The zebrafish model has attracted much attention due to its strong reproductive ability, short research cycle, and ease of maintenance. It has always been an important vertebrate model system, often used to carry out human disease research. Its motor behavior features have the advantages of being simpler, more intuitive, and quantifiable. In recent years, it has received widespread attention in the study of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)for the treatment of sleep disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, fatigue, epilepsy, and other diseases. This paper reviews the characteristics of zebrafish motor behavior and its applications in the pharmacodynamic verification and mechanism research of TCM extracts, active ingredients, and TCM compounds, as well as in active ingredient screening and safety evaluation. The paper also analyzes its advantages and disadvantages, with the aim of improving the breadth and depth of zebrafish and its motor behavior applications in the field of TCM research.
Zebrafish/physiology* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical/methods* ; Animals ; Sleep Wake Disorders/physiopathology* ; Epilepsy/physiopathology* ; Neurodegenerative Diseases/physiopathology* ; Fatigue/physiopathology* ; Behavior, Animal/physiology* ; Motor Activity/physiology*

OBJECTIVE: The present study evaluated the effects of deep acupuncture at Weizhong acupoint (BL40) on bladder function and brain activity in a rat model of overactive bladder (OAB), and investigated the possible mechanisms around the acupuncture area that initiate the effects of acupuncture. METHODS: Adult female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into six groups, comprising a control group, model group, group treated with deep acupuncture at BL40, group treated with shallow acupuncture at BL40, group treated with acupuncture at non-acupoint next to BL40, and group treated with acupuncture at Xuanzhong (GB39). Urodynamic evaluation was used to observe the urination, and functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to observe the brain activation. The mechanism of acupuncture at BL40 in regulating bladder function was explored by toluidine blue staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the mechanism was verified by stabilizing mast cells (MCs) or blocking tibial nerve. RESULTS: Deep acupuncture at BL40 significantly increased the intercontraction interval in OAB rats and enhanced the mean amplitude of low frequency fluctuation of primary motor cortex (M1), periaquaductal gray matter (PAG), and pontine micturition center (PMC). It also increased the zero-lag functional connectivity between M1 and PAG and between PAG and PMC. Shallow acupuncture at BL40 and acupuncture at non-acupoint or GB39 had no effect on these indexes. Further studies suggested that deep acupuncture at BL40 increased the number and degranulation rate of MCs as well as the contents of 5-hydroxytryptamine, substance P, and histamine in the tissues around BL40. Blocking the tibial nerve by lidocaine injection or inhibiting MC degranulation by sodium cromoglycate injection obstructed the effects of acupuncture on restoring urinary function and modulating brain activation in OAB rats. CONCLUSION Deep acupuncture at BL40 may be more effective for inhibiting OAB by promoting degranulation of MCs around the acupoint and stimulating tibial nerve, thereby regulating the activation of the brain area that controls the lower urinary tract. Please cite this article as: Liu X, Zhang CY, Du XY, Li SS, Wang YQ, Zheng Y, Deng HZ, Fang XQ, Li JY, Wang ZQ, Xu SF, Mi YQ. Acupuncture at Weizhong (BL40) attenuates acetic acid-induced overactive bladder in rats by regulating brain neural activity through the modulation of mast cells and tibial nerves. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(1): 46-55.
Animals ; Urinary Bladder, Overactive/physiopathology* ; Mast Cells/physiology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Female ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Acupuncture Points ; Rats ; Brain/physiopathology* ; Tibial Nerve/physiopathology* ; Acetic Acid ; Urinary Bladder/physiopathology*

