Objective: To analyze the correlation between serum homocysteine (Hcy) and both folic acid (FA) and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), so as to provide the evidence for male fertility assessment. Methods: Males who visited and measured the serum Hcy in the Reproductive Medicine Center of Huzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from September 2022 to September 2023 were selected as the study subjects. Sperm quality parameters and sperm DFI were analyzed by collecting sperm. Hcy and FA were measured by collecting venous blood. Participants were stratified into a high Hcy group (Hcy≥15.0 μmol/L) and a normal group (Hcy<15.0 μmol/L). The correlations between serum Hcy and FA and sperm DFI were evaluated using linear regression models. Results: A total of 173 participants were enrolled, including 39 in the high Hcy group and 134 in the normal group. The sperm concentration in the high Hcy group was significantly lower than that in the normal group [(91.77±61.11)×106/mL vs. (144.21±106.82)×106/mL, P<0.05]. No statistically significant differences were observed in semen volume, sperm motility, curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, average path velocity, or sperm morphology normal rate (all P>0.05). The FA level in the high Hcy group was lower than that in the normal group [(4.44±1.79) nmol/L vs. (7.64±3.68) nmol/L, P<0.05]. The sperm DFI in the high Hcy group was higher than that in the normal group [(19.21±8.85)% vs. (13.07±6.43)%, P<0.05]. Serum Hcy level showed a negative correlation with FA level (r=-0.369, P<0.05) and a positive correlation with sperm DFI (r=0.351, P<0.05). Conclusion Serum Hcy level is associated with sperm concentration, FA and sperm DFI, suggesting that serum Hcy may affect sperm quality.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major global public health threat. The World Health Organization (WHO) 2020–2024 global TB reports provide a comprehensive overview of the TB situation from 2019 to 2023. In 2023, TB re-emerged as the world's leading infectious killer, with an estimated 10.8 million new cases. While the growth in the incidence rate slowed, the number of deaths decreased to 1.25 million. The COVID-19 pandemic significantly disrupted TB control efforts in 2020–2021. As control measures are gradually restored, a positive trend in TB control is emerging. However, significant regional disparities in incidence persist, with eight high-burden countries, including India and China, accounting for over two-thirds of the global total. In 2023, global treatment coverage for drug-resistant TB (DR-TB) was 44.00% with a treatment success rate of 68.00%; yet, with 400 000 new drug-resistant cases, the control situation remains severe. China has achieved remarkable progress in TB control: new cases fell to 741 000 in 2023 (an incidence of 52 per 100 000); mortality decreased significantly; its share of the global DR-TB burden dropped from 14.00% to 7.30%; and the TB/HIV co-infection rate declined from 1.68% in 2019 to 0.66% in 2023, outperforming the global average. Globally, control measures continue to be optimized: treatment coverage increased from 70.00% in 2019 to 75.00% in 2023, the number of people receiving preventive therapy grew to 4.7 million, and rapid diagnostic coverage reached 48.00%. In China, the number of patients treated recovered to 565 000 in 2023, and rapid diagnostic coverage rose to 74.00%. Although technological innovations have enhanced the efficiency of prevention, screening, diagnosis, treatment, and management, achieving the 2030 End TB Strategy goals will require strengthening TB management, building primary healthcare capacity, and targeting interventions for high-risk populations, while balancing resource allocation with technological innovation to address the challenges of a heterogeneous global epidemic.

BACKGROUND: The main cause of restenosis after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is the excessive proliferation and migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). Lin28a has been reported to play critical regulatory roles in this process. However, whether CCAAT/enhancer-binding proteins β (C/EBPβ) binds to the Lin28a promoter and drives the progression of restenosis has not been clarified. Therefore, in the present study, we aim to clarify the role of C/EBPβ-Lin28a axis in restenosis. METHODS: Restenosis and atherosclerosis rat models of type 2 diabetes ( n   =  20, for each group) were established by subjecting to PTA. Subsequently, the difference in DNA methylation status and expression of C/EBPβ between the two groups were assessed. EdU, Transwell, and rescue assays were performed to assess the effect of C/EBPβ on the proliferation and migration of VSMCs. DNA methylation status was further assessed using Methyltarget sequencing. The interaction between Lin28a and ten-eleven translocation 1 (TET1) was analysed using co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay. Student's t -test and one-way analysis of variance were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: C/EBPβ expression was upregulated and accompanied by hypomethylation of its promoter in restenosis when compared with atherosclerosis. In vitroC/EBPβ overexpression facilitated the proliferation and migration of VSMCs and was associated with increased Lin28a expression. Conversely, C/EBPβ knockdown resulted in the opposite effects. Chromatin immunoprecipitation assays further demonstrated that C/EBPβ could directly bind to Lin28a promoter. Increased C/EBPβ expression and enhanced proliferation and migration of VSMCs were observed after decitabine treatment. Further, mechanical stretch promoted C/EBPβ and Lin28a expression accompanied by C/EBPβ hypomethylation. Additionally, Lin28a overexpression reduced C/EBPβ methylation via recruiting TET1 and enhanced C/EBPβ-mediated proliferation and migration of VSMCs. The opposite was noted in Lin28a knockdown cells. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that the C/EBPβ-Lin28a axis is a driver of restenosis progression, and presents a promising therapeutic target for restenosis.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation/genetics* ; Cell Movement/genetics* ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular/metabolism* ; Rats ; DNA Methylation/physiology* ; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-beta/genetics* ; Male ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/cytology* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics* ; Cells, Cultured ; Coronary Restenosis/metabolism*

Objective:To investigate the relationship between serum soluble CD155 (sCD155), soluble CD163 (sCD163) and chemotherapy efficacy and prognosis in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).Methods:A total of 126 patients with DLBCL admitted to Handan Central Hospital from May 2018 to May 2020 (DLBCL group) and 126 healthy subjects (control group) were prospectively selected to compare serum sCD155 and sCD163 levels. According to the chemotherapy effect of DLBCL patients, they were divided into effective group and ineffective group, and the serum sCD155 and sCD163 levels were compared before and after treatment. The effective rate of chemotherapy in patients with different serum sCD155 and sCD163 levels was compared. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the relationship between serum sCD155 and sCD163 levels and 3-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) of DLBCL patients. Cox proportional risk regression model was used to analyze the prognostic factors of DLBCL patients.Results:The serum levels of sCD155 and sCD163 in DLBCL group were higher than those in control group before treatment (all P<0.05). The effective rate of chemotherapy in 126 DLBCL patients in this group was 69.8%(88/126). Compared with the effective group, the serum levels of sCD155 and sCD163 were higher in the ineffective group before and after treatment (all P<0.05). Compared with before treatment, serum sCD155 and sCD163 levels in the effective group were decreased after treatment (all P<0.05). The effective rate of DLBCL patients in sCD155 and sCD163 high level groups was lower than that in sCD155 and sCD163 low level groups (all P<0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis showed that the 3-year OS and PFS of DLBCL patients in the low level group of sCD155 and sCD163 were higher than those in the high level group (all P<0.05). The high level of sCD155 and sCD163 were independent risk factors for 3-year PFS and OS in DLBCL patients (all P<0.05). Conclusions:Abnormal levels of serum sCD155 and sCD163 in DLBCL patients may reduce the efficacy of chemotherapy and lead to poor prognosis.

Objective To understand the needs dissatisfaction of patients with colorectal cancer(CRC)and their influencing factors,and to analyze the correlation between family environment and the needs dissatisfaction of patients.Methods From November 2022 to October 2023,a total of 206 patients with CRC were investigated by basic data questionnaire,needs dissatisfaction of cancer patients scale and family environment questionnaire in Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital.Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of the needs dissatisfaction of CRC patients,and Pearson correlation was used to analyze the correlation between the needs dissatisfaction of CRC patients and the family environment.Results It were found that there were significant differences in the needs dissatisfaction of CRC patients with different age,education level,family income per capita,tube-carrying status and frequency of chemotherapy(P＜0.05).There was a positive correlation between conflict management and unmet needs(P＜0.05),intimacy,emotional expression,self-determination,knowledge,entertainment and organization were negatively correlated with needs dissatisfaction(P＜0.05).Education level,family income per capita,frequency of chemotherapy and family environment were the main influencing factors of the needs dissatisfaction of patients with CRC.Conclusion The needs dissatisfaction of patients with CRC are still relatively high and closely related to the family environment,suggesting individualized improvement measures around the family environment of patients with CRC,with a focus on the unmet needs of patients,help them adapt to society better.

Objective:To construct a symptom management model for colorectal cancer patients with preventive colostomy and evaluate the effect of health education strategy.Methods:A randomized controlled trial was used to facilitate the sampling of 92 patients with colorectal cancer receiving preventive colostomy at Jinhua Central Hospital from July 2020 to August 2022, they were randomly divided into control group ( n = 46) and test group ( n = 46). The control group was given routine health education, the experimental group was given symptom management model health education strategy, compare the disease symptom perception level, self-care behavior execution intention score, and quality of life score of two groups at admission, discharge, and one month after discharge using the Disease Perception Questionnaire, Self Care Behavior Intention Questionnaire for Enterostomy Patients, and Quality of Life Questionnaire for enterostomy patients. Results:The 43 patients in the control group and 44 patients in the test group completed the study.At discharge and one month after discharge, the scores of the patients in the control group were 50.95 ± 4.13 and 46.05 ± 2.87, respectively, compared with those in the trial group 48.72 ± 2.75 and 41.42 ± 2.39, respectively, the difference was significant ( t = 2.97, 8.12, both P<0.05). At discharge and 1 month after discharge, the scores of self-care behavior of the control group were 64.72 ± 3.47 and 68.13 ± 3.51, respectively, compared with those of the trial group 74.21 ± 4.55 and 79.89 ± 3.72, respectively, the differences were significant ( t = - 10.80, -15.20, both P<0.05). One month after discharge, the scores of physical, mental and mental health in the control group were 3.46 ± 1.09, 4.09 ± 1.19 and 4.72 ± 1.04, respectively, compared with those in the test group 5.07 ± 1.21, 6.27 ± 1.34 and 5.54 ± 1.16, respectively, the differences were significant ( t = - 6.47, - 8.03, - 3.52, all P<0.05). Conclusions:The health education strategy of symptom management mode reduces the level of disease perception, promotes the intention of self-care behavior, and improves the quality of life.

The nucleus tractus solitarii (NTS) is one of the morphologically and functionally defined centers that engage in the autonomic regulation of cardiovascular activity. Phenotypically-characterized NTS neurons have been implicated in the differential regulation of blood pressure (BP). Here, we investigated whether phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase (PNMT)-expressing NTS (NTS^PNMT) neurons contribute to the control of BP. We demonstrate that photostimulation of NTS^PNMT neurons has variable effects on BP. A depressor response was produced during optogenetic stimulation of NTS^PNMT neurons projecting to the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, lateral parabrachial nucleus, and caudal ventrolateral medulla. Conversely, photostimulation of NTS^PNMT neurons projecting to the rostral ventrolateral medulla produced a robust pressor response and bradycardia. In addition, genetic ablation of both NTS^PNMT neurons and those projecting to the rostral ventrolateral medulla impaired the arterial baroreflex. Overall, we revealed the neuronal phenotype- and circuit-specific mechanisms underlying the contribution of NTS^PNMT neurons to the regulation of BP.
Solitary Nucleus/metabolism* ; Blood Pressure/physiology* ; Phenylethanolamine N-Methyltransferase/metabolism* ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus/metabolism*

Objective:To investigate the changes and clinical significance of multiple cytokine levels in exhaled breath condensate (EBC) in patients undergoing tracheotomy with severe inhalation injury.Methods:A prospective study was conducted. A total of 32 patients with severe burn combined with severe inhalation injury admitted to the department of burns and plastic surgery of Affiliated Suzhou Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from May 2021 to August 2022 were enrolled. Twenty healthy volunteers from the same period were served as controls. EBC of patients at 12 hours after burn and the samples of healthy controls were collected. The levels of 27 cytokines in EBC, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukins (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, and IL-17), were determined by liquid phase chip technology. Meanwhile, plasma of patients at 12 hours after burn and the plasma of volunteers were collected, and the levels of inflammatory cytokines were detected by liquid chip technology, and the differences between the levels in plasma and those in EBC were analyzed. Plasma and EBC of patients with aspiration injury were collected at 12 hours and 3, 7, 14 and 21 days after burn, and TNF-α levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results:Finally, 32 patients were enrolled, and the total burned area was (40±16)% of total body surface area (TBSA). The time of admission was (4.2±2.3) hours after injury. ① Twenty-seven cytokines in EBC: 18 kinds of cytokines including macrophage inflammatory protein-1β (MIP-1β), IL-6, IL-5, IL-2, IL-1β, IL-8, IL-10, IL-15, IL-9, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra), TNF-α, chemotactic factor for eosinophil (Eotaxin), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), platelet derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB), interferon-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) were significantly increased in patients with severe aspiration injury compared with health controls. Eotaxin was not detected in EBC of healthy controls. Five cytokines, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), chemokine ligand 5 (CCL5/RANTES), IL-13, IL-4 and MIP-1α, were not detected in EBC of severe inhalation injury patients and healthy controls. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and IL-12 p70 in EBC of severe aspiration injury patients were slightly decreased as compared with healthy controls, while IL-7 and IL-17 were slightly increased, but the differences were not statistically significant. ② Six inflammatory cytokines in plasma: the levels of IL-6 and IL-8 in the severe aspiration injury group were significantly increased as compared with healthy controls [IL-6 (ng/L): 18.51 (10.87, 26.21) vs. 0.22 (0.10, 0.36), IL-8 (ng/L): 10.75 (8.58, 18.79) vs. 1.06 (0.81, 2.14), both P < 0.01]. The plasma levels of TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-10 were slightly increased in patients with severe aspiration injury as compared with healthy controls, and IL-17 was slightly decreased, but the difference was not statistically significant. In the EBC collected during the same period, five inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and IL-10, in patients with severe inhalation injury were significantly increased as compared with healthy controls [TNF-α (ng/L): 16.42 (12.57, 19.21) vs. 7.34 (6.11, 8.69), IL-1β (ng/L): 15.57 (10.53, 20.25) vs. 0.99 (0.67, 1.41), IL-6 (ng/L): 13.36 (9.76, 16.54) vs. 0.70 (0.42, 0.85), IL-8 (ng/L): 1 059.29 (906.91, 1 462.37) vs. 10.36 (8.40, 12.37), IL-10 (ng/L): 2.69 (1.54, 3.33) vs. 1.54 (1.18, 2.06), all P < 0.05]. ③ Dynamic changes of TNF-α in plasma and EBC: the level of TNF-α in EBC of patients with severe aspiration injury was lower than that in plasma. Plasma TNF-α level was increased gradually with the extension of time after injury, and was significantly higher than that of healthy controls on day 3 [ng/L: 30.38 (24.32, 39.19) vs. 22.94 (17.15, 30.74), P < 0.05], and reached the peak on day 14, then fell back. The level of TNF-α in EBC at 12 hours after injury was significantly higher than that in healthy controls [ng/L: 15.34 (11.75, 18.14) vs. 6.99 (6.53, 7.84), P < 0.01], and reached the peak on 3 days after injury, and then gradually decreased. Conclusion:There are changes in the expression of multiple cytokines in EBC of patients with severe inhalation injury, and the changes of many inflammatory cytokines including TNF-α are more sensitive than those in plasma, which can be used to monitor and evaluate the condition of patients with inhalation injury.

BACKGROUND: Advances in organoid culture technology have provided a greater understanding of disease pathogenesis, which has been rarely studied in sepsis before. We aim to establish a suitable organoids-based intestinal injury model for sepsis. METHODS: Stable passaged organoids were constructed and pre-treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to mimic sepsis-induced intestinal injury. The LPS-induced sepsis model was used as a reference. We used quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction to evaluate the RNA levels of inflammatory factors and antimicrobial peptides. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to evaluate the protein levels, hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to evaluate the pathology of the small intestine of mice, and immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate the intestinal epithelial barrier function. Perkin Elmer Operetta™ was used to obtain high-resolution images of three-dimensional organoids. RESULTS: An LPS concentration >150 μg/mL after 24 h was identified to cause organoid growth restriction. The fluorescence intensity of zonula occludens-1 and occludins at LPS concentrations >100 μg/mL decreased significantly after 24 h. After LPS stimulation for 8 h, the RNA expression levels of interleukin (IL)-1α, tumor necrosis factor alpha, granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor, IL-6, and regenerating islet-derived protein 3 alpha, beta, and gamma increased. These results resembled those of intestinal epithelial layer alterations in a mouse sepsis model. For IL-10, the RNA expression level increased only when the LPS level >200 μg/mL for 24 h. CONCLUSIONS This study provides the primary intestinal in vitro model to study the effects of LPS-induced intestinal injury resembling sepsis. This model provides a platform for immune associated mechanism exploration and effective drug screening.
Mice ; Animals ; Lipopolysaccharides/toxicity* ; Sepsis ; Intestinal Diseases ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Disease Models, Animal ; Organoids ; RNA

Objective:To study the effectiveness of a strategy for detecting early gastric cancer using high-definition gastroscopy.Methods:A total of 849 patients over 35 years old who underwent gastroscopy in the Seventh Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from December 2018 to January 2019 were enrolled to a prospective study. During gastroscopy, biopsies were taken at any suspicious lesions in patients who had never been infected with Helicobacter pylori. In ulcer-type lesions, biopsies were taken at the edge of the ulcer. Outside the atrophic area, biopsies were taken at lesions in the cardia which were reddish under white light, or lesions in the non-cardiac area which were white or showed clear borders under white light. Inside the atrophic area, biopsies were taken at elevated lesions with clear borders or irregular depressions on the top, or flat/depressed lesions with irregular borders or being ocherous under narrow band imaging. In addition, biopsies were performed on any lesion that did not meet the above standard but was considered necessary. The high-risk patients were followed up by gastroscopy to observe the detection and missed diagnosis of neoplasm that meet the above standard, and to determine the sensitivity and positive predictive value of the strategy. Results:A total of 548 patients were biopsied (781 lesions). Among the 327 lesions that met the above standard, 16 lesions (4.9%) were diagnosed as epithelial neoplasm, of which 10 (3.1%) were high-grade neoplasm. Among the 454 lesions that did not meet the standard, only 1 (0.2%) epithelial neoplasm was diagnosed, and there was no high-grade neoplasm. The positive predictive value of this screening strategy for gastric epithelial neoplasm and high-grade neoplasm was higher than those who did not meet the standard (4.9% VS 0.2%, χ2=19.49, P<0.01; 3.1% VS 0, P<0.001). There were 146 patients (17.2%, 146/849) followed up by gastroscopy. During the follow-up, 2 high-grade intramucosal neoplasms were found. 84.2% (16/19) of epithelial tumors and 83.3% (10/12) of high-grade neoplasm were detected during the initial gastroscopy. Conclusion:This screening strategy can efficiently detect early gastric cancer under high-definition gastroscopy.