Reproductive system diseases are among the primary contributors to the decline in social fertility rates and the intensification of aging, posing significant threats to both physical and mental health, as well as quality of life. Recent research has revealed the substantial potential of the gut microbiota in improving reproductive system diseases. Under healthy conditions, the gut microbiota maintains a dynamic balance, whereas dysfunction can trigger immune-inflammatory responses, metabolic disorders, and other issues, subsequently leading to reproductive system diseases through the gut-gonadal axis. Reproductive diseases, in turn, can exacerbate gut microbiota imbalance. This article reviews the impact of the gut microbiota and its metabolites on both male and female reproductive systems, analyzing changes in typical gut microorganisms and their metabolites related to reproductive function. The composition, diversity, and metabolites of gut bacteria, such as Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Firmicutes, including short-chain fatty acids, 5-hydroxytryptamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and bile acids, are closely linked to reproductive function. As reproductive diseases develop, intestinal immune function typically undergoes changes, and the expression levels of immune-related factors, such as Toll-like receptors and inflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β), also vary. The gut microbiota and its metabolites influence reproductive hormones such as estrogen, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone, thereby affecting folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis. Additionally, the metabolism and absorption of vitamins can also impact spermatogenesis through the gut-testis axis. As the relationship between the gut microbiota and reproductive diseases becomes clearer, targeted regulation of the gut microbiota can be employed to address reproductive system issues in both humans and animals. This article discusses the regulation of the gut microbiota and intestinal immune function through microecological preparations, fecal microbiota transplantation, and drug therapy to treat reproductive diseases. Microbial preparations and drug therapy can help maintain the intestinal barrier and reduce chronic inflammation. Fecal microbiota transplantation involves transferring feces from healthy individuals into the recipient’s intestine, enhancing mucosal integrity and increasing microbial diversity. This article also delves into the underlying mechanisms by which the gut microbiota influences reproductive capacity through the gut-gonadal axis and explores the latest research in diagnosing and treating reproductive diseases using gut microbiota. The goal is to restore reproductive capacity by targeting the regulation of the gut microbiota. While the gut microbiota holds promise as a therapeutic target for reproductive diseases, several challenges remain. First, research on the association between gut microbiota and reproductive diseases is insufficient to establish a clear causal relationship, which is essential for proposing effective therapeutic methods targeting the gut microbiota. Second, although gut microbiota metabolites can influence lipid, glucose, and hormone synthesis and metabolism via various signaling pathways—thereby indirectly affecting ovarian and testicular function—more in-depth research is required to understand the direct effects of these metabolites on germ cells or granulosa cells. Lastly, the specific efficacy of gut microbiota in treating reproductive diseases is influenced by multiple factors, necessitating further mechanistic research and clinical studies to validate and optimize treatment regimens.

Objective To analyze the antigen recognition sites of commercial and homemade antibodies against aquaporin(AQP)9,and to identify the application effect.Methods Western blotting was used to compare the efficacy of three commercial antibodies and self-made antibody in identifying AQP9 genotypes.The antigen recognition sites of four antibodies and their specificities in practical applications were analyzed.Results Western blotting showed that protein bands of three commercial antibodies were detected in both WT and Aqp9-/-mice.The keyhole limpet hemocyanin(KLH)conjugated synthetic peptides corresponding to the three commercial antibodies were derived from rat,human and human,respectively.And The sequences of these three synthetic peptides were different from those of mice.AQP3/7 and AQP9 have similar molecular weight and were expressed in the liver with high homology.An obvious band of self-made antibody was observed at the 27 kD position in WT mice,but no band was observed at the corresponding position in Aqp9-/-mice.Conclusion Commercial antibodies 1 and 3 can be used to assist in the identification of genotypes in Aqp9-/-mice.Homemade antibodies can accurately identify genotypes at the protein level.

