Objective We explored the anti-depressant activity and mechanism of arecoline in vivo in a mouse model of depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress.The aim was to explore the possible mechanisms of action,providing experimental evidence for further research into the health benefits of arecoline and theoretical support for the scientific development and utilization of this resource.Methods Sixty quarantine-qualified SPF C57BL/6J mice were divided randomly into a control group,model group,fluoxetine group(20 mg/kg),and arecoline low-,medium-,and high-dose groups(10,20,and 40 mg/kg,respectively)according to body mass(n=10 mice per group).The effects of arecoline on the behavior of the mice were evaluated by open-field,tail-suspension,and forced-swimming tests.Serum corticosterone and serum and brain levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD)were detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay.Malondialdehyde(MDA),catalase(CAT),5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),and norepinephrine(NE)levels in brain tissue,and dopamine(DA),gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA),tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-10,IL-1β,brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),tropomyosin receptor kinase B(TrkB),and cAMP-response element binding protein(CREB)were detected by Western Blot.Results Arecoline significantly reduced the total distance and average speed of the model mice in open field tests and increased activities,and significantly reduced the immobility time in the tail suspension and forced swimming tests.Arecoline also significantly decreased serum corticosterone levels,increased SOD and CAT,and decreased MDA levels.5-HT,DA,NE,and GABA levels were significantly increased,and the cytokines TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β were significantly decreased.Expression levels of BDNF,TrkB,and CREB in the brain tissue were significantly increased.Conclusions Research has found that arecoline has a significant antidepressant ability,and its mechanism may be achieved by reducing oxidative stress damage,inhibiting neuroinflammation,regulating neurotransmitter balance,and regulating the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway..This study explored the antidepressant efficacy of arecoline and preliminarily revealed its possible regulatory mechanism,which can provide data support for the neuroactivity of arecoline and lay a theoretical foundation for the development of arecoline as medicine.

OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical efficacy of Ziyu Prescription in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome relat-ed infertility of kidney deficiency and its effect on endometrial receptivity.METHODS A total of 120 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome related infertility of kidney deficiency were enrolled and randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group,with 60 cases in each group.After excluding dropout cases and excluded cases,56 cases were completed in each group.The control group was treated with letrozole and placebo,while the treatment group was treated with letrozole and Ziyu Prescription.The treatment course of both groups was 3 menstrual cycles.The clinical pregnancy rate and ultrasound Salle score during the implantation window were the main outcome indicators.The traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome score and serum estradial(E2),testosterone(T),anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH),luteinizing hormone(LH),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR),serum E2 and progesterone(P)levels during the implantation window were used as secondary outcome indica-tors.Multivariate Logistic regression and ROC curve analysis were used to evaluate the effect and predictive ability of ultrasound Salle score on pregnancy outcome.Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the effect of estrogen and progesterone levels during the implantation window on ultrasound Salle score.RESULTS After treatment,the clinical pregnancy rate and ultrasound Salle score during the implantation window in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The total TCM syndrome score of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P＜0.01);the ser-um T,LH/FSH,and HOMA-IR levels of the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);the serum E2 and P levels of the treatment group were significantly higher than those of the control group during the implanta-tion window period(P＜0.01).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis and ROC curve analysis showed that ultrasound Salle score was significantly positively correlated with pregnancy rate and had a high predictive value for pregnancy outcome.Multiple linear regression analysis found that there was a linear relationship between the ultrasound Salle score and E2 and P during the implantation window peri-od,and the P level had a greater impact.CONCLUSION Ziyu Prescription can improve the clinical pregnancy rate of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome related infertility of kidney deficiency,effectively improve their endometrial receptivity,regulate the levels of sex hormones and glucose metabolism,reduce the TCM syndrome score,and improve the reproductive quality of patients.

OBJECTIVE To observe the clinical efficacy of Ziyu Prescription in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome relat-ed infertility of kidney deficiency and its effect on endometrial receptivity.METHODS A total of 120 patients with polycystic ovary syndrome related infertility of kidney deficiency were enrolled and randomly divided into a control group and a treatment group,with 60 cases in each group.After excluding dropout cases and excluded cases,56 cases were completed in each group.The control group was treated with letrozole and placebo,while the treatment group was treated with letrozole and Ziyu Prescription.The treatment course of both groups was 3 menstrual cycles.The clinical pregnancy rate and ultrasound Salle score during the implantation window were the main outcome indicators.The traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome score and serum estradial(E2),testosterone(T),anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH),luteinizing hormone(LH),follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR),serum E2 and progesterone(P)levels during the implantation window were used as secondary outcome indica-tors.Multivariate Logistic regression and ROC curve analysis were used to evaluate the effect and predictive ability of ultrasound Salle score on pregnancy outcome.Multiple linear regression was used to evaluate the effect of estrogen and progesterone levels during the implantation window on ultrasound Salle score.RESULTS After treatment,the clinical pregnancy rate and ultrasound Salle score during the implantation window in the treatment group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).The total TCM syndrome score of the treatment group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P＜0.01);the ser-um T,LH/FSH,and HOMA-IR levels of the treatment group were significantly lower than those of the control group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01);the serum E2 and P levels of the treatment group were significantly higher than those of the control group during the implanta-tion window period(P＜0.01).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis and ROC curve analysis showed that ultrasound Salle score was significantly positively correlated with pregnancy rate and had a high predictive value for pregnancy outcome.Multiple linear regression analysis found that there was a linear relationship between the ultrasound Salle score and E2 and P during the implantation window peri-od,and the P level had a greater impact.CONCLUSION Ziyu Prescription can improve the clinical pregnancy rate of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome related infertility of kidney deficiency,effectively improve their endometrial receptivity,regulate the levels of sex hormones and glucose metabolism,reduce the TCM syndrome score,and improve the reproductive quality of patients.

