ObjectiveTo investigate the optimal ratio of goat horn replacing antelope horn in Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills and the blood pressure-lowering mechanism of this medicine. MethodsThe blood pressure-lowering efficacy of Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills with varying proportions of goat horn replacing antelope horn was evaluated on spontaneous hypertensive rats （SHR）. In this experiment， 50 SHR rats were randomly grouped as follows： model （n=8）， captopril （0.01 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， low-dose blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.342 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， high-dose blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.684 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， low-dose antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.378 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， high-dose antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.756 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， low-dose goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.378 g·kg^-1） （n=6）， and high-dose goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.756 g·kg^-1） （n=6）. Additionally， 8 WKY rats were used as the normal group. Drugs were administered by gavage for 4 weeks while an equal volume of distilled water was administered for the normal and model groups. Blood pressure was measured before administration， 3 h post administration， and biweekly thereafter. In the experiment for Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills with goat horn replacing antelope horn in different proportions， 48 SHR rats were randomly grouped as follows： model， blank Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.684 g·kg^-1）， antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.756 g·kg^-1）， 2× goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.824 g·kg^-1）， 4× goat horn Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （0.969 g·kg^-1）， and 6× goat horn Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills （1.112 g·kg^-1）. The normal group included 8 WKY rats， and the normal group and model group received an equal volume of distilled water. The treatment lasted for 2 weeks， and blood pressure was recorded at various time points （pre-administration， 3 h post administration， and on days 4， 7， 10， and 14 of administration）. Serum levels of angiotensin-converting enzyme （ACE）， angiotensin Ⅱ（Ang Ⅱ）， renin， and interleukin-6 （IL-6） were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Histopathological changes in the heart， kidney， and thoracic aorta were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The protein levels of ACE2， angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor （AT1R）， and angiotensinogen （AGT） in the kidney tissue were determined by Western blot， while the expression of nuclear factor （NF）-κB p65 and Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4） in the thoracic aorta tissue was assessed by immunohistochemistry. ResultsCompared with the model group， all treatment groups showed lowered blood pressure （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the 6× goat horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills group showed consistent blood pressure-lowering effect with the antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills group. Compared with the normal group， the model group showed elevated serum levels of ACE， Ang Ⅱ， renin， and IL-6， while the elevations were declined in the Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Pathological changes in the heart， kidney， and thoracic aorta were alleviated in all the treatment groups， with the 6× goat horn- and antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups exhibited the best effect. Western blot and immunohistochemistry results showed that all the treatment groups exhibited down-regulated protein levels of AT1R， AGT， NF-κB p65， and TLR4 and up-regulated protein levels of ACE2 （P<0.05， P<0.01） compared with model group， with the 6×goat horn- and antelope horn-containing Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills groups showcasing the best effect. ConclusionReplacing antelope horn with 6×goat horn in Fufang Lingjiao Jiangya pills can achieve consistent blood pressure-lowering effect with the original prescription. The prescription may exert the effect by inhibiting the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system （RAAS） and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways.

[Objective] To compare the characteristics of platelet-rich plasma derived exosomes (PRP-Exos) under different activation conditions and their differential effects on the proliferation capacit of human microvascular endothelial cells (HMEC-1) and human skin fibroblasts (BJ). [Methods] Ten healthy volunteers were recruited, and 10 mL of venous blood anticoagulated with EDTA-K2 was collected. PRP-Exos were prepared and extracted by the secondary centrifugation method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA), and Western blotting (WB) detection techniques were used to compare the morphological characteristics, particle size distribution, concentration, and the expression of surface marker proteins of PRP-Exos. Through in vitro cell culture, the differences in morphological changes and proliferation abilities of HMEC-1 and BJ cells induced by PRP-Exos in different activator groups were compared. [Results] 1) TEM observation showed that the morphologies of PRP-Exos in different activator groups were different. 2) NTA analysis showed that compared with the particle size of (109.60±2.71) nm in the normal saline group, the particle sizes of the thrombin group [(104.93±1.55) nm] and the mixed agent group [(103.83±1.58) nm] were relatively smaller, while the particle size of the calcium gluconate group [(113.57±4.70) nm] was larger and its particle size distribution range was wider. There were statistically significant differences among different groups (F=7.019, P<0.05). The concentration of exosomes obtained in the group with the mixture of calcium gluconate and thrombin was the highest [(4.87±0.63)×10⁶ particles/mL, P<0.001]. Both the thrombin group [(2.75±0.13)×10⁶ particles/mL, P < 0.01] and the calcium gluconate group [(3.82±0.06)×10⁶ particles/mL, P<0.001] obtained higher concentrations of exosomes compared with the normal saline group. The concentration in the calcium gluconate group was slightly higher than that in the thrombin group, and there was a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.05). 3) WB analysis showed that CD41, CD81, and TSG101 were expressed on the surface of PRP-Exos, and the protein signal intensities of CD41 and TSG101 in the group with the mixture of thrombin and calcium gluconate were the strongest (P<0.001). 4) The results of in vitro cell culture showed that PRP-Exos in the group with the mixture of thrombin and calcium gluconate could significantly promote the proliferation of HMEC-1 and BJ cells (P<0.05). [Conclusion] The PRP treated with the thrombin and calcium gluconate mixture group yielded the highest concentration of exosomes; under in vitro culture conditions, PRP-Exos from this group significantly promoted the proliferation of HMEC-1 and BJ cells.

