Aim To investigate the effect of discoidin domain receptor 1(DDR1)on high glucose induced endothelial cell dysfunction and the underlying mecha-nism.Methods Human umbilical vein endothelial cells(HUVECs)were cultured in vitro and divided in-to the control group and high glucose induction group(HG).HUVECs were treated with 33 mmol·L-1 D-glucose for 48 hours to construct endothelial dysfunc-tion.Pyroptosis was detected using propidium iodide staining(PI);lactate dehydrogenase(LDH)and IL-1β,IL-18 levels were determined using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA);the expression of DDR1 and NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway proteins and pyroptosis related proteinses were detected using Western blot.Subsequently,the experiment was divid-ed into the control group,HG group,HG+DDR1 NC group,and HG+DDR1 siRNA group.The effect of high glucose on the proliferation and migration of HU-VECs was observed after transfection with DDR1 siR-NA for 24 hours;ELISA was used to detect the endo-thelial nitric oxide synthase(eNOS),vascular cell ad-hesion molecule-1(VCAM-1),intercellular adhesion molecule-1(ICAM-1),as well as LDH,IL-1β,IL-18 levels;PI was employed to detect pyroptosis;Western blot was applied to detect DDR1 and NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway proteins and pyroptosis related pro-teins.Results Compared with the control group,HG group decreased eNOS content,increased VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 contents,decreased cell viability and migration ability,and significantly increased the expressions of DDR1,p-NF-κB,NLRP3 and pyroptosis related pro-teins.The levels of LDH,IL-1β,IL-18 and the rate of pyroptosis significantly increased(P＜0.05).Com-pared with HG group,DDR1 siRNA could promote the secretion of eNOS,decrease the levels of VCAM-1,ICAM-1,LDH,IL-1β and IL-1 8,increase cell viability and migration ability,reduce the expression of p-NF-κB,NLRP3 and pyroptosis related proteins,and inhibit high glucose-induced pyroptosis of HUVECs(P＜0.05).Conclusions Gene silencing DDR1 can im-prove vascular endothelial cell dysfunction induced by high glucose,and the mechanism is related to the inhi-bition of NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway mediated pyroptosis.

Objective To develop and validate a prediction model for severe disability or death(SDD)in acute ischemic stroke(AIS)patients who underwent endovascular treatment(EVT).Methods Based on the dataset of ANGEL-ACT study who received EVT for AIS between november 2017 and march 2019,a retrospective analysis was performed on 1 677 patients,including 1 111 males and 566 females,aged ≥ 18 years.Patients were divided into two groups according to whether SDD occurred(mRS 5-6 scores 90 days after surgery):SDD group(n=478)and non-SDD group(n=1 199).Risk factors that might influence SDD after EVT in AIS patients were screened and analyzed by multifactorial analysis,LAS-SO regression,and RF-RFE methods.A nomogram was developed after evaluating the model performance and the execution of internal validation.Results SDD occurred in 380(28.1％)patients in the develop-ment cohort and 98(30.2％)patients in the validation cohort.Combining the three variable screening meth-ods,10 risk factors were selected for inclusion in the final model:age,NIHSS score,whether successful re-canalization,glucose level,hemoglobin,hematocrit,onset to puncture time,systolic blood pressure,AS-PECT score,and whether have treatment-related serious adverse events.A two-stage model means that model 1 contains pre-treatment variables(7 in total)and model 2 contains pre-treatment and post-treatment variables(10 in total).The area under the curve(AUC)of model 1 in the development cohort was 0.705(95％CI 0.674-0.736)and 0.731(95％CI 0.701-0.760)in model 2.Both models had good calibration with aslope of 1.000,and the decision curve analysis showed good clinical applicability.The results of the validation cohort were similar to those of the development cohort.Conclusion Age,admission NIHSS score,whether successful recanalization,admission glucose level,hemoglobin content,erythrocyte pressure volume,onset to puncture time,admission systolic blood pressure,ASPECT score,and whether have treat-ment-related serious adverse events are risk factors for SDD in patients with acute ischemic stroke.The two prediction models based on the above factors were used before and after endovascular treatment to predict SDD occurrence better.

