ObjectiveThis paper aims to observe the protective effect of Huamoyan granules on knee osteoarthritis （KOA） and explore whether its protective effect is oriented toward an anti-inflammatory direction by regulation of macrophage polarization， which can effectively inhibit the progression of pathological inflammatory response， reduce the release of inflammatory pain mediators， and downregulate the protein expression level of transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 （TRPV1）， so as to provide experimental evidence for its clinical application and investigate its action mechanism. MethodsAfter adaptive feeding， Sprague-Dawley （SD） rats were randomly divided into six groups： sham group， model group， celecoxib group， and high， medium， and low-dose synovitis granule groups （9.6， 4.8， 2.4 g·kg^-1）. The administration dose of celecoxib capsules was 20 mg·kg^-1. There were 10 rats in the sham group and 12 rats in the model group and each administration group. A KOA animal model was established by means of intra-articular injection of sodium iodoacetate into the knee joint. From the 10^th day of the experiment， each administration group was given intragastric administration at a dose of 10 mL·kg^-1 for 4 weeks. General conditions of rats in each group were assessed daily. The pressure pain threshold （PPT） to mechanical stimulation and joint diameter were recorded. X-ray examination was performed on the right knee joints of rats for imaging analysis. Enzyme linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was performed to detect the tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， serum interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， and other pro-inflammatory cytokines in rat serum samples， as well as the expression levels of neurogenic inflammatory mediators such as nerve growth factor （NGF） and calcitonin gene-related peptide （CGRP）. Histopathological changes in the knee joint synovial tissues were examined by hematoxylineosin （HE） staining. Safranin O-fast green staining was performed to observe and evaluate the degree of knee cartilage lesions. Western blot was employed to quantitatively analyze TRPV1， p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase （p38 MAPK）， and phosphorylated （p）-p38 MAPK in rat knee synovial tissues. Immunofluorescence （IF） was used to measure and assess M1/M2 macrophage polarization. ResultsCompared with those in the sham group， the circumference and joint diameter of the right knee were markedly enlarged in the model group （P<0.01）， while PPTs of rats showed a significant reduction （P<0.01）. The contents of IL-1β， TNF-α， CGRP， and NGF in rats' serum were significantly elevated （P<0.01）， and the synovial Krenn score was increased （P<0.01）. The Mankin score of cartilage tissue was increased （P<0.01）， and the protein expressions of TRPV1 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK were significantly upregulated （P<0.01）. The experimental intervention significantly reduced the proportion of pro-inflammatory M1 macrophages in the total macrophage population （P<0.01）， and the percentage of M2 macrophages was decreased （P<0.01）. The M1/M2 macrophage ratio was significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Knee joint diameters of all dose groups of Huamoyan granules and the celecoxib group were reduced （P<0.01） compared with those of the model group， and the PPT recovery speeds in the high and medium-dose groups of Huamoyan granules were more obvious （P<0.05）. The contents of IL-1β， CGRP， and NGF in the rats' serum in all administration groups were significantly reduced （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the content of TNF-α in rats' serum was significantly reduced （P<0.01）. All dose groups of Huamoyan granules demonstrated significant reductions in both synovial Krenn score （P<0.05， P<0.01） and protein expression of TRPV1 and p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK in rats' synovial tissues （P<0.01）. The percentage of M1 macrophages in the synovial tissues of the celecoxib group and all dose groups of Huamoyan granules was decreased （P<0.01）. The percentage of M2 macrophages was increased （P<0.05）， and the M1/M2 ratio was decreased （P<0.01）. ConclusionHuamoyan granules can alleviate the inflammatory response of KOA， reduce the release of inflammatory pain mediators， and downregulate TRPV1 protein expression by regulating macrophage polarization. Its mechanism may be related to the TRPV1/p38 MAPK signaling pathway， thereby achieving the effect of improving peripheral pain hypersensitivity in KOA.

