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

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serological prevalence of high-titer IgG antibodies against 2019-nCoV among voluntary blood donors in Zunyi. METHODS: The blood plasma specimens were diluted at 1∶160 or 1∶320, then tested for the presence of 2019-nCoV IgG antibodies by using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA). The differences of antibody reactive rate among different genders, ages, and blood types were analyzed. RESULTS: 1 523 reactive specimens were identified in 5 378 specimens which were diluted at a ratio of 1∶160. Similarly, 329 reactive specimens were identified in 2 988 diluted at 1∶320. The overall reactive rate for antibodies was 22.1%. It was observed that females, individuals over the age of 40, and those with blood type AB exhibited higher high-titer antibody reactive rate. CONCLUSION After entering a new stage of 2019-nCoV infection prevention and control, there is a relatively high detection rate of high-titer 2019-nCoV IgG antibodies among voluntary blood donors in Zunyi. The reactive rate of antibodies varies among different genders, ages, and blood types.
Humans ; Blood Donors ; Immunoglobulin G/blood* ; Antibodies, Viral/blood* ; SARS-CoV-2/immunology* ; COVID-19 ; Female ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Adult ; China ; Male ; Middle Aged

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the distribution characteristics of glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) mutations and their enzyme activity in newborns patients with G6PD deficiency in Guilin region. METHODS: From July 2022 to July 2024, umbilical cord blood samples from 4 554 newborns in Guilin were analyzed for G6PD mutations using fluorescence PCR melting curve analysis. Enzyme activity was detected in 4 467 cases using the rate assay. RESULTS: Among 4 467 newborns who underwent G6PD activity testing, 162 newborns (3.63%) were identified as G6PD-deficient, including 142 males (6.04%) and 20 females (0.94%), the prevalence of G6PD deficiency was significantly higher in males than in females (P < 0.001). Genetic analysis of 4 554 newborns detected G6PD mutations in 410 cases (9%), including 171 males (7.13%) and 239 females (11.09%), with a significantly higher mutation detection rate in females than in males (P < 0.001). A total of nine single mutations and four compound heterozygous mutations were identified. The most common mutations were c.1388G>A (33.66%), c.1376G>T (23.66%) and c.95A>G (16.34%). Among newborns who underwent both enzyme activity and genetic mutation testing, males with G6PD mutations had significantly lower enzyme activity than that of females with G6PD mutations(P < 0.001). Specifically, among newborns carrying the mutations c.1388G>A, c.1376G>T, c.95A>G, c.1024C>T or c.871G>A, males consistently exhibited lower enzymatic activity than females with the same mutations (P < 0.001). Furthermore, in male G6PD-deficient newborns, the enzyme activity levels in those carrying c.1388G>A, c.1376G>T, c.95A>G, c.1024C>T, or c.871G>A were lower than those in both the control group and the c.519C>T group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION This study provides a comprehensive profile of G6PD deficiency incidence and mutation spectrum in the Guilin region. By analyzing enzyme activity and genetic mutation results, this study provides insights into potential intervention strategies and personalized management approaches for the prevention and treatment of neonatal G6PD deficiency in the region.
Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase Deficiency/epidemiology* ; Glucosephosphate Dehydrogenase/genetics* ; Female ; Male ; Mutation ; China/epidemiology*

Objective To explore the diagnosis and clinical characteristics of atypical severe pneumonia caused by Chlamydia abortus(C.abortus).Methods Clinical data of 4 patients diagnosed with atypical severe pneumonia caused by C.abortus in a hospital from January 2021 to November 2022 were collected.Clinical characteristics,dia-gnosis and treatment,and precautions of the disease were comprehensively analyzed.Results All 4 patients were male,aged 63-73 years old,with acute onset,high fever,cough and expectoration.Three patients had a history of contact with poultry,one patient had a history of contact with abortion goat.The interval between the emerging of clinical symptoms and the onset of acute respiratory failure in 4 patients was 1-6 days,and the oxygenation index(PaO2/FiO2)at admission was less than 200 mmHg,which gradually decreased with the progression of the disease,active support with a ventilator was necessary.Two patients had an increase in white blood cell count,4 had an in-crease in neutrophil percentage,3 had a mild decrease in platelet count.Among 4 patients,2,2,3 and 4 patients showed elevated levels of aspartate aminotransferase,alanine aminotransferase,creatine kinase,and serum creati-nine respectively,2 patients had mild hyponatremia,4 patients showed significant increase in C-reactive protein,procalcitonin,and interleukin-6 levels.Four patients'chest CT findings showed main involvement of single or mul-tiple lung lobes,with exudation and consolidation,and later involvement of multiple lobes of lung.The metageno-mic next-generation sequencing of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid detected the DNA sequence of C.abortus.Based on the clinical manifestations,contact history,chest CT,and metagenomic next-generation sequencing results of 4 pa-tients,the diagnosis was C.abortus.atypical severe pneumonia.After timely adjustment of the treatment of anti-in-fection regimen based on doxycycline,the patients'condition improved and were discharged.Conclusion C.abor-tus may also cause human pneumonia,which can lead to serious clinical outcome after infection.Patient had a histo-ry of animal contact should be alert to such diseases.Metagenomic next-generation sequencing can detect C.abortus.

Objective To investigate the effect of catalpol(CAT)on necrotic apoptosis in acute myocardial infarction(AMI)rats.Methods Rat AMI model was constructed by ligating the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery.Sixty SPF grade SD male rats were randomly grouped into sham surgery group(Sham group),AMI model group(Model group),low-dose CAT group(CAT-L group,30 mg·kg-1 CAT),high-dose CAT group(CAT-H group,60 mg·kg-1 CAT),and high-dose CAT+RIP1 activator recombinant RIP1 group(CAT-H+rRIP1 group,60 mg·kg-1 CAT+8 μg·kg-1 rRIP1),12 in each group.CAT was administered by gavage once a day for a total of 4 weeks.Recombinant RIP1 was administered via tail vein injection and the next day for a total of 4 weeks.Sham group and Model group were given equal amounts of physiological saline by gavage and tail vein injection,respectively.The CAT-L group and CAT-H group were injected with physiological saline via the tail vein the next day while receiving gastric lavage.TUNEL staining was applied to observe the apoptosis of rat cardiomyocytes.Western Blot was applied to detect the expression of RIP1/RIP3/MLKL signaling pathway related proteins in rat myocardial tissue.Results The apoptosis rates of myocardial cells in the sham group,model group,CAT-L group,CAT-H group,and CAT-H+rRIP1 group were(4.23±0.63)％,(33.48±3.94)％,(13.50±1.86)％,and(29.62±3.08)％,respectively;the expression levels of RIP1 protein in myocardial tissue were 0.21±0.02,0.86±0.09,0.43±0.04,and 0.72±0.07,respectively;the expression levels of RIP3 protein were 0.30±0.03,0.94±0.09,0.49±0.05,and 0.83±0.08,respectively;the phosphorylation levels of MLKL protein were 0.35±0.04,1.13±0.11,0.64±0.06,and 0.97±0.10,respectively.The above indexes in Model group were compared with those in Sham group,and those in CAT-H group were compared with those in Model group and CAT-H+rRIP1 group,and the differences were statistically significant(all P＜0.05).Conclusion CAT may inhibit necrotic apoptosis of myocardial cells in AMI rats by down-regulating the RIP1/RIP3/MLKL signaling pathway.

Objective To summarize the reasons and management strategies of reoperation after oblique lateral interbody fusion(OLIF),and put forward preventive measures.Methods From October 2015 to December 2019,23 patients who under-went reoperation after OLIF in four spine surgery centers were retrospectively analyzed.There were 9 males and 14 females with an average age of(61.89±8.80)years old ranging from 44 to 81 years old.The index diagnosis was degenerative lumbar intervertebral dics diseases in 3 cases,discogenie low back pain in 1 case,degenerative lumbar spondylolisthesis in 6 cases,lumbar spinal stenosis in 9 cases and degenerative lumbar spinal kyphoscoliosis in 4 cases.Sixteen patients were primarily treated with Stand-alone OLIF procedures and 7 cases were primarily treated with OLIF combined with posterior pedicle screw fixation.There were 17 cases of single fusion segment,2 of 2 fusion segments,4 of 3 fusion segments.All the cases underwent reoperation within 3 months after the initial surgery.The strategies of reoperation included supplementary posterior pedicle screw instrumentation in 16 cases;posterior laminectomy,cage adjustment and neurolysis in 2 cases,arthroplasty and neuroly-sis under endoscope in 1 case,posterior laminectomy and neurolysis in 1 case,pedicle screw adjustment in 1 case,exploration and decompression under percutaneous endoscopic in 1 case,interbody fusion cage and pedicle screw revision in 1 case.Visu-al analogue scale(VAS)and Oswestry disability index(ODI)index were used to evaluate and compare the recovery of low back pain and lumbar function before reoperation and at the last follow-up.During the follow-up process,the phenomenon of fusion cage settlement or re-displacement,as well as the condition of intervertebral fusion,were observed.The changes in in-tervertebral space height before the first operation,after the first operation,before the second operation,3 to 5 days after the second operation,6 months after the second operation,and at the latest follow-up were measured and compared.Results There was no skin necrosis and infection.All patients were followed up from 12 to 48 months with an average of(28.1±7.3)months.Nerve root injury symptoms were relieved within 3 to 6 months.No cage transverse shifting and no dislodgement,loosening or breakage of the instrumentation was observed in any patient during the follow-up period.Though the intervertebral disc height was obviously increased at the first postoperative,there was a rapid loss in the early stage,and still partially lost after reopera-tion.The VAS for back pain recovered from(6.20±1.69)points preoperatively to(1.60±0.71)points postoperatively(P＜0.05).The ODI recovered from(40.60±7.01)％preoperatively to(9.14±2.66)％postoperatively(P＜0.05).Conclusion There is a risk of reoperation due to failure after OLIF surgery.The reasons for reoperation include preoperative bone loss or osteoporosis the initial surgery was performed by Stand-alone,intraoperative endplate injury,significant subsidence of the fusion cage after surgery,postoperative fusion cage displacement,nerve damage,etc.As long as it is discovered in a timely manner and handled properly,further surgery after OLIF surgery can achieve better clinical results,but prevention still needs to be strengthened.

Objective:To investigate the expression level of UBE2C in liver cancer tissues and its effect on the proliferation and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells HepG2 after UBE2C silencing.Methods:The data set of liver cancer was downloaded from the TCGA database.Ac-cording to the median expression level of UBE2C mRNA in liver cancer tissues,all liver cancer pa-tients were divided into UBE2C higher(n=169)and lower expression group(n=205),respectively.The expression level of UBE2C mRNA in liver cancer tissues and its relationship with the patients prognosis was analyzed.COX regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of the liver cancer patients prognosis.The human hepatocellular carcinoma cell lines(HepG2,Huh7 and SMMC-7721)and human nromal hepatic epithelial cell line(THLE-3)were selected,and the ex-pression level of UBE2C in the four cell lines were detected by Western blot and real-time fluores-cence quantitative PCR,respectively.The HepG2 cell line was protein and mRNA expression leves divided into control group,NC group and si-UBE2C group according to UBE2C silencing.The ef-fects of UBE2C silencing on proliferation and invasion of HepG2 cell line were analyzed.Results:The expression level of UBE2C mRNA in liver cancer tissues and adjacent normal liver tissues were 4.342(3.239,5.635)and 0.905(0.587,1.230),respectively.Compared with adjacent normal liver tissues,UBE2C mRNA levels in liver cancer tissues were significantly higher(P＜0.001).The UBE2C mRNA expression levels in liver cancer tissues and paired adjacent normal liver tissues were 4.266(3.342,5.054)and 0905(0.587,1.230),respectively.Compared with paired adjacent normal liver tissues,UBE2C mRNA expression levels in liver cancer tissues were significantly higher(P＜0.001).The median survival time of UBE2C mRNA higher and lower expression groups was 48.85 months and 69.38 months.Compared with the lower expression group,the median survival time of UBE2C mRNA higher expression group was significantly shortened(P=0.045).T staging(T3/T4)and UBE2C expression(higher expression)were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with liver cancer(P＜0.05).Compared with human liver epithelial cell line THLE-3,UBE2C protein and mRNA were significantly higher expressed in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2,Huh7 and SMMC-7721(P＜0.05).The expression level of UBE2C protein and mRNA expression was the most significant in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 relative to cell line Huh7 and SMMC-7721.The CCK-8 results show that the cell proliferation rate in si-UBE2C group were significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels compared to control group and NC group at 72 h and 96 h,and the differences were significant(P＜0.05).The number of invasive cells in control group,NC group and si-UBE2C group were(23.12±3.45),(24.33±2.83)and(10.21±1.14),respectively.Compared with control group and NC group,the number of invasive cells in si-UBE2C group was significantly decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion:UBE2C was higher expressed in liver cancer,and can be used as a biomarker for poor prognosis of patients with liver cancer.After silencing of UBE2C gene can significantly inhibit proliferation and invasion of HepG2.

Objective:To study the mechanism of icariin inhibiting the proliferation of human PCa PC-3 cells based on cell metabolomics technology.Methods:We determined the proliferation activity of human PC-3 cells by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay,and compared the proliferation of the PC-3 cells among the control,5-fluorouracil and icariin intervention groups.Using the Bligh Dyer method,we extracted endogenous metabolites from the cells,analyzed the metabolic profile by ultra-high pressure liquid chromatography tandem quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry,identified the differential metabolites by principal component anal-ysis and orthogonal partial least-squares discrimination analysis,and enriched the metabolic pathways based on the MetaboAnalyst data-base.Results:Icariin significantly inhibited the proliferation of human PCa PC-3 cells.A total of 89 differential metabolites were i-dentified,mainly including amino acids,phosphatidylcholine,phosphatidylethanolamine,lysophosphatidylcholine,and lysophosphati-dylethanolamine,all with the tendency to return to the normal level after icariin intervention.Icariin significantly downregulated the metabolic levels of the glycerophospholipid metabolites phosphatidylcholine,phosphatidylethanolamine,lysophosphatidylcholine and ly-sophosphatidylethanolamine,and upregulated those of amino acid metabolites tryptophan,leucine,and proline in the PC-3 cells.Conclusion:Icariin inhibits the proliferation of human PCa PC-3 cells,which may be closely related to its regulatory effect on lipid metabolism(glycerophospholipid metabolism)and amino acid metabolism.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Wuda Granule (WDG) on recovery of gastrointestinal function after laparoscopic bowel resection in the setting of enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS)-based perioperative care. METHODS: A total of 108 patients aged 18 years or older undergoing laparoscopic bowel resection with a surgical duration of 2 to 4.5 h were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive either WDG or placebo (10 g/bag) twice a day from postoperative days 1-3, combining with ERAS-based perioperative care. The primary outcome was time to first defecation. Secondary outcomes were time to first flatus, time to first tolerance of liquid or semi-liquid food, gastrointestinal-related symptoms and length of stay. Subgroup analysis of the primary outcome according to sex, age, tumor site, surgical time, histories of underlying disease or history of abdominal surgery was undertaken. Adverse events were observed and recorded. RESULTS: A total of 107 patients [53 in the WDG group and 54 in the placebo group; 61.7 ± 12.1 years; 50 males (46.7%)] were included in the intention-to-treat analysis. The patients in the WDG group had a significantly shorter time to first defecation and flatus [between-group difference -11.01 h (95% CI -20.75 to -1.28 h), P=0.012 for defecation; -5.41 h (-11.10 to 0.27 h), P=0.040 for flatus] than the placebo group. Moreover, the extent of improvement in postoperative gastrointestinal-related symptoms in the WDG group was significantly better than that in the placebo group (P<0.05). Subgroup analyses revealed that the benefits of WDG were significantly superior in patients who were male, or under 60 years old, or surgical time less than 3 h, or having no history of basic disease or no history of abdominal surgery. There were no serious adverse events. CONCLUSION The addition of WDG to an ERAS postoperative care may be a viable strategy to enhance gastrointestinal function recovery after laparoscopic bowel resection surgery. (Registry No. ChiCTR2100046242).
Humans ; Laparoscopy/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Double-Blind Method ; Recovery of Function ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Treatment Outcome ; Gastrointestinal Tract/physiopathology* ; Defecation ; Aged ; Intestines/physiopathology*

ObjectiveTo explore the role of structural MRI in the diagnosis of spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 （SCA3） and further evaluate its correlation with disease severity and disease duration. MethodsWe prospectively enrolled 81 genetically diagnosed SCA3 patients ［59 symptomatic （sym-SCA3） and 22 pre-symptomatic （pre-SCA3）］ and 35 age- and sex-matched healthy controls （HCs）. MRI structural images （3D T1 MPRAGE） and clinical data of all subjects were collected. Three observers with different radiological experience measured the width of the superior， middle and inferior cerebellar peduncle （SCP， MCP and ICP）， the anterior-posterior diameters of the pons and spinal cord at the levels of the foramen magnum and upper edge of the 3rd-5th cervical vertebra. One observer performed the measurements again 2 months later to assess for the intra- and inter-observer reliability， respectively. One-way ANOVA， rank-sum test， ROC curve and Random Forest were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of the above metrics for SCA3， and the correlation between the metrics and clinical variables was analyzed. ResultsNot depending on the radiological experience， the metrics based on morphological MRI showed high intra- and inter-observer reliability， among which bilateral superior and middle cerebellar peduncles performed best. The diameters of bilateral SCP， MCP， ICP， pons and spinal cord （except spinal cord at the level of the upper edge of the 5th cervical vertebra） decreased successively in HCs， pre-SCA3 and sym-SCA3 with a statistical difference （P<0.017）. ROC analysis revealed that the left MCP had the highest diagnostic value for pre-SCA3 （AUC=0.911）， with sensitivity， specificity and a cut-off value of 85.7%， 95.5% and 10.15 mm， respectively. In contrast， the right SCP had the highest diagnostic value for sym-SCA3 （AUC=0.999）， with sensitivity， specificity and a cut-off value of 100%， 98.3% and 2.62 mm， respectively. The Random Forest model based on the above metrics also had high diagnostic efficiency （AUC= 0.970， specificity=93.1%）， and the left MCP contributed the most. Correlation analysis showed that the above metrics had a significantly or moderately negative correlation with the Scale for the Assessment and Rating of Ataxia （SARA） and disease duration （P<0.05）. ConclusionNot depending on radiological experience， measurements of brain structure based on morphological MRI are reliable， which can help diagnose SCA3 and predict disease severity and duration. The left MCP and the right SCP perform best for predicting pre-SCA3 and sym-SCA3， respectively. Therefore， the structural MRI is recommended for assisting the clinical diagnosis of SCA3.