This study investigates the effect and underlying mechanism of Guizhi Tongluo Tablets(GZTL) in treating atherosclerosis(AS) in a mouse model. Apolipoprotein E-knockout(ApoE~(-/-)) mice were randomly assigned to the following groups: model, high-, medium-, and low-dose GZTL, and atorvastatin(ATV), and age-matched C57BL/6J mice were selected as the control group. ApoE~(-/-) mice in other groups except the control group were fed with a high-fat diet for the modeling of AS and administrated with corresponding drugs via gavage for 8 weeks. General conditions, signs of blood stasis, and body mass of mice were monitored. Aortic plaques and their stability were assessed by hematoxylin-eosin, Masson, and oil red O staining. Serum levels of total cholesterol(TC), triglycerides(TG), and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C) were measured by biochemical assays, and those of interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and interleukin-6(IL-6) were determined via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL). Single-cell RNA sequencing(scRNA-seq) was employed to analyze the differential expression of CD72hi macrophages(CD72hi-Mφ) in the aortas of AS patients and mice. The immunofluorescence assay was employed to visualize CD72hi-Mφ expression in mouse aortic plaques, and real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR was utilized to determine the mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the aorta. The results demonstrated that compared with the control group, the model group exhibited significant increases in body mass, aortic plaque area proportion, necrotic core area proportion, and lipid deposition, a notable decrease in collagen fiber content, and an increase in apoptosis. Additionally, the model group showcased elevated serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6, alongside marked upregulations in the mRNA levels of IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6 in the aorta. In comparison with the model group, the GZTL groups and the ATV group showed a reduction in body mass, and the medium-and high-dose GZTL groups and the ATV group demonstrated reductions in aortic plaque area proportion, necrotic core area proportion, and lipid deposition, an increase in collagen fiber content, and a decrease in apoptosis. Furthermore, the treatment goups showcased lowered serum levels of TC, TG, LDL-C, IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-6. The data of scRNA-seq revealed significantly elevated CD72hi-Mφ signaling in carotid plaques of AS patients compared with that in the normal arterial tissue. Animal experiments confirmed that CD72hi-Mφ expression, along with several pro-inflammatory cytokines, was significantly upregulated in the aortas of AS mice, which were downregulated by GZTL treatment. In conclusion, GZTL may alleviate AS by inhibiting CD72hi-Mφ activity.
Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Atherosclerosis/immunology* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Male ; Humans ; Apolipoproteins E/genetics* ; Tablets ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha/genetics* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; Interleukin-6/genetics* ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Knockout

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the impact of chronic kidney disease (CKD) on prognosis of patients older than 80 years after hip fracture. METHODS: This retrospective, observational, single-center study included patients older than 80 years who underwent hip fracture operations between Feburary 2013 to June 2021 at our hospital. Patients were divided into CKD and non-GKD groups based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/(min·1.73m²)] or not. Outcomes were the incidence of in-hospital postoperative infectious and non-infectious complications, 30-day readmission, and in-hospital death. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR) of CKD on these outcomes. RESULTS: A total of 498 patients were included, 165 in the CKD group and 333 in the non-CKD group. Eighty-seven (52.7%) CKD patients experienced 140 episodes of postoperative complications. In comparison, 114 (34.2%) non-CKD patients had 158 episodes of postoperative complications. CKD patients were more likely to have postoperative complications than non-CKD patients (OR = 2.143, 95% CI: 1.465-3.134, P < 0.001). CKD increased the risk of cardiovascular complications (OR = 2.044, 95% CI: 1.245-3.356, P = 0.004), acute kidney injury (OR = 3.401, 95% CI: 1.905-6.072, P < 0.001), delirium (OR = 2.276, 95% CI: 1.140-4.543, P = 0.024), and gastrointestinal bleeding (OR = 4.151, 95% CI: 1.025-16.812, P = 0.031). The transfusion rate (OR = 2.457, 95% CI: 1.668-3.618, P < 0.001) and incidence of 30-day readmission (OR = 2.426, 95% CI:1.203-4.892, P = 0.011) in CKD patients were significantly higher than those in patients without CKD. CONCLUSIONS CKD is associated with poor postoperative outcomes in geriatric hip fracture patients. Special attention should be paid to patients with CKD.
Humans ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/physiopathology* ; Aged, 80 and over ; Postoperative Complications/epidemiology* ; Hip Fractures/complications* ; Male ; Female ; Patient Readmission/statistics & numerical data* ; Retrospective Studies ; Glomerular Filtration Rate

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of bone acupuncture in improving pain and function in degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis (DLSS) and compare it with Jiaji acupuncture. METHODS: From January to December 2023, 80 DLSS patients were treated with acupuncture and divided into bone acupuncture and Jiaji acupuncture groups. Among them, 40 patients in the bone acupuncture group included 15 males and 25 females, with a mean age of (60.60±6.98) years old;anthor 40 patients in the Jiaji acupuncture group included 16 males and 24 females, with a mean age of (61.48±9.55) years old. The Roland Morris disability questionnaire(RMDQ), walking distance, visual analogue scale(VAS), and the MOS item short from health survey(SF-36) of two groups at baseline, 2 weeks, 4 weeks, and 12 weeks post-treatment were compared. RESULTS: Eighty patients were followed up for 3 to 5 months with an average of (3.62±0.59) months. There was no significant differences in general data and the scores before treatment between two groups(P>0.05). The RMDQ scores in both groups decreased significantly at 2, 4 and 12 weeks after treatment compared with before treatment(P<0.05), at each time point after treatment, the decrease was more significant in the bone acupuncture group than in the Jiaji acupuncture group(P<0.05). The VAS of waist and leg in both groups was significantly lower at 2, 4 and 12 weeks after treatment that before treatment(P<0.05). At all time points after treatment, the waist VAS in the bone acupuncture group was reduced more significant than in the Jiaji acupuncture group(P<0.05);there was no significant difference in leg VAS at 2 and 12 weeks after treatment between two groups(P>0.05), the improvement was more significant in the bone acupuncture group in the 4 weeks after treatment than in the Jiaji acupuncture group. The SF-36 scores in both groups were significantly higher at 2, 4, and 12 weeks after treatment than before treatment(P<0.05);the SF-36 score raised more significant in the bone acupuncture group than in the Jiaji acupunture group(P<0.05). No significant difference in the walking distance between two groups at 2 weeks after treatment(P>0.05);the walking distance in the bone acupuncture group was significantly higher than that in the Jiaji acupuncture group at 4 and 12 weeks after treatment(P<0.05). CONCLUSION Bone-penetrating acupuncture moderately improves functional impairment, pain, and quality of life in patients with DLSS, showing better efficacy than Jiaji acupuncture.
Humans ; Female ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Acupuncture Therapy/methods* ; Spinal Stenosis/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Lumbar Vertebrae/physiopathology* ; Pain Management

This study explores whether the current external quality assessment (EQA) level and acceptable bias for basic semen analysis in China are clinically useful. We collected data of semen EQA from Andrology laboratories in the Hunan Province (China) in 2022 and searched for data in the published literature from January 2000 to December 2023 in China. On the basis of these data, we analyzed the coefficients of variation and acceptable biases of different quality control materials for basic semen analysis through robust statistics. We compared these findings with quality specifications based on biological variation from optimal, desirable, and minimum levels of bias to seek a unified and more suitable semen EQA bias evaluation standard for China's national conditions. Different sources of semen quality control material exhibited considerable variation in acceptable biases among laboratories, ranging from 8.2% to 56.9%. A total of 50.0% of the laboratories met the minimum quality specifications for progressive motility (PR), whereas 100.0% and 75.0% of laboratories met only the minimum quality specifications for sperm concentration and total motility (nonprogressive [NP] + PR), respectively. The Z value for sperm concentration and PR+NP was equivalent to the desirable performance specification, whereas the Z value for PR was equivalent only to the minimum performance specification. This study highlights the feasibility of operating external quality assessment schemes for basic semen analysis using quality specifications based on biological variation. These specifications should be unified among external quality control (EQC) centers based on biological variation.
Semen Analysis/standards* ; Humans ; China ; Male ; Quality Control ; Sperm Motility ; Sperm Count/standards*

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, forward motile sperm rate, and normal sperm morphology rate after three months of surgery, as well as postoperative complications and recurrence rate were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: A total of 107 eligible cases were included, with 56 cases in the control 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 significant 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 observation 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 advantages in terms of operation time (including anesthesia time), hospital stay, and treatment cost, which is worthy of clinical promotion and application.
Humans ; Male ; Varicocele/surgery* ; Retrospective Studies ; Microsurgery ; Anesthesia, Spinal ; Adult ; Treatment Outcome ; Anesthesia, Local

Ovarian tumor (OT) is the most lethal form of gynecologic malignancy, with minimal improvements in patient outcomes over the past several decades. Metastasis is the leading cause of ovarian cancer-related deaths, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Psychological stress is known to activate the glucocorticoid receptor (NR3C1), a factor associated with poor prognosis in OT patients. However, the precise mechanisms linking NR3C1 signaling and metastasis have yet to be fully elucidated. In this study, we demonstrate that chronic restraint stress accelerates epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and metastasis in OT through an NR3C1-dependent mechanism involving nuclear protein 1 (NUPR1). Mechanistically, NR3C1 directly regulates the transcription of NUPR1, which in turn increases the expression of snail family transcriptional repressor 2 (SNAI2), a key driver of EMT. Clinically, elevated NR3C1 positively correlates with NUPR1 expression in OT patients, and both are positively associated with poorer prognosis. Overall, our study identified the NR3C1/NUPR1 axis as a critical regulatory pathway in psychological stress-induced OT metastasis, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for intervention in OT metastasis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection's effect on gestational liver function, pregnancy and delivery complications, and neonatal development. METHODS: A total of 157 HCV antibody-positive (anti-HCV[+]) and HCV RNA(+) patients (Group C) and 121 anti-HCV(+) and HCV RNA(-) patients (Group B) were included as study participants, while 142 anti-HCV(-) and HCV RNA(-) patients (Group A) were the control group. Data on biochemical indices during pregnancy, pregnancy complications, delivery-related information, and neonatal complications were also collected. RESULTS: Elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) rates in Group C during early, middle, and late pregnancy were 59.87%, 43.95%, and 42.04%, respectively-significantly higher than Groups B (26.45%, 15.70%, 10.74%) and A (23.94%, 19.01%, 6.34%) ( P < 0.05). Median ALT levels in Group C were significantly higher than in Groups A and B at all pregnancy stages ( P < 0.05). No significant differences were found in neonatal malformation rates across groups ( P > 0.05). However, neonatal jaundice incidence was significantly greater in Group C (75.16%) compared to Groups A (42.25%) and B (57.02%) ( χ ² = 33.552, P < 0.001). HCV RNA positivity during pregnancy was an independent risk factor for neonatal jaundice ( OR = 2.111, 95% CI 1.242-3.588, P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS Chronic HCV infection can affect the liver function of pregnant women, but does not increase the pregnancy or delivery complication risks. HCV RNA(+) is an independent risk factor for neonatal jaundice.
Humans ; Female ; Pregnancy ; Adult ; Pregnancy Complications, Infectious/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Infant, Newborn ; Viremia/virology* ; Hepatitis C ; Hepacivirus/physiology* ; Hepatitis C, Chronic/virology* ; Young Adult ; Alanine Transaminase/blood*

Objective:To investigate the role and potential mechanism of m 6A demethylase ALKBH5 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) . Methods:Real time fluorogenic quantitative PCR and Western blotting were used to detect ALKBH5 expression in normal esophageal epithelial cells (Het-1A) and ESCC cell lines (Eca109, KYSE30, KYSE150, KYSE410). Transient cell lines with overexpression/knockdown of ALKBH5 (siRNA transfection was divided into si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group) and control cell lines were constructed. The effects of ALKBH5 on ESCC cell proliferation, migration and apoptosis were studied by MTT assay, cell scratch assay and cell apoptosis assay respectively. The differentially expressed gene was screened by the intersection of RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (MeRIP-seq) techniques, and the effect of ALKBH5 on the gene expression was detected by RT-qPCR.Results:Real time fluorogenic quantitative PCR results showed that, the relative expression levels of ALKBH5 RNA in Het-1A, Eca109, KYSE30, KYSE150 and KYSE410 were 1.03±0.28, 0.46±0.02, 0.23±0.10, 0.04±0.02, 0.05±0.00, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=444.60, P<0.001). Western blotting showed that, the relative expression levels of ALKBH5 protein in Het-1A, Eca109, KYSE30, KYSE150 and KYSE410 were 1.14±0.03, 0.88±0.04, 0.66±0.01, 0.69±0.01, 0.95±0.01, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=139.90, P<0.001). MTT test showed that the absorbance ( A) values of KYSE30 control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group were 0.86±0.01 and 1.25±0.01 after 72 hours, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=46.93, P<0.001). The A values of KYSE150 control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group were 1.00±0.03 and 1.43±0.02 after 72 hours, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=16.80, P<0.001). The A values of KYSE30 control group, si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group were 0.98±0.01, 0.85±0.02 and 0.80±0.09 after 96 hours, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=72.97, P<0.001). The A values of KYSE30 control group were higher than those of si-ALKBH5-1 and si-ALKBH5-2 groups (both P<0.001). The A values of KYSE410 control group, si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group were 1.28±0.02, 1.15±0.02 and 1.08±0.05 after 72 hours, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=16.97, P=0.003). The A values in KYSE410 control group were higher than those in si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group ( P=0.020; P=0.003). The cell scratch test showed that 48 hours after scratch, the migration rates of KYSE30 cells in control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group were (27.39±0.54) % and (48.89±5.12) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=5.90, P=0.004). The migration rates of KYSE150 cells in control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group were (39.67±0.43) % and (62.20±0.60) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=43.15, P<0.001). The migration rates of KYSE30 cells in control group, si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group were (25.08±1.86) %, (18.75±1.59) % and (7.67±0.52) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=74.28, P<0.001). The migration rates of KYSE30 cells in control group were higher than those of si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group ( P=0.010; P<0.001). The migration rates of KYSE410 cells in control group and si-ALKBH5-1 group, si-ALKBH5-2 group were (38.70±0.41) %, (28.27±1.01) % and (19.40±0.47) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=400.20, P<0.001). The migration rates of KYSE410 cells in control group were higher than those of si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group (both P<0.001). Apoptosis test showed that the apoptosis rates of KYSE30 cells in control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group were (9.59±0.88) % and (4.81±0.89) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=6.23, P=0.006). The apoptosis rates of KYSE150 cells in control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group were (8.36±0.09) % and (6.42±0.19) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=12.90, P<0.001). The apoptosis rates of KYSE30 cells in control group, si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group were (4.31±0.19) %, (5.72±0.30) % and (8.94±0.71) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=53.46, P<0.001). The apoptosis rates in KYSE30 cells in control group were lower than those in si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group ( P=0.049; P<0.001). The apoptosis rates of KYSE410 control group, si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group were (4.45±0.36) %, (5.40±0.11) % and (6.64±0.15) %, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=43.36, P<0.001). The apoptosis rates in KYSE410 cells in control group were lower than those in si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group ( P=0.016; P<0.001). The differentially expressed gene IGF2BP3 was screened by the intersection of RNA-seq and MeRIP-seq techniques, and the RT-qPCR results showed that, the relative expression levels of IGF2BP3 in KYSE30 were 1.01±0.10 and 1.41±0.10 in control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=4.06, P=0.015). The relative expression levels of IGF2BP3 in KYSE150 were 1.00±0.10 and 1.94±0.24 in control group and ALKBH5 overexpression group, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( t=5.08, P=0.007). The relative expression levels of IGF2BP3 in KYSE410 were 1.01±0.14, 0.67±0.04 and 0.41±0.04 in control group, si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group, respectively, with a statistically significant difference ( F=24.36, P=0.001). The relative expression levels of IGF2BP3 in KYSE410 control group were higher than those in si-ALKBH5-1 group and si-ALKBH5-2 group ( P=0.017; P=0.001) . Conclusions:ALKBH5 is underexpressed in ESCC cell lines, but the overexpression of ALKBH5 can promote the proliferation and migration of ESCC cells and inhibit cell apoptosis, which may be related to some negative feedback regulation mechanism. IGF2BP3 may be the downstream target of ALKBH5.

Objective To investigate the status of population dynamics and distribution changes of Aedes aegypti in Guangdong Province.Methods Continuous monitoring was conducted from May 2018 to July 2024 in Wushi Town and Qishui Town,Leizhou City,Zhanjiang City,Guangdong Province.Additionally,a survey of the distribution of Ae.aegypti along the Leizhou Peninsula coast was carried out.Results The density of Ae.aegypti in Zhanjiang showed a gradual decline from 2018 to 2024.The last detection of adult Ae.aegypti in Wushi Town was in September 2021,and the last larva was found in October 2023.No Ae.aegypti was detected in Qishui Town during surveys from 2021 to 2024.A survey of 18 coastal villages in the Leizhou Peninsula revealed no detections of Ae.aegypti.Conclusions This study provides a basis for understanding the distribution and population density fluctuations of Ae.aegypti,assessing its invasion risk,and scientifically conducting relevant prevention and control efforts.

Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) diseases are common clinical conditions. The number of patients with TMJ diseases is large, and the etiology, epidemiology, disease spectrum, and treatment of the disease remain controversial and unknown. To understand and master the current situation of the occurrence, development and prevention of TMJ diseases, as well as to identify the patterns in etiology, incidence, drug sensitivity, and prognosis is crucial for alleviating patients′suffering.This will facilitate in-depth medical research, effective disease prevention measures, and the formulation of corresponding health policies. Cohort construction and research has an irreplaceable role in precise disease prevention and significant improvement in diagnosis and treatment levels. Large-scale cohort studies are needed to explore the relationship between potential risk factors and outcomes of TMJ diseases, and to observe disease prognoses through long-term follw-ups. The consensus aims to establish a standard conceptual frame work for a cohort study on patients with TMJ disease while providing ideas for cohort data standards to this condition. TMJ disease cohort data consists of both common data standards applicable to all specific disease cohorts as well as disease-specific data standards. Common data were available for each specific disease cohort. By integrating different cohort research resources, standard problems or study variables can be unified. Long-term follow-up can be performed using consistent definitions and criteria across different projects for better core data collection. It is hoped that this consensus will be facilitate the development cohort studies of TMJ diseases.