OBJECTIVES: To explore the mechanism of Qingda Granules (QDG) for alleviating brain damage in spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). METHODS: Twelve 5-week-old SHRs were randomized into SHR control group and SHR+QDG group treated with QDG by gavage at the daily dose of 0.9 g/kg for 12 weeks. The control rats, along with 6 age-matched WKY rats, were treated with saline only. Blood pressure changes of the rats were monitored, and pathologies and neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex were examined with HE staining and TUNEL staining. Cerebral cortical expressions of miR-124 and STAT3 mRNA were detected using RT-qPCR, and the protein expressions of NeuN, STAT3, Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 were detected with immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. In a HT22 cell model of oxygen and glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R), the effects of QDG on cell viability and apoptosis, expressions of miR-124 and STAT3 mRNA, and protein expressions of STAT3, Bcl-2, Bax, and cleaved caspase-3 were evaluated using CCK8 assay, Hoechst 33342 staining, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with WKY rats, SHRs had significantly elevated systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure and mean arterial pressure with significantly increased neuronal apoptosis in the cerebral cortex, reduced expressions of NeuN, miR-124 and Bcl-2, and enhanced expressions of STAT3, Bax and cleaved caspase-3 (P<0.05). All these changes in the SHRs were significantly ameliorated by treatment with QDG (P<0.05). In the HT22 cell model, QDG treatment obviously reduced OGD/R-induced cell apoptosis, increased the expressions of miR-124 and Bcl-2, and suppressed the elevation of protein expressions of STAT3, Bax and cleaved caspase-3. CONCLUSIONS QDG inhibits cerebral cortical neuronal apoptosis and thereby attenuates brain damage in SHR rats by modulating the miR-124/STAT3 signaling axis.
Animals ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; STAT3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Rats ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Male ; Hypertension

Drug addiction, a disorder characterized by chronic relapse and compulsive drug use, poses a significant threat to public safety and human health. Addictive substances can be categorized as natural, semi-synthetic, or synthetic based on their origin. Additionally, they can be classified into three groups according to their pharmacological targets: opioids, hallucinogens, and cannabinoids that act on G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs); alcohols, nicotine, ketamine, barbiturates, and benzodiazepines (BDZs) that affect ligand-gated ion channel-type receptors; and psychostimulants that interact with monoamine transporters. Current treatments for drug addiction primarily include substitution therapy and non-pharmacological approaches. However, these methods have limitations, particularly in addressing the underlying causes of relapse. Several drugs in clinical trials have demonstrated potential therapeutic effects for addiction to opioids, heroin, cocaine, and other substances. This review examines the origins and pharmacological mechanisms of addiction to naturally-derived psychoactive substances (NPS) and provides an overview of recent advancements in pharmacotherapy for drug addiction.
Humans ; Substance-Related Disorders/drug therapy* ; Psychotropic Drugs/therapeutic use* ; Animals

Breast cancer is the most diagnosed cancer in women worldwide and the leading cause of most cancer-related deaths,posing a serious threat to women′s health worldwide.At present,although the prognosis of some patients with breast cancer has improved,the emergence of drug resistance and the metastasis and recurrence of breast cancer are still the main reasons for poor prognosis.CD36 is a multiligand transmembrane glycoprotein expressed on various cell types.In recent years,studies have confirmed that CD36 can reshape the lipid metabolism of cancer cells;promote the differentiation of tumor-related macrophages into M2 type and recruitment into tumor tissues;regulate the function of Treg cells,CD8+T cells,DCs,and other immune cells,and thus promote tumor development.In addition,CD36 is also associated with breast cancer stem cells,metastasis-initiating cells,and breast drug resistant cells.Therefore,CD36 could be an important potential therapeutic target for breast cancer.

Cognitive dysfunction,predominantly a consequence of neurodegenerative disorders,is a burgeoning health issue.Odor molecules have the unique ability to circumvent the blood-brain barrier through the olfactory pathway,exerting a direct influence on cognitive-related brain regions including the entorhinal cortex,hippocampus,and amygdala,without transiting through the thalamus.These olfactory molecules,mostly sourced from natural plant essential oils,are character-ized by significant volatility,minimal adverse reactions,and abundant availability.Hence,research into and applications of olfactory stimulation in improving cognitive dysfunction have raised widespread concerns.This article reviews the rela-tionship between the olfactory pathway and cognitive brain regions,and explores the mechanism by which natural plant es-sential oils alleviate cognitive dysfunction through olfactory stimulation in order to provide a reference for improving cogni-tive function via olfactory stimulation.

