OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) with different frequencies on spermatogenic function, testicular morphology and oxidative stress in oligoasthenospermia (OAT) rats, and to explore the mechanism and the optimal parameters of EA for OAT. METHODS: Sixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into a solvent control group, a model group, a 2 Hz EA group, a 100 Hz EA group and a 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, with 12 rats in each group. Except for the solvent control group, the other 4 groups were administered ornidazole suspension (800 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) by gavage for 28 d to establish the OAT model. Starting from the 1st of modeling, EA was applied at "Guanyuan" (CV4), "Qihai" (CV6) and bilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) and "Zusanli" (ST36) in the 3 EA groups, continuous wave of 2 Hz, continuous wave of 100 Hz, and disperse-dense wave of 2 Hz/100 Hz were used in the 2 Hz EA group, the 100 Hz EA group, and the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, respectively, with current intensity of 1-3 mA, 30 min a time, once every other day, for 28 consecutive days. After intervention, the testicular index was calculated, epididymal sperm quality was assessed, and the fertility ability was observed; morphology of testicular tissue was observed by HE staining, and the Johnson score was calculated; the positive expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in testicular tissue was detected by immunofluorescence; the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), as well as the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in testicular tissue were measured by ELISA; the protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in testicular tissue was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the solvent control group, in the model group, the testicular index, sperm concentration, sperm motility and the number of offspring were decreased (P<0.01), the seminiferous tubules atrophied and the Johnson score decreased (P<0.01); the activity of SOD and CAT, as well as the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in testicular tissue were decreased (P<0.01); the sperm deformity rate, the positive expression of ROS and the MDA level in testicular tissue were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the 2 Hz EA group, the 100 Hz EA group and the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, the testicular index, sperm concentration, sperm motility and the number of offspring were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), the pathological morphology of testicular tissue improved and the Johnson scores increased (P<0.01); the activity of SOD and CAT, as well as the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in testicular tissue were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01); the sperm deformity rate, the positive expression of ROS and the MDA level in testicular tissue were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the 2 Hz EA group, in the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, the testicular index, sperm concentration, sperm motility, as well as the CAT activity and HO-1 protein expression in testicular tissue were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05); the positive expression of ROS was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the 100 Hz EA group, in the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, the testicular index was increased (P<0.01), the positive expression of ROS in testicular tissue was decreased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION EA with 2 Hz continuous wave, 100 Hz continuous wave, and 2 Hz/100 Hz disperse-dense wave can all improve the spermatogenic arrest and reduce the level of oxidative stress in testicular tissue in OAT rats, the mechanism may be related to up-regulating the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 and improving oxidative stress. EA with disperse-dense wave of 2 Hz/100 Hz shows the optimal effect.
Male ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatogenesis ; Oligospermia/genetics* ; Humans ; Testis/metabolism* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism* ; Asthenozoospermia/genetics* ; Acupuncture Points ; Malondialdehyde/metabolism*

The chemical constituents from leaves of Cyclocarya paliurus were isolated and purified by chromatography on silica gel, C_(18) reverse-phase silica gel, and Sephadex LH-20 gel, as well as semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. Six compounds were identified by UV, IR, NMR, MS, calculated ECD, and comparison with literature data as cyclopaloside D(1), boscialin(2),(5R,6S)-6-hydroxy-6-[(E)-3-hydroxybut-1-enyl]-1,1,5-trimethylcyclohexanone(3), 3S,5R-dihydroxy-6R,7-megastigmadien-9-one(4), 3S,5R-dihydroxy-6S,7-megastigmadien-9-one(5), and gingerglycolipid A(6), respectively. Among them, compound 1 was identified as a new tetralone glycoside, and compounds 2-6 were isolated from leaves of C. paliurus for the first time. Furthermore, compound 1 exhibited strong antioxidant activity, with the IC_(50) of(454.20±31.81)μmol·L~(-1) and(881.82±42.31)μmol·L~(-1) in scavenging DPPH and ABTS free radicals, respectively.
