ObjectiveTo investigate the antidepressant effects and mechanisms of total flavonoids from Cuscutae Semen （TFCC） in the mouse model of chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS）. MethodsFifty male 4-week-old ICR mice were randomized into five groups （n=10 per group）： blank control， model， Cuscutae Semen decoction （10.2 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， paroxetine （2.6 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and TFCC （173.2 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）. The other groups except the blank control group underwent chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） for 4 weeks. Behavioral assessments were conducted post-modeling. Then， the model group received distilled water （10 mL·kg^-1·d^-1）， while treatment groups were administrated with respective agents via oral gavage （10 mL·kg^-1） for 4 weeks. Depression-like behaviors were evaluated by the sucrose preference test （SPT）， forced swimming test （FST）， and tail suspension test （TST）. Hippocampal neuronal morphology was observed via hematoxylin-eosin staining， and apoptosis in the brain tissue was assessed via terminal- deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling （TUNEL）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the hippocampal levels of inflammatory cytokines ［interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α）］ and neurotransmitters ［5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， dopamine （DA）， and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）］， while the reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels were quantified via the DCFH-DA probe. Real-time PCR was performed to measure the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated Speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 （Caspase-1）， IL-1β， and inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）. Western blot was employed to evaluate the protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， uncoupling protein 2 （UCP2）， and thioredoxin-interacting protein （TXNIP）. ResultsCompared with the blank control group， the model group exhibited weight loss （P<0.01）， reduced sucrose preference （P<0.01）， prolonged immobility time in FST and TST （P<0.01）， neuron disarrangement with nuclear pyknosis in hippocampal CA3 region， increased apoptosis in the brain tissue， elevated levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α （P<0.01）， declined levels of 5-HT， DA， and BDNF （P<0.01）， increased ROS accumulation （P<0.01）， upregulated mRNA levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1β， and iNOS （P<0.01）， down-regulated protein level of UCP2 （P<0.01）， and up-regulated protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and TXNIP （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the interventions restored sucrose preference （P<0.01）， shortened immobility time （P<0.01）， repaired hippocampal neuronal structure， reduced apoptosis， lowered the levels of inflammatory cytokines （P<0.01）， restored the levels of neurotransmitters （P<0.01）， alleviated ROS accumulation （P<0.01）， downregulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1β， and iNOS （P<0.01）， upregulated the protein level of UCP2 （P<0.01）， and reduced the protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and TXNIP （P<0.01）. Moreover， TFCC outperformed Cuscutae Semen decoction in ameliorating depressive behaviors. TFCC excelled in neuronal repair， neurotransmitter regulation， anti-inflammatory effects， and modulation of the UCP2/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway （P<0.05）. ConclusionTFCC modulates the hippocampal UCP2/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway to inhibit inflammasome activation， reduce oxidative stress， restore neurotransmitters， thus suppressing neuronal apoptosis and promoting the rearrangement and morphology recovery of hippocampal cells. It outperforms Cuscutae Semen decoction in the antidepressant efficacy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the antidepressant effects and mechanisms of total flavonoids from Cuscutae Semen （TFCC） in the mouse model of chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS）. MethodsFifty male 4-week-old ICR mice were randomized into five groups （n=10 per group）： blank control， model， Cuscutae Semen decoction （10.2 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， paroxetine （2.6 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and TFCC （173.2 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）. The other groups except the blank control group underwent chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） for 4 weeks. Behavioral assessments were conducted post-modeling. Then， the model group received distilled water （10 mL·kg^-1·d^-1）， while treatment groups were administrated with respective agents via oral gavage （10 mL·kg^-1） for 4 weeks. Depression-like behaviors were evaluated by the sucrose preference test （SPT）， forced swimming test （FST）， and tail suspension test （TST）. Hippocampal neuronal morphology was observed via hematoxylin-eosin staining， and apoptosis in the brain tissue was assessed via terminal- deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling （TUNEL）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the hippocampal levels of inflammatory cytokines ［interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α）］ and neurotransmitters ［5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， dopamine （DA）， and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）］， while the reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels were quantified via the DCFH-DA probe. Real-time PCR was performed to measure the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated Speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 （Caspase-1）， IL-1β， and inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）. Western blot was employed to evaluate the protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， uncoupling protein 2 （UCP2）， and thioredoxin-interacting protein （TXNIP）. ResultsCompared with the blank control group， the model group exhibited weight loss （P<0.01）， reduced sucrose preference （P<0.01）， prolonged immobility time in FST and TST （P<0.01）， neuron disarrangement with nuclear pyknosis in hippocampal CA3 region， increased apoptosis in the brain tissue， elevated levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α （P<0.01）， declined levels of 5-HT， DA， and BDNF （P<0.01）， increased ROS accumulation （P<0.01）， upregulated mRNA levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1β， and iNOS （P<0.01）， down-regulated protein level of UCP2 （P<0.01）， and up-regulated protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and TXNIP （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the interventions restored sucrose preference （P<0.01）， shortened immobility time （P<0.01）， repaired hippocampal neuronal structure， reduced apoptosis， lowered the levels of inflammatory cytokines （P<0.01）， restored the levels of neurotransmitters （P<0.01）， alleviated ROS accumulation （P<0.01）， downregulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1β， and iNOS （P<0.01）， upregulated the protein level of UCP2 （P<0.01）， and reduced the protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and TXNIP （P<0.01）. Moreover， TFCC outperformed Cuscutae Semen decoction in ameliorating depressive behaviors. TFCC excelled in neuronal repair， neurotransmitter regulation， anti-inflammatory effects， and modulation of the UCP2/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway （P<0.05）. ConclusionTFCC modulates the hippocampal UCP2/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway to inhibit inflammasome activation， reduce oxidative stress， restore neurotransmitters， thus suppressing neuronal apoptosis and promoting the rearrangement and morphology recovery of hippocampal cells. It outperforms Cuscutae Semen decoction in the antidepressant efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of Xujiang Xie's bloodletting therapy combined with Qingyan Lige decoction on acute pharyngitis with lung-stomach heat accumulation. METHODS: A total of 88 patients with acute pharyngitis of lung-stomach heat accumulation were randomly divided into an observation group (44 cases, 4 cases dropped out) and a control group (44 cases, 4 cases dropped out). The control group was treated with oral Qingyan Lige decoction, 150 mL each time, twice a day for 6 continuous days. On the basis of the treatment in the control group, Xujiang Xie's bloodletting therapy was applied at bilateral Shaoshang (LU11), Shangyang (LI1), and Erjian (EX-HN6) in the observation group, 0.1-0.5 mL of bloodletting per site, once every other day for 3 times in total. The TCM symptom and sign score, complete blood count (white blood cell [WBC] count, neutrophilic granulocyte percentage [NE%]), inflammation indexes (serum levels of C-reactive protein[CRP], interleukin[IL]-1β, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-α) and immune indexes (？？, ？？, ？？) of the two groups were observed before treatment and after 6 days of treatment, and the clinical efficacy was evaluated. RESULTS: After 6 days of treatment, the sore throat scores, redness and swelling scores of pharyngeal mucosa and uvula, pharyngeal dry and burning scores, hyperemia scores of posterior pharyngeal lymphoid follicles, chill and fever scores, total scores of TCM symptom and sign, WBC count, NE%, CRP, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and ？？ in both groups were decreased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), the above indexes in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.001). After 6 days of treatment, the levels of ？？ and ？？ in both groups were increased compared with those before treatment (P<0.05), and the above indexes in the observation group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.001). The total effective rate of the observation group was 95.0% (38/40), which was higher than 90.0% (36/40) in the control group (P<0.001). CONCLUSION Xujiang Xie's bloodletting therapy combined with Qingyan Lige decoction could improve the symptoms in patients with acute pharyngitis of lung-stomach heat accumulation, inhibit inflammatory response and improve immune function.
Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Female ; Pharyngitis/drug therapy* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Bloodletting ; Young Adult ; Lung/drug effects* ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Interleukin-6 ; Adolescent ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Acute Disease/therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

Photodynamic immunotherapy is a promising strategy for cancer treatment. However, the dysfunctional tumor vasculature results in tumor hypoxia and the low efficiency of drug delivery, which in turn restricts the anticancer effect of photodynamic immunotherapy. In this study, we designed photosensitive lipid nanoparticles. The synthesized PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles could produce type I/II reactive oxygen species (ROS) by electron or energy transfer through PFBT under light irradiation. Moreover, this nanosystem could alleviate tumor hypoxia and promote vascular normalization through Roxadustat. Upon irradiation with white light, the ROS produced by PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles in situ dysregulated calcium homeostasis and triggered endoplasmic reticulum stress, which further promoted the release of damage-associated molecular patterns, enhanced antigen presentation, and stimulated an effective adaptive immune response, ultimately priming the tumor microenvironment (TME) together with the hypoxia alleviation and vessel normalization by Roxadustat. Indeed, in vivo results indicated that PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles promoted M1 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages, recruited more natural killer cells, and augmented infiltration of T cells, thereby leading to efficient photodynamic immunotherapy and potentiating the anti-primary and metastatic tumor efficacy of PD-1 antibody. Collectively, photodynamic immunotherapy with PFBT@Rox Lip nanoparticles efficiently program TME through the induction of immunogenicity and oxygenation, and effectively suppress tumor growth through immunogenic cell death and enhanced anti-tumor immunity.