Objective Pertussis cases have increased markedly since 2018 in Guangxi.The aim of this study was to evaluate antibody levels and the infection status of pertussis in the resident population. Method A total of 10,215 serum samples from residents were collected from August-November 2018 and tested for anti-pertussis IgG and toxin IgG using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). Results Of the collected samples,1,833(17.94%)tested positive for anti-pertussis IgG,with the median concentration of 16.06 IU/mL.Antibody level<10 IU/mL accounted for more than 60%in children under 4 years of age,but declined with age,whereas the percentages of the other three levels(10-40,40-50,and≥50 IU/mL)increased almost with age(P<0.001).Moreover,7,924 samples were selected for anti-pertussis toxin IgG,of which 653(8.24%)tested positive(≥40 IU/mL)with the median concentration of 5.89 IU/mL,and 204 participants(2.56%)had recent pertussis infection(≥100 IU/mL).Among the different age groups,the highest rates of positivity and recent infection were observed at 11-20 years of age,the lowest positivity rate at 5 years of age,and the lowest recent infection rate at 4 years of age(P<0.001,P=0.005,respectively). Conclusion The survey results showed that all age groups in Guangxi lacked immunity against pertussis,which was one of the main factors contributing to the resurgence of pertussis in 2018.In addition,the prevalence of pertussis is relatively high in Guangxi,and its incidence is seriously underestimated,especially in adolescents and adults.

Endodontic diseases are a kind of chronic infectious oral disease.Common endodontic treatment concepts are based on the removal of inflamed or necrotic pulp tissue and the replacement by gutta-percha.However,it is very essential for endodontic treatment to debride the root canal system and prevent the root canal system from bacterial reinfection after root canal therapy(RCT).Recent research,encompassing bacterial etiology and advanced imaging techniques,contributes to our understanding of the root canal system's anatomy intricacies and the technique sensitivity of RCT.Success in RCT hinges on factors like patients,infection severity,root canal anatomy,and treatment techniques.Therefore,improving disease management is a key issue to combat endodontic diseases and cure periapical lesions.The clinical difficulty assessment system of RCT is established based on patient conditions,tooth conditions,root canal configuration,and root canal needing retreatment,and emphasizes pre-treatment risk assessment for optimal outcomes.The findings suggest that the presence of risk factors may correlate with the challenge of achieving the high standard required for RCT.These insights contribute not only to improve education but also aid practitioners in treatment planning and referral decision-making within the field of endodontics.

Aim To investigate the mechanism of RhoA/ROCK signaling pathway in abnormal aortic contractility in type 2 diabetes (T2DM) mice. Methods The experiment was divided into two groups, the control group (db/m mice) and the model group (db/db mice). Changes of the response to different methods were measured in aorta rings using a Multi Myograph System. At the same time, the protein expression changes of aortic smooth muscle contraction signaling pathway in mice were determined by Western method. Results Compared with the control group, the blood glucose and body weight levels of the mice in the T2DM group significantly increased, and the cardiac function was abnormal (P <0. 01). The contractile response of the aorta of the diabetic mice induced by the contractile agents Phe, 5-HT and CaCl

