Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate potential causal relationships between nine cathepsins and female infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. Methods: A bidirectional MR analysis was conducted utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables to investigate the potential causal effects between nine cathepsins and female infertility. Genetic data on female infertility were sourced from the FinnGen study, and cathepsin-related data were obtained from genome-wide association studies datasets of European ancestry. Results: Elevated levels of cathepsin E were significantly and inversely associated with the risk of female infertility, suggesting a potential protective role. This finding was further supported by multivariable MR analysis. However, no significant associations were observed between the other eight cathepsins and female infertility. Conclusion This study represents the first systematic MR analysis to identify a potential protective effect of cathepsin E on female infertility.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate potential causal relationships between nine cathepsins and female infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. Methods: A bidirectional MR analysis was conducted utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables to investigate the potential causal effects between nine cathepsins and female infertility. Genetic data on female infertility were sourced from the FinnGen study, and cathepsin-related data were obtained from genome-wide association studies datasets of European ancestry. Results: Elevated levels of cathepsin E were significantly and inversely associated with the risk of female infertility, suggesting a potential protective role. This finding was further supported by multivariable MR analysis. However, no significant associations were observed between the other eight cathepsins and female infertility. Conclusion This study represents the first systematic MR analysis to identify a potential protective effect of cathepsin E on female infertility.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate potential causal relationships between nine cathepsins and female infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. Methods: A bidirectional MR analysis was conducted utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables to investigate the potential causal effects between nine cathepsins and female infertility. Genetic data on female infertility were sourced from the FinnGen study, and cathepsin-related data were obtained from genome-wide association studies datasets of European ancestry. Results: Elevated levels of cathepsin E were significantly and inversely associated with the risk of female infertility, suggesting a potential protective role. This finding was further supported by multivariable MR analysis. However, no significant associations were observed between the other eight cathepsins and female infertility. Conclusion This study represents the first systematic MR analysis to identify a potential protective effect of cathepsin E on female infertility.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate potential causal relationships between nine cathepsins and female infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. Methods: A bidirectional MR analysis was conducted utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables to investigate the potential causal effects between nine cathepsins and female infertility. Genetic data on female infertility were sourced from the FinnGen study, and cathepsin-related data were obtained from genome-wide association studies datasets of European ancestry. Results: Elevated levels of cathepsin E were significantly and inversely associated with the risk of female infertility, suggesting a potential protective role. This finding was further supported by multivariable MR analysis. However, no significant associations were observed between the other eight cathepsins and female infertility. Conclusion This study represents the first systematic MR analysis to identify a potential protective effect of cathepsin E on female infertility.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate potential causal relationships between nine cathepsins and female infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. Methods: A bidirectional MR analysis was conducted utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables to investigate the potential causal effects between nine cathepsins and female infertility. Genetic data on female infertility were sourced from the FinnGen study, and cathepsin-related data were obtained from genome-wide association studies datasets of European ancestry. Results: Elevated levels of cathepsin E were significantly and inversely associated with the risk of female infertility, suggesting a potential protective role. This finding was further supported by multivariable MR analysis. However, no significant associations were observed between the other eight cathepsins and female infertility. Conclusion This study represents the first systematic MR analysis to identify a potential protective effect of cathepsin E on female infertility.

ObjectiveTo explore the longitudinal measurement invariance of standardized Constitution in Chinese Medicine Questionnaire （CCMQ） among Chinese adult populations， and to provide evidence for the longitudinal effect analysis of this questionnaire. MethodsA total of 509 adults who voluntarily received 26 weeks of comprehensive traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） constitution fitness intervention were included （3 time points： before intervention， 13 weeks intervention， and 26 weeks intervention）， evaluated by CCMQ with 9 subscales. A single-group confirmatory factor analysis was performed to establish a single-group baseline model with a well-fitting model， and then nested models， that is multiple groups of confirmatory factors analysis， are used to analyze the longitudinal measurement invariance， followed by configural invariance， metric invariance， scalar invariance， and strict invariance. Comparative Fit Index （CFI）， Root Mean Square Error of Approximation （RMSEA）， and Standardized Root Mean Square Residual （SRMR） were used as model fit indicators for the analysis. ResultsThe single-group confirmatory factors analysis proved that the 9 subscales of CCMQ fit well at the three time points （CFI： 0.933~0.992， RMSEA： 0.027~0.080， SRMR： 0.022~0.045）. The multiple-group confirmatory factors analysis showed that the configural， metric， scalar， and strict invariance across time of qi-stagnation and special diathesis constitution were established （ΔCFI＜0.01， ΔRMSEA＜0.01）； the configural， metric， scalar， and partial strict invariance across time of phlegm-dampness constitution subscale were established （ΔCFI＜0.01， ΔRMSEA＜0.01）； the configural， metric， partial scalar and partial strict invariance of 6 subscales， including gentleness， qi-deficiency， yang-deficiency， yin-deficiency， dampness-heat， and blood-stasis constitutions， were all established （ΔCFI＜0.01， ΔRMSEA＜0.01）. ConclusionThe CCMQ met at least metric invariance at 3 time points， which can be applied to the study of whether different time points have the same unit or meaning. The measurement invariance of the 3 subscales of phlegm-dampness， qi-stagnation and special diathesis， special diathesis have longitudinal measurement invariance， so the mean comparison over time could be made； while the 6 subscales of gentleness， qi-deficiency， yang-deficiency， yin-deficiency， dampness-heat， and blood-stasis constitutions meet partial scalar and partial strict invariance， which could be explained partially for the difference in the comparison of the mean over time.

