OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of the "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture on key regulatory factors during mitochondrial apoptosis of testicular tissue in asthenozoospermia mice, and explore the potential mechanism of the protective effect of acupuncture on reproductive function. METHODS: Thirty C57BL/6 male mice were randomly divided into a blank group, a model group and an acupuncture group, 10 mice in each group. In the model and the acupuncture groups, the intraperitoneal injection of cyclophosphamide (30 mg•kg^-1•d^-1) was delivered for 7 days to prepare the asthenozoospermia model. After the success of modeling, the modeled mice in the acupuncture group were intervened with "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward-"Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture, once daily and the needles were retained for 20 min. The duration of the intervention was 2 weeks. The general condition of each mouse was observed, and the body mass was recorded before modeling, after modeling and after intervention completion. After intervention, the testicular mass was recorded and the weight coefficient was calculated, and the mouse sperm quality was examined; the serum contents of testosterone (T), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) were detected using ELISA, the morphology of testicular tissue was observed using HE, the mitochondrial ultra-microstructure of testicular tissue was observed under transmission electrone microscopy, the mitochondrial membrane potential level of testicular tissue was detected using JC-1 staining, the positive rate of apoptosis cell of testicular tissue was observed using TUNEL; and the mRNA and protein expression of b-cell lymphocytoma-2 (Bcl-2), Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), cytochrome c (Cyt C), apoptotic protease-activating factor1 (Apaf-1), Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 of testicular tissue was detected using real-time quantitative fluorescence PCR and Western blot methods separately; and the positive expression of Cleaved Caspase-3 of the testicular tissue was detected using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with the blank group, the mice were in listless spirits, had shaggy hairs, the reduced appetite and movement, and weight loss in the model group (P<0.01); the testicular mass and the weight coefficient decreased (P<0.01); the total number of sperms, sperm motility, and sperm viability were declined (P<0.01); while the levels of serum T, FSH, and LH were dropped (P<0.01). The morphology of seminiferous tubules in testicular tissue was abnormal, the number of spermatogenic cells and the number of mitochondria decreased, the inner mitochondrial crest was fractured and lost, and vacuoles appeared. The level of mitochondrial membrane potential was reduced (P<0.01); and the positive rate of apoptosis cell in testicular tissue increased (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of Bax, Cyt C, Apaf-1, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 was elevated (P<0.01, P<0.05), the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 was dropped (P<0.01), and the average absorbance value of Cleaved Caspase-3 increased (P<0.01). When compared with the model group, in the acupuncture group, the general condition of mice was improved, the testicular mass and the weight coefficient elevated (P<0.01); the total number of sperms, sperm motility, and sperm viability increased (P<0.01); while the levels of serum T, FSH, and LH rose (P<0.01). The pathological morphology of testicular tissue and the inner mitochondrial ultra-microstructure were ameliorated, the level of mitochondrial membrane potential was elevated (P<0.01); the positive rate of apoptosis cell was reduced (P<0.01). The mRNA and protein expression of Bax, Cyt C, Apaf-1, Caspase-9 and Caspase-3 was dropped (P<0.01, P<0.05), the mRNA and protein expression of Bcl-2 elevated (P<0.05), and the average absorbance value of Cleaved Caspase-3 declined (P<0.01). CONCLUSION "Zhibian" (BL54)-toward- "Shuidao" (ST28) acupuncture may ameliorate mouse reproductive function by inhibiting mitochondrial apoptosis pathway, alleviating testicular tissue damage in the asthenospermia mice induced by cyclophosphamide.
