Objective To provide experimental evidence for selecting acupuncture timing in clinical practice,the optimal time for enhancing the brain effects of electroacupuncture at the Hegu acupoint(LI4)by observing brain imaging data,hemodynamic changes and differences in brain functional connectivity across the twelve traditional Chinese time periods were determined.Methods Thirty-six C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 12 groups corresponding to each of the twelve time periods(Zi,Chou,Yin,Mao,Chen,Si,Wu,Wei,Shen,You,Xu,Hai),with 3 mice per group.Each mouse received electroacupuncture stimulation using the same protocol.Brain imaging data and dynamic hemodynamic changes were collected using functional ultrasound imaging(FUS)ultrasound imaging technology every 0.4 s over a total duration of 420 s,covering pre-acupuncture(resting state),during acupuncture(task state),and post-acupuncture(post-task state)phases.The hippocampal region(HIP)was used as the observation point to analyze changes in functional connectivity between HIP and other brain regions before and after acupuncture.Results Compared to other time periods,the Mao group exhibited the largest whole-brain activation area and the highest average activation signal intensity.The hemodynamic signal increase in the hippocampal region was more pronounced,and the post-acupuncture blood flow signal intensity remained significantly higher than the pre-acupuncture resting state.Functional connectivity data revealed that,using 0.2 as the standard value,the Mao group showed the greatest number of altered brain regions before and after acupuncture.Notably,only in the Mao group was there a significant enhancement in connectivity between the bilateral hippocampal regions.Conclusion The immediate effects of electroacupuncture at the Hegu acupoint(LI4)and brain functional connectivity vary significantly across different time periods,aligning with the traditional Chinese medicine theory of meridian qi and blood flow.Mao time is identified as the optimal period.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the biological effect of medical recombinant human-derived collagen functional dressings in wound healing. METHODS: MTT assay and RTCA assay were used to detect cell toxicity and proliferation. Scratch assay and Transwell cell migration assay were used to detect cell motility and migration ability. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the contents of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), fibroblast growth factor (FGF), and platelet-endothelial cell adhesion molecule (CD31) in the supernatant of four types of cells. After animal surgery, the surgical wound was taken at 1 week, 4 weeks and 13 weeks, respectively, for hematoxylin eosin (HE) staining and immunohistochemistry to observe the inflammatory response and CD31 expression of the wound. RESULTS: Medical recombinant human-derived collagen functional dressing promotes cell proliferation and migration, enhances wound angiogenesis by upregulating the expression of VEGF, FGF, and CD31 in human dermal vascular endothelial cells (HDVEC) and human vascular endothelial cells (HVEC), thereby improving local blood supply to the wound, regulating the inflammatory response of the wound, and accelerating wound healing. CONCLUSION Recombinant type Ⅲ humanized collagen plays an important role in wound healing.
Humans ; Wound Healing/drug effects* ; Recombinant Proteins/pharmacology* ; Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; Cell Movement ; Collagen/pharmacology* ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Bandages ; Platelet Endothelial Cell Adhesion Molecule-1/metabolism* ; Endothelial Cells ; Fibroblast Growth Factors/metabolism*

Objective To compare the changes in biological indicators of human corneal epithe-lial(HCET)cells and rabbit corneas after exposure to different doses of ultraviolet B(UVB)radia-tion,so as to evaluate the impact of UVB radiation on corneal injury effects.Methods In cell exper-iment,HCET cells were divided into groups with radiation doses of 0,6,12,18,and 24 mJ/cm2.The effect of UVB radiation on HCET cell viability was detected using the CCK-8 assay,and the level of intracellular DNA damage was assessed by immunofluorescence.In the animal experiment,15 healthy New Zealand white rabbits(30 eyes)were randomly divided into groups with radiation doses of 0,1.35,2.16,4.32,and 6.48 J/cm2.The UVB exposure time for the radiation groups