The antidepressant activity and molecular mechanisms of Yueju Wan volatile oil were investigated. The Yueju Wan volatile oil was extracted by using supercritical CO_2. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry(GC-MS) combined with network pharmacology identified 28 chemical constituents in Yueju Wan volatile oil, primarily terpenes and lactones. A total of 123 overlapping targets were associated with depression, including core targets of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), signal transducer and activator of transcription 3(STAT3), and caspase-3(CASP3). These targets were mainly involved in the prolactin, advanced glycation end products/receptor(AGE/RAGE), and phosphoinositide 3-kinase/protein kinase B(PI3K/Akt) signaling pathways. A reserpine-induced depression mouse model was established to evaluate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Yueju Wan volatile oil. The effects of Yueju Wan volatile oil on depression-like behavior in mice were evaluated by analyzing body mass, body temperature index, tail suspension immobility time, forced swimming immobility time, and sucrose preference. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining revealed neuronal protection of Yueju Wan volatile oil in the brain of mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) and Western blot were employed to detect the protein expression of AGEs, IL-1β, phosphorylated PI3K(p-PI3K), Akt, phosphorylated Akt(p-Akt), nuclear factor κB(NF-κB), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF). Behavioral evaluation showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could effectively control the decline of body mass and body temperature of depressed mice, reduce tail suspension and swimming immobility time, and enhance their preference for sucrose. Histopathological examination showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could alleviate the neuronal damage in CA1 and dentate gyrus(DG) of the hippocampus of mice. ELISA and Western blot results showed that Yueju Wan volatile oil could significantly increase the protein expression levels of PI3K, Akt, and BDNF and significantly decrease the protein expression levels of AGEs, IL-1β, p-PI3K, p-Akt, and NF-κB in the hippocampus of mice. Furthermore, the p-PI3K/PI3K and p-Akt/Akt ratios were significantly decreased at medium and high doses. These findings suggest that the aromatherapy of Yueju Wan volatile oil can significantly improve reserpine-induced depression-like behavior in mice, which may be related to reducing the expression of neuronal membrane protein AGEs, reducing the phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt, inhibiting NF-κB entry into the nucleus, and alleviating the release of pro-inflammatory factors and nerve injury.
Animals ; Antidepressive Agents/chemistry* ; Mice ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt/immunology* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/immunology* ; Oils, Volatile/chemistry* ; Male ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Depression/metabolism* ; Glycation End Products, Advanced/immunology* ; Humans

Investigating the correlation between micronucleus formation and male infertility has the potential to improve clinical diagnosis and deepen our understanding of pathological progression. Our study enrolled 2252 male patients whose semen was analyzed from March 2023 to July 2023. Their clinical data, including semen parameters and age, were also collected. Genetic analysis was used to determine whether the sex chromosome involved in male infertility was abnormal (including the increase, deletion, and translocation of the X and Y chromosomes), and subsequent semen analysis was conducted for clinical grouping purposes. The participants were categorized into five groups: normozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia, and azoospermia. Patients were randomly selected for further study; 41 patients with normozoospermia were included in the control group and 117 patients with non-normozoospermia were included in the study group according to the proportions of all enrolled patients. Cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) screening was conducted through peripheral blood. Statistical analysis was used to determine the differences in micronuclei (MNi) among the groups and the relationships between MNi and clinical data. There was a significant increase in MNi in infertile men, including those with azoospermia, compared with normozoospermic patients, but there was no significant difference between the genetic and nongenetic groups in azoospermic men. The presence of MNi was associated with sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility, immotile spermatozoa, malformed spermatozoa, total sperm count, and total sperm motility. This study underscores the potential utility of MNi as a diagnostic tool and highlights the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of male infertility.