With the growing emphasis on maternal and child oral health, the significance of managing oral health across preconception, pregnancy, and infancy stages has become increasingly apparent. Oral health challenges extend beyond affecting maternal well-being, exerting profound influences on fetal and neonatal oral development as well as immune system maturation. This expert consensus paper, developed using a modified Delphi method, reviews current research and provides recommendations on maternal and child oral health management. It underscores the critical role of comprehensive oral assessments prior to conception, diligent oral health management throughout pregnancy, and meticulous oral hygiene practices during infancy. Effective strategies should be seamlessly integrated across the life course, encompassing preconception oral assessments, systematic dental care during pregnancy, and routine infant oral hygiene. Collaborative efforts among pediatric dentists, maternal and child health workers, and obstetricians are crucial to improving outcomes and fostering clinical research, contributing to evidence-based health management strategies.
Humans ; Pregnancy ; Female ; Infant ; Consensus ; Mouth Diseases/therapy* ; Pregnancy Complications/therapy* ; Oral Health ; Infant, Newborn ; Delphi Technique ; Oral Hygiene

Objective:To explore the metabolic basis and related molecular mechanism of oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)path-ogenesis.Methods:20 Chinese hamsters were divided into 2 groups(n=10).OSCC models were induced by dimethylbenzanthracene(DMBA)in 10 of the animals and the other 10 were used as the controls.LC-MS chromatography-mass spectrometry was used to iden-tify the metabolites in the buccal pouch,and multidimensional statistical analysis of the metabolites was performed with the orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis model.Variable Importance for the Projection(VIP)＞1 and P＜0.05 were used as the criteria to screen the differential metabolites between the 2 groups.KEGG pathway annotation and enrichment analysis for the metabolites were performed to screen the significantly differential pathways.Results:The hamster cheek pouches painted with 0.5％DMBA for 18 weeks were diffused with leukoplakia and loaded obvious papillary protrusions,which were diagnosed as OSCC by pathological examination.Lipids and lipid-like molecules were the main differential metabolites.Reprogramming of unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis,cholesterol accumulation,enhanced catabolism of tryptophan,up-regulation of aspartate,increased synthesis of pyrimidine and purine,etc.were important metabolic features in the occurrence and development of OSCC.Conclusion:Molecular intervention targeting the related met-abolic pathways is expected to inhibit OSCC pathogenesis and progression.

By reviewing the historical materia medica， medical books and modern literature， this paper has systematically sorted out and verified the name， origin， quality and other aspects of Ophicalcitum. After herbal textual research， it is shown that before the Qing dynasty， the mineral medicine was mostly recorded in the name of Huarushi， but now it is called Huaruishi， and there is another mixed name Baiyunshi. The light white spots described in the historical materia medica are consistent with the characteristics of marble with sparkling star-like luster， combined with the color like sulfur， color are green， black spots and other serpentine features， it is deduced that it is serpentine marble， consistent with the present-day Ophicalcitum， and Ophicalcitum in the Song dynasty has a high content of serpentine. The main producing areas are Henan， Shaanxi， Shanxi and Sichuan， Jiangsu， Zhejiang， Hebei and other places are also available. Successive generations of materia medica on the quality evaluation of Ophicalcitum is less， the modern to neat and firm in the texture， sandwiched with yellow-green mottled for the best. Ophicalcitum is acidic， astringent and neutral in nature， belonging to the liver meridian， with the efficacy of treatment of gold sores and blood flow， internal leakage of cataracts， dropping afterbirth， now describing its efficacy as removing blood stasis and stopping bleeding. In ancient times， the earliest processing method was burning， followed by calcination by sulphur， calcination， quenching with vinegar and other methods. In modern times， it has been simplified to open calcination， processing with vinegar and the addition of water quenching. The gravimetric method and ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid titration were used to detect the contents of CO₃^2- and CaCO₃ in Ophicalcitum， respectively， and it was found that the gap in CaCO₃ content among commercially available products was wide， and the content of CaCO₃ in sample S13 and sample S18 was the same， but their compositions were different， and according to the contents of CO₃^2- and CaCO₃， the dolomite and calcite contents could be calculated， of which the higher the calcite content the more obvious the sparkling star-like luster. Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction（XRD） were used to detect the physical phase composition of the powder of the samples， and Raman spectroscopy was used for the rapid non-destructive testing of the striped part， which showed that Ophicalcitum was mainly composed of dolomite， calcite， serpentine， olivine and pyroxene， with serpentine dominanting the striped part. In summary， the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia stipulates that the content of CaCO₃ in Ophicalcitum is not less than 40%， which is difficult to control its quality， and it is suggested to increase the detection of CO₃^2- content. This study can provide a scientific basis for the traceability of Ophicalcitum and better guide the clinical medication and rational utilization of resources.

