1.Mechanisms of Gut Microbiota Influencing Reproductive Function via The Gut-Gonadal Axis
Ya-Qi ZHAO ; Li-Li QI ; Jin-Bo WANG ; Xu-Qi HU ; Meng-Ting WANG ; Hai-Guang MAO ; Qiu-Zhen SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2025;52(5):1152-1164
Reproductive system diseases are among the primary contributors to the decline in social fertility rates and the intensification of aging, posing significant threats to both physical and mental health, as well as quality of life. Recent research has revealed the substantial potential of the gut microbiota in improving reproductive system diseases. Under healthy conditions, the gut microbiota maintains a dynamic balance, whereas dysfunction can trigger immune-inflammatory responses, metabolic disorders, and other issues, subsequently leading to reproductive system diseases through the gut-gonadal axis. Reproductive diseases, in turn, can exacerbate gut microbiota imbalance. This article reviews the impact of the gut microbiota and its metabolites on both male and female reproductive systems, analyzing changes in typical gut microorganisms and their metabolites related to reproductive function. The composition, diversity, and metabolites of gut bacteria, such as Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Firmicutes, including short-chain fatty acids, 5-hydroxytryptamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and bile acids, are closely linked to reproductive function. As reproductive diseases develop, intestinal immune function typically undergoes changes, and the expression levels of immune-related factors, such as Toll-like receptors and inflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β), also vary. The gut microbiota and its metabolites influence reproductive hormones such as estrogen, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone, thereby affecting folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis. Additionally, the metabolism and absorption of vitamins can also impact spermatogenesis through the gut-testis axis. As the relationship between the gut microbiota and reproductive diseases becomes clearer, targeted regulation of the gut microbiota can be employed to address reproductive system issues in both humans and animals. This article discusses the regulation of the gut microbiota and intestinal immune function through microecological preparations, fecal microbiota transplantation, and drug therapy to treat reproductive diseases. Microbial preparations and drug therapy can help maintain the intestinal barrier and reduce chronic inflammation. Fecal microbiota transplantation involves transferring feces from healthy individuals into the recipient’s intestine, enhancing mucosal integrity and increasing microbial diversity. This article also delves into the underlying mechanisms by which the gut microbiota influences reproductive capacity through the gut-gonadal axis and explores the latest research in diagnosing and treating reproductive diseases using gut microbiota. The goal is to restore reproductive capacity by targeting the regulation of the gut microbiota. While the gut microbiota holds promise as a therapeutic target for reproductive diseases, several challenges remain. First, research on the association between gut microbiota and reproductive diseases is insufficient to establish a clear causal relationship, which is essential for proposing effective therapeutic methods targeting the gut microbiota. Second, although gut microbiota metabolites can influence lipid, glucose, and hormone synthesis and metabolism via various signaling pathways—thereby indirectly affecting ovarian and testicular function—more in-depth research is required to understand the direct effects of these metabolites on germ cells or granulosa cells. Lastly, the specific efficacy of gut microbiota in treating reproductive diseases is influenced by multiple factors, necessitating further mechanistic research and clinical studies to validate and optimize treatment regimens.
2.Analysis of the frequency of X-ray diagnostic examinations and CT radiation doses in public hospitals of a district in Ningbo City, China
Shuxia HAO ; Mengxue LI ; Yong WANG ; Shengnan FAN ; Jingguo ZHANG ; Xueying WANG ; Jun DENG ; Quanfu SUN
Chinese Journal of Radiological Health 2025;34(3):324-330
Objective To systematically analyze the medical radiation exposure levels in a district of Ningbo City and to provide a scientific basis for the reasonable and effective control of medical radiation exposure. Methods Based on the radiological diagnosis frequency and dose information system, basic medical radiation exposure data were collected, such as radiation doses received by patients in various X-ray diagnostic examinations, from all 13 public medical institutions in a district of Ningbo City from January 1 to December 31, 2020. The data were analyzed for the percentage and collective effective dose of various diagnostic examinations, the distribution of examinations by sex and age, and the number of patients undergoing two or more examinations and their cumulative doses within multiple time intervals. Results Among medical X-ray diagnostic examinations in the district, the percentages of CT examination and routine photography examination were 50.88% and 47.93%, respectively, and the collective effective dose of CT examination accounted for 97.75%. By age and sex, the frequency of examination was the highest in the age group of 45-54 years, and the frequency of examination in the male was higher than that in the female before age 55. The annual effective dose for two patients exceeded 100 mSv. Conclusion In this study, CT examination accounted for up to 50.88% of all medical X-ray diagnostic examinations, and contributed 97.75% of the collective effective dose, highlighting the need for particular attention to the justification of medical radiation exposure from CT.
