Extensive studies have identified potential adverse effects on semen quality of obesity, based on body mass index, but the association between body fat distribution, a more relevant indicator for obesity, and semen quality remains less clear. We conducted a longitudinal study of 4304 sperm donors from the Guangdong Provincial Human Sperm Bank (Guangzhou, China) during 2017-2021. A body composition analyzer was used to measure total and local body fat percentage for each participant. Generalized estimating equations were employed to assess the association between body fat percentage and sperm count, motility, and morphology. We estimated that each 10% increase in total body fat percentage (estimated change [95% confidence interval, 95% CI]) was significantly associated with a 0.18 × 10 6 (0.09 × 10 6 -0.27 × 10 6 ) ml and 12.21 × 10 6 (4.52 × 10 6 -19.91 × 10 6 ) reduction in semen volume and total sperm count, respectively. Categorical analyses and exposure-response curves showed that the association of body fat distribution with semen volume and total sperm count was stronger at higher body fat percentages. In addition, the association still held among normal weight and overweight participants. We observed similar associations for upper limb, trunk, and lower limb body fact distributions. In conclusion, we found that a higher body fat distribution was significantly associated with lower semen quality (especially semen volume) even in men with a normal weight. These findings provide useful clues in exploring body fat as a risk factor for semen quality decline and add to evidence for improving semen quality for those who are expected to conceive.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Semen Analysis ; China ; Body Fat Distribution ; Longitudinal Studies ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Body Mass Index ; Tissue Donors ; Obesity/complications* ; Spermatozoa ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; East Asian People

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the application value of thromboelastography (TEG) in assessing coagulation function in children with severe hemophilia A (HA) after emicizumab (EMI) therapy. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed on the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) and TEG testing results of 17 children with severe HA before and after EMI treatment at Shenzhen Children's Hospital from January 2023 to July 2024. Correlation analysis was conducted between coagulation factor VIII (FVIII) equivalent activity and reaction time (R value) measured by TEG. RESULTS: After EMI treatment, the mean bleeding rate for children with severe HA was 1.6 events per year, with 15 children (88%) without spontaneous bleeding or joint bleeding. The children with severe HA showed a significant reduction in APTT after EMI treatment (P<0.05), with a significantly shorter APTT than the normal control group (P<0.05). There was no correlation between APTT and FVIII equivalent activity after treatment (P>0.05). After EMI treatment, TEG parameters, including R value, kinetic time, alpha angle (α), maximum amplitude, clot strength, and coagulation index, shifted from a hypocoagulable state before treatment to a nearly normal state after treatment (P<0.05). The R value demonstrated a strong negative correlation with FVIII equivalent activity (r=-0.758, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The bleeding condition of children with severe HA can be effectively controlled after EMI treatment. Routine APTT testing cannot reflect true coagulation function, whereas TEG testing is clinically valuable in assessing the coagulation function of children with severe HA undergoing EMI treatment.
Humans ; Thrombelastography ; Hemophilia A/physiopathology* ; Male ; Child ; Antibodies, Bispecific/therapeutic use* ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized/therapeutic use* ; Blood Coagulation/drug effects* ; Child, Preschool ; Retrospective Studies ; Female ; Partial Thromboplastin Time ; Adolescent ; Infant

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

Accurate timing of myelination is crucial for the proper functioning of the central nervous system. Here, we identified a de novo heterozygous mutation in TMEM63A (c.1894G>A; p. Ala632Thr) in a 7-year-old boy exhibiting hypomyelination. A Ca²⁺ influx assay suggested that this is a loss-of-function mutation. To explore how TMEM63A deficiency causes hypomyelination, we generated Tmem63a knockout mice. Genetic deletion of TMEM63A resulted in hypomyelination at postnatal day 14 (P14) arising from impaired differentiation of oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). Notably, the myelin dysplasia was transient, returning to normal levels by P28. Primary cultures of Tmem63a^-/- OPCs presented delayed differentiation. Lentivirus-based expression of TMEM63A but not TMEM63A_A632T rescued the differentiation of Tmem63a^-/- OPCs in vitro and myelination in Tmem63a^-/- mice. These data thus support the conclusion that the mutation in TMEM63A is the pathogenesis of the hypomyelination in the patient. Our study further demonstrated that TMEM63A-mediated Ca²⁺ influx plays critical roles in the early development of myelin and oligodendrocyte differentiation.
Animals ; Cell Differentiation/physiology* ; Oligodendroglia/metabolism* ; Mice, Knockout ; Mice ; Male ; Myelin Sheath/metabolism* ; Humans ; Child ; Cells, Cultured ; Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells/metabolism*