was 30 minutes per day for 3 consecutive days.Corneal injury was evaluated using methods such as slit-lamp microscopy,sodium fluorescein staining,central corneal thickness measurement,optical coherence tomography(OCT)imaging,and hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.Results Compared with the control group,cell viability in the radiation groups gradually decreased,and the level of DNA damage gradually increased with increasing radiation dose.As the radiation dose increased in the radiation groups,the degree of corneal opacity in rabbits gradually worsened,the central corneal area gradu-ally thickened,and OCT revealed high-intensity scattered light signals with the formation of shadow areas.Results from HE staining,immunohistochemistry,Western blot(WB),and sodium fluores-cein staining showed that the 1.35 J/cm2 group caused mild corneal injury,with damage reaching the corneal epithelial layer.In the 2.16 J/cm2 group,the corneal injury presented as dense punctate distribution,with damage extending from the epithelial layer to the superficial stroma.The number of ephrin type-A receptor 2(EphA2)protein-stained cells was relatively small,and the staining was light,showing a weak positive result.In the 4.32 J/cm2 and 6.48 J/cm2 groups,the corneal injury was irreversible,with damage gradually progressing from the corneal epithelial layer and superficial stroma to the endothelial layer.The number of EphA2 protein-stained cells was relatively large,and the staining was dark,showing a strong positive result.Conclusion This study comprehensively e-valuates the dose-dependent injury effects of UVB on HCET cells and New Zealand white rabbit cor-neas through cell and animal experiments.It elucidates that UVB radiation could induce corneal cell DNA damage,promote inflammatory responses,and trigger apoptosis by upregulating γ-phosphoryla-ted histone H2AX(γH2AX)and EphA2.The self-repair ability and process of corneal injury are preliminarily explored,providing a basis for further research on mechanisms of corneal injury caused by ultraviolet radiation and the development of protective drugs.

Objective:To explore cortical activation during the obstacle avoidance task in convalescent stroke patients,and examine the effect of obstacle avoidance difficulty on brain activation.Method:A total of 20 convalescent stroke patients were recruited to perform various motor tasks,including walking,simple obstacle avoidance,difficult obstacle avoidance,and motor imagery.Functional near-infrared spectroscopy(fNIRS)was used to detect the oxygenated hemoglobin concentration in the prefrontal cortex(PFC),premotor cortex(PMC)and supplementary motor area(SMA)of the patients.Additional relevant sec-ondary indicators were evaluated and collected.Statistical analysis was performed without grouping and with grouping.Result:The activation levels of bilateral PFC,PMC and SMA during the dynamic task were significantly dif-ferent from those during the static tasks(P＜0.05),with the highest activation observed in the PFC.There were significant differences between simple and difficult obstacle avoidance tasks in the unaffected-side SMA(P＜0.05).In addition,there was a linear positive correlation between the peak activation level of PMC on the unaffected side and Tinetti score(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Bilateral PFC,PMC and SMA are involved in limb movement in convalescent stroke patients,with PFC showing the highest level of activation.In addition,SMA on the unaffected side may contribute to regulating the difficulty of obstacle avoidance.Moreover,the peak activation level of PMC on the unaffected side is associated with balance and walking function.

Parkinson's disease (PD), a major neurodegenerative disease faced by an aging society worldwide, has not yet been fully elucidated in terms of its pathogenesis. Currently, clinical treatment mainly relies on symptom management and can only be relieved by medication. In recent years, many studies have shown that polysaccharides have potential in treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. Polysaccharides play a role in PD in ways such as anti-oxidative stress response, improvement of mitochondrial dysfunction, inhibition of neuroinflammation, anti-neurotoxicity, and activation of autophagy. This study discusses the mechanism of polysaccharides in PD, aiming to provide new ideas for PD prevention and treatment and new drug development in the future.

OBJECTIVE To explore the optimal parameters of simmered Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and the correlation between the chroma values and the intrinsic composition of simmered Rhei Radix et Rhizoma decoction pieces powder.METHODS The single-factor-response surface method was used to investigate the simmering temperature,simmering time,paper dosage and plant ash dos-age,the response surface experiment was carried out on the basis of the single factor experiment,the appearance traits,total anthraqui-nones,free anthraquinones,leachables,sennoside A and B contents were taken as indicators,the analytic hierarchy process(AHP)was used to give weights to each index,and the process was optimized.The chroma values of raw and simmered products were deter-mined by electronic eye,the correlation and regression analysis were carried out by SPSS22.0 software,and the chroma-component re-gression equation was constructed.RESULTS The optimal process of simmering Rhei Radix et Rhizoma was 140 ℃,5 times of plant ash,2 layers of wet paper wrapped and being simmered for 2.5 h.CONCLUSION The simmering process of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma optimized by AHP combined with response surface method is reasonable and feasible,the color of decoction pieces has a significant correlation with the component content,and the regression equation constructed is reliable,which can predict the intrinsic component content of decoction pieces through chroma values.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of robot-assisted navigation with percutaneous lag screw treatment for Hangman's fracture.Methods We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 5 patients treated with robot-assisted C2 percutaneous lag screw for Hangman's fracture in our hospital from September 2021 to August 2023.Patients were positioned with moderate head-neck flexion in a Mayfield head clamp.After closed reduction with manual traction under general anesthesia,the C2 percutaneous lag screws were implanted under TINAVI orthopedic surgical robot assistance.Postoperative cervical CT scans were used to assess screw placement accuracy and fracture healing quality.Clinical efficacy was evaluated by the Odom grading system.Results All the 5 patients were operated successfully without vertebral artery injury or neurological complications.A total of 10 screws were implanted.According to the Gertzbein-Robbins standard,9 screws belonged to the grade A,and 1 belonged to the grade B,with an accuracy of 90％(9/10)and an excellent rate of 100％(10/10).The neck incision length ranged 20-30 mm(mean,27 mm).The operation time was 86-160 min(mean,112.8 min).The intraoperative blood loss was 10-50 ml(mean,30 ml).The postoperative hospitalization was5-18 d(mean,8 d).The patients were followed up for 12-34 months(mean,23.6 months).All fractures healed without screw breakage or loosening.According to the Odom grading,4 cases were excellent,and 1 case was good.Conclusion Robot-assisted navigation C2 percutaneous lag screw treatment for Hangman's fracture is accurate and minimally invasive,safe and effective.

The escalating pressure from global population growth, climate change, and resource consumption is intensifying the burden on traditional agricultural production. Against this backdrop, soil degradation and pollution present increasingly severe challenges, creating a vicious cycle with rising food demands. Maintaining soil health and its ecosystem services has thus become a critical prerequisite for achieving sustainable agriculture in the future. This review explores the impacts of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) dynamics on soil microbial communities and their interactions. Soil C and N are key determinants of microbial diversity and community structure, intrinsically linked to soil C/N cycling, crop productivity, and ecological balance. Environmental factors such as nitrogen fertilizer application, organic matter amendment application, litter decomposition, elevated CO₂ concentrations, and nitrogen deposition significantly influence soil C and N dynamics. Changes in soil C and N content regulate microbial community dynamics and the synergistic, competitive, and antagonistic interactions among microorganisms. Meanwhile, microbial communities actively respond to alterations in soil C and N availability. The resulting shifts in microbial communities and their interactions subsequently regulate soil C/N cycling and ecosystem stability, ultimately influencing ecosystem functions. By elucidating the mechanisms underlying soil carbon-nitrogen-microbial interactions, this review significantly advances our understanding of soil ecosystem responses and feedback mechanisms in the context of global change, while also providing crucial practical guidance for enhancing soil fertility and promoting sustainable agricultural development through microbial regulation.
Soil Microbiology ; Nitrogen/metabolism* ; Carbon/metabolism* ; Soil/chemistry* ; Bacteria/growth & development* ; Fungi/metabolism* ; Ecosystem ; Fertilizers ; Agriculture

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate early effectiveness of posterior 180-degree decompression via unilateral biportal endoscopy (UBE) in the treatment of lumbar spinal stenosis (LSS) combined with Michigan State University (MSU)-1 lumbar disc herniation (LDH). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 33 patients with LSS combined with MSU-1 LDH, who met selection criteria and were treated between March 2022 and January 2024. All patients underwent UBE-assisted 180-degree spinal canal decompression. The cohort comprised 17 males and 16 females, aged 37-82 years (mean, 67.1 years). Preoperative presentations included bilateral lower limbs intermittent claudication and radiating pain, with disease duration ranging from 5 to 13 months (mean, 8.5 months). Affected segments included L _{3, 4} in 4 cases, L _{4, 5} in 28 cases, and L ₅, S ₁ in 1 case. LSS was rated as Schizas grade A in 4 cases, grade B in 5 cases, grade C in 13 cases, and grade D in 11 cases. LDH was categorized as MSU-1A in 24 cases, MSU-1B in 2 cases, and MSU-1AB in 7 cases. Intraoperative parameters (operation time, blood loss) and postoperative hospitalization length were recorded. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score and Oswestry Disability Index (ODI) were used to assess the lower limb pain and functional outcomes after operation. Clinical efficacy was evaluated at last follow-up via modified MacNab criteria. Quantitative radiological assessments included dural sac cross-sectional area (DSCA) measurements and spinal stenosis grading on lumbar MRI. Morphological classification of lumbar canal stenosis was determined according to the Schizas grading, categorized into four grades. RESULTS: The operation time was 60.4-90.8 minutes (mean, 80.3 minutes) and intraoperative blood loss was 13-47 mL (mean, 29.9 mL). The postoperative hospitalization length was 3-5 days (mean, 3.8 days). All patients were followed up 12-16 months (mean, 13.8 months). The VAS score and ODI improved at immediate and 3, 6, and 12 months after operation compared to before operation, and the differences between different time points were significant ( P<0.05). At last follow-up, the clinical efficacy assessed by the modified MacNab criteria were graded as excellent in 23 cases, good in 9 cases, and poor in 1 case, with an excellent and good rate of 96.97%. Postoperative lumbar MRI revealed the significant decompression of the dural sac in 32 cases, with 1 case showing inadequate dural expansion. DSCA measurements confirmed progressive enlargement and stenosis reduction over time. The differences were significant ( P<0.05) before operation, immediately after operation, and at 6 months after operation. At 6 months after operation, Schizas grading of spinal stenosis improved to grade A in 27 cases and grade B in 6 cases. CONCLUSION Posterior 180-degree decompression via UBE is a safe and feasible strategy for treating LSS combined with MSU-1 LDH, achieving effective neural decompression while preserving intervertebral disc integrity.
Humans ; Spinal Stenosis/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Female ; Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/surgery* ; Middle Aged ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement/complications* ; Decompression, Surgical/methods* ; Retrospective Studies ; Endoscopy/methods* ; Adult ; Aged, 80 and over ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the therapeutic mechanism of 2,6-dimethoxy-1,4-benzoquinone (DMQ) for alleviating dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced ulcerative colitis (UC) in mice. METHODS: Eighteen male C57BL/6J mice were equally randomized into control group, DSS group and DMQ treatment group. In DSS and DMQ groups, the mice were treated with DSS in drinking water to induce UC, and received intraperitoneal injections of sterile PBS or DMQ (20 mg/kg) during modeling. The changes in body weight, disease activity index (DAI), colon length, spleen weight, and colon histological scores of the mice were examined, and the percentages of Th17 and IFN-γ⁺ CD8⁺ T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen were analyzed using flow cytometry. The expressions of tight junction proteins (Occludin and ZO-1), proteins associated with inflammasome activation (caspase-1 and p20), IL-1β and TNF-α in the colon tissues were detected using Western blotting or ELISA. In the cell experiment, mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) primed with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) were treated with DMQ, followed by stmulation with nigericin to activate the classical NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. In cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) treated with either LPS alone or LPS plus nigericin, the effects of DMQ on inflammasome activation, pyroptosis, and cytokine release were evaluated via Western blotting, ELISA, and flow cytometry. RESULTS: In DSS-treated mice, DMQ treatment significantly alleviated DSS-induced body weight loss, colon shortening, spleen enlargement, and colon inflammation. The DMQ-treated mice showed significantly reduced percentages of Th17 cells and IFN-γ⁺ CD8⁺ T cells in the mesenteric lymph nodes and spleen, with increased occludin and ZO-1 expressions and decreased caspase-1 expression in the colon tissue. DMQ obviously inhibited classical NLRP3 inflammasome activation in mouse BMDMs and both the classical and alternative pathways of NLRP3 activation in human PBMCs, causing also suppression of caspase-1-dependent pyroptosis. CONCLUSIONS DMQ ameliorates DSS-induced UC in mice by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.
Animals ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Colitis, Ulcerative/metabolism* ; Dextran Sulfate/adverse effects* ; Male ; Inflammasomes/metabolism* ; Mice ; Benzoquinones/therapeutic use* ; Th17 Cells ; Caspase 1/metabolism*