3.Expert consensus on the rational use of psychotropic drugs related to intensive care medicine
Shenglin SHE ; Zhen SONG ; Tongwen SUN ; Jingguo ZHAI ; Yan YU ; Ningbo YANG ; Maosheng FANG ; Wenbin GUO ; Man WANG ; Guanglei XUN ; Lulu ZHANG ; Xijia XU ; Xiaoli WU ; Qinling WEI ; Fang LIU ; Huiping LI ; Xingrong SONG ; Youping WANG ; Yingjun ZHENG ; Xueqin SONG
Chinese Journal of Nervous and Mental Diseases 2024;50(9):513-524
Critical care medicine-related treatment is an interdisciplinary and multi-professional process,often leading to secondary or concomitant mental disorders in clinical practice.Currently,there is no consensus on the pharmacological treatment of related mental illnesses in China.The Chinese Society of Psychosomatic Medicine collaborated with the Critical Care Medicine expert group to form a consensus writing expert group.After a systematic review of relevant literature,summarizing published domestic and foreign literature,and extensive discussions,the consensus was developed.The consensus elaborates on the principles and processes of the standardized use of psychotropic drugs in critical care medicine,as well as the clinical indications,precautions,and specific drug selection of various psychiatric medications,providing feasible suggestions and guidance for the clinical application of psychiatric medications in the intensive care unit.
4.Expert consensus on the rational application of the biological clock in stomatology research
Kai YANG ; Moyi SUN ; Longjiang LI ; Zhangui TANG ; Guoxin REN ; Wei GUO ; Songsong ZHU ; Jia-Wei ZHENG ; Jie ZHANG ; Zhijun SUN ; Jie REN ; Jiawen ZHENG ; Xiaoqiang LV ; Hong TANG ; Dan CHEN ; Qing XI ; Xin HUANG ; Heming WU ; Hong MA ; Wei SHANG ; Jian MENG ; Jichen LI ; Chunjie LI ; Yi LI ; Ningbo ZHAO ; Xuemei TAN ; Yixin YANG ; Yadong WU ; Shilin YIN ; Zhiwei ZHANG
Journal of Practical Stomatology 2024;40(4):455-460
The biological clock(also known as the circadian rhythm)is the fundamental reliance for all organisms on Earth to adapt and survive in the Earth's rotation environment.Circadian rhythm is the most basic regulatory mechanism of life activities,and plays a key role in maintaining normal physiological and biochemical homeostasis,disease occurrence and treatment.Recent studies have shown that the biologi-cal clock plays an important role in the development of oral tissues and in the occurrence and treatment of oral diseases.Since there is cur-rently no guiding literature on the research methods of biological clock in stomatology,researchers mainly conduct research based on pub-lished references,which has led to controversy about the research methods of biological clock in stomatology,and there are many confusions about how to rationally apply the research methods of circadia rhythms.In view of this,this expert consensus summarizes the characteristics of the biological clock and analyzes the shortcomings of the current biological clock research in stomatology,and organizes relevant experts to summarize and recommend 10 principles as a reference for the rational implementation of the biological clock in stomatology research.
