ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanisms through which Shugan Bushen Yulin decoction ameliorates spermatogenic dysfunction and sperm quality degradation caused by propylthiouracil （PTU） via the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway in rats. MethodsSixty male rats were randomly assigned into six groups： a control group， a model group， low- （6.75 g·kg^-1）， medium- （13.5 g·kg^-1）， and high-dose （27 g·kg^-1） Shugan Bushen Yulin decoction groups， and an L-carnitine （0.27 g·kg^-1） group， with ten rats in each group. Other groups except the control group were administrated with PTU （10 mg·kg^-1） by gavage for 12 consecutive days. After the completion of modeling， rats were administrated with corresponding agents or normal saline （control group） via gavage for 28 consecutive days. Twenty-four hours after the last administration， rats were sacrificed， and the body and organ （testis， epididymis， and seminal vesicle） weights were measured to calculate the organ indices. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the testes and epididymis， and the testicular spermatogenic function of rats was scored. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone （TSH）， triiodothyronine （T3）， thyroxine （T4）， follicle-stimulating hormone （FSH）， luteinizing hormone （LH）， testosterone （T）， estradiol （E₂）， and malondialdehyde （MDA） and the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD） and glutathione peroxidase （GSH-Px） in the rat serum. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling was adopted to assess the rate of testicular cell apoptosis. Western blot was conducted to determine the expression levels of glucose-regulated protein 78 （GRP78）， CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein （CHOP）， phosphorylated protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （p-PERK）， protein kinase RNA-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase （PERK）， phosphorylated eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α kinase （p-EIF2α）， eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2α kinase （EIF2α）， and activating transcription factor 4 （ATF4） in the testicular tissue of rats. ResultsCompared with the control group， the model group exhibited reductions in volumes and indexes of testes， epididymides， and seminal vesicles （P<0.01）， pathological damage of testes and epididymides， and declines in spermatogenic function and sperm density and motility （P<0.01）. In addition， the model group demonstrated elevated serum levels of TSH and MDA， lowered levels of T3， T4， FSH， LH， T， and E₂， decreased activities of SOD and GSH-Px （P<0.05， P<0.01）， an increased apoptosis rate of testicular cells （P<0.01）， and up-regulated expression of GRP78， CHOP， p-PERK/PERK， p-EIF2α/EIF2α， and ATF4 in the testicular tissue （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， Shugan Bushen Yulin decoction at different doses improved the morphology and indexes of testes， epididymides， and seminal vesicles （P<0.05）， restored the spermatogenic function （P<0.05， P<0.01）， increased the sperm density and motility （P<0.05， P<0.01）， and decreased the percentage of apoptotic testicular cells （P<0.05）. Furthermore， the decoction lowered the serum level of MDA， elevated the serum levels of FSH， LH， T， and E₂， and increased the activities of SOD and GSH-Px （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Moreover， the expression levels of GRP78， CHOP， p-PERK/PERK， p-EIF2α/EIF2α， and ATF4 in the testicular tissue were down-regulated （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionShugan Bushen Yulin decoction can ameliorate the spermatogenic dysfunction and sperm quality degradation induced by PTU in a rat model of hypothyroidism by repairing the testicular oxidative damage and regulating the PERK/EIF2α/ATF4 signaling pathway， thereby alleviating spermatogenic cell apoptosis.

Objective To explore the diagnostic value of endoscopic grading of gastric intestinal metaplasia (EGGIM) score under acetic acid-enhanced narrow band imaging (AA-NBI) observation mode for gastric intestinal metaplasia (GIM). Methods A total of 120 patients who underwent gastroscopy at Jinshan Hospital of Fudan University from February 2022 to February 2023 were selected. All patients underwent both white light and AA-NBI endoscopy, with photographic records of intestinal metaplasia in five areas: greater curvature of antrum, lesser curvature of antrum, greater curvature of corpus, lesser curvature of corpus and incisura. EGGIM score was performed: 0 for no intestinal metaplasia, 1 point for focal intestinal metaplasia (GIM area ratio≤30%), 2 points for extensive intestinal metaplasia (GIM area ratio＞30%), with a total score of 10 points. Targeted biopsies were performed on suspicious GIM lesions found during endoscopy. If no suspicious GIM lesions were observed, random biopsies were performed according to the updated Sydney system. The pathological histological examination results were staged based on the operative link on gastric intestinal metaplasia assessment (OLGIM) system. The diagnostic value of EGGIM score for OLGIM stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ patients was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves. Results The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value (PPV), and negative predictive value (NPV) of AA-NBI in detecting GIM were 96.3%, 91.6%, 94.5%, 95.0%, and 93.6%, respectively. The area under the ROC curve for EGGIM diagnosing OLGIM stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ was 0.952 (95%CI 0.914-0.990). The optimal cut-off value for EGGIM was 5 points, with a sensitivity of 96.7% (95%CI 87.6%-99.4%) and specificity of 88.1% (95%CI 76.5%-94.7%). Conclusions EGGIM score (≥5 points) under AA-NBI mode has good diagnostic capability for patients with OLGIM stage Ⅲ-Ⅳ.

Under the background of increasingly severe drug-resistant bacteria infections,protracted course of chronic wounds has become clinical difficulties disturbing both patients and doctors.With the unique advantages of broad antibacterial spectrum,low drug resistance rate and high safety,polyhexanide antibacterial agent has gradu-ally become a major approach for treatment and nursing of chronic wounds.The application of polyhexamethylene biguanide(PHMB)antimicrobial agents in treatment and nursing of chronic wounds was reviewed in the article,including the antibacterial properties,comparisons with other antimicrobial agents,actual clinical practice and potential side effects,aiming to guide the further application of PHMB antimicrobial agents in treatment of chronic wounds.

Objective:Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is one of the most severe complications following hip and knee arthroplasty and is a leading cause of revision surgery. Pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility are key factors in the successful treatment of PJI. This study retrospectively analyzes the pathogen characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility of PJI patients treated at our center, aiming to establish an empirical antibiotic regimen for PJI in the region, providing a reference for empirical antibiotic therapy in the clinical management of PJI.Methods:This study retrospectively reviewed PJI patients treated at our center from January 2018 to October 2024. In each case, preoperative arthrocentesis fluid, and synovium tissue from at least three sites during surgery were collected for aerobic and anaerobic blood culture. The positive culture rate, distribution of pathogens based on Gram staining, methicillin resistance, mixed infections, and multidrug resistance were analyzed. Effective coverage parameters were constructed based on antimicrobial sensitivity and coverage rates, and appropriate empirical antimicrobial regimens were proposed.Results:A total of 233 PJI patients were included in the analysis. There were 99 males and 134 females with an average age of 67.0±10.1 years (ranging from 32 to 93 years). The study included 130 hip and 103 knee arthroplasty patients. Among the patients, 202 (86.7%) had positive cultures, with a total of 301 pathogen strains isolated: 268 Gram-positive bacteria (89.4%), 25 Gram-negative bacteria (8.3%), and 7 fungal strains (2.3%). The most common Gram-positive bacteria were coagulase-negative staphylococci (196 strains, 65.1%), epidermal staphylococci (77 strains, 25.6%), Staphylococcus aureus (39 strains, 13.0%), and Streptococcus spp. (19 strains, 6.3%). The most common Gram-negative bacteria were Enterobacteriaceae (14 strains, 4.7%). In hip joint infections, the most prevalent pathogens were epidermal Staphylococci (48 strains, 28.1%) and Staphylococcus aureus (27 strains, 15.8%), while in knee joint infections, epidermal Staphylococci (29 strains, 22.3%) were most common. Regarding antibiotic resistance, 48.5% of staphylococcal strains were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus, and 51.5% were multidrug-resistant strains. Staphylococci were 100% susceptible to vancomycin, teicoplanin, daptomycin, linezolid, and tigecycline, but exhibited high resistance to β-lactams and quinolone antibiotics. Analysis of empirical antibiotic regimens revealed that vancomycin combined with meropenem, linezolid combined with meropenem, vancomycin combined with imipenem, vancomycin combined with piperacillin/tazobactam, and vancomycin combined with ceftriaxone had effective coverage rates of 97.0%, 97.0%, 96.0%, 94.9%, and 90.9%, respectively.Conclusion:The main pathogens in PJI in this region are Gram-positive bacteria, with high rates of methicillin resistance and multidrug resistance. Based on antimicrobial susceptibility data, we recommend vancomycin combined with meropenem as the empirical treatment regimen for culture-negative PJI in this region, with linezolid combined with meropenem as an alternative.

