Depression is a common psychiatric disorder characterized by persistent low mood or mental disorders. Current treatments primarily focus on regulating neurotransmitter levels， but their effectiveness is limited. The mechanisms underlying its onset are complex， and there is no unified consensus. Abnormal signaling pathway transmission plays a crucial role in the development of depression， involving multiple pathways， including Toll-like receptor 4/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 （TLR4/NLRP3）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription （JAK/STAT）， mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase （MAPK/ERK）， brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tyrosine kinase receptor B （BDNF/TrkB）， cyclic AMP/protein kinase A/cAMP response element-binding protein （cAMP/PKA/CREB）， and others. Traditional Chinese medicine（TCM） is based on a holistic approach and the principle of treatment based on the differentiation of syndromes， regulating the balance of multiple systems and organ functions from a macroscopic perspective. This approach has shown unique advantages in the treatment of depression. TCM attributes the onset of depression to dysfunction of the organ systems， involving liver Qi stagnation， heart spirit deficiency， kidney essence depletion， and spleen dysfunction. TCM compound treatments focus on soothing the liver， strengthening the spleen， calming the heart， and replenishing essence， with formulas such as Xiaoyaosan， Zishui Qinggan Yin， and Chahu Jia Guizhi Longgu Muli Tang. The active components of Chinese herbs mainly aim to tonify and regulate Qi， such as salidroside， ginsenoside Rb₁， astragaloside， and muscone. External TCM treatments， primarily acupuncture， aim to open the orifices and invigorate the spirit. Acupoints such as Baihui， Shenting， and Yintang are commonly used. Additionally， massage and moxibustion therapy can intervene in depression by regulating signaling pathways. This article reviews the core role of signaling pathways in the development of depression and the mechanism of TCM regulation of signaling pathways to intervene in depression， aiming to discover new therapeutic approaches that can improve the symptoms of depressed patients.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Xinfeng capsules combined with chronic disease management of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） on rapid disease control and short-term prognosis of patients with rheumatoid arthritis （RA）. MethodsA total of 80 RA patients hospitalized in the Department of Rheumatology of The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine from January 2022 to March 2024 were enrolled and randomly divided into an observation group （40 cases） and a control group （40 cases）. The control group was treated with conventional methotrexate combined with standard chronic disease management， while the observation group was additionally treated with Xinfeng Capsules combined with TCM chronic disease management. The treatment course lasted 24 weeks. The outcomes were compared between two groups， including disease activity ［28-joint disease activity score （DAS28）， clinical disease activity index （CDAI）， simplified disease activity index （SDAI）］， visual analogue scale （VAS） for pain， TCM syndrome score， tender joint count （TJC）， swollen joint count （SJC）， morning stiffness duration， Health Assessment Questionnaire （HAQ）， Self-Rating Anxiety Scale （SAS）， Self-Rating Depression Scale （SDS）， American College of Rheumatology （ACR） 20%， 50% and 70% response rates （ACR20/50/70）， erythrocyte sedimentation rate （ESR）， high-sensitivity C-reactive protein （hs-CRP）， rheumatoid factor （RF）， anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody （CCP-Ab）， interleukin （IL）-6， IL-1β， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）， and serum immunoglobulin G （IgG）. The Chronic Disease Self-Management Scale （CDSMS） was used to evaluate patients’ self-management ability， self-care ability， and nursing satisfaction. Patients were followed up for 12 weeks to assess prognosis， and COX regression analysis was performed to determine the impact on short-term prognosis. ResultsAfter treatment， TJC， SJC， morning stiffness duration， DAS28， CDAI， SDAI， VAS， TCM syndrome score， ESR， hs-CRP， RF， CCP-Ab， IL-6， IL-1β， TNF-α， IgG， HAQ， SAS， SDS， chronic disease self-management behavior， self-efficacy， and self-care ability all improved significantly in both groups compared with baseline （P<0.05，P<0.01）. Compared with the control group， the observation group showed more significant improvements in TJC， SJC， morning stiffness duration， DAS28， CDAI， SDAI， VAS， TCM syndrome score， ESR， IL-1β， IgG， HAQ， SAS， SDS， self-care ability， chronic disease self-management behavior， and self-efficacy （P<0.05 or P<0.01）. The ACR70 response rate and nursing satisfaction were significantly higher in the observation group than in the control group （P<0.01）. COX regression analysis showed that Xinfeng capsules combined with TCM chronic disease management reduced the risk of poor short-term prognosis in RA patients. ConclusionXinfeng capsules combined with TCM chronic disease management facilitates rapid disease control in RA patients， effectively improves short-term prognosis， and plays an important role in the treatment of the disease.