5.Correlation analysis between serum vitamin D level and central precocious puberty in girls
Yongzheng LOU ; Yanan XU ; Pingping ZHANG ; Jiewen PAN ; Dongmei GAN ; Shuni SUN
China Modern Doctor 2024;62(3):16-20
Objective To investigate the correlation between serum vitamin D level and central precocious puberty(CPP)in girls.Methods A total of 103 girls(case group)with central precocious puberty from Ningbo Woman and Children's Hospital and 53 healthy girls(control group)from health check-ups in Ningbo Women and Children's Hospital were collected as subjects.The serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D3[25(OH)D3]in the two groups were detected by chemiluminescence method.The weight and height of girls in the case group were measured.The serum levels of follicle-stimulating hormone(FSH)and its peak value,luteinizing hormone(LH)and its peak value,estradiol(E2),prolactin(PRL),human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG)and thyroid function were measured by radioimmunoassay.The peak value of LH/FSH was calculated.B ultrasound examination of uterine adnexa was completed to calculate uterine volume and bilateral ovarian volume.According to the results of serum 25-(OH)D3,girls in the case group were divided into normal vitamin D group and vitamin D deficiency group,and the differences of hormone levels,uterine and ovarian development between the two groups were compared.Results The serum level of 25-(OH)D3 in case group was lower than that in control group,and the vitamin D deficiency rate in case group was higher than that in control group,with statistical significance(P<0.05).The age of breast nodules in vitamin D deficiency group was lower than that in vitamin D normal group(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in body weight,height,body mass index(BMI),uterine volume and left ovarian volume between vitamin D normal group and vitamin D deficiency group(P>0.05),and the right ovarian volume in vitamin D deficiency group was significantly higher than that in vitamin D normal group(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in serum levels of FSH,LH,PRL,HCG,peak value of FSH and thyroid function between normal and deficient groups(P>0.05).The levels of E2,LH and LH/FSH in vitamin D deficiency group were significantly higher than those in vitamin D normal group(P<0.05);25-(OH)D3 was negatively correlated with LH/FSH peak(r=-0.197,P<0.05),but was not significantly correlated with thyroid function,FSH,LH,PRL,E2,HCG,FSH and LH peak(P>0.05).Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency is associated with central precocious puberty in girls.Vitamin D deficiency may lead to early onset of precocious puberty.Vitamin D deficiency may affect the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis function,resulting in changes in reproductive hormone indexes and consequent increase in ovarian volume in girls.
6.Risk prediction model of enteral nutrition intolerance in elderly patients with severe pneumonia in intensive care unit
Weiwei WEI ; Na ZHAO ; Zesang SUN ; Yadi SHAO
China Modern Doctor 2024;62(11):78-81,89
Objective To analyze the risk factors of enteral nutrition intolerance in elderly patients with severe pneumonia(SP)in intensive care unit(ICU)and construct its prediction model.Methods A total of 140 elderly patients with severe pneumonia in ICU ward of the First Affiliated Hospital of Ningbo University from January 2021 to December 2022 were selected.According to the tolerance of enteral nutrition,they were divided into tolerance group(n=82)and intolerance group(n=58).Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors of enteral nutrition intolerance in elderly patients with severe pneumonia in ICU.The risk prediction model was constructed,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was drawn to evaluate the prediction effect of the model.Results Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that acute gastrointestinal injury(AGI),intra-abdominal pressure(IAP),and the use of antibiotics≥2 were independent influencing factors of enteral nutrition intolerance in elderly patients with severe pneumonia in ICU(P<0.05).The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test was used to evaluate the fitting effect of the equation.The area under the curve was 0.867(95%CI:0.750-0.984),the sensitivity was 87.8%,and the specificity was 85.1%.Conclusion The risk prediction model constructed in this study can effectively predict the risk of enteral nutrition intolerance in elderly patients with severe pneumonia in ICU.
7.Allergy Associated With N-glycans on Glycoprotein Allergens
Yu-Xin ZHANG ; Rui-Jie LIU ; Shao-Xing ZHANG ; Shu-Ying YUAN ; Yan-Wen CHEN ; Yi-Lin YE ; Qian-Ge LIN ; Xin-Rong LU ; Yong-Liang TONG ; Li CHEN ; Gui-Qin SUN
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2024;51(5):1023-1033
Protein as the allergens could lead to allergy. In addition, a widespread class of allergens were known as glycans of N-glycoprotein. N-glycoprotein contained oligosaccharide linked by covalent bonds with protein. Recently,studies implicated that allergy was associated with glycans of heterologous N-glycoprotein found in food, inhalants, insect toxins, etc. The N-glycan structure of N-glycoprotein allergen has exerted an influence on the binding between allergens and IgE, while the recognition and presentation of allergens by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) were also affected. Some researches showed thatN-glycan structure of allergen was remodeled by N-glycosidase, such as cFase I, gpcXylase, as binding of allergen and IgE partly decreased. Thus, allergic problems caused by N-glycoproteins could potentially be solved by modifying or altering the structure ofN-glycoprotein allergens, addressing the root of the issue. Mechanism of N-glycans associated allergy could also be elaborated through glycosylation enzymes, alterations of host glycosylation. This article hopes to provide a separate insight for glycoimmunology perspective, and an alternative strategy for clinical prevention or therapy of allergic diseases.
8.Preparation, characterization and biocompatibility of calcium peroxide-loaded polycaprolactone microparticles.
Leidong LIAN ; Zechen SUN ; Jinhao ZHANG ; Shirong GU ; Chenjie XIA ; Kaifeng GAN
Journal of Zhejiang University. Medical sciences 2023;52(3):296-305
OBJECTIVES:
To explore the physicochemical characteristics and biocompatibility of calcium peroxide (CPO)-loaded polycaprolactone (PCL) microparticle.
METHODS:
The CPO/PCL particles were prepared. The morphology and elemental distribution of CPO, PCL and CPO/PCL particles were observed with scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy, respectively. Rat adipose mesenchymal stem cells were isolated and treated with different concentrations (0.10%, 0.25%, 0.50%, 1.00%) of CPO or CPO/PCL particles. The mesenchymal stem cells were cultured in normal media or osteogenic differentiation media under the hypoxia/normoxia conditions, and the amount of released O2 and H2O2 after CPO/PCL treatment were detected. The gene expressions of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), Runt-associated transcription factor 2 (RUNX2), osteopontin (OPN) and osteocalcin (OCN) were detected by realtime RT-PCR. SD rats were subcutaneously injected with 1.00% CPO/PCL particles and the pathological changes and infiltration of immune cells were observed with HE staining and immunohistochemistry at day 7 and day 14 after injection.
RESULTS:
Scanning electron microscope showed that CPO particles had a polygonal structure, PCL particles were in a small spherical plastic particle state, and CPO/PCL particles had a block-like crystal structure. Energy dispersive spectroscopy revealed that PCL particles showed no calcium mapping, while CPO/PCL particles showed obvious and uniform calcium mapping. The concentrations of O2 and H2O2 released by CPO/PCL particles were lower than those of CPO group, and the oxygen release time was longer. The expressions of Alp, Runx2, Ocn and Opn increased with the higher content of CPO/PCL particles under hypoxia in osteogenic differentiation culture and normal culture, and the induction was more obvious under osteogenic differentiation conditions (all P<0.05). HE staining results showed that the muscle tissue fibers around the injection site were scattered and disorderly distributed, with varying sizes and thicknesses at day 7 after particle injection. Significant vascular congestion, widened gaps, mild interstitial congestion, local edema, inflammatory cell infiltration, and large area vacuolization were observed in some tissues of rats. At day 14 after microparticle injection, the muscle tissue around the injection site and the tissue fibers at the microparticle implantation site were arranged neatly, and the gap size was not thickened, the vascular congestion, local inflammatory cell infiltration, and vacuolization were significantly improved compared with those at day 7. The immunohistochemical staining results showed that the expressions of CD3 and CD68 positive cells significantly increased in the surrounding muscle tissue, and were densely distributed in a large area at day 7 after particle injection. At day 14 of microparticle injection, the numbers of CD3 and CD68 positive cells in peripheral muscle tissue and tissue at the site of particle implantation were lower than those at day 7 (all P<0.01).
CONCLUSIONS
CPO/PCL particles have good oxygen release activity, low damage to tissue, and excellent biocompatibility.
