ObjectiveTo explore the effects of Jingui Shenqiwan （JSW） and Liuwei Dihuangwan （LDW） on the reproductive ability and brain function of normal mice and compare the actions of the two medications. MethodsSeven groups of female and male mice were divided at a ratio of 2∶1. Except for the control group， the other six groups were as follows： a group of both males and females receiving JSW （3.0 g·kg^-1）， a group of both males and females receiving LDW （4.5 g·kg^-1）， a group of males receiving water and females receiving JSW， a group of males receiving water while females receiving LDW， a group of females receiving water while males receiving JSW， and a group of females receiving water while males receiving LDW. Each group was administered the drug for 14 days and then caged together at a 2∶1 （female∶male） ratio to detect the number of pregnant mice and calculate the pregnancy rate. Pregnant mice continued receiving the drug until they naturally gave birth， which was followed by the observation of newborn mice， calculation of their average number， and the measurement of the offspring's preference for sugar water and neonatal recognition index. At the end of the experiment， the weights of the thymus and spleen were measured to calculate the organ coefficients， and mRNA or protein expression was analyzed in the brain and testes or ovaries. A 1% sucrose solution was used to examine the euphoria of their brain reward systems， while novel object recognition test （NOR） was applied to assess their memory capabilities. mRNA expression was detected using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） assay， and protein expression was analyzed with Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group， oral administration of JSW to both male and female mice for 14 days significantly increased the pregnancy rate of female mice on day 2 after being caged together （P<0.05）， while LDW showed a trend but no statistical significance. Additionally， compared with the control group， JSW could upregulate the gene expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH） in the thalamus， as well as reproductive stem cell factor （SCF） and tyrosine kinase receptor （c-Kit） in the testes and reproductive stem cell marker mouse vasa homologue （MVH） in the ovaries， upregulate the expression of proteins influencing neuronal functional activity， such as brain-derived neurotrophic factor （BDNF）， in hippocampal neurons （P<0.05）， and enhance sucrose preference in male mice （P<0.05）. Compared with the control group， JSW significantly increased sucrose preference and novel object recognition index in offspring mice （P<0.05）， which was related to the upregulation of hippocampal dopamine D1 receptor （D1R） and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor （Nmdar） gene expression. Compared with the control group， both JSW and LDW could upregulate the protein expression of glucocorticoid receptor （GR）， BDNF， and tyrosine kinase receptor B （TrkB） in the hippocampus of offspring mice （P<0.05）. ConclusionJSW significantly enhances the reproductive ability of normal mice， which is not only related to the release of gonadotropin but also associated with its regulation of brain function. Additionally， JSW has a certain regulatory effect on the brain function of the offspring mice.

ObjectiveTo explore the effect of Shenge Bushen Capsules （SBC） on sexual development in normal 3-week-old mice. MethodsThe experiment consisted of two parts. In the first part， mice were divided into four groups： The control group and the low， medium， and high-dose SBC groups （234.7， 469.4， 938.7 mg·kg^-1， respectively）. In the second part， mice were divided into four groups： Control group， Pseudostellariae Radix polysaccharide （PRP） group， total flavonoids group， and SBC group， all receiving a dose of 469.4 mg·kg^-1. After 7 days of administration， the vaginal opening of female mice and the descent of testes and scrotum in male mice， as well as the ovarian and testicular organ indices， were observed. After 4 weeks of administration， female and male mice were housed together for 2 days， and the pregnancy rate of females was monitored. After delivery， the pregnant female mice continued receiving the treatment for 4 weeks， and the sexual development of their offspring， including vaginal opening， testicular descent， and organ indices of ovaries and testes， was observed. Serum sex hormones were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， and the expression of gonadotropin-releasing hormone （GnRH） and growth hormone （GH） proteins in the hypothalamus was assessed by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the control group， there was no significant effect on the vaginal opening of female mice or the descent of testes in male mice after 7 days of SBC administration. After 4 weeks of administration， the pregnancy rate in the low-dose group was significantly reduced （P<0.05）， but no significant effects were observed in the other groups. The three doses of SBC did not significantly affect the ovarian or testicular organ indices， and there was no significant upregulation in the expression of GnRH or GH in the hypothalamus. The primary component of SBC， Pseudostellariae Radix polysaccharide， significantly reduced the vaginal opening in female mice after 7 days of administration （P<0.05）. After 4 weeks， the serum estradiol levels of non-pregnant female mice were decreased （P<0.05）， but there was no significant effect on the expression of GnRH or GH proteins in the hypothalamus of either male or female mice. Additionally， there were no significant effects on precocious puberty indicators， such as vaginal opening and testicular descent， in the offspring mice. ConclusionSBC does not significantly promote precocious puberty in young mice， and it does not have any noticeable effects on the pregnancy rate of adult mice or the sexual development of their offspring.

Objective This study aimed to explore the changes of interhemispheric functional homotopy in patients with different course of temporal lobe epilepsy based on voxel-mirrored homotopic connectivity(VMHC).Methods Twenty temporal lobe epilepsy patients with a short disease course(TLE-SD),twenty-seven temporal lobe epilepsy patients with a long disease course(TLE-SD)and thirty healthy controls(HC)matched with demo-graphic data were enrolled.All participants finished functional MRI scans and neuropsychological assessment.Brain regions with significant changes between the TLE-SD/TLE-LD group and the healthy controls group were obtained based on the VMHC analysis,and the two-samples t-test was performed in the different brain regions of VMHC values between the two comparisons.The VMHC values of abnormal brain regions in the patient group were extracted and used for correlation analysis with the scale scores.Results Compared with HC,the VMHC values of the putamen and anterior cingulate gyrus were reduced in the TLE-SD group,while the VMHC values of the putamen,anterior cingulate gyrus,superior temporal gyrus and superior frontal gyrus were reduced in the TLE-LD group.Compared with the TLE-SD group,the VMHC values of the superior temporal gyrus in the TLE-LD group was significantly reduced(t=2.918,P=0.033).Correlation analysis showed that the VMHC values of the putamen was positively correlated with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment(MoCA)scores(r=0.442,P=0.021).Conclusions The interhemispheric functional homotopy was impaired in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy and the impairment may be more severe in patients with a long course of disease.Cognitive impairment in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy may be related to the abnormalities of interhemispheric functional homotopy.

Objective:To explore changes in high-risk sexual behaviors and associated factors in HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) in industrial workers, and provide evidence for designing behavioral interventions for this population.Methods:In this observational study, HIV-infected MSM were recruited in industrial workers using convenient sampling during August to September 2021. The sample size was estimated to be 530. A questionnaire was used and combined with routine follow-up to collect socio-demographic characteristics, high-risk sexual behaviors, partner notification, viral load testing and history of sexually transmitted diseases before and after diagnosis of HIV infection. The χ2 test was used to analyze the changes in high-risk sexual behaviors before and after diagnosis and logistic regression was conducted to identify factors associated with high-risk sexual behaviors. Results:A total of 560 HIV-infected MSM in industrial workers were recruited in this study. Of whom, 32.1% (180/560) had unprotected anal intercourse (UAI) within 12 months after diagnosis . The proportions of those having UAI with casual, commercial and regular same-sex partners significantly decreased from 73.4% (381/519), 75.1% (187/249) and 69.5% (207/298) within 12 months before diagnosis to 36.2% (146/403), 40.2% (86/214) and 34.2% (67/196) within 12 months after diagnosis , respectively. Educational level of college or above (a OR=0.41, 95% CI:0.23-0.71), passive anal sex (a OR=0.40, 95% CI:0.19-0.85), both active and passive anal sex after diagnosis (a OR=0.40, 95% CI:0.20-0.83) and no unprotected oral sex (a OR=0.02, 95% CI:0.01-0.05) were negatively associated with UAI within 12 months after diagnosis. Whereas, not considering necessary to use condom consistently after having repeated undetectable viral load (a OR=3.02, 95% CI:1.37-6.69) was positively associated with UAI within 12 months after diagnosis. Conclusions:Compared with that before diagnosis of HIV infection, although the prevalence of UAI seemed to decrease in HIV-infected MSM in industrial workers after diagnosis, nearly one third of them had high-risk sexual behaviors. Therefore, relevant interventions should be strengthened to reduce high-risk sexual behaviors.

Objective:To observe the differences in biochemical indexes and AIDS-related complications at baseline in HIV-infected patients with different levels of immune reconstitution to antiretroviral therapy (ART).Methods:The subjects were treat-na?ve adult HIV-infected patients who were followed up for more than 24 months in the Guangzhou Eighth People's Hospital affiliated infection clinic at Guangzhou Medical University from January 2010 to December 2017. CD4 + T lymphocyte count at baseline at <200, 200-350, and >350 cells/μl levels were divided into poor, partial, and good immune reconstitution groups. The Kruskal-Wallis H and chi-square tests were used to analyze the differences in baseline sociodemographic characteristics, biochemical indexes, and AIDS-related complications among different groups. The SPSS 20.0 software was used for statistical analysis. Results:Among the 3 900 HIV-infected individuals, 385 cases (9.9%), 1 206 cases (30.9%), and 2 309 cases (59.2%) were grouped into poor, partial and good immune reconstitution groups, respectively. The baseline biochemical indexes of leukocyte, platelet, hemoglobin, TG, TC, FPG, AST, ALT and total bilirubin in the poor immune reconstitution group were significantly different from those in the good immune reconstitution group (all P<0.05). The proportion of AIDS-related complications at baseline in the poor immune reconstitution group, such as tuberculosis, pneumocystis yeli pneumonia, disseminated mycosis, esophageal candidiasis, extrapulmonary tuberculosis, dermatitis, oral candidiasis, oral mucous leukoplakia, continuous diarrhea for more than 1 month and continuous or intermittent fever for more than 1 month, was significantly higher than that in the good immune reconstitution group (all P<0.05). Conclusions:The biochemical indexes and AIDS-related complications in HIV-infected patients with different levels of immune reconstitution were significantly different at baseline. Attention should be paid to monitoring abnormal biomedical indicators and AIDS-related complications at baseline.

Objective:To explore the cognition of the "undetectable equals untransmittable" ("U=U") concept and associated factors among HIV-infected men who have sex with men (MSM) receiving antiviral treatment (ART) in Shenzhen, and provide evidence for designing promotion and advocacy strategies for the "U=U" concept.Methods:We recruited HIV-infected MSM receiving ART using convenient sampling method combined with routine follow-up in Shenzhen through conducting observational survey. The sample size was estimated to be 475. A questionnaire was administered to collect socio-demographic characteristics, sexual behaviors, ART, viral load testing and the cognition towards "U=U" in HIV-infected MSM. Logistic regression was used to access factors associated with acceptance of "U=U".Results:A total of 490 HIV-infected MSM receiving ART were recruited. Of whom, 60.2% (295/490) were aware of "U=U" and 50.6% (248/490) accepted "U=U". Multiple logistic regression showed that participants who had an educational level of college or above (a OR=1.76,95% CI: 1.12-2.75) were more likely to accept "U=U". Those who had no local residency (a OR=0.51,95% CI: 0.29-0.92), had viral load >0 copies/ml in the last testing (a OR=0.61,95% CI: 0.38-0.98) and were unaware of "U=U" (a OR=0.13, 95% CI: 0.09-0.21), were less likely to accept "U=U". Conclusions:HIV-infected MSM receiving ART had a low cognition level of "U=U" in Shenzhen. Promotion and advocacy on this concept through healthcare workers should be enhanced in combination with routine follow-up in order to improve their ART adherence and outcome of treatment. Furthermore, developing related guidelines on "U=U" according to the characteristics of HIV-infected individuals is warranted to improve the normalization of promotion and advocacy on "U=U".

Objective To understand the current status of synthetic drug use and associated factors among men who have sex with men (MSM) at high risk of HIV infection.Methods A crosssectional study was conducted in Guangzhou,Wuxi and Shenzhen through January to August 2017.MSM at high risk of HIV infection were recruited from attendants at the health clinics,through internet advertisement and snowball sampling method.Eligible MSM were the ones who had met the following criteria:≥ 18 years old,having either 2 male sex partners,or condomless anal sex with a casual male sex partner,or a STD historg during the past 6 months.Data regarding demographic,sexual behavior,HIV/STD testing history and previous drug use were collected by sely-administered questionnaires.Blood was also drawn for HIV testing.Results Of the 603 MSM at high risk of HIV,25.5％ (154/603,95％CI:22.0％-29.0％) of them had used drugs in the past 6 months,including 29.1％ (88/302,95％CI:24.0％-34.3％) in Guangzhou,26.3％ (40/152,95％CI:19.2％-33.4％)in Shenzhen,and 17.4％ (26/149,95％CI:11.3％-23.6％) in Wuxi.'Rush'(85.1％,131/154) was the most commonly used drug.Results from the multivariable logistic regression revealed that drug use was associated with the following factors:having multiple casual sexual partners (aOR=3.24,95％CI:1.29-7.43) and alcohol use (aOR=1.78,95％CI:1.12-2.80) in the past 6 months after adjusting for age,education and monthly income.Conclusions Drug use seemed common among MSM population at high risk of HIV infection and was associated with higher risk behavior that leading to HIV infection.Synthetic drug use among MSM deserved more attention.

Background and purpose: Docetaxel plus prednisone chemotherapy can improve the patients' survival for castrate-resistant prostate cancer. Angiogenesis inhibitors can also inhibit the growth of tumor. The curative effect of combined treatment is still not clear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of docetaxel plus prednisone combined with thalidomide in treating castrate-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients with bone metastasis. Methods:A total number of 78 CRPC patients were selected in Fuzhou General Hospital from Dec. 2008 to Jun. 2015. Seventy-eight patients were divided into two groups: 40 patients in chemotherapy group (docetaxel plus prednisone) and 38 patients in combined treatment group (docetaxel plus prednisone combined with thalidomide). A total number of 78 subjects were evaluated by the effective rate, the remission rate of bone pain, the prostate specific antigen (PSA) progression-free surviv-al, the overall survival and adverse effect. Results: The response rate (65.79%) and the remission rate of bone pain (86.84%) in combined treatment group were both higher than those in chemotherapy group (40.00% and 60.00%, P<0.05). The PSA progression-free survival (4.13 months), progression-free survival (4.25 months) and the overall survival (18.06 months) in combined treatment group were all longer than those in chemotherapy group (3.54, 3.75 and 16.26 months). The PSA pro-gression-free survival was significantly longer in combined treatment group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the overall survival between two groups (P>0.05). The rates of adverse effects including peripheral neuritis and lethargy in combined treatment group (26.32% and 55.26%) were higher than those in chemotherapy group (5.00% and 17.50%, P<0.05). Conclusion: Thalidomide combined with docetaxel plus prednisone in CRPC patients with bone metastasis can prolong the PSA progression-free survival and overall survival. The adverse effects are mild. It may become a new choice of treatment for CRPC.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of genital Chlamydia trachomatis (GCT) infection and associated risk factors in male clients attending sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in Guangdong and provide integrated intervention strategy for this group.Methods Convenient sampling was used to recruit participants from April to June in 2015 in Guangdong province.The information about their socio-demographic characteristics and sexual behaviors were collected by using a questionnaire,and blood samples were taken from them to test the antibodies against HIV,syphilis and HCV.First pass urine was taken to test GCT and gonorrhea.Results A total of 1 749 participants with the average age of 39.53 years were recruited.The majority of them were married (73.87％,1 292/1 749),residents of Guangdong (92.28％,1 614/1 749) and in Han ethnic group (99.49％,1 740/1 749).The positive rates for GCT,HIV,syphilis,HCV,Neisseria gonorrhea,and WBC in urinalysis were 6.06％ (106/1 749),0.46％ (8/1 749),3.43％ (60/1 749),0.45％ (7/1 550),2.74％ (48/1 749),7.89％ (138/1 749) respectively.Multivariate analysis showed that risk factors for GCT infection include IDUs (OR=13.98,95％CI:3.35-58.38),anal sex with men (OR=3.11,95％ CI:1.45-6.71),Neisseria gonorrhea positive (OR =9.64,95％ CI:5.09-18.24),and WBC positive (OR =1.96,95％ CI:1.08-3.55).Conclusions This study demonstrated the high prevalence of GCT infection in male clients attending STD clinics in Guangdong.Therefore precision intervention should target this population at high-risk.

Objective A very high prevalence of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is observed in Minnan population in China.We aimed to explore the genetic characteristics of RA in Minnan population and genetic mechanisms of RA by studying the associations of three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of signal transducer and activator of transcription 4 (STAT-4) (rs7574865),the cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen-4 (CTLA)-4 (rs3087243) and chromosome 9p21.3(rs1333049) with RA in Minnan population.Methods A case-control study of 119 RA patients and 125 normal controls from Quanzhou were enrolled.SNPs (rs7574865,rs3087243,rs1333049) were genotyped by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and analyzed by SPSS 18.0.x2-test was applied to compare allele and genotype frequeneies betweeen cases and controlsLogistic regression models were used to analyze the SNPs.Results The results showed the genotype distributions of STAT4 genes were significantly different between case and control groups (P＜0.01).Compared with the GT heterozygous genotype,TT and GG homozygosity carriers had a lower risk (OR=0498 and 0.300,P=0.018 and P=0.002 respectively).There was not statistical difference in genotypes and allele in CTLA-4 (rs3087243) between RA patients and healthy controls (x2=4.083,P=0.130),but compared with the AG genotyoe,GG homozygosity carriers had a lower risk on basis of statistics (OR=0.580,P=0.04).There was not statistical difference in genotypes and allele in the chromosome 9p21.3 (rs1333049) (P＞0.05),but compared with the GG genotype carriers,CC and GC genotypes carriers had a lower risk on basis of statistics (OR=0.565,P=0.0495).Conclusion Chromosome 9p21.3 (rs1333049) and CTLA-4 rs3087243 G/A may not be associated with susceptibility to RA in Minnan popula-tions.This replication study confirmes that STAT4 rs7574865 G/T polymorphism is associated with susceptibility to RA in Minnan population.