Hongsheng Dan, historically referred to as the "surgical sacred medicine", is at risk of losing its refining technology in contemporary times. This study aimed to preserve and innovate this traditional non-heritage refining technology. By utilizing the analytic hierarchy process(AHP) combined with the entropy weight method, this study established the hierarchical structure model of refining process of Hongsheng Dan and conducted a single factor experiment and an L_9(3~4) orthogonal experiment to optimize the refining method of Hongsheng Dan. Additionally, the study employed infrared thermal imaging to monitor temperature variations of Hongsheng Dan during the refining process. The optimized refining parameters for Hongsheng Dan were established as follows: a slow fire temperature of 175 ℃ with a duration of 30 minutes, a strong fire temperature of 270 ℃ with a duration of 60 minutes, and a tail fire temperature of 180 ℃ with a duration of 15 minutes. The stability and feasibility of this optimized process were confirmed through validation tests. The research focused on the material transformation of Hongsheng Dan, starting from the material changes during the refining process of Hongsheng Dan and the synthesis of mercuric oxide from nitric acid. The study investigated elemental transformations, physical phase changes, and alterations in thermal properties. 78.98% of the mercury in Hongsheng Dan and 80.21% of the mercury in mercuric oxide from nitric acid were retained. The diffraction peak intensity of the(011) crystal plane of Hongsheng Dan was highest at approximately 30.07°, indicating that the(011) crystal plane had a preferred crystalline orientation. Furthermore, the temperature range for the alteration in thermal properties during the refining process of Hongsheng Dan was found to be between 80 ℃ and 130 ℃. This research not only optimized the refining technology of Hongsheng Dan but also pioneered the application of infrared thermal imaging to study temperature changes throughout the refining process. By exploring the material transformation patterns of Hongsheng Dan and the synthesis of mercuric oxide from nitric acid, the study provided technical support for the preservation and innovation of Hongsheng Dan.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/standards* ; Temperature

As a relatively novel technique for drug delivery, the needle-free injection technique is characterized by transporting the drug liquid to the designated subcutaneous position through a high-speed micro-jet. Although this technique has been applied in many fields, the research on its drug dispersion mechanism and injection performance is insufficient. The presented study aims to identify critical parameters during the injection process and describe their influence on the injection effect. The injection completion rate and performance of a needle-free injector under various operating conditions were compared based on mouse experiments. The results show that the nozzle diameter imposes a more significant influence on jet characteristics than other injection parameters. Moreover, the injection completion rate increases with the nozzle diameter. The nozzle diameters of 0.14 mm and 0.25 mm correspond to injection completion rates of 89.7% and 95.8%, respectively. Furthermore, by analyzing the rate of blood glucose change in the tested mice, it is found that insulin administration through the needle-free injection can achieve a drug effect duration longer than 120 min, which is better than that obtained using conventional needle-syringe technique. In summary, the obtained conclusions can provide an important reference for the optimal design and extending application of the air-powered needle-free injector.
Animals ; Mice ; Insulin/administration & dosage* ; Needles ; Injections, Subcutaneous/methods* ; Injections, Jet/instrumentation* ; Drug Delivery Systems/instrumentation* ; Blood Glucose/analysis* ; Equipment Design

Objectives: This study evaluates the efficacy of a new temporomandibular joint (TMJ) capsule suspension technique for stabilizing the TMJ after free fibular flap reconstruction of the mandibular condyle. Patients and Methods: Patients undergoing the TMJ capsule suspension technique during free fibular flap reconstruction after mandibulectomy with condylectomy (study group; n=9) were compared with a control group (n=9). Mandibular movement trajectory and surface electromyographic signals of bilateral masseters were recorded. The neocondyle–disc relationship was examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 6 months after surgery. Results: Maximal mouth opening and bilateral marginal movement distances were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). The asymmetry index of the condyle path length was significantly higher in controls (P=0.02). Bilateral mouth opening trajectories were symmetric in 7 patients and deviated to the affected side in 2 patients in the study group; they deviated to the affected side in all controls. The mean electromyographic values of the masseter on the affected side in resting, maximum bite, and chewing states were comparable between the two groups (P=0.13, P=0.65, and P=0.82, respectively). On MRI at 6 months, the thicknesses of the anterior, medial, and posterior bands and TMJ disc length were similar on the affected and normal sides in the study group (P=0.57, P=0.13, P=0.48, and P=0.87, respectively). Conclusion The proposed TMJ capsule suspension technique could improve postoperative TMJ structure and function after fibular free flap reconstruction following mandibulectomy with condylectomy.

