BACKGROUND:There is a significant correlation between sperm DNA fragmentation index and fertilization,embryonic development potential,embryo implantation,miscarriage,and offspring safety.However,its clinical reference value is affected by many factors,resulting in extremely limited clinical significance.This study took live birth as the outcome,corrected other confounding factors through propensity score matching,constructed the best clinical cutoff value of sperm DNA fragmentation index and live birth,and conducted internal and external tests on it,which has good predictive value and clinical application efficiency. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the reference threshold and offspring short-term security of in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer sperm DNA fragmentation index based on live birth. METHODS:A total of 1 921 patients who received in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Area Hospital from May 2019 to May 2021 were selected.On the basis of tendency matching tolerance of 0.02 and propensity score matching of 1:1,540 cases were successfully matched in each live birth group and non-live birth group,and the model group was established.135 patients who received in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer in Nanxishan Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region were selected as the external validation group.The optimal clinical cutoff value of sperm DNA fragmentation index for live birth was investigated by the receiver operating characteristic curve.The accuracy and clinical application efficacy of the cutoff value were evaluated by restricted cubic spline curve,standard curve,clinical decision curve,clinical impact curve and internal and external validation tests. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The DNA fragmentation index of sperm in the non-live birth group was significantly higher than that in the live birth group and had a significant negative correlation with live birth(r=-0.444,P<0.001).(2)Receiver operating characteristic curve results showed that the optimal cut-off value of DNA fragmentation index for live birth was 24.33%;the area under the curve was 0.775(0.746,0.804);the specificity was 72.60%;the sensitivity was 78.90%,and the accuracy was 75.70%.(3)Restricted cubic spline curve fitting the results of Logistic regression showed that when the sperm DNA fragmentation index was greater than 24.57%,the risk of clinical non-live birth increased.(4)The probability of Logistic regression analysis results showed that sperm DNA fragmentation index was a risk factor for live birth[OR(95%CI)=0.916(0.904,0.928),P<0.001],and when sperm DNA fragmentation index was greater than 27.78%,the probability of clinical live birth would be less than 50%.With the increase of sperm DNA fragmentation index by 1 unit,the probability of a live birth fell by 8.4%.(5)Internal and external to the validation of the clinical cutoff value showed that the cutoff point had certain clinical predictive value and accuracy.(6)Clinical decision curve and clinical impact curve results exhibited that the prediction model based on the clinical cut-off value had the maximum clinical net benefit value when the threshold probability was 0.22-0.73,and the ratio of loss to gain within the threshold probability range was always less than 1,which confirmed that the prediction model had good clinical application effectiveness.(7)The results of sperm DNA fragmentation index and offspring short-term security analysis showed that sperm DNA fragmentation index had no significant differences with preterm birth,body weight,deformity and sex.(8)These findings suggest that the optimal clinical cut-off value of sperm DNA fragmentation index for in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer live birth was 24.33%.The established clinical prediction model has good differentiation,accuracy and clinical application effectiveness.Sperm DNA fragmentation index has no significant impact on offspring short-term security,but large samples and long-term follow-up evaluation are still needed.

AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic value of serum Th1-type cytokine levels and extraocular muscle-related parameters in thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy(TAO).METHODS: A retrospective study was conducted on 45 patients diagnosed with TAO in our hospital from January 2023 to December 2024, and 20 normal volunteers during the same period as controls. Venous blood samples of the patients were collected to detect the concentrations of Th1-type cytokines [interferon-γ(IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), interleukin-2(IL-2), and interleukin-12(IL-12)] in the serum. Additionally, the end diastolic velocity(Ved), velocity maximum(Vmax), resistance index(RI)of the central retinal artery, as well as the thickness and left-right diameter of the medial rectus muscle were measured. Logistic regression model was used to analyze the risk factors of TAO, and receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC)was adopted to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of each index for the occurrence of TAO.RESULTS: The general information of the two groups was comparable. Compared with the normal control group, the serum concentrations of IFN-γ and TNF-α in TAO patients were significantly increased, Ved and Vmax were lower than those in the control group, and RI and the thickness of the medial rectus muscle were higher than those in the control group(all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that serum IFN-γ concentration, Ved, Vmax, and the thickness of the medial rectus muscle were all risk factors for TAO. ROC curve analysis indicated that the AUCs of serum IFN-γ concentration, Ved, Vmax, and the thickness of the medial rectus muscle for the diagnostic efficacy of TAO were 0.756, 0.769, 0.732, and 0.642, respectively. The combined detection of IFN-γ, Ved, Vmax, and the thickness of the medial rectus muscle had an AUC of 0.840 and a Youden index of 0.59, which was superior to the detection of a single indicator.CONCLUSION: The levels of serum Th1-type cytokines and extraocular muscle-related ultrasound indicators have certain value in the diagnosis of TAO. The combination of IFN-γ, Ved, Vmax, and the thickness of the medial rectus muscle has better diagnosis efficiency in TAO, which can provide a certain reference for the early diagnosis of TAO.

Coronavirus-related diseases pose a significant challenge to the global health system. Given the diversity of coronaviruses and the unpredictable nature of disease outbreaks, the traditional "one bug, one drug" paradigm struggles to address the growing number of emerging crises. Therefore, there is an urgent need for therapeutic agents with broad-spectrum anti-coronavirus activity. Here, we provide evidence that ATV006, an anti-SARS-CoV-2 nucleoside analog targeting RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp), has broad antiviral activity against human and animal coronaviruses. Using mouse hepatitis virus (MHV) and human coronavirus NL63 (HCoV-NL63) as a model, we show that ATV006 has potent prophylactic and therapeutic activity against murine coronavirus infection in vivo. Remarkably, ATV006 successfully inhibits viral replication in mice even when administered 96 h after infection. Due to its oral bioavailability and potency against multiple coronaviruses, ATV006 has the potential to become a useful antiviral agent against SARS-CoV-2 and other circulating and emerging coronaviruses in humans and animals.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the evolution of intrahepatic macrophage polarization in mice with liver fibrosis induced by iron overload. METHODS: Thirty-two C57BL/6 mice (6-8 weeks) were randomized into control group (n=8) and liver fibrosis model group (n=24) induced by aidly intraperitoneal injection of iron dextran. At the 3rd, 5th, and 7th weeks of modeling, 8 mice in the model group were sacrificed for observing liver fibrosis using Masson, Sirius Red and immunohistochemical staining and detecting serum levels of ALT, AST and the levels of serum iron, ferritin, liver total Fe and ferrous Fe. iNOS⁺/F4/80⁺ cells and CD206⁺/F4/80⁺ cells were detected by double immunofluorescence assay to observe the proportion and distribution of M1 and M2 macrophages. The hepatic expressions of Arg-1, iNOS, IL-6, IL-10, and TNF‑α proteins were detected using Western blotting or ELISA, and the expression of CD206 mRNA was detected using RT-PCR. RESULTS: The mice in the model group showed gradual increase of fibrous tissue hyperplasia in the portal area over time, structural destruction of the hepatic lobules and formation of pseudolobules. With the passage of time during modeling, the rat models showed significantly increased hepatic expressions of α-SMA and COL-1, elevated serum levels of ALT, AST, Fe, ferritin, and increased liver total Fe and ferrous Fe levels. The expressions of M1 polarization markers IL-6, TNF‑α, and iNOS all increased with time and reached their peak levels at the 3rd week; The expressions of M2 polarization markers (IL-10 and Arg-1 proteins and CD206 mRNA) significantly increased in the 3rd week and but decreased in the 5th and 7th weeks. CONCLUSIONS Iron overload promotes M1 polarization of macrophages in mice. Liver fibrosis in the early stage promotes M2 polarization of macrophages but negatively regulate M2 polarization at later stages.
