OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the immediate effect of Kuanxiong Aerosol (KXA) on perioperative coronary microcirculation in patients with unstable angina (UA) suffering from elective percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: From February 2021 to July 2023, UA inpatients who underwent PCI alone in the left anterior descending (LAD) branch were included. Random numbers were generated to divide patients into the trial group and the control group at a ratio of 1:1. The index of coronary microcirculation resistance (IMR) was measured before PCI, and the trial group was given two sprays of KXA, while the control group was not given. IMR was measured again after PCI, cardiac troponin I (cTnI) and creatine kinase isoenzyme-MB (CK-MB) were detected before and 24 h after surgery, and major cardiovascular adverse events (MACEs) were recorded for 30 days. The data statistics and analysis personnel were blinded. RESULTS: Totally 859 patients were screened, and 62 of them were involved into this study. Finally, 1 patient in the trial group failed to complete the post-PCI IMR and was excluded, 30 patients were included for data analysis, while 31 patients in the control group were enrolled in data analysis. There was no significant difference in baseline data (age, gender, risk factors, previous history, biochemical index, and drug therapy, etc.) between the two groups. In addition, differences in IMR, cTnI and CK-MB were not statistically significant between the two groups before surgery. After PCI, the IMR level of the trial group was significantly lower than that of the control group (19.56 ± 14.37 vs. 27.15 ± 15.03, P=0.048). Besides, the incidence of perioperative myocardial injury (PMI) was lower in the trial group, but the difference was not statistically significant (6.67% vs. 16.13%, P=0.425). No MACEs were reported in either group. CONCLUSIONS KXA has the potential of improving coronary microvascular dysfunction. This study provides reference for the application of KXA in UA patients undergoing elective PCI. (Registration No. ChiCTR2300069831).
Humans ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; Male ; Microcirculation/drug effects* ; Female ; Angina, Unstable/physiopathology* ; Pilot Projects ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Aerosols ; Troponin I/blood* ; Coronary Circulation/drug effects* ; Elective Surgical Procedures

Mutations in the cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 gene (CDKL5) cause a severe neurodevelopmental disorder, yet the impact of truncating mutations remains unclear. Here, we introduce the Cdkl5^492stop mouse model, mimicking C-terminal truncating mutations in patients. 492stop/Y mice exhibit altered dendritic spine morphology and spontaneous seizure-like behaviors, alongside other behavioral deficits. After creating cell lines with various Cdkl5 truncating mutations, we found that these mutations are regulated by the nonsense-mediated RNA decay pathway. Most truncating mutations result in CDKL5 protein loss, leading to multiple disease phenotypes, and offering new insights into the pathogenesis of CDKL5 disorder.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice ; Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases/deficiency* ; Mutation/genetics* ; Epileptic Syndromes/genetics* ; Humans ; Dendritic Spines/pathology* ; Spasms, Infantile/genetics* ; Male ; Seizures/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Objective:To investigate the effect of exosomes loaded with Lycium barbarum miRNA(Lb-miR2911)on spermato-genic function recovery in non-obstructive azoospermia(NOA)rats through cross-regulation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways.Methods:We established an NOA model in 30 four-week-old male SD rats by intraperitoneal injection of busulfan.At 5 weeks after modeling,we equally randomized the rats into a model control group(MC,untreated),an Lb-miR2911EXO group(Lb-miR2911EXO,treated by intratesticular injection of Lb-miR2911-loaded exosomes),and a sham group(Shame,treated by intratesticular injection of exosomes-empty drug),with another 10 male SD rats taken as normal controls(NC).We observed the uptake and metabolic changes of Lb-miR2911 in the testis tissue of the rats by RNA FISH at 2 and 6 weeks after treatment,detected cell proliferation,spermatogenesis and gene expressions of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways in the testis tissue by Transcriptome sequencing analysis combined with Western blot and RT-PCR at 12 weeks,evaluated the recovery of the spermatogenic function based on the testis tissue morphology and sperm quality,and assessed the organ toxicity of Lb-miR2911 in the tissue and organs of the rats based on histomorphological analysis and the levels of serum TNF-α,IL-1β,Aspartate aminotransferase(AST),Alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and other relevant indi-cators.Results:After 12 weeks of treatment,histomorphological analysis showed regular arrangement of spermatogenic cells at all levels in the testis tissue,with a large number of mature sperm in the tubular lumen,and with significantly higher Johnsen scores,tes-tis weight,testicular index,sperm concentration and sperm motility in the