ObjectiveTo explore the syndromes and mechanisms of depression induced by maternal separation （MS） combined with chronic restraint stress （RS） in mice. MethodOn postnatal day 0 （PD0）， the offspring mice were randomized into a blank group （NC） and a modeling group. The mouse model of depression was established by MS+RS for 21 days. After removal of female mice on PD21， the modeled mice were randomized into model， Wenyang， Jieyu， Wenyang Jieyu， and fluoxetine groups， with 15 mice in each group. The sucrose preference， tail suspension， and open field tests were carried out to evaluate the anxiety and depression-like behavior in mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to measure the adrenocorticotrophic hormone （ACTH） and corticosterone （CORT） levels in mouse plasma. High performance liquid chromatography-electrochemical detector was used to determine the content of monoamine neurotransmitters in the hippocampus. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was employed to determine the mRNA levels of genes in the 5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT） system， hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal （HPA） axis， and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF） signaling pathway in the hippocampus. Immunohistochemistry was employed to determine the expression levels of proteins in the 5-HT system and HPA axis in the hippocampus. The Simple Western system was used to determine the protein levels of BDNF and tyrosine kinase receptor B （TrkB） in the hippocampus. ResultCompared with the NC group， the model group exhibited depression-like behavior， which was significantly relieved by Wenyang Jieyu prescription and fluoxetine. Compared with the NC group， the model group showed elevated levels of CORT and ACTH in the plasma （P<0.01）， which， however， were lowered by Wenyang Jieyu prescription and fluoxetine （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with the NC group， the model group showed inhibited expression of neurotransmitters in the hippocampus （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while Wenyang Jieyu prescription and fluoxetine restored the expression of neurotransmitters （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with NC group， the model group showed inhibition of the 5-HTergic nerve and abnormal activation of the HPA axis， and Wenyang Jieyu prescription and fluoxetine regulated the abnormal state of the 5-HTergic nerve and HPA axis. Compared with NC group， the modeling down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus （P<0.05， P<0.01）， which， however， were recovered in Wenyang， Jieyu， Wenyang Jieyu， and fluoxetine groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe mouse model of depression induced by MS+RS may present the syndrome of Yang deficiency and liver depression. Wenyang Jieyu prescription may increase the content of hippocampal neurotransmitters by regulating the 5-HT system and the BDNF signaling pathway mediated by the HPA axis， thereby alleviating depression-like behavior in mice.

ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Wenyang Jieyu prescription （WJP） on neuroinflammation and synaptic plasticity in the mouse model of depression induced by maternal separation combined with restraint stress. MethodThe mice on postnatal day 0 （PD0） were randomized into a control group and a modeling group. Maternal separation combined with restraint stress was employed to establish the mouse model of depression. After the removal of female mice， the modeled mice were randomized into model， Wenyang prescription （5.85 g·kg^-1）， Jieyu prescription （12.03 g·kg^-1）， WJP （16.71 g·kg^-1）， and fluoxetine （2.6 mg·kg^-1） groups on the weaning day （PD21）， with 15 mice in each group. The mice were administrated with corresponding drugs mixed with the diet from PD21 to PD111. The sucrose preference test， open field test， O-maze test， and novel object recognition test were then carried out to evaluate the depression state， memory， and learning ability of the mice. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was employed to observe the ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule-1 （Iba-1） in hippocampal microglia. High performance liquid chromatography （HPLC） was employed to measure the content of noradrenaline （NE） and epinephrine （E） in the hippocampus. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to determine the content of interleukin （IL）-18 and IL-1β in the hippocampus. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， cysteine aspartate-specific protease-1 （Caspase-1）， IL-1β， synaptophysin （Syn）， and postsynaptic density 95 （PSD95）. ResultCompared with control group， the model group showed decreased sucrose preference rate， time spent in central zone within 5 min， total movement distance， time spent in the open arm， and cognition index （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The microglia in the model group presented amoeba-like appearance， the Iba1 increased. Moreover， the model group showed decreased content of NE and E （P<0.01）， elevated levels of IL-1β and IL-18 （P<0.01）， down-regulated protein levels of PSD95 and Syn （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and up-regulated protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and IL-1β （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Compared with model group， WJP and fluoxetine increased the sucrose preference rate， time spent in central zone within 5 min， total movement distance， time spent in the open arm， and cognition index （P<0.05， P<0.01）. They recovered the microglia and the Iba1 decreased. Moreover， the drugs increased the content of NE and E （P<0.05， P<0.01）， lowered the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 （P<0.01）， up-regulated the protein levels of PSD95 and Syn （P<0.01）， down-regulated the protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and IL-1β （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionWJP can treat the depressive behavior induced by maternal separation combined with restraint stress in mice， with the performance outperforming Wenyang prescription and Jieyu prescription. It may alleviate the neuroinflammation induced by microglia and improve the synaptic plasticity by regulating the NLRP3 pathway and increasing neurotransmitters in the hippocampus.

ObjectiveTo explore the mechanism of Wenyang Jieyu prescription in regulating hippocampal neuron apoptosis and improving synaptic plasticity in the mouse model of depression induced by maternal separation combined with restraint stress. MethodThe mice on postnatal day 0 （PD0） were randomly assigned into a control group （n=10） and a modeling group （n=50）. Maternal separation combined with restraint stress was adopted to establish the mouse model of depression， and the modeled mice were randomized into model， Wenyang prescription， Jieyu prescription， Wenyang Jieyu prescription， and fluoxetine groups （n=10） on the weaning day （PD21）. From PD21 to PD111， the mice were fed with the diets mixed with corresponding medicines. The sucrose preference test， open field test， O-maze test， and novel object recognition test were then conducted to evaluate the depression， memory， and learning abilities of mice. Immunohistochemistry （IHC） was employed to measure the atomic absorbance （AA） of postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD95） in the hippocampus. Terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase-mediated nick-end labeling （TUNEL） was employed to detect the apoptosis of hippocampal neurons. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）， phosphorylated tyrosine kinase receptor B/tyrosine kinase receptor B （p-TrkB/TrkB）， phosphorylated protein kinase B/protein kinase B （p-Akt/Akt）， phosphorylated mammalian target of rapamycin/mammalian target of rapamycin （p-mTOR/mTOR）， B-cell lymphoma-2 （Bcl-2）， Bcl-2-associated X （Bax）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-3 （Caspase-3）， synaptophysin （Syn）， and PSD95. ResultCompared with the control group， the modeling decreased the sucrose preference rate， time spent in central zone within 5 min， total movement distance， time spent in the open arm， and cognition index （P<0.01）. Furthermore， it decreased the expression of PSD95， increased the neuron apoptosis in the hippocampus （P<0.01）， down-regulated the protein levels of BDNF， p-TrkB/TrkB， p-Akt/Akt， p-mTOR/mTOR， Bcl-2， PSD95， and Syn （P<0.01）， and up-regulated the protein levels of Bax and Caspase-3 （P<0.05） in the hippocampus. Compared with the model group， Wenyang Jieyu prescription and fluoxetine increased the sucrose preference rate， time spent in central zone within 5 min， total movement distance， time spent in the open arm， and cognition index （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， the drugs increased the expression of PSD95， reduced the neuron apoptosis （P<0.01）， up-regulated the protein levels of BDNF， p-TrkB/TrkB， p-Akt/Akt， p-mTOR/mTOR， Bcl-2， PSD95， and Syn （P<0.01）， and down-regulated the protein levels of Bax and Caspase-3 （P<0.01）. ConclusionWenyang Jieyu prescription outperformed Wenyang prescription and Jieyu prescription in the treatment of the depressive behavior induced by maternal separation combined with restraint stress in mice. It exerted the therapeutic effect by reducing the hippocampal neuron apoptosis and improving the synaptic plasticity via the BDNF/Akt/mTOR pathway.

Objective:To investigate the effect of inhibitory activity of high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1), signal transduction and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) on myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury in rats.Methods:In vivo and in vitro models of MIRI were established. SD rats were randomly divided into a sham group, a model group, a glycyrrhizic acid group, and a NSC74859 group, with 6 rats in each group. Rats in the sham group were not ligation, and rats in the sham group and model group were not given medication. The rats in the glycyrrhizic acid group and the NSC74859 group were injected with HMGB1 antagonist glycyrrhizic acid or STAT3 inhibitor NSC74859 5 mg/kg in the tail vein at 12 h 30 min before ischemia/reperfusion and 30 min after ischemia, respectively. Left ventricular shortening fraction (FS) and left ventricular ejection fraction (EF) were evaluated by echocardiography, and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and TUNEL staining. The expression levels of HMGB1, STAT3, and phosphorylated STAT3 (p-STAT3) were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western Blot. The viability of H9C2 cells was determined by the MTS assay, intracellular ATP content was determined, and the mitochondrial membrane potential of H9C2 cells was measured by flow cytometry to evaluate the survival of cardiomyocytes. The action mode of HMGB1/STAT3 was studied by the immunoprecipitation method. The expression and migration of HMGB1/STAT3 in the nucleus and cytoplasm were detected by immunostaining. Results:After inhibiting the expression of HMGB1 or STAT3, EF and FS were increased, and immune infiltration and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes were decreased. Inhibition of HMGB1 expression could decrease the expression of STAT3, but inhibition of STAT3 expression didn’t affect the expression of HMGB1. Hypoxia could lead to increased expression of HMGB1 and p-STAT3, and decreased expression of STAT3. After 8 hours of hypoxia, the expression level of STAT3 suddenly increased. After reoxygenation, the expression of HMGB1 and STAT3 decreased, and the expression of p-STAT3 increased, but p-STAT3 (Ser 727) didn’t participate in this process. After ischemia-reperfusion injury, HMGB1 and STAT3 binded firmly in cardiomyocytes, but inhibition of STAT3 or HMGB1 weakened this binding. Inhibition of HMGB1 or STAT3 expression could reduce myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury. The expression of HMGB1 in reoxygenated cardiomyocytes increased after hypoxia, and HMGB1 migrated from the nucleus to the cytoplasm.Conclusions:Inhibiting the activity of the HMGB1/STAT3 axis effectively reduces MIRI in rats.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score and screw loosening after dynamic pedicle screw fixation with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods, and evaluate its predictive value. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients who underwent dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods from March 2017 to June 2022. Data on age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia history, long-term smoking, alcohol consumption, VBQ score, L1–4 average Hounsfield unit (HU) value, surgical fixation length, and the lowest instrumented vertebra were collected. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the relationship between VBQ score and pedicle screw loosening (PSL). Results: A total of 24 patients experienced PSL after surgery (20.5%). PSL group and non-PSL group showed statistical differences in age, number of fixed segments, fixation to the sacrum, L1–4 average HU value, and VBQ score (p < 0.05). The VBQ score in the PSL group was higher than that in the non-PSL group (3.56 ± 0.45 vs. 2.77 ± 0.31, p < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, VBQ score (odds ratio, 3.425; 95% confidence interval, 1.552–8.279) were identified as independent risk factors for screw loosening. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for VBQ score predicting PSL was 0.819 (p < 0.05), with the optimal threshold of 3.15 (sensitivity, 83.1%; specificity, 80.5%). Conclusion The VBQ score can independently predict postoperative screw loosening in patients undergoing lumbar dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods, and its predictive value is comparable to HU value.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score and screw loosening after dynamic pedicle screw fixation with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods, and evaluate its predictive value. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients who underwent dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods from March 2017 to June 2022. Data on age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia history, long-term smoking, alcohol consumption, VBQ score, L1–4 average Hounsfield unit (HU) value, surgical fixation length, and the lowest instrumented vertebra were collected. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the relationship between VBQ score and pedicle screw loosening (PSL). Results: A total of 24 patients experienced PSL after surgery (20.5%). PSL group and non-PSL group showed statistical differences in age, number of fixed segments, fixation to the sacrum, L1–4 average HU value, and VBQ score (p < 0.05). The VBQ score in the PSL group was higher than that in the non-PSL group (3.56 ± 0.45 vs. 2.77 ± 0.31, p < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, VBQ score (odds ratio, 3.425; 95% confidence interval, 1.552–8.279) were identified as independent risk factors for screw loosening. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for VBQ score predicting PSL was 0.819 (p < 0.05), with the optimal threshold of 3.15 (sensitivity, 83.1%; specificity, 80.5%). Conclusion The VBQ score can independently predict postoperative screw loosening in patients undergoing lumbar dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods, and its predictive value is comparable to HU value.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score and screw loosening after dynamic pedicle screw fixation with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods, and evaluate its predictive value. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients who underwent dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods from March 2017 to June 2022. Data on age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia history, long-term smoking, alcohol consumption, VBQ score, L1–4 average Hounsfield unit (HU) value, surgical fixation length, and the lowest instrumented vertebra were collected. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the relationship between VBQ score and pedicle screw loosening (PSL). Results: A total of 24 patients experienced PSL after surgery (20.5%). PSL group and non-PSL group showed statistical differences in age, number of fixed segments, fixation to the sacrum, L1–4 average HU value, and VBQ score (p < 0.05). The VBQ score in the PSL group was higher than that in the non-PSL group (3.56 ± 0.45 vs. 2.77 ± 0.31, p < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, VBQ score (odds ratio, 3.425; 95% confidence interval, 1.552–8.279) were identified as independent risk factors for screw loosening. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for VBQ score predicting PSL was 0.819 (p < 0.05), with the optimal threshold of 3.15 (sensitivity, 83.1%; specificity, 80.5%). Conclusion The VBQ score can independently predict postoperative screw loosening in patients undergoing lumbar dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods, and its predictive value is comparable to HU value.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score and screw loosening after dynamic pedicle screw fixation with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods, and evaluate its predictive value. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients who underwent dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods from March 2017 to June 2022. Data on age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia history, long-term smoking, alcohol consumption, VBQ score, L1–4 average Hounsfield unit (HU) value, surgical fixation length, and the lowest instrumented vertebra were collected. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the relationship between VBQ score and pedicle screw loosening (PSL). Results: A total of 24 patients experienced PSL after surgery (20.5%). PSL group and non-PSL group showed statistical differences in age, number of fixed segments, fixation to the sacrum, L1–4 average HU value, and VBQ score (p < 0.05). The VBQ score in the PSL group was higher than that in the non-PSL group (3.56 ± 0.45 vs. 2.77 ± 0.31, p < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, VBQ score (odds ratio, 3.425; 95% confidence interval, 1.552–8.279) were identified as independent risk factors for screw loosening. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for VBQ score predicting PSL was 0.819 (p < 0.05), with the optimal threshold of 3.15 (sensitivity, 83.1%; specificity, 80.5%). Conclusion The VBQ score can independently predict postoperative screw loosening in patients undergoing lumbar dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods, and its predictive value is comparable to HU value.

Objective: To investigate the correlation between magnetic resonance imaging-based vertebral bone quality (VBQ) score and screw loosening after dynamic pedicle screw fixation with polyetheretherketone (PEEK) rods, and evaluate its predictive value. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the patients who underwent dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods from March 2017 to June 2022. Data on age, sex, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia history, long-term smoking, alcohol consumption, VBQ score, L1–4 average Hounsfield unit (HU) value, surgical fixation length, and the lowest instrumented vertebra were collected. Logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the relationship between VBQ score and pedicle screw loosening (PSL). Results: A total of 24 patients experienced PSL after surgery (20.5%). PSL group and non-PSL group showed statistical differences in age, number of fixed segments, fixation to the sacrum, L1–4 average HU value, and VBQ score (p < 0.05). The VBQ score in the PSL group was higher than that in the non-PSL group (3.56 ± 0.45 vs. 2.77 ± 0.31, p < 0.001). In logistic regression analysis, VBQ score (odds ratio, 3.425; 95% confidence interval, 1.552–8.279) were identified as independent risk factors for screw loosening. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for VBQ score predicting PSL was 0.819 (p < 0.05), with the optimal threshold of 3.15 (sensitivity, 83.1%; specificity, 80.5%). Conclusion The VBQ score can independently predict postoperative screw loosening in patients undergoing lumbar dynamic pedicle screw fixation with PEEK rods, and its predictive value is comparable to HU value.

Objective:To summarize the electrophysiological characteristics of neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID) and explore the value of electrophysiological examination in NIID auxiliary diagnosis.Methods:Twenty NIID patients diagnosed by pathological biopsy and genetic confirmation (15 were symptomatic, 5 were asymptomatic), admitted to Department of Neurology, Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from February 2020 to June 2022 were chosen. Peripheral motor/sensory nerve conduction, needle electromyography, F wave, repetitive electrical stimulation, skin sympathetic reflex (SSR), and tremor were analyzed. Peripheral nerve conduction and SSR parameters were compared between 15 patients with symptomatic NIID (symptomatic NIID group) and 11 age- and gender-matched normal control subjects (control group).Results:(1) All 15 patients with symptomatic NIID were with abnormal electrophysiological findings: 14 patients had abnormal peripheral nerve conduction, including 14 with slowed motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV), 4 with reduced composite muscle action potential (cMAP) wave amplitude, 12 with slowed sensory nerve conduction velocity (SCV), and 3 with reduced sensory nerve action potential (sNAP) wave amplitude, and overall slowed nerve conduction velocity and relatively preserved wave amplitude were noted; 4 patients had neurogenic lesions by needle electromyography; 13 patients had prolonged F-wave latency at varied degrees; 12 showed abnormal SSR; 4 exhibited synchronous tremor from 4.0 to 7.5 Hz. (2) In 5 patients with asymptomatic NIID, 3 had abnormal peripheral nerve conduction, including 3 with slowed MCV, 2 with slowed SCV, and 1 with reduced sNAP wave amplitude; 3 showed abnormal SSR. (3) Significant differences in MCV and SCV, some cMAP and sNAP amplitudes, and SSR latency and amplitude were noted in nerves of the upper and lower extremities between the symptomatic NIID group and control group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Peripheral nerve damages are common in patients with NIID, especially myelin damage and autonomic nerve injury, and some patients may have electrophysiological abnormalities before clinical symptoms; therefore, peripheral nerve conduction and SSR can be recommended as auxiliary screening tools for NIID.