[Objective] To study on the genotyping of a sample with inconsistent forward and reverse serological tests, and to conduct a pedigree investigation and molecular biological mechanism study. [Methods] The ABO blood group of the proband and his family members were identified using blood group serological method. The ABO gene exon 1-7 of samples of the proband and his family were sequenced by Sanger and single molecule real-time sequencing (SMRT). DeepTMHMM was used to predict and analyze the transmembrane region of proteins before and after mutation. [Results] The proband and his mother have the Bw phenotype, while his maternal grandfather has ABw phenotype. The blood group results of forward and reverse typing of other family members were consistent. ABO gene sequencing results showed that there was B new mutation of c.3 G>C in exon 1 of ABO gene in the proband, his mother and grandfather, leading to a shift in translation start site. DeepTMHMM analysis indicated that the shift in the translation start site altered the protein topology. [Conclusion] The c.3G>C mutation in the first exon of the ABO gene leads to a shift in the translation start site, altering the protein topology from an α-transmembrane region to a spherical signaling peptide, reducing enzyme activity and resulting in the Bw serological phenotype.

Recently, male reproductive health has attracted extensive attention, with the adverse effects of circadian disruption on male fertility gradually gaining recognition. However, the mechanism by which circadian disruption leads to damage to male reproductive system remains unclear. In this review, we first summarized the dual regulatory roles of circadian clock genes on the male reproductive system: (1) circadian regulation of testosterone synthesis via the hypothalamic-pituitary-testicular (HPT) and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axes; (2) non-circadian regulation of spermatogenesis. Next, we further listed the possible mechanisms by which circadian disruption impairs male fertility, including interference with the oscillatory function of the reproductive system, i.e., synchronization of the HPT axis, crosstalk between the HPT axis and the HPA axis, as well as direct damage to germ cells by disturbing the non-oscillatory function of the reproductive system. Future research using spatiotemporal omics, epigenomic assays, and neural circuit mapping in studying the male reproductive system may provide new clues to systematically unravel the mechanisms by which circadian disruption affects male reproductive system through circadian clock genes.
Male ; Humans ; Animals ; Circadian Clocks/physiology* ; Hypothalamo-Hypophyseal System/physiology* ; Circadian Rhythm/genetics* ; Spermatogenesis/physiology* ; Pituitary-Adrenal System/physiology* ; Testis/physiology* ; Testosterone/biosynthesis* ; CLOCK Proteins ; Infertility, Male/physiopathology*

Pulpotomy, which belongs to vital pulp therapy, has become a strategy for managing pulpitis in recent decades. This minimally invasive treatment reflects the recognition of preserving healthy dental pulp and optimizing long-term patient-centered outcomes. Pulpotomy is categorized into partial pulpotomy (PP), the removal of a partial segment of the coronal pulp tissue, and full pulpotomy (FP), the removal of whole coronal pulp, which is followed by applying the biomaterials onto the remaining pulp tissue and ultimately restoring the tooth. Procedural decisions for the amount of pulp tissue removal or retention depend on the diagnostic of pulp vitality, the overall treatment plan, the patient's general health status, and pulp inflammation reassessment during operation. This statement represents the consensus of an expert committee convened by the Society of Cariology and Endodontics, Chinese Stomatological Association. It addresses the current evidence to support the application of pulpotomy as a potential alternative to root canal treatment (RCT) on mature permanent teeth with pulpitis from a biological basis, the development of capping biomaterial, and the diagnostic considerations to evidence-based medicine. This expert statement intends to provide a clinical protocol of pulpotomy, which facilitates practitioners in choosing the optimal procedure and increasing their confidence in this rapidly evolving field.
Humans ; Calcium Compounds/therapeutic use* ; Consensus ; Dental Pulp ; Dentition, Permanent ; Oxides/therapeutic use* ; Pulpitis/therapy* ; Pulpotomy/standards*

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of neck-shoulder-waist-leg pain cataplasms combined with electroacupuncture in the treatment of acute cervical radiculopathy(CR)with qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome;To evaluate the synergistic effect and safety of neck-shoulder-waist-leg pain cataplasms.Methods Totally 132 CR patients with qi stagnation and blood stasis type in acute stage were randomly divided into treatment group(66 cases)and control group(66 cases).The treatment group was treated with electroacupuncture combined with neck-shoulder-waist-leg pain cataplasms,and the control group was treated with electroacupuncture combined with placebo.Both groups were treated once a day for 5 days and then rested for 2 days for 3 weeks,and follow-up was performed at 1 and 2 weeks after treatment.Clinical efficacy of both groups was observed.The short-form McGill pain questionnaire(SF-MPQ)score,neck disability index(NDI)score,and the F-wave conduction velocity of the median nerve and ulnar nerve were compared before and after treatment and at follow-up.Results 5 and 7 cases were lost in the treatment group and the control group,respectively.The total effective rate of the treatment group was 91.80%(56/61),and the recovery rate was 36.07%(22/61).The total effective rate of the control group was 84.75%(50/59),and the recovery rate was 18.65%(11/59).The difference in recovery rates between the two groups was statistically significant(P<0.05).Compared with before treatment,the SF-MPQ score and NDI score in both groups improved significantly(P<0.05)after treatment and at 1 and 2 weeks of follow-up,and the F-wave conduction velocity of the median and ulnar nerves increased significantly(P<0.05)after treatment.Comparison between two groups at the same time points showed that the SF-MPQ score and NDI score of the treatment group were better than those of the control group(P<0.05)after treatment and at 1 and 2 weeks of follow-up,and the F-wave conduction velocity of the median and ulnar nerves was faster than that of the control group(P<0.05)after treatment.There were no serious adverse reactions in the two groups.Conclusion Neck-shoulder-waist-leg pain cataplasms combined with electroacupuncture can improve the clinical symptoms of CR with qi stagnation and blood stasis syndrome in acute stage.Electroacupuncture plus neck-shoulder-waist-leg pain cataplasms can speed up the recovery process of the disease,which has synergistic effect.

Additive manufacturing(3D printing)technology aligns with the direction of precision and customization in future medicine,presenting a significant opportunity for innovative development in high-end medical devices.Currently,research and industrialization of 3D printed medical devices mainly focus on nondegradable implants and degradable implants.Primary areas including metallic orthopaedic implants,polyether-ether-ketone(PEEK)bone implants,and biodegradable implants have been developed for clinical and industrial application.Recent research achievements in these areas are reviewed,with a discussion on the additive manufacturing technologies and applications for customized implants.Challenges faced by different types of implants are analyzed from technological,application,and regulatory perspectives.Furthermore,prospects and suggestions for future development are outlined.

Chemical cleaning and disinfection are crucial steps for eliminating infection in root canal treatment.However,irrigant selection or irrigation procedures are far from clear.The vapor lock effect in the apical region has yet to be solved,impeding irrigation efficacy and resulting in residual infections and compromised treatment outcomes.Additionally,ambiguous clinical indications for root canal medication and non-standardized dressing protocols must be clarified.Inappropriate intracanal medication may present side effects and jeopardize the therapeutic outcomes.Indeed,clinicians have been aware of these concerns for years.Based on the current evidence of studies,this article reviews the properties of various irrigants and intracanal medicaments and elucidates their effectiveness and interactions.The evolution of different kinetic irrigation methods,their effects,limitations,the paradigm shift,current indications,and effective operational procedures regarding intracanal medication are also discussed.This expert consensus aims to establish the clinical operation guidelines for root canal irrigation and a position statement on intracanal medication,thus facilitating a better understanding of infection control,standardizing clinical practice,and ultimately improving the success of endodontic therapy.

Objective To analyze the genetic subtypes of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and the prevalence of pretreatment drug resistance in the newly reported HIV-infected men in Guangxi. Methods The stratified random sampling method was employed to select the newly reported HIV-infected men aged≥50 years old in 14 cities of Guangxi from January to June in 2020.The pol gene of HIV-1 was amplified by nested reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and then sequenced.The mutation sites associated with drug resistance and the degree of drug resistance were then analyzed. Results A total of 615 HIV-infected men were included in the study.The genetic subtypes of CRF01_AE,CRF07_BC,and CRF08_BC accounted for 57.4% (353/615),17.1% (105/615),and 22.4% (138/615),respectively.The mutations associated with the resistance to nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI),non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI),and protease inhibitors occurred in 8 (1.3%),18 (2.9%),and 0 patients,respectively.M184V (0.7%) and K103N (1.8%) were the mutations with the highest occurrence rates for the resistance to NRTIs and NNRTIs,respectively.Twenty-two (3.6%) patients were resistant to at least one type of inhibitors.Specifically,4 (0.7%),14 (2.3%),4 (0.7%),and 0 patients were resistant to NRTIs,NNRTIs,both NRTIs and NNRTIs,and protease inhibitors,respectively.The pretreatment resistance to NNRTIs had much higher frequency than that to NRTIs (2.9% vs.1.3%;χ²=3.929,P=0.047).The prevalence of pretreatment resistance to lamivudine,zidovudine,tenofovir,abacavir,rilpivirine,efavirenz,nevirapine,and lopinavir/ritonavir was 0.8%, 0.3%, 0.7%, 1.0%, 1.3%, 2.8%, 2.9%, and 0, respectively. Conclusions CRF01_AE,CRF07_BC,and CRF08_BC are the three major strains of HIV-infected men≥50 years old newly reported in Guangxi,2020,and the pretreatment drug resistance demonstrates low prevalence.
Male ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; HIV Infections/drug therapy* ; Drug Resistance, Viral/genetics* ; China/epidemiology* ; Mutation ; HIV-1/genetics* ; Protease Inhibitors/therapeutic use* ; Genotype

Background A simple measurement of central venous pressure (CVP)-mean by the digital monitor display has become increasingly popular. However, the agreement between CVP-mean and CVP-end (a standard method of CVP measurement by analyzing the waveform at end-expiration) is not well determined. This study was designed to identify the relationship between CVP-mean and CVP-end in critically ill patients and to introduce a new parameter of CVP amplitude (ΔCVP= CVPmax - CVPmin) during the respiratory period to identify the agreement/disagreement between CVP-mean and CVP-end.Methods In total, 291 patients were included in the study. CVP-mean and CVP-end were obtained simultaneously from each patient. CVP measurement difference (|CVP-mean - CVP-end|) was defined as the difference between CVP-mean and CVP-end. The ΔCVP was calculated as the difference between the peak (CVPmax) and the nadir value (CVPmin) during the respiratory cycle, which was automatically recorded on the monitor screen. Subjects with |CVP-mean - CVP-end|≥ 2 mmHg were divided into the inconsistent group, while subjects with |CVP-mean - CVP-end| < 2 mmHg were divided into the consistent group.Results ΔCVP was significantly higher in the inconsistent group [7.17(2.77) vs.5.24(2.18), P<0.001] than that in the consistent group. There was a significantly positive relationship between ΔCVP and |CVP-mean - CVP-end| (r=0.283, P <0.0001). Bland-Altman plot showed the bias was -0.61 mmHg with a wide 95% limit of agreement (-3.34, 2.10) of CVP-end and CVP-mean. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AUC) of ΔCVP for predicting |CVP-mean - CVP-end| ≥ 2 mmHg was 0.709. With a high diagnostic specificity, using ΔCVP<3 to detect |CVP-mean - CVP-end| lower than 2mmHg (consistent measurement) resulted in a sensitivity of 22.37% and a specificity of 93.06%. Using ΔCVP>8 to detect |CVP-mean - CVP-end| >8 mmHg (inconsistent measurement) resulted in a sensitivity of 31.94% and a specificity of 91.32%.Conclusions CVP-end and CVP-mean have statistical discrepancies in specific clinical scenarios. ΔCVP during the respiratory period is related to the variation of the two CVP methods. A high ΔCVP indicates a poor agreement between these two methods, whereas a low ΔCVP indicates a good agreement between these two methods.
Humans ; Central Venous Pressure ; Respiration ; ROC Curve

To investigate the crucial role of particle size in the biological effects of nanoparticles, a series of mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSNs) were prepared with particle size gradients (50, 100, 150, 200 nm) with the traditional Stober method and adjusting the type and ratio of the silica source. The correlation between toxicity and size-caused biological effects were then further examined both in vitro and in vivo. The results indicated that the prepared MSNs had a uniform size, good dispersal, and ordered mesoporous structure. Hemolytic toxicity was found to be independent of particle size. At the cellular level, MSNs with smaller particle sizes were more readily internalized by cells, which initiated to more intense oxidative stress, therefor inducing higher cytotoxicity, and apoptosis rate. In vivo studies demonstrated that MSNs primarily accumulated in the liver and kidneys of mice. Pharmacokinetic analysis revealed that larger MSNs were eliminated more efficiently by the urinary system than smaller MSNs. The mice's body weight monitoring, blood tests, and pathological sections of major organs indicated good biocompatibility for MSNs of different sizes. Animal welfare and the animal experimental protocols were strictly consistent with related ethics regulations of Zhejiang Chinese Medical University. Overall, this study prepared MSNs with a particle size gradient to investigate the correlation between toxicity and particle size using macrophages and endothelial cells. The study also examined the biosafety of MSNs with different particle sizes in vivo and in vitro, which could help to improve the safety design strategy of MSNs for drug delivery systems.

COVID-19 has been prevalent for three years. The virulence of SARS-CoV-2 is weaken as it mutates continuously. However, elderly patients, especially those with underlying diseases, are still at high risk of developing severe infections. With the continuous study of the molecular structure and pathogenic mechanism of SARS-CoV-2, antiviral drugs for COVID-19 have been successively marketed, and these anti-SARS-CoV-2 drugs can effectively reduce the severe rate and mortality of elderly patients. This article reviews the mechanism, clinical medication regimens, drug interactions and adverse reactions of five small molecule antiviral drugs currently approved for marketing in China, so as to provide advice for the clinical rational use of anti-SARS-CoV-2 in the elderly.