Rats
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Animals
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Osteogenesis
;
Core Binding Factor Alpha 1 Subunit
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Rats, Sprague-Dawley
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Hydrogen Peroxide/pharmacology*
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Cell Differentiation
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Oxygen
;
Hypoxia
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Cells, Cultured
9.Clinical features of patients with epilepsy in Neurosurgery Outpatient and influencing factors for their seizure control
Xinxiao LI ; Jiangwei DING ; Xianhao HUO ; Zhansheng JIANG ; Yuehui WU ; Peidong LI ; Lei WANG ; Ningbo WU ; Xinjun WANG ; Tao SUN
Chinese Journal of Neuromedicine 2023;22(9):910-917
Objective:To investigate the clinical features of patients with epilepsy in Neurosurgery Outpatient and influencing factors for their seizure control.Methods:Six hundred and seventy-three epilepsy patients admitted to Neurosurgery Outpatient of 6 hospitals including Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from September 2017 to December 2022 were chosen. Clinical data (including general demographic data, education level, onset age, onset cycle and duration, course of onset, family annual income and seizure control) were collected using a questionnaire prepared by He'nan Epilepsy Systematic Diagnosis and Treatment Center to summarize the clinical features. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regressions were used to analyze the influencing factors for their seizure control.Results:(1) In these 673 epilepsy patients, 50 (7.4%), 78 (11.6%), 192 (28.5%), 100 (14.9%), 68 (10.1%), 72 (10.7%) and 113 (16.8%), respectively, were <1 year old (infant stage), 1-2 years old (children stage), 3-5 years old (preschool stage), 6-16 years old (juvenile stage), 17-39 years old (young stage), 40-64 years old (middle-aged stage) and ≥65 years old (elderly stage). In the past medical treatment history, 23.0% (155/673) patients did not receive intervention, 72.4% (487/673) received medication, and 4.6% (31/673) received surgical treatment; 55.9% (376/673) had good seizure control and 44.1% (297/673) had poor seizure control. (2) Secondary education ( OR=2.199, 95% CI: 1.037-15.221, P=0.033), primary education or below ( OR=3.544, 95% CI: 2.101-21.343, P=0.012), daily seizures ( OR=4.788, 95% CI: 1.369-33.103, P=0.011), each seizure lasted ≥3 min ( OR=4.179, 95% CI: 3.338-18.550, P=0.003), course of disease≥3 years ( OR=0.199, 95% CI: 0.077-0.602, P=0.001), course of disease for 1-3 years ( OR=0.379, 95% CI: 0.108-0.882, P=0.031), and currently taken antiepileptic drugs for 3 or more ( OR=6.237, 95% CI: 2.195-17.837, P=0.001) were independent risk factors for poor seizure control in epilepsy patients. Conclusion:In Neurosurgery Outpatient, children with diseases before childhood enjoy the largest proportion; drug therapy remains the main treatment; low education level, short seizure cycle, long duration of attack, long course of disease, and multiple drugs used in these patients imply poor anti-epileptic effecacy.
10.Epidemiological study of incidence of systematic lupus erythematosus in Yinzhou, Ningbo, 2016-2021.
Xue Feng LAI ; Zhi Ke LIU ; Peng SHEN ; Ye Xiang SUN ; Huai Chu LU ; Si Yan ZHAN ; Hong Bo LIN
Chinese Journal of Epidemiology 2023;44(7):1080-1085
Objective: To characterize the incidence density of systematic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in Yinzhou District of Ningbo from 2016 to 2021, and compare the age and gender specific differences. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted based on the related data from 2015 to 2021 collected from the Health Information Platform of Yinzhou. Suspected SLE cases in local residents were identified by fuzzy matching of International Classification of Diseases 10th edition code "M32" or Chinese text "lupus". The classification criteria from Systemic Lupus International Collaboration Clinics-2012 and The European League Against Rheumatism/American College of Rheumatology-2019 were used for case verification. SLE cases were identified with specific algorithm based on verification results, and new cases were identified with 1 year as the washout period. The incidence density and 95%CI were estimated by Poisson distribution. Results: From 2016 to 2021, a total of 1 551 921 permanent residents were registered in Yinzhou, in whom 51.52% were women. The M(Q1,Q3) age at enrollment was 40.38 (27.54, 53.54) years. The M(Q1,Q3) of follow-up person-years was 3.83 (0.41, 5.83) years. There were 451 new SLE cases, in which 352 were women (78.05%). The 6-year incidence density was 8.14/100 000 person-years (95%CI: 7.41/100 000 person-years-8.93/100 000 person-years) for the total population, 3.68/100 000 person-years (95%CI: 2.99/100 000 person-years-4.48/100 000 person-years) for men and 12.37/100 000 person-years (95%CI: 11.11/100 000 person-years- 13.73/100 000 person-years) for women. The incidence density in men appeared a small peak at 20-29 years old, and began to increase with age from 40 years old. The incidence density in women was highest in age group 20-29 years (16.57/100 000 person-years) and remained to be high until 30-79 years old. The incidence density of SLE in Yinzhou show no significant temporal trend from 2016 to 2021 (men: P=0.848; women: P=1.000). Conclusions: The incidence density of SLE in Yinzhou from 2016 to 2021 was similar to those of other areas in China. SLE has a high incidence in women, especially in the young and elderly, suggesting that more attention should be paid to the diagnosis and treatment of SLE in women.
Adult
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Aged
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle Aged
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Young Adult
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Asian People
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Incidence
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Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/diagnosis*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
China/epidemiology*

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