Animals ; Male ; Mice ; Apoptosis ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Mitochondria/metabolism* ; Asthenozoospermia/genetics* ; Humans ; Testis/metabolism* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Spermatozoa/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Points ; Sperm Motility ; Testosterone/blood* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2/genetics* ; Caspase 3/genetics* ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Reproduction ; Cytochromes c/genetics* ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein/genetics* ; Apoptotic Protease-Activating Factor 1/genetics*

Arginine methylation is a critical post-translational modification that plays multifaceted biological functions. However, the manipulation of protein arginine methylation largely depends on genetic or pharmaceutic inhibition of the regulatory enzymes, protein arginine methyltransferases (PRMTs), or non-methylation substitution of corresponding arginine residue to lysine or alanine of protein of interest (POI), which inevitably affects other substrates, or disrupts the structure of POI. Thus, it urges an approach to specifically modulate the arginine methylation of a POI under physiological conditions. To this end, we report the discovery of a methylation tagging system (MeTAG), that enables targeted modification of protein arginine methylation. Through bridging the methyltransferase PRMT5 proximity to a POI, MeTAG facilitates the arginine methylation of POIs, including known arginine methylated proteins, androgen receptor (AR) and protein kinase B (AKT), as well as a neo-substrate E1A binding protein (p300), in a reversible and PRMT5-dependent manner. Moreover, MeTAG can regulate downstream signaling in a methylation dependent manner, leading to downregulation of PSMA mRNA level and activation of AKT. Therefore, MeTAG represents a feasible approach to modulate protein methylation and thereby perturbs protein function in biological and therapeutic contexts.

Objective To investigate the predictive value of morphology-voltage-P wave duration(MVP)electrocardiogram(ECG)score for major adverse cardiovascular events(MACE)in elder-ly patients with coronary heart disease(CHD)and atrial fibrillation(AF)within 1 year after treatment.Methods A total of 122 elderly CHD patients with concomitant AF admitted to our department from August 2020 to June 2023 were enrolled,and divided into MACE group(n=31)and non-MACE group(n=91)according to whether MACE occurred within 1 year after treat-ment.Their clinical data,treatment,laboratory indicators and ECG data were collected and ana-lyzed.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors of MACE,and ROC curve was drawn to calculate the AUC value of MVP ECG score in the prediction of MACE occurrence.Results The MACE group had significantly higher Gensini score,C-reactive protein(CRP)level and MVP ECG score,and lower LVEF value than the non-MACE group(P＜0.01).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that Gensini score,CRP,LVEF and MVP ECG score were the influencing factors for MACE in elderly CHD patients complicated with AF within 1 year after treatment(OR=4.562,95％CI:1.881-11.064,P=0.001;OR=5.127,95％CI:1.865-14.096,P=0.001;OR=0.998,95％CI:0.687-0.959,P=0.012;OR=4.829,95％CI:2.343-9.953,P=0.001).ROC curve analysis indicated that the AUC value of MVP ECG score in predic-ting MACE within 1 year after treatment in these patients was 0.820,and the optimal cut-off val-ue was 3,the sensitivity was 77.78％and the specificity was 61.00％.Conclusion MVP ECG score has a good predictive value for MACE in elderly CHD patients with concomitant AF within 1 year after treatment.

