Objective:To investigate the changes in and correlations between melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and androgen levels in the serum of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), aiming to provide a novel research perspective for its diagnosis.Methods:A cross-sectional study. A total of 307 subjects were enrolled from the physical examination center and endocrinology clinic of the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from June 2023 to June 2024. The cohort comprised 114 healthy controls and 193 patients with PCOS, diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria. The patients were grouped into four phenotypes: Phenotype A (hyperandrogenemia [HA]+ovulatory dysfunction [OA]+polycystic ovarian morphology [PCOM], n=44), Phenotype B (HA+OA, n=50), Phenotype C (HA+PCOM, n=46), and Phenotype D (OA+PCOM, n=53). Clinical data were collected for all subjects. Serum MCH levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationship between MCH and androgen-related risk factors for PCOS was analyzed using Spearman partial correlation analysis and stepwise multiple linear hierarchical regression. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze factors influencing PCOS onset. The diagnostic value of MCH for PCOS was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:There were no significant differences in age and height between the healthy control group and the PCOS phenotypic groups (both P>0.05). MCH levels [17.63 (12.69, 22.00), 17.31 (11.05, 20.09), 17.82 (11.47, 19.40), 16.50 (11.14, 19.41) μg/L vs. 12.14 (9.78, 15.05) μg/L], homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, fasting plasma glucose, fasting serum lisulin, body mass index, and weight were significantly higher across all four PCOS phenotypes (A, B, C, and D) than in healthy controls (all P<0.05), whereas sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) contents were significantly lower ( P<0.05). Free androgen index (FAI), total testosterone (TES) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels were significantly higher in PCOS phenotypes A, B, and C than in the control group and PCOS phenotype D (all P<0.05). Spearman partial correlation analysis revealed no significant correlation between MCH and TES, DHEA, or FAI in healthy controls and patients with non-HA PCOS (all P>0.05). However, in PCOS patients with HA, MCH showed a significant positive correlation with TES and DHEA ( r=0.227 and 0.196, respectively; both P<0.05), but not FAI ( P>0.05). Stepwise multiple linear hierarchical regression analysis showed that MCH was positively correlated with TES, DHEA and luteinizing hormone and negatively correlated with SHBG (all P<0.05). Binary logistic regression indicated that an increase in MCH may be a potential risk factor for PCOS occurrence ( OR=1.113, 95% CI 1.012-1.224, P=0.028). ROC analysis showed that MCH has diagnostic value for PCOS ( P<0.05), with an area under the curve of 0.713. Conclusion:Serum MCH is closely related to FAI, TES, and DHEA levels in PCOS patients and may play an important role in the etiology and progression of the syndrome.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy and safety of utilizing bicarbonate derived from the metabolism of regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA) as the sole base source for replacement fluid in continuous veno-venous hemofiltration (CVVH).Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on ICU patients who underwent RCA combined with CVVH between July 2024 and February 2025, with pre-treatment serum bicarbonate levels ranging from 18 mmol/L to 27 mmol/L. Patients managed with the "traditional RCA protocol" (4% citrate initially set at 1.2–1.5 times blood flow rate), using commercial calcium-containing replacement fluid (4 L/bag) with additional sodium bicarbonate supplementation, were assigned to the control group. Those treated with the "fixed RCA protocol" (targeting an extracorporeal citrate concentration of approximately 4 mmol/L), with a total effluent-to-citrate flow ratio of 9–10:1 and no supplemental sodium bicarbonate, were assigned to the study group. Outcomes included the incidence of metabolic acid-base disorders, amount of sodium bicarbonate used, filter lifespan, adverse events (e.g., bleeding), and 28-day mortality.Results:A total of 86 patients were enrolled, with 42 in the control group and 44 in the study group. The incidence of metabolic alkalosis was significantly higher in the control group (30.9%) than in the study group (2.3%) ( P < 0.001), while no significant difference was observed in the incidence of metabolic acidosis. Three patients in the study group received additional sodium bicarbonate during CVVH. The median sodium bicarbonate usage in the study group was 0 (0–5.6) mL, significantly lower than that in the control group [15.3 ( 8.3–24.3)] mL, P = 0.002). Filter lifespan was significantly shorter in the control group (36.4 ± 19.2 hours) compared to the study group (51.2 ± 17.6) h; P < 0.001]. Post-filter ionized calcium was significantly higher in the control group [(0.39 ± 0.08) mmol/L) than in the study group [(0.32 ± 0.09) mmol/L; P < 0.001]. CVVH was discontinued due to filter clotting in 71.4% of control patients, compared to 36.4% in the study group ( P < 0.05). In contrast, 45.5% of study group patients discontinued CVVH due to meeting treatment goals, versus only 9.5% in the control group ( P < 0.05). No treatment-related bleeding or citrate accumulation events occurred in either group. The 28-day mortality was 28.6% in the control group and 29.5% in the study group, with no statistically significant difference. Conclusions:In relatively stable patients, RCA can serve as a safe and effective independent base source for CVVH replacement fluid. This approach not only ensures adequate anticoagulation but also significantly reduces the incidence of metabolic alkalosis.

