Objective: To analyze the correlation between serum homocysteine (Hcy) and both folic acid (FA) and sperm DNA fragmentation index (DFI), so as to provide the evidence for male fertility assessment. Methods: Males who visited and measured the serum Hcy in the Reproductive Medicine Center of Huzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital from September 2022 to September 2023 were selected as the study subjects. Sperm quality parameters and sperm DFI were analyzed by collecting sperm. Hcy and FA were measured by collecting venous blood. Participants were stratified into a high Hcy group (Hcy≥15.0 μmol/L) and a normal group (Hcy<15.0 μmol/L). The correlations between serum Hcy and FA and sperm DFI were evaluated using linear regression models. Results: A total of 173 participants were enrolled, including 39 in the high Hcy group and 134 in the normal group. The sperm concentration in the high Hcy group was significantly lower than that in the normal group [(91.77±61.11)×106/mL vs. (144.21±106.82)×106/mL, P<0.05]. No statistically significant differences were observed in semen volume, sperm motility, curvilinear velocity, straight-line velocity, average path velocity, or sperm morphology normal rate (all P>0.05). The FA level in the high Hcy group was lower than that in the normal group [(4.44±1.79) nmol/L vs. (7.64±3.68) nmol/L, P<0.05]. The sperm DFI in the high Hcy group was higher than that in the normal group [(19.21±8.85)% vs. (13.07±6.43)%, P<0.05]. Serum Hcy level showed a negative correlation with FA level (r=-0.369, P<0.05) and a positive correlation with sperm DFI (r=0.351, P<0.05). Conclusion Serum Hcy level is associated with sperm concentration, FA and sperm DFI, suggesting that serum Hcy may affect sperm quality.

The 69-year-old male patient developed new-onset atrial fibrillation(AF)2 days after coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG),and it recurred 2 days later.The clinical pharmacist reviewed domestic and international literature,taking into account the patient's medical history,age,and symptoms,and after assessing the risks of thrombosis and bleeding,recommended a triple antithrombotic therapy with rivaroxaban,aspirin,and ticagrelor,which the physician accepted.During hospitalization,the patient maintained sinus rhythm(70-100 beats/min)without bleeding complications.When the patient was discharged,considering that prolonged triple antithrombotic therapy could increase the risk of bleeding and that related coagulation parameters could not be monitored outside the hospital,the clinical pharmacist recommended discontinuing ticagrelor and continuing antithrombotic therapy with aspirin and rivaroxaban.The patient was instructed to follow up one month after surgery for re-evaluation and adjustment of the antithrombotic treatment,which was adopted by the physician.Clinical pharmacists assisted physicians in developing individualized antithrombotic treatment plans for patients and provided pharmaceutical care to the patients'treatment process,which effectively controlled the condition and ensured that the patients'medication was safe and effective.This case could provide a reference for the management of antithrombotic therapy in patients with new-onset AF after CABG.

Objective:To investigate the association of skeletal muscle function(including muscle strength and physical performance) and insulin resistance as well as type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods:The retrospective study included 942 patients who visited the Department of Geriatrics at Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, between October 2020 and July 2024. Low skeletal muscle function was defined as either reduced muscle strength or impaired physical performance. Muscle strength was assessed by grip strength, while physical performance was evaluated using the 5-time chair stand test. The associations between muscle function, insulin resistance, and T2DM were analyzed.Results:A significant association was observed between decreased skeletal muscle function and a higher prevalence of T2DM( P=0.001). Further analysis revealed that decreased physical performance was significantly associated with increased T2DM prevalence( P<0.001), whereas reduced muscle strength showed no significant association with T2DM prevalence( P=0.331). Linear regression analysis indicated that both the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA2-IR) and fasting blood glucose levels increased significantly with longer chair stand times( P<0.05). Restrictive cubic spline(RCS) analysis demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between chair-rising time and HOMA2-IR. Notably, when the cumulative chair-rising time exceed 8.1 s, HOMA2-IR increased significantly with prolonged chair stand time. Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with patients with normal physical performance, those with decreased physical performance had significantly higher odds of T2DM( OR=2.64, P<0.001) and insulin resistance( OR=2.34, P=0.002). Conclusion:Decline in physical performance is significantly positively associated with insulin resistance and the risk of T2DM. Morever, when the cumulative chair stand time exceed 8.1 s, HOMA2-IR increases progressively with further prolongation of chair stand time.