Objective To investigate the toxicokinetic differences of 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine(MDMA)and its metabolite 4,5-methylene dioxy amphetamine(MDA)in rats af-ter single and continuous administration of MDMA,providing reference data for the forensic identifica-tion of MDMA.Methods A total of 24 rats in the single administration group were randomly divided into 5,10 and 20 mg/kg experimental groups and the control group,with 6 rats in each group.The ex-perimental group was given intraperitoneal injection of MDMA,and the control group was given intraperi-toneal injection of the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group.The amount of 0.5 mL blood was collected from the medial canthus 5 min,30 min,1 h,1.5 h,2 h,4 h,6 h,8 h,10 h,12 h after administration.In the continuous administration group,24 rats were randomly divided into the experi-mental group(18 rats)and the control group(6 rats).The experimental group was given MDMA 7 d by continuous intraperitoneal injection in increments of 5,7,9,11,13,15,17 mg/kg per day,respectively,while the control group was given the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group by in-traperitoneal injection.On the eighth day,the experimental rats were randomly divided into 5,10 and 20 mg/kg dose groups,with 6 rats in each group.MDMA was injected intraperitoneally,and the con-trol group was injected intraperitoneally with the same volume of normal saline as the experimental group.On the eighth day,0.5 mL of blood was taken from the medial canthus 5 min,30 min,1 h,1.5 h,2 h,4 h,6 h,8 h,10 h,12 h after administration.Liquid chromatography-triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry was used to detect MDMA and MDA levels,and statistical software was employed for data analysis.Results In the single-administration group,peak concentrations of MDMA and MDA were reached at 5 min and 1 h after administration,respectively,with the largest detection time limit of 12 h.In the continuous administration group,peak concentrations were reached at 30 min and 1.5 h af-ter administration,respectively,with the largest detection time limit of 10 h.Nonlinear fitting equations for the concentration ratio of MDMA and MDA in plasma and administration time in the single-administration group and continuous administration group were as follows:T=10.362C-1.183,R2=0.974 6;T=7.397 3C-0.694,R2=0.961 5(T:injection time;C:concentration ratio of MDMA to MDA in plasma).Conclusions The toxicokinetic data of MDMA and its metabolite MDA in rats,obtained through single and continuous administration,including peak concentration,peak time,detection time limit,and the relationship between concentration ratio and administration time,provide a theoretical and data foundation for relevant forensic identification.

ObjectiveAngle-closure glaucoma (ACG) is one of the major eye-blinding diseases. To diagnose ACG, it is crucial to examine the anterior chamber angle. Current diagnostic tools include slit lamp gonioscopy, water gonioscopy, ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM), and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT). Slit lamp and water gonioscopy allow convenient observation of the anterior chamber angle, but pose risks of invasive operation and eye infections. UBM can accurately measure the structure of the anterior chamber angle. However, it is complex to operate and unsuitable for patients, who have undergone trauma or ocular surgery. Although AS-OCT provides detailed images, it is costly. The aim of this study is to explore a non-invasive, non-destructive optical reflection tomography (ORT) technique. This technique can achieve low-cost three-dimensional imaging and full-field anterior chamber angle measurement of the porcine eye. MethodsThe experiment involved assembling an optical reflection tomography system, which included a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera, a telecentric system, a stepper motor, and a white light source, achieving a spatial resolution of approximately 8.5 μm. The process required positioning the porcine eye at the center of the field of the imaging system and rotating it around its central axis using a stepper motor. Reflection projection images were captured at each angle with an exposure time of 1.0 ms and an interval of 2°. The collected reflection-projection data were processed using a filtered reflection tomography algorithm, generating a series of two-dimensional slice data. These slices essentially represented cross-sectional views of the three-dimensional structural image, and were reconstructed into a complete three-dimensional structural image. Based on the reconstructed three-dimensional structural image of the porcine eye, the anterior chamber angles at different positions were measured, and a distribution map of these angles was drawn. Simultaneously, the ORT measurements were compared with the standard results obtained from optical coherence tomography (OCT) to assess the accuracy of ORT measurements. ResultsIn this study, we successfully obtained the reflection projection data of a porcine eye using ORT technology, reconstructed its three-dimensional structural image, and measured the anterior chamber angle, generating the corresponding distribution map. To better distinguish the different structural parts of porcine eye, the three-dimensional structural image was marked with blue, green, and yellow dashed lines from the outer to the inner layers. The area between the blue and green dashed lines corresponded to the sclera. The area between the green and yellow dashed lines corresponded to the iris. The area inside the yellow dashed line corresponded to the pupil. The three-dimensional structural image clearly revealed the key anatomical features of the porcine eye. It was able to measure the anterior chamber angle at different positions. Additionally, the anterior chamber angle measurements of the porcine eye using ORT were compared with the measurements obtained using a TEL320C1 type OCT system, showing an average deviation of 0.51° and a mean square error MSE of 0.317. ConclusionORT is a non-invasive, non-destructive, low-cost, and high-resolution imaging technique capable of achieving three-dimensional structural imaging and full-field anterior chamber angle measurement of a porcine eye. This technology offers a new perspective for the diagnosis of angle-closure glaucoma and is significant for the screening, diagnosis, and monitoring of eye diseases, potentially benefiting clinics and small hospitals in remote areas in the future.

