ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of the herb pair Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus on oxidative stress-induced blood-testis barrier dysfunction and spermatogenesis in the rat model of oligoasthenozoospermia （OAS） and decipher the mechanism based on the silent information regulator 1 （SIRT1）/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） signaling pathway. MethodsThirty-five male SD rats were randomized into a blank group （n=7） and a modeling group （n=28）. The OAS model was established by gavage of hydrocortisone aqueous solution combined with single factor electrical stimulation. The modeled rats were randomly assigned into the following groups： model， Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus granules （3.2 g·kg^-1）， Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus total flavonoids （0.34 g·kg^-1）， and L-carnitine （0.38 g·kg^-1）， and treated for 4 weeks. The sperm quality of rats was assessed by an automatic sperm analyzer. The levels of superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MAD）， and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） in the testicular tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to reveal the pathological changes in the testicular tissue and score the spermatogenic function. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the ultrastructural changes of Sertoli cells. Western blot and Real-time PCR were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels， respectively， of SIRT1， Nrf2， Occludin， zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1）， connexin 43 （CX43）， and β-catenin. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed decreased total sperm count and motility （P<0.05， P<0.01）， obvious damage in the testicular tissue and blood-testis barrier structure， reduced score of spermatogenic function （P<0.01）， declined levels of GSH-Px and SOD in the testicular tissue （P<0.05）， elevated level of MDA， and down-regulated protein levels of SIRT1， Nrf2， ZO-1， CX43， β-catenin， and occludin （P<0.05， P<0.01） and mRNA levels of SIRT1， Nrf2， ZO-1， CX43， and β-catenin in the testicular tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After treatment， the testicular tissue， blood-testis barrier structure， and score of spermatogenic function （P<0.01） were improved in the Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus granules group， Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus total flavonoids group， and L-carnitine group. Compared with the model group， the treatment groups presented lowered levels of GSH-Px and SOD （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus granule group showed a decline in MDA level. The protein and mRNA levels of SIRT1， Nrf2， ZO-1， CX43， β-catenin， and occludin were up-regulated in the Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus granules group and total flavonoids group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe herb pair Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus can regulate the SIRT1/Nrf2 pathway to inhibit oxidative stress and alleviate the blood-testis barrier damage， thereby improving the spermatogenic function in the rat model of OAS. Total flavonoids may be the material basis for the therapeutic effect of Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of the herb pair Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus on oxidative stress-induced blood-testis barrier dysfunction and spermatogenesis in the rat model of oligoasthenozoospermia （OAS） and decipher the mechanism based on the silent information regulator 1 （SIRT1）/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 （Nrf2） signaling pathway. MethodsThirty-five male SD rats were randomized into a blank group （n=7） and a modeling group （n=28）. The OAS model was established by gavage of hydrocortisone aqueous solution combined with single factor electrical stimulation. The modeled rats were randomly assigned into the following groups： model， Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus granules （3.2 g·kg^-1）， Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus total flavonoids （0.34 g·kg^-1）， and L-carnitine （0.38 g·kg^-1）， and treated for 4 weeks. The sperm quality of rats was assessed by an automatic sperm analyzer. The levels of superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MAD）， and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） in the testicular tissue were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to reveal the pathological changes in the testicular tissue and score the spermatogenic function. Transmission electron microscopy was employed to observe the ultrastructural changes of Sertoli cells. Western blot and Real-time PCR were employed to determine the protein and mRNA levels， respectively， of SIRT1， Nrf2， Occludin， zonula occludens-1 （ZO-1）， connexin 43 （CX43）， and β-catenin. ResultsCompared with the blank group， the model group showed decreased total sperm count and motility （P<0.05， P<0.01）， obvious damage in the testicular tissue and blood-testis barrier structure， reduced score of spermatogenic function （P<0.01）， declined levels of GSH-Px and SOD in the testicular tissue （P<0.05）， elevated level of MDA， and down-regulated protein levels of SIRT1， Nrf2， ZO-1， CX43， β-catenin， and occludin （P<0.05， P<0.01） and mRNA levels of SIRT1， Nrf2， ZO-1， CX43， and β-catenin in the testicular tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）. After treatment， the testicular tissue， blood-testis barrier structure， and score of spermatogenic function （P<0.01） were improved in the Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus granules group， Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus total flavonoids group， and L-carnitine group. Compared with the model group， the treatment groups presented lowered levels of GSH-Px and SOD （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and the Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus granule group showed a decline in MDA level. The protein and mRNA levels of SIRT1， Nrf2， ZO-1， CX43， β-catenin， and occludin were up-regulated in the Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus granules group and total flavonoids group （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe herb pair Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus can regulate the SIRT1/Nrf2 pathway to inhibit oxidative stress and alleviate the blood-testis barrier damage， thereby improving the spermatogenic function in the rat model of OAS. Total flavonoids may be the material basis for the therapeutic effect of Cuscutae Semen-Lycii Fructus.

