Objective:To explore the effect of S-allylmercaptocysteine(SAMC)on gastric cancer(GC)progression by regulating Th17/Treg immune balance.Methods:One hundred nude mice were randomly divided into control group(NC),low-dose SAMC group(SAMC-L),medium dose SAMC group(SAMC-M)and high-dose SAMC group(SAMC-H),with 25 mice in each group.Transplanted tumor model was established by subcutaneous injection of SGC-7901 cell suspension(0.2 ml,2×107 cells/ml)into the right shoulder of nude mice.Each group of nude mice was injected with corresponding doses of 0.9%sodium chloride solution and SAMC solution(100 mg/kg,200 mg/kg,400 mg/kg);injected once every 2 days and continuously administer for 3 weeks.After treatment,volume and mass of transplanted tumor were measured.Flow cytometry was used to detect proportion of Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood and transplanted tumors of nude mice;ELISA was used to detect IL-6,IL-10,IL-17,TGF-β1 levels in peripheral blood of nude mice;RT-qPCR was used to detect related markers mRNA levels of Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood and transplanted tumors of nude mice;Western blot was used to detect related markers protein levels of Th17 and Treg cells in transplanted tumors.Results:Compared with NC group,tumor volume and mass in SAMC-L group,SAMC-M group and SAMC-H group were decreased;Th17,Treg and Th17/Treg proportion in peripheral blood and transplanted tumors were decreased;IL-6,IL-10,IL-17 and TGF-β1 levels in peripheral blood were decreased;Foxp3,CTLA-4,GITR,RORγt,IL-17A mRNA and protein levels in peripheral blood and transplanted tumor were decreased,and there were significant differences in the above effects between different doses of SAMC groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:SAMC may inhibit GC progression by regulating Th17/Treg immune balance.

Objective:To explore the impact of previous cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and rubella virus (RV) infection on pregnancy outcomes in infertile women undergoing the first in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) treatment. Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of women who underwent IVF/ICSI-ET for the first time at the Reproductive Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2017 to December 2022. The patients were divided into CMV-IgG (+) group ( n=154), RV-IgG (+) group ( n=86), HSV-IgG (+) group ( n=93) and IgG all-negative group ( n=172). The pregnancy outcomes of the patients in the virus-only infection group and the IgG all-negative group were compared. Patients who were previously co-infected with CMV and HSV were classified as the CMV+HSV-IgG (+) group ( n=344), and the pregnancy outcomes of patients with previous CMV and HSV co-infection and those with infection alone were further compared. Results:The two pronuclei (2PN) fertilization rate [63.90% (1 195/1 870)], the clinical pregnancy rate [51.30% (79/154)], and the live birth rate [45.45% (70/154)] of the CMV-IgG (+) group were significantly lower than those of the IgG completely negative group [68.68% (1 469/2 139), P=0.001; 68.60% (118/172), P=0.001; 61.05% (105/172), P=0.005]. The 2PN fertilization rate [61.62% (729/1 183)], the clinical pregnancy rate [50.54% (47/93)], and the live birth rate [43.01% (40/93)] of the HSV-IgG (+) group were significantly lower than those of the IgG completely negative group [68.68% (1 469/2 139), P=0.001; 68.60% (118/172), P=0.004; 61.05% (105/172), P=0.005]. There were no statistical differences in the 2PN fertilization rate, the clinical pregnancy rate, and the live birth rate between the RV-IgG (+) group and the IgG completely negative group (all P>0.05). Compared with the IgG completely negative group, there were no significant differences in the risk of complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in the CMV-IgG (+) group, RV-IgG (+) group, and HSV-IgG (+) group (all P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CMV-IgG (+) ( OR=0.453, 95% CI: 0.280-0.734, P=0.001; OR=0.515, 95% CI: 0.321-0.825, P=0.006), HSV-IgG (+) ( OR=0.425, 95% CI: 0.245-0.738, P=0.002; OR=0.447, 95% CI: 0.259-0.771, P=0.004) and CMV+HSV-IgG (+) ( OR=0.491, 95% CI: 0.329-0.733, P=0.001; OR=0.528, 95% CI: 0.357-0.780, P=0.001) were all independent influencing factors of patients' clinical pregnancy and live birth. There were no statistical differences in the clinical outcomes between the previous CMV and HSV co-infection group and the single infection group ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Previous CMV or HSV infection alone reduced the fertilization rate, the clinical pregnancy rate and the live birth rate of patients undergoing IVF/ICSI-ET treatment, but had no significant impact on pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes. Pregnancy outcomes of patients with previous CMV and HSV co-infection were similar to those with infection alone.

Prokineticin 2 (PK2) is a secretory protein containing multiple cysteines with various biological functions, participating in numerous physiological processes in the body. Abnormal expression of PK2 and its signaling pathways can lead to diseases in various systems of the body, including the nervous system, digestive system, immune system, reproductive system, and others. This article will focus on a comprehensive review of the physiological functions of PK2 and its role in reproductive system diseases, aiming to provide theoretical support for the prevention and treatment of infertility and pregnancy-related disorders.

Objective:To design an auxiliary device based on embedded microcontroller system for venipuncture,which can adjust posture,so as to resolve the problem that occurs failure in puncture due to insufficient exposure of the puncture site in various scenarios.Methods:The device consisted of a support component,an air ring,a component with lifting and angle adjustment,and a pedestal.By advanced embedded microcontroller technique,it can precisely regulate the posture of the support structure of patient's limbs,and fully expose the targeted puncture site,and create more favorable conditions for nurses in performing punctures.A total of 2,482 patients who underwent blood collection at emergency department of the 305th Hospital of the People's Liberation Army from September to October 2024 were selected.The 1,204 patients were enrolled in September were divided into control group(without using the auxiliary device for venipuncture),and the 1,278 patients were enrolled in October were divided into observation group(using the auxiliary device for venipuncture).The puncture's one-time success rates of junior nurses(experience≤3 years)for both groups were compared.Each group respectively selected 150 patients by using the random number table method to conduct investigate,and satisfaction scores for success rate of puncture,and comfort degree of puncture for position,as well as the pain,process and efficiency,were investigated Results:The puncture's one-time success rates of junior nurses for the patients of control and observation groups were respectively 85.05%and 89.36%,with a statistically significant difference(x2=10.35,P<0.05).The satisfaction scores of patients in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group,with a statistically significant difference(t=-5.529,P<0.05).Conclusion:This device is simple and convenient in operation,and has favorable stability.It is beneficial to adjust position and exposure puncture site for patients who undergo peripheral venipuncture.It can improve puncture's success rate and patients'satisfaction.

Objective:To explore the clinical efficacy of "four-step" aortic valve anatomic repair for bicuspid aortic valve(BAV) with aortic regurgitation(AR).Methods:From August 2021 to November 2024, a total of 298 consecutive patients with BAV-AR underwent aortic valve anatomic repair(AVr) in Shanghai Zhongshan Hospital Fudan University, 266 males and 32 females, with age of 39(29.5, 48.5) years. All patients underwent " four-step" three-dimensional anatomic repair of the aortic annulus and leaflets, 129(43.3%) patients via upper mini-sternotomy and 169(56.7%) patients via conventional median sternotomy, with the main steps including: (1) deep dissecting and annuloplasty of the virtual basal ring(VBR); (2) symmetrical repairing of leaflets; (3) replacement or remodeling of the sinus of Valsalva; (4) annuloplasty of the sinotubular junction(STJ). Basal and perioperative data were retrospectively collected, and statistical analysis was performed in conjunction with follow-up data.Results:All patients successfully underwent anatomical repair without transferring to valve replacement during operation. Among them, 43 patients underwent aortic root reimplantation technique(Reimplantation group), while 255 patients underwent modified aortic root sleeve remodeling technique(Sleeve group). The median cardiopulmonary bypass time for the Reimplantation and Sleeve groups were 154(134, 169) minutes and 111(95, 129) minutes, respectively( P<0.05); the median aortic cross-clamp time were 112(100, 131) minutes and 80(67, 94) minutes, respectively( P<0.05). Preoperative TEE showed 35 patients(81.4%) and 229 patients(89.8%) with moderate and severe AR in Reimplantation and Sleeve groups, respectively. Postoperative TEE showed 41 patients(95.3%) with no/trace AR and 2 patients(4.7%) with central mild AR in Reimplantation group, while 212 patients(83.1%) with no/trace AR and 43 patients(16.9%) with central mild AR in Sleeve group. Follow-up was completed in all patients, with a median follow-up of 12.9(4.7, 21.2) months. Echocardiography was obtained in 271 patients(90.9%) at the latest follow-up, including no/trace AR in 167 patients(56.0%), mild AR in 89 patients(29.9%), moderate AR in 14 patients(4.7%), and severe AR in 1 patient(0.3%). Conclusion:Aortic valve anatomic repair by standardized "four-step" approach is safe and reproducible. Satisfied short- and mid-term outcome have obtained in selected BAV-AR patients.

Objective:To evaluate the predictive value of the tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion to systolic pulmonary artery pressure ratio(TAPSE/sPAP) in identifying precapillary pulmonary hypertension(pcPH) patients requiring repeat balloon pulmonary angioplasty(BPA) within 3 months after initial intervention, and to determine independent risk factors associated with postoperative reintervention.Methods:We retrospectively collected clinical data from 215 consecutive patients with pcPH undergoing BPA. After applying exclusion criteria, 200 patients were ultimately included in the analysis. The predictive value of the TAPSE/sPAP for short-term BPA reintervention was assessed using receiver operating characteristic( ROC) curve analysis and multivariable logistic regression. Internal validation was performed through bootstrap resampling with 1 000 iterations to evaluate model stability. Results:A risk model for echocardiography was constructed using multiple logistic regression, and the results showed that systolic pulmonary artery pressure(sPAP), peak tricuspid regurgitation velocity(TRV), tricuspid regurgitation pressure gradient(PGTR), and TAPSE/sPAP ratio were predictive factors for BPA surgery in patients with pulmonary hypertension within 3 months. Multivariate regression analysis suggests that the TAPSE/sPAP ratio is an independent influencing factor for BPA after 3 months( OR=0.023, P<0.05). The predicted area under the ROC curve( AUC) for BPA after 3 months is 0.62(95% CI: 0.530-0.648), P<0.01, which is better than other cardiac ultrasound indicators. At the same time, internal bootstrap method was used for internal self-validation, and the AUC of the internal self-validation set was 0.67. Conclusion:The TAPSE/sPAP ratio serves as an independent predictor for requiring repeat BPA within 3 months postoperatively in patients with pcPH.

Objective:To explore the effect of S-allylmercaptocysteine(SAMC)on gastric cancer(GC)progression by regulating Th17/Treg immune balance.Methods:One hundred nude mice were randomly divided into control group(NC),low-dose SAMC group(SAMC-L),medium dose SAMC group(SAMC-M)and high-dose SAMC group(SAMC-H),with 25 mice in each group.Transplanted tumor model was established by subcutaneous injection of SGC-7901 cell suspension(0.2 ml,2×107 cells/ml)into the right shoulder of nude mice.Each group of nude mice was injected with corresponding doses of 0.9%sodium chloride solution and SAMC solution(100 mg/kg,200 mg/kg,400 mg/kg);injected once every 2 days and continuously administer for 3 weeks.After treatment,volume and mass of transplanted tumor were measured.Flow cytometry was used to detect proportion of Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood and transplanted tumors of nude mice;ELISA was used to detect IL-6,IL-10,IL-17,TGF-β1 levels in peripheral blood of nude mice;RT-qPCR was used to detect related markers mRNA levels of Th17 and Treg cells in peripheral blood and transplanted tumors of nude mice;Western blot was used to detect related markers protein levels of Th17 and Treg cells in transplanted tumors.Results:Compared with NC group,tumor volume and mass in SAMC-L group,SAMC-M group and SAMC-H group were decreased;Th17,Treg and Th17/Treg proportion in peripheral blood and transplanted tumors were decreased;IL-6,IL-10,IL-17 and TGF-β1 levels in peripheral blood were decreased;Foxp3,CTLA-4,GITR,RORγt,IL-17A mRNA and protein levels in peripheral blood and transplanted tumor were decreased,and there were significant differences in the above effects between different doses of SAMC groups(P<0.05).Conclusion:SAMC may inhibit GC progression by regulating Th17/Treg immune balance.

Objective To investigate the role of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4)in the regulation of homocys-teine(Hcy)-induced ferroptosis in macrophages.Methods Mouse macrophage cells RAW264.7 were cultured and divided into control group,Hcy intervention group(Hcy group),and Hcy plus ferroptosis inhibitor group(Hcy+Fer-1 group).After transfection with interference fragments,macrophages were treated with Hcy,and then divided into control group,Hcy intervention group(Hcy group),TLR4 interference negative control plus Hcy intervention group(si-NC+Hcy group),and TLR4 interference plus Hcy intervention group(si-TLR4+Hcy group).Macrophages were transfected with overexpression lentivirus and treated with Hcy,then were divided into control group,Hcy intervention group(Hcy group),a TLR4 overexpression negative control plus Hcy intervention group(OE-NC+Hcy group),and a TLR4 overexpression plus Hcy intervention group(OE-TLR4+Hcy group).After 48 hours of intervention,real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR and western blot were used to detect the expression levels of TLR4 in macrophages treated with Hcy;western blot was used to detect the expression levels of ferroptosis-related proteins ACSL4,GPX4,and FTH1 in macrophages,and ferrous ion assay kit to detect the concentration of Fe2+in macrophages;reactive oxygen species(ROS)assay kit and laser confocal microscopy were used to detect the content of intracellular reactive oxygen species.Results Compared with those in the control group,the expression level of the pro-ferroptosis protein ACSL4 was increased in the Hcy group(P<0.05),while the expression levels of anti-ferroptosis proteins GPX4 and FTH1 were decreased(P<0.05);the concentration of Fe2+was increased(P<0.05),and the content of ROS was increased.Meanwhile,the protein and mRNA expres-sion levels of TLR4 were both increased in the Hcy group(P<0.05).After macrophages were transfected with TLR4 interference fragments,compared with those in the si-NC+Hcy group,the expression levels of GPX4 and FTH1 were increased(P<0.05);the expression level of ACSL4 was decreased(P<0.05);the concentration of Fe2+was decreased(P<0.05),and the content of ROS was reduced in the si-TLR4+Hcy group.After macro-phages were transfected with TLR4 overexpression lentivirus,compared with those in the OE-NC+Hcy group,the expression levels of GPX4 and FTH1 were decreased(P<0.05),and the expression level of ACSL4 was increased(P<0.05)in the OE-TLR4+Hcy group.Conclusion Hcy induces the occurrence of ferroptosis in macrophages,and Toll-like receptor 4 has a positive feedback regulatory effect on ferroptosis in macrophages.

Objective:To explore the impact of previous cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV), and rubella virus (RV) infection on pregnancy outcomes in infertile women undergoing the first in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection and embryo transfer (IVF/ICSI-ET) treatment. Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the clinical data of women who underwent IVF/ICSI-ET for the first time at the Reproductive Medicine Center, the First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from December 2017 to December 2022. The patients were divided into CMV-IgG (+) group ( n=154), RV-IgG (+) group ( n=86), HSV-IgG (+) group ( n=93) and IgG all-negative group ( n=172). The pregnancy outcomes of the patients in the virus-only infection group and the IgG all-negative group were compared. Patients who were previously co-infected with CMV and HSV were classified as the CMV+HSV-IgG (+) group ( n=344), and the pregnancy outcomes of patients with previous CMV and HSV co-infection and those with infection alone were further compared. Results:The two pronuclei (2PN) fertilization rate [63.90% (1 195/1 870)], the clinical pregnancy rate [51.30% (79/154)], and the live birth rate [45.45% (70/154)] of the CMV-IgG (+) group were significantly lower than those of the IgG completely negative group [68.68% (1 469/2 139), P=0.001; 68.60% (118/172), P=0.001; 61.05% (105/172), P=0.005]. The 2PN fertilization rate [61.62% (729/1 183)], the clinical pregnancy rate [50.54% (47/93)], and the live birth rate [43.01% (40/93)] of the HSV-IgG (+) group were significantly lower than those of the IgG completely negative group [68.68% (1 469/2 139), P=0.001; 68.60% (118/172), P=0.004; 61.05% (105/172), P=0.005]. There were no statistical differences in the 2PN fertilization rate, the clinical pregnancy rate, and the live birth rate between the RV-IgG (+) group and the IgG completely negative group (all P>0.05). Compared with the IgG completely negative group, there were no significant differences in the risk of complications such as gestational diabetes, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy and neonatal outcomes in the CMV-IgG (+) group, RV-IgG (+) group, and HSV-IgG (+) group (all P>0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that CMV-IgG (+) ( OR=0.453, 95% CI: 0.280-0.734, P=0.001; OR=0.515, 95% CI: 0.321-0.825, P=0.006), HSV-IgG (+) ( OR=0.425, 95% CI: 0.245-0.738, P=0.002; OR=0.447, 95% CI: 0.259-0.771, P=0.004) and CMV+HSV-IgG (+) ( OR=0.491, 95% CI: 0.329-0.733, P=0.001; OR=0.528, 95% CI: 0.357-0.780, P=0.001) were all independent influencing factors of patients' clinical pregnancy and live birth. There were no statistical differences in the clinical outcomes between the previous CMV and HSV co-infection group and the single infection group ( P>0.05). Conclusion:Previous CMV or HSV infection alone reduced the fertilization rate, the clinical pregnancy rate and the live birth rate of patients undergoing IVF/ICSI-ET treatment, but had no significant impact on pregnancy complications and neonatal outcomes. Pregnancy outcomes of patients with previous CMV and HSV co-infection were similar to those with infection alone.

Prokineticin 2 (PK2) is a secretory protein containing multiple cysteines with various biological functions, participating in numerous physiological processes in the body. Abnormal expression of PK2 and its signaling pathways can lead to diseases in various systems of the body, including the nervous system, digestive system, immune system, reproductive system, and others. This article will focus on a comprehensive review of the physiological functions of PK2 and its role in reproductive system diseases, aiming to provide theoretical support for the prevention and treatment of infertility and pregnancy-related disorders.