Circadian rhythm disruption is a universal phenomenon that is associated with a combination of internal and external factors, with internal factors referring to disturbances in the intrinsic regulatory mechanisms of sleep-wake behavior, and external factors including changes in sleep habits, severe sleep deprivation, shift work, social jet lag, prolonged exposure to nighttime light, and late nighttime eating. Shift work, as a common occupational factor, can lead to disruption of the central/ peripheral biological clock which regulates the expression of almost the entire genome, and the disruption of the biological clock can lead to genetic variants, hormonal secretion abnormalities, insulin resistance, oxidative stress, and systemic inflammation, which are risk factors for obesity. In the context of rapid advancement of global economy and industrialization, the prevalence of simple obesity in the traditional cognitive category is increasing in a linear trend, while the incidence of abdominal obesity, which is closely related to metabolic disorders, is also showing an increasing trend. In recent years, the mechanism of circadian rhythm disorder and obesity associated with shift work has attracted much attention, and this article summarized the latest research progress, aiming to provide a basis for the prevention and treatment of obesity caused by circadian rhythm disruption due to shift work.

Objective To investigate the influence of different cell structures on the static and dynamic mechanical performance of porous titanium alloy scaffolds,and to provide a theoretical mechanical basis for the application of scaffolds in the repair of mandibular bone defects.Methods Porous titanium alloy scaffolds with diamond,cubic,and cross-sectional cubic cell structures were manufactured using three-dimensional printing technology.Uniaxial compression tests and ratcheting fatigue with compression load tests were conducted to analyze the static and dynamic mechanical performances of scaffolds with different cell structures.Results The elastic moduli of the diamond cell,cross-sectional cubic cell,and cubic cell scaffolds were 1.17,0.566,and 0.322 GPa,respectively,and the yield strengths were 71.8,65.1,and 31.8 MPa,respectively.After reaching the stable stage,the ratcheting strains of the cross-sectional cubic,diamond,and cubic cell scaffolds were 3.3%,4.0%,and 4.5%,respectively.The ratcheting strain increased with increasing average stress,stress amplitude,and peak holding time,and decreased with increasing loading rate.Conclusions The evaluation results of the static mechanical performance showed that the diamond cell scaffold was the best,followed by the cross-sectional cubic cell scaffold and the cubic cell scaffold.The evaluation results of the dynamic mechanical performance showed that the cross-sectional cubic cell scaffold performed the best,followed by the diamond cell scaffold,whereas the cubic cell scaffold performed the worst.The fatigue performance of the scaffold is affected by the loading conditions.These results provide new insights for scaffold construction for the repair of mandibular bone defects and provide an experimental basis for further clinical applications of this scaffold technology.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism underlying the inhibitory effect of quercetin against testicular oxidative damage induced by a mixture of 3 commonly used phthalates (MPEs) in rats. METHODS: Forty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, MPEs exposure group, and MPEs with low-, median- and high-dose quercetin treatment groups. For MPEs exposure, the rats were subjected to intragastric administration of MPEs at the daily dose of 900 mg/kg for 30 consecutive days; Quercetin treatments were administered in the same manner at the daily dose of 10, 30, and 90 mg/kg. After the treatments, serum levels of testosterone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), and testicular malondialdeyhde (MDA), catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected, and testicular pathologies of the rats were observed with HE staining. The expressions of nuclear factor-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), Kelch-like ECH2 associated protein 1 (Keap1) and heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) in the testis were detected using immunofluorescence assay and Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the rats with MPEs exposure showed significant reductions of the anogenital distance, weight of the testis and epididymis, and the coefficients of the testis and epididymis with lowered serum testosterone, LH and FSH levels (P < 0.05). Testicular histological examination revealed atrophy of the seminiferous tubules, spermatogenic arrest, and hyperplasia of the Leydig cells in MPEs-exposed rats. MPEs exposure also caused significant increments of testicular Nrf2, MDA, SOD, CAT and HO-1 expressions and lowered testicular Keap1 expression (P < 0.05). Treatment with quercetin at the median and high doses significantly ameliorated the pathological changes induced by MPEs exposure (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION Quercetin treatment inhibits MPEs-induced oxidative testicular damage in rats possibly by direct scavenging of free radicals to lower testicular oxidative stress and restore the regulation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Testis ; Quercetin/pharmacology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/metabolism* ; Kelch-Like ECH-Associated Protein 1/metabolism* ; Oxidative Stress ; Testosterone/pharmacology* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism* ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; Luteinizing Hormone

