The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of lung zinc ions to pathogenesis of lung ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, lung I/R group (I/R group), lung I/R + low-dose zinc chloride group (LZnCl₂+I/R group), lung I/R + high-dose ZnCl₂ group (HZnCl₂+I/R group), lung I/R + medium-dose ZnCl₂ group (MZnCl₂+I/R group) and TPEN+MZnCl₂+I/R group (n = 8 in each group). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure the concentration of zinc ions in lung tissue. The degree of lung tissue injury was analyzed by observing HE staining, alveolar damage index, lung wet/dry weight ratio and lung tissue gross changes. TUNEL staining was used to detect cellular apoptosis in lung tissue. Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to determine the protein expression levels of caspase-3 and ZIP8, as well as the mRNA expression levels of zinc transporters (ZIP, ZNT) in lung tissue. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of lung tissue was detected by JC-1 MMP detection kit. The results showed that, compared with the control group, the lung tissue damage, lung wet/dry weight ratio and alveolar damage index were significantly increased in the I/R group. And in the lung tissue, the concentration of Zn²⁺ was markedly decreased, while the cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 ratio and apoptotic levels were significantly increased. The expression levels of ZIP8 mRNA and protein were down-regulated significantly, while the mRNA expression of other zinc transporters remained unchanged. There was also a significant decrease in MMP. Compared with the I/R group, both MZnCl₂+I/R group and HZnCl₂+I/R group exhibited significantly reduced lung tissue injury, lung wet/dry weight ratio and alveolar damage index, increased Zn²⁺ concentration, decreased ratio of cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 and apoptosis, and up-regulated expression levels of ZIP8 mRNA and protein. In addition, the MMP was significantly increased in the lung tissue. Zn²⁺ chelating agent TPEN reversed the above-mentioned protective effects of medium-dose ZnCl₂ on the lung tissue in the I/R group. The aforementioned results suggest that exogenous administration of ZnCl₂ can improve lung I/R injury in rats.
Animals ; Reperfusion Injury/pathology* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Chlorides/administration & dosage* ; Lung/pathology* ; Zinc Compounds/administration & dosage* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Cation Transport Proteins/metabolism*

The triterpenoid saponins of Centella asiatica, including asiaticoside, madecassoside, asiatic acid, and madecassic acid, are pivotal bioactive compounds of the plant. These constituents exhibit a spectrum of pharmacological activities, such as antioxidant, antitumor, and antidepressant effects, promotion of wound healing, and enhancement of microcirculation. Owing to these therapeutic properties, C. asiatica is widely employed in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. However, the escalating global demand for its extracts has led to potential supply shortages, prompting researchers to use multiple strategies such as multi-omics, molecular biology, and synthetic biology to conduct extensive studies. These studies encompass the elucidation of the biosynthetic pathways of triterpenoid saponins in C. asiatica, metabolic regulation, the hormonal induction of secondary metabolite synthesis, and the application of biotechnological strategies for natural product production to increase the yield of secondary metabolites in C. asiatica, or to produce active components via microbial chassis, thus satisfying market demands and promoting the sustainable exploitation of wild C. asiatica resources. This article first introduced the triterpenoid saponins of C. asiatica and their biological activities, then summarized the latest research advancements in their biosynthetic pathways, metabolic regulation, and heterologous biosynthesis, and provided an outlook on future development directions, with the aim of providing reference for comprehensive resource development and biotechnological synthesis of active components from C. asiatica.
Centella/genetics* ; Triterpenes/chemistry* ; Biosynthetic Pathways ; Humans ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of inverted-Y urethral function-preserving holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) on stress urinary incontinence after surgery in patients with BPH. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data on 109 cases of BPH treated in our hospital from June 2022 to May 2023 by traditional HoLEP with preservation of the apical prostatic urethral valve (group A, n = 52) or inverted-Y urethral function-preserving HoLEP (group B, n = 57). We recorded the intra- and post-operative parameters, evaluated the urinary incontinence status and post-void symptoms according to the International Continence Society standards, and analyzed the effect of inverted-Y versus traditional HoLEP in improving the postoperative urinary incontinence of the patients. RESULTS: The incidence rate of stress urinary incontinence after catheter removal was significantly lower in group B than in A (10.52% vs 26.92%, P = 0.027), and so was it at 2 weeks after surgery (1.75% vs 11.54%, P = 0.037), and at 1 month postoperatively (0% vs 7.69%, P = 0.033). CONCLUSION For the treatment of BPH, inverted-Y urethral function-preserving HoLEP is superior to traditional HoLEP with preservation of the apical prostatic urethral valve in improving stress urinary incontinence after surgery.
Humans ; Male ; Retrospective Studies ; Lasers, Solid-State/therapeutic use* ; Prostatic Hyperplasia/surgery* ; Urethra/surgery* ; Postoperative Complications/prevention & control* ; Urinary Incontinence, Stress/etiology* ; Prostatectomy/adverse effects* ; Aged ; Urinary Incontinence ; Prostate/surgery*

