Post-orgasmic illness syndrome (POIS) is a rare condition characterized by the rapid onset of extreme fatigue, flu-like symptoms, difficulty concentrating, depression, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, itchy eyes, and other physical and psychological discomforts following ejaculation. This report presents the outcomes of two patients with POIS who underwent a two-year course of autologous seminal plasma subcutaneous cluster immunotherapy. Treatment efficacy was assessed using methods such as the symptom Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), the Union Physio-Psycho-Social Assessment Questionnaire (UPPSAQ)-70, and the Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36). The results suggest that autologous seminal plasma subcutaneous cluster immunother-apy may be a safe and effective therapeutic approach for POIS.

OBJECTIVE To analyze the influential factors of drug-induced cholestatic liver disease （DIC） related to tigecycline （TGC）， and establish a prediction model for the risk of this adverse reaction. METHODS Data of 707 hospitalized patients who received TGC treatment in our hospital from August 2022 to August 2024 were collected and randomly divided into training set （n＝566） and test set （n＝141） at a ratio of 8∶2. Prediction variables were screened using the least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression analysis. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to screen the independent risk factors for TGC-related DIC， and a nomogram prediction model was drawn based on the above factors. The prediction performance of the model was evaluated by the receiver operator characteristic curve （ROC curve） and its area under the curve （AUC）. The accuracy of the model was assessed by the Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test and calibration curves. The clinical net benefit of the prediction model were evaluated by decision curve analysis. RESULTS Among the 707 patients， 93 patients developed DIC， with an incidence rate of 13.15%. Gender， age， high-dose administration of TGC， intensive care unit （ICU） admission， duration of medication of TGC， and concurrent use of antifungal drug voriconazole were independent risk factors for the occurrence of TGC-related DIC （P＜0.05）. The AUC of the training set model was 0.745 （95%CI： 0.687-0.801）， with a sensitivity of 76.6% and a specificity of 60.3%. The AUC of ROC curve of the test set model was 0.762 （95%CI： 0.650-0.900）， with a sensitivity of 81.3% and a specificity of 72.0%. The Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit test for the training set， the χ 2 value was 5.187 and P was 0.737； and for the test set， the χ 2 value was 9.980 and P was 0.266. The mean absolute error of the calibration curve for the training set was 0.012， and for the test set， it was 0.038. The risk threshold range for the training set was 4%-45%， and for the test set， it was 4%-28%. CONCLUSIONS Age， gender， high-dose administration of TGC， ICU admission， duration of medication of TGC， and concurrent use of antifungal drug voriconazole are independent risk factors for TGC-related DIC. The established TGC-related DIC risk prediction model has good prediction performance and accuracy.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship among seminal oxidation-reduction potential (nORP), sperm DNA fragmentation (DFI) and semen parameters in patients with varicocele. METHODS: Clinical data of 522 patients treated in the reproductive andrology clinic of the Northern Theater General Hospital from November 2023 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 435 men of childbearing age and 87 men of infertile age. The patients were divided into the varicocele group (n=116) and non-varicocele group (n=406) according to clinical diagnosis. The differences of seminal plasma nORP, DFI, sperm high DNA stain ability (HDS) and semen parameters were analyzed between the two groups. The relationship among general clinical data, seminal plasma nORP, semen parameters, DFI and HDS in patients with varicocele were further analyzed. According to the severity of varicocele, the patients were divided into three groups, including mild, moderate and severe. And the differences of seminal plasma nORP and semen parameters, DFI and HDS among all groups were analyzed. The differences of seminal plasma nORP, semen parameters, DFI and HDS were compared between the varicocele and non-varicocele groups. RESULTS: The total sperm count, sperm concentration, progressive motility sperm percentage (PR%) and normal sperm morphology rate (NSMR) in patients with varicocele were significantly lower than those in control group (P<0.05). And seminal plasma nORP, DFI and HDS in patients with varicocele were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). Seminal plasma nORP in patients with varicocele was significantly negatively correlated with total sperm, sperm concentration and NSMR (P<0.05), and significantly positively correlated with DFI and HDS (P<0.05). There were significant differences in nORP, total sperm count, sperm concentration, PR%, DFI and HDS among mild, moderate and severe varicocele groups (P<0.05). Seminal plasma nORP, sperm concentration, PR% and DFI in severe group were significantly lower than those in mild and moderate groups(P<0.05). Sperm count and HDS in severe group were significantly lower than those in mild group (P<0.05). In infertile patients, seminal plasma nORP, DFI and HDS in varicocele group were significantly higher than those in control group (P<0.05). And PR% in varicocele group was significantly lower than that in control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Seminal plasma nORP in patients with varicocele may be an important marker of oxidative stress affecting DFI and semen parameters.
Humans ; Male ; Varicocele/metabolism* ; Semen/metabolism* ; Spermatozoa ; Sperm Count ; Infertility, Male ; Retrospective Studies ; DNA Fragmentation ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Semen Analysis ; Adult ; Sperm Motility

