High-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC) was used to determine the content of three major components in Citri Reticulatae Semen(CRS), including limonin, nomilin, and obacunone. The chromaticity of the CRS sample during salt processing and stir-frying was measured using a color difference meter. Next, the relationship between the color and content of the salt-processed CRS sample was investigated through correlation analysis. By integrating the oil bath technique for processing simulation with HPLC, the changes in the relative content of nomilin and its transformation products were analyzed, with its structural transformation pattern during processing identified. Additionally, RAW264.7 cells were induced with lipopolysaccharides(LPSs) to establish an inflammatory model, and the anti-inflammatory activity of nomilin and its transformation product, namely obacunone was evaluated. The results indicated that as processing progressed, E~*ab and L~* values showed a downward trend; a~* values exhibited a slow increase over a certain period, followed by no significant changes, and b~* values remained stable with no significant changes over a certain period and then started to decrease. The limonin content remained barely unchanged; the nomilin content decreased, and the obacunone increased significantly. The changing trends in content and color parameters during salt-processing and stir-frying were basically consistent. The content of nomilin and obacunone was significantly correlated with the colorimetric values(L~*, a~*, b~*, and E~*ab), while limonin content showed no significant correlation with these values. By analyzing HPLC patterns of nomylin at different heating temperatures and time, it was found that under conditions of 200-250 ℃ for heating of 5-60 min, the content of nomilin significantly decreased, while the obacunone content increased pronouncedly. The in vitro anti-inflammatory activity results indicated that compared to the model group, the group with a high concentration of nomilin and the groups with varying concentrations of obacunone showed significantly reduced release of nitric oxide(NO)(P<0.01). When both were at the same concentration, obacunone showed better performance in inhibiting NO release. In this study, the obvious correlation between the color and content of major components during the processing of CRS samples was identified, and the dynamic patterns of quality change in CRS samples during processing were revealed. Additionally, the study revealed and confirmed the transformation of nomilin into obacunone during processing, with the in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of obacunone significantly greater than that of nomilin. These findings provided a scientific basis for CRS processing optimization, tablet quality control, and its clinical application.
Mice ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Limonins/chemistry* ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Citrus/chemistry* ; Color ; Benzoxepins/chemistry* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/chemistry*

The chemical components of Carthami Flos were investigated by using macroporous resin, silica gel column chromatography, reversed-phase octadecylsilane(ODS) column chromatography, Sephadex LH-20, and semi-preparative high-performance liquid chromatography(HPLC). The planar structures of the compounds were established based on their physicochemical properties and ultraviolet-visible(UV-Vis), infrared(IR), high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry(HR-ESI-MS), and nuclear magnetic resonance(NMR) spectroscopic technology. The absolute configurations were determined by comparing the calculated and experimental electronic circular dichroism(ECD). Six flavonoid C-glycosides were isolated from the 30% ethanol elution fraction of macroporous resin obtained from the 95% ethanol extract of Carthami Flos, and identified as saffloquinoside F(1), 5-hydroxysaffloneoside(2), iso-5-hydroxysaffloneoside(3), isosafflomin C(4), safflomin C(5), and vicenin 2(6). Among these, the compounds 1 to 3 were new chalcone C-glycosides. The compounds 1, 2, 4, and 5 could significantly increase the viability of H9c2 cardiomyocytes damaged by oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation(OGD/R) at a concentration of 50 μmol·L~(-1), showing their good cardioprotective activity.
Glycosides/pharmacology* ; Flowers/chemistry* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Carthamus tinctorius/chemistry* ; Chalcones/pharmacology* ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: To explore the application effect of grid locator in hip arthroscopy for the treatment of femoral acetabular impingement (FAI). METHODS: Total of 50 patients of FAI were treated by arthroscopic hip joint surgery for from January 2020 to January 2021, and were divided into two groups according to intraoperative positioning methods. Among them, 27 cases in the positioner group were treated by hip arthroscopy assisted by grid positioner including 10 males and 17 females with a mean age of (35.91±9.92) years old. In the non-locator group, 23 cases were treated with hip arthroscopy by positioning puncture according to the operator's experience including 12 males and 11 females with a mean age of (36.01±11.03) years old. Intraoperative fluoroscopy times, puncture time, adjusted puncture times and operation time of two groups were compared. The α Angle and lateral central edge(LCE) angle of hip joint were measured and compared before and after operation. Four evaluation indexes were recorded and compared, including pain visual analogue scale(VAS), hip Harris score, non-inflammatory hip joint score (NAHS), hip joint activities of daily living (HOS-ADL). RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 6 to 12 months with an average of (18.69±3.72) months. The α angle and LCE angle of hip joint at 1 month after operation were decreased in both groups(P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between groups(P>0.05). VAS, hip Harris score, NAHS and HOS-ADL score after operation were higher than those before operation(P<0.05), but there was no statistical significance between groups (P>0.05). Intraoperative fluoroscopy times(6.04±1.13), puncture time(13.19±3.52) min, puncture adjustment times(4.59±1.55) and operation time(48.28±3.38) min in the positioner group were less (shorter) than those of (13.43±2.56), (22.39±2.93) min, (10.43±3.33), (62.25±5.73) min in the non-positioner group(P<0.05). No postoperative complications occurred in both groups, and the pain was significantly relieved. CONCLUSION The application of hip arthroscopy in the treatment of femoral acetabular impingement sign can obtain good postoperative results. Compared with the traditional positioning method, the grid locator can improve the accuracy of skin positioning point, shorten the puncture time, reduce the number of fluoroscopy, and improve the efficiency of surgical puncture.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Arthroscopy/instrumentation* ; Femoracetabular Impingement/physiopathology* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Hip Joint/surgery*

