Objective To investigate the protective effect of Gynostemma pentaphyllum on memory of individuals rapidly ascending to high altitudes.Methods Twenty-one healthy subjects were randomly divided into a G.pentaphyllum food group(n=12)and a control group(n=9).The first group consumed G.pentaphyllum food for seven consecutive days while the control group received placebos.Both groups ascended from the plains to an altitude of 3600 m.Memory function was assessed using the matching memory and sequential memory tests of a cognitive evaluation system on day 1 and day 7 on the plains,and at 24 and 48 h after ascending to the high altitude.Scores of acute mountain sickness symptoms were also recorded.Results After 24 h of stay at the high altitude,the score of headache of the G.pentaphyllum food group was significantly lower than that of the control group(P＜0.05).Cognitive test results showed that the matching memory accuracy and sequential memory accuracy of the control group at 24 and 48 h were significantly lower than those on the plains(P＜0.05).In contrast,the G.pentaphyllum food group performed significantly better than the control group in these metrics(P＜0.05).Conclusion Regular consumption of G.pentaphyllum food can effectively alleviate headache symptoms in individuals rapidly ascending to high altitudes and mitigate the decline in working memory,short-term memory,and memory spans caused by acute hypoxic exposure.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP), whose etiology is influenced by genetic and clinical risk factors, considerably impacts women's quality of life. However, the genetic underpinnings in non-European populations and comprehensive risk models integrating genetic and clinical factors remain underexplored. This study constructed the first polygenic risk score (PRS) for POP in the Chinese population by utilizing 20 disease-associated variants from the largest existing genome-wide association study. We analyzed a discovery cohort of 576 cases and 623 controls and a validation cohort of 264 cases and 200 controls. Results showed that the case group exhibited a significantly higher PRS than the control group. Moreover, the odds ratio of the top 10% risk group was 2.6 times higher than that of the bottom 10%. A high PRS was significantly correlated with POP occurrence in women older than 50 years old and in those with one or no childbirths. As far as we know, the integrated prediction model, which combined PRS and clinical risk factors, demonstrated better predictive accuracy than other existing PRS models. This combined risk assessment model serves as a robust tool for POP risk prediction and stratification, thereby offering insights into individualized preventive measures and treatment strategies in future clinical practice.
Humans ; Female ; Pelvic Organ Prolapse/epidemiology* ; Middle Aged ; Risk Assessment/methods* ; China/epidemiology* ; Multifactorial Inheritance ; Aged ; Risk Factors ; Genome-Wide Association Study ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Case-Control Studies ; Adult ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Genetic Risk Score ; East Asian People

Nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA), one of the most severe types of male infertility, etiology often remains unclear in most cases. Therefore, this study aimed to detect four biallelic detrimental variants (0.5%) in the minichromosome maintenance domain containing 2 ( MCMDC2 ) genes in 768 NOA patients by whole-exome sequencing (WES). Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) demonstrated that MCMDC2 deleterious variants caused meiotic arrest in three patients (c.1360G>T, c.1956G>T, and c.685C>T) and hypospermatogenesis in one patient (c.94G>T), as further confirmed through immunofluorescence (IF) staining. The single-cell RNA sequencing data indicated that MCMDC2 was substantially expressed during spermatogenesis. The variants were confirmed as deleterious and responsible for patient infertility through bioinformatics and in vitro experimental analyses. The results revealed four MCMDC2 variants related to NOA, which contributes to the current perception of the function of MCMDC2 in male fertility and presents new perspectives on the genetic etiology of NOA.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/genetics* ; Meiosis/genetics* ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Adult ; Exome Sequencing ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins/genetics* ; Alleles ; Infertility, Male/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the safety and efficacy of avatrombopag（AVA） combined with rhIL-11 in treating thrombocytopenia induced by chemotherapy in acute myeloid leukemia. METHODS: The clinical information of 8 patients in the real world who received avatrombopag combined with rhIL-11 in cancer treatment-induced thrombocytopenia(CTIT) after AML chemotherapy were retrospectively analyzed, and at the same time, 8 patients who received rhIL-11 only in CTIT after AML chemotherapy served as the control group, A preliminary observation was to summarize and compare the therapeutic efficacy and adverse effects between the two groups. RESULTS: D3 and D7 platelet counts were not significantly different between the observation group and the control group after treatment. The platelet counts in the observation group was significantly higher than those of the control group on the 10th day after treatment (P < 0.01). The adverse reactions, such as weakness, abdominal pain, fatigue, nausea and edema after treatment were mild in the observation group and the control group. Except for one patient in the observation group who had a history of cerebral infarction before the onset of the disease and was routinely taking antiplatelet drugs, no thrombosis events occurred in the patients in the observation and control groups during the period of administration of the drug, and the total incidence rate of adverse reactions was not significantly different between the two groups. CONCLUSION The combination of AVA and rhIL-11 can enhance platelet recovery in CTIT of AML patients after chemotherapy. Compared with the rhIL-11 alone group, the platelet recovery time in AVA+rhIL-11 group was significantly shorter, the platelet count on the 10th day after drug administration was significantly higher. No statistically significant difference in the total incidence rate of adverse reactions was observed between rhIL-11 alone group and AVA+rhIL-11 group.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy* ; Thrombocytopenia/chemically induced* ; Interleukin-11/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Thiophenes/therapeutic use* ; Platelet Count ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thiazoles

