Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are multifunctional growth factors of the transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) superfamily. They regulate steroid secretion from mammalian granulosa cells, promote granulosa cell survival and proliferation, and inhibit follicular atresia, luteinization, and granulosa cell apoptosis, thereby promoting the development and maturation of mammalian follicles. At the same time, BMPs play an important role in embryonic morphogenesis, induction of uterine receptivity, and blastocyst attachment. This paper describes the effects of BMPs on mammalian follicular and embryonic development and the roles of BMPs in female reproduction, focusing on the process in which BMPs promote follicular maturation by regulating steroid secretion from granulosa cells during mammalian oocyte maturation. This review aims to provide a reference for further research on mammalian oocyte culture and improvement of reproductive efficiency in female animals.
Animals ; Embryonic Development/drug effects* ; Female ; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins/pharmacology* ; Reproduction/physiology* ; Humans ; Granulosa Cells/cytology* ; Oocytes

Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of prednisone combined with standard quadruple antituberculosis therapy (HRZE) in the treatment of tuberculous pleurisy.Methods:A prospective study was conducted involving 120 patients with tuberculous pleurisy who were admitted to the Shaanxi Provincial Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Hospital from February 2021 to February 2023. The patients were randomly assigned to a study group and a control group, with 60 patients in each group, using a computer-generated randomization method. The control group received HRZE alone, while the study group received prednisone therapy and HRZE. The efficacy, clinical indicators, adverse reactions, and serum inflammatory factor levels were compared between the two groups.Results:The total response rate in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group [93.33% (56/60) vs. 78.33% (47/60), χ2 = 5.55, P < 0.05). In the study group, the time for clinical symptom improvement was (10.34 ± 1.65) days, the time for pleural effusion absorption was (21.37 ± 4.16) days, the pleural thickness measured (2.15 ± 0.35) mm, and the duration of hospitalization was (23.19 ± 4.56) days. They were significantly shorter or smaller than those in the control group [(13.27 ± 2.30) days, (27.25 ± 4.95) days, (2.62 ± 0.40) mm, (28.42 ± 5.60) days, t = 8.02, 7.04, 6.85, 5.61, all P < 0.05]. There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups (χ2 = 2.91, P > 0.05). After 8 weeks of treatment, all serum inflammatory factors improved in both groups compared with baseline levels. In the study group, levels of interleukin-6 [(90.37 ± 12.05) ng/L] and interleukin-18 [(270.94 ± 14.58) ng/L] were significantly lower than those in the control group [(110.59 ± 16.90) ng/L, (296.10 ± 25.29) ng/L, t = 7.55, 6.68, both P < 0.05]. Levels of interleukin-10 [(78.91 ± 8.25) ng/L] and soluble interleukin-2 receptor [(1875.82 ± 359.23) pg/L] in the study group were significantly higher than those in the control group [(70.40 ± 7.16) ng/L, (1566.87 ± 311.02) pg/L, t = -6.03, -5.04, both P < 0.05]. Conclusion:The combination of prednisone and HRZE demonstrates good efficacy and safety, and it is beneficial for improving inflammatory factors.

Objective:To study the role of ML-SA5, an agonist of the lysosomal Ca 2+ channel transient receptor potential mucolipin 1 (TRPML1), in promoting lysosomal exocytosis to facilitate intracellular uranium removal and alleviate uranium-induced cellular damage for human renal proximal tubule epithelial cells (HK-2) exposed to uranyl acetate. Methods:HK-2 cells were divided into the following groups to be exposed to uranyl acetate at either 0 or 300 μmol/L for 24 h, followed by treatment with ML-SA5 and/or the lysosomal exocytosis inhibitor vacuolin-1 for 0.5 h: control group (Ctrl group), ML-SA5 group (M group), vacuolin-1 group (V group), ML-SA5 plus vacuolin-1 group (M+ V group), uranium exposure group (U group), uranium exposure plus ML-SA5 group (U+ M group), uranium exposure plus vacuolin-1 group (U+ V group), and uranium exposure plus ML-SA5 plus vacuolin-1 group (U+ M+ V group). We localized lysosome-associated membrane protein-1 (LAMP-1) on the plasma membrane (surface LAMP-1) by immunofluorescence assay; measured intracellular uranium content by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; measured the level of kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) by immunofluorescence assay; measured the rate of cell death with Calcein-AM/PI double staining; determined the subcellular localization of transcription factor EB (TFEB) and the levels of LAMP-1 and TRPML1 proteins by immunofluorescence assay; and measured the number of lysosomes using LysoTracker probes.Results:Compared with the Ctrl group, the U group showed significant increases in the surface LAMP-1 protein level ( t = 12.86, P < 0.05), KIM-1 protein level ( t = 18.86, P < 0.05), cell death rate ( t = 38.53, P < 0.05), TFEB nuclear translocation ( t = 9.12, P < 0.05), the protein expression levels of TFEB’s downstream target genes LAMP-1 ( t = 16.47, P < 0.05) and TRPML1 ( t = 32.33, P < 0.05), and the number of lysosomes labeled with LysoTracker probes ( t = 7.75, P < 0.05). Compared with the U group, the U+ M group showed a significantly increased surface LAMP-1 level ( t = 3.33, P < 0.05) and significant decreases in the intracellular uranium level ( t = 5.01, P < 0.05), KIM-1 protein expression level ( t = 3.81, P < 0.05), and cell death rate ( t = 3.24, P < 0.05); all these effects in the U+ M group could be neutralized by the lysosomal exocytosis inhibitor vacuolin-1; and in addition, ML-SA5 significantly increased TFEB nuclear translocation ( t = 9.20, P < 0.05), the protein expression levels of LAMP-1 ( t = 3.05, P < 0.05) and TRPML1 ( t = 3.17, P < 0.05), and the number of lysosomes labeled with LysoTracker probes ( t = 3.13, P < 0.05). Conclusions:The TRPML1 agonist ML-SA5 can promote lysosomal exocytosis to enhance intracellular uranium clearance and reduce uranium-induced cellular damage/death in uranium-loaded HK-2 cells, through activating TFEB to up-regulate lysosome biogenesis and TRPML1 protein expression.

Objective:To investigate functional outcomes and condition-specific quality-of-life (CSQoL) after intersphincteric resection (ISR) in patients with low rectal cancer using traditional and exploratory questionnaires.Methods:A prospective observational study was conducted in the Characteristic Medical Center of the People′s Liberation Army Rocket Force. Patients with low rectal cancer who underwent ISR with ileostomy reversal from May 2020 to April 2023 were enrolled. An electronic self-assessment survey was sent to enrolled patients at 3 to 6, 12, and 24 to 36 months after reversal, and differences in functional and CSQoL results between the 3 groups were analyzed with generalized estimation equations. Functional outcomes were determined by the Wexner incontinence score (WIS) and the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score. In line with the five frequency responses ranging from never (score 0) to always (score 4) defined by the WIS, an exploratory survey was used to measure the severity of 16 LARS-specific variables confirmed by the latest international Delphi consensus. Furthermore, CSQoL was evaluated using the fecal incontinence quality-of-life scale (FIQL) and the visual analog scale (VAS).Results:A total of 90 patients were enrolled in the study. There were 64 males and 26 females, aged (58.6±10.4) years (range: 28 to 79 years). The median distance from the distal tumor margin to the anal verge( M(IQR)) was 3.0 (1.5) cm (range: 1.0 to 5.0 cm). There were 55 patients who completed the questionnaires at 3 to 6 months, 59 patients at 12 months, and 40 patients at 24 to 36 months of follow-up, respectively. The summary score of FIQL and VAS improved significantly after reversal (2.33±0.69 vs. 2.40±0.66 vs. 2.79±0.76, χ2=11.703, P=0.003; 5.31±1.65 vs. 5.61±1.90 vs. 6.58±1.92, χ2=12.781, P=0.002), but the differences in the WIS and LARS score did not reach statistical significance (both P>0.05). The survey responses for the LARS-specific variables indicated that “emptying difficulties” and “dissatisfaction with the bowels” were the most frequent symptom and consequence after ISR, respectively. The exploratory severity score for LARS improved significantly among the 3 time periods(34 (14) vs. 31 (13) vs. 23 (17), χ2=13.952, P=0.001). Furthermore, the FIQL summary score was strongly correlated with the LARS severity score ( r s=-0.72, P<0.01). Conclusions:Although a high prevalence of LARS may persist for years, patients reported an improvement in CSQoL and functional outcomes after ISR. The highest priorities recommended by the international consensus might provide better assessments the severity of LARS.

After onset of acute ischemic stroke, nerve cells undergo ischemic necrosis, release endogenous damage related pattern molecules, which activate microglia and astrocytes, and lead to immune inflammatory responses. At the same time, it attracts and chemotactically guide peripheral blood immune cells to infiltrate brain tissue through the damaged blood-brain barrier, further exacerbating brain injury. Studies have shown that the peripheral blood immune cells are closely associated with the outcome of acute ischemic stroke. This article summarizes the mechanism of peripheral immune cells in ischemic brain injury, their correlation with clinical outcome, and possible intervention measures.

Objective:To investigate functional outcomes and condition-specific quality-of-life (CSQoL) after intersphincteric resection (ISR) in patients with low rectal cancer using traditional and exploratory questionnaires.Methods:A prospective observational study was conducted in the Characteristic Medical Center of the People′s Liberation Army Rocket Force. Patients with low rectal cancer who underwent ISR with ileostomy reversal from May 2020 to April 2023 were enrolled. An electronic self-assessment survey was sent to enrolled patients at 3 to 6, 12, and 24 to 36 months after reversal, and differences in functional and CSQoL results between the 3 groups were analyzed with generalized estimation equations. Functional outcomes were determined by the Wexner incontinence score (WIS) and the low anterior resection syndrome (LARS) score. In line with the five frequency responses ranging from never (score 0) to always (score 4) defined by the WIS, an exploratory survey was used to measure the severity of 16 LARS-specific variables confirmed by the latest international Delphi consensus. Furthermore, CSQoL was evaluated using the fecal incontinence quality-of-life scale (FIQL) and the visual analog scale (VAS).Results:A total of 90 patients were enrolled in the study. There were 64 males and 26 females, aged (58.6±10.4) years (range: 28 to 79 years). The median distance from the distal tumor margin to the anal verge( M(IQR)) was 3.0 (1.5) cm (range: 1.0 to 5.0 cm). There were 55 patients who completed the questionnaires at 3 to 6 months, 59 patients at 12 months, and 40 patients at 24 to 36 months of follow-up, respectively. The summary score of FIQL and VAS improved significantly after reversal (2.33±0.69 vs. 2.40±0.66 vs. 2.79±0.76, χ2=11.703, P=0.003; 5.31±1.65 vs. 5.61±1.90 vs. 6.58±1.92, χ2=12.781, P=0.002), but the differences in the WIS and LARS score did not reach statistical significance (both P>0.05). The survey responses for the LARS-specific variables indicated that “emptying difficulties” and “dissatisfaction with the bowels” were the most frequent symptom and consequence after ISR, respectively. The exploratory severity score for LARS improved significantly among the 3 time periods(34 (14) vs. 31 (13) vs. 23 (17), χ2=13.952, P=0.001). Furthermore, the FIQL summary score was strongly correlated with the LARS severity score ( r s=-0.72, P<0.01). Conclusions:Although a high prevalence of LARS may persist for years, patients reported an improvement in CSQoL and functional outcomes after ISR. The highest priorities recommended by the international consensus might provide better assessments the severity of LARS.

Tripterygium wilfordii is widely used in the treatment of immune system disease and has a remarkable curative effect. Triptolide and Tripterygium glycosides are the most commonly used active ingredients in clinical practice， but their treatment window is narrow and there are many side effects. The damage involves the reproductive system， blood system， cardiovascular system， digestive system， etc. Based on clinical observations and literature summaries， the symptoms of adverse reactions mostly occur in the digestive system （liver and gastrointestinal tract）. Relevant scholars have launched a lot of studies of the manifestations of liver injury induced by T. wilfordii and the mechanism of liver injury. The mechanism is mainly related to liver cell apoptosis， induction of oxidative stress， immune injury， excessive autophagy of liver cells， abnormal fatty acid metabolism， and abnormal enzyme metabolism in liver tissues. This article reviewed and summarized relevant literature on gastrointestinal injury caused by T. wilfordii， but there are few studies on the manifestations and mechanisms of adverse reactions， which still need further research by scholars. In addition， this article also summarized the research on how to reduce toxicity and enhance efficacy of prescriptions prepared from T. wilfordii in the digestive system， mainly involving compatibility with western medicines （Methotrexate， Leflunomide， Iguratimod， etc.）， use along or combination with Chinese medicines （single Chinese medicine， Chinese medicine monomers， and Chinese medicine compounds）， acupuncture and moxibustion （electroacupuncture and moxibustion）， dosage form improvement （glycol plastid gel， self-dissolving microneedle， solid lipid nanoparticles， gastric floating sustained-release capsules， etc.）， processing （steaming， stir-frying， radish seed processing， money grass processing， licorice processing， etc.）， and other methods to reduce toxicity. To sum up， this article analyzed the manifestations， mechanisms， and methods of reducing toxicity and enhancing efficacy of T. wilfordii-induced liver injury and gastrointestinal injury by sorting out relevant literature， in order to provide a reference for the clinical application of T. wilfordii and some research ideas for the future in-depth study of T. wilfordii-induced digestive system injury.

Objective:To explore the causal relationship between gut microbiota and lung function (FEV1/FVC) using two-sample Mendelian randomization method; To explore its application in the TCM field.Methods:This was a Mendelian randomization study. The GWAS data of gut microbiota from the MiBioGen consortium study and the GWAS data of lung function (FEV1/FVC) published by IEU OpenGWAS in the public database were used, and instrumental variables were extracted according to prespecified thresholds. The inverse variance weighted method (IVW) was mainly used for analysis. The results were evaluated according to the effect indicator β value and 95% CI. When the IVW method was statistically significant, further sensitivity analysis was performed. Leave-one-out test, heterogeneity test, horizontal gene pleiotropy test and MR-Egger regression intercept analysis were used to verify the stability and reliability of the results. Results:A total of 10 causal relationships between gut microbiota and lung function (FEV1/FVC) were determined using the IVW method: family. BacteroidalesS24.7group ( β=-0.029, P=0.015), family. ClostridialesvadinBB60group ( β=-0.028, P=0.040), family. Streptococcaceae ( β=-0.056, P=0.042), genus. LachnospiraceaeFCS020group ( β=0.025, P=0.029), genus. Lactococcus ( β=-0.024, P=0.038), genus. Peptococcus ( β=0.025, P=0.049), genus. RuminococcaceaeUCG011 ( β=-0.030, P=0.038), genus. Ruminococcus2 ( β=0.028, P=0.033), genus. Terrisporobacter ( β=-0.030, P=0.018), phylum. Cyanobacteria ( β=0.027, P=0.039). Leave-one-out analysis showed that the results were stable, and the effects of heterogeneity and horizontal gene pleiotropy on causal effect estimation could be removed. Conclusion:The gut microbiota may play a role in the changes of lung function, which to a certain extent confirms the TCM theory of "exterior-interior relationship between the lung and large intestine", and can provide certain reference for the research direction of TCM.

Objective:To understand the commercial homosexual behavior characteristics of men who have sex with men (MSM) and the factors associated with unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) in this population, and provide reference for the development of intervention strategy in MSM.Methods:Men who were aged ≥16 years and had anal sex with men in the past 6 months were recruited through internet in Fuzhou from January to December 2023 for a cross-sectional study with a sample size of 283. Multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the factors associated with the incidence of UAI in the past 6 months in MSM. The SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:In 4 484 MSM, the proportion of those with commercial homosexual behaviors was 9.59% (430/4 484), the average age was (27.00±9.07) years. In the MSM with commercial homosexual behaviors, 70.00% (301/430) had anal sex in the past one week, and 43.02% (185/430) had anal sex with more than 10 partners in the past 6 months. The proportion of MSM with UAI was 75.58% (325/430) in the past 6 months. The results of multivariate analysis showed showed that in MSM with commercial homosexual behaviors in the past 6 months, compared with those who were students, age >18 years at the first sexual intercourse, had not anal sex in the past one week, and anal sex with less than 10 partners in the past 6 months, the risk for UAI was higher in those who were not students (a OR=1.99,95% CI:1.18-3.36), those who were aged ≤18 years at first sexual intercourse sex (a OR=2.04,95% CI:1.26-3.29), those who had anal sex in the past one week (a OR=2.04,95% CI:1.25-3.33), and those who had anal sex with more than 10 partners in the past 6 months (a OR=1.97,95% CI:1.16-3.35). Conclusions:The risk for UAI was high in MSM with commercial homosexual behaviors in Fuzhou, so it is necessary to improve the awareness of safe sex and promote sex with regular partners and condom use, and preventing drug abuse in MSM.

BACKGROUND:Previous studies have confirmed that the new compound cottonrose hibiscus leaf gel plaster has a good effect in the treatment of acute soft tissue swelling. OBJECTIVE:To observe the clinical efficacy of compound cottonrose hibiscus leaf gel plaster in the treatment of synovitis of the knee joint. METHODS:Seventy-two patients with knee synovitis were selected from Ruijin Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from December 2019 to May 2021.These patients were randomly divided into a trial group and a control group,with 36 cases in each group.The trial group was treated with compound cottonrose hibiscus leaf gel plaster,once a day,12 hours each time,while the control group was treated with Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel,twice a day.After 28 days of treatment,visual analog scale score,WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index score,quality of life score(SF-36),thickness of knee synovium and comprehensive curative effect were compared between the two groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Visual analog scale scores after treatment were lower than those before treatment(P<0.05).Visual analog scale scores in the trial group after 7,14 and 28 days of treatment were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index scores of the two groups after treatment were lower than those before treatment(P<0.05),and the WOMAC Osteoarthritis Index scores in the trial group after 7,14 and 28 days of treatment were lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).(3)The SF-36 quality of life score in the two groups after 28 days of treatment was higher than that before treatment(P<0.05).SF-36 quality of life score in the trial group after 28 days of treatment was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).(4)After 28 days of treatment,the thickness of knee synovium in the trial group was less than that in the control group(P<0.05),and the effective rate in the trial group was higher than that in the control group(P<0.05).(5)These findings indicate that compared with Diclofenac Diethylamine Emulgel,the compound cottonrose hibiscus leaf gel plaster can better relieve knee pain,enhance knee joint function,reduce synovial hyperplasia,and elevate the overall quality of life of patients.