ObjectiveThe utilization of assisted reproductive technology to rescue genetically modified mouse strains with reproductive disorders provides a reference for improving techniques to preserve valuable experimental mouse strains. MethodsIn vitro fertilization-embryo transfer (IVF-ET) technology was performed on 28 strains of infertile male mice aged 9-18 months. Several indicators such as sperm density and sperm motility in infertile male mice were assessed to select the most viable sperm for IVF-ET experiments. Fertility rate, abnormal egg rate, and birth rate were recorded after the birth of the pups. An optimized ovarian transplantation procedure was applied to 12 strains of infertile female mice aged 8-18 months. 6-week-old female mice with the same genetic background were selected as recipients. One intact ovary was removed from each recipient mouse, and the contralateral oviduct was ligated. An ovary from a donor mouse was isolated and transplanted orthotopically into the side where the ovary had been removed in the recipient mouse. Twenty-one days post-surgery, recipient mice were co-housed with 8-week-old wild type male mice of the same genetic background for breeding. Data such as the pregnancy rate and live birth rate of the recipients were recorded after the birth of the pups. ResultsIVF-ET successfully rescued 28 mouse strains, with the oldest male mice being 18 months old. The success rate of the first round of IVF-ET experiments was 89.29% (25/28). The average fertility rate of IVF in infertile male mice was (51.01±14.97)%, the abnormal egg rate was (9.03±5.28)%, and the birth rate of offspring mice was (18.60±7.03)%. 39 out of 40 ovarian transplant recipient mice survived, with a pregnancy rate of 33.33% (13/39) for ovarian transplant recipients, and a live birth rate of 17.95% (7/39). Four mouse strains were successfully rescued using optimized ovarian transplantation technology, with the oldest female mice being 18 months old. 8 strains were not rescued as they failed to produce offspring that survived to sexual maturity. ConclusionIVF-ET is an effective approach for rescuing mice with reproductive disorders caused by different reasons, especially for those beyond the optimal breeding age. Ovarian transplantation technology can also be used as an alternative for aged female mice. But its success rate is relatively lower than that of IVF-ET, and carries a higher experimental risk.

A total of 269 non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients were enrolled in this study. Among them, 175 patients (65.1%) were assigned to the control group and received conventional therapy with maximally tolerated doses of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, while 94 patients (34.9%) were assigned to the dapagliflozin group and received oral dapagliflozin 10 mg/day in addition to the conventional therapy. The results showed that the urine protein quantity in the dapagliflozin group was lower than those in the control group at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of follow-up (all P<0.05), and the blood albumin level was higher than those in the control group at 18 and 24 months of follow-up (all P<0.05). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis results showed that the cumulative renal survival rate of the dapagliflozin group was significantly higher than that of the control group (Log-rank test, χ2=5.078, P=0.024). Multivariable Cox regression analysis results revealed that using dapagliflozin was independently associated with a reduced risk of the composite endpoint in non-diabetic CKD patients ( HR=0.400, 95% CI 0.163-0.983, P=0.046). There was no statistical difference in adverse reactions between the two groups (all P>0.05). It is indicated that dapagliflozin has a renal protective effect independent of hypoglycemic action and good safety.

A total of 269 non-diabetic chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients were enrolled in this study. Among them, 175 patients (65.1%) were assigned to the control group and received conventional therapy with maximally tolerated doses of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system inhibitors, while 94 patients (34.9%) were assigned to the dapagliflozin group and received oral dapagliflozin 10 mg/day in addition to the conventional therapy. The results showed that the urine protein quantity in the dapagliflozin group was lower than those in the control group at 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months of follow-up (all P<0.05), and the blood albumin level was higher than those in the control group at 18 and 24 months of follow-up (all P<0.05). The Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis results showed that the cumulative renal survival rate of the dapagliflozin group was significantly higher than that of the control group (Log-rank test, χ2=5.078, P=0.024). Multivariable Cox regression analysis results revealed that using dapagliflozin was independently associated with a reduced risk of the composite endpoint in non-diabetic CKD patients ( HR=0.400, 95% CI 0.163-0.983, P=0.046). There was no statistical difference in adverse reactions between the two groups (all P>0.05). It is indicated that dapagliflozin has a renal protective effect independent of hypoglycemic action and good safety.

Objective:To determine the erythromycin resistance of Bordetella pertussis isolates and their ptxP1 and ptxP3 phenotypic composition and compare clinical manifestations of children with pertussis caused by the two types of strains. Methods:This was a cross-sectional study, the pertussis cases diagnosed using bacterial culture from January 2019 to December 2022 in Beijing Children′s Hospital and the First People′s Hospital of Wuhu were collected.Any suspected Bordetella pertussis colonies were identified by the slide agglutination test.The susceptibility of isolates to erythromycin was detected by the E-test and K-B test.The ptxP gene was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced to determine its genotype. t-test, Mann-Whitney U-test, Chi-square test and Fisher′s exact test were use to statistical analysis. Results:A total of 192 strains of Bordetella pertussis were identified, including 188 (97.9%) erythromycin-resistant strains.Among the 188 strains, 30.3%(57/188) belonged to the ptxP1 genotype and 69.7%(131/188) belonged to the ptxP3 genotype.In children aged below 1 year old, the incidence of paroxysmal cough caused by infection with the ptxP3 strain was higher than that with the ptxP1 strain (57.1% vs.29.4%, P<0.05), and children infected with the ptxP3 strain were more likely to develop apnea or asphyxia (23.8% vs.17.6%), post-tussive vomiting (44.4% vs.32.4%), whooping cough (72.0% vs.50.0%) and pneumonia or bronchitis (85.7% vs.73.5%) compared to those infected with the ptxP1 strain, but the differences were not statistically significant(all P>0.05). In children aged 1 year old and above, the white blood cell count of children infected with the ptxP1 strain was higher than that of infections with the ptxP3 strain [13.5(9.9, 24.5)×10 9/L, 10.3 (7.0, 16.4)×10 9/L, P<0.05], and children infected with the ptxP1 strain were more likely to contract other pathogen infections than those infected with the ptxP3 strain (17.4% vs.4.4%, P>0.05). Conclusions:ptxP3 erythromycin-resistant Bordetella pertussis has become the main pathogen of pertussis.Infants with pertussis caused by the ptxP3 erythromycin-resistant strain show more significant manifestations and a higher possibility of severe symptoms than those infected with the ptxP1 erythromycin-resistant strain.

Objective:To explore the quality of working life and its related factors in patients with breast canc-er returned to work after surgery.Methods:A total of 316 patients with breast cancer who had returned to work af-ter surgery were selected,and they were investigated with the General information questionnaire,Quality of Working Life Questionnaire for Cancer Survivors(QWLQ-CS),Breast Cancer Survivors Resilience Scale(BCRS)and Strat-egies Used by People to Promote Health(SUPPH).Multivariate linear regression analysis was used to analyze the related factors of quality of working life.Results:Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the QWLQ-CS score was positively correlated with education level,per capita monthly income of family,work pattern,return to work time,personal protection and social protection score of BCRS,and positive attitude scores of SUPPH(β=1.05,1.23,2.26,0.69,0.95,1.00,0.13),while negatively correlated with the complications(β=-3.83).Con-clusion:The quality of working life for patients with breast cancer after surgery needs to be improved after they re-turn to work,psychological resilience and self-efficacy are positively correlated with quality of working life.

AIM:To investigate the impact of honokiol(HKL),an activator of silent information regulator 3(SIRT3),on postoperative cognitive dysfunction(POCD)in mice,and to explore the potential mechanisms.METHODS:Ten-month-old male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into control(Con)group,surgical(Sur)group and Sur+HKL group(n=10).The mice in Sur+HKL group were intraperitoneally injected with HKL for 7 d before modeling.The mice in Sur and Sur+HKL groups underwent tibial fracture open reduction and internal fixation to establish the POCD model.The assessment of cognitive function was conducted using the open-field test(OFT),novel object recognition test(NORT),Morris water maze test(MWMT),and Y-maze test(YMT).Nissl staining was employed to assess the morphology,struc-ture and vitality of hippocampal and cortical neurons in mice.The protein expression of glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4),solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11),acyl coenzyme A synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4),SIRT3 and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2(NRF2)in the mouse hippocampus was detected by Western blot,while im-munofluorescence staining was utilized to determine GPX4 level in mouse neurons.RESULTS:No statistically signifi-cant differences were observed among the groups in terms of total distance moved and central zone exploration during the OFT(P>0.05).However,the results from the NORT and YMT indicated that the mice in Sur group exhibited significant-ly lower recognition indexes,reduced alternation rates(P<0.01),and decreased percentages of entries and crossing time into the new arm after side arm blockade(P<0.01),when compared with Con group.Furthermore,the mice in Sur group demonstrated a slower decrease in latency during the learning period of MWMT,while significantly lower latency,fewer crossing number and lower percentage of time in the target quadrant were observed during the testing period of MWMT(P<0.01).The above indicators were obviously enhanced in Sur+HKL group compared with Sur group(P<0.01).The results of Nissl staining indicated lighter neuronal staining in the hippocampal CA1 region and medial prefrontal cortex in Sur group,accompanied by a significant reduction in the number of Nissl-stained positive neurons(P<0.01).Notably,HKL pretreatment demonstrated a significant improvement in neuronal vitality.Analysis of Western blot revealed that compared with Con group,the expression of SIRT3,GPX4,SLC7A11 and NRF2 in Sur group was significantly reduced,while the expression of ACSL4 was significantly increased(P<0.05).However,these alterations were reversed after treatment with HKL(P<0.05).Immunofluorescence staining of hippocampal neurons corroborated the findings from Western blot analy-sis,demonstrating a notable decrease in GPX4 expression in hippocampal neurons of Sur group,which was significantly restored after HKL pretreatment(P<0.01).CONCLUSION:Treatment with HKL attenuates POCD in mice,potentially through its inhibitory effect on hippocampal neuronal ferroptosis.

Objective:To explore the interrelationship among three simplified hand and wrist bone age assessment methods and to establish corresponding bone ages for each substage in male children.Methods:This retrospective case series study included 169 left hand and wrist X-rays from 152 male children who underwent bone age assessments at the Pediatric Orthopedics and Pediatrics Departments,Beijing Jishuitan Hospital,Capital Medical University from January 2019 to December 2023. The age at the time of X-ray was (13.7±2.0) years (range:9.1 to 17.9 years). Reasons for bone age assessment included evaluating the progress of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in 36 cases, predicting limb length discrepancies in 28 cases, and predicting the height of healthy adolescents in 88 cases. Bone age was first graded using the Chinese hand-wrist bone age assessment method. Three simplified hand and wrist bone age assessment methods were then applied:Sanders simplified skeletal maturity staging system(Sanders stage), the distal radius and ulna classification (DRU), and e thumb ossification composite index (TOCI). Somers′delta correlation test was used to analyze the relationship among the results of the three simplified methods. The bone age and standard deviation for each sub-stage were calculated, and gender differences in bone age for the same sub-stage were compared with previous study.Results:The DRU, TOCI and Sanders stages showed a strong correlation when assessing bone age in male children, with Somers′delta correlation coefficients ranging from 0.881 to 0.876 (all P<0.01). The sub-stages with the smallest standard deviations (shorter duration) in each of the three classifications can serve as a quick reference for determining precise bone age, included proximal thumb epiphysis covered, without sesamoid (12.0 years);proximal thumb epiphysis covered with sesamoid or distal radial covered (13.0 years), early capping of the thumb epiphysis, radial epiphysis medial side capping(13.5 years), all phalangeal epiphyses capping (14.0 years), distal phalangeal physes beginning to close (14.5 years), all distal phalangeal physes closed (15.0 years), middle or proximal phalangeal physes beginning to close (15.5 years), all digital epiphyses closed (16.5 years), and nearly complete distal radius fusion with a notch (17.5 years). On average, the bone ages of males were 2 years behind those of females in the same substage. Conclusions:The DRU, TOCI, and Sanders stages can be applied to male children, and it is showed good correlation between them. The subtypes with shorter duration can be used as a quick assessment method to determine the bone age.

Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and voice outcomes after laryngeal microsurgery for vocal fold epidermoid cysts coexisting with sulcus vocalis.Methods:The clinical data of 115 vocal fold epidermoid cysts coexisting with sulcus vocalis patients in Shandong provincial ENT hospital, were retrospectively analyzed, including 49 males and 66 females, aged 17-70 years old, and the duration of hoarseness ranged from 6 months to 30 years. All patients underwent surgery through suspension laryngoscope and microscope under general anestgesia. Ninety-four patients were treated with microflap excision of sulcus vocalis, cyst wall, and contents.And 21 patients that occulted with mucosal bridges were applied mucosal bridges resection (2 cases) and mucosal bridges reconstruction (19 cases) respectively. Videolaryngoscopy, subjective voice evaluation (GRBAS), objective voice evaluation, and Voice Handicap Index(VHI) were performed before and after surgery. All patients underwent histopathologic examination and follow-up after the procedure. The preoperative acoustic parameters of patients with vocal fold epidermoid cysts coexisting with sulcus vocalis were compared with those of vocal fold mucus retention cysts and simple vocal fold epidermoid cysts by independent samples t-test. The patients were compared by paired t-test for preoperative and postoperative parameters. Results:Significant reduction or lack of mucosal waves were shown via videolaryngostroboscopy in all 115 cases.In addition, vascular changes including dilation, tortuousness, increased branches, and abrupt direction change were shown on the cystic area. Eighty-one patients were detected cysts and/or sulcus vocalis by preoperative laryngoscopy, and intraoperative microscopic findings in the remaining 34 patients. The intraoperative microscopic examination revealed a focal pouch-like deficit plunging into the vocal ligament or muscle. The deep surface of the mucosal bridges was sulcus vocalis, and that in 89 cysts was lined with caseous content. Histopathology demonstrated a cystic cavity structure lined with squamous epithelium and caseous keratin desquamation inside the cystic cavity. Four of 115 patients were lost at follow-up and excluded from the analysis of voice outcomes after surgery. There was no significant mucosal wave and the voice quality in all but 14 patients 1month after surgery. Except for the fundamental frequency and noise harmonic ratio, all other voice parameters[ G, R, B, A, VHI-10, jitter, shimmer, maximum phonatory time (MPT) ]showed a significant improvement 3 months after surgery( t=15.82, 20.82, 17.61, 7.30, 38.88, 7.84, 5.88, -6.26, respectively, P<0.05). Then mucosal waves and the voice quality were gradually improved and became steady in 6 months after surgery. The subjective and objective voice parameters[G, R, B, A, VHI-10, jitter, shimmer, noise to harmonic ratio(NHR), MPT], except for the fundamental frequency, were all significantly improved( t=23.47, 25.79, 18.37, 9.84, 54.45, 10.68, 8.07, 3.24, -9.08, respectively, P<0.05). In addition, there were 2 patients with no significant improvement after the operation. Steady function with no complications was observed during the 12 months (up to 3 years in 34 patients) follow-up period in 111 patients. Conclusion:Ruptured vocal fold epidermoid cysts can result in sulcus vocalis and mucosal bridges. Characteristics changes in preoperative videolaryngoscopy are effective diagnostic tools. The complete excision of the cyst wall and repair of the lamina propria can lead to satisfactory long-term effects.

