Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate potential causal relationships between nine cathepsins and female infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. Methods: A bidirectional MR analysis was conducted utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables to investigate the potential causal effects between nine cathepsins and female infertility. Genetic data on female infertility were sourced from the FinnGen study, and cathepsin-related data were obtained from genome-wide association studies datasets of European ancestry. Results: Elevated levels of cathepsin E were significantly and inversely associated with the risk of female infertility, suggesting a potential protective role. This finding was further supported by multivariable MR analysis. However, no significant associations were observed between the other eight cathepsins and female infertility. Conclusion This study represents the first systematic MR analysis to identify a potential protective effect of cathepsin E on female infertility.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate potential causal relationships between nine cathepsins and female infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. Methods: A bidirectional MR analysis was conducted utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables to investigate the potential causal effects between nine cathepsins and female infertility. Genetic data on female infertility were sourced from the FinnGen study, and cathepsin-related data were obtained from genome-wide association studies datasets of European ancestry. Results: Elevated levels of cathepsin E were significantly and inversely associated with the risk of female infertility, suggesting a potential protective role. This finding was further supported by multivariable MR analysis. However, no significant associations were observed between the other eight cathepsins and female infertility. Conclusion This study represents the first systematic MR analysis to identify a potential protective effect of cathepsin E on female infertility.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate potential causal relationships between nine cathepsins and female infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. Methods: A bidirectional MR analysis was conducted utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables to investigate the potential causal effects between nine cathepsins and female infertility. Genetic data on female infertility were sourced from the FinnGen study, and cathepsin-related data were obtained from genome-wide association studies datasets of European ancestry. Results: Elevated levels of cathepsin E were significantly and inversely associated with the risk of female infertility, suggesting a potential protective role. This finding was further supported by multivariable MR analysis. However, no significant associations were observed between the other eight cathepsins and female infertility. Conclusion This study represents the first systematic MR analysis to identify a potential protective effect of cathepsin E on female infertility.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate potential causal relationships between nine cathepsins and female infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. Methods: A bidirectional MR analysis was conducted utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables to investigate the potential causal effects between nine cathepsins and female infertility. Genetic data on female infertility were sourced from the FinnGen study, and cathepsin-related data were obtained from genome-wide association studies datasets of European ancestry. Results: Elevated levels of cathepsin E were significantly and inversely associated with the risk of female infertility, suggesting a potential protective role. This finding was further supported by multivariable MR analysis. However, no significant associations were observed between the other eight cathepsins and female infertility. Conclusion This study represents the first systematic MR analysis to identify a potential protective effect of cathepsin E on female infertility.

Objective: This study aimed to systematically evaluate potential causal relationships between nine cathepsins and female infertility using Mendelian randomization (MR) methods. Methods: A bidirectional MR analysis was conducted utilizing single nucleotide polymorphisms as instrumental variables to investigate the potential causal effects between nine cathepsins and female infertility. Genetic data on female infertility were sourced from the FinnGen study, and cathepsin-related data were obtained from genome-wide association studies datasets of European ancestry. Results: Elevated levels of cathepsin E were significantly and inversely associated with the risk of female infertility, suggesting a potential protective role. This finding was further supported by multivariable MR analysis. However, no significant associations were observed between the other eight cathepsins and female infertility. Conclusion This study represents the first systematic MR analysis to identify a potential protective effect of cathepsin E on female infertility.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are multipotent stem cells that exist widely in the human body, which can self-renewal and differentiate into different types of cell. Due to its advantages of tumor tissue tropism and easy to be engineered, it has been widely used in cancer treatment research recently. However, the tumor-promoting or anti-tumor effect of MSCs is controversial, especially for unmodified MSCs. Therefore, researchers are more inclined to use MSCs as carriers to engineer them. With the deepening in understanding of vesicles, it is found that the vesicles derived from MSCs seem to have greater advantages as carriers. Although the current research of MSCs in the treatment of tumors has been initiated in the clinic, there are still many problems to be solved in the pre-clinical application.
Humans ; Mesenchymal Stem Cell Transplantation ; Mesenchymal Stem Cells

Objective:To observe the clinical characteristics of esophageal reflux after total gastrectomy (ERATG), and to explore the mechanism of occurrence.Methods:Fourteen gastric cancer patients who underwent total gastrectomy were prospectively enrolled in this study. The postoperative symptoms were observed and recorded and 24 h MII-pH with pH monitoring was performed to investigate the characteristics of postoperative reflux.Results:After total gastrectomy patients were with different degrees of ERATG as heartburn, appetite loss, chest tightness and belching. The overall nature of ERATG is mainly weak acid, with a pH between 4 and 7. ERATG involved esophageal-jejunal anastomosis and a length of esophagus 7 cm above the anastomosis. Patients with typical reflux symptoms had a lower pH minimum in the upright position than those without typical symptoms[(4.76±0.71) vs.(5.68±0.37), t=2.866, P<0.05]. Patients with typical reflux symptoms had a higher frequency of reflux of mixed liquid and liquid-air reflux than those without typical symptoms[liquid(31.25±29.76) vs.(4.50±9.14), t=0.011, P<0.05; liquid-air(19.50±12.99) vs.(2.00±2.61), t=0.004, P<0.05]. Conclusion:ERATG is mainly a upward reflux of weakly acidic gas, with typical symptoms of heartburn, appetite loss, chest tightness and belching. Patients with typical symptoms usually have lower pH in the upright position.

Objective:To determine the diagnostic value of tumor markers in peritoneal lavage fluid from colorectal cancer patients for tumor peritoneal metastasis.Methods:A total of 227 colorectal cancer patients who undergoing surgical treatment were included. 300 ml of peritoneal lavage fluid was irrigated immediately upon laparotomy for traditional cytology (PLC) testing, 134 patients were tested for tumor marker of peritoneal lavage fluid (pTM). Univariate analysis was performed to determine the risk factors for peritoneal metastasis; pTM ROC curve was used to determine the best cutoff value; paired chi-square test was used to compare the difference between PLC and pTM detection.Results:The positive rate of PLC was 12.3% (28/227). Age>65, stage T3 + , lymph node metastasis, mucinous adenocarcinoma and increased serum CA125, CA19-9 are related to peritoneal metastasis; The best cutoff value of pTM for peritoneal metastasis : pCEA 17.095 ng/dl, sensitivity 58.3%, specificity 93.9%; pCA19-9 4.515 U/ml, sensitivity 83.3%, specificity 80.0%; pCA125 303.2 U/ml, sensitivity 58.3%, specificity 95.7%; pCA-724 3.01 U/ml, sensitivity 66.7%, specificity 95.7%; The best cutoff value of pTM for peritoneal micrometastasis: pCA19-9 3.43 U/ml, sensitivity 100%, specificity 72.2%. The positive rate of pCA19-9 was 29.85%, which was higher than that of PLC (χ 2=2.00, P<0.05). Conclusion:Peritoneal metastasis of colorectal cancer is related to tumor T stage, lymph node metastasis, tumor pathological type, and increased serum CA125 and CA19-9; pTM has diagnostic value for peritoneal metastasis of colorectal cancer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the protective effects of dexmedetomidine (DEX) against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in mice and its relation with mitochondrial fusion and fission. METHODS: Male ICR mice were randomly divided into sham-operated group, I/R group, I/R+DEX group and I/R+DEX+dorsomorphin group. Mouse models of cerebral I/R injury were established by modified thread occlusion of the middle cerebral artery. DEX (50 μg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally at 30 min before cerebral ischemia, which lasted for 1 h followed by reperfusion for 24 h. The neurobehavioral deficits of the mice were evaluated based on Longa's scores. The volume of cerebral infarction was detected by TTC staining. The changes in mitochondrial morphology of the brain cells were observed with transmission electron microscopy. Western blotting was performed to detect the expressions of phosphorylated AMP-activated protein kinase (p-AMPK), mitochondrial fusion protein (Mfn2) and mitochondrial fission protein (p-Drp1) in the brain tissues. RESULTS: DEX pretreatment significantly reduced the neurobehavioral score and the percent volume of cerebral infarction in mice with cerebral I/R injury. Treatment with dorsomorphin (an AMPK inhibitor) in addition to DEX significantly increased the neurobehavioral score and the percent volume of cerebral infarction in the mouse models. Transmission electron microscopy showed that DEX obviously reduced mitochondrial damage caused by cerebral I/R injury and restored mitochondrial morphology of the brain cells, and such effects were abolished by dorsomorphin treatment. Western blotting showed that DEX pretreatment significantly increased the expressions of p-AMPK and Mfn2 protein and decreased the expression of p-Drp1 protein in the brain tissue of the mice, and these changes were also reversed by dorsomorphin treatment. CONCLUSIONS Preconditioning with DEX produces protective effects against cerebral I/R injury in mice possibly by activating AMPK signaling to regulate mitochondrial fusion and fission in the brain cells.
Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; Dexmedetomidine ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Mitochondrial Dynamics ; Reperfusion Injury

Objective To evaluate different methods in detecting intraperitontal free cancer cells (IFCCs) in patients with gastric cancer and to clarify the relationship between positive IFCCs and short-term prognosis.Methods A total of 119 gastric cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment were enrolled.Peritoneal lavage was performed with 300-400 ml saline respectively at three points of time:immediately after abdominal cavity entry;when surgical operation was completed;when extensive intraoperative peritoneal lavage was done.The IFCCs were detected with methods of traditional centrifugal cytology,membrane cytology,ICC and RT-PCR.The survival curve of patients with gastric cancer was drawn using Kaplan-Meier method.Results The positive rate of PLC was 16.8％,20.7％ and 11.2％ respectively at 3 timepoints (P ＜ 0.05).The positive rates of ICC were 28.6％,38.8％ and 20.7％ respectively at 3 timepoints.The positive rates of RT-PCR were 39.3％,69.5％ and 50.8％ respectively at 3 time points.The positive rate of IFCCs detected through RT-PCR was higher than that of PLC and ICC (P ＜ 0.05).The short-term prognosis of patients with positive IFCCs was worse than those with negative results detected with any three method at the timg point immediately after opening the abdomen (P ＜ 0.05).At the timg point immediately after removing the tumors,the short-term prognosis of patients with positive IFCCs detected with PLC was worse (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion The short-term prognosis was poor in patients with positive IFCCs.It is the best time to detect IFCCs before radical resection.Surgical procedures increase the risk of shedding of IFCCs.