Objective To investigate the effect of proanthocyanidins(PC)on the neurite outgrowth of rat dorsal root ganglion(DRG)neurons.Methods In vitro,primary rat DRG neurons were cultured wtih a series of concenteation of PC to assess the effect of PC on the number and length of neurites as well as the morphology of growth cone.In vivo,the expression of growth associated protein 43(GAP43)in the early stage of injury was detected using the sciatic nerve crush model.Finally,the impact of PC on nerve growth factor(NGF)expression in DRG neurons was evaluated in vitro using immunofluorescence and ELISA.Results PC significantly increased the number and length of neurites and the number of pseudopodium in growth cones of DRG neurons.PC also promoted the expres-sion of GAP43 in the early stage of sciatic nerve injury in rats and enhanced the expression of NGF in DRG neurons.Conclusion PC may promote the neurite outgrowth by increasing the expression of NGF in DRG neurons.

Objective:To enhance the understanding of the diagnosis and individualized treatment of myelodysplastic syndrome/myeloproliferative neoplasms with ring sideroblasts and thrombocytosis (MDS/MPN-RS-T).Methods:A retrospective case series study was conducted. The clinical data, diagnosis and treatment process and prognosis of 4 patients with MDS/MPN-RS-T admitted to Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University from September 2015 to May 2021 were retrospectively analyzed, and the related literature was reviewed.Results:All the 4 patients were male, aged 63 to 75 years. Patients 1 and 2 were classified as revised international prognostic scoring system (IPSS-R) high-risk group, combined with ASXL1 mutation and high risk cytogenetic abnormality. The therapeutic effect of various treatment regimens was poor, and they were converted to acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and then died due to disease progression. Patient 3 was classified as IPSS-R medium-risk group. His main manifestation was myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) combined with ring sideroblasts in the early stage and was transformed into MDS/MPN-RS-T during the treatment, and JAK2 mutation occurred in the subsequent treatment. After lenalidomide treatment, the patient was removed from blood transfusion and the condition was stable at present. Patient 4 was classified as IPSS-R medium-risk group, and lenalidomide showed significant therapeutic effects and he was in stable condition.Conclusions:Lenalidomide can significantly improve transfusion dependence in patients with MDS/MPN-RS-T, and ASXL1 mutation and high-risk cytogenetic abnormality may be associated with AML transformation.

【Objective】 To investigate the expression of Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) in B cells in the peripheral blood of patients with allergic rhinitis (AR), allergic asthma (AA), AR combined with AA (ARA) and the blood or lung tissue of sensitized mice, as well as the effect of allergens on its expression. 【Methods】 A total of 100 volunteers from The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinzhou Medical University were recruited for outpatient and acute inpatient attacks, consisting of 19 healthy people (HC) with negative prick test result, 40 AR patients, 26 AA patients, and 15 ARA patients with positive prick test result. The expression of TLR9 in the peripheral blood B cells of the patients before and after stimulation by house dust mite allergen extract (HDME), Artemisia sieversiana wild allergen extract (ASWE), and Platanus pollen allergen extract (PPE) was detected by flow cytometry. AR and AA sensitization models were established in WT mice and FcεRI-KO mice to detect the effects of allergens and FcεRI on the expression of TLR9 in B cells. 【Results】 The expression and mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of TLR9 in peripheral blood B cells of unstimulated AR, AA and ARA patients were higher than those of HC. After allergen stimulation, the expression of TLR9 and its MFI in blood B cells of AR and AA patients increased (P<0.05). In WT mice and FcεRI-KO mice, compared with NS control mice, MFI was increased in almost each group. Compared with the NS control group, there was no significant difference in the expression of TLR9⁺ in B cells in the lung tissues of AA mice with FcεRI-KO after allergen challenge, but their MFI increased. FcεRI-KO mice had lower TLR9⁺ MFI in B cells after allergen challenge compared with WT mice. 【Conclusion】 TLR9 in B cells may be involved in the occurrence of AR and AA, and detecting the expression of TLR9 in B cells may be a new direction for the diagnosis of AR and AA.

An elderly female patient was admitted to Shenzhen Traditional Chinese Medicine Hospital on May 4, 2023, due to recurrent cough for 4 years and aggravation with fever for 6 days. Chest CT showed bronchiectasis with pulmonary infection. Sputum smear microscopy indicated the possibility of Nocardia, and sputum fungal culture revealed Aspergillus fumigatus. After several days of anti- Nocardia and anti- Aspergillus fumigatus treatment, the patient′s inflammatory index decreased but she still had a low-grade fever. Effective communication between the laboratory and clinicians facilitated the culture of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and the detection of metagenomic next-generation sequencing. The patient made progress after receiving anti-infection treatment for three suspected pathogenic bacteria- Nocardia amamiensis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, and Aspergillus fumigatus-detected by the above methods. For the diagnosis of coinfection, the combination of multiple methods can improve the accuracy of pathogen identification, thereby better guiding clinical treatment.