BACKGROUND:Bone relies on the close connection between blood vessels and bone cells to maintain its integrity.Bones are in a physiologically hypoxic environment.Therefore,the study of angiogenesis and osteogenesis in hypoxic environment is closer to the microenvironment in vivo. OBJECTIVE:To explore the influence of Wenshen Tongluo Zhitong(WSTLZT)formula on H-type bone microvascular endothelial cell/bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell co-culture system in hypoxia environment and its related mechanism. METHODS:Enzyme digestion method and flow sorting technique were used to isolate and identify H-type bone microvascular endothelial cells.Mouse bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and obtained by bone marrow adhesion method.H-type bone microvascular endothelial cell/bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell hypoxic co-culture system was established using Transwell chamber and anoxic culture workstation.WSTLZT formula powder was used to intervene in each group at a mass concentration of 50 and 100 μg/mL.The angiogenic function of H-type bone microvascular endothelial cells in the co-culture system was evaluated by scratch migration test and tube formation test.The osteogenic differentiation ability of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in the co-cultured system was evaluated by alkaline phosphatase staining and alizarin red staining.The protein and mRNA expression changes of PDGF/PI3K/AKT signal axis related molecules in H-type bone microvascular endothelial cells in the co-cultured system were detected by Western Blotting and q-PCR,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the normal oxygen group,the scratch mobility and new blood vessel length of H-type bone microvascular endothelial cells were significantly higher(P<0.05);the osteogenic differentiation capacity of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells was higher(P<0.05);the expression of PDGF/PI3K/AKT axis-related molecular protein and mRNA increased(P<0.05)in the hypoxia group.(2)Compared with the hypoxia group,scratch mobility and new blood vessel length were significantly increased in the H-type bone microvascular endothelial cells(P<0.05);bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells had stronger osteogenic function(P<0.05);the expression of PDGF/PI3K/AKT axis-related molecular proteins and mRNA further increased(P<0.05)after treatment with different dose concentrations of WSTLZT formula.These findings conclude that H-type angiogenesis and osteogenesis under hypoxia may be related to the PDGF/PI3K/AKT signaling axis,and WSTLZT formula may promote H-type vasculo-dependent bone formation by activating the PDGF/PI3K/AKT signaling axis,thereby preventing and treating osteoporosis.

BACKGROUND:Black phosphorus has a high degree of homology with human bone,so it has been extensively studied in the field of bone tissue engineering in recent years.Since 2014,two-dimensional black phosphorus materials have garned significant attention in the field of biomedicine due to their excellent exceptional physical,chemical,and biological properties. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the advancements made in black phosphorus-based nanomaterials for bone tissue engineering,focus on the synthesis methods,osteogenic characteristics,and applications in biomaterials pertaining to two-dimensional black phosphorus nanomaterials. METHODS:Chinese and English key words were"black phosphorus,bone tissue engineering,bone defect,bone regeneration,osteogenesis."Relevant articles in PubMed and CNKI databases from January 2014 to December 2023 were searched.After exclusion and screening,96 articles were analyzed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Black phosphorus nanomaterials play an important role in bone tissue engineering due to their good biocompatibility,biodegradability,photothermal action,antibacterial ability,drug loading performance,and special osteogenic effect,and are ideal candidate materials for promoting bone regeneration.The preparation of black phosphorus nanomaterials is mainly a top-down top-layer stripping method.The main principle is to weaken the van der Waals force between the black phosphorus layers by physical or chemical means to obtain a single or less layer of phosphanse,that is,black phosphorus nanosheets or quantum dots.Black phosphate-based nanocomposites are mainly divided into hydrogels,3D printing scaffolds,composite scaffolds,electrospinning,bionic periosteum,microspheres,and bionic coatings.The research of nano-black phosphorus in bone tissue engineering is in its infancy,and still faces many challenges:the behavior of black phosphorus in vivo and the interaction mechanism with various biomolecules need to be further studied.The long-term potential toxicity of black phosphorus is unknown.The manufacturing process for black phosphorus is difficult to control.Therefore,how to develop uniform size,safe,reliable,and efficient nano black phosphorus and transform it into clinical application requires interdisciplinary research on modern biomedical technology,physicochemical technology,and precision manufacturing technology.