Combined radiation and burn injury (CRBI) is a severe syndrome, which is induced by the simultaneous or successive radiation and burn; but no appropriate clinical therapies are available. Loong oil (LO) is a traditional Chinese medicine oil composed of the oil extracts of cuttlebone, safflower, walnut oil, and rapeseed oil, which has been demonstrated to own anti-radiation and tissue healing functions. In this study, glyceryl monostearate (GMO) was used for the preparation of lyotropic liquid crystals that loaded LO to obtain Loong oil-lyotropic liquid crystals (LOL) for the treatment of skin CRBI. The hexagonal phase structure of LOL was proved by small X-ray scattering (SAXS) analysis with an approximate 7:9:11 ratio of peaks and under the polarizing microscope with the birefringence phenomenon. LOL had a high LO loading capacity (4%) and good bio-adhesive force, favoring skin administration. Animal experiments were approved by the Ethics Committee of the Beijing Institute of Radiation Medicine, Academy of Military Medical Sciences and the experiments were conducted in accordance with relevant guidelines and regulations (approval number: IACUC-DWZX-2022-834). Compared to triethanolamine creams, LOL had higher skin permeability with total skin penetration within 1 h, benefiting the treatment of deep CRBI. A deep II degree burn CRBI mouse model was established after whole-body irradiation with 5 Gy ⁶⁰Co γ-ray and the next 6-second 100 ℃ burn injury. LOL promoted LO skin penetration, improved epithermal cell proliferation and the formation of hair follicles, accelerated wound healing, and inhibited scarring, which benefitted the therapy of CRBI. In this study, LO application fields are expanded and LO is a promising medication for the treatment of CRBI.

Intestinal organoids are constructed by crypts or stem cells from the intestine under the 3D support of the culture matrix. They contain all mature cells of the intestine, and have become a new and efficient platform for studying the mechanism of intestinal diseases. Compared with 2D cell culture, organoids can not only more effectively simulate the physiological structure and function of the intestine, but also better restore the true ecology of the intestine in different external environments. Therefore, it is more widely used in the study of pathogenesis of different intestinal diseases. This article reviewed the new progress of intestinal organoids culture, and the application and progress of intestinal organoids in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases, colorectal cancer and celiac disease in recent years, and also discussed the application of intestinal organoids in drug research and development and screening.

Aim To investigate the effect of Celastrol on the expression of Ezrin in tissues and HaCaT cells of DNCB sensitisation-induced atopic dermatitis(AD)mice.Methods BALB/c mice were taken and ran-domly divided into the control,DNCB group,Celastrol 25 μg,50 μg,75 μg treatment group,and Dex group,with 8 mice in each group;HaCaT cells were induced with TNF-α and treated with 1 μmol·L-1 Celastrol and Ezrin siRNA.The thickness of the skin on the ear and back of mice was measured by a thickness gauge,and the spleen and lymph nodes of mice were taken to observe the changes.HE and toluidine blue staining were used to observe the inflammatory cells and mast cell infiltration in mice.Flow cytometry was used to detect the levels of IL-4 and TNF-α in the lymph nodes of mice,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent was used to determine the levels of IL-4,TNF-α and IgE in serum of mice,and the expression of IL-4,IL-5 and IL-13 in the supernatant of HaCaT cells.Western blot was used to detect the expression of P-Ezrin and Ezrin in skin tissues.Results Celastrol significantly inhibited the swelling of ear and back skin tissues,reduced the de-granulation of inflammatory cells and mast cells,low-ered serum IgE and serum and lymph node levels of IL-4 and TNF-α,and reduced the activation of Ezrin in mice,and the expression of IL-4,IL-5 and IL-13 in the supernatant of HaCaT cells was restored by the treat-ment with Ezrin siRNA.Conclusion Celastrol amel-iorates AD,which may be achieved by modulating Ezrin activation.

Aim To investigate the protective effect of berberine(BBR)on mice with unilateral ureteral obstr-uction(UUO)and explore its mechanism.Methods C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into the sham group,UUO group,and BBR treatment groups(50,100 and 200 mg·kg-1),with eight mice in each group.Except the sham group,the other groups were subjected to left ureteral ligation to establish the UUO model.Af-ter modeling,the mice in the sham and UUO groups were fed normal saline,and the mice in the BBR treat-ment groups were fed(50,100,200)mg·kg-1 BBR by gavage for 14 days,respectively.Biochemical analy-zer was employed to detect the levels of serum creati-nine(Scr)and blood urea nitrogen(BUN).HE,Mas-son,TUNEL and immunohistochemical staining were used to observe the pathological changes of renal tis-sue.ELISA was employed to detect the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in renal tissue homogenate.Western blot was used to detect the protein levels of NF-κB p65,TGF-β1 and CTGF in mouse kidney.Re-sults Compared with the UUO group,the levels of Scr and BUN in the BBR group were significantly reduced.Renal injury and interstitial fibrosis were alleviated.The expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines decreased in kidney.The expression of NF-κB p65,TGF-β1 and CTGF decreased.All results showed some degree of dose dependence.Conclusion Berberine has a sig-nificant protective effect on unilateral ureteral obstruc-tion mice,and the mechanism may be that BBR has the potential to inhibit NF-κB p65/TGF-β1/CTGF signa-ling pathway,thus reducing renal inflammation and fi-brosis.

Objective To compare the efficacies of retrograde tibial nailing(RTN)versus minimally invasive percutaneous plate osteosynthesis(MIPPO)in the treatment of distal tibial fractures.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 55 patients with distal tibial fractures who underwent surgery in our hospital.Patients were divided into two groups based on the different surgical methods,patients in the RTN group(n=25)were treated with RTN,and patients in the MIPPO group(n=30)were treated with MIPPO.The surgical parameters(operation time,intraoperative blood loss,intraoperative fluoroscopy times,and success rate of closed reduction),fracture healing time,ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and American Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS)ankle-hindfoot scores 6 months after operation and at the last follow-up,and the incidence of complications during perioperative period and follow-up were compared between the two groups.Results The operation time,intraoperative blood loss,and intraoperative fluoroscopy times in the RTN group were significantly shorter/less than those in the MIPPO group(P＜0.05).The ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score 6 months after operation in the RTN group were significantly greater/higher than those in the MIPPO group(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the fracture healing time,or ankle dorsiflexion range of motion and AOFAS ankle-hindfoot score at the last follow-up between the two groups(P＞0.05).The success rate of closed reduction in the RTN group was 72.00％,which was lower than that of 96.67％in the MIPPO group(P＜0.05).The incidence of soft tissue-related complications in the RTN group was signifi-cantly lower than that in the MIPPO group(P＜0.05),while there was no statistically significant difference in the overall incidence of complica-tions between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion RTN is an effective minimally invasive surgical technique for the treatment of distal tibial fractures,characterized by minimal trauma,low incidence of soft tissue complications,and fast recovery of joint function compared with MIPPO.

The purpose of this study was to identify the tick species native to Xindi Township,Yumin County,Xinjiang,China.Preliminary morphological identification of parasitic ticks collected from animals in the area was conducted with an ultra-depth of field three-dimensional VHX 600 digital stereo microscope.Total DNA of the ticks was extracted,amplified by PCR based on the COI and ITS2 gene loci,and the posi-tive PCR products were sequenced.The sequence were a-ligned with reference sequences from the NCBI database were aligned with the Basic Local Alignment Search Tool.A genet-ic phylogenetic tree was generated with the neighbor-joining method of MEGA 7.0 software to determine the evolutionary biological characteristics of ticks.Morphological identification showed that the ticks collected from Xindi Township of Yu-min County were consistent with the characteristics of Hya-lomma asiaticum.An evolutionary tree based on the COI and ITS2 gene sequences showed that the ticks collected in this study were clustered with known H.asiaticum sequences.The PCR products of COI and ITS2 were sequenced and compared,which confirmed that the collected tick species were H.asiaticum,in agreement with the morphological and molecular biological results.These findings help to clarify the distribution of ticks in Xindi Township of Xinjiang,and provide basic data for the analysis of tick genetic and evolutionary characteristics,as reference for surveillance and control of ticks in the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region.