Grounded in the theory of "all marrows dominated by brain", this study explored the therapeutic mechanism of Zuogui Pills in modulating the oxytocin(OXT)/oxytocin receptor(OXTR) feed-forward loop in the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis(PMOP). A PMOP rat model was established using ovariectomy, and 70 Sprague-Dawley female rats were randomly divided into the following groups: sham operation group, model group, estradiol group(17β-estradiol, 0.05 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), Zuogui Pills low, medium, and high dose groups(0.2, 0.4, 0.8 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1), respectively), and an antagonist group(atosiban 0.9 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1) + 17β-estradiol 0.05 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1) + Zuogui Pills 0.4 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). After 12 weeks of model establishment, treatment was administered by gavage once daily for another 12 weeks, followed by sample collection. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to measure serum levels of estrogen(E_2), OXT, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase(TRACP-5b), and bone alkaline phosphatase(BALP). Histopathological changes in the left distal femur were observed through hematoxylin and eosin(HE) staining. Micro-computed tomography(micro-CT) was used to analyze the microstructure of the right distal femur. Western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of OXTR, small GTP-binding protein Ras, Raf1 proto-oncogene(Raf1), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1/2(MEK1/2), and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2(ERK1/2), and their phosphorylated forms in tibial tissues. Compared with the model group, the Zuogui Pills medium and high dose groups showed significantly increased levels of E_2, OXT, and BALP, with a notable decrease in TRACP-5b levels. Morphologically, the trabeculae in the left distal femur were more tightly arranged. The fibrous structure in the right distal femur was significantly improved in the Zuogui Pills high dose group. Additionally, the expression of OXTR, Ras, p-Raf1, p-MEK1/2, and p-ERK1/2 proteins in tibial tissues was significantly increased. The therapeutic effect of the Zuogui Pills high dose group was partially inhibited when an OXTR antagonist was administered. These findings suggest that Zuogui Pills can regulate the OXT/OXTR feed-forward loop, activate the phosphorylation of the downstream Ras/Raf1/MEK/ERK signaling pathway, and ultimately improve bone mineral density, thereby exerting therapeutic effects in PMOP.
Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Female ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Oxytocin/genetics* ; Receptors, Oxytocin/genetics* ; Humans ; Osteoporosis, Postmenopausal/genetics* ; Bone and Bones/drug effects* ; Brain/drug effects* ; Bone Marrow/drug effects*

Objective: To explore the association between mental health and muscle strength among Chinese adolescents aged 13- 18, providing a theoretical foundation and intervention strategies for mental health promotion. Methods: Data were obtained from the 2019 Chinese National Survey on Students Constitution and Health, including 98 631 Chinese adolescents aged 13- 18. Psychological distress was assessed by using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10), and mental well being was measured with the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well being Scale (WEMWBS). Based on the gender and age specific Z scores of various test items [grip strength, standing long jump, pull ups (for males), and sit ups (for females)], muscle strength index (MSI) was constructed to evaluate the comprehensive level of muscle strength in adolescents. According to the Dual factor Model (DFM) of mental health, participants were categorized into four groups:troubled, symptomatic but content, vulnerable, and complete mental health. Gender differences were analyzed by using Chi-square tests, trends were tested with Cochran-Armitage tests, and multinomial Logistic regression models were applied to assess associations between muscle strength and mental health among adolescents. Results: In 2019, 37.4% of Chinese adolescents aged 13-18 were reported of high mental distress, and 59.9% were reported of low mental well being. Boys had significantly lower rates of high mental distress (35.3%) and low mental well being (55.6%) compared to girls (39.4%, 64.3%), and the differences were of statistical significance ( χ 2=176.13, 780.42, both P <0.05). In 2019, the rate of complete mental health among adolescents showed a downward trend with increasing age ( χ 2 trend = 258.47) and a gradual upward trend with increasing muscle strength levels ( χ 2 trend =123.14)，and both boys and girls exhibited similar trends ( χ 2 trend =103.83, 168.46; 57.00 , 67.34) (all P <0.05). The results of the unordered multiclass Logistic regression model showed that after controlling for confounding factors such as age and gender, when the completely pathological group as a reference, for every 1 unit increase in MSI in adolescents, the likelihood of being in a completely mental health state increased by 29% ( OR = 1.29); for every unit increase in the Z-score for pull ups, the likelihood of being in a completely mental health state increased by 6% ( OR =1.06) among boys; for every 1 unit increase in sit up Z score, the likelihood of being in a completely mental health state increased by 19% ( OR =1.19) among girls (all P <0.05). Conclusions The mental health status of Chinese adolescents is not good enough. Muscle strength is positively associated with mental health.