Objective To study the influence of rosemary essential oil inhalation on the memory of mice experiencing sleep deprivation and to delineate the possible mechanisms involved.Methods C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four experimental groups in this study:a control group(Con),a control group with rosemary essential oil inhalation(Con+REO),a sleep deprivation group(SD)and a sleep deprivation group with rosemary essential oil inhalation(SD+REO).A 72-hour sleep deprivation model was induced using the multiple platform water environment method,with the Con+REO and SD+REO groups exposed to rosemary essential oil inhalation.Cognitive function was evaluated through Y-maze and novel object recognition tests.The hippocampal tissue was analyzed for superoxide dismutase(SOD)activity and the concentrations of malondialdehyde(MDA)and glutathione(GSH).ELISA was used to determine the levels of norepinephrine(NE),dopamine(DA),and serotonin 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)in the hippocampus.The expression levels of postsynaptic density 95(PSD95)and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)in the hippocampus were determined using immunoblotting techniques.Results Compared with the Con and Con+REO groups,the SD group demonstrated a significant reduction in the spontaneous alternation percentage in the Y-maze as well as the novel object recognition index.Additionally,there was a pronounced decrease in hippocampal SOD activity and GSH content,a substantial elevation in MDA levels,and a decrease in the levels of DA,NE,and 5-HT.The expressions of PSD95 and BDNF proteins also decreased.In comparison with the SD group,the SD+REO group exhibited a significant increase in the spontaneous alternation percentage in the Y-maze and the novel object recognition index.There was also a marked increase in hippocampal SOD activity and GSH content,a reduction in MDA levels and elevated levels of NE and DA.Moreover,the expressions of PSD95 and BDNF proteins were upregulated.Conclusion The inhalation of rosemary essential oil enhances the memory of sleep-deprived mice,and the underlying mechanism may involve the mitigation of oxidative stress within the hippocampal tissue,the modulation of neurotransmitter levels,and the facilitation of synaptic plasticity.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a common chronic liver disease in clinical practice. In recent years, with increasing social attention to the health of women and the elderly, the prevention and treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease after menopause has increasingly become a research hotspot in metabolic diseases. This study explores the pathogenesis and treatment method of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in postmenopausal women based on the theory of "deficient qi and stagnation" and combined with the physiological and pathological characteristics of postmenopausal women and the Western medicine understanding of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. We believe that the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in postmenopausal women is rooted in the "deficient qi" caused by depletion of liver and kidney essence and blood. The imbalance between the physical and functional aspects of the liver due to this "deficient qi" is the primary factor, while the "stagnation" of phlegm and blood stasis is the manifestation. Furthermore, the "deficient qi" and "stagnation" reinforce each other, with the deficiency leading to stagnation and stagnation exacerbating the deficiency, thus accelerating the progression of the disease. The treatment approach should be one that combines nourishing deficiency and resolving stagnation, addressing both root cause and maifestations. Given the female characteristic of "the liver as the innate organ" and the post-menopausal physiological state of "gradual decline of kidney essence", it is important to focus on nourishing the liver and kidneys, nurturing the liver′s physical body while maintaining its function, and also promoting the circulation of qi, resolving phlegm, and invigorating blood circulation to remove blood stasis. This approach aims to reduce the accumulation of lipids in the liver, offering a new perspective and approach for the treatment of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in post-menopausal women with traditional Chinese medicine.

Objective:To investigate the effectiveness and prognosis of using improved domestic neonatal ureteral stents (referred to as improved double-J stents) for thoraco-amniotic shunting (TAS) in treating fetal chylothorax.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 21 cases of fetal chylothorax treated with TAS using improved double-J stents at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, Nanjing University Medical School from April 1, 2018, to September 30, 2023. Surgical complications and perinatal outcomes were summarized, and the development of surviving infants in five domains (communication, gross motor, fine motor, problem-solving, and personal-social) was assessed using the Ages and Stages Questionnaires-Third Edition (ASQ-3). Descriptive statistical analysis was used. Results:(1) The median gestational age at prenatal diagnosis was 28.7 weeks (27.3-30.4 weeks), with 85.7% (18/21) of cases complicated by fetal hydrops, 90.5% (19/21) by polyhydramnios, and 85.7% (18/21) by bilateral pleural effusion. (2) The median gestational age at the first TAS was 30.9 weeks (29.7-32.7 weeks). Of the 21 cases, 10 required repeat stent placement due to dislodgement or blockage, with a total of 49 stent placements. The dislodgement rate within 7 days was 24.5% (12/49), and the blockage rate was 16.3% (8/49). The rate of premature rupture of membranes within one week post-stent placement was 9.5% (2/21), with an overall preterm premature rupture of membranes rate of 28.6% (6/21). The median interval from the first TAS to delivery was 30.0 d (19.8-40.0 d). Of the 21 cases, three opted for selective termination of pregnancy; the remaining 18 cases resulted in live births, with a median gestational age at delivery of 35.6 weeks (34.1-37.1 weeks), and three neonatal deaths. The overall neonatal survival rate was 15/18. Surviving infants were followed up to a median age of 30 months (7-48 months), with 13 showing normal development and two scoring below the ASQ-3 threshold.Conclusion:The improved double-J stent can be used for TAS in the treatment of fetal chylothorax, with generally favorable outcomes.

