In recent years, China has been facing the dual challenges of declining fertility rates and births, with male reproductive health issues, especially the decline in semen quality, identified as a pivotal contributor to this phenomenon. Meanwhile, accumulating evidence indicates that air pollutants, an increasingly severe environmental problem, can damage semen quality not only directly through their biological toxicity but also indirectly by disrupting the composition of microbial communities in the gut and semen, thereby dysregulating immune function, endocrine homeostasis, and oxidative stress responses. The gut microbiota and semen microbiota, as important components of the human microecosystem, play crucial roles in maintaining reproductive health. This article comprehensively reviewed the research progress on the potential effects of air pollutants (particulate matter and gaseous pollutants), gut microbiota, and semen microbiota on semen quality. Specifically, it elucidated the mechanisms of interaction between these factors and explored how they affect male fertility.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of ultrasound-guided needle knife release with different pathways for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). METHODS: Sixty CTS patients were randomly divided into a transverse group and a longitudinal group, with 30 patients in each group. The transverse group received the needle knife release under ultrasound above and below the median nerve along the short axis, while the longitudinal group received the needle knife release under ultrasound above the median nerve along the long axis. The patients' visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, Levine scores, and median nerve cross-section area (CSA) were assessed before treatment, on the 7th, 14th, and 30th days after treatment. The median nerve conduction indexes (motor conduction: latency [Lat], amplitude[Amp], motor conduction velocity [MCV]; sensory conduction: Lat, Amp, sensory conduction velocity [SCV]) were evaluated before treatment and on the 30th day after treatment. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the VAS scores, Levine scores, and median nerve CSA were reduced in both groups on the 7th, 14th, and 30th days after treatment (P<0.05); the transverse group showed lower VAS and Levine scores and smaller CSA than those in the longitudinal group (P<0.05). On the 30th day after treatment, motor and sensory Lat was reduced (P<0.05), motor and sensory Amp was increased (P<0.05), and MCV and SCV were faster (P<0.05) in both groups. The transverse group had shorter Lat, higher Amp, and faster MCV and SCV than those in the longitudinal group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION The ultrasound-guided needle knife release with transverse and longitudinal pathways could both effectively alleviate pain and improve median nerve conduction in CTS patients, with the transverse pathway showing superior efficacy to longitudinal pathway.
Humans ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/therapy* ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Male ; Adult ; Median Nerve/physiopathology* ; Acupuncture Therapy/instrumentation* ; Treatment Outcome ; Neural Conduction ; Aged ; Ultrasonography

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of the innervated medial plantar flap for reconstructing soft tissue defects, particularly in the weight-bearing zone, after resection of foot tumors. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 12 patients with malignant skin and soft tissue tumors of the foot treated between October 2023 and December 2024. The cohort included 8 males and 4 females, aged 42-67 years (mean, 57.5 years). Tumor types comprised malignant melanoma (5 cases), squamous cell carcinoma (4 cases), arsenical keratosis (2 cases), and tumor-induced osteomalacia (1 case). Soft tissue defects located in the heel weight-bearing region in 10 cases and non-weight-bearing ankle region in 2 cases, with defect sizes ranging from 4.0 cm×3.0 cm to 6.0 cm×4.0 cm. Preoperative photon-counting CT angiography (PC-CTA) was performed to assess the medial plantar artery and its perforators. All patients underwent radical tumor resection with confirmed negative margins. The resulting defects were reconstructed using a innervated medial plantar flap incorporating sensory branches of the medial plantar nerve. The flap donor site was covered with a split-thickness skin graft harvested from the ipsilateral inguinal region. RESULTS: The operation was successfully completed in all 12 patients. All flaps survived completely without vascular compromise, partial necrosis, or total loss. Incisions healed primarily without dehiscence or infection. Minor skin graft necrosis occurred at the donor site in 3 patients, which healed within 2-3 weeks with routine dressing changes. No donor site complication (e.g., tendon or nerve injury) occurred. Patients were followed up 2-16 months (mean, 10.3 months). At last follow-up, there was no tumor recurrence. Flaps exhibited good color and texture match with surrounding tissue, restored sensation, and all feet achieved normal weight-bearing activity. CONCLUSION The innervated medial plantar flap, precisely designed based on PC-CTA localization, provides reliable blood supply and effective sensory restoration. It is an ideal method for reconstructing soft tissue defects after foot tumor resection, especially in the heel weight-bearing region.
Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Female ; Plastic Surgery Procedures/methods* ; Adult ; Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms/surgery* ; Surgical Flaps/blood supply* ; Foot/surgery* ; Skin Neoplasms/surgery* ; Soft Tissue Injuries/surgery* ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/surgery* ; Treatment Outcome ; Skin Transplantation/methods* ; Melanoma/surgery*

Microalgae possess high photosynthetic efficiency, robust adaptability, and substantial biomass, serving as excellent biological resources for large-scale cultivation. Malic enzyme (ME), a ubiquitous metabolic enzyme in living organisms, catalyzes the decarboxylation of malate to produce pyruvate, CO₂, and NAD(P)H, playing a role in multiple metabolic pathways including energy metabolism, photosynthesis, respiration, and biosynthesis. In this study, we identified the Scenedesmus quadricauda malic enzyme gene (SqME) and its biological functions, aiming to provide excellent target genes for the genetic improvement of higher plants. Based on the RNA-seq data from S. quadricauda under the biofilm cultivation mode with high CO₂ and light energy transfer efficiency and small water use, a highly expressed gene (SqME) functionally annotated as ME was cloned. The physicochemical properties of the SqME-encoded protein were systematically analyzed by bioinformatics tools. The subcellular localization of SqME was determined via transient transformation in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. The biological functions of SqME were identified via genetic transformation in Nicotiana tabacum, and the potential of SqME in the genetic improvement of higher plants was evaluated. The ORF of SqME was 1 770 bp, encoding 590 amino acid residues, and the encoded protein was located in chloroplasts. SqME was a NADP-ME, with the typical structural characteristics of ME. The ME activity in the transgenic N. tabacum plant was 1.8 folds of that in the wild-type control. Heterologous expression of SqME increased the content of chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll by 20.9%, 26.9%, and 25.2%, respectively, compared with the control. The transgenic tobacco leaves showed an increase of 54.0% in the fluorescence parameter NPQ and a decrease of 30.1% in Fo compared with the control. Moreover, the biomass, total lipids, and soluble sugars in the transgenic tobacco leaves enhanced by 20.5%, 25.7%, and 9.5%, respectively. On the contrary, the starch and protein content in the transgenic tobacco leaves decreased by 22.4% and 12.2%, respectively. Collectively, the SqME-encoded protein exhibited a strong enzymatic activity. Heterologous expressing of SqME could significantly enhance photosynthetic protection, photosynthesis, and biomass accumulation in the host. Additionally, SqME can facilitate carbon metabolism remodeling in the host, driving more carbon flux towards lipid synthesis. Therefore, SqME can be applied in the genetic improvement of higher plants for enhancing photosynthetic carbon fixation and lipid accumulation. These findings provide scientific references for mining of functional genes from S. quadricauda and application of these genes in the genetic engineering of higher plants.
Nicotiana/genetics* ; Photosynthesis/physiology* ; Malate Dehydrogenase/biosynthesis* ; Plant Leaves/genetics* ; Scenedesmus/enzymology* ; Carbon Cycle/genetics* ; Lipid Metabolism/genetics* ; Plants, Genetically Modified/metabolism*

Objectives:To investigate the clinical efficacy of the distal tension-offloading cosmetic suture technique in reducing hypertrophic scar formation following open thyroidectomy.Methods:Clinical data and postoperative incision appearance of 138 patients undergoing open thyroidectomy at the Department of Thyroid and Neck Oncology of Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, as well as the Department of Head and Neck Oncology of Tianjin Cancer Hospital Airport Hospital, from Aug 2023 to Jan 2024 was enrolled. Patients were devided into two groups based on the incision closure method: the distal tension-offloading cosmetic suture group (tension reduction group, 37 cases) and ordinary intradermal suture group (control group A, 55 cases evaluated 3 months post-surgery; control group B, 46 cases evaluated 6 months post-surgery). The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) was employed to assess the appearance of the wounds at 3 and 6 months post-surgery .Results:On 3 and 6 months post-surgery, the total VSS scores for patients in the tension reduction group were 2.8 ± 2.3 and 2.5 ± 2.5, respectively,while that in control group A on 3 months was 5.2 ± 3.0, and in group B on 6 months was 5.3 ± 3.4. The differences were statistically significant (all P<0.001). On 3 and 6 months post-surgery, the proportions of hypertrophic scars in the tension reduction group were 14% (5/37) and 11% (4/37), respectively , while in control group A it was 35% (19/55) , and in control group B was 35% (16/46) at 6 months, with differences being statistically significant ( P=0.024, 0.011 ). On 6 months post-surgery, 51 % (19/37) of patients in the tension reduction group achieved 'socially invisible aesthetic incisions', while only 15% (7/46) of patients in control group B achieved the same outcome ( P<0.01). Conclusion:Distal tension-offloading cosmetic suture significantly reduces the incidence of incision hypertrophic scars in open thyroid surgery.

Through literature research,this study expounds the emergence of wholly foreign-owned hospitals(WFOHs)from both policy formulation and intrinsic demand perspectives.By accessing the current services landscape of WFOHs,the study systematically analyzes their developmental opportunities and challenges.Strategic recommendations are subsequently proposed across four key aspects:strengthening regulatory supervision,improving the medical insurance system,enhancing professional workforce development,and promoting Sino-foreign cooperation.These measures aim to facilitate WFOHs'high-quality develop-ment,thereby elevating institutional competitiveness,driving continuous healthcare service innovation,and ultimately delivering enhanced medical care that is efficient,accessible,and patient-centered.

Very preterm infant（VPI）is a high-risk group for gut microbiota dysbiosis and neurodevelopmental disorders.There is a strong link between the gut microbiota and neurodevelopment early in life，especially for VPI，and this link has attracted increasing attention.There is a lack of insight into the mechanisms underlying the microbiota-gut-brain axis（MGBA）in VPI.By studying traumatic diseases，infectious diseases，and different gut flora，it is found that early-life intestinal microbiota abnormalities have an important impact on the host's long-term neurological development.This review focuses on the association between gut microbiota and neurological behavior during early development in VPI，and provide reference for improving neurological development and growth in VPI.

Objective To investigate the value of stress hyperglycemia ratio(SHR)in predicting symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage(sICH)after successful recanalization of endovascular ther-apy(EVT)in patients with non-diabetic acute large vascular occlusive(LVO)stroke.Methods A total of 150 non-diabetic patients with acute stroke due to LVO admitted in our hospital from June 2022 to June 2024 were recruited,and all of them underwent EVT and obtained successful recanalization.According to whether sICH occurred 24 h after surgery,they were divided into a sICH group(15 cases)and a non-sICH group(135 cases).They were also assigned into a poor prognosis group(55 cases)and a good prognosis group(95 cases)according to the prognosis in 3 months after surgery.The general clinical data were compared between groups,and multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the influencing factors for sICH and prognosis after successful EVT recanalization in the non-diabetic acute stroke patients.ROC curves were plotted to analyze the predictive value of SHR in sICH and prognosis after successful EVT reca-nalization in the patients.Results Significantly larger proportion of embolic occlusion,higher NIHSS score at admission and SHR were observed in the sICH group than the non-SICH group(66.67％vs 37.04％,P＜0.05;20.15±3.68 vs 15.62±3.10,P＜0.01;1.25±0.25 vs 1.01±0.28,P＜0.01).The poor prognosis group had obviously larger female ratio,advanced age,higher NIHSS score at admission,larger proportion of previous stroke history and higher SHR than the good prognosis group(49.09％vs 29.47％,P＜0.05;75.41±5.38 years old vs 72.56±5.63 years old,P＜0.01;18.65±3.71 vs 16.27±3.21,P＜0.01;32.73％vs 14.74％,P＜0.05;1.16±0.23 vs 1.02±0.25,P＜0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that embolic occlusion,NIHSS score at admission and SHR were risk factors for sICH after successful EVT recanaliza-tion in non-diabetic acute stroke due to LVO(OR=2.038,95％CI:1.138-4.234,P=0.000;OR=2.026,95％CI:1.173-4.317,P=0.000;OR=1.996,95％CI:1.101-4.027,P=0.000),while gender,age,NIHSS score at admission,previous stroke history,and SHR were risk factors for poor prognosis in the patients(OR=2.004,95％CI:1.085-3.407,P=0.000;OR=2.075,95％CI:1.138-4.067,P=0.000;OR=2.010,95％CI:1.208-4.106,P=0.000;OR=2.034,95％CI:1.137-4.821,P=0.000;OR=2.038,95％CI:1.138-4.234,P=0.000).ROC curve analysis showed that the AUC value of SHR in predicting sICH and prognosis of the non-diabetic patients with acute stroke due to LVO after successful EVT recanalization was 0.797 and 0.823,with a sensitivity of 80.00％and 81.82％,and a specificity of 82.22％and 80.00％,respectively.Conclusion SHR can affect sICH and prognosis after successful EVT recanalization in non-diabetic acute LVO stroke patients,and it has a certain predictive value for sICH and poor prog-nosis of the patients.