A 4-year-old boy was admitted to the hospital with a 3-day history of rash and intermittent abdominal pain, during which abnormal results from routine blood tests were discovered. Initially, he presented with acute jaundice hepatitis and pancytopenia. The patient's condition progressed rapidly, with recurrent fever, worsening jaundice of the skin and sclera, and progressively worsening hepatosplenomegaly. Liver function impairment and bone marrow failure continued to deteriorate, while cytokine levels continued to rise. After excluding infections, autoimmune diseases, tumors, genetic metabolic disorders, and toxicities, the patient was diagnosed with hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia (HAAA) complicated by hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH). Following treatment with corticosteroids, plasma exchange, intravenous immunoglobulin, and liver protection therapy, the patient's symptoms partially alleviated. Aplastic anemia complicated by HLH is relatively uncommon, and HAAA complicated by HLH is even rarer, often presenting insidiously and severely. This paper presents a case of HAAA complicated by HLH and summarizes previously reported cases in the literature, providing references for the early diagnosis and treatment of this condition.
Humans ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic/therapy* ; Male ; Anemia, Aplastic/complications* ; Child, Preschool ; Hepatitis/complications*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship among seminal oxidation-reduction potential (nORP), sperm DNA fragmentation (DFI) and semen parameters in patients with varicocele. METHODS: Clinical data of 522 patients treated in the reproductive andrology clinic of the Northern Theater General Hospital from November 2023 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 435 men of childbearing age and 87 men of infertile age. The patients were divided into the varicocele group (n=116) and non-varicocele group (n=406) according to clinical diagnosis. The differences of seminal plasma nORP, DFI, sperm high DNA stain ability (HDS) and semen parameters were analyzed between the two groups. The relationship among general clinical data, seminal plasma nORP, semen parameters, DFI and HDS in patients with varicocele were further analyzed. According to the severity of varicocele, the patients were divided into three groups, including mild, moderate and severe. And the differences of seminal plasma nORP and semen parameters, DFI and HDS among all groups were analyzed. The differences of seminal plasma nORP, semen parameters, DFI and HDS were compared between the varicocele and non-varicocele groups. RESULTS: The total sperm count, sperm concentration, progressive motility sperm percentage (PR%) and normal sperm morphology rate (NSMR) in patients with varicocele were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.05). And seminal plasma nORP, DFI and HDS in patients with varicocele were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). Seminal plasma nORP in patients with varicocele was significantly negatively correlated with total sperm, sperm concentration and NSMR (P<0.05), and significantly positively correlated with DFI and HDS (P<0.05). There were significant differences in nORP, total sperm count, sperm concentration, PR%, DFI and HDS among mild, moderate and severe varicocele groups (P<0.05). Seminal plasma nORP, sperm concentration, PR% and DFI in severe group were significantly lower than those in mild and moderate groups(P<0.05). Sperm count and HDS in severe group were significantly lower than those in mild group (P<0.05). In infertile patients, seminal plasma nORP, DFI and HDS in varicocele group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). And PR% in varicocele group was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Seminal plasma nORP in patients with varicocele may be an important marker of oxidative stress affecting DFI and semen parameters.
Humans ; Male ; Varicocele/metabolism* ; Semen/metabolism* ; Spermatozoa ; Sperm Count ; Infertility, Male ; Retrospective Studies ; DNA Fragmentation ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Semen Analysis ; Adult ; Sperm Motility

Objective To understand the willingness of general practitioner(GP) to enhance working competence in community healthcare centers in Shanghai and provide a basis for the competence training of GPs in community healthcare centers. Methods In August 2023,GPs were selected from some community healthcare centers in Shanghai and their willingness to enhance working competence were studied by a questionnaire survey.The survey included 39 secondary indicators in three dimensions:general practice theory,skills,and humanity. Results A total of 1 192 GPs completed the questionnaire,with an effective rate of 100%.The total score of GPs' willingness to enhance their working competence was 258.45±80.93,and the mean score of the three dimensions was 6.63±2.08.The score for the general practice theory was the highest (6.92±1.95),while that for general practice humanity was the lowest (6.44±2.34) among the three dimensions.The score of willingness to enhance working efficiency differed across different age ranges (P<0.001),professional titles (P<0.001),years of work (P<0.001),and educational backgrounds of GPs (P=0.039).Those with the age younger than 30 years old,junior professional titles,less than 5 years of work experience,and a college degree or below had the highest willingness score to enhance their working competence.Among the top three secondary indicators of willingness score in each dimension,the top three methods of working competence enhancement were community general practice and specialized healthcare services combined with outpatient learning,flexible further training,and continuing education courses.Conclusions There is an urgent need for young GPs in community healthcare centers in Shanghai to enhance their working competence.Targeted enhancement plans can be provided to different groups of GPs with different characteristics through community general practice and specialized healthcare services combined with outpatient learning,flexible further training,and continuing education courses,which can further enhance the ability and quality of the GP team.
Humans ; China ; General Practitioners/psychology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Community Health Centers ; Clinical Competence ; Female ; Adult ; Male ; Attitude of Health Personnel ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics of anorectal mucosal melanoma (ARMM), and to evaluate the prognostic factors. METHODS: A total of 68 primary ARMM surgical specimens from 2010 to 2018 were retrospectively studied. Slides were reviewed to evaluate pathological features. Slingluff staging method was used for staging. RESULTS: (1) Clinical features: The median age at diagnosis in this group was 61.5 years, with a male-to-female ratio 1 ∶1.62. The most common complaint was blooding (49 cases). For anatomic site, anorectum was the prevalent (66.2%), followed by rectum (20.6%). At the time of diagnosis, 28 cases were stage Ⅰ (localized stage, 41.2%), 25 cases were stage Ⅱ (regional lymph node metastasis, 36.8%), and 15 cases were stage Ⅲ (distant metastasis, 22.1%). Five patients underwent wide local excision, the rest abdominoperineal resection, and 48 patients received adjuvant therapy after surgery. (2) Pathological features: Grossly 88.2% of the tumors were exophytic polypoid masses, with the median tumor size 3.5 cm and the median tumor thickness 1.25 cm. Depth of invasion below lamina muscularis mucosae ranged from 0-5.00 cm (median 1.00 cm). The deepest site of tumor invasion reached muscular layer in 27 cases, and perirectal tissue in 16 cases. Melanin pigmentation was absent or not obvious in 67.6% of the cases. The predominant cytology was epithelioid (45 cases, 66.2%). The rate for ulceration, necrosis, lymphovascular invasion, and perineural invasion was 89.7%, 35.3%, 55.9%, and 30.9%, respectively. The median mitotic count was 18/mm². The positive rate of S100, HMB-45 and Melan-A were 92.0%, 92.6% and 98.0%, respectively. The median of Ki-67 was 50%. The incidences of mutations within CKIT, BRAF and NRAS genes were 17.0% (9 cases), 3.8% (2 cases) and 9.4% (5 cases), respectively. (3) Prognosis: Survival data were available in 66 patients, with a median follow-up of 17 months and a median survival time of 17.4 months. The 1-year, 2-year and 5-year overall survival rate was 76.8%, 36.8% and 17.2%, respectively. The rate of lymphatic metastasis at diagnosis was 56.3%. Forty-nine patients (84.5%) suffered from distant metastasis, and the most frequent metastatic site was liver. Univariate analysis revealed that tumor size (>3.5 cm), depth of invasion below lamina muscularis mucosae (>1.0 cm), necrosis, lymphovascular invasion, BRAF gene mutation, lack of adjuvant therapy after surgery, deep site of tumor invasion, and high stage at diagnosis were all poor prognostic factors for overall survival. Multivariate model showed that lymphovascular invasion and BRAF gene mutation were independent risk factors for lower overall survival, and high stage at diagnosis showed borderline negative correlation with overall survival. CONCLUSION The overall prognosis of ARMM is poor, and lymphovascular invasion and BRAF gene mutation are independent factors of poor prognosis. Slingluff staging suggests prognosis effectively, and detailed assessment of pathological features, clear staging and genetic testing should be carried out when possible. Depth of invasion below lamina muscularis mucosae of the tumor might be a better prognostic indicator than tumor thickness.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Retrospective Studies ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf ; Prognosis ; Melanoma/surgery*

Patients with congenital unilateral absence of the vas deferens (CUAVD) manifest diverse symptoms from normospermia to azoospermia. Treatment for CUAVD patients with obstructive azoospermia (OA) is complicated, and there is a lack of relevant reports. In this study, we describe the clinical features and evaluate the treatments and outcomes of CUAVD patients with OA. From December 2015 to December 2020, 33 patients were diagnosed as CUAVD with OA in Shanghai General Hospital (Shanghai, China). Patient information, ultrasound findings, semen analysis, hormone profiles, and treatment information were collected, and the clinical outcomes were evaluated. Of 33 patients, 29 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Vasoepididymostomy (VE) or cross VE was performed in 12 patients, the patency rate was 41.7% (5/12), and natural pregnancy was achieved in one of the patients. The other 17 patients underwent testicular sperm extraction as the distal vas deferens (contralateral side) was obstructed. These findings showed that VE or cross VE remains an alternative treatment for CUAVD patients with OA, even with a relatively low rate of patency and natural pregnancy.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Vas Deferens/abnormalities* ; Azoospermia/surgery* ; Epididymis/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers ; China ; Semen

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and factors influencing the prognosis of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in oral and maxillofacial regions. METHODS: Clinicopathological data of 369 patients with oral and maxillofacial NHL initially diagnosed in Peking University Hospital of Stomatology from 2008 to 2020 were collected and analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: There were 180 males and 189 females. The median age of the patients was 56 years (3 months to 92 years), and the median duration was three months. Clinically, 283 cases manifested as mass, 38 cases as ulcerative necrotizing lesions, and 48 cases as diffuse soft tissue swelling. The lesions of 90 cases located in face and neck (75 cases neck, 20.3%), 99 cases were of major salivary glands (79 cases parotid glands, 20.9%), 103 cases of oral cavity, 50 cases of maxillofacial bones, 20 cases of Waldeyer's ring, and 7 cases of infratemporal fossa. In the study, 247 of the 369 patients had cervical lymphadenopathy, only 40 cases had B symptoms, and 23 cases had the bulky disease. Of the 369 NHLs, 299 (81%) were B-cell NHL, and 70(19%) were T-cell NHL. Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, extranodal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma of mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue, follicular lymphoma, and extranodal natural killer (NK)/T-cell lymphoma nasal type were the most common pathological subtypes. According to Ann Arbor staging, 87, 138, 106, and 38 cases were classified as staged Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, Ⅳ, respectively. The me-dian follow-up time was 48 months, 164 patients died during the follow-up period. The overall survival rates for one year, two years, and five years were 90.1%, 82.4%, and 59.9%, respectively, and the median survival was (86.00±7.98) months. Multivariate analysis showed that age (P < 0.001), Ann Arbor staging (P < 0.001), elevated lactate dehydrogenase (P=0.014), and pathological subtype (P=0.049) were the independent factors influencing the overall survival rate of NHL patients. CONCLUSION Oral and maxillofacial NHL has unique clinical characteristics and distribution patterns of pathological subtypes. Fewer patients had systemic symptoms. Neck and parotid glands were the most common sites invaded by NHL. Advanced age, Ann Arbor stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ, B symptoms, and T-cell NHL may predict a poor prognosis in oral and maxillofacial NHL patients.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Prognosis ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/diagnosis* ; Lymphoma, B-Cell, Marginal Zone/pathology* ; Neck/pathology* ; Neoplasm Staging

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of SINC, a secreted protein of Chlamydia psittaci, on autophagy of host cells and the role of MAPK/ERK signaling pathway in mediating SINC-induced autophagy. METHODS: RAW 264.7 cells treated with recombinant SINC were examined for changes in expression levels of LC3-II, Beclin-1, phosphorylated and total ERK1/2 using Western blotting. The expression level of LC3 in the treated cells was detected using immunofluorescence analysis, and the formation of autophagosomes and autolysosomes was observed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The effect of pretreatment with U0126 (a specific ERK inhibitor) on the expression levels of LC3-II and Beclin-1 in RAW 264.7 cells exposed to different concentrations of SINC was examined using Western blotting, and LC3 puncta in the cells was detected with immunofluorescence analysis. RESULTS: The expression levels of LC3-II and Beclin-1 were the highest in RAW 264.7 cells treated with 2 μg/mL SINC for 12h. Immunofluorescence analysis showed exposure to SINC significantly increased the number of cells containing LC3 puncta, where the presence of autophagosomes and autolysosomes was detected. Exposure to 2 μg/mL SINC for 15 min resulted in the most significant increase of the ratios of p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2 in RAW 264.7 cells. Pretreatment of the cells with U0126 prior to SINC exposure significantly decreased the ratio of p-ERK1/2/ERK1/2, lowered the expression levels of LC3-II and Beclin-1, and decreased LC3 aggregation in the cells. CONCLUSIONS SINC exposure can induce autophagy in RAW 264.7 cells by activating the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway.
MAP Kinase Signaling System ; Chlamydophila psittaci ; Beclin-1 ; Signal Transduction ; Autophagy

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the reliability and accuracy of deep learning technology in automatic sex estimation using the 3D reconstructed images of the computed tomography (CT) from the Chinese Han population. METHODS: The pelvic CT images of 700 individuals (350 males and 350 females) of the Chinese Han population aged 20 to 85 years were collected and reconstructed into 3D virtual skeletal models. The feature region images of the medial aspect of the ischiopubic ramus (MIPR) were intercepted. The Inception v4 was adopted as the image recognition model, and two methods of initial learning and transfer learning were used for training. Eighty percent of the individuals' images were randomly selected as the training and validation dataset, and the remaining were used as the test dataset. The left and right sides of the MIPR images were trained separately and combinedly. Subsequently, the models' performance was evaluated by overall accuracy, female accuracy, male accuracy, etc. RESULTS: When both sides of the MIPR images were trained separately with initial learning, the overall accuracy of the right model was 95.7%, the female accuracy and male accuracy were both 95.7%; the overall accuracy of the left model was 92.1%, the female accuracy was 88.6% and the male accuracy was 95.7%. When the left and right MIPR images were combined to train with initial learning, the overall accuracy of the model was 94.6%, the female accuracy was 92.1% and the male accuracy was 97.1%. When the left and right MIPR images were combined to train with transfer learning, the model achieved an overall accuracy of 95.7%, and the female and male accuracies were both 95.7%. CONCLUSIONS The use of deep learning model of Inception v4 and transfer learning algorithm to construct a sex estimation model for pelvic MIPR images of Chinese Han population has high accuracy and well generalizability in human remains, which can effectively estimate the sex in adults.
Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Deep Learning ; Imaging, Three-Dimensional ; Pelvis ; Reproducibility of Results ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over

Objective: To analyze the prevalence and the risk factors of fungal sepsis in 25 neonatal intensive care units (NICU) among preterm infants in China, and to provide a basis for preventive strategies of fungal sepsis. Methods: This was a second-analysis of the data from the "reduction of infection in neonatal intensive care units using the evidence-based practice for improving quality" study. The current status of fungal sepsis of the 24 731 preterm infants with the gestational age of <34⁺⁰ weeks, who were admitted to 25 participating NICU within 7 days of birth between May 2015 and April 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. These preterm infants were divided into the fungal sepsis group and the without fungal sepsis group according to whether they developed fungal sepsis to analyze the incidences and the microbiology of fungal sepsis. Chi-square test was used to compare the incidences of fungal sepsis in preterm infants with different gestational ages and birth weights and in different NICU. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to study the outcomes of preterm infants with fungal sepsis, which were further compared with those of preterm infants without fungal sepsis. The 144 preterm infants in the fungal sepsis group were matched with 288 preterm infants in the non-fungal sepsis group by propensity score-matched method. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the risk factors of fungal sepsis. Results: In all, 166 (0.7%) of the 24 731 preterm infants developed fungal sepsis, with the gestational age of (29.7±2.0) weeks and the birth weight of (1 300±293) g. The incidence of fungal sepsis increased with decreasing gestational age and birth weight (both P<0.001). The preterm infants with gestational age of <32 weeks accounted for 87.3% (145/166). The incidence of fungal sepsis was 1.0% (117/11 438) in very preterm infants and 2.0% (28/1 401) in extremely preterm infants, and was 1.3% (103/8 060) in very low birth weight infants and 1.7% (21/1 211) in extremely low birth weight infants, respectively. There was no fungal sepsis in 3 NICU, and the incidences in the other 22 NICU ranged from 0.7% (10/1 397) to 2.9% (21/724), with significant statistical difference (P<0.001). The pathogens were mainly Candida (150/166, 90.4%), including 59 cases of Candida albicans and 91 cases of non-Candida albicans, of which Candida parapsilosis was the most common (41 cases). Fungal sepsis was independently associated with increased risk of moderate to severe bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) (adjusted OR 1.52, 95%CI 1.04-2.22, P=0.030) and severe retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) (adjusted OR 2.55, 95%CI 1.12-5.80, P=0.025). Previous broad spectrum antibiotics exposure (adjusted OR=2.50, 95%CI 1.50-4.17, P<0.001), prolonged use of central line (adjusted OR=1.05, 95%CI 1.03-1.08, P<0.001) and previous total parenteral nutrition (TPN) duration (adjusted OR=1.04, 95%CI 1.02-1.06, P<0.001) were all independently associated with increasing risk of fungal sepsis. Conclusions: Candida albicans and Candida parapsilosis are the main pathogens of fungal sepsis among preterm infants in Chinese NICU. Preterm infants with fungal sepsis are at increased risk of moderate to severe BPD and severe ROP. Previous broad spectrum antibiotics exposure, prolonged use of central line and prolonged duration of TPN will increase the risk of fungal sepsis. Ongoing initiatives are needed to reduce fungal sepsis based on these risk factors.
Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Humans ; Birth Weight ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; Retrospective Studies ; Tertiary Care Centers ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Gestational Age ; Infant, Extremely Premature ; Sepsis/epidemiology* ; Retinopathy of Prematurity/epidemiology* ; Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology*