The genome tagging project (GTP) plays a pivotal role in addressing a critical gap in the understanding of protein functions. Within this framework, we successfully generated a human influenza hemagglutinin-tagged sperm-specific protein 411 (HA-tagged Ssp411) mouse model. This model is instrumental in probing the expression and function of Ssp411. Our research revealed that Ssp411 is expressed in the round spermatids, elongating spermatids, elongated spermatids, and epididymal spermatozoa. The comprehensive examination of the distribution of Ssp411 in these germ cells offers new perspectives on its involvement in spermiogenesis. Nevertheless, rigorous further inquiry is imperative to elucidate the precise mechanistic underpinnings of these functions. Ssp411 is not detectable in metaphase II (MII) oocytes, zygotes, or 2-cell stage embryos, highlighting its intricate role in early embryonic development. These findings not only advance our understanding of the role of Ssp411 in reproductive physiology but also significantly contribute to the overarching goals of the GTP, fostering groundbreaking advancements in the fields of spermiogenesis and reproductive biology.
Animals ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Spermatids/metabolism* ; Spermatogenesis/physiology* ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; Thioredoxins/genetics*

To evaluate the therapeutic effect of a modified Devine procedure with a subcutaneous sliding fixation method for the treatment of congenital concealed penis, we retrospectively selected 45 patients with congenital concealed penises who were admitted to General Hospital of Ningxia Medical University (Yinchuan, China) between September 2020 and November 2023. In all cases, the penis was observed to be short, and retracting the skin at the base revealed a normal penile body, which immediately returned to its original position upon release. All patients underwent the modified Devine procedure with subcutaneous sliding fixation and completed a 12-week postoperative follow-up. A statistically significant increase in penile length was observed postoperatively, with the median length increasing from 4.0 (interquartile range [IQR]: 3.5-4.8; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 3.9-4.4) cm to 8.0 (IQR: 7.8-8.0; 95% CI: 7.7-7.9) cm, with P < 0.001. The parents were satisfied with the outcomes, including increased penile length, improved hygiene, and enhanced esthetics. Except for mild foreskin edema in all cases, no complications (such as infections, skin necrosis, or penile retraction) were observed. The edema was resolved within 4 weeks after the operation. This study demonstrates that the modified Devine procedure utilizing the subcutaneous sliding fixation method yields excellent outcomes with minimal postoperative complications, reduced penile retraction, and high satisfaction rates among patients and their families.
Humans ; Male ; Penis/abnormalities* ; Retrospective Studies ; Urologic Surgical Procedures, Male/methods* ; Treatment Outcome ; Child ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods*

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the efficacy of volume-guaranteed high-frequency oscillatory ventilation (HFOV-VG) in preterm infants with respiratory distress syndrome (RDS) and its impact on blood flow in the middle cerebral artery (MCA). METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on 120 preterm infants with RDS who were admitted to the Department of Neonatology at Qinhuangdao Maternal and Child Health Hospital from March 2020 to December 2023. According to the mode of ventilation, the infants were divided into two groups: a conventional mechanical ventilation (CMV) group (60 infants) and an HFOV-VG group (60 infants). The two groups were compared in terms of baseline data, MCA hemodynamic parameters, complications, and outcomes. RESULTS: Compared with the CMV group, the HFOV-VG group had significantly shorter durations of mechanical ventilation and hospital stay and a significantly higher overall response rate (P<0.05). The HFOV-VG group demonstrated significantly better peak systolic velocity, end-diastolic velocity, and mean flow velocity (P<0.05). The HFOV-VG group also exhibited significantly lower 28-day mortality rates and lower incidence rates of bronchopulmonary dysplasia and intraventricular hemorrhage than the CMV group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS HFOV-VG can effectively improve cerebral blood perfusion, reduce cerebrovascular resistance, shorten the durations of mechanical ventilation and hospital stay, and enhance overall treatment efficacy. It has significant advantages in reducing the risk of 28-day mortality, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, and intraventricular hemorrhage in preterm infants with RDS.
Humans ; High-Frequency Ventilation/adverse effects* ; Infant, Newborn ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/physiopathology* ; Female ; Middle Cerebral Artery/physiology* ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Infant, Premature

Lipopolysaccharides (LPS) are major outer membrane components of Gram-negative bacteria. Unlike most Gram-negative bacteria, Acinetobacter baumannii can still survive and acquire polymyxin resistance after complete loss of LPS. Previous studies of LPS-deficient Acinetobacter baumannii mostly focused on LPS-deficient strains induced by polymyxin, whose background was complex and unstable. To investigate LPS loss-mediated polymyxin resistant-Acinetobacter baumannii, this study constructed a stable and clear background LPS-deficient strain by knocking out lpxC gene in Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606 with CIRSPR/Cas9, and then studied the phenotypic changes of the lpxC-deficient strain including morphology, growth rate, antibiotic susceptibility, virulence, membrane permeability, and membrane potential. Animal experiments were approved by the Animal Care and Welfare Committee Institute of Medicinal Biotechnology, CAMS and PUMC (approval number: IMB-20240119D₉). The results indicated that the lpxC gene of Acinetobacter baumannii ATCC 19606 was successfully knocked out. After losing the lpxC, the strain underwent the morphological change from rod-shaped to spherical. Furthermore, it leads to reduced growth rate, enhanced membrane permeability, decreased membrane potential, lower virulence, and increased antibiotic susceptibility to β-lactams, quinolones, aminoglycosides, macrolides, glycopeptides. The lpxC deletion results in significant changes in membrane homeostasis and adaptability of Acinetobacter baumannii. Understanding the phenotypic changes of colistin-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii mediated by LPS loss is useful for exploring the resistance mechanism of Acinetobacter baumannii and developing new therapeutic strategies.

Osteoporosis leads to an imbalance in bone remodelling, where bone resorption is greater than bone formation and osteoclast degradation increases, resulting in severe bone loss. Autophagy is a lysosomal degradation pathway that regulates the proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis of various bone cells (including osteoblasts, osteoclasts, and osteoclasts), and is deeply involved in the bone remodelling process. In recent years, the role of autophagy in the progression of osteoporosis and related bone metabolic diseases has received more and more attention, and it has become a research hotspot in this field. Summarising the existing studies, it is found that senile osteoporosis is the result of a combination of factors. On the one hand, it is the imbalance of bone remodelling and the increase of bone resorption/bone formation ratio with ageing, which causes progressive bone loss. On the other hand, aging leads to a general decrease in the level of autophagy, a decrease in the activity of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, and an inhibition of osteogenic differentiation. The lack of oestrogen leads to the immune system being in a low activation state, and the antioxidant capacity is weakened and inflammatory response is increased, inducing autophagy-related proteins to participate in the transmission of inflammatory signals, excessive accumulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the skeleton, and negatively regulating bone formation. In addition, with aging and the occurrence of related diseases, glucocorticoid treatments also mediate autophagy in bone tissue cells, contributing to the decline in bone strength. Exercise, as an effective means of combating osteoporosis, improves bone biomechanical properties and increases bone density. It has been found that exercise induces oxidative stress, energy imbalance, protein defolding and increased intracellular calcium ions in the organism, which in turn activates autophagy. In bone, exercise of different intensities activates messengers such as ROS, PI3K, and AMP. These messengers signal downstream cascades, which in turn induce autophagy to restore dynamic homeostasis in vivo. During exercise, increased production of AMP, PI3K, and ROS activate their downstream effectors, AMPK, Akt, and p38MAPK, respectively, and these molecules in turn lead to activation of the autophagy pathway. Activation of AMPK inhibits mTOR activity and phosphorylates ULK1 at different sites, inducing autophagy. AMPK and p38 up-regulate per-PGC-1α activity and activate transcription factors in the nucleus, resulting in increased autophagy and lysosomal genes. Together, they activate FoxOs, whose transcriptional activity controls cellular processes including autophagy and can act on autophagy key proteins, while FoxOs proteins are expressed in osteoblasts. Exercise also regulates the expression of mTORC1, FoxO1, and PGC-1 through the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway, which ultimately plays a role in the differentiation and proliferation of osteoblasts and regulates bone metabolism. In addition, BMPs signaling pathway and long chain non-coding RNAs also play a role in the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and autophagy process under exercise stimulation. Therefore, exercise may become a new molecular regulatory mechanism to improve osteoporosis through the bone autophagy pathway, but the specific mechanism needs to be further investigated. How exercise affects bone autophagy and thus prevents and treats bone-related diseases will become a future research hotspot in the fields of biology, sports medicine and sports science, and it is believed that future studies will further reveal its mechanism and provide new theoretical basis and ideas.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]

Objective To explore the effect of CircCSNK1G1 on the proliferation,apoptosis and migration of gastric cancer(GC)cells by regulating the miR-381-3p/S kinase-related protein 2(Skp2)axis.Methods HGC-27 cells were divided into non transfected group,si-NC group,si-CircCSNK1G1 group,si-CircCSNK1 G1+anti-miR-NC group,and si-CircCSNK1G1+anti-miR-381-3p group.The expressions of CircCSNK1G1,miR-381-3p and Skp2 mRNA in GC tumor tissues and GC cell lines were detected by qRT-PCR respectively;cell proliferation was detected by MTT assay;the number of cell clones was detected by clonogenic assay;apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry;cell migration and invasion ability were determined by transwell;the expression of E-cadherin and Vimentin was detected by Western Blot;and the targeting relationship among CircCSNK1G1,miR-381-3p and Skp2 was verified by double luciferase experiment.Results Compared with GES-1 in normal tissues adjacent to cancer and normal human gastric mucosal epithelial cells,the expression of CircCSNK1 G1 and Skp2 mRNA in GC tumor tissues and GC cell lines is high,and the expression of miR-381-3p is low(P＜0.05),and the expression level of miR-381-3p in HGC-27 cells is the lowest,and the expression level of CircCSNK1G1 and Skp2 mRNA is the highest,therefore,HGC-27 cells were selected and CircCSNK1G1 was knocked down for the experiment.Compared with untransfected group and si-CircCSNK1G1-NC group,transfection of si-CircCSNK1G1 could reduce the expression of CircCSNK1G1,Skp2 mRNA,cell proliferation activity,cell migration number,and the expression of Vimentin protein in HGC-27 cells(P＜0.05),the expression of miR-381-3p,apoptosis rate,and the expression of E-cadherin protein were increased(P＜0.05).The double luciferase experiment verified that CircCSNK1G1 and Skp2 had a targeting relationship with miR-381-3p,moreover,CircCSNK1G1 could be used as sponge RNA of miR-381-3p to further regulate the expression and activity of Skp2.Conclusion Knockdown of CircCSNK1G1 can target up-regulate the expression of miR-381-3p,and inhibit the expression of Skp2,thus promoting the apoptosis of GC cells,and inhibiting their proliferation and migration.

Objective To explore the clinical efficacy and safety of Beimu Zhizhu Prescription(derived from the modification of Zhizhu Pills)in the treatment of GERC by retrospectively analyzing the clinical data of 297 patients with gastroesophageal reflux cough(GERC).Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted in a total of 297 patients with GERC of rebellious stomach qi type who were admitted to the Outpatient Department of Wangjing Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences from July 2021 to July 2023.The patients were divided into an exposure group(136 cases)and a non-exposure group(161 cases)according to the medication of Beimu Zhizhu Prescription or not.The exposure group was treated with Beimu Zhizhu Decoction,and the non-exposure group was treated with proton pump inhibitor of Esomeprazole Magnesium Enteric-coated Tablets.A total of 119 pairs of cases were obtained after propensity score matching(PSM)at the ratio of 1 to 1.The changes of salivary pepsin level before and after treatment in the two groups were observed.After two weeks and eight weeks of treatment,the cough response rate and the remission rates for reflux-related symptoms of acid reflux,heartburn,belching and gastric distension were compared between the two groups,and the incidence of adverse reactions was recorded.Results(1)After two weeks of treatment,the comparison of symptom remission rate after PSM showed that the cough response rate and the remission rates for reflux-related symptoms of acid reflux,heartburn,belching and gastric distension in the exposure group were 84.87％(101/119),80.77％(84/104),82.61％(76/92),82.5％(66/80),84.42％(65/77),respectively,and those in the non-exposure group were 73.95％(88/119),72.90％(78/107),70.41％(69/98),65.38％(51/78),64.38％(47/73),respectively.The intergroup comparison showed that the remission rates for all of the symptoms except for acid reflux in the exposure group was significantly superior to that in the non-exposure group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).After eight weeks of treatment,the cough response rate and the remission rates for reflux-related symptoms of acid reflux,heartburn,belching,and gastric distension in the exposure group were 94.74％(36/38),91.67％(33/36),91.43％(32/35),93.75％(30/32),94.12％(32/34),respectively,and those in the non-exposure group were 77.78％(35/45),74.42％(32/43),71.43％(30/42),68.42％(26/38),66.67％(24/36),respectively.The intergroup comparison showed that the remission rate of all of the symptoms in the exposure group was significantly superior to that in the non-exposure group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(2)After two weeks of treatment,the comparison of salivary pepsin level after PSM showed that the salivary pepsin level of the exposure group was significantly lower than that before treatment(P＜0.01),while that of the non-exposure group was not significantly decreased(P＞0.05).The decrease of salivary pepsin level in the exposure group was significantly superior to that in the non-exposure group.Statistically significant differences were presented in the post-treatment salivary pepsin level after two weeks of treatment and in the pre-and post-treatment difference of salivary pepsin level between the two groups(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01).(3)There were four cases(2.48％)of adverse reactions in the non-exposure group,while no related adverse reactions occurred in the exposure group.There was no significant difference in the incidence of adverse reactions between the two groups(x2=1.180,P=0.178).Conclusion Beimu Zhizhu Decoction can effectively relieve cough and reflux-related symptoms of acid reflux,heartburn,belching,and gastric distension in patients with GERC of rebellious stomach qi type,reduce the level of salivary pepsin,and has high safety.

Objective To investigate the correlation between the level of N-terminal pro-Brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)and cardiorespiratory fitness following acute exposure to high altitude.Methods Forty-six subjects were recruited from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University in June 2022,including 19 males and 27 females.After completing cardiopulmonary exercise test(CPET),serological detection of myocardial cell-related markers,and multiple metabolites at a plain altitude(300 meters above sea level),all subjects flew to a high-altitude location(3900 meters above sea level).Biomarker testing and CPET were repeated on the second and third days after arrival at high altitude.Changes in serum biomarker and key CPET indicators before and after rapid ascent to high altitude were compared,and the correlation between serum levels of various myocardial cell-related markers and metabolites and high altitude cardiorespiratory fitness was analyzed.Results Compared with the plain altitude,there was a significant decrease in maximal oxygen uptake after rapid ascent to high altitude[(25.41±6.20)ml/(kg.min)vs.(30.17±5.01)ml/(kg.min),P<0.001].Serum levels of NT-proBNP,Epinephrine(E),plasma renin activity(PRA),angiotensin Ⅱ(Ang Ⅱ),angiotensin-converting enzyme 2(ACE2)and leptin(LEP)significantly increased,with all differences being statistically significant(P<0.05)after acute high altitude exposure.In contrast,no statistically significant differences were observed for creatine kinase MB(CK-MB),cardiac troponin I(cTnI),myoglobin(Myo)and norepinephrine(NE)(P>0.05).Correlation analysis showed a significant negative correlation between NT-proBNP at plain altitude(r=-0.768,P<0.001)and at high altitude(r=-0.791,P<0.001)with maximal oxygen uptake at high altitude.Multivariate linear regression analysis indicated that maximal oxygen uptake at plain altitude(t=2.069,P=0.045),NT-proBNP at plain altitude(t=-2.436,P=0.020)and at high altitude(t=-3.578,P=0.001)were independent influencing factors of cardiorespiratory fitness at high altitude.Conclusion Cardiorespiratory fitness significantly decreases after rapid ascent to high altitude,and the baseline NT-proBNP level at plain altitude is closely related to cardiorespiratory fitness at high altitude,making it a potential predictor indicator for high altitude cardiorespiratory fitness.

Objective To observe the efficacy and safety of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides in the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression.Methods An open,single-arm,multi-center design was adopted in our study.Adult patients with mild and moderate depression who had received acute treatment of Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides were enrolled and continue to receive Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules for 24 weeks,the dose remained unchanged during continuation treatment.The remission rate,recurrence rate,recurrence time,and the change from baseline to endpoint of Hamilton Depression Scale(HAMD),Hamilton Anxiety Scale(HAMA),Clinical Global Impression-Severity(CGI-S)and Arizona Sexual Experience Scale(ASEX)were evaluated.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was reported.Results The scores of HAMD-17 at baseline and after treatment were 6.60±1.87 and 5.85±4.18,scores of HAMA were 6.36±3.02 and 4.93±3.09,scores of CGI-S were 1.49±0.56 and 1.29±0.81,scores of ASEX were 15.92±4.72 and 15.57±5.26,with significant difference(P＜0.05).After continuation treatment,the remission rate was 54.59％(202 cases/370 cases),and the recurrence rate was 6.49％(24 cases/370 cases),the recurrence time was(64.67±42.47)days.The incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 15.35％(64 cases/417 cases).Conclusion Morinda officinalis oligosaccharides capsules can be effectively used for the continuation treatment of mild and moderate depression,and are well tolerated and safe.