OBJECTIVES: To study the incidence and disease burden of congenital birth defects in children under five in China from 1990 to 2021 and to predict the incidence of congenital birth defects in this population from 2022 to 2036, providing a reference for the prevention of congenital birth defects in children. METHODS: Using the Global Burden of Disease Study 2021 (GBD 2021) database, the incidence and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) were employed to describe the disease burden. The Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the trends in incidence and DALY rates of congenital birth defects in children under five. A grey prediction model GM(1,1) was applied to fit the trend of incidence rates of congenital birth defects in this age group and to predict the incidence from 2022 to 2036. RESULTS: In 2021, the incidence rate of congenital birth defects among children under five in China was 737.28 per 100 000. Among these, congenital musculoskeletal and limb deformities had the highest incidence rate at 307.15 per 100 000, followed by congenital heart defects (223.53 per 100 000), congenital urinary and genital tract malformations (74.99 per 100 000), and congenital gastrointestinal malformations (62.61 per 100 000). From 1990 to 2021, the incidence rate and DALY rate of congenital birth defects in children under five in China decreased at an average annual rate of 1.73% and 5.42%, respectively. The prediction analysis indicated a decreasing trend in the incidence of congenital birth defects among children under five in China from 2022 to 2036, with the incidence rate dropping from 892.36 per 100 000 in 2022 to 783.35 per 100 000 in 2036. CONCLUSIONS The incidence and disease burden of congenital birth defects in children under five in China showed a significant declining trend from 1990 to 2021. It is predicted that this incidence will continue to decrease until 2036.
Humans ; Congenital Abnormalities/epidemiology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Male ; Forecasting ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effect of achyranthes bidentata (AB) on sperm quality in mice with spermatogenic disorder through the glycolytic metabolic pathway and its action mechanism. METHODS: We equally randomized 40 Kunming mice into a normal control, a model control, a low-dose AB (3.5 g/kg) and a high-dose AB group (7.0 g/kg), and established the model of spermatogenic disorder in the latter three groups of mice by intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin (30 mg/kg). Two days after modeling, we collected the testis and kidney tissues and blood samples from the mice for observation of the pathological changes in the testis tissue by HE staining, detection of perm motility with the sperm quality analyzer, examination of the apoptosis of testis cells by flow cytometry, measurement of the levels of testosterone (T), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in the serum and testis tissue by ELISA, and determination of expressions of the key enzymes of glycolysis hexokinase Ⅱ (HK2), pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), platelet phosphofructokinase (PFKP), lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) and the meiosis proteins REC8 and SCP3 by Western blot, and the mRNA expressions of glycolytic phosphofructokinase 1 (PFK1), phosphoglycerate kinase 1 (PGK1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) by fluorescence quantitative PCR (FQ-PCR). RESULTS: Compared with the model controls, the mice in the AB groups showed significant increases in the testis coefficient, kidney index, sperm concentration, sperm motility, spermatogonia, primary spermatocytes, spermatids, sperm count and the serum T level (P<0.05 or P<0.01), but dramatic decreases in the apoptosis of testis cells and percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm (P<0.01). Achyranthes bidentata also significantly elevated the levels of SOD and CAT, and down-regulated the mRNA expressions of MDA, TNF-α and IL-1β (P<0.05 or P<0.01), and up-regulated the protein expressions of HK2, PKM2, PFKP, LDHA, REC8 and SCP3, and expressions of the glycolysis key genes Pfk1 and Pgk1 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION Achyranthes bidentata ameliorates doxorubicin-induced spermatogenic disorder in mice by regulating the glycolytic pathway and reducing oxidative stress and the expressions of inflammatory factors.
