Objective:To observe the effect of Guilu Taohong Formula on semen quality in varicocele(VC)models of rats,and to explore its possible mechanism.Methods:Forty-eight male SD rats were randomly divided into four groups(sham group,model group,Guilu Taohong Formula group and L-carnitine group).After the establishment of models,the rats were treated with intra-gastric administration for eight consecutive weeks.The general condition of the rats was observed.After the gavage,the testicular and epididymal indices were calculated.Semen quality was assessed using an automatic semen analyzer.Apoptosis of testicular cells was assessed by TUNEL staining.And the expression levels of B-cell lymphocytoma-2(Bcl-2),Bcl-2-associated X protein(Bax)and cys-teine aspartate protease-3(caspase-3)in testicular tissue were detected by Western blot.Results:Compared with the sham group,testicular index,epididymal index,sperm concentration,the percentage of progressive motility of sperm(PR％)and the expression level of Bcl-2 decreased in model group(P＜0.01).An increased apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells and the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 proteins were observed in model group as well(P＜0.01).Compared with the model group,the testicular index,epidid-ymal index,sperm concentration,PR％and the expression level of Bcl-2 in Guilu Taohong Formula group increased significantly(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).A decreased apoptosis rate of spermatogenic cells and the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 proteins were de-tected in Guilu Taohong Formula group as well(P＜0.01).Similarly,the L-carnitine group showed increased testicular index,epidid-ymal index,sperm concentration,PR％and the expression level of Bcl-2 protein(P＜0.05,P＜0.01),where showed decreased ap-optosis rate of spermatogenic cells and the expression levels of Bax and caspase-3 proteins compared with model group(P＜0.01,P＜0.05).Conclusion:Guilu Taohong Formula improves semen quality in VC model rats and reduces the apoptosis rate of spermato-genic cells in testicular tissue,which may be related to the promotion of Bcl-2 protein expression and the inhibition of Bax and caspase-3 protein expression levels.

Objective To investigate the differences in demographic characteristics,reproductive health status,and the distribution of pregnancy-related diseases between couples conceived via assisted reproductive technology(ART)and naturally conceived couples,and to analyze the impact of ART treatment on the incidence of preterm birth(PTB)in singleton and twin and multiple pregnancies.Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of the maternal and infant cohort data of Jing'an District from 2013 to 2020.Based on the conception method,the subjects were categorized into two groups:the ART group and the natural conception group.Chi-square test was applied to compare baseline characteristics and disease distributions differences between the two groups,and logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between ART and the PTB risks.A causal mediation model was used to evaluate the mediating effect of twin and multiple pregnancy in the relationship between ART and PTB.Results A total of 117 717 parturients were included,6 265 in the ART group and 111 452 in the natural conception group.Compared with the natural conception group,couples in the ART group were significantly older and had a higher prevalence of reproductive system diseases.The incidences of diabetes and hypertensive disorders during pregnancy in ART parturient were 13.76%and 9.99%,respectively,which were significantly higher than 7.88%and 4.75%in the natural conception group(both P<0.001).The overall PTB rate in the ART group was 14.81%,higher than 5.35%in the natural conceptions group(P<0.001).The PTB rate in ART for singleton pregnancies in the ART group was 6.40%,higher than 4.83%in the natural conception group(P<0.001),while the PTB rate in ART for twin and multiple pregnancies in the ART group was 53.97%,lower than 60.42%in the natural conception group(P<0.05).Mediation analysis showed that 97.99%of the effect of ART on PTB was mediated by twin and multiple pregnancy,with ART increasing the PTB risk by 3.44 times through multiple pregnancy.Conclusion The overall PTB rate of ART recipients is higher than that of natural recipients,but ART does not increase the PTB risk in singleton and twin and multiple pregnancies.Twin and multiple pregnancy is the key mediating factor contributing to PTB in ART-conceived recipients.Compared with naturally conceived couples,ART conception couples own more advanced maternal age,and have higher risks of suffering gestational diabetes,gestational hypertension,and PTB.

Aim To investigate the effect of ACSL4 on the malignant biological behavior of esophageal cancer cells and gefitinib resistance by regulating FASN,and to explore the related mechanism.Methods Thirty-five fresh esophageal cancer tissues and adjacent nor-mal tissues,and 30 esophageal cancer tissues with ge-fitinib resistance were collected.The expressions of ACSL4 and FASN were detected by qRT-PCR and im-munohistochemistry.The expression levels of ACSL4 and FASN in human normal esophageal cells HET-1 A,esophageal cancer cell lines ECA109,EC9706,TE-1 and TE-1/GR were detected by qRT-PCR.Cells in each group were constructed by liposome transfection technique,and the drug resistance and proliferation a-bility of cells were detected by cloning and CCK-8 as-say,cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,cell invasion ability was detected by Transwell,and EMT pathway protein expression was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with adjacent normal tis-sues,the expression of ACSL4 and FASN genes in cancer tissues increased,and there was a positive corre-lation.The expression of ACSL4 significantly increased in ECA109,EC9706 and TE-1 cells compared with HET-1 A cells.With the increase of gefitinib concen-tration,the expression of ACSL4 in TE-1 cells gradually increased,and the expression of ACSL4 in TE-1/GR cells was higher than that of TE-1.Compared with the control group and the si-NC group,the cell proliferation and invasion ability of si-ACSL4 group decreased,the number of apoptosis increased,the expression of E-Cadherin increased,and the expression of N-Cadherin,Vimentin and β-catenin decreased.The response ex-periment showed that compared with the si-ACSL4 group and the si-ACSL4+oe-NC group,the cells in the si-ACSL4+oe-FASN group increased drug resistance,increased proliferation and invasion ability,decreased apoptosis number and decreased expression of E-Cad-herin.The expressions of N-Cadherin,Vimentin and β-catenin increased.Conclusions By down-regulating the expression of FASN,ACSL4 reverses the resistance of esophageal cancer TE-1/GR cells to gefitinib and in-hibits the proliferation,invasion and accelerates apopto-sis of TE-1/GR cells,which may be related to the regu-lation of EMT signaling pathway.

Based on the interleukin-17(IL-17) signaling pathway, this study explores the effect and mechanism of Bufei Decoction on Klebsiella pneumoniae pneumonia in rats. SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, model group, Bufei Decoction low-dose group(6.68 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), Bufei Decoction high-dose group(13.36 g·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), and dexamethasone group(1.04 mg·kg~(-1)·d~(-1)), with 10 rats in each group. A pneumonia model was established by tracheal drip injection of K. pneumoniae. After successful model establishment, the improvement in lung tissue damage was observed following drug administration. Core targets and signaling pathways were screened using transcriptomics techniques. Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the mRNA expression of core targets interleukin-6(IL-6), interleukin-1β(IL-1β), tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α), and chemokine CXC ligand 6(CXCL6). Western blot was used to assess key proteins in the IL-17 signaling pathway, including interleukin-17A(IL-17A), nuclear transcription factor-κB activator 1(Act1), tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6(TRAF6), and downstream phosphorylated p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(p-p38 MAPK), and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB p65(p-NF-κB p65). Apoptosis of lung tissue cells was detected by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling(TUNEL). The results showed that, compared with the control group, the model group exhibited significant pathological damage in lung tissue. The mRNA expression of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and CXCL6, as well as the protein levels of IL-17A, Act1, TRAF6, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65, were significantly increased, and the number of apoptotic cells was notably higher, indicating successful model establishment. Compared with the model group, both low-and high-dose groups of Bufei Decoction showed reduced pathological damage in lung tissue. The mRNA expression levels of IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α, and CXCL6, and the protein levels of IL-17A, Act1, TRAF6, p-p38 MAPK/p38 MAPK, and p-NF-κB p65/NF-κB p65, were significantly decreased, with a significant reduction in apoptotic cells in the high-dose group. In conclusion, Bufei Decoction can effectively improve lung tissue damage and reduce inflammation in rats with K. pneumoniae. The mechanism may involve the regulation of the IL-17 signaling pathway and the reduction of apoptosis.
Animals ; Interleukin-17/metabolism* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Rats ; Male ; Klebsiella pneumoniae/physiology* ; Klebsiella Infections/immunology* ; Humans ; Lung/drug effects*

Objective To identify the mutation in pathogenic genes by analyzing the clinical features and genotype of a family with Al-port syndrome,in order to provide a theoretical basis in genetic counseling for guidance on the future pregnancies in this couple.Meth-ods Based on closely combined thorough re-examination for the report of previous whole-exome sequencing of the proband and the mu-tation site information,Sanger sequencing verification was conducted in the proband's family members.Additionally,a comprehensive assessment of the proband's clinical manifestations and family history was performed,and the previous whole-exome sequencing report was reanalyzed accordingly.Results In terms of the heterozygous mutation(NM_0000924:c.3289+1G＞A)in intron 35 of COL4A4 gene carried by the proband,this mutation was identified in the proband's father(Ⅲ7),grandmother(Ⅱ6),aunt(Ⅲ6),and two great-uncle(Ⅱ2 and Ⅱ5).All of them exhibited clinical manifestations carried the COL4A4:c.3289+1G＞A heterozygous mutation.However,no mutation was detected in the proband's mother(Ⅲ8),great-grandmother(Ⅰ2),great-aunt(Ⅱ3),and great-uncle(Ⅱ4),grandfather(Ⅱ7)who were clinically unaffected.Additionally,a heterozygous mutation(COL4A3:NM_000914:c.1956A＞G)was identified in ex-on 27 of the COL4A3 gene in the proband.Her mother(Ⅲ 8),the other grandmother(Ⅱ9)and aunt(Ⅲ9)all carried the mutation of COL4A3 but had no clinical manifestation.However,her father(Ⅲ7)did not carry this mutation.Conclusion The splicing site muta-tion COL4A4:NM_0000924:c.3289+1G＞A should be confirmed as the pathogenic cause of Alport syndrome in this family.The combi-nation of whole-exome high-throughput sequencing and Sanger sequencing can effectively diagnose Alport syndrome and provide genetic counseling for the couple's next pregnancy.