Pulpotomy, which belongs to vital pulp therapy, has become a strategy for managing pulpitis in recent decades. This minimally invasive treatment reflects the recognition of preserving healthy dental pulp and optimizing long-term patient-centered outcomes. Pulpotomy is categorized into partial pulpotomy (PP), the removal of a partial segment of the coronal pulp tissue, and full pulpotomy (FP), the removal of whole coronal pulp, which is followed by applying the biomaterials onto the remaining pulp tissue and ultimately restoring the tooth. Procedural decisions for the amount of pulp tissue removal or retention depend on the diagnostic of pulp vitality, the overall treatment plan, the patient's general health status, and pulp inflammation reassessment during operation. This statement represents the consensus of an expert committee convened by the Society of Cariology and Endodontics, Chinese Stomatological Association. It addresses the current evidence to support the application of pulpotomy as a potential alternative to root canal treatment (RCT) on mature permanent teeth with pulpitis from a biological basis, the development of capping biomaterial, and the diagnostic considerations to evidence-based medicine. This expert statement intends to provide a clinical protocol of pulpotomy, which facilitates practitioners in choosing the optimal procedure and increasing their confidence in this rapidly evolving field.
Humans ; Calcium Compounds/therapeutic use* ; Consensus ; Dental Pulp ; Dentition, Permanent ; Oxides/therapeutic use* ; Pulpitis/therapy* ; Pulpotomy/standards*

Instrument separation is a critical complication during root canal therapy, impacting treatment success and long-term tooth preservation. The etiology of instrument separation is multifactorial, involving the intricate anatomy of the root canal system, instrument-related factors, and instrumentation techniques. Instrument separation can hinder thorough cleaning, shaping, and obturation of the root canal, posing challenges to successful treatment outcomes. Although retrieval of separated instrument is often feasible, it carries risks including perforation, excessive removal of tooth structure and root fractures. Effective management of separated instruments requires a comprehensive understanding of the contributing factors, meticulous preoperative assessment, and precise evaluation of the retrieval difficulty. The application of appropriate retrieval techniques is essential to minimize complications and optimize clinical outcomes. The current manuscript provides a framework for understanding the causes, risk factors, and clinical management principles of instrument separation. By integrating effective strategies, endodontists can enhance decision-making, improve endodontic treatment success and ensure the preservation of natural dentition.
Humans ; Root Canal Therapy/adverse effects* ; Consensus ; Root Canal Preparation/adverse effects*