OBJECTIVES: To explore the mediating role of sleep duration in the relationship between depression symptoms and myopia among middle school students. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional research conducted using a stratified cluster random sampling method. A total of 1 728 middle school students were selected from two junior high schools and two senior high schools in certain urban areas and farms of the Xinjiang Production and Construction Corps. Questionnaire surveys and vision tests were conducted among the students. Spearman analysis was used to analyze the correlation between depression symptoms, sleep duration, and myopia. The Bootstrap method was employed to investigate the mediating effect of sleep duration between depression symptoms and myopia. RESULTS: The prevalence of myopia in the overall population was 74.02% (1 279/1 728), with an average sleep duration of (7.6±1.0) hours. The rate of insufficient sleep was 83.62% (1 445/1 728), and the proportion of students exhibiting depression symptoms was 25.29% (437/1 728). Correlation analysis showed significant negative correlations between visual acuity in both eyes and sleep duration with depressive emotions as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (with correlation coefficients of -0.064, -0.084, and -0.199 respectively; P<0.01), as well as with somatic symptoms and activities (with correlation coefficients of -0.104, -0.124, and -0.233 respectively; P<0.01) and interpersonal relationships (with correlation coefficients of -0.052, -0.059, and -0.071 respectively; P<0.05). The correlation coefficients for left and right eye visual acuity and sleep duration were 0.206 and 0.211 respectively (P<0.001). Sleep duration exhibited a mediating effect between depression symptoms and myopia (indirect effect=0.056, 95%CI: 0.029-0.088), with the mediating effect value for females (indirect effect=0.066, 95%CI: 0.024-0.119) being higher than that for males (indirect effect=0.042, 95%CI: 0.011-0.081). CONCLUSIONS Sleep duration serves as a partial mediator between depression symptoms and myopia in middle school students.
Humans ; Myopia/etiology* ; Male ; Female ; Depression/physiopathology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Sleep ; Adolescent ; Students ; Child ; Time Factors ; Sleep Duration

Neurofibromas are benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors. It is more common in neurofibromatosis type Ⅰ. However, isolated vagal nerve neurofibroma（VNN） of the neck is extremely rare, and only a few case reports have been reported. Its etiology and pathogenesis are not clear. The diagnosis is mainly based on pathological examination and immunohistochemistry, and surgical resection is the main treatment. This study reports a rare case of giant solitary vagus neurofibroma in the neck. The patient was a 29-year-old female who was found to have a mass on the right side of the neck by physical examination, which was considered to be a vagus nerve tumor by neck ultrasound and imaging examination. The tumor was completely removed during the operation, with the size of about 10.0 cm×2.5 cm, and the patient had no special discomfort. Postoperative pathology and immunohistochemistry confirmed neurofibroma. After surgery, the patient had right vocal cord paralysis, hoarseness, choking and paroxysmal cough. After swallowing function training and voice rehabilitation treatment in the department, the patient recovered satisfactorily. There was no complication and recurrence during the follow-up of 1 year. This article reviews the literature to improve the diagnosis and treatment of solitary vagus neurofibroma in the neck by combining its medical history, imaging features, pathology and immunohistochemistry, and surgical treatment.
Humans ; Female ; Adult ; Neurofibroma ; Vagus Nerve/pathology* ; Neck ; Cranial Nerve Neoplasms

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics,treatment responses,and prognosis of patients with idiopathic multicentric Castleman disease(iMCD)complicated by autoimmune hemolytic anemia(AIHA). Methods The patients diagnosed with iMCD in Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2010 to December 2023 and having complete baseline blood routine data were retrospectively enrolled in the study.The iMCD patients were further assigned into AIHA and non-AIHA groups based on baseline laboratory examinations,and the clinical characteristics and prognosis were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 341 patients with iMCD were enrolled in this study,including 277(81.2%)exhibiting anemia at baseline.Five(1.8%)patients were identified as having iMCD-AIHA,all of whom were iMCD-not otherwise specified type complicated by warm antibody-type AIHA,and two of them were simultaneously diagnosed with Evans syndrome.The timing relationship between the first onset of AIHA and iMCD diagnosis varied,with 2 patients experiencing their first hemolytic episode prior to the diagnosis of iMCD.In terms of treatment,the therapy targeting iMCD was effective in alleviating AIHA.The AIHA group had a poorer prognosis(HR=4.61,95% CI=1.08-19.80,P=0.040)and a lower 5-year survival rate(90% vs.60%,P=0.024)than the non-AIHA group.Conclusions iMCD-AIHA is clinically rare,and AIHA can occur at different stages of iMCD.Although the primary treatment principle remains targeting iMCD,great attention should be paid to the exacerbation of immune dysfunction caused by AIHA and the possible adverse prognosis it may bring.
Humans ; Anemia, Hemolytic, Autoimmune/diagnosis* ; Castleman Disease/diagnosis* ; Retrospective Studies ; Male ; Female ; Prognosis ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Young Adult ; Adolescent

Castleman's disease is a rare polyclonal lymphoproliferative disorder.This article reports the diagnosis and treatment of a 45-year-old female patient with idiopathic multicentric Castleman's disease.The patient presented recurrent fever,enlarged lymph nodes,and elevated levels of inflammation markers.After multiple serological examinations and tissue biopsies,she was diagnosed with hyaline vascular-type Castleman's disease.Initially,the patient received siltuximab targeting interleukin-6,which significantly improved her condition.Considering the cost and convenience of long-term treatment,she subsequently switched the therapy to an oral treatment regimen of thalidomide,cyclophosphamide,and prednisone (TCP),which maintained disease control.This report aims to highlight the diagnostic complexity and diversity of treatment options for idiopathic multicentric Castleman's disease,demonstrating the potential of the TCP regimen as a cost-effective treatment choice.
Humans ; Castleman Disease/drug therapy* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Thalidomide/therapeutic use* ; Prednisone/therapeutic use* ; Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use* ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/administration & dosage*

Objective To investigate the association of digit ratio with single nucleotide polymorphism(SNP)at three loci(rs17576,rs3918249,rs9509)of matrix metallopeptidase 9(MMP-9)gene.Methods A total of 804 Ningxia Han youths(399 males and 405 females)were used as the study subjects.A digital camera was used to take frontal photographs of the hands,and image analysis software was used to mark the anatomical points and measure the lengths of each finger of both hands(2D,3D,4D,5D);Multiplexed PCR was used to detect the three polymorphic sites of the MMP-9 gene,SPSS 25.0 and R Studio software were used for data analysis and plotting.Results The 2D/3D(P＜0.05)and 2D/4D(left,P＜0.01,right,P＜0.05)of both hands,2D/5D(P＜0.01),3D/5D,4D/5D(P＜0.05)of the right hand,and 3D/4D(P＜0.05)of the left hand in female youths of Ningxia Han were significantly higher than those in males,Differences in genotypes and allele frequencies at all 3 loci of the MMP-9 gene were not statistically significant between genders(P＞0.05).Right hand 2D/4D was significantly associated with genotypes at the rs17576 and rs3918249 loci in male youths(P＜0.05).Conclusion MMP-9 gene SNPs(rs17576 and rs3918249)may be associated with the formation of 2D/4D of Ningxia Han male youths.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) during plasma exchange (PE) in pediatric patients.Methods:We conducted a retrospective analysis of 12 critically ill children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) of Jinan Children's Hospital, who underwent 28 PE sessions with RCA between December 2023 and August 2024. Clinical records were reviewed to assess bleeding events, extracorporeal circuit performance, and changes in arterial blood gas parameters, serum total calcium (Ca tot), and activated clotting time before and after treatment. Results:No patients exhibited signs of increased bleeding. In one case, the procedure was discontinued prematurely due to elevated venous pressure. A significant decrease in ionized calcium (Ca ion) was observed 0.5 hours post-treatment. At the end of PE, pH, HCO 3?, base excess (BE), lactate, PaCO 2, Ca tot, and Na + levels increased, while K + and Ca ion levels decreased, with all changes being statistically significant. Four hours post-treatment, pH, HCO 3?, BE, PaCO 2, and Na + remained elevated, whereas Ca ion, lactate, and K + returned to baseline. By 12–15 hours post-treatment, all parameters—including pH, HCO 3?, BE, PaCO 2, Na +, K +, Ca ion, and lactate—had normalized, showing no significant differences from pre-treatment levels. Conclusions:RCA provides effective extracorporeal anticoagulation during pediatric PE without increasing bleeding risk. However, metabolic complications—primarily metabolic alkalosis—are common. These disturbances typically resolve spontaneously and do not lead to severe adverse events. While no ideal anticoagulant for PE has yet been established, RCA remains a safe and effective option, particularly for pediatric patients at higher risk of bleeding.

Castleman disease (CD) is a rare and highly heterogeneous lymphoproliferative disorder, with clinical and pathological features ranging from asymptomatic localized lesions to life-threatening systemic inflammatory responses. In recent years, the classification system of CD has been increasingly refined, with both unicentric CD (UCD) and multicentric CD (MCD) expanding into multiple subtypes with distinct clinical characteristics. Although the classification framework has become more sophisticated, some subtypes still lack specific biomarkers, and the categorization of certain entities remains controversial. This review summarizes advances in CD classification approaches over the past years, explores the clinical features and identification of newly proposed subtypes, and analyzes current challenges, aiming to provide a reference for optimizing diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Objective To evaluate the short-term clinical effect of arthroscopic repair of rotator cuff injury with all-suture anchor using a prospective and single-cohort clinical trial.Methods Twenty-five patients with rotator cuff injuries(1.5 cm0.05).Conclusion Arthroscopic rotator cuff repair with all-suture anchor is feasible and safe,and has good short-term clinical effect.