Objective:To investigate the association of skeletal muscle function(including muscle strength and physical performance) and insulin resistance as well as type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods:The retrospective study included 942 patients who visited the Department of Geriatrics at Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, between October 2020 and July 2024. Low skeletal muscle function was defined as either reduced muscle strength or impaired physical performance. Muscle strength was assessed by grip strength, while physical performance was evaluated using the 5-time chair stand test. The associations between muscle function, insulin resistance, and T2DM were analyzed.Results:A significant association was observed between decreased skeletal muscle function and a higher prevalence of T2DM( P=0.001). Further analysis revealed that decreased physical performance was significantly associated with increased T2DM prevalence( P<0.001), whereas reduced muscle strength showed no significant association with T2DM prevalence( P=0.331). Linear regression analysis indicated that both the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance(HOMA2-IR) and fasting blood glucose levels increased significantly with longer chair stand times( P<0.05). Restrictive cubic spline(RCS) analysis demonstrated a nonlinear relationship between chair-rising time and HOMA2-IR. Notably, when the cumulative chair-rising time exceed 8.1 s, HOMA2-IR increased significantly with prolonged chair stand time. Logistic regression analysis showed that compared with patients with normal physical performance, those with decreased physical performance had significantly higher odds of T2DM( OR=2.64, P<0.001) and insulin resistance( OR=2.34, P=0.002). Conclusion:Decline in physical performance is significantly positively associated with insulin resistance and the risk of T2DM. Morever, when the cumulative chair stand time exceed 8.1 s, HOMA2-IR increases progressively with further prolongation of chair stand time.

The 69-year-old male patient developed new-onset atrial fibrillation(AF)2 days after coronary artery bypass grafting(CABG),and it recurred 2 days later.The clinical pharmacist reviewed domestic and international literature,taking into account the patient's medical history,age,and symptoms,and after assessing the risks of thrombosis and bleeding,recommended a triple antithrombotic therapy with rivaroxaban,aspirin,and ticagrelor,which the physician accepted.During hospitalization,the patient maintained sinus rhythm(70-100 beats/min)without bleeding complications.When the patient was discharged,considering that prolonged triple antithrombotic therapy could increase the risk of bleeding and that related coagulation parameters could not be monitored outside the hospital,the clinical pharmacist recommended discontinuing ticagrelor and continuing antithrombotic therapy with aspirin and rivaroxaban.The patient was instructed to follow up one month after surgery for re-evaluation and adjustment of the antithrombotic treatment,which was adopted by the physician.Clinical pharmacists assisted physicians in developing individualized antithrombotic treatment plans for patients and provided pharmaceutical care to the patients'treatment process,which effectively controlled the condition and ensured that the patients'medication was safe and effective.This case could provide a reference for the management of antithrombotic therapy in patients with new-onset AF after CABG.