ObjectiveBased on the experience of traditional quality evaluation， the quality of Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma（AMR） with different production methods such as direct seeding， transplanting after seedling raising， topping and non-topping， and difference in growth years was compared. MethodVernier caliper was used to measure the trait data of AMR in different production methods. Paraffin sections of AMR with different production methods were made by saffron solid green staining， and the microstructure was observed. The contents of water-soluble and alcohol-soluble extracts in AMR with different production methods were determined according to the 2020 edition of Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The content of water-soluble total polysaccharides in AMR with different production methods was detected by sulfuric acid-anthrone method. Fiber analyzer was used to detect the content of fiber components in AMR with different production methods. The contents of monosaccharides， oligosaccharides and some secondary metabolites in AMR with different production methods were detected by ultra performance liquid chromatography（UPLC）， and the differences of chemical components were compared by multivariate statistical analysis methods such as principal component analysis（PCA） and partial least squares-discriminant analysis（PLS-DA）. ResultIn terms of traits， the 3-year-old AMR with direct seeding and without topping was close to the high-quality AMR with "phoenix-head and crane-neck， strong sweetness and clear aroma" recorded in ancient materia medica， followed by the 3-year-old AMR with topping after transplanting， while the 2-year-old AMR with topping after transplanting with high market circulation rate was generally fat and strong with mild odor. In the microscopic aspect， the arrangement of xylem vessels and fiber bundles in the 3-year-old samples formed two obvious rings. Compared with the 2-year-old samples cultivated in Bozhou and Zhejiang， the 3-year-old samples without topping after transplanting had more wood fibers. In terms of chemical composition， the contents of 70% ethanol extract， fructose， glucose， sucrose， 1-kestose， atractylenolide Ⅰ， chlorogenic acid， neochlorogenic acid， cryptochlorogenic acid and other components in 3-year-old AMR with direct seeding and without topping were significantly higher than those in the other three samples（P<0.05）. The contents of cellulose， 70% ethanol extract， sucrose， atractylenolide Ⅰ， atractylone and other components in 3-year-old AMR with topping after transplanting were significantly higher than those in the 2-year-old AMR with high market circulation rate（P<0.05）， while the contents of water-soluble extract and water-soluble total polysaccharides in 2-year-old samples with topping after transplanting were significantly higher than those in the 3-year-old AMR with topping after transplanting， direct seeding and without topping（P<0.05）. ConclusionUnder the current mainstream production mode， too much manual intervention makes AMR heavily enriched in polysaccharides and increased the yield， but the accumulation of sweet substances， fragrant substances and fiber substances is insufficient， which affects its quality. The current quality standard of AMR has some shortcomings in guiding the high quality production of it， it is suggested to revise the quality standard of AMR， supplement the quantitative analysis of secondary metabolites， and strengthen the production of imitation wild AMR.