Objective:To explore the interrelationship among three simplified hand and wrist bone age assessment methods and to establish corresponding bone ages for each substage in male children.Methods:This retrospective case series study included 169 left hand and wrist X-rays from 152 male children who underwent bone age assessments at the Pediatric Orthopedics and Pediatrics Departments,Beijing Jishuitan Hospital,Capital Medical University from January 2019 to December 2023. The age at the time of X-ray was (13.7±2.0) years (range:9.1 to 17.9 years). Reasons for bone age assessment included evaluating the progress of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in 36 cases, predicting limb length discrepancies in 28 cases, and predicting the height of healthy adolescents in 88 cases. Bone age was first graded using the Chinese hand-wrist bone age assessment method. Three simplified hand and wrist bone age assessment methods were then applied:Sanders simplified skeletal maturity staging system(Sanders stage), the distal radius and ulna classification (DRU), and e thumb ossification composite index (TOCI). Somers′delta correlation test was used to analyze the relationship among the results of the three simplified methods. The bone age and standard deviation for each sub-stage were calculated, and gender differences in bone age for the same sub-stage were compared with previous study.Results:The DRU, TOCI and Sanders stages showed a strong correlation when assessing bone age in male children, with Somers′delta correlation coefficients ranging from 0.881 to 0.876 (all P<0.01). The sub-stages with the smallest standard deviations (shorter duration) in each of the three classifications can serve as a quick reference for determining precise bone age, included proximal thumb epiphysis covered, without sesamoid (12.0 years);proximal thumb epiphysis covered with sesamoid or distal radial covered (13.0 years), early capping of the thumb epiphysis, radial epiphysis medial side capping(13.5 years), all phalangeal epiphyses capping (14.0 years), distal phalangeal physes beginning to close (14.5 years), all distal phalangeal physes closed (15.0 years), middle or proximal phalangeal physes beginning to close (15.5 years), all digital epiphyses closed (16.5 years), and nearly complete distal radius fusion with a notch (17.5 years). On average, the bone ages of males were 2 years behind those of females in the same substage. Conclusions:The DRU, TOCI, and Sanders stages can be applied to male children, and it is showed good correlation between them. The subtypes with shorter duration can be used as a quick assessment method to determine the bone age.

Objective To investigate the level of benefit finding and positive psychological capital of stroke patients and their spouses,and to analyse the dyadic interaction between benefit finding and positive psychological capital of patients and their spouses.Methods From March to August 2023,235 stroke patients and their spouses were conveniently selected from the neurology wards of 3 tertiary hospitals in Henan Province,and were surveyed using a general information questionnaire,the positive psychological capital questionnaire,revised version of benefit finding scale,and caregiver benefit finding scale.Results The positive psychological capital scores of stroke patients and their spouses were(4.29±0.75)and(4.56±0.71);benefit finding scores of the dyads were(2.85±0.69)and(3.64±0.68).The results of actor-partner interdependence model showed that positive psychological capital of stroke patients and their spouses positively predicted their benefit finding;positive psychological capital of patients positively predicted benefit finding of spouses,and positive psychological capital of spouses positively predicted benefit finding of patients(all P＜0.05).In particular,spousal self-efficacy and resilience positively predicted their benefit finding;their optimism positively predicted the patient's benefit finding;their hopefulness negatively predicted the patient's benefit finding(all P＜0.05).Conclusion There was a dyadic interaction between benefit finding and positive psychological capital for stroke patients and their spouses.The role of spouses on patients'positive psychological capital should not be overlooked,and nurses should develop positive psychological capital intervention strategies centered on couples of stroke patients to enhance positive couple experiences.