Objective To investigate the clinical features,associated risk factors,and prognosis of gastrointestinal acute graft-ver-sus-host disease(GI-GVHD)after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(allo-HSCT).Methods The clinical data of 201 patients who underwent allo-HSCT in Affiliated Hospital of Xuzhou Medical University from January 2017 to July 2020 were retro-spectively analyzed,and grouped according to the occurrence of GI-GVHD.The factors associated with the occurrence of GI-GVHD were evaluated by univariate Logistic regression analysis,and the independent risk factors of their onset were evaluated by multivariate Logistic regression analysis,and further analyzed the effects of GI-GVHD on survival and prognosis.Results GI-GVHD occurred in 36 cases(17.9％)of the 201 patients who received allo-HSCT,with a median time to occur of 34(9-88)days and a median survival time of 228(21-1759)days,with an overall survival rate of 36.1％.The overall survival(OS)was significantly lower in patients who developed GI-GVHD at follow-up(36.1％vs 75.0％)compared with those without GI-GVHD,and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.004).Patients with GI-GVHD were characterized by persistent nausea and vomiting,abdominal pain,diarrhea,and gastrointestinal bleeding,often accompanied by damage to target organs such as the skin and liver.The results of univariate Logistic re-gression analysis showed that donor-recipient gender relationship(P=0.012),graft type(P=0.054),human leukocyte antigen(HLA)locus discrepancy(P=0.015),use of carbapenem antibiotics during pretreatment(P=0.029),use of carbapenems for more than 7 days during pretreatment(P=0.007),and early bloodstream infection(BSI,P=0.023)were influential factors in the occurrence of GI-GV HD.The results of multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that female donor to male recipients(P=0.009,OR=8.866),non-related incompatible grafts(P=0.043,OR=16.532),carbapenem use for more than 7 days during pretreatment(P=0.023,OR=0.079),and early BSI(P=0.008,OR=0.165)were independent risk factors for the occurrence of GI-GVHD.Recipi-ent age,disease type,presence of underlying disease,graft type,duration of transplantation,the addition of antithymocyte globulin(ATG)to the pretreatment regimen,GVHD prophylaxis regimen,number of mononuclear cells(MNC)and CD34+cells returned,gran-ulocyte and megakaryocyte lineage time to reconstitution,and the occurrence of other types of GVHD were not risk factors for the occur-rence of GI-GVHD.The results of survival analysis showed that OS in the GI-GVHD group was significantly lower than that in the non-GI-GVHD group(36.1％vs 75.0％),and the difference was statistically significant(P=0.004).Conclusion Female donor to male recipients,non-related incompatible grafts,carbapenem use for more than 7 days during pretreatment,and early BSI may be the major risk factors for GI-GVHD,and the survival rate of patients with GI-GVHD after transplantation will be reduced.

BACKGROUND:Internal tension-reduction technique is to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament through high-strength suture system combined with tendon.It can effectively reduce graft relaxation and frets by sharing the internal load of the knee joint,and has achieved good biomechanical results and clinical efficacy.However,whether it can reduce cartilage degeneration after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction through stress sharing reduction has not been studied. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effect of internal tension-reduction technique on articular cartilage degeneration in southern Yunnan small-ear pigs undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. METHODS:Ten adult female Yunnan small-ear pigs were selected,and the ipsilateral knee Achilles tendon was taken from the left knee joint for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction(normal group,n=10),and the ipsilateral knee Achilles tendon from the right knee joint combined with internal tension-reduction and augmentation system for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction(tension-reduction group,n=10).One year after surgery,the experimental pigs were sacrificed,and the left and right knee cartilage was taken for hematoxylin-eosin staining,Safranin O-fast green staining,Osteoarthritis Research Society International scoring,and immunohistochemistry staining of type Ⅱ collagen,interleukin-1β,and tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the cartilage. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that in the tension-reduction group,there were mild pathologic changes of osteoarthritis,with a low number of empty bone lacunae and no obvious pathological changes such as fibrosis or cell layer breakage;in the normal group,more severe cartilage damage,with an increased number of empty bone lacunae,loss of chondrocytes near the bone and even the formation of fissures.Safranin O-fast green staining indicated that the tension-reduction group had normal cartilage tissue thickness,flat cartilage surface,a neat cell arrangement in a polar pattern,and no swelling or apoptosis,while in the normal group,the thickness of cartilage tissue was obviously thinner,the cell arrangement was disordered with no polarity,the number of cells was reduced,obvious cartilage fractures and cartilage vacuoles formed,and the absence of cells near the central bone was obvious.The Osteoarthritis Research Society International score was significantly lower in the tension-reduction group than in the normal group(P＜0.05).Immunohistochemical findings showed that the protein expression of type Ⅱ collagen in cartilage tissue of the tension-reducing group was higher than that of the normal group(P＜0.05),and the protein expression of interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor ɑ in cartilage tissue was lower than that of normal group(P＜0.05).To conclude,internal tension-reduction technique can delay the degeneration of articular cartilage in Yunnan small-eared pigs following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Objective:To investigate the feasibility of expectant management of different degrees of vaginal fluid in pregnant women with premature rupture of membranes in the second trimester.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted to collect 103 pregnant women who were diagnosed with premature rupture of membranes in the second trimester of pregnancy and insisted on continuing the pregnancy in Shanxi Bethune Hospital from July 2012 to July 2022. According to the degree of vaginal fluid, pregnant women were divided into rupture group (with typical vaginal fluid, 48 cases) and leakage group (without typical vaginal fluid, 55 cases). The rupture latency (the time from rupture of membranes to termination of pregnancy), gestational weeks of termination, indications and methods of termination of pregnancy, maternal infection related indicators and perinatal outcomes were compared between the two groups. Univariate regression model was used to analyze the correlation between different degrees of vaginal fluid in pregnant women with premature rupture of membranes and maternal and neonatal outcomes.Results:(1) Obstetric indicators: there was no significant difference in the gestational age of rupture of membranes between the two groups ( P>0.05). However, the proportion of rupture latency >28 days in the leakage group was significantly higher than that in the rupture group [42% (23/55) vs 13% (6/48); χ2=33.673, P<0.001], and the incidence of pregnancy termination ≥28 weeks was significantly higher [47% (26/55) vs 19% (9/48); χ2=9.295, P=0.002]. (2) Indications and methods of termination: the incidence of progressive reduction of amniotic fluid as the indication for termination in the leakage group was significantly lower than that in the rupture group [22% (12/55) vs 42% (20/48); χ2=4.715, P=0.030], and the incidence of full-term termination in the leakage group was significantly higher than that in the rupture group [31% (17/55) vs 12% (6/48); χ2=5.008, P=0.025], while there were no significant differences in the indications of termination of pregnancy, including amniotic cavity infection, uterine contraction failure and fetal distress between the two groups (all P>0.05). The incidence of induced labor or spontaneous contraction in the leakage group was significantly lower than that in the rupture group [53% (29/55) vs 81% (39/48); χ2=9.295, P=0.002], while the cesarean section rate and vaginal delivery rate were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). (3) Infection related indicators: the incidence of amniotic cavity infection in the leakage group was significantly higher than that in the rupture group [31% (17/55) vs 13% (6/48); χ2=4.003, P=0.045]. However, there were no significant differences in the elevation of inflammatory indicators, the positive rate of cervical secretion bacterial culture and the incidence of tissue chorioamnionitis between the two groups (all P>0.05). (4) Perinatal outcomes: the live birth rate in the leakage group was significantly higher than that in the rupture group [51% (28/55) vs 27% (13/48); χ2=5.119, P=0.024]. The proportion of live births with 1-minute Apgar score >7 in the leakage group was significantly higher than that in the rupture group [38% (21/55) vs 17% (8/48); χ2=4.850, P=0.028]. However, there were no significant differences in the birth weight of live births and the incidence of neonatal complications between the two groups (all P>0.05). (5) Univariate regression analysis showed that compared with the rupture group, the leakage group had a higher risk of pregnancy termination at ≥28 gestational weeks ( RR=2.521, 95% CI: 1.314-4.838; P=0.002), amniotic infection ( RR=2.473, 95% CI: 1.061-5.764; P=0.025), perinatal survival ( RR=1.880, 95% CI: 1.104-3.199; P=0.014). Conclusion:Compared with pregnant women with typical vaginal fluid in the second trimester of premature rupture of membranes, expectant treatment for pregnant women with atypical vaginal fluid is more feasible, which could effectively prolong the gestational weeks and improve the perinatal live birth rate.

Objective To illuminate the benefit finding experience of maintenance hemodialysis patients,and to provide a reference for promoting their mental health.Methods From March to May 2023,the purposive sampling was used to select 13 maintenance hemodialysis patients in a tertiary hospital in Shanghai for semi-structured interviews.The data were organized with the help of Nvivo software,and the Colaizzi's seven-step method was used to analyze the data.Results 3 themes were extracted:①the search of meaning,including approved hemodialysis,the desire to live;②gaining a sense of mastery,including adjusting self-psychology,developing healthy living habits,and learning hemodialysis related behavior management;(3)self-enhancement,including excavating external resources and affirming self-worth.Conclusion Maintenance hemodialysis patients have benefit finding experience in many aspects.Medical staff can guide patients to carry out positive psychological construction by strengthening disease knowledge education,building a psychological mutual assistance platform,forming a multidisciplinary nursing team,excavate and provide effective social support resources,and cultivate patients'self-health management,so as to improve the level and ability of benefit finding of patients,experience positive incentives,promote physical and mental health,and improve the quality of life of hemodialysis patients.

Objective We aimed to investigate the relationship between microscopic pattern of blood stasis and renal pathological grade and related physical and chemical indexes in children with Henoch-Sch?nlein purpura nephritis(HSPN).Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of 800 HSPN children from the medical records of the First Affiliated Hospital of Henan University of Chinese Medicine.Laboratory indicators(blood routine test,urine routine test,coagulation test,liver function)and renal pathological indicators of them were collected.According to the severity of renal pathological microscopic lesions,the microscopic pattern of blood stasis was divided into three types,including choroidal discord,dead blood coagulation and intracarenal disease accumulation.The classification of renal microscopic pattern of blood stasis and the correlation between laboratory indexes and renal pathological index were analyzed by Spearman grade correlation and binary Logistic regression analysis.Results(ⅰ)There was no statistical difference of the distribution of the renal microscopic pattern of blood stasis in the different traditional Chinese medicine patterns.(ⅱ)There were significant differences in the contents or the grade of albumin and fibrinogen in the HSPN children with different microscopic pattern of blood stasis(all P＜0.05).(ⅲ)The maximum area under the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve between fibrinogen and intracarenal disease accumulation was 0.594(95％CI from 0.540 to 0.633,P＜0.001);sensitivity was 0.447,specificity was 0.725;the best threshold on the ROC curve of 0.172 was 3.755 g/L.(ⅳ)There were positive correlations between the content of fibrinogen,ISKDC grade and Bohle A grade respectively with the scores of intracarenal disease accumulation type(r=0.176,r=0.315,r=0.656;all P＜0.001).(ⅴ)There were positive correlations between the content of fibrinogen,ISKDC grade and Bohle A grade respectively with the renal microscopic pattern of blood stasis(r=0.157,r=0.377,r=0.429;all P＜0.001).Conclusion The microscopic renal pattern of blood stasis can not only reflect the severity of renal blood stasis,but also reflect the severity and long-term prognosis of renal diseases.Albumin and urinary protein grade can reflect the early stage of the microscopic renal pattern of the blood stasis(choroidal discord).The content of fibrinogen increases with the aggravation of renal microscopic pattern of blood stasis,reflecting the end-stage of HSPN,which has the correlation with the formation and severity of related indexes.Fibrinogen can be used as a laboratory indicator to assist in the diagnosis of irreversible lesionsin the renal pathology of HSPN children.

Objective:To evaluate and screen the regimens of tigecycline intraventricular injection in extensively drug resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (XDRAB) intracranial infection based on Monte Carlo simulation and pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic (PK/PD) model.Methods:Nine patients with XDRAB intracranial infection confirmed as having susceptibility to tigecycline or polymyxin antimicrobials from January 1, 2018 to December 31, 2023 were screened from electronic medical record system in Second Affiliated Hospital of Shandong First Medical University. WHONET software was used to extract pathogen susceptibility data isolated from cerebrospinal fluid samples. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of tigecycline against XDRAB was analyzed by drug susceptibility test; different regimens for intraventricular tigecycline injection were designed based on MIC: 2 mg/12 h, 3 mg/12 h, 4 mg/12 h, 5 mg/12 h, 6 mg/12 h, and 10 mg/12 h, with drug concentration of 0.5 mg/mL or 1.0 mg/mL once a day. Target value of PK/PD index was set as ?C max/MIC≥8; Monte Carlo was used to simulate the compliance of PK/PD index of tigecycline with different MIC against XDRAB for different dosed regimens (probability of target attainment [PTA] and cumulative fraction of response [CFR]); the best regiment was selected (screening basis: PTA≥90% or CFR≥90%). Results:(1) A total of 27 strains of pathogenic bacteria from 9 patients were extracted from drug susceptibility test, in which MIC of tigecycline against XDRAB was 55.56% for 2 mg/L, 25.93% for 4 mg/L, and 18.52% for 8 mg/L. (2) When the drug concentration was 0.5 mg/mL or 1.0 mg/mL, respectively, all 6 regimens had PTA>90% at 2 mg/L MIC; 5 regimens, except for 2 mg/12 h, had PTA>90% at 4 mg/L MIC; regimens of 5 mg/12 h, 6 mg/12 h, and 10 mg/12 h could achieve PTA>90% at 8 mg/L MIC. (3) When the drug concentration was 0.5 mg/mL, regimens of 4 mg/12 h, 5 mg/12 h, 6 mg/12 h, and 10 mg/12 h could achieve CFR>90%; when the drug concentration was 1 mg/mL, regimens of 4 mg/12 h, 5 mg/12 h, 6 mg/12 h, and 10 mg/12 h could achieve CFR>92%.Conclusion:In intraventricular tigecycline injection for XDRAB intracranial infection, 2 mg/12 h regimen is available in 2 mg/L MIC, 3 mg/12 h regimen is available in 4 mg/L MIC, and 5 mg/12 h regimen is available in 8 mg/L MIC, with either 0.5 mg/mL or 1 mg/mL concentration.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the value of fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique for the verification of the clonalities of non-clonal cytogenetic abnormalities (n-CCA) identified by conventional chromosome banding analysis (CBA) in patients with Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). METHODS: Clinical data and results of karyotyping and FISH assays for 91 patients of MDS with n-CCA identified by CBA were retrospectively analyzed. In total 94 non-clonal +8, 5q-, -7/7q- or 20q- were detected by CBA, among which 43 (45.7%) were verified to be clonal abnormalities by FISH. RESULTS: The detection rates for +8, 5q-, -7/7q- and 20q- by FISH were 47.6% (30/63), 25% (2/8), 41.7% (5/12), 40% (2/5) and 66.7% (4/6), respectively, with the positive cells accounting for 4% to 90% of all counted cells, with a median value of 7%. The 91 patients were divided into three groups including ≥ 20, 10 ~< 20 and < 10 based on the numbers of metaphase cells in CBA, and the detection rates by FISH for the three groups were 43.7% (31/71), 33.3% (3/9) and 63.6% (7/11), respectively, which showed no statistically difference (P > 0.05). Continuous CBA and FISH surveys were conducted for 26 patients who received supportive treatment, and the results revealed that 91.7% (11/12) of FISH-verified positive abnormalities had persisted, whereas 92.9% (13/14) of the n-CCA verified as negative by FISH was transient. CONCLUSION Nearly half of the CBA identified n-CCA have been verified as clonal aberrations by FISH, and the FISH detection rate showed no correlation with the number of metaphase cells. FISH test is strongly recommended for verifying the clonalities of n-CCA detected by CBA, and continuous cytogenetic survey of the patients with MDS is necessary.
Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Retrospective Studies ; Chromosome Aberrations ; Karyotyping ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes/genetics*