Animal experiments are essential tools in biomedical research, serving as a bridge between basic research and clinical trials. Systematic reviews and meta-analyses (SRs/MAs) of animal experiments are crucial methods for integrating evidence from animal experiment, which can facilitate the translation of findings into clinical research, reduce translational risks, and promote resource integration in basic research. With the continuous development of the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) methodology, its application in SRs/MAs of animal experiments has gained increasing attention. This article first outlines the principles and specific applications of the GRADE methodology in SRs/MAs of animal experiments, including qualitative descriptive systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and network meta-analyses. It then deeply analyzes the misuse of the GRADE methodology in practice, including incorrect evidence grading, improper classification of evidence, misapplication in qualitative systematic reviews, inconsistencies between the documentation of the upgrading and downgrading process and results, and inappropriate use for making recommendations. Furthermore, this article comprehensively discusses the factors influencing the grading of evidence certainty in SRs/MAs of animal experiments, including the impact of bias risk, indirectness, inconsistency, imprecision, and publication bias on evidence downgrading, as well as the role of large effect sizes and cross-species consistency in evidence upgrading. Finally, in response to the issues discussed, improvement strategies are proposed, including further research and optimization of the GRADE methodology for SRs/MAs of animal experiments, the development of reporting guidelines tailored to the characteristics of SRs/MAs in animal experiment research, and enhanced professional training for researchers in the GRADE methodology. This article aims to improve the quality of evidence in SRs/MAs of animal experiments, strengthen their reliability in clinical decision-making, and promote the more efficient translation of findings from animal experiment research into clinical practice.

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.

Background::Although some well-established oncogenes are involved in cancer initiation and progression such as prostate cancer (PCa), the long tail of cancer genes remains to be defined. Goosecoid ( GSC) has been implicated in cancer development. However, the comprehensive biological role of GSC in pan-cancer, specifically in PCa, remains unexplored. The aim of this study was to investigate the role of GSC in PCa development. Methods::We performed a systematic bioinformatics exploration of GSC using datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas, Genotype-Tissue Expression, Gene Expression Omnibus, German Cancer Research Center, and our in-house cohorts. First, we evaluated the expression of GSC and its association with patient prognosis, and identified GSC-relevant genetic alterations in cancers. Further, we focused on the clinical characterization and prognostic analysis of GSC in PCa. To understand the transcriptional regulation of GSC by E2F transcription factor 1 ( E2F1), we performed chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Functional experiments were conducted to validate the effect of GSC on the tumor cellular phenotype and sensitivity to trametinib. Results::GSC expression was elevated in various tumors and significantly correlated with patient prognosis. The alterations of GSC contribute to the progression of various tumors especially in PCa. Patients with PCa and high GSC expression exhibited worse progression-free survival and biochemical recurrence outcomes. Further, GSC upregulation in patients with PCa was mostly accompanied with higher Gleason score, advanced tumor stage, lymph node metastasis, and elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. Mechanistically, the transcription factor, E2F1, stimulates GSC by binding to its promoter region. Detailed experiments further demonstrated that GSC acted as an oncogene and influenced the response of PCa cells to trametinib treatment. Conclusions::GSC was highly overexpressed and strongly correlated with patient prognosis in PCa. We found that GSC, regulated by E2F1, acted as an oncogene and impeded the therapeutic efficacy of trametinib in PCa.

