The antidepressant activity and molecular mechanisms of Yueju Wan volatile oil were investigated. The Yueju Wan volatile oil was extracted by using supercritical CO_2. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) combined with network pharmacology identified 28 chemical constituents in Yueju Wan volatile oil, primarily terpenes and lactones. A total of 123 overlapping targets were associated with depression, including core targets of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), and caspase-3(CASP3). These targets were mainly involved in the prolactin, advanced glycation end products/receptor(AGE/RAGE), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways. A reserpine-induced depression mouse model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Yueju Wan volatile oil. The effects of Yueju Wan volatile oil on depression-like behavior in mice were evaluated by analyzing body mass, body temperature index, tail suspension immobility time, forced swimming immobility time, and sucrose preference. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining revealed neuronal protection of Yueju Wan volatile oil in the brain of mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and Western blot were employed to detect the protein expression of AGEs, IL-1β, phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K), Akt, phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt), nuclear factor κB(NF-κB), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF). Behavioral evaluation showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could effectively control the decline of body mass and body temperature of depressed mice, reduce tail suspension and swimming immobility time, and enhance their preference for sucrose. Histopathological examination showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could alleviate the neuronal damage in CA1 and dentate gyrus(DG) of the hippocampus of mice. ELISA and Western blot results showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could significantly increase the protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, and BDNF and significantly decrease the protein expression levels of AGEs, IL-1β, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and NF-κB in the hippocampus of mice. Furthermore, the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt ratios were significantly decreased at medium and high doses. These findings suggest that the aromatherapy of Yueju Wan volatile oil can significantly improve reserpine-induced depression-like behavior in mice, which may be related to reducing the expression of neuronal membrane protein AGEs, reducing the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt, inhibiting NF-κB entry into the nucleus, and alleviating the release of pro-inflammatory factors and nerve injury.
Animals ; Antidepressive Agents/chemistry* ; Mice ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/immunology* ; Oils, Volatile/chemistry* ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Depression/metabolism* ; Glycation End Products, Advanced/immunology* ; Humans

The therapeutic effects of Yueju Pills on depression and cardiovascular diseases have been widely recognized. Previous studies have shown that the drug can significantly improve depressive-like behaviors induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress(CUMS) combined with atherosclerosis(AS). Given the complex pathogenesis of psychocardiac diseases, this study integrated metabolomics and network pharmacology to systematically elucidate the mechanism of Yueju Pills in alleviating depressive symptoms in psychocardiac diseases. The results demonstrate that, after Yueju Pill intervention, the levels of 9 abnormal metabolites in the hippocampus restore to normal ranges, primarily involving key pathways or signaling pathways, including the cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP), mammalian target of rapamycin(mTOR), glycine/serine/threonine metabolism, and aminoacyl-tRNA biosynthesis. In a high-fat diet-induced CUMS ApoE~(-/-) mouse model, Yueju Pills significantly increases adenosine monophosphate(AMP) levels and decreases L-alanine and D-glyceric acid levels in the hippocampus. In conclusion, Yueju Pills exert antidepressant effects by regulating multiple metabolic axes, including glycine/serine/threonine metabolism and the cAMP, mTOR signaling pathways. Network pharmacology predictions reveal that the treatment of CUMS combined with AS by its core active components may be realized through modulating pathways concerning neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity, including serine/threonine-protein kinase 1(AKT1), mitogen-activated protein kinase 1(MAPK1), and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2(PTGS2). This study provides a theoretical reference for the clinical application of Yueju Pills in alleviating the depressive symptoms of psychocardiac diseases.
Animals ; Network Pharmacology ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Metabolomics ; Male ; Depression/genetics* ; Humans ; Hippocampus/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

Investigating the correlation between micronucleus formation and male infertility has the potential to improve clinical diagnosis and deepen our understanding of pathological progression. Our study enrolled 2252 male patients whose semen was analyzed from March 2023 to July 2023. Their clinical data, including semen parameters and age, were also collected. Genetic analysis was used to determine whether the sex chromosome involved in male infertility was abnormal (including the increase, deletion, and translocation of the X and Y chromosomes), and subsequent semen analysis was conducted for clinical grouping purposes. The participants were categorized into five groups: normozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia, and azoospermia. Patients were randomly selected for further study; 41 patients with normozoospermia were included in the control group and 117 patients with non-normozoospermia were included in the study group according to the proportions of all enrolled patients. Cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) screening was conducted through peripheral blood. Statistical analysis was used to determine the differences in micronuclei (MNi) among the groups and the relationships between MNi and clinical data. There was a significant increase in MNi in infertile men, including those with azoospermia, compared with normozoospermic patients, but there was no significant difference between the genetic and nongenetic groups in azoospermic men. The presence of MNi was associated with sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility, immotile spermatozoa, malformed spermatozoa, total sperm count, and total sperm motility. This study underscores the potential utility of MNi as a diagnostic tool and highlights the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of male infertility.
Humans ; Male ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Adult ; Micronucleus Tests ; Semen Analysis ; Oligospermia/genetics* ; Azoospermia/genetics* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Sperm Count ; Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical characteristics of diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) in children and to enhance the clinical diagnosis and treatment of this disease. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 6 children diagnosed with DPB who were hospitalized at The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January 2011 to December 2019. RESULTS: Among the 6 patients, there were 2 males and 4 females; the age at diagnosis ranged from 7 to 12 years. All patients presented with cough, sputum production, and exertional dyspnea, and all had a history of sinusitis. Two cases showed positive serum cold agglutinin tests, and 5 cases exhibited pathological changes consistent with chronic bronchiolitis. High-resolution chest CT in all patients revealed centrilobular nodules diffusely distributed throughout both lungs with a tree-in-bud appearance. Five patients received low-dose azithromycin maintenance therapy, but 3 showed inadequate treatment response. After empirical anti-tuberculosis treatment, non-tuberculous Mycobacteria were found in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Follow-up over 2 years showed 1 case cured, 3 cases significantly improved, and 2 cases partially improved. CONCLUSIONS The clinical presentation of DPB is non-specific and can easily lead to misdiagnosis. In cases where DPB is clinically diagnosed but does not show improvement with low-dose azithromycin treatment, special infections should be considered.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Bronchiolitis/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Child ; Haemophilus Infections/diagnosis*

Objective To develop a novel type of transparent simulation manikin as a surgical training model to meet the surgical treatment demand on the medical train.Methods A transparent manikin was developed with the steps of basic data collection,motherboard design and manufacture and module production and assembly.Firstly,basic data collection was carried out with reference to standardized human anatomy and parameters.Secondly,some software such as UG NX7.5 was used to construct the motherboard of the manikin.Finally,module production and assembly were performed with the materials of acrylic,transparent rubber,silicone and hydrogel and the technology of silicone infusion.Results The transparent manikin developed had its anatomy structure close to that of the real body and high visuality for its internal and external components,which simulated a variety of war wounds and thus could be integrated with the surgical training scenarios on the medical train effectively.Conclusion The transparent manikin developed is characterized by high visuality,modularity and blood flow,and meets the demands for surgical training on the medical train.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(6):111-115]

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of anlotinib neoadjuvant therapy for newly diagnosed locally advanced thyroid cancer (LATC).Methods:Twenty-four newly diagnosed LATC patients (10 males and 14 females, age (47.1±3.3) years) admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine were prospectively included from January 2023 to April 2024. Patients were given anlotinib neoadjuvant therapy (12mg/d, 2 weeks of medication, 1 week of discontinuation), and the efficacy of the treatment was evaluated by CT and multi-disciplinary treatment at the end of each treatment cycle. Patients assessed as suitable for surgery would be scheduled for surgery, while those who were not suitable for surgery would continue to receive neoadjuvant therapy and periodic evaluations. The primary endpoints were objective response rate (ORR) and disease control rate (DCR), and the R0/1 resection rate and adverse events (AE) after neoadjuvant therapy were observed. Paired- t test was used to analyze the differences between groups, and the Clopper-Person accurate method was used to calculate the bilateral 95% CI of ORR and other indicators. Results:Twenty-four patients received 2(2, 3) cycles of neoadjuvant therapy with anlotinib, of which 23 underwent surgery after anlotinib therapy. After neoadjuvant therapy, the mean maximum diameter of target lesions decreased by 23.5%(95% CI: 2.8%-44.3%) compared with baseline ( t=9.22, P<0.001). The ORR and DCR were 37.5%(95% CI: 18.8%-59.4%) and 100%(95% CI: 85.8%-100%), respectively. About 91.7%(95% CI: 73.0%-99.0%) of patients eventually underwent R0/1 resection. Hand and foot skin reactions, hypertension, oral mucositis, and leukopenia were common AE; grade 4 and 5 AE were not observed. Conclusion:Anlotinib can be safely used as neoadjuvant therapy for newly diagnosed LATC patients with good antitumor effects, providing better surgical opportunities for R0/1 resection.

Objective To propose a low-dose CT image denoising method based on an improved Corediff model to recover the detailed features of the image and enhance the image quality.Methods An RS-Corediff model was established by modifying the key component U-Net network of the Corediff model.Firstly,the residual module was introduced in the network input stage for feature extraction;secondly,a new downsampling module was designed in the U-Net network encoder,which learned the semantic information of the feature map by convolution and maintained the learning state during the downsampling process so as to fully extract the image features;thirdly,the feature splicing processing was used to further enhance the learning effect during the upsampling process of the U-Net network decoder;finally,the convolutional kernel size was modified to adjust the sensory field during the convolutional process of the whole U-Net network structure so as to obtain rich features.The RS-Corediff model was compared with the residual encoder-decoder convolutional neural network(RED-CNN)model and the Corediff model on the public dataset AAPM 2016 in order to verify its effectiveness for low-dose CT image denoising.Results The RS-Corediff model gained advantages over the RED-CNN and Corediff models with a peak signal-to-noise ratio(PSNR)of 41.269 8,structural similarity(SSIM)of 0.953 4 and root mean square error(RMSE)of 17.568 7.Conclusion The proposed method effectively preserves the texture and details of low-dose CT images during the denoising process to improve the overall quality of the images.[Chinese Medical Equipment Journal,2025,46(5):9-13]

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of co-infection of Talaromyces marneffei(TM)and non-tuberculous Mycobacterium(NTM)in human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)-negative patients.Methods Clinical data of 8 HIV-negative patients with co-infection of TM and NTM in a hospital from 2019 to 2022 were co-llected.Clinical manifestations,auxiliary examination,treatment and prognosis were retrospectively analyzed.Results Among the 8 patients,5 were females and 3 were males,with an average age of(52.25±12.31)years old.All patients presented TM and NTM disseminated infection.The major involved organs were lung(100％),lymph nodes(87.5％),and skin(75.0％).Clinical symptoms mainly included cough and expectoration(87.5％),fatigue(62.5％),joint and lumbosacral pains(62.5％),fever(50.0％),as well as skin and soft tissue abscess(50.0％),etc.Anti-interferon-γ(INF-γ)autoantibodies were detected in 4 patients and the results were positive.All 8 patients(100％)had pulmonary lesions,with chest CT mainly showing spots,patches,and striped shadows in both lungs.Among them,7 cases(87.5％)had increased and enlarged mediastinal lymph nodes,4 cases(50.0％)had pleural thickening and pleural effusion,2 cases each(25.0％for each)were accompanied by pulmonary mass shadows,bronchial stenosis,as well as increased and enlarged hilar lymph nodes.One case each(12.5％for each)had pulmonary cavity formation,bronchiectasis,and pericardial effusion.Conclusion The co-infection of TM and NTM in non-HIV patients presents disseminated infection,with multiple clinical symptoms.Chest imaging shows a wide variety of pulmonary lesions.It is prone to miss diagnosis in clinic,and the effect is not ideal after treatment for single pathogen infection.