BackgroundThe violent aggressive behaviors of patients with schizophrenia usually have the characteristics of suddenness， unpredictability， high severity， and great difficulty in prevention. Early identification and accurate assessment of their risk of violent aggression have significant clinical significance. ObjectiveTo construct a predictive model for the violence risk in hospitalized patients with schizophrenia， to identify the key factors influencing the occurrence of violent behavior in these patients， so as to provide references for clinical precise quantitative assessment and early intervention. MethodsA total of 200 patients with schizophrenia who were hospitalized at Taiyuan Psychiatric Hospital from March 2022 to September 2024 and met the diagnostic criteria of the International Classification of Diseases， eleventh edition （ICD-11） were collected to form the modeling cohort. They were randomly divided into a training set （n=140） and a test set （n=60） at a ratio of 7∶3. Based on the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator （LASSO） regression algorithm， the feature variables were screened and dimension-reduced. The support vector machine （SVM） from machine learning was selected for model training and prediction. The discrimination efficacy of the model was evaluated by the area under the receiver operating characteristic （ROC） curve （AUC）， accuracy， precision， sensitivity， specificity， F1 value， and Brier value. ResultsLASSO regression screening identified 16 feature variables. Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation between prior violent behavior frequency and clinical psychiatric symptom scores （r=0.580， P<0.01）， a positive correlation between hospitalization compliance and current disease status （r=0.550， P=0.003）， and a positive correlation between educational level and family per capita monthly income （r=0.367， P<0.01）. The SVM model achieved an AUC of 0.853， accuracy of 0.800， precision of 0.810， sensitivity of 0.895， specificity of 0.636， F1 value of 0.850， and Brier value of 0.168. ConclusionThe SVM model has a relatively high level of applicability and overall predictive performance in the assessment of violent risk in schizophrenia patients， which is helpful for the early identification of violent risks in such patients. ［Funded by Specialized Research Project for Enhancing the Competence of Health Professionals in Taiyuan City （number， Y2023006）］

Cardiovascular diseases （CVD），a group of common diseases in clinical practice，are witnessing a steady rise in both incidence and mortality rates，posing a challenge to public health. Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang，originating from Synopsis of the Golden Chamber （《金匮要略》），was initially used to treat severe cases of chest impediment. The formula consists of Trichosanthis Fructus，Allii Macrostemonis Bulbus，Pinelliae Rhizoma，and Baijiu. It has a wide range of clinical applications，with therapeutic effects including moving Qi to relieve depression，activating Yang to dissipate mass，and expelling phlegm to alleviate chest congestion. In recent years，clinical research has confirmed that Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang，with or without modification，used alone or in combination with Western medicine，has definite effects in the treatment of CVD such as hyperlipidemia，coronary atherosclerotic heart disease，hypertension，heart failure，and arrhythmia. It can alleviate disease symptoms and reduce the risk of re-hospitalization. Basic research indicates that the mechanisms of Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang include improving endothelial functions，exhibiting anti-inflammatory properties，countering oxidative stress，preventing apoptosis，inhibiting ventricular remodeling，regulating mitochondrial functions，improving hemorheology，and modulating autophagy and neurotransmitters. This article reviews relevant articles in recent years with focuses on the compatibility，clinical application，and mechanism of Gualou Xiebai Banxiatang. This review is expected to provide a theoretical basis for the mechanism research and clinical application of this formula in treating CVD and to offer ideas and reference for in-depth research.

Osteoporosis is a common senile bone metabolism disease， clinically characterized by decreased bone mass， destruction of bone microstructure， increased bone fragility， and easy fracture. It tends to occur in the elderly and postmenopausal women， seriously threatening the quality of life and physical and mental health of the elderly. At present， the treatment of osteoporosis is mainly based on oral western medicines， such as calcium， Vitamin D， and bisphosphonates. Still， there are drawbacks such as a long medication cycle and many adverse reactions. In recent years， due to the advantages of multi-component， multi-pathway， and multi-target， some traditional Chinese medicines and effective ingredients can regulate the osteogenic and osteoclastic differentiation process in both directions and are widely used in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Hippophae rhamnoides is a commonly used herbal medicine， and its fruits are rich in flavonoids， polyphenols， fatty acids， vitamins， and trace elements， which have been proven to have a good anti-osteoporosis effect. Isorhamnetin is the main effective ingredient of Hippophae rhamnoides fruits， which has many pharmacological effects such as anti-inflammation， anti-oxidative stress， anti-aging， and anti-tumor. Studies have shown that isorhamnetin can participate in the regulation of bone metabolism and has a good anti-osteoporosis effect. However， the pharmacological effects and related mechanisms of isorhamnetin against osteoporosis have not been systematically summarized. Therefore， this paper reviewed the pharmacological effects and related mechanisms of isorhamnetin against osteoporosis by referring to relevant literature to provide more basis for the development and application of isorhamnetin.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism by which Mingshi prescription regulates the retinal melanopsin-dopamine （Opn4-DA） axis in myopic mice to inhibit endoplasmic reticulum （ER） stress in the retina and sclera， thereby delaying axial elongation associated with myopia. MethodsSixty 4-week-old male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into a normal group， a form-deprived myopia group （FDM group）， an intrinsically photosensitive retinal ganglion cells ablation group （ipRGCs group）， a Mingshi Prescription group （MSF group， 5.2 g·kg^-1）， and an ipRGCs + MSF group （5.2 g·kg^-1）. Except for the normal group， all other groups underwent FDM modeling. Additionally， the ipRGCs and ipRGCs + MSF groups received retinal ipRGC ablation. Three weeks after modeling， the MSF and ipRGCs + MSF groups were administered Mingshi prescription via continuous gavage for six weeks. After refraction and axial length were measured in all mice， eyeballs were collected along with retinal and scleral tissues. Pathological and morphological changes in the retina， choroid， and sclera were observed using periodic acid-Schiff （PAS） staining. Western blot was employed to detect the relative protein expression levels of dopamine D1 receptor （DRD1）， C/EBP homologous protein （CHOP）， and glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78） in the retina， and CHOP and GRP78 in the sclera. Real-time PCR was used to detect the relative mRNA expression of Opn4， CHOP， and GRP78 in the retina， and CHOP and GRP78 in the sclera. Immunofluorescence staining （IF） was performed to detect the expression of Opn4 and DRD1 in retinal tissues. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the FDM group showed a significant myopic shift in refraction （P<0.05） and a significant increase in axial length （P<0.05）. The retinal layers were thinner， the number of ganglion cells was reduced， and collagen fibers in the sclera were loosely arranged with evident gaps. Opn4 and DRD1 protein and mRNA expression in the retina were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， while CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA expression in both retinal and scleral tissues were significantly increased （P<0.05）. Compared with the FDM group， the ipRGCs group exhibited further increases in myopic refraction and axial length （P<0.05）， more pronounced thinning and looseness in the retinal， choroidal， and scleral layers， lower expression of Opn4 and DRD1 protein and mRNA in the retina （P<0.05）， and higher expression of CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA in the retina and sclera （P<0.05）. Compared with the FDM group， the MSF group showed significantly reduced refractive error and axial length （P<0.05）， with improved cellular number， arrangement， and thickness in ocular tissues， increased Opn4 and DRD1 protein and mRNA expression in the retina （P<0.05）， and reduced CHOP and GRP78 protein and mRNA expression in both retina and sclera （P<0.05）. Similarly， the ipRGCs + MSF group showed significant improvements in terms of the above items compared with the ipRGCs group （P<0.05）. ConclusionMingshi Prescription delays myopic axial elongation and refractive progression by regulating the Opn4-DA axis in the retina of myopic mice， thereby inhibiting ER stress in the retina and sclera. This intervention promotes Qi and blood nourishment of the eyes， softens the fascia， and restores ocular rhythm.

