OBJECTIVE: Cassiae Semen (CS, Juemingzi in Chinese) is a widely used traditional Chinese medicine with a variety of pharmacological effects. This study aimed to investigate the potential therapeutic effects and molecular mechanisms of anthraquinones of CS (AQS) for adiposity. METHODS: The chemical components of the AQS were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Network pharmacology analysis was used to predict potential anti-obesity targets of action for AQS. We constructed high fat with high sugar water diet-induced obese mice and observed their body weight and whole-body lipid metabolism to evaluate the efficacy of AQS in promoting lipid metabolism. Subsequently, the epidermal temperature at the brown adipose tissue (BAT) before and after cold stimulation was observed and the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in the liver and BAT tissues was detected to clarify the mechanism of action of AQS. RESULTS: Network pharmacology analysis showed that AQS was involved in the regulation of liver and adipose tissue function under obesity. Pathological and biochemical results showed that AQS reduced lipid accumulation in the liver and adipose tissue induced by an unhealthy diet. With the increase of cold tolerance, the volume and weight of BAT were increased by AQS, suggesting that it regulated the body heat production dominated by BAT. After AQS treatment, the levels of genes related to uncoupling protein1 (UCP1)-mediated adaptive thermogenesis in BAT tissues and lipid metabolism in the liver were also increased, which further proved that AQS activated BAT function to promote lipid metabolism in the whole body. CONCLUSION This study revealed the pharmacological effects of AQS, thereby providing a scientific basis for regulating BAT thermogenesis and liver lipid metabolism to alleviate obesity and providing clues for further exploring the application of natural active ingredients in the treatment of metabolism-related diseases.

Liver fibrosis is a dynamic wound-healing response characterized by the agglutination of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Si-Wu-Tang (SWT), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula, is known for treating gynecological diseases and liver fibrosis. Our previous studies demonstrated that long non-coding RNA H19 (H19) was markedly upregulated in fibrotic livers while its deficiency markedly reversed fibrogenesis. However, the mechanisms by which SWT influences H19 remain unclear. Thus, we established a bile duct ligation (BDL)-induced liver fibrosis model to evaluate the hepatoprotective effects of SWT on various cells in the liver. Our results showed that SWT markedly improved ECM deposition and bile duct reactions in the liver. Notably, SWT relieved liver fibrosis by regulating the transcription of genes involved in the cytoskeleton remodeling, primarily in hepatic stellate cells (HSCs), and influencing cytoskeleton-related angiogenesis and hepatocellular injury. This modulation collectively led to reduced ECM deposition. Through extensive bioinformatics analyses, we determined that H19 acted as a miRNA sponge and mainly inhibited miR-200, miR-211, and let7b, thereby regulating the above cellular regulatory pathways. Meanwhile, SWT reversed H19-related miRNAs and signaling pathways, diminishing ECM deposition and liver fibrosis. However, these protective effects of SWT were diminished with the overexpression of H19 in vivo. In conclusion, our study elucidates the underlying mechanisms of SWT from the perspective of H19-related signal networks and proposes a potential SWT-based therapeutic strategy for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding/genetics* ; Liver Cirrhosis/genetics* ; Liver/metabolism* ; Hepatic Stellate Cells/pathology* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Extracellular Matrix/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

Chuanxiong Rhizoma (CX, the dried rhizome of Ligusticum wallichii Franch.), a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, is clinically used for treating cardiovascular, cerebrovascular and hepatobiliary diseases. Cholestatic liver damage is one of the chronic liver diseases with limited effective therapeutic strategies. Currently, little is known about the mechanism links between CX-induced anti-cholestatic action and intercellular communication between cholangiocytes and hepatic stellate cells (HSCs). The study aimed to evaluate the hepatoprotective activity of different CX extracts including the aqueous, alkaloid, phenolic acid and phthalide extracts of CX (CX_AE, CX_AL, CX_PA and CX_PHL) and investigate the intercellular communication-related mechanisms by which the most effective extracts work on cholestatic liver injury. The active compounds of different CX extracts were identified by UPLC-MS/MS. A cholestatic liver injury mouse model induced by bile duct ligation (BDL), and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-treated human intrahepatic biliary epithelial cholangiocytes (HIBECs) and HSC cell line (LX-2 cells) were used for in vivo and in vitro studies. Histological and other biological techniques were also applied. The results indicated that CX_AE, CX_AL and CX_PHL significantly reduced ductular reaction (DR) and improved liver fibrosis in the BDL mice. Meanwhile, both CX_AE and CX_PHL suppressed DR in injured HIBECs and reduced collagen contraction force and the expression of fibrosis biomarkers in LX-2 cells treated with TGF-β. CX_PHL suppressed the transcription and transfer of plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) and fibronectin (FN) from the 'DR-like' cholangiocytes to activated HSCs. Mechanistically, the inhibition of PAI-1 and FN by CX_PHL was attributed to the untight combination of the acetyltransferase KAT2A and SMAD3, followdd by the suppression of histone 3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac)-mediated transcription in cholangiocytes. In conclusion, CX_PHL exerts stronger anti-cholestatic activity in vivo and in vitro than other CX extracts, and its protective effect on the intracellular communication between cholangiocytes and HSCs is achieved by reducing KAT2A/H3K9ac-mediated transcription and release of PAI-1 and FN.

