ObjectiveTo investigate the antidepressant effects and mechanisms of total flavonoids from Cuscutae Semen （TFCC） in the mouse model of chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS）. MethodsFifty male 4-week-old ICR mice were randomized into five groups （n=10 per group）： blank control， model， Cuscutae Semen decoction （10.2 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， paroxetine （2.6 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and TFCC （173.2 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）. The other groups except the blank control group underwent chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） for 4 weeks. Behavioral assessments were conducted post-modeling. Then， the model group received distilled water （10 mL·kg^-1·d^-1）， while treatment groups were administrated with respective agents via oral gavage （10 mL·kg^-1） for 4 weeks. Depression-like behaviors were evaluated by the sucrose preference test （SPT）， forced swimming test （FST）， and tail suspension test （TST）. Hippocampal neuronal morphology was observed via hematoxylin-eosin staining， and apoptosis in the brain tissue was assessed via terminal- deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling （TUNEL）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the hippocampal levels of inflammatory cytokines ［interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α）］ and neurotransmitters ［5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， dopamine （DA）， and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）］， while the reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels were quantified via the DCFH-DA probe. Real-time PCR was performed to measure the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated Speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 （Caspase-1）， IL-1β， and inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）. Western blot was employed to evaluate the protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， uncoupling protein 2 （UCP2）， and thioredoxin-interacting protein （TXNIP）. ResultsCompared with the blank control group， the model group exhibited weight loss （P<0.01）， reduced sucrose preference （P<0.01）， prolonged immobility time in FST and TST （P<0.01）， neuron disarrangement with nuclear pyknosis in hippocampal CA3 region， increased apoptosis in the brain tissue， elevated levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α （P<0.01）， declined levels of 5-HT， DA， and BDNF （P<0.01）， increased ROS accumulation （P<0.01）， upregulated mRNA levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1β， and iNOS （P<0.01）， down-regulated protein level of UCP2 （P<0.01）， and up-regulated protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and TXNIP （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the interventions restored sucrose preference （P<0.01）， shortened immobility time （P<0.01）， repaired hippocampal neuronal structure， reduced apoptosis， lowered the levels of inflammatory cytokines （P<0.01）， restored the levels of neurotransmitters （P<0.01）， alleviated ROS accumulation （P<0.01）， downregulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1β， and iNOS （P<0.01）， upregulated the protein level of UCP2 （P<0.01）， and reduced the protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and TXNIP （P<0.01）. Moreover， TFCC outperformed Cuscutae Semen decoction in ameliorating depressive behaviors. TFCC excelled in neuronal repair， neurotransmitter regulation， anti-inflammatory effects， and modulation of the UCP2/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway （P<0.05）. ConclusionTFCC modulates the hippocampal UCP2/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway to inhibit inflammasome activation， reduce oxidative stress， restore neurotransmitters， thus suppressing neuronal apoptosis and promoting the rearrangement and morphology recovery of hippocampal cells. It outperforms Cuscutae Semen decoction in the antidepressant efficacy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the antidepressant effects and mechanisms of total flavonoids from Cuscutae Semen （TFCC） in the mouse model of chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS）. MethodsFifty male 4-week-old ICR mice were randomized into five groups （n=10 per group）： blank control， model， Cuscutae Semen decoction （10.2 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， paroxetine （2.6 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）， and TFCC （173.2 mg·kg^-1·d^-1）. The other groups except the blank control group underwent chronic unpredictable mild stress （CUMS） for 4 weeks. Behavioral assessments were conducted post-modeling. Then， the model group received distilled water （10 mL·kg^-1·d^-1）， while treatment groups were administrated with respective agents via oral gavage （10 mL·kg^-1） for 4 weeks. Depression-like behaviors were evaluated by the sucrose preference test （SPT）， forced swimming test （FST）， and tail suspension test （TST）. Hippocampal neuronal morphology was observed via hematoxylin-eosin staining， and apoptosis in the brain tissue was assessed via terminal- deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling （TUNEL）. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the hippocampal levels of inflammatory cytokines ［interleukin （IL）-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α）］ and neurotransmitters ［5-hydroxytryptamine （5-HT）， dopamine （DA）， and brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）］， while the reactive oxygen species （ROS） levels were quantified via the DCFH-DA probe. Real-time PCR was performed to measure the mRNA levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， apoptosis-associated Speck-like protein containing a CARD （ASC）， cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1 （Caspase-1）， IL-1β， and inducible nitric oxide synthase （iNOS）. Western blot was employed to evaluate the protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， uncoupling protein 2 （UCP2）， and thioredoxin-interacting protein （TXNIP）. ResultsCompared with the blank control group， the model group exhibited weight loss （P<0.01）， reduced sucrose preference （P<0.01）， prolonged immobility time in FST and TST （P<0.01）， neuron disarrangement with nuclear pyknosis in hippocampal CA3 region， increased apoptosis in the brain tissue， elevated levels of IL-1β， IL-6， and TNF-α （P<0.01）， declined levels of 5-HT， DA， and BDNF （P<0.01）， increased ROS accumulation （P<0.01）， upregulated mRNA levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1β， and iNOS （P<0.01）， down-regulated protein level of UCP2 （P<0.01）， and up-regulated protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and TXNIP （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the interventions restored sucrose preference （P<0.01）， shortened immobility time （P<0.01）， repaired hippocampal neuronal structure， reduced apoptosis， lowered the levels of inflammatory cytokines （P<0.01）， restored the levels of neurotransmitters （P<0.01）， alleviated ROS accumulation （P<0.01）， downregulated the mRNA levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， IL-1β， and iNOS （P<0.01）， upregulated the protein level of UCP2 （P<0.01）， and reduced the protein levels of NLRP3， ASC， Caspase-1， and TXNIP （P<0.01）. Moreover， TFCC outperformed Cuscutae Semen decoction in ameliorating depressive behaviors. TFCC excelled in neuronal repair， neurotransmitter regulation， anti-inflammatory effects， and modulation of the UCP2/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway （P<0.05）. ConclusionTFCC modulates the hippocampal UCP2/TXNIP/NLRP3 pathway to inhibit inflammasome activation， reduce oxidative stress， restore neurotransmitters， thus suppressing neuronal apoptosis and promoting the rearrangement and morphology recovery of hippocampal cells. It outperforms Cuscutae Semen decoction in the antidepressant efficacy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the effectiveness and shoulder function of reverse total shoulder arthroplasty (RTSA) and open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) in the treatment of Neer three/four-part proximal humeral fractures in the elderly. METHODS: Randomized controlled analysis was conducted on 68 patients over 70 years old with Neer three/four-part proximal humeral fractures treated with RTSA or ORIF between January 2020 and June 2022. The patients were randomly divided into RTSA group ( n=32) and ORIF group ( n=36). There was no significant difference ( P>0.05) in the baseline data such as age, gender, body mass index, injured side, Neer classification, and preoperative Charlson comorbidity index, visual analogue scale (VAS) score, Constant shoulder score, Oxford shoulder score (OSS), and hemoglobin (Hb). The operation time, intraoperative blood loss, reduction of Hb on the 3rd day after operation, hospital stay, total cost of hospitalization, complication incidence, range of motion of shoulder joint at 2 years after operation, VAS score before operation and at 5 days and 1 month after operation, Constant shoulder score and OSS score before operation and at 2 years after operation, and imaging results during follow-up were recorded and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Compared with the ORIF group, the RTSA group had longer operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, and higher total cost of hospitalization ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in Hb reduction on the 3rd day after operation between the two groups ( P>0.05). The VAS scores significantly improved in both groups at 5 days and 1 month after operation ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference between the two groups ( P>0.05). All patients were followed up 26-35 months, with an average of 31.2 months. In the RTSA group, there were 2 cases of poor healing of superficial incision and 1 case of transient nerve injury. There was no complication such as bone resorption around the prosthesis, lucent band, prosthesis loosening, or periprosthetic fracture in all patients. In the ORIF group, there was 1 case of poor healing of superficial incision, 3 cases of nonunion of fracture, 1 case of arthritis secondary to humeral head necrosis, and 1 case of bone absorption of large tuberosity, and no displacement or fracture failure of internal fixation was found in all patients. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications [9.4% (3/32) vs 16.7% (6/36)] between the two groups [ OR (95% CI): 0.828 (0.171, 4.014), P=0.814]. In the RTSA group, 28 cases were graded 0 and 4 cases were graded 1 at 2 years after operation. Constant and OSS scores of RTSA group were significantly better than those of ORIF group ( P<0.05). The Constant score was significantly better than ORIF group in activity and strength, range of motion, lifting, abduction, and external rotation ( P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in pain, daily function, and internal rotation between the two groups ( P>0.05). The RTSA group had a significantly greater range of motion in lifting, abduction, and external rotation than ORIF group ( P<0.05), but there was no significant difference in internal rotation between the two groups ( P>0.05). CONCLUSION Application of RTSA as the initial treatment of Neer three/four-part proximal humeral fractures in the elderly can achieve better rehabilitation of joint activity and lower risk of early reoperation, and improve the quality of life of elderly fracture patients. However, the difficulty of revision and the high cost of treatment require the surgeon to pay full attention and strictly grasp the indications.