OBJECTIVE: This study was aimed at investigating the carrier rate of, and molecular variation in, α- and β-globin gene mutations in Hunan Province. METHODS: We recruited 25,946 individuals attending premarital screening from 42 districts and counties in all 14 cities of Hunan Province. Hematological screening was performed, and molecular parameters were assessed. RESULTS: The overall carrier rate of thalassemia was 7.1%, including 4.83% for α-thalassemia, 2.15% for β-thalassemia, and 0.12% for both α- and β-thalassemia. The highest carrier rate of thalassemia was in Yongzhou (14.57%). The most abundant genotype of α-thalassemia and β-thalassemia was -α ^3.7/αα (50.23%) and β ^IVS-II-654/β ^N (28.23%), respectively. Four α-globin mutations [CD108 (ACC>AAC), CAP +29 (G>C), Hb Agrinio and Hb Cervantes] and six β-globin mutations [CAP +8 (C>T), IVS-II-848 (C>T), -56 (G>C), beta nt-77 (G>C), codon 20/21 (-TGGA) and Hb Knossos] had not previously been identified in China. Furthermore, this study provides the first report of the carrier rates of abnormal hemoglobin variants and α-globin triplication in Hunan Province, which were 0.49% and 1.99%, respectively. CONCLUSION Our study demonstrates the high complexity and diversity of thalassemia gene mutations in the Hunan population. The results should facilitate genetic counselling and the prevention of severe thalassemia in this region.
Humans ; beta-Thalassemia/genetics* ; alpha-Thalassemia/genetics* ; Hemoglobinopathies/genetics* ; China/epidemiology* ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has yet to be proven to alter male reproductive function, particularly in the majority of mild/asymptomatic patients. The purpose of this study was to explore whether mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 affects semen quality and sex-related hormone levels. To find suitable comparative studies, a systematic review and meta-analysis was done up to January 22, 2022, by using multiple databases (Web of Science, PubMed, and Embase). Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were used to identify and choose the studies. Meta-analysis was used to examine the semen parameters and sex-related hormones of mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 patients before and after infection. The effects of semen collection time, fever, and intensity of verification on semen following infection were also investigated. A total of 13 studies (n = 770) were included in the analysis, including three case-control studies, six pre-post studies, and four single-arm studies. A meta-analysis of five pre-post studies showed that after infection with COVID-19, sperm concentration (I² = 0; P = 0.003), total sperm count (I² = 46.3%; P = 0.043), progressive motility (I² = 50.0%; P < 0.001), total sperm motility (I² = 76.1%; P = 0.047), and normal sperm morphology (I² = 0; P = 0.001) decreased. Simultaneously, a systematic review of 13 studies found a significant relationship between semen collection time after infection, inflammation severity, and semen parameter values, with fever having only bearing on semen concentration. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in sex-related hormone levels before and after infection in mild/asymptomatic patients. Mild/asymptomatic COVID-19 infection had a significant effect on semen quality in the short term. It is recommended to avoid initiating a pregnancy during this period of time.
Pregnancy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Semen Analysis ; Semen ; Infertility, Male ; Sperm Motility ; COVID-19 ; Sperm Count ; Spermatozoa ; Testosterone ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones

Male infertility caused by idiopathic oligoasthenospermia (OAT) is known as idiopathic male infertility. Glutathione S-transferase (GST) and fluoride may play important roles in idiopathic male infertility, but their effects are still unknown. Our study examined the relationship between GST polymorphisms and fluoride-induced toxicity in idiopathic male infertility and determined the underlying mechanism. Sperm, blood, and urine samples were collected from 560 males. Fluoride levels were measured by a highly selective electrode method, and GST genotypes were identified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Semen parameters, DNA fragmentation index (DFI), mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), and oxidative stress (OS) biomarkers were statistically assessed at the P < 0.05 level. Compared with healthy fertile group, semen parameters, fluoride levels, OS biomarkers, sex hormone levels, and MMP and DFI levels were lower in the idiopathic male infertility group. For glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1[-]) and glutathione S-transferase T1 (GSTT1[-]) or glutathione S-transferase P1 (GSTP1) mutant genotypes, levels of semen fluoride, OS, MMP, and DFI were considerably higher, and the mean levels of sperm parameters and testosterone were statistically significant in GSTM1(+), GSTT1(+), and GSTP1 wild-type genotypes. Both semen and blood fluoride levels were associated with oxidative stress in idiopathic male infertility patients. Elevated fluoride in semen with the genotypes listed above was linked to reproductive quality in idiopathic male infertility patients. In conclusion, GST polymorphisms and fluorine may have an indicative relationship between reproductive quality and sex hormone levels, and OS participates in the development of idiopathic male infertility.
Humans ; Male ; Fluorides/adverse effects* ; Semen ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Glutathione Transferase/genetics* ; Glutathione S-Transferase pi/genetics* ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; Genotype ; Biomarkers ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Case-Control Studies

