OBJECTIVES: To investigate the molecular mechanism by which He's Yangchao Formula improves ovarian function in premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) mice through intestinal flora modulation. METHODS: Forty female ICR mice (aged 6-8 weeks) were intraperitoneally injected with cyclophosphamide (150 mg/kg) to establish a POI model, while 10 untreated mice served as the blank control. Successfully modeled mice were randomly divided into four groups (n=10/group): low-dose He's Yangchao Formula (6 g crude herb/kg), high-dose He's Yangchao Formula (25 g crude herb/kg), positive control (estradiol), and model control (distilled water). Treatments were admin-istered daily by gavage for 6 weeks. Vaginal exfoliated cells were stained with Wright-Giemsa solution to monitor estrous cycles. Serum estradiol and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels were measured by ELISA. Ovarian FSH receptor (FSHR) expression was assessed by immunohistochemistry. Glycolysis-related proteins pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) and glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4) were analyzed by Western blotting and immuno-fluorescence. Fecal samples from blank control, model control, and high-dose groups underwent metagenomic sequencing to evaluate intestinal microbiota diversity and com-position. RESULTS: He's Yangchao Formula restored estrous cyclicity, increased serum estradiol (P<0.05), decreased serum FSH (P<0.05), and upregulated FSHR expression in granulosa cells (P<0.05). Metagenomic analysis revealed significant structural differences in intestinal flora among blank control, model control, and high-dose groups (P<0.01). The high-dose group showed reduced abundance of conditional pathogens (e.g., Alistipes, Prevotella, Odoribacter, Blautia, Rikenella) compared to the model control (P<0.05). Functional enrichment analysis indicated involvement of glycolysis-related pathways. Concordantly, PKM2 and GLUT4 expression was downregulated in the model control but upregulated in He's Yangchao Formula groups (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS He's Yangchao Formula ameliorates POI in mice by remodeling intestinal flora structure, enhancing glycolytic activity, improving ovarian sex hormone secretion, increasing granulosa cell FSHR expression, and restoring estrous cyclicity.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the molecular mechanism by which He's Yangchao Decoction (HSYC) improves ovarian function in a mouse model of premature ovarian insufficiency (POI). METHODS: Forty ICR mice were used to establish a POI model via intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide and were randomly assigned to four groups: model control group, low-dose HSYC group, high-dose HSYC group, and estradiol group (positive control). Additionally, 10 age-matched ICR mice were selected as the blank control group. After intragastric intervention, the ovarian index, serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, and ovarian tissue expression of the FSH receptor (FSHR) were measured. A POI cell model was established by treating the human granulosa tumor cell line (KGN) with 4-hydroxycyclophosphamide. The cells were divided into four groups: solvent control group, HSYC group, inhibitor control group, and inhibitor+HSYC group, which were respectively treated with TH5487 (an OGG1 inhibitor) and HSYC-containing serum. The expressions of OGG1, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) oxidative damage markers, and pyroptosis-related proteins were detected by molecular docking, Western blotting, and immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Compared with the blank control group, the model control group showed a decreased ovarian index (P<0.05) and increased serum FSH levels (P<0.01). The ovarian index was higher in both the low- and high-dose HSYC groups compared with the model control group (both P<0.05). FSHR expression in ovarian tissue was lower in the model control group than that in the blank control group, but was higher in the high-dose HSYC group compared with the model control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Molecular docking confirmed strong binding affinity between the active components of HSYC and OGG1 (binding energy: －6.3 to －8.3 kcal/mol). Western blotting analysis revealed that OGG1 protein expression in the ovaries of the model control group was significantly reduced compared with the blank control group, while it was increased in the low-dose HSYC group and the estradiol group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Immunofluorescence results demonstrated that the expression levels of mito-chondrial transcription factor A (TFAM) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) were decreased in the model control group compared with the blank control group (P<0.01), whereas their expressions were significantly elevated in the high-dose HSYC group and the estradiol group (all P<0.01). Cell experiments showed that TH5487 intervention increased the expression of 8-oxoguanine (8-OxoG) (P<0.01), while HSYC-containing serum intervention reduced 8-OxoG expression and increased TFAM expression (P<0.01). The expression of pyroptosis-related proteins (GSDMD, N-GSDMD, caspase-1, IL-1β) increased after TH5487 intervention (P<0.05), whereas HSYC-containing serum suppressed their expression (all P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS HSYC improves POI by upregulating OGG1 expression, mitigating mtDNA oxidative damage, and inhibiting granulosa cell pyroptosis.

