OBJECTIVES: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), infertility rates have been steadily rising worldwide. Identifying risk factors for contrast agent reflux into the myometrium during hysterosalpingo-contrast sonography (HyCoSy) is of clinical significance in reducing this complication and improving infertility treatment. However, there is currently no standardized pre-evaluation method for predicting intra-myometrial contrast reflux, with clinical assessment often relying on physician experience and patient symptoms. This study aims to identify imaging risk factors for contrast agent reflux into the myometrium using four-dimensional (4D) HyCoSy and to construct a nomogram-based predictive model to assist in clinical decision-making. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1 274 infertile women who underwent 4D HyCoSy at the Women and Children's Hospital of Hunan and the the Third Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 1, 2020, to December 15, 2022. Patients were divided into a reflux group (n=234) and a non-reflux group (n=1 040) based on the presence of intra-myometrial contrast reflux. Univariate and multivariable Logistic regression analyses were used to identify significant predictors, which were then used to construct a nomogram model. Internal validation was performed using 500 bootstrap resamples. RESULTS: The age of the reflux group was significantly higher than that of the non-reflux group [(31.82±5.27) years vs (30.66±4.83) years, P=0.001 1]. Primary infertility was more common in the non-reflux group (50.96%), while secondary infertility dominated in the reflux group (76.50%), with 72.65% having a history of gynecological surgery (P<0.001). Abnormal menstrual volume and discomfort during the procedure were more common in the reflux group, while the non-reflux group tolerated higher contrast agent doses (P<0.001). Imaging differences included endometrial thickness, tubal wall smoothness, and peritoneal contrast dispersion, with the non-reflux group showing thicker endometrium and smoother, more patent tubes. The nomogram model yielded an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.854, indicating good predictive performance. The AUC of the decision curve analysis (DCA) for internal validation of the model was 0.737. When the threshold probability for contrast agent reflux into the myometrium ranged from 0.05 to 0.95, the maximum net benefit reached 0.18. The net benefit of applying the nomogram predictive model exceeded that of either full intervention or no intervention, indicating that the model demonstrates good clinical predictive performance. CONCLUSIONS The nomogram model, based on infertility type, endometrial thickness, contrast agent dose, and discomfort symptoms, effectively predicts intra-myometrial contrast agent reflux after 4D HyCoSy. It provides a valuable tool for clinicians to implement early preventive measures and reduce the risk of contrast leakage and associated complications.
Humans ; Female ; Nomograms ; Contrast Media/adverse effects* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Ultrasonography/methods* ; Hysterosalpingography/methods* ; Infertility, Female/diagnostic imaging* ; Myometrium/diagnostic imaging* ; Risk Factors

This paper interprets the disease name related to bi （痹） disease in traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） from the perspective of micropathological phenotypes in knee osteoarthritis （KOA）. By systematically reviewing classical TCM literature on the pathogenesis and clinical features of different subtypes such as damp-retention bi， bone bi， and tendon bi， and integrating these with current research on pathological subtypes of KOA including the synovitis type， cartilage-meniscus type， and subchondral bone type， the study explores the correlation between traditional disease terms and modern micropathological phenotypes. The author proposes subtype classifications of damp-retention bi corresponding to synovial inflammation， bone bi related to abnormal subchondral bone remodeling， and tendon bi representing cartilage and meniscus degeneration. This approach provides a microscopic biological explanation for TCM syndrome differentiation and offers new perspectives for advancing integrative diagnostic and therapeutic strategies in both Chinese and western medicine.

BACKGROUND:Iron overload is an independent factor inducing osteoporosis,but the action mechanism is currently unclear.Therefore,exploring the effects of iron overload on osteoblast-related cells will help to deeply understand the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and provide potential strategies for osteoporosis treatment.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of iron overload environment on osteoblast precursor cell activity,ferroptosis,and osteogenic differentiation.METHODS:Osteoblast precursor cells(MC3T3-E1 cells)were divided into blank group,iron overload group,fer-1 group,and deferoxamine group.The iron overload group was treated with 300 μmol/L ammonium ferric citrate in the culture medium for 48 hours to simulate the iron overload microenvironment.The cells in fer-1 group and deferoxamine group were pretreated with 5 μmol/L antioxidant fer-1 and 5 μmol/L deferoxamine for 8 hours,respectively,and then added with 300 μmol/L ammonium ferric citrate for 48 hours.CCK-8 assay was used to determine the cell viability.Intracellular reactive oxygen species levels were detected employing a reactive oxygen species fluorescent probe.Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were monitored with a mitochondrial membrane potential fluorescent probe.Mitochondrial morphology was observed employing transmission electron microscopy.Cellular glutathione levels were measured with a reduced glutathione colorimetric assay kit.Lipid peroxidation levels were assessed with a malondialdehyde colorimetric assay kit.Cellular ferrous ion levels were determined with a ferrous ion colorimetric assay kit.The osteogenic and mineralization capabilities of the cells were verified by alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining.Collagen secretion ability was detected using Sirius Red staining.The expression of osteogenic/ferroptosis-related genes and proteins was examined through reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In an iron-overload environment,the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells decreased and their structure was compromised,with an elevation in intracellular lipid peroxidation levels and a downregulation of genes and proteins associated with ferroptosis resistance.However,pretreatment with fer-1 and deferoxamine led to an increase in mitochondrial membrane potential and partial restoration of morphology,a reduction in intracellular lipid peroxidation levels,and an upregulation of genes and proteins related to ferroptosis resistance.(2)In an iron-overload environment,the levels of cellular alkaline phosphatase,the formation of mineralized nodules,and the synthesis of collagen fibers were all found to be decreased.Pretreatment with fer-1 and deferoxamine was observed to upregulate the expression of osteogenic differentiation in cells.(3)In summary,iron overload could increase intracellular oxidative stress levels,mediate ferroptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells and inhibit osteogenic differentiation,thereby inducing osteoporosis.Therefore,maintaining iron homeostasis and inhibiting osteogenesis-related ferroptosis may be potential strategies to prevent or treat osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND:Titanium implants are widely used in clinical practice because of their high strength and good biocompatibility.However,during implantation,bacterial infection and tissue damage environment produce a large number of reactive oxygen species,which can easily lead to delayed tissue healing and surgical failure.Consequently,the development of titanium implants with antimicrobial and antioxidant properties becomes paramount. OBJECTIVE:Considering the potent antimicrobial attributes of copper ions and the remarkable antioxidant qualities of polyphenols,we proposed the fabrication of polyphenol-mediated copper ion coatings on titanium surfaces.These coatings were subsequently assessed for their in vitro antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. METHODS:Nanostructures were generated on the titanium surface using the alkali thermal method.The titanium was immersed in a solution containing tannic acid and copper ions to achieve polyphenol-mediated copper ion coatings.The surface morphology and water contact angle were detected.The loading and release of copper ions were examined using atomic absorption spectroscopy.Staphylococcus aureus was inoculated on the surface of pure titanium sheet(blank group),alkali heat treated titanium sheet(control group),and polyphenol mediated copper ion modified titanium sheet(experimental group)to observe the bacterial survival status.Osteoblast precursor cells MC3T3-E1 were co-cultivated on the surface of three groups of titanium sheets to assess their antioxidant properties and bioactivity. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Scanning electron microscopy showed that the polyphenol-mediated copper ion modified titanium sheet had rod-like nanostructures and no cracks on the surface.The surface hydrophilicity of copper ion modified titanium sheet mediated by polyphenol was close to that of pure titanium sheet.Atomic absorption spectrometry results showed a 51%increase in the loading capacity of copper ions after polyphenol mediation,with a uniform release of copper ions.(2)The antibacterial rates of titanium sheets in the blank group,control group,and experimental group were 0%,21.65%,and 93.75%,respectively.The live/dead staining and CTC staining showed that the live bacteria on the surface of titanium plates in the blank group were the most,and the live bacteria on the surface of titanium plates in the experimental group were the least.(3)The results of live/dead staining and CCK-8 assay showed that the three groups of titanium sheets had good cytocompatibility,and the titanium sheets in the experimental group were more conducive to the proliferation of MC3T3-E1 cells.Active oxygen fluorescence probe detection exhibited that compared with the other two groups,the fluorescence intensity of active oxygen on the surface of the experimental group was significantly reduced.The results of alkaline phosphatase and alizarin red S staining showed that the osteogenic differentiation and extracellular matrix mineralization of MC3T3-E1 cells on the surface of titanium sheets in the experimental group were stronger than those in the other two groups.(4)These results show that the polyphenol-mediated copper ion coating has strong antibacterial and antioxidant properties and promotes osteogenic differentiation.

Objective:To explore the activation characteristics and synergistic mode of lumbar and abdominal core muscle group during abdominal breathing training.Method:Thirty-two healthy college students were recruited and randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group with 16 cases in each group.The control group received stan-pile training,while the experimental group received abdominal breathing and stan-pile training 5 times a week for 8 weeks.The sur-face electromyography of the lumbar and abdominal core muscles was collected before and after the interven-tion.Non-negative matrix factorization(NMF)was used to extract extract muscle synergy patterns from the EMG data.Result:In terms of cooperative elements,the number of cooperative elements increased after intervention in both groups compared with baseline,but there was no significant difference in the number of cooperative ele-ments between the two groups before intervention(P>0.05),and there was a significant difference in the num-ber of cooperative elements after intervention(P<0.05).In terms of cooperative patterns,the cooperative pat-terns before intervention in the two groups were similar.After intervention,the cooperative patterns in the two groups were different,the control group showed coactivation of the right transversus abdominis,left internal oblique,right erector spinae,and bilateral multifidus throughout the breathing cycle.In contrast,the experimen-tal group exhibited pronounced activation of bilateral erector spinae and multifidus during inhalation,and bilater-al transversus abdominis,left external oblique,and left erector spinae during exhalation.The activation curves before intervention in the two groups were similar,and the activation curves after intervention in the two groups trended towards slowing down,with the time feature of the activation curve in the experimental group being more obvious.Conclusion:Abdominal breathing training can increase the number of cooperative tuples of the waist and abdo-men muscles,and the muscles perform efficient division of labor after training to form an adaptive coopera-tive mode.

BACKGROUND:Iron overload is an independent factor inducing osteoporosis,but the action mechanism is currently unclear.Therefore,exploring the effects of iron overload on osteoblast-related cells will help to deeply understand the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and provide potential strategies for osteoporosis treatment.OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects of iron overload environment on osteoblast precursor cell activity,ferroptosis,and osteogenic differentiation.METHODS:Osteoblast precursor cells(MC3T3-E1 cells)were divided into blank group,iron overload group,fer-1 group,and deferoxamine group.The iron overload group was treated with 300 μmol/L ammonium ferric citrate in the culture medium for 48 hours to simulate the iron overload microenvironment.The cells in fer-1 group and deferoxamine group were pretreated with 5 μmol/L antioxidant fer-1 and 5 μmol/L deferoxamine for 8 hours,respectively,and then added with 300 μmol/L ammonium ferric citrate for 48 hours.CCK-8 assay was used to determine the cell viability.Intracellular reactive oxygen species levels were detected employing a reactive oxygen species fluorescent probe.Changes in mitochondrial membrane potential were monitored with a mitochondrial membrane potential fluorescent probe.Mitochondrial morphology was observed employing transmission electron microscopy.Cellular glutathione levels were measured with a reduced glutathione colorimetric assay kit.Lipid peroxidation levels were assessed with a malondialdehyde colorimetric assay kit.Cellular ferrous ion levels were determined with a ferrous ion colorimetric assay kit.The osteogenic and mineralization capabilities of the cells were verified by alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining.Collagen secretion ability was detected using Sirius Red staining.The expression of osteogenic/ferroptosis-related genes and proteins was examined through reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In an iron-overload environment,the mitochondrial membrane potential of cells decreased and their structure was compromised,with an elevation in intracellular lipid peroxidation levels and a downregulation of genes and proteins associated with ferroptosis resistance.However,pretreatment with fer-1 and deferoxamine led to an increase in mitochondrial membrane potential and partial restoration of morphology,a reduction in intracellular lipid peroxidation levels,and an upregulation of genes and proteins related to ferroptosis resistance.(2)In an iron-overload environment,the levels of cellular alkaline phosphatase,the formation of mineralized nodules,and the synthesis of collagen fibers were all found to be decreased.Pretreatment with fer-1 and deferoxamine was observed to upregulate the expression of osteogenic differentiation in cells.(3)In summary,iron overload could increase intracellular oxidative stress levels,mediate ferroptosis in MC3T3-E1 cells and inhibit osteogenic differentiation,thereby inducing osteoporosis.Therefore,maintaining iron homeostasis and inhibiting osteogenesis-related ferroptosis may be potential strategies to prevent or treat osteoporosis.

