OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic effect of the short-penis treatment apparatus and wide-band infrared therapy apparatus on penile dysplasia (PDP) in children and establish objective parameters for assessing the severity of PDP. METHODS: This study included 252 children received in the Department of pediatric urology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from January to December 2023, 102 with PDP (the PDP group) and the other 150 with normal penile development (the control group), those of the former group treated with the short-penis therapeutic apparatus and wide-band infrared therapy apparatus. Before and after 30 days of treatment, we measured the flaccid penile length (FPL), stretched penile length (SPL) and penile diameters (PD) of the children, and defined the penile dysplasia index as the FPL/SPL and FPL/PD ratios. RESULTS: The penile parameters exhibited statistically significant differences between the PDP and control groups, (FPL:［1.97±0.72］cm vs ［3.25±0.51］ cm, P<0.01; SPL:［3.80±0.81］cm vs ［5.21±0.79］cm,P<0.01).The FPL remarkably increased in the PDP group after treatment(［1.97±0.72］cm vs ［2.90±1.20］ cm, P<0.01). Both FPL and SPL were notably shorter in the PDP cases than in the controls, with the cutoff values of 0.57 and 2.09, sensitivities of 80.7% and 95.3%, and specificities of 69.6% and 82.4% for FPL/SPL and FPL/PD, respectively. CONCLUSION The short-penis therapeutic apparatus and wide-band infrared therapy apparatus can promote the growth and development of the penis in children. The ratio of FPL/PD can serve as an objective indicator to effectively describe the severity of penile developmental abnormalities.
Humans ; Male ; Penis/abnormalities* ; Child ; Penile Diseases/therapy* ; Child, Preschool ; Infant

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effect of physical intervention combined with medical nutritional weight loss (PI+MNWL) in the treatment of short penis in obese children. METHODS: One hundred and twenty obese children with a short penis were included and equally divided into three groups: PI+MNWL, MNWL, and self-guided diet, who underwent PI+MNWL, MNWL intervention under the supervision of professional nutritionists in the hospital, or self-guided diet intervention at home, respectively, all for 30 days. We measured the penile parameters, including stretched penile length (SPL), flaccid penile length (FPL) and penile diameter (PD), of the children before and after treatment, and compared them among the three groups. RESULTS: After intervention, the body weight of the children was significantly decreased in all the three groups (27.1－94.1［53.59±11.88］ kg vs 23.0－85.1［49.01±11.61］ kg， P < 0.05). The weight of children in 3 groups decreased to different degrees, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). MNWL was found remarkably more effective than self-guided weight loss in reducing the body weight of the children (P < 0.05). Based on weight loss achieved through medical nutrition combined with physical intervention, the FPL in the PI+MNWL group increased from (1.93 ± 0.76) cm before treatment to (3.41 ± 1.41) cm after one course of comprehensive treatment, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Similarly, SPL increased from (3.75 ± 0.76) cm before treatment to (4.98 ± 0.64) cm, and PD increased from (1.32 ± 0.21) cm before treatment to (1.61 ± 0.66) cm, both showing statistically significant differences (P < 0.05). In the MNWL group , FPL increased from (2.01 ± 0.81) cm to (2.77 ± 0.84) cm after one course of treatment, with a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). Additionally, SPL increased from (4.03 ± 0.84) cm before treatment to (4.40 ± 0.76) cm, also demonstrating statistical significance (P < 0.05), while PD increased from (1.37 ± 0.21) cm before treatment to (1.42 ± 0.22) cm, with statistical significance (P < 0.05). FPL and SPL increased significantly in the PI+MNWL group compared to the MNWL group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in PD between the two groups following the intervention (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION MNWL is more effective than self-guided diet in controlling the body weight of children, while the combination approach of PI+MNWL is even superior to the management of short penis in obese children, with the advantages of improving the appearance and increasing the exposed length of the penis.
Humans ; Male ; Child ; Weight Loss ; Penis/abnormalities* ; Obesity/complications* ; Adolescent

ObjectiveTo analyze the changes in the degree of coordination of China's major epidemic prevention and control efforts before and after the outbreak of the Corona Virus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), so as to explore the impact of epidemic prevention and control measures on coordination dynamics. MethodsA total of 3 864 policy documents related to epidemic prevention and control from January 2000 to December 2020 across 31 provinces (autonomous regions, and municipalities) in China were systematically collected. Contents specific to collaborative and cooperative efforts were extracted, and the extent of interdepartmental coordination were quantified to assess the effectiveness of epidemic prevention and control efforts. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was adopted to statistically analyze the differences between the indicators before and after the epidemic. ResultsThe average overall coordination level for major epidemic prevention and control in 31 provinces (autonomous regions, and municipalities) increased from 43.06% to 97.62%, and the average coordination levels in the eastern, central, and western China soared from 42.29%, 37.50%, and 47.46%, to 98.81%, 96.20%, and 97.46%, respectively, with statistically significant differences (all P<0.05). In terms of department categorization, coordination levels in the professional departments and the key support departments peaked at 100.00%, while other support departments rose to 95.43%, with an increase of 77.15%, 181.85%, and 139.89%, respectively, exhibiting noteworthy statistically significant differences (all P<0.001). ConclusionThe scope of coordination departments of China’s major epidemic prevention and control exists a remarkable surge following the COVID-19 outbreak, notable heightened coordination is particularly observed among the key support departments. Future endeavors should prioritize the roles played by diverse departments in epidemic prevention and control, enhancing both the clarity of departmental responsibilities and the effectiveness of interdepartmental coordination.

ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the public health governance capacity of 40 cities in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui Provinces, providing a scientific evaluation basis for building a "Healthy Yangtze River Delta". MethodsA comprehensive collection of policy documents, public information reports, and research literature related to public health governance capacity in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui Provinces was conducted, totaling 6 920 policy documents, 1 720 information reports, and 1 200 literature pieces. Based on the evaluation standards for an appropriate public health system established by the research team, the basic status of public health governance capacity was assessed to identify the strengths and weaknesses of the 40 cities. ResultsIn 2022, the public health governance capacity score for the 40 cities in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui Provinces was (562.5±38.0) points. In terms of specific areas, the emergency response field received the highest score of (791.4±49.7) points, while the chronic disease prevention and control field received the lowest score of (368.2±29.6) points. The Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Anhui region has largely achieved the strategic priority of health, gradually improved public health legal regulations, and established a basic organizational framework with a solid foundation for information and data infrastructure. However, challenges still need to be addressed, such as unstable government funding for public health, unclear departmental responsibilities, and barriers to information interoperability. ConclusionThe public health governance capacity of the 40 cities in Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Anhui Province has been at a moderate level, but disparities have still existed across regions and fields. In the future, while continuing to deepen existing advantages, it is essential to accurately identify the causes of problems, establish a long-term and stable investment mechanism, enhance information connectivity mechanisms, further clarify departmental responsibilities, and promote the achievement of the "Healthy Yangtze River Delta" goal.

AIM: To explore the diagnostic value of combining the corneal stress-strain index(SSI)with corneal biomechanical parameters for early keratoconus.METHODS:A retrospective study was conducted on 34 patients(53 eyes)with early keratoconus diagnosed and treated in our hospital from March 2022 to February 2024. Additionally, 112 normal volunteers(112 eyes)who underwent physical examinations in our hospital during the same period were selected as a healthy control group. The CorvisST equipment was utilized for measurement and recorded deformation with Scheimpflug camera to obtain 10 biomechanical parameters: first applanation time(A1T), first applanation length(A1L), velocity of initial applanation(Vin), second applanation time(A2T), second applanation length(A2L), velocity of outward applanation(Vout), highest concavity time(HCT), highest concavity depth of applanation(HCDA), highest concavity radius(HCR), and peak distance(PD), as well as stress-strain index(SSI), and the corneal biomechanical parameters of the two groups were compared. Furthermore, Logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for keratoconus, and ROC curves were plotted to analyze the biomechanical parameters of the cornea for early diagnosis of keratoconus.RESULTS:The SSI(0.77±0.17)in patients with keratoconus was lower than that in healthy controls(1.01±0.24; P<0.001). Patients with keratoconus had lower A1T, A1L, A2L, and HCR, and higher Vout, HCDA, and PD compared to healthy controls(all P<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that decreased SSI, A1T, A1L, A2L, and HCR, as well as increased Vout, HCDA, and PD, were risk factors for the development of keratoconus(P<0.001). ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC value for combined diagnosis of early keratoconus was 0.997, with a Youden's index of 0.954, sensitivity and specificity of 98.1% and 97.3%, respectively, and a 95% CI of 0.994-1.000.CONCLUSION:The combination of SSI and corneal biomechanical parameters holds diagnostic significance for early keratoconus, and the joint diagnostic value is even higher. It can be considered as a diagnostic or screening indicator for early keratoconus.

Objective To investigate the effect of hemoglobin A1c variability on the incidence of malignant tumors in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients, and to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of diabetes. Methods A retrospective cohort study was used to integrate Shanghai malignant tumor registration information and T2DM patient management information of Minhang Districts in Shanghai. A record linkage was carried out using ID numbers for patients who had been diagnosed through the Cancer Registry System. Average Real Variability（ARV）was used to assess the variability for hemoglobin A1c results, with no less than 3 measurements and no more than 1 follow-up visit per year. Cox proportional hazards regression models and Restricted Cubic Splines (RCS) were used for statistical analysis. ARV was grouped using quartile classification, represented by Q1, Q2, Q3, and Q4, respectively. Cox regression was performed using unadjusted model I and model II adjusted for gender, age, and group. Results A total of 2 762 research subjects were included in the present study, with 45.84% males and 54.16% females. The average age was (63.58±10.11) years, and an average follow-up time was (9.96±3.66) years. Malignant tumor incidence rate was 345.45/100 000 person years. There was statistical significance among different ARV groups (P=0.01). COX regression analysis of model I and model II showed that compared with Q1, the risk of Q4 group was significantly increased, with HRs of 2.72 (1.56-4.74) and 2.68 (1.53-4.68), respectively. The RCS graph's analysis showed that except for the ≥65-year-old group, the risk of tumor incidence gradually increased with the increase of ARV coefficient. Conclusion The variability of hemoglobin A1c is positively associated with the risk of occurrence of malignant tumors in type 2 diabetes patients. It is necessary to strengthen the monitoring of hemoglobin A1c and to reduce the health hazards caused by fluctuations in hemoglobin A1c.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the role of circular RNA circ_0000437 in regulating biological behaviors of breast cancer cells and the molecular mechanism. METHODS: Breast cancer MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells were transfected with sh-circ_0000437, mimics, inhibitor, si-CTPS1, or their respective negative controls. qRT-PCR was used to detect the expression levels of circ_0000437, let-7b-5p, CTPS1, Notch1, Hes1, and Numb in breast cancer cell lines and tissues. RNase R digestion was used to confirm the circular structure of circ_0000437 and its subcellular localization in the breast cancer cells was determined by cellular distribution analysis. The changes in proliferation, invasion and migration of the transfected cells were assessed using CCK-8 assay, Transwell assay and scratch assay. Dual-luciferase reporter gene and RNA immunoprecipitation assays were employed to validate binding interactions among circ_0000437, let-7b-5p, and CTPS1. The cellular expressions of CTPS1, E-cadherin, N-cadherin, and vimentin proteins were detected with Western blotting. A tumor-bearing mouse model was used to verify the oncogenic mechanism of circ_0000437 and CTPS1. RESULTS: Circ_0000437 and CTPS1 were upregulated while let-7b-5p was downregulated in breast cancer tissues and cell lines. Circ_0000437 or CTPS1 knockdown obviously suppressed breast cancer cell proliferation, invasion, migration and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Overexpression of let-7b-5p produced similar inhibitory effects, whereas inhibition of let-7b-5p significantly enhanced malignant behaviors of the cells. In the tumor-bearing mouse models, circ_0000437 knockdown significantly suppressed tumor growth, but co-transfection of the cells with pcDNA-CTPS1 accelerated tumor growth. Binding sites were identified between circ_0000437 and let-7b-5p and between let-7b-5p and CTPS1, and circ_0000437, let-7b-5p, and CTPS1 showed functional interactions in breast cancer cells. CONCLUSIONS Circ_0000437 is upregulated in breast cancer tissues and cells, and its high expression promotes proliferation, invasion, migration and EMT of breast cancer cells through the let-7b-5p/CTPS1 axis.
Humans ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Cell Proliferation ; MicroRNAs/metabolism* ; RNA, Circular ; Breast Neoplasms/metabolism* ; Cell Movement ; Female ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Cell Line, Tumor ; MCF-7 Cells ; Animals ; Mice

Host-derived small RNAs are emerging as critical regulators in the dynamic interactions between host tissues and the microbiome, with implications for microbial pathogenesis and host defense. Among these, transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) have garnered attention for their roles in modulating microbial behavior. However, the bacterial factors mediating tsRNA interaction and functionality remain poorly understood. In this study, using RNA affinity pull-down assay in combination with mass spectrometry, we identified a putative membrane-bound protein, annotated as P-type ATPase transporter (PtaT) in Fusobacterium nucleatum (Fn), which binds Fn-targeting tsRNAs in a sequence-specific manner. Through targeted mutagenesis and phenotypic characterization, we showed that in both the Fn type strain and a clinical tumor isolate, deletion of ptaT led to reduced tsRNA intake and enhanced resistance to tsRNA-induced growth inhibition. Global RNA sequencing and label-free Raman spectroscopy revealed the phenotypic differences between Fn wild type and PtaT-deficient mutant, highlighting the functional significance of PtaT in purine and pyrimidine metabolism. Furthermore, AlphaFold 3 prediction provides evidence supporting the specific binding between PtaT and Fn-targeting tsRNA. By uncovering the first RNA-binding protein in Fn implicated in growth modulation through interactions with host-derived small RNAs (sRNAs), our study offers new insights into sRNA-mediated host-pathogen interplay within the context of microbiome-host interactions.
Fusobacterium nucleatum/growth & development* ; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics* ; RNA, Bacterial/metabolism* ; Humans ; RNA, Transfer/metabolism*