Objective:To investigate the impact of the interval period between biopsy and MR examination on tumor detection and extraprostatic extension (EPE) assessment for prostate cancer (PCa) using multi-parametric MRI (mpMRI).Methods:The study was cross-sectional and retrospectively included 130 patients with PCa who underwent RP and preoperative systematic biopsies followed by mpMRI between January 2021 and December 2022 in the First Medical Center of Chinese PLA General Hospital. Patients were divided into 3 groups according to interval following biopsy (group A,<3 weeks, 31 cases; group B, 3-6 weeks, 67 cases; group C,>6 weeks, 32 cases). The percentages of hemorrhage volume in the total prostate were drawn on T 1WI and calculated. The junior, senior and expert radiologists independently localized the index lesions and calculated the accuracy for tumor detection, in addition to assessing the probabilities of EPE according to EPE grade. The correlation between the hemorrhage extent and interval was analyzed using the Spearman correlation coefficient. The accuracy for tumor detection was compared using χ2 test among groups. The diagnostic performance of the radiologists for EPE prediction was assessed using the receiver operating characteristic curve, and the differences between the corresponding area under the curve (AUC) were compared using the DeLong test. Results:The percentage of hemorrhage was correlated with the interval between biopsy and MR examination ( r=-0.325, P<0.001). The detection accuracy of junior radiologist was 83.9% (26/31), 76.1% (51/67), and 78.1% (25/32) in group A, B and C, respectively; no differences were observed in the detection accuracy among three groups ( χ2=0.76, P=0.685). The detection accuracy of senior radiologist was 83.9% (26/31), 80.6% (54/67), and 71.9% (23/32) in 3 groups with no differences ( χ2=1.53, P=0.464). The detection accuracy of expert radiologist was 80.6% (25/31), 77.6% (52/67), and 93.8% (30/32) with no differences ( χ2=3.95, P=0.139). The AUC (95% CI) for predicting EPE were 0.830 (0.652-0.940), 0.704 (0.580-0.809), 0.800 (0.621-0.920) in the group A, B and C for junior radiologist; 0.876 (0.708-0.966), 0.768 (0.659-0.863), 0.896 (0.736-0.975) for senior radiologist; and 0.866 (0.695-0.961), 0.813 (0.699-0.895), 0.852 (0.682-0.952) for expert radiologist, respectively. No differences were observed among the subgroups in each radiologist ( P>0.05). Conclusion:The interval period does not significantly affect the detection accuracy and EPE assessment of PCa using mpMRI. There is probably no necessity for prolonged intervals following systematic biopsy to preserve the clarity of MRI interpretation for PCa.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of earthworm protein on the expression of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B/nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （PI3K/Akt/Nrf2） pathway in the aorta of spontaneously hypertensive rats （SHR） and explore mechanism of earthworm protein in treating hypertensive vascular endothelial dysfunction （VED）. MethodTen 10-week-old Wistar Kyoto （WKY） rats and fifty SHR rats were selected for a week of adaptive feeding. WKY rats were selected as the normal group， and fifty SHR rats were randomized according to body weight into model， valsartan （8×10^-3 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and high-， medium-， and low-dose （0.2， 0.1， 0.05 g·kg^-1·d^-1， respectively） earthworm protein groups. The normal and model groups were administrated with equal volume of double distilled water by gavage. During the drug intervention period， the general situations of rats in each group were observed and their blood pressure was monitored at specific time points every other week before and after administration. After 8 weeks of drug intervention， enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of angiotensin-Ⅱ （Ang-Ⅱ） and endothelin-1 （ET-1） in the serum of rats in each group. The corresponding kits were used to determine the levels of nitric oxide （NO）， malondialdehyde （MDA）， glutathione peroxidase （GPX）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， and ferrous ion （Fe²⁺）. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was employed to observe the changes in the intima of the aorta. Fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was employed to measure the mRNA levels of PI3K， Akt， Nrf2， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， and glutathione peroxidase 4 （GPX4） in the aortic tissue. Western blotting was used to determine the protein levels of p-PI3K （Tyr467/199）， PI3K， p-Akt （Ser473）， Akt， Nrf2， HO-1， and GPX4 in the thoracic aorta. ResultCompared with the normal group， the model group had decreased body mass， increased irritability， severe endothelial damage， elevated blood pressure and serum levels of Ang-Ⅱ， ET1， MDA， and Fe²⁺ （P<0.01）， lowered NO level （P<0.01）， and down-regulated mRNA and protein levels of p-PI3K （Tyr467/199）， PI3K， p-Akt （Ser473）， Akt， Nrf2， HO-1， and GPX4 in the aortic tissue （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， drug intervention caused no significant change in the body mass， calmed the rats， alleviated the endothelial damage， lowered blood pressure and serum levels of Ang-Ⅱ， ET1， MDA， and Fe²⁺ （P<0.01）， elevated the NO level （P<0.05）， and up-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of p-PI3K （Tyr467/199）， PI3K， p-Akt （Ser473）， Akt， Nrf2， HO-1， and GPX4 （P<0.05）. ConclusionThe earthworm protein can exert antihypertensive effects by ameliorating VED in SHR. Specifically， it may regulate the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 signaling pathway to inhibit oxidative stress and ferroptosis.

Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of maggot for psoriasis-like lesions in mice from the perspective of immune stress and complement activation regulation.Methods Thirty-six male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,maggot(1.25%,2.5%,and 5%)groups,and Benvitimod(1%)group.Psoriasis-like lesions were induced by application of imiquimod cream,and the severity of skin lesions was assessed using the modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(MPASI)score.Auricular swelling of the mice was observed,and histopathological changes of the skin lesions were examined with HE staining.Scratching behavior of the mice was observed and the spleen index was calculated.Toluidine blue staining was used to detect mast cells in the skin lesions,and serum levels of IgG,IgM,the complements CH50,C1s,C3,C3a,C5 and C5a,and the inflammatory factors IL-23,IL-17A and TNF-α were determined with ELISA.Results In mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions,treatment with the maggot at the 3 doses significantly decreased MPASI score,alleviated auricular swelling and pathologies in the skin lesions,reduced scratching behaviors,spleen index,and the number of mast cells in the lesions.Treatment with high-dose maggot significantly lowered serum levels of IgG,C1s,C3a,C5a,IL-23,IL-17A and TNF-α and the levels of C1s,C3,C3a,C5 and C5a in the lesion tissue,and increased serum levels of CH50,C3,and C5.The therapeutic effect of maggot showed a dose-effect dependence.Conclusion Maggot can alleviate psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice by inhibiting immune stress and complement activation.

Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of maggot for psoriasis-like lesions in mice from the perspective of immune stress and complement activation regulation.Methods Thirty-six male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group,model group,maggot(1.25%,2.5%,and 5%)groups,and Benvitimod(1%)group.Psoriasis-like lesions were induced by application of imiquimod cream,and the severity of skin lesions was assessed using the modified Psoriasis Area and Severity Index(MPASI)score.Auricular swelling of the mice was observed,and histopathological changes of the skin lesions were examined with HE staining.Scratching behavior of the mice was observed and the spleen index was calculated.Toluidine blue staining was used to detect mast cells in the skin lesions,and serum levels of IgG,IgM,the complements CH50,C1s,C3,C3a,C5 and C5a,and the inflammatory factors IL-23,IL-17A and TNF-α were determined with ELISA.Results In mice with imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin lesions,treatment with the maggot at the 3 doses significantly decreased MPASI score,alleviated auricular swelling and pathologies in the skin lesions,reduced scratching behaviors,spleen index,and the number of mast cells in the lesions.Treatment with high-dose maggot significantly lowered serum levels of IgG,C1s,C3a,C5a,IL-23,IL-17A and TNF-α and the levels of C1s,C3,C3a,C5 and C5a in the lesion tissue,and increased serum levels of CH50,C3,and C5.The therapeutic effect of maggot showed a dose-effect dependence.Conclusion Maggot can alleviate psoriasis-like skin lesions in mice by inhibiting immune stress and complement activation.

Objective:To analyze the neurocognitive abnormalities and related emotional and behavioral problems in 410 adolescent patients with Turner syndrome (TS) managed in Henan Children′s Hospital in the past 5 years, and to explore the relationship between neurocognitive abnormalities and chromosome karyotype, pubertal development, hormone replacement therapy.Methods:A retrospective case series study.A total of 410 adolescent patients who were diagnosed with TS by karyotype or fluorescence in situ hybridization in the outpatient or inpatient Department of Endocrinology, Genetics and Metabolism at Henan Children′s Hospital from June 2018 to June 2023 were selected and divided into 2 groups according to age: < 12 years old and 12-18 years old.Neurocognitive assessments were performed based on the results of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale (4 th edition) for children and behavior scales for children, SPSS 22.0 software was used for data processing and statistical analysis, and chi-square test was used to analyze the correlation between chromosome karyotype, intelligence development level, pubertal development status, hormone therapy status and the occurrence of neuropsychiatric diseases. Results:Among the 410 TS patients, 207 cases had the karyotype of 45, X0/46, XX, accounting for 50.49%, 94 cases had the monosomic karyotype of 45, X0, accounting for 22.93%.Forty-six patients completed the Wechsler intelligence test, with the intelligence quotient (IQ) score ranging from 70 to 105, with high verbal comprehension and perceptual reasoning scores and low processing speed and working memory scores on all assessments.Fifty-two patients completed the hyperactivity scale assessment, and 43 cases had a predisposition to attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD).There were no significant differences in total IQ, perceptual reasoning and processing speed among the children with karyotype 45, X0, chimeric, and X chromosome structural abnormalities ( H=3.161, 1.955, 5.890, all P>0.05), while there were significant differences in verbal comprehension and working memory among the three groups ( H=7.697, 9.694, all P<0.05).Among TS patients 12-18 years old, 68 cases completed the depression scale self-assessment, of which 23 cases had depressive tendencies.There was no correlation between depressive tendency and chromosome karyotype, pubertal development and hormone replacement therapy ( P>0.05). Conclusions:TS patients generally have low intelligence levels and tend to have ADHD in childhood.TS patients in the pubertal development have a high incidence of depression.Pubertal development status and hormone replacement therapy show no correlation with the occurrence of neuropsychiatric diseases in TS patients.

Objective:To study the life characteristics and related risk factors of patients with depression in Shandong Province.Methods:Based on the 2015 mental epidemiological survey database in Shandong Province,a total of 832 patients with depression,807 high-risk individuals with depression,and 819 low-risk individuals were diagnosed according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders,Fourth Edition(DSM-Ⅳ)and the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-Ⅳ-TR Axis I Disorders,Research Version(SCID-I/P).In 2020,SCID-I/P was used for re diagnosis,and the General Health Questionnaire(GHQ-12),Simple Quality of Life question-naire,Pittsburgh sleep quality index(PSQI),Childhood Trauma Questionnaire(CTQ),Social Support Rating Scale(SSRS),Global Pain Scale(GPS),Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA),Simplified Coping Style Question-naire(SCSQ)were used for evaluation.Compare changes in the quality of life of depression patients and construct a risk factor model.Results:Patients with depression had lower scores on the simple quality of life questionnaire at baseline and at retest after 5 years than those in the high-and low-risk groups,those in remission of depression had higher scores on the simple quality of life questionnaire at baseline and at retest after 5 years than those in non-re-mission,and those with new-onset disorder in the high-and low-risk groups had lower scores on the simple quality of life questionnaire at baseline and at retest after 5 years than those with no-onset disorder(Ps＜0.001).Depres-sion diagnosis and PSQI scale scores at baseline negatively predicted at retest after 5 years(β=-0.06,-0.15),while coping style tendencies at baseline positively predicted(β=0.06).The simple quality of life questionnaire at baseline negatively predicted depression diagnosis at retest after 5 years,GHQ-12 scores at retest after 5 years,and PSQI scale scores at retest after 5 years(β=-0.11,-0.17,-0.09),while the simple quality of life question-naire at baseline positively predicted coping style tendencies at retest after 5 years(β=0.13).Depression diagnosis at retest after 5 years,GHQ-12 scores at retest after 5 years,PSQI scale scores at retest after 5 years,coping style tendencies at retest after 5 years,SSRS scale scores,CTQ scale scores,GPS scale scores,and the simple quality of life questionnaire at baseline all influenced the simple quality of life questionnaire at retest after 5 years through ei-ther direct or indirect pathways.Conclusion:It suggest that the quality of life is lower in patients with depression than in the general population.Depression diagnosis,sleep,mental health,pain,social support,childhood trauma and coping are direct and indirect risk factors affecting life.

Purpose To explore the additional value of apparent diffusion coefficient(ADC)histogram in predicting extraprostatic extension(EPE)of prostate cancer.Materials and Methods Consecutive patients undergoing multi-parameter MRI and subsequent radical prostatectomy from January 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively included in this study.Two radiologists independently estimated EPE by using national cancer institute grading system for extraprostatic extension(EPE grade system),with disagreement resolved by discussion.Histogram metrics were derived from three-dimensional volumes of interest encompassing the entire lesion on ADC maps using FireVoxel,obtaining mean ADC,1st,5th,10th,25th,50th,75th,90th,95th and 99th ADC values.The ADC histograms between the groups with and without EPE were compared.Multivariable Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the independent predictive factors of EPE,and a combined model was developed.Receiver operator characteristic curve was used to evaluate the diagnostic performance,and the area under the curve was calculated and compared.Results Thirty-four patients(34％)had pathologic confirmed EPE after radical prostatectomy.ADC histogram parameters showed significant differences between patients with and without EPE(P＜0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed 99th ADC(OR=0.609,P=0.008)and EPE grade system(OR=4.158,P＜0.001)were independent predictors of EPE.For predicting EPE,the area under the curve of 99th ADC,EPE grade system and the combined model were 0.756,0.805 and 0.856,respectively.The area under the curve of 99th ADC and the EPE grade system in identifying EPE showed no significant difference.The diagnostic efficacy of combined model was significantly superior to that of 99th ADC or EPE grading system(Z=2.223,2.208,both P＜0.05).Conclusion The ADC histogram parameters demonstrate additional value for preoperative prediction of EPE.Combining the 99th ADC histogram parameter with the EPE grade system may improve the diagnostic efficacy of EPE.