OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between angiotensin Ⅱ type 1 receptor autoantibody (AT1-AA) and semen parameters. Methods： The semen samples of 820 male patients who were treated in the Reproductive Medicine Center of Taiyuan Central Hospital from August 2022 to August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The levels of AT1-AA and Ang Ⅱ of semen were detected by ELISA, and the function of AT1-AA was detected by cardiomyocyte beating assay in suckling rats. The patients were divided into low group, median group and high group according to the OD values of AT1-AA. The differences in general data and semen parameters between different groups were analyzed. And the correlation between AT1-AA level and semen parameters in semen of all study subjects was analyzed by the method of Spearman analysis. And the relationships between AT1-AA OD value, Ang Ⅱ level and semen parameters in the AT1-AA high value group were analyzed as well. RESULTS: AT1-AA was present in semen with good function. There was no significant difference in the general data of patients in different AT1-AA levels (P>0.05). In the comparison of semen parameters among the groups with different levels of AT1-AA, there were differences in sperm concentration, PR concentration, NP％, and ALH among the three groups (P<0.05). And AT1-AA OD value was positively correlated with total sperm count, sperm concentration, PR concentration, and NP％, and negatively correlated with semen volume (P<0.05). In the AT1-AA high value group, the OD value of AT1-AA in semen was negatively correlated with inactive sperm, and positively correlated with total motility (［PR+NP］％), curve rate, mean path rate, and ALH. However, there was no correlation between the level of Ang Ⅱ in semen and semen parameters (P>0.05). CONCLUSION The presence of AT1-AA in semen may be associated with the promotion of sperm motility.
Male ; Humans ; Autoantibodies ; Sperm Motility ; Semen ; Retrospective Studies ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 1/immunology* ; Animals ; Rats ; Angiotensin II ; Adult ; Sperm Count ; Semen Analysis ; Receptor, Angiotensin, Type 2/immunology*

Genetic transformation is a fundamental tool in molecular biology research of medicinal plants. Tailoring transgenic technologies to each distinct medicinal plant would necessitate a substantial investment of time and effort. Here, we present a simple hairy root transformation method that does not require sterile conditions, utilizing Agrobacterium rhizogenes strain K599 and the visible RUBY reporter system. Transgenic hairy roots were obtained for six tested medicinal plant species, roots or rhizomes of which have recognized medicinal value, spanning four botanical families and six genera (Platycodon grandiflorus, Atractylodes macrocephala, Scutellaria baicalensis, Codonopsis pilosula, Astragalus membranaceus, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis). Furthermore, two previously identified Glycyrrhiza uralensis UGTs that convert liquiritigenin into liquiritin in heterologous systems were studied in planta using the method. Our results indicate that overexpression of GuUGT1 but not GuUGT10 and Cas9-mediated knockout of GuUGT1 profoundly influenced the accumulation of liquiritin and isoliquiritin in licorice roots. Therefore, the method described here represents a simple, rapid and widely applicable hairy root transformation method that enables fast gene functional study in medicinal plants.

ObjectiveTo understand the incidence and mortality trends of acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in Yangpu District of Shanghai from 2009 to 2022, and provide a basis for the prevention and control of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. MethodsData were obtained from the Shanghai Acute Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Events Surveillance Platform. Data on the incidence and mortality of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in the population (age group, gender) from 2009 to 2022 were collected, and the Joinpoint Regression Program version 4.9 was used to calculate the average annual percent change (AAPC) in the incidence and mortality rates of acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events. ResultsFrom 2009 to 2022, the crude incidence and standardized incidence rate of acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in Yangpu District showed no significant changes (AAPC=1.41%, P=0.569; AAPC=-1.03%, P=0.675), the crude mortality rate of acute cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in Yangpu District did not change significantly (AAPC=-3.04%, P=0.213), while the standardized mortality rate showed a decreasing trend (AAPC=-6.23% P=0.014). From 2009 to 2022, the crude incidence rates and age-standardized incidence rates for both males and females in Yangpu District showed no significant changes. The crude mortality trends for both genders were not significant, while the age-standardized mortality rates showed a decline (AAPC=-5.33%, P=0.029; AAPC=-7.50%, P=0.006). The incidence rate and age-standardized incidence rate were higher in males than in females. The crude incidence rates in the 30‒, 40‒, and 45‒year-old age groups increased annually (AAPC=9.13%、7.11%、4.67%, all P=0.001), and the crude mortality ratse in the 60‒, 65‒, 70‒, 75‒, 80‒, and 85‒year-old age groups declined annually (AAPC=-4.24%, P=0.044; AAPC=-5.41%, P=0.028; AAPC=-6.73%, P=0.004; AAPC=-7.46%, P=0.002; AAPC=-8.24%, P=0.002; AAPC=-6.16%, P=0.035). ConclusionFrom 2009 to 2022, the crude incidence, standardized incidence rate and crude mortality rate of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular events in Yangpu District tended to be stable, and the standardized mortality rate showed a downward trend. Men, middle-aged and young people were the key groups in the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, and it should be continued to improve the ability of medical emergency and increase the integration of medical and prevention.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and changing trends of non suicidal self injury (NSSI) behaviors among middle school students in Jiading District of Shanghai, from 2015 to 2023, so as to provide a basis for the development of NSSI prevention and control measures among students. Methods: Using a stratified cluster random sampling method, a total of five times for Shanghai Adolescent Health Risk Behavior Surveys were conducted for every two years in Jiading District of Shanghai from 2015 to 2023. A total of 5 231 middle school students from junior high schools and senior high schools were selected for questionnaire surveys. Intergroup comparisons were performed using the x 2 test or the χ 2 trend test, and the JointPoint 5.0 software was used to analyze the changing trends, with the annual percent change (APC) used for evaluation. A binary Logistic regression model was employed to analyze the related factors of NSSI behavior among middle school students. Results: In 2023, the reported NSSI rate among middle school students in Jiading District was 14.2%. The rate was significantly higher among junior high school students (17.1%) than that among senior high school students (11.1%), and higher among females (19.2%) than that among males (10.0%) ( χ 2=10.04, 23.21, both P <0.01). From 2015 to 2023, the overall reported NSSI rate showed an increasing trend, rising from 8.6% in 2015 to 14.2% in 2023 ( χ 2 trend =22.25), with an APC of 6.64% ( t =3.49), and the APC for girls was 9.79 % ( t =3.20) (all P <0.05). Among students reporting NSSI, the proportion experiencing ≥6 episodes increased from 10.8% in 2015 to 19.2% in 2023 ( χ 2 trend =6.57, P <0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis indicated that girls, junior high school students, those with insomnia, depressive emotion and drinkers had higher risks of NSSI, compared to boys, senior high school students, those without insomnia, non depressive emotion students and non drinkers ( OR =1.71, 1.96, 3.44, 4.76, 1.77, all P < 0.05 ). Conclusions The reported rate of NSSI among middle school students in Jiading District of Shanghai, increased annually from 2015 to 2023, and the proportion of repeated NSSI also showed an upward trend. Early intervention measures targeting middle school students, especially junior high school students and females, should be implemented to prevent and control its occurrence and development.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the antidepression mechanisms of Xiaoyaosan (XYS), a classic Chinese prescription, from the perspective of energy metabolism in the brain and intestinal tissues. METHODS: Chronic unpredictable mild stress model-a classic depression rat model-was established. Effects of XYS on behaviors and gastrointestinal motility of depressed rats were investigated. Effects of XYS on energetic charge (EC), adenosine triphosphate-related enzymes, and key enzymes of energy metabolism in both hippocampus and jejunum tissues of depressed rats were investigated using high-performance liquid chromatography, biochemical analysis, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively. Spearman correlation analysis was conducted to construct a correlation network of "behavior-brain energy metabolism-intestinal energy metabolism" of depression. RESULTS: XYS significantly reduced the abnormal behaviors that observed in depressed rats and increased the EC and the activity of Na⁺-K⁺-adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) and Ca²⁺-Mg²⁺-ATPase in hippocampus and jejunum tissues of depressed rats. XYS restored the key energetic pathways that had been interrupted by depression, including glycolysis, tricarboxylic acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation. Furthermore, XYS exhibited antidepressive effects in terms of regulating energy metabolism in tissues of both brain and intestine. CONCLUSION XYS significantly corrected the disturbances in EC and energy metabolism-related enzymes of both brain and intestinal tissues, alleviating both core and concomitant symptoms of depression. The current findings underscore the role of energy metabolism in the antidepressive activity of XYS, providing a fresh perspective on depression, and novel research strategies for revealing the mechanism of actions of traditional Chinese medicines on multi-site and multi-symptom diseases. Please cite this article as: Xiao MT, Wang SY, Wu XL, Zhao ZY, Wang HM, Liu HM, Qin XM, Liu XJ. Antidepressant mechanism of Xiaoyaosan: A perspective from energy metabolism of the brain and intestine. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(6):706-720.
Animals ; Energy Metabolism/drug effects* ; Antidepressive Agents/therapeutic use* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/therapeutic use* ; Brain/drug effects* ; Male ; Depression/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Intestines/drug effects* ; Hippocampus/drug effects*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection's effect on gestational liver function, pregnancy and delivery complications, and neonatal development. METHODS: A total of 157 HCV antibody-positive (anti-HCV[+]) and HCV RNA(+) patients (Group C) and 121 anti-HCV(+) and HCV RNA(-) patients (Group B) were included as study participants, while 142 anti-HCV(-) and HCV RNA(-) patients (Group A) were the control group. Data on biochemical indices during pregnancy, pregnancy complications, delivery-related information, and neonatal complications were also collected. RESULTS: Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) rates in Group C during early, middle, and late pregnancy were 59.87%, 43.95%, and 42.04%, respectively-significantly higher than Groups B (26.45%, 15.70%, 10.74%) and A (23.94%, 19.01%, 6.34%) ( P < 0.05). Median ALT levels in Group C were significantly higher than in Groups A and B at all pregnancy stages ( P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in neonatal malformation rates across groups ( P > 0.05). However, neonatal jaundice incidence was significantly greater in Group C (75.16%) compared to Groups A (42.25%) and B (57.02%) ( χ ² = 33.552, P < 0.001). HCV RNA positivity during pregnancy was an independent risk factor for neonatal jaundice ( OR = 2.111, 95% CI 1.242-3.588, P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Chronic HCV infection can affect the liver function of pregnant women, but does not increase the pregnancy or delivery complication risks. HCV RNA(+) is an independent risk factor for neonatal jaundice.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Adult ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Infant, Newborn ; Viremia/virology* ; Hepatitis C ; Hepacivirus/physiology* ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology* ; Young Adult ; Alanine Transaminase/blood*

A boy,aged 7 months,presented with severe global developmental delay(GDD),refractory epilepsy,hypotonia,nystagmus,ocular hypertelorism,a broad nasal bridge,everted upper lip,a high palatal arch,and cryptorchidism.Genetic testing revealed a de novo heterozygous missense mutation of c.364G>A(p.E122K)in the EEF1A2 gene,and finally the boy was diagnosed with autosomal dominant developmental and epileptic encephalopathy 33 caused by the EEF1A2 gene mutation.This case report suggests that for children with unexplained infancy-onset severe to profound GDD/intellectual disability and refractory epilepsy,genetic testing for EEF1A2 gene mutations should be considered.This is particularly important for those exhibiting hypotonia,nonverbal communication,and craniofacial deformities,to facilitate a confirmed diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of acute myeloid leukemia(AML)patients with PTPN11 gene mutation.Methods Total 115 adult AML patients who underwent initial diagnosis,treatment,and second-generation sequencing(NGS)detecting at hospital were recruited in this study.Clinical da-ta included disease characteristics,treatment efficacy,long-term prognosis,immune cell subpopulations,and leu-kemia stem cells were collected to analyze the clinical characteristics and prognosis of AML patients with PTPN11 gene mutation.Results PTPN11 gene mutation rate in newly diagnosed adult AML was 9.57％,and the mutation site mainly occurred in exon 3 region with all mutation type being point mutation.Compared with PTPN11 wild-type group,PTPN11 gene mutation group had a higher early mortality rate(18.18％vs 4.00％,P=0.048),a lower complete response rate(33.33％vs 67.71％,P=0.039),a higher recurrence rate(83.33％vs 42.31％,P=0.043),a shorter median overall survival time(9 months vs 20 months,P=0.026),a lower proportion of ef-fector T cells[(1.39±0.12)％vs(3.56±0.46)％,P=0.038],and a higher proportion of leukemia stem cells[(13.82±3.66)％vs(3.87±1.40)％,P=0.021].Conclusion PTPN11 gene mutation is a poor prognostic marker for AML.Those patients have a high early mortality rate,low complete remission rate,high recurrence rate,short median overall survival time,a low proportion of effector T cells,and a high proportion of leukemia stem cells.