Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) is a critical endocrine mediator implicated in male reproductive physiology. To investigate the correlation between IGF2 protein levels and various aspects of male infertility, specifically focusing on sperm quality, inflammation, and DNA damage, a cohort of 320 male participants was recruited from the Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine (Hangzhou, China) between 1 st January 2024 and 1 st March 2024. The relationship between IGF2 protein concentrations and sperm parameters was assessed, and Spearman correlation and linear regression analysis were employed to evaluate the independent associations between IGF2 protein levels and risk factors for infertility. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to measure IGF2 protein levels in seminal plasma, alongside markers of inflammation (tumor necrosis factor-alpha [TNF-α] and interleukin-1β [IL-1β]). The relationship between seminal plasma IGF2 protein levels and DNA damage marker phosphorylated histone H2AX (γ-H2AX) was also explored. Our findings reveal that IGF2 protein expression decreased notably in patients with asthenospermia and teratospermia. Correlation analysis revealed nuanced associations between IGF2 protein levels and specific sperm parameters, and low IGF2 protein concentrations correlated with increased inflammation and DNA damage in sperm. The observed correlations between IGF2 protein levels and specific sperm parameters, along with its connection to inflammation and DNA damage, underscore the importance of IGF2 in the broader context of male reproductive health. These findings lay the groundwork for future research and potential therapeutic interventions targeting IGF2-related pathways to enhance male fertility.
Humans ; Male ; Insulin-Like Growth Factor II/metabolism* ; Infertility, Male/genetics* ; DNA Damage ; Adult ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; Semen Analysis ; Semen/metabolism* ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/metabolism* ; Histones/metabolism* ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism*

Extensive studies have identified potential adverse effects on semen quality of obesity, based on body mass index, but the association between body fat distribution, a more relevant indicator for obesity, and semen quality remains less clear. We conducted a longitudinal study of 4304 sperm donors from the Guangdong Provincial Human Sperm Bank (Guangzhou, China) during 2017-2021. A body composition analyzer was used to measure total and local body fat percentage for each participant. Generalized estimating equations were employed to assess the association between body fat percentage and sperm count, motility, and morphology. We estimated that each 10% increase in total body fat percentage (estimated change [95% confidence interval, 95% CI]) was significantly associated with a 0.18 × 10 6 (0.09 × 10 6 -0.27 × 10 6 ) ml and 12.21 × 10 6 (4.52 × 10 6 -19.91 × 10 6 ) reduction in semen volume and total sperm count, respectively. Categorical analyses and exposure-response curves showed that the association of body fat distribution with semen volume and total sperm count was stronger at higher body fat percentages. In addition, the association still held among normal weight and overweight participants. We observed similar associations for upper limb, trunk, and lower limb body fact distributions. In conclusion, we found that a higher body fat distribution was significantly associated with lower semen quality (especially semen volume) even in men with a normal weight. These findings provide useful clues in exploring body fat as a risk factor for semen quality decline and add to evidence for improving semen quality for those who are expected to conceive.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Semen Analysis ; China ; Body Fat Distribution ; Longitudinal Studies ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Body Mass Index ; Tissue Donors ; Obesity/complications* ; Spermatozoa ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; East Asian People

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a new noninvasive diagnostic model for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) based on features of tongue images. METHODS: Healthy controls and volunteers confirmed to have NAFLD by liver ultrasound were recruited from China-Japan Friendship Hospital between September 2018 and May 2019, then the anthropometric indexes and sampled tongue images were measured. The tongue images were labeled by features, based on a brief protocol, without knowing any other clinical data, after a series of corrections and data cleaning. The algorithm was trained on images using labels and several anthropometric indexes for inputs, utilizing machine learning technology. Finally, a logistic regression algorithm and a decision tree model were constructed as 2 diagnostic models for NAFLD. RESULTS: A total of 720 subjects were enrolled in this study, including 432 patients with NAFLD and 288 healthy volunteers. Of them, 482 were randomly allocated into the training set and 238 into the validation set. The diagnostic model based on logistic regression exhibited excellent performance: in validation set, it achieved an accuracy of 86.98%, sensitivity of 91.43%, and specificity of 80.61%; with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.93 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.68-0.98]. The decision tree model achieved an accuracy of 81.09%, sensitivity of 91.43%, and specificity of 66.33%; with an AUC of 0.89 (95% CI 0.66-0.92) in validation set. CONCLUSIONS The features of tongue images were associated with NAFLD. Both the 2 diagnostic models, which would be convenient, noninvasive, lightweight, rapid, and inexpensive technical references for early screening, can accurately distinguish NAFLD and are worth further study.
Humans ; Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/diagnostic imaging* ; Ultrasonography ; Anthropometry ; Algorithms ; China