Lb-miR2911EXO than in the sham group(all P<0.05).Compared with the model controls,the Lb-miR2911EXO group exhibited remarkably down-regulated gene expression of DACT3(P<0.05),up-regulated expressions of DVL2 and β-catenin(P<0.05),elevated levels of p-DVL2 and β-catenin(nucleus)proteins(P<0.05),increased expressions of cell proliferation-related genes CCND1,CCNE1 and CCNE2(P<0.05)and spermatogenesis-related genes DMC1,CCR6,JAM2 and KLC3(P<0.05).No pathological changes were observed in the lung,liver and kidney tis-sues of the rats,or in the levels of serum TNF-α,IL-1β,AST,ALT,creatinine and urea nitrogen in the rats treated with Lb-miR2911EXO compared with the normal controls(P>0.05).Conclusion:Lb-miR2911-loaded exosomes promote spermatogenic function recovery in NOA rats through cross-regulation of the DACT3,Wnt and β-catenin signaling pathways.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of Chinese herbal compound modified Huanglian Wendan Decoction in the treatment of hypertension complicated with sleep disorders of phlegm-heat harassing the interior type.Methods A total of 70 patients with hypertension complicated with sleep disorders of phlegm-heat harassing the interior type were randomly divided into a control group and an observation group,35 cases in each group.The patients in the control group were treated with conventional western medicine,and the patients in the observation group were treated with modified Huanglian Wendan Decoction on the basis of treatment for the control group.The course of treatment covered four weeks.The Clinical Global Impression(CGI)score,traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome score,Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)score,blood pressure,and serum levels of homocysteine(Hey),interleukin 6(IL-6),interleukin 10(IL-10)and interleukin 8(IL-8)levels in the two groups were observed before and after treatment.Moreover,the safety of medication was evaluated in the two groups.Results(1)After four weeks of treatment,the CGI score of the observation group was(1.63±0.60)points,which was significantly lower than that of the control group[(2.74±0.82)points],and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.01).(2)After treatment,the TCM syndrome score,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure and PSQI score of the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the decrease of TCM syndrome score,systolic blood pressure,diastolic blood pressure and PSQI score in the observation group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(3)After treatment,the levels of serum Hcy,IL-6 and IL-8 in the two groups were significantly decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the serum IL-10 level was significantly increased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.01).The decrease of serum Hcy,IL-6 and IL-8 levels and the increase of serum IL-10 level in the observation group were significantly superior to those in the control group(P＜0.01).(4)During the treatment,no treatment-related adverse reactions or complications occurred in the two groups.Conclusion Modified Huanglian Wendan Decoction has certain efficacy on patients with hypertension complicated with sleep disorders of phlegm-heat harassing the interior type.The decoction can not only reduce the blood pressure and serum Hcy level of the patients,but also regulate the level of inflammatory factors with high safety.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) at "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Zusanli"(ST 36) on the gastric emptying rate, the level of serotonin (5-HT) and the protein expression of motilin (MTL), ghrelin, substance P (SP) and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) in the antral tissue of the rats with functional dyspepsia (FD) and explore the effect mechanism of EA in treatment of FD. METHODS: A total of 21 SPF male SD rat pups were randomly divided into a normal group, a model group and an EA group, with 7 rats in each group. In the model group and the EA group, FD model was prepared by the gavage with 0.1% sucrose iodoacetamide solution combined with the modified small platform method. After the successful modeling, EA was applied to "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Zusanli"(ST 36) in the rats of the EA group, with disperse-dense wave, 20 Hz/100 Hz in frequency, stimulated for 30 min, once daily, for 7 days consecutively. Before and after intervention, the general condition of the rats was observed in each group. After the completion of intervention, the gastric emptying rate was measured, the morphological changes of gastric antral tissue were observed using HE staining, the level of 5-HT was detected with ELISA method, and the protein expression of MTL, ghrelin, SP, and VIP was determined with Western blot method in the antral tissue of rats. RESULTS: In the normal group, the rats were in a good mental state, with lustrous fur, flexible movement and the increase of food intake and body mass. In the model group, the rats were poor in mental state, lack of lustre in fur, preference for the body curled up, reduced activity and response; and a part of rats had loose stool, obviously enlarged gastric body and gastric food retention. In the EA