The purpose of this study was to investigate the anxiety-like behaviors, circadian rhythms and sleep, and to elucidate the possible underlying mechanisms of the abnormal sleep behavior in Shank3 gene knockout (Shank3-KO) mice. The anxiety-like behaviors were detected by elevated plus-maze (EPM) test, open field test (OFT) and tail suspension test (TST). The circadian rhythms were detected by running wheel test. The electroencephalogram (EEG)/electromyogram (EMG) recordings were performed synchronically by polysomnograph. The distribution of SHANK3 in anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), paraventricular thalamus (PVT), nucleus accumbens (NAc), basolateral amygdala (BLA) and hippocampal CA2 region in wild type (WT) mice was detected by immunofluorescence assay. The protein expression of c-Fos in PVT, ACC and NAc was also detected by immunofluorescence assay during light cycle. The colocalization of c-Fos and vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (Vglut2, a marker for glutamatergic neurons) in the PVT was detected by immunofluorescence double labeling experiment. The results of EPM test showed that, compared with the WT mice, the Shank3-KO mice showed less time in open arms and less number of open arm entries. The results of OFT showed that the Shank3-KO mice showed less time in central area and less number of central area entries. The immobility time of Shank3-KO mice was increased in the TST. The results of running wheel rhythm test showed that the phase shift time of Shank3-KO mice in the continuous dark period was increased. The results of EEG/EMG recording showed that, compared with the WT mice, the duration of wakefulness in Shank3-KO mice was increased and the duration of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep was decreased during light phase; The bout number of wakefulness was increased, the bout number of NREM sleep was decreased, NREM-wake transitions were increased, and wake-NREM transitions were decreased during light phase. SHANK3 was expressed in ACC, PVT, NAc and BLA in the WT mice. The expression of c-Fos in the PVT of Shank3-KO mice was up-regulated 2 h after entering the light phase, and majority of c-Fos was co-localized with Vglut2. These results suggest that the anxiety level of Shank3-KO mice is increased, the regulation of the internal rhythms is decreased, and the bout number of wakefulness is increased during light phase. The glutamatergic neurons in PVT may be involved in the regulation of abnormal sleep behavior in Shank3-KO mice during the light phase.
Animals ; Mice, Knockout ; Mice ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/physiology* ; Male ; Midline Thalamic Nuclei/cytology* ; Circadian Rhythm/physiology* ; Sleep/physiology* ; Anxiety/physiopathology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism* ; Vesicular Glutamate Transport Protein 2/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Microfilament Proteins

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical effect of personalized puncture planning before surgery using Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) in the treatment of osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures in the elderly. METHODS: A total of 69 elderly patients with osteoporotic vertebral compression fractures treated by percutaneous vertebroplasty from January 2020 20 to December 2021 with more than 1 year of follow-up were analyzed retrospectively. Thirty-four patients were individualized for preoperative planning with PACS software (observation group), including 8 males and 26 females, with a mean age of (73.30±7.96) years old;and 35 patients were treated with conventional treatment (control group), including 7 males and 28 females, with a mean age of (77.30±7.84) years old. The operation time, the amount of cement injection, cement leakage rate, bone watertight diffusion and refracture within 1 year between two groups were observed and compared. The Cobb's angle, low back pain visual analogue scale(VAS) and the modified Oswsetry disability indexes(ODI) before surgery and 1 day, 1 year after surgery were compared between two groups. RESULTS: Both groups successfully completed the operation without serious surgical complications, 2 refractures occurred in the control group. The operation time in the observation group was(41.9±11.9) min, which was less than that in the control group (52.7±13.6) min (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the cement injection volume between two groups (P>0.05). Two cases of cement leakage in the observation group was less than 8 in the control group (P<0.05). The bone cement distribution index of two groups had significant difference(P<0.05). There were no significant differences between two groups in Cobb's angle of the injured vertebras and ODI before and 1 day after surgery(P>0.05), however, the comparative differences were statistically significant at 1 year after surgery(P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the VAS between two groups at each time period(P>0.05). CONCLUSION Using the PACS software to plan personalized puncture scheme can reduce the operation time, reduce the cement leakage rate, improve the diffusion of bone cement and longer maintain the postoperative form of vertebral body and the functional state of patients' lumbar back.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Vertebroplasty/methods* ; Fractures, Compression/diagnostic imaging* ; Spinal Fractures/diagnostic imaging* ; Osteoporotic Fractures/diagnostic imaging* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Retrospective Studies ; Radiology Information Systems