BACKGROUND:Streptococcus mutans is an important pathogen of dental caries,and timely detection of its levels is of great significance for early detection and treatment of dental caries. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effect of loop-mediated isothermal amplification(FTA-LAMP)direct extraction of Streptococcus mutans DNA. METHODS:(1)Bacterial suspensions containing ATCC standard strains(Streptococcus mutans)were prepared and inoculated into the brain-heart leachate medium.After mixed thoroughly,the mixture was then diluted in a 10-fold gradient into seven concentrations(4.2×107,4.2×106,4.2×105,4.2×104,4.2×103,4.2×102,4.2×10 CFU/mL),two parallel controls were made for each dilution level,and sterile water was used as a blank control.(2)The DNA of Streptococcus mutans was extracted using FTA Elute card,boiling method,kit extraction and lysate extraction methods separately and then amplified using LAMP technology was amplified.A specificity test was also performed to compare the differences between the four DNA extraction methods.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The DNA extracted by all four methods met the requirements for LAMP amplification.Specificity test results showed that only Streptococcus mutans could specifically amplify the target gene.The detection limit value of the DNA concentration was 4.2×103 CFU/mL for the lysate method,4.2×104 CFU/mL for the FTA Elute card extraction method,4.2×106 CFU/mL for the kit extraction method,and 4.2×107 CFU/mL for the boiling method.In the other aspects of the four extraction methods,the kit extraction method had the highest experimental cost,number of steps and time;the other three methods had the same number of steps,with the FTA Elute card method requiring the least amount of instruments,the boiling method having the lowest single cost,and the lysate extraction method taking the least amount of time.Only a small amount of bacteria were needed for successful extraction using both the FTA Elute card and lysate extraction methods.Compared with the FTA Elute card method,the lysate extraction method was superior in terms of time,but it had a high single cost and required more equipment.To conclude,the FTA-LAMP technology established in this study has the advantages of ease of operation,high specificity,high sensitivity,and visualization,which is expected to be a new way for efficient extraction and detection of Streptococcus mutans.

Objectives: This study evaluates the efficacy of a new temporomandibular joint (TMJ) capsule suspension technique for stabilizing the TMJ after free fibular flap reconstruction of the mandibular condyle. Patients and Methods: Patients undergoing the TMJ capsule suspension technique during free fibular flap reconstruction after mandibulectomy with condylectomy (study group; n=9) were compared with a control group (n=9). Mandibular movement trajectory and surface electromyographic signals of bilateral masseters were recorded. The neocondyle–disc relationship was examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 6 months after surgery. Results: Maximal mouth opening and bilateral marginal movement distances were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). The asymmetry index of the condyle path length was significantly higher in controls (P=0.02). Bilateral mouth opening trajectories were symmetric in 7 patients and deviated to the affected side in 2 patients in the study group; they deviated to the affected side in all controls. The mean electromyographic values of the masseter on the affected side in resting, maximum bite, and chewing states were comparable between the two groups (P=0.13, P=0.65, and P=0.82, respectively). On MRI at 6 months, the thicknesses of the anterior, medial, and posterior bands and TMJ disc length were similar on the affected and normal sides in the study group (P=0.57, P=0.13, P=0.48, and P=0.87, respectively). Conclusion The proposed TMJ capsule suspension technique could improve postoperative TMJ structure and function after fibular free flap reconstruction following mandibulectomy with condylectomy.