Objective:To explore the effectiveness of 18F-deuterated-Florbetapir (D3FSP) PET/CT imaging in detecting β-amyloid (Aβ) deposition in the brain and its correlation with plasma biomarkers. Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on 79 patients (32 males, 47 females; age(66±7)years) who underwent 18F-D3FSP PET/CT imaging from June 2022 to November 2023 at the First Affiliated Hospital, Guangzhou Medical University, as a part of the Greater Bay Area Healthy Aging Brain Longitudinal Cohort Study (GHABS). Based on the Alzheimer′s Disease Neuroimaging Initiative cohort standard protocol, patients were categorized into cognitively unimpaired (CU) group, mild cognitive impairment (MCI) group, and Alzheimer′s disease (AD) group. Brain regions were segmented using the AW workstation and the SUV ratio (SUVR) was calculated with the cerebellum as the reference region. One-way analysis of variance, Bonferroni correction and Pearson correlation analysis were used to analyze data. The ROC curve analysis was used to analyze the cut-off value and the diagnostic efficacy of SUVR. Results:There were 48, 15 and 16 cases in CU, MCI and AD groups respectively. During the transition from CU to MCI and then to AD, there was a rising trend in SUVR ( F values: 11.15-22.38, all P<0.001) across the whole brain and various brain regions (bilateral frontal lobes, bilateral anterior cingulate gyrus, bilateral precuneus, bilateral parietal lobes, bilateral lateral temporal lobes, and bilateral occipital lobes). SUVRs of the right anterior cingulate gyrus and bilateral precuneus were different between the CU and MCI groups (all P<0.017), and those of bilateral frontal lobes, right precuneus, bilateral parietal lobes, bilateral lateral temporal lobes, and bilateral occipital lobes were different between the MCI and AD groups (all P<0.017). SUVRs of brain regions were negatively correlated with cognitive scale scores ( r values: from -0.57 to -0.37, all P<0.001), and were positively correlated with plasma phosphorylated tau181 (p-tau181, r values: 0.50-0.61, all P<0.001). The ROC curve analysis suggested that the cut-off value of SUVR in the precuneus for distinguishing CU from AD was 1.20, with the AUC, sensitivity, specificity and accuracy of 0.85, 12/16, 91.7%(44/48)and 87.5%(56/64), respectively. Conclusion:18F-D3FSP PET/CT imaging has good clinical application value in assessing the deposition sites and the extent of Aβ in the brain, which is related to clinical cognition and plasma p-tau181 level.

Objective:To assess the efficacy and safety of overlapping braided carotid artery stent (Wallstent) implantation in large extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysms (15 mm≤diameter<25 mm) and giant ones (diameter≥25 mm).Methods:A retrospective study was performed; the clinical data of 23 patients with large or giant extracranial internal carotid artery aneurysms accepted overlapping Wallstent stent implantation in Department of Interventional Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2015 to June 2023 were collected. Immediately after implantation, DSA was used to evaluate the retention of contrast agent within the aneurysms and high-resolution C-arm CT (HR-CBCT) was used to detect the apposition between the two stents and between the stents and inner wall of the blood vessel. Perioperative complications were recorded. Clinical follow-up was performed bi-monthly via outpatient visits or telephone, and modified Rankin scale (mRS) was used to assess the prognoses (mRS scores of 0-2 as good prognosis) at the last follow-up; aneurysm occlusion was evaluated in a 6-month follow-up by DSA and in-stent restenosis in a final imaging follow-up by DSA or CTA according to the OKM grading. Results:Twenty-two patients had successful overlapping implantation of 2 Wallstent stents; blood flow was restricted in one patient due to carotid artery dissection at the distal end of the aneurysm during stent implantation and restored after a Neuroform EZ stent and 2 Wallstent stent implantation from the distal-proximal lesion; technical success rate of 95.7% (22/23) was obtained. DSA immediately after implantation showed obvious contrast medium retention in all aneurysms. HR-CBCT indicated good stent apposition in 21 patients and mild incomplete stent apposition in 2. Clinical follow-up was finished in 23 patients, ranged 6-31 months (mean 11.5±6.3 months); all patients had good prognosis at the last follow-up. Imaging follow-up, including at least once DSA, was conducted for all patients, with intervals ranging from 6 to 15 months (mean 10.4±3.4 months); DSA 6 months after implantation showed complete aneurysm occlusion in 19 patients (OKM grading D) and a bit of residual contrast in 4 patients (OKM grading C); final imaging follow-up (DSA in 2 and CTA in 21) revealed in-stent stenosis in 2 patients (stenosis rates of 51% and 87%) with obvious improved stenosis after balloon angioplasty and patent stents in 21 patients without evidence of aneurysm opacification.Conclusion:Overlapping braided carotid artery stent (Wallstent) implantation is an effective and safe approach for managing large or giant extracranial carotid artery aneurysms.

Objective To explore the effect of nimodipine combined with minimally invasive puncture on neurological function,hemodynamics,and serum inflammatory factor levels in patients with hypertensive intracerebral hemorrhage(HICH).Methods A total of 108 patients with HICH treated at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from June 2019 to May 2022 were selected as the research subjects.They were divided into an observation group(n=55)and a control group(n=53)according to the treatment method.All patients in the two groups received minimally invasive puncture;on this basis,the patients in the observation group were treated with nimodipine for one month.The neurological deficit of patients in the two groups was evaluated by the National Institute of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score before and after treatment.Before and after treatment,5 mL of fasting venous blood was taken from patients in the morning,and the serum was obtained by centrifugation.The serum levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),neuron-specific enolase(NSE),C-reactive protein(CRP),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)and interleukin-6(IL-6)were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Ultrasonic transcranial Doppler blood flow analyzer was used to monitor the hemodynamic indexes such as mean blood flow velocity(Vm),resistance index(RI)and pulsitility index(PI)of patients in the two groups before and after treatment.The adverse reactions such as headache,dizziness,infection and rebleeding were recorded in the two groups after treatment.Results There was no statistically significant difference in the NIHSS score and serum NSE and BDNF levels between the two groups before treatment(P＞0.05).After treatment,the NIHSS score and serum NSE level of patients in the two groups were significantly lower than those before treatment,while the serum BDNF level was significantly higher than that before treatment(P＜0.05).After treatment,the NIHSS score and serum NSE level of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group,while the serum BDNF level was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the Vm,PI and RI between the two groups before treatment(P＞0.05).After treatment,the Vm and PI of patients in the two groups were significantly higher than those before treatment,while the RI was significantly lower than that before treatment(P＜0.05).After treatment,the Vm and PI of patients in the observa-tion group were significantly higher than those in the control group,while the RI was significantly lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in serum TNF-α,IL-6,and CRP levels between the two groups before treatment(P＞0.05).The levels of serum TNF-α,IL-6,and CRP of patients in the two groups after treatment were significantly lower than those before treatment(P＜0.05).After treatment,serum TNF-α,IL-6,and CRP levels of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).The incidence of adverse reactions in patients in the control group and observation group was 7.55％(4/53)and 9.09％(5/55),respectively,and the difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).Conclusion Nimodipine combined with minimally invasive puncture can effectively improve the blood perfusion rate of HICH patients,reduce the degree of inflammatory response,and alleviate the patients'neurological function damage.

Objective To describe the clinical characteristics of acute dichlorvos poisoning and analyzed the risk factors affecting patient prognosis,in order to provide important treatment guidance and theoretical reference for reducing the mortality of patients with acute dichlorvos poisoning.Methods A retrospective study method was conduct to collect the clinical data of patients admitted to the department of emergency of Fuyang People's Hospital from November 2019 to November 2023 and analyze the clinical poisoning characteristics.The patients were divided into death group and survival group according to the prognosis to compare the differences in the clinical characteristics of patients with different outcomes.This study conducted binary multifactor Logistic regression analysis of statistically significant indicators to select the independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients,and drew the receiver operator characteristic(ROC)curve to predict value of the risk factors on the prognosis.Results In 82 patients,22(26.83%)died,39(47.56%)developed capillary leak syndrome(CLS),31(37.80%)had acute respiratory failure,and 35(42.68%)had shock.Compared with the survival group,patients in the death group were older(years:57.73±17.67 vs.44.25±13.74),the proportion of gastric lavage,cholinesterase activity,Glasgow coma scale(GCS),albumin,pH value were all significantly decreased[proportion of gastric lavage:81.82%(18/22)vs.100.00%(60/60),cholinesterase activity(U/L):235.96(200.00,401.67)vs.450.00(240.26,739.25),GCS scores:4.00(3.00,6.00)vs.12.00(4.00,15.00),albumin(g/L):39.35±12.02 vs.45.21±4.51,pH value:7.14(7.04,7.26)vs.7.38(7.28,7.40)],dichlorvos concentration,dipterex concentration,sequential organ failure assessment(SOFA),acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ),alanine transaminase(ALT),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum creatinine(SCr),MB isoenzyme of creatine kinase(CK-MB),blood lactate acid(Lac),and concurrent acute respiratory failure,shock,CLS ratio were significantly increased[dichlorvos concentration(μg/L):271.00(49.25,908.25)vs.64.00(16.75,211.00),dipterex concentration(μg/L):1 337.50(397.25,3 614.00)vs.494.00(71.00,1 679.80),SOFA score:12.50(9.00,15.50)vs.2.00(0.00,6.75),APACHEⅡscore:28.50(23.00,32.50)vs.6.50(2.25,19.00),ALT(U/L):40.40(17.28,66.33)vs.19.65(13.70,34.68),BUN(mmol/L):6.30±2.78 vs.5.05±1.48,SCr(μmol/L):87.59±39.67 vs.58.87±14.85,CK-MB(U/L):164.80(86.13,284.85)vs.116.05(81.65,160.60),Lac(mmol/L):3.00(1.68,9.15)vs.1.20(1.00,2.40),the proportion of concurrent acute respiratory failure:95.45%(21/22)vs.33.33%(20/60),proportion of concurrent shock:100.00%(22/22)vs.21.67%(13/60),proportion of concurrent CLS:95.45%(21/22)vs.30.00%(18/60)],the differences were statistically significant(all P<0.05).The binary multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age,SOFA score,and CLS were independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of dichlorvos poisoning[age:odds ratio(OR)=1.090,95%credibility interval(95%CI)was 1.019-1.167;SOFA score:OR=1.454,95%CI was 1.159-1.825;CLS:OR=122.473,95%CI was 7.954-1 885.787,all P<0.05].The ROC curve analysis shows that the age,SOFA score and CLS had a certain predictive value for the prognosis of patients with acute dichlorvos poisoning[area under the curve(AUC)were 0.752,0.864,0.827,95%CI were 0.622-0.881,0.767-0.960,0.735-0.919,the Youden index were 0.453,0.681,0.655,sensitivity were 63.6%,86.4%,95.5%,specific features were 81.7%,81.6%,70.0%,all P<0.05].Conclusions Age,SOFA score,and CLS are independent risk factors affecting the prognosis of patients with acute dichlorvos poisoning.In particular,CLS is the most important risk factor affecting the prognosis of patients.When managing acute dichlorvos poisoning,it is crucial to closely monitor the occurrence of CLS and administer prompt,proactive treatment.

Objective:To explore the factors associated with vascular luminal dilatational remodeling (VLDR) following balloon angioplasty for intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS).Methods:A case-control study was conducted to analyze the data of symptomatic severe ICAS patients who received either paclitaxel-coated balloon angioplasty (PCBA) or plain balloon angioplasty (POBA) at our center from January 2019 to January 2022 and completed the six-month follow-up. The patients were divided into VLDR group and non-VLDR group according to whether VLDR occurred on follow-up digital subtraction angiography (DSA). The baseline data, preoperative and postoperative lesion characteristics (DSA), and perioperative related information were collected. The definition of VLDR was a decrease in luminal stenosis rate by more than 10% at the time of follow-up compared to the immediate postoperative period. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to analyze possible factors affecting VLDR such as balloon type, balloon length, and expansion time.Results:A total of 88 patients were included in this study, with 16 in the VLDR group and 72 in the non-VLDR group. The follow-up time for all included patients was 6.00 (5.00, 7.00) months. VLDR occurred in 18.2% (16/88) of cases, with a VLDR incidence of 30.4% (14/46) after PCBA and 4.8% (2/42) after POBA. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that treatment balloon type, balloon length, inflated time, immediate postoperative stenosis rate, follow-up time and Mori classification may affect the occurrence of VLDR. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the use of paclitaxel-coated balloon (PCB) ( OR=9.82, 95% CI 1.99-48.49, P=0.005) and postoperative immediate stenosis rate ( OR=1.07, 95% CI 1.00-1.14, P=0.042) were independently associated with VLDR. Conclusion:The occurrence of VLDR following balloon angioplasty in ICAS was associated with the use of PCB and immediate postoperative stenosis rates, which will provide guidance for the clinical application of PCB.

Objective:To summarize the imaging features of severe unilateral transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus thromboses, and evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravascular interventional therapy in them.Methods:Thirty-seven patients with severe unilateral transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus thromboses clinically mainly manifested as intracranial hypertension and accepted endovascular intervention in Department of Interventional Radiology, First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from June 2012 to September 2022 were chosen; their clinical data were retrospectively analyzed and imaging features were summarized. Short-term efficacy was evaluated according to blood flow restoration degrees and pressure gradient reduction in the occlusive sinus and modified neurological symptoms before and after endovascular intervention. Hospitalized complications were observed; safety and long-term efficacy were evaluated according to postoperative clinical follow-up and imaging results 6-12 months after endovascular intervention.Results:(1) Preoperative brain MRI and (or) CT showed different degrees of swelling of the brain tissues, with the affected side as the target; mixed signals/density shadow could be seen in the blocked transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus; venous cerebral infarction or post-infarction cerebral hemorrhage could be combined in some patients. MRV, CTV and DSA showed poor or completely occluded transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus while normal in the contralateral side; obvious thrombus filling-defect was observed in the occluded venous sinus after mechanical thrombolysis. (2) Occlusive sinus blood flow was restored in all patients after endovascular intervention, and pressure gradient of the occlusive segment decreased from (16.6±3.3) mmHg before to (2.8±0.8) mmHg after endovascular intervention. Before discharge, clinical symptoms of all patients were significantly improved (modified Rankin scale [mRS] scores of 0 in 30 patients, 1 in 5 patients, 2 in 1 patient and 3 in 1 patient), and 2 patients had unilateral limb movement disorder (muscle strength grading III and IV, respectively). All patients received clinical follow-up for (9.6±3.0) months. At the last follow-up, neurological function obviously improved compared with that before endovascular intervention, without new neurosystem-related symptoms (mRS scores of 0 in 30 patients, 1 in 6, and 2 in 1 patient). In 34 patients received MRV or DSA follow-up, 28 had complete recanalization of occlusive sinus and 6 had partial recanalization, without obvious stenosis or recurrent occlusion.Conclusions:Severe unilateral transverse sinus and sigmoid sinus thrombosis can cause local intracranial venous blood stasis, and then cause "increased regional venous sinus pressure", which is manifested as unilateral brain tissue swelling and even venous cerebral infarction or post-infarction cerebral hemorrhage. Early diagnosis and endovascular intervention can obviously improve the prognosis of these patients, enjoying good safety.

Objective·To evaluate the effects of anterior maxillary segmental distraction osteogenesis(AMSDO)in treating sagittal maxillary hypoplasia in cleft lip and palate(CLP)patients and to report a 3D-printed surgical guide to facilitate the osteotomy.Methods·Twelve patients with CLP who underwent AMSDO were included in this study.Virtual osteotomy was performed in a 3-dimensional model and the osteotomy line were fabricated into a tooth-borne surgical guide by using 3D-printing technique.Lateral cephalograms taken before surgery(T0),at the end of consolidation(T1)and six months after consolidation(T2)were used to evaluate the effects of AMSDO.The accuracy of the osteotomy guide was measured by superimposing the postoperative CT data to virtual planning.Results·All the patients went through surgery without serious complications.SNA and overjet changed significantly both from T0 to T1 and from T0 to T2.ANB,facial convexity,and palatal length changed without significance from T0 to T1 and from T0 to T2.SNB remained stable.All the variables remained relatively stable from T1 to T2.The anteroposterior linear root-mean-square deviation(RMSD)between planning and actual results was 0.90 mm,while the angular RMSD in the sagittal plane was 5.07°.Conclusion·AMSDO is an effective treatment for maxillary hypoplasia secondary to CLP.The accuracy of this 3D-printed osteotomy guide is clinically acceptable,and this can simplify the surgery with fewer complications.