The zebrafish model has attracted much attention due to its strong reproductive ability, short research cycle, and ease of maintenance. It has always been an important vertebrate model system, often used to carry out human disease research. Its motor behavior features have the advantages of being simpler, more intuitive, and quantifiable. In recent years, it has received widespread attention in the study of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for the treatment of sleep disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, fatigue, epilepsy, and other diseases. This paper reviews the characteristics of zebrafish motor behavior and its applications in the pharmacodynamic verification and mechanism research of TCM extracts, active ingredients, and TCM compounds, as well as in active ingredient screening and safety evaluation. The paper also analyzes its advantages and disadvantages, with the aim of improving the breadth and depth of zebrafish and its motor behavior applications in the field of TCM research.
Zebrafish/physiology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/methods* ; Animals ; Sleep Wake Disorders/physiopathology* ; Epilepsy/physiopathology* ; Neurodegenerative Diseases/physiopathology* ; Fatigue/physiopathology* ; Behavior, Animal/physiology* ; Motor Activity/physiology*

Emodin is a hydroxyanthraquinone compound that is widely distributed and has multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-diarrheal, anti-inflammatory, and liver-protective effects. Research indicates that emodin may be one of the main components responsible for inducing hepatotoxicity. However, studies on the mechanisms of liver injury are relatively limited, particularly those related to bile acids(BAs) metabolism. This study aims to systematically investigate the effects of different dosages of emodin on BAs metabolism, providing a basis for the safe clinical use of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)containing emodin. First, this study evaluated the safety of repeated administration of different dosages of emodin over a 5-week period, with a particular focus on its impact on the liver. Next, the composition and content of BAs in serum and liver were analyzed. Subsequently, qRT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of nuclear receptors and transporters related to BAs metabolism. The results showed that 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin induced hepatic damage, with bile duct hyperplasia as the primary pathological manifestation. It significantly increased the levels of various BAs in the serum and primary BAs(including taurine-conjugated and free BAs) in the liver. Additionally, it downregulated the mRNA expression of farnesoid X receptor(FXR), retinoid X receptor(RXR), and sodium taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide(NTCP), and upregulated the mRNA expression of cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase(CYP7A1) in the liver. Although 0.01 g·kg~(-1) and 0.03 g·kg~(-1) emodin did not induce obvious liver injury, they significantly increased the level of taurine-conjugated BAs in the liver, suggesting a potential interference with BAs homeostasis. In conclusion, 1 g·kg~(-1) emodin may promote the production of primary BAs in the liver by affecting the FXR-RXR-CYP7A1 pathway, inhibit NTCP expression, and reduce BA reabsorption in the liver, resulting in BA accumulation in the peripheral blood. This disruption of BA homeostasis leads to liver injury. Even doses of emodin close to the clinical dose can also have a certain effect on the homeostasis of BAs. Therefore, when using traditional Chinese medicine or formulas containing emodin in clinical practice, it is necessary to regularly monitor liver function indicators and closely monitor the risk of drug-induced liver injury.
Emodin/administration & dosage* ; Bile Acids and Salts/metabolism* ; Animals ; Male ; Liver/injuries* ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury/genetics* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Mice ; Rats

Extensive studies have identified potential adverse effects on semen quality of obesity, based on body mass index, but the association between body fat distribution, a more relevant indicator for obesity, and semen quality remains less clear. We conducted a longitudinal study of 4304 sperm donors from the Guangdong Provincial Human Sperm Bank (Guangzhou, China) during 2017-2021. A body composition analyzer was used to measure total and local body fat percentage for each participant. Generalized estimating equations were employed to assess the association between body fat percentage and sperm count, motility, and morphology. We estimated that each 10% increase in total body fat percentage (estimated change [95% confidence interval, 95% CI]) was significantly associated with a 0.18 × 10 6 (0.09 × 10 6 -0.27 × 10 6 ) ml and 12.21 × 10 6 (4.52 × 10 6 -19.91 × 10 6 ) reduction in semen volume and total sperm count, respectively. Categorical analyses and exposure-response curves showed that the association of body fat distribution with semen volume and total sperm count was stronger at higher body fat percentages. In addition, the association still held among normal weight and overweight participants. We observed similar associations for upper limb, trunk, and lower limb body fact distributions. In conclusion, we found that a higher body fat distribution was significantly associated with lower semen quality (especially semen volume) even in men with a normal weight. These findings provide useful clues in exploring body fat as a risk factor for semen quality decline and add to evidence for improving semen quality for those who are expected to conceive.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Semen Analysis ; China ; Body Fat Distribution ; Longitudinal Studies ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Body Mass Index ; Tissue Donors ; Obesity/complications* ; Spermatozoa ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; East Asian People

