ObjectiveTo investigate the efficacy of Xingpi capsules （XPC） in treating diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome （IBS-D） with spleen deficiency and elucidate its potential molecular mechanisms. MethodsA rat model of IBS-D with spleen deficiency was established by administering senna leaf in combination with restrained stress and swimming fatigue for 14 d. Ten specific pathogen free （SPF）-grade healthy rats were used as the normal control group. After successful modeling， SPF-grade rats were randomly divided into a model group， a pinaverium bromide group （1.5 mg·kg^-1）， and low- and high-dose XPC groups （0.135 and 0.54 g·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. Rats in the normal control group and the model group were given distilled water by gavage， while the remaining groups were administered corresponding drug solutions by gavage once a day for 14 consecutive days. The rat body weights and fecal condition were observed every day， and the Bristol score was recorded. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was used to determine the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） in serum and colon tissue. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the microvilli and tight junctions in the colon. The integrity of the colonic barrier， intestinal motility， and expression of related pathway proteins were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining， immunohistochemistry， and Western blot. ResultsCompared with those in the normal control group， rats in the model group showed a significantly decreased body weight and increased diarrhea rate， diarrhea grade， and Bristol score （P<0.01）. HE staining revealed incomplete colonic mucosa in the model group， with evident congestion and edema observed. Electron microscopy results indicated decreased density and integrity of the colonic barrier， shedding and disappearance of microvilli， and significant widening of tight junctions. The expression levels of colonic tight junction proteins Occludin and Claudin-5 were downregulated （P<0.01）， and the levels of 5-HT in serum and colon tissue were elevated （P<0.01）. The small intestine propulsion rate significantly increased （P<0.01）， and the expression of contractile proteins Ras homolog family member A （RhoA） and Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase 2 （ROCK2） in colon and phosphorylation of myosin light chain （MLC₂₀） were upregulated （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the treatment groups showed alleviated diarrhea， diarrhea-associated symptoms， and pathological manifestations of colon tissue to varying degrees. Specifically， high-dose XPC exhibited effectively relieved diarrhea， promoted recovery of colonic mucosal structure， significantly reduced congestion and edema， upregulated expression of Occludin and Claudin-5 （P<0.01）， decreased levels of 5-HT in serum and colon tissue （P<0.05，P<0.01）， significantly slowed small intestine propulsion rate （P<0.01）， and significantly downregulated expression of contractile proteins RhoA and ROCK2 in colon and phosphorylation of MLC₂₀ （P<0.05，P<0.01）. ConclusionXPC effectively alleviates symptoms of spleen deficiency and diarrhea and regulates the secretion of brain-gut peptide. The characteristics of XPC are mainly manifested in alleviating IBS-D with spleen deficiency from the aspects of protecting intestinal mucosa and inhibiting smooth muscle contraction， and the mechanism is closely related to the regulation of the 5-HT-RhoA/ROCK2 pathway expression.

The Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions(STOPP)and the Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment(START)play a crucial role in identifying potentially inappropriate prescriptions among the elderly.As the aging population continues to grow, there is an urgent need for effective tools to address the challenges of multimorbidity and polypharmacy in elderly patients in China.However, the development of rational medication screening tools has significantly lagged, and there is currently a lack of sensitive and effective instruments in China.This article analyzes the newly added entries in the third edition of STOPP/START, aiming to provide a reference for managing multiple medication regimens and for the development of relevant tools for elderly patients in China.

The Screening Tool of Older Persons' Prescriptions(STOPP)and the Screening Tool to Alert to Right Treatment(START)play a crucial role in identifying potentially inappropriate prescriptions among the elderly.As the aging population continues to grow, there is an urgent need for effective tools to address the challenges of multimorbidity and polypharmacy in elderly patients in China.However, the development of rational medication screening tools has significantly lagged, and there is currently a lack of sensitive and effective instruments in China.This article analyzes the newly added entries in the third edition of STOPP/START, aiming to provide a reference for managing multiple medication regimens and for the development of relevant tools for elderly patients in China.