Humans ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/instrumentation* ; Male ; Female ; Shoulder Fractures/surgery* ; Arthroplasty, Replacement, Shoulder/methods* ; Aged ; Bone Plates ; Open Fracture Reduction/methods* ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Treatment Outcome ; Shoulder Joint/physiopathology* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Operative Time ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology* ; Length of Stay

BACKGROUND:Croton cream can activate ERK pathways and have anti-apoptotic effects on neuronal cells.It is not clear whether it synergistically exerts anti-apoptotic effects by inhibiting the activation of JNK and p38 pathways. OBJECTIVE:To explore the effects and mechanisms of croton cream on neuronal damage and apoptosis in the ischemic cortex of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS:(1)Ninety Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,croton cream low-dose group,croton cream medium-dose group,croton cream high-dose group and nimodipine group,with 15 rats in each group.Except for the sham operation group,animal models of middle cerebral artery occlusion were prepared in rats by the thread method.Rats in the three croton cream groups were given 20,40,and 60 mg/kg croton cream,respectively.Rats in the sham operation and model groups were given the same amount of normal saline,once a day,for 7 consecutive days.The optimal concentration of croton cream,namely the high dose of croton cream,was selected based on neurological deficit score,TTC staining,brain tissue water content,hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining.(2)Another 120 Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,croton cream group,JNK inhibitor group,croton cream+JNK inhibitor group,p38 MAPK inhibitor group,croton cream+p38 MAPK inhibitor group,and nimodipine group,with 15 rats in each group.Animal models of middle cerebral artery occlusion were prepared using the thread method in all the groups except in the sham operation group.Thirty minutes before modeling,10 μL of SP600125(JNK inhibitor)and 10 μL of SB203580(p38 MAPK inhibitor)were injected into the lateral ventricle of the rats,respectively.Rats in croton cream groups were intragastrically given 60 mg/kg croton cream.Seven days later,the JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway,apoptosis-related proteins and cell apoptosis were detected by western blot,TUNEL staining and flow cytometry,respectively. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with the sham operation group,neurological deficit score,cerebral water content,cerebral infarction volume and apoptosis rate were significantly increased in the model group(P<0.05),where nerve cells showed scattered distribution.Compared with the model group,neurological deficit score,water content of brain tissue and cerebral infarction volume were significantly decreased in the croton cream medium-dose group,high-dose group and nimodipine group(P<0.05),and the pathological morphology of nerve cells was significantly improved.(2)Compared with the JNK inhibitor group,p-JNK/JNK,p-p38/p38 and Bax expressions in rat brain tissue and the apoptotic rate were significantly decreased in the croton cream+inhibitor groups(P<0.05),while the expression of and Bcl-2 was significantly increased(P<0.05).To conclude,croton cream may inhibit the activation of JNK/p38 MAPK signaling pathway and reduce neuronal apoptosis to achieve neuroprotective effects in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Objective:To analyze the effect of Croton leaf on ERK1/2 pathway in hippocampal of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion.Methods:A total of 216 SD male rats were divided into sham operation group, model group, nimodipine group, low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups of croton leaf according to random nubmer table method, with 36 rats in each group. The MACO model of rats was prepared by the method of wire embolization. The high, medium and low dose groups were intragastrated with the water decoction 0.06 g/ml, 0.12 g/ml and 0.18 g/ml of Croton leaf; nimodipine group was intragastrated with nimodipine suspension 1.08 g/L; sham operation group and model group were intragastrated with equal volume of normal saline. Garcia JH score was used to conduct neurological function score, and HE staining was used to observe the morphology of hippocampal neurons after 7 days of continuous administration. Apoptosis of hippocampal CA3/DG region was detected by TUNEL assay. Western Blot was used to detect the expression of ERK1/2 and p-ERK1/2 proteins.Results:Compared with the model group at simultaneous point, the neurological function scores of low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups of Croton leaf increased ( P<0.01), the number of apoptotic cells decreased ( P<0.01), the expression of p-ERK1/2 / ERK1/2 [1 d: (0.22±0.03, 0.34±0.02, 0.46±0.01 vs. 0.19±0.02); 3 d: (0.38±0.02, 0.50±0.02, 0.68±0.02 vs. 0.27±0.02); 7 d: (0.29±0.03, 0.43±0.02, 0.59±0.02 vs. 0.21±0.03)] in hippocampus of the low-dose, medium-dose and high-dose groups of Croton leaf significantly increased ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Croton leaf could regulate the expression of ERK1/2 pathway protein upward, effectively improve the neural function and resist the apoptosis of hippocampal CA3/DG area of rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Objective:To construct an Omaha system-based remote intervention program for clinical nurses' neck, shoulder and low back pain and evaluate its effect.Methods:From