Humans ; Male ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Adult ; Micronucleus Tests ; Semen Analysis ; Oligospermia/genetics* ; Azoospermia/genetics* ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Sperm Count ; Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective ; Middle Aged

Recurrent syncopal episodes associated with head and neck lymphoma are rarely reported. Through a typical case study, this article analyzes the clinical features of patients with neck lymphoma presenting with syncope as the initial symptom, aiming to improve understanding of this type of disease. By reviewing the clinical data of this patient with neck masses admitted for recurrent syncope in June 2023 and integrating findings with relevant literature, the clinical characteristics of this patient population is presented. The first symptoms of lymphoma presenting as syncope are relatively rare and often lead to misdiagnosis. Diagnosis is mainly based on pathological and immunohistochemical analysis.
Humans ; Head and Neck Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; Lymphoma/diagnosis* ; Recurrence ; Syncope/etiology* ; Young Adult ; Diagnostic Errors

Objective:To assess the risk factors affecting development of non-tumor- related anastomotic stenosis after rectal cancer and to construct a nomogram prediction model.Methods:This was a retrospective study of data of patients who had undergone excision with one-stage intestinal anastomosis for rectal cancer between January 2003 and September 2018 in Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) pathological examination of the operative specimen revealed residual tumor on the incision margin of the anastomosis; (2) pathological examination of postoperative colonoscopy specimens revealed tumor recurrence at the anastomotic stenosis, or postoperative imaging evaluation and tumor marker monitoring indicated tumor recurrence; (3) follow-up time <3 months; and (4) simultaneous multiple primary cancers. Univariate analysis using the χ 2 or Fisher's exact test was performed to assess the study patients' baseline characteristics and variables such as tumor-related factors and surgical approach ( P<0.05). Multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression was then performed to identify independent risk factors for development of non-tumor-related anastomotic stenosis after rectal cancer. Finally, a nomogram model for predicting non-tumor-related anastomotic stenosis after rectal cancer surgery was constructed using R software. The reliability and accuracy of this prediction model was evaluated using internal validation and calculation of the area under the curve of the model's receiver characteristic curve (ROC). Results:The study cohort comprised 1,610 patients, including 1,008 men and 602 women of median age 59 (50, 67) years and median body mass index 22.4 (20.2, 24.5) kg/m2. Non-tumor-related anastomotic stenosis developed in 121 (7.5%) of these patients. The incidence of non-tumor-related anastomotic stenosis in patients who had undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy, neoadjuvant radiotherapy, and surgery alone was 11.2% (10/89), 26.4% (47/178), and 4.8% (64/1,343), respectively. Neoadjuvant treatment (neoadjuvant chemotherapy: OR=2.455, 95%CI: 1.148–5.253, P=0.021; neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, OR=3.882, 95%CI: 2.425–6.216, P<0.001), anastomotic leakage (OR=7.960, 95%CI: 4.550–13.926, P<0.001), open laparotomy (OR=3.412, 95%CI: 1.772–6.571, P<0.001), and tumor location (distance of tumor from the anal verge 5–10 cm: OR=2.381, 95%CI:1.227–4.691, P<0.001; distance of tumor from the anal verge <5 cm: OR=5.985,95% CI: 3.039–11.787, P<0.001) were identified as independent risk factors for non-tumor-related anastomotic stenosis. Thereafter, a nomogram prediction model incorporating the four identified risk factors for development of anastomotic stenosis after rectal cancer was developed. The area under the curve of the model ROC was 0.815 (0.773–0.857, P<0.001), and the C-index of the predictive model was 0.815, indicating that the model's calibration curve fitted well with the ideal curve. Conclusion:Non-tumor-related anastomotic stenosis after rectal cancer surgery is significantly associated with neoadjuvant treatment, anastomotic leakage, surgical procedure, and tumor location. A nomogram based on these four factors demonstrated good discrimination and calibration, and would therefore be useful for screening individuals at risk of anastomotic stenosis after rectal cancer surgery.

