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*

Intestinal microecological changes are closely related to liver cirrhosis and cirrhosis-related sarcopenia.Studies has demonstrated that interventions targeting the intestinal microbiota could contribute to the treatment of cirrhosis and cirrhosis-related sarcopenia.Here we reviewed the research progress on the alterations in intestinal microbiota during liver cirrhosis and the underlying mechanisms by which these changes impacted the development of the disease.The potential of microbiota-targeted interventions in both preventing and treating liver cirrhosis and related sarcopenia was also discussed,which might provide valuable insights into clinical diagnosis and management of the disease.

Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1(APE 1)is a multifunctional protein that plays important roles in DNA repair and regulation of gene expression.Because APE 1 is overexpressed in various cancers,it can serve as a cancer biomarker for aiding clinical diagnosis,guiding therapy,and monitoring prognosis.On this basis,a label-free fluorescent probe was designed based on the primer exchange reaction(PER)strategy for highly sensitive detection of APE 1 activity.In the absence of APE 1,the structure of catalytic hairpin(HP)was stable and could not form G-quadruplex.Therefore,the background fluorescence of this sensing system was very low due to the dissociation of thioflavin T(ThT).In the presence of APE 1,the apurinic/apyrimidinic(AP)site of HP was cleaved by APE 1 and a short nucleic acid fragment that acted as a primer to initiate PER was generated.After PER reaction,a large number of G-quadruplex were produced,which could specifically bind with ThT and resulted in significant increase of fluorescence signal.The combination of low background design of HP and PER amplification made this biosensor had high sensitivity with a detection limit(3σ)of 0.0008 U/mL.Furthermore,the primer sequence was directly generated by the cleavage of APE 1 without additional addition,which not only increased the specificity of the reaction,but also simplified the experiment procedure.Moreover,the use of label-free fluorescence signal reduced the cost of the experiment,and realized rapid detection of APE 1.Finally,this sensor was used to detect APE 1 in human serum samples with spiked recoveries of 91%-104%,proving great potential in study of biological enzyme.

Background and Aims:Acute inferior vena cava thrombosis(IVCT)commonly occurs secondary to inferior vena cava filter(VCF)implantation.If not promptly treated,it may lead to serious complications such as bilateral lower limb swelling and pulmonary embolism and can also reduce the likelihood of successful filter retrieval.Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy(PMT)and catheter-directed thrombolysis(CDT)are currently the main interventional treatments for IVCT,but comparative studies evaluating their efficacy and safety remain limited.This study was to conduct a prospective randomized controlled trial to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of AngioJet mechanical thrombectomy versus conventional CDT in the treatment of acute IVCT and to explore factors influencing filter retrieval rates,thereby providing evidence-based guidance for clinical decision-making.Methods:From January 2022 to December 2024,patients diagnosed with acute IVCT following VCF implantation were prospectively enrolled at the Department of Vascular Surgery,Beijing Jishuitan Hospital,Capital Medical University.Patients were randomly assigned to either the CDT group(n=46)or the PMT group(n=48)according to the interventional procedure used.The two groups were compared in terms of filter retrieval rates,thrombus clearance outcomes,operative time,thrombolytic drug dosage,and incidence of complications.Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with primary filter retrieval.Results:A total of 94 patients were enrolled,with 46 in the CDT group and 48 in the PMT group.Compared to the CDT group,the PMT group demonstrated a significantly higher primary filter retrieval rate(77.1%vs.43.5%),grade Ⅲ thrombus clearance rate(70.8%vs.37.0%),and better postoperative thrombus scores.Additionally,the PMT group required lower urokinase doses and shorter thrombolysis duration(all P<0.05).The overall filter retrieval rate and 3-month IVC patency were similar between groups,both exceeding 93%.Regarding safety,the CDT group had a higher incidence of catheter-related infections and medical adhesive-related skin injury,while vagal reflex symptoms were more frequent in the PMT group.Logistic regression analysis identified thrombus clearance rate as an independent factor significantly associated with primary filter retrieval in the PMT group(OR=190.773,P<0.05).Conclusion:Compared to CDT,AngioJet mechanical thrombectomy combined with manual aspiration achieves higher thrombus clearance and primary filter retrieval rates in the treatment of acute IVCT while also reducing thrombolysis duration and drug dosage.However,attention should be paid to the increased risk of vagal reflex symptoms.There was no significant difference between the two groups in secondary filter retrieval rates or long-term IVC patency.The choice of intervention should be based on the patient's condition,timing of filter retrieval,and individualized clinical considerations.

Objective:To investigate the clinical application value of a novel filter's retraction hook capture technique of pull-assisted method for the endovascular retrieval of conical inferior vena cava (IVC) filters whose hook attached to the wall.Methods:From January 2020 to December 2024, patients with conical filters whose hook attached to the wall admitted at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital were enrolled consecutively.Results:A total of 46 patients underwent filter retrieval using filter's retraction hook capture technique of pull-assisted method. Among these patients, 39 cases (84.8%) were successful in filter retrieval, with the penetration distance of cranial anchor vertex of 3.3(2.5, 4.4) mm, and 13 (33.3%) filters were deformed. The other 7 cases were unsuccessful, with a penetration distance of cranial anchor vertex of 5.0 (4.3, 5.0) mm, and 6 (85.7%) filters were deformed. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups ( P<0.05). One case (2.2%) had IVC injury, one case (2.2%) experienced filter fracture, and no symptomatic pulmonary embolism occurred. Logistic regression analysis showed that filter deformation was an independent dangerous factor for filter's retraction. Conclusions:Filter's retraction hook capture technique of pull-assisted method is effective in removing conical filters whose hook attached to the wall, with no symptomatic PE occurring. This method can be considered as a new adjuvant technique for filter retrieval.

Background and Aims:Acute inferior vena cava thrombosis(IVCT)commonly occurs secondary to inferior vena cava filter(VCF)implantation.If not promptly treated,it may lead to serious complications such as bilateral lower limb swelling and pulmonary embolism and can also reduce the likelihood of successful filter retrieval.Percutaneous mechanical thrombectomy(PMT)and catheter-directed thrombolysis(CDT)are currently the main interventional treatments for IVCT,but comparative studies evaluating their efficacy and safety remain limited.This study was to conduct a prospective randomized controlled trial to compare the clinical efficacy and safety of AngioJet mechanical thrombectomy versus conventional CDT in the treatment of acute IVCT and to explore factors influencing filter retrieval rates,thereby providing evidence-based guidance for clinical decision-making.Methods:From January 2022 to December 2024,patients diagnosed with acute IVCT following VCF implantation were prospectively enrolled at the Department of Vascular Surgery,Beijing Jishuitan Hospital,Capital Medical University.Patients were randomly assigned to either the CDT group(n=46)or the PMT group(n=48)according to the interventional procedure used.The two groups were compared in terms of filter retrieval rates,thrombus clearance outcomes,operative time,thrombolytic drug dosage,and incidence of complications.Logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with primary filter retrieval.Results:A total of 94 patients were enrolled,with 46 in the CDT group and 48 in the PMT group.Compared to the CDT group,the PMT group demonstrated a significantly higher primary filter retrieval rate(77.1%vs.43.5%),grade Ⅲ thrombus clearance rate(70.8%vs.37.0%),and better postoperative thrombus scores.Additionally,the PMT group required lower urokinase doses and shorter thrombolysis duration(all P<0.05).The overall filter retrieval rate and 3-month IVC patency were similar between groups,both exceeding 93%.Regarding safety,the CDT group had a higher incidence of catheter-related infections and medical adhesive-related skin injury,while vagal reflex symptoms were more frequent in the PMT group.Logistic regression analysis identified thrombus clearance rate as an independent factor significantly associated with primary filter retrieval in the PMT group(OR=190.773,P<0.05).Conclusion:Compared to CDT,AngioJet mechanical thrombectomy combined with manual aspiration achieves higher thrombus clearance and primary filter retrieval rates in the treatment of acute IVCT while also reducing thrombolysis duration and drug dosage.However,attention should be paid to the increased risk of vagal reflex symptoms.There was no significant difference between the two groups in secondary filter retrieval rates or long-term IVC patency.The choice of intervention should be based on the patient's condition,timing of filter retrieval,and individualized clinical considerations.

Objective:To compare the therapeutic efficacy and safety of local anesthesia and spinal anesthesia for the patients with varicocele(VC)who underwent microsurgical varicocelectomy(MV).Methods:We retrospectively analyzed the data of VC patients who underwent MV treatment at the Andrology Department of the Affiliated Ruikang Hospital of Guangxi University of Chinese Medicine from May 2020 to March 2023.Cases with complete clinical data and follow-up evaluation were selected and divided into a control group(spinal anesthesia)and an observation group(local anesthesia)according to different anesthesia methods.The surgical time(including anesthesia time),visual analogue scale(VAS)score for pain,hospital stay,treatment cost,sperm concentration,for-ward motile sperm rate,and normal sperm morphology rate after three months of surgery,as well as postoperative complications and re-currence rate were compared between the two groups.Results:A total of 107 eligible cases were included,with 56 cases in the con-trol group and 51 cases in the observation group.There was no significant difference in the VAS score for pain during and after four hours of surgery,as well as postoperative complications,and recurrence rate between the two groups(P＞0.05).There was an signif-icant increase in sperm concentration,forward motile sperm rate,and normal sperm morphology rate in both of two groups after three months of surgery(P＜0.05).However,there was no significant difference between the two groups three months after surgery(P＞0.05).The surgical time and hospital stay were shorter than those of the control group(P＜0.05).And the treatment cost in observa-tion group was lower than that of the control group(P＜0.05).Conclusion:Both local anesthesia and lumbar anesthesia for MV treatment of VC have good efficacy and safety.However,patients treated with MV under local anesthesia for VC have obvious advanta-ges in terms of operation time(including anesthesia time),hospital stay,and treatment cost,which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.

Objective:To investigate the clinical application value of a novel filter's retraction hook capture technique of pull-assisted method for the endovascular retrieval of conical inferior vena cava (IVC) filters whose hook attached to the wall.Methods:From January 2020 to December 2024, patients with conical filters whose hook attached to the wall admitted at Beijing Jishuitan Hospital were enrolled consecutively.Results:A total of 46 patients underwent filter retrieval using filter's retraction hook capture technique of pull-assisted method. Among these patients, 39 cases (84.8%) were successful in filter retrieval, with the penetration distance of cranial anchor vertex of 3.3(2.5, 4.4) mm, and 13 (33.3%) filters were deformed. The other 7 cases were unsuccessful, with a penetration distance of cranial anchor vertex of 5.0 (4.3, 5.0) mm, and 6 (85.7%) filters were deformed. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups ( P<0.05). One case (2.2%) had IVC injury, one case (2.2%) experienced filter fracture, and no symptomatic pulmonary embolism occurred. Logistic regression analysis showed that filter deformation was an independent dangerous factor for filter's retraction. Conclusions:Filter's retraction hook capture technique of pull-assisted method is effective in removing conical filters whose hook attached to the wall, with no symptomatic PE occurring. This method can be considered as a new adjuvant technique for filter retrieval.

In order to elucidate the therapeutic effect and mechanism of action of Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets on knee osteoarthritis, this study created a knee osteoarthritis model using 0.2 mL 40 g·L~(-1) papain and randomly divided the rats into the model group, high-dose and low-dose groups of Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets, and celecoxib group. All groups were given the drug for four weeks, with the diameter of their knee joint being measured during this period. Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Senna solid green staining were utilized to observe the pathology of knee joint tissue in SD rats. The initial therapeutic impact of Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets on knee osteoarthritis in rats was assessed by monitoring the levels of interleukin-1β(IL-1β) and interleukin-6(IL-6) in the plasma. Using a combination of non-targeted metabolomics and 16S rRNA techniques, researchers determined the variations in endogenous molecules and intestinal flora in rats and identified potential biomarkers. The results showed that Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets improved the diameter of knee joint swelling, ameliorated the pathological damage of cartilage tissue, and reduced the plasma levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in rats with knee osteoarthritis. Metabolomics analysis identified 22 potential biomarkers associated with the modulatory effects of Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets, including 5-hydroxytryptamine, corticosterone, methylmalonic acid, and other biomarkers, which were mainly involved in eight metabolic pathways, including tryptophan metabolism, vitamin K metabolism, steroid synthesis, and so on. The results of intestinal flora showed a decrease in the diversity of intestinal flora in the model group, an increase in the diversity of intestinal flora, and an improvement in the microecology of intestinal flora. Significant differences were found in Lachnospiraceae＿NK4A136＿group, Helicobacter, Lactobacillus, Bacteroides, and Parabacteroides. Finally, the results of the combined analysis showed that 22 biomarkers were correlated with five genera. The above results indicate that Zhengqing Fengtongning Sustained-release Tablets can improve the tissue morphology and structure of knee joints, reduce the level of plasma inflammatory factors, regulate the diversity of intestinal flora, and balance the metabolic pathways of steroid synthesis, vitamin K metabolism, and tryptophan metabolism to exert a therapeutic effect on knee osteoarthritis.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome/drug effects* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/genetics* ; Metabolomics ; Delayed-Action Preparations/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Tablets ; Humans ; Interleukin-1beta/blood* ; Interleukin-6/blood*

Objective : Objective To investigate the demand for health management and influencing factors among occupational population at high risk of stroke, so as to provide insights into the development of stroke health management strategies among occupational population. Methods: Occupational population aged 40 to 60 years who participated in health examination were sampled from three tertiary hospitals in Luzhou City, Sichuan Province using a quota sampling method in the ratio of 4∶1∶1, from August to December 2020. Participants' blood biochemistry tests and health examination were collected through the examination reports, and the participants at high risk of stroke were screened using the assessment criteria for high-risk of stroke. Participants' general information and demand for health management were collected using questionnaire surveys. In addition, factors affecting the demand for health management were identified using a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: A total of 3 003 people who participated in health examination were investigated, and 1 062 participants met the assessment criteria for high risk of stroke, accounting for 35.36%. There were 1 000 men (94.16%) and 62 women (5.84%), with a mean age of (49.26±4.97) years. There were 414 professional and technical staff (39.50%). There were 709 participants (66.76%) with demand for health management, with the top three in the demand as health checkups (915 participants, accounting for 86.16%), health consultation (601 participants, accounting for 56.60%) and exercise guidance (560 participants, accounting for 52.73%), and 210 participants (19.77%) received health management. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that occupational population at high risk of stroke who received health management were more likely to have the demand for health management (OR=2.158, 95%CI: 1.479-3.149). Conclusions The occupational population at high risk of stroke have the demand for health management. Having received health management may affect the demand for health management among occupational population at high risk of stroke.