Plant Leaves/chemistry* ; Glycosides/isolation & purification* ; Juglandaceae/chemistry* ; Tetralones/isolation & purification* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects and mechanism of Chinese medicine Liujunzi Decoction (LJZD) on regulating microbial flora in mice with asthma flora disorder. METHODS: Thirty BALB/c female mice were divided into control, model, LJZD [3.5 g/(kg•d), by gavage], dexamethasone [DXMS, 0.7 mg/(kg•d), intraperitoneal injection], and Clostridium butyricum [CB, 230 mg/(kg•d), by gavage] groups according to a random number table, 6 mice in each group. The asthma flora disorder mice model was induced with ovalbumin (OVA). Lung and gut lesions were analyzed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) stainings. The secretory immunoglobulin A (sIgA) protein expression in lung and gut tissues was detected by Western blot. Flow cytometry was used to detect the relative counts of GATA binding protein 3 (GATA3)/type 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) in lung and gut. The levels of inflammatory factors in lung and gut tissues were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Chao1 and Shannon index were used to compare microbial abundance and diversity in alveolar lavage fluid and cecal contents. The similarity or difference in the composition of mice microbial communities was analyzed through cluster analysis. The serum short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) content was detected by ultra performance liquid chromatograph mass spectrometer (LC-MS)/MS. RESULTS: The asthma flora disorder model mice showed obvious asthma-related symptoms, but LJZD treatment effectively alleviated these symptoms. LJZD restored alveolar wall thickening, airway inflammatory cell infiltration, gut tissue structure destruction, and inflammatory cell infiltration in asthma flora disorder mice. LJZD downregulated the sIgA protein expression in mice (P<0.05). Moreover, LJZD decreased the activation of GATA3/ILC2s in lung and gut tissue (P<0.01), and reduced the levels of interleukin (IL)-5, IL-33, IL-25, IL-9 and IL-13 (P<0.01). LJZD treatment returned the abundance of microbial species and the microbial community structure of alveolar lavage fluid and cecal content in asthma flora disorder mice to the normal state. The SCFAs content and body metabolism were also improved. CONCLUSION LJZD exerted anti-asthmatic effects by improving the microbial balance of lung-gut axis and affecting systemic metabolism, consequently regulating the GATA3/ILC2s axis to impact the lung inflammatory response.
Animals ; Asthma/pathology* ; GATA3 Transcription Factor/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Female ; Lung/drug effects* ; Homeostasis/drug effects* ; Inflammation/pathology* ; Lymphocytes/drug effects* ; Mice

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the protective effects of resveratrol against acute lung injury (ALI) and investigate the potential mechanisms underlying the reactive oxygen species (ROS)-triggered thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP)/NOD-, LRR- and pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3) pathway. METHODS: C57BL/6 mice and J774A.1 cells were selected as the research subjects. Thirty Mice were randomly divided into 5 groups of 6 in each group: control with 0.9% saline, 5 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS) 24 h, 25 mg/kg resveratrol + 5 mg/kg LPS, 100 mg/kg resveratrol + 5 mg/kg LPS, and 4 mg/kg NLRP3 inhibitor CY-09 + 5 mg/kg LPS. For cell stimulation, cells were pretreated with 5 and 20 µmol/L resveratrol for 2 h, and stimulated with or without 1 µg/mL LPS and 3 mmol/L ATP for 2 h. The antioxidant N-acetyl-L-cysteine (NAC, 2 µmol/L) was used as the positive control group. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to evaluate the degree of lung LPS-induced tissue damage, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate the contents of interleukin-1 β (IL-1 β) and IL-18 in the serum and cell supernatant. ROS and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in the lung tissue were detected using the corresponding kits. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of TXNIP, high-mobility group box 1 (HMGB1), NLRP3, as well as cysteine-aspartic acid protease 1 (caspase-1) and gasdermin D (GSDMD) along with their cleaved forms in lung tissue. Additionally, reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction was performed to analyze the expression of related inflammatory cytokines. ROS content was detected using flow cytometry and confocal laser microscopy. Mitochondrial morphological changes were observed using transmission electron microscopy, and HMGB1 expression was detected using immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Resveratrol significantly alleviated LPS-induced lung damage with reduced inflammation, interstitial edema, and leukocyte infiltration (P<0.01). It also decreased serum levels of IL-1 β and IL-18 (P<0.05), while downregulating the expressions of NLRP3, IL-6, and other inflammatory markers at both the protein and mRNA levels (P<0.05). Notably, the higher dose (100 mg/kg) demonstrated a better effect than the lower dose (25 mg/kg). In macrophages, resveratrol reduced IL-1 β and IL-18 following LPS and ATP stimulation, suppressed HMGB1 translocation, and inhibited formation and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome (P<0.05 or P<0.01). These anti-inflammatory effects were mediated through the suppression ROS accumulation (P<0.01) and mitochondrial dysfunction. Transmission electron microscopy revealed that resveratrol preserved mitochondrial structure, preventing the mitochondrial damage seen in LPS-treated groups (P<0.01). The expressions of cleaved caspase-1, cleaved GSDMD, and cytoplasmic HMGB1 were all reduced following resveratrol treatment (P<0.01). Moreover, resveratrol inhibited dissociation of TXNIP from thioredoxin, blocking subsequent activation of NLRP3 and downstream inflammatory cytokines (P<0.01). Similarly, the higher concentration of resveratrol (20 µ mol/L) exhibited superior efficacy in vitro. CONCLUSION Resveratrol can reduce the inflammatory response following ALI and inhibit the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome and the level of HMGB1 in the cytoplasm by inhibiting ROS overproduction.