Objectives: This study evaluates the efficacy of a new temporomandibular joint (TMJ) capsule suspension technique for stabilizing the TMJ after free fibular flap reconstruction of the mandibular condyle. Patients and Methods: Patients undergoing the TMJ capsule suspension technique during free fibular flap reconstruction after mandibulectomy with condylectomy (study group; n=9) were compared with a control group (n=9). Mandibular movement trajectory and surface electromyographic signals of bilateral masseters were recorded. The neocondyle–disc relationship was examined with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at 6 months after surgery. Results: Maximal mouth opening and bilateral marginal movement distances were comparable between the two groups (P>0.05). The asymmetry index of the condyle path length was significantly higher in controls (P=0.02). Bilateral mouth opening trajectories were symmetric in 7 patients and deviated to the affected side in 2 patients in the study group; they deviated to the affected side in all controls. The mean electromyographic values of the masseter on the affected side in resting, maximum bite, and chewing states were comparable between the two groups (P=0.13, P=0.65, and P=0.82, respectively). On MRI at 6 months, the thicknesses of the anterior, medial, and posterior bands and TMJ disc length were similar on the affected and normal sides in the study group (P=0.57, P=0.13, P=0.48, and P=0.87, respectively). Conclusion The proposed TMJ capsule suspension technique could improve postoperative TMJ structure and function after fibular free flap reconstruction following mandibulectomy with condylectomy.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of astragalin （AST） on autophagy and apoptosis of astrocytes in the L_4-5 dorsal horn of the spinal cord in mice with inflammatory pain induced by complete Freund's adjuvant （CFA）. MethodsTwenty-four male C57BL/6 mice， aged six months， were randomly assigned to four groups： control group， saline group， CFA model group， and CFA+AST group， six mice in each group. The inflammatory pain model was established by injection of 10 µL CFA into the right lateral malleolus fossa. The saline group were injected with an equal amount of normal saline at the same site. The inflammatory pain mice in CFA+AST group were further treated with AST （60 mg/kg） intraperitoneally once a day for 21 consecutive days. Multiplex immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the coexpression of autophagy-related factors including ATG 12 and Beclin-1， apoptosis-related factors including Cleaved-Caspase3 and Caspase9， and the astrocyte marker such as GFAP in the L_4-5 spinal dorsal horn of the mice in each group. Western blot was used to examine the protein expression levels of autophagy-related proteins（ATG12， Beclin-1） and apoptosis-related proteins（Caspase 3， Caspase 9） in the L_4-5 spinal dorsal horn of mice. ResultsImmunofluorescent staining showed that in the L_4-5 dorsal horn of the spinal cord， the fluorescence intensity of ATG12 （P<0.000 1） and Beclin-1 （P<0.000 1） was significantly increased， while that of Cleaved-Caspase 3 （P<0.001） and Caspase 9 （P<0.000 1） was decreased in the CFA+AST group when compared to the CFA model group. Furthermore， AST could inhibit the activation of astrocytes. Western blot further confirmed that AST significantly upregulated the expression of ATG12 （P<0.000 1） and Beclin-1 （P<0.000 1） in the L_4-5 spinal cord of CFA mice， and downregulated the expression of Caspase 3 （P<0.01） and Caspase 9 （P<0.001）. ConclusionsAST promotes autophagy of astrocytes and inhibits their apoptosis in the L_4-5 spinal dorsal horn of CFA mice.

Background Prenatal chronic psychological stress may increase the risk of allergic diseases in children, and eczema is the most common allergic disease in children, the pathogenesis of which is not yet fully understood. Objective To preliminarily clarify the changes in offspring intestinal flora after chronic stress exposure during pregnancy in rats that increases offspring immune imbalance and eczema susceptibility. Methods Thirty SPF-grade adult female SD rats were selected and randomly divided into a model group and a control group (n=15). Sixteen male rats were randomly divided into a model mating group and a control mating group (n=8). A 28-day chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model during pregnancy was established. On the 7th day of stress, male and female rats were caged in a ratio of 3:1. Blood samples were collected from female rats in each group via angular vein on the 1st day before stress, and on the 7th, 14th, 21st, and 28th days after stress. The content of plasma corticosterone during pregnancy was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). For the offspring rats, an eczema model was constructed using 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene (DNCB). The number of scratching times of the offspring rats within 5 min was recorded. The offspring rats were divided into 4 groups: DNCB-CUMS group (MM), DNCB-control group (MC), solvent control-CUMS group (CM), and blank control group (CC), with 8 rats in each group. The eczema was induced once every 3 days, and the induction period was 12 d. The expression level of immunoglobulin E (IgE) in the serum of offspring rats after the eczema induction experiment were determined by ELISA. The concentrations of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin-2 (IL-2), interleukin-4 (IL-4), and interleukin-13 (IL-13) in the serum were quantified by multi-parameter flow cytometry. The composition and abundance of intestinal microbiota in the feces of offspring rats were detected by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology. Results The plasma corticosterone concentrations in the model group were higher than those in the control group on the 7th and 21st days of stress (P<0.05). On the 14th and 21st days of stress, the 1% sucrose preference percentages of female rats in the model group were lower than that in the control group. On the 7th, 14th, and 21st days of stress, the horizontal movement scores of female rats in the model group and the vertical movement scores on the 7th and 14th days were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). After 6, 9, and 12 d of model building, the scratching frequencies in the MC group and MM group were significantly higher than those in the CC group and CM group (P<0.05). Moreover, there were differences in the contents of cytokines including IFN-γ, IL-2, TNF-α, IL-4, IL-13, and IgE among the offspring rat groups (P<0.05). The CM group and MM group led to an increase in the contents of TNF-α, IL-4, IL-13, and IgE cytokines (P<0.05), while the MM group caused a decrease in the contents of IFN-γ and IL-2 (P<0.05). After the eczema induction experiment, the α-diversity analysis showed that the Simpson index and Shannon index in the CM were higher than those in the CC (P<0.05), indicating that CUMS during the pregnancy of female rats could increase the species abundance of their offspring. The abundances of Prevotella and Lactobacillus in the CM group decreased (P<0.05). Conclusion Intestinal dysbiosis in offspring due to chronic prenatal psychological stress, which may be one of the mechanisms linking maternal stress to immune imbalance and increased susceptibility to eczema in offspring.

