1.Thyroid Hormone Network Regulation in MASLD: Mechanisms and Targeted Therapies
Wen-Ping XIAO ; Yang MA ; Heng GUAN ; Sha WAN ; Wen HAN ; Bing-Bing LUO ; Wu-Feng WANG ; Fang LIU
Progress in Biochemistry and Biophysics 2026;53(3):643-661
Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become the most prevalent chronic liver disease worldwide, affecting approximately 32%-38% of the adult population and posing a growing public health burden. MASLD represents a continuous disease spectrum ranging from simple steatosis to metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), progressive hepatic fibrosis, cirrhosis, and ultimately hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The pathological core of MASLD lies in disruption of hepatic lipid metabolic homeostasis, characterized by an imbalance among de novo lipogenesis, fatty acid β-oxidation, and very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)-mediated lipid export. This metabolic disequilibrium subsequently drives inflammatory injury and fibrotic progression. Among the multiple regulatory pathways involved, thyroid hormone (TH) signaling has emerged as a central regulator of hepatic metabolic homeostasis. The liver is a major peripheral target organ of TH action, where TH predominantly exerts its metabolic effects through thyroid hormone receptor β (TRβ). Large-scale epidemiological studies and meta-analyses have demonstrated that hypothyroidism is significantly associated with increased MASLD prevalence, more severe histological injury, and advanced hepatic fibrosis, suggesting that dysregulation of TH signaling may participate throughout the entire MASLD disease spectrum. At the molecular level, TH regulates hepatic lipid metabolism by coordinating suppression of lipogenesis, enhancement of mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation, and promotion of VLDL assembly and secretion through integrated genomic actions of the T3-TRβ axis and non-genomic signaling pathways. Across different stages of MASLD, TH signaling exerts stage-dependent protective effects. In the steatosis stage, TH improves metabolic flexibility by modulating insulin sensitivity, glucose metabolism, and lipid droplet clearance, thereby alleviating early lipotoxic stress. During progression to MASH, TH attenuates inflammatory amplification by improving mitochondrial homeostasis, suppressing activation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and modulating the gut-liver axis microenvironment. In advanced stages, TH signaling influences hepatic stellate cell activation and extracellular matrix deposition, partly through interaction with the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/SMAD pathway, while alterations in intrahepatic TH availability, mediated by dynamic changes in iodothyronine deiodinase 1 (DIO1), contribute to fibrosis progression and hepatocellular dedifferentiation. In hepatocellular carcinoma, coordinated downregulation of TRβ and DIO1 establishes a tumor-associated hypothyroid state that promotes metabolic reprogramming and tumor progression. The clinical relevance of TH signaling in MASLD has been underscored by the recent approval of Resmetirom, a liver-targeted TRβ‑selective agonist, for the treatment of non-cirrhotic MASH with moderate-to-severe fibrosis (F2-F3). This approval represents a landmark transition from mechanistic understanding to metabolism-centered precision therapy in MASLD. Clinical trials have demonstrated that Resmetirom not only improves key histological endpoints, including MASH resolution and fibrosis regression, but also favorably modulates atherogenic lipid profiles, highlighting the therapeutic potential of selectively targeting hepatic TH pathways. This review systematically summarizes the multidimensional regulatory roles of TH across the MASLD disease spectrum and discusses emerging diagnostic and therapeutic implications of TH-based interventions, aiming to inform future mechanistic research and optimize clinical management strategies.
2.Research progress on allergenic components in traditional Chinese medicine injections
YANG Wen ; WU Fang ; WANG Cheng ; YANG Xiaoli
Drug Standards of China 2026;27(1):0008-0014
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) injections, a hallmark achievement in the modernization of TCM, hold significant importance in advancing the development of TCM and enhancing clinical therapeutic effects. However, with the expanded clinical application of TCM injections, safety concerns have garnered widespread attention, particularly allergic reactions. Numerous researchers have delved into the safety issues of TCM injections. This paper summarized the research related to allergic reactions of TCM injections, including the types of allergic reactions, the allergenic components, their evaluation models and detection methods, as well as the challenges encountered in current research, aiming at providing references and basis for in-depth research and safe application of allergic reactions of TCM injections.
3.Effect and Safety of Fuzheng Huazhuo Decoction against Prolonged SARS-CoV-2 Clearance: A Retrospective Cohort Study.
