ObjectiveThe significance of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) should not be overlooked. This study aims to assess the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Adverse Childhood Experiences-International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) among the MSM population in China to evaluate its applicability in this group. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in three Chinese cities(Shanghai, Shenyang and Kunming) using snowball sampling, with a total of 1 130 MSM participants included. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to assess the structural validity of the scale. Internal consistency reliability was evaluated using Cronbach’s α coefficient, and split-half reliability was assessed with the Spearman-Brown coefficient. ResultsAccording to the EFA results, after removing item ACE10 (“parental death”), the 23-item ACE-IQ demonstrated a six-factor structure, including victimization or witnessing emotional/physical abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, family dysfunction, emotional neglect, and peer violence. CFA results indicated a good model fit for the six-factor model, supporting the EFA findings. The scale demonstrated good reliability, with a Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.852 and a Spearman-Brown coefficient of 0.899, indicating high internal consistency and split-half reliability within the studied population. ConclusionThe Chinese version of the ACE-IQ demonstrates satisfactory reliability and validity among MSM population, supporting its suitability for assessing ACEs in this group. The findings provide an empirical basis for subsequent mental health interventions.

Objective To observe the changes in the serum level of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)during pegylated interferon-alpha(PEG-IFN-α)treatment in inactive HBsAg carriers(IHCs),to investigate the association between the dynamic changes of TNF-α and HBsAg clearance,and to assess the value of TNF-α as a potential biomarker for predicting the therapeutic efficacy of PEG-IFN-α.Methods A prospective study was conducted among 455 IHCs who attended our hospital from January 2018 to March 2023,and they were divided into treatment group and IHC control group.The 210 IHCs in the treatment group voluntarily received PEG-IFNα-2b treatment for 48 weeks,followed by follow-up for 24 weeks,and the 245 IHCs in the IHC control group were followed up for 72 weeks without treatment.The serum level of TNF-α was measured at baseline(week 0)and at weeks 12,24,48,and 72,and at week 72,the treatment group was further divided into HBsAg clearance group and non-clearance group.The serum level of TNF-α at different time points was compared between groups.The logistic regression analysis was used to assess the value of TNF-α in predicting HBsAg clearance.The t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups,and a one-way analysis of variance used for comparison between multiple groups;the repeated measures analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed repeated measurement data within each group and between groups;the chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the predictive factors for HBsAg clearance,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to determine the cut-off value of TNF-α in predicting HBsAg clearance.Results At week 72,compared with the IHC control group,the treatment group had significantly higher HBsAg clearance rate(46.2%vs 1.2%,χ2=133.333,P<0.001)and seroconversion rate(34.8%vs 0.8%,χ2=94.650,P<0.001).The HBsAg clearance group and the non-clearance group had a significant increase in the serum level of TNF-α during treatment,which gradually returned to the baseline level after drug withdrawal(F=351.733 and 76.434,both P<0.001).Comparisons between groups showed that the HBsAg clearance group had the highest serum level of TNF-α at weeks 12,24,and 48,followed by the non-clearance group and the IHC control group(all P<0.001).The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that baseline HBsAg level(odds ratio[OR]=0.329,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.189-0.571,P<0.001),baseline HBV DNA<20 IU/mL(OR=1.414,95%CI:1.057-1.787,P=0.045),ALT≥2×upper limit of normal at week 12(OR=1.127,95%CI:1.028-1.722,P=0.043),TNF-α level at week 12(OR=1.336,95%CI:1.018-1.754,P=0.037),and TNF-α level at week 24(OR=1.879,95%CI:1.477-2.391,P<0.001)were independent predictive factors for HBsAg clearance.The ROC analysis showed that TNF-α level at week 12 had an area under the ROC curve(AUC)of 0.846(95%CI:0.814-0.889)in predicting HBsAg clearance at week 72,with a sensitivity of 76.3%and a specificity of 81.0%,while TNF-α level at week 24 had an AUC of 0.912(95%CI:0.758-0.972),with a sensitivity of 81.4%and a specificity of 96.2%.Conclusion PEG-IFN-α can increase the serum level of TNF-α in IHCs,and the serum level of TNF-α at weeks 12 and 24 can effectively predict HBsAg clearance induced by PEG-IFN-α.

Objective To observe the changes in the serum level of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)during pegylated interferon-alpha(PEG-IFN-α)treatment in inactive HBsAg carriers(IHCs),to investigate the association between the dynamic changes of TNF-α and HBsAg clearance,and to assess the value of TNF-α as a potential biomarker for predicting the therapeutic efficacy of PEG-IFN-α.Methods A prospective study was conducted among 455 IHCs who attended our hospital from January 2018 to March 2023,and they were divided into treatment group and IHC control group.The 210 IHCs in the treatment group voluntarily received PEG-IFNα-2b treatment for 48 weeks,followed by follow-up for 24 weeks,and the 245 IHCs in the IHC control group were followed up for 72 weeks without treatment.The serum level of TNF-α was measured at baseline(week 0)and at weeks 12,24,48,and 72,and at week 72,the treatment group was further divided into HBsAg clearance group and non-clearance group.The serum level of TNF-α at different time points was compared between groups.The logistic regression analysis was used to assess the value of TNF-α in predicting HBsAg clearance.The t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups,and a one-way analysis of variance used for comparison between multiple groups;the repeated measures analysis of variance was used for comparison of normally distributed repeated measurement data within each group and between groups;the chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between groups.Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to investigate the predictive factors for HBsAg clearance,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to determine the cut-off value of TNF-α in predicting HBsAg clearance.Results At week 72,compared with the IHC control group,the treatment group had significantly higher HBsAg clearance rate(46.2%vs 1.2%,χ2=133.333,P<0.001)and seroconversion rate(34.8%vs 0.8%,χ2=94.650,P<0.001).The HBsAg clearance group and the non-clearance group had a significant increase in the serum level of TNF-α during treatment,which gradually returned to the baseline level after drug withdrawal(F=351.733 and 76.434,both P<0.001).Comparisons between groups showed that the HBsAg clearance group had the highest serum level of TNF-α at weeks 12,24,and 48,followed by the non-clearance group and the IHC control group(all P<0.001).The multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that baseline HBsAg level(odds ratio[OR]=0.329,95%confidence interval[CI]:0.189-0.571,P<0.001),baseline HBV DNA<20 IU/mL(OR=1.414,95%CI:1.057-1.787,P=0.045),ALT≥2×upper limit of normal at week 12(OR=1.127,95%CI:1.028-1.722,P=0.043),TNF-α level at week 12(OR=1.336,95%CI:1.018-1.754,P=0.037),and TNF-α level at week 24(OR=1.879,95%CI:1.477-2.391,P<0.001)were independent predictive factors for HBsAg clearance.The ROC analysis showed that TNF-α level at week 12 had an area under the ROC curve(AUC)of 0.846(95%CI:0.814-0.889)in predicting HBsAg clearance at week 72,with a sensitivity of 76.3%and a specificity of 81.0%,while TNF-α level at week 24 had an AUC of 0.912(95%CI:0.758-0.972),with a sensitivity of 81.4%and a specificity of 96.2%.Conclusion PEG-IFN-α can increase the serum level of TNF-α in IHCs,and the serum level of TNF-α at weeks 12 and 24 can effectively predict HBsAg clearance induced by PEG-IFN-α.