Objective We explored the anti-depressant activity and mechanism of arecoline in vivo in a mouse model of depression induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress.The aim was to explore the possible mechanisms of action,providing experimental evidence for further research into the health benefits of arecoline and theoretical support for the scientific development and utilization of this resource.Methods Sixty quarantine-qualified SPF C57BL/6J mice were divided randomly into a control group,model group,fluoxetine group(20 mg/kg),and arecoline low-,medium-,and high-dose groups(10,20,and 40 mg/kg,respectively)according to body mass(n=10 mice per group).The effects of arecoline on the behavior of the mice were evaluated by open-field,tail-suspension,and forced-swimming tests.Serum corticosterone and serum and brain levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD)were detected by enzyme-linked immunoassay.Malondialdehyde(MDA),catalase(CAT),5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT),and norepinephrine(NE)levels in brain tissue,and dopamine(DA),gamma-aminobutyric acid(GABA),tumor necrosis factor(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-10,IL-1β,brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),tropomyosin receptor kinase B(TrkB),and cAMP-response element binding protein(CREB)were detected by Western Blot.Results Arecoline significantly reduced the total distance and average speed of the model mice in open field tests and increased activities,and significantly reduced the immobility time in the tail suspension and forced swimming tests.Arecoline also significantly decreased serum corticosterone levels,increased SOD and CAT,and decreased MDA levels.5-HT,DA,NE,and GABA levels were significantly increased,and the cytokines TNF-α,IL-6,and IL-1β were significantly decreased.Expression levels of BDNF,TrkB,and CREB in the brain tissue were significantly increased.Conclusions Research has found that arecoline has a significant antidepressant ability,and its mechanism may be achieved by reducing oxidative stress damage,inhibiting neuroinflammation,regulating neurotransmitter balance,and regulating the BDNF/TrkB/CREB signaling pathway..This study explored the antidepressant efficacy of arecoline and preliminarily revealed its possible regulatory mechanism,which can provide data support for the neuroactivity of arecoline and lay a theoretical foundation for the development of arecoline as medicine.

Objective:To investigate the mechanism of Hongteng Decoction in inhibiting the adenomyosis (ADS) fibrosis by observing the effects on the key proteins of epithelial mesenchymal transformation (EMT), fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transformation (FMT) and Hippo pathway in uterine tissue of mice with ADS.Methods:ICR mice were divided into blank group, model group, Hongteng Decoction group, and verteporfin group according to random number table method, with 8 mice in each group. The day of birth of the mice was day 0, and from day 1, mice in model group, Hongteng Decoction group and verteporfin group were given 1 mg/kg tamoxifen solvent for gavage for 5 days. On the 42nd day after molding, HE staining verified that the molding was successful. Starting from the 43rd day, mice in the Hongteng Decoction group were given TCM solution of Hongteng Decoction 16.5 g/kg everyday, and intraperitoneally injected with 0.9%NaCl solution (100 μl/10 g) every 3 days. Mice in the verteporfin group were intraperitoneally injected with verteporfin solution of 100 mg/kg every 3 days, and intragastric with water of 100 μl/10 g everyday. Mice in blank group and model group were intragastric with constant volume of water daily and intraperitoneally injected with 0.9%NaCl solution every 3 days. The drugs were administered for 60 days. The fibrosis degree of mice in each group was evaluated by Masson staining. The expressions of E-cadherin, Vimentin, α-SMA, YAP and Snail in uterine tissue of mice in each group were detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.Results:Compared with the model group, the Masson staining expression in Hongteng Decoction group significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Immunohistochemical and Western blot analysis showed that the expression of E-cadherin in uterine tissue of mice in Hongteng Decoction group significantly increased ( P<0.05), while the expressions of Vimentin, α-SMA and YAP significantly decreased ( P<0.01, P<0.05) compared with the model group. Conclusion:Hongteng Decoction can inhibit the occurrence of EMT and FMT in ADS, thereby inhibiting fibrosis, and its mechanism is related to the regulation of Hipoo/YAP pathway.

Objective::To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of a novel edge-to-edge mitral valve repair system (the NovoClasp system) in patients with severe mitral regurgitation.Methods::In this prospective, single-arm, first-in-human study conducted at Beijing Anzhen Hospital, data were collected from patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair using the NovoClasp system. The study candidates were patients exhibiting a mitral regurgitation severity of 3+ or more and were at high-risk or contraindicated for surgical intervention. Technical success and device success according to the Mitral Valve Academic Research Consortium definitions were used as primary outcomes. Other safety and efficacy outcomes were prospectively assessed at device implantation, discharge, and 30 d, 6 months, and 12 months post-procedure.Results::Between October 1, 2021, and January 31, 2022, 11 patients were treated for moderate-to-severe (grade 3+) or severe (grade 4+) mitral regurgitation using the NovoClasp system. All patients had a baseline New York Heart Association functional class of III-IV, with 7/11 exhibiting complex mitral valve disease. All patients achieved the primary endpoints of technical and device success, with a post-operative 30-d mitral regurgitation grade reduction to 2+ or lower, which was maintained at 12 months. One patient had minor bleeding and hematoma at the access site before discharge, and 2 patients were readmitted due to fast atrial fibrillation within 12 months post-discharge. No additional cases of death, adverse cerebral or cardiovascular events, or device-related complications was observed during the follow-up.Conclusion::This study suggested the potential feasibility and safety of the NovoClasp system, showing a promising technical and device success rate, along with a decrease in mitral regurgitation severity. A further pivotal study is needed to assess the procedural and long-term outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the effects of carnosine(CAR)on the spatial learning and memory abilities of rats with vascular cognitive impairment(VCI),and to explore the roles of the Akt/mTOR pathway and autophagy in this process.Methods:Fifty male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into sham-operated(Sham)group,VCI group,VCI+CAR-L group,VCI+CAR-M group,and VCI+CAR-H group.The spatial learning and memory abilities of rats were evaluated by the Morris water maze experiment;Nissl staining was used to detect the damage in the hippocampal CA1 region;the nitroblue tetrazolium and thiobarbituric acid methods were used to measure the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA)content in hippocampal tissue;Western Blot was performed to determine the expression of p-Akt,p-mTOR,Beclin-1,and LC3B proteins,and immunofluorescent staining was con-ducted to detect changes in LC3B expression in the CA1 region.SH-SY5Y cells were divided into control group,oxy-gen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R)group,OGD/R+rapamycin(RAPA),OGD/R+CAR(1.2 mmol/L)group,and OGD/R+CAR+RAPA group.Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay was used to detect neuronal survival rate;Western Blot was used to detect the levels of p-mTOR,Beclin-1,and LC3B in neuronal cells;immunofluorescent stai-ning was performed to assess the degree of autophagy.Results:CAR could improve the learning and memory abilities of VCI rats,reduce hippocampal tissue cell damage,and inhibit oxidative stress(P＜0.01).CAR increased the expres-sion of p-Akt,p-mTOR,and p62 proteins(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05)and decreased the expression of Beclin-1 and the ra-tio of LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05).CAR significantly increased the survival rate of SH-SY5Y cells after OGD/R(P＜0.01)and inhibited autophagy in hippocampal neurons.Furthermore,the intervention with RAPA counteracted the therapeutic effect of CAR,reduced the survival rate of SH-SY5Y groups(P＜0.01),and enhanced autophagy.Conclusion:CAR can improve rat VCI injury,and its mechanism may involve inhibiting oxidative stress,activating the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in neuronal cells,and thereby inhibiting excessive autophagy to exert a protective effect.