Objective:To explore expression of each member of miR17-92 cluster in peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)of patients with gout,to predict their possible targets and pathways of action,and to evaluate their possible mechanism and clinical significance in gout.Methods:A total 67 gouty arthritis(GA)patients were selected,including 22 patients with acute gout arthritis(AG)and 45 patients with intermittent gout(IG),and 35 normal health control(HC)were selected in Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College.RT-qPCR measured expressions of miR17-92 cluster,IFN-γ,IL-10 and some members of JAK-STAT pathway,and relevant laboratory indicators were collected to analyze correlation between each other.Results:Relative expressions of miR17,miR18a,miR19a,miR20a and miR19b were significantly changed in AG,IG and HC(H=8.753,P<0.05;H=6.338,P<0.05;H=6.523,P<0.05;H=9.061,P<0.05;H=9.729,P<0.01).JAK3 and STAT2 expressions were statistically different in AG,IG and HC groups(H=10.349,P<0.01;H=14.801,P<0.01).Expression of IFN-γ was statistically different among AG,IG and HC groups(H=8.734,P<0.05).In AG patients,miR18a expression was inversely correlated with IBIL,Crea,MO and HGB.miR19a ex-pression was negatively associated and TC,UA and HGB.miR20a expression was negatively associated with Crea.miR19b expression was negatively associated with UA and HGB.In IG patients,miR17 expression was negatively associated with IBIL,WBC,LY and MO.miR18a expression was positively associated with ALP,miR19a expression was negatively associated with TC and UA,and miR20a expression was negatively associated with ADA and UA.Conclusion:miR17-92 cluster may regulate development and partici-pate in clinical pathology of gout by targeting JAK-STAT pathway.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with lower cervical fracture is often categorized into unstable fracture, with a high incidence of neurological injury and a high rate of disability and morbidity. As factors such as shoulder occlusion may affect the accuracy of X-ray imaging diagnosis, it is often easily misdiagnosed at the primary diagnosis. Non-operative treatment has complications such as bone nonunion and the possibility of secondary neurological damage, while the timing, access and choice of surgical treatment are still controversial. Currently, there are no clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture with or without dislocation. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate Clinical guidelines for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis combined with lower cervical fracture in adults ( version 2024) in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine, scientificity and practicality, in which 11 recommendations were put forward in terms of the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, typing and treatment, etc, to provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture.

Objective:To explore the effects of fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) on SAE in rats through the modulation of the gut microbiome.Methods:Total of 30 Sprague-Dawley rats were divided(random number) into sham surgery, SAE, SAE+FMT, SAE+FMT+ NF-κB agonist, and SAE+FMT+NLRP3 agonist groups. The gut microbiome, neurological function, and inflammatory responses in rats were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing, neurological behavioral scoring, water maze testing, Nissl staining, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, and western blot assays. Univariate analysis of variance for multiple samples among groups was conducted using SPSS software, with further pairwise comparisons using Tukey's test.Results:(1) Compared with the sham surgery group, a reduction in α-diversity was observed in the SAE rats ( P<0.01), whereas an increase in α-diversity was noted in the SAE rats after FMT treatment ( P<0.05). A decrease in beneficial bacteria such as Bacteroidete and Clostridiales was seen in the SAE group compared to the sham group, which increased after FMT. (2) A decrease in mNSS, learning and memory abilities, and the number of neurons in the hippocampal CA1 region was noted in SAE rats compared with the sham group ( P<0.01), whereas an improvement in mNSS scores, learning and memory abilities, and neuron count was observed in SAE rats treated with FMT ( P<0.05). (3) Compared with the sham group, increased liver and kidney function indicators, inflammatory factors, blood-brain barrier proteins, NLRP3 pathway proteins, and NF-κB pathway proteins were observed in the SAE group ( P<0.05), which were reduced by FMT ( P<0.05). (4) The effects of FMT were negated after the intervention with NF-κB and NLRP3 agonists ( P<0.05). Conclusions:FMT regulate the gut microbiome and inhibit the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway in the brain. This provides new insights into the treatment of SAE, emphasizing the importance of considering the gut microbiota in clinical therapy.