Aim To investigate the effect of ACSL4 on the malignant biological behavior of esophageal cancer cells and gefitinib resistance by regulating FASN,and to explore the related mechanism.Methods Thirty-five fresh esophageal cancer tissues and adjacent nor-mal tissues,and 30 esophageal cancer tissues with ge-fitinib resistance were collected.The expressions of ACSL4 and FASN were detected by qRT-PCR and im-munohistochemistry.The expression levels of ACSL4 and FASN in human normal esophageal cells HET-1 A,esophageal cancer cell lines ECA109,EC9706,TE-1 and TE-1/GR were detected by qRT-PCR.Cells in each group were constructed by liposome transfection technique,and the drug resistance and proliferation a-bility of cells were detected by cloning and CCK-8 as-say,cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry,cell invasion ability was detected by Transwell,and EMT pathway protein expression was detected by Western blot.Results Compared with adjacent normal tis-sues,the expression of ACSL4 and FASN genes in cancer tissues increased,and there was a positive corre-lation.The expression of ACSL4 significantly increased in ECA109,EC9706 and TE-1 cells compared with HET-1 A cells.With the increase of gefitinib concen-tration,the expression of ACSL4 in TE-1 cells gradually increased,and the expression of ACSL4 in TE-1/GR cells was higher than that of TE-1.Compared with the control group and the si-NC group,the cell proliferation and invasion ability of si-ACSL4 group decreased,the number of apoptosis increased,the expression of E-Cadherin increased,and the expression of N-Cadherin,Vimentin and β-catenin decreased.The response ex-periment showed that compared with the si-ACSL4 group and the si-ACSL4+oe-NC group,the cells in the si-ACSL4+oe-FASN group increased drug resistance,increased proliferation and invasion ability,decreased apoptosis number and decreased expression of E-Cad-herin.The expressions of N-Cadherin,Vimentin and β-catenin increased.Conclusions By down-regulating the expression of FASN,ACSL4 reverses the resistance of esophageal cancer TE-1/GR cells to gefitinib and in-hibits the proliferation,invasion and accelerates apopto-sis of TE-1/GR cells,which may be related to the regu-lation of EMT signaling pathway.

Objective To identify the mutation in pathogenic genes by analyzing the clinical features and genotype of a family with Al-port syndrome,in order to provide a theoretical basis in genetic counseling for guidance on the future pregnancies in this couple.Meth-ods Based on closely combined thorough re-examination for the report of previous whole-exome sequencing of the proband and the mu-tation site information,Sanger sequencing verification was conducted in the proband's family members.Additionally,a comprehensive assessment of the proband's clinical manifestations and family history was performed,and the previous whole-exome sequencing report was reanalyzed accordingly.Results In terms of the heterozygous mutation(NM_0000924:c.3289+1G＞A)in intron 35 of COL4A4 gene carried by the proband,this mutation was identified in the proband's father(Ⅲ7),grandmother(Ⅱ6),aunt(Ⅲ6),and two great-uncle(Ⅱ2 and Ⅱ5).All of them exhibited clinical manifestations carried the COL4A4:c.3289+1G＞A heterozygous mutation.However,no mutation was detected in the proband's mother(Ⅲ8),great-grandmother(Ⅰ2),great-aunt(Ⅱ3),and great-uncle(Ⅱ4),grandfather(Ⅱ7)who were clinically unaffected.Additionally,a heterozygous mutation(COL4A3:NM_000914:c.1956A＞G)was identified in ex-on 27 of the COL4A3 gene in the proband.Her mother(Ⅲ 8),the other grandmother(Ⅱ9)and aunt(Ⅲ9)all carried the mutation of COL4A3 but had no clinical manifestation.However,her father(Ⅲ7)did not carry this mutation.Conclusion The splicing site muta-tion COL4A4:NM_0000924:c.3289+1G＞A should be confirmed as the pathogenic cause of Alport syndrome in this family.The combi-nation of whole-exome high-throughput sequencing and Sanger sequencing can effectively diagnose Alport syndrome and provide genetic counseling for the couple's next pregnancy.

Objective To investigate the differences in demographic characteristics,reproductive health status,and the distribution of pregnancy-related diseases between couples conceived via assisted reproductive technology(ART)and naturally conceived couples,and to analyze the impact of ART treatment on the incidence of preterm birth(PTB)in singleton and twin and multiple pregnancies.Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of the maternal and infant cohort data of Jing'an District from 2013 to 2020.Based on the conception method,the subjects were categorized into two groups:the ART group and the natural conception group.Chi-square test was applied to compare baseline characteristics and disease distributions differences between the two groups,and logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association between ART and the PTB risks.A causal mediation model was used to evaluate the mediating effect of twin and multiple pregnancy in the relationship between ART and PTB.Results A total of 117 717 parturients were included,6 265 in the ART group and 111 452 in the natural conception group.Compared with the natural conception group,couples in the ART group were significantly older and had a higher prevalence of reproductive system diseases.The incidences of diabetes and hypertensive disorders during pregnancy in ART parturient were 13.76%and 9.99%,respectively,which were significantly higher than 7.88%and 4.75%in the natural conception group(both P<0.001).The overall PTB rate in the ART group was 14.81%,higher than 5.35%in the natural conceptions group(P<0.001).The PTB rate in ART for singleton pregnancies in the ART group was 6.40%,higher than 4.83%in the natural conception group(P<0.001),while the PTB rate in ART for twin and multiple pregnancies in the ART group was 53.97%,lower than 60.42%in the natural conception group(P<0.05).Mediation analysis showed that 97.99%of the effect of ART on PTB was mediated by twin and multiple pregnancy,with ART increasing the PTB risk by 3.44 times through multiple pregnancy.Conclusion The overall PTB rate of ART recipients is higher than that of natural recipients,but ART does not increase the PTB risk in singleton and twin and multiple pregnancies.Twin and multiple pregnancy is the key mediating factor contributing to PTB in ART-conceived recipients.Compared with naturally conceived couples,ART conception couples own more advanced maternal age,and have higher risks of suffering gestational diabetes,gestational hypertension,and PTB.

Objective To analyze the factors related to early allograft dysfunction(EAD)after liver transplantation and to construct a predictive model.Methods A total of 375 patients who underwent liver transplantation in our hospital from December 2008 to December 2021 were collected,including 90 patients with EAD and 266 patients without EAD.Thirty items of baseline data for the 2 groups were compared and analyzed.Aftergrouping in a ratio of 7∶3,univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used in the training set to evaluate the factors related to EAD and construct a nomogram.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve,decision curve analysis(DCA),sensitivity,specificity,positive predictive value,negative predictive value,Kappa value and other indicators were used to evaluate the model performance.Results The incidence of EAD after liver transplantation was 24%.Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that preoperative tumor recurrence history(OR=3.15,95%CI:1.28～7.77,P=0.013)and operation time(OR=1.22,95%CI:1.04～1.42,P=0.015)were related to the occurrence of EAD after surgery.After predicting the outcome according to the cut-off point of 0.519 identified by the Youden index,the model performance in the both training set and validation set was acceptable.DCA suggested the model has good clinical applicability.Conclusion The risk factors for EAD after liver transplantation are preoperative tumor recurrence history and operation time,and the established model has predictive effect on prognosis.

Objective To analyze the risk of adverse drug events in pediatric clinical applications of tocilizumab versus inflixima.Methods Adverse event(AE)reporting data for tocilizumab versus infliximab in the U.S.Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System database for the pediatric population from Q1 2013 to Q1 2023 were collected.AE risk signal mining was performed using the reporting odds ratio(ROR)method and the proportional reporting ratio(PRR)method.AEs were also classified and statistically analyzed according to the preferred system organ classification and preferred terminology(PT)of the International Dictionary of Medical Terminology.Results Data were extracted and cleaned to include 1 052 AE reports with 198 positive PT signals for tocilizumab as the suspected drug and 9 1 39 AE reports with 387 positive PT signals for infliximab as the suspected drug.The analyses suggested that the stronger positive risk signals for both drugs were focused on gastrointestinal disorders,infectious and invasive diseases,laboratory tests,musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders,and blood,vascular,and lymphatic disorders.The risk signals for infliximab were focused on gastrointestinal disorders,infections,and infectious diseases,while the risk signals for tocilizumab were focused on the musculoskeletal muscle system.Conclusion Clinical use of both drugs in children has multi-system effects,tocilizumab may have effects on growth and development,and infliximab has effects on the gastrointestinal tract in children.