OBJECTIVE: Blood culture remains the gold standard for diagnosing bloodstream infections. Clinical laboratories must ensure the quality of blood culture processes from receipt to obtaining definitive results. We examined laboratory analytical indicators associated with positive blood culture results. METHODS: Blood cultures collected from Peking Union Medical College Hospital between January 1, 2020, and December 31, 2022, were retrospectively analyzed. The mode of transportation (piping logistics delivery vs. staff), source of blood cultures (outpatient/emergency department vs. inpatient department), rotation of personnel, and time of reception (8:00-19:59 vs. 20:00-07:59) were compared between blood culture-positive and -negative results. RESULTS: Between 2020 and 2022, the total positive rate of blood culture was 8.07%. The positive rate of blood cultures in the outpatient/emergency department was significantly higher than that in the inpatient department (12.46% vs. 5.83%; P < 0.0001). The time-to-detection of blood cultures was significantly affected by the delivery mode and personnel rotation. The blood culture positive rate of the total pre-analytical time within 1 h was significantly higher than that within 1-2 h or > 2 h ( P < 0.0170). CONCLUSION Laboratory analytical indicators such as patient source, transportation mode, and personnel rotation significantly impacted the positive detection rate or time of blood culture.
Blood Culture/statistics & numerical data* ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data*

Objective To investigate the effect of ursodeoxycholic acid(UDCA)on the symptoms after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2(SARS-CoV-2)infection in patients with primary biliary cholangitis(PBC)and their family member.Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect related information from 171 PBC patients who attended The First Affiliated Hospital of Air Force Medical University before March 22,2023 and 128 family members,including demographic information,comorbidities,UDCA administration,SARS-CoV-2 infection,vaccination,symptoms,therapeutic medication,and the changes in liver disease-related symptoms.The independent-samples t test or the Mann-Whitney U test was used for comparison of continuous data between two groups,and the chi-square test or the Fisher's exact test was used for comparison of categorical data between two groups.Results The median age was 51 years in the PBC patients and 49 years in the family members,with no significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05).Compared with the family member group,the PBC group had significantly lower body mass index(22.2±2.4 kg/m2 vs 23.3±2.9 kg/m2,P<0.001)and proportion of male individuals(10%vs 55%,P<0.001).All PBC patients received UDCA at a dose of 13—15 mg/kg,and SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was 100%in both groups.The family members had a significantly higher SARS-CoV-2 vaccination rate than the PBC patients(91%vs 57%,P<0.001).Compared with the family members,the PBC patients had significantly milder symptoms of sneezing,nasal obstruction,chest pain,and abnormal taste(P<0.05).Compared with the family members,the PBC patients had significantly lower rates of use of compound cold medicine(11%vs 20%,P<0.05)and Lianhua Qingwen capsules(12%vs 21%,P<0.05).For the PBC patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection,the liver disease-related symptoms such as fatigue,abdominal distension,dry mouth and dry eyes,pruritus,and yellow skin were aggravated by 37%,2%,27%,10%,and 3%,respectively.Conclusion Compared with the immediate family members of PBC patients who do not take UDCA,the PBC patients receiving UDCA do not show a reduction in SARS-CoV-2 infection rate,but UDCA may have a certain effect on alleviating infection-related symptoms in such patients.PBC patients may still experience the aggravation of liver disease-related symptoms after SARS-CoV-2 infection,and the long-term effect on PBC patients after SARS-CoV-2 infection should be taken seriously in clinical practice.