Objective:To explore the activation characteristics and synergistic mode of lumbar and abdominal core muscle group during abdominal breathing training.Method:Thirty-two healthy college students were recruited and randomly divided into the control group and the experimental group with 16 cases in each group.The control group received stan-pile training,while the experimental group received abdominal breathing and stan-pile training 5 times a week for 8 weeks.The sur-face electromyography of the lumbar and abdominal core muscles was collected before and after the interven-tion.Non-negative matrix factorization(NMF)was used to extract extract muscle synergy patterns from the EMG data.Result:In terms of cooperative elements,the number of cooperative elements increased after intervention in both groups compared with baseline,but there was no significant difference in the number of cooperative ele-ments between the two groups before intervention(P>0.05),and there was a significant difference in the num-ber of cooperative elements after intervention(P<0.05).In terms of cooperative patterns,the cooperative pat-terns before intervention in the two groups were similar.After intervention,the cooperative patterns in the two groups were different,the control group showed coactivation of the right transversus abdominis,left internal oblique,right erector spinae,and bilateral multifidus throughout the breathing cycle.In contrast,the experimen-tal group exhibited pronounced activation of bilateral erector spinae and multifidus during inhalation,and bilater-al transversus abdominis,left external oblique,and left erector spinae during exhalation.The activation curves before intervention in the two groups were similar,and the activation curves after intervention in the two groups trended towards slowing down,with the time feature of the activation curve in the experimental group being more obvious.Conclusion:Abdominal breathing training can increase the number of cooperative tuples of the waist and abdo-men muscles,and the muscles perform efficient division of labor after training to form an adaptive coopera-tive mode.

Objective To investigate the effects of abdominal massage combined with electroacupuncture point-through-point method on the expressions of circadian clock genes of Clock,BMAL1,PER1 and neurotransmitters contents of ACh and Glu in insomnia rats and its possible mechanism.Methods Totally 50 SD male rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,abdominal massage group,electroacupuncture point-through-point group and combination group,with 10 rats in each group.Except for the normal group,an insomnia rat model was established by intraperitoneal injection of p-chlorophenylalanine.Abdominal massage group received abdominal massage;electroacupuncture point-through-point group was treated with flat acupuncture,"Baihui"through"Shenting","Sanyinjiao"through"Yinlingquan"(bilateral),"Shenmen"through"Neiguan"(bilateral),the electroacupuncture instrument dilatational wave,frequency of 1 Hz/20 Hz was connected;the combination group was treated with electroacupuncture through acupoints after abdominal massage;1 time/d for each treatment group,a total of 7 days.The normal group and model group were not intervened.HE staining was used to observe the pathological changes of neurons in hypothalamic tissue,the expression of Clock,BMAL1 and PER1 mRNA were detected by RT-qPCR,the expressions of Clock,BMAL1 and PER1 in hypothalamic tissue were detected by immunohistochemical staining,the expression of Clock,BMAL1 and PER1 protein in hypothalamic tissue were detected by Western blot,the contents of ACh and Glu in serum were detected by ELISA.Results Compared with the normal group,the model group rats had a longer sleep latency,shorter sleep duration,severe damage to the cellular structure of the hypothalamic tissue,and a vacuolar like change,with a decrease in the number of neuronal cells,the expressions of Clock and BMAL1 mRNA and protein in hypothalamic tissue increased,while the expressions of PER1 mRNA and protein decreased;the contents of serum ACh and Glu increased,with statistical significance(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the abdominal massage group,electroacupuncture point-through-point group,and combination group could all shorten the sleep latency,prolong sleep duration,and improve the morphology of hypothalamic neurons,reduce the expressions of Clock and BMAL1 mRNA and protein in hypothalamic tissue,up-regulate the expressions of PER1 mRNA and protein,and reduce the contents of serum ACh and Glu,with statistical significance(P<0.05),the combination group showed the most obvious effects(P<0.05).Conclusion Abdominal massage combined with electroacupuncture point-through-point method can improve insomnia.Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of circadian clock genes Clock,BMAL1,PER1 mRNA and protein expression,as well as neurotransmitter content.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Yanggan Anhun Decoction in the treatment of insomnia with liver failing in storing soul type based on network pharmacological methods;To perform animal model validation.Methods The drug components and targets of Yanggan Anhun Decoction were retrieved from TCMSP and BATMAN-TCM databases,and the targets of insomnia with liver failure store soul type were retrieved from GeneCards,NCBI and DisGeNET databases.By constructing a protein-protein interaction(PPI)network and analyzing GO and KEGG pathway enrichment,the signaling pathway of Yanggan Anxin Decoction in treating insomnia with liver failing in storing soul type was determined,and molecular docking was performed between the main active components and core targets.24 SD rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,TCM group and Western medicine group,with 6 rats in each group.The insomnia model rats with liver failing in storing soul type were constructed by compound multi factor stimulation method,and were given drugs for 14 days.The cognitive memory ability of rats were detected by Morris water maze test;Nissl staining was used to observe the morphology and number of Nissl bodies in the hypothalamus of rats;serum IL-6 and TNF-α contents were detected by ELISA;IL-6 and TNF-α in hypothalamus and Bcl-2,Bax protein expression levels of rats were detected by immunohistochemistry.The relative expressions of p38 MAPK,p-p38 MAPK,Bcl-2,Bax proteins in the hypothalamus of rats were detected by Western blot.Results A total of 301 active components,321 potential targets and 92 key targets were obtained.Key active components such as quercetin,kaempferol,luteolin,wogonin,sebiferic acid and β-sitosterol,as well as core targets such as MAPK,IL6 and TNF were obtained after screening.The key targets mainly focused on various signaling pathways such as TNF signaling pathway,MAPK signaling pathway,PI3K-Akt signaling pathway,dopaminergic synapse,and neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction,etc.Kaempferol,quercetin,digitonin and other flavonoids had good binding activity and stability with MAPK,TNF,IL6 and showed good affinity.The results of animal experiments showed that,compared with the normal group,the cognitive memory ability of the model group decreased(P<0.05),Nissl bodies were stained shallowly,the density was lower,the cell body was shrunk and deformed,the cell nucleus was broken and dissolved,and the serum and hypothalamic IL-6,TNF-α increased(P<0.05),the expressions of p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK and Bax in hypothalamus increased(P<0.05),while the expressions of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2/Bax decreased(P<0.05);compared with the model group,the cognitive memory ability of the TCM group and the Western medicine group were improved,the number of Nissl bodies significantly increased,the nucleus was clear,the cell body shrinkage and deformation were improved(P<0.05),the levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in serum and hypothalamus decreased(P<0.05),while the expressions of p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK and Bax decreased,and the expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-2/Bax increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Yanggan Anhun Decoction may play its effects in treating insomnia with liver failing in storing soul type by regulating MAPK,TNF,IL6,Bcl-2,Bax and other core targets,and interfering with p38MAPK signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the expression change of serum antioxidant markers in cranofacial herpes zoster and its relationship with clinical severity and postherpetic neuralgia(PHN).Methods Totally 109 cases of cranofacial herpes zoster(cranofacial group)and 169 cases of non-cranofacial herpes zoster(non-cranofacial grlup)hospitalized in the Department of Dermatology in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and 200 cases of health check-ups without underlying diseases(healthy control group)from January 2022 to December 2023 were selected,and the serum antioxidant markers including uric acid(UA),total bilirubin(TBIL),and albumin(ALB)of the patients in the three groups group were compared.Meanwhile,the relationship between these markers and clinical severity and PHN of cranofacial herpes zoster was assessed.Results The serum levels of UA,TBIL and ALB in the cranofacial group and non-cranofacial were significantly lower than those in the healthy control group(P＜0.05).Serum UA,TBIL and ALB levels in cranofacial group were significantly lower than those in non-cranofacial group(P＜0.05),and were nega-tively correlated with disease severity(P＜0.05).Serum UA,TBIL and ALB levels in cranofacial group were independent influencing factors for the occurrence of PHN(P＜0.05),and had predictive value for PHN in cranofacial herpes zoster(P＜0.05).Conclusion Reactivation of cranofacial herpes zoster virus,acute nerve injury and PHN may all be related to the low antioxidant status of the body,and the antioxidant biomarkers UA,TBIL and ALB may be protective factors for herpes zoster,but more studies are needed to clarify the un-derlying mechanisms.