Objective: To observed the effect of a curcumin-based vaginal gel combined with electroporation for the treatment of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC) caused by Candida albicans. Methods: Temperature-sensitive in situ gels (ISG) were prepared using poloxamers 407 and 188 as matrices. The mass ratio of poloxamer 407 and poloxamer 188 was 7:1 with a gelation temperature of approximately 29°C and gelation time of 2.5 min. Results: Electroporation increased the transmucosal permeability of the model drug, doxorubicin and improved the antifungal effects of curcumin. In vitro antifungal experiments showed that the number of fungal colonies in curcumin ISG combined with electroporation was lower than that in pure curcumin ISG. In vivo pharmacodynamic experiments showed that, compared to the model group, curcumin ISG with electroporation inhibited the growth of C. albicans, alleviated vaginal mucosal edema, and reduced the inflammatory response. Conclusion Curcumin ISG combined with electroporation has substantial potential for the efficient clinical treatment of VVC.

Objective To construct a uricase-deficient mouse model with stable inheritance using the CRISPR/Cas9 system,and evaluate its ability to simulate the disease characteristics of patients with hyperuricemia.Methods Double single guide RNAs(sgRNAs)were designed on both sides of exon 2～4 of the Uox gene.sgRNA and Cas9 mRNA for gene knockout were microinjected into the fertilized eggs of mice.After culture for 2～4 h,the embryos were transferred to surrogate mother mice to produce an F0 generation.Uox-knockout mice were identified by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analysis.Positive mice were then mated with wild-type(WT)mice to produce an F1 generation,and heterozygous female and male F1 mice were then selected to obtain homozygous F2 mice.Serum and urine levels of uric acid,creatinine,and urea,and serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)levels were detected and compared between homozygous and wild-type mice.Pathological changes in kidney and liver tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining.Results Urine levels of serum uric acid(male:(4116.8±1928.1)μmol/L,P＜0.001;female:(2998.0±547.7)μmol/L,P＜0.01)and serum levels of uric acid(male:(478.4±114.6)μmol/L,P＜0.001;female:(507.7±129.6)μmol/L,P＜0.001),creatinine((91.8±55.6)μmol/L,P＜0.001),urea((28.6±13.9)mmol/L,P＜0.05),ALT((53.3±23.3)U/L,P＜0.01),and AST((203.3±70.3)U/L,P＜0.001)were significantly increased in Uox-/-mice compared with WT mice.Histopathological examination showed moderate hepatocyte degeneration in the liver,moderate-to-severe tubular cystic dilation,degeneration,and fibrosis in the kidney,glomerular hypertrophy and hyperplasia,small-vessel dilation and congestion,and infiltration of stromal monocytes and lymphocytes in Uox-/-mice.Conclusions We successfully established a homozygous uricase-deficient mouse strain using CRISPR/Cas9 technology,as a suitable animal model for research in the field of hyperuricemia.

Objective To construct a uricase-deficient mouse model with stable inheritance using the CRISPR/Cas9 system,and evaluate its ability to simulate the disease characteristics of patients with hyperuricemia.Methods Double single guide RNAs(sgRNAs)were designed on both sides of exon 2～4 of the Uox gene.sgRNA and Cas9 mRNA for gene knockout were microinjected into the fertilized eggs of mice.After culture for 2～4 h,the embryos were transferred to surrogate mother mice to produce an F0 generation.Uox-knockout mice were identified by polymerase chain reaction and sequencing analysis.Positive mice were then mated with wild-type(WT)mice to produce an F1 generation,and heterozygous female and male F1 mice were then selected to obtain homozygous F2 mice.Serum and urine levels of uric acid,creatinine,and urea,and serum alanine aminotransferase(ALT)and aspartate aminotransferase(AST)levels were detected and compared between homozygous and wild-type mice.Pathological changes in kidney and liver tissues were observed by hematoxylin and eosin and Masson staining.Results Urine levels of serum uric acid(male:(4116.8±1928.1)μmol/L,P＜0.001;female:(2998.0±547.7)μmol/L,P＜0.01)and serum levels of uric acid(male:(478.4±114.6)μmol/L,P＜0.001;female:(507.7±129.6)μmol/L,P＜0.001),creatinine((91.8±55.6)μmol/L,P＜0.001),urea((28.6±13.9)mmol/L,P＜0.05),ALT((53.3±23.3)U/L,P＜0.01),and AST((203.3±70.3)U/L,P＜0.001)were significantly increased in Uox-/-mice compared with WT mice.Histopathological examination showed moderate hepatocyte degeneration in the liver,moderate-to-severe tubular cystic dilation,degeneration,and fibrosis in the kidney,glomerular hypertrophy and hyperplasia,small-vessel dilation and congestion,and infiltration of stromal monocytes and lymphocytes in Uox-/-mice.Conclusions We successfully established a homozygous uricase-deficient mouse strain using CRISPR/Cas9 technology,as a suitable animal model for research in the field of hyperuricemia.

