1.Mechanisms of Spermatogenic Dysfunction and Sperm Quality Degradation Induced by Propylthiouracil via Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress in Rats and Interventional Effect of Shugan Bushen Yulin Decoction
Yuhao MENG ; Xiaocui JIANG ; Min XIAO ; Chaoyang WANG
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(9):79-89
ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms through which Shugan Bushen Yulin decoction ameliorates spermatogenic dysfunction and sperm quality degradation caused by propylthiouracil (PTU) via the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway in rats. MethodsSixty male rats were randomly assigned into six groups: a control group, a model group, low- (6.75 g·kg-1), medium- (13.5 g·kg-1), and high-dose (27 g·kg-1) Shugan Bushen Yulin decoction groups, and an L-carnitine (0.27 g·kg-1) group, with ten rats in each group. Other groups except the control group were administrated with PTU (10 mg·kg-1) by gavage for 12 consecutive days. After the completion of modeling, rats were administrated with corresponding agents or normal saline (control group) via gavage for 28 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration, rats were sacrificed, and the body and organ (testis, epididymis, and seminal vesicle) weights were measured to calculate the organ indices. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the testes and epididymis, and the testicular spermatogenic function of rats was scored. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), testosterone (T), estradiol (E2), and malondialdehyde (MDA) and the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) in the rat serum. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling was adopted to assess the rate of testicular cell apoptosis. Western blot was conducted to determine the expression levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 (GRP78), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP), phosphorylated protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (p-PERK), protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase (PERK), phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α kinase (p-EIF2α), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α kinase (EIF2α), and activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4) in the testicular tissue of rats. ResultsCompared with the control group, the model group exhibited reductions in volumes and indexes of testes, epididymides, and seminal vesicles (P<0.01), pathological damage of testes and epididymides, and declines in spermatogenic function and sperm density and motility (P<0.01). In addition, the model group demonstrated elevated serum levels of TSH and MDA, lowered levels of T3, T4, FSH, LH, T, and E2, decreased activities of SOD and GSH-Px (P<0.05, P<0.01), an increased apoptosis rate of testicular cells (P<0.01), and up-regulated expression of GRP78, CHOP, p-PERK/PERK, p-EIF2α/EIF2α, and ATF4 in the testicular tissue (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, Shugan Bushen Yulin decoction at different doses improved the morphology and indexes of testes, epididymides, and seminal vesicles (P<0.05), restored the spermatogenic function (P<0.05, P<0.01), increased the sperm density and motility (P<0.05, P<0.01), and decreased the percentage of apoptotic testicular cells (P<0.05). Furthermore, the decoction lowered the serum level of MDA, elevated the serum levels of FSH, LH, T, and E2, and increased the activities of SOD and GSH-Px (P<0.05, P<0.01). Moreover, the expression levels of GRP78, CHOP, p-PERK/PERK, p-EIF2α/EIF2α, and ATF4 in the testicular tissue were down-regulated (P<0.05, P<0.01). ConclusionShugan Bushen Yulin decoction can ameliorate the spermatogenic dysfunction and sperm quality degradation induced by PTU in a rat model of hypothyroidism by repairing the testicular oxidative damage and regulating the PERK/EIF2α/ATF4 signaling pathway, thereby alleviating spermatogenic cell apoptosis.
2.Effect of Anmeidan on Cognitive Function and Metabolic Profiling in Insomnia Model Rats Based on Untargeted Metabolomics
Feizhou LI ; Bo XU ; Zijing YE ; Lianyu LI ; Andong ZHANG ; Ping WANG ; Linlin CHEN
Chinese Journal of Experimental Traditional Medical Formulae 2025;31(10):54-64
ObjectiveTo elucidate the potential mechanisms by which the classic prescription Anmeidan alleviates cognitive impairment in insomnia model rats through metabolic profiling. MethodsA total of 60 SD rats were randomly divided into six groups: blank group, model group, low-, medium-, and high-dose Anmeidan groups, and the Suvorexant group, with 10 rats in each group. Except for the blank group, the insomnia model was established in all other groups via intraperitoneal injection of para-chlorophenylalanine. The Suvorexant group was administered Suvorexant solution (30 mg·kg-1·d-1) by gavage, while the low-, medium-, and high-dose Anmeidan groups received Anmeidan decoction (4.55, 9.09, 18.18 g·kg-1·d-1) by gavage. The blank group received an equivalent volume of normal saline. The open field test was used to assess spatial exploration and anxiety/depressive-like behaviors in rats. Serum levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), and vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Untargeted metabolomics was employed to identify differential metabolites in rat serum, and systematic biological methods were applied to analyze the potential targets and pathways of Anmeidan. ResultsCompared to the blank group, the model group exhibited significant reductions in total distance traveled, average speed, number of entries into the central area, time spent in the central area, and frequency of upright events (P<0.01), along with significant decreases in VIP, EGF, and BDNF levels (P<0.05,P<0.01). A total of 100 differential metabolites were identified between the model and blank groups. Compared to the model group, the low-, medium-, and high-dose Anmeidan groups showed significant increases in total distance traveled, average speed, number of entries into the central area, time spent in the central area, and frequency of upright events (P<0.05,P<0.01), as well as a significant increase in VIP levels (P<0.05,P<0.01). Anmeidan significantly reversed abnormal changes in 67 metabolites compared to the model group. A combined analysis identified 134 potential targets of Anmeidan, with network topology analysis suggesting that Caspase-3, B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), nuclear transcription factor-κB (NF-κB), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-2 (IL-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), among others, may serve as key targets of Anmeidan. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed major enriched pathways, including the cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) signaling pathway, hypoxia inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) signaling pathway, and IL-17 signaling pathway. ConclusionThis study demonstrates that Anmeidan can recalibrate abnormal metabolic profiles in insomnia model rats to mitigate cognitive impairment, with its mechanisms of action potentially involving the regulation of immune-inflammatory responses, energy metabolism, and apoptosis-related pathways.