Xiaoaiping (XAP) Injection demonstrates the anti-prostate cancer (PCa) effects, yet the underlying mechanism remains unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of XAP on PCa and elucidate its mechanism of action. PCa cell proliferation was evaluated using a cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8) assay. Cell apoptosis was assessed through Hoechst staining and Western blotting assays. Proteomics technology was employed to identify key molecules and significant signaling pathways modulated by XAP in PCa cells. To further validate potential key genes and important pathways, a series of assays were conducted, including acridine orange (AO) staining, transmission electron microscopy, and immunofluorescence assays. The molecular mechanism of XAP against PCa in vivo was examined using a PC3 xenograft mouse model. Results demonstrated that XAP significantly inhibited cell proliferation in multiple PCa cell lines. In C4-2 and prostate cancer cell line-3 (PC3) cells, XAP induced cellular apoptosis, evidenced by reduced B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2) levels and elevated Bcl-2-associated X (Bax) levels. Proteomic, immunofluorescence, and quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) investigations revealed a strong correlation between forkhead box O3a (FoxO3a) autophagic degradation and the anti-PCa action of XAP. XAP hindered autophagy by reducing the expression levels of autophagy-related protein 5 (Atg5)/autophagy-related protein 12 (Atg12) and enhancing FoxO3a expression and nuclear translocation. Furthermore, XAP exhibited potent anti-PCa action in PC3 xenograft mice and triggered FoxO3a nuclear translocation in tumor tissue. These findings suggest that XAP induces PCa apoptosis via inhibition of FoxO3a autophagic degradation, potentially offering a novel perspective on XAP injection as an effective anticancer therapy for PCa.
Male ; Humans ; Prostatic Neoplasms/physiopathology* ; Autophagy/drug effects* ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Proteomics ; Mice ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation/drug effects* ; Forkhead Box Protein O3/genetics* ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays ; Mice, Nude ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

Objective To analyze the effect of topical recombinant human acidic fibroblast growth factor(rh-aFGF)on wound healing in burn and scald patients.Methods A total of 240 burn pa-tients were selected as the study subjects and divided into observation group and control group,with 120 cases in each group.The control group was treated with compound polymyxin B ointment,while the observation group received rh-aFGF combined with compound polymyxin B ointment.The wound healing time,wound healing rate,positive detection rate of wound pathogens and wound inflammatory response were compared between the two groups after treatment.Results After 28 days of medication,the wound healing time of patients in the observation group was significantly shorter,and the wound healing rate was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).The detection rate of pathogens in the burn wounds of the observation group was significantly lower than that of the control group at 7,14,21,and 28 days after treatment(P＜0.05).There was a statistically significant differ-ence in wound inflammatory response between the two groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion The rh-aFGF is effective in treatment of burn and scald wound,and it is conductive to promoting wound healing,shortening healing time,and reducing wound inflammatory responses.

Objective:To explore the relationship between the expressions of P21,P27 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen(PCNA)in glomerular mesangial tissue and poor renal prognosis in patients with immunoglobulin A(IgA)nephropathy.Methods:A total of 145 patients with IgA nephropathy treated in Xiaogan Central Hospital from April 2017 to August 2019 were selected as the research object.The expressions of P21,P27 and PCNA in glomerular mesangial tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.All patients were followed up for 24 months,and the prognosis were counted.The expressions of P21,P27 and PCNA in glomerular mesangial tissue of patients with different prognosis were compared and the influencing factors of poor prognosis in patients with IgA nephropathy were analyzed by Logistic regression analysis.Results:The expression rates of P21,P27 and PCNA positive cells in glomerular mesangial tissue of patients with IgA nephropathy were(38.69±6.83)%,(55.94±8.08)%,(33.47±5.72)%,respectively.The incidence rete of poor prognosis in patients with IgA nephropathy was 17.24%,and the expression rates of P21 and PCNA positive cells in glomerular mesangial tissue of patients with poor prognosis were higher than those in good prognosis group(P<0.05),while the expression rate of P27 positive cells was lower than that in good prognosis group(P<0.05).Logistic multiple regression analysis showed that elevated diastolic blood pressure,increased 24 h proteinuria,mesangial cell proliferation,segmental glomerulosclerosis,renal tubular atrophy/interstitial fibrosis,crescentic body,increased expression rates of P21 and PCNA positive cells and decreased expression rate of P27 positive cells were all risk factors affecting the poor prognosis of patients with IgA nephropathy(P<0.05).Conclusion:There are positive expressions of P21,P27 and PCNA in glomerular mesangial tissue of IgA nephropathy.The expression rates of P21 and PCNA positive cells in glomerular mesangial tissue of of patients with poor prognosis of IgA nephropathy are higher than those with good prognosis,while the expression rate of P27 protein positive cells is lower than those with good prognosis,which are risk factors for poor prognosis of patients with IgA nephropathy.

Objective To summarize the epidemiological and clinical features of infectious diseases of the central nervous system(CNS)by a single-center analysis.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 1247 cases of CNS infectious diseases diagnosed and treated in the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from 2001 to 2020.Results The data for this group of CNS infectious diseases by disease type in descending order of number of cases were viruses 743(59.6％),Mycobacterium tuberculosis 249(20.0％),other bacteria 150(12.0％),fungi 68(5.5％),parasites 18(1.4％),Treponema pallidum 18(1.4％)and rickettsia 1(0.1％).The number of cases increased by 177 cases(33.1％)in the latter 10 years compared to the previous 10 years(P<0.05).No significant difference in seasonal distribution pattern of data between disease types(P>0.05).Male to female ratio is 1.87︰1,mostly under 60 years of age.Viruses are more likely to infect students,most often at university/college level and above,farmers are overrepresented among bacteria and Mycobacterium tuberculosis,and more infections of Treponema pallidum in workers.CNS infectious diseases are characterized by fever,headache and signs of meningeal irritation,with the adductor nerve being the more commonly involved cranial nerve.Matagenomic next-generation sequencing improves clinical diagnostic capabilities.The median hospital days for CNS infectious diseases are 18.00(11.00,27.00)and median hospital costs are ￥29,500(￥16,000,￥59,200).The mortality rate from CNS infectious diseases is 1.6％.Conclusions The incidence of CNS infectious diseases is increasing last ten years,with complex clinical presentation,severe symptoms and poor prognosis.Early and accurate diagnosis and standardized clinical treatment can significantly reduce the morbidity and mortality rate and ease the burden of disease.

Aim Excessive cerebral inflammation caused by chronic alcohol intake is an important risk factor for central nervous system injury. The purpose of this study was to explore the protective effect of konjac mannan oligosaccharide (KMOS) on central nervous system inflammation in alcohol-fed mice and its mechanism. Methods The chronic alcohol fed model of C57BL/6J mice was established using Gao-binge method. And the different doses of KMOS were gavaged every day for 6 weeks. The neuronal damage and microglia activation were evaluated in cerebral cortex and hippocampus. The damage of colon tissue was assessed and serum LPS concentrations were measured. In vitro, Caco-2 cells were stimulated with LPS to establish intestinal mucosal injury model. Results Chronic alcohol intake can cause brain neuron damage in mice, and different doses of KMOS effectively reduced the activation state of microglia, decreased the expression of inflammatory factors caused by the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome and alleviated neuronal damage in the brain tissue of alcohol-fed mice. The results of colon tissue analysis showed that the use of KMOS effectively reduced the concentration of endotoxin LPS in serum of alcohol-fed mice, alleviated the pathological injury and inflammatory response of colon tissue, and enhanced the expression of Occludin in intestinal tissue. In vitro experiments also showed that KMOS significantly inhibited the inflammatory reaction of Caco-2 cells exposed to alcohol and increased the expression of Occludin protein. Conclusions KMOS treatment effectively inhibited intestinal inflammation caused by alcohol intake, repaired intestinal barrier to prevent the entry of intestinal LPS into brain tissue, decreased the activation of microglia, and then improved brain neuron damage. KMOS had the potential to prevent alcoholic nerve injury.