group, the general condition of rats, e.g. the mental state, food intake and activity, were improved, the gastric body got smaller obviously and the gastric food retention was reduced when compared with the model group. The antral structure was intact, the glands were rich and no injury of the gastric mucosa was found, e.g. inflammatory reaction and edema in the rats of each group. Compared with the normal group, the gastric emptying rate was decreased (P<0.01), 5-HT level was increased (P<0.01), the protein expression of MTL and ghrelin was reduced (P<0.01) and that of VIP was elevated (P<0.01) in the rats of the model group. The gastric emptying rate was increased (P<0.01), 5-HT level was decreased (P<0.01), and the protein expression of MTL and ghrelin was elevated (P<0.05, P<0.01) in the rats of the EA group when compared with those in the model group. CONCLUSIONS Electroacupuncture at "Neiguan" (PC 6) and "Zusanli"(ST 36) may effectively relieve gastric dysfunction, strengthen gastric motility and promote gastric emptying so as to alleviate the symptoms of dyspepsia in FD rats, and its mechanism may be related to the regulation of gastrointestinal hormones in the antral tissue.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Dyspepsia/therapy* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ghrelin ; Gastrointestinal Hormones ; Serotonin ; Vasoactive Intestinal Peptide ; Acupuncture Points

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of total laparoscopic versus laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy and investigate the safety and replicability of total laparoscopic distal gastrectomy in older patients. Methods: This was a retrospective cohort study. The inclusion criteria were as follows: (1) age ≥65 years; (2) malignant gastric tumor diagnosed pathologically preoperatively; (3) Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status score 0-1; (4) Grade I-III American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status; (5) preoperative clinical tumor stage I-III; (6) total laparoscopic or laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy performed; and (7) gastrointestinal tract reconstruction using uncut Roux-en-Y or Billroth-II+Braun procedure. Patients who had received neoadjuvant therapy, undergone conversion to open surgery, or had serious comorbidities or incomplete data were excluded. The clinical data of 129 patients who met the above criteria and had undergone laparoscopic surgery for gastric cancer from January 2012 to December 2021 in the Gastrointestinal Cancer Center in the Beijing Cancer Hospital were analyzed. According to the operation method, the patients were divided into total laparoscopic group and laparoscopic-assisted group. Variables studied comprised: (1) surgical procedure and postoperative recovery; (2) postoperative pathological findings; and (3) postoperative complications. Measurement data with skewed distribution are represented as mean(quartile 1, quartile 3). Comparisons between groups were evaluated using the Mann-Whitney U test. Results: After propensity score matching in a 1:1 ratio, there were 40 patients in the total laparoscopic distal gastrectomy group and 40 in the laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy group. Baseline characteristics did not differ significantly between the two groups (all P>0.05).Compared with the laparoscopic-assisted group, the total laparoscopic group had shorter main incisions (4.1±1.0 cm vs. 8.5±2.8 cm, t=9.375, P<0.001), time to fluid intake [4.0 (3.0, 4.8) days vs. 5.0 (4.0, 6.0) days, Z=2.167, P=0.030], and duration of indwelling abdominal drainage catheter [6.0 (6.0, 7.0) days vs. 7.0 (6.0, 8.0) days, Z=2.323, P=0.020]. Numerical Rating Scale scores on postoperative days 1 and 2 were higher in the total laparoscopic than the laparoscopic-assisted group [2.5 (1.0, 3.0) vs. 1.5 (1.0, 2.0), Z=1.980, P=0.048; 2.0 (1.0, 3.0) vs. 1.0 (1.0, 2.0), Z=2.334, P=0.020, respectively]. However, there were no significant differences between the groups in operation time, intraoperative blood loss, white blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, or albumin concentration on postoperative day 1, time to ambulation, mean time to bowel movement, postoperative admission to the intensive care unit, length of postoperative hospital stay, or Numerical Rating Scale scores on postoperative day 3 (all P>0.05). There were also no significant differences between the two groups in maximum tumor diameter, pathological tumor type, total number of lymph nodes dissected, or total number of positive lymph nodes (all P>0.05). The incidence of postoperative complications was 15.0% (6/40) in the total laparoscopic group and the laparoscopic-assisted group; these differences are not significant (χ²<0.001, P>0.999). Conclusions: Compared with laparoscopic-assisted radical gastrectomy for distal gastric cancer, total laparoscopic surgery has the advantages of shorter incision, shorter time to fluid intake, and shorter duration of indwelling abdominal drainage catheter in older patients (age ≥65 years). Total laparoscopic radical gastrectomy for distal gastric cancer does not increase the risk of postoperative complications and could therefore be performed more frequently.