Apical microsurgery is accurate and minimally invasive, produces few complications, and has a success rate of more than 90%. However, due to the lack of awareness and understanding of apical microsurgery by dental general practitioners and even endodontists, many clinical problems remain to be overcome. The consensus has gathered well-known domestic experts to hold a series of special discussions and reached the consensus. This document specifies the indications, contraindications, preoperative preparations, operational procedures, complication prevention measures, and efficacy evaluation of apical microsurgery and is applicable to dentists who perform apical microsurgery after systematic training.
Microsurgery/standards* ; Humans ; Apicoectomy ; Contraindications, Procedure ; Tooth Apex/diagnostic imaging* ; Postoperative Complications/prevention & control* ; Consensus ; Treatment Outcome

Pulpotomy, which belongs to vital pulp therapy, has become a strategy for managing pulpitis in recent decades. This minimally invasive treatment reflects the recognition of preserving healthy dental pulp and optimizing long-term patient-centered outcomes. Pulpotomy is categorized into partial pulpotomy (PP), the removal of a partial segment of the coronal pulp tissue, and full pulpotomy (FP), the removal of whole coronal pulp, which is followed by applying the biomaterials onto the remaining pulp tissue and ultimately restoring the tooth. Procedural decisions for the amount of pulp tissue removal or retention depend on the diagnostic of pulp vitality, the overall treatment plan, the patient's general health status, and pulp inflammation reassessment during operation. This statement represents the consensus of an expert committee convened by the Society of Cariology and Endodontics, Chinese Stomatological Association. It addresses the current evidence to support the application of pulpotomy as a potential alternative to root canal treatment (RCT) on mature permanent teeth with pulpitis from a biological basis, the development of capping biomaterial, and the diagnostic considerations to evidence-based medicine. This expert statement intends to provide a clinical protocol of pulpotomy, which facilitates practitioners in choosing the optimal procedure and increasing their confidence in this rapidly evolving field.
Humans ; Calcium Compounds/therapeutic use* ; Consensus ; Dental Pulp ; Dentition, Permanent ; Oxides/therapeutic use* ; Pulpitis/therapy* ; Pulpotomy/standards*

BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injury often leads to neurogenic bladder with hyperreflexia of the forced urethral muscle,but there is a lack of clear understanding of its pathogenesis and treatment,and establishing a stable and reliable animal model has an important impact on revealing its pathomechanisms and exploring therapeutic approaches.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of the number of times to urinate on neurogenic model rats after complete spinal cord transection in order to improve the postoperative survival and modeling rate of neurogenic model rats.METHODS:Out of 46 female Sprague-Dawley rats,6 were selected as the sham-operated group using the random number table method,and the remaining 40 rats were randomly divided into 0,1,3,and 5 times daily urination groups after complete spinal cord transection modeling,with 10 rats in each group.The residual urine volume was measured every 3 days within 19 postoperative days,and the survival and modeling were observed on the 19th day after the operation,and urodynamics tests and contraction experiments of isolated forced urethra muscle strips were performed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Survival and modeling rate:there was 10%survival rate and 10%modeling rate in the group of 0 times daily urination;20%survival rate and 10%modeling rate in the group of 1 time daily urination;70%survival rate and 70%modeling rate in the groups of 3 and 5 times daily urination.(2)Residual urine volume:compared with the sham-operated group,the residual urine volume of the groups of 3 and 5 times daily urination was significant increased on postoperative days 3,6,9,12,and 15(P<0.01);the residual urine volume of the groups of 3 and 5 times daily urination was increased on the 18th day after surgery(P<0.05).Compared with the 3 times daily urination group,the residual urine volume was decreased in the 5 times daily urination group on the 6th day after surgery(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in the residual urine volume between the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups on the 3rd,9th,12th,15th,and 18th days after surgery.(3)Urodynamics:Compared with the sham-operated group,the differential pressure at the point of leakage was significantly reduced(P<0.01)and the maximal volume was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups.There was no statistical difference in the differential pressure at the point of leakage and the maximal volume between the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups.(4)Muscle-strip contraction test of isolated detrusor muscles:Compared with the sham-operated group,the contraction amplitude and frequency of detrusor muscle strips were significantly reduced in the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups(P<0.01).There was no statistically significant difference in the contraction amplitude and frequency of detrusor muscle strips between the 3 and 5 times daily-urination groups.In conclusion,assisted urination is one of the keys to establish a successful neurogenic model of urethral reflexes,and there is no significant difference in the effects of urinating 3 or 5 times a day on the neurogenic model.It is recommended to urinate at least 3 times a day based on the actual workload and the modeling rate.