Aldolase B (ALDOB), a glycolytic enzyme, is uniformly depleted in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) tissues. We previously showed that ALDOB inhibited proliferation through a mechanism independent of its enzymatic activity in ccRCC, but the mechanism was not unequivocally identified. We showed that the corepressor C-terminal-binding protein 2 (CtBP2) is a novel ALDOB-interacting protein in ccRCC. The CtBP2-to-ALDOB expression ratio in clinical samples was correlated with the expression of CtBP2 target genes and was associated with shorter survival. ALDOB inhibited CtBP2-mediated repression of multiple cell cycle inhibitor, proapoptotic, and epithelial marker genes. Furthermore, ALDOB overexpression decreased the proliferation and migration of ccRCC cells in an ALDOB-CtBP2 interaction-dependent manner. Mechanistically, our findings showed that ALDOB recruited acireductone dioxygenase 1, which catalyzes the synthesis of an endogenous inhibitor of CtBP2, 4-methylthio 2-oxobutyric acid. ALDOB functions as a scaffold to bring acireductone dioxygenase and CtBP2 in close proximity to potentiate acireductone dioxygenase-mediated inhibition of CtBP2, and this scaffolding effect was independent of ALDOB enzymatic activity. Moreover, increased ALDOB expression inhibited tumor growth in a xenograft model and decreased lung metastasis in vivo. Our findings reveal that ALDOB is a negative regulator of CtBP2 and inhibits tumor growth and metastasis in ccRCC.
Humans ; Carcinoma, Renal Cell/genetics* ; Fructose-Bisphosphate Aldolase/metabolism* ; Co-Repressor Proteins/metabolism* ; Transcription Factors/genetics* ; Kidney Neoplasms/genetics* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic

E-cigarettes have gained considerable popularity worldwide recently， which have also drawn the attention of adolescents and pregnant women. However， recent studies have uncovered the negative effects of e-cigarettes on our cardiovascular system， respiratory system， nervous system， blood system and so on. Furthermore， several studies indicate that e-cigarettes can significantly impair users’ reproductive ability. In this review， we collected the most recent studies on the effects of e-cigarettes on reproductive system based on human studies， animal studies and in vitro preclinical studies. In addition， the review shows the urgency of setting e-cigarettes exposure standards. As a result， we recommend setting strict limits on the production and sales of e-cigarettes， thus encouraging consumers to consume reasonably.

Objective:To investigate the effect of gonadotropin (Gn) on embryo aneuploidy rate and pregnancy outcome during preimplanptation genetic testing for aneuploidy (PGT-A) cycles.Methods:The clinical data of patients undergoing PGT-A cycle at the First Medical Center of the PLA General Hospital from January 1, 2013 to May 31, 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into younger patient group (<35 years old) and elder patient group (≥35 years old) by maternal age, then divided into two groups in line with Gn dosage (≤2 250 U, >2 250 U), and into four groups by number of oocytes retrieved (1-5, 6-10, 11-15 and ≥16 oocytes). The embryo aneuploidy rate and pregnancy outcome between the groups were compared. Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between the cumulative amount of Gn, embryo aneuploidy rate and live-birth rate.Results:A total of 402 cycles (338 patients) and 1 883 embryos were included in the study. (1) In the younger patients, the aneuploidy rate was 52.5% (304/579) in the group of Gn≤2 250 U and 48.6% (188/387) in the group of Gn >2 250 U, with no significant difference between them ( P=0.232). In the elderly patients, the difference in embryo aneuploidy rate between the two Gn group [57.9% (208/359) versus 60.6% (319/526)] was not statistically significant ( P=0.420). (2) The embryonic aneuploidy rate in different protocol of ovary stimulation was analyzed,in the younger group, the embryonic aneuploidy rate in patients using antagonist long protocol was 50.3% (158/314), it was 50.0% (121/242) in agonist long protocol, 52.1% (207/397) in agonist short protocol and 6/13 in luteal phase protocol, no statistical difference was found in above groups ( P=0.923); in the elder group, embryonic aneuploidy rate was 60.8% (191/314) in antagonist protocol, 58.4% (132/226) in agonist long protocol, 59.2%(199/336) in agonist short protocol, 5/9 in luteal phase protocol, respectively,no significant difference was found ( P=0.938). (3) In the younger patients, the aneuploidy rate in 1-5 oocytes group, 6-10 oocytes group, 11-15 oocytes group and ≥16 oocytes group was 37.9% (11/29), 54.0% (94/174), 52.5% (104/198) and 50.1% (283/565) respectively, no significant difference was found between the groups ( P=0.652); while in the elder patients, the difference between aneuploidy rate in each retrieved oocytes group [73.6% (89/121), 57.5% (119/207), 56.3% (108/192), 57.8% (211/365)] was statistically significant ( P=0.046). (4) Logistic regression analysis of age, cumulative dosage of Gn, number of oocytes obtained, and embryo aneuploidy rate showed that there was no association between the amount of Gn and embryo aneuploidy rate ( P>0.05); the increase in maternal age would increase the risk of aneuploidy rate of embryos, which was statistically significant ( OR=1.031, 95 %CI: 1.010-1.054, P=0.004); the increase in oocytes retrived would significantly decrease the risk of aneuploidy ( OR=0.981, 95 %CI: 0.971-0.991, P<0.01). (5) There was no significant difference in biochemical pregnancy rate [55.6% (80/144) versus 52.1% (63/121)], clinical pregnancy rate [50.0% (72/144) versus 47.9% (58/121)] and live-birth rate [46.5% (67/144) versus 40.5% (49/121)] between different Gn dosage groups ( P=0.613, P=0.738, P=0.324). The logistic regression analysis showed that the maternal age, the cumulative dosage of Gn, the number of oocytes obtained, and the ovarian stimulation protocol had no effect on the live-birth rate (all P>0.05). Conclusions:In PGT-A cycle, the dosage of Gn has no association with the embryo aneuploidy rate and pregnancy outcome. In the patients ≥35 years old, the increase in number of oocytes obtained may decrease the risk of aneuploidy. Age is an important factor affecting the embryo aneuploidy in PGT-A cycle.