Objective:To investigate the predictive value of preoperative peripheral blood systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio (PLR) and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) for lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer patients.Methods:A retrospective case cohort study was performed. The clinicopathological data of 319 gastric cancer patients who underwent surgical resection in Jiangsu Cancer Hospital from October 2021 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. Among them, 150 cases were postoperatively pathologically confirmed as non-lymph node (non-metastasis group) and 169 cases were confirmed as lymph node (metastasis group). Preoperative SII, PLR, and NLR of patients in both groups were compared. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was drawn and the area under the curve (AUC) was calculated to determine the optimal cut-off value of all hematological indicators to judge lymph node metastasis. Logistic regression was used to analyze the factors influencing the lymph node metastasis of gastric cancer. According to multivariate logistic regression result, the predictive model for lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer was established. R4.2.1 software was used to establish a nomogram model. C statistics and Hosmer-Lemeshow test were used to evaluate the predictive performance and the fitness of the model.Results:Among 150 non-metastatic patients, 105 cases were male and 45 cases were female, the age [ M ( Q1, Q3)] was 60 years (54 years, 70 years); among 169 metastatic patients, 124 cases were male and 45 cases were female, the age was 64 years (56 years, 70 years). Compared with non-metastasis group, patients in metastasis group had higher levels of preoperative SII, PLR and NLR, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z = -4.58, -4.14, -3.79, all P < 0.05). The AUC values of SII, PLR, and NLR were 0.649, 0.634 and 0.623, respectively, with optimal cut-off values of 710.24, 182.21 and 1.72. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that SII > 710.24 ( OR = 2.051, 95% CI: 1.006-4.184, P = 0.048), PLR > 182.21 ( OR = 1.950, 95% CI: 1.011-3.760, P = 0.046), NLR > 1.72 ( OR =1.976, 95% CI: 1.116-3.500, P = 0.020), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) > 2.57 ng/ml ( OR =2.179, 95% CI: 1.290-3.679, P = 0.004), carbohydrate antigen 724 (CA724) > 1.83 U/ml ( OR =2.365, 95% CI: 1.420-3.938, P = 0.001), and carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199) > 14.85 U/ml ( OR =1.965, 95% CI: 1.129-3.420, P = 0.017) were independent risk factors for lymph node metastasis in gastric cancer. The predictive model of gastric cancer patients with lymph node metastasis: logit (P) = -1.730+0.718×SII+0.668×PLR+0.681×NLR+0.779×CEA+0.861×CA724+0.676×CA199. The prediction accuracy rate was 71.47% and C statistics was 0.762 (95% CI: 0.710-0.815, P < 0.01). There was no statistically significant difference between the model predictive value and the actual observed value ( χ2 = 3.84, P = 0.871). Conclusions:Preoperative monitoring of peripheral blood SII, PLR and NLR levels has a certain value in predicting lymph node metastasis in patients with gastric cancer.

Objective:To investigate the association of skeletal muscle fat index(SMFI) with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods:This retrospective study included 1 100 patients from Department of Geriatric, Renji Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine from October 2020 to October 2023. The SMFI measured by chest computed tomography(CT) is used as an indicator to evaluate the quality of skeletal muscle. Spearman and linear regression analysis were used to evaluate the association between SMFI and homoeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance(HOMA-IR). Multivariate logistic regression analysis and restricted cubic spline(RCS) were used to analyze the association of HOMA-IR with the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus. Finally, interaction and stratified analyses were conducted according to age, sex, body mass index, estimated glomerular filtration rate, uric acid, skeletal muscle index(SMI), smoking, alcohol drinking, hypertension, and dyslipidemia.Results:SMFI showed a significant positive correlation with HOMA-IR( r=0.385, P<0.001). Each 1-unit increase in SMFI led to 0.009, 0.011, 0.004, 0.004, and 0.004 rise in HOMA-IR across adjusted models(all P<0.05). Then subjects were stratified into tertiles( T1, T2, and T3) according to SMFI. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus significantly increased in T2( OR=2.37, 95% CI 1.30-4.31, P=0.005) and T3( OR=2.85, 95% CI 1.39-5.86, P=0.004) compared to T1. RCS analysis showed that the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus increased with the increase of SMFI when SMFI<157.195. The results of subgroup analysis showed that female, under 60 years old, body mass index<24 kg/m 2, uric acid<420 μmol/L, low SMI, non-smoking, non-alcoholic drinking, and non-hypertensive individuals with higher SMFI were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes mellitus. Conclusions:Elevated SMFI is positively associated with insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes mellitus risk. Reducing SMFI below 157.195 may significantly lower the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background::Intrauterine valvuloplasty is an innovative therapy, which promotes ventricular growth and function in some congenital heart diseases (CHDs). The technique remains challenging and can only be performed in a few centers. This study aimed to assess the feasibility and mid-term outcomes of fetal cardiac intervention (FCI) in fetuses with critical CHD in an experienced tertiary center.Methods::Five fetal aortic valvuloplasty (FAV) or fetal pulmonary valvuloplasty (FPV) procedures were performed in our fetal heart center between August 2018 and May 2022. Technical success was defined as crossing the aortic or pulmonary valve and balloon inflation, followed by evidence of increased blood flow across the valve and/or new regurgitation. Follow-up clinical records and echocardiography were obtained during the prenatal and postnatal periods.Results::Five fetuses received FAV or FPV, including critical aortic stenosis ( n = 2) and pulmonary atresia with intact ventricular septum ( n = 3). The mean maternal age was 33.0 ± 2.6 years. The median gestational age (GA) at diagnosis was 24 weeks (range, 22-26 weeks). The median GA at intervention was 29 weeks (range, 28-32 weeks). All five cases underwent successful or partially successful procedures. One patient had pulmonary valve perforation without balloon dilation. No procedure-related deaths or significant complications occurred. However, one neonatal death occurred due to heart and renal failure. The median follow-up period was 29.5 months (range, 8.0-48.0 months). The four surviving patients had achieved biventricular circulation, exhibited improved valve, and ventricular development at the last follow-up visit. Conclusion::Intrauterine FCI could be performed safely with good prognosis in critical CHD.

Objective To explore the potential circular RNA(circRNA)biomarker of Uygur type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 120 T2DM patients and 120 subjects with normal glucose tolerance were recruited from the Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University and Shihezi community from October 2020 to August 2021,and divided into four groups:60 Uygur T2DM patients(Uygur T2DM group),60 Uygur subjects with normal glucose tolerance(Uygur NC group),60 Han T2DM patients(Han T2DM group)and 60 Han subjects with normal glucose tolerance(Han NC group).Hsa_circRNA_0042817,hsa_circRNA_0006532 and hsa_circRNA_0004131 were selected as candidate circRNA,and the expression in peripheral blood were detected by RT-qPCR.Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors for Uygur T2DM,and the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the biomarker value of circRNA in Uygur T2DM.Results The expressions of hsa_circRNA_0042817,hsa_circRNA_0006532 and hsa_circRNA_0004131 were higher in Uygur T2DM group than in Uygur NC group(P<0.05).The expression of hsa_circRNA_0042817 was higher in Uygur T2DM group than in Han T2DM group(P<0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that hsa_circRNA_0042817 was an influencing factor for T2DM in Uygur population[OR(95%CI)3.420(1.567～7.465)].ROC curve analysis showed that the area under the curve was the largest(0.798)in hsa_circRNA_0042817.Conclusion There were up-regulated circRNA in peripheral blood in Uygur T2DM patients,and hsa_circRNA_0042817 may be a biomarker for T2DM in Uygur patients.

We retrospectively analyzed therapy efficacy and the adverse reactions of 10 patients suffering from systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with intestinal involvement treated with rituximab (RTX). Patients were hospitalized in the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology of the First Medical Center of PLA General Hospital from January 2015 to January 2023. Among the 10 patients, two were men and eight were women. The age of the cohort was (41.9±8.8) years. The age at disease onset was (28.8±9.2) years. The total course of the SLE diagnosis was(109.6±59.9) months. The course of the diagnosis of SLE with intestinal involvement was (89.3±50.2) months. The time from the appearance of intestinal symptoms to the diagnosis of SLE with intestinal involvement was 1.5 (1.0,8.0) months. The time from the diagnosis of SLE with intestinal involvement to RTX use was 13.0 (1.0,46.3) months. Follow-up duration after application of RTX treatment was (55.3±28.4) months. There were five cases of abdominal pain, four cases of abdominal distension, nine cases of diarrhea, three cases of nervous-system involvement, nine cases of lupus nephritis, and seven cases of serositis. All 10 patients underwent computed tomography and radiology of the abdomen. Eight patients had intestinal-wall edema, seven suffered intestinal dilation, four had target signs, three suffered congestion of mesenteric blood vessels, eight had increased mesenteric-fat density, and six had false intestinal obstruction. All 10 patients showed a low level of complement C3 (250-750 mg/L). Nine cases showed a low level of complement C4 (10-90 mg/L). The SLE disease activity index 2000 (SLEDAI-2K) at baseline in 10 patients was 20.5 (17.8, 30.0). After receiving RTX (0.5 g: day 1, day 14, or 375 mg/m 2: day 1, day 14) induction treatment, the intestinal symptoms of 10 cases were relieved completely. Four patients had adverse reactions, of which three received a high-dose glucocorticoid combined with RTX treatment simultaneously. Adverse reactions manifested mainly as a reduced level of IgG and infection with herpes simplex virus in one case, reduced level of IgG and lung infection in one patient, lung infection in one case, and reduced IgG level in one patient. RTX may an efficacious treatment strategy for patients suffering from refractory SLE with intestinal involvement.