Objective Viral encephalitis is an infectious disease severely affecting human health.It is caused by a wide variety of viral pathogens,including herpes viruses,flaviviruses,enteroviruses,and other viruses.The laboratory diagnosis of viral encephalitis is a worldwide challenge.Recently,high-throughput sequencing technology has provided new tools for diagnosing central nervous system infections.Thus,In this study,we established a multipathogen detection platform for viral encephalitis based on amplicon sequencing. Methods We designed nine pairs of specific polymerase chain reaction(PCR)primers for the 12 viruses by reviewing the relevant literature.The detection ability of the primers was verified by software simulation and the detection of known positive samples.Amplicon sequencing was used to validate the samples,and consistency was compared with Sanger sequencing. Results The results showed that the target sequences of various pathogens were obtained at a coverage depth level greater than 20×,and the sequence lengths were consistent with the sizes of the predicted amplicons.The sequences were verified using the National Center for Biotechnology Information BLAST,and all results were consistent with the results of Sanger sequencing. Conclusion Amplicon-based high-throughput sequencing technology is feasible as a supplementary method for the pathogenic detection of viral encephalitis.It is also a useful tool for the high-volume screening of clinical samples.

Protein as the allergens could lead to allergy. In addition, a widespread class of allergens were known as glycans of N-glycoprotein. N-glycoprotein contained oligosaccharide linked by covalent bonds with protein. Recently,studies implicated that allergy was associated with glycans of heterologous N-glycoprotein found in food, inhalants, insect toxins, etc. The N-glycan structure of N-glycoprotein allergen has exerted an influence on the binding between allergens and IgE, while the recognition and presentation of allergens by antigen-presenting cells (APCs) were also affected. Some researches showed thatN-glycan structure of allergen was remodeled by N-glycosidase, such as cFase I, gpcXylase, as binding of allergen and IgE partly decreased. Thus, allergic problems caused by N-glycoproteins could potentially be solved by modifying or altering the structure ofN-glycoprotein allergens, addressing the root of the issue. Mechanism of N-glycans associated allergy could also be elaborated through glycosylation enzymes, alterations of host glycosylation. This article hopes to provide a separate insight for glycoimmunology perspective, and an alternative strategy for clinical prevention or therapy of allergic diseases.

Objective To investigate the relationship between serum lipid profiles and colorectal adenomas,and to benefit the prevention of colorectal cancer.Methods This study retrospectively analyzes the serum lipid profiles and clinical parameters of 2,960 patients who were diagnosed with colorectal adenomas,and 3,156 individuals without colorectal adenomas in Meizhou People's Hospital from May 2018 to May 2020.The association between serum lipid profiles and colorectal adenoma was evaluated by Logistic regression analysis.Results It was observed that the serum levels of total cholesterol(TC),triglyceride(TG),low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C)and apoliprotein B(ApoB)were significantly elevated in patients with colorectal adenomas.Dyslipidemia was more prevalent in adenoma cases than in controls.The Logistic regression analysis suggested that serum TC and TG levels were positively associated with the occurrence of colorectal adenomas.Conclusion Elevated serum TG and TC levels are independent risk factors for adenoma,and adenoma patients with elevated serum TG and TC levels may be more likely to develop high-risk adenoma.

Objective:To investigate the effect of electroacupuncture treatment on the integrity of myelin and the related molecules in the spinal dorsal horn of neuropathic pain model rat.Methods:Totally 32 SPF grade Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: sham group, pain model group, electroacupuncture group and sham electroacupuncture group, with 8 rats in each group. Neuropathic pain model was established by right sciatic nerve ligation. Electroacupuncture stimulation of Huantiao point and Yanglingquan point was started from 1 day after surgery, 30 min/d, and lasted for 14 days. The paw withdraw mechanical threshold (PWMT) were tested before surgery, 3 days, 7 days and 14 days after surgery. Immunofluorescence was used to detect myelin basic protein (MBP) in the ipsilateral Ⅰ-Ⅲ laminae of spinal dorsal horn and Western blot was used to measure the expression of β-secreatase 1(BACE1), neuregulin 1 type Ⅲ (NRG1 Ⅲ) and phosphorylated ErbB receptor tyrosine kinase 2 (p-ErbB2) at 14 days after surgery.SPSS 24.0 was used for statistical analysis.Repeated measurement ANOVA was used for behavioral analysis and one-way ANOVA followed by Bonferroni test was used for Western blot and immunofluorescence data analysis.Results:(1) The results of pain behaviors showed that the interaction effect of time and group on PWMT was significant ( F=29.817, P<0.001), and both the time main effect ( F=240.598, P<0.001) and group main effect ( F=304.291, P<0.001) were significant. There were no significant differences among 4 groups before surgery. Compared with pain model group, the PWMT of electroacupuncture group were significantly increased at 3 days ((16.87±1.82) g, (11.31±1.36) g), 7 days ((15.09±1.75) g, (10.33±0.73) g) and 14 days ((15.07±1.49) g, (9.87±0.98) g) after surgery (all P<0.01). (2)The difference of the intensity of MBP in the ipsilateral Ⅰ-Ⅲ laminae of spinal dorsal horn staining was significant among 4 groups ( F=92.06, P<0.001). Compared with sham group, the intensity of MBP staining in the ipsilateral Ⅰ-Ⅲ laminae of spinal dorsal horn in pain model group was significantly decreased ((13.26±1.90)%, (36.37±0.68)%) ( P<0.01) ). Compared with pain model group, the intensity of MBP staining in the ipsilateral Ⅰ-Ⅲ laminae of spinal dorsal horn in electroacupuncture group ((28.21±3.15)%) was significantly increased after electroacupuncture treatment ( P<0.01). (3) The differences of the expressions of BACE1, NRG1 Ⅲ and p-ErbB2 in the ipsilateral Ⅰ-Ⅲ laminae of spinal dorsal horn were significant among the 4 groups ( F=31.04, 21.20, 11.74, all P<0.01). Compared with sham group, the expressions of BACE1, NRG1 Ⅲ and p-ErbB2 in the ipsilateral Ⅰ-Ⅲ laminae of spinal dorsal horn in pain model group were significantly downregulated (BACE1 (0.42±0.09), (1.16±0.13); NRG1 Ⅲ (0.54±0.05), (1.00±0.10); p-ErbB2 (0.73±0.06), (1.02±0.15) ) (all P<0.05). Compared with pain model group, the expression of BACE1 (0.86±0.09), NRG1 Ⅲ (0.81±0.05) and p-ErbB2 (1.12±0.04) in the ipsilateral Ⅰ-Ⅲ laminae of spinal dorsal horn in electroacupuncture group were upregulated(all P<0.05). Conclusion:Electroacupuncture treatment could relieve neuropathic pain, improve the demyelination and upregulate the expressions of myelin-related proteins in the ipsilateral Ⅰ-Ⅲ laminae of spinal dorsal horn.

As artificial intelligence technology rapidly advances, its deployment within the medical sector presents substantial ethical challenges. Consequently, it becomes crucial to create a standardized, transparent, and secure framework for processing medical data. This includes setting the ethical boundaries for medical artificial intelligence and safeguarding both patient rights and data integrity. This consensus governs every facet of medical data handling through artificial intelligence, encompassing data gathering, processing, storage, transmission, utilization, and sharing. Its purpose is to ensure the management of medical data adheres to ethical standards and legal requirements, while safeguarding patient privacy and data security. Concurrently, the principles of compliance with the law, patient privacy respect, patient interest protection, and safety and reliability are underscored. Key issues such as informed consent, data usage, intellectual property protection, conflict of interest, and benefit sharing are examined in depth. The enactment of this expert consensus is intended to foster the profound integration and sustainable advancement of artificial intelligence within the medical domain, while simultaneously ensuring that artificial intelligence adheres strictly to the relevant ethical norms and legal frameworks during the processing of medical data.
Artificial Intelligence/legislation & jurisprudence* ; Humans ; Consensus ; Computer Security/standards* ; Confidentiality/ethics* ; Informed Consent/ethics*

