This study primarily investigates the effect of Liuwei Dihuang Pills on the activation and proliferation of female germline stem cells(FGSCs) in the ovaries and cortex of mice with premature ovarian failure(POF), and how it improves ovarian function. ICR mice were randomly divided into the control group, model group, Liuwei Dihuang Pills group, Liuwei Dihuang Pills double-dose group, and estradiol valerate group. A mouse model of POF was established by intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide. After successful modeling, the mice were treated with Liuwei Dihuang Pills or estradiol valerate for 28 days. Vaginal smears were prepared to observe the estrous cycle and body weight. After the last administration, mice were sacrificed and sampled. Serum levels of estradiol(E_2), follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH), luteinizing hormone(LH), and anti-Müllerian hormone(AMH) were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining was used to observe ovarian morphology and to count follicles at all stages to evaluate ovarian function. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression of mouse vasa homolog(MVH), a marker of ovarian FGSCs. Immunofluorescence staining, using co-labeling of MVH and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA), was used to detect the expression and localization of specific markers of FGSCs. Western blot was employed to assess the protein expression of MVH, octamer-binding transcription factor 4(Oct4), and PCNA in the ovaries. The results showed that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited disordered estrous cycles, decreased ovarian index, increased atretic follicles, and a reduced number of follicles at all stages. FSH and LH levels were significantly elevated, while AMH and E_2 levels were significantly reduced, indicating the success of the model. After treatment with Liuwei Dihuang Pills or estradiol valerate, hormone levels improved, the number of atretic follicles decreased, and the number of follicles at all stages increased. MVH marker protein and PCNA proliferative protein expression in ovarian tissue also increased. These results suggest that Liuwei Dihuang Pills regulate estrous cycles and hormone disorders in POF mice, promote the proliferation of FGSCs, improve follicular development in POF mice, and enhance ovarian function.
Animals ; Female ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Mice ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Ovary/cytology* ; Primary Ovarian Insufficiency/genetics* ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/metabolism* ; Humans ; Anti-Mullerian Hormone/blood* ; Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects* ; Luteinizing Hormone/metabolism* ; Cyclophosphamide/adverse effects*

This study aims to explore the effects and action mechanisms of the active ingredients in Buyang Huanwu Decoction(BYHWD), namely tetramethylpyrazine(TMP) and hydroxy-safflor yellow A(HSYA), on oxygen-glucose deprivation/reglucose-reoxygenation(OGD/R)-induced inflammation and oxidative stress of microglia(MG). Network pharmacology was used to screen the effective monomer ingredients of BYHWD and determine the safe concentration range for each component. Inflammation and oxidative stress models were established to further screen the best ingredient combination and optimal concentration ratio with the most effective anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. OGD/R BV2 cell models were constructed, and BV2 cells in the logarithmic growth phase were divided into a normal group, a model group, an HSYA group, a TMP group, and an HSYA + TMP group. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to detect the levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and interleukin-6(IL-6). Oxidative stress markers, including superoxide dismutase(SOD), nitric oxide(NO), and malondialdehyde(MDA), were also measured. Western blot was used to analyze the protein expression of both inflammation-related pathway [Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)/nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB)] and oxidative stress-related pathway [nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1(HO-1)]. Immunofluorescence was used to assess the expression of proteins such as inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS) and arginase-1(Arg-1). The most effective ingredients for anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects in BYHWD were TMP and HSYA. Compared to the normal group, the model group showed significantly increased levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, NO, and MDA, along with significantly higher protein expression of NF-κB, TLR4, Nrf2, and HO-1 and significantly lower SOD levels. The differences between the two groups were statistically significant. Compared to the model group, both the HSYA group and the TMP group showed significantly reduced levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, NO, and MDA, lower expression of NF-κB and TLR4 proteins, higher levels of SOD, and significantly increased protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1. Additionally, the expression of the M1-type MG marker iNOS was significantly reduced, while the expression of the M2-type MG marker Arg-1 was significantly increased. The results of the HSYA group and the TMP group had statistically significant differences from those of the model group. Compared to the HSYA group and the TMP group, the HSYA + TMP group showed further significant reductions in IL-1β, TNF-α, IL-6, NO, and MDA levels, along with significant reductions in NF-κB and TLR4 protein expression, an increase in SOD levels, and elevated Nrf2 and HO-1 protein expression. Additionally, the expression of the M1-type MG marker iNOS was reduced, while the M2-type MG marker Arg-1 expression increased significantly in the HSYA + TMP group compared to the TMP or HSYA group. The differences in the results were statistically significant between the HSYA + TMP group and the TMP or HSYA group. The findings indicated that the combined use of HSYA and TMP, the active ingredients of BYHWD, can effectively inhibit OGD/R-induced inflammation and oxidative stress of MG, showing superior effects compared to the individual use of either component.
Oxidative Stress/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Mice ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Cell Line ; Inflammation/genetics* ; Oxygen/metabolism* ; Pyrazines/pharmacology* ; Microglia/metabolism* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/immunology* ; NF-kappa B/immunology* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/immunology* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; Humans