INTRODUCTION: Visual impairment and obesity remain the major public health issues among school-age students in rural areas of China. Obesity is an underlying risk of vision problems. This study aimed to assess the association between visual impairment and body mass index (BMI) among school-age students in rural northwest China. METHODS: This study included 39,385 students from the 4 th to 9 th grade in rural northwest China. From 2018 to 2020, students underwent an assessment of visual acuity (VA) and completed a questionnaire on family demographics, and height and weight measurements. Multiple logistic regression analyses were used to analyse the data. RESULTS: The association between visual impairment and BMI groups was significant in the study population ( P = 0.002) and in different groups (at the different educational, provincial and national levels) ( P < 0.001, separately). Multiple logistic regression analyses revealed a positive relationship between visual impairment and obesity in the study population, including those attending primary school, Han students and the residents of Ningxia autonomous region. CONCLUSION The association between visual impairment and obesity was significant among school-age students in rural northwest China. There should be implementation of policies to address the problem about visual impairment and obesity among school-age students in rural areas.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Body Mass Index ; Male ; Female ; Rural Population ; Vision Disorders/complications* ; Child ; Adolescent ; Students ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Logistic Models ; Obesity/complications* ; Visual Acuity ; Cross-Sectional Studies

This study investigated the effects of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata on striatal neuronal apoptosis in rats with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) based on the B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)/caspase-3 signaling pathway. Twenty-four 3-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR) were randomly divided into a model group, a methylphenidate group(2 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and a Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata group(2.4 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). Age-matched male Wistar Kyoto(WKY) rats were used as the normal control group, with 8 rats in each group. The rats were administered by gavage for 28 days. Body weight and food intake were recorded for each group. The open field test and elevated plus maze test were used to assess hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors. Nissl staining was used to detect changes in striatal neurons and Nissl bodies. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) fluorescence staining was used to detect striatal cell apoptosis. Western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 proteins in the striatum. The results showed that compared with the model group, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata significantly reduced the total movement distance, average movement speed, and central area residence time in the open field test, and significantly reduced the ratio of open arm entries, open arm stay time, and head dipping in the elevated plus maze test. Furthermore, it increased the number of Nissl bodies in striatal neurons, significantly downregulated the apoptosis index, significantly increased Bcl-2 protein expression and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and reduced Bax and caspase-3 protein expression. In conclusion, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata can reduce hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors in ADHD rats. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 signaling pathway in the striatum, enhancing the anti-apoptotic capacity of striatal neurons.
Animals ; Male ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Rats ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Caspase 3/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/genetics* ; Rehmannia/chemistry* ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/physiopathology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Neurons/cytology* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Humans ; Corpus Striatum/cytology* ; Plant Extracts

As a member of the Citrus genus of the Rutaceae family, Citrus changshan-huyou(CSHY) is mainly produced in Quzhou city, Zhejiang province. Modern research shows that different medicinal parts of CSHY(immature fruit, mature fruit peel, flower buds, leaves, seeds, etc.) are abundant in flavonoids, terpenes, coumarins, phenolic acids, and volatile oils. Their pharmacological activities include respiratory system protection, liver protection, anti-inflammation, anti-hyperlipidemia, anti-hyperglycemia, and antioxidation. Based on the summarization of 374 chemical components in different medicinal parts of CSHY identified in the past 20 years, this study reviewed their pharmacological actions and mechanisms and further analyzed the current status of quality control of different medicinal parts of CSHY, aiming to provide reference for the resource development and exploitation and the quality control research of different medicinal parts of CSHY.
Citrus/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Plants, Medicinal/chemistry* ; Quality Control ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of "Shibao Decoction" in the management of late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) caused by deficiency of kidney essence. METHODS: Sixty male patients with late-onset hypogonadism of kidney essence deficiency type were randomly assigned to the treatment group and the control group, each with 30 cases. The patients in treatment group were treated with oral Shibao Decoction, while the control group was treated with oral Testosterone Undecanoate Capsules. The patients in both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The PADAM symptom score, TCM syndrome score, serum total testosterone (TT), serum free testosterone (FT), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), body mass index (BMI), total skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI), FBG, FINS, and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) levels were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: After treatment, PADAM scores for each item and TCM symptoms score decreased, TT and FT increased in both groups, all with statistically significant differences from those of pre-treatment (P<0.05). The level of SHBG in the control group decreased (P<0.05), which had not changed significantly in the treatment group (P>0.05). After treatment, SMI and ASMI increased in both groups significantly (P<0.05). BMI decreased in the control group (P<0.05), which had not changed significantly in the treatment group (P>0.05). The level of FINS decreased in the control group (P<0.05), which had not changed significantly in the treatment group (P>0.05). FPG had not changed significantly in both groups (P>0.05), and the insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR) had significantly improved in both groups, all with statistically significant differences from those of pre-treatment (P<0.05). After treatment, the total effective rates of PADAM score and TCM syndrome score in the treatment group were 73.3% and 86.6% respectively, and the total effective rates in the control group were 66.7% and 76.6% respectively. The total effective rates of the two scores in the treatment group were slightly higher than those in the control group (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the indicators between the two groups after treatment, and the treatment group is generally comparable with the control group in the therapeutic effects (P>0.05). And no adverse reactions occurred during treatment in both groups. CONCLUSION The "Shibao Decoction" has a remarkable therapeutic effect on late-onset hypogonadism caused by deficiency of kidney essence and has good safety. It can be used as an alternative to testosterone undecanoate and is worthy of clinical promotion and application.
Humans ; Hypogonadism/etiology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Male ; Testosterone/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Kidney

Given that ovarian stimulation is vital for assisted reproductive technology (ART) and results in elevated serum estrogen levels, exploring the impact of elevated estrogen exposure on oocytes and embryos is necessary. We investigated the effects of various ovarian stimulation treatments on oocyte and embryo morphology and gene expression using a mouse model and estrogen-treated mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs). Female C57BL/6J mice were subjected to two types of conventional ovarian stimulation and ovarian hyperstimulation; mice treated with only normal saline served as controls. Hyperstimulation resulted in high serum estrogen levels, enlarged ovaries, an increased number of aberrant oocytes, and decreased embryo formation. The messenger RNA (mRNA)‍-sequencing of oocytes revealed the dysregulated expression of lysine-specific demethylase 6b (Kdm6b), which may be a key factor indicating hyperstimulation-induced aberrant oocytes and embryos. In vitro, Kdm6b expression was downregulated in mESCs treated with high-dose estrogen; treatment with an estrogen receptor antagonist could reverse this downregulated expression level. Furthermore, treatment with high-dose estrogen resulted in the upregulated expression of histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27me3) and phosphorylated H2A histone family member X (γ-H2AX). Notably, knockdown of Kdm6b and high estrogen levels hindered the formation of embryoid bodies, with a concomitant increase in the expression of H3K27me3 and γ-H2AX. Collectively, our findings revealed that hyperstimulation-induced high-dose estrogen could impair the demethylation of H3K27me3 by reducing Kdm6b expression. Accordingly, Kdm6b could be a promising marker for clinically predicting ART outcomes in patients with ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome.
Female ; Mice ; Demethylation/drug effects* ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; Estrogens/administration & dosage* ; Gene Expression/drug effects* ; Histones/metabolism* ; Jumonji Domain-Containing Histone Demethylases/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oocytes ; Ovary/drug effects* ; Reproductive Techniques, Assisted ; Animals