Objective To explore the protective effects and mechanisms of cysteinyl leukotriene 2(CysLT2)receptor antagonist HAMI3379 on cerebral ischemia injury in rats.Methods 30 male SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation group,model group,and HAMI3379 group,with 10 rats in each group.The rats of model group were subjected to middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO)to construct the cerebral ischemia injury model,while HAMI3379 group received intraperitoneal injection of HAMI3379(0.2 mg/kg)before and after MCAO 30 min.The rats after cerebral ischemia injury were scored for neurological symptoms.The infarction volume of rats was observed by TTC staining,the activation marker Iba1 of microglia was detected by immunofluorescence staining,the mRNA level of M1/M2 polarized phenotype molecules of microglia was detected by Real-time PCR,the number of neurons was observed by NeuN staining,and neuronal degeneration was observed by Fluoro-Jade B staining.Western blotting assay was used to detect the expression of CysLT2 protein and nuclear factors κB-related protein Cα(PKCα),IκBα,p65 and p50 proteins in brain tissue.Results Compared with sham operation group,the neurological symptom score and cerebral infarction volume of model group were significantly increased(P<0.05).Compared with model group,the neurological symptom score and cerebral infarction volume of HAMI3379 group were significantly decreased(P<0.05).The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that the expression of microglia activation marker Iba1 was increased in brain tissue of rats after cerebral ischemia injury(P<0.05).Compared with sham operation group,mRNA expression of M1 polarized molecules(CD86,IL-1β,TNF-α)and M2 polarized molecules(CD206,TGF-β,IL-10)were significantly increased in the ischemic central brain tissue of model group(P<0.05).Compared with model group,the expression of M1 polarized molecules in HAMI3379 group was significantly downregulated(P<0.05),while the expression of M2 polarized molecules was significantly upregulated(P<0.05).Compared with sham operation group,the expressions of PKCα,IκBα,p65 and p50 in brain tissue of model group were significantly up-regulated(P<0.05);compared with model group,the expressions of PKCα,IκBα,p65,and p50 in HAMI3379 group were significantly down-regulated(P<0.05).The NeuN staining results showed that the number of neurons in the brain tissue of model group was decreased when compared with sham operation group(P<0.05),while the number of degenerated neurons was increased(P<0.05).Compared with model group,the number of neurons in HAMI3379 group was increased(P<0.05),while the number of degenerated neurons was decreased(P<0.05).Conclusions CysLT2 receptor antagonist HAMI3379 may regulate PKCα/IκBα/NF-κB signaling pathway,inhibits M1 polarization activation of microglia and promotes its transition to M2 polarization,inhibits neuronal degeneration,and plays a neuroprotective role.

Objective:Aphanamixis grandifolia，a perennial herb of genus Aphanamixis （Meliaceae），has effects in soothing activating collaterals，dredging paisy，expelling wind-evil and removing wetness. This paper aimed to investigate terpenoids from the stems and leaves of A. grandifolia and reveal the effective substances. Method:Totally 22 kg leaves and twigs of A. grandifolia were extracted with 90% EtOH for three times by heating reflux. These extracts were decompressed and concentrated，and then dissolved in water. The solvent was successively extracted with petroleum ether and ethyl acetate. The chemical constituents from petroleum ether and ethyl acetate fractions were isolated by macroporous，silica gel，Sephadex LH-20 and ODS columns，and their chemical structures were determined through MS，NMR analysis（¹H and ¹³C-NMR）and spectroscopic data from literatures，respectively. Result:Twelve compounds were obtained and identified as 16α-hydroxy-3-oxo-24-methyllanosta-7，9（11），24（31）-triene-21-oic acid （1），23（E）-cycloart-en-25-ethoxy-3-ol（2），23（Z）-9，19-cycloart-ene-3β，25-diol（3），23（E）-cycloart-en-3β，25-diol（4），labda-8，13-（E）-dien-15-ol（5），labda-7，13-（E）-dien-15-ol（6），vulgarol（7），（S，E）-6-[6-（5，5-dimethyl-4-oxo-4，5-dihydrofuran-3-yl]-2-methylhepta-1，6-dien-1-yl]-4-methyl-5，6-dihydro-2H-pyran-one（8），nemoralisin（9），nemoralisin C（10），1S，4R，5S，6R，7S，10S-1（5），6（7）-diepoxy-4-guaiol（11） and 1S，4S，5S，10R-4，10-guaianediol（12），respectively. Conclusion:The structures involves triterpenoids，diterpenoids and sesquiterpennoids，and eight of them （1-3，5-8 and 12） are obtained from A. grandifolia for the first time. Those compounds are also isolated from the geneus Aphanamixis for the first time.