Objective To analyze the etiological characteristics and the variation of pathogens spectrum in hospitalized children with a-cute respiratory tract infection(ARTI)before and after COVID-19 under"the level B of management for class B"of infectious diseases(Level B for Class B)in Shenzhen,in order to provide reference for the clinical diagnosis,treatment and prevention of ARTI.Meth-ods The ARTI cases from January 8,2022 to July 30,2022 were selected as before"Level B for Class B",and the cases from Janu-ary 8,2023 to July 30,2023 were selected as after"Level B for Class B".The pharyngeal swab samples submitted for analyzing 11 common pathogens,such as COVID-19,influenza virus(Ⅳ),respiratory syncytial virus(RSV)and mycoplasma pneumoniae(MP)in the children with ARTI admitted to Shenzhen Children's Hospital.Results SARS-CoV-2 were detected as positive in 347 cases,a-mong which 225 cases were before"Level B for Class B"including 29 cases combined with other pathogens(12.89％,29/225)and human parainfluenza viruses(HPIV)was the most common(31.03％,9/29).After"Level B for Class B",SARS-CoV-2 were detec-ted as positive in 122 cases,including 28 cases combined with other pathogens(22.95％,28/122),and RSV was the most common(28.57％,8/28).There was a statistical difference between the positive rate of SARS-CoV-2 combined with other pathogens before and after"Level B for Class B"(X2=5.834,P=0.016).After"Level B for Class B",the total pathogen detection rate(positive for at least one pathogen)was 60.82％(2 864/4 709)in the spring(January 8,2023 to April 30,2023),and influenza virus A(IVA)(22.64％,1 066/4 709),rhinovirus(HRV)(19.86％,935/4 709)and RSV(13.29％,626/4 709)were the main pathogens,and there were 301 cases(6.39％,301/4 709)of mixed infections.In the summer(May 1,2023 to July 30,2023),the total detection rate of pathogens was 70.26％(4 012/5 710),among which RSV(21.63％,1 235/5 710),MP(13.91％,794/5 710),HPIV(10.05％,574/5 710)were the main pathogens,and there were 710 cases(12.43％,710/5 710)of mixed infections,all of which were significantly higher than the same period before"Level B for Class B".The difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion After"Level B for Class B"for COVID-19,the detection rate of 11 common pathogens increased significantly and the pathogen spectrum of ARTI changed significantly.

【Objective】 To investigate the changes in cellular immunity (peripheral blood lymphocyte subsets) and humoral immunity (serum immunoglobulin and ferritin) status among children with thalassemia who received repeated transfusions in Yunnan. 【Methods】 Forty-six children with thalassemia who underwent repeated blood transfusions from January 2020 to October 2022 were selected as the observation group. Forty children with thalassemia who did not receive blood transfusion were included in control group 1, and 46 healthy children underwent physical examination were included in control group 2. The differences in lymphocyte subsets, serum immunoglobulin levels and ferritin concentrations were compared among the three groups. 【Results】 For lymphocyte subsets: CD3⁺, CD4⁺ and CD4⁺/CD8⁺ in the observation group was lower than the control group 1 and 2: 57.60±8.36 vs 64.57±7.56 vs 66.58±5.65, 33.16±5.67 vs 38.62±8.36 vs 38.62±6.41 and 1.49±0.09 vs 2.32±0.15 vs 2.13±0.16, respectively; CD16⁺ CD56⁺ in the observation group was lower than the control group 2: 11.21±5.06 vs 16.70±7.92; CD8⁺ in the observation group was higher than control group 1 and control group 2: 26.63± 1.75 vs 20.60±1.43 vs 18.92±0.84; CD19⁺ in the observation group was higher than the control group 2: 24.06±6.42 vs 19.67 ±8.42, P<0.05, but no significant difference was noticed between the two control groups(P>0.05). For serum immunoglobulin and ferritin: IgG and ferritin in the observation group were higher than control group 1 and control group 2: 10.59±3.88 vs 7.02±3.88 vs 5.58±1.98 and 2 037.37±1 377.59 vs 72.63±56.71 vs 59.48±33.88. IgA in the observation group was higher than the control group 2: 1.06±0.92 vs 0.39±0.32(P<0.05), but no significant difference was noticed between the two control groups (P>0.05). The difference of IgM and IgE between the three groups was not significant (P > 0. 05). 【Conclusion】 The proportion of lymphocyte subsets in thalassemia children with repeated blood transfusion was imbalanced,and the level of immunoglobulin in humoral immunity was abnormal.

