OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between acupuncture during controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) and the live birth rate (LBR) using different propensity score methods. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, eligible women who underwent a COH were divided into acupuncture and non-acupuncture groups. The primary outcome was LBR, as determined by propensity score matching (PSM). LBR was defined as the delivery of one or more living infants that reached a gestational age over 28 weeks after embryo transfer. The propensity score model encompassed 16 confounding variables. To validate the results, sensitivity analyses were conducted using three additional propensity score methods: propensity score adjustment, inverse probability weighting (IPW), and IPW with a "doubly robust" estimator. RESULTS: The primary cohort encompassed 9751 patients (1830 [18.76%] in the acupuncture group and 7921 [81.23%] in the non-acupuncture group). Following 1:1 PSM, a higher LBR was found in the acupuncture cohort (41.4% [755/1824] vs 36.4% [664/1824], with an odds ratio of 1.23 [95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.41]). Three additional propensity score methods produced essentially similar results. The risk of serious adverse events did not significantly differ between the two groups. CONCLUSION This retrospective study revealed an association between acupuncture and an increased LBR among patients undergoing COH, and that acupuncture is a safe and valuable treatment option. Please cite this article as: Zheng XY, Jiang ZY, Li YT, Li CL, Zhu H, Yu Z, Yu SY, Yang LL, Tang SY, Lü XY, Liang FR, Yang J. Association between acupuncture and live birth rates after fresh embryo transfer: A cohort study based on different propensity score methods. J Integr Med. 2025; 23(5):528-536.
Humans ; Female ; Propensity Score ; Embryo Transfer ; Adult ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Retrospective Studies ; Pregnancy ; Live Birth ; Birth Rate ; Cohort Studies

OBJECTIVE: To explore and quantify the association of hot night exposure during the sperm development period (0-90 lag days) with semen quality. METHODS: A total of 6,640 male sperm donors from 6 human sperm banks in China during 2014-2020 were recruited in this multicenter study. Two indices (i.e., hot night excess [HNE] and hot night duration [HND]) were used to estimate the heat intensity and duration during nighttime. Linear mixed models were used to examine the association between hot nights and semen quality parameters. RESULTS: The exposure-response relationship revealed that HNE and HND during 0-90 days before semen collection had a significantly inverse association with sperm motility. Specifically, a 1 °C increase in HNE was associated with decreased sperm progressive motility of 0.0090 (95% confidence interval [ CI]: -0.0147, -0.0033) and decreased total motility of 0.0094 (95% CI: -0.0160, -0.0029). HND was significantly associated with reduced sperm progressive motility and total motility of 0.0021 (95% CI: -0.0040, -0.0003) and 0.0023 (95% CI: -0.0043, -0.0002), respectively. Consistent results were observed at different temperature thresholds on hot nights. CONCLUSION Our findings highlight the need to mitigate nocturnal heat exposure during spermatogenesis to maintain optimal semen quality.
Humans ; Male ; Semen Analysis ; Adult ; Sperm Motility ; Hot Temperature/adverse effects* ; China ; Middle Aged ; Spermatozoa/physiology* ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the effects and potential mechanisms by which synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) influences the distribution of amyloid precursor protein (APP) in the trans-Golgi network (TGN), endolysosomal system, and cell membranes and to reveal the effects of SV2A on APP amyloid degradation. METHODS: Colocalization analysis of APP with specific tagged proteins in the TGN, ensolysosomal system, and cell membrane was performed to explore the effects of SV2A on the intracellular transport of APP. APP, β-site amyloid precursor protein cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) expressions, and APP cleavage products levels were investigated to observe the effects of SV2A on APP amyloidogenic processing. RESULTS: APP localization was reduced in the TGN, early endosomes, late endosomes, and lysosomes, whereas it was increased in the recycling endosomes and cell membrane of SV2A-overexpressed neurons. Moreover, Arl5b (ADP-ribosylation factor 5b), a protein responsible for transporting APP from the TGN to early endosomes, was upregulated by SV2A. SV2A overexpression also decreased APP transport from the cell membrane to early endosomes by downregulating APP endocytosis. In addition, products of APP amyloid degradation, including sAPPβ, Aβ _1-42, and Aβ _1-40, were decreased in SV2A-overexpressed cells. CONCLUSION These results demonstrated that SV2A promotes APP transport from the TGN to early endosomes by upregulating Arl5b and promoting APP transport from early endosomes to recycling endosomes-cell membrane pathway, which slows APP amyloid degradation.