Animals ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Iron Overload/pathology* ; Macrophages/metabolism* ; Male ; Liver Cirrhosis/etiology* ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II/metabolism* ; Interleukin-10/metabolism* ; Liver/pathology* ; Interleukin-6/metabolism* ; Mannose Receptor ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Mannose-Binding Lectins/metabolism* ; Arginase

The regulatory processes in developmental biology research are significantly influenced by long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). However, the dynamics of lncRNA expression during human tooth development remain poorly understood. In this research, we examined the lncRNAs present in the dental epithelium (DE) and dental mesenchyme (DM) at the late bud, cap, and early bell stages of human fetal tooth development through bulk RNA sequencing. Developmental regulators co-expressed with neighboring lncRNAs were significantly enriched in odontogenesis. Specific lncRNAs expressed in the DE and DM, such as PANCR, MIR205HG, DLX6-AS1, and DNM3OS, were identified through a combination of bulk RNA sequencing and single-cell analysis. Further subcluster analysis revealed lncRNAs specifically expressed in important regions of the tooth germ, such as the inner enamel epithelium and coronal dental papilla (CDP). Functionally, we demonstrated that CDP-specific DLX6-AS1 enhanced odontoblastic differentiation in human tooth germ mesenchymal cells and dental pulp stem cells. These findings suggest that lncRNAs could serve as valuable cell markers for tooth development and potential therapeutic targets for tooth regeneration.
Humans ; RNA, Long Noncoding/metabolism* ; Odontogenesis/genetics* ; Tooth Germ/embryology* ; Cell Differentiation ; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental ; Mesoderm/metabolism* ; Tooth/embryology* ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Sequence Analysis, RNA ; Dental Pulp/cytology*

(±)-Talapyrones A-F (1-6), six pairs of dimeric polyketide enantiomers featuring unusual 6/6/6 and 6/6/6/5 ring systems, were isolated from the fungus Talaromyces adpressus. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic analysis and HR-ESI-MS data, and their absolute configurations were elucidated using a modified Mosher's method and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) calculations. (±)-Talapyrones A-F (1-6) possess a 6/6/6 tricyclic skeleton, presumably formed through a Michael addition reaction between one molecule of α-pyrone derivative and one molecule of C₈ poly-β-keto chain. In addition, compounds 2/3 and 4/5 are two pairs of C-18 epimers, respectively. Putative biosynthetic pathways of 1-6 were discussed.
Polyketides/isolation & purification* ; Talaromyces/chemistry* ; Stereoisomerism ; Molecular Structure ; Circular Dichroism ; Pyrones/chemistry*

Objective:To explore the risk factors and their interation in the incidence of monozygotic twins dur-ing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET).Methods:The cohort for this investigation comprised 4537 pa-tients who underwent IVF-ET with single embryo transfer,resulting in live births at Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital spanning from January 2011 to December 2021.Among this cohort,76 paitients with monozygotic twins were enrolled in the monozygotic twin group.Employing a 5∶1 propensity score matching strategy,380 patients with monozygotic singletons were enrolled in monozygotic singleton group.Using single fac-tor and Lasso regression analysis to correct for the influencing factors of monozygotic twins,using multiple factor Logistic regression to screen for independent risk factors of monozygotic twins and analyze their impact weights,and then performing multiplication and addition interaction analysis on them.Results:The results of univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences(P＜0.05)between the two groups of patients in terms of age,fertilization method,assisted hatching,embryo type for transfer,embryo transfer method,embryo culture duration,and HCG day estradiol(E2)level.The results of multivariate Logistic regression showed that blas-tocyst transfer(OR 2.847,95％CI 1.559-5.199),frozen-thawed embryo transfer(OR 2.640,95％CI 1.354-5.145),and HCG day E2 level(OR 1.783,95％CI 1.033-3.077)were independent risk factors for monozygotic twins(P＜0.05),demonstrating a hierarchical impact sequence of blastocyst transfer(11.60)＞frozen-thawed embryo transfer(6.54)＞HCG day E2(4.32)level.Notably,there was a significant positive additive interaction between embryo transfer type and HCG day E2 level,with an interaction index(S)of 4.690(95％CI 1.896-11.598),relative excess risk due to interaction(RERI)of 4.128(95％CI 2.236-6.019),and attributable propor-tion due to interaction(AP)of 0.661(95％CI 0.536-0.786).Conclusions:Blastocyst transfer,frozen-thawed embryo transfer,and HCG day E2 level are risk factors for monozygotic twins,and there is a significant positive additive interaction between embryo transfer type and HCG day E2 level.

Objective:To explore the risk factors and their interation in the incidence of monozygotic twins dur-ing in vitro fertilization-embryo transfer(IVF-ET).Methods:The cohort for this investigation comprised 4537 pa-tients who underwent IVF-ET with single embryo transfer,resulting in live births at Changzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital spanning from January 2011 to December 2021.Among this cohort,76 paitients with monozygotic twins were enrolled in the monozygotic twin group.Employing a 5∶1 propensity score matching strategy,380 patients with monozygotic singletons were enrolled in monozygotic singleton group.Using single fac-tor and Lasso regression analysis to correct for the influencing factors of monozygotic twins,using multiple factor Logistic regression to screen for independent risk factors of monozygotic twins and analyze their impact weights,and then performing multiplication and addition interaction analysis on them.Results:The results of univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences(P＜0.05)between the two groups of patients in terms of age,fertilization method,assisted hatching,embryo type for transfer,embryo transfer method,embryo culture duration,and HCG day estradiol(E2)level.The results of multivariate Logistic regression showed that blas-tocyst transfer(OR 2.847,95％CI 1.559-5.199),frozen-thawed embryo transfer(OR 2.640,95％CI 1.354-5.145),and HCG day E2 level(OR 1.783,95％CI 1.033-3.077)were independent risk factors for monozygotic twins(P＜0.05),demonstrating a hierarchical impact sequence of blastocyst transfer(11.60)＞frozen-thawed embryo transfer(6.54)＞HCG day E2(4.32)level.Notably,there was a significant positive additive interaction between embryo transfer type and HCG day E2 level,with an interaction index(S)of 4.690(95％CI 1.896-11.598),relative excess risk due to interaction(RERI)of 4.128(95％CI 2.236-6.019),and attributable propor-tion due to interaction(AP)of 0.661(95％CI 0.536-0.786).Conclusions:Blastocyst transfer,frozen-thawed embryo transfer,and HCG day E2 level are risk factors for monozygotic twins,and there is a significant positive additive interaction between embryo transfer type and HCG day E2 level.

To explore screening tools for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which are convenient for primary hospitals, it can provide basic data for formulating ASD prevention policies. This was a cross-sectional study by cluster sampling. Huyi District and Xincheng District were extracted for investigation in Xi′an City. From July 2021 to September 2022, all children aged from 3 months to 36 months who live in the two districts were subjected to primary screening. The child care physician used the routine screening tool "warning signs checklist for screening psychological, behavioral and developmental problems of children" and cartoon pictures of "early high-risk warning signs of autism", the children who were positive in the initial screening were referred to the district level maternal and child health hospital for re-screening, and those who were positive in the re-screening were referred to Xi ′an Children′s Hospital for diagnosis. The results showed that a total of 17 905 children aged from 3 months to 36 months were initially screened in the two districts, including 10 588 children aged from 18 months to 36 months, 50 children who were positive in the initial screening and 50 children who were re-screened. 23 children (18 boys and 5 girls) were diagnosed with ASD. The prevalence rate of ASD in children was 2.17‰ (95% confidence interval:1.29‰-3.06‰). 42 children were positive for "warning signs checklist" at the preliminary screening, and 19 were confirmed as ASD. 27 children were positive for "cartoon pictures" in the preliminary screening, and 23 were confirmed with ASD. The "cartoon pictures" in the preliminary screening and diagnosis of consistent rate was higher than the "warning signs checklist", two kinds of screening methods comparison were statistically significant difference in the odds of consistent (χ 2=11.01, P=0.001). In conclusion, relying on the three-level network of maternal and child health care, it is conducive to the whole process management of screening and diagnosis of children with ASD, and to guide the formulation of prevention policies. The cartoon pictures of "early high-risk warning signs of autism" can assist the identification of children with ASD based on the "warning signs checklist", which is simple, effective and suitable for promotion in the community health care.

BACKGROUND:A large number of previous studies have confirmed that a high concentration of metabolites is significantly correlated with embryo quality and clinical outcome,and the theory of silencing embryo development indicates that normally developed embryos maintain a low level of material exchange with the outside world during in vitro culture,while embryos often show abnormal metabolic activity due to stress repair mechanism when DNA damage occurs. OBJECTIVE:To establish and verify an embryo quality prediction model based on the third-day 340 nm absorbance embryo cultures to provide the basis for a more objective and accurate embryo quality assessment. METHODS:269 patients at the Nanxishan Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region for in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation from November 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Among them,on day 3,162 cases who had 873 optimal embryos and 214 high-quality blastocysts were included in the high-quality embryo group.On day 3,107 cases who had 859 non-optimal embryos and 214 non-high-quality blastocysts were included in the non-high-quality embryo group.Lambert-beer law was used to screen out the characteristic wavelength with distinguishing degree between superior and non-superior embryos,analyze its correlation and influence trend with high-quality embryos,and establish the clinical prediction model and validation of absorbance for high-quality and non-high-quality embryos at this wavelength. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)There was a significant difference in absorbance between high-quality and non-high-quality embryos at 340 nm on day 3(P<0.001),and a negative correlation was found with the formation of high-quality embryos on day 3(r=-0.486,P<0.001).The absorbance of high-quality and non-high-quality blastocyst at 340 nm was significantly different(P<0.05),and was negatively correlated with the formation of high-quality blastocyst(r=-0.642,P<0.001).(2)The optimal cut-off value of absorbance at 340 nm between high-quality and non-high-quality embryos on day 3 was 0.235.The area under the curve was 0.799.Sensitivity was 62.9%.Specificity was 78.0%.Accuracy was 70.5%.The optimum cutoff value of high-quality and non-high-quality blastocysts of absorbance at 340 nm was 0.175.The area under the curve was 0.871.Sensitivity was 74.3%.Specificity was 89.1%.Accuracy was 82.2%.(3)Restricted cubic spline curve analysis showed that when the absorbance of the culture medium at 340 nm was greater than 0.221,there was a significant positive trend on the formation of non-high-quality embryos at day 3,and when the absorbance of the culture medium at 340 nm was greater than 0.160,there was a significant positive trend on the formation of non-high-quality blastocysts.(4)The clinical decision curve and clinical influence curve showed that the absorbance of the culture medium at 340 nm had the maximum clinical net benefit for the prediction models of high-quality embryos and high-quality blastocysts on the third day when the valve probability was 0.18-0.95 and 0.16-1.00,respectively,and the ratio of loss to gain within the valve probability range was always less than 1.It is proven that the prediction model has good efficacy in clinical applications.The results of embryo transfer showed that the absorbance of embryo culture medium at 340 nm in non-pregnant patients was significantly higher than that in clinical pregnancy,biochemical pregnancy and early abortion patients(P<0.05).(5)The high-quality and non-high-quality embryo culture in 340 nm absorbance has a significant difference with correlation.The embryo quality prediction model has a certain clinical value and application effectiveness.The joint embryo morphology evaluation to a certain extent improves the objectivity and accuracy of embryo quality evaluation.