Glycolysis/drug effects* ; Doxorubicin/toxicity* ; Spermatogenesis/drug effects* ; Random Allocation ; Male ; Animals ; Mice ; Disease Models, Animal ; Achyranthes/chemistry* ; Spermatozoa/pathology* ; Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Primary Cell Culture ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Sperm Motility/drug effects* ; Testis/pathology* ; Infertility, Male/prevention & control* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional/methods* ; Animals, Outbred Strains

BACKGROUND: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is common in atrial fibrillation (AF) patients and may develop earlier in those with multiple cardiovascular comorbidities, potentially impairing self-management and treatment adherence. This study aimed to characterize the prevalence and profile of MCI in AF patients, examine its associations with cardiovascular comorbidities, and assess how these comorbidities influence specific cognitive domains. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from AF patients who underwent cognitive assessment between 2017 and 2021. Cognitive status was categorized as MCI or non-MCI based on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Associations between comorbidities and MCI were assessed by logistic regression, and cognitive domains were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test. RESULTS: Of 4136 AF patients (mean age: 64.7 ± 9.4 years, 64.7% male), 33.5% of patients had MCI. Among the AF patients, 31.2% of patients had coronary artery disease, 20.1% of patients had heart failure, and 18.1% of patients had hypertension. 88.7% of patients had left atrial enlargement, and 11.0% of patients had reduced left ventricular ejection fraction. Independent factors associated with higher MCI prevalence included older age (OR = 1.04, 95% CI: 1.03-1.05, P < 0.001), lower education level (OR = 1.51, 95% CI: 1.31-1.73, P < 0.001), hypertension (OR = 1.28, 95% CI: 1.07-1.52, P = 0.001), heart failure (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.04-1.48, P = 0.020), and lower left ventricular ejection fraction (OR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.04-1.98, P = 0.028). A higher CHA₂DS₂-VASc score (OR = 1.27, 95% CI: 1.22-1.33, P < 0.001; ≥ 2 points vs. < 2 points), and greater atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease burden (OR = 1.45, 95% CI: 1.02-2.08, P = 0.040; 2 types vs. 0 type) were linked to increased MCI risk. These above factors influenced various cognitive domains. CONCLUSIONS MCI is common in AF and closely associated with cardiovascular multimorbidity. Patients with multiple comorbidities are at higher risk, highlighting the importance of routine cognitive assessment to support self-management and integrated care.

Hyssopus cuspidatus is an authentic medicinal herb used in Xinjiang， rich in the chemical constituents including flavonoids， phenolic acids and terpenoids. It possesses anti-inflammatory， antioxidant， and immunomodulatory effects. Modern pharmacological studies have demonstrated that H. cuspidatus exerts therapeutic effects on asthma by inhibiting airway inflammatory responses， suppressing airway remodeling， modulating the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis， and relaxing bronchial smooth muscle. It also demonstrates intervention effects on chronic obstructive pulmonary disease by reducing levels of inflammatory cytokines and regulating immune balance. Additionally， H. cuspidatus can mitigate acute lung injury by inhibiting oxidative stress and intervene in lung cancer by suppressing proliferation and promoting apoptosis of lung cancer cells. In terms of clinical application， compound preparations containing H. cuspidatus， such as Hanchuan zupa granules and Luo’ou kezupa， have demonstrated favorable therapeutic effects on pulmonary diseases including asthma， cough， and pediatric bronchopneumonia. Currently， the research on precise action targets and compound matching rules of H. cuspidatus remains inadequate. Future studies should integrate modern technologies such as metabolomics to conduct in-depth exploration， thereby promoting the modernized development and clinical application of this traditional medicinal herb.

Tumor cell-intrinsic programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) signals mediate tumor initiation, progression and metastasis, but their effects in ameloblastoma (AM) have not been reported. In this comprehensive study, we observed marked upregulation of PD-L1 in AM tissues and revealed the robust correlation between elevated PD-L1 expression and increased tumor growth and recurrence rates. Notably, we found that PD-L1 overexpression markedly increased self-renewal capacity and promoted tumorigenic processes and invasion in hTERT⁺-AM cells, whereas genetic ablation of PD-L1 exerted opposing inhibitory effects. By performing high-resolution single-cell profiling and thorough immunohistochemical analyses in AM patients, we delineated the intricate cellular landscape and elucidated the mechanisms underlying the aggressive phenotype and unfavorable prognosis of these tumors. Our findings revealed that hTERT⁺-AM cells with upregulated PD-L1 expression exhibit increased proliferative potential and stem-like attributes and undergo partial epithelial‒mesenchymal transition. This phenotypic shift is induced by the activation of the PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling axis; thus, this study revealed a crucial regulatory mechanism that fuels tumor growth and recurrence. Importantly, targeted inhibition of the PD-L1-PI3K-AKT-mTOR signaling axis significantly suppressed the growth of AM patient-derived tumor organoids, highlighting the potential of PD-L1 blockade as a promising therapeutic approach for AM.
Ameloblastoma/metabolism* ; Humans ; B7-H1 Antigen/metabolism* ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/pathology* ; Signal Transduction ; Cell Proliferation ; Up-Regulation ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/metabolism* ; Telomerase/metabolism* ; Jaw Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Female ; Male

Objective:To compare the efficacy of maxillary distraction osteogenesis (DO) and Le FortⅠ osteotomy (LFⅠ) in patients with complex cleft lip and palate.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted, clinical data were collected involving patients with complex cleft lip and palate who required combined orthodontic and orthognathic treatment and were treated at the Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2015 to December 2022. Patients were divided into three groups based on the surgical method used for the maxilla: total maxillary distraction (TMD, group A), anterior maxillary distraction (AMD, group B), and Le Fort Ⅰ osteotomy (LFⅠ, group C). Cone-beam CT scans and lateral cephalograms were obtained preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively. Three-dimensional reconstructions were performed using Mimics 21.0 and Dolphin Imaging 11.9 software to evaluate changes in craniofacial morphology and airway. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 25.0. Intragroup comparisons before and after surgery were performed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test, and intergroup comparisons among the three groups were conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results:A total of 15 patients were included, with 5 patients in each group. The cohort comprised 8 males and 7 females, aged between 15 and 21 years. There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of gender, age, or cleft lip and palate classification among the three groups ( P>0.05). Postoperatively, all three groups showed improvement in maxillary hypoplasia. Compared to preoperative measurements, the angle formed by the points A (subspinale), N (nasion), and B (supramentale) (ANB angle) increased in all three groups (all P<0.05). The vertical distance from point A to the nasion perpendicular (A-Nperp) increased in groups A and B ( P<0.05 for both) but not in group C ( P>0.05). The area of the alveolar gap showed an increasing trend in all three groups ( P>0.05). The mandibular plane angle (FMA) decreased postoperatively in group B but showed an increasing trend in the other two groups, though the differences were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Postoperative airway volume increased or showed an increasing trend in groups A ( P<0.05) and B ( P>0.05) but decreased in group C ( P>0.05). Intergroup comparisons showed significant differences in the angle formed by the sella (S), nasion (N), and point A (SNA angle) and the vertical distance from the anterior nasal spine to the coronal plane (ANS-CP) ( P<0.05). Group A had significantly larger SNA angles and ANS-CP values than group B, and the ANS-CP value in group A was significantly larger than in group C (all P<0.05). There were no other statistically significant differences among the groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:For patients with severe maxillary hypoplasia due to complex cleft lip and palate, TMD can correct sagittal discrepancies between the upper and lower jaws, increase upper airway volume, but may potentially enlarge the alveolar gap area and increase vertical height of the maxilla. AMD result in less change in maxillary position compared to TMD and is mainly used for patients with severe maxillary dental crowding, needing increased arch length, having minor sagittal discrepancies, or with preexisting velopharyngeal dysfunction. LFⅠ result in changes in maxillary position similar to AMD but less than TMD, making it suitable for patients with moderate maxillary hypoplasia and mild maxillary dental crowding. The advantage of LFⅠ lies in its precise postoperative occlusal design and accurate three-dimensional movement of the jaw.

