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 effect of propofol on bone metabolism in glucocorticoid induced osteoporo-sis(GIOP)in rat models by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.Methods Rats were grouped into a blank group,model(GIOP)group,2.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg propofol groups and a propofol+LY294002(5 mg/kg propofol+5 mg/kg LY294002)group,with 12 rats in each group.A small animal bone densitometer was used to measure the tibial bone density(BMD)of rats.ELISA was applied to detect the level of bone gla-protein(BGP),procollagen Ⅰ N-terminal propeptide(PINP)and type Ⅰ collagen cross-linked C-terminal peptide(CTX-Ⅰ)in rat serum.HE staining microscopy was applied to observe the pathological morphology of rat bone tis-sue.RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of Pi3k,Akt,mTor,Beclin-1,and p62 in bone tissue.Western blot was used to detect the expression level of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway related proteins and autophagy related proteins in rat bone tissue.Results Compared with the blank group,the tibial BMD,serum BGP,and CTX-Ⅰ levels of GIOP group decreased(P＜0.05).mRNA expression of Pi3k,Akt,mTor and Beclin-1 in bone tissue decreased(P＜0.05).mRNA and protein expression of p62 increased(P＜0.05).The expression of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway related proteins and Beclin-1 protein in bone tissue decreased(P＜0.05).Compared to GIOP group,the changes of above indicators were obviously alleviated in the 2.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg propofol groups(P＜0.05).On the basis of treatment with 5 mg/kg propofol,the use of LY294002 inhibited activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway and autophagy and interfered with the positive regulatory effects of propofol on bone me-tabolism and bone tissue morphology improvement in GIOP rats(P＜0.05).Conclusions Propofol may improve bone metabolism in rat models of GIOP through potential mechanism of activating PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the analgesic effect of combined spinal-epidural analgesia and its impact on stress levels in multiparous women during labor in a high-altitude region.Methods A total of 86 multiparous women were enrolled as study subjects.They were divided into observation group(43 cases)and control group(43 cases)based on whether they received labor analgesia.The obser-vation group received combined spinal-epidural analgesia during the first stage of labor.Pain levels[Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)],labor psychological experience[Chinese version of the Childbirth Self-Efficacy Inventory(CBSEI-C32)and Coping with Childbirth(CCB)],stress levels[serum cor-tisol(Cor),norepinephrine(NE)and adiponectin(APN)]as well as maternal and neonatal out-comes were compared between the two groups.Results The VAS scores during the first,second and third stages of labor were significantly lower in the observation group than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The CBSEI-C32 and CCB scores at 24 hours postpartum in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The serum levels of Cor,NE and APN at 12 hours postpartum in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The incidence of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in the observation group was 0％,which was significantly lower than 9.30％in the control group(P＜0.05).Con-clusion In high-altitude regions,combined spinal-epidural analgesia is effective in reducing labor pain,improving labor psychological experience,lowering stress levels,and reducing adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes in multiparous women.

Microglia activation-mediated neuroinflammatory responses serve as a critical pathological ba-sis for the development and progression of various brain diseases.The role of circular RNAs(circRNAs)in the regulation of neuroinflammation is increasingly being recognized.This study aimed to investigate the effect and molecular mechanisms of targeted inhibition of circular RNA Homeodomain Interacting Pro-tein Kinase 3(HIPK3)(circHIPK3)on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced microglial polarization in BV2 cells.The results showed that LPS stimulation significantly induced polarization of BV2 cells towards the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype and upregulated circHIPK3 expression(P＜0.01).Engineered extra-cellular vesicles(EVs)with rabies viral glycoprotein(RVG)loaded with circHIPK3 siRNA(RVG-EVs-sicHIPK3)were successfully constructed.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)revealed their typi-cal EV morphology.nanoparticle tracking analysis(NTA)indicated a peak particle size of 70 nmn.And Western blotting analysis confirmed the expression of characteristic membrane marker proteins.Treatment with RVG-EVs-sicHIPK3 significantly suppressed the LPS-induced elevation of inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β)in the supernatant and reduced the expression of M1 phenotypic marker proteins(CD16 and CD86)(P＜0.01).Concurrently,RVG-EVs-sicHIPK3 increased the number of mitophago-somes within cells,upregulated the ratio of the autophagy-related proteins LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-I(P＜0.01),and downregulated the expression of the autophagy-related protein p62 and mitochondrial-specific proteins(TOMM20 and TIMM23)(P＜0.01).The mitophagy inhibitor Mdivi-1 significantly reversed the RVG-EVs-sicHIPK3-mediated downregulation of inflammatory cytokine levels,M1 marker proteins,and mito-chondrial protein expression(P＜0.01).This study demonstrates that inhibiting circHIPK3 reduces LPS-induced microglial polarization towards the M1 phenotype.The protective mechanism is closely associated with enhanced mitophagic flux and the promotion of damaged mitochondrial clearance.

Microglia activation-mediated neuroinflammatory responses serve as a critical pathological ba-sis for the development and progression of various brain diseases.The role of circular RNAs(circRNAs)in the regulation of neuroinflammation is increasingly being recognized.This study aimed to investigate the effect and molecular mechanisms of targeted inhibition of circular RNA Homeodomain Interacting Pro-tein Kinase 3(HIPK3)(circHIPK3)on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced microglial polarization in BV2 cells.The results showed that LPS stimulation significantly induced polarization of BV2 cells towards the pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype and upregulated circHIPK3 expression(P＜0.01).Engineered extra-cellular vesicles(EVs)with rabies viral glycoprotein(RVG)loaded with circHIPK3 siRNA(RVG-EVs-sicHIPK3)were successfully constructed.Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)revealed their typi-cal EV morphology.nanoparticle tracking analysis(NTA)indicated a peak particle size of 70 nmn.And Western blotting analysis confirmed the expression of characteristic membrane marker proteins.Treatment with RVG-EVs-sicHIPK3 significantly suppressed the LPS-induced elevation of inflammatory cytokines(TNF-α,IL-6,IL-1β)in the supernatant and reduced the expression of M1 phenotypic marker proteins(CD16 and CD86)(P＜0.01).Concurrently,RVG-EVs-sicHIPK3 increased the number of mitophago-somes within cells,upregulated the ratio of the autophagy-related proteins LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-I(P＜0.01),and downregulated the expression of the autophagy-related protein p62 and mitochondrial-specific proteins(TOMM20 and TIMM23)(P＜0.01).The mitophagy inhibitor Mdivi-1 significantly reversed the RVG-EVs-sicHIPK3-mediated downregulation of inflammatory cytokine levels,M1 marker proteins,and mito-chondrial protein expression(P＜0.01).This study demonstrates that inhibiting circHIPK3 reduces LPS-induced microglial polarization towards the M1 phenotype.The protective mechanism is closely associated with enhanced mitophagic flux and the promotion of damaged mitochondrial clearance.

Objective To analyze the relationship between serum hyaluronic acid levels and Child classification of liver function in Steatosis patients. Methods A total of 110 Steatosis patients admitted to Shaanxi People's Hospital from January 2017 to September 2018 were selected There were 23 cases in Child a group, 52 cases in Child B group and 35 cases in Child C Group. Sex, age, body mass index (BMI) and serum hyaluronic acid (ha) were compared among the three groups. Results There were no significant differences in sex, age and BMI among Child A, Child B and Child C groups (P>0.05) . The level of serum hyaluronic acid in Child class C (91.39±24.67) was significantly higher than that in Child class B (38.26.9.36) and Child class A (29.55±6.97)（P<0.05）. There was no significant difference in serum hyaluronic acid levels between Child B (38.26.9.36) and Child A (29.55 ± 6.97) groups (P > 0.05). Conclusion Serum hyaluronic acid levels are high in Steatosis patients with poor liver function.

AIM: To observe the effect of RBC preservation solution with sodium pyruvate on the morphology, structure and function of RBC stored in vitro in type 2 diabetes rats. METHODS: Thirty SPF male SD rats, were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=10): non-T2DM conventional RBC preservation solution (group A), T2DM conventional RBC preservation solution (group B) and T2DM sodium pyruvate RBC preservation solution (group C). The leukoreduced RBC from the tail vein and stored for 0 d (T0), 7 d (T1), 14 d (T2), 21 d (T3) and 28 d (T4) to detect the morphology, structure and the contents of 2, 3-DPG, reactive oxygen species (ROS), malondialdehyde (MDA) and lactic acid (LA) of RBC in group A, B and C. The RBC stored for 14 days in vitro were labeled with PKH26, and its survival rate were tested in vivo at 1, 4, 10 and 16 hours after intravenous infusion. RESULTS: At T0, the RBC morphology of group A was intact, which was better than that of group B and group C. With the extension of storage time, the morphology of RBC in each group gradually transformed into a spindle-spherical shape. Compared with group A, the incidence of acanthocytes in group B and group C was higher, and the incidence of acanthocytes in group C was lower than that in group B. Compared with group A, the content of 2, 3-DPG in group B and group C decreased, while ROS and MDA increased at different time points (P<0.05). The content of 2,3-DPG in group C was higher than that in group B (P<0.05), and the contents of ROS and MDA were lower than those in group B (P<0.05). LA content in group B was higher than that in group A and group C (P<0.05). At T2-T4, the LA content in group C was lower than that in group A (P<0.05). The survival rate of RBC in group A was higher than that in group B and C, and the survival rate of RBC in group B was lower than that in group C (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Sodium pyruvate added RBC preservation solution has a certain protective effect on RBC stored in vitro in type 2 diabetic rats, and its mechanism may be related to its antioxidant effect.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of novel erythrocyte preservation solution on the quality of erythrocytes in stored blood of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) rats.Methods:Forty SPF male Sprague-Dawley rats, aged 8 weeks, weighing 180-220 g, were used in this study. Ten rats randomly selected served as conventional erythrocyte preservation solution group (group A). T2DM model was prepared in the remaining 30 rats. Twenty T2DM rats were divided into 2 groups ( n=10 each) using a random number table method: T2DM conventional erythrocyte preservation solution control group (group C) and T2DM novel erythrocyte preservation solution observation group (group Y). Erythrocyte preservation solution was prepared to simulate the preoperative autologous blood donation process, and blood was collected from the tail vein to isolate the red blood cells, and then the corresponding preservation solution was added. Immediately after blood collection (T 0) and at 7, 14 and 21 days of preservation (T 1-3), the morphological structure of erythrocytes was observed with a light microscope, and the concentrations of 2, 3-diphosphoglycerate (2, 3-DPG) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay at T 0-T 3 and 28 days of preservation (T 4). PKH26 was used to label the erythrocytes stored in vitro for 28 days, and then the erythrocytes were transfused back into rats. The survival rate of erythrocytes was detected by flow cytometry at 1, 7, 13 and 18 h after retransfusion. Results:The erythrocyte damage was aggravated at different time points of preservation in group C when compared with group A. Compared with group C, the damage to erythrocytes was significantly alleviated at different time points of preservation in group Y. Compared with group A, the concentration of 2, 3-DPG in erythrocytes was significantly decreased at T 0 and T 2-T 4, the concentration of ROS was increased at T 0-T 4, and the survival rate of erythrocytes was decreased at 1, 7 and 18 h after retransfusion in group C ( P<0.05). Compared with group C, the concentration of 2, 3-DPG in erythrocytes was significantly increased at T 0-T 4, the content of ROS was decreased at T 1, T 3 and T 4, and the survival rate of erythrocytes was increased at 1, 7 and 18 h after retransfusion in group Y ( P<0.05). Conclusions:The novel erythrocyte preservation solution can improve the quality of stored erythrocytes and increase the survival rate of erythrocytes in vivo after retransfusion in T2DM rats.