OBJECTIVE: To explore the amino acid metabolomics characteristics of myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in mice with sepsis induced by the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP). METHODS: The sepsis mouse model was prepared by CLP, and the mice were randomly divided into a sham operation group (sham group, n = 10) and a CLP model group (n = 10). On the 7th day after the operation, 5 mice were randomly selected from the surviving mice in each group, and the bone marrow MDSCs of the mice were isolated. Bone marrow MDSCs were separated to measure the oxygen consumption rate (OCR) by using Agilent Seahorse XF technology and to detect the contents of intracellular amino acids and oligopeptides through ultra-performance liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) technology. Different metabolites and potential biomarkers were analyzed by univariate statistical analysis and multivariate statistical analysis. The major metabolic pathways were enriched using the small molecular pathway database (SMPDB). RESULTS: The proportion of MDSCs in the bone marrow of CLP group mice (75.53% ± 6.02%) was significantly greater than that of the sham group (43.15%± 7.42%, t = 7.582, P < 0.001), and the basal respiratory rate [(50.03±1.20) pmol/min], maximum respiration rate [(78.07±2.57) pmol/min] and adenosine triphosphate (ATP) production [(25.30±1.21) pmol/min] of MDSCs in the bone marrow of CLP group mice were significantly greater than the basal respiration rate [(34.53±0.96) pmol/min, (t = 17.41, P < 0.001)], maximum respiration rate [(42.57±1.87) pmol/min, (t = 19.33, P < 0.001)], and ATP production [(12.63±0.96) pmol/min, (t = 14.18, P < 0.001)] of sham group. Leucine, threonine, glycine, etc. were potential biomarkers of septic MDSCs (all P < 0.05). The increased amino acids were mainly enriched in metabolic pathways, such as malate-aspartate shuttle, ammonia recovery, alanine metabolism, glutathione metabolism, phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism, urea cycle, glycine and serine metabolism, β-alanine metabolism, glutamate metabolism, arginine and proline metabolism. CONCLUSION The enhanced mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, malate-aspartate shuttle and alanine metabolism in MDSCs of CLP mice may provide raw materials for mitochondrial aerobic respiration, thereby promoting the immunosuppressive function of MDSCs. Blocking the above metabolic pathways may reduce the risk of secondary infection in sepsis and improve the prognosis.
Adenosine Triphosphate/metabolism* ; Alanine/metabolism* ; Animals ; Aspartic Acid/metabolism* ; Biomarkers/metabolism* ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Glycine/metabolism* ; Malates/metabolism* ; Mice ; Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells/metabolism* ; Sepsis/complications* ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the preadmission follow-up condition of neonates hospitalized due to severe hyperbilirubinemia after discharge from the department of obstetrics and the influencing factors for follow-up compliance. METHODS: A multicenter retrospective case-control study was performed for the cases from the multicenter clinical database of 12 units in the Quality Improvement Clinical Research Cooperative Group of Neonatal Severe Hyperbilirubinemia in Jiangsu Province of China from January 2019 to April 2021. According to whether the follow-up of neonatal jaundice was conducted on time after discharge from the department of obstetrics, the neonates were divided into two groups: good follow-up compliance and poor follow-up compliance. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to identify the influencing factors for follow-up compliance of the neonates before admission. RESULTS: A total of 545 neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia were included in the study, with 156 neonates (28.6%) in the good follow-up compliance group and 389 (71.4%) in the poor follow-up compliance group. The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low gestational age at birth, ≥10% reduction in body weight on admission compared with birth weight, history of phototherapy of siblings, history of exchange transfusion of siblings, Rh(-) blood type of the mother, a higher educational level of the mother, the use of WeChat official account by medical staff to remind of follow-up before discharge from the department of obstetrics, and the method of telephone notification to remind of follow-up after discharge were associated with the increase in follow-up compliance (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Poor follow-up compliance is observed for the neonates with severe hyperbilirubinemia after discharge from the department of obstetrics, which suggests that it is necessary to further strengthen the education of jaundice to parents before discharge and improve the awareness of jaundice follow-up. It is recommended to remind parents to follow up on time by phone or WeChat official account.
Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hyperbilirubinemia, Neonatal/therapy* ; Infant, Newborn ; Obstetrics ; Patient Discharge ; Pregnancy ; Retrospective Studies

Objective: To explore the protective effects of anthrahydroquinone-2,6-disulfonate (AH 2 QDS) on the kidneys of paraquat (PQ) poisoned rats via the apelin-APJ pathway. Methods: Male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four experimental groups: control, PQ, PQ+sivelestat, and PQ+AH 2 QDS. The PQ+sivelestat group served as the positive control group. The model of poisoning was established via intragastric treatment with a 20% PQ pesticide solution at 200 mg/kg. Two hours after poisoning, the PQ+sivelestat group was treated with sivelestat, while the PQ+AH 2 QDS group was given AH 2 QDS. Six rats were selected from each group on the first, third, and seventh days after poisoning and dissected after anesthesia. The PQ content of the kidneys was measured using the sodium disulfite method. Hematoxylin-eosin staining of renal tissues was performed to detect pathological changes. Apelin expression in the renal tissues was detected using immunofluorescence. Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of the following proteins in the kidney tissues: IL-6, TNF-α, apelin-APJ (the apelin-Angiotensin receptor), NF-κB p65, caspase-1, caspase-8, glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), and the C/EBP homologous protein (CHOP). In in vitro study, a PQ toxicity model was established using human tubular epithelial cells treated with standard PQ. Twenty-four hours after poisoning, sivelestat and AH 2 QDS were administered. The levels of oxidative stress in human renal tubular epithelial cells were assessed using a reactive oxygen species fluorescence probe. Results: The PQ content in the kidney tissues of the PQ group was higher than that of the PQ+AH 2 QDS group. Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed extensive hemorrhage and congestion in the renal parenchyma of the PQ group. Vacuolar degeneration of the renal tubule epithelial cells, deposition of crescent-like red staining material in renal follicles, infiltration by a few inflammatory cells, and a small number of cast formation were also observed. However, these pathological changes were less severe in the PQ+sivelestat group and the PQ+AH 2 QDS group (P<0.05). On the third day after poisoning, immunofluorescence assay showed that the level of apelin in the renal tissues was significantly higher in the PQ+AH 2 QDS group than in the PQ group. Western blotting analysis results showed that IL-6, TNF-α, NF-κB p65, caspase-1, caspase-8, GRP78, and CHOP protein levels in the PQ group were higher than in the PQ+AH 2 QDS group (P<0.05). The expression of apelin-APJ proteins in the PQ+AH 2 QDS group was higher than in the PQ+sivelestat and PQ groups (P<0.05); this difference was significant on Day 3 and Day 7. The level of oxidative stress in the renal tubular epithelial cells of the PQ+AH 2 QDS group and the PQ+sivelestat group was significantly lower than in the PQ group (P<0.05). Conclusions: This study confirms that AH 2 QDS has a protective effect on PQ-poisoned kidneys and its positive effect is superior to that of sivelestat. The mechanism of the protective effects of AH 2 QDS may be linked to reduction in cellular oxidative stress, PQ content of renal tissue, inflammatory injury, endoplasmic reticulum stress, and apoptosis. AH 2 QDS may play a role in the treatment of PQ poisoning by upregulating the expression of the apelin-APJ.

Aim To investigate the mechanism of Pi- ezol in the phenotypic changes of rat coronary arterial smooth muscle cells ( CASMCs) induced by high hydrostatic pressure.Methods CASMCs were isolated from Wistar rats and stimulated for 24 h at 0, 120 and 180 mmHg, respectively.The expressions of Piezol , contractile phenotvpe-related proteins including Cavl.2 ,SM-MHC ,cx-SMA and synthetic phenotvpe-re- lated proteins including OPN , MMP-2, Coll al were detected by Western blot.The effect of calcium influx mediated by Piezol was detected by Laser confocal mi- j j croscopy.CASMCs were treated with Piezol agonist Yodal , inhibitor GsMTx4 and Piezol-siHNA , respectively and the expressions of contractile phenotvpe and synthetic phenotvpe-related proteins were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with control ( 0 mmHg) , the expressions of Piezol , OPN, MMP-2 and Collal increased, but the expressions of Cavl.2,SM- MHC and cx-SMA decreased in 120 mmHg as well as 180 mmHg group.After stimulated by 180 mmHg high pressure, Piezol-mediated calcium influx was stronger than that in 0 mmHg group, hut decreased after Piezol knockdown.Treated with Yodal at 0 mmHg, the expression of contractile phenotvpe-related protein decreased while the expression of synthetic phenotvpe-re- lated protein increased compared with DMSO group..\Jfter using GsMTx4 to inhibit or siRNA to knockdown Piezol at 180 mmHg,the expression of contractile phe- notvpe-related protein increased and the expression of synthetic phenotype-related protein decreased compared with the control group.Conclusion Piezol promotes the transition from contractile phenotvpe to syn-thetic phenotvpe of CASMCs induced by high hydrostatic pressure.