July to October 2020, 94 nurses with neck, shoulder and low back pain in a Class Ⅲ hospital were randomly selected by ward. Using the envelope method, nurses were randomly divided into the intervention group and the control group, with 47 cases in each group, among them, the intervention group dropped 1 and the remaining 46 persons, the control group dropped 4 and the remaining 43 persons. The intervention group conducted a remote intervention program (using Omaha system as the theoretical framework, and using literature review, semi-structured interviews and expert consultation to construct a remote intervention program for clinical nurses' neck, shoulder and low back pain) . The control group used conventional guidance. The General Information Questionnaire, Exercise Compliance Questionnaire, Knowledge-Behavior-Symptoms (K-B-S) and Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were used to evaluate the intervention effect.Results:The exercise compliance of nurses in the intervention group was 78.26% (36/46) and that in the control group was 39.53% (17/43) , the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.01) . After 6 weeks of intervention, the nurses' cognitive and behavior scores in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . There was no statistically significant difference in the symptom score between the two groups ( P>0.05) . The VAS score and frequency of neck, shoulder and low back pain were lower than those of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:Based on Omaha system, the remote intervention program for the clinical nurses' neck, shoulder and low back pain is safe, scientific and theoretical. It can improve cognition and behavior of neck, shoulder and low back pain nurses, reduce the intensity and frequency of pain, and the nurses have good compliance.

To investigate the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection among hepatitis B virus (HBV) patients in northern Shaanxi Province,139 patients and 43 healthy controls were recruited.All the plasma was screened for IgG antibody of Toxoplasma gondii.Then,the association between Toxoplasma gondii infection and HBV were analyzed.Results showed that the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii infection was relative low with just 5.04％ in HBV patients but zero in healthy control.Most of those infected with toxoplasma gondii were male,HBeAg positive or with higher HBV viral load.However,no significant relationship was found between Toxoplasma gondii infection and gender,HBeAg status or viral load in univariate analyses.This study indicated the relative low infection rate of Toxoplasma gondii,which had no association with HBV infection in northern Shaanxi Province.

BACKGROUND:The incidence of intestinal necrosis during liver transplantation is low, and most of them abandon transplantation and thus leading to death. OBJECTIVE:To retrospectively analyze the reasons which result in smal intestinal necrosis during liver transplantation, and to explore the viable treatment options. METHODS:The clinical data of 207 patients were reviewed, two patients complicated with smal intestinal necrosis during liver transplantation. Case 1 underwent liver transplantation combined with necrotic smal bowel resection. Case 2 abandoned liver transplantation, and received conservative treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Both of the two patients had preoperative portal system thrombosis. In Case 1, there was upper gastrointestinal bleeding before transplantation, and repeated application of hemostatic drugs could increase the thrombosis and thus resulting smal intestinal necrosis. At 10 days after liver transplantation, the patients complicated with intestinal fistula and were treated with fistulation. After fistulation, the patient suffered from abdominal cavity and lung infections. At 7 days after anti-infection treatment and immunosuppressant stopped, the infections were cured. At 40 days after fistulation, the intestinal fistula was healed and the patient was discharged after rehabilitation. After fol owed-up for 2 years, the patient was stil healthy living. The Case 2 suffered with mass ascites which lead to abdominal compartment syndrome, the intestinal venous disorders lead to extensive smal bowel necrosis. At 2 days after abandon the liver transplantation, the patient was dead because of multiple organ failure. The patients who waiting for liver transplantation had preoperative portal system thrombosis, abdominal pain and abdominal distention, should be pay attention to intestinal necrosis. Patients with smal bowel necrosis during liver transplantation can be cured with liver transplantation combined with necrotic smal bowel resection.

Objective To study the effect of indole- 2,3-dione on the content and release of monoamine neurotransmitters in rat brain.Methods The Wistar rats were given indole-2,3-dione (50,200mg?kg~(-1),ip), and the content of acetylcholine(Ach) and dopamine(DA) in corpus striatum were detected two hours later;the releases of DA,5-hydroxy-tryptamine(5-HT) and norepinephrine(NE) in cortex and corpus striatum slices were examined before and after perfusion with the artificial cerebrospinal fluid(ACSF)that contained indole-2,3-dione. Results The rats given indole-2,3-dione were observed higher concentration of Ach and DA in their corpus striatum compared with that in cortex. Moreover the results also showed indole- 2,3-dione promoted the release of DA in cortex and corpus striatum slices. Conclusion Indole-2,3-dione can regulate the balance between Ach and DA release in rat brain.