Objective:To compare the efficacy of maxillary distraction osteogenesis (DO) and Le FortⅠ osteotomy (LFⅠ) in patients with complex cleft lip and palate.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted, clinical data were collected involving patients with complex cleft lip and palate who required combined orthodontic and orthognathic treatment and were treated at the Stomatological Hospital of Chongqing Medical University from January 2015 to December 2022. Patients were divided into three groups based on the surgical method used for the maxilla: total maxillary distraction (TMD, group A), anterior maxillary distraction (AMD, group B), and Le Fort Ⅰ osteotomy (LFⅠ, group C). Cone-beam CT scans and lateral cephalograms were obtained preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively. Three-dimensional reconstructions were performed using Mimics 21.0 and Dolphin Imaging 11.9 software to evaluate changes in craniofacial morphology and airway. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 25.0. Intragroup comparisons before and after surgery were performed using the Wilcoxon rank sum test, and intergroup comparisons among the three groups were conducted using the Kruskal-Wallis H test. Results:A total of 15 patients were included, with 5 patients in each group. The cohort comprised 8 males and 7 females, aged between 15 and 21 years. There were no statistically significant differences in the distribution of gender, age, or cleft lip and palate classification among the three groups ( P>0.05). Postoperatively, all three groups showed improvement in maxillary hypoplasia. Compared to preoperative measurements, the angle formed by the points A (subspinale), N (nasion), and B (supramentale) (ANB angle) increased in all three groups (all P<0.05). The vertical distance from point A to the nasion perpendicular (A-Nperp) increased in groups A and B ( P<0.05 for both) but not in group C ( P>0.05). The area of the alveolar gap showed an increasing trend in all three groups ( P>0.05). The mandibular plane angle (FMA) decreased postoperatively in group B but showed an increasing trend in the other two groups, though the differences were not statistically significant ( P>0.05). Postoperative airway volume increased or showed an increasing trend in groups A ( P<0.05) and B ( P>0.05) but decreased in group C ( P>0.05). Intergroup comparisons showed significant differences in the angle formed by the sella (S), nasion (N), and point A (SNA angle) and the vertical distance from the anterior nasal spine to the coronal plane (ANS-CP) ( P<0.05). Group A had significantly larger SNA angles and ANS-CP values than group B, and the ANS-CP value in group A was significantly larger than in group C (all P<0.05). There were no other statistically significant differences among the groups ( P>0.05). Conclusion:For patients with severe maxillary hypoplasia due to complex cleft lip and palate, TMD can correct sagittal discrepancies between the upper and lower jaws, increase upper airway volume, but may potentially enlarge the alveolar gap area and increase vertical height of the maxilla. AMD result in less change in maxillary position compared to TMD and is mainly used for patients with severe maxillary dental crowding, needing increased arch length, having minor sagittal discrepancies, or with preexisting velopharyngeal dysfunction. LFⅠ result in changes in maxillary position similar to AMD but less than TMD, making it suitable for patients with moderate maxillary hypoplasia and mild maxillary dental crowding. The advantage of LFⅠ lies in its precise postoperative occlusal design and accurate three-dimensional movement of the jaw.

Objective To understand the incidence and characteristics of adverse drug reactions(ADRs)of carbapenems,explore the relevant risk signals,and provide a reference for clinically safe drug use.Methods All spontaneous reports of carbapenem drug-related ADRs from January 2008 to October 2022 in the Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Center,PLA General Hospital's ADR database were retrieved,and information such as patients'general conditions,involved systems and organs damage,and the names of ADRs involved were retrospectively analysed.Using the reporting odd ratio method,the proportional reporting ratio method,the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency method,and information component method to obtain risk signals of carbapenem antimicrobial drug-related ADR.Results A total of 2 642 ADR reports of carbapenems were reported,of which 410 serious ADR reports(15.52％)were serious ADR reports,five cabapenem antimirobial drug species were mainly involved.In descending order of composition were imipenem cilastatin(51.28％),meropenem(32.13％),biapenem(8.10％),ertapenem(7.68％),and panipenem(0.79％).The male to female ratio of patients was 1.74:1,with the most age＞60 years(59.69％).A total of 14"drug-ADR name"combinations generated risk signals in all four data mining methods,with meropenem being the most signals,and imipenem cilastatin and ertapenem had a high number of reported ADR in nervous system.Conclusion The results of risk signal mining are basically consistent with the known carbapenem ADR information,during the use of carbapenem antimicrobial drugs in the clinic,it is recommended to monitor patients'liver and kidney functions as well as blood biochemical indexes,so as to strengthen the awareness of vigilance in the clinical use of carbapenem antimicrobial drugs,and timely recognize and deal with ADRs in a timely manner,and to avoid the occurrence of serious ADRs.