【Objective】 To develop the Visual Cognitive Ability Assessment Scale for Preschool Children and to evaluate its reliability and validity, in order to provide reference for clinical evaluation of visual cognitive ability of preschool children. 【Methods】 1) From November 2021 to February 2022, construct the dimension framework was constructed and the pool of scale items was compiled according to the theory. 2) In March to June 2022, items were screened preliminarily through group discussion and Delphi method. In August 2022, the entries was revised by a pre-survey in a small sample (n=50). 3) Parents of children aged 4 - 7 from 8 kindergartens in 4 main urban areas of Nanjing were investigated by stratified cluster random sampling method in September to December 2022. The valid sample of the first survey (n=344) was analyzed to conduct item analysis and re-test reliability analysis, the valid sample of the second survey (n=695) was tested for reliability and confirmatory factor analysis, then the scale was finally compiled and evaluated. 【Results】 1) The scale contained 19 items in 4 dimensions:visual memory, discerning vision, spatial vision and visual integration. All items passed the project analysis test. 2) The Cronbach′s α coefficient of each dimension ranged from 0.604 to 0.886, and the Cronbach′s α coefficient of the whole scale was 0.917. During the two surveys, the scores of each item were correlated, and the average retest reliability coefficient was 0.601 (P< 0.05). 3) Content validity index (S-CVI) at scale level was 0.91, and item level content validity index (I-CVI) ranged from 0.8 to 1.0. After several rounds of model modification, the confirmatory factor model fit well. 【Conclusion】 The reliability and validity of the Visual Cognitive Ability Assessment Scale for Preschool Children are acceptable and meet the requirements of the scale, which provides a practical tool for clinical screening of visual and cognitive disorders.

DNA genetic markers have always played important roles in individual identification, kinship analysis, ancestry inference and phenotype characterization in the field of forensic medicine. DNA methylation has unique advantages in biological age inference, body fluid identification and prediction of phenotypes. The majority of current studies independently examine DNA and DNA methylation markers using various workflows, and they use various analytical procedures to interpret the biological information these two markers present. Integrated methods detect DNA and DNA methylation markers simultaneously through a single experimental workflow using the same preparation of sample. Therefore, they can effectively reduce consumption of time and cost, streamline experimental procedures, and preserve valuable DNA samples taken from crime scenes. In this paper, the integrated detection approaches of DNA and DNA methylation markers on different detection platforms were reviewed. In order to convert methylation modifications to detectable forms, several options were available for pretreatment of genomic DNA, including digestion with methylation-sensitive restriction enzyme, affinity enrichment of methylated fragments, conversion of methylated or unmethylated cytosine. Multiplexed primers can be designed for DNA markers and converted DNA methylation markers for co-amplification. The schemes of using capillary electrophoresis platform for integrated detection add the pretreatment of genomic DNA on the basis of detecting DNA genetic markers. DNA and DNA methylation markers are then integrated by co-amplification. But the limited number of fluorescent options available and the length of amplicons restrict the type and quantity of markers that can be integrated into a panel. Pyrophosphate sequencing also supports integrated detection of DNA and DNA methylation markers. On this platform, due to the conversion of unmethylated cytosine to thymine after treatment with bisulfite, the methylation level of CpG site can be directly calculated using the peak height ratio of cytosine bases and thymine bases. Therefore, the methylation levels and SNP typing can be simultaneously obtained. However, due to the limited read length of sequencing, the detection of markers with longer amplicons is restricted. It is not conducive to fully interpret the complete information of the target sequence. Next-generation sequencing also supports integrated detection of DNA and DNA methylation markers. A preliminary experimental process including DNA extraction, pretreatment of genomic DNA, co-preparation of DNA and DNA methylation library and co-sequencing, has been formed based on the next-generation sequencing platform. It confirmed the feasibility of next-generation sequencing technology for integrated detection of DNA and DNA methylation markers. In field of biomedicine, various integrated detection schemes and corresponding data analysis approaches of DNA and DNA genetic markers developed based on the above detection process.Co-analysis can simultaneously obtain the genomic genetic and epigenetic information through a single analytic process. These schemes suggest that next-generation sequencing may be an effective method for achieving more accurate and highly integrated detection, helping to explore the potential for application in forensic biological samples. We finally explore the impact of interactions between sites and different pretreatment methods on the integrated detection of DNA and DNA methylation markers, and also propose the challenge of applying third-generation sequencing for integrated detection in forensic samples.