Objective This study aimed to identify PAX9 variants in non-syndromic tooth agenesis families of Chi-na,as well as to analyze the genotype-phenotype of non-syndromic tooth agenesis caused by PAX9 variants,which can provide a basis for the genetic diagnosis of tooth agenesis.Methods We collected the data of 44 patients with non-syn-dromic oligodontia who underwent treatment at Stomatological Hospital of Hebei Medical University between 2018 and 2023.Whole-exome sequencing was performed on the peripheral blood of the proband and its core family members,and the variants were verified by Sanger sequencing.Pathogenicity analysis and function prediction of the variants were per-formed using bioinformatics tools.The correlation between the genotype of PAX9 variant and its corresponding pheno-type was examined by reviewing 55 publications retrieved from PubMed.The studies involved 232 tooth agenesis pa-tients with PAX9 variants.Results A novel PAX9 c.447delG(p.Pro150Argfs*62)and a reported PAX9 c.406C>T(p.Gln136*)were identified in two Chinese families.Through bioinformatics analysis and three-dimensional structural mod-eling,we postulated that the frameshift variant was pathogenic.The outcome was the premature cessation of PAX9 pro-tein,which caused severe structural and functional deficiencies.Summarizing the PAX9 genotype-phenotype relationship revealed that patients carrying the PAX9 variant commonly led to loss of the second molars.Conclusion We identified the novel PAX9 c.447delG(p.Pro150Argfs*62)in a Chinese family of non-syndromic oligodontia,expanding the known variant spectrum of PAX9.The most susceptible tooth position for PAX9 variants of tooth agenesis was the second mo-lars and the deciduous molars during the deciduous dentition.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Chinese medicine Jianpi Antai formula in infertile women undergoing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET).Methods:A total of 300 infertile women who underwent 2 frozen embryo transfer procedures at the Reproductive Medicine Center,Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital were included in the study.The participants were randomly divided into study group and control group.The study group received routine medication plus the Jianpi Antai formula during the period of embryo transfer,while the control group received routine medication only.The general condition,embryo implantation rate,clinical pregnancy rate,live birth rate,and the blood routine and liver and kidney function were evaluated and compared between two groups.Results:There were 277 cases who completed the study,including 134 in the study group and 143 in the control group.The embryo implantation rate(68.7%vs.55.9%),the clinical pregnancy rate(56.7%vs.44.8%)and the live birth rate(50.7%vs.37.8%)in the study group were all higher than those in the control group(all P＜0.05).Subgroup analysis revealed that in patients of advanced age(≥35 years)and those with decreased ovarian reserve function(anti-Müllerian hormone＜1.68 ng/mL),the embryo implantation rate,clinical pregnancy rate,and live birth rate in the study group were all higher than those in the control group(all P＜0.05).During the follow-up period,there were no abnormalities in the basic vital signs of both groups,and no adverse events were reported.Conclusion:Jianpi Antai formula can safely improve the embryo implantation rate in infertile women undergoing IVF-ET,reduce the embryo miscarriage rate,increase the live birth rate as well as improve the clinical outcomes.

