OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) with different frequencies on spermatogenic function, testicular morphology and oxidative stress in oligoasthenospermia (OAT) rats, and to explore the mechanism and the optimal parameters of EA for OAT. METHODS: Sixty SPF-grade male SD rats were randomly divided into a solvent control group, a model group, a 2 Hz EA group, a 100 Hz EA group and a 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, with 12 rats in each group. Except for the solvent control group, the other 4 groups were administered ornidazole suspension (800 mg·kg^-1·d^-1) by gavage for 28 d to establish the OAT model. Starting from the 1st of modeling, EA was applied at "Guanyuan" (CV4), "Qihai" (CV6) and bilateral "Sanyinjiao" (SP6) and "Zusanli" (ST36) in the 3 EA groups, continuous wave of 2 Hz, continuous wave of 100 Hz, and disperse-dense wave of 2 Hz/100 Hz were used in the 2 Hz EA group, the 100 Hz EA group, and the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, respectively, with current intensity of 1-3 mA, 30 min a time, once every other day, for 28 consecutive days. After intervention, the testicular index was calculated, epididymal sperm quality was assessed, and the fertility ability was observed; morphology of testicular tissue was observed by HE staining, and the Johnson score was calculated; the positive expression of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in testicular tissue was detected by immunofluorescence; the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), as well as the level of malondialdehyde (MDA) in testicular tissue were measured by ELISA; the protein expression of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in testicular tissue was detected by Western blot. RESULTS: Compared with the solvent control group, in the model group, the testicular index, sperm concentration, sperm motility and the number of offspring were decreased (P<0.01), the seminiferous tubules atrophied and the Johnson score decreased (P<0.01); the activity of SOD and CAT, as well as the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in testicular tissue were decreased (P<0.01); the sperm deformity rate, the positive expression of ROS and the MDA level in testicular tissue were increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the 2 Hz EA group, the 100 Hz EA group and the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, the testicular index, sperm concentration, sperm motility and the number of offspring were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01), the pathological morphology of testicular tissue improved and the Johnson scores increased (P<0.01); the activity of SOD and CAT, as well as the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 in testicular tissue were increased (P<0.05, P<0.01); the sperm deformity rate, the positive expression of ROS and the MDA level in testicular tissue were decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with the 2 Hz EA group, in the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, the testicular index, sperm concentration, sperm motility, as well as the CAT activity and HO-1 protein expression in testicular tissue were increased (P<0.01, P<0.05); the positive expression of ROS was decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the 100 Hz EA group, in the 2 Hz/100 Hz EA group, the testicular index was increased (P<0.01), the positive expression of ROS in testicular tissue was decreased (P<0.01). CONCLUSION EA with 2 Hz continuous wave, 100 Hz continuous wave, and 2 Hz/100 Hz disperse-dense wave can all improve the spermatogenic arrest and reduce the level of oxidative stress in testicular tissue in OAT rats, the mechanism may be related to up-regulating the protein expression of Nrf2 and HO-1 and improving oxidative stress. EA with disperse-dense wave of 2 Hz/100 Hz shows the optimal effect.
Male ; Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Oxidative Stress ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatogenesis ; Oligospermia/genetics* ; Humans ; Testis/metabolism* ; Superoxide Dismutase/metabolism* ; Asthenozoospermia/genetics* ; Acupuncture Points ; Malondialdehyde/metabolism*

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effectiveness of single-balloon and double-balloon enteroscopy in diagnosing pediatric small bowel diseases and assess the diagnostic efficacy of computed tomography enterography (CTE) for small bowel diseases using enteroscopy as the reference standard. METHODS: Clinical data from 576 children who underwent enteroscopy at Hunan Children's Hospital between January 2017 and December 2023 were retrospectively collected. The children were categorized based on enteroscopy type into the single-balloon enteroscopy (SBE) group (n=457) and double-balloon enteroscopy (DBE) group (n=119), and the clinical data were compared between the two groups. The sensitivity and specificity of CTE for diagnosing small bowel diseases were evaluated using enteroscopy results as the standard. RESULTS: Among the 576 children, small bowel lesions were detected by enteroscopy in 274 children (47.6%).There was no significant difference in lesion detection rates or complication rates between the SBE and DBE groups (P>0.05), but the DBE group had deeper insertion, longer procedure time, and higher complete small bowel examination rate (P<0.05). The complication rate during enteroscopy was 4.3% (25/576), with 18 cases (3.1%) of mild complications and 7 cases (1.2%) of severe complications, which improved with symptomatic treatment, surgical, or endoscopic intervention. Among the 412 children who underwent CTE, the sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing small bowel diseases were 44.4% and 71.3%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS SBE and DBE have similar diagnostic efficacy for pediatric small bowel diseases, but DBE is preferred for suspected deep small bowel lesions and comprehensive small bowel examination. Enteroscopy in children demonstrates relatively good overall safety. CTE demonstrates relatively low sensitivity but comparatively high specificity for diagnosing small bowel diseases.
Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Double-Balloon Enteroscopy/statistics & numerical data* ; Single-Balloon Enteroscopy/statistics & numerical data* ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Child ; Operative Time ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed/statistics & numerical data* ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Intestine, Small/surgery* ; Intestinal Diseases/surgery*