ObjectiveTo investigate the possible mechanism of Wenyang Shengji Ointment （温阳生肌膏， WSO） in the treatment of diabetic wounds with yin syndrome. MethodsA total of 24 SD rats were randomly divided into a group （n=6） and modeling group （n=18）. The modeling group rats were fed with high-fat diet for 14 days and then were injected intraperitoneally with streptozotocin to induce diabetic model. After steroid injection， full-thickness skin defects were created on the back of the rats to establish a diabetic wound with yin syndrome model. The normal group was fed with regular diet， and full-thickness skin defects were created surgically on the back of the rats. The 18 successfully modeled rats were further divided into three groups， the model group， the WSO group， and the Beifuxin （Recombinant Bovine Basic Fibroblast Growth Factor Gel， BX） group， 6 rats in each group. The WSO group was given the ointment to the wound， the Beifuxin group was givne BX gel， and the normal group and model group was disinfected and treated with saline. All groups had their dressings changed once daily for 14 days. Wound healing was recorded on days 0， 3， 7， and 14， and the wound healing rate was calculated on day 3， 7， and 14. On day 14 after treatment， HE staining was performed to observe the pathological morphology of the wound tissue. Western Blot was used to detect the relative protein levels of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha （HIF-1α） and vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）. Immunofluorescence was used to measure the fluorescence intensity of HIF-1α in the wound tissue， and ELISA was used to detect the methylglyoxal （MGO） content in the wound tissue. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group showed poor wound healing on day 3， 7， and 14， with a low wound healing rate （P＜0.01）. HE staining showed scab coverage on the wound， with inflammatory cell infiltration and disorganized collagen arrangement. The relative protein levels of VEGF were significantly reduced， while the relative protein levels of HIF-1α and the MGO content significantly increased （P＜0.01）， and the fluorescence intensity of HIF-1α was enhanced. Compared to the model group， the WSO group and Beifuxin group showed better wound healing on day 3， 7， and 14， with an increased wound healing rate （P＜0.01）. The wound tissue showed clear and complete epithelial structure， reduced inflammatory cells， mature granulation tissue， and organized collagen arrangement. MGO content was significantly reduced （P＜0.01）. The relative protein levels of HIF-1α and VEGF both significantly increased in the WSO group， while only VEGF increased in the Beifuxin group （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Compared with the Beifuxin group， the WSO group had a thicker epidermal layer， prominent collagen formation， significantly increased HIF-1α fluorescence expression， reduced MGO content in the wound tissue， and higher relative protein levels of HIF-1α （P＜0.05）. ConclusionWSO can reduce the accumulation of MGO in diabetic wound tissue with yin syndrome and activate the HIF-1α/VEGF pathway， which could be one of the mechanisms for promoting wound healing.

In this work,a fluorescent probe PIN was synthesized using indole-3-carbohydrazide and pyrenecarboxaldehyde as raw materials.PIN showed weak fluorescence emission in aqueous solution with acetonitrile volume fraction of 70％.However,when Cu2+was added to this aqueous solution of PIN,a new fluorescence emission peak appeared at 495 nm,and the intensity of this peak gradually increased with the increase of concentration of Cu2+,and also caused a significant change in the fluorescence color of the solution.In contrast,the addition of 15 kinds of other common metal ions did not cause such change.The detection limit of PIN for Cu2+was 78.7 nmol/L,which was much lower than the maximum permitting level of Cu2+in drinking water in hygienic standard for drinking water in China.Therefore,PIN was a highly selective and sensitive fluorescence-enhanced probe for Cu2+.Meanwhile,the addition of Cu2+could also cause a new absorption peak at 440 nm in the ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum of the aqueous solution of PIN,and meanwhile the colorless PIN solution changed into yellow,exhibiting the performance of PIN as a colorimetric probe for Cu2+.By fitting with the Levenberg-Marquardt algorithm equation,the binding ratio of PIN to Cu2+was 2:1,and the binding constant was 3.42×1012 L2/mol2.In addition,the binding mode of PIN with Cu2+was explored by using proton nuclear magnetic resonance(1H NMR)titration experiments and density functional theory simulations.The results showed that the addition of Cu2+could cause the aggregation of PIN molecules to form excimers,thus showing highly selective recognition.Finally,PIN was made into a simple test strip,which could achieve rapid and convenient fluorescence detection of Cu2+in actual water samples.