Wen ZHANG ; Hong-Ze WU ; Xiang-Ru XU ; Yu-Ting PU ; Cai-Yu CHEN ; Rou DENG ; Min CAO ; Ding SUN ; Hui YI ; Shuang ZHOU ; Bang-Jiang FANG
Chinese journal of integrative medicine 2025;31(5):387-393
OBJECTIVE:
To evaluate the effect and safety of Chinese medicine (CM) Fuzheng Huazhuo Decoction (FHD) in treating patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) who persistently tested positive for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2).
METHODS:
This retrospective cohort study was conducted at Shanghai New International Expo Center shelter hospital in China between April 1 and May 30, 2022. Patients diagnosed as COVID-19 with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test results for ⩾8 days after diagnosis were enrolled. Patients in the control group received conventional Western medicine (WM) treatment, while those in the FHD group received conventional WM plus FHD for at least 3 days. The primary outcome was viral clearance time. Secondary outcomes included negative conversion rate within 14 days, length of hospital stay, cycle threshold (Ct) values of the open reading frame 1ab (ORF1ab) and nucleocapsid protein (N) genes, and incidence of new-onset symptoms during hospitalization. Adverse events (AEs) that occurred during the study period were recorded.
RESULTS:
A total of 1,765 eligible patients were enrolled in this study (546 in the FHD group and 1,219 in the control group). Compared with the control group, patients receiving FHD treatment showed shorter viral clearance time for nucleic acids [hazard ratio (HR): 1.500, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.353-1.664, P<0.001] and hospital stays (HR: 1.371, 95% CI: 1.238-1.519, P<0.001), and a higher negative conversion rate within 14 days (96.2% vs. 82.6%, P<0.001). The incidence of new-onset symptoms was 59.5% in the FHD group, similar to 57.8% in the control group (P>0.05). The Ct values of ORF1ab and N genes increased more rapidly over time in the FHD group than those in the control group post-randomization (ORF1ab gene: β =0.436±0.053, P<0.001; N gene: β =0.415 ±0.053, P<0.001). The incidence of AEs in the FHD group was lower than that in the control group (24.2% vs. 35.4%, P<0.001). No serious AEs were observed.
CONCLUSION
FHD was effective and safe for patients with persistently positive SARS-CoV-2 PCR tests. (Registration No. ChiCTR2200063956).
Humans
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Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects*
;
Retrospective Studies
;
Male
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
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COVID-19 Drug Treatment
;
SARS-CoV-2/drug effects*
;
COVID-19/virology*
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Adult
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Aged
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Treatment Outcome
4.Effect of left bundle branch area pacing on reducing atrial fibrillation following dual-chamber pacemaker implantation
Fang WANG ; Songhai WEN ; Feng LI ; Jun WU ; Shiyi LONG
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2025;34(8):822-827
Objective To analyze the effects of left bundle branch area pacing(LBBaP)on atrial fibrillation occurrence after dual-chamber pacemaker implantation.Methods The medical records of 87 patients who underwent dual-chamber pacemaker implantation at People's Hospital between May 2021 and September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.According to different implantation methods,the patients were divided into an observation group(n=45)and a control group(n=42).The control group received traditional right ventricular pacing(RVP),while the observation group received LBBaP.Serum N-terminal pro B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP),QRS onset-to-end duration(QRSd),echocardiographic parameters,cardiac pacing parameters,complications,atrial high-rate events,and atrial fibrillation incidence were compared between the two groups.Results Twelve months after surgery,serum NT-proBNP levels in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05),and QRS duration(QRSd)was shorter in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).There were no significant differences in left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF)or left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD)between the two groups at 12 months postoperatively(P>0.05).Left atrial diameter(LAD)was smaller in the observation group than in the control group at 12 months postoperatively(P<0.05).No significant differences were observed in sensing levels or the proportion of cardiac pacing between the two groups(P>0.05).However,the proportion of ventricular pacing was higher in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).Intraoperatively and at 12 months postoperatively,impedance levels were lower in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05),while threshold values were higher in the observation group(P<0.05).Total complication rates did not differ significantly between the two groups(P>0.05).At 12 months postoperatively,the incidence of atrial fibrillation was similar between the two groups(P>0.05),but the incidence of atrial high-rate events was lower in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).At 24 months postoperatively,both the incidence of atrial high-rate events and atrial fibrillation were lower in the observation group than in the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with traditional RVP implantation,LBBaP implantation can significantly improve left heart function,provide more stable pacing parameters,and reduce the risk of long-term atrial high-rate events and atrial fibrillation.The risk of complications is similar for both groups,but LBBaP implantation increases the pacing threshold.
5.The effect of dronedarone and propafenone in preventing postoperative recurrence in patients with atrial fibrillation and its influence on inflammatory response and myocardial injury
Feng LI ; Jun WU ; Shiyi LONG ; Fang WANG ; Songhai WEN
Journal of Interventional Radiology 2025;34(12):1343-1348
Objective To analyze the effect of dronedarone and propafenone in preventing postoperative recurrence in patients with atrial fibrillation(AF)and to discuss its influence on inflammatory response and myocardial injury.Methods A total of 113 patients with AF,who were admitted to the Qiandongnan People's Hospital of China from July 2022 to March 2024,were enrolled in this study.By using random number table method,the patients were divided into control group(n=56)and study group(n=57).All patients received circumpulmonary vein electrical isolation.After treatment,the patients of control group were given propafenone orally for three months,while the patients of study group received dronedarone orally for three months.Both the preoperative and postoperative 3-month inflammatory response indicators including hypersensitive C-reactive protein(Hs-CRP),leucolipin,nucleotide-bound oligomeric domain-like receptor protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome,and tumor necrosis factor α(TNF-α),the echocardiographic indicators including left atrial maximum volume(LAMV),left ventricular end-systolic diameter(LVESD),and left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),the myocardial injury markers including creatine kinase(CK),cardiac troponin I(cTn I),the central nervous specific protein β(S100β),the creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB),the adverse reactions,and the recurrence of AF were compared between the two groups.Results At 3 months after treatment,the serum levels of hs-CRP,leucolipin,NLRP3 inflammasome and TNF-α were decreased in both groups(all P<0.01),which in the study group were obviously lower than those in the control group(all P<0.001);the levels of LAMV and LVESD were decreased in both groups(both P<0.01),which in the study group were remarkably lower than those in the control group(both P<0.001);the level of LVEF was increased in both groups(P<0.01),which in the study group was significantly higher than that in the control group(P<0.001);the levels of CK,cTn I,S100β,and CK-MB were decreased in both groups(all P<0.01),which in the study group were strikingly lower than those in the control group(all P<0.001).The incidence of adverse drug reactions in control group and in the study group was 5.36%(3/56)and 7.02%(4/57 cases)respectively,and the difference was not statistically significant(P>0.05).Within 3 months after treatment,the recurrence rate in the study group was 5.26%(3/57),which was lower than 19.64%(11/56)in the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with propafenone,the use of dronedarone after circumferential pulmonary vein electrical isolation in patients with AF can improve the cardiac functions,reduce myocardial injury and inflammatory responses,and lower the risk of postoperative recurrence of AF.
6.Construction and application of a graded nursing program for exercise rehabilitation in children with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
Yinzhi YAN ; Fang WEN ; Min WANG ; Xuemei ZHOU ; Jinling MA ; Huifang WU ; Wenying YAO
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(9):1036-1042
Objective To construct a graded nursing program for exercise rehabilitation of children with hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT)and carry out a preliminary application,aiming to provide a basis for healthcare personnel to guide the exercise rehabilitation of children with HSCT.Methods Literature analysis and Delphi expert correspondence were used to construct a graded nursing program of exercise rehabilitation for children with HSCT.Through the convenience sampling method,children with HSCT in the hematology department of a tertiary-level children's hospital in Suzhou City were selected as the study subjects from June-December 2023,of which 26 children with HSCT from September-December 2023 served as an experimental group,and 23 children with HSCT from June-August 2023 as a control group.The experimental group was applied with the graded nursing program of exercise rehabilitation,and the control group was applied with the conventional nursing care.The comparison of cardiorespiratory fitness and adverse events between the 2 groups after 8 weeks of exercise intervention was conducted,and the adherence to the exercise intervention programme in the experimental group was recorded.Results The final constructed graded care program of exercise rehabilitation for children with HSCT included 6 primary indicators,20 secondary indicators,and 44 tertiary indicators.Finally,21 children in the experimental group and 23 children in the control group were included in the study.After the intervention,the 6 min walking distance of the experimental group increased compared with that of the control group,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001).85.71%of children in the experimental group had good exercise compliance,and there was no adverse events in both groups.Conclusion The constructed graded nursing program of exercise rehabilitation for children with HSCT is scientific,reasonable,safe and feasible,which can improve the cardiorespiratory capacity of children with HSCT and provide the basis for their exercise rehabilitation.
7.The association between mid-upper arm circumference and sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus
Qian LI ; Meng YE ; Fang SU ; Wen WANG ; Yanzhe WU ; Li WU ; Hong ZHU
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(22):16-20,25
Objective To explore the association between mid-upper arm circumference(MUAC)and sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 402 middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM admitted to Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Group Suqian Hospital from March 2022 to October 2024 were selected.Among them,308 patients with simple diabetes mellitus were included in non-sarcopenia group,and 94 patients with combined sarcopenia were included in sarcopenia group.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association between MU AC and sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM.The predictive ability of MUAC for sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM was evaluated by using the receiver operating characteristic curve.Results There were statistically significant differences in age,body mass index,MUAC,triglycerides,direct bilirubin,alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,appendicular skeletal muscle mass,appendicular skeletal muscle mass index,grip strength and 6-meter walking speed between two groups of patients(P<0.05).The results of multivariate Logistic regression showed that a smaller MUAC and increased age were both risk factors for sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM(P<0.05).The optimal cutoff value of MUAC for diagnosing sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM:27.90cm for males and 26.95cm for females.Conclusion MUAC is associated with sarcopenia in middle-aged and elderly patients with T2DM and can be used for the early identification and diagnosis of middle-aged and elderly T2DM patients with sarcopenia.
8.Diagnosis and treatment guideline for acute cervical spinal cord injury without fracture-dislocation in adults (version 2025)
Qingde WANG ; Tongwei CHU ; Jian DONG ; Liangjie DU ; Haoyu FENG ; Shunwu FAN ; Shiqing FENG ; Yanzheng GAO ; Yong HAI ; Da HE ; Dianming JIANG ; Jianyuan JIANG ; Bin LIN ; Bin LIU ; Baoge LIU ; Fang LI ; Feng LI ; Li LI ; Weishi LI ; Fangcai LI ; Xiaoguang LIU ; Hongjian LIU ; Yong LIU ; Zhongjun LIU ; Shibao LU ; Xuhua LU ; Keya MAO ; Xuexiao MA ; Yong QIU ; Limin RONG ; Jun SHU ; Yueming SONG ; Tiansheng SUN ; Yan WANG ; Zhe WANG ; Zheng WANG ; Bing WANG ; Linfeng WANG ; Yu WANG ; Qinghe WANG ; Jigong WU ; Hong XIA ; Guoyong YIN ; Jinglong YAN ; Wen YUAN ; Yong YANG ; Qiang YANG ; Cao YANG ; Jie ZHAO ; Jianguo ZHANG ; Yue ZHU ; Zezhang ZHU ; Yingjie ZHOU ; Zhongmin ZHANG ; Yan ZENG ; Dingjun HAO ; Baorong HE ; Wei MEI
Chinese Journal of Trauma 2025;41(3):243-252
Cervical spinal cord injury without fracture-dislocation (CSCIWFD) is referred to as a special type of cervical spinal cord injury characterized by traumatic spinal cord dysfunction and no significant bony structural abnormalities on imagines. Duo to the high risk of missed diagnosis during the initial consultation, CSCIWFD may lead to progressive neurological deterioration or even complete paralysis, severely impacting patients′ prognosis. Currently, there are no established consensuses over the diagnosis and treatment of CSCIWFD, such as the lack of evidence-based standards for indications of non-surgical treatment and risk of secondary neurological injury, as well as debates over the optimal timing for surgical intervention and indications for different surgical approaches. To address these issues, the Spine Trauma Group of the Orthopedic Branch of the Chinese Medical Doctor Association organized experts in the relevant fields to formulate Diagnosis and treatment guideline for acute cervical spinal cord injury without fracture- dislocation in adults ( version 2025) . Based on evidence-based medicine and the principles of scientific rigor and clinical applicability, the guidelines proposed 11 recommendations covering terminology, diagnosis, evaluation treatment, and rehabilitation, etc., aiming to standardize the management of CSCIWFD.
9.Polarized light microscopic mineral phase authentication and health risk assessment of raw and calcined fossil mineral Chinese medicinal material Draconis Os.
Yan-Qiong PAN ; Zheng LIU ; Li-Wen ZHENG ; Ying ZHANG ; Liu ZHOU ; Xi-Long QIAN ; Fang FANG ; Xiao WU ; Sheng-Jin LIU
China Journal of Chinese Materia Medica 2025;50(15):4238-4247
This study aims to investigate the polarized microscopic mineral phase characteristics, inorganic element content, and potential health risks associated with the intake of raw and calcined fossil mineral Chinese medicinal material Draconis Os. Microscopy was employed to observe the mineralogical characteristics of Draconis Os and compare the microscopic features and phase composition of raw and calcined Draconis Os under monochromatic and orthogonal polarized light. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) was employed to determine the content of 30 inorganic elements. Health risk assessment was conducted by calculating the single pollution index(P_i), average daily intake of elements for adults(ADI), target hazard quotient(THQ), non-carcinogenic assessment method-hazard quotient(HQ), and the carcinogenic risk of elements(CR). The results indicated that under monochromatic polarized light, the Draconis Os powder sections exhibited light gray-brown to gray-brown irregular fragments, some with undulating textures that were slightly curved. Under crossed polarized light, they appeared dark gray, grayish-white, and yellowish-white. Clear apatite was visible in the ground sections of Draconis Os under crossed polarized light. P_i results indicated that Draconis Os samples were free from contamination and were of good quality. According to the maximum allowable limits of heavy metals stipulated in ISO Traditional Chinese Medicine: Determination of heavy metals in herbal medicines used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, ADI, THQ, HQ, and CR were taken as assessment indicators. Only the THQ value for As(arsenic) in raw Draconis Os was greater than 1, while the THQ values for other heavy metal elements in the Draconis Os samples were all less than 1. The study demonstrates that the primary mineral phase of raw and calcined Draconis Os is apatite, with some samples co-existing with calcite, which can serve as one of the means for quality control of Draconis Os. The elemental analysis results from ICP-MS provide scientific evidence for the safety assessment of Draconis Os, indicating that Draconis Os is safe in clinical application.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal/analysis*
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Risk Assessment
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Minerals/chemistry*
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Fossils
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Humans
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Drug Contamination
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Mass Spectrometry
10.Micronucleus counts correlating with male infertility: a clinical analysis of chromosomal abnormalities and reproductive parameters.
Shun-Han ZHANG ; Ying-Jun XIE ; Wen-Jun QIU ; Qian-Ying PAN ; Li-Hao CHEN ; Jian-Feng WU ; Si-Qi HUANG ; Ding WANG ; Xiao-Fang SUN
Asian Journal of Andrology 2025;27(4):537-542
Investigating the correlation between micronucleus formation and male infertility has the potential to improve clinical diagnosis and deepen our understanding of pathological progression. Our study enrolled 2252 male patients whose semen was analyzed from March 2023 to July 2023. Their clinical data, including semen parameters and age, were also collected. Genetic analysis was used to determine whether the sex chromosome involved in male infertility was abnormal (including the increase, deletion, and translocation of the X and Y chromosomes), and subsequent semen analysis was conducted for clinical grouping purposes. The participants were categorized into five groups: normozoospermia, asthenozoospermia, oligozoospermia, oligoasthenozoospermia, and azoospermia. Patients were randomly selected for further study; 41 patients with normozoospermia were included in the control group and 117 patients with non-normozoospermia were included in the study group according to the proportions of all enrolled patients. Cytokinesis-block micronucleus (CBMN) screening was conducted through peripheral blood. Statistical analysis was used to determine the differences in micronuclei (MNi) among the groups and the relationships between MNi and clinical data. There was a significant increase in MNi in infertile men, including those with azoospermia, compared with normozoospermic patients, but there was no significant difference between the genetic and nongenetic groups in azoospermic men. The presence of MNi was associated with sperm concentration, progressive sperm motility, immotile spermatozoa, malformed spermatozoa, total sperm count, and total sperm motility. This study underscores the potential utility of MNi as a diagnostic tool and highlights the need for further research to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of male infertility.
Humans
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Male
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Infertility, Male/genetics*
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Adult
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Micronucleus Tests
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Semen Analysis
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Oligospermia/genetics*
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Azoospermia/genetics*
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Chromosome Aberrations
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Sperm Count
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Micronuclei, Chromosome-Defective
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Middle Aged

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