Testicular descent occurs in two consecutive stages: the transabdominal stage and the inguinoscrotal stage. Androgens play a crucial role in the second stage by influencing the development of the gubernaculum, a structure that pulls the testis into the scrotum. However, the mechanisms of androgen actions underlying many of the processes associated with gubernaculum development have not been fully elucidated. To identify the androgen-regulated genes, we conducted large-scale gene expression analyses on the gubernaculum harvested from luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor knockout ( Lhcgr KO) mice, an animal model of inguinoscrotal testis maldescent resulting from androgen deficiency. We found that the expression of secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC)-related modular calcium binding 1 ( Smoc1 ) was the most severely suppressed at both the transcript and protein levels, while its expression was the most dramatically induced by testosterone administration in the gubernacula of Lhcgr KO mice. The upregulation of Smoc1 expression by testosterone was curtailed by the addition of an androgen receptor antagonist, flutamide. In addition, in vitro studies demonstrated that SMOC1 modestly but significantly promoted the proliferation of gubernacular cells. In the cultures of myogenic differentiation medium, both testosterone and SMOC1 enhanced the expression of myogenic regulatory factors such as paired box 7 ( Pax7 ) and myogenic factor 5 ( Myf5 ). After short-interfering RNA-mediated knocking down of Smoc1 , the expression of Pax7 and Myf5 diminished, and testosterone alone did not recover, but additional SMOC1 did. These observations indicate that SMOC1 is pivotal in mediating androgen action to regulate gubernaculum development during inguinoscrotal testicular descent.
Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Testis/growth & development* ; Mice, Knockout ; Androgens/pharmacology* ; Testosterone/pharmacology* ; Receptors, LH/metabolism* ; Calcium-Binding Proteins/metabolism*

Ureaplasma urealyticum (UU) is one of the most commonly occurring pathogens associated with genital tract infections in infertile males, but the impact of seminal UU infection in semen on intrauterine insemination (IUI) outcomes is poorly understood. We collected data from 245 infertile couples who underwent IUI at The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Hefei, China) between January 2021 and January 2023. The subjects were classified into two groups according to their UU infection status: the UU-positive group and the UU-negative group. We compared semen parameters, pregnancy outcomes, and neonatal birth outcomes to investigate the impact of UU infection on IUI outcomes. There were no significantly statistical differences in various semen parameters, including semen volume, sperm concentration, total and progressive motility, sperm morphology, leukocyte count, the presence of anti-sperm antibody, and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), between the UU-positive and UU-negative groups of male infertile patients (all P > 0.05). However, the high DNA stainability (HDS) status of sperm differed between the UU-positive and UU-negative groups, suggesting that seminal UU infection may affect sperm nuclear maturation ( P = 0.04). Additionally, there were no significant differences in pregnancy or neonatal birth outcomes between the two groups (all P > 0.05). These results suggest that IUI remains a viable and cost-effective option for infertile couples with UU infection who are facing infertility issues.
Humans ; Male ; Ureaplasma Infections/complications* ; Female ; Infertility, Male/therapy* ; Ureaplasma urealyticum/isolation & purification* ; Pregnancy ; Adult ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Semen Analysis ; Insemination, Artificial ; Semen/microbiology* ; China

