Testicular histology based on testicular biopsy is an important factor for determining appropriate testicular sperm extraction surgery and predicting sperm retrieval outcomes in patients with azoospermia. Therefore, we developed a deep learning (DL) model to establish the associations between testicular grayscale ultrasound images and testicular histology. We retrospectively included two-dimensional testicular grayscale ultrasound from patients with azoospermia (353 men with 4357 images between July 2017 and December 2021 in The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, China) to develop a DL model. We obtained testicular histology during conventional testicular sperm extraction. Our DL model was trained based on ultrasound images or fusion data (ultrasound images fused with the corresponding testicular volume) to distinguish spermatozoa presence in pathology (SPP) and spermatozoa absence in pathology (SAP) and to classify maturation arrest (MA) and Sertoli cell-only syndrome (SCOS) in patients with SAP. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs), accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity were used to analyze model performance. DL based on images achieved an AUC of 0.922 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.908-0.935), a sensitivity of 80.9%, a specificity of 84.6%, and an accuracy of 83.5% in predicting SPP (including normal spermatogenesis and hypospermatogenesis) and SAP (including MA and SCOS). In the identification of SCOS and MA, DL on fusion data yielded better diagnostic performance with an AUC of 0.979 (95% CI: 0.969-0.989), a sensitivity of 89.7%, a specificity of 97.1%, and an accuracy of 92.1%. Our study provides a noninvasive method to predict testicular histology for patients with azoospermia, which would avoid unnecessary testicular biopsy.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/diagnostic imaging* ; Deep Learning ; Testis/pathology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Adult ; Ultrasonography/methods* ; Sperm Retrieval ; Sertoli Cell-Only Syndrome/diagnostic imaging*

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of crisaborole ointment 2% versus pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged 2 years or older.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 120 pediatric patients aged 2 - 17 years with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were enrolled from departments of dermatology of 8 hospitals in China between March 2022 and February 2023. The participants were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio to the crisaborole group and the pimecrolimus group, and received the treatment with crisaborole ointment 2% and pimecrolimus cream 1% respectively, twice a day for 4 weeks. Visits were scheduled at baseline/on day 1, as well as on days 8, 15, and 29. The primary efficacy outcome was the percentage of patients achieving the Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA) success (defined as clear [0] or almost clear [1] on the ISGA scale, combined with ≥ 2‐grade improvement from baseline) on day 29. The secondary efficacy outcomes included changes in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) total scores from baseline to day 29, percentages of patients achieving ISGA improvement (defined as clear [0] or almost clear [1] on the ISGA scale), as well as changes in the Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) /Infants' Dermatology Life Quality Index (IDLQI) /Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) scores, and in the Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) scores. Drug safety was evaluated according to the incidence of adverse events. Categorical data were compared using the chi-square test. Since measurement data did not follow a normal distribution, the rank sum test was used for comparisons of measurement data between groups.Results:A total of 106 children with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were included in the per-protocol analysis set, with 52 in the crisaborole group (26 males and 26 females) and 54 in the pimecrolimus group (27 males and 27 females). There were no significant differences in age, disease duration, ISGA and EASI scores at baseline between the two groups (all P > 0.05). On day 29, 22 patients (42.31%) in the crisaborole group and 25 (46.30%) in the pimecrolimus group achieved ISGA success, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.17, P = 0.68) ; 35 patients (67.31%) in the crisaborole group and 45 (83.33%) in the pimecrolimus group achieved ISGA improvement, also with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 3.68, P = 0.06) ; additionally, there were no significant differences in the EASI, pruritus NRS, DLQI/IDLQI/CDLQI, or DFI scores between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Adverse reactions to the two topical agents were mainly local reactions such as mild to moderate pain, itching, or worsening of itching, and no obvious systemic adverse reactions occurred. The incidence of drug-related adverse reactions was 46.15% (24 cases) in the crisaborole group and 37.04% (20 cases) in the pimecrolimus group, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.91, P = 0.34) . Conclusion:The efficacy of crisaborole ointment 2% was comparable to that of pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged ≥ 2 years, and it yielded early and rapid improvement in the quality of life of patients and their families, with good safety and tolerability profiles.

Objective:To compare the efficacy and safety of crisaborole ointment 2% versus pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged 2 years or older.Methods:A multicenter, randomized, open-label, controlled clinical trial was conducted. A total of 120 pediatric patients aged 2 - 17 years with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were enrolled from departments of dermatology of 8 hospitals in China between March 2022 and February 2023. The participants were randomly assigned in a 1∶1 ratio to the crisaborole group and the pimecrolimus group, and received the treatment with crisaborole ointment 2% and pimecrolimus cream 1% respectively, twice a day for 4 weeks. Visits were scheduled at baseline/on day 1, as well as on days 8, 15, and 29. The primary efficacy outcome was the percentage of patients achieving the Investigator's Static Global Assessment (ISGA) success (defined as clear [0] or almost clear [1] on the ISGA scale, combined with ≥ 2‐grade improvement from baseline) on day 29. The secondary efficacy outcomes included changes in the Eczema Area and Severity Index (EASI) total scores from baseline to day 29, percentages of patients achieving ISGA improvement (defined as clear [0] or almost clear [1] on the ISGA scale), as well as changes in the Peak Pruritus Numerical Rating Scale (NRS) scores, Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) /Infants' Dermatology Life Quality Index (IDLQI) /Children's Dermatology Life Quality Index (CDLQI) scores, and in the Dermatitis Family Impact (DFI) scores. Drug safety was evaluated according to the incidence of adverse events. Categorical data were compared using the chi-square test. Since measurement data did not follow a normal distribution, the rank sum test was used for comparisons of measurement data between groups.Results:A total of 106 children with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis were included in the per-protocol analysis set, with 52 in the crisaborole group (26 males and 26 females) and 54 in the pimecrolimus group (27 males and 27 females). There were no significant differences in age, disease duration, ISGA and EASI scores at baseline between the two groups (all P > 0.05). On day 29, 22 patients (42.31%) in the crisaborole group and 25 (46.30%) in the pimecrolimus group achieved ISGA success, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.17, P = 0.68) ; 35 patients (67.31%) in the crisaborole group and 45 (83.33%) in the pimecrolimus group achieved ISGA improvement, also with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 3.68, P = 0.06) ; additionally, there were no significant differences in the EASI, pruritus NRS, DLQI/IDLQI/CDLQI, or DFI scores between the two groups (all P > 0.05). Adverse reactions to the two topical agents were mainly local reactions such as mild to moderate pain, itching, or worsening of itching, and no obvious systemic adverse reactions occurred. The incidence of drug-related adverse reactions was 46.15% (24 cases) in the crisaborole group and 37.04% (20 cases) in the pimecrolimus group, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2 = 0.91, P = 0.34) . Conclusion:The efficacy of crisaborole ointment 2% was comparable to that of pimecrolimus cream 1% in the treatment of mild to moderate atopic dermatitis in children aged ≥ 2 years, and it yielded early and rapid improvement in the quality of life of patients and their families, with good safety and tolerability profiles.

Objective:To investigate the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on neutrophil hypoxia and pyroptosis through nucleotide binding of oligomeric domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and to analyze the role of pyroptosis on respiratory tract inflammotion induced by ZnO-NPs.Methods:In October 2022, primary cultured neutrophils were obtained from the abdominal aortic blood of SPF adult healthy SD rats. The neutrophils were treated with ZnO-NPs solution (0, 5, 10, 20 μg/ml) at different concentrations, and hypoxia group (5% O 2) was set up. Hypoxia and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected by flow cytometry, and the expression levels of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), cleaved Caspase-1 were measured by Western blot. The activity of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in the cell supernatant was measured by coloration, and the content of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in cell culture supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . Results:Compared with the control group, hypoxia and ROS levels of neutrophils in hypoxia group and ZnO-NPs groups were significantly increased ( P<0.05), and NLRP3, ASC, cleaved Caspase-1 protein expression levels, LDH activity and IL-1β content were significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared with hypoxia group, hypoxia and ROS levels of neutrophils in 5 μg/ml and 10 μg/ml ZnO-NPs groups were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), NLRP3, ASC, cleaved Caspase-1 protein expression levels, LDH activity, and IL-1β content were decreased significantly ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in hypoxia, ROS levels, ASC, cleaved Caspase-1 protein expression levels, LDH activity, and IL-1β content between the 20 μg/ml ZnO-NPs group and the hypoxia group ( P>0.05) . Conclusion:ZnO-NPs treatment may activate the NLRP3 inflammasome to induce pyroptosis of neutrophils which may be related to ROS and hypoxia.

Objective:To investigate the effects of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) on neutrophil hypoxia and pyroptosis through nucleotide binding of oligomeric domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, and to analyze the role of pyroptosis on respiratory tract inflammotion induced by ZnO-NPs.Methods:In October 2022, primary cultured neutrophils were obtained from the abdominal aortic blood of SPF adult healthy SD rats. The neutrophils were treated with ZnO-NPs solution (0, 5, 10, 20 μg/ml) at different concentrations, and hypoxia group (5% O 2) was set up. Hypoxia and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels were detected by flow cytometry, and the expression levels of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), cleaved Caspase-1 were measured by Western blot. The activity of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in the cell supernatant was measured by coloration, and the content of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β) in cell culture supernatant was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) . Results:Compared with the control group, hypoxia and ROS levels of neutrophils in hypoxia group and ZnO-NPs groups were significantly increased ( P<0.05), and NLRP3, ASC, cleaved Caspase-1 protein expression levels, LDH activity and IL-1β content were significantly increased ( P<0.05). Compared with hypoxia group, hypoxia and ROS levels of neutrophils in 5 μg/ml and 10 μg/ml ZnO-NPs groups were significantly decreased ( P<0.05), NLRP3, ASC, cleaved Caspase-1 protein expression levels, LDH activity, and IL-1β content were decreased significantly ( P<0.05). There were no significant differences in hypoxia, ROS levels, ASC, cleaved Caspase-1 protein expression levels, LDH activity, and IL-1β content between the 20 μg/ml ZnO-NPs group and the hypoxia group ( P>0.05) . Conclusion:ZnO-NPs treatment may activate the NLRP3 inflammasome to induce pyroptosis of neutrophils which may be related to ROS and hypoxia.

The genomic island(GI)characteristics and virulence factor differences of clinical isolates of Burkholderia pseudomallei in Hainan Province,China were analyzed to provide a scientific basis for diagnosis and treatment of melioidosis.In total,52 B.pseudomallei isolates were collected for detection of virulence-related GIs by PCR.The whole genome sequence annotation format file was submitted on Islandviwer 4 platform,and the genomes of the same species and close relatives were added for comparison.Two algorithms,SIGI-HMM and IslandPath-DIMOB,were integrated to predict GIs and sequence a-lignments were conducted to identify specific GIs and differences in virulence factors.The genomes of 52 clinical strains could be divided into three branches based on evolutionary distance,with 82.69％(43/52)of strains concentrated in branch 1.In to-tal,828 GIs were identified among the 52 B.pseudomallei genomes,which formed 157 GI clusters based on sequence similari-ty.GIs accounted for 2.05％-6.38％of the genome content.While GI clusters 1 and 2 were present in all strains,a total of 84(53.50％)GI clusters only clustered within a single genome isolate.Of 10 GI likely specific clusters,five were from the same genus,two from another genus,and three with uncertain origins.Moreover,25 GI clusters were associated with virulence,which included eight shared by B.pseudomallei BP76 and BP169,which had the highest number of virulence-associated GIs among all isolates.O the 52 B.pseudomallei isolates,variations were identified in the virulence genes fhaB1,fhaB2,BPSL1661,cheY1,wzM,tssH-5/clpV,tssA-5,boaA,and boaB.Comparisons of these findings with clinical isolates from Thailand and Australia showed that B.pseudomallei isolates from Hainan had significant differences in the sequences of boaA,boaB,cheY1,and chbp.Additionally,fhaB1,fhaB3,and bimA displayed significant variations specifically within the Australian isolates.B.pseudomallei GI was conserved and specific to Hainan.The identification of specific GI and virulence factors was useful to clarify the source of horizontal gene transfer and differences in virulence at the molecular level.

Humans ; Tricuspid Valve/surgery* ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Surgical Instruments ; Treatment Outcome ; Cardiac Catheterization ; Tricuspid Valve Insufficiency/surgery*

Objective: To analyze the incidence and related factors of drug resistance in HIV-infected pregnant and postpartum women in some areas of three western provinces of China from 2017 to 2019. Methods: From April 2017 to April 2019, face-to-face questionnaires and blood sample testing were conducted in all health care institutions providing maternal and perinatal care and midwifery-assisted services in 7 prevention of mother-to-child transmissi project areas in Xinjiang, Yunnan and Guangxi provinces/autonomous regions. Information was collected during the perinatal period and viral load, CD4⁺T lymphocytes and drug resistance genes were detected at the same time. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between different factors and drug resistance in HIV-infected pregnant and postpartum women. Results: A total of 655 HIV-infected pregnant and postpartum women were included in this study. The incidence of drug resistance was 3.4% (22/655), all of whom were cross-drug resistant. The rate of low, moderate and high drug resistance was 2.1% (14/655), 1.2% (8/655) and 0.8% (5/655), respectively. The drug resistance rate in the people who had previously used antiviral drugs was 1.9% (8/418), and the drug resistance rate in the people who had not used drugs was 5.9% (14/237). The NNRTI drug resistance accounted for 2.8% (18/655) and the NRTI drug resistance rate was 2.5% (16/655). The multivariate logistic regression model showed that the risk of HIV resistance was lower in pregnant women who had previously used antiviral drugs (OR=0.32, 95%CI: 0.11-0.76). Conclusion: Strengthening the management of antiviral drug use and focusing on pregnant and postpartum women who have not previously used antiviral drugs can help reduce the occurrence of drug-resistant mutations. Personalized antiviral therapy should be considered to achieve viral inhibition effects in clinical practice.
Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; HIV Infections/drug therapy* ; Incidence ; China/epidemiology* ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical/prevention & control* ; Postpartum Period ; Drug Resistance, Viral/genetics* ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use*

Objective: To analyze the incidence and related factors of drug resistance in HIV-infected pregnant and postpartum women in some areas of three western provinces of China from 2017 to 2019. Methods: From April 2017 to April 2019, face-to-face questionnaires and blood sample testing were conducted in all health care institutions providing maternal and perinatal care and midwifery-assisted services in 7 prevention of mother-to-child transmissi project areas in Xinjiang, Yunnan and Guangxi provinces/autonomous regions. Information was collected during the perinatal period and viral load, CD4⁺T lymphocytes and drug resistance genes were detected at the same time. The multivariate logistic regression model was used to analyze the relationship between different factors and drug resistance in HIV-infected pregnant and postpartum women. Results: A total of 655 HIV-infected pregnant and postpartum women were included in this study. The incidence of drug resistance was 3.4% (22/655), all of whom were cross-drug resistant. The rate of low, moderate and high drug resistance was 2.1% (14/655), 1.2% (8/655) and 0.8% (5/655), respectively. The drug resistance rate in the people who had previously used antiviral drugs was 1.9% (8/418), and the drug resistance rate in the people who had not used drugs was 5.9% (14/237). The NNRTI drug resistance accounted for 2.8% (18/655) and the NRTI drug resistance rate was 2.5% (16/655). The multivariate logistic regression model showed that the risk of HIV resistance was lower in pregnant women who had previously used antiviral drugs (OR=0.32, 95%CI: 0.11-0.76). Conclusion: Strengthening the management of antiviral drug use and focusing on pregnant and postpartum women who have not previously used antiviral drugs can help reduce the occurrence of drug-resistant mutations. Personalized antiviral therapy should be considered to achieve viral inhibition effects in clinical practice.
Female ; Humans ; Pregnancy ; HIV Infections/drug therapy* ; Incidence ; China/epidemiology* ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical/prevention & control* ; Postpartum Period ; Drug Resistance, Viral/genetics* ; Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use*