Objective:To assess the risk factors affecting development of non-tumor- related anastomotic stenosis after rectal cancer and to construct a nomogram prediction model.Methods:This was a retrospective study of data of patients who had undergone excision with one-stage intestinal anastomosis for rectal cancer between January 2003 and September 2018 in Nanfang Hospital of Southern Medical University. The exclusion criteria were as follows: (1) pathological examination of the operative specimen revealed residual tumor on the incision margin of the anastomosis; (2) pathological examination of postoperative colonoscopy specimens revealed tumor recurrence at the anastomotic stenosis, or postoperative imaging evaluation and tumor marker monitoring indicated tumor recurrence; (3) follow-up time <3 months; and (4) simultaneous multiple primary cancers. Univariate analysis using the χ 2 or Fisher's exact test was performed to assess the study patients' baseline characteristics and variables such as tumor-related factors and surgical approach ( P<0.05). Multivariate analysis using binary logistic regression was then performed to identify independent risk factors for development of non-tumor-related anastomotic stenosis after rectal cancer. Finally, a nomogram model for predicting non-tumor-related anastomotic stenosis after rectal cancer surgery was constructed using R software. The reliability and accuracy of this prediction model was evaluated using internal validation and calculation of the area under the curve of the model's receiver characteristic curve (ROC). Results:The study cohort comprised 1,610 patients, including 1,008 men and 602 women of median age 59 (50, 67) years and median body mass index 22.4 (20.2, 24.5) kg/m2. Non-tumor-related anastomotic stenosis developed in 121 (7.5%) of these patients. The incidence of non-tumor-related anastomotic stenosis in patients who had undergone neoadjuvant chemotherapy, neoadjuvant radiotherapy, and surgery alone was 11.2% (10/89), 26.4% (47/178), and 4.8% (64/1,343), respectively. Neoadjuvant treatment (neoadjuvant chemotherapy: OR=2.455, 95%CI: 1.148–5.253, P=0.021; neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy, OR=3.882, 95%CI: 2.425–6.216, P<0.001), anastomotic leakage (OR=7.960, 95%CI: 4.550–13.926, P<0.001), open laparotomy (OR=3.412, 95%CI: 1.772–6.571, P<0.001), and tumor location (distance of tumor from the anal verge 5–10 cm: OR=2.381, 95%CI:1.227–4.691, P<0.001; distance of tumor from the anal verge <5 cm: OR=5.985,95% CI: 3.039–11.787, P<0.001) were identified as independent risk factors for non-tumor-related anastomotic stenosis. Thereafter, a nomogram prediction model incorporating the four identified risk factors for development of anastomotic stenosis after rectal cancer was developed. The area under the curve of the model ROC was 0.815 (0.773–0.857, P<0.001), and the C-index of the predictive model was 0.815, indicating that the model's calibration curve fitted well with the ideal curve. Conclusion:Non-tumor-related anastomotic stenosis after rectal cancer surgery is significantly associated with neoadjuvant treatment, anastomotic leakage, surgical procedure, and tumor location. A nomogram based on these four factors demonstrated good discrimination and calibration, and would therefore be useful for screening individuals at risk of anastomotic stenosis after rectal cancer surgery.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the mechanism of electroacupuncture (EA) in promoting recovery of the facial function with the involvement of autophagy, glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. METHODS: Seventy-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly allocated into the control, sham-operated, facial nerve injury (FNI), EA, EA+3-methyladenine (3-MA), and EA+GDNF antagonist groups using a random number table, with 12 rats in each group. An FNI rat model was established with facial nerve crushing method. EA intervention was conducted at Dicang (ST 4), Jiache (ST 6), Yifeng (SJ 17), and Hegu (LI 4) acupoints for 2 weeks. The Simone's 10-Point Scale was utilized to monitor the recovery of facial function. The histopathological evaluation of facial nerves was performed using hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. The levels of Beclin-1, light chain 3 (LC3), and P62 were detected by immunohistochemistry (IHC), immunofluorescence, and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Additionally, IHC was also used to detect the levels of GDNF, Rai, PI3K, and mTOR. RESULTS: The facial functional scores were significantly increased in the EA group than the FNI group (P<0.05 or P<0.01). HE staining showed nerve axons and myelin sheaths, which were destroyed immediately after the injury, were recovered with EA treatment. The expressions of Beclin-1 and LC3 were significantly elevated and the expression of P62 was markedly reduced in FNI rats (P<0.01); however, EA treatment reversed these abnormal changes (P<0.01). Meanwhile, EA stimulation significantly increased the levels of GDNF, Rai, PI3K, and mTOR (P<0.01). After exogenous administration with autophagy inhibitor 3-MA or GDNF antagonist, the repair effect of EA on facial function was attenuated (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS EA could promote the recovery of facial function and repair the facial nerve damages in a rat model of FNI. EA may exert this neuroreparative effect through mediating the release of GDNF, activating the PI3K/mTOR signaling pathway, and further regulating the autophagy of facial nerves.
Rats ; Male ; Animals ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Electroacupuncture ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinase/metabolism* ; Facial Nerve Injuries/therapy* ; Phosphatidylinositol 3-Kinases/metabolism* ; Beclin-1 ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; Signal Transduction ; TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases/metabolism* ; Autophagy ; Mammals/metabolism*

Aim To explore the effect of kaempferol-7- 0-neohesperidoside (K70N) against prostate cancer (PCa) and the underlying mechanism. Methods The effect of K70N on the proliferation of PCa cell lines PC3, DU145, C4-2 and LNCaP was detected using CCK8 assay. The effect of K70N on migration ability of DU145 cells was determined by wound healing assay. The targets of K70N and PCa were screened from SuperPred and other databases. The common targets both related to K70N and PCa were obtained from the Venny online platform, a protein-protein interaction network (PPI) was constructed by the String and Cyto- scape. Meanwhile, the GO and KEGG functional enrichment were analyzed by David database. Then, a "drug-target-disease-pathway" network model was constructed. Cell cycle of PCa cells treated with K70N was analyzed by flow cytometry. The expressions of cycle-associated proteins including Skp2, p27 and p21 protein were detected by Western blot. Molecular docking between Skp2 and K70N was conducted by Sybyl X2. 0. Results K70N significantly inhibited the proliferation and migration of PCa cells. A total number of 34 drug-disease intersection targets were screened. The String results showed that Skp2 and p27, among the common targets, were the key targets of K70N for PCa treatment. Furthermore, GO and KEGG functional en-richment indicated that the mechanism was mainly related to the cell cycle. Flow cytometry showed that K70N treatment induced cell cycle arrest at the S phase. Compared with the control group, the protein expression level of Skp2 was significantly down-regulated, while the protein expression levels of p27 and p21 were up-regulated. The network molecular docking indicated that the ligand K70N had a good binding ability with the receptor Skp2. Conclusions K70N could inhibit the proliferation and migration of PCa cells, block the cell cycle in the S phase, which may be related to the regulation of cell cycle through the Skp2- p27/p21 signaling pathway.

Ankylosing spondylitis (AS) combined with lower cervical fracture is often categorized into unstable fracture, with a high incidence of neurological injury and a high rate of disability and morbidity. As factors such as shoulder occlusion may affect the accuracy of X-ray imaging diagnosis, it is often easily misdiagnosed at the primary diagnosis. Non-operative treatment has complications such as bone nonunion and the possibility of secondary neurological damage, while the timing, access and choice of surgical treatment are still controversial. Currently, there are no clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture with or without dislocation. To this end, the Spinal Trauma Group of Orthopedics Branch of Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts to formulate Clinical guidelines for the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis combined with lower cervical fracture in adults ( version 2024) in accordance with the principles of evidence-based medicine, scientificity and practicality, in which 11 recommendations were put forward in terms of the diagnosis, imaging evaluation, typing and treatment, etc, to provide guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of AS combined with lower cervical fracture.

Objective To explore clinical effect of vancomycin calcium sulfate combined with internal fixation on cal-caneal beak-like fracture secondary to calcaneal osteomyelitis caused by diabetic foot.Methods From April 2018 to October 2021,a retrospective analysis was performed on 5 patients with calcaneal bone osteomyelitis secondary to diabetic foot,includ-ing 2 males and 3 females,aged from 48 to 60 years old;diabetes course ranged from 5 to 13 years;the courses of diabetic foot disease ranged from 18 to 52 days;5 patients were grade Ⅲ according to Wagner classification.All patients were treated with debridement,vancomycin bone cement implantation,negative pressure aspiration at stage Ⅰ,vancomycin calcium sulfate and internal fixation at stage Ⅱ for calcaneal beak-like fracture.Surgical incision and fracture healing time were recorded,and the recurrence of osteomyelitis was observed.American Orthopedic Foot Andankle Society(AOFAS)score and exudation at 12 months after operation were evaluated.Results Five patients were successfully completed operation without lower extremity vascular occlusion,and were followed up for 16 to 36 months.The wound healing time after internal fixation ranged from 16 to 26 days,and healing time of fractures ranged from 16 to 27 weeks.AOFAS score ranged from 65 to 91 at 12 months after oper-ation,and 2 patients got excellent result,2 good and 1 fair.Among them,1 patient with skin ulcer on the back of foot caused by scalding at 5 months after operation(non-complication),was recovered after treatment;the wound leakage complication oc-curred in 2 patients,and were recovered after dressing change.No osteomyelitis or fracture occurred in all patients.Conclusion Vancomycin calcium sulfate with internal fixation in treating calcaneal osteomyelitis secondary to calcaneal osteomyelitis caused by diabetic foot could not only control infection,but also promote fracture healing,and obtain good clinical results.

Objective To observe the effect of abdominal massage combined with thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding on sleep homeostasis system in rats with anxiety insomnia.Methods Forty rats were randomly divided into normal group,model group,abdominal massage group,thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group and abdominal massage plus thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group,with 8 rats in each group.Except for the normal group,the rats in the other groups were used to replicate the model of anxiety insomnia by multi-factor compound stimulation.After the corresponding intervention,Morris water maze test was used to detect the level of learning and memory.Open field test was used to detect the degree of anxiety stress.Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was used to observe the pathological changes of hypothalamic ventral lateral preoptic nucleus(VLPO)neurons.Immunohistochemistry,real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR)and Western Blot were used to detect the protein and mRNA expression of N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)receptor subunits NR1,NR2B and calmodulin kinase Ⅱ(CaMK Ⅱ)in hypothalamic VLPO area,respectively.Results Compared with the normal group,the daytime anxiety symptoms of the rats in the model group were aggravated,the sleep latency was prolonged and the duration was shortened(P＜0.01).The average total swimming distance and average escape latency of the water maze directional navigation experiment were increased(P＜0.01).The number of crossing the hidden platform and the retention time of the target quadrant in the space exploration experiment were decreased(P＜0.01).The movement distance,the number of central grid crossings and the retention time of the central grid in the open field experiment were significantly reduced(P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in the modification frequency and the number of uprights(P＞0.05).Neurons in the VLPO brain region showed pathological damage.The protein and mRNA expression levels of NR1 and CaMK Ⅱ were decreased(P＜0.01)in VLPO brain region,and the protein and mRNA expression levels of NR2B were increased(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the level of learning and memory in the water maze test and the degree of anxiety stress in the open field test were significantly restored in the abdominal massage group,the thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group and the abdominal massage combined with thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),the neuronal damage in the VLPO brain region was improved,the protein and mRNA expression levels of NR1,CaMK Ⅱ were increased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),and the protein and mRNA expression levels of NR2B were decreased(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).The improvement effect of the above indexes in the abdominal massage plus thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group was superior to that in the abdominal massage group or thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).Conclusion Abdominal massage combined with thumb-tack needling for subcutaeous embedding can promote sleep and anti-anxiety in rats with anxiety insomnia.The related mechanism may be related to adjusting the dynamic balance between NR1/NR2B in VLPO brain area and up-regulating the expression level of CaMK Ⅱ,improving the function of neurons in VLPO brain area,and then restoring the regulation of sleep homeostasis system.