Objective To establish a rapid immunological detection method for MPT64 protein based on red microspheres and select highly-sensitive and highly-specific antibody pairs.Methods A His-tagged prokaryotic expression vector was constructed for expression of MPT64 protein that was used to immunize New Zealand white rabbits after purification and validation.Peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMCs)were isolated from the rabbits,and antigen-specific B cells expressing antibodies were sorted using single B-cell flow cytometry.mRNA in B cells was reverse-transcribed into cDNA,and paired antibody heavy-and light-chain sequences were amplified via nested PCR.Expression vectors were constructed,and recombinant antibodies were produced in Expi293F cells.Fluorescent immunochromatography was employed to screen for matched antibody pairs.The selected antibodies were used to establish a rapid detection method based on red microsphere immunochromatography.Results Ten high-affinity monoclonal antibodies against MPT64 were generated.Two antibody pairs were selected for MPT64 immunodetection that reached a sensitivity of 0.0125 ng/mL.Conclusion High-affinity rabbit monoclonal antibodies against MPT64 are obtained via single B-cell technology,and a rapid red microspheres-based immunodetection method is established,enabling highly sensitive detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis MPT64 protein.

Objective:To evaluate the utility of ultrasonographic monitoring of the rectus femoris muscle—specifically, the rates of change in thickness and cross-sectional area (CSA)—in assessing nutritional status and long-term functional outcomes in patients with sepsis.Methods:In this prospective observational study, sepsis patients admitted to the ICU of the Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University between October 2023 and October 2024 were classified by nutritional status at discharge using the Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) criteria. Differences in serial ultrasound-measured rectus femoris thickness and CSA on days 1, 3, 5, and 7 were compared between malnourished and non-malnourished groups. The predictive value of these ultrasound parameters for malnutrition was analyzed. Functional prognosis was assessed using the Sarcopenia Assessment Scale, Short Physical Performance Battery, and Manual Muscle Testing, with correlations to muscle changes examined.Results:Of the 71 enrolled patients (median age 73.00 [ IQR: 61.00–80.00]; 47.89% female, 52.11% male), those with malnutrition showed significantly greater variation rates in rectus femoris thickness and CSA on days 3, 5, and 7 compared to the non-malnourished group ( P < 0.05). ROC analysis revealed that the day-7 CSA variation rate had the highest predictive value for malnutrition (AUC = 0.817, 95% CI: 0.713-0.930). These muscle variation rates also correlated strongly with conventional nutritional markers such as BMI, albumin, and urea. Similarly, patients with impaired functional outcomes exhibited higher variation rates in muscle parameters on days 3, 5, and 7 ( P < 0.05), with the day-7 CSA variation rate being most predictive of functional prognosis (AUC = 0.749, 95% CI: 0.632-0.867). Conclusions:Ultrasonographic assessment of rectus femoris thickness and CSA variation rates provides a valuable tool for evaluating nutritional status and predicting functional prognosis in sepsis patients, outperforming traditional biomarkers. This method shows promise for guiding individualized nutrition support and rehabilitation strategies to improve long-term outcomes.

Under the background of increasingly severe drug-resistant bacteria infections,protracted course of chronic wounds has become clinical difficulties disturbing both patients and doctors.With the unique advantages of broad antibacterial spectrum,low drug resistance rate and high safety,polyhexanide antibacterial agent has gradu-ally become a major approach for treatment and nursing of chronic wounds.The application of polyhexamethylene biguanide(PHMB)antimicrobial agents in treatment and nursing of chronic wounds was reviewed in the article,including the antibacterial properties,comparisons with other antimicrobial agents,actual clinical practice and potential side effects,aiming to guide the further application of PHMB antimicrobial agents in treatment of chronic wounds.

