Recent studies have shown that shorter periods of ejaculatory abstinence may enhance certain sperm parameters, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these improvements are still unclear. This study explored whether reduced abstinence periods could improve semen quality, particularly for use in assisted reproductive technologies (ART). We analyzed semen samples from men with normal sperm counts ( n = 101) and those with low sperm motility or concentration ( n = 53) after 3-7 days of abstinence and then after 1-3 h of abstinence, obtained from the Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya (Changsha, China). Physiological and biochemical sperm parameters were evaluated, and the dynamics of transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived fragments (tRFs) were analyzed using deep RNA sequencing in five consecutive samples from men with normal sperm counts. Our results revealed significant improvement in sperm motility and a decrease in the DNA fragmentation index after the 1- to 3-h abstinence period. Additionally, we identified 245 differentially expressed tRFs, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was the most enriched. Further investigations showed significant changes in tRF-Lys-TTT and its target gene mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 2 ( MAP2K2 ), which indicates a role of tRFs in improving sperm function. These findings provide new insights into how shorter abstinence periods influence sperm quality and suggest that tRFs may serve as biomarkers for male fertility. This research highlights the potential for optimizing ART protocols and improving reproductive outcomes through molecular approaches that target sperm function.
Male ; Humans ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; RNA, Transfer/genetics* ; Sperm Motility/genetics* ; Adult ; Semen Analysis ; Sexual Abstinence/physiology* ; Sperm Count ; DNA Fragmentation

Mitochondrial neurogastrointestinal encephalomyopathy(MNGIE),a rare mitochondrial disorder caused by TYMP gene mutations,is characterized by severe gastrointestinal dysmotility,peripheral neuropathy,and leukodystrophy.This article summarizes the clinical data and intestinal ultrasound findings of a MNGIE case,aiming to provide insights for clinical diagnosis and treatment.
Humans ; Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathies/diagnostic imaging* ; Ultrasonography ; Intestines/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Female ; Intestinal Pseudo-Obstruction/diagnostic imaging* ; Ophthalmoplegia/congenital* ; Muscular Dystrophy, Oculopharyngeal

Objective To investigate the effect of exosomal miR-146a-5p expression on gray matter volume in patients with major depressive disorder(MDD).Methods A total of 113 MDD patients(MDD group)and 107 healthy controls(HC)(HC group)were selected.Peripheral blood was collected and exosomes were isolated to quantify miR-146a-5p expression.Brain high-resolution T1 WI images of MDD and HC were obtained via MR,and gray matter volume was computed via SPM12 software.The interaction effect of"Depression×miR-146a-5p expression"on gray matter volume was analyzed using SPM's Flexible factorial design,and the between-group difference was assessed by extracting the mean value,thus to analyze whether MDD-related gray matter volume abnormalities were dependent on miR-146a-5p expression.Results Exosomal miR-146a-5p expression was significantly elevated in MDD group compared to HC group.Voxel-based factorial analysis revealed a relationship between high miR-146a-5p expression in MDD group and reduced gray matter volume in the anterior and posterior cingulate cortices(independent voxel threshold P＜0.001,AlphaSim corrected),and a significantly reduced gray matter volume as compared with HC group was detected in the two regions.Conclusion The exosomal miR-146a-5p is overexpressed in patients with MDD and may be associated with specific cortical atrophy in patients with MDD.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of female migraine patients with patent foramen ovale(PFO)and design a risk prediction model for PFO in female migraine patients(migraineur patients PFO risk prediction model,MPRPM).Methods Female migraine patients who visited Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University from Jun 1,2019 to Dec 31,2022 were included.Preoperative information and follow-up results after discontinuation of medication were collected.Patients were divided into PFO-positive and PFO-negative groups based on transesophageal echocardiography results.A multivariate Logistic regression model and a random forest model were constructed,and the random forest model was validated multidimensionally.Key features were selected based on the mean decrease accuracy(MDA)to construct MPRPM.Results A total of 305 female patients were included in the study,with 204 patients in the PFO-positive group and 101 patients in the PFO-negative group.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age at migraine onset,attack frequency,severe impact on life during attacks,exercise-related headaches,menstruation-induced headaches,aura migraines,and a history of cryptogenic stroke were predictive factors for PFO positivity.The random forest model effectively predicted the incidence of PFO in female migraine patients,with an AUC of 0.895(95%CI:0.847-0.943).MPRPM demonstrated a sensitivity of 71.6%and specificity of 91.1%(AUC:0.862,95%CI:0.818-0.906,P<0.001).The optimal cut-off value was 2.5 points.Patients correctly classified by the model showed a higher rate of symptom improvement compared to incorrectly classified patients(94.3%vs.82.0%,P=0.023).Conclusion We identified predictive factors for PFO in migraine patients.MPRPM can provide guidance in the diagnostic process and therapeutic decision-making for female migraine patients,assist in patient triage,and reduce the healthcare burden.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of a new type of self-made bone drill applied to percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy for L5/S1 intervertebral disc herniation.Methods The clinical data of 52 patients with L5/S1 intervertebral disc herniation admitted to our hospital were retrospectively analyzed.All patients underwent percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy,with a new type of self-made bone drill for foraminoplasty during the surgery.The surgical conditions and occurrence of complications were recorded.The pain of patients before surgery,3 days after surgery,3 months after surgery,6 months after surgery,and 1 year after surgery was assessed by visual analogue scale(VAS);and the neurological function improvement before and after surgery was evaluated by Oswestry disability index(ODI).Results All patients underwent successful surgery without serious complications or recurrence after surgery.The VAS and ODI scores of patients 3 days,3 months,6 months,and 1 year after surgery were significantly lower than those before surgery(P<0.05).Conclusion The self-made new bone drill can significantly improve the efficiency of foraminoplasty and ensure surgical safety,with satisfactory early clinical effect.

Objective To evaluate and compare the success rate and short-term clinical prognosis of transfemoral transcatheter aortic valve replacement(TF-TAVR)for patients with pure aortic regurgitation(PAR)of different annulus sizes.Methods This study is a single center retrospective study,selecting symptomatic PAR patients who received TF-TAVR treatment at Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University from September 2019 to September 2023.Based on preoperative CT results,all patients were divided into three groups:Group A(aortic annulus circumference＜80 mm),Group B(80 mm≤aortic annulus circumference＜85 mm),and Group C(aortic annulus circumference&ge; 85 mm).The primary endpoint was success rate and 30d all-cause mortality,while the secondary endpoint was TAVR related complications.Results A total of 61 PAR patients were included in this study,including 27 in Group A,21 in Group B,and 13 in Group C.The overall success rate is 82.0％,and the 30 d all-cause mortality rate is 3.3％.The success rate of Group C patients was significantly lower(P=0.012),with higher rates of conversion to surgery and valve-in-valve implantation(P=0.022 and P=0.040).In terms of secondary endpoint events,there were no significant differences among the three groups in major bleeding events,major vascular complications,stroke,myocardial infarction,newly developed atrial fibrillation,implantation of new pacemakers,coronary artery occlusion,and postoperative moderate to severe perivalvular leakage(all P＞0.05).Conclusions The circumference of the aortic valve annulus is a key factor affecting the success rate of TF-TAVR in PAR,and PAR patients with an aortic valve annulus circumference less than 85mm may be more suitable for TF-TAVR.

Transcatheter tricuspid valve replacement(TTVR)is characterized by minimal invasiveness,rapid recovery,and a significantly lower perioperative mortality rate compared to surgical procedures.It is the preferred treatment for patients with bioprosthetic valve failure following surgical tricuspid valve replacement.However,when the delivery system is relatively bulky,challenges can arise due to the reduced orifice area post-surgery and the constraints imposed by the valve frame.These factors may result in difficulties advancing the delivery system.Additionally,the tortuous right heart pathway and limited support provided by the guide wire further increase the complexity of the procedure.In the present case,the patient experienced bioprosthetic valve failure following surgical tricuspid valve replacement.During TTVR,the advancement of the delivery system across the tricuspid valve encountered difficulties.Our team promptly employed the parallel anchoring-supporting sheath and snared wire(PASS)technique,pioneered at our center.Utilizing a large supporting sheath in conjunction with a snare to secure the tip of a extra-stiff guide wire,we straightened the tortuous pathway,providing additional support to the extra-stiff guide wire.This maneuver successfully facilitated the advancement of the delivery system across the tricuspid valve,offering a practical and effective solution for overcoming intraoperative challenges associated with TTVR.

Objective To investigate the safety and efficacy of interventional therapy in patients with secondary atrial septal defect(ASD)with complete aortic rim deficiency.Methods 402 patients with ASD who underwent transcatheter closure and followed up in outpatient at both 6-month and 1-year in the Department of Cardiology,Zhongshan Hospital,Fudan University from January 2018 to June 2020 were enrolled.They were divided into complete aortic rim deficiency group and normal aortic rim group.The clinical features,interventional parameters,and complications were compared between the two groups.Echocardiographic were used to evaluate the outcome.Results The occluder size was larger in the aortic rim deficiency group([26.4±6.9]mm,n=128)than that in normal aortic rim group([23.4±7.7]mm,P＜0.001;n=274).Both groups exhibited no major postoperative complications,and significant improvements were observed in right heart remodeling following the operation,including pulmonary artery pressure decreasing,the diameters of the right atrium and right ventricle reducing,and the degree of tricuspid regurgitation reducing(P＜0.001).There was no significant change in left ventricular ejection fraction in all patients.Conclusion Transcatheter closure of ASD with complete aortic rim deficiency is safe and feasible.

Humans ; Tricuspid Valve/surgery* ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Surgical Instruments ; Treatment Outcome ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency/surgery*

Female ; Humans ; Uterine Neoplasms/pathology* ; Carcinoma, Endometrioid/pathology* ; Endometrial Neoplasms/pathology* ; Ovarian Neoplasms/pathology*