OBJECTIVE: To elucidate the effect of Huanglian-Renshen-Decoction (HRD) on ameliorating type 2 diabetes mellitus by maintaining islet β -cell identity through regulating paracrine and endocrine glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1)/GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) in both islet and intestine. METHODS: The db/db mice were divided into the model (distilled water), low-dose HRD (LHRD, 3 g/kg), high-dose HRD (HHRD, 6 g/kg), and liraglutide (400 µ g/kg) groups using a random number table, 8 mice in each group. The db/m mice were used as the control group (n=8, distilled water). The entire treatment of mice lasted for 6 weeks. Blood insulin, glucose, and GLP-1 levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kits. The proliferation and apoptosis factors of islet cells were determined by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. Then, GLP-1, GLP-1R, prohormone convertase 1/3 (PC1/3), PC2, v-maf musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma oncogene homologue A (MafA), and pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 (PDX1) were detected by Western blot, IHC, IF, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. RESULTS: HRD reduced the weight and blood glucose of the db/db mice, and improved insulin sensitivity at the same time (P<0.05 or P<0.01). HRD also promoted mice to secrete more insulin and less glucagon (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Moreover, it also increased the number of islet β cell and decreased islet α cell mass (P<0.01). After HRD treatment, the levels of GLP-1, GLP-1R, PC1/3, PC2, MafA, and PDX1 in the pancreas and intestine significantly increased (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSION HRD can maintain the normal function and identity of islet β cell, and the underlying mechanism is related to promoting the paracrine and endocrine activation of GLP-1 in pancreas and intestine.
Animals ; Glucagon-Like Peptide 1/metabolism* ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/metabolism* ; Glucagon-Like Peptide-1 Receptor/metabolism* ; Insulin-Secreting Cells/pathology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Male ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Insulin/blood* ; Mice ; Intestinal Mucosa/pathology* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Islets of Langerhans/pathology*

Chronic prostatitis is a common and frequently occurring disease in male clinics. Due to the diverse symptoms， complex etiology， unclear mechanisms， and recurrent episodes of chronic prostatitis， Western medicine often faces the challenge of limited treatment options and unsatisfactory outcomes. In order to fully leverage the unique advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in the treatment of chronic prostatitis， the China Association of Chinese Medicine organized a discussion among experts from the fields of TCM urology， Western urology， and related pharmacy. The experts focused on the advancements in the understanding of chronic prostatitis in modern medicine， various theories on the etiology， pathogenesis， and treatment of chronic prostatitis in TCM， entry points from interdisciplinary fields， the role and advantages of TCM in the comprehensive management of chronic prostatitis， and research into mechanisms related to chronic prostatitis. After discussions， the experts concluded that chronic prostatitis is one of the diseases where TCM has a distinct advantage. TCM can effectively improve the clinical syndromes of chronic prostatitis， including urinary issues， social psychology， organ specificity， infection， nervous system problems， pain and discomfort， sexual dysfunction， etc.， and can enhance the quality of life. For patients with chronic prostatitis who cannot tolerate or may not accept the adverse effects of Western medicine， as well as for those with non-inflammatory chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome （CP/CPPS）， those with pain as the primary symptom， those with urinary tract symptoms， those with coexisting anxiety and depression， and those with abnormal semen liquefaction， TCM-based treatment can be the main approach. Currently， the optimal diagnosis and treatment strategy for chronic prostatitis has not yet been established， and further research from perspectives such as clinical epidemiology， evidence-based medicine， and molecular biology is needed. Both TCM and Western medicine should integrate their respective strengths， clarify the role and advantages of TCM interventions based on mutual reference， and improve the diagnosis and treatment standards for chronic prostatitis in China.

