This study investigated the effects of Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata on striatal neuronal apoptosis in rats with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder(ADHD) based on the B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2)/Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)/caspase-3 signaling pathway. Twenty-four 3-week-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats(SHR) were randomly divided into a model group, a methylphenidate group(2 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and a Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata group(2.4 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)). Age-matched male Wistar Kyoto(WKY) rats were used as the normal control group, with 8 rats in each group. The rats were administered by gavage for 28 days. Body weight and food intake were recorded for each group. The open field test and elevated plus maze test were used to assess hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors. Nissl staining was used to detect changes in striatal neurons and Nissl bodies. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL) fluorescence staining was used to detect striatal cell apoptosis. Western blot was employed to detect the expression levels of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 proteins in the striatum. The results showed that compared with the model group, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata significantly reduced the total movement distance, average movement speed, and central area residence time in the open field test, and significantly reduced the ratio of open arm entries, open arm stay time, and head dipping in the elevated plus maze test. Furthermore, it increased the number of Nissl bodies in striatal neurons, significantly downregulated the apoptosis index, significantly increased Bcl-2 protein expression and the Bcl-2/Bax ratio, and reduced Bax and caspase-3 protein expression. In conclusion, Rehmanniae Radix Praeparata can reduce hyperactivity and impulsive behaviors in ADHD rats. Its mechanism may be related to the regulation of the Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 signaling pathway in the striatum, enhancing the anti-apoptotic capacity of striatal neurons.
Animals ; Male ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Rats ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Caspase 3/genetics* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/genetics* ; Rehmannia/chemistry* ; Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity/physiopathology* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Neurons/cytology* ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Humans ; Corpus Striatum/cytology* ; Plant Extracts

To investigate the impact of preoperative serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels on the probability of testicular sperm retrieval, we conducted a study of nonobstructive azoospermic (NOA) men with different testicular volumes (TVs) who underwent microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). A total of 177 NOA patients undergoing micro-TESE for the first time from April 2019 to November 2022 in Shenzhen Zhongshan Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital (formerly Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China) were retrospectively reviewed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on average TV quartiles. Serum hormone levels in each TV group were compared between positive and negative sperm retrieval subgroups. Overall sperm retrieval rate was 57.6%. FSH levels (median [interquartile range]) were higher in the positive sperm retrieval subgroup compared with the negative outcome subgroup when average TV was <5 ml (first quartile [Q1: TV <3 ml]: 43.32 [17.92] IU l -1 vs 32.95 [18.56] IU l -1 , P = 0.048; second quartile [Q2: 3 ml ≤ TV <5 ml]: 31.31 [15.37] IU l -1 vs 25.59 [18.40] IU l -1 , P = 0.042). Elevated serum FSH levels were associated with successful micro-TESE sperm retrieval in NOA men whose average TVs were <5 ml (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.06 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.11; P = 0.011). In men with TVs ≥5 ml, larger TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval (adjusted OR: 0.84 per 1 ml increase; 95% CI: 0.71-0.98; P = 0.029). In conclusion, elevated serum FSH levels were associated with positive sperm retrieval in micro-TESE in NOA men with TVs <5 ml. In men with TV ≥5 ml, increases in average TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/surgery* ; Sperm Retrieval/statistics & numerical data* ; Adult ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Retrospective Studies ; Testis/pathology* ; Microdissection ; Organ Size

OBJECTIVES: To study the clinical and genetic characteristics of children with congenital adrenal hyperplasia (CAH). METHODS: Clinical data, laboratory findings, and genetic test results of 63 children diagnosed with CAH at Henan Children's Hospital from January 2017 to December 2024 were retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Of the 63 patients, the mean age at the first visit was (21 ± 14) days; 29 (46%) were of male sex and 34 (54%) were of female sex. The predominant clinical manifestations were poor weight gain or weight loss (92%, 58/63), poor feeding (84%, 53/63), skin hyperpigmentation (83%, 52/63), and female external genital anomalies (100%, 34/34). Laboratory abnormalities included hyponatremia (87%, 55/63), hyperkalemia (68%, 43/63), metabolic acidosis (68%, 43/63), and markedly elevated 17-hydroxyprogesterone (92%, 58/63), testosterone (89%, 56/63), and adrenocorticotropic hormone (81%, 51/63). Among 49 patients who underwent genetic testing, CYP21A2 variants were identified in 90% (44/49), with c.293-13A/C>G (33%, 30/91) and large deletions/gene conversions (29%, 26/91) being the most frequent; STAR (8%, 4/49) and HSD3B2 (2%, 1/49) variants were also detected. Following hormone replacement therapy, electrolyte disturbances were corrected in 57 cases, with significant reductions in 17-hydroxyprogesterone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, and testosterone levels (P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS CAH presenting in neonates or young infants is characterized by electrolyte imbalance, external genital anomalies, and abnormal hormone levels. Genetic testing enables definitive subtype classification; in CYP21A2-related CAH, c.293-13A/C>G is a hotspot variant. These findings underscore the clinical value of genetic testing for early diagnosis and genetic counseling in CAH. Citation:Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, 2025, 27(11): 1367-1372.
Humans ; Adrenal Hyperplasia, Congenital/diagnosis* ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn

Objective To develop an automatic segmentation network for thyroid nodules by integrating wavelet transform and CNN-Transformer in order to improve the efficiency and accuracy of ultrasound image segmentation.Methods A total of 1 371 sets of ultrasound images of thyroid nodules were collected from Department of Ultrasonography of Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University between May 2023 and February 2024.After preprocessing and normalization,the data were divided into training,validation,and testing sets in a ratio of 8∶1∶1.Based on UNet,CNN and Swin-Transformer were used in parallel as the encoder,with a wavelet transform module inserted between the encoder and decoder to construct a thyroid nodule segmentation network.The performance of the segmentation model was evaluated on the collected internal dataset using accuracy,IoU,and Dice coefficient metrics.Results The finally verified 1 371 sets of ultrasonic thyroid nodules had an average Dice coefficient of 79.63%and an IoU of 67.30%.Compared with UNet,the segmentation accuracy was improved by 1.02%.The segmentation model obtained accurate location and smooth edges of thyroid nodules,and the segmentation was more consistent in thyroid nodule edge and morphology with those marked by doctors manually when compared with other segmentations.Compared with UNet,this segmentation method can learn the texture of nodules more fully and avoid the situation that nodules had been incorrectly divided into surrounding tissues.Conclusion Our developed segmentation model based on wavelet transform and CNN-Transformer demonstrates better segmentation accuracy in comparison to conventional UNet variants,such as UNet,Attention-UNet,and UNetv2,and medical segment anything models like SAM Med2D.This segmentation method enables accurate segmentation of ultrasound thyroid nodules,thereby enhancing clinical workflow efficiency through automated precise delineation.

Forensic medicine has been designated as a first-level discipline,presenting new opportunities and challenges for the development of forensic medicine.Since the 1980s,the establishment of foren-sic medicine discipline and the cultivation of high-level forensic talents have become hot topics in the development of forensic medicine in China.Since the 13th Five-Year Plan,the forensic team of Shanxi Medical University has been aiming at the forefront,proposing the development goals of"Five First-class"and the discipline development path"Six Major Achievements".It has selected benchmark disci-plines,identified gaps in disciplinary development,unified thoughts,formulated completion timelines,concentrated superior resources,assigned tasks to individuals,and created an"Organized Fill-in-the-Blank Format"forensic medicine discipline construction model with the characteristics of the new era.The construction model of forensic medicine has achieved good results in the goals,discipline frame-work,scientific research,talent cultivation,discipline team and platform construction,forming a rela-tively complete discipline construction and management system,and accumulating valuable experience for the construction of first-level discipline and high-level talent cultivation of forensic medicine.

Amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) is one of the most effective formulation approaches to enhance the water solubility and oral bioavailability of poorly water-soluble drugs. However, maintenance of physical stability of amorphous drug is one of the main challenges in the development of ASD. Crystallization is a process of nucleation and crystal growth. The nucleation is the key factor that influences the physical stability of the ASD. However, a theoretical framework to describe the way to inhibit the nucleation of amorphous drug is not yet available. We reviewed the methods and theories of nucleation for amorphous drug. Meanwhile, we also summarized the research progress on the mechanism of additives influence on nucleation and environmental factors on nucleation. This review aims to enhance the better understanding mechanism of nucleation of amorphous drug and controlling over the crystal nucleation during the ASD formulation development.