Objective: To explore the outcome of different treatment strategies in patients with pancreatic cancer with synchronous liver metastasis (sLMPC). Methods: A retrospective analysis of the clinical data and treatment results of 37 patients with sLMPC treated in China-Japan Friendship Hospital was performed from April 2017 to December 2022. A total of 23 males and 14 females were included,with an age(M(IQR)) of 61 (10) years (range: 45 to 74 years). Systemic chemotherapy was carried out after pathological diagnosis. The initial chemotherapy strategy included modified-Folfirinox, albumin paclitaxel combined with Gemcitabine, and Docetaxel+Cisplatin+Fluorouracil or Gemcitabine with S1. The possibility of surgical resection (reaching the standards of surgical intervention) was determined after systemic treatment,and the chemotherapy strategy was changed in the cases of failed initial chemotherapy plans. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to estimate the overall survival time and rate,while Log-rank and Gehan-Breslow-Wilcoxon tests were used to compare the differences of survival curves. Results: The median follow-up time for the 37 sLMPC patients was 39 months,and the median overall survival time was 13 months (range:2 to 64 months) with overall survival rates of 1-,3-,and 5-year of 59.5%,14.7%,and 14.7%,respectively. Of the 37 patients,97.3%(36/37) initially received systemic chemotherapy, 29 completed more than four cycles,resulting in a disease control rate of 69.4% (partial response in 15 cases,stable disease in 10 cases,and progressive disease in 4 cases). In the 24 patients initially planned for conversion surgery,the successful conversion rate was 54.2% (13/24). Among the 13 successfully converted patients,9 underwent surgery and their treatment outcomes were significantly better than those (4 patients) of those who did not undergo surgery (median survival time not reached vs. 13 months,P<0.05). Regarding the 9 patients whose conversion was unsuccessful, no significant differences were observed in median survival time between the surgical group (4 cases) and the non-surgical group (5 cases) (P>0.05). In the allowed-surgery group(n=13),the decreased in pre-surgical CA19-9 levels and the regression of liver metastases were more significant in the successful conversion sub-group than in the ineffective conversion sub-group;however, no significant differences were observed in the changes in primary lesion between the two groups. Conclusion: For highly selective patients with sLMPC who achieve partial response after receiving effective systemic treatment,the adoption of an aggressive surgical treatment strategy can significantly improve survival time;however, surgery dose not provide such survival benefits in patients who do not achieve partial response after systemic chemotherapy.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Pancreatic Neoplasms/surgery* ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic use* ; Retrospective Studies ; Docetaxel/therapeutic use* ; Liver Neoplasms/secondary* ; Fluorouracil ; Leucovorin/therapeutic use*

Tumor is a serious threat to human health. At present, surgical resection, chemoradiotherapy, targeted therapy and immunotherapy are the main therapeutic strategies. Monoclonal antibody has gradually become an indispensable drug type in the clinical treatment of cancer due to its high efficiency and low toxicity. Phage antibody library technology (PALT) is a novel monoclonal antibody preparation technique. The recombinant immunoglobulin variable region of heavy chain (VH)/variable region of light chain (VL) gene is integrated into the phage vector, and the antibody is expressed on the phage surface in the form of fusion protein to obtain a diverse antibody library. Through the process of adsorption-elution-amplification, the antibody library can be screened to obtain the antibody molecule with specific binding antigen as well as its gene sequence. PALT has the advantages of short antibody production cycle, strong plasticity of antibody structure, large antibody yield, high diversity and direct production of humanized antibodies. It has been used in screening tumor markers and preparation of antibody drugs for breast cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer and liver cancer. This article reviews the recent progress and the application of PALT in tumor therapy.
Humans ; Bacteriophages/genetics* ; Immunoglobulin Variable Region/genetics* ; Gene Library ; Antibodies, Monoclonal/therapeutic use* ; Immunotherapy ; Peptide Library