The current situation of childrearing in the elderly and low birth rate showed that the prevention and treatment of infertility risk caused by the decline of male reproductive function are increasingly becoming prominent.The decline of male reproductive function is closely related to the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis,oxygen free radicals,blood-testis barrier,and the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells.Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the kidney stores essence and is in charge of reproduction,and the decline of reproductive function is closely related to the imbalance of yin and yang of the kidney.Therefore,kidney-supplementing method is helpful for treating the decline of reproductive function caused by kidney deficiency.Kidney-supplementing prescriptions were effective on systematically regulating the function of the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis,thus to significantly delay the decline of reproductive function,were effective on removing excessive oxygen free radicals in the body and protecting cells from oxidative damage,and were effective on improving spermatogenesis by restoring the blood-testis barrier and regulating the apoptosis of spermatogenic cells.The representative kidney-supplementing prescriptions for improving the decline of reproductive function caused by kidney deficiency include Wuzi Yanzong Pills,Shenqi Pills,Yougui Pills,Liuwei Dihuang Pills,Zuogui Pills and Guilu Erxian Soft Extract.The above formulas presented no single therapeutic mechanism but multiple-way,multiple-level and multiple-target mechanism,and the formulas can comprehensively regulate the internal environment of the body,so as to achieve the purpose of improving male reproductive function.The kidney-supplementing therapy of traditional Chinese medicine plays an irreplaceable role in the treatment of male reproductive function decline.The in-depth study of its therapeutic mechanism will provide guide for clinical practice and will supply theoretical basis for improving male reproductive function decline.

Objective: To explore the effect of kynurenine pathway on the osteogenic differentiation of periodontal ligament stem cells (PDLSC). Methods: Unstimulated saliva samples were collected from 19 patients with periodontitis (periodontitis group) and 19 periodontally healthy individuals (health group) in Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University from June to October of 2022. Contents of kynurenine and the metabolites in saliva samples were analyzed by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The expressions of indoleamine 2, 3-dioxygenase (IDO) and aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) were further detected by immunohistochemistry in gingival tissues. The PDLSC used in this study were isolated from extracted teeth for orthodontic treatment in Nanjing Stomatological Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Medical School, Nanjing University from July to November of 2022. Experiments were then conducted using the cells by incubating with (kynurenine group) or without kynurenine (control group) in vitro. Seven days later, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining and assays of ALP activity were performed. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) was utilized to detect the expressions of osteogenic related genes ALP, osteocalcin (OCN), runt-related transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), collagen type-Ⅰ (COL-Ⅰ) as well as the kynurenine pathway-associated genes AhR, cytochrome P450 family (CYP) 1A1, CYP1B1. Western blotting was used to detect the expression levels of RUNX2, osteopontin (OPN) and AhR proteins on day 10 and alizarin red staining was performed to observe the formation of mineral nodules on day 21 in control group and kynurenine group. Results: Salivary concentrations of kynurenine [8.26 (0, 19.60) nmol/L] and kynurenic acid [11.4 (3.34, 13.52) nmol/L] were significantly higher in the periodontitis group than in the health group [0.75(0, 4.25) nmol/L, 1.92(1.34, 3.88) nmol/L] (Z=-2.84, P=0.004; Z=-3.61, P<0.001). The expression levels of IDO (18.33±2.22) and AhR (44.14±13.63) in gingival tissues of periodontitis patients were significantly higher than that of the health group (12.21±2.87, 15.39±5.14) (t=3.38, P=0.015; t=3.42, P=0.027). In vitro, the ALP activity of PDLSC in the kynurenine group (291.90±2.35) decreased significantly compared with the control group (329.30±19.29) (t=3.34, P=0.029). The mRNA expression levels of ALP, OCN and RUNX2 in the kynurenine group (0.43±0.12, 0.78±0.09, 0.66±0.10) were decreased compared with the control group (1.02±0.22, 1.00±0.11, 1.00±0.01) (t=4.71, P=0.003; t=3.23, P=0.018; t=6.73, P<0.001), while the levels of AhR and CYP1A1 were increased in the kynurenine group (1.43±0.07, 1.65±0.10) compared with those in the control group (1.01±0.12, 1.01±0.14) (t=5.23, P=0.006; t=6.59, P<0.001). No significant difference was observed in COL-Ⅰ and CYP1B1 mRNA levels between groups. The protein levels of OPN, RUNX2 (0.82±0.05, 0.87±0.03) were reduced and that of AhR (1.24±0.14) was increased in the kynurenine group compared with those in the control group (1.00±0.00, 1.00±0.00, 1.00±0.00) (t=6.79, P=0.003; t=7.95, P=0.001; t=3.04, P=0.039). Conclusions: Over-activated kynurenine pathway in periodontitis patients can promote upregulation of AhR and suppress the osteogenic differentiation of PDLSC.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and sexual development in Chinese children. Methods: A nationwide multicenter and population-based large cross-sectional study was conducted in 13 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities of China from January 2017 to December 2018. Data on sex, age, height, weight were collected, BMI was calculated and sexual characteristics were analyzed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on age, including ages 3-<6 years, 6-<10 years, 10-<15 years and 15-<18 years. Multiple Logistic regression models were used for evaluating the associations of BMI with sexual development in children. Dichotomous Logistic regression was used to compare the differences in the distribution of early and non-early puberty among normal weight, overweight and obese groups. Curves were drawn to analyze the relationship between the percentage of early puberty and BMI distribution in girls and boys at different Tanner stages. Results: A total of 208 179 healthy children (96 471 girls and 111 708 boys) were enrolled in this study. The OR values of B2, B3 and B4+ in overweight girls were 1.72 (95%CI: 1.56-1.89), 3.19 (95%CI: 2.86-3.57), 7.14 (95%CI: 6.33-8.05) and in obese girls were 2.05 (95%CI: 1.88-2.24), 4.98 (95%CI: 4.49-5.53), 11.21 (95%CI: 9.98-12.59), respectively; while the OR values of G2, G3, G4+ in overweight boys were 1.27 (95%CI: 1.17-1.38), 1.52 (95%CI: 1.36-1.70), 1.88 (95%CI: 1.66-2.14) and in obese boys were 1.27 (95%CI: 1.17-1.37), 1.59 (95%CI: 1.43-1.78), and 1.93 (95%CI: 1.70-2.18) (compared with normal weight Tanner 1 group,all P<0.01). Analysis in different age groups found that OR values of obese girls at B2 stage and boys at G2 stage were 2.02 (95%CI: 1.06-3.86) and 2.32 (95%CI:1.05-5.12) in preschool children aged 3-<6 years, respectively (both P<0.05). And in the age group of 6-10 years, overweight girls had a 5.45-fold risk and obese girls had a 12.54-fold risk of B3 stage compared to girls with normal BMI. Compared with normal weight children, the risk of early puberty was 2.67 times higher in overweight girls, 3.63 times higher in obese girls, and 1.22 times higher in overweight boys, 1.35 times higher in obese boys (all P<0.01). Among the children at each Tanner stages, the percentage of early puberty increased with the increase of BMI, from 5.7% (80/1 397), 16.1% (48/299), 13.8% (27/195) to 25.7% (198/769), 65.1% (209/321), 65.4% (157/240) in girls aged 8-<9, 10-<11 and 11-<12 years, and 6.6% (34/513), 18.7% (51/273), 21.6% (57/264) to 13.3% (96/722), 46.4% (140/302), 47.5% (105/221) in boys aged 9-<10, 12-<13 and 13-<14 years, respectively. Conclusions: BMI is positively correlated with sexual development in both Chinese boys and girls, and the correlation is stronger in girls. Obesity is a risk factor for precocious puberty in preschool children aged 3-<6 years, and 6-<10 years of age is a high risk period for early development in obese girls.
Adolescent ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China/epidemiology* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity/epidemiology* ; Overweight/epidemiology* ; Puberty ; Puberty, Precocious ; Sexual Development