3.Effect of photon cervical vertebra massage instrument on improving neck pain and related functions in patients with chronic neck pain
Yuan YAO ; Shizhen ZHANG ; Lei JIN ; Yunxiao YANG ; Wenqiang YU ; Yuanjing XU ; Jinwu WANG
Chinese Journal of Tissue Engineering Research 2024;28(30):4876-4880
BACKGROUND:Red light therapy has the non-invasive and cost-effective characteristics,and is widely used in various acute and chronic pains in clinic.However,currently,the phototherapy equipment used in clinic is expensive and has certain site limitations,so it is necessary to explore more convenient and economical phototherapy applications. OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical efficacy of a self-developed photon cervical vertebra massage instrument for chronic neck pain. METHODS:From November 2022 to February 2023,24 patients with chronic neck pain were recruited from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine,Ninth People's Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine,including 18 females and 6 males,with a mean age of(29.67±6.40)years.The body mass index was(21.39±3.52)kg/m2.Photon cervical vertebra massage instrument was used twice a day for 20 minutes each time for four weeks.The changes in visual analog scale score,pressure pain threshold,neck active activity,neck disability index,and Pittsburgh sleep quality index were observed before,after 2 and 4 weeks of treatment. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Compared with before treatment,after four weeks of treatment,visual analog scale score,pressure pain threshold,neck disability index,and Pittsburgh sleep quality index were all improved(P<0.05),while some cervical motion(extension,left and right rotation)improved(P<0.05)after 4 weeks of treatment.(2)Bilateral visual analog scale scores,left trapezius muscle pressure pain threshold,C5C6 pressure pain threshold,and neck disability index improved after 2 weeks of treatment(P<0.05).(3)It is indicated that the application of photon cervical vertebra massage instrument can improve the pain score,muscle tenderness,sleep quality,functional level,and partial active activity of patients with chronic neck pain in a short period,and is a convenient,effective,and safe treatment method.
4.Evidence summary of surgical site infection prevention in adult inpatients based on guidelines and clini-cal decision making
Qingmei LEI ; Lishan OU ; Donglan LING ; Qiuchen CHENG ; Shizhen ZHANG ; Zhaotao WANG ; Hongbo YAN
Modern Hospital 2024;24(2):222-226
Objective To provide evidence-based references for the prevention of surgical site infection(SSI)by sum-marizing the best evidence for the prevention of SSI in adult inpatients.Methods The'6S'evidence resource pyramid model was used to systematically search the related evidence in domestic and foreign databases,guideline websites,and academic socie-ty websites from the inception of the database to September 30,2023.Four researchers evaluated the quality of the included guidelines,and two researchers independently evaluated the quality of other types of literature and rated the level of evidence.Results A total of 12 articles were included,including 6 clinical decision making and 6 clinical guidelines.Thirty best items of the evidence were summarized from 7 aspects:diagnosis,clinical symptoms,influencing factors,patient prevention strategies,preventive strategies for medical staff,intraoperative and postoperative treatment,and consultation and education.Conclusion Clinical staff should develop a standardized management plan for infection prevention based on corresponding evidence to reduce the incidence of SSI instead of taking a single measurement.Moreover,they need to formulate a standardized work process for preventing SSI based on the clinical practice and patients'preference.