Objective To observe the effects of melatonin on autophagy in cortical neurons of neonatal rats with hypoxic-ischemic brain damage(HIBD)and to explore its mechanisms via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway,aiming to provide a basis for the clinical application of melatonin.Methods Seven-day-old Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats were randomly divided into a sham operation group,an HIBD group,and a melatonin group(n=9 each).The neonatal rat HIBD model was established using the classic Rice-Vannucci method.Neuronal morphology in the neonatal rat cerebral cortex was observed with hematoxylin-eosin staining and Nissl staining.Autophagy-related protein levels of microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3(LC3)and Beclin-1 were detected by immunofluorescence staining and Western blot analysis.Phosphorylated phosphoinositide 3-kinase(p-PI3K)and phosphorylated protein kinase B(p-AKT)protein expression levels were measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blot.The correlation between autophagy and the PI3K pathway in the melatonin group and the HIBD group was analyzed using Pearson correlation analysis.Results Twenty-four hours post-modeling,neurons in the sham operation group displayed normal size and orderly arrangement.In contrast,neurons in the HIBD group showed swelling and disorderly arrangement,while those in the melatonin group had relatively normal morphology and more orderly arrangement.Nissl bodies were normal in the sham operation group but distorted in the HIBD group;however,they remained relatively intact in the melatonin group.The average fluorescence intensity of LC3 and Beclin-1 was higher in the HIBD group compared to the sham operation group,but was reduced in the melatonin group compared to the HIBD group(P<0.05).The number of p-PI3K+and p-AKT+cells decreased in the HIBD group compared to the sham operation group but increased in the melatonin group compared to the HIBD group(P<0.05).LC3 and Beclin-1 protein expression levels were higher,and p-PI3K and p-AKT levels were lower in the HIBD group compared to the sham operation group(P<0.05);however,in the melatonin group,LC3 and Beclin-1 levels decreased,and p-PI3K and p-AKT increased compared to the HIBD group(P<0.05).The correlation analysis results showed that the difference of the mean fluorescence intensity of LC3 and Beclin-1 protein in the injured cerebral cortex between the melatonin and HIBD groups was negatively correlated with the difference of the number of p-PI3K+and p-AKT+cells between the two groups(P<0.05).Conclusions Melatonin can inhibit excessive autophagy in cortical neurons of neonatal rats with HIBD,thereby alleviating HIBD.This mechanism is associated with the PI3K/AKT pathway.

Background/Aims: Despite the high efficacy of direct-acting antivirals (DAAs), approximately 1–3% of hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients fail to achieve a sustained virological response. We conducted a nationwide study to investigate risk factors associated with DAA treatment failure. Machine-learning algorithms have been applied to discriminate subjects who may fail to respond to DAA therapy. Methods: We analyzed the Taiwan HCV Registry Program database to explore predictors of DAA failure in HCV patients. Fifty-five host and virological features were assessed using multivariate logistic regression, decision tree, random forest, eXtreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost), and artificial neural network. The primary outcome was undetectable HCV RNA at 12 weeks after the end of treatment. Results: The training (n=23,955) and validation (n=10,346) datasets had similar baseline demographics, with an overall DAA failure rate of 1.6% (n=538). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that liver cirrhosis, hepatocellular carcinoma, poor DAA adherence, and higher hemoglobin A1c were significantly associated with virological failure. XGBoost outperformed the other algorithms and logistic regression models, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 1.000 in the training dataset and 0.803 in the validation dataset. The top five predictors of treatment failure were HCV RNA, body mass index, α-fetoprotein, platelets, and FIB-4 index. The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the XGBoost model (cutoff value=0.5) were 99.5%, 69.7%, 99.9%, 97.4%, and 99.5%, respectively, for the entire dataset. Conclusions Machine learning algorithms effectively provide risk stratification for DAA failure and additional information on the factors associated with DAA failure.

Background/Aims: Chronic hepatitis C (CHC) patients who failed antiviral therapy are at increased risk for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study assessed the potential role of metformin and statins, medications for diabetes mellitus (DM) and hyperlipidemia (HLP), in reducing HCC risk among these patients. Methods: We included CHC patients from the T-COACH study who failed antiviral therapy. We tracked the onset of HCC 1.5 years post-therapy by linking to Taiwan’s cancer registry data from 2003 to 2019. We accounted for death and liver transplantation as competing risks and employed Gray’s cumulative incidence and Cox subdistribution hazards models to analyze HCC development. Results: Out of 2,779 patients, 480 (17.3%) developed HCC post-therapy. DM patients not using metformin had a 51% increased risk of HCC compared to non-DM patients, while HLP patients on statins had a 50% reduced risk compared to those without HLP. The 5-year HCC incidence was significantly higher for metformin non-users (16.5%) versus non-DM patients (11.3%; adjusted sub-distribution hazard ratio [aSHR]=1.51; P=0.007) and metformin users (3.1%; aSHR=1.59; P=0.022). Statin use in HLP patients correlated with a lower HCC risk (3.8%) compared to non-HLP patients (12.5%; aSHR=0.50; P<0.001). Notably, the increased HCC risk associated with non-use of metformin was primarily seen in non-cirrhotic patients, whereas statins decreased HCC risk in both cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic patients. Conclusions Metformin and statins may have a chemopreventive effect against HCC in CHC patients who failed antiviral therapy. These results support the need for personalized preventive strategies in managing HCC risk.

This video presents a case of L4–5 unstable spondylolisthesis treated with full-endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-TLIF), emphasizing the GUARD (Glider Used as a Rotary Device) technique for nerve root protection. This innovative approach involves controlled rotation of the cage glider before cage insertion to minimize the risk of nerve root injury, a significant complication in Endo-TLIF procedures. The GUARD technique, validated in previous cadaveric studies, provides enhanced safety during cage insertion by protecting the nerve root. A 48-year-old woman with a 3-year history of progressive low back pain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (right-sided predominance) was diagnosed with L4–5 unstable spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis. After failure of conservative management, she underwent uniportal full-endoscopic facet-resecting transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion using the GUARD technique. Postoperatively, the patient experienced significant symptomatic improvement and resolution of radiculopathy, without any intraoperative nerve root injury or postoperative neurological deficits. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of the GUARD technique in reducing neurological complications and improving patient outcomes.

This video presents a case of L4–5 unstable spondylolisthesis treated with full-endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-TLIF), emphasizing the GUARD (Glider Used as a Rotary Device) technique for nerve root protection. This innovative approach involves controlled rotation of the cage glider before cage insertion to minimize the risk of nerve root injury, a significant complication in Endo-TLIF procedures. The GUARD technique, validated in previous cadaveric studies, provides enhanced safety during cage insertion by protecting the nerve root. A 48-year-old woman with a 3-year history of progressive low back pain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (right-sided predominance) was diagnosed with L4–5 unstable spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis. After failure of conservative management, she underwent uniportal full-endoscopic facet-resecting transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion using the GUARD technique. Postoperatively, the patient experienced significant symptomatic improvement and resolution of radiculopathy, without any intraoperative nerve root injury or postoperative neurological deficits. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of the GUARD technique in reducing neurological complications and improving patient outcomes.

This video presents a case of L4–5 unstable spondylolisthesis treated with full-endoscopic transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (Endo-TLIF), emphasizing the GUARD (Glider Used as a Rotary Device) technique for nerve root protection. This innovative approach involves controlled rotation of the cage glider before cage insertion to minimize the risk of nerve root injury, a significant complication in Endo-TLIF procedures. The GUARD technique, validated in previous cadaveric studies, provides enhanced safety during cage insertion by protecting the nerve root. A 48-year-old woman with a 3-year history of progressive low back pain and bilateral lower extremity radiculopathy (right-sided predominance) was diagnosed with L4–5 unstable spondylolisthesis and spinal stenosis. After failure of conservative management, she underwent uniportal full-endoscopic facet-resecting transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion using the GUARD technique. Postoperatively, the patient experienced significant symptomatic improvement and resolution of radiculopathy, without any intraoperative nerve root injury or postoperative neurological deficits. This case demonstrates the effectiveness of the GUARD technique in reducing neurological complications and improving patient outcomes.