ObjectiveIn nature, objects cast shadows due to illumination, forming the basis for stereoscopic perception. Birds need to adapt to changes in lighting (meaning they can recognize stereoscopic shapes even when shadows look different) to accurately perceive different three-dimensional forms. However, how neurons in the key visual brain area in birds handle these lighting changes remains largely unreported. In this study, pigeons (Columba livia) were used as subjects to investigate how neurons in pigeon’s ventrolateral mesopallium (MVL) represent stereoscopic shapes consistently, regardless of changes in lighting. MethodsVisual cognitive training combined with neuronal recording was employed. Pigeons were first trained to discriminate different stereoscopic shapes (concave/convex). We then tested whether and how light luminance angle and surface appearance of the stereoscopic shapes affect their recognition accuracy, and further verify whether the results rely on specify luminance color. Simultaneously, neuronal firing activity of neurons was recorded with multiple electrode array implanted from the MVL during the presentation of difference shapes. The response was finally analyzed how selectively they responded to different stereoscopic shapes and whether their selectivity was affected by the changes of luminance condition (like lighting angle) or surface look. Support vector machine (SVM) models were trained on neuronal population responses recorded under one condition (light luminance angle of 45°) and used to decode responses under other conditions (light luminance angle of 135°, 225°, 315°) to verify the invariance of responses to different luminance conditions. ResultsBehavioral results from 6 pigeons consistently showed that the pigeons could reliably identify the core 3D shape (over 80% accuracy), and this ability wasn’t affected by changes in light angle or surface appearance. Statistical analysis of 88 recorded neurons from 6 pigeons revealed that 83% (73/88) showed strong selectivity for specific 3D shapes (selectivity index>0.3), and responses to convex shapes were consistently stronger than to concave shapes. These shape-selective responses remained stable across changes in light angle and surface appearance. Neural patterns were consistent under both blue and orange lighting. The decoding accuracy achieves above 70%, suggesting stable responses under different conditions (e.g., different lighting angles or surface appearance). ConclusionNeurons in the pigeon MVL maintain a consistent neural encoding pattern for different stereoscopic shapes, unaffected by illumination or surface appearance. This ensures stable object recognition by pigeons in changing visual environments. Our findings provide new physiological evidence for understanding how birds achieve stable perception (“invariant neural representations”) while coping with variations in the visual field.

Network pharmacology and molecular docking were employed to predict the mechanism of Zhizhu Decoction in regulating macrophage polarization to reduce adipose tissue inflammation in obese children, and animal experiments were then carried out to validate the prediction results. The active ingredients and targets of Zhizhu Decoction were retrieved from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform(TCMSP). The inflammation related targets in the adipose tissue of obese children were searched against GeneCards, OMIM, and DisGeNET, and a drug-disease-target network was established. STRING was used to construct a protein-protein interaction(PPI) network and screen for core targets. R language was used to carry out Gene Ontology(GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses. AutoDock was used for the molecular docking between core targets and active ingredients. 24 SPF grade 6-week C57B/6J male mice were adaptively fed for 1 week, and 8 mice were randomly selected as the blank group. The remaining 16 mice were fed with high-fat diet for 8 weeks to onstruct a high-fat diet induced mouse obesity model. After successful modeling, the 16 mice were randomly divided into model group and Zhizhu Decoction group, with 8 mice in each group. Zhizhu Decoction group was intervened by gavage for 14 days, once a day. Blank group and model group were given an equal amount of sterile double distilled water(ddH_2O) by gavage daily. After the last gavage, serum and inguinal adipose tissue were collected from mice for testing. The morphology of inguinal adipose tissue was observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, the levels of inflammatory factors interleukin-6(IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA), and the protein expression of macrophage marker molecule nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and epidermal growth factor like hormone receptor 1(F4/80) was detected by immunofluorescence staining. Network pharmacology predicted luteolin, naringenin, and nobiletin as the main active ingredients in Zhizhu Decoction and 15 core targets. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis revealed involvement in the key signaling pathway of nuclear factor κB(NF-κB). Molecular docking showed that the active ingredients of Zhizhu Decoction bound well to the core targets. Animal experiment showed that compared with the model group, Zhizhu Decoction reduced the distribution of inflammatory cytokines in the inguinal adipose tissue of mice, lowered the levels of TNF-α and IL-6 in the serum(P<0.05, P<0.01), and down-regulated the expression of iNOS and F4/80(P<0.05). The results showed that the active ingredients in Zhizhu Decoction, such as luteolin, naringenin, and nobiletin, inhibit the aggregation of macrophages in adipose tissue, downregulate their classic activated macrophage(M1) polarization, reduce the expression of inflammatory factors IL-6 and TNF-α, and thus improve adipose tissue inflammation in obese mice.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Adipose Tissue/immunology* ; Mice ; Male ; Humans ; Network Pharmacology ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Child ; Protein Interaction Maps/drug effects* ; Obesity/genetics* ; Inflammation/drug therapy*

