BACKGROUND: Parental myopia is an important risk factor for myopia in Chinese children and adolescents. This study aimed to assess the influence of parental myopia and the severity of myopia on offspring and to evaluate whether adopting healthy lifestyles can mitigate the effects of parental myopia on offspring. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from children and adolescents aged 6-17 years with complete vision assessments and parental history of myopia from six provinces in China during 2013-2014. Parental demographic information, children's outdoor activity time, sleep time, and sedentary time were collected via questionnaire. Parental myopia was classified as no myopia, paternal myopia, maternal myopia, and both. The offspring were categorized into 10 groups based on parental myopia prescription. Associations of the above factors with myopia in children and adolescents were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among 40,864 children and adolescents (50.3% boys and 49.7% girls), 22,537 (55.2%) were diagnosed with myopia. In comparison to offspring devoid of parental myopia, children with one parent affected by myopia exhibited odds ratio (OR) of 1.75 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.62-1.88) for myopia, while those with both parents affected showed OR of 2.27 (95% CI: 2.02-2.55) after adjusted for lifestyle factors. The likelihood of myopia in offspring increased with increasing severity of parental myopia, with a 3.08-fold increase in risk observed when both parents presented high myopia. Nonetheless, children adhering to two or more healthy lifestyle factors demonstrated a diminished risk of myopia compared with those with fewer than two lifestyle factors, especially among offspring of non-myopic or mildly myopic parents. CONCLUSIONS Parental myopia has a dose-dependent association with their offspring. Healthy lifestyles may reduce the impact of parental factors on myopia in offspring. The observed associations suggest that although the genetic burden of parental myopia cannot be ignored, healthy lifestyles and nurturing are also very important.
Humans ; Myopia/epidemiology* ; Child ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; China/epidemiology* ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors

Objective To analyze the influencing factors of clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in patients undergoing frozen-thawed embryo transfer(FET)for the first time.Methods The clinical data of 1 458 patients who underwent FET cycle-assisted pregnancy for the first time were retrospectively analyzed and divided into four groups according to clinical pregnancy and live bith outcomes.The clini-cal data were compared to analyze the factors affecting clinical pregnancy and live birth rates in FET cycles that were included in multiple logistic regression analysis.Results Of the 1458 cycles,the clinical pregnancy and live birth rates were 44.0% and 34.0%,respectively.The mean age of the clinical pregnancy and live birth groups was lower than that in non-clinical pregnancy and stillbirth groups(P<0.05).The clinical pregnancy and live birth rates of patients aged<35 years were higher than those aged≥35 years(P<0.05).The clinical preg-nancy and live birth rates of patients with≥8 mm endometrial thickness were higher than those with<8 mm endometrial thickness(P<0.05).The clinical pregnancy rate of natural cycles of endometrial preparation regimen was higher than that of HRT cycles(P<0.05).The clinical pregnancy and live birth rates of double-embryo transfers were higher than that of single-embryo transfers(P<0.05).The clinical pregnancy and live birth rates of blastocyst transfers were higher than those of cleavage stage(P<0.05).Conclusion Age,endometrial thickness,number of transplanted embryos,and embryo morphology were the independent factors influencing clinical pregnancy and live birth outcomes during FET cycle transplantation.