The present analysis was based on the iteration of the 2023 WHO Essential Medicines Model List(23rd list)and Essential Medicines Model List for Children(9th list).In a methodological fashion,the adjustment procedure of the basic drug list and the materials required to submit the application were sorted out.Subsequently,a comprehensive synthesis of predominant features characterizing the 2023 edition of the EML and EMLc are summarized(offered).Notably,this edition boasts the highest count of medicines ever included featuring extensive inclusion of innovative drugs to fill the gap,select medicines for children carefully,and the emphasizing on clinical benefit evidence and public health affordability.It is suggested that China should update the NEML according to the national conditions and the experience of WHO as soon as possible,pay attention to the difference and connection between the list of essential medicines and the list of medical insurance,and play a meticulous role for establishing effective linkages between two lists.Such measures are envisaged to meet the basic drug needs,and ensure the accessibility and affordability of drugs,thereby optimizing the allocation of health resources.

Aim To explore the effects of Lycium berry seed oil on Nrf2/ARE pathway and oxidative damage in testis of subacute aging rats. Methods Fifty out of 60 male SD rats, aged 8 weeks, were subcutaneously injected with 125 mg • kg"D-galactosidase in the neck for 8 weeks to establish a subacute senescent rat model. The presence of senescent cells was observed using P-galactosidase ((3-gal), while testicular morphology was examined using HE staining. Serum levels of testosterone (testosterone, T), follicle-stimulating hormone ( follicle stimulating hormone, FSH ) , luteinizing hormone ( luteinizing hormone, LH ) , superoxide dis-mutase ( superoxide dismutase, SOD ) , glutathione ( glutathione, GSH) and malondialdehyde ( malondial-dehyde, MDA) were measured through ELISA, and the expressions of factors related to aging, oxidative damage, and the Nrf2/ARE pathway were assessed via immunohistochemical analysis and Western blotting. Results After successfully identifying the model, the morphology of the testis was improved and the intervention of Lycium seed oil led to a down-regulation in the expression of [3-gal and -yH2AX. The serum levels of SOD, GSH, T, and FSH increased while MDA and LH decreased (P 0. 05) . Additionally, there was an up-regulated expression of Nrf2, GCLC, NQOl, and SOD2 proteins in testicular tissue ( P 0. 05 ) and nuclear expression of Nrf2 in sertoli cells. Conclusion Lycium barbarum seed oil may reduce oxidative damage in testes of subacute senescent rats by activating the Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.

Objective:To explore the effects of Zishui Qinggan Decoction on the PTEN-induced putative kinase protein 1 (PINK1)/Parkin and cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAS)/ stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling pathways; To reveal the anti-inflammatory mechanism of Zishui Qinggan Decoction in treating depression.Methods:Totally 60 rats were randomly divided into control group, model group, and Zishui Qinggan Decoction low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups using a random number table method ( n=12 in each group) . All rats except for the rats in control group were prepared with CUMS induced depression models. The rats in the Zishui Qinggan Decoction low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups were orally administered with 12, 24, and 48 g/kg of Zishui Qinggan Decoction for gavage, respectively. The control group and model group were orally administered with distilled water of equal volume for gavage, once a day for 4 weeks. Forced swimming test (FST), the open field test (OFT) and the sucrose preference test (SPT) were used to detect behavioral changes in rats in each group. Hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining was used to observe the cell structure of the medial prefrontal cortex. The levels of IL-1 β, IL-6, TNF-α and Interferon-γ (IFN-γ) were detected using ELISA. Western blot was used to detect the expressions of Pink1, Parkin, cGAS and STING. Results:Behavioral testing results showed that, compared with the model group, the incubation period for rats in Zishui Qinggan Decoction low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups to enter the first immobility state in FST was significantly prolonged ( P<0.05), and the immobility time was significantly shortened ( P<0.05); the time spent in the central area was significantly increased ( P<0.05), and the incubation period for entering the central area was significantly shortened in ( P<0.05); the percentage of sugar water consumption significantly increased in ( P<0.05). HE staining revealed that the aggregation of prefrontal cortex nuclei decreased, the number of neurons increased, and the distribution of neurons was uniform in Zishui Qinggan Decoction low-, medium-, and high-dosage groups. Compared with the model group, the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α and IFN-γ in the Zishui Qinggan Decoction groups significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The protein expressions of PINK1 and Parkin in the prefrontal cortex in Zishui Qinggan Decoction groups significantly increased ( P<0.05), while the protein expression levels of cGAS and STING significantly decreased ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Zishui Qinggan Decoction can significantly improve the depressive behavior, neuronal damage, and neuroinflammatory response in CUMS rats. Its mechanism may be related to up-regulating the PINK1/Parkin signaling pathway and inhibiting the cGAS/STING signaling pathway.