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the modulation mechanism of Suanzaoren Decoction (SZRD) on basolateral amygdala (BLA) neuronal activity to alleviate chronic restraint stress (CRS)-related behavioral deficits. METHODS: The male C57BL/6J mice were assigned to 4 groups using the complete randomization method, including control (CON, n=19), CRS (n=19), SZRD (n=21), and fluoxetine (Flu, n=22) groups. Mice were restrained for 6 h per day, over a 21-d period to establish CRS models. The CON group remained in their cages without food or water during the 6-h matching period. SZRD and Flu groups received intragastric administration of SZRD (4.68 g/kg) and Flu (20 mg/kg) daily, respectively, 30 min before restraint for 21 consecutive days. The therapeutic effects of SZRD were evaluated using behavioral tests including the tail suspension test, elevated plus maze test, and forced swimming test. The cellular Fletcher B. Judson murine osteosarcoma proto-oncogene (c-Fos) expression in the BLA was measured using immunofluorescence, while action potential (AP) firing and synaptic transmission in BLA pyramidal neurons were evaluated using whole-cell patch-clamp recordings. RESULTS: SZRD administration significantly increased time spent in the open arms and open-arm entries while reducing immobility time (P<0.05 or P<0.01). It downregulated CRS-induced c-Fos expression and AP firing of pyramidal neurons in the BLA (P<0.01). Additionally, SZRD selectively attenuated excitatory (P<0.01), but not inhibitory, synaptic transmission onto BLA pyramidal neurons. CONCLUSION SZRD alleviated CRS-induced anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in mice by modulating the excitability and synaptic transmission of BLA pyramidal neurons.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Depression/complications* ; Pyramidal Cells/pathology* ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Basolateral Nuclear Complex/pathology* ; Restraint, Physical ; Anxiety/complications* ; Behavior, Animal/drug effects* ; Stress, Psychological/physiopathology* ; Mice ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos/metabolism* ; Action Potentials/drug effects* ; Synaptic Transmission/drug effects*

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a metabolic disease characterized by abnormal deposition of lipid in hepatocytes. If not intervened in time, NAFLD may develop into liver fibrosis or liver cancer, and ultimately threatening life. NAFLD has complicated etiology and pathogenesis, and there are no effective therapeutic means and specific drugs. Currently, insulin sensitizers, lipid-lowering agents and hepatoprotective agents are often used for clinical intervention, but these drugs have obvious side effects, and their effectiveness and safety need to be further confirmed. Adenosine monophosphate (AMP)-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays a central role in maintaining energy homeostasis. Activated AMPK can enhance lipid degradation, alleviate insulin resistance (IR), suppress oxidative stress and inflammatory response, and regulate autophagy, thereby alleviating NAFLD. Natural herbal medicines have received extensive attention recently because of their regulatory effects on AMPK and low side effects. In this article, we reviewed the biologically active natural herbal medicines (such as natural herbal medicine formulas, extracts, polysaccharides, and monomers) that reported in recent years to treat NAFLD via regulating AMPK, which can serve as a foundation for subsequent development of candidate drugs for NAFLD.

OBJECTIVE: This study explored the job choice preferences of Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) workers to provide CDC management information and recommendations for optimizing employee retention and motivation policies. METHODS: A discrete choice experiment was conducted in nine provinces across China. Seven key attributes were identified to analyze the job preferences of CDC workers. Mixed logit models, latent class models, and policy simulation tools were used. RESULTS: A valid sample of 5,944 cases was included in the analysis. All seven attributes significantly influenced the job choices of CDC workers. Heterogeneity analyses identified two main groups based on different levels of preference for attribute utility. Income-prioritizers were concerned with income and opportunities for career development, whereas bianzhi-prioritizers were concerned with bianzhi and welfare benefits. The policy simulation analysis revealed that income-prioritizers had a relatively higher sensitivity to multiple job preference incentives. CONCLUSION Income and bianzhi were the two key attributes influencing the job choices and retention preferences of CDC workers. Heterogeneity in job preferences was also identified. Based on the preference characteristics of different subgroups, policy content should be skewed to differentiate the importance of incentives.
China ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S. ; Middle Aged ; Choice Behavior ; Career Choice ; Motivation

Objective To investigate the therapeutic efficacy of artesunate(AS)on polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS)in mice and explore the potential mechanism primarily.Methods Twenty-five female C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into Control group,model group(PCOS group),low-and high-dose AS groups(AS15 and AS30 groups)and metformin group(Met group).In addition to the Control group,the mouse model of PCOS was established by subcutaneous injection of dehydroepiandrosterone(DHEA,60 mg/kg)following by a high-fat diet for 21 d.After modeling,AS of 15 and 30 mg/kg was intraperitoneally injected into the mice of the AS 15 and AS30 groups,respectively,and 200 mg/kg Met was given to those of the Met group by gavage,once per day,for 6 weeks.ELISA was used to detect serum testosterone(T),fasting insulin(FINS),luteinizing hormone(LH)and follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH),and the LH/FSH ratio was calculated.The levels of fasting blood glucose(FBG),triglyceride(TG)and total cholesterol(TC)were detected by automatic biochemical analyzer,and the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)was calculated.The estrous cycle was observed,and HE staining was performed for pathological changes in the ovary and uterus.Immunofluorescence assay was employed to measure the expression of p-eIF2α,ATF4 and CHOP in the ovarian tissue.After steroidogenic human granulosa-like tumor cell line KGN were exposed to 100 μmol/L DHEA to simulate the hyperandrogen environment of PCOS,and then treated with 5 and 10 μg/mL AS for 24 h,the protein levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress signaling pathway was detected by Western blotting.Results Compared with the Control group,the PCOS mice had disturbed estrous cycle,polycystic changes in the ovaries,and significantly increased serum T level and LH/FSH ratio(P＜0.05),and obviously elevated HOMA-IR,TC and TG levels in terms of metabolism(P＜0.01).The expression levels of p-eIF2α,ATF4 and CHOP were notably up-regulated in the ovarian granulosa cells of PCOS mice and KGN cells after DHEA exposure(P＜0.05).Additionally,AS treatment attenuated the pathological changes of ovary and uterine expression,decreased the serum T level and the LH/FSH ratio(P＜0.05),and reduced HOMA-IR,TC and TG levels(P＜0.05)when compared with the PCOS mice.Moreover,the expression levels of p-eIF2α,ATF4 and CHOP were significantly down-regulated after AS treatment in both ovarian granulosa cells of PCOS mice and KGN cells(P＜0.05).Conclusion AS significantly improves glycolipid metabolic disorder and reproductive dysfunction in PCOS mice,which may be associated with its suppressing endoplasmic reticulum stress by inhibiting the PERK/eIF2α/ATF4/CHOP pathway.

Objective To investigate the role of p300 in lipid metabolism disorders.Methods Bioinformatics analysis was performed to analyze the expression patterns of p300 in lipid metabolism disorder-related diseases and its correlation with SREBP-1c and downstream lipid metabolic enzymes.Immunofluorescence assay was used to detect the expression of p300 in the liver tissues of the patients with varying disease severity of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease(NAFLD).A mouse model of lipid metabolism disorder was established in male C57BL/6J mice by feeding high-fat diet(HFD)for 12 weeks.Western blotting was employed to assess p300 expression level in the liver tissues of HFD-fed mice.A cell model of lipid metabolism disorder was established in HepG2/AML-12 cells induced with free fatty acid(FFA).The effects of siRNA-mediated knockdown of p300 was observed to measure the levels of intracellular total cholesterol(TC)and triglyceride(TG),lipid deposition,and production of reactive oxygen species(ROS).Results Clinically,p300 was highly expressed in lipid metabolism disorders,and its level was positively correlated with NAFLD severity(P<0.05).Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA)revealed that p300 expression was significantly associated with fatty acid metabolism,cholesterol homeostasis,lipogenesis,PPAR signaling pathway,and peroxisome pathway.In vivo,p300 was significantly up-regulated in the livers of HFD-fed mice(P<0.01).In vitro,FFA stimulation markedly increased p300 expression in both HepG2 and AML-12 cells(P<0.01),whereas p300 knockdown significantly reduced intracellular TG and TC levels(P<0.01),attenuated lipid droplet accumulation,and reversed FFA-induced ROS elevation(P<0.01).Furthermore,p300 expression was positively correlated with the expression of SREBP-1c and its downstream key lipid synthesis enzymes.Conclusion p300 may promote hepatic lipid accumulation by acetylating and activating SREBP-1c and regulating downstream lipid metabolic enzymes,thereby affecting lipid synthesis and oxidative stress.These findings suggest that p300 may be a potential therapeutic target for lipid metabolism disorder-related diseases.

Objective:To establish an environmental management strategy for the prevention of ventilator-associated pneumonia from the perspective of etiological characteristics and to verify its application effect.Methods:Based on a sampling survey, this study constructed preventive management strategies for ventilator-associated pneumonia by blocking pathogen characteristics from the perspective of both colonization and infection management in patients. From July 2021 to June 2023, a non-synchronous randomized controlled study was conducted, including a control group of 59 cases and an experimental group of 57 cases from ICU of Tianjin Teda Hospital, all of them were mechanically ventilated patients. The effectiveness of the strategy was confirmed.Results:In the control group, there were 35 males and 24 females, with an average age of (46.97 ± 18.84) years. In the experimental group, there were 39 males and 18 females, with an average age of (47.49 ± 13.85) years. During the study period, there were 9 cases of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) in the control group and 2 cases in the experimental group, the difference between the two groups was statistically significant (exact odds ratio=0.031). The duration of mechanical ventilation in the experimental group (122.41 ± 18.36) h, which was shorter than that in the control group (187.62 ± 18.05) h, and the difference was statistically significant ( t=19.28, P<0.05). The length of ICU stay in the experimental group was (8.38 ± 0.79) d, in the control group was (10.99 ± 1.10) d, the difference between them was statistically significant ( t=14.66, P<0.05). On the 7th day, there were 7 cases of positive pathogenic bacteria in sputum culture in the experimental group, which was significantly different from the 29 cases in the control group ( χ2=16.73, P<0.05). Conclusions:The vector management strategy for preventing ventilator-associated pneumonia by blocking etiological characteristics can reduce the incidence of VAP, shorten the duration of mechanical ventilation and ICU stay, and reduce the pathogen load in the sputum of mechanically ventilated patients on the 7th day.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the ameliorative effect of Juanbi Tongluo Oral Liquid on sciatic neuronal apoptosis in Type 2 diabetic model mice.METHODS The Type 2 diabetes mouse model was established by feeding with high-fat and high-sugar diet combined with intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin(STZ).The mice were treated with metformin(200 mg·kg-1·d-1),low dose(3.9 g·kg-1·d-1)and high dose(7.8 g·kg-1·d-1)Juanbi Tongluo Oral Liquid for 35 days.The latency of response to thermal stimu-lation was detected by hot plate,and the values of blood glucose insulin and glycosylated hemoglobin were determined.Biochemical kits were used to detect the expression of serum total cholesterol(T-CHO),triglyceride(TG),high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C),superoxide dismutase(SOD),catalase(CAT),glutathione peroxidase(GSH-Px)and oxidation product malondialdehyde(MDA).The expression of tumor cytokine α(TNF-α),interleukin(IL)-1β,IL-6 and IL-10 in serum of mice were detected by ELISA method;the injury of sciatic nerve of model mice was detected by HE staining;the apoptosis of sciatic nerve was detected by TUNEL method;and the expression of neurofilament protein NF-L,apoptosis(cleaved Caspase-3,Caspase-3)and oxidative stress(Nrf2,HO-1)signal pathway proteins in sciatic nerve of model mice were detected by Western blot method.RESULTS High-dose Juanbi Tongluo Oral Liquid shortened the latent period of heat pain response in model mice(P<0.01);downregulated fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin(P<0.01),and upregulated fasting plasma insulin in model mice(P<0.01);downregulated serum T-CHO,TG,and LDL-C levels(P<0.01),upregulated HDL-C levels(P<0.01);downregulated serum pro-inflammatory factors TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 levels(P<0.05),upregulated the anti-inflammatory cyto-kine IL-10 level(P<0.01);inhibited sciatic nerve structural damage and apoptosis(P<0.05);downregulated the ratio of cleaved Caspase-3 to Caspase-3 in the apoptosis pathway(P<0.01);upregulated the expression of neurofilament proteins NF-L and NF-H in sciatic nerve tissue(P<0.05,P<0.01);and upregulated the expression of antioxidant stress proteins Nrf2 and HO-1(P<0.01).CONCLUSION Juanbi Tongluo Oral Liquid can improve sciatic neuronal apoptosis of Type 2 diabetic mice,which may be related to its effect on improving oxidative stress and inflammatory stress.

The comparison between traditional Chinese medicine Jinzhen oral liquid (JZOL) and Western medicine in treating children with acute bronchitis (AB) showed encouraging outcomes. This trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of the JZOL for improving cough and expectoration in children with AB. 480 children were randomly assigned to take JZOL or ambroxol hydrochloride and clenbuterol hydrochloride oral solution for 7 days. The primary outcome was time-to-cough resolution. The median time-to-cough resolution in both groups was 5.0 days and the antitussive onset median time was only 1 day. This randomized controlled trial showed that JZOL was not inferior to cough suppressant and phlegm resolving western medicine in treating cough and sputum and could comprehensively treat respiratory and systemic discomfort symptoms. Combined with clinical trials, the mechanism of JZOL against AB was uncovered by network target analysis, it was found that the pathways in TRP channels like IL-1β/IL1R/TRPV1/TRPA1, NGF/TrkA/TRPV1/TRPA1, and PGE2/EP/PKA/TRPV1/TRPA1 might play important roles. Animal experiments further confirmed that inflammation and the immune regulatory effect of JZOL in the treatment of AB were of vital importance and TRP channels were the key mechanism of action.