The chemical constituents were systematically separated from the roots of Berberis polyantha by various chromatographic methods, including silica gel column chromatography, HP20 column chromatography, polyamide column chromatography, reversed-phase C_(18) column chromatography, and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. The structures of the compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic techniques(1D NMR, 2D NMR, UV, MS, and CD). Four phenylpropanoids were isolated from the methanol extract of the roots of B. polyantha, and they were identified as(2R)-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(1), methyl 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoate(2),(+)-syringaresinol(3), and syringaresinol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(4). Compound 1 was a new compound, and other compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. The anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds was evaluated based on the release of nitric oxide(NO) in the culture of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. At a concentration of 10 μmol·L~(-1), all the four compounds inhibited the LPS-induced release of NO in RAW264.7 cells, demonstrating potential anti-inflammatory properties.
Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Animals ; Mice ; Berberis/chemistry* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Nitric Oxide/metabolism* ; Molecular Structure ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-term clinical efficacy of external fixation and internal fixation with steel plate in the treatment of unstable distal radius fractures (AO-23C type), based on the principles of Chinese osteosynthesis (CO). METHODS: Forty-eight patients with unstable distal radius fractures between January 2022 and February 2023 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into the CO external fixation group and internal fixation group. CO external fixation group consisted of 25 patients, including 7 males and 18 females, aged from 37 to 56 years old with an average of ( 52.6±11.3) years old. Among them, there were 7 patients of traffic accidents and 18 patients of falls, resulting in a total of 25 patients of closed fractures and no open fractures, the treatment was conducted using closed reduction and CO external fixation. The internal fixation group consisted of 23 patients, comprising 8 males and 15 females, age ranged from 41 to 59 years old, with an average age of(53.3±13.7) years old. Among them, 8 patients resulted from car accidents while the remaining 15 patients were caused by falls. All 23 patients were closed fractures without any open fractures observed. The technique of open reduction and internal fixation with steel plate was employed. The perioperative data, including injury-operation time, operation duration, blood loss, and length of hospital stay, were assessed in both groups. Additionally, the QuickDASH score and visual analogue scale (VAS) were evaluated. Range of motion and grip strength assessment, imaging findings such as palmar inclination angle, ulnar declination angle, radius length, articular surface step, intra-articular space measurements were also examined along with any complications. RESULTS: The follow-up duration ranged from 0 to 24 months, with an average duration of (16.0±3.8) months. The CO external fixation exhibited significantly shorter time from injury to operation (2.4±3.3) d vs (7.4±3.7) d, shorter operation duration (56.27±15.23) min vs (74.10±5.26) min, lower blood loss (14.52±6.54) ml vs (32.32±10.03) ml, and reduced hospitalization days (14.04±3.24 )d vs (16.45±3.05) d compared to the internal fixation group (P<0.05). The QuickDASH score at 12 months post-operation was (8.21±1.64) in the CO external fixation group, while no significant difference was observed in the internal fixation group (7.04±3.64), P>0.05. There were no statistically significant differences in VAS between two groups at 6 weeks, as well as 1 and 3 months post-surgery (P>0.05). Additionally, there were no significant disparities observed in terms of range of motion and grip strength between two groups at the 2-year follow-up after the operation (P>0.05). After 12 months of surgery, the CO external fixation group exhibited a significantly smaller palmar inclination angle (17.90±2.18) ° vs (19.87±3.21) °, reduced articular surface step (0.11±0.03) mm vs (0.17±0.02) mm, and shorter radius length (8.16±1.11) mm compared to the internal fixation group (9.59±1.02) mm, P<0.05. The ulnar deviation angle and intra-articular space did not show any significant difference between two groups (P>0.05). The reduced fell within the allowable range between the CO external fixation group (23 out of 25 cases) and the internal fixation group (21 out of 23 cases) was not statistically significant (P=0.29). There was no significant difference in complications between the two groups(P>0.05). CONCLUSION Both the CO external fixation and open reduction with plate internal fixation demonstrate clinical efficacy in managing unstable distal radius fractures. The CO external fixation offers advantages in shorter injury-to-operation times, reduced intraoperative blood loss, and decreased surgical durations, while radial shortening is more effectively controlled by internal fixation.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Radius Fractures/physiopathology* ; Adult ; Bone Plates ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; External Fixators ; Retrospective Studies ; Fracture Fixation/methods* ; Wrist Fractures

