ObjectiveThe controllability changes of structural brain network were explored based on the control and brain network theory in young smokers, this may reveal that the controllability indicators can serve as a powerful factor to predict the sleep status in young smokers. MethodsFifty young smokers and 51 healthy controls from Inner Mongolia University of Science and Technology were enrolled. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) was used to construct structural brain network based on fractional anisotropy (FA) weight matrix. According to the control and brain network theory, the average controllability and the modal controllability were calculated. Two-sample t-test was used to compare the differences between the groups and Pearson correlation analysis to examine the correlation between significant average controllability and modal controllability with Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND) in young smokers. The nodes with the controllability score in the top 10% were selected as the super-controllers. Finally, we used BP neural network to predict the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in young smokers. ResultsThe average controllability of dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus, supplementary motor area, lenticular nucleus putamen, and lenticular nucleus pallidum, and the modal controllability of orbital inferior frontal gyrus, supplementary motor area, gyrus rectus, and posterior cingulate gyrus in the young smokers’ group, were all significantly different from those of the healthy controls group (P<0.05). The average controllability of the right supplementary motor area (SMA.R) in the young smokers group was positively correlated with FTND (r=0.393 0, P=0.004 8), while modal controllability was negatively correlated with FTND (r=-0.330 1, P=0.019 2). ConclusionThe controllability of structural brain network in young smokers is abnormal. which may serve as an indicator to predict sleep condition. It may provide the imaging evidence for evaluating the cognitive function impairment in young smokers.

Objective To explore the possibility and genetic identification method of constructing a hepatocyte-specific NLRP3 gene knockout mouse model by using Cre-LoxP system gene knockout technology.Methods Phase one:mice specifically expressing the albumin promoter-Cre(AlbCre)recombinase in hepatocytes were mated with NLRP3flox/flox mice,and the hepatocyte-specific NLRP3 gene knockout mice with the genotype of NLRP3flox/flox/AlbCre+/-(hepatocyte NLRP3 knockout group)and the control mice in the same litter with the genotype of NLRP3flox/flox/AlbCre-/-(control group in the same litter)were obtained after two generations of selection and mating.The second stage was the mass reproduction stage.Mating NLRP3flox/flox/AlbCre+/-target mice with NLRP3flox/flox mice could quickly obtain a large number of experimental target mice and control mice in the same litter.The DNA was extracted from the tails of mice after numbering,and the offspring genotype was identified by PCR.qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3 gene in the liver tissue.HE staining was used to observe the morphological changes in liver tissues,and serum liver transaminases and inflammatory factors were detected.The changes in body weight,liver-to-body ratio and special circumstances during reproduction and development of mice in the two groups were observed.Results The offspring genotype of the target mice in the F2 generation was consistent with theoretical result of NLRP3flox/flox/AlbCre+/-.The mRNA and protein levels of NLRP3 in liver tissues of mice in the hepatocyte NLRP3 knockout group were significantly lower than those in the control group in the same litter(P<0.05).The mice in the hepatocyte NLRP3 knockout group was not affected in terms of growth,development and reproduction after the NLRP3 gene knockout.There were no statistically significant differences in the body weight,liver-to-body ratio,liver tissue morphology,serum liver transaminase or inflammatory factors between the hepatocyte NLRP3 knockout group and the control group in the same litter(P>0.05).Conclusion The Cre-LoxP gene knockout technology can be used to successfully construct a hepatocyte-specific NLRP3 gene knockout mouse model,providing an important technical support for the next step of studying the function of the NLRP3 gene in the liver at the animal level.

Objective:To explore the expression regulation of lipid metabolism gene ABHD5 in testes.Methods:Differential gene analysis was performed by integrating databases of TCGA and GTEx to identify the target gene ABHD5.The expression trends of ABHD5 gene in testicular carcinoma tissue were analyzed.Human testis single-cell atlases were obtained from the Human Protein Atlas and Male Health Atlas databases to determine the expression distribution of ABHD5 across different testicular cell types.Additionally,the GTEx database was utilized to visualize the expression pattern of ABHD5 in the testis,thereby enhancing the understanding of its transcriptional profile.The relationship between ABHD5 expression and age was assessed through integrated database analysis.Western blotting and immunofluorescence were performed to detect differential expressions of ABHD5 in testicular tissues of young and aged mice respectively.Results:The TCGA database indicated that the expression of ABHD5 in human testicular carcinoma tissue was significantly lower than that in normal testicular tissue which showed a negative correlation with patient survival.ABHD5 was highly ex-pressed in germ cells of the testis reveaked from Human Protein Atlas and Male Health Atlas databases.The stability of ABHD5 protein was crucial for testicular tissue,and its expression decreased with age.Furthermore,Western blot and immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that ABHD5 expression in the testicular tissue of aged mice was significantly lower than that in young mice.Conclu-sion:ABHD5 plays an important role in testicular tissue,and may be inseparable from testicular tumors and reproductive aging.How-ever,its mechanism of action remains to be further studied.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and safety of a domestically developed,single-arm single-port robotic system for performing complex gynecological surgeries under extreme conditions,such as ultra-remote locations and high-altitude environments.Methods In November and December 2024,a surgeon on the campus of West China Second Hospital,Sichuan University in Chengdu remotely manipulated a domestically developed single-arm,single-port robotic surgical system via a high-speed,low-latency communication network to perform two telesurgical procedures.The first procedure was a transumbilical single-port robot-assisted laparoscopic total hysterectomy,bilateral salpingectomy,and left ovarian cystectomy on a patient with multiple uterine fibroids at the Maternity and Child Health Hospital of Xizang Autonomous Region(distance between Chengdu and Lhasa>2 000 km and altitude difference>3 000 m).The second procedure was a transumbilical single-port robot-assisted laparoscopic total hysterectomy,bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy,and sentinel lymph node biopsy on a patient with FIGO stage IA endometrial cancer at Zhujiang Hospital,Southern Medical University in Guangzhou(the distance between Chengdu and Guangzhou>1 500 km).Perioperative data were collected and analyzed.Results Both procedures were successfully completed without conversion to laparotomy or the use of additional auxiliary ports.The operative times for the Chengdu-Lhasa and Chengdu-Guangzhou surgeries were 90 minutes and 135 minutes,respectively,with estimated blood loss≤50 mL in both cases.The intraoperative bidirectional network latency remained around 40 ms,and the total end-to-end latency was less than 60 ms.The surgeon reported no perceptible delay in instrumental response.Both patients recovered well postoperatively,and no surgery-related complications or disease recurrence were observed during follow-up until July 2025.Conclusion This study provides preliminary evidence supporting the feasibility and safety of a domestically developed single-arm,single-port robotic system for performing complex gynecological surgeries in ultra-remote and high-altitude settings.This technical approach offers a promising solution to address geographic disparities in access to high-quality medical resources and demonstrates significant potential for improving the availability of advanced minimally invasive surgery in remote areas and regions of special settings.

[Purpose]To analyze the trends of brain tumor incidence and age of onset in cancer registration areas of Jiangsu Province from 2009 to 2019.[Methods]The incidence data of brain tumors from 2009 to 2019 were obtained from 16 national cancer registration areas of Jiangsu Province.The crude incidence rate,age-standardized incidence rate by Chinese standard popula-tion(ASIRC),average age of onset,standardized age-specific incidence rate,and annual average percentage change(AAPC)by sexes and regions were calculated.[Results]The incidence rate of brain tumor in Jiangsu Province from 2009 to 2019 showed an increasing trend(AAPC=4.12％,95％CI:3.31％～4.95％),and the increase in female(AAPC=5.79％,95％CI:4.44％～7.15％)was higher than that in male(AAPC=2.31％,95％CI:1.66％～2.97％);and the increase in urban areas(AAPC=4.84％,95％CI:3.52％～6.18％)was higher than that in rural areas(AAPC=3.04％,95％CI:2.12％～3.98％).The ASIRC also showed an increasing trend(AAPC=2.14％,95％CI:1.27％～3.02％).Birth cohort analysis showed that within the same age group,the incidence rate of brain tumors increased with increasing birth years.The average age of onset for crude incidence showed a delaying trend of 0.43 years old per year(t=7.09,P＜0.001);that for ASIRC was 0.20 years old per year(t=3.33,P=0.009).The proportion of patients in the age group of 60 years old and above increased from 35.79％in 2009 to 44.18％in 2019.[Conclusion]The incidence of brain tumor in cancer registration areas of Jiangsu Province showed an increasing trend from 2009 to 2019 with a delaying trend of average age of onset.

AIM To optimize the cellulase-assisted ultrasound extraction process for total flavonoids from Plumbago zeylanica L.,and to evaluate their anti-oxidant activity.METHODS With extraction time,liquid-solid ratio,cellulase addition amount,extraction temperature and ultrasonic power as influencing factors,extraction rate of total flavonoids as an evaluation index,the extraction process was optimized by response surface method on the basis of single factor test.Subsequently,The scavenging rates of extract on DPPH,ABTS and OH free radicals were determined.RESULTS The optimal conditions were determined to be 34∶1 for liquid-solid ratio,3％for cellulase addition amount,51 ℃ for extraction temperature,38 min for extraction time,and 400 W for ultrasonic power,the extraction rate of total flavonoids was(33.411±0.97)％.The IC50 values of three free radicals were 0.13,0.042,3.29 mg/mL,respectively.CONCLUSION This reasonable and reliable method can be used for the cellulase-assisted ultrasound extraction of total flavonoids from P.zeylanica with strong anti-oxidant activity.

The therapeutic effects of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) decoction is closely related to its decocting methods. A correct understanding of the scientific connotations of decocting methods in TCM is of great significance for guiding the application of decoctions and the development of modern TCM preparations based on decoctions. The decocting process is not only a hot water extraction process of chemical components but also accompanied by complex chemical and physical changes, forming a complex multiphase system and significantly affecting the absorption and therapeutic effect of TCM. This article reviews the research progress in scientific connotations of decocting methods in TCM from the perspectives of chemical composition changes, phase state differences,absorption behavior changes, and pharmacological and toxicological changes caused by decocting. This review is expected to provide implications for studying decocting methods and their scientific interpretation, boost the innovation and development of TCM decoctions,and promote the design and development of modern TCM preparations.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Animals

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is the pillar for the development of motherland medicine, and animal medicine has a long history of application in China, characterized by wide resources, strong activity, definite efficacy, and great benefits. It has significant potential and important status in the consumption market of raw materials of TCM. In the context of global climate change, farming system alterations, and low renewability, the depletion of wild medicinal animal resources has accelerated. Accordingly, the conservation and sustainable utilization of wild resources of animal medicinal materials has become a problem that garners increasing attention and urgently needs to be solved. This paper summarizes the current situation of domestic and foreign medicinal animal breeding and research progress in industrial application in recent years and points out the issues related to standardized breeding, germplasm selection and breeding, and quality evaluation standards for medicinal animals. Furthermore, this paper discusses standardized breeding, quality standards, resource protection and utilization, and the search for alternative resources for rare and endangered medicinal animals. It proposes that researchers should systematically carry out in-depth basic research on animal medicine, improve the breeding scale and level of medicinal animals, employ modern technology to enhance the quality standards of medicinal materials, and strengthen the research and development of alternative resources. This approach aims to effectively address the relationship between protection and utilization and make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of medicinal animal resources and the animal-based Chinese medicinal material industry.
Animals ; Breeding ; China ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Conservation of Natural Resources

OBJECTIVE: To investigate correlation between preoperative C ₂ slope (C2S) and effectiveness at 2 years after short-segment anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF), with the aim of providing reliable indicators for predicting effectiveness. METHODS: One hundred and eighteen patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy, who received short-segment ACDF between January 2018 and December 2022 and met the selection criteria, were enrolled in the study. There were 46 males and 72 females, aged from 26 to 80 years, with a mean age of 53.6 years. The operative duration was (127.6±33.46) minutes and the intraoperative blood loss was (34.75±30.40) mL. All patients were followed up 2 years. The pre- and post-operative Neck Disability Index (NDI), Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score for pain were recorded. Based on the anteroposterior and lateral cervical X-ray films, the sagittal parameters of the cervical spine were measured [C ₂-C ₇ Cobb angle, C ₀-C ₂ Cobb angle, T ₁ slope, C2S, sagittal segmental angle (SSA) of the surgical segment, and average surgical disc height (ASDH) of the surgical segment]. Statistical analyses were performed to assess the differences in these indicators between pre- and post-operation, as well as the correlations between the preoperative C2S and the JOA score, NDI, and VAS score at 2 years after operation. The patients were allocated into group A (C2S >11.73°) and group B (C2S≤ 11.73°) according to the median value of the preoperative C2S (11.73°). The JOA score, NDI, and VAS score before operation and at 2 years after operation, as well as the differences between pre- and post-operative values (change values), were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The T ₁ slope, C ₂-C ₇ Cobb angle, C ₀-C ₂ Cobb angle, SSA, and ASDH at immediate after operation and JOA score, NDI, and VAS score at 2 years after operation significantly improved in 118 patients when compared with preoperative ones ( P<0.05). Pearson correlation analysis showed that preoperative C2S was not correlated with JOA score and NDI at 2 years after operation ( P>0.05), but negatively correlated with VAS score ( P<0.05). There were 59 patients with preoperative C2S>11.73° (group A) and 59 with C2S≤11.73° (group B). There was no significant difference in preoperative JOA score, NDI, and VAS score between the two groups ( P>0.05). There were significant differences in VAS score at 2 year after operation and the change value between the two groups ( P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the JOA score and NDI ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION Patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and a higher preoperative C2S exhibited superior long-term pain relief and effectiveness following short-segment ACDF.
Humans ; Male ; Spinal Fusion/methods* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae/diagnostic imaging* ; Diskectomy/methods* ; Aged ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Aged, 80 and over ; Spondylosis/diagnostic imaging* ; Pain Measurement ; Preoperative Period ; Follow-Up Studies

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the short-and medium-term efficacy of posterior medial branch block in the treatment of persistent pain after percutaneous vertebral augmentation. METHODS: From January 2018 to January 2023, a total of 1, 062 patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures underwent percutaneous vertebral augmentation. Among them, 32 elderly patients who experienced persistent low back pain after surgery and subsequently received posterior medial branch block and cryoablation were included. Six patients died during follow-up, leaving 26 patients for final analysis (1 male, 25 females). The mean age was (82.96±5.66) years (ranged, 76 to 94 years). The mean body mass index was (23.76±3.08) kg·m^-2(ranged 18.1 to 27.2 kg·m^-2). The bone mineral density T-value ranged from -2.5 to -4.3 with a mean of (-3.09±0.56). The mean volume of bone cement injected was 6.00 (5.38, 7.00) ml. Fracture locations were T₁₁ (2 cases), T₁₂ (7 cases), L₁ (10 cases), L₂ (6 cases), and L₃ (1 case). The mean interval from vertebral augmentation to block treatment was (7.12±2.22) months (rangd 6 to 12 months). The vertebral augmentation procedures were percutaneous kyphoplasty(PKP) in 12 cases and percutaneous vertebroplasty (PVP) in 14 cases. At the 2nd week, 3rd month, and 6th month after the block, the numerical rating scale(NRS), Oswestry disability index(ODI), patient satisfaction, and pain relief rate at the 6th month were evaluated. Relationships between pain relief rate at the 6th month after the last treatment and possible influencing factors were analyzed. RESULTS: Compared with X-ray films after percutaneous vertebral augmentation, the X-ray films before block showed an increase in kyphotic angle and vertebral compression rate, with statistically significant differences(P<0.05). At the 2nd week, 3rd month, and 6th month after posterior medial branch block and cryoablation, NRS and ODI scores were significantly lower than before the block(P<0.05). Among the 26 patients, 5 received additional cryoablation. At the 6th month after the last treatment, 19 patients reported excellent or good satisfaction. Univariate binary Logistic analysis showed all P>0.05, and no independent factor affecting final satisfaction or pain relief at 6 months after the last treatment was identified. CONCLUSION Posterior medial branch block(with cryoablation) can effectively improve short-and medium-term symptoms and function in patients with persistent axial low back pain after percutaneous vertebral augmentation for osteoporotic vertebral fractures.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Spinal Fractures/surgery* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Osteoporotic Fractures/surgery* ; Vertebroplasty/adverse effects* ; Nerve Block/methods*