Objective:To explore the application value of preoperative serum vitamin A level in the prediction of benign or malignant pulmonary nodules.Methods:It was a retrospective cohort study. A total of 1 224 patients who underwent surgery for pulmonary nodules at the General Hospital of the People′s Liberation Army from January 2016 to December 2018 were consecutively included. The demographic information, postoperative pathological results, pulmonary CT findings and preoperative serum vitamin A test results were collected. The preoperative serum vitamin A levels of patients with lung cancer and benign pulmonary nodules were compared pairwise using the χ2 test. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the relevant factors for the occurrence of lung cancer and a stratified analysis was performed too. Prediction models for the benignity or malignancy of pulmonary nodules were constructed based on the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis. The efficacy of the models was evaluated, and the optimal preoperative prediction model was determined. The application value of preoperative serum vitamin A levels in predicting the benignity or malignancy of pulmonary nodules was then analyzed. Results:Of the 1 224 patients, postoperative pathology confirmed 1 044 cases with lung cancer and 180 cases with benign pulmonary nodules. The mean preoperative serum vitamin A level of patients with lung cancer was significantly lower than that in patients with benign pulmonary nodules (0.90 vs 1.06 μmol/L) ( Z=-3.493; P<0.001). Preoperative serum vitamin A level was a negative related factor for the occurrence of lung cancer ( OR=0.663, 95% CI: 0.484-0.914) ( P=0.011). In patients aged<60 years ( OR=0.623, 95% CI: 0.428-0.912), male ( OR=0.649, 95% CI: 0.438-0.976), with a body mass index≥24 kg/m 2 ( OR=0.634, 95% CI: 0.420-0.974), no family history of tumors ( OR=0.634, 95% CI: 0.440-0.923), no smoking history ( OR=0.619, 95% CI: 0.412-0.941), no drinking history ( OR=0.625, 95% CI: 0.424-0.933), with pulmonary nodules measuring 1-3 cm in diameter ( OR=0.643, 95% CI: 0.455-0.920), and with solid pulmonary nodules ( OR=0.681, 95% CI: 0.466-1.001), the preoperative serum vitamin A levels were significantly negatively correlated with the occurrence of lung cancer (all P<0.05). The prediction model incorporating preoperative serum vitamin A, CT characteristics of pulmonary nodules (nodule diameter, density), and clinical characteristics (age, gender) showed the best predictive efficacy for the benignity or malignancy of pulmonary nodules (the area under the curve was 0.792). Conclusions:Among patients receiving surgical treatment for pulmonary nodules, the preoperative serum vitamin A level of patients with lung cancer is lower than that of patients with benign pulmonary nodules. The preoperative serum vitamin A level is a negative associated factor for the occurrence of lung cancer. A combined model incorporating the preoperative serum vitamin A level provides a good prediction of benign or malignant pulmonary nodules.

Spermatogenesis is a continual process that occurs in the testes, in which diploid spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) differentiate and generate haploid spermatozoa. This highly efficient and intricate process is orchestrated at multiple levels. N⁶-methyladenosine (m⁶A), an epigenetic modification prevalent in mRNAs, is implicated in the transcriptional regulation during spermatogenesis. However, the dynamics of m⁶A modification in non-rodent mammalian species remains unclear. Here, we systematically investigated the profile and role of m⁶A during spermatogenesis in pigs. By analyzing the transcriptomic distribution of m⁶A in spermatogonia, spermatocytes, and round spermatids, we identified a globally conserved m⁶A pattern between porcine and murine genes with spermatogenic function. We found that m⁶A was enriched in a group of genes that specifically encode the metabolic enzymes and regulators. In addition, transcriptomes in porcine male germ cells could be subjected to the m⁶A modification. Our data show that m⁶A plays the regulatory roles during spermatogenesis in pigs, which is similar to that in mice. Illustrations of this point are three genes (SETDB1, FOXO1, and FOXO3) that are crucial to the determination of the fate of SSCs. To the best of our knowledge, this study for the first time uncovers the expression profile and role of m⁶A during spermatogenesis in large animals and provides insights into the intricate transcriptional regulation underlying the lifelong male fertility in non-rodent mammalian species.
Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Cell Differentiation/genetics* ; Mammals/metabolism* ; Methylation ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism* ; Spermatogenesis/genetics* ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; Swine/genetics* ; Testis/metabolism* ; Transcriptome ; RNA Methylation/genetics*

Objective To investigate the expression and clinical significance of TM9SF3 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). Methods TCGA and GEPIA databases were used to screen the differentially-expressed TM9SF family molecules and analyze their effects on patient prognosis with LUAD. The expression and localization of TM9SF3 in LUAD patients were verified by a human proteomic mapping database, Western blot assay, and polymerase chain reaction assay. Herein, the GSEA was used for the signal pathway enrichment analysis of TM9SF3-related genes. Meanwhile, the TIMER database and CIBERSORT algorithm were used to analyze the correlation between differentially-expressed TM9SF3 and the degree of immune cell infiltration. Results The expression of TM9SF3 in LUAD was significantly increased and had a significant adverse effect on the prognosis of LUAD patients. In addition, immunoblotting and polymerase chain reaction confirmed that TM9SF3 was highly expressed in LUAD. Meanwhile, the genes related to TM9SF3 expression were mainly enriched in cell signaling pathways regulating immune cell activity. The expression of TM9SF3 was significantly correlated with the expression changes of six immune cells. Conclusion TM9SF3 is differentially expressed in LUAD and may be used as a potential prognostic marker for LUAD patients. TM9SF3 can also change the level of immune cell infiltration in LUAD patients and is expected to be a new potential target for LUAD immunotherapy.

Objective: To investigate the ameliorative effects of Mushroom on adipose tissue inflammation and glucolipid metabolism in mice fed a high-fat diet, and to provide a theoretical basis for the mechanisms of Mushroom regulating glucolipid metabolism and inflammatory responses. Methods: C57 BL/6 J mice were fed with normal diet(LF) group, high-fat diet(HF)group and high-fat diet + Mushroom(HF+Mushroom) group for 15 weeks.Then, body weight subcutaneous and epididymal white adipose tissue weight were measured. The morphological changes of adipose tissues were compared by HE staining, and the expression of genes related to inflamation, glycolysis and fatty acid oxidation pathways were detected by RT-PCR and Western blot. Results: Compared with the LF group, the HF group had increased body weight, increased subcutaneous and epididymal white fat weight and adipocyte size, and upregulated expression of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-6(IL-6), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1), CD68, inducible nitric oxide synthase(iNOS), pyruvate kinase(PK), phosphofructokinase(PFK), hypoxia inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α) and peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha(PPARα) in adipose tissues, while the expression of carnitine palmitoyl transferase-1 A(CPT-1 A), cytochrome P450 4 a10(CYP4 a10) and medium-chain acyl-coenzyme a dehydrogenase(MCAD) were downregulated(P<0.05). Compared with the HF group, Mushroom supplementation reduced body weight, adipose tissue weight and adipocyte size, and downregulated the expression of pro-inflammatory factors and glycolytic pathway-related factors in adipose tissues, while the expression of fatty acid oxidation pathway-related factors were upregulated(P<0.05). Conclusion Mushroom can ameliorate inflammation and disorders of glycolipid metabolism in adipose tissues of obese mice.

Disrupted redox status primarily contributes to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI). NRF2, the endogenous antioxidant regulator, might provide therapeutic benefits. Dihydrotanshinone-I (DT) is an active component in Salvia miltiorrhiza with NRF2 induction potency. This study seeks to validate functional links between NRF2 and cardioprotection of DT and to investigate the molecular mechanism particularly emphasizing on NRF2 cytoplasmic/nuclear translocation. DT potently induced NRF2 nuclear accumulation, ameliorating post-reperfusion injuries via redox alterations. Abrogated cardioprotection in NRF2-deficient mice and cardiomyocytes strongly supports NRF2-dependent cardioprotection of DT. Mechanistically, DT phosphorylated NRF2 at Ser40, rendering its nuclear-import by dissociating from KEAP1 and inhibiting degradation. Importantly, we identified PKC-δ-(Thr505) phosphorylation as primary upstream event triggering NRF2-(Ser40) phosphorylation. Knockdown of PKC-δ dramatically retained NRF2 in cytoplasm, convincing its pivotal role in mediating NRF2 nuclear-import. NRF2 activity was further enhanced by activated PKB/GSK-3β signaling via nuclear-export signal blockage independent of PKC-δ activation. By demonstrating independent modulation of PKC-δ and PKB/GSK-3β/Fyn signaling, we highlight the ability of DT to exploit both nuclear import and export regulation of NRF2 in treating reperfusion injury harboring redox homeostasis alterations. Coactivation of PKC and PKB phenocopied cardioprotection of DT in vitro and in vivo, further supporting the potential applicability of this rationale. Graphical abstract

OBJECTIVE: To observe the therapeutic effect of different doses of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on atopic dermatitis (AD) in mice and explore the mechanism. METHODS: Forty-two C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into 7 groups ( RESULTS: Treatment with 25, 75, and 125 mg/kg DHA and dexamethasone all alleviated AD symptoms of mice, reduced the severity scores of skin lesions, and ameliorated pathological changes of the skin tissue. DHA at 125 mg/kg produced the most obvious therapeutic effect and significantly alleviated mast cell infiltration in the lesions as compared with the other treatment groups ( CONCLUSIONS DHA is effective for the treatment of AD in mice with an optimal dose of 125 mg/kg. The therapeutic effect of DHA is achieved probably through regulation of local immunity by inhibiting mast cell infiltration in the lesions.
Animals ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/therapeutic use* ; Artemisinins ; Cytokines ; Dermatitis, Atopic/drug therapy* ; Immunoglobulin E ; Mast Cells ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Skin

Objective:To explore the value of a radiomics nomogram based on T 1WI for prediction of the relapse of osteosarcoma after surgery within 1 year from multicenter data. Methods:The imaging and clinical data of 107 patients with pathologica1ly confirmed osteosarcoma who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy before surgery from 6 hospitals from January 2009 to October 2017 were retrospectively analyzed. A training cohort consisted of 75 patients from firstly enrolled 4 hospitals and an independent validation cohort of 32 patients from other 2 hospitals. Pretreatment T 1WI was used to extract radiomics features. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) regression was applied to reduce the dimension and then the radiomics signature was constructed to predict the relapse of osteosarcoma after surgery within 1 year in training cohort. Independent clinical risk factors were screened using one-way logistic regression, and then a radiomics nomogram incorporated the radiomics signature and MRI characteristics was developed by multivariate logistic regression. The predictive nomogram was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve in the training cohort, and validated in the independent validation cohort. The calibration curve was used to evaluate the agreement between prediction and actual observation and the decision curve was used to demonstrate the clinical usefulness. Results:Based on T 1WI from multicenter institutions, the radiomics signature was built using 2 valuable selected features that were significantly associated with relapse within 1 year. Two selected features included 1 gray-level co-occurrence matrices (GLCM) feature (L_G_1.0_GLCM_homogeneity1, LASSO coefficient 3.122) and 1 gray-level run length matrix (GLRLM) feature (GLRLM_RP, LASSO coefficient -2.474). The prediction nomogram including radiomics signature and MRI characteristics (joint invasion and perivascular involvement) showed good discrimination with the area under the ROC curve of 0.884 and 0.821 in the training and validation cohorts, respectively. The calibration curve showed that the nomogram achieved good agreement between prediction and actual observation. Decision curve analysis demonstrated that the radiomics nomogram was clinically useful when the threshold probability was greater than 21%. Conclusion:The radiomics nomogram based on T 1WI can be used as a non-invasive quantitative tool to predict relapse of osteosarcoma within 1 year before treatment, which provides support for clinical decision-making in osteosarcoma.

Objective The study was to investigate the activation of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) mRNA transcription and protein expression in peripheral blood and activation of signal path PI3K/AKT in patients with chronic heart failure. Methods From February 2015 to April 2018, 244 patients with heart failure in the cardiovascular department of our hospital were selected as heart failure group, while 244 healthy cases were enrolled as the control group at the same time. The peripheral blood samples of two groups were collected. We detected the transcription and protein expression of TNF-α mRNA and the activation of PI3K, AKT in peripheral blood. The left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were measured in two groups. The correlations between influencing factors and LVEF were analyzed. Results The levels of PI3K, AKT in the heart failure group were higher than those in the control group. The differences were statistically significant respectively (P < 0.05). The mRNA relative content and protein content of TNF-α in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of heart failure group were higher compared with those of control group (P < 0.05). The LVEF of heart failure group was significantly lower than that of the control group (34.50 ± 6.33) ％ versus (55.60 ± 2.49) ％, P < 0.001). Among 244 patients with heart failure, Spearman correlation analysis showed that there were significant positive correlations between TNF-a mRNA and protein expression levels and the levels of PI3K, AKT respectively (P < 0.05). Multiple factors unconditional Logistic regression analysis showed that the TNF-α mRNA, protein expression and PI3K, AKT levels in peripheral blood were independent risk factors for LVEF (P < 0.05). Conclusion The expression levels of PI3K, AKT and TNF-α are all significantly increased in chronic heart failure patients, which could participate in the occurrence and development of heart failure.