OBJECTIVE:To systematically review the efficacy and safety of the Bushen huoxue lishi category TCM compound in the treatment of chronic prostatitis,and provide evidence-based reference for clinical treatment. METHODS:Retrieved from VIP Database,Wanfang Database,CJFD and CBM,randomized controlled trials(RCT)about Bushen huoxue lishi category TCM com-pound preparation (test group) versus conventional Western medicine (control group) in the treatment of chronic prostatitis were collected. Meta-analysis was performed by Rev Man 5.3 software after data extraction and quality evaluation. RESULTS:Totally 22 RCTs were enrolled,involving 1 863 patients. Results of Meta-analysis showed the total effective rate [OR=4.46,95%CI(3.40, 5.84),P<0.001],total scores of chronic prostatitis symptoms[MD=-3.62,95%CI(-5.21,-2.04),P<0.001] and lecithin count [MD=7.58,95%CI(2.15,13.01),P=0.006] in test group were significantly higher than control group,prostatic fluid white blood cell count [MD=-1.68,95%CI(-3.26,-0.10),P=0.04] was significantly lower than control group,with significant differenc-es. CONCLUSIONS:Bushen huoxue lishi category TCM compound has good efficacy in the treatment of chronic prostatitis.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of hyperbaric oxygen preconditioning (HBOP) on human stress responses during acute exposure to high altitude and the possible mechanism.

METHODSEight male subjects were treated with HBOP for 3, 5, and 7 days, followed by acute exposure to hypoxia simulating an altitude of 4,000 m. Subjects at rest were divided into sea-level control group, simulated high-altitude group, and 5-day HBOP intervention group, while subjects after physical load were divided into sea-level control group, simulated high-altitude group, 3-day HBOP intervention group, and 7-day HBOP intervention group. The physical load test was performed for each subject before and after HBOP, and the plasma levels of dopamine (DA), epinephrine (E), norepinephrine (NE), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) were determined before and after exercise. The physical load test was performed by stepping up on to a 30 cm-high stepping stool at a rate of 25/min for 5 minutes, which was a type of moderate physical exercise. The stepping rate and timing were controlled by a metronome.

RESULTSThe levels of DA, E, NE, and ACTH at rest and after physical load were significantly higher in subjects acutely exposed to high altitude than in the sea-level control groups (all P<0.05). Moreover, the levels of DA, E, NE, and ACTH at rest were significantly higher after acute exposure to high altitude in the 5-day HBOP intervention group than in the simulated high-altitude group (all P<0.01). Except for the ACTH level in the 3-day HBOP intervention group, the levels of DA, E, NE, and ACTH after physical load were significantly higher after acute exposure to high altitude in the 3-day and 7-day HBOP intervention groups than in the simulated high-altitude group (all P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONHBOP can elevate the plasma expression of DA, E, NE, and ACTH, and then speed up the establishment of a new balance of homeostasis to adapt to the acute hypoxia at high altitude.

Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; blood ; Altitude ; Dopamine ; blood ; Epinephrine ; blood ; Exercise ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Hyperbaric Oxygenation ; Hypoxia ; blood ; Male ; Norepinephrine ; blood ; Rest ; Stress, Physiological