Aged ; Humans ; Gastrectomy/methods* ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Postoperative Complications ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms/pathology* ; Surgical Wound ; Treatment Outcome

Objectives: To analyze the influencing factors of No. 253 lymph node metastasis in descending colon cancer, sigmoid colon cancer, and rectal cancer, and to investigate the prognosis of No. 253 lymph node-positive patients by propensity score matching analysis. Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on clinical data from patients with descending colon cancer, sigmoid colon cancer, rectosigmoid junction cancer, and rectal cancer who underwent surgery between January 2015 and December 2019 from the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, China-Japan Friendship Hospital, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, General Hospital of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and Peking University Cancer Hospital. A total of 3 016 patients were included according to inclusion and exclusion criteria, comprising 1 848 males and 1 168 females, with 1 675 patients aged≥60 years and 1 341 patients aged<60 years. Clinical and pathological factors from single center data were subjected to univariate analysis to determine influencing factors of No. 253 lymph node metastasis, using a binary Logistic regression model. Based on the results of the multivariate analysis, a nomogram was constructed. External validation was performed using data from other multicenter sources, evaluating the effectiveness through the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve and the calibration curve. Using data from a single center, the No. 253 lymph node-positive group was matched with the negative group in a 1∶2 ratio (caliper value=0.05). Survival analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to determine independent prognostic factors. Results: (1) The tumor diameter≥5 cm (OR=4.496,95%CI:1.344 to 15.035, P=0.015) T stage (T4 vs. T1: OR=11.284, 95%CI:7.122 to 15.646, P<0.01), N stage (N2 vs. N0: OR=60.554, 95%CI:7.813 to 469.055, P=0.043), tumor differentiation (moderate vs. well differentiated: OR=1.044, 95%CI:1.009 to 1.203, P=0.044; poor vs. well differentiated: OR=1.013, 95%CI:1.002 to 1.081, P=0.013), tumor location (sigmoid colon vs. descending colon: OR=9.307, 95%CI:2.236 to 38.740, P=0.002), pathological type (mucinous adenocarcinoma vs. adenocarcinoma: OR=79.923, 95%CI:15.113 to 422.654, P<0.01; signet ring cell carcinoma vs. adenocarcinoma: OR=27.309, 95%CI:4.191 to 177.944, P<0.01), and positive vascular invasion (OR=3.490, 95%CI:1.033 to 11.793, P=0.044) were independent influencing factors of No. 253 lymph node metastasis. (2) The area under the curve of the nomogram prediction model was 0.912 (95%CI: 0.869 to 0.955) for the training set and 0.921 (95%CI: 0.903 to 0.937) for the external validation set. The calibration curve demonstrated good consistency between the predicted outcomes and the actual observations. (3) After propensity score matching, the No. 253 lymph node-negative group did not reach the median overall survival time, while the positive group had a median overall survival of 20 months. The 1-, 3- and 5-year overall survival rates were 83.9%, 61.3% and 51.6% in the negative group, and 63.2%, 36.8% and 15.8% in the positive group, respectively. Multivariate Cox analysis revealed that the T4 stage (HR=3.067, 95%CI: 2.357 to 3.990, P<0.01), the N2 stage (HR=1.221, 95%CI: 0.979 to 1.523, P=0.043), and No. 253 lymph node positivity (HR=2.902, 95%CI:1.987 to 4.237, P<0.01) were independent adverse prognostic factors. Conclusions: Tumor diameter ≥5 cm, T4 stage, N2 stage, tumor location in the sigmoid colon, adverse pathological type, poor differentiation, and vascular invasion are influencing factors of No. 253 lymph node metastasis. No. 253 lymph node positivity indicates a poorer prognosis. Therefore, strict dissection for No. 253 lymph node should be performed for colorectal cancer patients with these high-risk factors.