Objective:To analyze the detection rate and related factors of depressive and anxious symptoms comorbidity in 2021 and 2022.Methods:Based on the results of the Seventh National Population Census in 2021,the residents of 32 provinces,municipalities,and autonomous regions were sampled by gender and age.The gender and age of the samples were in line with the characteristics of China's population.A face-to-face interview survey was conducted in community residents in each province in 2021(n=11 005)and 2022(n=30 421)with the Gen-eralized Anxiety Questionnaire-7 and Patient Health Questionnaire-9.Results:The detection rates of depressive and anxious symptoms comorbidity were 10.67％in 2021 and 11.72％in 2022.The prevalence of depressive and anxi-ety comorbidity were higher in male,younger(age≤17 years),divorced,lower BMI(BMI＜18.5 kg/m2),higher education(graduate),students,and residents with chronic medical history(Ps＜0.001).In 2022,32.06％of people with depressive symptoms had anxious symptoms and 47.62％of people with anxious symptoms had depressive symptoms.Conclusion:In 2021 and 2022,the detection rates of depressive and anxious symptoms comorbidity were both about 10％,and half of patients with anxious symptoms were accompanied by depressive symptoms,So atten-tion should be paid to the comorbidity of depression and anxiety symptoms.

ObjectiveTo investigate the quality of life and demands of family members of patients with mental disorders in hospice care， in order to create a better medical care environment for patients to meet their demands. MethodsA total of 205 family members of patients with mental disorders in hospice care were consecutively sampled from two special psychiatric hospitals in Deyang city with convenient sampling method. The Chinese version of WHO Quality of Life-BREF （WHOQOL-BREF） and Critical Care Family Needs Inventory （CCFNI） were used to assess the quality of life and demands of family members. ResultsAmong the patients' family members， WHOQOL-BREF scored （68.08±9.98） in the physiological field， （63.82±9.39） in the psychological field， （70.73±12.61） in the social relations field， and （64.24±11.87） in the environmental field. Compared with the domestic general population， there were significant differences in other fields except the physiological field （t=3.066， 9.845， 16.109， P<0.01）. In CCFNI， the score of condition assurance factor was （3.20±0.41）， information support was （2.86±0.50）， proximity to patients was （2.79±0.46）， self comfort was （2.35±0.47）， and medical staff support was （2.60±0.44）. ConclusionThe quality of life of the family members of patients with mental disorders in hospice care may be higher than that of the general population， and their demands mainly focus on the condition assurance and information support.

Objective:To measure with Zhejiang province as an example the situation of the self-evaluation health management service capability of primary medical staff in county-level medical alliances.Methods:A self-evaluation scale for health management service capability by primary medical staff was customized, covering 5 dimensions of professional attitude, interpersonal communication ability, comprehensive knowledge integration ability, professional practice ability and professional development ability, as well as 29 items. In July-September 2019, medical alliances were selected from three counties/cities based on economic development as the survey targets, and a total of 264 primary medical staff were surveyed. Quantitative data were described in mean and standard deviation, while qualitative data were described in composition ratio, and the differences were compared by Kruskal-Willis test.Results:The self-evaluation scoring of health management service capability of the primary medical staff was (59.75±18.64) points, and the average scoring of the items was (2.06±0.64) points. The scoring of knowledge integration (1.98±0.70)and professional practical ability (2.03±0.67) were lower than the average scoring of the items; gender and occupation type of primary medical staff present statistical significances in the self-evaluation scoring of health management service capability.Conclusions:Given the health management service capabilities of primary medical staff, they still need to upgrade their knowledge integration and professional practice capabilities. County-level medical alliances should enhance their training of health management knowledge and skills, promote doctor-nurse collaboration in health management services to broaden the depth of primary health management services.