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is prevalent among men, but its relationship with dietary habits is uncertain. The aim of our study was to assess whether dietary patterns enhance erectile function by reviewing the literature published before August 1, 2022, via PubMed, Web of Science, and EMBASE databases. The data compiled included author details; publication dates, countries, treatments, patient numbers, ages, follow-ups, and clinical trial outcomes, such as ED cases, odds ratios (ORs), confidence intervals (CIs), and International Index of Erectile Function-5 (IIEF-5) scores with means and standard deviations. An analysis of 14 studies with 27 389 participants revealed that plant-based diets (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.66-0.75; P < 0.00001), low-fat diets (OR = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.13-0.53; P = 0.0002), and alternative diets such as intermittent fasting and organic diets (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.36-0.80; P = 0.002) significantly reduced ED risk. High-protein low-fat diets (hazard ratio [HR] = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.12-1.64; P < 0.00001) and high-carb low-fat diets (HR = 0.79, 95% CI: 0.55-1.04; P < 0.00001) improved IIEF-5 scores. Combined diet and exercise interventions decreased the likelihood of ED (OR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.28-0.85; P = 0.01) and increased the IIEF-5 score (OR = 3.40, 95% CI: 1.69-5.11; P < 0.0001). Diets abundant in fruits and vegetables (OR = 0.97, 95% CI: 0.96-0.98; P < 0.00001) and nuts (OR = 0.54, 95% CI: 0.37-0.80; P = 0.002) were also correlated with lower ED risk. Our meta-analysis underscores a strong dietary-ED association, suggesting that low-fat/Mediterranean diets rich in produce and nuts could benefit ED management.
Humans ; Male ; Erectile Dysfunction/epidemiology* ; Diet ; Diet, Fat-Restricted ; Feeding Behavior ; Penile Erection/physiology* ; Diet, Vegetarian

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To investigate effect and mechanism of hydroxysafflor yellow A(HSYA)activating neuronal autophagy on cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury through a combination of in vitro and in vivo experiments.Methods:SD rat MCAO/R model was established by improved suture method.Rats were randomly divided into sham surgery(Sham)group,MCAO/R group and MCAO/R+HSYA group,following indicators were detected to determine extent of cerebral ischemia-reperfusion nerve damage:Z-Longa neu-rological function score was detected,TTC staining to measure cerebral infarction area,and TUNEL staining to measure cell apopto-sis;Western blot was used to detect protein expressions of autophagy related markers LC3,Beclin1,P62 and SIRT1 in rat brain tis-sue;immunofluorescence staining was used to observe expression of LC3 co-localization with neurons.OGD/R injury model of SH-SY5Y cells was established and randomly divided into Normal group,OGD/R group,OGD/R+HSYA group,OGD/R+SIRT1 inhibitor(EX-527)group and OGD/R+EX-527+HSYA group.Western blot was used to detect protein expressions of LC3,Beclin1,P62 and SIRT1.Results:Compared with Sham group,model group rats showed impaired neurological function,significantly increased neu-robehavioral scores,widespread cerebral infarction,significantly increased neuronal cell apoptosis,significantly increased autophagy related protein Beclin1 expression and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,significantly decreased P62 expression,significantly increased LC3/NeuN co-stained cells,and decreased SIRT1 expression;compared with model group,HSYA intervention group showed a significant decrease in neurological functional scores,a significant reduction in cerebral infarction area,a significant decrease in neuronal cell apoptosis,a further increase in Beclin1 expression and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,a further decrease in P62 expression,number of LC3/NeuN and P62/NeuN co-stained cells also increased,and SIRT1 expression significantly increased.Expression trends of Beclin1,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ,P62 and SIRT1 of cells between normal group,model group and HSYA intervention group were same as animal experiment;compared with model group,expressions of SIRT1,Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ in OGD/R+EX-527 group were significantly reduced,while expression of P62 was significantly increased;compared with OGD/R+EX-527 group,there was no significant change in SIRT1 expression in OGD/R+EX-527+HSYA group,LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ and Beclin1 expression were significantly increased,and P62 expres-sion was significantly decreased.Conclusion:HSYA can significantly improve neurological deficits in rats after cerebral ischemia-reperfusion,reduce cerebral infarction area,and decrease neuronal cell apoptosis rate,whose neuroprotective effect may be related to its activation of SIRT1,which significantly enhances neuronal autophagy.

Objective:To explore the relationship between international collaboration papers and academic impact in global health,using the member universities of the Chinese Consortium of Universities for Global Health(CCUGH)as a case study.Methods:The study focuses on journal articles in global health field published by 31 CCUGH member universities between 2014 and 2024.Descriptive statistical analysis of international and non-international collaboration publication volumes was conducted using Excel.Regression analysis and chi-square tests were performed using R to examine the relationship between international collaboration papers and academic impact,and the correlation between the breadth of collaboration and the academic impact of the papers.Results:From 2014 to 2023,the total number of publications,the number of non-international collaborationpublications,and the number of internationally collaborated publications all showed a consistent annual increase,with average annual growth rates of 56.7%,68.3%,and 41.4%,respectively.By the first half of 2024,the total number of publications had increased to 1.5 times that of the corresponding period in 2023.International collaboration positively influenced academic impact,with broader collaborative networks correlating with higher academic influence.Conclusion:The global health publication output of CCUGH member universities has steadily increased,but the volume of international collaboration papers and their proportion remain relatively low.Therefore,it is necessary for CCUGH member universities to strengthen international collaboration papers in global health.

Objective:To compare the differences in the evaluation of hemolysis performance of cellulose hemostatic materials using different detection methods and test media,and to explore a m ore reasonable testing plan for such products.Methods:Hemolysis tests were conducted on cellulose hemostatic materials using the absorbance measurement hemolysis method and hemoglobin concentration measurement hemolysis method in accordance with YY/T 1651.1-2019 standard.We compared the changes in hemolysis rate,pH value,and osmotic pressure under different experimental media.Results:Under the same experimental method,compared to SC,the hemolysis results using PBS as the extraction medium are smaller,and the changes in pH and osmotic pressure are closer to the normal range of human body changes.Conclusions:The changes in pH and osmotic pressure may be one of the reasons for the high hemolysis rate of cellulose hemostatic materials.Choosing PBS with buffering effect as the leaching medium may be more suitable for evaluating the hemolysis performance of cellulose hemostatic materials.

