OBJECTIVE: To explore and quantify the association of hot night exposure during the sperm development period (0-90 lag days) with semen quality. METHODS: A total of 6,640 male sperm donors from 6 human sperm banks in China during 2014-2020 were recruited in this multicenter study. Two indices (i.e., hot night excess [HNE] and hot night duration [HND]) were used to estimate the heat intensity and duration during nighttime. Linear mixed models were used to examine the association between hot nights and semen quality parameters. RESULTS: The exposure-response relationship revealed that HNE and HND during 0-90 days before semen collection had a significantly inverse association with sperm motility. Specifically, a 1 °C increase in HNE was associated with decreased sperm progressive motility of 0.0090 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: -0.0147, -0.0033) and decreased total motility of 0.0094 (95% CI: -0.0160, -0.0029). HND was significantly associated with reduced sperm progressive motility and total motility of 0.0021 (95% CI: -0.0040, -0.0003) and 0.0023 (95% CI: -0.0043, -0.0002), respectively. Consistent results were observed at different temperature thresholds on hot nights. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the need to mitigate nocturnal heat exposure during spermatogenesis to maintain optimal semen quality.
Humans ; Male ; Semen Analysis ; Adult ; Sperm Motility ; Hot Temperature/adverse effects* ; China ; Middle Aged ; Spermatozoa/physiology* ; Young Adult

Objective: To investigate the current status of sexual function and its influencing factors among pregnant women, so as to provide the reference for improving sexual health among pregnant women. Methods: From January to July 2025, pregnant women attending regular prenatal check-ups at Shanxi Children's Hospital (Shanxi Maternal and Child Health Hospital), were selected as study participants using a convenience sampling method. Information on sociodemographic, pregnancy-related conditions, and sexual activity during pregnancy was collected through questionnaire surveys. Sexual function status over the past four weeks was assessed using the Chinese version of the Female Sexual Function Index. A multiple linear regression model was employed to analyze the influencing factors for sexual function among pregnant women. Results: A total of 424 pregnant women were surveyed, with the majority aged 30-<35 years (211 cases, 49.76%). Among them, 72 were in the first trimester (16.98%), 200 in the second trimester (47.17%), and 152 in the third trimester (35.85%). The overall sexual function score among pregnant women was (17.85±6.46) points. Scores for the six domains, desire, arousal, lubrication, orgasm, satisfaction, and pain were (3.23±0.78) (2.21±1.20) (2.76±1.63) (2.95±1.68) (4.14±1.08) (2.56±1.96) points, respectively. Multiple linear regression analysis revealed that cohabitation with a companion (β'=0.124), stage of pregnancy (third trimester, β'=-0.360), and changes in sexual practices or positions during pregnancy (β'=0.164) were statistically associated with sexual function scores among pregnant women (all P<0.05). Conclusions Sexual function declines among pregnant women, with mean scores across all domains falling below the critical threshold. Cohabitation with a companion and appropriate adjustments in sexual practices or positions according to the stage of pregnancy may improve sexual function among pregnant women.

ObjectiveThe significance of adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) among men who have sex with men (MSM) should not be overlooked. This study aims to assess the reliability and validity of the Chinese version of the Adverse Childhood Experiences-International Questionnaire (ACE-IQ) among the MSM population in China to evaluate its applicability in this group. MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted in three Chinese cities(Shanghai, Shenyang and Kunming) using snowball sampling, with a total of 1 130 MSM participants included. Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were used to assess the structural validity of the scale. Internal consistency reliability was evaluated using Cronbach’s α coefficient, and split-half reliability was assessed with the Spearman-Brown coefficient. ResultsAccording to the EFA results, after removing item ACE10 (“parental death”), the 23-item ACE-IQ demonstrated a six-factor structure, including victimization or witnessing emotional/physical abuse, sexual abuse, physical neglect, family dysfunction, emotional neglect, and peer violence. CFA results indicated a good model fit for the six-factor model, supporting the EFA findings. The scale demonstrated good reliability, with a Cronbach's α coefficient of 0.852 and a Spearman-Brown coefficient of 0.899, indicating high internal consistency and split-half reliability within the studied population. ConclusionThe Chinese version of the ACE-IQ demonstrates satisfactory reliability and validity among MSM population, supporting its suitability for assessing ACEs in this group. The findings provide an empirical basis for subsequent mental health interventions.

Forensic medicine has been designated as a first-level discipline,presenting new opportunities and challenges for the development of forensic medicine.Since the 1980s,the establishment of foren-sic medicine discipline and the cultivation of high-level forensic talents have become hot topics in the development of forensic medicine in China.Since the 13th Five-Year Plan,the forensic team of Shanxi Medical University has been aiming at the forefront,proposing the development goals of"Five First-class"and the discipline development path"Six Major Achievements".It has selected benchmark disci-plines,identified gaps in disciplinary development,unified thoughts,formulated completion timelines,concentrated superior resources,assigned tasks to individuals,and created an"Organized Fill-in-the-Blank Format"forensic medicine discipline construction model with the characteristics of the new era.The construction model of forensic medicine has achieved good results in the goals,discipline frame-work,scientific research,talent cultivation,discipline team and platform construction,forming a rela-tively complete discipline construction and management system,and accumulating valuable experience for the construction of first-level discipline and high-level talent cultivation of forensic medicine.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum thioredoxin reductase 1(TXNRD1),p21-activated kinase 1(PAK1)levels and insulin resistance(IR)and adverse pregnancy outcomes(APO)in pa-tients with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM).Methods Eighty patients with GDM admitted to Baoji Third Hospital from January 2019 to January 2024 were selected as the GDM group.They were divided into the APO group(25 cases)and the non-APO group(55 cases)based on whether APO occurred.Eighty healthy pregnant women who came to the hospital for prenatal examination recently in a 1∶1 ratio were selected as the control group.The levels of serum TXNRD1 and PAK1 were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.The correlation between the levels of serum TXNRD1 and PAK1 in patients with GDM and the homeo-static model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA-IR)was analyzed through Pearson correlation analysis.Multivariate unconditional Logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between serum TXNRD1 and PAK1 levels and APO in patients with GDM,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to analyze the predictive efficacy of serum TXNRD1 and PAK1 levels for them.Results Compared with the control group,HOMA-IR and the levels of serum TXNRD1 and PAK1 in the GDM group increased,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that the levels of serum TXNRD1 and PAK1 in patients with GDM were positively correlated with HOMA-IR(r=0.783,0.790,P<0.001).The results of multivariate unconditional Logistic regression analysis showed that high TXNRD1 and high PAK1 were independent risk factors for APO in patients with GDM(P<0.05).The re-sults of ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC)of serum TXNRD1 and PAK1 levels alone and in combination for predicting APO in GDM patients was 0.785,0.789,and 0.900,respectively.The combined AUC of serum TXNRD1 and PAK1 levels for predicting APO in GDM patients was the largest(Z=2.148,2.454,P=0.032,0.014).Conclusion The levels of serum TXNRD1 and PAK1 in patients with GDM are related to IR and APO.The combination of levels of serum TXNRD1 and PAK1 have a certain pre-dictive efficacy for APO in patients with GDM.

Objective To analyze the application of flipped classroom in the practical teaching of rehabilitation assessment courses for rehabilitation therapy majors,and to explore a new teaching method for rehabilitation therapy.Methods Eighty students majoring in rehabilitation therapy from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine of Guangzhou Xinhua University in grade 2020 were selected as the research objects.They were assigned into observation group or control group according to the random number table method,with 40 cases in each group.The observation group adopted the flip classroom teaching mode,and the rehabilitation assessment course teaching based on flipped classroom was carried out,while the control group adopted the traditional teaching mode.The students'theoretical and operational assessment results,teaching effect,and teaching model satisfaction were analyzed.Results No statistically significant differences were found in theoretical test scores between the two student groups(by gender/course).The students in the observation group had higher theoretical scores[(80.25±11.65 vs 72.50±14.28)score].The observation group showed significantly higher satisfaction scores than the control group across all three dimensions:classroom learning enthusiasm,teacher-student interaction,and overall teaching satisfaction.(P<0.05).Conclusion The application of flipped classroom in the rehabilitation therapy teaching is helpful to improve the professional theoretical level of students,and to a certain extent,it is beneficial to improve the professional level of teachers.

Objective To explore the characteristics of coagulation and immune function and their clinical significance in children with severe adenovirus pneumonia(SAP).Methods A total of 122 children with SAP and 120 children with non-severe adenovirus pneumonia(NSAP)were enrolled and assigned to severe group and non-severe group.The severe group was further subdivided into good prognosis subgroup(n=105)and poor prognosis subgroup(n=17)according to prognosis.Addition-ally,120 healthy children undergoing physical examination during the same period were included as control group.Coagulation function indicators,including prothrombin time(PT),activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),fibrinogen(FIB),and thrombin time(TT)were measured.Levels of immunoglobulin A(IgA),immunoglobulin G(IgG),and immunoglobulin M(IgM)were determined using the nephelometric immunoassay.Multivariate Cox regression analysis was conducted to explore the influencing factors of poor prognosis.Results Compared with the control group,children in both the non-severe and severe groups exhibited increased levels of white blood cells(WBC),neutrophils(N),C-reactive protein(CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),interleukin-6(IL-6),procalci-tonin(PCT),FIB,and IgG,as well as decreased levels of B lymphocytes,natural killer(NK)cells,PT,APTT,IgA,and IgM(P＜0.05).Compared with the non-severe group,children in the severe group showed increased levels of WBC,N,CRP,ESR,IL-6,PCT,FIB,and IgG,as well as decreased levels of B lymphocytes,NK cells,PT,APTT,IgA,and IgM(P＜0.05).Compared with the good prognosis subgroup,the poor prognosis subgroup exhibited increased levels of CRP,IL-6,PCT,and IgG,as well as decreased levels of APTT,IgM,and IgA(P＜0.05).The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that PCT,APTT,and IgM were influencing factors of poor prognosis in children with SAP(P＜0.05).Conclusion Children with SAP have decreased levels of PT,APTT,IgA,and IgM,as well as increased levels of FIB and IgG.Coagulation and im-mune function indicators are correlated with the prognosis of SAP.

Objective To explore medical institution-led exercise training interventions,prelimina-ry preventive measures,and comprehensive health service strategies for elderly adults.Methods Sixty elderly adults from communities under the jurisdiction of primary hospitals who voluntarily participated in the training and met the inclusion criteria were divided into 75 to 79 years old group and 80 to 84 years old group.Elastic bands exercise were selected as the method for physical training for elderly community members.A total of three sets(9 items)of exercise,including upper and lower limb mus-cle strength exercises and balance as well as coordination training,were designed.The training period lasted for 12 weeks,with each session lasting 1 hour,three times a week.The medical team partici-pated in training supervision and follow-up evaluations throughout the process,dynamically adjusting the training intensity based on individual needs.Results Comprehensive safety and support meas-ures significantly improved training participation and completion rates.No sports injuries or adverse events occurred throughout the process,and all participants completed the training plan.After train-ing,statistically significant differences were observed in grip strength,five-times sit-to-stand test duration,Berg Balance Scale(BBS)scores,and Timed Up and Go(TUG)test results(P＜0.05),indicating effective physical fitness improvement.Conclusion Elastic band exercises are a suitable mode for physical improvement training among elderly adults,significantly enhancing muscle strength in the limbs and trunk and improving balance function.The positive communication and in-teraction in group activities significantly boost elderly adults'confidence in healthy living,leading to notable improvements in their mental state.

Jiuwei Xifeng Granules have become a Chinese patent medicine in the market. Because the formula contains Os Draconis, a top-level protected fossil of ancient organisms, the formula was to be improved by replacing Os Draconis with Ostreae Concha. To evaluate whether the improved formula has the same effectiveness and safety as the original formula, a randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled, equivalence clinical trial was conducted. This study enrolled 288 tic disorder(TD) of children and assigned them into two groups in 1∶1. The treatment group and control group took the modified formula and original formula, respectively. The treatment lasted for 6 weeks, and follow-up visits were conducted at weeks 2, 4, and 6. The primary efficacy endpoint was the difference in Yale global tic severity scale(YGTSS)-total tic severity(TTS) score from baseline after 6 weeks of treatment. The results showed that after 6 weeks of treatment, the declines in YGTSS-TSS score showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. The difference in YGTSS-TSS score(treatment group-control group) and the 95%CI of the full analysis set(FAS) were-0.17[-1.42, 1.08] and those of per-protocol set(PPS) were 0.29[-0.97, 1.56], which were within the equivalence boundary [-3, 3]. The equivalence test was therefore concluded. The two groups showed no significant differences in the secondary efficacy endpoints of effective rate for TD, total score and factor scores of YGTSS, clinical global impressions-severity(CGI-S) score, traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) response rate, or symptom disappearance rate, and thus a complete evidence chain with the primary outcome was formed. A total of 6 adverse reactions were reported, including 4(2.82%) cases in the treatment group and 2(1.41%) cases in the control group, which showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups. No serious suspected unexpected adverse reactions were reported, and no laboratory test results indicated serious clinically significant abnormalities. The results support the replacement of Os Draconis by Ostreae Concha in the original formula, and the efficacy and safety of the modified formula are consistent with those of the original formula.
Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Tic Disorders/drug therapy* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the molecular alterations of splenocytes associated with anti-factor Ⅷ (FⅧ) immune response and the underlying mechanisms based on hemophilia A (HA) murine model via RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technology. METHODS: Severe HA mice were immunized with recombinant human factor Ⅷ (rhF8) weekly for 4 weeks to establish an FⅧ inhibitor model. High quality raw data were obtained by using bulk RNA-seq and CASAVA base identification technology, and the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified. The DEGs were statistically classified by gene ontology (GO) annotation to obtain information on the major signaling pathways and biological processes involved in anti-FⅧ immune response in HA mouse splenocytes. The cell clusters, genes, and signaling pathway datasets were comprehensively analyzed by GO, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis and single cell RNA-seq (ScRNA-seq) analysis, respectively. Flow cytometry analysis was used to verify the changes in T follicular helper cells (Tfh) and regulatory T cells (Treg). RESULTS: A total of 3731 DEGs was identified, including 2275 genes with up-regulated expression and 1456 genes with down-regulated expression. The DEGs were enriched in helper T cell differentiation, cytokine receptor, T cell receptor signaling pathway, ferroptosis, etc. Uniform Manifold Approximation and Project (UMAP) downscaling and visualization analysis yielded a total number of 11 T/NK cell subsets, visualizing the overall expression distribution of C-X-C chemokine-specific receptor gene cxcr5 among these T/NK cell subsets. Higher expression of cxcr5 was found in activated Tfh from FⅧ inhibitor mice, in comparison to the control group. The visualization using Upset plot R language showed a close interaction between Tfh and Treg. Moreover, the increased frequencies of Tfh and the decreased frequencies of Treg in inhibitor mouse splenocytes were further verified by flow cytometry analysis. CONCLUSION Multiple immune cell subsets, signaling pathways, and characteristic genes may be involved in the process of anti-FⅧ immune response in HA mouse splenocytes. The molecules involved in the regulation of Tfh/Treg may play key roles, which provide potential biological targets and therapeutic strategies for HA patients with inhibitors in the future.
Animals ; Hemophilia A/genetics* ; Mice ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Disease Models, Animal ; Spleen/cytology* ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory/immunology* ; Humans ; Signal Transduction ; Factor VIII/immunology* ; T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/immunology*