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the application effect of mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) therapy on the patients treated with image fusion-guided transperineal prostate biopsy. METHODS: A total of 160 patients who underwent image fusion-guided transperineal prostate biopsy in the Urology Department from April 2023 to April 2024 were included. Patients were randomly assigned to a control group and an observation group, with 80 cases in each group. The control group received routine care, while the observation group received combined MBSR on the basis of routine care. The surgical indicators, pain levels, psychological states, nursing satisfaction, and postoperative complication rates of both groups were compared. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in general personal information and clinical data between the two groups（P>0.05）. The surgery duration, secondary fusion rate, and postoperative complication rate in the observation group were all lower than those in the control group (［23.54±2.07］min vs ［26.25±1.69］min, P<0.05； 8.75% vs 22.50%, P=0.017； 17% vs 29%, P=0.036), and nursing satisfaction was higher in the observation group than in the control group ( 77% vs 69%, P=0.025). The VAS scores biopsy (5.11±0.93 vs 6.27±1.32, P=0.041), discharge (0.74±0.67 vs 1.85±0.95, P=0.004), and scores of SDS (47.76±2.06 vs 50.46±2.07, P=0.009) and SAS (46.89±2.68 vs 49.75±2.83, P=0.031) in the observation group were all lower than those in the control group. CONCLUSION The application of MBSR in image fusion-guided prostate biopsy can synergistically utilize the advantages of minimally invasive technology, significantly optimize surgical indicators, and improve patients' psychological experiences, which is worthy of clinical application and promotion.
Humans ; Male ; Mindfulness ; Prostate/pathology* ; Image-Guided Biopsy ; Stress, Psychological/therapy* ; Middle Aged ; Prostatic Neoplasms/pathology* ; Aged

Objective To construct a three-dimensional statistical shape model of the pelvis and analyze the individual variation and gender differences of the three-dimensional shape of the pelvis.Methods We collected CT data from 201 Chinese individuals and used deep learning to automatically reconstruct three-dimensional models of the pelvis.Through three-dimensional model registration,dense correspondence mesh mapping,and the use of statistical shape modelling(SSM)and principal component(PC)analysis method,we extracted models of variations(MoV)of pelvic shape changes and statistically compared the shape MoV between males and females.Results We analysed the top 10 principal components of shape variations,which accounted for 86.1％of the total variability.Among them,PC01,PC02,and PC04 showed significant differences between genders(P＜0.001),accounting for a total variability of 60.1％.PC08 and PC 10 demonstrated pelvic asymmetry,accounting for a total variability of 3.8％.Conclusion We constructed a three-dimensional statistical shape model of the pelvis in Chinese individuals,revealing the morphological variation and sex differences of Chinese pelvis.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)in twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks,and to provide a basis for early identification of BPD in twin preterm infants in clinical practice.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks who were admitted to 22 hospitals nationwide from January 2018 to December 2020.According to their conditions,they were divided into group A(both twins had BPD),group B(only one twin had BPD),and group C(neither twin had BPD).The risk factors for BPD in twin preterm infants were analyzed.Further analysis was conducted on group B to investigate the postnatal risk factors for BPD within twins.Results A total of 904 pairs of twins with a gestational age of<34 weeks were included in this study.The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with group C,birth weight discordance of>25%between the twins was an independent risk factor for BPD in one of the twins(OR=3.370,95%CI:1.500-7.568,P<0.05),and high gestational age at birth was a protective factor against BPD(P<0.05).The conditional logistic regression analysis of group B showed that small-for-gestational-age(SGA)birth was an independent risk factor for BPD in individual twins(OR=5.017,95%CI:1.040-24.190,P<0.05).Conclusions The development of BPD in twin preterm infants is associated with gestational age,birth weight discordance between the twins,and SGA birth.

Objective:To explore the effects of electroacupuncture in regulating the intestinal flora of high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice from microbiota-derived extracellular vesicles. Methods:Obese mice with established nutritional obesity model were randomly divided into either the model group (n=10) or the electroacupuncture group (n=10). Acupuncture groups were chosen to pinprick points of Zhongwan, Guanyuan, Tianshu and Zusanli. Stool samples were collected from groups at the end of the intervention and extracellular vesicles (EVs) were isolated using ultracentrifugation. The morphology of EVs isolated from the stool was confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and analysis of the associated intestinal flora by extracting microbial DNA from them for 16S rRNA sequencing. Results:The weight and Lee's index of obese mice decreased significantly after electroacupuncture intervention treatment (P<0.01). TEM images showed that EV extracted from stools were in the form of round or oval double-membraned vesicle-like structures. The 16S rRNA sequencing analysis showed that at the phylum level, the relative abundance of Proteobacteria in the model group was significantly higher than that of the normal group (P<0.05), while the relative abundance of Frimicutes and Bacteroidetes was significantly lower than that of the normal group(P<0.05). At the genus level, expressions of Psychrobacter and Planomicrobium in the model group were significantly higher than those in the normal group (P<0.01), while expressions of Solibacillus, Solibacillus, Proteus, Lactobacillus, Agrobacterium, Enterobacter, Brevundimonas, and Comamonas were significantly lower than those in the normal group (P<0.05). After electroacupuncture intervention, the intestinal microbial diversity of experimental mice increased, and the flora structure was closer to that of normal mice. Conclusion:Structural changes in the gut flora of nutritionally obese mice accompanied by changes in gut microbial-derived EVs profiles, and 16S rRNA sequencing analysis showed that microbial DNA in gut microbial-derived EVs reflected the composition of the gut microbiota, and that electroacupuncture for the treatment of obesity was not only related to the modulation of the gut flora, but was also closely related to gut microbial-derived EVs.