ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Shenge Bushen Capsules （SBC） on sexual development in normal 3-week-old mice. MethodsThe experiment consisted of two parts. In the first part， mice were divided into four groups： The control group and the low， medium， and high-dose SBC groups （234.7， 469.4， 938.7 mg·kg^-1， respectively）. In the second part， mice were divided into four groups： Control group， Pseudostellariae Radix polysaccharide （PRP） group， total flavonoids group， and SBC group， all receiving a dose of 469.4 mg·kg^-1. After 7 days of administration， the vaginal opening of female mice and the descent of testes and scrotum in male mice， as well as the ovarian and testicular organ indices， were observed. After 4 weeks of administration， female and male mice were housed together for 2 days， and the pregnancy rate of females was monitored. After delivery， the pregnant female mice continued receiving the treatment for 4 weeks， and the sexual development of their offspring， including vaginal opening， testicular descent， and organ indices of ovaries and testes， was observed. Serum sex hormones were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and the expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH） and growth hormone （GH） proteins in the hypothalamus was assessed by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group， there was no significant effect on the vaginal opening of female mice or the descent of testes in male mice after 7 days of SBC administration. After 4 weeks of administration， the pregnancy rate in the low-dose group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）， but no significant effects were observed in the other groups. The three doses of SBC did not significantly affect the ovarian or testicular organ indices， and there was no significant upregulation in the expression of GnRH or GH in the hypothalamus. The primary component of SBC， Pseudostellariae Radix polysaccharide， significantly reduced the vaginal opening in female mice after 7 days of administration （P<0.05）. After 4 weeks， the serum estradiol levels of non-pregnant female mice were decreased （P<0.05）， but there was no significant effect on the expression of GnRH or GH proteins in the hypothalamus of either male or female mice. Additionally， there were no significant effects on precocious puberty indicators， such as vaginal opening and testicular descent， in the offspring mice. ConclusionSBC does not significantly promote precocious puberty in young mice， and it does not have any noticeable effects on the pregnancy rate of adult mice or the sexual development of their offspring.

The theoretical basis of premature aging originates from The Yellow Emperor's Inner Classic. The etiology of premature aging is complex， and the disease mechanism is based on deficiency. The treatment for premature aging is based on tonicity. The essence-Qi-spirit theory of Qiluo doctrine summarizes that "essence is the origin of life， Qi is the driving force of life， and spirit is the embodiment of life"， which is the law of life. The theory puts forward the core disease mechanism of aging， which states that "deficiency of kidney essence is the root of aging， deficiency of primordial Qi is the key to aging， impairment of soma and spirit is the manifestation of aging". The theory also proposes the treatment of "tonifying kidney and supplementing essence， harmonizing Yin and Yang， warming and supporting primordial Qi， and nourishing soma and spirit" and the representative anti-aging drugs. The article unfolds from the perspective of the concepts of natural life span， premature senility before fifty， decline， and aging and also explains the origins and connotations of premature aging. The article explains the disease mechanism of premature aging under the guidance of the essence-Qi-spirit theory of Qiluo doctrine， which is "early deprivation of kidney essence， deficiency of primordial Qi， accumulation of deficiencies into impairment， and decline and impairment of soma and spirit"， summarizes the progress of modern medical research on the treatment of premature aging and representative drugs， and finds that Bazi Bushen capsules have a precise therapeutic effect on the overall premature aging， systematic functional decline， and related diseases. The study provides theoretical basis and new ideas to solve the problems of premature aging and geriatric diseases.