Sleep staging is the basis for solving sleep problems. There's an upper limit for the classification accuracy of sleep staging models based on single-channel electroencephalogram (EEG) data and features. To address this problem, this paper proposed an automatic sleep staging model that mixes deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) and bi-directional long short-term memory network (BiLSTM). The model used DCNN to automatically learn the time-frequency domain features of EEG signals, and used BiLSTM to extract the temporal features between the data, fully exploiting the feature information contained in the data to improve the accuracy of automatic sleep staging. At the same time, noise reduction techniques and adaptive synthetic sampling were used to reduce the impact of signal noise and unbalanced data sets on model performance. In this paper, experiments were conducted using the Sleep-European Data Format Database Expanded and the Shanghai Mental Health Center Sleep Database, and achieved an overall accuracy rate of 86.9% and 88.9% respectively. When compared with the basic network model, all the experimental results outperformed the basic network, further demonstrating the validity of this paper's model, which can provide a reference for the construction of a home sleep monitoring system based on single-channel EEG signals.
China ; Sleep Stages ; Sleep ; Electroencephalography ; Databases, Factual

This study aims to analyze the biomechanical stability of Magic screw in the treatment of acetabular posterior column fractures by finite element analysis. A three-dimensional finite element model of the pelvis was established based on the computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data of a volunteer and its effectiveness was verified. Then, the posterior column fracture model of the acetabulum was generated. The biomechanical stability of the four internal fixation models was compared. The 500 N force was applied to the upper surface of the sacrum to simulate human gravity. The maximum implant stresses of retrograde screw fixation, single-plate fixation, double-plate fixation and Magic screw fixation model in standing and sitting position were as follows: 114.10, 113.40 MPa; 58.93, 55.72 MPa; 58.76, 47.47 MPa; and 24.36, 27.50 MPa, respectively. The maximum stresses at the fracture end were as follows: 72.71, 70.51 MPa; 48.18, 22.80 MPa; 52.38, 27.14 MPa; and 34.05, 30.78 MPa, respectively. The fracture end displacement of the retrograde tension screw fixation model was the largest in both states, and the Magic screw had the smallest displacement variation in the standing state, but it was significantly higher than the two plate fixations in the sitting state. Magic screw can satisfy the biomechanical stability of posterior column fracture. Compared with traditional fixations, Magic screw has the advantages of more uniform stress distribution and less stress, and should be recommended.
Biomechanical Phenomena ; Bone Plates ; Bone Screws ; Finite Element Analysis ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Humans ; Spinal Fractures

Objective:To establish a common method for detecting serotypes of respiratory adenovirus, and to detect the main serotypes of respiratory human adenovirus (HAdV) infection in children in Wenzhou area.Methods:A multiplex PCR method based on capillary electrophoresis was developed to detect 12 common serotypes of respiratory adenovirus.A total of 1 059 children with acute respiratory infection who were admitted to Yuying Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University from January 2018 to December 2019 with positive infection of HAdV detected by the direct immunofluorescence method were recruited and retrospectively analyzed.Multiplex PCR was performed to determine 12 serotypes of respiratory adenovirus, including HAdV-1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 14, 21, 37, 40, 41 and 55.Meanwhile, some samples were randomly selected to examine the consistency in the detection result by the first-generation sequencing method.Results:A total of 1 059 specimens of respiratory secretions with positive HAdV antigen were collected.Detected by multiplex PCR method, 947 cases (89.4%) were positive for 1 serotype, 13 cases (1.2%) were mixed infection with 2 serotypes, and 24 cases (2.3%) were negative.In addition, 75 cases(7.1%) were positive but could not be serotyped.Among the 947 children with the positive infection of a single serotype, 415 cases (43.8%) were HAdV-3 in subgroup B, 318 cases(33.6%) were HAdV-7, 12 cases (1.2%) were HAdV-55, 2 cases (0.2%) were HAdV-21, 108 cases (11.4%) were HAdV-2 in subgroup C, 70 cases (7.4%) were HAdV-1, 16 cases(1.7%) were HAdV-5, and 6 cases(0.6%) were HAdV-4 in subgroup E. HAdV-14, HAdV-37, HAdV-40 and HAdV-41 were not detected.A total of 51 positive samples of HAdV infection detected by multiplex PCR were randomly selected to compare with the detection result by the first-generation sequencing, which were all consistent.Conclusions:This study successfully established a multiplex PCR based on capillary electrophoresis in diagnosing common serotypes of respiratory adenovirus infection in children.HAdV-3, HAdV-7 of subgroup B and HAdV-2 and HAdV-1 of subgroup C were the main serotypes of respiratory adenovirus infection in children of Wenzhou area.HAdV-14, HAdV-37, HAdV-40 and HAdV- 41 were not detected.