Objective:To investigate the application value of Clavien-Dindo classification in evaluation of postoperative short-term complications of Da Vinci robotic-assisted or laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy with D 2 lymphadenectomy. Methods:The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The clinicopathological data of 262 patients with gastric cancer who were admitted to the 940th Hospital of Joint Logistic Support Force of Chinese People′s Liberation Army from January 2016 to January 2019 were collected. There were 214 males and 48 females, aged (58±11) years, with a range from 17 to 81 years. Of 262 patients, 120 cases undergoing Da Vinci robotic-assisted total gastrectomy + D 2 lymphadenectomy + Roux-en-Y anastomosis were divided into robotic group, and 142 cases undergoing laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy + D 2 lymphadenectomy + Roux-en-Y anastomosis were divided into laparoscopic group. Observation indicators: (1) intraoperative and postoperative situations; (2) postoperative pathological examination; (3)complications; (4) stratified analysis; (5) follow-up. Follow-up using outpatient examination and telephone interview was performed to detect complications, tumor recurrence and survival of patients within postoperative 2 months. The follow-up was up to May 2019. Measurement data with normal distribution were represented as Mean± SD, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the t test. Measurement data with skewed distribution were represented as M (range), and comparison between groups was analyzed using the Mann-Whitney U test. Count data were described as absolute numbers or percentages, and comparison between groups was analyzed using the chi-square test or Fisher exact probability. Comparison of ranked data between groups was analyzed using the rank sum test. Results:(1) Intraoperative and postoperative situations: cases undergoing conversion to open surgery, the operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, the number of lymph node dissected, time to first flatus, time to initial fluid diet intake, duration of postoperative hospital stay of the robotic group were 1, (243±42)minutes, 100 mL(range, 100-150 mL), 38±15, (2.8±1.0)days, 3 days(range, 3-4 days), 11 days(range, 9-13 days), respectively. The above indicators of the laparoscopic group were 2, (244±38)minutes, 100 mL(range, 100-150 mL), 34±14, (3.2±1.0)days, 4 days(range, 3-5 days), 10 days(range, 9-13 days), respectively. There were significant differences in the number of lymph node dissected, time to first flatus, time to initial fluid diet intake between the two groups ( t=2.068, -3.030, Z=-3.370, P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in cases undergoing conversion to open surgery, the operation time, volume of intraoperative blood loss, duration of postoperative hospital stay between the two groups ( χ2=0.000, t=-0.158, Z=-1.824, -0.088, P>0.05). (2) Postoperative pathological examination: cases with well differentiated tumor, moderately differentiated tumor, poorly differentiated tumor, signet ring cell carcinoma or other types of tumor, cases in stage T1b, T2, T3 or T4a (pT staging), cases in stage N0, N1, N2, N3a or N3b (pN staging), cases in stage ⅠB, ⅡA, ⅡB, ⅢA, ⅢB or ⅢC (pTNM staging) of the robotic group were 6, 50, 55, 9, 10, 22, 63, 25, 42, 19, 19, 24, 16, 17, 22, 23, 20, 23, 15, respectively. The above indicators of the laparoscopic group were 4, 42, 84, 12, 6, 18, 81, 37, 39, 27, 32, 19, 25, 13, 19, 28, 39, 16, 27, respectively. There was no significant difference in the above indicators between the two groups ( Z=-1.880, -1.827, -0.140, -1.460, P>0.05). (3) Complications: cases with complication classified as grade Ⅰ, grade Ⅱ, grade Ⅲa, grade Ⅲb, grade Ⅳa, grade Ⅳb of Clavien-Dindo classification, cases with death, cases with overall complications, cases with severe complications of the robotic group were 9, 6, 3, 2, 2, 0, 0, 22, 7, respectively. The above indicators of the laparoscopic group were 12, 15, 9, 6, 3, 1, 1, 47, 20, respectively. There were significant differences in cases with overall complications, cases with severe complications between the two groups ( χ2=7.309, 4.790, P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in cases with complication classified as grade Ⅰ, grade Ⅱ, grade Ⅲa, grade Ⅲb, grade Ⅳa, grade Ⅳb of Clavien-Dindo classification, cases with death between the two groups ( χ2=0.080, 2.730, 1.042, 0.704, 0.000, 0.000, 0.000, P>0.05). (4) Stratified analysis: of the patients with overall complications in robotic group, cases of male or female, cases aged ≥65 years or <65 years, cases with body mass index (BMI) ≥24 kg/m 2 or <24 kg/m 2, cases with tumor diameter ≥5 cm or <5 cm, cases with or without abdominal surgery, cases with tumor located at upper stomach or middle stomach, cases in Ⅰ-Ⅱ grade or Ⅲ grade of American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification, cases with well differentiated tumor or undifferentiated tumor, cases in stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ or stage Ⅲ (pTNM staging), cases with operation time ≥250 minutes or <250 minutes, cases with volume of intraoperative blood loss ≥150 mL or <150 mL, cases with the number of lymph node dissected ≥25 or <25 were 15, 7, 14, 8, 11, 11, 16, 6, 4, 18, 19, 3, 15, 7, 7, 15, 8, 14, 12, 10, 12, 10, 14, 8, respectively. The above indicators of patients with overall complications in the laparoscopic group were 33, 14, 17, 30, 16, 31, 36, 11, 11, 36, 27, 20, 31, 16, 13, 34, 14, 33, 24, 23, respectively. Of the patients with overall complication, there were significant differences in cases of male, cases aged ≥65 years or <65 years, cases with BMI<24 kg/m 2, cases with tumor diameter≥5 cm, cases without abdominal surgery, cases with tumor located at middle stomach, cases in Ⅰ-Ⅱ grade or Ⅲ grade of ASA classification, cases with well differentiated tumor, cases in stage Ⅲ (pTNM staging), cases with operation time ≥250 minutes, cases with volume of intraoperative blood loss <150 mL, cases with the number of lymph node dissected ≥25 between the two groups ( χ2=6.683, 4.207, 6.761, 7.438, 4.297, 6.325, 9.433, 3.970, 4.850, 4.911, 3.952, 3.915, 6.865, 4.128, P<0.05) and there was no significant difference in cases of female, cases with BMI≥24 kg/m 2, cases with tumor diameter <5 cm, cases with abdominal surgery, cases with tumor located at upper stomach, cases with undifferentiated tumor, cases in stage Ⅰ-Ⅱ (pTNM staging), cases with operation time < 250 minutes, cases with volume of intraoperative blood loss ≥150 mL, cases with the number of lymph node dissected <25 between the two groups ( χ2=0.277, 1.052, 1.996, 1.552, 2.172, 2.594, 2.244, 3.771, 1.627, 3.223, P>0.05). (5) Follow-up: 262 patients were followed up postoperatively for 2 months. During the follow-up, no patient was diagnosed with tumor recurrence, and one patient in the laparoscopic group died of severe infection. Conclusions:The Clavien-Dindo classification can be used in evaluating postoperative short-term complications of Da Vinci robotic-assisted or laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy with D 2 lymphadenectomy. Compared with laparoscopic-assisted total gastrectomy with D 2 lymphadenectomy, Da Vinci robotic-assisted total gastrectomy with D 2 lymphadenectomy has the advantages of minimally invasiveness, low incidence of overall and severe complication.