5.A retrospective study on the prognosis of endoscopic surgery for 385 early glottic cancer patients
Jun JU ; Jiasen WANG ; Siyuan HOU ; Shizhen ZOU ; Jing ZHAO ; Lili PENG ; Jinrang LI
Chinese Journal of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery 2024;59(10):1020-1028
Objective:To investigate the prognosis and influencing factors of endoscopic surgery for early glottic carcinoma.Methods:In this retrospective study, we applied the Cox proportional hazards regression model and the random survival forest model to analyze the clinical characteristics of 385 patients [362 males, 23 females, age ranging from 33 to 91 years (62.0±9.6)] who visited the Sixth Medical Center of the General Hospital of the People's Liberation Army from January 2009, to December 2022 and diagnosed with early glottic carcinoma, encompassing variables such as age, gender, T stage, surgical approach, pathological typing, etc. The primary evaluation indicators were overall survival(OS) and disease-free survival rates (DFS). The follow-up duration ranged from 30 to 5,557 days (with a median follow-up time of 1,596 days).Results:After a three-year follow-up, the OS rate for the 385 patients was 95.83%, while the DSF rate was 82.98%. The Cox proportional hazards regression analysis revealed age ( HR=2.35, 95% CI: 1.75 to 3.15, P<0.001) and T staging ( HR=1.59, 95% CI: 1.13 to 2.23, P=0.019) as predominant factors affecting the OS and DFS. The random survival forest model identified poor tumor differentiation, and high expression of P53 and Ki-67 as predictors of inferior prognosis. Conclusion:Endoscopic surgery for early glottic carcinoma yields favorable short-term OS and reduces short-term recurrence rates, with T-stage emerging as a pivotal factor influencing recurrence. Tumors with poor differentiation and elevated expression of P53 may be indicative of an increased risk of recurrence.
6.Gender differences in the polysomnographic characteristics in patients with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome
Xiu DING ; Shizhen YUAN ; Xiaoyi WANG
Chinese Archives of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery 2024;31(7):456-460
OBJECTIVE To investigate the polysomnographic differences between males and females with obstructive sleep apnea syndrome(OSAS).METHODS Adults visited to Beijing Tongren Hospital for sleep snoring from January 2023 to August 2023 who completed overnight polysomnography(PSG)and whose apnea hypopnea index(AHI)≥5 times/h were diagnosed as OSAS patients in this study.The general information,respiratory events and sleep structure were compared between male and female OSAS patients.RESULTS A total of 380 patients were included in this study with 293 males(77.1%)and 87 females(22.9%).Mean age was(44.4±11.5)years,and the mean body mass index was(26.5±3.9)kg/m2;AHI ranged between 5.0 and 115.8 times/h with a mean of(34.9±24.8)times/h;lowest oxygen saturation(LSpO2)ranged between 43%-97%with a mean of(80.7±11.6)%.Between male and female OSAS patients,the AHI in males was higher than females[(37.9±24.8)times/h vs.(24.5±21.7)times/h,P=0.000],and the AHI in REM was higher in males than females[(36.7±23.2)times/h vs.(30.9±22.8)times/h,P=0.040].LSpO2 was lower in males than females[(79.2±12.0)%vs.(85.7±8.3)%,P=0.000].There were significant differences for arousal index,sleep efficiency,N1 sleep percent and N3 sleep percent between two groups.Between male and female OSAS patients over 50 years old,AHI was still higher in males than in females[(39.3±21.4)times/h vs.(30.5±23.0)times/h,P=0.029],and there was no significant difference in AHIREM and LSpO2.The difference in sleep structure between male and female OSAS patients over 50 years old was consistent with that of participants.CONCLUSION The AHI and LSpO2 of male OSAS patients were more serious than those of female OSAS patients,and the reduction of slow wave sleep was more obvious.OSAS became worse after menopause,which was highlighted by the increase of respiratory events in REM and the more serious decline of LSpO2.The protective effect of female hormones on OSAS is mainly to alleviate REM respiratory events and hypoxia damage,rather than improving sleep structure.
7.Diffusion Tensor Imaging in the White Matter Changes of Patients with Pituitary Macroadenoma
Haoyu WANG ; Qian HE ; Bo ZHAO ; Shizhen HE ; Chen LIU ; Peng WANG
Journal of Kunming Medical University 2023;44(12):72-78
Objective To investigate the microstructural changes in white matter of pituitary adenoma patients when the anterior visual pathway is compressed using diffusion tensor imaging(DTI)and discuss the clinical significance of these changes.Methods Clinical and MRI data of 25 patients with pituitary adenomas and 25 matched healthy controls were prospectively included.Tract-based spatial statistics(TBSS)was carried out to investigate difference in white matter integrity between 2 groups,which was measured using fractional anisotropy(FA).A correlation between visual function evaluation index and regional FA value was examined using correlation analysis.Results The FA values of bilateral optic radiations and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus were significantly lower in the research group.The FA values of left optic radiation and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus were positively correlated to mean deviation and visual field index,negatively correlated to patten standard deviation.The FA values of bilateral optic radiations and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus were negatively correlated with Bulbo-pontine height.Conclusion Patients with pituitary adenoma may experience damage to the bilateral optic radiation and inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus after compression of the anterior visual pathway,which may affect the patient's visual function,further indicating that DTI can quantitatively assess the microstructure damage of the visual pathway in patients with pituitary adenoma.
8.Construction and application effect of teaching resources of human physiology course from the perspective of demand analysis theory
Yunping ZHANG ; Pei CHEN ; Shizhen WANG ; Xiaole ZHANG ; Bingzhong XU
Chinese Journal of Medical Education Research 2023;22(1):57-61
Objective:Based on the theory of demand analysis theory, to build teaching resources of human physiology course and explore its application effect.Methods:The three-year nursing junior college students of Batch 2018 were selected as the research objects. According to the principle of randomization, the students were divided into the observation group (97 cases) and control group (99 cases). Students in the observation group used integrated teaching resources from the perspective of demand analysis, while students in the control group used traditional curriculum resources. After the end of the course, the differences between the two groups of students' theoretical and practical assessment results and teaching experience were compared SPSS 20.0 was used for t test. Results:The results of theoretical [(73.67±8.76) vs. (70.48±8.36)] and practical skills [(84.41±4.83) vs. (83.63±4.27)] in the observation group were significantly different from those in the control group ( P<0.05). The overall scores of 9 teaching effect sub-items, such as learning awareness of inquiry, independent learning ability and critical thinking ability, were significantly higher than those of the control group ( P<0.01). Conclusion:The construction of human physiology teaching resources based on demand analysis theory can improve the effectiveness and pertinence of resource construction, and the effective use of resources in teaching can significantly improve the teaching effect, stimulate students' subjective initiative, cultivate their comprehensive ability and improve classroom efficiency.
9.A core epitope targeting antibody of SARS-CoV-2.
Simeng ZHAO ; Fengjiang LIU ; Shizhen QIU ; Qiaoshuai LAN ; Yiran WU ; Wei XU ; Junzi KE ; Jie YANG ; Xiaoyan LIU ; Kun WANG ; Hangtian GUO ; Shuai XIA ; Fangfang ZHANG ; Jiabei WANG ; Xiaowen HU ; Lu LU ; Shibo JIANG ; Suwen ZHAO ; Lianxin LIU ; Youhua XIE ; Xiuna YANG ; Haopeng WANG ; Guisheng ZHONG
Protein & Cell 2023;14(1):74-78
10.Experience and influencing factors of endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography intubation in children
Shizhen ZHOU ; Hao WENG ; Mingzhe WENG ; Yijun SHU ; Yuanyuan YE ; Wenjie ZHANG ; Xuefeng WANG
Chinese Journal of Digestive Endoscopy 2022;39(3):203-208
Objective:To report pediatric endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) intubation techniques and to analyze the influencing factors of pediatric ERCP in China.Methods:Retrospective analysis was performed on 90 cases of pediatric and adult ERCP operations respectively at Xinhua Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from January 2016 to June 2020. The anatomic data, intubation time, and endoscopic intubation measures were reviewed. The anatomic differences in duodenal papilla between the children and adults were analyzed to find the factors affecting ERCP intubation time in children.Results:There were 88 cases of successful infantile intubation with the success rate of 97.8%, and 90 cases of successful adult intubation with the success rate of 100.0%. The intubation time in the pediatric group was 187±67 s, and that in the adult group was 247±86 s with significant difference ( t=5.220, P<0.001). The duodenal diameter of pediatric patients was 3.38±1.57 cm, and that of adult patients was 5.94±1.87 cm with significant difference ( t=9.832, P<0.001). The horizontal distance from the duodenal bulb to the papilla in pediatric patients was 2.44±1.15 cm, which was significantly shorter than 4.22±1.43 cm in adult patients ( t=9.077, P<0.001). Most duodenal papillae in children were hemispherical [flat 26.1% (23/88), hemispherical 51.1% (45/88), cylindrical 22.7% (20/88)], while most of those in the adult patients were cylindrical [flat 9.1% (8/88), hemispherical 23.9% (21/88), cylindrical 67.0% (59/88)]. The factors influencing the intubation time of ERCP in children by univariate analysis included the shape of duodenal papilla, duodenal papilla hardness, visual region, distance from junction of duodenal bulb and descending part to duodenal papilla, distance from duodenal papilla to endoscope, and degree of incising. Conclusion:Shorter and stiffer duodenal papillae in children with normal papilla orientation are associated with shorter intubation time. These indicators are favorable factors for intubation.

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