Amyloid beta-Protein Precursor/genetics* ; Membrane Glycoproteins/genetics* ; Animals ; Protein Transport ; Nerve Tissue Proteins/genetics* ; Humans ; Mice ; Endosomes/metabolism* ; trans-Golgi Network/metabolism*

Objective:To investigate whether exosome-derived microRNA (miR)-877-5p can affect the malignant biological behaviors of glioma cells by regulating transmembrane 4 superfamily member 1 (TM4SF1).Methods:(1) Tumor tissues and corresponding adjacent tissues from 42 patients with glioma who underwent surgical resection in Department of Neurosurgery, the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanyang Medical College from September 2024 to February 2025 were collected. The miR-877-5p and TM4SF1 mRNA expressions in tumor tissues and corresponding adjacent tissues were detected by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and the correlation between miR-877-5p and TM4SF1 mRNA expressions in tumor tissues was analyzed by Pearson correlation. (2) HEB, U87, LN229, and U251 cells at the logarithmic growth phase were cultured and their miR-877-5p and TM4SF1 mRNA expressions were detected by qRT-PCR. Exosomes from U87, LN229, and U251 cells were isolated, and their morphology was observed under a transmission electron microscope; protein expressions of CD9, CD63, tumor susceptibility gene 101 (TSG101), and Calnexin in exosomes were detected by Western blotting. The miR-877-5p expression in exosomes of U87, LN229, and U251 cells was detected by qRT-PCR. The diameter of exosomes from LN229 cells was measured using a Malvern Zetasizer particle size and zeta potential analyzer, and the uptake efficiency of exosomes in LN229 cells was detected by flow cytometry. LN229 cells were divided into a normal control group, a miR-877-5p negative control group, a miR-877-5p mimic group, a miR-877-5p mimic+pcDNA empty vector group, and a miR-877-5p mimic+pcDNA-TM4SF1 group; except for the normal control group, the other groups were transfected with corresponding plasmids through exosomes and cultured for 24 hours; and then, miR-877-5p mRNA expression was detected by qRT-PCR; cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay, cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, cell invasion was detected by Transwell assay, and TM4SF1, Cyclin D1, Bcl-2 associated X protein (Bax), and matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP2) protein expressions and expressions of TM4SF1 downstream pathway proteins phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT) and β-catenin were detected by Western blotting. The targeting relation between miR-877-5p and TM4SF1 was validated using a dual-luciferase reporter assay. A U251 cell experiment was performed for universal verification: U251 cells were divided into a normal control group, a miR-877-5p negative control group, a miR-877-5p mimic group, a miR-877-5p mimic+pcDNA empty vector group, and a miR-877-5p mimic+pcDNA-TM4SF1 group; cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry, and TM4SF1 protein expression was detected by Western blotting. (3) Eighteen male BALB/c nude mice were randomly divided into a control group, a miR-877-5p mimic group, and a miR-877-5p mimic+pcDNA-TM4SF1 group, with 6 mice in each group; 100 μL LN229 cell suspension, LN229 cell suspension transfected with miR-877-5p mimic, and LN229 cell suspension transfected with miR-877-5p mimic and pcDNA-TM4SF1 were, respectively, subcutaneously injected into the lateral abdomen of nude mice in these 3 groups. After 28 days of feeding, the mass and volume of the transplanted tumors were measured, and the TM4SF1, Cyclin D1, Bax, and MMP2 protein expressions in the transplanted tumors were detected by Western blotting. Results:(1) Compared with that in the corresponding adjacent tissues, miR-877-5p mRNA expression in the tumor tissues was significantly decreased and TM4SF1 mRNA