OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects and mechanism of Yiqi huoxue decoction （YQHX） on lumbar disc herniation in rats. METHODS Rats were randomly divided into sham operation group， model group， NF-κB inhibitor group （QNZ group， 1 mg/kg）， YQHX group （9.1 g/kg） and combination group （YQHX+QNZ group， the same dose as each single drug group）， with 10 rats in each group. Except for sham operation group， lumbar disc herniation model of rats was induced in other groups； administration groups were given QNZ intraperitoneally or/and YQHX intragastrically， once a day， for 8 consecutive weeks. The severity of intervertebral disc herniation was evaluated in each group； the pathological changes of intervertebral discs and the changes of autophagy of nucleus pulposus cells were all observed； the level of tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in serum， and the ratios of Bcl-2/adenovirus E1B interacting protein 3 （BNIP3） and Beclin-1 positive cells in intervertebral disctissues were detected； the phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB） p65， the expressions of tumor necrosis factor receptor- associated factor-2 （TRAF-2）， TRAF-3， BNIP3 and LC3B protein， and mRNA expressions of NF-κB p65， LC3B， p62，BNIP3 and Beclin-1 were determined. RESULTS Compared with model group， Pfirrmann grading score decreased significantly，the pathological injury of intervertebral disc tissue was relieved in YQHX group； the number of autophagosomes in nucleus pulposus cells increased； serum level of TNF-α and mRNA expression of p62 in intervertebral disc tissue decreased significantly； the ratios of BNIP3 and Beclin-1 positive cells， the phosphorylation of NF-κB p65， the expressions of TRAF-2， TRAF-3， BNIP3 and LC3B protein as well as the mRNA expressions of NF- κB p65， LC3B， BNIP3 and Beclin-1 decreased significantly in intervertebral disc tissues （P＜0.05）. The changes of above indexes in YQHX group were reversed partly in YQHX+QNZ group. CONCLUSIONS YQHX promotes the elevation of autophagy level of intervertebral discs， slows down the inflammatory response and the progression of lumbar disc herniation by activating the NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the risk factors for bronchopulmonary dysplasia(BPD)in twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks,and to provide a basis for early identification of BPD in twin preterm infants in clinical practice.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed for the twin preterm infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks who were admitted to 22 hospitals nationwide from January 2018 to December 2020.According to their conditions,they were divided into group A(both twins had BPD),group B(only one twin had BPD),and group C(neither twin had BPD).The risk factors for BPD in twin preterm infants were analyzed.Further analysis was conducted on group B to investigate the postnatal risk factors for BPD within twins.Results A total of 904 pairs of twins with a gestational age of<34 weeks were included in this study.The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that compared with group C,birth weight discordance of>25%between the twins was an independent risk factor for BPD in one of the twins(OR=3.370,95%CI:1.500-7.568,P<0.05),and high gestational age at birth was a protective factor against BPD(P<0.05).The conditional logistic regression analysis of group B showed that small-for-gestational-age(SGA)birth was an independent risk factor for BPD in individual twins(OR=5.017,95%CI:1.040-24.190,P<0.05).Conclusions The development of BPD in twin preterm infants is associated with gestational age,birth weight discordance between the twins,and SGA birth.

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of Xianglian Pills(XLP) on lipid metabolism in obese mice and explore the underlying mechanism based on network pharmacology and intestinal flora. Firstly, network pharmacology was used to predict the possible effect of XLP on obesity. Secondly, an obese mouse model induced by a high-fat diet was established to observe changes in mouse body weight, adiposity index, liver and adipose tissue pathology. Lipid profiles, liver and kidney function markers, insulin content, and the expression of recombinant uncoupling protein 1(UCP-1) and PR structural domain protein 16(PRDM16) were measured. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing technology was used to analyze the changes in the intestinal flora. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis showed that XLP mainly played a role in improving obesity by regulating lipolysis, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and insulin resistance. The results of animal experiments showed that XLP significantly reduced body weight, adiposity, blood lipid levels, and serum insulin levels in obese mice, while enhancing the expression of UCP-1 and PRDM16 in adipose tissue without causing damage to the liver or kidneys. The 16S rRNA gene sequencing results showed that XLP decreased the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes(F/B) ratio at the phylum level, increased the relative abundance of Akkermansia and Bacteroides at the family and genus levels, and reduced the abundance of Allobaculum. Therefore, XLP can effectively improve lipid metabolism disorders in high-fat diet-induced obese mice, and the mechanism is related to the improvement of brown adipose function, the browning of white fat, the accelerated lipid metabolism, and the improvement of intestinal flora. However, its effect on promoting the conversion of white adipose to brown adipose still needs to be further studied.
Mice ; Animals ; Mice, Obese ; Diet, High-Fat/adverse effects* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Network Pharmacology ; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/complications* ; Obesity/genetics* ; Body Weight ; Lipids ; Insulin ; Transcription Factors ; Dyslipidemias/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal

Genetic risk factors have been shown to contribute to the development of sexual dysfunction. However, the role of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene variants in the risk of erectile dysfunction (ED) remains unclear. In this study, we recruited 1254 participants who underwent ED assessed by the International Index of Erectile Function-5. The MTHFR c.677C>T variant was also measured by fluorescence polymerase chain reaction (PCR). No significant difference in the genotypic frequency of the MTHFR C677T polymorphism (CC, CT, and TT) was observed between men from the ED and non-ED groups. In addition, on binary logistic regression analysis, both crude and adjusted models showed that the risk of ED was not significantly associated with the C677T polymorphism. Interestingly, a significantly higher frequency of the 677TT polymorphism was found in severe and moderate ED (P = 0.02). The positive correlation between the MTHFR 677TT polymorphism and severe ED was confirmed by logistic regression analysis, even after adjusting for potential confounders (odds ratio [OR] = 2.46, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.15-5.50, P = 0.02). These findings suggest a positive correlation between the MTHFR 677TT polymorphism and the risk of severe ED. Identification of MTHFR gene polymorphisms may provide complementary information for ED patients during routine clinical diagnosis.

Purpose: We aimed to analyze the optimal timing of enteral nutrition (EN) in the treatment of sepsis and its effect on sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (SA-AKI.) Materials and Methods: The MIMIC-III database was employed to identify patients with sepsis who had received EN. With AKI as the primary outcome variable, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were utilized to calculate the optimal cut-off time of early EN (EEN). Propensity score matching (PSM) was employed to control confounding effects. Logistic regressions and propensity score-based inverse probability of treatment weighting were utilized to assess the robustness of our findings. Comparisons within the EEN group were performed. Results: 2364 patients were included in our study. With 53 hours after intensive care units (ICU) admission as the cut-off time of EEN according to the ROC curve, 1212 patients were assigned to the EEN group and the other 1152 to the delayed EN group. The risk of SA-AKI was reduced in the EEN group (odds ratio 0.319, 95% confidence interval 0.245–0.413, p<0.001). The EEN patients received fewer volumes (mL) of intravenous fluid (IVF) during their ICU stay (3750 mL vs. 5513.23 mL, p<0.001). The mediating effect of IVF was significant (p<0.001 for the average causal mediation effect). No significant differences were found within the EEN group (0–48 hours vs. 48–53 hours), except that patients initiating EN within 48 hours spent fewer days in ICU and hospital. Conclusion EEN is associated with decreased risk of SA-AKI, and this beneficial effect may be proportionally mediated by IVF volume.

Objective: To explore the performance of a self-made venous-venous bypass (VVB) device for liver transplantation based on the principle of magnetic levitation drive. Methods: Experimental study was conducted from August 2020 to January 2022. Eight Bama minipigs underwent VVB of hepatic portal vein-femoral vein-internal jugular vein after occlusion of hepatic portal vein and inferior vena cava. The animals were divided into two groups according to the VVB devices used during VVB. A self-made VVB device was used in group A(n=5),and an imported VVB device was used in group B(n=3). The hemodynamic changes of the two groups of animals were compared at 6 time points including before vascular occlusion, during vascular occlusion, 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes after the start of VVB, and 30 minutes after vascular opening. In addition,the changes of blood compatibility indexes,intestinal injury indexes,kidney injury indexes and internal environment indexes of the two groups of animals at each time point were compared. The independent samples t test was used for the quantitative data between the two groups with non-repeated measures,and the repeated measures analysis of variance was used for the quantitative data between the two groups with repeated measures. Results: During the VVB of the two devices,the venous drainage was sufficient,and the main manifestations were that the color of the intestine of the Bama miniature pig was ruddy, the peristalsis was normal, and the urine output was normal. There were no significant differences in hemodynamics,blood injure indexes,intestinal injury indexes,kidney injury indexes,neutropil gelatinase-associated lipocalin,and internal environment indexes(all P>0.05).The indexes at 30 minutes after vascular opening in the group A and the group B were as follows:mean arterial pressure were (71.0±7.7)mmHg(1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) and (74.0±8.7)mmHg,central venous pressure were (7.0±1.4)cmH₂O(1 cmH₂O=0.098 kPa) and (7.7±0.6)cmH₂O,heart rate were (131±10) beats/minutes and (132±8)beats/minutes; red blood cell count were (6.43±0.89)×10¹²/L and (6.32±0.58)×10¹²/L,hemoglobin were (108.4±5.9)g/L and (110.0±3.5)g/L,free hemoglobin were (78.28±3.96)mg/L and (78.08±4.54)mg/L; intestinal fatty acid binding protein were (2.27±0.49)μg/L and (2.40±0.78)μg/L;creatinine were (68.30±9.77)μmol/L and (79.90±26.91)μmol/L,blood urea nitrogen were (3.94±1.39)mmol/L and (3.45±0.65)mmol/L;neutropil gelatinase-associated lipocalin were (4.02±0.53) μg/L and (3.86±0.23)μg/L;pH value were 7.27±0.04 and 7.23±0.03,lactic acid were (6.18±2.62)mmol/L and (4.30±0.50)mmol/L,concentrations of Na⁺ were (136.3±3.0)mmol/L and (137.6±1.6) mmol/L,concentrations of K⁺ were (3.89±0.42) mmol/L and (3.98±0.17)mmol/L,concentrations of Ca²⁺ were (1.40±0.03)mmol/L and(1.40±0.04)mmol/L;all indexes in the two group had no differences(all P>0.05). Conclusion: The self-made venous bypass device can be safely and effectively applied to VVB of Bama minipigs,and achieves the same performance as the imported venous bypass device.
Animals ; Creatinine ; Fatty Acid-Binding Proteins ; Gelatinases ; Lactic Acid ; Lipocalins ; Liver Transplantation ; Magnetic Phenomena ; Portal Vein/surgery* ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

The novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic is emerging as a global health threat and shows a higher risk for men than women. Thus far, the studies on andrological consequences of COVID-19 are limited. To ascertain the consequences of COVID-19 on sperm parameters after recovery, we recruited 41 reproductive-aged male patients who had recovered from COVID-19, and analyzed their semen parameters and serum sex hormones at a median time of 56 days after hospital discharge. For longitudinal analysis, a second sampling was obtained from 22 of the 41 patients after a median time interval of 29 days from first sampling. Compared with controls who had not suffered from COVID-19, the total sperm count, sperm concentration, and percentages of motile and progressively motile spermatozoa in the patients were significantly lower at first sampling, while sperm vitality and morphology were not affected. The total sperm count, sperm concentration, and number of motile spermatozoa per ejaculate were significantly increased and the percentage of morphologically abnormal sperm was reduced at the second sampling compared with those at first in the 22 patients examined. Though there were higher prolactin and lower progesterone levels in patients at first sampling than those in controls, no significant alterations were detected for any sex hormones examined over time following COVID-19 recovery in the 22 patients. Although it should be interpreted carefully, these findings indicate an adverse but potentially reversible consequence of COVID-19 on sperm quality.
Adult ; Asthenozoospermia/virology* ; COVID-19/physiopathology* ; China ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones/blood* ; Humans ; Male ; Progesterone/blood* ; Prolactin/blood* ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Semen/physiology* ; Semen Analysis ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Spermatozoa/physiology* ; Time Factors