【Objective】 To share the experience of autologous platelet-rich plasma(PRP) combined therapy in successful treatment of refractory osteomyelitis with fractures in children. 【Methods】 One case of refractory osteomyelitis with fracture in children failed to respond to traditional treatment for more than 14 months. A total of 20 mL of whole blood was collected from the child, and 6 mL of PRP with 4 to 5 times concentration was prepared by secondary centrifugation. To prepare 2 cm×2 cm platelet concentrate gel (PG), 3 mL of PRP was mixed with a 0.3 mL activator which was then covered with an absorbable dressing. A three-way tube sprayed the remaining 3 mL of PRP and 0.3 mL activator into the surrounding tissues. 【Results】 The X-ray film of the patient followed up for 1 week showed that the fracture line was blurred, and the fracture end had obvious callus formation. The X-ray film reexamination at 4 months showed that the fracture end healed well, the fracture surface healed, and the osteomyelitis healed. 【Conclusion】 Autologous PRP has a good effect in the treatment of refractory osteomyelitis combined with fracture in children, which can provide a new method for clinical treatment.

Objective:To observe the effect of methylphenidate hydrochloride (MPH) combined with mentalization-based family therapy (MBFT) on clinical efficacy and social function in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).Methods:Sixty-four children with ADHD diagnosed in Wuxi Children's Hospital and Affiliated Hospital of Jiangnan University from June 2019 to May 2021 were selected and divided into observation group ( n=32) and control group ( n=32) according to the random number table.Children in both groups received methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets, while those in the observation group were given additional MBFT.The duration of treatment was 12 weeks in both groups.The parent symptom questionnaire (PSQ), swanson nolan and pelham-version Ⅳ (SNAP-Ⅳ) parent Al scale, and Weiss impairment functional scale (WFIRS-P) were used to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment.Statistical analysis was performed by SPSS 25.0 statistical software.In particular, the χ2 test was used for counting data and the paired sample t test was used for comparison of measurement data between the two groups before and after treatment. Results:(1) All the PSQ dimension scores of patients in the observation group and the control group after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment (all P<0.01). Compared with the control group after treatment, the PSQ dimension scores of personality and behavior problems ((1.25±0.15), (0.94±0.18), t=7.484, P<0.001), learning problems ((1.57±0.16), (1.32±0.20), t=5.522, P<0.001), psychosomatic disorders ((0.56±0.11), (0.44±0.13), t=3.986, P<0.001), impulse hyperactivity ((1.76±0.23), (1.54±0.25), t=3.663, P<0.001), anxiety ((0.94±0.12), (0.76±0.11), t=6.255, P<0.001) and hyperactivity index ((1.74±0.19), (1.51±0.16), t=5.238, P<0.001) decreased significantly in the observation group after treatment.(2) Compared with the pre-treatment period, the SNAP-Ⅳ scale scores of attention deficit, impulsivity-hyperactivity and oppositional defiance were significantly lower in both groups after treatment (all P<0.01); and compared with the control group, the SNAP-Ⅳ scale scores of the above three dimensions were significantly lower in the observation group (all P<0.01). (3) All six dimensions (family, learning and school, life skills, self-management, social activities, and risk-taking activities)of the WFIRS-P scale were significantly lower in the children in the observation group after treatment compared with those before treatment (all P<0.01), and all the six dimensions of the WFIRS-P scale were significantly lower in the observation group compared with those in the control group (all P<0.01). Conclusion:Methylphenidate hydrochloride extended-release tablets combined with MBFT can significantly improve the clinical symptoms and social function of children with ADHD.

The vagina contains at least a billion microbial cells,dominated by lactobacilli.Here we perform metagenomic shotgun sequencing on cervical and fecal samples from a cohort of 516 Chinese women of reproductive age,as well as cervical,fecal,and salivary samples from a second cohort of 632 women.Factors such as pregnancy history,delivery history,cesarean section,and breastfeeding were all more important than menstrual cycle in shaping the microbiome,and such information would be necessary before trying to interpret differences between vagino-cervical micro-biome data.Greater proportion of Bifidobacterium breve was seen with older age at sexual debut.The relative abundance of lactobacilli especially Lactobacillus crispatus was negatively associated with pregnancy history.Potential markers for lack of menstrual regularity,heavy flow,dysmenor-rhea,and contraceptives were also identified.Lactobacilli were rare during breastfeeding or post-menopause.Other features such as mood fluctuations and facial speckles could potentially be predicted from the vagino-cervical microbiome.Gut and salivary microbiomes,plasma vitamins,metals,amino acids,and hormones showed associations with the vagino-cervical microbiome.Our results offer an unprecedented glimpse into the microbiota of the female reproductive tract and call for international collaborations to better understand its long-term health impact other than in the settings of infection or pre-term birth.