Objective:To investigate the expression characteristics of the SLFN11 gene in pancreatic cancer and its relationship with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(DDP)resistance.Methods:This study analyzed multiple publicly available datasets, including GSE207611, GSE186205, GSE73978, GSE217845, and GSE238163 from the gene expression omnibus(GEO)datasets.These datasets comprise gene expression data and single-cell sequencing data from pancreatic cancer cell lines and patients, which were utilized to examine the expression characteristics of the SLFN11 gene and its association with cisplatin resistance.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated, and the area under the curve (AUC) value along with the confidence interval ( CI) were calculated.Additionally, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)data analysis were conducted. Results:The differential expression of the SLFN11 gene between tumor and adjacent normal tissues was statistically significant( P<0.05). The AUC value for SLFN11 in diagnosing pancreatic cancer was 0.761.SLFN11, along with its associated genes PTN and SLC15A3, collectively influenced the survival of pancreatic cancer patients.Results from single-cell sequencing demonstrated high expression of SLFN11 in mesenchymal stem cells. Conclusions:The SLFN11 gene demonstrates significant diagnostic and prognostic value in pancreatic cancer and may play a role in the mechanism of cisplatin resistance.

Objective:To investigate the expression characteristics of the SLFN11 gene in pancreatic cancer and its relationship with cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(DDP)resistance.Methods:This study analyzed multiple publicly available datasets, including GSE207611, GSE186205, GSE73978, GSE217845, and GSE238163 from the gene expression omnibus(GEO)datasets.These datasets comprise gene expression data and single-cell sequencing data from pancreatic cancer cell lines and patients, which were utilized to examine the expression characteristics of the SLFN11 gene and its association with cisplatin resistance.Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were generated, and the area under the curve (AUC) value along with the confidence interval ( CI) were calculated.Additionally, Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq)data analysis were conducted. Results:The differential expression of the SLFN11 gene between tumor and adjacent normal tissues was statistically significant( P<0.05). The AUC value for SLFN11 in diagnosing pancreatic cancer was 0.761.SLFN11, along with its associated genes PTN and SLC15A3, collectively influenced the survival of pancreatic cancer patients.Results from single-cell sequencing demonstrated high expression of SLFN11 in mesenchymal stem cells. Conclusions:The SLFN11 gene demonstrates significant diagnostic and prognostic value in pancreatic cancer and may play a role in the mechanism of cisplatin resistance.

ObjectiveTo investigate the change and potential role of Mindin protein in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B （CHB） with PEG-IFNα-2b. MethodsA total of 29 CHB patients who received the treatment with PEG-IFNα-2b in The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi’an Jiaotong University from January 2018 to December 2019 were enrolled， and according to their clinical outcome， they were divided into cured group with 17 patients and uncured group with 12 patients. Peripheral blood samples were collected from both groups at baseline， 12 weeks， and 24 weeks to measure blood routine indices， liver function parameters， hepatitis B markers， and Mindin protein. HBsAg， alanine aminotransferase （ALT）， aspartate aminotransferase （AST）， and Mindin protein at different time points were compared between the two groups. The independent-samples t test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups； a Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate correlation； a multiple linear regression analysis was used to investigate the influence of HBsAg and ALT on the content of Mindin protein. ResultsThe analysis of baseline data showed that there were significant differences in the levels of HBsAg， HBeAb， albumin， and albumin/globulin ratio between the cured group and the uncured group （all P<0.05）. The cured group tended to have a gradual increase in the level of Mindin， and the level of Mindin at 24 weeks was significantly higher than that at baseline （P<0.05）. The cured group had a significantly higher level of Mindin protein than the uncured group at 24 weeks （P=0.019）. The cured group had a significantly lower level of HBsAg than the uncured group （P<0.05）， with a significant change from baseline to each time point within the cured group （P<0.05）. In addition， the levels of ALT and AST in the cured group tended to first increase and then decrease， and the expression levels at 12 weeks were significantly higher than those at baseline （P<0.05）. At 12 weeks， there was a strong linear correlation between Mindin protein levels and ALT in the untreated group （r=0.760 8， P<0.05）， and further multiple linear regression analysis also demonstrated a linear relationship between the two （b=1.571， P=0.019）. ConclusionThere is a significant difference in the level of Mindin protein between the cured group and the non-cured group after 24 weeks of PEG-IFNα-2b antiviral treatment， and therefore， detecting the dynamic changes of Mindin protein can better predict the treatment outcome of CHB， which provides a reference for clinical practice.

Objective:To investigate the expression level of transcription factor dimerization partner 2 (TFDP2) in the placentas of women with preeclampsia, and analyze its effect on the apoptosis of trophoblast cells.Methods:Placental tissues from thirty puerperae with preeclampsia who gave birth by cesarean section in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital, the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University Medical School between January 2018 and December 2022 (preeclampsia group) and 30 healthy puerperae undergoing cesarean section during the same period (control group) were retrospectively selected. Immunohistochemistry was used to localize TFDP2 in the placental tissues. Real-time quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect the differences in expression of TFDP2 at mRNA and protein levels in placental tissues between the two groups. Forskolin-exposed BeWo cells were transfected with small interfering RNA (siRNA) to knockdown TFDP2 and the changes in the expression of apoptosis-related indicators, B cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) and Bcl2 associated X (Bax), at protein and mRNA levels were analyzed by Western blot and qRT-PCR, respectively. Besides, the change in the apoptosis level of BeWo cells was detected using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining and flow cytometry. Downstream signaling pathways were analyzed to understand the involved molecular mechanisms. Two independent samples t-test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and Chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. Results:TFDP2 was mostly localized in the syncytiotrophoblasts and the extravillous trophoblasts in the normal placentas. TFDP2 expression in the syncytiotrophoblasts was lower in the preeclampsia group than in the control group at both mRNA (0.722±0.239 vs. 1.000±0.348, t=3.61, P=0.001) and protein (0.728±0.185 vs. 1.000±0.206, t=2.41, P=0.037) levels. Comparing the group without knockdown of TFDP2, the knockdown of TFDP2 in BeWo cells elevated the Bax/Bcl2 ratio (mRNA: 1.755±0.452 vs. 1.000±0.279, t=3.48, P=0.006; protein: 3.206±0.922 vs. 1.000±0.290, t=3.95, P=0.017), and increased cell apoptosis both in number and ratio (TUNEL staining: 4.556±1.740 vs. 2.444±1.130, t=3.05, P=0.008; flow cytometry: 21.37%±1.66% vs. 12.61%±0.38%, t=8.92, P=0.001). Furthermore, following TFDP2 knockdown, a decrease in the phosphorylation activity of catalytic subunit of protein kinase A (PKAc) at the Thr197 site was observed in the cytoplasm of BeWo cells (0.466±0.035 vs. 1.000±0.075, t=11.19, P<0.001) and a reduction in the expression of β-catenin in the cell nucleus was also detected (0.250±0.093 vs. 1.000±0.269, t=4.57, P=0.010). Conclusion:The expression of TFDP2 decreased significantly in the placentas of patients with preeclampsia, which may promote the apoptosis of syncytiotrophoblasts by inhibiting the PKAc/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Orchitis is a common male genitourinary disorder that significantly impacts patients' life quality.Current treatment strategies have certain limitations and side effects.Ongoing therapeutic strategies focus on the interactions and regulatory networks among pathways and factors involved in the progression of orchitis.The targeted pharmacological agents include inflammatory pathways (p38MAPK, NF-κB, PI3K/Akt), cytokines (TNF-α, IL-6), and the nitric oxide synthase (NOS) system.However, these studies are currently at the animal research stage, and further clinical investigations are necessary to validate their efficacy and safety before clinical use.This article reviews the preclinical animal studies on new treatment methods of orchitis from the aspects of autoimmunity and exogenous microorganism induction, including ketotifen furmarate, aspirin, L-NAME, activin A, cortisol, melatonin, methane, long non-coding RNA MEG3, Abaloparatide, recombinant type Ⅰ interferon, and so on.

Objective:To detect the expression levels of laboratory of genetics and physiology 2 (LGP2), retinoic acid inducible gene I (RIG-I) and melanoma differentiation associated gene 5 (MDA5) in children with hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD), and to explore their possible clinical significance in HFMD.Methods:Fifty children with HFMD, who visited Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi′an Jiao Tong University, Xi ′an Children′s Hospital and Xi ′an Central Hospital from May 2020 to May 2021, were selected as the research subjects, and 20 children with physical examination at the same age during the same period were selected as the control group.Children with HFMD were divided into enterovirus 71 (EV-A71) type and coxsackievirus A6 (CV-A6) type according to the results of pathogen detection, and then divided into mild group and severe group according to the severity of the disease.The relative mRNA expression levels of LGP2, RIG-I and MDA5 in each group, and the correlation among the three proteins were compared and analyzed.Results:Among 50 cases of HFMD, 26 cases were EV-A71 type (16 cases were mild and 10 cases were severe) and 24 cases were CV-A6 type (17 cases were mild and 7 cases were severe). There was no significant difference in age and sex between HFMD group and control group ( P>0.05). The relative expression levels of LGP2 mRNA in EV-A71 and CV-A6 HFMD cases were 2.37(1.78, 3.25)% and 1.88 (1.35, 3.13)%, lower than that in control group [2.97(2.61, 3.55)%]. Only the difference between CV-A6 HFMD children and control group was statistically significant ( Z=-2.310, P=0.021). The relative expression levels of RIG-I mRNA in EV-A71 and CV-A6 HFMD cases were 9.95 (7.79, 14.62)% and 9.78(7.04, 15.83)%, lower than that in control group [18.47(13.00, 21.07)%]. The differences were all statistically significant ( P<0.05). The relative expression levels of MDA5 mRNA in EV-A71 and CV-A6 HFMD cases were 4.41(2.82, 5.99)% and 3.98 (2.18, 7.41)%, lower than that in control group [5.10(3.52, 7.71)%], but the differences were not statistically significant.There were no significant differences in the relative expression levels of the three indicators between the mild and severe groups of children with EV-A71 or CV-A6 HFMD.The expression levels of LGP2, RIG-I and MDA5 mRNA were highly correlated( P<0.001). Conclusion:The relative expression levels of LGP2, RIG-I and MDA5 mRNA in children with HFMD are decreased in different degrees than those in normal children.And there is a correlation among them.

【Objective】 To construct an in-vitro model of erythrocyte antibody-mediated complement activation, and establish quantitative detection methods based on flow cytometry and spectrophotometry, so as to explore the correlation of anti-body titers and complement activation speed, and provide a methodological basis for studying the adverse transfusion reactions of anti-body mediated complement hemolysis. 【Methods】 Mouse monoclonal antibody that recognized human C3b and fluorescent secondary antibody were used to label C3b fragments on erythrocytes, and the deposition of C3b fragments after complement activation was detected by flow cytometry. The absorbance at 540 nm of the supernatant in the complement activation reaction system was measured by spectrophotometry as the amount of hemoglobin released was related to the absorbance. 【Results】 The complement activation system was constructed according to the ratio of 3% red blood cell suspension (mixed for 6 people) 1∶anti-Tj^a 1∶complement 2. The repeatability was good (P value>0.05) as different red blood cell mixtures had been used to repeat the detection reaction system. When using 32×, 64× and 128× dilutions of anti-Tj^a mediated complement activation, the deposition of C3b fragments has been detected by flow cytometry at 30 s, 1 min and 2 min, respectively, and MFI peaked at 5 min, 10 min and 30 min, respectively. No obvious hemolysis has been observed within 1.5 h. 【Conclusion】 In vitro model of anti-Tj^a-mediated complement activation demonstrates the speed of complement activation is related to the concentration of antibody. At a certain antibody concentration, the speed of complement activation has been slowed down, and no obvious hemolysis observed.