Objective To investigate the prevalence of osteoarthrosis and the association between hot spring bathing and osteoarthrosis among local adults in typical hot spring areas of Guizhou Province. Methods A face-to-face questionnaire survey was conducted among residents aged from 30 to 65 in five typical hot spring areas, including Xifeng(Xifeng County, Guiyang), Jianhe(Jianhe County, Qiandongnan), Fodingshan(Shiqian County, Tongren), Guiyu(Wudang District, Guiyang)and Huishangu(Suiyang County, Zunyi). Residents' basic information, bone and joint diseases prevalence, hot spring bathing, and other health-related behaviors were investigated in this study. The prevalence of local bone and joint diseases was analyzed, and binary logistic regression was used to calculate OR(95%CI)to analyze the association between hot spring bathing and bone and joint diseases. Results A total of 3 708 adults(1 648 males and 2 060 females)were included as the statistical analysis survey subjects, and 794 people reported bone and joint diseases, accounting for a prevalence rate of 21.41%, 95% CI: 0.201-0.227. The prevalence of females(24.56%)was higher than that of males(17.48%)(P < 0.001). The prevalence rates of diseases increased with age(χ_trend²=130.265, P < 0.001). There were also statistically significant differences in the prevalence rate of bone and joint diseases among different genders, age groups, occupations, education levels, and smoking behaviors(P < 0.05). After gender, age, occupation, education and smoking were adjusted for, compared with the group who never took hot spring baths, participants who took hot spring baths occasionally(OR=0.793, 95%CI: 0.631-0.996)and frequently(OR=0.713, 95%CI: 0.536-0.948)were associated with a lower risk of bone and joint diseases. Conclusion The prevalence of osteoarthrosis is 21.41% in the typical hot spring areas of Guizhou Province. Older or females have a higher risk of prevalence of bone and joint diseases. Hot spring bathing may be associated with a lower risk of bone and joint diseases.

Danggui Liuhuang Tang， as one of classical traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions， has been used by major medical experts in clinic since Jin and Yuan dynasties. After review and summarization of relevant literatures on the pharmacological effects and clinical application of Danggui Liuhuang Tang， it was found that Danggui Liuhuang Tang has a wide range of pharmacological activities， and exerts its anti-inflammatory and anti-insulin resistance effects mainly by inhibiting the production of inflammatory factors， such as tumor necrosis factor and interleukin and activating related pathways. In addition， Danggui Liuhuang Tang inhibits the occurrence and development of hepatic fibrosis by attenuating proinflammatory signaling and extracellular matrix accumulation with multiple components， multiple targets， and multiple pathways. Danggui Liuhuang Tang has been widely used in sweat syndromes， with an obvious effect in the treatment of thyroid diseases， diabetes， respiratory tract and other diseases. This paper reviews and summarizes the pharmacological effects and clinical application of Danggui Liuhuang Tang，in an attempt to provide some valuable clues for the subsequent development of Danggui Liuhuang Tang.

To clarify the difference of soil moisture characteristics between mixed broad leaf-conifer forest soil and artificial cultivation of Notopterygium incisum, the HYPROP system and the dew point potential meter were used to determine soil water retention curves(SWRC) for samples of two horizons(i.e. 2-7 cm, 10-15 cm). The basic physical and chemical properties of soil and its water characteristic parameters were also determined. The result showed as fllows:①The bulk density of mixed coniferous-broad leaf forest soil was between 0.33 and 0.52 g·cm~(-3), significantly lower than the corresponding value of field soil(1.01-1.18 g·cm~(-3))(P<0.05), While the organic matter content was significantly higher than the corresponding value of field soil(P<0.05). ②The saturated water content(θ_s), field water holding capacity(θ_(FC)) and Water that can be effectively utilized by plants(θ_(PAC)) of mixed coniferous-broadleaved forest soil were significantly higher than the corresponding value of field soil(P<0.05), while the retained water content(θ_r) value that cannot be effectively utilized by plants was significantly lower than that of field soil(P<0.05). ③The values of structural porosity(0.13-0.24 cm~3·cm~(-3)) and Matrix porosity(0.34-0.44 cm~3·cm~(-3)) of mixed coniferous-broadleaved forest soil were higher than the corresponding values of field soil. Therefore, with low bulk density and high content of organic matter, mixed coniferous-broadleaved forest soil can store more water in soil in the form of effective water to meet the needs of plants for water, thus possibly forming high quality medicinal materials of Notopterygii Rhizoma et Radix. In conclusion, the results of this study can provide theoretical basis guidance for soil structure improvement and water management to form high quality medicinal materials in the artificial cultivation of N. incisum.
Apiaceae ; China ; Forests ; Soil ; Tracheophyta ; Water ; analysis