Objective: To analyze the correlation between serum homocysteine (Hcy) and both folic acid (FA) and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), so as to provide the evidence for male fertility assessment. Methods: Males who visited and measured the serum Hcy in the Reproductive Medicine Center of Huzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from September 2022 to September 2023 were selected as the study subjects. Sperm quality parameters and sperm DFI were analyzed by collecting sperm. Hcy and FA were measured by collecting venous blood. Participants were stratified into a high Hcy group (Hcy≥15.0 μmol/L) and a normal group (Hcy<15.0 μmol/L). The correlations between serum Hcy and FA and sperm DFI were evaluated using linear regression models. Results: A total of 173 participants were enrolled, including 39 in the high Hcy group and 134 in the normal group. The sperm concentration in the high Hcy group was significantly lower than that in the normal group [(91.77±61.11)×106/mL vs. (144.21±106.82)×106/mL, P<0.05]. No statistically significant differences were observed in semen volume, sperm motility, curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, average path velocity, or sperm morphology normal rate (all P>0.05). The FA level in the high Hcy group was lower than that in the normal group [(4.44±1.79) nmol/L vs. (7.64±3.68) nmol/L, P<0.05]. The sperm DFI in the high Hcy group was higher than that in the normal group [(19.21±8.85)% vs. (13.07±6.43)%, P<0.05]. Serum Hcy level showed a negative correlation with FA level (r=-0.369, P<0.05) and a positive correlation with sperm DFI (r=0.351, P<0.05). Conclusion Serum Hcy level is associated with sperm concentration, FA and sperm DFI, suggesting that serum Hcy may affect sperm quality.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic factors of pediatric Hodgkin lymphoma (HL). METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of children with newly diagnosed HL from January 2011 to December 2023 at four hospitals: Fujian Medical University Union Hospital, Fujian Medical University Zhangzhou Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Xiamen University, and Fujian Children's Hospital. Patients were categorized into low-risk (R1), intermediate-risk (R2), and high-risk (R3) groups based on HL staging and pre-treatment risk factors. The patients received ABVD regimen or Chinese Pediatric HL-2013 regimen chemotherapy. Early treatment response and long-term efficacy were assessed, and prognostic factors were analyzed using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: The overall complete response (CR) rates after 2 and 4 cycles of chemotherapy were 42% and 68%, respectively. Compared with the ABVD regimen group, patients treated with the HL-2013 regimen in the R1 group showed significantly higher CR rates after both 2 and 4 cycles (P<0.05). However, no statistically significant differences in CR rates were observed between the two regimens in the R2 and R3 groups (P>0.05). The 5-year event-free survival (EFS) rate, overall survival rate, and freedom from treatment failure rate were 83%±4%, 97%±2%, and 88%±4%, respectively. Cox analysis indicated that the presence of a large tumor mass at diagnosis and failure to achieve CR after 4 cycles of chemotherapy were independent risk factors for lower EFS rates (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Pediatric HL generally has a favorable prognosis. The presence of a large tumor mass at diagnosis and failure to achieve CR after 4 cycles of chemotherapy indicate poor prognosis.
Humans ; Hodgkin Disease/pathology* ; Male ; Child ; Female ; Adolescent ; Retrospective Studies ; Child, Preschool ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Prognosis ; Proportional Hazards Models ; Survival Analysis ; Infant

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between CDKN2A copy number deletion and clinical features of patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and its prognostic value. METHODS: 155 newly diagnosed DLBCL patients with complete clinical data in the Department of Hematology of People's Hospital of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region from March 2009 to March 2022 were included, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tumor tissues were obtained and DNA was extracted from them, and next-generation sequencing technology was applied to target sequencing including 475 lymphoma-related genes, the relationship between CDKN2A copy number deletion and clinical features, high-frequency mutated genes and overall survival (OS) of DLBCL patients were analyzed. RESULTS: CDKN2A copy number deletion was present in 12.9% (20/155) of 155 DLBCL patients, grouped according to the presence or absence of copy number deletion of CDKN2A, and a higher proportion of patients with IPI≥3 were found in the CDKN2A copy number deletion group compared to the group with no CDKN2A copy number deletion (80% vs 51.5%, P =0.015) and were more likely to have bulky disease (20% vs 5.2%, P =0.037). Survival analysis showed that the 5-year OS of patients in the CDKN2A copy number deletion group was significantly lower than that of the non-deletion group (51.3% vs 69.2%, P =0.047). Multivariate Cox analysis showed that IPI score≥3 (P =0.007), TP53 mutation (P =0.009), and CDKN2A copy number deletion (P =0.04) were independent risk factors affecting the OS of DLBCL patients. CONCLUSION CDKN2A copy number deletion is an independent risk factor for OS in DLBCL, and accurate identification of CDKN2A copy number deletion can predict the prognosis of DLBCL patients.
Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse/genetics* ; Prognosis ; Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16/genetics* ; DNA Copy Number Variations ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Gene Deletion ; Adult ; Aged

