The genome tagging project (GTP) plays a pivotal role in addressing a critical gap in the understanding of protein functions. Within this framework, we successfully generated a human influenza hemagglutinin-tagged sperm-specific protein 411 (HA-tagged Ssp411) mouse model. This model is instrumental in probing the expression and function of Ssp411. Our research revealed that Ssp411 is expressed in the round spermatids, elongating spermatids, elongated spermatids, and epididymal spermatozoa. The comprehensive examination of the distribution of Ssp411 in these germ cells offers new perspectives on its involvement in spermiogenesis. Nevertheless, rigorous further inquiry is imperative to elucidate the precise mechanistic underpinnings of these functions. Ssp411 is not detectable in metaphase II (MII) oocytes, zygotes, or 2-cell stage embryos, highlighting its intricate role in early embryonic development. These findings not only advance our understanding of the role of Ssp411 in reproductive physiology but also significantly contribute to the overarching goals of the GTP, fostering groundbreaking advancements in the fields of spermiogenesis and reproductive biology.
Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Spermatids/metabolism* ; Spermatogenesis/physiology* ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; Thioredoxins/genetics*

We propose a strategy to reduce unnecessary prostate biopsies in Chinese patients with total prostate-specific antigen (tPSA) >10 ng ml -1 and Prostate Imaging Reporting and Data System (PI-RADS) scores between 1 and 3. Clinical data derived from 517 patients of The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC (Hefei, China) from January 2020 to December 2023 who met the screening criteria for the study were retrospectively collected. Independent predictors were identified via univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. The diagnostic capacity of clinical variables was evaluated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and area under the curve (AUC). A prostate biopsy strategy was developed via risk stratification. Of the 517 patients, 17/348 (4.9%) with PI-RADS 1-2 were diagnosed with clinically significant prostate cancer (csPCa), and 27/169 (16.0%) patients with PI-RADS 3 were diagnosed with csPCa. The appropriate prostate-specific antigen density (PSAD) cut-off values were 0.45 ng ml -2 for PI-RADS 1-2 patients and 0.3 ng ml -2 for PI-RADS 3 patients. The appropriate prostate volume (PV) cut-off values were 40 ml for PI-RADS 1-2 patients and 50 ml for PI-RADS 3 patients. The prostate biopsy strategy based on PSAD and PV developed in this study can reduce unnecessary prostate biopsies in patients with tPSA >10 ng ml -1 and PI-RADS 1-3. In the study, 66.5% (344/517) patients did not need to undergo prostate biopsy, at the expense of missing only 1.7% (6/344) patients with csPCa.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatic Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Prostate-Specific Antigen/blood* ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Prostate/diagnostic imaging* ; Unnecessary Procedures/statistics & numerical data* ; Biopsy/statistics & numerical data* ; China ; ROC Curve

OBJECTIVE: Recent studies have overturned the traditional concept of the lung as a "sterile organ" revealing that pulmonary microbiota dysbiosis and abnormal surfactant proteins (SPs) expression are involved in the progression of silicosis. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between abnormal SPs expression and dysbiosis of lung microbiota in silica-induced lung fibrosis, providing insights into mechanisms of silicosis. METHODS: Lung pathology, SPs expression, and microbiota composition were evaluated in silica-exposed mice. A mouse model of antibiotic-induced microbiota depletion was established, and alveolar structure and SPs expression were assessed. The roles of the lung microbiota and SPs in silicosis progression were further evaluated in mice with antibiotic-induced microbiota depletion, both with and without silica exposure. RESULTS: Silica exposure induced lung inflammation and fibrosis, along with increased expression of SP-A expression. Antibiotics (Abx)-induced microbiota depletion elevated SP-A and SP-D expression. Furthermore, silica exposure altered lung microbiota composition, enriching potentially pathogenic taxa. However, antibiotic-induced microbiota depletion prior to silica exposure reduced silica-mediated lung fibrosis and inflammation. CONCLUSION Lung microbiota is associated with silica-induced lung injury. Overproduction of SP-A and SP-D, induced by Abx-induced microbiota depletion, may enhance the resistance of mouse lung tissue to silica-induced injury.
Animals ; Silicosis/prevention & control* ; Lung/metabolism* ; Mice ; Anti-Bacterial Agents/pharmacology* ; Microbiota/drug effects* ; Silicon Dioxide/toxicity* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Male ; Pulmonary Surfactant-Associated Proteins/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: Asthma imposes a significant global health burden. This study examines changes in the asthma-related disease burden from 1990 to 2021 and projects future burdens for 2050 under different scenarios. METHODS: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease 2021 study, we analyzed asthma incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) from 1990 to 2021. We projected the disease burden for 2050 based on current trends and hypothetical scenarios in which all risk factors are controlled. Temporal trends in age-standardized incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALY rates were explored using Annual Percent Change. RESULTS: In 2021, the age-standardized rates for asthma incidence, prevalence, mortality, and DALYs in China were 364.17 per 100,000 (95% uncertainty interval [ UI]: 283.22-494.10), 1,956.49 per 100,000 (95% UI: 1,566.68-2,491.87), 1.47 per 100,000 (95% UI: 1.15-1.79), and 103.76 per 100,000 (95% UI: 72.50-145.46), respectively. A higher disease burden was observed among Chinese men and individuals aged 70 years or older. Compared to the current trend, a combined scenario involving improvements in environmental factors, behavioral and metabolic health, child nutrition, and vaccination resulted in a greater reduction in the disease burden caused by asthma. CONCLUSION Addressing modifiable risk factors is essential for further reducing the asthma-related disease burden.
Humans ; Asthma/mortality* ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Child ; Adolescent ; Global Burden of Disease/trends* ; Child, Preschool ; Young Adult ; Infant ; Cost of Illness ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Prevalence ; Incidence ; Infant, Newborn ; Aged, 80 and over ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the burden of lower respiratory infections in Chinese elderly people aged 70 and above. METHODS: This study utilized Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 1990-2050 prediction data to analyze changes in mortality rates and disability-adjusted life year (DALY) rates for lower respiratory infections in the elderly population (aged 70 and above) in China from 1990 to 2050. It also discusses future trends in the burden of lower respiratory infections (LRI) in China under different scenarios. RESULTS: According to GBD predictions, the burden of lower respiratory infections in the elderly aged 70 years and above in China is lower than the global average. The burden has been decreasing from 1990 to 2020, but is projected to increase from 2020 to 2050. Scenario-based predictions suggest that, under scenarios involving improvements in nutrition and vaccination, the burden of lower respiratory infections in the elderly in China is expected to be the lowest in 2050. CONCLUSION This study indicates that the burden of lower respiratory infections in elderly people aged 70 years and above in China remains a significant public health issue and may worsen. The government should consider strengthening the preventive measures and management strategies for respiratory infections in the elderly population.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Aged ; Respiratory Tract Infections/mortality* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Male ; Female ; Forecasting ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Global Burden of Disease ; Cost of Illness

Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a major contributor to cardiovascular diseases (CVD), the leading cause of death globally. HCM can precipitate heart failure (HF) by causing the cardiac tissue to weaken and stretch, thereby impairing its pumping efficiency. Moreover, HCM increases the risk of atrial fibrillation, which in turn elevates the likelihood of thrombus formation and stroke. Given these significant clinical ramifications, research into the etiology and pathogenesis of HCM is intensifying at multiple levels. In this review, we discuss and synthesize the latest findings on HCM pathogenesis, drawing on key experimental studies conducted both in vitro and in vivo. We also offer our insights and perspectives on these mechanisms, while highlighting the limitations of current research. Advancing fundamental research in this area is essential for developing effective therapeutic interventions and enhancing the clinical management of HCM.
Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic/physiopathology* ; Humans ; Animals

A prokaryotic expression vector for the mutant diphtheria toxin CRM197 was constructed and expressed in Esch-erichia coli cells.Anti-CRM197 antibody concentrations were detected in serum samples of healthy volunteers.The crm 197 gene was codon-optimized in E.coli and cloned into the plasmid pET28a(+)under optimized expression conditions.CRM197 was purified using Ni-NTA spin columns and ion exchange chromatography,and confirmed by western blot analysis.The puri-fied CRM197 was used to detect specific anti-CRM197 antibody levels in serum samples of different age groups.The results showed that soluble codon-optimized CRM197 was successfully expressed under optimized expression conditions.The purity of CRM197 was more than 95％,as determined with Ni-NTA spin columns and ion exchange chromatography,consistent with the single specific bands obtained by western blot analysis and detection of serum levels of the anti-CRM197 antibody.Collec-tively,these results confirmed that the proposed expression strategy achieved high-yield production of soluble CRM197,al-though high levels in human serum may affect evaluation of immune interactions with glycan-CRM197 conjugates for applica-tion as a diagnostic antigen.The diphtheria mutant toxin CRM197 is used in many conjugate vaccines.The synthetic crm 197 gene with codon optimization in pET28a was transformed into E.coli Origami B(DE3)cells.CRM197 was induced by isopro-pyl β-d-1-thiogalactopyranoside and high level accumulation of soluble CRM197 was purified using Ni-NTA spin columns and ion exchange chromatography.The purity of the final prepara-tion reached 95％.CRM197 was used to detect the concentra-tions of the anti-CRM197 antibody in serum samples of healthy volunteers of different ages.The proposed expression strategy yielded high production of CRM197,which could interfere with evaluations of induced immune interactions by glycan-CRM197 conjugates and prohibit application as a diagnostic antigen.

In order to facilitate the accurate comprehension and correct implemention of the national occupational health standard Health standard for operators of nuclear power plants (GBZ/T 164-2022), this article presents an in-depth elucidation encompassing the significance of the standard promulgation, the background of its revision, the current status of the relevant domestic and international standards, the basis for revision of the principal technical inclusion and the application scope of the standard. The aim is to provide a guidance the selection, appropriate evaluation, and occupational health monitoring of nuclear power plant operators, ultimately ensuring the safe operation of nuclear facilities.

Objective To analyse the acupoint selection rules of acupuncture in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer,and to provide reference for clinical application.Methods The clinical research,practitioner's experience and academic thought of acupuncture treatment for non-small cell lung cancer were retrieved to obtain the acupuncture prescriptions of modern practitioners for the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer.Based on the statistical methods of acupoint frequency,prescription rules,acupoint clustering and core combination,the core theoretical system and acupoint selection rules of acupuncture treatment of non-small cell lung cancer by modern practitioner were analyzed.Results According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria,94 acupuncture prescriptions were finally included.There were eight acupoints used more than 20 times,which were Zusanli(ST36),Neiguan(PC6),Feishu(BL13),Sanyinjiao(SP6),Qihai(RN6),Guanyuan(RN4),Hegu(LI4)and Zhongwan(RN12).The top three high-frequency acupoint combinations were Zusanli-Neiguan,Zusanli-Sanyinjiao and Qihai-Zusanli;correlation analysis showed that the correlation strength of Zusanli-Neiguan was the highest,followed by Zusanli-Sanyinjiao and Zusanli-Hegu.The cluster analysis showed that the acupoints with frequency＞10 times could be divided into three categories.Category 1 includes:Zusanli,Neiguan,Sanyinjiao,Hegu;category 2 includes Guanyuan,Qihai,Zhongwan,Xuehai(SP10),Taichong(LR3);category 3 consists of two parts,one is Danzhong(RN17),Tiantu(RN22),Fenglong(ST40),Taiyuan(LU9);the second is Feishu(BL13),Lieque(LU7),Chize(LU5),Zhongfu(LU1),Xinshu(BL15),Gaohuang(BL43),Fengmen(BL12).Conclusion The core acupoints for acupuncture treatment of non-small cell lung cancer include four categories:① invigorating the spleen and benefiting qi:Zusanli,Sanyinjiao,Zhongwan and Fenglong;②replenishing and supplementing original qi:Guanyuan,Qihai and Gaohuang;③regulating qi and broadening the chest:Danzhong,Neiguan,Tiantu and Fengmen;④ diffusing the lung and ventilating qi:Feishu,Hegu,Chize and Lieque.The three treatment methods of replenishing qi,regulating qi and venting pathogen are the basis of acupuncture treatment of advanced non-small cell lung cancer.The core idea of acupuncture treatment of non-small cell lung cancer focuses on supplementation,supplemented by dredging,and to dredge and supplement simultaneously.

Background/Aims: Despite the high efficacy of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), approximately 1–3% of hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients fail to achieve a sustained virological response. We conducted a nationwide study to investigate risk factors associated with DAA treatment failure. Machine-learning algorithms have been applied to discriminate subjects who may fail to respond to DAA therapy. Methods: We analyzed the Taiwan HCV Registry Program database to explore predictors of DAA failure in HCV patients. Fifty-five host and virological features were assessed using multivariate logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and artificial neural network. The primary outcome was undetectable HCV RNA at 12 weeks after the end of treatment. Results: The training (n=23,955) and validation (n=10,346) datasets had similar baseline demographics, with an overall DAA failure rate of 1.6% (n=538). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, poor DAA adherence, and higher hemoglobin A1c were significantly associated with virological failure. XGBoost outperformed the other algorithms and logistic regression models, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 1.000 in the training dataset and 0.803 in the validation dataset. The top five predictors of treatment failure were HCV RNA, body mass index, α-fetoprotein, platelets, and FIB-4 index. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the XGBoost model (cutoff value=0.5) were 99.5%, 69.7%, 99.9%, 97.4%, and 99.5%, respectively, for the entire dataset. Conclusions Machine learning algorithms effectively provide risk stratification for DAA failure and additional information on the factors associated with DAA failure.