Recent studies have shown that shorter periods of ejaculatory abstinence may enhance certain sperm parameters, but the molecular mechanisms underlying these improvements are still unclear. This study explored whether reduced abstinence periods could improve semen quality, particularly for use in assisted reproductive technologies (ART). We analyzed semen samples from men with normal sperm counts ( n = 101) and those with low sperm motility or concentration ( n = 53) after 3-7 days of abstinence and then after 1-3 h of abstinence, obtained from the Reproductive & Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya (Changsha, China). Physiological and biochemical sperm parameters were evaluated, and the dynamics of transfer RNA (tRNA)-derived fragments (tRFs) were analyzed using deep RNA sequencing in five consecutive samples from men with normal sperm counts. Our results revealed significant improvement in sperm motility and a decrease in the DNA fragmentation index after the 1- to 3-h abstinence period. Additionally, we identified 245 differentially expressed tRFs, and the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway was the most enriched. Further investigations showed significant changes in tRF-Lys-TTT and its target gene mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 2 ( MAP2K2 ), which indicates a role of tRFs in improving sperm function. These findings provide new insights into how shorter abstinence periods influence sperm quality and suggest that tRFs may serve as biomarkers for male fertility. This research highlights the potential for optimizing ART protocols and improving reproductive outcomes through molecular approaches that target sperm function.
Male ; Humans ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; RNA, Transfer/genetics* ; Sperm Motility/genetics* ; Adult ; Semen Analysis ; Sexual Abstinence/physiology* ; Sperm Count ; DNA Fragmentation

H 1-antihistamines are widely used in the treatment of various allergic diseases, but there are still many challenges in the safe and rational use of H 1-antihistamines in pediatrics, and there is a lack of guidance on the prescription review of H 1-antihistamines for children.In this paper, suggestions are put forward from the indications, dosage, route of administration, pathophysiological characteristics of children with individual difference and drug interactions, so as to provide reference for clinicians and pharmacists.

Objective:To study the actual effect of the use of personal protective equipment of the examined individuals, and provide reference and basis for the correct use of personal protective equipment and the radiological health administrative law enforcement.Methods:From February to June 2022, the imaging department of Qingdao Municipal Hospital selected 170 patients who underwent X-ray imaging examination (oral panoramic, dental radiography, DR photography, CT scanning), including 25 with oral panoramic and dental radiography, 60 with CT scanning and 60 with DR imaging. The thermoluminescent dosimeter was used to detect the ambient dose equivalent at the point of concern for 170 examined individuals who have used personal protective equipment to cover their sensitive parts, and to analyze the data detected at the same point as above when routinely using the same equipment.Results:There was a statistically significant difference in the dose equivalent at the same points inside and outside the lead neckband ( t=-2.23, P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the dose equivalent at the same point inside and outside the lead collar during dental radiography ( P>0.05). During DR photography (chest PA, lateral and lumbar AP), the examined individuals were wearing lead aprons. Among them, there was a statistically significant difference in the dose equivalent at the same points inside and outside the lead aprons of children′s chest PA and adults′ chest PA ( U=10.00, 19.00, P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the dose equivalent at the same points inside and outside the lead aprons of adult′s chest PA and lumbar AP ( P>0.05). When performing CT scan (chest or upper abdomen), there was a statistically significant difference in the dose equivalent at the same points of wrapped lead aprons( U=878.50, 11.00, P<0.05). Conclusions:The correct use of personal protective equipment is a complex technical problem. It is very important to fully and accurately understand the optimization principle of radiation protection and correctly use personal protective equipment for the examined individuals. The administrative punishment of radiation health on the use of personal protective equipment of the examined individuals should be cautious.

OBJECTIVE: Clinical characteristics and outcome in COVID-19 with brucellosis patients has not been well demonstrated, we tried to analyze clinical outcome in local and literature COVID-19 cases with brucellosis before and after recovery. METHODS: We retrospectively collected hospitalization data of comorbid patients and prospectively followed up after discharge in Heilongjiang Infectious Disease Hospital from January 15, 2020 to April 29, 2022. Demographics, epidemiological, clinical symptoms, radiological and laboratory data, treatment medicines and outcomes, and follow up were analyzed, and findings of a systematic review were demonstrated. RESULTS: A total of four COVID-19 with brucellosis patients were included. One patient had active brucellosis before covid and 3 patients had nonactive brucellosis before brucellosis. The median age was 54.5 years, and all were males (100.0%). Two cases (50.0%) were moderate, and one was mild and asymptomatic, respectively. Three cases (75.0%) had at least one comorbidity (brucellosis excluded). All 4 patients were found in COVID-19 nucleic acid screening. Case C and D had only headache and fever on admission, respectively. Four cases were treated with Traditional Chinese medicine, western medicines for three cases, no adverse reaction occurred during hospitalization. All patients were cured and discharged. Moreover, one case (25.0%) had still active brucellosis without re-positive COVID-19, and other three cases (75.0%) have no symptoms of discomfort except one case fell fatigue and anxious during the follow-up period after recovery. Conducting the literature review, two similar cases have been reported in two case reports, and were both recovered, whereas, no data of follow up after recovery. CONCLUSION These cases indicate that COVID-19 patients with brucellosis had favorable outcome before and after recovery. More clinical studies should be conducted to confirm our findings.
Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Brucellosis ; COVID-19 ; Retrospective Studies ; SARS-CoV-2 ; Treatment Outcome ; Case Reports as Topic

Sperm morphology was once believed as one of the most predictive indicators of pregnancy outcome in assisted reproductive technology (ART). However, the impact of teratozoospermia on in vitro fertilization (IVF)/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) outcomes and its offspring remains inconclusive. In order to evaluate the influence of teratozoospermia on pregnancy outcome and newborn status after IVF and ICSI, a retrospective study was conducted. This was a matched case-control study that included 2202 IVF cycles and 2574 ICSI cycles and was conducted at the Reproductive and Genetic Hospital of CITIC-Xiangya in Changsha, China, from June 2013 to June 2018. Patients were divided into two groups based on sperm morphology: teratozoospermia and normal sperm group. The pregnancy outcome and newborn outcome were analyzed. The results indicated that couples with teratozoospermia had a significantly lower optimal embryo rate compared to those with normal sperm morphology in IVF (P = 0.007), while there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of the fertilization rate, cleavage rate, implantation rate, and pregnancy rate (all P > 0.05). Additionally, teratozoospermia was associated with lower infant birth weight in multiple births after IVF. With regard to ICSI, there was no significant difference in both pregnancy outcome and newborn outcome between the teratozoospermia and normal groups (both P > 0.05). Furthermore, no increase in the risk of birth defects occurred in the teratozoospermia group after IVF/ICSI. Consequently, we believe that teratozoospermia has limited predictive value for pregnancy outcomes in IVF/ICSI, and has little impact on the resulting offspring if multiple pregnancy is avoided.

OBJECTIVETo explore the factors affecting the operative difficulty of triple-port laparoscopic surgery (TLS) in anterior resection.

METHODSA retrospective case-control study was carried out. Clinical and MRI imaging data of 106 colorectal cancer cases undergoing TLS anterior resection at Department of Colorectal Surgery of Ruijin Hospital between 2013 and 2016 were retrospectively analyzed.

INCLUSION CRITERIA(1) patients receiving TLS anterior resection (Dixon operation); (2) preoperative stageI( to III( malignant tumor;(3) distance of 5-15 cm from inferior margin of tumor to anal verge; and (4) available preoperative rectal MRI.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA(1) patients receiving preoperative adjuvant therapy; (2) patients with low rectal cancer or with local advanced disease; (3) T4b tumor. Rectal MRI was introduced to measure the structure of pelvis. In sagittal view, superior margin of the first sacral vertebrae, superior margin of the third sacral vertebrae, apex of coccyx, and the line of superior margin of pubic symphysis were used to form a pentagon. The 5 lines were marked as N, O, P, Q, R, and the 5 included angles were marked as angle 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. Organs (uterus and prostate) and tumor (transverse diameter, longitudinal diameter, section area, lesion length, distance to circumference cutting edge) were also measured on MRI. The operative time was applied to be the indicator of operative difficulty and patients were divided into 2 groups according to median operative time. Baseline information (age, gender, BMI, distance from inferior margin of tumor to anal verge, operative history, length of tumor), preoperative tumor staging, and MRI measurements (pelvis, tumor, uterus, prostate), etc were compared between two groups. Factors affecting operative difficulty of TLS were analyzed with logistic regression model.

RESULTSOf 106 enrolled patients, 73 were male and 33 female with mean age of (59.8±12.2) years and mean BMI of (22.8±3.3) kg/m; 25 patients had previous abdominal surgery; distance from inferior margin of tumor to anal verge was (7.4±2.0) cm and the tumor diameter was (3.7±1.4) cm; 24, 36 and 46 patients were in stage I(, II( and III( respectively. All operations were completed successfully. The median number of harvested lymph node was 13(11-16); the median length of distal resection margin was 2.5(2.0-3.1) cm; the median operative time was 2.0(1.5-2.6) hours; the median intraoperative blood loss was 50(0-100) ml; the median time to liquid diet was 4(3-5) days; the median hospital stay was 7(6-10) days. Ten cases (9.4%) developed complications within 30 days after surgery. Patients were divided into ≤2 h group and > 2 h group according to median operative time, and both groups had 53 patients. As compared to ≤2 h group, >2 h group had shorter distance from inferior margin of tumor to anal verge [(6.8 ± 1.5) cm vs. (8.0 ± 2.4) cm, t = 3.174, P = 0.004], lower ratio of (R+N)/(O+P)(1.61±0.27 vs. 1.73±0.19, t = 2.494, P = 0.014), larger transverse distance of tumor [(3.45±0.72) cm vs. (3.05±0.89) cm, t = 0.224, P = 0.027]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed the distance from inferior margin of tumor to anal verge was the independent factor affecting operative difficulty(OR=0.584, 95%CI:0.429-0.796, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONSSurgeons may have less difficulty in performing TLS anterior resection for patients with longer distance from inferior margin of tumor to anal verge. In preoperative assessment of operative difficulty of TLS, comprehensive evaluation should be performed. Distance from inferior margin of tumor to anal verge should be regarded as the main factor, and MRI (R+N)/(O+P) and transverse diameter of tumor should be used as important reference, leading to reasonable choice of cases for TLS and smooth pass of study curve.

Aged ; Anal Canal ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Laparoscopy ; methods ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rectal Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDThe autologous saphenous vein is the most common conduit for coronary artery bypass grafting, but the vein graft disease will occur. This study used Matrigel basement membrane matrix with many different growth factors to promote vasa vasorum neovascularization and extenuate the hypoxia to improve remodeling.

METHODSThis study observed the hypoxia and thickness of the vein grafts at different times. Normal veins and vein grafts with 15 min of ischemia one day postoperatively were harvested in the neck of rabbits. Paired vein grafts with 15 min ischemia bilaterally (control vs. Matrigel basement membrane matrix) were performed and harvested at 2, 6, and 12 weeks postoperatively. The rabbits were randomly divided into four postoperative groups (six rabbits in each group): Group 1, one day postoperatively; Group 2, 2 weeks postoperatively; Group 3, 6 weeks postoperatively; and Group 4, 12 weeks postoperatively. The dimensions of vessel wall were captured, and the mean thicknesses of intima, media, and adventitia were measured. The hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and HIF-2α labeling indices of intima, media, and adventitia were also measured.

RESULTSIn Group 1, the labeling index of HIF-1α was high in the normal vein and decreased significantly in the vein graft one day postoperatively (intima: 80 ± 3% vs. 12 ± 1%, P = 0.01; media: 67 ± 5% vs. 11 ± 1%, P = 0.01; adventitia: 40 ± 10% vs. 7 ± 2%, P = 0.03). The labeling index of HIF-2α had similar trend as HIF-1α (intima: 80 ± 10% vs. 10 ± 5%, P = 0.02; media: 60 ± 14% vs. 12 ± 2%, P = 0.01; adventitia: 45 ± 20% vs. 10 ± 4%, P = 0.03). Compared with the control vein grafts, vein grafts with Matrigel basement membrane matrix had lower labeling indices of HIF-1α and HIF-2α in media and adventitia at Group 2 (HIF-1α: 34 ± 5% vs. 20 ± 4%, P = 0.04 for media; 23 ± 3% vs. 11 ± 2%, P = 0.03 for adventitia; HIF-2α: 37 ± 6% vs. 21 ± 4%, P = 0.03 for media; 24 ± 4% vs. 13 ± 2%, P = 0.04 for adventitia) and Group 3 (HIF-1α: 33 ± 4% vs. 7 ± 2%, P = 0.04 for media; 13 ± 3% vs. 3 ± 1%, P = 0.02 for adventitia; HIF-2α: 27 ± 4% vs. 12 ± 3%, P = 0.02 for media; 19 ± 2% vs. 6 ± 1%, P = 0.02 for adventitia). There were no differences in mean thickness of intima, media, and adventitia between bilateral vein grafts at 2, 6, and 12 weeks postoperatively.

CONCLUSIONSThis study indicated that promoting vasa vasorum neovascularization of vein grafts extenuated hypoxia, but did not influence the intimal hyperplasia of the wall.

Animals ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Hyperplasia ; pathology ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 ; metabolism ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit ; metabolism ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; pathology ; Postoperative Period ; Rabbits ; Saphenous Vein ; pathology ; Tunica Intima ; pathology ; Vasa Vasorum ; pathology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect and the potential mechanism of Senegenin (Sen) against injury induced by hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) in highly differentiated PC12 cells.

METHODSThe cultured PC12 cells were treated with H/R in the presence or absence of Sen (60 μmol/L). Four groups were included in the experiment: control group, H/R group, H/R+Sen group and Sen group. Cell viability of each group and the level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in culture medium were detected for the pharmacological effect of Sen. Hoechst 33258 staining and annexin V/propidium iodide double staining were used to analyze the apoptosis rate. Moreover, mitochondrial membrane potential (△Ψm), reactive oxygen species (ROS) and intracellular free calcium ([Ca(2+)]i) were measured by fluorescent staining and flow cytometry. Cleaved caspase-3 and activity of NADPH oxidase (NOX) were determined by colorimetric protease assay and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, respectively.

RESULTSSen significantly elevated cell viability (P<0.05), decreased the leakage of LDH (P<0.05) and apoptosis rate (P<0.05) in H/R-injured PC12 cells. Sen maintained the value of △Ψm (P<0.05) and suppressed the activity of caspase-3 (P<0.05). Moreover, Sen reduced ROS accumulation P<0.05) and [Ca(2+)]i increment (P<0.05) by inhibiting the activity of NOX (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSen may exert cytoprotection against H/R injury by decreasing the levels of intracellular ROS and [Ca(2+)]i, thereby suppressing the mitochondrial pathway of cellular apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Hypoxia ; drug effects ; Cell Nucleus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Flow Cytometry ; Fluorescence ; Intracellular Space ; metabolism ; Membrane Potential, Mitochondrial ; drug effects ; NADPH Oxidases ; metabolism ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Oxygen ; pharmacology ; PC12 Cells ; Rats ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Staining and Labeling

BACKGROUNDOverexpression of G-protein coupled receptor 34 (GPR34) affects the progression and prognosis of human gastric adenocarcinoma, however, the role of GPR34 in gastric cancer development and progression has not been well-determined. The current study aimed to investigate the effect of GPR34 knockdown on the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of HGC-27 gastric cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms.

METHODSThe expression of GPR34 in gastric cancer cell line HGC-27 was detected by quantitative real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blotting. HGC-27 cells were employed to construct the stable GPR34 knockdown cell model in this study. Real-time RT-PCR and Western blotting were applied to validate the effect of short hairpin RNA (ShRNA) on the expression of GPR34 in HGC-27 gastric cells. The proliferation, migration of these cells were examined by Cell Counting Kit-8 and transwell. We also measured expression profile of PI3K/PDK1/AKT and ERK using Western blotting.

RESULTSThe ShRNA directed against GPR34 effectively inhibited both endogenous mRNA and protein expression levels of GPR34, and significantly down-regulated the expression of PIK3CB (P < 0.01), PIK3CD (P < 0.01), PDK1 (P < 0.01), phosphorylation of PDK1 (P < 0.01), Akt (P < 0.01), and ERK (P < 0.01). Furthermore, GPR34 knockdown resulted in an obvious reduction in HGC-27 cancer cell proliferation and migration activity (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSGPR34 knockdown impairs the proliferation and migration of HGC-27 gastric cancer cells in vitro and provides a potential implication for therapy of gastric cancer.

Apoptosis ; genetics ; physiology ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; genetics ; physiology ; Humans ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Receptors, Lysophospholipid ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stomach Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism