Testicular histology based on testicular biopsy is an important factor for determining appropriate testicular sperm extraction surgery and predicting sperm retrieval outcomes in patients with azoospermia. Therefore, we developed a deep learning (DL) model to establish the associations between testicular grayscale ultrasound images and testicular histology. We retrospectively included two-dimensional testicular grayscale ultrasound from patients with azoospermia (353 men with 4357 images between July 2017 and December 2021 in The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China) to develop a DL model. We obtained testicular histology during conventional testicular sperm extraction. Our DL model was trained based on ultrasound images or fusion data (ultrasound images fused with the corresponding testicular volume) to distinguish spermatozoa presence in pathology (SPP) and spermatozoa absence in pathology (SAP) and to classify maturation arrest (MA) and Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) in patients with SAP. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were used to analyze model performance. DL based on images achieved an AUC of 0.922 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.908-0.935), a sensitivity of 80.9%, a specificity of 84.6%, and an accuracy of 83.5% in predicting SPP (including normal spermatogenesis and hypospermatogenesis) and SAP (including MA and SCOS). In the identification of SCOS and MA, DL on fusion data yielded better diagnostic performance with an AUC of 0.979 (95% CI: 0.969-0.989), a sensitivity of 89.7%, a specificity of 97.1%, and an accuracy of 92.1%. Our study provides a noninvasive method to predict testicular histology for patients with azoospermia, which would avoid unnecessary testicular biopsy.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/diagnostic imaging* ; Deep Learning ; Testis/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Ultrasonography/methods* ; Sperm Retrieval ; Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome/diagnostic imaging*

OBJECTIVES: To study clinical manifestations and gene mutation features of neonates with centronuclear myopathy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the medical data of 5 neonates with centronuclear myopathy diagnosed in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit of Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from January 2020 to August 2024. The data included gender, gestational age, birth weight, Apgar score, clinical manifestations, creatine kinase level, electromyography, genetic testing results and the outcomes of the infants. RESULTS: All 5 male neonates had a history of postpartum asphyxia and resuscitation. They all presented with hypotonia, myasthenia, and respiratory failure; two neonates also had swallowing dysfunction. Of the five neonates, three had normal creatine kinase levels, while two had slightly elevated levels. Electromyography was performed for three neonates, among whom two had myogenic damage. MTM1 gene mutations were identified by genetic testing in all five neonates, including two nonsense mutations and three missense mutations, among which one variant had not been previously reported. Four mutations were inherited from the mother, and the other one was a de novo mutation. The five neonates showed no clinical improvement following treatment, failed weaning from mechanical ventilation, and ultimately died after withdrawal of life-sustaining therapy. CONCLUSIONS Centronuclear myopathy caused by MTM1 gene mutation often has a severe phenotype and a poor prognosis, and it should be considered for neonates with hypotonia and myasthenia after birth. Genetic testing should be performed as soon as possible.
Humans ; Myopathies, Structural, Congenital/genetics* ; Male ; Infant, Newborn ; Retrospective Studies ; Mutation ; Female ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatases, Non-Receptor/genetics*

Objective： To investigate the effects of 3D laparoscopic radical resection prostatectomy(LRP) on urinary control and sexual function of patients with prostatic cancer. Methods： A total of 268 patients who were treated with LRP in the Fifth People's Hospital of Huai'an City from January 2019 to May 2022 were selected and divided into 2 groups according to surgical methods, with 134 cases in each group. The patients in the control group were treated with traditional LRP, and the 3D LRP was used in the observation group. The clinical effects of the two groups were compared. Results： The patients in observation group had less blood loss (［135.62±13.58］ mL vs ［143.18±14.89］ mL) and shorter indwelling catheter time (［8.26±1.47］ d vs ［9.78±1.73］ d) compared with control group, but the operation time (［160.52±10.78］ min vs ［154.47±10.41］ min) was longer than that in the control group (P<0.05). The recovery of sexual function and urinary control in the observation group was better than that in the control group after 3, 6 and 12 months of the surgery(P<0.05). After one month of surgery, the scores of ICIQ-SF and 1h urine pad test were lower than those of the control group. The EPIC-UIN score（［72.63±6.85］ points vs ［67.15±5.09］ points）of the observation group was higher than that of the control group (P < 0.05). The patients in the observation group had lower level of residual urine volume（［60.26±6.63］mL vs ［76.89±7.89］mL）, higher maximum urine flow rate（［7.52±0.46］mL/s vs ［6.17±0.43］mL/s） and detrusor pressure（［85.19±7.18］mL vs ［76.29±6.85］mL） at maximum urine flow rate compared with the control group (P<0.05). There was no difference in the incidence of complications between the observation group and the control group (5.97% vs8.27%，P>0.05). The recurrence rate of tumor 3 years after operation in the observation group was lower than that in the control group (11.94% vs 29.10%, χ2=12.102, P<0.05). Conclusion： 3D LRP has obvious advantages in surgical clarity and precision, which reduces the risk of postoperative complications and improves urinary control ability and sexual function of patients.
Humans ; Male ; Prostatectomy/methods* ; Laparoscopy/methods* ; Prostatic Neoplasms/surgery* ; Urination ; Middle Aged ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects and mechanisms of the C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 12/C-X-C motif chemokine receptor 4 (CXCL12/CXCR4) signaling axis on apoptosis and autophagy in SH-SY5Y neuronal cells subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGD/R) model in vitro. METHODS: SH-SY5Y cells were divided into the following groups: OGD/R group and non-OGD/R group, with the OGD/R group subjected to OGD/R modeling and the non-OGD/R group receiving no treatment. Cells were also divided into CXCL12⁺ and CXCL12^- groups; the CXCL12⁺ group received 0.1 mg/L exogenous recombinant CXCL12 (rhCXCL12) at reoxygenation, while the CXCL12^- group did not. Another set of cells was divided into CXCL12+AMD3100 and CXCL12 groups; the CXCL12+AMD3100 group was pretreated with 2.5 mg/L AMD3100, a CXCR4 inhibitor, for 2 hours before OGD/R and received both 2.5 mg/L AMD3100 and 0.1 mg/L rhCXCL12 at reoxygenation, whereas the CXCL12 group received rhCXCL12 only. Additionally, cells were divided into small interfering RNA CXCR4 (siCXCR4) and small interfering RNA negative control (siNC) groups; the siCXCR4 group underwent CXCR4 knockdown before OGD/R modeling and received 0.1 mg/L rhCXCL12 at reoxygenation, while the siNC group, transfected with a negative control, received the same treatment. Protein expression of autophagy-related 16 (ATG16), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), aquaporin-3 (AQP3), and CXCR4 was detected by Western blotting. Apoptosis rate and CXCR4 expression were measured by flow cytometry. RESULTS: Compared with the non-OGD/R group, the OGD/R group showed a significantly increased apoptosis rate and markedly decreased protein expression levels of ATG16, LC3, AQP3, and CXCR4 (all P < 0.05). CXCR4 fluorescent expression was also significantly reduced, suggesting that OGD/R simultaneously affects neuronal apoptosis and autophagy while inhibiting CXCR4 and AQP3 expression in SH-SY5Y cells. Compared with the CXCL12^- group, the CXCL12⁺ group exhibited no significant change in apoptosis rate but demonstrated significantly increased protein expression of ATG16, LC3, and AQP3 (ATG16/GAPDH: 1.21±0.10 vs. 1.00±0.00; LC3/β-actin: 1.22±0.10 vs. 1.00±0.00; AQP3/β-actin: 1.26±0.04 vs. 1.00±0.00; all P < 0.05). CXCR4 expression was also significantly enhanced (fluorescence intensity: 1.19±0.05 vs. 1.00±0.00, P < 0.05), indicating that CXCL12 may promote autophagy in OGD/R-injured SH-SY5Y cells via the CXCR4/AQP3 pathway. Compared with the CXCL12 group, the CXCL12+AMD3100 group showed no significant difference in apoptosis rate but significantly lower protein levels of ATG16 and LC3 (ATG16/GAPDH: 0.75±0.08 vs. 1.00±0.00; LC3/GAPDH: 0.86±0.07 vs. 1.00±0.00; both P < 0.05), suggesting that CXCL12 induces autophagy in OGD/R SH-SY5Y cells through CXCR4. Compared with the siNC group, the siCXCR4 group showed no significant change in apoptosis rate but significantly reduced protein expression of ATG16, LC3, AQP3, and CXCR4 (ATG16/GAPDH: 0.76±0.06 vs. 1.00±0.00; LC3/GAPDH: 0.79±0.11 vs. 1.00±0.00; AQP3/GAPDH: 0.81±0.05 vs. 1.00±0.00; CXCR4/GAPDH: 0.86±0.04 vs. 1.00±0.00; all P < 0.05), indicating that CXCR4 knockdown suppresses OGD/R-induced autophagy in SH-SY5Y cells likely via AQP3. CONCLUSIONS The CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling axis can regulate OGD/R-induced autophagy in SH-SY5Y cells through AQP3 without affecting apoptosis, indicating a role for this pathway in neuronal autophagy during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.
Humans ; Receptors, CXCR4/metabolism* ; Chemokine CXCL12/metabolism* ; Autophagy ; Glucose/metabolism* ; Apoptosis ; Neurons/cytology* ; Oxygen/metabolism* ; Signal Transduction ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Hypoxia ; Benzylamines ; Cyclams

Flavonoid 3-O-glucosyltransferase (3GT) is a key enzyme in the glucosidation of anthocyanins. To investigate the 3GT gene in rhododendron, we cloned an open reading frame (ORF) of 3GT gene (named Rh3GT) from Rhododendron hybridum Hort (Red cultivar) and then characterized this gene and the deduced protein in terms of the biochemical characteristics, expression level, and enzymatic function. The results showed that Rh3GT had a full length of 993 bp and encoded 330 amino acid residues. The deduced protein was hydrophilic, stable, weak acid, belonging to the glycosyltransferase family (GT-B type), with glutamine (Q) at position 44 in the PSPG box. The phylogenetic analysis showed that Rh3GT was most closely related to Vc3GT from Vaccinium corymbosum and Vm3GT from Vaccinium myrtillus. Rh3GT was expressed in the stems, leaves, and flowers and almost not expressed in the roots, with the highest expression level in petals during full blooming stage. Introduction of pCAMBIAL1302-Rh3GT into petals significantly up-regulated the expression level of Rh3GT and increased the total anthocyanin accumulation. Rh3GT was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 in the form of inclusion bodies with a size of about 36 kDa. The results of HPLC showed that the recombinant Rh3GT after denaturation, purification, and dilution could catalyze the synthesis of cyanidin and UDP-glucose to synthesize cyanidin 3-O-glucoside, indicating that the expressed protein had 3GT activity. This study provides basic data for further studying the molecular regulation mechanism of anthocyanin biosynthesis and theoretical support for molecular breeding of rhododendron.
Rhododendron/classification* ; Glucosyltransferases/metabolism* ; Cloning, Molecular ; Escherichia coli/metabolism* ; Recombinant Proteins/biosynthesis* ; Anthocyanins/biosynthesis* ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins/metabolism* ; Amino Acid Sequence

Objective To study the change of lipidomics in chronic cadmium-exposed mice,thereby screening out lipid subclasses,lipid molecules and enriched metabolic pathways with significant differences.Methods Twelve SPF male C57BL/6J mice(8 weeks old)were randomly divided into the control group(normal water feeding)and the experimental group[cadmium water(0.6 mg/L of CdCl2)feeding],with 6 mice in each group.Mice were sacrificed after 6 months of cadmium exposure,and fresh liver tissues were collected immediately.Lipid oil red O staining and lipidomics analysis were performed on liver tissue.Results Compared with the control group,the liver tissue of mice in the experimental group did not appear red after lipid oil red O staining.Seventeen lipid subclasses with significant differences and 144 lipid molecules with significant differences were screened out by lipidomics.These lipid molecules with significant differences were enriched in glycerophospholipid metabolism,linoleic acid metabolism,alpha-linolenic acid metabolism,glycosylphosphati-dylinositol biosynthesis,glycerolipid metabolism and arachidonic acid metabolism by KEGG.Conclusion This study reveals that chronic cadmium exposure can induce the disorder of lipid subclasses and lipid metabolites in the liver of mice,which provides a basis for understanding the non-alcoholic fatty liver disease caused by chronic cadmium exposure.

Objective This study aimed to investigate the lipid-lowering activity of LFBEP-C1 in high glucose-fed Caenorhabditis elegans(C.elegans). Methods In this study,the fermented barley protein LFBEP-C1 was prepared and tested for its potential anti-obesity effects on C.elegans.The worms were fed Escherichia coli OP50(E.coli OP50),glucose,and different concentrations of LFBEP-C1.Body size,lifespan,movement,triglyceride content,and gene expression were analyzed.The results were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey's multiple comparison test. Results Compared with the model group,the head-swing frequency of C.elegans in the group of LFBEP-C1 at 20 μg/mL increased by 33.88%,and the body-bending frequency increased by 27.09%.This indicated that LFBEP-C1 improved the locomotive ability of C.elegans.The average lifespan of C.elegans reached 13.55 days,and the body length and width of the C.elegans decreased after LFBEP-C1 intake.Additionally,LFBEP-C1 reduced the content of lipid accumulation and triglyceride levels.The expression levels of sbp-1,daf-2,and mdt-15 significantly decreased,while those of daf-16,tph-1,mod-1,and ser-4 significantly increased after LFBEP-C1 intake.Changes in these genes explain the signaling pathways that regulate lipid metabolism. Conclusion LFBEP-C1 significantly reduced lipid deposition in C.elegans fed a high-glucose diet and alleviated the adverse effects of a high-glucose diet on the development,lifespan,and exercise behavior of C.elegans.In addition,LFBEP-C1 regulated lipid metabolism mainly by mediating the expression of genes in the sterol regulatory element-binding protein,insulin,and 5-hydroxytryptamine signaling pathways.

Objective To understand the growth and development status and differences between small for gestational age(SGA)and appropriate for gestational age(AGA)preterm infants during corrected ages 0-24 months,and to provide a basis for early health interventions for preterm infants.Methods A retrospective study was conducted,selecting 824 preterm infants who received regular health care at the Guangzhou Women and Children's Medical Center from July 2019 to July 2022,including 144 SGA and 680 AGA infants.The growth data of SGA and AGA groups at birth and corrected ages 0-24 months were analyzed and compared.Results The SGA group had significantly lower weight and length than the AGA group at corrected ages 0-18 months(P<0.05),while there were no significant differences between the two groups at corrected age 24 months(P>0.05).At corrected age 24 months,85%(34/40)of SGA and 79%(74/94)of AGA preterm infants achieved catch-up growth.Stratified analysis by gestational age showed that there were significant differences in weight and length at corrected ages 0-9 months between the SGA subgroup with gestational age<34 weeks and the AGA subgroups with gestational age<34 weeks and≥34 weeks(P<0.05).In addition,the weight and length of the SGA subgroup with gestational age≥34 weeks showed significant differences compared to the AGA subgroups with gestational age<34 weeks and≥34 weeks at corrected ages 0-18 months and corrected ages 0-12 months,respectively(P<0.05).Catch-up growth for SGA infants with gestational age<34 weeks and≥34 weeks mainly occurred at corrected ages 0-12 months and corrected ages 0-18 months,respectively.Conclusions SGA infants exhibit delayed early-life physical growth compared to AGA infants,but can achieve a higher proportion of catch-up growth by corrected age 24 months than AGA infants.Catch-up growth can be achieved earlier in SGA infants with a gestational age of<34 weeks compared to those with≥34 weeks.

Piperazines are a class of new psychoactive substances with hallucinogenic effects that af-fect the central nervous system by affecting the level of monoamine neurotransmitters.Abuse of pipera-zines will produce stimulating and hallucinogenic effects,accompanied by headache,dizziness,anxiety,insomnia,vomiting,chest pain,tachycardia,hypertension and other adverse reactions,and may even cause cardiovascular diseases and multiple organ failure and lead to death,seriously affecting human physical and mental health and public safety.The abuse of new psychoactive substance piperazines has attracted extensive attention from the international community.The study of its pharmacological toxi-cology and analytical methods has become a research hotspot in the field of forensic medicine.This paper reviews the in vivo processes,sample treatment and analytical methods of existing piperazines,in order to provide reference for forensic identification.

Objective A deep learning-based method for evaluating the quality of pediatric pelvic X-ray images is proposed to construct a diagnostic model and verify its clinical feasibility.Methods Three thousand two hundred and forty-seven children with anteroposteric pelvic radiographs are retrospectively collected and randomly divided into training datasets,validation datasets and test datasets.Artificial intelligence model is conducted to evaluate the reliability of quality control model.Results The diagnostic accuracy,area under ROC curve,sensitivity and specificity of the model are 99.4%,0.993,98.6%and 100.0%,respectively.The 95%consistency limit of the pelvic tilt index of the model is-0.052-0.072.The 95%consistency threshold of pelvic rotation index is-0.088-0.055.Conclusion This is the first attempt to apply AI algorithm to the quality assessment of children's pelvic radiographs,and has significantly improved the diagnosis and treatment status of DDH in children.