Extensive studies have identified potential adverse effects on semen quality of obesity, based on body mass index, but the association between body fat distribution, a more relevant indicator for obesity, and semen quality remains less clear. We conducted a longitudinal study of 4304 sperm donors from the Guangdong Provincial Human Sperm Bank (Guangzhou, China) during 2017-2021. A body composition analyzer was used to measure total and local body fat percentage for each participant. Generalized estimating equations were employed to assess the association between body fat percentage and sperm count, motility, and morphology. We estimated that each 10% increase in total body fat percentage (estimated change [95% confidence interval, 95% CI]) was significantly associated with a 0.18 × 10 6 (0.09 × 10 6 -0.27 × 10 6 ) ml and 12.21 × 10 6 (4.52 × 10 6 -19.91 × 10 6 ) reduction in semen volume and total sperm count, respectively. Categorical analyses and exposure-response curves showed that the association of body fat distribution with semen volume and total sperm count was stronger at higher body fat percentages. In addition, the association still held among normal weight and overweight participants. We observed similar associations for upper limb, trunk, and lower limb body fact distributions. In conclusion, we found that a higher body fat distribution was significantly associated with lower semen quality (especially semen volume) even in men with a normal weight. These findings provide useful clues in exploring body fat as a risk factor for semen quality decline and add to evidence for improving semen quality for those who are expected to conceive.
Humans ; Male ; Adult ; Semen Analysis ; China ; Body Fat Distribution ; Longitudinal Studies ; Sperm Count ; Sperm Motility ; Body Mass Index ; Tissue Donors ; Obesity/complications* ; Spermatozoa ; Young Adult ; Middle Aged ; East Asian People

OBJECTIVES: To analyze the clinical characteristics of diffuse panbronchiolitis (DPB) in children and to enhance the clinical diagnosis and treatment of this disease. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 6 children diagnosed with DPB who were hospitalized at The First Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University from January 2011 to December 2019. RESULTS: Among the 6 patients, there were 2 males and 4 females; the age at diagnosis ranged from 7 to 12 years. All patients presented with cough, sputum production, and exertional dyspnea, and all had a history of sinusitis. Two cases showed positive serum cold agglutinin tests, and 5 cases exhibited pathological changes consistent with chronic bronchiolitis. High-resolution chest CT in all patients revealed centrilobular nodules diffusely distributed throughout both lungs with a tree-in-bud appearance. Five patients received low-dose azithromycin maintenance therapy, but 3 showed inadequate treatment response. After empirical anti-tuberculosis treatment, non-tuberculous Mycobacteria were found in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Follow-up over 2 years showed 1 case cured, 3 cases significantly improved, and 2 cases partially improved. CONCLUSIONS The clinical presentation of DPB is non-specific and can easily lead to misdiagnosis. In cases where DPB is clinically diagnosed but does not show improvement with low-dose azithromycin treatment, special infections should be considered.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Bronchiolitis/drug therapy* ; Retrospective Studies ; Child ; Haemophilus Infections/diagnosis*

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill (STDP) in treating stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome by exercise duration and metabolic equivalents. METHODS: This multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled stable angina patients with phlegm-heat and blood-stasis syndrome from 22 hospitals. They were randomized 1:1 to STDP (35 mg/pill, 6 pills per day) or placebo for 56 days. The primary outcome was the exercise duration and metabolic equivalents (METs) assessed by the standard Bruce exercise treadmill test after 56 days of treatment. The secondary outcomes included the total angina symptom score, Chinese medicine (CM) symptom scores, Seattle Angina Questionnaire (SAQ) scores, changes in ST-T on electrocardiogram and adverse events (AEs). RESULTS: This trial enrolled 309 patients, including 155 and 154 in the STDP and placebo groups, respectively. STDP significantly prolonged exercise duration with an increase of 51.0 s, compared to a decrease of 12.0 s with placebo (change rate: -11.1% vs. 3.2%, P<0.01). The increase in METs was significantly greater in the STDP group than in the placebo group (change: -0.4 vs. 0.0, change rate: -5.0% vs. 0.0%, P<0.01). The improvement of total angina symptom scores (25.0% vs. 0.0%), CM symptom scores (38.7% vs. 11.8%), reduction of nitroglycerin consumption (100.0% vs. 11.3%), and all domains of SAQ, were significantly greater with STDP than placebo (all P<0.01). The changes in Q-T intervals at 28 and 56 days from baseline were similar between the two groups (both P>0.05). Twenty-five participants (16.3%) with STDP and 16 (10.5%) with placebo experienced AEs (P=0.131), with no serious AEs observed. CONCLUSION STDP could improve exercise tolerance in patients with stable angina and phlegm-heat and blood stasis syndrome, with a favorable safety profile. (Registration No. ChiCTR-IPR-15006020).
Humans ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/adverse effects* ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Angina, Stable/physiopathology* ; Aged ; Syndrome ; Treatment Outcome ; Placebos ; Tablets

Objective To investigate the effects of long-term radiofrequency(RF)radiation at 2.65 GHz on behavior,inflammatory response,and intestinal microecology in mice in order to provide a basis for the safety assessment of long-term RF exposure.Methods One hundred and eight male C57BL/6N mice(17～21 g,6～8 weeks old)were randomly assigned to a control group(Con)and a RF exposure group.The mice of the RF exposure group were subjected to whole-body uniform exposure to 2.65 GHz RF radiation in an electromagnetic reverberation chamber for 3 h/day for 28 consecutive days.RF field distribution and changes in core body temperature were monitored using an electromagnetic radiation analyzer and a fiber-optic temperature probe,respectively.Cognitive function was assessed using the Y-maze and novel object recognition(NOR)test.Anxiety-like behaviors were evaluated through open field test(OFT)and elevated plus maze(EPM),while depressive-like behaviors were examined with sucrose preference test(SPT)and tail suspension test(TST).HE staining was used to observe the histopathological changes in mouse tissues.Radioimmunoassay(RIA)was employed to detect the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines,TNF-α and IL-1 β,as well as anti-inflammatory cytokines,IL-4 and IL-10 in the serum,brain,jejunum,and spleen samples.Additionally,metagenomic sequencing was performed to assess alterations in the gut microbiota composition.Results Long-term RF radiation led to a maximal increase of 0.59℃in the core body temperature,but had no significant effects on cognitive function,anxiety-like behaviors,or depressive-like behaviors,or apparent damage of the hippocampal or jejunal tissues in the exposed mice.However,RF exposure significantly up-regulated the expression of the pro-inflammatory cytokine TNF-α in serum(P<0.05),and did not significantly alter the concentrations of other cytokines(IL-1β,IL-4,IL-10),caused significant decrease in α-diversity of the intestinal microbiota(P<0.01),with reduced relative abundances of Ligilactobacillus murinus and Acetatifactor muris(P<0.05),while elevated abundances of Lachnospiraceae bacterium(P<0.01).Conclusion Long-term exposure to 2.65 GHz RF radiation induces systemic inflammatory responses and disrupts gut microbiota homeostasis in mice.

Objective:To evaluate the outcomes of autologous serum eye drops on persistent corneal epithelial defect caused by neurotrophic keratopathy (NK).Methods:An observational case series study was performed.Twenty patients (20 eyes) diagnosed with NK and persistent corneal epithelial defect were enrolled in Beijing Tongren Hospital from January 2020 to January 2021.The affected eyes were graded according to the severity of the lesion and received individualized comprehensive treatment with domestic autologous serum eye drops as the main therapy.The healing time of the corneal epithelial defect after treatment was recorded.The diameter and area of the defect were marked by corneal fluorescein staining.Changes in the diameter and area of the defect before treatment and at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 8 weeks after treatment were observed by slit lamp microscopy at 10×.Logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) visual acuity was recorded with a standard logarithmic visual chart before treatment and at 1, 2, 4, 12, and 24 weeks after treatment.Changes in corneal nerve fiber distribution and silk length of corneal perception were assessed by confocal laser scanning microscopy and Cochet-Bonnet esthesiometry, respectively, before treatment and at 4, 12, and 24 weeks after treatment.Influences of corneal defect characteristics on the healing time were analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Beijing Tongren Hospital Affiliated to Capital Medical University (No.TRECKY2021-110). Written informed consent was obtained from each subject.Results:The corneal epithelial defect was 5.00 (4.00, 5.75) mm in diameter and 15.50 (12.00, 20.00) mm 2 in area before treatment.There were 45% (9/20) with corneal stroma edema and 35% (7/20) with endothelial fold.One diabetic patient with uveitis had a corneal epithelial defect area greater than 8 mm×6 mm and accepted additional corneal clearance and amniotic membrane transplantation after 2 weeks of autologous serum eye drops application.The other 19 patients received autologous serum eye drops therapy.All eyes showed complete recovery.The pretreatment duration of autologous serum eye drops ranged from 2 weeks to 3 months, with a mean of (39.55±25.34) days.The repair time of corneal epithelium ranged from 12 to 42 days, with a mean of (19.68±9.25) days.There were statistically significant differences in corneal defect diameter and area between before and after treatment ( χ2=43.130, 28.265; both at P<0.001). Corneal defect area and diameter decreased at various time points after treatment compared to before treatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in LogMAR visual acuity between before and after treatment ( χ2=84.229, P<0.001). LogMAR visual acuity improved at 1, 2, 4, 12, and 24 weeks after treatment compared to pretreatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in silk length of corneal perception between before and after treatment ( χ2=55.295, P<0.001). Silk length of corneal perception improved at 4, 12 and 24 weeks compared to pretreatment, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). Baseline corneal defect severity grade was positively correlated with healing time ( β=10.55, P=0.032). Corneal defect diameter and area had no influence on the healing time ( β=-2.02, P=0.501; β=0.49, P=0.199). Conclusions:Autologous serum eye drop therapy is safe and effective for persistent corneal defects caused by NK.Re-application of autologous serum eye drops is still effective in individual patients with recurrent corneal defects after discontinuation of serum treatment.It can be combined with surgery for intractable cases.

Objective Tissue uptake and distribution of nano-/microplastics was studied at a single high dose by gavage in vivo.Methods Fluorescent microspheres (100 nm, 3 μm, and 10 μm) were given once at a dose of 200 mg/(kg·body weight). The fluorescence intensity (FI) in observed organs was measured using the IVIS Spectrum at 0.5, 1, 2, and 4 h after administration. Histopathology was performed to corroborate these findings.Results In the 100 nm group, the FI of the stomach and small intestine were highest at 0.5 h, and the FI of the large intestine, excrement, lung, kidney, liver, and skeletal muscles were highest at 4 h compared with the control group (P < 0.05). In the 3 μm group, the FI only increased in the lung at 2 h (P < 0.05). In the 10 μm group, the FI increased in the large intestine and excrement at 2 h, and in the kidney at 4 h (P < 0.05). The presence of nano-/microplastics in tissues was further verified by histopathology. The peak time of nanoplastic absorption in blood was confirmed.Conclusion Nanoplastics translocated rapidly to observed organs/tissues through blood circulation;however, only small amounts of MPs could penetrate the organs.

Methods: A total of 10 specific pathogen free (SPF) grade female DBA/2J mice were randomly divided into model group and QGA II group (n = 5 for each group), while additional 5 SPF-grade female C57BL/6J mice were assigned to control group. Mice presented spontaneous high IOP and showed elevated approximately at the age of seven months. The high IOP was maintained until week 38, when gavage was initiated. Mice in control group underwent the same intragastric treatment, while those in QGA II group were gavaged with QGA II (9.67 g/kg), once a day for four weeks. Retinal morphology was examined using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, with the number of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) counted. The expression level of Brn3a protein, a specific marker for RGCs, was detected by immunofluorescence, with the mean optical density (OD) measured for quantitative analysis. In addition, 16S rDNA sequencing was leveraged to analyze changes in the diversity of gut microbiota, including their α-diversity (Chao1, Shannon, Pielou’s evenness, and observed species index) and β-diversity. Venn diagrams and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis was employed to investigate the number of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), the abundance of differential gut microbiota species, and the classification of species at both the phylum and genus levels within the three groups of mice. Results: HE staining revealed that compared with control group, model group showed significant reduction in the number of RGCs (P < 0.01), with intracellular vacuolar degeneration and nuclear pyknosis. After QGA II treatment, the number of RGCs was significantly increased compared with model group (P < 0.01), with notable improvements in intracellular vacuolar degeneration. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that the mean OD of Brn3a protein was significantly decreased in model group compared with control group (P < 0.01), while QGA II treatment significantly elevated its expression level (P < 0.01). Analysis of α-diversity showed that after QGA II intervention, the Chao1, Shannon, and Pielou’s evenness indices were significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the observed species index was elevated (P < 0.05). β-Diversity analysis demonstrated distinct clustering among the three groups, indicating relatively low similarity in bacterial community structures. ASV clustering identified a total of 14 061 ASVs across all groups, with 9 514 ASVs shared between model and QGA II groups. At the phylum level, the abundance of Bacteroidetes was significantly decreased in model group compared with control group (P < 0.01), while Firmicutes and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio were significantly increased (P < 0.01). QGA II treatment significantly reduced both Firmicutes abundance and the F/B ratio (P < 0.01). At the genus level, Lactobacillus was dominant across all groups, with its abundance significantly increased in model group (P < 0.01) and subsequently decreased following QGA II intervention (P < 0.05). Conclusion QGA II restructured the gut microbiota of DBA/2J mice with chronic high IOP, bringing changes in their diversity and abundance of components. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Lactobacillus, along with their associated microorganisms, are likely critical components of the gut microbiota that contribute to the optic neuroprotective effects of QGA II on chronic high IOP mice.

Bacterial biofilms gave rise to persistent infections and multi-organ failure, thereby posing a serious threat to human health. Biofilms were formed by cross-linking of hydrophobic extracellular polymeric substances (EPS), such as proteins, polysaccharides, and eDNA, which were synthesized by bacteria themselves after adhesion and colonization on biological surfaces. They had the characteristics of dense structure, high adhesiveness and low drug permeability, and had been found in many human organs or tissues, such as the brain, heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys, gastrointestinal tract, and skeleton. By releasing pro-inflammatory bacterial metabolites including endotoxins, exotoxins and interleukin, biofilms stimulated the body’s immune system to secrete inflammatory factors. These factors triggered local inflammation and chronic infections. Those were the key reason for the failure of traditional clinical drug therapy for infectious diseases.In order to cope with the increasingly severe drug-resistant infections, it was urgent to develop new therapeutic strategies for bacterial-biofilm eradication and anti-bacterial infections. Based on the nanoscale structure and biocompatible activity, nanobiomaterials had the advantages of specific targeting, intelligent delivery, high drug loading and low toxicity, which could realize efficient intervention and precise treatment of drug-resistant bacterial biofilms. This paper highlighted multiple strategies of biofilms eradication based on nanobiomaterials. For example, nanobiomaterials combined with EPS degrading enzymes could be used for targeted hydrolysis of bacterial biofilms, and effectively increased the drug enrichment within biofilms. By loading quorum sensing inhibitors, nanotechnology was also an effective strategy for eradicating bacterial biofilms and recovering the infectious symptoms. Nanobiomaterials could intervene the bacterial metabolism and break the bacterial survival homeostasis by blocking the uptake of nutrients. Moreover, energy-driven micro-nano robotics had shown excellent performance in active delivery and biofilm eradication. Micro-nano robots could penetrate physiological barriers by exogenous or endogenous driving modes such as by biological or chemical methods, ultrasound, and magnetic field, and deliver drugs to the infection sites accurately. Achieving this using conventional drugs was difficult. Overall, the paper described the biological properties and drug-resistant molecular mechanisms of bacterial biofilms, and highlighted therapeutic strategies from different perspectives by nanobiomaterials, such as dispersing bacterial mature biofilms, blocking quorum sensing, inhibiting bacterial metabolism, and energy driving penetration. In addition, we presented the key challenges still faced by nanobiomaterials in combating bacterial biofilm infections. Firstly, the dense structure of EPS caused biofilms spatial heterogeneity and metabolic heterogeneity, which created exacting requirements for the design, construction and preparation process of nanobiomaterials. Secondly, biofilm disruption carried the risk of spread and infection the pathogenic bacteria, which might lead to other infections. Finally, we emphasized the role of nanobiomaterials in the development trends and translational prospects in biofilm treatment.

Objective:To investigate the clinical and gene variant characteristics of PCDH19 gene related epilepsy, and improve the ability of clinicians in early disease identification. Methods:The clinical data of 3 PCDH19 gene related epilepsy patients admitted to Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from October 2018 to August 2023 diagnosed by gene detection were reviewed and analyzed. Results:All the patients are female, and the onset age of seizure ranged in their infancy. Seizures in clusters and fever sensitivity were observed in all patients, and were very hard to control by single-drug treatment. Proband 1 was seizure-free after 2 kinds of anti-epileptic drug treatment, but with mild degree of intellectual disability. Proband 2 had refractory epilepsy with severe degree of intellectual disability. Proband 3 was seizure-free after 2 kinds of anti-epileptic drug treatment and without intellectual disability. In the first family, the proband carried heterozygous c.369C>G variant in the PCDH19 gene which was identified as de novo after parental validation. In the second family, the proband carried c.1652T>A variant inherited from her mother. In the third family, the proband carried c.278G>A variant inherited from her father. The 3 mutations had not been reported in the Human Gene Mutation Database. Conclusions:PCDH19 gene related epilepsy is one special kind of X-linked inherited epilepsy syndrome characterized by seizures in clusters and sensitivity to fever. And gene detection can help with early diagnosis and make rational clinical strategies in time. The variants c.369C>G, c.1652T>A and c.278G>A have enriched the gene variant spectrum of PCDH19.

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics and prognosis of pneumococcal meningitis(PM),and drug sensitivity of Streptococcus pneumoniae(SP)isolates in Chinese children.Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical information,laboratory data,and microbiological data of 160 hospitalized children under 15 years old with PM from January 2019 to December 2020 in 33 tertiary hospitals across the country.Results Among the 160 children with PM,there were 103 males and 57 females.The age ranged from 15 days to 15 years,with 109 cases(68.1% )aged 3 months to under 3 years.SP strains were isolated from 95 cases(59.4% )in cerebrospinal fluid cultures and from 57 cases(35.6% )in blood cultures.The positive rates of SP detection by cerebrospinal fluid metagenomic next-generation sequencing and cerebrospinal fluid SP antigen testing were 40% (35/87)and 27% (21/78),respectively.Fifty-five cases(34.4% )had one or more risk factors for purulent meningitis,113 cases(70.6% )had one or more extra-cranial infectious foci,and 18 cases(11.3% )had underlying diseases.The most common clinical symptoms were fever(147 cases,91.9% ),followed by lethargy(98 cases,61.3% )and vomiting(61 cases,38.1% ).Sixty-nine cases(43.1% )experienced intracranial complications during hospitalization,with subdural effusion and/or empyema being the most common complication[43 cases(26.9% )],followed by hydrocephalus in 24 cases(15.0% ),brain abscess in 23 cases(14.4% ),and cerebral hemorrhage in 8 cases(5.0% ).Subdural effusion and/or empyema and hydrocephalus mainly occurred in children under 1 year old,with rates of 91% (39/43)and 83% (20/24),respectively.SP strains exhibited complete sensitivity to vancomycin(100% ,75/75),linezolid(100% ,56/56),and meropenem(100% ,6/6).High sensitivity rates were also observed for levofloxacin(81% ,22/27),moxifloxacin(82% ,14/17),rifampicin(96% ,25/26),and chloramphenicol(91% ,21/23).However,low sensitivity rates were found for penicillin(16% ,11/68)and clindamycin(6% ,1/17),and SP strains were completely resistant to erythromycin(100% ,31/31).The rates of discharge with cure and improvement were 22.5% (36/160)and 66.2% (106/160),respectively,while 18 cases(11.3% )had adverse outcomes.Conclusions Pediatric PM is more common in children aged 3 months to under 3 years.Intracranial complications are more frequently observed in children under 1 year old.Fever is the most common clinical manifestation of PM,and subdural effusion/emphysema and hydrocephalus are the most frequent complications.Non-culture detection methods for cerebrospinal fluid can improve pathogen detection rates.Adverse outcomes can be noted in more than 10% of PM cases.SP strains are high sensitivity to vancomycin,linezolid,meropenem,levofloxacin,moxifloxacin,rifampicin,and chloramphenicol.[Chinese Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics,2024,26(2):131-138]