In recent years, China has been facing the dual challenges of declining fertility rates and births, with male reproductive health issues, especially the decline in semen quality, identified as a pivotal contributor to this phenomenon. Meanwhile, accumulating evidence indicates that air pollutants, an increasingly severe environmental problem, can damage semen quality not only directly through their biological toxicity but also indirectly by disrupting the composition of microbial communities in the gut and semen, thereby dysregulating immune function, endocrine homeostasis, and oxidative stress responses. The gut microbiota and semen microbiota, as important components of the human microecosystem, play crucial roles in maintaining reproductive health. This article comprehensively reviewed the research progress on the potential effects of air pollutants (particulate matter and gaseous pollutants), gut microbiota, and semen microbiota on semen quality. Specifically, it elucidated the mechanisms of interaction between these factors and explored how they affect male fertility.

Background::Copper and zinc are involved in the development of multiple malignancies; yet, epidemiological evidence on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is limited. This study aimed to investigate the association between dietary intake and serum levels of copper and zinc with the risk of HCC.Methods::A total of 434 case-control pairs matched for sex and age (±1 year) were included in this study. Cases with newly diagnosed HCC were from the Guangdong Liver Cancer Cohort (GLCC) study, and healthy controls were from the Guangzhou Nutrition and Health Study (GNHS). A semi-quantitative 79-item food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) was used to assess habitual dietary intakes of copper and zinc. Serum levels of copper and zinc were measured by using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The copper (Cu)/ zinc (Zn) ratio was computed by dividing copper levels by zinc levels. Conditional logistic regression models were performed to calculate the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for per 1 standard deviation increase (per-SD increase) in copper and zinc levels.Results::Higher dietary intake (OR per-SD increase = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.44, 0.96, Ptrend = 0.029) and serum levels of zinc (OR per-SD increase = 0.11, 95% CI: 0.04, 0.30, Ptrend <0.001) were both associated with a lower risk of HCC. Subgroup analyses showed that the inverse association was only pronounced in men but not in women ( Pinteraction = 0.041 for dietary zinc intake and 0.010 for serum zinc levels). Serum copper levels (OR per-SD increase = 2.05, 95% CI: 1.39, 3.03, Ptrend = 0.020) and serum Cu/Zn ratio (OR per-SD increase = 6.53, 95% CI: 2.52, 16.92, Ptrend <0.001) were positively associated with HCC risk, while dietary copper intake and dietary Cu/Zn ratio were not associated with HCC risk. Conclusion::Zinc may be a protective factor for HCC, especially among men, but the effects of copper on HCC risk are not clear.

Background::Carotid intima-media thickness (IMT) and diameter, stiffness, and wave reflections, are independent and important clinical biomarkers and risk predictors for cardiovascular diseases. The purpose of the present study was to establish nationwide reference values of carotid properties for healthy Chinese adults and to explore potential clinical determinants.Methods::A total of 3053 healthy Han Chinese adults (1922 women) aged 18-79 years were enrolled at 28 collaborating tertiary centers throughout China between April 2021 and July 2022. The real-time tracking of common carotid artery walls was achieved by the radio frequency (RF) ultrasound system. The IMT, diameter, compliance coefficient, β stiffness, local pulse wave velocity (PWV), local systolic blood pressure, augmented pressure (AP), and augmentation index (AIx) were then automatically measured and reported. Data were stratified by age groups and sex. The relationships between age and carotid property parameters were analyzed by Jonckheere-Terpstra test and simple linear regressions. The major clinical determinants of carotid properties were identified by Pearson’s correlation, multiple linear regression, and analyses of covariance.Results::All the parameters of carotid properties demonstrated significantly age-related trajectories. Women showed thinner IMT, smaller carotid diameter, larger AP, and AIx than men. The β stiffness and PWV were significantly higher in men than women before forties, but the differences reversed after that. The increase rate of carotid IMT (5.5 μm/year in women and 5.8 μm/year in men) and diameter (0.03 mm/year in both men and women) were similar between men and women. For the stiffness and wave reflections, women showed significantly larger age-related variations than men as demonstrated by steeper regression slopes (all P for age by sex interaction <0.05). The blood pressures, body mass index (BMI), and triglyceride levels were identified as major clinical determinants of carotid properties with adjustment of age and sex. Conclusions::The age- and sex-specific reference values of carotid properties measured by RF ultrasound for healthy Chinese adults were established. The blood pressures, BMI, and triglyceride levels should be considered for clinical application of corresponding reference values.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of sappanone A(SA)against high-fat diet-induced myocardial lipotoxicity through ferroptosis in rats.Methods Sixteen healthy male rats were equally divided into the normal diet(NCD)and model groups(n=8).Another 40 healthy male rats were equally divided into the high-fat diet(HFD),high-fat diet+normal saline(HFD+saline),high-fat diet+low-dose SA(HFD+10 mg/kg SA),high-fat diet+medium-dose SA(HFD+20 mg/kg SA),and high-fat diet+high-dose SA(HFD+40 mg/kg SA)groups(n=8).Ultrasonography detected the changes in cardiac systolic function in the rats.Changes of myocardial hypertrophy,myocardial fibrosis,and myocardial cell apoptosis were evaluated by HE,Masson,Sirius red,and TUNEL staining.Differen-tially expressed genes in the myocardium of the HFD+20 mg/kg SA and HFD groups were analyzed by transcriptome sequencing.The SA signaling pathway was analyzed using the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes.Results Compared with the NCD group,the model group had significantly increased left ventricular wall thickness,cross-sectional area of the myocardium,percentage of myocardial fibrosis,myocardial collagen deposition,and apoptosis,and significantly reduced short-axis shortening rate(all P＜0.05).Compared with the HFD group,the SA treatment groups has significantly reduced left ventricular wall thickness,cross-sectional area of the myocardium,percentage of myocardial fibrosis,myocardial collagen deposition,and apoptosis,and significantly increased short-axis shortening rate(all P＜0.05).Transcriptome sequencing revealed that ferroptosis was the most abundant pathway.Conclusion High-fat diet can induce myocardial lipotoxicity,and SA has a protective effect against myocardial lipotoxicity through ferroptosis.

An effective therapeutic regimen for hepatic fibrosis requires a deep understanding of the pathogenesis mechanism. Hepatic fibrosis is characterized by activated hepatic stellate cells (aHSCs) with an excessive production of extracellular matrix. Although promoted activation of HSCs by M2 macrophages has been demonstrated, the molecular mechanism involved remains ambiguous. Herein, we propose that the vitamin D receptor (VDR) involved in macrophage polarization may regulate the communication between macrophages and HSCs by changing the functions of exosomes. We confirm that activating the VDR can inhibit the effect of M2 macrophages on HSC activation. The exosomes derived from M2 macrophages can promote HSC activation, while stimulating VDR alters the protein profiles and reverses their roles in M2 macrophage exosomes. Smooth muscle cell-associated protein 5 (SMAP-5) was found to be the key effector protein in promoting HSC activation by regulating autophagy flux. Building on these results, we show that a combined treatment of a VDR agonist and a macrophage-targeted exosomal secretion inhibitor achieves an excellent anti-hepatic fibrosis effect. In this study, we aim to elucidate the association between VDR and macrophages in HSC activation. The results contribute to our understanding of the pathogenesis mechanism of hepatic fibrosis, and provide potential therapeutic targets for its treatment.
Humans ; Hepatic Stellate Cells/pathology* ; Receptors, Calcitriol ; Liver Cirrhosis/pathology* ; Macrophages/metabolism*

Objective:To analyze the effect of lung protective ventilation on lung ventilation function and serum Clara cell protein 16 (CC16) level in patients undergoing gynecological laparoscopic surgery.Methods:The clinical data of 80 gynecological patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery in Yancheng City Jianhu County People′s Hospital from October 2018 to December 2020 were randomly divided into group A and group B by random number table, each group with 40 cases. The patients in group A were treated with intermittent positive-pressure ventilation, and the patients in group B were ventilated with whole course ventilation mode. The pulmonary ventilation function, CC16 level and postoperative pulmonary complications were observed before anesthesia, 10 min of pneumoperitoneum, 30 min of pneumoperitoneum, 5 min of pneumoperitoneum stop and 2 h after operation. The patients were divided into groups according to whether with pulmonary complications, and their pulmonary ventilation function and serum CC16 level were compared. The predictive value of the above indexes for pulmonary complications was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve.Results:Repeated measurement analysis of variance showed that alveolar arterial oxygen differential pressure (PA-aDO 2) were significant differences in time point factors, time point interaction factors and group factors ( P<0.05); CC16 index were significant differences in time point factor and group factor ( P<0.05). According to the observation from postoperative to discharge, 4 patients (10.0%) in group A had pulmonary complications, 15 cases (37.5%) had pulmonary complications in group B, the levels of PA-aDO 2 and CC16 in patients with complications were significantly higher than those in patients without complications: group A:(332.9 ± 2.0) mmHg (1 mmHg = 0.133 kPa) vs. (290.4 ± 13.2) mmHg, (53.5 ± 1.5) μg/L vs. (39.5 ± 6.5) μg/L; group B: (339.1 ± 8.8) mmHg vs. (305.7 ± 17.9) mmHg, (41.5 ± 4.2) μg/L vs. (39.7 ± 5.8) μg/L, there were statistical differences ( P<0.05). ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC) of PA-aDO 2 and CC16 in predicting pulmonary complications in group A were 0.882 and 0.833, in group B was 0.885 and 0.731. Conclusions:Lung protective ventilation has little effect on lung ventilation function and serum CC16 in patients with gynecological laparoscopic surgery, and the probability of pulmonary complications is lower. The pulmonary ventilation function and CC16 have certain value in predicting postoperative pulmonary complications.

Objective:To evaluate the shoulder arthroscopic treatment of avulsion fracture of humeral greater tuberosity with double-row suture bridge.Methods:Retrospectively analyzed were the 13 avulsion fractures of humeral greater tuberosity which had been treated by shoulder arthroscopic double-row suture bridge at Bone and Joint Department, Guangzhou Liwan District Orthopedic Hospital from March, 2018 to March, 2020. There were 6 males and 7 females, with an average ages of 52.3 years (from 35 to 69 years). According to the Mutch classification, all the fractures of humeral greater tuberosity were attributed to the avulsion type. Of them, 3 were simple avulsion fractures of humeral greater tuberosity and 10 were complicated with shoulder anterior dislocation which was reduced manually before operation. There were 3 obsolete avulsion fractures of humeral greater tuberosity. Regular clinic and X-ray follow-ups were carried out. At the final follow-up, the pain, range of motion (ROM) and stability of the shoulder joint were assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS), American shoulder elbow scores (ASES), and Korean shoulder scores (KSS).Results:All the patients were followed up for an average of 12.3 months (from 10 to 16 months) postoperatively. No infection or shoulder instability was observed. At the final follow-up, the abduction and elevation averaged 164.6° (from 135° to 180°), the lateral external rotation 62.7° (from 40° to 80°), the internal rotation touch back test T10 level (from L2 to T6), the VAS 0.65 (from 0 to 2.5), the ASES 90.5 (from 78 to 100), and the KSS 91.5 (from 84 to 100).Conclusion:Shoulder arthroscopic treatment of avulsion fracture of humeral greater tuberosity with double-row suture bridge is minimally invasive and allows for repair of combined injury, leading to quick postoperative recovery.

The central nervous system is one of the most sensitive targets of microwave radiation. Microwave radiation can affect spatial learning and memory and neural information transmission. The effects of microwave radiation on neurotransmitters in the hippocampus and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. This paper reviews the effects of microwave radiation on learning/memory and neurotransmitters as well as the mechanisms of action on neurotransmitters. This paper aims to provide a scientific basis for future research in this area.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of intraoperative cell salvage (ICS) on the number and viability of cancer cells in salvaged autologous blood from the patients undergoing liver cancer surgery.Methods:Twenty patients undergoing open radical primary hepatocellular carcinoma were selected, and blood from the operative field was collected after exposing the liver and treated with ICS. Blood specimens 20 ml from the surgical field (S 1), blood specimens 20 ml before ICS treatment-leukocyte depletion filter (LDF) filtration (S 2) and blood specimens 20 ml after LDF filtration (S 3) were collected and enriched, of which the blood sample 10 ml was used for cancer cell identification and count by immunofluorescence staining, and the remaining blood sample 10 ml was continuously cultured for 3 weeks, and then cell viability was observed by immunofluorescence method. Results:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) cells were identified in 19 S 1 specimens, 18 S 2 specimens, and 16 S 3 specimens, but there was no significant difference in the detection rate among the three specimens ( P>0.05). Compared with S 1 specimens, HCC cell count was significantly reduced in S 2 and S 3 specimens ( P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the HCC cell count between S 3 specimens and S 2 specimens ( P>0.05). After 3 weeks of culture, the results of light microscopy showed that: hepatocellular carcinoma cell clusters were found in S1 specimens, and no hepatocellular carcinoma cell cluster was found in S 2 and S 3 specimens; the results of fluorescence microscopy showed that: 400 and 14 mixed epithelial-mesenchymal HCC cells and 100 and 21 mesenchymal HCC cells were found in S 1 and S 2 specimens, respectively, while no HCC cells were identified in S 3 specimens, among which HCC cells mainly presented as clusters of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in S 1 specimen, while no clusters of hepatocellular carcinoma cells were found in S 2 and S 3 specimens. Conclusions:After treatment with ICS or ICS-LDF, the number and viability of hepatocellular carcinoma cells in salvaged autologous blood are significantly reduced, and hepatocellular carcinoma cells exist as single cells and fail to develop clusters of hepatocellular carcinoma cells; LDF can reduce the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma cell autotransfusion to a certain extent, although it can not effectively filter out hepatocellular carcinoma cells continuously.

Objective:To explore the effect of triglyceride glucose(TyG) index, single nucleotide polymorphism of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4) and NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3(NLRP3) genes, and its interaction on the risk of gout.Methods:A total of 315 male patients with gout and 499 men for health checkup at the same period were selected. General data were collected through questionnaires, and peripheral venous blood was collected for biochemical test. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms(SNPs) of NLRP3 and TLR4 were detected with multiplex ligase assay reaction, and logistic regression analysis was applied to compare the correlation between NLRP3 and TLR4 alleles and gout risk. The interaction of SNP and TyG index with gout was analyzed by generalized multi-factor dimensionality reduction(GMDR) model and logistic regression.Results:After adjusting for smoking, drinking, and other factors, the risk of gout increased by 61.1% for each standard deviation increase in TyG index. CC genotypes of rs10754558, rs10759932, and rs7525979 were high risk genotypes of gout in Han ethnicity. GMDR results showed significant differences in the interaction models of rs10754558-TyG index, rs7525979-TyG index, and rs10759932-TyG index between control group and gout group( P<0.05), suggesting an interaction between the three genotypes of SNPs selected and TyG index. Stratified analysis of the three selected SNPs and TyG index showed that after adjusting for age, smoking, and other factors, the high TyG index patients carrying C/C or C/G genotype at rs10754558 displayed an increased risk of gout compared with those carrying GG genotype and low TyG index( OR=2.127, P<0.05). Conclusion:The CC genotypes of rs10754558, rs10759932, and rs7525979 are high risk genotypes for gout in Han ethnicity. The interaction between rs10754558 and TyG index may increase the risk of gout development.