Social behavior is extremely important for the physical and mental health of individuals, their growth and development, and for social development. Social behavioral disorders have become a typical clinical representation of a variety of psychiatric disorders and have serious adverse effects on the development of individuals. The prefrontal cortex, as one of the key areas responsible for social behavior, involves in many advanced brain functions such as social behavior, emotion, and decision-making. The neural activity of prefrontal cortex has a major impact on the performance of social behavior. Numerous studies demonstrate that neurons and glial cells can regulate certain social behaviors by themselves or the interaction which we called neural microcircuits; and the collaboration with other brain regions also regulates different types of social behaviors. The prefrontal cortex (PFC)-thalamus projections mainly influence social dominance and social preference; the PFC-amygdala projections play a key role in fear behavior, emotional behavior, social exploration, and social identification; and the PFC-nucleus accumbens projections mainly involve social preference, social memory, social cognition, and spatial-social associative learning. Based on the above neural mechanism, many studies have focused on applying the non-invasive neurostimulation to social deficit-related symptoms, including transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial electrical stimulation (TES) and focused ultrasound stimulation (FUS). Our previous study also investigated that repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation can improve the social behavior of mice and low-intensity focused ultrasound ameliorated the social avoidance behavior of mice by enhancing neuronal activity in the prefrontal cortex. In this review, we summarize the relationship between neurons, glial cells, brain projection and social behavior in the prefrontal cortex, and systematically show the role of the prefrontal cortex in the regulation of social behavior. We hope our summarization will provide a reference for the neural mechanism and effective treatment of social disorders.

Objective:To analyze the correlation between paraspinal muscle parameters and the angle of degenerative thoracolumbar segmental kyphosis.Methods:From November 2021 to April 2023, a total of 90 female patients with lumbar degenerative disease who underwent surgical treatment in the Department of Spine Surgery, Beijing Jishuitan Hospital were retrospectively analyzed. The average age was 67.62±4.98 years (range, 60-80 years), and the average height was 1.58±0.05 m (range, 1.48-1.70 m). Weight 63.79±9.13 kg (range, 47-90 kg), body mass index 25.48±3.35 kg/m 2 (range, 18.37-36.05 kg/m 2). The angle of kyphosis of the thoracolumbar segments was 6.65°±10.38° (range, -17.34° to 9.34°). Disease diagnosis: 32 cases of lumbar disc herniation and 58 cases of lumbar spinal stenosis. Frontal and lateral radiographs of the thoracolumbar segments in the standing position were taken to measure the angle of kyphosis of the thoracolumbar segments; quantitative CT of the thoracolumbar segments and Osirix software were used to measure the parameters of the paravertebral muscles at the levels of T 12, L 3, and L 5, including paravertebral muscle cross-sectional area, skeletal muscle area, and tissue density, the proportion of fat infiltration, and the height-corrected skeletal muscle area index. The correlation between paraspinal muscle parameters and the angle of thoracolumbar segmental kyphosis was analyzed, and the factors affecting the angle of thoracolumbar segmental kyphosis were analyzed using multiple linear regression. Results:Correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between the angle of thoracolumbar segmental kyphosis and the tissue density of T 12 skeletal muscle ( r=-0.303, P=0.004) and L 5 skeletal muscle ( r=-0.219, P=0.038). Age was negatively correlated with T 12 skeletal muscle tissue density ( r=-0.263, P=0.012), T 12 height-corrected skeletal muscle area index ( r=-0.221, P=0.036), T 12 paravertebral muscle cross-sectional area ( r=-0.280, P=0.007), L 3 skeletal muscle tissue density ( r=-0.266, P=0.011) and L 5 skeletal muscle tissue density ( r=-0.290, P=0.006). There was no correlation between bone mineral density and paravertebral muscle parameters ( P>0.05). Multiple linear regression showed that T 12 skeletal muscle tissue density ( β=-1.125, P<0.001), T 12 fat-infiltrated proportion ( β=-0.849, P=0.001), L 3 skeletal muscle tissue density ( β=0.996, P<0.001), and L 3 fat-infiltrated proportion ( β=0.496, P=0.020) were independent factors influencing the angle of thoracolumbar segmental kyphosis . Conclusion:T 12 and L 3 paraspinal muscle density and fat-infiltrated proportion are independent factors affecting the angle of thoracolumbar kyphosis. The smaller the density and fat-infiltrated proportion of T 12 paraspinal muscle, and the larger the density and fat-infiltrated proportion of L 3 paraspinal muscle, the larger the angle of thoracolumbar kyphosis.