Acute Lung Injury/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Animals ; Resveratrol/pharmacology* ; Reactive Oxygen Species/metabolism* ; Inflammation/complications* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Carrier Proteins/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Thioredoxins/metabolism* ; Mice ; Lung/drug effects* ; Male ; Cell Line ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; Stilbenes/therapeutic use*

Objective To investigate the distribution characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndromes in girls with idiopathic central precocious puberty(ICPP)from Hainan province.Methods A total of 216 cases of ICPP girls admitted to Hainan Women and Children's Medical Centre from January 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively collected.The frequency statistics and grading of TCM syndromes in the included ICPP girls were carried out,and the distribution characteristics of TCM syndromes were discussed on the basis of the analysis of the three TCM syndrome types of yin deficiency and fire exuberance syndrome,qi and blood insufficiency syndrome and incoordination between heart and kidney syndrome.Results(1)The age of ICPP onset in 216 girls were between 4 and 10 years old,with an average onset age of(7.15±1.06)years.The highest incidence rate of ICPP was found in the girls aged over 7 years old while less than 8 years old,which was 49.54%.(2)Of the three TCM syndrome types,yin deficiency and fire exuberance syndrome accounted for the highest proportion(147 cases,68.06%),followed by the qi and blood insufficiency syndrome(41 cases,18.98%)and the incoordination between heart and kidney syndrome(28 cases,12.96%).(3)The common 16 TCM symptoms(frequency＞25.0%)in descending order of frequency were aversion to heat and night sweating,feverish sensation in soles and palms,breast distension and pain,irritability,thready and rapid pulse,dry stools,dry throat and mouth,hot flushes,excessive intake of fat and sweet food,red tongue with less fur,depression,mental weakness,flushed cheeks,insomnia and dreaminess,red tongue with yellow fur,and bitterness and dryness in the mouth.(4)The distribution of the age in ICPP girls with various syndromes was as follows:yin deficiency and fire exuberance syndrome and qi and blood insufficiency syndrome were more common in the ICPP girls aged over 7 years old while less than 8 years old(accounting for 58.50%and 51.22%),and incoordination between heart and kidney syndrome was more common in ICPP girls aged over 8 years old while less than 9 years old(accounting for 89.29%).Conclusion Yin deficiency and fire exuberance syndrome is the common TCM syndrome that accounts for the highest proportion in ICPP girls from Hainan province.The study of the distribution of TCM syndromes in girls with precocious puberty will be helpful for the observation of the early clinical symptoms of precocious puberty and early diagnosis of the disease,and can provide clues and evidence for the clinical diagnosis and medication for girls with ICPP.

Objective To screen the optimal regimen of Chinese medicine combined with hormones for the treatment of premature ovarian failure(POF)using network meta-analysis and to provide an evidence-based basis for the clinical treatment of POF.Methods The randomized controlled trials(RCTs)of Chinese medicine combined with hormones in the treatment of POF were retrieved from thhe domestic and oversea databases of CNKI,VIP,Wanfang,CBM,PubMed,Cochrane,Embase,and Web of Science.The quality of the literature was assessed using the tools for analysis of bias recommended by Cochrane Reviewer's Handbook and by Jadad scale scores.Rstudio and StataSE 15.1 statistical software were used to perform network meta-analysis and graphical presentation of the data.Results A total of 50 RCTs were included,covering 8 intervention methods.The overall risk of bias of the included studies was low,but the quality of the literature was generally low.The results of network meta-analysis showed that,in terms of the effective rate,the intervetion of 7 various Chinese medicines combined with hormone was superior to the conventional treatment(hormone replacement therapy,HRT)in the control group,and Nuangong Qiwei Powder+HRT was superior to the remaining 6 kinds of Chinese medicines combined with HRT;with reference to the values of the surface under the cumulative ranking curve(SUCRA),the efficiencies of the effective rate of the 8 intervention methods in descending order were Nuangong Qiwei Powder+ HRT(SUCRA=81.2),Zishen Yutai Pills + HRT(SUCRA=80.0),modified Zuogui Pills + HRT(SUCRA= 66.1),Ankun Zhongzi Pills + HRT(SUCRA=49.6),Kuntai Capsules + HRT(SUCRA=45.2),modified Erxian Decoction + HRT(SUCRA=39.5),Liuwei Dihuang Pills + HRT(SUCRA=37.4)and HRT(SUCRA=1.0).In terms of improving serum follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)levels,modified Zuogui Pills + HRT was superior to the remaining 7 intervention methods;with reference to the values of the SUCRA,the efficiencies of the 8 intervention methods in descending order were modified Zuogui Pills + HRT(SUCRA=97.0),HRT(SUCRA= 77.9),Liuwei Dihuang Pills + HRT(SUCRA=76.6),Kuntai Capsules + HRT(SUCRA=46.5),Nuangong Qiwei Powder+HRT(SUCRA=38.9),Ankun Zhongzi Pills + HRT(SUCRA=29.9),modified Erxian Decoction + HRT(SUCRA=18.1),and Zishen Yutai Pills + HRT(SUCRA=15.1).Conclusion All kinds of Chinese medicines combined with HRT exert stronger effect on improving the primary outcome indicators than HRT alone for the treatment of POF.The intervention with Nuangong Qiwei Powder+HRT exerts the highest probability of the optimal regimen for enhancing the efficiency,and the intervention with Zuogui Pills + HRT exerts the highest probability of the optimal regimen for lowering the serum FSH level.However,due to the low quality of the included studies,more rigorously-designed,large sample-size,and high-quality randomized controlled trials need to be conducted in the future to provide conclusive evidence-based evidence.

