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

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Objective To evaluate the bioequivalence of oral sidenafil citrate tablets manufactured(100 mg)test preparations and reference preparations in healthy subjects under fasting and fed conditions.Methods Using a single-dose,randomized,open-lable,two-period,two-way crossover design,36 healthy subjects respectively for fasting and fed study were enrolled,and randomized into two groups to receive a single dose of test 100 mg with 7-day washout period.Plasma concentration of sidenafil and N-demethylsildenafil was determined by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry(LC-MS/MS)method.The pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated by Analyst 1.6.3(AB Scie)using non-compartmental model,and bioequivalence evaluation was performed for the two preparations.Relevant safety evaluations were performed during the trial.Results The main pharmacokinetic parameters of sidenafil after a single oral dose of sidenafil citrate tablets under fasting condition for test and reference were as follows:Cmax were(494.69±230.94)and(558.78±289.83)ng·mL-1,AUC0-t were(1 336.21±509.78)and(1 410.82±625.99)h·ng·mL-1,AUC0-were(1 366.49±512.16)and(1 441.84±628.04)h·ng·mL-1,respectively.The main pharmacokinetic parameters of sidenafil under fed condition for T and R were as follows:Cmax were(381.89±126.53)and(432.47±175.91)ng·mL-1,AUC0-t were(1 366.34±366.99)and(1 412.76±420.37)h·ng·mL-1,AUC0-were(1 403.28±375.32)and(1 454.13±429.87)h·ng·mL-1,respectively.The results demonstrated the bioequivalence of sidenafil citrate tablets between T and R.The incidence of adverse events in fasting and fed tests were 33.33％and 25.00％,respectively.No serious adverse event was reported.Conclusion The test and reference formulation of sidenafil citrate tablets were equivalent and was safe.

Objective To develop an intelligent model for differential diagnosis of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia(AVNRT)and atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia(AVRT)using 12-lead wearable electrocardiogram devices.Methods A total of 356 samples of 12-lead supraventricular tachycardia(SVT)electrocardiograms recorded by wearable devices were randomly divided into training and validation sets using 5-fold cross validation to establish the intelligent classification model,and 101 patients with the diagnosis of SVT undergoing electrophysiological studies and radiofrequency ablation from October,2021 to March,2023 were selected as the testing set.The changes in electrocardiogram parameters before and during induced tachycardia were compared.Based on multiscale deep neural network,an intelligent diagnosis model for classifying SVT mechanisms was constructed and validated.The 3-lead electrocardiogram signals from Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and V1 were extracted to build new classification models,whose diagnostic efficacy was compared with that of the 12-lead model.Results Of the 101 patients with SVT in the testing set,68 were diagnosed with AVNRT and 33 were diagnosed with AVRT by electrophysiological study.The pre-trained model achieved a high area under the precision-recall curve(0.9492)and F1 score(0.8195)for identifying AVNRT in the validation set.The total F1 scores of the lead Ⅱ,Ⅲ,V1,3-lead and 12-lead intelligent diagnostic models in the testing set were 0.5597,0.6061,0.3419,0.6003 and 0.6136,respectively.Compared with the 12-lead classification model,the lead-Ⅲ model had a net reclassification index improvement of-0.029(P=0.878)and an integrated discrimination index improvement of-0.005(P=0.965).Conclusion The intelligent diagnostic model based on multiscale deep neural network using wearable electrocardiogram devices has an acceptable accuracy for classifying SVT mechanisms.

Objective To develop an intelligent model for differential diagnosis of atrioventricular nodal re-entrant tachycardia(AVNRT)and atrioventricular re-entrant tachycardia(AVRT)using 12-lead wearable electrocardiogram devices.Methods A total of 356 samples of 12-lead supraventricular tachycardia(SVT)electrocardiograms recorded by wearable devices were randomly divided into training and validation sets using 5-fold cross validation to establish the intelligent classification model,and 101 patients with the diagnosis of SVT undergoing electrophysiological studies and radiofrequency ablation from October,2021 to March,2023 were selected as the testing set.The changes in electrocardiogram parameters before and during induced tachycardia were compared.Based on multiscale deep neural network,an intelligent diagnosis model for classifying SVT mechanisms was constructed and validated.The 3-lead electrocardiogram signals from Ⅱ,Ⅲ,and V1 were extracted to build new classification models,whose diagnostic efficacy was compared with that of the 12-lead model.Results Of the 101 patients with SVT in the testing set,68 were diagnosed with AVNRT and 33 were diagnosed with AVRT by electrophysiological study.The pre-trained model achieved a high area under the precision-recall curve(0.9492)and F1 score(0.8195)for identifying AVNRT in the validation set.The total F1 scores of the lead Ⅱ,Ⅲ,V1,3-lead and 12-lead intelligent diagnostic models in the testing set were 0.5597,0.6061,0.3419,0.6003 and 0.6136,respectively.Compared with the 12-lead classification model,the lead-Ⅲ model had a net reclassification index improvement of-0.029(P=0.878)and an integrated discrimination index improvement of-0.005(P=0.965).Conclusion The intelligent diagnostic model based on multiscale deep neural network using wearable electrocardiogram devices has an acceptable accuracy for classifying SVT mechanisms.

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of ultrasound-guided fascia iliaca compartment block on perioperative analgesia and postoperative complications in geriatric patients with hip fractures. METHODS: A total of 127 elderly patients undergoing hip fracture surgery from January 2021 to September 2021 were randomized to receive ultrasound-guided continuous fascia iliaca compartment block(group F) either intravenous analgesia control group(group C). There were 62 cases in group F, including 19 males and 43 females with an average age of (82.4±7.2) years old ranging from 66 to 95 years old, involving 25 femoral neck fractures and 37 femoral intertrochanteric fractures. There were 65 cases in control group, including 18 males and 47 females, with an average age of (81.4±8.7) years old ranging from 65 to 94 years old, involving 29 femoral neck fractures and 36 femoral intertrochanteric fractures. The visual analogue scale(VAS), minimental state examination (MMSE), observer's assessment of alertness/sedation(OAA/S) scale, modified Bromage score, postoperative complications and general conditions during hospitalization in two groups were observed. RESULTS: The resting and exercise VAS at 30 min after block, anesthesia placement and 6, 24 and 48 h after surgery were lower than those in group C(P<0.05). In group F, MMSE scores at 12 h before surgery, and 1, 3 d after surgery and OAA/S scores at 3 d after surgery were higher than those in group C(P<0.05). The incidence of adverse effects and the number requiring additional analgesia were lower than those in group C(P<0.05). Group F had better perioperative analgesia satisfaction and hospital stay than group C(P<0.05). But there was no significant difference regarding Bromage score and 30-day mortality between two group(P>0.05). CONCLUSION Ultrasound-guided continuous fascia iliacus space block was safe and effective for elderly patients with hip fracture, and could significantly reduce perioperative pain, improve postoperative cognitive function, and reduce postoperative complications, thereby shortening hospital stay and improving the quality of life during hospitalization.
Male ; Female ; Humans ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Pain Management ; Nerve Block ; Quality of Life ; Hip Fractures/surgery* ; Pain/surgery* ; Femoral Neck Fractures/surgery* ; Femoral Fractures/surgery* ; Ultrasonography, Interventional ; Postoperative Complications/surgery* ; Fascia ; Pain, Postoperative

BACKGROUND: The prognostic benefit of complete revascularization in elderly patients (aged over 75 years) with multi-vessel disease and acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is currently unclear. This study aimed to determine the long-term prognostic impact of complete revascularization in this population. METHODS: We conducted this study using data obtained from the BleeMACS (Bleeding complications in a Multicenter registry of patients discharged after an Acute Coronary Syndrome) registry, which was carried out from 2003 to 2014. The objective was to categorize older patients diagnosed with ACS into two groups: those who underwent complete revascularization and those who did not. Propensity score matching and the Kaplan-Meier analysis were employed to examine differences in one-year clinical outcomes. The primary endpoint was major adverse cardiovascular event (MACE), which encompassed a combination of all-cause mortality and myocardial infarction. RESULTS: Out of 1263 patients evaluated, 445 patients (35.2%) received complete revascularization. Patients who underwent complete revascularization had a higher prevalence of hypertension and prior percutaneous coronary intervention compared to those who did not. During the one-year follow-up period, complete revascularization was associated with a significantly decreased risk of MACE [13.7% vs. 20.5%, hazard ratio (HR) = 0.63, 95% CI: 0.45-0.88, P = 0.007] and a lower risk of myocardial infarction (5.9% vs. 9.9%, HR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.33-0.92, P = 0.02). However, it was not linked to a lower risk of all-cause death (9.5% vs. 13.5%, HR = 0.68, 95% CI: 0.45-1.02, P = 0.06). Similar results were observed in the subgroup analysis. CONCLUSIONS Long-term clinical improvements were observed in ACS patients aged over 75 years with multi-vessel disease who achieved complete revascularization. Therefore, adhering to guidelines for complete revascularization should be recommended for elderly patients.

This study was aimed to understand the current status of the antimicrobial resistance and molecular distribution of Campylobacter in various poultry in Jiaodong area,to provide a basis for effective prevention and control of the Campy-lobacter risk to poultry products and human health.Campylobacter was isolated and identified from 565 cloacal samples collect-ed in the Jiaodong area from August to October 2021 through conventional bacterial isolation and culture,mass spectrometry,microbroth dilution and multilocus sequence typing(MLST).The drug resistance and molecular typing of 131 representative strains(67 Campylobacter jejuni and 64 Campylobacter coli)were studied separately.Antimicrobial resistance analysis indica-ted that 131 isolates were highly resistant to ciprofloxacin,nalixic acid and tetracycline,with resistance rates of 96.21％,96.21％and 95.45％,respectively.Except for 2 strains,62 strains of C.coli were completely resistant to these three drugs(100％).A total of 65 strains of 131 strains were multidrug re-sistant,and the overall multidrug resistance rate was 49.62％,among which 11 strains(16.42％)of C.jejuni were resistance to 3-5 antibiotics,and 54 strains(84.38％)of C.coli were re-sistance to 3-6 antibiotics.Among the isolates from different poultry sources,waterfowl isolates were the most resistant,fol-lowed by broiler isolates.The MLST typing results revealed 72 alleles and 35 sequence types obtained from 67 strains of C.je-juni,and the distribution was relatively dispersed,without a dominant ST type and homologous complex.A total of 27 alleles and 19 sequence types were obtained from 64 strains of C.coli.Moreover,59.38％(38/64)strains were homologous complex CC-828,in which the ST-1586 sequence type was most frequent,followed by ST-825.ST-1586,ST-9944 and ST-3735 were the main sources of C.coli in broilers,and ST-825 and ST-1586 were the main sources of C.coli in waterfowl.Differences in C.jejuni and C.coli carriage were observed among poultry in the Jiaodong area.Carriage of the two bacteria was more common in laying hens than in broilers and waterfowl.C.jejuni from poultry in the Jiaodong area was highly resistant to ciprofloxacin,nalixic acid and tetracycline,but had good sensitivity to other drugs.C.coli was highly resistant to a variety of antibiotics,and multiple drug resistance was common.St-type dispersal of C.jejuni showed high genetic diversity.C.coli was cloned and transmitted mainly by ST-1586 in broiler chickens and waterfowl.Poultry carry C.jejuni,which can cause serious diseases in humans.Therefore,dynamic monitoring of Campylobacter from poultry should be strengthened.