Objective:To investigate the effect of Chinese medicine He's Yangchao recipe on premature ovarian insufficiency(POI)and its relationship with mitochondrial function of ovarian granulose cells in an animal model.Methods:Thirty-six female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into blank control group,model group,low-,medium-and high-dose He's Yangchao recipe treatment group and coenzyme Q10(Q10)treatment group(positive control).The POI model was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide(90 mg/kg).The animals were sacrificed after 21 days.Primary granulose cells were obtained from POI mice and treated with He's Yangchao recipe,ERβ inhibitor PHTPP,and He's Yangchao recipe+PHTPP in vitro for 24 h,respectively.Ovarian histopathological changes were observed by hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining,ATP levels were detected by luciferase assay,mtDNA copy numbers were detected by quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),mitochondrial structure changes were observed by transmission electron microscopy,protein and mRNA expression levels of estrogen receptor β(ERβ),peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α(PGC1α),mitochondrial transcription factor A(TFAM),and superoxide dismutase 2(SOD2)were detected by Western blotting and qRT-PCR.Results:The ovarian tissue in model group exhibited few secondary and tertiary follicles,whereas the He's Yangchao recipe groups and Q10 group had abundant secondary and tertiary follicles.Compared with the blank control group,ATP and mtDNA levels in model group decreased(P＜0.01),mitochondrial crista disappeared or abnormal vacuolated structure increased;the protein and mRNA levels of ERβ,PGC1α,TFAM,and SOD2 decreased(all P＜0.01).ATP production increased in granulose cells of high-dose He's Yangchao recipe group and Q10 group;mtDNA copy numbers increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01);abnormal mitochondrial structure was reduced;the protein and mRNA expressions of ERβ,PGC1α,TFAM,and SOD2 increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Compared with the PHTPP intervention group,the proportion of normal mitochondrial structure in the granulose cells of He's Yangchao recipe+PHTPP group was higher;ATP content increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01);mtDNA copy numbers increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01);the protein and mRNA expression of ERβ,PGC1α,TFAM and SOD2 increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusions:He's Yangchao recipe can regulate mitochondrial biogenesis through ERβ/PGC1α/TFAM pathway to improve ovarian function in POI mice.

Objective:To explore the relationship between knowledge of a friend's non-suicidal self-injury (NSSI) behavior and self injury and suicide behaviors of adolescents.Methods:From January 2020 to January 2021, totally 1 683 students from a middle school in Xiamen were randomly selected by cluster sampling.The suicide items of the self-injurious thoughts and behaviors interview(SITBT) were used to assess whether students were aware of their friends' self injurious history and their self injurious behaviors.The suicide items of the mini international neuropsychiatric interview for children and adolescents (MINI-KID) were used to assess students' suicide ideation and behavior.The data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 21.0 software.Logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between knowledge of a friend's NSSI and adolescents' own self-reported NSSI and suicidal behaviors.Results:A total of 1 683 junior and senior high school students completed the survey, including 412 (24.4%) who knew their friend's NSSI history and 1 271 (75.6%) who did not know their friend's NSSI history.There were statistically significant differences between the adolescents known and unknown friends' NSSI histories in terms of age, gender, whether they were left-behind children, mental disorders, their own NSSI, suicide attempts, and suicidal ideation (all P<0.05). Knowledge of a friend's NSSI behavior had positive predictive effect on adolescents' own NSSI behavior ( β=0.558, OR=2.01, 95% CI=1.58-3.88), suicidal ideation( β=0.238, OR=3.03, 95% CI=2.08-5.55), and suicide attempts ( β=0.233, OR=2.88, 95% CI=1.55-5.45) (all P<0.05). Conclusion:Knowledge of a friend's NSSI behavior may have an impact on adolescents' own self-injury and suicidal behavior.

Melatonin receptor 1B (MT2, encoded by the MTNR1B gene), a high-affinity receptor for melatonin, is associated with glucose homeostasis including glucose uptake and transport. The rs10830963 variant in the MTNR1B gene is linked to glucose metabolism disorders including gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM); however, the relationship between MT2-mediated melatonin signaling and a high birth weight of GDM infants from maternal glucose abnormality remains poorly understood. This article aims to investigate the relationship between rs10830963 variants and GDM development, as well as the effects of MT2 receptor on glucose uptake and transport in trophoblasts. TaqMan-MGB (minor groove binder) probe quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) assays were used for rs10930963 genotyping. MT2 expression in the placenta of GDM and normal pregnant women was detected by immunofluorescence, western blot, and qPCR. The relationship between MT2 and glucose transporters (GLUTs) or peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) was established by western blot, and glucose consumption of trophoblasts was measured by a glucose assay kit. The results showed that the genotype and allele frequencies of rs10830963 were significantly different between GDM and normal pregnant women (P<0.05). The fasting, 1-h and 2-h plasma glucose levels of G-allele carriers were significantly higher than those of C-allele carriers (P<0.05). Besides, the protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of MT2 in the placenta of GDM was significantly higher than that of normal pregnant women (P<0.05). Melatonin could stimulate glucose uptake and GLUT4 and PPARγ protein expression in trophoblasts, which could be attenuated by MT2 receptor knockdown. In conclusion, the rs10830963 variant was associated with an increased risk of GDM. The MT2 receptor is essential for melatonin to raise glucose uptake and transport, which may be mediated by PPARγ.
Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Diabetes, Gestational/metabolism* ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Melatonin/metabolism* ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; PPAR gamma ; Receptor, Melatonin, MT2/genetics*