This paper comprehensively discusses on the potential neurobiological mechanisms of acupuncture in the treatment of tobacco dependence， focusing on three important aspects， including acupuncture's regulation of tobacco dependence behavior， effects of acupuncture on withdrawal syndrome， and the role of acupuncture in preventing relapse. It is found that acupuncture can inhibit drug-seeking behavior by regulating the reward pathway and related neurons， such as dopamine， thus modulating tobacco dependence behavior. It also alleviates withdrawal symptoms by improving the oral environment of smokers and reducing negative emotions after quitting. Furthermore， acupuncture can prevent relapse by decreasing brain network activity related to smoking cravings and improving cognitive brain functions like addiction memory. Currently， research on the specific neurobiological mechanism of acupuncture in treating tobacco dependence and the involved neural circuits is limited. Future research directions are proposed， including the evaluation of clinical effects， exploration of specific therapeutic mechanisms， investigation of brain pathology， and strengthening the exploration of brain functions. Additionally， combining modern technologies to clarify the neural circuits involved in acupuncture intervention will provide a basis for acupuncture treatment of tobacco addiction.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of Dihuang Yinzi on the cognitive function in the mouse model of learning and memory impairments induced by scopolamine （SCOP） and explore the treatment mechanism. MethodsA mouse model of learning and memory impairment was induced by intraperitoneal injection of SCOP. Sixty male C57BL/6J mice were randomized into six groups： control （0.9% NaCl， n=10）， model （SCOP 1 mg·kg^-1·d^-1， n=10）， low-， medium-， and high-dose Dihuang Yinzi （SCOP 1 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 + Dihuang Yinzi 5.5， 11.0， and 22.0 g·kg^-1·d^-1， n=10）， and donepezil （SCOP 1 mg·kg^-1·d^-1 + donepezil 0.84 mg·kg^-1·d^-1， n=10）. Mice were administrated with corresponding drugs for 6 weeks. Modeling started in the 4th week， and mice in other groups except the control group were injected with SCOP intraperitoneally 40 min after daily gavage. Behavioral testing began in the 5th week， 30 min after modeling each day. The Morris water maze and novel object recognition tests were carried out to evaluate the spatial learning and memory function of mice. Nissl staining was employed to observe the survival of neurons and Nissl bodies in the hippocampal CA1 region. Western blot was employed to determine the protein levels of silent information regulator 2 （SIRT2）， α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid （AMPA） receptor 1 （GluA1）， protein kinase A （PKA）， cAMP response element-binding protein （CREB）， phosphorylated-CREB （p-CREB）， postsynaptic density protein 95 （PSD95）， growth-associated protein-43 （GAP-43）， and synaptophysin （SYN） in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence was used to detect the expression of doublecortin （DCX） in the hippocampal dentate gyrus （DG） region. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group showed impaired learning and memory （P<0.01）， obvious neuronal damage in the hippocampal CA1 region， a reduction in neuron survival （P<0.01）， a decrease in DCX expression in the hippocampal DG region （P<0.01）， down-regulated proteins levels of GluA1， PKA， p-CREB/CREB， PSD95， SYN， and GAP-43 in the hippocampal tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and an up-regulated protein level of SIRT2 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the medium- and high-dose Dihuang Yinzi groups and the donepezil group showed improvements in learning and memory （P<0.05， P<0.01）， while the low-， medium-， and high-dose Dihuang Yinzi groups and the donepezil group had increased neuron survival （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The medium-dose Dihuang Yinzi group and the donepezil group showed increased DCX expression （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The medium- and high-dose Dihuang Yinzi groups and the donepezil group showed up-regulation in the protein levels of GluA1， PKA， p-CREB/CREB， PSD95， SYN， and GAP-43 （P<0.05， P<0.01） and down-regulation in the protein level of SIRT2 （P<0.01）. ConclusionDihuang Yinzi can improve the cognitive function in the mouse model of learning and memory impairments induced by SCOP by inhibiting the upregulation of SIRT2， activating the PKA/CREB signaling pathway， improving synaptic plasticity， and reducing hippocampal neuronal damage.