Objective:To investigate the effect of feeder layer cells expressing interleukin(IL)-21 on the amplification of NK cells in vitro.Methods:The K562 cell line with IL-21 expression on its membrane was constructed by electroporation,and co-cultured with NK cells after inactivation.The proliferation of NK cells was observed.The killing function of the amplified NK cells in vitro was evaluated by the lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and interferon-γ(IFN-y)release assay.A colorectal cancer xenograft model in NOD/SCID mice was established,and a blank control group,a NK cell group and an amplified NK cell group were set up to detect the tumor killing effect of amplified NK cells in vivo.Results:K562 cells expressing IL-21 on the membrane were successfully constructed by electroporation.After co-culturing with K562 cells expressing IL-21 on the membrane for 17 days,the NK cells increased to 700 times,which showed an enhanced amplification ability compared with control group(P＜0.001).In the tumor cell killing experiment in vitro,there was no significant difference in the killing activity on tumor cells between NK cells and amplified NK cells,and there was also no significant difference in mice in vivo.Conclusion:K562 cells expressing IL-21 on the membrane can significantly increase the amplification ability of NK cells in vitro,but do not affect the killing function of NK cells in vitro and in vivo.It can be used for the subsequent large-scale production of NK cells in vitro.

The modernization and development of traditional Chinese medicine has led to higher standards for the quality of traditional Chinese medicine products. The extraction process is a crucial component of traditional Chinese medicine production, and it directly impacts the final quality of the product. However, the currently relied upon methods for quality assurance of the extraction process, such as simple wet chemical analysis, have several limitations, including time consumption and labor intensity, and do not offer precise control of the extraction process. As a result, there is significant value in incorporating near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in the production process of traditional Chinese medicine to improve the quality control of the final products. In this study, we focused on the extraction process of Xiao'er Xiaoji Zhike oral liquid (XXZOL), using near-infrared spectra collected by both a Fourier transform near-infrared spectrometer and a portable near-infrared spectrometer. We used the concentration of synephrine, a quality control index component specified by the pharmacopoeia, to achieve rapid and accurate detection in the extraction process. Moreover, we developed a model transfer method to facilitate the transfer of models between the two types of near-infrared spectrometers (analytical grade and portable), thus resolving the low resolution, poor performance, and insufficient prediction accuracy issues of portable instruments. Our findings enable the rapid screening and quality analysis of XXZOL onsite, which is significant for quality monitoring during the traditional Chinese medicine production process.

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and advantages of the SILS+1 technique in the radical right hemicolectomy, by comparing the short-term efficacy, postoperative recovery of intestinal function, and stress and inflammatory response of patients with right-sided colon cancer undergoing the conventional 5-hole laparoscopic technique or the single incision plus one port laparoscopic surgery (SILS+1). Methods: A retrospective cohort study was performed. Thirty-five patients with right-sided colon cancer undergoing SILS+1 surgery at Department of Gastrointestinal Surgery of Fujian Cancer Hospital from January 2018 to September 2020 were enrolled in the SILS+1 group. Then a total of 44 patients who underwent completely 5-hole laparoscopic right hemicolectomy at the same time were selected as the conventional laparoscopic surgery (CLS) group. The intraoperative observation indexes (operative time, intraoperative blood loss, and incision length) and postoperative observation indexes (time to ambulation after surgery, time to flatus, pain score in the first 3 days after surgery, hospitalization days, number of lymph node dissections, postoperative complication morbidity, and postoperative total protein, albumin and C-reaction protein) were compared between the two groups. Results: There was no conversion to laparotomy or laparoscopic-assisted surgery in both groups. All the patients successfully completed radical right hemicolectomy under total laparoscopy. There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, body mass index or tumor stage between the two groups (all P>0.05). Compared with the CLS group, the SILS+1 group had shorter incision length [(5.1±0.6) cm vs. (8.5±4.1) cm, t=4.124, P=0.012], shorter time to the first ambulation (median: 27.6 h vs. 49.3 h, Z=4.386, P=0.026), and shorter time to the first flatus (median:42.8 h vs. 63.2 h, Z=13.086, P=0.012), lower postoperative pain score [postoperative 1-d: 2.0 ± 1.1 vs. 3.6 ± 0.9; postoperative 2-d: 1.4 ± 0.2 vs. 2.9±1.4; postoperative 3-d: 1.1 ± 0.1 vs. 2.3±0.3, F=49.128, P=0.003), shorter postoperative hospital stay [(9.1 ± 2.7) d vs. (11.2 ± 2.2) d, t=3.267,P=0.001], which were all statistically significant (all P<0.05). On the second day after surgery, as compared to CLS group, SILS+1 group had higher total protein level [(59.7±18.2) g/L vs. (43.0±12.3) g/L, t=2.214, P=0.003], higher albumin level [(33.6±7.3) g/L vs. (23.7±5.4) g/L, t=5.845, P<0.001], but lower C-reactive protein level [(16.3 ± 3.1) g/L vs. (63.3 ± 4.5) g/L, t=4.961, P<0.001], which were all statistically significant. There were no significant differences in the operative time, intraoperative blood loss, number of harvested lymph node, number of metastatic lymph node, and postoperative complication morbidity (all P>0.05). Conclusions: The SILS+1 technique has good operability and potential for popularization. Under the premise of radical resection, this technology not only reduces incision number and postoperative physical pain, but also speeds up postoperative recovery and shortens hospital stay.
Colectomy/methods* ; Colonic Neoplasms/surgery* ; Feasibility Studies ; Humans ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Length of Stay ; Operative Time ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of different energy feeding patterns on the nutritional status, clinical course, and outcome of children with congenital heart disease (CHD) and severe pneumonia. METHODS: A total of 43 malnourished infants, aged <6 months, who were diagnosed with ventricular septal defect and severe pneumonia and underwent surgical operation from January 1 to December 30, 2017 were enrolled. They were randomly divided into an observation group with 21 infants and a control group with 22 infants. The infants in the observation group were given calorie-enriched formula milk powder (100 kcal/100 mL) after surgery, and those in the control group were given formula milk powder with normal calories (67 kcal/100 mL). The two groups were observed for 3 months to record physical measurements, laboratory markers and nutritional risk screening results. Nutritional status was evaluated for all infants. The two groups were compared in terms of prognosis and adverse events. RESULTS: There were no significant differences between the two groups in physical measurements, laboratory markers, nutritional assessment and nutritional risk screening results on admission (P>0.05). At discharge and 1 and 3 months after surgery, the control group had significantly higher degree of malnutrition and level of nutritional risk than the observation group (P<0.05). The analysis of variance with repeated measures showed significant differences in body weight, upper arm circumference, weight-for-age Z-score, height-for-age Z-score, weight-for-height Z-score, and albumin level at different time points and between different groups, and there was an interaction between group factors and time factors (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group had a significantly lower average daily intake of fluid, a significantly higher average daily intake of energy, and a significantly lower incidence rate of insufficient feeding during hospitalization (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group had significantly shorter length of hospital stay, duration of mechanical ventilation, and duration of postoperative pyrexia, as well as significantly lower hospital costs (P<0.05). No significant adverse reactions were observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS An appropriate increase in postoperative energy supply for children with CHD can improve the status of malnutrition and clinical outcome.
Energy Intake ; Heart Septal Defects, Ventricular ; therapy ; Humans ; Infant ; Nutritional Status ; Pneumonia ; therapy

The aim of this paper was to explore the effects of Frankincense and Myrrh essential oil on transdermal absorption, and investigate the mechanism of permeation on the microstructure and molecular structure of stratum corneum. Through the determination of stratum corneum/medium partition coefficient of ferulicacid in Chuanxiong influenced by Frankincense and Myrrh essential oil, the effects of volatile oil of frankincense and Myrrh on the the microscopic and molecular structure of stratum corneum were explored by observation of skin stratum corneum structure under scanning electron microscopy, and investigation of frankincense and myrrh essential oil effects on the molecular structure of keratin and lipids in stratum corneum under Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The results showed that the oil could enhance the distribution of ferulic acid in the stratum corneum and medium, and to a certain extent damaged the imbricate structure of stratum corneum which was originally regularly, neatly, and closely arranged; some epidermal scales turned upward, with local peeling phenomenon. In addition, frankincense and myrrh essential oil caused the relative displacement of CH2 stretching vibration peak of stratum corneum lipids and amide stretching vibration peak of stratum corneum keratin, indicating that frankincense and myrrh essential oil may change the conformation of lipid and keratin in the stratum corneum, increase the bilayer liquidity of the stratum corneum lipid, and change the orderly and compact structure to increase the skin permeability and reduce the effect of barrier function. It can be concluded that Frankincense and Myrrh essential oil can promote the permeation effect by increasing the distribution of drugs in the stratum corneum and changing the structure of the stratum corneum.

Objective To investigate the clinical effect of Zhuyun Ning Recipe Ⅱ in treating spleen-kidney deficiency type of threatened abortion with polycystic ovarian syndrome(PCOS). Methods A total of 40 qualified outpatients and inpatients admitted in the First Affiliated Hospital of Heilongjiang University of Chinese Medicine were included into the study. Twenty patients diagnosed as spleen-kidney deficiency type of threatened abortion with PCOS complicated with insulin resistance (IR) were included into group A, 20 patients with spleen-kidney deficiency type of PCOS non-IR threatened abortion were included into group B,and 20 normal women with early pregnancy were included into group C. Groups A and B were given oral use of Zhuyun Ning RecipeⅡfor 30 days, and group C did not receive any medication. The scores of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) symptoms, blood beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG), serum progesterone, homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance index(HOMA-IR), interleukin-18(IL-18), and interleukin-20(IL-20) of groups A and B were observed before and after treatment,and were compared to those of group C. Results (1)After treatment for 30 days,the observation indexes of group A were much improved(P < 0.05 or P < 0.01 compared with those before treatment), and the indexes in group B except for HOMA-IR were also improved (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01). The inter-group comparison showed that the differences of blood β-HCG, serum progesterone,and IL-10 were insignificant (P > 0.05);HOMA-IR and IL-18 levels in group A were higher than those in groups B and C, and the differences were significant (P < 0.01). However, the differences of HOMA-IR and IL-18 were insignificant between group B and group C (P > 0.05).(2)During the treatment, neither adverse reaction nor toxic or side effect was found.(3)The follow-up results showed that 5 cases of group A,2 cases of group B,and 4 cases of group C had full-term normal delivery,and the health state of newborn babies was quite well. One case of group A had pregnant diabetes at late pregnant stage,and the other patients of group A got through the middle and late pregnancy,without any pregnant complications. Conclusion Zhuyun Ning Recipe Ⅱ is effective on relieving symptoms of threatened abortion patients with PCOS,and can improve the related laboratory indexes and pregnancy outcomes of the patients.

This study was objective to explore the effect of IFN-γ on immunosuppressive capability of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) derived from umbilical cord. The immunomodulating capability of MSC was changed by stimulating cell surface receptors like Toll-like receptors (TLR). The inhibition of T-lymphocyte proliferation by MSC was tested via cell co-cultures. Further RT-PCR and ELISA were performed to examine the expression changes in gene and protein level. The results showed that the IFN-γ could promote the immunosuppressive effect of umbilical cord derived MSC. IFN-γ-stimulated MSC could suppress the proliferation of T cells more effectively. IFN-γ stimulation up-regulated the expression of immunosuppressive genes like IDO1, COX2, HLA-G, and soluble suppressive proteins such as HLA-G, KYN, IL10, PGE2 of MSC. And the immuno suppression capability of IFN-γ-stimulated MSC was 2-7 folds higher than control in MSC and lymphocyte co-culture tests. It is concluded that IFN-γ can effectively enhance the immunosuppressive capability of MSC.
Cells, Cultured ; Humans ; Immunosuppression ; Interferon-gamma ; pharmacology ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Umbilical Cord ; cytology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the ability of Fuzhenghuayu capsule to improve markers of liver fibrosis when provided as supplemental therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB) who achieved complete virological response but unsatisfactory resolution of fibrosis markers with nucleos(t)ide analog (NAs) monotherapy.

METHODSOne-hundred-and-ten patients with CHB-related liver fibrosis who had received NA for more than or equal to 2 years and achieved sustained virological response (SVR) but no improvement in liver fibrosis index were randomly divided into two equal groups: experimental group, continued oral NAs (one tablet, 1 time/day) with simultaneous Fuzhenghuayu capsule (1.5 g, 3 times/day) for 48 weeks; control group, continued oral NAs only for 48 weeks. Serum fibrosis markers (hyaluronic acid (HA), laminin (LN), amino terminal propeptide of type III procollagen (PIIIP) and IV collagen (IV-C)), liver fibrosis stages, B ultrasonic wave, and liver function were observed before (baseline) and after treatment and compared by statistical analysis.

RESULTSThe baseline levels of fibrosis markers were not significantly different between the experimental and control groups. After treatment, the levels of all of the fibrosis markers were lower in the experimental group (P less than 0.05 vs. control group; HA t = 19.548, LN t = 2.264, PIIIP t = 2.230, and IV-C t = 6.649) and lower than the baseline levels (P less than 0.01; HA t = 12.458, LN t = 7.402, PIIIP t = 4.620, IV-C t = 8.937). The control group also showed a significant reduction in HA and LN levels after treatment (P less than 0.01 vs. baseline; t = 5.202 and 3.444), but PIIIP and IV-C were unaffected. The baseline liver fibrosis stages were not significantly different between the experimental and control groups. After treatment, only the experimental group showed significant improvement in liver fibrosis stages (P less than 0.01). The rates of excellent therapeutic outcome, effectiveness, and non-effectiveness were significantly different between the experimental group (11.3%, 43.4%, and 45.3%) and the control group (1.0%, 22.2%, and 75.6%) (x2 = 9.408, P less than 0.01). Similar trends were observed for improvements in B ultrasonic wave for liver and spleen and in markers of liver function. Finally, neither treatment group experienced adverse effects.

CONCLUSIONFor CHB patients who achieve SVR by antiviral treatment with NAs, but unsatifactory improvement in liver fibrosis indices, administration of supplemental Fuzhenghuayu capsule with continued NAs therapy may represent a safe and effective treatment.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nucleotides ; therapeutic use ; Phytotherapy ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome