This study explores whether the current external quality assessment (EQA) level and acceptable bias for basic semen analysis in China are clinically useful. We collected data of semen EQA from Andrology laboratories in the Hunan Province (China) in 2022 and searched for data in the published literature from January 2000 to December 2023 in China. On the basis of these data, we analyzed the coefficients of variation and acceptable biases of different quality control materials for basic semen analysis through robust statistics. We compared these findings with quality specifications based on biological variation from optimal, desirable, and minimum levels of bias to seek a unified and more suitable semen EQA bias evaluation standard for China's national conditions. Different sources of semen quality control material exhibited considerable variation in acceptable biases among laboratories, ranging from 8.2% to 56.9%. A total of 50.0% of the laboratories met the minimum quality specifications for progressive motility (PR), whereas 100.0% and 75.0% of laboratories met only the minimum quality specifications for sperm concentration and total motility (nonprogressive [NP] + PR), respectively. The Z value for sperm concentration and PR+NP was equivalent to the desirable performance specification, whereas the Z value for PR was equivalent only to the minimum performance specification. This study highlights the feasibility of operating external quality assessment schemes for basic semen analysis using quality specifications based on biological variation. These specifications should be unified among external quality control (EQC) centers based on biological variation.
Semen Analysis/standards* ; Humans ; China ; Male ; Quality Control ; Sperm Motility ; Sperm Count/standards*

Objective To investigate the one-year postpartum weight retention for patients with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)and analyze its related influencing factors,so as to improve the postpartum weight retention.Methods GDM women who were diagnosed and gave birth at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital,Fudan University from Oct 2022 to May 2023 were selected as the research subjects.The GDM postpartum weight status survey questionnaire was used to conduct a survey of one-year postpartum weight retention status and analyze relevant influencing factors.Results A total of 150 GDM postpartum women were included,with a weight retention rate of 46.7%one year after delivery,including a high weight retention rate of 25.3%.The follow-up rate of postpartum glucose tolerance was 36.0%,and the influencing factors of postpartum weight retention were excessive gestational weight gain(OR=2.883,95%CI:1.226-6.779)and the presence of dietary risk(OR=4.604,95%CI:1.065-19.903).Conclusion The one-year postpartum weight retention after GDM is relatively high.The possible influencing factors are excessive weight gain during pregnancy and dietary risk after delivery.Attention should be paid to the weight and healthy diet management of GDM during pregnancy and postpartum from multiple dimensions.

With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence(GAI)technologies,their widespread application in academic research and writing is continuously expanding the boundaries of sci-entific inquiry.However,this trend has also raised a series of ethical and regulatory challenges,inclu-ding issues related to authorship,content authenticity,citation accuracy,and accountability.In light of the growing involvement of AI in generating academic content,establishing an open,controllable,and trustworthy ethical governance framework has become a key task for safeguarding research integrity and maintaining trust within the academic community.This expert consensus outlines ethical requirements across key stages of AI-assisted academic writing-including topic selection,data management,citation practices,and authorship attribution.It aims to clarify the boundaries and ethical obligations surrounding AI use in academic writing,ensuring that technological tools enhance efficiency without compromising in-tegrity.The goal is to provide guidance and institutional support for building a responsible and sustainable research ecosystem.

With the rapid development of generative artificial intelligence(GAI)technologies,their widespread application in academic research and writing is continuously expanding the boundaries of sci-entific inquiry.However,this trend has also raised a series of ethical and regulatory challenges,inclu-ding issues related to authorship,content authenticity,citation accuracy,and accountability.In light of the growing involvement of AI in generating academic content,establishing an open,controllable,and trustworthy ethical governance framework has become a key task for safeguarding research integrity and maintaining trust within the academic community.This expert consensus outlines ethical requirements across key stages of AI-assisted academic writing-including topic selection,data management,citation practices,and authorship attribution.It aims to clarify the boundaries and ethical obligations surrounding AI use in academic writing,ensuring that technological tools enhance efficiency without compromising in-tegrity.The goal is to provide guidance and institutional support for building a responsible and sustainable research ecosystem.

Objective To investigate the one-year postpartum weight retention for patients with gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM)and analyze its related influencing factors,so as to improve the postpartum weight retention.Methods GDM women who were diagnosed and gave birth at the Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital,Fudan University from Oct 2022 to May 2023 were selected as the research subjects.The GDM postpartum weight status survey questionnaire was used to conduct a survey of one-year postpartum weight retention status and analyze relevant influencing factors.Results A total of 150 GDM postpartum women were included,with a weight retention rate of 46.7%one year after delivery,including a high weight retention rate of 25.3%.The follow-up rate of postpartum glucose tolerance was 36.0%,and the influencing factors of postpartum weight retention were excessive gestational weight gain(OR=2.883,95%CI:1.226-6.779)and the presence of dietary risk(OR=4.604,95%CI:1.065-19.903).Conclusion The one-year postpartum weight retention after GDM is relatively high.The possible influencing factors are excessive weight gain during pregnancy and dietary risk after delivery.Attention should be paid to the weight and healthy diet management of GDM during pregnancy and postpartum from multiple dimensions.

Objective: To explore the mechanism by which icariin alleviates viral myocarditis. Methods: CVB3-induced cardiomyocytes were used as an in vitro model of viral myocarditis to assess the effects of icariin treatment on cell viability, inflammation, and apoptosis. Moreover, the effects of icariin on ferroptosis and TLR4 signaling were assessed. After AC16 cells were transfected with TLR4 overexpression plasmids, the role of TLR4 in mediating the regulatory effect of icariin in viral myocarditis was investigated. Results: Icariin significantly elevated cell viability and reduced inflammatory factors TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, and IL-18. Flow cytometry revealed that icariin decreased apoptosis rate, and the protein expression of Bax and cleaved caspase 3 and 9 in CVB3-induced cardiomyocytes. Additionally, it suppressed ferroptosis including lipid peroxidation and ferrous ion, as well as the TLR4 signaling. However, TLR4 overexpression abrogated the modulatory effects of icariin. Conclusions: Icariin mitigates CVB3-induced myocardial injury by inhibiting TLR4-mediated ferroptosis. Further animal study is needed to verify its efficacy.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the expression of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)and chitosanase 3-like protein 1(CHI3L1)in colon cancer tissue and the prognosis of patients after radical surgery.Methods A total of 152 patients who underwent radical colon cancer surgery in our hospital from January 2017 to May 2018 were collected and divided into the good prognosis group(n=97)and the poor prognosis group(n=47)according to the 5-year survival status after surgery.Immunohistochemical staining was applied to detect the expression levels of TLR4 and CHI3L1 in colon cancer tissues and adjacent tissues;the correlation between the expression of TLR4 and CHI3L1 in colon cancer tissue and the prognosis of patients was analyzed,and the influencing factors for prognosis of colon cancer patients were analyzed.Results The positive expression rates of TLR4 and CHI3L1 in colon cancer tissues were obviously higher than those in adjacent tissues(P<0.05).The expression of TLR4 in colon cancer tissue was related to the degree of tumor differentiation,clinical staging,and lymph node metastasis of colon cancer patients(P<0.05),the expression of CHI3L1 was related to the tumor diameter,degree of tumor differentiation,clinical staging,and lymph node metastasis of colon cancer patients(P<0.05).Compared with the good prognosis group,the poor prognosis group had higher proportions of patients with poorly differentiated tumor,clinical stageⅢ,lymph node metastasis,and positive expression of TLR4 and CHI3L1(P<0.05).The 5-year survival rate of patient with TLR4 positive expression was 60.38%,which was lower than that of 86.84% of patients with TLR4 negative expression(χ2=9.104,P<0.05);the 5-year survival rate of patients with CHI3L1 positive expression was 58.06%,which was lower than that of 84.31% of patients with CHI3L1 negative expression(χ2=10.935,P<0.05).The positive expression of TLR4 and CHI3L1,poorly differentiated tumor,clinical stage Ⅲ,and lymph node metastasis were the independent risk factors for the prognosis of colon cancer patients(P<0.05).Conclusion TLR4 and CHI3L1 are related to the occurrence and clinicopathological features of colon cancer,and the positive expression of TLR4 and CHI3L1 in colon cancer tissues is not conducive to the prognosis of patients,so both of them are expected to become clinical treatment targets.

Objective:To evaluate the effect of low-dose recombinant interleukin-2(rIL-2)therapy on immunocyte subsets and its side effects in children with solid tumor.Methods:A total of 22 children(11 males and 11 females)with solid tumor in our department from December 2012 to November 2017 were selected,with a median age of 9(3-16)years old when starting IL-2 therapy.ALL surgeries and chemotherapy of children had been completed before low-dose rIL-2 therapy,and 17 cases achieved complete remission(CR)and 5 cases achieved partial remission(PR).A low-dose rIL-2 therapy was given 1 month after chemotherapy for 1 year:4 × 105 IU/(m2·d),s.c.for every other day,3 times per week.The immunocyte subsets were detected every 3 months until the end of treatment,meanwhile,disease condition and therapy-related side effects were followed up.Results:After low-dose rIL-2 therapy in 22 children,the absolute values of CD3+T cells,CD3-CD56+natural killer cells,CD3+CD4+helper T cells(Th)and CD3+CD8+cytotoxic T cells were up-regulated remarkably,as well as Th/suppressor T cells(all P＜0.05).While,there were no significant differences in absolute value and proportion of CD4+CD25+CD127-Treg cells during therapy.Among the 17 children who achieved CR before rIL-2 therapy,14 cases continued to maintain CR after therapy,while 3 cases relapsed,and with 2 died after treatment abandonment.The 5 children who achieved PR before low-dose rIL-2 therapy were evaluated CR by PET/CT scan after treatment.In the early stage of low-dose rIL-2 therapy,1 child developed skin rashes at the injection sites,and 2 children ran a slight to mild transient fever.Their symptoms disappeared without any organ damage after symptomatic treatment.Conclusion:Low-dose rIL-2 therapy has good drug tolerance,and changes the distribution of anti-tumor immune-cell subgroup in peripheral blood of children with solid tumor remarkably without up-regulation of absolute value and ratio of Treg cells.

Objective: This cross-sectional investigation aimed to determine the incidence, clinical characteristics, prognosis, and related risk factors of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain in mainland China. Methods: Data of patients with SARS-CoV-2 from December 28, 2022, to February 21, 2023, were collected through online and offline questionnaires from 45 tertiary hospitals and one center for disease control and prevention in mainland China. The questionnaire included demographic information, previous health history, smoking and alcohol drinking, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination, olfactory and gustatory function before and after infection, other symptoms after infection, as well as the duration and improvement of olfactory and gustatory dysfunction. The self-reported olfactory and gustatory functions of patients were evaluated using the Olfactory VAS scale and Gustatory VAS scale. Results: A total of 35 566 valid questionnaires were obtained, revealing a high incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain (67.75%). Females(χ2=367.013, P<0.001) and young people(χ2=120.210, P<0.001) were more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Gender(OR=1.564, 95%CI: 1.487-1.645), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), oral health status (OR=0.881, 95%CI: 0.839-0.926), smoking history (OR=1.152, 95%CI=1.080-1.229), and drinking history (OR=0.854, 95%CI: 0.785-0.928) were correlated with the occurrence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2(above P<0.001). 44.62% (4 391/9 840) of the patients who had not recovered their sense of smell and taste also suffered from nasal congestion, runny nose, and 32.62% (3 210/9 840) suffered from dry mouth and sore throat. The improvement of olfactory and taste functions was correlated with the persistence of accompanying symptoms(χ2=10.873, P=0.001). The average score of olfactory and taste VAS scale was 8.41 and 8.51 respectively before SARS-CoV-2 infection, but decreased to3.69 and 4.29 respectively after SARS-CoV-2 infection, and recovered to 5.83and 6.55 respectively at the time of the survey. The median duration of olfactory and gustatory dysfunctions was 15 days and 12 days, respectively, with 0.5% (121/24 096) of patients experiencing these dysfunctions for more than 28 days. The overall self-reported improvement rate of smell and taste dysfunctions was 59.16% (14 256/24 096). Gender(OR=0.893, 95%CI: 0.839-0.951), SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status (OR=1.334, 95%CI: 1.164-1.530), history of head and facial trauma(OR=1.180, 95%CI: 1.036-1.344, P=0.013), nose (OR=1.104, 95%CI: 1.042-1.171, P=0.001) and oral (OR=1.162, 95%CI: 1.096-1.233) health status, smoking history(OR=0.765, 95%CI: 0.709-0.825), and the persistence of accompanying symptoms (OR=0.359, 95%CI: 0.332-0.388) were correlated with the recovery of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to SARS-CoV-2 (above P<0.001 except for the indicated values). Conclusion: The incidence of olfactory and taste dysfunctions related to infection with the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron strain is high in mainland China, with females and young people more likely to develop these dysfunctions. Active and effective intervention measures may be required for cases that persist for a long time. The recovery of olfactory and taste functions is influenced by several factors, including gender, SARS-CoV-2 vaccination status, history of head and facial trauma, nasal and oral health status, smoking history, and persistence of accompanying symptoms.
Female ; Humans ; Adolescent ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Smell ; COVID-19/complications* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; COVID-19 Vaccines ; Incidence ; Olfaction Disorders/etiology* ; Taste Disorders/etiology* ; Prognosis

Objective:To study the epidemic situation of Marmota himalayana plague and Yersinias infection in Yugur Autonomous County of Sunan (Sunan County) of Gansu Province, and to provide new ideas for prevention and control of plague. Methods:From 2014 to 2018, liver and spleen, cecum, throat swabs and blood samples of Marmota himalayana were collected on the spot in Sunan County, where Yersinia strains were isolated and identified, and plague F1 antigen and antibody were detected. Results:A total of 634 liver and spleen samples, 427 cecum samples and 426 throat swabs samples were collected from Marmota himalayana, and 23 strains of Yersinia pestis, 2 strains of Yersinia marcescens, and 1 strain of Yersinia flexneri were detected, with the detection rates of 3.63% (23/634), 0.47% (2/427) and 0.23% (1/426), respectively. The detection rate of Yersinia pestis in different years was statistically significantly different (χ 2 = 13.19, P = 0.010). A total of 1 822 serum samples of Marmota himalayana were detected, and 5 F1 antibody positive samples were detected, with a positive rate of 0.27%, the difference of positive rate between different years was statistically significant (χ 2 = 25.22, P < 0.001); 282 liver and spleen tissue homogenates of Marmota himalayana were detected, 22 F1 antigen positive samples were detected, the positive rate was 7.80%, and there was no statistically significant difference between different years (χ 2 = 7.85, P = 0.097). The 23 strains of Yersinia pestis detected were distributed in Mati Tibetan Township (12 strains), Dahe Township (6 strains) and Qifeng Tibetan Township (5 strains); 1 strain of Yersinia flexneri and 2 strains of Yersinia marcescens were both located in Dahe Township. Conclusion:There is an epidemic of plague among animals in Sunan County from 2014 to 2018, and the areas where Yersinia pestis and non pathogenic Yersinia are detected overlapped.