OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between the second to the fourth digit ratio (2D:4D) and body mass index (BMI) in infertile men of the Han ethnic group in Ningxia.

METHODSUsing anthropometry, we calculated the mean ratio of 2D:4D and BMI of 197 infertile men and 148 normal healthy male controls, followed by analysis of their relationship.

RESULTSThe BMI was correlated positively with the 2D:4D ratio of the left hand in the infertile men (P < 0.05) and in the patients with a higher 2D:4D ratio of the left hand (P < 0.05), but negatively with the 2D:4D ratio of the righ/left (Dr-1) (left: P < 0.01; Dr-l: P < 0.05). The mean 2D: 4D ratio and BMI were both lower in the normal control than in the infertile men, with statistically significant differences in BMI (P < 0.05) and the 2D:4D ratio of the left hand (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThere is a correlation between the 2D:4D ratio and BMI in infertile men.

Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Fingers ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Infertility, Male ; diagnosis ; Male

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Tongyuan acupuncture combined with Bushen Huoxue Prescription in the treatment of obese polycystic ovary syndrome(PCOS).Methods Sixty-eight patients with obese PCOS were randomly divided into the observation group and the control group,with 34 patients in each group.The control group was given conventional western medicine treatment,and the observation group was given Tongyuan acupuncture combined with Bushen Huoxue Prescription on the basis of the treatment of the control group for a total of 6 menstrual cycles.After 6 months of treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated,and the menstrual flow and the number of menstrual cycles of the two groups were observed,and the changes in the traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndromes,as well as the changes in the serum levels of luteinising hormone(LH),testosterone(T),oestradiol(E2),and prolactin(PRL)were compared between the two groups before and after the treatment.Results(1)The total effective rate of the observation group was 97.06%(33/34),and that of the control group was 82.35%(28/34).The efficacy of the observation group was superior to that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the menstrual flow of the observation group was significantly greater than that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).The number of menstrual periods in the observation group was not statistically significant compared with the control group(P＞0.05).(3)After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving TCM syndrome scores,with statistically significant differences(P＜0.05).(4)After treatment,the LH,T,E2 and PRL levels of patients in the two groups were significantly improved(P＜0.05),and the observation group was significantly superior to the control group in improving LH,T,E2 and PRL levels,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).Conclusion Tongyuan acupuncture combined with Bushen Huoxue Prescription for the treatment of obese PCOS can significantly improve the clinical symptoms of the patients,can effectively regulate the level of sex hormones of the patients,and the therapeutic efficacy is remarkable.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of nuclear factor (NF)-kappa B p65 ASODN on transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF beta 1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) of rat hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and the mechanisms of NF-kappa B p65 ASODN in treating liver fibrosis.

METHODSType IV collagen enzyme digestion and density centrifugation methods were used to separate rat hepatic stellate cells. NF-kappa B p65 ASODN was manually synthesized and completely phosphorothioate-modified. The changes of TGF beta 1 and ICAM-1 mRNA were detected by RT-PCR and albumen of TGF beta 1 and ICAM-1 were detected by ELISA. The changes of NF-kappa B activity were determined by ELISA.

RESULTSNF-kappa B activity and the expressions of ICAM-1 and TGF beta 1 increased after the HSC were treated by TNF alpha. NF-kappa B activity weakened after being treated with NF-kappa B p65 ASODN (0.001-1.000 micromol/L), P less than 0.05 in a dose dependent manner. Transferring NF-kappa B p65 ASODN (0.001-1.000 micromol/L) also weakened the expression of ICAM-1 and TGF beta 1 mRNA and the protein induced by TNF alpha in HSC. It was also in a dose dependent manner, P less than 0.05.

CONCLUSIONSAfter transferring NF-kappa B p65 ASODN into HSC, their NF-kappa B activity decreased, and their mRNA and protein expressions of ICAM-1 and TGF beta 1 also decreased. This may serve as a new way in treating hepatic fibrosis.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; metabolism ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; metabolism ; Male ; Oligonucleotides, Antisense ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transcription Factor RelA ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; pharmacology