OBJECTIVE: Emerging evidence suggests that exposure to ultrafine particulate matter (UPM, aerodynamic diameter < 0.1 µm) is associated with adverse cardiovascular events. Previous studies have found that Shenlian (SL) extract possesses anti-inflammatory and antiapoptotic properties and has a promising protective effect at all stages of the atherosclerotic disease process. In this study, we aimed to investigated whether SL improves UPM-aggravated myocardial ischemic injury by inhibiting inflammation and cell apoptosis. METHODS: We established a mouse model of MI+UPM. Echocardiographic measurement, measurement of myocardialinfarct size, biochemical analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), histopathological analysis, Transferase dUTP Nick End Labeling (TUNEL), Western blotting (WB), Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) and so on were used to explore the anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic effects of SL in vivo and in vitro. RESULTS: SL treatment can attenuate UPM-induced cardiac dysfunction by improving left ventricular ejection fraction, fractional shortening, and decreasing cardiac infarction area. SL significantly reduced the levels of myocardial enzymes and attenuated UPM-induced morphological alterations. Moreover, SL significantly reduced expression levels of the inflammatory cytokines IL-6, TNF-α, and MCP-1. UPM further increased the infiltration of macrophages in myocardial tissue, whereas SL intervention reversed this phenomenon. UPM also triggered myocardial apoptosis, which was markedly attenuated by SL treatment. The results of in vitro experiments revealed that SL prevented cell damage caused by exposure to UPM combined with hypoxia by reducing the expression of the inflammatory factor NF-κB and inhibiting apoptosis in H9c2 cells. CONCLUSION Overall, both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that SL attenuated UPM-aggravated myocardial ischemic injury by inhibiting inflammation and cell apoptosis. The mechanisms were related to the downregulation of macrophages infiltrating heart tissues.
Animals ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Particulate Matter/adverse effects* ; Mice ; Male ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Myocardial Ischemia/drug therapy* ; Cell Line

Isoflavones which mainly distributed in leguminous plants have plenty of health benefits.Isoflavone synthase(IFS)is a membrane-associated cytochrome P450 enzyme(CYP450)which carries out the unique aryl-ring migration and hydroxylation.So far,few crystal structures of plant P450s have been obtained.We determined the crystal structure of IFS from Medicago truncatula at 1.9 ? by MAD method using a selenomethionine substituted crystal and conducted molecular docking and mutagenesis study.The structure of IFS complexed with imidazole exhibits the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif which cor-responds to helix Ⅰ of other P450s.Compared with structures of common P450s,IFS/imidazole structure contains an extra domain,i.e.,the γ-domain.The structure reveals a homodimer in which the γ-domain of one molecule interacts with the β-domain of another.The plane of heme group makes an angle of ap-proximately 40° with the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif.Molecular docking combined with mutagenesis study suggested that Trp-128 and Asp-300 might play important roles in substrate binding and recogni-tion.Phe-301,Ser-303 and Gly-305 from the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif may play important roles in the aryl-ring migration.These novel structural features reveal insights into the unique reaction mechanism of IFS and provide a basis for engineering IFS in leguminous crops for health purpose.

BACKGROUND:Spinal cord injury often leads to neurogenic bladder with hyperreflexia of the forced urethral muscle,but there is a lack of clear understanding of its pathogenesis and treatment,and establishing a stable and reliable animal model has an important impact on revealing its pathomechanisms and exploring therapeutic approaches.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of the number of times to urinate on neurogenic model rats after complete spinal cord transection in order to improve the postoperative survival and modeling rate of neurogenic model rats.METHODS:Out of 46 female Sprague-Dawley rats,6 were selected as the sham-operated group using the random number table method,and the remaining 40 rats were randomly divided into 0,1,3,and 5 times daily urination groups after complete spinal cord transection modeling,with 10 rats in each group.The residual urine volume was measured every 3 days within 19 postoperative days,and the survival and modeling were observed on the 19th day after the operation,and urodynamics tests and contraction experiments of isolated forced urethra muscle strips were performed.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Survival and modeling rate:there was 10%survival rate and 10%modeling rate in the group of 0 times daily urination;20%survival rate and 10%modeling rate in the group of 1 time daily urination;70%survival rate and 70%modeling rate in the groups of 3 and 5 times daily urination.(2)Residual urine volume:compared with the sham-operated group,the residual urine volume of the groups of 3 and 5 times daily urination was significant increased on postoperative days 3,6,9,12,and 15(P<0.01);the residual urine volume of the groups of 3 and 5 times daily urination was increased on the 18th day after surgery(P<0.05).Compared with the 3 times daily urination group,the residual urine volume was decreased in the 5 times daily urination group on the 6th day after surgery(P<0.05),while there was no significant difference in the residual urine volume between the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups on the 3rd,9th,12th,15th,and 18th days after surgery.(3)Urodynamics:Compared with the sham-operated group,the differential pressure at the point of leakage was significantly reduced(P<0.01)and the maximal volume was significantly increased(P<0.01)in the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups.There was no statistical difference in the differential pressure at the point of leakage and the maximal volume between the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups.(4)Muscle-strip contraction test of isolated detrusor muscles:Compared with the sham-operated group,the contraction amplitude and frequency of detrusor muscle strips were significantly reduced in the 3 and 5 times daily urination groups(P<0.01).There was no statistically significant difference in the contraction amplitude and frequency of detrusor muscle strips between the 3 and 5 times daily-urination groups.In conclusion,assisted urination is one of the keys to establish a successful neurogenic model of urethral reflexes,and there is no significant difference in the effects of urinating 3 or 5 times a day on the neurogenic model.It is recommended to urinate at least 3 times a day based on the actual workload and the modeling rate.

Isoflavones which mainly distributed in leguminous plants have plenty of health benefits.Isoflavone synthase(IFS)is a membrane-associated cytochrome P450 enzyme(CYP450)which carries out the unique aryl-ring migration and hydroxylation.So far,few crystal structures of plant P450s have been obtained.We determined the crystal structure of IFS from Medicago truncatula at 1.9 ? by MAD method using a selenomethionine substituted crystal and conducted molecular docking and mutagenesis study.The structure of IFS complexed with imidazole exhibits the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif which cor-responds to helix Ⅰ of other P450s.Compared with structures of common P450s,IFS/imidazole structure contains an extra domain,i.e.,the γ-domain.The structure reveals a homodimer in which the γ-domain of one molecule interacts with the β-domain of another.The plane of heme group makes an angle of ap-proximately 40° with the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif.Molecular docking combined with mutagenesis study suggested that Trp-128 and Asp-300 might play important roles in substrate binding and recogni-tion.Phe-301,Ser-303 and Gly-305 from the helix Ⅰa-loop-helix Ⅰβ motif may play important roles in the aryl-ring migration.These novel structural features reveal insights into the unique reaction mechanism of IFS and provide a basis for engineering IFS in leguminous crops for health purpose.