As a mercury-containing elixir， Hongshengdan has been known as a sacred medicine for surgery by ancient medical practitioners because of its precise curative effects. It originated from Yizong Shuoyue in the Qing dynasty， Qing dynasty and modern medical practitioners have adapted and modified its formula for clinical application. Employing bibliometric methods， the authors systematically organized relevant ancient literature of the Qing dynasty and modern literature， and analyzed the composition and dosage， preparation method， and clinical application. Among the 25 ancient books concerning Hongshengdan， a total of 12 medicinal formulas， 15 refining methods and 9 clinical applications were obtained. Research confirms that Hongshengdan consisted of mercury， saltpeter， alum， soap alum， cinnabar and realgar. Using measurement conversion standards of Qing dynasty， the modern single-batch formulation comprised 37.30 g of mercury， 149.20 g of saltpeter， 37.30 g of alum， 22.38 g of soap alum， 18.65 g of cinnabar， and 18.65 g of realgar. In modern refining of Hongshengdan， most medical practitioners take the core medicines， with dosages approximately 30 g of mercury， 30 g of saltpeter， and 30 g of alum. Refining method involves pretreatment stewing the materials during preparation， and alum， soap alum， and saltpeter are first ground together， then combined with mercury， cinnabar， and realgar for grinding until mercury and other drugs grind to the degree of no star points. The mixture is then placed in a pot or vessel by cold-forming method. After covering， the opening is sealed using either raw gypsum salt mud or honey-dipped cotton paper strips. Sand is packed around the vessel and then pressurized. During the calcination process， begin with a low flame（30 min）， then increase to a medium flame（30 min）， followed by a high flame（30 min）， after removing fire toxins， collect the final product. Hongshengdan has the efficacy of lifting the poison， removing the corrosion， producing muscle and dispersing， and is often used in the treatment of surgical sore and carbuncle type of diseases. Modern research indicates that Hongshengdan is commonly used to treat skin system diseases such as ulcers and herpes. The aforementioned findings provide a reference basis for the subsequent refining method and clinical application of Hongshengdan.

Piezo1, a mechanosensitive nonselective cation channel characterized by multiple transmembrane domains, plays a critical role intransducing mechanical stimuli at the cellular membrane and participates in various physiological and pathological processes. Recent studies have established a significant association between Piezo1 and the occurrence and development of multiple ophthalmic disorders. Substantial evidence demonstrates that Piezo1 contributes to ocular disease progression by regulating fundamental cellular processes including proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and inflammatory responses, with particular relevance to glaucoma, corneal diseases, retinal disorders, and dry eye syndrome. Piezo1 has made rapid progress in ophthalmology, and has been established as an important mechanosensor in the eye, widely involved in intraocular pressure regulation, retinal function maintenance, corneal homeostasis and repair, and ocular development, and its dysfunction is closely related to the pathological mechanisms of many important blinding eye diseases. Consequently, Piezo1 is not only a key molecule for understanding ocular mechanobiology, but also represents a highly promising therapeutic target. Its study offers new perspectives for the development of novel therapeutic strategies against ocular diseases. This review systematically summarizes current research advances regarding Piezo1 channels in ophthalmology, analyzes their mechanistic involvement in disease processes, and evaluates their potential therapeutic value, thereby offering innovative perspectives for the clinical management of ocular diseases.