking qi and blood to harmonize the essence chamber. The primary acupoints include Baihui (GV20)-Neiguan (PC6)-Shenmen (HT7), Taixi (KI3)-Guanyuan (CV4)-Sanyinjiao (SP6), and Zhongji (CV3)-Dahe (KI12)-Gongsun (SP4), with additional acupoints selected based on syndrome differentiation. This approach aims to restore the clarity of the brain and heart, replenish kidney qi, and unblock the essence chamber, thereby facilitating the restoration of normal functions of the brain, heart, kidney, and essence chamber, and alleviating ED symptoms and improving overall clinical efficacy.
Humans ; Male ; Meridians ; Erectile Dysfunction/physiopathology* ; Kidney/physiopathology* ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Heart/physiopathology*

This study aimed to investigate the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects of atractylon on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. Changes in lung function parameters were measured in mice after intraperitoneal administration of atractylon. Pathological changes in lung tissue were observed by H&E staining, and the degree of pulmonary edema was assessed by the lung wet/dry weight ratio (W/D). Kit assays were used to detect changes in oxidative stress markers in mouse serum and the protein concentration in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). ELISA was employed to measure the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines in BALF and serum. Western blot was used to detect the expression levels of proteins related to the cGAS-STING pathway and vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) in lung tissue. Results showed that, compared to the ALI model group, mice in the low-dose and high-dose atractylon groups exhibited significant improvement in lung function parameters, alleviated pulmonary edema, and reduced inflammatory cell infiltration in lung tissue. Protein content and inflammatory cytokine levels in serum and BALF were decreased, while serum oxidative stress indicators were improved. Western blot results further indicated that atractylon could regulate the cGAS-STING pathway, blocking the generation of inflammatory signals, and simultaneously inhibit VCAM-1 expression, thereby reducing pulmonary vascular injury. The results suggest that atractylon may alleviate LPS-induced ALI by modulating the cGAS-STING signaling pathway, reducing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and the production of pro-inflammatory mediators, and improving vascular endothelial injury. This study provides a new potential target and theoretical basis for the treatment of ALI, as well as a potential drug candidate for ALI therapy.

Clinical chemotherapy for prostate cancer is still compromised by high treatment thresholds and severe off-target toxicity of drugs. Given the limited progress in improving therapeutic outcomes and reducing toxicity with the existing toolbox, efforts to broaden the chemotherapeutic window are highly desired. Here, we discover that gossypol (GSP, a natural compound) dramatically enhances the chemosensitivity of cabazitaxel (CTX), even at previously ineffective concentrations. Based on this interesting finding, we exploit a carrier-free chemotherapeutic nano-booster for prostate cancer treatment, which is molecularly co-assembled by GSP and cabazitaxel (CTX). GSP not only readily forms nanoassembly with CTX, but also functions as a chemotherapeutic enhancer that unlocks an ultra-low-dose chemotherapeutic window. Not only that, precise dual-drug nanoassembly confers CTX a significantly larger maximum tolerable dose. As expected, the nano-booster exerts striking therapeutic benefits in mouse prostate tumor xenograft models. This study advances chemotherapeutic window expansion and self-sensitized chemotherapy toward clinical applicability.

Varicocele is a common disease of the male reproductive system, and the pampiniform plexus in the spermatic cord manifests abnormal dilatation, extension, and circuity, which is a vasculopathy. In this article, we believe that the relevance of the essence chamber collaterals to the spermatic vein in terms of anatomical morphology and physiological function is high and that when pathogenic qi invades the essence chamber, the qi and collaterals of the essence chamber are out of harmony, the fluid collaterals are impassable, and the blood collaterals are obstrcuted, and the essence chamber collaterals are blockaded with several pathological products, and even intermingled phlegm and blood stasis in the blood collaterals and form vascular clusters, resulting in the formation and development of varicocele. Based on this, this article proposes the core treatment principle of healing, harmonizing, activating, and dredging the collaterals, with the basic treatment method of nourishing qi and harmonizing collaterals, activating blood collaterals, and dredging blood stasis to, respectively treat degree Ⅰ, Ⅱ, and Ⅲ varicocele, aiming to prevent the change of the varicocele, dredge the curvature of the varicocele, and dissipate the knots of the varicocele. The proposal of essence chamber collaterals is of great significance to understanding the common law and pathological aspects of the occurrence and development of essence collateral and vascular lesions from the perspective of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