This study was aimed at exploring the interaction between the nucleoprotein(NP)of influenza A virus(IAV)and TRIM25.The physicochemical properties and protein structure of IAV NP protein were analyzed through bioinformatics methods.The interaction between IAV NP and TRIM25 proteins was simulated with molecular docking techniques,and the in-teraction sites were predicted.With the cDNA of the A/Puerto Rico/8/1934(H1N1)PR8 strain as the template,the NP pro-tein was cloned into the eukaryotic expression vector pCMV-C-Flag through PCR amplification,the eukaryotic expression re-combinant plasmid pCMV-Flag-NP was constructed,and the expression was further verified.The protein expression levels of pCMV-Flag-NP and pCMV-HA-TRIM25 were detected at various time periods.The interaction between NP protein and TRIM25 protein was verified by co-immunoprecipitation.The co-localization of NP protein and TRIM25 protein in cells was ob-served with laser confocal microscopy.Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the NP protein consists of 498 amino acids and 20 amino acids,and is an unstable hydrophilic protein.The NP protein has multiple phosphorylation sites,as well as N-glycosyla-tion and O-glycosylation sites,but no transmembrane domain or signal peptide domain.Additionally,the NP protein's second-ary structure consists of a high proportion of alpha-helices and random coils.The molecular docking prediction results indicated that IAV NP interacts with TRIM25 protein and has multiple potential interaction sites,including the 233rd alanine,234th ala-nine,236th lysine,and 440th alanine of the NP protein.After successfully constructing and expressing the IAV NP protein,we verified the interaction between IAV NP and TRIM25 protein by immunoprecipitation and laser confocal microscopy obser-vations.Our results together suggested that the structure of the IAV NP protein is closely related to its function,and its im-portance to the virus is clear.In addition,the interaction between IAV NP and TRIM25 protein may be associated with TRIM25's anti-influenza virus mechanism.Further in-depth research may provide new ideas for anti-influenza virus strategies.

Adenoid cystic carcinoma(ACC)of the cervix is a rare and highly aggressive subtype of cervical cancer,accounting for less than 1%of all cervical cancer cases.ACC predominantly affects postmenopausal women over the age of 60,with postmenopausal vaginal bleeding being the most common symptom.Diagnosis of ACC primarily relies on histopathological examination and immunohistochemical analysis.Although there is currently no standard treatment protocol,surgical resection combined with radiotherapy or concurrent chemoradiotherapy is considered to be an effective approach.However,the effectiveness is limited,particularly in advanced cases,which generally have a poor prognosis.The treatment and prognosis of ACC are closely related to tumor staging,perineural invasion,and margin status.This paper discusses the clinical data and follow-up of six ACC patients treated at our institution,and goes through a literature review,examines its clinical features and treatment outcomes,underscores the critical importance of early diagnosis and individualized treatment.

Buyang Huanwu Decoction(BYHWD), as one of the classic formulas in traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) for the treatment of cerebral ischemic stroke(CIS), has demonstrated definite effects in clinical practice. However, the material basis and mechanism of treatment have not been systematically elucidated. This study employed network pharmacology and molecular docking to analyze the potential targets and mechanisms of blood-and brain-penetrating active components of BYHWD in reducing cell apoptosis in CIS. Cell experiments were then carried out to validate the prediction results. In the experiments, five active components including hydroxysafflor yellow A( HSYA), tetramethylpyrazine( TMP), astragaloside Ⅳ( AS-Ⅳ), amygdalin( AMY), and paeoniflorin(PF) were selected to explore the pharmacological effects of BYHWD. HT22 cells were treated with BYHWD, and the cell counting kit-8(CCK-8) method was employed to examine the toxic and side effects of BYHWD. A cell model of oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation( OGD/R) was constructed, with apoptosis and pyroptosis as the main screening indicators. The levels of lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and glutathione(GSH) were measured to assess the cell membrane integrity. Flow cytometry was employed to detect apoptosis, and the activities of caspase-3 and caspase-1 were measured to clarify the status of apoptosis and pyroptosis. ELISA was employed to determine the levels of interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-18 to confirm pyroptosis. HSYA and AMY were identified in this study as the active components regulating apoptosis and pyroptosis. TUNEL was employed to detect the apoptosis rate, and Western blot was employed to determine the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins B-cell lymphoma-2(Bcl-2), Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax), and caspase-3, which confirmed that the anti-apoptotic effect of the combined component group was superior to that of the single component groups. The molecular docking results revealed strong binding affinity of HSYA and AMY with SDF-1α and CXCR4.AMD3100, a selective antagonist of CXCR4, was then used for intervention. The results of Western blot showed alterations in the expression levels of apoptosis-associated proteins, SDF-1α, and CXCR4. In conclusion, HSYA and AMY influence cellular apoptosis by modulating the SDF-1α/CXCR4 signaling cascade.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Animals ; Neurons/cytology* ; Mice ; Molecular Docking Simulation ; Cell Line ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Humans ; Neuroprotective Agents/pharmacology*