Objective:To investigate the changes in and correlations between melanin-concentrating hormone (MCH) and androgen levels in the serum of patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), aiming to provide a novel research perspective for its diagnosis.Methods:A cross-sectional study. A total of 307 subjects were enrolled from the physical examination center and endocrinology clinic of the Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University from June 2023 to June 2024. The cohort comprised 114 healthy controls and 193 patients with PCOS, diagnosed according to the Rotterdam criteria. The patients were grouped into four phenotypes: Phenotype A (hyperandrogenemia [HA]+ovulatory dysfunction [OA]+polycystic ovarian morphology [PCOM], n=44), Phenotype B (HA+OA, n=50), Phenotype C (HA+PCOM, n=46), and Phenotype D (OA+PCOM, n=53). Clinical data were collected for all subjects. Serum MCH levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationship between MCH and androgen-related risk factors for PCOS was analyzed using Spearman partial correlation analysis and stepwise multiple linear hierarchical regression. Binary logistic regression was used to analyze factors influencing PCOS onset. The diagnostic value of MCH for PCOS was evaluated using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:There were no significant differences in age and height between the healthy control group and the PCOS phenotypic groups (both P>0.05). MCH levels [17.63 (12.69, 22.00), 17.31 (11.05, 20.09), 17.82 (11.47, 19.40), 16.50 (11.14, 19.41) μg/L vs. 12.14 (9.78, 15.05) μg/L], homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, fasting plasma glucose, fasting serum lisulin, body mass index, and weight were significantly higher across all four PCOS phenotypes (A, B, C, and D) than in healthy controls (all P<0.05), whereas sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) contents were significantly lower ( P<0.05). Free androgen index (FAI), total testosterone (TES) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) levels were significantly higher in PCOS phenotypes A, B, and C than in the control group and PCOS phenotype D (all P<0.05). Spearman partial correlation analysis revealed no significant correlation between MCH and TES, DHEA, or FAI in healthy controls and patients with non-HA PCOS (all P>0.05). However, in PCOS patients with HA, MCH showed a significant positive correlation with TES and DHEA ( r=0.227 and 0.196, respectively; both P<0.05), but not FAI ( P>0.05). Stepwise multiple linear hierarchical regression analysis showed that MCH was positively correlated with TES, DHEA and luteinizing hormone and negatively correlated with SHBG (all P<0.05). Binary logistic regression indicated that an increase in MCH may be a potential risk factor for PCOS occurrence ( OR=1.113, 95% CI 1.012-1.224, P=0.028). ROC analysis showed that MCH has diagnostic value for PCOS ( P<0.05), with an area under the curve of 0.713. Conclusion:Serum MCH is closely related to FAI, TES, and DHEA levels in PCOS patients and may play an important role in the etiology and progression of the syndrome.

Objective:To investigate the effect of wild Cistanche deserticola crude polysaccharides (WCDCP) on the immune response of ovalbumin (OVA).Methods:42 ICR mice were randomly divided into the 9 g/L NaCl group (blank sample), WCDCP group (400 μg WCDCP), OVA group (10 μg OVA), low-dose WCDCP/OVA group (100 μg WCDCP+10 μg OVA), medium-dose WCDCP/OVA group (400 μg WCDCP+10 μg OVA), high-dose WCDCP/OVA group (800 μg WCDCP+10 μg OVA), and aluminum adjuvant/OVA group (positive concentration, 200 μg aluminum adjuvant+10 μg OVA). Each group included 6 mice. The mice were immunized by using two-point injection into the muscles of the hind legs of the mice. A total of 2 immunizations, and the immunization was boosted once every 2 weeks after the initial immunization. The body weight of the mice was weighed 7, 14, 21, and 28 days after the initial immunization of the mice, and the changes in body weight and growth status of the mice were observed. The IgG antibodies and antibody fractions were detected by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Twenty-one days after the initial immunization, the spleen lymphocyte proliferation level was detected by the thiazole blue method. Flow cytometry was used to detect the proportion of T cell subsets in the spleen and lymph nodes.Results:At 7 days after the initial immunization, the serum IgG antibody level (0.597 6±0.110 7) in the high-dose WCDCP/OVA group was significantly higher than (0.254 4±0.074 8) of the OVA group ( P<0.05). At 28 days after the initial immunization, the serum IgG, IgG1 and IgG2a antibody levels in the high-dose WCDCP/OVA group were higher than those in the OVA group, the comparison respectively were 0.972 3±0.243 8 vs. 0.389 2±0.077 4 ( P<0.05), 1.156 0±0.088 4 vs. 0.612 6±0.059 7 ( P<0.001), 1.648 0±0.103 9 vs. 0.557 2±0.181 5 ( P<0.001), and the differences were statistically significant. High-dose WCDCP can significantly promote the proliferation of spleen cells induced by concanavalin A ( P<0.001) and lipopolysaccharide ( P<0.05). High-dose WCDCP/OVA group can significantly stimulate the activation ratio of T cell subsets in the spleen. The proportion of CD3 +CD8 + T cells in the high-dose WCDCP/OVA group [(10.83±0.44)%] was significantly higher than that in the OVA group[(6.76±0.58)%] ( P<0.01), and the proportion of CD3 +CD4 + T cells [(28.17±1.67)%] was also significantly higher than that in the OVA group [(19.17±2.73)%] ( P<0.05). WCDCP had no effect on body weight (all P>0.05) and growth of mice. Conclusions:WCDCP can enhance humoral immune response and cellular immune response, and has no side effect on the growth of mice, suggesting that WCDCP can be used as a potential adjuvant for OVA.

Objective: To investigate the enhancement effect of Xinjiang wild Artemisia rupestris L. crude polysaccharides (WARCP) as an adjuvant on ovalbumin (OVA) vaccine in mice immunized intramuscularly. Methods: ICR mice were randomly divided into 6 groups (5 per group), including 9 g/L NaCl group (blank control), OVA group (10 μg OVA), low dose WARCP/OVA group (OVA+50 μg WARCP), medium dose WARCP/OVA group (OVA+200 μg WARCP), high dose WARCP/OVA group (OVA+400 μg WARCP), and aluminum adjuvant (Alum)/OVA group (positive control group, OVA+100 μg Alum). ICR mice were immunized intramuscularly and weighted. The OVA-specific antibodies and subtypes in serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). T cells subsets from spleen and lymph nodes were detected by flow cytometry. Results: The medium-dose WARCP/OVA group enhanced IgG and IgG1 levels and increased early antibody levels (all P<0.05). The medium-dose WARCP/OVA group and the high-dose WARCP/OVA group significantly enhanced IgG2a levels (all P<0.05), but the difference was not statistically significant comparing with Alum/OVA group (P>0.05). The low-dose WARCP/OVA group enhanced the percentage of CD4⁺ T cells in spleen and CD4⁺ T, CD8⁺ T, CD4⁺CD44⁺ T cells in lymph nodes (all P<0.05). The medium dose WARCP/OVA group and the high dose WARCP/OVA group enhanced the CD4⁺ T, CD8⁺ T, CD4⁺CD44⁺ T, CD8⁺CD44⁺ T cells in spleen and CD8⁺CD44⁺ T cell in lymph nodes (all P<0.05). Conclusions Plant-derived WARCP as an OVA protein vaccine adjuvant can enhance cellular immunity and humoral immunity, and it is safe and reliable. The results in this study provide a theoretical basis for the popularization and application of WARCP.

Objective To compare the immunopotentiating effects of polysaccharides extracted from wild/cultivate Cistanehe deserticola (WCDPS/CCDPS) in Xinjiang. Methods ICR mice were subcu-taneously injected twice with different doses(low,medium and high) of WCDPS and CCDPS in combination with ovalbumin (OVA). OVA-specific antibody IgG,as well as IgG1 and IgG2a subtypes, was determined by ELISA. OVA-specific lymphocyte proliferation was measured by MTT. Expression of CD4+T and CD8+T cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. Results Both WCDPS and CCDPS could significantly improve the production of OVA-specific IgG,IgG1 and IgG2a,promote the proliferation of OVA-specific lymphocytes and increase the expression of CD4+T and CD8+T cells(all P<0.05) with no significant difference between them at the same dosages (P>0.05). WCDPS and CCDPS had no influence on the body weight of mice after im-munization. Conclusion WCDSP and CCDPS could significantly enhance the OVA-specific humoral and cellular immune responses with no statistical difference and are characterized by high safety.

Objective To study the effects of aqueous extracts of cultivated Cistanche deserticola Y. C. Ma (AECCD) on T cell responses and the duration of antibody response and to investigate its immunoen-hancing activities in mice. Methods Two batches of female ICR mice were used in this study with 30 from each batch. Each batch of mice was randomly divided into six groups (n=5). Low, medium and high doses of AECCD in combination with ovalbumin ( OVA) were used to set up three experimental groups, while 0. 9% NaCl, OVA alone and aluminium adjuvant were respectively used as blank, negative and positive controls. All mice were intramuscularly injected twice at an interval of two weeks. Flow cytometry was used to detect the ex-pression of T lymphocyte subsets, cytokines and surface molecules of dendritic cells (DC). Indirect ELISA was used to detect IgG antibody levels. Results AECCD could significantly increase the percentage of CD4+and CD8+T lymphocytes in spleen (P<0. 05), up-regulate the expression of CD4+CD44+and CD8+CD44+effector T lymphocytes (P<0. 05), promote the secretion of IFN-γ in T lymphocytes and enhance the expression of CD40 and CD80 on the surface of DC (P<0. 05). ELISA results showed that high-dose AECCD could significantly prolong the duration of IgG antibody response induced by OVA (P<0. 05). Conclusion AECCD could en-hance the T lymphocyte immune response induced by OVA and keep it maintained at a high level, which might help to improve the body′s immune response.