ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Yishen Tongluo prescription on sperm DNA fragmentation index （DFI） and sperm mitochondrial membrane potential （MMP） in patients with asymptomatic idiopathic asthenospermia infertility. MethodsA total of 128 patients with asymptomatic idiopathic asthenospermia were randomly assigned to an experimental group （64 cases） and a control group （64 cases）. The experimental group received Yishen Tongluo prescription， while the control group was treated with Wuzi Yanzongwan combined with L-carnitine oral solution. One treatment course lasted 12 weeks. Spouse pregnancy rate， sperm progressive motility （PR）， total sperm motility （PR+NP）， sperm function （sperm tail hypotonic swelling rate， sperm acrosin activity）， sperm DFI， and sperm MMP were compared between the two groups before and after treatment. Adverse reactions were observed and recorded during the study， and clinical efficacy and safety were systematically evaluated. ResultsA total of 121 patients completed the study， including 61 in the experimental group and 60 in the control group. The spouse pregnancy rate in the experimental group was 14.75% （9/61）， higher than that in the control group at 6.67% （4/60）， though the difference was not statistically significant. Clinical efficacy in the experimental group was superior to that in the control group （P<0.05）. Compared with the results before treatment， sperm PR， PR + NP， sperm tail hypotonic swelling rate， sperm acrosin activity， sperm DFI， and sperm MMP were significantly improved in both groups after treatment （P<0.05）， with greater improvements in the experimental group （P<0.05）. However， there was no significant change in sperm concentration in either group after treatment. During the study， no abnormal safety indicators or significant adverse reactions occurred in either group. ConclusionThe kidney-tonifying and collateral-dredging method shows good clinical efficacy in the treatment of asymptomatic idiopathic asthenospermia infertility. Yishen Tongluo prescription can improve sperm motility， increase spouse pregnancy rate， enhance sperm function， and demonstrates good safety. Its mechanism may be related to reducing sperm DFI and increasing sperm MMP.

Vein graft (VG) failure (VGF) is associated with VG intimal hyperplasia, which is characterized by abnormal accumulation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Most neointimal VSMCs are derived from pre-existing VSMCs via a process of VSMC phenotypic transition, also known as dedifferentiation. There is increasing evidence to suggest that ginger or its bioactive ingredients may block VSMC dedifferentiation, exerting vasoprotective functions; however, the precise mechanisms have not been fully characterized. Therefore, we investigated the effect of ginger on VSMC phenotypic transition in VG remodeling after transplantation. Ginger significantly inhibited neointimal hyperplasia and promoted lumen (L) opening in a 3-month VG, which was primarily achieved by reducing ferroptotic stress. Ferroptotic stress is a pro-ferroptotic state. Contractile VSMCs did not die but instead gained a proliferative capacity and switched to the secretory type, forming neointima (NI) after vein transplantation. Ginger and its two main vasoprotective ingredients (6-gingerol and 6-shogaol) inhibit VSMC dedifferentiation by reducing ferroptotic stress. Network pharmacology analysis revealed that 6-gingerol inhibits ferroptotic stress by targeting P53, while 6-shogaol inhibits ferroptotic stress by targeting 5-lipoxygenase (Alox5), both promoting ferroptosis. Furthermore, both ingredients co-target peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ), decreasing PPARγ-mediated nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase 1 (Nox1) expression. Nox1 promotes intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and directly induces VSMC dedifferentiation. In addition, Nox1 is a ferroptosis-promoting gene that encourages ferroptotic stress production, indirectly leading to VSMC dedifferentiation. Ginger, a natural multi-targeted ferroptotic stress inhibitor, finely and effectively prevents VSMC phenotypic transition and protects against venous injury remodeling.

Objective To explore the rehabilitative effects of flash cupping combined with respiratory training in patients with occupational pneumoconiosis (hereinafter referred to as "pneumoconiosis"). Methods A total of 94 patients with pneumoconiosis were selected as the study subjects by the convenient sampling method. Participants were divided into treatment group and control group based on pneumoconiosis stage using the stratified block randomization method, with 47 cases in each group. The patients in the control group received routine symptomatic treatment, and the patients in the treatment group received flash cupping therapy combined with respiratory training in addition to the routine treatment for six weeks. Diaphragmatic displacement (DD), 6-minutes walking distance (6MWD), metabolic equivalents of task (MET), predicted percentage of forced vital capacity (FVC%), predicted percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV₁%), Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Assessment Test (CAT) score, and the modified British Medical Research Council Respiratory Questionnaire (mMRC) were assessed before treatment, after six weeks of treatment, and three months after completion of treatment. Results Before treatment, no significant differences were observed in patients between the two groups in DD, 6MWD, MET, FVC%, FEV₁%, CAT score, or mMRC grade (all P>0.05). DD, 6MWD, and MET of patients in the treatment group were higher than those before treatment in the same group and those of the control group at the corresponding time points after six weeks of treatment (all P<0.05). In addition, the CAT score of patients in the treatment group was lower than that before treatment (P<0.05). At three months after treatment, 6MWD and MET of patients in the treatment group were higher than those before treatment and those of the control group at the same time points (all P<0.05). There were no significant differences in FVC%, FEV₁% and mMRC grade of patients between the two groups (all P>0.05). Conclusion Flash cupping combined with respiratory training can improve the diaphragmatic function, exercise endurance and quality of life of patients with pneumoconiosis, and has improved exercise endurance, which can be used as a useful supplementary treatment in the pulmonary rehabilitation of pneumoconiosis.

Vein graft(VG)failure(VGF)is associated with VG intimal hyperplasia,which is characterized by abnormal accumulation of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs),Most neointimal VSMCs are derived from pre-existing VSMCs via a process of VSMC phenotypic transition,also known as dedifferentiation.There is increasing evidence to suggest that ginger or its bioactive ingredients may block VSMC dedif-ferentiation,exerting vasoprotective functions;however,the precise mechanisms have not been fully characterized.Therefore,we investigated the effect of ginger on VSMC phenotypic transition in VG remodeling after transplantation.Ginger significantly inhibited neointimal hyperplasia and promoted lumen(L)opening in a 3-month VG,which was primarily achieved by reducing ferroptotic stress.Fer-roptotic stress is a pro-ferroptotic state.Contractile VSMCs did not die but instead gained a proliferative capacity and switched to the secretory type,forming neointima(NI)after vein transplantation.Ginger and its two main vasoprotective ingredients(6-gingerol and 6-shogaol)inhibit VSMC dedifferentiation by reducing ferroptotic stress.Network pharmacology analysis revealed that 6-gingerol inhibits fer-roptotic stress by targeting P53,while 6-shogaol inhibits ferroptotic stress by targeting 5-lipoxygenase(Alox5),both promoting ferroptosis.Furthermore,both ingredients co-target peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma(PPARγ),decreasing PPARγ-mediated nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate(NADPH)oxidase 1(Nox1)expression.Nox1 promotes intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)production and directly induces VSMC dedifferentiation.In addition,Nox1 is a ferroptosis-promoting gene that encourages ferroptotic stress production,indirectly leading to VSMC dedifferenti-ation.Ginger,a natural multi-targeted ferroptotic stress inhibitor,finely and effectively prevents VSMC phenotypic transition and protects against venous injury remodeling.

Objective To explore the safety and efficiency of sequential operation of Tirelizumab combined with chemotherapy in neoadjuvant therapy for locally advanced esophageal cancer.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on 60 patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer admitted to Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from August 2018 to June 2022.The immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy sequential surgery patients were selected as the observation group(29 cases)and the chemotherapy sequential surgery patients were selected as the control group(31 cases)according to the treatment method.The study aimed to analyze whether there were differences in efficacy and safety between the two groups.Results There are 28 patients with R0 resection in the observation group,and 14 case reached ORR.In the control group,29 cases were resected with R0,and 7 cases reached ORR.The proportion of ORR patients in the observation group was significantly higher than that in the control group,which was statistically significant(P＜0.05).There were 9 patients with pCR in the observation group and 2 patients with pCR in the control group,and the proportion of pCR patients in the two groups was significantly different(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences between the two groups for preoperative and postoperative adverse events.Conclusion Immune checkpoint inhibitors combined with chemotherapy sequential surgery are safe and reliable in patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer,with significant short-term efficacy,and long-term efficacy remains to be observed.

Objective To summarize the clinical experience in the treatment of postoperative upper gastrointestinal cancer of esophageal cancer.Methods The clinical data of 16 patients with postoperative upper gastrointestinal malignancies treated in our hospital from January 2018 to June 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.Results All the 16 patients successfully completed the operation,and no perioperative death occurred.The cumulative length of hospitalization was 18-38 days.After operation,2 cases of pulmonary infection,1 case of respiratory failure,and 1 case of cervical anastomotic fistula were cured after conservative treatment.All patients could eat normally during postoperative follow-up,and no tumor recurrence and metastasis was found.Conclusion For patients with recurrent upper gastrointestinal cancer after esophageal cancer surgery,if the lesion is relatively limited,surgical treatment is reliable and an optional treatment plan.