In-depth study of the components of polymyxins is the key to controlling the quality of this class of antibiotics. Similarities and variations of components present significant analytical challenges. A two-dimensional (2D) liquid chromatography-mass spectrometr (LC-MS) method was established for screening and comprehensive profiling of compositions of the antibiotic colistimethate sodium (CMS). A high concentration of phosphate buffer mobile phase was used in the first-dimensional LC system to get the components well separated. For efficient and high-accuracy screening of CMS, a targeted method based on a self-constructed high resolution (HR) mass spectrum database of CMS components was established. The database was built based on the commercial MassHunter Personal Compound Database and Library (PCDL) software and its accuracy of the compound matching result was verified with six known components before being applied to genuine sample screening. On this basis, the unknown peaks in the CMS chromatograms were deduced and assigned. The molecular formula, group composition, and origins of a total of 99 compounds, of which the combined area percentage accounted for more than 95% of CMS components, were deduced by this 2D-LC-MS method combined with the MassHunter PCDL. This profiling method was highly efficient and could distinguish hundreds of components within 3 h, providing reliable results for quality control of this kind of complex drugs.

In-depth study of the components of polymyxins is the key to controlling the quality of this class of antibiotics.Similarities and variations of components present significant analytical challenges.A two-dimensional(2D)liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry(LC-MS)method was established for screening and comprehensive profiling of compositions of the antibiotic colistimethate sodium(CMS).A high concentration of phosphate buffer mobile phase was used in the first-dimensional LC system to get the components well separated.For efficient and high-accuracy screening of CMS,a targeted method based on a self-constructed high resolution(HR)mass spectrum database of CMS components was established.The database was built based on the commercial MassHunter Personal Compound Database and Library(PCDL)software and its accuracy of the compound matching result was verified with six known components before being applied to genuine sample screening.On this basis,the unknown peaks in the CMS chromatograms were deduced and assigned.The molecular formula,group composition,and origins of a total of 99 compounds,of which the combined area percentage accounted for more than 95％of CMS components,were deduced by this 2D-LC-MS method combined with the MassHunter PCDL.This profiling method was highly efficient and could distinguish hundreds of components within 3 h,providing reliable results for quality control of this kind of complex drugs.

Objective:To investigate the incidence of hearing loss among helicopter flying personnel, and to analyze the contributing factors.Methods:Basic data of 443 male helicopter flying personnel who received physical examinations at Beidaihe Rehabilitation and Recuperation Center of PLA between March and June 2024 was collected. The hearing threshold levels were measured at 8 frequencies: 250, 500, 1 000, 2 000, 3 000, 4 000, 6 000 and 8 000 Hz. Routine blood tests and blood biochemical tests were performed. Based on the results of pure-tone audiometry, the participants were divided into 2 groups: the hearing loss group (hearing threshold ≤20 dB HL) and the normal hearing group (hearing threshold >20 dB HL). The basic data, routine blood results, and blood biochemical indicators were compared between the 2 groups before the contributors to hearing loss were analyzed.Results:A total of 443 helicopter flying personnel were included in the study, with 82 cases (18.51%) in the hearing loss group and 361 cases (81.49%) in the normal hearing group. There were significant differences in age and pulse between the flying personnel in the 2 groups ( t=2.13, 2.78, P=0.034, 0.006). Among the blood routine indicators, only the mean platelet volume (MPV) was significantly different ( t=2.26, P=0.025). Among the blood biochemical indicators, only homocysteine (HCY) revealed statistically significant difference ( Z=2.30, P=0.021). The determinants of hearing loss in helicopter flying personnel were age ( OR=1.046, 95% CI: 1.060-1.361), pulse ( OR=1.201, 95% CI: 1.060-1.361), MPV ( OR=1.365, 95% CI: 1.016-1.834) and HCY ( OR=1.065, 95% CI: 1.033-1.097). Conclusions:Age, pulse, the MPV and HCY levels can all contribute to hearing loss, and the MPV and HCY can serve as potential biomarkers for hearing loss in helicopter flying personnel. Potential hearing loss should be detected early and personalized interventions should be implemented. Noise exposure should be monitored more rigorously to reduce the risk of occupational hearing loss for helicopter flying personnel and ensure flight safety.