Objective:Periprosthetic joint infection (PJI) is one of the most severe complications following hip and knee arthroplasty and is a leading cause of revision surgery. Pathogens and their antibiotic susceptibility are key factors in the successful treatment of PJI. This study retrospectively analyzes the pathogen characteristics and antimicrobial susceptibility of PJI patients treated at our center, aiming to establish an empirical antibiotic regimen for PJI in the region, providing a reference for empirical antibiotic therapy in the clinical management of PJI.Methods:This study retrospectively reviewed PJI patients treated at our center from January 2018 to October 2024. In each case, preoperative arthrocentesis fluid, and synovium tissue from at least three sites during surgery were collected for aerobic and anaerobic blood culture. The positive culture rate, distribution of pathogens based on Gram staining, methicillin resistance, mixed infections, and multidrug resistance were analyzed. Effective coverage parameters were constructed based on antimicrobial sensitivity and coverage rates, and appropriate empirical antimicrobial regimens were proposed.Results:A total of 233 PJI patients were included in the analysis. There were 99 males and 134 females with an average age of 67.0±10.1 years (ranging from 32 to 93 years). The study included 130 hip and 103 knee arthroplasty patients. Among the patients, 202 (86.7%) had positive cultures, with a total of 301 pathogen strains isolated: 268 Gram-positive bacteria (89.4%), 25 Gram-negative bacteria (8.3%), and 7 fungal strains (2.3%). The most common Gram-positive bacteria were coagulase-negative staphylococci (196 strains, 65.1%), epidermal staphylococci (77 strains, 25.6%), Staphylococcus aureus (39 strains, 13.0%), and Streptococcus spp. (19 strains, 6.3%). The most common Gram-negative bacteria were Enterobacteriaceae (14 strains, 4.7%). In hip joint infections, the most prevalent pathogens were epidermal Staphylococci (48 strains, 28.1%) and Staphylococcus aureus (27 strains, 15.8%), while in knee joint infections, epidermal Staphylococci (29 strains, 22.3%) were most common. Regarding antibiotic resistance, 48.5% of staphylococcal strains were methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus, and 51.5% were multidrug-resistant strains. Staphylococci were 100% susceptible to vancomycin, teicoplanin, daptomycin, linezolid, and tigecycline, but exhibited high resistance to β-lactams and quinolone antibiotics. Analysis of empirical antibiotic regimens revealed that vancomycin combined with meropenem, linezolid combined with meropenem, vancomycin combined with imipenem, vancomycin combined with piperacillin/tazobactam, and vancomycin combined with ceftriaxone had effective coverage rates of 97.0%, 97.0%, 96.0%, 94.9%, and 90.9%, respectively.Conclusion:The main pathogens in PJI in this region are Gram-positive bacteria, with high rates of methicillin resistance and multidrug resistance. Based on antimicrobial susceptibility data, we recommend vancomycin combined with meropenem as the empirical treatment regimen for culture-negative PJI in this region, with linezolid combined with meropenem as an alternative.

Objective To investigate the effects of low background radiation environments in deep underground settings on the biological behavior of NP69 human nasopharyngeal epithelial cells(NP69 cells)and the underlying molecular mechanisms.Methods A parallel control experimental design was adopted and NP69 cells were synchronously cultured in settings of three underground depths at the China in situ Deep-Underground Facility&Life Observatory(DeUFO)—ground level(DeUFO-0 m),1 000 m underground(DeUFO-1 000 m),and 1 500 m underground(DeUFO-1 500 m).Changes in cell proliferation and migration capabilities were assessed using the Cell Counting Kit-8(CCK-8)assay and scratch assay,respectively.High-throughput RNA sequencing(RNA-Seq)was performed to identify differentially expressed genes(DEGs).Functional annotation and pathway enrichment analysis of the DEGs were performed using the Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)databases.Results CCK-8 assay revealed that,after 72 h of culture,the absorbance value of the DeUFO-0 m group was 1.35 times and 1.27 times those of the those of the DeUFO-1 000 m and DeUFO-1 500 m groups,respectively(both P<0.000 1).After 96 h of culture,the absorbance value of the DeUFO-0 m group was 1.52 times and 1.41 times those of the DeUFO-1 000 m and DeUFO-1 500 m groups,respectively(both P<0.000 1).Colony formation assays revealed that the number of cell colonies in the DeUFO-0 m group was 1.59 times and 1.27 times those in the DeUFO-1 000 m group and DeUFO-1 500 m group,respectively(both P<0.001).The scratch assay revealed that the 36-hour wound healing rate of the DeUFO-0 m group was 2.22 times and 4.00 times those of the DeUFO-1 000 m group and DeUFO-1 500 m group,respectively(both P<0.000 1).Transwell assays revealed that the number of migrating cells in the DeUFO-0 m group was 2.08 times and 2.56 times those in the DeUFO-1 000 m group and DeUFO-1 500 m group,respectively(both P<0.000 1).Transcriptome sequencing analysis revealed consistent upregulation of CELF2,CELF4,CGB8,GRHL2,and DMRTA2 genes in the DeUFO-1 000 m and DeUFO-1 500 m groups.Pathway enrichment analysis indicated significant enrichment of extracellular matrix(ECM)remodeling-associated pathways and gene expression regulation pathways in the experimental groups(false discovery rate[FDR]<0.05).Conclusion The low background radiation environment in deep underground settings suppresses the proliferation and migration activities of NP69 cells by mediating ECM remodeling and post-transcriptional regulatory mechanisms through the regulation of target genes such as the CELF family.This study provides experimental evidence for establishing a dose-response relationship between environmental radiation and cellular effects.

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of Youguiwan on the leptin/Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 （STAT3） signaling pathway in the lung tissue of the rat model of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease （COPD） due to kidney-Yang deficiency. MethodForty rats were modeled for COPD with the syndrome of kidney-Yang deficiency by intratracheal instillation of lipopolysaccharide on day 1 and day 14 and continuous fumigation for 6 weeks， during which hydrocortisone was injected intramuscularly at an interval of 3 days. The modeled rats were randomized into model， high- （11.7 g·kg^-1）， medium- （5.85 g·kg^-1）， and low-dose （2.93 g·kg^-1） Youguiwan， and aminophylline （0.054 g·kg^-1） group. In addition， 8 SD rats were set as the blank group. After the completion of modeling， the rats in each group were administrated with the corresponding drug by gavage for 28 consecutive days. After the last administration， samples were collected. A lung function analyzer was used to evaluate the lung function of rats. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was employed to measure the levels of interleukin-17A （IL-17A）， interleukin-6 （IL-6）， and tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α） in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid （BALF）. Hematoxylin-eosin staining was employed to observe the pathological changes in the lung tissue， and Masson staining was employed to observe the deposition of blue collagen fibers around bronchi in the lung tissue and calculate the inflammation score. The immunofluorescence assay was employed to measure the protein content of collagen type Ⅰ （ColⅠ） and α-smooth muscle actin （α-SMA） in the bronchi. The protein and mRNA levels of leptin， IL-17A， JAK2， and STAT3 in the lung tissue were determined by Western blot and real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction， respectively. ResultCompared with the blank group， the model group showed decreased lung function （P<0.01）， elevated levels of IL-6， IL-17A， and TNF-α in the BALF （P<0.01）， and increased lung inflammation score， deposition of subcutaneous collagen fibers in the airway， and ColⅠ and α-SMA proteins （P<0.01）. Furthermore， the modeling up-regulated the proteins and mRNA levels of leptin， IL-17A， JAK2， and STAT3 in the lung tissue （P<0.01） and enhanced the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， high- and medium-dose Youguiwan improved the lung function， decreased the inflammation score， reduced collagen fiber deposition and ColⅠ and α-SMA proteins， lowered the levels of IL-6， IL-17A， and TNF-α in the BALF， down-regulated the mRNA and protein levels of leptin， JAK2， STAT3， and IL-17A， and weakened the phosphorylation of JAK2 and STAT3 （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The aminophylline group had higher IL-17A and TNF-α levels than the high-dose Youguiwan group， lower IL-17A level than the medium and low-dose Youguiwan groups， and lower TNF-α level than the low-dose Youguiwan group. Compared with the aminophylline group， the high- and medium-dose Youguiwan groups showed reduced deposition of collagen fibers and protein levels of ColⅠ and α-SMA around the bronchi in the lung tissue （P<0.05， P<0.01）， decreased inflammation score， and down-regulated protein and mRNA levels of leptin， JAK2， STAT3， and IL-17A in the lung tissue. ConclusionYouguiwan can prevent airway remodeling by inhibiting IL-17A to reduce inflammation and collagen deposition in COPD rats， which may be related to the inhibition of the leptin/JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway.