In recent years, China has been facing the dual challenges of declining fertility rates and births, with male reproductive health issues, especially the decline in semen quality, identified as a pivotal contributor to this phenomenon. Meanwhile, accumulating evidence indicates that air pollutants, an increasingly severe environmental problem, can damage semen quality not only directly through their biological toxicity but also indirectly by disrupting the composition of microbial communities in the gut and semen, thereby dysregulating immune function, endocrine homeostasis, and oxidative stress responses. The gut microbiota and semen microbiota, as important components of the human microecosystem, play crucial roles in maintaining reproductive health. This article comprehensively reviewed the research progress on the potential effects of air pollutants (particulate matter and gaseous pollutants), gut microbiota, and semen microbiota on semen quality. Specifically, it elucidated the mechanisms of interaction between these factors and explored how they affect male fertility.

Normal heart function depends on complex regulation by the brain, and abnormalities in the brain‒heart axis affect various diseases, such as myocardial infarction and anxiety disorders. However, systematic tracking of the brain regions associated with the input and output of the heart is lacking. In this study, we injected retrograde transsynaptic pseudorabies virus (PRV) and anterograde transsynaptic herpes simplex virus (HSV) into the left ventricular wall of mice to identify the whole-brain regions associated with the input to and output from the heart. We successfully detected PRV and HSV expression in at least 170 brain subregions in both male and female mice. Sex differences were discovered mainly in the hypothalamus and medulla, with male mice exhibiting greater correlation and hierarchical clustering than female mice, indicating reduced similarity and increased modularity of virus expression patterns in male mice. Further graph theory and multiple linear regression analysis of different injection timelines revealed that hub regions of PRV had highly similar clusters, with different brain levels, suggesting a top-down, hierarchically transmitted neural control pattern of the heart. Hub regions of HSV had scattered clusters, with brain regions gathered in the cortex and brainstem, suggesting a bottom-up, leapfrog, multipoint neural sensing pattern of the heart. Both patterns contain many hub brain regions that have been previously overlooked in brain‒heart axis studies. These results provide brain targets for future research and will lead to deeper insight into the brain mechanisms involved in specific heart conditions.
Animals ; Male ; Female ; Heart/physiology* ; Mice ; Herpesvirus 1, Suid ; Brain/physiology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Brain Mapping ; Efferent Pathways/physiology* ; Afferent Pathways/physiology* ; Simplexvirus ; Sex Characteristics

Cancer multidrug resistance (MDR) impairs the therapeutic efficacy of various chemotherapeutics. Novel approaches, particularly the development of MDR reversal agents, are critically needed to address this challenge. This study demonstrates that tenacissoside I (TI), a compound isolated from Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Wight et Arn, traditionally used in clinical practice as an ethnic medicine for cancer treatment, exhibits significant MDR reversal effects in ABCB1-mediated MDR cancer cells. TI reversed the resistance of SW620/AD300 and KBV200 cells to doxorubicin (DOX) and paclitaxel (PAC) by downregulating ABCB1 expression and reducing ABCB1 drug transport function. Mechanistically, protein arginine methyltransferase 1 (PRMT1), whose expression correlates with poor prognosis and shows positive association with both ABCB1 and EGFR expressions in tumor tissues, was differentially expressed in TI-treated SW620/AD300 cells. SW620/AD300 and KBV200 cells exhibited elevated levels of EGFR asymmetric dimethylarginine (aDMA) and enhanced PRMT1-EGFR interaction compared to their parental cells. Moreover, TI-induced PRMT1 downregulation impaired PRMT1-mediated aDMA of EGFR, PRMT1-EGFR interaction, and EGFR downstream signaling in SW620/AD300 and KBV200 cells. These effects were significantly reversed by PRMT1 overexpression. Additionally, TI demonstrated resistance reversal to PAC in xenograft models without detectable toxicities. This study establishes TI's MDR reversal effect in ABCB1-mediated MDR human cancer cells through inhibition of PRMT1-mediated aDMA of EGFR, suggesting TI's potential as an MDR modulator for improving chemotherapy outcomes.
Humans ; Protein-Arginine N-Methyltransferases/antagonists & inhibitors* ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm/drug effects* ; ErbB Receptors/genetics* ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Drug Resistance, Multiple/drug effects* ; Methylation/drug effects* ; Saponins/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; ATP Binding Cassette Transporter, Subfamily B/genetics* ; Doxorubicin/pharmacology* ; Paclitaxel/pharmacology* ; Female ; Repressor Proteins

Objective To develop a portable three-dimensional foot motion analysis system based on low-cost inertial measurement units(IMU)and force sensing resistor(FSR),and to explore the feasibility of assessing three-dimensional motion of internal small joints of foot in barefoot and shod conditions. Methods The system consisted of data sampling,data transmitting and data processing parts.IMUs were employed for data acquisition of small foot joints,and FSRs were utilized to detect heel strike and toe off.All the data were transmitted via wireless local area network.Data processing was accomplished by a self-programmed Excel mac-ro.From January to July,2024,two healthy female subjects wearing the device walked in the corridor at self-se-lected pace,for ten meters.Gait analysis was used to conduct consistency test on subject 2.Dorsiflexion-plan-tarflexion,adduction-abduction and internal rotation-external rotation of the 1st metatarsal relative to the phalan-geal(Met-Ph),the midfoot relative to the 1st metatarsal(Mid-Met)were recorded and analyzed on subject 1 in consecutive barefoot walking and two types of nurse footwear walking conditions. Results The system showed good consistency between tests.Dorsiflexion-plantarflexion,adduction-abduction and inter-nal rotation-external rotation ranges of motion were reduced in both Met-Ph and Mid-Met with shoes compared with those of bare foot,they were the least in arch support. Conclusion A low-cost,portable three-dimensional foot motion analysis system has been developed,which could be used to measure barefoot motion and shod foot motion in consecutive walking.

To summarize LI Qiangou's clinical experience in treating laryngopharyngeal reflux disease （LPRD） based on the theory of "yang transforming qi while yin constituting form". It is believed that "insufficiency of yang transforming qi and excess of yin constituting form" is the key mechanism of LPRD， in which yang deficiency of the lungs， spleen and kidneys is an important factor causing "insufficiency of yang transforming qi"， while phlegm， dampness and other tangible yin turbidities are the pathological products of "excess of yin constituting form". The key treatment principle is to reinforce yang qi and dispel yin turbidity. Starting from regulating the qi transformation of the sanjiao， the treatment is based on the different pathologies of lung yang insufficiency and phlegm congestion in the upper jiao， spleen yang failing to ascend and dampness accumulation in the middle jiao， and kidney yang deficiency and phlegm-fluid retention in the lower jiao， prescribed by modified Suzi Jiangqi Decoction （苏子降气汤）， Shengyang Chushi Decoction （升阳除湿汤）， and Jingui Shenqi Pill （金匮肾气丸）， the prescriptions could also combine with Banxia Houpo Decoction （半夏厚朴汤） to dissolve phlegm and relieve pharyngeal pains， and regulate qi to direct counterflow downward.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of Jianpiwenyang Gel(SSWYG)for treating chronic diarrhea and explore its therapeutic mechanism.Methods Eighty patients with chronic diarrhea of spleen and stomach weakness type were randomized into two groups for interventions with lifestyle adjustment and treatment with bifid triple viable capsules(control group,n=40)or naval application with SSWYG(treatment group,n=40)for one week,after which symptoms of chronic diarrhea were evaluated.The Chinese medicine system pharmacology analysis platform(TCMSP),GeneCards,NCBI,OMIM database and GEO database(GSE14841)were used to obtain the active ingredients and target proteins of SSWYG and chronic diarrhea-related targets.The key targets were obtained by topological analysis for Gene Ontology(GO)and KEGG analyses.The affinity and binding characteristics of SSWYG for specific targets were verified by molecular docking using AutoDock software.Results In both groups,gastrointestinal symptom rating scale(GSRS),Bristol Scale and TCM syndrome scores significantly improved after the treatments(P<0.05),and better effects were observed in the treatment group(P<0.05).Sixty-eight targets of SSWYG in treating chronic diarrhea were obtained,and 33 most probable ones were screened out by topological analysis.GO and KEGG analyses identified several chronic diarrhea-related pathways including the TNF and IL-17 pathways.Molecular docking study showed good affinity of the core components of SSWYG for the key targets CASP3,JNK,IL1B,IL6,and AKT1.JUN and CASP3 had the lowest binding energy and the highest stable binding energy with multiple major active ingredients of SSWYG.Conclusion SSWYG can significantly improve clinical symptoms of chronic diarrhea possibly by regulating the TNF and IL-17 as well as other pathways via CASP3 and JUN,suggesting a complex therapeutic mechanism of SSWYG involving multiple ingredients and targets and coordinated regulation of multiple pathways.

Objective To investigate the efficacy of Jianpiwenyang Gel(SSWYG)for treating chronic diarrhea and explore its therapeutic mechanism.Methods Eighty patients with chronic diarrhea of spleen and stomach weakness type were randomized into two groups for interventions with lifestyle adjustment and treatment with bifid triple viable capsules(control group,n=40)or naval application with SSWYG(treatment group,n=40)for one week,after which symptoms of chronic diarrhea were evaluated.The Chinese medicine system pharmacology analysis platform(TCMSP),GeneCards,NCBI,OMIM database and GEO database(GSE14841)were used to obtain the active ingredients and target proteins of SSWYG and chronic diarrhea-related targets.The key targets were obtained by topological analysis for Gene Ontology(GO)and KEGG analyses.The affinity and binding characteristics of SSWYG for specific targets were verified by molecular docking using AutoDock software.Results In both groups,gastrointestinal symptom rating scale(GSRS),Bristol Scale and TCM syndrome scores significantly improved after the treatments(P<0.05),and better effects were observed in the treatment group(P<0.05).Sixty-eight targets of SSWYG in treating chronic diarrhea were obtained,and 33 most probable ones were screened out by topological analysis.GO and KEGG analyses identified several chronic diarrhea-related pathways including the TNF and IL-17 pathways.Molecular docking study showed good affinity of the core components of SSWYG for the key targets CASP3,JNK,IL1B,IL6,and AKT1.JUN and CASP3 had the lowest binding energy and the highest stable binding energy with multiple major active ingredients of SSWYG.Conclusion SSWYG can significantly improve clinical symptoms of chronic diarrhea possibly by regulating the TNF and IL-17 as well as other pathways via CASP3 and JUN,suggesting a complex therapeutic mechanism of SSWYG involving multiple ingredients and targets and coordinated regulation of multiple pathways.

