Reproductive system diseases are among the primary contributors to the decline in social fertility rates and the intensification of aging, posing significant threats to both physical and mental health, as well as quality of life. Recent research has revealed the substantial potential of the gut microbiota in improving reproductive system diseases. Under healthy conditions, the gut microbiota maintains a dynamic balance, whereas dysfunction can trigger immune-inflammatory responses, metabolic disorders, and other issues, subsequently leading to reproductive system diseases through the gut-gonadal axis. Reproductive diseases, in turn, can exacerbate gut microbiota imbalance. This article reviews the impact of the gut microbiota and its metabolites on both male and female reproductive systems, analyzing changes in typical gut microorganisms and their metabolites related to reproductive function. The composition, diversity, and metabolites of gut bacteria, such as Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Firmicutes, including short-chain fatty acids, 5-hydroxytryptamine, γ-aminobutyric acid, and bile acids, are closely linked to reproductive function. As reproductive diseases develop, intestinal immune function typically undergoes changes, and the expression levels of immune-related factors, such as Toll-like receptors and inflammatory cytokines (including IL-6, TNF-α, and TGF-β), also vary. The gut microbiota and its metabolites influence reproductive hormones such as estrogen, luteinizing hormone, and testosterone, thereby affecting folliculogenesis and spermatogenesis. Additionally, the metabolism and absorption of vitamins can also impact spermatogenesis through the gut-testis axis. As the relationship between the gut microbiota and reproductive diseases becomes clearer, targeted regulation of the gut microbiota can be employed to address reproductive system issues in both humans and animals. This article discusses the regulation of the gut microbiota and intestinal immune function through microecological preparations, fecal microbiota transplantation, and drug therapy to treat reproductive diseases. Microbial preparations and drug therapy can help maintain the intestinal barrier and reduce chronic inflammation. Fecal microbiota transplantation involves transferring feces from healthy individuals into the recipient’s intestine, enhancing mucosal integrity and increasing microbial diversity. This article also delves into the underlying mechanisms by which the gut microbiota influences reproductive capacity through the gut-gonadal axis and explores the latest research in diagnosing and treating reproductive diseases using gut microbiota. The goal is to restore reproductive capacity by targeting the regulation of the gut microbiota. While the gut microbiota holds promise as a therapeutic target for reproductive diseases, several challenges remain. First, research on the association between gut microbiota and reproductive diseases is insufficient to establish a clear causal relationship, which is essential for proposing effective therapeutic methods targeting the gut microbiota. Second, although gut microbiota metabolites can influence lipid, glucose, and hormone synthesis and metabolism via various signaling pathways—thereby indirectly affecting ovarian and testicular function—more in-depth research is required to understand the direct effects of these metabolites on germ cells or granulosa cells. Lastly, the specific efficacy of gut microbiota in treating reproductive diseases is influenced by multiple factors, necessitating further mechanistic research and clinical studies to validate and optimize treatment regimens.

Intestinal organoids are constructed by crypts or stem cells from the intestine under the 3D support of the culture matrix. They contain all mature cells of the intestine, and have become a new and efficient platform for studying the mechanism of intestinal diseases. Compared with 2D cell culture, organoids can not only more effectively simulate the physiological structure and function of the intestine, but also better restore the true ecology of the intestine in different external environments. Therefore, it is more widely used in the study of pathogenesis of different intestinal diseases. This article reviewed the new progress of intestinal organoids culture, and the application and progress of intestinal organoids in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel diseases, colorectal cancer and celiac disease in recent years, and also discussed the application of intestinal organoids in drug research and development and screening.

14 workers in the 1, 8-diaminonaphthalene workshop of a chemical company in Nantong City had symptoms or signs of varying degrees of pruritus and pigmentation of the face, neck and waist. Pathological examination of skin biopsies showed hyperkeratosis, the basal cells were liquefied and denatured. Seven workers were eventually diagnosed with occupational melanosis. To explore the causes of occupational melanosis caused by exposure to 1, 8-dinitronaphthalene and 1, 8-diaminonaphthalene, and to provide reference for the prevention and treatment of occupational melanosis in the future, this paper reported 14 cases of melanosis in the skin of workers in chemical industry.
Humans ; Melanosis/pathology* ; Pigmentation ; Skin/pathology*

PURPOSE: The study aims to compare the efficacy and safety of a new minimally invasive osteosynthesis technique with those of conventional open surgery for transverse patellar fractures. METHODS: It was a retrospective study. Adult patients with closed transverse patellar fracture were included, and with open comminuted patellar fracture were excluded. These patients were divided into minimally invasive osteosynthesis technique (MIOT) group and open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF) group. Surgical time, frequency of intraoperative fluoroscopy, visual analogue scale score, flexion, extension, Lysholm knee score, infection, malreduction, implant migration and implant irritation in two groups were recorded and compared. Statistical analysis was performed by the SPSS software package (version 19). A p < 0.05 indicated statistical significance. RESULTS: A total of 55 patients with transverse patellar fractures enrolled in this study, the minimally invasive technique was performed in 27 cases, and open reduction was performed in 28 cases. The surgical time in the ORIF group was shorter than that in the MIOT group (p = 0.033). The visual analogue scale scores in the MIOT group were significantly lower than those in the ORIF group only in the first month after surgery (p = 0.015). Flexion was restored faster in the MIOT group than that in the ORIF group at one month (p = 0.001) and three months (p = 0.015). Extension was recovered faster in the MIOT group than that in the ORIF group at one month (p = 0.031) and three months (p = 0.023). The recorded Lysholm knee scores in the MIOT group were always greater than those in the ORIF group. Complications, such as infection, malreduction, implant migration, and implant irritation, occurred more frequently in the ORIF group. CONCLUSION Compared with the ORIF group, the MIOT group reduced postoperative pain and had less complications and better exercise rehabilitation. Although it requires a long operation time, MIOT may be a wise choice for transverse patellar fractures.
Adult ; Humans ; Retrospective Studies ; Fractures, Bone/surgery* ; Fracture Fixation, Internal/methods* ; Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures/methods* ; Open Fracture Reduction ; Treatment Outcome

Abstract: Objective　To investigate the clinical characteristics and diagnosis key points of brain abscess caused by Nocardia asiatica, and provide a clinical basis for diagnosing and treating intracranial infection caused by Nocardia. Methods　A case of pulmonary Nocardia asiatica complicated with brain abscess diagnosed at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University was selected to analyze the clinical manifestations, cerebrospinal fluid characteristics, pulmonary and cranial imaging features, and treatment plan, and to summarize the diagnosis and treatment experience. Results　The patient was an elderly woman with a history of diabetes, dry cough was the first symptom without fever or headache. At the beginning of the course, it was diagnosed as pulmonary infection and tuberculosis in the local hospital, and received conventional antimicrobial and anti-tuberculosis therapies, but showed no improvement. The patient developed progressive limb weakness, followed by consciousness disorders, and coma. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) adenosine deaminase and lactate dehydrogenase were not abnormal, CSF pressure, protein and white blood cells were high, mainly with multiple nuclear cells. CSF glucose and chloride were normal in the early stage of the disease, but decreased significantly in the later stage. Metagenomic analysis of cerebrospinal fluid indicated Nocardia asiatica with a specific sequence number of 537. Lung CT showed exudation, abscess, and cavity in the right lung. Skull MRI scan + enhancement suggested multiple scattered abscesses in both cerebral hemispheres. The abscesses were of different sizes and showed ring enhancement, with extensive surrounding edema, and ventricular compression. After treatment with meropenem, linezolid, and compound sulfamethoxazole tablets, the cerebrospinal fluid recovered, and the lesions in the lungs and intracranial structures improved. Conclusions　Brain abscess caused by Nocardia asiatica is similar to the tuberculous brain in clinical symptoms, cerebrospinal fluid examination, craniocerebral imaging, so we should be alert to the possibility of Nocardia infection in patients with diabetes. At the same time, metagenomic testing of the cerebrospinal fluid can help confirm the diagnosis. The mortality and disability rates of brain abscess caused by Nocardia are high. Early diagnosis and treatment can improve the prognosis.

OBJECTIVES: To study the value of metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in detecting intracranial Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection in children with hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) with central nervous system involvement. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for the cerebrospinal fluid mNGS results of 30 HPS children with central nervous system involvement, which were compared with the results of cerebrospinal fluid EBV-DNA detection and serum EBV antibody profile. The change in serum EBV-DNA copy number after treatment was used to evaluate the efficacy of targeted therapy. RESULTS: The positive rate of EBV in cerebrospinal fluid determined by mNGS was significantly higher than that of EBV-DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (100% vs 10%, P<0.001) and had no significant difference from the positive rate of serum EBV antibody profile (100% vs 93%, P>0.05). The median number of sequences determined by mNGS was 2 400, and serum EBV-DNA copy number before treatment was moderately positively correlated with the number of EBV sequences (r_s=0.693, P<0.001). The multiple linear regression analysis showed that the number of sequences determined by mNGS in cerebrospinal fluid increased with the increase in serum EBV-DNA copy number before treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS EBV-associated HPS often results in EBV-infected viral encephalitis, and mNGS can significantly increase the detection rate of EBV in cerebrospinal fluid, which may help with clinical diagnosis.
Child ; Humans ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic/genetics* ; Epstein-Barr Virus Infections/complications* ; Herpesvirus 4, Human/genetics* ; Retrospective Studies ; High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing ; Central Nervous System

Objective: To analyze the follow-up and clinical effect of multidisciplinary treatment on the children with spinal muscular atrophy (SMA). Methods: The clinical data including nutritional status, respiratory function, bone health and motor function of 45 children with SMA who received multidisciplinary management 1-year follow-up in the Children's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine from July 2019 to October 2021 were retrospectively collected. Comparisons before and after management were performed using paired-samples t-test or Wilcoxon rank-sum test, etc. Results: The age of 45 patients (25 boys and 20 girls) was 50.4 (33.6, 84.0) months at the enrollment, with 6 cases of type 1, 22 cases of type 2, and 17 cases of type 3 respectively. After the multidisciplinary management, the cases of SMA patients with malnutrition decreased from 22 to 12 (P=0.030), the level of vitamin D were significantly increased ((45±17) vs. (48±14) nmol/L, t=-4.13, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the forced vital capacity %pred, the forced expiratory volume at 1 second %pred, and the peak expiratory flow %pred ((76±19)% and (76±21)%, (81±18)% and (79±18)%, (81±21)% and (78±17)%; t=-0.24, 1.36, 1.21; all P>0.05). The Cobbs angle of scoliosis also improved significantly (8.0°(0°, 13.0°) vs. 10.0°(0°, 18.5°), Z=-3.01, P=0.003). The Hammersmith functional motor scale expanded scores of children with SMA type 2 and type 3 both showed significant elevation (11.0 (8.0, 18.0) vs. 11.0 (5.0, 18.5) scores, 44.0 (36.5, 53.0) vs. 44.0 (34.0, 51.5) scores, Z=2.44, 3.11, P=0.015, 0.002). Conclusion: Multidisciplinary management is beneficial for delaying the progression of the multi-system impairments of SMA patients, such as malnutrition, restrictive ventilation dysfunction and scoliosis.
Child ; Male ; Female ; Humans ; Child, Preschool ; Scoliosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Follow-Up Studies ; Muscular Atrophy, Spinal ; Malnutrition

Objective: Several COVID-19 patients have overlapping comorbidities. The independent role of each component contributing to the risk of COVID-19 is unknown, and how some non-cardiometabolic comorbidities affect the risk of COVID-19 remains unclear. Methods: A retrospective follow-up design was adopted. A total of 1,160 laboratory-confirmed patients were enrolled from nine provinces in China. Data on comorbidities were obtained from the patients' medical records. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratio ( Results: Overall, 158 (13.6%) patients were diagnosed with severe illness and 32 (2.7%) had unfavorable outcomes. Hypertension (2.87, 1.30-6.32), type 2 diabetes (T2DM) (3.57, 2.32-5.49), cardiovascular disease (CVD) (3.78, 1.81-7.89), fatty liver disease (7.53, 1.96-28.96), hyperlipidemia (2.15, 1.26-3.67), other lung diseases (6.00, 3.01-11.96), and electrolyte imbalance (10.40, 3.00-26.10) were independently linked to increased odds of being severely ill. T2DM (6.07, 2.89-12.75), CVD (8.47, 6.03-11.89), and electrolyte imbalance (19.44, 11.47-32.96) were also strong predictors of unfavorable outcomes. Women with comorbidities were more likely to have severe disease on admission (5.46, 3.25-9.19), while men with comorbidities were more likely to have unfavorable treatment outcomes (6.58, 1.46-29.64) within two weeks. Conclusion Besides hypertension, diabetes, and CVD, fatty liver disease, hyperlipidemia, other lung diseases, and electrolyte imbalance were independent risk factors for COVID-19 severity and poor treatment outcome. Women with comorbidities were more likely to have severe disease, while men with comorbidities were more likely to have unfavorable treatment outcomes.
Adult ; Aged ; COVID-19/virology* ; China/epidemiology* ; Comorbidity ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Severity of Illness Index ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To explore the effect of alfacalcidol soft capsules on immune function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods A total of 172 COPD patients were random-ly divided into the trial group ( n=86 ) and the control group ( n=86 ) . They all accepted the conventional treatment, but the patients in the trial group were given the treatment of alfacalcidol soft capsules 0.25μg? d -1 for 6 months.The difference of immune function ( CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 +and CD4 +/CD8 +), pulmonary function [forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC, diffusion capacity for carbon monoxide of lung/alveolar volume ( DLCO/VA ) ] and acute exacerbations of COPD during 6 months follow -up were compared between the two groups.Results The contrations of CD3 +, CD4 +, CD8 +and CD4 +/CD8 +after treatment in the trial group were significantly higher than that before treatment and control group (P<0.05).The FEV1,FEV1/FVC,DLCO/VA after treatment in the trial group were significantly higher than that before treatment and control group(P<0.05).There were no significant difference of CD3 +,CD4 +, CD8 +, CD4 +/CD8 +, FEV1, FEV1/FVC, DLCO/VA before and after treatment in the control goup(P>0.05).The rate of acute exacerbations of COPD in the trial group (9.30%)was sig-nificantly lower than that in the control group ( 25.58%) during 6 months follow-up.Conclusion Alfacalcidol soft capsules could improve the pulmonary function and reduce acute exacerbations by improving immune function of patients with COPD.

BACKGROUNDChromosomal abnormalities have been shown to play an important prognostic role in multiple myeloma (MM). Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (i-FISH) has been much more effective to identify cytogenetic aberrations in MM than conventional cytogenetic technique (CC). To clearly determine the cytogenetic features of Chinese MM patients and identify their prognostic implications, we designed a multicenter study based on i-FISH including 672 patients from 52 hospitals in China.

METHODSAll 672 patients were systematically screened for the following genomic aberrations: del(13q), IgH rearrangement, del(p53) and 1q21 amplifications.

RESULTSThe analysis showed that the chromosomal changes were detected in 22.1% patients by CC and in 82.3% patients by i-FISH. The most common abnormalities by CC were chromosome 1 aberrations (48.4%), -13/13q- (37.6%), hyperdiploidy (36.6%), hypodiploidy (30.1%) and IgH rearrangements (23.7%). The most frequent abnormalities by FISH was del(13q), which was found in 60.4% patients, whereas IgH rearrangement, 1q21 amplification and p53 deletions were detected in 57.6%, 49.0% and 34.7% cases, respectively. By statistical analysis, -13/13q- by CC was associated with low level of platelet (P = 0.015), hyperdiploidy was associated with low level of serum albumin (P = 0.028), and IgH rearrangement by FISH was associated with high level of β2 microglobulin (P = 0.019). Moreover, 1q21 amplification and del(p53) by FISH conferred a high incidence of progressive disease (PD) after initial therapy. Metaphase detection of IgH rearrangements and chromosome 1 aberrations concurrently was associated with a short progression free survival (PFS) (P = 0.036). No significant prognostic implications of other cytogenetic abnormalities were found associated with overall survival and PFS.

CONCLUSIONSChinese MM patients had similar cytogenetic abnormalities compared with the previous reported studies. However, the prognostic significance of FISH aberrations were not clearly determined and further study is required.

Adult ; China ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 1 ; genetics ; Cytogenetic Analysis ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Karyotyping ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Myeloma ; genetics ; pathology