OBJECTIVE: Poxviruses are zoonotic pathogens that infect humans, mammals, vertebrates, and arthropods. However, the specific role of ticks in transmission and evolution of these viruses remains unclear. METHODS: Transcriptomic and metatranscriptomic raw data from 329 sampling pools of seven tick species across five continents were mined to assess the diversity and abundance of poxviruses. Chordopoxviral sequences were assembled and subjected to phylogenetic analysis to trace the origins of the unblasted fragments within these sequences. RESULTS: Fifty-eight poxvirus species, representing two subfamilies and 20 genera, were identified, with 212 poxviral sequences assembled. A substantial proportion of AT-rich fragments were detected in the assembled poxviral genomes. These genomic sequences contained fragments originating from rodents, archaea, and arthropods. CONCLUSION Our findings indicate that ticks play a significant role in the transmission and evolution of poxviruses. These viruses demonstrate the capacity to modulate virulence and adaptability through horizontal gene transfer, gene recombination, and gene mutations, thereby promoting co-existence and co-evolution with their hosts. This study advances understanding of the ecological dynamics of poxvirus transmission and evolution and highlights the potential role of ticks as vectors and vessels in these processes.
Animals ; Poxviridae/physiology* ; Ticks/virology* ; Phylogeny ; Transcriptome ; Evolution, Molecular ; Poxviridae Infections/virology* ; Genome, Viral

Objective To determine the median effective dose(ED50)of ropivacaine for spinal anesthesia in sub-high altitude cesarean sections.Methods A total of 30 parturients from sub-high altitudes received initial 14 mg(1.4 mL)of 1%ropivacaine intrathecally.Effectiveness was defined by sensory block to T6 within 15 minutes without additional epidural anesthesia.Doses were adjusted by±1 mg based on response.ED50 and 95%CI were estimated using Dixon's method and isotonic regression.Adverse reactions were noted.Results Thirty parturients with an average age of(30.88±5.56)years,gestational weeks of(40±1.41)weeks,height of(156.69±5.80)cm,and weight of(67.44±10.48)kg were studied.The ED50 was 10.68 mg(95%CI:9.65-12.58 mg)by Dixon's method and 10.33 mg(95%CI:9.41-12.07 mg)by isotonic regression.Intraoperatively,8 cases of hypotension,1 case of bradycardia,and 7 cases of nausea and vomiting were observed,no hypertension or shivering occurred among the parturients.Conclusion The ED50 for ropivacaine in sub-high altitude cesarean sections is 10.68 mg,which is higher than the currently known ED50 required for patients in plain areas.

A new Schiff base fluorescence probe (E)-3-(4-(E)-((4-hydroxyphenyl) imino) methyl) phenyl)-1-(6-methoxynaphthal-2-yl) isopropyl-2-en-1-one (DFFH) was synthesized by using 6-methoxy-2-acetylnaphthalene as raw material. The probe was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR,13C NMR) and high-resolution mass spectroscopy (HRMS),etc. In the EtOH-H2O (1:4,V/V) system,the 4-hydroxyaniline portion of probe DFFH complexed with Fe3+to form a 1:1 metal complex,resulting in a significant decrease in fluorescence at 386 nm. In the DMSO-H2O (9:1,V/V,pH=5) system,N2H4 reacted with α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group and underwent cyclization addition reaction,and at the same time,the cleavage of the imine bond released aldehyde group from the probe,showing a ratio type fluorescence recognition characteristices. The luminescence intensity of the probe solution decreased slightly upon the additon of Fe3+,and the probe solution changed from colourless to yellowish-brown with the addition of different concentrations of N2H4. Whereas the detection of Fe3+and N2H4 did not interfere with each other. The experimental results showed that probe DFFH had high sensitivity and selectivity toward Fe3+and N2H4,with detection limit of 34.0 nmol/L for Fe3+and 30.0 nmol/L for N2H4,respectively. Moreover,probe DFFH was applied to detection of the contents of Fe3+and N2H4 in actual water samples with satisfactory results,and the spiking recoveries were 96.5％～102.3％and 98.1％～103.0％,respectively.

Objective To investigate the infiltration of peripheral monocyte in the hippocampal CA3 area in neuralgia mice at different time points and explore the effects of the infiltration on neuralgia and the neuralgia-induced anxiety-like behavior in mice.Methods The healthy male C57 mice were randomly divided into four groups:sham,sciatic nerve branch selective injury(SNI)model(SNI),CCR2 inhibitor RS102895(SNI+RS102895)and microglial inhibitor minocycline(MC)(SNI+MC)groups.Both the sham and SNI groups were further divided into 7 days,14 days and 18 days groups,and the SNI+RS102895 and SNI+MC groups were sampled on the 18th day.Neuralgia was induced by SNI,and mechanical hyperalgesia was assessed by paw withdrawal threshold(PWTs)at different time points.Elevated plus maze(EPM)and open field test(OFT)were performed respectively two days and one day before sacrifice.Immunofluorescence was used to observe the expressions of leukocyte differentiation antigen 45(CD45)and the co-expression with microglial markers ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule-1(IBA-1),transmembrane protein 119(TMEM119),astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP),and neuronal marker neuronal nuclei(NeuN)in the hippocampal CA3.The percentage of monocytes in the whole brain of 14 days SNI mice was determined by flow cytometry.Minocycline at 90 mg/(kg·d),RS 102895 at 5 mg/(kg·d)and saline were administered orally on the 5th to 16th day in the corresponding 18 days groups,and the effects of blocking monocyte infiltration on neuralgia and anxiety-like behavior and the expressions of CD45 and 1BA-1 in CA3 region of hippocampus were observed.Results On the first day after SNI,the PWTs of mice in the 7 days and 14 days groups decreased and continued until before sacrifice(P＜0.01).The CD45 expression did little in the 7 days sham group.Compared with the sham group at the same time point,the CD45 expression did not increase in 7 days SNI mice((P＞0.05)and increased significantly in 14 days SNI mice(P＜0.01),only slightly co-expressed with IBA-1 and TMEM119 and no co-expression with GFAP and NeuN,the percentage of monocytes in the whole brain increased significantly in 14 days SNI mice(P＜0.01).Inhibition of microglial activation or CCR2 expression reduced the expression of CD45 in the CA3 in SNI mice(P＜0.01),increased the PWTs(P＜0.01)and alleviated anxiety-like behavior in SNI mice(P＜0.01).Conclusion There was an infiltration of peripheral monocytes in the hippocampal CA3 region after 14 days of SNI-induced neuralgia,which might be involved in the maintenance of neuralgia and the development of neuralgia-induced anxiety-like behaviors.

BACKGROUND:Animal models of diabetic encephalopathy that have been studied mainly include streptozotocin-induced model,high-sugar and high-fat diet-induced model and spontaneous animal model.Establishing a simple,easy,short-cycle,safe and effective model of diabetic encephalopathy can help to explore the subsequent pathogenesis and screen therapeutic drugs. OBJECTIVE:To further explore and evaluate the method of building diabetic encephalopathy rat models. METHODS:Twenty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control(n=10)and model(n=10)groups.Rats in the model group were given a single injection of 45 mg/kg streptozotocin in the left lower abdominal cavity,and those in the control group were given the same amount of citrate buffer.During the experiment,the body mass,feed intake,water intake and blood glucose were measured.After 8 weeks,the glucose tolerance and oxidative stress levels were measured,and the pathological changes of brain tissue and the expression of apoptotic proteins were compared between groups. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Compared with the control group,the food intake,water intake,encephalization quotient,blood glucose and area under the blood glucose curve were significantly increased in the model group,while the body mass decreased significantly(P<0.01).Histopathological examination of the brain showed that compared with the control group,the number of surviving nerve cells was significantly reduced in the model group(P<0.01),with more significant pathological damage of nerve cells.Compared with the control group,the activities of serum superoxide dismutase,catalase and glutathione in the model group were significantly decreased(P<0.01),and the content of oxidative malondialdehyde was significantly increased(P<0.05).The expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins Bax and Caspase-3 in brain tissue increased in the model group compared with the control group,while the expression of Bcl-2 decreased(P<0.01).In conclusion,an 8-week injection of 45 mg/kg streptozotocin can cause obvious pathological damage to the brain tissue of diabetic rats,to successfully establish the rat model of diabetic encephalopathy.

Objective To observe the protective effect of modified Baishile Decoction on hippocampal neuronal cells cultured in vitro;To explore its mechanism of treating post-stroke depression.Methods Hippocampal neuronal cells from mammary rats were isolated and cultured in vitro,cell injury was induced by oxygen glucose deprivation combined with lipopolysaccharide.The cells were divided into normal group,model group,blank serum group(10%)and modified Baishile Decoction containing serum group(10%).Invertedmicroscope was used to observe cell morphological changes,CCK-8 method was used to detect cell survival rate,Hoechst33342 staining was used to observe apoptosis,ELISA was used to detect Glu,5-HT,TNF-α,IL-1β,and IL-6 contents in cell supernatant,the expressions of purinergic P2X7 receptor(P2X7R)and NOD-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)were detected by immunofluorescence staining.Results Compared with the normal group,the hippocampal neurons in the model group showed significant changes in cell morphology,the cell survival rate significantly decreased(P<0.01),the cell apoptosis increased(P<0.01);Glu,TNF-α,IL-1β,IL-6 contents in cell supernatant significantly increased(P<0.05,P<0.01),5-HT content significantly decreased(P<0.01),P2X7R and NLRP3 expressions in hippocampal neuronal cells significantly increased(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the morphology of hippocampal neurons in modified Baishile Decoction containing serum group was significantly improved,the cell survival rate significantly increased(P<0.01),the cell apoptosis reduced(P<0.01);Glu,TNF-α and IL-1β content in cell supernatant significantly reduced(P<0.05,P<0.01),5-HT content significantly increased(P<0.01),and P2X7R and NLRP3 expressions in hippocampal neuronal cells significantly decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion Modified Baishile Decoction may exert a protective effect on oxidative glucose deprivation combined with lipopolysaccharide induced hippocampal neuronal inflammation damage by inhibiting the P2X7R/NLRP3 signaling pathway,regulating neurotransmitter secretion,and inhibiting inflammatory factor release,thus treating post-stroke depression.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of hypomethylating agents (HMA) in patients with myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) .Methods:A total of 409 MDS patients from 45 hospitals in Zhejiang province who received at least four consecutive cycles of HMA monotherapy as initial therapy were enrolled to evaluate the efficacy and safety of HMA. Mann-Whitney U or Chi-square tests were used to compare the differences in the clinical data. Logistic regression and Cox regression were used to analyze the factors affecting efficacy and survival. Kaplan-Meier was used for survival analysis. Results:Patients received HMA treatment for a median of 6 cycles (range, 4-25 cycles) . The complete remission (CR) rate was 33.98% and the overall response rate (ORR) was 77.02%. Multivariate analysis revealed that complex karyotype ( P=0.02, OR=0.39, 95% CI 0.18-0.84) was an independent favorable factor for CR rate. TP53 mutation ( P=0.02, OR=0.22, 95% CI 0.06-0.77) was a predictive factor for a higher ORR. The median OS for the HMA-treated patients was 25.67 (95% CI 21.14-30.19) months. HMA response ( P=0.036, HR=0.47, 95% CI 0.23-0.95) was an independent favorable prognostic factor, whereas complex karyotype ( P=0.024, HR=2.14, 95% CI 1.10-4.15) , leukemia transformation ( P<0.001, HR=2.839, 95% CI 1.64-4.92) , and TP53 mutation ( P=0.012, HR=2.19, 95% CI 1.19-4.07) were independent adverse prognostic factors. There was no significant difference in efficacy and survival between the reduced and standard doses of HMA. The CR rate and ORR of MDS patients treated with decitabine and azacitidine were not significantly different. The median OS of patients treated with decitabine was longer compared with that of patients treated with azacitidine (29.53 months vs 20.17 months, P=0.007) . The incidence of bone marrow suppression and pneumonia in the decitabine group was higher compared with that in the azacitidine group. Conclusion:Continuous and regular use of appropriate doses of hypomethylating agents may benefit MDS patients to the greatest extent if it is tolerated.