Background::Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and diameter, stiffness, and wave reflections, are independent and important clinical biomarkers and risk predictors for cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the present study was to establish nationwide reference values of carotid properties for healthy Chinese adults and to explore potential clinical determinants.Methods::A total of 3053 healthy Han Chinese adults (1922 women) aged 18-79 years were enrolled at 28 collaborating tertiary centers throughout China between April 2021 and July 2022. The real-time tracking of common carotid artery walls was achieved by the radio frequency (RF) ultrasound system. The IMT, diameter, compliance coefficient, β stiffness, local pulse wave velocity (PWV), local systolic blood pressure, augmented pressure (AP), and augmentation index (AIx) were then automatically measured and reported. Data were stratified by age groups and sex. The relationships between age and carotid property parameters were analyzed by Jonckheere-Terpstra test and simple linear regressions. The major clinical determinants of carotid properties were identified by Pearson’s correlation, multiple linear regression, and analyses of covariance.Results::All the parameters of carotid properties demonstrated significantly age-related trajectories. Women showed thinner IMT, smaller carotid diameter, larger AP, and AIx than men. The β stiffness and PWV were significantly higher in men than women before forties, but the differences reversed after that. The increase rate of carotid IMT (5.5 μm/year in women and 5.8 μm/year in men) and diameter (0.03 mm/year in both men and women) were similar between men and women. For the stiffness and wave reflections, women showed significantly larger age-related variations than men as demonstrated by steeper regression slopes (all P for age by sex interaction <0.05). The blood pressures, body mass index (BMI), and triglyceride levels were identified as major clinical determinants of carotid properties with adjustment of age and sex. Conclusions::The age- and sex-specific reference values of carotid properties measured by RF ultrasound for healthy Chinese adults were established. The blood pressures, BMI, and triglyceride levels should be considered for clinical application of corresponding reference values.

Objective To compare clinical effect between open reduction and fixation with cannulated screw and threaded rivet via posteromedial approach versus arthroscopic Endobutton plate fixation in treating posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fractures.Methods Clinical data of 38 patients with posterior cruciate ligament avulsion fractures from July 2020 to December 2021 were analyzed retrospectively,and divided into open reduction and internal fixation group(posterior medial approach hollow anchor system fixation)and arthroscopic fixation group(Endobutton with loop plate fixation under arthroscopy).There were 20 patients in open reduction and internal fixation group,including 16 males and 4 females,aged from 26 to 74 years old with an average of(42.9±18.8)years old;13 patients on the left side and 7 patients on the right side;12 patients were classi-fied to type Ⅱ and 8 patiens with type Ⅲ according to Meyers-McKeever fractures classification;14 patients were grade Ⅱ and 6 patients were grade Ⅲ in back drawer test.There were 18 patients in arthroscopic fixation group,including 11 males and 7 fe-males;aged from 24 to 70 years old with an average of(53.5±13.4)years old;11 patients on the left side and 7 patients on the right side;10 patients were classified to type Ⅱ and 8 patiens with type Ⅲ according to Meyers-McKeever fractures classifica-tion;11 patients were grade Ⅱ and 7 patients were grade Ⅲ in back drawer test.Operation time,blood loss,and quality of im-mediate reduction were compared between two groups.Knee range of motion,knee back drawer test,and International Knee Documentation Committee(IKDC)grading,KT2000 stability evaluation and Lysholm function score of knee joint were com-pared at 6 months after operation.Results All patients were followed up for 8 to 16 months with an average of(12.3±1.9)months.There were no complications such as incision infection,fracture malunion or non-union,and internal fixation loosening occurred.The avulsion fractures of knee joint were reached to imaging healing standard at 6 months after operation.Operation time and blood loss in open reduction and internal fixation group were(56.4±7.1)min and(63.2±10.2)ml,while(89.9±7.4)min and(27.7±8.7)ml in arthroscopic fixation group,respectively,and had significant difference between two groups(P＜0.05).There were no differences in immediate reduction quality(x2=0.257,P=0.612),knee joint range of motion at 6 months after opertaion(t=0.492,P=0.626),knee joint rear drawer test(x2=0.320,P=0.572),IKDC classification of knee joint(x2=0.127,P=0.938),KT2000stability evaluation(x2=0.070,P=0.791),and knee Lysholmfunction score(t=0.092,P=0.282)between two groups.Conclusion Posterior medial approach with hollow anchoring system fixation and arthroscopic Endobutton with loop plate fixa-tion for the treatment of posterior cruciate ligament tibial occlusion avulsion fracture could achieve satisfactory clinical results,and arthroscopic surgery has less bleeding,but also has a longer learning curve and longer operation time than traditional inci-sion surgery.The surgeon needs to make a choice according to clinical situation of patient and their own surgical inclination.