The shortage of donor organs is the primary factor limiting the availability of liver transplantation (LT) and is a leading cause of death among patients on the waiting list. The reuse of liver allografts, while rare, represents a significant and unconventional donor resource, offering a promising strategy to expand the donor pool. This approach has been documented in international literature, demonstrating favorable surgical outcomes and long-term follow-up results. Here, we report the first case of liver allograft reuse in the Liver Transplantation Center, Department of General Surgery, Huashan Hospital, Fudan University. In this case, the first recipient underwent orthotopic LT for acute liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy. However, their condition deteriorated on the seventh postoperative day, culminating in brain death. Following evaluation and maintenance, the liver allograft was successfully re-transplanted into a second recipient, who had undergone LT six days earlier but experienced acute hepatic artery embolism leading to rapid liver function deterioration. The second recipient's liver function recovered smoothly after surgery, and they were discharged on the 28th postoperative day. This case highlights the significant value of liver allograft reuse in expanding the donor pool and providing life-saving options for critically ill patients requiring urgent LT.

Knee adduction moment(KAM)is a key biomechanical index in knee joint biomechanics research,which is closely related to the occurrence and development of knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Therefore,understanding the factors influencing KAM is important for the diagnosis and treatment of KOA diseases.This review summarizes the factors that may affect KAM based on relevant research.

Objective:To detect the expression of autophagy-related genes (ATGs) involved in the late stage of autophagy in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS), analyze the difference and explore its possible clinical significance.Methods:① Peripheral blood specimens and clinical data were collected from 90 AS patients (AS group) who attended the outpatient clinic of the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College from March 2022 to August 2023, among which 30 patients were treated with secukinumab monoclonal antibody for 24 weeks (the treatment group), and clinical data and peripheral blood specimens from 45 healthy individuals (the HC group) who had medical checkups in the Affiliated Hospital of Chuanbei Medical College during the same period were used as the control group. As the control group, the mRNA expression levels of six ATGs (ATG5, ATG7, LC3-Ⅱ, ATG4B, ATG2A, ATG10) involved in the late autophagy stage were detected in PBMCs of peripheral blood specimens by RT-qPCR, and were compared among different groups, and the measured data conformed to the normal distribution were analyzed using the paired t-test, and the abnormal distribution date were analyzed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used for measurement data, and Spearman correlation analysis was used for correlation analysis. ② Receiver operating curve (ROC) was used to verify the difference in the expression of ATGs in the late stage of autophagy between AS group and HC group to evaluate its value in the diagnosis of AS and the inflammatory state of the disease. Results:① Compared with the HC group, ATG2A [2.00(1.10, 2.70)×10 -3, 7.50(4.60, 10.0)×10 -3, Z=-6.67, P<0.001], ATG5 [3.60 (2.30, 5.30)×10 -3, 7.20(5.50, 9.20)×10 -3, Z=-3.63, P=0.001], LC3Ⅱ[25.70(8.50, 35.00)×10 -3, 52.20(45.00, 69.10)×10 -3, Z=-5.87, P<0.001] and ATG7[5.50(3.20, 8.10)×10 -3, 8.30(5.20, 9.80)×10 -3, Z=-2.38, P=0.017] the mRNA expressions were significantly decreased in the AS group. ②ATG5 mRNA expression was negatively correlated with platelet count ( r=-0.35, P=0.008), LC3-Ⅱ was negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate ( r=-0.33, P=0.017), ATG7 was positively correlated with absolute basophil count ( r=0.33, P=0.011),ATG10 was negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate and C-reactive protein (CRP) was negatively correlated ( r=-0.30, P=0.032). ③ The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of ATG2A mRNA expression level for predicting AS was 0.910, and the sensitivity and specificity were 94.6% and 83.8% respectively. ④ After 24 weeks of treatment with secukinumab, the mRNA expression levels of ATG2A[2.00(1.20, 2.90)×10 -3, 4.90(0.10, 7.40)×10 -3, Z=-3.75, P<0.001] and LC3-Ⅱ[2.00(1.20, 2.90)×10 -3, 4.90(0.10, 7.40)×10 -3, Z=-3.75, P<0.001]were elevated in the AS patients. Conclusion:Late autophagy-related genes ATG2A, ATG5, LC3II, ATG7 may be involved in AS development.The AUC of ATG2A in AS is 0.91, suggesting that ATG2a is expected to be a biological indicator for early diagnosis of AS. Secukinumab may be involved in the regulation of autophagy by affecting the expression of late autophagy genes, but the specific mechanism needs to be further explored.