Objective::To evaluate the feasibility, safety, and effectiveness of a novel edge-to-edge mitral valve repair system (the NovoClasp system) in patients with severe mitral regurgitation.Methods::In this prospective, single-arm, first-in-human study conducted at Beijing Anzhen Hospital, data were collected from patients undergoing transcatheter edge-to-edge repair using the NovoClasp system. The study candidates were patients exhibiting a mitral regurgitation severity of 3+ or more and were at high-risk or contraindicated for surgical intervention. Technical success and device success according to the Mitral Valve Academic Research Consortium definitions were used as primary outcomes. Other safety and efficacy outcomes were prospectively assessed at device implantation, discharge, and 30 d, 6 months, and 12 months post-procedure.Results::Between October 1, 2021, and January 31, 2022, 11 patients were treated for moderate-to-severe (grade 3+) or severe (grade 4+) mitral regurgitation using the NovoClasp system. All patients had a baseline New York Heart Association functional class of III-IV, with 7/11 exhibiting complex mitral valve disease. All patients achieved the primary endpoints of technical and device success, with a post-operative 30-d mitral regurgitation grade reduction to 2+ or lower, which was maintained at 12 months. One patient had minor bleeding and hematoma at the access site before discharge, and 2 patients were readmitted due to fast atrial fibrillation within 12 months post-discharge. No additional cases of death, adverse cerebral or cardiovascular events, or device-related complications was observed during the follow-up.Conclusion::This study suggested the potential feasibility and safety of the NovoClasp system, showing a promising technical and device success rate, along with a decrease in mitral regurgitation severity. A further pivotal study is needed to assess the procedural and long-term outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the effects of carnosine(CAR)on the spatial learning and memory abilities of rats with vascular cognitive impairment(VCI),and to explore the roles of the Akt/mTOR pathway and autophagy in this process.Methods:Fifty male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into sham-operated(Sham)group,VCI group,VCI+CAR-L group,VCI+CAR-M group,and VCI+CAR-H group.The spatial learning and memory abilities of rats were evaluated by the Morris water maze experiment;Nissl staining was used to detect the damage in the hippocampal CA1 region;the nitroblue tetrazolium and thiobarbituric acid methods were used to measure the activities of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA)content in hippocampal tissue;Western Blot was performed to determine the expression of p-Akt,p-mTOR,Beclin-1,and LC3B proteins,and immunofluorescent staining was con-ducted to detect changes in LC3B expression in the CA1 region.SH-SY5Y cells were divided into control group,oxy-gen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R)group,OGD/R+rapamycin(RAPA),OGD/R+CAR(1.2 mmol/L)group,and OGD/R+CAR+RAPA group.Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium assay was used to detect neuronal survival rate;Western Blot was used to detect the levels of p-mTOR,Beclin-1,and LC3B in neuronal cells;immunofluorescent stai-ning was performed to assess the degree of autophagy.Results:CAR could improve the learning and memory abilities of VCI rats,reduce hippocampal tissue cell damage,and inhibit oxidative stress(P＜0.01).CAR increased the expres-sion of p-Akt,p-mTOR,and p62 proteins(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05)and decreased the expression of Beclin-1 and the ra-tio of LC3B Ⅱ/Ⅰ(P＜0.01 or P＜0.05).CAR significantly increased the survival rate of SH-SY5Y cells after OGD/R(P＜0.01)and inhibited autophagy in hippocampal neurons.Furthermore,the intervention with RAPA counteracted the therapeutic effect of CAR,reduced the survival rate of SH-SY5Y groups(P＜0.01),and enhanced autophagy.Conclusion:CAR can improve rat VCI injury,and its mechanism may involve inhibiting oxidative stress,activating the Akt/mTOR signaling pathway in neuronal cells,and thereby inhibiting excessive autophagy to exert a protective effect.

Objective     To analyze the echocardiographic characteristics of above grade 3+ mitral regurgitation (MR) patients by 3D transesophageal echocardiography (3D-TEE) in transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER) and compare the intervention rate of TEER treatment in patients with different risk stratification. Methods     We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 91 patients with above grade 3+ MR in Anzhen Hospital between June 2021 and April 2022. There were 45 males and 46 females aged 66.5±15.9 years. According to pathogenesis, the patients were divided into different anatomical groups and risk stratification groups. There were 34 patients in a simple degenerative group (simple DMR group), 28 patietns in a complex disease group (Complex group), 14 patients in a simple ventricular  functional reflux group (simple VFMR group), 9 patients in a simple atrial functional reflux group (simple AFMR group), and 6 patients in a mixed functional reflux group (mixed FMR group). All patients were examined with a unified standard of transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) and 3D-TEE to compare the characteristic three-dimensional structural changes of the mitral valve in each group. According to the three partition strategy of preoperative anatomical evaluation of TEER, the risk stratification was conducted for the enrolled patients, which was divided into three regions from light to heavy: green area, yellow area, and red area. TEER treatment intervention rate of patients with different risk stratification was calculated. Results     Ant leaf angle and post leaf angle were negative in the simple DMR and Complex groups, and non-planar angle, prolapse height and prolapse volume were higher than those of the other groups (P=0.000). Ant leaf angle and post leaf angle were positive in the VFMR group and the mixed FMR group. Anterior and posterior (AP) diameter of valve ring (P=0.036), tenting height and tenting volume were higher than those of other groups (P=0.000).  AP diameter, tenting height and tenting volume were changed mildly in patients with simple AFMR. MR patients in red and yellow zone achieved a 28.1% TEER intervention rate. Conclusion     Standardized TTE and TEE examinations are crucial for the qualitative and quantitative diagnosis of MR in the echo core-lab. 3D-TEE mitral valve parameter can help determine the exact pathogenesis of MR and to improve the interventional rate of challenging MR patients.