To investigate the impact of preoperative serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels on the probability of testicular sperm retrieval, we conducted a study of nonobstructive azoospermic (NOA) men with different testicular volumes (TVs) who underwent microdissection testicular sperm extraction (micro-TESE). A total of 177 NOA patients undergoing micro-TESE for the first time from April 2019 to November 2022 in Shenzhen Zhongshan Obstetrics and Gynecology Hospital (formerly Shenzhen Zhongshan Urology Hospital, Shenzhen, China) were retrospectively reviewed. The subjects were divided into four groups based on average TV quartiles. Serum hormone levels in each TV group were compared between positive and negative sperm retrieval subgroups. Overall sperm retrieval rate was 57.6%. FSH levels (median [interquartile range]) were higher in the positive sperm retrieval subgroup compared with the negative outcome subgroup when average TV was <5 ml (first quartile [Q1: TV <3 ml]: 43.32 [17.92] IU l -1 vs 32.95 [18.56] IU l -1 , P = 0.048; second quartile [Q2: 3 ml ≤ TV <5 ml]: 31.31 [15.37] IU l -1 vs 25.59 [18.40] IU l -1 , P = 0.042). Elevated serum FSH levels were associated with successful micro-TESE sperm retrieval in NOA men whose average TVs were <5 ml (adjusted odds ratio [OR]: 1.06 per unit increase; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.01-1.11; P = 0.011). In men with TVs ≥5 ml, larger TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval (adjusted OR: 0.84 per 1 ml increase; 95% CI: 0.71-0.98; P = 0.029). In conclusion, elevated serum FSH levels were associated with positive sperm retrieval in micro-TESE in NOA men with TVs <5 ml. In men with TV ≥5 ml, increases in average TVs were associated with lower odds of sperm retrieval.
Humans ; Male ; Azoospermia/surgery* ; Sperm Retrieval/statistics & numerical data* ; Adult ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone/blood* ; Retrospective Studies ; Testis/pathology* ; Microdissection ; Organ Size

The aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of lung zinc ions to pathogenesis of lung ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury in rats. Male Sprague Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into control group, lung I/R group (I/R group), lung I/R + low-dose zinc chloride group (LZnCl₂+I/R group), lung I/R + high-dose ZnCl₂ group (HZnCl₂+I/R group), lung I/R + medium-dose ZnCl₂ group (MZnCl₂+I/R group) and TPEN+MZnCl₂+I/R group (n = 8 in each group). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to measure the concentration of zinc ions in lung tissue. The degree of lung tissue injury was analyzed by observing HE staining, alveolar damage index, lung wet/dry weight ratio and lung tissue gross changes. TUNEL staining was used to detect cellular apoptosis in lung tissue. Western blot and RT-qPCR were used to determine the protein expression levels of caspase-3 and ZIP8, as well as the mRNA expression levels of zinc transporters (ZIP, ZNT) in lung tissue. The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) of lung tissue was detected by JC-1 MMP detection kit. The results showed that, compared with the control group, the lung tissue damage, lung wet/dry weight ratio and alveolar damage index were significantly increased in the I/R group. And in the lung tissue, the concentration of Zn²⁺ was markedly decreased, while the cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 ratio and apoptotic levels were significantly increased. The expression levels of ZIP8 mRNA and protein were down-regulated significantly, while the mRNA expression of other zinc transporters remained unchanged. There was also a significant decrease in MMP. Compared with the I/R group, both MZnCl₂+I/R group and HZnCl₂+I/R group exhibited significantly reduced lung tissue injury, lung wet/dry weight ratio and alveolar damage index, increased Zn²⁺ concentration, decreased ratio of cleaved caspase-3/caspase-3 and apoptosis, and up-regulated expression levels of ZIP8 mRNA and protein. In addition, the MMP was significantly increased in the lung tissue. Zn²⁺ chelating agent TPEN reversed the above-mentioned protective effects of medium-dose ZnCl₂ on the lung tissue in the I/R group. The aforementioned results suggest that exogenous administration of ZnCl₂ can improve lung I/R injury in rats.
Animals ; Reperfusion Injury/pathology* ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rats ; Chlorides/administration & dosage* ; Lung/pathology* ; Zinc Compounds/administration & dosage* ; Apoptosis/drug effects* ; Caspase 3/metabolism* ; Cation Transport Proteins/metabolism*

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of methylation sensitive-high resolution melting curve (MS-HRM) detection of IFN-induced protein 44-like (IFI44L) gene methylation in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as well as the relationship between IFI44L gene markers and the early onset of SLE.Methods:From February 2020 to September 2022, the MS-HRM was used to detect the methylation level of the IFI44L gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 602 SLE patients and 524 other autoimmune disease patients (excluding SLE) from Beijing Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital, and Shenzhen People′s Hospital, totaling 1 126 patients. Compared with the 2012 SLICC criteria, the suspected cases were followed up for 6 months until the onset and clinical diagnosis of SLE were confirmed. The measurement data of normal distribution were expressed as mean±SD, and the consistency analysis was performed using the Kappa consistency test. The clinical diagnostic efficacy indicators were calculated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:RR (95% CI) of early suspected cases was 17.06 (9.43, 30.82). The results of IFI44L gene methylation level were in good agreement with the 2012 SLICC criteria, and the sensitivity, specificity and total coincidence rate were 90.53%, 92.56% and 91.47%, respectively. The Kappa value (95% CI) was 0.829(0.796, 0.862) ( P<0.001). The diagnostic efficiency of IFI44L gene methylation level ( Kappa value 0.817) was superior to anti-nuclear antibody, anti-SM antibody and anti-dsDNA antibody ( Kappa value 0.418, 0.216 and 0.440, respectively). The Kappa values (95% CI) of methylation between MS-HRM and pyrosequencing was 0.861(0.806, 0.916), P<0.001. Conclusion:The hypomethylation of IFI44L gene methylation level detected by MS-HRM is closely related to the occurrence and development of SLE, and its diagnostic performance is better than that of three autoantibodies in SLE diagnosis, which can be used for the early diagnosis of SLE.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of methylation sensitive-high resolution melting curve (MS-HRM) detection of IFN-induced protein 44-like (IFI44L) gene methylation in the diagnosis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), as well as the relationship between IFI44L gene markers and the early onset of SLE.Methods:From February 2020 to September 2022, the MS-HRM was used to detect the methylation level of the IFI44L gene in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 602 SLE patients and 524 other autoimmune disease patients (excluding SLE) from Beijing Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Guangdong Provincial People′s Hospital, and Shenzhen People′s Hospital, totaling 1 126 patients. Compared with the 2012 SLICC criteria, the suspected cases were followed up for 6 months until the onset and clinical diagnosis of SLE were confirmed. The measurement data of normal distribution were expressed as mean±SD, and the consistency analysis was performed using the Kappa consistency test. The clinical diagnostic efficacy indicators were calculated using the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Results:RR (95% CI) of early suspected cases was 17.06 (9.43, 30.82). The results of IFI44L gene methylation level were in good agreement with the 2012 SLICC criteria, and the sensitivity, specificity and total coincidence rate were 90.53%, 92.56% and 91.47%, respectively. The Kappa value (95% CI) was 0.829(0.796, 0.862) ( P<0.001). The diagnostic efficiency of IFI44L gene methylation level ( Kappa value 0.817) was superior to anti-nuclear antibody, anti-SM antibody and anti-dsDNA antibody ( Kappa value 0.418, 0.216 and 0.440, respectively). The Kappa values (95% CI) of methylation between MS-HRM and pyrosequencing was 0.861(0.806, 0.916), P<0.001. Conclusion:The hypomethylation of IFI44L gene methylation level detected by MS-HRM is closely related to the occurrence and development of SLE, and its diagnostic performance is better than that of three autoantibodies in SLE diagnosis, which can be used for the early diagnosis of SLE.

Objective To investigate the effect of erector spinae plane block on postoperative delirium and cognitive function in elderly patients with lung cancer undergoing thoracoscopic radical surgery.Methods A total of 90 elderly patients with lung cancer underwent thoracoscopic radical surgery were selected and randomly divided into the control group and the observation group,with 45 cases in each group.The patients in the control group were given general anesthesia,while the patients in the observation group were given erector spinae plane block before general anesthesia.The vital signs at different time points,opioid dosage,number of analgesic pump compressions,incision pain visual analogue scale(VAS)score,cognitive function and postoperative delirium of patients between the two groups were compared.Results At the end of anesthesia,the mean arterial pressure(MAP)and heart rate of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The dosage of remifentanil during operation,sufentanil during perioperative period and number of analgesia pumps compressions of patients in the observation group were significantly less than those in the control group(P<0.05).The incision pain VAS scores 6 hours,12 hours,24 hours and 48 hours after surgery of patients in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P<0.05).The scores of cognitive function 6 hours and 24 hours after surgery of patients in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P<0.05);and the incidence of delirium 6 hours and 24 hours after surgery in the control group was significantly higher than those in the observation group(P<0.05).Conclusion Erector spinae plane block can significantly relieve the perioperative pain of elderly patients with lung cancer undergoing thoracoscopic radical surgery,reduce the dosage of opioids and the incidence of postoperative delirium,improve the postoperative cognitive function of patients,which provides a new idea for reducing the incidence of postoperative mental diseases.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the clinical treatment outcomes and the changes of the outcomes over time in extremely preterm twins in Guangdong Province, China. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for 269 pairs of extremely preterm twins with a gestational age of <28 weeks who were admitted to the department of neonatology in 26 grade A tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province from January 2008 to December 2017. According to the admission time, they were divided into two groups: 2008-2012 and 2013-2017. Besides, each pair of twins was divided into the heavier infant and the lighter infant subgroups according to birth weight. The perinatal data of mothers and hospitalization data of neonates were collected. The survival rate of twins and the incidence rate of complications were compared between the 2008-2012 and 2013-2017 groups. RESULTS: Compared with the 2008-2012 group, the 2013-2017 group (both the heavier infant and lighter infant subgroups) had lower incidence rates of severe asphyxia and smaller head circumference at birth (P<0.05). The mortality rates of both of the twins, the heavier infant of the twins, and the lighter infant of the twins were lower in the 2013-2017 group compared with the 2008-2012 group (P<0.05). Compared with the 2008-2012 group, the 2013-2017 group (both the heavier infant and lighter infant subgroups) had lower incidence rates of pulmonary hemorrhage, patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), periventricular-intraventricular hemorrhage (P-IVH), and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) and a higher incidence rate of bronchopulmonary dysplasia (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS There is a significant increase in the survival rate over time in extremely preterm twins with a gestational age of <28 weeks in the 26 grade A tertiary hospitals in Guangdong Province. The incidences of severe asphyxia, pulmonary hemorrhage, PDA, P-IVH, and NRDS decrease in both the heavier and lighter infants of the twins, but the incidence of bronchopulmonary dysplasia increases. With the improvement of diagnosis and treatment, the multidisciplinary collaboration between different fields of fetal medicine including prenatal diagnosis, obstetrics, and neonatology is needed in the future to jointly develop management strategies for twin pregnancy.
Bronchopulmonary Dysplasia/epidemiology* ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Extremely Premature ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn/epidemiology* ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of acupuncture at different timings in acute stage for limb dysfunction in patients with cerebral infarction. METHODS: A total of 101 patients with cerebral infarction limb dysfunction were divided into an early exposure group ( RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the mRS grade at 30 and 60 days after onset in the early exposure group was improved ( CONCLUSION The timing of acupuncture is an independent factor affecting the disability status and limb motor dysfunction in patients with cerebral infarction, and the effect of early intervention may be better than late intervention.
Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Cerebral Infarction/therapy* ; Humans ; Pilot Projects ; Prospective Studies ; Stroke ; Treatment Outcome

This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effect of IR-61, a novel mitochondrial heptamethine cyanine dye with antioxidant effects, on diabetes mellitus-induced erectile dysfunction (DMED). Eight-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin (STZ) to induce type 1 diabetes. Eight weeks after STZ injection, all rats were divided into three groups: the control group, DM group, and DM + IR-61 group. In the DM + IR-61 group, the rats were administered IR-61 (1.6 mg kg

This study was designed to investigate the flavor and taste change rules of Sophora Flavescentis Radix processed using the ancient classical method documented in Master Lei's Discourse on Medicinal Processing(Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun). The Sophora Flavescentis Radix pieces and the corresponding test samples in each processing stage were first prepared based on the processing method for Sophora Flavescentis Radix recorded in Master Lei's Discourse on Medicinal Processing(Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun). Then the flavors and tastes of Sophora Flavescentis Radix test samples undergoing the soaking in rice-washed water, washing with clean water, and steaming for different time were compared with the electronic nose and tongue. The results showed that in the preparation of Sophora Flavescentis Radix with the ancient method, such processes as soaking in rice-washed water and washing with clean water had no significant influences on the flavor, which, however, was weakened by steaming. In terms of the taste, soaking with rice-washed water enhanced the bitter taste of Sophora Flavescentis Radix, which remained unchanged after being washed with the clean water. The steaming would also diminish the bitter taste, making it taste similar to the original Sophora Flavescentis Radix medicinal materials. During the steaming for six to eight hours, the flavor did not vary significantly over time, while the bitter taste was first weakened and then intensified. The bitter taste of Sophora Flavescentis Radix steamed for six hours was similar to that steamed for eight hours. In addition, the differences in flavor and taste between Sophora Flavescentis Radix pieces processed by the ancient method in Master Lei's Discourse on Medicinal Processing(Lei Gong Pao Zhi Lun)and those by the modern method in the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia were analyzed. The findings demonstrated that the flavor of Sophora Flavescentis Radix pieces prepared by the ancient method was weaker than that by the modern method, whereas the bitter taste showed the opposite trend. The exploration on the flavor and taste change rules of Sophora Flavescentis Radix in its preparation by the ancient classical method and the differences in flavor and taste between Sophora Flavescentis Radix decoction pieces prepared by ancient and modern methods will lay a foundation for further elucidation of the scientific connotation of the ancient processing method and the medication principles of Sophora Flavescentis Radix in both ancient and modern times.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Electronic Nose ; Plant Roots ; Sophora ; Taste

Objective: To explore the associations of Hand-Foot-Mouth disease (HFM) among children of different age groups in kindergartens, and to provide scientific evidence for HFM prevention and control. Methods: Cluster sampling was used to select 9 912 children from 40 kindergartens. The major caregivers of children were invited to participate into the study and fulfill a self-administered questionnaire that consisted of general background, hand washing and the history of HFM among children in the recent 1 year. Chi-square and binary logistic regression were applied,to analyze the influencing factors of HFM among children of different age groups. Results: In the 2 year-old-group, children who were male (OR=1.76, 95%CI=1.24-2.50), had the major caregiver with high school educational background or below (OR=1.54, 95%CI=1.06-2.24), had family income more than 100 000 yuan or more per year(OR=1.49, 95%CI=1.01-2.20), children whose major caregiver seldom wash hands immediately after coming home(OR=2.10, 95%CI=1.05-4.19)，and 3-5 times per week(OR=2.07, 95%CI=1.26-3.41) were more likely to have HFM. In the 3 year-old-group, the more time children spent in the outdoors, the less likely they got HFM(3-5 times per week: OR=0.58, 95%CI=0.43-0.81; ≥6 times per week: OR=0.45, 95%CI=0.29-0.70). Children whose major caregiver did not use soap were more likely to have HFM(OR=1.67, 95%CI=1.11-2.49). In the 4 year-old-group, children who occasionally took toys when going out were less likely to get HFM (vs always, OR=0.57, 95%CI=0.38-0.88). No significant factors were found in the 5 year-old-group. Conclusion The behaviors and activities of major caregivers and children could influence the HFM incidence.To prevent HFM, it was advised that the major caregivers should wash hands immediately after coming home, and develop the habit of using soap for handwashing together with children at the earlier age, and encourage children to take more outside-door activities according to the age characteristics. Attention should be paid to avoid contaminating takeout snacks, and to clean the takeout toys timely.