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of laparoscopic high ligation of spermatic cord vein in patients with chronic prostatitis and varicocele prostatitis. METHODS: A total of 90 varicocele patients were selected from January 2016 to December 2020, including 33 patients with chronic prostatitis. Changes of white blood cell count, National Institutes of Health chronic prostatitis symptom index (NIH-CPSI) score and serum testosterone level in the expressed prostate secretion (EPS) were observed before and after the operation of laparoscopic high ligation of spermatic vein. RESULTS: All patients were followed up three months after the surgery. There was no significant difference in the white blood cell counts in EPS, NIH-CPSI score, and serum testosterone level in patients with varicocele-only who underwent high ligation surgery after the operation. However, the white blood cell count in the EPS of patients with chronic prostatitis was lower than that before 3 months of operation ( ［12.39±4.23］×109/L vs ［21.36±5.05］×109/L). The NIH-CPSI score was significantly lower than that before operation ( ［12.71±6.21］ vs ［26.76±8.43］). And the serum testosterone level was higher than that before operation (［4.34±1.77］ng/ml vs ［2.36±1.05］ng/ml). CONCLUSION Laparoscopic high ligation of the spermatic vein in patients with chronic prostatitis and varicocele could effectively reduce the number of white blood cells in the EPS, boost the level of serum testosterone and improves symptoms of chronic prostatitis.
Male ; Humans ; Varicocele/surgery* ; Prostatitis/blood* ; Ligation ; Spermatic Cord/blood supply* ; Testosterone/blood* ; Chronic Disease ; Prostate/metabolism* ; Veins/surgery* ; Leukocyte Count ; Leukocytes ; Laparoscopy ; Adult

Retzius-sparing robot assisted radical prostatectomy (RS-RARP) can significantly improve the immediate urinary continence without increasing the positive rate of surgical margin.However, the learning curve is long, and fewer than 10% of the surgeons can master it.Therefore,we have optimized the procedures of RS-RARP, applying radical prostatectomy with retrograde release of neurovascular bundle to preserve it to the maximum extent.Urethral anastomosis can be performed with only one suture, which eliminates the need for Hem-o-lok and reduces subsequent complications.Our team routinely carries out this operation, and conlcudes that this surgical method can achieve good tumor control, good urinary continence, fast recovery of sexual function, few complications, and strong operability.This article details the key steps and operation experience of this technique.

Objective To explore the efficacy and safety of recombinant human anti-severe acute respiratory syn-drome coronavirus 2(anti-SARS-CoV-2)monoclonal antibody injection(F61 injection)in the treatment of patients with coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)combined with renal damage.Methods Patients with COVID-19 and renal damage who visited the PLA General Hospital from January to February 2023 were selected.Subjects were randomly divided into two groups.Control group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy,while trial group was treated with conventional anti-COVID-19 therapy combined with F61 injection.A 15-day follow-up was conducted after drug administration.Clinical symptoms,laboratory tests,electrocardiogram,and chest CT of pa-tients were performed to analyze the efficacy and safety of F61 injection.Results Twelve subjects(7 in trial group and 5 in control group)were included in study.Neither group had any clinical progression or death cases.The ave-rage time for negative conversion of nucleic acid of SARS-CoV-2 in control group and trial group were 3.2 days and 1.57 days(P=0.046),respectively.The scores of COVID-19 related target symptom in the trial group on the 3rd and 5th day after medication were both lower than those of the control group(both P＜0.05).According to the clinical staging and World Health Organization 10-point graded disease progression scale,both groups of subjects improved but didn't show statistical differences(P＞0.05).For safety,trial group didn't present any infusion-re-lated adverse event.Subjects in both groups demonstrated varying degrees of elevated blood glucose,elevated urine glucose,elevated urobilinogen,positive urine casts,and cardiac arrhythmia,but the differences were not statistica-lly significant(all P＞0.05).Conclusion F61 injection has initially demonstrated safety and clinical benefit in trea-ting patients with COVID-19 combined with renal damage.As the domestically produced drug,it has good clinical accessibility and may provide more options for clinical practice.

Transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TAVR)has become one of the effective methods for treating patients with aortic valve disease.With the continuous maturity of technology,innovation of instruments and increasing experience,the indications for TAVR has been expanded.Following international trends,the number of TAVR in China has steadily increased with each passing year.In 2023,the long-term follow-up results of TAVR in low-risk AS patients further confirm the long-term benefits of TAVR.The relevant research on TAVR for patients with aortic regurgitation and patients with bicuspid aortic stenosis provide evidence support for the expansion of TAVR indications.At the same time,the development of valve devices and new technological innovations are emerging in an endless stream,and the new concept of full life cycle management is increasingly being valued.Especially in China,the development of local devices is progressing rapidly,and multiple devices have entered the clinical research stage.The clinical manifestations and research results are worth pursuing.