BACKGROUND: Long non-coding RNA colon cancer-associated transcript 1 (CCAT1) is involved in transforming multiple cancers into malignant cancer types. Previous studies underlining the mechanisms of the functions of CCAT1 primarily focused on its decoy for miRNAs (micro RNAs). However, the regulatory mechanism of CCAT1-protein interaction associated with tumor metastasis is still largely unknown. The present study aimed to identify proteome-wide CCAT1 partners and explored the CCAT1-protein interaction mediated tumor metastasis. METHODS: CCAT1-proteins complexes were purified and identified using RNA antisense purification coupled with the mass spectrometry (RAP-MS) method. The database for annotation, visualization, and integrated discovery and database for eukaryotic RNA binding proteins (EuRBPDB) websites were used to bioinformatic analyzing CCAT1 binding proteins. RNA pull-down and RNA immunoprecipitation were used to validate CCAT1-Vimentin interaction. Transwell assay was used to evaluate the migration and invasion abilities of HeLa cells. RESULTS: RAP-MS method worked well by culturing cells with nucleoside analog 4-thiouridine, and cross-linking was performed using 365 nm wavelength ultraviolet. There were 631 proteins identified, out of which about 60% were RNA binding proteins recorded by the EuRBPDB database. Vimentin was one of the CCAT1 binding proteins and participated in the tumor metastasis pathway. Knocked down vimetin ( VIM ) and rescued the downregulation by overexpressing CCAT1 demonstrated that CCAT1 could enhance tumor migration and invasion abilities by stabilizing Vimentin protein. CONCLUSION CCAT1 may bind with and stabilize Vimentin protein, thus enhancing cancer cell migration and invasion abilities.
Humans ; HeLa Cells ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Vimentin/metabolism* ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; Colonic Neoplasms/genetics* ; RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic/genetics* ; Cell Movement/genetics*

The theory of disease prevention with traditional Chinese medicine is introduced into the prevention of chronic diseases such as hypertension. In order to fully implement the advantages of acupuncture, the three-level prevention strategy is strengthened on the whole-process intervention with acupuncture for hypertension, including prevention before disease onset, starting intervention at the early phase, and prevention disease from exacerbating. Moreover, the comprehensive management scheme, multidisciplinary coordination and participation mechanism are investigated in the field of traditional Chinese medicine for preventive treatment of hypertension.
Humans ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Acupuncture ; Chronic Disease ; Hypertension

BACKGROUND: Abnormal type I collagen (COL1) expression is associated with the development of many cardiovascular diseases. The TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway and circRNAs have been shown to regulate COL1 gene expression, but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still not fully understood. METHODS: Gain- and loss-of-function experiments were prformed to study the effect of circZBTB46 on the expression of alpha 2 chain of type I collagen (COL1A2). Co-immunoprecipitation assay was performed to observe the interaction between two proteins. RNA immunoprecipitation assay and biotin pull-down assay were performed to observe the interaction of circZBTB46 with PDLIM5. RESULTS: In this study, we investigated the role of circZBTB46 in regulating COL1A2 expression in human vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). We found that circZBTB46 is expressed in VSMCs and that TGF-beta inhibits circZBTB46 formation by downregulating KLF4 expression through activation of the Smad signaling pathway. CircZBTB46 inhibits the expression of COL1A2 induced by TGF-beta. Mechanistically, circZBTB46 mediates the interaction between Smad2 and PDLIM5, resulting in the inhibition of Smad signaling and the subsequent downregulation of COL1A2 expression. Furthermore, we found that the expression of TGF-beta and COL1A2 is decreased, while circZBTB46 expression is increased in human abdominal aortic aneurysm tissues, indicating that circZBTB46-mediated regulation of TGF-beta/Smad signaling and COL1A2 synthesis in VSMCs plays a crucial role in vascular homeostasis and aneurysm development. CONCLUSIONS CircZBTB46 was identified as a novel inhibitor of COL1 synthesis in VSMCs, highlighting the importance of circZBTB46 and PDLIM5 in regulating TGF-beta/Smad signaling and COL1A2 expression.

Objective To investigate the association between 8 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (HSD) gene family and human digit ratio (2D ∶ 4D). Methods Randomly selected 808 college students (400 males and 408 females) as subjects, the digit ratio of left and right fingers were measured and calculated using computer image software. Eight SNPs (rs1000283, rs2236903, rs5479, rs56303414, rs676387, rs4445895, rs2066474, rs8190478) in HSD11B and HSD17B gene families were genotyped by multiplex PCR. The association between 2D ∶4D and different genotypes was analyzed by One-Way ANOVA. Results Female left hand(L)2D ∶ 3D, L2D ∶4D, L3D ∶4D, right hand(R)2D ∶4D, R2D ∶5D were significantly higher than male (P<0. 05). The genotype frequency of rs2236903 (HSD11B1) was significantly different between male and female (P < 0. 05). A good linkage disequilibrium was found between rs1000283and rs2236903 of HSD11B1 gene, rs5479 and rs56303414 of HSD11B2 gene, but there was no statistical difference in frequency between male and female students(P>0. 05). The genotypes frequency of the 8 SNPs were not significantly associated with digit ratio (2D ∶4D) in both males and females (P>0. 05). Conclusion There are significant gender differences in digit ratio in Ningxia Han college students, but there is no correlation between digit ratio and 8 SNPs in HSD11B and HSD17B gene families, suggesting that HSD11B and HSD17B gene families may have nothing to do with the formation of human digit ratio.