Objective:This study explored the designs of physicians'compensation incentives that were compatible with the reform of Diagnosis-related groups(DRG)payment,so as to provide a reference for optimizing policies related to medical insurance payment reform.Methods:We designed seven different physicians'compensation schemes that converted DRG payment incentives into salary incentives,using economic experiments.The total of 210 medical students and 65 doctors were recruited as subjects.We tested the quantity of medical services for patients that participants provided and the corresponding patient health benefits under different incentive schemes.Results:The two designs of feedback of DRG payment to physicians and linking DRG payment surplus to physicians'performance wages both could transmit the incentive of the payment methods to the service providers.On this basis,a quality-based pay-for-performance payment was introduced,and the deviation between the quantity of services provided by subjects and the optimal quantity of services decreased,and the loss ratio of patient health benefits also decreased.Conclusion:When transmitting DRG payment incentives to medical service providers,the physician compensation design combined with quality-based pay-for-performance payments is more conducive to improving patient health benefits.

Objective To study the effects and mechanisms of tetramethylpyrazine(TMP)on tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)-induced inflammatory injury in human coronary artery endothelial cells(HCAEC).Methods HCAEC were randomly divided into four groups:the control group(no treatment),the model group(treated with TNF-α,50 ng/mL for 24 hours),the TMP group(pre-treated with TMP,80 μg/mL for 12 hours followed by TNF-α treatment for 24 hours),and the SIRT1 inhibitor group(pre-treated with TMP and the specific SIRT1 inhibitor EX527 for 12 hours followed by TNF-α treatment for 24 hours).Cell viability was assessed using the CCK-8 method,lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)activity was measured using an LDH assay kit,reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels were observed using DCFH-DA staining,expression of pyroptosis-related proteins was detected by Western blot,and SIRT1 expression was analyzed using immunofluorescence staining.Results Compared to the control group,the model group showed decreased cell viability,increased LDH activity,ROS level and expression of pyroptosis-related proteins,and decreased SIRT1 expression(P<0.05).Compared to the model group,the TMP group exhibited increased cell viability,decreased LDH activity,ROS level and expression of pyroptosis-related proteins,and increased SIRT1 expression(P<0.05).In comparison to the TMP group,the SIRT1 inhibitor group showed decreased cell viability,increased LDH activity,ROS level and expression of pyroptosis-related proteins,and decreased SIRT1 expression(P<0.05).Conclusions TMP may attenuate TNF-α-induced inflammatory injury in HCAEC,which is associated with the inhibition of pyroptosis and activation of the SIRT1 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the causes of a cluster of suspected neonatal carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP)bloodstream infection(BSI)in the neonatal department of a hospital,and provide references for the effective control of the occurrence of healthcare-associated infection(HAI).Methods Epidemiological in-vestigation on 3 neonates with CRKP BSI in the neonatal department from January 31 to February 6,2023 was per-formed.Specimens from environmental object surfaces were taken for environmental hygiene monitoring,and effec-tive control measures were taken according to the risk factors.Results From January 31 to February 6,2023,a to-tal of 60 neonates were admitted in the neonatal department,including 16 with peripherally inserted central venous catheter(PICC).Three neonates had CRKP BSI,with a incidence of 5.00％.There were 33 hospitalized neonates on the day(February 7)when the cluster of HAI was reported,with a prevalence rate of 9.09％(3/33).CRKP BSI rate in the neonatal department of this hospital from January 31 to February 6,2023 was higher than that in 2022(P＜0.001).The incubators of the 3 neonates with CRKP BSI were in the same ward and adjacent to each other.The first neonate with CRKP BSI(who developed BSI on January 31)underwent PICC maintenance on Feb-ruary 4,and the other 2 neonates with PICC maintenance immediately following the first one also developed CRKP BSI.CRKP were isolated from blood culture of all 3 neonates,and antimicrobial susceptibility testing results were consistent.Conclusion The occurrence of the cluster event of neonatal CRKP BSI may be related to the failure of strict implementation of aseptic procedures during PICC maintenance and cross contamination among items.