expression was statistically increased ( P<0.05). Correlation analysis showed that the miR-877-5p and TM4SF1 mRNA expressions in the tumor tissues were negatively correlated ( r=-0.966, P<0.001). (2) Compared with those in the HEB cells, statistically decreased miR-877-5p mRNA expression and increased TM4SF1 mRNA expression in U87, LN229, and U251 cells were noted ( P<0.05). Under the transmission electron microscope, the exosomes in glioma cells were all biconcave disc-shaped and had a complete lipid bilayer membrane structure. Western blotting indicated positive CD9, CD63, and TSG101 protein expressions and negative Calnexin protein expression in the exosomes of glioma cells. Flow cytometry results indicated a relatively high uptake efficiency of exosomes in LN229 cells. Compared with that in the U87 and U251 cells, the miR-877-5p mRNA expression in exosomes of LN229 cells was significantly decreased ( P<0.05). The diameter of exosomes in LN229 cells was 80-150 nm. Compared with the miR-877-5p negative control group, the miR-877-5p mimic group had an increased miR-877-5p mRNA expression, decreased cell survival rate (negative control group: [95.43±0.23]%; miR-877-5p mimic group: [51.24±5.67]%), increased cell apoptosis rate ([3.34±0.22]% vs. [35.24±4.17]%), reduced number of invasive cells ([127.33±13.63] cells per high-power field vs.[59.67±6.87] cells per high-power field), downregulated TM4SF1, Cyclin D1 and MMP2 protein expressions, upregulated Bax protein expression, and decreased p-AKT and β-catenin protein expressions, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Compared with the miR-877-5p mimics+pcDNA empty vector group, the miR-877-5p mimic+pcDNA-TM4SF1 group had a decreased miR-877-5p expression, increased cell survival rate (miR-877-5p mimics+pcDNA empty vector group: [56.27±5.24]%; miR-877-5p mimic+pcDNA-TM4SF1 group[75.31±8.13]%), decreased cell apoptosis rate ([36.27±4.42]% vs. [15.37±1.73]%), increased number of invasive cells ([62.67±6.14] cells per high-power field vs. [95.50±10.58] cells per high-power field), upregulated TM4SF1, Cyclin D1 and MMP2 protein expressions, decreased Bax protein expression, and upregulated p-AKT and β-catenin protein expressions, with significant differences ( P<0.05). Dual-luciferase assay results showed that in the plasmids carrying wild-type TM4SF1 sequence, the luciferase activity in the miR-877-5p mimics group was significantly lower than that in the miR-877-5p negative control group ( P<0.05); in the plasmids carrying the mutant TM4SF1 sequence, no significant change in the luciferase activity was noted between the miR-877-5p negative control group and miR-877-5p mimic group ( P>0.05). Universal verification results: in U251 cells, compared with the miR-877-5p negative control group, the miR-877-5p mimic group had a significantly increased cell apoptosis rate and a statistically decreased TM4SF1 protein expression ( P<0.05); compared with the miR-877-5p mimic+pcDNA empty vector group, the miR-877-5p mimic+pcDNA-TM4SF1 group showed significantly decreased apoptosis rate and statistically increased TM4SF1 protein expression ( P<0.05). (3) Compared with the normal control group, the miR-877-5p mimic group had statistically reduced tumor mass and volume, significantly decreased TM4SF1, Cyclin D1 and MMP2 protein expressions, and significantly increased Bax protein expression ( P<0.05). Compared with the miR-877-5p mimic group, the miR-877-5p mimic+pcDNA-TM4SF1 group had significantly increased tumor mass and volume, statistically increased TM4SF1, Cyclin D1 and MMP2 protein expressions, and statistically decreased Bax protein expression ( P<0.05). Conclusion:Exosome-derived miR-877-5p may inhibit the proliferative and invasive capacities of glioma cells and promote cell apoptosis by targetedly inhibiting the TM4SF1 expression, thereby exerting an anti-tumor effect.

Objective:To analyze the prospective associations between liver biomarkers and mortality among Chinese middle-aged and elderly populations and to evaluate the mortality risk predictive value.Methods:A total of 22 758 participants from the 3 rd resurvey of the China Kadoorie Biobank were included. Cox proportional hazard models were used to analyze the prospective associations of 5 liver biomarkers with mortality. These liver biomarkers included two liver imaging biomarkers (liver fat attenuation parameter, liver stiffness measurement) and three serum liver enzyme biomarkers [gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), ALT, and AST]. Restricted cubic spline was used to assess the nonlinear associations between biomarkers and mortality. The area used the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) to evaluate the predictive ability of the models after incorporating liver biomarkers into traditional prediction models for mortality. Results:The mean age of the participants was (65.2±9.1) years, with a median follow-up of 1.5 years, during which 307 deaths occurred. Compared to individuals without hepatic steatosis, those with severe hepatic steatosis had a 79% higher risk of mortality, with a HR of 1.79 (95% CI: 1.06-3.03). Compared to individuals without hepatic fibrosis, those with advanced fibrosis and cirrhosis had higher mortality risks of 48% and 91%, respectively (both P<0.05). For each standard deviation increase in GGT, the mortality risk increased by 10% ( HR=1.10, 95% CI: 1.05-1.15), with the positive association plateauing at higher GGT levels. AST exhibited a U-shaped association with mortality risk. The AUC of the prediction model adding liver biomarkers into traditional prediction factors was 0.718 (95% CI: 0.679-0.757), with an increase of 0.030 ( P<0.001) compared with the traditional model. Conclusions:Severe hepatic steatosis, higher levels of hepatic fibrosis, and elevated GGT levels are significantly associated with higher mortality risk. AST shows a U-shaped nonlinear association with mortality risk. Incorporating liver biomarkers into traditional risk prediction models enhance the ability to predict mortality.

Objective:To investigate the prospective associations between plasma metabolites and the risks of all-cause and cause-specific mortality among Chinese adults.Methods:This study analyzed plasma metabolomics data from 2 183 healthy adults in the China Kadoorie Biobank (CKB), measured using targeted mass spectrometry. Cox proportional hazards regression models were used to examine the associations between 630 metabolites and the risk of all-cause mortality. Cause-specific hazard regression models evaluated the associations between metabolites and cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks, cancer, and other-cause mortality. Stepwise regression was used to identify key metabolites independently associated with all-cause mortality, and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) was calculated to assess the improvement in predictive performance when these metabolites were added to traditional risk prediction models.Results:The mean age of the participants was (53.2±9.8) years, 65.1% of whom were female. During a median follow-up of 14.5 years, 231 deaths occurred. A total of 44 metabolites were significantly associated with the risk of all-cause mortality [false discovery rate (FDR)-adjusted P<0.05], primarily including triglycerides, ceramides, and amino acids. Additionally, 29 and 15 metabolites were found to be associated with cancer and other-cause mortality, respectively, but no metabolites were significantly associated with CVD mortality after FDR corrections. Adding 14 metabolites independently associated with all-cause mortality into the traditional prediction model significantly improved its predictive performance. Specifically, incorporating metabolites into the traditional model, which already included laboratory biomarkers, increased the AUC to 0.798 (95% CI: 0.755-0.843), an improvement of 0.088 compared to the traditional model ( P<0.001). Conclusions:Multiple metabolites are significantly associated with mortality risk and can substantially improve the accuracy of mortality risk prediction models. These findings provide new insights into the physiological mechanisms of aging and offer valuable clues for personalized health risk assessment.

Objective:To summarize the clinical features, laboratory findings, treatment and prognosis of children confirmed as Mycoplasma pneumoniae-induced rash and mucositis (MIRM) in children. Methods:This retrospective study concluded 6 children diagnosed as MIRM in Department of Gastroenterology and Infectious Diseases, Shanghai Children′s Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University from August 2023 to April 2024. This paper described the characteristics of MIRM and analyzed the therapeutic strategy and prognosis.Results:A total of 6 children were diagnosed as MIRM including 2 boys and 4 girls with an age of onset was 6.4 (3.1, 7.5) years. Among the 6 patients, 4 patients had oral mucosal involvement among whom 2 showed crusting of the lips. Four patients had ocular involvement manifesting as conjunctival congestion and increased secretion. All patients presented with skin lesions, manifesting as target-shaped damage in 4 cases, herpes herpetiformis in 1 case and purpura-like rash in 1 case. Serological tests for Mycoplasma pneumoniae IgM and Mycoplasma pneumoniae nucleic acid test were positive in all 6 cases. Two cases received intravenous immunogloblin infusion combined with methylprednisolone, monotherapy of methylprednisolone in 4 cases. The course of glucocorticoids was 1-7 weeks, and the initial dose was 2-4 mg/(kg·d), which was gradually reduced according to the rash. The children were followed up for 3 to 9 months, no case suffered from long term ocular or cutaneous complications or recurrence of rash. All cases had good prognosis. Conclusions:Children diagnosed as MIRM present with mild symptoms and usually have good prognosis with early identification and appropriate intervention. Individualized therapy should be applied based on the severity of skin involvement.

Objective To observe changes of white matter function in adolescent smoker(AS)with resting-state functional MRI(rs-fMRI)fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation(fALFF)technique.Methods Forty-five adolescents(AS group)and 45 control subjects(control group)were prospectively enrolled,and brain rs-fMRI were acquired.Brain regions with fALFF being different between groups were observed,and the correlations with clinical indicators were analyzed.Results Compared with that in control group,fALFF of the right superior longitudinal fasciculus significantly elevated in AS group(FDR correct Q＜0.05),in which the peak of the cluster was positively correlated with score of Fagerstr?m test for nicotine dependence(FTND)(r=0.294,P=0.049).Conclusion White matter function changed in AS,presenting as significantly increased fALFF in right superior longitudinal fasciculus,which was positively correlated with nicotine dependence.

Objective:To develop a treatment-related quality of life scale for Chinese patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and to test its reliability and validity.Methods:The initial scale was constructed through a literature search, Delphi expert correspondence, and cognitive testing. This study conducted a preliminary survey of 379 patients with MM and a formal survey of 865 patients from the hematology departments of 155 hospitals nationwide from February 2024 to March 2024. The final scale was obtained after conducting item analysis and reliability and validity tests on the initial scale.Results:The constructed scale contains 36 items covering six domains: physiological, psychological, social, treatment side effects, general health, and others. In the preliminary survey, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of each item ranged from 0.597 to 0.939, and the test-retest reliability was 0.747 ( P<0.001). Exploratory factor analysis extracted eight common factors with a cumulative variance contribution of 60.058%. In the formal survey, the Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of each item ranged from 0.484 to 0.930, and the test-retest reliability was 0.835 ( P<0.001). Confirmatory factor analysis revealed a comparative fit index of 0.750, a root-mean-square error of approximation of 0.090, and a root-mean-square residual of 0.067. Conclusion:The treatment-related quality of life scale for Chinese patients with MM designed in this study exhibited good reliability and validity, reflecting the impact of treatment on the quality of life of patients. This scale can provide a reference to clinicians for assessing the disease status of patients.

Mycophenolic acid (MPA), the active moiety of both mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) and enteric-coated mycophenolate sodium (EC-MPS), serves as a primary immunosuppressant for maintaining solid organ transplants. Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) enhances treatment outcomes through tailored approaches. This study aimed to develop an evidence-based guideline for MPA TDM, facilitating its rational application in clinical settings. The guideline plan was drawn from the Institute of Medicine and World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Using the Delphi method, clinical questions and outcome indicators were generated. Systematic reviews, Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) evidence quality evaluations, expert opinions, and patient values guided evidence-based suggestions for the guideline. External reviews further refined the recommendations. The guideline for the TDM of MPA (IPGRP-2020CN099) consists of four sections and 16 recommendations encompassing target populations, monitoring strategies, dosage regimens, and influencing factors. High-risk populations, timing of TDM, area under the curve (AUC) versus trough concentration (C₀), target concentration ranges, monitoring frequency, and analytical methods are addressed. Formulation-specific recommendations, initial dosage regimens, populations with unique considerations, pharmacokinetic-informed dosing, body weight factors, pharmacogenetics, and drug‍-‍drug interactions are covered. The evidence-based guideline offers a comprehensive recommendation for solid organ transplant recipients undergoing MPA therapy, promoting standardization of MPA TDM, and enhancing treatment efficacy and safety.
Mycophenolic Acid/administration & dosage* ; Drug Monitoring/methods* ; Humans ; Organ Transplantation ; Immunosuppressive Agents/administration & dosage* ; Delphi Technique