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy and safety of edaravone and dexborneol concentrated solution for injection in the treatment of patients with ischemic stroke.Methods Patients with acute ischemic stroke were divided into two groups,the control group was given conventional treatment,the treatment group was given edaravone and dexborneol concentrated solution for injection 15 mL on the basis of conventional treatment.The clinical efficacy of the two groups was compared.The National Institutes of Health stroke scale(NHISS)score was used to evaluate the neurological function of the patients,the modified RanKin scale(mRS)was used to evaluate the ability of daily living of the patients,and the adverse drug reactions during the treatment was observed.Results There were 63 cases in the control group and 75 cases in the treatment group.After treatment,the total effective rates of the treatment group and the control group were 85.33％(64 cases/75 cases)and 65.07％(41 cases/63 cases),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).After treatment,the differences of NHISS score before and after treatment in the treatment group and the control group were(2.11±1.01)and(0.99±0.68)points;the differences of mRS score were(0.96±0.57)and(0.63±0.41)points,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).The adverse drug reactions in the two groups were nausea and vomiting,abnormal liver and kidney function.The total incidences of adverse drug reactions in the treatment group and control group were 2.67％and 6.35％,and the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion Edaravone and dexborneol concentrated solution for injection can improve the therapeutic effect of acute ischemic stroke without increasing the incidence of adverse drug reactions.

OBJECTIVETo identify zebrafish mutants with myelopoiesis defects by ENU mutagenesis and large-scale forward genetic screening.

METHODSMale zebrafish were mutagenized with N-ethyl N-nitrosourea to induce mutations in the spermatogonial cells to generate the founders, which were outcrossed with AB to raise F1 fish. The F1 fish from different founders were mated to generate the F2 families. The F3 embryos from F2 sibling crosses were screened by Sudan black B staining and neutral red staining.

RESULTSA total of 350 F2 families from F1 sibling crosses were screened, and 1424 F2 crosses were analyzed. Six mutations were identified resulting in abnormal Sudan black B staining and neutral red staining, indicating the involvement of neutrophil deficiency or macrophage abnormalities.

CONCLUSIONIt is simple and cheap to induce and screen myelopoiesis deficiency in zebrafish by ENU chemical mutagenesis and Sudan black B staining and neutral red staining. These mutants shed light on the identification of the genes important to myelopoiesis in zebrafish.

Animals ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; genetics ; Genetic Testing ; Male ; Mutagenesis ; Mutation ; Myeloid Progenitor Cells ; physiology ; Myelopoiesis ; genetics ; Zebrafish ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo screen and identify zebrafish mutants with erythropoiesis defects by N-ethyl-N-nitrosourea (ENU) mutagenesis and large-scale forward genetic screening using beta e 1 as the marker.

METHODSThe chemical mutagen ENU was used to treat healthy wild-type male fish (AB strain, F0). The surviving ENU-treated fish were mated with wild-type female fish to generate F1, and further F2 family was generated by F1 family intercross. The adult F2 fish were intercrossed within each F2 family and the resulting F3 embryos from each crossing were subjected to whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH) with the beta e 1 probe. Mutagenesis was performed by treating the male zebrafish with ENU to induce mutations in pre-meiotic germ cells to generate the founders, which were outcrossed to obtained the F1 fish. The F1 fish from different founders were mated to generate the F2 families. F3 embryos from the sibling cross in the F2 family were examined by whole mount in situ hybridization using beta e 1-globin probe. The putative mutants were then characterized with different hematopoiesis markers.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONWe identified 4 beta e 1-deficient mutants with erythropoiesis defects, including two with specific erythiod lineage defects and two with concurrent lymphopoiesis defects.

Animals ; Erythropoiesis ; genetics ; Ethylnitrosourea ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Male ; Mutagenesis, Insertional ; Mutation ; Zebrafish ; genetics

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety between thermal ablation combined with synchronous transcatheter arterial chemoembolization(TACE)and TACE in patients with liver metastasis of neuroendocrine tumors of different pathologic grades.Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on patients with liver metastases of neuroendocrine tumors admitted to Department of Interventional Radiology,Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University from Nov 1,2006 to Jul 31,2022.The patients were divided into synchronous ablation group and TACE group according to treatment mode and subgroups according to pathological grade.The lesions were evaluated by postoperative imaging examination.The patients were followed up until Jul 31,2023,and surgery-related complications were recorded.The endpoint of prognosis were progression-free survival(PFS)and overall survival(OS).Results A total of 86 patients with neuroendocrine tumor were collected,including 34 patients in simultaneous ablation group and 52 patients in TACE group.According to WHO classification,21 patients at G1 stage,45 patients at G2 stage and 20 patients at G3 stage were included.No serious postoperative complications occurred in all patients.The median OS was 47.0(95%CI:31.2-62.8)months in the TACE group and 56.0(95%CI:8.3-73.4)months in the synchronous ablation group,with no statistical difference between the two groups(P=0.50).The median PFS was 18.0(95%CI:6.0-30.0)months in the TACE group and 29.0(95%CI:10.0-48.0)months in the synchronous ablation group,with no statistical difference between the two groups(P=0.22).Of the 45 patients at G2 stage,27 received TACE with a median OS of 47.0 months,and 18 received synchronous ablation with a median OS of 59.0 months,and there was no statistical difference between the two groups(P=0.45).The median PFS was 12.0 months in the TACE group and 32.0 months in the synchronous ablation group,and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant(P=0.03).Conclusion Comparing with TACE,simultaneous ablation can delay disease progression in patients with liver metastasis of neuroendocrine tumors to a certain extent and has good safety,especially for patients with liver metastases of neuroendocrine tumors with intermediate or low grade.

Chemokine-like factor super family member (CMTM) is a novel generic family firstly reported by Peking University Center for Human Disease Genomics. CMTM8 is one member of this family and has exhibited tumor-inhibiting activities. It can encode proteins approaching to the transmembrane 4 superfamily. CMTM8 is down-regulated in most carcinoma cell lines and tissues. Over-expression of CMTM8 may inhibit the proliferation,migration,and invasion of carcinoma cells. However,the exact mechanism of its anti-tumor activity remains unclear. CMTM8 may be involved in various signaling pathways governing the occurrence and development of tumors. CMTM8 may be a new target in the gene therapies for tumors,while further studies on CMTM8 and its anti-tumor mechanisms are warranted.
Chemokines ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; Humans ; MARVEL Domain-Containing Proteins ; metabolism ; Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical therapeutic effect of the combination of electroacupuncture (EA) at METHODS: A total of 58 patients after uterine curettage of incomplete abortion were randomized into an EA group and a western medication group, 29 cases in each one. In the western medication group, mifepristone tablets were administered orally, 2 tablets each time, once daily. In the EA group, on the base of the treatment as the western medication group, EA was applied to RESULTS: After treatment, the intrauterine residue area and CDFI blood flow signal positive rate were all reduced as compared with the values before treatment in patients of the two groups ( CONCLUSION The combined treatment of electroacupuncture at
Abortion, Incomplete/therapy* ; Abortion, Induced ; Acupuncture Points ; Curettage ; Electroacupuncture ; Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy

ObjectiveTo systematically analyze the chemical components of QiLing Wenshen （QLWS） formula and explore the key active components and mechanism of the formula in the treatment of polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS）. MethodThe chemical components of QLWS formula were systematically identified by ultra-performance liquid chromatography-quadrupole-time-of-flight mass spectrometry （UPLC-Q-TOF/MS^E） combined with comparison with reference substances， literature data， and databases. Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform （TCMSP） and SwissADME were employed to screen the active components for network pharmacological analysis. SwissTargetPrediction， GeneCards， DisGeNET， and DrugBank were used to obtain the potential components and targets of the formula for the treatment of PCOS. The protein-protein interaction （PPI） network was constructed via STRING database for further screening of the core targets. Gene ontology （GO） annotation and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes （KEGG） pathway enrichment of core targets were carried out with DAVID database. Molecular docking was performed in MOE 2019. ResultA total of 90 components of QLWS formula were identified， and 32 active components and 45 core targets for treating PCOS were obtained. GO annotation obtained 429 terms and KEGG pathway enrichment screened out 110 signaling pathways， mainly involving phosphatidylin-ositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt） signaling pathway， estrogen signaling pathway， and hypoxia inducible factor-1 （HIF-1） signaling pathway. The molecular docking revealed that key active components in QLWS formula were icariin， salvianolic acid A\B\C， wogonin， magnoflorine， etc.， which may play a role in treating PCOS through regulating mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 （MAPK1）， epidermal growth factor receptor （EGFR）， mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 （MAPK3）， etc. ConclusionThis study preliminarily predicted that several key active components of QLWS formula could treat PCOS via multiple targets and multiple pathways based on UPLC-Q-TOF/MS^E and network pharmacology， which could provide ideas and references for the study of pharmacodynamic material basis and mechanism of action of the formula.