OBJECTIVE: Through showing the full picture of double-arm controlled clinical research and systematic review evidence in the field of orally administrated Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) for treatment of lung cancer, to provide a reference for future clinical research and to indicate a direction for future systematic reviews. METHODS: A comprehensive search of clinical controlled studies was performed regarding orally administered CHM treatment for lung cancer published from January 1970 to September 2020. The language was restricted to Chinese and English. Relevant data were extracted, the quality of systematic reviews was evaluated, and the research evidence was visually displayed. RESULTS: Randomized controlled trials were the most common type of research design. The research sample sizes were typically small. Oral CHM showed certain curative advantages in treating lung cancer. The key stages in oral CHM intervention for lung cancer are chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and late palliative treatment. The advantageous outcomes of oral CHM treatment of lung cancer are the short-term efficacy, quality of life, and adverse reactions. The perioperative stage, overall survival, pharmacoeconomic evaluation, and Chinese medicine decoctions are weak research areas. CONCLUSIONS CHM has staged and therapeutic advantages in treating lung cancer. The overall methodological quality is poor, and the level of evidence requires improvement. It is necessary to carry out large-scale, standardized, and higher-quality research in the superior and weak areas of CHM treatment of lung cancer.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms/drug therapy* ; Quality of Life ; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic ; Systematic Reviews as Topic

Neointimal hyperplasia after vascular injury is a representative complication of restenosis. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress-induced unfolded protein response (UPR) is involved in the pathogenesis of vascular intimal hyperplasia. PARP16, a member of the poly(ADP-ribose) polymerases family, is correlated with the nuclear envelope and the ER. Here, we found that PERK and IRE1

Cochlear Implantation ; Genes, Neurofibromatosis 2 ; Humans ; Neurofibromatosis 2/surgery* ; Neuroma, Acoustic/surgery* ; Sequence Deletion

Objective:Considering the efficacy of Gegen Qinliantang （GQT） in releasing exterior and clearing interior to alleviate dampness-heat dysentery， we analyzed the mechanism of the chloroform extract of GQT in alleviating enterotoxicity caused by irinotecan to provide an experimental basis for the development of GQT. Method:Kunming mice （n=60） were randomly divided into a blank group， a model group， a loperamide group （positive drug of loperamide hydrochloride capsule， 0.4 mg·kg^-1）， and high- （2.3 g·kg^-1） and low-dose （1.16 g·kg^-1） GQT chloroform extract groups. The mouse model of delayed diarrhea was established by intraperitoneal injection of irinotecan hydrochloride （CPT-11， 55 mg·kg^-1） for four consecutive days， meanwhile， the mice in the blank group only received the same volume of normal saline. Corresponding drugs were administered by gavage on the fifth day， respectively， while the ones in the blank group and model group were given distilled water for five consecutive days. The general condition of mice in each group was observed， and diarrhea indexes of mice were recorded. Pathological changes in colon tissues of mice were observed by hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining. The tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α， interleukin （IL）-1β， cyclooxygenase （COX）-2， intercellular adhesion molecule （ICAM）-1， glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px）， superoxide dismutase （SOD）， malondialdehyde （MDA） and nitric oxide （NO） levels in colon tissues were detected with the assay kits. Furthermore， the expression levels of Kelch sample epoxy chloropropane associated protein 1 （Keap1）， nuclear factor E₂ related factor 2 （Nrf2）， tight junction protein-1 （ZO-1）， heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1） and tight junction protein （Occludin） were detected by Western blot. Result:Compared with the blank group， the model group showed declined body weight and reduced contents of GSH-Px and SOD （P<0.01）， whereas increased diarrhea indexes and TNF-α， IL-1β， COX-2， ICAM-1， MDA and NO levels （P<0.01）. Abundant inflammatory cells and colonic mucosa with defects， swelling， bleeding， and inflammatory exudation were revealed by HE staining in the mice of the model group. The expression levels of Keap1， Nrf2， ZO-1， HO-1 and Occludin in colon tissues significantly declined （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the loperamide group and the high- and low-dose GQT chloroform extract groups exhibited improved weight loss， reduced diarrhea indexes， diminished TNF-α， IL-1β， COX-2， ICAM-1， MDA and NO， and elevated GSH-Px and SOD. HE staining indicated that the cells were compactly arranged with clear nuclei in the high- and low-dose GQT chloroform extract groups， and the expression levels of Keap1， Nrf2， HO-1， Occludin， and ZO-1 were up-regulated. Conclusion:GQT chloroform extract may alleviate CPT-11-induced delayed diarrhea by regulating inflammation and oxidative stress for enhancing the intestinal barrier function. These findings are expected to provide a reference for exploring the toxicity-attenuating effect of Chinese medicinals on chemotherapy drugs and for developing famous classical formulas.

·AMI:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of the segmented bifocal intraocular lens (MIOL) SBL-3. ·METHODS:Totally 26 cases (26 eyes) of age-related cataract who received phacoemulsification and implantation of MIOL SBL-3 were enrolled from February 2016 to June 2017 in our hospital as the SBL-3 group. And 28 cases (28 eyes) of age-related cataract who received phacoemulsification and implantation of single focus intraocular lens intraocular lens TecnisZA9003 were enrolled as control group. At postoperative 3mo, the uncorrected visual acuity, corrected visual acuity, contrast sensitivity and patient satisfaction were compared between two groups. ·RESULTS: At preoperative, there was no statistical difference in uncorrected distance, intermediate and near visual acuity between two groups (P > 0. 05). At postoperatively 3mo, the uncorrected distance, intermediate and near visual acuity in patients of both groups were significantly improved (P < 0. 05). At postoperative 3mo,the uncorrected intermediate and near visual acuity, distance-corrected intermediate and near visual acuity, contrast sensitivity at different spatial frequencies (3, 6, 12, 18c/d) and patient satisfaction in SBL- 3 group were significantly better than those of control group (P<0.05). ·CONCLUSION:The MIOL SBL-3 not only could provide preferable distance visual acuity, but also could provide better intermediate visual acuity, near visual acuity and contrast sensitivity,and greatly increase the visual quality and satisfaction at postoperative in cataract patients.

·AIM: To compare the visual quality after different multifocal lens (MIOL) implantation in cataract patients. ·METHODS: Totally 78 cases (78 eyes) of cataract patients who receiving phacoemulsification and implantation of different MIOL were enrolled from February 2016 to June 2017 in our hospital. According to the different type of implanted MIOL, the 78 cases (78 eyes) were divided Group A,B and C,each group was 26 cases (26 eyes). Patients in the Group A were implanted regional refraction MIOL SBL-3; patients in the Group B implanted step progressive diffraction MIOL SN6AD1;patients in the Group C implanted all - optical plane diffraction MIOL Tecnis ZMB00. The visual acuity, contrast sensitivity,defocus testing,contrast visual acuity and satisfaction of visual quality were compared in 3 groups at postoperative 3mo. · RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in postoperative adverse reactions between the three groups (P>0.05). There was statistical difference in uncorrected intermediate visual acuity, uncorrected near visual acuity, distance - corrected intermediate visual acuity and distance- corrected near visual acuity in 3 groups (P < 0. 05), and those in the Group C were significantly worse than those of Group A and B (P<0.05). There was statistical difference in contrast sensitivity at four spatial frequencies (3,6,12,18c/d) in light and light glare and three spatial frequencies (3, 6, 12c/d) in dark and dark glare in 3 groups (P<0.05), and those in the Group A were significantly better than those of Group B and C (P<0.05). According to the defocus testing of 3 groups,the visual acuity at -1.5D,-2.0D and-2. 5D in Group A and B was significantly higher than Group C (P<0. 05). There was statistical difference in contrast visual acuity at 20% and 9% of contrast ratio in 3 groups (P<0.05),and those in Group A were significantly better than Group B and C(P<0.05). There was statistical difference in visual quality satisfaction in 3 groups (P<0.05), and that in the Group A was significantly better than that of Group B and C (P<0.05). ·CONCLUSION:The region refraction MIOL SBL-3 not only could provide better distant, intermediate and near visual acuity, but also could provide better contrast sensitivity and contrast visual acuity, thereby greatly increase visual quality satisfaction.