Objective:To explore the mediating effect of appearance functional internalization between social comparison tendency and body image distress of college students.Methods:From June to September 2023, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 308 college students with the social comparison tendency scale, the functional internalization questionnaire of college students' appearance and the body image anxiety scale for adolescent students.SPSS 22.0 software was used for common method bias test, descriptive statistics and correlation analysis, Mplus 8.0 was used for structural equation construction, and Bootstrap method was used for intermediary effect analysis.Results:Body image distress (43.86±8.78) was positively correlated with social comparison tendency (35.20±6.04) and appearance functional internalization (38.35±9.68) ( r=0.35, 0.33, both P<0.01).There was also a positive correlation between social comparison tendency and appearance functional internalization ( r=0.51, P<0.01). The effect of social comparison tendency on body image distress was mediated by appearance functional internalization, and the mediating effect value was 0.137, accounted for 35.13%(0.137/0.390) of the total effect. Conclusion:The appearance functional internalization mediates the relationship between social comparison tendency and body image distress.Social comparison tendency can not only directly predict body image distress, but also can predict body image distress, indirectly through appearance functional internalization.

Objective:To explore the relationship between social exclusion, rumination, executive function and mobile phone addiction among college students.Methods:From November to December 2023, a total of 516 college students were investigated by social exclusion questionnaire for undergraduate, ruminative responses scale, the Geurten-questionnaire of executive functioning in Chinese college students and mobile phone addiction tendency scale. SPSS 26.0 statistical software was used for common method bias test, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, and PROCESS 3.5 macro program was used to test the mediation effect.Results:Social exclusion (31.21±12.69), rumination (42.85±12.38), executive function (71.46±9.41), and college students' mobile phone addiction tendency (43.53±11.74) were all significantly and positively correlated with each other ( r=0.299-0.500, all P<0.01). The direct effect of social exclusion on mobile phone addiction was significant (effect size=0.138, 95% CI=0.048-0.228), accounting for 37.91%(0.138/0.364) of the total effect. Rumination had a mediating effect between social exclusion and mobile phone addiction (effect size=0.053, 95% CI=0.001-0.112), accounting for 14.56%(0.053/0.364) of the total effect. Executive function mediates the relationship between social exclusion and mobile phone addiction (effect size=0.137, 95% CI=0.091-0.188), accounting for 37.64%(0.137/0.364) of the total effect.Rumination and executive function has a chain mediating effect between social exclusion and mobile phone addiction (effect size=0.036, 95% CI=0.016-0.061), accounting for 9.89%(0.036/0.364) of the total effect. Conclusion:Social exclusion can directly affect mobile phone addiction in college students and can also influence mobile phone addiction in college students through the independent mediating effects of rumination and executive function, as well as the chain mediating effect of rumination and executive function.

Objective To observe the value of anatomical characteristics of femoral intercondylar notch of knee joint for predicting non-contact anterior cruciate ligament tear(NC-ACLT).Methods MRI data of knee joint of 55 patients with NC-ACLT(NC-ACLT group)and 55 controls(control group)were retrospectively analyzed.The parameters of intercondylar notch,including depth,width,depth/width ratio,opening width,opening width index,area and width of the femoral condyle's outer edge at the same level were measured between groups,and the types of intercondylar notch(type A,U and W)were recorded.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to screen the independent impact factors of NC-ACLT.Receiver operating characteristic curves were drawn,and the area under the curves(AUC)were calculated to evaluate the efficacy of each intercondylar notch parameter for predicting NC-ACLT.Results The depth and depth/width ratio of intercondylar notch in NC-ACLT group were both higher,while the opening width and opening width index of intercondylar notch in NC-ACLT group were both lower than those in control group(all P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the depth of intercondylar notch was an independent impact factors of NC-ACLT(P＜0.05).Taken 29.55 mm in depth of intercondylar notch,1.45 in depth/width ratio of intercondylar notch,21.15 mm in opening width of intercondylar notch and 0.29 in opening width index as the optimal cut-off value,respectively,the sensitivity of the above parameters for predicting NC-ACLT was 74.55％,58.18％,67.27％and 67.27％,the specificity was 69.09％,80.00％,61.82％and 78.18％,and the AUC was 0.720,0.713,0.652 and 0.710,respectively.Conclusion The anatomical characteristics of femoral intercondylar notch of knee joint could be used to predict NC-ACLT.The depth,depth/width ratio,opening width and opening width index of intercondylar notch could be used as predictive indicators.