Objective To analyze the efficacy of bevacizumab combined with paclitaxel+carboplatin in the treatment of recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer,and to explore the influence on survival prognosis of patients.Methods Patients with recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer were divided into control group and treatment group according to different treatment methods.The control group received paclitaxel combined with carboplatin chemotherapy regimen(intravenous infusion of 170 mg·m-2 paclitaxel and carboplatin(AUC=5 mg·mL-1·min)for 3 weeks as a course of chemotherapy),and the treatment group was given bevacizumab on the basis of control group,intravenous infusion of 15 mg·kg-1 bevacizumab,once every 3 weeks.Both groups were treated for 3 cycles of treatment by taking 3 weeks as 1 treatment cycle.The clinical efficacy,levels of serum tumor markers,quality of life,survival prognosis and occurrence of drug-related adverse reactions during treatment were compared between the two groups.Results There were 41 cases in treatment group and 48 cases in control group.After treatment,the overall response rate(ORR)of treatment group and control group were 31.71％(13 cases/41 cases)and 14.58％(7 cases/48 cases),with no statistical significance(P＞0.05).After treatment,the disease control rate(DCR)in control group and treatment group were 62.50％(30 cases/48 cases)and 82.93％(34 cases/41 cases);the squamous cell carcinoma antigen(SCCA)levels were(3.58±0.73)and(2.52±0.57)ng·mL-1;carbohydrate antigen 19-9(CA19-9)levels were(23.60±4.29)and(19.19±3.72)U·mL-1;carbohydrate antigen 15-3(CA15-3)levels were(27.13±5.36)and(22.86±3.94)U·mL-1;carbohydrate antigen 125(CA125)levels were(39.24±6.88)and(26.47±5.09)U·mL-1;the overall improvement rates of quality of life were 41.67％(20 cases/48 cases)and 73.17％(30 cases/41 cases),the progression-free survival times were 8.67 months(95％CI:7.82-9.53)and 10.25 months(95％CI:9.68-10.81),the total survival times were 9.96 months(95％CI:9.13-10.79)and 11.47 months(95％CI:11.00-11.93),all with significant difference(all P＜0.05).There were no statistically significant differences in the incidence of nausea and vomiting,leukopenia,thrombocytopenia and liver-kidney function impairment between both groups(all P＞0.05).Conclusion Bevacizumab combined with chemotherapy has significant efficacy in the treatment of recurrent/metastatic cervical cancer,and it can reduce the levels of serum tumor markers,enhance the quality of life,and improve the survival prognosis,and it has good safety.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of simultaneous arthroscopic repair of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) for treating chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) in conjunction with subtalar instability (STI).Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 15 patients with ankle arthroscopic in the Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2019 to December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 11 male cases and 4 female cases, aged (28.6±1.5) years (range: 19 to 39 years). All the patients were evaluated by manual inversion stress X-ray and MRI before operation. Arthroscopically observing and then repairing the ATFL and CFL separately after further diagnostic confirmation. One year after operation, MRI was performed, and pain visual analogue score(VAS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle hindfoot scale (AOFAS-AH) and Karlsson ankle functional scale(KAFS) were evaluated. Data were compared using paired sample t test. Results:The follow-up period was (23.6±2.3) months (range: 12 to 30 months). At last follow-up,the VAS decreased from 6.1±1.4 preoperatively to 1.4±1.2( t=9.482, P<0.01).The AOFAS-AH improved from 50.5±11.7 preoperatively to 94.2±6.1( t=-13.132, P<0.01), and the KAFS improved from preoperatively 44.3±10.8 to 90.8±6.4 ( t=-12.510, P<0.01). There was no complication such as recurred instability or joint stiffness. Conclusions:Arthroscopically repairing the ATFL and CFL separately can effectively restore the stability of the ankle and subtalar joint with small trauma. Patients can recover quickly after surgery. It provides a new idea for the clinical treatment of CLAI combined with STI.

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of simultaneous arthroscopic repair of anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) and calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) for treating chronic lateral ankle instability (CLAI) in conjunction with subtalar instability (STI).Methods:This is a retrospective case series study. The clinical data of 15 patients with ankle arthroscopic in the Department of Hand and Foot Surgery, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University from January 2019 to December 2022 were analyzed retrospectively. There were 11 male cases and 4 female cases, aged (28.6±1.5) years (range: 19 to 39 years). All the patients were evaluated by manual inversion stress X-ray and MRI before operation. Arthroscopically observing and then repairing the ATFL and CFL separately after further diagnostic confirmation. One year after operation, MRI was performed, and pain visual analogue score(VAS), American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society ankle hindfoot scale (AOFAS-AH) and Karlsson ankle functional scale(KAFS) were evaluated. Data were compared using paired sample t test. Results:The follow-up period was (23.6±2.3) months (range: 12 to 30 months). At last follow-up,the VAS decreased from 6.1±1.4 preoperatively to 1.4±1.2( t=9.482, P<0.01).The AOFAS-AH improved from 50.5±11.7 preoperatively to 94.2±6.1( t=-13.132, P<0.01), and the KAFS improved from preoperatively 44.3±10.8 to 90.8±6.4 ( t=-12.510, P<0.01). There was no complication such as recurred instability or joint stiffness. Conclusions:Arthroscopically repairing the ATFL and CFL separately can effectively restore the stability of the ankle and subtalar joint with small trauma. Patients can recover quickly after surgery. It provides a new idea for the clinical treatment of CLAI combined with STI.