Compounds isolated from Epimedium include the total flavonoids of Epimedium , icariin, and its metabolites (icaritin, icariside I, and icariside II), which have similar molecular structures. Modern pharmacological research and clinical practice have proved that Epimedium and its active components have a wide range of pharmacological effects, especially in improving sexual function, hormone regulation, anti-osteoporosis, immune function regulation, anti-oxidation, and anti-tumor activity. To date, we still need a comprehensive source of knowledge about the pharmacological effects of Epimedium and its bioactive compounds on the male reproductive system. However, their actions in other tissues have been reviewed in recent years. This review critically focuses on the Epimedium , its bioactive compounds, and the biochemical and molecular mechanisms that modulate vital pathways associated with the male reproductive system. Such intrinsic knowledge will significantly further studies on the Epimedium and its bioactive compounds that protect the male reproductive system and provide some guidances for clinical treatment of related male reproductive disorders.
Male ; Epimedium/chemistry* ; Humans ; Genitalia, Male/drug effects* ; Flavonoids/therapeutic use* ; Animals

OBJECTIVE: To retrospectively analyze the clinical data of newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients treated with venetoclax combined with azacitidine (Ven/Aza) or standard "3+7" regimen and similar regimens, collect real-world study data, compare the treatment response and adverse events between the two regimens, as well as perform survival analysis. METHODS: To retrospectively analyze the efficacy, survival, and adverse reactions of newly diagnosed AML patients treated with Ven/Aza (24 cases) and "3+7" regimens (117 cases ) in our hospital from September 2009 to March 2023, as well as factors influencing outcomes. A propensity score matching (PSM) was performed on age and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status (ECOG PS) to obtain a 1:1 matched cohort of 20 pairs, and the efficacy and survival before and after the matching were compared. RESULTS: The median age of patients in the Ven/Aza group was 69 years, while that in the "3+7" group was 56 years (P <0.001). Objective remission rate (ORR) was 62.5% in Ven/Aza group and 74.8% in "3+7" group (P >0.05). The median overall survival (OS) in the Ven/Aza group was 522 days, while that in the "3+7" group was 1 002 days (P >0.05). After controlling the two variables of age and ECOG PS, a PSM cohort of 20 pairs was obtained, in which the ORR was 65% in Ven/Aza group and 60% in "3+7" group (P >0.05). The median OS was 522 days and 629 days, and median progression-free survival (PFS) was 531 days and 198 days between the two groups, respectively. There were no statistically significant differences in OS and PFS between the two groups (both P >0.05). Additionally, the incidence of adverse events in the Ven/Aza group was significantly reduced. CONCLUSION The overall cohort shows that the "3+7" regimen has advantages in efficacy and survival, but Ven/Aza regimen is relatively safer. After performing PSM on age and ECOG PS, the Ven/Aza group showed improved efficacy, and a longer median PFS compared to "3+7" group.
Humans ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Sulfonamides/administration & dosage* ; Azacitidine/administration & dosage* ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic/administration & dosage* ; Aged ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Female ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Sheep pox is widespread worldwide and is the most severe animal pox virus infection. This study aimed to identify the key microRNAs (miRNAs) differentially expressed in the exosomes of sheep poxvirus-infected cells and their target genes and related pathways and provide a theoretical basis for an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of sheep poxvirus-infected cells. In this study, the differentially expressed miRNAs were verified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and the target genes of miRNAs were predicted and analyzed by bioinformatics. The qPCR results showed that the expression trends of oar-miR-21, oar-miR-10b, oar-let-7f, oar-let-7b, and oar-miR-221 were consistent with the sequencing results. The Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes results showed that differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly involved in the immune system processes of the Arf6 downstream pathway. The target genes Reactome pathways were mainly enriched in the RAC1 GTPase cycle, CDC42 GTPase cycle, RHO GTPase cycle, RHOV GTPase cycle, and post-transcriptional silencing of small RNAs. The transcription factors SP4, NKX6-1, MEF2A, SP1, EGR1, and POU2F1 that may be connected to sheep pox virus (SPPV)-infected cells were discovered by transcription factor annotation screening. In conclusion, this study screened for differentially expressed miRNAs in SPPV-infected cells and performed a series of bioinformatic analyses of their target genes to provide a theoretical basis for the molecular mechanism of sheep pox virus infections of cells. The data can be used as basic information in future studies on the defense mechanisms against poxvirus infections.

Sheep pox is widespread worldwide and is the most severe animal pox virus infection. This study aimed to identify the key microRNAs (miRNAs) differentially expressed in the exosomes of sheep poxvirus-infected cells and their target genes and related pathways and provide a theoretical basis for an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of sheep poxvirus-infected cells. In this study, the differentially expressed miRNAs were verified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and the target genes of miRNAs were predicted and analyzed by bioinformatics. The qPCR results showed that the expression trends of oar-miR-21, oar-miR-10b, oar-let-7f, oar-let-7b, and oar-miR-221 were consistent with the sequencing results. The Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes results showed that differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly involved in the immune system processes of the Arf6 downstream pathway. The target genes Reactome pathways were mainly enriched in the RAC1 GTPase cycle, CDC42 GTPase cycle, RHO GTPase cycle, RHOV GTPase cycle, and post-transcriptional silencing of small RNAs. The transcription factors SP4, NKX6-1, MEF2A, SP1, EGR1, and POU2F1 that may be connected to sheep pox virus (SPPV)-infected cells were discovered by transcription factor annotation screening. In conclusion, this study screened for differentially expressed miRNAs in SPPV-infected cells and performed a series of bioinformatic analyses of their target genes to provide a theoretical basis for the molecular mechanism of sheep pox virus infections of cells. The data can be used as basic information in future studies on the defense mechanisms against poxvirus infections.

Objective To evaluate the applicability of a modified U-shaped forearm flap for the repair of small-and medium-sized defects in the oral and maxillary areas to provide a reference for clinicians.Methods This study was re-viewed and approved by the Ethics Committee,and informed consent was obtained from the patients.Ten patients with small-and medium-sized defects in the oral and maxillary areas underwent surgical repair using modified U-shaped fore-arm flaps.There were 8 males and 2 females aged 43-72 years.The donor site was apposed primarily after harvesting the modified U-shaped forearm skin flap.The flaps ranged from 6 cm × 4 cm to 8 cm × 5 cm in size.Six months after the operation,hand movements(finger extension,fist clenching,wrist rotation upward and wrist rotation downward),the forearm donor site,hand sensations and the satisfaction score for the postoperative quality of the scar at the donor site were evaluated(0 to 10;0:very unattractive,10:very satisfactory).Results A total of 10 patients with modified U-shaped forearm flaps survived.One patient developed venous crisis 24 hours after surgery and survived after surgical ex-ploration.Delayed healing occurred at the donor site of the forearm in 1 patient,and the wounds at the donor site of the forearm in the other patients all healed in the first stage.One patient presented with dysesthesia in the hand 2 weeks af-ter surgery and recovered within 3 months.Six months after surgery,all patients had no limited hand movement and no paresthesia at the forearm donor site or hand.The patients were basically satisfied with the appearance of the donor site,and the average satisfaction score of the subjective questionnaire was 8.4 points.Conclusion Modified U-shaped fore-arm flaps can directly close forearm donor site wounds,which avoids surgical trauma to the secondary donor site and sig-nificantly reduces related complications.Modified U-shaped forearm flaps provide an alternative to conventional forearm flaps for the repair of small-and medium-sized defects in the oral and maxillary areas.

Sheep pox is widespread worldwide and is the most severe animal pox virus infection. This study aimed to identify the key microRNAs (miRNAs) differentially expressed in the exosomes of sheep poxvirus-infected cells and their target genes and related pathways and provide a theoretical basis for an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of sheep poxvirus-infected cells. In this study, the differentially expressed miRNAs were verified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and the target genes of miRNAs were predicted and analyzed by bioinformatics. The qPCR results showed that the expression trends of oar-miR-21, oar-miR-10b, oar-let-7f, oar-let-7b, and oar-miR-221 were consistent with the sequencing results. The Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes results showed that differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly involved in the immune system processes of the Arf6 downstream pathway. The target genes Reactome pathways were mainly enriched in the RAC1 GTPase cycle, CDC42 GTPase cycle, RHO GTPase cycle, RHOV GTPase cycle, and post-transcriptional silencing of small RNAs. The transcription factors SP4, NKX6-1, MEF2A, SP1, EGR1, and POU2F1 that may be connected to sheep pox virus (SPPV)-infected cells were discovered by transcription factor annotation screening. In conclusion, this study screened for differentially expressed miRNAs in SPPV-infected cells and performed a series of bioinformatic analyses of their target genes to provide a theoretical basis for the molecular mechanism of sheep pox virus infections of cells. The data can be used as basic information in future studies on the defense mechanisms against poxvirus infections.

Sheep pox is widespread worldwide and is the most severe animal pox virus infection. This study aimed to identify the key microRNAs (miRNAs) differentially expressed in the exosomes of sheep poxvirus-infected cells and their target genes and related pathways and provide a theoretical basis for an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of sheep poxvirus-infected cells. In this study, the differentially expressed miRNAs were verified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and the target genes of miRNAs were predicted and analyzed by bioinformatics. The qPCR results showed that the expression trends of oar-miR-21, oar-miR-10b, oar-let-7f, oar-let-7b, and oar-miR-221 were consistent with the sequencing results. The Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes results showed that differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly involved in the immune system processes of the Arf6 downstream pathway. The target genes Reactome pathways were mainly enriched in the RAC1 GTPase cycle, CDC42 GTPase cycle, RHO GTPase cycle, RHOV GTPase cycle, and post-transcriptional silencing of small RNAs. The transcription factors SP4, NKX6-1, MEF2A, SP1, EGR1, and POU2F1 that may be connected to sheep pox virus (SPPV)-infected cells were discovered by transcription factor annotation screening. In conclusion, this study screened for differentially expressed miRNAs in SPPV-infected cells and performed a series of bioinformatic analyses of their target genes to provide a theoretical basis for the molecular mechanism of sheep pox virus infections of cells. The data can be used as basic information in future studies on the defense mechanisms against poxvirus infections.

Sheep pox is widespread worldwide and is the most severe animal pox virus infection. This study aimed to identify the key microRNAs (miRNAs) differentially expressed in the exosomes of sheep poxvirus-infected cells and their target genes and related pathways and provide a theoretical basis for an in-depth understanding of the molecular mechanisms of sheep poxvirus-infected cells. In this study, the differentially expressed miRNAs were verified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), and the target genes of miRNAs were predicted and analyzed by bioinformatics. The qPCR results showed that the expression trends of oar-miR-21, oar-miR-10b, oar-let-7f, oar-let-7b, and oar-miR-221 were consistent with the sequencing results. The Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes results showed that differentially expressed miRNAs were mainly involved in the immune system processes of the Arf6 downstream pathway. The target genes Reactome pathways were mainly enriched in the RAC1 GTPase cycle, CDC42 GTPase cycle, RHO GTPase cycle, RHOV GTPase cycle, and post-transcriptional silencing of small RNAs. The transcription factors SP4, NKX6-1, MEF2A, SP1, EGR1, and POU2F1 that may be connected to sheep pox virus (SPPV)-infected cells were discovered by transcription factor annotation screening. In conclusion, this study screened for differentially expressed miRNAs in SPPV-infected cells and performed a series of bioinformatic analyses of their target genes to provide a theoretical basis for the molecular mechanism of sheep pox virus infections of cells. The data can be used as basic information in future studies on the defense mechanisms against poxvirus infections.

Objective To investigate the Gram-positive coccus resistance in nationwide's tertiary hospitals and understand the trend of antimicrobial resistance.Methods All the clinical isolates were collected from 19 hospitals and the minimal inhibitory concentrations(MICs)were tested using agar/broth dilution method recommended.Results A total of 1 974 pathogenic Gram-positive coccus from 19 tertiary hospitals in 19 cities nationwide over the period from July 2021 to June 2022 were studied.Based on the MIC results,the prevalence of methicillin resistant Stapylococcus aureus(MRSA)and methicillin resistant Stapylococcus epidermidis(MRSE)were 36.4％and 79.9％respectively.No vancomycin insensitivity Staphylococcus was detected.Staphylococcus aureus were 100％susceptibility to linezolid and teicoplanin.Antibiotic resistance rate of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium to ampicillin were 3.1％and 92.9％.The detectation rate of vancomycin resistant Enterococcus(VRE)was 1.6％.Nonsusceptibility rate of Enterococcus faecalis to linezolid was 32.2％,two consecutive monitoring rises and nonsusceptibility rate of Enterococcus faecium(12.5％)was also significantly increased.The prevalence of penicillin non-susceptible Streptococcus pneumoniae(PNSSP)was 0.8％based on non-meningitis and parenteral administration criterion,decrease of nearly 30 percentage points from the previous surveillance.While for cases of oral penicillin,the rate was 71.8％,showing similar to last time.The results indicated that the number of strains with higher MIC value of penicillin(MIC ≥4 mg·L-1)decreased significantly.There were no significant differences of resistance rates of Stapylococcus aureus,Stapylococcus epidermidis,Enterococcus faecalis,Enterococcus faecium and Streptococcus pneumoniae among various groups such as different department,age,or specimen source.Conclusion VRE detection ratio stablized at a relatively low level.The number of Streptococcus pneumoniae with higher MIC value of penicillin decreased significantly compared with the previous monitoring.The increase of linezolidin-insensitive Enterococcus was noteworthy.