Neuropathic pain is one of the common complications of diabetes. Tetrahydropalmatine(THP) is a main active component of Corydalis Rhizoma with excellent anti-inflammatory and pain-alleviating properties. This study aims to investigate the therapeutic effect of THP on diabetic neuropathic pain(DNP) and the underlying mechanism. High-fat and high-sugar diet(4 weeks) and streptozotocin(STZ, 35 mg·kg~(-1), single intraperitoneal injection) were employed to induce type-2 DNP in rats. Moreover, lipopolysaccharide(LPS) was used to induce the activation of BV2 microglia in vitro to establish an inflammatory cellular model. Fasting blood glucose(FBG) was measured by a blood glucose meter. Mechanical withdrawal threshold(MWT) was assessed with von Frey filaments, and thermal withdrawal latency(TWL) with hot plate apparatus. The protein expression levels of OX42, inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), CD206, p38, and p-p38 were determined by Western blot, the fluorescence expression levels of OX42 and p-p38 in the dorsal horn of the rat spinal cord by immunofluorescence, the mRNA content of p38 and OX42 in rat spinal cord tissue by qRT-PCR, and levels of nitric oxide(NO), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), interleukin-6(IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-10(IL-10), and serum fasting insulin(FINS) by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). RESULTS:: showed that the mo-del group demonstrated significant decrease in MWT and TWL, with pain symptoms. THP significantly improved the MWT and TWL of DNP rats, inhibited the activation of microglia and p38 MAPK signaling pathway in rat spinal cord, and ameliorated its inflammatory response. Meanwhile, THP promoted the change of LPS-induced BV2 microglia from the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype to the anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype, suppressed the activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway, decreased the expression levels of inflammatory factors NO, IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α, and increased the expression level of anti-inflammatory factor IL-10. The findings suggested that THP can significantly ameliorate the pain symptoms of DNP rats possibly by inhibiting the inflammatory response caused by M1 polarization of microglia via the p38 MAPK pathway.
Animals ; Berberine Alkaloids ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Diabetes Mellitus ; Diabetic Neuropathies/genetics* ; Interleukin-10 ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Microglia ; Neuralgia/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Spinal Cord/metabolism* ; Streptozocin/therapeutic use* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases/metabolism*

Obtaining high-quality embryos is one of the key factors to improve the clinical pregnancy rate of assisted reproductive technologies (ART). So far, the clinical evaluation of embryo quality depends on embryo morphology. However, the clinical pregnancy rate is still low. Therefore, new indicators are needed to further improve the evaluation of embryo quality. Several studies have shown that the decrease of sperm-specific protein actin-like 7A (ACTL7A) leaded to low fertilization rate, poor embryo development, and even infertility. The aim of this study was to study whether the different expression levels of ACTL7A on sperm can be used as a biomarker for predicting embryo quality. In this study, excluding the factors of severe female infertility, a total of 281 sperm samples were collected to compare the ACTL7A expression levels of sperms with high and low effective embryo rates and analyze the correlation between protein levels and in-vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory outcomes. Our results indicated that the ACTL7A levels were significantly reduced in sperm samples presenting poor embryo quality. Furthermore, the protein levels showed a significant correlation with fertilization outcomes of ART. ACTL7A has the potential to be a biomarker for predicting success rate of fertilization and effective embryo and the possibility of embryo arrest. In conclusion, sperm-specific protein ACTL7A has a strong correlation with IVF laboratory outcomes and plays important roles in fertilization and embryo development.
Biomarkers/metabolism* ; Female ; Fertilization ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Humans ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Spermatozoa/metabolism*

Influenza is an infectious respiratory disease caused by the influenza viruses. Older people, infants and people with underlying medical conditions could have a higher risk of severe influenza symptoms and complications. The co-infection of Coronavirus Diseases 2019 (COVID-19) with influenza viruses could lead to the complication of prevention, diagnosis, control, treatment, and recovery of COVID-19. Influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine overlapped in target populations, vaccination time, and inoculation units. Although there was insufficient evidence on the immunogenicity and safety of co-administration of influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine, World Health Organization and some countries recommended co-administration of inactivated influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine. This review summarized domestic and international vaccination policies and research progress, and put forward corresponding suggestions in order to provide scientific support for the formulation of vaccination strategy on seasonal influenza vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine.
Aged ; COVID-19 ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; China ; Humans ; Infant ; Influenza Vaccines ; Influenza, Human/prevention & control* ; Pandemics/prevention & control* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Seasons ; Vaccination