Objective To analyze the protective effects ofbutylphthalide(NBP) on apoptosis factors (p-JNK,Fas and FasL) of death receptor pathway in JNK pathway of cell model of Parkinson's disease (PD).Methods SH-SY5Y cell apoptosis model induced by MPP + was established in vitro.The cells were divided into four groups:normal control group,SHSYSY cells were treated with complete medium without drug intervention;MPP+ group,1 mmol·L-1 MPP+ was added into the cells;NBP+ MPP+ group,the cells were pretreated with 10 mol·L-1 NBP for 3 h and added with 1 mmol·L-1 MPP+;SP600125 + MPP+ group,the cells were cultured with 10 mol·L-1 JNK inhibitor SP600125 pretreatment for 3 h and 1 mmol·L-1 MPP+ was added.The proliferative potentiality of SH-SY5Y cells induced by MPP+ was measured by MTT.The apoptotic rate was analyzed by Annexin-V/PI (FCM).The morphology of SH-SY5Y cells was observed by inverted phase contrast microscope.The expression of apoptotic protein p-JNK,Fas,FasL was detected by Western blotting.Results The cell proliferative potentiality in the MPP+ group (49.30 ± 2.07)％ was significantly lower than that of the normal control group (100.00 ±0.00)％ (P ＜ 0.05).The cell proliferative potentiality in NBP + MPP + group and SP600125 + MPP + group were (71.90 ±2.10) ％ and (76.40 ± 2.80) ％,which was significantly higher than that of the MPP + group (P ＜ 0.05).Apoptosis rate in the MPP + group (32.27 ± 2.26) ％ was significantly higher than that of the normal control group (10.63 ± 2.07) ％ (P ＜ 0.05).The apoptosis rate in the NBP + MPP + group and SP600125 + MPP+ group were (21.13 ± 3.63) ％ and (19.15 ± 2.63) ％,and the apoptosis rate was significantly lower than that in the MPP+ group(P ＜0.05).The protein expression levels of p-JNK,Fas and FasL were significandy lower in NBP + MPP+ group and SP600125 + MPP+ group than that in the MPP+ group (P ＜0.05).Conclusion Butylphthalide can protect the injury of SH-SY5Y cells induced by MPP+.The mechanism of butylphthalide inhibiting apoptosis may be achieved through regulating p-JNK,Fas and FasL protein expression of death receptor pathway in JNK pathway and inhibiting the cell apoptosis.

OBJECTIVETo explore genetic mutation and clinical treatment for a patient with globozoospermia.

METHODSHistomorphology of the sperms was studied by Wright-Giemsa staining and transmission electron microscopy. Potential mutation of the DPY19L2 gene was detected by PCR amplification and Sanger sequencing.

RESULTSWright-Giemsa staining showed that all spermatozoa from the patient were round-headed and lacked the acrosome, with the nuclei of sperm head stained in dark and full. Transmission electron microscopy revealed large round sperm heads, with an even layer of unit membrane surrounding the nuclei and dispersed cytoplasmic vacuoles but no acrosomal structure. The patient has harbored a homozygous deletion of the DPY19L2 gene. With intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment, fertilization rate of the oocytes has reached 28.6%, which resulted in a successful pregnancy. A healthy male was born.

CONCLUSIONThe homozygous deletion of DPY19L2 probably underlies the globozoospermia in this case, for which ICSI has provided an effective treatment. However, there is still a risk of low oocyte fertilization rate or fertilization failure. Further studies are required.

Adult ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Teratozoospermia ; genetics

BACKGROUND: Bone tissue engineering plays a very important role in the repair of bone defects, which can deliver bioactive substances, promote bone tissue growth and repair bone defects. Bone scaffolds act as one of the three elements of bone tissue engineering. Three-dimensional (3D) printing technology can achieve individualized bone tissue repair through customized artificial bone preparation.OBJECTIVE: To analyze the biological characteristics of several commonly used bone tissue engineering scaffolds and to explore the application of 3D printing technique in the construction of bone tissue engineering scaffolds.METHODS: The literatures of PubMed and Wanfang database related to bone tissue engineering scaffold materials and 3D printing technology were retrieved from 2005 to 2016. The Keywords were tissue engineering scaffold, bone defects,polymer materials, bioceramics, metal materials, composite materials, 3D printing in English and Chinese, respectively,which would appear simultaneously in title and abstract. Repetitive articles were excluded and finally 65 articles were included in result analysis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: The commonly used bone tissue engineering scaffold materials include polymer materials (natural and macromolecule polymeric materials), bioceramics, and metal materials. According to the characteristics of the materials, composite materials made of different materials can compensate for the shortcomings of a single material, and then developed into new tissue engineering scaffold materials. For the tissue engineering bone production, 3D printing technologies include melt deposition technology, selective laser sintering technology, low temperature deposition manufacturing technology, and etc. When the 3D printing technology is used to prepare a bone tissue engineering scaffold, the use of powder or adhesive must have limited conditions, such as flowability, stability and wettability. Powder materials used for 3D printing can be divided into synthetic polymers, natural macromolecules,bioceramics and their mixtures, with different advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the bone engineering scaffolds produced by 3D printing technology have unique advantages in mechanics, structure and individuality, and have wide application prospect in the manufacture of bone scaffolds.