Studies of human and mammalian have revealed that environmental exposure can affect paternal health conditions as well as those of the offspring. However, studies that explore the mechanisms that meditate this transmission are rare. Recently, small noncoding RNAs (sncRNAs) in sperm have seemed crucial to this transmission due to their alteration in sperm in response to environmental exposure, and the methodology of microinjection of isolated total RNA or sncRNAs or synthetically identified sncRNAs gradually lifted the veil of sncRNA regulation during intergenerational inheritance along the male line. Hence, by reviewing relevant literature, this study intends to answer the following research concepts: (1) paternal environmental factors that can be passed on to offspring and are attributed to spermatozoal sncRNAs, (2) potential role of paternal spermatozoal sncRNAs during the intergenerational inheritance process, and (3) the potential mechanism by which spermatozoal sncRNAs meditate intergenerational inheritance. In summary, increased attention highlights the hidden wonder of spermatozoal sncRNAs during intergenerational inheritance. Therefore, in the future, more studies should focus on the origin of RNA alteration, the target of RNA regulation, and how sncRNA regulation during embryonic development can be sustained even in adult offspring.
Animals ; Environmental Exposure ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mammals/genetics* ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Small Untranslated/genetics* ; Spermatozoa

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), which makes up the majority of liver cancer, is induced by the infection of hepatitis B/C virus. Biomarkers are needed to facilitate the early detection of HCC, which is often diagnosed too late for effective therapy. The tRNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) play vital roles in tumorigenesis and are stable in circulation. However, the diagnostic values and biological functions of circulating tsRNAs, especially for HCC, are still unknown. In this study, we first utilized RNA sequencing followed by quantitative reverse-transcription PCR to analyze tsRNA signatures in HCC serum. We identified tRF-Gln-TTG-006, which was remarkably upregulated in HCC serum (training cohort: 24 HCC patients vs. 24 healthy controls). In the validation stage, we found that tRF-Gln-TTG-006 signature could distinguish HCC cases from healthy subjects with high sensitivity (80.4%) and specificity (79.4%) even in the early stage (Stage I: sensitivity, 79.0%; specificity, 74.8%; 155 healthy controls vs. 153 HCC patients from two cohorts). Moreover, in vitro studies indicated that circulating tRF-Gln-TTG-006 was released from tumor cells, and its biological function was predicted by bioinformatics assay and validated by colony formation and apoptosis assays. In summary, our study demonstrated that serum tsRNA signature may serve as a novel biomarker of HCC.
Biomarkers ; Biomarkers, Tumor/genetics* ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular/diagnosis* ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms/diagnosis* ; RNA, Transfer/genetics*

Objective To investigate the diagnostic value of B7-H3 and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) on diagnosis of malignant pleural effusion (MPE).Methods We collected and analysed the expression of B7-H3 and CEA in 40 MPE cases and 22 cases of benign pleural effusion (BPE) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Receiver operator characteristic curves (ROC) were drawn according to the expression of B7-H3 and CEA, calculated diagnosis sensitivity, specificity and the area under curve (AUC).Results The diagnosis sensitivity of B7-H3 was 62.5％, specificity 81.0％, with the AUC of 0.777;similarly, The diagnosis sensitivity of CEA was 72.5％, specificity 81.0％, with the AUC of 0.850.Higher AUC of 0.910 was gained in combination ROC, with sensitivity and specificity of 72.5％, 81.0％, respectively.Conclusion B7-H3 and CEA could be available diagnosing markers for MPE.Combined applications of B7-H3 and CEA have higher AUC.They may be widely applied in future clinical practice.

Objective To evaluate he significance of the Neutrophil-Lymphocyte Ratio(NLR)and the red blood cell(erythrocyte)distribution width(RDW)in distinguishing between simple and complex febrile seizures and evaluate the diagnostic values of NLR and RDW in febrile seizures. Methods Totally,100 patients aged between 6 months and 5 years diagnosed with febrile seizure were admitted to the emergency department of the hospital.Complete blood count obtained from the peripheral blood samples collected from the patients at admis-sion were evaluated. Results The average values of NLR for simple and complex seizure groups were 2.16 ± 1.26 and 3.62 ± 1.51 respectively.The average values of RDW for simple and complex seizure groups were 15.04 ± 1.73 and 16.89 ± 1.44,respectively.Using receiver operating characteristic curve(ROC),the sensitivity and specificity were 65.5% and 66.2%,respectively,with the area under the curve[AUC]of 0.670 when the cut-off value was 2.52 for NLR,and they were 62.1% and 59.3%,respectively,with AUC of 0.619 when the cut-off value was 16.47 for RDW. Conclusion NLR and RDW may provide clinicians with an insight into differentiation between simple and complex febrile seizures,however,we need much better diagnostic value to classify the febrile seizures