OBJECTIVE: To explore the safety and efficacy of high-dose etoposide (VP-16) combined with recombinant human granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) as salvage mobilization for peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients. METHODS: From April 2021 to May 2023, eight NDMM patients who had failed to yield sufficient PBSC during initial mobilization with high-dose cyclophosphamide (CTX) combined with rhG-CSF underwent salvage mobilization with 1.2 g/m2 etoposide combined with rhG-CSF 10 μg/(kg·d). The effects and adverse reactions of initial mobilization and salvage mobilization were analyzed. RESULTS: For salvage mobilization and initial mobilization, the numbers of PBSC collections were 16 and 18, respectively. The mean value of total collected CD34⁺ cells were (11.90±5.75)×10⁶/kg and (1.67±0.75)×10⁶/kg (P =0.0010) in salvage mobilization group and initial mobilization group, respectively. The proportion of patients with a total collection of CD34⁺ cell count≥2×10⁶/kg were 100% and 37.5% (P =0.0625), and the proportion of patients with a total collection of CD34⁺ cell count≥5×10⁶/kg were 87.5% and 0% (P =0.0156) in salvage mobilization group and initial mobilization group, respectively. For five patients who underwent high-dose CTX initial mobilization but had a total CD34⁺ cell count < 2×10⁶/kg, successful collection was achieved through salvage mobilization with high-dose VP-16. Salvage mobilization with high-dose VP-16 was scheduled 2-3 weeks after failure of CTX mobilization. Adverse reactions of high-dose VP-16 mobilization did not increase compared to the initial mobilization with high-dose CTX. CONCLUSION As a salvage mobilization regimen, VP-16 1.2 g/m² combined with rhG-CSF is safe and highly effective in NDMM patients who failed to initial mobilization with high-dose CTX combined with rhG-CSF.
Humans ; Multiple Myeloma/therapy* ; Etoposide/therapeutic use* ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization/methods* ; Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use* ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; Salvage Therapy ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cells ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation

Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of maytansine on proliferation,migration,in-vasion,apoptosis and autophagy of human thyroid cancer C643 cells.Methods C643 cells were treated with different concentrations(0.049,0.195,0.781,3.125,12.5,50 and 200 μmol/L)of maytansine,the effect of maytansine on the proliferation of C643 cells was detected by the sulforhodamine B(SRB)method,and the concentration of subsequent experiments was determined.C643 cells in the logarithmic growth stage period were divided into the control group,low-dose group,mid-dose group and high-dose group.The effects of maytansine on migration and invasion abilities of C643 cells were detected by cell scratch and Transwell chamber assay;The levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS)were detected by 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA)fluorescent probe experi-ment;The apoptosis rate of C643 cells was detected by flow cytometry;The expression of proteins related to apoptosis or autophagy was detected by Western blot.Results Maytansine at concentrations of 0.049,0.195,0.781,3.125,12.5,50 and 200 μmol/L could in-hibit the proliferation of C643 cells(P<0.05),and exhibited a significant concentration time dependence.The half maximal inhibitory concentrations(IC50)at 24,48 and 72 h were 54.255,5.193 and 0.647 μmol/L,respectively;The cell scratch and Transwell chamber results showed that maytansine at concentrations of 0.1,1 and 10 μmol/L could reduce the migration and invasion abilities of C643 cells(P<0.05 and P<0.01).The fluorescence probe results showed that maytansine at concentrations of 0.1,1 and 10μmol/L could increase the intracellular ROS levels of C643 cells(P<0.01).The flow cytometry results showed that maytansine at concentrations of 0.1,1 and 10 μmol/L could concentration dependently increase the apoptosis rate of C643 cells(P<0.01).The Western blot results showed that with the increase of maytansine concentrations,the expression of Bax protein related to apoptosis in C643 cells increased(P<0.05),the expression of Bcl-2 decreased(P<0.05),the expression of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ(P<0.05)and Beclin-1(P<0.01)increased,while the expression of p62 decreased(P<0.001).Conclusion Maytansine can inhibit the proliferation,migration and invasion of human thyroid cancer C643 cells,and induce the synergistic effect on apoptosis and autophagy by increasing intracellular ROS levels.

Objective:To investigate the use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants(NOACs)and their associated comorbidities in patients aged 80 years and older with non-valvular atrial fibrillation(NVAF), as well as to understand the challenges faced by elderly patients receiving NOAC therapy.Methods:We retrospectively enrolled elderly patients(≥80 years old)with NVAF who were treated with NOACs at a hospital in Beijing from January 2018 to August 2023.Patients were categorized into two age groups: 80-89 years and ≥90 years.We collected baseline data, including demographic characteristics, details of atrial fibrillation, comorbidities, laboratory test results, and medication combinations, for descriptive statistical analysis and intergroup comparisons.Results:A total of 695 elderly patients with NVAF receiving NOACs were included in the study, with a median age of 84 years.Among these patients, there were 328 males(47.19%, 328/695)and 422 cases of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(60.72%, 422/695).The age group of 80-89 years comprised 640 cases(92.09%, 640/695), while the group aged 90 years and above included 55 cases(7.91%, 55/695).The use of NOACs in patients aged 90 and older exhibited an increasing trend over the years.Inter-group comparisons indicated that the ≥90 years group had lower body mass index, longer hospital stays, increased bedridden time, poorer renal function, lower levels of albumin and hemoglobin, and higher D-dimer levels.Inappropriate dosing of DOACs occurred in 49.64%(345/695)of cases, with 90.72%(313/345)receiving doses lower than recommended.Lower-than-recommended doses were more prevalent in the ≥90 years group, while higher-than-recommended doses were more common in the 80-89 years group.Polypharmacy was noted in 61.29%(426/695)of patients.The concurrent use of antiplatelet drugs, rhythm control medications, and ventricular rate control drugs was observed in 12.52%(87/695), 19.57%(136/695), and 54.53%(379/695)of patients, respectively, with no significant differences between groups.Conclusions:Inappropriate dosing and polypharmacy are prevalent issues among elderly NVAF patients.Therefore, it is essential to enhance multidisciplinary collaboration to optimize anticoagulation treatment strategies.

Objective The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of maytansine on proliferation,migration,in-vasion,apoptosis and autophagy of human thyroid cancer C643 cells.Methods C643 cells were treated with different concentrations(0.049,0.195,0.781,3.125,12.5,50 and 200 μmol/L)of maytansine,the effect of maytansine on the proliferation of C643 cells was detected by the sulforhodamine B(SRB)method,and the concentration of subsequent experiments was determined.C643 cells in the logarithmic growth stage period were divided into the control group,low-dose group,mid-dose group and high-dose group.The effects of maytansine on migration and invasion abilities of C643 cells were detected by cell scratch and Transwell chamber assay;The levels of reactive oxygen species(ROS)were detected by 2′,7′-dichlorofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA)fluorescent probe experi-ment;The apoptosis rate of C643 cells was detected by flow cytometry;The expression of proteins related to apoptosis or autophagy was detected by Western blot.Results Maytansine at concentrations of 0.049,0.195,0.781,3.125,12.5,50 and 200 μmol/L could in-hibit the proliferation of C643 cells(P<0.05),and exhibited a significant concentration time dependence.The half maximal inhibitory concentrations(IC50)at 24,48 and 72 h were 54.255,5.193 and 0.647 μmol/L,respectively;The cell scratch and Transwell chamber results showed that maytansine at concentrations of 0.1,1 and 10 μmol/L could reduce the migration and invasion abilities of C643 cells(P<0.05 and P<0.01).The fluorescence probe results showed that maytansine at concentrations of 0.1,1 and 10μmol/L could increase the intracellular ROS levels of C643 cells(P<0.01).The flow cytometry results showed that maytansine at concentrations of 0.1,1 and 10 μmol/L could concentration dependently increase the apoptosis rate of C643 cells(P<0.01).The Western blot results showed that with the increase of maytansine concentrations,the expression of Bax protein related to apoptosis in C643 cells increased(P<0.05),the expression of Bcl-2 decreased(P<0.05),the expression of LC3Ⅱ/Ⅰ(P<0.05)and Beclin-1(P<0.01)increased,while the expression of p62 decreased(P<0.001).Conclusion Maytansine can inhibit the proliferation,migration and invasion of human thyroid cancer C643 cells,and induce the synergistic effect on apoptosis and autophagy by increasing intracellular ROS levels.

Objective:To investigate the use of non-vitamin K antagonist oral anticoagulants(NOACs)and their associated comorbidities in patients aged 80 years and older with non-valvular atrial fibrillation(NVAF), as well as to understand the challenges faced by elderly patients receiving NOAC therapy.Methods:We retrospectively enrolled elderly patients(≥80 years old)with NVAF who were treated with NOACs at a hospital in Beijing from January 2018 to August 2023.Patients were categorized into two age groups: 80-89 years and ≥90 years.We collected baseline data, including demographic characteristics, details of atrial fibrillation, comorbidities, laboratory test results, and medication combinations, for descriptive statistical analysis and intergroup comparisons.Results:A total of 695 elderly patients with NVAF receiving NOACs were included in the study, with a median age of 84 years.Among these patients, there were 328 males(47.19%, 328/695)and 422 cases of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation(60.72%, 422/695).The age group of 80-89 years comprised 640 cases(92.09%, 640/695), while the group aged 90 years and above included 55 cases(7.91%, 55/695).The use of NOACs in patients aged 90 and older exhibited an increasing trend over the years.Inter-group comparisons indicated that the ≥90 years group had lower body mass index, longer hospital stays, increased bedridden time, poorer renal function, lower levels of albumin and hemoglobin, and higher D-dimer levels.Inappropriate dosing of DOACs occurred in 49.64%(345/695)of cases, with 90.72%(313/345)receiving doses lower than recommended.Lower-than-recommended doses were more prevalent in the ≥90 years group, while higher-than-recommended doses were more common in the 80-89 years group.Polypharmacy was noted in 61.29%(426/695)of patients.The concurrent use of antiplatelet drugs, rhythm control medications, and ventricular rate control drugs was observed in 12.52%(87/695), 19.57%(136/695), and 54.53%(379/695)of patients, respectively, with no significant differences between groups.Conclusions:Inappropriate dosing and polypharmacy are prevalent issues among elderly NVAF patients.Therefore, it is essential to enhance multidisciplinary collaboration to optimize anticoagulation treatment strategies.

Objective A recombinant plasmid for CRISPR interference(CRISPRi)that incorporates dCas9 from Streptococcus pyogenes was constructed to investigate the function of Coxiella burnetii genes through a prompt,simple method.Methods A single guide RNA(sgRNA)sequence targeting C.burnetii dotB was integrated into a recombinant plasmid,which was then transformed into C.burnetii using electroporation.Next,dCas9 expression was induced with dehydrated tetracycline(aTC)to inhibit the transcription of dotB.Results The results demonstrated that dCas9 can be expressed normally in the CRISPRi system through aTC induction.Suppression of dotB was observed at the transcriptional and translational levels.In addition,the intracellular reproduction of C.burnetii significantly decreased after the suppression of dotB expression.Conclusion Silencing technology for the C.burnetii gene based on CRISPRi was established in this study,providing support for studying the biological functions of C.burnetii genes.