Electromagnetic fields can regulate the fundamental biological processes involved in bone remodeling. As a non-invasive physical therapy, electromagnetic fields with specific parameters have demonstrated therapeutic effects on bone remodeling diseases, such as fractures and osteoporosis. Electromagnetic fields can be generated by the movement of charged particles or induced by varying currents. Based on whether the strength and direction of the electric field change over time, electromagnetic fields can be classified into static and time-varying fields. The treatment of bone remodeling diseases with static magnetic fields primarily focuses on fractures, often using magnetic splints to immobilize the fracture site while studying the effects of static magnetic fields on bone healing. However, there has been relatively little research on the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis using static magnetic fields. Pulsed electromagnetic fields, a type of time-varying field, have been widely used in clinical studies for treating fractures, osteoporosis, and non-union. However, current clinical applications are limited to low-frequency, and research on the relationship between frequency and biological effects remains insufficient. We believe that different types of electromagnetic fields acting on bone can induce various “secondary physical quantities”, such as magnetism, force, electricity, acoustics, and thermal energy, which can stimulate bone cells either individually or simultaneously. Bone cells possess specific electromagnetic properties, and in a static magnetic field, the presence of a magnetic field gradient can exert a certain magnetism on the bone tissue, leading to observable effects. In a time-varying magnetic field, the charged particles within the bone experience varying Lorentz forces, causing vibrations and generating acoustic effects. Additionally, as the frequency of the time-varying field increases, induced currents or potentials can be generated within the bone, leading to electrical effects. When the frequency and power exceed a certain threshold, electromagnetic energy can be converted into thermal energy, producing thermal effects. In summary, external electromagnetic fields with different characteristics can generate multiple physical quantities within biological tissues, such as magnetic, electric, mechanical, acoustic, and thermal effects. These physical quantities may also interact and couple with each other, stimulating the biological tissues in a combined or composite manner, thereby producing biological effects. This understanding is key to elucidating the electromagnetic mechanisms of how electromagnetic fields influence biological tissues. In the study of electromagnetic fields for bone remodeling diseases, attention should be paid to the biological effects of bone remodeling under different electromagnetic wave characteristics. This includes exploring innovative electromagnetic source technologies applicable to bone remodeling, identifying safe and effective electromagnetic field parameters, and combining basic research with technological invention to develop scientifically grounded, advanced key technologies for innovative electromagnetic treatment devices targeting bone remodeling diseases. In conclusion, electromagnetic fields and multiple physical factors have the potential to prevent and treat bone remodeling diseases, and have significant application prospects.

Objective: To investigate the effect of auricular therapy on sleep improvement and the GABAergic system pathway in a rat model of insomnia and to explore its possible mechanism. Methods: According to the random number table, 60 male SD rats were randomly divided into blank control, model, auricular point sticking, auricular bloodletting, and auricular bloodletting combined with sticking groups, with 12 rats per group. Insomnia was induced by intraperitoneal injection of p-chlorophenylalanine. After establishing the insomnia model, 36 rats were treated once a day with auricular point sticking or bloodletting for 5 consecutive days. After the intervention, the general condition and body weight of rats were observed; the righting reflex test was used to detect the sleep latency and duration; HE staining was used to observe the morphology of hypothalamic neuron cells; and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the GABA and glutamate content in rat serum. Immunohistochemistry(IHC) and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR were used to detect GABA ARα1 and GABA ARγ2 protein and mRNA expression in the hypothalamus of rats, and Western blotting(WB) was used to detect GABA ARα1, GABA ARγ2, GAD65/67, GAT-1, and GABA-T protein expression in the hypothalamus of rats. Results: Compared with the blank control group, the model group had a lower body weight, a significantly shorter sleep duration (P<0.05), severe damage to the morphological structure of hypothalamic neurons with disordered cell arrangement, larger intercellular gaps, enlarged cell bodies, and a vacuolated appearance. All the intervention groups had significantly higher body weight and longer sleep duration than the model group (P<0.05). Compared with the other intervention groups, the auricular point sticking group had a longer sleep duration (P<0.05), and the hypothalamic neuron cells in all intervention groups improved, with the auricular point sticking group showing more apparent improvement. The model group had a lower GABA and higher glutamate contents, and GABA ARα1, GABA ARγ2, and GAD65/67 protein expression in the hypothalamus were lower than in the blank control group. In contrast, GAT-1 and GABA-T protein expression was higher, and GABA ARα1 and GABA ARγ2 mRNA expression was lower (P<0.05). The serum GABA content in the auricular point sticking and auricular bloodletting groups was higher, and the serum glutamate content in the auricular point sticking and auricular bloodletting combined sticking groups was lower than in the model group. GABA ARα1 mRNA expression in the hypothalamus of each intervention group was significantly increased, and GABA ARγ2 mRNA expression in the hypothalamus of the auricular point sticking and auricular bloodletting combined sticking groups increased. GABA ARα1(IHC, WB), GABA ARγ2(WB), and GAD65/67 protein expression in the hypothalamus of the auricular point sticking group increased, whereas GAT-1 and GABA-T protein expression decreased. GABA ARα1 and GABA ARγ2 protein expression(IHC, WB) in the hypothalamus of the auricular bloodletting group increased, whereas GABA-T protein expression decreased. GABA ARγ1(IHC) and GABA ARγ2(WB) protein expression in the hypothalamus of the auricular bloodletting combined sticking group increased, whereas GAT-1 and GABA-T protein expression decreased (P<0.05). Compared with in the inventation groups, the serum GABA content in the auricular point sticking group increased, the serum glutamate content decreased, GABA ARα1 and GABA ARγ2 mRNA expression in the hypothalamus increased, and GABA ARα1(IHC), GAD65/67 protein expression increased. In contrast, GABA-T protein expression decreased (P<0.05), and GABA ARγ2 protein expression(IHC) in the hypothalamus of the auricular bloodletting group increased (P<0.05). Conclusion Auricular therapy, particularly auricular point sticking, may have modulated the GABAergic system pathway by upregulating hypothalamic GABA ARα1, GABA ARγ2, and GAD65/67 protein expression while downregulating GAT-1 and GABA-T protein expression to alleviate symptoms in an insomnia rat model.

Objective : To investigate the biomechanical effect of alveolar bone graft (ABG) resorption on the maxillary alveolar process under occlusal force in a patient with unilateral cleft lip and palate (UCLP) and provide evidence for the clinical application of ABG. Methods: A 3D finite element maxillary model of an 11-year-old female patient with UCLP was generated. The occlusal force was applied to six models with different ABG resorption, namely non-resorption, upper 1/3 resorption, upper 2/3 resorption, lower 1/3 resorption, lower 2/3 resorption, and upper&lower 1/3 resorption. The properties of structures in all models were set to be linear, elastic, and isotropic. The displacement and Von Mises stress of each reference node of the alveolar process were compared and analyzed. Results: Under occlusal force, the most significant displacement of the alveolar process was located in the anterior area, and it decreased gradually from anterior area to both sides in all groups. The displacement values of the alveolar process under cleft side lateral occlusion were as follows: non-resorption group < lower 2/3 resorption group < upper&lower 1/3 resorption group < lower 1/3 resorption group < upper 2/3 resorption group < upper 1/3 resorption group. The displacement values of the alveolar process under centric occlusion were as follows: non-resorption group < lower 1/3 resorption group < upper&lower 1/3 resorption group < upper 2/3 resorption group < lower 2/3 resorption group < upper 1/3 resorption group. The displacement values of the alveolar process under non-cleft side lateral occlusion were as follows: non-resorption group < lower 1/3 resorption group < upper 1/3 resorption group < lower 2/3 resorption group < upper&lower 1/3 resorption group < upper 2/3 resorption group. The stress was concentrated on the premolar area on the functional side of the alveolar process, followed by the canine and molar areas in all groups. The stress values of the alveolar process under cleft side lateral occlusion were as follows: non-resorption group < lower 2/3 resorption group < upper&lower 1/3 resorption group < upper 2/3 resorption group < lower 1/3 resorption group < upper 1/3 resorption group. The stress values of the alveolar process under centric occlusion were as follows: non-resorption group < upper 1/3 resorption group < lower 1/3 resorption group < lower 2/3 resorption group < upper&lower 1/3 resorption group < upper 2/3 resorption group. The stress values of the alveolar process under non-cleft side lateral occlusion were as follows: non-resorption group < lower 2/3 resorption group < upper&lower 1/3 resorption group < lower 1/3 resorption group < upper 2/3 resorption group < upper 1/3 resorption group. Under occlusal force, the displacement and stress of the alveolar process in the non-resorption model were significantly lower than those in other models. The displacement and stress of the alveolar process in the models with resorption in the lower area of the ABG were significantly lower than those in the models with resorption in the upper-middle areas of the ABG. Conclusion After unilateral complete cleft lip and palate bone grafting, the integrity and continuity of the middle and upper parts of the alveolar process bone grafting play a key role in the biomechanical status of the alveolar process. If bone resorption occurs in the above parts, bone grafting should be considered.

Objective: To explore the therapeutic effects of different surgical methods for temporomandibular joint disc reduction and anchoring surgery, providing reference for optimizing this surgical procedure. Method: The study was approved by the hospital ethics committee. 173 patients (195 joints) who underwent temporomandibular joint disc repositioning and anchoring surgery were selected for retrospective analysis. Patients were categorized into groups A (traditional preauricular incision-scalpel/tissue scissors anterior attachment release), 35 patients (40 joints), B (traditional preauricular incision-plasma bipolar radiofrequency electrode anterior attachment release), 42 patients (46 joints), C (revised tragus incision - scalpel/tissue scissors anterior attachment release), 50 patients (58 joints), and D (revised tragus incision-plasma bipolar radiofrequency electrode anterior attachment release), 46 patients (51 joints). After a 6-month postoperative follow-up, the differences in maximum mouth opening (MMO), visual analogue scale (VAS), effective rate of joint disc reduction, incidence of preauricular numbness, obvious scars among patients in each group at 1, 3, and 6 months were compared postoperatively. Results: After surgery, the MMO of all four groups of patients initially shrunk and then gradually increased compared to before surgery. At the 1-month follow-up after surgery, the plasma bipolar radiofrequency release (B+D) group had a smaller impact on the patient’s MMO compared to the surgical knife/tissue scissors release (A+C) group (P < 0.05). Postoperative VAS scores for all four groups showed a gradual decrease from pre-operative levels, with the (B+D) group scoring significantly lower in the first month post-surgery compared to the (A+C) group (P < 0.05). Six months post-surgery, the rate of joint disc reduction of the four groups were higher than 95%, with no significant differences observed between the groups (P > 0.05). Patients in the revised tragus incision (C+D) group experienced a lower rate of preauricular numbness compared to those in the traditional preauricular incision (A+B) group (4.59% vs. 12.79%, P < 0.05), The incidence of obvious scars in the (C+D) group was significantly lower than that in the (A+B) group (3.67% vs. 23.26%, P < 0.05). Conclusion The revised tragus incision is superior to traditional preauricular incision in terms of protecting the auriculotemporal nerve and the scars were more inconspicuous. Further, the plasma bipolar radiofrequency electrode is superior to the scalpel/tissue scissors in terms of mouth opening recovery and pain control. For temporomandibular joint disc reduction and anchoring surgery, a modified tragus incision combined with plasma bipolar radiofrequency electrode to release the anterior attachment of the joint disc can be recommended as a surgical option.

BackgroundAlcohol dependence patients are prone to relapse after their attempts to quit drinking， which poses a considerable threat to their physical and mental health and creates a heavy burden on their families. Currently， empowerment education is increasingly being utilized in the rehabilitation management of chronic diseases， but there remains a striking lack of empirical research on the application of "Internet +" empowerment education based on timing it right in alcohol dependence patients. ObjectiveTo explore the impact of "Internet +" empowerment education based on timing it right on patients with alcohol dependence， in order to maximize the reduction in relapse rates， craving for alcohol and severity of anxiety symptoms. MethodsA total of 120 patients who were hospitalized in the Department of Addiction Medicine， Hebei Provincial Mental Health Center from May 2022 to April 2023 and met the diagnostic criteria for alcohol dependence in the International Classification of Diseases， tenth edition （ICD-10） were enrolled， and they were classified into study group （n=62） and control group （n=58） using random number table methods. Both groups received standard medication and routine care. Additionally， study group underwent a 6-month "Internet +" empowerment education based on timing it right. At baseline， all subjects were assessed using Penn Alcohol Craving Scale （PACS） and Self-rating Anxiety Scale （SAS）. Three months and six months after intervention， assessments were conducted using PACS， SAS and Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test （MAST）. ResultsThe relapse rates after three and six months of intervention were both lower in study group than those in control group， with statistically significant differences （χ²=8.575， 8.828， P<0.01）. ANOVA with repeated measures on PACS total score and scores of each item revealed a significant time effect， group effect and time×group interaction effect （F=159.714~837.751， 84.645~393.606， 24.302~137.896， P<0.01）. And significant time effect， group effect and time×group interaction effect were also reported on SAS scores （F=166.237， 65.325， 24.724， P<0.01）. Conclusion"Internet +" empowerment education based on timing it right may help reduce relapse rates， alcohol cravings and severity of anxiety symptoms among patients with alcohol dependence. ［Funded by 2023 Annual Hebei Provincial Medical Scientific Research Project Plan （number， 20231537）］

Background At present, the treatment of silicosis is still limited, and no method is available to cure the disease. miRNAs are involved in the process of fibrosis at the transcriptional level by directly degrading target gene mRNA or inhibiting its translation. However, how miR-130a-3p regulates silicosis fibrosis has not been fully elucidated yet. Objective To investigate whether miR-130a-3p promotes epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) by inhibiting peroxisome proliferators-activated receptors gamma (PPAR-γ), thereby pro-moting the process of silicotic fibrosis. To identify effective new targets for the treatment of silicotic fibrosis. Methods (1) Animal experiments: C57BL/6J mice were intratracheally injected with a one-time dose of 10 mg silica suspension (dissolved in 100 μL saline) as positive lung exposure. A silicosis model group was established 28 d after the exposure. A control group was injected with the same amount of normal saline into the trachea. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Sirius red staining were used to observe the pathological changes and collagen deposition in lung tissues respectively. Realtime fluorescence-based quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to assay the expression of miR-130a-3p and PPAR-γ mRNA in lung tissues. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of PPAR-γ, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1, E-cadherin, α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA), and Collagen Ⅰ in lung tissues. (2) Cells experiments: Mouse lung epithelial cells (MLE-12) were induced with 5 µg·L⁻¹ TGF-β1 for different time (0, 12, 24, 48 h). RT-qPCR was used to detect the expression of miR-130a-3p and PPAR-γ mRNA in cells. The binding relationship between miR-130a-3p and PPAR-γ mRNA was verified by dual luciferase reporter gene assay. MLE-12 cells were stimulated by 5 µg·L⁻¹ TGF-β1 after transfection of miR-130a-3p inhibitor, and Western blotting was used to measure the protein expression of PPAR-γ, E-cadherin, and α-SMA in the TGF-β1-induced cells. Results In the silicosis model group, the alveolar septum was widened and the pulmonary nodules were formed. The Sirius red staining collagen deposition in pulmonary nodules indicated that a silicosis fibrosis model was successfully established. The expressions of TGF-β1, α-SMA, and Collagen Ⅰ proteins were increased, and the expressions of E-cadherin and PPAR-γ proteins were decreased in lung tissues of the silicosis group, compared with the control group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The expression of miR-130a-3p was increased and the expression of PPAR-γ mRNA was decreased in lung tissues of the silicosis model (P<0.01). The expression of miR-130a-3p was significantly increased, while the expression of PPAR-γ mRNA was decreased in the TGF-β1 induced MLE-12 cells (P<0.05 or P<0.01). The dual luciferase reporter assay showed a direct relationship between miR-130a-3p and PPAR-γ mRNA in MLE-12 cells. The transfection of miR-130a-3p inhibitor in the TGF-β1 induced MLE-12 cells inhibited the decrease of PPAR-γ and E-cadherin proteins, and the increase of α-SMA protein in the MLE-12 cells induced by TGF-β1 (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Conclusion miR-130a-3p promotes the development of silicosis fibrosis by targeting PPAR-γ to increase pulmonary EMT.